Currently | June

As always over here on Lemon Pea Lifestyle etc, the end of the month means a quick run down of a few things that are either new in my life or that I'm particularly loving at the moment. So here's the things that have come under those categories over the past 30 days.

Food

I'm still absolutely loving making and eating my homemade granola and it is something I plan to carry on doing but mixing it up with different flavours and additions. If you want to know how to make your own homemade granola check out my video. Other than my own food genius though, I've been enjoying the Lean Machines recipes from their new book 'The Lean Machines: Eat Well Feel Better'. So far I've made the Chilli Prawn Linguine and Vegetable Red Thai Curry both of which were delicious and so easy to make and healthy. I'm looking forward to delving further into it. 

Reading

If you read my 'currently reading' blog post last week you will know that I am reading 'Eat Pray Love' by Elizabeth Gilbert. To say I'm loving it is an understatement. I literally don't want to put it down, ever. I'm reading it on my Kindle which is great because, as much as I love a real book they can be a pain in the bum on busy, rush hour, public transport. I'd definitely recommend the book if you're looking for a bit of motivation or are just feeling a bit bleugh.

Lifestyle

I haven't got anything hugely new in the lifestyle section and this section kind of confuses me. Really all of these things would come under 'lifestyle' but I seem to mention fitness/beauty/fashion in this section normally so based on that I'm going to recommend the Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief. I don't know if it's the weather or what but my skin is SOO dry and this has helped so much. I use it every morning and most nights (but sometimes I use their overnight rescue) and you can also use it during the day by patting it over your makeup. It's great if you've got dry skin or combination skin but I wouldn't recommend it if you've got oily skin. 

Travel

This month Jack and I travelled up to the Midlands to the Royal Three Counties Show. We stayed in Tewkesbury and travelled back home via Bath so we got to see a few places in the UK that we hadn't already, which was one of our goals this year. The Three Counties Show was also a lovely day out and right up mine and Jack's street. There'll be a post up about it soon so keep your eyes peeled for that if you want to know more.

I hope you all had a good month and have another good month ahead. 

Until next time,

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Currently | May 2016

This post is a little late this month as I decided to take a little blogging break at the end of May. I decided I still wanted to post it thought because monthly favourites are some of my favourite blog posts to read and it seems that you guys like my version too so here it is a little later than planned. 

Food

I love granola for breakfast. It's so versatile, on top of yogurt, with milk, used for bircher muesli or as a sprinkle on a smoothie bowl. Any way it's great. However, a lot of shop bought muesli has a lot of added sugar you don't always realise is there. And often there's things in it (dried banana) that I'm just not  fan of. So I decided I'd make my own. That way I knew exactly what was going into it and there wouldn't be something in it I didn't like. If you want to know the recipe for my granola, keep  your eyes open on Sunday. 

Reading

Without any eye rolling please, I've been reading 'Scarlett Says' by Scarlett Moffatt of Gogglebox fame. I don't care what anyone says I love Gogglebox and I think Scarlett is hilarious. Despite what a lot of people seem to think about her she has great ideas and is really intelligent and the book proved that. I loved it, it was a great mixture of funny stories, intelligent thought provoking thoughts and generally it was just a good entertaining, light read, perfect for summer and poolside reading. 

Lifestyle

I very rarely re-purchase beauty products because I like to try new stuff depending on new releases and also what I've read about on my favourite blogs. However, when my Body Shop Baked Brozer hit pan I nearly cried. I love it. It's a beautiful natural bronzer that is perfect for people that are slightly on the Casper the friendly ghost side of the complexion spectrum. It adds a subtle golden glow without making you look like you've had an oops moment with packet of Wotsits. 

Also I've been loving New Look's fitness range. I've picked up a few bits for my minimal exercise habits but it's great for me. I don't do a heap of exercise at the moment so I didn't want to splurge on workout gear so the New Look range is great. It's a good price for decent quality. You can't really lose. 

Travel

If you read my Hello June post, you will know that Jack and I travelled down to Bridport, more specifically Eype, in Dorset over the last bank holiday weekend. We took Jack's dogs down for the as his mum and dad were staying down there for the whole weekend. It was a lovely spot and I'd highly recommend heading down there to have an explore over the summer. It's a lovely seaside spot, with a quaint villagey feel and fantastic beaches (that you might recognise from Broadchurch). We're definitely thinking about going back there soon. 

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Currently | April 2016

I thought it was about time I did another currently post. I haven't done one since February, but I really enjoy creating them and also enjoy watching or reading similar things by other people. They're a great of finding new things to enjoy and also collecting all the things I've loved through the month and sharing them with all you lovely readers. 

April has been a lovely month and it's really beginning to feel like Spring is here and Summer is just around the corner. I've actually worn sunglasses home from work for pretty much a week now. I LOVE IT. I'm looking forward to making lots of plans through the summer that I can share on here and really take full advantage of being able to get out in the sun in the evening. 

For now though, here's what I've been loving through April.

Food

You drink it more than you eat it, unless like me you use the wrong attachment for your magic bullet and the banana doesn't actually get blended. But I'm loving a coffee and banana shake. We all know I'm a coffee fiend and now the weather is warmer a cold coffee shake or blend is the perfect morning treat. Blended up with a banana adds a touch of sweetness and served cold is the perfect way to start a spring morning. I've been particularly enjoying this on a Saturday morning whilst doing chores and lazing around a bit while poor Jacks slaving hard at work. And the best thing is it's so easy to make

Recipe:

1 cup of cold coffee (coffee of your choice)
1 cup of milk (Almond milk is great alternative in this if you don't eat/drink dairy)
1 bannana

Put it all into a blender and whiz until it's all smooth and combined.

Don't you it was easy, didn't I? 

Reading

I fell of the reading wagon a bit. After 'The One in a Million Boy' by Monica Wood for Love Reading. It was a good book. Just good though. It took me a long time to get into it, to get through and I haven't really thought about it since. I'm looking forward to opening up another TBR star and getting stuck in again. 

Lifestyle

Whilst doing our weekly shop in Sainsbury's the other day I spotted a pack of three muslin cloths by Dirty Works for £3. They were reduced from £4 but even a full price they're a bargain. I currently only have the two that came with my Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish and I'm forever wishing I had more because I use them everyday which means they're always dirty. Also I finally sorted out my beautiful Kikki K planner that Jack bought me or Valentines Day. I went for the printable from Crossbow Printables on Etsy and I love them! I can jot down everything I want to and I feel super organised with them and my planner. 

Travel

Now the sun has out its been really good to get out and about and enjoy our home town again. After being away for a while it's been like re-discovering it all again. We haven't really travelled anywhere apart from little towns and villages in Sussex that we love and enjoy exploring. Sussex in summer can't be beaten. The only downside is the wasps. 

So that's my month. What have you been up to recently?

Until next time,

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Currently February 16

Welcome back to another installment of what I seem to be calling 'currently' which is a bit of a strange title but, I'm going with it now. This month has been oddly hectic but it's been a good month and it finally is beginning to look like Spring might be just around the corner - which is my favourite season of the year. 

So here it is, February.

Watching&Listening

Chewing Sand aka Hazel Hayes

I do enjoy a bit of YouTube and love it as a social media platform and I do have my favorites. Whilst I was away I missed a fair few videos that I wished I could have watched from some of my favourite YouTubers, due to lack of WiFi in the land of Aus. One of those was Hazel Hayes 'Time of the Month' series that she posted on her channel Chewing Sand every month of the year last year. 

Eating&Drinking

Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day. I love breakfast and I've figured out breakfasts that fill me up to keep me going until lunch but don't make me feel all rubbish and sluggish. At the moment I've been enjoying porridge topped with some of my favourite Whole Earth crunchy peanut butter, honey and banana. It's super yummy and keeps me going through the morning without feeling like I need a snack. On the weekend, I tend to have a bigger breakfast later on in the morning so I like to whizz up my 'All the Berries' smoothie often with frozen berries which makes it thicker and more like a frozen yoghurt which is DELICIOUS.

Reading

Buy it here

This is the first book I've read for TBR 20 challenge and my first star from my TBR jar. So far I've been really enjoying it and enjoying trying a Bill Bryson that's new to me. I'll put a review up when I've finished it, off course, but for now I'm enjoying it a lot. 

So, what have you been loving this month? Let me know in the comments below. I hope you had a good month, and here's to an even better one. 

Until next time,

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Currently | January 16

First week into February and I'm going to take my Friday post this week to look back on my current loves from January. January was a good month, starting a new job, finally getting all our belongings arrive from Australia and generally a good start to the year. January saw a few new things enter into my favourite things - a new newsletter, a TV show re-visit and some good recipes.

Watching&Listening

Credit

Yep, Call the Midwife. I'm a massive fan and for two years I've been out of the loop. I haven't caught up on what I've missed yet but I couldn't not delve back in when the new series started a couple of weeks ago. Who else just watches as wishes they could be as glam as Trixie and be living in 1960's East End and be a midwife? Every weekend I watch it and think I'm going to have a career path change. Well I'll just live vicariously through my Sunday night obsession.

Reading

Credit

You've probably heard of the goddess that is Deliciously Ella aka Ella Woodward after every blogger under the sun is raving about her cookbook which I can't wait to get my hands on. However I've signed up to her newsletter from her website and I love it. The recipes you get are so good, absolutely delicious but also super healthy and nutritious. My favorite so far is the banana and peanut butter smoothie. Yum! 

Eating&Drinking

I acquired a magic bullet blender over the Christmas period so as you can imagine I've been rustling up a few smoothies in that which has been great for my healthy eating campaign. I'll tell one thing for sure having a simple, easy to clean blender makes smoothie making and consuming a lot earlier and a lot more likely. But a recipe of mine I've been loving is my simple greens and red pesto pasta which I've been having for lunch a lot. I make a bulk lot of this at the beginning of the week and see's me through easily and is super filling so great for lunch on busy days. It's also full of goodness - fibre, iron, calcium all good stuff. So here it is:

Ingredients
500g wholewheat pasta
190g red pesto
1 broccoli
100g kale
8 spring onions

Method
Bring a liter of water to the boil.
Add the 500g of pasta and cook for 15-20 minutes.
While the pasta is cooking chop the spring onions and broccoli.
Once the pasta is cooked drain it and put it in a bowl.
Put the broccoli in the pan and cover with water, bring to the boil and cook for about 10 minutes or until soft.
Whilst the broccoli is cooking add the kale and spring onions to the bowl with the pasta.
Stir it all together so the kale softens.
Once the broccoli is cooked drain the water away and bash it around in the pan to break it up a bit.
Stir the broccoli in with the pasta before adding the pesto and stirring that through the ingredients as well.

And there we have it a super simple recipe to see you through the week to save you getting up early to make a lunch or spending your hard earned money on a not so nutritious sandwich.

What have you been loving this past month? Let me know in the comments.

Until next time,

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Currently | September

September was a very travel heavy month for me. The most time we spent in one place was a week. So, when it comes to what I'm currently loving its been a bit tricky for me to remember and decide. However I've managed to gather together a few things that I've been enjoying this month and here they are for you to enjoy too.

Listening&Watching

Well you can probably guess I haven't been watching much as we've been camping almost every night in the back of the ite. Apart from the rugby World Cup and the NRL grand final we've not been watching anything at all. However, with long days in cars we do need things to listen too. I tried to get back into Game of Thrones where I'd left off but it had been such a long time I'd forgotten what had happened. Jack had been thinking of diving into the series too, but the size of the books put him off. We came to the conclusion that downloading the audio book would be the way forward. It's been a good way to get back into them and we've both been enjoying listening to them when we've got a long day on the road. I'd definitely reccomend the Audible app if you're a bit put off my the size of a book but want to read something.

Eating&Drinking

This month has been a coffee revelation for me. I went off it for a bit as caffeine is not anxiety's friend, but I missed it too much and soon found myself wishing for a coffee shop. When I got back to it I decided to try something new. I've always been a cappuccino person for as long as I've drunk coffee however, flat white called out to me and I went for it. Let's just say I'm not going back, even the chocolate sprinkle can't tempt me. Also no sugar food was the thing I was most looking out for this 'no sugar September'. I found Niomi Smarts banana bread recipe was just what I needed. It was really satisfying as well as being sugar, dairy and gluten free and vegan. Definitely one to try.

Reading

I had a bit of a reading slump in the middle of the month and didn't really fancy anything. And what with listening to Game of Thrones it's been a funny reading month. However I chose 'History of the Rain' by Niall Williams from my kindle TBR list and I'm really enjoying it. It was long listed for the Man Booker Prize last year and it's definitely worth picking up if you're after something different but easy to read.

So that's my month in things I've been loving. What about you? Let me know in the comments and let me know what your favourite things were this month.

Until next time,

Em 

Currently | August

You may remember back in April I published a post that was all about what I'd been currently loving in various different things. It's a post I enjoyed writing and apparently you all enjoyed reading so I thought I might make it a semi regular thing here on LPL. 

I'm always trawling the internet for new things to try and experience and what am I good for if not sharing the best of those things with you? So here are my current favourite things.

Listening&Watching

I've been really getting into podcasts recently. They're a great way to unwind after a day without sitting and staring at a screen. Also a great accompaniment for light cardio which I've been partaking in recently due to a back injury. My favourite at the moment is Bookish Blether hosted by Nicola and Holly. It's a great podcast about books and reading and they last roughly 30-40 minutes each. The girls are lovely and so easy to listen to. I've binge listened to all the episodes so far in about three days and now I'm waiting for the next. I've also got some other podcasts I'm trying out so I'll let you know how they go shortly. 

Eating&Drinking

Currently I've been loving green tea with ginger and honey. Green tea is something I love as is hot ginger and honey so one day I had a bit of an epiphany and thought why not combine the two. And I'm so glad I did. It's a great tasty combo and something I'd definitely recommend. I've also been enjoying my healthy homemade muesli bars which is a recipe you should definitely check out if you're looking for a healthy snack.

Reading

Currently I've been reading 'Catcher in the Rye' by Harper Lee. Talk about jumping on a bandwagon right? But I'm loving it so far, I'll let you know more about it ASAP. Hopefully I'll have it finished this Sunday for a new book for clean sheet Sunday.

Using

My skin has been incredibly dry as of late and my face has been breaking out big time. I like to use simple products with not too many ingredients. I also like to stick to brands I know. So recently I've been loving Dove's hydro nourishment body moisturiser. It's a brand I trust and continue to go back to in several departments. Skin being one of them, in particular my body. If you're suffering with a bit of dry skin I would definitely give this one a whirl, I've been using it a week and my skin feels as good as new. 

So that's what I've been loving recently. How about you? Tweet me recommendations or leave a comment below. 

Also if you have a better name for this segment let me know! 

Until next time, 

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January.

I can't quite believe it's the end of January already. We've already done one our of the twelve months out of this year which really is slightly terrifying but a round of applause to everyone for making it through January which is, let's be honest, probably the worst of all months. However, as months go this one has been pretty good for me. 

I started January and 2015 celebrating the start of the new year in Sydney which was a pretty awesome and unbeatable way to start the year for sure. It was something we'd talked about but until December weren't sure was going to happen so the fact we managed to get there in good time to enjoy Sydney and NYE was incredible. It definitely got the year of to a good start. 

Spending the last month in Yamba enjoying the beaches, looking after the dogs and the bird has been a lot of fun and super relaxing. Although it's also been stressful at times because we haven't been able to earn the money we'd have liked it's been a nice time really enjoying what's around and what this small part of Australia has to offer. We do a lot of travelling around but we often move on quite quickly and don't always get to see everything we'd like but we've really taken advantage of the not having anything to do and seen as much as possible. 

As always we've done a fair bit of driving but it's been worth it to see things we wanted to see. We really go to explore Byron Bay and Coffs Harbour and just spend the whole day wandering around and seeing what there was to see. It's been nice to get to some new places we haven't seen before particularly Byron as I feel it's a place you here a lot about so it was good to go and see it myself. 

Off course we've been enjoying the beaches and spending a lot of time in the water particularly on the hot sunny days, although the weather has been a bit grey recently when the sun comes out to the beach it is. We both love the beach so it's been good throughout the month to get some quality beach time, and at some different and beautiful beaches *cough* Byron beach *cough*.

As expected when there's a kitchen to be used I'm in it. While we've had a kitchen again I've been enjoying creating some yummy food - a lot of Asian, but also doing some baking. We were left with a huge bunch of bananas which all went ripe on the same day so of course I had to make some banana bread with it and we were enjoying it for a few days afterwards. It's always nice to have some homemade food in the house. 

So that's pretty much my January I'll be ending the month with my first hair cut of the year and hopefully a trip to Australia Zoo on the weekend. 

I hope you all enjoyed January and got 2015 off to a cracking start?

Until Monday...

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Easter treats then back to reality | Finally Friday

A long Easter weekend was the ideal ending to my week last week. Stress levels were at maximum by Wednesday and a peaceful weekend at home was just what I needed. The Easter weekend was spend in the best way, in the company of good friends and family, enjoying the idyllic Sussex scenery with a few pints to begin the weekend. 

I rustled up a few treats in the kitchen over the weekend. It was Easter and a week of full on working out and healthy eating earned me Saturday mornings American pancakes. And the lemon shortbread and the carbonara and the chocolate dog courtesy of Sarah, a survivor of the rugby tour to Belgium. It was Easter and I wanted to treat myself so I did and so should everyone every now and again. Everything in moderation. 

It's so nice to have light, warm evenings again. The day is longer and I personally just feel more energised and happier when every evening isn't spent huddled round the TV donned in fluffy clothing. Spring is probably my favourite time of year. 

Tuesday was back to the grind though. The last full week of a 6am alarm though and that thought has definitely kept me going. I've been on the shorthand like a woman possessed this week, determined to get that 100 words per minute down. I'm not going to say how I feel I did cause I'm also a tad superstitious, only when it comes to exams really, and I don't want to jinx it. 

The beginning of another week also saw the return of the healthy food and plenty of exercise. Much to my pleasure. Don't get me wrong I love full fat pancakes and lots of chocolate on occasion but I definitely feel better all round for healthy food and a workout a day. Never thought I'd say that. Is this a new me? I think it might be. 

Anyway, not a bad week, not the best but definitely not the worst. Got a busy weekend with lots of seeing lovely people and lots of revision for my final exam.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend, until next time.

Spring is here, smiles all round (and the regular tablespoon of stress) | Finally Friday

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Spring is finally here and I am loving it. The sun is out, evenings are lighter and mornings aren't quite as much of a chore. If it wasn't for being stuck inside Brighton Journalist Works everyday I'd probably be the happiest chica going but as it is stress is still present as ever and therefore, spring still isn't quite would it good be.

I made the best of it though and bought some daffodils when I got home on the weekend to brighten up my day of slogging over portfolio cover sheets, at present the bain of my life and the only thing I seem to be doing, and cracking on with shorthand. I also treated myself to some strawberries and raspberries, they were there and my breakfast looked so much better with them involved. Natures sweeties I believe.

The final tour fundraising quiz night happened at the Rugby club which was as fun as ever. All in good spirits and I think the boys are all happy that it's finally here and they can journey off to Belgium on a coach and play rugby for the weekend, and do those other things we can't say about but we all know will happen. Behave boys. It was selfie central that night our group selfie isn't quite as impressive as Ellen's but with Will Cullen in charge of the camera we got one of everyone there so that's good. A good mood to start the week in.

Sunday was one of the best sunday's going. A stroll through a local village with afternoon tea. Glorious and just what the doctor ordered. Gorging on scones, clotted cream and jam always makes everything better. Followed by a pamper session my Sunday was the best way to start my hectic week.

We hit one month til Aus today so that's super exciting though scary knowing there's still a few things on the to do list and with how quickly the weeks have been going thus far it's going to fly by. Better get ticking.

I took breakfast by the reins this week and have really enjoyed all my breakfasts. Bit of a boring way to end the post but seeing as breakfast is supposedly the most important meal of the day it's got to be important to enjoy it so I've been making sure that's been happening recently. Lot's of yummy fruit and oat varieties to get me going for the day.

So that's my week. I'm not going to tell you about shorthand and course details all the time just assume their still present until otherwise stated. Oh I can't wait.

Enjoy your weekend!

Can't remember | Finally Friday

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It's awful, but this week has flown by so quickly I can't really remember all that much about it. It started well though with A's in both my Law exams. I'm still waiting on reporting results and I'll be honest I'm not as hopeful after we've practically been assured that if we get any more than a C we'll be knighted, sainted and godified for the rest of NCTJ life. Always reassuring. 

I also received a new book for review in the post. I'm hoping a new book is going to get me back into reading properly. I have done hardly any reading since I've been on the course because I've been so busy. Remember that 'before aus' reading list that I was banging on about throughout January, well that fell by the way-side pretty soon into NCTJ life. Reading is has been a bit of a no-no this week as well with every spare minute, ha that's funny, being dedicated to getting shorthand up to as best 100 words per minute as possible or last minute portfolio shenanigans. 

I've been keeping up with the running though. Three runs this week amongst everything else is pretty good going trust me. With spring evenings now here, there is a good side to losing an hour sleep, it means running is much easier to do because the dark evenings aren't tempting me to stay inside rather than pull on the running shoes and get out there. It's also been relatively warm which always makes me happier and so running shorts rather than running leggings has also been a thing I've been enjoying.

I was home over the weekend as always which is always nice. Enjoying the company of the evil miserable looking dog and some galaxy hot chocolate as well as the company of my family. We enjoyed a good mothering Sunday on the rugby sideline to a cracking lose by our boys but that's the name of the game and I don't think we're talking about it yet so let's hope none of them see this post. 

So that was about as much as I've done apart from the finishing off of the portfolio stress and shorthand speed development I have nothing else to say. So I hope you had a good weekend and enjoy your weekend. Until Monday chaps. 

Document Your Life - March 2014 | The Weekend Post

I said to expect a weekend post. I also said to expect a couple of 'Document Your Life' videos in preparation for Australia documentation. Basically you get to witness me learn to use editing software again and hopefully next month use my camera rather than my phone.

This month it looks like I spend most of my time walking dogs and sitting on public transport. That would be true. It's been a good months and I hope you like the little change up of form for this months wrap up.

My favourite posts this month that I'd like you all to read:

The Van.3

DIY Manicure

Book Recommendations for your Mum

Going Long Distance...And Coping

I won't miss this week | Finally Friday

We haven't been here on Friday for a while. Two weeks it's been I think, well we're here now so let's not dwell on the negative and let's get on with wrapping up the week that's passed.

The week started well. I got to get all dressed up for a dinner dance fundraiser at the rugby club. My brother's team are off to Belgium for their rugby tour in April and so fundraising has been happening in abundance. This one was a particularly good night, lot's of dancing, eating good food and drinking good wine. Well drinking wine. It was a really good night the boys were brilliant waiters and bar men not to mention musicians and singers, even if the songs were rather choice. 

Saturday morning was a bit of a struggle though. Apparently I can't keep up with sixteen year old boys when drinking now a days. However, it was a good excuse for a hot bubble bath and a face mask on a Saturday afternoon. As if I needed an excuse. 

I've been trying to a workout everyday and been relatively successful and am hoping to get along to a Zumba class next week to get some more cardio in. Healthy eating has been successful. No naughty treats and all clean eats. My favourite this week was a protein pancake (a banana, a handful of oats and 2 eggs) topped with grilled apples. It was sweet and yummy but wasn't naughty. Bikini body will be mine. 

Jack absconded to New Zealand this week. Lucky bugger a two week break in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. 

So that's all I have to say this week, it's typical the week I get back into Friday posts is the week I have the most boring week. Oh well, onwards and upwards. Here's to getting back into Friday posts. Hopefully a weekend post this week. 

What? Who said that? 

Week 9, cause I don't know what else to call it | Finally Friday

You've probably noticed that these posts consistently go up on a Saturday morning nowadays, I don't have an excuse apart from that after three hours of shorthand followed by packing and a 45 minute drive home I can't be bothered. I do create the photos on a Friday and know what I'm going to mention I just never get round to writing them up. However, I'm still going to call them Finally Friday's because well, the intention is there.

So this week started with extra birthday celebrations for my Dad. However, I started Saturday morning with a cuppa and some marmalade on toast, and the John Lewis and Waitrose magazine. A good start I think we can agree. I was intending on making my dad a chocolate cake but the Waitrose magazine gave me inspiration and we ended with a fresh cream and strawberry sponge. It went down well and the last slice was made into a shot alongside some rum. Apparently it's a rugby people thing, I think it's a crazy people thing.

Sunday morning we went along to the Cullen's (Jack's family for any confused) for a breakfast. Of course I got to see Loki and Tess which always makes my day. I'm such a loser I know. It was a good breakfast and got to see Jack's aunty and uncle and little cousins before they went back to France which was good. 

This week at college has been ridiculously hectic and stressful. Monday was by far the worst panic day I've had in a long time. I got through it though and sat the mock exam and think (fingers big time crossed) that it went ok. The reporting mock, not so sure. Reporting is by far my worst lesson which probably sounds bizarre when I'm doing a journalism diploma. It's the one I find hardest by far and also a little dull not for lack of a lovely lecturer it's just quite repetitive.

I got to come home in the middle of the week this week which was nice, would have been nicer without the £9.90 ticket. Had a relaxing afternoon that included pancakes and an evening listening to Dr Alan Simmonds talk about Littlehampton (my town) during WW1. In case you've not gathered yet it's the centenary of the beginning of the First World War this year and it's a period of history I'm really interested but have never learned anything about it in this area. It was definitely interesting despite it not quite being what I thought it would be. Hopefully I'll get a story out of it for my portfolio as well.

So that's my week really. Same old, same old apart from the stuff I've mentioned. The weekend looks set to be a good one and the weather is supposedly going to be good so that's a bonus. So until next time, have a good weekend. 

A busier week than I realised | Finally Friday

When I started thinking about today's post I couldn't really remember what I'd done this week and didn't really feel liked I'd done a lot. Then I looked through my phone at the photos I'd taken this week and realised I'd done more than I thought. Time is just going by so quickly I lost half my week somewhere.

The weekend was, although relaxed, busy in a good way. I spent Saturday walking around the local village of Steyning with my mum. It was nice just to wander around in the sun and not think about college for a while. We spend too much time admiring sweets in the traditional sweet shop, too much time fawning over the first sunflowers I've seen this year and ate cake. A good day I think you'll agree.

I also went to see 12 Years a Slave this weekend with my family as our hyperlocal cinema has re-opened and is charging over the odds to see a film that all the other cinemas screened weeks ago. But I think it's pretty clear that it was the must see of this movie season so we couldn't resist. It was really good in a way that can't be described as enjoyable because it was disturbing and though provoking and heart wrenching but amazingly made and brilliant because of all those things. I made my own popcorn and definitely read the recipe wrong because I've been eating popcorn all week and still have half a tub left. 

Sunday was a chilled day. I got work done, packed for the week and spoke to Jack for a good few hours while everyone else was at rugby. Me and mum took the dog for what turned into a very muddy walk forcing Molly to be sat in the footwell on the way home, something, as you can see by the look on her face, she hates. Sunday ended with roast beef, my second favourite way to end a Sunday, my first being roast lamb. A good weekend all round.

This week has been intense. I started revision for my law mock. It feels like I've only just started learning and already I'm revising. Pulling out the coloured pens was a bit nostalgic as I flashed back to A-Level days drawing endless mind maps. I also made a nifty fake front page in production which I loved doing and am really proud of as it's something I've never done before. Might look easy, it's not. But this type of journalism, known as sub-editing, seems as of yet the most up my street. 

We went to crown court this week which is in Lewes. If you're in the area go for a wander, especially if it's sunny. It's an historic town complete with castle, cobbled pavements and coffee shops to your hearts content. I took Katie for mini tour of the town after court and after food obviously and she seemed to quite like the place. Again, it was nice just to get away from the dead end of Hollingbury for a morning and enjoy the sunshine. Court itself was dreadfully boring. If you want your mind to be numbed by an hour and a half of a dreary judge re-reading evidence to a jury from a two week long court case go along to the verdict day of a murder trial. We were all under the impression it was going to be exciting and make a great story neither of which ended up being true. The most exciting part of it all was realising I know the family on trial as they're quite notorious around my parts and realising I'd heard all about the incident a few months ago. 

I've been making salads this week and I've been enjoying them. I've changed them up each day but my favourite was definitely Monday's. Feta, spinach, rocket, tomatoes, cucumber and pomegranate seeds with a balsamic and chilli oil dressing. Fantastic. I've also got myself a new desk. My carpet. I've found sitting on the floor and working is much easier than on the bed so that's what I'm going for due to lack of dining room table/actual desk at my uncles.

It's my dad's birthday so this evening I'll be enjoying a fish & chips supper. Thank god I need some grease in my life at the moment. And probably a cider or two. 

So that was my week. A pretty busy one, hope your week was enjoyable and enjoy your weekend! 

The week I ate the most expensive salad I've ever eaten | Finally Friday

This week was a funny one. I started it a bit down and ended it a bit down. Stress definitely got to me this week but looking back it was quite productive and a good week, in general. It ended on a high, with me feeling a lot less stressed and happier so that's a good thing. I still enjoyed my week so my motivational monday was successful in part, however, I could have enjoyed it more so I think I'll be going back to that one at some point. It's scary to think that when I revisit that particular resolution it will be the penultimate week of my course, so maybe that won't be too successful either but we'll see.

This week 12 of us went to Brighton Museum & Art Gallery to complete the review part of our portfolio's. We went to look at the Subversive Design exhibition they've got on. It was really good and I really liked what they had on display but reviewing it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I thought it would be relatively easy. I enjoyed what I saw, good sign, and I've written reviews before, experience could come in handy. It didn't. It didn't matter how good I thought what I saw was and how many things I could say about it I couldn't write it down in review form. The 250-300 words we were set sounded like a doddle, it was more like trying to draw blood from a stone trying to get those words out. Finally I got there but I spend the two hours of trying mainly spinning on my chair, chewing my nails and drinking tea in attempt to figure out how I was going to get it done.

I also bought a salad that day. For some reason the wonder that is Pompoko vanished from mine and Katie's mind and we stumbled into Eat defiant we were not heading back to college empty handed forced to surrender to the claws of Asda's sandwiches again. I chose a healthy, vegetarian salad. Falafel, hummus, chilli's, green leaves and all that jazz. And it was delicious. I enjoyed it a lot although I left the scary looking chilli's out of fear that they might destroy my taste buds for life. However, the £5.22 price that was announced to me at the till nearly made me fall over. For a salad. I thought it was some cruel joke. It wasn't. So I paid the money and made a mental note that Eat will only be for me when I'm not a poor student.

I met a new dog this week. Excitement overload. Jack's family have adopted the little fella that has now been called Loki, although the poor thing has gone through Luke, Lucas, Stavros and Milo over the past week. However, he apparently seems to be responding to Loki so is sticking. He's a character and he's adorable. Very excited that him and my second best bitch, Tess, will be coming to stay in April.

It was sunny again at the end of the week, at present it's continuing but I don't hold much hope for this week coming. It was nice, though to get home in daylight and not in rain and to walk out of the flat in the morning and get a dose of vitamin D. Makes me feel more ready for the day and generally people's moods are better. Although when I'm sat at the computer at college answering a reporting question for nearly two hours and I can see the blue skies and sunshine through the blind it does make me sad that I'm not out walking along the seafront in it.

The week ended on a high for me. I spent last night at the rugby club for a quiz night, and obviously to watch the France, Wales game. Any night spent at the rugby club is a good night. Spirits are always high and everyone has a laugh. The pork pie and minstrels I devoured when I got home though suggest I had one too many Koppaberg's as that's not my normal 12am diet. It was good night and a good end to my week.

I hope you all had a good week and enjoy your weekend! Until, next time.

N.B Today I enjoyed the pork pie and minstrels

The First Published Article | Finally Friday

This week was quite an exciting week. I got an e-mail on Monday morning informing me that I'd have the article I sent to the Chichester Observer (my local paper) would be published. I contacted them last week asking if they had anything they needed someone to write over Valentine's period with a couple of ideas of my own and received an e-mail  back saying they liked my idea about including mine and Jack's Valentine's situation in the article along with some cheap and different ways of spending Valentine's. So that's what I did. I got a 600 word piece (not bad for my first published article) a full page with four of my own photos. Very impressed and very happy. Not a bad start to the week or a bad start to the whole journalism thing.

As part of the NCTJ we had a court visit this week. Me and and twelve others trundled along, in the rain, to Brighton Magistrates court to use a court proceeding for one of our portfolio pieces. It was a really good experience and we got some good cases (good in terms of writing about them, not good in terms of what was happening). It's not something I'd rush back to do as it was a little boring and monotonous at times but overall it was a life experience.

When we left court the sun was out for the fist time in weeks. Over excitement due to the sunshine and due to the prospect of something else for lunch other than an Asda sandwich, we decided to head into town to find something to eat. Gemma suggested Pompoko somewhere I'd never heard of but was happy to try on hearing it was Japanese food and cheap. The key to my heart. It was really good food. Tasty and cheap, I'll definitely be returning. £5.80 for a HUGE bowl of rice topped with prawns marinated in ginger, honey and soy sauce with peppers and onions and a can of coke. It was more than enough to munch on for lunch and I was incredibly happy with my choice. The only thing that made it better was the 3pm Creme Egg snack break.

This week me and Jack hit the 3 month countdown until I get to Aus. It was exciting seeing as we're officially over half way in between him leaving and me getting there and it's gone so quickly. Even more so now I'm busy with the course and he's busy re-vamping the van and looking for work. It's exciting don't get me wrong but there's still a lot to happen and also get done before I land on 13th May. Eee. Excited face.

My hair's growing. You may not know this but at the end of 2012 I cut my hair (at the time below my waist) up to above my shoulders. So much hair. I loved it for the first two weeks then hated it forever after that. I was so happy when it got below my shoulders but I caught how long it's looking in the mirror the other day and nearly squealed. It's not far of how long it was before I cut it which made me super happy. Definitely a good week this week.

In case you missed it it was Valentine's day this week. I thought I could revert back to a crying mess of missing Jack but it was fine I got to talk to him throughout the morning and he's camping this weekend so I'm keeping busy doing blog stuff and course work so it's not too bad. Of course I'd have preferred it if he could have been here but we'll get over it and here's too many more Valentine's Days together. I also did a couple of fun illustrations with a Valentine's theme. So maybe, if journalism fails, greeting card designing?

So that was my week, sorry this didn't actually go up on Friday but I couldn't get a picture of my article for the post until today when I came home so you got it now. Anyway, hope you've all had a good week and enjoy your weekend.

Until Monday.

All About January | Monthly Wrap Up

A new feature, and on a Sunday. Shock Horror. I was going to post this last weekend as that was technically the beginning of February but I wasn't 100% sure about it at the time but I've decided to go for it. So every first Sunday of the month I'm going to wrap up the month that went before it. It's a good oppurtunity to look at everything I've done over the month, combine the majority of the posts over the past month under one title. It's also good to see how the blog is developing and where I think I can go next with it. As well as that, anyone who comes along in the middle of the month or at the end doesn't miss out on anything as all my favourite posts of previous months will be in one post. It's a bit of a selfish thing really because it's basically a chance for me to look at what I've written over the past month and see if I've achieved what I wanted. 

So I started January as most did, with some resolutions. December wasn't a great month for me spending most of it feeling a bit down and upset about a lot of things, but New Years Day gave the oppurtunity I needed to change all of that and kick myself up the bum and get into action. I decided to get healthier, worry less, see more of the world and enjoy myself. I think generally, so far, I've been quite successful. I've been running as much as I can, considering the 9-5 plus three hours for hunting down stories and shorthand, and I've been heating pretty healthy, again considering the constant need for chocolate on the course. I've definitely been worrying less, I've had the odd moment a couple of times when tiredness and stress has gotten the better of me and I've succumbed to a crying mess on the floor and some mini eggs, but generally the trajectory is upwards. Operation: See More Of the World, is always a-go. Plans for Australia get brought up at least once a day. Travel insurance is still to be purchased, detailed travel plans are still to be made and a packing list is still to be written. Australia is the only real point of call that we have but New Zealand and Thailand are still at the back of the mind depending on funds. I've definitely enjoyed myself more and have thrown myself into the course and made some brilliant friends. New people have and new things have always been a bit of an anxiety trigger but it didn't take me long to realise that everyone was in the same boat and I was actually quite privileged to be able to go home at the weekend, something that I wouldn't be able to cope with.

My tickets for Australia arrived this month which was very exciting. The £900 that left my bank account wasn't so exciting but needs must. It all got very real but it was good to be able to talk to Jack about the whole thing a bit more definitely saying without saying 'well if I get out there...'. We were able to sort out some more plans and get a better idea of what we want to do and see. It also definitely helped with the third resolution. 

This year I also made some reading resolutions. Every year I set some sort of goal in terms of my reading but after seeing how successful my general resolutions were becoming after posting them on here for the world to see I thought that perhaps my reading would be as successful. As of yet, the theory isn't proving true. I've been so busy that reading has been thrown the back a bit but I am still reading and still intending on fulfilling all of these goals. I have got a twenty four hour flight to fill so I've got time. 

Every Tuesday on the blog is Tuesday Travels. Generally this involved me waffling on about Aus plans and stuff Aus related. However, in January I temporarily moved out (excluding weekends) to Brighton for ease due to my course being located in Brighton. It was bit weird as it was the first time I've stayed away from home, more or less on my own, for more than two weeks. At twenty that's a bit embarrassing and a bit scary considering I'm going to Australia on my own in a few months, however it's all been fine. I've been doing time keeping, and getting myself up, dressed and out the door on time excellently and as of yet there's been no disasters. 

Overall, January has been a pretty good month. It started off pretty down and dull but I managed to pick myself up and get on, something I'm proud off. Once I'd gotten over my mini panic phase the month was bright and shiny, not literally the weather has been appalling, and I've enjoyed my January. Let's hope it can only get better. 

Back In The Swing Of Things | Finally Friday

It was another busy one this week but I feel I was more on top of it all. Blog posts, and not crap last minute thoughtless ones, went up everyday and I tweeted like a trooper at Brighton Journalist Works' recommendation. Shorthand was as confusing as it ever is, but it's getting better, definitely better. I suppose it could never have got worse. I've been keeping on top of it, completing homework assignments and going over each unit after we've done it to consolidate. I'll be honest I'm a little shorthanded out this week. However, saying that I can definitely see why they advice an hour a day practice, it would just be running away without me, faster than it already it if I wasn't practicing.

Skies appeared to blue and bright at the beginning of the week but it all went downhill from there. The weather has been atrocious and even venturing outside for a brie and bacon sarnie from Asda, along with the greatly chosen packet of skips, became an Indiana Jones style mission as we avoided passing cars who didn't seem to realise the road was partially flooded and driving at more than 5mph was causing water to go everywhere. Luckily the sandwich and crisp choice made it worth it. The skips being particularly appreciated by my taste buds.

I nearly ran out of carmex this week. Not very interesting I know however it's the first lip balm I've ever completely finished and will definitely be repurchasing. Although I didn't purchase the first one rather stole it from Jack before he left. It's lasted a fair while I think although he's under the impression it should have lasted me another couple of months. Clearly he doesn't understand.

I got a bit of reading in this week which was good. Cheered me up getting four chapters into Charlotte Gray, which may I say I'm loving so far. Despite what I said about Faulks in my reading expectations post it is possible he could become my favourite author if he keeps this up. You never know I might actually get a review of a book up on here at some point for a Wednesday Reads but let's not hold our breath.

Mum sent me another care package this week. Last week gloves, this week mini eggs. Don't get me wrong the gloves were good and much appreciated but the mini eggs were just the dogs bollocks. You never know, the way things are going, next week could be even better. Gold star for mum on that one.

Now onto the little fella in the picture. Meet Alfie a frequent visitor to my room, particularly when mini eggs are involved (he doesn't get any, no one gets any mini eggs from me). However, this week I came out of the shower to my room to find him on my bed in a knitted jumper. Heart melt. He's such a sweet heart if a little doolally and he needs to learn that licking my face after he's just eaten dog food that smells like rotten bins is not appropriate behaviour.

So that was my week, hope you all had a good week and enjoy a good weekend.

Until Monday.