Wednesday 25 February 2015

This Week on Instagram : 25.02.15


This week I've not been up to much, just working on my dissertation mostly.

I did nip to IKEA and M&S to buy some indoor plants (the cacti are from Ikea and the Succulent from M&S).

Been thinking about this summer and the holiday destinations I may visit, I've also reminisced about my trip to NYC over Christmas with the boyfriend. I just love traveling so much!

One thing I have been pondering is the blog and if it's worth advertising it more on my social sites and that, I'd love more interaction and comments but first you need people to actually find and read your blog... I think that's were I struggle, I don't really like advertising my blog but I want to advertise it, so it's a bit of a rock and a hard place scenario. I do tweet a link occasionally and have posted the picture you see in the middle on instagram, but that's all I do... I will figure something more out eventually. 

I'm not blogging to have a popular blog, I'm just blogging for me so ultimately it's not important but I was just curious.
Anyone got any advice?

The next few weeks are going to be nuts work wise as my dissertation is in next month! Scary stuff!

If you want to follow me on Instagram? Go HERE!


Thank you for reading sweetheart!
Birds in Blossom x

Monday 23 February 2015

H&M Wishlist : February '15

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 1516

I am doing a HUGE early spring clear out of my wardrobe and I am getting rid of a lot of stuff as I want my style to consist more staples and simple colours, so my overall look would be much more timeless and classic than it is right now.

Though I am clearing out I am lacking in some basic bits and I always find H&M one of the best stores to get your fashion staples and basics, so I looked through the entire website, which I'm sad to admit is something I do regularly and I thought I'd share my picks.

I literally picked everything I would want and it just so happened that it was all monochrome... that was not even planned. It's obviously just my style at the minute and what I'm drawn to. 

If I was to make this into a capsule wardrobe I would add a pair of black skinny jeans, a pair of white jeans, a white skater skirt and some white and some black pumps. Done!

Do you like any of the picks?
How about monochrome, is it too overdone or timeless?
Are you planning a wardrobe clear out soon?
Comment below!

Thank you for reading!
Birds in Blossom x

Friday 20 February 2015

This Week's Grumble : Door Numbers


This week's grumble is Door Numbers.

Now this may not be a thing that has ever bothered you, and it may never do so, but it bothers me on a near daily basis.

This is due to me working as a night shift delivery driver for a major pizza delivery (yes, probably the one you're thinking of), its an easy job, flexible hours (perfect for a full time student) and I get great tips. So, I deliver a lot of pizzas to a lot of houses. One thing I have noticed, since starting this job last October, is that many people think it's acceptable to not have a visible door number.

Okay, so this isn't so bad if it's just the one house on the street as you can just look at next door's number and figure it out easy enough. HOWEVER, when the whole street is in on the act, then the struggle becomes real.

Do you not want your pizza? What is wrong with you!?

The guessing game begins. You can try to count the houses from the beginning of the street, but from experience... it rarely works. It's also doubly hard as I work night shifts, its dark so visibility is low and some of the areas I deliver to are not exactly posh so sometimes I can feel a little uneasy. You just want to deliver the food and get off. But no. That's too easy. 

People obviously want you to guess, I suppose.

JUST PUT A NUMBER ON YOUR DOOR... please. 
Every delivery driver of every type, including post people, will appreciate it!

Though if you have one of these:


I thank you. Some streets don't have a clear name post and your sign makes my life easier.

And if you have one of these:


You are a shining beacon of humanity. I applaud you. 
This is like a silver lining in a cloud of darkness, even if its not your home I'm delivering to you help me orientate myself. I love you. Seriously, I LOVE YOU.


If you have one of these however:


So close... Yet so, so far. *sighs forever*


Sorry if that was boring or weird for you, but alas, it's one of the first world problems I find affects me most, that and when the laptop charger is more than an arm's length away.

Thanks for reading!
Birds in Blossom x

Wednesday 18 February 2015

Film Review : 50 Shades Of Grey


First things first. I've wanted to start reviewing films on here for a while and since revamping my blog, I feel now is the best time... though the choice of the first film isn't ideal as it is not to my taste, it is one that is a huge talking point right now and I wanted to share my opinions on it.

So 50 Shades of Grey.


The reason and only reason I watched this film is because of the hype about it. I haven't read the books and knew virtually nothing about the plot other than I thought the two main characters hooked up in a sexual way.
I didn't really have any intentions to watch this but everyone I knew was talking about it and there are controversies surrounding this film, both of which I wanted to form an opinion on.

So I watched it yesterday and... I really did not enjoy it.
It was so bland and really poorly written. Also, the characters, particularily the girl made little sense.

!! Oh, I better say this now THERE MAY BE SPOILERS! Probably no major ones, but some minor plot details may be shared. !!

Anyway, the whole film was so poorly written it felt like something a 14-year old fantasizing girl would write (minus the whole BDSM thing), like some serious fan fiction about a teacher or something. It is so awful.
It was one of those films were you knew what dialogue was going to go down before it happened, word for word. It was that bad. 
It just felt so unoriginal and boring. 

Also, I didn't watch the film for the sexy scenes but prior to watching it I imagined it would just be the occasional boob shot and shadowy sexual positions, which I was mostly right about, you see a lot of butt too. So nothing too bad if you find yourself like me wanting to see what the fuss is about but not really wanting to watch a bloomin' soft porn!

As for the characters, I felt Anastasia Steele, the leading lady, her personality made NO SENSE. At all!


Okay, so you get the impression she's this virginal hopeless romantic who is waiting for the right guy to sweep her off her feet but is still an intelligent independent woman who doesn't feel the need for a man, which is unoriginal, but fine for purposes of this story. The problem begins when she meets this Mr. Grey and then her personality goes out the window and on a long holiday. She becomes some super horny seductive tease who is fine with rampant casual sex with a guy she met like 10 minutes ago?! It's not like it's an impossible scenario, it just felt so random when watching it and so badly written (I'm sorry that I keep saying it but it's the truth!).
It just doesn't feel natural at all.

As for this Christian Grey....

First... for casting A+. Jamie Dornan has a nice face. Good job.
But Mr. Grey is just your typically (female) written dominant male who a leading often more timid female pursues. Also throw in the stereotypical main characters dynamic of the dominant male admitting that something he does with the leading female character he has 'never done with anyone before, EVER.', YAWN!

He is clearly a character that's only purpose is to be desirable to women. He's super rich, he's hot, of course he plays the piano... blah blah blah.

Nothing to keep you truly interested if you ask me.
Except Jamie Dornan of course... with his nice face and all that.


As for the controversy surrounding the glorification of abuse... I didn't get that vibe.
Yeah he's 'punishing' her and whatever, but everything in they did was entirely consensual for what I saw and she even told him what she thought wasn't okay.
Sure there was a little manipulation and bribing with gifts but I don't see that as something that she felt she owed him for.

Though I'll admit he was super possessive over her with other men, that was a bit much.

Overall it is NOT a film I would ever usually watch and is certainly not one I would recommend you waste your time on. The hype is over absolutely nothing.


LAST THING!! As I was finishing this post up I checked the 50 shades Wikipedia to see if I missed any points I wanted to make and I saw that this whole series actually started out as a TWILIGHT FAN FICTION!?!?! 
I totally get it now! It's all come together! The awful unoriginal writing all makes sense! We can pack our bags and go home satisfied that the mystery is solved.

Well except the mystery of...

How on earth did this series get so darn popular?!
One of the true mysteries of this modern age.

Anyway...
Have you seen the film or even read the books, any thoughts?
Are the books badly written too or is that just how it's portrayed in the film?
Do you think it glorifies abuse?

As always, thanks for reading!
Birds in Blossom x

P.S. this was a really weird post to write, never thought I'd actually end up watching that film, never mind writing about it... ever.

Tuesday 17 February 2015

This Week On Instagram : 17.02.15


This week it was Valentine's Day and Shrove Tuesday, so not a bad week all in all. 

Also this thursday (I think) is Chinese New Years so Manchester is decorated in celebration of that.

Every Valentine's Day I cook myself and my Boyfriend a 3 course meal and this year I made his favourite starter, goats cheese quenelles with a walnut and beetroot salad. It went down pretty darn well with him! (bottom right photo). He bought me some gorgeous tulips (center) and I just can't stop looking at them, they're just so beautiful, he knows me so well. (he loved his gifts I got him by the way, if you were wondering from this gift guide I posted)

Look at that ice-cream though... mmmmmmmm, I'm such an ice-cream addict, ask anyone!

Other than that not much had happened other than working and university working/studying, which will be the status quo for the next few months. Oh the joy!

Anyway, have you been up to anything interesting this week?

If you want to follow me on Instagram click - HERE

Thank you for reading, my lovely!
Birds in Blossom x

Recipe : No Measurements Pancakes


It's Pancake Day! ... or Shrove Tuesday. Either way each year I always make a butt load of Pancakes today and I am always nominated as cheif pancake maker because well... I make the best pancakes. 

I, however, don't use any recipes as I was taught by my Nan how to make pancakes and it was an entirely 'by eye' method, but they always turn out great so I thought I'd share what I do.

First your ingredients.


Milk, Eggs and  Flour (usually plain). Simple.
Ignore the amounts this is just what I used for photos!

Most recipes say add flour first, then egg and then milk, I do it differently, how my Nan showed me.

1. Beat your eggs together. For this I use usually 3-4 medium eggs if I'm making it for 2-3 people, use less if it's just for you (1-2) and more for lots of people (4+).

2. Add milk. I add the milk until it turns a pale pastel yellow colour. (Shown below)


3. Now I add flour a little at a time until the mixture is a nice gloopy (or is it spelled gloppy?) consistency, so it starts to thicken to the point when you remove your whisk (or whatever you're mixing with) the mixture clings to it a little but is still liquid.

4. You want to mix this until there are no lumps at all and a thin layer of bubbles that do not pop form on the top of the mixture. 


5. Now you leave the mixture (my Nan leaves it overnight, but I'm not that patient) and get your frying pan ready. Turn your hob on to full heat, put your pan on the hob and add a tablespoon or so of vegetable oil. Once it's starting to heat move the pan around so it spreads the oil around.

6. The pan needs to be super hot so leave it for a little while.

7. Now you pour in a little bit of mixture, I make a big blob in the center of the pan and then swirl it around by moving the pan in the same way I did to spread the oil. I do this until the mixture is evenly and thinly spread over the whole base of the pan.

8. Leave it to cook until there is no wet mixture left, then using a wooden or plastic-type spatula lift a tiny bit of the edge of the pancake and go around the perimeter, lifting all the edge of the pancake off the pan.

9. Check to see if it's turning golden underneath, if it is, it's ready to be turned over; if not, leave for a little while longer.

10. To turn the pancake over just slide your spatula to the center of the pancake and insure it is not stuck to the pan anywhere, then flip it quickly.

11. Leave the pancake to cook until it turns golden underneath.

12. That's it the pancake is done and you're ready to add your toppings once you have transferred it to a plate! You may want to add a little more oil to the pan between pancake if your pan is non-stick or a little old.

Okay so I forgot to take photos of my finished pancakes but they usually come out pretty much the same as this... 


Now if you prefer your pancakes thinner than this, just add a little extra milk to your mixture until it doesn't stick to your whisk. Alternatively if you like them thicker, more scotch/american style, add more flour until it's just a bit thicker and is slow to form back together when stirred, OR use self raising flour instead of plain.

If you find your pancakes are coming out a little pale, add an extra egg.

With the amounts of ingredients I used, so 3 eggs as a base, I made 6 pancakes in a 24cm non-stick frying pan. To give you an idea of how much stuff you'll want to use. 


This may be useless to you, but it's what I do and I've never made a bad batch. It's also really flexible, if I fancy thinner pancakes that's fine, if I want thick ones, that's peachy!

Does anyone else use a similar recipe? Did this make sense to you?

If you're stuck or something doesn't make sense comment below and I'll get back to you ASAP!

Thanks for reading!
Birds in Blossom x

Friday 13 February 2015

Models Own : Colour Chrome Nail Polishes


Models Own released a new line of nail polishes which I think are exclusive to their site and Superdrug on Wednesday (don't quote me). The collection is called Colour Chrome.

These are super metallic almost mirror like colours and they look stunning. I rarely get excited by nail polish but I can't wait to get hold of these.


I did go into Manchester city center yesterday to try to get hold of some of these but they had yet to get stock. Talk about super dissapointed!

I was lusting after the Rose one the most and also the Silver one. I'll just have to wait a little while.
Just look at them! Mmmm!

You can get them HERE they retail for £4.99 which I think is a fair enough price for nail polish, I can't recommend them yet though as I have yet to try them, but I have used Models Own products in the past and been pleased, so fingers crossed!

What do you think of these?
Have you bought them yet? Any good?

Thank you for reading, my lovely!
Birds in Blossom x

Thursday 12 February 2015

Hair Ideas 2015


Ugh!.... I get like this every couple of months, I get the need to change my hair and this involves a lot of umming and ahhing which usually results to nothing.

Alas, it's happening again and this time I really do want change as my hair is just so dull and flat and blah. Y'know?
Right now, I have mid length flat medium brown hair that's just between the shoulders and boob area and a long grown out side fringe thingy going on, so it's about 4 inches shorter than the rest of my hair and it does nothing, it's so dull.

My query this time is whether to change it by cutting it shorter or dyeing it or just looking into new styles to try out.

Thing is, I want to grow it out and have been trying to for so long, meaning cutting it isn't preferable and my dream hairstyle is long and wavy, and to achieve that I just have to wait and grow it. But some longer bobs just look so darn cute!



As for dyeing it... a few years ago I dyed my hair very bright ginger and then once I got bored of that to get rid of it took a lot of effort and it's only recently in the last 6 months gone back to my naturally colour and fully healthy. The only thing I would do to my hair now in regards to dyeing it is ombre... but that feels too overdone, like everyone and their cat has ombre, I absolutely love it but I hate seeming like I'm jumping on a bandwagon or following a trend.


So to new styles. I have a few celeb style icons I look to for hair styles who have a hair type and style similar to mine, like Lily Collins (uh, talk about a celeb crush!) and Jenna Coleman, and by just looking at them I get loads of ideas, but it's the time and effort to style, especially curl and wave my naturally VERY straight hair.


Ultimately I don't think I'm going to cut it, as my hair is just starting to grow properly. I may ombre it but very subtly so a ash blonde to light brown rather than bright or light blonde. I am definitely going to try new styles on the hair I have now though... maybe that's all it needs.

*Sigh* I'm so indecisive when it comes to hair.
I'll just sit and look at my dream hairstyles and weep.

*drools*

Ohh... maybe a wavy perm!
I need to stop.


Anybody else thinking about changing their hair? Do you go through these hair boredom phases?


Thanks for reading as always!
Birds in Blossom x

Wednesday 11 February 2015

This Week's Grumble: Twitter Locked My Account




Okay, so if you are unaware, to grumble is to complain... and I am someone who dabbles in complaining. Quite often.

So to self counsel myself I'll blog the thing that has bothered me most that particular week, to get it off my chest. It may not be a every week thing, I don't always have something to complain about, but when I do, I will.

This week's Grumble... Twitter Locking my Account.

So yeah I tried to tweet out my blog post on university, but no, apparently it violated twitters rules by seeming automated?! Psssh.

If this happens you see this pop up on your feed:


Okay, whatever, I could deal with that, if it means less spam for me in the long run I don't mind having to deal with things like this...

BUT

I wouldn't have minded it, yet when I clicked the 'unlock my account' button, it takes you to a screen where you put in your mobile number to get a verification code, I did this, got the code and typed it in... and the account unlocked! BUT wait, I try to tweet a normal text tweet, no links or even hashtags, and BAM! I get the Your account has been locked message again and it wants my phone number again.

Now this same scenario happens a few times and then it tells me I have exceeded the amount of times I can recieve a verification code. Brilliant, a twitter black out for me then. 
All I was trying to do was advertise my blog on my own feed a little, Jeez.

Maybe I just needed to wait for the unlocking to be officiated, but surely once you have verified it that should be enough.

I think I have managed to get fully unlocked but it took hours! It should definitely be an automatic thing!

Anyone else experienced this? 


Thanks for reading my little rant!
Birds in Blossom x

Losing Weight and Getting into Shape


For a two years now I've really wanted to get into shape, as over college and university I have put on some extra weight.

Last year I tried and failed. This year though something has changed I feel more motivated than ever before, mostly because I've started to feel uncomfortable in my own clothes and found myself having fewer and fewer days were I felt okay about how I looked. 

I also want to eat healthier for several reasons. One because it means better health in general obviously, but I've been trying to grow my hair out for a while too and struggling a little so I researched some things to do to improve it and a better diet is often top on the list!

So since the middle of January I turned my whole routine around. I'm going to share with you what I've changed in case you were in the same boat as me and need some inspiration.

First things first I evaluated the situation.


This meant I measured myself. So my weight on an accurate set of scales. Used a tape measure to measure my thighs, hips, waist, bust, upper arms (they are all the areas I want to change). I then worked out my BMI.
NOTE: I'm not going to share any of my progress photos or weight/measurements yet I'll explain in a minute!

Next under the microscope was what I was eating. I am a snacker, sometimes I don't even realise it and my worst offence is boredom eating. 
I also went for convience over health, fast food, ready meals, crisps, sweets; Things that were quick and had little preparation involved. Often they are calorific and high in things like fats and salts, but lack in protein.

Lastly I looked at my exercise routine... this didn't take long as it was practically non-existent. I did walk the dog everyday, occasionally went on a bike ride, and work could be a little strenuous at times (but in no form a workout!).

Before setting my new routine, I set myself some GOALS.
I made myself a mood board, I don't want the exact bodies shown above but each has an aspect I like. I am also going to print a copy of this and put it on the wall where I work out, for the times when I'm slacking a little and need a reason to push on.

Next I worked out a GOAL WEIGHT.
I worked this out by using the BMI system to gaining a healthy weight for my height. 


I'm 5 foot 7 and my ideal would be to be in the middle to lower range of healthy weight so I aimed for a BMI of 19-21 so that translates to about 61.4-56.8kg (though I would rather be closer to around 58kg/9stone).

However this doesn't factor in the weight of muscle mass, as muscles weigh more than fat and if I build my muscles up I may be higher than what I expected (body-builders have some of the highest BMIs out there!). So for the most part I want a toned look throughout my body, so my body part measurements will assist in tracking weight loss as well.

Next I changed my diet.
A whole lot of people will tell you to lose weight you need to cut out carbohydrates. So that large section on the left of the image above that includes breads, potatoes, pastas... the good stuff. I do not agree with that. After all my main goal is to eat healthy not starve and I have found in the past when I restrict myself too much it ALWAYS backfires, no exceptions.

So I have cut out all junk food and sweets, I still drink zero sugar fizzy drinks, but less than before, I use them mostly to silence my sugar cravings. As for bread and pasta I only eat wholemeal/wholegrain, these are often higher in fibre and lower in sugars and calories than the alternatives.
I've decreased my consumption of fats and cheeses, and increased my consumption of vegetables, fruits, proteins like chicken and low fat milk (this is good for bones, hair and nails). 
Also I've switched to drinking water from about 20% of my overall drink intake to about 85%, the other 15% is low fat milk or zero sugar fizzy drinks now.

I do count calories, but I'm not obsessed I try to aim for around 1200 calories a day to aid in weight loss.

Lastly exercise.



Basically I now do a heck of a lot more exercise than I did before.
Every Monday night I go to an aerobics class at a local fitness center, I also plan to go to the one they hold on Thursday too but I need to organise my work life a little more.

I also researched into home workouts and have found most people think High interval workout have shown the best results. This makes sense as it raises the heart rate on multiple occasions meaning maximum calorie burning. 
I have got a copy of the Insanity workout from a friend and bought myself the Charlotte's 3 minute belly blitz (I got it for about £13, I'll put up a full review later). They both use this High interval training method.
They are both hard work and for both of them I couldn't complete the whole thing the first few times I tried them. Don't be worried that you don't complete them, if you push yourself too much you may cause yourself some damage and pain, definitely don't want that.

I have also started wearing wrist and ankle weights in some workouts in order to burn maximum calories.

I try to go on three 30 minute bike rides a week but it can be hard due to my work and university taking up a lot of time and obviously British weather can always get in the way!

FINALLY...
I'm only doing this for myself and my health, that is the only reason you should ever do this, not for anyone else.
I want to lose weight and get healthy for my own happiness and self-confidence and that is my ultimate goal, to be happy.
If you are happy with your body shape, no matter what size, that is perfect and you shouldn't change that, no matter what anyone else says.

Believe me from experience I know you can NEVER please everyone, whether you're  slim, curvy, overweight, underweight or a perfect weight, there is always hate because people are insecure in themselves and feel the need to comment on others to make themselves feel better about themselves. Ignore it, whether it's online or in real life, whoever it is cut them out of your life or ignore them. If you feel threatened by what they are saying tell someone. If they are really threatening or harassing you to the point were you feel unsafe they may be breaking the law and you can report them to the police.

You may have noticed I haven't mentioned my own weight or measurements currently. I have all my measurements and even photos of my current shape, but I don't feel ready in myself to share these publically, if I hit my goal weight and I am happy with myself, I may put a before and after post, but this will be months away at the very least!


I hope I've been able to help in some way, or that you've at least found this interesting and not just a ramble!

Usually I ask a question, but feel free to comment on any thoughts you've had about this post or its contents!

Thanks for reading!
Birds in Blossom x