Life Update

Why hello my favourite internet people!

It's time for me to finally sit down and type away my feelings.... it's been a while and I've missed blogging regularly SO much and I thought i was about time I did a mini life update for you all..... in case you've been wondering where I am! 

What's new with me? What's gong down? 

Well.....

I've been working... alot! I LOVE my new job so much but working online all day I struggle to then sit down and open my laptop once I'm home enjoying my free time - which makes me sad as I LOVE blogging so much but I do need time to switch off from it all. But I'm determined over the next couple of months to get A Yellow Brick Blog up and running like it used to be! 

I've booked a holiday......... to DISNEYWORLD! Yes I'm so, so, so, sooooo happy - I finally cracked my boyfriend and he agreed to go back next year :)

So, lots of saving and counting down for me until March - I still can't believe I'm going to get to go back, a dream come true once more!

Summer is coming and I have lots of exciting plans! From the Isle Of Wight Festival next week to one of my best friends hen do's (in a totally secret location.... I'd better not say because she could read this, we've kept this a secret for 6 months and I'm just spoiling it now!) later this month to V Festival in August ... I'm looking forward to some amazing weekends with good friends :)

INSTAGRAM - I have a brand new Instagram - @AlohaKirstie - and I would seriously appreciate it if you'd hit follow, I can't believe it's already hit over 400 followers in less than 4 days!

Alot of people have been asking why I have made a new account.... well, my old one, for me, was just messy - which sounds SO stupid but I'd had it since 2009 or 2010 I had over 4000 uploads. I just needed a fresh fun start!

Will my blog change names? Who knows?! Not anytime soon :) 'A Yellow Brick Blog' seems to have a lot of love from what I've seen and been told so maybe it should stay :)

I'm still on that health kick - I'm obsessed with the gym classes I'm going to and I am trying seriously hard with my diet (although I have slipped a few times recently)! I did just complete #ChocolateFreeMay though - wahoooo! I'm excited to keep on challenging myself, setting new goals monthly and seeing improvements!

What have you all been upto? What's new? Let me know in the comments below!

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Putting Down My Phone...

Over the past week something has really hit me. I look at my phone far too much. I mean.... it's like an extra limb.

Yes this sounds so stupid, as it is probably really obvious with the amount of time I spend on social media and browsing ASOS, but really.... it's unnecessary. 

My evenings for years have had me sat glued to my phone 99% of the time, only breaking when I'm eating or watching TV and even then I'm bloomin' commentating about it aren't I!

Now my job is a day constantly on a laptop and online I actually enjoy having a break from the internet world once I'm home .....

So I've made a deal with myself. 

I'm going to get back into reading.

I have always loved reading but with the internet being such a distraction especially around bedtime, by the time I've finished browsing and scrolling my eyes are dropping, I'm half asleep and there's noway I could delve into that book that's been sat on my bedside table for months.

There's nothing more relaxing than getting cosy and totally loosing yourself in a story... with a cup of tea near by obviously.
 I used to go through so many books and LOVED it! I'd get so excited about finishing an amazing story or finding a new series to start and I'd always love sharing my thoughts and recommendations with friends and on goodreads (the best site ever for readers!).

Nowadays I feel like a total failure because I'll read 50 pages of something then forgot to carry on until another 3 weeks later or so - it's terrible!

Last year I told myself I'd read more and what happened? I got distracted and didn't. I don't even know if I did finish a book last year and I find that embarrassing to admit! (Oh yeah I did... 'The Girl On The Train' - awesome book!)

So - I'm going to start with the Harry Potter series - total classics. I then have a whole book shelf and kindle to get through - all the books and downloads I've accumulated over the last 2 or 3 years that I've never ended up reading, I'm determined to get through them all this year.

Wanna join me? Do it!
 Let me know on Twitter and in the comments below! #PuttingDownMyPhone
 I'd also love your book recommendations - leave them all below so we can all have an amazing reading list to explore and save :)
A couple of personal favourites you guys need to check out - the 'Delirium' trilogy and the 'Eve' trilogy!

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TIME TO SAVE : 6 Ways I'm Going To Make It Possible

Now you may have read that title and thought.... well that Kirstie is 25 now, she's getting on a bit... she's probably decided to venture into the proper adult world and is going to start saving for a mortgage - or maybe she's finally going to learn how to drive?! But I'm about to disappoint you all..... and maybe even make some of you more sensible people roll your eyes.... but - I'm totes saving for a holiday!

And not any old holiday either.... yes... fingers crossed I'm heading back to Orlando aka Disneyworld & Universal! 

I've mentioned this a 'few' times on Twitter recently and you guys have been just as excited as me!
Orlando is not cheap. 
I mean, the holiday I've looked at is a fab deal (exactly the same as last time) but it's everything that comes along with it... the spending money, the new clothes, travel to and from the airport etc, etc! So for the next year I am going to be trying to SAVE SAVE SAVE as much as I can!
I did a post like this last time I was counting down to my holiday and I thought what better a motivator than to have my plans written on here in black and white so I cannot hide from them!

6 Ways I'm Going To Save Money

1. eBay

eBay is a website I have used for years and years but over the last couple of months I've just found it it more effort and time consuming than it's worth! BUT I'm determined to get back on the selling train and get rid of all clothing and bits and bobs that are just taking up space in my flat! If I haven't worn it this year.... it's going! I'm going to try and keep all that money in Paypal - like a virtual money pot and hopefully it will start adding up without me even realising! (My eBay account)

2. Meal Planning

I waste SO much money on food.

 Living in my own place with my boyfriend I'm forever picking up things here and there without even thinking 'Do I need this?' - I mean.... how many boxes of cereal do two people need? Just because its on offer doesn't mean we need it!

 I'm going to start planning all my meals so I don't over spend or waste anything! This also goes for snacks.... I'm a sucker for picking quick bites to eat whilst on my work breaks - but even just holding back from spending that £1 or 2 each work day will add up each month! 

3. Thinking Before I Buy

This is mainly aimed at my beauty addiction. Shampoos, conditioners, lipsticks... things I have plenty of already - I don't need anymore! There is no point buying a new shower gel if I already have 3 at home or buying a new candle because it smells nice even though I just bought a one the week before! I'll be thinking before every purchase!

4. Avoiding The Evil CC

I only got a credit card for the first time last year. It was probably a mistake because now, each month I seem to use it to bail myself out of being poor - but no more I say, no more!

 I'll be paying this off over the next year - slowly but surely -it will be left at home and will go nowhere near the ASOS sale!

5. The Money Pot

These are a great way of saving money! I got the one in the photo above for Christmas from my little brother - and I love it (obviously!) I have this one and another one to help me save, save, save - once it's in not coming out! Then when it's time.... Smash! 

6. Cash vs Card

This is something I am going to put into practice from right NOW! 

I am a sucker for just using my card for anything and everything, I'm like the queen... I never carry cash! This is a savers worst trait, buying things here, there and everywhere - no matter how small the price - really adds up, and without me even noticing! 

So I'm going to try and just withdraw maybe £10 a week to keep in my purse for those little things and maybe I'll think a little more about spending it when I can physically see it right there in paper and coins!

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5 Things I Want You To Remember

A bit of a different post today. I've had a weird couple of weeks and have kind of been feeling like a quarter life crisis has slowly taken over my life and happiness.

 With career, money and confidence issues being at the front of these worries and woes I have decided to give myself a kick up the bottom and take some of my own advice that I seem to dish out to others so easily!

So.... here are 5 things I want you ALL to remember aswell!

 Love you guys xoxo

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Positivity Attracts Positivity 

Over the last few years I feel like I've turned into a right negative Nelly (booooo), something I had never ever dreamed of whilst growing up.

 I had forgotten how much this is true and seriously WORKS! If you see someone and that person is really smiley and very friendly it immediately radiates and makes you feel the same.

I truly believe being positive will only ever work in your favour - there is no point living with a negative way of thinking - it's like a magnet , negativity will bounce things away whereas positivity pulls positivity towards it :) 

Wake up, SMILE and see what comes your way!

It's Okay To Be YOU!

When you were younger did you ever agree with someone just to be liked? Pretended you didn't like something even though you LOVED it? Thought about every word coming out of your mouth before you said it 'just in case' people looked at you differently?

Did you ever feel like it wasn't okay to be you?

 Well.... Stop. 

We're never all going to have the same opinions on things, see things the same way or have the same interests  - that's what's makes us different and that is life. 

Like listening to classical music? Do it! Want to get 100 tattoos? Go for it! Don't agree with eating meat? That's fine! Want to quit your job and become a professional watcher of Disney movies? .... Just me then?

What I'm saying is, embrace who you are, your differences and live the life that makes you happy because those who matter don't mind and those that mind don't matter!

Worrying Won't Change The Outcome

This is something I have to remind myself alot. I am a huge worrier and although my aniexty isn't as bad as it used to be I still have my moments and have times where living home is the terrifying thought! I read this little quote a while ago online somewhere it is really resonated with me. 

Even if I spend all morning worrying about travelling upto London or meeting someone new at work - it's not going to change anything. Working myself up about an interview won't make it any better or any worse and panicking about things that could go wrong won't make the likelihood of them happening any more or any less

Try to relax and take life as it comes.

A Good Book Is The Best Place To Escape

I wish I spent more time reading. As a child I always tried to read as many books as I could (I lived before the internet was cool and the best thing I had was a CD Rom Encyclopedia and Solitaire) and getting the new Jacquline Wilson book was like a new shiny iPhone! 

Getting into comfortable clothes cosying up on the sofa and delving in to a story of adventure, heartbreak or even a mysterious murder..... this is one of the best ways to leave your troubles behind and just, for a while, forget everything and be somewhere else! 

Buy a new book and see. Even if you just read for 10 minutes in the morning or evening - give yourself that escaping time.

It's Never Worth Crying Over Someone Who Wouldn't Cry Over You

I learnt this a long time ago and although sometimes it's not the easiest rule to follow, it's one we must all remember.

 Alot of the time our emotions rule us and that well-known overwhelming feeling can be hard to avoid or dismiss but this really is true - it is NEVER ever worth wasting your tears over someone who wouldn't do the same for you. End of. 

Save your passion for the ones who feel for you back.

Got some great advice? Share it in the comments below :) 

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Things I'm Rubbish At #2 ...

Seeing as the list of these things is pretty much endless I thought I'd follow up my original post (here) with a part 2... a few more things I am totally pants at.

1. Saving Money

Urgh - the one thing in life I wish I was good at. It just never ever seems to happen... especially since moving into my own place! There's always something I have to pay out for or invest in - never any spare money.... not cool! The amount I could have saved when working as a teenager is just depressing really...... I just want to go to Disneyworld again!

2. Sticking To A Diet

I'm brilliant at this every Monday morning but by Monday evening I'm so hungry and starved of sugar that I want to eat my own arm as a cheeky little starter. 
I used to be amazing at this... a few years ago I lost 2 stone in 2 months and felt blooming marvelous - nowadays I struggle to not eat my own body weight in biscuits before I go to sleep each night. 
It's just the evenings I struggle with - I eat so well throughout the day but by the time I get home from work I just want to sit on the sofa with my pyjamas on, watching Netflix and eating happy snacks! Shame on me!

3. Packing Lightly

Now... I have NO idea how people pack lightly. How is it even possible?
 What if you need other things? What if it's cold? What if it's hot? What if you need your Gossip Girl DVD collection for an unspeakable reason? I just CANNOT do it. I go away for a night and somehow manage to take with me 5 pairs of pants, 3 jumpers and an array of make-up products I never use... just in case! 
I literally salute anyone that goes backpacking... just one bag? For everything? For months? ..... sorcery I tell you!

4. Painting My Nails

Yes I'm a blogger of the beauty variety most of the time but something I may not have disclosed on here before is that I am just totally horrible at painting my nails. 
It literally looks like a 5 year old has done them if I don't have a nice wide brush (they are the only ones I can get along with!) and 99% of the time I have to go around my nails with a cotton bud and remover to clear off all the stuff that didn't make it onto my nail - aka around 87%.
 AND even if I do them okayish.... within 24 hours they are chipped and I have to take it all off - what is the god damn point!
(Hence the reason why I love getting extensions/shellac so much.)

5. Staying Up Late

I have turned into SUCH a granny over the last few years - I am only 25 (Yes I look like a teenager) but my social schedule looks like one of a 95 year old. I just really struggle to stay up late - my bed is always calling my name and my eyes are always dropping.... it's a bit embarrassing really isn't it? I just love sleep ya know and sometimes TOWIE is just on TOO late okay!!!! 
Although I CANNOT sleep in.... like ever! If I sleep past 7:30am that is a serious lay in and I love it.... it doesn't happen often - I like that I don't waste the morning though. (yup.... now I sound like a Granny!)

What are you rubbish at? Will you happily admit it?!

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Kirstie's Travel Diaries #18 : Tram Riding & Fisherman's Wharf

Catch up with #17 here.

Day 18 (17/03/12)

Our last day in San Fran before we headed off on our travels again! Today the sun was actually shining - woohoo, we had hardly seen it since landed here so we were so excited to get out of the hotel and enjoy our last day!

(Not sure why the flags say 2013... because it was 2012!) Something we still hadn't yet done was ride the famous trams so it was on the top of our list of things to do!

Once again we had missed breakfast in the hotel so we got ready and left and joined the queue down the hill for the Powell & Market tram!

The queue was definitely longer than we were expecting - we hadn't really noticed it before... maybe it was because of the weather though - everyone had the same idea as us!

We probably queued for half an hour or so, maybe longer, but it didn't seem that long - I can't remember where we got our tickets weather it was before or once we had boarded the tram but I think it was about $6 or so for a return to Fisherman's Wharf and back!

We luckily got seat on the way there - being a first timer I didn't fancy standing, especially when this thing came so close to other traffic - people were literally high-fiving bus drivers! 

It was so nice to get out of the main square and explore a bit more of the city! 

There were so many things to see whilst on the tram journey down the Fisherman's Wharf and you can seriously see how steep the hills are too - no wonder the queues were so big for this thing!

San Francisco is so beautiful - it's one of the places I want to re-visit most!

 I can't really remember how long it took down to Fisherman's Wharf but it can't have been longer than 30/40 mins! Once there (it was the end of the line) we hopped off and had a little walk around!

There was a Starbucks just by the tram line so we went in there and got a drink and had a sit down! Whilst in there we checked-in for our flight the next day - because we had booked things separately we wanted to make sure we'd be sat together on the flights. (even if it was only an hour and a bit!)

After a little while we decided to head back on the tram - we weren't sure how often they came so and we knew we had to pack so we went and waited for one to take us home!

This time it was busy again and we actually had to stand up and hold on - which thankfully I wasn't as scared about now!

We were stood next to a lovely couple who we ended up chatting to most of the way back! I can't quite remember where they were from ... possibly England now I think about it and they had just been on a cruise and were telling us all about their adventure and we did the same about ours! They were lovely and really helpful as they popped our bags between their feet so we didn't have to hold them and still had a free hand to snap some photos!

Back at Powell & Market we had a couple of hours to spare so we thought - let's go to the cinema again! Haha, we are the coolest right?

This time we decided to see The Lorax - something we both had really wanted to see after "meeting" him at Universal Studios Hollywood. I am such a HUGE Dr. Seuss fan so couldn't wait to see it!

Slight problem after purchasing the tickets though.... we went to get some popcorn and my friend suddenly realised - she's lost her bank card. After going through her bag 3457 times it was official - her card was lost/had been taken. HELP. 

Queue calling England and our parents to help us out! We are 8 hours behind remember so that was a bit of a pain! Thankfully after just a few phone calls home we had sorted it - the card was cancelled and a new one would be sent out to Florida for when we arrived there in a week's time.

Panic over - slightly... my friend was now cardless!

After the drama we had luckily only missed about 10 minutes of movie so sat down and enjoyed the rest of it! ( Bloomin' brilliant movie that I could watch over and over again! )

After the movie we made our way back to the hotel and started packing up our life's once again because tomorrow ..... we were off to Sin City.

NEXT TIME - We fly to Las Vegas!

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New Family Member

If you follow me on twitter or instagram you probably know already that..... I got a puppy! Well my family got a puppy, he is an 8 week old Springer Spaniel and his name is Bauer (named after Jack Bauer from 24... of course!)

So I thought I would do a little life update and really quick post and include some photos of him on here because... well... he is so darn cute! I am literally obsessed with him!

I'm very sorry if you aren't a dog person....

Have you got any pets? Tweet me photos of them! :)