A-Z of Me: G is for Gamer

If you've been reading my blog for only a short time then you might not know that I love playing video games. Tim is just the same, which makes a perfect living partners. I've got an Xbox 360, and a Ninendo 3DS XL, Tim has his Playstation 3, and his PC, and now we share an Xbox One!

If I think back I remember gaming from a very young age, I used to play a game on the PC called Mixed Up Mother Goose. It was a game where you were in a Nursery Rhyme world, and you have to return lost items to the nursery rhyme characters, and then they sing their nursery rhyme. I LOVED this game, I completed it five or six (maybe even more) times when I was a kid. It was my first taste of video games, and certainly not the last.

Then I got a Playstation One, and played games like Spyro, Crash Bandicoot and Croc. I fell even more in love with gaming, my favourite was definitely Croc, despite the fact that I never could complete it because it was ridiculously difficult! I think this is really where my love of gaming began to be honest.

For a while I all but forgot about gaming, and then my neighbour got an original Xbox, and I became obsessed with a demo he had of 'Jet Set Radio Future'. If you've never played this game, then you must, it's a roller-skating, graffiti tagging, about pirate radio game... That doesn't even begin to cover what this game is, but it really sparked my interest in gaming again.

Honestly though it was the Assassin's Creed games that cemented my love of gaming. My brother got an Xbox 360 for his birthday one year, and I bought a couple of games, and he would let me play them, (only when he wasn't playing it though). The first Assassin's Creed was the first Xbox Game that I ever completed, and so far is the only series I have ever completed (except Black Flag, which I am working on). I think the thing I love most about the AC games is the free running aspect of them, you can climb buildings and dive off into straw bales... It's just so liberating! Oh, and you get to assassinate people with blades hidden up your sleeves, what more could you want? 

Then my brother decided he didn't want me to play his Xbox 360 anymore, and so I didn't for a while, until I went to uni and I bought my own Xbox 360, and I've never looked back...

If you want to read all my posts relating to gaming, you can do so by clicking here.

Do you play any video games. and what are your favourite?

Sum Up Sunday #7

Wowzer this week has been a busy one... Monday was the first day of my new life, I started my Weight Watchers diet, starting actually planning my blog, and started exercising daily. I have been very focused on myself this week, and so my Instagram seems to have suffered, I only have three to share with you this week!

The first thing I did this week was finally organise my blog schedule. You may have noticed that I have posted every day this month so far, and it's mostly down to this beauty. This calender actually came from this set of free printables from Every Day Enchanting, I've actually got different post it notes on it now, these were ones from a 'List Book' from Paper chase that I happened to have at the time! I hope this something that I carry on with for the rest of this year, and I hope you guys enjoy my more regular posting!

As mentioned above I started a new diet this week, and it is Weight Watchers. We are doing the Filling and Healthy version of the diet. You basically have a list of foods that are 'free' and you can eat as much as you like of these, it's mostly fruit or vegetables, and some meat. Then you get 49 pro-points a week to use on the non-list items. Tim and I were craving something biscuit-like and I found this recipe on Pinterest. The only thing you need to count in this recipe is the chocolate chips, because the other two ingredients are on the free list! They are made from Banana, Oats and chocolate chips, and that is it.. They are that simple, and they are quite tasty.

Another recipe for my diet, three ingredient pancakes! I also got this one from Pinterest (it's seriously amazing for finding things like this), they are made from banana, egg, and cinnamon. As you can see I added some blueberries to mine to make them extra yummy. Best of all, these ingredients are on the Weight Watchers filling and healthy list, so I can technically have as many of these as I like!

Finally this week I got to meet my newest cousin, Eve. She was born on New Years Eve (hence the name) and she is so tiny and beautiful... She fell asleep on me for almost two hours, and I honestly couldn't stop staring her... Seriously broody over here right now!

This week I'm...

Reading: The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly by Sun-mi Hwang

Listening To: Earthquake by Labrinth

Playing: Mario Kart 3DS (a new addition to my collection)

Feeling: Broody!

Looking Forward To: Giving Eve some more cuddles...

Make Up Revolution Haul

Way before Christmas I went onto the Make Up Revolution website looking for some Secret Santa gifts, now of course I couldn't leave the website without purchasing myself a few things too! Therefore I thought I might as well share it with you in a video. Also just to let you all know, my Youtube upload day has now changed from Friday to Saturday!

To give you a better idea of what some of the products I bought are like, I thought I would accompany this video with some swatches!

Mermaids Vs. Unicorns Palette: £4

6 Mermaid Shades

6 Unicorn Shades

This palette is so beautiful, I definitely prefer the look of the 'mermaid' shades, and I can't wait to have a play around with them!

Free Gift: I Love Make Up: Your Gorgeous Palette

 10 Matte Shades

22 Shimmer Shades

Apologies as some of the matte shades were pretty difficult to photograph, but aren't they all so beautiful. I can see this palette quickly becoming my favourite everyday palette!

Let me know in the comments which of the two palettes above is your favourite!

Friday Favourites: Sharing the Blog Love

Welcome one and all to Friday Favourites, every week I'm going to be showing you some things online that I have enjoyed that week. Each week will also have a different theme, so that you don't all see the same things all the time!

If you read my New Years Blog Resolutions then you will know that one of them is to Network more, and one of the ways which I wanted to do this was by commenting on other blogs more, and spreading some love. What better way to do that, then to dedicate a whole post to other bloggers, and with it being the beginning of the year, I thought I should share my favourite bloggers of 2014!

I have been reading Becky's blog pretty much as long as I have been blogging.What initially drew me in was her awesome blog design, I mean just LOOK at it *drools everywhere*... Then when I read her posts I was just hooked. I think the thing I love the most about reading Becky's blog is that it's like sitting down with a friend and having a chat. I myself have been lucky enough to meet Becky, twice, and she is just as lovely and approachable in real life, as she is in her blog. If you've never come across her before then I must insist that you go to her blog now...

I hadn't come across Leona's blog before I actually met her. I went to a Bloggers Halloween party hosted by Becky, and there I met Leona. She's bright, and funny, and you can tell she's a great laugh. One of the first things I did after getting back from that party was check out her blog. I was delighted to find that she has a Jack Russell called Rex, who actually looks scarily like my Jack Russell, Maizey. I love reading about Rex and Leona's adventures together, and I will continue to read them for as long as I can!

I honestly don't remember how I stumbled upon Victoria's Vintage, but boy am I glad I did. Victoria's vintage inspired post always brighten up my day (and make me insanely jealous of her home decor). She has the home and style that I aspire to, and she's loves baking, just like me!

Charl(otte)'s blog is another one that I have been reading pretty much since I started up this blog. Her blog is a mixture of all of her thoughts on Beauty, Fashion, and just general life. I think the best think about her blog is her style, it's very up front, and sassy, and perfect for me to be honest. In real life I've very much like Charl is on her blog, so I think that may be why I relate to her so much.

Sophia's blog is just beautiful... She's my go to for reviews on the latest and greatest beauty items being talked about on the blogosphere. She really knows her stuff, and for that reason she's brilliant for people like me, who don't really know a hell of a lot about beauty...

There you are folks, five of my favourite blogs from 2014! Please click the photos to check out the blogs directly and show these ladies some love, and I hope you enjoy their blogs as much as I do every day.

23 Before 23: The Final Tally

We're only one month away from my 23rd Birthday, CRIKEY that has gone quick... With that in mind I thought it was about time that I went through my '23 Before 23' goals list and assessed what I have actually managed to achieve... I know you are probably all sick of goal related posts with it being this time of year, but my birthday is coming soon, and it needs to be done!

1. Move Out: I can happily announce that I managed this one! Tim and I have been living together almost a whole year now, and we still get on... he must be for keeps right?

2. Lose Weight: I did lose 11 Ib's last year! But then I put it all back on... so does this count?

3. Watch a new film every week!: Sadly failed at this, but I did watch some crackers in 2014

4. Keep up with my Youtube Channel: FAIL, however towards the end of the year it did seem like I was getting a handle on it!

5. Get a Full Time Job: Success! I have a full time job, at a place I love, doing something that isn't sales, massive win from my point of view.

6: Complete all the Xbox games I own!: FAIL, I did complete more than I did the year before though, so I am making progress.

7. Write weekly thankful lists over on my Tumblr: They weren't weekly by any means, but I did write some...

8. Travel Abroad!: FAIL! Unfortunately after moving out there was no money for a holiday :(

9. Find out what I want to do with my life, and stick to it!: I have made a decision with what I want to do, and I am sticking to it, there are a few things that I need to put in place, but I am working on it.

10. Take up a sport: HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH!

11. Practice my craft/s: I have been baking a hell of a lot more this year, so I'd call this one a success.

12. Write a daily/weekly Diary: I started out well at the beginning of the year, and then kind of just fizzled out...

13. Start working to control my IBS: Whilst I haven't specifically been trying to control it, it does seem to be getting better!

14. Reach 200 Subscribers on Youtube: I've definitely gained subscribers, but nowhere near as many as I would like to have, but I guess when I begin to post more consistently then this might happen.

15. Go on an adventure every month: This didn't happen at all unfortunately... Doesn't mean that I didn't have any adventures though!

16. Read at least 1 book a month, and talk about it on my blog: Nooooooooooope

17. Start saving money: This one didn't really happen... Mainly due to moving out....

18. Support fellow Youtubers: I really struggle to find Youtubers who have a similar subscriber count to me, if you know any, please let me know in the comments.

19. Do something for charity: Last year I did the Race for Life! My goal was to do it in roughly an hour and I did it in 47 minutes, I was so emotional when I crossed the finish line, and I'm definitely planning to do it again this year...

20. Write posts when I have the idea, instead of leaving it weeks and weeks: My blogging was a lot more consistent last year, and this year it's set to be even more consistent, so watch this space!

21. Exercise EVERY day!: Once again... HAHAHAHHAHAAHHAHA

22. Blog redesign: I Had my blog redesigned! Yet I have another one in the works ;)

23. Work on being happy!: Last year was one of the best of my life, and I am so happy with the way my life is progressing, so I would definitely say this one was a win!
All in all I would say that I managed about 9/23, which isn't great, but it's more than I managed the year before, so at least I am going in the right direction! This year I'm planning to try and get at least half of my goals done, which will be posted after my birthday!

Let me know in the comments what your main goal for the year is, you know I love reading your comments!

Wishlist Wednesday: Lipstick Edition

Over Christmas for some reason I decided that I wanted to start wearing lipstick. I own a fair few lipsticks, but have never been crazy on them, finding that they normally dry out my lips too quickly, or that the colour simply doesn't look right on me. Last year my sister became obsessed with wearing red lipstick, and seeing how confident she feels when she wears it, makes me want to do the same... With that in mind, I've chosen a few lipsticks that I wouldn't mind giving a go!

1. Barry M Lip Paint - Pink Champagne: £4.49
2. Barry M Lip Paint - Pale Nude: £4.49
3. Barry M Loud Mouth - Diva Deep Red: £3.99
4. Bourjous Rouge Edition Shine Lipstick - Rose xoxo: £7.99
5. Bourjous Rouge Edition Shine Lipstick - Mauve Tabloid: £7.99
6. L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Collection - Exclusive Eva Nude: £4.99
7. Max Faxtor Flipstick - Bloomy Pink: £8.49
8. Maybelline Super stay 14h Lipstick - Stay With Me Coral: £6.99
9. Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter - Strawberry Shortcake: £5.00

How gorgeous is that Barry M Lip Paint in Pink Champagne... If it wasn't currently out of stock I would have to snap it up, in fact I'm going to be watching that lipstick very closely. Another must have for me is definitely the Bourjous Shine Edition Lipstick in Rose xoxo, if I owned this lipstick I would have to wear it every day without fail.

Let me know in the comments what your favourite lipstick is, especially if it is one of the above!

15 Goals Before 2015!

via

Last year for the first time ever, I set myself 14 goals to achieve in 2014, so how did I do?

1. Start going to/stick to the gym - I did start going to the gym last year, and even attended some Aquarobics classes, which I actually enjoyed. However our gym did end up going into administration, meaning I ended up not going to the gym for half of the year...
2. Lose 1 stone by the end of the year - I managed to lose 11 Ib's last year, which is amazing for me, but then I managed to put it all back on again...
3. Eat more healthily (less takeaways) - Tim and I definitely started cooking a lot more, but we also slipped into some bad habits for the last three months of the year...
4. Drink more water, and a lot less Coca Cola -  Failed at this to be honest...
5. Get a Full Time Job - I got myself a full time job! YAY!
6. Move out of my mum's house - I also moved out of mum's house and in with my boyfriend... DOUBLE YAY!
7. Start saving money and being more sensible - Ok, so this didn't happen as such, but I have definitely been spending less money, I just have more things to spend it on currently.
8. Go on more adventures - Whilst this didn't actually happen, I have had many life adventures this year, including becoming an Auntie!
9. Watch at least 2 films a week - Again this didn't happen, but I have managed to watch some decent films.
10. Keep up to date with all my TV shows - Finally, another goal I kept up with... I even started watching some new TV shows, and I'm still managing to keep up with all of them.
11. Complete all the video games I own before buying more - Big, fat, fail.
12. Read at least 1 book a month - How many times can I say the word fail?
13. Keep making Youtube videos - Yes and no, I did keep making videos, but there were MASSIVE gaps between some of them... Must try harder!
14. Be myself, and be happy - I've definitely been myself, and I have definitely been happier than I have ever been this year!

Whilst I somehow managed to fail a lot of the above goals, I am glad that my Main goals (i.e moving out) were met, and I was desperate for them to happen. So what are my 15 goals for this year?

1. Exercise at least twice a week
2. Lose 2 stone by the end of the year
3. Move out of our flat and into out own home
4. Start saving money
5. Keep up to date with my TV shows
6. Eat only one takeaway a month
7. Give up fizzy drinks and alcohol (except for special occassions)
8. Watch 52 new films this year
9. Upload one Youtube video a week minimum
10. Read 3 blogposts a day and leave comments
11. Complete all the (old) video games I own
12. Use my camera at least once a week
13. Work my way through my eye shadow palettes
14. Pick up a new hobby
15. Keep working to handle my Gerbils

Let me know in the comments what your goals are for this year, and whether you think you'll be able to manage them!