21 things I've learnt in 21 years

Well hello to you my reader chums! If you saw my last post, you'd know I've just turned 21 years old. It's crazy to think I began this blog when I was 16/17 and now I'm still documenting things several years on. I've grown with this blog and it's still my favourite place to type away my thoughts. It's safe to say over the past few years I've learnt a lot about myself and the world around me. With all those lessons, I want to share a bit of my wisdom and advice with you all.

21st birthday balloons

Here are 21 things I've learnt in 21 years.
  1. Everybody is beautiful -  Tall short, slim or curvy, every shape and size is beautiful. There is no point being hurtful towards someone else, simply because they look a different way. As human beings, each of us should be complimentary of everyone's different quirks and features instead of pointing fingers. No one's figure is perfect, in fact nobody is perfect in anyway. Every single person on this earth is beautiful in their own way.
  2. Toxic people aren't needed in your life - It took me a while to learn this lesson, especially in school. However, now I've got into my twenties, if people are going to bring negativity into my life or intentionally hurt me, I don't need them. School was a hellish place for this and I wish at the time I would have just waved those people goodbye instead of sticking by them and being their friend. But hey, that's the whole point of learning. If anyone is digging at you and saying mean things, you don't need them, you will find people who love you for you.
  3. You don't need to prove yourself - I can't stress this enough. You don't need to prove yourself to anyone. What I mean by this is you don't need to prove which materialistic things you have, possessions don't have any meaning. You don't need to prove that you can be wild. You shouldn't need to feel pressurised in any situation, whether that's looking a certain way or doing something 'cool'. All you need is to be you and work that.
  4. Put yourself first - I've always been one of those people who will do literally anything for anyone as I think everybody deserves love. However, as I've gotten a bit older I've learnt it's okay to put yourself first every once in a while and not think of others all the time. It's okay to be that little bit selfish and care for your own needs instead of helping someone out. We're all human and need a bit of self-care too.
  5. Spread kindness and love - As I just said I love doing things for people but this can spread wider than that. My favourite quote of all time is 'throw kindness around like confetti', as essentially love is what drives the human race and makes everyone feel included. Whether it's smiling at a person in the street, donating a bit of money to charity of helping someone out say running an errand, a little bit of kindness goes a long way.
  6. Family is everything - With the hustle and bustle life brings, you often take for granted of what means most. Over the past year, I've come to terms with how lucky and blessed I am having the family I do. Family always have your back and they'll love you no matter what. They care and support you in whatever way they can - and if you're ever lost, you can always find yourself at home.
  7. It's quality over quantity with friends - You don't need loads and loads of friends, something I always thought was important. All you need is a handful of true friends that will support you in every way of life and make each moment you spend with them, a fabulous memory.
  8. Travel as much as you can - Travelling and seeing new places is my favourite thing to do. Nothing can open up your eyes more than witnessing how different cultures live and venturing round the world's most beautiful sights. I've seen a fair amount of places this past year and I can't wait to continue doing so, broadening my horizons in new continents.
  9. Appreciate the little things - We often live for the big 'wow' moments in life that we forget the whole point of living is all those little snippets pieced together. Whether it's laughing till your stomach hurts with your best friend or going for an evening walk, the little things make life that tiny bit better, everyday.
  10. Confidence grows over time - This has to be one of my favourite points. If you're sitting here reading this and thinking 'I wish I could be more confident', trust me you will. I used to be the shyest of people, too afraid to talk to new people, strangers in shops or even putting my hand up in class, however I've now got to a stage where all those things are a lot easier. I'm still not the most confident person ever, but through the years, my confidence has grown immensely and so will yours. People and environments change. You'll get used to that and grow in confidence with it.
  11. Loving yourself is key - Comparison is the killer of all joy and I've wasted so much thinking time in comparing myself to somebody else or their life. It's honestly the most pointless thing. You are you and there's no point in changing that. You need to embrace every flaw, rock it and love every inch of you because you're worth it. You're a beautiful human being that deserves every ounce of love.
  12. You'll find your way - As young people, we always put pressure on ourselves about what we should be doing in the future and constantly piling on the pressure. But let me tell you, you will find your way. A path is planned out for you and someway or another you will reach it, you will find what you love to do in the future. For the mean time, carry on with your favourite hobbies and take the subjects you enjoy learning about.
  13. Always give everything a go once - We have a whole world to explore and many, many experiences available to us so always try something once. Whether it's parasailing off a boat or flying on your own to a new country, stepping out of your comfort zone is key to growing in confidence.
  14. Surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you - As I said about having a small group of friends, make sure those are the ones who make you a better person and bring out your confidence. Surround yourself with those who love and support you for you. Who encourage your dreams and are honest with you when you're in the wrong. True friends will be loving and do everything in their favour to make you smile.
  15. Study hard and always give 110% - It's safe to say, I was definitely one of the 'geeky' kids in school, always handing in my homework on time and trying my best in lessons, giving it my all. I always wanted to work hard and get the best grades so in the future I could work my way up into a dream career. I think everyone needs a bit of motivation when it comes to school/university life but as long as you try your best it's all that matters - don't ever give up!
  16. Mental health is important - In this day and age, our society is slowly grasping how important mental health is in everyday life. It's something we all need to respect as many people suffer from mental health issues. Anxiety, depression, eating and body disorders are only to name a few of the mental health issues out there. If you know someone who suffers, please give your love and support in any way you can. Always try to offer a helping hand, whenever it is needed as it can make a massive difference. Mental health in general, we all need to look after. Every once in a while, it's good for us all to step away from work and our phones to simply breathe. Run a bath, read a book or take a walk down the beach, anything that'll let your mind settle.
  17. Eat well - Food is one of life's best inventions and I love nothing more than tasting new cuisines, from Italian to Indian. There's so much variety to try and recipes to make, always ensure you're embracing the best of food.
  18. Reading broadens the mind - My love for books is on another level. There is something so magical about opening a book and immersing yourself into a storyline. I think everybody should read at least a few books in their lifetime or if you're like me a whole stack in a year. Reading opens up so many worlds and sparks creativity I don't see how you can miss out. Read, read read!
  19. Social media isn't important - I'm a bit of a hypocrite writing this statement as not only am I always on social media but it is in fact my job. What I mean by 'social media isn't important', is how in the spectrum of what goes on in the world, the amount of likes/comments/follows, isn't relevant. Yes, getting 100 likes on an Instagram picture makes my heart fuzzy and I spend a bit too much of my day lusting over peoples feeds, but in the grand scheme of things, it's not what we should focus on. We're all so revolved around this online world, we often forget to simply socialise. Instead of endlessly scrolling, step away from the phone and meet up with a friend.
  20. Be generous - In every sense of life, be generous. Be generous in the love you share, the kindness you spread and the time you give to others. Generosity in whichever way you take it is always appreciated and goes a long way.
  21. Life is what you make it - As Hannah Montana famously once said 'life is what you make it' and she couldn't be more right. Go see the world, eat good food, surround yourself with the best people and simply have fun. Life is a rollercoaster, filled with ups and downs but each of those obstacles will grow you as a person. Enjoy every minute you get and keep working hard to make all your dreams come true. Be happy and be you!
I hope you enjoyed this advice style post. What life lessons have you learnt?

Thank you for reading <3


21st birthday celebrations and Robbie Williams concert!

Well hello to you my reader chums! June has been a hectic month, to say the least, I've had a Shawn Mendes concert, my Malta holiday, and the past week, a time period full of birthday celebrations. My twin and I just turned 21 and had the best time celebrating!

Here's a look at everything we did...

On Saturday 17th June, a few days before our actual birthday, we hosted a party with all our family and friends. It was a truly fabulous night packed with singing, dancing, laughter, and a whole lot of love. I felt so blessed to be surrounded by a large group of people who love us both dearly and went out of their way to celebrate with us.

21st birthday celebrations

21st birthday celebrations

21st birthday cake

21st birthday celebrations

21st birthday celebrations chummy

21st birthday celebrations

21st birthday celebrations

21st birthday celebrations

From classic dance tunes to blaring night club anthems, the party was a blast! I danced with everyone, sang the night away, and ultimately spent the time with those who mean the most.

On our actual birthday, the 21st June, we had a family afternoon and then I went out in the evening with my best gals. We chose our local Greek restaurant for our birthday lunch, which served up my favourite dish the classic pasticcio and ice cream for dessert.

21st birthday celebrations

The restaurant is located on our local harbour so the perfect opportunity for a few candid snaps!

21st birthday celebrations

Our birthday falls on the summer solstice, aka the longest day of the year. This year, we were lucky enough to get the longest day and the hottest - our birthday was a scorcher, hitting 30 degrees! Sunshine, laughter, and precious moments, I'm happy to have spent the day with my loved ones.

When evening hit, I glammed myself up in an ASOS playsuit and headed to the tapas & wine bar with my girls. It's lovely being able to have the time with my family, boyfriend, and my best friends all in one day. The tapas bar served up a wide range of dishes with the pork belly being my absolute fave. It was served in a sweet soy sauce and melted n the mouth; I could have eaten plates of it! Wine, chats, and presents, I'm blessed to have the best friends I do in my life.

21st birthday celebrations

Danielle and I

Robbie Williams heavy entertainment show tour

Me, Chloe and Molly


The week wasn't over yet! Come the Friday, the girls and I had tickets to Robbie Williams' tour, 'The Heavy Entertainment Show' at London's Olympic Park. We bought these a few months back for Danielle's 21st and the day finally arrived; we couldn't wait! Robbie didn't disappoint, he put on a truly epic show and we all loved every single minute. We were able to get standing tickets, putting us right in front of all the Robbie action. My highlights have to be 'Angels', 'We're strong', 'Sweet Caroline', 'Let me entertain you' and 'Rock DJ'.

Robbie Williams heavy entertainment show tour

Danielle, Molly, me and Chloe outside the Olympic Park

Robbie Williams heavy entertainment show tour

Us inside waiting for Robbie

Robbie Williams heavy entertainment show tour

The crowd

Robbie Williams heavy entertainment show tour

I kicked off the grand age of 21 with a bang! Over the past few years, I've grown up in so many different ways, through my confidence, happiness and curiosity. Entering another year of my 20s, I want to travel as much as I can, taste every cuisine out there and meet so many new faces. I aim to explore, to love hard and make the best stories with those closest to me. Here's to even more adventure and fun this year will bring!

I hope you liked this birthday style post! When is your birthday?

Thank you for reading <3

8 days in Malta | A group holiday

Well hello to you my reader chums! June has been a jam-packed month so far and I'm loving every second. The week just gone, I ventured out on a group trip to sunny Malta for 8 days. It was by far one of the most relaxing and fun holidays I've ever had. The bigger group meant, the laughter, fun, and games never stopped; there was always something going on.

As you can imagine, we took a gazillion pictures, but I've cherry-picked my favourites. Let's take a look at my trip to Malta.

Day 1 - Arriving and exploring Malta

group trip to Malta

On the first day, we arrived too early for check-in so dropped off our bags and explored the local area around the hotel. It was minutes away from clear blue waters and rock pools galore. We stayed at the St Georges Park Hotel in St Julians, located at the heart of everything including activities, restaurants, bars, and more. 

Girls by the pool in St Julians Malta

Once checked in, as many of us were tired from the early flight, we chilled out by the poolside, soaking up every ounce of Malta sun we could get. The weather was a scorcher, the hottest I've experienced in a while - hello tan!

After dinner, we took a stroll down to the marina area, which at night looks even more stunning than daytime. Shops and restaurants glistening in the night sky, a sight not to be missed amongst the harbour waters.

Day 2 - Beach chilling and pedal boats in Malta

Pedal boats in malta St Julians

As Malta is mainly all rocks and water, there aren't actually any proper sandy beaches. We discovered an artificial beach that was made up of tiny rocks as oppose to sands. A few of the guys went jet skiing whilst the other group of us chilled, chatted, and took a paddle in the sea. Then all of us split off onto the pedal boats, pedalling out into deeper waters and snorkelling in the sea.

gelato love in malta

A long old day at the seaside for us beach babies had to end in ice cream. We found a gelato shop where you could layer as many ice creams, sauces, and toppings to make the perfect sundae; dessert goals for sure.

Day 3 - Unicorn inflatable pool fun and cocktail evenings

unicorn pool float in Malta

It's safe to say Malta was hot, the weather ranging from the late 20s until early 30s. We spent a few days soaking up the sunshine by the poolside and day 3 was one of those days. Before the trip, I bought a unicorn float from Primark and everybody named him Leeroy. We decided to blow him up and see all the fun we could have!

It wouldn't be a group holiday in the sunshine without a few cocktails to end the night. Only a few minutes from our hotel, we had the Peppermint bar and an entire strip of nightclubs/pubs to choose from. Peppermint had to be our favourite as they made the best cocktails and the location was so convenient.

Nightlife in St Julians Malta

Day 4 - City bus tour and the Blue Grotto

City hop on hop off bus in malta

Every trip I go on, I love to take advantage of the hop-on hop-off bus tours, as you can see a wide part of your new location and learn about the history that surrounds you. We chose the South route which ended in the Blue Grotto, an incredible location of sea views and hidden caves. 

Topshop black bikini

The surrounding of the sea was all rocks so we set up our towels and sunbathed there. I was wearing my new love, this classic black Topshop bikini.

Blue grotto in malta

We spent a few hours there chilling and most of the guys/girls taking a swim in the clear waters. A few of our group even went cliff jumping which in itself was terrifying to watch!

 Dinner in St Julian, Malta's marina

To end the day, we took a walk down to the marina for a lovely spot of dinner as a squad.

Day 5 - An excursion to Comino Island

speed boat living in Comino Malta

Even though I was a little nervous to jump on the speed boat at first, Comino Island had to be one of my favourite days of the holiday. The speed boat in itself was such a laugh - it felt like a party water ride with waves jumps and club tunes blaring. We all had the best time singing along and absorbing the sunny environment that laid ahead.

Comino island malta

As we rode into Comino, we drove through so many caves and witnessed the beauty of Malta's natural clear water.

Comino island malta

Comino island malta

Comino Island was just as beautiful once we set foot onto land. The crystal clear waters, rocky terraces, and bustling stalls made for an epic day. Half of us swam and the other half got a boat to the other end of the island as it was a quieter location for a swim. We all loved it and I even went for a snorkel in the clear yet ultra salty waters.

Matching bikinis in Comino island malta


Three musketeers in Malta

To finish off a fabulous day, we treated ourselves to a lovely dinner out in Lore & Fitch steakhouse. If you're ever in the St Julians area, I'd highly recommend this restaurant. The food was some of the best I've ever tried and service as high in standards. We even went back there on our last night as we all loved it that much!

Day 6 - Pool day and cocktail night out

Girls night out in Malta

The 6th day was another ultra chill day where we had a lot of fun and games in the pool! From throwing each other in the water to the British bulldog, it was a ball of laughs. Once the shenanigans were over, we split the group in half and we girls went on our own night out whilst the guys were free for a lads night. Filled with cocktails and chats, the Malta nightlife offers something for everyone.

Day 7 - UFO inflatables, matching swimsuits and date night

Girl trip to Malta

Popping on our matching swimsuits, we girls bought especially for the occasion, we took a stroll down to the harbour area, where you could have a swim and take a boat in deeper for some water sports. We had a little dip then took it in turns to ride the UFO which essentially is a massive inflatable sofa, attached to a boat that pulls you along. I sat between two of the boys in fear of falling off, however, the experience was insane, we all had a giggle as we soared across the bumpy waves.

St Julians Malta

St Julians Malta

 I picked a lovely Italian restaurant called Sardinella for dinner which served up a delicious halloumi starter and Bolognese for mains. We then took a lovely stroll down the marina for a spot of ice cream before joining the rest of the group later that night.

Day 8 - Waterpark and steakhouse

On the last day, we headed down to the 'Splash and fun' waterpark. It wasn't the biggest waterpark I've been to, however, it had its fair share of slides, a fab wave pool, and a lazy river to float down. A chilled day in the sunshine, making a splash in the water park, was the best way to bid goodbye to an incredible holiday. We finished it off with a dinner in our favourite steakhouse and the next day we're up, on our flight home to cheery England.

Malta, I love you. For the water fun, endless laughs, and unforgettable moments with the best group of people I could ever wish for, it's a summer holiday to remember. Some people you just click with and know they'll be with you in all life throws at you. Much love to all my squad. Here's to the next adventure!

I hope you enjoyed this insight into my Malta trip. Have you ever visited?

Thank you for reading <3

London Diaries | Shawn Mendes Illuminate tour

Well hello to you my reader chums and welcome back! It feels like forever and a day since I've sat down to write a blog post. If you follow me on Instagram, then you'd have probably seen my holiday spam of photos, where I've been lucky enough to sun it up in Malta over the past week. Before the holiday excitement (there will be a post very soon), I attended Shawn Mendes worldwide tour and loved every minute of it.

Here's what happened..

Shawn Mendes Illuminate tour

On the 1st June, my twin sister and I went along to see him light up the stage at the 02 arena in London.


Lucy and Lydia

As we were lining up, I looked around and saw my favourite YouTubers, Lucy and Lydia walking towards the queue. I've been watching their channel for way over 4 years now and couldn't not say hello to them. The girls were an absolute treasure and so genuine. I didn't know what to expect but they're exactly the same in their videos to real life. They're the type of people you can chat to for hours on end about everything, I'm so thankful we finally had the chance to speak.

Shawn Mendes Illuminate tour London

Then concert time arrived! The opening act was James TW who put on a charming set before Shawn Mendes graced the stage. As he came on, the crowd went absolutely wild! The lights flashed and his voice filled the room, melting everybody's heart as he sang his favourite tunes.

Shawn Mendes Illuminate tour london

There were so many highlights of the night, however my favourite songs he performed were 'Lights on', 'Three empty words', the classic 'Stitches', 'Treat you better' and 'Life of the party'.

Shawn Mendes Illuminate tour london 02

Illuminate tour London Shawn Mendes

There's no better atmosphere than a concert, a room filled with people who share the same love of music and the artist you do. Attending concerts and hearing musicians live is one of my favourite things to do. Watching someone share their passion with such a wide audience never fails to amaze me. Shawn Mendes, thank you a phenomenal night. Your Illuminate tour was one of my highlights so far this year and I'm happy to have spent it with my twin sister. If you ever get the chance to see him live, take it as he blew me away. His voice live and stage presence is ever so heart-warming. Bring on the next concert!

I hope you enjoyed this post. Who are you next seeing in concert?

Thank you for reading <3

May favourites

Well hello to you my reader chums and happy June! I honestly can't believe we're half way through the year and my favourite month has arrived. May clearly swept by and was jam-packed with many exciting moments. There haven't been too many favourites over the past few weeks, however I've got a few things to share..

May favourites

Harry styles album

Harry Styles' album

I never usually mention music favourites, however I couldn't not throw this in. Harry Styles has always been my favourite One Direction member and I've been a massive fan of his from the early days of the band. When I heard that he was releasing an album, I jumped with excitement. I fell in love with the first single 'Sign of the Times', so when the whole album was played, I couldn't stop listening to it. The songs are nothing I would have expected him to do and completely different to the style he is known for. Harry's album I'd describe as slow rock with a David Bowie vibe about it. Every song shows off his vocal range in an amazing light. My favourites have to be 'Sweet Creature', 'Two Ghosts' and 'Kiwi'. If you haven't heard it, I'd definitely check it out- I'm lucky enough to have got tickets to his tour so I can see the album performed live!

Hoola bronzer

Hoola Bronzer by Benefit Cosmetics

I'm a big bronzer fan, out of all face products, it's my favourite. Having rather fair skin, it's hard to find a bronzer that contours the cheeks and doesn't look too orange upon application. Hoola bronzer however is my saviour in the bronzer world. The pigmentation is seamless, it contours your cheeks with ease whilst also warming up your complexion and has a grey undertone in oppose to bronze, giving a complete natural bronzed look. Its lasting power wears all day and holds that chisled look you desire. Not to mention, the packaging is super compact and cute; a must for any fair skinned girl like me.

Kiko lip liner in 315

Kiko's lip liner in '315'

I've raved about Kiko's lip liners over and over again in various posts, but they truly deserve the hype. They're the only base lip product I've used which cling the lipstick and hold it in place all night long, without drying out the lips. '315' in particular I've been obsessing over as it pairs amazingly with Mac's lipstick in 'Faux'. As it's that little bit darker, the outline enhances and defines the shape of the lips even more. The shade is quite a dark, dusky pink, perfect for everyday use.

Burgundy dorothy perkins dungaree dress

Dorothy Perkins burgundy pinafore dress

It's safe to say, I have a huge obsession with pinafores and dungarees; I love that cutesy style and own way too many of those pieces. One I've been lusting over this past month is my burgundy pinafore I got in Dorothy Perkins. I've been loving to wear this on warmer days paired with a stripy top and converse for the ultimate spring style look. The material is thick, and heavy so I know it'll wear for a very long time. I can't wait to style it up throughout the seasons.

NEW YORK TIMES SQUARE

New York!

Start spreading the news....

If you saw my New York guide, then you'd know I was lucky enough to visit the Big Apple in May. I'm still in awe of everything I experienced and can't come to terms with 'I've visited New York'. It was without a doubt, one of the best trips I've ever been on. The sights, the food and the general vibe, I fell in love with. It's incredible, how the city never sleeps, how something exciting is always going on and how in a city of civilians, there's an odd sense of calm. Times Square, Top of the Rock, Central Park and the New York Public Library were just a few of my highlights.

I hope you enjoyed my May favourites. Which products have you loved this month?

Thank you for reading <3