What I've Achieved in 2015 And What's Coming Next Year...

Hey,

Its nearly the end of the year meaning yes, here is one of those typical 'What I've achieved this year' posts but personally I believe it is important to acknowledge what you have achieved so you can simply gain knowledge for the future. 
Wow, that sounded posh...

Last month my Blog had its 1st birthday and it that small space of time I have reached nearly 18,000 reads and I have collaborated with some incredibly talented people along the way, I also would like to think that I have made some great friends. A few of which you can check out here >
 Aces Laces
FairyPants (Vegan Cosmetics)
Gourmandisons Jewellery
 Blakely Clothing
Graze Box 
I have some extremely exciting collaborations already lined up and planned for 2016 so watch this space, it's going to be big!

I also met some incredible girls whilst taking part in the running of 'Sparkle of Style' which was a collaborative Blogger project that I took part in with these wonderful girlies...
Royally Rouge (Frances) 
So, what else have I been up to this year? 
I finished school *thank goodness* and I began college doing a course that I enjoy and that I am extremely passionate about, Photography! I have met so many wonderful people at college, I have made some friends for life. 

So going into 2016, you are probably wondering what I would like to achieve? 
Well, I want to be driving before the summer hopefully. I turn 17 in a few weeks which is the legal age to drive in the UK, I need to obviously take lessons, take my theory and practical and then hit the roads! But I have to pass the exam part first... Secondly I would like to dedicate more time to my Youtube channel and maybe invest in some professional lighting because living in the UK you simply can't rely on natural lighting in the winter. I have definitely become more confident over the past few months with my online content. Back in school it was not the 'cool' thing to do to make Youtube videos but now I think that if its what I want to do as a hobby and it makes me happy then why the heck not! So expect more content to be uploaded onto my channel over the next few months (Link is on the top of my blog) 
I just want to continue what I am doing now but maybe on a slightly bigger scale... 

I would just like to take this opportunity to say a massive, huge, gigantic thank you to every single one of you who supports my crazy, badly written posts. Thank you to you for supporting me throughout this year even though at times I was a bit crap, but BETTER THINGS ARE COMING! 


Some Highlights of 2015...





Gourmandisons Jewellery Collaboration 




I couldn't possibly forget about my Prom which I also had this summer... It was amazing to be able to dress up like a princess for an evening and spend it with some of my favourite people.

Bring it 2016, I'm ready. 

Until next time,


Stormydoos 

Let's Do A Photoshoot!

Hey,

So as many of you may of seen if you are following me on my social media's you would of seen a few 'professional looking' photos of myself and my very good friend Lydia popping up.
Myself and Lydia (Who's blog you can find here) both study Level 3 Photography at college and we decided that we would put our newly learnt skills to the test and have a little photoshoot...







This shoot was mainly for experimental purposes for ourselves. Learning from mistakes we made and learning how to make our images better next time, for example using artificial lightning as we shot inside on a slightly dreary day would of dramatically improved the final images.

As I said previously, Lydia has now got her own Blog so please head over and give it a quick read! 

Until next time,
Stormydoos 

What Christmas Means To Me...

Hey,

So here is the big question... What does Christmas mean to me? 
Well, its simple really, Christmas to me means that all my close family will spend a whole day together which i'm going to be honest, never really happens. We are a very busy family and it is very rare that we ever spend a whole day together, but Christmas allows us too. 
On Christmas Day we usually wake up fairly early because my little brother is always extremely excited to see what Father Christmas has brought for him (He is four years old) then we pop open a bottle of champagne, followed by another and another... 
Christmas to me means a day to spend with my close family, being lazy, giving and receiving gifts and consuming a vast amount of alcohol. 

What does Christmas mean to you?

Until next time,
Stormydoos


Big Changes... Life's Lessons

Hey,

So, recently there have been some massive changes in my life. Luckily I have always been able to deal with 'change' fairly well but these transitions have certainly taken their toll on me but I can now say  I have learnt some valuable skills which I felt might be helpful to some of you.

As some of you may already know back in September I made the huge leap from Secondary School to beginning to attend college. I have to be totally honest and say I wasn't that nervous about starting College because towards the end of of my time at Secondary School I began to feel like I was to mature for the whole system. The thought of having to be in six different lessons, some of which you weren't the slightest bit interested in seems totally pointless and meaningless to me now. 
I chose to take Level 3 Diploma In Photography at College meaning the only subjects I study is Photography, which is great to a certain extent. 
One massive part of College life which I am loving though is definitely the social side of it, I have made so many great friends which I am sure are friends for life now.

Secondly a second large change which has happened in my life recently is that I decided to get a new part time job, now this may seem like a small thing to some people but I had been at my previous job for almost three years. When you are my age three years seems like a fairly long time! 
I went from one extreme to the other which my job choice, I went from a catering based Job to a receptionist in a posh car showroom. 
I have to admit the first day was terrifying, I was suddenly the first face customers saw when they came into the big glass door at the front of the showroom and quite honestly that scared me. 
I suddenly realised I was doing a 'proper grown up' job, people relied on me.
I can now honestly say that a few weeks I wasn't sure if my new job was suited for me but now I realise it is what you make it. If you go into a situation with a positive attitude and outlook on it then it is most likely you will have a positive result.

So, what have I actually learnt from these two big changes? 
I have learnt that you need to stick to something long enough to properly understand what it entails and sometimes you need to 'throw yourself in at the deep end' and take risks and If it doesn't work out for you then its an experience that you can learnt from and another life lesson learnt.


Until next time,
Stormydoos


I Love Christmas Tag!

Hey,

So a few weeks ago I received an email from Lily at Beautyandthenature asking who would like to take part in her 'I Love Christmas Tag' so obviously I said yes, hence why I am writing this now! 

1: What is your favourite Christmas colour?
It would have to be a warm red tone because for me it always reminds me of the lovely Yankee Candle in the scent 'Sparkling Cinnamon' which we always have burning in our house at and around the christmas period, so a warm, dark red tone.


2: What is your favourite Christmas movie?
Hmm, now this is a very difficult one as there are so many Christmas movies that I love, my top three movies would have to be; Home Alone, Elf and The Santa Clause.

3: What is your favourite Christmas song?
ALL OF THEM! Couldn't possibly choose.

4: What is your most anticipated Christmas tradition?
I love visiting family who we only occasionally get to see because we live far away from each other, also drinking bubbly at 9am on Christmas day is always good fun!

5: Do you have a fake or real Christmas tree?
We have a fake one usually, yet we are having a real one this year, how exciting!


6: Do you wear Pajamas or Fancy dress on Christmas Eve?
Usually Pajamas! 

7: When do you open your presents - on the Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning? 
We open one present each before we go to sleep on Christmas Eve, then we open the rest of our gifts on Christmas Morning.

8: Do you believe in Santa?
Of course ;)

9: Are you a pro present wrapper or do you fail miserably?
I really don't enjoy wrapping presents, so they usually don't turn out very good.

10: Have you ever built a Gingerbread House?
Nope, I've eaten them though!



11: What is your Dream Christmas Destination?
I always want to be with family on Christmas day, but leading up to Christmas Day I would love to visit New York or Paris to see the beautiful Christmas festivities.



12: Do you like giving or receiving gifts better?
It makes me so immensely happy to see someone's face light up when you give them a gift which they wanted... So definitely giving gifts.

13: Can you name all of Santa's Reindeer?
Errm, Rudolf...?

14: What is your favourite Christmas meal or treat?
Nothing beats the traditional Christmas dinner!

15: What is your Christmas Wish?
For everyone to have a happy, safe Christmas with the ones they love.



Merry Christmas!

Until next time,
Stormydoos


FairyPants UK Review | Vegan Cosmetic Brand.

Hey,

I am fortunate enough to of been sent a couple of samples from Fairypants UK to review for you all. 

First of all, let me tell you a little bit about the brand... Fairypants UK is a vegan cosmetics brand, which means that all the products made are totally cruelty free and are good for your skin! Despite the fact the samples I got sent were cosmetics based, Fairypants also stock jewellery and hair accessories.

The first sample that I want to review is the 'Mulled wine' fragrance. When I first read the scent name on the bottle I was feeling slightly optimistic, I was thinking that this scent is going to be 'false' and probably absolutely nothing like what mulled wine really smells like... I couldn't of been more wrong! This fragrance is spot on, exactly what mulled wine smells like, I don't know how to describe this product other than it smells like Christmas! 


The next and last sample that I got sent was a tester size bottle of the 'Blueberry and Pomegranate' scented nail varnish remover. Yes, thats right... scented nail varnish remover! This is definitely a must-have product, It smells like summer fruits and the quality of which it removes nail varnish is great as well, so another great product from Fairypants.


I would like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to Fairypants for selecting me to be lucky enough to get sent these samples!

*All Opinions are my own*

Until next time,
Stormydoos


*Please note this is the sample review packaging*