Glitter Lips UK

Here it is folks! The review you've been waiting for!

Glitter Lips UK

SPARKLING ROSE

Delivery and Contents

Delivery was quick and efficient, with so much eagerness for this specific product. When the packaging arrived, I was even more excited!

Immediately by the silver glitter packaging, you could tell something glitzy had arrived!

Inside was the glitter, the applicator solution and the applicator itself, with clear instructions on how to use the product. And for an extra little detail, Jade had left me a personal POST-IT note, which made me smile (especially as it was on a Post-It Lips)

Application

Originally, upon reading, it tells you to make sure your lips are clean of lipstick. When I first read this, I thought surely it can't be as effective without a background colour - however once applying I could immediately tell I was wrong.

A small warning, it is not something you can rush to apply - to get the best results make sure you have a significant amount of time to focus on the shape and fill of your lips.

Upon applying, my first tip is to have a drink of water, as you'll be keeping your mouth parted for at least 2 minutes! Then apply the gloss on to your lips, one lip at a time. Make sure you apply plenty, and at first, it'll feel really sticky and stiff but honestly, it doesn't stay like this. Once you come on to applying the glitter, don't worry about it getting everywhere by putting too much on the brush -  as I am the worse with getting glitter all over my face and when I applied this; minimal amounts got on my chin or my cheeks! So make it as bold as you like.

Make A Statement

The end results are truly mind-blowing! I had it on from about 9pm, and 11am in the morning after a long sleep - it was still on!

And it doesn't feel like glitter you have on your lips, it turns into a glossy, glittery solution on your lips and really does catch peoples eyes!

Take a look for yourself, and if you fancy some yourself, click on to:

http://beautyboulevard.co.uk/

What is Weakness?

Have any of you been told you are weak? That you are a doormat? Has anybody told you, you're too kind, too open or too generous?

My question is, how is LOYALTY, GENEROSITY & KINDNESS, a sign of weakness?

So, I did some research into the definition of 'weak'

"lacking the power to perform physically demanding tasks; having little physical strength or energy"

"liable to break or give way under pressure; easily damaged"

Where do those three qualities come in them definitions?

For a long time, when I was in my late Primary School and early High School stages, I was consistently told "You trust people too much" and "You need to start being careful" up to the point where them quotes eventually changed to being "You need to let people in, you're shutting them out"

Another question I ask, is how does one know how weak you are, when they don't know everything you've overcome. I know many people who are coming out of their previous suffering and making great recovery - but some people may be none the wiser and still obnoxiously call them weak when in fact they are making great strides! It seems that just because we don't show our physical strength, or we cry, or we can hurt - makes us weak.

"liable to break or give way under pressure; easily damaged"

In my experience, I work under great pressure and sometimes deal with very ungrateful people in my line of work - but I do not give way, and they do not damage me - I am not weak.

I pushed through my anxieties, my unnecessary coping mechanisms and my severe depression without professional help, I am still here - I am not weak

Although, I can admit this now, a lot of people can't - so when somebody calls them weak, it will frustrate them as they have probably been told how strong they are and although an opinion like that, is just words, words can hurt! I've previously said, that self harm is one way to deal with emotional upset as physical pain hurts less than emotional pain - being called weak can create so much complexes in anybody's mind until it takes a huge gust of confidence to pluck up the courage and say I AM NOT WEAK.

I am Kind. I am Loyal. I am loving. I wear my heart on my sleeve. If I compete in a pageant, I am not disheartened if I don't win the crown, instead I am overwhelmed with the experience. I have made tough decisions. I survived High School and College! I grew up being unpopular. I have kept the same high demand job for almost two full years whilst juggling A Levels and Charity work. It has been a year since I've been anywhere near fluoxetine. I. AM. CERTAINLY. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE. NOT. WEAK.

I'm asking all of you now, to stand up against the bullies, the obnoxious people, those that think they are stronger than anybody and laugh in their face. I can assure every single one of you reading this,

You are not weak, you are strong for your own reasons and just because they aren't the same as their reasons to be strong, doesn't mean you aren't in great strength.

Someone is this world, will always be proud of you and who you are. Don't be forced to be emotionless and my advice is, always wear your heart on your sleeve.

And to those who perceive and call others weak? I ask you to think, you are most likely judging somebody you don't know. How would you feel if someone called you weak?

So. Yes. We ARE ALL empowered, independent strong people! NONE OF US ARE WEAK!

Abi's Fundraiser for Headway East Kent

Last week, I had the amazing opportunity to become a model for the night at one of my fellow Miss Bolton and Bury contestant's charity night.

Abigail Stroud-Mort is known highly in the pageant community, not just for her outer-beauty but inner beauty too! The best thing is, she's a Bolton lass!

Shortly after Miss Bolton and Bury, Abi won the prestigious title of Face of North West England AND competes in Disney Land later this year!

Last week, she worked hard in order to create a phenomenal charity night in order to raise money for Headway East Kent- a registered charity for brain injury! This may come in useful, due to my family's history of dementia and also my constant injuries that always seem to involve my head being wacked on either the floor or a shelf!


(Pictured, Abi in dress from The Pageant Boutique)

Alongside fellow beauty competitors, and our own Laura Collins - I took to the Catwalk, modelling beautiful dresses from Bedazzled Boutique and LM Fashions. As well as this, the models were made up by the amazing Shazia Qayyum and her Flawless team! The event was beautifully captured by the great and kind Ant Bradshaw, a photographer with a pure, loyal heart. Values that I also hold close to my heart and life!

In total £266.66 was raised, which is a SMASHING amount! Once again, showing that Pageantry is more than the walk, the talk and the beauty!

Here are all the beautiful crowns with the owner of Bedazzled Boutique, and also the models who took part in the fashion show - with Abbie herself in the middle -  a vision in pink, I have selected some of my favorites to review for you here:

This dress is part a the beautiful collection! 

I love the bright colours! 

Perfect for a Race Day, a wedding or just to wear on a beautiful day out!

Oooh, look who it is: Miss Bolton and Bury, Laura Collins, a now Miss England FINALIST!

What I absolutely adore about this outfit that Laura is modeling, is the simplicity yet classiness!

It is the sort of outfit you could go out in, have a meal or even a date with! It's not revealing, therefore would be comfortable for any occassion!

And, of course, black goes with everything!

An evening dress, from 

Now there is something you MUST know about me! 

I love SPARKLES!

And this dress portrays my love perfectly! I like the delicacy of this mainly and how I can imagine it shimmering in them stage lights!

I could even see this on the red carpet!

The lady in red!

This dress certainly holds sophistication! 

The sleeves that gently hang off the shoulder, with the embellished shoulder straps creates elegance.

I'd definitely put this in my wardrobe!

The detail!

That's the thing I love about this dress, the ruffles with the embellished top! 

I wouldn't call it cherry red, yet it isn't really a pink - I'd put it in between, more coral if anything! 

Making this THE dress for all skin tones, and hair colours!

Again, it's the simplicity I love about this dress, and the colour!

The zips at either side, add for a casual sense of style; yet the sleeves and the figure hugging makes this dress the perfect type for going out.

Or even, a cute little Black dress for the Miss England finals!

Complimented with bright lipstick and eyeshadow, this dress has the potential to create a look that really POPS!

This dress is so FLOATY!

It is the dress that'd look amazing flowing down a staircase, or even the perfect bridesmaid gown!

Again, the embellishment is situated at the top of the dress, adding some creative detail!

And the layers add for an easy dress to walk in and a perfect dress to show off to anybody!

I love the colour combination of this outfit!

The checkered skirt is 'oh so beautiful'!

Again, the perfect dress for any occasion, and the skirt could really show off a great booty!

These are the three women behind our faces that night! Very precise and detailed make-up! Take a look at some of the close shots:

Also, I couldn't resist posting this picture of Laura and I having a casual catch-up chat which Ant sneakily captured!

Oh! Did I mention, at the venue, there were THRONES! 

Throne + Beauty Queen is a definite must!

So that's it from me now folks! Once again proving how pageantry is one hell of a lot of fun and such an easy way to meet inspirational people!

Miss Bolton and Bury, Miss England Semi Finals!

Good Afternoon!

Look which beautiful young women my blogpost is about today! Meet Miss Bolton and Bury 2015, Laura Collins!

Laura will be competing at the Miss England Semi Finals, this Sunday at Kelham Hall and Country Park against over 60 other beautiful people!

Our queen Laura is so special to the Miss Bolton and Bury team! We know how beautiful she is, inside and out! She is Bolton's beauty! So in honour of the Semi Finals and Laura herself, I have tracked down some of the Miss Bolton and Bury team who have some very special things to say:

Laura, this one's for you beautiful!

"Good luck Laura! Hope you have an amazing time, I'm sure you'll have a great experience, do it for Bolton and Bury! We are all very proud of you" - Elle Finch

"Massive good luck in the semi-finals hun we will all be rooting for you! Your an absolute amazing role model and inspiration for Bolton&Bury and of course a well deserved winner and you will do us all proud! Have a fantastic time cant wait to hear all about it" - Beth Bower

"Good luck Laura! Not that you need it, we all know how hard you have worked! Your a great representative for Bolton & Bury and you will be amazing in the semi's! We are all so proud of you already" - Abigail Stroud-Mort

"All the luck in the world to my gorgeous big miss sister! We are all SO SO SO proud of you and how hard you have worked! You are an incredible role model to all of Bury & Bolton and a huge inspiration & role model to me! Love you girly! You'll be AMAZING!" - Giorgia Frost, Junior Miss Bolton and Bury

"Massive good luck Laura!!! You definitely deserve to do well as youre such a lovely person and great role model! Your miss Bolton and bury family are routing for you hun!! We know you'll smash it" - Holly Taylor-Smith

"Good luck beautiful , we all so proud of you ,you're one of the most amazing person that I ever met and you've inspired me in so many ways ,we all love you and believe in you .(PS: don't forget to have fun and get that crown)Bonne chance" - Jenny Munene

"Good luck gorgeous! Can't wait to hear updates, have the best time and I'm sure you'll smash it! Can't wait for our very own Bolton and bury girl to rock the Miss England Finals!!" - Beth Dove

"I wish you all the luck in the world - not that you will need it! I know full well that you will rock every minute of the semis, from the very moment you arrive to the point were you are packing up all your gear ready to go home. You are a true inspiration, a beautiful soul - I am so proud of you. Keep smiling, keep being you, keep making Bolton and Bury proud; you have already achieved so much" - Lucy Physick, Miss Bolton 2013/14

"Good luck Laura in the semi finals, not that you need it because your an absolutely amazing girl inside and out. You are a deserved winner and I know you will make our little Bolton/ bury family happy. We will all be proud of you no matter what Xx" - Sairah Imtiaz

"Our Laura, miss Bolton and bury, you've done is so proud already! Your a beautiful person inside and out with a heart of gold and you truly deserved to win as you deserve to do well at miss England semi finals! Show them what us northers are made of! And no matter what happens you've done us all so proud and you've done amazingly as our ambassador and you truly have shown what it means to be great role model! I wish you all the luck in the world, not that you need it, go and win it for us!" - Helaina Morgan

"Laura, I've said it once and I'll say it again, there is no one that I would have wished to come 2nd to more than you! And these past few months have shown that you totally deserved the title and haven't changed my mind in the slightest! You're an amazing girl, friend and role model and I am honoured to call you a friend. You don't need any luck for the semi's, but break a leg as I would say and show everyone how beautiful inside and out you are!!" - Kelly Smith

"Well, what can I say?

You're ace in every way. You're pretty and smart, So go and win their hearts! You deserve a huge bouquet

I really do wish you the best Laura, you've been there for every one of us and you know we'll always be here for you too. Show them who the real winner is, you've got your girls on your side!! Good luck" - Tameka Bowman

"Good luck Laura, not that you need it, because you will do great! Make sure you enjoy every second and have lots of fun!" - Georgia Potter

"Hey Laura! Just wanted to say a huge good luck to you for you this weekend! You are an intelligent beautiful girl who deserves the best! You bring smiles to lots of people and not only that you are so down to earth and compassionate and we all love that about you! I'll be there at the weekend watching everything that happens, hopefully there'll be plenty of time for hugs and pictures! You have the whole of Bolton, Bury and Team North behind you! Love you Laura! See you soon!!!" - Mary Ainsworth

"Good Luck Pal!! Dont be nervous or panic, if you are ever in doubt just smile anyway hahaa Huge good luck wishes coming your way!!! lots and lots and lot of love!!!" - Chelsea Edgar, Miss Bury 2013/14

"Huge good luck Laura, from standing in the P.e department during dinner breaks at high school to representing Bolton & Bury at the Miss England semi - final!!! So proud of you. Enjoy every second of it, live for the moment & make unforgetable memories. Everyone is behind you - huge good luck & well done on everything so far" - Christina Cunningham

Just one more to sign off from me, because I have a feeling I'm going to be late for work otherwise! You have taught me so many things already Laura - from loyalty to true friendship and what it is all about. Nothing could ever mean more to me than you achieving a place in that Miss England final! If I could have found a lift on Sunday, I'd be there! We all love you so much and that tiara is rightfully on your head! So, take a stand! Have fun! WOW the judges! And let's show the country what Bolton and Bury is all about! A HUGE GOOD LUCK!! 

Also, I'd like to wish a huge Good Luck to our other Team North girls in the Semi Finals: Holly Moore, Rebecca Copsey & Hannah Bradley!

Yes! It's a Claireabella!!

Today I received a long awaited gift, yes it was a Claireabella! So I thought I'd lead you into a completely new world of personalized gifts EEEEK!

I have had Claireabella on Twitter for a LONG LONG time and never once thought, should I look at her products! But Hey, I took a shot in the dark and look what it gave me! I thought, it's time to drink something other than fizzy drinks, which is a big thing as it's literally all I drink but now I have a new mug so hopefully I'll be testing out some new teas from Nudey Tea or Boo Tea! (I really don't like tea) If you search Claireabella on Facebook, Twitter or Google - you'll be able to see that you can personalize literally anything!

Go on! ...

Give it a look...

But for now, until I get paid and buy my new healthy detox tea... it's going to have to be white Hot Chocolate for me! 

Pandora ♡

On the list of my favourite things, Pandora was there. I'm not one for designer clothes or designer shoes however I am one for Pandora jewellery and everybody who knows me, knows that perfectly!

So I thought I'd introduce you to my charm bracelet, and why it means so much to me...

The charms:

A pink Teddybear - this represents my theatre girlies, my gift off them for my 18th Birthday.

A sailboat - this is to represent the wonderful person that is my Grandad! As he owns a boat and simply loves boats!

An '18' charm - this was off my Nana and Grandad Lake and my Auntie Jackie for my 18th birthday - loved it ♡

Half a butterfly - my nan owns the other half - it's a best friend charm as she is my best friend.

Pandora bag - emphasises the Pandora obsession I hold, and the amount of Pandora bags I actually have !

Red 'daughter' charm - My Mum has the other half saying Mother.

The coloured pavé ball - I had an amazing payday and just needed some colour to the silver.

'N' charm - this particular charm is obvious - N for Nicole!

Pandora signature charm- expressing my love for Pandora once again!

A fish- representative of my Auntie Jackie!

Theatre Mask- representative of my love for Theatre! 

Kittens charm - To represent my 6 favourite cats in the world!

Welcome to the world of Pandora, good quality jewellery that always stands out. So next time you're out and about, walk into store and look at all the shimmers and sparkles!

Create a beautiful story to wear!!

These are a few of my favourite things

On a topsy turvy day, what can you do? Think, cry, laugh or sleep? The list is endless, so I'm compiling a list of my favourite things to do. It is a list that is consistently being added to, as one look through a personal happy list - could probably cheer you up throughout the entire day and night!

1. A cat's purr

2. A bird's song

3. My Grandad's cuddles

4. Ham and Pineapple Pizza

5. Fizzy pop

6. Lips and Toothbrush sweets

7. Rhubarb and Custards

8. Pandora

9. Making amends after a constant feud

10. The words: I Love You

11. The way magpies hop and get attracted to shiny things

12. Christmas

13. Red skies at night

14. The colours black and pink

15. My Alfie-bobs

16. My 4 kittens and their Mummy & Daddy

17. My converse

18. My strappy heels

19. My Nan's nipping

20. My Pageant Family ♡

21. My Mum in general

22. White clouds

23. An eclipse

24. Autumn leaves

25. Baby mobiles and windchimes ♡

What happens if it doesn't go right?

It's approaching the Summer Holidays, which most likely means big changes for us all. But what most of us think about is "What if it doesn't go right?" - "What if don't succeed?" - "What if it all goes wrong?"

One message I really want to get across to my readers, is that no matter what happens in life, you are under no circumstance a failure! We all get asked from a young age what we'd like to be, it's like we are sometimes made to feel like we have to make a decision, for our life path immediately. I remember at one point I wanted to be a vet, which after Triple Science - I don't think I could ever look at doing anything to do with Science again!

You can revise thoroughly for days and try your 100% hardest and not achieve what you want, yet it isn't the end. All your hard work will never be for nothing! You would have gained skills since you were little, just as you gained the skill to be able to talk and walk! There are so many paths you can take, no matter which choice you make. For those hoping for University, once you get into University - your paths are based on independence! For those who just miss out on grades, more paths will open up, including one into the working world.

It's time for us to try our upmost hardest to achieve our biggest dreams but make a few little choices along the way. It's also time for us all to understand, that whatever our dreams may be, that there's always alternatives. My dream is the stage, yet on the way I'd like to carry on working, go to University and learn other things as well! Dreams come true, sometimes nightmares even come true. But although my choices and my nightmares will affect my life, it will not stop me achieving the best I can achieve. It will not stop me from having a family.

A perfect example is the Miss Bolton and Bury competition. Did I win? No. Did I place? No. But what I did do is try, and everything that could have gone wrong from my hair to my Eco round went wrong but did it stop me having fun? No. And finally did it stop me from becoming part of a huge family, and applying for Miss Lancashire 2015 and Miss Charity Heart 2015? NO!

Things may not go the way we want them, but one of my favourite quotes is "When one door closes another two doors open"

So, my message to you all lovelies, is that each one of you, yes, you, who's reading this now - you are special! And you deserve a good happy life and we all deserve the chance at our dreams!

The Pitch is Perfect

Have you ever felt really down? Have you ever needed a laugh and a cry? Have you ever just needed a could remedy for cheering up?

Well, especially for you girlies, Pitch Perfect 2 is just for you! And see, it's meant to be as it even rhymes :-)

I have just watched this film today after being totally in love with the first one, up to the point of knowing the riff-off by heart. They truly excelled themselves, and left you coming out of the cinema smiling and laughing.

This isn't much of a review to be honest, due to the plain fact I'm not revealing anything about the Barden Bellas, I'm not spoiling anything. I'm just asking you to take my word for it and watch it!

Exams, Leaving, Graduation

Ever since I was younger I have always wanted to write a graduation sort of speech for those taking their exams, leaving college or graduating! So, here I go - my message to you guys - or to whoever reads it.


For those taking exams:
The time is here that we must strive, strive to be great! The key is mutuality, if you're too anxious you will probably perform low, if you're too relaxed you'll probably perform low - the key is in the middle! Have enough adrenaline pumping in your body yet not as much to make you panic. You can only do your best, and your best all depends on you! REVISE. That's what everyone says, but it's true. I didn't revise for GCSE's, I could have turned my 9 Bs into As and my 2 As into A* with revision. It was only yesterday I realised how beneficial revision was, I revised thoroughly for my Psychology exam, and when I opened the paper - there wasn't a question that I got really stuck on, it was just continuous writing! It doesn't mean that I got them all right as it's based on how you write to achieve the marks but, hey, at least I didn't have to go through that panic! We are such stuff as dreams are made of, our dreams can be reality as we're the ones who make them! Years ago, someone would have dreamt about having a computer or a touch-screen phone, a women would have dreamt about the opportunity to be able to vote, slaves would have dreamt of equality and freedom! Everything is a dream, and to achieve them - we have to work hard! So revise, eat lot's of brain food (flapjacks and pasta), drink lot's of water and thrive to achieve!

For those leaving college (especially at my College):
I started college being extremely socially anxious, I hated new people and didn't think I'd make any friends. But this is for the people in college who felt the same, who made friends, who made family! Just yesterday, my Mum and I found out that it was over 7months ago when I was taking Fluoxetine and now I'm not self-harming or in a depressive state. And partly this is due to you at college, especially those in my theatre who created a huge family which I am proud to say I was apart of! It's time for us to fly, and be released into this working world. Whether you're off to University, apprenticeships or even having a break (gap year) - you have your whole life ahead of you! Take a deep breath, and live like there's no tomorrow! In the next decade or so, you could have a family to pass on your experiences to!

Most importantly, just RELAX and ENJOY your life!

Be Kind to All

I haven't wrote a post in absolutely ages, basically I've had writers block so here I am... writing about something that has become a great matter to myself.

Throughout our lives we meet different people, with different jobs - whether we meet a policeman, shopkeeper or a dentist. But have you ever thought about how you treat them? I have to admit, before working at a hotel, I didn't either, but since then here I am, writing a post.

We genuinely make opinions on people and occupations all the time, for example the Police. The amount of controversy written about them in the local media, you learn to hate them- so much that they are often referred to as 'pigs'. Another one for me is certain shopkeepers who look down upon you because you're a teenager - just because I'm a teenager doesn't mean I'm going to steal. However, have you ever thought that actually being nice to our laborers will make their day?

I have thought about this as there have been a number of times that myself, as a C+E/Breakfast waitress, and my Mum, as a manager, have been spoken down to or treated with no respect whatsoever. Just because these people are working to achieve your satisfactorys, doesn't make them a lower class than you. Today for instance, I had one women look down at me and snapping at me, just due to the fact we had no white bread. I had one man snap at me and put his hand in my face, due to fact I asked him to sit on the other side of the restaurant as I was setting up. These instances RUINED my day, and it's those types of issues that would ruin someone else's day too. The same goes in the Pageant World! Treating our Judges and Directors with respect at first is GREAT! But then treating them differently due to the fact you didn't win or thought the competition was unfair, is uncalled for.

Basically, this post is about manners: they make a difference to someone's day. So please, readers, treat those around you with respect! 

Smiles are contagious remember :-)

Why write a blog?

I've had a few questions this week, from college peers and also a few random readers. The main being "Why write a blog?" with many follow up questions like "Why would people want to read about your life?" or "Aren't blogs just for popular people" - the answer is quite straight forward yet every blogger's answer is different, including mine.

I decided to write a blog due to the fact, I am an extremely opinionated person on different topics, however despite this characteristic - I am also quite a shy person meaning most of my opinions will be kept in my head or with quiet mumbles along the street. My blog is like my newspaper, I can write whatever I want and not bother who is reading or commenting on it. I'd like to say this blog is my baby, it's the only thing I've become committed too for such a long time - I did try diaries but they never seemed to work for me; I found "Dear Diary" quite cheesy, and the idea that I was writing to an inanimate object. A blog is different, even if you have 0 readers, you a writing to other people not to the computer screen. It is a way of sharing your whole life in an expression to become a role model to others (which is one of my goals!).

A lot of people won't like to hear you moaning about your life, or evaluating how rubbish it is or what you had for tea last night. People like to read to something they can relate to, which is why a blog has to be written for your target audience. As you can read my blog is aimed at Pageantry, Mental Illness and a lot of randomness on the side - it's not something you would probably see young children read or elderly - it is aimed at teens and young adults. However, this does not mean those under and above won't read it.

With a blog you can't expect it to automatically become popular, you have to write and write without caring who reads it. Besides, a blog is yours, no one else's. One thing I'd like to comment on, is the idea of using blogs to 'bitch' like popular TV series 'Gossip Girl' or using it to put people down. This is not how a blog should be used, technically the only person you should be willing to embarrass is yourself - not others. A blog becomes a role model, you become a role model. A good role model will not abuse their power.

Finally, blogs are not just for popular people. If you have read my blog, you know that I don't have lots and lots of friends, I hardly go out partying and I finished High School and started College on a rough patch. I wouldn't mind saying I am quite an unpopular person, but this doesn't stop me writing, it is something that creates the person who you are.

An example of this is Laura Collins: The new Miss Bolton and Bury. I had spoken to her the night before the competition and she outlined how she hadn't created her ECO wear yet and was thinking of using her natural creative writing ability, as her inspiration. She didn't care about everyone else's ECO and what they had thought of - she wanted to show her passion (in which case she did)

To write a blog is to write a story, a documentation, a life and this is precisely the reason why I write.

Social Anxiety - Give it a kick up the arse

As I have told you all before, Social Anxiety was a huge problem of mine upon leaving High School and approaching College. However, this post isn't about what Social Anxiety is or how it affects us - but how I gave it a good old kick up the arse.

The BIG question is HOW? So, here's my step to step of what I did to overcome this.

1. Got a job in a Hotel, involving a lot of social situations and where image is everything. This was my first major step, working in a hotel has made me a better person in so many ways. Even my Boltonion accent is changing as throughout my working experience - I am learning to speak properly. I have found myself talking to anyone and everyone even around college and town - this is due to the fact I have to make conversation within a hotel and engage in the guest's interests.

At first, I was shy and didn't talk to anybody but now it's the most comfortable place to be for me. My colleagues are like my family!

2. Spoke to someone. This is a huge solution in most situations. During my first year of college, I had my private bubble - being a theatre student, a lot of people did their best to burst that bubble but I just pushed them away the best I could. This got the attention of my Theatre studies Tutor - she took me to one side and I was streaming tears and just telling her how I often hid in the toilet and often late to lessons as I wanted to avoid the rush of people in the changeover period. All she told me was it will take a leap of faith to overcome something like this, but it had to be made by me alone.

3. Hosted my 18th Birthday. This doesn't seem like much, does it? It was the most nerve-wrecking day of my life. I invited a lot of people from college, so I had so many worries about nobody turning up and cancellations had me in tears. However, the party was the day I was truly myself with my friends in college those who did everything to pull me through my tough time. They burst my bubble, and I couldn't be more grateful.

4. Applied to become a Live Mannequin for a boutique in Bloxwich. I succeeded with this, and even had a mini photoshoot with Ant Bradshaw. That day was huge for me, as it was an opening there was a lot of people I didn't know - I ended up meeting lots of inspirational girls!

5. I had Pageant Training with Jess Watts, Miss Teen Galaxy Wales 2013. This was very significant for me. My mum didn't book it for the pageant training but rather the training in confidence. Jess brought everything out of me, my best features - everything. I couldn't be more thankful to her for that.

6. MISS BOLTON 2015. This was the turnover! This is what changed me completely from being unconfident to confident! Mark's pageants are designed for you to have fun! They are designed for you to make friends! They are designed to make you feel beautiful whether your Eco dress falls apart or your evening dress keeps trying to fall down (yes, both happened to me) I've said over and over, why pageants are such a good hobby to have - I can honestly say "Pageants made me a better version of myself, they took a socially anxious girl and made her a confident young women" They gave me a dream, a dream to be on the Miss England stage. They taught me to never give up! Girls like Dominique, Lucy, Steph, Jordan, Holly, Leah, Chelsea, Laura, Kelly, Emily - the list goes on - have come back year after year to chase after their dream and to meet other inspired girls! I will never give up my dream of becoming a role model, and showing everybody that ANYTHING is possible...

Besides the only place where SUCCESS comes before WORK is in the dictionary!

My Goals

My apologies for the long delay in writing to you all, I have been so stuck on what to write. At one point I was debating whether to write a blog-post on how to have a poo in a public toilet without anybody realizing. But, yeah, I'm not going to do that, so here we are - I decided to write a post on my goals for the next two years. Basically the few years I have left in Bolton before hopefully I'm off to University after my gap year.

1. Finish reading The Bride of Lammermoor, Nightmare Abbey and Wuthering Heights

2. Do A LOT more charity work for an array of charities

3. Pass my A Levels with the grades I need, to get into University

4. To judge a pageant, it would be a great opportunity to choose a representative for a title.

5. Travel to many places JUST in the UK

6. Learn how to cook

7. Achieve a title important to me

8. Discover more TFP opportunities

9. Raise more awareness for Self Harm and Mental Health

10. Save up for my ultimate dream dress

11. Travel abroad in Europe

12. Enter a second Miss England North West heat

13. Raise awareness of the true meaning of pageantry

14. Write an entire novel

15. Win a TV competition

16. Do a charity skydive, or compete in something extreme

17. Have my first tattoo

18. Be able to do a perfect french plait

19. To support all religions in their charity fundraisers

20. To become an independent loving & caring young role model.

I will keep you all update on my attempts to achieve everyone of these goals, you'll know if I am attempting to achieve one as I will title the post with the number and the goal.

Wish me Good Luck!

50 Shades of Grey (Spoilers..sort of)

When it came to reading the 50 shades trilogy, I was quite late in considering a lot of people had already bought and read the first book. I bought it after the commotion it created even had a 1 hour documentary created about it, I am not one for erotica novels - I'm one of those who prefer the likes of The Scarlet Letter or Wuthering Heights. However, I believe that behind the erotica genre of 50 Shades of Grey, there is such a special love story, and as soon as I heard there was a film to be created I have to admit I panicked. I thought the film would focus on the sexual areas of the novel, not the beautiful story itself. The reviews of the film have been quite bad and that significantly put me off watching the film - as I thought could these reviewers have read the book? And after finding 'The Twilight Saga' more interesting as a novel rather than a film - I was afraid. However, I took a leap of faith and watched it, I have read all three books and think very passionately about them and about E.L. James, the story is so intense.

They kept the film quite tightly to the book, I felt like I was reading it again as they hadn't changed much of the language - I was anticipating for Anastasia to ask the question "Are you gay?" it was one of my favourite parts of the book.

That brings me on to Dakota Johnson. When I first heard she'd be playing Anastasia Steele, I was actually annoyed, this book was a world wide phenomenon - there would be so many characters more suitable. However, after seeing the film - I was quite astonished. She was perfect in my opinion, her cheekiness yet innocence is perfectly portrayed! People comment on how emotionless she seems, but I don't agree with that. Anastasia Steele isn't meant to be this bundle of emotion, she's meant to represent the average girl, and you cannot say that every second of the day you are smiling or frowning - 85% of the day you will probably have a straight face. Another fact is when she does display emotion, it is at the right moments. Her delight in the helicopter and her dismay and hurt at the end of the film - it contrasts so beautifully!

Jamie Dornan? First impression: who is he? Never heard of him? Originally I was routing for Ian Sommerhalder to play the part of the mysterious Christian Grey. Then this random person popped up, none of the magazine articles had predicted him in their 'perfect Anna and Christian' and when the film began I was annoyed because I didn't feel he was hot enough for the role. But then something happened which made me realise, Christian Grey isn't suppose to be your typical pretty boy - he is dark and mysterious, he will bring you in. Which he did. Charismatically, he was also perfect. Especially at showing that although he is this 'sex tyrant' that he has had a bad past and it has reflected his future. His emotion at the end was on point! You saw him throughout the movie change towards Anna, you actually saw him fall in love! And when he punished at Anna at the end, his face said it all - he was actually killing himself by doing this.

The ending. A lot of people told me they hated the ending, so my initial reaction was "Have they changed it" "Is it now a soppy happy ever after" but the ending was the same as the book. Which I think the book needs, in real life - a relationship with this type of man would never be perfect all the way through, in any relationship someone will always cross the line. Someone will always get hurt and in a lot of cases one person will always make the fast decision to leave. This brings me back to the point that this book is trying to make a realistic story with fantastical pleasure. We are meant to relate to Anastasia! Christian on the other hand, the choice is yours! Are we meant to hate him? Or are we meant to love him as it isn't his fault he is the way he is? Christian Grey is our 21st century Heathcliff.

I very much enjoyed the film, the soundtrack is unbelievable featuring songs for all different types of people!

If it's coming from me, I would recommend you to watch the film - that's my opinion because I found it entertaining and it is definitely a pleaser to me!  

Don't be afraid of the dark!

Good Evening,

The other night I overcame something rather quickly: my fear of the dark.

How?

Well generally our fear of the dark is the fact that we often create sounds and images in our heads that create even more fear. The slightest sound, we will here because our minds are looking out for things when in fact a million twigs probably crack or shuffle noises occur every hour. It's just because at night we are more inclined to listen out for these things.

My worse fear is walking home in the dark, until I found something that helped me cope. When walking home, walk in a fast but steady pace and actually count your steps either in your head or out loud. Due to the fact your mind is concentrating on counting it won't listen out for things that would usually make us scared and the more you count the closer you are to home.

My house is literally 3mins from the bus stop, and I have used this trick so much without realising - I just thought I was weird haha!

But seriously, try it - you'll understand what I mean!

Good night Lovelies!