February Sum-Up

What a month! February has always been a month where a lot of things have happened and this year was no different. I have had such a good month, with a trip to Nice and West Side Story and here I am to tell you all about it!

Favourite Songs?
There have been a few songs this year that have been stuck in y head this month. Firstly, The Hills and In The Night by The Weeknd have been two of my favourites, after they popped up in my discover weekly on Spotify. Also, I have reinvested my love in Grace Kelly by MIKA, which has always been my favourite song because I have always been very interested in Grace Kelly and I was fortunate enough to go and pay my respects to her in Nice, which was an honour. Thirdly I have been loving Your Daddy's Son, which is a sad song but I love it so much!

Favourite People? 
My friends Maisie and Jemima have been two people who I have loved this month. They have helped me get through a lot and for that, I thank them. To follow on from that, I have suddenly become very inspired by people like Emma Watson and Kate Winslet. There are a lot of great actors out there but they have put themselves in front of others and haven't just acted well, but spoken out about so many things, like feminism. Also, Kate Winslet is the youngest person to be awarded 6 academy awards, with 7 nominations.

Favourite Makeup?
Recently, I bought a Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick in the shade In Love with Ginger. I bought it for a party and it goes exactly with my orange dress that I wore. Also, when I was in London, I bought a Collection Speedy Highlighter as I had just tried out the Kiko highlighter and it was too much at the time, so I bought this and it seems to do the trick!

Favourite Drink?
My favourite drink, as always, has been tea. Especially Lady Grey. I have been drinking at least two cups of Lady Grey a day, in the afternoon. It is not a mistake, it is a love!

Favourite Picture?
I can't choose just one! Here are a few of my favourites this month:

How was your February?

Stay happy,
Katie xx

TMI Tag

1: What are you wearing?
At the moment, I am wearing this:

Because that is what I wear everyday basically


2: Ever been in love?
I guess so but I don't really know whether I would count it as love


3: Ever had a terrible breakup?
Nope!


4: How tall are you?
About 5 foot 6 inches

5: How much do you weigh?
An amount that I am happy with...


6: Any tattoos?
No, and I don't think I would get any. Not because I don't like them, but I have a very small pain threshold!


7: Any piercings?
One hole in my ears! 


8: OTP?
I don't have an OTP that I really really like. I guess Spencer and Toby but that isn't a thing anymore.

9: Favorite show?
Probably Pretty Little Liars, but I really like Casualty because two of my favourite actresses are in it.

10: Favorite bands?
Pantatonix, One Direction, Bastille, The 1975, The Weeknd


11: Something you miss? .
My Granny B and Grandad. Also, Cortona, Italy.


12: Favorite song?
My all-time favourite song is Grace Kelly by Mika, but I love every single song of Adele's. 


13: How old are you?
15, 16 soon


14: Zodiac sign?
 Aries


15: Quality you look for in a partner?
Someone who likes me for who I am and someone who has a sense of humour


16: Favorite Quote?
I like this one from Winnie the Pooh:

 But I also like this one from Pretty Little Liars, which is said by Alison. I like it because it means that if you can make a legacy for yourself, you can be remembered for something good. I don't want to die knowing that no one will remember me.

17: Favorite actor/actress?
There are so many! Maggie Smith, Emma Watson, Amanda Mealing, Sunetra Sarker and Troian Bellisario. I love all of them so much and they are huge inspirations to me 


18: Favorite color?
Lime green, but I like a yellow and grey colour scheme, which is what I am having in my bedroom soon!


19: Loud music or soft?
Soft, because it is nicer to sing to


20: Where do you go when you’re sad?
My bed or to messenger to message my friend, because she always makes me feel better


21: How long does it take you to shower?
Probably about 15 minutes because I sing and I like warm water!


22: How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
Half an hour on a school morning, 1 hour on a normal morning, I think!


23: Ever been in a physical fight?
Nope!


24: Turn on?
Someone who isn't clingy but can be around me enough to comfort me when I need it


25: Turn off?
Clingy people, people who constantly say "you okay?". That annoys me so much.


26: The reason I made a blog?
I wanted to say what I feel and I liked the idea of gaining confidence


27: Fears?
Spiders, heights and mince meat ( yes, it's weird)

28: Last thing that made you cry?
When a ball got kicked in my face!


29: Last time you said you loved someone?
To my friend Maisie because we were both being thoughtful and thinking about a lot of things


30: Meaning behind your blog name?
This blog is my way to making myself happy and helping others to become happy


31: Last book you read?
Allegiant by Veronica Roth


32: The book you’re currently reading?
Allegiant by Veronica Roth!


33: Last show you watched?
Pretty Little Liars


34: Last person you messaged?
Maisie 


35: The relationship between you and the person you last texted?
My friend

36: Favorite food?
Toad in the Hole


37: Place you want to visit?
America


38: Last place you were?
Nice, France


39: Do you have a crush?
Yes!


40: Last time you kissed someone?
Apart from my family, I can't even remember


41: Last time you were insulted?
When I was in Nice


42: Favorite flavor of sweet?
Apple


43: What instruments do you play??
Flute, a bit of piano and I sing


44: Favorite piece of jewelery?
My triangle earrings


45: Last sport you played?
I didn't play it, but I did my 4-week blogilates course


46: Last song you sang?
Grace Kelly by Mika


47: Favorite chat up line?
Are you a death eater, because AskaDAYM

48: Have you ever used it?
No way


49: Last time you hung out with anyone?
At school


50: Who should answer these questions next?
Jemima of Another Ranting Reader and Anna of A Fabulous Feminist!

Hope this way okay, it was a bit different to usual but I enjoyed doing it!!

Stay happy,
Katie xx

Nice - Day 5 - Modern Art, Shopping and Flying Home

Because we had to pack, we all got up on the first alarm on the last morning. Although we were tired, there was stuff to do. We had eaten breakfast by 7:45, after waking up at 7, which is impressive for me. We were the first people to be packed and ready to go. I had done my makeup, dressed, washed and packed everything in under an hour and then our room had half an hour to sing songs together, which is something we enjoyed so much, as it was relaxing and it gave us a chance to be together doing something we loved.

Once we had dropped our bags downstairs and grouped, we walked to the modern art museum in Nice, which is a big museum in the centre of Nice. There was some interesting art in there and again, there was a roof garden, which was so nice (no pun intended).

Once we had finished at the museum, we walked to the old market, where the teachers stopped and started talking to someone on one of the ice cream stalls. They did a deal with them and we all got 2 balls of ice cream in a cone, for free! It was so nice of them and the ice cream was so good!

We were then able to have some time off. My friends and I decided that we would collect some money from everyone and buy something for the teachers, as they had put up with us all week and organised everything for us. We collected €50 altogether, so we bought 5 paintings from the market and then some individual presents that resembled inside jokes or things they liked. They really liked them and it was very funny, giving the presents to them.

We then went to the beach, which was so nice, as we had half an hour to relax. We sat on the beach and talked, sang, skimmed stones on the waves and laughed. It was so nice to be with the people I like, outside of the school environment. 

After a while, we walked to the main street, where, again, we had some time to go and have a look at shops. I bought a ring from a boutique shop and Jemima bought a Too Faced palette, which is the most beautiful thing ever!

Then it was time to collect our bags and travel to the airport. We were all tired and hungry by this point, so we couldn't wait to get on the plane and eat. Once we got through security, we looked for shops to eat in, but there was one place to eat, a Costa. However, it was so expensive and the food was different to that of Britain's. I had a pastrami bagel, but it wasn't great. I had a cup of tea on the plane, which was scary because there was so much turbulence that I had to hold it, along with my friends stuff, as he had fallen asleep.

We got back to school at about 1 o'clock and we were all so tired, but we had such a good time and these memories will stay with me for a long time, if not forever.

----------------------------------

If you enjoy travel diaries, please say so, because I will do more of them if you want!

Stay happy,

Katie xx

Nice - Day 4 - Monaco, Shark Stroking and Ice Skating

The fourth day was the one that I looked forward to the most throughout the trip. I have always wanted to go to Monaco, and my family had always wanted to, as well. They were very jealous, so I did bring them a souvenir back from one of the shops. 

We spent about 15 minutes on the train, where we eventually got off at an extremely clean train station with marble floors, walls and ceilings. It was a bit of a maze to get out of, but eventually, we burst through the doors into the hot, bright sun, prepared with our sunglasses and cameras for the views that we would see. We were not disappointed. 

The road stretched out into an upwards pathway, which we all walked up, gazing at the blue ocean and busy traffic that sat to the left of us. It curved up the hill and there was a great palace at the top, where the royalties of Monaco live. It was incredibly swanky and very modern for a palace. The views were great from the top and the guards that surrounded the palace were so well-dressed and also very serious, marching with their guns and glum faces.

We the walked past the cathedral where Grace Kelly's grave is, as well as many other royalties from through the ages. We also walked past a park, which sloped down the side of the hill and was full of wildlife and greenery. 

After a while, we reached the aquarium, where we were all handed our tickets. They had different fish or sea creatures on the back and I got one with a lot of, what I call, 'Nemo fish'. We were then let off and able to have free time for an hour and a half, which was a good amount of time to look around. There were all sorts of things, from turtles to jellyfish, starfish to lobsters. It was such a good aquarium! There was also a shark-stroking part, which was so exciting! I stroked two sharks and they were beautiful and smooth-skinned.

There was also a roof garden, where the views were so amazing and the sea was such a lovely colour. There was a climbing frame, where we took some really nice photos together. Also, there was a tortoise who lived up there and we got the chance to stroke that as well. I love tortoises, they are such funny animals!

Once we had got out of the aquarium, we took a walk back to the cathedral, where we were then let off for lunch. My friends and I went down to the park and sat by a concrete bridge overlooking the sea and the cliffs below. Our lunch was a picnic and we all shared our food, which was so nice. The weather was beautiful and we had a really nice time relaxing. We then went into the town and went to a few souvenir shops, before returning and looking in the cathedral. I lit a candle, remembering my Grandad, Granny B and everyone else who had died recently, close to me or otherwise. I was able to go and see Grace Kelly's grave, which had secretly been something that I had always wanted to do and if I hadn't of done it, I would have regretted it. It was beautiful and simple, like the rest of the cathedral.

We were then able to go on a road train, which took us on a tour around Monaco and it's capital city, Monte Carlo. We saw a lot. The F1 track, the casinos, the shops, everything. It took about 45 minutes and it was great.

Then, we went to the ice-rink. It was situated right by the sea and during the summer, it is a swimming pool. It was beautiful. The ice was a lot slippier than that of Winchester ice-rink, where I have previously been. However, after a while, I got the hang of it. Well, I thought I had until I slipped over. And again. And again. I have now got very dry hands and very bruised thighs, but it was so much fun!

We then got the train home, which was really busy and we had to stand, even though our legs were bruised and eyes were baggy!

Stay happy,

Katie xx

Nice - Day 3 - Menton, Pizzas and A Challenge

We had to have our bags packed and be downstairs by 9 o'clock on the third day so that we could catch the train to a town called Menton, which is about 25 minutes from Nice. Once we got there, we walked through the town and went to the John Cocteau museum. Although it was in French, the artwork was great and the museum was a brilliantly clean white colour, which made the museum really nice to walk around.

We then went and took some photos by the sea and the polaroids were the cutest things ever!

We were then allowed to go and have lunch. Instead of having a picnic, this time, we went to a local restaurant, where we all ordered pizzas and I ate a whole one by myself. It was so nice to be able to relax and have lunch with my friends. We then had a bit of time to shop, and we found a really good record shop, where there was everything from The Beatles to Meatloaf. There was an incredible selection, but I don't have a record player, so getting one would not be a good use of my money.

Later on, we were set a challenge by the teachers. We had €5 per group to find the tackiest thing in Menton. It had to relate to the place we were or something on our trip, so it was harder than you might think. In the end, we went with a solar powered surfer, that, when in the sun, moved around, which was entertaining. We also bought a really tacky postcard with two fish kissing on, as it was Valentine's Day. We came second, beaten by someone who had bought an old Ferrari badge that had tea stains on, which was sad, but it was good fun altogether.

We then got the train back and had a nice rest at the hotel in the evening. There was an optional walk, but because of the walking we were going to do the next day, I decided not to go, as my feet already hurt a lot from the walking we had already done!

Stay happy,
Katie xx

P.s. Do you like travel diary type things?

Nice - Day 2 - Views, The Sea and A Carnival to Remember

When the teachers said you can have a lie in tomorrow, we thought they meant getting up at 10 o'clock and h.aving a lazy breakfast. They meant down to breakfast at 9 ready to go at half past. Although it was a good sleep, it was short, but we were awake enough to get ready for a new day

As we took a stroll through the town and into the old market, eyes widened as the array of colours came into focus. Flowers, fruit and fresh macarons were being sold and the buzz of the French language was loud and exciting. We were able to have some free times and walk around the market. We bought some strawberries from the market for lunch and went to an artisan bakery, where I purchased some baguettes and two macarons, which were extremely tasty.

 We had another long day ahead, but the sky was bright and blue and the temperature was warm. We walked up a large hill to a place where you could see the whole of Nice and further. It was beautiful and a picnic with my friends topped it off. Many photos were taken and polaroids were shaken. It was worth the 30-minute climb and I would recommend it to anyone who goes.

We then walked back down the hill and down onto the beach, where we kept walking but we were able to take photos at the same time. As we walked through town, there was a lot of people, doing their day-to-day business, but it was nice to experience the life that they lead. We went to a cinema on the main street, where I got the chance to watch Deadpool in French. I really enjoyed it, even though i couldn't understand it!
We then went back to the hotel to get ready for a busy evening!

Nice carnival is a big thing and a lot of effort goes into building the floats, which were massive and very well made. I was honored to be part of it. We were the loudest there, screaming at every person who turned the corner. We had a silly string fight and my friends were able to go on a huge Ferris wheel, whilst I watched because I wimped out at the last minute!

After we had all lost our voice and the time had come to walk back to the hotel, the excitement was still high, but we all went to bed with the memories of the night we had just had!

Stay happy,

Katie xx

Nice - Day 1 - Early Mornings, Flights and Wet Weather

After waking up at 2 o'clock in the morning to travel back to school, the excitement slowly built, in between the lack of sleep and nervousness of leaving my family behind for the week. I don't usually get nervous at this type of thing but, this time, it was different because I hadn't been away from my family for this long, for a long time.

We spent 2 hours on a coach to get to London Gatwick Airport, where the sky was still dark and our eyes squinting at the amount of noise. We walked through the airport, dropped our bags off and went through security, waiting impatiently for the food that awaited us in the main section of the terminal. An early breakfast was needed, but I didn't want a lot, so I had a fruit salad and an orange juice.

Then, it was time to get on the plane. Nerves built up inside me, as I have never been on a plane where I am not sat next to either my friend Maisie or my mum. However, once we got on, I relaxed and looked forward to the journey ahead. After waking myself up with an in-flight cup of tea, I was ready and eager to explore the new territory that we were about to land on.

It was beautiful. The horizon was pink and fluffy with clouds and the sea below was as blue as the sky that it was reflecting. However, getting out of the airport was a different matter.

As we left, luggage in hand and bags on our backs, the sky turned grey and a drop of water slid down my face. Brilliant. Rain.

However, it brightened up as we got on the coach and spirits were high, yet again. We took our bags inside of the hotel and left them, ready to walk the distance to the supermarket and then to the Matisse museum.

The moment we stepped outside, the heavens opened and everyone's umbrella popped up, except mine. My hood went up on my parker coat, which was not waterproof. We ran to the supermarket and bought a picnic to share between 4 of us. The, we had to walk for 40 minutes in the rain, up a hill, to get to an open park, which had a few trains and many puddles. There was little shelter, and my friends and I were lucky enough to get shelter under a big tree, which kept us dry for the length of our lunch.

We went to the Matisse museum a little while later and looked around for a bit. Me and two of my friends went and sat on a really nice sofa in front of a piece of artwork and laughed at the statues which were creatively named Janette 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

We then had to walk back the hotel, which took another 40 minutes and by the time we got back, I was able to ring the sleeves of my coat out and achieve a small puddle of water on the floor. We were able to have a shower and a couple of hours of free time to unpack and relax before a dinner of interesting French food.

The sleep was well needed after a 20 hour day, but we all looked forward to the next day, with new adventures and new places to explore!

Stay happy,
Katie xx

Accept Me Please

I am that person who says what I think. I am blunt and sarcastic. I don't take a lot of care with some things and way too much care with other things. I am a hormonal mess, bitchy and sometimes extremely rude.

I think I am clingy and tell people this. Although they deny it, I still believe it. I like having people around me and if I feel uncomfortable, I'll try as hard as possible to avoid the situation. I am emotional, tears streaming and face happy, sometimes at the same time. 

I am a liar but also I tell the truth a lot. I sometimes smell weird and having weird habits. I am frightened of some things that you should be frightened of and I have many banes in my life.

However, I am this person and cannot change easily. So accept me because I'm a fragile, sarcastic, blunt, emotional, weird, sad, happy, bitchy and rude person. But hey, why not be that person. It makes me unique!

Stay happy,

Katie xx

A Quick Trip To London

Although London is less than two hours from the town that I live in, it is always exciting to go there. So much goes on and there is always something new and exciting to see.

The other day,  a few friends and I took the train up to London for the day and it was so much fun! We went over the Blackfriars bridge, the V&A museum, Harrods and Covent Garden and it was so good!

I love seeing the London Eye and the Thames, it's always calming for me. Like the things that you know should be there, will be there and are there. It gives me comfort, even though I haven't quite figured out why.

The V&A is definitely a recommended place to visit. It is free and there are lots of things to see and do in there, from artwork to tapestry to musical theatre, take your pick. It is beautifully laid out and the building is incredible.

It was slightly scary because me and my two friends decided that we would get on a tube, by ourselves. For nearly 16-year-olds, that was a massive step from going on the train to the local city. However, it was so much fun and so quick to get from Harrods to Covent Garden.

Covent Garden has such a wide range of shops and we spent a large amount of time in the shop Kiko. This shop is a make-up shop and the prices are incredible for such good products. I have decided to save up for their highlighter because it is the same colour as the Nars and the Benefit one, but more than £10 cheaper!

If you decide to go to London, definitely check out these places because they are a few of my favourites!

Stay happy,
Katie x

P.s. There will be Nice posts coming up in the next couple of days 

And In The Blink Of An Eye

Do you ever find that there has been something that you have been longing to happen for a long time and every moment in your life is counting down to that moment? Then, when it happens, it is amazing. But then it finishes so quickly and you realise that the thing you have waited for has finished.

This has happened throughout my life and recently it happened again. I have mentioned many a time that I have been rehearsing West Side Story and recently performed it. Now it is over and I feel lost and have absolutely no idea what to do with myself. I made so many friends throughout the rehearsals and shows and I love everyone who was a part of the journey.

But now it is onwards and upwards of my adventure of a lifetime. And it panics me. The reality that now I must get my head down and get on with exams so that I can get the life that I want.

Do you ever feel like this?

Stay happy,
Katie xx

P.s. when you are reading this, I will be in London so there will be a post up about that soon

My Top 5 West Side Story Songs

As you may know, I was in the pit band for our school production of West Side Story this year. I have had so much fun and obviously, I have learned most of the songs because I have to play them. I thought that I would give you an insight into my week by giving you my 5 favourite songs of the play, along with a bit of background information.

5. Gee, Officer Krupke
This song is very hard to play but it is so upbeat and funny to watch. It is all about the gang who have problems of their own but always get chucked off of the streets and have nowhere to go as a gang. The dance that goes along with it is so funny and the choice of characters for it was perfect.

4. Tonight Quintet
This song always makes me feel happy because, in the school version, it has all of my favourite people in. It is a very powerful song. It is set out so well and there are so many parts to it!

3. A Boy Like That and I Have A Love
In the play, this song is sung by Maria and Anita. Anita is telling Maria to stop being an idiot and stop seeing Tony. It is a beautiful song and the harmonies at the end are incredible.

2. Dance at the Gym + Mambo
These songs are so upbeat and the dances for this are so good! I love it when you get to shout "MAMBO" in the middle of the phrase!

1. America
Obviously, this song had to be included. It is a massive number and is one of the most well-known songs from West Side Story, if not the most well known. It's such a sassy song and it is so catchy The dances are so well choreographed as well!

I hope this gave you an idea of some of my favourite West Side Story songs and maybe even give you something to listen to!

Stay happy,
Katie xx

February Playlist

I am doing so many exciting things this month and obviously, I cannot do them without some music to help me through!
This is my playlist for this month! Enjoy!

 Stay happy,
Katie xx

Dear February

Dear February,

It has been so long! Well, a year, but so much has happened since I last saw you!

Although your name is weirdly spelt and your weather is confusing and changeable, you always seem to be a good month to me. So much happens in February. School plays, half term, exam preparation. This month, I am going to Nice with school. There will be many pictures to share with you, so look forward to that, February!

However, it is also a month where lots of bad things happen. It is the time where I realise that I need to pull myself together and start revising for summer exams. It is the time where tea becomes even more of a necessity and I spend more time at my desk than outside.

But there are things to look forward to in March, like going to Bath and seeing Adele in concert! So February, be kind to me and be good to me because I am fragile and need handling with care. I break easily.

Stay happy,
Katie xx