A Week Away//Southwold, Suffolk

The iconic beach huts

the best meringues you have e.v.e.r .e.a.t.e.n

So there it is, an overload of photos from the past week that I have spent away in Southwold, Suffolk with my family at our annual gathering. It is my favourite place possibly ever and my mum and I even agreed it felt like going home so, understandably, I was extremely sad to leave however we will of course be back next year,
After bombarding you with 32 photos (more for the personal recollection of the week) I don't want to write too much but as a brief synopsis: the week consisted of the usual; extreme food eating (outside in the sun-oh yas), family reminiscing, reading, beach games, swimming in the sea (!!), walks, spending time with cousins, photo taking, birthday celebrations (not mine sadly) and just general good times. It is essentially an island (as my mum kept on reminding me) so therefore has practically no signal or wifi anywhere but I actually loved the isolation and have been avoiding my social media as much as possible since being back; it feels good just to be in the present ya know?

While I long to be back, I have another week off in which I plan to go shopping, reply to some letters and watch movies in bed (along with the obvious-revision) ooh and I'm going Go-karting on friday which should be an absolute hoot (and possibly very competitive knowing me). I also will be putting up a review of the three books I managed to finish while away (yes three) so look out.
Congrats if you actually looked at all of those photos
Katie x

Easter Creme Egg Brownies

 I am a lover for spring; more specifically; Easter. It it always just tied up with such great memories and beautiful weather and also sees the arrival of the best foods; Marzipan and Chocolate. Easter's chocolate has to be, in my opinion, the best going. Creme eggs, mini eggs, Malteaser bunny thangs, general easter eggs-its all delish and these gorgeous brownies combine probably the two best and guiltiest treats in one slice of absolute heaven (Quite a claim eh? Just wait until you try them). They are also the e.a.s.i.e.s.t brownies ever and everyone seems to love them (with or without the creme eggs)

 You will need:

200g plain chocolate

35g cocoa

a pinch of salt

150g soft brown sugar

5 creme eggs, cut in half (or more or less if you want)

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius

1. Place the butter and chocolate in a bowl over a pan of simmering water and slowly melt them. Add the cocoa into this and mix them together.

2. Whisk the eggs and sugar in a separate bowl (using an electric whisk, freestanding mixer or whisk-

what ever suits you) until they reach 'ribbon' stage (basically until you lift the mixture and it forms ribbon shapes).

3. Fold the cocoa mixture into the egg and sugar using a metal spoon. Then pop this into a 20cm lined tin (I line mine with grease-proof paper). Put this into the oven for 20 minutes.

After 20 minutes, take it out and gently place each half onto the brownies, evenly spaced out. Then pop this back into the oven for an additional 10 minutes et viola!

Probably the easiest and most delicious brownies you will ever try (but probably also the most sickly!!)-let me know if you give them a go!

Katie x

Currents: Listening: nothing much//Reading: I've practically given up on The Lovely Bones-I'm going to start I'll Give You The Sun//Loving: Being off school//Lusting: A pair of pastel New Balance trainers

Newbies//Reading Edition

I guess this post doesn't really have that much point to it other than to show you a couple of new reads that I picked up on a bit of a whim last Sunday, in all honesty, I just thought they looked nice together and wanted to show the photos I took.
I am going away for just over a week on Friday and have two incredibly long car journeys there and back therefore I was desperate to find something new to read. I am currently reading The Lovely Bones but was really craving some good YA romance-I don't know why because I am also desperate to read Animal Farm and Brave New World (which are as far from YA romance as you can get) but I just really wanted to get lost in a book that was beautifully written and presented some heart warming relationships.

I'll Give You The Sun-Jandy Nelson
Jude and her twin Noah are close until a tragedy drives them apart. Now they are barely speaking-and both falling for boys they can't have. Love's complicated.

I am so so excited to start this; it was recommended by Alice who absolutely loved it and insisted that I got it when I told her I was going to Waterstones. It was the first book I saw and I knew I was going to buy it; something about it just seems so heart warming and loving, even the first page ('an introduction to the characters') is so beautifully written in metaphors and poetic language-I feel like this is the kind of book where I will be more engrossed in the writing style than the actual storyline, I love books like that!

All The Bright Places-Jennifer Niven (supposedly perfect for those who like David Levithan, John Green and Rainbow Rowell-i.e me)
Theodore Finch wants to take his own life. Violet Markey is devastated by her sisters death. They met on the ledge of the school bell tower and so their story begins. Its only together they can be themselves...
But, as Violet's world grows, Finch's begins to shrink. How far will violet go to save the boy she has come to love? 

When looking at reviews of this a while ago, I was told it was quite similar to The Fault In Our Stars which I of course enjoyed so I have quite high hopes for this one. Once again, I feel like it will be packed with emotion and metaphors that sum up the ins and outs of life which is the kind of book I am really in the mood for at the moment. I noticed when in Waterstones, that there was quite a selection of books relating to the topic of suicide which, in my opinion is definitely a positive as it is raising awareness of not only the situation but also presenting the thoughts and emotions of the people. I really like how Young Adult fiction has blossomed into a genre that presents some really thought provoking issues that are so prominent in our society.

I am so excited to start both of these books over the Easter holiday and I will of course let you know how I get on with them!
Have you read either of these books? Do you have any reading suggestions for me?!
Have a great rest of your week,
Katie x

Currents: Listening: Nothing new//Reading: The Lovely Bones//Loving: Runnning//Lusting: A Topshop spree oh and this nail polish

Pretty in pink

I am in complete lock down in terms of spending; I have 101 things I want to buy/prom coming up/adventures in the summer that I can't quite afford and so, to not be in a never ending debt with my parents, I told myself I wouldn't buy anything.
Then a Boots 3 for 2 happened.
And you know that rare occasion when Boots have a 3 for 2 and you have a list of makeup that is as long as your leg and you just end up walking out with a bag of products of which the money should have been spent on your train tickets to London? But it was so worth it.
I was relatively restrained walking out with 3 things for my friend and 3 for myself, all following a very pink theme and all equally g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s.

Maybelline Colour Show in Copper Fizz
omg. I saw this on  blog and knew I had to have it. Apparently they've been out for years (I totally missed that band wagon) but I don't care-its so beautiful. Its uber shimmery-like glittery so there's quite bad fall out but use a good primer and its fine. It has a very creamy texture, a cross between a powder shadow and more of a cream base so as you begin to blend it out (I use my fingers) it becomes really soft and almost gel like. Its quite similar to the Stila Magnificent Metals Foil eyeshadow which I dreamed about for years (but due to it being £33 for one shadow-it never happened) so this is an awesome alternative for only £4.99. This is exactly the sort of shade I hope to wear for prom as my dress is a blush/peach/nude shade and I think rose gold eyes would look all kinds of awesome.

East End Snob on its own

E.E.S and Rimmel 08

08 on it own

E.E.S top/left and 08 right/bottom

Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner in East End Snob
This is fabulous-seriously. Its quite a dark-ish mauvey pink (sort of 90's style) but its quite natural so definetely can be pulled off for everyday. The formula of these is incredible: they apply so smoothly and last for bloody ages. I wear this on its own as it is not drying at all but I think you could also pair it with something like MAC's Lovelorn for a slightly more muted version.  I need to pick up more!

Rimmel Kate Moss in 08
I had had my eyes on this for ages, it looked like such a gorgeous neutral browny pink; perfect for every day where. It is  a slightly less shimmery alternative to MAC Peach Blossom (i.e my favourite lipstick) so is perfect for a slightly less glowy/shimmery look. It also looks really nice over the top of the lipliner for a more bold matte lip and I will definitely be getting  a lot of wear out of this on days when I want a muted lip (every day).

So there we have it-the products that have made me desperate to dress up and wear pink (and also buy a hella lot more makeup-oops). I would urge anyone to check these 3 beauties out-you won't be disappointed!
Katie x

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Currents: Listening: Bombay Bicycle Club//Mike Digman//Reading: The Lovely Bones-Alice Sebold//Loving: MaxFactor False Lash Effect mascara//Lusting: Real Techniques Core Collection

Coffee Table Editions

Okay, admittedly these books don't live on a coffee table but I think we all know what I mean by 'coffee table books'; the kind that you flick through and you become engrossed in but aren't actual books/novels often with miscellaneous information that is really rather (unnecessarily) interesting. I love these kind of books; even if I don't read/use them, they provide entertainment and provoke a load of new ideas.

Cancer-Your personal horoscope//My future listography//642 things to write about//Information is beautiful

My Future Listography is filled with list prompts about your future; ranging from fancy dress costumes to people you want to keep in touch with, its such a fun way to recall things you hope to do in the future. It has some really unusual lists that you would never think of and is put together in such a nice way-its great just to look through and entertain yourself for a while.

I am, admittedly, a bit of a current affairs/general knowledge/ facts and figures nerd. I listen to the radio (as in news) every night and have to know whats going on in the world and small, pretty pointless facts really interest me. This book is full of just that; its a way of presenting facts relating to almost everything in an accessible and creative way and  I can remain engrossed for hours. It does, slightly, focus on morbid issues specifically relating to death and cancer but there's a lot of light hearted information too.

It amused me that Blogging gives me a 1 in 35,000,000 chance  of death.

I don't really believe in star signs and horoscopes however I do think tracking them is really interesting and this book is like the low down on everything relating to your star sign; who you match best with, who you should avoid and a description of your horoscope each day-its a great light read just to flick through and find out more about your star sign. You can obviously get them for every star sign I just have Cancer because I'm a July baby.

642 Things To Write About (full review here)
This has to be one of my favourites-its not necessarily  coffee table book as I suppose it could be consdered as an activity book too however I have spent many an hour flicking through this just reading all the different ideas and sparking ideas of future writing projects. I am actually writing something at the moment of which the idea was presented through this book. God send for those who, like me get stuck between the initial idea and the creative process.

In other, some what repetitive news, I am still chugging on with what feels like the endless task of revision-just 11 weeks and it will all be over (which I have very mixed feelings about). I am also planning several trips for the summer which, with me being the organiser of the group, has left me planning everything but its okay-I enjoy that kinda thing. I go on a Geography trip next week which marks a year since I overcame my biggest fear (homesickness) and should be a good craic. I then go down to Southwold, Suffolk, for the annual family meet up which, as always, will be awesome and I hope to capture some pics of my favourite place. So, as always, life is passing by in a whirlwind of work and plans which I, happily, become swept up in.
Is anything eventful happening in your lives?
I'm sorry my blog has become slightly neglected-I forget about everything other than that that is immediately around me but roll on summer and we'll get it all kick started again!
Thank you for 400 followers!
What are your favourite 'coffee table books'?
Katie x
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currents: Listening: Vampire Weekend-Imagine Dragons//Reading: The Lovely Bones-Alice Sebold//Loving: Home Decor//Lusting: Make up

Rational Revision

I am a stresser and a worrier. I always have been and I suppose I always will; if we want to look at it positively, I guess it makes me more motivated and efficient but all in all it sucks. Apparently, a low level of stress is a good thing-it powers you but when it begins disrupt your day; you know it isnt healthy. I have been told by so many people that I "need to chill" (which I am totally aware of but it isnt that easy) so I have created a list of ways to think rationally about it and some simple ways to just take the edge off.

Most of worrying is caused by the phrase "What if...?" and, if we look at it literally, we could say what if to anything. What if the plane crashes?(my favourite one) What if that person hates me? What if I fail all my exams? We will never know the answer to these questions unless we do it and, if we used "What if" as an answer to anything, nothing would happen. So this is where rational thinking comes in.

1. Its not the be all and end all. Everyone worries about different things at different levels of importance but if we step back we can see that there is actually more beyond not getting the grade you wanted in an exam (or what ever)
2. Worrying is counter-productive. I often spend more time worrying about the final exam than actually revising-stupid and is not going to help me achieve any better in the exam
3. You need down time, revision can't rule your life. I let it do this-I stress about not revising when I am relaxing or out with friends (taking away from the fact I am supposed to be relaxing) and you need time away from it all to perform better. Just take a step back and forget about it for an hour, a day; however long you feel comfortable doing it for.
4. You deserve a night off. We all do; why do you think we have weekends? Allow yourself at least one night in the week (mine is Friday) where you can just chill (this also allows you to be more flexible with your timetable)
5. Learn to leave it. I found it was causing me so much stress and angst that it was ruining my productivity and ruining my non-revision time, and resulting in me having numerous numerous breakdowns. Learn to leave your work after you've finished and don't carry it (mentally) around with you.
6. Be rational. Think about it logically and rationally, is it really that important.

Ways to relax

1. Go outside-it works magic at clearing your head
2. Talk to someone or write down your worries and stresses. Rank them in order of importance
3. Don't punish yourself if you don't manage it all, we are only human after all.
4. Reward yourself
5. work to your own schedule and timetable-teachers love to remind you of how few weeks you have left but ignore them, work for yourself.
6. Mindfulness. It sounds stupid but my mum encouraged me to try it and it actually works. I listen to Bodhipaksa's 'Mindfulness for teens' (it sounds hilarious the first time you listen but trust me-it works!)

The absolute key thing is not to stress it, remember to relax.
I hope this helps and that everyone's revision is going well,
Katie x
Currents: Listening: Nothing new//Reading: Someone take me to Waterstones rn//Loving: Granola//Lusting: these jeans and a pair of Loafers
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