Dealing with T.O.M

So girls I think we can all agree that when TOM arrives we are not too pleased! I am of course talking about Time Of Month, otherwise known as period. We all have to deal with it at some point in our lives and there is no doubt that is absolutely sucks! Over my last 7 years of dealing with my period every month I have found the things that make that time a bit more comfortable and less hell like. This post is also inspired by two of my favourite youtube/blogger girls +essiebutton and Amelia Liana, who a few months ago created The Period Tag:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtgTUo2ZJi4 

So here are my top tips for surviving your period and my answers to the questions from Essie and Amelia's video:

I should start by staying that my periods are very mixed, some months I will be in a lot of pain and be extremely hormonal, but others I can easily get on with my everyday life and be fine. The pains that I mainly get are achy stomach cramps and headaches, but I like I said I'm lucky that this isn't an every month situation.

What annoys you?

What annoys me on my period is everything, I become very irritable, and little things like unclean dishes frustrate me. My hatred for slow internet also increases to a ridiculous level during that time! Especially when I am trying to catch up on Greys Anatomy, which is a favourite thing to do, and has been for the last 5 years I have been obsessed with that show. 

Period outfit?

Pyjamas, of course! It is obvious to say anything comfortable, and for me that is to stay in pyjamas for as long that is acceptable, and then a little longer than that too...Seriously though, loose and soft clothes are your best friend, big jumpers and trackies are the way forward.

Favourite food?

You that it is that time of the month when you find yourself with a spoon in the Nutella jar, or at least that is what happens to me! I have a sweet tooth anyway, so when I'm on my period I like to cater to that even more than normal, so everything is peanut butter or chocolate covered. Tea is also an absolute must! Recently I have also been really into hot lemon and honey for a break or change from tea, which is super tasty and also really calming for the stomach.

Mood swings?

I would say that I do get mood swings during my period, but I'm sure my family would say that it occasionally occurs more than just at that time of month. I am an emotional bottler, so often during my period the lid is let off and I do get rather hormonal and rant and sometimes cry. What is important to remember, and I have to remind myself when I am having one of those moments, is that it is perfectly natural and okay to feel exhausted and frustrated during your period. 

Some other random tips would be to not allow TOM to take over your everyday life, as much as is possible try and ignore it and push through the pain. It sounds so pretentious to say, and I can hear lots of you scoffing at this, but some light exercise can often really help with period pains. I am not talking taking on a marathon or anything like that, but a walk or some stretching can help. Finally and most importantly is that as rubbish as you feel at the time, know that all girls can sympathise, and it is only a temporary pain, well at least until next month...

Hope that you enjoyed this post, and until next time,

B xx

What I'm Loving: November

I cannot believe we are basically half way through November, it will be Christmas before we know it! November is the time of deadlines, so I have spent the vast majority of the last few weeks in the library, however in those spare moments I have been loving listening, watching, eating and wearing the following favourites.

What I have been loving listening too is very simple - 1989! This whole month I have had the album on repeat, but some individual favourites on top of Shake It Off, would be Style and Out of the Woods. Clearly I am bias, but I do truly believe that this album would appeal to almost everyone, so even if you have always been a Swift hater, I encourage you to give 1989 a go! To add some variety though, London Grammar has also been an obsession this month, and after the launch of the infamous new John Lewis Christmas advert, I have also, of course been loving Tom Odell.

What I am loving watching at the moment is everything, I feel that TV is so on point at the moment. From my beloved Downton Abbey, whose finale last Sunday left me smiling and crying all at the same time to Vampire Diaries which continues to impress me every week with how much my love for Damon Salvatore grows! A more random favourite would be The Apprentice, which reminds me every week just how unattractive a man with a big ego is - well unless that man is Damon Salvatore...

One of the best things about this time of year for a coffee lover like myself is the festive drinks that the coffee shops bring out. For the last few years I have attempted to try all that Costa and Starbucks have to offer in the seasonal drinks department, and I think the 2014 selection has some of the best. The Eggnog Latte is my Starbucks recommendation, and as I am writing this post I have a Praline Cappuccino by my side, which ranks very highly in the Costa choices.  

It is absolutely freezing in the UK at the moment, so my dressing gown and slippers have been the favourite of the moment. Both from BHS, my motto when it comes to sleepwear in the winter, the fluffier the better! Not the most glamorous, but definitely the most comfortable. So for days when I want to insert some 'glam' into my usually very casual attire, I have been loving the Tanya Burr lip gloss in Heart Skips A Beat, which is a lovely red/pink with subtle sparkle, very easy to wear and goes with most looks, plus helps me to inch closer to the festive red lip look! 

Overall favourite thing of the month would probably be celebrating a good friend of mines' 21st birthday. We had a lovely girls night in, drinking champagne, dancing to 90s tunes and gossiping way too much and then the following night a big house party. It was so nice to see everyone coming together to celebrate Em's landmark birthday and made me realise how lucky I am to have such amazing, supportive friends.

Top - Zara
Jeans - Urban Outfitters

That is a summary of what I have been loving this month so far, and on the lead up to the holiday month. It is crazy to me that 2015 is so close, and that I have already been in second year for 2 months! I hope that you all enjoyed this post, and I would love to know what you have all been loving this November.

Thank you so much for reading, until next time,

B xx

Happy Halloween

I have never been a Halloween fan in the past, mainly because I am super boring when it comes to fancy dress. I can honestly say that it has been about 9 years since I have done anything on the 31st October but this year it was a firm date on my calendar. A group of good friends of mine were hosting a mega house party which I knew I could not miss, even if that did mean me putting in the effort of finding a costume!

I had no idea how difficult it was going to be to find a costume but after multiple trips to the fancy dress store and my new favourite place, Wilkos, I managed to put something together. Getting ready for a night out is often my favourite part, I love putting on my favourite playlist and curling my hair, but getting ready for Halloween was on a whole new level. With two of my best girlfriends we got the fangs and fake blood out with a combination of probably a few too many champagnes and this was the final result.

Despite my reservations, I had so much fun, it was one of my favourite nights in the last few weeks. Everyone had made such amazing effort, and the guys had done the house up incredibly, it really felt like a haunted mansion! So thank you to the Church Street boys for hosting an amazing night and for converting me to the fun that can be Halloween.

I know that I have been slacking on the blogging front but I have had such a hectic couple of months with my uni work load, but I really want to get back into the swing of things!

Thanks for reading, B xx