Giving up on negativity

I am trying my hardest to put all my effort into making this blog successful. Naturally, I get so excited when I see the views go up. I know that the best way to make the count continue exponentially is to completely submerge myself into the blogger community. For some time I have had a number of blogs that I've followed religiously but they are all written by 'internet famous' people with millions of readers who are never going to notice a new follower or minuet comment lost among the millions on their new post. I knew that what I would have to do is get involved in the amateur blogging sphere. Throwing myself into this community was simple enough. You just have to peek onto the site Bloglovin' and millions of beauty, fashion and lifestyle blogs appear in varying colour schemes and styles. On my blog travels I came across something with has completely made me rethink my actions.

What I found was a lovely blog piece written by a girl called Becca who runs her blog Diary of a Diva. The post emphasises how bloggers can be selfish following or commenting on blogs simply so they will follow you back. The post also talks about how your blogging style can change to suit what the community want to read. I've found that Becca has reminded me to stay true to my own creativity and abandon the negativity of egotism and statistics.

In the offline world of reality I spent this weekend in St Andrews starting work on the house that I'm moving into with the girls in September. (I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am getting all these cute bits and bobs for the house. I swear notonthehighstreet.com is probably my most visited website at the moment!) Being in St Andrews allowed me to take some time out and walk along the beach. There is something about the beaches in St Andrews that really remind me to relax and just chill out. The town brings back so many memories for me not only as a student over the last year but from all the summers I have spent there with my family. Almost every sight in that little town reminds me of something or someone! I guess you could say that's why I enjoy taking pictures up there...

-- Sooooooo, here are some iPhone shots of beautiful St Andrews.

Unwilling models (you just can't get the staff these days!) 

Seriously brave swimmers 

A couple having a romantic moment on the rocks 

View to the West Sands 

The conclusion I have come to is just relax and write about what makes me happy. What's important to me now is making sure my personality comes out in my writing. I'm tired of the negativity I had been collecting over the past few months regarding everything from my body image to my personal relationships. Thankfully, I have taken some time at home to realise that everything that was worrying me was completely unimportant. It's such a relief to know I'll be going into Autumn refreshed and ready to move into our new home in September. 

Eat less. Move more.
A summer day on Lenzie Moss

Lots of love. Be safe. 

My First Year at St Andrews

I thought what I would do for my first blog post was give a quick round up of my first academic year and share what I got up to in the most adorable seaside town ever - St Andrews! I have just completed my first year at St Andrews University in Scotland and I have honestly had the best time! 

I couldn't talk about my year without mentioning the people I have met. Since moving to St Andrews I have made some amazing new friends. The girls have made the movement from High School, where I was so comfortable in my daily routine, to University, where everything was the polar opposite, much easier. I would never describe myself as a particularly nervous person but there is no doubt that the days leading up to my move were tense. Everything was a complete mixture of nervous excitement. 

However, it wasn't long before I had settled into my new life. It's amazing how quickly you can feel 100% relaxed with new people. I feel like I have known the girls all my life. It's crazy when you realise that ten months ago you had no idea who they were. They lived in a different city from me and had an entirely different life! 

Despite our short period of friendship, we all went to Paris for our Spring Break in March which was amazing! That was the first time I had properly been abroad myself without my family. It was a fantastic trip and I'm so happy I got to experience Paris with those girls (although not getting to Disneyland was traumatic!) Paris is a beautiful and inspiring city. The history, the architecture, and most importantly the fashion, are all exquisite. I can't think of a more spectacular place to spend your first holiday as four new friends. I was so happy when we went to Paris. I was utterly delighted with everything in my life. I think that was the first time I noticed that being 'emotionally balanced', or to be honest, just head over heels for someone, can make the whole world seem lighter. 

Back at university, St Andrews offered many formal balls that of course I jumped at the chance of attending. Throughout the year I attended four formal balls and each obviously required a new dress. It would be a lie to say that the thought of dressing up and playing Cinderella at a ball doesn't have me emptying my student account on a new Coast dress faster than you can say 'Bibbity Bobbity Boo'. Although, unlike Cinderella, I have to con my mother into financing my princess antics and there have been times when a new pair of heels has meant I had to live on dry toast for a few nights. (a la Carrie Bradshaw - sometimes you got to feed yourself with fashion!) I have to say that it is disappointing that the formal balls at St Andrews are less ballroom dancing with your prince and more blisters from a rave in high heels. Even the balls with ceilidh dancing can be disappointing - I don't want to strip the willow in a mid-length 1950's inspired fit and flare dress! But frequent formal balls are simply one of St Andrews small town charms and I would much rather be in a converted barn venue dolled up like Kate Middleton than falling out of a nightclub at 3 am.

Anyway, enough of my late night reminiscing and rambling. Choosing to study at St Andrews University, as cringe as it sounds, has been the best decision of my life. It's not always been fun. I guess you could say I have had some low periods of loneliness and my fair share of problems in my personal life but mostly I am 100% happy in St Andrews and I love that little seaside getaway.