Missing Aberystwyth

Today's BEDM challenge is to share what you miss. So originally I thought I'd talk about the most important thing I miss, the boyfriend. But really, who wanted to be depressed about long-distance relationships when you're trying to have a relaxing Sunday night in front of Netflix. By the by, the film 50/50 sounds like it would be utterly grim as a comedy about cancer but it really is a great one. One of only three films to have ever made me cry though (literal real tears! People who know me know I don't do crying at films). You guys should watch it, especially if you are already slightly in love with Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Anywho, the other thing I miss an incredible amount is Aberystwyth. Obviously when I moved to Lancaster for this year I expected to miss it because I'd miss the people and the fun times that go hand in hand with being at university there. But honestly, I do just miss the place itself. Here's some of the things I miss, which I totally took for granted before.

The starling cloud over the pier to a backdrop of the autumn sunset

Via

The incredible views

Via

The volatile nature of the sea

Via

Welsh pride

Via

The beautiful buildings

Via

The million and one different colour rocks that the beach sand is composed of (Geography geek alert!)

Via

And yeah, ok, I really do miss the people.

A Saturday At My Disposal

My housemate has gone away for the weekend and even the doggle has gone for a mini-break at the kennels. So I have enjoyed a day devoted to me, the best type of day in my opinion. This morning it was raining heavily so I stayed in bed and read my library book. It is universally acknowledged that the best remedy to grim weather is a good old trashy novel; I'm currently reading Cuckoo by Julia Crouch which I'm finding difficult to put down and get back to the real world. But I did have to put it down because I had to go and meet my friend Laura for lunch in town. I donned my most loved day dress and a few of my favourite accessories (whilst dancing crazily to the Pitch Perfect soundtrack, as one does on the average Saturday morning), and managed to take a few snaps; I definitely need to make this a future outfit post, maybe my first as I haven't done one yet! Maybe when I get a better camera/volunteer photographer.

Dress: New Look.   Belt: New Look.   Cardigan: shop in New Zealand. 

Boots: Republic.  The best part of a rainy day!

Bracelet collection: each bracelet has a special memory attached.

I managed to arrive for lunch without looking like a drowned rat (all hail umbrellas!). The chicken soup and my giant hot chocolate were absolutely delicious and a pretty good accompaniment to a good old girly gossip with Laura. 

Delicious and warming chicken soup. Nom nom!

By the time we emerged it was blinking into the beautiful sunshine. We looked in a few shops and I fell in love with a floral crop top and pair of denim dungarees in New Look but was super well behaved and resisted, I do have a cruise to be saving for after all! Besides, I want all these summery delights even more than the dungarees! Rich shopaholic brain stuck inside a poor student financially sensible body. Having said that I did then buy this rag rug from a stall at the market on the way home, but come on, it's waaaaay too gorgeous to have left behind for the mere tenner that it cost me! Plus I was in desperate need of a rug for my bedroom and already had my heart set on a rag rug and volia! I just happen to walk past the perfect one on my way home. Destiny...

Rag rug from Lancaster market

Such gorgeous colours!

I was well behaved and did a bit of house spring cleaning this afternoon, and then was bad behaved by rewarding myself with almost an entire large bar of Dairy Milk. Left the last two squares just so I didn't feel bad for eating the whole bar. I have zero willpower... Now chilling on the sofa with the duvet about to watch The Shawshank Redemption, such an epic film. Just missing a cuddle partner if anyone wants to join, you can have the last two chocolate pieces?....

Just to finish off here are my 10 words to sell yourself as is today's BEDM challenge set by Jenni at Story of my Life.

BEDM Catch Up

This evening I am catching up on two things; Masterchef and the Blog Every Day in May (BEDM) challenge which was started by Jenni over at Story of my Life. She's devised a post topic for every day of the month which I thought this was an epic idea and apparently so do hundreds of bloggers who have joined the challenge. So I'm joining the masses. However, because I was away this bank holiday weekend having joyous times with the Boy in Aberystwyth I'm now having to do this quick catch-up for the last week of posts. Here goes!

Day One: The story of your life in 250 words.
Once upon a time a baby girl called Holly was born. She may have looked like a boy for the first two years of life but believe me she is definitely a she. Cut to two years old - see, lovely curly hair...wait, is that ginger!? This shy little girl with a ginger afro grew up in the middle of nowhere, North Wales and spent her days running around the woods with her family dogs and her imaginary friend Dan. Don't worry, I did have real life friends too. My family and I moved to a town in North East England when I was 10 and this really helped me grow out of being such a massive scaredy-cat. I was one of those freaks that loved school because of the sense of achievement that went with it. Naturally I then went to university where I study Physical Geography. I chose Aberystwyth university because going to the university open day felt like going home, and I'm so glad I did; I've met some amazing friends, a charming bearded man, and had some unforgettable experiences. Last year I took a break from university and currently live in Lancaster working in the environmental research sector with three months left until I return to Aberystwyth to finish what I started. And I can't wait!
N.B. Alas, Dan moved to Australia, and my hair is no longer an afro.

Day Two: Educate us on something you know a lot about.
I'm a student. Therefore I go out and get drunk! write essays. Here are 20 fool-proof steps for how to write a successful essay in perfect student style:
1. Procrastinate. You have ages until the deadline.
2. Ok, so your essay is due in 24 hours. You took step 1 to perfection, as every student is guilty of doing.
3. Go to the shop and spend too much money on a mountain of essay snacks. The mountain should not include anything remotely healthy.
4. Clean your room. You can't possibly work in a messy environment (sneaky further procrastination disguised as a useful task).
5. Take a deep breathe. Now write the essay title.
6. Climb into bed and cry.
7. Eat handfuls of the snack mountain with one hand whilst typing with the other hand. Optimal productivity. Boom!
8. Post a facebook status to tell the world you've achieved 100 words. Only 4900 words to go.
9. Re-read the 100 words. They are awful, delete them.
10. Write, write, write. Don't even think about it, its just word vomit but at least words are happening.
11. It's 2am. Take a Pro-Plus tablet. Run around the house like a crazy person because you're suddenly  so hyperactive. When this essay is done let's take over the world!! Woooooooooo!
12. Half way through. Major caffeine and sugar come down. When this essay is done let's quit university!! Boooooooooo!
13. Dawn. Only a few hours left until the deadline and 1000 words left to write. Waste valuable time stalking people on facebook that you haven't spoken to since primary school.
14. Done! Proof read it with your eyes closed because you're so tried. It reads perfectly, no mistakes. Excellent.
15. Press print. Error message: your printer is out of ink. Scream. Bribe a flatmate to use his printer in exchange for bacon.
16. Queue for a million years in a line of similarly haggard looking folk to hand in your essay 2 minutes before the deadline.
17. Eat a fry up.
18. Sleep.
19. Go out and get drunk.
20. What's that? You've got another essay due in?...(see step 1)

Day Three: Things that make you uncomfortable.
I know I'm a chronic worrier but I wouldn't say much makes me uncomfortable as such. These are a few things I can think of off the top of my head:
- People who make very intense eye contact during conversation.
- People who over-share.
- Peeing in the wild.
- Being forced into making quick decisions.
- Making phone calls to people I've never met. This was why email and texting was invented.
- Insects. The sights of creepy crawlies literally makes me itch all over.
- Arguments.
- Public speaking. The worst thing EVER!

Day Four: Favourite quote.

I saw this quote by Maya Angelou, the American author and poet, several years ago and for some reason it struck a chord with me. Although there are countless incredible quotes I could refer to here, this one instantly popped into my mind. I just think its a fantastic quote which really jolts you into thinking optimistically about whatever challenges you're up against. Sure, life is a bitch but I'm going to be this awesome young girl Angelou talks about and kick some serious butt! Who doesn't want to be that girl?! Google Maya Angelou - she's come out with some amazingly inspirational quotes in her time.

Day Five: Publicly profess your love and devotion for one of your blogger friends or a real-life friend.
Honestly I don't really have blogger friends. I've only recently started blogging and though there are a few people's blogs that I stalk obsessively, I'm a rubbish human being and don't leave that many comments. Subsequently, I can't really answer this question in respect to blogger bezzie mates. Real life friends I'm better at. I'm one of these people who prefer to have a small number of very close friends. Moving around between Hexham where I grew up, university in Aberystwyth and working in Lancaster, I've got a few close friends in each place. So, huge shout out to:
My Hexham peeps: Rosie, Bryony, Kate and Jill.
My Lancaster girlies: Laura, Chloe, Lizzie and Fran. And my 'homeboys' James and Theo.
My uni crew: Elliot, Mike, Melissa. And the rest of you.
Love y'all.

Day Six: If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question 'what do you do?'
I eat.
I pray.
I love.
(sorry, this question required too much thought at such a late hour)

Day Seven: The thing(s) you are most afraid of.
I'm sure I share my biggest fear with almost everyone; losing the one's you love. Living without my loved ones is unimaginable, it scares me to even try. Other big thing that scares me is the future. This includes everything from 10 years in the future down to tomorrow. I like to be uber prepared and organised but the future is full of the unknown and unanswerable questions. Still, the thought of the future, and being in control of where it takes me, excites me enough to (mostly) overcome the fear and to just to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Day Eight: A piece of advice you have for others.
The piece of advice that instantly comes to mind is to just do it. Whatever 'it' may be. You maybe have hopes and dreams which seem unattainable right now. I can almost guarantee they are not if you deal with whatever it is that is stopping you. Things can be scary. Things don't get handed to you on a plate, you've got to work and work hard to get places. But...just do it.

When I decided to go for a year in industry away from university I was terrified. How was I even going to find a job? And if I found one I won't know anyone there, and by the time I get back to Aberystwyth everyone I know will have graduated. I'd never had a job in my life; what if I failed miserably in the real world? But I did it. And I would go back and do exactly the same again, regardless of how difficult it's been at times. Because in 10 years time I could have my perfect job because of the experience I've gained in this year, and regardless its made me into a much more well-rounded person. Having doubts about something similar? My advice; just do it!

So sorry these answers are rushed but I wanted to get caught up. I'll try and make future BEDM posts a bit more interesting but I'm never one to leave a job half done, or in this case start a job half way through. Make sure to zoom on over to Jenni's blog and see all the others that are taking part in the challenge, and then join in!

30 Ways To Save The £'s

To celebrate the 30^th anniversary of the £1 coin, moneysupermarket.com is running a competition for bloggers to share their 30 ways of saving money. You can see details of how to enter the competition here. A winner will be picked randomly when 1000 entries have been submitted so get cracking on your own 30 money saving ideas!

This competition has come at a very appropriate time because I am about to start saving my ass off! I’ve just booked to go on a Mediterranean cruise with the boyfriend’s family next summer which should be a great celebration for the end of my university finals. Exciting times! However, this holiday isn’t going to be in any way cheap and I’m aiming to save as much money as possible between then and now so it doesn’t cripple my car fund too badly. And, to be honest, going back to university next year after my placement finishes will probably be a massive shock to the ol’ bank account; I’ve got way too used to having money when I want it. I need to get back into the student mind set, the mind set of a cheap-skate. So I’ve put together 30 ways to save money when you’re a student.

1.  Don’t go food shopping on an empty stomach

2.  When things you buy regularly are on offer, buy them in bulk

3. Make a list before you go shopping. And then stick to it

4.  Swap items like DVDs, books and clothes with your friends instead of buying brand new

5.  Sell old course books to the new influx of students

6.  Have a pot to add small change to, it can build up surprisingly quickly

7. Shop around for the best student bank account deals. Mine came with a free young person’s railcard 
which is renewed for every year I am a student. It must have saved me hundreds of pounds in the last two years

8. Don’t be a snob about supermarket own brands. Asda chopped tomatoes wont taste any different from Circo when it’s in a chilli con carne

9. Eat less meat. You’re save money, save carbon and stay healthy

10. Use discount cards, loyalty cards and vouchers

11. Ask for student discount whenever you pay for anything, more places take money off student purchases then you might think

12. Invite friends round for tea. Cooking together and sharing the cost works out much cheaper than buying and cooking for one, as well as making a fun night in

13. Use the washing line rather than the drier. One load every week for one year at university can cost £50.

14. Make a packed lunch. Buying lunch on campus each day can cost more than an entire week’s worth of packed lunches

15. Get a library card rather than buying books

16. Use iplayer and 4od rather than forking out for a TV license

17. Use cash to pay for items rather than card, it’s easier to keep track of

18. Stick to the allowance on your phone contract. The charges once you go over the limit can be extortionate

19. Take advantage of society and club taster sessions and introductory socials before you pay membership

20. Make the most of early bird and weekday deals when eating out or getting a takeaway

21. Use Orange Wednesdays. Use and abuse any friends that are on Orange if you’re not

22. Cold? Don’t turn the heating on. Wear a jumper. And then man up.

23. Make gifts for people’s birthdays and Christmas. Everyone loves homemade cake and it’s so much more personal

24. Make a motivational wall. When I was saving up to go to New Zealand I got a big map of New Zealand, marked out the route we planned to travel and tacked it up on the back of my door. Every time I was about to leave to go on a midnight Spar run for chocolate supplies it reminded me that maybe my pennies could be kept for better purposes

25. Walk to lectures. Yes, it may be up a hill but just think how you will also save money on not needing to go to the gym later now either

26. Make Friday nights in the new thing. A film, a girl friend and a bottle of wine. Bliss.

27. Ok, so you need to go out? Pre-drinks rather than headed straight to a bar can save a bomb

28. Break expensive habits. Smoking, for example, is a financially crippling habit. And also a grim habit, in my opinion

29. Look after your body. Dentist bills and prescriptions are really costly

30. Bored? Get into the outdoors. Its beautiful and totally free!

Posting your own 30 ways of saving money? Share a link below in the comments so we can all look at each others and get even more ideas!

The Internet Hermit

Oh, woe is me! In all the chaos of moving house I will be disconnected from the internet, possibly until next week. I have now entered the realm of the internet hermit. I am resigned to hurriedly type this in a quicky work break.

Although this does mean that there'll be no posts this week, I'm planning on using the time to decide on what new regular features I might start soon, compose my April wishlist, and maybe even spruce this template up a bit as it was only ever meant to be temperary but then I got distracted by all the actual writing of the blog. And of course, live my life; I'm thinking house warming party, Iron Man marathon with the girlies, maybe a bit of baking. I should probably start unpacking what will hopefully morph into my new and improved bedroom at some point too. And no doubt there will be mucho stalkage of you guys on bloglovin during my lunch breaks at work.

Have a good week everyone!

And enjoy this random picture of a ninja turtle!! (I couldn't think of an appropriate picture which I could quickly add to the post...)

 

Versatile Blogger Award

Last week the brilliant Becca over at RebeccaRuby (check her awesome lifestyle blog out!) nominated me for a Versatile Blogger Award. Big thanks to Becca! This award is basically to share the blogging love and get more people clicking their way over to new and exciting pieces of the blogosphere in five simple steps:

1. Thank the person who nominated you.

2. Include a link to their blog

3. Select 15 new blogs or blogs you've recently discovered

4.Nominate these 15 blogs for a Versatile Blogger Award, provide a link tho their blog, and comment on their most recent post telling them they've been nominated

5. Post this along with seven things about yourself

So I tried to select people who hadn't been nominated before (sorry if you have, you're obviously just that good!) and also to pick some relatively new blogs as I know how exciting it is to see blog traffic picking up when you've been linked to by others. And also because I'm nosy and want to learn seven random things about them!

Here goes with my 15 blogs then. You should check out what all these lovely ladies have to say! 

Tea Party With Alice

Chrissy Lilly

The Uni Student

General Mess

Love, Wish, Blog

The Soubrette Brunette

That's What Sophie Said

Lisette Loves

The Cup and Saucer

Cupcakes and Cherries

Wanderlust

Love, Tilly

I Am Daisy Alice

Ex, Ox and Inbetween

Lottie Loves London

Guess I'd better think of seven weird and wonderful facts about yours truly then...

1. I am obsessed with biscuits. I could eat them forever! Especially chocolate covered malted milks. Om nom nom!!

2. I'm a complete perfectionist. I like people to think that I am cool and laid back whereas really I'm freaking out because of every slight imperfection in the world

3. On day I will own a house in the country surrounded by fields and I'll live there happily ever after with a handsome man, a few kiddies and a dog.

4. My favourite place is an otherwise deserted beach at sunset, standing at the point where the land meets the sea. 

5. I get way too attached to fictional characters.

6. I live in my pyjamas when I'm at home. In through the door, pyjamas on, let the good times roll!

7. I hate tea. I know, I know, I can't possibly be a sane human being! But it just tastes of dirty water...

Incoming From Instagram

When I started Ginger Jabber last month I decided not to include a link to Instagram as many blogs do because, to be honest, I don't use Instagram all that often and when I do all the good photos just end up here anyway. That's mostly because I am currently looking into buying a new camera (decisions, decisions!) and in the meantime this means taking most photos on my iPod touch.

Soooooooo, I thought I'd just quickly share a few photos that I've recently stuck up on Instagram.

(left to right, row by row)

1. Banana and chocolate loaf cake | 2. Icicles at Moor House | 3. Lava lamp that my dad got me for Christmas | 4. Banana and toffee crepes on pancake day | 5. My three favourite perfumes | 6. Can anyone find James in this picture...? | 7. Snow in March. I wish it would be summer already. | 8. Accidental shot of myself whilst trying to get a photo of my skirt, turned out pretty nice | 9. Curry take-out this evening with the girls. And a film of course!

I have nothing really exciting on this weekend. Going to get my hair cut tomorrow and stock up my biscuit tin. Desperately need to clean my room; half my wardrobe is on the floor and I've just made a narrow path from the door to my bed. And desperately need to get cracking on with writing my dissertation literature review. Whilst watching a bit of Tudors, naturally. And maybe blogging a few bits and pieces along the way.

Hope you guys have something more exciting planned.

Any tips on which cameras I should consider? 

Sleepy Theo

Thought I'd share a montage of doggie photos from when I put Theo to bed earlier.
Theo is my flatmate James' dog but when James isn't home I can pretend that the doggie love is all for me.

Having a cuddle before bed time.

Upside down stretch - strange dog!

Such a babe!

Now it's my bedtime.
Goodnight world.
H x

Life Lately

So, although I'm definitely becoming a little old lady prematurely and loving the nights in on the sofa with a giant hot chocolate a bit too much these days (could I be becoming, shock horror, mature!?!), I have had a bit off a booming social life this past week. Thursday I met a few of my Lancaster girlies for dinner and we headed to that old classic, Wetherspoons. I swore I wasn't going to get a desert...so of course I ended up walking home stuffed full of chocolate ice cream sundae. I have zero willpower. 

This was how I wore my hair on Thursday for Wetherspoons. I found this old boho-style dress in the back of my wardrobe and felt it was definitely time it had an outing again. My fringe is at a really awkward length at the moment though so I plaited it across the front and left the rest loose, backcombing the underneath layers a bit to give it a bit of life. It looked so cute with the dress.

Friday evening I went to Lancaster beer festival with my housemate and some of his friends which was really good fun, though the train journey home to my parents early the next morning was not so fun with a beer hangover. I went home to surprise my gorgeous mum for Mothers day. She was definitely surprised - she was so happy, made it all worthwhile. The major shopping trip in Newcastle also helped in that department. I  really wanted to make this post about the clothes and stuff that I bought but I went for a run earlier and then literally didn't have the energy to do anything but lounge about in pyjamas, watch Bridesmaids and prematurely crack open the Easter goodies. I'll add it to my list of posts for the near future.

Roy (The IT Crowd).                                Nathan (Bridesmaids).

Talking of the film Bridesmaids, how much of a babe is Joe McHale's character, Nathan the policeman. I mean, how does one go from being lovable-but-never-fanciable Roy in The IT Crowd to Nathan?! I have definitely become a bigger Joe McHale fan in the last half an hour. And I'm sorry to adhere the stereotypical  female thought process, but half of his charm has got to be down to the beauty that is the Irish accent. 

So Tuesday night was a bit different; I went to Lancaster university boxing society's Easter ball. I have never boxed in my life. I never plan on boxing in my life. However, two of my friends do and I was invited along as one of their 'dates' so I donned a dress and we headed to the Dalton Rooms. Was a fun night, even though I had to leave early to be up for work this morning. I took this quick snap shot of my dress on the way out the door. Apologies about the awful quality, took the photo on my iPod as I was in a rush (I blame Elliot, we were talking on the phone for hours and I lost track of time...silly me!)

Dress from Coast sale (2010)

In fact, I was in such a rush that I didn't get to paint my nails to match the dress which I'm trying to get into the habit of doing now I actually have nails (I started biting my nails as soon as I grew teeth and only stopped at the start of this year). So I did it this evening, whilst admiring Joe McHale's face. I tried out my Barry M chameleon nail paint which changes colour when you put on a clear top coat. So simple and looks so pretty, could easily do some really cool designs with this. I went for this simple half and half design just to try it out. Its definitely something worth investing in if you're into trying out new nail polishes. 

Excuse the sleepy doggie in the background of that last photo! That's Theo, my housemate's weimaraner. Such a cutie!! More photos for the dog-lovers among you here

Over and out.

H x

The (Brief) Return To Student Life

Hello, hello.

So, loads of interesting stuff has happened since my last post which is why I momentarily disappeared - every time I would go to sit down and blog something else would crop up. And the most recent addiction to The Walking Dead hasn't helped matters. But now I'm back in Lancaster I'm also back to blogging.

I took a week holiday and finally went back to see all my university people in Aberystwyth. I hadn't been since my birthday in November and it was amazing to finally feel that 'coming home' buzz again. It helps that it's such a beautiful place, and the weather was fantastic while I was there; cold but brilliantly sunny all week and not a single drop of rain. Gave us some phenomenal sunsets. I took this photograph on the first night I was there when I realised it was going to be a beauty; ran out the house and down to the beach in my pyjamas, and think I was a tad too late to get the full effect but it still makes a pretty picture.

Aberystwyth pier at sunset

Totally reverted back to the student way of life while I was down there, though it was a difficult transition. Fair enough, that first KFC meal went down a treat but that was largely because cooking in a messy student kitchen was not my idea of fun for my first night there. The next morning I woke up at the usual time of 8am. I should probably mention at this point that I was in Aberystwyth to stay with my boyfriend Elliot who is in his final year at university. He works in a bar and had finished work at 3am. 5 hours later I'm awake and all excited to embrace the sunny world of Aberystwyth. He, unfsurprisingly, was not quite so enthusiastic. Still, cut to week later and the roles have reversed; I'm the one being grumpily pried out of bed at noon. Ah, the student life.

We went for a mooch around the woods at the top of Penglais Hill on my first full day in Aberystwyth. It was  a beautiful day and there are loads of spots like this that I've still never discovered before.

Elliot, striding ahead through the woods

View from the woods across the valley. 

We also went to see a David Marmot play called 'Sexual Perversity in Chicago' which was about the screwed up sex lives of four people in America in the 1970's. Pretty interesting stuff. And the last day we spent in the woods again this time shooting each other with paintball guns. Wicked fun! Other than that, we had a few nights in and a few nights out having some drinks with various groups of people. The nights Elliot worked I caught up with some other friends. Many people told me about the horrors of writing their dissertation; I am not looking forward to that hell in a year's time. I also signed the contract for my house for next year which is Elliot's current house, and I'll be in his current room! It's typically manly and boring at the moment but I am determined to make it amazing because it has so much potential with a gorgeous big bay window and a marble mantlepiece. I've already sneakily measured it out with a tape measure, deciding how to rearrange everything and make it mine. Made me very excited to go back in September, and much more reluctant to leave on Sunday.

Alas, the real world was calling. Not all that bad as I had this huge box of Celebrations waiting for me than my parents had dropped off and I had yet to open. I only took a photo from the outside because I'm scared you will judge how much chocolate I've eaten in the last few days...

This week has been a pretty good week so far though; apparently the sun followed me back to Lancaster which made collecting some stream samples for my dissertation up at Moor House really quite blissful yesterday. Quite surreal really when the sun is so strong that I was scared of sunburn and yet the river was still frozen over and I was tramping through snow. Today I was looking at CVs of the applicants for my replacement. It definitely drove home the fact that I'm now over half-way through my placement! Though I am strangely curious to meet the applicants at their interviews, in a perversely morbid way.

Before I go I feel the need to share this wonderful song called Let Her Go by Passenger that a friend recomended. Passenger came from very humble busker beginning and, despite his strange helium-like voice, he makes some beautiful noise. Also, quick plug for the musically-inclined friend who introduced me to this music. He goes by the name of Tom Bedlam these days, check out his covers of various songs.