I very nearly simply titled this post "aaarghh" but opted for a nice bit of alliteration instead. Hello you beautiful people and how are you this fine Saturday? I'm never one to shy away from voicing my dislike for the education system, although in polite company I simply say "I'm just sick of it, I want something new." And I do want something new to do with my life, as much as that terrifies me, I don't want to sit in a room with an adult for hours a week listening to information I then have to memorise and write down as my class mates sit in rows either side of me in a large silent room. No more of that please and thank you.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who links strong negative thoughts and words to school/college/sixth form. The only good thing about it is the odd banterous teacher and friends. And even then many teachers are grumpy, demanding and patronising. And many students are annoying, judgemental and loud. Don't get me wrong I love seeing my best friends nearly every day, they bring me out to my best and we have all the fun but it's generally very stressful when you realise what you're forced to do with your life and its all you remember ever doing.

And everyone says it will be easy, "the best years of your life" - and that seriously worries me because throughout school I've had the worst moments in my life so far. Toxic friendships, dark thoughts and a parental bereavement to top it all off! Although I have myself an incredible friend from primary school, secondary school and a few from sixth form who I want to keep close for all eternity, and not to mention the greatest work experience ever, there's not much all fantastic about school for me and I cannot wait to leave. While at the same time, I'm scared of launching into something new. So scared I've been procrastinating finding that something new - I'll work on that this weekend I promise!

First week back at half term hasn't been much different, although my nemesis subject of art is seeming to be bearable right now, what with my teachers backing off a tad after an email from my dad and a week off they are refreshed - unlike me who worked non stop. Other than that, it's still full steam ahead towards exam day, both seeming like days and years away. I constantly worry about a lot of things, like not having enough money, not having enough time to complete homework or revision or having a social life or even some alone time. And in every possible aspect, not being good enough.

I worry my work isn't good enough most of all. My blog posts, my homework, my class notes, my photography. Even sometimes if my instagram posts or tweets aren't "insta-worthy" enough or aesthetic enough or funny. I know I shouldn't and it's silly but hey, that's how I've always been.

Working out what triggers stress for you can help you anticipate problems and think of ways to solve them. Even if you can't avoid these situations, being prepared can help. Making some adjustments to the way you organise your time could help you feel more in control of any tasks you're facing, and more able to handle pressure. Make a list of things you have to do, arrange them in order of importance, and try to focus on the most urgent first. Try not to do much at once and take breaks, take it slowly - which is difficult when you feel stuck for time and your mind is all over the place but you have to take it easy to overcome all the stress in the long run.

I break things down and prioritise them, I work up to the more difficult larger tasks but I do the ones that have the closest deadline first. That way I have as much time possible to not have to worry about it after it's done, and more time to work on the other things. Taking steps to look after your wellbeing can help you deal with pressure and reduce the impact that stress has on your life. Here are some tips on how you can "develop resilience" and "bounce back" from difficult times.

Feel free to comment below and share your own tips of how you deal with stress, or if anything I've offered here has been helpful to you. I wish you all a happy and stress-free Saturday.

Hello there you beautiful human you, and how are you this fine day. Last Saturday I was rushed away to the Barclay Card Arena in the good ol' Brum town and was bestowed with my birthday gift of seeing All Time Low live. Again. How how my brother is so kind, I thank thee. Last time we saw those 4 talented fools we travelled all the way to my beloved London and saw them at Wembley - it was recorded for another live performance DVD however the world is still waiting for that.

Anywho, the day had finally arrived and my brother and I walked down the corner to the train station and trekked to the venue in the cold. There were queues left right and centre but when looking for the right entrance we had to queue outside we came across an official merchandise stand so we picked out one thing each because how can you not get merch, despite how annoyingly expensive it is.

I went for  grey jumper with a pink and white design, it's most comfortable but a bit thinner than your typical sweatshirt.

I sat through the two supporting acts with my coat still on and my brother's on my legs, I was in a tshirt and shorts with tights but I dressed for party and dancing so I only had myself to blame for the cold but I did soon warm up when ATL came on. And boy oh boy do those boys know how to put on a show. I didn't take many pictures knowing they wouldn't be that fantastic so every now and then at the change of the lights I whipped my phone out for a few seconds to press the button like crazy before putting it back in my pocket and jumping/screaming/singing along.

This was during the second support act: Good Charlotte. I enjoyed both support acts, which included Against The Current.

There was loads of fire and fireworks and of course Jack the guitarist played the first encore song in some lovely union jack boxer shorts, I mean what's an All Time Low gig without some mild Jack nudity - he's a crazy one we have leant to expect it. There was also one song - to be honest I can't remember which it's all become a bit of a blur, oh those post concert blues - in which Zack struck the bass so loud I thought my heart would actually implode and my lungs would collapse. And they played my favourite song (and then my brothers favourite straight after) which I loved and filmed. I was so surprised I had enough storage for all 4:14 minutes of video but I'm so so glad I did because that song gives me many emotions and now I have a live version of it. Although I didn't risk capturing Alex's speech before beginning the song in fear I'd run out of storage, it really warmed my heart and made me smile for a long while.


The in between song banter was brilliant, it made me feel so much closer to them as if we weren't in a vast spacious room filled with hundreds of people, it felt small and like a little friendly gathering. I always enjoy watching the four of them share banter together but to have a slice of it shared with us and a crowd is delightful. It would only have been better if Rian the drummer had a mic too so he could do more than nod or shake his head to Alex's yes or no questions, including him in said on-stage banter.


My favourite thing about concerts is when the music slows down and the intimacy of the whole event is at it's peak and everyone's torches go up and slowly wave from left to right, not necessarily in sync but that makes the atmosphere all the more amazing. For me as part of the crowd it's breathtaking, I can only imagine what it's like for the band to see a whole room in front of them scattered with lights like fireflies.

I massively enjoyed the show and I can't wait until the next one, which I ever so much hope there is. Maybe next time I will have my own income so my brother won't end up poor from treating two people. On our way home from the train station (and yes I napped on the train home, I had a bit of an excitement crash) my brother Alex said "best birthday present then" and I said "well, Ryan did pay for the Joe and Caspar meet and greet because he wanted to get me the DVD anyway." To which he replied "fucks sake." It's a very close call but I'm very grateful for all birthday presents I received, I didn't expect to enjoy my 18th birthday celebrations at all but I have - thank you to everybody who made me smile, including the All Time Low boys.

Aloha beautiful readers! Recently, I have been thinking about the sky and I just can't contain myself to not blog about it. The sky is one of the many things that amaze me and leave me in awe and wonder. Yesterday I even found myself looking at it and saying "wow" outloud, before stopping to take a picture. It's probably my favourite thing to photograph, even though my phone never does it justice. It's the only thing I have found so far that you can endlessly take photos of and it will never give you the same photo twice. I can't wait to be driving with my own car so I can just take myself and my camera somewhere with a view and wait for the sun to rise or set and snap away!

With an infinite amount of colour, sunsets and sun rises are my favourite. When the sun peeks from behind a scatter of clouds while it sits low in the sky, giving off a deep orange hue. Oh! I just love it. I love loving it. I don't always instagram my photos of the sky because many of them are quick snaps that aren't necessarily #instaworthy but I keep them on my phone to appreciate in my own time. It just fills me with wonder how one far away firey ball can bounce pinks and reds and yellows off our clouds and oceans and create such a beautiful and comforting landscape.

It's the thing I love most about winter, other than burying yourself in a cocoon of blankets and cushions and jumpers. How you can go about your normal daily business and both dawn and dusk happens while you're up and about so you don't have to go out your way to be up in time to witness the biggest beauty of the world. Where ever you are, the sky is there. Bright blue with clouds or jet black littered with stars. I find it so incredible.

Think about it now. How much the sky changes and how many different colours it shows. All the different possible arrangements of sun/cloud/moon/stars. You only have to look upwards and everything is up there. All of space. Different planets, more moons and suns. Different galaxies. Up there is the air your favourite celebrity breathes. Up there is just, everything and nothing all at the same time.

I find when I look up and think about deep questions it fills me with so much wonder and so many more questions and thoughts. It makes me feel small. So tiny and irrelevant when something so huge and beautiful exists that every single person sees every day. I wonder how you would describe the sky to a blind person. How would you describe anything? Comment down below what you would start with in describing the sky to someone who has never seen it before.

I really could go on describing the sky so I'll stop here. Let me know any topics you might want to read about, my blogs are always spontaneous on a Friday evening or Saturday morning so let me know if there's anything specific you want to read from me. And stop to take a moment to appreciate the sky this weekend, look up at the stars and count them or watch the colours change as the sun wakes up or goes to bed.

Hello Dave, how are you today?

Yes, your name is Dave now. And my name is Dave. On the 8th of February, everybody is Dave. Allow me to explain to you...

Dave Day was set up two years ago by Pancreatic Cancer UK supporter, Tom Kenning. When actor Roger Lloyd-Pack sadly died from pancreatic cancer, inspiration was taken from a character Roger famously played called Trigger from Only Fools and Horses. The scene in question [x] is when Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst) tells Trigger that his name isn't Dave, despite Trigger thinking it was so.

Since then, over £15,000 has been raised for Pancreatic Cancer UK on what would be Roger’s birthday each year as a tribute to him and helping those who fall victim to the same disease that took his life that we celebrate on this day.

As I'm sure you all know by now after I dyed my whole head of hair their signature colour for the Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, this charity is very close to my heart, and this event even more so as it is the day after my mothers birthday. As always I'm kitted out again to continue to support this charity, so please, share this blog post on Google +, Twitter or Instagram and show it to your friends - your fellow Daves should I say to help raise awareness. And donate if you can. Thank you.

I have "Call Everyone Dave Day #DaveDay" white tshirt in large tucked into my jeans and "Call Me Dave #DaveDay" grey hoodie in large with black inside in the hood and strings. Baggy but comfortable.

Here is a link to the website's list of ways you can get involved with Dave Day 2016.And another link to the donation page if you can spare a few pennies, I and the charity would be most grateful. I seem to be al linked out with this post don't I Dave? Well I shall love and leave you and I hope you don't have those pesky Monday blues and you have a fun day.

Why hello there dear reader! I planned a couple weeks ago to do a little monthly favourites post in true "female blog/vlogger beauty guru" style, so I just picked out a few random items I have been enjoying a lot this month. Some are old faves but most things I shall talk about are new to me this month and I have been loving them a lot so I thought I'd just share them and maybe it can lighten up your month too. Let me know if you like this and I might try to make it an occurring post this year as a sort of project type thing, I already have found some new things to be my favourites in February hehee.

I'm not sponsored by anything at all, everything that I will say I enjoy in a few seconds is purely because I just LAVE it! I enjoyed trying my hand at some cheeky product photography too, I laid my fluffy white dressing gown onto my bed for the background and borrowed my brothers small lamp as it's brighter than mine. But do excuse the shoddy job, the first picture I took was great and I was really chuffed but lets just say the photos got increasingly shite as the little shoot went on. I should start investing in some lighting stuff if this continues on. Anyway let us begin.


 Firstly, Nivea skincare which I absolutely adore since it helped soothe and fix my face when it blew up back a day because I think I'm allergic to liquid make up. The night cream is my favourite this month because I use it every single day, after I've washed and cleansed my face before I go to bed. And pretty much every day I wake up and my face still feels moisturised and I don't feel like I need to use the day cream. If I'm going out I put on their primer before putting on make up which is incredible too. I love the pot it comes in aswell, it's probably about the size of my palm and it lasts well. I put one finger in and swirl it around once and put a "fingerprint of cream" on my forehead, one on each cheek and one on my neck and a little goes a long way. I prefer their pink dry skin versions of whatever product they have but I find the "normal" blue night cream works fine for me too.