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.

Hello my good friends and how are you this rather sunny Saturday. I have been dreaming a lot lately, and by dream I mean that life you live in your sub-consciousness while lying down in a fortress of comfort when there is no blue in the sky. One time I thought about the whole concept of sleeping too much and now it seems insane. Like when you say a word over and over and its as if you've just made up the word. Think about it now for a moment... You dress yourself in special clothes just for this one activity and lie down on a platform padded with comfort and warmth, just to lie unconscious for hours. It's just a bit bloody bizarre isn't it?!

Anywho, yes, I have found myself waking up to my alarm, the loud noise stealing me away form this second life I was living. And when I turn off the irritating sound I get confused. Why was I in that place - that looked like three different places merged together, doing that thing with those people? Most times I tell my dreams to my best friend Gemma, but ALWAYS I type my most elaborate dreams that I remember the most into "notes" on my phone, to write up later in a notebook I own. I have a few to transfer to my notebook but it's strange how even after that morning as I'm rewriting the events of my dream, I can still picture it in my head.

Dreams fascinate me. What they mean and how they make you feel. And most of all how real and tangible they feel in the moment, but then you wake up and it's totally disappeared. Blows my mind! Sometimes I like to search what my dreams mean online to find out why the heck a volcano made an appearance for example. (turns out I was due an emotional "explosion" - I cried over college two days later so that was pretty accurate) I'd love a book about dreams, either explaining them or even a dream dictionary so I can search up the meanings of my dreams there, who doesn't love a book to hold?

I've had a few recurring dreams - and nightmares - in my life, which I find all the more odd because your sleeping mind takes you on the same adventures twice. I shan't go into my childhood nightmare as it still creeps me out to be honest, however one recurring motif of some dreams has been me, my mom, and aeroplanes/airports. We're either running around the airport looking for our flight or my dad and brother. Or actually sitting on the plane that's taking the strangest route, including going in between mountains and trees. Apparently airports signify birth (arrivals) and death (departures), I interpret this as the departure of my mother and the arrival of a new life without her. These air related dreams happened in the first year or so after she passed. I still don't like the D word

Anyway... I encourage you to write down your dreams. The ones you remember and think about all morning and the ones that are wild and elaborate and feel so real. Even short ones or random ones you can only remember snippets of, because it's interesting to read back on and have those images flooding back to you. Seeing the randomness of your thoughts and stories that you mind makes up for you like a movie for your sleeping self is amusing. I like to laugh at my subconscious logic, like when I took off the break of my car (which I don't have in real life) so it would crash down the hill and make a loud noise to distract the zombies from where we (myself, Coleman, Gilligan, Annie and Gemma) were walking through the forest. Or the casual swimming pool in the middle of an arena, which I had to wade through to get on stage and dance with All Time Low. I literally have no idea, but I find it so interesting what adventures your sub-conscious takes you on while you're in between days.

Well hello everybody and how are you this fine Saturday. I've had a busy day myself, hence such a late post. Last night I was wondering what I could possibly write about for this weeks blog post and as I laid in bed looking up at my wall I thought, why don't I show you lovely lot my photo wall. It's pretty darn clear by now that BekLouKat likey the photographs, so to maintain this reputation I shall continue showing you my photos - hahaa! I do hope you enjoy - as always let me know your faves.

I thought I'd try something a little new with this post and go all black and white on you, to get deep I figured since this post is more about the story behind the pictures and not the image itself, the colours didn't matter as much. Black and white photography - I feel - allows you to focus on the moment and memory captured rather than the "prettiness" of it. Anywho lets get to it...

When my room was decorated many a year ago, my parents painted the walls white with pink flowers dotted around, however this wall only has a heart in the middle of it, about eye level. I think it was my dad who added this heart and he said he put it there to remind me that I am loved, and to see it inbetween photos is much better than hidden behind posters.

For all you English lot as I'm not sure about the rest of the world, you can get twine/string and pegs from almost any good stationary or homeware shop. I've seen bits and pieces in Poundland, Wilko, Homebase and WH Smith. In Wilko I even found a small packet with mini pegs like the ones pictured above - which are cute to go with those smaller polaroid photos if you're lucky enough to own one of those beautiful cameras. I attached my string to older hooks already on my wall where other frames had once hung as well as blutack because I am ever so classy. However a friend of mine who also has a photo wall of her own used some self adhesive wall hooks, which could be found in Staples or shops like that.

You can assemble the string however you like, mismatched all over the wall so it's covered completely covered like mine - or something more neat and symmetrical like how my friend has done hers. Or even - now here's a cool idea - use fairy lights instead of string! However you lay it out, be sure to make the string tight across the hooks, it will sag and loop down as you peg up the photos.

When Gemma came to visit and I even kept the car park ticket when we went to meet her at the airport. And when my brother and I first saw our favourite band live.

I print my photos at Boots because I find it quick and easy and they have decent prints, I simply want something physical of what I already have on my phone or camera, so I can see my most favourite images and memories every day as I lay in bed, facing this beautiful wall of fame. I'd love to take a day to find the dates for when each photo was taken and write it on the back for when I'm old and forgetful, but for now these memories are prominent and clear in my head and I could tell you detail for each one!

Me and my fam-a-lam on a beach in the Isle Of Wight, unknown to us - our last family holiday. My brother, our mom's mom and me at my 18th birthday party. And a very old photo I found of me and my brother on our old sofa, It's very blurred but trust me, we were very cute toddlers.

Me (and my bro) with my dad's parents on holiday in the Isle Of Wight 2013.

 Photos of Family is essential isn't it - unless you don't have a good relationship with them which is understandable. Nonetheless I think if my grandparents ever came into my room again (they only ever tackle the stairs to pee, they're getting old bless them) they'd feel honoured or pleased they made it onto my wall of fame, and know that I'm always thinking of them and they have a special place in my heart, no matter how bonkers they get!

"da siblinz", (myself, Alex my real brother and Katie and Amy/Chummy Bates who we've known our whole lives - great gals) saying an elegant "fuck you" to cancer at our charity quiz night for Pancreatic Cancer UK.

My friends (minus two) from sixth form at my 18th birthday party.

And of course photos of your bestest friends, who keep you smiling on any day that you are in their presence, to hold the memories of a good moment filled with laughter and absolute silliness amongst all the bad - as long as it has taken me to find true friends, these pictures remind me that I don't have to look any further.

A ticket to my first ever concert that my mom accompanied me to, featuring confetti from a different time I saw the same band but both memories I am grateful my mom took me to.

Peg up tickets from various events like concerts or meet and greets, I have a couple of Waterstones wristbands alongside photos from book signings (Louise and Joe in case you were wondering).

This is probably THE photo that triggered my whole photography journey. At a National Trust place one day I was most bored so mom handed me her pink digital camera and asked me to take pretty photos of various things. In the gardens she said to me "I'd like a photo of these flowers here, can you do that for me?" and told me to think about a different angle to make the photo much more interesting. On this sunny day I spotted bees busy pollinating the flowers and spotted one close by on a bright red flower, so, I quickly crouched to get a nice close up shot and this is what I got. Mom loved it so much she printed it and framed it in the lounge. Years later I printed another copy to peg up on my wall as a reminder of this story and how impressed my mom was with the photos I took and how eagerly she wanted to print this one to show people in her home. She comically named the photo "Boo's Bee" as my nickname my parents gave me from a young age is "Boo" and the similar "boobie" - that's just our sense of humour.

Sunset on mom's favourite beach - Oxwich Bay in Wales on our first holiday without her. Black and white simply would not do this justice. Me, dad and Alex were walking right out to the low tide when I turned back to look at how far we had walked and I was so amazed at the view I snapped this on my phone and it's so gorgeous,  I adore everything about this photo.

 I like to have a few of my own photographs on my wall, for sentimental value in the story behind it and encouragement to never give up on myself as a photographer because I am good at it, and the proof is right in front of me, every day.

The friend I mentioned before sneakily asked me for "photos that make me happy" for a school project but really she printed them off, polaroid style for my birthday. I sent her photos of people that make me happy, youtubers, actors, musicians because I idolise them for chasing their dreams and passions and making success out of their hobbies.

 On the opposite wall below my book shelves I made another small row of photos just for polaroids, to spice up the other side of my room a bit, and to have somewhere more special to put the smaller and different style of print. I love polaroid's because I feel like they date back forever and have such a unique and iconic style. Also this small photo wall is totally not a hint to my dad that I'd make use of polaroid photos by having somewhere to display them if I ever were to have a polaroid camera ;)


I like having my photos mismatched and interwoven together, jumbled up and positioned at any angle because they're all part of me and my memories - and I feel like it allows my creativity to shine through when I can whack a photo anywhere. I for one don't file my memories in strategic parts of my brain, they're jumbled up and floating around, waiting for me to reminisce over them again, just like the photos. My favourite thing about photos is how they're like magic, holding a memory from real life on paper - it boggles my mind and I could spend forever appreciating photographs.

I'd LOVE to see your photo walls if you have one, or if this has inspired you to make one for the first time. Do direct me to any posts like this from other bloggers, and let me know what your favourite photo/story of mine is, I always love to hear thoughts on my posts - I like the idea that I have something profound and thought provoking to say :) and as Debbie says, another "blog from the heart" done, I hope you enjoyed.