A Day In My Life

For today's post I thought I would take you through a typical day in my life currently.

Today I was at my girlfriend Lauren's house. We woke up at about 8am, then dozed off for a couple of hours. We got up, got ready and settled down at the kitchen table to do some work. I have a couple of essays to finish, and was doing general admin sort of stuff. 

 I then made us some brunch. Dippy eggs. Or soft boiled eggs if you prefer. The trick to perfect eggs, in my experience, is to pop them into boiling water for exactly four minutes, before taking them off the stove, and running them under cold water for about minute to stop them cooking. Voila, you should have perfectly runny dippy eggs. I made ours with some granary bread topped with avocado and it was yummy.

Afterwards, I  made us some Whittard Chilli Hot Chocolate, which coming from someone who hates anything spicy, is delicious. It tastes like cinnamon, and is really warming and tastes very festive. 

We did some more work, talked a bit, listened to music and sat in comfortable silence typing away.

Later on, we took the dog for a walk around some fields nearby. It was quite cold! It was very muddy out, so when we came back we showered. Even though it was  only like 4:30pm by the time we got back it was literally pitch black! I love winter so much. 

Then we settled down in the lounge and watched Bridget Jones. If you haven't seen it, you need to! We spoke to Lauren's family and things and did a bit more work, but cosy on the sofa rather than at the kitchen table. 

For the rest of the evening, we just had some dinner and watched television, worked and talked, none of which I photographed. I love days like today. 

If you enjoy reading my blog, please click the little follow button. What sort of things do you like doing in your day? 

November Favourites

There have been a few things this month that I have been reaching for again and again. I thought I would compile them all into a monthly favourites post.

I think it is quite a random collection of items, but they have been enhancing day to day life somehow, mostly because I have incorporated them all into my daily routine, and found that using them has become a habitual and enjoyable experience!

First is the product I have been using to remove my make up. It is The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Oil. I have very sensitive, but also scarred skin. This product in no way aggravates my skin type. It is fairly light and thin in consistency, and doesn't feel at all greasy on the skin. It is £10 for this bottle. I have been a faithful fan of the Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter that also retails for £10 but to be honest I always struggle to unscrew the lid, and I go through it so quickly. I feel like in the easy soap like dispenser it is just way less hassle and I think you get more product for your money. On a day where I'm wearing a full face of make up, I can remove it all with two pumps. I am thinking of doing a full skin care routine post soon!

I have been obsessed with candles this month, and this one I picked up from this really cute gift shop in Lower Marsh. The candle is made by this small company in Cornwall, and I think it cost be about £8. I've burnt it every night for around 4 hours for about three weeks and I still have over half of the habitual left. It smells really calming (clue is in the name) and almost light I have lit an incense? That kind of smell. It is really relaxing though. I'm not crazy about the label, but other than that I would definitely repurchase.

My lips have been so so sore lately, partly because I've been walking around a lot outside with my job in like 2 degrees so they are really chapped and dry. I rediscovered my Clarins lip balm that I purchased in an airport like a year ago. I know I should definitely get a new one but I actually can't find this particular one. It was £12 when I got it and it honestly is so soft and makes my lips feel protected. It has SPF of 20, and actually sinks in rather than just like stickily coating my lips.  It smells like peaches and is just nice. Expensive for a lip balm, but other cheaper ones just leave my lips more sore than when I applied it.

I've been wearing Daisy perfume by Marc Jacobs for about three years now. I love it, and I am always complimented on smelling nice. I think it is a fragrance that works well with my natural skin scent (that sounds weird) but it just suits me. I really want the Coco Mademoiselle perfume because I think that would suit me too, but I have yet to bite the bullet and buy it. This perfume is about £46, but I've always received it as a gift from my parents as they know I like it.

Lauren got me a tin of Dreamtime Tea from canister. I is £6, and it is honestly one of my favourite teas. It is very sweet, it is primarily honey, apricot and vanilla, but it is the most comforting winter drink. It is an instant tea, so you literally put three teaspoons of the powder into your mug and add hot water. I used to have it when I was little, and I love that I can have it before bed every night now. Lauren has it at her house too so I literally have it every night now, I'm not even sure I could sleep without drinking it.

Finally, my Polaroid camera. I have been obsessed with my Polaroid lately. I am trying to make a journal type scrapbook where I include photos and like tickets and stuff inside, so it is sort of an instant scrapbook. I have been journalling for about two years now on and off and adding photos just makes it more fun, and I am excited to look back on it! I got my camera for Christmas last year, but I think they are about £60. The film is expensive, but you can get some deals on Amazon. But if you want instant, hand held photographs I really recommend getting one because there is something quaint and satisfying about having an instant photograph to display.

That is all my favourites for this month, and I am excited for the month to come, as it is my birthday and of course Christmas! Thinking about your favourite items through out the month really helps you to take notice of the things you have and enjoy them even more.

Gingerbread Recipe

I went to Lauren's this weekend and we decided to do some baking. We wanted to make something festive (I LOVE CHRISTMAS), and so we decided that gingerbread was within our limited baking repertoire. We listened to a christmas playlist and baked away, and we actually made some pretty decent gingerbread, but you will have to take my word for it, because I stupidly forgot to photograph the end result.

You Will Need:

• 350g of plain flour, and a little extra for when you're rolling out your dough
• 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda
• 2 teaspoons of ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon 
• 125g of butter 
• 175g of soft brown sugar
• 1 egg 
• 4 tablespoons of golden syrup

You can then decant the ingredients into bowels/tubs once you've measured it all, which is not only aesthetically pleasing but actually speeds up the process of baking because everything is ready to go, and you aren't scramble around for ingredients as you go along. It actually makes everything a little less chaotic and you 100% will feel like a domestic goddess. Promise. 

You simply need to add the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger and cinnamon into a bowel, making sure you sieve your flour to get rid of any lumps. Stir to combine all these dry ingredients. Then add the butter in small chunks. If like us you are doing everything by hand, just rub the butter into the dry ingredients, until your mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Alternatively you could do this in a food processor if you prefer. Then stir in the sugar a little at a time until it is all combined. 

In a separate bowl, beat together the egg and golden syrup. Add to the bowl/food processor and mix until you have a dough. I found I had to add about three tablespoons of water to combine the mixture properly. It is also easier if you use floured hands to stick it all together. Then wrap it in clingfilm and pop it in the fridge for 15-30 minutes to firm up.

Then remove the dough from the fridge, flour your surface and you can roll out your gingerbread and cut it out into shapes. We had star cutters, so we made stars. You could attempt some free-hand designs, or just use cutters of any shape. You then bake your gingerbread on a lined baking tray for 12-15 minutes at 180 degrees/gas mark 4/350F. Leave to cool and enjoy. 

Sexuality

Today I want to jump right in with a topic that I guess is quite prevalent in my life, and that is sexuality.

Sexuality is one of the most personal things in a someone's live. It isn't just about who somebody is attracted to, but how they decide to present themselves, and what they identify as. In todays society, it is (thankfully) becoming much easier for people to express who they are as a person. However, there are still many people who are oppressed by the society they live in, and the negativity directed towards them for how they dress, what gender they identify as, and who they are attracted to. 

I am lucky enough to live in a very developed, first world country. I come from a household with two parents, one sibling, I go to university, I live in central London. In terms of living how I want to live, I am extremely lucky that there are very few boundaries. Needless to say, another person living exactly how I live may have a completely different experience and be made to feel ashamed to be who they are (cheesy but it is so true). Sexuality is not a choice, but I honestly think one of the bravest choices someone can make is to truly, unapologetically live as the person they feel they are, which can be really difficult. 

I identify as a bisexual female. In some ways, it even feels stupid typing that. It feels too formal for how I actually feel. I am attracted to boys and girls. I like wearing girl clothes. I like being a girl. It really is as easy as that. I am lucky to know who I am, and I am lucky that I've had time to adjust and come to terms with who I am, and be comfortable with it. I am in a relationship with a girl, her name is Lauren and she's great. We are lucky in the sense that when we go out in the streets, if we want to hold hands, we won't get arrested. We've never had any hateful comments shouted at as. Probably the worst thing that has happened to us is men sexualising us being together in a public place, and of course we shouldn't just shrug that off as 'oh well it happens', but considering people's attitudes to people of the LGBTQ community in generations before ours (eg people being killed for being homosexual...I mean wtf) we have it pretty good.

Lauren (right) and I (left) being sickeningly cute outside the V and A

I've only recently 'come out' to my family, and I won't lie, it was not easy. I have always been a really open, bubbly person, and for one reason or another I just didn't know how to bring this up to my family. I think that is partly because I thought I owed everyone an explanation. I don't have a story where I've just 'always known' I liked girls and boys. I just kissed a girl and it didn't feel weird. It felt nice. Just as nice as when I kissed a boy. That was basically it. I mean not 'it' cos girls can be just as mean as boys and it hasn't been a smooth ride but... I am there. I am finally happy. Not just in my relationship, although that is pretty great, but I am happy because everyone (well everyone I care about) knows who I am, and so far, no one to my face has been horrible about it really. Sure some people take a bit longer to grasp it, or understand, and it hasn't been easy for all my family members to comprehend, but I am confident we will get there. So if you're reading this, and you are desperately looking for a reason to come out, take this as a sign because if you're like me, it won't be half as bad as you think, and I promise if people do react badly, it won't be half as bad as living a life pretending to be someone else just to please the narrow minded people around you. That isn't fair. 

I feel slightly emotionally drained after writing all of this, because it literally has been a recent thing (like within the last month) that I would ever have thought I would be able to make a post like this. 

Whatever you identify as, you're a great person, and you deserve to be happy. It took me a really long time to believe that, like really long, but you do. And there is a huge, amazing LGBTQ community out there full of the most incredible, brave, fun people you will ever meet! 

Don't be ashamed about who you fall in love with, ultimately, love is love.

Thanks for reading, 

Megan 

Favourite Places

As I mentioned in my last post, I am a creature of habit. I don't really like change. Because of this, when I find a place I like, I tend to frequent it a lot. Also because of this, I attach a lot of memories to places, so if something bad happens with a person, I have to avoid places or I get too emotional haha. Luckily, in London I don't have any previous attachments to people/places so I can happily visit lots of places. I do have some favourite places in Bournemouth too. Here are some of my favourite places to visit...

The picture here shows what I order for breakfast at my favourite cafe in Bournemouth. Boscanova in Boscombe is a really quaint, individual cafe. It serves a really good variety of breakfasts, including a large range of vegan, gluten free and vegetarian options. It is reasonably priced, has super friendly staff and is just a really nice place to eat if you are in the area. Above, you can see I order smashed avocado on soda bread, with a poached egg. It comes served with fresh coriander, chilli and a lime. It is so yummy and really filling.  I particularly love this meal in the summer time. 

Another one of my favourite places is Kew Gardens. It is a national park in London, and is beautiful. They have different displays through out the year, and I last visited at Christmas. The lights and decorations were amazing, and I really recommend visiting around that time if you can. I am also really excited to visit in the summer when all the flowers and plants are in full bloom. Above is a picture of one of the lakes, and really captures how calm the environment is there. There are several cafes to visit, although the one we went into was extremely overpriced (it is London though!), though I can't comment on the prices in some of the other places you can eat. 

My all time favourite place to visit is the beach. For my entire life prior to moving to London, I have lived ten minutes from the seaside. It is my most favourite place. Once I passed my driving test, I visited at least twice a week, either walking my dog, or just to go and sit and think a bit. I find it really relaxing, and I really miss it when I am away. Whenever I come home I always visit. I'm not even sure why I love it so much, I think it just makes me feel grounded and calmer. 

One of my most favourite places in London is The Tate Modern. I love the massive rooms, the art work, where it is, the fact it doesn't take me long to walk there, I literally just love everything about it. If I feel anxious, I try to make the effort to leave the house and walk there. I love how quiet it is, the fact I can just walk around by myself and not talk to anyone (sociable, I know) and just distract myself looking at all the artwork. 

I love the Shard. Sounds weird. But I just love it. I can see it from my current bedroom window, and it is actually right opposite one of my university campus' so I get to walk past it quite a lot. I don't know why I like it quite so much, but I just think it's an interesting building and I like looking at it. 

I really like driving. I don't have my car in London, so I really look forward to coming back to Bournemouth so I can drive my car. I like driving relatively long distances, but I don't really like motorways. A place I used to visit a lot is in the New Forest, and I really like how beautiful and peaceful it is there. It makes me very happy. 

These are just a few of my favourite places to visit, where do you like to go? 

Megan x

Welcome

 Covent Garden Marketplace

My name is Megan, and this is my new blog. It will feature mostly lifestyle posts, potentially with the odd political/topical post, and will (hopefully) become a place that I can share snippets of my life. I study at Kings College, and live with six other girls at the moment in university accommodation. I spend most of my free time just wandering around London, I normally frequent the same places, as I am a bit of a creature of habit. I like routine. To the left there is a picture of me at Covent Garden Marketplace, about ten minutes from where I live. This particular day my parents had come to visit, so we spent about two hours just walking from stall to stall with them speaking to almost every stall owner. Fun.

St. Paul's Cathedral.

In central London, and I  am surrounded by some beautiful places. When I first moved to London, from the seaside town of Bournemouth in September, I was terrified. My anxiety levels were through the roof, and honestly I thought I had made a huge mistake. I'm the type of person who won't walk into a room full of people by myself, I hate public transport because I have an irrational fear everyone is looking at me, and I don't like confined spaces. The second my parents left me at my uni halls, I thought I was going to die. The thought of leaving my room to go and talk to my new flatmates made me feel physically sick. But I did it. I made friends with them all, and although I did spend the first month or so mostly staying in my room, and declining on all but two nights out (I was worried I would have a full scale panic attack if I went out and freak them all out), now I have made amazing friends with all my flatmates, who respect when I need space, and have helped me home when I am panicking. Despite living in the centre, and being surrounded by mostly very tall buildings, sometimes I like to just go out and walk. I find the most beautiful spots when I do this, and I realised that it isn't just the beach that can be calming and relaxing. Sometimes just looking at a really pretty building, like a cathedral or walking through somewhere like St James' Park can give you the same feeling of tranquility.

Through this blog, I hope to share some posts about fashion, beauty, food and general life bits and pieces. I hope you will find it interesting. 

Megan x