2015 (The Best Year Of my Life)

2015 has been a blinkn' good one. I hope the adventures continue in 2016! 

January

It started off with a bang! I was most excited because I was packing to go away to Australia and New Zealand for two months! I left on January 18th for my flight to Darwin - the beginning of my adventure. I got to watch beautiful sunsets, fly over Kakadu, see aborigional art work, spend Australia Day in Australia, camp under the stars, and of course my highlight; Ayers Rock! All absolutely incredible made better with good company. 

When I arrived into Darwin at 3am, I was lying in my hostel bed thinking 'what the **** have I done? Spending ££££ to travel to the other side of the world by myself - but I am so glad I did it. Those second thoughts didn't last very long! 

February

It started with a leap of faith after doing my bungee jump in Cairns! I loved it! I'm so glad I got to finally tick that off my bucket list. The bucket list accomplishments continued the next day as I got to go snorkeling and scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef - all mind blowing! We sailed the beautiful Whitsunday Islands, drove along Fraser Island, visited Australia Zoo, hugged koalas and partied in Byron Bay (possibly a little too hard...). Another thing of the bucket list - trying to learn to surf (key word; TRYING! I was crap...) 

Then onto Sydney and Melbourne. I spent my Valentine's Day at Bondi Beach and Valentine's Night watching Madame Butterfly at the Sydney Opera House - which felt simply magical. 

Onto New Zealand - although I only made it onto the flight by the skin of my teeth! (Thank you to the incredible taxi driver that sped like hell to the airport!!!!) I instantly fell in love with New Zealand and I felt so at home. For the end of Feb I got to do my skydive in Queenstown! 
February was a good month for my bucket list.

March

March was marking the end of my incredible trip! I was so sad to leave but glad to be returning to my friends and family at home. Coming home gave me a total new perspective!

April 

After coming back from my trip I felt like I seriously needed to get into shape. So I was training hard! I managed to get myself a job and I got hired on the spot in the interview woop!

May

May was spent with all my lovely friends! I also did a lovely walk to see the waterfalls. 

June

My friends started to come back from university and it was lovely to catch up! I also got to go to a music concert in a park in the lovely sun! 

July

I flew out to meet my friend in Portugal to enjoy a few days in the boiling hot sun! I'm not really used to those 'relaxing lie there and do nothing' holidays so it was something totally different. I did enjoy those cocktails. 

I had a major mop chop also! Eeek!

August

The month of my 19th birthday was a good one! Having parties and celebrating with friends as well as climbing to the top of Snowdon with my father! 

September 

In September I started university which was a new experience! I enjoyed the first term although all the work was a shock to the system after leaving school the year before! I also became Godmother of the most beautiful little girl! 

October

The hard work started in October as well as the end of Freshers! There was fair ride in the university car park which was quite impressive. 

November 

I started placement and the hard work really began! Lots and lots of uni work...

December 

I love Christmas time it's so magical and exciting! I love celebrating with my friends and family and eating far too much food!

I hope 2016 is a happy and healthy year for you

lynsey x

One Year of being 18

18 - the age I came alive.

Despite the past year being an emotional rollercoaster, I have loved every single second of it.
I've lived life to the full, worn myself out, stayed out too late, made amazing friends and memories and thoroughly enjoyed myself (My Mother would argue I enjoyed myself a little too much).

being 18 I've learnt to do everything I want to do - and not to let other people's opinions cloud your judgement, or hold you back. Everyone in my family was telling me not to go travelling, not to waste my money, but I went and I did it! It was the best thing ever travelling Australia and New Zealand - being independent and travelling was one of the best things for me at that time in my life. I needed to do something for myself. I have certainly caught the travel bug! I've got lots of exciting journeys planned for the, hopefully, near future!

Being 18 I've learnt not to take anything too seriously. Don't ponder or let things get you down. Life keeps throwing things in your direction and carrying on is the best option. Don't get upset over people you're better off without, don't continuously make an effort for someone who doesn't bother with you, don't worry too much about what you want to do with your life. Just be you and enjoy yourself. Don't worry about relationships; what's meant to be, will be. I am young and everything will work out in the end.

Being 18 I found myself. And myself is ever changing. Every day I am a new person. Never let who you are be dependant on someone else because if they were ever to leave your life you'd be left wondering who you actually are.
I've realized no one can be categorized. I can do what I want, wear what I want, eat what I want - and it doesn't matter as long as I'm happy and healthy.

Life is all about doing what you love, being with people you love, being places you love. Work hard and it'll all work out in the end.
Thank you 18, for teaching me so much.

lynsey x

Holiday Snaps - Portugal 2015

This year I was lucky enough to be invited to Portugal with my best friend and her family. 6 days of indulging on sun, cocktails, bread, pizzas, chips, wine (the list is endless)! Here are some pictures of the lovely Villamora, Algarve.

Dress - H&M

Dress - Zara

Dress - MissGuided

Beach Days!

Drinks at Villamora Marina
Playsuit - MissGuided, Bodychain - H&M


Ah, fun in the sun! Until next time, for now it's back to Wales and to work!

Lynsey x

Better Living

Weeks ago I posted about coming back from travelling and wanting to be healthier. (read here)

source

It really inspired me. Seeing how dedicated people were to their exercise. It made me want to be fitter, stronger and healthier.
With a new positive mental attitude to exercise I succeeded in the gym. I pushed myself, and worked hard. More than anything I enjoyed doing it. I love getting a sweat on! You feel fantastic after a good work out.
I was trying to go 6 days a week but after starting my new job I struggle to go so often. I think I go about 2-4 times a week depending how much I'm working. I'm really enjoying it and I feel so much more comfortable in my clothes. My gut no longer hangs over my jeans and although many parts of my body still jiggle and need some work. I just feel better in my clothes which is great, and makes it all worth it.
Challenge two was changing the way I eat. I've battled with food all my life. I just hated it all, I was terrified of eating it or trying new things. Nothing could change that. I was embarrassed and hated going out for food because I knew there wouldn't be anything I could eat on the menu. Being vegetarian made it twice as hard!
Although this is still an on-going improvement I don't eat as much rubbish and I'm trying to control my portion sizes so that I don't over eat. Just being sensible whilst not depriving myself of treats or the occasional take away, (eating chips from the chip shop on the beach while the sun sets is my favourite) has made a difference in my head.
I've also become obsessed with making juices - such a good way of getting some of the nutrients of fruit and veg without physically eating it. I don't follow any particular recipes I just stick stuff in my juicer and it's like a guessing game!

More than anything living a healthier life is about your attitude and mind set!

lynsey x

Summer

I love all seasons. I love dressing up in cosy layers in Winter, and coming home to a warm house full of festive cheer. I love watching the leaves change colour in the Autumn with a crisp chill in the hair that makes your nose tingle. Spring is like a fresh start - all these beautiful flowers and plants come into bloom.

But there's something about Summer.

When the sun starts to shine it makes you feel relaxed and positive. I want to get out of the house and do something. Hang out with the people I love, have cocktails in the sun, picnics in the park, and go on adventures.
Sometimes I feel like summer is gone in the blink of an eye. I am determined not to let this one pass me by! I will be going for long walks to places I've never been before, visiting castles, and having cocktail parties.
One of my favourite things to do however, is watch the sun set. There is nothing more satisfying that watching the sun set the sky on fire with an array of beautiful colours. No sunset is ever the same and the best thing is - they're free!!

What will you be doing this summer that you're going to remember for the rest of your life?

lynsey x

 

PS don't forget to smell the roses!

CONTIKI #NoRegrets | Review

I've just come back from Australia and New Zealand which many of you may have already seen me write about on this blog or post photos on my instagram (rhianlynsey).
I booked myself an appointment in the nearest STA agents and she suggested an organised tour. Contiki was the company that they booked with apparently. I knew these sorts of groups existed but I'd never heard of Contiki before.

So back to my initial thought, what is contiki?
'We’re firm believers that life’s greatest experiences are made better by the people you share them with. That’s why Contiki invented group travel for young people in 1962 and we’ve spent the past 53 years perfecting it. You’ll explore amazing destinations with a group of 18-35 year olds from around the world who share your passion for adventure, good times and creating memories that define what it is to be young, wild and free.' Is what it says on their website, along with their slogan One Lifetime, One Shot, Make it Count #NoRegrets

You can read all about them on their website along with following their twitter and instagram etc.

Who goes on these contiki tours?
'We're all about exploring the world with like-minded people, which is why we only run trips for 18-35 year olds, to celebrate being young, spirited and curious. You can expect to join a group of 18-53 awesome people from around the world on our Europe, Australia, North America and New Zealand trips, and in Asia and Latin America it's all about small group adventures with up to 25 travellers. Don't worry if you're not travelling as a couple or with a friend from home – though there are plenty of pairs, 50% of our travellers set off solo, meaning you'll have a ton of opportunities to make new friends.' Yes, I was one of those travelling alone, along with many others. So if you are interested in travelling, but don't have anyone to go with nor do you want to travel alone then consider tour groups like Contiki.
Obviously contiki isn't the only tour company like this to exist but seeming as I've only travelled with Contiki I'm not in a position to pass comment on them.

So you may be wondering what the tour groups are like, and what if you don't like the people you're with. Granted it is a hit or miss, but there is bound to be at least one person you get along with and make friends with. It's a great way to meet people from all over the world, and that means you can spend even more time travelling over to see them, and then returning the favour so they come to stay with you. In many cases you make life long friends. Such a nice way to meet new people, that you're forced to meet in a way.

Yes these tours can be expensive but they're also hassle free. They organise everything for you and all you have to do is get there and enjoy! It was a plus for me who isn't great at organising things in foreign countries.

They tell you where to be what times, give you great facts and information on the road (which you might not learn by yourself), they know all the best spots so can suggest where to go/eat etc, they book all your extra activities for you, and organise nights out. The Tour Managers work tirelessly to provide you with the best experience.

I will be travelling with them again; also check out Top Deck, Trek America, G Adventures, Plan My Gap Year.

Happy Travels!

lynsey x

Accessorize Tribal Seedbead Pattern Collar Necklace

You know those moods when you just want to buy something for the sake of it?
I was disappointed when I was walking around the shops and nothing was jumping out at me (although that's a good thing for my wallet) The last shop I went to was Accessorize and these two necklaces caught my eye. Very unique but I think they are super pretty! I love the detail on these necklaces.

Product code - 782432, £15

lynsey x