27 and Counting

Recently I've seen a lot of posts about how people around my age should be married with kids, either because other members of their families are married with kids, or their friends have all stated pairing off....

I feel their struggle, but where a lot of posts have been about how it makes them feel hurt or empty or like the aren't "doing life right"

This post isn't about that at all!

My best friends know my feelings about kids...they all come out with "Nessa hates kids" this isn't technically true....I don't hate kids, you can't hate kids they're THE most innocent thing on this planet! If anything, its their parents I can't stand, the way the have no control on their kids, force them into situation they clearly don't want to be in because their parents are being selfish or let them do things my mother would have (and damn right she should have) knocked me every way to Sunday!

I'm a free spirit, a strong girl (still can't call myself a woman, makes me sound old) I know what I want in life. I might not know how to make it happen, but I'm sure I'll have fun along the way.

I'm happy being childless, (and this is no disrespect to any one who has kids, I see you loving those little people fiercely, and I throw massive props your way!) It's not for me, every now and again a little one comes into my life (take the little girl on the coach to Disneyland) and they are so sweet, cute and for some reason (maybe its my blue hair) are so in awe of me I can spend time talking to them, but I have never had this 'urge' to go out and make my own. (Maybe I loved the attention too)

As for being married, I'd kinda need a partner first, and I'm in no rush to fall into a relationship, (I wouldn't push it away, but I certainly wouldn't chase it) being married is a huge life goal for me, I'm not gonna apologise for that, but I'm also not gonna force that to happen.

When I do find that right person for me they best understand that kids aren't on my list....and I probably won't change my mind (I am, after all, like my Father and stubborn as hell)

Keep It Positive

Nessa

xx

Festival Hair

As I wrote about in my previous post, I went to Download Festival!

Having been going for 8 years now (I did miss a few) I'd always struggled with my hair while I was there. Yes dry shampoo is a miracle, but with my hair being short and super straight I struggle keeping any volume in it after a day of not washing it, I also struggle while I'm sleep trying not to get kinks in it (as I'm sure many people do) and sometimes a hat just wont do!!

So I had always wanted to braid in synthetic dreadlocks. Mostly so I don't have to worry about my hair at all while I'm there.

This year with the help of Mama Ward (that's my mums name) we successfully installed dreads into my hair!

I got my dreads from a shop called PAKS (http://www.pakcosmetics.com/) I have always bought my hair colours from here (even when I lived in Yorkshire, I had them delivered) They are super cheap!! thy have EVERYTHING you will ever need hair wise. They have a Shop (well 3 separate ones, one for products, one for wigs and one for hair extensions) in Finsbury Park which is where I go, its a great place to find new colours or products. an Aladdin's Cave of Hair!

I already owned the Dreads I braided in my hair, I had previously sewn some into Dread falls for a Industrial Metal club I had been to (http://www.slimelight.com/)

So I cut them out of the stitching and braided them in my hair.

I used about 4 packets of dreads they are around £3.99 per packet (super cheap if you ask me) and a packet of elastic ties I bought from Claire's Accessories.

After watching many YouTube Videos Mama Ward figured out how to do a blanket stich and we begun.

We started at the bottom using inch by inch squares of hair, separating in two and using one side of the double ended dread as the third piece of hair to braid. As we went along we used a brick layer so you wouldn't see any gaps.
As I have a graduated bob it was harder at the bottom as there wasn't as much hair to play with.
This being Mama Wards first time at any kind of braiding this was the best one to come out >>

Apparently as a child I wouldn't let her practice on my hair!!!

Had I not been trying to grow out the blue that I currently am, my roots wouldn't have looks so bad!!

We tied each one off with an elastic tie (or 3, depending on my hair length and if there had been any layers)





This process took about 5 hours, so its definitely not something you should enter in with someone you don't like very much (cos you wont be able to escape them) and it needs to be someone that loves you very much for them to do this for so long to you!

I left my fringe out as I'm secretly (ok not so secretly) a massive EMO so I always have to have my fringe!!

The finished product was AMAZING!!

They felt a little heavy at first, but when you go from a short bob to all the hair, then its gonna feel different.

I had them in for just over a week. Over that time I only lost one dread from the back at the bottom (probably because my hair was short) I lost quite a few of the elastic ties while I was at Download (I was there for 5 days) but none of the dreads fell out, either their were extra ties holding them in place of the braid its self had stuck in.

I had a bow or a bandanna in everyday, but that's just my style. It also helped as the weekend went along to hide how bad my fringe was.

(Yes that is a slushy in my hand)












When I eventually had to re enter the real world and take them out, it took me about an hour to pull all the bands out (I snapped them as I went along)

 



My hair was HILARIOUS as I took them out! (apologies for the face, 5 days of drinking and not enough sleep does this to a girl!!)

Seen as I'd been in a field in these for 5 days I didn't keep them (plus at £3.99 I think I can afford some new ones)

I think this is my best look yet!! Having super straight hair this was a totally novelty for me!

Thanks for Reading! Hope you enjoyed the pictures!!

Keep it Positive

Nessa

Week One - Level Easy

Week One - Level Easy

So Last week I posted about receiving my Protein Shake and my other supplements that I was going to start taking. I just wanted to chat about the lifestyle change that I’m trying to embed within my life. This has been a struggle of mine for a long time now, and I know there’s a lot of people out there that will tell me that there’s nothing “wrong” with me. You’d be right, there isn’t anything “wrong” with me. But I don’t feel comfortable in my own skin right now, and it’s stopping me from doing certain things, only little things, but things none the less.

 

I don’t need to lose a lot of weight in the grand scheme of things, but if I carried on as I have… I could quite easily become of those people on a Channel 5 program being winched out of their bedrooms because they’re too big to get about. (it’s only my love for Zumba twice a week that I wasn’t putting on weight too fast)

 

With me its more about fitness, I would LOVE to be super fit, for it to be my party trick as it were (yeah I’m well aware that some of those people get call douche bags behind their backs) but I want to be happy with myself more than anything else.
 

So as you may have seen in my other post, I’ve just started taking some supplements (all of them found in normal foods, none of these crazy fat burning tablets you hear people exploding from!)

I have also been eating clean (well a ton cleaner than I ever have before)

 

A friend of mine lost around 8st last year (amazing right?!?!) by following slimming world, everyone’s so proud of her! And I’m so jealous (still love her though, tell her all the time) that she had the will power to do it…..so now it’s my turn!! #ICanDoThis

We went Glamping (Glamourous Camping for those of you who didn’t know) last year and she taught me some of the principles behind Slimming world. I’ve never been one for following a diet, I’ve always just wanted to eat well. I used to be such a fussy eater, and I hated it! Made me feel so immature, but now I’’ll pretty much eat most things. I thought Id’ give it ago.


So about 6 months about I started slimming world, I had the books, and my friend was doing my weigh in for me (via Whatsapp) and I lost like 6lb in 2 weeks…..cos that’s how long it lasted. Though you can eat soooooooo much! My brain wasn’t in the right place to only have a little chocolate bar, I still wanted the whole bag! So needless to say, it didn’t last and I put most of it back on.

But this time feels different, I’m following 99% of the Slimming world principles (which to be fair, are just healthy eating principles) so lots of veg with my meals, brown everything, pasta, rice etc (which I did anyway) Lean meats (I cannot stand fat on meat anywho) But where with slimming world you are restricted with things like Avocado and Hummus (come on girls, who doesn’t love a tub of hummus and pitta!!), I’m having hummus on a weekend with chicken and carrots as my "Cheat Meal".

For example, I went out on Friday night with some friend, only for a quiet drink, which you know always turns into getting the night bus (I am lucky to live in London) and stumbling home at 5am. I had gone to Tesco on my lunch break and bought some 2 minute microwave rice. As I know I am always starving after a few drinks, and I didn't want to ruin all my hard work with a McDonald's. So when I got in, I ate the rice! BEST THING EVER!!

 

So the key to my success..... PREPERATION!!! Sundays are usually my prep day. I figure out my breakfast lunch and dinner for the week ahead. then I go shopping for it....simple right?!?

It is....but I have learnt with myself that if I give my self a choice of what to eat... I'll pick something really bad.

Going into the second week now with a 5lb loss and feeling great. But this is where I usually fail... So be prepared! That is what I am going to be!

Keep it positive

Nessa 

Festival Season!!

As I type this I am having to control where my fingers hit the keys because I am SO EXCITED!!

The festival I am going to this year (as all years) is Download Festival!!!

My friend got the tickets and text me today saying they had come!! *squeee*

I am making (as I always do) my Ultimate Festival List! Everything you will ever need for a festival!!

The Important Things:

**TICKET**

ID – Don’t want to be the only one not getting served at the bar!!

Directions/Map – If you’re driving take a map of where you’re going in case you lose your phone during the festival, you will want to find your way home.

Cash – Download is going Cashless this year, so will be interesting to see how that works out, but if the Festival you are going to isn’t Cashless, I suggest you get cash out before you get there and put most of it in a Locker and take a bit out every day. DO NOT LEAVE IT IN YOUR TENT!!

Numbers of People – You may have the numbers of the people you’re traveling/camping with but get other peoples numbers in your group, that way if your mates phone dies, you will always be able to find someone.

 

Clothes

FlipFlops - just for running to the toilet in the middle of the night etc... Don’t go into the Arena in them, everyone will hate you!
Poncho - It will rain at some point, get yourself to a cheap shop and grab at least one for every day, then you've no need to dry it out.
Hoodie - It gets cold on an evening, no matter how hot it’s been though the day!! Take the warmest one you own!!
Hat - preferably one that covers your ears...
Bandannas - if you're a girl your hair will look like you've been dragged through several hedges (also you may have actually been dragged through a hedge) Super easy to make your hair look awesome in a bandanna!
Pants - ALL THE PANTS!!!
Bra - depends on the tops you take, I usually take 2 just to help make me feel fresh after 2nd/3rd day!
Tights - I always wear shorts (don’t have the confidence to go bare legs) so take a pair for everyday and a spare just in case.
 Socks - ALL THE SOCKS, and a few more pairs..... Check out this great Hack I found, I will be packing my bag like this!!

Shorts - 2 or 3 pairs.
Tops - A T-shirt for every day, and maybe a few extras, just in case I spill something or it’s really cold.
Bikini - If you're going to shower while you’re there you'll want a Bikini, most Festival showers are boys and girls separate, but they are usually open showers. Up to you if you want to be naked....
Wellies - You never know, even if it says sun the whole time, take them, you're feet will thank you!!
Sun Glasses - Don’t want to be squinting at the bands
Back Pack/Bum Bag - something top take into the Arena through the day.

Toiletries

Sun cream - You will get burnt if you don’t take any!!
Toilet Paper - There will be some in the porta-loos but don’t risk getting caught short.
Dry Shampoo - after the second day your hair will look like a chip pan if you don’t take this with you.
Wet Wipes - Wet Wipe SHOWER!! You will need these to keep clean unless you use the showers
Hand Sanitizer - there is usually some in the porter loos, but again don’t want to be caught short and you will probably want this before eating.
Deodorant - don’t want to smell.
Ear Plugs - if you want any sleep you will love these. Also you might want to take these when listening to the bands to keep your hearing intact.
Eye Mask - To keep out the light on a morning, want to look fresh for those bands!!
Make Up - AKA camouflage

Mirror – To help assist you with putting on the camouflage
Toothbrush - Keep those teeth Clean
Toothpaste - And that breath Fresh.

Brush – to help tame the mane!

Medication/First Aid

Paracetamol - For the hangover!! You probably will get one, one day.
Pill - If you take it....you will need to take it with you.
Ibuprofen - To help with Hangover and any muscles you may pull while moshing
Migraleve - I suffer with Migraines, and the last thing I want is a migraine at a festival
Strepsils - You will shout a lot, these will help.
Plasters - those comfy shoes you took with you may end up your worst nightmare!!
Germolene - If you cut yourself on a can, plastic bottle...etc., this will stop you getting infected!!

Camping Shizzle

Tent - You cannot sleep outside!! I usually take a 3 man tent for just me, and all my shizzle.
Flashlight/Headlight - this will help finding your tent in the dark easier and that night-time walk to the loo so much safer!! Watch out for those guide ropes!!
Sleeping Bag - You'll be colder than a Baby Penguin without its dad without this!!
Sleeping Mat/Blow Up Mattress - The ground isn't that comfy after a night, so this will cushion your bottom.
Pillow - Makes for a great night’s sleep
Chair - if you're chilling in the camp site before the arena or the few days before the festival, you will love a chair. Sitting on the floor gets boring after a while.
Towel - Just a small one for if you want to wash your face on a morning, or a big one if you're going to brave the showers.
Snacks (non Melty) - Crisps, Bourbon biscuits, Custard Creams, Pot noodles (if you have a way to heat water, most of the fast food places will give you hot water for a small fee)
Bin Liners - if its muddy you can step into it and take your shoes off before getting in your tent = less muddy tent!! and for keeping your general camping area tidy.
Portable Phone Charger/Extra Battery - I always get a locker to keep my stuff safe and to charge my phone on an evening. If you're with certain networks they sometimes have places you can charge your phone for free.
Locker Charger - If you get a locker you usually need a changer that fits into a car port or USB.
Duct Tape - You never know what you'll need this for!!
BOOZE - Always in plastic bottles or Cans. Take whatever you can carry!!

Plastic Tumblers – For the Drinking of the Drinks
Lighter - You might need this....and it’s also a great way to talk to people (if you need the help)
Flat Water Bottle - So you can always have water at your tent, you should drink something else apart from booze all weekend.

Hope this helps you all

Stay positive

Nessa

Protein!!

So I took a little journey into a territory I don't really know that much about....Supplements!!


Having read some (lots) of different blogs, articles and links from Pinterest....

I realised that I should maybe try some supplements to help me on my slimming down journey.

So the ones that I have decided to try are:

Vitamin D - The Sunshine Vitamin!! This Coupled with Calcium can help support fat loss.
Calcium - Calcium is an essential mineral, this can help with fat loss and a lack of this can suppress the hormone called Calcitiol which is responsible for reducing fat burning.
Omega 3 - This is really great for your over all heath and has also been shown to stimulate fat burning.
CLA - this is an Omega 6 Fatty Acid, other Omega 6 fatty acids are known for not being very good for you. CLA can help support fat loss while promoting muscle growth.
Green Tea Extract - Its main active ingredient is Polyphenol Epigallocatechin Gallate. This helps increase the metabolic rate and fat burning.
Protein - This is really great for helping muscles repair after a work out, the Protein I have decided to get is Cookies and Cream Flavour from My Protein.com. It is the Diet Whey as I don't really want to start bulking up, I need to lose a few pounds before I can think about real heavy weight training.
http://www.myprotein.com/sports-nutrition/impact-diet-whey/10530657.html

Once they've all turned up and I've been taking them for a while I'll post again about how I'm finding them.

Keep it positive

Nessa

#AccaAwesome

I Won!!!

A few weeks ago I won a hamper of make up from Benefit!! It was like All my Christmases had come at once!!

Then last Thursday I received an e-mail from Stylist Magazine saying I had won 2 tickets to a preview showing of Pitch Perfect 2 with a Q&A with Anna Kendrick after!!!
I actually screamed!!! (Imagine the little girl from Despicable Me, when she's squeezing the Unicorn toy screaming "its so fluffy im gonna dieeeeeeee" that's me!!)

I love the first Pitch perfect movie!! So this was amazing, I entered the competition on a whim, as I guess most people who enter competitions do! I never think I'm actually gonna win, especially seen as I'd won the Benefit competition only a few weeks prior.

So here I am sat in Cafe Nero as I type waiting for my House mate to arrive and go and watch the preview!! Its being held at The Mayfair Hotel, which, no doubt, is gonna be far to posh for little old Northern me!! But I am going to LOVE every minute of it!!

Keep it Positive

Nessa

#Japlanning

Kawaii is my middle name (well if you asked my friends, they'd tell you that, and that mostly because I taught them that word (on the whole))

I want to go to Japan!!

So here is my start of research and planning, hence the title #Japlanning (Japan Planning)

I have a friend who I went to high school with, she's one of those people though we don't talk much anymore, we'll always be friends. We've all got them.

Her sister had just come back from a trip to Japan and she's written about it on her blog and I'm super glad she did!!

She mentioned how she booked her flights and thought they'd have ages to plan the rest, and how she was really wrong.

I want to go next March (which seems like ageees away) so I'm going to start by researching where I want to visit, the flights can come later.

Two websites I'm gong to start off with, I've listed below.

I'll post another when I've narrowed down all the places I want to visit.

Japan Guide - This is where I'm going to narrow down the activities and places I want to see.

Lonely Planet - Also going to use Lonely Planet to help with the geography so I can travel around easily.

Keep it positive

Nessa