Instagram | December 2013

Top Row, L-R

went to see catching fire again - got an iphone 5c - selfie from when i went to manchester

Middle Row, L-R

very happy with my christmas presents this year - our christmas tree! - got a canon eos 600d for christmas, so elated!

Bottom Row, L-R

my last christmas dance show - got these sweets for christmas and i'm in love - also got a new purse covered in owls!

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Playing Around with Bokeh

I got a Canon EOS 600D for Christmas, so I had a little play around with the manual focus and some Christmas lights to create some bokeh.

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Videos I Liked (w/c 23/12/13)

Obviously it's been two weeks since I did one of these, so I will only be doing videos from this week. Also the videos I liked from last year are basically just project for awesome videos and there's not much point in my sharing those now.

❅ Christmas Charades with Louise! ❅ - AmazingPhil

Dealing with Criticism - charlieissocoollike

The Suggs Christmas Past - Zoella

BEHIND THE SCENES OF NOFILTER SHOW - dailygrace

Top 5 Mistakes Americans Make In England! - Evan Edinger

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Waddup

Sorry I've been a bit MIA, I finished college for the term and I've had a really lovely christmas and I hope you have too! I'll be back tomorrow with my regularly scheduled blog post of videos I've liked.

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Videos I Liked (w/c 9/12/13)

Ice Skating at the Tower - Rosianna Halse Rojas

Cooking with a 3-Year-Old: Slobber Carrots and Gross Barbecue - vlogbrothers

YouTube Rewind: What Does 2013 Say? - YouTube

Outfit Of The Day & Tattoos! Vlogmas Day 10! - Tanya Burr

Elders React to Brain Surgery Vlog (CTFxC) - TheFineBros

Re: Red Liptstick

Early this morning I watched a video by two of my favourite YouTubers, Sanne and Leena, talking about wearing red lipstick including the anxiousness you may have upon wearing it as well as their favourite lipsticks. Hence, this post is in response to that video which you can watch here.

I've been wearing red lipstick for quite a long time as I've been dancing since I was five and your conventional 'stage show' make-up basically involves blue eyeshadow and red lipstick. Of course at that age, I only wore it at those opportunities. I think I started wearing it out and about when I was about 14, possibly? I did always have a sense of anxiousness when wearing it out initially (and I still do now), because of what people would think or whether it was too 'ordinary' an occasion to be wearing it. Over time I have started to wear it more, particularly to college and to family gatherings. I do have a small case of anxiety in general though, so that nervousness about wearing red lipstick will always be there I think. 

I on't really have a big enough collection of lipstick to define favourites, so here are my lipsticks in general. I started to develop into buying slightly different darker shades of lipstick when I was about 16 and the photo below was the first lipstick that I bought. It has more of a pink-shade to it so I felt that this was more neutral to be wearing out and about. I'm not a massive fan of Barry M lipsticks in general as they aren't very moisturising, and you have to put a good amount of lip balm on before applying otherwise your lips will look quite chapped.

Barry M 162

The lipstick below is probably my most shameful lipstick purchase...I JUST LOVE ONE DIRECTION OKAY. And I love Harry Styles, it's a nice shade of red and very creamy in general.

1D Lipstick Kiss You, Be Mine Harry

Sanne and Leena also encouraged people to go out wearing red lipstick and send them selfies of them doing so, and I did that today wearing this exact lipstick 

Selfie xoxo

The next lipstick I bought fairly recently and I had my eye on it for a while, because Zoella wears it all the time in her videos and it looked gorgeous. It's really similar to the Barry M lipstick but just a tad darker.

Rimmel London Kate Moss 107

The final lipstick is the first red lipstick that I ever bought, as well as it being the one that I wear for my dance shows as it's the brightest shade I have and pretty much perfect to wear on stage. Also it's from a cheap brand (Miss Sporty) so it's one that can be easily replaceable. And despite it being a cheap, it actually is a pretty decent lipstick and can't particularly fault it.

Miss Sporty Malaga 058

And here are the swatches of all the lipsticks!

Videos I Liked (w/c 2/12/13)

I'm going to get into blogging a hell of a lot more, I have some ideas for posts and I'm going to try to stick to a schedule of posting on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. For when I post on Fridays, I'm going to be doing a weekly segment where I share YouTube videos that I've liked this week! Also it's nicer to share content from people I like and give them a bit of a signal boost. 

Boys In Books Are Better - Carrie Hope Fletcher

Meet Your First Black Girlfriend - smoothiefreak

Microwave Olympics - communitychannel

I inspired The Hunger Games - JackHoward

NEW CHRISTMAS SONGS - dailygrace

Instagram | November 2013

Only a few instagrams this month, but here's a round-up nonetheless!

Top Row L-R

train journey to stoke-on-trent for a university interview - imagine dragons @ manchester apollo

Bottom L-R

had my final ballet exam this month - also this month I did my photography essay, here's an example of a time I was feeling quite unmotivated to do it...

Letters To November // 30

Dear November,

Here is a belated final letter to you. This month has been very hectic and stressful and at times I could have been a lot happier, and I wish I had been.
In particular today, I've felt extremely overwhelmed and ended up having a breakdown over my frustrations over something as trivial as clothes.
I'm looking forward to December though, however. I love Christmas so it will be a really exciting time. Then looking to the future of next November, I'm definitely going to do NaNoWriMo. I am determined to so it properly and plan everything out beforehand, so hopefully I'll win.

It's been nice knowing you November, but I'm glad you're over.

Letters To November // 29

Dear November,

The penultimate day was okay just about. Sometimes I felt pretty alone despite being surrounded by people. As well as being frustrated and confused by certain people.

The evening was better than expected and I was so tired that I could barely keep my eyes open. And writing this has just reminded me of the amount of TV I need to catch up on.

I really can't wait for December though, because I LOVE Christmas and this year's is going to be excellent.

Letters To November // 28

Dear November,

Today was rather average. The day at college was pretty good, if a little boring. I also spent a lot of time comforting friends in the evening.

Sorry for the very short letter, I just don't have a lot to say about this day.

Letters To November // 27

Dear November,

Today you began with an early morning and nervous anticipation. I had an interview for a university and got the response that I've always wanted to receive to my work and my skills. Celebration then commenced with a meal with the family in the evening.

Today was definitely worth the 6am wake-up call.

Letters To November // 25 & 26

Dear November,

I'm not really sure anymore whether I genuinely don't have time to blog or whether I'm just procrastinating. Because I certainly haven't been able to keep track this week with writing letters like I promised. However these two days were very stressful and resulted in quite a few spot breakouts. One day in which (the 25th) I ended up having a breakdown from the stress of completing my portfolio for my interview.

November is almost over and I have mixed feelings about this month which I will summarise on Saturday.

Letters To November // 11-24

Dear November,

I think the fact that I haven't written a letter in two weeks just proves how busy I've been. I've hardly had time to stop for a second and think to myself about how I'm feeling. The first week, 11-17th, was a combination of feelings. Mainly in stress in order to comply a photography coursework deadline, then on the 14th I attended a concert which was completely amazing and worth queuing a few hours in the cold for. It wasn't worth it the next day, however. Getting up late and you throat and body being agony, really isn't the best. I really just wanted to hand in my photography coursework and go. I spent a few hours in solitude resting when I got home which was nice and I managed to cheer up a bit after seeing my favourite band on TV during a charity telethon. Oh and I got tickets this week to see said favourite band.

The proceeding days involved me attempting to get better, although still now I wake up every morning with a sore throat which is so horrible. Then this week was stressful and frustrating as I was trying to get some support from my teacher Re: my university portfolio. I understand she's busy, but I really want it to be perfect in order to get me an actual offer at a university. Speaking of which, I still need to complete a digital portfolio for Tuesday and get her to check it. I had great moment of happiness this week with seeing eagerly anticipated films and 50th anniversary specials of cult TV shows.

This proceeding week is going to be stressful also, my life does really seem to be just a huge ball of stress. I haven't watched a TV show or film in ages and that makes me sad. I also have my first university interview on Wednesday which I'm so nervous for as I've already suffered a rejection from one university and I really want to gain something from this university to make up for it.

I will try to be better at writing letters in the last week of the month, but I can't exactly promise anything.

Letters To November // 10

Dear November,

I spent the Sabbath day exactly how it was meant to be spent - doing nothing. It was so nice to relax and watch cartoons whilst reading a book and just to do nothing for once. I do know I have some organisational things to do, but those can be done later, as always.

The forthcoming week is going to be stressful but exciting and it is most likely that the weekend will be the one thing I will be looking forward to.

I also had a realisation today about actually how good my life has gotten? More than two years ago I was close to self-harming and wanting to end it all and I'm so glad I didn't. 2013 has been the best year of my life and I couldn't be more thankful.

Letters To November // 09

Dear November,

I felt a mixture of feelings today - from nervousness, to anxiousness and even to relaxation. Also being filled with worry about things isn't great either, but at least I was productive today and got things done. Even if it wasn't all that I wanted to do.

Instagram | October 2013

Didn't take many instagram photos in October, but here is a belated round-up nonetheless of some things that happened last month!

L-R

went to town and spent way too much, bought four books and some beauty things - finally received my 'The Fault in our Stars' ring from flirtyduets - went to my friend's 18th and got a bit tipsy... - visited Center Parcs during half term and did a cupcake decorating class - also at Center Parcs I went to the spa and had a manicure

Letters To November // 08

Dear November,

TGIF. Literally. Today was filled with inspirational videos, college stresses and good prospects. I experiences enjoyment, and frustration from watching Glee for the first time after a long hiatus.

Not much else to say about today, apart from I possibly slightly regret staying up until 1am.

Letters To November // 07

Dear November,

I seriously just want this week to end. I suddenly feel quite sad and I'm attempting to use Christmas songs to cheer me up.
I'm also sad at the fact I'm in such a reading slump and just haven't had the time to read.
I fully intend this weekend to just do all my work on one day, then do nothing and just watch films and tv shows in bed for the other day. I just feel kind of done with everything.

Letters To November // 06

Dear November,

Luckily today has been pretty easy as Wednesdays usually are. I did do some productive things with my mostly free day along with a decent amount of procrastination and potentially wasting my time on watching terrible TV shows.

But it's never great when you become prepared for something and then that thing is cancelled, like today. Also it isn't great when it's a certain time you should be going to bed, (like right now) but you aren't tired at all. Additionally it isn't great when you can't access the site, in which to find out what is happening with my academic future.

Right now, I just want this week to be over really.

Letters To November // 05

Dear November,

Tiredness has creeped back into my day. But I've been productive at least at some points with little stresses during my day. As well as the end of my day being filled with exciting prospects for next year despite the horrible weather.

Letters To November // 04

Dear November,

I am so very tired already. Starting back at college again was rather painful to say the least and being by yourself with no work during free time isn't the greatest either. As well as not even remembering work that was set and having to write an essay the night before. Along with doing so many other things that I forgot to do that are needed for tomorrow, I know I'll feel better once I do them.

Letters To November // 03

Dear November,

It's always good to get a good rest. But then to have a very slow start to the day isn't always good. I gained happiness today from watching livestreams of events but the rest of the day was rather timid and uninteresting. Hurriedly completing tasks for college almost last minute isn't always great, but what else was I supposed to do?

Back at college tomorrow and I'm not really looking forward to it to be entirely honest. Lets see how it goes.

Letters To November // 02

Dear November,

Today was a day filled with prospects and excitement. Viewing places that I could potentially be studying at for the next three years. As well as my day being filled with tiredness from an early wake-up call to travel to Leeds and then traipsing around the city centre in the rain to get back home.

A few times today I was on the verge of crying. And a few times today I was just kind of tired with life as well as unexpected different things happened. I hope tomorrow will be better.

Letters To November // 01

I was thinking of trying to do NaNoWriMo this year, but I'm so busy with college work so that would be pretty impossible. Instead I have taken inspiration from emilieofnewgloom's video project that she did in July, where she basically wrote a letter to each day about how she's feeling. You can watch them here and I thought this would be good to do in November instead of NaNo because I'm still writing something and it's not as intimidating as 50,000 words.

---

Dear November,

You have started whilst I was having a break from the constant regime of going to college and coming home again, but soon I will have to start that regime again for another good six weeks.
October was a funny month, there were exciting prospects of university open days and actually applying to university and a party celebrating my friend's 'coming of age'.
I remember being sad for the most part of October though, due to my lack of money and the frustrations of college work. I was mainly just waiting for the month to be ending. But I'm excited for what November will hopefully bring.

Books Are My Bag Haul

http://www.booksaremybag.com/

Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple

A Hologram For The King by Dave Eggers

A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen

Quiet by Susan Cain

Book Wishlist

Continuing with my idea to create wishlists on this blog, here is a long overdue book wishlist.

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Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg

How To Be A Woman by Caitlin Moran

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Mr Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Harry, a History by Melissa Anelli

Mutton by India Knight

Porto, Portugal 2013

This summer from the 12-19th of July we went to Porto in Portugal. It was just a simple city break along with going to a few beaches. 

I did have a nice time, but I missed being in a place though where every local knows a good amount English and the weather was a little bit disappointing. It was cloudy all of the time, when it was in fact pretty sunny leaving some of us to become very burnt. 

Other than that, I enjoyed seeing everything and walking along listening to my audiobook.

Instagram | September 2013

I saw a few bloggers doing these and I thought it would be a nice idea to do! Every month I will collate my instagram photos and reflect on/tell you about the past month. Hope you enjoy! 

Top Row L-R

seeing wicked the musical, for the third time in manchester - bought lush's superbalm scalp treatment in order to sort out my horrible scalp - also bought 1D's lipstick...

Middle Row L-R

all of this row is basically me seeing mcfly at the royal albert hall (20th and 21st) for their ten year anniversary. it was absolutely incredible!

Bottom L-R

saw les mis whilst in london for mcfly and met carrie hope fletcher again - forever buying gay magazines for boy bands - selfie after i got my haircut 

NY // 07 - Staten Island

From the ghetto~ area, we took the Staten Island Ferry and saw the Statues of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge and the glorious New York skyline in general.

Thought it would be an idea to create a visual wishlist of clothes that I want from this year's Autumn/Winter collections and share them. All the items shown are from New Look and I think may I do this with other shops too! Or maybe even do book wishlists too!

Summer 2013

I start college again next Monday and I just wanted to let out my thoughts about this summer.

One pretty god damn amazing event happened this summer, LeakyCon London. It definitely was the best weekend of my life and I'm still in denial that it's over. Other than that my summer has been spent in solitude. When I finished college my parents and I went on holiday to Porto, Portugal which was nice and that's all I can really say about it. We saw some lovely things but the weather was just a bit disappointing, because it was completely overcast all week. Of course the cloud deluded us to the presence and temperature of the sun, resulting in my mum getting very burnt and me moderately burnt. I got a good tan anyway, although my skin was peeling for weeks afterwards.

I've been quite unmotivated this summer and been using this idea I had to vlog as much as possible during this month which has been mildly successful. It hasn't been so successful when I've been lazy or my editing software hasn't cooperated. Before Leaky, I was going to bed at roughly 11pm, getting up at 10am, not going to get ready until 1pm and some points not finishing lunch until 3pm. After Leaky, I was going to bed at 1am and getting up at 12pm. I was still tired after this 11 hour sleep and this affected my motivation.

I haven't gone out a lot this summer due to money and I think I went to town once or twice. The days that my Ddad has been off he's gone on walks, but I don't usually enjoy those and I'm usually not awake by the time he goes out anyway. Being inside for most of summer has led to my Dad becoming worried that I'm becoming a social recluse...well I've been a recluse for a while now so clearly he doesn't know me that well if he's only just noticing that.

Other than some significant events, everything else this summer has been timid. In true Karis fashion, I've left everything that I wanted to do until the last week. Including some research task/presentation I have to do for dance.

The week after Leaky I received my A Level Results and they were pretty good as I got an A in Photography, B in Media Studies and a B in Sociology. The first result I saw on my sheet though was my Dance result which was a D. I was pretty much heartbroken, as Dance is a subject I'm passionate about and done since I was five. Particularly as I wanted to continue this subject and discontinue studying Media Studies. The head of department tried to convince me to carry on Media Studies, she did pretty much tell me that I would get a D in A2 althought that's just encourage me to work even harder to do better. I am going to resit this years theory paper though as I was 10 marks away from a C. I was sobbing for half an hour after I found my results, I'm very lucky though to have supportive friends and a supportive Sociology teacher to console me and feel a bit better.

I always say to myself I'm gonna try to blog more, but despite the load of work I've got to do. I'm gonna at least try to do a blog post a week (if I have an idea) in my spare time. Sorry for the very long post, but I hope you enjoyed reading :)

Birthday Book Haul

The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Chopsticks: A Novel by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral

My Idea Bookshelf, edited by Thessaly La Force

LeakyCon Book Haul

Candor by Pam Bachorz

Boy Nobody by Allan Zadoff

Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling

The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

NY // 06 - Ghetto/Subway/SoHo/Things

On our second to last day in New York, we took the Subway down to the Staten Island Ferry and took a boat across to the Island and saw the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty etc. (post on that coming soon)

The area we arrived in was quite a 'ghetto' area with a lot of signs of deprivation which I thought was a nice contrast and we then walked on to the SoHo area, where China Town and Little Italy was also located and did some more shopping.

I was really pleased with some of the photos I took whilst there, and they made a nice contribution to my photography exam project. As I was showing the negative contrasts, I experimented a bit with adding some gradients to the photos as well as doing a series of simply black and white photos to show the bleakness.