GIVEAWAY/GADGET REVIEW // CASETAGRAM PERSONALIZED IPHONE CASE

A few weeks ago I won Bonjour Luce's giveaway to win a personalized iPhone 4/5 or iPad case with Casetagram. I didn't expect to win because I rarely ever win anything, but surprisingly enough Luce contact me via Twitter not long afterwards to tell me I'd won! As soon as I recieved my code, I logged onto the website to design my case. 

Like Luce, I chose to use photos from my instagram because photos are always much more arty and better quality with instragram, but you have loads of options of what photos to use. You can upload them straight, or link your Facebook to use photos from there. The design page is very easy to use ; you can choose a variety of different patterns and designs and can be really creative. I took ages trying to decide what photos to use, there were so many I wanted to fit on there! In the end I managed to fit 19 photos on my case.

It arrived in beautiful packaging and I was more than pleased when I opened it all. The case is great quality, the photos are spot on and very clear too. The case fits perfectly and it's so nice to finally have an iPhone case! I think it's a great idea that Casetagram offer you the chance to design your own - what better way to show off all your favourite photos of your friends and family than on the back of your iPhone?

I chose just a few of my photos from the past year or so. It wasn't easy - there were so many different memories I wanted to display on the case! But generally I chose a mix of themed nights out, photos with my friends and family, a photo with Jasper, photos with some of my favourite bands, my favourite bands logo and a couple of travel photos too. I also chose a favourite quote of mine, which, even though is quite small, is still easy to read!

I also had a look through Casetagram's website and thought all the other designs they offer are very cute and stylish too. One of my favourite personalized designs was where you could arrange your photos into a heart shape across two cases - which is ideal for couples! It's all very cheap and affordable too which is great.

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REFLECTION

Today's post is a little different but it's something that I think is quite important and thought provoking anyway, so let me know what you think.

I'm the type of person who often finds it hard to forge long term friendships, or at least keep them going. When I left for university I had no clue that the friendships with those back home would change and only a few years on and a lot HAS changed. I no longer speak to friends who I once considered best friends, or who I had known all my life. Perhaps we just grew apart or realized we had little in common anymore.

But for the first time in a long time, I feel like I fit in somewhere. I think it's important to note and remember times when your life is going well and to sit back and appreciate it because life is filled with ups and downs. Right now, I'm extremely content with my life and the relationships I have with people are a big part of that reason.

Image found via Tumblr

I think it's so easy to forget about the people that are in our every day life's and just how important they are to you. Perhaps these people are the people that have been there through it all. They've been there for your highs, but most importantly your lows too. Or maybe they're people you haven't known for long, but have clicked with instantly.

In the past year or so have become closer to old friends, made new friends and forged new relationships with some people I am more than grateful for. I've never been the type of person who has a big group of friends, but right now I am more than content with our little group which seems to be just the right size. I've come to realize that even when I'm having days when I feel far too tired to do anything, I usually end up having some of the best nights with these friends. Or there are even times when I'm bored and feeling down - rather then sticking on a movie to just take my mind off things like I used to, it's nice to know that I can now rely on these people. Just a simple message to any of them and immediately I am flooded with suggestions on how we can spend that night.

The relationships aren't perfect. There are a few relationships in my life that are still just beginning ; still filled with confliction and complication, but nonetheless I'm still grateful to have them there. Some nights I could be playing crazy golf tipsy before driving all the way to London for a Krispy Kreme donut and other nights I could just be grabbing a bottle of wine and heading over for a movie night and cuddles; each day and night can be as random as the next but no matter how down I may have felt beforehand, I always end up with a smile on my face.

And maybe I won't be friends with these people forever. Maybe we'll grow apart like I have done with other friends. And I hope that doesn't happen. But it's what's happening right now which is important. We're creating memories together, becoming as close as family and laughing so hard that it hurts our sides. Even if we're not friends in ten years time, we'll still have these great memories to look back on.

Not long ago I used to take a lot of my friendships for granted, but now I've learnt not to. It's hard to remember just how important friends are when you're used to being alone after pushing everyone away which is why you should never let yourself get into that position. When I graduated and came home and realized most of my friendships were over, it hurt, but I threw myself head first into working. And when I wasn't working or spending time with family, I just chilled by myself. Naturally I'm the type of person who likes their own space sometimes. My lack of close friends didn't bother me - not at first anyway. And then when things began to change I realized just how much I missed the friendships. The gossping, the giggling and the nights out.

Image found via Tumblr

I wouldn't change any of it for the world right now. So if you ever find yourself feeling like life is getting away, try to remember to appreciate those close to you. We ALL know what it's like when everyone is working/growing up/too skint to make time for each other. One cancelled lunch turns into months without catching up and before you know it you've grown apart. The great thing about real friendships is that no matter how long it's been, you can always count on them, but that's still no excuse. Don't let it happen, even if just a rejection to one little night out doesn't seem to be a big deal. It's not, but soon enough it will be. Remember to make time for your friends. You need friendships to fall back on, even when it's just when you need to let your hair down after a long and stressful week at work.

Life doesn't wait for anyone and you never know what could happen next week. Right now be the last time in a long time that you feel so happy, so make the absolute most of it while you still can.

And sometimes; don't be afraid to go all out. Laugh about the inside jokes for as long as you can, then write them down somewhere so you can laugh again at a later date. Take loads of photographs. Even when you shouldn't, splash out every now and then just to do something different. And appreciate not only the memories, but the people too.

It's rarely about where you are or what you're doing. It's about the company.

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FILM REVIEW // NICK & NORAH'S INFINITE PLAYLIST

Image from Google

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist has been a favourite movie of mine for a few years now and I don't think I'll ever grow tired of it. Although at first it looks like a typical rom-com movie, it's anything but. It's quirky and different and is one of those indie films that has an amazing soundtrack. It is based on the novel of the same name by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (I'll be reviewing the book soon too so keep an eye out!)

The film follows two teenagers - Nick and Norah - over the course of a night where they are kind of forced together to find Norah's drunken best friend who had gone missing, and to find the secret venue where their favourite band will be playing. The night is an humourous adventure from start to finish as the two get to know each other better. Nick is dealing with an ex girlfriend who he can't get over, whereas Norah is stuck in a 'relationship' which isn't making her happy. It's obvious to everyone but them that each other is the answer ; but somehow the two of them can't see it.

I really loved that their characters didn't exactly click right away. In so many rom-coms we see couples clicking immediately and feeling that attraction when in reality this rarely ever happens - when you meet someone you end up liking, it doesn't always get off to a good start. I loved that this film was much more realistic. Nick is still getting over his ex so of course he doesn't fall for Norah right away and likewise she finds his inability to move on annoying.

In fact, together, the two are quite awkward which I absolutely loved. We rarely see this in films but it's so refreshing and realistic to see them both shy and awkward around each other. But it's adorable to watch - it isn't off putting or embarassing - it's sweet.

At first I found the character of Nick annoying in this way too, frustrated that he couldn't see how wrong his ex girlfriend was for him. I also felt his role had been done far too many times by Michael Cera and it wasn't anything new. However, Michael Cera did play the role well and by the end of the film, just like Nick finally managed to see what was right in front of him, I found myself loving the character by the end. I think again this was because it was so realistic ; as he tended to realize it was time to move on, his annoying puppy dog love for his ex faded - which was essentially annoying me about the character.

Image from Google

The character of Nick's ex girlfriend, Tris, was very annoying, but obviously that was the whole point. The actress who played her, Alexis Dziena, played the role very well and I think even by the end of the film I felt sorry for her just a little. She clearly didn't know what she wanted - she didn't want Nick anymore, but she didn't want anyone else to have him either. 

The film very much felt like an adventure and I felt like I was along for the ride with the two characters too. We've all had never ending nights where we end up doing the most random things ; looking after our drunk best friend, desperate to see some good bands with some good company - I loved the whole premise of the film, as well as the messages behind it.

The film had an amazing soundtrack too - there was a real mix of indie, rock and upbeat music that reflected the characters perfectly. I also loved the characters of Nick's band (and Lethario!) who were hilarious - I'd do anything to have friends like that. They were great in that they kind of just took Norah under their wing and insisted on helping getting her and Nick together because they knew right away she was right for him.

I'd definitely recommend this film - its fun, lighthearted and has an awesome soundtrack so if anything, you'll definitely get into some new bands by watching this film. It's also fun to watch just to see Kat Dennings in such a different role compared to what she normally does. To most people this film would just be a rom-com, but for anyone who likes anything different it's definitely a quirky indie film worth a watch.

Finally, the film has some amazing quotes. Here are my favourites. 

Nick: You don't have to yell. It's not a train station. We're in a tiny car.

Thom: Would someone mind telling me where we're going?

Norah: You know how some people like to eat at the same places?

Nick: Yeah.

Norah: Well Caroline likes to barf in the same places.

Norah: Are you sad that we missed it?

Nick: We didn't miss it. This *is* it. 

Thom: You just haven't figured it out yet, have you?

Nick: What?

Thom: ...The big picture!

Nick: I guess not.

Thom: The Beatles.

Nick: What about them?

Thom: This. *He grabs Nick's hand* Look, other bands, they want to make it about sex or pain, but you know, The Beatles, they had it all figured out, okay? "I Want to Hold Your Hand." The first thing. It's effing brilliant, right?...That's what everybody wants, Nicky. They don't want a twenty-four-hour hump sesh, they don't want to be married to you for a hundred years. They just want to hold your hand.

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P.S Check out the Film Reviews tag for a mooch at some of my other reviewed films!

Holiday at 'Home'

My sister lives in a beautiful village in the middle of Woburn, and her house is beyond cosy. Herself and her boyfriend recently got a gorgeous puppy too, who is currently only eight weeks old. So when they went on holiday last week, I of course couldn't wait to move in temporaily to house sit/dog sit. I couldn't wait really - I just wanted to spend the week relaxing and soaking up the sunshine, taking the puppy on long countryside walks and catching up on all the TV shows I'm behind on. So I packed the massive Supernatural seasons 1-5 box set (thanks again for lending me it Bex!), some clothes, my trusty converse trainers and moved in for the week.

Although in the end I really didn't do much apart from laze around and get really addicted to Snapchat (I did plan to go on a few runs but looking after the puppy was so much responsibility!), but it's a really lovely area that she lives in anyway so here are some photos from the week.

In the past, I've loved the idea of saving up enough money and move into my own place, but now I'm not so sure. Although I'm old enough to probably have my own place by now, this week taught me just how lonely it could get! Once I'd dropped the puppy back to Stuart's mums, I was by myself in the middle of nowhere and didn't know what to do with myself. Luckily a few friends came over on Friday so we went down to the local for food and karaoke. That was a pretty fun night and then, on Sunday, my parents took pity on me and drove out so we all went out for Sunday lunch. It was very nice though but of course I'm glad to be home.

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Mini Shopping Haul

So yesterday I had a little time spare between a job interview and work so I had a mooch in town. I ended up in TK Maxx which was a huge mistake being that I hadn't actually planned to buy anything. But as always, TX Maxx is stocking the most gorgeous edgy stuff so I couldn't resist buying these three tops. Also, I've been planning to start doing some shopping haul posts for ages now. I was going to do a video instead but my hair is looking bad today and I still haven't unpacked from my sisters house haha.

I love this black top because at the front it just looks basic but the back is completely lace. It's flirty and revealing without being too over the top and I love any tops that have an interesting back. I have a similar top in cream too and think this top would spruce up a simple outfit of just jeans and flats. 

I wasn't too sure about this top at first because it looked a bit short and my wardrobe doesn't tend to have much block colour. But once I tried it on it actually looked really nice and I thought it would be great to have some brighter coloured edgy/punk tops that aren't white or black! I can't help but think this would look amazing with a pair of skinny black jeans which is of course an excuse for me to finally purchase a pair from Topshop.

Finally I love this top because the anchor design is just too cute (but it's very scene, I know!). I like the little rhinestones on it and it's kind of short which means it'll be perfect for summer. I think it would look great with a pair of denim shorts and my converse or maybe some biker boots. It also reminds me so much of Dougie Poynter's clothing range, Saint Kidd, which I've yet been unable to afford anything from. This top can tide me over until I can!

Altgoether these tops cost me less than £25 which is so cheap. I always love going into TK Maxx because they have a really cheap range of quirky tops like these and often they're one offs. If you don't buy them there and then you'll miss out, which I discovered yesterday when I was hoping to buy a top I'd seen but not bought last time I was in there! It's nice to know that they're one of a kind. These tops would be perfect for the many gigs I've got coming up this year which (so far!) include Kids In Glass Houses, The Dead Famous, Funeral For A Friend, Madina Lake and finally Bowling For Soup.

Having discovered some new gig buddies has been one of my favourite things about this year. My new years resolution has been to go to more gigs and it looks like I'm fulfilling it. So many awesome bands to see!

I also picked up some more candles after buying a cute black one a few weeks back. A bit gothic, I know, but they look lovely in my room and to be honest I didn't even know you could buy black candles.

Have you had any sucessful shopping hauls lately? What do you think of TK Maxx? Most of my friends seem to find it really cheap and filled with junk, but me and family love it - I've always found so many great quirky buys in there!

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