Thursday 27 August 2015

My Go-To Smoothie


Hey guys!

I've been overly-obsessed with making smoothies this summer and I just can't get enough! Not only do smoothies taste amazing, but they also provide your body with essential vitamins and nutrients. What's better than that?! *Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate* - CARA NO.

I thought I'd share with you all my favourite go-to smoothie at the moment and it's so easy to make!

All you need is a blender, fruit, yogurt and water.

This one contains lots of berries - yum!



Ingredients:

4/5 Strawberries                                                                             3/4 Raspberries

6 smallish slices of Pineapple                                                      a handful of Blueberries

1 or 2 spoonful's of Vanilla yogurt                                               Water

I sometimes add 3/4 grapes and blackberries too, but we never had any in when I made this one.

Once all the fruit and yogurt are in the cup (or whatever you use for your blender), fill it to the max line with cold water. I tend to usually fill it just above the max line to make it that little bit thinner.

Place everything in your blender and keep it on for just under a minute (or more if you want it even smoother).


Then take it off and there you have it! A great tasting and incredibly pink smoothie! Seriously though, it is heaven. This one and a mango one are my absolute favourite ones to make. I highly recommend for you all to try these because they - hopefully - won't disappoint!



What's your favourite smoothie to make?

Have a great day!

Cara x

Monday 24 August 2015

10 Things I've Learned During First Year


Hey guys!

Since its 2 weeks until freshers week - yes 2 WEEKS!! The last 3 and a half months have gone far too quick! - I've decided to share with you all 10 things that I have learned during my first year of university.

1. Come out of your comfort zone. You won't be able to experience new and exciting stuff fully without doing so. Break free and you will amaze yourself of what you can do when you put your mind to it.
 
2. Stop putting yourself down. I'm really bad at putting myself down all the time. When I stopped doing that with my coursework, I began to love my drawing and design style and began to love my work a lot more and looked at it in a different perspective.
 
3. Ask questions. Who cares if no one else does? Ask your lil' heart away. Everyone else is probably wondering the same thing, so grow some balls and ask a lecturer yourself. It shows them you're wanting to learn and do well in that certain subject.
 
4. Stay after hours. Yeah, this might make you a 'geek' or a 'dork' or whatever but if you need more time with the resources provided stay until you're too tired to work anymore. I done this a few times leading up to hand-ins, either in the computer suites to type up essays and finish things for CAD or the sewing workshop to finish a paper pattern for a dress etc. It helped me so much and those extra hours helped me achieve the grades I got and I couldn't be more thankful.
 
5. It's 5 o'clock somewhere in the world. Any excuse for a relaxing drink with friends after a stressful and hard day at uni.
 
6. Read, read, READ! Maybe reading isn't your strong point but it helps so so much! If a lecturer recommends a book, get it. Do not hesitate and say 'awk I doubt I'll need that, I'll just get the notes from lectures'. Don't be that guy. I agree that notes from lectures do help but doing extra reading for a subject makes a huge difference and you'll feel a lot more confident coming up to exam time. I know I certainly did.
 
7. University is not High School. You have the freedom to do things when you want to do them. No one can tell you otherwise (unless you live with your parents like me lols). You get treated as an adult and it feels great. There are more people like you than you thought. You thought you were the only weird one? Think again.
 
8. You grow as a person. This may be an obvious point but to me, I never thought it was possible to do so as quick as it did. In a year I have become a more independent and confident person. I don't care (as much) what people think of me, I'm not afraid to show off what I can do and I've made amazing friends when doing so. 
 
9. Don't leave finishing deadlines to the last minute. I done this a few times last year and I regretted it big time. Even though I handed everything in and passed, I was rushing at the last minute. For two or three of my hand-ins I was, no joke, still finishing it 5 minutes before the time was up. So much stress and frustration builds up and you think of giving up but you just can't! Make sure you get it all completed in plenty of time and have a relaxing hand-in morning instead of basically dying and crawling to your lecturer with your work.
 
10. And finally, always do what makes you happy. Laugh as loud and as much as you can; act stupid with your friends; if a way of working starts to get boring - spice it up a little. Be spontaneous. You don't need to dress or act a way to please someone - be you. Turn up to classes in your pjs, does it matter what other people think? No, not really. Don't feel like you can't act yourself or do something you love because there will always be someone there waiting to find someone with the same interests as them. You're not alone.
 
University may not be for everyone, but some of these points can relate to anywhere. Keep doing you and don't stop for anyone.

Hope you're all having a great day!
 
Cara x

Friday 21 August 2015

My Last Few Days In Pictures

Hey guys!

As I said in my Liebster Award Tag, I've had a really busy last few days! Probably one of the busiest weeks I've had since May (oops, just shows how lazy I can be!).

Instead of going on for ages about my week and what I've all been up to, I thought I'd make this a picture post, so you can experience some of the beautiful sites I've had the pleasure to see this week.

18/08/15 - Edinburgh

Indoor picnic because the weather was so bad!


 


 


 



 
We went to an A cappella group's show at the Fringe - All the King's Men - and they were absolutely amazing! If you ever get the chance to see one of their shows, I highly recommend going, they won't disappoint!
 
Far too many stairs for my liking

 
 

19-20/08/15 - Dundee

 

Pizza Hut delivery *heart eyes emoji*


 
This is such a nice pub! Live music and cheap drinks - what more would you want?

After here we went to Underground but it was far too dark for me to take pictures *cries*


We went shopping in Dundee and of course I ended up buying more makeup.. I'm such a disaster! Here are my fab buys:

Lip liner

Eye shadow

Eye paint pot
Hope you all had a great week as well!

Cara x

Liebster Award ~Tag~


Hey guys!

First, I want to apologise for my lack of posts this week. From gallivanting in Edinburgh and Dundee, I've been incredibly busy. However, this might just mean you'll be getting a double update today. HOORAAY!

Secondly, I just want to say thank you to everyone who follows me on Bloglovin'. Just over 2 weeks and I've already got over 100 followers, thank you, thank you, thank you!

Lets get on with this tag then, shall we?

I'm so happy and excited about writing this because I've been nominated by 3 wonderful people with amazing blogs - B Shannon, Georgia Charlotte and Miel and Mint. Thank you so much, I'm over the moon haha. I just started this blog about 2 weeks ago to cure my boredom, and now I've been nominated for this award! It's crazy how many of you read my posts - I love you all!


Liebster Award Rules

  • Once nominated, make a post thanking and linking your nominator's blog.
  • Include the Liebster Award's sticker in the post as well (you can copy it from above).
  • Nominate 10 other new bloggers that have 200 or less followers who you think are worthy of this award and include their links in your post. Also, make sure that you let them know they've been nominated by commenting on one of their posts. You can nominate the person who nominated you.
  • Answer the 10 questions asked to you by your nominator (these questions should be on their post). And make 10 questions of your own for your nominees to answer.
  • Finally, copy these rules onto your post.

Georgia Charlotte's question answers:

1. Favourite song(s)? This is a hard one for me because I just love too many! I'll try narrow it down to 3.. Ed Sheeran - 'Autumn Leaves', All Time Low - 'Paint You Wings' and 5 Seconds of Summer - 'If You Don't Know'.

2. Are you a reader? Any book recommendations? Yes, yes, yes! I'm a huge lover of books and i highly recommend any of John Green's books because they are fabulous!

3. What is or was your favourite school subject? In school I was a huge lover of art, I still am, but my favourite subject had to be History.
4. What are 3 places you really want to visit? I actually haven't been to many places actually so there's a lot of places I would really like to visit. The main 3 would probably be Australia, Greece and New York.

5. What would be your dream job? My dream job would have to be working for a huge and successful fashion company or owning my own fashion company.

6. What's your must-have beauty related product and why? At the moment I'm obsessed with Benefit's 'They're real! push-up liner'. It makes putting on eye liner that little bit easier and the shape of the pen ables you to get the perfect wing and it stays on all day. I'm in love with it!
7. If you could have a day out with any celebrity, who would it be and why? This is a tricky one.. Can i choose 4? Well technically its one band so that kind of counts, right? I would love to have a day out with 5SOS because who wouldn't?? I just think it would be so fun since they're all total goofballs and I'm one too. Would be the perfect day tbh. If they don't count then probably Cara Delevingne because she is queen. I love her personality so much and since we have the same name it'll be the start of a great friendship.

8. Favourite Harry Potter character? This is another really tricky one! I've been a huge fan of HP for years now and I love them all. However, I especially love Dobby or Ron (Ron, Ron, Ron Weasly!).

9. Who's your favourite band, or artist? Ahhh, I can't answer this, I have too many haha! If I had to choose one it would have to be Twin Atlantic.

10. Finally, shoes or clothes? I'd have to say clothes for this one. Definitely clothes!


B Shannon's question answers:

1. Top 3 TV shows? The Walking Dead, Gossip Girl, American Horror Story.

2. What's on your beauty wishlist? Everything MAC pretty much. I just want all the beautiful shimmery eye shadows and their amazing lipsticks haha!

3. Do you prefer hair care or skin care products? Probably skin care products.

4. Favourite book? This is really hard because I have loads of favourite books but one I keep rereading is The Fault In Our Stars by John Green because the book is amazing, better than the film (sorry Ansel and Shailene, ily).

5. Which celebrities makeup are you inspired by? I'm not really a fan of them but its got to be the Kardashian/Jenner clan. Their makeup is always on point and I just want to cry when flicking through all of their instagram profiles.

6. Favourite youtubers? I don't keep up with a lot of the youtubers that I used to be obsessed with anymore, so for this I'll have to say Joe Sugg and Tyler Oakley.

7. Which brand of makeup is your favourite? Probably either MAC or Benefit.

8. How would you describe your fashion style? This is a tricky one because I don't just have one style.. One day I could look really girly and the next a complete grunge tomboy haha.

9. Go-to accessories? My Pandora bracelets and rings. I don't go anywhere without them, unless its work. .

10. What are your favourite phone apps? Hmm probably Snapchat, Whitagram, Instagram and Puzzle 11 - I'm addicted to this stupid game!

Miel and Mint's question answers:

1. Favourite place you've ever visited? Well my favourite place is Portstewart in Northern Ireland but if we're talking about cities and different countries, I'll have to go with either Paris or London.

2. Top three TV shows/TV series? I watch far too many series and my top three always changes. My usual top three is The Walking Dead, American Horror Story and Gossip Girl.

3. Favourite make-up brand? MAC or Benefit.

4. Can't-live-without item? Hmm either my sewing machine, straightners or phone.

5. Your favourite blogger? I have too many, I can't answer this!

6. What do you like most about your own blog? This is a hard one to answer since I haven't had it for long but I like just writing down all my thoughts and letting you all read what goes on inside my crazy head.

7. Best advice you can give to a friend? If they ruin your mascara, they're not worth it. ha!

8. What is the most recent book you've read & did you like it? 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn and I absolutely loved it! Highly recommend it.

9. Favourite online shopping website? ASOS all the way.

10. What makes you smile? Seeing my favourite artists live; big hugs; being with family and friends; people remembering small things about me; beautiful sunsets; walks along the beach with sand between my toes; finding that perfect outfit; laughing until we can't laugh anymore and cups of tea - lots and lots of tea.

I nominate,

 
 
 And here are your questions:
  1. Favourite song(s) at the moment?
  2. What is your must-have beauty product?
  3. If you were to collaborate in a YouTube video with a known YouTuber, who would it be with and why?
  4. Have you got any hobbies?
  5. What is your favourite place to shop in?
  6. What are your fears?
  7. Why did you start a blog?
  8. What is your best memory about school?
  9. Favourite clothing item/accessory you can't live without?
  10. What is your favourite film(s)?
Make sure to tag me in your posts so I can read your answers, yay!

Thank you so much again lovelies for nominating me <3

Cara x


Sunday 16 August 2015

Guilty Pleasures



Hey guys!

There's one thing that's been on my mind lately and that's guilty pleasures, so I've decided to share some of mine with you all. I can now stop pretending that I've actually got some sanity left in me. This is probably a really bad and embarrassing idea..

Guilty Pleasures: 'something that you shouldn't like, but like anyway'.

We all have them. Hell, I've got a huge list of them!

I've never understood why they're called guilty pleasures though because you like them, probably a lot, but why should you be guilty about them? EMBRACE THEM, PEOPLE!

I think the word 'guilty' has a lot to do with it and therefore makes us hide and disguise what we love away from the world.

I feel a sense of shame when I mention certain things that I love to do to some people and I'm always afraid of what they'll think. This has got to stop. There's nothing bad or wrong with liking things others don't and may find childish.

Here are 10 of mine..

1. I'm still a huge fan of High School Musical, and when I watch it, alone, I not only sing the songs word for word, but I perform them.

2. When I'm bored I like to read fanfics.

3. I'm still in love with the Nickelodeon show, House of Anubis, and I binge watch it on Netflix every once in a while.

4. When home alone, I like to pretend I'm a ninja and I still like to think the floor is lava. My childhood will never die.

5. When I'm cooking/baking I like to pretend that I'm competing on Masterchef.

6. I like stalking people on social media. It usually starts on Facebook and then 3 hours later I find myself searching through their Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr etc. You could say I'm a bit of a pro. Surely I'm not the only one though, right?

7. Stealing sachets of hot chocolate and packets of biscuits from fancy hotels.

8. Choreographing my own dance performances in my bedroom..

9. Listening to 90's music playlists on repeat and melting every time Jesse McCartney's 'Beautiful Soul' comes on.

10. Watching RuPaul's Drag Race on repeat when I get home from uni.

That wasn't so bad I guess, I'm still alive! *nervously laughs*

Guilty pleasures are a part of what makes you so great. Stop hiding them and scream them so the world knows!

What are your guilty pleasures?

Hope you're all having a great day!

Cara x

Thursday 13 August 2015

25 Facts About Me


 
Hey guys!

So since I just started this blog last week, I've decided to make this a more personal post. A chance for you all to get to know me a bit better.

Here are some facts about me (in no particular order):
 
1. I love to bake. My earliest memory doing so was when my Papa took me to his bakery every Sunday, when I was about 3, and we baked scones and traybakes. Pretty sure more mix ended up on me rather than in the oven though!

2. I love, love, LOVE hot chocolate. Or anything chocolate related really.

3. I'm afraid of the dark.

4. I get attached to people quickly.

5. I'm about 5ft 6" in height, I think??

6. I study Fashion Technology at Heriot Watt University and will be going into my second year in September.

7. I'm a huge lover of films. One of my all-time favourites being '10 Things I Hate About You'.

8. I'm Irish and Italian, as well as Scottish.

9. I went to Irish Dance classes for about 13 years and competed in a few competitions.

10. I love discovering new bands and artists online before they become super huge.

11. My birthday is on the 6th of October and I always get so excited about it.

12. I'm always at least 10 minutes late for everything.

13. I watch far too many TV shows - not sure how I manage to keep up-to-date with them all!

14. I used to have a phobia of feet.

15. I'm usually a very happy person.

16. I can't make decisions to save myself.

17. I have a younger brother, Jake, who is incredibly annoying!

18. I love being outside. Even if it's just sitting in the garden, glued to a book.

19. I can't keep my room tidy for more than a few hours.

20. I can come across as quite a shy person if I don't feel comfortable around someone. But when I do, they realise how much of a weirdo I am, haha.

21. I love traveling. Getting away from my hometown always changes my mood.

22. I love to sing but I'm pretty much tone deaf.

23. I can't watch horror films on my own but I'm obsessed with American Horror Story.. How does that work?!

24. I have the biggest crush on Sam Claflin. *love heart eyes emoji*

25. I get excited over the littlest things and I laugh at everything.
 
 
It's so hard to think of 25 facts at the top of your head but I did it! *claps*
 
Have any of you got any weird and wonderful facts about yourselves?
 
Hope you're all having a great day!
 
Cara x
 


Tuesday 11 August 2015

Top 10 Favourites



Hey guys!

Like most of you, I can't do anything without listening to music. It's not only a tune stuck in your head or something you hear on the radio, its a way of communicating - a story being told.

Music helps motivate and inspire me. It helps me when I'm having a bad day or when I just need to think. Lyrics are a way to communicate and connect with listeners all over the world and I admire those who take the time to think clearly about the message they are trying to get across.

Since I am so passionate about music, this might be a recurring theme for me, as well as films. Just to keep you all up to date with my favourite playlists every once in a while.

With my music choice, I don't stick to the same genres. I listen to a variety. I don't really listen to chart music often, but sometimes I discover the perfect song in there for me.

Here are the top 10 songs I love at the moment.

All Time Low - Dancing With a Wolf.  This upbeat song is a-maz-ing. Their new album, Future Hearts, is unreal. I'm a big, big fan of these guys and their music has helped me over the years. They have such a fun vibe about them and their music is just soo catchy!

Deaf Havana - Leeches. I got introduced to Deaf Havana's music last month and since then I can't. stop. listening! Their albums are all great but I am officially addicted to Fools and Worthless Liars and Old Souls.

Ed Sheeran - Shirtsleeves. Being the lyrical genius that he is, Ed never disappoints. This song isn't the most upbeat song he has done but, just like most of his songs, it has so much meaning behind it. Love, love, love it!

Fall Out Boy - Twin Skeleton's (Hotel in NYC). You can never go wrong with a bit of Fall Out Boy. I have become obsessed with their two newest albums, Save Rock and Roll and American Beauty / American Psycho. Their songs make me want to get up and dance and make a fool of myself. Surely that's not just me?

The Mowgli's - San Francisco. I spent a lot of my time listening to summer playlists last year on 8tracks, where I came across this fantastic song. It's full of summer vibes and makes me want to go to a beach party.. Shame it's never warm enough here.

One Direction - Drag Me Down. I used to be a fan of these guys a few years ago.. okay, I was absolutely, 110%, off my head, obsessed with them. It was not healthy.. Even though I'm not as big of a fan anymore, I still love some of their music. To me, this song has a different vibe to the rest of their music and I just love it so much. I would be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to their new album.

Shawn Mendes - Kid In Love. I've been following Shawn since he started doing videos on Vine. His album is incredible and there has been so much thought put into these songs.

Twin Atlantic - Crash Land. This song was featured on their 2011 album - Free - and it never gets old. They never let their fans down. This song has so much meaning behind it and is extremely moving.

The View - Voodoo Doll. Like most bands I listen to, The View never disappoint. Whenever I hear their music I just want to scream the lyrics as loud as I can. This song is from their new album, which is released in September and it kind of makes me want to become a Voodoo doll!? Just kidding!

5 Seconds of Summer - Close as Strangers. I've been a huge fan of these idiots for a while now and seeing them grow into a huge, talented band brings a tear to my eye. Their songs are so catchy and meaningful and they're bound to change your mood whenever you listen to them.

Do any of you like these artists/bands or anyone similar?

Hope you've had a good day!

Cara x


Sunday 9 August 2015

Holiday Blues

Hey guys!

As it's summer, there's no better way to spend it than going on holiday, spending your days by the river or on the beach with friends, having water fights and reading by the pool, am I right?! 

Well if you don't live in a place where it rains 24/7 that is.. 

Luckily for me, I got to travel to Northern Ireland in July, where I visited my Grandparents and some of my Dad's brothers and sisters. My family and I go over every year but usually for more than just one week! As it was a shorter visit this year, we had to somehow squeeze all the traveling, visiting and activities into the time that we had.. Which also meant shopping trips for me had to be reduced to only one day, boo! 

However, I did have just as much fun traveling around NI and visiting my favourite places with my parents and younger brother.

Although it rained a lot, the three nights we stayed in Belfast were just as great as every other year we go, if not better. We went sight seeing for the millionth time and done our usual walks around the beautiful areas. Two of my favourite places in Belfast to visit - apart from the main shopping streets - are the Titanic Quarters and the Stormont Parliament Buildings.


Even in horrible rain it's breathtakingly beautiful.
Just behind Titanic Belfast is the Titanic studios where one of my favourite TV shows gets filmed - Game Of Thrones. Sadly, we haven't met any of the cast members over the years, but that day is still yet to come!


Jon Snow, show yourself!

The grounds and surrounding areas at Stormont are great for family walks, doing your daily exercise, being glued to your camera and there's a park nearby for the kids to have fun. The beauty of the area overwhelms me whenever we visit.




The other four nights we were in Northern Ireland, we stayed in my Dad's hometown - Ballymena. I always love visiting there. The locals are all so friendly and the town is great for having a walk around the busy streets and shopping centres. However, Ballymena is also near the coast where we usually end up every year. Portstewart is one of my favourite places, like ever. (WE ARE NEVER EVER EVER.. Cara, stop!!)

Anyways.. As I was saying, Portstewart is one of my favourite places. Even though it's a small town, it's always busy. The main street is filled with ice cream shops, local shops, more ice cream shops and oh, more ice cream shops. You're basically in ice cream heaven. There's also a play park that is usually filled with screaming children, who are having the time of their lives whilst their parents tell each other the daily gossip. My brother and I used to pretend we were pirates on the climbing frames and managed to, somehow, persuade some of the other children to join in with our madness.

Walking by the sea and along to the harbour whilst taking in the beauty of the area and the smell and sound of the sea is one of the things I love about the town. Everything's much better by the sea. 


Hot Fudge and Yellow Man. What more could you want!?


I miss the atmosphere of Northern Ireland in general. Back home just isn't the same. Every year when we arrive back on Scottish soil I start counting down the days until the next time we go. I miss the small towns at the coast, waking up knowing that I'd get another cup of aero hot chocolate that day (wow, I'm sad), the locals, the bakeries - they are to die for over there! I miss seeing my relatives every night and the list goes on.

Have any of you been on holiday this year yet? If so, I hope you had just as much fun as I did!

Have a great day!

Cara x

Friday 7 August 2015

Little Bit About Me

Hey guys!

I'm Cara - an 18 year old, Fashion Technology Student, living in the wonderful (but sometimes miserable) Scotland.

As you can probably tell, I'm incredibly new to the whole blog thing! I've been eager, but quite nervous, to start one for a while now, but my friend, Chloe, inspired me with her blog to give this a go. When I think of a blogger, I imagine someone with a very exciting life, full of fascinating and interesting hobbies.. Fair to say, that definitely is not me! So I really hope I don't bore you all to death!

As a fashion student, I am a lover of detail and creativity. I am very passionate about my coursework and I'm happiest when in the sewing workshop. Since being a shy 13 year old, I've had the dream of working for a big company - or even making it big myself - in the fashion industry and by studying at Heriot Watt University I have the opportunity to show off and develop my skills over the four years that I'm there.

As well as fashion, I'm a lover of photography; long, peaceful walks; beaches; gigs/concerts; youtubers; reading - I'm a huge fan of anything John Green at the moment!; TV shows (especially American TV shows such as Teen Wolf, Grimm, American Horror Story, The Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars etc.. Seriously though, how frustratingly good is PLL!? I cannot wait for Tuesday's episode already!!); baking; shopping trips/days out in Edinburgh; horse riding and a lot more that I'm sure you'll all hear about in the near future.

I've got a rough idea for this blog and hopefully I'll continue updating it when I start uni again in September. I tend to usually do everything to avoid studying and coursework near exam time.. oops! So you'll most likely be hearing from me a lot then.

Anyways, lets see if I can get the hang of this.

Have a great day!

Cara x