Mother's Day 2016 : How Can You Change Your Mother's Daily Life?

Mother's Day is usually spent buying flowers, making breakfast (which must include tea for my mother), writing last minute hand made cards, eating out and many hugs and kisses.

 

This year was no different except that I ate 50% of the chocolate cake I made for my mum, we ate at a family friend's house and I didn't really buy her a worthwhile present. Strange as it seems, I have to admit that I haven't put in enough effort towards my mum simply on the daily basis. For example, she always screams at us for being 'dirty' and not cleaning my own mess etc. but I turn a blind eye to the tantrums she hits us with every single day.

 

How am I going to make a change?

 

As tough as my mood my be and as persistently nonchalant I can be I am going to start making a difference my the sake of my mother's stress and my own (from listening to her whine).

 

I will start to:

- Wash my own tea cups

-Wake up early enough so that we are not late for the bus (that she drives my sister and I to every morning)

-Wipe around the sink so less/no mess is left behind

- Start making an effort to clean my bathroom

- Keep my bedroom clear (to also to transform my space into somewhere I can concentrate and work)

- Do small meaningful things that I might think of to make my mum happier

 

This little target does not mean I have to start washing all the dishes every day and make a huge impact and waste lots of my own time (which I need to study in!) but it  means I can cut out the whining whilst taking virtually no time out of my own schedule.

 

What will you do in order to make your mother's life a little better?

 

Will you pay her more visits?

Call her more often?

Send her flowers regularly?

Tidy up your room?

Keep care of your own mess?

Do things when she asks you to do them?

Speak in a nicer tone?

 

Remember these things are simple and do not require much effort at all but require consistency to make a world of effort.

 

So what will you do to change?

 

Priyanka xx

New Years Resolutions 2016

  

New Year = New Me

That's what we all say don't we? But if we stick to it or not is a completely different question.

I tried not to overthink my New Year's goals this year so that I don't procrastinate over a 'fresh start' or 'one chance to get it right' sort of vibe.

1) Work out with more enthusiasm

Instead of working out to 'be skinny' I want for my workouts to have purpose, make me stronger, more muscular and mentally challenge me by pushing some boundaries every day to help improve my fitness levels.

2) Work smarter not harder or longer

Instead of working for hours at my desk, procrastinating and wasting time without actually learning anything I want to be able to work efficiently for short bursts to time (so I don't have a chance to worry or become bored) and maximise the quality of learning I do in a given time frame.

3) Laugh harder and don't be so hard on myself

I have recently found that because Im always worried about work I forget to actually have fun. sometimes I feel so contrained by work that I forget to laugh at the little things in life. This year, however stressed I may become, Im going to laugh harder at my own little trip ups and at the little incidents that may occur. 

4) Go to sleep earlier

I often find my self in a bad mood not wanting to talk to anyone simply because I'm still exhausted from the night before. 8 hours sleep minimum is my new shout for energy.

5) Stop feeling like I need to impress people or be perfect

Nobody is perfect so I am going to stop trying to be. Instead I am going to focus on things that are really important and become confident simply being myself.

One of the best things I have ever learnt is KISS- Keep It Simple, Stupid!

What are your New Year's Resolutions?

Priyanka

How To Be Attractive

Its been a tough week. Why should I lie? One of the main on going concerns that I have at the moment is that I watch people. Observe actions, interactions, body language and friendship groups. I see some girls who seem very pretty, confident, out going and fun to be around... and sure they attract many boys. I've found myself stuck trying to look perfect all the time, fixing my hair and looking in the mirror in every odd chance but now I realise that I'm only wasting time. After a little closer observations of the girls and getting to know them I've found that they aren't all really that 'pretty' or aren't any more beautiful than any other girl. What makes them attractive is their confidence.

 

Surely you have to have something to be confident about to actually be confident, right?

 

The answer is actually no. I was watching some of 'those' videos on YouTube and found that actually a stunning personality is actually what most boys are more attracted to.

 

Confidence is not about being perfect. The most confident people in life are able to be confident in spite of what really isn't perfect about themselves. The people who are the most attractive are the ones who don't allow the things about them physically to throw them off their game. They accept it and go on to be an interesting, fun, passionate and life loving human being.

 

That is ultimate confidence.

 

I have found that you should never give the power or status to people to walk all over you and you should never feel the need to justify anything you do because that is when you give up all your power. You should own it. Love it. Its doesn't matter what other people may think of you. Others throw negativity and criticism when you have something that they don't.

 

Nothing is more attractive nor beautiful than someone who is confident and unstoppable even when there may be a million reasons to be insecure about. That's the person others fear and believe they cannot even compete with.

 

So, walk like you deserve to be there and own your ground.

 

Priyanka xx

Dear Best Friend

Dear Anisha,

 

It seems like such a long time ago since we met. In fact I don't remember first meeting you at all or introducing myself to you because it is as if you were always there beside me. I know I tell you how much I love you all the time and attempt to express my love within text messages (which always end in infinite x's) but I don't think it's fair to say that these messages really can sum up how grateful I am to have met such an incredible person as you.

 

I've realised that one of the reasons you have been my longest and closest friend is because no matter which situation we fall in, you have the heart to forgive me, to accept my changes, my decisions and opinions. Most others would not be bothered to deal with it, whereas you have always thought I was worth accepting and fighting for.

 

Thank you for being someone who I have spent some of the best moments of my life with so far, for being in my thoughts as hope in darker moments and someone I can turn to whenever I feel the need. Its incredible how alike, yet how different we are and how I can be thinking any thought with there being a high chance you will be thinking same. Even the complicated things I cannot clarify in my own head seems to make complete sense to you but won't necessarily to anyone else.

 

Every time I drink coffee, count down to summer or sing a Taylor Swift song I think of you. I feel like you know me inside out and only you have had the courage to stick with me for this long (given the trouble!)

 

I hope that we make plenty more memories together and that we never have the opportunity to drift apart because that is not what family would do. I am sorry that words nor expressions will ever be able to express how thankful and blessed I am to have you.

 

Let our adventures be infinite and our worries be small.

 

Forever and always,

 

Priyanka xx

Prom Photos 2015

Everyone was talking about prom, dresses, shoes, hair, makeup and of course suits since last year and it has already passed by.

 

Not only was the venue very beautiful, but everyone looked gorgeous... even effortless; but I know that the boys took at least a few hours to look as smart as they did!

 

The day was hot and sunny but I must admit that the night didn't last as long as I hoped it would have lasted as the DJ called out the last song at 11 pm. Now that is a little early don't you think?  There were food bites, drinks and the all special 'Prom King and Queen' who also shared a dance together.

 

It was lovely to see that people I have seen almost every day, for the past 5 years of my life, all came together to dance and share this last night before people move away and our year group is lost to a new herd of students.

 

If I had one last wish for everyone it would be: never forget these years.

 

Priyanka xx

Things That Make Me Happy #6 Coffee

We all saw this one coming eventually...

I love the brumble of the kettle in the morning, the bitter sweet smell that drifts in the air once the  water bubbles into the coffee; releasing the aroma and energy that bursts softly in the room.

Most of all, I adore the bitter but not quite sweet taste that sparks all my neurons; awakening and  breathing life into me and preparing me to be more than energetic to live the day.

Sometimes I put my unwinding, drifting dreams into my cup of coffee whilst other times I realise I spend too much time admiring it.

I think that this picture puts all my ideas and feeling about coffee into one photo: coffee comes from different, exotic parts of the world and by drinking coffee it takes me to so many places and inspires me to do so many new things with an open, active mind.

The fact is that any country you travel to, there must be a coffee shop somewhere, being there for someone who needs it.

I might get excited over coffee often, but there is a good reason - it's an act of celebration towards life :D

Take me to a coffee shop and you won't get rid of me.

Tell me you like coffee and that's all I'll talk to you about.

Drink coffee with me... you must be my best friend.

I am scared that by drinking coffee regularly it will stop affecting me and that it will merely be a drink rather than a stimulus.... is that really true?

Who else loves coffee mornings?

Priyanka xx

What's in my School Bag?

 

 

Its that time of year when we're all back at school or work and back to our busy schedule. This year I haven't been the most organised person because usually I buy my school bag before school actually starts. Oops.

So I did drag my dad to Marks and Spencer's  midweek on a run to get a little more organised. It was a success though, I love my new bag! I have always had trouble finding a strong bag, that looks good and will do the job of  holding way too many books all year round... you should really be feeling sorry for me.

I thought I would share with you the things that I have in my bag practically all year round.

• Mini Nivea Hand cream: My hands tend to get so dry and irritating, especially during the winter months

• Baby Lips/ Lip Balm: When your lips are dry and you don't know why...

• Body Spray: After P.E. essential :)

• Pencil Case: Here you see a fully stocked pencil case but fast forward a few weeks and I guarantee that there wont be much inside since everyone likes to 'borrow' my pens without asking

• Keys: I need and would like to get back into my house. Also I have my locker key, USB and lots of key rings that I have supposedly been collecting from the past years of my life.

• On average around 4 exercise books, school diary/planner and reading book: I just borrowed 'Looking for Alaska' by John Green from my friend since I've hear that its really good. I cant wait to start reading it, the only annoying thing is that I am a really slow reader because everything in the entire world seems to crop up in my head when I open up a book. Interesting.

• Umbrella: I live in England. Enough said there.

• Water bottle: I like to keep hydrated but sometimes it can get annoying especially when I've downed a bottle of water by break and another by lunch and it seems as though I spend all my free time in the toilet. Thank you to my friends though for not leaving me after 4 years together. Much appreciated.

• Purse, Travel Card, money: Wait, no money. I'm sure I spent all of it during the summer. Damn.

• Oil Blotting Sheets, hair band and bobby pins: For that much loved, much hated mid-day physical education class.

• Paracetamol: Work (and people) can give you a headache.

• Fruit and Lunch: I really don't like 'school dinners' and I really don't think it's at all 'healthy' as much as they insist it is. Better make my own yummy lunch than complain really.

What essential things do you keep in your school/work bag?

Priyanka xx

My Girls | Westfield | Shopping | Frozen Yougurt |

Summer. Summer. Summer.

Yes, Priyanka we understand so stop lazing around and get out of the house.

So, I decided that I needed to get back on the London Underground and go to Westfield Shopping City. For some reason I love the tube, apart from the obvious filth everywhere; it gives me freedom because I can go anywhere. I guess really you only appreciate these things when they come infrequently and not when you have to travel my train everyday to work.

One day I do want to travel to lots of different countries, see new places, meet new people and do new things but it seems as though I have some years to pass until then so I'm going to make the most of it - the most of now.



Don't these babies look delish? We were hungry okay. Who can resist some Yoomoo Frozen Yogurt in a shopping mall full of cafes and restaurants anyway?

To be fair they do look like a piece of art, even though I was a fail at using the machine at the 'create your own station'...well I'm no ice-cream maker we've all discovered. 

Did I tell you I love my friends so very much? Who else would I have to annoy and drag around with me...

 

We did pop into New Look to try on some heels and I discovered that I can't walk in heels to save my life! They hurt. Forget about walking, just standing in them hurts. I praise everyone who can do it all day every day, I really do.

See ya from the top.

I got dared, so I did and before any staff could tell me to go up the right escalator instead of running up the one going downwards.

More walking, eating, drinking Monster for 'energy' since the shopping centre is so big. We also managed to play hide and seek in Holister claiming it's 'too dark' to shop in and annoyed a ton load of people on our way. Next time its elevator pranks I promise.

We're here to make childish memories right?

Priyanka xx

10 Tips to be More Confident

 

Confidence is the best thing someone can wear.

Confidence comes before your makeup, before your gorgeous hair, clothes and skin. It comes all from the inside, from how you feel about yourself and how you act on that towards other people.

Any of you who are reading this; you are beautiful.

Yeah right.

That's what I would have said last year but since then I have opened my mind to many aspects of my life and from that I have learnt many new things about myself  and how loving myself is very  important.

1) Be yourself.

 

 People will like you for the real you, not someone who is so afraid to let go and act like themselves because they are afraid of what people will think about them and their beliefs.

 

2) Don't listen to people who are not worth your time ... (because the haters gonna hate).

 

 At the end of the day, who's there for you but ... you? Its not worth backing down to people who say things about you, especially when you start to speak out, there are always those people who want to kill your confidence and accuse you of 'seeking attention' but all they really are is mean ...( and a liar, and pathetic and alone in life and mean ~ Taylor Swift). Yep, she is one of my idols because of how relatable she is; I even went to her Red concert in February which was absolutely amaazingg - which you can see here.

 

3) Love yourself. Wholeheartedly and with the most pride. The best thing that you can do is accept who you are and turn that acceptance into something beautiful. Its really one of the first steps to be happier with who you are and when you can you will see that other people find it much easier to you too. 

4) Be spontaneous because life starts at the end of your comfort zone.

 

That's speaks for itself really. I always overthink things and am so indecisive that  I eventually give up making a decision and rely on someone else - but I am making that change because the less I think about 'what I am going to do' or 'if that's the best solution' the more time I can actually do that thing and enjoy myself. Anyway new experiences are more exciting and sometimes you just have to jump into the deep end. Head first.

 

5) Accept or Change.

 

Some things about yourself you might just have to accept but other things you can change if it lowers you self esteem or if it is something you don't like about yourself. For the first time I have actually stuck to my new years resolutions (which you can see here) and one that has impacted my life greatly is being more active and healthy. I don't think its shallow because by starting to work out  gave me a way to picture my goals and identify what I want and seeing the results from things that you work hard for can only make you happy and even more motivated to stretch your goals further. From the beginning of 2014 I know I have become stronger both mentally and physically; looking good is a bonus that has made me more confident with how I look.

 

6) Take drama / public speaking classes.

 

Everyone thinks I'm quiet or did until recently; my mum suggested that I do some kind of public speaking to gain more confidence so I joined one-to-one sessions doing acting and speaking to work towards grades in LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts). By doing so,  I now feel so much more confident in speaking with new people, in class and in front of an audience. It was a sudden change for others to see; especially after a rather embarrassing 'inspirational' speech that I delivered to my whole year group. The weird thing about me is that I speak louder than I normally would in front of an audience...sometimes a little too loud given that I am speaking into a microphone...

 

7) Think positively about every situation. 

 

What happens, happens, but you can change how you feel about it by the way you react. A positive mind, a positive attitude, a grateful heart and wilful soul; what else could you want? 

 

8) Do what makes you happy then you won't have time to be sad :)

 

9) Believe in yourself and be patient because its a growth not a sudden change.

10) BE WILD. Seize every opportunity, embrace every instinct, jump into the unknown, let go of all of your worries and simle like your life depends on it.

 

 Now, inhale...

 

...and exhale...

 

and go kill'em georgeous because you are so worth it.

 

Priyanka xx

Taylor Swift RED Tour !! : 4th Feb 2014

As you would all know (especially if you read my last post !!) that on Tuesday 4th February 2014 at 7pm in the 02 Arena, London, England, UK, Earth, Milky Way, A Galaxy, Somewhere in this world I was at TAYLOR SWIFT RED TOUR CONCERT!!!! It was such an AMAZING night!! As well as that The Vamps were her opening act and she had invited Danny O'Donoghue from the Script to join her!!

My best friend and I are mega Swifties and we had been screaming about this for months, so when the day came you could presumably guess what screaming, annoying, fan girls we turned into! (You could ask anyone at school and they would know exactly how out day have been from beginning to end!)

After the prolonged school day had ended (what a rebel I am by going out on a school night?!) we rushed - no RAN- out of the gates and got ready for the night ahead. We did have to leave fast so that left us only some time to grab some snacks and drinks but when we arrived at Westfield Stratford Shopping Centre we had a lovely Mexican Burrito dinner and half a hot, chocolaty, crispy croissant!

Somehow, my friend's parents decided that is would be 'reasonable' to leave us alone for a while so when they had gone around the corner I whipped out my felt tips so we could write our favourite song lyrics down our arms!

 The train to the O2 Arena was packed full of Swifties wearing RED clothing and RED lipstick like Taylor (why didn't I think of that?) and it only finally started to sink in that we were actually going to see her live :O

If it wasn't obvious enough this was my first concert and it was INSANE! The Vamps, who are currently my new obsession, opened the show with some of their new songs from the debut album (that is out soon!)

We screaming for 3 hours straight and I could feel my throat straining and my ears bursting but it was ALL worth it! Taylor sang some of her songs from the RED album and some of her other famous songs, (like 'Mean') she is a real inspiration for me and some of the thing she said (that she had probably repeated and rehearsed a million times in her tours) were close to making me cry...in happiness!

The whole atmosphere was just so incredibly beautiful, like a 5 thousand little shinning lights were bringing the place to life (literally). 

When the concert had, unfortunately,  finishes (I could do all again a million times), we had to wait for a bus for nearly an hour in the pouring rain, since there was a tube strike and then make our way back home after my friend's dad had to use the lady's toilets because the men's were being cleaned !

With about 5 hours of sleep the next day it felt like having a hangover, which is weird since I have never had one but just expect it to feel like that from the movies. Living off coffee and the excitement, we let the whole world know about our evening (emphasising that whilst they were at home studying , we were with TAYLOR SWIFT AND THE VAMPS!) Surprisingly, my form tutor made the class sit and listen to me talk for 5 minutes ...yet I was not complaining !

I could not express further what a magical day I had.

Priyanka xx