17th Birthday Celebrations 2016 - Simple ways to Celebrate

 If you have been following me on Instagram (which you can do here), it was my birthday last month and I have finally had time to get this post up.

 

I had a great week (because if your anything like me you would take advantage of the fact that your birthday only happens once a year and celebrate it for the whole week because you can) - which mostly consisted of cake, food and chocolate!

 

Sometimes I am lost for ideas on how to celebrate birthdays but I've learnt that sometimes keeping it simple it the best option.

 

So what are the ways  that you can celebrate turning 17?

 

- Go out with friends for a cheeking Nandos - I recommend you going for the Churrasco Thigh Burger which is a chicken burger with cheddar cheese, coleslaw (I thought it was weird but it taste pretty good) and salad. I added extra avocado and I can tell you now it was the most satisfying meal with a portion of Piri Piri salted chips

 

- Celebrate with Wilton's Cake - In my area Wilton's is a baker renowned for its cakes and sweet treats. I got the half milk, half white chocolate cake which was very rich, amazing quality and perfect for all you sweet toothed girls and boys out there

 

- Take your first driving lesson - If you haven't started driving yet you really ought to. My family booked me a 2 hr lesson as a surprise on my birthday, I was a little nervous but it was so lovely to have a drive around on a sunny Sunday morning.

 

- See friends you haven't seen in a while because you realise how much you miss them and it makes your day a  whole lot better

 

- Dance - You heard me, just shut your self in your room, put on your earphones and let it all out if your not having a party ( there are so many birthday songs to choose from and they are all made for your special day)

 

- Watch a  comedy / your favourite movie - It is great to have a laugh around the television with your family in the evening

 

- Be grateful - An amazing day can pass just like that but if your grateful for every minute of it, you will remember and cherish your birthday with all the great people around you more than if you just let it pass and complain that you have not been doing anything exciting

 

Let me know what special things that you like to do on your birthday. Does your mum have a special recipes she likes to bang out for everyone or have you had any surprises that have particularly blown your mind?

 

Priyanka xx

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

Small Habits to Help You Feel Positive and Happier

A lot of the time we as human beings become easily stressed, tired, angry and anxious because we forget to think about the positive aspects of every day life. Even though fully scheduled days from Monday to Friday does become something seen as 'work' but it doesn't mean that we can't enjoy our days as they go by.

 

In fact, it has been occurring to me that being happy is crucial in maximising productivity and energy whilst working and at school.

 

I have been thinking about how I can begin to feel less stressed with having higher amounts of studying, later nights and earlier mornings than during the summer holidays (where I would do pretty much anything I wished, whenever I liked) when it seemed apparent that stress and happiness are very closely linked.

 

So here are some habits that I have tried incorporating and maximising to keep try and keep myself fuelled with more positive and happier vibes.

 

In The Morning:

 

- Stretch out your body whilst still in bed and as you get ready to feel more energy.

 

- Take deep breaths and wear a smile (before your clothes or your makeup!)

 

- Note down gratitude upon awakening to notice what has made you feel good, happy and grateful recently and the great  things about your life overall.

 

- Make yourself an exciting, yet healthy breakfast to fuel your body and mind for the rest of the day as well as to have something to look forward to.
 

- Keep away from your phone, especially from social media because you should be feeling good about yourself and enjoying your life instead of scrolling down photos of people enjoying their own.

 

During The Day:

 

- Use every moment alone to concentrate on how good you are feeling and use that as confidence around others.

 

- Take deep breaths ( a little like mini mediation sessions to keep feeling positive!)

 

- Surround yourself with positive people and question other people's negativity to help block out negative thoughts.

 

- Smile! At least you would be the one who smiled rather than the one who didn't smile back.

 

During The Evening:

 

- Listen to uplifting songs

 

- Work out....really just do it! This is the key part of feeling greater amounts of energy during the rest of the evening, to increasing serotonin levels, happiness and feel good vibes that your body needs! (Come on who doesn't love a little dancing?)

 

At Night:

 

- Drink green tea/ peppermint tea and think positive thoughts to help you wake up even more positive the next day.

-Accept that everyday might not go as planned and that it is fine to make mistakes as there is an opportunity to make improvements tomorrow.

 

I hope all of you invest in some of these habits to start feeling your best and hopefully you will stick to these things in the long run.

 

What makes you feel good everyday? Do you have any special habits that keep you on track and on top of the stress? I would love to know!

 

Priyanka xx

Why It's Important to Spend Quality Time With Yourself

Over these past few weeks my life has been incredibly exciting, action packed and exhausting but I'm not complaining one single bit! I love physically going out, visiting my friends and well doing things instead  of sitting at home staring at my phone just to kill time.

Every day matters. We are all given the power to change someone's life and every time we wake up we can make a difference to our own lives if we choose to do so.

Personally, I always feel that I have to constantly be doing something or I begin feel guilty about not doing something practical with my life (this process is not sudden but seems to progress during an aimless day) - does any one else feel like this?

One thing that I have discovered is of course I can change my life and channel all my energy towards my grand goals, so that I live with the minimal amount of regrets, but I can't and should not sacrifice my happiness in doing so.

All that this really means sometimes I just need to CHILL and let loose.

So what I did was sit out in my garden, give my self a mini pedicure, paint my nails (which chipped within a day), read my magazine, feel my legs going red and then realise that sunscreen would be a good item to grab from upstairs - oh, sometimes I'm a total genius -but I really did enjoy my self doing it.

Why Is It Important to Enjoy Spending Time With Yourself?

You can do what you want to do!
You don't have to invite a friend around all the time since being by yourself  means that you don't have to ask someone what they would like to eat or drink nor do you don't have to share an earphone when watching a film. Selfish? No, its just good to do things by your self sometimes.

You learn more about yourself
Well, you heard my little life story above so you can see that it is true. Being alone means that you can think about your beliefs, your values and assess your life - although overthinking things is never good for anyone.

You feel more grateful when doing fun things alone
I feel this one is very true for me! If I watch a hilarious film by myself I'm more likely to laugh much, much more that if someone was there listening to my ridiculous laugh. Also, if I buy and eat something really tasty by myself I'm more likely taste the food better, eat slower to savour the food and enjoy it much more than if I kept saying, 'this is so tasty!' to express it to others.

You don't have to be exhausted by the end of the day
You can sit in bed or outside and simply fall asleep instead of going out and staying there for a good 6 hours.

You feel more energized when you get back to a normal working day
At the end of the day when you have committed time to yourself, you are the person which should have benefitted and enjoyed yourself the most, right?  By allowing your self pleasures, I believe that you will feel rewarded for your hard work and therefore become more motivated to do other things.

These are the things that I feel in my life and I am certain that not everyone feels guilty for sleeping most of the day then watching  hours of TV, followed by hours of scrolling on their phones and then repeat the same process until the end of summer, but I would feel guilty.

I really hope that you find things that are common to your own life here, do you spend enough time with your self? How do you like to relax?

Priyanka xx

Birthday Gurrl!

Okkayyy this post is a little late but that doesn't mean anything...

I have been (and will be) VERY VERY busy studying, but lets not let that ruin this :)

 

I am just so damn grateful for everything.

For every moment that I have lived and all the people who made my day perfect because it really was a really special day *tears of gratitude starts to flow and warming background music plays*

 

 

I mean come on...my friends got me macaroons!

So here's a praise to every incredible moment of my birthday:

- My dearest mother cooked me her INCREDIBLE homemade rice pudding. (The rice pudding in pots from Asda doesn't even classify as rice pudding after you taste my mum's thick, creamy, sweet, makesyoudribblemouthwateringwarm rice pudding that she makes with her secret ingredients)

-My best friend arriving at my house at 7.20 before school so we could have pancakes with banana, Nutella, peanut butter, ICE CREAM  *air punch* and coffee for my birthday breakfast.

- Receiving cake, PROM SHOES, macaroons, a helium balloon, homemade cupcakes,  Reeces Peanut Butter Cups (which I had never tried before) and hugs from the cutest friends in the whole wide world :)

-The constant 'Happy Birthday!' s shouted at me

- Receiving an.........................................................................IPHONE 6 + in Gold from my dad!! (When he gave it to me I almost died. This is the first time my whole family has kept a secret from me - I'm kinda beginning to like surprises...)

-Clothes from my mummy

-A phone call from my Grandma in India saying that if she forgets everything, the one thing she won't ever forget is my birthday. I love her so much.

-Eating out at Chimi Changa then watching INSURGENT with my friends

-and more chocolate cake :D

There are definitely a ton more things that made my day so beautiful but I just can't put into words how spoilt and loved and special and so grateful I am for all the people who love me .

Thank you everyone.

Priyanka xx

In Need of that Daily Motivation?

 

 I need it.

 

Hence the religious pinning of motivational quotes and now this...

 

 

Yes, exam season is rapidly approaching, my mind is buzzing with all sorts of thoughts from where I might end up in September, things I would like to do in the summer, where I might end up in 5 years and in 10 (lets hope somewhere like New York or California).

 

And truthfully, this is to remind myself that I need to step up my game and I most certainly can kick these times in the face in the most badass of ways...oh, how cheeky I can be if I put my mind to it ....

I've always been into decorating my room with magazine pages and photos but I think that the quotes give a great touch and a sense of development because I can get a little agitated when I don't see myself going anywhere.

One thing I am weary of is that if anyone comes into my room they tend to look and read everything on my wall so please note to yourself that you should avoid writing up a bucket list containing things such as 'Go Skinny Dipping with my Best Friend' or anything of a similar nature.

I may or may not be talking from personal experience.

If you give it a go, you could really inspire yourself and shake up the appearance of your room :)

How do you decorate your room? Clean and tidy or downright messy?

Priyanka xx

Things That Make Me Happy #8 Pancakes and Sleeping In

You, your bed, a candle, a movie or a book and a long good nights sleep - isn't that what everybody wants on the weekend?

 

Yes, it makes me very happy to lie in on the weekends and I feel that I should not feel bad about doing it either because my body needs it's rest especially after a week of non stop school and work...or I just like sleeping - take which ever excuse you want.

The best thing is when I decide to wake up late and make pancakes because those days seems to bring the ultimate happiness within me. Its a fact - food is not just food for my body but food for my soul :)

Don't worry I try to keep my pancakes as healthy as I can by using oats instead of flour, not adding sugar (you can use honey to sweeten it on top), dark chocolate instead of the purely indulging nutella (oh, sneaky birthday treat I need you) and topping it with fruit such as bananas (natural sweetener) or blueberries.

Trust me, on one of these mornings you would want to be here with me but I would like to apologies in advance and warn you of how I tend to fangirl over the smallest things like cute breakfasts and coffee. Well that's me for you.

How do you like to unwind or relax on the weekends? Music, movies or mates?

Priyanka xx

Things That Make Me Happy #7 Dressing Up

Yes, doing your makeup, wearing pretty little dresses, straightening your hair and pampering yourself.

I mean, isn't that what every girl wants?

 

Its really a form of self appreciation; to take some time to look gorgeous, feel confident and be excited from time to time.

 

Right now its hard to be nice to myself (or even have a moment to reflect) because of my intense revision/school/lack of sleep/no motivation period. I feel that I have to constantly be revising or I'll be cheating myself which really isn't the case.

No. Actually I am going to try extra hard to be positive because that's what I promised myself I would do. Anyway I do have Spain to look forward to at Christmas - I literally cannot wait!

The thing that really makes me happy is getting dressed up for Christmas and New Years parties.

Wait a minute.

I need to go shopping.

For dresses.

Shoes.

Jewellery.

and Christmas presents of course.

This year is almost over.... *insert panic face*

What type of dresses are you wearing over the holiday season? What's your favourite nail colour because I cant wait to get these girls glammed up!

Priyanka xx

Things I have learnt during Secondary / High School

 

Umm yes.

 

This is my year 6 class photo. Its one of the last primary school photos before all went to new schools, to start new lives, make new friends and make memories.



 



 

 

Its really strange (and scary) to think about how much I have changed since the age of 11 and all the amazing memories I have made with my new friends since then. Here are some of the things that I have learnt from being in secondary school  sorry but 'High School' just sounds way better!)

 

1. In the UK schools (as far as I know) don't have huge lockers that you can decorate like in American movies.

 

It sucks.

 

A lot.

 

I spent all of my time in the last year of Primary School dreaming of the ways that I was going to decorate my locker. I don't have any older siblings to tell me how it was actually going to be like - and the best part is then being stuck with a tiny bottom locker for the rest of the years. Great.

 

2. Your friends can change often.

 

Some of the first friends I made in year 7 I loved. I thought that we were always going to be friends and that we were stuck together. To be honest some of them I don't even say 'hi' to never mind hang out with.

 

3. Confidence is key.

 

I find people so intimidating sometimes (especially on a bar hair day but that's another story) but really sometimes you just have to fake it to make it so that you actually start believing I in yourself. Its not possible to stay quite during all those long, boring hours of school and expect to enjoy it. You have to push the boundaries, participate in class, discuss things with other people and share you opinion and the you will already be interested in learning and socialising.

 

You can see my ten top tips here.

 

4. You might be the ripest, juiciest peach but people are still going to hate peaches.

 

Its not possible to please everyone. Its hard to be clever, pretty, funny, confident, enthusiastic, creative and hardworking at the same time. You just have to concentrate all your energy in being the best version of you that you can be. Then everything else will fall into place.

 

5. Make every day count.

 

If you think about it you're spending at least 5 years of your life at the same school, so its a waste of time hating it (literally). Every moment should count towards something good, something positive, towards your future. Make friends that encourage you and influence you well instead of people you actually don't like being around. Its you life. Its you choice.

 

I hope some of these things open up your mind and help you survive school :)

 

I'm sure I would have told myself these things when I first started but I had to figure it out myself.

 

Priyanka xx

 

 

 

 



 

 



Tips to Get Better, Longer Sleep

My life would go nowhere if I did not sleep properly or long enough....or happily.

Have you ever noticed that if you cry yourself to sleep you always wake up in a bad mood?

Well here are some tips from my own experience that can ensure that you are fresh and ready for a new day and a new start.

1. Get into bed at least 30 minutes before you plan to sleep

This is so that your body can fully relax and unwind; all prepared :)

2. Put down your phone and any other electronics

You might have heard it before but my form tutor has told all of us (multiple times) that its a scientific fact that electronic devices keep you awake - we are all guilty of the endless instagram scroll and twitter feed.

3. Read a book.

I would recommend The Hunger Games but you know I'm a little biased. The point is that reading slowly shuts down your mind and the words on the page get longer until you can't keep your eyes open any longer.

4. Think of happy things

Ask yourself what the best parts of your day was, smile, think of tomorrows goals, celebrate your life! Clear your mind of any unhappy thoughts and make sure that you've finished everything you need to before you sleep so your stress free.

Even plan an exciting breakfast for tomorrow morning because it (and coffee) sure seems to get me up!

5. Stretch out your body.

You don't really realised how tense your body can get during the day, so moving around a little can help with deeper sleep.

6. Set yourself a 'bed time' so you know that you get at least 8 hours sleep

Now that your body is refreshed and relaxed (and that banging head ache is gone along with those under eye circles) you can go and

conquer

 the

 world.

Priyanka xx

Berry Belicious Breakfast Yogurt Parfait

 

 

BREAKFAST.

 

It is the most important meal of the day.

 

I'm not even going to let you try and argue.

 

Its a fact.

 

So don't skip it !

 

 

I bet you are all grabbed by my 'spur of the moment' title idea.

 

Because I'm pretty surprised by my own creativity :)

 

Its so important to kick start your day the right way and there is not better way to do it than a fully nutritious, filling, healthy meal to provide you with plenty of energy in the morning.

This is quick and easy, so as long as you have the ingredients you have no excuses.

You will need:

- Your favourite bowl

- 1 Banana Sliced into 'coins'

- A handful of Raspberries / Blueberries/ Blackberries/ Strawberries... (what I am trying to say is - any berry of your choice!)

-Fat Free Yogurt (I used Onken Strawberry)

- Granola - I would suggest Special K Granola because not only does it taste good but it is lower in calories, fat and is notorious :)

-Chia Seeds (Optional)

- A Spoon

- A Chair

- Yourself

- Your mouth

I think that covers pretty much everything.

Let me know what your all time favourite breakfast is and if you enjoyed this recipe!

Priyanka xx

A Sunday's Unwind...

05/10/14 Sushi from Costco

Sunday Funday.

I like that.

A lot.

After a week of school, work, revision, work, lack of sleep, stress and everything else annoying in this world (which includes walking to school in the wind and creating a mess of my newly washed, blow dried hair - as you can see I have been working on a solution for  here) a Saturday's sleep in and my Sunday Routine is the most relaxing and appreciated thing in the week.

Even after a week of hard work my dad finds that 'The whole house should not be sleeping until 9am' is the right statement to be making. How ridiculous.

My Sundays goes a little like this:

- I usually get up at 8am, hope that its sunny (that hope soon fades away as its no longer summer),  then get dressed, put on the washing and eat my hot apple oatmeal which I usually eat before my run for energy.

- As fast as I can, I start to hoover the house; I figured there are always ups and downs with living in a 3 floor house... I mean it take a damn hour to hoover it all.

- I'm always being told off for being late everywhere, but they don't understand it not always me. I get dragged into all sorts of things (mostly tidying up my little brother and sister's mess) so I'm mostly late to my '10 o'clock' run with my friend.

-I love running! It seriously wakes me up and clears my mind ready for another week at school. It is getting colder so it's going to get increasingly difficult to get me out and running especially in the gloomy drizzles.

- Once I get home I have the 'worlds longest shower', put on a facemask, dry my hair and eat (an exciting) lunch.

I usually do some art homework, get my bag and lunch ready and chill.

I can confirm that this is so much more awesome than it sounds, seriously.

Just imagine if no one came up with the idea of having a 'weekend' ?

What does your weekend usually consist of? Let me know :)

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

Things That Make Me Happy #5 Fruit Salad

I lovee fruit.

The only thing that I dislike is that even if I eat a whole bowl full of different types of fruit it doesn't completely fill me up, so I end up eating something else in a craze of feeling very hungry before dinner time (which my family thinks is okay to eat at nearly 9 pm - its not). 

There really is no better feeling than eating lots of good, nutritious fruits at once and it doesn't even seem a chore because I've been happily having my fruit bowls everyday and it taste so ummm ...fruity.

 

 

Go and eat fruit salad everyone.

 

Yes, even you and I bet you'll feel a heck of a lot better :)

 

Do you know anyways to make fruit salad more filling?

 

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

Things That Make Me Happy #3 Starbucks, Coconuts and Coffee :)

When the sun shines, the sky is blue, I'm with my friends and I bump into a Starbucks cafe; my life is complete.

I could go on and on about my obsession and true love for coffee but I will save you the pain (for now) because that is for a whole other post.

BUT  I have a major thing for coconuts. I add it to everything from oatmeal, to cakes, in my almond butter, as a pancake topping because it just makes them taste so good.

Please don't be surprised if you see a (many) more photos of my much loved Starbucks and coffee because its finally the summer holidays ,after what seemed a never ending countdown from the end of last summer, and I'm planning to go to many cafés around London.

My curiosity leads me to so many places...

Coffee anyone? Next time it will be coconut bras and grass skirts in Hawaii.

Priyanka xx

Things That Make Me Happy #1 Loving Myself

'Happiness is about loving yourself and being less concerned with the approval of others'

Recently, I have been trying my utmost best to keep happy. Sure it might seem a little forceful but really it has been making a huge impact on my life.

As I did mention before here it all started when I drew a mind map of 'Things That Make Me Happy' so that I could identify them by brainstorming, and then incorporate them in my everyday life. These are some of my 'trigger' actions that put me in seriously good mood :D

So what about a series of posts about everything that makes me happy?

I think that's a marvellous idea!

Self Love

No, not the vain kind but the type that makes me feel BETTER about myself.

I have to admit it is hard to start to love yourself (and your body) wholly with your flaws and insecurities but once you really accept who you are it becomes so much easier to be more confident.

Beauty is from the inside, and once that begins to show to everyone you can be beautiful in everyone's eyes.

It is so much easier said than done but it is honestly those baby steps that make the whole difference.

I have definitely become more confident and outgoing; it is something that I have worked hard for and it makes me so proud and happy to feel this way.

Deep stuff.

In the ceremony  of 'Loving Myself' let me share with you a #selfie (which I normally am disastrously bad at).

Lots of Love,

Priyanka xx

The Little Things in Life

 Finally school is up (for a little bit anyway) and a week into the Easter holidays..I am pretty much bored sick.

Its not even that, just being in the same atmosphere everyday, waking up at the same time everyday, showering at the same time everyday and doing the same thing (everyday) just stresses me out. I have been revising everyday in the morning for a few hours for my mock exams but I just cant seem to concentrate.

Even my mum has notices and she just keeps telling me to CALM DOWN.

So I figures that I have to keep myself occupies and happy through the week and make those little things really count.

Drawing a mind map of 'Things I Love' really helps, I know what makes me happy (which are ideas to help me out when Im bored and well miserable :D )

So I made a list of 'Things That Have Made Me Happy This Week' :

Sunday: The sunshine, jogging in the park with my earphones on, having a baking contest with my sister (that I obviously won) and having grilled halloumi skewers for lunch and painting my nails mint green

Tuesday: WATCHING DIVERGENT with my friends (since I made them all read the book and have been excited for months!)...and then having pizza :) Wearing my new jewlery and top that I got for my birthday, getting all dressed up and having coffee in the morning #igottaslightaddiction

Thursday: Re-watching Catching Fire with my brother and sister (since its my favorite film as you might know!)

Friday: Walking to McDonald's to buy a cup O'coffee (well actually a latte) and a magazine

All week: Reading Allegiant (oh my goossh its so unexpected...)

I know this all sounds a little bit stupid but really it has been making a difference to my mood by just doing some little things for myself.

Hey anyway, WE'RE WORTH IT right?

Priyanka xx