It's been a while.. But I'm blessed..

Hello Everyone!

So its been a fair while since my last blog post.. Its been nearly 5 months.. which is nearly a whole half of a year.. which is absolutely appalling.. I have no excuse. Other than summer, summer is an excuse right?
Oh summer, that whole week of sunshine we get here in sunny Scotland! All joking aside though, it's been a pretty incredible 4/5 months of glorious weather here this year, so I can't really complain! Aside from the fact that it's already back to those short grey gloomy days of nothing but clouds, drizzle, and that horrible chill that means there's no way we're leaving the house without a jacket now. Those horrible days that mean its dark by nine o'clock, which means it's back to walking home from work in the dark all over again!
But yes, where was I, summer, so while I haven't been writing blog posts, I have been a super busy bee! To list only a few of the things I've been up to in a few words.. Spain, Caravaning, Family nights, working, new tattoo, girly catchups, afternoon tea, spending money on things I don't need, working, spending, working, wedding, bought a kitten, lost a jacket, working, spending, sleeping yada yada yada.. You get the idea ;)
But this blogpost isn't going to be a negative one, despite the lousy weather and all the money I've spent (shall we not mention my beloved [favourite] topshop jacket..RIP).. the past few months I lost a few things important to me.. but despite that I also gained some new ones too! And all in all it has only made me feel so blessed and appreciative of those important things around me, and no, I'm not talking about our favourite Topshop jackets,, However much we love them. I'm talking about the people around us. Our friends and family.

I feel as though I've found myself in an awful habit of not reminding those who are of the most importance to me, just how much I do love them, and how much I appreciate them simply just being there. For if it weren't for their mere existence, my life could be far greater than the life I live today.
And sometimes, losing those who you had once thought the entire world of, can make you feel a little disorientated, like you lose faith in your judgement of those still hanging around you. But the truth is, they wouldn't still be hanging there if they didn't care now would they?
So here's to every single one of you lovely people I have met over the last 4/5 months. Those of you who I  had an acquaintance with, but never really knew. For those of you who I have met only the once, perhaps only for a second (while serving you at work), but who took a second of their time to just make a little conversation, smile, and who leave the conversation with a "thank you" and  "enjoy your evening" or "see you later". For those of you who I have met through friends or family, who have showered me in nothing but compliments. And finally to those of you, who I have known for a great deal of time, some longer than others, who still to this day continue to support me when I need you the most. You guys, this ones for you. You guys make me feel more and more blessed everyday, and your support will continue to inspire me to be a 'good person' with every day that you still stick by me. (Because to me, a good person is someone who takes time to appreciate the good people around them)Thank  you.

And Mum, I like to think this ones for you, because I still remember that conversation we had one lunchtime, about how we both like to think that even if we had nothing else, we know we have the best friends and family we could hope for. Love you Mum.

Special thanks to;Dad, Andrew, Leanne, Luke (and all his lovely family at the wedding), Victoria and Kat, Sian, Lisa, Hayley, Becca, Ellen.. And all my distant family who I don't see often enough, but who are often in my thoughts. 

Until next time guys,

appreciate those around you,

annnnd.. Stay Magical!

x

You're on my heart just like a tattoo..

Hello Everyone!

 

Sorry I haven't written a post in so long! But I'm back with a brand new post.

 

As some of you may, or may not know, I got my first tattoo just after my eighteenth birthday, just over a year ago now. And not a day goes by that I',m not glad I did it. You see, before I did, my family were quite sceptical about the whole idea, you see my mum has never really believed in the whole idea of drawing on your body for life thing. Since I was little I used to be that kid that came home with scribbles and doodles all over my hands and arm, and it used to drive my mum up the wall! But despite the negativity I decided to go ahead with it, it's something I've always wanted, and the tattoos I want are personal to me. And not just some random picture on my skin.

 

So my first tattoo, is inspired by one of my favourite movies (you guessed it, it's a Disney!) Peter Pan. It consists of three elements, an infinity symbol, the word 'young', and a feather. The word young is incorporated into the infinity symbol, and the feather is placed on the end, it represents the feather found in Peter Pan's hat. Basically the tattoo represents the fact that I will always be young on the inside, I want to forever embrace my inner child, even when my skin is old and wrinkly. So just like Peter Pan, I will forever be young on the inside. I don't ever want to reach a point in my life where I adopt the attitude that everyone needs to grow up completely and act as if their childhood is completely gone. The tattoo is actually on my ribcage, which I have heard is one of the most painful places to get a tattoo, but since it only lasted about 15 minutes, mine was pretty bearable.

 

 

This week, I have taken the decision to book my second tattoo! The excitement is already running high. My second tattoo idea, is very much close to my heart, as although they are the most critical about the idea, it is based on the representation of my family. The idea is based around a dream catcher. The dream catcher itself, is to represent my mum, as she has always been my biggest source of comfort, and I know I can always rely on her to chase any bad dreams and sources of negativity away. The next part to this idea, is two wolves right in the centre of the catcher, a fully grown wolf and a wolf cub. These are to represent mainly, my grandad and my dad. They are to represent the 'Mearns' family. I believe I come from a very strong, successful, protective family of men. This side of my family has always been very close, with a strong bond, just like a wolf pack in the wild, they always stick together, especially this past year, as have had to deal with my granddads battle against prostate cancer. I plan to get this tattoo on the top of my thigh, I'm dreading the thought of how painful this one will be though, since it will be a lot bigger and have a lot more shading!

The picture on the right shows the wolves for the top of the tattoo, while the picture on the left shows more of an idea of how I would like the bottom of the tattoo to look, more feminine.

 

 There are a few other ideas I've had in mind for a while now too, and I still plan to get in the future! One of which is just the simple Mickey Mouse head consisting of three circles (picture below), I have also considered filling the shape in with a flag from my home country, the union jack or even some tartan! So that no matter where in the world I end up (hopefully America!) I'll always have a little piece of home with me! And finally the last idea I have in mind is some lettering, the words "faith, trust and pixie dust", yes, another Peter Pan inspired tattoo! These are all the things you need to be able to fly! Therefore they would be the perfect recipe to help give me the confidence to fly in life!

Basically, all my tattoos are very personal to me, and are all things that I am passionate about, or very much believe in, and mean a lot to me. So if you're considering getting a tattoo in the future, please make sure you stop to have a think about it first, will you regret it in 30  years time? Make sure it's something you really want! Not just an impulse action! Because a tattoo is for life.

Until next time guys,
Stay Magical
Nikki x

All time favourite ads..

Hello everyone!

 

I've realised I've written a few blog posts about adverts.. but I've never written a post about my all time favourite adverts, and the kind of adverts I would love to help make some day. So here it goes.. my top six television ads of all time!

 

#6

So of course my countdown wouldn't be complete without a Disney advert! This one ran in 2011 and featured home videos sent in by real families revealing to their kids that they are going to Disneyland! I think what makes this advert so special is that the videos are so real and so relatable.. I can still recall the moment my mum told me I was going to Disneyland.. (and yes, I may have shed a tear or two). I also love the tagline at the end "the magic begins the moment you tell them.. when will you tell them?". I get shivers just thinking about it!

 

#5

Number 5 is this classic Sony Bravia TV ad, I think a lot of people remember this one, and I know whenever I hear the soundtrack it immediately triggers the ad in my head.

 

#4

Ah, a Christmas advert! TV wouldn't be the same without them! Number 4 is the John Lewis ad from 2011 featuring the young boy who can't wait for Christmas. But the heartwarming twist at the end of the ad is what makes it, just when we think he's waiting to get his presents.. we realise the only reason he couldn't wait was to give his gift! Not receive it. Check it out for yourself!

 

#3



 

Number three is my current favourite ad on the TV, British Airways holidays, because nothing makes me happier than holiday adverts on the TV! This ad follows a couple as they experience holidays all around the world, both action packed and relaxing. If you didn't want to book a holiday after watching this then you have no soul.

 

 

#2

Number two in the countdown is this adorable vodafone ad! It follows a couple from their very first kiss to their very last kiss, symbolising the reliable and long lasting service of Vodafone. Possibly one of the cutest adverts ever?

 

#1 DRUM ROLL PLEASE......



Again this advert ran in 2011 (this surely must have been the year of great ads!), and the music, the words, the idea behind it, this advert strangely enough brings a tear to my eye, and for years - and probably many more years to come - will be my all time favourite ad. I definitely recommend you give this one a watch. If I can make anything nearly as good as this one day.. I'll be pretty happy.

 

Until next time guys,

Stay Magical

Nikki x

The Big Something!#2

Hello Everyone!

Sorry this weeks big something post is so late, I've been pretty busy with college, work (and freshers too ofcourse!) But better late than never!

Something I've been loving..
This week I have been absolutely loving the flavour/smell of mango! I mean, is it just me or is mango just the nicest fruit ever!? This week I've been wearing Barry M's gelly nail in 'mango', in the shower I've been using mango shower gel, I've been drinking orange and mango fruit juice, Fanta mango and mango sourz! I feel like I'm on mango overload, is it too much? Naaa..

Something I've been hating..
So I enjoy a nice bath now and again, but this has become war due to the fact that I have never been able to find the right plug for the bath in our flat! I mean I'm not even sure one exists! Saturday evening, I poured a bath and used what I thought was the correct bath plug, little did I know it would be more effort than it was worth. After a (for what its worth) very pleasant nice warm bath (which was much needed after sleeping in that morning and not having time to shower before work!). I then came to the realisation that the bath plug, was infact.. stuck! Yes, stuck! No matter how hard I tried, I could not move it! Eventually I had to use a jug to slowly take the water from the bath and pour it down the bathroom sink. It took the best of half an hour until the bath was pretty much empty and I was finally able to remove the plug! It's safe to say I won't be bathing for a long time at least not until we finally find the right plug!

Something I've been wearing..
So this week I decided I was just going to go out on a limb and buy a slightly larger slightly more 'winter appropriate' jacket and assume that the weather is only going to get colder! I fell in love with this one as soon as I seen it, it's from H+M and is grey 'tweed like' material with leather sleeves and collar detailing, the zip is also just slightly off centre which I think makes it a bit different! And although it doesn't look that thick the sleeves especially are quite padded and are super cosy! So winter.. Come at me!

Something I bought that I didn't need..
Beyoncé's new perfume! So I stumbled into superdrug this week, and as I was at the checkout I noticed Beyoncé's new perfume, The Mrs Carter World Tour, was half price for one week only (the big bottle too!) I just could not resist! It smells fabulous! Fruity but expensive! Another definite recommend from me!

Something I've been listening to..
Union J's new song, Beautiful life.
Album.. A guilty pleasure of mine this week (judge me now) has been The Hannah Montanna Movie Soundtrack.. a personal favourite of mine has been Crazier by Taylor Swift, yes I am a lover of country music. Please don't judge me! The Hannah Montanna fan in me will never die, even if Mileys old image has done!

Something I've been missing..
So being in my second year at Aberdeen College, I  am living in my own flat away from home and away from my family. Having lived in the countryside until I was 17, the past year has brought a lot of changes to my life and I do quite often find myself missing the tranquillity of my old farmhouse, and everyone who lived in it with me. Also, seen as my Grandpa has been quite ill these past couple of months with trips in and out of hospital and it being difficult for me to find the time to see him, it had got me thinking a lot about my childhood and how much he used to be around. My earliest memory of him is probably him teaching me how to tie my shoe laces, a simple task that I guess I do without even thinking about these days, I guess I really ought to thank him for the simple things like that! (And Grandpa if you're reading this, you better be writing my book!). But it's not just my Grandpa that I miss, as little as I admit it, my mothers company is missed more and more every day (and not just because yesterday I dyed my whites pink in the wash because she wasn't here to tell me otherwise! oops!). But more so because you don't even realise how much even just her presence means to you until your miles away from her! And my Dad, well, for those of you who don't know he is quite the clown. I sorely miss his childish capering, and when he used to attempt to tell me and my brother off, but instead just end up laughing! His silly dance moves would not go a miss right now! And my brother (whom I have to thank for the inspiration for this post), well I guess I never really tell him how much I miss having him around too, I remember when we were younger and we used to run around pretending we were twins! But he's growing up now and doing well in School, truth be told I'm quite the proud older sister! Stick in till you stick out bro bro!
And so, my dear family.. this ones for you! Love and miss you all! (And the cats!)

 

Something Elaine showed me..
Apparently I've turned up very late to the "dumb ways to die" club! But for those of you who don't know about it (like me, oops) you should definitely give that game a download! Very strange but strangely addictive!!

Something magical..
This week for my something magical I would like to share a video with you which I stumbled upon on YouTube. The video features a YouTube boyband and YouTuber Todrick Hall, singing a remix of some classical Disney songs! Disney Princes meets Boybands with a twist, don't be too quick to judge and check this one out! If anything it is damn catchy!

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Something inspiring..
And for something to inspire you guys this week, here is a picture I bought in a little shop I can't quite remember the name of in St Andrews, my familys favourite holiday destination! (Ps. Dad if you're reading this, I'm still waiting for you to put it on my wall!) Anyway, it immediately stood out to me, and it genuinely sums up the motto which I live my life by!

You know the drill..

Stay Magical!

Nikki x