when life gives you lemons, make lemonade

Hiiiiii, I feel as though I really need to get back on the blogging game, I just have not had the inspiration lately but I just felt like a doing a little post since it feels like forever since I've properly updated this. I mean, lets be honest it was just used as an open diary for a lot of the time and I don't mind that- but that was never the aim or intention behind making this blog. Though, I guess I never really had an aim as such, I just blogged about what I blogged about and hoped someone would want to read. This is very exciting though as this is the first time I've used my laptop since being back at Uni, impressive, right? but not really, I don't really use my laptop that much hence why my phone is my lifeline. Also I'm coming back to this a day after initially writing this because my laptop crashed. Oh. Anyway, I'm rambling. Hello, hi, I'm back. To update: I would say a lot has changed. I think I was in a bad place last time I wrote on here but I...

Hello! Sorry it's actually been ages since I last blogged, I guess I've been busy and got a bit side tracked! So, I'm back at University now, living with 8 crazy people in our basement flat in Hastings. A lot has changed since my last post and I always find that strange, how quickly things can change without you ever really noticing. I thought I'd make a post on just 5 things I've learnt since becoming a second year. Though, I still feel like a fresher. Especially since ours appear to be non-existent. 1) You gain a completely new and different friendship with people once you start living with them. You realise everyones good habits, bad habits and everything in between on a much greater scale than when you're in Halls. You're in one another's proximity and however much you love them, that can be bloody annoying at times. 2) I've actually started to become a little less independent in a way. During first year it's all exciting and new and you ...

Hello one and all! It's been quite a while since I last blogged, I've had so much to talk about but not a lot I feel would interest you reading this. A lot has happened and my Summer is rapidly coming to an end, meaning I'll soon be back in Hastings moving into my new house with 8 of my best friends drinking solidly for two weeks throughout Freshers and trying to top my amazing first year. This post is quite a personal one for me as it's something I've been tackling with for a short while now. I developed pretty bad anxiety just after I came out of my last relationship, in no way am I looking for attention or sympathy here as I really don't need it, I'm absolutely fine, but it was something that shocked me as I'd never had anything like it before. I guess the reason behind this post is to raise awareness as since I developed my anxiety I quickly realised it's actually very common and overlooked. Apparently because it's common that means that it...

Hey! So, the other day I read through some of my older posts and realised that a lot of them are about my ex (too many of them)- that was by no means my intention but it just so happens that a lot of what I want to say and a great deal of what I have learnt recently is because of that break up, I thought I should clarify that. I think it's wrong of people to say you shouldn't post about a certain topic.. Who are you to tell me what I can and can't publish? If it helps me then who are you to tell me to stop doing that? And now, amazingly, not only is it helping me but other people too. It's like if I was to post a picture of myself naked (besides the fact I wouldn't do that.. TT's on Tumblr don't count..), say, because I was having a "good body day", should people not see that and think "good on you!" (okay, admittedly at first you'd be like, what.. but you have to commend them on their bravery) because even if it seems effortless for ...

Hey! I guess this blog post may not appeal to everyone but I saw a few people doing it and thought I'd jump on the bandwagon. It's basically just going to be random facts about myself and my life, read on at your own leisure. If you already know all of these facts about myself then you are basically me and are living a secret life in the form of another person. 1. I'm 100% obsessed with salt, anyone that knows me (even briefly) will know how much I am addicted to salt, it's pretty bad really. The amount of times people remind me of my future slow and painful death is increasing by the second. I have to have it on everything savoury and I mean, everything. One time I couldn't decide if peanut butter was sweet or savoury so I applied salt to it anyway.. tasted good to me. 2. Along with salt, I am also addicted to ice poles. It's never too cold for ice poles and I will always have some in the freezer. I could get through an infinite amount in just a day if I wa...

Hello! I thought I'd update you all on the pleasant fact that I have officially passed my first year at University! I am super proud of myself if I'm completely honest. Everyone doubts themselves at moments and there have been plenty of times where I have felt as though I am not capable of doing something, so to have got two firsts in one of my modules (my favourite one at that) was a massive shock to me and completely amazing and overwhelming. When someone who actually has a degree in your subject of interest tells you that you're doing good and you get that push in the right direction where you know you're actually doing well, it desperately gives you that confidence you hope for. I really needed that. All I can say is that I can't wait to pull my socks up even more in the upcoming year, especially with it being based more around the Television element of Journalism which is what appeals to me the most. I never thought I'd be excited to study.. Who am I? I ...

My Mother is a very strong woman but just recently I was reminded of this even more. Eight whole years ago she blessed a couple with an irreplaceable gift- the gift of life. My Mother signed up and joined an agency called C.O.T.S (Childlessness Overcome Through Surrogacy), it was just something she had always wanted to do and I admire her so much for actually doing it. I was pretty young at this time but definitely remember finding the whole process exceptionally strange. I remember comparing it to something like 'Blind Date' as letters would come through the door fairly often with a profile of a couple, it would state information of theirs from whether they live with pets to if they smoke or not. It was our job as a family to pick out a couple that we "liked the look of" in terms of whether or not we felt they would make good parents for this future child. It was a hard process, naturally, because we had the power to change a couples lives- it's not something you...

So I went to watch TFIOS with my big sister yesterday and oh my god, it was everything I had hoped for and more. After waiting so long to see it, I was worried that it may not live up to my expectations. As well as this, a load of my friends had been saying how amazing it was and I was worrying that they may have over hyped it and I'd be disappointed, but my main worry was that it wouldn't do the book justice. I'm going to attempt to not give away too many spoiler alerts so I don't ruin it for those of you who haven't seen it but literally what are you waiting for? GO. SEE. IT. I read the book a couple of months after it came out, though, before this I had read 'Looking For Alaska' where I first fell in love with John Green. He is a literature God. The Fault In Our Stars quickly became my most favourite book and the news that it was being made into a film was insane. It's so crazy how well the film abided by the book.. you know when you read a book and...

I guess this post is going to be a reflective one, looking back on what has happened throughout this year so far. And that is a lot! I can't quite believe just how much has happened and changed. Change is a weird thing because it happens so quickly and frequently before you've even got time to reflect on it or even realise it's happening or has happened. A lot of shit has happened this year (won't go into detail, this is not my sob story for X Factor) but I'm finally looking at the positives. This honestly isn't meant to be a soppy, get-your-violins-out post, it's just a self-reflection for me I guess. I didn't think coming home from Uni was going to be a good thing for me at all, I loved having people around me all of the time- in fact, I relied on it a lot. Although I live with my younger brother, younger sister, Mother and Step Dad, it's still not the same as having all of your friends around you whenever you want. I was almost scared to lose that...

I have now moved back home! My time at Robert Tressell Halls and room 203 has come to an end and I feel very emotional about it. That whole experience was one I will never forget. I will miss a lot about living in Halls, especially always having someone about. Wherever you went, you'd never be alone. Even walking into the kitchen, you're bound to see someone. I loved that. Because at the same time as this, you could still have your own space in the privacy and comfort of your own room. I wish I appreciated that a little more whilst being there. Towards the end of my time at Halls I was so sick of being by myself, and to survive Halls, you have to enjoy your own company. Towards the end I was extremely reliant on my friends for company, as splitting up with my ex boyfriend meant time alone was time to over think the situation and work myself up, which is never healthy. So the last few weeks I was always with someone. So it's really weird to now be back home and not have that...

This blog post isn't about anything in particular as such, but I just had one of those moments of realisation as I was packing all of my room away ready for the Summer that awaits me. I realised that sometimes carrying on is the most important thing to do, simply just carrying on. You may be thinking, "what on earth is she on about" or even "well, of course it's important to carry on!" but I realised that this really can be the answer to anything. This year has tested me more than any other. I've been thrown curve balls that no one should have to deal with. As well as this, there is the stress of work, which ultimately everyone has to deal with at some stage in their lives. This whole Uni experience has been a massive learning curve, naturally. But also aside from academic work also comes my own personal achievements. Although I am not yet the person I want to be, or even the person I was, I am still learning. And I think that alone is amazing. That ever...

GUESS WHAT! I finished my last assignment, (a 2 minute podcast on Social Media) which can only mean one thing- I'M FREEEEE! I don't think it has quite sunk it yet that all of my hard work (okay, admittedly, I slacked a bit at first.. A lot at first) and time has lead me to finish my first year at University and I can only hope and pray it pays off as I've really pulled my socks up towards the end of this year! With deadlines out of the way, it gave me some time to reflect on my time at Robert Tressell Halls with the end of first year fast approaching. It still feels weird to say that. In some ways I feel like I literally got here yesterday but there will be days where I can't stand the place and feel like I've been here all my life and just wish to go home. I'd never trade any of it for the world though, when I really think about it. I've had plenty of ups and downs here but it's been the best experience, I was always so unsure about coming to Uni but ...

Hey guys, sorry it's kind of been a while since I last blogged. There's been so many things I have wanted to say but there's always that fear of saying something and it not coming across to readers as you'd like and simply not knowing exactly how to portray your thoughts and feelings in a way that people will understand. This year has been pretty shit for me when I think about it. Although I have never been the kind of person to live with regrets, there's many things I would do differently if I could. Though, I think, if I did change those things, would I be who I am today? Would have I learned and progressed how I have? Life is weird. And things have peculiar ways of working out. At the start of this year, I was genuinely so happy. Obviously I was at Uni and stuff and after the Christmas holidays I had realised a lot. I was in a really good place. I had this guy, (for the purpose of this post I will name him 'Mr Undecided'), who seemed to be besotted in...

Hey guys, it's been a while, hasn't it? I've been a little busy with not having much of a life and all due to the realization that assignments are fast approaching. So, naturally, instead of working on said assignments, I'm here, procrastinating.  The other evening during pre-drinks, my friends and I came up with a renewed version of the classic drinking game, Ring of Fire , with the use of Mean Girls. It's totally fetch. ACE - "The limit does not exist!"  : Waterfall. 2  - "AND NONE FOR GRETCHEN WEINERS, BYE!"  : Must not drink until your next turn. 3 - "Like ughhh, Kevin 3!"  : Hip thrust master, whenever you start hip thrusting everyone must join in. The last person to do so has to drink. 4 - "4 for you Glen Coco! You go Glen Coco!"  : Have 4 sips of your drink. 5 - "I was half a virgin when I met him!"  : Drink half of your drink with no excuses! 6 - "Don’t have SIX, because you will ge...

Hello guys! Recently I've been trying my hardest to get this blog off the grounds a little bit. Sometimes you can definitely feel as though you're talking to yourself.. What with my course at Uni being Multimedia Broadcast Journalism I'm getting a lot more practice at this whole blogging thing and I've really started to love it, but of course, it would be amazing if it could get noticed a little more and this is a positive start and great experience for my course! Recently, as I was shopping on Pretty Little Thing's website, I noticed that they have a 'VIP blogger experience' and couldn't wait to hear what it was all about and decided to join in. The 'Kirsty black long blazer' is absolutely perfect and even though it's plain and simple, it's a statement for any wardrobe. This is something that could be teamed with pretty much anything and still work, exactly why I chose this for my look. It has a real LFW vibe and is so quick and easy t...

Hey! I've been doing a few reviews lately and I really enjoy them so don't hesitate to send me stuff (if you wish) for me to review on my blog for other people to see, therefore allowing a wider range of people to view your products. If you would like to do this then feel free to ask for my address and I'll be happy to share it with you. This week I'm going to be talking about 'Aloe lips' which is a moisturizing lip balm that was sent to me by the lovely Laura from 'Forever Living'. It's taken me a while to get round to writing this review as I wanted to make sure I used the product solid for a few days to really get a feel of how it works. After the few days of continuous use, I decided to carry on using the product as it felt so good on my lips. The lip balm also works as a lip gloss but doesn't make it feel sticky or greasy to the skin, which I love and find quite rare in a lip balm that also has this glossy effect. My lips have been a little ...

Recently I purchased this little beauty of a watch. I have quite a bad habbit (addiction..) when it comes to buying useless things through eBay or Amazon that I probably don't actually need or particularly even want that much. However, I have seen this watch going around Tumblr for a while now and always admired it from afar.. with my last watch sadly passing away (it only cost me £1.66 from eBay, I think I made a post about this aaages ago actually so it served me well but anyway) I thought, what a better time than to invest in this watch! I looked it up and found it on Instagram (you can follow me @hiyachlo if you wish) but it was from an independent store so pretty pricey. Then I found it on Amazon, if you search for "world map globe fashion watch" the first thing that comes up should be the exact watch I bought for just £3.39! I couldn't believe it!! It comes in a brown or white strap, I got the brown strap myself mainly because I thought it looked better with the...

H&M are getting it so right recently, aren't they?! it's ridiculous. And it's hurting my bank balance. After vowing not to spend anymore money (student life and all that), upon going to London to visit some best friends for the weekend I happened to 'stumble'* across the likes of Brick Lane, Camden... I think you know where this is going. One thing lead to another and next thing I know I'm exactly £29.99 down yet I'm the owner of these beautiful pair of boots which I quite simply could not have just walked away from. Now, these are super comfy, so far they haven't hurt me one little bit. These look so good teamed with anything. I loved the patent black look and the buckles, the best thing about these boots is that you can dress them up or down. I would definitely recommend these, well worth the money (and come on, 30 squid is hardly expensive really..) and the chunky heel was practically built for comfort. Hope you love! Let me know what you think of...

Hey Guys, in my most recent lecture on Radio Journalism we had a few really interesting guest lecturers come in and talk to us about upcoming events locally in Hastings. Following on from this, we were asked to look up local bloggers and vloggers on a topic of my choice so I need your help! Is there anyone from around Hastings, London, Brighton, Eastbourne sort of area (you know what I mean) that has an interest in Fashion/Beauty specifically that would be interested in meeting up for me to do a quick interview with you, nothing too serious and just a few recordings. Would be super helpful for my course, if anyone could get on board that would be amazing. Please let me know! or email me on hiyachlo@hotmail.co.uk. Thanks guys, don't hesitate to ask around either :-) Chlo x

Well hello there! This is awfully strange and I'll be honest, I have absolutely no idea where to start. Wow. It is really strange reading back through previous posts, I feel like my life is really different now. Although things are so good with me, that is always going to be weird. I was reading back through old posts and it feels so long ago but also just yesterday and I still remember exactly how I felt whilst writing them. I'm not going to lie, it made me feel ridiculously nostalgic and actually quite emotional. It's weird how I took the plunge not knowing if it would be worth it in the end or not and I was willing to leave everything behind me just to take that risk. I guess you might be wondering if it did work out and if University was worth it or not.. well, thankfully, I can say it most definitely was! (What an absolute relief). I'm studying Multimedia Broadcast Journalism at University of Brighton in Hastings. Though Hastings is big, there isn't exactly m...