Things I'm Afraid To Tell You

After my little break I am a little bit behind in the blog world, but I decided I really wanted to jump on the bandwagon of 'Things I Am Afraid To Tell You'. In case you didn't know the whole thing was started by Jess of Make Under My Life, who wrote this post. After that it was picked up by Ez at Creature Comforts then basically the whole thing went wild. 
I think everyone has had one of those days when they look through the blogs on their reader and suddenly feel like disheartened. The supposed lifestyles of these bloggers suddenly seems so unobtainable, you feel you will never be as pretty/stylish/creative/productive (delete those that don't apply) as these amazing internet women. 
The thing is though, no of us is entirely honest on our blogs. When I think about the impression I give of my life on my blog it only encompasses a tiny number of the things that make me me. So, in the spirit of sharing, and letting you guys in a little here are (some) of the things I didn't think I would ever share with you on my blog. 

• I am freaked out by make-up blogs. I don't like seeing close-ups of your mouth and eyes, there is just something about it that puts me off a little, no idea why. 
• I read GOMI. I don't have an account so I don't comment on either the posts or the forums (which can get pretty mean) but doing it reminds me to keep my head when I'm blogging, and to always be me. 
• I refuse to ride a bike. In fact, I'm not even sure I can ride a bike anymore. The last time I got on one I was about 11 and went over the handlebars, now I have no interest in ever trying again.
• I also can't drive. I've lived in a city with a, not fantastic but not terrible, bus service all my life so I have never really felt the need to learn how to drive. The past couple of years I have been thinking about finally giving in and learning, I want to move out into the sticks with the French so we've got more space for Mania but honestly I just wouldn't trust myself behind the wheel of something that could kill us all. 
• I frequently feel like I can't quite handle life. I'm not sure if that sounds a bit pathetic or so painfully obvious it isn't worth mentioning but so many things have happened to me recently that I kind of feel like I'm heading towards a full blown melt down. 
• I have no idea how I am going to juggle being in a relationship, working and blogging. I got so used to studying and having all my free time to myself and then I took a massive break (sorry blog!) so I've got no idea how I am going to manage this new part of my life. 
• I'm already embarassed by some of my early blog posts. What was I thinking? 
• It hasn't been that long, so this is kind of understandable, but I cry at least once every two to three days thinking about Bertie. 
• I can't really remember what my natural hair colour is, I think it is a kind of mousy blonde, but I've not seen it other than at my roots for over ten years so for all I know I could be completely grey by now. 
• I'm never going to be one of those super productive people, I could spend all my spare time coming up with awesome DIYs, or writing seven blog posts a week, and sometimes that is what I want to do, but other times I want my time to be be just that, my time off, where I can sit in bed with a puppy and my laptop and relax. 
• I'm a smoker, I started young and yes, I regret it, and yes, one day I will quit. 

I know a lot of people have already done posts like this, so if you have one up I would love it if you left me a link in the comments. I'm super nosey (should I have put that on the list as well?) and would love to learn more about you all. I hope you still like me after telling you all these (not so) embarrassing things. 

Really, More Puppy Talk...?

It's just me and Mania for the next wee while and lets just say we haven't really adjusted yet. She is still pacing round the flat trying to discover where the French is hiding, and is highly unhappy that he cannot be found. I on the other hand am panicking about being in charge of a massive puppy who (i) won't quite behave as well for me as she will for her owner and (ii) working out how I am going to have any kind of life (or even go food shopping) with a dog who has attached herself to me like a leech. I ran out to get some stuff from the shop round the corner last night and came back to her whining rather pathetically. 
I'm pretty lucky that I am currently able to do nearly everything I do from home, in fact I'm pretty lucky in general to be in this position. Having responsibility for something I know my boyfriend cares so much about is a little but scary though. I'm just praying that we don't have any veterinary emergencies or anything else while he is away (which looks like it might be most of the summer). 
There are bonuses as well, I stayed up far too late last night trying to think of little changes I can make to my blog design, working on a new page for the blogs I read and generally just coming up with some new content while I have the chance, but I am still missing him terribly. I guess the only solution is to keep myself as busy as possible. 
This photo was taken last week when we had the absolutely amazing weather every British blogger can't stop talking about. I think it really is a typically British thing that when we can't think of anything to say we always talk about what the weather is doing. Luckily today seems to be quite nice so far (it was disgustingly windy and rainy yesterday so this is a definite improvement), so I am going to take a long walk with the little monster and hopefully convince my mum to watch her while I pick up some essentials. 
If you guys have any puppy related advice I would sure appreciate it. I'd really like to not worry about letting her off the lead and keep her as happy as possible while it is just the two of us. 

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Is it just me or has this week been ridiculously fast? Ah well, as they say, c'est la vie. Just means it is time for another Monday Link List.



Bailey did a great tutorial for a scarf braided crown - can't wait till my hair is long enough to try. This print is absolutely gorgeous This cranberry and pomegranate sorbet looks like the perfect snack for this kind of weather (and there is also the option to add alcohol - yum! The French suggests kirsch, a German cherry liqueur) 

I love this quote, but unfortunately I can't find an original source for this image. If anyone recognizes it please let me know so I can link back!

• Love Maegan has a great, and easy looking, DIY to add lace sleeves to a tank top. Perfect to keep the sun from burning your shoulders. 
• Sarah at Silly Grrl posted about her escape from her 9-5, and has some suggestions if you also want to become self employed. 
• Hello Giggles have breaking news; apparently celebrities are real people underneath their make-up. And they are still beautiful too! 
• It might not seem the most important thing, in the grand scheme, but Sally's post reminds us that body image matters, and reminds us to try and feel happy in our own skin. 
• I'm a sucker for any type of advice about blogging and this post has some great points (via Little Chief Honeybee)
• Speaking of Little Chief Honeybee, it celebrated it's third birthday last week. Happy Blogiversary Kaelah! 
• I'm an absolute sucker for engagement videos, and this has to be one of the cutest I have seen. I nearly cried the first time I watched it. So lovely. 

Have a great week!

I'll Just Keep It To Myself, In The Sun

 

Do any of you ever buy an item of clothing that is way out of your normal style and then panic about how to wear it? I picked up this skirt second hand about a year ago and it has taken me until now to find an outfit I am comfortable with involving it. I really wanted to try out the midi trend, and I have to admit I do really like the length but the pattern is just a little bit too old lady for me. I'm also completely shocked by the fact it claims to be a UK size 18 - that waistband must really stretch! 

As I mentioned in my last post the French is heading off for work as of this evening so we are cramming as much into our last hours together as possible. I've gotten so used to having him around all the time it is going to be quite a change to be on my own again. I even managed to convince him to take my outfit photos yesterday (and wowsa is it a lot easier having a real person behind there checking on photos!) so I am going to have to re-adjust a little bit. Luckily he is leaving Mania with me so I will still have someone to cuddle at night!

Anyway, I want to spend as little time as possible online today, cuddles in the sun and maybe some ice cream is more the order of the day. Ta-ta for now!

Top: New Look, Belt & Shoes: Primark, Skirt & Cardigan: Thrifted

Too Many Puppies

In case you haven't guessed, I'm a dog person. I absolutely love puppies, so becoming mama to another dog was definitely not a problem for me. Mania (pronounced Man-ya) is half husky and about ten months old. She is a little monster, but also absolutely lovely, and so affectionate! I'm going to be looking after for most of the summer while the French (well, he needed a nickname and this one works) is away working for the summer so I imagine she will be appearing on here quite often. 
Just a quick post today, I only have till the end of the week to hang out with the French so we are taking advantage of the fact my parents are away and having a faux holiday at their house. Having flatmates definitely works out well for our wallets but sometimes it is nice to have our own space. We're planning long walks with the puppies, cooking together, maybe a picnic and some late nights watching the X-Files. Such a perfect (and relaxing) couple of days. 
By the way, I have joined the Better Blogger Network, anyone can now join, and you can find my profile here.