tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20899698437323649142024-03-14T06:50:25.432+00:00 Emma FrancisAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2089969843732364914.post-70015694164537753882017-03-02T20:11:00.000+00:002017-03-02T20:23:33.183+00:00#AFewOfMyFavouriteThings: Elie Saab Perfume<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cp737cLLQy0/WLh8MwAIaSI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/cLp0qLBFv-IGB8t-PqUkloFqZzeGBBE4ACK4B/s1600/image1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cp737cLLQy0/WLh8MwAIaSI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/cLp0qLBFv-IGB8t-PqUkloFqZzeGBBE4ACK4B/s640/image1.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This isn't just <i>any</i> perfume, this perfume has a story.<br />
<br />
It all started 3 years ago when I was strolling through the airport duty free, and usually I run through the perfume section because it gives me a headache but for some reason this time I stopped to actually try some on! I had a few squirts of this Elie Saab one and off I went. A short while later I settled in to my seat on the plane and was like "oooo something smells nice"...then I realised it was ME!<br />
<br />
I'm not much of a perfume gal, never have been. But this was my first moment of feeling like I reaaaaaallly really want a perfume. I wanted to smell this smell everywhere I went. Anyway, it was fairly expensive and I didn't have money to buy something as insignificant (in my mind) as a teeny bottle of something that smells nice.<br />
<br />
Fast forward 18 months and I have thought about the perfume every day since (just kidding....kind of.) and it is my wedding day! I've written about this <a href="http://emmalouisefrancis.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/the-wedding-video.html" target="_blank">previously</a> so I won't bore you with all the deets again, but my sweet husband sent me a gift to open that morning. As I unwrapped the present the excitement was rising up inside of me, it was the ELIE SAAB PERFUME! I WAS GOING TO SMELL LIKE HEAVEN ON MY WEDDING DAY!<br />
<br />
As I looked at the bottle I noticed something different...and as I squirted it my suspicions were confirmed. IT WASN'T THE SAME ONE. *queue sad violin music*<br />
<br />
Now, the fragrance wasn't bad, it just wasn't the <i>one. </i>A bit like if another version of Isaac turned up at the alter to marry me...cool, but not the same and not the <i>one</i>, Ya know?<br />
<br />
Anyway, I never actually told anyone about this until a few months ago when Isaac asked me why I never wear the perfume he got me when I wanted it so badly for so long. Haha awkarddddd! I confessed that it wasn't actually the one I wanted whilst trying not to sound like a spoilt brat and he didn't seem to mind, he just thought it was hilarious that I never said anything for a YEAR!<br />
<br />
Soon after he went to India, and when he came back he brought a fridge magnet as he always does, it's like a little tradition in our house, but alsoooooooooo the ELIE SAAB PERFUME! THIS TIME THE ACTUAL ONE. HAAAAAALLLEEEELLLUJAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!<br />
<br />
And I have worn it every day since!<br />
<br />
So that's the epic story of why this perfume has made it to the list of #AFewOfMyFavouriteThings. It is my favourite scent and one I hope to smell like forever and ever.<br />
<br />
If you want to see what heaven smells like for yourself, it is called Elie Saab Le Parfum L'eau Couture Eau de Toilette and you can get the <a href="http://www.johnlewis.com/elie-saab-le-parfum-l%27eau-couture-eau-de-toilette/p1127537?sku=233062628&s_kwcid=2dx92700016842438389&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=CKKZ87LOuNICFYg_GwodPioJ9Q&gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank">50ml bottle for £46.50</a> (maybe put it on your birthday list).<br />
<br />
Emma<br />
xx<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2089969843732364914.post-49078942610253322582017-02-23T00:23:00.000+00:002017-02-23T00:26:04.123+00:00#AFewOfMyFavouriteThings: Polaroids and Invisibobbles<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BY2IUSa9Vxc/WK4rP7sNxjI/AAAAAAAAAu8/-B1IVRoU5RQjV_JxZAvoYKyMQOGisJaeQCLcB/s1600/image1%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BY2IUSa9Vxc/WK4rP7sNxjI/AAAAAAAAAu8/-B1IVRoU5RQjV_JxZAvoYKyMQOGisJaeQCLcB/s640/image1%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What do Polaroid Cameras and Invisibobbles have in common?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nothing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
....apart from that I love them both equally!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First of all, some of you may be asking what the heck is an
invisibobble. Well, it’s the plastic spirally thing on my wrist, which is
actually a hairband that is specifically designed to not leave kinks in your
hair. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It also has reaaaaally good grip so it’s perfect for messy
buns and doesn’t pull on your hair so you’ll never get a headache from having
one strand of hair pulled too tight! I have been totally converted, I can’t remember
the last time I wore a normal hairband.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think they were originally designed as transparent, hence
the ‘invisi’ bit in the name, but they do them in the cutest colours now and my
fave is this baby blue!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.lookfantastic.com/invisibobble-original-hair-tie-3-pack-crystal-clear/11270417.html?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&thg_ppc_campaign=71700000008970312&gclid=CMfis4f3pNICFRHgGwodZ6ADBA&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CPXLu4f3pNICFaox0wod_m4A7A" target="_blank">A pack of 3 will cost you £3.75</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And now on to my next favourite thing – my Instax Mini 8
Polaroid Camera.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>Before I go any further, I just want to point out that the "shake it like a polaroid picture" line by Outkast is totally deceiving. You should never shake a polaroid picture because it can distort the image, but now because of the blimmin' song every time someone is handed a polaroid they instantly start shaking it. </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>With that being said, I understand that "lay it on a flat surface like a polaroid picture" doesn't quite have the same ring to it...</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, the Instax polaroid cameras have been around for a while, but I got mine for
Christmas and I have used it so much since. I wasn’t sure whether to get one at
first because I’m so used to digital cameras now where you can take 100
pictures and just choose your favourite one, I thought there would be too much
pressure to get it right in one shot so it would put me off. But it hasn’t and
I love it! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fujifilm have put a great twist on the classic polaroid
style by making these in the best pastel colours, and again, my fave is the baby
blue, although I must admit it looks more of a mint green in the picture above...<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can pick one up for just £65 from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Instax-Mini-8-Camera-Pink/dp/B009ZM9R4O" target="_blank">Amazon</a> or <a href="http://www.argos.co.uk/product/2449542" target="_blank">Argos</a>, most
of the time there will be a special offer where you get 10 shots with it for
free so it’s worth shopping around a little bit! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s the shots which make polaroid life expensive, costing £15 for a pack of 20 which means every
picture you take costs you a whopping 75p. But as long as you make every snap
count you won’t be worrying about that! <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2089969843732364914.post-33690138002074732942017-01-08T19:01:00.002+00:002017-01-08T19:36:53.012+00:008 DAYS IN LA<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>2064</o:Words>
<o:Characters>11767</o:Characters>
<o:Company>The A21 Campaign</o:Company>
<o:Lines>98</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>27</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>13804</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:595.0pt 842.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:35.4pt;
mso-footer-margin:35.4pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Me and my husband recently went on the best holiday ever to LA, and I think the key to our holiday being living la vida lovely was good planning, and knowledge from a local.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XzyKha0XAaQ/WHKBJLz9_zI/AAAAAAAAAtA/SRmWJuMVHcYALsIvBTWCmFXebvRiKIHHwCEw/s1600/SAM_7922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XzyKha0XAaQ/WHKBJLz9_zI/AAAAAAAAAtA/SRmWJuMVHcYALsIvBTWCmFXebvRiKIHHwCEw/s640/SAM_7922.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">One of our friends lives in LA, and she was
actually in London at the time we went to visit so she let us stay in her
incredddddible house for the week which was a total blessing. She wrote us a
really long list of great things to do, and I'm not going to show you the full
list because I think she could sell it as part of a tour guide one day but I
will share with you all the things </span><i style="font-size: 10pt;">we </i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">did!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Need to knows (all costs
are total for 2 unless it says per person)</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">Time: 8 days at the beginning of October.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">Spending money: Between £500-700<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">Flights (per person): £752<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">Car Rental (incl. insurance + petrol): £270<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">Accommodation: £222 (saved massively here
because our lovely friend let us stay for free!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">DAY 1 (Arrival, Cheesecake Factory)</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-63OO5EWB3R8/WG_B9oWR0HI/AAAAAAAAArY/Q3PWz3h7atI4iEC8zKMHofJOF7Uea0KRwCLcB/s1600/SAM_7463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-63OO5EWB3R8/WG_B9oWR0HI/AAAAAAAAArY/Q3PWz3h7atI4iEC8zKMHofJOF7Uea0KRwCLcB/s640/SAM_7463.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">Flight from London @11.15am. Landed in LAX
at 2.30pm. Time difference worked in our favour here so we got an extra half a
day! For our first 2 nights we stayed in a hotel near the airport so that we
could explore a few things around that area before heading up to our friend's
house in Silver Lake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">We were pretty tired from the travelling but
SUPER hungry, and as it was our first night we stuck with what we semi-knew and
went to the Cheesecake Factory to stuff our faces with burgers and sweet potato
fries! It was freezing inside because of air-con (we forgot that this is normal
for warmer climates and didn't bring any jumpers/jackets) but it worked out
fine because we got to sit on their outside deck and enjoyed a lovely summer's
evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">DAY 2 (Mosaic Church,
Hollywood, Griffith Observatory, Baja Fresh)</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GoKRubyzvNU/WG_EDFxpa_I/AAAAAAAAArg/udzO9DZdmvcUoccRGSxcShmCEk0m-K3wgCLcB/s1600/SAM_7487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GoKRubyzvNU/WG_EDFxpa_I/AAAAAAAAArg/udzO9DZdmvcUoccRGSxcShmCEk0m-K3wgCLcB/s640/SAM_7487.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">It was a Sunday so we made our way to a church
in central Hollywood, Mosaic! We had wanted to visit ever since we heard the
pastor, Erwin McManus speak at our church's conference in London. It's an
incredible church and we had a fabulous time! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H140pMe-hFE/WG_EU8v75dI/AAAAAAAAAro/7LcpWhqXLJws0yNfDF2diCegG-ClR8MfACLcB/s1600/SAM_7541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H140pMe-hFE/WG_EU8v75dI/AAAAAAAAAro/7LcpWhqXLJws0yNfDF2diCegG-ClR8MfACLcB/s640/SAM_7541.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">Afterwards we made the most of
the church's free parking (This was probably REALLY naughty of us so I feel bad
even writing it!) and took the opportunity to check out Hollywood! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">We wandered down the main strip and spent the
whole time looking down at all the stars on the pavement. We had a little look
in Sephora and went up the elevator in that nice circle bit (you'll know what I
mean when you see it) to get a nice view of the Hollywood sign. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xoiCaLUeJws/WG_ERzdKNhI/AAAAAAAAArk/y9wG6UlmIOYOXfeh6nOtpktrjAAMpyBjACLcB/s1600/SAM_7503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xoiCaLUeJws/WG_ERzdKNhI/AAAAAAAAArk/y9wG6UlmIOYOXfeh6nOtpktrjAAMpyBjACLcB/s640/SAM_7503.JPG" width="425" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">Our tummy's
were rumbling again and with so many restaurants to choose from it was a
surprisingly difficult decision. We went with cheap and cheerful and had Baja
Fresh Mexican. It was legit one of the best meals I had the whole time I was
there. I'm not sure if this is because I was really hungry or because it really
was <i>that </i>good. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eRJ90kv6AiA/WG_E7uR9Q6I/AAAAAAAAArs/EDAEyczjUBAYlHdfN5MwJx82JCmv43ODgCLcB/s1600/SAM_7532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eRJ90kv6AiA/WG_E7uR9Q6I/AAAAAAAAArs/EDAEyczjUBAYlHdfN5MwJx82JCmv43ODgCLcB/s640/SAM_7532.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">As we were in the area, we thought we should get
a better look at the Hollywood sign and drove up to Griffith Observatory. It's
completely free and you get the most beautiful view of the whole of LA! Parking
is a little tricky because it's very hilly (lots of people go for hikes up
there!) but you can get parking quite close to the top so keep going if you can
hold your nerve. It's quite dusty/sandy up there though so maybe don't wear white. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">My camera wasn't too good at catching the
Hollywood sign but it was much bigger and clearer in real life, you'll have to
go and see for yourself!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ahUovh92-LA/WG_FtAnKnOI/AAAAAAAAAr8/o4Www7NjChE3QbQU2BK_W5KwgbFVJsnXACLcB/s1600/SAM_7547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ahUovh92-LA/WG_FtAnKnOI/AAAAAAAAAr8/o4Www7NjChE3QbQU2BK_W5KwgbFVJsnXACLcB/s640/SAM_7547.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">We then made our way back to our hotel and had a
30 minute nap which turned in to a 5 hour sleep, completely missing dinner
time, and waking up at 1am and going to the hotel bar to get chicken wings. Jet
Lag 1 - 0 Borquaye's.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">DAY 3 (Newport Beach,
Balboa Island, Lemonade, P.F Chang’s)</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9mXjSKr7e8Q/WG_HZck-LNI/AAAAAAAAAsI/m8sXJichRhgnxYP_cuElkvUNLoPmG5A9ACLcB/s1600/SAM_7625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9mXjSKr7e8Q/WG_HZck-LNI/AAAAAAAAAsI/m8sXJichRhgnxYP_cuElkvUNLoPmG5A9ACLcB/s640/SAM_7625.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">We had a chilled morning (after the jet lag
drama the night before!) and then made our way to Newport Beach to visit our
friends Matt and Beth who moved here from England for an extended stay! We had
our first drive on the freeway which was terrifying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">Newport Beach is a bit more out of the way from
all the hustle and bustle and it is absolutely stunning. Our friends took us to
a great spot for lunch called Lemonade, which I later discovered is a chain so
you can get it elsewhere in LA too! #Winning </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">The restaurant is a bit like a
really really nice canteen/buffet because you can 'mix & match' what you
have. They also do the yummiest Lemonades (hence the name) but with all
different flavours, and they are HUGE. Actually, everything in America is huge,
remember that when you are ordering...<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">We then took a drive to Balboa Island which is
apparently famous for frozen bananas...Lol! You drive your car on to a little
boat which ferries you across to the island. It's tiny and really cute. If
you've seen the film 'Safe Haven' it'll remind you of that. Of course we had to
try a frozen banana ($3.50 for medium), it was surprisingly tasty! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wJolpwiMBRw/WG_ILtHvF-I/AAAAAAAAAsM/8O9dBssgetMPTvjeI3uCvRgIi6xLJK7nwCLcB/s1600/SAM_7650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wJolpwiMBRw/WG_ILtHvF-I/AAAAAAAAAsM/8O9dBssgetMPTvjeI3uCvRgIi6xLJK7nwCLcB/s640/SAM_7650.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">We went back with Matt, Beth and the rest of the fam for some dinner,
and we had the most delicious Chinese takeway from P.F Chang’s. After a wonderful day
spent exploring and catching up, we made our way to our second place of
residence for the rest of the holiday - our friend's house in Silver Lake!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">DAY 4 (Millie’s, Echo Park,
Sizzler, Bad Boys Reunion Concert @ The Forum)</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eDksIaQLpNk/WG_OBKRDMwI/AAAAAAAAAso/7eAzDvQgRuYuWC-Wm8_KYwmI2H-S1u7hQCLcB/s1600/SAM_7800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eDksIaQLpNk/WG_OBKRDMwI/AAAAAAAAAso/7eAzDvQgRuYuWC-Wm8_KYwmI2H-S1u7hQCLcB/s640/SAM_7800.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">On our friend's list of to-do's Millie's for breakfast
was a definite, and within walking distance! Seeing as we had driven everywhere
since being in LA we took the opportunity for a little stroll. Millie's was
incredible. They do breakfast burritos, sweet potato pancakes, everything you
never knew you loved! (roughly $15pp). If we didn't have such a long list of
things we wanted to do and see we would have definitely come back here.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bL3veI7Fh1U/WG_NVDCrloI/AAAAAAAAAsg/EHEhTJ1BAhIggYJye6ptZG6yey7FtiLWgCLcB/s1600/SAM_7772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bL3veI7Fh1U/WG_NVDCrloI/AAAAAAAAAsg/EHEhTJ1BAhIggYJye6ptZG6yey7FtiLWgCLcB/s640/SAM_7772.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">In the afternoon we went to Echo Park and rented
some pedal boats (aka pedalos). It was something like $15 for an hour, but
because it was quiet the guy looking after the pedal boats said there was no
time limit. At first we were like ‘waheeeeeeeey what a deal’ like the typical
English people we are, but after about 45 minutes our legs were tired and we
had been around the large pond a number of times, even directly through the
water fountain at one point - we got drenched! So we got off and had a little
wander around the park and made our way back home to get ready for our evening
of fuuuuuuuuun!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">This was Isaac's most anticipated event of the
whole trip... The Bad Boy Reunion Concert at the Forum in Inglewood. I won't go
in to too much detail here because you can't actually go anymore if you visit,
but you can see other artists perform there! So a top tip would be to look up
who will be performing at different venues before going away and book yourself
some tickets! There’s not much in the area so for a pre-show dinner we went to
the ever classy Sizzler. I wasn't a fan. More so because the man on the table
behind us was in my direct view and was eating very vigorously with his mouth
wide open. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">DAY 5 (The Grove, Rodeo Drive, Bludsos, Staples Centre For
Basketball Game)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zlFJiJu8Ir4/WHKCL-sHNvI/AAAAAAAAAtI/EOSqz2skp2cLXekgfJeoSPZelP5qcFRPQCLcB/s1600/SAM_8034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zlFJiJu8Ir4/WHKCL-sHNvI/AAAAAAAAAtI/EOSqz2skp2cLXekgfJeoSPZelP5qcFRPQCLcB/s640/SAM_8034.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">We had
heard that The Grove was a must-see so of course, we visited! It’s a really
beautiful place to shop, it’s a bit magical in a Disney Land type of way.
However, there wasn’t a majorly vast selection of shops and eateries and it was
rather expensive so we didn’t hang about long. I wouldn’t say you HAVE TO go
there unless you love shopping, it’s just a nice thing to do if you have a bit
of extra time. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">We also stopped by Rodeo Drive on our way home to see how the other half live and shop! It was juuuust like the movies, sparkly and glamorous. We actually went in a few shops and pretended to be rich, scanning through the items and then strolling out saying something like 'no, not exclusive enough for me' LOL!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ogFvsAC92eo/WHKAeFPJvQI/AAAAAAAAAs4/iJ6DWdk2BAkk041c4ijZ6orObGxo6QAigCLcB/s1600/SAM_7913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ogFvsAC92eo/WHKAeFPJvQI/AAAAAAAAAs4/iJ6DWdk2BAkk041c4ijZ6orObGxo6QAigCLcB/s640/SAM_7913.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">On our
list of good places to eat was Bludsos BBQ. When we arrived it wasn’t open for
another 20 minutes (we were eating quite early because of the basketball game
later on) However, this was sooooo worth the wait. They do all sorts of meat,
mac and cheese, corn bread and more! We got lots of things but in smaller
portions so that we could taste as much as possible! It’s really relaxed, they
have sports playing on big TV’s around the restaurant and a friendly bar where
you can get some drinks. You can expect to pay around $25-$30 per person.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zYg6HQ_DHf8/WHKK_lqY0EI/AAAAAAAAAuU/15-uCSmRz4QBPO0-64Z6vkuv4JDSkuP4gCK4B/s1600/DAA478DD-6833-4ABE-9BDA-6A07933C2725.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zYg6HQ_DHf8/WHKK_lqY0EI/AAAAAAAAAuU/15-uCSmRz4QBPO0-64Z6vkuv4JDSkuP4gCK4B/s640/DAA478DD-6833-4ABE-9BDA-6A07933C2725.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">Everyone
knows you can’t go to America and not see a basketball game, so we had
pre-booked some tickets to see the LA Clippers VS Toronto Raptors. Because it
was a pre-season game the tickets were really reasonably priced, for two
tickets we paid £78 (incl tax). </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P-jg1_0QMww/WHKBui9s6bI/AAAAAAAAAtE/eEZhfcAK_Ys7OzUCLqL6XoA2nJIlmpjDACLcB/s1600/SAM_8014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P-jg1_0QMww/WHKBui9s6bI/AAAAAAAAAtE/eEZhfcAK_Ys7OzUCLqL6XoA2nJIlmpjDACLcB/s640/SAM_8014.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">This was one of the highlights of the holiday
for me, it was so entertaining and it felt very American! I bought a large coke
just for the fun of it, and some nachos. When I bought the coke the lady asked
me if I wanted to get the refillable option for an extra $2 and I looked at the
size of the coke and thought no way am I finishing that, so I declined. But oh.
My. Word. IT’S A TRICK! The Nachos are so salty, and the game is so exciting
that you just get really really really thirsty! By half time we had finished
the whole thing! So I went out and asked the same lady if I could pay an extra
$2 and get my coke refilled now…she was not impressed. By the look on her face
I think this is a question she gets asked often. But the answer was no. Always
no.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">DAY 6 (Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, Abott
kinney, Intelligentsia)</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fAbEctqlxpc/WHKD0s9SG_I/AAAAAAAAAtY/SSx-KdnW9TQTa06L6t2bQCioWR2yxrxVgCLcB/s1600/SAM_8154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fAbEctqlxpc/WHKD0s9SG_I/AAAAAAAAAtY/SSx-KdnW9TQTa06L6t2bQCioWR2yxrxVgCLcB/s640/SAM_8154.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">We set
off early-ish to make the most out of our day at the beach and made our first
stop at Santa Monica. We walked up the pier and had an iced coffee, then went
and laid out on the beach for a bit…well, <i>I</i>
laid out, Isaac can’t sit still for two minutes so he bought himself a football
and did some kick-ups for an hour or so! I even went in the sea, it was
freeeeeeeeeeeeeezing though! We then went along to Venice Beach. It’s really
close to Santa Monica so you can walk down, or ride a bike, but we knew we
wouldn’t want to walk back later so we took the car. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">We had a
bit of lunch at Venice beach, the restaurant was alright but nothing great – I
can’t remember the name! We then rented a two-seater bike to ride along the
boardwalk. This is not for the faint-hearted. I sat on the back and was
gripping so tightly my hands turned purple. I was so tense and every time the
bike wobbled I screamed… I laugh now because it would have been fine, but I
just wanted to enjoy the scenery and have a nice meander along the seafront, so
we swapped the tandem for 2 single bikes ($6 for 1 hr) and this was much more
enjoyable! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PJW58W7w3EM/WHKDHTfnk5I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/PYJKSop3EWMp1P2Q_QEk7GBeN6gt_SDmACLcB/s1600/SAM_8120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PJW58W7w3EM/WHKDHTfnk5I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/PYJKSop3EWMp1P2Q_QEk7GBeN6gt_SDmACLcB/s640/SAM_8120.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">After
Venice Beach we didn’t want to drive straight home because of the traffic at
peak times, so we went to Abbott Kinney which was near by. It’s famous for
‘cool’ shopping, however as it was now evening the shops were closed. But we did
get a nice coffee from Intelligentsia and sat and relaxed and chatted about all
the fun we had!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">DAY 7 (Malibu, Los Liones Canyon, Malibu Farm’s
Café, Camarillo Outlets, In ‘N’ Out)</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-epOGWtuFXU4/WHKFRLKemVI/AAAAAAAAAto/4Jcx6WQtyZcm2E0I8e9E3Tn0SykRb1eYwCLcB/s1600/SAM_8182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-epOGWtuFXU4/WHKFRLKemVI/AAAAAAAAAto/4Jcx6WQtyZcm2E0I8e9E3Tn0SykRb1eYwCLcB/s640/SAM_8182.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">Our final
full day turned out to be the best day ever. We drove up to Los Liones in
Malibu to do a hike! It’s totally free, and a wonderful thing to do. Some of
the locals do it as part of their fitness regime, and others go to see the
sights. There are different stop-off points along the way anywhere from 1.5
miles to 10.6 miles. But that’s only one way… so if you make it all the way to
the top and back down you’ve almost done a full marathon on a canyon. We
stopped at the earlier check-point where you still get an incredible view, but
leave far less sweaty! It’s very dusty/sandy so be prepared to get it all over
your legs and shoes as you walk. Most people will wear some type of gym
gear/loose/cool clothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oDKLAatfsRY/WHKEpOPMTEI/AAAAAAAAAtk/lHxqcMKO33QNZaJR9dJYRBfGjkILoeDMACLcB/s1600/SAM_8260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oDKLAatfsRY/WHKEpOPMTEI/AAAAAAAAAtk/lHxqcMKO33QNZaJR9dJYRBfGjkILoeDMACLcB/s640/SAM_8260.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">After our
miniature workout we went to Malibu Farms Café. Again, absolutely beautiful!
The pictures speak for themselves! We got a bit of lunch and visited the shop
on the pier. It’s pricey but lovely. I bought a postcard.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KdsJ5hOenAw/WHKFm4VzQBI/AAAAAAAAAtw/Y32YZdU8JBIEZNQg0DdWXrO4d55QpdIbQCLcB/s1600/SAM_8304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KdsJ5hOenAw/WHKFm4VzQBI/AAAAAAAAAtw/Y32YZdU8JBIEZNQg0DdWXrO4d55QpdIbQCLcB/s640/SAM_8304.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">We then
drove down to Camarillo Outlets. It’s pretty far out but the drive is stunning
if you take the coastal route so it doesn’t even feel long when you’re taking
in all the scenery. The outlet is amazing, Ashford is nothing in comparison! I
got some Nike Free Runners and a MICHAEL KORRS BAG!!!! I’m not really that in
to bags, but I had been looking for a good black leather every day one for a
while that won’t break when I piled all of my things in it every day. I saw
this one in Michael Korrs and it was exactly what I was looking for and
suuuuuuch a good price! Isaac also got some trainers and sportswear. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JHQY1YHreAY/WHKGNf3HVSI/AAAAAAAAAt4/O83I6FAqzkcng01ZfwgkyWN9Xh5aTBfCACLcB/s1600/SAM_8319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JHQY1YHreAY/WHKGNf3HVSI/AAAAAAAAAt4/O83I6FAqzkcng01ZfwgkyWN9Xh5aTBfCACLcB/s640/SAM_8319.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">We ended
our day with In ‘n’ out burger. I only like chicken burgers but I forced myself
to have a hamburger and it was actually okay. The chips are weird there though,
I think you either love them or you hate them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">DAY 8 (Alcove Café, Roscoes)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">Wahhh
it’s the final day! Hats off to you if you’ve read this entire blog post so
far, if you’ve skipped a bit I understand, it is preeeettty long. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">We went
for breakfast at Alcove Café in Los Feliz, they do an amazing selection of
baked goods and the restaurant is lovely. They have an outdoor area in the
front where you can sit at tables surrounded by greenery!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">We then popped back
home to pack our final bits and then Isaac drove me toward the airport. He was
staying for an extra 2 weeks as his band were flying out and they had a few
shows to do, I needed to return to work but was so grateful for the most
wonderful holiday! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7nw2ZNURmGk/WHKLgJH29tI/AAAAAAAAAug/wCx5yJFJ9OMIzywZL5yrL1jJ3LES_3uIwCLcB/s1600/0A8115F1-B1F9-437E-B9C7-EE505FD8518F.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7nw2ZNURmGk/WHKLgJH29tI/AAAAAAAAAug/wCx5yJFJ9OMIzywZL5yrL1jJ3LES_3uIwCLcB/s640/0A8115F1-B1F9-437E-B9C7-EE505FD8518F.JPG" width="636" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Before my flight we used our final dining opportunity to get
Roscoes House Of Chicken & Waffles. This was the one place Isaac had wanted to eat
at the whole week, so I couldn’t deprive him of that. I went for the thing on
the menu that said it was Barack Obama’s favourite. It was surprisingly tasty
but also a bit sickly. I was actually sick on the aeroplane home (awful
experience) and all I could think of was the chicken and waffles. I don’t think
it was actually caused by this though, but I’ve been scarred for life. Like the
time I ate Cookie Dough ice cream when I had the flu... It’s tainted the flavour
forever.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GJaEohUjHnY/WHKHQZWSsyI/AAAAAAAAAuE/M4BJ102EVq4WrxhlI3G8GeyBvZVbwP3HQCLcB/s1600/SAM_7475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GJaEohUjHnY/WHKHQZWSsyI/AAAAAAAAAuE/M4BJ102EVq4WrxhlI3G8GeyBvZVbwP3HQCLcB/s640/SAM_7475.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;">So that’s it! You made it through 8 days of LA. I hope you’ve enjoyed it!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Emma</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt;"> xx</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2089969843732364914.post-14043265164251317482016-08-07T21:11:00.000+01:002016-08-07T21:11:05.352+01:00#FORMATION<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ePOBwEsk5Vo/V6eVvaiw4NI/AAAAAAAAAqo/Q901jqjsm0gKkDIcc8GGIpcNq2mRy7VogCLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-08-07%2Bat%2B21.09.55.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ePOBwEsk5Vo/V6eVvaiw4NI/AAAAAAAAAqo/Q901jqjsm0gKkDIcc8GGIpcNq2mRy7VogCLcB/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-08-07%2Bat%2B21.09.55.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This year at Newday, I had the privilege of speaking in one of the 15-19's seminar streams! Here is the recording of my talk if you would like to listen:<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="no" height="450" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/277191970&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe><br />
<br />
If you don't know, Newday is a youth festival for teenagers aged 11-19. The teens all camp on site at Norfolk Showground and in the day time attend different meetings and seminars of their choice, and in the evening have a whole load of different fun things to do; from the 'Cow Shed' where you can get delicious milkshakes, to the 'Rhythm Factory' which runs DJ nights and has live music acts, making it one huge party every night!<br />
<br />
The whole week we had been going through the passage in Ephesians 3, 'Prayer For Spiritual Strength', and my talk, titled 'FORMATION' (after the Beyonce song) came on the final day.<br />
<br />
Before each message we show a testimony video, and before mine on this day was Adam's testimony (IT'S GREAT!) So, if you get a chance watch that before you listen on Soundcloud so you understand what I'm on about!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IH79isuHWRs" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
The seminars all happen in 'sheds' next to one another so occasionally you can hear noise from the other seminars that are going on, apologies!<br />
<br />
I hope you enjoy, let me know what you think.<br />
<br />
Emma<br />
xx<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2089969843732364914.post-68948644027387215922016-04-23T18:38:00.001+01:002016-04-23T18:45:01.298+01:00A Little Look Back<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">I know it's a really random time to reflect on the past 12 months, usually you do this in December or January, but it was my nephews 1st birthday yesterday and when I think back to the day he was born to now, it has been the most eventful 12 months!</span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br style="line-height: 21.3px;" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ptwqt0d-0MY/VxuwaTQW5EI/AAAAAAAAApk/4Z0wA3Iyg6grn4nsauxCOgwLYl68AKBtgCLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-04-23%2Bat%2B18.26.41.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ptwqt0d-0MY/VxuwaTQW5EI/AAAAAAAAApk/4Z0wA3Iyg6grn4nsauxCOgwLYl68AKBtgCLcB/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-04-23%2Bat%2B18.26.41.png" width="518" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<b>April 22nd 2015</b> Eugene Francis Toms was born. Ah what a little bundle of pure joy!! He has brought so much happiness to my family despite being a bit poorly throughout the year, but a trip to the hospital doesn't phase this little champ, he really is the bravest person I know. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<b>Lesson One: babies are so strong! (And so is my sister and her husband). </b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br style="line-height: 21.3px;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
A few months later it was wedding season! I had my hen party in May, and my traditional Ghanaian ceremony in June, and then my REAL wedding too! THE BEST MONTH EVER IN MY WHOLE LIFE! If I could do it all again this year I would! </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HSOH-QBfdF0/Vxuu9t52VnI/AAAAAAAAApU/FDUGNTaZGhMaZP16KO09lJ_IrPggoTo7QCLcB/s1600/IMG_7123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HSOH-QBfdF0/Vxuu9t52VnI/AAAAAAAAApU/FDUGNTaZGhMaZP16KO09lJ_IrPggoTo7QCLcB/s640/IMG_7123.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
Then it was off to the Maldives for our honeymoon aka the holiday of a LIFETIME! We swam with sharks and turtles, and had the best time ever!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CEnkwhqryDA/Vxu0BpAk4SI/AAAAAAAAAqY/qGiKFM7ubBo9EcFL-jD2vUIEyRj_pf53ACLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-04-23%2Bat%2B18.41.58.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="634" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CEnkwhqryDA/Vxu0BpAk4SI/AAAAAAAAAqY/qGiKFM7ubBo9EcFL-jD2vUIEyRj_pf53ACLcB/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-04-23%2Bat%2B18.41.58.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
Our trip to India was just a few months later. An eye opening trip to see a way of life completely different to what I've known before. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<b>Lesson 2: it's true that 'travelling is the only thing you buy that will make you richer'! </b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br style="line-height: 21.3px;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
Shortly after we got back Isaacs new album 'secret world' was released. If you haven't already got it, then it's about time you do: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/secret-world/id1054342527" target="_blank">Buy it here</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br style="line-height: 21.3px;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
In November I launched my website, Girl Got Faith - hallleluuuujah! </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lNDi_uWkwu4/VxuwudaoIsI/AAAAAAAAApo/qa-HuYv1f38UeRnLFRHF-Y18TX8GOUAkwCLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-04-23%2Bat%2B18.28.05.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="568" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lNDi_uWkwu4/VxuwudaoIsI/AAAAAAAAApo/qa-HuYv1f38UeRnLFRHF-Y18TX8GOUAkwCLcB/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-04-23%2Bat%2B18.28.05.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My incredible Girl Got Faith team!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<b>Lesson 3: Hard work really does pay off!</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br style="line-height: 21.3px;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
Then my sister shared the news with us that her third baby was growing in her tummy! AND it's a little girl so yay for adding to the females in our family. I was the last girl in my extended family until my niece Daisy came along 12 boys later.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
We had our first Christmas as a married couple and my first Christmas Day not with my parents. We did still get to see them a few days later and, along with my sisters, we had the whole day all over again.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<i>2 Christmas days = winning!</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gOBOCNgSSP4/Vxuxg3HMiII/AAAAAAAAApw/EKMkvjk-9a0jXoL9mBa_JvhWLAEI1s2OgCLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-04-23%2Bat%2B18.30.18.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gOBOCNgSSP4/Vxuxg3HMiII/AAAAAAAAApw/EKMkvjk-9a0jXoL9mBa_JvhWLAEI1s2OgCLcB/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-04-23%2Bat%2B18.30.18.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<b>Lesson 4: having two families is the best!</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br style="line-height: 21.3px;" />
The new year was in full swing, and in February Isaac surprised me with a valentines weekend away to Paris! You can read all about our trip in my <a href="http://emmalouisefrancis.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/valentines-weekend-in-paris.html" target="_blank">previous post.</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
In March I got a new job with A21, an anti human trafficking organisation! It was sad to say goodbye to all of my colleagues from Bauer Media after so many of them had become such close friends of mine, but those kind of friendships go way beyond the company walls. (Unless you're Ricky, Ricky doesn't mix work friends with 'real' friends).</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ARzLLDLxOSE/Vxux6Wm8HQI/AAAAAAAAAp8/NpheY1CIQ74Sux5PRyNOHgLXCruK6xyZQCLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-04-23%2Bat%2B18.29.16.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="584" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ARzLLDLxOSE/Vxux6Wm8HQI/AAAAAAAAAp8/NpheY1CIQ74Sux5PRyNOHgLXCruK6xyZQCLcB/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-04-23%2Bat%2B18.29.16.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
Anyway, it was time for a new challenge and I was oh so excited to be working for a cause I feel genuinely passionate about! </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br style="line-height: 21.3px;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<b>Lesson 5: DO WHAT YOU LOVE! And be kind to people cos having friends is one of the loveliest things in the world. </b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br style="line-height: 21.3px;" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
And last on my list is the news that one of my bestest friends is having a BABY!!!!! Congratulations Becci and Ben! You will make fantastic parents, so now it's over to you to have an adventurous year! </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y7gAt0KB1sk/VxuyYN63XyI/AAAAAAAAAqE/5fGii2M9UEcmeYBuaE7ZHMD5IrsyWq7IACLcB/s1600/13043368_10154746960148154_5080812642227374959_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y7gAt0KB1sk/VxuyYN63XyI/AAAAAAAAAqE/5fGii2M9UEcmeYBuaE7ZHMD5IrsyWq7IACLcB/s640/13043368_10154746960148154_5080812642227374959_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<i>I think I'll have a nap now....</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2089969843732364914.post-50576254091846534852016-02-15T21:48:00.001+00:002016-02-16T11:04:25.413+00:00Valentines Weekend In Paris<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">I had never been to Paris before, but this weekend my husband Isaac surprised me with a trip to the city of romance to celebrate Valentine's day in the most lovey-Dovey way possible! </span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
I use the word 'surprise' lightly because he actually told me a week earlier which I am SO glad about because his original plan was to say we were going on a spa weekend, so as you can imagine I would have packed a very different set of outfits and probably end up being preeeeettyy cold in Paris.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
Anyway, Isaac booked our Eurostar and an incredible Air BnB, and I sorted the itinerary.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
We set off on Friday evening at 8pm. Due to it being valentines weekend and the beginning of half term, St Pancras was CRAZY busy! They said there would be an extra 20,000 people taking the Eurostar that Friday. It meant our train was slightly delayed but nothing too drastic.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xJ9C4JuOrGY/VsIzBWO10SI/AAAAAAAAAnI/Qt45tJAPK0o/s1600/SAM_5703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xJ9C4JuOrGY/VsIzBWO10SI/AAAAAAAAAnI/Qt45tJAPK0o/s640/SAM_5703.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
We arrived in Paris at about quarter past midnight and jumped in a taxi to take us to where we were staying over the other side of town by the Eiffel Tower. This was much cheaper than we had anticipated at around €16.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
Staying in an <a href="https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/5794055?eluid=1&euid=ababdada-1570-36b7-b820-660516efed09" target="_blank">Air BnB </a>rather than a hotel was SUCH A GOOD DECISION. The man who owned the property was lovely and super helpful and easy to get hold of. It was a beautifully clean studio apartment with a lovely little balcony, kitchen, and bathroom. It was also nice and warm which I've heard is quite a rarity in Paris.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XRlagUAWBu0/VsI0TAtfmCI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/S5lPc8o_rYg/s1600/SAM_5706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XRlagUAWBu0/VsI0TAtfmCI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/S5lPc8o_rYg/s640/SAM_5706.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
On Saturday morning we set off reasonably early at about 10am for a day of sight-seeing and exploring. The moment we stepped out of the apartment the heavens opened and it rained consistently for pretty much the whole day. But it didn't dampen our spirits, we just bought an umbrella and went on our way!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
First stop was the Eiffel Tower, obvs. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-deq61m5Xwc8/VsI1faj0mgI/AAAAAAAAAnc/kvmhk9OPim8/s1600/SAM_5810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-deq61m5Xwc8/VsI1faj0mgI/AAAAAAAAAnc/kvmhk9OPim8/s640/SAM_5810.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
We had originally planned to go up it first thing that morning, but it was so misty and rainy you really wouldn't be able to see much from the top at all. We then wandered over the bridge to Trocadero. From here you get an incredible view of the Eiffel Tower and can take nice pictures. There is a pretty water fountain too.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ursi2bDRyKw/VsI055PSN4I/AAAAAAAAAnU/6wRzfuC0WPY/s1600/SAM_5827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ursi2bDRyKw/VsI055PSN4I/AAAAAAAAAnU/6wRzfuC0WPY/s640/SAM_5827.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
By this time we were getting hungry so the search for food began, but we didn't have to look very far. If you've been to Paris before you'll know I'm not exaggerating when I say there is somewhere to eat on every corner. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
We chose a little place called Café Kléber and I couldn't resist trying their seafood pasta. It was delicious, however, rather pricy and the drinks for some reason are extortionate everywhere in Paris! This Peach Ice Tea will set you back €6. I drank it really slowly. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LlVAaNFeCXw/VsI2TfPb6lI/AAAAAAAAAns/YmKMgnqZzEU/s1600/SAM_5845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LlVAaNFeCXw/VsI2TfPb6lI/AAAAAAAAAns/YmKMgnqZzEU/s640/SAM_5845.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kdq2DY_jU_k/VsI2SkKRvuI/AAAAAAAAAno/Ui5qgacOF2Q/s1600/SAM_5842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kdq2DY_jU_k/VsI2SkKRvuI/AAAAAAAAAno/Ui5qgacOF2Q/s640/SAM_5842.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
Our next landmark on the itinerary was the Arc De Triomphe which is about a 10 minute walk from Trocadero. What made this experience a bit more entertaining than just looking at a big statue in the middle of a roundabout was that there was a wedding photoshoot going on in the middle of the road with the cars still zooming past. The bride was terrified but the pictures would look ah-maaaazing. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nxzaLRJmn8Q/VsI2nWJgpfI/AAAAAAAAAnw/h9KQ8zWIZsI/s1600/SAM_5847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nxzaLRJmn8Q/VsI2nWJgpfI/AAAAAAAAAnw/h9KQ8zWIZsI/s640/SAM_5847.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
One of the exits from the Arc De Triumph leads you down the Champs Elysées, the famous shopping street of Paris. Kind of like Oxford Street but with all the luxury stores like Cartier, Louis Vuitton and Mercedes. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
It was raining quite heavily by this point so it was time for another pit-stop. I managed to convince Isaac that we HAD to go in to Ladurée for a macaroon or two. He had never had one before so there were the expected comments like "why is it so small?" "It costs HOW MUCH!?" But he soon got over it and he was won over by the vanilla flavour and wanted to get more! Success!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fESZDt1NuYo/VsI3MFMpVmI/AAAAAAAAAn4/0fDAGvjshrA/s1600/SAM_5897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fESZDt1NuYo/VsI3MFMpVmI/AAAAAAAAAn4/0fDAGvjshrA/s640/SAM_5897.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
The decor in <span style="line-height: 21.3px;">Ladurée </span>was beautiful, it felt like I was in a fairy cave. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
We headed back to our apartment to get ready for dinner and then made our way to the restaurant back at Trocadero. We really wanted to see the Eiffel tower when it was all lit up at night too so that's why we decided to come back to the same area. Earlier in the day we had made a reservation at a restaurant called Le Coq and my tummy had been looking forward to the meal all day long.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rxtUdP6iC90/VsI3regoieI/AAAAAAAAAoA/USq7zXnNop8/s1600/SAM_5913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rxtUdP6iC90/VsI3regoieI/AAAAAAAAAoA/USq7zXnNop8/s640/SAM_5913.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
It was beautiful inside and the service was great albeit rather pricy. I ordered steak but I'm not sure if that was the best decision I could have made. The French cook their steak slightly differently to the way I am used to so I spent the majority of the meal poking it saying "I'm sure this is rare" but on the whole it was a lovely evening. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
We discovered that every hour the Eiffel Tower lights up with sparkles for about 10 minutes. It's really pretty! So we had an evening stroll, crepe in hand (only since writing this have I realised how much we ate!), surrounded by the beautiful lights of Paris.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-24CrpU-sRpQ/VsI4L3qcPmI/AAAAAAAAAoI/l_1yKpfuqN4/s1600/SAM_5955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-24CrpU-sRpQ/VsI4L3qcPmI/AAAAAAAAAoI/l_1yKpfuqN4/s640/SAM_5955.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<b>Valentines Day!</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
Check out was at 11am so we aimed to be out of the apartment by this time, slightly later than the day before but it was nice to have a lie-in. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fkxDR6cXQLM/VsI4h-sTMwI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/aR9fc221SHA/s1600/SAM_5725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fkxDR6cXQLM/VsI4h-sTMwI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/aR9fc221SHA/s640/SAM_5725.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
Today's agenda was to see the sights over on the other side of the city. We decided to get the metro because it took the same amount of time as getting a taxi and it was a fun thing to do! It only cost €1.80 for a ticket, Bargain! </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-brrCx7Z2lXY/VsI48nAqZAI/AAAAAAAAAoY/yIiePxzbovc/s1600/SAM_5969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-brrCx7Z2lXY/VsI48nAqZAI/AAAAAAAAAoY/yIiePxzbovc/s640/SAM_5969.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
Our first stop was Notre Dame. Embarrassingly, neither of us had any idea what this looked like so we thought a few buildings might be the famous cathedral until we walked a little further and the hoards of tourists taking pictures confirmed our hunch (get it!?....HUNCH back of Notre Dame!)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WYN38OQ1b2M/VsI5cz34HqI/AAAAAAAAAog/C1bt9GhaK0E/s1600/SAM_5992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WYN38OQ1b2M/VsI5cz34HqI/AAAAAAAAAog/C1bt9GhaK0E/s640/SAM_5992.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
We saw what was the old Love Lock Bridge with now only a few padlocks left in tact (RIP) and then walked for what felt like forever with our huge back-packs on, to find the Louvre.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
I've got to say, the Louvre was the most disappointing landmark of them all. I had seen pictures of it before as an incredible, shiny glass architectural beauty, but instead it just looked a bit dirty. The weather was way better on this day but by this point it had started to rain a little so it may have looked more dull than usual because of this.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zTCpWb6pyyk/VsI6NWQbMHI/AAAAAAAAAoo/b72TtaqykPs/s1600/SAM_6000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zTCpWb6pyyk/VsI6NWQbMHI/AAAAAAAAAoo/b72TtaqykPs/s640/SAM_6000.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
With our stomachs rumbling yet again it was time for us to stop for lunch. After filling ourselves up on chicken, duck and the most delicious 'pommes frites' we made our way to sight number 3, Montmartre. Our backs were almost broken by this point from the weight of our bags so we opted for the metro rather than another 30 minute walk. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
Montmartre without a doubt exceeded my expectations. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IEkJ9jxiia8/VsI69mMsVSI/AAAAAAAAAo0/pUnLA1OuPzE/s1600/SAM_6038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IEkJ9jxiia8/VsI69mMsVSI/AAAAAAAAAo0/pUnLA1OuPzE/s640/SAM_6038.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
Once we had climbed up the stairs to get to the top the view was breath-taking. I would say this is a must-see (along with all the others I've mentioned) if you're a Paris newbie.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tHc0YT09GhU/VsI7gAshNSI/AAAAAAAAAo8/pxFeJT7DwXQ/s1600/SAM_6070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tHc0YT09GhU/VsI7gAshNSI/AAAAAAAAAo8/pxFeJT7DwXQ/s640/SAM_6070.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
Our time in Paris was coming to an end so we made our way to the Eurostar station and had one last snack stop before boarding the train back to London.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
As a Paris-first timer I had the most wonderful time and I am so grateful to Isaac for taking me to such an incredible city! </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
I hope you enjoyed this post! </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
Au revior,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
Emma</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
xx</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2089969843732364914.post-89153934067353795052016-02-10T16:13:00.005+00:002016-02-10T16:16:14.105+00:00The wrestle is worth it<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IW6NRNXMN1M/VrthgrbMpjI/AAAAAAAAAm4/AOU6duTwKig/s1600/40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IW6NRNXMN1M/VrthgrbMpjI/AAAAAAAAAm4/AOU6duTwKig/s400/40.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Recently we went to visit some friends of ours at their new
house in Tonbridge, and went along with them to church. They go to Hillsong
Kent and that week Luke Brendling was preaching on the story of Jacob wrestling
with God. It was a powerful preach in so many ways, but one thing that really
stood out to me was what Luke said about giving God your time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I don’t have it word for word, but my notes read: </span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><strong>“Getting
on your knees [to pray] gives God the honour he deserves. It gives Him our time
and our undivided attention. It tells Him that you are ready for business.”</strong></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">If I’m honest, I probably pray most when I’m walking to the
station or in my head on the train or a few quick little prayers throughout the
day. This is all fine and I should keep on doing it but I think this preach
really challenged me to honour God with my time. It’s all well and good me
talking to God all day long but if I’m always doing it whilst rushing about to
somewhere else, I’m not giving God any of the time he deserves...the time He has
given me! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And most of all, I’m not spending
any time<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> listening.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It’s easy for us to go on and on about our problems and ask
God to fix them, but if we aren’t giving any time to receive His peace or His
wisdom we are really just using prayer as a way to off-load rather than to see
His power at work and grow in faith.</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><strong>“Without the behind the scenes you would have no scene to
look at.” </strong>– Luke Brendling</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This statement is so simple but so true. How often do you
find yourself saying you really want to see change in your situation but you
haven’t spent any time ‘behind the scenes’ praying and speaking to God about
it? God cares more about shaping your heart than changing your situation. If we
seek first the kingdom of heaven, then all these things really <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">will </i>be added to us! [Matt 6:33
paraphrased]</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This lent I’m going to give up an extra 30 minutes in bed
every morning and commit to using that time giving God my undivided attention. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2089969843732364914.post-64776295709770869652015-12-03T14:06:00.002+00:002015-12-03T14:40:21.581+00:00Love Versus Fear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4NrCSDp-42Y/VmBUQFlR2AI/AAAAAAAAAlU/xgL8bh5t4rw/s1600/image1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4NrCSDp-42Y/VmBUQFlR2AI/AAAAAAAAAlU/xgL8bh5t4rw/s640/image1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't know about you, but when I first heard about the Syria air strikes vote I was instantly filled with fear.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What does this mean for me? What does this mean for the coming few years? What does this mean for the world?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not even really much of a worrier, but the whole debate had me thinking of possibility after possibility.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then this morning when I was getting ready for work I remembered a preach I listened to last week called <em>Love Versus Fear</em> by Bill Johnson. It was such a powerful and impacting message, but I realised I had completely forgotten all the truth that I had heard because I was focusing so much on the bad things that were happening around me. I also realised that my fear made me selfish. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Why was my instant thought 'what does this mean for me?' when we all know that the real ones in immediate danger are innocent men, women, and children in Syria. But, that's what fear does. It's a lie that we tell ourselves over and over until we become so completely self absorbed and ineffective in helping anyone else.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The preach wasn't about war specifically, but it's an important message of strength, and perspective that we need to hear in amongst the messages in the media that are telling us to fear. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have the ability through God to be fearlessly effective in our communities and in our world by putting others first both in our actions and in our prayers. Don't let fear tell you you can't.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can listen here: <a href="http://podcasts.ibethel.org/en/podcasts/love-versus-fear">http://podcasts.ibethel.org/en/podcasts/love-versus-fear</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let me know what you think.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Emma </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
xx</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2089969843732364914.post-71773667679948684742015-11-15T20:11:00.002+00:002015-11-15T20:11:54.817+00:00The Wedding Video<div style="text-align: center;">
I got married to Isaac earlier this year (if you didn't already know) and I am really thankful that we had it captured on video.</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When I watched it for the first time I cried SO much. Like, more than when Marissa died in the OC. I think for me, it was so emotional because I got to see the reactions of my family and friends that I didn't notice on the day because they were all standing behind me. But even though I've now watched it about 300 times, I still manage to shed a tear.</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Massive thanks to Kevin Hudson and the team at KH Creations for putting together this short film of our wedding. I hope you like it! </div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bt2-jiv0nUk" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Emma</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
xx</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2089969843732364914.post-54360004622115265792015-11-08T17:16:00.001+00:002015-11-08T19:03:40.152+00:00Girl Got Faith<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-clTs2GbbS6s/Vj-DTIoQHBI/AAAAAAAAAkk/p9y6XGifAsY/s1600/girl%2Bgot%2Bfaith%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-clTs2GbbS6s/Vj-DTIoQHBI/AAAAAAAAAkk/p9y6XGifAsY/s640/girl%2Bgot%2Bfaith%2Blogo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
HEY! It’s been a while since I've last posted anything, and I
promised myself I’d be more consistent but life just got in the way. It’s all
been very exciting though!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
You may have seen that I have launched a brand new website called Girl Got Faith. This is something I have been working
on for so long. If you count from the first time I started thinking about it it
would be about 2 years ago. I'm quite a slow processor, and I guess I wanted to
discern if it was God’s idea or just mine that would quickly pass if it became
too much work. As time went on I thought about it more and more and things
started happening that seemed to confirm it all for me that this was something
I should get serious about.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
So I did. I developed the idea and created a website that,
hopefully, can impact a lot of Christian teenage girls to help them navigate
through all they face in their adolescence but with God at the centre of it
all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I grew up with two older sisters, and when I look back now I
see how important they were in keeping me on track with God. They never forced me
to go to church or anything, I got to watch them navigate THEIR way through
their teenage lives, and in my opinion, they did a pretty good job. I could see
what it was like when they got a boyfriend, when they made new friends, what
they involved themselves with in church, what kind of decisions they made. I
respected them and their advice was everything to me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I want Girl Got Faith to be the big sister to so many teen
girls across the country, maybe even the world if God wants that! It’s not just
about ramming bible verses down their throats and telling them what decisions
to make all the time. But it’s displaying the adventure that can be had with
God. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Some people may look at the website and think "why have they got beauty in
there? Isn't popularised beauty standards and vanity everything this magazine
is supposed to be running away from because it’s ‘Christian’?" well no, not
really. Are you a woman? Do you wear makeup? Does this make God love you less? Of
course not. I saw what makeup my sisters used to wear. I remember my sisters
used to always wear eyeliner, so I wore just eyeliner for about 4 years just to
copy them. That didn't make me vein or desperate to change my appearance, but discovering things like makeup is something all girls will do, it's <i>how </i>you
discover that's important.<br />
<br />
The Beauty section on Girl Got Faith will never be to
teach girls to use makeup to cover up insecurity, or to tell girls what they
should look like or what features are prettiest, but how to have <i>fun</i> with things like makeup and
hairstyles, all from the viewpoint of a team of writers that know the truest
beauty comes from within and they’ll do everything they can to let this shine
through.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Anyway, I think you get the Girl Got Faith gist. I would
loveee it if you had a little look at it and shared it with as many people as
you can: <a href="http://www.girlgotfaith.com/">www.girlgotfaith.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I could go on to tell you about everything else I've been up
to since my last post but that could get long, so I’ll leave you with a gallery
instead. Pictures are more fun anyway.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Enjoy!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>When we went to India... (I'll do a proper post on this soon!)</b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GT2ThlRPagY/Vj9pZlg3uiI/AAAAAAAAAjE/7iLduOEEMrE/s1600/SAM_4746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GT2ThlRPagY/Vj9pZlg3uiI/AAAAAAAAAjE/7iLduOEEMrE/s640/SAM_4746.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bc7wi5MBERE/Vj9pvcoBiDI/AAAAAAAAAjM/NJD7kRJJlb0/s1600/SAM_5029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bc7wi5MBERE/Vj9pvcoBiDI/AAAAAAAAAjM/NJD7kRJJlb0/s640/SAM_5029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUs-CULRxpc/Vj9qA50_SmI/AAAAAAAAAjU/3QHB5VWPjF0/s1600/SAM_4562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUs-CULRxpc/Vj9qA50_SmI/AAAAAAAAAjU/3QHB5VWPjF0/s640/SAM_4562.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Impulsive Blogger event with Keeks... </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P2nayzHbsTc/Vj9qiNG1CTI/AAAAAAAAAjc/zThyGUe3Q3s/s1600/IMG_1988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P2nayzHbsTc/Vj9qiNG1CTI/AAAAAAAAAjc/zThyGUe3Q3s/s640/IMG_1988.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cgkcQCEznNA/Vj9qr8NMfII/AAAAAAAAAjk/4dDkcBvxBjk/s1600/IMG_1990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cgkcQCEznNA/Vj9qr8NMfII/AAAAAAAAAjk/4dDkcBvxBjk/s640/IMG_1990.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>I got to present some awards through my work at the Q Awards...</b></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QcfnuY38a8g/Vj9s4sQaToI/AAAAAAAAAjw/DYY5xr8dPIE/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-11-08%2Bat%2B15.36.26.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="602" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QcfnuY38a8g/Vj9s4sQaToI/AAAAAAAAAjw/DYY5xr8dPIE/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-11-08%2Bat%2B15.36.26.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> Family weekend away at the woods...</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6hrHYfTQ8Ms/Vj9tKQUVT8I/AAAAAAAAAj4/WIhJK_0sS8k/s1600/IMG_1616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6hrHYfTQ8Ms/Vj9tKQUVT8I/AAAAAAAAAj4/WIhJK_0sS8k/s640/IMG_1616.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DFRUj1GH1iA/Vj9tT2vj71I/AAAAAAAAAkA/ZG5hTM1MRhE/s1600/IMG_1620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DFRUj1GH1iA/Vj9tT2vj71I/AAAAAAAAAkA/ZG5hTM1MRhE/s640/IMG_1620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cMUaQBpfDp4/Vj9tUZjoFUI/AAAAAAAAAkE/y7yo_dnrRMM/s1600/IMG_1624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cMUaQBpfDp4/Vj9tUZjoFUI/AAAAAAAAAkE/y7yo_dnrRMM/s640/IMG_1624.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Emma<o:p></o:p><br />
xx</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2089969843732364914.post-10528906481147841122015-10-11T21:49:00.002+01:002015-10-11T21:53:08.002+01:00It's OK if you can't!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CWymhz0wsJg/VhrLO6h1Q_I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/eOPZX-q8vOE/s1600/cant.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CWymhz0wsJg/VhrLO6h1Q_I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/eOPZX-q8vOE/s640/cant.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've recently been trying to design a website for something new that I'm working on, and, believe me, it is the HARDEST. THING. EVER.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I get so confused with the codes and layouts and the difference between a domain and a host and how to change this box to something else and how to upload that image. Today I spent four hours trying to work it out. And I just couldn't!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't know about you, but I always want to do everything myself. Sooner or later though, I come to a point where I get so frustrated I give up altogether. After my four hour website designing and failing episode I went out to get some chocolate buttons (because that makes everything better) and on my way I felt so annoyed with myself that I couldn't work out how to do something which is supposed to be so simple.<br />
<br />
Then I realised, other people CAN design websites. There are human beings in the world that actually know what a HTML code is. I could choose to feel inadequate by comparing myself to their amazing skill and wondering why I can't do the same, but instead I chose to be joyful because they can help me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To combat any feelings of 'I'M SO RUBBISH AT EVERYTHING' I started to list in my head all the things I can do.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can write, I can think of ideas, I can bake cakes, I can play sport. There will definitely be people in the world that can't do some of those things and feel my same frustration as when I can't design a website. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My point is, God made us all totally unique with different strengths and weaknesses. So rather than beating ourselves up about everything we can't do, why not focus on the gifts and talents God has already put inside of us.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you are really bad at something by all means give it a go, but don't get down on yourself if you aren't as good as you'd like to be. Remind yourself of all the things you are good at. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think God made us all different so that we could learn to ask for help from time to time. We have learnt to be so self-sufficient, we're a DIY generation. 'Be your own boss' 'Make this at home' 'watch this online tutorial' is what we are fed daily, so when we come up against something that we can't do it's like woaahhh what is wrong with me! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our weaknesses teach us that we need others. And as much as you might need help from someone else, there will be someone that needs help from you, too.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Be masters of the things you are good at, and all the other stuff...just ask for help.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With that being said, anyone want to design a website for me? #Kidding!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Emma</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
xx</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2089969843732364914.post-81680321523955665062015-09-16T12:50:00.004+01:002015-09-16T14:01:39.800+01:00*Please Dream Responsibly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b364_Bjq1-A/VflU00B6IOI/AAAAAAAAAiA/khbQnUKbHDo/s1600/dreamer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b364_Bjq1-A/VflU00B6IOI/AAAAAAAAAiA/khbQnUKbHDo/s1600/dreamer.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
If you’re anything like me, when you have a big idea or a
dream for the future you want to get started on it straight away. It can be so
frustrating when you realise that most things in life take TIME! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Maybe you have a specific vision for something you would
like to achieve in your life. Becoming a sports personality, making an album,
being an actor, writing your own book or being on the runway at London Fashion
Week?… We are a generation of dreamers, and it’s a good thing, but where do we
find the balance in taking care of our responsibilities whilst still being able
to pursue our dreams?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It can be so tempting to feel like ‘if only I didn't have to
work here I would be so much further ahead with my goal by now’ or ‘if only I
didn't have to write this essay I would have so much more time to work on what’s
really important to me!’ But what we often forget is that the job or school you're in now is one you were probably praying for at one point!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Your current responsibilities can also provide for your
future dream. Maybe you could set up a separate savings account for it if it’s
something you’ll need to fund one day. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
You can also look out for things in your
workplace that you can learn. If you want to run your own business, are you
making the most of already being <i>in</i> a
business with some very experienced people? Watch closely how they do things. If
you have a good relationship with them why don’t you see if you can speak to
one of them to gain a greater understanding of how they go about their work. What’s their routine?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
If you don’t feel like you could speak to them, just
watch from afar and take notes! Not in a stalkerish way (lols), but if they put
in a team meeting every Monday morning, think about why they do this and if it’s
something you would need to do in your future business.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I've had a few annoying managers in my career (not now,
though – LOVE YOU GUYS! PLEASE DON’T FIRE ME) and I would moan to my mum about
how unfair they are or how they spoke to their employees. My mum would say to
me “Make sure you remember these things, so that when you’re a manager one day
you don’t do the same to your employees!” It taught me to learn from the good
and bad of every part of life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Timing really is everything. There will be a point when you
are going to need to take a leap of faith and drop your day job to fully take
hold of your vision, but that will need careful consideration and, I'm not
saying that will be an easy choice, but I think you will know when that time is
coming. If you drop your current responsibilities too early, your dream may not
be solid enough to put your full weight on yet and it will crack under the
pressure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
In the meantime, why not work out all the things you are
able to do whilst you’re still studying or in your career. Have you put
together a business plan? A time line? Have you worked out how much it will
cost and how you will get the money? Having a firm foundation will future-proof
your ambition. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
If you’re serious about it, then having to work on your dream
when you get home from your day job will be tough but you’ll <i>want</i> to do it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes
his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9</b></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Emma<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
xx<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2089969843732364914.post-23472052268559674882015-09-02T09:58:00.002+01:002015-09-02T09:58:45.262+01:00100 Day Goal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-seu8w-riDgU/VeYT8RJHZXI/AAAAAAAAAhs/JbYHMyTdP-w/s1600/100-day-goal-2015-e1430045776693-564x497.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="562" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-seu8w-riDgU/VeYT8RJHZXI/AAAAAAAAAhs/JbYHMyTdP-w/s640/100-day-goal-2015-e1430045776693-564x497.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
My friend text me yesterday asking if I wanted to take on a
challenge with her, it’s called the 100 Day Goal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It’s the beginning of a new month and a new season so why
not take up a new challenge? I’ve had an idea I’ve been working on for about a
year now. Most of the time I’ve not been very proactive. I’ve just been
developing ideas in my head and writing little things down here and there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
More recently, though, I had decided to get serious about
making these ideas become a tangible reality but I encountered a BIG problem.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Focus.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
When I was doing my dissertation at university I remember
suffering with a lack of focus, but I thought it was just because I wasn’t
interested in the topic. However, I’m now working on something I am truly
passionate about and I still have the same problem with focus so I need to
throw away the excuses and start taking action. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The 100 Day Goal is incredible. It was created by a website
called the Business Bakery and the best thing about it is everything is FREE!
They provide a workbook and weekly and daily to do lists which hopefully will
help me be a bit more focused.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I love the idea of it being 100 days. It’s enough time to do
something really substantial yet it’s not tooooooo long that it drags out and
you lose motivation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
If you want to get involved you can check it out here <a href="http://www.thebusinessbakery.com.au/the-100-day-goal-were-doing-it-again/">http://www.thebusinessbakery.com.au/the-100-day-goal-were-doing-it-again/</a>. It doesn't <i>have</i> to be a business goal.. Maybe you have a fitness goal in mind, or want to learn a new instrument, or master a skill...whatever you want! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It’s great to do it with a buddy, too, because it means that you can keep an eye on
each other and be encouraging when the other person is slacking. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Today is day 1. Let’s see what I’ve achieved in 100 days!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Emma</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
xx </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2089969843732364914.post-15500985463760858512015-08-17T12:41:00.000+01:002015-08-17T12:46:01.774+01:00The Story Of Success (ft. Cara Delevingne and King Solomon)<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I've<span style="font-family: inherit;"> always seen Cara Delevingne as this eccentric, happy,
iconic model who, by the age of 22, has already had more success than others
could imagine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bbdyJ5s9BOc/VdHEI72g6VI/AAAAAAAAAhU/Bpdjsq5eNtU/s1600/power-brows-intro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bbdyJ5s9BOc/VdHEI72g6VI/AAAAAAAAAhU/Bpdjsq5eNtU/s640/power-brows-intro.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">However, in her recent interview with The Saturday Times
Magazine she explains why it </span>wasn't<span style="font-family: inherit;"> all as it seemed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cara suffered with a skin condition called psoriasis that
was triggered by stress. Psoriasis
causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales. For her
modelling jobs this would have to be covered with thick </span>make-up<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and she said: </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: inherit;">'People would
put on gloves and not want to touch me because they thought it was, like,
leprosy or something.'<span class="apple-converted-space"> C</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ara said she felt ‘hollow’ and
so stressed that at times she even hated her body.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">Reading this really took me by surprise. How could one of the world’s
top models hate her body? The way she would walk down the catwalk with so much
confidence, and pose playfully in campaigns for Burberry, DKNY, Chanel and
Topshop made us all believe she was living out her dreams and loving every
minute of it.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<o:p></o:p></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It made me realise that everyone is on their own journey, no
matter how successful they may seem. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the worlds eyes being the face of hundreds
of campaigns and being an icon in the modelling industry should have been
success, but for Cara it was depression. She also shared that she looks back at
old shoots and feels disgusted at the nature of what she was asked to do. <span style="background: white;">She told the Saturday
Times magazine: 'It's horrible and it's disgusting. [We're talking about] young
girls. You start when you are really young and you do, you get subjected to…not great stuff’.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What is success to you?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s so easy to get caught up in the world’s values and
expectations for your life that you forget what really makes</span><i style="font-family: inherit;"> you</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> tick. Success </span>doesn't<span style="font-family: inherit;"> have to be
loads of money and recognition. Maybe success to you is being a good friend,
working hard at everything you do regardless of the reward, or just helping
someone out with something that can really impact their life for the better.</span></span><br />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-swIof7qw714/VdHEujq3XeI/AAAAAAAAAhc/tAcT6qlBzw0/s1600/8f5d9dab9e6e5663728db291df54b41a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-swIof7qw714/VdHEujq3XeI/AAAAAAAAAhc/tAcT6qlBzw0/s400/8f5d9dab9e6e5663728db291df54b41a.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you’re a girl and you absolutely love football and would
love to play for a professional women’s team but you’re worried you won’t
make enough money, so what? Go for it! I know it’s cheesy, but money really can’t
buy you happiness. </span>I'm<span style="font-family: inherit;"> sure if you asked Cara Delevingne what she would want
more out of the two, she would say happiness now that she really understands that money </span>doesn't<span style="font-family: inherit;"> bring </span>fulfilment<span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love the account in the bible of King Solomon. He was the
wisest man that has ever lived (1 Kings 3:12) but God also made him very wealthy
and successful (1 Kings 3:13). He had tasted all of the earthly enjoyments, and
then wrote a book (Proverbs) to show us that all of it is worth nothing in
comparison to knowing God. He recommends putting God above everything which
will do so much more to make us happy than any wealth or power.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Whenever I find myself focusing on money or my own success
too much I think of King Solomon. If he was the wisest person ever, I should
probably take his advice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It </span>doesn't<span style="font-family: inherit;"> mean you </span>shouldn't<span style="font-family: inherit;"> go hard for the things that you
are passionate about and want to succeed in, because God loves a hard worker.
But check yourself along the way that you aren't loosing sight of what is really
important. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fdfeff; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #001320; font-family: inherit;">Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live
righteously, and he will give you everything you need.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">” Matthew 6:33
(NLT).</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Emma</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">xx</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2089969843732364914.post-15796611925973167652015-08-16T15:11:00.002+01:002015-08-16T15:19:26.416+01:00Video: The Newday Diary<div style="text-align: center;">
It's now been a whole week since Newday and, as promised, I put together a little video diary to share my week with you!<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WoV7Csi2SwA" width="560"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you don't know, Newday is a Christian youth festival that runs every year in Norwich. There are around 7,000 young people that camp for the week, go along to church like meetings, hear talks about things they are particularly interested in, and have loads of fun! In the evenings there is something for everyone; milkshakes, sweets, gigs, basketball, nerf wars, glow parties and more!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was a part of the Rhythm factory. We put on shows and parties every night...it was C-R-A-Z-Y! In the day we had our own seminar stream called #ThatsNotMe which followed the story of the prodigal son and each day addressed a different topic from the story that is applicable for the teens at Newday. We also did some Q&A sessions in the afternoon which were really good fun. It was so good to hear all the questions and, hopefully, everyone went home with a deeper knowledge and understanding of how much God loves them!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This was my first ever video diary so it's not too detailed. It's more of a 10 minute round up of the week... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope you enjoy it and don't forget to see if you can spot yourself if you were at Newday this year!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Emma</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
xx</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2089969843732364914.post-72550299052715059162015-08-13T13:25:00.001+01:002015-08-13T13:25:57.590+01:00Video: My Testimony<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I spent last week at Newday, a Christian youth festival in Norwich, and had an incredible time (video diary to come!). In the lead up to the event we recorded the testimonies of some of the Rhythm Factory team to be used as part of the #ThatsNotMe seminar stream.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I couldn't believe they asked me to share my story because I've always thought my life is pretty boring and straightforward, but God had different ideas and it turns out quite a few people could relate to the things I shared.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, here you go. I hope it inspires, encourages and helps anyone that needs it!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZU90qsy3Mf8" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Emma</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> xx</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2089969843732364914.post-21453547792022375782015-08-01T14:51:00.002+01:002015-08-01T14:52:25.070+01:00These are a few of my favourite things<div style="text-align: center;">
I've not really felt myself this week. Not in a sad way. More in a tired, lethargic, can't be bothered to do anything kind of way. I'm quite an energetic person and I enjoy being busy, but we all have those weird weeks from time to time where there is no particular reason for you feeling a bit gloomy, but you just can't shake it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--xdHPY91dAU/VbzNvZoRKSI/AAAAAAAAAfk/IJz3nnJCZUA/s1600/domore-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="520" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--xdHPY91dAU/VbzNvZoRKSI/AAAAAAAAAfk/IJz3nnJCZUA/s640/domore-9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now it's Saturday and booooy I've been waiting for this. I knew that I needed to spend the day doing the things I love, not the things I feel I have to do. I realised today how important it is that we know ourselves, and listen to our bodies when they are screaming at us for a bit of attention, so in true sound of music style, these are a few of my faaaaavourite things...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b>
<b>Sunbathing</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's bad for your skin and you shouldn't do it. BUT I LOVE IT. There's something about being warmed up by the big ball of fire in the sky that makes me oh so happy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Exercising</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have a love/hate relationship with this one. It makes me feel good, but finding the motivation to do it, especially if you've had a down-ish week, is pretty difficult. I haven't exercised this week which is probably why I've not been feeling tip-top, so today I will be paying my good old friend, the gym, a visit!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Animals</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have a dog called Poppy and she makes me smile. I went over to my parents house this morning to sit in the garden with her (and to see my parents of course, sorry mum!). I think animals have a super power which means they have the ability to make anyone happy, even the meanest person in the world. If you don't have your own pet to look at, here's a picture instead.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y_RJRj4chUM/VbzMa0DXnrI/AAAAAAAAAfU/kNVxvtlPr9Y/s1600/golden-puppy-with-kittens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y_RJRj4chUM/VbzMa0DXnrI/AAAAAAAAAfU/kNVxvtlPr9Y/s640/golden-puppy-with-kittens.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Taking naps/sleeping in</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love my sleep. If I don't get at least 7.5hours a night I am GRRROOOOOGGGYY! I think I wrote a post about this before actually...so yeah, you get the gist. Sleep makes Emma happy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Baking</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not very good at cooking actual meals. It takes me ages and it usually burns. But because I am mildly okay at baking, I really enjoy it. Banana and chocolate chip loaf in the oven...TICK! (Here's the recipe...<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/banana_and_chocolate_74784" target="_blank">http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/banana_and_chocolate</a>)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Spending time with God</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oooooooweeee i could go on for days about this one. Spending time reading my bible, praying and worshipping in my bedroom is the best.thing.ever. Like anyone, I go through phases of struggling to make time for it but as soon as I do I can't believe I ever spent a single day without speaking (and listening) to God!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Being with people</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I always think I want time alone, but ten minutes in I'm texting everyone I know and sending silly snapchats to my friends. Maybe you're a people person or maybe you like time by yourself. Both are fine, but you've just got to know who you are and what you like. I thought today I would have 'me time' and ended up driving over to my parents house because mine was empty.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Getting blogger notifications</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Every time someone leaves a comment or sends me a message via the contact form in the 'About Me' section I get an email notification and my heart does little backflips! I will always always always try to reply because I am so glad that you took the time to get in touch and tell me a bit about yourself. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope you enjoyed reading about some of my favourite things. It's exciting that we are all unique with different stuff that makes us happy, get in touch and tell me yours!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Next week I'll be at a Christian youth event called Newday and I plan on making a little video diary, so makes sure you check the blog to see what I've been up to.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Emma</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
xx</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2089969843732364914.post-54744819424915927502015-07-14T17:26:00.000+01:002015-07-14T17:32:27.480+01:00What’s the way to have a perfect day?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UNymadG6gKs/VaU3qMXeDrI/AAAAAAAAAes/I8bhxggMIdk/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UNymadG6gKs/VaU3qMXeDrI/AAAAAAAAAes/I8bhxggMIdk/s640/image.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you know me personally or follow me on any kind of social
media you will be well aware that I got married two weeks ago. It was
incredible. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much it really was the best day of my whole life, just like everyone tells you it will
be.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Well, not everyone. Some people find their wedding day
extremely stressful. Now I've experienced the planning of it all I understand
how that could be so, but after I had heard just how stressed out some people
are on their wedding day I started to feel anxious. I didn't want to ruin the big day by having a bad attitude because things have gone wrong. But what am I
going to do if the tables aren't in the right place? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Guess what? The tables <i>weren't</i> in the right place! And there were a few other minor hiccups along the way but
I would still say that I had the PERFECT day. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Just after all my feelings of “oh no, what if it all goes
wrong” prior to the wedding, I read something that said: “A secret to happiness
is letting every situation be what is it instead of what you think it should
be, and then making the best of it.” So that’s exactly what I did on my wedding
day, and what I've tried to do every day since.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Who cares if the bridesmaid's table was further away from the
top table than I had planned? We just waved and pulled faces at each other from a distance
instead. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hdu-GOwhPjI/VaU5IKtfBxI/AAAAAAAAAfA/DtOT9jYY54s/s1600/photo%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hdu-GOwhPjI/VaU5IKtfBxI/AAAAAAAAAfA/DtOT9jYY54s/s640/photo%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
There are so many moments in life that will feel like the
end of the world because it’s not <i>exactly</i> as you wanted it. When you feel like
that, stop and ask yourself; why do I want it that way anyway? Why does this specific
thing equate to perfection? More often than not it’s just ideals that we get
from films and TV, or family traditions and friends expectations. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Try and allow each and every situation in life to play out
in its own way. It doesn't mean not planning anything ever again. It means you
can plan, but don’t be a control freak. When you get to the day, or the exam,
or the holiday, let it be. When things go ‘wrong’ try and see the funny side.
Take the situation for what it is and make the best out of it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Not only will you have more perfect days, but your character
will be shaped by it for the better, too. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Emma</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
xx</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2089969843732364914.post-56441282934213215642015-06-06T17:58:00.001+01:002015-08-03T11:28:48.965+01:00"Let your hair down, not your fiancé." - Vow Venture<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I don’t know what you think when you hear the words 'Hen
Party', but for me it fills my stomach with dread when I think of all the cringey
’traditional’ things that happen. That’s why I was so happy that my hen
party was planned through Vow Venture.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tHoS1VPey00/VXMkLFXop9I/AAAAAAAAAeI/XpErVCrNZOE/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-06-06%2Bat%2B17.45.47.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tHoS1VPey00/VXMkLFXop9I/AAAAAAAAAeI/XpErVCrNZOE/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-06-06%2Bat%2B17.45.47.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Their slogan is ‘celebrating marriage’ and
they have a website full of ideas to help you celebrate your upcoming nuptials in the right way! You can do anything from white water rafting to a spa break, or off-road driving to cupcake decorating.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Vow Venture celebrates marriage
instead of celebrating the last night of freedom, because we know that after
your vows you are in for the start of an adventure” Says the company's founder, Rebekah Stocker. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I absolutely loved my hen-do. All of my very best friends
were there to celebrate with me and we laughed and partied just the way I
wanted to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>9am</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The day begun with all the girls arriving at my house and
eating bacon sandwiches provided by my lovely dad. We all put on the amazing
t-shirts that were made through Vow Venture. The design was so nice and simple,
not tacky at all! Then we set off….I had no idea where to.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eXpY00d1eG0/VXLPfVux69I/AAAAAAAAAb4/LDcjpYcRhdk/s1600/SAM_2404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eXpY00d1eG0/VXLPfVux69I/AAAAAAAAAb4/LDcjpYcRhdk/s640/SAM_2404.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jtR6RDLNGmQ/VXLQDcZFICI/AAAAAAAAAcE/65--Rsid9zw/s1600/SAM_2405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jtR6RDLNGmQ/VXLQDcZFICI/AAAAAAAAAcE/65--Rsid9zw/s640/SAM_2405.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_cSXFzGgsUs/VXMoEXUvdcI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/it2q_7uu-G4/s1600/SAM_2415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_cSXFzGgsUs/VXMoEXUvdcI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/it2q_7uu-G4/s640/SAM_2415.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FXeaiSyr1GQ/VXModf7S0HI/AAAAAAAAAeY/EO2LhXgR_V8/s1600/SAM_2442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FXeaiSyr1GQ/VXModf7S0HI/AAAAAAAAAeY/EO2LhXgR_V8/s640/SAM_2442.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: inherit;">10am</b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We pulled up to an assault course in Kent. We put on the
overalls and helmets and made our way in to the woods. At a first glance, it
didn't look like any of the obstacles were really that challenging, until we
were walked round by the two instructors and they told us what we actually had
to do at each. They made us all try it once before our time trial, I think this
was the most hilarious few hours of my life. We had to climb over 8 ft
walls, squish through rows of tyres, crawl through tubes... We realised here, that we all have
terrible upper body strength. After testing out each of the obstacles we then
had to do it for real so we split in to two teams of five and raced to see who
could finish it the quickest. My team won, of course.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aJrFeJiaz-I/VXLQvQiZpeI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/UJbNbvhjlrA/s1600/IMG_8965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aJrFeJiaz-I/VXLQvQiZpeI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/UJbNbvhjlrA/s640/IMG_8965.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A1Uvc-lNeAA/VXLQ0ZnbhGI/AAAAAAAAAcY/433q0T0oWeQ/s1600/IMG_8980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A1Uvc-lNeAA/VXLQ0ZnbhGI/AAAAAAAAAcY/433q0T0oWeQ/s640/IMG_8980.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0q5D1EzjX5E/VXLQ84qByWI/AAAAAAAAAcg/BC3DGl8jdPY/s1600/IMG_9034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0q5D1EzjX5E/VXLQ84qByWI/AAAAAAAAAcg/BC3DGl8jdPY/s640/IMG_9034.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: inherit;">2pm</b></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Back home to get ready, have a bit of lunch and play games! We made wedding dresses from toilet paper, Isaac had been asked questions prior to the hen party and I had to get his answer correct, and all of my lovely friends wrote a memory they had with me and I had to remember who it was with...Slightly awkward when you get those wrong.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AdXmiBAztXY/VXLRiZwyj7I/AAAAAAAAAc0/Lqb7naTPeUI/s1600/SAM_2468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AdXmiBAztXY/VXLRiZwyj7I/AAAAAAAAAc0/Lqb7naTPeUI/s640/SAM_2468.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VffGE7CH2Tk/VXMGIifG61I/AAAAAAAAAdA/SJ2L4__Sk4Y/s1600/SAM_2517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VffGE7CH2Tk/VXMGIifG61I/AAAAAAAAAdA/SJ2L4__Sk4Y/s640/SAM_2517.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b style="font-family: inherit;">6pm</b></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Arrived at Marco Pierre White restaurant in Liverpool St.
We had our own private area in the restaurant and indulged in three incredible
courses. I had asparagus and poached egg to start, Steak for my main and Pecan pie for desert. My favourite!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S5i3SLIepfY/VXMgZLEbpVI/AAAAAAAAAdc/2RmSEPOI0sk/s1600/SAM_2549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S5i3SLIepfY/VXMgZLEbpVI/AAAAAAAAAdc/2RmSEPOI0sk/s640/SAM_2549.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6BeI3FDBZ78/VXMgxwnU4PI/AAAAAAAAAdk/YEdoMeEmASo/s1600/SAM_2570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6BeI3FDBZ78/VXMgxwnU4PI/AAAAAAAAAdk/YEdoMeEmASo/s640/SAM_2570.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<b style="font-family: inherit;">8.30pm</b></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The cocktail tea party! I loved the whole day but I
thought this bit was particularly cool. I had never even heard of a cocktail
tea party before. We chose three different cocktails and they were brought out to
our tables in these big cylinders so we had cocktails on tap, not forgetting the pretty little tea cups and hummingbird bakery cakes.</span><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w7_mD7zwBkc/VXMhmvgY01I/AAAAAAAAAd0/21c5EbTzlI0/s1600/IMG_9092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w7_mD7zwBkc/VXMhmvgY01I/AAAAAAAAAd0/21c5EbTzlI0/s640/IMG_9092.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWjU7CfiBcE/VXMiyEUcJLI/AAAAAAAAAd8/ZjP_7BUKAKc/s1600/SAM_2611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWjU7CfiBcE/VXMiyEUcJLI/AAAAAAAAAd8/ZjP_7BUKAKc/s640/SAM_2611.jpg" width="554" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We were then left to party the night away at the Hoxton
Pony in Shoreditch!</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Akesha was one of my bridesmaids who played a major
part in organising the hen do. "Even though I think of myself as a fairly
organised person, I really couldn’t of imagined planning Emma’s hen without the
help of Vow Venture.” Says Akesha. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“They took all the info I gave them about Emma and found
some really great options which we then worked out together to plan what I hope
Emma found to be the best hen ever! The most genius service they offer is the
option of split payment which just really takes all of the pressure off the
‘organiser hen’ and ensures no money quibbles at all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Split payment meant that all
the hens paid Vow Venture in three instalments instead of paying me as they
booked all of the chosen venues, which was a huge pressure off me money-wise!
Our planner, Rebekah, was so lovely and always quashed any worries I had in a
quick phone call.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So not only did<i> I</i> love my hen party – it was stress free
for the organisers, too!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're like me and want to celebrate your marriage not
see it as a last night of freedom, then I would recommend Vow Venture. My
fiancé's stag do was also arranged through them and we both thought everything
was absolutely perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks to all my friends, sisters, parents and Vow Venture for making my hen party so special.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For more information on Vow Venture please visit their website:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.vowventure.com/">Www.vowventure.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Emma </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">xx</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2089969843732364914.post-19590627915816672122015-05-26T15:13:00.001+01:002015-05-26T15:24:17.611+01:00Summer favourites<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've just had a mini break to Malta and after the never ending gloom and rain of London, I am finally in the mood for summer! I've put together my top summer fashion picks so if you see me out and about over the next couple of months, this is what I'll be wearing!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pale pink soft leather backpack</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X99RngMpfkc/VWSBZMNYDlI/AAAAAAAAAbk/nmOdGl12Yc8/s1600/backpack6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="606" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X99RngMpfkc/VWSBZMNYDlI/AAAAAAAAAbk/nmOdGl12Yc8/s640/backpack6.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I love a back pack simply
for the fact that your hands are free to do whatever you please, like swing from
trees, tie up your hair whilst walking, eat a sandwich and hold a drink at the
same time… the possibilities are endless. I had a black leather one for the
winter and wore it so much that I was nicknamed Dora the Explorer.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stripes</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zXuCvVoBRn4/VWNECG7pjfI/AAAAAAAAAZc/6sLMWSALr44/s1600/fashion%2Bblog%2B-%2Bdress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zXuCvVoBRn4/VWNECG7pjfI/AAAAAAAAAZc/6sLMWSALr44/s640/fashion%2Bblog%2B-%2Bdress.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My favourite new dress/sleeveless shirt. It was £28 from
Dorothy Perkins and can be worn over a top and jeans, or as a summer dress with
sandals. I love the laid back tie-up waist, whilst the capped shoulders make it
formal enough to wear in the office. You can never go wrong with a blue and
white stripe in summer!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chunky Sandals</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7mJXciuHJB8/VWNTSChBB-I/AAAAAAAAAao/lHk6HBJjTHo/s1600/sandals3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="378" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7mJXciuHJB8/VWNTSChBB-I/AAAAAAAAAao/lHk6HBJjTHo/s640/sandals3.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sandals are great. I would wear them 365 days a year if I
could, but I can’t – so in summer I tend to go sandal crazy. My new favourites
are these chunky ones with the grip sole, super comfy and effortlessly cool.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Metallic</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iqf9WjW-GZg/VWNGY5ADx9I/AAAAAAAAAZo/gW6XbGj-h_I/s1600/fashion%2Bblog%2B-%2Bmetallic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="412" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iqf9WjW-GZg/VWNGY5ADx9I/AAAAAAAAAZo/gW6XbGj-h_I/s640/fashion%2Bblog%2B-%2Bmetallic.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I bought these metallic chunky platform trainers in the
office sale for £17 and have been praying that metallic will be in trend this
summer so I don’t get caught looking like an astronaut alone. I love the
metallic nail polishes, too. You can get them from Topshop for £6.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Circle Sunnies</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><br /></strong>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bo_uUNFEAGg/VWM8kPtWa-I/AAAAAAAAAZE/06Rd-mxtPqI/s1600/fashion%2Bblog%2B-%2Bsunglasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bo_uUNFEAGg/VWM8kPtWa-I/AAAAAAAAAZE/06Rd-mxtPqI/s640/fashion%2Bblog%2B-%2Bsunglasses.jpg" width="590" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I bought these sunglasses last year from urban outfitters for
about a tenner and I'm a firm believer that when it comes to sunglasses, expensive doesn't necessarily mean better. With that being said,
I've only ever had one pair of designer shades and they got
punched off my face while I was skiing and are now totally un-wearable, so I'm probably just bitter. Aldo are doing buy one get one free on their
sunglasses at the moment and H&M and Dorothy Perkins have some good ones,
too!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tassels</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H7qr2J03hF8/VWR5e3ktdUI/AAAAAAAAAbE/DXFwhC9v9OU/s1600/tassel.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="622" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H7qr2J03hF8/VWR5e3ktdUI/AAAAAAAAAbE/DXFwhC9v9OU/s640/tassel.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> tassel bag, a tassel top, a tassel bikini. If you like the boho style then tassels
are made for you. They seem to reappear every summer, so I’m glad to see them
making yet another comeback this year.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now all we need is the sunshine...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Emma</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> xx</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2089969843732364914.post-83466730199967401432015-05-21T10:03:00.000+01:002015-05-21T12:14:54.204+01:00Let go and let God<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_BGu1MgpllQ/VV2jd8G0XSI/AAAAAAAAAYo/FybVqcJWKmY/s1600/67a576163c9535ce1d6872acfde2b80f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_BGu1MgpllQ/VV2jd8G0XSI/AAAAAAAAAYo/FybVqcJWKmY/s640/67a576163c9535ce1d6872acfde2b80f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.95pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">God wants the best for us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.95pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maybe it's an obvious statement, but it's become
truer to me recently as I've started to dwell on certain parts of God's
character.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It says in the bible to cast all your anxieties on
Him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Have you ever thought about how
good that is!? God loves us sooooo much that he <i>wants</i> to take on our
stresses. (<i>I</i> don't even want my stresses, so I would never offer to take
on other people's, too!). God is giving us an opportunity to live without worry
but for some reason, we find it hard to let go of certain things in our life
and trust Him to take care of it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don't laugh...but lately I've realised I
am totally obsessed with sleep! The amount of sleep I have each night
determines my mood and my productivity for the following day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I started calculating at the start
of each week how many hours sleep I'd get each night based on what other plans
I have. If I was getting seven hours or less I would decide that it wasn't
going to be a good week. How was I supposed to have a good week if I was
choosing to believe it was going to go badly before it had even begun?</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span> </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">God has already said that I can
hand my anxieties over to Him. But rather than accept it, I will purposely not
read my bible in the morning so that I can get a tiny bit longer in bed. I was
choosing 15 minutes extra sleep in the hope that I would have more energy for
the day, instead of spending 15 minutes with the source of life and energy
itself! </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We all do it. And it is often the
things that are good that can land us in the sticky situation of control. It
could be your job, your family, or your relationship. All are great and
wonderful things, but if we put more dependency on them for our joy, peace and
satisfaction, then we are setting ourselves up to be bound by worry and stress
when we have already been gifted freedom!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <strong>Three things to consider if you are finding
it hard to let go, are:<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <strong>1)</strong> Everything comes from God anyway. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">James 1:17 "Every good
and perfect gift is from above."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong> 2)</strong> Because a God made everything, there is
nothing that I need that he can't provide (yay!)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Philippians 4:19 "God
will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ
Jesus."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <strong>3)</strong> God <i>wants</i> to give you everything
you need. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Matthew 7:11 "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good
gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give
good things to those who ask Him."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> But have you asked? The first step in giving
over the control is asking God to provide you with whatever you felt that
person or thing was providing you with. Maybe it's love, security,
happiness or something else.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I realised I needed to let go of my
obsession with sleep. I had to make a decision to trust God that He would give
me the energy I need for each day. I started practically by not moaning about
being tired and then I progressed little by little from there. God has totally
blessed me in it and transformed my mindset. And he can do the same for you,
however big or small the situation may be.</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AZnO0f7kT4A/VV2e6QugBvI/AAAAAAAAAYc/UppR3wH9li4/s1600/577df871809d826a3ec7792ce91f542d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AZnO0f7kT4A/VV2e6QugBvI/AAAAAAAAAYc/UppR3wH9li4/s400/577df871809d826a3ec7792ce91f542d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I love this picture. When we
have something good we hold on tightly to it, but God wants us to give it over
to him because He knows He can make it ten times better. We won't see the
outcome until we trust Him enough to let go, and the sad thing is that many of
us spend so much of our lives hanging on to things and trying to stay in
control that we miss out on an even greater gift that God has in store for us. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Think now if there is
anything in your life that may be taking God's place, then let go and let God!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Emma</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">xx</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2089969843732364914.post-41554892190852815312015-05-17T19:30:00.000+01:002015-05-18T11:13:45.623+01:00Monday motivation<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <strong>Are you doing exams, assignments, building your own
business, or just have a lot on at work at the moment? Here’s some Monday
motivation to help you start off your week the right way!</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xTGQ-1jfkWo/VVX212HqWHI/AAAAAAAAAXk/s2h3RCoetHk/s1600/dddefa09e6ffd500dfb10b5dc725ec17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xTGQ-1jfkWo/VVX212HqWHI/AAAAAAAAAXk/s2h3RCoetHk/s640/dddefa09e6ffd500dfb10b5dc725ec17.jpg" width="638" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong></strong></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Set your alarm 15 minutes earlier</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you’re anything like me, getting out of bed is as
impossible as touching your left elbow with your left hand. On a Monday it’s
important that you aren’t rushing from the minute you wake up but instead give
yourself time before the day begins. So, set your alarm 15 minutes earlier (make sure you actually get out of bed) and enjoy the bliss of choosing an outfit you
genuinely like.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Do some exercise</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you have a gym membership then check out their opening
times and go for a morning workout. My gym opens at 6.30am so I’ve recently started going early a few days a week and I’m now a
morning gym convert! I swear, I would never go back to the sweaty 7pm peak time.
If you don’t have a membership that’s still no excuse. There are loads of
workouts online that you can follow. Make some space in your bedroom or living
room and spend 30 minutes getting your blood pumping around your body. You
could do cardio, pilates, yoga, zumba, weights, ANYTHING! Exercising in the
morning jump starts your metabolism so you will be burning calories all day
long. Not only that, but it will help you focus on your work and give you more
energy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Have a good breakfast</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you want your brain to be in tip-top condition you need
to feed it with the right stuff. Cereals such as Shreddies and Shredded Wheat
are good because they have much less sugar than most other cereal and they
really do "keep hunger locked up 'til lunch!" No one ever built an empire on a
hungry belly now did they?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>Make a list<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Write yourself a to-do list. I suggest writing one big list
for the week, but with individual daily tasks so you can see an overview of
your week without being overwhelmed by how much you have to do. Take each day
as it comes. My best friend always writes one thing that she’s already done so
that there’s something to tick off straight away. After this I would suggest
tackling your biggest tasks first. You have more focus in the
mornings and earlier in the week so start well and get the big things out of
the way. Don’t put off until tomorrow what can be done today.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Reward yourself</strong></span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kind of like when you were in primary school and you got to
stick a star on your chart if you had worked particularly hard or done
something exceptional… give yourself a reward! I’m sure you are working towards
something anyway such as good grades or a promotion, which is a reward in
itself, but mini rewards along the way are always a good boost and help you
feel as though your life isn’t being taken over by work and revision. Your
reward could be in the form of watching your favourite program, 30 minutes to
read a magazine, time to sit and listen to music, or to go outside for a walk.
Whatever makes you happy, give yourself a chance to do it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>PMA<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Start the week with a positive mental attitude and the rest
of the week will follow suit. Monday’s are like New Year’s Day. It’s a chance
for a fresh start so anything that happened last week, put it behind you and
focus on what you have to come. It always seems to be Monday mornings that you
spill your tea, miss the train, or catch your bag on a bike right outside
Charing Cross station and spend five minutes untangling yourself. (I’m not
speaking from experience or anything… *cough*).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
T</span>ell yourself that whatever happens you won’t let it get you down. If
you can make it through a Monday with a smile then you can make it through the
week.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">C’mon Monday. Lets have ya!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Emma</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">xx<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2089969843732364914.post-4021021008149217412015-05-05T22:28:00.000+01:002015-05-05T23:22:26.624+01:00The bank holiday diary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Oh how I love a bank holiday weekend! And it seems like
we’ve been blessed with quite a few recently… and there are more to come. In
just two weeks we will get to enjoy the loveliness of another three day weekend.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pfk9lSC-Mfo/VUkvktmrXiI/AAAAAAAAAUM/EUPbWUpZo4o/s1600/photo%2B5%2B(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pfk9lSC-Mfo/VUkvktmrXiI/AAAAAAAAAUM/EUPbWUpZo4o/s1600/photo%2B5%2B(5).JPG" height="320" width="222" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
This bank holiday I went to <i>two</i> weddings! Both were so
different but beautiful in their own ways.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
On the Friday I could only make it to the evening
reception as I had to work, but the party was crazy. The dance floor was packed all night with the bride and groom at the centre,
celebrating until the very end. It got me so excited for our wedding which isn't long away at all now!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
On Saturday we were off to the second
wedding of the weekend. The wedding
breakfast was hosted in an incredible building in Dulwich with high ceilings,
big stair cases, chandeliers – the lot! And the food was perfect. We definitely
didn’t leave hungry.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pYri901PIsE/VUkyDitlyvI/AAAAAAAAAUg/d4GBZMZrIAU/s1600/boxing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pYri901PIsE/VUkyDitlyvI/AAAAAAAAAUg/d4GBZMZrIAU/s1600/boxing.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>I never thought I would be saying this, but later on, (1am to be precise) we ventured to Isaac’s
friends house to watch the boxing! Anyone that knows me will know how much I
love my sleep, and dislike fighting but my FOMO got the best of me and it was fun to be waiting up with what
felt like the rest of the world in anticipation of the big fight. I was rooting for Pacquio, only really because everyone else was and I don't know the first thing about boxing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It was time to finally relax on Sunday. I stayed in bed until the afternoon, hung out in my pyjamas, ate bad food and watched back to back episodes of Real Housewives of Atlanta. To make the day a little more wholesome I went to church in the
evening and stayed to watch the youth bands perform after the service. They were so
good – I’m sure we will be seeing more of them!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Then came Monday, I knew I had to make the most of a final day of freedom so Isaac and I went to play tennis in the morning. It's more fun than the gym and the weather was so nice! We drew but really I
just wanted to stop because I was scared I’d lose…don’t tell him that.<br />
<br />
That afternoon we went to the Grand Designs Exhibition at the ExCel centre. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I’m only 22 and this
was a pretty grown up thing to do but I LOVED it. We will be moving in to our
new house after the wedding so I was getting lots of deco inspiration. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I
realised though, loads of it you can make yourself if you just put in a
bit of effort… so watch this space – I’m going to attempt to make my own window
seat! I’m sure I’ll be sharing my progress with you anyway so check the blog
again in a few weeks if you’re interested in how to make one…... anyone?........ *tumbleweed*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zl8mUd-FJWI/VUkrgWZ17JI/AAAAAAAAATU/vP9KEr32TuQ/s1600/photo%2B5%2B(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zl8mUd-FJWI/VUkrgWZ17JI/AAAAAAAAATU/vP9KEr32TuQ/s1600/photo%2B5%2B(1).JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ntAjN88r1cw/VUkr37liPcI/AAAAAAAAATc/7NtxM44tMxo/s1600/photo%2B2%2B(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ntAjN88r1cw/VUkr37liPcI/AAAAAAAAATc/7NtxM44tMxo/s1600/photo%2B2%2B(8).JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
In case you didn’t know, the next bank holiday begins on
Saturday 23<sup>rd</sup> May. (I'm already counting down the days!) I’m going on holiday with my parents to Malta… wahoooooo
SUNSHINE! But there are loads of things you can do. If I wasn’t going away I
would go to Big Church Day Out. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It’s an event in West Sussex that has been growing every
year and now sees more than 20,000 people across the weekend enjoying some of the
best live music and entertainment by artists such as Israel Houghton, Lecrae,
Rend Collective, and of course Guvna B! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Click here <a href="http://www.bigchurchdayout.com/tickets/info/">http://www.bigchurchdayout.com/tickets/info/</a>
if you’re interested in getting tickets. You can camp for the whole weekend or
just get a day ticket, both will be worth it!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
For now, it’s back to the grind. Let me know what you’ve
been up to.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Emma<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
xx</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g6a6fsnkOW8/VUkt3Em0HeI/AAAAAAAAATw/wjYlPCIbHTM/s1600/photo%2B5%2B(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g6a6fsnkOW8/VUkt3Em0HeI/AAAAAAAAATw/wjYlPCIbHTM/s1600/photo%2B5%2B(4).JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zWkwoxLkbIQ/VUkuDj07y9I/AAAAAAAAAT4/4PSVPxg-uqM/s1600/photo%2B4%2B(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zWkwoxLkbIQ/VUkuDj07y9I/AAAAAAAAAT4/4PSVPxg-uqM/s1600/photo%2B4%2B(4).JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c8yLfb0gSOA/VUkx0ritmCI/AAAAAAAAAUY/_HfqW9Jhn_M/s1600/photo%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c8yLfb0gSOA/VUkx0ritmCI/AAAAAAAAAUY/_HfqW9Jhn_M/s1600/photo%2B1.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2089969843732364914.post-5397113315376439602015-04-28T12:00:00.000+01:002015-04-28T12:00:17.355+01:00Video: The Cotton Wool Ball Challenge<div style="text-align: center;">
Recently I was tasked with helping Isaac make a video for work, but rather than being helpful I was a total hindrance and I managed to convince him to try the cotton wool ball challenge with me...so we filmed that instead.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A little light-hearted treat for you to enjoy on this sunny day!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C9-JQ07OWtA" width="560"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Emma</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> xx</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2089969843732364914.post-65780700734628800922015-04-08T21:52:00.001+01:002015-04-08T22:06:33.527+01:00Six steps to clearer skin<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MSf3z0ESB7E/VSWTwcTFgkI/AAAAAAAAASo/bd9_YXjiEi0/s1600/SPOT%2BPIC%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MSf3z0ESB7E/VSWTwcTFgkI/AAAAAAAAASo/bd9_YXjiEi0/s1600/SPOT%2BPIC%2B1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"> Okay, let me begin by saying I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M ACTUALLY PUTTING THESE PICTURES OF MYSELF ON THE INTERNET! There are so many fake pictures online of 'before and after' spot treatments that totally sell us a dream, I knew I had to be real no matter how embarrassing it may be! These pictures were taken with absolutely no makeup on, and no editing, just with the flash on an iPhone camera, roughly five months apart.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9IPPSFRXALI/VSWTwmL1fsI/AAAAAAAAASs/KPrCE-AVjj0/s1600/SPOT%2BPIC%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9IPPSFRXALI/VSWTwmL1fsI/AAAAAAAAASs/KPrCE-AVjj0/s1600/SPOT%2BPIC%2B2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
I never really suffered with acne or bad
breakouts when I was a teen. Now, aged 22 I thought I was way past the
possibility of getting acne but just a few months ago I started getting really
bad spots.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">It wasn’t even just the way they looked that
I didn’t like, but it was so uncomfortable and made my skin feel oily and
dirty.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">I went to the doctors (cos you can do that
for spots, you know!) and they prescribed me a liquid roll on lotion to apply twice a day. I tried this for two weeks and my spots got WORSE! I think the
lotion was spreading the bacteria from the spots to different parts of my face that
weren’t even affected in the first place so I ended up with more spots.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">I started to feel more and more insecure. I bought a really thick foundation because I wanted to cover all the
red pimples but of course that only made it worse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">I called up the doctors to tell them what
they originally gave me hadn’t worked so they told me that I could try a tablet
instead. The tablet was called Tetralysal and I had to take it once a day for two weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">This made a huge impact. It wasn’t like the
spots magically vanished or anything, but I could feel a difference and my skin
didn’t feel uncomfortable anymore. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">Taking the tablets for two weeks was enough
to set me up for clearer skin, and it was up to me to continue to look after my
face because you can’t rely on tablets forever!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">I had tried lots of other stuff to help get
rid of the spots, some of it didn’t work, and some I will keep in my makeup
routine forever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c4OpdZHg8Q8/VSBj8Ly_JGI/AAAAAAAAAR8/g_Tu7E5jfoc/s1600/SAM_1608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c4OpdZHg8Q8/VSBj8Ly_JGI/AAAAAAAAAR8/g_Tu7E5jfoc/s1600/SAM_1608.JPG" height="400" width="365" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">I’ve saved you the trial and error, and
provided you with my <b>six steps to clearer skin:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;">1) <i>St Ives Apricot scrub. £3.99</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wash your face with this at the end of the
day after you’ve taken your makeup off and it will help remove any bits you
missed and it gets really deep in to your pores to cleanse them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">2) <i>Throw out the
thick foundation</i>. I changed my foundation to a light coverage Lancome one which
was much softer and lighter on my skin. It still stayed on just as good as the
thick ones and I didn’t even need to use as much. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;">3) <i>Freederm gel. £5.00</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">Tiniest tube ever, but it
lasts ages because you only need a little bit each time! It helps to reduce
inflammation of the spots and basically just shrinks them until they are gone.
I find this works best on spots that you can feel coming on. When you apply
this they either go before they’ve properly come out, or they are much smaller
than what you thought they’d be. I have tried some more expensive types of this
treatment but I would still go back to Freederm every time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">4) <i>Change your pillowcases once a week</i>.
When you sleep, the oil from your hair gets on to your pillowcase and then
transfers on to your face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"> 5) <i>Good sleep is way too underrated.</i> Not
just for your skincare, but for your health overall. Try and get at least eight hours a night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6)</span></span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><i>La Roche Posey Effaclar duo. £15.50</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">This is a bit more of an
investment than the others, so it’s up to you how strongly you feel about wanting
to get rid of your spots, but I think this would honestly be my best
recommendation of all. You apply it as a moisturiser in the morning and evening.
Instead of it feeling thick and oily like some mositurisers, it feels so light
and clean. Its main purpose is to help heal acne scars, which I am sadly left
with now after my outbreak a couple of months ago. I finished my first tube and
had a week without it and I really saw the difference so I ran to boots to get
my next tube so that my skin would feel good again!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">I could go on and recommend everything like
drink lots of water, eat good etc but you’ve probably heard it all before so
I’ll keep mine short and sweet.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">You will see from the pictures that my skin still isn't completely clear, and I still have the acne scars that may be there for years, but patience is key and I feel better that I can actually do something about it even if it does feel like it's taking a lifetime.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">If you want any more tips, and particularly
if you are feeling a bit down about how you look please please get in contact
with me! I would love to chat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">Emma<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
xx</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380523801059096448noreply@blogger.com2