Happy weekend!

Finally, after what feels like the busiest, most stressful week ever, we've reached another weekend. Unfortunately for me, my weekend will be just as stressful as the week previous; not only am i working both nights and hitting the gym for some serious working out (all in preparation for a lovely weekend with my sort-of-not-really-boyfriend next weekend), I'm also working on a few articles to send to one of my potential universities. Here are a few things I wish i was doing this weekend:

1)Shopping- Every girl loves to shop no matter what the occasion or the weather. I'm not bothered if i'm buying shoes, bags, jewellery, dresses or underwear, i just love having new things. It sounds very shallow and material, but there is something about shopping and holding something pretty and new in my hands that gets my heart racing. Maybe even more than a boy!

2)Drinking cocktails- Probably in my list of top five favourite things to do, if i could drink cocktails all day every day (given that I have the finances and didn't get obese from it) I probably would. I love so many cocktails and they're perfect for every occasion. Whether it's a romantic date or a night with the girls, celebratory drinks or a wedding, they're just so divine. My favourite place in my hometown is probably this little, chic vodka bar which does the best cocktails ever. i'm planning on writing more about that and my favourite cocktails later, keep your eyes pealed.

3)Hanging out with my girls-I think this is just 

obvious, what girl doesn't want to spend time surrounded by her girls? The brilliant thing is we can be doing absolutely nothing and still have a fabulous time being stupid and girly. It pains me even more because one of my best friends has just texted me asking to hang out tonight and I've had to turn her town because of my looming five hour shift! ew!

4)Partying- Partying is the best. Getting to dance and have fun, meet up with old friends and new friends. Just generally have a ball, the way I normally spend my Saturday nights! (when i have the money anyway)

5)Seeing my boy-I hate smushy couple stuff, I'm the first to cringe when it comes to couples parading their relationship all over and kissing in public, but i wouldn't mind seeing him right about now. Not long until next weekend when i go to Leeds to visit him. The thought of next weekend with him will be the only thing motivating me through my ten hours at work this weekend, working my butt off at the gym and the week ahead of me. Aw young love.... 

xox

Body dysmorphia: my new best friend

With the introduction of fashion forward Gok Wan’s latest television show ‘Gok’s Teens: the naked truth’ taking over many of the adverts on my television, I was encouraged, not only to investigate this show myself (at least the first episode of) but also to think about many of the issues he brought up. One main thing which Gok discussed was the dysmorphic view teens of today seem to take towards our bodies. With the constant display of seemingly perfect bodies, skin and features surrounding us in the media, as well as the constant façade of beauty on social networking sites, it seems that for the modern day teenager there is no way of escaping. Yes, I am the first to hold up my hands and complain when people blame the media for every single eating disorder victim, but at the same time, I can’t help but agree slightly. While the press tend to point the finger at catwalk models, magazine edits and pro-anorexia blogs, I’ve found that for me these aren’t the only catalysts to my desire for so called perfection.

Social networking sites were introduced to the Internet as a way of networking with people from school, work and college, as well as a useful way of interacting with friends from the past. However it seems that, from an inside perspective and being a teen myself, I can also see the dark side. Not only is there the fear of cyber bullying in the form of status’ and wall posts, comments and messages, but there is also the need to compare your own pictures with other peoples. Technology in the modern age allows us the capability to modify and edit our own pictures to a degree of surreal ‘perfection’ in a way that, while may be aesthetically pleasing, can also be damaging to self-esteem.

I find myself looking at pictures of girls who live near to me, and comparing my own features to theirs, why does my hair not look like theirs? Why do I not have as pretty a face as theirs? Why do 70 people ‘like’ their picture and only 5 ‘like’ mine? And above all, why do I not look as skinny as them?

It does sound stupid really, that such a trivial thing that is supposed to be a way of building relationships and communicating can have such a negative impact on my life. However the realisation of how I feel with regards to such things shows me that surely I’m not the only one. And looking at how much make-up, how obviously edited and how hard these girls who I call my ‘friends’ try to look good enough just for ‘likes’ is only one indication of how much society depends on appearance.

Yes, the media and constant bravado surrounding size zero models and editing on double page spreads in celebrity magazines certainly don’t help the rapidly plummeting self-esteem of both teenage girls and boys, but I think that’s social networking sites should also take some of the blame. That normal, everyday teenagers can also have an impact on each others lives. 

xox

You learn something new every day!

I’ve learnt a few things recently, especially since the beginning of 2012 that appear to be making 2012 start off brilliantly (lets hope this doesn’t jinx things!)

1) you never know whats around the corner. I mean that in the most serious of ways. The most unexpected things can happen to you every day, things you’d never even dream of, things you wouldn’t dare to dream of because you had so little expectation in them

2)You should never give up hope because no matter what if you put your heart into something you have the capability to acheive it- even if it seems like an impossible task (it probably isn’t!)

3)Money doesn’t buy happiness (but it does buy amazing shoes)

4)You never know who you can trust, admittedly, but it’s amazing realising exactly who you can trust and who will always be there for you. Having a solid group of friends around you who can provide fun when it’s necessary and serious when it’s necessary is the bets thing ever. Loosing friends isn’t always a bad thing, it doesn’t always result in an argument or a falling out, sometimes drifting apart just reveals exactly who you need. I just hope i stay in contact with the wonderful people in my life (I’m sure i will)

5)No doubt are just as amazing as they were in the 90s!