Outfit of the day!

Hi guys,

I used this outfit out and about in London today. One of my favourite outfits of the year so far <3.
Do you guys like it?
Top is from new look, jeans are H&M, shoes are clarks, no idea where my bag is from and scarf from new look.

I love this look because it's simple but not simple at the same time. I have worn this outfit in loads of different places and I love the way my socks just peep out from under my brogues! I love the blue of my jeans and the fur on my hood.

My everyday essentials!

Hi guys,

Today I thought I'd tell you all about what I carry in my bag every single day to prepare me for anything! It's important to carry things that keep you safe, happy and organised and I love packing my bag the night before it helps me feel in control! I didn't used to really think about packing my bag but after numerous attempts at scraping together my things on rushed mornings for school I decided to start keeping an organised checklist of everything I need. Today I am also going to tell you why I have each item.

1. Sunglasses- these are essential for me, especially in the summer. I really like these ones as they are quite big and make me feel like a celebrity.
2. Skull candy Headphones- I love listening to music while travelling, walking or running. It can completely change my mood.
3. Grey accessorise purse with oyster card in- I like keeping my oyster separate as I use it so much and this purse is so cute!
4. (I think) Accessorise bracelet- This delicate beautiful bracelet can transform an outfit from day to night so I love keeping it on me for unexpected dinner dates.
5. Red make up bag- this is so useful as it has lots of different compartments and carries all my beauty products.
6. Keys- an obvious one. I have both my house keys and locker keys on there and various cute key rings that I've collected over time.
7. Raspberry Ripple lip couture lipgloss- love this colour on me it's so fun.
8. The Body shop hemp lip conditioner- This thing is my saviour. Hands down the best chapstick I've ever tried. It has such intense moisturising properties so is perfect for people like me with dry lips. Especially is winter when my skin gets very dry this is needed.
9. Number seven shine free make up base- I love using this instead of a primer and/or moisturiser because it really stops my shine and gives me a matte finish.
10. Seventeen stay time long wear primer- This primer has a bit of colour in it so I often use this instead of foundation or BB cream on hot summer days- it's also perfect under other makeup to keep it in place.
11. Me Eyebrow/eyelash brush- seriously  needed to tame my unruly brows.
12. Pink ravel watch- essential for sports or exams when I don't have my phone on me.
13. Nude accessorise purse- the most important thing in my bag as it has literally everything in; money in notes and change, all of my cards including debit card and shopping cards (Starbucks is most important), my railcard (never forget that they charge you £60!), My gym card,spare keys, library receipts, ordinary receipts, coupons the list goes on...

Of course I didn't put it in the picture but I also carry with me my gold I phone 5s with me everywhere.

Layla

Bean stir fry recipe

Hi guys!

Today I thought I'd share with you a new recipe that I tried the other day that is both delicious and super filling. Perfect for a warm summer night or a midday meal this recipe is so versatile- you can substitute the vegetables I've used with others. I used courgettes when I made it last night for example. This recipe serves two.

Ingredients:

For the vegetables:

1 can of baked beans in tomato sauce.

1 red pepper

1 stick of celery

1/2 onion.

For the marinade:

4 tablespoons of dark soy sauce.

4 tablespoons of honey.

The juice and zest of one lemon.

Pinch of chilli powder.

2 garlic cloves, chopped.

Some rapeseed oil for frying.

Method:

1. Pour some rapeseed oil into a saucepan over a medium heat and add the pepper, celery and onion when it is hot.

2. While the vegetables are cooking mix together the soy sauce, honey, garlic, lemon and chilli powder together in a bowl and set aside. This is your marinade.

3. Drain the beans of tomato sauce and rinse. Pour marinade over beans and leave for 5-10 minutes.

4. While this is happening cook the rice by putting it in boiling water for 15 minutes.

5. Drain the beans of marinade and put straight into a hot pan with oil already in it.

6. Sieve the remaining marinade to ensure there are no large chunks of garlic or any beans. Add marinade to vegetables to cook for 5 minutes.

7. When the beans and marinade have been cooking for 5 minutes place them onto the rice and add a few handfuls of spinach on top. 

Serve and enjoy!

I love this recipe and I think it's the small amount of chilli powder combined with the sweetness of the honey that makes it so good!

Layla

A level choices

Hi guys!

I've been thinking lately about my decisions for A levels as I will start them in September. At the moment I have chosen double maths, physics and history but I've been having some second thoughts. I like maths but after recently doing additional maths I felt like it was super difficult and that I will struggle with double maths next year. What I would ideally like to do is study Spanish instead of double maths. To be honest I'm not really sure about anything and these GCSE's are just making me feel stupid!

I know that GCSE's don't shape your whole life but for me, someone who is always striving for the best I feel like I need all A stars. Just finished a physics exam which didn't go that well but I'm glad it's over. Just one more left now.

Better go do my stuff.

Layla

Argh...

Feeling really annoyed right now. Why are parents so annoying? Why does my mum feel the need to control every aspect of my life? I know I'm just being a stupid teenager right now but honestly I just get sick of it.

I live alone with my mum so it can be hard sometimes. I feel like everywhere I go she's there. I can't escape her. Of course I love her but we never have any time apart. Anyway. Currently listening to echo smith. Yay.

So excited about prom next week though! I still need to get a dress and get my hair and eyebrows done so I look perfect. On a diet at the moment to try and lose five pounds before prom but I doubt that will happen.

Should probably get some physics revision done now - I have an exam in the morning!

Layla

Approaching the end...

Hi guys!

I've almost finished my exams now which is super exciting . I am literally so ready for summer. It feels so strange to think that I will be in sixth form next year. I will be seventeen this year. That probably doesn't sound so life-changing to you but I cannot believe it. Seems like yesterday I was running around primary school with my friends but now I have to have actual ambitions and actual responsibilities. I'd like to go into some sort of science-I'm not sure what yet but at uni I'd like to study the history and philosophy of science and physics. Yes that is a course.

Anyway I haven't got any exams today but I have class at 9 and 2 so will be moving about quite a bit. I need to get some physics revision done for my exam on Friday. Also turns out my card has been used by someone else so I'm being sent a new one which is annoying.

Off to school now

Layla

I'm moving!

Wow. I never thought this would actually happen but in less than two months I will be moving to Portsmouth to live with my Dad for two years. I'm so excited to start a new life and spend more time with my Dad and step-mum. It will be so different but I can't wait.

Starting a new school will probably be the hardest thing for me. I have so many loving friends in London that I don't know how I will live without. Now with my final day of school near approaching it's all starting to feel very real. Of course I'll miss my mum too but she'll continue being in my life where as I worry my friends will drift away from me.

I've always craved that movie scene type life where you rock up to school in your mini jeep and spend your days arguing your way to good grades and your nights playing matchmaker (major Clueless feels).  I just hope this will be a place where I can finally experience real teenage life.

I know life is real and not a movie but sometimes I look at my life and think God how boring. The most exciting part of my day is when I finish my homework and can flick between films on Netflix for longer than the actual film lasts for. I'm going to try to vow to make the next chapter in my life fun, carefree and challenging. The way teenage life should be.

Layla 

Feeling nervous...

Hi guys,

Got a chem exam today so I'm feeling super nervous and I'm exhausted. Might go for a walk to wake myself up. It's currently 6am and I went to bed at around half twelve. Not nearly enough sleep was had.

Okay. I just went for a brisk walk to Starbucks to clear my head and feel much much better now. It's surprising how much exercise can really change your mood. Or it could have been the green tea!

Anyway,

will post a longer one later as I always do but for now I need to get ready for my exam!

Bye x

My morning routine!

Hi guys!

Wrote a quick post this morning but sorry this one is a bit off schedule-I usually get most of my posts up in the morning but I've been crazy busy! I thought today I'd do a post entirely devoted to what I do on an average morning-specifically today. So. Let's go!

I woke up this morning at about 06:10 (I had planned to get up at 5 but that was never going to happen let's be honest). After checking all of my social media and email I like to write down a few things I need to do each day to help clear my head. I read a few pages of my current reading book (Notting Hill with Love Actually...). It's a bit soppy but I'm not ashamed to admit I like it! Then I started this morning's blog and after writing a couple of paragraphs I jumped (well more like dragged myself) into my workout gear and started my calisthenics. I like to do about 15 minutes every morning just to wake myself up and work up a sweat. And then like a sanitary person I took a shower but didn't wash my hair as I washed it yesterday.

The next thing I would normally do would be put on my make-up but as I had school today I just did a few simple things; I put primer on my face, brushed out my eyebrows and eyelashes, curled my lashes and put on some lip balm. Then I got dressed in my oh so beautiful school uniform and slipped on my brogues.

Now it's time for my favourite part of the day! Breakfast! This morning I opted for quite a simple choice of a piece of wholemeal toast, a small slice of walnut cake (I prefer coffee but Sainsbury's was out) and a cup of black breakfast tea. I am a complete and utter coffee and tea addict but in the summer I prefer tea- it makes me feel less lethargic. While I eat I usually read some sort of book and today I went for the wind and the willows. How classic I am.

I hopped back to my computer and finished my blog post from earlier before the ideas completely escaped my mind. On a normal day I would at this point pack my lunch but as I was returning for lunch today I didn't need to! I quickly checked my voicemail and cleared up the kitchen-resisting the urge to scrub an old pasta pot from last night (okay so maybe I couldn't resist it and may have spent 20 minutes scrubbing the pot). Then I turned on BBC radio and listened to whatever program was on that morning and got started with my work. I start each day by planning my day so that I know when and where I am doing things. I then start my blog- usually by writing a few paragraphs of ideas on paper first and then continuing on my laptop. Once that's done I head out the door to school!

Not forgetting the venti green tea I simply must have every single morning. With two teabags.

Layla

Why sleep is the best way to get good grades

Hi guys!

Just fitting in time to write this before my history exam this morning. AT 8:10. I WENT TO BED AT 1:45. I would like to take this opportunity to stress how extremely important sleep is. DO NOT stay up all night studying because it will not help you.

Trust me. I have first hand experience of the pain.

No matter how little you think you know if you stay up past midnight cramming furiously you will know even less in the morning than you did when you started. Without sleep your body cannot function properly and in the exam you will struggle to remember key dates and will mix up fact and fantasy. Your eyes will swirl all over the pages and the clock will start to move slower and slower. This is not how you want your exam to go.

So get some sleep, it's worth it.

Layla

How I stay in control

I am an extremely organised person. Now don't get me wrong, that doesn't mean that my room is always tidy or my underwear perfectly folded. My organisation comes from within. (ooo how spiritual). I have a certain desire to have my day and life in control and everything always has to be according to schedule. I'm not quite sure when my obsession with routine began but ever since I can remember I've written down morning, after school and evening routines. It started from time to time just writing them in a diary but now I have an organised collection of routines and lists on my notes app.

The first topic I'd like to talk about is my health. My health has always been important to me but as someone with a bing eating disorder (wow can't believe I just wrote that down!), this is the aspect of my life that I struggle to control the most. I feel like if I eat one donut I might as well eat them all. It's an all or nothing kind of attitude. I've realised that this is the kind of attitude that leads to binges and unhealthy living. It's important to eat things in moderation and not to be too strict on yourself if you mess up.

The next topic I'd like to talk about is study. I am currently still in secondary school and am just finishing my GCSE's but these tips can apply to anyone working or studying. I like to make a revision timetable but only during exam periods. There's no need to meticulously study months in advance as personally, I end up forgetting everything anyway! However I do stay in control by sticking to my schedule. I try to stick to the exact timings but recently I've realised how important flexibility is. Even if you can't do an hour of history at 11:05, as long as you do that hour at some point in the day, it doesn't matter.

So there you go. I've got a bit personal here but I like to write about how I feel in control and it makes me feel in control!

Currently drinking a venti green tea in starbucks on my macbook and feeling very tumblr.

Layla

The importance of simplicity

I can't believe it's June already!

I've got so much going on this month it's hard to find time to write but I think it's important to stay at it.

My GCSE's are nearly over! A week from now and I'll be done and ready for a nine week summer.

Recently I've been starting to notice just how much I really have. I think it's important to be grateful for everything, even the little things as there are always those with less than you. This summer I'm going to try and live my life more simply. One of the hardest things I'm trying to do is give up Starbucks! It's a luxury I don't need and I waste so much money on the tax avoiding chain- precious money that could be spent on other more worthwhile things.

Anyway I better be getting to school!

Layla

AMAZING BROWNIES

Would just like to let everyone know about the best brownies I have EVER tasted. Forgive their name but just check them out. You won't regret it.

http://www.thelondoner.me/2011/06/slutty-brownies.html

Wow. It's been a while.

A lot of things have happened over the last year or so that I feel like I should document at some point. I feel like the most prominent thing I want to talk about is my 'relationship' with God.

As a child, I was always a Christian. I willingly went to Church and read psalms without question as my Mum and Nan are both devout Catholics, However when I got to secondary school things changed. I met amazing friends from all sorts of religious backgrounds and I started to question what I believed in. In fact, I started to ask myself why I had prayed and sung hymns to God all those years when I hadn't ever really known what I was doing. Then I got angry. I was furious at myself for being what I thought was 'tricked' into a religion. After my first physics lesson, I straight up decided that God was something man made up and the concept of there being a God was impossible to me.

That's how I lived until recently. At my school, we often visit westminster Abbey to sing and pray etc which had never really moved me until about 6 months ago. I was sitting with my friend, who is an extremely committed Christian, when we started to talk about God. At this point in my life (I'm now 16), I was trying to be a bit more open with religion and others opinions so I engaged in the conversation. She asked me
"Why don't you believe?"
And I returned with "Why do you?"
She said "The idea is so radical that it must be true. There must be something greater than us out there."

And what she said really struck a chord in me. As I stared up at the beautiful ornate ceiling of westminster Abbey I really started to believe that there was someone watching over me.

So. Yeah. That's my religious journey. I'm still not quite sure if I believe in God. But I'm definitely more open to the idea now.

Lola