A little bit of sun makes the world of difference.

For the past couple of days the weather here in the UK has been lovely, Reaching low 20C which is crazy. The tiniest bit of sun and we are all in shorts and vests, myself included. We do not know how long this sun will last so lets make the most of it.

Okay, it sucks that I am stuck in doors most of the day doing uni work, but I have the nice breeze coming through the door, some good music playing and a smile on my face. The past couple of weeks have been really great for me; and this weather is really helping. It's amazing how a little thing can make a big different.

I spent the day yesterday relaxing in the sun with one of my best friends, we did a bit of shopping followed by a spot of lunch in the sun by the canal. It was perfect. Those are the days I want more of. It allows me to forget about the crappy times, days like that make me remember what I do have in my life. Great friends and family with a a bright future.

So thank you British weather, the sun is what we all needed.

Love yah

IsThataRedHerring

Where does the time go?

Tomorrow is February, one whole month of 2015 gone! Where has this time gone seriously? I guess this is a little reflection of January and look at what February holds for me and this blog.

January
I looked like this for one...

...which is absolutely bonkers because not only have I changed my hair colour 3 maybe 4 times since December/January I have also changed the hair style. I am forever changing my hair. However, I am hoping to stick to one colour soon, but first I need to find the right colour. I returned back to uni in January, which I had several mixed emotions about, but thank goodness I am here. I am so glad to be back, and still shocked how quickly my final year has gone! Just under 4 months until my time at Plymouth uni is over. I also began to write my dissertation which is rather daunting but so far I am enjoying the challenge and researching into a subject I really enjoy. I don't hate my subject yet, which is a massive bonus, I have about 2000 words ish written of it at the moment, so only 6000 more to go haha. What else has January brought me? Oh yeah, yet more illness :( which is sucky, but I am hoping that I have found the problem so I can fix it. Also, myself and Chelsey have started a new blog together which focuses on us becoming healthier and fitter mentally and physically. Which for means I need to start making a lot of adjustments which I know in the long run are going to make me a lot healthier both body and mind. Oh yeah, also more about my hair changes:

So as you can see January has been a crazy time for my hair, and February will also be the same, I no longer have blue and purple hair. I am in transition, so its a white/blonde/green mess at the moment. Which is great fun. According to Chelsey I look like an old women who has had a perm and a blue rinse, I think I look amazing! But back to the serious stuff... January has made me think about a lot of things, how I look, how people see me, what I plan to do after uni, question friendships and relationships, look through mistakes I've made and some things that just need to stay in the past. But I feel that it has made me look at February as a bit of a fresh start, healthier eating, exercising and maybe even just finding myself a bit (peace man peace). I know January is supposed to be the time to make changes but you can always make changes, you do not need to wait for the new year or a Monday to start that diet again. I firmly believe that whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger (thank you Miss Kelly Clarkson) and that just because something hasn't turned out the way you want, just pick yourself back up and try again and again. Hey, I'm trying to lose weight and become healthier for the millionth time, but this time I have a lot more riding on it, I have support from family and friends and you guys which is amazing. And if you are reading this and feel that you have something you want to do but do not have anyone to support you, I'm here. I am always here to help anyone, so don't worry you are not alone, I am a comment or an email away even a tweet anything, I'm here! 

Anyway I went a bit off topic but I think it was essential to mention. Anyway for me February is a start of a newer me in all aspects. I'm going home also for a week which will be great, see the family and some friends, and have a bit of a break from uni and just chill for a bit. Also, this year I am doing lent and giving up meat (I miss bacon already) so we will see how that goes, I also hope to have a lot of my dissertation done. 

So that was my first month of 2015 and here's to the second... 

Love yah 

IsThataRedHerring 

No matter what life throws at you, always get back up.

All of my life I have felt a bit left out or to some extent worthless. But as I grew up and developed my own style, got good close friends I realised screw the people that don't like me, who call me weird and think that, that is going to be an insult to me. I don't need them in my life, I stopped thinking about them and concentrated on who I am and living my life.

I think it is so important to always be yourself and never stop being who you are. I know that sounds so clique but I think it is so important to remember. You only have one life, and you have no time to worry about what other people think. I have learnt this the hard way. I was bullied so much when I was younger because I was not a 'normal' child and let's be honest I'm not, but why would I want to be 'normal'? What is so fun about being 'normal'? 

So what made me stand out so much? 

I always have been someone who has always stood out, I've never followed fashion and always chosen my own path, I most definitely have my own unique style. I often wear as many colours as possible, often wear odd shoes and have countless different unique t-shirts. I like to express myself through my clothing and hair styles. (From previous posts you may see my many different hair colours and styles just in the last year, Bright hair, I have also changed my hair again since writing this blog). I will never blend into the crowd and quit frankly  never want to. I will always choose outrageous clothing and styles, and if you don't like it then you do not have to hang around with me.

A small book that is aimed at children has really helped me develop who I am, and realise that no matter my age, my gender, my religious views or even my class, everyone has ups and downs, highs and lows. No matter how wealthy or how poor you are we all have problems. Something that may seem small to you may seem like the end of the word to another person. We must remember that if something frightens someone so much or causes them to be anxious we should respect that and help them through it, because one day that may be you, you maybe in need of help. I have learnt that it is good to let some people into your life, and have a handful of great close friends, that you know you can rely on no matter what. When you are down and see no way of being happy again and I know I have had this a few times, it makes all the difference to have those close friends with you every step of the way. Even if they are able to make you smile just a little. You know you have good friend because no matter how low you get they are able to make you laugh, they may not always say the right thing but they are there fore you when at 2 am you want to sing concrete angel as loud as you can because a boy has been a dick (thank you Chelsey, you beautiful women <3 ). In my darkest moments I always have someone to turn to and even that thought of having someone to talk to about everything and anything means the world to me.

I mentioned a children's book that myself and few friends now call our Bible. It is a simple book that many people have read, often as a child and it is called Oh, The Places You'll Go! by Dr Seuss. In all seriousness this book is pure genius and helps me keep me together on many occasion. The book is an easy read, full of rhyming words and bright illustrations, but it is also full of such great advice and reminds you that sometimes you will take the wrong path, but you need to remember that just round the corner could be the next path, and that we should keep going. Dr Seuss reminds us all that no one is perfect and helps us remember that we are in control of our own lives even if sometimes we do not quite believe it, because lets honest life on more than one occasion is a massive heartless bitch.

So I hope you like my little rant/let's be honest I am not normal speech. I am going to start putting out blogs every Wednesday and Sunday, and little blogs in-between. 

Thank you for the support you all have given me.

Love yah 

IsThataRedHerring

How to get bright hair.

I have always dyed my hair, since I was about 9. I know that sounds very young but it was always wash in wash out dye, nothing that lasted until I got to my teens. Which is when I decided I hated my natural hair colour, which was an odd brown colour. So I made the decison to dye it black. I have a very pale complection to I felt that the dark hair suited me the best. I hate black hair for a very long time, but in my second year of university I decided that it was time for a change. I had bleach half of my hair before, it was terrible, it went yellow, orange and when I put pink onto it, it went several different colours. I was in sixth form at the time and was made to dye it back to black.

But at university everyone goes a bit crazy, and I was no exception. I attempted to dip dye my hair, which was still black at the time, so the bottom went an orange/yellow colour, but it didn't matter so much as I put purple on the bottoms. I really liked this style, but as my hair grew I couldn't be bothered to keep up with redyeing it the bright purple colour. So, I resorted back to black hair.

the first lot of bleaching, not length of hair 

After cut and purple added. 

In the summer of second year as I was entering third year of uni, I decided that I should go back to my normal colour! Now this is when my hair took a battering, and actually ended up falling out! My hair went from boob length too chin length, it was horrible and I actually cried. But finally my hair is beginning to grow again.

And this is what happens when you bleach hair from black, with natural roots :/ it started to break and fall out already. 

Here it is straightened and already shorter. 

Here it is a lot shorter, after it has broken and is very dry. 

And again, starting to grow a little again, thank goodness but still a little dry. 

And this was December 2014, finally back to a healthy feel, I had to bleach the roots, but I bleach bathed it so it didn't go dry. 

I got bored of the purple quite quickly, so I dyed it blue. However I had to light bleach it all over. I bleached bathed it, which meant instead of just bleaching it, I added one part shampoo, I used a cheaper version of Tresme colour protect shampoo, too one part bleach power and one part bleach developer. I only allowed it too stay on my hair for 20 mins, maybe not even that long. It went a very white blonde which was amazing in itself, but I had missed a few places so had to bleach bath certain places. (silly me haha). I didn't even wait an hour before I put the blue straight on. Because the blue is a semi-permanent and has zero amonia, it didn't damage my hair at all. Therefore, I left it on for about an hour, because I really wanted a bright vibrant blue, which is what I got.  

I got my hair cut today, which has brought out more shades of the blue and I love it. And I enjoy having the full fringe. 

What did I use?

• Jerome Russell B Blonde Powder Bleach 100g Lightner - I used two sachets, there are four in a box. It is always handy to have a few sachets in, it is about £3.99 from Superdrug, Boots or Wilkinsons.
• With that I used the Jerome Russell B Blonde Cream Peroxide 40 Vol 12% lightner, it is one bottle per sachet of powder, its about £1.69 from Superdrug, Boots or Wilkinsons. 
• For the colour, I used Live Colour XXL Ultra Vibrant Bright Purple Punk 94, this is available in most shops that stock hair dye. It is normally on offer in one shop or another, £5.49 each or often cheaper or buy 1 get 1 free etc. 
• For the blue I used something  bit different, I went to Sally's hair dressing supplies as they have a lot of bright colours in there, and hundreds of shades of colours. I recommend popping in as they give great advice and aren't too badly priced... Anyway,k the blue I used was Ion Colour Flash, Cobalt blue which is often on on offer as well, mine was £5.99, but was buy 1 get 1 half price. 
• I have also in the past used Crazy Colour, which gives great results, very bright particularly the pink. 

I hope this has helped some people, I would love to answer any questions people have.

Love yah 

IsThataRedHerring