I have more tattoos... still not a thug!

A lot has changed since my first post about my tattoos that by the way you can read here. All of my tattoos tell a story and in the past few weeks they mean more and more. In the first blog I had 4 tattoos I now have 15. Oops. I won't repeat the first 4 as you can read about them in the other post. But lets dive in, I will try and do them in some sort of order.

Tattoo number 5 is an anchor behind my ear. Which is a matching tattoo with my very good friend Chelsey who I shared a house with at university and have a great friendship. Why an anchor? Because I went to university in the Ocean city of England, Plymouth and seemed appropriate. Number 6 is a simple sail boat behind my right ear (sorry no photo), keep on sailing, life is like the ocean, tough and full of bumps and struggles. But it is so important to keep on going, take whatever like throws at you.

Now I know you arent meant to have favourites among your children... but this may be one of my favourites. I love the film Up, and bond I have with my family. It is heart retching but full of love and adventure. It's a wonderful piece and I love it, It's as bright as it was the first day I got it. 

Number 8 and 9 I got on the same day because why the hell not at cute little otter because otters are adorable and well that is the only reason, so no emotional story behind it. The other is a stag, so the geometric side is a stag (male deer) and the realistic side is a doe (female deer) and to be honest I have always wanted a stag, I really like them and also my dad has one and I have always liked it, so i decided to get one haha. This tattoo also influenced me for my next one ha! And the start of a sleeve. 

Number 10 and 11 that;s right this bitch has the Grinch who stole Christmas on her leg. Because I have a love hate relationship with Christmas like he does haha. As some of you maybe aware that my Gran passed away on Christmas day in 2004 when I was 10, so really Christmas has never really been the same again for myself and my family, however I still love the spirit of Christmas so well the Grinch hates it all and comes to love it in the end (sorry spoiler). also for the record the Grinch is awesome. So number 11 is my spirit animal, the sloth. I have always loved sloths always, and I just had to get one, and I couldn't resist getting it in the same style as my stag, so the half geometric and realistic style and I love it.

Number 12 is a little semi-colon I have on my right wrist to symbolise that my story is not over, and that whatever life throws at me I will and can continue.

Number 13 is my most important tattoo, It is the tribute tattoo for my brother who died on the 24th of May 2017 aged 21. Ash loved motorbikes and guitars and known to many of his close friends as Ted, so my wonderful tattooist designed the most perfect tattoo in his honour. 7 hours worth of pain, but totally worth it, it is a master piece. Like myself and Ash it is big, bold and extremely colourful. I carry apart of him with me where ever I go and that means the most. 

Number 14 is simply Ashley's name with his year of birth and death, A little reminded of him whenever I look down, it always makes me smile and look up again. 

Number 15 is Russell because I bloody love Up, and to be honest he always reminded me of my brother. We always joked that he would get Russell tattooed on him, my dad has Mr Fredricksen and I of course have the house... Sadly Ash my brother never got the opportunity to get it done, so of course I got him done. Look at how happy he is there, its like he belongs there. Of course this has now meant that my right leg is turning into a sleeve, and I have many ideas for the rest of the leg. I am really excited to get it finished. A big bold, cartoon leg.

BIG shout out to the wonderful Sophie for being not only my wonderful tattooist but my friend, I always without a shadow of a doubt always have a laugh with Soph and she does an amazing job. We have many more planned so watch this space for another updated one soon.

Love yah
IsThataRedHerring

Slimming World: My first month.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

That's right I'm back and I actually have things to share with you all. The main one and for me the most important thing is that I took the step to lose weight, but properly this time. And as the title suggests I joined Slimming World. I was going to write a week by week diary of how I'm finding it but I wanted to give it a month to give it a proper go. And honestly I am loving it. I am so proud of myself for sticking with it. I joined 21/02/2017 weighing 20st 9 lb and its been a month so here is my progress. 

Starting weight: 20st 9lb
Dress size: 22
Target dress size: 14
5% target: 14lb

I did well in my first week considering I went out and got really very drunk at my cousins wedding. I ate well but wow those empty calories haha. The second week even better, I lost more and really stuck to the plan, I even out out for a meal with the girls and with making good choices I managed to lose more weight. Now the third week was a tricky one for me, I broke up with my boyfriend and well food was there for me. But I still lost, even if it was only half a pound. A loss is still a loss. I was determined this week to get my half stone reward, and I managed it. I am so proud of myself that in four weeks I have lost 8lb in total, Meaning I am now 20st 1.5lb. I aim to lose at least 3lb next week so I will be in my next stone bracket.

It has taken a lot of guts for me to put up my actual weight and size. For so long I've been ashamed of what I look like, but now I honestly feel happy. I am losing weight and on my terms, I've found something that really works for me, and although I do have those cheat meals, I know that I can jump right back on it. In four short weeks I have proven that no matter how big you are, as long as you are determined you can do what you want, Eat amazing food and learn simple ways to change your life for the better.

First week I lost 2.5lbs
Second week I lost 3.5lb
Third week I lost: 0.5lb
Fourth week I lost: 1.5lb
Total: 8lb

I'm learning to love food and not be afraid to experiment. To follow my plan and see and reach the goals I never thought were possible, If I lose 2/3 lb each week for 12 months this time next year I will reach my dress size and my target weight. I will follow this up either each week or monthly depending on how things are. I will start posting food diaries, my tips and tricks kind of thing. And of course my progress. Thank you for reading this and joining me on my journey.

Love yah
IsThataRedHerring

BLOGMAS Day 15 and 16: My favourite Yankee Candles.

I adore candles, and in particular I am a sucker for Yankee. I have so many candles, boxes and boxes but I always go back to the same candles time and time again.

The first Yankee candle I brought was garden sweet pea. I found it in a clearance bin in my local garden center, I was so excited haha. A lovely floral smell, perfect for spring.

I discovered the candy corn candle by accident. I was watching Youtube candles hauls (because I have an exciting life) and saw this, didn't think much of it. Saw it in the Yankee candle shop and fell in love with the smell. I brought a ton of the sample size ones. Ideal for autumn and of course Halloween.

I'm not sure where I found this one, but sadly you can't buy it on the shop online. But the candy cane forest sent is exactly what it says on the tin. OMG! It smells good enough to eat. I've had it lit pretty much constantly since December 1st. 

And finally, my personal favourite and go to sent is soft blanket. It is so fresh and perfect. It also smells like clean washing. I have brought several of the big jars this year so far. You need this candle in your lives. It actually calms me. 

Highly recommend all of these candles. The big jars are worth the money. I always have candles burning. Feels more homely. 

Love yah 

IsThataRedHerring 

BLOGMAS Day 12: My favourite books and why!

I have done it! That's right.. my top 5 books EVER! In no particular order at all...

The Martian by Andy Weir

FanGirl by Rainbow Rowell 

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion 

Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon 

But why these books in particular? Each of these books mean something different to me. I read them all at different times in my life. I have reread Where Rainbows End aka Love, Rosie dozens of times. I adore it, simply adore it. It was one of the first 'bigger books' I have ever read. It's set out in such a way that I had not read before. It is constructed via emails, letters and texts. It's great. We jump from conversation to conversation and follows two best friends of the same age but at very different stages in their lives. Based in Ireland, one best friend moves away to America and the other remains in Ireland. It's a lovely book and a very easy read, and for me the ending is perfect. It has been made into a film, called Love, Rosie, and honestly I love the film as much as the book. I was hesitant at first with the film, and I didn't actually watch it until about 6 months after it was out, however I can hand on heart say I loved it. I have watched it over and over again. Although some parts are different, I feel like it works for the film. Highly recommend both film and book... let's face it I am going to highly recommend all of these books haha. 

Time to move onto my most recent read which is The Martian by Andy Weir,  I watched the film before I read the book which sometimes is a mistake, but I think for me it helped, because some of th stuff is technical in this book! But OMG this book is amazing, and really well written, And as for the film they are basically the same. I loved every word of this book, and it hit me right in the feels. I felt like I was with him, stranded. Such a good book. I haven't read anything like this before and I am really glad I did.

Everything, Everything was a really, really quick read for me, and it was great. It follows a girl who is allergic to everything and hasn't been outside her house ever. She has a full time carer for when her mum is at work. She is talented and is home schooled. Everything is fine and she doesn't miss the outside world until a new family moves in next door and she befriends the son. She begins questioning everything her mum has told her... is she really allergic to everything? Read the book to find out. I love quick easy YA novels like this. I love these types of books for the summer. Got to love a romance novel.

Thank gawd for Rainbow Rowell for bringing me this book FanGirl,  I adore this book, it follows a set of twins who could not be any different on their journey to college. Cath an introvert who loses herself to fanfiction and her sister Wren who wants to experience college and all it has to offer. Cath wants everything to stay the same between her ans her sister but Wren wants some distance. It follows the journey of these two girls, does Cath get out her comfort zone and does Wren push things to far? Cath writes fanfiction of her favourite film/book series which is very poplar, but how will it all end? This book has everything for me, adventure and romance, a really cute read that I want more of.

And finally The Rosie Project, this book follows a young man who is ready to find a wife, Don is a scientist through and through and sits somewhere on the Asperger scale and takes everything literally. His brain is very much wired in a way that everything can become an experiment including his love life. Don creates a questionnaire, and when on dates uses the questionnaire to determine if the women in question is a suitable candidate. In comes Rosie, she ticks non of the boxes but yet Don is drawn towards her. She is the opposite of what Don wants, and seeks to change Rosie in every way. But does he succeed or does Rosie change him? There is a sequel to The Rosie Project called the Rosie Effect, and I didn't feel that, that book lived up to the first one, it painted both Don and Rosie in very bad ways, and took me quite some time to finish.

Well those are just some of my favourite books, I could add loads more to the list, but for now I am happy with those. If you have any suggestions for me, please comment them below as I love reading.

Love yah
IsThataRedHerring 

BLOGMAS Day 11: My favourite Christmas Films.

It wouldn't be Blogmas without a list of my favourite Christmas films. So here goes: 

Love Actually 

Myself and my mum every year without fail, sit down in our pjs, with a hot chocolate and some snacks and watch Love Actually. For me this film has everything, it brings together so many cute and adorable stories that everyone can relate to at some point. And let's face it, the acting is great, it has a crappy Christmas song and plenty of fun. A must see, 

A muppets Christmas Carol 

This film is rather sentimental to me, I remember watching it with my Gran, my brother and my cousins many, many Christmas’s ago. It’s a great family favourite that tells the tell of a Christmas Carol but with the muppets. What more do you want?  

Grinch 

Jim Carrey as the Grinch is everything! I can relate to the Grinch on so many levels. If you haven’t seen it where the hell have you been? The scene when he is trying to decide what to wear is spot on! ‘Right that’s it I’m not going’… or when he is looking through the phone book ‘hate, hate, double hate, totally loathe’ Actually tears! And his hatred for see people. But in the end he realised the true meaning of Christmas… Bye, bye Santa. 

Others include Elf, National Lapoons Christmas Vacation and of course Deck the Halls. I love a good Christmas film, who doesn't. Right I'm off to watch the Grinch. 

Merry Christmas

Love yah 

IsThataRedHerring 

BLOGMAS Day 10: Lazy Sunday.

IT'S SUNDAY!!! And I have the day off, yey. I did a night shift last night, got home around 9am and slept until 1230 ish. Rudely woken by my brother... we went to get some bits from the shop, more Christmas shopping and instead we brought food, alcohol, chocolate and new films... only went and got Finding Dory. Promptly watched it straight away. LOVED EVERY SECOND. I'm now curled up n the sofa, in a blanket preparing some new blog posts. One to go up tonight as I once again missed last night :(. It is hard to post a blog post on time when you are at work. But I am hoping to be more prepared in this week and schedule posts going up.

Fire is lit, Christmas tree on, I have a cider and I'm making a curry. A lovely Sunday evening awaits.

Love yah
IsThataRedHerring.

BLOGMAS Day 9: Reapplying for university

I thought it was about time I reapplied for university. I am lucky enough to hold a BA Hons degree in Educational Studies from Plymouth university. And after taking nearly 2 years out of education and thinking long and hard about what I want to do for the rest of my life I have finally chosen what to do. I am currently trying to write my personal statement. I don't think I am the only one who struggles to write about themselves without feeling like a vain twat! I have written half a page so far and I am cringing at every second of it.

Anyway, you may be wondering what I am applying for, well I am putting in my application for a PGCE in primary school teaching ages 5-11. I was umming and arring for so long if to do it. I was debating for a while if to do midwifery or nursing but I decided that teaching was the way forward. I am hoping to get my QTS and within 2/3 years be able to teach abroad. I really want to travel and teach. Or even move to another country to teach. But that is a few years off and I really need to get this application form done first. Haha.

I am hoping to stay close to home this time round. As it will be cheaper in the long run. My top choices are; Reading, Winchester and Southampton. Oxford Brookes was also on the list, but I can only choose 3 and Winchester won its place in the top 3. Its so pretty. All of these universities have great reviews from students. I have done a lot of research into what university to go to, and it has taken me over a year to narrow down my choices. And I am pretty happy with them.

I just need to finish my personal statement, get my references and I can then send off my application. So, fingers crossed I get through to the interview stage and get offered places. I will keep you all up to date.

Love yah
IsThataRedHerring

BLOGMAS Day 6: Internet dating... revisited.

I did a post way over a year ago about internet dating and how I was finding it. I actually had a long term relationship come out of internet dating, but that relationship ended after a year. A mixture of different reasons and a whole other blog post I’m sure to come. Anyway, since I am single and very much ready to mingle I thought I would revisit the topic of internet dating. I joined back in September time using two apps the first Tinder and the second Plenty of Fish (POF). It began okay trying to find the genuine people from the fuckboys was the hardest part. I have since ditched Tinder because it is simply just full of fuckboys and not worth my time. So let’s focus on POF.

So, POF is a dating site, which allows you to make a profile, write about yourself, give a little bio, your basics and them do a very long and I mean very long chemistry test which I have to admit I still haven’t finished haha. Anyway, I have had a few good dates from the site and met some lovely genuine guys on there. I have had some absolute horrid dates, and some guys assume they are going to get sex on a first meeting/date. Now I am up for casual but come on dude, I barely know you let’s get to know each other. I have come up with some top tips for internet dating based on my experience.

Number 1

DO NOT GIVE A GUY YOUR SNAPCHAT

Like seriously, if you have been talking to a guy and all he ha asked you is hey, how are you and then boom straight in with have you got snapchat, you will receive a dick pic and loads of them. Words of warning that is what happens.

Number 2

DO NOT GIVE YOUR NUMBER OUT

Okay, so with this one be respectful of your mobile number. So, many guys use the excuse of this app is slow have you got whatsapp? Why yes I do, but know you cannot have it because I barely know you. If a guy really wants to get to know you they will wait. I normally do not give my number out until I’ve been messaging a person at least 3 days. I want to know them a little first.

Number 3

Don’t be afraid to play the field

I’ve had a few people ‘judge’ me because I am talking to several guys. Most of these people judging me are in relationships, and have been for a while. Now just because I am talking to several guys it does not mean I am sleeping with them. I am simply getting to know people. Figuring out if we have stuff in common and quite frankly it’s nice to know I have people wanting to talk to me. So please do not judge.

Just a quick revisit and a few little tips.

Love yah

IsThataRedHerring 

Boys and Girls can be friends.

Recently I've been back on the whole dating seen, why not I'm 22, it's fun to date and have a little fun.

And I recently went for a drink with a lovely guy, this was not a date! I repeat was NOT a date, we were simply meeting up for a casual drink as we were both free. It was lovely, had a couple of pints, walked back home lovely. Anyway, I got home, sat down, checked my phone and he'd text me... 'so would you like to be my girlfriend?'. Now don't get me wrong I was flattered, but I made it clear from the beginning that I did not like this person in this way. And then all hell broke lose. The texts read something like this:

'you bitch'

'why would you lead me on like that?'

you utter bitch, why would you go on a date with me' 

Okay, well those are just some of them. I replied nicely, and he continued with the abuse, and a lot of swearing. Bit uncalled for. It was hard to explain over text, and he wouldn't listen. but the best one he wrote:

'WHY DID YOU FRIEND-ZONE ME'

And that was it! I couldn't believe it! So, sooo angry! There is no such thing as friend-zoning, I am sorry that I do not find you attractive, we are great friends why does it have to be more than that? It really annoyed me. I simply asked if he rather I pretended to fancied him, lead him on and then a few months down the line dumb him? He didn't like that! But I feel that it was the right answer. I feel that I did the right thing. I did not lead anyone on, from the start I made it clear that we were friends and nothing more, and okay he liked me differently but that does not mean I have to feel the same. I am the one with my own feelings why should I change them to suit you? Please stop using the term 'friend-zone' as an excuse! You cannot control how others feel, its not fair or right. 

Sadly, we are no longer friends or talking which really sucks, because we talked a lot, had a lot in common. It's a shame something like this has come between our friendship. But I hope we will sort this out. 

You cannot force your feelings onto someone else, that's not how it works! 

Love yah 

Isthataredherring 

Carrot Cake Recipe

I love carrot cake, and with this simple recipe so will you.

Ingredients 
250g self-raising flour
2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
400g caster sugar
350ml vegetable oil
350g grated carrot
optional
120g chopped walnuts

Icing 
140g soft margarine (I use dairy free)
350g icing sugar
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract/flavouring

Method

• Preheat the oven to 180C/ gas mark 4 and grease 2, 20cm cake tins.
• In a big bowl, stir together all the dry ingredients (self-raising flour, cinnamon and sugar)
• In a separate bowl beat the oil and eggs together, until combined.
• Slowly mix the eggs and oil into the flour, sugar and cinnamon until smooth and combined fully. 
• Then add the grated carrot to the mixture, and mix until smooth and fully combined. 
• Once the mixture is combined, divide equally into the 2 cake tins. 
• Bake for 25-30 mins in the preheated oven. Test the cake with a skewer and if it comes out clean it is baked
• Once the cake is baked, leave to cool in the tins, once fully cooled removes from tins.
• Whilst cake is cooling, make the icing.
• simply mix the margarine, icing sugar and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy. 
• Once the cakes are cool, layer the cakes, with a layer of icing in-between each layer.
• Top with a thin layer of icing and serve.... with a cup of tea is advised
• Enjoy

 

The finished product

little discalmer... this is my finished cake it is a lovely picture courtesy of Google Images... I have lost the picture of the cake I have made! Silly me. Sorry... Nevertheless the cake was amazing and didn't last long in my house as it was eaten so quickly.

I hope you try this very simple recipe.

Love yah
IsThataRedHerring