A New Year, a HUGE Thank You and The Blogger Tag!

Happy New Year! (almost)

 

Can I just start by saying…you guys are amazing! After a crazy yet mega fun three months of blogging, you guys have got me to 1000 page views! I’m just so, so grateful that you guys come back each week reading my posts. I write them for people to enjoy, so I’m glad that it seems you are!

So, I thought I’d celebrate with the blogger tag; it’s basically a tag telling you guys all about the world of blogging, and why I love it so much! So, here it goes!

Why did you start blogging?

Recently, the world of blogging has grown hugely, so I thought, why not join it? I’ve always loved the idea of an online journal type thing, sharing with people the fun things I get up to and writing things for you to (hopefully) enjoy! So, I started a blog earlier on in 2014, though it wasn't exactly the most successful. Oh, who am I kidding, it was a complete and utter fail! I was un-committed and and uninspired, and didn't really have a very clear focus as to where my blog was going. So, after a while, I decided to delete it and start afresh, with a new theme, a new writing style, and more frequent posts. And here I am!

What type of things do you blog about?

As I told you guys briefly in my first ever post, I basically blog about things that make you happy! I chose my blog name (LoveLife) because my blog is literally just showing you the reasons to, well, love life and be happy! That could mean recipes, tags, ‘how-to’s, reviews and anything else that randomly pops into my head! I’m really into photography to, so a lot of my posts are focused on that.

What’s your favourite thing about blogging?

Wow, that’s tricky; there’s so much! I guess the best thing is getting to be a part of the blogging community! I love sharing all of these things with you, as well as reading other people’s blogs as well!

What’s the toughest thing about blogging?

I think it would probably have to be staying organised and getting posts up on time, which is something I really struggled with on my first blog! It can be tricky to stay on top of things, but some key advice for anyone wanting to start up a blog is to plan ahead!

What are your blogging ambitions for 2015?

It definitely has to be to stay on top of blogging through exams and what not, and to keep posting every week!

Winter Favourites!

Hey guys, guess what?
IT'S SO CLOSE TO CHRISTMAS!
Calm down, Aisha, calm down...

Anyway! I hope you guys have had a fab and festive week! If you're anything like me, you've probably been doing some some incredibly last minute Christmas shopping! Nope, just me then...
So, this week, I thought I'd do a favourites post, which is basically just telling you about some of my fave products that are out there at the moment! I've never done one of these before, but I thought it could be a pretty fun and seasonal post, so enjoy!

Peppermint/Mango & Lychee Green Tea

I've always been a huge fan of tea, but to be honest, I've never really experimented with different types until very recently! These two are my current faves; they're soooo good! I must say, I was a little apprehensive about the idea of mango & lychee green tea, but it's literally one of the yummiest, fruitiest teas I've ever tried! It's such a beau-tea-ful combination! Sorry about that...Anyway, if you're looking for something more festive, definitely try peppermint; it's perfect for those chilly winter evenings! It reminds me of candy canes and Christmas, which is why I love it so much!

 Oversized Christmas Jumper

As you probably know from previous posts, I'm obsessed with oversized Christmas jumpers! After searching for the right one for countless hours, going in and out of shops, I finally found this one in the Primark mens' section (yes, I just said the mens' section). This shop has a huge variety compared to most stores! Whether you want flashing ones or more of a low key style, they'll deffo have one for you! Plus, the mens' section is always the go-to place- they're bigger and therefore way more comfy!

Marmite Chocolate

After long hours of procrastination, I thought I'd finally give this a go...

My verdict? It's amazing!

It's not overly marmitey (yeah I know, that's not a word...), although you still get a hint of marmite that goes surprisingly well with chocolate! Honestly, this is genuinely delicious!

This would make a perfect Christmas gift for someone who doesn't ming trying something new!

 The Lord of the Rings (book)

In all honesty, I didn't begin this book with too much motivation; tons of pages full of teeny tiny writing! But, to my surprise, this was a fab read! Tolkien's writing is just phenomenal, with so much detail and beauty poured into every single sentence. A fab storyline, some great characters, a wonderful writer; go read it!

Benefit 'The Pore-fessional'

 I was given this in a Benefit set for Christmas last year, and just love it. Such an essential! It does a fab job of minimising the appearance of pores, as well as being so simple to use! You literally just apply a small amount whenever you need it and your pores literally disappear, just like that!

Christmassy Penguin Socks

 I got these from my not-so-secret-santa, and they're just so, so cute! I love them; they're so festive and cute and ahhhh! Thanks santa!

Dashing Santa Bath Bomb

I'm a big Lush fan, so receiving this from my secret santa (SANTA! SO RELEVANT! Sorry...) was super exciting! Made with mandarin oil, bargamot oil and orange flower, it smells gorgeous and makes your bath super colourful! Honestly guys, this is the bomb. Yep, went there.

Well, guys, that's all from me for this week! Have a fantastic Christmas!

What's Christmas Really All About?

Christmas is swiftly approaching, and as you probably know, I'm SO excited!
But, as we get closer and closer to Christmas, it's so easy to get sucked into thinking that it's all about presents, food and decorations. These things are great, but it's so, so important to remember what Christmas truly means, and why it brings such amazing news for me and for you!

If you ask someone what Christmas is all about, the most likely answers are usually things like:
-giving/receiving gifts
-spending time with your family and friends
-mince pies (yum)
-wearing Christmas jumpers
-remembering the birth of a miracle baby

All of these things are really great, and I love every one of them! But, that's just not the whole story.

Jesus' birth isn't just remembered because it's a nice story about a miracle baby being born to a virgin. As a Christian, I believe it's something way, way bigger.
It's the birth of our saviour, God in human form, who came to earth with one aim; to die in order to take the punishment for all of the bad things we've done, all the ways in which we've messed up, so that we can be forgiven by God. Then one day we can be with him in Heaven!
Pretty crazy, right?

I've messed up, I can tell you that for sure. I do everyday, and I will for the rest of my earthly life. But the most amazing thing is that I know, that through Jesus' death on the cross, I can be forgiven. Not because I deserve it, not because I've done anything special, but because Jesus loves us so much that he came to die in our place, to give us a way to be friends with our loving, gracious creator.

'But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: whilst we were still sinners, Christ died for us.' -Romans 5:8

How amazing is that? Even though we don't do things God's way, He still loves us so much, and offers us forgiveness through Jesus' death. Even though we approach him with empty hands, he accepts us into his family, and invites us to be with him in Heaven when we die, if we just choose to accept his offer and trust in Jesus' death.

So, Christmas is a time to not only remember Jesus' wonderful birth, but also to remember why He came:
To rescue us, and to one day take us home with him.

Christmas Market at Waddesdon Manor!

Happy Friday! Yeah, I know, it's Wednesday...wishful thinking...

Anyway...

Hey guys!

Only 15 days 'til Christmas! Crazy, right?! So, last Sunday, my family and I went to this cute, festive Christmas market at Waddesdon Manor, which is a National Trust property in Buckinghamshire. As if it's not beautiful enough all year round, it's definitely even more magical at Christmas! Here are some shots I got on the day.

The manor itself is a gorgeous country house built in the nineteenth century. At this time of the year, they go all out in the way of festive decorations, inside and out! The house is also surrounded by acres and acres of land, which just adds to its immense beauty.

As far as Christmas markets go, this has to be one of my faves ever. There's literally everything you could need in terms of Christmas gifts, as well as plenty of snacks along the way...

And of course, when isn't it the perfect time to adopt an alpaca?

I just thought these were really cute. They're Christmassy things. In giant buckets! Nope, just me then...never mind.

I just love Christmas decorations (as you can probably tell)! Ours are usually up around the first of December...yep, you heard me right...But, to be fair, if it were down to me, they'd probably be up around September!

I bought this tree decor which shows the three wise men going to see Jesus. I love things like this, because you get to see what Christmas is really all about!

Just a casual reindeer covered in tinsel, as you do.

Make sure you take a camera with you!

I just love this place; it's definitely worth visiting! The gorgeous surroundings, the Christmassy, festive feel, and just the house itself- such a lovely place!
Have a fab week, guys!

Simple Yet Spectacular Salted Caramel Cookie Recipe

 

Recently I've been doing a lot of baking, so I thought I'd share with you guys a recipe that I came up with not long ago! It's really simple, and a little messy- but that's half the fun!

Ingredients:
-150g softened butter
-100g soft brown sugar
-125g caster sugar
-1 egg
-1tsp vanilla extract
-320g self-raising flour
-200g caramel (tinned)
-sea salt (to taste)

What to do:
1) Preheat your oven to 180° (160° for a fan oven) or gas mark 4
2) Line two trays (of around 60cm x 45cm) with baking paper
3) Cream the butter and sugar (both types) until light- it won't be perfectly smooth because of the brown sugar, but don't worry!
4) In a separate bowl whisk the egg and vanilla extract, before adding it to the mix.
5) Slowly sieve the flour into the mix in three or four intervals, pausing to mix.
6) When the mixture is combined, separate the dough into walnut sized balls.
7) In a separate bowl, mix together the caramel and the sea salt.
8) Now for the fun part! Carefully spoon your caramel mixture into a piping bag, and, through a very small nozzle, pipe a small amount into the centre of each cookie. It'll get pretty messy, but don't worry, it's part of the fun!
9) Place them in the baking trays, ensuring they're not too close together (they get pretty huge!), sprinkle with sea salt, and bake for 8-12 minutes, depending on how gooey you like them!
10) Enjoy! 

Film Review: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1

Guess who's back? Just me, don't get too excited...
Anti-climax...
Um, anyway.
Hey guys!

Last week, some friends and I went to see the third Hunger Games movie, which we've been excited about pretty much all year! So, I thought it was only appropriate to give you all a review and tell you what I thought of it!

So, for those of you who aren't familiar with the story, or haven't read/seen the first two, I'll give you a quick summary of what's gone on. The story basically follows Katniss Everdeen on her journey through the Hunger Games, a brutal and unfair competition set up by a corrupt government in order to, supposedly, serve justice for the uprising of the citizens of Panem against the Capitol that happened many years before. Without going into too much detail, the Hunger Games aren't exactly the nicest of tournaments, with only one of the twenty four tributes surviving.

In Mockingjay, however, Katniss (played by Jennifer Lawrence) faces her biggest battle yet. After President Snow (played by Donald Sutherland), the sinister and controlling leader of the Capitol and creator of the Hunger Games, destroys Katniss' district, leaving it in complete ruins, she must lead the rest of the districts on the route to freedom against the corrupt government that is swiftly on the rise. However, this is not her only battle. Katniss must also tackle her past, and recover from the twisted, provocative events of the Hunger Games which haunt her to this day. And, as if things weren't complicated enough, Peeta Mellark (played by Josh Hutcherson), her companion through the games and 'star-crossed lover', is in the hands of the enemy, leaving Katniss the responsibility of rescuing him, which could potentially lead her into the hands of the Capitol. Pretty crazy, right?

The thing I love about the this movie is how it's one of the rare films that actually live up to the book. The entire cast do a fantastic job of playing such complex characters, portraying them in a way that completely reflects the book. Also, there are some amazing classic moments from Effie Trinket (played by Elizabeth Banks) that honestly had me laughing so hard! This film was just such a great combination of action, romance, comedy and suspense; a must-see, for sure!

Well, there you go! Let me know what you think of the movie!

Five Top Tips for Revision

Hey there, crazy people of the internet. You made it again!
It's always this time of the year when mock exams are beginning, and it seems like EVERYONE's talking about exams! So, I thought I'd give you all my five top tips for revision, which will hopefully help you out!

1) Start early
I know what it's like to put off revision to a point where it's just too late...trust me! So, make sure you start early to avoid rushed, last-minute revision!

2) Make a revision timetable
This is so helpful to get you on track of what you're revising and when. Allocate yourself time in the week to sit down and, well...revise! How long you spend revising is up to you.
You can make your timetable as bright and colourful as you want; it's part of the fun! Although, it's easy to just write yourself a timetable but not really stick to it (trust me, I know...). So, make sure you commit to your timetable. Perhaps set yourself a reminder on your phone, or ask someone you know, like your parents, to remind you so that you can't get out of it!

3) Have an allocated revision place
This will help you to get in the mind set of revision, so that your brain knows that it's time to revise. Where it is is up to you; it could be as peaceful and quiet or loud and busy as you want- whatever helps you revise best! It's different for everyone, for example I prefer a relaxed atmosphere, maybe with music in the background, so coffee shops are ideal for me (and plus it's a great excuse to drink coffee!). However, for some people it could be a library, in the garden (although that's probably not the best shout in winter), or just a desk in your bedroom. Wherever it is, try and make sure you always revise in the same place, so that your brain knows that it's time to get down and revise.

4) Find a revision method that's right for you
There are so many revision methods, but it's worth trying out different things so that you find one that's right for you and that you can stick with.
You could try out some of these:

• Flashcards- they're easy to make and super useful.
• Making up a song/rhyme- this could help you to remember equations, definitions and key facts. You could even try recording it and listening back to it.
• Around-the-house revision- try sticking up questions around your house, on things like doors and cupboards, and try and answer them before opening the door/cupboard. If you can't, go and find out the answer on the internet or in a textbook, and then come back.
• Highlighting and note taking- this is a great way to remind yourself of definitions and key facts.
• Mind maps- a fab visual revision method. Go colour crazy!
• Get together with friends- try testing each other, or maybe even organise a quiz night!

5) Make time to have fun
It's important not to overwork yourself. Revision should be a priority, but your wellbeing is even more important. Make sure you give yourself time to relax, and do things to take your mind off of revision!

I hope this helped. Happy revising!

How To Choose a Camera that's Right for You

Yes, it's Wednesday! We all know what that means, and no, not just one step closer to the weekend...a new blog post! So, as a lot of you might know, I'm a huge photography fanatic, and I love, love, love talking about anything photography! Today, I thought I'd go through the different types of cameras that are out there so that you can find one that's right for you. You don't have to be an avid photographer to get something out of this post; even if you're not that into photography, hopefully this post will still be helpful for you!

Compact Digital Cameras
These cameras are light, easy to use and perfect for everyday use. They're generally fully automatic, which means you don't have to worry about manual settings such as aperture and shutter speed. However, this does mean that these cameras are better for capturing everyday memories and informative photographs rather than going ultra creative. However, a lot of digital compact cameras have settings such as 'action' and 'portrait', which gives you a way to get the best photograph possible. Generally, they have a decent zoom and, depending on the camera you choose, a reasonable number of megapixels.
If you're looking for a simple, everyday camera, compact digital cameras are perfect for you.

Bridge Cameras
These are slightly more complex than compact digital cameras, and produce better quality photos. However, they're still easy to use once you find your way around them! Bridge cameras have the ability to shoot on aperture priority, shutter speed priority, manual and automatic mode. This gives you much more freedom when taking photos, and lets you get a little more creative. However, a disadvantage is that, like compact digital cameras, you can't change your lens. This limits you slightly in the way of close-ups and macro photography, but gives you the benefit of not having to carry round extra lenses. Also, most bridge cameras have a fairly decent zoom anyway, and can also record videos, though not always at a fantastic quality.
If you're looking for a camera that allows you to shoot manually, but is still easy to use, a bridge camera would be great for you!

Digital Single-Lens Reflex Cameras (DSLRs)
DSLRs are the most expensive type of camera, but definitely the most professional and top quality. There are loads of models to choose from, ranging from amateur to professional, which means you can find one that's right for you. The main advantage of DSLRs is the fact that you can change your lens when desired, which means that you can take some fantastic photos. As well as this, the settings are very complex, which means you have even more freedom in your photography. As well as this, most DSLRs can film great quality videos, what is a huge advantage. However, they're pretty heavy!
If you're looking to take your photography to the next level, I'd definitely recommend a DSLR!

I hope this was useful for you all! Have a fab week!

A Weekend of Fun at Center Parcs, Woburn

Hey, guys!

I thought I'd start by saying a huge thanks to you all! On Monday I reached 500 page views, which I'm really excited about! Thanks so much to you guys who have been reading my posts; I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them! Really though, it means so much, so a huge thanks to you all!
 

Last weekend, my family and I went away to Center Parcs in Woburn, which opened earlier on this year. We've been away to a few of the others before, but Woburn Forest definitely had to be our favourite out of them all!

 The forest is just so, so beautiful, especially in the Autumn! From the serene lake to the wonderful wildlife, there's plenty to photograph! Plus, this time of the year, the leaves are such a gorgeous colour; take some photos while they're still there!

Center Parcs offers tons of fab activities to suite absolutely everyone! There's such a huge variety, from intense, action-packed challenges like water sports and the high ropes, to more relaxed options such as crafts and a trip to the spa. My family and I did Indoor Climbing, Pottery, Table Tennis and Laser Combat, which was super fun!

There's also a HUGE swimming pool with tons of crazy slides; I could pretty much spend all day there! There're also more chilled out options at the pool, like the Lazy River, or just hanging out in a cabana which are available to hire.

The village square is packed with loads of shops and restaurants, and is really easy to get to. I just loved the relaxed atmosphere and quirky layout that gave the square so much character!

They have pretty much all you need in the way of restaurants, from tasty American diners to classy Italian food. It's all so, so yummy, and plus there are coffee shops everywhere, which of course is a bonus...

 The best way to get around has to be by bike. Everything is easily within cycling distance, and there are bike racks pretty much everywhere! You can bring your own bike, or just hire one there.

The lake is just gorgeous! It's surrounded by forest, and there's a path by the side of it leading to the Pancake House (which is AMAZING, might I add...).

Be sure to take a camera everywhere; there's so much to photograph! The whole park has so much character, and I just loved every bit of it!

Anyway, it's time for me to leaf now...see what I did there...never mind...
I Hope you guys enjoyed seeing some of my holiday snaps! Have a fab week!