The Next Chapter...

I've been a bit AWOL when it comes to blogging recently, but I have a reason - I finally started my youtube channel!

I remember when being 11 or 12 and discovering one of Michelle Phan's transformation videos on youtube (I think it might've been Barbie) and was just in awe of how talented she was and how fun the video was to watch. With suggestions for other videos popping up along the sidebar, I slowly got drawn into the wonderful vortex of youtube, discovering so many more people making great videos. 

I fell in love with it so quickly, discovering people like Zoella and Sprinkle of Glitter, getting really excited when a new video had been uploaded. I admired the confidence and positivity these people had, when the thought crossed my mind of 'what if I could do that?' but quickly put it out of my mind as it was a stupid idea.

4 years on from that, I still wanted to badly to share my creativity, tips and ideas but never had enough confidence to open my laptop and start typing. That was until I ended up in hospital being quite ill. I was lucky however, and I'm sort of glad of it in a way as reality check to stop waiting for something and just do it. Being housebound for a couple of months to heal and rest gave me the perfect opportunity to start blogging.

I was never really a confident, fully happy person, so by posting reviews or get the looks, a comment really brightened up my day and put me in such a better mood. That's why I know realize how important it is to pursue what you're passionate about, as it can have such a positive impact on your life.

This blog has been so fun for me the past year, but for me it was always something  I wanted to do to help me build up the confidence to start youtube - and now it has! I'm so excited for this new chapter and while it may not amount to anything (I might hate it for all I know) I can at least say that I gave it a go and followed my heart.

In terms of content, I want to focus a lot more on fashion and lifestyle as opposed to beauty, as I always struggled to post good fashion blog posts and I feel that the ideas I have in my head will be portrayed a lot better through video. I will still post here from time to time as sometimes there's nothing I love more than writing a spontaneous blog post.

So without making you read my boring, rambly thoughts any longer, here is my first video.

It would really mean a lot to me if you subscribed as there will be many more fun videos to come!

https://youtu.be/6p3jEBr54nw

xo, Orlagh

Relax... It's Summer!

For most people, exams are over and it's officially summer, so just relax, take a deep breath, and smile - you have two whole months to do whatever the fuck u want!!

One thing I want to stress is that you shouldn't overthink how your exams went. I know that it's natural instinct to go back over what you wrote in the exam and check if you done the right thing, but sometimes that does more harm than good - just forget about them rather than making yourself feel like crap about writing the wrong answer because at the end of the day, it isn't going to affect/change your grade.

Instead of worrying about results, just go out and enjoy summer, do the things you love, and most importantly relax! Your brain's probably been on overdrive for the last 2 months so it's important to take a breather. Do something or go somewhere that puts your mind at ease. I went to the waterfall near my house because I find it so peaceful, and then went to my caravan for the weekend to chill out and get a bit of an internet detox.

While I don't think it's a good idea to overthink your exams, I still think it's important to reflect and put things into perspective. It's important to realize that if you get bad grades, it really isn't the end of the world! The pressure put on students these days is ridiculous and we're made to think that these exams are a test of our intelligence and that they determine our future, but as long as you have tried your very best it shouldn't matter because a bad grade does not mean you are stupid.

Instead of worrying about what you should've done, reward yourself for all your hard work and have the best summer ever!! Take it as an opportunity to spend more time with your friends and family, or maybe even start a new hobby. Always wanted to learn how to play the guitar or maybe how to paint? Do it! You have nothing to lose and it'll help pass the time during summer.

I know sometimes doing fun things in summer can be expensive, but there are so many things you can do that are cheap/free and you can still have an amazing time. I think the best thing to do is take advantage of where you live; If you live near a beach, go there all the time; if there are nice scenic walks where you live, go for a walk; if you live near/in a city, act like a tourist for the day, visiting parts of the city you wouldn't usually go to. Here are some articles I've found which have great ideas of what do in summer that wont break the bank:

http://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/Cheap-Things-Do-Summer-37421848

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/40-free-fun-things-to-do-this-summer-220963

http://www.canadianliving.com/life-and-relationships/family/article/50-free-things-to-do-this-summer

I hope you have an amazing summer!

xo, Orlagh