10 Things I Love About Autumn

I don't know about you, but I LOVE Autumn. We all know when Autumn has arrived when Starbucks announce their pumpkin spiced lattes and the shops are filled with all things knitwear. I think for me, the Autumn months have to be my favourite months of the year. Don't get me wrong, I love Summer too, but once my birthday is over at the end of August, I just want it to get colder and wrap up in my jumpers and coats.

To get us into the Autumn mood, I thought I'd kickstart with a good old '10 things I love about Autumn' (standard). Who doesn't love a list?

1. Dark nights. I love light nights in the Summer but when the dark nights start to creep in, it makes me excited for Christmas. As I'm sitting here writing this blog post, it's actually really dark outside (and raining), and I've never been so relaxed. I always love the cosy feel that they bring and especially when you're wrapped up in bed and not going anywhere, it's the perfect feeling.

2. Candles. Oh my goodness gracious me, I love candles. What's not to love?! I light candles all year round but it doesn't get as serious as it does from September. I light a candle nearly everyday, just for a few hours, and it makes my room smell so Autumnal, particularly when the cinnamon and pumpkin scents come out to play. 

3. Rain. This is funny because I hate rain when I'm out in it but when I'm all warm and cosy inside and I can hear the rain hitting off my window, I'm in heaven. And what's better than that? Thunderstorms.

4. Chunky knits. I love a good woolly jumper and what is a better time to get them out than in Autumn. In England, it's always cold, and I have already whacked out the chunky knits. A jumper and a pair of leggings is my cosy Autumnal night outfit. What's not to love?

5. Boots. It's officially Autumn when the black boots appear from my wardrobe. Give me a pair of chunky heeled boots anyway.

6. Fairy lights. I actually don't think there's any better feeling than coming home from work, changing into some comfy clothes, lighting a candle and turning on my fairy lights.

7. Fires. We have a log burner at home and to be completely honest, we've already started lighting it!

8. Coats. I'm a coat fanatic. Most people tend to buy one Autumn/Winter coat for the year but me? No, I have 10. 

9. Autumn colours. Khaki, burgundy, black, grey and white. I love wearing these type of colours. I feel like they're the perfect Autumnal combination and match the leaves on the trees. Because who doesn't love to coordinate with trees ey?

10. Baths. I have baths all year round and there is no secret in that. But there's something about a bath in Autumn/Winter when it's cold outside that makes them much more special. Using a bath bomb that smells just like Autumn would smell, if it had a smell (SMELL SMELL SMELL), puts the icing on the cake.

What's your favourite thing about Autumn?

Charlotte xxx

June: To Do List

Hi my lovelies!

Long time no speak.

Finally we have some sunshine and it is really motivating me to start writing again.  I have encouraged myself to get back into my organised self and do the things I love again. So to start off, I thought I would make a to do list for this month. After all, I love a good list, and why not share it with you all.

Workout more. I'm always falling in and out of love with the gym. I go through phases of wanting to go and then just point blank refusing as I have very little motivation. Exercise has never been my favourite thing to do but I want to start falling in love with it. I've realised how little exercise I actually do and so June will be the month I start a more healthier lifestyle.

Run. This may sound like I'm just repeating myself and to some, it may sound like a funny one to tick off the list. To be blunt, I hate running and always have done. My goal for this month is to start running on the treadmill so that by the time summer arrives, I am able to go out for runs in the (hopefully) sunny weather and enjoy it. I've ran before but decided it just wasn't for me so by doing a little bit at a time I will hopefully build up my fitness levels but also enjoy running.

Change up my wardrobe. I tend to have a regular de-clutter of my wardrobe every few months and give to charity whatever clothes I don't wear anymore, so that will be on my to do list! I also want to be more adventurous with my style choices and Pinterest is my port of call when it comes to style inspiration!

Print photos. When I was little, we had albums and albums full of photos. My Mam loved taking photos, and still does, and every now and then we like to reminisce on the good times (and the bad haircuts). Nowadays, we take so many photos on our phones that we just keep them there and never have physical copies so from this month, I want to get loads printed and organise them into albums so that in the future, I can look back on the good times I'm going through now.

Share more on Instagram. Following on from the photo theme, I really want to share more photos on Instagram. I love Instagram, it's probably my favourite app. I love arranging photos and making them look pretty so I would love to share more.

What's on your June to do list?

Charlotte xxx

21 things I've learnt in 21 years

Being a summer baby means I have to wait nearly a whole year after all of my friends for my birthday. I mean, I can't complain as I never spent my birthday in school and in the future, I will be glad that I have to wait just that little bit longer to turn a year older. As it was my 21st birthday a couple of weeks ago, I started to reflect on the past 21 years and thought about all the things I've been taught by friends, family and every single person that has walked in and out of my life. It's interesting to see how much these people, whether they are no longer here or you still see everyday, make a difference on how you live your life. I'm in my early twenties now, even though I don't feel like it, and I'm starting to get older (and maybe wiser). Even though I'm meant to be an adult now, there are still times when I need to ask an older adult what the heck I'm doing but there are also times where not everyday goes just the way you want it to. And that's okay.

My 21 years have been a rollercoaster, but this has allowed me to learn many lessons and realise the important things in life. So here's to the good and the bad times, the real and the fake friends, the do's and the don't's. Here is 21 of the most important things I have learnt in 21 years:

1. It's okay if you don't have your life figured out yet. I have just finished a 3-year English Language degree and have come out of it still unsure about which direction I am heading in. You're still young, 21 is not old.

2. Everyone has bad days. You're allowed to cry, you're allowed to have bad moods. Not everyday has to be a perfect day.

3. Spend quality time with your grandparents. They're getting on. They won't be here forever. And they have a lot of wisdom to pass down to you.

4. Say yes more. You've got to make memories, right? These are the years to do it otherwise regret will kick in.

5. We don't deserve dogs. Cherish them.

6. It's okay to not feel your age. Believe me, I still think I'm 18 sometimes and am about to start university all over again. Acting like an adult can wait another day.

7. Just buy the coat. Stop worrying about money, it stops you doing things and getting the stuff you love.

8. Not everyone is nice. Manners cost nothing but unfortunately not everyone has them.

9. Realise who your friends are. When you're going through difficult situations, you find the people that go through them with you. Don't let them go.

10. Stop making the effort with people who clearly don't make the effort back. If they don't want to spend time with you, they won't (brutal).

11. Be positive. Always hope for the best. Believing in yourself and believing that you will be successful will get you to where you need to be.

12. Work hard now to help your future self.

13. Tell the people close to you how much you love them on a daily basis. Life is short, there's no harm in expressing your feelings.

14. It's okay to choose lying in bed in your pyjamas with a cup of tea over going out in a glittery dress with a vodka lemonade in hand. Being a granny at 21 isn't a problem, I promise you.

15. Coffee is an essential part of life. I don't whether its an "I'm now in my 20s, I need coffee to survive" kind of thing but getting through the day has proven difficult without a caffeine rush.

16. Drink lots of water.

17. Be kind to people. Kind people are my kinda people.

18. Dogs are everything.

19. Laughing is essential in relationships. There's no better feeling than uncontrollably laughing with the person that you love.

20. It's okay to still ask your parents 50 questions a day.

21. Love yourself. It's not just about keeping your heart healthy but your mind healthy too. Don't put yourself down. Think better of yourself. The more and more you grow to love yourself the more happiness you will bring to your life. If you're unhappy, talk to someone. Don't bottle it all up. You're amazing and you know you are.

All my love, Charlotte Rose x