Bonjour!

27/08/2014

Chailland public gardens
Hello there everyone!

Even though this has been posted now that I'm back home in England I am currently writing this as I sit in the lovely country kitchen at my uncles holiday/future home in France. I hope that makes sense. We're in a tiny little hamlet next to a village called Chailland (pronounced Shion) somewhere around the Loire valley - it's very picturesque with lush green fields and tall trees covering the valley surrounding us.

The hamlet is quite out of the way from the hustle and bustle of people and different to everyday life in England. The French are VERY laid back and its their national three week holiday at the moment so not many places, like cafes or shops are open. I don't think I have ever visited somewhere this quiet before and beautiful as it is, it can get rather boring for somebody who's used to being in a busy village/town where there is mostly always something happening or something to occupy yourself with. Me and my cousin Nicole who's 18 (two years younger than me) are finding it hard to live without
Chailland village
WiFi!

This is my first time visiting France and I have to say it's very similar to England weather wise, it's nearly the end of August and has been quite chilly with a cool breeze this week, along with a few hot sunny breaks throughout the day. I really wish I had bought some more warmer layers, I have one cardigan and quite a thin coat which I've been living in (literally) whilst I've been here as this is the warmest of my clothes I bought along with me! I am a person who feels the cold extremely easily.

We've had a pretty laid back few days here mostly just staying around the house, garden and hamlet. They're quite a few children who live in the hamlet (perfect for my younger cousins aged 8 and 9) and a lot of freedom for them to roam around or play on their bikes etc. On Thursday I spent the afternoon being a child again playing out with the other kids and my cousins on bikes and making dens in the back garden - it was quite nostalgic.

On our last day we visited a beautiful large Fortress/Castle, the biggest I have ever seen! It was wonderful to look around and take a step back in time. We went up two towers with spiral staircases and these took AGES to walk up and down, I couldn't of put up with living there and having to do that every day (haha)! The town surrounding the Castle was absolutely lovely - very vintage and chic with cute cafes, shops and gift shops.

Overall it was a quite a nice break away from England though it's great to be back to a more lively atmosphere and WiFi! Oh yes, our WiFi at home is being horrendous again so I am going to have to ring them back up again! :(

Have you ever visited France, if so - what was it like and where about did you visit?


Lots of Love
Koren xo
The town where the Castle is

Off to France we go

19/08/2014

Hello everyone!

I'm very sorry for not writing up as many blog posts as all of us would like. Our broadband at home has been terrible for the past three to four weeks! The BT man spent a long four hours at our home and up telegraph poles yesterday trying to sort it out which hopefully he has - at least for now anyway!

Today I am going to France and will be visiting my uncles holiday home in the Loire valley (they've had it for around two years and have been doing it up, but now it's ready for visitors!). A lot of my family are already over there and I will be travelling with my Nana, Grandad and cousin Nicole. The flight is at 1:50pm and we will be taking off from East Midlands airport.

I've always wanted to go to France and I really can't wait to share all of my pictures with you when I get back. I will make sure I take plenty :).

I hope that all of you are all right and enjoying these last few weeks of summer before autumn sets in.

Lots of love,
Koren
xo

Ps - I've got a new job in a little cafe where I live called "Little Pickle" at two days a week to start off with and I start next Tuesday. My interview tips paid off! Yay x

10 things which make me happy

07/08/2014

Hello there everyone!
There I am, reading away with my cuppa.

I thought I would give you all a little insight of the things in life which make me happy. Everybody is different and certain things which make one person happy may not make another feel the same way. At the end of the day we all have those lovely little comforts in life to fall back on when times are tough or when you just need a little me time. Here are my top 10!

Number 1 - Reading
Okay, so you all could of probably guessed this one. This is one of the main things in life which can turn my frown into a smile before you can say strawberry. I have an unhealthy (or is it healthy?) obsession with reading - whenever any of my friends ask what I'm up to, they know what answer is coming "I'm reading" of course! I'm into a variety of genres including chick lit, romance, children's books such as those by Jacqueline Wilson as I think she's an incredible author and any others which catch my eye whilst browsing through the bookshop.

Number 2 - Magazines
This goes hand in hand with reading, I adore reading and browsing through magazines and I do have my favorites including Cosmopolitan, Glamour and Essentials. I have signed up to Cosmopolitan's subscription service so when this arrives through my letterbox each month I do a little leap of joy and want to kiss the postman/lady! The September 14 issue arrived at my house this week which I still have got to read - can't wait. I love most of the stories which are published in each of these magazines and find the problem pages quite interesting. I always used to want to become an agony aunt, in fact I still would (maybe one day, huh?)

Number 3 - Oh so wonderful cup of tea
Okay, I can't go a day without a cup of tea I think I would die if I attempted this? The first thing I reach for in a morning when I rise from dreamland is my beloved little bird mug and make myself a cuppa. I must drink around 3 - 4 cups of tea a day and it ALWAYS has to be strong with no sugar! I don't understand why people have sugars in their tea, I prefer the crisp refreshing taste. Somebody want to come and make me a brew? Anyone?
My lil' birdy mug

Number 4 - Chocolate
Now this IS an unhealthy obsession of mine which really needs to stop. I consume way too much chocolate on a daily basis - my favorite being Milkybar (the white kids chocolate). It's just so sweet, smooth and makes me happy. I love to put it in my mouth and let it sit there to melt and finally slide away into nothingness. Once it has gone and slid away I have to repeat the process to continue this mood boosting process though I draw the line at some point, otherwise I shall be turning into a chocolate bar before I know it. I'm sure all of you chocolate lovers out there can relate! ;)
A pretty lavender candle in my room

Number 5 - All things girly
Many of my closest friends will know I am probably one of the girliest girls out there in the world. I love all things pink, floral, cute, pretty, vintage and Cath Kidston. I would describe my bedroom as VERY girly - it has lots of those little plaques with quotes on hanging around everywhere, beige wallpaper on one wall with shiny butterflies, vines and flowers on, cute little trinket boxes and candles lying around. Which brings me to my 6th happy point...

Number 6 - Candles duh!
I love candles and I am the owner of many. I have quite a few Yankee candles which have been given to me as presents from family and friends, a couple of Blush candles which smell devilishly divine and other random ones I have picked up on shopping trips.

Number 7 - Animals
Animals never fail to cheer me up when I am feeling down. They have the power to boost your mood by one little stroke or touch of their silky smooth fur. I have two pets - a cat called Jessie who's mostly black though she has tiny little white patches on her chest and belly. I then have a baby hamster called Poppy which I have recently wrote about here. Animals just seem to love you unconditionally no matter what life brings and they are ever so cute!

Number 8 - My little brother
Wow, my brother means a lot to me. When my mum first announced she was pregnant I was absolutely over the moon - I never thought I would have a sibling, it was a dream come true.
My brother is called Charlie and will be three in December, time has flew by since the first time I met him with his cute little fingers and his tiny little button nose, such a lovely bundle of joy and happiness. Charlie is such a character now and into everything, though one of the main things is, he never fails to make me smile and laugh. 
Me and my fave


Number 9 - My family/friends

I'm ever so grateful for my wonderful family and friends, I couldn't live without these special people in my life. They are here for me no matter what life throws at us and I will always be here for them. I have been going through a rough patch with my anxiety/panic attacks over the last few years and couldn't thank them enough for everything they have done to support me and help me through the bad days. You all know who you are and you will always be in my heart safe.

Number 10 - Technology and blogging
Ah okay, so this is a bit of a silly one compared to what I have been writing about but I honestly couldn't live without my phone and the internet. I am so glad I have found the blogging world where I can express and write about anything I want to in my OWN special place. I also love exploring new phone apps, websites and other various things on the internet as I find it fun and it helps to pass time when there's nothing else to do. I find the internet quite comforting in an odd way. Does anyone else feel this?

There are lot's of other things which make me happy but these which I have listed are the main ones.
I love sharing who I am and what I love with you all and hope you can do the same with me. Thank you for getting this far and reading all of this quite long blog post!

What things make you happy? Comment below if you want :)

Lots of love,

Koren xo
Do what it says :)







Meet Poppy

02/08/2014

Hello everyone,

I would like you all to be introduced to my new little pet called Poppy who's a Syrian hamster aged between 11-15 weeks now.

Hello I'm Poppy!

I've had this little lady for around two weeks now and am still in the process of taming her. I would love to be able to just pick her up and give her lots of cuddles as I find her so adorable but unfortunately I will have to wait until she feels a little more comfortable in her new surroundings, around myself and my family. We must be like ginormous moving sky scrapers who make funny noises to her.

A lovely thing is I have realised that when she's on her wheel or going about her own business in the evenings and I come up to her cage she will stop what she's doing and come up to the bars to say hello to me! This makes me smile :)

Do any of you have any good tips on taming a hamster so they feel comfortable?

Lots of Love 

Koren xo