What Am I Thankful For?

Blogmas day 24! It’s Christmas Eve and I just can’t believe how we have gotten here so quickly. This time of year is beautiful, it really does allow you to think of all the things you’re grateful for and how appreciative you are of life.

This year, I’m so thankful for change. Some people are afraid of change and I know I was as well, but this year, I embraced it. I graduated from my first degree, started my second in a new town, new university and begun creating a new life for myself. I’ve met some incredible people and I’ve had the best first semester ever. I threw myself in the deep end and started to experience the uni life I never really had in Aberystwyth.

With that in mind, I’m grateful for my grandmother. This year she’s had all sorts thrown at her and she has fought her way through it all. Taken it all in her stride and not let it get her down. Each day I realise that she’s the reason I’m working so hard to better myself. She’s a real inspiration and someone I’m so incredibly grateful to have in my life.

My niece and nephew are growing up so quickly, Gracie recently turned 7 and Ethan is due to turn 2 next month. It’s so amazing to have the honour of watching these little ones grow and develop into the most wonderful children ever. They’re experiencing childhood to the full and have the most amazing people in their lives to help them achieve whatever they want. They’re beautiful and I love them so much!

However this year, I’m most thankful for my mum. We haven’t always had the best bond, we haven’t always been close. To be honest, we’ve fought and battled with each other for years. Until this year, I experienced my first heartbreak and my mum was my absolute rock through it all. I was devastated and she helped me through everything. Something I never thought I would ever see her do. I do think she’s finally realised that I’m an adult now and she hadn’t been able to let me go for so long. But now she has, we’re closer than ever. I couldn’t imagine my mum not being in my life even when she’s being the biggest pain in the ass. This year I am so grateful to have had her help me and guide me through everything I’ve needed her for.

Twitter: @bethdaviesblog

Instagram: @_bbbbethan

With love, Beth x

7 Things To Do In The New Year

Another new year has passed and we’re almost in 2018! There are people everywhere doing things as a fresh start for the new year, whether it’s adding or removing things to your life or simply having a clear out. We all do a little something to really make a difference to the new year and month.

For me, I always like to have a clear out. I think there’s nothing better than starting the new year with a freshly cleaned home and a clear mind. I also like to do other things just to really make the extra difference to my life and I think it’s time to share them with you!

1. Having a clear out is important so whether it’s your clothing, your draws or whatever it could possibly be. Go ahead and empty your unnecessary items into the bin for another year.
2. Make decorative change to your home. Fancy a new colour in your living room? Flooring? Make a list of things you want to do to make your house feel that extra more homey and you’ll thank yourself in December when you achieve these.
3. Send happy new year cards! It’s always lovely to show people how much you love them and how grateful you are for them. I think writing cards is so thoughtful and what better than letting someone know you’re so happy that you have them in your life.
4. Give to the homeless or a charity, maybe both? Who knows. December is a month for giving and it doesn’t stop there! Whether you have left over food or clearing away any old toys, you can always donate them.
5. Organise your monthly bills. Paper chase have the most incredible annual budget diaries and I think it’s a great way to get your finances in order and make 2018 another successful year.
6. Plan a trip! There is nothing better than knowing you have something to look forward too. I definitely plan on organising a holiday this year and I can’t wait to give myself a little motivation and excitement for the upcoming months.
7. Setting goals is important and for me, I like to do them monthly rather than yearly as they’re often more achievable. I really think that it’s important to do more of what makes you happy and do things to improve your sense of self.

Let me know some of the things that you like to do in January to make your new year more successful!

twitter: @bethdaviesblog

Instagram: @_bbbbethan

With love, Beth x

Favourite Books of 2017

Happy blogmas day 20!

2017 is finishing and I’ve read a lot of books this year. Truthfully, I do like to try and review every single book I read but honestly, I don’t always get the chance or simply, I don’t do it. I don’t review every single book because well 1. They might be rubbish and so bad that I don’t care to review them. 2. Life gets in the way and University is a priority so instead of uploading a review I might just upload a post that’s been in my drafts for a while (lazy yes, practical yes). This year I have read my fair share of books, just like I do every year so I have carefully gathered my 8 favourite books of 2017, I hope you enjoy. Fortunately for you, I have written reviews on all of these books so go ahead and click on the links, they’ll take you to where you need to go for the review. 

We Were on a Break – Lindsey Kelk

White Lies and Wishes – Cathy Bramley

The Girl with The Lower Back Tattoo– Amy Schumer

The One We Fell in Love with – Paige Toon

Diary of a Fat Girl – Moira Mugweni

All the Bright Places – Jennifer Niven

The Break Down –  B.A Paris

Harry Potter 1-7 (ignore Order of the Phoenix because that’s crappy) – J.K Rowling

Share with me some of your favourites to add to my 2018 reading collection. 

twitter: @bethdaviesblog

instagram: @_bbbbethan 

With love, Beth x 

Are Audiobooks Worth The Hype?

I was given a 3 month free trial of Audible and I’ve been taking advantage of having someone else read to me whilst I relax in bed, in the bath, whilst I cook or even when I travel. I can’t say I’m totally converted to audio books because I love having the real paperback or hardback in front of me but I definitely see why people enjoy them. Honestly though, they’re not entirely for me.

They definitely have their benefits! Once you’ve paid your monthly subscription they’re then free to use, which I think is fantastic. You have unlimited books to listen to and read and it’s so lovely to know you can pick a new book at the click of a button.

I love listening to them whilst I’m doing other things. I really struggle to keep up if I’m doing serious things like an assignment or a blog post but I definitely enjoy listening to them whilst relaxing and especially right before bed. I know reading a book is incredibly time consuming and for some they simply don’t have the time to pick up a book and relax during the evenings with a glass of wine (I recommend both every day of the week).

Admittedly, you can listen to some audio books and struggle to relax because the narrator has the worst voice in the whole world and everything they say irritates you. However, you can find some audio books that have narrators you literally send you to sleep. The comfort and peacefulness of their voice’s can be so relaxing and comforting and it can definitely act as a calming motive for some. I find that when I’m most stressed I’ll pop on an audio book with a narrator who has a soft and gentle voice and it’ll calm me down within minutes.

Let me know what you guys think of audio books, love them or hate them?

Twitter: _bbbethan

Instagram: _bbbbethan

With love, Beth x

5 Tips For New Bloggers

I’ve been blogging for over a year now and I’m still learning. Every post, every photo and every day, I learn something new and different ways to improve my content. I love blogging and it’s become such a big part of my life that I can’t imagine ever taking away. It’s not just sitting at a computer, writing and taking a photo before uploading it. It’s spending weeks planning your monthly posts, it’s taking photos and editing them to be perfect, it’s drafting the posts to make see they’re as good as they can be and then there’s advertising them as well as the added extras. It’s difficult and for some people, it’s a full time job. 

For me, I’m in uni, I work and I’m a full time blogger so a lot of the time I’m always busy doing something. Although for me, my blog is a priority and I’ll make sure every single week I have 3 posts uploaded. I’ve never missed a day and I don’t have that intention to do it anytime soon. It’s hard though, which is why I have 5 tips for all of you new bloggers out there who are unsure of what they’re doing and anxious about their new life as a blogger. 

1. Be consistent. I know some bloggers are perfectly happy to just post now and again, which is fine. However, consistency for me was so important and without that I don’t think I would be where I am now. I post 3 times a week about lifestyle, beauty and books. I love my content, I love the way I write and the fact that I have a method to my madness. It makes juggling life easier! 

2. Write what makes you happy. Nobody else can tell you what to write, you can take advice and guidance of course. But what you write is your choice and it’s entirely up to you. 

3. The blogging community can be full of positive and negative people, embrace the positive and ignore the negativity. You’re a blogger from the minute you launch your blog and your first post. You will get people who put nasty comments but be the bigger person and move on from them. 

4. I always spend at least one evening a week reading other peoples blogs. Mostly because I love to see other people’s content and also because it helps me to improve my own and think of new content to upload. Liking, following and comment on others blogs will help you to gain more interaction as well! 

5. Get involved with the blogging community. There are twitter chats that bloggers have at least everyday, we get to chat with each other, make friends and promote your blog. Admittedly, there is sometimes blogging drama but I always like to keep out of it. Getting involved will help you become known.

Enjoy your blog! Embrace your new life as a blogger. 

Twitter: @_bbbethan 

Instagram: @_bbbbethan 

With love, Beth x 

Why You Should Read Harry Potter

During the summer I read all 7 Harry Potter books for the first time since I was a child. Even at 21 years old they didn’t fail me, in fact I was so captivated by the story that I was reading them so fast. The minute I picked one up I couldn’t put it down and before long I was half way through the book regretting reading them too fast. 

I honestly believe that everybody should experience reading the Harry Potter books, especially if you were never keen on the movies. The movies and books are similar don’t get me wrong but there is much more of a story in each book. There are things you find out in the books that you’re never told of in the movies. 

Not only that, they’re such fun reads and just brings you straight back to your childhood. For me, I wanted something that I could continue to read across a series and fall in love with the characters. This series just done it for me. Admittedly, I’ve been a big fan of Harry Potter ever since the first movie was realeased. 

It’s fun, imaginative and J.K Rowling created a story that will be forever known and loved by generations of children and adults. 

Twitter: @_bbbethan

Instagram: @_bbbbethan 

With love, Beth x 

Book Review // The Start of Me and You

The second book I read by Emery Lord was called The Start of Me and You. I’ll admit, it wasn’t as good as When We Collided but still very enjoyable. 

At a very young age, Paige suffered the loss of her boyfriend and never thought she would feel the same again. Eventually, life had to change and she realised that there was a lot of things that she wanted to do and no longer wanted to be stopped from doing them. The new school year began and it was time for her to make those changes, but will she ever be able to swim if she doesn’t dive? 

The book was just as lovely as When We Collided by Emery Lord. Although I did prefer the other novel, I must admit that I like the character of Paige. She actually reminded me of myself and the things I realised when I knew my life had to change because of anxious thoughts and holding myself back. I love that again, Emery Lord has written in a character who is homosexual and I think that’s such a wonderful aspect to her books because she shows that she is so accepting of everybody’s background and lifestyle choices. 

Twitter: @_bbbethan 

Instagram: @_bbbbethan

With love, Beth x 

Harry Potter Tag

Recently I’ve been reading the Harry Potter books and I’ve been loving them. So when I was tagged in the Harry Potter tag by @sophiatranterxo I couldn’t wait to share it with you guys. 

WHAT HOUSE ARE YOU IN?

Ravenclaw.

WHAT IS YOUR PATRONUS?

Probably a deer

WHAT IS YOUR WAND?

Redwood wood, dragon hearts ring core. 12 3/4 in length with bendy flexibility. 

WHAT WOULD YOUR BOGGART BE?

I don’t really have a physical fear but I don’t exactly like disappointing people. 

WHAT POSITION WOULD YOU PLAY IN QUIDDITCH?

Honestly, I’m far too clumsy to play quidditch but if I had too, I would like to think seeker. 

WOULD YOU BE A PURE BLOOD, HALF-BLOOD, OR MUGGLE BORN?

Muggles: People who haven’t seen the movies or read the books

Muggle-borns: People who have only seen the movies

Half-bloods: People who have only read the books

Pure Bloods: People who have read the books and seen the movies

Deatheaters: Pure Bloods that look down on Muggle-borns

I would be a Pure Blood.

WHAT JOB WOULD YOU HAVE AFTER GRADUATING HOGWARTS?

Definitely a teacher in posions 

WHICH OF THE DEATHLY HALLOWS WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

The invisibility clock or elder wand. Probs the cloak though.

FAVOURITE BOOK?

Prisoner of Azkaban

LEAST FAVOURITE BOOK?
Order of the Phoenix

FAVOURITE FILM?

Dealt by Hallows Part 2 or Prisoner of Azkaban

LEAST FAVOURITE FILM?

Order of the Phoenix
FAVOURITE CHARACTER?
This is a long list but Sirius was definitely up there along with Lupin, McGonagall and Molly Weasley.

LEAST FAVOURITE/MOST HATED CHARACTER?

Bartemius Crouch Jr.

FAVOURITE TEACHER AT HOGWARTS?

Minerva McGonagall 

 LEAST FAVORITE TEACHER AT HOGWARTS?
Finch was an annoying little squib.

IF YOU COULD HAVE PLAYED ANY CHARACTER FROM THE FILMS WHO WOULD IT HAVE BEEN?

Lu a would be interesting but also Hermione. 

DO YOU HAVE ANY UNPOPULAR OPINIONS ABOUT THE SERIES?

I still thinkHermione  shouldn’t have ended up with Ron. 

IF YOU COULD SAVE ONE CHARACTER FROM THE FINAL BATTLE, WHO WOULD IT BE?

Lupin, I felt like he was the closest person left to James and that would have helped Harry throughout life. I won’t be tagging anybody in particular but go ahead and complete the post anyway! 

Twitter: @bethdaviesblog 

Instagram: @_bbbbethan 

With love, Beth x 

HAPPY 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

Today marks the one year anniversary to my blog and I’ve loved every minute of it. I’ve posted 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) for the past year all about my beauty favourites, book reviews and general nonsense about my life. 

I’m not going to lie and say that blogging is so easy because it’s really not but it’s incredible fun to write about things I love for people who enjoy them just as much as I do. 

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have the biggest fan base and I’m okay with that. I never started blogging to be the next Zoella (wouldn’t be a bad thing though) I just wanted to share my interests with the world. With that I’ve managed to gain a fair few followers and received advice and guidance from other bloggers which has definitely helped me to improve on my blog. 

So, another year is ahead of me and I definitely cannot wait to get in and make my blog so much better than it already is (or so I think). Here are the things I’d like to do for my blog in the next year: 

– Improve my photos and maybe with that, buy a camera suitable for blogger photos and general photography. 

– Expand my content. I’d like to maybe go to a blogger event (or two). Talk more about fashion but also learn more about the areas that I love! 

– Meet more bloggers, whether you’re in Wales or not. Chat with me, get to know me and maybe we’ll do fun blogging things together! 

Before this post ends, I would like to say a huge thank you to you guys who read my posts each week. You’re the best and I love you all dearly. 

Twitter: _bbbethan 

Instagram: _bbbbethan 

With love, Beth x