A New Job and Christmas Blogging Plans! | Update

Today I thought I'd have a little catch up with you guys to let you know what's going to be happening on my blog this next month or so.




As you may know back in July I qualified as a childcare practitioner and since then I've been looking for a job in the childcare field, I was unsuccessful so I decided I would do supply work as a Teaching Assistant. I really enjoyed myself whilst working as a TA and I would definitely consider it in the not too distant future. However, for now- I've just got myself a job as a Play Worker/Nursery Nurse in a near by playgroup/pre-school. I start next Monday and I'm super excited as my colleagues are so lovely, however it may be a little bit tricky to get posts up twice a week on a Wednesday and Sunday, unfortunately. 








However, Christmas is upon us and I've got lots of ideas that I really hope I can find the time to work on and get up. Recently I felt as though I had lost my blogging mojo and was lacking inspiration and that may have showed through. I hope it didn't and you stuck with me! I promise there's lot's more festivity coming your way as Christmas is my favourite time of year, so you can make sure you're up to date with me by following me here via bloglovin- if you want of course!








Also, something exciting for me and maybe for you too?! After umming and ahhing for a good while, I finally decided to get the Feel Unique 12 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar! I'm super excited as this is the first beauty advent calendar I've ever had so I'm looking forward to see what goodies lie beneath the doors. 

Now the exciting part for you guys, well maybe.. I'm debating whether to do a post each week on what I find(bearing in mind this will only be 3 items as the calendar is only 12 days) or whether to a post at the end of advent showing what I received in the whole calendar. I also thought it might be nice for you to see me open it, so instead I was wondering whether you'd like me to record myself opening each door and posting it on Instagram (@xtracesofmythoughts) then a month or so after, give a review on each of the items. Please let me know what you think in the comments below!




And that's all I've got to update you on, I think... I hope you're looking forward for what's to come on my blog, I know I'm excited to get in the festive mood! Just one month til Christmas guys! Also, let me know whether you've got any Christmassy posts planned! 

I shall be back on Sunday with a collab, so keep your eyes peeled!




HAVE YOU GOT ANY CHRISTMAS BLOG POSTS PLANNED?




♥   ♥   ♥

September Favourites | Beauty, Fashion and Lifestyle

When it comes to favourites post, almost everyone seems to highlight the fact that the month has gone by so quickly, for me September has dragged! I used to dislike September as it meant back to school or college, but this September was different- I wasn't going back to education so it marked new beginnings which was exciting! I've not been trying much in terms of beauty this month so I thought i'd share some of the fashion and lifestyle bits I've been loving too! 

First, I shall get the beauty bits out the way. I got my hands on one of Fleur De Force's lip glosses, this is in the shade Written in the Stars which was described as a 'your lips but better' kinda shade. This is definitely how i'd describe it, unlike most drugstore lip glosses this is highly pigmented which is perfect to effortlessly pop on when you're in a rush to get out the door. These are exclusive to Feel Unique at the moment and are £6.99 which is pretty reasonable!

My skincare favourite this month has been Lush Mask of Magnaminty which is a face and body mask. I haven't used this as a body mask yet but I've been really enjoying using it on my face once week, usually on a Sunday to pamper my skin at the end of the week. I recently reviewed this so you can see my full thoughts here.

You may have seen this jumper in my latest haul, I mentioned that I believe they're supposed to be slightly cropped so I got mine in a larger size so that I could wear it to work also. This has been so ideal for those days where I can't be bothered as I can throw this on with a pair of cigarette trousers or over a smock/skater dress and i'm good to go. Also this was only £7.99 so I picked it up in the mustard colour too, i'm tempted to go back for the khaki colour!

I thought i'd mention a food favourite this month, it's Kaspas an ice cream and dessert where I live. I believe Creams in England is similar though! This is a bit of a cheat as I've only been once but I've wanted to go back ever since! I had a waffle with fresh strawberrys and chocolate drizzled over and whipped cream on the side, I dread to think how many calories that were in it, but it was goood!

Finally I thought i'd also mention a lifestyle favourite. This month I started a new job with an agency doing supply work as a Teaching Assistant. It's been so nice to get back out there doing what I love, gaining experience to either go to university next year or find a full-time job. Of course it's also been lovely to be earning, especially when Christmas is on it's way- just under three months people!

And there you have it, a run down of what I've been loving this month!

I'd also like to apologise as I've been lacking inspiration on the blogging front recently, seeing that it's now autumn and lots of festivities are ahead, i'm hoping to get my mojo back! I would really appreciate any post suggestions in the comments below. Let me know what you'd like to see from me!

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN LOVING THIS MONTH?

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The Versatile Blogger Award | TAG

Recently I was nominated by the lovely Megan from Megan's World to do this TAG, so thank you very much to Megan for nominating me!

Here are a few rules:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award √

2. Include a link to their blog √

3. Nominate 15 blogs/bloggers that you have recently discovered or follow regularly for the award

4. Tell the person who nominated you 7 things about yourself

Ok, so now that they're noted, i'll get on to sharing a little about myself...

1. I am a qualified child practitioner!

2. My most used makeup product would have to be the L'Oreal True Match Foundation. It has a medium to full coverage, it's light and easy to blend but most importantly is the perfect match for my pale skin. A bottle lasts me ages but I've gone through a few! I also did a review on it a little while back, here.

3. I buy too many lip products and always end up using the same few. And I buy way too many dainty necklaces but rarely remember to put one on!

4. I'm currently on some sort of gap year deciding what I want to do with my life, cries!

5. I used to be obsessed with Olly Murs. I still am to a degree and will always support him by purchasing his singles, albums and books and by attending concerts when he comes anywhere near to where I live!

6. I consider 6 as my lucky number even though it never has been remotely lucky for me.

7. I watch a considerable amount of TV, though I never really get hooked on series. I shamefully love Eastenders and the not so shameful Gogglebox- it's bloody hilarious and me and my family seem to think we'd be good on there. Haha!

Again a big thank you to Megan for nominating me, make sure you go check out her blog! 

Now I nominate:

(Also, just a side note: I know it can be a little hectic to keep up with nominations and tags, i'd love to learn more about you guys but if not then thanks for stopping by!)

-Glitter Melody, 

-The Perks 0f Being Emily, 

-Thrifty Vintage Fashion, 

-Chloe Paigee,

-Geraldine's Wonderful World,

-Hannah Porter,

-Perks Of Being Nazia,

-Pink Smarties,

-What Caitie Did,

-Emily's Beauty Thoughts,

and I cannot think of five more so anybody else who'd like to do this, feel free!

If you made it this far, I hope you enjoyed this post and those facts weren't too boring! When asked on the spot it's really hard to think of interesting things to say about yourself! 

What else would you like to see from me?

♥   ♥   ♥

July Goals Update | Life

Seeing as there are only two days left of July, I thought i'd update you on my July Goals(here) as promised. I'm also planning on doing a favourites this month so keep your eyes peeled for that on Sunday. Lets see what I've managed to complete this July then...

1. Finish college and my work placement. 

Check! College and placement done and dusted, I completed my diploma in Childcare and Education and came out with an A which i'm super pleased about! I also finished my last days experience in a local primary school and although I was sad to be leaving. I was so excited to start my summer holidays. I also received some lovely gifts from the children and staff, including a gorgeous personalised photo box and beautiful flowers-  which may I add are surprisingly still alive, 2 weeks later! You can see these on my Instagram (@xtracesofmythoughts)

2. Get a job interview. 

I finally got a job interview after handing in many applications to fill the role as a Teaching Assistant in a primary school. The interview didn't go too bad, besides not getting it- I received some good feedback! I am also in the process of enrolling with teaching agencies so hopefully I can get on doing supply work in September!

3. Complete a Paediatric First Aid Course. 

I am now qualified in Paediatric First Aid, woo! Not only will this help me in search for a job but this is also a skill I think everyone should have some knowledge of. I was surprised how little I knew but now I know what to do if someone started choking or was unconscious and not breathing- hopefully those situations never arise though!

4. Spend more time outside.

The weather hasn't been too amazing the past couple of weeks but at the beginning of July we were experiencing a mini heatwave. When the weathers been ok I've tried to sit in the garden and get some much needed vitamin D but I've also tried walking places more to save money and keep fit.

5. Spend more time with family.

I've been to a couple more family gatherings, it's been so nice to catch up with family I haven't spoken/seen properly in years and I hope to visit more often throughout the month of August.

6. Exercise more.

I was going to half cross this out but I thought i'd better not cheat. I was planning on going running a couple of times or more a week, that hasn't happened as my friends been busy and has been fitting her fitness in before/after work at the gym. I however, well I've been walking a lot more so that sort of counts right?

7. Choose healthier options.

For the majority of the month I've been trying to prepare healthier meals, sweet potatoes have become my best friend as I cannot stay away from carbs and they're a little healthier than your regular white potato. I've also been trying to encouragement salad/veg to every meal(except breakfast) and I've been making smoothies/juices with our new blender. I'm also trying to cut out the snacks after 8pm, which i'm doing quite well at!

8. Give my room a little makeover.

I've not had chance to do this unfortunately. I did however pull everything out, hoover, polish and basically spring clean my room. I have a net above my bed which i'd like to take down but i'm stuck on what to put there instead as i'll just have plain white walls which will look a little odd.

9. Give myself a little makeover.

Another, I've unfortunately not been able to achieve. I wanted to do something with my hair like dye it or get a new style but i'm too scared to dye my hair again as it takes for ages to grow out and I really don't know what to do with my hair. 

10. Blog more.

My blogging schedule before July was posting once a week on Sundays. However, I wanted to up my game and blog more often as I enjoy it so I've been posting on Wednesdays and Sundays. As I've been getting more ideas recently, I may post once or twice more throughout the week in August. Very exciting!

Overall, July hasn't been that bad. I do not have to wake up before 7:30 for the time being and I've been a lot happier! I'm very much looking forward to August as i'm hoping to see more of my family, there are a couple of birthdays and I may be going away for a few days to South Devon so watch this space as i'm sure there will be travel related posts to come if I decide to go.

What are your plans/goals for August?

Let me know!

♥   ♥   ♥

The Pressures of Growing Up | College, University and Finding a Job

Hello!
As it is my first Saturday off in a while, I thought I'd catch up on blogging although I should be doing some college work- sigh. Today I thought i'd touch on something relevant to me right now which is the pressures of growing up, in particular relating to education and work.

This time last year, I was told to start thinking about what I wanted to do once I had finished my college course. What?! I was so confused as I had only just started but the year whipped around quickly and now I understand why they said to think about it early. Come September this year I was supposed to know what I wanted to do in order to prepare for it, for example- going to uni meant I would have to be applying right now, the sooner the better.

I was set on not going to university seeing as I never wanted to go to college, with what felt like everyone around me applying to uni, I felt like I had to. I started to look into university courses but my heart wasn't in it, I wanted to please my parents, do them proud, improve my chances and simply just move out. Recently I've came to realise that's not the right attitude to have, so I've decided against even applying.
The only university I wanted to go to I visited, Norland College in Bath to study Early Years and eventually become a qualified Norland Nanny- I loved it there. But realistically it wouldn't agree with my family financially, I don't want to go knowing I will have very little money and probably be so unhappy as a result of this.

Once my decision was set on not going to uni, all I could think about was finding a job or applying to do another college course- one of which I probably wouldn't have enjoyed. I've looked at so many different paths including apprenticeships, a range of childcare related jobs and even a complete change- a makeup course.

I've come to the conclusion that I don't have to have everything worked out, I don't need to do something to please anybody else and I should do everything I want to do. Although I'm still unsure about what I'd like to do, I'm not worried about it- it was stressing me out but now i'm completely calm and think i'll take everything as it comes and do things at my own pace.

Source: here.

There are many different career paths and many different ways to get to where you want to be. I'm trying to remind myself that the key to success is happiness. Do what makes YOU happy and by all means, experiment to find your happiness.

Apologies if this post was all over the place, my blog is a place for me to share my thoughts. Hopefully you can either relate to this or take just something of what I've said on board.

I hope you're all well!

♥   ♥   ♥

What to Expect | A Little Update

Hello!

Today I thought i'd give a little update on what to expect in terms of my blog the following couple of weeks.

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Last Wednesday I officially started college again for my second and final year. Already i'm feeling under a lot of pressure and in fact slightly overwhelmed with the amount of work I have to be completed  much earlier than i'd like. Of course I love blogging and have really enjoyed getting up more than one post every week over the summer but until I feel like i'm on top of the work I've got to do, blogging will have to take the back seat in my life.

I'll still be blogging as much as I can as it is a hobby, something I enjoy to do in my spare time but that will be when spare time is available. I aim to post at least once a week and may include a second post on Sundays telling a little of what I've got up to that week, if at all interesting! These have been called 'The Sunday Edit'  in the past so let me know if you'd like to see more.

As well as college work, i'll also be working my part-time job which I am in fact looking into a new one(of more hours, more convenient hours and something I will enjoy more), seriously thinking about what i'd like to do next year in terms of study, working or taking a gap year and similarly last but not least attending a few university open days, one of which is Norland College in Bath.

What are you doing this September, or what have you done?

Also lastly, what would you like to see here on my blog?

Thanks for reading and understanding,

Amy X