19 Facts About Me + Drawing Chibi Me!


If you aren't already familiar with Chibi Art (if not, look it up!) then behold it's enormous cuteness. Chibi makes everything small and cute, with the head usually out of proportion to the body. And after watching a few too many Chibi videos (and realising it's probably about time I stopped being a stranger to all of you) I thought I'd do a quick Chibi Drawing/Sketch of me and tell you 19 facts about myself to represent the 19 years I've been alive!

1. I love Thai food.
2. I work as a Waitress/Front of House team member at a pub.
3. I'm naturally a dark ash blonde but I like to bleach it lighter.
4. My favourite movie of all time is Spirited Away.
5. I suffer from General Anxiety Disorder but I don't let it get me down.
6. My dream is to travel to Japan someday.
7. Speaking of which I'm going to Amsterdam next year with my close family.
8. My favourite song (currently) is LA Devotee by Panic at the Disco.
9. I've been single for a month now.
10. My favourite anime is No Game No Life!
11. I have an addiction to LUSH.
12. I own a car called Poppy.
13. I don't generally drink a lot of alcohol.
14. So far what I've enjoyed the most about blogging is the community.
15. My favourite Youtuber is probably Noodlerella.
16. I prefer painting over anything else art wise.
17. I did History, English Language and Philosophy at A Level (Achieved ABB)
18. I didn't go to Uni because I prefer working currently.
19. My favourite TV Show is Versailles (I'm a history nerd)

Thank you for reading, I've enjoyed sharing some little facts about myself and I always want to know about you guys and what you'd like to see more of. I've got a lot planned for November. If you loved this then give it a share, follow me on Twitter or comment something you want to see.

Big love!

Sophie <3 

Twitter : @nosophienoblog
Snapchat: nixonlsophie
Contact email: nixonlsophie@gmail.com

WHICH YOUTUBE ARTISTS INSPIRE ME?

If you've been around since the start of this blogging adventure you'll have seen a few paintings of mine and maybe even the odd sketch if you follow me on twitter. The fact is I love painting, as much as I love anime, and when the two interlink it's my favourite way to pass time. Of course I'm not the only one to merge animation with art, there's a bunch of incredible artists to do the same and some of them have inspired me to do my own pieces and provide creative content for me to watch when I'm having a bad art day.

Jamie-Jo 
Words cannot describe how incredible Jamie-Jo is. Her art is adorable, colourful and fun. Ever since I first found her videos I've been inspired to paint that little bit more, when I used to struggle with the confidence to do so. She paints a whole array of things, from anime to Disney to Pokemon. She recently posted an Art Answers Q&A which was amazing, as even her quick sketches look well finished and realistic. Her craft videos are incredible as well, if you're looking for some quick and fun craft ideas she's well worth a watch. If there's any youtuber you watch today, make it Jamie-Jo. I'll pop a video down below as an example of her work for you to enjoy (and become addicted to and probably see all of them, sssh that wasn't me).

Mei Yu
(Fun2Draw)-  https://www.youtube.com/user/Fun2draw/featured
Another cute artist I love is Mei Yu, who posts videos on her channel Fun2Draw.  Like Jamie-Jo she does fun videos drawing anime characters, Pokemon, film characters and Disney princesses. She even does 'Tutorial Thursdays' where she explains how to do something- which is incredibly helpful when you're a mini artist trying to find your feet in the art world and need that bit of help how to draw some very tricky things. Speaking of which she recently did a video on drawing easy Halloween art which would be great if you still need some little decorations to make your house extra 'spooky' for tomorrow! Not to mention her craft videos are also amazing.
How to Draw EASY Things- Halloween Art- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eV5_y5_FN8

Draw So Cute- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3dEvA1is6-0_yuei9iCdEw
This one is less for my own aesthetic art style but more for pure pleasure! I just love cuteness. This channel is full of different adorable step by step art from Pokemon to food to comic book characters. If I ever need to destress from a painting gone wrong this is a great channel just to let the creative juices flow and have a bit of fun with art. After all that's what art is for! I'll pop a recent video down below of a Trolls drawing from the new film, what is more cute than a little pink troll called Poppy?
How to Draw Poppy from Trolls movie step by step Cute and Easy- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77Hhinu-rTI

Sophie :3 x

Twitter: @nosophienoblog

Snapchat: nixonlsophie

THIS IS HALLOWEEN- Mini Vlog!

I loved doing the Mini Vlog the other day, and by chance I ended up going to the lovely Beamish Museum the day after and since it was Halloween and they had really gone to town on the decorations, I couldn't help but film a few little clips for your entertainment (and mine!) Beamish really is a wonderful historical themed place, if you happen to head to the North of England it's well worth a visit. Even just for the cute pigs! I spent the entire time humming 'This is Halloween'. It's certainly got me into the 'spirit' of things. Geddit? Haha. The trams really remind me of the train scenes in Spirited Away, it really felt magical at this time of year. And I can't wait for more events to come in 2016!


Sophie :3 x

Video clips my own

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Kawaii Studio Ghibli Halloween Costumes/Cosplay Ideas!

Halloween is a mere three days away and I'm already in the spooky spirit of things with my own costume prepared (you'll have to wait until the weekend to find out what it is however!) So in the mean time I'm going to be the spooky fairy godmother to anybody yet to have picked their costume with the help of my favourite animation studio. The creators of box office smashes like Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し), Howl's Moving Castle ( ハウルの動く城) and Ponyo ( 崖の上のポニョ), Studio Ghibli has had it's fair share of creepy characters that would make ideal sources of inspiration for some spooky Halloween costumes.

Spirited Away, Faceless Man, Decoration
No Face (カオナシ)
No Face is a lonely spirit who follows Chihiro through her journey after her family stumbles upon a mysterious place through a tunnel attempting to find the way to their new house. No Face begins the movie as an obsessive creature who preys on the greediness of the Bath House workers but ends it docile, helping Zeniba at her house and at the end of the film stays with her as an apprentice. I've seen plenty of No Face cosplays, a black dress or sheet would act as the body leaving all you need being a mask painted in his likeness and maybe a giant cold coin like in the photo above from the moment in the film he is handing out the gold.

Calcifer (カルシファー)
Who wouldn't want to be a scary fire demon? Calcifer is a magical spirit from the movie Howl's Moving Castle. Calcifer moves the castle and provides many infamous lines from the movie like 'May all your bacon burn'. Calfcifer could easily be recreated, get yourself looking firey and animated, perhaps uses a mask for Calcifer's very expressive face.

Kiki's Delivery Service ( 魔女の宅急便)
Kiki's Delivery Service could act as an entire film worth of amazing costume ideas but for now we'll stick with the obvious. Kiki is an apprentice witch in the film, strong willed she leaves her parents Okino and Kokiri to travel with her pet cat Jiji for the year. Kiki is a very cute (kawaii) choice for a Halloween costume and a fun spin on the traditional witch. Copy her big eyes, bow and bag and bring along a plush kitty to resemble Jiji. This is a great one for kids, I've seen loads of adorable Kiki costumes online that are well worth a look.

San (サン)
Another fun spin on a classic can come courtesy of San from Princess Mononoke. Instead of a regular wolf/werewolf costume try taking on the child raised by Moro who is determined to save the forest who is unable to forgive the humans for what they have done and chooses to live apart from them and return home to the forest. San takes on many different forms during the movie, try her furry cape and green hair and face smothered with blood or don a mask which you could remove if you desire and wear it on the top of your head like San does during the film.

Catbus (ネコバス)
I know this one might seem slightly far fetched but it's definitely worth a shot if you're more experienced with making cosplay's. Catbus appears on the road waiting for Mei, Satsuke and Totoro who mistake it for their father's bus Catbus' creepy smile could be done in the form of a mask with a catlike bodysuit and a shell in the shape of the bus interior. It's well worth a try, after all how many people will be a creepy cat bus, you could even ignore the bus aspect and just pay loads of attention to detail on the signage etc, creating a cool costume.

Sophie :3 x

Photo from Pixabay

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WE SAW SOME CUTE ANIMALS!- Mini Vlog

Yesterday me, my sister, my brother-in-law and my two nephews went on a trip to Broom House Farm. I enjoy spending time with those two little terrors (I joke, they're lovely), we got to explore the forest with it's Halloween theme, find secret clues for prizes on the Wind in the Willows themed trail and enjoy seeing some super kawaii/cute animals. I've compiled some clips together in a mini vlog below, to show just how good a time we had and how beautiful this farm truly is, if you're in the area by any chance it's worth a visit.



Sophie :3 x

Twitter: @nosophienoblog

Snapchat: nixonlsophie

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Lessons In Love | NoSophieNoBlog


(This blog post is way overdue because I've had a wonderful day with my sister, brother-in-law and nephews at a farm- something I'll show you in my first VLOG tomorrow. But since it's the bake off final in less than an hour I wanted to share something special with all of you before we all get absorbed in cake glory in BBC Bake Off's swan song. )

Today is the one month anniversary of when I moved out of my parents house and in with my then-boyfriend. But as you can probably guess from my choice of words this story didn't have a happy ending. Or at least a traditional one. Because a few weeks ago his unpleasant behaviour, derogatory attitude to women and lack of support for my disorder got too much and I went home. He broke up with me a week later, despite the fact I was willing to work things through he was adamant he would never change.

But I'm not crying. I expected, knowing that moving out was a cruel blow to his ego, that it was going to end but on my terms and not his. I just delayed doing it. I didn't have the heart. I can say now however that I'm the happiest I've ever been. He's no longer bringing me down. I still love him as a person and I want the best for him but for once I have to come first. I have a loving family, friends and colleagues who have supported me through so much, it all has been hard but bearable with their help. So I've learned a lot in the past month about myself, what I want but what I'm going to share with you is what I've learned about love. I'm no longer the naive 17 year old I was when I met him.

Love is equality
I always loved him. And to my knowledge he always loved me. Although since the breakup he has said otherwise. But the decline was a test of that, it was probably the healing I was experiencing from my disorder that got me through the dark days because I knew if I could recover from that I could stand tall in the storm of his worst moments. Love can't be one sided. I gave everything I could to keep this dying flame going but when his 'want' ran out, whenever that was, not even I could save it. Equality isn't just that however, it's also giving the same. If you expect something of somebody then they have every right to expect something of you. You're a team.

Love is support
I was undiagnosed when I met him, it was only February this year when I finally got the news. He was supportive back then, when it didn't seem so bad. He'd often ask if it would ever interfere with aspects of our relationship. I said no. Because I was basing it on our relationship then and not what it would become. He later said he was struggling and by the time we broke up he was cold. There was no support. Just blame. If I had a bad day it was all my fault and it was hurting him and ruining his life. Love isn't putting somebody down for something that they can't help. I supported him when he was struggling with his problems, though he'd never own up to them, I stood through many bad arguments not making them worse because I knew it would just fuel the anger. He just wasn't there for me and that's how it should be, you should never feel alone.

Love is motivation
We did so much together in the beginning, even as time moved on we still made the effort for time with each other even when we lived apart and until a few months ago we went out for a meal once a week as our special treat. It broke down towards the end, when he refused to go out and sat upstairs playing video games all night. We couldn't go out for a meal because there wasn't time. Even food shopping didn't occur unless I brought it on myself to do it. Love is making that little effort just to do something. Just a little thank you for them being such a nice person. It doesn't have to cost anything, a meal from the scraps in the fridge would have been amazing, a cup of tea, a big hug. Because without motivation there is a void and where there is that there is loneliness.

Love is sometimes being picky
Back before I met him I didn't have a type I'd say. All my boyfriend's had been pretty different. None of them lasted because they meant nothing, you know the relationships you have when you're a teenager where they're just for show and not much else. I thought he was attractive and still do, I'd joke about fancying celebrities but didn't meant it- I just saw qualities in them that I liked. And not just visually, personality became obvious. I didn't like constant sadness, I'd experienced it and it was unpleasant for all involved. And hobbies, where we did have a lot in common I had dreams and things that I yearned to do that I could never achieve with him. After a while I gave up and stopped waiting and then it unexpectedly ended forcing me to re-look at my life. Sometimes people are too fussy, I've seen dates where they're perfect for each other but it's a silly thing that prevents it from going further than friends. But it's good to be selective. Science proves we're compatible with certain people based on genes, height, build and other things. So it's ok to like a certain look, a similar personality and have the same dreams. There's no line. It's whatever works for you. And them too.

I know I'll learn more. I'm 19 for god's sake I'm no love guru. But it's a start. I'm not planning on dating for a long time but when I do I'll know what I'm looking for more than what I did before. Remember you deserve the best. Don't accept any less. And don't ever let anybody put you down.

Sophie :3 x

Twitter: @nosophienoblog

Snapchat: nixonlsophie

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So White Lush Youtube Demo + Modern Snow White Simple Cruelty Free Makeup!


It's nearly Halloween which means one thing! Nearly Christmas. I know I'm getting a bit ahead of myself but I'm just so excited. When I did my Mini Lush Haul the other day I tried to resist buying any Lush Christmas Bath Bombs but I couldn't stop myself from trying the new and improved So White! And to spice things up I've attempted video editing this time and as an added extra I'll pop the products I used down below to create a modern cruelty free makeup look inspired by Snow White (So White/Snow White, geddit?). I'm no beauty guru so it's nothing fancy but I feel like when you're inspired by something there's no need to get it perfect. Enjoy!


So White

Contains:
Rose Absolute (Soothing and moisturisin with an evocative and delicate fragrance)
Neroli Oil (Floral, uplifting scent and has a toning effect on the skin)
Orange Flower Absolute (Fragrant and uplifting, thicker than Neroli oil)
Bergamot Oil (Natural fruit acids encourage hair to lie flat to reflect more light, antibacterial, uplifting fragrance that can treat SAD)

The bath bomb itself was an incredible surprise. I'd tried to avoid spoilers as to what changes had been made inside (besides the obvious adorable leaf on top) but I was amazed to see a swirl of blue and yellow as the bath bomb spun around similar to the way 'Northern Lights' is meant to work. It finished in a gorgeous apple lime green which was beautiful. Not to mention gorgeous to bathe in.



***Modern Snow White Makeup***
The Prep!:
Superdrug Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser
LUSH Popcorn Lip Scrub
Barry M Colour Correcting Primer

The Makeup:
GOSH Foundation Drops (Lightest Shade 02)
Makeup Revolution Focus & Fix Concealer (Lightest Shade 02)
Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot Powder (Lots)
MUA Volume & Lengthening Mascara (Black)
GOSH Velvet Touch Lip Liner (001 Nougat Crisp- Softer than Red)
LUSH Santa Baby Lip Tint

All Cruelty Free!

Dress: New Look

Sophie :3 x

Photos & Videos my own.


Music copyright in video.

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Kawaii Mini Spreepicky Haul!

If you follow me on twitter (if you don't, where have you been! Get the link down below) you'll have noticed recently a few mentions of some beloved Kawaii items. Cute things are abundant in the UK where I live but if you want truly cute clothing, especially anime inspired, you normally have to look overseas which can be extremely costly. That's why I was so happy a few months ago to find Spreepicky. They are a wonderful company that sell a whole range of cute anime inspired bits and pieces, from Pokemon crop tops to Cosplay wigs to Neko Atsume accessories. It's a girls dream! These four items are from across two purchases, one made for me and another I spent my hard earned money on as a treat. Behold the cuteness!



I've also tweeted a lot about my obsession with Neko Atsume and my destiny to be a crazy cat lady which I'm absolutely fine with. A friend bought me this adorable pink jumper with some cute kawaii kitties on it, decorated with stars and a fluffy inside to keep you as warm as a cat in front of the fireplace during winter. I got this in a medium, as it was the smallest size I could get at the time. I'm utterly obsessed with Spreepicky's Neko Atsume page. I really want the Tubbs cushion and the little Parisian style hat. I'll be wearing it when I visit my local cat cafe soon!





 I was so impressed by my Neko Atsume jumper (and amazed by everything they had in stock) that I had to go back for more. I bought three little treats for myself, the first being this big fluffy white jumper with an image of an ickle Kumamon that has eaten too much and is exhausted! He's absolutely lovely and definitely reminds me of myself. I can't explain enough how soft this jumper is, often I find jumpers don't actually do their job of keeping you warm and are more of a fashion choice. This is both! This one came in a small which fits me pretty well. I love wearing this because I can go out, express myself and not freeze to death in the process. It's just too cute to bear! Geddit?



I've also tweeted about my love for all things Ghibli (that's Studio Ghibli by the way) and of course I couldn't stop myself from buying this black and white 'No Face' tee. This t-shirt features the character giving a Kawaii pose wearing some adorable bunny ears. It's certainly humorous especially if you've seen the film/movie and know how much trouble this little guy causes for Chihiro! I got this in a small and again it fits pretty well, just follow the sizing guide and you can't really go wrong.



Last of all I bought this beautiful off the shoulder top.  It may no have the obvious cuteness of the other three but I was in awe of it's pretty lace style detail and the flowing almost completely see through fabric beneath. This for some reason reminded me of cherry blossoms. I don't know why but it's just so dainty and precious I thought I would give it a try, especially considering it only came in very small sizes and to put it lightly I have a fair sized chest. But one great thing about Spreepicky's clothing is it is very forgiving, this still fits perfectly fine despite being made for somebody obviously smaller than me and unlike most elasticated off the shoulder tops that tend to ride up this doesn't, meaning you can glide around like the elegant princess you are.

I'll pop down below all of the links to the items I've bought. Sadly I can't find this one on the website. I will link a similar one instead.

Sophie :3 x

Photos all my own.

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My Small Pokemon Plushie Collection!

If you asked me what my favourite things are in the world one of my responses would definitely have to be plushies! They're so cute! And so fluffy! I could just squeeze-sorry- collect them all! Sadly the opportunities for plushies where I live is pretty slim. I can find a few in my local comic book cafe but besides that I have to order from Amazon or buy abroad. I bought a few for my former boyfriend that could've been featured in this, however as splits do go he does have a few of them including beloved Goomy (RIP Goomy). I'll be ordering some more via Samurai Buyer later in the year from the actual Pokemon Center, so watch this space for plenty of Poke-cuteness!


Little Eevee came courtesy of my local comic book shop and carries a little Pokemon Center tag (though how true this is I don't know since I didn't buy it direct).

Teeny tiny Lapras also carries a Pokemon center tag and comes from the same shop but it's small size means I can't imagine it being able to be rode across the Alolan waves!

It's just too cute! *faints* Adorable Chikorita also comes from the comic book shop. Her little tag says Banpresto but despite the fact she isn't Pokemon Center official she is super cute with her big red eyes, green spiky collar and huge leaf atop her head.

Guess where this little guy came from? Yep, same place (I really could've done with my ex's plushies). Cyndaquil though comes with a very fluffy firey tail and he's just as cute as he was in the anime and games!

Raichu also doesn't carry a tag and is much smaller than his pre-evolved form Pikachu that I have. He's so cute and itsy bitsy however and certainly loveable. He isn't 'Pika-pi' but he's adorable in his own little 'Rai-chu' way.

My own heart is dedicated to this little *cough* fella. I've had him since I was very small. His tag says 'Play By Play, Official Nintendo Licensed Product 1995,1996 and 1998) so I assume he's fairly old. And of course being 90's Pikachu he's got those Kawaii curves we knew and loved before he hit the treadmill to get in shape.

Sophie :3 x

Photos edited using PicsArt

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Outfit of the Day: Denim Jacket




Subtle double denim (sue me) and a cosy cute jumper for an afternoon out.

Denim Jacket: Topshop
Pin: Fable & Black @notonthehighstreet
Jumper: spreepicky
Jeans: Tk Maxx (Blue Spice)
Shoes: H&M


Sophie :3 x

Photos edited using PicsArt

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Where am I going?- Places I want to visit

Now I've got passed the whole anxious wreck phase (I joke, it's not a phase but you know) I'm much more comfortable going out the house and exploring where once I would be held back by my worries that maybe something bad would happen which of course was frustrating, for the past few years I've been bitten by the bug for travelling and it's something I want to do so bad! So here goes a list of the top five places I really want to visit- including some I already have and one place I will visit next year!
Amsterdam, Night, Canals, Evening, Wallpaper
5. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Ta-da! Yes I'm not going to be mean and leave this until later in the list. Next March I'm going to be visiting Amsterdam with my Mum, sister and her best friend. They've already been (lucky ducks) and I've been told Amsterdam is a beautiful city rich in history which makes me like it all the more. Looking through their holiday snaps from last year I can't believe how magical it looks at night, like it's caught in a moment in time, and how still it seems. I'm really looking forward to seeing all of the Museums, I've been told by my Mum that you can get a pass to get into all of them. And of course there is a Lush there which is a bonus!

4. Capri, Italy
I visited Italy back in 2014 with my Philosophy/Classics class and some of the Geography department at Sixth Form. We went to Rome and Naples but one place we also visited that I wish we had more time in was Capri. A few hours was not enough to explore this beautiful island. We had a choice of either ascending to the top, visiting the town or going to the beach (which I did the latter) but I wish I had the chance to explore. The brief sight I had of the shops was gorgeous, a mix of bustling locals and tourists with all sorts of yummy food options. The sight of the sea and the different rock formations on the beach was beautiful (though we all stuck out like a sore thumb being so pale especially me). I'd love to visit here again for a longer stay, perhaps with a special someone to enjoy the views with. 

Bangkok, Thailand, Floating Market, Boats, River
3. Thailand
I first got the idea of going to Thailand back in March this year when I applied for a job at Thaikhun, a Thai food chain inspired by the street food available in this country (I didn't get the job but have visited several times since and it is so good!) I later got a job at a pub where a colleague of mine went to Thailand backpacking and had an amazing time seeing the elephants, helping out and tasting the food. I love culture, and this is something I really get from Thailand. It is an amazing mix of people from various backgrounds, beliefs and outlooks on life. The food is rich and flavorful and there seems to be such a bustle all of the time. I often feel pretty quiet, lost and lonely, I feel like visiting Thailand would be a place that would bring me out of my shell and let me see the world in all it's color. 

Disney World, Castle, Disney, Orlando
2. Disneyworld, Florida, USA
If you haven't caught on from my Mug collection I freakin' love Disney. So it's no surprise I want to visit one of their parks (Disneyworld just came to mind, I wouldn't mind it being Paris or California etc.) I've actually never been, my family weren't really the travelling kind so I missed out but that doesn't mean I haven't seen it (I watch countless vlogs on trips there) which makes me want to go even more. I can't wait to get stocked up on official Disney merch, meet the characters and see the parades. I know it makes me seem like a child getting told they're going on the TV adverts but it would be a dream come true! Sign me up.

City, Tokyo, Street View, Shibuya, Road, Humanities
1. Japan
Japan is just the epitome of the perfect travel destination for me. All things Kawaii, cute, Disney, Pokemon, good food, cool tech, transport- this is my kind of place! Of course I'm also intrigued by the history and tradition of Japan, it's not just the hustle of the city that has me in awe. It's this all round picture of Japan that grabs my attention. I want to see and experience it all. If I had to live somewhere else, I would pick here. Having all my favourite things so readily available would be amazing. It's the fact Japan is so starkly different to where I live that puts it on this list. Who knows, maybe in the future I will get to visit. And if I do you'll all by the first to know!

Where is your dream place to travel to?

Sophie :3 x

All photos from pixabay excluding Capri which is mine

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You Are Amazing





Initially I had a Lush demo planned for today, but the footage didn't quite work out the way I wanted it to and so I've postponed that till another day. I didn't want to put up nothing so I've been scrambling for ideas since I came back from work until I gave up and then it came to me in some cliche epiphany way. The past few days I can say I've been truly happy for the first time in a long time. I can feel proud of myself for how far I've came both personally and career wise. I can look at my body in the mirror and not mind that I've gone up 2/3 dress sizes because now it makes me healthy. I can be comforted by the fact I have an amazing circle of friends and family around me who will be with me no matter what. But this isn't about me.

You are amazing. Yes you, the one reading this. Whether you think it or not I think- wait- know you are. If people tell you that you aren't funny, I would laugh at your jokes because your intentions are good. If people tell you that you failed because you had a panic attack after 'doing so well' (I've had that more than once) then screw them because you've out done yourself ten fold. If people give you stick because you aren't the size you used to be then maybe they aren't happy with their own bodies and they have no reason to take it out on you. 

My point is no matter what people choose to kick you down for while you're obviously hurting, no matter how big or small, they can't break you. It's been a long road for me since the beginning of this year. I had no confidence, no motivation, no ambitions, I was seriously underweight and in a toxic situation. Now I'm free. I can be proud of myself for that, regardless of where I may fail elsewhere. So I understand where you're coming from when you're on the sofa, crying into your pillow thinking you've majorly messed up your life. But it's ok. Backtrack, think of the incredible progress you have made. Scrap today, get a tub of Ben & Jerry's (the only two men in life you can trust) and tackle tomorrow with a brave face.

You are truly amazing. These may be small words but if nobody else agrees then remember I do. We're all in this messed up boat together and there's no way I'm letting anybody drown. You or me.

Sophie <3 x

Photo courtesy of my Italy 2014 holiday (not edited).

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My Favourite Youtubers!

I'm not really one to do Youtube at this point in time, I'm much more comfortable sitting behind my laptop typing away as that's always been something I'm good at. Cameras? Not so much. But that doesn't mean I don't have a love for the website, it's how I waste most of my free time. And there's plenty of inspiring content there that was the reason I decided to create a blog in the first place and something I would like to share with you all (in no particular order).

5. Kirstie Bryce (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA4g2NUvySbMd6u6vGu_3zQ)
I can't remember when I discovered Kirstie or how but she has to be one of my favourite Youtubers now. Her genuine funny wit and humour make her videos exciting to watch (and as a Northerner I love her Scottish accent). If you want down to earth realness I can't recommend a better up and coming channel. Her recent 'What's Next?' video and her honesty made me smile.

4. MandJTV Pokevids
(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSAYHSNaY5_UEol4_frPurg)
It's no secret I have a huge love for Pokemon, it's something I grew up on and that I still love to this day and in no way am I ashamed of that. Michael posts videos surrounding Pokemon theories as well as Pokemon Talk (his series) and is currently doing his second Let's Play of Pokemon Gaia (a Fire Red/Leaf Green Rom Hack). His jovial personality makes me day and his commentary on his Let's Plays is always entertaining. You have to admire his dedication as well, making Youtube videos even when he's sick has to be applauded.

3. simply_kenna (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx6JTueZVq9gFOrZe-3aEzw)
My entire ethos is cutesy, colourful and kitsch so liking simply_kenna to some may seem odd. But from time to time I like a break from my personal style and to watch something more minimalist. Her outlook on life (see her Buddhism videos) and minimal approach is admirable but I adore her DIY videos (especially holiday specials) and tried her Deer makeup tutorial out myself (with interesting results). She's currently doing Fall/Autumn/Halloween specials that are worth a look.



2. Emma Blackery (https://www.youtube.com/user/emmablackery/featured)
I don't even need to explain this. It's Emma Blackery. Done.



Seriously, I can't get enough of how genuinely funny Emma is. Her upbeat personality has got me out of bed on a sad day. Not to mention how fantastic her music is and how much I wish I could see her live. I was also subscribed to her old channel BoxesofFoxes and I'm glad she still does her Lush videos on her new channel Vloggery. Just check her out. Do it now.

1. Noodlerella (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxlNE1UStmCupXMn7SdY7xw)
Connie is my spirit animal. Enough said. If there's any inspiration I have for this blog it's Noodlerella. I used to think blogs only fit three categories; beauty, fashion and funny. And I didn't really feel like I fit any. But Connie's cutesy outlook on life caught my attention. Her impressions are spot on and hilarious, she's honest and motivated by her beliefs. It's great to see her vlogs as well on her second channel Noodlevlogs. Not to mention she can sing!

Sophie :3 x

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Mini Lush Halloween and Christmas Haul!

I made an excuse yesterday that I needed new Winter boots so I could go out shopping at my local shopping centre and "just happen" to pass a Lush store. Which means I can't come out without something, I mean that never happens. And in my defense (as well as Lush being an amazing, ethical, mainly Vegan shop), I had been saving to get a few little Halloween bits and bobs after the success of Autumn leaf and I allowed myself to get an odd Christmas item too- leaving the super Christmassy ones till nearer the time where Santa comes down the chimney. I got served by the lovely Jade, many thanks for all of her help, advice and for putting up with my eager Lush ramblings. Tell me if you've tried any of these products and what you think and if there's anymore I should try in the run up to   the holiday season.

When I was planning my Lush adventure on Sunday night, I did a bit of online window shopping to get some idea of what things I would like to purchase (walking into the glorious Lush shop with no ideas could be deadly). One thing that caught my eye was Santa Baby. I've never tried a Lush lip tint, I have tried one of their scrubs called Popcorn which is a staple of my morning routine and is amazing at getting the dry skin off your lips in a tasty way (In no way a substitute for Popcorn at the Cinema however). After using that I tried Santa Baby, a beautiful wintery red colour exactly like Santa's bulging belly. I did do quite a heavy coating of this, which probably wasn't necessary which does show off the beautiful colour. It's very soft and smooth and glides effortlessly onto the lips. An ideal vibrant shade ready for Christmas time!
Contains:
Extracts of Cherries and Dates in Glycerine (Cherries are detoxifying and antibacterial whilst Dates are slightly astringent due to their 'Tannin' content).
Organic Rose Hip Oil (Contain Vitamin C, Carotene, Vitamin P, B-Complex Vitamins and Rutin)
Fair Trade Shea Butter (Intensely nourishing, contains oleic acid which is a fatty acid compatible with the sebum produced naturally in our skin meaning it's absorbed easily and helps with the absorption of other ingredients).
Extract of Cinnamon Stick and Mandarin in Glycerine (Plenty of helpful, some medicinal properties and provides a gorgeous scent)
Vegan

Snow Fairy has to be the official scent of Christmas. I was immediately drawn to the Snow Fairy stand at the front of the Lush store and this little gem, which I think is new to this years batch of goodies. Snow Fairy reminds of Christmas 2014 when my friend Elin's sister worked at Lush and won the Wow Box, disliked Snow Fairy and gave me all the products. Regardless of already liking it I developed an intense love for this sickly sweet scent. Anyway! Snow Fairy is the smell that makes up Fairy Dust, a dusting powder, that is my new favourite Lush item.You can sprinkle it over yourself after a wash for a delightful light scent and sparkly finish or dust it over pillows and bedsheets for a sugary way to fall asleep at night.
Contains:
Cornflour (A fine silken powder)
Citral (Fresh odour of lemon peel)
Limonene (Lemon-like odour)
Snowflake Lustre and Fandango Lustre (Obvious)
Vegan




Another thing I'm ashamed to say I've never tried are Lush's shimmer and massage bars (and I call myself a Lushie! Pfft). Mainly because I'm just terrible at spoiling myself, I could coat myself in shimmer after a bath but I'm a bit lazy and tend to hop into my pj's and get to bed ASAP. But not now! After promising myself a bit more me time I've purchased Goth Fairy, a lilac pink shimmer bar that certainly does leave quite the sparkle! (See Above). I haven't had the opportunity to try this entirely yet after using Fairy Dust last night I was sparkly enough. But it's pale purple finish gives a moonlit glow for Halloween and I'm excited to try it, maybe even as a subtle highlighter for my costume.
Contains:
Illipe Butter (Side note: I love that name! Hydrates and restores skin's vitality)
Bergamot Oil (Natural fruit acids encourage hair to lie flat to reflect more light, antibacterial, uplifting fragrance that can treat SAD)
Almond Oil (Moisturising, packed with Vitamin E, healing properties sooth the skin and when applied softens the entire hair shaft)
Grapefruit Oil (Cleansing, brightening effect on the skin)
Vegan

The highlight of this haul (no pun here, it's not a shimmer bar) is the Fireside Soap. Aesthetically this sope is gorgeous both before and after the chop. Mine was perfect for me, I wanted a decent sized chunk showing off the two tone flame with the red background. It smells amazing too! It reminds me of cold winter nights in front of the fire with a cup of tea, as the fire flickers and the woods burns. I will be utterly devastated when this product is no longer available, I may be asking for a big chunk of this for Christmas as this gem of a soap means I'll never be using run of the mill supermarket soap again.
Contains:
Clove Bud Oil (Used to create warming perfume blends and has a stimulating effect on the skin)
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (Softens hair and skin and adds a touch of the tropical with its fragrance)
Vanilla Absolute (Has some antioxidant properties)
Sparkly Pumpkin does not lie. It is what it says on the tin, a sparkly orange bubble bar with a little cinnamon stick in the top giving the full pumpkin effect. Not only did this coat my hands in Gold glimmer lustre but it gave off a more subtle aroma than the Pumpkin bath bomb, my initial choice. Being a bubble bar it's easy to use it multiple times- just break a bit off and crumble it under running water for loads of Halloweeny bubbles. This is giving me Witches' cauldron vibes with that thought.
Contains:
Junipberry Oil (An antiseptic, a refreshing scent and stimulates the mind)
Lime Oil (Uplifting zesty fragrance, cleanses, tones and boosts circulation)
Grapefruit Oil (Has a cleansing, brightening effect on the skin)
Vegan
I'm always excited when Halloween/Christmas rolls around every year partly for the return of Lord of Misrule. Alongside this years addition of the shower cream (which while I love, I have to admit I'm more of a bath person) is the traditional crown shaped bath bomb. It's smell is so anti-traditional Christmas, instead of sweet and warm it's dark and almost musky. Inspired by the Pagan Feast of Fools Lord of Misrule's green exterior fizzes away to reveal a deep red wine colour. It's just awesome.
Contain:
Patchouli Oil (Distinct earthy aroma, relaxing, uplifting effect on the mind)
Black Pepper Oil (Warming with stimulant properties, combats mental fatigue)
Vanilla Absolute (Has some antioxidant properties)
Vegan
By far the best change to previous years products comes in the form of So White. Transformed into a Princess So White now carries a dainty green leaf on its exterior (I just happened to pick up one that was spreading across the rest of the bath bomb) and a whole new core for a fairtytale Christmas experience. I'm yet to try this but it's fresh floral smell gets me excited and I'll be sure to post a little review when I get the chance.
Contains:
Rose Absolute (Soothing and moisturisin with an evocative and delicate fragrance)
Neroli Oil (Floral, uplifting scent and has a toning effect on the skin)
Orange Flower Absolute (Fragrant and uplifting, thicker than Neroli oil)
Bergamot Oil (Natural fruit acids encourage hair to lie flat to reflect more light, antibacterial, uplifting fragrance that can treat SAD)
Vegan

I'll pop all the prices and links (UK) below if you want to take a look for yourself.

Sophie :3 x

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Outfit of the Day: Cat Cardigan




 A lovely little purchase I found whilst out shopping today <3

Cardigan: Primark
T-Shirt: Spreepicky
Jeans: TK Maxx (BlueSpice)
Shoes: H&M

Sophie :3 x

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My Cute/Kawaii Mug Collection!

One of my big loves in life is a good cup of tea, made with no sugar and a tiny bit of milk as being a Northerner I tend to have mine quite strong (I've had Southerners tell me I'm mad before). Sometimes I have Soya milk, and on occasions I break the cycle with a cup of herbal tea of which I have an entire blog posts worth to show you another day (if that would be up your street let me know!)
Anyway, on with the important part, time to quit rambling and show you the adorable little (and big!) mugs that I ponder over when selecting the vessel for my perfect cup of tea.
Meet 'Penguin' (yes, occasionally I name my mugs but this one is for obvious reasons!). Penguin was purchased last year over the festive season at the card factory, along with the pair of socks it came with and subsequently a penguin pillow that I couldn't leave behind. This adorable little fella is the ideal way to get yourself into the spirit of those chilly winter months with a nice hot cup of tea (or coffee, I don't judge) and makes a cute companion as the dark nights set in. Sadly Penguin has a little chip on his other side from being dropped by somebody in the family, the culprit of which has yet to be found. Poor little Penguin.

Excuse the grubbiness of this well loved mug, I do apologise, but I think it does show just how much I love it at least. This is the first of two 'Little Miss' mugs that both got purchased for me in Christmas 2014- and certainly show two different opinions of my personality! This one came courtesy of my best friend Elin's mum and the beaming sunshine face certainly brightened my day. I use this mug pretty much every morning as a positive start to the long working day ahead and I couldn't imagine parting from it. And I promise I'm going to try and get those stains off again!

The second, slightly cleaner, of the two 'Little Miss' mugs is my 'Little Miss Princess' mug. Which is true! I do often call myself a princess. This was bought for me by my then boyfriend's parents at the same time I received the 'Little Miss Sunshine' mug. This royal mug does get it's fair bit of use too, but less so than the sunshine mug after all there's no doubt I'm a princess- I don't need to be reminded!

Another perfect pairing, the first of my two 'Mickey' mugs! This old fashioned style Mickey Mouse mug was bought from Sainsbury's a few months ago, I believe, around the time I was moving into my then house (long story!). The mug has a blue base to the image with Mickey's face on both sides. It's a standard size mug which is great for when I don't fancy a ginormous cup of tea from my other mammoth Mickey mug and is always the mug of choice when sat down in front of a Disney movie.

Behold! 'Mega Mickey!' This big Mug came courtesy of the Disney store some years ago and has the Disney store Official seal of approval on the base. Another old fashioned style Mickey this one features a joyful Mickey on one side and a print of his name on the other with a cute little Mickey face over the 'I' and paw prints along the bottom. I like this mug more so for big cups of tea, much needed after I come in from work as herbal teas tend to blend into the bright red background and come off more like water. But I do have one mug that is even bigger than Mega Mickey!

Behold Stitch! I love this adorable big blue Mug, I found this again at the Disney store some years ago and has the same seal on the base. Stitch's lovable growl expression sticks out of the mug in a 3D kinda way which gives it more of a feel to it than your flat standard mug. The other side features a beautiful sparkly blue with pink flowers and Stitch's name in swirly flowing handwriting which I love! In comparison to the Mega Mickey Mug I love this one for herbal tea when I need a good calming down, the pale blue shows off the colour of the tea perfectly.

I only discovered this beast of a mug when clearing out my mug cupboard for this collection when I was preparing for this post so I have no idea where he came from! But this sweet chunky mug wont be forgotten about anymore, like the Stitch mug it has 3D features with the tasty looking sweets (sadly not edible) coming out from the mugs' shiny black background. I think this mug would be perfect for a hot chocolate, imagine it topped with whipped cream and marshmallow's in some kind of sweet delight!

If I'm going to pick a favourite -I may have to pick this mug! Purely for it's quirky little play on words that just filled my heart with joy when I first opened it back last Christmas as a present from my friend Elin who I've previously mentioned (her families exquisite choice of mugs benefits my collection greatly). Sadly I've lost the Owl shaped spoon that accompanied this mug (and I've already ate the marshmallows that came in it. It's just too cute!

If you're a fan of the Pixar movie 'Inside Out' then you'll recognise the star of this adorable mug- Joy! Riley's inner happiness Joy is the epitome of what everyone should try to be which is why I originally purchased this quirky shaped mug for my Mum's birthday last year. Sadly it's long tube like shape is why she doesn't tend to use it often so I just had to take it under my wing and give this little mug some love. Joy's positive open arms just fill you with the determination to succeed in your day and her motivational message on the other side gives me the drive to get through a shift I'm not looking forward to, I love it's odd shape (It came from the Disney store where all of the Inside Out emotions had odd shaped mugs), it makes a nice change from your standard mug shape and shows cute doesn't have to be traditional!

Last of all comes another gem I found in my cupboard whilst getting the mugs ready to photograph for this blog post. A tinsy winsy mug, I'm guessing this must have been passed down through the family and wound up in our possession judging by it's intricate decorations. The mug features a range of delightful sweet treats and words, with a little flowery jug on the inside. I can imagine this would be perfect for when I don't have the time for a normal cup of tea- after all it's awful to waste such a wonderful beverage.

Whilst small, this collection of mugs makes me happy. I like anything cute and I like choice, mixing up my mugs just weirdly fills me with Joy. Get it? Joy. Do you have a favourite Mug? Tweet me it on my twitter below or send me a Snapchat of it.

Sophie :3 x

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19 year old liver of life delivering you quirky readings on lifestyle topics, anime and all round cuteness on a regular, or as regular as I can, basis. Twitter: @nosophienoblog