First Month at University!

It's coming up to the end of my first month at university so I thought I would give you a quick rundown of how it has gone.

The past month has been a little different for me than many, as I actually haven't moved out. Instead I decided to commute to university which has its positives and negatives.

One huge postiives is food. I hear quite frequent around university about the topic of food with many not knowing what to eat or simply not having any food to eat but with me living at home I never have that problem which is quite comforting.

Blogging 1 Year Anniversary!

I still can't believe this but I have now been blogging for over a year! I remember being nervous to put content online just incase people didn't like it but after a few posts, I soon got over that.

It still amazes me that people from all around the world are taking time to read my posts from countries I have never been to before. So I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has sat, read and commented on my posts for the last year.

I remember writing my first post about Nuttcombe Bottom, and being happy with the photos and the memories I gathered that day. Still to this day it remains my most viewed post so you guys must like travel posts.

As I've been blogging for a year I thought I would give you a few tips if you're planning on starting your blog or have recently started.

Top 5 YouTube Musicians That Deserve More Recognition!

We all know YouTube can be a great platform for people to showcase their talents. With more and more content being uploaded it's easy for some people to become buried within the masses of videos. So today I have complied a list of my top 5 YouTube musicians that I feel deserve more recognition 

1. Madilyn Bailey:

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Madilyn has a little soft spot on me as I have been watching her content since late 2012, so for over 3 years. In that time I've seen Madilyn grow into this power house of talent. One video that I still listen to, is a cover of Carry On by Fun  her and a few other artists did back in 2013. From that video I found other talented artists like Peter Hollens. 

My Inspiration For Blogging!

I've been blogging for nearly a year now and in that time I've gone through periods of motivation and inspiration and times of boredom and laziness. During that time I've looked for inspiration in order to get me back loving blogging.

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Pintrest for me is a great place to get inspiration. If you ever think of an idea that may need some more depth then having a browse through Pintrest can help, especially for topics like fashion and photography.

Lynx Black Review

Lynx have always been popular within the male fragrance market, Lynx Black however is a little different. Many of the other products are aimed at more of a teenager audience, with more fruity or chocolaty smells. Lynx Black creates a sophisticated masculine smell.

New Music Finds!

Like many people, I too enjoy music. So finding new music, from new bands and artists is always fun.

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 Here is a short list of the new material I have found recently and have been loving.

• Coast- Oceans 
• Jess Glynne- Ain't Got Far To Go
• MS MR- Criminals
• Seven Davis Jr- Good Vibes
• XYLO- Afterlife
• Tourist- Holding On
• Delta Goodrem- Wings
• Leona Lewis- Thunder
• Seinabo Sey- Pretend
• Metric- Too Bad, So Sad
• Disclosure ft Sam Smith- OMEN

July Monthly Favourites!

July has been quite a peaceful month for me. I've finished college and now looking forward to university. Here are my favourites from the month of July.

YouTube Favourites:

I have 3 channels that have been loving a little more this month,

Shameless Maya:

Maya is so real and honest I love her channel. Her tech talks helped me a while back when I started taking photos and creating my blog. Her tutorials are great too, definitely check her out.

My Netflix Binge List!

A Netflix binge list consists of all the TV shows that I watch. This means, anytime I'm on Netflix I'm most likely watching any of the following:

Marvel's Daredevil:

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The first in a planned series of shows detailing the Marvel universe, "Daredevil" follows Matt Murdock, attorney by day and vigilante by night. Blinded in an accident as a child, Murdock uses his heightened senses as Daredevil, fighting crime on the streets of New York after the sun goes down. His efforts are not welcomed by powerful businessman Wilson Fisk -- aka Kingpin -- and others whose interests collide with those of Daredevil. Though Murdock's day job portrays a man who believes in the criminal justice system, his alter ego suggests otherwise, as he takes the law into his own hands to protect his Hell's Kitchen neighborhood and the surrounding communities.

House of Cards:

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U.S. Rep. Francis Underwood of South Carolina starts out as a ruthless politician seeking revenge in this Netflix original production. Promised the post of Secretary of State in exchange for his support, his efforts help to ensure the election of Garrett Walker to the presidency. But Walker changes his mind before the inauguration, telling Underwood he's too valuable in Congress. Outwardly, Underwood accepts his marching orders, but secretly he and his wife, an environmental activist, make a pact to destroy Walker and his allies

Orange Is The New Black:

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Piper Chapman is a public relations executive with a career and a fiance when her past suddenly catches up to her. In her mid-30s she is sentenced to spend time in a minimum-security women's prison in Connecticut for her association with a drug runner 10 years earlier. This Netflix original series is based on the book of the same title. Forced to trade power suits for prison orange, Chapman makes her way through the corrections system and adjusts to life behind bars, making friends with the many eccentric, unusual and unexpected people she meets.

Pretty Little Liars- Season 2 Round Up! (Spoliers)

I've just finished season 2, what an ending to the season. Who would of guessed Mona was part of Team A.

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I was honestly so shocked when the Mona bomb shell was dropped, amazing writing again by the PLL team. The series is based on the book of the same name by Sara Shepard, let me know in the comments if you have read the book and if it matches the TV series.

5 Life Lessons from a Rubik's Cube!

Completing a Rubik's Cube is a huge achievement for anyone, being tactical and with a little bit of luck it won't take you long. Recently, I completed a Rubik's Cube after 7 hours, here is what I learnt.

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1. Once you make a mistake there is no going back, accept and move forward.  I remember when I first started, I was slightly nervous to make any moves just incase I made a mistake when in actual fact, I didn't even know if the moves I thought were right were actually mistakes.

The Semicolon Project.

I know I am a bit late to this project, but I still think it is important to highlight tghe project for those who don't know about it or if you want to get involved.

The Semicolon Project offers support for those who are battling against self-harm for those supporting others who are struggling with self-harming, depression, bullying, suicidal thoughts and anxiety.

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The semicolon itself, is a very clever symbol representing - where the sentence could have ended but didn't.

Everyday thousands of young people around the world, struggle with depression, anxiety, self harm and suicidal thoughts. So many have gone the extra mile and tattooed the symbol on themselves as a permanent reminded of what they have overcome.

Photography Inspiration

I have been inspired lately to take more photos, after downloading the free trial of Lightroom. Honestly, the quality of my photos has increased so much. I am no longer as worried now to take photos perfectly, as I know if I have any exposure problems I can adjust them in Lightroom.

I have been watching tutorials on YouTube, as I knew the basics but not an in depth knowledge. While watching videos I came across a photographer called Jessica Kobeissi. If I am honest her channel is not perfectly shot and edited but the content she creates really educational and has taught me different techniques and skills to use.

One of my favourite videos is the 50mm Natural Light and Golden Hour Photoshoot . She really captured some great photos even when her original location was shut.  To check out more of he work, visit her Instagram.

My other inspirations have come from Pintrest. This site is perfect for inspiration with categories and all types of photography. It's great for getting new poses and new lighting techniques. I also found articles with tips and tricks from other photographers.

There is always something to take a photo of, everything is constantly changing from weather to wildlife. Why not try going into your garden or local park and think about what you could take a photo of or different compositions you could try.

This statue in my garden  sits perfectly among the bright flowers adding composition with its dark grey tones.

If you have any pets they are great to photograph, sometimes they can be a little more challenging as they don't sit still, here is one I took of my dog Bentley.

Cute right! Fancy a challenge? Why not take a picture every day for the next week and post it in the comments. Its a challenge but it helps you think more about photographs,

Good luck, have fun

Thanks

Tom

*Disclaimer*

-This is not a sponsored post

-The views expressed are all my own

-The photos used belong to me unless expressed otherwise.

Top 10 things to do in the summer holidays when bored!

The summer holidays are nearly upon us. Most people take this time to relax after all the stresses of exams and general stress of work and daily life. Sometimes you can relax too much and boredom starts to creep in. Here's a few tips, why not give them a try:

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1. Listen to Music. There is music for every mood, with platforms like Spotify which have mood related playlists. 

My Pretty Little Liars Obsession!

So recently I've gained a new addiction, Pretty Little Liars (PLL) . 

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When I first started watching the program I really wasn't sure it was for me however, the story and the writing is so clever that I was hooked from the first couple of episodes. All the characters have their own problems and stories which are woven into one larger  story.

The episodes always end on a cliffhanger so basically I have to watch the next one which mean that I have to watch the next one after that and the next one and the next one , You get my point.

I'm probably really late to this fan group as there is six seasons out and I'm currently only halfway through season two so I know I have got a lot of episodes to go before I catch up with what is on TV.

The writers of this program are so clever, I've literally change my mind of who is A (which is the person who is blackmailing the girls) every single episode because of things they do, say or find out. So no spoilers in the comments haha. 

Spencer is my favourite character as she is more of a leader and is clever in the way she thinks of things.

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 I really do like the other characters too they all bring something unique but my favourite is still Spencer.

The character I really don't like is Jenna Marshall. 

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Not only is loving your step brother creepy her character as a whole gives me the creeps. I was convinced for a few episodes that she wasn't actually blind and that she was A and the being blind was a disguise but of course I know she is blind. Another one at the start was Toby her step brother but throughout season 1 into season 2 I've warmed to him as a character especially when finding out what Alison made him do. 

Let me know in the comments below who your favourite and most disliked characters are of the series. 

Thanks,

Tom 

*Disclaimer*

-this is not a sponsored post

-all the views expressed are my own

-all the pictures used are my own unless sourced otherwise.

June Favourites

In the month of June I've not really found many things new that I have enjoyed. Never the less here is my June Favourites. 

Favourite Blog:

My favourite blog this month has got to be Digital Photography School. This blog has really inspired me to think more about my photography. It has also given me tips and tricks for all things photography. 

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Favourite Clothing:

This month I have only one clothing item that I have been loving. If you follow me on Instagram you know that I have been loving a hat. 

I got this hat from Primark when looking for some new shorts for the summer, love it haha.

Favourite Skincare:

I am still using my Lush Skincare Routine which is still working for me. My favourite of the routine is the Tea Tree Water which I recently purchased again.

I am convinced the reason my skin is looking so good lately is because of this toner. If your're looking for a new toner, give this one a try.

Favourite Music:

You know when  you've listened to a song too much that it's constantly stuck in your head, well this month the song has been Walk The Moon- Shut Up and Dance  . This is such a catchy song that is starting to annoy me because I've listened to it so much. 

The other song I've been loving is by Andy Grammer- Honey, I'm Good. This song has a country feel that you cannot help but dance too. If you haven't heard it definitely give it a listen. 

As I said just a short list this month but never the less these are my favourites, let me know some of your favourites in the comments below, 

Thanks,

Tom

*Disclaimer*

-This is not a sponsored post

-All the opinions expressed are my own

-All the pictures used belong to me unless sourced otherwise 

5 Tips To Survive The Heat!

If you're from the UK then you know that we have been having some seriously good weather lately which, if you know anything about the UK you know doesn't really happen.

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So today I thought I would share with you a couple of ways you can survive in this heatwave.

1. Stay out of the heat- Unless you are trying to catch a sun tan, stay out of direct sun, especially near mid day when it is the hottest.

Sense8 Review!

Sense8 more like Sense 10/10.

I loved this TV show. If you didn't know if I could have any superpower it would be telepathy so this series was definitely more of a wish than a show.

Sense8 is based around a group of people from all around the world that are suddenly linked mentally, and must find a want to survive being hunted by those who see them as a threat to the worlds order.

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The individuals are all from different walks of life which makes the series relatable to so many people as you can relate to at least one of the characters. I will be honest, for the first 3 episodes I wasn't too keen on the series, I know that the whole point was for the audience to connect to the characters but the series didn't offer any more information as to who the cluster (connected people) were and what they had to do with each other.

Shower Playlist- Throwback Mix

Like many others singing in the shower is the norm for me. So here I have collated a playlist of some of the songs I listen to in the shower, some are a mega throwback and others are pretty recent.

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1. Journey-Don't Stop Believin'
2. Beyoncé- Single Ladies 
3. Amy Winehouse- Rehab 
4. Michael Jackson- Billie Jean 
5. Carly Rae Jackson- Call Me Maybe 
6. Adele- Rolling In The Deep
7. Survivor- Eye of the Tiger 
8. B*Witched- C'est la Vie
9. Lady Gaga- Poker Face 
10. Spice Girls- Wannabe
11. Katy Perry- Firework
12. John Travolta- You're The One That I Want
13. Kenny Loggins- Footloose
14. Shakira- Hips Don't Lie
15. DR. KUCHO!- Can't Stop Playing ( Makes Me High)- Oliver Heldens Vocal Edit
16. Avicii- Waiting For Love
17. David Guetta- Hey Mama feat. Nicky Minaj
18. Lunchmoney Lewis- Bills
19. Tove Lo- Talking Bodies 

Simple Summer Berry Blast!

Today I am going to share with you my new addiction for breakfast, my summer berry blast.

Things you'll need:

• Nutiribullet/ Smoothie Machine (I am using the small cup)
• 3 Strawberries
• 10 Raspberries
• 14 Grapes
• 1/2 a Banana
• Water
• Ice (optional) 

Firs of all add your grapes and raspberries into your cup. 

Donating Blood | My Experience

Donating blood could seem a scary thought. Especially if you have a phobia of needles, trust me, they use a big one but don't be put off, some where, some day, someone will need your blood to save their life.

Beach Family Photoshoot!

Being near a beach for a week allowed me to think more creatively of what I actually could do with it. 

Of course there is great landscape shots to be had but I really thought about how I could engage people using this golden hour of light into the photos. 

Here are some of my favourites from the Beach Family Photoshoot:

Sunset at perfect height, simply love it!

Connor Franta: A Work In Progress, Book Review

A week off meant that I had more time to sit and chill. Well in actual fact I lay in the sun and got stuck into this book.

                    

What struck me first was the honesty Connor was expressing about his life, his decisions and his family. I feel that he has done a really good job with this book and I feel I know more about him now as a person and not a YouTuber. 

The photography in the book is amazing, something a little different which broke up the pages well and got me thinking creatively how I could change my photography to get better images. Some of my favourite photos in the book include:

                          

LUSH: Skincare Routine

Recently I went to Lush where I purchased a few items to create a new skincare routine, which I will be sharing today.

Pitch Perfect 2 Review!

Pitch Perfect definitely wasn't singing the same notes as the first in the series but still the harmonies were on point.

I was expecting good things from PP2 as I was and still are a huge fan of the first one. As you would expect there is still a lot of singing in this film just like the first however, I do feel this film concentrates more on the narrative and not the singing. Of course the first of many sequels are the best for the shock factor such as the Taken Franchise.

One thing that didn't disappoint was Rebel Wilson.

April Favourites!

This month I only have a few favourites but stills one that you should really try.

Blog of the Month: 

My blog of the month this month is Steve Booker. 

Granted he hasn't posted much this month but I still love his old posts. His blog as a whole is really well designed (kind of jealous). His posts are well thought of and executed so well. His photography is also amazing, check out his Instagram. 

How I Style Bold Patterned Shirts!

In the UK the weather is getting warmer as we approach the summer time. With this I have seen a flood of bold pattered, busy shirts. Today I will show you how I style my busy floral printed shirt with 2 looks.

LOOK 1 | NIGHT LOOK: 

When going for a patterned shirt it is important to not over pattern yourself. If you do you seem too mix and match. Personally I simply keep everything else plain and basic which enables your shirt to be the focal point. 

The Avengers: Age of Ultron | Review

Like many people I have been waiting for this film for so long. I am happy to say it was well worth the wait.

The Walking Dead | Season 1 Review

I know, I know, I am without a doubt late to this party but I wanted to see what all the hype was about.

Season 1, well I have to say I was disappointed. I was expecting this action packed developed story with great twists and deep character development but sadly it didn't live up to my expectations. 

Black Country Living Museum

The Black Country Living Museum is a fun family day out which people of any age can enjoy. With the buckets of history and the delicious food, who could say no right..?

March Favorites

The month of March has seem some minor changes to my favourites with new products and essentials added to the list.

Blog of  the Month:

This is a new thing I'm going to start, where every month I will crown a blog that I have been loving that month as the blog of the month, so if you have a blog make sure to comment your blog link down in the comments and ill check it out. 

The March Blog of the Month goes to Buckets and Spades. 

This blog has everything you want from it, men's fashion, travel, food, photography. As you can see from the screenshot of the site above, Matthews blog is well designed, a lot better than mine haha. His posts always interest me and inspire me to make mine better.

Story Time:

5 Things To Do When You're Bored!

If you are from the UK like me then you're most likely going to be on your Easter holidays soon. For those who are not from the UK the Easter holidays is a break from school, college and university. The break is for two weeks and although we like to think that we won't get bored, the reality is we will. So today I have my top 5 things I like to do when I'm bored.

1. Binge Watch Netflix

This is self explanatory but if you're like me then Netflix series are just a must. If you're unsure of what series to watch, you could look at:

• Arrow- Based around the super hero known as Green Arrow. 
• 12 Monkeys- I've only recently started watching this and I'm hooked. It's a time travel masterpiece. 
• Flash- Again based on a superhero, known as The Flash
• Vampire Diaries- You should all of heard of this but encase you haven't, The Vampire Diaries is based on a group of vampires which you follow around and watch grow as characters, feed and pretty much everything in between, 
• The Originals- A spin off show of The Vampire Diaries where we follow the original (hence the name) vampire family. 
• How To Get Away With Murder- Go and Watch this right now. It is an amazing an gripping show that everyone should definitely see. It's about a law firm/law teacher that recruits her top students but they all get too involved. Learning, How To Get Away With Murder.

My one rule for a TV show is watch the first 3 episodes, if I'm not liking it or don't feel gripped, then I will find something else to watch.

2. YouTube

Many of us watch YouTube on a daily basis so this is not something new but finding other people to watch can leave you procrastinated for hours, trust me.

Some YouTube creators that you may not be subscribed to but totally should:

• Hannah Maggs- Hannah is most well known for her beauty/lifestyle blog however, she daily/weekly vlogs on her YouTube channel with her husband Stef, and son Grayson. The vlogs are well put together and are 100% honest. Stef always adds a cinematography look to the vlogs which I really enjoy. This feature is something new and unique they do, compared to everyone else.
• Fun For Louis-  Louis Cole is what many of us want to be, a travel expert. He has traveled to so many weird and wonderful places where he explores the culture, the city and the people and documents it daily. His vlogs are always interesting and mind blowing to me by where this guy has gone and traveled to. I really want to travel but currently cannot so Louis is the internet me traveling on my behalf.
• Ben Brown- I first watched Ben when he did the Rickshaw Run with other creators, Jack Harries, Louis Cole, Max Cantellow, Harry Crowley, Will Darbyshire and Finn Harries.  The Rickshaw Series is an amazing series, which you should go and watch even if you're not bored. Ben is a good content creator always thriving to get better and trying to grow not only his channel but his skills and techniques. Ben is not only great at video creator but he is handy with a camera too, which he showcases on his Instagram.
• Steve Booker- If any of you know me personally, then you know my inspiration for starting this blog came from reading Steve's. I loved the time, passion and skills he was showcasing through his blog and it really got me thinking of my own style and passions. He now has a YouTube channel so go and give his some love. He is a great guy who has secretly helped me find my passions, a big thanks to him. 

Insurgent Review!

Insurgent surged in at the start with no introduction but as per the book is better than the film.

Theo James gets my awards for best actor.

One scene when talking to his mother made me jump. That particular scene sold him as a actor for me and that's why I'm giving him this invisible award. 

20 Facts You Didn't Think You Needed To Know, Until You Knew Them!

If you're like me then knowing facts about random things is entertaining. 

Here are 20 random facts that you didn't know but may be useful to know.

1. Coffee improves blood flow around the body 
   
2. Half of all humans who have ever lived, died from malaria
   
   
   
3. Only female Mosquitoes bite
   
4. The King of Hearts is the only King without a moustache
   
5. Pirates wear eye patches so that they can see in the dark