Florida Trip Haul 2019

Hey! This week I wanted to show you some of the things that I purchased when I went to Florida earlier in the year. I went to Orlando for two weeks and stayed on International Drive. We visited all of the theme parks in this time (and more!) and I have chosen to share my favourite items and souvenirs with you!

• Mickey Mouse 2019 T-Shirt – I bought this t-shirt at Magic Kingdom on the first day! Then I think I wore it when we went to Epcot a few days later. It is so comfy and now I wear it as a lounge top!
• Minnie Mouse Rose Gold Ear Headband – I mean it was pretty impossible to not buy these… I really wanted them before I even got to Orlando so when they were in front of me, I purchased them and wore them straight away!
• ‘I’m Here For All The Rose Gold’ Badge – Well the badge says it all!

• Disney ‘Cinderella Castle’ Pandora Charm – I absolutely love Pandora jewellery and this charm was the perfect souvenir from my visit to Walt Disney World. I added it to my ever growing Pandora bracelet and it is so beautiful.

• Harry Potter Chocolate Frog – Harry Potter fans will understand this purchase but it is just something I had to buy…and eat of course! I had the card of Gilderoy Lockhart too!
• Hogwarts Crest Notebook – I purchased this unique notebook to complete my Florida Scrapbook inside. The pages are blank and quite thick so it is perfect to treasure all of my photos and memories!
• Hermione Grangers Wand – I bought this because I am a serious Harry Potter fan and Hermione Granger has always been my favourite character. I bought her wand in the Ollivander’s Shop in Hogsmeade (you can get them in Diagon Alley also) in Universal’s Island of Adventure.

• Levi’s Clothes Spree – After a busy day at one of the Disney Parks, somehow we were still buzzing with energy, so we decided to do a little bit of late night shopping. We went to one of the Outlet Shopping Malls on International Drive and I found these lovely items in Levi’s: The Perfect Graphic Tee (White), Relaxed Graphic Crewneck Sweater (White), 721 High Rise Skinny Black, 721 High Rise Skinny Light Blue, 721 High Rise Skinny Dark Blue – I had great discounts too!

So that’s some of the things that I bought whilst I was on holiday in Florida! It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am very lucky to have had the chance to go.

‘All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them’ – Walt Disney

Thank you for reading ❤

Which item of mine is your favourite?

Please leave a comment and let me know!

Love Abbie x

Enquiries: its.simply.me3@gmail.com

Twitter: @itssimplyme3

Instagram: its.simply_me

An Overdue Catch Up

Hey! It has been nearly two years since I have fully engaged with my blog, so I think it’s safe to say that I need to do a lil update. Oh and by a ‘lil’ update I mean a big update, so you may want to grab a cuppa and some snacks as this is going to be a long one! ❤

Over the last two years I have had some serious ups and downs! From qualifying as an Early Years Practitioner and securing a full time job, to being in hospital for tests, procedures and an operation to try and find out what’s going on with my health!

September – December 2017:

• My Dad and his partner (at the time – more on that later) got two new kittens!
• My mental health went considerably downhill and I struggled to attend sixth form. I needed lots of support and a reduced timetable in order to keep going with my qualification.
• I attended group support courses to help with my mental health.
• I returned to my part-time job after being signed off due to my mental health, and I was over the moon to be back at work!
• I spent October half term week at my Grandparents caravan with my Mum and then we met my Uncle, Auntie and cousins to celebrate my Grandma’s birthday.
• I applied for a part-time job at my childcare placement, smashed my interview and I was offered the job just minutes afterwards!
• My Great Grampy celebrated his 90th birthday with a big family party!
• I also got back together with my ex boyfriend in November (more on that later too!).
• In December I went ice skating, Christmas shopping, I enjoyed cute coffee catch ups with friends and I celebrated Christmas with all of my family!
• Oh and… my Dad bought me a car!

January 2018 – December 2018:

• My Grampy was unfortunately diagnosed with lung cancer and he had to have a serious operation to remove part of his lung. However he has since had the all clear!
• My Boyfriend and I went to Center Parcs with his family!
• I visited The Donkey Sanctuary with my family in February and we enjoyed the heavy snow at the beginning of March!
• In April I had an eye test and turns out I needed glasses!
• Throughout 2018 my boyfriend and I visited lots of places e.g my Mum and her partner’s caravan, the zoo, go-karting, Longleat and Torquay!
• In August we went on a family holiday to Cyprus.

• In September I went on a lovely boat trip with my Dad and his partner and I started my full time job as an Early Years Practitioner!
• In October my Dad and his partner bought two Border Collie puppies and I redecorated and revamped my room!
• Myself and my boyfriend celebrated our 1 Year Anniversary in November and sadly my Dad and his partner separated around this time.
• I celebrated Christmas and New Year with all of my friends and family.
• During 2018 I also experienced more health problems which landed me at the doctors numerous times, then that led to hospital appointments, lots of medications and procedures like an endoscopy, colonoscopy, a MRI scan, ECG’s, and an echocardiogram and various blood tests etc. I am honestly so grateful for the NHS. This has continued into 2019 and its now a little clearer that I am suffering with different chronic illnesses.

January 2019 – August 2019:

• On the 4th January 2019 I had a laparoscopy to hopefully have an answer to some of my health problems. My gynaecologist was sure I had Endometriosis but luckily ‘no endometriosis was found and everything seems healthy’. Although this is good news I still don’t have answers to a lot of my symptoms, so investigations and tests are still continuing.
• I recovered well and returned to work quickly! I also reunited with my best friend at the end of January!
• We had heavy snow at the beginning of February which meant snowy walks, sledging and snowball fights! I also spent some time with my family at a Nature Centre in February half term.
• In March I had a 24 hour ECG monitor fitted to try and find out what’s going on with my heart but I still require further tests.
• I went down to the Hampshire coast to stay in my Mum and her partners caravan with the family around Easter time and I started attending puppy training classes with my Dad and his puppy!

• In May we celebrated my boyfriends 21st birthday and we had a relaxing time at the spa!
• Towards the end of May I did something completely out of my comfort zone and I flew to America with my boyfriend and some of his family to go to Florida! Even though I had ages to prepare myself for this trip, my anxiety overwhelmed me. The flight out was terrible and the panic attacks had complete control over me. I struggled through and I am so proud of myself for coping. My boyfriend and I had some very difficult times during this holiday but we still made some incredible memories. I completed something off of my bucket list and I did that for ME! I experienced the Disney Parks, Universal Studios, the water parks, Discovery Cove, shopping in amazing outlet stores, new restaurants, a helicopter ride and so much more! I DID IT!

• When we returned home at the beginning of June, I returned to work and everything went back to normal. However, my boyfriend and I continued to argue and I needed to get out…I loved him but I knew I deserved better. Things had been going so wrong for months and it was seriously affecting my mental health. So I ended our relationship at the end of June and now I’m trying to heal and rebuild myself again. We have left on good terms and I wish him well for the future.
• In July I sadly had to have my cat put to sleep as he became unwell very suddenly. I also turned 20 and I celebrated my birthday with my close friends and family.
• I finished work for the summer and I received lots of gifts and cards from children who are moving to Reception class in September. It is honestly such a lovely feeling when parents/carers take the time to personally thank you. I am so grateful.
• So that brings us to now… For now I am concentrating on my health as it is continuing to deteriorate and I am still waiting for more tests and investigations to get the correct diagnoses, and then the correct treatments.

However I currently have these diagnoses (physical and mental health wise)  – Depression, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), Tachycardia with sinus pauses (unknown cause as yet) and a variety of Gynaecological problems. I might do a more in depth post about my health story in the future!

• I am also enjoying my time off work – I am seeing my friends and family, trying to learn to drive again, relaunching my blog, attending doctor and hospital appointments and eating healthier!

Now if you have got this far in this post then – thank you so much for reading! That was a lot longer than I was anticipating, ooopsy! ❤

What is your highlight of the year so far?

Please leave a comment and let me know!

Or you can email me on: its.simply.me3@gmail.com

Or Tweet me: @itssimplyme3

Love Abbie x

 

BLOG RELAUNCH AUGUST 2019!

Hey! Welcome back to Simply, Me! Wow it has been a while since I have written a blog post. My last post was nearly two years ago! It’s safe to say that A LOT has happened in that time and I will be posting a catch up post soon. Also, if you’re new to my blog then welcome!

I really want to be more on track with my blog and become a regular blogger again, but it is going to take me a while to get back into the swing of things. Please bare with me and I hope you all understand.

I’m hoping to reconnect with bloggers I used to follow and talk to and I hope to find new and exciting blogs so I can connect with new people!

Let’s start a fresh. I’m back.

What would you like to see on my blog?

Please leave a comment and let me know!

Thank you for reading❤

Love Abbie x

Enquiries: its.simply.me3@gmail.com

Twitter: @itssimplyme3

Instagram: its.simply_me

Revolution Matte Lip Kits

Hey! I’ve always been a lipgloss kinda girl, but more recently I’ve been reaching for these Makeup Revolution Retro Luxe Matte Lip Kits. They are very affordable at only £6.00 for the lip liner and the lipstick and they come in a range of different colours. It has lovely packaging that looks professional and neat. The lip liners are smooth, creamy and easy to apply, however they run out quickly.

Reign – I absolutely love this nude/pink shade, it applies well and lasts a good few hours without much food or drink. The lip liner is also gorgeous. This matte liquid lipstick is a nice everyday shade that is affordable and perfect for someone who is new to matte lipsticks.

Echelon – This is a lovely nude/brown colour that goes perfectly with a brown smokey eyeshadow look. It is very pigmented and applies well to the lips. The liner is nice, however it is not a definite colour match and it ran out after around half a dozen uses.

Overall, I would recommend these matte lip kits and I will definitely be trying more of the shades!

Which matte lipsticks do you love?

Please leave a comment and let me know!

Thank you for reading❤

Love Abbie x

Enquiries: its.simply.me3@gmail.com

Twitter: @itssimplyme3

Instagram: its.simply_me

My Goals For September

Hey! September is here and for me this means I am setting myself a few goals for the new academic year. Some of them I want to start now and continue to achieve throughout the year, and others are just for this month. Setting yourself small and achievable goals can be really beneficial to your mindset and self-esteem.

• Read three books
• Return to sixth form and my childcare placement
• Go to a support group course
• Be organised with studying

• Help more around the house
• Drink more water
• Take more time for myself
• Do my scrapbook/art journal

• Listen to my mental illness in a positive way
• Be a little more selfish
• Upload at least 6 blog posts
• Reach 800 followers on Twitter

12 goals in one month is quite a lot but I’m willing to give it a go!

What are your goals for September?

Please leave a comment and let me know!

Thank you for reading❤

Love Abbie x

Enquiries: its.simply.me3@gmail.com

Twitter: @itssimplyme3

Instagram: its.simply_me

August Favourites 2017

Hey! August has already come to an end and I feel like each month is going faster than the last. I thought I would share my August favourites with you!

Book: Girlhood by Cat Clarke – I read this book at the beginning of the month and I loved it! It is one of the books in Zoella’s 2017 book club and the first I’ve read of Cat Clarke’s. It follows a story of girls living in a boarding school and all the drama’s that can go with it! I would definitely recommend this book to all young adults.

Song: New Rules by Dua Lipa – A brilliant and relatable song for most women!

Fragrance: Hollister ‘London’ Spray – I found this body mist in the sale and I have been using it in the evenings as a fragrance before bedtime. A beautiful scent that will last ages!

Hair: COLAB Dry Shampoo – This month I have discovered Ruth Crilly’s dry shampoo range and the Tokyo scent is my favourite. It doesn’t leave any white when sprayed and it is fab for refreshing your hair!

Blog: My Planning Diary – I have been using this diary for the whole of August and it is making me feel a lot more productive about my blog. I have been scheduling posts in advance and planning when I write them. I love feeling organised!

Technology: Chromecast Streaming Device – I have only had this for a week or so but it is definitely one of my favourite technology purchases in a while. It runs off of a wifi signal and connects with an app on your smartphone. The device allows you to stream music, catch up, Netflix and more onto your TV! Highly recommend this product as it is affordable and easy to use!

Beauty: Jelly & Gelato Shower Sauce – Zoella’s new beauty range smells incredible and this shower sauce foams up well and leaves a nice scent of your skin afterwards!

So those are a few of the things I have been loving this August!

What have you been loving this month?

Please leave a comment and let me know!

Thank you for reading❤

Love Abbie x

Enquiries: its.simply.me3@gmail.com

Twitter: @itssimplyme3

Instagram: its.simply_me

Stationery & Journal Essentials Haul

Hey! Recently, I have picked up a lot of new journal and stationery items around various different shops. Scrapbooking and journaling are one of my favourite things to do and I am always buying new bits and bobs to get creative with. In my opinion, these are some of the essentials you need to start off a scrapbook or journal!

Items purchased from Flying Tiger Copenhagen:

• Set of watercolour paints – £2.00
• Pink & gold washi tape – £1.00
• Set of 7 mini washi tapes – £1.00

Items purchased from The Range:

• Happy Days paper pad – £1.49
• Scrapbook album – £4.99
• Flamingo stickers – £1.00
• Metallic heart stickers – £1.00
• ‘Blooming lovely’ stickers – £1.99
• Pink flower washi tape – £1.00
• Log washi tape – £1.00
• Zebra ball pen – £1.00
• Pack of 3 ‘Kiss & Makeup’ washi tapes – £2.99

Items purchased from Home Bargains:

• Rose gold pen – £1.99
• Emoji stickers – £0.49

Items purchased from Paperchase:

• ‘Love’ stickers – £0.75 (sale)

Items purchased from The Works:

• ‘Forever Friends’ stickers – £1.00

Items purchased from Wilko:

• Navy polka dot pencil case – £2.00

All of this cost just under £27.00! There are so many places where you can buy cheap but gorgeous craft items, you just have to know where to look! Hopefully I have given you an idea of what shops you can look in. If you are just starting a scrapbook or a journal, let me know what you use!

Being creative can also have such a positive impact on your mental health. Let go, and document some beautiful memories!

Do you like scrapbooking and/or journaling?

Please leave a comment and let me know!

Thank you for reading❤

Love Abbie x

Enquiries: its.simply.me3@gmail.com

Twitter: @itssimplyme3

Instagram: its.simply_me

My Happy Place

Hey! After spending two consecutive weeks at my mum and her partner’s caravan, I am back at home and missing what I like to call ‘My Happy Place’. I’m very lucky to be able to escape to the Hampshire coast regularly and enjoy the simple things in life.

Here are some of the reasons why this is My Happy Place:

• I have time to relax and do things that I don’t do often enough at home. For example, reading books, colouring and scrapbooking.
• I love going on cute walks to the beach with my camera.

• Being here gets me away from things and allows me to spend quality time with my family.
• I love visiting the nearby towns and shopping for different bits and pieces. I like going into different charity shops and picking up new books to read.
• Whilst we are out and about, we normally stop in cute coffee shops and I love having a strawberry milkshake with whipped cream and marshmallows!

• When the weather is nice, we like to light up the BBQ and have some yummy food out in the sunshine. The last time we did this we invited lots of family and sat outside on the decking. It was lovely!
• Lastly, I love the entertainment that the site put on every evening. Sometimes it is cheesy, but who doesn’t love a bit of cheese! They have gameshows, bingo, live acts – like singers and illusionists and so much more. All the staff are lovely and we get on well with them!

Oh and here’s me stood by the harbour! (why am I always playing with my hair!?)

So that’s why the Hampshire coast is ‘My Happy Place’. Peace, relaxation and quality time.

Do you have a happy place?

Please leave a comment and let me know!

Thank you for reading❤

Love Abbie x

Enquiries: its.simply.me3@gmail.com

Twitter: @itssimplyme3

Instagram: its.simply_me

Things I Am Grateful For This Week

Hey! I’m currently on holiday in Hampshire and I have been here a week now. What are you guys up to? I thought I would share with you what I am grateful for this week. 

• My mum & her partner’s caravan:

This is our first summer with a static caravan and I’m very grateful that we can spend two weeks on holiday here. It has allowed us to have some family time and to go on day trips around the Hampshire area. This week I’ve visited Lymington and Christchurch!

• My Grandma’s homemade Victoria sponge:

The lashings of jam and buttercream in my Grandma’s soft and delicious sponge is something I just LOVE. The sugar on top makes it extra yummy!

• My Followers!:

This week I have had an increase in people viewing, liking and commenting on my blog and I’ve been interacting with lots of you on Twitter. I’m so grateful for my followers, whether you’ve been here from the start or from a minute ago, thank you, you are amazing.

• My Dad & his partner coming to see me:

They both travelled down to the caravan site to have a day out with me. We went for a meal in a local pub. Then we went to Christchurch and looked around the shops and garden centre. We took silly selfies and had a Fitbit steps competition! It was lovely of them to come and spend some time with me.

• Male volunteer in Mind charity shop:

As I bought some books, the man serving me asked how I was and he was so kind to me. We had a conversation about how weird the British weather is and he made me laugh. It’s the simple things that make a difference to your day.

What are you grateful for this week?

Please leave a comment and let me know!

Thank you for reading❤

Love Abbie x

Enquiries: its.simply.me3@gmail.com

Twitter: @itssimplyme3

Instagram: its.simply_me

E.L.F Baked Highlighter & Brush Review

Hey! Today I’m talking about my latest makeup obsession, the e.l.f Baked Highlighter in the shade ‘Moonlight Pearls’. This stunning highlighter has completed my everyday makeup look and has really impressed me for the price of just £5.00!

I also bought the e.l.f highlighter brush and so far it has worked great for me! It is soft and applies the highlighter well to my cheek bones, cupid’s bow, brow bone and the tip of my nose. No bristles have fallen out and it is easily cleaned! You can buy this on the Superdrug website for just £4.50.

For me, the pigmentation of this product is lovely and it gives my makeup look a gorgeous glow. It can be used lightly or built up which obviously creates a much more ‘WOW’ look.

The shade ‘Moonlight Pearls’ is very good for a paler skin tone, however other shades are available. It has a pretty shimmer that also lasts well throughout the day.

I would highly recommend this product, it is stunning and very affordable!

What is your latest makeup obsession?

Please leave a comment and let me know!

*This post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own*

Thank you for reading❤

Love Abbie x

Enquiries: its.simply.me3@gmail.com
Twitter: @itssimplyme3
Instagram: its.simply_me