Ciara Sims

I was Nominated by Emily Mace to answer a couple of questions about last year and the next. I'm new to blogging so I think this will give everybody another little chance to get to know me. So, let's get cracking:

1. What was your biggest achievement of 2014?

I think my biggest achievement this year would be the fact that I can now make it through a whole netball match without the need of my asthma pump. I am by no means super fit but I've learnt to control my breathing and gradually built my fitness up and I am so proud of myself because I really didn't want to have to become dependant on my pump. Now I can play and enjoy it, rather than feeling like the devil is having a party in my chest!

2. What do you want to achieve with your blog by this time next year?

As I've said I am new to blogging and I haven't even been blogging for a year yet! So I think this time next year I would love to have a better blog design and over 100 followers. I know to some blogs that probably doesn't seem like much at all but it is for me and I'm going to build up my blog in little steps.

3. Name one thing you want to do next year that you can tick off your bucket list.

Not the most interesting thing on my bucket list, but I would love to go camping with a group of my friends to hopefully celebrate our GCSE results!

4. What are you most looking forward to next year?

I haven't really got anything planned but in September I will be able to learn how to drive! That's pretty exciting!

5. Your happiest moment of 2014?

In 2014 my little brothers friend finally beat cancer and I think that has got to be one of the happiest moments in my whole life. I've never known a nicer family and I was so happy for all of them.

6. What new years resolution are you actually planning on sticking to?

Well as I said in my resolutions and goals post; in May I will be sitting my German and French GCSE, so I really need to stop using Google Translate for my homework!

7. A personal goal for next year

Definitely to surround myself with people that make me happier and to stop jumping through hoops for people who wouldn't even cross the road for me.

Thanks for tagging me Emily!

I would like to tag: Taylor from Repressing The Crazy, Amelia from Amelia Anastasia and Andie from Andieology. However if any of you would like to join in with the tag then leave me a link below because I would love to read them.

Ciara x

2014 was a weird year for me. It was filled to the brim with ups and downs. Things that I thought were going to be amazing weren't and things that I wasn't excited for at all turned out to create some amazing memories. I started this blog, joined a local netball team, had 3 sets of mock GCSE's, I visited Berlin and Paris, grew close with people that I never imagined I would and grew apart from ones that I thought would be there forever.

Actually the friendship thing has been a big thing for me this year. I learnt that sometimes you grow out of friendships and it's not because either of you have done anything wrong and it isn't something that you can necessarily stop, you just grow out of each other. But that's okay. Sometimes it's healthy to form new friendships and talk to people that you never thought you would have anything in common with, and maybe just maybe that person could become a much better friend to you than your old friend was. I'm not saying that means you should completely ditch your old friends, I'm just saying that it is okay to perhaps not be as close with them as you used to. Some friendships will last for a life time and others wont, that is just life. The real trick is being able to spot which friendships are worth investing your time into. I've made this mistake a lot but I think I am getting better at it. If you do one thing this year then please, please, please let it be this: Surround yourself with people that make you happy. That is one of my goals this year, as cheesy as it sounds. Be with people that make you laugh and that you make laugh, the ones who check up on you and distract you from things when you're feeling down. You don't even have to have the same interests as them. Sometimes you meet somebody and you just click. Look out for those people and trust your gut instinct and do whatever it takes to keep yourself okay and happy. And if ever you want to talk to somebody, then remember that I am here and I am only an email away.

I am due to sit my GCSE's in May so obviously my other goal this year is to get the best possible grades that I can, so I am able to continue in further education. This is going to be probably the hardest thing I have ever had to so far and revision will be beginning extremely soon. I figure little and often is the way to go? If anybody has any revision tips for me, I would be hugely grateful!

That brings me on to my New Year's resolution: No more Google Translate. I am currently studying for a German and French GCSE and I have 5 months to go, yet I am still letting Google Translate do my coursework and homework for me. This has got me into many sticky situations as my teacher firmly believes that I am capable of achieving an A* while in reality I scored a C in my mocks. Whoops.

Okay so here's to knuckling down and being happy. 2015 - Let's do this!

What are your goals/resolutions for the New Year?

Ciara x

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Wow can you believe we are into a new year already? 2014 was one hell of a year for me, filled to the brim with ups and downs. Over the year I fell in and out of love with a lot of things so here is what I was loving in 2014. (The bits I can remember anyway!)

L'Oreal Nude Magique Eau De Teint Foundation (£9.99). This has been my go to base ever since I discovered it. I know that was only in October but I didn't really wear foundation before that and I have used it so much since then so I'm going to let that count! I wont talk too much about this as I have done a full review, but this is the lightest foundation I think you will ever find. It is literally like water and just blends into the skin so you don't even feel like you are wearing anything. It also contains an SPF. Perfect. Although the shade range isn't amazing, I managed to find the perfect shade for me. It is definitely worth a look if you are on the paler side like me.

*Superdry Neon Orange Perfume (£35). I've loved this perfume ever since I got it for Christmas 2013. I wore it on and off for the whole of 2014 and whenever I wore it after a break of not wearing it, I couldn't remember why I had stopped. I did a full review of *Neon Orange and all the other *Superdry Neon fragrances back in August so I wont bang on too much but this perfume is beautiful. It's citrusy but also contains musks which makes it really versatile and easy to wear all year round. A firm favourite of mine and I will be so sad when this runs out.

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The Kaiser Chiefs. I have always loved the Kaiser Chiefs. I think they are amazing. They released a new album this year - Education, Education, Education and War (£5) and I have had it on repeat ever since. It really is my favourite album from anybody in a long time. It is very rare that I like every song on an album but this one is just perfect. My favourite songs are The Factory Gates, Misery Company, Ruffians On Parade, and My Life. Seriously, go and give them a listen if you haven't done already.



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Skins. I think it is safe to say that I am addicted to Skins. I mentioned Skins back in my September favourites post and since then I have managed to complete series 3 and 4. I've already watched Skins before but this year I decided it was time for me to have another little watch. I've fallen in love with Skins and all the characters all over again and it is a show that I would recommend to everybody. It is so raw and real. You can watch all the episodes of Skins on 4OD.

White Converse All Star Low (£44.99). I think these have been my favourite purchase EVER. They are so easy to wear, comfortable and they go with just about everything. I've worn these with jogging bottoms on quick runs to the shop, with jeans around town and even with dresses to parties. They have become my footwear staple and since buying them my other shoes haven't really had much of a look in. Yes they are white and get dirty easily but you can bung them in the washing machine and they look nearly as good as new. Perfect.

Eyeko London Skinny Liquid Eyeliner in Black (£12). This stuff is amazing. I actually got this from a magazine but Eyeko was a brand that I really wanted to try out. I spoke about this in my Black Eyeliner On A Budget post and I honestly love it so much. I wont ramble on too much as I have actually given it a full review. All I will say is this: If you think you are bad at eyeliner, then get your hands on this bad boy because it will just make your life so much easier. Two swipes and you're done. Sorted.

So that's what I was loving in 2014. What were your favourite things in 2014?

Ciara x

*This post contains items which were gifted to me. Full disclaimer.