TRAVEL: FIRST(s) IMPRESSIONS - the Philippines!

I did it. It finally happened and it has been the best month of my life so far. This whole summer has been a bunch of "first" experiences that have been both thrilling and exhiliarating. Since this summer started I have managed to go from flying on zero planes to flying on eight planes and it's safe to say that I have fallen in love with flying. Travelling itself, I have fallen in love with especially when I am discovering a whole new country with my incredible family by my side.

My first long haul flight was great and ran smoothly however if they didn't have movies to watch on the mini tv's I have no idea what would I do with my life for 11 hours. I did download a few books onto my Kindle Fire from my reading list however my head gets funny when I read while on any mode of transport.
Another thing I discovered was that I have a weird phobia of peeing on a plane. Maybe it's me wondering were it goes or the fact that when you walk down the aisle every knows you're just about to do your business or what, I just can't physically do it. There's something so uncomfortable that I find with the whole process. But bladder issues aside I love flying. I love looking at the country below us imagining what people are doing in their little houses just living life and here I am above them, flying away from them to another distant land. Flying through clouds, amongst storms, above places I have yet to discover.

My first time meeting my family involved many hugs and much laughter exchanged between us. It was mixed with thankfulness, rememberance, gratefulness and an overwhelming sense of love and I wouldn't have exchanged it for anything. Over the month that we were there for that love grew even more and I felt so accepted, loved and cherished.

My first time paragliding, helmet diving, driving a buggy, going on a cable car, snorkelling, swimming in a clear ocean at Boracay. Breathtaking, just breathtaking and worth every second. If you have the money to do so - do it, leave your fear and your minds worst thoughts and do it. For me, I wasn't a strong swimmer at all but I chose to do it because when was I ever going to get this opportunity again? It was a gateway to the most amazing views that I would ever lay my eyes upon and I would never change any of it for the world.

My first time people watching in the Philippines. I could just drive around Manila for the rest of my life. The people, the streets, they come alive with an abundance of different characters, different lives and a mingling of multiple generations. You won't ever get bored.

My first time on filipino transport. Tricycles are my favourite mode of transport in the Philippines, it offers a new kind of experience to viewing the country. From the ground you get a different perspective, I had the view of the cats and dogs that would roam the streets. Plus it is a very cheap way to get to places. We didn't go on many jeepneys because we had cars and drivers to get us around places, we did however use one for Zoobic Safari to feed tigers which was amazing.

My first time trying filipino street food. TURON IS LYF. It is basically a banana fritter and it was a magical experience. My tastebuds were thankful. Banana-cue is a wonderful invention, over there anything on a stick that was barbecued was amazing.

My first time taking Videoke/Karaoke seriously. Over there karaoke isn't necessarily an activity that you do when you're drunk at the pub on a Friday night. It's something you do when you hang out with your friends and family and you can choose whether or not to do it for fun or take it seriously. The majority go for the latter and I'm totally okay with that.
My family have amazing voices within them but the beauty of it is is the fact that it doesn't even occur to them, they sing because they love it. They are amazing because they were blessed and have passion for it and there's something about that raw and natural product of just singing because you want to have fun that I was in awe of.

My first time being taught tagalog by my cousins, Jenny, Allysa and tita Ning. I was so grateful that they took time to speak english to me. They didn't have to although it was hard for us to communicate but they did it.. They did it despite it not being their first language. When they speak it they refer to the pain of speaking another language as making their "nose bleed" and I thought it was time for them to teach me tagalog. My cousins are brilliant teachers of the language, despite being 13 and 18 and I am forever grateful for those few lessons because it enabled me to discern a few of the words that everyone spoke.

So as you see listed here are my many firsts during my trip to the Philippines. My first impressions involved all ranges of emotion at different times. Sometimes I would be rendered speechless other times I would be shocked, amazed and even fearful at times. The Philippines brought out another side to myself, it helped on my journey of finding myself and changed my hopes for the future. After seeing my family it made me rethink my life, the problems that I thought that I had compared to them and how much of a big deal the majority of what I worry about isn't anymore. It changed my perspective on many things and I can proudly say that it indeed is "MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES".

SUMMER HAUL

Since getting back from university for the summer I've had a hard time seperating myself from my black tights and jackets. Recently I've bought a few summer pieces that I love and can't wait to wear on holiday, so much so I've already worn most of these pieces already. 

My go-to pieces when I'm feeling down and just want something comfy to wear are the two pairs of blue and white wide leg pants that is literally like wearing clouds on my legs. Also to solve my fear of wearing bikinis in public I finally found a bikini that I feel comfortable in. A majority of these beautiful pieces come from TK Maxx and other's H&M. 

1. Cream Top with Lace Detailing - TK Maxx - £12.99

2. Blue and White Victoria Patterned Pants - H&M - £14.99

3. Long White Daisy Detailed Top - TK Maxx - £12.99

4. Colourful Shorts - Patrons of Peace at TK Maxx - £8.00

5. Floral Red Off the Shoulder Long Top - New Look - £17.99

6. Grey Floral Top - Patrons of Peace at TK Maxx - £7.99

7. White Fringed Sleeveless Jacket - TK Maxx - £7.00

8. Yellow Flamingo Print Playsuit - Tescos - £8.00 

9. Turqouise Bikini - Floozie at Debenhams - £18.50

    Red Skirt Bikini Bottoms - Marks and Spencers - £12.00

10. Blue and White Pattern Pants - £7.00

Comment below your favourite summer pieces and I hope you guys are enjoying a relaxing break.

OOTD: Rainy Day

I understand that in England right now the weather has been absolutely stunning and with the hottest July day since records began over here it is most certainly a strictly no-tights ordeal. However with England you just never know. So I'll go out on a whim here and just post what I would wear on a rainy day (and what I did, in fact wear on a rainy day).

I have so much to blog about what I've been up to recently, hauls, purchases and products I'm loving and I also have exciting travel plans coming up as well.

Thank you to those who were patient and kind enough to stay following my blog, I really appreciate it despite seriously letting you guys down for a little over two months. Here's hoping home girl sticks to it!

Blue and White Dress - Band of Gypsies at T.K Maxx - £19.99 // Yellow Knit Snood - H&M - £8.99 // Brown Leather Jacket - H&M - £29.99 // Black Patterned Bag - Primark // Tights - ASDA // Brown Boots - Ebay £0.99

RANDOM: Exploring the other side of the garden.

There is something so refreshing that washes over you when you come across breath-taking views just outside of your back garden. I have the privilege of being surrounded by green fields and trees that go on for miles and I honestly don't set foot in them as often as I should. So when I do, despite growing up in these fields I still stand in awe of nature.

Nowadays I find myself standing fascinated at God's creativity. As if living in the city for the past couple of months has just made me even more appreciative of untouched land. Hand made by the ruler of all.

I took my dog Bailey for a walk around the perimeter of a couple of the fields surrounded our home, it took us an hour and she feels so at home in the wild, amongst nature like they were long lost friends. She feels more free when she's not confined to her space on the couch back at home. She sniffs the air and looks longingly into the distance letting birds catch her eye with their dashing and darting about the sky and swooping down below.

Before I set off walking I strike up a conversation with the Lord. Walks like these must get lonely with a beloved animal of yours that can't talk back to you. So instead of talking to myself I talk to Him. Over and over again He just continues to show off His beauty and glory in the things that really set my heart racing, which is a beautiful field, an incredible sunset or the sun rising at the crack of dawn. Nature. God's original plan for His world, hardly touched by man except to walk through and grow crops from.

It's moments like these that make me really grateful for where I live and reminds me of the beauty waiting on the other side of my door. I want to leave the house because I want to not because I have to. I want to appreciate the beauty that nature brings because I want to not because it'll be a cool Instagram photo. I want to love wherever I end up with all I have, knowing that the Lord placed me there to search for beauty even in places that nature is not found in. There's beauty in concrete jungles too.

FIRST YEAR OF UNI: A Reflection

Here's a short blog post that I wrote a couple of weeks ago before I left my university halls room. It has been lying in my drafts for a while and I thought I might as well share it instead of it just lying there and festering!


I write this blog post sitting on a wheely chair without any actual wheels, in a very bare university halls room snuggled in a fluffy blanket. I also write it with my first year of university behind me, my exams, my coursework and presentations all complete with nothing but the summer to look forward to.

This year has brought joy, laughter, loneliness, tears, patience and a genuine love and thankfulness for the life that the Lord has given me. This year has taught me a lot about myself and who I am becoming and has strengthened my identity in Jesus. Each day I am learning just what it is to walk with Him in trials and in joyful times. I have learnt to lean on Him when I find myself in despair and to go deeper into an intimate relationship with Him. He has blessed me with wonderful friends that I have met at university and that I will keep for years to come. He has strengthened me to literally be that independent woman that don't need no other man but Jesus (and a strong independant man if He blesses me with one in the future). I have learnt how each day that He blesses me with is a choice for who I stand for. Some days I may not get it right, in fact some days I may get it very very dreadfully wrong but each day, I know that He's with me all along.

This year I've been pushed out of my comfort zone. Time and time again. Things that I never thought I would be able to do before, I did in His strength.
This year has taught me patience and the power of waiting on the Lord and trusting His perfect timing.
This year has made me experience miracles and intimate times with the Lord, talking to Him and telling Him everything, laying it out before Him and giving Him praise in the rain.
This year has given me new revelation of His power and His might and His will for my life.
This year has taught me the power of prayer and how eager He is to show His glory through His people.
It has also taught me to "speak even if your voice shakes".

This year has also taught me what not to do:

It's taught me not to worry.
It's taught me not to be anxious.
It's taught me not to shy away from opportunities.
It's taught me not to judge but to love.
It's taught me not to compare my journey to others.
It's taught me not to buy a cheap frying pan that spends more time burning things then it does cooking things. I must invest in a good frying pan next year.
It's taught me not to accumulate so much stuff. My dad told me that I had collected more things in just under a year than he has his whole life. *cough* HOARDER *cough*
It's taught me not to buy so much food in a weekly shop because I'm guaranteed to not eat it all by the time their best before date rolls around.
Buy small loaves of bread.
Don't leave your broken shower broken. Tell the maintenance people to fix it. A.S.A.P Showering in the dark is not ideal.
Try not go into your overdraft unless you can't help it. I know it feels like free money but you will be stuck in it for the whole year like I was and it will be a bummer trying to earn back money that you don't even have with that summer job.
Lastly, it's taught me to never doubt myself. I'm quickly learning that I underestimate myself way too much and that if I even had a quarter of belief in myself it would get me further in life than the latter. And if you ever doubt whether or not you are able to handle going to university keep your focus on what an amazing addition you can be to that place and that your intelligence isn't reliant on a grade, put your passion first and work on your weaknesses, sometimes you can really surprise yourself.

All my love,
God bless,
Rozzie
xoxo

COACHELLA: Celebrity Fashion Picks 2015 - Bella Thorne, Kendall Jenner and more..

Hey loves,

 It's that time of year where me and my best friends wish we were at Coachella rather than studying *cough* I mean, procrastinating. This was the first year I really paid any attention to any youtuber's vlogs and being able to watch and pretend to experience what they experienced was fun. Hopefully one day, I'll be able to go.

One aspect I enjoy looking at, apart from the line-up is the fashion. Even though, home girl Vanessa Hudgens i.e Fashion Queen of Coachella wasn't there, there was still plenty of gorgeous pieces to admire.

Bella Thorne's style this year was something to admire this year at Coachella she wore this colourful, floral patterned dress with sandals and a flower crown. Other accessories entailed an arm of bangles, several necklaces and a teal, fringed bag.

Kate Bosworth brought chic into the mix with a cowboy-feel to Coachella. The white short dress accompanied with the tribal and Aztec jacket. Her tan, pointy boots add to the cowboy-look. Although I suppose she couldn't really fit that much in that tiny bag.

Kendall Jenner dominated Coachella candids with her "too-cool-for-this" expression and occasional smile. All of her Coachella outfits had that same bohemian vibe that others had but there was something high-fashion about her pieces that I admired. Teaming a white, off the shoulder, cropped top and split sheer trousers she also rocked a grey fringed bag and alligator styled pointy bags.

Rosie Huntington Whiteley killed it with this beautiful bohemian dress, the cut-out, patterned detail was wonderful. Adding simple pieces of jewellery without layering too much brings your eyes attention onto the dress and rightly so, it's gorgeous.

Victoria Justice can rock absolutely anything. Can someone tell me where she bought her skort from? I need it in my life. This bohemian patterned skirt teamed with a cropped white top makes the skort pop. Her lace up gladiator sandals match her large, floppy hat and the yellow fringed bag ties the look together. The statement necklace matches the teal on her skirt and compliments the white top perfectly.

Julianne Hough was one of my favourites for fashion at Coachella last year and this year she still didn't disappoint. This mustard yellow and white patterned play suit had dimension to it, courtesy of the tassels and frills. Pointy toed, tan boots were evidently an essential this year and I'm not complaining.

Alessandra Ambrosio (in fear of misspelling her name) wore a beautiful low-cut, light, tie-dyed maxi dress which looks absolutely beautiful on her. With gold and silver bangles on each arm and layered, tribal, silver necklaces she added a head piece as well.

My absolute favourite outfit at this years Coachella was worn by Bella Thorne, ever since seeing these styled pants I have wanted some but I just can't rock it to Bella's level. She's paired it with a top of my favourite cut, off-the-shoulder and cropped she did well to finish off the look with black sandals, bangles and a beautiful necklace that pulls the look together.

I hope you enjoyed this post guys,
What were your favourite looks of Coachella 2015 the first week?
All my love,
God bless,
Rosalind xo

MINI SPRING HAUL: Recent Purchases!

1//Seventeen Magazine MARCH 2015 - £2.90 - Tesco's//2//Garnier Micellar Water - £2.99//3//Loreal Paris Infallible 24H-Matte Foundation in 30 Honey - £7.99 - Tesco's//4//Barry M Gelly Nail Paint 3 for 2 at £3.99 - Pomegranate, Lychee and Satsuma - Tesco's

There were a few products that I wanted to buy and try this month, Loreal Infallible 24h Matte foundation being one. I saw youtuber Gabrielle Lindley purchase it and she said that she thoroughly enjoyed it. It's been getting pretty raving reviews recently and I'm excited to try it out. Nail-wise I had to buy something new that was the complete opposite of my usual black nail varnish so I opted for Barry M Gelly Shine's nail paint which is one of my favourite and most affordable nail varnishes that has a beautiful finish. I wanted Spring colours, bright colours and colours that complimented my skin tone. Who else is excited for COLOUR?!

I hope you enjoyed this quick post guys,
God bless,
All my love,

Rosalind xo