Self Love Summer Revisited...

Hey Everyone,

You may have seen at the beginning of summer I posted about how I wanted to decrease my insecurities and have a summer full of self love. Well as summer is drawing to a close I am reflecting back on the summer to see if my little experiment worked. (Featuring pictures from throughout the summer, some selfies, sorry)

(Giggles on a night out with friends)

Overall I would say that I am definitely happier. I started this summer ridiculously hung up on someone who was not worth even an ounce of my time and I shouldn't have let it effect me but I did and it did not make me feel great about myself at all! It is safe to say that I don't feel hung up on him at all and can stomach myself a little more (crazy how us girls let guys make us feel so bad) and looking back I realise it was just stupid. I am in a much better place and enjoying my own company and I am 100% ok being single and if I meet someone I meet someone and if I don't it is all ok.

(Spontaneous hair chopping = instant confidence boost)

Exercise wise I didn't do too great. The running didn't stick for long, but hey I tried. I did however join a gym last week and I just got loads of new gym gear so hopefully I can get the bug and then my body confidence will go through the roof. However I do love my lumps and bumps a little more. Diet wise as well I did start eating better but long days with no structure did take their toll and biscuits were well needed. I tried and I will definitely try again once back at work (even with tea and cake friday).

(Surprise birthday drinks, reminding me I have the best friends ever and I am more than loved)

I recently got into a whole new beauty regime and new make-up which has made me feel so much more confident with my looks. Buying new clothes every month although it has killed my bank balance has also made me feel 100% better about myself as I realise I can pull off the latest trends and in fact I do really enjoy a lot of them.

(This cheeky little pup has been making every day a barrel of laughs)

Even if we haven't had much of a summer (the weather has been awful) I definitely feel better in myself. Being that little bit selfish and focusing on me has done me wonders. I smile a lot more, which for a girl with a usual 'speak to me and i'll kill you' resting face, this has done me wonders as people have found me so much more approachable. Obviously I still have my moments where I panic about things and I have evenings where I get emotional and sad but those nights have gone down an awful lot. It really has been an eye opening summer and I am so glad I did it. I am also hopefully going to try and continue this mentality throughout the rest of the year and I'm sure in no time at all I'll be loving myself even more (but not too much, I don't want to be an arrogant diva, ok maybe I want to be a diva... just not an arrogant one).

(a night out in an outfit I thought I rocked)

Did any of you have an eye opening summer like me? Are you loving yourself a little more after this summer? Let me know on Twitter/Instagram.

See you Sunday,

Love Katie x

Netflix Top 6...

Hey everyone,

It's summer (even if the rain today says otherwise) which means for some people a lot of time off. I often find my time off involves a lot of Netflix. I am one of these people that can easily get wrapped up in series and can go through them very quickly. This post is dedicated to the series I am loving on Netflix right now and in no particular order...

1. The Office (U.S)

(Image from Pinterest)

This comedy is set in the office of a branch of paper company Dunder Mifflin where a documentary crew has been invited in to see all the dysfunctional happenings within this 'family'. I personally found the first 2 seasons a bit hard to watch and struggled with them, but 5 seasons in I am loving it. It is definitely one of those programmes that just get better and better with time. So if you start watching it, just stick with it. Not an episode goes by where I don't giggle at top seller Dwight or the pranks other characters pull on him.

2. Daredevil

(Image from Pinterest)

This is a Netflix original series that I was super excited to be released. I am a massive fan of all things superhero so this show would be right up my street. I have only seen the first episode so far (due to waiting to continue with my dad, yawn!) but I loved it. It is very dark and has a different edge to many other superhero related programmes. I am looking forward to continuing on with this series in the near future, and hopefully it will all live up to my high expectations.

3. Orange is the New Black

(Image from Pinterest)

This is another Netflix original series but it took me a while to get into. I had heard loads of positive reviews about the show but never thought I would get into it as I just didn't understand where the story could really head. Boy was I wrong, I became obsessed. It is great to watch a programme so female dominated that has elements of humour and serious matters. You really get to know the characters and connect with them on a different level. I would recommend this series to anyone, just to warn people the title sequence will never feel any shorter... sorry.

4. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

(Image from Pinterest)

 This series was an easy watch that made me giggle every so often. Kimmy comes out with some classic remarks which made the show, I never thought a show about a girl from a cult going to New York would be so funny. A personal highlight is the Pinot Noir song.

5. Parks and Recreation

(Image from Pinterest)

This is only available on the US Netflix (unfortunately) but it has been one of the best series I have seen ever. Again it is very similar to The Office (U.S) but set in the parks and recreation department of a city's council in Pawnee, Indiana. Each character had me in stitches and I still find myself watching episodes and best of videos before bed. If you enjoyed The Office (U.S) or fancy an easy comedy get on it.

6. Pretty Little Liars

(Image from Pinterest)

I could not a do a Netflix top 6 without mentioning the series that seems to be taking over the world. I have been following the 'Liars' since it all began in 2010 but with the series recently being picked up by Netflix it has taken the world by storm and everyone seems to be talking about it. With a new episode being released every Wednesday (until the mid-series finale) there is no better time to get involved. The first two seasons are a little cringe looking back but it is so dark and twisted now you really wonder how on earth these girls cope. Dubbed the teenage desperate housewives but darker it is not really for the faint hearted (always watch in daylight guys) but definitely a must watch in my eyes. Honestly, give it a try.

Hope you enjoyed finding more about the series that I watch religiously on Netflix. Is there any series you think I should see that you enjoy on Netflix? Just let me know on Twitter or Instagram. Stay tuned for my top 10 songs of July and its a birthday/summer special, going live Tuesday.

Love Katie x