Llama Talks: An Etsy Shop Review.


I decided I needed to treat myself this week so I took myself onto Etsy and placed an order from Llama Talks. Ellis is the owner and the illustrator behind the cute creations on offer in her shop. I have always loved her products but had never placed an order before so I decided it was time!


Firstly I have to comment on how adorable her packaging is. She really makes such an effort to present her work. It makes you feel that your order was lovingly made and packed. In my envelope (which was pink by the way!) I had two bags of goodies, the most adorable business card I have ever seen and some sweeties! Ellis sends all of her orders via Royal Mail Signed for so you know it will arrive to you safely. 


The first thing I opened was my christmas cards. They are an adorable Angel design and the font is super cute! I love the size of these cards, I’m not a lover of big cards, also I have a thing against rectangular cards, don't ask me why! But these are perfect! They are great quality and I cant wait to hand them out to friends this christmas. 


The next thing was another card, I have a very pregnant friend so decided to get her a card while I was browsing the shop. Again the design is super cute, I love the colours and the mobile design. The more I look at Ellis’s illustrations the more I fall in love with them!


I ordered another card here, but I intend to keep it as a little inspirational quote for my bedroom. The colours fit in perfectly with my bedroom and I love magic so it fits perfectly! 
I also got myself a little notebook to keep in my bag. I do keep a calendar on my phone but sometimes I just need to write things down and this is perfect.


As well as cards and notebooks, there is also a great selection of pin badges. I just had to have this skeleton one, I don't know what I'm going to do with it yet but I love bones and human anatomy, and this was just oozing with cuteness so I had to have it!
To go with my new skeleton friend I got some stickers, these are just a random selection of little illustrations like a strawberry, the least frightening ghost ever and shooting star.


Also available on her shop are prints, loads of cards for every occasion, compact mirrors, and she also takes on custom orders. 

All of her designs are unique and give you an invite into the magic of Ellis’s world and they are beautiful quality, super sharp and colourful, packaged with care and love and I cant believe I didn't place an order sooner! 

Please, please, please make sure you go and check out her shop, you wont be disappointed! 

Thanks for reading!

Have a wonderful day 💜

Vikky x


Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

On the drizzly, dank and dark morning of Monday 21st Nov, I shlepped it to the cinema with my friend Ben, totally high on excitement for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them! 

I’d been waiting in anticipation for months to see this film and OMG it did not disappoint! I was hooked from the first 5 seconds! 
I don't intend to spoil anything in this post for anyone who hasn't seen it yet so I will try and contain myself and not get too over the top crazy!
I have always liked Harry Potter, books and films, but I hadn't fully watched the last two films till December last year! I know right! What had I been doing with my life till then! But I had lots of time to kill while off work after surgery so the Harry Potter marathon began. When I was well enough my Brother took me to the WB Studio Tour and that completed my initiation into becoming a devoted Potter fan!
My anticipations for Fantastic Beasts, although very hyped, were a little tentative, I was worried it would try and copy the Harry Potter series too much, almost like a remake, because it was so successful, but I really wasn't disappointed. It was a story all on its own. You could have watched it with no knowledge of Harry Potter at all. But equally if you are a Harry Potter fanatic then it wont disappoint. The story was brilliant, the characters were dynamic and it was great seeing the creatures I’d read about in the book come to life.
As an animal lover, it was also so heartwarming to see how much Newt Scamander nurtured and loved the creatures he cared for. I am now totally and completely in love with him!
The graphics were next level too, you could actually believe that you were looking at real creatures, watching real magic happen, watching real buildings move and change! 

I was totally engrossed while watching this film, it takes a lot for a film to do that to me. I felt like for  2h 13m I was in another world. I must see Fantastic Beasts again! And if you haven't seen it what are you playing at!! Go!! Now!!!

My problematic skin.

I wanted to write about the troubles I have been having with my skin in the last couple of years.

I have eczema.

I had eczema as a child, but as most children do, I grew out of it. My skin had never really been an issue until a few years ago. Aged 22 I was diagnosed with lots of allergies, both to food and environmental allergens, after a life threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
Since my nut allergy diagnosis, I have noticed other allergic conditions have been getting gradually worse since then. I am now 27 and I am living with eczema that effects my legs, inside of my left elbow, my left arm and face/neck.
The problem arises in that all the usual creams and lotions and potions used to treat eczema make it worse! I have had mild allergic reactions to all the emollient creams and have exhausted my Gp's list of creams to prescribe. I am able to use steroid cream but I hate to use it for long as I know it isn't good for you.
I am actually starting to question now whether I do have eczema or some other allergic skin condition. Am I coming into contact with something in my environment that is causing it? I definitely know that make up is a trigger for a flare up on my face. This means I rarely wear make up!  Sometimes I'm glad of that as I don't have to spend ages putting a face on before I go out, then other times I want to make that effort to look nice and can't. I do wear make up for things like weddings, parties and things, but I always suffer with itchy, dry, red skin around my eyes, forehead and neck after. Its a real inconvenience! Sometimes I wonder have a missed something ingredients wise but I always check cosmetics and toiletries for nut ingredients just in case it may be that causing a flare up but everything I use is nut free. I also take a shit tonne of antihistamine daily so I can survive with all the environmental allergens I have so if my flare ups are allergy related its gotta be something I'm pretty allergic to hasn't it? Ive been to see the Gp numerous times about my skin and a possible other food allergy however I was told to wait because I had another health problem more serious at the time, and the Doctor wanted to get that sorted first. But the doctor who agreed to help once I was the other side of the more serious health problem has now retired! So I now have to try and convince another Doctor to listen and try to help! Wish me luck!
I have a big party coming up at the weekend, it is a charity fundraiser, raising money for Brains Unite, a Brain Tumour Charity Trust, and I have been searching for a dress that will equally cover my legs and arms! But no such dress exists! So I am going to try and stand proud, and wear my dodgy skin with pride. It is something I cant change right now so I want to choose the "I give no f*cks" attitude. If people have a problem with how my skin looks then its their problem, not mine. They can look somewhere else if it bothers them that much!
I am trying a brand of make up I haven't used before for the fundraiser, Boots No7. I have been using their cleanser and day cream and so far my skin seems to be tolerating it so I thought trying the make up might be a good way to go.
As for my legs and arms I haven't found anything to put on them that doesn't burn, and make it worse. I also get bruises on my legs from scratching them. I am trying lots of different ways to reduce this, as I mostly scratch in bed, I am making sure I wear long cotton pjs and I will be investing in some gloves to try and see if that will stop me scratching. I can see myself pulling them off in my sleep but I'm willing to try anything.
I wanted to share as I know eczema can affect all sorts of people and that it can be embarrassing to deal with, especially as a 27 year old woman! Eczema sort of has the stigma of a child's problem but it can effect anyone.
I also wondered if anyone was in a similar situation and wanted to chat about it? Share things that have worked for them?

Thanks for reading!

Vikky

x

Strictly come Dancing: Week 9 review.

What an exciting show! The group dance was so classy and I love seeing there celebs and pros together! Without further ado… lets go!
Oh Claudia you're so fine! I love the Jive, its one of my top 3 favourite dances. I loved the energy she gave, I wasn't so sure on the music choice of hey mickey but I thought she did really well. Having said that I can't quite put my finger on it but it looked odd! Maybe she was a little out of time? Missed a few steps? Maybe it didn't match the music? I dunno! But overall I really enjoyed watching it and it made me want to join in! I didn't think she deserved to be in the dace off at all. 

I thought Ore and Joannes performance was really suave and classy, having said that I'm not a fan of the Viennese Waltz. But I did like the character he brought to the dance and I'm glad I will be seeing more of the pair next week.

My girl Louise brought it again! The Paso Doble is Kevin's favourite dance and you could tell with how fantastic the performance came across. You could tell Louise was struggling a little with being tough and aggressive, I'm sure I saw a few smiles sneak in there! But I thought it was deserving of the scores it got and I was mesmerised watching it!

Danny and Oti’s Charleston was fantabulous!!!!! I absolutely love the Charleston and even though I cant dance to save my life I just wanted to get up and join in! I really wanted Louise to get the first 10 from Craig but I can sleep well tonight knowing Danny got it with this dance. He deserved it, and Oti is doing wonders with Danny!

Ed did a good job again this week. I am reading all sorts of negative stuff about him online that he is taking the place of better dancers, and yes, he is, but he damn well deserves it! He is what epitomises the every day man, a non dancer, slightly out of shape! But he is giving it everything and he is proving that no matter who you are, what size or shape you are, what abilities you have, he's showing that you can become a dancer. He is inspiring people. I get quite protective over the Jive as its one of my favourites and loathe people doing it badly but I really liked his Jive, and he is super entertaining every week. 

Now I have become rather a late fan of Greg and Natalie. I didn't much enjoy them in the start but he has grown on me. He, like Ed, is a non dancer, never danced before, and is proving that dance can be for everyone. I like that in a show like this as it makes it more relatable to the people watching at home. I’m quite upset he was eliminated however he has left knowing he has inspired people. And how cute was it when they got emotional! Bless his little cotton socks he was so emotional to say goodbye!

And last but not least was Judge Rinder's Salsa to Spice Girls! I'm a little frustrated with Judge Rinder because I can tell he is having so much fun and really treasures his time on Strictly but I feel he has plateaued now. I don't want to see him go but I fear it may be his turn next week. Having said that I did enjoy watching his Salsa and thought his hips were never going to stop! I hope he brings more to the floor next week.

And with that I finish with the group dance from the results show! It was themed from the musical Hairspray in the Corny Collins show! It was bright and fun and it ended Blackpool week perfectly.


Let me know what you guys thought of this weeks Strictly and until next week, keeeeep dancing!

X

Strictly Come Dancing: Week 8 review.

I know its probably too late to start blogging about Strictly Come Dancing coming up to Blackpool but I don't care! I love Strictly and didn't start this blog till after it started so better late than never!
FYI I’m no dancing pro or anything, I just love getting swept up with Strictly fever and having a bit of a gossip!

First of all how amazing is the level of dancing this year?! Everyone each week is making my jaw drop! 

First up I'm going to talk about Louise and Kevin, only because we have a sweepsteak at work and Louise is my girl! Plus Kevin is my favourite male pro dancer, he's amazing! This week they had the American Smooth, and I thought their performance was amazing, I really think she is starting to come out of her shell, she's filling her dances now with expression and it has really upped her performance. Well done guys! My favourite performance of the night.

Daisy and Aljaz bother me a bit, she is a lovely woman, always smiling and he is a character, but their performances always seem a bit lacklustre to me. She gets the routine right most of the time but she doesn't seen to have fun, or at least I feel that way watching her. I loved her Mary Poppins Quickstep but since then none of her dances have stood out for me. This week her Salsa was technically good but again I felt she didn't perform it and I found it didn't entertain me, like the smile was there but nothing behind it. I think they were the right couple to be sent home this week.

Danny, Danny, Danny, Oti, Oti, Oti! What a week to be dancing the Argentine Tango after Louise and Kevin nailed it last week (my favourite dance of the series so far!) but I loved this too! I think Oti is one of the best pro dancers and she definitely shows it in her choreography, its always visually stunning, difficult and pushes Danny to the max, this week was just more proof that Danny is on his way to the final!

I feel torn with Claudia and Aj, I love watching their dances when they are on, and think they do a really great job, but I always find myself forgetting them. I've no idea why! But Claudia keeps improving and is dancing really gracefully now, I loved how beautiful she looked on the dance floor in her Viennese Waltz with Aj and hope I stop forgetting her!

Now Ed Balls has been bugging me the entire time he has spent on Strictly, because I was on the “get rid of him he cant dance bandwagon”, until he did that Quickstep. This was the first dance where I saw potential in him and I really enjoyed watching it, so I went onto YouTube and watched it again! I loved the comedy elements and thought he did a really entertaining dance. I think I’m beginning to like him because he is the ultimate beginner, he is what I imagine I’d be like learning to dance but showing that with hard work and persistence he is getting there.This week, the gangnam Salsa! To coin a phrase from Craig, OMG darling! It was both horrendous, but spectacular all at the same time! I am quite annoyed none of the judges commented on those lifts they did! They were pretty dam fabulous! And no one talked about them! Argh!!

Ore and Joanne this week performed a Rumba, often the feared dance on Strictly, especially for the male celebs, but I thought this was really good, he made it look really beautiful and elegant, and I loved watching it, Ore, Louise and Danny are my top 3 dancers so keep up the good work and the final will be amazing with you three in it!

I absolutely love watching Judge Rinder dancing, he's not technically the best dancer but just oozes pure joy when he dances and its really captivating. He so enjoyed his Foxtrot and I enjoyed it along with him. And I really hope he doesn't change his facial expressions like Craig keeps harping on about, they show what an amazing time he is having. The foxtrot isn't my favourite dance out there but I thought his was lovely.

I dont give two flying hoots what the Judges said about Greg and Natalie’s Paso Doble, I thought it was pretty dam good! I really enjoyed it, normally Greg is sort of floating around in the middle of the pack for me but I thought this was a really moving dance. It made me want to go to Spain and find a hunky Spanish man to teach it to me! Definitely not deserving of bottom two, however saying that I did feel he performed it better in the dance off. I'm glad he's here still to fight another week. 

I also thought the pro dance this week was stunning, it really tugged at my heartstrings portraying the story of Basil and Madge and their story of love throughout the war. A fitting remembrance day tribute of how love can conquer through tragedy. We will remember them.


Well there you go! My first, probably too late Strictly review! Its Blackpool next week so I cant wait to see how each celeb will bring it! Roll on Saturday night and some more amazing dances. 

Until then, keeeeeeeep dancing! 

X

My first blog post.

So, Ive decided to start a blog! There’s a few reasons why I've come to this decision so lets get started!

Firstly, I have a good friend (Ellis) who started blogging about a year ago and the blogging has lead to her starting her very own youtube channel. I love watching her content as each video is different to the last and she's super talented and quirky, and because we live quite far apart and work schedules get in the way of meeting up I love being able to watch her content as its almost like I'm seeing her without seeing her if that makes sense! So she started her b/vlogging as a way of trying to combat her anxiety, she goes way more into detail and explains it better than I ever could so here is the link to her blog and her youtube channel here

Secondly, I have always felt I can be quite socially awkward! Like I tend to go quiet when I'm talking to people I don't know all that well or complete strangers, I cant find my words, and just generally don't know what to say. I cant very often hold a conversation with people and my mind just goes blank! Like it sees a person, said person says hi or asks a question, and my brain decides its going to stop working for a while till said person goes away! A couple of weekends ago I went to ComicCon in London with my Brother, and my favourite youtuber was there, Evan Edinger, I am relatively new to the whole youtube scene, I got into it when I started watching Ellis, and since then I've gotten right into it! So anyway, I was in the line to meet Evan, and I'm ok in my head, feeling totally fine, no nerves or anything, thinking the usual things like he sounds more American in real life, and he's not as tall as I thought he would be! Are they normal things to be thinking in a queue?! So I get to meet him and I just forget what words are, how to say them, and striking up a conversation just i’snt even possible. It ain’t going to happen! Theres lots I wanted to say to him as well, about how some of his videos have helped me with personal things and how inspiring his travel vlogs are, plus I just think he would be a really cool guy to have a chat with but all I got out was a shy hi, can I have a picture and thanks bye! WTF!!! I don't want to be like this! Its embarrassing! I want to be able to meet new people and talk to them and make new friends and learn new things but I just don't seem to have the capacity to do it! I'm hoping in starting a blog I might be able to get used to sharing my thoughts and feelings and in turn it might make me feel more confident for future interactions with my fellow human beings! I also struggle with showing expression in my voice, I think I have quite a monotone voice, so I want to try and work on that too. I was planning to possibly upload something to youtube to test the waters, and try and gain some confidence to help with my awkwardness and toneless voice but I cant get over the weirdness of seeing myself on video, I don't have self esteem issues with the way I look as I know I cant change my face and Ive accepted that, but its more the fact that Ive spent so much of my life behind the camera I cant get over being in front of one! I’m in the middle of decorating my bedroom so I might make a video when thats finished as its less formal and I wont be in the shot so much! We shall see!

And lastly, I thought starting a blog will be a good way of keeping a journal. I started a journal nearly a year ago but have kind of neglected it recently so I thought regularly updating a blog might be a good way for me to not let things slip.

I hope you enjoyed my first ever blog post! I’m quite nervous about sharing it as I’ve never shared anything like this before!


Vikky x