It's black and white.

I haven't posted a song in ages! Here's my new one, 'It's black and white'...

When he doesn't call

And your phone's not dead

When you ask your Mum

And she shakes her head

It is that simple

When he cancels yet again

Just read the signs

Deal with the pain

You're not too different

Oh, it's happened to you

You'll kid yourself it hasn't

But know that it's the truth

You're needing an escape

But there's not one in sight

There's an answer there.......

It's black and white.

When you're, sat on the bus

And you know he's there

But he's not calling

Just got an empty stare

Don't lose your pride

Don't get off track

Or are you trying?

To get him back........

You're not too different
Oh, it's happened to you
You'll kid yourself it hasn't
But know that it's the truth
You're needing an escape
But there's not one in sight
There's an answer there.......
It's black and white.

Throw yourself
Out of the door
Stop checking messages
When you're not sure
Give yourself time
Come see the light
The reason's clear....
It's black and white.

You're not too different
Oh, it's happened to you
You'll kid yourself it hasn't
But know that it's the truth
You're needing an escape
But there's not one in sight
There's an answer there.......
It's black and white.

It's black and white.

 

The hair products you need.

I've got into hair products recently. I'll show the best that I've tried and tested here:

Bed Head Control Freak Hair Straighterner- needed for smoothing out your hair (and it smells gorgeous)

Catwalk Work It Hairspray- Needed for giving your hair volume and holding it in place

Batiste Dry Shampoo- Needed for washing your hair when you don't have the time to do it properly, and giving your hair a lift

TRESemme Shampoo and Conditioner- Needed for adding gloss and silkiness to your hair

Nicky Clarke Smooth It Over Frizz Control- Needed for adding shine and moisture to your hair

What's your favourite hair product? I'm always looking for another!

I can't believe it!



I am sooooo happy to have won this award, it has truly made my day! Thank you sooo much Caroline! (Btw, her blog is fab, check it out here.)

Here are my 7 Facts About Me:

1. I have a slight obsession with shoes. Okay, okay, a big one.

2. I also have a continual craving for cupcakes. This is annoying, because all my friends ever get me for my birthday is cupcakes. (Seriously. They made a birthday cake for me last year and it was a giant cupcake.)

3. Downton Abbey is one of my most favourite shows EVER, in all-time history. It's amazing!

4. Until I was ten years old, my biggest ambition was to be a mad scientist. (Actually, my first dream was to be a professional ballet dancer, until my sister broke it to me that I couldn't dance.)

5. I find most things funny. I also tend to start giggling in awkward situations, and in class. No-one wants to sit next to me anymore, because I always get them into trouble.

6. My idea of total heaven is a  bubble bath combined with hot chocolate and a new magazine. Mmmmmmm......

7. I can hula-hoop for an hour. I timed it!

So, a huge, massive THANK YOU!- to Caroline. I want to forward on this award to:

Ryann's Runway: A blog on Fashion and Sorts

I can't wait to see your 7 facts Ryann!

From The Girl With The Notepad :)

How To... Transform A Cupcake Box

Today I decided I needed a box to put my nail varnishes in, but I didn't want to buy one. So I took the plastic box I got a super-posh cupcake in and did this:
BEFORE:



AFTER:

Soooo sorry but my camera's AWFUL!
But anyway, what do you think??!
From The Girl With The Notepad :)



Double Chocolate Chip Muffins :D

I had a craving for these the other day so I thought I'd make them! Yum... Here's how to make double chocolate chip muffins...

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFINS:

150g plain flour

2 teasp. B.P

50g caster sugar

1 beaten egg made up to 200ml with milk

vanilla essence

50g butter or margarine

15g cocoa powder

100g chocolate chip

6 muffin cases

METHOD:

1. Set oven to 200 C or Gas 6

2. Place 6 muffin cases into a muffin tin

3. Melt butter in a small pan- leave to cool

4. Sieve flour and B.P into mixing bowl

5. Add the sugar, cocoa powder and chocolate chips

6. Beat egg in a measuring jug

7. Add vanilla essence

8. Make up to 200ml with milk

9. Add the melted butter to jug and mix

10. Pour the liquid into a mixing a bowl and carefully fold into the flour with a tablespoon, be careful not to over mix!

11.Fill the six muffin cases

12.Bake straight away on upper shelf for 20-25mins until well risen and golden

13.Cool for 2 mins and enjoy!

Is there anything you would like to make and would like to see how to do it here? Drop a comment and I'll look into it!

From The Girl With The Notepad :)

Nail polish anyone?

I've got into nails recently and I wanted to share the best (in my opinion) here so you have some ideas next time you want a new one!

 



Instant Nail Effects Barry M Nail Paint, Topshop Nails, Beautyuk Glam Nails, 60 Seconds Rapid Ruby Rimmel London, Mua Makeup Academy Nail Polish.

Can anyone recommend a good nail polish???
From The Girl With The Notepad :)

Books you've gotta read...

I think it's fair to say that all lovers of writing are also lovers of books. Want a good read? Here are my recommendations!


An absolutley amazing story, everyone I have met who has read it has said the same. It's all about a girl who's adopted and wants to find out where she came from...Girl, Missing by Sophie Mckenzie



One of the weirdest stories I've ever read, but it's incredible! A classic, but the best one! This book could come under loads of catagories: Classic, Romantic, Thriller, Mystery... it's got it all. The story? An orphan Jane who has it tough growing up.. and one day she meets a interesting Mr Rochester... Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte



Pack it in with the bikini and the sunscreen... a light, breezy read, but fantastic! All about Sarah, Bron, and Elsa, three women trying to create perfect weddings, while struggling with love themselves...



A very strange book, yet so riveting. From the first page I was sucked in... this book's all about the mystery. Read and find out why a famous author Vida Winter who never tells the truth is desperate to tell her strange life story to a stranger Margaret Lea... The Thirteenth Tale, Diane Setterfield



I don't care if it's meant for little kids! I LOVE this book! It's so great if you're in need of a comfort story. Meet James who goes on a strange adventure with some animal friends... James And The Giant Peach, Roald Dahl

Okay, so what are your recommendations for me?
From The Girl With The Notepad :)

Songs with stories :)

I am a dedicated listener to my iPod and adore songs, they lift you up and make you think clearly! But recently I realised I've been missing out on all the videos, so went on YouTube to have a look. I particularly love the songs with videos that tell a story:

You Belong With Me, Taylor Swift

Last Friday Night, Katy Perry

Someone Like You, Adele

Your fave songs with stories behind them? Which is your fave from above?

From The Girl With The Notepad :)

A Clothing Commentry

Hey! Unforunately, I'm ill :( but doing posts always cheer me up!
The following is some gorgeous clothes I've seen this week, and I've done some commentry on them using poetry, to spice things up a bit.
Btw, this idea was given to me by Ryann B, check out her blog, it's fantastic- http://www.ryannsrunway.blogspot.com/ x

H&M, £12.99
Wrap around and snuggle in
My world of my delight
Lose yourself in my brightness
A beautiful sight



Cardigan, H&M, £19.99
I'm not too fast.
I think.
I know.
I'm sure?
I'm right on track.




Topshop, £22.00
I'm waiting for the fireworks
But look into my eyes
I'll slam into reality
So tell me there's no lies



Republic, £10.00
Life's a rollercoaster
I'm at the very top
I might come crashing down
But I know it will soon stop
I'm living in the moment
I'm living life in full
Lift me up and shout out:
"YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!"



Yumi, £30.00
It's a normal day
I've come to stay
I'll sit at my desk
And be the best
I'll tear my hair out
And scream and shout
But underneath I'll let you in
To others I'll smile, to you I'll grin

As always, leave me a comment and let me know what you think! Anyone got any more ideas? I'm all ears.
Big hugs,
From The Girl With The Notepad :)

Inspired

I'll just start off by saying sorry that I haven't blogged for two days, but I've been away.
But now I'll show you some pictures that kickstarted some verses:


It's just a feeling
That hearts can not contain
I think that I'm insignificant
But somehow, so are they




Shout it from a mountain
Jump into the sea
Hold my hand, babey
And come and fly with me




In a world full of chaos
An oasis of peace
A calmness that will fill you
Which teachers cannot teach



An everday miracle
It's forming in the sky
Something that can't be copied
No matter how hard we try

I felt like it was time this blog was filled with a bit more poetry!
Is there any kind of writing/fashion/recipes you'd like me to blog about! Drop a comment and let me know!
From The Girl With The Notepad :)

Yum yum yum, cookies!

I adore chocolate chip cookies. Here's how to make some:

Ingredients:
75g margarine
75g sugar
drop of vanilla essence
100g chocolate chips
1 small egg
150g S. R flour

Method:
1.Set oven to Gas 4 180 C
2.Grease baking tray
3.With a wooden spoon, cream margarine and sugar together until soft and creamy.
4.Beat egg and essence in basin.
5.Gradually mix into the mixture a tablespoon at a time.
6.Change to a metal spoon, and gently fold in the sieved flour, half at a time.
7.Add the chocolate chips and mix.
8.Place teaspoons of mixture on baking tray.
9.Bake approx. 10-15 mins
10.Cool slightly, place fat on baking tray and then enjoy!

From The Girl With The Notepad :)

Shoes, shoes, shoes

On for the post of today! Here's some gorgeous shoes I've found and have to share!


H&M, £39.99




New Look, £29.99




Republic, £29.99




Topshop, £30.00



H&M, £19.99

Your fave?
From The Girl With The Notepad :)

An Arranged Marriage

Are you guys getting sick of my stories? I hope not, but hey, tell me if you are. I don't want to bore you! I wrote this when I was in a thoughful mood:

My bare feet touch the ground softly, and my thoughts swirl. It’s dark, but lit by the moon. I steal away to the river and sit, staring out at the water. There’s a slight breeze, cold, but that doesn’t matter. What is cold to a few minutes of peace? A few minutes of freedom? A few minutes to imagine myself into the girl I used to be.

But I’m not a girl anymore, even though I am but sixteen. For I am married. You can’t be a girl when you’re married. At least, that’s what my parents tell me anyway. My parents tell me a lot of things. They were the ones who explained to me the rules of my religion. Rules which clearly stated, they said, that I had to have an arranged marriage.

But I don’t understand. Marriage to me brings to mind the words of love. Trust. Compassion. Not arranged. The wedding day should be filled with love, not with solemn faces. On the wedding night the bride should be celebrating with her husband and her family. Not sitting by a river at midnight, in a flimsy white nightgown and bare feet, while her husband snores in a house a mile away.

The smoothness of the water calms me and my agitated mind. But, oh, what I would do to slip off my clothes and go swimming! I’d swim until I found my soul mate, someone who would take me away from rules and a husband who I didn’t relate to, to a magical land where everyone can do as they please.

Maybe he’d be a merman.

I tear my mind away from my daydreams. I think about the day I’ve had. How everyone had gasped when I refused to do the ‘Kiss the bride’ bit. I don’t care. And I don’t understand how my parents can think its okay to commit a sign of love with a person you don’t.

The breeze picks up his pace, and blows flower petals to me, which get caught in my hair. I shake them out, sighing. I guess it was time to go to home to my husband.

So I stand up, smoothing out my nightgown. Then I blow hundreds of kisses to the ripples in the water, because it is the only thing I have ever truly loved.

I can’t change the situation I’m in. But I can truly say I have now found peace in myself.

What do you think?

From The Girl With The Notepad :)

I've been a bit creative...

A bit of a different post today! For a school project I have to make a shoe bag, and I decided I am going to make mine for my little sister. We were all told that a shoe mood board would help us with the designing process, and here's mine: (inspiration is my four year old sister, btw)

Have you ever made a mood board? Do you know what one is? If you're thinking of making one, if it's for deciding a style for a party or even redesigning your home, here's how to get started:

THINGS TO MAKE YOUR MOOD BOARD BETTER:
.A piece of card (A3 is best, but A4 works too)
.Lots of magazines
.The Internet (for google images)
.Little pieces of fabric
.Colour charts
.Buttons, thread
.Stickers
.Wrapping paper


^^^All of these things are on mine!


TIPS WHEN DOING YOUR MOOD BOARD:
.Decide on a theme beforehand. ALWAYS.
.Get ALL the things you need in front of you, (all the materials and pictures- including those you've printed on the Internet, plus scissors, glue and tape)before starting.
.Start with big pieces of material or big pictures first, then layer the other ones on top. This will prevent the smaller pictures from being covered up by accident.
.I didn't do this in my mood board this time, but I have done it for others: look for related words in magazines and newspapers and add them in to really make your mood board interesting.

I hope I've inspired you to start your own mood board whenever the next designing task faces you! What do you think of mine?
From The Girl With The Notepad :)

Love bug

First of all, I would like to pay my respects to all 9/11 victims and families. May you all rest in peace.

Today I have a poem. It's about luuuuuurve <3

I must have been bitten

Because my cheeks are too flushed

If this person doesn’t speak to me

I always feel crushed.

I have a disease

Because I have too sparkly eyes

My heart beats so fast

It wouldn’t cope with a surprise.

I must be ill

Because my face is too bright

It looks like it’s under

A beautiful light.

I need a doctor

Because I can’t stop going pink

One name keeps tumbling out my mouth

Before I’ve got a chance to think.

I’m under a delusion

I’m desperate for a hug

Guess what the problem is?

I’ve got the Love Bug.

From The Girl With The Notepad :)

Songs I wish I'd written...

I love my iPod. It's way more important to me than my phone. Here's some songs I wish I'd written, because they are so amazing:

Don't you think the words have so much feeling?- The Only Exception, Paramore

I LOVE this song. It's so good if you're depressed.- Fascination, Alphabeat

Amazing song for if you're on a train on bus, I don't know why!- Yellow, Coldplay

What's a song you couldn't live without?
From The Girl With The Notepad :)

The bus story.

This story idea has been in my head a while now, and I think it's time it saw the light!

The School Girl
The bus is here. Finally. God. There is no point being on time for a bus.
I get on, and it 's pretty full. Full enough for there to be only five seats left. But which seat to choose? Next to a fat woman taking up one and a half seats, or a seat at the back next to a loved-up girl and her boyfriend? Not forgetting the frowny business woman, the man talking to his chocolate bar, and the beautiful teenager talking on her phone.
I choose the teenager, and she seems to look with pity at my brown, thin hair, my fat nose, and thick eyebrows. I sink into my seat with a sigh of longing.

The Beautiful Teenager
I snap my phone shut, and sigh. A girl of about 13 or 14 sits next to me, and I look at her with a urge to shout, "Don't EVER get a boyfriend!"
I can't believe John dumped me. He was my best friend as well as a boyfriend. And now he's fallen for the prettiest girl in school, and dumps me by the phone? The loved-up girl niggles annoyingly into my mind, the one who's sat at the back of the bus with her boyfriend. It's so unfair. How come she gets a boyfriend when I just got dumped?

The Loved-Up Girl With The Boyfriend
Matt's trying to kiss me again. It's so embrassing. Why does he try it on in public all the time? I'm sure we're annoying the other passengers. That gorgeous girl sat at the front gave me quite a glare.
I like Matt. I do. I just don't really love him anymore.
I wish I was strong, and independent, like that business woman over there....

The Business Woman
I frown with annoyance. Another rejection! I replay the interview over in my head. I thought it had gone well! Am I really so bad in person? I've been trying for almost a year to get a job now. I can't live in my parents house forever.
I bet that man in front of me has a job. I'm sooooooo jealous, even though he's obviously a bit weird.

The Man Talking To His Chocolate Bar
Stop it, stop it... Am I talking out loud again? People are looking at me as if I am. Okay, just put it in your bag. PUT IT IN YOUR BAG.
But somehow I can't. Somehow the chocolate bar is making its way to my mouth....
I wish I was fat again. Really fat. So fat, that it wouldn't really matter if I kept eating food. I bet that fat woman sitting near the window has no problems with calories. She's probably really happy.

The Fat Woman
Are people staring at me? I hate going out of the house. I always get stares. People saying out loud or in their heads. Fat, fat, fat, fat, fat.
It's not even my fault. It's not fair. Before the illness, I has a figure just like that cute schoolgirl sat next to the teenager. She looks like a daydreamer. Dream on, little girl. Life chucks a bunch of stuff at you and sometimes takes your figure with it...

And so the bus goes on, taking the people and their worries with them. If only we knew what people were thinking.......

Leave some thoughts!
From The Girl With The Notepad :)

Chocolate truffles... mmmmmm :)

I love, love, LOVE this recipe! Give it a go!

Chocolate truffles

Ingredients
70g digestive biscuits
110g icing sugar
25g cocoa powder
75g butter or margarine (not low fat spread)
1 tsp cinnamon 
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
25 sweet papers

Method
1. Sieve icing sugar and cocoa powder into a mixing bowl.
2. Use a polythene bag and a rolling pin to crush biscuits into fine crumbs.
3. Add biscuits & cinnamon to mixing bowl.
4. Melt the butter in a small pan on a low heat.
5. Add the vanilla essence to the pan.
6. Add liquid to mixing bowl and mix well.
7. Use hands to form the mixture into small chocolate balls and place into paper cases.
8. Refrigerate before eating & enjoy!

Like this recipe? Have ideas for ways to make the truffles more interesting? Leave a comment!
From The Girl With The Notepad :)

Best buys from H&M

Like H&M? Or want to know what kind of clothes they have? Here's my ten best buys...

1. Dress, £4.99

2. Jeans, £19.99



3. Bag, £19.99




4. Charm bracelet, £2.49



5. Delicate necklace, £3.99



6. Coat, £99.99




7. Trousers, £19.99




8. Boots, £59.99




9. Poncho, £24.99




Skirt, £12.99

Which is your favourite?
From The Girl With The Notepad :)

A strange dream..

I hardly EVER remember a dream. If I do, it's a blurry, confused mess that I soon forget. But last night I had a very strange dream, and it was so clear this morning, all the details. Kind of haunting. I'll try to capture it in this poem:

A chilling wind
A frosty air
Trees scattering at my footsteps.
A strange shiver
A cold nudge
A gate has been reached.
I run to the door.
I shake the lock.
It's stuck.
Panic clouds my head.
A helpless face
Silently screams
My name
From behind the gate.
There's a black shape behind me.
I MUST open the door.
My very soul is at stake.
The black shape glides behind me
I take a deep breath, and turn.
The helpless face is now disappearing.
I wait.
The black shape hesitates...
It hesitates...
And then.
Then.
I wake up.

DID YOU KNOW??- Have you ever had a dream that all your teeth were falling out? It is said that you'll dream that to show a big change is coming. (True story: I dreamt all my teeth were falling out BEFORE I knew about this a week until I started secondary school!)


Weird, huh? What's the strangest dream you've ever had?
From The Girl With The Notepad :)

The fresh look

 It's coming into autumn, so my makeup bag now has a different, fresher feel. Here are my new 'fresh' beauty buys..... 


Stila Custom Colour Blush, £13.00




Barry M Bold Black Waterproof Eyeliner, £3.99




Night Star NARS Eyeshadow, £16.50




Barry M Marshmallow Lip Paint, £4.49





Rimmel London Volume Flash x 10 Mascara, £5.99




Moonlight Stila Eye Shadow In Compact, £13.00






Rimmel London Stay Matte Foundation, £5.99



Cobalt Stila Smudge Pot, £13.00

What does your makeup bag look like? Are you a fan of the 'fresh' look & are there any products you would recommend?
Drop a comment!
From The Girl With The Notepad :)