New Year, New Me.. and all that jazz

I know. I've been missing for a while.... Miss me? If you don't I do not blame you.



Since I last posted I've been through the wringer with finals (I've only gotten three of my grades so far (I'm dying to receive the rest), had a lovely bubbly Christmas with my family and returned to good ol' Antiguan sun, seas, and sand.

Last year I am happy to say I completed my New Year's Resolution to be more confident and outgoing. The people I've met over the past year, I'm sure, wouldn't see the difference but family and friends have. I've ventured out of my makeup comfort zone to add new shades and styles (next, I shall make a resolution to declutter and spend less time browsing Sephora's website), I've found a "fashion" I'm comfortable with and I've made new friends along the way.

I've had a great experience on Tremr.com (hyperlinked image in the sidebar) and met great writers who inspire me to really explore the discipline. 

If a year ago I had told myself that I was going to be doing a writing internship I would've laughed at myself and returned to my miserable internships at banks and businesses. 

In 2014, I believe I finally found myself. I found my style, defined my likes and dislikes, and dare to say, found the adult I want to be (when I finally grow up of course).

Instead of controlling my life with an iron fist and trying to predict the world, I've finally calmed down and started to just take the opportunities thrown at me and go a long with whatever life throws my way.

2015 is going to be a great year. I'll travel a lot more ( more on that to come), be reunited with old friends, and be sure to make some new ones. I'll document it all here.

Happy New Year!

xx

-Anna

Keep Organised!

A lot of people have been asking me how I keep sane/organised.

I understand where they're coming from. I'm a full-time student taking seventeen credits, I have an internship that requires around 12 hours a week in-office as well as an e-board position on a society at my school. I even find time to write on this blog (semi-regularly).

To tell the truth, I've no idea why I'm still sane. I can never get a full eight hours a sleep and I'm always hustling to go to a prior engagement. However, I do have a tips and tricks I use to keep on top of my schedule, grades, and tasks.

1. Avoid Procrastination:
This is the most obvious one and I suppose that is why it's first. If you get something today, try to do it today or as soon as possible. If you leave it until later, many other things may pop up and you may forget about it altogether. You will thank yourself later for taking the stress off your future self.

2. Keep a whiteboard in plain sight:
I have a whiteboard on my bedroom wall right on my work desks. On that whiteboard, I  use markers to write a checklist  of my tasks for the week. Whenever I had a small notebook, I NEVER remembered to open it and whenever I put my task on electronic devices I always got distracted. Having that big reminder on my wall that I can see whether I want to or not lets me know exactly what I should finish by the end of the week or at the end of a fortnight. It also makes me more productive as I am driven to tick off each task.

My bad handwriting is for my eyes and my eyes only. Don't judge.

3. Turn of WiFi, 4G, or block social media websites whilst working:
When I'm typing a paper I have already researched for or am doing written homework I turn off the WiFi, turn off my cellular phone, and switch off the television. In other words, all electronic distractions cease to exist for that time. If I need the internet for research, then I block Facebook, Twitter, and the like for the duration of my work. This helps me to keep focused on the task at hand. A good website you could use to block social media sites is ColdTurkey.com.

4. Write notes in alternating colours of ink:
Yeah black and blue ink are fun, but sometimes when it’s three o’clock in the morning and you have that cumulative History final the next day, it can all mush together into an uninteresting mess. By writing important points such as definitions, formulae and NBs (Note Bene) in coloured ink, your eyes are captivated by the information and are less tempted to gloss over it. I also find it much more appealing to my eyes than highlighters.

5. Pack at night:
When my mum used harass me about packing my rucksack for school in the night I got annoyed and huffed and buffed. But now, I thank her for getting me into the habit. At night, you can take your time and pack leisurely, remembering what you need for the following day. In the morning you are hectic, watching the clock, and regretting sleeping for that extra half and hour. It saves you the time to have a calm sit-down breakfast then just pick up your back and go!

 

6. Utilise calendar apps:

Every cellular phone, computer and tablet nowadays comes with a stock calendar app. Even if you do not like the stock one there are many alternatives in the different app stores. Set the calendar to alert you two hours before your next appointment. That way, even if you forget, you've got time to get ready and leave for it.

7. Set your watch fifteen minutes ahead:

This is a habit my father got me into. When your watch is a quarter-hour fast, you will get anywhere fifteen minutes early (or if "late" then on time). When hurriedly checking your watch you will forget about it's prior settings an just work on the time you see.

These are the small things I do that help me keep organised and on top of things. I hope they help! Do you have any organisational tips and tricks? Feel free to comment below and share!

xx

Alternative Storage

My apartment is quite small, as a result, so is my bedroom. Because of its size, keeping it looking organised and devoid of clutter is a challenge especially when you're really busy. However, I have found a few ways to help decrease the mess.

Spice rack as cosmetics rack: I use a regular spice rack to store the hair, body and nails bits I use regularly. Right now it houses my daily cleanser, toner and moisturiser, deodorant, face masks, seasonal nail polishes and bodily moisturiser.

  Rubbermaid Take-Alongs: These tupperware bowls are a godsend!  In them I normally store things I'm not using but want to have close at hand such as non-seasonal nail and make-up bits, nail polish remover, my toothbrush charger, etc.











 







Suction Cups: These magical little cups have saved me from nailing or screwing things into my wall which would have been more dangerous for me than the wall (DIY was never my strong suit). They are strong enough to hold up the afore-mentioned spice rack and clothing hangers. I've tested it out on a heavy winter coat and a 4-pants hangers. I even use them to hang the next day's outfits when I choose them at night. All you do to affix them to the wall is hold them steady, and screw the triangle in a clock-wise direction until you are unable to do so. The suction is then activated and it's sturdily stuck to your wall. Then, pull the hook through the lowest hole and voilà- wonderfully strong suction power.

 Multiple article hangers: I wear a lot of skirts, shorts and trousers but I don't have the space to horizontally pack the hangers. So, I use these. They have four pairs of clothes pins which hang vertically  which allow for one hanger to do the job of four. 

'




 Using empties as helpful pots: After I use my Bodyshop Body Butters I don't want to just throw away the little pots they come in. Instead,  I use them to hold small bits and bobs like rings, earrings, hair pins and extra buttons. They're compact and stackable, perfect for neat storage!

Russell !

As a part of my New Year's Resolution to be more adventurous and seize the day more, I decided to go for a Friday night out! Here comes the girls! (I.e. single girl, at a comedy club by herself). Living in New York, I like it, but I still miss the time I spent in England so I get really excited when things that remind me of Warwickshire. When I was searching ticket master in February for something to do and came across a wild Russell Howard live ticket for just $25.00 I nearly screamed. His tickets in England sell for at least £50.00! It was a proper bargain so I snatched them up before ticket master could dare to jack up the prices. Most Americans may not have heard or Russell, but he was on the Conan O'Brien show a year or so back. He is a good natured comedian. A bit naughty, and easily childish (not to mention devishly handsome). His humour is a observant; he includes stories about his amusing family, and awkward live experiences he has had. He seems to attract nutters galore.

When they arrived in the post five days later, I pinned them to my clipboard in anticipation. 

Friday the 2nd of May approached and I left my house at 4:30, as doors opened at 6 and I wanted a a good seat. I got to the venue on the Lower West Side of Manhattan, a bar and club called the "Highline Ballroom". I ordered a margarita and some sweet potato chips. I got a really good seat as by 5:30 there were no seats left and people had to stand. I got sat next to a foursome from Birmingham. Two couples who seem I be great old friend and came across the tickets by chance when in Times Square and given a flyer (note to self:  accept more flyers in Time Square, you never know what you'll find!). 

We chatted, I had another drink, they had      a few cans of Stella. Russell's support act came on, a bloke called Mark Normand-- a native New Yorker. He was funnier than I expected! Then, the man of the hour came on for an hour and twenty minutes full of laughs, six foot penises, in-jokes for those us who have seen his show (Russell Howard's Good News--highly recommend it) and a heart-warming  story about a teenager who survived cancer whom he befriended. 

After wards he came out for pictures. I told him I used to live near where he does in Leamington Spa and I'm studying Economics like he did in Bristol. "It's a small world," he said. We took a picture together, he gave me a hug and peck on the cheek, told me good luck and then like Cinderella I rushed off. Not because my dress was going to turn into rags, but the car I ordered to bring me home was outside and I really didn't want to be stranded in Manhattan.