Getting creative

Being creative isn't only fun, but it is a hobby with many benefits. It is suggested that expressing ourselves creatively can prevent the urge to buy impulsively and save money. It not only gives you a deeper sense of fulfilment, but learning to make things can prevent the need to buy as much. It is also linked to helping to combat stress, and considered a form of meditation.

I've never been one of those that excels in art, so I will never try to persuade any of you to make anything elaborate. However in my quest to get to know more creative hobbies I may enjoy, I have tried a few activities that sound appealing to me.

I did it in my teens - trying to collect my gig tickets, gathering pictures of friends etc but somewhere along the way it has been lost. However, moving to Ipswich at the end of last year, I was keen to get involved in something new. This is where I came across two interesting classes with Craftability- jewellery making and scrapbooking. Although I think they are only local to Ipswich, I think it's always good to look things up locally. I simply searched for things I was interested in e.g. jewellery making, knitting and crochet and a few things popped up. I suggest doing the same! I'm working a lot of Saturdays at the moment and most of these workshops seem to take place on weekends. 

Since my necklace didn't survive a recent night out, I won't be discussing that. It wasn't that the class wasn't good; it was more of a reflection on my talents. The heart broke off and another part fell off later in the day. It didn't even last 24hours! 

Onto scrapbooking...

I loved it! Like I said I'd done it before, but nothing fancy. Sticking pictures down, maybe decorating with glitter or given some kind of heading. The workshop taught me to use  backgrounds, reminded me how to cross-stitch, putting shapes and even using double-backed tape (you can't underestimate my excitement there). 

It would probably be more fun to do a step-by-step process, but honestly can't remember it too much. It was all about getting the measurements right and adding my own touches. For example, the sample one only had two photos for this one, but didn't like the blank space. I also used different tools to make the paper curl round or stitching that circle was the longest; as I needed several different strings and threading that needle!

I love the colours and different textures to try for this one. I also enjoyed using the stick-on pearls and would be tempted to use so many more! I made a glue mess on the graduation picture so covered it with a square and the snowflake. However think it now looks odd! 

I haven't done anymore scrapbooking, but would definitely attend another workshop as it was only £7.50 and just asked you to bring your own photos. You received teaching of techniques and use of appropriate materials. The workshops are on Saturdays, but the next one I hear I can do, I will be doing so fast. In the meantime, I need to print more pictures off and get scrapbooking! 

I hope you enjoyed my more creative post. I came across the Make it Monthly post by Whimsical Mumblings, and knew I needed to get involved. It was all about craft and sharing your wonderful creations. I thought it would be great to discuss my recent scrapbooking, and can hopefully encourage me to do more fun crafty things!

For any bloggers reading, feel free to get involved in the fun. I'd love to read and be more inspired to be creative. 

What to know about a subcrawl?

I love reading funny or less serious blog posts, so hope this might add something cheerful to the mix. If nothing else, it shall make you laugh at how stupid or ditzy I can be.

Usually, I hate reflecting too much on the past especially at the start of the new year, but I wanted to write about a recent subcrawl after it happened in October. However, in October I found myself wrapped up in Blogtober posts, and before I knew it, I had Blogmas and I just didn't write it. However it here comes.

For those of you (like me) and didn't know what a subcrawl is. It's basically going to a city like Glasgow with a subway system, and stopping at every subway stop that has a pub to have one drink.

I recommend picking Glasgow as a fun city with friendly folk and guaranteed good time. It is also the third oldest subway metro system in the world!

For me, this was an opportunity to meet the other bridesmaids and ushers before the big day. Very exciting! At first when I heard, I just thought it was a spelling error of pub crawl, and when talking about it, they were being lazy getting the subway. No idea why I would think they'd keep spelling it wrong, so here are my lessons from the subcrawl:

1. Know what it is

Nothing like showing up for a night out, not knowing what you're there for (e.g. forgetting it was someone's birthday). Not knowing what to expect made it more fun in some ways.

2. Don't drink the night before!

One of our subcrawl stops

A subcrawl is one of the biggest drinking sessions you will do. I had to look this up as I couldn't remember... there are 15 stations you will stop at. That equates to 15 drinks (maybe more if you have friends like mine who bribe you with shots or encourage the consumption of nicer tasting spirits). Stupidly, I'd arrived to Glasgow the day before - went shopping and enjoyed a nice round or many of drinks and fishbowls. Never wise! I woke up hanging and wanting irn bru so much; I might as well have been injecting it by an IV drip! Luckily, determined to make the most of it, I had the most fun! Dancing and drinking the day and night away. Thanks Jools!

3. Don't be afraid to drink soft drinks between drinks

Sometimes I find that alcoholic drinks can be too sweet and sickly, so I like to break it up with a soft drink whether that's a J2O, water or even irn bru. There is no shame if you're still the one standing, dancing or having the time of your life, while the rest are sleeping on the dance floor or making fools out of themselves.

4. Eat lots!
If you're drinking that much, you need food. We started with some amazing dips, chicken and crisps. Easy pleased and thanks again Jools! As we were out, we also had two takeaways. My favourite drunk food is cheesy chips (or if in Scotland, chips and cheese). It is the best! This was my first port of call. Then towards the end of the night, we had another takeaway which brings along a very funny story.

We went to the next takeaway, where we lost two of our entourage, but if I'm honest, I didn't care. Food came first! However I made a massive mistake. In subcrawl state, I didn't read the menu properly. I wanted pizza and instead of being my sober self picking my favourite pizza of mushroom pizza, I wanted to be adventurous  Big mistake! I don't know what it was but out of the five toppings I liked 2. I didn't look at half the line with the ingredients. I could have cried. No, I laughed. How stupid can you possibly be? So being the drunken person I am entering the long taxi queue of Glasgow, trying to find everyone we were with, I found myself giving my pizza slices away to some strangers. Until I realised I was no longer with my people. Before I could realise this, Jools was shouting me to the front and telling me to stop giving my pizza away. A sentence I never thought anyone would say. I don't give food away. Think of female Joey from friends...

5. Take pictures early on!

My hair looks a state!

I wasn't wise, and did not do this while I looked half decent. This one, for instance was when I was so hot, I needed to tie my hair back. At least I had a nice top on!

I also love this picture that I took with the bestie:

6. Have a kitty!

Lovely place we stopped at

It's hard to imagine what it might have been like without a kitty. 15 drinks, definitely more and how do you pay? We split ours into two groups of kitties, and it saved so much. I think I spent maybe £30. Then we stopped later in the night as some left earlier. That's when it got more silly.

7. Enjoy games and make up some funny stories!

It became a standard joke that my friends tried to set me up with one of the other ushers. Not fun! However at least it bought along some funny banter, even if it was incredibly awkward. To make them stop, I agreed I was in love and said we were going to China (a place I want to visit) together tomorrow. My agreeing seemed to make it stop. Not sure whether they believed we were going to China though. Funny that!

I can't think of many other funny stories (or anything I wish to include) of the night other than the old man who took a shine to us, the guy who almost became part of the gang and the shots!

8. Don't have more than one drink!

Don't drink and take pictures! Another stop

I don't mean it like that. Have as much or as little as you wish, but I'd suggest sticking to one drink at each place. Even if others are slow because you will live to regret it much later. I  found myself being caught in one drink then shot, shot and shot.

9. Take pictures at every stop

One of the subway stops

Unfortunately I didn't stick to this plan, but some of my favourites have been dispersed in this post!

10. Make memories!

One of our funniest subway stops...

This is fun for any occasion from a good night out, birthday, hen/stag do or special occasion. Best of all, remember what it is for and enjoy doing it.

I'm not sure whether to write more posts about my time in Scotland over late September or October, as wanted to describe stuff about shopping, where to visit etc, but feel like too much time has passed. Maybe I will do more about the three cities - Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow, when I visit again this year.

Let me know what you think, and whether you've done anything like a subcrawl.

Festive Gift Ideas - for her *

How exciting! This is my first festive post. Working in retail for approximately 4 years; listening to christmas songs on repeat for two months and listening to moody shoppers in the festive period slowly sucked the christmas spirit out of me. That being said, I feel like it might be coming back! This year I look forward to drinking a snowball, eating, opening presents, more eating, dressing up, more eating and obviously giving something.

This year, I've realised I don't have too many to buy for - my mum, dad, a few friends and my grandparents. I can't complain at that! That is not to say that I find christmas shopping to be plain sailing. This year, I plan on getting most things online. So far, I've bought a small personalised gift for my friends from a local seller on the island, who I might discuss in a future post.

Discovering Ezebee was a fun one, it has unique things that you don't find often around with lots of handmade gifts similar to things you might find on sites like Etsy. It's not something you find in your usual shops or typical to marketplaces like Amazon. It's so lovely to find gifts with that personal, handmade touch. This posts show 10 gift ideas for her (whether that is a friend, family member or even girlfriend/fiancée/wife):

1. Personalised Cushion, £35

This is a wonderful present for an older relative who you struggle to buy for, and feel has everything. Get personal family pictures on and it will mean the world to them!

2. Flirty Berry Soap Gift Set, £5.36

I sometimes find it so hard to find something decent for under £10, sometimes even under £20. It might even serve as a fab secret santa gift at work! This amazing gift set includes: bath salt, a strawberry cupcake soap, oats & honey cupcake soap, 2 strawberry hearts and a loofah. Perfect for those friends who loves beauty products or a nice bath!

3. Liberty Make-up Bag, £12

Crafted Chic design a few lovely print designed makeup bags. This was one of my favourite ones! Lovely for friends, mums and any woman in your life!

4. Personalised Hanging Heart Duo, £8

Similar to gift number 1, it is a lovely personalised gift for older family members. It would also be lovely for mums to have with cute pictures of their little ones, engaged or newly married couples.

5. Ring Made Con Austrian Crystal, £6.08

I find it so rare to find beautiful jewellery at reasonable prices. I noticed a lot of lovely Austrian crystal jewellery items to choose from. This was one of them! Only problem is this one I'd rather have for myself...

6. Contentment Jars (Spa day in a jar), £9.57

Similar to number 2, I believe this would make a great secret santa gift. It is perfect for those that love beauty items.

7. Elegant Tree Pendant, £17.36

This gorgeous pendant comes in many different colours; this was just one of my favourite. The tree connotation reminds me of family, and the family tree.

8. Silver Leaf Filigree Statement Necklace, £12.72

Again, this might be more of one that I'd like to receive. That being said, no girl can be without a statement necklace to brighten up an all-black outfit or make a day outfit into night! I firmly believe that jewellery makes an outfit so much better and more fun.

9. Trinket Heart Box, £5.21

Another low-cost gift that can have many uses. You can pop other gifts in, and it would make a lovely ornament, keepsake or trinket box. I also love that it reminds me of asian art. I've always loved items from China and something about it has that vibe.

10. Be your own hero frames, £7.14

I love this picture frame and with so many friends moving into a new home recently, I love it as a gift. I don't think you can go wrong with a home-related gift. This is so quirky too!

This concludes my list. In summary, I think the best gifts are those that are personal and make the person feel like you've really shopped for them. Buy them something they asked for, talked about or something that shows you take interest in the things they care about. If that fails, get those women close to you, some lovely jewellery, something personalised or something beauty-related.

What do you like to buy for gifts? I'm keen to get started properly buying for christmas once November starts! This year I've already got started for my friends. How are you doing with your purchases? Are you more last minute?

*For full disclosure this is my first sponsored post, which I hope will increase my visibility online. I was asked to pick out gift ideas for Ezebee.com. However I hope you can tell that I found this fun to write, and helped me find another great online marketplace, which I can honestly say I will buy from this christmas!