Too hot?

Hey, you might of heard a little bit about climate change and how it's impacting our little planet called planet Earth, but do you know what it actually is?

First things first, climate is not the same as the weather. You could imagine the climate as the "machine" and the weather is the part of this machine that we see, for example the rain, a storm, snow, sunny weather. And this "machine" is powered by the sun.

The sun is getting hotter and is about 4,500 million years old, it won't blow up for a while yet though! The sun isn't accountable for all of climate change though, it's us humans and our machines.

Almost all machines use oil, gas or coal and these produce pollution. Much of this is a gas called carbon dioxide (CO2) and it's this which seems to be the main source of the problem.

For millions of years, carbon was hidden away inside limestone, coal and oil. This hiding of carbon and it being buried deeply in the Earth's crust has kept the climate balanced. When we burn and use coal, oil and limestone, the carbon is released and forms carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

You may of heard of something called the greenhouse effect. Basically, all this carbon dioxide being released acts like a greenhouse. When you go in a greenhouse on a sunny day, the glass traps the heat from the sun and this is what the carbon dioxide does. 

With the Earth getting hotter, ice in the ocean is melting, causing sea levels to rise. This is really bad news because as sea levels rise, it means more water in the sea which will flood onto our land. 

Disease is also a problem as mosquitoes love the warmth and they carry diseases such as malaria.

So all in all, climate change is a HUGE problem, but there are things we can do to help!

• Get involved - Join petitions about preventing climate change; vote for parties that support effective climate policies
• Insulate - Get your house insulated and insulate yourself by wearing warm clothes in the winter, this will result in using less heating in your house
• Switch up your transport - Instead of taking the car, try walking or cycling to places more often not only will this be very beneficial to the environment, it's really good for your health
• Energy efficient - Hang wet clothes on the washing line when you can; turn lights off when you leave the room; look for the energy efficiency label when buying new appliances, these are all small things you can do that will make a big difference.
• Spread the word - Talk to your friends, family, colleagues, teachers about climate change and tell them about how they can help

So, now hopefully, you know a bit more about climate change and how you can help. Sorry I haven't posted in a LONG time, I'm not even going to try and make up excuses I haven't had much time and I haven't had much inspiration but I will try to be posting more regularly now. :)

Love Liv xxx

Studying: Tips and Tricks

Hey,

I hope you are all having an awesome week and I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while.

Today I wanted to talk to you about studying.
Some people find studying boring, sometime people find studying fun. Unfortunately,  I am one of those people who finds studying boring.

I have my yearly exams coming up and although they are not too much of a biggie, I still want to do well in them (obviously).
In order for me to study I need it to be fun.

So here are some life hacks and apps to get you through studying.

1. Exam Timetable
This one is pretty obvious, but print off your exam timetable so you know when your exams are,also if you have a diary/planner, then write down your exams on the day when you have them so you won't forget.

2. Prioritize

Let's say that you have an English exam a week away and a maths exam two weeks away, you should start revising for the English exam first as you have less time. Saying this, you should also mix up your revision.

3. Be Comfortable

When you are studying, you want to be comfortable as you are more likely to keep going, but, don't be too comfortable, like lying down on a bed, as you might go to sleep!

4. Story Time!

Turn the information you need to remember into a story as this will help you remember it. The crazier the better! 

5. Quizlet

Many of you may of heard of this app as it it very popular. Quizlet is an app and website where you can make your own flashcards, quizzes and games. You can also see other people's quizlets aswell. I love this app/website as there is a variety of ways you can study using it :)

6. Take Breaks

Although it is important to study, it is also important to take breaks, whether for you that is, watch a youtube video or go on social media or eat! The ideal mix is 30 minutes of studying with 15 minute breaks. It is scientifically proven that your brain pays more attention if you take breaks.

7. Play Music

While you study play some music. Play some music with a beat to it as you will be inspired to study! Spotify also have some study playlists.

8. Types of learners

Find out what type of leaner you are so you can find ways to study. I am a visual learner so I like to see the things I study or colour code them. Here is a link to a website where you can find out what type of learner you are, I like this quiz as once it tells you what type of learner you are, it gives you tips aswell!

http://www.educationplanner.org/students/self-assessments/learning-styles-quiz.shtml

I hope you got some ideas from this post. Comment below what type of learner you are and if you have any exams coming up ;) If you have any other tips or apps, then comment below also!

Much love,

Liv xxx

New Years Resolutions!

Hey!

I hope you all had an awesome New Year's Eve and New Year!

Today I want to talk to you about New Years resolutions!

Just some New Years resolution facts for you:

• About only 8% of people successfully complete their New Years Resolutions
• Losing weight is the most common New Years Resolution made
• Only choose one resolution if you want a high chance of succeeding

This year I'm only going to have one resolution and that is to get outside more often. In this day and age, people spend less time outside and more time inside. Although our phones, laptops ect. don't help as this can be the cause of us staying inside, I've found an app which can help you get healthier/fitter.

*Just a disclaimer, this is not sponsored*

Argus - iOs + android - Free

There are many different fitness apps available, but Argus combines all of them together. When you open the Argus app, you have a dashboard with hexagons. These hexagons can be personalized to what you want. These are like mini apps in themselves. There is a pedometer (step counter); sleep tracker and smart alarm; water tracker; calorie counting; healthy food inspiration; workouts and much more!

I use this app and it is really good and would definitely recommend it! 

Comment below what your New Years resolution is and any apps or tricks you may recommend.

Much Love,

Liv xxx

What I Got For Christmas 2016!

Hey,

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas. I'm sorry this post is so late , but I had gone to my dad's on boxing day, and haven't come back until yesterday when I could photograph some of my stuff at my mum's.

Anyway, this post is going to be about what I got for Christmas! I will link everything so you can find it yourself if I can get the link :)

*Just a disclaimer, I am really grateful for all the presents I got and I am not in any way trying to brag about what I got. I just love reading and watching "What I got for Christmas" so I thought I would do one myself.* 

My main present from my mum and dad was an iPhone SE!! I got it in 64 GB in rose gold!! I am in love!

iPhone SE - http://www.apple.com/iphone-se/

From my mum I also got a nova leathers handbag and I love it (I'm going to say this a lot!). It's a lovely grey colour and has lots of sections inside! Along with that I also got the Zoella "Key to Inspiration" key ring in rose gold which matches my bag perfectly! I couldn't find the link for my bag, but have found the link for the key ring.

Key ring - http://www.boots.com/en/Zoella-The-Key-To-Inspiration_1893258/

From the Zoella range I also got the Lazy Days gift set and journal which I love! I'm actually wearing the socks now!

Lazy days set - http://www.boots.com/en/Zoella-Lazy-Days-Fragranced-Candle-Socks_1893274/

Journal - http://www.boots.com/en/Zoella-Once-Upon-A-Time-journal_1893262/

I got quite a few Jack Wills things, first of all I got a Jack Wills jumper which is a lovely light burgundy colour and is so comfortable!

Hoodie - http://www.jackwills.com/haslemere-hoodie-100010518002.html?cgid=Ladies_hoodies_sweatshirts#start=11

   

    

I also got the Jack Wills Lip Balm Trio! There is Vanilla, Rose and Berry. My favorite is the Rose one i absolutely love it! they are all really moisturizing and are in the Jack Wills colours; blue, pink and white.

Jack Wills Lip Balm Trio - http://www.jackwills.com/lip-balm-trio-100011043.html

Also from Jack Wills, I got a makeup brush set which comes in a really cute pouch kind of thing (I'm rubbish at explaining)! The brushes are so so so so soft and when I did the pull test on them to see if any hairs would come out, none did!

Jack Wills Cosmetic Brush Set - http://www.jackwills.com/en-us/cosmetic-brush-set-100008967.html

 

Again from Jack Wills, I got the Lip Crayon Set. There are four beautiful colours and they are so smooth! I use the nude colour all the time as it is gorgeous as are the other colours.

Jack Wills Lip Crayon Set - http://www.jackwills.com/lip-crayon-gift-set-100011064.html

From my dad's fiance, I got a personalized cushion which I am obsessed with!!! Sorry but I couldn't find the link for this one though.

I also got a Love Juicy set from her as well and they all smell amazing, other than the nail polish obviously!

Love Juicy Heart Tin Set - http://www.tesco.com/groceries/product/details/?id=292726697

On the subject of bath and beauty, I got quite a few bath products and they smell gorgeous.

Cake Bomb Cosmetics Brulee (white) - http://bombcosmetics.co.uk/bath-melts/cocoa-swirls-brulees/cherry-aid-brulee

Small Bath Fizzers in Coloured Packets - Couldn't find link

Blueberry Cupcake Bath Bomb (blue) -  http://www.poundland.co.uk/blueberry-sparkle-topped-cupcake-bath-bomb

Lavender, Rose and White Musk bath fizzers (in box with bow) - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lavender-Rose-White-Musk-Luxury-12-Piece-Bath-Gift-Set-Handmade-in-Britain-/121076206263

One of the things I got from my Nan and Grandad was the Happy Jackson 2017 Diary! I really wanted this so I was really happy when I received it! Before each month it has a really cute quote which I love and I love the layout inside!

Happy Jackson 2017 Diary - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Happy-Jackson-Spiral-Official-Diary-x/dp/1785491849/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482938372&sr=8-1&keywords=happy+jackson+2017+diary

From my mum I also got the Cashmere perfume from Next. I love this scent so much it's my perfect balance between sweet and not sweet! The bottle is also rose gold and i love rose gold everything!

Next Cashmere Perfume - http://www.next.co.uk/go53574s3#882112

From my Nan, I got jewelry, but my favourite is a ring she got me. There is only 90 of them in the world! It is sterling silver with a mystic pink topaz gem in a heart shape. I wear it all the time! Unfortunately I couldn't find the link for this sorry :(

I got a few other things, but they were my faves! I know that I get a lot and I am really grateful! I hope you enjoyed. Comment below what you got for Christmas!

Much love,

Liv xxx

Merry Christmas!

Hey,

This is only going to be a short post as I am spending time with my family, but I will do a post about some of the things I got for Christmas soon if you would like to see that!

I hope you all have had/having a wonderful Christmas surrounded by the people you love, I certainly did. But at Christmas we also need to remember the people who find Christmas hard, whether that's because they are short on money but want to buy people presents, or if they are outside shivering with nowhere to go.

So anyway, I'd better go but I just wanted to wish you a wonderful Christmas.

Much love
Liv xxx

A new addition to the family!!!

Hi guys,

By the time I post this, it'll be Christmas Day!! I wish I could post this today (Christmas Eve) but then I would ruin the surprise for my best friend who is my mum's boyfriend's daughter and her sister. (I know...it's confusing!)

I'll start from the beginning.

This morning, my mum woke me and George (my brother) up and said that we had to get up as we had to go somewhere. She wouldn't tell us where we were going, but when we had dragged ourselves downstairs, she said we were going to Wales to go and pick up Simon's (my mum's long-term boyfriend) Christmas present.

At first me and George thought that we were going to pick up a bike as Simon loves cycling, but Mum said that wasn't it.

So anyway, we all got in the car (including Simon), still not knowing what we were doing. After about an hour and a half of boring driving, my brother peered into the boot of the car and saw a dog cage!

As you might know if you have read my "First Post" or "About Me" I already have a dog, George has a dog and Simon has a dog!

We asked Mum if we were going to get a dog and she nodded!

Simon has wanted a dachshund for a while and we were finally getting one!

We carried on driving, but me and George had perked up a bit!

We were going to meet the man who was selling the miniature dachshund puppies outside a service station at eleven o'clock, but we were already there by ten, so we went and got a Costa.

I ordered a Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate, but they didn't have any of the right syrup so I just had to have a normal hot chocolate with marshmallows in it :( !!

Once we had finished our drinks, the man had turned up so we met him outside!!!

In his arms was two adorable dachshund puppies as another family were picking their puppy up as well.

It was the first time me and George had seen our puppy, but Mum and Simon had seen her already as they had gone to pick her out at the beginning of the month and had already named her Holly!

On the way back, Mum had Holly wrapped up in a blanket as she was really cold and after a while she fell asleep!!

Once we got home, we let her have a little run a round in the small garden then we took her inside to have a cuddle. After cuddles all round, we let her run around the kitchen for a bit. Obviously she was scared as she had just been taken to a place she didn't know away from her mum and brothers and sisters. She whined at first if we left her side, but other than that she is settling in really well :) !!!

I will keep you updated on her progress and just leave you with these cute pictures and videos of her! Do you have any pets? Comment down below if you do!

Much love,
Liv xxx

First Post!

Hi, I'm Liv and this is my first ever blog post on my first ever blog, "Photos and Fairy Lights"!
I am an average girl who loves photography, loses hairbands and has an obsession with fairy lights. 
I have a collie cross spaniel called Milly;

A guinea pig called Caramel;

And a horse called Tilly who I share with my mum.

This blog is going to be about my life, photography, food, crafts and much more. As an average girl, I have many feelings bubbling up inside me and although I write a diary, I want to share my thoughts, photos, recipes and crafts with the world.

I currently use the Nikon P610 and I love it! I would definitely recommend it to beginners, everyday photographers and even professionals!

Christmas is right around the corner and I can't wait! I might write a post about what I got up to on Christmas day if you would like to see that!

If you have read this then thank you so much and keep checking back for new posts soon or you can follow via email on the sidebar. Also, what are you most excited about for Christmas? Let me know in the comments.

Much love,

Liv xxx