December 2017 | Monthly Wrap Up

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Friday, 5 January 2018

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Okay, this is a bit late, but better late than never!

Favourite part?


I’ve had some lovely times with friends, celebrating both birthdays and Christmas - PSA: Toby Carvery do a great veggie/vegan roast, it's the absolute best. 




Best read?


I don’t think I’ve actually finished a book this month, but I have made it most of the way through Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin and the Russian Revolution by Alan Moorehead, so I should finish those in January.

Favourite tunes?


I’ve listened to a lot more this month. I’ve been lisening to a lot of dodie, especially as I have tickets to one of her concerts in March! Melodrama by Lorde has been a favourite, along with Place We Were Made and Birthday by Maisie Peters.


Favourite watch?


I’ve watched a lot more this month (due to the fact that I now have access to my friend’s Netflix account).  I’ve rewatched the first 3 series of Death in Paradise and I am so hyped for the new series to be released in January (it will have already been released by the time this goes up).

Armchair Detectives and Upstart Crow have to be the stand out watches for December though. It’s a daytime TV amateur sleuth show which my family and I bingewatched in the evenings and I would really recommend it as something to watch if you need cheering up.



What did I learn?


BACK UP YOUR FUTUCKING COMPUTER HARD DRIVE!!! BACK UP FREQUENTLY AND MAYBE USE GOOGLE DOCS MORE. That is all. Okay.

What’s happening next month?


January’s generally a bit of a boring month in all honest. I’ve got mocks, coursework hand-ins, etc. I’ve just got to plough through it.

What’s been on my mind?


Coursework and EPQ – just needing to get them done! Also my neglect of this here blog, but I need to be reminded that keeping up to date with posts is less important than passing my exams.

Favourite blogger/vlogger?


I’ve loved Hannah Witton’s Vlognukkah, just as I did last year and I’ve loved Leena Norms’ videos just as normal – her videos have been amazing this year.

Favourite post?


Well. Um, let’s not talk about the amount of posts I’ve written lately. I think my favourite would be Why You Should Use a Menstrual Cup – it was fun writing about one of my favourite new possessions. It’s made my life a lot easier and it’s something I would love to promote to become the mainstream.

Biggest inspiration?


Getting to the end of my A levels to the summer and freedom. The end is in sight and I can’t wait to cross the finish line.


Any other favourites?



I’ve got some new eyeshadow combinations that I’ve been loving and I’m sure there’s something I else I can mention but in all honesty I’ve forgotten.


If you liked this post you might like: November 2017 | Monthly Wrap Up

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Why You Should Starting Using a Menstrual Cup | #ACupaDay

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Wednesday, 20 December 2017

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I am now a massive advocate for the menstrual cup – I love mine and probably talk about it in public too much. So why am I a complete convert, and how do I get you to

1. You can save the environment


A menstrual cup is durable and multiple use, and therefore produce a lot less waste than tampons and pads. If you use disposable menstrual products, you will use over 11,000 products in their lifetime – that includes applicators (so if you just prefer tampons maybe switch to non-applicator) – leading to over 200,000 tonnes of waste.

Something I’d never thought about before was the chemicals used on cotton products as the cotton they are made of if grown (pesticides etc.). This has a larger damaging effect on the environment as these leak (non-intended pun but I like it now that I’ve used it) onto neighbouring plants. And seeing as it takes pads 500-800 years to decompose, that’s quite significant when you think of how much space that takes up, and how much damage that could do for both the environment and wildlife.

I found these stats on the Women’s Environmental Network and Down 2 Earth.

2. And you can save money


Menstrual cups may look pricey at first, but the overall cost is significantly lower than more disposable products like tampons or pads. Most cups are about £20, and that is a lot in comparison to a pack of tampons or pads, however, the average menstrual cup lasts for about 10 years, and when you think about the amount of money you’ve spent, that saves a lot and takes a weight off your monthly expenses.

3. You can have better vaginal health


Menstrual cups reduce the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (which is extremely rare anyway), as bacteria can’t be absorbed by silicone. Do make sure you clean your cup properly – you should receive a set of instructions (including washing and how to insert and remove the cup) when you get your cup, but if not then there will be tutorials etc. online.

Because of the lack of absorption, using a cup means that vaginal dryness will decrease. Just to extra add on that you may not think of.

4. It’s the lazy person’s option       


This works so well for me. The maximum you should leave your cup in for is about 12 hours, that means that you only need to change twice a day. Obviously this increases depending on your flow and what stage you are in your period, but all in all it takes a lot less time, meaning less trips to the toilet. Because of the amount of time you can leave it in for, it means that, for me, I’ve been able to leave it in a bit longer, get out of the house on time to catch my bus and then empty it when I’m in college. Do make sure you know how heavy you’re roughly for each day – knowing how quickly you fill your cup will come over time so don’t worry too much.

5. It’s great if you’re on the move


If you’re travelling for a significant amount of time (or even just for a short trip), a menstrual cup in its small bag is a lot lighter and smaller than tampons and pads, especially if you’re carrying a whole pack.

If you’re more of a sporty person, then it’s perfect – you will hardly feel it (I think I’ve said before that I’ve done several pilates classes wearing mine) and its suction function means that you won’t have any leaks whilst swimming or surfing etc.

Has this convinced you? If there are any more benefits of using a menstrual cup let me know.


If you liked this post you might like: My First Thoughts on the Menstrual Cup

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London in 2017

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Monday, 18 December 2017

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London has become one of my favourite places this year. It has been up there for the past few years, but this year something’s been different. It’s been a sort of escape and a symbol of the future and hope for me. I feel like I’ve grown up there – despite that I’ve spent the significant minority of my time there. I see my ability to navigate the city comfortably on my own now, as a way of outlining my self –growth, and particularly my new found confidence as being in the world itself, I feel like I fit more and have a part to play – a part I can decide and form.

I want to change the world – as radically as possible, of course, but even if I only do something small that helps just one person, I will be happy. And for me, that will be realised and will happen in London.



London seems exciting to me – full of events, culture and people, as well as secrets and parts of myself ready to be discovered.



As I look back on this year, I think it has been the year of London, or at least, my true introduction to it. And along, with that, it has been the year of finding my purpose and imagining my future. I don’t want to spend all my time looking toward the future and not focusing in the now, but at the moment I just can’t help it. I am excited, and why shouldn’t I be? Things look a lot more exciting in the future and that provides me with motivation to get through my A Levels now to get where I want to be.




London has gone through a lot this year. Grenfell, terror attacks... but the resilience of its people provide some with hope. I am still angry that the Grenfell victims have not yet been rehoused. The government cannot ignore those who are suffering and need the support the government is there to provide – but it’s not. When is this going to happen when it should have happened immediately, or really before the disaster occurred?



London, see you next year.




If you liked this post you might like: #March4Women | International Women's Day

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