This Is Me.

Hello,

If you follow this blog, you may remember the post back in June about giving the blog a good go and with determination to update at least once a week with lifestyle, fun, and all sorts of posts.

It didn't happen. 

During the past months I have still thought about my little blog and how I should really write something, but something just told me no. Then it came to me, why I felt like this. I was putting pressure, pressure that made me worry in case I didn't get a post up, worry about the time to write a half-decent post, and my brain said no. I don't like having to complete any activity that I love if I've been put under pressure to do it. 

I feel I needed to share the 'why' part with you guys. It allows me to move on and say 'This Is Me' a 20 year old student, who's a hopeless dreamer, procrastinator who loves her faith, write and do a whole bunch of other fun things. 

But... 

I am not perfect and definitely will never be perfect.  I just want to share parts of my life with you on a Lydia time frame. That may mean not having a post for a couple of weeks, not a tweet every day, but I want to share that I love this and will keep sharing the other things I love.

Lydia
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Bucket List.

For a while now I've been thinking of all the things I want to do, so I thought, why not post it. Maybe you guys could help make some of this happen!

So here it goes;

1. Road Trip Route 66,
2. Learn to surf,
3. Surf Bondi Beach,
4. Have a first-class degree,
5. Be happy with my body,
6. Write an article for a newspaper or magazine,
7. Go to Glastonbury Festival,
8. Have a ride in a hot air balloon,
9. Learn a second language,
10. Have a bonfire and camp out on the beach,
11. Pay for the car behinds petrol,
12. See the Northern Lights,
13. Write, and publish my own book, 
14. Learn how to change a flat tyre,
15. Travel abroad alone,
16. Do a photo a day challenge, 
17. Head to Africa and volunteer, 
18. Travel First-Class,
19. Make the most of every day,
20. Enjoy the sunshine,
21. Own a boat,
22. Make someone smile everyday,
23. Raise £5,000 for charity, 
24. Head to the airport and fly,
25. See a drive-in movie,
26. Be an amazing nurse, 
27. Love more,
28. Visit every continent,
29. Dance in the rain,
30. Never give up my dreams, 
31. Send a message in a bottle,
32. Meet someone with the same name as me,
33. Be remembered for the work I do,
34. Say 'I Do'
35. Watch the sunrise, 
36. Step out of my comfort zone every week, 
37. Laugh everyday,
38. Plant a tree,
39. Thank everyone who's influenced me,
40. Spend quality time with my loved ones.

 Even though this list is full of adventures and other exciting stuff, I genuinely just want to be happy in life. 

Let me know what you have on your bucket lists below!

Lydia

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Guess Who's Back...

That's right, it's me! 

It has literally been a month since my last post went live. I feel a mixture of good/bad just because I love blogging, but I also love having time away!

I'm back now and am excited, I've got a bunch of new posts, a hopeful new redesign coming up in the next couple of months, and life is looking bright. I've recently had a burst of utter determination to do things, working hard, being more creative, live more freely, enjoy life, lose weight, explore new things.

I guess what this random-put what I want in post is trying to say is; I'm Back! And Very Happy!

Lydia

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Liebster Award.

Well, what can I say? I've been nominated for a Leibster Award.

I am so privileged to have been nominated, I honestly never thought I would have been when I first heard of the Liebster Awards.

The Liebster Awards is not stereotypical, instead, it is about creating a community and headlighting new, and small, but growing blogs, that you love to read. I love this aspect of the awards, and I love discovering new blogs to read!

 

I would love to thank Sarah, at Not Like the Movies for nominating me. And also reminding me what the rules of the awards are.

So, here are 11 random facts about me:

1. I am in love, not with a human, but with my dog, Tilly.

2. I find it very difficult to keep my house tidy.

3. I absolutely love to sing, and won't apologise to people when I do, even though I really can't!

4. I have a blue peter badge.

5. Cambridge is my second home, and I love it.

6. I wear glasses, but never wear them in photos for the blog.

7. My first car was (still is) a Mercedes called Nugget.

8. I am currently drinking my first ever Chai tea, and thoroughly enjoying it.

9. Nursing is my passion, and I am returning to studying it in May :)

10. Last year, I became slightly addicted to Instagram, not so much now though.

11. I love cycling, but my poor bike is too rusty and broken to ride anymore.

Here are 11 questions that I have been nominated to answer:

1. When did you start your blog and why?

    I started my blog in August 2013, I think I wanted a new way to share my life and get to nosy into       other people's lives through their blogs. 

2. How did you pick your blog name?

    After weeks of blogging under a different name, I changed to The Little Life of Lydia after my           sister creating it. 

3. What do you love about your current stage of life?

    Hmm. This is difficult, but I think I love spending more time with my family and close friends             before I move away.

4. What words of wisdom would you tell your younger self?

     Probably something like 'Carry on dreaming a life, but do not be dissapointed when these dreams 

     change, everything will be fine'

5. What are 3 things you can’t live without?

        - My relationship with God, so many ups and downs, but his love is eternal.

        - The dog.

        - The internet.

6. What are 3 things on your bucket list?

     I really really want to road trip Route 66 for a month, before that I am deternined that I will

     graduate from university. Number 3 is to explore the beautiful Great Britain.

7. Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner?

    Breakfast, I love waking up naturally and cooking myself something delicious to start my day.

8.  Dog or cat person? Post a picture if you have one

     Definitely a dog person, meet Tilly:

 9. Who’s your favourite band/singer?

     I'm going to cheat here, I genuinely don't have a favourite, though I am in love with my country   

     music.

10. What’s your all-time favourite movie?

      27 Dresses. I absolutely love it!

11. How would you describe your personal style?

      'Wear what I want, rock up in whatever style'

Now to the 3rd Rule, here are my nominations:

Lucy Loves To Cook

Our Live Are An Open Blog

Sarah's Suitcase

Brass Honey

A Girl and Her Sparkles

Girl Meets Globe

The Savvy Styler

Pennies For A Pound

Excuse Me For A While

Cover Shoot

Alice Finds

Now for my 11 Questions for my lovely nominees to answer:

1) What is your favourite part of blogging?

2) If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you pick?

3) What is you no.1 handbag essential?

4) What do you do for a living? Do you study, work, or something else?

5) Are you a tea or coffee drinker? 

6) What is your favourite type of tea or coffee?

7) What is the first thing you do when you get home from work?

8) What is your idea of a perfect day?

9) What social media site if your favourite?

10) If you were allowed only one beauty product, what would you choose?

11) Who are your blogging inspirations?

I hope you have enjoyed this post, I definitely think you should check out the blogs listed above.

I would love to read other Liebster Award posts, so send me your links!

Lydia

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Dark Chocolate Truffles.

I've recently fallen in love with chocolate truffles, and, because of this, I thought I'd share my recipe for dark chocolate truffles. These are very simple to make, and the method is split in half. Making it perfect for starting them, then finishing after a long winter's walk.

All you need is:

• 280g Dark Chocolate (70% Cocoa),
• 290ml Double Cream,
• 50g Unsalted Butter,
• 200g Milk Chocolate,
• 200g White Chocolate,
• 100g Icing Sugar.

Simply chop up the dark chocolate into small pieces, and put into a large mixing bowl.

Then, heat up the butter and cream together in a saucepan, until the butter melts, and the cream starts to bubble.

Pour the butter mixture over the dark chocolate, and stir until all smooth.

Cover, and chill for at least 4 hours.

After 4 hours, put put the milk and white chocolate into separate bowls, and melt them. Then pour the icing sugar into another bowl.

Cover your hands with a little sunflower oil, and start rolling the truffle mixture, immediately covering it with one of your toppings.

After finishing all of the truffles, put them back into the fridge for another 30 minutes+.

Then enjoy! I enjoy these truffles in the winter with a nice, hot glass of mulled wine!

This recipe typically makes around 30-40 truffles (depending on the size of them)

Lydia 

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Spicy Sausage Puff Pastry Pizza.

Today's post is another super easy, completely delicious recipe. This recipe can be followed to the t, or you can mix up the pizza toppings, which is great for using up leftovers.

All you need is:

Jus-Roll Puff Pastry Sheet,

Tomato Purée

Pepperoni Slices

Chopped Chorizo

Cherry Tomatoes.

Mozzerella

Take the pastry out of the cardboard and leave out for 10 minutes, pre-heat the oven to Gas Mark 7 (220˚c)

 During this time you can chop up the tomatoes and mozzerella.

Follow the instructions from the puff pastry and place it into a rectangular  baking tray. Put a good sized dollop of Purée and spread around.

All you need to do now is put all your toppings on the base and put in the oven for around 20 minutes. 

Cut into generous slices and serve with salad.

 

Super easy!

I would love to see your variations of this, send me pictures using the Twitter hashtag #littlelifepizza

Lydia

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Blog Chat.

Blog Chat

Today's #BEDN topic is 'Blog Chat' so I'd thought I'd tell you all a little about my blogging journey and my hopes for The Little Life.

First off; The Little Life is not my first blog, I started blogging over on Wordpress with 'country girl, city life' I started blogging whilst at university to keep me busy and keep my English writing skills up. The blog didn't do so well and I had a major bloggers block. 

The Little Life was born in July 2013, hen I had moved back home from uni with a broken leg and I wanted to develop my blogging skills and networks. I started using Blogger and have tried to blog at least once a week, sharing with you my baking adventures, and fun things I have done, I hope this will continue.

Over the past few months I have  begun learning how to use social media to grow the blog, and connect with other bloggers. I absolutely love reading other blogs, seeing the different genres and the lovely layouts.

The Future...

In my big dreams, I would love to have a blog with readers from around the world and thousands of readers. But, if that ever happens, it would be a long way off, for now, I am just looking to keep writing, keep sharing and engaging with the readers I have. I love blogging, how I can write whatever I want and find other people with similar opinions.

I hope this has given you a little insight into how, and why, I blog.

Lydia

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A Weekend At Home.

I thought I would share with you and average weekend for me when I'm not working. They are usually filled by trying to relax, but socialize at the same time!

 

Whenever I get time, especially on the weekends, I make time to spend some time walking Tilly, always wrapping up in a coat & scarf. I love scrambling over stiles and into woodlands.

Saturday was spent tidying up the kitchen and drinking coffee. It was crazy to see how many dishes, pots, pans that my parents have collected of the years that they have been married.

Sunday is always a time to head to church and socialize, today was spent having lunch at a local pub getting to know knew people in the town.

Sunday evening's for me are spent joining in with Lifestyle Bloggers Chat on Twitter and writing up new posts.

I hope this post has shown how I spend my time, what do you do when you have nothing else planned?

Lydia

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