Lottiemxo: May 2014

I got my first tattoo at the age of 18 and have had a new one every year since.

My first tattoo is a swallow and a rose and is in memory of my grandparents from my mams side of the family. My Grandad always grew roses in his garden and my nana was always in the garden feeding the birds so this was the perfect tattoo for me to get in memory of them both.

Pain rating - 3. The only part of this tattoo that hurt was the very top of the bird which sits right under my neck.

Tattoo number 2 is the word 'TUPPS'. I always get questions about this one. When I was little my dad would always call me Tupps and to this day that is what he still calls me. Anyone who knows me well enough will know that my dad is the world to me, he is my role model in life and my best friend. Moving away from him is one of the hardest things I have ever done so this tattoo is very special to me.

Pain rating - 2. This tattoo didn't take very long at all and was pretty much pain free.

Tattoo number 3 is a dandelion with birds coming off it and is on my right shoulder. This tattoo represents a very tough time I went through and to me the meaning of this tattoo is 'Over time things to get better'.

Pain rating - 3. Once again the only part of this tattoo that hurt was the two birds that sit right at the top of my shoulder.

Tattoo number 4 is my most recent one which I got in November 2013. Sadly in September 2013 my nana passed away. After a few weeks I decided it was time for a new tattoo in memory of her. I came to the decision that I wanted a feather and a quote. After hours of searching and designing the decision was made, A feather with a flower in the middle and next to it I have the quote,

'Always on my mind. Forever in my heart.'

This tattoo is very special to me and to me means my nana is always with me no matter where I go in life.

Pain rating - 6. This was the most painful tattoo I have had done. The bottom of the feather is quite far down my back and is on a sensitive part of the back. Also this tattoo has quite a bit of shading in the feather which was quite painful after about an hour. The pain was defiantly worth it.

Tattoo number 5 is defiantly on the cards at some point this year hopefully.

Do you have any tattoos or do you plan on getting any tattoos ? What do you plan on getting ?

Lottiemxo.

Crystal Bow Bobble Purse £75

I already own a Limited Edition Ted Baker purse which was a present from my other half. Mine is a pale pink colour with the french bulldog print on the front of it. I love the bow clasp on this black one and black is a colour that never dates.

Stitch Card Wallet £35

I think this card wallet is a great idea for days when you don't want to carry a big purse or bag. It is great for throwing in the few cards you need such as bank cards and ID and you can be away out the door in no time. Also as it is so compact it will take up hardly any room and can even just be thrown in your pocket if you are only popping to the shops and back.

Large Bow Wash Bag Black £29

I already own a Ted Baked wash bag but the only problem with it is, it is a little too big and is made from fabric and not plastic. I have my eyes on one of the large wash bags so if I am just popping home for a couple of days I can just throw in some essentials I need and off I go.

Sugar Floral Printed Swimsuit £69

In June my other half and I along with his parents are off to York to visit my parents for the day as it is my parents anniversary. We are staying over night in The Quality Inn Hotel just outside of York. The hotel has a heated pool and whilst looking for a new swimsuit I fell in love with this colour and gorgeous print on this one. I think £69 is a little out of my price range though.

Small Bow Wash Bag Green £25

For Christmas I was lucky enough to receive the winter print makeup bag from my parents but once again whilst browsing the Ted Baker website I fell in love with the colour of this makeup bag. I think it will be a perfect spring/summer edition to my handbag.

Printed Flip Flops £29

As you can see there is a running theme with the last three items. I am in love with this colour that Ted Baker have used. These flip flops would be perfect for round the pool or for walks on the beach when I head to the Isle of White in August with Glen and his family.

Lottiemxo.

*This post was not sponsored.

Today on my blog I want to introduce my boyfriend, Glen. If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram you will know that on 9th February 2014 I moved roughly 400 miles from Sunderland to Kent. It was one of the hardest things I have done but at the same time one of best. My contract at work was nearly up but luckily enough I managed to get a transfer from the store I worked in in the North to one quite local to where we are in the South. Previous to me moving we were in a long distance relationship which was hard but completely worth it. We seen each other roughly every 6 weeks. We spent many hours on the phone or FaceTime and I dread to think how many messages we have sent each other over the months.

Now for a bit about Glen written by the man himself.Well first thing you need to know is that I suck at talking about myself. But here goes, Im just an average bloke who likes being outside when I can. I'm grounds maintenance by trade which is awesome in the summer and sucks in the winter but can't have everything both ways. I enjoy fishing, carp fishing as its the lazy mans fishing and nice just to chill next to the lakeside and not worry about anything. On another weekend I go airsofting, which I'm not allowed to talk about too much because I could go on forever. Football is an interest now more than a hobby as I work a lot and means I don't have much time at the weekends and I would rather spend time with my lovely lady. I did play american football for a season which was great fun but again work commitments shot that down, and if anyone wants to say "its the same as rugby" ITS NOT!! Im also a fan of ice hockey supporting local team Invicta Dynamos! Well thats about it really apart from my music taste which really doesn't go down well with everyone, I'm a big heavy metal and rock fan, unfortunately the mrs isn't but I'm slowly turning her.

What was your first impression of me and what was the first thing you noticed about me ?

Answer: Well it was your profile picture so your lovely big...eyes.

Where was our first date ?

Answer: Leeds.

Where was our first kiss ?

Answer: Leeds Premier Inn Room 321

Who said “I love you” first ? Where and when ?

Answer: You did in my room when we was all snuggled up.

What was it like being in a long distance relationship ?

Answer: Hard, but well worth it in the end!

When did you meet my family ?

Answer: York, when we went shopping for your birthday. I nearly had a heart attack at handbag prices!!!!!!!

What is something I have done that makes you proud ?

Answer: Strange as it may sound, trying new foods as I know it freaks you out.

What is my favourite restaurant ?

Answer: South - Hons North - Zaza Bazaar

What would I eat everyday if I could ?

Answer: NANDOS! and I agree.

What shoe size do I wear ?

Answer: Size 7.....man feet (she can wear my work boots!!)

What song reminds you of me ?

Answer: Five Finger Death Punch - Coming Down (Told you I'm turning her :D)

Do we have any traditions ?

Answer: Nandos, Watching netflix in bed, Going for breakfast.

How do you feel about me blogging ?

Answer: Crack on.

3 things I am good and not good at ?

Answer: Bad things - Sharing the duvet, Cooking, Keeping up with me drinking (She's a lightweight)

Good: Making a cheesecake, Keeping our room tidy, Buying me whiskey.

Describe me in five words!

Answer: Quirky, Weird, Freaky, Funny and Lovely (By the way she agrees)

What is one unique talent I have ?

Answer: Putting up with me.

What is it like living together ?

Answer: Awesome. Just can't wait to get our own place. Not far off :)

Where do you see us in five years ?

Answer: Thats a long time. Don't really care as long as im with you.

Lottiemxo.

'It is not easy but it is worth it.'

I have always found it hard to loose weight. I was always the girl at school who was bullied for being over weight. I was never happy with the way I looked. No matter what I did I found it incredible hard to loose weight. In 2012 after many doctor appointments, hospital appointments and blood test I was told that I had Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. This explained why I was finding it hard to loose weight. Once this was confirmed my doctor referred me to a dietician to have a chat about what I should and shouldn't be eating. I was also referred to a consultant who explained more about the condition. After having a few appointments with my consultant I explained to him that the main symptom that was affecting me was that I really wanted to loose weight but was finding it incredible hard to do so. He suggested that I went and sat in on a weight loose surgery talk. So off I went. When I arrived everyone who was there had to be weighed. Just like most girls I hate stepping on the scales. When I stepped on the scaled I could have cried right there in front of the nurse. The scales read roughly 22stone. This was heartbreaking to me. After sitting through the talk I made the decision I did not want to have surgery. I know some people who have had surgery and it worked for them but I wanted to do this on my own. I have a lot of respect for people who have gone through with surgery but for me it was not the right method to go for. Around six weeks after I made this decision I had my next appointment with my consultant. Once again he weighed me and I had lost nearly a stone. I changed my diet and cut out eating a lot of fried food. My job meant I was on my feet a lot and did a lot of walking. Anyone who knows me personally knows I am not a big eater and find it extremely hard to try new food. New food scares me which I know sounds stupid but it is an actual fear of mine. Luckily I have a very supportive family and boyfriend who stood by me when times got tough and gave me the kick up the backside I needed. When I stepped on the scales this morning it read 15stone 4. This number still makes my heart sink but when I look back and compare pictures and realise that I have lost nearly 7stone in a year and a half it makes me feel proud of myself. I want to loose around another 3 stone then I will decide where I am going to go from there.

Things that helped me to loose weight.

* The support of my boyfriend and my family.

I could not ask for a more supportive boyfriend, he has stood by me when time got tough and has helped me to build the confidence I never had. My family have been there every step of the way and what made me smile the most is when they told me how proud they were of me.

* Comparison pictures.

Pictures really do help. You might look in the mirror and think you can't see a difference. Take pictures 4/6 weeks apart. When you see the difference even if its just a little one you will realise that the hard work does pay off.

* Instagram.

I follow a lot of people on Instagram who are also loosing weight. When you see there weight loss it can really inspire you if you are having a down day.

I hope this post is helpful to some people.

Always remember the hard work does pay off no matter how long it takes.

Lottiemxo.

10 easy steps for making a vanilla cheesecake.

Ingredients:

200g Digestive biscuits

75g Unsalted butter

400g Full fat cream cheese (Room temperature)

300ml Creme fresh (Room temperature)

1 cap of vanilla extract

Shot of Jack Daniels

Half eaten Lindt white bunny as a topping

Step 1

Weigh out 200g of digestive biscuits. Mine worked out at 14 biscuits.

Step 2

Place biscuits in a plastic bag and bash them with either a rolling pin or bash them on the worktop until they turn into something that resemble biscuit crumbs.

Step 3

Place your crumbs into a bowl and put to one side.

Step 4

Take 75g of unsalted butter, place in a saucepan and stir until it has all melted.

Step 5

Pour your melted butter over your bread crumbs and stir together until all the bread crumbs are coated and the mixture starts to stick together.

Step 6

Take a tin of your chose. The bigger your tin the thinner your base will be. I chose a medium size tin. Pour your biscuit crumbs into the tin and press down with the back of a spoon. Once you have done this place your base in the fridge to chill while you make your topping.

Step 7

Take 400g of full fat cream cheese and 300ml of creme fresh in a bowl. You can either use an electric whisk or wooden spoon to beat them together until the mixture is light and fluffy.

Step 8

Now to add your flavouring. For mine I used a cap of vanilla and a shot of Jack Daniels but you can follow this recipe and change your flavour to whatever you fancy.

Step 9

Once you have added your flavouring remove your base from the fridge, spoon your mixture on the base and spread out with a palette knife until the base is completely covered.

Step 10

The final step is to add your topping. I chose to grate white chocolate over the finished cheesecake but you can add whatever topping you want. You could use fruit, chocolate or even left over digestive biscuits.

I hope this post was helpful.

Enjoy!

Lottiemxo.

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