Sandos Papagayo Beach Resort Lanzarote

So some of you will know I've just been on a 10 night all inclusive holiday to Lanzarote with my boyfriend, for those of you who didn't know, well.. I've just been on holiday, you get the point. I wanted to write a blog post about the hotel we stayed at because I was SO impressed with basically everything. Now I've only been on holiday abroad 3 times but out of everywhere I stayed this is the only Hotel I've ever been able to say I will definitely recommend staying here. By the way to hotel is HUGE probably because there was so much to do and wide range of activities and entertainment to take part in. 

I'll start of with the key features of the hotel: 

• All inclusive 
• 3 Restaurants (main buffet, Italian and Fusion buffet (Oriental and Tex Mex) 
• 3 Swimming pools (one adult only, one kids and one mixed) 
• Pool bar/snack bar
• 5 bars (one adult only)
• Chill out terrace
• Private beach
• Free wifi 
• Safety deposit box 
• Air con in rooms 

Entertainment: 

• Bicycle rentals 
• Tennis court 
• Multi-sports court 
• Archery 
• Rifle shooting 
• Mini golf
• Spa (3 Jacuzzis, Turkish bath, sauna then your selection of massages etc) 
• Table tennis 
• 6 pool tables 
• Games console
• Darts 
• Ping pong tables 
• Play area 
• Mini disco 
• Daytime pool activities and games run by animation team 
• Evening shows run by animation team

We stayed in just a standard double room with a terrace, wow the only thing that was disappointing about this was the view from the room, there was metal fencing all around the back of the block of rooms, I think this was to stop people or animals or whatever from getting in, me and Kyle actually walked round the back of our room as it was the way to get to some small private beaches. I am aware you could make a complaint and ask for a room change but it didn't really affect us because we spent more time outside rather than in our room, as long as it has a bed, a mirror and a shower I wasn't too fussed and certainly didn't ruin our holiday. 

Now the other point that was actually a down fall was the food at the hotel. For breakfast it was your basic continental breakfast; Cereal, toast, pancakes, fruit, full English and they they had like pate's and meats such as ham and salami etc. For lunch they had all your salad stuff, fish, chicken beef, turkey and pork both grilled and slow cooked. One time they had shark too which I was going to try but it was really hard to cut away so I ended up having a strop and storming off like a 13 year old stroppy teenager. Then there was chips, paella, chilled and hot pasta, and in the Italian restaurant they had a live station where they made your choice of pasta and sauce in front of you as well as pizza. Then lastly for Dinner they had near enough the same just different flavours and toppings etc. Obviously I got sick of eating the same stuff but it was more the quality of the food (whenever I've been away the foods always upset my stomach because of the diet change of how they cook things differently) so I ended up just eating Spaghetti Bolognese every day, no joke. To be expected considering it's my favourite meal ever. 

The fusion restaurant you had to book in advance in order to get a table. This restaurant had alternate days of Oriental food and then the next it was Tex Mex. We was lucky to eat at both of them, because it was set out to be a proper restaurant the food was a lot more better quality. Oriental was the better of the two because I love Chinese, Thai, Indian etc. On the other hand Kyle preferred the Tex Mex

Now on to the staff at this hotel, they where all so friendly and helpful which was different for me because other places I've been they've always ended up being so rude and ignorant. But that's what you want your staff to be like, be nice and deal with any problems you may have. Even the maids where really nice, one of the days I'd come back to the room alone from the pool and one of the maids had just finished cleaning ours. She couldn't speak English but in the end we figured out what she was trying to say, she warned me that the floors slippy and to be careful which I thought was super lovely and nice of her to tell me. Another one of the maids, Kyle had won me a elephant teddy in one of them claw grabby machine things which was in the hotel and I'd lay it on the side of the bed side table in the room. When she'd made the bed she'd picked it up and sat it up on my side of the bed which I found SO SO cute. It's the little things. Now my favourite staff where the animation team, they where all so friendly, forever forcing you to take part in the activities they'd organised which I was glad about because it made me try new things. I tried archery, I didn't win but I beat Kyle which is the only thing that matters. I also played water polo which was rather fun, until I got too cocky and jumped up in the air to grab the ball, when I'd landed my foot went from under me because I'd slipped and I had the shock of my life. All the entertainment they put on for both kids and adults was absolutely amazing and you could tell they put in so much hard work and effort. I just wish I could have stayed longer because they went round actually getting to know you and becoming your friend which really makes an impression on me. They actually invited me and Kyle out with them on our last night for a few drinks but sadly had to decline because we was up really early in the morning due to flying back home and still had to finish packing :(

All in all if you are staying in Playa Blanca please stay at this hotel because trust me you will not be disappointed. Even though there was a couple of bad points for me which they could obviously improve on, it seriously does not spoil your holiday! I still left extremely happy wishing that I didn't have to leave. I'll definitely be returning in the future whether it's next year or in a few years. 

I'm extremely happy with my self for stepping out my comfort zone and trying new sports; archery, water polo, went on a bike ride, tried out the sauna and Jacuzzis, played pool basically every single night and got very very drunk every night apart from one. I had so much fun, a holiday to remember. Gorgeous Hotel, lovely staff and fantastic entertainment, I'm just super grateful I got the chance to share it with someone very special to me.

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Talking About ADHD and Learning Difficulties

It's taken me a lot to be so open about this due to it being a really personal sensitive subject but I thought it would be a good idea to share my experiences on how I've coped with having a sibling who has learning difficulties, I also wanted to help other people understand because mental illnesses, disabilities, disorders etc are no joke and I think a lot more people need to be educated on subjects like these because they're seriously not talked about enough.

Before I start I'd just like you to be made aware that my brother was diagnosed with ADHD as well as learning difficulties. Believe it or not ADHD is classed as a disability as well as a learning difficulty and is linked to other things such as autism depression, anxiety etc.

I'd like to start off with talking about ADHD, now for anyone who doesn't know what it stands for it's an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is split into two types of behavioral problems, inattentiveness and impulsiveness. My brother has symptoms from both these categories but not all of them.

Symptoms of ADHD he suffers from:

• Hyperactivity 
• Difficulty in concentrating (easily distracted) 
• Appearing to forget things or losing them
• Excessive talking 
• Being unable to wait his turn 
• Interrupts conversations 
• Hates change 
• No sense of danger
• Fidgeting
• Hates being rejected 
• Fear of failure 
• Struggles sleeping
• Unable to oragnise 

Now one of the things that upsets me as a sister is that I have to watch  how distressed and upset my brother becomes because of other people who don't understand or they're not aware. He's an easy target. He gets bullied. People take advantage and it's unfair. He struggles in social situations, now this is a difficult one but it's just one of them things. My brother is one of the most loveliest, friendliest caring boys you'll ever meet, he just wants to be friends with everyone. But on the other hand when people pick on him or irritate him on purpose because they know they'll get a reaction out of him he lashes out and becomes aggressive, I guess that's all just the frustration built up and he doesn't know how to deal with it. So because of this he genuinely has no friendships and it breaks both mine and my mums heart, he's not a horrible, vindictive sly child he genuinely is so lovely, he just can't help it due to the chemical inbalance in his brain. 

Now one of the things that really bugs me is when people say "ADHD is not a real thing it's bad parenting, stop trying to cover it up". I'm sorry, no I'm not sorry, this is SO out of order. It is not bad parenting it's a genuine thing, it's classed as a disability. If the child is acting up with general bad behvaiour and the parents couldn't give a damn then that's a different thing. In my opinion it's so hard to tell if it's bad behaviour of if the individual has ADHD or they can even have autism etc.All the symptoms and signs are there though. I wish some people would please stop passing judgement, it's not nice. 

I'll tell you a little story off subject, but when I was 8 and he was born, I remember crying because I wanted a little baby sister not a brother. But now I really would not change him for the world, I'm so protective over him because I hate seeing him so upset sometimes which leads me onto explaining how do I cope. I just do, even if he doesn't annoy me and we fall out from time to time, but that's what families and siblings do right?. I asked my mum how does she coped and she said the same. " You can't sit and mope around complaining about it because it's not going to go away, it's a lifelong thing and it's not his fault, he was born with it".

I'd just like to clear up there are options such as medication for it, but with my brother it wasn't the best course of action due to one of the effects being sudden death if they've had open heart surgery or a problem with there heart previously. So instead at school he has one on one teachers to help bring out the best of him with his school work because believe it or not he's a very very clever boy, and no this is not biased. He's a lot smarter than me if I'm being honest and he's not even a teenager yet. He just needs that little bit of extra support and there's nothing wrong with that. I am ridiculously proud of him. 

Sorry for writing such a long post but there was no way of me writing a smaller amount. If you've any other questions then feel free to comment below but no nasty comments please. 

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How To Pack Your Carry On Plane Bag

Hello Summer! 

It's got to that time of year where everyone is going on holiday now including me. So I thought it would be the perfect time to write a blog post about what types of things to take on your plane bag aka travel essentials. Now if you've travelled on a plane before everyone knows that planes can be seriously boring so you have to find a way to entertain yourself whether it's a long winded flight or a short flight, how annoying is it when your bum goes numb? or you've got some random dude falling a sleep next to you and slowly itching closer and closer to resting on your shoulder. All us girls also know that flights make your skin really dry and puffy so you have to give yourself some extra TLC, plus I think it's a great way to pass some time. 

I'll get to it and share with you the things that I'm going to be taking with me in my carry on bag. 

Passport, Plane tickets and Hotel details etc 

This is the most obvious one to take on a plane with you because you wouldn't get very far now would you? Can't go forgetting those! 

Phone and Headphones 

I always take my phone with me everywhere it's like my baby, it'll be useful for me to take with me so I can contact my mum or anyone else I need to via Wifi. The headphones if I want to listen to music or watch any downloaded videos on my phone, noise reducing sound ones are the best ones so you don't hear that awful noise from the plane engine or other people being noisy but Unfortunately I've only got my apple earphones. 

Book 

This is a great way to pass time, I'll only be on a 4 hour flight but once I get proper onto it, We'll be landing before we know it. 

Camera 

Putting this in my bag purely because everyone knows it's not ideal to back it in your suitcase otherwise it'll break and i'm not risking that happening due to it being my most prized possession. 

Facial Moisturizer 

I want to give my face some TLC this year as I'm trying to improve my skin and I don't want to look gross. 

Lip balm 

Again to take care of my skin and help my lips become all smooth and moisturized especially right now when it's warmer and dryer weather.  

Makeup wipes

To take off any makeup I may have put on and help to feel more freshened up 

Pocket tissues

Now you never know, these may come in really handy! You may have a cold or you may need them when you go to the toilet, a lot of people go to the toilet on flights to stretch there legs or the obvious? to use the toilet, duh Claire. And it might just so happen there is no toilet roll left, but don't fret! You'll have your pocket tissues!  

Purse 

This is probably a really important one for me because I like to spend maybe a little too much. But there's loads of shops in duty free you may end up seeing something you want to get and treat yourself. But no seriously I always end up buying my self some hard sweets to stop my ears from popping during take off and landing. I also always make sure I buy a bottle of water. 

Deodorant 

If you sweat a lot like me then you'll definitely need this (don't worry my armpits are not like a waterfall, it's normal to sweat). I'm taking a roll on deodorant to help freshen up either on the plane or after we land and waiting for our luggage.

*Just to clarify if you didn't already know because traveling is new to you, You're only allowed to take liquids that are 100ml, anything larger than that they won't let you take on the plane with you. 

What things to you take with you in your carry on bag?

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Favourite Bloggers

Let's share the love! I thought it was time to share with you who my favourite bloggers are at the moment. So I had a few blogs in mind who I consider as favourites and they so happen to be the blogs where I comment on regularly too. I don't see very often other bloggers sharing who their favourite bloggers are although that would be extremely helpful for me when finding new blogs because I have no idea where to start. I think it's important to support fellow bloggers and just show them a bit of love they're so appreciative of things like this trust me.

Photo Credit: Jemma from Dorkface

Dorkface

Jemma is one of the loveliest friendliest bloggers I follow. Her blog consists off beauty, lifestyle, art and craft posts which I absolutely adore because theirs a bit of everything for everyone. My favourites are her chatty posts because she just comes across as a funny, genuine, honest, she's just beautiful inside and out! She also has her own Etsy shop were she sells super cute sticker packs & prints, you should definitely check them out. 

Photo Credit: Corrie from dizzybrunette3

Dizzybrunette3

Corrie is the one who inspired me to start my blog. I'd been thinking about starting a blog for a few months but I had no idea where to start. One day I ended up stumbling across one of her Youtube videos based on starting a blog, I can't remember how I found it considering I didn't search for anything blog related, I just did. I'd never read a blog before but when I read Corrie's she instantly became one of my favourites, my first favourite infact. I find her famous one liners absolutely hilarious "winner winner chicken dinner". Dizzybrunette3 is a blog that I think a lot of people will like and will be able to relate too & you will absolutely adore Corrie I'm sure of it, you can count on her when it comes to being honest!

Photo Credit: Caitlin from Throughthemirror

Through The Mirror

Caitlin's blog is up at the top of my list too, her photos are so brightly crisp and clear which I look for in blogs, the beautiful girly also never fails to write something completely unique which gives me so much inspiration. Her blog is a beauty and lifestyle blog (again, what a surprise), I really love her posts where she gets all personal and opens up to her readers, I enjoy reading these types of posts as it helps you to get to know the blogger on a more personal level where you already feel like you're friends.

I hope you liked at least one of these blogs and that they quickly become one of your favourites too. While you're checking out their blog leave them a nice comment because they all deserve it with their hard work.

What are your favourite bloggers at the moment? I'd love to find new blogs myself

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Life Lessons I've Learnt In 20 Years

We all learn lessons in life whether it's through mistakes we've made, what our parents have taught us from when we was little or through other peoples actions. I've put together a list of things I've learnt in the 20 years of my life which have also helped me become the person I am today. I know there will be plenty more lessons to be learnt and I am open to them all. 

“Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.” - Helen Keller

1. Never go to sleep mad at a loved one
If you fall out with a loved one never go to sleep or walk away without making amends first because anything can happen at any time and you'll only end up regretting it 

2. No one is perfect 
It doesn't matter how much of a tanned curvy body that tumblr girl has or how defined that guys abs are, nobody is perfect. Both that woman and man will have their flaws and be comparing them selves to other people too. We're all humans, we all experience the same emotions and nobody is better than anyone else

3. That gut feeling is always right 

That gut feeling you always have, don't try to fight because 9 times out of 10 it will be right, so start listening to it

4. If you're unhappy in a relationship it's time to let go

If your partner is beginning to make you unhappy then you need to accept that it's time to let go. Now I'm not talking about being unhappy because your boyfriend wouldn't buy you this so you've thrown a tantrum or your girlfriend has had a go at you because you didn't pick up your dirty washing off the floor. I'm talking about to the point you're beginning to feel mentally drained and it's mentally making you ill because of controlling behaviour, and you constantly just think of breaking up with them, yeah I've been there. Trust me if you're this unhappy it's seriously not worth it and honestly is for the best. They say everything happens for a reason and it's true

5. Friends come and go 

I've had heaps of friends and they've all been and gone, don't beat yourself up about it because that's life

6. If a great opportunity comes along grab it with both hands 

Great opportunity's are once in a life time, if the same opportunity's comes round again then you're extremely lucky but the first time you must take it! Step out of your comfort zone as much as you can and try new things, that's a positive thing! How bad can it be? You will feel so proud of yourself and you'll be glad you said yes!

7. Treat people how you want to be treated 

Like Cinderella said "Have Courage and be Kind" If you don't treat people with respect then how can you expect other people to treat you with respect?

8. Honesty IS the best policy 

I believe honesty will get you far in life, nobody likes or trusts a liar. It's an important quality to have

9. You're not the only one who doesn't know what the hell they're doing

I know it's not just me who thinks how can anyone expect me to know what I want to with my life? I'm still only young and I've not experienced everything. I've always said how do I know what I want as a career if I've never tried it? I'm just rolling with it 

10. Don't take anything for granted 

It's extremely important to appreciate the little and the big things in life otherwise you'll put them in jeopardy or you'll end up losing someone you care about a lot 

11. What goes around comes around 

Karma is real I've seen it happen, and the majority of the time the one who sent it around ends up with more damage

12. Quality over quantity

This saying can apply to anything whether it's friendships or work, quality will always be more important than quantity

13. Surround yourself with people that bring out the best in you 

It's important to surround yourself with positive people who bring out the best in you and encourage you to take them amazing opportunity's you are doubting, make you happy and to do well for yourself. I cannot express how much of a difference this has had an impact on my happiness

14. Accept that not everyone will like you  

Just because the odd person can't see how amazing you are doesn't mean that there is something wrong with you. Unfortunately the world is filled with lots of nasty people and well, you just can't please everyone

15. Work Smart

Working hard is effective to some point but it's important to not over work yourself. Working smart has a better effect and is a lot more beneficial from what I've experienced. Use all them great ideas you've got stored in your brain and combine the two together and you've hit jackpot. Don't forget Balance is key!

What are some important lessons you have learnt? 


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What I've Been Loving This Month

Yes, It's that time of the month again where I share with you the beauty products I have been loving this month. Now recently I've been on a spending ban due to going on holiday soon, and well.. I failed. In my defence I only bought a few products which is why this monthly favourites is going to be very short but I've been loving these so much and I'm really impressed so I think they're worth sharing with you.

Just a heads up all the products are from L'Oreal but without further ado I'll crack on..

So the first thing I've been absolutely loving this month is the L'Oreal's Infallible Sculpt Contouring Palette. Now what I love about this the most is that it is a cream to powder finish, I know! It's cool right? I really like the consistency of this it's really easy to blend and buildable so it is perfect for all skin tones and it suits my skin tone really well due to it having a beautiful cool tone to it which means it isn't orangey what so ever!

The second product I have been loving is L'Oreals Super Liner Perfect Slim. I needed a new liner and even though I still had a lot left my gel liner started to dry up so it didn't have the same effect. I've had my eye on a felt tip liquid liner for a while now and thought I'd give this one a whirl. I LOVE this product, it's my new holy grail and I don't think I'll ever stop loving it. It's really easy to create that Perfect Cat eye liner look due to the nib being really slim and in the shape of a felt tip which also helps you control the thickness of your desired liner look.

And lastly I've also been loving L'Oreals True Match Foundation. I've used this before and I was loving it last year but I strayed away from it and went to Mac. Now I've recently rekindled my love for this foundation. The reason why I love this foundation is because I remember my mum saying last year whilst on holiday 'your face and skin looks so flawless' now if I remember correctly this is the base I was wearing. The True Match Foundation is the only foundation I've found that suits my skin tone the best, any others I've tried previously from other brands they're either too dark, too light or too yellow toned for me. L'Oreal is a winner for me. I've found when applied to the back of my hand first before applying to my face True match is quite runny, it's a light/medium matte coverage but I always apply a second layer to the places I think I need it more so I guess it's buildable.

Whats your favourites this month?

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