Another Blog of Birthday Gratitude

Wow, once again I have been spoiled for the second evening this week in celebration of my 25th Birthday. Not only did my friends make my actual birthday special, but they chose to continue their generousity and make my weekend full of memorable, birthday related, activities. 

The best way to tell you is to do it from my point of view, then you will understand the surprise and how amazing it was... 

I was picked up Saturday night at 8pm. I was told to wear jeans and a top but of course I rebelled and fashioned a tunic with some leggings. I gave myself a 'golden glow' and was feeling confident that I looked 'alright'! 

My 'Golden Glow'

As soon as I got in the car a tie was produced and I was instructed to blindfold myself. After a small fuss from me, worrying about my make-up, I was obedient and placed the tie over my eyes. I now had to use my picture memory to sense where I was. My friend was clever however and drove round roundabouts several times before turning off to confuse me. After about ten minutes we arrived at our destination and, still blindfolded, I was escorted out of the car and felt the floor turn to gravel/stones underneath my feet. Any ideas where I am?? 

The ground evened out after a few steps, and then I tripped up a step as my friend failed to warn me of it - we laughed as well! Suddenly, my nostrils filled with the smell of oil, like the oil you get in those wind resistant, garden candles. I was positioned and then told to remove my blindfold. 

"SURPRISE" All my amazing friends were in front of me, under a gazebo, sat on hay-bales in my friends garden. I was a tad confused but turned around and behind me I saw a screen, formed from two wooden planks and a bed sheet. Returning my focus to the gazebo I noticed a projector set up as my friends approached me for cuddles. It was an outdoor cinema they had created to celebrate my 25th birthday. I was overwhelmed, still am at how adorable the idea was. 

Everyone and me on the hay-bales under the gazebo

The gazebo was decorated with buntings which each guest had wrote nice messages upon - these are now hung up in my room. There was food and a BBQ on the go. Alcohol was served in my favourite format - cocktails! The night was amazing. Seeing all my friends under one gazebo, watching cringing clips of me performing during a summer project, to creasing with laughter over Anchorman 2. Conversation flowed until 4:30am, when we decided to call it a night. 

My beautiful messages, now hung up in my room

So, this blog, similarly to my last, is dedicated to all my friends who have made this birthday really special for me. But this time it comes with extra special thanks to Amyy Newbold, Alice Taylor, Sweeney for being the hosts of this event and Tyler Cartwright for organising the whole thing. I am truly bless to have you, plus all the guests, in my life. I cannot wait to return the favour for all of your birthdays :) 

Me and Tyler - The Organiser

Me and the Hosts - Amyy with the great face!

Fellow bloggers; What is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you for your birthday? 

Please leave any comments below :)  

Birthday Blessings

Yesterday I turned 25 years old. My birthday was celebrated in style as I was surrounded by my friends and family - all the people who mean the world to me. And if that wasn't enough, they spoiled me even more by showering me with presents and surprises. I am so grateful I feel it necessary to write a blog and discuss my birthday blessings... 

Me celebrating my birthday in style with a 'Blue Heaven' cocktail. Yummy!

For me, Birthdays are important, they mean something. They have always been something I will go out of my way for to celebrate. I love to find something that I know my loved ones will enjoy and love to open on their birthdays. Yesterday, that same passion was shared and my family and friends made it their mission to spoil me and spoil me they did. 

My amazing gifts from all my family and friends.

After a tough start to the year I have never needed such an amazing pick me up. I have felt lost since January, not knowing how to trust people anymore, struggling to know who would really be there for me when the going gets tough or when it really mattered. I now have a much better idea thanks to the amazing gestures of celebration and love I received yesterday. There is a quote I love that really does sum up a fair few of my friendships:

"Good friends are like stars, you don't always see them, but you know they are there". 

I, like everyone, have friends who I see on the odd occasion, but when I do see them, everything is amazing. Nothing has changed. Neither one of us is awkward or desperate for an explanation as to why there has been such a gap between our last meeting. We are just happy to be in one another's company and that is exactly as it should be. Some friends you will see everyday and you're no closer to them as you are the friend you see once a month, or every few months. My eyes were truly opened to this yesterday as I celebrated with all styles of friends; lifelong friends, new friends, old friends, friends I see all the time and friends I see less occasionally... They all came together to celebrate my birthday and for this I am truly lucky. 

A beautiful collage, made by Amyy Newbold, of many of my friends and family.

Just to add to the beautiful memory that was created last night, I had a final surprise in store at the end of the night. Three cakes were bought out to me from the kitchen as everyone sang 'happy birthday!' Three! That tells me that at least three people had separately visited the restaurant before last night to give them an extra special gift to present to me. The cakes were incredible and each one had a significant meaning behind it! (If you can't tell from the pictures below I am in love with pigs!) 

My fantastic cakes that bought me to tears. The First handmade by Alice Brown, the second provided by Alice Taylor and Amyy Newbold and the third bought by my Mum.

Finally then, I want to thank every person who has been involved in my birthday this year, whether you were there last night celebrating with me in person, or you drop a quick text to wish me a good day, thank you. I am so grateful and feel overwhelmed with the love I have received. Thank you .x.x.

Me and Mum before the celebrations began.

It has been a while...

Well well well, I must first start with an apology for my serious lack of blogging. I have had a tough year so far which has led to me having a lot of up and down moments, neither or which make for great writing. But here we are, June 2014. 

Coming up on this blog should include:

• AmieJCrafts introduction + regular updates
• Dressy Digits updates
• Teacher talk
• Writers Tips could make a return
• Reviews!

AmieJCrafts

My latest project sees me being creative and crafty, making gifts and keepsakes for everyone within the UK. If you can't wait for my blog posts about AmieJCrafts to be published you can visit my Etsy store here; https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/AmieJCrafts?ref=pr_shop_more 

Or my Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/Amiejcrafts

Dressy Digits

This blog has already mentioned my shellac nail project which I offer in my local area. But sometimes it's fun to talk nails and show off what I have done for customers :)

Here is a link to my first blog post about Dressy Digits, to give you an idea of it's history: http://amielou89.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/dressy-digits.html 

Here is my Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/dressydigits13

Teacher Talk

As an aspiring teacher, and currently studying towards my PGCE part time whilst working the rest of my time in a school as a cover supervisor, it is sometimes great to discuss what really goes on in a typical present day classroom. I also love it when my readers join in with these discussions so please feel free to leave comments! 

Writers Tips

This was such a popular time for my blog. If you are a regular visitor you know that I had many published authors on board, discussing and swapping top tips for writing. Use the tab at the top of my blog to visit all my Writer's tips entries with guest appearances from authors including Jack Croxall, Sharon Stone and Jonathan Lee. 

I really hope I can get this back up and running over the summertime to help all aspiring writers out there to enhance their masterpieces! 

Reviews

Again, as my top tabs would suggest, reviews are something I love to write. These will just pop up frequently. If you are interested in having your band reviewed please contact me using the contact me tab :) 

Well it is lovely to be back, expect to hear from me soon, gassing on about one of the categories above - or something completely new! Until then, ciao! 

My 2014 challenges... so far.

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." 

Mahatma Ghandi

Happiness is something I believe to be of high importance in life. It is created through many means and can happen at anytime to anyone. I hope it is happening to you. 

I have just taken on the task; 100 Happy Days. 

All that is required is taking a photo a day of what has made you happy that day, for 100 days. The idea behind it, is to help you be a more positive person and see that happiness can be achieved, even in everyday life. 

All you need to do is register on this website: http://www.100happydays.com/#go 

Then all that is left is to take 1 picture a day for 100 days, tag it and you're away, proving to everyone that happiness really is everywhere. 

DryAthlon

I am kicking the alcohol for the month of January to help raise money for the great cause and charity that is Cancer research UK. 

My aim is to make £100 for the charity.

If you'd like to donate you can do so here: 

http://www.justgiving.com/Amie-Johnson-dryathlete

Savings

When it comes to saving money I find a novelty piggy bank or challenge can help to encourage you to give up money. 

This year I have purchased a large jar which is ready to fill towards my trip to India at Christmas. (This has also helped to motivate me - having something to save towards). 

I was inspired by the 52 week money saving challenge. 

You start by saving £1 then add £1 each week. Eventually, after 52 weeks, you will have saved £1,378!!

 Good luck to you if this is a challenge you choose to face! 

So far this is it for my 2014 challenges I have accepted. 

I plan on being happier, healthier and wealthier by the end of 2014 and here's some things I'm doing to achieve this. 

What are your challenges this year?