Resolution Roundup

Hi everyone! Sorry it's been so long since my last post, the world outside of blogging has been pretty intense and I was forced to take a break for a little while. But I'm back today hoping you'll all forgive me, and with a little Resolution Roundup for you all!

This time last year I set myself some New Year Resolutions, and to be honest I haven't really revisited them since. So we're well overdue a progress up date on them.

To get fit and healthy

This was definitely a very cliche resolution to make. I wonder how many other people made this resolution and how many actually achieved it?

I must admit, I probably didn't do too badly with this. I had spells where I was really good, kept up exercising regularly and ate healthily, but there were other spells where I was really naughty. I suppose that happens to even the best of us. I can't complain though, I did loose weight and drop a dress size, and I do feel a lot better in myself because of it. Just need to get back into my good spell again and keep it up for as long as I can.

Pass 4 more CIMA exams

Woo, this one I achieved! But it wasn't easy by any means. I finished off my final 2 management level exams by May 2015 and sat the first of my strategic level ones in September. All passed on the first attempt. The second strategic one I sat I wasn't so lucky with. I failed on the first attempt. BY ONE MARK! I still haven't got over that even if it was over 2 months ago. But on the second attempt I passed.

In total now that's 9 exams down (4 in 2015) and only 2 more to go! My aim of completing my qualification before turning 25 and ticking it off my list is on track.

Make more effort on my blog and in the blogging world

For the most part of the year, I did quite well on this. I was post regularly. I give my blog a whole new look. I came up with some new content ideas. I did more promoting and interacting through social media. I participated in some blogger chats. I worked with a few brands. I was getting there. And then work and exams became overpowering and blogging took a major back step. This is the one thing that isn't on my 25 before 25 list that I'd like to carry forward into next year. Make more effort with my blog. Even if it's just regular posting (once a fortnight at least) and keep my social media going. Then I don't feel as bad if work does get too much and I have to take a break. Lets see how it goes.

Read more books

Not including college books, I read 12 books this year. I achieved my goal!!!! The books I've read are: My Side of Life by Shane Filan, Now and Then by Brenda Rothert, Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes by Denise Grover Swank, The Homecoming Masquerade by SpencerBaum, The Festival of the Moon by Spencer Baum, The Rose Ransom by SpencerBaum, The Bonding Ritual by Spencer Baum, Looking for Alaska by John Green, Off Balance by Terez Mertes Rose, GoneGirl by Gillian Flynn, Paper Towns by John Green, Turning Pointe by Katherine Locke. I really need to learn to start doing my book reviews as soon as I've finished reading something. I did a few, and I've linked them above if you're interested, but I didn't get round to the others. I should really catch up on them all.

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I'm not setting myself any resolutions for 2016 as I'm still working my way through my 25 things before 25 list. But there will be a new post within the next week or so welcoming in 2016 and detailing some of my plans for the New Year. I hope you'll all stick around to enjoy them with me.

Happy New Year to you all, and thanks for putting up with my recent absence.

Love Sarah x

Love Lolo Mulberry Alexa Bag Liner Review

Owning a Mulberry bag was a dream of mine for a long time I thought wouldn’t come true. I was saving and saving to buy myself one as a special treat, but I wasn’t quite close enough to get one.

Knowing how much I wanted an Alexa, my Mum managed to convince my Dad to buy me one for a 21^st birthday present and it’s been my pride and joy ever since!

Unfortunately, she’s been loosing her shape recently and hasn’t been coming on many outings. I still love her, but I didn’t want to get her damaged as a result. To our rescue, the lovely ladies on a Mulberry facebook group introduced me to the world of bag liners, and after a bit of research and deliberation I decided to treat myself to one.

There don’t seem to be many bag liner manufacturers in the market at the moment. I managed to find just two; Samorga based in Asia and Love Lolo in the UK . There was very minimal difference in price (around £33 including postage) but the delivery time was much quicker from Love Lolo. And since I’m really impatient, I opted for the quicker delivery. I can’t fault the delivery at all. I ordered it on the Monday night, and the postman delivered it on Thursday. Very quick!

All Love Lolo liners are made from felt and come in a range of different colours to suit all the different range of Mulberry bag colours. I opted for Pewter. With 2 small inside pockets for your phone/keys, and a larger one perfect for a tablet/e-reader to slide in, the liner is great for adding a bit of extra organisation into your bag. The felt is very thick, and seems to be of good quality so I have no worries that it wouldn’t survive through some hard work and use.

I did worry that I’d ordered the wrong size liner as it took a little bit of manipulating to get the liner into my bag. But now that it’s in, I can definitely confirm I bought the right size and can see the difference it’s made in my Alexa’s shape. She looks to have doubled in height and has all her shape back in her.

I never thought felt could make so much difference to the shape of a bag, and I was very worried that I was spending a lot of money on something that wasn’t going to work. But this has proved me completely wrong. I don’t regret this purchase at all, and would definitely recommend one for any other bags out there that might need some shape back in them.

Sarah x

CD Review: Right Here by Shane Filan

I'm a big Westlife fan, I have been since the beginning. Since they split there's been quite a big music gap in my life, and I've been looking for something to fill it with. Thankfully the wonderful Westlife boys have started there own music careers and Shane Filan has just released his second album, 'Right Here'.

I loved Shane's first album, 'You and Me', it was such an easy listening album that you could sing along to and enjoy. When he announced his second album was coming this year, I was really excited and pre ordered a copy for me and my Mum (she's a big Westlife/Shane fan too!). When it turned up in my letter box I popped it straight into my car CD player and listened to it on my way to dance class, and in every car journey since then.

Like his first album, Shane has created a brilliant mix of songs that are so easy to listen to. They're really relaxing and the lyrics are beautiful. His duet with Nadine Coyle is so catchy, but there's so many amazing songs I can't even pick a favourite. This is an album that will be in my car, and on my iPod playlists for a long time to come.

Shane toured with his last album, and it was by far one of the best concerts I've ever been too. I really hope he decides to tour again with this one and if he does I know my Mum and I will be one of the firsts to get tickets.

If you love Westlife or want a nice relaxing CD to enjoy, I definitely recommend you buy this one!

Sarah x