Louise In LA

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

If you have been following me on my vlog channel, 'Sprinkle of Chatter, you will have seen that earlier this month I was in LA for a week of fun, collabs and adventures. 

Since all the videos are now published, I thought it would be fun to answer some of your questions!

If you would like to watch the vlogs, click HERE. 

Now, on with the questions!

Favourite thing you purchased in LA?

Oohh this is very easy. After seeing it on so many beauty blogs and in beauty videos, I took myself off to Sephora and picked up the Becca & Jaclyn Hill Champagne Pop Highlighter and oh my life, I was not disappointed. Although it's a pressed powder product it applies like an intense cream, blends beautifully and leaves you like a golden goddess. I've used it almost every day and I can safely say, it's love. 

Where was your favourite place to go?

Somewhere I went to but would have liked to spend more time at was Venice. It had sweet little canals and beautiful homes and lots of little nooks and crannies. To me, America feels really big and intimidating with it's crazy wide roads and huge buildings but Venice had the higgledypiggledy vibe that London has so I felt nice there. 

Favourite restaurant out there?

So, I'm not sure if I would call this a restaurant, but In-N-Out Burger. It's a fast food place (with eat in or drive thru) and oh em eff gee it was good. So good I had it twice. Once when I was in a grumpy hangry mood and once to cure a hangover (oops haha) and it was EXACTLY what I needed. I don't really eat beef so I was just going to get Animal Fries (I had those once a couple of years ago and have been dreaming of them every since) but Drew was way too much of an enabler and ordered me a grilled cheese thing too. It was the stuff of dreams I'm telling you. Also, whilst I'm at it recommending things- pink lemonade. You need it in your life. 

Would you ever consider living out there?

I've always dreamt of spending some of my life living in America. The problem now is that Matt and I are separated, so taking Darcy over to America (and therefore away from him) would be a horrible idea and something I don't want to do. So, maybe when she's a lot lot lot older I could do it or if I really wanted to, perhaps I could divide my time between the two for a few weeks at a time. No plans for moving anywhere for a good while yet though. 

Hardest thing to over come being away from home?

The hardest thing was obviously being away from Darcy. I'm pretty good at switching between Mummy Mode and Louise Mode but there were times, particularly at DisneyLand where my Mummy heart hurt. Also, as we've talked about before, I struggle REALLY badly with being out of my comfort zone so doing so much on my own (without Matt, family or Maddie) was a challenge. I was really grateful to Cayleigh and Drew for being so lovely and understanding. Even when I had a little strop in the car once hahaha. 

Best night out you had?

I think the best night out was a night at Joey Graceffa's house. We had a mermaid pool party for our friend Cayleigh, with amazing drinks, yummy food, lols and of course, pool time. I wore the bikini I bought here last winter. I'd been building up the courage to go for a bikini for months and when I finally did it, it felt so freeing. It was pretty pricey ($89.99 plus extortionate shipping) but omg, it was so worth it. 

Did you see any famous people?

Well, I collabed with some of the most fabulous YouTubers in LA so yes! 

Favourite thing you did?

One afternoon my friend Drew and I drove the length of Mulholland Drive and then down to the coast. Pootling around in cars, singing careoke and taking in the view is basically my idea of heaven so this was the perfect afternoon for me. There is something really soothing about being driven about and listening to someone telling you which school they went to as a child, pointing out famous houses and stopping to take a few insta's of the scenery! 

Will you go back to DisneyLand?

Yes. My heart belongs to Disney. Not Walt, just yanno, the concept of Disney. 

What was your favourite part of DisneyLand?

In the last hour of the day, when we were so tired and ready to head home, Cayleigh, Drew and I jumped on a Story Book ride. It was a little boat (that tipped about thank you very much) that meandered through sweet grassy verges adorned with all the houses of the Disney characters. The structures were only doll house size but so detailed and sweet, I could've done that ride so many more times and looked at everything. Sometimes it's not the big beasty thrills that make your favourite memories but the quiet little moments that capture your imagination. 

Any weird accidents?

Oh yes. So, it was early morning and Cayleigh and I had been swimming in the hotel pool. PJ and his gang were due to arrive round to come and record my voice for something Oscars Hotel related. We'd spent a bit too long at the pool, I was wearing a towel and the door knocked- they were here!! I shouted, 'just a minute!!' and tried to put my dress on. I wasn't fully dry so it got all tangled and stuck, I had no underwear on, I frantically whispered to Cayleigh to help me and basically was a half naked, half moist (ooer) woman caught up in a dress and she saw everything! Hopefully by the time I opened the door to PJ he had no idea of my issues. Incidentally, I still had no underwear on for the entirety of the voice recording!!!

What song reminds you of your trip?

Dear Future Husband by Meghan Trainer. Cayleigh had it in her car on repeat haha. 

Will you visit LA again?

I really hope so. 

Did Darcy miss you?

Funnily enough, I don't think so. She has such a great time with her Daddy and is so used to spending chunks of time with each of us separately that I think she was just happy to be doing what she was doing. We Skyped a few times though, mostly for my benefit haha. 

Favourite thing about LA?

I'm gonna be really smooshy but, the people. I have lots of American friends now and one thing I always notice is how welcoming and hospitable they are to me. Cayleigh was always on hand to gee me up when I was having a scardycat moment, Drew did all my favourite things with me (he even sat through all of Bridget Jone's Diary and ordered aaaalllllll the room service food which pleased me soooo much. Netflix and dinner, bliss), the Whats Up Moms ladies for having me over for the day (with amazing food, the best girlie chats, shopping and taking me to the airport), Joey for hosting the amazing mermaid party and letting me raid his fridge, Ingrid, Cat and Mamrie for taking the trouble to come out to my hotel to film such fun collabs. 

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Thank you to so many of you on twitter for asking such good questions, I really enjoy posts like this so I think I might do more like it- it's like taking part in a mini interview haha!! Don't forget to checkout the vlogs and things I've linked in the post for you and I'll see you all soon!

Toodlepip!

xx

Hello April

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Welcome April! How very nice to have you. You bring the promise of warmer weather, pink cherry blossom, lighter evenings and in our family, a whole host of birthdays. 

I love April. To me it is the official start of Spring (which yes, I know, is actually in March) and a time when I think people start to feel that extra pep in their step. It's mine and Darcy's birthday this month, she'll be 4 in 6 days (where does time go???) and so we'll be celebrating both. On top of that I have a little bit more time to focus on filming videos now that one of my projects has been finalised (more on that in a few weeks) and I hope to spend a little bit of time Spring cleaning my house because it certainly needs some attention haha!

Today I'm going into London for a few meetings to map out the next tour of LouiseLIVE which is really exciting as well as filming a special beauty video for you. Darcy is having some lovely Daddy time at Matt's place (a few people asked about this and it's something I don't mind discussing- We are on great terms so we quite happily share time with Darcy. I know a lot of women who worry about their children not being cared for to a high standard with the Father but honestly, I couldn't think of a better Dad than Matt. It's like it was his calling in life to be a brilliant Father. So, for half of the week Darcy stays with me at home and for the other half she lives with Matt in his lovely apartment. She feels extra lucky to have two bedrooms full of toys now!).

So April, I hope you are good to us all. We'd like sunshine and flowers and every sweet bird tweeting please. 

What do you like best about April? Are you excited for the new month?

Toodlepip!

xx

A Year In Glitter World 2014

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

It has become a custom over here in Glitter World to spend a few moments on the last day of December to look over the year and reflect upon all it's adventures. 

In the past I have done a month by month summary of what happened here on the blog, but with only 97 posts this year, I think we'll go for something new!

2014 has been a most challenging year. Some challenges have been oh so rewarding and some, less so. It's hard to talk about these things objectively because Sprinkle of Glitter is a happy place designed to only showcase the highlights of my life, celebrate the exciting and inspire positivity. With that in mind, I'll get the hard stuff said first and then move on to easier shores. 

I will be brutal. This year has been hard. I have often found myself in situations I know not how to handle and have regularly felt out of my depth. My confidence has been knocked and subsequently so has my self esteem. 'Lost' is a good way to describe the worst parts of the year. I have felt lost in a sea of people who seem to know where their paths lead. Whilst professionally I have felt cool, calm and confident (more on that shortly), my personal life has been a very private struggle that I hope will ease in 2015. 

I have sought constantly for the approval of others when really, I should have only needed my own. I have made big, hard choices and spent days and weeks unsure if they were right. I have cried, a lot. 

A lot of this pain was reflected in my blog and youtube channels in the form of absence and I want to take a moment to thank you for never pressuring or resenting the big gaps and the lack of posts and videos. 

That was hard to write. Really hard. I hate admitting I'm not constantly a life winner but 2014, you were a toughie. A goodie, but a toughie!

Moving on to brighter topics, three things that have made me smile from ear to ear are my sweet baby girl (as always), Sprinkle of Glitter and friends. 

Darcy Jane Watson has been a joy. Watching her develop and delighting in her milestones has been such a privilege. She has grown from a tot to a small child and whilst my Mama heart wants to keep her a tiny snuggly baby for ever, I am constantly impressed by the wonders of Motherhood. To see a child experience pure happiness is better than having it yourself. Watching Darcy play with other children or be thrilled by something so mundane makes me feel like my heart might burst. 

Now she is 3 and 9 months she is enjoying imagination games (last night she made us call her Charly over and over), making up jokes ("I've got an idea! When we get home we will all climb into the bins! AHAHAHAHAHA I'm fully kidding Mummy!") and being a 'big girl' (eating food well herself, sleeping in knickers instead of pullups and getting out of the carseat with minimal assistance). 

As she grows, she is also becoming aware of bigger topics. She understands that my Mummy lives in Heaven ('with Mufasa and Ariel's Mummy') and that it is more important to be kind and smart than to be a princess. I am proud of her. I think I always will be. 

Sprinkle of Glitter has been crazy amazing this year. I have been to Florida, Milan, New York, LA, New Jersey and on a UK Tour to meet as many of you as possible, have talked on panels, been part of live shows, given Q&A's and even started my own stage tour, 'LouiseLIVE'. It has been an absolute whirlwind. 

I began the year quite overwhelmed and unsure but after starting (go me!) the topic of YouTube Culture, I have noticed a big, big shift in the way I am treated by viewers and hopefully this in turn has positively effected they way I treat you. 

At large conventions like Playlist and Vidcon, I noticed a much calmer vibe from so many people and loved it! I felt able to stand about and have relaxed conversations and actually interact with the people that watch Sprinkle of Glitter and make it so (I think) special. I love how this is all just one big conversation and how we, as a community, can take control and make it how we want it to be. Even as it grows (and wowee oh my woah woah, has it grown this year!!), I think the community feel remains and that Sprinklerinos are very protective over keeping it a kind, loving, happy place. I know with all of our efforts, that will continue into the new year. 

I have also been working behind the scenes on several large projects that will come to light in 2015 and can't wait for those too. 2014 has been a year of building, 2015 will be the unveiling!

Friends. You know that song with the line, 'I get by with a little help from my friends'? That's 2014 for you right there. 

In 2014 I made brand new friends and strengthened existing friendships so much I could cry. I have a very special place in my heart for all my oldie but goldies (Zoe, Clare, Emma, Marie, Jack and more) but have found a little bit of extra space for Hazel Hayes who wins the award for Most Time Spent Listening To Me Ramble On About Utter Crap That At The Time Felt Important. Seriously, I feel almost ashamed at how much of her time I have taken up and how nurturing she has been. She is a good egg and will join the esteemed list of 'Oldie but Goldie's above. In 2015 I would love a little getaway with her and Zoe for facials, massages and all the lols!!

A huge highlight of 2014 was fiiiinnaaalllyy flying out to Seattle with Matt and Darcy to visit Marie BitsandClips and her family. I have so much love for those people and want to spend all my days bringing them as much delight as they give to me. I said to Marie the other day, 'you are sunshine incarnate' and I was right. She cannot not make me happy. Ooff. 

Other little mentions and thank you's (I'm at the Oscars now apparently) go to - Dodie for lovingly stroking my arms the time I hyperventilated in a bar, Cayleigh for never failing to be as enthusiastic as me about insane ideas, Amber for being such a kind soul in New Jersey when I was sick and scared, Maddie for always remembering and acknowledging the hard days, my neighbour Vicky for always chitchatting on the drive, Sam, Nic and Caroline for giving perfect big sister advice, Cat for listening and analysing, Ben Cook for encouraging me to talk about big topics and Jack for forever forcing me to up my game. 

I have felt incredibly loved this year. 

*Vom*

And so there we have it, a big ol' brain dump of the last 12 months. A year of filming and flights and skater skirts and sparkly nails and baby squishes and late night dinners and red carpets (yay!) and big discussions and hotel lols and skype chats and lovely lists and fairy lights and laughter and tears and fist pumps and kittens, it's been a year!!

I am ending this year with a thankful heart and as always, an optimistic mind. 

Tell me, how has your 2014 been? 

Toodlepip!

xx

I Hate New Places

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

This is a blog post I decided to write today, quite out of the blue, just because I feel like it will help me to write it all out, help other people who have to deal with me and potentially help those who feel the same way. 

I don't do well in new places. By 'new places' I mean like foreign towns, hotels I'm unfamiliar with, areas of this country that I haven't been before and people's houses if I have to be there for a long time (ie. over an hour). 

(From Seattle. The only place I've ever felt 100% ok when on a trip)

I realise this all sounds totally pathetic and I'm often embarrassed by it but it's something that I really struggle to over come. 

It began when I was little and lived in a really turbulent home. Our house was very violent and a lot of nasty things happened on a daily basis. I never, ever felt safe and I would dread 3.35pm because I knew that was time to leave the safety of school and go home to a place where nobody cared and there was no protection or comfort. 

As this lifestyle wore on, I was moved out of my home for safety and stayed in another house for a few months. I felt safe there (the family were really loving) but always knew it wasn't my home and that I was a guest. 

Things seemed to ease up when I went to university. I was really happy in my halls and even though we moved every year, I was always with the same group of girls who very much looked after me (my friend Faye particularly who would cook for me and chat to me about all the little things on my mind- I like to think I repaid her in laughs and adventures heh heh) and so felt safe. 

Then I met Matt, slipped into a work, home, sleep routine and felt really, really safe. I liked the walk to the office, I liked the 2 bedroom city apartment we had, I liked shopping on a Saturday morning and partying til Sunday. I liked always being in a place I felt familiar with and spending most of my time with a man who I knew cared enough about me to care when I was sad or afraid. 

In that time I went abroad 3 times. The first was to Las Vegas with my Dad. It was half his business trip and half a 'well done for graduating' trip. I was so excited. The plane journey was fine - I'd flown virgin before and was sat with Dad. The hotel was nice, although at this point I found myself calling home and feeling a slight sense of panic that I was so far away, and the city, well, it was too much. It was so unlike anywhere I'd been before that I couldn't adjust my comfort zone. I felt like everything was a bit that same but totally different. Same language, different roads, same foods, different currency. It's hard to explain because I know those are things I can easily learn and handle but when I suffer from home sickness like I do, it's hard to be rational. I stood looking out of my hotel room on the first night and felt like I didn't want to go outside or be a part of all the action and that I'd feel calmer in my room. As it happened, due to a death in the family, we flew home the next morning. All the same, that's when I fully realised that holiday's weren't for me. 

A year later I tried to tackle this with a girls holiday to Ibiza. My friend Emma invited me along with some of her friends and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to let my hair down, party all night and not worry about feeling homesick or unsettled. I was so wrong. I was on edge at the airport and by the time we arrived on the island I was so tense I could barely eat. I hated the hotel, I couldn't socialise nicely with Emma's friends and spent most of my time trying really hard not to cry. I don't fully know how to explain it but it just felt like everything was MORE. The music was louder, the food was weird tasting, the boys were lairy, the sun was hotter. Obviously it was loud music and hot climates but I mean more than everyone else found it. After two nights I changed my flight and came home alone because I couldn't cope. My friend was so kind but she couldn't really understand the extreme stress levels I was experiencing and I couldn't really articulate them either. 

Just before our wedding, Matt and I went on a honeymoon (I know, weird way round- I was pregnant and there were work commitments too) and it wasn't too bad. I was 9 weeks pregnant so felt very sick but it was in a resort I'd been to as a child with my Dad, Matt was there to look after me and I felt OK. I still had a mini panic when we left the resort to visit the local area but at the time we blamed that on the pregnancy hormones. 

In those three trips I noted that if I had a strong male with me (Matt or Dad), I did better and if it was a totally new place, I felt really freaked. Also, if it was a hotel I'd visited before, it was better (now when I work in London, I always opt for the same places and never try somewhere new unless I'm forced to).

By the by, I WISH I could use better words than 'stressed', 'freaked', 'panicked' and 'unsettled'. I don't know how else to describe it. When I'm in the actual moment of fear, it's like standing on the edge of a cliff, totally alone, watching everyone below have a wonderful time all together, all coping and happy and I feel like I'm shouting down, 'Hey!!! I want to enjoy this but I can't! I feel unsafe! I want someone to protect me! Will you do that?! No because you're all busy having the great time I should be having too!!". 

Protection seems to be a massive thing. I don't know what I want protection for precisely. I think just the fear. I worry that I'm going to get the fear, won't be able to keep a hold on it and then I'll just be a freaked out mess that needs to go home because when I'm at home, I feel safe. Then I'll feel like a failure. I hate failing too. 

I've been on a lot of work trips this last two years and there have been trips I've done really well on, and those that I haven't. One trip (Vidcon 2013) I actually surprised myself on but it took every fibre in me to keep the fear at bay and to have a good time. I spent a lot of time in my room giving myself little pep talks or not letting anyone see my cry. Still though, that's classed as a success. 

Trips I did well on (still with spells of panic or fear or having to be in my room a lot though) were Playlist 2014, Vidcon 2013 and New York for Digitour. On my family holiday to Seattle I was 100% fine the entire time. Trips that made me experience super high anxiety levels were ItaTube in Milan (everywhere was so, so, so unfamiliar), Vidcon 2014 (where I spent almost all social time in my room or in the corner of parties emotionally leaning on Hazel) and AmityFest last month. 

On a bad trip I don't eat properly, when I do eat I feel really tummy poorly, I can't hang out with Zoe (who would normally make me laugh and make me happy) much because she likes warm aircon and it makes me feel suffocated (obv she'd turn it off if I insisted but I hate being such a pain), I get so so so worried that if we leave the hotel I will get lost from the group or the group will loose me, I drink more at evening events as a (really bad) coping mechanism, I feel really insecure about how I look, I don't at all want to go near crowds (a problem at YouTube conventions) and I don't sleep well at night (although this could be the jet lag). 

On a bad trip things that calm me down are constant reassurances before and during the trip, little physical gestures like hand squeezes and hugs and such (which is unusual for me because I'm not overly into that), familiar things (people especially, stories, restaurants that I know the chain of etc) and very, very clear plans for the day (so what everyone is doing at what time and why). I've noticed when people have actually used the words, 'protect you' or 'can leave at any time' or 'I won't let you get lost, I'm looking after you', I've instantly felt calmer and safer, even if deep down I know they didn't mean it.  I've even noticed that in crowds (like at YT events or premiers) I've said in panic to whoever I'm with, 'Don't loose me will you?!!?'. Being lost is a thing. I've also noticed that I am much calmer with men than women. 

When I feel that bad all I can think about is either being at home where I feel safe or seeking out a person (usually male or a super strong female) to reassure me or escaping whatever experience I am in, going to sit on my own and going online to familiar places (skype, facebook, fave blogs etc). 

I worry that my friends think I'm high maintenance and so try to only mention it a bit. It's not only abroad that I feel this way, it's on overnight trips to their houses. Hazel and Zoe are both now in the habit of telling me all the nice things waiting for me on arrival which really touches me that they are so thoughtful and even Jack who is so un-into those little gestures will be nice about it to some extent. 

I don't know why I'm like this. I don't know if it's because of my violent and unstable upbringing or something I have developed because I'm weak in certain coping or adjustment areas but I don't want to be this way. I feel like I can never fully tell people the extent of my stress levels about this because it sounds so very pathetic and stupid and so in return, I as a person am pathetic or stupid. I know I'm a smart woman, I know how to be rational about situations and be self aware in experiences but I can't always FEEL that. 

At AmityFest I felt the fear even in Birmingham which is an hour from my home!! I could literally have been wrapped in my own duvet within 90 minutes! When it was suggested that we take the show to Australia I cried and almost couldn't go on stage because I imagined the fear I might face when I was there. Even typing about that trip is making my eyes well up a bit. 

I feel so very, very silly about this but don't know how to deal with it. My friends are kind and try to jolly me along a bit, my Dad tells me 'don't be silly, you can never get lost in the world', but it doesn't help. Although I've mentioned, 'missing home' or being homesick in a lot of vlogs, I've often cut out huge chunks of teary attempts at explainations for why I feel how I feel. I'd also like to point out, it's not a Mummy thing and panic about being away from Baby Glitter, I've been this was since long before her arrival. 

I realise that if you love new places and new experiences and meeting new people, this will sound so trivial and ridiculous. I feel a bit trivial and ridiculous sharing it to be honest. 

I always try and do things. I don't (yet) miss out. I travel frequently and do have a lot of new experiences each month but I would love to be able to do them fully excited or relaxed and not fret for days before hand. I'm going to New York in two weeks for Tristate Playlist and already I'm worrying, burdening my friends, imagining things and mentally planning what I'll do if things get too much. I hate it. 

I hope this will be of some interest to those of you that have followed me for a long time. I might one day make a video on it but for now, I feel like this is a big enough step. I'm sorry I can't be more articulate about all of this, perhaps I will do a follow up when I understand it more myself. 

If anyone has any coping tips for this kind of thing, leave them in the comments and I will gratefully read them all. 

If you think this is all a load of rubbish, please be gentle with your comments, I'm quite sensitive about this I think.

Edit - When I'm feeling like this, I don't have panic/anxiety attacks. It's not a matter of having an attack, calming down and then carrying on. It's a constant dread/worry/stress that I can't shake until I feel like I'm safe/protected/relaxed. Just thought I'd add that in because I'm not sure I was clear! 

Toodlepip! 

xx

The Best Of October

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

As promised last week in my rather late September Update, today we're looking at October and recapturing all those sweet little moments that made the month so special. 

With any luck, I'll start managing these on a more regular basis! 

All images are from my instagram account which you can check out HERE. 

From L-R. Top-Bottom.

Top Row

Recently my Grandma's Brother Geoff flew over from Australia to visit us. I'd never met him and it had been the first time in 20 years that he was reunited with his siblings. My Dad arranged a huge dinner for us all at a venue in the countryside and it was a lovely chance to just be amongst family. On top of that, because Matt was away, I was forced to drive a long route I've never taken before. I'm a really nervous driver so although I was really frightened to do it, I ended up super proud that I faced a fear and came out on top! Darcy wowed the Pentland crowds with her oh-so-sweet attire and enjoyed playing round the (not lit) fire place. Autumn Cuteness overload. 

Second Row

Gma rocking a selfie. I'm so proud of the women in my family and even prouder to be one of them. They're a good bunch!

Whilst Darcy sat playing on my lap one day I noticed how very, very grown up she is becoming. She likes to accessorise every outfit and just seeing a necklace clasp under her tiny fluffy baby hair made me emotional. 

A #tbt (Throw Back Thursday) snap of me, Dan and Phil. I do love those boys. 

Jack came to play. I say, 'play' but what I mean is set himself up on my sofa with every cushion available and work. Fun times. 

This was my, 'I'm so excited' face. I forget what I was excited for. Either a new video ooorrr a twitter takeover I did for Shout Magazine with Zoe. 

Third Row

Little bit of train time with Jackrobat. Lovely, lovely. 

Whilst on a newspaper photoshoot, I managed to squeeze in a bit o' Laspar time. I've seen a couple of people ask if 'Laspar' is real (as in are we dating and 'shipped' our names together). Just to clarify, nooooo, we're not! It just kind of a running joke we have with our YouTube viewers haha. 

Whilst in a meeting the next day, I opened my notepad to find these beauties from the Zoella Beauty launch party and smiled. It was nice to see such friendly faces beaming up at me. 

Bottom Row

Next morning I took a walk round Borough Market with some of my really old friends from Liverpool. We mooched about, ate tapas and chatted for hours. It was like food for the soul.

A cheeky little picture of me and Alfie snuck in there too. Isn't he a love?

Whilst with the old but gold friends, we headed up to the top of the Shard to take in the view and enjoy some sight-seeing. If you ever have the chance, you should definitely go, it's quite spectacular. 

Back home in the local petrol station (the glamour) I saw this display of heavenly goodness. Hello Nutella & Go, let's be best friends. 

From L-R. Top-Bottom.

Top Row

On to some more homey times now. Watch Darcy play is one of the most peaceful things to do in my life. I love seeing her little mind work and making up new stories. It's just the cutest. 

To celebrate Halloween, we bought and decorated 'spooky' cookies. We love doing little activities like this. Just perfect bursts of Mummy-Baby time. 

Practising her Halloween poses in the mirror. Look at that hip action!

My little fluff baby being so adorable I might pass out. 

Second Row

And then I let her have some say in what she wore and she came up with this. I'm OK with it. Creative free will and all haha. 

Another #tbt for #Laspar. Oh dear. 

It's so rare that she falls asleep in my arms and gets this cosy so when she does I cherish it tight. I could love on this little girl forever. 

Third Row

Oops.

For my main channel I made Spooky Toddler DIY's video and the night before sat up practising all the projects. This little guy became a firm friend. 

Red and Black lips for a bonus video. Oh la la. 

At a photoshoot for the AmityFest tour we did. It was SUCH an early start (I was in the car at 5am) that Pillie simply had to come with me. 

Caspar looking lovely. 

Bottom Row

Me (hopefully) looking lovely!

Lunch with the one and only, Tanya Burr. Jim came too but he was the photographer haha. 

Thank goodness for the wonderfully talented hair and makeup lady who transformed my very early morning face. 

And then before I knew it I was home with my baby and Jack too! If you hope over to his insta, you can see the journey home. I was soooo delirious with tiredness and excitement that I made myself cry laugh and he very kindly documented it. Tada! 

From L-R. Top-Bottom.

Top Row

I wore a hat. Jack didn't care. I think deep down he did but yanno, he's playing it cool. 

Reading through all your gorgeous letters from my PO Box. You lovelies melt my heart. 

An avocardo. Just chillin'. 

Darcy (who dressed herself again) hanging out by the magazines. 'Baby Glitter is in the press' was my pithy caption. Ha ha ha I make myself laugh with those. Lol. 

Second Row

Screenshot from our Halloween DIY video!

London looking oh so beautiful at night time. 

OK, this blog post has told me I've seen Caspar way too much this month. I blame AmityFest. 

Whilst we rehearsed for AmityFest, we would go to lunch at the cutest, most hipster cafe I've ever stepped foot in. Seriously, there were little chilli plants instead of flowers. 

Third Row

Screenshot from my lipstick tutorial video.....but the bit where Zula distracted me. 

Artwork on buildings like this is why I love Shoreditch and it's surroundings so very much. 

Baby Girl taking in the Autumn. 

And 'throwing the ducks some bread'. AKA. Violently throwing crumbs on the floor and then being annoyed when the ducks waddled out of the lake and came too close to her wellies. 

Bottom Row

Random cat. I can't help but document them when I see them. 

Bit o' Jack time. 

A late night craft project (why oh why do I do those to myself?!)

Hazel and I ready for the spookiest party in town. You can't fully see but Hazel sprayed her hair violet and it looked amazing. 

From L-R. Top-Bottom.

Top Row

A snap of a snap from the #AsDarknessFalls Halloween Party. I vlogged it HERE. 

The prettiest doorway in London that I spotted from a taxi window. You can't really see in this picture but the ceiling was powder blue with hand painted gold stars all in it. It really was beautiful. 

Shameless selfie 1. 

Dinner with Jack and Dean. They had the greatest little time, despite what this picture tells you. 

Second Row

Shameless selfie 2. (This was actually to go to a meeting and I quickly realised that glossy red lips, long wavy hair and high winds - not a good mix).

A snap with my Chummy at the launch with Tanya Burr's lashes. I do miss that lady. 

Cuddles with a boy baby that I did not birth. YouTube search 'Hannah Maggs' for all that cuteness!

Oh hai lipsticks of absolute beauty! Check out THIS post for more on them.

Third Row

A very, very, very tired little baby. Oof my heart could burst for her. 

Preparing to hit the road for AmityFest- I stocked up for the tour bus. Yum. 

Saying goodbye to my little angel made me sad. When I go away I get so insanely homesick. I'm thinking about doing a video or blog post about that soon. What do you think?

Stage hair and makeup! I'm so into little plaits at the moment!

Bottom Row

Darcy on stage during rehearsals. She loved it so much that she actually came out for a little bit in the show which was adorable. She's becoming quite the show girl!! <3 p="">

Group photo with some of our guests and then two of the actual show- the whole thing was such a blast. Vlog coming very very soon! 

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And there we have it. My entire month in 48 pictures! What did you do in October that you loved?

Toodlepip!

xx

September late-date!

Aloha Sprinklerinos!

Happy November! Where oh where does time go? It seems that 2014 is wizzing by faster than I can keep track. 

With that in mind, I have looked over all my recent insta snaps and wanted to have a little catch up. Half for your (hopeful) enjoyment but also for mine, so that when I read back over this digital scrapbook of mine, I will remember all these tiny moments and cherish them. 

So, today let's remember September and next week we'll do October. Also, for once, it's in chronological order. Yay!

From R-L. Top - Bottom.

Row One

This was a #tbt (Throw Back Thursday) where I was wishing to be back with Marie and her wonderful family in Seattle. Currently we are planning a trip so there's light at the end of that exciting tunnel!

Having kittens in the house makes for mischievous little moments like this. I'm so glad to have my phone to capture moments like walking into the bathroom to find them in the tub. 

September to me is the unofficial start of Autumn, so of course, the candles were lit and cosiness re-instated!

I love giving people little keepsakes and after I found these Juicy Lucy cards, I just had to write a few for the girls in the office. 

Row Two

Since I'm in London so much, I often stay over night so that I can do two full days of meetings and projects and then be properly at home again. This was one of those night and the lovely Hazel and Ollie came to keep me company. Things got pretty wild (lol) and ended up with room service milk and cookies and laptop times. 

Next day in between meetings I had a cheeky Zizzi's with Jack. This is the moment after I whinged that my pizza was too difficult to cut and he conceeded to do it for me, mwahahaha- look how happy about it he was! ;)

That afternoon I skipped off to Claridges to intervew Kim Kardashian (as you do). Vlog of the event coming really soon!

And then before I knew it, I was home again, makeup off and have cuddles with my baby. Bliss. 

Row Three

Oop, that time I decided to insert 4 random seconds of stop-motion footage into a video, just because I'd worked out how to do it and was excited. Yeah buddy. 

Starbucks stop with my baby girl. If you don't like tea or coffee (like me), give a chocolate cream frapperchino with a shot of peppermint a go. You won't regret it. 

My beautiful friend from university married her sweetheart and Darcy delighted in the ice cream. Seriously, why does icecream make kids so completely happy?!? 

The superhero themed wedding cake- potentially the best cake I've ever seen. 

Row Four

As part of a project for Comic Relief Hazel was asked to shoot some footage at the Warner Brother Studios. I was invited along as her trustee side-kick and we had a night of duelling, touring and general giddiness. Cheeky lil smooch from Dumbledore too eh? Heh heh. 

Those crazy kids over at Boomf very kindly sent me a set of customised marshmallows. Sweets with my own face on? Yes please. 

From R-L. Top - Bottom.

Row One

Exciting goodies in my PO Box. 

The joy of finding spare Real Techniques brushes at Gleam HQ. Oh me oh my I was happy!

Jack and I played tourists for the day and someone got giddy at the Natural History Museum (hint, it was me). If you check out my Sprinkle of Chatter channel, there's a vlog of it, yay!

Cuddles with Zula. 

Row Two

Cuddles with Rocket.

I recently bought sparkle pumps from Accessorize and I'm still happy about this choice. 

Playing YouTube in a giant cardboard cutout at a google talk I did with Vivvy and Anna. It was nice to be so grown up for the day- even if I did wear the sparkle pumps. 

Oh how the mighty fell- wisdom tooth removal. I was not brave about it. Not one bit.

Row Three

Another #tbt to Malibu Beach with the gang. That was SUCH a lovely day. One of those where you look around and realise how very blessed you are. 

The day I discovered our local supermarket does these little scone, cream and jam packs was a reaaalllyyy good one!

Darcy welcomes Autumn at the playground. 

I welcome Autumn with a bubble bath. Mmmhmmm. 

Row Four

With my amazing Manager Dom Smales who is one of the most supportive men in my life. Big loves for him. 

More cuddles with Rocket. I could just cuddle him forever. 

Both my furry babies. When Zula rolls on his back like that, I feel I might die. Look. At. Himmmmm. 

That time I wanted to demonstrate how tired I was on the train but actually just posed with my eyes shut for a selfie and looked gaga to all the other passengers. Good then. 

From R-L. Top - Bottom.

Row One

En route to film a collab with Miranda Sings and bumping into lots of her very lovely fans!

Pizza's healthy if you have a heap of salad, right? 

If there's one thing I love more than loving on my cats, it's watching other people love on them.

Playtime with fluff puffs. Who knew they could be so much fun??

Row Two

More Autumn leaves. Darcy spent so, so long picking up loads to make herself a 'fan'. She was very proud. I was too really. 

My lounge is most definitely my favourite cosy space in the world. You can't not be happy in there.

PJ's and Christmas films, even if it was only September. 

Contemplative playtime. 

Row Three

I was asked by my friend Clare to give a talk at her school (which incidentally is my old school) about modern language on social media. They gave me flowers at the end. A good day!

Hair time!

A little bit of chummy lovin' at Zoe's launch for Zoella Beauty. 

Row Four

And then all smiles with Hazel in the photo booth. 

I attended and talked at a Creativity Conference in London with Jack, Finn and Jamal. This was the first public speaking event I have ever felt really uncomfortable at and felt very out of my depth- eep!

Again, rubbing a cat round my face. Standard. 

A hearty wooden lunch, served by Darcy. Lucky Mama!

--------------

Gracious me that was a lorra lorra catching up! I'm really glad I took the time to look back over all of those- it's made me realise how lucky I am to be so busy and have so many exciting projects, even if at the time they feel overwhelming or scary!

If you'd like to follow me on instagram, I am @Sprinkleofglitr. 

Do you ever make time to take stock? In what ways do you reflect?

Toodlepip!

xx

Happy 5th Blogday!

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Today my blog is five years old. Half a decade. Wow. 

Thank you Chummysugg from Tumblr for making me this image. 

When I started Sprinkle of Glitter, I wanted it to be a fun Autumn project that I could enjoy in the evenings when I was bored or whilst Matt was at work. I was renovating our home and wanted a place to talk about all the crafts and DIY I was doing. Our house was (and still is) always a mess, we did everything on a shoestring budget and my biggest aspiration at the time was to get a nice office job in the new year. 

Thank you slowemotions from Tumblr for making this image. 

Well, I did get that office job but by that point I was so hooked on blogging that I carried it on. A couple of times Matt remarked on the fact that I had done well keeping it updated for a few months and he pondered how long I'd be keen - I'm flighty you see. I struggle to stick at things. 

Months ticked by and turned to years and in those years big, big things have happened. When I sit down and really think about all the opportunities that have come out of writing this blog, I feel teary. Because of this blog I started my YouTube channels, met other creators, visited new countries, stayed in very posh hotels, met literally thousands of Sprinklerinos, have been on TV, in magazines, on stages, in debates, on red carpets, interviewed celebrities, documented the entirety of my Daughter's life and become financial secure. Because of this one blog. It's insane. 

Thank you hey-im-zana from Tumblr for making me this image. 

When I think of all the 'things' I have been given or earned or found, I feel happy. But when I think of all the 'people' who have come into my life I feel completely blown away. I have so many memories that I will cherish for all of my life. There are the 'biggies' like dancing on stage with the boys in New York or eating breakfast on an upper class flight with Zoe and giggling at the madness of it all, but then there are the little ones that really hit me. Once I rang Ben Cook at 8pm from a hotel room in Covent Garden because I was feeling down. By 8.30pm he was there and making me laugh. Once I had to have some pretty painful dental work a couple of years ago, Zoe drove 3 hours to come and look after me and that night Alfie caught the train up to be with me too. There are the midnight skype calls with Jack where I laugh til I cry, the 2am Skype calls with Marie where we discuss everything from toddler snacks to the greater good and there are the 4am texts to Hazel to tell each other we're 'good women'. 

And then, there's you. You the community of Sprinklerinos who continues to grow but never diminishes in your cosy, loving attitude. I feel such an outpouring of kindness from you that I never thought would happen. 

Thank you LaurasObsession from Tumblr for making me this image. 

I thought that when you become well known for something, you gain 'fans'. People that like what you do, tell you so and then you say, 'thanks'. This is different. This feels so much more than that and in each message I read from you, I can imagine a person saying those things with so much feeling that I feel it too. I feel like this is a family. A huge, glittery family that does not exclude nor judge, but love and respect and cherish and I'm proud to be a part of that. I'm proud to be a part of all of this. 

Last year I said, "Happy Birthday little blog! What a journey we've been on. First year a wedding, second year a baby, third year a business, fourth year friends, fifth year a....What do you think will come next?"

Well, it's you. Hundreds and thousands and millions of you. More than I can count but not more than I can love. 

So, as is tradition- 

Happy Birthday little blog! What a journey we've been on. First year a wedding, second year a baby, third year a business, fourth year friends, fifth year a community. What do you think will come next?

Happy Blogday to every person who helps make Sprinkle of Glitter what it is and makes me so happy. You are so very, very loved. 

Toodlepip!

xx

PS- As if to further prove how much of a strong community this is, all the images in the post were kindly made by Sprinklerinos. If you click on the names below their art, you can visit them on Tumblr. Thank you so much for always making great things. x

Styling Out A Sick Day

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

You've woken up with a foggy head, your nose is running, your mouth tastes like all kinds of grossness and your body feels like that one time you bothered to visit a gym. You my friend, are poorly. 

I speak so confidently of this because I am currently sailing the good ship sick and feel like I've gotten a firm grasp of it. With that in mind, I'm going to share with you my top tips for styling out a sick day. 

First things first, admit defeat. You're not going to power through. Ring in to the office sick, arrange a babysitter for your little darlings and bring your laptop charger to the bedroom, you're new found poorly palace. 

There are 5 steps to how this day is going to go. Embrace them with your sweaty little hands and be glad. 

1. Drugs. I'm not talking Breaking Bad illegals here (obv), but do not skimp on the cough medicine. Far too often I've gone down the 'I'll stick it out and allow my body to heal itself' route and hated myself for it 8 days later when I was still coughing and spluttering. 

2. Sleep. Hours and hours of (slightly crappy) sleep are what you need here. Today Matt (oh so kindly) ran me a bath at around 2pm (I'm not sure if he was just being lovely or giving me a hint haha) and I promised I'd shut my eyes for 10 minutes and then hop in. Two hours later I had a lovely soak haha. Sleep is not to be felt guilty about, it allows your body to recuperate and feel better. Save your energy for step 3. 

3. Entertainment. Today is the day for gentle indulgence. You wanna read trashy chicflics whilst you cough? You go girlfriend. You want to watch 8 consecutive episodes of Madmen series 2? Don't let me stop you. Give your brain a day off and treat it to some luxury.

4. Social Media. Social media was MADE for sick days. Who doesn't secretly enjoy scrolling through pinterest for hours, stalking their ex on twitter (jokes..kinda) or debating whether or not to upload that breakfast snap to instagram? Think of it as current news research rather than time wasting. Because it isn't. No way. 

5. Kittens. If you're not a cat lady then I feel desperately sorry for you feel free to replace this step with cuteness of your choice. These little fluffs have spent the entire day nuzzling round me and being so adorable I thought my heart would burst. Find a pet, touch it (appropriately) and feel happy that such a wonderful little thing exists. 

Added extras include eating a lot of throat friendly foods (hello cheesy mash or ice cream), nail painting, sympathy asking and blog writing (oh hai). 

I've got a fun filled weekend of lemsip ahead of me, please do pop fun 'poorly' activities in the comments to help me and your fellow Sprinklerinos along!

Also, please excuse the excessive kitten pictures. They're just too cute dammit. 

Toodlepip!

xx

Snapshots of Summer

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Where is time going? I can't keep up.

Summer is GlitterWorld is big this year. I'm flitting between, 'this is the best' and 'oh my goodness, I can't cope, I need downtime'. Knowing me as I do, I think this means I'm approaching a bit of a burn out and decided to take a bit of time away from screens. I know from this blog it may look as though I do very little (I'm soweee) but I promise, there is a lot going on behind the scenes. I have a terrible habit of ignoring my instincts and pushing through even when I know a rest is needed.

I thought I'd pinch a few minutes this morning to tell you all the things that have been going on round here and just type it all out. I've said it far too many times but this blog is a little like therapy for me sometimes.

As always, none of these pictures are in chronological order, they're in what-looks-best order heh heh.

From L-R, top-bottom.

Ever had afternoon tea on the top of a double decker bus in London? Zoe and I have. As part of our Ambassadorship with Shout Magazine we had the opportunity to eat tea and cakes with a lovely reader (and soon to be official writer), Alice. Alice was such a gem and the cakes were great. I just had a looksie online and HERE is the website for the cake bus if you're interested. I'd say that if you get travel sick, this might not be for you though. Just a little heads up there.

Darcy is obsessed with Sophia The First at the moment. It's quite a sweet little Disney cartoon so I'm OK with watching it and indulging her. She was recently given some stickers and decided to 'do her makeup' with them. Ha.

A few weeks ago I stayed over at Hazel's apartment for a swish night out in the big smoke. We had a fancy restaurant booked and has selected our best dresses. What we hadn't accounted for though was the searing heatwave that swept the country and her very glassy apartment with no air con did not do us any favours. How we didn't go out looking like sweaty messes I do not know. An amazing night was had, with too many stories to grace these web pages. Ooerr missus.

While we waited for Matt to have a medical appointment I let Darcy sit in the front seat and 'drive' the car. She thought it was a hoot but all wheel fun was over when she discovered the little mirror. It's so fun to see the world through little eyes and experience those discoveries with them.

My sister Tiyana turns 18 this month and had her party last weekend. Because of the big age gap I have always felt somewhat motherly towards her so it was a special moment to watch her dancing with her friends and being a grown up. Deep down she'll always be a little girl to me but I'm proud to watch her flourish so much. I know I'll sound old now but really, it feels like just yesterday she was born and I kindly said, 'urgh, it looks like a walnut'. Sisterly love.

A three day shoot for a new online show (very excited to tell you more about this soon) turned out to be crazy, crazy good! I was pretty apprehensive about the logistics of things (I worry about staying new places, thought it would be boiling hot and didn't know the crew) but it was the most fun I've had in ages. I'm impatiently waiting to see the edit of it all and share with you!

Summer, ice-creams, babies, flowers. What more excuse do you need for an instagram??

This blurry little shot is a personal highlight. For the last two big conventions (Vidcon and SITC) I have decided not to do the traditional meet and greets but instead do an hour 'show'. It's more of an interactive Q&A with lots of funnies and it's a great chance for me to get to know my audience more and for them to ask anything they've always wanted to know.

After all my trips away, meetings and days out, picking up a kitten and giving it a loving squish is the best. They are such a friendly pair and always purr when you hold them. Urgh love love love.

Cat bellies. Is there anything greater?

Another good animal but clearly no contest for Rocket or Zula. This is Percy, Zoe's guinea pig. I can't say I'm the biggest fan of the little things but this one was alright haha.

And then the greatest little thing of all time, Baby Glitter. This was taken at Tiyana's 18th and if you look closely you can see the last little scabs (horrid word there) of chicken pox. Don't worry- she's not infectious anymore!! Poor little bug coped very well, not too itchy and stayed in good spirits the whole time- I think we got off pretty lightly there haha!

Some much needed girl-time on Brighton beach with Hazel and Zoe. With everything going on at the moment it's been easy to loose sight of what's important. I definitely know these girls are. 

The next day we shopped til we dropped (almost literally) in the Lanes and picked up bags and bags of trinkets and goodies. I'm considering doing a haul very soon. There's nothing more satisfying than finding little treasures for your home. 

Remember the 3 day shoot I mentioned above? Baby Glitter joined me on day three as she had her own special role but after a couple of hours she decided enough was enough and took a nap. She's a woman after my own heart! 

On the tea-on-a-bus day with Zoe. I don't take nearly enough selfies with this gal. 

With Autumn on the horizon I'm already finding my diary fully booked and my brain full of ideas for videos, blog posts and projects. I really am sorry this slice of the net has been neglected, I'm going to try my hardest to rectify that. Now that the nights are drawing in and it's time for blankets and fairy lights, it's the perfect time to tiptaptip away on my laptop and whip up some lovely posts for you.

If you'd like to follow more glitter adventures, I am posting a lot of videos on my main (Sprinkle of Glitter) and second (Sprinkle of Chatter) youtube channel right now. Have a looksie! 

Toodlepip!

To find new ways to stalk me or learn about my disclosure policy, click HERE (This line is refusing to centre. Good job blogger, good job).