Motivational Monday || Beauty

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

It's Monday, the start of a brand new week and a chance to set things straight and be passionate and productive. Hurrah!

(source)

I've been thinking lately about what makes a person beautiful. 

I spend a LOT of time obsessing over beauty. I love beauty products, I make beauty videos, a lot of my friends are beauty bloggers & vloggers, I scroll through beautiful images on instagram, I look for the beauty in each day and, like a lot of women, I think about my own beauty. 

There are things about myself that I love and I'm glad I have but there are also things I don't like. I have naturally very flushed cheeks, I'm a bit squidgy-fatty and frankly, I'd like to be a bit shorter. We all have a list of things that we think lessen us or that we view as defects. 

For many years I've been the 'fake it til you make it gal', who would focus on the good and ignore the bad, leaving me feeling good and confident. Except, when you peal away the bravado, those insecurities are still there. 

As I edited my vlog footage from New York, all too many times I noticed things I didn't like about myself. There is a bit where I'm surprised with a helicopter ride and as I put my hands over my face in shock, my neck and cheek look really red and fat. That's what I noticed. I wasn't seeing the beauty in the amazing gift or the joy of the surprise, but the colour and size of a small portion of my face. I felt they were ugly. 

I've thought about that clip a lot. I've thought about the people that were with me. My manager Maddie who looks after me above and beyond the parameters of her job, my friends Alfie and Joe who feel like family and my friend Drew who was just so excited for the surprise. Those people didn't look at me and think my rosey cheek was gross. They didn't even see a rosey cheek, they just saw a Louise being happy. And when you really think about it, what's more beautiful than just being happy? Nothing. 

The point I'm making is, all those things you think are ugly, just aren't. Yes focus on the good and ignore the 'bad', but also, accept that the 'bad' isn't 'bad'. Accept that you are scrutinising it far more than anyone else is and that most people don't see you as a collection of features but as a person that they love or like or find fun or interesting. 

You are a person and that alone is enough to be classed as beautiful. 

Toodlepip!

xx

NYC Q&A

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Since I am loving telling you so much about my little New York adventure last week I thought it might be fun to ask what it is you actually want to know and then just directly answer. I put it to twitter, with #LouInNYC and you asked so here are my answers!

(One of my little iPhone snaps from the high line. Have I mentioned that much? Haha)

What was one of the funniest moments to happen in New York?

This is easy. I was standing at Google during a break from the speeches we were listening to, talking to Dan, Phil and John Green. We were talking about a particular element of David Blaine's talk and I don't know what came over me but all of a sudden I did the most inappropriate hand gesture. As soon as I did it, I caught Dan's eye and knew it was all over. I apologised profusely through tears and laughter to John and Phil but it was too late, the giggles had set in and I was a mess!

What things should you pack to take on a long plane journey?

Every time I go on a plane I take pretty much the same things- passport, money, phone (loaded with good music to keep me happy), headphones, essential makeup & skincare and snacks. Snacks are important! This time though I also took my (for grown ups!) colouring/doodle book and pens. It was very soothing to just doodle about in it whilst I chatted to everyone. 

Weirdest thing a fan or friend gave to you for your birthday?

I wasn't really given a lot of gifts because the most important thing to me was time spent and experiences so my friends very kindly took me out for dinner and such but one gift that was really unusual was a song. 

Favourite food you ate in NYC?

Chinese noodles at Tao. OMG I need more. Now. 

If you could have taken one element of NYC home with you then what would it be?

The jetlag! I realise this sounds nuts but because my timings were all off, it was so so easy to wake up in the mornings and get going with the day! I wish it could be like that here!

What was having your birthday in NYC like?

Magical. 

How did you survive the busy city when you don't like change?

The first few hours were really overwhelming and I felt so out of my comfort zone. Then, after a while I got used to it and Maddie pointed out that you can't get lost because the streets are all in a grid system so that made me feel a lot more secure. 

What actually happened with the fans? I heard many things.

I've heard lots of things too so I'm happy to set the record straight. Nothing happened. I've seen a lot of rumours about me being mobbed or having a panic attack but that just didn't happen. In fact, I found the viewers I met in New York to be super chill, really gentle, none of them screamed or shouted at me and when one or two did, they quickly stopped and just smiled/waved. I stood and chatted easily and comfortably to them and really enjoyed our interactions. As far as I'm concerned, all positive experiences. 

Did you see any celebrities whilst you were there?

Mmmhmmmm. I met David Blaine, watched Snoop Dog talk and then DJ at a party, listened to talks from Wes Anderson and Mark Ronson and also saw Mark and Bruno Mars perform at Brandcast. Amazing! (Also yanno, I was sat in a room with the likes of John Green, Troye Sivan, Grace Helbig etc). 

Will you be doing a video on what you bought?

Sadly not because I did zero shopping. Cray cray!

Will you be going back this summer?

I'm definitely going back to the states this summer but I'm not sure yet if that includes New York. I'm going to Seattle next week to see Marie and then VidCon in California in July. 

What was the biggest cultural difference you noticed in NY compared to the UK?

I felt like people working in the service industry were a lot more friendly. I liked it. 

Was there a particular reason you found the intensity easier to deal with this time?

I think because I had Maddie my Manager there. Last time I had to be on control of everything myself and manage my own schedule and get myself to where I needed to be, but with Maddie there, things were a lot lot lot easier. I love that woman!

How did you find the helicopter flight and what was the favourite thing you did?

It was incredible. I love looking at things from up high and I also love roller coasters and thrill rides so this was right up my street. The city looked so shiny and beautiful. I actually cried for almost the entire trip because I loved it so very, very much. 

What one American shop would you bring to England?

Sephora. Please UK get a Sephora!

Was your hotel room nice?

So nice. We stayed at Dream Downtown. At first I was really freaked out by the weird mix of new and old (I vlogged about this), but eventually I acclimatised and loved it so much. The lobby in particular was gorgeous. I would have liked to have spent more time there I think. Snazzy hotel lobbies are my fave. I'm such a hotel addict. 

Thoughts on John Green's speech?

Wonderful. John Green is such an inspiration to me. I love how business minded he is, how smart he is and how whenever we see each other, we exchange tres funny stories about our kids, we have proper saddo parent moments and I love it. 

His speech made me think about a lot of things and feel really impressed by how much he's achieved. 

Did you get home sickness?

Yes. As soon as we left the airport and got on the little bus to go to the hotel I started to feel really upset and far from home. It helped a lot that my friends were there. I ended up just putting my headphones on and zoning out a bit to calm down. 

In my hotel room I let it take over a bit and got totally worked up, over messaged my friend about the decor and headed to Maddie's room for laptop time. 

Four hours later I was totally settled and happy as a clam. Usually it takes longer than that so a success I think. 

What did you think of the Google tablet?

I thought it was incredibly generous of them to give us one! I haven't had a proper play with it yet. Since I already have a tablet I'm thinking about giving it to a friend who doesn't have one. 

What was it like doing magic with David Blaine?

Basically amazing. I was so freaking excited when I realised he was in the room so to go up on stage with him was a bit mind blowing. I was not cool. I was a giddy mess. I loved it. 

What were some sights or experiences you weren't able to vlog?

Haha, there were a few sweet moments during the week that are just recorded in my memory. One thing I wished I'd filmed more of was the view from the Empire State Building but you know how it is, sometimes you just live the moment. 

What was your favourite outfit that you wore in NYC?

Without a shadow of a doubt the sequined holographic dress I wore on my birthday night. I felt like a futuristic princess! I looked on ASOS to actually buy another one to have as backup (yeah, that's how much I loved it), but it's sold out. Wahhh. 

Would you like to take Darcy there?

I think when she's a lot bigger I would but right now I'm just about managing to survive it myself!

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Thank you for all of your questions, I love answering the things you wanna know about. Next week I'm taking Darcy to see Marie in Seattle so maybe we could do this for that as well?

Toodlepip!

xx

I Left My Heart In NYC

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Mmmmhmmmm yes, there have been quite a few blog posts and references to New York round here lately haven't there. Sorry about that. I'm not quite done yet but soon I promise it'll be out of my system.

I just wanted to share with you some of my favourite snaps that I shared on my instagram and just say a little bit about each of them. If you already follow me on all the social mediiiaaass then this might not be the post for you. 

Top Row. Left to Right. 

Heeyyyooooooo unicorn shaped biscuit on a lollipop stick. Yep, I was so game for these, I had about 4. 

The outfit I wore to Brandcast which was hosted at Madison Square Gardens. The dress was from ASOS two years ago, denim jacket from Primark, sparkle shoes a recent purchase from Dune and little black bag from H&M. What can I say, I'm a high street gal. 

Just a casual view of New York and the Statue of Liberty from a helicopter. No big deal. 

A highlight- watching Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson perform Uptown Funk at Brandcast. In that moment, I was so happy that if I had burst, confetti would have come out. 

Aviator shades (a recent H&M buy) in a helicopter. It was the best. 

Second Row. Left to Right. 

On the third morning, in a moment of bravery, I left my hotel all on my own and took myself on a little adventure. I walked down to the New York Highline which is a park built on an old tram line and has amazing views, a relaxing vibe and was the perfect place to stop and eat the disgustingly healthy breakfast I had stopped to grab at the hotel (natural yogurt with berries and granola if you're interested).

The 'Welcome' party Google threw on the first night had a candy floss station and naturally, Dan, Phil and I took advantage of it. The candy floss was, er, flossed (?) onto glow sticks which just made the whole process all the more special in my eyes. 

Maddie took this picture on her Polaroid camera at the Welcome party I think. I love those boys. I always feel so much calmer and safer on a trip if I know Alfie is there. He is a little bugger and teases me far too much but when push comes to shove, he's there to take care of me. 

The gang at Tao, an amazing restaurant right by our hotel that we went to the first night. If I wasn't so worried about getting poorly (seriously, every single time I go to America I get an upset tummy. I don't know what it is about their food but my body hates it), I would have eaten SO much more. It was delicious. 

Another view from the highline. I think the Empire State Building might be my favourite. 

Third Row. Left to Right. 

This is the outfit I wore to the first annual YouTube Summit, (which was INCREDIBLE). The skirt and Jacket are from Primark, vest and bag from H&M, scarf and necklace from Accessorize (a gift from my Auntie Judith), shoes from Monsoon. Grace Helbig said, 'You look like Malibu Barbie', so that made me really happy. 

You guessed it, another view from the high line. If you have the chance, go!

The lovely boys and I just before we took off to fly out there. I made it to check in by minutes and was so so so glad to be on that flight!

My friend surprised us all with a helicopter ride. I cried. It was a lot. I like heights. Oh man. 

At a real life Yankees Game. When I found out we were going I kinda thought it would be one for the boys, yanno, something Alfie and Joe would love but something that I would just smile along with. As it happened, I loved it. I was just sat in my little chair with yum junk food, the sunshine on my face, great company to chitchat too and I was just so weirdly relaxed. I'm a happy person but I'm not always a relaxed person so it was a real treat to feel so chill. 

Bottom Row. Left to Right. 

On my actual birthday night, I had a team Gleam dinner with Maddie, Clare and these boys. I love them a lorra lot. 

Maddie and I at the Yankees game. GO YANKEES!

As part of the Creator Summit, David Blaine came to do a talk about finding a skill that connects with people and being the birthday girl, I went up on stage and did magic with him. I say, 'did magic', but what I mean is be totally overwhelmed by how amazing his tricks were and die a little on the inside with joy. 

Did I mention I went on the high line hahaha?

With Dan and Phil after Brandcast, moments before I took the sparkle shoes of painful joy off and replaced them with my snazzy little fold up flats. Yeah buddy. 

And there you have it, four amazing days in twenty (I think) amazing pictures. Hope you enjoyed!!

Toodlepip!

xx