LouiseLIVE Info and Chat

Good Morning My Glitterbugs!

I say morning, but who knows what time you're reading this? Wouldn't it be amazing if there was a little bit of tech that could change some of the words in blogs to suit your time? Like morning and afternoon or even seasonal if you're reading this at like Christmas or something? Why am I talking about this?? I'm jet lagged, let's blame that!

I'm typing this blog post from my hotel bed in New York, with a 14th floor view over Manhattan at sunrise. I'm not even kidding. It's glorious. I feel like such a go-getter haha. If you're super interested, THIS, is my current view, except I'm actually under that duvet of dreams. 

Anyway, what was the point of this post, oh yes, LouiseLIVE! I thought that since I've been talking about it so much on my social media that I would make a blog post to kind of A any Q's and fill in the gaps for people who might not know much about it. I've also included some images that guests from LouiseLIVE 2015 took- thank you for sharing those with me <3

Click here to buy tickets!

What is LouiseLIVE?

LouiseLIVE is a live theatre show where I try to bring the essence of my channel to the stage but also a lot more personality that I'm not always able to convey via a screen. The general theme of the show is comedy but there are big elements of self empowerment and hopefully a little bit of inspiration in there too. It's audience interactive (so some guests are invited up on stage with me) but not audience led (so not a Q&A). 

How did LouiseLIVE all begin?

A few years back I was at a YouTube convention in America and I wanted to find a way to spend time with my audience but in a different format to the traditional meet & greet, which I felt wasn't offering the quality that we all deserved. I wanted a way to interact face to face but wasn't just a human conveyor belt of a quick hello and a selfie. I needed more than that and I felt like the audience did too. 

So, I came up with this idea where I would have a bunch of you in a room, you could ask me anything at all you wanted and I could ask you anything and we'd have a sort of giant conversation. 

With each question that someone asked, I ended up talking for a few minutes, sharing stories, asking more about you and we all came away having learnt something more, deepened our relationships and having had a higher quality experience than a fake smile and blurred selfie. It was GOOD. 

After that someone said, why don't you develop this and take it to the stage? So, in 2014 we did a pilot show called, 'The Sprinkle of Glitter Experience", in my home town (woo yeah Northampton! ha) that was very unstructured and audience led, with Q&A's, quizzes, chats etc. The reviews were crazy positive!

When we launched LouiseLIVE in 2015 (much better name, non?), I wanted there to be a proper structure (like you would get in any stage show) and to focus a little bit more on the comedy element of it as that's something that works really well in a live setting. I was also keen to maintain a section about confidence and self empowerment since this is something I'm so passionate about and I think really resonates with a lot of guests. 

And so, 3 years later, here we are about to embark on the second official tour and I couldn't be more excited! I was so happy with how 2015 went so will be going with the same format but of course, all new stories, new ideas and hopefully a lot of new audience members too!

Why is LouiseLIVE so special? 

I have been growing, nurturing and loving my GlitterWorld for 6 years now. I consider it a part of my family, like a second child. When I read comments from you or open your letters that land in my PO Box, I feel like we are connected. Unfortunately, there is a certain distance and coldness that having screens and technology between us brings, so, to have an experience with you all in a theatre setting is very special. 

It allows us the unique opportunity of being amongst this community that we have all worked to create and to celebrate it. We are all sharing in one common interest and the vibe is always incredibly positive and exciting. 

I also think it's special because I feel so much more free on a stage than I do in front of a camera. I feel a lot more like the Louise I am when I'm with my friends and find myself relaxing and hitting on so many more topics than I would on my channel. Hearing the audience laugh and seeing faces with all the feels, it's special. 

Where can I buy tickets for LouiseLIVE?

Right HERE. A lot of tickets have sold out now but a few remain for most of the venues so do be quick if you're wanting any. 

Can I vlog at LouiseLIVE? 

This is just my personal opinion and not that of the theatre venue (they all have their own individual policies). I would love for you to not film the entire show but if you are vlogging your day and want to include little snippets that are a few seconds long here and there, go for it. Also, still photos (as far as I'm concerned) are completely fine. If any of my youtube friends attend, I'd love for them to not be filmed and just be left to enjoy the show <3.

I suffer from anxiety, will I be ok at LouiseLIVE?

I've seen this question a lot. I think because there is an element of audience interaction, some people worry that they'll be picked on or dragged up on stage. DON'T WORRY. If you look terrified or are shaking your head or not raising your hand, I'm 100% not going to pick you. I don't want anyone at my show to feel uncomfortable or embarrassed or afraid. Also, I want to have super bubbly confident people on stage so it's not in my interest to pick a person who's just not feeling it.

If at any point you need to leave, I'm not going to call you out or make a fuss, I'm just going to hope you're ok and leave you to it. 

So, if anxiety is your worry, I hope this has eased it for you. 

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And that's it! If you have any further Q's, leave them below and if there are any that I see multiple times I will address them in another blog post. 

Can't wait to see you there!!

Toodlepip!

xx

Mistakes || S3P3 || Motivational Monday

Aloha Glitterbugs,

Merry Monday to you, a brand new day and a brand new start. How refreshing. 

Like every single person except Mary Poppins (who as we know is practically perfect in every way), I've made a lot of mistakes in my life. A lot. From big ones like not working harder at school to little ones like that Krispy Kreme donut at 1.40am last night, I'm a mistake maker. 

It's really easy, I think, to let those mistakes fester within us. For a long old time after my marriage broke down I would sob and sob to my friends that I'd failed. I felt like I was walking around with this huge neon sign floating above my head and everyone could see all the things I hadn't achieved. 'Couldn't Make Her Marriage Work', 'Didn't Try Hard Enough'.  Over time I realised my failing didn't mean I was a loser and nobody thought that. Nobody was forcing these negative labels on me, except me. It wasn't a mistake to get married (we had a lot of wonderful years and brought Darcy into the world) and it wasn't a mistake to move on (we're both infinity happier now and I feel like a better parent for it).

Same for my A-Levels. I did terribly. At uni in freshers week the hot topic was, 'Which A-Levels did you take? How many UCAS points did you score? Did you get your first place of course??'. Truth be told, I got into my uni through clearing. I did brilliantly in my GCSE's, moved schools for my A-Levels, discovered boys, took my eye of the prize and was a bit of a flop. Still went to uni though, still came out with a degree, still lived my life. My mistake didn't define my success. 

What I'm trying to illustrate is that even if you make a mistake, you can fix it. You can work through it and with the right attitude, over come it. 

Whatever little or big mistakes are niggling away at you this week, let them go or refocus. You don't need to beat yourself up and you are not the walking embodiment of failure. You are a human and you're doing OK. I promise. 

Toodlepip!

xx

31 for 31

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Today is my Birthday! The big Three One. Woohooo!!

(Mmhmm, yes, glitter in my hands there)

Last year turning 30 was big and dramatic and glitzy and wild. The whole year was a roller coaster of ups and downs and twists and turns and so this birthday, I have toned it all down and I hope the year ahead reflects this more chilled out vibe!

I'll make another post on how I'm celebrating but for today, I wanted to talk about some of the things I hope to achieve this year. Also, I wanna make a list. I bloomin' love a good list, you know that right? 

Since I'm turning 31, I figured it made sense to aim for 31 things and then next year I can look back and see how I got on. I don't expect to tick everything off the list but there's no harm in trying!

31 for 31

1. Blog at least twice a week. I love the documentation and routine of life that a blog brings.

2. Write a new book. Idea is already in my head, just need to put it on paper. 

3. Rebrand. I need a change. I'm in the mood for change. 

4. Organise my office into workable systems instead of confused piles of mess. 

5. Set up a creative station for Darcy so that she can enjoy all our craft materials properly. 

6. Each weekend that I have Darcy (Matt and I alternate them), do a proper activity. Don't let the weekends slip by. 

7. Continue to deepen my relationship with the bf and have regular date nights to keep things fresh. Pretty excited to come up with some fun ideas for this! 

8. Use my health club membership twice a week to maintain some level of fitness and justify the slightly extortionate fees. 

9. Keep my wardrobe tidy and usable. I recently had a HUGE sort out and I need to keep it that way!

10. Make the everyday more fun. I have lots of creative ideas that I'd like to start applying to life so that Darcy and I enjoy even the mundane things a lot more. Small things like water balloons in the bath and crazy straws in our drinks. 

11. Take a trip with the girls! As I grow older I'm making more and more friends and I want to make time to enjoy them all. I'd love to have a trip with my uni girls, my local mummy friends, my youtube ladies (Zoe and Maddie I'm looking at you!) and my sisters. I don't think it's feasible to do all of that together so looks like I'll be busy!

12. Travel. A bit. I'm a homebird and love to be in familiar surroundings so wanderlust is never something I experience but I do know that growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone so I'm going to try. Just a little bit. The bf and I are looking at European city breaks so we'll see how that goes. 

13. Disney, Disney, Disney!!! I am obsessed. To me, there is no happier place on earth than Walt Disney World. I'd like a trip there with Darcy but also I would like to experience a Disney Cruise and take a trip to DisneyLand Paris. 

14. Redecorate. Eventually I'll move out of my tiny house but for now, do I want to change up the lounge? Yes, yes I do. 

15. Hydrate. My insides are like the desert and this needs to stop. Pass me the water! 

16. Bit boring - clean out my car. Need to remind myself that it is not a vessel for every half empty bottle of water or screwed up receipt I've ever had. It's a vehicle. Jeez. 

17. Style more outfits and document them. I love seeing what other people have put together and when I take the time, I think I'm pretty good and styling outfits for myself so I'd like to spend a bit more time on that. 

18. Share more with my bf. I think previously I have fallen into the trap of keeping things to myself and not talking about what excites me. I get really, reaaalllly excited for my job or for ideas or for collaborating with people and brands on new projects but then sometimes I feel a bit embarrassed to share that buzz with people who aren't in my industry because I worry they won't 'get it'. I think I need to give more credit and share more because I've noticed that when I do, he's really on board and that shouldn't be wasted. 

19. Spend time outdoors more. Summer is fast approaching and after been cooped up all winter I want to make sure Darcy and I are getting our vitamin D! I need to find a little repertoire of places we can visit regularly that keep us outdoors. Last Summer I spent so so so much time at a reservoir near my house that now I'm completely sick of it, so I need to keep things varied. 

20. Waste less food/meal plan. It pains me to through so much good food out just because I didn't organise myself enough to use it up so I'm going to try and curb that. 

21. Frame all my art. I buy art, I don't frame it or hang it. This needs to change. 

22. Watch more TV. Whhhaaaa?? Is that a real goal??? Yes. I never watch any TV programmes any more but they're a really good way to switch off and chill out so I'm going to have a looksie at what drama's or documentaries are on and make a little schedule. 

23. Become a planner! I already use my own diary each week but I really love the look of the Erin Conran Life Planners, more for their scrapbook-esque value than anything else. I've seen stickers galore for those bad boys and I'd like to try my hand at doing one. I think they run Summer-Summer so it might be my time to shine soon!

24. Congratulate more. So many people I know are achieving so many incredible things and all too often I miss the moment to clap and cheer for them. Bad Louise. 

25. Open my post. You know that person who has a stack of mail on their desk, unopened? That's me. Need to change that. 

26. Visit more special places in the UK. Our tiny island is packed with amazing things that I would like to take the time to see and enjoy. I'd particularly like to visit the Cotswolds and St Ives again. 

27. Throw some great parties. Nothing thrills me more than a party!!

28. Be on time for people's birthday cards and presents. I'm pretty sh*t at that so I've got minimal hope but it doesn't hurt to try eh?

29. Love on Darcy continually. I don't actually know how I could love this child anymore but I do know that I'll enjoy the challenge of trying. I want to make sure she always feels loved and stable and secure. 

30. Say yes to more events and opportunities. Exciting things come of them. 

31. Have more face to face interactions with Glitterbugs like you <3.

You know what? It was REALLY hard to come up with 31 things I wanted to achieve or do this year and I think that goes to show that actually, I'm pretty happy with my life. If none of those things get ticked off the list and life continues to tick over the way it has this past few months, I'll be a happy camper. 

Thirty, you were a year of learning and growing and accepting. Thirty One, I hope you're just as good to me. 

Toodlepip!

xx