Adam Richman Appreciation Post.

Hello again, Blogger. I've decided to resurface today in order to show my appreciation for the American TV personality Adam Richman. 

If you have ever taken the time to watch Man vs. Food -or watched this year's Soccer Aid match- you'll know the man I'm talking about. Although if you've not seen both, you many not believe I'm talking about the same person at first. That is because he has gone through what I have dubbed a 'Josh Peck transformation' -any Drake and Josh fans reading this will get what I mean.

The man, the myth, the legend.
(Not my image)

Now, I'm not writing this post to talk about his weight loss. Yes, it's a good thing that he's happy and living a healthy lifestyle, but that's not the sole reason I appreciate and admire him. In fact it's only a tiny factor in my opinion, as I was a huge fan of his long before he decided to shed some weight.

I'm writing this post because I think he's an unbelievable person. He just comes across as so lovely and genuine. He's always appeared so friendly and happy-go-lucky. And yes, I know that many people put on an act that portrays them in such a light when they're being filmed; but I genuinely believe Adam Richman is very much that way in person and off camera.

(Again, not my image)

What prompted me to write this post are the Instagram events of yesterday. Many people leave comments on Adam Richman's Instagram photos referring to him as their 'thinspiration'. Adam thinking this was just a clever shorthand used by people to express that he is their motivation to shed some extra pounds and live a healthier life, and not knowing the negative connotations the term actually holds, hashtagged one of his picture with the term. People went crazy and fiercely attacked him in the comments for hashtagging the term. Once he learnt of the true nature of the term posted a video on Instagram where he very sincerely apologised for his slip up.

It is this video and how obviously he truly meant his apology that lead me to write this. I know this post is not eloquent or brilliantly written; but it's a quick overview as to why I think Adam Richman is such a great guy.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier | Film.

I have briefly come out of my blogging retirement in order to prompt anyone who stumbles across this post to go and watch the new Captain America film. It is outstanding; gripping from start to finish; and just simply amazing.

It's my new favourite film -and yes that is based on one viewing alone, because it really is that good- and I cannot wait until it is released on DVD. Being the impatient person that I am, I may end up going to the cinema at least one more time to watch it before the DVD comes out.

Second Thoughts & Rethinking Things.

I know at the start of the month I created a post suggesting a possible monthly post structure for my blog. I thought having five posts every month, and four out of those five posts having the same theme each month, would really benefit my blog and maybe attract a few more people, as my blog would have a regular, flowing structure to it -unlike now where it's all over the place in terms of content, and a bit hit or miss in terms of how frequently I post things. 

However I'm now having second thoughts. And those second thoughts aren't about my proposed structure -in fact I quite like it. My second thoughts are about my blog in general. I know people look at my posts -that I can tell from my page views, obviously- but there has never been any input or feedback from anyone. It didn't really get to me at first as I was obviously just starting up and those sort of things don't exactly happen over night. But I've been writing this blog now for almost six months, and the lack of interaction is getting a little disheartening -not to mention the embarrassing fact that my follower count is still at zero. It's starting to feel like I'm just talking to myself. Which is why I'm now considering stopping my blog instead of putting more into it. I just feel that at this rate any more effort I put into this blog will be wasted.

So from this point on it is very likely that my posts will become much less frequent than they are now -bet you didn't think that was possible, eh? I can only really picture myself coming on here in future to document memories I want to make permanent, sort of like treating this mass of html and pixels as a collective journal of all my holidays, road trips, parties and little successes in life etc. I may also log on to recommend a new band I've discovered/rediscovered to anyone who happens to stumble across this little blog I've got.

To anyone who did regularly check my blog: thank you; sorry for not being the blogger I originally thought I was cut out to be; and if you bother to look at my blog in the future -which I doubt you will- then I look forward to sharing some of my life's highlights with you. 
-Hannah. :)

More Structure?

Ever since starting up this blog I've be very aware of the fact that there is no real structure to my blog, both in terms of what I post and how frequently I post it. I've also been aware of the fact that a lot of bloggers -all much better and more experienced at this than me- have certain days they upload posts, and in some cases certain days they upload a certain type of post.

I'm not suggesting that I'm going to start posting on three certain days a week. That would be nice, but I'm a terrible blogger, who lacks frequent inspiration for posts. So instead I am proposing a loose, monthly schedule. 

My proposal is that every month I post a:

1. Run down of my favourite things from the previous month,
2. Music/band recommendation,
3. Post focussing on some aspect of university life,
4. Random recommendation/review (be it a book, film, beauty product, meal, restaurant, item of clothing, shop or YouTube channel etc.),
5. Unspecified post. This could be a post on absolutely anything as a little unpredictable surprise for you.

The posts may not necessarily be posted in the above order though. And for the time being it's just an idea; although I am thinking of trial running it next month.

I'd love to hear any thoughts you have on this!

-Hannah. :)

February Favourites.

>Instagram 'Photo a Day' Challenges (#fmsphotoaday): This month was the third time I decided to attempt a 'photo a day' challenge on Instagram, and it was the first one I managed to complete -bar one day but that was due to a personal thing. I really enjoyed doing it! It was a lot of fun thinking outside of the box and trying to come up with different takes on the daily prompts and trying to take creative pictures. If I find another one that has a good set of prompts I'll definitely be taking part again! 

Day 19: Feet, the challenge prompt image, and Day 16: Create.

>Galaxy, more specifically, Honeycomb Crisp and Cookie Crumble: One day after uni I decided to treat myself and Brandon to yumyums and lots of chocolate. I chose the Honeycomb Crisp bar for myself and the Cookie Crumble one to share -if I'd remembered how delicious it is I would have kept that one to myself as well!

>Revlon Colour Burst Lip Butter in 'Sugar Frosting' and 'Crème Brulee': These are two lipsticks I brought not too long ago. When purchasing them I wasn't too sure how much I was going to like them because they have a bit of a shimmer to them and I've never really gone for pale pink or nude lips before. I really like them though, despite all my earlier doubts. The only negative I have with them is that with both I usually have to put quite a bit on, compared to my other lipsticks and the like, in order for the colour to look somewhat noticeable.

This one isn't part of my photo challenge, I just really liked it and wanted to include it; Day 13: Perfect; and Day 16: Create (Yes I did two in one day).

>Rimmel London 'Space Dust' Nail Varnish in 'Moon Walking': Although it's a pain in the backside to get off I absolutely adore this nail varnish! It just looks so pretty and different. My nail varnish collection is a fair size now, so I don't know about buying any more of this range, but I'll definitely be wearing this one a lot!

>Rimmel London 'I Lasting Finish' Nail Varnish in 'Loafer Love For Your': More nail varnish, woo! This is one of my February favourites purely because of it's colour. It is just a stunning blue and it just so happens to be my second favourite shade of blue, so naturally I 'needed' it as soon as I spotted it in Boots. This nail varnish will definitely become one of my staples in no time!

Day 18: Magic (also the one on the right is the Space Dust nail varnish I just spoke about), 'Loafer Love For You', and my Primark scented candle.

>Sweet Vanilla & Coconut Scented Candle From Primark: This candle smells so good that on a number of occasions since purchasing it I have contemplated going back to Primark and stocking up with enough to last me 20 years. All I can say about this candle is: if you haven't already smelt it, go to your nearest Primark right now and sniff away to your heart's content!

So those have been my favourite things this month. What have some of yours been?
-Hannah. :)

My Training Programme | Update.

I'm now just about two thirds of the way through the six week training programme I'm taking part in for Brandon's degree. I thought now would be a good time to do an update on how things are going before doing a 'Before and After' post on it.

Balance & Core Stability:
So far so good on both counts, although my balance does seem to be a little hit or miss at times in my opinion. That being said I do think that it's improving and Brandon has noted the same. 

My core stability has gotten sooo much better! On my first day I managed to plank for 42 seconds and on Tuesday I was able to plank to a whole minute after completing the whole session! *pats self on the back* And because that was after just over an hour of exercise Brandon reckons that I could probably last around a minute and a half at the start of a session. So that is a pretty big improvement for four sessions of work!

This is 'the plank', just in case any of you were thinking that Brandon had me planking on gym equipment.
(Not my image)

What I really like about my balance and core stability day is that although I'm working really hard it doesn't feel like it during the sessions. I mean yes I can feel 'the burn' and certain muscles being activated by certain exercises and movements; but I'm not going red in the face, sweating buckets and pulling faces that make it look like I have constipation. 

Strength & Toning:
This day is proving to be incredibly challenging. Getting the form right for 'cleans' and the like is something that I end up working on every week, and it gets really, really frustrating. But I haven't given up or called it quits, so that's got to count for something, right?

Miraculously, I am showing some improvements though in terms of my strength. I went from lifting 12kg to lifting 30kg. Now I know that that is barely even a fraction of what some people can lift, and I know I'm not exactly lifting 30kg with the greatest of ease -with no ease at all when it comes to lifting it above my head- but I'm a tiny female who has only been lifting once a week for the past three weeks -I haven't had my strength training yet this week- so I'm entitled to be pleased with myself.

This is one of the moves I do within a strength session. The weights on my bar are a lot smaller than these; I have 5kg on each end, which equates to 30kg when you factor in the 20kg bar.
(Again, not my image)

I haven't really noticed any changes in my body -if anything I think my stomach has gotten flabbier- but according to Brandon there are a few visible changes from the sessions so far.

So there's a quick little update for anyone who is interested.
To any Sprinklerinos out there who are also taking part in 'Glitter Gets Fitter' I hope you're having as much success as me -if not more!
-Hannah. :)

We Are The In Crowd | Music Recommendation.

My post encouraging you to check out the band Deaf Havana seemed to go down pretty well, in terms of views at least seeing as I have no way of knowing of anyone then went on to give the band a listen. I hope some of you did though! And that is for two reasons: 1) Their music is amazing, and 2) I'm about to repeat the process with another amazing band.

The band pictured above are We Are The In Crowd, who come from the state of New York. They are signed with Hopeless Records and have recently released -literally a few days ago- their third full length album -if you include Guaranteed to Disagree as an album instead of an EP- entitled Weird Kids.

I first discovered We Are The In Crowd at Slam Dunk South Festival in 2011. This was the year that I went with my friend Ella. Prior to the event I had looked up the line up for each stage and what times each band were due to come on; and on the day planned to travel around watching the bands I wanted to see and then catch a few songs by bands I'd never listen to or heard of before between sets. However, Ella pointed out to me that one of the stages had a far better overall line up than all the other stages and suggested we just stayed put there for the day. After listening to her words of wisdom and accepting the fact it would mean missing bands such as Zebrahead and Less Than Jake, I agreed that staying at that stage all day sounded like a good plan.

We Are The In Crowd just so happened to be one of the many bands lined up to play that stage -bet you didn't see that one coming, huh? Prior to them coming on stage I had only heard of them and after their set I sorely regretted not listening to them sooner. They completely blew me away and I've been a massive fan of theirs ever since! I'm really hoping they have the same effect on some of you guys!

We Are The In Crowd often get compared to Paramore. I personally think they sound absolutely nothing alike. The one and only thing they have in common is the fact that both their lead vocalists are females. And We Are The In Crowd aren't the only band to be compared to Paramore within this genre of music purely because they have a female vocalist and that really, really annoys me. Just because a band has a female lead vocalist does not mean they're going to be or sound like the most popular band with a female vocalist within that genre. So if you do go ahead and listen to We Are The In Crowd once you've finished reading this, please go in with an open mind and don't expect them to be a Paramore rip off. They are their own band and put in far too much effort to be considered a copy of a more famous band instead of a band in their own right.

Songs I would suggest listening to:

Never Be What You Want

Both Sides Of The Story

Both Sides Of The Story (Acoustic)

Rumour Mill

Kiss Me Again

Exits and Entrances

The Best Thing (That Never Happened)

Let me know what you think of WATIC in the comments!
-Hannah. :)