20160313

The Sunday Post #9 | Saving Memories, 25k Followers, Blog Update & More


I'm sorry there's been a bit of a delay in my getting this post out. I've had a bit of a stressful time recently! There's good news, not so good news and lots I want to share with you.

Saving Memories

I've been trying to embrace minimalism and clear out as much as possible. I'm even giving the capsule wardrobe thing a go! However I'm a really sentimental person so could never go all Marie Kondo. For me, a happy medium is starting a scrapbook to save these things in an ordered way which allows me to actually look back on my memories. I also printed some of my favourite Instagram and Facebook snaps with Cheerz.

I'm really bad for never printing images (I don't think I have for years!) but how often do I trawl through my social media accounts to look back on all the amazing memories I've had in that time? I was kindly gifted the Cheerz Box* (£13 for 30 photos) and Cheerz Strips* (£6.50 for 5 strips of 4 photos), which was perfect timing. I love the polaroid layout of the standard photos and the strips are such a cute idea. It's really easy to select your chosen images from your social media accounts and you can add on filters through the Cheerz editor if you fancy it. You can also add captions and choose the font if you want to remember exactly when and where you took the shot. Overall I love this idea and whether your planning a collage wall or a scrap book; it's perfect. You can use the code JASSTQ for £4 off too!

Study, Study, Study

It's one thing finding the time to study when you're at uni but it's something else entirely to do it when you're working full-time! It's a very intense experience, not no mention the fact I'm doing it to such a tight time-frame. On the bright side, I'm now officially Cert CII, which will mean nothing to most of you but it's not bad for 6 months in the insurance industry!

25k Followers

These aren't words I ever could have imagined typing on the other side of Christmas, let alone when I set up this blog! It took me a little over 18 months to build my following to 2500. I was never disheartened and was honestly grateful anyone was following me! However I've been working hard on the blog so it's a little overwhelming that it's received so much recognition recently. It also goes to show that growth is often exponential; people who have loads of followers probably didn't have gradual growth, you can be slogging away and see very little difference then *bam* almost overnight see a huge spike. So even if you're feeling a bit stuck in a rut in terms of growth; it could change in an instant. All I can say right now is a huge THANK YOU!

A New Look for Jasmine Talks Beauty

You may have noticed we've had a bit of a makeover! After my blog's growth I felt I wanted to step up my game a little. Don't get me wrong; I loved my old design and still completely recommend Pipdig's pre-made templates but a lot of people had the same design as me (with good reason, as I said) and I just wanted to choose something a little bit different with some extra features I'd wanted. I did really want to go with Pipdig again but I couldn't find something that was a little more flashy without it being too image-based and a completely custom design was beyond my price range so I had a shop around.

Eventually I stumbled across Mango Blogs on Etsy and found something that ticked all the boxes for me at a really affordable price and also got a new header designed. Eve was super-helpful and built in a load of extra features that I really wanted to make my design perfect and more unique to me. I gave her a few examples of what I was going for and she was able to also design a new header for me that would fit with the style of the new template better than my old one (as much as I was a fan of it!) I really love how it's turned out so thank you again to Eve!

My New Posting Schedule

I've reached a point where something has got to give. I love blogging and none of my passion for it has diminished but realistically; I'm doing a qualification that usually takes people 5-6 years in 2. I want to put out high-quality content, I want to be able to reply to your comments, I want to be able to read my favourite blogs. But the pressure is stepping up at work and with my qualifications. Plus I have friends, family and a boyfriend that I'm inevitably going to have to neglect a bit in the run-up to exams. 

This month was a wake-up call; I was stressed, I was run-down and ill, I was suffering from insomnia and I even failed an assignment. You are able to resubmit without it affecting your grade and luckily my second version was fine but it was a horrible feeling and I'd had no choice but to get it submitted whilst I was unwell because of the tight deadlines I'm working to, and I think blogging less will help that. Therefore from now on I'm going to be posting 3 times a week (until further notice, though I hope to go back to 4 at some point). Apologies if I'm not commenting on other blogs and joining in chats as much either but I hope you can understand that my CII studies are my #1 priority right now.

Eats

I've been economising this month so I haven't been eating out too much, however a lot of restaurants in Manchester had deals on during the first few weeks of the year with 50% off! I went to Scene Indian with a friend, which is just outside Spinningfields. I'd never heard of it before but the atmosphere was really nice and the food very affordable even at its full price. The food was really yummy and there was a lot of choice so I'd definitely go back. I also went to the Botanist with my boyfriend, as they had an offer on too. I've been there for drinks before and the surroundings are so beautiful, I don't know why I hadn't eaten there before! It's all themed around flora and gardening and the presentation of the food is amazing too. There was a lot of choice for vegetarians and the cocktails were amazing and so creative.

One of the pros of doing all these exams is that all the graduates are going through it more-or-less together. It also means that you all get together for workshops in a city that one of you is working in. This time I was hosting in Manchester. On the first night we went to Almost Famous (which was my first time), a legendary burger place in the Northern Quarter. I had one of the best vegetarian burgers I think I've ever had there! On the second night it was to the Alchemist in Spinningfields, which is my favourite one of their restaurants. They're known for their kooky cocktails and this time round I had the Flavour-Changing one, which gives you an idea of what to expect there!

I really needed to get out of the house whilst I was studying and not-so-well, so I dragged my boyfriend for a wander round town and obviously to take some outfit photos whilst we were at it! The world of fashion blogging is still a little intimidating to me but I do love style as well as beauty so let me know if you want to see more outfit posts from me. It was a little daunting taking photos out in public but I'm pretty pleased with how they turned out (nice work, James!) Afterwards we obviously had to go for lunch as we were in the Northern Quarter; home to so many of my favourite places to eat in Manchester. We went to Kosmonaut which is a place I discovered last year through a blogging event and that I've been to a couple of times since. They do amazing cocktails (though I wasn't feeling well enough to have one this time round!) and burgers, plus the best sweet potato fries in the world!

Valentine's Weekends

I took Monday the 15th off work so I'd have 3 days off for Valentine's Weekend because I was seeing family on the Saturday but still wanted to spend some time with my boyfriend. It was really great to catch up with my family; it's the first time all that side of the family have got together in ages as my uncle lives down in Cornwall. It was great to see my little cousins again as they live so far away! After a minor mishap (I managed to leave my railcard at home and had to buy a new one!) I made it down to St. Albans. On Valentine's Day itself we went to a restaurant called L'Italiana. It was a pretty low-key thing; just good, unpretentious, affordable Italian food. My boyfriend also got me a new Jo Malone fragrance, which I'm already loving.

The Monthly Viewing

I've actually not watched that many films or TV shows this month, as I've been so busy! However we watched Macbeth on BlinkBox over Valentine's Weekend. I feel like I should have liked it but something didn't quite connect for me. It was visually impressive but I struggled to follow it at times and would've had no idea what was going on if I didn't have distant memories of the story from English Lit! Unfortunately BlinkBox didn't seem to have subtitles available for this one and I was really tired so it was a bit much to follow Shakespearean English in Scottish accents (some of which were very ropey - sorry, Marion!)

One film I have really enjoyed this month was Brooklyn. It's set in the 1950s and it's about a young Irish girl who has to emigrate to New York because there's no future for her in her village. She meets a guy, starts to fulfil her ambitions but after a family tragedy has to return home, which makes her wonder if she could make a life for herself in Ireland after all. I saw the trailer for this and thought it would probably be cheesy and awful but it honestly isn't! It's so well-acted and captures all the fears and emotions you'd feel in those days being so far from everything you've ever known.

One thing I have been completely into has been House of Cards. Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright are just so flipping good as the President and First Lady who will stop at nothing for power. If you haven't watched this on Netflix yet: do it, do it now!

By far one of the best things I've watched this month is Life and Death Row on BBC3. I do really like some of their programming so I hope it continues at the same level of quality now they're online-only. This looks at the death penalty in the US from several unique perspectives and it really is compulsive viewing. Sometimes I find BBC3 documentaries that are presented by an individual to be a bit meandering; it feels like they're over really quickly and don't come to much of a conclusion, however this isn't like that at all. The lack of presenter allows a sense of emotional ambiguity and it allows the material to be powerful in its own right. Episode 2 of the new season in particular was one of the most harrowing things I think I've ever watched and I was honestly in tears during it.

I honestly have mixed feelings on The People vs. O.J. Simpson. Something about it doesn't sit quite right with me; it was a very recent event and I can't imagine the victims families appreciate it being dredged up again for 'entertainment' (at the end of the day it isn't a documentary, it's a dramatisation that's suppose to entertain the viewer). I also find it really annoying that they keep shoehorning the Kardashians' involvement in it... However as someone who was barely a year old at the time, therefore obviously didn't follow the trial as it happened, it has been fascinating to see how events unfolded. There's definitely something compulsive about this series.


What are you enjoying watching at the moment? What do you think of my blog's new look? How do you like to save your memories whilst de-cluttering?

 


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*DISCLOSURE - PRODUCTS MARKED WITH AN ASTERISK ARE PR SAMPLES/GIFTS. 
ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN. PLEASE VISIT MY DISCLOSURE PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
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71 comments

  1. I am a sentimental person myself so I find it difficult to declutter but I do put in some effort from time to time. Congrats on the milestone and sorry to read about your tough schedule and recent ailment. I hope you are feeling better now. Take your time girl and focus on one thing at a time. You can do it! :) Loved your old layout and loving this one too. Take care.

    Jadirah Sarmad at Jasmine Catches Butterflies ʚϊɞ

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    1. I know right - it's good to find a way to declutter whilst keeping hold of sentimental bits in a more organised way :) And thank you lovely - I'm feeling much better now xx

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  2. I like your outfit posts :) It breaks it up from beauty a bit as well x

    Natasha Kendall

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  3. I love your posts like this, so we get to hear a bit more about you! No one will blame you at all for focusing on your studies and career - that has to be your priority! I also have mixed feelings on The People v OJ Simpson but I cannot deny that I am enjoying it.

    Jodie @ Jodetopia x

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  4. I've said it before many times and I will say it again, you're doing so well, Jasmine! You're working full time, studying and producing great content on your blog! And I'm still amazed how fast your blog is growing, I'm literally so excited for you as I haven't seen other 'big' blogs to grow as quick! 3 posts a week is still plenty, that's all I ever managed :) xx

    Mummy’s Beauty Corner

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    1. Thank you so much, that's really sweet of you to say :D xx

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  5. A huge congratulations for the success of your blog, it's definitely one of the quickest growths I've seen so you must be nailing it lovely! And good luck with your studies, I totally feel you (I did pure maths at uni and now I'm in the finance industry so more damn studying) it feels like a constant struggle but it's all worth it :) I don't think any of your readings will care if you post a bit less, you post quality and that's what's appreciated xx

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    1. Thank you Jennifer! And haha you graduate and think it's all over but it never ends D: xx

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  6. I honestly am not surprised in any way that you have become an overnight sensation. I LOVE your blog. I really do trust your opinion and that's a huge deal for me. I love your style, your picks, you in general, and you deserve every bit of recognition. Well done!! :)

    http://www.makeerinover.co.uk

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  7. First of all, congratulations on getting over 25k followers, you deserve it! I can understand you being stressed with all uni work(5-6 years thing in 2 is a hard work!!! well done), full-time job and also focusing on blog, so I wish you all the best. Once you finish your studies, then every effort that you put will pay off! x

    Ela BellaWorld

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    1. Thank you Ela - yeah I guess it's all about prioritising and it's always better to scale back than try to keep up, burn myself out and not be able to blog at all! xx

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  8. Congratulation!
    Don't stress yourself, dear. I will be sad to see less of your post but if it meant you're happy then that's all I ever want :) Expecting more of yourself after a certain achievement can be tasking, more to the mind than anything, so please don't exert yourself. Have a happy weekend!

    Tuki | Selene Addicted

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    1. Thank you so much! I hope you had a lovely weekend too! xx

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  9. Love this post. Congratulations on your followers, you deserve it so much! Good luck with your studies

    Emily xx | emilyclairewrites.com

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    1. Thank you Emily and glad you enjoyed the post :) xx

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  10. Congrats on 25k- well deserved! I work full time (60 hrs a week right now) so I totally understand scaling back. I used to try to post more, but once a week is what's manageable for me right now. You have to do what's right for you to keep your happiness and sanity! Love the new design of the blog too Jasmine!!

    She Likes to Shop

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    1. Aw thanks Laura and yeah I definitely had a moment where I realised I needed to calm down! xx

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  11. absolutely love the photo, you have an amazing talent for it.
    congrats on your followers! <3

    Life in Pastel

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  12. A massive congrats on all you followers! I tried watching House of Cards but by season 3 i just didn't like it. i've been watching The Walking Dead.. I'm literally obsessed haha xx

    www.lpagebeauty.com

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    1. Aw thank you! I want to watch the Walking Dead but I think the fact there's so much to catch up on puts me off haha xx

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  13. I can totally relate with you about studies being more of a priority. I'm in the same boat. Although, I've never had a strict blogging schedule so kudos for you to manage everything so well! Wish you all the best x

    bohorush.blogspot.com

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  14. Love this post. It's like we get to know more on whats happening. Congrats on the followers. Dont worry about the commenting and other things, study well :) Good luck
    XOXO

    Monsoon inspirations for your ethnic wardrobe| Curious And Confused Me

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    1. I'm glad you liked it and thank you, lovely! xx

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  15. The scrapbook sound's like a great idea! I really want to start one up. I love getting creative. A huge congrats on all of the followers. It's so amazing and inspiring. You deserve it so much. It's totally understandable you're shortening down to posting three times a week and find it hard to comment back, it's fine don't worry about it. I know what you mean about the OJ Simpson think. It's quite amusing how the Kardashian's keep popping up everywhere. But a great insight to what went on during the the time, since I wasn't even born yet haha xx

    Lauren | itslaurenvictoria.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Me too :) I find stuff like that quite relaxing! And thank you for understanding, Lauren :) xx

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  16. I loved reading this post it was so interesting to read. It felt like we were sitting in a coffee shop or in a study room with a cup of coffee or water it would be for me but still..it felt like we were having a huge catch up as to what has happened in your life recently it was great! CONGRATS ON 25K that's amazing! In regards to work/uni/blog etc I understand, I'm feeling so stressed recently too and I'm feeling the effects of it which isn't great. Anyway, Keep up the good work I can't wait to read your next post!
    Charlotte // www.charlottespicks.com

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    1. Thank you Charlotte I'm glad you enjoyed this :) xx

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  17. I have to stay I'm a little scared about studying whilst working - I'll be starting it next year for a good 2/3 years. I definitely agree about cutting down the blogging though, I know I'm starting to (as well as organising guest bloggers) ready for my final year exams! x

    NINEGRANDSTUDENT: A Student Lifestyle Blog

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  18. Huge props to you studying and working full time, I really don't think I would be able to manage both at the same time. Congrats on the growth of your blog too! :) x

    Darling Jordan

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  19. Aw thanks for all the updates! I really enjoy your blog so much Jasmine! I'm glad to have found you in the blogging world! It's really amazing how much growth you've had and it is truly deserved. We can all tell how hard you work on your blog and as well as doing so much irl it's even more amazing you're able to upkeep it like you do! Most important is real life of course and it's totally understandable why you want to lower the amount of days. Do whatever you need to do for yourself! :) and I love your new layout! I actually got the same one for my blog too haha that etsy does amazing work!

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    1. Thank you so much Mika - that is so kind of you to say :) and haha she definitely does do some fab layouts! xx

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  20. Congrats on 25k! (now 27k!) It's absolutely amazing how you manage to fit everything in! I love House of Cards too & we watched Narcos just before that - would highly recommend if you haven't watched it! xx

    Beautylymin

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    1. Aw thank you :) and yes I watched Narcos a couple of months back and LOVED it! xx

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  21. Considering everything you deal with Jasmine, I think it's about time you gave yourself a break! Three times a month is more than enough and you need time to enjoy your life! Congratulations on 25k - so well deserved!

    Musings & More

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  22. You are doing amazing with your blog, i have been reading for so long!
    Emmy | Emmys Beauty Cave | GIVEAWAY | Win Makeup Geek, Morphe & More

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    1. Aw thanks Emmy! Yours is one of those I feel like I've been reading since the start too! xx

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  23. Wow congrats on 27k(!!!) now! Such a great achievement! It's sad to hear you've been stressed and over worked but I can imagine, it's like you've got more hours in a day than any human being! Posting less will definitely help you with school, I wish I would have realised that sooner, before I failed my final project on school... Good luck with your course! You'll do fab x

    Love, Charline | Charline Has a Blog

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    1. Haha I like being productive but I really don't want to burn out! And thank you so much! xx

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  24. Still don't know how you do it haha, I barely manage one post a week! I started watching Thirteen on BBC3 last week and I'm liking it so far! Heading to Manchester at the end of the month to visit a friend and can't wait to get back round Spinningfields and the Northern Quarter!

    Danielle's Beauty Blog

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    1. Aw I hope you enjoy and I've been watching Thirteen too - definitely intriguing! xx

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  25. congrats on your followers, I love reading your blog and you honestly deserve every follower you have xx
    m0llylouise.com

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  26. Aww, I missed your blog. Thanks for finding a gap in your hectic schedule to update us and congratulations on your mile stone! You so deserve it. I've currently started back at uni so my last few weeks have been a little unorganised blogging wise. Just figuring out time management!

    Sally - DiagonSally

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  27. Awww I always love to read your update posts!! Well done on your qualification and the sky is definitely your starting point. I am totally in the same boat as you are in terms of studying and working full time trying to juggle so many projects at work. I know it would all work out for the best so I am hanging in there. On the plus side, HUGE CONGRATULATIONS!! on the 25k followers!! That's absolutely amazing!!...xx

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    1. Thank you so much lovely - and yes it's so tricky trying to put in the hours with the day job whilst leaving yourself time to study! xx

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  28. Congrats on your followers! That's a crazy feat! And good luck in your exams and everything. Hope it goes well :) I personally don't mind the reduced posting schedule as long as you don't give it up completely because I love reading your blog!

    Katie | katieemmabeauty.com

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    1. Thank you so much Katie and of course that would never happen haha :D xx

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  29. Wow Jasmine you are amazing for posting 3 times a week AND studying a fast-tracked degree AND working full time at the same time! Don't beat yourself up if you can't stick to your original blogging schedule because I am imagine your workload must be crazy! I am a full time law student and I already find it hard to post more than once a week because I really just don't have the time :( That being said - you are doing amazing and best of luck to your exams! xx

    Jacqueline | Sail Away to Neverland ♡

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    1. It's such an intense experience and thank you so much - best of luck with your law studies too :) xx

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  30. Aw thank you for these lovely comments - they mean a lot to me <3 xx

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  31. your photography is amazing. the new nars velvet matte skin tint sounds so good. i'm usually not into mattes foundations but i might try this one anyway.


    loovelle.blogspot.com

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  32. Congrats hun! You're doing so great and seriously I can't believe you've been juggling posting as often as you do with such demanding studies and a job. You're superwoman! I am glad that you are cutting down on posts (not that I would complain if you kept this rate up!!!) but because you do need to take some of the excess pressure off yourself and definitely focus on those studies for now. And in case you didn't already know, I love your blog and would read it religiously even if you posted once a month ;)
    Sal UmmBabyBeauty

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  33. Loved this post! So glad your blogs doing amazingly, you really deserve it!! And your flatlays are gorgeous as ever! xx
    www.chasingbelle23.blogspot.co.uk

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  34. You keep going girl your doing amazing! It can be so hard sometimes to get the balance of work/blogging and having a life so not put pressure on yourself is the best thing possible! I blog 3 times sometimes 4 but if you miss a day it's obviously because something more imporant has occurred.

    Lucy | lucyalana.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Yeah definitely - at the end of the day blogging is supposed to be fun :) and thank you xx

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  35. Loved the new layout and design, noticed it earlier when I stopped by. Congratulations on everything you've accomplished in your life, career and the blog :)

    Nereyda│ This Girl Is Obsessed

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