NEW YEARS RESOLUTION

This year I made one resolution:
TO MAKE GOALS AND TARGETS

I'm fed up with setting unrealistic resolutions. In past years I've told myself that somehow on the first of January I'll get up and start working out six days a week when as it is I can barely motivate myself to work out one day a week. This year I've decided that instead of making impossible, broad resolutions that I'll break a week into January, I'm going to make smaller monthly GOALS and weekly TARGETS that I'm going to set out to achieve. These will be as simple as don't get a take away for two weeks or try to improve my time on a run. The important thing is that I see an improvement. We spend too much time looking at other peoples lives and decide to make a huge change just to match their standards when really we need to walk before we run. A big change will not stick. If you're dedicated you could maybe make it last a month but in the long run you'll fall back in place. If you just take little things then you can work your way up and not stress yourself.

Therefore I will post my goals for the future month and my achievements from the previous month every month for you all. Hopefully we can all better ourselves this year in the way in which we all as individuals want and not others.

OVERSIZED COATS

 Oversized coats are an essential now a days and oh how I love them. They're so classy and comfortable, one of few trends that actually keep you warm. I have hunted ASOS and found some of my favourite coats unfortunatly many of them are way out of my price range but a girl can dream right!? They add a touch of elegance to any outfit and make you stand out from the crowd.

ASOS Swing Coat with Funnel Neck in Textured Wool
£90

ASOS Coat in Brushed Fabric
£85

J.D.Y Biker Coat
£35

ASOS Duster Coat in Check
£75

 

ASOS Coat with Coccon Fit in Textured Wool
£85

ASOS Coat with Notch Detail
£85

ASOS Ultimate Slim Coat
£33

Abercrombie & Fitch Car Coat
£220

ASOS Coat with Back Tab Detail
£90

Karen Millen Car Coat in Graphic Houndstooth
£275

Ganni Military Long Classic Coat
£280

All coats are available at www.ASOS.co.uk

THE UNWRITTEN RULES OF TINDER

It's definitely fairly embarrassing to have my first post be about Tinder, and what adds to the embarrassment is that all that comes into my head whilst thinking about it is #hatersgonnahate.

For those of you who are still reading this despite the fact I hashtagged, quoted Taylor Swift lyrics and mentioned Tinder, thank you and may your lives be blessed.

I am here to present to you my UNWRITTEN TINDER RULES. Some of you may be saying, how do I know you have the KNOWLEDGE, the PASSION, the EXPERIENCE to enlighten us on these rules? I say to you non believers, I have had my fair share of tinder practice. I have been introduced via this app to some of the worst and best men around my 30 mile radius and I know the struggles of writing an interesting 'ABOUT ME'. So stop doubting, and start having faith.

Wow, that took it out of me.. onto the rules.

1. EVERY PHOTO COUNTS:

The first thing I noticed when I set up a Tinder profile was the lack of decent photos I've taken of myself in the past year. In one sense I'm quite proud that I'm not the type to take and post nice pictures of myself online. In fact, when out with friends I am known for messing up the 'pre-night out' photos by pulling a funny face. Unfortunately, they're not the kind of photos you put up on a dating profile and the one major drawback of tinder is you can't put photos up anywhere other than from your facebook. So try your best to find at least four I'd say, of your nicest faces and stick them up there. My advice is stick to photos within the year and avoid too many group photos as they cause distraction. Put in some photos of you doing something you enjoy. In terms of what you're looking for, make sure you look at all the photos of the prospective husband. He may look decent in the first picture and then go downhill from there. I am shallow in saying that, but I have tried meeting up with a guy I knew I wasn't physically attracted to, and it just didn't work out.

2. "ABOUT ME" IS EVERYTHING:

The second thing I noticed was the lack of interesting words I have to describe myself. For a time I stuck to the whole 'Belfast, Queen's University' business, but to make an impression and make guys start a conversation with you it's best to have something interesting. I have three about me's I interchanged throughout my time on the app. Prepare to cringe.. 'Do you have a knife? Do you have a fork? Do you want a spoon?' deepest apologies for that, but it got people talking! 'I'm taller than you' because I'm a pretty tall gal and so it got me finding out the prospectives lads heights. 'I have three kids, looking for a husband to fund their aspiring goals' again, just got them talking and jokingly brought about that I was interested in more than a hook up. People are flicking through tinder seeing the same old girls posing in photos, the way to stand out is a funny, down to earth, showing that you want to have a bit of banter about me.

3. GET TO KNOW THEM BEFORE MEETING:

Goes without saying, don't just match with a guy and agree to meet up within an hour. Take the time. If you don't talk to him how do you know what he's like, if you're compatible, what you both want to take away from this etc. I'm a firm believer in waiting as long as you can. Some of my most successful Tinder dates have been down to getting to know the guy before and getting rid of the awkwardness that would result if we just met up as soon as we could. Try and get their facebook or twitter just to reassure yourself that they are who they say you are.

4. CUDDLES, DOES NOT MEAN CUDDLES:

Learnt this the hard way, take that whatever way you want. Do NOT agree to watch and movie and "cuddle" on the first few dates. We all crave a little affection now and again but don't cave. Like they always say, spooning leads to forking etc etc. Guys will say anything to get a bit of action, don't believe it, as cringy as it sounds a good guy will wait.

5. MEET IN A PUBLIC PLACE FIRST TIME:

Kind of touched upon in point four but I'd recommend a public setting for the first date. Perhaps a bar or coffee shop. I'm a bit hypocritical with this one though considering the majority of guys I've met up with the first time has been at theirs or mine, but at least because they've all been students their flatmates or my flatmates have always been around. In terms of going to a bar, don't get too drunk and don't go home with them after or invite them in after as it just encourages you both.

6. LAUGH IT OFF:

You're bound to have a few awkward ones or so bad it's funny meet ups. If he's dead on you'll both probably laugh about how awkward it is. I went on a date recently with a guy and he said I was his first tinder date and he didn't know what I was going to be like or anything. He was nervous but it was cute and we both found it funny.

7. LOOK AROUND YOU:

Don't forget about the boys not on the app. I've fell victim into thinking that the only way I'm going to find a potential boyfriend is on Tinder due to there being such a variety of guys with different values and ethos to choose from. Sometimes though you've got to keep your eyes open for that moment you lock eyes with a guy in the shops or something and take the risk to go for it and ask him for his number.