TRAVEL | BALI

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I'm finally getting round to posting my travel experiences of 2014! Hopefully, it will give you all some inspiration of where to go in 2015. If there's one thing I learnt from the 9 weeks I spent travelling, is that the world is smaller than you think. You may feel the other side of the world is unreachable, but it isn't. I'm much more understanding of different cultures and how actually, we aren't that different at all. 

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Tip 1: Learn to let go

As I climbed up the stairs in Manchester Airport, my family waving goodbye behind me, it finally hit me. I was about to embark on the most immense adventure I’d ever experienced.

Generally, I like to keep order and routine, so it scared me to think I would be living unpredictably, moment by moment.

I hadn’t had time to process what was ahead of Mischa (my travel partner) and me, but it was happening. No turning back now.

We hadn't booked anything. No trips, no internal transport, and little accommodation. But I soon realized, the less you plan, the better. After all, isn’t that the reason we travel? To leave behind the daily strain of time keeping and responsibilities? 

Our first hostel, The Island, Kuta, was booked beforehand. I don’t think we appreciated the luxury of this hostel. They had duvets, air con, a pool and sunbeds, which we took for granted.

If you’ve never slummed it, you probably won’t be able to imagine sleeping with your damp towel as a sheet, using the humid outside air as “air con” and lying on concrete to sunbathe, and that’s sometimes the best you get. It’s not a glamorous activity. 

Kuta is infamous for its nightlife, mostly due to the YOLO nature of the Aussies. Go down to Alleycats and Sky Garden for some drunken ridiculousness.

Our two new Dutch friends kindly zoomed us around the sights of the city on their mopeds, which are everywhere! People drive them on pavements, no one stops at junctions and they cram their whole family plus a chicken onto one bike. 

But it’s all part of the charm of this crazy town.

Kuta beach is renowned for being a slightly dodgy area, but it looked alright to me!

The more sophisticated town of Seminyak is a mile up the beach from Kuta, which is where I rode the ‘beach break’ for the first time. Moguli, our questionably qualified teacher, was much cheaper than the official surf schools, but just as competent.

Ubud was my favourite city in Bali, around 4 hours bus ride inland from the coast. We trekked up Mt Batur at 2am the next morning in pitch black. I hadn’t slept a wink due to a roommate kindly informing me, a rat had leaped into her bed the previous night. Cheers lady.

After trekking up rubble and mud for two hours in darkness, the view at the top was breathtaking. The photos could never capture the beauty of the sunrise. But the memory will never escape my mind.

Halfway up...

The view from the top.

The Yoga Barn is the go-to for yoga lessons in Ubud. Full of hippies and those in search of their souls. It is so peaceful, which was especially welcomed after a stressful, uncomfortable journey there. 

Asia is a chaotic continent, very unlike the Western world, and plans, unfortunately, never go to plan. I needed to learn to let go, as what will be, will be.

Have you ever been to Bali?

@AmyBolser1

EVENT | bgo Meet-Up at The White Cloth Gallery

When Haydn from Joe's Blog Network got in touch with me, I was a little apprehensive. I've never attended a blogger event before! Especially as it was in Leeds, because I go to university at Newcastle, I know more bloggers in that neck of the woods.

But, I took a leap of faith and went anyway on my own! There's probably an idea for another post there! 'How to attend an event on your own and not be scared'! I usually find it quite easy to chat to people, but as I know the blogger community can be very close knit, I was worried everyone might know each other and me, no one.

I was very pleasantly surprised. Everyone was so friendly and lovely and welcoming. We started off with a few complementary drinks, so I had a chance to introduce myself.

We were then given a starter lesson in Blackjack and Roulette…Let's just say I don't think I'll be going to vegas anytime soon. We weren't playing with real money though, phew!

As the drinks were flowing and gambling getting more competitive by the minute, a few social media competitions were running simultaneously.

 These were the prizes. Unfortunately I didn't win any. I was too busy gambling to be looking at my phone, of course!

 The White Cloth Gallery was such a good venue for this type of event.

I wore; Skort - Topshop | Top - Urban Outfitters | Necklace - Urban Outfitters | Boots - Topshop

I spent most of my night with Rina Deb (right), Alex from Clouds in a Violet Haze (left) and photographer/blogger Emily. Look at her photography here.

Oh and of course, Vern.

I thoroughly enjoyed my first blogger meet-up, and it won't be the last I'm sure. Thanks Joe's Blog Network!

Check out the bgo website here!

Have you ever attended an event on your own? Do you like Roulette or Blackjack? Are you involved with Joe's Blog Network?


Amy xi

RECIPE | Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

As an apology for being away from my blog so long, I thought I'd win you back with this healthy Oatmeal Choc Chip Cookies, that you don't even need special measuring tools for! Good ploy hey??

Sometimes I find at uni, the nights can be very boring if you're not going out or have no work to do, so baking can be a great way to relax and fill the time. However, most of us students don't have any measuring equipment to be baking anything near the likes of Great British Bake Off, so in this recipe you don't need fancy weighing scales!

All you will need is:
a mug
a tablespoon
a teaspoon
a mixing bowl
a pan
a tray


Ingredients:
3-4 cups of porridge oats
1/2 a cup of chia seeds*
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of raisins
1 cup of chocolate chips**
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
1 teaspoon of white sugar
1 large tablespoon of melted margarine

*optional - but they add a little healthy side
**dark or milk chocolate chips, I use both


Instructions:
1) Turn on the oven to 350 degrees F, and set out your ingredients and utensils in front of you

2) In the mixing bowl, pour in the oats and then add the chia seeds, baking powder, salt and sugars. Don't forget the best bit! Throw in the chocolate chips and raisins, or whatever else you might like to add, such as dates or hazelnuts.

3) Melt the margarine in a small pan and then dribble over the mixture. Stir it up!

4) If the mixture doesn't seem to be binding together, add an egg or 2 tablespoons of milk, which should do nicely.

5) Then cup the mixture into your hands, rounding it into balls (it's your choice to how big you make them). Then place them neatly onto the tray, leaving space in between so they have room to grow.

6) Slide them into the oven and make yourself a cuppa ready for when they come out! Leave them in for approximately 6 mins, but longer depending on how big you make them.

7) Bring them out and breathe in the most amazing aroma of baking cookies. Using a spatula, gently place them onto a plate or cooling grid (if you have one).

8) Leave them to cool and they should stick together perfectly. But of course, you HAVE to eat one warm, even if its too crumbly, because thats when they taste the best!

These cookies are pretty healthy already, but you can make them even healthier by using gluten free porridge oats, and coconut sugar instead of brown sugar. Using agave syrup will help them be stickier, and its also good for you! They still taste amazing the next day, especially as a snack with your afternoon cup of coffee.


Have you ever made a healthy cookie recipe? Or any other healthy desert recipe? Let me know if you've tried this one!

Amy xi

BACK IN BUSINESS

Sorry sorry sorry sorry. I have been very negligent to my blog recently.. but trust me when I say I've had the BUSIEST summer of my life. I've hardly even had time to gather my thoughts or even sit down for a glass of vino (which I usually can find time for)!

So, here's a lil recap. In June, July and August, I was travelling around South-East Asia. Anyone who's thinking of going.. GO! There will definitely be some posts in the next few weeks giving some tips and tricks on what to do, see, eat, read and where to sleep. Maybe even some insights into my travel diary, (ey eyy). I will also be posting LOADS of photos as I have so many.. Well I did manage to lose my phone and my camera so the amount of photos I could take was limited. But my best friend (who travelled with me) had a GoPro, and she took plenty on there.

After travelling I then had a loooovely, and v luxurious (compared to Asia) holiday in Spain with my family and a few friends. It was so nice to be pampered after slumming it for 9 weeks! Travelling sounds fun, and it is incredible, but it is so exhausting. Spain gave me the chance to catch up on sleep, put on a few of the pounds that I'd lost (and then some), and generally get back to normal health. And also, to catch up with my family, who I missed unbelievable amounts while I was away.

Getting back to England was a bit of a shock back into reality, as the just before starting my second year back at Newcastle Uni, I did a week of work experience at Mission PR Agency in London. It was amazing, and helped me to properly realise how desperately I want a career in the media. Especially our capital city, because I love it there. Even though the rush hour tube ride is almost unbearable, I'm sure I could get used to it!

So, back to blogging we go!


What did you do this summer? Have you ever been to South-East Asia? Or would you want to go? Let me know if you have any questions!

Amy xi

EVENT | Capital FM Katy Perry: Prismatic Tour

As some of you may know, I am currently doing an internship at Capital FM. And it comes with some perks! I've been working on a blogging project, where I find bloggers from the North East and get them tickets to events in the area. They can then blog about the experience, and also have the privilege of being able to say they are part of Capital's Blogging Team. 

Last week I got the chance to see Katy Perry's Prismatic Tour at the Metro Radio Arena. And I was so excited. Not only were the tickets complementary, but my friend and I had seats in the Capital box! It are located exactly opposite the stage, so they are in prime position to see everything. 

I wouldn't necessarily choose to listen to Katy's music on a daily basis, but I knew she'd put on a great show as she's so theatrical. And she did succeed. 

It was amazing how many lyrics and songs that sprung to mind whilst she played. I Kissed A Girl and Thinking Of You were my faves. They're was also a little pantomime interlude, where she dressed in a bright pink cat costume and chased an oversized mouse round the stage, which I shouldn't have enjoyed but I'm afraid to say I loved it..

Overall, it was a great night so thank you Capital for giving me the opportunity!

Have you ever seen Katy Perry live? Would you want to get involved in Capital's team?



In a bizzle,
Amy xi



(ps. Apologies for the photo quality, but it was very smokey in there!)

EVENT | Shindig XXII

Topshop Dress | Topshop Kimono | River Island Body Chain | Burgundy Converses 

It might be a little bit early for a festival style post, but May bank holiday gave me some inspo to write one, as I went to Shindig XXII by the Quayside in Newcastle on the 5th May!

Bank holidays are a pretty big deal at uni, as everyone just sees it as an excuse to get drunk and spend more money. Butttt, I'm really not sure why, as uni generally feels like one big bank holiday throughout the whole year.. except for those who have exams, unlike me (sorry, not sorry, hehe). When I was at school last year I remember some in the year above going to Shindig whilst I was stuck doing A-Levels and I wanted to be there so badly! 

I'm really not the biggest fan of festivals, ever since I went to Creamfields and the Sunday was cancelled because the whole park was flooded. All my things were soaked, muddy and ruined, and I've not been to a festival since. So, these one day festivals are ideal for me, as you get to go home a snuggle in a nice, warm and DRY bed, with all your possessions still alive.

As it's not quite summer yet, this outfit may seem slightly daring, but don't worry I did take a Primark Raincoat (only £9)! 

Bindi's are really trending at the moment, with Selena Gomez and Kendall Jenner rocking them at Coachella. I tried to buy some from Topshop, but they are £6.50 for 6! Bit too pricey for my liking.. but Claire's Accessories did some for half the price, and they were just as nice. I also bought Coral Glitter Hair Colour, so my hair was temporarily dip dyed pink. I actually would consider dying my hair that colour, but my mum would never allow it, so guess just gonna have to leave it as it is. 

Do you like this outfit? What do you think of the line up?   


In a bizzle,
Amy xi

STYLE | It's a spring thing

Now the weather has finally picked up, and England is finally starting to look like summer, I'm trying my best to pick my wardrobe up from those wintery colours. Now, I know I won't be the only one (hopefully) but the main colour in my wardrobe is black. All black everything. Black dresses, black tops, black jeans and maybe a burgundy if I'm feeling adventurous! 

Topshop is really colourful at the moment, so instead of opting for another black dress, I bought an orange skort, which I have mostly avoided before because eeeeeeveryone has one. But there is a reason for that, they are very flattering! 

As you can't see the necklace very well in the photo, here it is ^^^ (Topshop)

I'm loving the tribal trend at the moment, and this necklace really matched the skort, adding more interest to a simple, white crop tee (Topshop).

This outfit would probably look better with white heels, so the next time it makes an appearance that is how it will be edited!

What do you think of this outfit? Do you have any tribal clothing?

In a bizzle, Amy xi