Three Podcasts Worth A Listen

If your new to podcasts and want to give them a try or your looking for something fresh, these might be just the thing. You’ll find the one’s I’ve picked are centred around interviews with successful creatives/entrepreneurs and how they got to where they are today. 

Ear Biscuits 

Hosted by two guys Rhett and Link who have a pretty popular YouTube channel, they’ve interviewed so many of the big names on YouTube and a few other creatives. Each episode is at least an hour long and so they take the time to really go into detail with each guest. Sadly they’ve stopped making episodes but there’s such a big selection on iTunes it’ll keep you going for sometime! 

The Lively Show 

A weekly podcast that discusses every aspect of lifestyle from career, relationships to personal habits. Blogging is a running theme throughout each episode, looking at the future of it as well as interviewing some current successful bloggers and entrepreneurs. Episodes range from 20mins to 1hour so perfect for a long listening sesh’ or a quick tune in.

Filler: A Creative Industries Podcast 

My favourite one on this list. The two guys that run it are creators themselves, and the shows got such a good vibe. Mostly held in a coffee shop in central London, they get a lot of photographers, entrepreneurs, video makers and even community architects (who knew that last job role even existed!). I always come away from each episode feeling like my mind has been opened to new ways of thinking and being, definitely worth a listen.

One to look out for: One Piece Of Advice 

Yes I can count, but this is a little extra one! Only one episode has been released from this last piece which is why I don’t think it truly counts. But after listening to a bit of the first episode, they seem to be on the right track. Another podcast looking at creatives in the industry. This podcast seems less chatty than the ones above, with talking purely from the creative featured.

Happy listening!

Georgina 

Consuming and Creating

Getting that balance between consuming creative things and then creating yourself is pretty tricky huh. 

It’s so easy to soak up all of those creative juices from other people - perhaps from the artwork you saw, or a video that got you thinking, or just something someone said that stuck with you. But it’s what to do with all those ideas that’s the problem. It's so easy to let them sort of wash over you.

I watched this video recently (link to her channel here), and in it she mentions that to really process anything she's seen, she needs to create something. I'd never thought of the creative process like this before, I think she's completely right. 
It's pretty similar to the idea that to stay inspired you just need to create, to experiment without any fear of doing something wrong. 

Even writing this post has started something off. It’s made me sit down and think about what I want to write. I may have re-writen sentences a fair bit, and it took me a bit of time to get going. Still, it’s forced me to put something down and out of my head. It should help me to gain more of a balance between consuming and creating. 

What do you think? I'd love to hear.

Georgina 

A Change Of Scenery

Change is not always something I'm that great at welcoming. Although I love switching up the small things like my phone case or nail varnish, bigger changes are something I'm trying to embrace more.

On that note I’ve been having some thoughts about changing up this blog; making some major adjustments as well as just freshening it up a bit.

I must admit some of my plans are a little 'cray' considering I’m going to do all this revamping myself, but we’ll see. I’m arming myself with all the ‘how-to’ sites I can get my hands on! 

Most importantly I’m changing this blog's name, *drum roll please* to Wanders & Wonders. I felt this title was snappier and a little less moody. The name popped into my head a few months back out of nowhere, I instantly loved the way it encompasses a mind that's always thinking and a lover of travel.

The URL is also going to be changing, so the best place to find this blog whilst it’s making the change-over is on Bloglovin’.

For now be prepared for a lot of gradual changes as well as me occasionally taking the site down to make some bigger adjustments. Now all I have to do is sit down and get coding - lucky me. 

Georgina 

On Contentment

I'm currently reading "Quiet" by Susan Cain, a book looking at the power and importance of introverts in a culture where extroverts are the favoured personality type. There was a section looking at how introverts tend to be more sensitive to big events and new experiences, explaining why they can happily have a quiet evening at home and not feel ‘under stimulated’ - as this book calls it.

When my friend Darcey casually stated that she feels completely content with staying at home with tea, the TV and a blanket it really struck me. Because although that doesn’t sound like a bad idea, it’s not something that would ever spring to mind. So what does make me feel really content? And when I say content I mean the I-wouldn’t-want-to-be-doing-anything-else-right-now kind of feeling. 

After much deliberation, I came up with two situations that really struck me as utter contentment: 

01  Being at a (rock) concert, seeing a band you lurve. That awesome feeling of being completely wrapped up in the loud music and the people on stage and the crowd around you. The most effective path to having some mind-numbing (and deafening) fun. 

02  Having a really deep conversation with someone. And I mean scraping the bottom, drowning in the deepness, deep. It’s the way you connect with someone on such a genuine and honest level . Thinking up new ideas, new ways of seeing things and sharing thoughts that you can explore. 

There were lots of things that came close to this list. I always think good people and good food is another one. But I think what I was aiming for here was situations where you are completely lost in the moment, not worrying about what you just said, or what you should eat, or what’s happening tomorrow. 

Perhaps this got you thinking? If so, I’d love to hear. 

Georgina  

A Mindset For 2016

So we’ve all said our farewells to 2015 and now it comes the time of year when we all sit down and ponder our goals and bucket lists for the next twelve months. I’m all for this new-found motivation, but I sometimes think our attitudes for how to achieve these goals are a little askew. Perhaps just listing what we want to do and expecting to make the time for it doesn’t work?

This year I thought I’d put this idea to the test. I’m going to not really mention what I want to do this year, but instead how I should be thinking to achieve it. The idea is that if you get yourself into the right mindset, all your goals can follow right behind. 

Stop Waiting For 'Better Things' In The Future. It’s so easy to wish away the present because we know in a week, a month, a year things will be better. I want to make a habit of pointing out what’s good about right now instead of what I won’t miss.

Exercise Benefits You Mentally As Well As Physically. The idea of a run first thing in the morning can sound like the worst idea, but it doesn't feel that way once it’s done and dusted. 

I’m A Morning Person, Make The Most Of It. Having a lie-in from time to time can be a small luxury, but getting up and starting the day early is what makes me feel motivated. 

Don’t Overthink Things! It’s sometimes best to go with the flow, thinking things over and over won’t change anything. 

Long lists always look intimidating so short and sweet it is. What are your new year’s resolutions? I’d love to hear.

Happy new year 

Georgina 

Note To Self // Finding That Balance

I’m writing this a few days after Christmas day (and might I add am still feeling the Christmas blues), but more importantly this brings us on to the next sparkly event - New Years, and with that a whole load of rethinking and renewing (as well as an extra attempt at doing more exercise, but more on that later). To ease into that process I thought I’d gather some thoughts that have been cropping up lately and note them down here. 

So the Christmas holidays came as a blessing and an excuse - to have some time off to recharge and regenerate (and stuff myself with festive food). But it’s also been a holiday where I’ve had to plan ahead, working out how much coursework I needed to get done and when I could find the time over the holiday to do it. This planning ahead and working for something in the far future is something I seem to be doing a lot of, not just lately, but ever since exams and life beyond education came into the picture. 

This doesn’t seem something anyone can avoid, it looks like everyone has to be planning and sacrificing for a result that could come far from now. But it occurred to me a few months back, when I was out at a concert, knowing exactly what painfully early time I’d have to drag myself out of bed the next day, that it’s always healthy to pick and choose. I could have chosen not to go to the concert, I could have stayed at home and felt far less dead the next day, but I would have missed out on the live music and the atmosphere (and the t-shirt). And so the painfully loud alarm the next day wasn’t too much of a regret. 

I have to admit, I like to stick to a list or a schedule, so I know exactly what’s been done and what’s still to-do. It’s nice to know your on track to getting everything ticked off on time. But I think it’s good once in a while to put all of that aside and focus on something that may be unimportant in the long run, but enjoyable or memorable in the moment. 

Georgina

DIY Christmas Phone Case

I always like to jazz up my phone case for the Christmas season, it’s one of those little things that seems to put a smile on my face. I’ve seen some gorgeous phone cases in the shops this last week or two, I especially like the moving glittery ones sold in Topshop. The problem is my poor phone’s getting on a bit and I can’t seem to find many shops that still make cases for my iPhone 4s. Still, there’s nothing stopping me from cracking out the watercolours and cruising Pinterest for some inspiration. 

It's a little rough around the edges and the black labels are a bit wonky, but it's homemade and I quite like it looking that way! 

Georgina 

Christmas Present Ideas For Girls

Christmas is just around the corner *eep* and you can feel that festive buzz around the shops. This year my plan is to start searching and purchasing now so that I can focus on cute wrapping and cards nearer to christmas. To get some ideas flowing I've compiled a list of present ideas and places to look, perfect for sisters, friends and even mums.

(ALSO the photo above reminds me of winter, its not really relevant but it's pretty)

Books

A little selection of books that you'd be proud to keep on your bookshelf.

Sali Hughs : Pretty Honest . a beauty book for someone just testing the waters with makeup or a total expert. it's pretty much a makeup bible. 

Alexa Chung : it . for any fashion lover this is a staple. the pages are made out of lovely thick matte paper, and the photographs make it look like a work of art. 

Lena Dunham : Not That Kind Of Girl . a feminine and hilarious book, I was totally hooked.

Marine Keegan : The Opposite Of Loneliness : a collection of poems, essays and short stories. beautifully written and completely absorbing. 

Nail Polish 

Who can go wrong with a set of unique colours to jazz up any collection

Essie : All I Want For Christmas Gift Box . why not make it easy and buy a pre-chosen selection of christmas shades 

Topshop : Mini Nail Pyramids . cute little polishes in shimmery shades, fit with a ribbon for hanging on the christmas tree 

Cozy Scarf 

Everyone needs one scarf, or two, or five... I couldn't pick particular ones, instead I've listed some shops that sell my favourites

Topshop . not too expensive and they sell the basics like a big grey scarf .

Zara . look here for thick, soft and patterned ones you can't find anywhere else .

Asos . you're guaranteed to find what you want here with so much choice.

Face Mask 

They're something I always look at adoringly but never take the time (or the money) to purchase. 

Origins : Ginzing . to wake up tired and grey looking skin .

Superfacialist by Una Brennan : Pore Purifying Clay Mask . intense but great I've found for troublesome skin.

'Splurgy' Gifts 

Fujifilm instax mini 8 .  a great little polaroid camera that produces cute credit card sized photos, to get you snapping away on christmas day 

Ion pure lp record player .  a great present for a lover of old music. since getting mine I've loved going into record shops and flicking through loads of albums in search of something tempting . what's great about this one is it comes with cables to plug into your laptop, to convert records into music for your iTunes library. 

Shops You Can't Go Wrong With 

Sometimes it's best to just cruise around in search of the perfect gift, if so here are some starting points

Waterstones . for the corner they always have filled with lovely bits and bobs that perhaps aren't needed, but definitely wanted 

Happy Jackson Company . any stationary hoarder would love something from here. i personally lurve their notebooks. 

Topshop . perhaps it's me but I'm sure their knick-knack section has grown over the past few christmas'. They have an array of pretty phone cases, purses, accessories and ready made makeup bags that would make a lovely secret santa gift. 

Phew, a lot to get through there. That's certainly got my present-buying ideas going, hopefully it did the same for you. 

Georgina 

Mid-Month Motivation || October

What a gorgeous quote huh? 

Not the most motivational but who could resist grabbing a vast looking photo and cropping it down for extra drama. This photo is of the Cloud Forest in Ecuador and snapped by my friend Amy. 

I'm not sure why I find this quote so captivating. I kept seeing a lot of 'get-up-and-go' quotes when I was scrolling in search of something for this post, but I don't think they're always what you need to hear to feel inspired. 

It makes me think of this artist I found on Pinterest, I'll link her work here. This whole idea of beautiful things bursting from someone's mind sounds pretty lovely to me.

Anything that's been inspiring / motivating you this month?

Georgina

Autumn Is For Plans

I did one of these at the start of summer and fell in love with how I could look back over it and tick things off. This season round it’s all about embracing the shorter days, the icy weather and cosying up with some comfy clothes. Here's my game plan for the next few months..

Crack out the super dark lips - my fave is MAC rebel 

Invest in some fairy lights with little lanterns on the end and string them up around my room 

Light up a spicy warm candle every evening 

As tumblr as it is don’t judge - pumpkin spice lattes are calling 

I’m not ready to say farewell to sandals yet, so embrace the socks and sandals 

Wrap up and go on long walks to savour the last leaves on trees 

Stock up on some heavy, snuggly jumpers 

Try and pick up my journal more often to write down passing thoughts

Embrace the rain, don’t let it get you down, sit and watch it with some music and a book

Start carrying my kindle / book out and about with me to squeeze in some reading now and then

Start planning some Christmas present ideas - it’s never too early!

Try and top up Instagram with regular posts - it ends up becoming a little collection of memories 

Take time for yourself - don’t get too stressed out - a little perspective always helps 

Pick up some whacky sunnies and pair with a dark lip

Try mix and matching textures and prints to jazz up a classic autumn outfit 

Book up a few trips to galleries equipped with a backpack, sketchbook and camera 

These are a little less ambitious than my summer list but still just as tempting. Any ideas you have for the upcoming months? I’d love to add to this list. 

Look out for weekly posts on a Monday morning from now on.

Georgina 

Little shoutout to my friend Darcey for coming up with this genius and ingenuitive post idea, well done, well done..   ( can you hear the sarcasm? ) 

Mid-Month Motivation || September

I always find September to be that strange 'middling' month, it's not the Christmas season -quite yet (the question is when will it be?!) and summer for the UK is just about over. It's also the start of my last year of school *woopey* and stress levels are already soaring. I know my head is geared towards uni applications and starting these A-levels off well, this quote struck me as such a little gem to keep in mind. 
I love this photo that Darcey snapped this summer of my rings and bracelets as I was perched on a rock looking out to sea. The calm and powerful vibes I always get from being near the beach seemed to fit with this simple and bold quote, perhaps reminding us that our goals are never far out of sight. 
Georgina 

Mid-Month Motivation || August

August seems to be slipping away. I realised with much horror (and a dramatic *gasp* if you want to go there) that I hadn’t slotted this monthly post into a nearby Sunday and so an extra mid week-ish post was needed! 

This month I’ve chosen a little sentence that I’ve had 'screen-shotted' on my phone for what must be a few months now, finally I thought it was just too good to sit there any longer.

It's one of those quotes that I think just about everyone can learn from, yaknow? Regardless of how comfortable you are with yourself, this is always something to remember.

These photos were taken by my friend Darcey when we went camping last week. It’s of me pulling some rather strange faces whilst trying to keep my hair at bay from the wind. I’ve been trying to edit multiple photos together recently, they're always floating about on my Instagram feed and I thought the whole cutting-part-of-the-face-off thing kinda works?!

Anything words of wisdom you’ve been sticking to?

Georgina

Note To Self // Don’t Be Swayed

The past few months have been spent pondering, deciding and travelling; floating around universities and thinking up thoughts and feelings on them. It’s hard, I think, with any big decision to not let others sway you.To not let their opinions, true or biased, shape your decisions. It's that fine line between taking other’s advice and being led by them. 

This is a rambling post as I like to call them. I knew the title of this blog post way before sitting down to write it, yet the right words; what I am trying to explain, is something I cannot get quite right. I guess that is because there is no real purpose to this post, other than to share thoughts and some beautiful photos of Newcastle.

The idea of wandering off to uni has always been there, as something I will do, which is great. But what I am realising more and more, is that as amazing as all these opportunities are, there are fees to think about and whether I could actually earn some money at the end of all this. I guess pursuing your passions will always have it’s obstacles, something that is becoming ever more apparent as this decision making goes on. I am not having doubts, just pauses in my excitement, touch downs to think about realistic plans and goals. 

Who knew these decisions would all be so hard eh?

Georgina

Mid-Month Motivation || July

I saw this on Pinterest (the centre for all inspiring and beautiful things of course), and was instantly struck with how well the poet has captured that feeling of being 'young and free'. It moves away from those cheesy Tumblr posts and delves into something a lot deeper and far more beautiful. Anyone who knows me personally may have seen this quote on my phone wallpaper for the longest time. The last three lines especially became a kind of goal and still is today, to keep moving, thinking and doing. 
I thought this photo I snapped when on a plane last was rather fitting, to perhaps hint at a Tumblr-esque vibe that is slightly cheesy but goes with the whole travelling the world theme. 
Any quotes/poems you've been living by this month? I'd love to hear..
Georgina

Small Things \\ Eye Spy

I wanted to start another little series here on this blog, focusing on the small details in life we perhaps don't notice normally. I guess this is following the idea of being mindful, and taking the time to examine the beautiful and intricate details of day-to-day life. The amazing colours and textures that make up the human eye seemed like a good place to start.

If your curious as to what lens I'm using I'm thinking of doing a post on my photography kit in the near future so look out for that! I love the variation of colours especially in the blue/green eyes. Ignore my silhouettes in the reflections, leaning at awkward angles and trying to stay ever-so-still to get the image in focus.

Credit to my friends here for allowing me to stick a camera in their face. 

Georgina 

Mid-Month Motivation || June

This photo was taken by my lovely friend Darcey whilst a few of us were lazing around on top of a cliff near her house a few weeks back. I'm kitted out in these denim dungarees from Topshop, mid polaroid snap of the bay and sea. 
The weather was gorgeous when we were there and it was the first time in a while any of us had spent the whole day outside soaking up the sun. I'd seen this quote on Pinterest ages ago and thought how accurate and eloquent it is; something that has stuck with me as we begin this summer. 
Georgina

Creating & Expressing

I’ve always been fascinated by creating little movies and clips; playing around with funky music and creating something snappy. It’s a process I find really satisfying, taking a moment and trying to recreate it. When I was younger I’d crack out Windows Movie Maker on the family computer and spend hours making these silly movies, the ones where you take lots of photos to make it look as if objects are moving of their own accord - there’s probably some technical word for that!

So a couple of months back the idea of making YouTube videos to fuel this fascination resurfaced, with it quickly becoming something I actually had the time and effort for.

Since this blog is all about the expressing, creating and all that jazz I thought it was only fair to do a little post on this new channel of mine. Feel free to watch it, or not. 

Georgina

Summer Is For Plans

Okay so we all have those Pinterest dreamy sun kissed images in our head when we think of an epic summer right? Well this years goal is to try and not only experience such adventures but to also record them; photographs, writing it all down, video montages, little watercolours, anything like that. So that by the end I have a collection of stuff that I can delve back into whenever I forget what the sun feels like. 

A little game plan I guess you could call it; a rambling list of everything unnecessary I want to do this summer..

Carry my camera everywhere and capture little moments 

Buy a cheap disposable camera and get it developed right at the end of summer 

Long board along the beach without going anywhere in particular 

Hop in a friends car and toss a coin to go right or left - get lost 

Get lost again

Buy a Moleskine and use it as a creative outlet / travel journal 

Go on long long walks

Paint and sketch and draw and paint some more

Lie in the grass and listen to music

Go outside as much as possible

Thrown myself into this blog

Actually print photos instead of letting them sit on my computer

Take some pencils/watercolours sit somewhere outside and sketch what I see

Go on day trips to new places

Have a movie marathon and roll on all those films I keep meaning to watch

DIY tie-dye a t-shirt, or three 

I’m not sure how many of these I’ll accomplish by the end of summer, bearing in mind July is engulfed with a month abroad and a-levely things and trips with friends seemed to have mopped up the days in august. I love a good challenge though, one that I hope to be recording and sharing right here on this blog. 

watercolour stripe

Georgina 

The Blend Active Smoothie Maker, Health Booster

  

  Considering the minute price and the easypeasy-ness of this contraption I couldn’t help but pick one up when my friend Ciara started making it her morning ritual and bringing a bottle of berried goodness to sixth form every morning. 

  I have to say since picking it up I’m one step closer to fulfilling that "5-a-day” habit we were told about as kids. It now sits on out kitchen counter and I try to have one once a day, whether that’s as my breakfast where I fill it full of oats and peanut butter or when I get home in the afternoon as a little energy booster. Below I’ve listed my favourite combination, with a few tweaks to the original recipe that came with it, for both taste and also because who has fresh berries in their fridge all day everyday right?!

  

   

  Now these are just the basic ingredients, go ahead and add porridge oats, peanut butter or anything else a little more substantial for a more breakfast appropriate smoothie. Plus excuse the unnecessarily fancy glass photo at the end, but where else do you get to crack out snazzy glasses and pop blackberries on top!? 

Any smoothies you've been gulping down, I'd love to hear about them  

Georgina

Mid-Month Motivation || May

  I love a good few hours slapping paint on a canvas, not something I have been doing much of lately. With exam season upon us, a whole lot’a time is being spent hunched over a desk, not giving much time for anything else.

  I took this little snapshot of some oil paints a few months back when I was in the thick of my fine-art course work and churning out canvases like no tomorrow. I love the way the light is bouncing off the creases of the paint tubes and thought it paired quite well with this Picasso quote. It's perhaps not an expected ‘motivational’ quote but painting and creating always reminds me of the freedom to express, something maths papers and revision timetables aren’t quite allowing me right now. With all this supposed ‘doom and gloom’ I thought I’d remind myself and anyone with similar feelings, that a smattering of perspective never hurts plus nothing lasts forever. 

Georgina