Despite being ridiculously girly and high maintenance at times, there is, believe it or not, a part of me which is actually a laid-back and down to earth hippie who really just wants to grow dreadlocks, live in a little cottage in the countryside, and grow my own food. (Ok, growing my own food is maybe going a bit too far, but you know what I mean)

I've never been camping and I'd love to go once in my lifetime, or at the very least put up an epic blanket fort indoors or in my back garden. The pictures below are an idea of what I'd lovvvveee to do with my loved ones

With summer soon approaching, I decided to collate a list of all the cool things I want to do this year.

Notting Hill Carnival

30-31st Aug

I absolutely love Notting Hill Carnival. I try not to ever miss it - why would I miss Europe's biggest street party, especially when it's right on my doorstop?! The girls and I always go down there in our outfits, flags, alcohol on tow and a horn or whistle around our necks! I love Caribbean food and you find a stall selling jerk chicken, rice and peas, curry goat, you name it, on almost every corner! Don't forget to get yourself some rum punch too! 

Lovebox Festival

17th-18th July

The lovebox festival takes place at the Victoria Park in East London. I went last year for the first time and it was absolutely hands down - the best festival I've been to in London. The park is beautiful and ridiculously massive with little parties that go on in different sections as well as the main stages for the main acts. Go, go go!

Click here to see the programme for this year and get tickets.

Wireless Festival
3-5 July

Drake will be headlining on Friday, so of course I've booked this day off work and will be there singing and rapping my heart away. I love Drizzy! Visit their website here to check out the line up and book tickets.

GoApe

GoApe looks like soooooo much fun! I love a good adrenalin rush now and then and running around like Tarzan in the middle of a forest sounds like the perfect opportunity for that. It's not even that expensive, the tickets are between £31-33 per adult. Find more info here

Hampton Court Festival
11-22 June 2015

I went to the HCF in 2013 - I took my Mum & god mother for their birthdays. It was such a lovely day, we went over to Richmond and had lunch and bought some goodies for a picnic. We bought lots of champagne, strawberries, french bread etc & then we got the boat over from Richmond straight to the Palace. Honestly, it's such a lovely summer's day out and I think the line up for this year is quite good. See here.

Outdoor Cinema

There are loads and loads of companies around the UK that organise outdoor cinema showings. I'm still yet to visit one but really really want to join in the fun; cuddle up with a blanket and popcorn outdoors and watch one of my favourite films. The most popular ones I've heard of are The Luna Cinema, The Rooftop Film Club and the Hot Tub Cinema club...yesssss it's exactly what you are thinking...you get to relax in a hot tub outdoors and watch a movie!

Rooftop bars - Radio @ ME, Boundary in Shoreditch
I've been to the Radio bar at ME and the views are stunning, however the crowd isn't as good as the Boundary in Shoreditch. I'd still visit both again though.

Picnic at Regents Park

There is nothing I love more than a relaxed picnic in one of my favourite parks with my favourite people, and of course a bottle of champagne armed with a box of strawberries. Heaven.

Road trip - Brighton/bournemouth/southend on sea

Right so this summer I plan on loading up the car and driving to a beach/seaside somewhere.

Alton Towers

The girls and I are currently planning a massive trip to Alton Towers - we are going to organise a coach trip up there with loads of us, probably around 20-30 people or so! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Alton Towers, I think it's so much better than Thorpe Park, so I'm very excited! I've never experienced the waterpark so I'll be sure to pack my bikini and take lots of pics!



What other exciting things are there to do in the UK?

I really do think life is all about growing and developing as an individual. I wanted to write this post because this topic is something I think about a lot but I often find difficult to articulate. I'm hoping that by dedicating a blog post to it I'll be able to establish a clearer understanding of what my real thoughts on it are and if it makes a good read too, then bonus :)

I first came across the theory of self-realisation when I was at uni and it's stuck with me ever since.

To self-realise means simply, to be "the best you", by fulfilling all of the possibilities of your character or personality. Basically, to become the best, most fabulous version of your current self.

When I first read about this theory, I thought about it for a very long time. I couldn't stop thinking that if there was only one ultimate goal to have in life...then this would be it. I can't think of anything more important and satisfying than becoming the very person you were put here on this earth to be and to develop yourself to your true potential.

What does it mean to achieve self-realisation?

It's to know and experience exactly who you really are. You lose all your fake identities, your masks and pretences. You are just YOU.  By discovering who we really are allows us to live authentically and to be ourselves freely instead of being "appropriate". By appropriate, I mean when we are constantly adapting and becoming who we think people want us to be. Acting "appropriately" to make others feel comfortable whilst silently suffering inside. Why do we do this to ourselves?

It's incredibly hard for many of us to be who we really are in 2015. There's so much pressure on us to be the 'ideal' daughter, son, sister, father, wife, friend, colleague. We get pressure from our parents, our friends, partners, the TV, Internet, magazines, adverts you pass in the street, the list is endless.

Banish negative thoughts

Stop measuring yourself against others

Accept yourself

Don't focus on what you don't have - but focus on what you DO have

Tell the truth

Learn to say no