Winner of the Giveaway!

Okay ladies, I have the winner of these pretty school items!

And the winner is...

*drumroll*

Jasmine from Ebony Black Lines!

I know I didn't show the widget of the winner, but it had Jasmine's real name on it, so I didn't want to publish it without her permission!

So, Jasmine if you could just email me your address, I will ship it out tomorrow for you!

Thank you so much to everyone that entered, I hope you liked it!  And don't worry, I might be having another giveaway soon - Halloween or Christmas?  Comment below!

Congrats again,

Nicola x

Last Chance to Enter the Giveaway!

Okay, you have 5 hours left to enter the fabuloso giveaway!  I will be revealing the winner tomorrow, and I will be sending off the prizes as soon as I get the winners address!  Obviously, I have bought some very pretty wrapping paper to use, so I will show you a picture before its sent!

clickity-click this little link here to enter

Good luck!
Nicola x

Finding Me Again Updates - 3/2 & 3/3

Okay, I do apologise for not posting last week!  I am absolutely shattered this week, I've been doing a lot of studying, so please bear with me, I know my posts aren't consistent!

Basically this month is called 'Get Your Grin On', and it's fair to say that, yes, I've been very happy this week.

I've had loads of lovely compliments on Facebook and a website called Ask.fm.  Mainly saying that I'm nice to everyone, and one of the nicest people they know:D  It felt really nice, knowing that even the most popular girls like you for you, and not because you talk about people behind their backs or swear like a sailor.  They like me for me.  And that's what has made me happy.

Also, again, I have been speaking to the guy I like a lot.  We're really good friends now.  I like that we're friends, I get to know him more, and we share the same sense of humour.  I like to leave it as good friends, but I obviously still like him:).  You never know, they say the best relationships come from good friendships.

Although I have been having some friendship issues, and it's hard for me.  I'm stuck in the middle, with my two best friends not liking each other.  One puts in more effort to talk to the other, while the other just ignores her.  Oh well, all will sort itself out in time.

Sorry for ranting on!

Nicola x

Back To School Series: Desk Organisation & Desk Tour!

I do apologise for not posting recently, school seems to be taking over at the moment, and I was away for a few days recently.  As for Finding Me Again Updates and Ask Nicola, there will be a double whammy the next time that they're due.  I have read all the questions and am already thinking of answers to give you!

Anyway, here is another Back To School post!  This one is on Desk Organisation.  I change my desk arrangements a lot, but I finally found one that fits perfectly!  I now have a lot more room to do schoolwork, and I find that my computer isn't taking up as much space!  I'm basically going to give you a mini tour of my desk as well as give you some tips on how to organise it.

Here is my work area.  It is right beside my window, which lets in natural light for me to work.  It's a nice size, and has enough room for all my books to lie out on my desk.  I do not like it to be cluttered, then I become less motivated to study!

This is where I keep all of my study necessities.  If you want an in-depth description check out my School Essentials post here!  I have my study holder with exercise jotters, my notes folder, notebooks, my study planner etc.  Then I have a couple of spare binders, my study box and my larger box below with old jotters in it.  Yes, the goodies on top of the study box are the prizes!;)

In this converse box I have all my wires and cables that I need.  I don't like to have them shoved away in a drawer all tangled up!  This is a great tip for keeping your desk neat and tidy.  Behind that, I have my Bamboo tablet, which is very useful for illustrating on the computer:)

I only like to have my keyboard and mouse on the pull out table, as it keeps my desk less cluttered!  I love that they are wireless, again no more tangled wires!

I don't like to have many things on my desk, so I just keep my desk lamp, my pens and pencils and my cute light up toy:)

I just keep highlighters, extra pens and pencils and coloured pens in here.  Along with a Minnie Mouse pen and drumstick pencils, of course!;)  It's good to just have the basics within reach, and its fun to have loads of different colours, too!

And last but not least, here is my corkboard/whiteboard and to do list.  Unfortunately my whiteboard pen broke, so I can't write anything on it yet!  The corkboard is great to stick reminders on, or perhaps some cards!  The congratulations card was for getting Vice Captain:)  Beside the board, I have my to do list, it's great for quickly writing down something that I need to do, and I always know that it's there.

Well, I hope that I gave you some ideas on organising your desk area, tell me what you think!

Remember to enter my giveaway!  Click here to enter:)

Nicola x

Ask Nicola.

I've had quite a few questions this week, and some good ones too!  Lets get started.

What would you do if you were the odd one out at school... Would you change the way you are and try to fit in or stay true to who you are no matter how much pressure there is?

- Jasmine

I have actually experienced this one.  When I just started high school, most people thought I was a bit different, I would poke fun at myself to make others laugh.  I was always used to being that way at primary school.  There was pressure to be a different way, but I stayed true to myself, and I know it sounds so conceited saying this, but now everyone likes me for me!  It's well worth the wait.

Well there's this new girl in school and she's really annoying, she's bossy, she boasts a lot and is quite a goody two shoes.  But because of this no one likes her and she's always sitting by herself and sometimes crying (she isn't bullied).  So I feel sorry for her but don't know what to do because I think everyone'll hate me if I become her friend but I don't really like her either!  What should I do?

- Anonymous

I know you feel bad for her, but this might be good for her.  She'll realise that people don't like her because of the way she is.  You shouldn't be friends with someone you don't like - it'll make you feel awful all the time!  She's probably just in shock from starting a new school, maybe she was liked at her old school for being that way, and expected the same at your school.  She'll learn to change, don't worry!

What do you do if you're in love with someone who is taken?

-Anonymous

I know this situation all too well.  The bad thing is, every single time it is my best friend that he is taken with:(.  It's heart breaking to see him love someone else.  Please don't interfere with their relationship - you wouldn't like that either!  If it's meant to be, then eventually you two will be together.  'If you love something, let it go.  If it comes back, it's yours forever.  If it doesn't, it's not meant to be.'

Should schools have uniforms?

-Anonymous

Yes!  My school has one, and quite a strict one too!  Either box pleat or straight skirts between 18" and 22" depending on your height.  Ties at the top and blazers are compulsory.  It gives a sense of unison, almost as if you are the same person, and it means that you don't have to have a new outfit every day.  You should be proud of the school you go to, so you should be proud of your uniform!

To ask a question, please leave your question in the comments of the latest Ask Nicola post.  If you want, feel free to turn on the anonymous option:)

Please enter my back to school giveaway!  Enter here:)

Hope I answered your questions okay!

Nicola x

Finding Me Again Update 3/1

A super duper quick update today, I only have 15 minutes before midnight, haha!  

Well, this is now Month 3, which is 'Get Your Grin On'.  Boy have I been happy this past week!

I've been speaking tonnes to the guy I like;)

And I also was voted Vice Captain for my House!  (3rd year is Vice Captain, 6th year is Captain)

So, I've been very happy this week, thankfully!

I know this was a very short post, but I wanted to get it up on time so that I can post tomorrow;)

type tomorrow,

Nicola x

Back To School Series: School Essentials.

This is the first 'proper' Back To School post!

To kick start the series, I'll be beginning with a school essentials post.  Obviously, you've got your pens and pencils in your pencil case, but these are the essentials that I like to use to study.

This is the setup of my study stuff under my desk:

So, I have:

- a magazine holder with notepads, my notes folder (I will go into detail about that in my Study post!), and miscellaneous things

- a small box with my stationery and other study essentials

- and a storage box with my old jotters in it

So, this is the stationery box!

In my 'study box' I have:

- a hole puncher

- a French dictionary

- 200 record cards (!)

- Krammers keyring notecards

- protractors

- hole reinforcers

- a stencil

- a compass

- some sticky tabs

- and some highlighters!

Everything here is great for studying, especially the record cards and highlighters!

This is my magazine holder!

In it I have:

- my beloved Notes Folder!

- my 'study diary'

- some extra Bic Cristal medium blue ballpoint pens

- some adorable exercise jotters!

- polly pockets:)

- Oxford refill pad

- a folder

- some graph paper (for Chemistry!)

- and some dividers!

So, these are basically the things that I like to use to study or to stay organised!  Hope I've given you some ideas of what to do for storage, or what to use for studying!

Remember to enter my Back To School Giveaway!  Anyone can enter, as long as you are a follower!  It ends at the end of September:)

Click here to enter:)

Good Luck!

Nicola x

Back To School GIVEAWAY!

Finally!  I have the giveaway up and running!  Here are the prizes that one of you can win!

They are:

- a heart patterned notebook

- some Bic Fashion Colours pens

- some adorable catrooned tipp-ex

- a pink rubber/eraser

- pink heart Post-its!

You have 17 days to enter, and please enter as many times as you want!

Anyone can enter, just as long as you are following the blog/twitter/comment regularly!

I would really appreciate it if you could post about this on your blog, let's get as many entries as possible!:D

Please make sure that you are allowed to give me your home address (ask the parents!) before you enter this giveaway.  Once I have used the address, it will be discarded of.

So, good luck and get entering!

Nicola x

P.S. For shipping costs, this will be a UK giveaway only, sorry!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I Have The Prizes!

Just a quick wee post to say, that I now have the giveaway prizes!  Its a few pretty school items that I think you will love!

I will be posting pictures tomorrow, along with the Rafflecopter which will decide which one of you lucky followers will get the prizes!

see you tomorrow,

Nicola x

Ask Nicola & Thank You.

Guess what?  I actually got some questions this week!:D

A big thanks to KuteKitty!  She doesn't have a blogger account, but she has commented some lovely things, and she is the first person to ask me questions!

On with the questions:

1. What did you have for breakfast(I really want to know)?  You can answer that on the day you answer!

I had a toasted english muffin with some egg filler on top, and a mango & passion fruit smoothie:) yummy;)

2. How do you make new friends when you start secondary school? I have friends and 2 new friends but in my form there is this girl who looks nice and we have talked a bit but I don't know how to invite her to join me and my friends or something because I'm shy and she is too. She doesn't have a best friend and only has a couple of people she talks to.

Just go for it!  This is the time when people are very shy, and no-one wants to make the first move!  If you invite her to join you and your friends, just say to her 'hi, I'm (insert name here), do you want to have lunch with us?'  You could even invite the people she talk to as well:)  She'll be glad you did, it breaks the ice between you, and this could be the start of a great friendship!

3. Do you recommend any blogspot sites for me to check out?

Yes, I do!  Any of the blogs I follow are brilliant, a few are:

Life of an Awkward Donkey

Emily's Chronicles

Ebony Black Lines

Un Arc-en Vintage

inkdropperr

I hope you liked my answers, KuteKitty, and thanks so much for asking!

A quick massive thank you to all of you guys, we've now reached 20 followers!  Which can only mean one thing - the giveaway will be going ahead!  The first Back To School post will be coming very soon:)

Lots of happiness and love,

Nicola x

Sorry for the Absence and Finding Me Again Update 4/2.

Apologies for not posting for the last few days!  I have been very busty and stressed, and taking a short break seemed to help me regain myself.  

Anyhoo, it seems that we now have 19 followers!  Thank you so much if you are a new follower, and we only need 1 more follower to go before I start posting the Back To School Series!  I've been working hard on the posts, and I was at the shops today, and saw some very pretty school items for the giveaway;)

As for the Finding Me Again Update, P.E. has been my main source of exercise;)

I've been eating a lot healthier as well, having smoothies with my breakfast, not nibbling on bad foods, and fruit instead!  I have to admit, though, that I didn't walk home from school this week, as I would have had to carry my instrument home!

I've been working on a bit of dancing as well:)

To be honest, it's not the best, but it's something!

A quick little reminder for some 'Ask Nicola' questions!  Just comment your questions on any 'Ask Nicola' post, and I will include them in the next post!  I will post your name with it, unless you want to remain anonymous!  Ask absolutely anything, I've had one asking what I had for breakfast! ;)

Talk to you soon,

Nicola x

The Best Feelings in the World.

I was scrolling through Facebook yesterday, y'know, the usual sad, depressing status' saying, "i hate my life," or, "i hope you're happy".

It's depressing for us to read these, and I'm always put on a downer after doing so.

And then I came across this picture:

There are quite a number of things on that list.  Yeah, some of them we might not have experienced yet, but there are still some that we go through every day.

For example, the last one on the list;

"knowing you will be okay"

We go through a lot as teenagers, and sometimes we just think that life is awful, or that we will never be happy again.  Things happen to us that make us expect the worst, but you know what?

We're going to be okay.

So try not to spend time dwelling over your problems, or making situations seem worse.  In the end, everything will be fine.  We shouldn't need to worry, instead we should be happy, and enjoying life.

Keep smiling,

Nicola x

Music Monday.

First of all, I'd just like to say thank you for the wonderful feedback for the Back To School Series!  I will most certainly be going ahead with it, and I've had a look online at some little items to go into the prize!  (I have gained 2 followers since!)  As I said before, I'm already working on them, but it might be a few days before the first post goes up, if that's okay?

Anyhoo, on with the music!

Actually this is going to be a pretty short post, because I've been listening to Two Door Cinema Club's album for the past week online!  On Facebook they let us stream it for free (even when it wasn't released!), and now that it's out (today!), you can listen to it on Spotify!

They have some fantastic songs on the album, one of my favourites is 'Handshake'.  So, if you haven't already, please check them out on Spotify - the album is called 'Beacon'.

You will not be disappointed!

Nicola x

Fancy a Back to School Series?

I know most of you English gals are off to school soon, whereas I've been back for 3 weeks already:)

I was just wondering, would you like a Back to School Series?  I've got many ideas of posts to do, and I'm just curious to see if you're interested.  Here are the ideas I've thought of so far:

How I Study

Stress Busters

Staying Organised

School Apps

Sleeping Schedules

How to be a Good Student (no guarantees!)

School Essentials

I'm already working on 'How I Study', as I have a very organised and thorough way that could take a while to explain!

I'm also wondering, would you like a few posts a week, one or two a week or all of them in a week?  (If you want the latter, then you'll have to wait for week beginning 10th, as it could take a while to put together).

Of course, this will include lots of photos and such, and I'm planning on running a competition/giveaway throughout the series and the winner will receive a few pretty school items!  (If I reach 20 followers!)

So, does this sound like a good idea?  If so, comment below and tell me what you think!  If the competition/giveaway is going ahead, we need 6 followers to do so!

Thanks a bunch,

Nicola x

Finding Me Again Update 3/4.

A quick apology for no 'Ask Nicola' today, I didn't want to leave this too late, and I haven't got any questions!  Just to remind you, you can email me at nicolasnotebook@hotmail.com or comment on any 'Ask Nicola' post.

So, my energy has been a bit lower than usual this week, as I have managed to catch myself a cold.  As I'm trying to recover for now, I've been a wee bit lazy and haven't been as active as normal:)   

I still did P.E. 3 times this week at school, I walked home from school a few times, but I didn't go to Zumba on Friday, as I was shattered from this week at school (it's been very stressful!).

As for my diet, it's been vitamin c and plenty of protein!  Yesterday was my main 'recovery devoted' day, so I had eggs for breakfast along with a vitamin c supplement, and plenty of fruit and orange juice!  I've also been sucking on some Soothers, which has been helping:)

So, apologies for the lack of posts recently, everything is a bit all over the place just now, but I'm working on some posts just now (perhaps a little competition?) ;)

Nicola x

Grab Me Button.

I've had a few requests for a blog button:D

Well, I've made one (I know its not that interesting, but I feel that it sums up the blog - simple and girly).  It's also my profile picture:)

So, as they say, "Grab my button!"

Nicola x

Brand New Look.

I am very pleased to say (or type) that I have done a complete makeover of the blog!

I made the header myself (which took hours!) and I've gone for a pink and grey colour scheme.

Everything is very simplistic and chic, and I love the way that everything looks.

I'm not completely finished yet, but over time I will have some customised buttons for you to clickity-click on, and I might be running a competition soon for someone to get a customised header? (hint-hint)

I also really wanted a nice, white background, as the customised background I had last time didn't turn up on handheld devices, which was a bit of a bummer :(

Anyhoo, just to say that I apologise for not posting recently!  Again, school has been a bit stressful recently, but I've overcome that now.  I'm just busy trying to get back into a routine again.

So, here's to a new blog!  Well, new looking anyway:)

I hope you like it, please comment below what you think of it:)

Nicola x