Tuesday, 28 August 2012

The Cotswolds - A Holiday Writing Piece.


This is a piece I wrote for English about my Summer Holidays - it's a descriptive piece, enjoy!:)

Turning off the motorway to the junction that is leading me to my desolate destination is like entering another world, one that opposes the hustle and bustle of the busy city that I live in.
The road suddenly narrows, leaving space for only 1 car to fit through, and the car is being turned and twisted, mimicking the winding roads in the countryside.  The trees are bent over the road, creating a green ivy-like arch, the leaves dancing with the wind.  Sun streams through the gaps between the trees, revealing the floating specks of dust in the car.  The birds are singing with their angelic chirps, gracing the air with sweet sounds, and bouncing from branch to branch along the way.
Eventually you arrive at a small, quaint village.  Small, cosy cottages with thatched roofs and floral arches line the small road, and the occupants give us a polite, welcoming smile as we pass.  Flowers are everywhere; ruby red roses, powder pink pansies and lots of lilac lavender.  A waft of fresh baking comes from the family-owned bakery, along with cupcakes and coffee.
Gardeners are always working hard, making everything look beautiful and making sure this place looks like what it's known for.
The shops are almost always open, stacked from shelf to shelf with memoirs of the Cotswolds, sweets and small house-y trinkets.
Inside the cottage is just as you'd expect.  A large, open log fire is the first thing you see, and apart from the country-style kitchen and bathrooms, there isn't a room in the house without carpet.  Almost all of the furniture is made from wood, finished off with a light coat of ivory paint, and the chips of paint and wearing-away makes it look vintage.
Everything about the Cotswolds is very peaceful and cosy, definitely a place to retreat to!



Monday, 27 August 2012

Music Monday!

I'm actually writing this on Sunday, but I've just scheduled it for this time, because right now, I'll be at school!  So, a lot of my posts will be scheduled from now on!

Here are my top 3 songs from last week!:D


We Could Be Amazing - Andy Grammer
Love this song!  I really like Andy's music, I just discovered him recently.  It's a really nice, relaxing song, that I can kind of relate to just now;)  Yeah, nuff said.



Fine By Me - Andy Grammer
I know, another song by Andy Grammer!  I've heard this so many times, but I never knew who the artist was!  This is such a fun singalong song, and the video is just too cute!



Taking Over Me - Lawson
Another fun love song!  Lawson have such a distinctive sound, and I think my mum loves this song more than I do!  I love their style as well:)


That's it for this week!  Feel free to recommend any songs for me to listen to!


Sunday, 26 August 2012

Ask Nicola!



This is the first 'official' Ask Nicola post!  Unfortunately, I did not get any questions, and I think I know why...

Thank you to those of you that alerted me that I had not turned on the 'Anonymous' option!  I know, I know, go ahead and comment; 'silly Nicola!'  Well, I've changed that now, so you can click on it!  My apologies!

So, basically I'm just going to tell you how to ask a question etc.

You can ask a question by:
  • Commenting on one of the Ask Nicola posts
  • Emailing me at nicolasnotebook@hotmail.com
  • Tweeting me on Twitter @nicolasnotebook (link at the side!)

So, if you are going to ask a question, please start it off by saying 'Dear Nicola,' just so that I know you're asking a question for the feature!

If you want me to add your name at the bottom of the question when I put it in the post, then don't turn on 'Anonymous'!  However, if you want to remain anonymous, then feel free to do that:D

If you don't want your question to feature in the post, then just shoot me an e-mail, and I'll reply just to you!:)

You can ask questions about literally anything:
- Problems at school
- Friendship difficulties
- Anything that's worrying you
- Advice on present buying!
- Even something like 'Nicola, what did you have for breakfast today?'

SO, it can be advice questions, or perhaps something that you want to know about me!

I hope to hear from you soon!


Saturday, 25 August 2012

Finding Me Again Update! 4/2

This is going to be a super quick update, because it's getting late!  So sorry that I haven't been able to post this yesterday, and all my posts are so inconsistent!  A regular pattern will soon develop, I'm just getting used to being back at school, so I do apologise!

I think I've been doing really well this week for exercise!  Here's what I did:

 - Did P.E. 3 times this week (1 = running relays and running up and down 90 stairs x 2! 2 = A walk around the streets. 3 = circuits)
 - walked home most days
- Zumba for 45 minutes yesterday
- went for a walk today!

I've also been eating really healthily, I'm hoping to post a few recipes of my own for some tasty snacks!

Thank you so much for voting on the poll - it's been so helpful!  Please keep voting! I have some posts planned, including:

Ask Nicola (still no questions:(!)
Music Monday!
The Cotswolds - A Holiday Writing Piece
Scrumptious Snacks!
Thoughtful Thursday
Finding Me Again Update! 1/3 (Get Your Grin On!)
How to Make Oat Bars

etc, etc.

So, thank you for reading, and I will be posting Ask Nicola tomorrow! (even though I don't have any questions)


Friday, 24 August 2012

Quick Update & Competition?

Hiya lovelies, just a quick update to say that I'm not gone!  I've been incredibly busy recently with school starting back, so posts aren't quite as consistent any more:(

I know now is the time for the Finding Me Again Update, but it's getting late now, so I need to get to sleep!  I've been so tired this week, I was very close to falling asleep in chemistry!

I hope you liked the last couple of posts, I tried to fit it around what YOU want (according to the poll, you can still vote) and I am going to be trying to do a competition soon if I get to 25 followers!  Hopefully with REAL prizes as well!  So if you would like that, please get your friends to follow!

In the comments below, I would like you to suggest what type of competition you would like to see, how to enter, prize ideas etc, I want you to be a part of this blog!


Tuesday, 21 August 2012

DIY - Origami Heart Corner Bookmarks!

I know how much my followers love to read, and it's not easy finding a pretty, original bookmark!  I have been loving making these cute bookmarks, they're so easy, too!  I did try to take pictures as steps to show you how to make them, but I figured I would just show you the video I learnt from, as she teaches you so well!  I like to make mine from patterned paper, so they look extra pretty:D

Here's how mine turned out!


Okay, so you will need:

Paper of your choice
A pencil

A ruler
A pair of scissors
Some glue

And some different paper for your heart (if you wish!)

And here is how you do it!



After this, you can trace around the heart on a contrasting piece of paper, cut it out, and glue it ton top!

Again, this is the finishing result!


OKay, well I hope you guys enjoyed this, this was one of the most requested topics to feature in the blog, so I hope I've made you happy!  There will definitely be more posts like this to come!


Monday, 20 August 2012

Music Monday!

I've been so busy recently, it's hard to find time to blog!  I know you English peeps are still on holiday, while we're back at school here in Scotland!  Anyways, here are my 3 favourite songs of last week!


Sunset - Avalanche City
This is such a cute song!  One of my friends recommended it to me, and I've been listening to it ever since.  It's now my alarm song, because it's so happy and upbeat!



You Already Know - Bombay Bicycle Club
This is another really sweet one, great to listen to with rain in the background, and it's a really lovely peaceful song.



No Name - Ryan O'Shaughnessy
I fell in love with his music the first time I heard him on Britains Got Talent.  I cried, because I can relate to so much in this song.  He is such a talented songwriter, the way he uses words are magical, and his melodies are so sweet.


Well, that's it for today!  Expect a little DIY post tomorrow!  Don't forget to clickity-click what you want at the poll on the side, and remember to ask me a question for my 'Ask Nicola' feature - still no questions!:(