A Letter to July

Dear July,

You are this time around, a month of looking. After moving away from what was my home for 3 years, I now find myself back with familiar faces who have known me since I came into this world. Everything is different, I have no schedule to adhere to and no person to report to. Although, I am hoping this will change soon.

My life as I know it currently, is in a state of limbo. I am trying to find a new environment in which I can dedicate myself to, be challenged by and allow new souls to connect with. I have come close, but it has not happened yet. There are times I think about how much this bothers me and sometimes it feels like I am a wall, getting knocked down one brick at a time. But this usually doesn't last for long.  I have faith that everything will fall into place when it is supposed to. 

July, you have only just begun and you have already given me lots to be happy about.
By the time you leave again, I hope to still be smiling.

Love, Nicola

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(This blog post was inspired by Emily Diana Ruth's 'Letters to July' series which you can find here.)

Letters to July

                    

My favourite Youtube series, this video is particularly brilliant.

Nicola

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Summer in London

I've recently finished university and have moved back home, which is all well and good for the unlimited free food, but all my friends live miles away so last weekend I went to London to visit my friend Elliott. Luckily for us it was extremely warm so we headed to Hampstead Heath (as well as a million other Londoners apparently). We had a picnic and caught up with each others lives, Elliott has a new job and is killing it so I was more than happy to listen to his exciting life rather than describe how many chocolate digestives I seem to eat on a daily basis now I am unemployed, (I am actively trying to change this, someone please hire me). We also decided to have a dip in the bathing ponds at the park, which was very refreshing/slightly terrifying as you can't feel the bottom of the pond and we both realised we are not strong swimmers at all, but at least we gave it a go! On Sunday we had a wander around Brick Lane/Shoreditch, visited around 345134 markets and then went for a roast dinner (a rule of life). I wish every weekend was like this!

Nicola 

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Layout

Layout/creative/editorial direction is something that I love. Creating them myself has always been my favourite part of past projects and over the past few months, whilst creating a magazine for my FMP. 

Here are some layouts in which I love. Personally, I like simple layouts with lots of negative space, great typography and focused images. If you would like to see more, be sure to follow my Pinterest page here. 

Nicola 

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Inspiration / 3

Nicola

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University

My university experience has been everything I expected x a million. After moving to Birmingham 3 years ago, not knowing a single soul, I am now coming out the other side with a head full of memories, 2 best friends and lots of nostalgic tears. For me university was always where I wanted to go and it was the best decision I've ever made in my short life, so if you want to go and have the opportunity to go, then do it. Here are some other tips I wish somebody would have told me / things I have learnt -

1. Go to every freshers event. You might think you can't hack 2 nights out in a row, but trust me you can. You only get one freshers week (2nd/3rd years don't count), make the most of it.

2. You will get caught up in this new crazy adventure and your people at home will be so happy you are happy, but don't forget to check in with them.

3. Say yes to every opportunity.

4. Some friendships won't last past your university years and that's okay, just cherish the good times.

5. Appreciate every single minute but especially first year when everything is new, exciting and carefree.

Leaving Birmingham and all the memories and people with it, is quite terrifying and overwhelming but I'm excited for the future and Birmingham, I'm sure I will see you again.

Nicola 

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Mixed Tape

Music is a big part of my every day. The best thing about music to me is the second it takes for you to be transformed to another time in which you loved that particular song, I love a good old nostalgia session! Today I thought I would share some songs that I have been failing to successfully sing along to recently. These are all pretty new so no memories to reminisce about at the moment, ask me in 6 months. Please let me know if you have any new favourite songs at the moment.

PUSH - NICK JONAS

AYO - CHRIS BROWN & TYGA

THE NIGHT IS STILL YOUNG - NICKI MINAJ

I LOVED YOU - BLONDE

FLASHED JUNK MIND - MILKY CHANCE

Nicola x