5 YEAR Blogiversary!!

Today marks FIVE whole years since I posted for the first time on Julz Obsessions. Half a decade- I can't quite believe it! Over that time, I've done my school qualifications, nearly 3 years at university, got my first part time job (and several others since), passed my driving test and learned a whole lot! 
 The best things about blogging so far have been being part of such a lovely community (even though I haven't done a blogger chat in ages - I'm here in spirit), mastering basic HTML (somehow), having something to look back on that I'm so proud of, improving my photography and discovering some amazing products and recommendations. The post I'm probably proudest of is this one that I wrote in summer 2014 about body confidence. It was quite different from what I normally write but it went down really well and its the type of thing I'd like to do more of. I also really liked putting together the 'Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone' post as so many different bloggers contributed to it and gave fantastic tips. I also love looking back at holiday pictures and update/ life lately posts. My first posts, especially the photos they come with, are so cringe but I like to leave them up for your amusement (and to see how far my technical skills have come). I do wish I'd been more consistent but after many failed attempts at it, I've come to accept that while uni is so demanding, I should focus on that and write lots when I have free time like in summer. I guess my hopes for the next few years is that, however sporadically, I continue to write and enjoy having such a fantastic hobby. 
Of course, before I go, I'd like to thank you! Thank you for reading, commenting and following. I've always said that I blog about things that interest me as my own little outlet but there is nothing nicer than one of you leaving a comment or tweeting me saying you like what I've written. I'm getting really mushy now so I'll stop. But thanks again and who knows, maybe I'll still be blogging in another 5 years!

Third Blogiversary!!

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Happy Sunday everyone! Finding myself between extremes; my first blog anniversary (biggest deal ever- here and here) and last year's celebration (non-existent), I thought I'd write a little post to mark the fact that this week Julz' Obsessions is three years old. I can't believe how quick it has gone. Although I'm notoriously sporadic, and disappear for sometimes months on end, I always find my way back to writing blog posts and re-finding love for the blogging community and the creativity that comes with it. Of all the things that I've done and all the things that have changed in my life (delving into soppy territory here), this blog has remained constant. I would say 'I hope I'll still be blogging next year' but I know that all being well I will be. And of course I'd like to thank you all for all your support, whether it be commenting on posts, clicking the follow button or just chatting away on twitter. It is the most lovely aspect of blogging! 

I'm Back/ Catch up!

Hey Everyone!
Remember me? I can't quite believe I have left it this long since my last post: one week turned into two and four months later here I am- eek. You may be wondering what has been keeping me so busy, but in fact, other than the usual school demands and my weird craving for constant sleep, nothing has stopped me- I've just not been making the time to blog. I've been on Blogger almost everyday- flicking through my reading list and keeping myself (kind of) in the loop. At the same time though, I've been watching my follower count slowly drop and I'm not exaggerating when I say that I cry inside at the thought of even one person clicking unfollow. I left it and left it because I felt like there is pressure after such a lengthy period of absence to come back with a ground breaking post, but let's face it, none of my posts have ever been astoundingly excellent: they're mostly pretty chatty and based on whatever takes my fancy. So, after weeks of telling myself to snap back into it, today I have bitten the bullet and started typing. 

Ok, so this picture has no relation to what I'm talking about but anything to pop in one of my 'I am basically a professional photographer' attempts Is it too late to tell you about my new years resolutions? I'm going to anyhoo. It just proves that I haven't forgotten them- which is a record for me seeing as its the middle of February. 

You will see, unlike last year, blogging isn't on my resolutions, but I figured that if I wanted to, I would. Some are more important/ realistic/ specific than others. "Study", "Do more good deeds" and "Be more organised" are pretty vague, and though they're well-intended, I haven't been placing as much emphasis on them as the others. Lateness is one of my big flaws (did I mention my love of sleep?) so I've been making a huge effort this year to be on time for everything. So far it's been mediocre. What I've surprised myself with was the "Exercise" one. My original draft of resolutions- written at about 10pm on Dec 31st, said 'Exercise- but I'm never going to' which isn't the most optimistic start. But, I have a holiday booked in August with my friends and the thought of wearing a bikini has been quite the motivation. I've been doing this 30 Day Challenge and although I know alone it won't be turning me into a beach goddess, its a start. I also bought a really really cute diary in Ryman and I've been using each day for to do lists and for writing the highlight of the day. Considering the fact that I gave up with my 'happy thought in a jar' resolution around the beginning of February last year, this has been going pretty well.

I realise this post is becoming quite lengthy, so I'm going to condense the rest of my catch-uppy news into bullet points because let's fact it, not many people will be interested in the screeds and screeds of ramble. (Screeds is a good word isn't it? My English teacher uses it a lot to describe my work lol)
▪I got into my first choice university to do English Literature woohoo- I start in September ▪I still have my job (I'm not sure if I mentioned it) and that's time-consuming and tiring but I'm still enjoying it. ▪I bought my first 'ladies handbag' from Zara and its so amazing and I love it- it deserves a whole post of its own so look out for that soon. ▪My mum bought me my first bunch of flowers! Not really that big a deal for most people but I'm so happy. They brighten my whole room and I just can't stop taking pictures of them. ▪I got new furniture! My old drawers and wardrobe were totally falling to pieces so it was due. The new ones are so sophisticated and chic. ▪I'm definitely not as focused in school this year but I'm trying to pull my socks up in time for the final exams in May. ▪I'm still watching my favourite tv shows: The Carrie Diaries, Pretty Little Liars, KUWTK and Doctor Who. Let me know if you like any of them because NO ONE I know (really) does. ▪I read Jane Eyre and it now holds 2nd place on my favourite books of all time (Gatsby still has 1st and deserves it considering how obsessed I was last year). ▪My blog's two year anniversary was a few days ago. Remember last year I had a knitted cake and collage of posts to celebrate- no such luck this year! But it is still a pretty big deal and even more of a reason to get me back into posting.   {Edit: I forgot one of my biggest bits of news- I'm so silly! I got a full fringe ooit}
So, I think I've pretty much covered the last four months. Now, would you look at that, I've just written a whole post and it was easy peasy!
So, what have you been doing? Anything exciting? Did you have a good Halloween/ Christmas/ New Year? 

Julz' Obsessions- The First Year

Hey Everyone!

To celebrate the first birthday of this little blog, I thought I'd make a collage of posts from throughout the year. Its been so fun looking back! For the first few months blog design was a huge priority and I had several major fights with HTML and I'm happy to say I came out the other side. Its weird looking back at what products I used and stuff and even what I look like-I think I've changed quite a lot. 

I've included some pictures of special moments of my blog too, such as my first post, winning Melanie's giveaway and MUA mentioning my review on their facebook page. I've also noticed as I went through old posts that I've lost a bit of personality when posting, something which I do want to get back to. Though be warned- that involves rambles! I posted so much in summer, something which I also want to try and get back to.

What would you like to see more of? Do you remember any of these posts?

Happy 1st Birthday Julz' Obsessions!

Hey Everyone!

Today marks a very special date- its Julz' Obsessions one year anniversary! I honestly can't believe its been a whole year- its flown in. I remember my first posts and being so unsure of what was ok and I'm so pleased with how far I've come. It seems like posts I wrote months ago were just a few days ago! I'd also like to thank each one of you for supporting my blog and for all your lovely comments and tweets. I have enjoyed blogging so much and I definitely plan to be here writing another anniversary post next year.