My Thoughts On Tattoos & My 1st Tattoo

First and only tattoo sadly because I want them ALL. Jokes but I did write a tattoo wishlist post that you can check out here. I got this tattoo on my 18th birthday and I'm 22 now. I will say it's not the best work, the place was slightly dodgy now that I think back to it but I love it now just as much as I did when I got it done! I get that that's a fear for most people when it comes to tattoos, regret. Honestly, I wouldn't mind not liking a tattoo years down the line because at one point in my life it meant so much to me to make it permanent and that part of your life is just as valid as any other. That for me is reason enough and wipes away any fear. We change all the time but every stage in life is important and tattoos are great reminders of that. 

My thoughts on the great tattoo debate, meaning or no meaning. A lot of people disagree with getting tattoos with no reason behind them. Some people seem to think that they need this great story or a chilling tale. I think that they can just be an appreciation of art as well. I don't have a bad opinion on people getting a tattoo simply because they like the look of it. Each to their own and all that. I don't think you can only get a certain tattoo because of any reason. How can I when I have a tattoo of a language that I don't speak haha.

Tattoos can be a reflection of your personality and they can be a great way of self expression. 

In the words of my Queen RuPaul 'you're born naked and the rest is drag'. From the clothes you choose to wear to extreme body modification, it's all apart of who you are. Why other people are so negatively interested in other people being who they want to be, is beyond me! I could go on forever about equality and all that but I doubt anyone has the time to read all that so onto my own tattoo.

Here's a better placement photo firstly, positioned on the back of my neck. Originally I wanted it twice as big but the tattooist thought this was a better size and I trusted his opinion. I thought of the idea a year previously and told myself that if I still wanted it in a years time then I would get it on my 18th birthday and here we are four years later, still loving it. Now for the answer to the question everyone asks, 'what's it mean?' and that answer is 'Little Brother' or younger brother to be precise in Chinese. He's alive and well by the way, most peoples first reactions are that it is a remembrance tattoo so I like to get that fact out of the way first. 

The idea spawned from my favourite lyric from a Kanye West song, 'if you admire someone you should go ahead and tell them, people never get the flowers while they can still smell them'. Despite telling my little brother I love him everyday I decided to show him in tattoo form while we're both still here to appreciate it. 

I can't wait for my next tattoo and the one after that and the one after that...

Twitter Chats for Bloggers

MONDAY

18:00-18:30 #girlstravel (travel)
19:00-20:00 #bdib (general)
                   #bundlechat (general)
20:00-21:00 #fbloggers (fashion)
                   #healthyselves (health & happiness)
21:00-22:00 #holhealthhour (holistic health)

TUESDAY

19:00-20:00 #bookbloggers (reading)
                   #mybchat (general)
19:00-20:30 #craftblogclub (crafts)
20:00-21:00 #fblchat (fashion, beauty & lifestyle)
21:00-22:00 #bloghour (general)

WEDNESDAY

19:00-20:00 #lbloggers (lifestyle)
20:00-21:00 #bbloggers (beauty)
                    #stylechat (fashion)
21:00-22:00 #bloghour (general)

THURSDAY

19:00-20:00 #crazybloggers (general)
20:00-21:00 #fdbloggers (food)
                    #fbloggers (fashion)
20:30-21:30 #cbloggers (creative)
21:00-22:00 #blogphotochat (photography)
                   #chatMH (mental health)

FRIDAY

19:00-20:00 #beautychat (beauty)
20:00-21:00 #bdib (general)

SATURDAY 

18:00-19:00 #socialbloggers (general)

SUNDAY

19:00-20:00 #lbloggers (lifestyle)
                   #crafthour (carfts)
20:00-21:00 #bbloggers (beauty)

There's a few of these posts about already but I've wanted to create my own for a while so I can keep tabs on the twitter chats that I join in. These are all UK times. I'm not strictly a lifestyle chat kinda gal so hopefully there's a few chats here that you can take note of and join in too! Let me know of any more and I'll add them.

The Soundtrack To My Life | 2015

So I seen this tag on the Zoe London blog and thought it was a brilliant idea so I've decided to do my own post. Music, for most, sets the scene to your life and the memories in it. Songs can take you back to a single moment, if you want it to or not. 15 questions, 15 songs, let's go..

Song you listen to when you're happy?

David Bowie - Heros

Song you listen to when you're sad?

Train - Drops of Jupiter

What song will you have at your wedding?

The Cranberries - Linger

What song do you dance around the house to?

Genesis - Invisible Touch

Song you play on your headphones when out and about?

Awolnation - Sail

Song you listen to when you're angry?

Matallica - Nothing Else Matters

Song you'd have at your funeral?

Phil Collins - On My Way

Song that makes you lose your shit at a party?

Lady Gaga - Just Dance

The last song you listened to?

The 1975 - So Far (It's Alright)

Your karaoke song?

Kansas - Carry On My Wayward Son

What song do you work out/exercise to?

Beyonce - Get Me Bodied

Song with the most memories attached?

Jubel - Klingande

Song that makes you cry?

Kate Winslet - What If

Song you hate the most?

N-Dubz - Papa Can You Hear Me

Your favourite song of all time?

Foo Fighters - Best Of You

Belfast Christmas Market

Everyone looks forward to the Christmas Continental Market coming to Belfast City Hall each year. It's so lovely walking around in the dark late afternoon with all the pretty lights. There's a lot of different stalls with food from around the world and little handmade trinkets.

I wanted one of those notebooks so bad but they weren't in my Christmas budget, I have little money and a lot of people to spend it on! It's packed every year, all day every day, it's definitely a Belfast highlight. I went on a Sunday night with my friend Gareth, there was a lovely little buzz about the place. Christmas spirits were high, I only wish there were giant speakers about the place to blast Christmas music! Looking forward to going back to the beer tent for an all day Christmas sesh when the home birds fly home from uni.

   

My Three Years At University

I'll start this post off by saying that I left my small home town in Northern Ireland in 2011 to study Psychology at Northumbria University in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. 

I graduated July 2014 with a 2:2, life long friends, skills money can't buy and a whole bunch of amazing memories. 

Back in 2011 when I told people that I would be moving country to attend university they almost didn't believe me. When I think back I can understand why and I even wonder how I made the move. It's because 2011 Franny was a shy shy girl and had been for the whole of high school and most of primary school. I hardly talked when I was with my group of friends never mind any other social situation. 

However, my desire to experience life outside of my tiny town was far greater than my fears. Fast forward to 2014, it's like I'm talking about different person. Best decision to date. 

Starting Fresh 

So I had packed my life up and moved to this exciting new city. One of my good friends from home had moved over with me and I don't think I would have coped without her. I needed her to ease me into the transition. I was very lucky from the beginning though, I had four of the friendliest and funniest house mates and quickly got into a good group of people that were on my course. In those first few weeks, people come and go like never before. Facebook friend requests shot up, random numbers added to your phone, everyone was just sussing each other and the situation out because we were all in the same boat. I'm so thankful for the ones that stayed. 

Meet The New Gang

I love each and everyone of these people. It's so crazy that they all grew up in a different county from me and two decades later we would all meet and become friends for life. We've all gone through this life experience together and I couldn't have asked for better people. Even though I'm back home now I know I could pick up right were I left off with any off them, no matter where I am in the world. The nights out have been crazy, the days after have been lazy. So proud of all of them for achieving their goals and building towards their future, you're all gonna kick butt!

The New Man In My Life

If the only outcome of university was this little guy, I would do it over and over again at thrice the price. I always had boy best friends as well as my girlfriends but none like this wee gem, he honestly feels like a brother now. He will always hold the title of my favourite non-Irish person ever, between that, my best friend Lorna and my best cousin Tash I am the richest human alive, I feel. Despite him moving uni after first year we always stayed in really good contact. I'm so excited for both of us to go down our own path, waving at each other along the way. King and Queen since we were 18. 

New Places With Old Faces

Even though I was experiencing all of these new things, in a new city with new people, I always stayed in constant contact with my friends at home. I always told them that it was a great opportunity for them as well, I mean free accommodation at any time, just book the cheap flights and party with me! They didn't need to be told twice. Over the three years I had a lot of visits from family and friends and they have always been the best weekends together, my friends never fail to disappoint with a good time. The Irish just take it to another level. I cherish my home birds so dearly, they make up my life, I wouldn't have made it through university without them. 

Let's Get Lost

During my time at uni I've had the pleasure of travelling to new places with my new faces. Fresh, young 20 somethings exploring together, what could be better. I've travelled a lot within the North of England, Sunderland, Carlisle, Holy Island, Wooler, Seahouses and Alnwick. I also travelled down south to London four times (maybe five I've lost count), York, Manchester, Bournemouth, Newport and Cardiff. I also went up to Edinburgh twice, and to Glasgow.  Me and three of my favourites even went on holiday to Barcelona where old and new worlds collided blissfully. I am truly blessed.

The Best Is Yet To Come

Grad Ball and Graduation, two highlights of my life that will never be forgotten. Summing up my time at university perfectly. I had so much fun at university I almost forgot there was a degree at the end of it, even if there wasn't I wouldn't have regretted anything. 

As I was writing this post it became more and more clear that the only thing that matters in life are your experiences with other people. What I have been working on now is finding the most positive people to have the most positive experiences with. People make or break your time here so it's up to you to find the people you want to share it with. This could also mean cutting negative people out which can be a scary thing to do but I promise you it's worth the effort. Any road to happiness is a trip worth taking.  

Thank you to all those positive and negative people, events and experiences that brought me to this moment right now and taught me so much. Keep learning, keep growing, keep smiling. Love.

Throwback Thursday | A Sunny Day

As it's getting closer to Winter and the temperature drops I thought I would post a sunny day at the beach. Let's be transported back to the warm mornings of the summer, ahh I can almost feel the suns rays.

Oh did I not mention I was with this absolute cutie!! Wee Coco Chanel had a marvellous time.

Now back to windy rainy reality, one year I will have three summers (UK-Aus-UK) that's a promise future franny!

Tattoo Wishlist

The big one. I've wanted something very similar to this for ages! I'd like mine a little smaller on the front of my right thigh. It would be a tribute to my parents, even thought they aren't entirely keen on the idea. They both have tattoos but aren't keen on me getting any more, probably just worried encase I regret it. Awh well, it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission!  

My second most wanted tattoo is a character from Tim Burton's first short film, Vincent. The amount of times I have watched it is crazy, I don't even think I can count that high. There was a time were I would put it on straight after I had come home from a nigh out. I would just sit on my own at 5am, probably eating everything in the house. Strange, very strange. Anyway, left leg above the ankle is where I would like this beauty.

Very simple, very meaningful. An equality tattoo, I desperately want this on the side of my middle finger on the part closest to the knuckle if that makes sense. However I'm too scared of what my mummy would say, yes I am 21 and yes I still listen to my mother. But I could hide it if I wanted to right? Right? Please say yes. 

I only came across this design a few nights ago and I think it fits what I want perfectly. I've always wanted something to do with us humans being connected to the universe. Skeleton is all humans, in the ocean the oldest most natural of human condition and a mermaid, who doesn't love mermaids. I just thought the pearl was the realisation of that, the key.   

This tattoo has become a bit of a trend, I've seen a lot of it on Pinterest but I think it's the cutest idea. I would 100% get the coordinates of my home town if I moved away permanently. The placement in this picture is perfect I feel, I'd say I'd get it there too.

_____

That's my wishlist! If I had the money I would have each of these right now. So it's save save save for now until I can tick these all off!

Camera Roll Picks

Every so often I would take all my photos on my iPhone and transfer them to my computer for more space. In this post I thought I would scroll through my camera roll and look back on some photos of this year so far before there deleted.

graduation ball outfit

matty & franny on the shots, what's new

mummy & me pre wedding

graduation bevvy

2 pint cups in Edinburgh earlier in the year

has to be done

me and chummy mark before town

joe and me before London Grammar

clubbing with the three queens

beach walk on a sunny day

forever rockin, me and twiny

campbell tripz -1

awkward causeway snap

fam with the best person in the world

lil bro and me before ed sheeran

my beautiful best friend and I on her 21st

Autumn Things

This is the first time in three years that I have been in my home town for the whole of Autumn. Usually I would be leaving at the start and coming back in Winter. I think that's the reason why this year feels really nostalgic. I was walking into town yesterday past the trees where me, my dad and brother would collect conkers from, that, the crunching leaves and the smell of the air just brought be back. There's something about walking home in the early dark as well, reminds me of the nights around Halloween while out with friends, so many memories through October. 

Here's a few things I'm looking forward too in the wonderful season of Autumn..

Onesies 

Hot Baths

Halloween

Late Nights

Trips Away 

Film Nights

Layering up

Brisk Walks

Comfort Food

Hot Chocolate 

Pumpkin Carving

Candles Everywhere

Dark Lipstick Shades

Coat, Hat, Scarf, Boots

Cosy duvet days when it's Raining

Experimenting with more Make-up

and Hairy Legs meaning tights go with every Autumn Outfit hooray!