Good Morning 2015, Let's Be Friends

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

It is a new year and a new start. A fresh leaf, a blank slate. I am excited about this.

Every year I make and break resolutions and this year I suspect will be no different.

This year I have made a LOT of resolutions. Partly because I need to but mostly because I'm excited and motivated. I think that's a good thing.

Louise's 2015 Resolutions

The Littles

No more fizzy drinks. Last year I cut them out for about 6 weeks and really felt better for it. I drank so much water and felt a big difference in my skin and eye brightness.

More exercise. A classic. I'm not specifically aiming to drop pounds (although I'd be pleased if I did loose a few), but I would like to tone and increase general fitness levels. #GlitterGetsFitter woo yeah!

Tan more often. Very vain I know but when I tan (I never use sunbeds, only false at home from a bottle stuff), I feel much more confident. It's the little things!

Be braver without makeup. I would like to worry less about little things like eyeliner and bronzer and embrace my natural beauty, instead opting for fun lipstick colours and a lick of mascara.

Declutter my life. I love staying in hotels because they are mess free and I only have what I use and use what I have. I feel so much more productive in a hotel. I'm going to make my home like this!

Schedule better. I am a self proclaimed free spirit and as such tend to float through a day ticking things off a never ending list. This year I'd like to be a bit stricter with myself and use time and resources more efficiently.

Try new things. As you know, I'm not one for change so I won't be going totally wild but I want to give little things a go. Things like pencil skirts, facebook video, exercise classes and full floral crowns.

The Biggies

Give more. I am very passionate about sharing and giving and this year I plan to launch #GlitterGives (thank you to everyone in the comments of THIS video who suggested that hashtag, I like it). Each month I want to do a different giving project, talk about it on Sprinkle of Glitter and hopefully encourage some of you to try the same. Now that Darcy is aware of more things, I am keen to teach her to grow with a giving heart and for her to know how lucky we are and how much we can do for others. I also know that with such a large Sprinklerino community working together, a lot of good can be done.

Take opportunities. As Oprah once said, 'Every outing is an opportunity'. I will spend 2015 with my eyes and heart open for opportunities to give (as above), work or experience new things. I find that when you are aware of hoping for new opportunities, lots come your way!

Love on people. Hopefully by scheduling my life better I will have more time to spend with the people who matter most to me. I have a family holiday booked in March (which the Bitsandclip clan are joining us for- yay yay yay!) and would like to put more minibreaks and friend visits in my calendar. I'll be sure to vlog some or insta the others!!

Reach my creative potential - even if there is a financial cost. Quite often I have a big idea for a video and then because I am technologically limited, I don't carry it through. In 2014 I met so many skilled people that I think if I wanted to try something big, I could enlist their help (and pay them of course) to assist in making something really exciting. I am by no means saying I could make a short film or animation, but I think I would occasionally like to push myself more than what I do now. I'm excited for the challenge!

And there we have it. A big ol' list of things I'm aiming for this year. I am all too aware that not all of these will happen or that some will only happen to a degree but I'm a believer in lists and so to have that written down is a huge motivator for me. 

I am so excited to start this year with so much positivity I could burst! If you have a blog, insta, facebook or other (there are too many social media platforms to keep up with these days!), feel free to use this picture and list your own resolutions. Please do link back here if you do use it- thank you!

Toodlepip!

xx

A Year In Glitter World 2014

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

It has become a custom over here in Glitter World to spend a few moments on the last day of December to look over the year and reflect upon all it's adventures. 

In the past I have done a month by month summary of what happened here on the blog, but with only 97 posts this year, I think we'll go for something new!

2014 has been a most challenging year. Some challenges have been oh so rewarding and some, less so. It's hard to talk about these things objectively because Sprinkle of Glitter is a happy place designed to only showcase the highlights of my life, celebrate the exciting and inspire positivity. With that in mind, I'll get the hard stuff said first and then move on to easier shores. 

I will be brutal. This year has been hard. I have often found myself in situations I know not how to handle and have regularly felt out of my depth. My confidence has been knocked and subsequently so has my self esteem. 'Lost' is a good way to describe the worst parts of the year. I have felt lost in a sea of people who seem to know where their paths lead. Whilst professionally I have felt cool, calm and confident (more on that shortly), my personal life has been a very private struggle that I hope will ease in 2015. 

I have sought constantly for the approval of others when really, I should have only needed my own. I have made big, hard choices and spent days and weeks unsure if they were right. I have cried, a lot. 

A lot of this pain was reflected in my blog and youtube channels in the form of absence and I want to take a moment to thank you for never pressuring or resenting the big gaps and the lack of posts and videos. 

That was hard to write. Really hard. I hate admitting I'm not constantly a life winner but 2014, you were a toughie. A goodie, but a toughie!

Moving on to brighter topics, three things that have made me smile from ear to ear are my sweet baby girl (as always), Sprinkle of Glitter and friends. 

Darcy Jane Watson has been a joy. Watching her develop and delighting in her milestones has been such a privilege. She has grown from a tot to a small child and whilst my Mama heart wants to keep her a tiny snuggly baby for ever, I am constantly impressed by the wonders of Motherhood. To see a child experience pure happiness is better than having it yourself. Watching Darcy play with other children or be thrilled by something so mundane makes me feel like my heart might burst. 

Now she is 3 and 9 months she is enjoying imagination games (last night she made us call her Charly over and over), making up jokes ("I've got an idea! When we get home we will all climb into the bins! AHAHAHAHAHA I'm fully kidding Mummy!") and being a 'big girl' (eating food well herself, sleeping in knickers instead of pullups and getting out of the carseat with minimal assistance). 

As she grows, she is also becoming aware of bigger topics. She understands that my Mummy lives in Heaven ('with Mufasa and Ariel's Mummy') and that it is more important to be kind and smart than to be a princess. I am proud of her. I think I always will be. 

Sprinkle of Glitter has been crazy amazing this year. I have been to Florida, Milan, New York, LA, New Jersey and on a UK Tour to meet as many of you as possible, have talked on panels, been part of live shows, given Q&A's and even started my own stage tour, 'LouiseLIVE'. It has been an absolute whirlwind. 

I began the year quite overwhelmed and unsure but after starting (go me!) the topic of YouTube Culture, I have noticed a big, big shift in the way I am treated by viewers and hopefully this in turn has positively effected they way I treat you. 

At large conventions like Playlist and Vidcon, I noticed a much calmer vibe from so many people and loved it! I felt able to stand about and have relaxed conversations and actually interact with the people that watch Sprinkle of Glitter and make it so (I think) special. I love how this is all just one big conversation and how we, as a community, can take control and make it how we want it to be. Even as it grows (and wowee oh my woah woah, has it grown this year!!), I think the community feel remains and that Sprinklerinos are very protective over keeping it a kind, loving, happy place. I know with all of our efforts, that will continue into the new year. 

I have also been working behind the scenes on several large projects that will come to light in 2015 and can't wait for those too. 2014 has been a year of building, 2015 will be the unveiling!

Friends. You know that song with the line, 'I get by with a little help from my friends'? That's 2014 for you right there. 

In 2014 I made brand new friends and strengthened existing friendships so much I could cry. I have a very special place in my heart for all my oldie but goldies (Zoe, Clare, Emma, Marie, Jack and more) but have found a little bit of extra space for Hazel Hayes who wins the award for Most Time Spent Listening To Me Ramble On About Utter Crap That At The Time Felt Important. Seriously, I feel almost ashamed at how much of her time I have taken up and how nurturing she has been. She is a good egg and will join the esteemed list of 'Oldie but Goldie's above. In 2015 I would love a little getaway with her and Zoe for facials, massages and all the lols!!

A huge highlight of 2014 was fiiiinnaaalllyy flying out to Seattle with Matt and Darcy to visit Marie BitsandClips and her family. I have so much love for those people and want to spend all my days bringing them as much delight as they give to me. I said to Marie the other day, 'you are sunshine incarnate' and I was right. She cannot not make me happy. Ooff. 

Other little mentions and thank you's (I'm at the Oscars now apparently) go to - Dodie for lovingly stroking my arms the time I hyperventilated in a bar, Cayleigh for never failing to be as enthusiastic as me about insane ideas, Amber for being such a kind soul in New Jersey when I was sick and scared, Maddie for always remembering and acknowledging the hard days, my neighbour Vicky for always chitchatting on the drive, Sam, Nic and Caroline for giving perfect big sister advice, Cat for listening and analysing, Ben Cook for encouraging me to talk about big topics and Jack for forever forcing me to up my game. 

I have felt incredibly loved this year. 

*Vom*

And so there we have it, a big ol' brain dump of the last 12 months. A year of filming and flights and skater skirts and sparkly nails and baby squishes and late night dinners and red carpets (yay!) and big discussions and hotel lols and skype chats and lovely lists and fairy lights and laughter and tears and fist pumps and kittens, it's been a year!!

I am ending this year with a thankful heart and as always, an optimistic mind. 

Tell me, how has your 2014 been? 

Toodlepip!

xx

Aloha Sprinklerinos, 

Twas the night before Christmas and Louise was proud to introduce her final Amazing Advertisers of 2014 after a cracking year of blogging discoveries. Wowee have we had a good month once more, there's something about festive blogging that gives me all the feels and these gals have been blogging up a triumphant storm. Grab yourself a hot chocolate, perhaps a treat or two (it is Christmas after all) and let's get cracking! 

Source 

Abracadabra Girl

Abracadabra Girl is a beauty and lifestyle blog written by Kara, quite the blogging extraordinaire and Abracadabra Girl it is one of the most pleasing blogs I ever did see. Kara’s beautiful photography skills and in depth reviews make for quite the professional content and lovable blog indeed! Not to mention I’m a lover of the passion she has for products, as a makeup artist and a previous salon owner Kara certainly knows about all things beauty, and I’m pleased as punched she has shared said knowledge and wisdom with us.

Darling Dee Dee

Last month Dee impressed me muchly with her fabulous blogging skills and I’ve been a keen bean to see what treats she’s had in store for us in December, oh boy oh boy we’ve not been disappointed! Dee’s reviews this month have been tip top, and I’ve particularly enjoyed reading about her experience with iScream nail polishes, Dee has shown the range of colours flawlessly, and as a camera user and blogger myself I can tell ya it’s not an easy job! I look forward to future content from Dee, perhaps even a tutorial or two? Pretty please?

Anna in Wonderland

Wowza, Anna in Wonderland has been quite the busy blog this month, including guest post galore, Frozen inspired hair tutorials and even a lesson in publishing, Anna you certainly are a whizz! I’ve been a fan of Anna in Wonderland for a few months now, I enjoy Anna’s adventures and aspirations as a published writer, it’s unique and educational which is a nice little twist amongst the ‘little bit of everything’ blogs. Whether you’re after some inspiration, in need of a holiday destination idea, or simply believe variety is the spice of life, then Anna in Wonderland is for you.

SilverSpoon London

Oh my goodness gracious! We’ve got a beauty amongst our midst Sprinklerinos. Lifestyle blogger Angie and her slice of the web SilverSpoon London are bloomin’ gorgeous, you’d be a fool to disagree. SilverSpoon London is a swish, Carrie Bradshaw-esque blog and it’s certainly shown me a thing or two about wining and dining around London! From Japanese to Italian and even a tasty cocktail or two, Angie is trying it all. If you’re a foodie lover and in need of a restaurant to make your mouth water, then I’d give SilverSpoon London a gallivant. Warning, it will make you hungry.

Sunny Sweet Pea

Sunny Sweet Pea makes me smile. It’s a lifestyle blog written by Jenny, and I can’t quite pinpoint why, but it gives me the warm and fuzzies and having a sneaky peak into Jenny’s life with her partner and pup makes for a good read, and a lovable blog. Whether it’s a beautifully written musing, a thoughtful quote with meaning to provide a much needed pep in your step, or even the opportunity to fall in love with fellow advertising bloggers of SilverSpoon, Jenny has kindly provided it all and Sunny Sweet Pea is a blog I’m happy to have in my feed, as should you all!

I hope you've had a jolly good read from our final gals of Amazing Advertisers 2014. I hope to have all your smiling faces ready for another lot of my beautiful bloggers in the New Year. Who has been your favourite blog of 2014? 

Toodlepip! 

xx