lifestyle \\ a brief blog in time

Hello. Remember me? Probably not. I certainly had to dust off a few cobwebs coming back in here I tell you!

I feel like I've been neglecting my blog lately and not putting as much effort into as I would like but to be honest, I've really enjoyed being away from it. I would love to spend all my time blogging and writing but unfortunately it isn't my job and there is another life I live outside of this little space. Holding down a full time job that has shift work and that also involves nightshifts is difficult. I already sacrifice a lot; most weekends I work, I'm unable to attend family events and sleep. Oh how I miss the sleep. But in saying that, I'm never far away. 

Parisian Orchid is such a great hobby for me and fuels my passion for the written word. But any spare time I do get, I spend it seeing friends, making plans and sleeping (if you do nightshifts, you'll understand it puts your whole body out of kilter!).

In an already saturated blogging community, you're never far from a review of the latest product or a monthly favourite so I'm never worried that you won't have anything to read. In saying that, whatever I do write, I hope you know that I put a lot of thought into it and it's from the heart (so a little different!). Gosh, that was so cheesy. Like a four cheese pizza. I digress. 

What I'm trying to say is that Parisian Orchid will always be a place for me and you to come to and I will always welcome you with open arms. Come with an open mind or an already formed opinion of me but this blog really does encompass everything about me and hopefully you'll see a little more of me in the next coming weeks.

I miss you <3

Vanessa

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life is like a cup of tea. it's all about how you make it

I recently bought this print from a sweet little boutique in Edinburgh and the frame from trusty Asda. I finally managed to put it up in my room and I think it's the perfect quote.

Life is like a cup of tea. It's all about how you make it

Vanessa

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the sadness of too many things.

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Everyone feels pressure on a day to day basis whether it be at work, school or in our personal lives. The amount of pressure and expectations piled on top of each other is enough to question; 

What am I doing?

Where am I going?

How do I fix this?

I have been feeling a lot of pressure lately as I think know that I'm going through a quarter life crisis of sorts. Graduate life hasn't turned out quite the way I expected it to, my plans for the rest of 2013 have been postponed indefinitely and I still haven't found that significant other half.

Whilst the pressure of job hunting is enough to get me rocking back and forth in a dark corner, my current work colleagues decide to ask me on a regular basis 'Is there anyone special in your life?'. I should just tell them no until further notice so it saves me the embarrassment of actually trying to come up with excuses as to why I'm still single. Have I entered a time warp whereby a female is not allowed to be single or doesn't have to be late night texting a male? If that's the case, I'm certainly not a 21st Century female. I have my feet firmly planted in the 19th Century. 

Also, what do you do when you've spent 5 years of your life studying for something and then deciding that it's not what you want to do? A career change at this age is not unheard of but the trouble is actually finding a new career. I have no idea what I'm good at, I have no experience in any of the fields that I have a small interest in and there are literally no jobs out there for a lass like me. It's a dog eat dog world out there. 

Looking at this objectively, pressure only becomes pressure if we allow it to become that way. Writing lists, prioritising and knowing that the sun always shines brighter on the other side. I guess life is all about the journey and not necessarily about the destination but once you get there, I bet the view is breathtaking.

Vanessa

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adventures | RBS Museum Lates

I'm kinda a museum geek. Put me in a museum and I can be there for hours! When my friend suggested attending the RBS Museum Lates at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, I pretty much cancelled all my plans and booked a train ticket down. The Museum Lates theme was DINO NIGHT! For £10, the museum gallery put on special activities and exhibits for over 18's only. I think the pictures pretty much explain everything...

We signed up for Animal Handling. Amongst holding the cutest tortoise ever, I also held a python. That's right, a PYTHON! I had to hold it with my friends though because with one broken wrist, I don't think holding a python by myself would have been a good idea!

We queued up for just over an hour to get our faces painted. No regrets though. Sparkly bones for the win!

The night was such good fun, amazing atmosphere and brilliant exhibits. I would definitely keep my eye for the next Museum Lates in the Autumn time. 

Do you love museums as much as I do?

Vanessa

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the things i can't wait to do when i get my cast off.

The things I can't wait to do when I get my cast off...

Bake cakes

Put a temporary tattoo on my right wrist

Drive my car

Shower with both hands

Go back to work

Clean up after myself

Do my makeup properly
Write

...snowboarding again?

Vanessa

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service announcement.

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One of the items on my bucket list of life was to learn how to snowboard. I didn't have the courage to do it until I accompanied my brother to my first ever lesson on Monday as I had bought my brother lessons as a birthday present.

I must admit, this week has been the worst week in terms of my luck. I had trapped my finger in a clothes horse, my visa application to go travelling had been refused and they say bad things come in threes. If you follow me on Twitter, you'll know that I have broken my wrist. Snowboarding. And I was doing so well as well.

I thought it was badly sprained so I went up to A&E after it happened but had to come back the next day to visit the clinic. I ended up going to work my nightshift, despite being in so much pain. I returned to A&E the next day and had it x-rayed. Turned out it was broken. Cue me feeling like rubbish having driven to work and having not showered before getting my cast on. For the next 6 weeks, I'll have a cast on and it's not even the kind where people can sign it and make jokes about it either. I can still move my fingers really well with no pain but my thumb is out of action. Therefore, blog posts will be very thin as I'll be unable to take pictures but I'll try my best to get some things up!

I laughed at the time, now I just feel foolish and embarrassed. It was just a sign of bad things to come so now I have 6 weeks to re-evaluate my life! Will I ever go snowboarding again? Possibly not but I really don't want this to put me off so never say never. For now.

Have you ever broken a bone before? How did you do it?

Vanessa

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lately.

Life has literally been non-stop for the past 2 weeks. Barely had time to blog, working all kinds of hours and been going through some life/family stuff so it's all just been a bit too much. I thought I would take the time to show you all what I've been doing with any of the spare time I have!

It was my brother's birthday at the weekend so we all went out for a meal at my friend's restaurant called Aperitivo. If you're ever in Aberdeen, visit this place! Amazing italian tapas and of course, the owners are fabulous! I had spent the entire day making a three layer black forest gateau as well. Apparently, the recipe states it's 859 calories per slice. Good God! There goes my diet!

On Saturday, I met up with my friend for some dim sum and then impromptu coffee at Starbucks. I love our chats over some noms! On Mothers' Day, I took my mum out into the town and did some window shopping and I was planning on treating her to something but she had money left over from Chinese New Year so she didn't want me spending my money on her. I ended up buying the food for dinner that night. M&S Dine in for 4 anyone?

On a side note, how cute is the stationery sections at Paperchase. I want to buy it all! Especially those small printed notebooks. Cute stationery call out to me!

I hope you're all doing well! It's almost the middle of March and I may have an exciting announcement to make in the next coming months also!

Vanessa

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12 in 2012

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I am absolutely terrified that it has made its way to 2013. That can't be right...someone grab me a calendar!

I thought I would look back at my year and pick out 12 of my favourite highlights.

1. University: I'm so proud of myself for completing my studies this year. A law degree in 2011 and then a postgraduate diploma in 2012. Who knows where life will take me, I may consider another degree in the future...

2. Employment: Although my job right now isn't what I actually had planned to do after graduation, it's a step in some sort of direction. Long hours and stressful days aren't so bad once I see that I'm managing to save up some money for my rainy day in the future.

3. Blog: 2012 is the year that ParisianOrchid was established. I'm so proud of my wee blog and so grateful to anyone who reads the ramblings of little old me. I hope in 2013, ParisianOrchid will stretch its wings and I'll definitely dedicate more of my time to it.

4. Confidence: I feel like my confidence has grown so much more in 2012. Spending time with people who have a positive nature has made me a much happier person.

5. Friends: I consider myself to have a small group of friends and I had to make a tough decision this year in regards to excluding people who made me unhappy or doubt my own abilities. It may seem harsh but if I get a dull feeling about having to see someone, what's the point in having them in your life if it makes you unhappy? 

6. Baking: I've baked my way through hundreds of recipes (or made up recipes!) this year and I'm so happy that I've finally mastered the holy grail of Chinese cakes. The chiffon cake. It's become a firm favourite in the family now.

7. Travel: With graduating and job hunting, I haven't done half as much travelling this year as I would have liked to. I did manage to visit Paris and London though amongst other Scottish cities. I would like to use some of my rainy day fund to be used towards an adventure abroad though. I think I would like that.

8. Family: With another family wedding under our belt, we welcomed another Orchid baby into the family and another baby on the way next year. Chubby cheeks alert in 2013!

9. Creativity: I was always a creative child but I think my imagination got lost in and amongst my law books so I'm glad a little of my creativity has started to seep back into my life.

10. Independence: In an attempt to avoid a highlight entitled 'love', I think my independence is a winner this year. Before I can commit to someone else, I kind of need to know more about myself. As cheesy as that sounds!

11. Laughs: I don't think I've laughed as much as I have done this year. Nothing that can't be cured with a giggle or two.

12. Reading: Last but not least, I rekindled my bookworm status. The danger of university is that you swap fiction for educational books and you don't nearly get as much pleasure from reading journal articles.

My 12 in 2012! I hope you all have a brilliant Hogmanay and a fantastic New Year to start things afresh!

What are your highlights in 2012?

Vanessa

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