So it seems my last post was a bit of a lie...

Admittedly, I did think I was back to blogging, but now uni work has taken over! 3 weeks tomorrow my deadline will be over and then I can officially say I will be back..but for now it may be a bit more as and when I have a spare five mins!

So for a catch up...As most of you know, I recently set up a photography business, have photographed two weddings and one more as a guest, as well as christenings, newborn baby shoots and lots more! I love it and am so excited to concentrate on it a little more once uni deadlines are over! If you'd like to take a look at my facebook page, follow this link Georgina Balmer Photography. (A blog for this will also be coming soon!) I am adding more wedding photos this evening so look out for them! - Please give it a like if you like what you see!

Last time I wrote, I was majorly excited about going to see One Direction! Since then, I am even more in love with Louis and Zayn than before and often get whatsapp's from Rachel of gorgeous pics! (Photos will be up of that as soon as uni has finished for summer!)

(not my own photo)

They have also just announced that they are doing a stadium tour in 2014...ahhhhh! So excited. (My boyfriend says I'm a perve for drooling over them as I will be 24 in June but I don't care!! If Caroline Flack is allowed, then that makes me well within my rights!)

It doesn't feel like I have been away from blogging for so long, but I am really sorry and promise to be better over summer! I am off to a blogger meet up in Sheffield on Saturday and cannot wait.. so much effort has gone into making it the perfect day by the hosts, with lots of special finishing touches..of which I will be taking some photos :) Can't wait to meet all the other bloggers going!

Today is going to consist of doing some more uni work, sorting the layouts of wedding photos for my page..oh, and getting my nails painted at Clinique! And, I promise to be back soon!

I am officially back to blogging...!

I have had a while off mainly as I have been concentrating on trying to get my photography business started up! I have photographed 3 weddings and lots of very cute babies and am currently editing all of the photos for those. But for now, I finally have a facebook page set up! - I'd appreciate anyone that wants to take a look by following this link and perhaps give it a little like if you like the look of it *(tongue twister and little plug there!!)*

Here are my plans for March - cannot believe February is over already, but hopefully that means summer will finally hurry up!

Friday 1st March - On Thursday I went to Liverpool to see two of my best friends from university. We hadn't seen each other since we graduated which is 16months ago! Zara flew over from Northern Ireland and we all had a great time catching up, involving a few cocktails and some yummy food! Can't wait for the next time!

Sunday 10th March - Mother's Day - I will probably be working at home, but at least I will be at home and hopefully spoiling my mum as much as possible!

Friday 15th March - Rachel and Charlotte are coming to Manchester and we are staying at a travelodge in town. We have a proper girly weekend planned involving shopping, sleepover, drinks, yummy food and I am sure lots of laughs.

Saturday 16th March - I cannot wait for this and am not ashamed to admit it.....Rachel and I are going to see ONE DIRECTION!!!! What's more, we are in Block A, 5th row back....so close to the front and I will actually be able to see Zayn from where I am...amazing! We have a huuuuuge thanks to say to Charlotte and her hubby to be Daz, as they got the tickets and I couldn't be more excited!

Sunday 17th March - I am very lucky, as it is all happening this weekend, but, on St. Patricks Day, my boyfriend Liam & I are off to see the Script at the MEN Arena. (Second visit of the weekend!) It should be a great night and I cannot wait.

Sunday 31st March - Easter! Looking forward to lots of yummy chocolate, although at the same time, I am trying to be good and watch what I eat sooo we will see how that goes!

I hope you all have a lovely month too..cannot wait for mine! I will soon be updating you on how my spending ban is going, and also what I've used the past couple months (as forgot to do my January one!) Have a good weekend x

I'm sorry!!

Wow it has been a whole month since I last posted...kind of broken my new years resolution! Sorry everyone but thanks for sticking with me!!

I have been soo busy, and after this weekend I will be able to catch up with many posts. As most of you know, I am studying photography at uni and this weekend I have my first wedding as an official photographer. In fact, my best friend has also asked if I will photograph for her mum's wedding on the Saturday too, so dropping myself in at the very deep end with two weddings!! Wish me luck!

I am in the process of sorting out my photography page, so please bare with me and give it a 'like' when it becomes public!

Thanks so much and sorry again! xx

Instagram - Photoaday December ♥

If you follow me on Instagram, during December you may have seen that I decided to partake in  #PhotoadayDecember
Quite often, I give up after a couple of days, but I actually managed to do this one and have started on a January one too! So here is my final version of every day throughout December (minus day 18 and 19, but shhh!)

1.Advent calendar - mine & Liam's, 2.Socks, 3.Handwriting - my sketchbook for uni 4.Ornaments - Tottenham moneybox 5.Hot Drink - Hot Chocolate at uni 6.Something Green - Liam's gorgeous smelling Joop aftershave 7.Candle - Candles I saw whilst with Rachel & Charlotte at Manchester Markets 8.Something Cosy - fluffy slippers...

 

 ...9.Movies - Elf, 10.Tree - our mini tree at uni, 11.Something Homemade - again, sketchbook for deadline at uni, 12.Gifts you've bought - For Rachel & Charlotte,

13.Someone you love - my boyfriend Liam (even if he was dressed up as a pig in blanket!!) 14.Cold - Frozen car windscreen, 15.Hot - the log fire at home which I love love love in the winter months! 16.Family Pet - Misty, our new pup, 17.Snuggly Jumper - New Look, 18.Weather (didn't do) 19.Nibbles (didn't do) 20.Lights - my heart light in my bedroom, 21.Outside your window - love the view overlooking the pool, 22.Stockings - a stocking Liam had made for last Christmas, 23.Tradition - Mum making table decorations for xmas day, few drinks & swapping presents with the neighbour, 24.Pyjamas - snuggly whilst wrapping presents, 25.Presents - on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day...

 

 ...26.Family - my brother, Misty & I on Christmas Day, 27.Relaxation - family relaxing after lunch all full and sleepy, 28.Scarf - new heart scarf for Christmas, 29.Photo of yourself - photo of me before end of year uni party, 30.Something that's made you smile this year - my lovely boyfriend Liam for always being there, the new puppy and of course Christmas this year! 31.12 o'clock - HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I'm thinking about doing a round up of each month like this...what does everyone think?! If you'd like to take part, or are doing a photoaday task then leave me your links or instagram name to find :)

2013! Happy New Year!

This year, I spent the New Year at Liam's house. We all got dressed up and went out for a curry with his parents, his sister and her boyfriend which was lovely. 

When we got back we played Articulate (one of the presents I gave Liam for Christmas!) It was hilarious once everyone had been drinking a little, especially as we decided to pair up in couples and we were all screaming at our partners as if to say 'you should know this!' At one point, Liam's mum decided to start punching herself in the chin trying to describe the word 'jaw.' Everyone was in fits of laughter and we finished that about 10 to midnight!

My New Year's OOTN:
 

Red lace dress: Funky Divaa, Cardigan: Primark

NOTD: Models own hedonist and hedkandi ibiza mix glitter on top:
 

At 12 o'clock we all drunk our champagne, said the usual happy new year's and rung a few people..it was a lovely evening, simple and relaxed but that's what I enjoy most!

Liam & I

Shawn and Kel (Liam's sister and her boyfriend)

 I'm sure they're going to hate the facial expressions in these photos but they were hilarious!

1.Liam's mum and Dad 2.Liam & Kel with party poppers 3.&4. Kel & Karen with them

As 2012 has now ended, I have been trying to think what my resolutions are going to be for 2013! 
I have managed to come up with:

• To make sure I do my uni work as and when I get it to reduce stress before deadlines
• To love more and worry less - things will still happen no matter how much I worry so there's no point!
• To try to promote my photography as much as possible - to have a Facebook page up by the end of my reading week in January!
• To try to save money - this includes buying less unnecessary food, using up beauty products I already have and not buying as many clothes! I am going to start doing empties of the month as I tried to last year and it failed miserably! But, I have decided as I have seen many other bloggers doing it, I am going to do a 100 day spending ban! - details of this are on a previous post! 
• To get fit and tone up - I want to be able to fit comfortably into my jeans again!

I think that is more than enough to be getting on with for now!

What are your resolutions and are you keeping to them so far?

Boxing Day...Another special day!

I don't know about anyone else, but in the past, Boxing Day used to be a day for just slobbing about, playing with new toys I'd got for Christmas, and trying to fit in any more food in the left over spaces that I could from the day before!

However, since being with Liam, Boxing Day has changed somewhat. I feel kinda bad as I haven't really been with my family on Boxing Day but as I spent Christmas Day at home this time, I didn't think they'd mind too much!

This year was a little different as Liam actually had to work for a couple of hours on Boxing Day morning in ASDA...However, as it was only for 3 hours, I thought I may as well have a look round the sales! And I did actually pick up quite a few things! 

My first stop just so happened to be ASDA, and as I went through Liam's till, I could tell he was like morreeeee clothes?! but he did say the eeyore jumper was cute..bonus!

I picked up this cosy jumper / cardigan for half price in the sale £18 reduced to £9. It gets so cold in the house in Manchester so this will be great!

Then I got this cute jumper reduced to only £3! (Sadly the fleece eeyore bottoms were only in a size 16-18 dammit!-Loved them!)

I also made a trip into Boots and River Island. I can't actually show anyone what I got from Boots as I made some fab purchases, some I know will be put towards birthday and / or christmas presents for people I am sure will be reading this!! ;)

In River Island I bought these two items - a gorgeous skater dress I'd seen full price a while back but couldn't justify the money as I am trying to save! However, at £15 I couldn't resist and may just dress it up and wear it for a wedding I have coming up! 
I also got this gorgeous skirt. I've seen loads of these around but not actually bought one myself. I love the colour and fit, and with a belt too it was such a bargain at just £10!! (I sound like a sales person right now!!-Either that or trying to convince myself I did well!)

I tried to make a trip into New Look to spend a voucher I'd been sent to review a couple of items, but seriously, it was awful in there so went back another day to purchase a few bits (post coming soon!)

After I'd spent enough in town, Liam and I went back to his Mum & Dad's house for Boxing Day dinner which consists of turkey, pork, mash or deep fried chips, and beans (with beetroot on the side) and it is lush!! I've had it now for the past 3 years and it has been amazing every year!

Like I said, this year was a little different, as after that we all went to Aston Villa to watch Spurs play!! I was very spoilt by his family this Christmas as they also treated me to a ticket to that andddd to the panto the next day! Although it was pouring with rain, we had great seats and Tottenham won 4-0 so that was a brilliant end to the day!

Me & Kel

Me & Liam

As you can see we were pretty close - if only I had my SLR camera!

The heart symbol that Gareth Bale does whenever he scores! 

After that, we went back to Liam's to watch the last of the Christmas TV. In the past, Liam's mum always found things on Boxing Day that she had forgotten to give people, so now they make it official by doing 'Boxing Day Presents.' They are only like 1 or 2 pound presents but it just makes it a little more special! These were my little bits from Liam, his sister, her boyfriend and Liam's parents...

As you can see I had a brilliant Christmas and Boxing Day and can't believe it's already over for another year!!

 

100 Day Spending Ban!

I've seen that a lot of bloggers I follow are doing this...I know I'm a bit late, but you can join at any time! As I seriously spend too much money on beauty products and clothes I thought this may help! I did a spending ban last summer and it worked really well as made me realise just how many things I do have and don't use!

As everyone has different weaknesses and goals, I thought I'd outline my rules below:

For 100 days, I will NOT be buying any of the following:

• No beauty products
• No CDs / DVDs / Books or Magazines
• No clothes including shoes and accessories
• I will be trying my best to take a packed lunch to uni every day to cut down costs that way too.

Exceptions:

• I am only allowed to buy something like shampoo / conditioner if I have completely run out (which I very much doubt is going to happen as I have so many things!

• I am allowed to buy any essential photography equipment as am doing a wedding in February and obviously that's essential I get it right! - Such as a new laptop which I already have most of the money saved for.

• I can spend money on Valentines Day and any birthdays, however as Liam now has tickets to The Script and I have bought Dad's birthday present, I don't think there is anything else I have to buy!

• I can spend gift vouchers sent by PR companies.

Why am I doing this?
Lots of bloggers have got different reasons for doing this, but mine is that I just need to save money. With being at uni and not getting any kind of a loan, I am finding it difficult juggling my wages with paying bills, tuition fees and then things I want rather than need. Hopefully I can save up money I would have spent to put towards a holiday in the summer to reward myself!
  
Can I join in? 
Yes! Loads of bloggers are doing it..there's going to be a weekly twitter chat using the hashtag #spendingban which will hopefully encourage all the participants to keep going and talk about how they're doing. Just leave your blog link below and I will add you to my list of people I know doing this if you're also taking part!

I will be doing a weekly update on this letting you all know how I am doing and at the end of each month I will try to do a monthly empties showing what I have managed to finish off and a review of each item.

So there you go! Wish me luck! 12th January - 22nd April

Gina xoxo

(Images from Google)