Is Social Media Ruining Our Future?

Social media is the pulsating heart of modern day society, a vital organ without which we cannot survive. It beats with such a potent mechanical ferocity that it consumes us. Yet, absent from its core is empathy; a key emotion in the functioning of any heart.

This is particularly prevalent in times of world crises, where social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter become the dominating force as users desperately seek instant updates, from eye witnesses, friends, family, news outlets and celebrities. This is where the chaos begins.

Far to regularly information provided online by non-verified (and sometimes even the verified) sources are bolstered on misguided fiction, or, to put it more concisely: FAKE NEWS. Users tactically work to be the first to share information on global events to benefit their follower count, ultimately working towards becoming a viral sensation. This behaviour emits rationale from people’s consciousness, prompting them to act before they think, promoting irresponsibility.

In the wake of the Manchester attack, a viral post from 2013 re-surfaced on Facebook. It appeared on my timeline simply because several of my common connections had shared it. The lengthy post detailed how Australian prime minister Julia Gillard, had told immigrants to ‘learn English’ or leave Australia, quoting her as saying: ‘Immigrants, not Australians, must adapt...take it or leave it.’ The post has garnered over 38,000 shares since it was uploaded, four years ago. But, do those 38,904 people know that it is fake?

Dubious of the viral post, I researched it on Google, to learn within 30 seconds that it’s an elaborate hoax. Infact, that 30 seconds in itself was unnecessary, for the creator of the post had even commented on it himself to declare it as a fake, in an update littered with laughing emojis. But, it is no laughing matter. The post has been seen by millions across the globe. The damage has already been done.

I questioned one of my Facebook friends that shared the post, alerting them to the fact that it was false. I felt guilty that they had been tricked by the highly provocative status update. However, my concerns were met with a simple response of, “Well, it’s true.” Remarkably, the lines of fact and fiction become blurred online when you introduce people’s personal opinions, and this is where the trouble lies. Opinions. We are all entitled to them, but can you really declare your own opinion as an excuse for contributing to fake news? Whilst you may agree with what you are reading, if it is false, it is invalid and potentially damaging to society.

Ironically, many of those that shared the hate filled post (mostly out of fear rather than actual understanding) are the same people who cry out, wounded, when the news giants are caught peddling fake news. If CNN and the BBC are forbidden from embellishing the truth, then so should Mr Stevens, your old hockey coach, on Facebook. In short, do not endorse fake news, no matter where it originates from.

Elaborate internet hoaxes are not new, they have just evolved. Instead of haunting email chains that would promise you a visit from a deadly ghost if you did not forward them, we now have Facebook at our fingertips with an array of fake stories on a daily basis. Remember in 2014 when it was globally believed that you could charge your iPhone in a microwave? Fake. Or, again in 2014 when a young dog attack victim was asked to leave a KFC restaurant due to their unsightly scars? Fake. How about when France banned citizens from working any later than 6pm? Fake. What about when reputable news sources told us that redheads faced extinction? FAKE. Surely, nobody would make fake news out of a celebrity death? Wrong. Macaulay Culkin, Sylvester Stallone and Eddie Murphy have all been victims of viral death hoaxes online, which many of us believed momentarily.

Just like we became wise to the Facebook statuses of 2008 that prompted us to ‘Copy & Paste, or your mum will die tonight,’ we will also become wise to fake news in our timelines. Although, this time we will become wise not because we want to, to save humiliation, but because we need to, to save humanity. If you think I am being dramatic, then just know that 961,000 Facebook users shared a post in 2016 that falsely claimed that Pope Francis had endorsed Donald Trump in the presidential election. The significant impact this fake news may have had on thousands of American’s who believed it, will have contributed many votes to the Trump campaign.

You will have unwittingly, or even wittingly, contributed to fake news, even if it was just via a simple re-tweet. The headline you saw captured your attention and provoked a reaction promoting you to share the piece without delving deeper, or maybe without even reading the article. I am guilty, we all are guilty. Someone you trust online may have shared it before you, leading you to believe it is safe. A global news source may have posted it originally, meaning that it must be genuine. A celebrity has shared it, so naturally, it is true. Wrong, wrong and wrong again.

We have become too comfortable online. Almost spoon-fed. So, now that we cannot regress any further, it is time to grow. It is time to find truth in what we share and write online. It is time that we worked together to eradicate fake news from become viral on Twitter and Facebook.  

As the general election fast approaches in England, I urge you to share with care. We live in tumultuous times, where a small lie online can impact our whole future. If you don’t believe me, then just go back through the fake news archives to the U.S presidential election and learn how Hillary Clinton was supposedly running a child sex ring out of a pizza shop and that Donald Trump had offered free one-way tickets to Africa and Mexico for those that wanted to leave the U.S after he was elected president.

Share with care. Read, research and rubbish any embellished truths or straight up lies. You have the power to change the future, for the better.

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Dentists Are The Devil In Disguise

As a child, I was pretty useless. My greatest talent was my ability to trip over my own feet, which, I did spectacularly well. As a result of my ineptness, I adored any activity which allowed me to win. The dentists was one of those. No matter what dire state your teeth were in you were always awarded at the dentists. Those cheap, Disney princess stickers the size of your hand were worthy enough for you to pimp out your terrible teeth. In fact, I loved the dentists that much that I would proudly display my moldy old molars like an auction house displays a priceless antique, in the hope of maximum reward. If I could have won Olympic gold for my stint in that plush reclining chair, then I would have been a national treasure.

But, who needs medals when you can wear a shiny square sticker emblazoned with your favourite Disney characters face like a badge of honor for days on end. Jealousy was tangible in the school playground when you arrived with your sticker proudly positioned on your jumper. It was a bigger bounty than any tin trophy you could win at the school sports day and certainly a more prized possession than any merit certificate. Those stickers were a real prize. It made a clumsy soul like me feel a sense of achievement for a fleeting moment.

That was until I was 14-years-old. Not only is this the time when I rather ungraciously stopped accepting the obnoxious stickers (by this point the Disney stickers had been replaced with patronising messages such as: "special award for bravery") but it was also the time that the dentists cleaved me down from the winner's podium that I was raucously celebrating upon. 

When my adult teeth came through, my front two were stained with a rather unsightly cream mark. My dentist declared that the only solution were veneers. My 14-year-old self-thought that sounded perfectly acceptable, given that I was starting to get conscious of what people might think of my not-so-pearly whites. 

So, after several appointments to prepare my new teeth, they were ready. I was excited and at this point a firm fan of the dentists. My dentist was also incredibly good looking, which aided my calm attitude towards him acting like Edward Scissorhands with his mini mirror and toothpick. However, little did I know that my dental experience was about to turn into a real life Tim Burton movie (minus Johnny Depp, sadly). 

The pain I experienced as the dentist fitted my new teeth is single handedly the most excruciating experience of my life. It hurt, a lot. I cried. I think I bit my dentist, hard. I cried a little more and clawed deep gouges into the palms of my hands to stop me from screaming. If torture was illegal, my dentist sure hadn't got the memo.

The whole ordeal left me with a nervous twist in my stomach every time somebody mentioned the dentist and I vowed that I would never return. Unfortunately, as I have already advised, I am incredibly clumsy. On Valentines Day the following year, I managed to successfully knock half of my veneer off by head butting the bathroom sink. I went into meltdown. I considered going toothless for the rest of my days. I even tried to find a Pritt stick to glue it back on. No such luck.

The missing piece was quickly reattached by the good looking dentist, who by now appeared to me as the world's ugliest man. For several months I went without injury, until I decided to leave for France. One week into my scheduled 6-month trip, I managed to loose my precious tooth again. This time the casualty was a result of an over zealous shot girl in a bar who decided to give me some ivory to drink as well as some vodka. To add insult to injurt, I hate vodka.

After a full blown meltdown, which could only be resolved by my best friend, I accepted dental treatment in France. I paid the extra to have my mouth turned numb and I sweated, shivered and internally screamed throughout the whole thing. My best friend, who foolishly agreed to be present throughout the procedure, could easily have pressed charges against me for assault, as it turns out I inadvertently dug my nails so deeply into her arm that I left her with nail shaped wounds for days.

In summary, I now lose every time I go to the dentists. I lose my sanity and I lose whatever shred of dignity I may have left. You cannot win at the dentists, no matter how many times they distract you with obnoxiously large stickers of Disney princesses.

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Recipe: Chocolate Scotch Eggs

Chocolate and eggs? No doubt that is not a combination that you have been lusting after. But, what if I told you the eggs in question as the creme variety produced by Cadbury's? Game changer, right? Here is my incredibly simple recipe for the perfect chocolate scotch egg. Heart attack, not included.

Ingredients
6 Cadbury's Creme Egg's
185g of unsalted butter
280g milk chocolate (use Cadbury's for best results!)
100g of dark chocolate
3 large eggs (the real kind!)
200g caster sugar
75g light brown sugar
85g plain flour
30g cocoa powder
50g white chocolate

Step One

Firstly, you shall need to make the brownie mix which encases the creme egg. The brownie is used as a substitute for the sausage meat traditionally found in scotch eggs. Depending on your personal preference, you can skip this step! 

1) Preheat the oven to 160℃ and prepare a baking tray.
2)Place the butter, dark chocolate and 180g of the milk chocolate into a glass bowl and suspend it over boiling water. Wait until the mixture melts together, but be careful not to burn it. 
3) Place the sugar and eggs into a bowl and whisk with a hand mixer until it resembles a milkshake. This usually takes around 5 minutes. 
4) Combine your chocolate mixture with the eggy milkshake and slowly beat together until the mixture is a delicious thick chocolate brown colour.
5) Sift in the flour and cocoa powder and fold in gently.
6) Pour the mixture into your waiting baking tray and place gently in the middle shelf of the oven. Cook for 30 minutes, or longer if not cooked through.

Step Two
Next, is the bit that you have been waiting for: it is time to get your hands messy with pure chocolate!

1) Take the brownie which you have just lovingly baked and mash it to pieces in a bowl until it resembles a putty.
2) Then, take the smashed brownie and mold it around creme egg. Pack it in quite compactly and shape it into a ball. 
3) Repeat the process until all your creme eggs are balls of brownie goodness.
4) Place the balls into the fridge to allow them to set together.

Step Three
It is now time to add the finishing touches to your little balls of joy.

1) Melt the remaining milk chocolate
2) Grate some white chocolate
3) Dip the brownie balls into the chocolate and ensure that they have an even coating
4) Then, sprinkle the white chocolate shavings over the balls
5) Place back in the fridge to cool, one final time. Be patient, you can eat them soon!

Now, it is time to enjoy!

Happy Easter!

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My Oscar 2017 Predictions

Whilst it may feel as though the world is falling to pieces, in Hollywood, the show must go on! This weekend, the 89th Acadamy Awards is set to distract us temporarily from the impending doom caused by politics - or, so we all thought. In fact, if Meryl Streep's Golden Globes speech is anything to go by, then the Oscars are set to be one colossal reminder of the mess we are all in. At least, the glittering gowns can offer refuge for our poor minds, right? Well, no, not if Jocelyn Towne is there:

It is refreshing to see actors use award shows as a platform in which to discuss current affairs, however, let's not forget why they are all really there: to take home the shiny gold man! Here are my predictions for this year's Oscars:


Best Picture
La La Land

Best Director
Barry Jenkins - Moonlight

Best Actor
Denzel Washington - Fences

Best Actress
Emma Stone - La La Land

Best Supporting Actor
Dev Patel - Lion

Best Supporting Actress
Naomie Harris - Moonlight or Viola Davis - Fences

Best Original Screenplay
La La Land

Best Adapted Screenplay
Fences

Best Documentary (Feature)
13th

Best Original Score
La La Land

Best Original Song
City of Stars - La La Land

Best Cinematography 
La La Land

Best Costume Design
Jackie 

What are your predictions this year?

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Is Feminism Just A Phase?

Feminism has collided with our world like a meteorite cascading from space. We shouldn't be shocked by the impact, for it has always been there, orbiting in the peripheral for centuries. Those with premier insight have been forewarning us of the impending force, set to send shockwaves across the planet. Some of us have listened intently to their warnings and have helped to prepare in any way that we can, despite only being an individual of a small commodity. Others, however, have ignored the writing on the wall and instead, they stand idly by proclaiming: "It is just a phase! They have scare-mongered us about this before. It will pass on by!".

People are naive to the history of feminism. Blinded by artificial lights and sucked into the abyss of politics and patriarchy. Their minds consumed and distracted by the people that lead this world who lament about other catastrophes (eg. fake news, China faking global warming and the unjust media - you know ~real~ problems). They presume that if they simply ignore it all, it doesn't exist

But it does exist. The term, 'Feminism' was first coined in 1837 (better late than never) by a man, no less. French philosopher, Charles Fourier is credited with having given the movement a dictionary definition. In fact, not content with just providing a term in which women could unite, Fourier stood by the same values himself. For example, he abstained from marriage due to his belief that it forfeited women's identity at a time when they were considered the property of their husbands. Instead, he focussed his energy intently upon liberating every human individual, man, woman, and child. In short: A true unsung hero.

Feminism, however, pre-dates Fourier. In fact, there are hints of female revolution at practically every moment in history. For example, in the 15th century, Catherine of Aragon (the first ill-fated wife of Henry VIII) bravely commissioned a book to argue women's rights to education at a time when women were just viewed as a vessel in which to produce heirs.

Catherine's only child, Elizabeth, would later become one of the England's most prolific monarchs, despite being a woman in a world that favoured men. Of course, Elizabeth was not simply able to glide onto the throne. The 25-year-old rightful heir had to fight for her place, in a way that mimics modern day women’s struggle to conquer their careers and obliterate the glass ceiling.

As Queen, Elizabeth was tainted by masculinity (despite not having any apparent masculine qualities) simply because her role as monarch was predetermined a male role and thus she was described as having "the body of a weak and feeble woman, but with the heart and stomach of a king". She was permanently illuminated by a harsh spotlight, that plagued her accomplishments as "ruthless" and prompted her to laboriously apply make-up in order to improve her appearance (according to history scholars, it would take Elizabeth four hours to get ready each and every day). Had she not succeeded to the throne, her male counterpart would have felt no pressure for his physical appearance and would have been celebrated for his ruthlessness, rather than dehumanised. Despite her continuous comparisons to men and her bitter battle with misogyny, Queen Elizabeth I left a fierce legacy that many King's before and after her could not compare to.

However, the world had not yet learned that women are equally as capable as men. In the 17th century, the witch trial pandemonium started. Women who spoke their own mind and acted without the authority of their husbands were punished upon a fiery stake, having been accused of witchcraft and allegiance to the devil. These women, deemed lunatics, were publically executed in order to maintain the patriarchal order.

Then, from the ashes of these repressed, falsely criminalized women rose the suffragettes. Furious in pursuit of equality, they stood tall, taller than any man in order to make themselves seen and heard. By 1918, they had challenged the British Government to allow women the right to vote, in which women above the age of 30 who owned property were included in the elections. It was a small victory. However, the suffragettes worked tirelessly, putting themselves at great risk, to level the playing field with men even further. As a result of their determination, in 1928, all women over the age of 21 were permitted to vote in England (in America, women were afforded this right in 1920, France did not allow women the vote until 1945 and Saudi Arabian women were only granted the right to vote in 2011). Each of these dates were a monumental victory for women. It remains so today. However, today it is also a bitter reminder that women's journey to equality only truly began less than 90 years ago in England, and 6 years ago in Saudi Arabia.

Thus, there should be no confusion as to why women rallied for the various Women's Marches this January. The reason is evident. Women have suffered and women still suffer. They have always been perceived as lesser human beings, despite their monumental achievements which challenge those of most men (here’s looking at you Marie Curie, Boudicca, Joan of Arc, Jane Austen, Florence Nightingale, Emmeline Pankhurst, Rosa Parks, Malala Yousafzai - to name only a small few).

Women are strong and alarmingly for many politicians and world leaders, when they unite, they are practically untouchable (yeah, that's right, put your wandering hands away!). But, as a surprise plot twist to our ancestors, women now have a majority of the media, politicians and men on their side for the ride too and if there is one thing that every history book is unanimous on, it is that men are indeed, strong.

Therefore, in conclusion, the next time that somebody suggests feminism is just a "phase", remind them that women have remained consistent in their plight for centuries, and what they are seeing now is the wave of feminism cresting upon them. Ask them, do they want to be washed away by the current? Or, would they rather swim into it head first, hand in hand, with some of the fiercest people on the planet: women.

If they need a little more convincing, invite them to join the next Women's March - if they are strong enough to handle it.

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Valentines Day Wishlist

His & Hers La La Land Mugs: £19.73

Nasty Woman Valentines Day Card: £4.07

Lazy Oaf Padded Heart Jacket: £150

Pull & Bear Pink Bell Sleeved Shirt: £19.99

Skinny Dip Heart iPhone Case: £14

Eleven From Stranger Things Enamel Pin - £7 

Avocado Heart Enamel Pin - £7

Tommy From Peaky Blinders Enamel Pin - £7

By some bizarre miracle, we have managed to survived one of the strangest January's in history. Which means that February is upon us (that's generally how the calendar works) and with February comes Valentines Day - the only day in the calendar year that could potentially make Donald Trump look quite inoffensive. 

To compensate for being single, I have lovingly compiled a collection of Valentines Day themed items which, no matter your relationship status, should brighten your day. Whether it be a boyfriend or a postman delivering you these gifts, one thing can be guaranteed: a smile on your face. 

So, have a happy Valentine's Day, because let's face it life is too short - quite literally with Putin's finger firmly over the nuclear bomb button!

(Ps. If you buy the Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone mugs just for yourself, that it TOTALLY okay). 

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The Important Lessons La La Land Teaches Us...

WARNING: SPOILER ALERT

Let's admit it: 2017 crept up on us and gave us the fright of our lives. The only way that we could handle it was to listen to the La La Land soundtrack repeatedly in between composing angry tweets, protesting and signing petitions. The captivating musical allowed us respite from our melancholy musings about the world and our place in it. Ryan Gosling swept in in his tailored suit, like you'd always imagined in your dreams and dazzled us beyond all comprehension and Emma Stone, as usual, made you seriously consider dying your hair ginger. In short, it helped us to focus on something else other than politics and which Kardashian has the biggest lips, arse and Instagram following.

However, your eagerness to succumb to the spectacle may have made you overlook key elements which teach us some very valuable lessons:

Chicks before dicks.
It appears that even in Hollywood the girls prioritize whirlwind romances over firm friendships. Except, they are sacrificing friends for Ryan Gosling rather than Ryan-from-the-club (aka. Ryan Go Sling). Chicks before dicks is a true epidemic, that La La Land romanticizes it by distracting you with starry skylines and a killer soundtrack.

There is a brief moment where you question whether you are actually watching a re-make of West Side Story as Maria Mia, flanked by female friends, sings and dances her way into your heart. However, those female friends are gone before they can even consider being nominated for a Best Supporting Actress gong at the Oscars. They are unceremoniously turfed out of the narrative when Mia moves in with Seb and pursues her "one woman show".

The result? Her friends are not present in the crowd to support Mia's one-woman play. They are also not there to provide a shoulder to cry on when Mia's relationship with Seb breaks down and instead she has to run back to her parents' house. So, remember chicks before dicks, next time you are sad and need a gal pal to eat Ben & Jerry's in bed with.

If you get knocked down, get back up again.
Mia is rejected tirelessly at auditions, in quite a brutal fashion. Seb loses his sacred jazz bar which has its whole essence torn apart when it is re-opened as a Samba & Tapas restaurant. Mia's one woman show is a flop. Their whirlwind romance shatters into pieces. Yet they never stop trying. Eventually, they both get exactly what they want, well, except for each other.

Stay true to you.
It's not always that easy to reject work simply because it doesn't fit with your creative views, especially when your rent is due and your stomach rumbling. Sometimes you have to take something a little less desirable in order to understand what it is you really want. For example, Seb whilst playing with the band claims to Mia that that is exactly what he wants to do, when deep down his soul is screaming for something else. Eventually, he realises the error of his ways and pursues his dream. Moral of the story: Know what it is that you want to achieve and stick to it throughout, even when you find yourself comfortable. Never settle.

John Legend is a GOD.
Okay, okay, you already knew that. If your heart is still weak from repeatedly playing All of Me, then you were probably not ready for his cameo in La La Land. I wasn't. It is at this point that I tell you that once you have finished listening to the La La Land playlist on Spotify, it automatically waltzes into John Legend's latest work - and people say magic doesn't exist?!

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15 Things You Will Only Know If You Were Blogging Before It Was Popular

If you were on the blogging scene back in 2010, then it is likely that you have a lot of nostalgia for the old times. Let's take a trip down memory lane and recall the world of blogging when blogging wasn't really a 'thing'...
1. Caudalie Beauty Elixir was LIFE
Every beauty guru was liberally spritzing the stuff left right and centre. But, if we are going to be true to ourselves, we never really knew what it did. 
2. Muji Storage is the ONLY storage
No 'Makeup Collection' video was complete without the clear acrylic Muji drawers. If you wanted to take it to the next level then you invested in the Ikea Alex drawers.
3. The hype for the Naked palette was WILD
They were all exactly the same, and we all knew it. However, that didn't stop the blogging world going into meltdown every time a new Naked palette was released. If you couldn't afford to go Naked, then the Sleek palette's were your bank balances new best friend.
4.  Eyeko was in EVERY blog's sidebar
Remember Eyeko, that kitsch brand that you never actually bought anything from BUT you were an 'Ambassador' for? The beauty brand would allow you to have a code which you could pop in your sidebar in order to give your followers 10% off their order and DAMN were sidebars saturated with the Eyeko gadgets at the time.
5. Rafflecopter Giveaways were where the party was at
For every blogging milestone that you reached, it was customary to host a giveaway. Fair's fair, right? The gifts varied from blogger to blogger (those who threw a MAC lipstick into the mix were serious GOALS), however one thing always stayed the same: Robocopter forms. You could enter 10 times if you liked, all you needed to do was like that blogger's Facebook page, follow them on Twitter, comment, share, sell your soul. 
6. Collection 2000 concealer on EVERYTHING
This is one thing that may have stayed consistent over the years. Collection 2000 concealer became gold dust when Zoella began to feature it in every video and blog post (back in the days when she was more blogging than vlogging). It was a cult product and EVERYBODY had it and reviewed it (which was totally unnecessary). 
7. Sigma makeup brushes were serious goals
Long before the Real Techniques brushes hit the shelves, the blogging world revolved solely around Sigma makeup brushes. Were you ever really a blogger if you didn't have one Sigma makeup brush? (I did! I did!). But, the ultimate Sigma honour was being a Sigma Brush Affiliate (a title you earned if you had 100 followers - those were the days!). As an affiliate, you received a free F80 Kabuki brush and got to have a swanky widget to put in your sidebar. Winning.
8. Cath Kidston bed sheets were flat lay goals 
White marble? White floorboards? Fancy tiles? Give it a break. Life was so much simpler when EVERY blogger used their Cath Kidston (or Cath Kidston imitation) bed sheets as their photograph backdrops. The busier arrangement the better, our 2010 selfs would scoff at what has become of flat lays today!
9. Comments were legit a thing
It might be hard to believe, but people did actually used to comment on blog posts. Back in the pre-historic blogging days, it was considered nothing short of a crime against blogging if your post hadn't garnered at least 30 comments. In today's time, you'll be lucky to even scramble together 3. 
10.  A trip down memory lane, do you remember these?
Blogging trends come and go, but can you even recall the days when the biggest cult products were: Beauty oils, Illimasqua Cream Blush, the Topshop makeup range, Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse, Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel, Vivo Baked Blushers, Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish, Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks, Sleek Contour kit, Models Own nail polishes, Barry M lip paints. Some have stood the test of time and remain cult favourites today, others have perished into the depths of the blogging world.
11. Jemma Kidd Makeup was a firm favourite 
What ever happened to Jemma Kidd makeup? Vivianna Does Makeup used to be a one-woman sales machine for the brand and through her recommendation everybody wanted to sign up to the Jemma Kidd makeup masterclasses. So, what went wrong? Well, the company went into administration in 2012, after racking up £2 million in debt. Another one bites the dust!
12. Forget Dyptique candles, it was ALL about Neom 
Before Dyptique candles started to crop up in the background of Instagram snaps and YouTubers videos, it was all about Neom candles. The huge candles were a serious hot commodity (quite literally) in the blogging community and everybody was putting them on their Christmas lists.
13. The Glossybox Race was the only sport we cared about
Every month, the big name bloggers were prioritized by Glossybox before all the rest of us. Those who were signed up to the beauty subscription box would wait eagerly to get a first glimpse of what was inside the box. It was a race to see which leading blogger would post their review/sneak peek first. Those who weren't signed up simply wanted to know what goodies were on offer before they made the cheeky one-off purchase.
14. Your blog was a secret
Back in 2010, blogging was a foreign term. Announcing to your teenage friends and parents that you were a blogger was nothing short of social suicide. So, instead you kept it a secret and flinched every time you heard someone talking about Zoella, FleurDeForce or Pixiwoo's in public. 
15. You did at least one interview and thought you were BALLIN'
Back in the day, the blogging community was strong and everybody wanted to share the love, which meant that if you had over 100 followers you were likely approached by a smaller blogger to do an interview. I did one and I felt like a movie star, no shame. These days, it is actually just movie stars that get interviewed.

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