KEEP CALM. It's Your Wedding Day | Just Add Ginger

It's no secret - things can get really stressful on the lead up to your wedding day. As somewhat of a perfectionist, I knew that without enough time to prepare, I could easily succumb to pressure and turn in to a raging, quivering, quaking Bridezilla (with a capital 'b' for extra ferociousness!) 

But by putting some easy steps in to practice, come the wedding day (aside from a fussing, excitable Mama Ginger,) everything ran smoothly, and I was calm and relaxed right up until I put on my wedding dress. So for all my fellow fretting Brides, here are some of my top tips for keeping calm on your wedding day. 

You Can Never Be Too Organised

It's true. And it all started from the minute the invitations went out. Planning in advance, we stated our guests needed to be seated well ahead of time. This ensured there were no stragglers, and that everything (and everybody) was in place before I arrived for the ceremony. 

Okay, so this is going to sound very "Monica Gellar" of me, but on the day, to be absolutely sure everybody knew what they were doing and when, I wrote my bridesmaids an itinerary with approximate timings for everything, and a broken down list of what their duties were and when so that they were always ready should I need to call on them. All big tasks (speeches, photographer's aide) were delegated way ahead of time, so that the girls knew what specific jobs they had should they be needed. At the bottom of their itinerary were the numbers of my husband-to-be, my mum, and the venue so that if there were any questions problems, or queries, they could be contacted and I could be left to concentrate on keeping calm.

And the over-enthusiastic planning didn't stop there. Together with Ryan we sat down and divided all that was needed to dress the venue into envelopes, individually labelled and coordinated. There were table diagrams, check-lists and labels galore. I even wrote him a list for the wedding morning of what he needed to do at the venue so that nothing would be forgotten. 

It all may seem a little OTT, but it's always best to be as prepared as you can be. You never know when those pre-wedding jitters are going to kick in. Ryan was the epitome of calm right up to the wedding morning, and then he was a ball of nerves. Having these plans in place meant that even though he was stressing out, nothing got forgotten.

Let Yourself Breathe 

It's okay to feel anxious. To get stressed out. To feel those nerves. It's a bride's prerogative. All that time planning for your big day, making it all as perfect as you can, and then before you know it...BOOM, here it is! And you want it to be amazing.

If you're feeling wound up as you get ready for the wedding, it's alright to slip away and just have some moments to yourself. Pick somewhere quiet, with no noise, and just give yourself a minute or two to gather your thoughts. I did this twice whilst everyone was getting ready Once to go through my vows one last time (I honestly was so scared I'd cock them up,) and the second time for a toilet break. I didn't make a big deal that I was feeling a little nervous. I took myself out of all hustle and bustle, gave myself some time, and when I was ready, I came back.

I have to hand it to our photographers and my bridesmaids that day. They really helped to keep my grounded. MG was getting very over-excitable just before I got dressed, and me, having been cool , calm and collected for the majority of the morning could feel tension begin to bubble up inside me. And when I get really nervous, it takes a lot of control to re-centre my thoughts. I shake. I shake uncontrollably. And in that situation, I knew I'd probably start to cry and that would have been a disaster....I HAD FALSIES ON PEOPLE!

That's where your bridal party is your biggest support system. MG left the room, distracted with another task, and accompanied by a bridesmaid, whilst I got dressed with my other two bridal party members. Our photographer was also great, sensing I was close to tears, and ensuring I was okay. Within minutes, the atmosphere was returned to a relative state of calm, and the situation averted.

Set The Mood 

Never underestimate the power of music on your wedding morning. As soon as it was a reasonable hour, I turned on Spotify, and hit play on my "Wedding Morning Playlist," which was essentially the exactly same playlist of songs we had had for the Hen Night. I knew that playing relaxing, calming melodies would just not work for me. I needed something that would get me up and dancing, singing, smiling, dancing round the apartment, and that would create a massive firework display of excitement. The last thing I wanted was to be shaking from start to finish of the preparation process, and turning up to the wedding in a big dishevelled mess!

Of course, choose music that works for you. If you like soothing sounds, spa tracks, motown, 90's pop, rock, hip-hop, or jazz, make yourself a collection of your favourite tunes to play that morning to act as background noise, entertainment, and to set the right mood for you as you get ready.

Remember To Eat

Sound so simply, doesn't it? But it's something that's really, really important. Because the fact of it is on your wedding day itself, you might not get to eat that much. I remember having a few spoonfuls of soup (I was scared of spilling it on my dress,) about half of my main (my dress was quite fitted and space was limited,) and only a little of my dessert. Canapés were lost on Ryan and I because we were having photographs taken, and by the time the evening reception came along, I just wanted to have my glasses of fizz and let my hair down. So food in the morning is so important. PG acted as our food delivery man, bring round a huge selection of pastries, juice, and chocolate milk, just in case I was too nervous to eat. There was fruit in the fridge from Friday night, and tea and coffee galore. Plenty for everyone and some to spare.

And it was breakfast that carried me through. Admittedly, it took me about an hour to eat it (I was here, there and everywhere,) but it filled that hole and stopped any nervous nausea. I understand you my not feel like eating as you're getting ready to go, but even if it's a juice, smoothie, fruit, or piece of toast, get something in your stomach so that you're not running on empty.

Remember What It's All About 

You might be worrying about what could go wrong. People might be flapping and fussing around you. But always remember what your wedding day is about - you and your other half. A celebration of the love you have. And ultimately, nothing else matters. Don't dwell on the ifs, buts or maybes about the ceremony, food, flowers, or reception, because when it comes down to it all, those things aren't so important. What is important is making the day memorable for the two of you, to see yourself off on the start of a brand new adventure.

I don't remember that much of the ins and outs of the day. What I do remember is walking down the aisle towards Ryan, and knowing that we are going to have the most wonderful, exciting life together.

Your wedding is one fabulous day. Your marriage is one fabulous lifetime. 

How To Stay Positive | Just Add Ginger

I guess you could call me a "glass half full" kind of person. I try to live my life giving out and reflecting as much positivity as possible. Sure, I have been through some really shitty moments in my life, but it never really takes me long to bounce back. I always try to greet the world with a smile on my face, and happiness in my heart. Life is just too short for me to dwell on the things that make me glum. 

And sometimes it isn't easy, I know. We all go through those "Why Me?" or "Bloody Hell" moments in life where all we want to do is curl up in a ball and wait for the storm to pass. But I'm just too impatient for that. I'm the one to get out there, and go all Gene Kelly and start throwing some shapes in that rain. It's just the way I am. 

But for when times get really tough, and we do just want to hide away from the world here are the things I do to help me stay positive. 

Get Up. Get Dressed. Get Going. 

It's so easy to stay in those pjs all day, but by getting up, getting dressed, and getting things done, it usually kick-starts my motivation, and I'm really productive. The initial crawling out of bed moment may be tough, but once your body has woken up a little bit, and you get yourself distracted by doing chores, heading to work, or doing something you love, it won't be long until there is a smile on your face. The busier we are, the less time we have to think about the things that are getting us down, and will help us gain some perspective. 

With A Little Help From My Friends 

Sometimes it's good to seek out your friends for advice, but other times it's even better to get together and let your hair down. Meet up for a glass of wine, go to the movies, window-shop....but surround yourself with love. Just being around people you care about will instantly perk you up, and remind you of the fantastic support network you have out there. 

Step Out In The Sunshine 

When we are outside, with the sun shining down on us, our happiness levels instantly increase without us even having to think about it. Sure, moping around the house, watching everything and anything on Netflix and eating your weight in chocolate might be fun at first, but trust me, sooner or later you'll get bored, and that space of yours that seemed so comforting will build up with negative vibes, and you'll get really unhappy. So instead, put on your shoes, and get out in to the world. Walk the dog, go to the shops, take a stroll in the park. Do whatever you like, but get outside and soak up those warming sunny rays. 

Tap, Tap, Tap

I was born to write. There's nothing more therapeutic to me than hearing the tapping of my fingers as they strike the keys on my keyboard and I just let all my thoughts pour out of me. I never much plan for things I'm going to write, but let my mind do the talking. My fingers are just the vessel of my creativity. I'm a firm believer in the cathartic nature of writing. You don't have to be a Brontë sister or own a blog. If there's nothing else you feel inspired to write, simply write out exactly how you are feeling in hat moment. Embrace your emotions and let them flow over you as you put pen to paper. Then, after you're finished, screw the paper up, delete the document, take a deep breath and exhale, leaving all those thoughts behind you.

Life can be really tough sometimes, but always remember you have the strength inside you to carry on, put your positive pants on, and overcome anything. You are amazing. Don't forget that!

Be Proud To Stand Out | Just Add Ginger

How many of you look back on your childhood with fond memories? If you could go back and live that time again to change the person you become, would you?

When I was a child, life seemed so simple. I was surrounded by people who loved me and cared about me, and took me for exactly the person I was. No conditions, no clauses, no limits on our friendships. They just were completely and 100% honest friendships. Sweet. Innocent. They filled my childhood with joy. 

Then I grew up. 

And growing up wasn't easy in the slightest. As I made my way through secondary school it became abundantly clear that if there was even just 1% of you that stood out from "the norm," then certain people would use that and point it out to you all the time, like you weren't aware of it yourself. And there were some very unaccepting people that I knew in secondary school. Now, as a grown woman, I wouldn't hesitate to give them a piece of my mind. But back then, as a desperately unconfident teenager, most of the time I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. 

Fir those of you who don't know me that well, or may have clicked on to my blog for the first time, I was born with a condition called "hemi-paresis," which affects the left side of my body. Basically it means that my left arm and leg are a lot stiffer than the right, and I have limited movements sometimes, particularly in my left hand. It's a condition that I entered and will leave this Earth with. It is something that I cannot change, and would not ever want to.

Sometimes, it can be so easy to shy away from sowing our true colours, or embracing the person that we are. We become afraid of what others might think, and scared to show the world the person we are deep down. But let me tell you something. You may be afraid of what others might think of you, but remember... Those people who might make you feel like that are probably just as terrified on the inside to show their true colours too. 

I used to get gawked at in secondary school for my disability. I used to hear the secret snickers, and sense the stares. And I bet today that if I were to see those people in school, they wouldn't remember doing it, and if they did, would be so ashamed if I told them. At the time I was so hurt by the actions of those people, but it has spurred me on now I'm older and it has helped make me so strong today. I don't let anybody bring me down, If there is any message or help I can give to others who may need it, I'm going to get it out there and show that where there is a will, there is always a way.

All of us are different and special in our own way, And you might not always see yourself as special, but there will be something that makes you unique. You may be academic, creative, musical, or fiercely independent. You may have wonderfully-coloured hair, freckles, wear glasses, have your own style.....all of these things help to make you you, and we all need to take a little time to celebrate how amazing we are.

Don't spend your time trying to fit in with other people. Find friends who have a similar style or personality to yours who accept you for who you are and who you don't need to "wear a mask" around. Once you find friends who make you feel comfortable in your own skin you'll look back and wonder why the hell you bothered with others who put you down. It may take a while, but try looking in to extra activities that sing to your interests. That's a good way to seek out like-minded people, and will help start to build your confidence and belief in yourself.

We need to take all of the things about us that make us unique and embrace them. We are not all created with the same mould. We were born to stand out from each other and we should be proud that we do. If we were all exactly the same the world would be a very boring place. Each of us being here and being who we are makes the world so beautiful, exciting and interesting! Why should we want to fit into the same category of human being? Being unique ROCKS!

Life isn't always a smooth road, and you will find people out there who you don't bond with. And that's okay. Not everybody will get along with each other. It's the nature of life. But you can be cordial to each other, and be happy that your paths crossed and now you are off on your own journey. It doesn't mean that you should stop being who you are. We are all individuals swimming in the bog pool of life together. We cross paths, meet each other, some of us will become friends, some of us won't, but without us being unique, special and different, that pool just wouldn't be the same.

Please don't ever be afraid to be exactly who you are. There is only ever going to be one you out there, so head out on to your path through life, and shine. Bumps, snags and hiccups may happen along the way, but you will get through them, and when you come out the other side, you'll be more powerful than ever!

With positivity, love & hope,

How I Paint My Nails

Last Sunday, I posed a video on my Just Add Ginger YouTube channel about the way that I paint my nails; the next video in my One-Handed Ways series

Being able to find a way to paint my nails has give n me so much pride in my abilities. It was a long road of discovery, and I wanted to make a video to help inspire others to find a way to overcome obstacles in their lives and achieve something they may have thought impossible. 

If you know of anybody who would find this video useful, please spread it around. 

We all have the capability to do all that we dream of. We all just need to believe in ourselves.

More One-Handed Ways Videos: 

Hairstyles (Medium Hair): http://youtu.be/Oym3mpgqDHU 

Making The Bed: http://youtu.be/PBMZ1h9jx1Q

High Bun: http://youtu.be/FRfVqMLNdvI

Blogtember 2013: Drink More Water

Today's Topic:"Pass on some useful advice or information you learned and always remembered"

Drink more water!

I used to be one of those people who didn't really like to drink water. I was a die-hard ,ilk fan from a very early age, and this lasted all the way until - well - just recently to be honest. I always would hear people talk about the benefits of drinking water. How good it was for your body... full of things that were good for you....how important it is to stay hydrated. 

But did I really listen? 

No. Not really. 

I was too obsessed with milk. Now, don't get me wrong  I know that milk, in moderation, is good for you too. And I have a history of osteoporosis in my family, so I need to make sure I always have a good intake of calcium, but I could drink a ridiculous amount of milk in a day. I think I used my need for calcium as a bit of an excuse, and guzzled down pint after pint without really noticing. 

And them as I started university, caffeine crept in to the equation too. Water intake kind of went out the window, and it was coffee, tea, milk and fizzy drinks all the way. 

But then, more recently, now that I have been blogging and starting YouTube, I've been paying more attention to advice, tips and tricks that people offer. My friend Sarah (or Saloca in Wonderland) is always full of pearls of wisdom about beauty-related things, and one day we were talking bout face mapping... 

I have always had dodge skin. I'm just one of those people. And at school, my spots were particularly horrendous. It was embarrassing, walking around school and being the only girl in your year with bad skin. But mum assured me it was just my hormones, so I let nature take its course. But still, at age 26, I still have the odd pimple to contend with. Sarah mentioned how dairy can affect the skin, and that made me go back to: 

Drink more water!

Maybe it was time to drink more water. As an experiment if anything. To see if it made a difference or not. 

Well. 5 months on and my skin has really cleared up. Oh, I still get the occasional spot here and there, but generally my skin looks so much better. My under-eye circles look less pronounced, my old acne scars are fading and I'm even starting to notice that my hair is looking shinier and more glossy too! Of course, it might not be down to water, but it can't all just be co-incidence that I'm starting to see changes. 

I feel better for it too. Whereas I used to rely on coffee to get me through the day, I'm now down to one (which I have with coffee whitener instead of milk.) I've cut fizzy drinks out completely, and milk is now more of a luxury drink. I still make sure I get calcium by eating cheese, and yoghurt, but I've cut down on my dairy-overload.

With drinking more water I feel just generally more hydrated and happy. I have a lot more energy too. I've even downloaded an app on to my phone, which helps me monitor how much I've drunk and how hydrated I am. I'm a really competitive person, so having something I can use to monitor my progress is like having a competition with myself!

So, if there is one piece of advice I can pass on to you, dear blog reader, it is 

Drink more water!

And see if you notice any chances! 

(Shout out to Sarah (http://www.salocainwonderland.co.uk/) who is doing the Blogtember Challenge too. Thank you for the beauty tips, lovely, I'd have never done this change to water without our chat x)

Surviving Valentine's Day | Just Add Ginger

Ahhh...you can feel it, can't you? The smooshie-wooshie lovey-dovey icky-sticky feeling in the air that February brings? 

If, like me, you haven't had a Valentine in a while, and you're feeling a bit down in the dumps because every time you walk in a shop there is a huge display of cards showing you how much Valentine's Day is a cultural institution, then FEAR NOT!!! 

You are forgetting a vital piece of information. 

Valentine's Day is about L.O.V.E. And that my friends, means any kind of love! 

Valentine's Day should be about celebrating the love we do have in our lives, not mourning the love we don't.  

And it all starts with self-love, because, well, if you don't got love for yourself, then you can't expect anybody else to....ya feel me?! (er...yeah. I'm never saying THAT again.) 

Be Your Own Valentine: This time of year is the perfect opportunity to spoil yourself silly. It doesn't have to be in a huge or extravagant way. It's all about making you feel good. Whether it's treating yourself to a bunch of your favourite flowers, indulging in a really naughty 3 course meal for one, or running yourself a bubble bath and pouring a big glass of your favourite tipple to drink in it. Take this time to think about number 1, and to remember just how awesome you are. We are all unique, and we all need to embrace that and love the things that make us quirky and special, and us! 

Give Love To Your Friends/Family: V Day is a great time to remember that there are people in our lives who do love us for who we are...whether it's friends, or family. Take the time to show the people you care about just how much they mean to you. Send a text to a friend you haven't spoken to in a while, call your best friend for a chat, suggest a family meal together, or even just call on a neighbour to see how they're doing. People really appreciate the little things in every day life, and reaching out a hand to somebody can mean a lot. 

Think About The Big Picture: If there has been a dark cloud in your life recently, now's the chance to blow it away and see the sunshine. In my post about Turning A Corner, I wrote about how I felt I was stuck in a bit of a rut, but got myself out of it. And now's the time to do the same. Mend a friendship that might be broken, Do something that you know you should have done ages ago, but have been putting it off. You'll be amazed at how much better you feel not having so much hanging over you! 

Remember: Okay, I'm not going to lie. This is something I find extremely hard to write about because I'm not very good at it myself, and it makes me sad! If you have experienced love of any kind in the past, and lost it, now is a time to remember it, look back on it, and embrace how much you have grown as a person since then. All our experiences in life shape us to the people we become, and we grow with every mistake, achievement, loss and gain we have. Think on times past with an open mind and open heart. Look through old precious photos to remember all the love that has been in your life, and be thankful love was there. If you need to cry, let it out, because holding back those tears will only make you feel worse (let me be the first to tel you, when I know I need to cry, I run myself a bath, light some candles, and just cry, where I know nobody can hear me, and afterwards, I feel SO much better!) 

Look To The Future: Look to the future with happiness and hope. Think about all the things you want to achieve, and start making them happen, even if you take baby steps. Don't be afraid to go after what you want, and always believe that after every thunderstorm comes a blue sky! 

Be Brave: If there is somebody you've been thinking of lately, now's the perfect opportunity to tell them! Don't keep it inside - let that person know they've been on your mind. And, if you're feeling a bit shy or scared, send a Valentine's card to that person. They don't have to know who it's from, but it might strike an inkling in them, and will make you feel just that tad braver! You never know....telling them may make them realise they've been feeling something too!? (Oooooo!!!)

...And if you are spending Valentine's Day with a special person, don't forget to show them how special they are to you. Treat them like the prince/princess that they are! But don't just leave it for Valentine's Day. We all need to show the ones we love just how much they mean to us and how lucky we are to have them in our lives. 

Because, at the end of the day - call me a Romantic - Love is beautiful!!