#8 ~ Bitstrips, Winter Wonderland & Condolences

Bonjour!

Recently I saw that there has been a craze circulating on loads of social networking sites: Bitstrips. These are cute little comics that you and your friends star in. You make an avatar - after making an account with Facebook and you can make really cute little comics. There are ready-made ones too which are pretty funny. I thought I'd make an account and join in. One of the first ready-made comics involving my avatar was this: 

It made me laugh because I'm pretty much exactly like that! I'm addicted to Instagram and take photos of practically everything - much to the annoyance of my family and friends. (Note: I do wear glasses - I'm shortsighted and wear them everyday for school. I don't wear them when going out on the weekend or if I'm going out in the evening on a school night! #rebel haha...not. I wear contacts. Oh! And my real name is Eleanor but nobody really calls me that - just teachers.)

I also have some exciting news - well it's exciting for me! I know you probably don't care and I don't want to brag but I recently received my first scholarship offer from a Sixth Form. I'm really happy so sorry to bore you with that haha. I was really worried I'd messed up the interview and wasn't sure about the exams but thankfully I didn't.

I only have one more week of school left and then I break up for the Christmas Holidays on December 13th! We have a Half Day on both the12th and 13th too so it will be nice to chill out. Sadly, I'll be revising for most of the holiday... But my parents have allowed me three days out of the three weeks off: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. It's not that bad actually as I only have to revise for 2 out of the 3 sessions a day so I can go out for a bit each day if I want - or do one session on one day and three the next. 

I'm going to a Christmas House Party so need to buy a new outfit for that which will be fun as well. Plus it's my friend's birthday party tomorrow evening so we're going up to London which will be fab hopefully. We'll be visiting Winter Wonderland and then somewhere for dinner so I'm excited. Winter Wonderland is beautiful as I recently went for my other friend's birthday where we went ice skating. Here are two photos from the day but you can check more out on my Instagram: @EleanorMJackson (I told you I loved it!)

Not the best of either of us but still! 
I hope my friend doesn't mind me posting this haha!
It wasn't his favourite! Shh!

I would also like to send Nelson Mandela's family, Paul Walker's family and Roger Rodas' family my prayers during this hard time for them all. Nelson Mandella was an inspirational man who lived a long and very influential life. He was and always will be a role model to so many. Paul Walker was a much loved and appreciated actor whose success and dedication will also be admired for years to come. Roger Rodas was Paul Walker’s close friend who was driving the car at the time of the accident. Both we tragically killed. He was a former race car driver, Walker’s financial adviser and his friend. Both had been to a benefit for the Typhoon in the Philippines before leaving together and shall be greatly missed by many. 

Rest in Peace, Nelson Mandella, Paul Walker and Roger Rodas.

Anyway, have a good weekend lovelies! Speak soon.

Love, Lena xo

#7 ~ Advent Begins!

Bonjour - again!

Two posts in one day! Today is the first day of Advent which is the time leading up to Christmas. This means it is time to start out Christmas Countdowns and Advent Calendars of course!

This year my mum bought me a lovely Maltesers one - they're my favourite. I opened up the first day this morning to find a cute chocolate snowman and a little joke!

Be jealous haha! I'm so excited for Christmas even though I'll be revising for my mock GCSEs for the most of it. However, I'm looking forward to not getting up too early and not having to worry about applications for college and sixth form - I still haven't finished mine!

Today I also booked my Reading festival ticket. I am so excited because it will be a wonderful reward for all the GCSE work and revision I'll have to do. It's in August though so I have ages to wait. Are any of you guys going? It's a tradition for year 11s in my area to go when we leave so I'm going with lots of my school friends - should be fabulous! If you're interested in the event and who's performing, click this link for more info: http://www.readingfestival.com/ If Reading is too far for you and you live further into the North, the same acts will be performing on different days at the Leeds festival which is linked on the Reading festival website.

I'm most excited about Disclosure but we still haven't heard of loads of acts. The line-up is just starting to be announced so book while you can! There are tons of people performing and so many stages so make sure you check it out!

Maybe I'll see some of you there? I've already started thinking about all the lovely festival clothing I will be able to buy for it! But, for now, I must focus on revision and buying Christmas presents. Thankfully I have Hannah from the blog Student Life to help. She wrote some lovely posts or 'gift guides' over on Sprinkle of Glitter's gorgeous blog - you should totally check them both out! Oh God, not like that... I mean check their blogs out, sorry girlies!

Anyway, hopefully two posts in one day wasn't too much for you, haha!

Love, Lena xo

#6 ~ Catching Fire: Why I'm Team Peeta

Bonjour,

Yesterday evening I visited the cinema to see the new Hunger Games movie, Catching Fire. If you don't know about the Hunger Games, it's probably time to move out from your rock - seriously! It's an amazing franchise that started off as a book series which set in America in the future ruled under the Capitol. There are three books centered around a girl named Katniss Everdeen who lives under the strict rules of District 12. Every year there is the reaping where a boy and girl from every district (there are 12 in total, getting increasingly poorer further down the numbers) is reaped from a large pot of everyone's names. If you're between the ages of 12 and 18, you are in the pot and if you're picked, you're picked. But not for Katniss Everdeen. Her younger sister, Primrose, is reaped so Katniss bravely volunteers in her place - that's when the exciting story begins! 

The Hunger Games is an unusual concept. The 24 tributes are forced to find to the death in an arena full of deadly horrors. The Capitol is incredibly rich and those who live in it watch it as though it is a game. It's a fight for survival and there can only be one victor - the other 23 must die. The members of the Capitol sponsor different tributes depending on who they think will win and who they like the best - which is where the interviews come in before the games begin. The sponsors send helpful things to their tributes such as medicine or weapons.

Trailer for the Hunger Games:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S9a5V9ODuY

Trailer for Catching Fire: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkvUNfySGQU

If you haven't seen the first, watch it now! And then make sure you pop along to the cinema to see the second straight away. Don't think just because it's about a girl that it's a girly movie - it's far from it. There were so many boys at the cinema yesterday as well as girls - and people from all ages.

Katniss: Jennifer Lawrence                                      Peeta: Josh Hutcherson

   Gale: Liam Hemsworth                                          

Finnick, centre left, is also rather attractive. However, he only comes into the story in Catching Fire. He isn't part of the love triangle but he is pretty flirtatious towards Katniss.

There is a love triangle but it's a minor part of the storyline. Katniss is loved by both Peeta and Gale. Peeta and Gale are both from district 12 but Gale has been her childhood friend whereas Katniss properly met Peeta when they were brought together by the reaping.

I'm team Peeta because he's so giving. His primary concern is keeping Katniss safe and he always thinks of others before himself. We see this in both films - he is so loving towards anyone in danger and does his best to help them. This doesn't stop him from standing up for himself when he needs to though and is incredibly muscular and physically fit meaning he can take on his opponents well. Plus he's gorgeous!

Gale is a much smaller part as he stays back in the district during the games but his part gets bigger in the third book. However, he is incredibly good looking and protective of Katniss which makes him appealing to some people. I'm still team Peeta though!

I won't talk about what happens exactly in case I ruin it for some of you but I was so impressed. It made me cry tears of sadness as well as cry with love for the characters. There was some romance too but was action packed throughout. I honestly would give it 5 stars which I don't give often! It was everything I had hoped for and more - the best film I've seen all year.

If you have time, I would recommend that you read the books too. I was glad they kept to the storyline so well - particularly in Catching Fire. You can also buy lots of merchandise such as the mockingjay pin that Katniss wears as her good luck charm and symbol. 

Anyway, hope you enjoyed this little review.
Let me know your thoughts on the film and what team you're on in the comments!

Love, Lena xo

#5 ~ Afternoon Tea at Harrods

Bonjour!

On Saturday I celebrated my birthday up in London. Even though my birthday was back in September, the earliest reservation I could get for Afternoon Tea at Harrods was in November! (I also left the booking to last minute though!)

I brought five of my school friends and we did lots of shopping, drank bubble tea at Bubbleology in Harvey Nichols and of course ate Afternoon Tea at Harrods!

Here are some sweet sixteen birthday balloons my friend bought me! I carried them all around London - which annoyed several people who I hit in the face!

I'd never been to Bubbleology before so my friend, who adores it, made me try it out! It was actually delicious! I had apple flavour with passion fruit boba. So I'm no longer a Bubbleology virgin! Yay!

This is Harrods in the evening - all lit up with lights and look absolutely gorgeous.

And of course, here are several photos from inside when we were eating!

Harrods made me a beautiful cake with one of my nicknames, Elle, (that my school friends call me) written on it.

Eating mini macarons and feeling like Blair Waldorf. I visited Monte Carlo in half term for one of the weeks and my friend and I fell in love with macarons. (Also, Blair eats them all the time and visited Monte Carlo in Gossip Girl!)

A photo of me with the beautiful cake taken on my friend's polaroid camera.

You can check out more photos of Monte Carlo and Harrods on my Instagram - @eleanormjackson!

So, as you can see, visiting Harrods for Afternoon Tea is a must! It isn't cheap though - £29 per person as well as service tax. However, it was worth all the money. I also bought a gorgeous new blazer as well as a silk kimono.

I don't usually buy things like kimonos but I fell in love with it when I saw it. I bought it in a size 10 as I wanted it to be baggy. I am usually a 6 or an 8 on my top.

Buy it here from Topshop for £55: http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?searchTerm=kimono&storeId=12556&productId=12671768&urlRequestType=Base&categoryId=&langId=-1&productIdentifier=product&catalogId=33057#BVRRWidgetID

I also bought this cute checked blazer. I got it in a small as I thought the fitted look suited me more that the slightly larger and longer style. 

Buy it here from Zara for £49.99: http://www.zara.com/uk/en/woman/blazers/blazers/combined-checked-blazer-c498014p1605011.html

Found something cute? Tweet me to show me @lenamjackson!

Love, Lena xo

#4 ~ Dealing with those bitches!

Bonjour,

On a more serious note today, I'm going to talk about those bitches that everyone unfortunately faces as some point during their life.

Whether or not you're in school still or have moved on to the big wide world, bullies will always be there. Even if you're the nicest person in the world and think you're friends with everyone, sadly there always has to be one. I'm friends with everyone in my form group meaning I don't hate any of them. Of course I sometimes argue with them - as all friends do - but this isn't what I'm going to talk about. 

Why do bullies target people?

Some people think they're better than you, for whatever reason. Some common reasons are:

• They have low confidence themselves and feel the need to hide this by acting confident and mean towards others. If someone appears confident, they can use this to their advantage. It's hard to stand up to bullies because they act tough and seem very sure of themselves thus meaning more people try harder to be nice to them to avoid being targeted.

• They used to be/still are being bullied. This sounds odd - why would someone being bullied bully someone else if they know how much upset it can cause someone? The answer is very simple: it's all a matter of power. Bullies feel they have power because people fear them and therefore try to stay on their good side. People do not respect them however, be careful to remember that: it's all due to the mind telling you to avoid someone's bad side because of fear so psychologically people are automatically nice to them. It's horrible to feel weak so bullies pick on people weaker than themselves.

• They may have a troubled home life. This can sometimes link into the second point. If someone is being abused at home, bullied by a sibling or do not know/are not close to their family, they can take it out on other people. For example, if a child was left from an early age by their father and is left with the mother, the child may feel neglected especially if the mother tells the child is was their fault. This can have a damaging impact on a person especially a child who is easily influenced.

Number 2 is particularly important. This is because people often dismiss words and do not count it as a form of bullying. However, if it upsets and harms you, it is bullying. The phrase "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" does not apply here. If someone is making offensive or hurtful comments towards you, it matters and it is important that you do something about it. Likewise, physical bullying is very damaging and is never okay. It doesn't matter how hard the punch was, it it was meant to hurt you it counts. (If you and your friends were joking about and it was an accident, that's a different matter.) You should never let anybody treat you in an inferior manner: everyone is equal.

Of course there are many more reasons but these are some main and common ones.

What does bullying mean?

Bullying comes in all shapes and forms. It first may start of as harmless teasing that is quite funny but eventually turns into something that annoys and upsets you and you find that you're no longer laughing with them; they're laughing at you.

A bully is defined as "a person who uses strength or influence to harm or intimidate those who are weaker" as taken from http://www.oxforddictionaries.com. 

There are many forms of bullying. It is often defined as behaviour that is:

1. repeated
2. intended to hurt someone physically or emotionally

Bullying is referred to as tormenting and intimidating – very negative words so just remember that these people are in the wrong and not you!

In short, bullying takes many forms and includes:

• physical assault

• teasing

• making threats

• name calling

• cyberbullying - bullying via mobile phone or online (eg email, social networks and instant messenger)

 What do I do?

I know it is very easy for someone to tell you what you should do in a situation where you are being bullied because they often do not put themselves in your shoes. However, I'm here to tell you that you tell someone. You cannot sit in silence and endure it: tell someone. A lot more good will come from you telling someone than if you stay silent. Do not just ignore it because it won't make it go away: it will get worse and worse.

I used to be bullied and sometimes still feel like I am. I have OCD and a lot of people make fun of me for it. However, you must stand up for yourself and I have learned to do the same. Sometimes I don't but I always regret it because it just gets worse and people continue to take advantage of you. If someone is annoying you and being hurtful, tell them to stop. Don't threaten them back or you're just as bad but let them know you won't accept it. When I told my parents, I felt like I had a huge weight off my shoulders. My mum told me she could write to my teacher so she could have a word with the girls bullying me but I decided I needed to fight my own battles. The next time it happened, I was firm and cold and told her to stop straight away - and she did! She even looked a bit embarrassed because the whole class was watching and she didn't get the reaction she wanted from me.

Tell someone you can trust. Most people say tell an adult but some people find it easier to talk to a sibling or friend. Let them know how you feel and go from there. Whatever you do, don't just write it in a diary or tell your pet because they can't do anything even if it comforts you. By all means, do that as well but remember to tell someone who can really help. Also, it's not about revenge so don't get your friend or sibling to threaten or hurt the bully - that won't make the situation any better.

Who can I trust?

If you feel you cannot trust either a family member/friend or another friend you know, then it is vital that you speak to a teacher at school to discuss the situation. If you feel uncomfortable doing this for whatever reason, you can contact ChildLine who are willing to help you and talk to  you, whatever the issue is. Don't be afraid to contact them - you can remain anonymous and get free advice whatever your situation is.

• ChildLine website: http://www.childline.org.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

• ChildLine number: 0800 1111 - all calls are free and confidential and you can call at any time!

• ChildLine email: If you create an account on ChildLine, you can email them but only them. You don't get an email address - it's sort of like a messaging service and replies are usually within 24 hours but can be longer in busy times.

On the ChildLine website you can also:

• read advice regarding particular issues

• read the FAQs

• read advice from other people on the message boards who may have had a similar experience to you

• online chat with counsellors which is private

• visit the 'ask Sam' section who replies to messages publicly so you can also read what other people have asked

I hope this helps at least one person - then I'll feel happy. If you just want to talk, you can leave me a comment to let me know and I will respond to you personally and confidentially if you wish.

Lots of love - and keep your head up!

BEAT THOSE BULLIES - REMEMBER IT'S NEVER YOUR FAULT!

Love, Lena xo

#3 ~ Star Wars 7?!

Bonjour!

Recently I saw an article online about an open casting for a seventh Star Wars movie directed by Disney! Apparently Disney bought Lucasfilm, the production company behind the Star Wars series, in October 2012. However, many sites have said Disney have not explicitly called this new movie, Star Wars 7 - yet. 

I'm not sure if you can read the image below but it explains briefly the roles the film-makers are looking to fill. You can read it properly on this article on the metro: http://metro.co.uk/2013/11/05/star-wars-episode-7-invites-beautiful-smart-and-athletic-people-to-uk-open-auditions-4175131/

So, who's going to audition? Since the auditions are open call, anybody can. So, why not? Maybe I'll see some of you there, if I go. Good Luck!

I had a terrible shock today. I was waiting for my bus when a boy ran out in front of a car and got hit! He rolled into the bus lane and dragged himself onto the pavement - he had clearly injured his leg. Thankfully, the man who hit him got out of the car and rushed over to check he way okay - as did many other people. I think he's okay but it was such a shock to see. It sounds silly but it's so important to be careful. ALWAYS LOOK AND LISTEN! 

Hope you all had a good Halloween and Bonfire Night. Christmas next - can't wait!

Love, Lena xo

#2 ~ Tiffany & Co Journal

Bonjour,

As you may have realised if you read through my FAQs page, I love Gossip Girl - particularly Blair Waldorf! If you have watched the show - all six seasons of it - you will have seen that Blair is an avid diary writer. She writes in a stunning Tiffany Blue journal with a silver heart shaped lock. As it so happens, this is a real journal you can buy! When I found this out, I researched where you can buy it and it's from Tiffany & Co. Unfortunately it costs $175 which is rather a lot of money for a journal - unless you're Queen B!

However, on my birthday morning, I unwrapped a stunning Tiffany Blue Tiffany & Co that looks exactly the same as Blair's! Upon the sliver heart lock, my initials are engraved. It's stunning and I adore it. Unfortunately I have no idea what to write and I;m too scared to just in case I mess it up. So, more than a month later, it remains in its box! HELP!

Any ideas would be appreciated! I'm thinking of starting it at the end of this school year during Summer even though that's ages away...

I finally caught up on Pretty Little Liars and the Halloween episode this season was amazing! I won't lie, I was kind of scared haha! *SPOLIER ALERT* I was so excited to finally see Alli again although slightly upset at the continuous hints that Ezra is A... I adore him so much... Now I need to catch up on all the other programs I watch... Might take a while!

I'm going to see Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa this evening. I've never seen any of the others so I hope I will understand everything! The trailer looks funny though.

Anyway, off to get some beauty sleep!

Love, Lena xo