YouTube Culture | Vloggers

Firstly, let's just establish the fact that YouTube has only existed since 2005 but already there are more videos uploaded than you can physically watch in a lifetime. Mind blown. The world of YouTube has exploded in recent years and has become something very unique and exciting.

Video bloggers (or more commonly known as vloggers) document their lives through a video medium and choose to upload this into the YouTube stratosphere for others to enjoy. But why is this a form of 'entertainment' to those that watch? Is there some kind of innate behaviour within us that makes us want to watch someone do a grocery shop, tidy their flat or show us what they bought in Primark last weekend? Does that make us crazy... or is it acceptable? The very fact that you are reading this highlights how humans have an interest in what others do or have to say.

It is amazing to see how these vloggers have such 'power'. For example, recently Zoe Sugg (Zoella)  uploaded a video entitled 'Your Skin Doesn't Define You' and followed by encouraging her viewers to tweet her a picture of them make-up-free. Within a few minutes the hashtag #barefacedandwhat was trending number 1 worldwide. To me, I think if she can help just 1 person feel more confident about themselves then she has made a positive difference. Social media has such an incredible impact. I think that this is an important thing to remember. Whether you have 5 people who read your blog/follow you on twitter or 105 it doesn't matter. It's just a wonderful platform to share interests and make people smile. You may never know how much you might make someones day a little better.

I read the comments of popular vloggers such as Zoella, Sprinkle of Glitter, Pointless Blog (not in a stalkerish way) and I notice that many comments include the word 'idolise'  or more specifically 'I idolise you'. Are these vloggers really someone you should idolise? It is understandable how people feel a connection and it is understandable why people may say this as they look like they are living a life of perfection; attending film premieres, being sent free stuff (who doesn't love a freebee?) and being given opportunities to travel the world. Some people may argue that the reason why the world has engaged in this form of 'entertainment' so fondly is due to the fact that it is 'real life', But is it really? Daily vloggers upload on average around 12 minutes of footage a day. There are 1440 minutes in a day. Let me do some maths...(grabs a calculator)...12 minutes is only 0.83% of the entire day. Is it fair to say they have the best life ever? No. They document such a small proportion of their life. 

They have the power to stop filming when they want to. They have the power not to vlog when they are feeling sad. They have the power not to vlog when they get frustrated.  

They have the power to vlog what they want to vlog. 

We don't know everything about a particular person. Everyone has their own secret struggles that happen in their day.

Vloggers' audiences have changed from 500ish people to millions in such a short amount of time and it has brought with it some major implications. Some of these have been good; they have given these people some life changing opportunities. The opportunity to do things they would otherwise would never have been able to do, such as to be able to bring out a make-up range or a book. I feel there is a constant argument as to whether vloggers should be considered celebrities? According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a celebrity is "the state of being well known" and yes, when you have over 1 million people watching what you do everyday of your life that surely that makes you well-known.

However, this exponential growth in viewers has had negative impacts too. Imagine the pressure that you would feel if you had millions of people waiting to watch your next video. The surge in viewers has also created a vast gap between a vlogger and their viewers and pandemonium is now a frequent occurrence. Now actual physical barriers have been put up between the two. Imagine how heartbreaking it must be to see people break down in tears because they couldn't meet you. Imagine the feeling of going home knowing how upset that person now is. This isn't what the vlogger ever imagined would have happened when they decided to start a YouTube channel but it's now been added to the list of side effects of the YouTube drug. Further to this, a lot of vloggers are slated for filming collaborations. I disagree. It is a mutual decision between 2 vloggers to film together. It is then the viewers decision what to do next. It is the viewers decision as to whether to subscribe or not. It is the viewers decision as to what they want to watch. 

And that's why I think the idea of live shows and panels is far more appealing. Being able to comfortably watch and engage with your favourite YouTubers is a far better option to queuing in a state of hysterics and mania.

Finally, I am saddened by the fact that people want to start a YouTube channel in order to become famous. YouTube should be a place where you make videos and share them with the world because it is your hobby - something you enjoy doing. 

I would love to hear your opinion on this so please comment below.

Love, 

L

The best white chocolate cookie recipe

These cookies are super easy to make and taste absolutely amazing. 

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You will need:

200g butter

300g caster sugar

1 egg

325g self raising flour

dash of milk

400g white chocolate

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1. Preheat your oven to 200 degrees (gas mark 6).
2. Add the caster sugar to your mixing bowl.
3. Add the butter to the sugar and mix together.
4. Crack the egg and mix this in. 
5. Gradually add the flour to your mixture until you have mixed it all in. 
6. If your mixture is dry at this stage, add a dash of milk. 
7. Break up your chocolate and add to your mixture. 
8. Using your hands pick up a small piece of mixture and roll into a small ball and place it onto your baking tray. 
9. Place the baking tray into the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Make sure you take them out after 10 minutes even if they don't look like they are done. Once you have left them to cool on a wire rack they will harden and be perfect!

Feel free to swap the white chocolate for milk or dark chocolate or maybe even make a mixture of the both!

Happy baking!

Love, 

L

London Photographs

About a year ago I took these pictures. I love taking photographs of the classic London sights and I really want to make an effort to take lots more.

  

Love, 

L

My little place on the internet.

Hello world! 

One of the main reasons why I chose to start a blog was to have the opportunity of having a little space on the internet where I could write about things that I wanted to write about. I find it weird how people stumble across my blog and take time out of their day to sit and read something that I have written. 

Right now, this is being read by people all living different lives, dealing with different problems and aiming for different goals. 

  Blogging has allowed me to appreciate the little things in life much more than I did previously. Blogging is not only a hobby, but a platform to share knowledge, thoughts, opinions and ideas. 

I feel really inspired when I look at the list of countries in which my blog has been viewed this month. I think it's truly amazing how anyone in the world can access my little place on the internet...

UK

United States

Australia

Croatia

Germany

Canada

Costa Rica

Dominican Republic

Italy

Sri Lanka 

I have only been to two of these countries but at least one person from each of the above has read something that I have written. I don't know them, but they have read a snippet about my life.

Share your knowledge, your thoughts, your opinions and your ideas. 

Be unique.

Be you.

This is my little space on the internet. 

Happy reading. 

Love, 

L

Washing my hair

Hello!

My hair is quite thick and tends to get a little greasy in the roots after a couple of days so I end up washing my hair every other day. 

This is what I do:

After making sure my hair is completely wet I take a good sized 'dollop' of the Alberto Balsam Anti-Oxidant Pomegranate Shampoo. I like to use this shampoo first of all as it really good at removing any styling build up. Also it's super cheap and means you don't have to use as much of a more expensive shampoo after. For my hair type this shampoo isn't enough though.

After washing this out, I take the Loreal Paris Elvive Anti-Dandruff Nourishing Shampoo and really work this into my roots.

After washing this out, I take the Loreal Paris Elvive Smooth-Intense Anti-Frizz Conditioner and I leave this on for around 4/5 minutes. I've found that the longer I leave it on, the softer my hair feels afterwards. This conditioner is excellent and does exactly what it claims to do. 

Finally, once a week, I swap the Loreal Paris Elvive Anti-Dandruff Nourishing Shampoo  for the TRESemme Deep Cleansing Shampoo for, yep, you guessed it, a deep cleanse! I love the squeaky clean feeling you get after using this. It's great for removing a weeks worth of styling build up. 

  

What products do you use? 

Thanks for reading. 

Love, 

L

Shoe shopping experiences and how my feet have shrunk.

Hello!

Last weekend I hit the shops in search of some new shoes. I generally dislike shoe shopping as I see a pair of shoes I love and do they have my size? No. 

(weheartit.com)

The first shop I went into was Primark. The Primark I went to was mahoosive and it took me about half an hour to find the shoe section. I knew I had reached my destination as the floor seemed to be wearing shoes. I wish people would put the shoes they have tried on back where they found them after they have finished. Maybe that's why I never find my size. I was looking for a simple pair of grey plimsolls. I love to wear plimsolls out-and-about in the summer as they are super comfy.

Since my feet have stopped growing I have been a size 6. Either my feet have shrunk or the measurements of shoe production have changed, I am no longer a 6. I'm a 5. 

I spotted a pair of size 5 grey plimsols, tried them on and they fitted! Woo! Also, they were reduced from £6 to £3. Bargain!

Next, I headed over to New Look. New Look have a great variety of shoes and are reasonably priced. I was looking for a pair of pumps this time. I picked up a pair of black pumps that I liked, a size 5, because that's what I am now and tried them on. It always makes me laugh how you have to do this weird walk when you try on shoes. You never walk in that way normally. And the way you feel for your big toe as if it might be missing or something! The size 5 was too small. For a second I thought my feet had expanded back to their original size. I tried on the 6 and I think both of my feet might have fitted in the same shoe, they were so big. I gave up. I wish everywhere did half sizes.

I also went into H&M but had the same problem there so wont bore you with the same story again. 

At this point, I'd had enough of shoe shopping for one day and so headed into Starbucks for a cheeky frappuccino. I know I behind with the hype, but this was my first frappuccino. I went for the Strawberries and Cream one and oh my it was lovely. It would be such a great drink on a hot day. 

And finally for dinner we paid a visit to Pizza Hut. I can't remember which pizza I had but it was good. I love Pizza Hut as you get the salad bar too. For dessert I shared a white chocolate and raspberry cookie dough. I had a voucher for a dessert and so we got this for free. Bonus. 

Thanks for reading, 

Love,

L

I need to do more baking!

Hello!

I love to bake but I do not do it anywhere near enough.

I see pictures of things like this everyday:

I would love to create all of these! They look so pretty and are such a lovely gift to give to friends for their birthday. 

If you have a favourite recipe feel free to send me a link. 

So that's my challenge for 2014 - hopefully you will see a blog post soon featuring my creations!

Love, 

L

(all photographs taken from weheartit.com)

Chicken and Vegetable Pasta Bake Recipe

Hello!

So I decided to spontaneously bake something for dinner. 

This happened: 

So if you want to re-create this masterpiece then this how:

You will need:

Pasta

Carrots

Broccoli

Sweetcorn

Spinach

Chopped tomatoes in tomato puree

Mushrooms

Chicken 

Cheese

A glass dish

Note: There is no right or wrong as to how much of each ingredient you should include - do what is best for you. 

1. Preheat your oven (moderate heat)
2. Firstly you need to cook your pasta as you normally would (i.e add to boiling water for about 12 minutes) 
3. Prepare and cook the carrots, broccoli, sweetcorn, spinach (feel free to add any other vegetables here - the more the merrier)
4. Cook the chicken 
5. Fry the mushrooms
6. Grab a glass dish
7. Drain the pasta and vegetables and add them all to one saucepan on a low heat
8. Stir in a can of chopped tomatoes
9. Chop the chicken into small chunks and add these to the pasta and vegetables
10. Add the mushrooms and stir well
11. Pour the contents of the saucepan into your dish
12. Sprinkle grated cheese on top
13. Place the dish into your hot oven for about 5 minutes
14. Enjoy!

I hope that you might give this a go one day!

Love, 

L

Jelly shoes are back!

Hello!

If you are a 90's child you are sure to know what I'm talking about when I say 'Jelly Shoes'. If you were not born in the 90's I'm talking about these:

(weheartit.com)

I used to love jelly shoes. I would always take a pair of jelly shoes with me on holiday. It meant you could go in the sea without hurting your feet on any little pebbles. Although it was awful when a stone got in between your foot and the sole of the shoe! Blimin' hurt that did. But I think it was the smell I liked most about them, that plasticy smell. And I loved the cool colours they came in. My favourite pair were pink glittery ones! 

Anyways, they are back! Both in the original style and a 'new' style. What do you think of these ones with a heel? I'm not sure what to make of them. 

(weheartit.com)

I think that the original jelly shoes could definitely work as footwear for the beach this summer. You could be brave and go for a bright colour or stay safe with a light pastel shade.  

What is your opinion of jelly shoes? 

Love, 

L

The palava of crossing roads

Hello!

So the situation is you have a road to cross. Eeek. Danger. On the other side of the road there is a post like structure with a black box at the top of it and on your side there is a little black box attached to a post with a silver button just underneath. You press the button and a little man lights up in red in the box on the other side of the road. Now you stand and wait not having a clue how long for until the little red man swaps to a little green man. The uncertainty of how long you have to wait is something that annoys me a little inside. Although sometimes you press it and it changes straight away - that's a good feeling.

(weheartit.com)

But what about the times when you are looking at the oncoming cars and miss the red man turn into the green man and you are standing there like an idiot when you could actually cross the road. I've done this a couple of times. Secondly what about the people who feel the need to press the little silver button multiple times. It's not going to make the little red man turn into the little green man any faster is it?! No, but you still feel the need to keep pressing it don't you?! And then what about the times when you are approaching the road from a distance and it's currently on the little green man. Do you run? Do you walk quickly or do you walk extra slow so you don't risk it turning red as you are in the middle of the road? Decisions. Oh, and what about when you press the button without looking to see the amount of cars around and realise it is safe to cross anyway. Then as you reach the other side of the road, the lights change to red and all the cars have to stop and no one is on the crossing and you are just continuing on your merry way. Woops. Also, I've always wondered why some crossings beep and others don't and some flash whilst others don't. And don't you just love it when you have to cross multiple roads and you get a green man everytime! Highlight of my day.

(weheartit.com)

So that was just a really random post but I feel better for it! What other crossing issues do you experience or is it just me?

Overall, they are quite handy.

Love,

L

What I did this week

Hello!

This week I have been:

Watching: Outnumbered. This series is by far my favourite! I think it is great that they have kept all the characters the same and Ramona Marquex who plays Karen is such an amazing actress - can't believe she is only 13.

Cooking: Pasta bakes. Yesterday I did one of a tuna variety topped with spinach and today I made a simple vegetable one. Was so yummy! I will post a recipe soon.

Listening to: Nina Nesbitt - Peroxide. I love all the songs on this album particularly 'Selfies'.

Wearing: Patterned socks. Who doesn't love socks with little penguins on?

Wishing it was: Summer time. I don't like these cold rainy days :(

Drinking: Blackberry and blueberry tea.

Have you done anything exciting this week? Would love to hear.

Love,

L

Irritating experiences when ordering things on the internet.

Hello!

I love a bargain! Who doesn't? I get this funny feeling in my belly when I'm ordering something online and I have a discount code to enter at the checkout and it works and so nicely minuses a little sum of money. Mmmm. No seriously, I'm obsessed with it. The thing that annoys me though is that there are numerous websites that contain these codes. I wish there was one central site where all the valid codes could be found and you could just simply type the shop you require and the codes would just line up on your little screen. But no. Life isn't simple. It's like a secret mission

to get one that works, creating new tab after new tab and going through them like an idiot before entering them and being told: 'not valid', 'sorry your code has expired', 'sorry we don't recognise that code'. AHHH!

And what's worse is when you order your item having not found a valid code and the very next day you receive an email  saying 'Here's 20% off everything just for you'. Is it just me or does this almost happen everytime you order something?

I often browze the internet looking for gifts for friends and family if it is their birthday or if Christmas is coming up. I find the perfect gift and think great, it's in stock, I will order it in the morning. So I check my little basket in the morning and this little red writing appears saying 'we would like to inform you that some alterations to your basket have been made'. So I click and of course the price of it has increased. This happens to me on a regular basis and it's the most annoying thing ever. I know I should learn and order it there and then and not wait until the next morning. I don't really know why I wait to order something, it's kind of odd if you think about it. So I thought it was just me being unlucky but now I understand and I wish to educate you in this important matter. Cookies. Cookies are responsible. Not milk chocolate cookies, nor white chocolate cookies nor cookies without chocolate. I'm talking internet cookies. So apparently these little 'cookies' track what you are browzing and are out there to annoy you and steal your little pennies. They see what you are interested in, notice you don't buy it, so increase the price of it the next day. If I could just stamp all over those blimin' cookies I would and create a massive crumbly mess. But never fear. I will not be beaten by food. I have found a solution. With massive thanks going to my little friend (you know who you are). The answer is to use incognito in Google Chrome. You can find this in the top right hand corner, click on the three vertical lines and select 'new incognito window'. Honestly use this whenever you are browzing to purchase something online whether that be gifts, train tickets or concert tickets. Incognito doesn't use cookies so wont track the products you are browzing so wont increase the price the next day.

Hope this helps. Does this happen to you as well?

Love,
L

A little quote

(weheartit.com)

The importance of having a skin care regime

Hello! 

So I thought I would share my skin care regime with you. I am eager to know what your regime consists of. What do you use? What do you recommend? 

What I do in the morning:

Once I have dragged myself out of bed and reached the bathroom I start by splashing my face with

warm water. It is important that the water is warm because it will allow your pores to open. I then use a gentle face wash working it into my face in little small circles. I use the Tea Tree Facial Wash from The Body Shop (£5). You only need a small amount and it nicely lathers leaving your skin feeling really fresh. It claims to "remove excess oil without over-drying your skin" and is "clinically proven to give clearer-looking skin". One thing that I have noticed about this face wash is that it is excellent if you are prone to sore and sensitive skin - it never stings! Using warm water again, I rinse my face ensuring to remove all of the face wash. I then finish by splashing my face with cold water which closes your pores. This is sure to wake you up! I then gently pat my face dry using a small face towel. Be sure not to rub your face with your towel as this will make it sore. 

(bodyshop.co.uk)

Next I cleanse and tone. I use the Simply Sensitive Cleansing Lotion from Boots (£2.79). I

A beauty product review

Face powder is something that I find I cannot live without. It is a necessity in my life. I almost feel as if I have shiny face phobia. I am one of those people who has greasy as opposed to dry skin and if someone was to take a photo with a flash and I have not powdered, the result as I would say is...diabolical!

I have used a few face powders in my life and I thought I would share my experiences of them with you. 

My first face powder I used was the trusty 'Creme Puff Powder Compact' by MaxFactor. This

averages at around £5.99 and comes in a variety of shades. However, I always go for translucent because it means you will never get the wrong colour. It comes with a sponge applicator which is really good if you need to reapply your powder during the day but be sure to wash this regularly. 

(superdrug.com)

I have also tried 'Natural Collection Loose Powder' from Boots. I didn't enjoy loose powder