My First Time At Wimbledon!

This year I was lucky enough to attend one of the most famous sporting events, Wimbledon! Tennis I have always loved; I'm probably not the best at playing tennis (I mean, I could give you a run for your money on table tennis) but watching it is one of the most adrenaline pumping, competitive and tense sports you could watch on television. So for me, watching it in real life in front of me was one of the most exciting things I could ever do.

My sister and I travelled to London nice and early amidst all the train and tube strikes, and arrived at the venue. It was bustling with all kinds of people, we could feel the buzzing atmosphere as soon as we set foot inside. Here are the pictures from the day!

 

We were even lucky enough to watch Andy Murray training/warming up! I screen shot this from a video so the quality isn't great, sorry!

I had an unforgettable day! Thank you to my sister for accompanying me and well done to all the players!


Soph x

Meeting my Inspirations! Amity Fest...

I'm late with uploading this... SORRY!

This is just going to be a short, and hopefully sweet post of my adventure to Birmingham to meet people whom I've been wanting to talk to for YEARS. 

Before I even thought about creating my own blog or filming videos (which haven't yet been seen by any except myself) I would sit at my computer screen watching intently a group of people who would just literally talk to their camera about their favourite things be it from makeup or a film they watched, daring their friends to do things etc. Not only that, but I mostly used to read blogs by Zoella, and Sprinkle of Glitter who would display random thoughts in writing and the occasional picture thrown in there. It seems weird that someone just babbling on about an item they bought, or why they had a bad day or trying to make their reader feel better about things would be SO addictive to read. Both people transferred to making videos on YouTube along with their blog posts, however it goes without saying that I would never have had the confidence to do what I'm doing now if it weren't for these people. 

So you could only imagine my excitement when I was lucky enough to spend some time with each of the main bloggers/YouTuber's before they put on their show as part of Amity Fest. The event was really well organised, there was no violence in eagerness to get near them, and it was orderly and spacious. 

Zoe was THE SWEETEST, and was especially grateful when I thanked her for everything. She seemed to be so overwhelmed by all the love for her, and the way her career has taken off couldn't have happened to a better person. Louise was so bubbly and cuddly, and even made me a cupcake with her face on. She's my best friend, honest. 

I didn't get to speak to Tanya for too long, as there were a line of people waiting and I didn't want to take up too much of their time with her. I congratulated her on her recent beauty launch, she complimented me on my hair and dress and was just really sweet. Jim chatted for England, and the conversation went from clothing to Tanya to teeth and god knows what else. He's a really down to earth guy and Amity kindly took a nice polaroid picture of us which is now pegged up in my room! 

Caspar Lee. Caspar, Caspar, Caspar. He's the most easy guy to get along with, made me laugh multiple times and then took loads of selfies some of which can not be displayed on the internet. (They're just ugly faces tis all...) 

This couple are SOOO nice. I chatted with Niomi probably the longest out of everyone, the conversation flowed for so long and she seemed so at ease considering it was her first event like this. Marcus too was such a nice guy, and took several selfies with several faces which is always a winner!

 Alfie smelt lovely, looked lovely, and IS lovely. He gives the best hugs and did whatever he could to make sure he could meet as many people as possible. Truly great guy! My only picture blurred which was THE most frustrating thing in the world!

Unfortunately one of my favourite Youtuber's Joe Sugg (also known online as Thatcher Joe) was unwell so wasn't able to make the event. I'm hoping he is fully recovered by now, and can only wish that I'll be able to have a chat with him in the future, as the cardboard cutout was a little unresponsive.....

Each and every single one of these people were genuine, caring and were so friendly!

Huge thank you to Amity Fest for the little gifts I was given, one of which goes well with my nickname/blog name! 

 I had a truly fantastic time, the show was hilarious and I'll never forget the day. 

Hugs,

Soph x

July Favourites!

A few things that I have loved this month. All of these things I have read about on others blogs, heard people talk about them and in general liked the look of them so I saved up and bought them. I've tried them all out, and will only give truthful personal views to you. Honesty is the best policy after all! I hope they help and if you try them, let me know in the comments below your views on them. Enjoy x

Number One: Tangle Teezer by Shaun P

Especially good if you have thick hair. The bristles are strong and really tackle the knots. Light weight, easy storage if you go away and the colour is BEAUTIFUL and BRIGHT. If you know me, or you took notice in my previous blog posts.. I have a lot of hair. Its thick, long and gets very matted if Ive been outside in the day. Usually, I only get on with soft bristles brushes because these are the things that cause me the least amount of pain when eliminating knots. However, I have changed. This "Tangle Teezer" has harder bristles and works magic! Although it slightly reminds me of a horse brush, I can see why these things are so popular. They don't hurt when ridding knots, and the outcome after brushing left my hair feeling fluffy and of a 'stroking' consistency. I'll be taking this everywhere I go!

Number Two: Hair Crayons by Bleach London.

If you're not allowed to dye your hair, or simply don't want to take that bold move in fear of your normal hair colour never returning; this is where these bad boys come in. They're easy to do,  and come out as soon as you wash it so can be handy for fancy dress events or just to keep for a couple of days. I chose the colour Rose because it is subtle; I feel it may look better on people who have blonder hair and the other colours they do are much more bright so are more suitable for every hair type. Tip: Make sure your hair is well conditioned before you do this, as it can make the hair a bit dry if your hair is a bit greasy or damaged. You can have so much fun with these, especially if you had several colours!

 Number Three: Deep Clean Facial Scrub by Good Things

Skin care is the most important thing to most people. Its the first thing you see in the person; the face. So, having nice skin is a want by most girls and boys now a days. Im not sure if this is unisex or not, but even so this product I couldn't recommend enough. Ive used it for three days, morning and night and I can already see the difference. My skin is much smoother as it is an exfoliant, so scrubs off all the dead skin and rubbishy skin layers to leave your skin looking healthier. Not only that, but it smells DIVINE.

Number Four: Expert Face Foundation Brush by Real Techniques.

Makeup brushes are a pain aren't they? You either find a good one and you spend months wages on them, or you find a cheap one and you may as well be putting your foundation on with a piece of grass. This however is affordable and amazing. Its soft bristles are smooth against the skin, as well as it being fabulous at blending foundation into your skin without it looking blotchy or uneven. Not only that, but it stands up by itself so is perfect for dressing table storage. They have a whole range of brushes, but I find this one my favourite so far/of this month. The bristles don't clump together and is good for all skin types. They are good quality and well thought made for people all ages whom want a clear and studio ready face.

  Number Five: Sea Salt Spray by Fudge Urban

 Definitely one of my favourites. I've always been one to have a hair full of volume, and this stuff is PERFECT for that. It gives you the beachy waves look, without it looking like you've been in a cat fight. Your hair appears wavy, volumised and this stuff smells pretty spot on. I had many compliments on the smell of my hair this day so it must be doing something right!! Although it only has a 2/6 hold, I feel it doesn't do it justice. My hair stayed the whole day looking beachy and preppy even though it was windy outside. Thats one of my favourite things about it, for all weathers and occasions this will give you a look which will have everyone cooing over your hair, trust me! It can also look really stylish if you did a fishtail plait, spraying the salt spray during plaiting, and pulling bits out here and there to give you a messy looking plait. Good for all hair lengths and types and just all round fabulous!

 Here is a picture of my hair with fudge urban salt spray and the rose hair crayons. A natural wave and a tint of rose. It doesn't show up very well on my camera, but it looks pretty cool and you can see the rose tint if you look closely :) I didn't put much rose crayon on, so if I applied more I'm sure it'll come up much stronger than my more subtle tint.

LINKS.

Tangle Teezer Brush;  http://www.boots.com/en/Tangle-Teezer-Pink_1000439/ or Direct Website

Bleach London Hair Crayons (with other colours too); http://www.boots.com/en/BLEACH-Hair-Crayon-Rose_1500115/ or Direct Website

Good Things Facial Scrub; http://www.boots.com/en/Good-Things-Deep-Clean-Blackhead-Exfoliator-150ml_1213662/ or Direct Website

Real Techniques Face Expert Foundation Brush; http://www.boots.com/en/Real-Techniques/ or Direct Website

 Fudge Urban Sea Salt Spray; http://www.boots.com/en/Fudge-Urban-Sea-Salt-150ml_1484952/?cm_mmc=pla-_-google-_-PLAs-_-PLAs+-+All+Products or Direct Website

 I hope you enjoyed this months favourites,  let me know your thoughts in the comments below and I will see you next month!!

Smiley Vibes sending....

Soph x

Smiling Soph Launch!

Why….Hello there!

Here I am, with a blank page and excited fingers to open up a new opportunity in sharing my life with people. Many of my friends tell me I have an exciting life,  always up to random new things and undergoing many a thing which a normal eighteen year old wouldn't normally be doing! So, after being pestered by them (you can stop that now!) I am going to be documenting everything I do for you guys to enjoy and take the journey of 'Smiling Soph' with you in case you ever wondered how on earth I end up in the kind of places I do. Ive always enjoyed writing, and am guilty of being that kind of person who cant just write 'happy birthday' or 'merry christmas' on a text or in a card, I have to write a massive mini essay, giving that person a running commentary on how I feel about them. Writing this takes a lot of self courage and a lot of motivation, so if you've got this far already… thank you for reading and know that it means a lot.

 I suppose I should tell you a bit about myself. Well, if you were a little Sherlock, you'd realise from my URL and in the previous writing that I'm Sophie and I'm eighteen years old. Pleased to meet you *shakes hand with computer screen*. My hair is ridiculously long, one of my eyes is green and the other is green verging on blue (I'm merely pointing that out to make myself sound a bit more interesting. Did it work?) How about I show you a picture?

JUST JOKING… Here is my face….

                       Had to add an over edited sepia one…..Sorry for the brightness.

There we go. So that's me. Hi!

I regard myself as a bubbly, random and loving person. Everyone has their flaws of course, myself having many which include singing loudly in supermarkets, messing up ANY room which I am in somehow after a few hours or even upon arriving (oops), loving One Direction (its not really a flaw is it girls?!) Oh the list continues! But one thing I pride myself in, and gave me the name behind this blog, is how no matter what I always always try and smile. And by that, I don't mean I'm one of those people who are constantly happy and smiling and jumping up and down like an excited bunny. I mean, that I merely prioritise doing things and being with people that make me happy. I've finished school, and to be frank I have absolutely NO idea what on earth I am doing in this big wide world. I enjoy far too many things, and being so young I don't want to pin myself down doing one thing and regret it in several years to come. So.. in the mean time I am merely going here there and everywhere to help find what I am meant to do.

So.. whats my past? Well.. I have been to school all my life, so that's pretty normal hmm? But in between that time, I spent four years on a television set acting as the character 'Sally Arless'.  The show was called Lark Rise to Candleford and it was a BBC period drama series which ran for four years.  I worked with some INCREDIBLE people, and I couldn't single out many because each and every one of the cast and crew were fab and there are too many to type out. But I will be loyal to my onscreen family and shout out to my on screen mummy and fantabulous comedian/actress Dawn French and older bro John Dagleish (who you may now know as Barry from E4's Beaver Falls). This is probably my first proper adventure in life, and it taught me many life lessons as to what I enjoy and what kind of person I am. It's probably one of the main things that has helped shape me into the person I am today. Here are a couple of snaps…..

 Talking of family! I have the most inspirational, idolising and wonderful family in the whole world.. Sheesh that was a lot of adjectives. My famalam consist of my incredible father Laurie, my mother (also known as moomy) Marcia, my older sister Hollie whom is at UNI in Southampton, and two younger brothers; Harry who is at school and wants me to inform you all he is 'cool' and little monkey Freddie who is three. I am so grateful to my family for always supporting me and being there for me to infuse my smile. Anyway, enough of the soppy stuff, lets carry on with the Smiling Sophie introduction shall we?  So… Here are a few past adventures for you to, in a way, catch up with what I have got up to. In pictures...because everyone loves pictures. Right?


So this is March 2013, where I went front row to a One Direction concert. This resulted in a gif of Harry Styles putting his thumb up to me and poking his tongue out going viral on tumblr. (We were both wearing the same t-shirt and it kinda happened from there really)

Soccer Aid last year, which has just recently happened again. Its a good excuse to make yourself look like you know the rules of football, when really you're secretly only shouting because your fave celebs are in tight shorts running around. Sorry, had to say it! 

Disney Land 2012. My most favourite place.. If you ever want to feel like you are a little one again, this is the perfect place to go!! 

I once bumped into Jacksgap. Me being me, I was really dopey and kinda just, didn't realise who he was until I walked away and my friends explained. I embarrassingly said to him "I don't know who you are, but I will have a picture with you anyway!"He is a really really lovely guy either way. (2012)

Ive bumped into George Shelley from Union J twice, and don't ask me how or if I followed him round the mall. I did not, it was pure luck and was very quiet out. He is so cuddly and very cute! (2013)

Tom Daley, 2012. I will write of this adventure at some point, but I didn't get to meet him without going through a lot beforehand! But either way, he is quite possibly the most adorable human bean. Ever.

This happened last week… I am so very proud of how good timing this shot is! This was at Niall Horan's charity football match. I spent the whole time in a bright red waterproof and looked like what can only be described as a wet dog. Sassy James Corden in the background there. Click here for more info on the charity it was in aid of. 

Halloween.. Ten years ago and then last year with the same friend. Incredible how quickly time can fly, yet people still stick around if they want to. Its nice, that. Also that is a mask on the left, in case you were wondering if I was that ugly as a child. In the near future, I will write of  little adventures I go on with my friends, as they are one of the main reasons for my happiness and mean very much to me. 

I, along with my friends, were once chosen to be a 'superfan' on X Factor. It was hilarious! We basically had to stand against the stage and scream and dance anytime a teenage boy act  or a boy band came on stage. I will share details of how you can do that in the near future, so keep an eye out people! 

Somerset House in London, Covent Garden 2013. I will go back there soon, lovely lovely place with really cute little stores in. 

TAXI SELFIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.. Before the Radio One Teen Awards, 2013. Last year of being able to go there! Sad times. Such a great event and some truly inspiring young people's stories. As well as great performances! My favourite blogger Zoella was also there!!

Brit Awards 2014! Popped along and it was MANIC. There were so many screaming people trying to bash down the metal barriers. It can only be described as a somewhat rabid species of fangirls eager to catch a glimpse of their lovers. CRAZY. A random lady in the park complimented me on my outfit that day, saying "I absolutely LOVE your tights" sneezing, and then continuing "In fact, your whole outfit is absolutely gorgeous!! Love it!" Bless her. 

Sports Relief 2014 was SO much fun. I went with my sisters boyfriend, and managed to meet one of my favourite Radio One DJ's Greg James. Greg even was the first person to like this picture on my instagram. A lovely lovely guy, even though he stole my head pom poms and tried to run away with them to the toilet! (It was an accident that he ran away with them, he really is VERY lovely).

Last one before I continue to babble! Me and mum being fangirls at her favourite programme live tour 'Dancing On Ice'. We were as she described 'groupies'  (that's a joke, please don't take that seriously) and got in back stage to meet Torvill and Dean.     

 So Naughty.

So there you have it. Welcome to my world! I know these are only a few adventures and a quick insight to who I am and my background, but hopefully you'll get to know me and my journeys a lot more along the way. I'm not an expert in makeup, hair products, fashion or music however I want to share with you the different opinions and experiences I go on to inspire you to be confident, healthy, happy and help you out in anyway I can. I will share with you my latest obsessions, be it from the latest hair trends to my favourite places, as well as the adventures that I go on. Please appreciate I have next to no idea what on earth I am doing! The design of this page is temporary until I get to grips with blogger so if the layout offends your eyesight I apologise, it wont be there for too long. (Apologies to Charlotte for constantly sending her my link to proof it.. blame her if you dont like it)

Sit back and enjoy reading the nonsense I post with a nice cuppa and biccy!

Thank you for taking the time to read!

Sending Smiley vibes...

Soph x