Kindness Costs Nothing

This is the first post I've written that mentions my work. I never thought I'd write something like this, I didn't think there'd ever be a reason to. But today, the line was crossed for me. Working in retail is difficult at times and especially when it's busy. Every staff member does their absolute best and most to make sure the business continues to run smoothly even during these periods. However, there are times when we can't sit back and simply "take it" anymore. Most of our customers are fantastic, I will be honest and tell you that. Sadly, there are a few who tarnish that viewing occasionally. For example, this afternoon I had a middle-aged man verbally abuse me ("filthy c***" & "f***ing bas**** to be exact) and it was appalling. Never once have I been treat so horrifically by another person in my life. Instead of shaming this man, I'd rather spread more kindness than hatred. After the hatred I received today over something so trivial; I'd rather not spread more of that anger/hatred. It's not in my nature to react that way. As hurt and threatened by this encounter as I was, I won't let it ruin my good nature, and I won't let it bring me down.

Later on a lady stopped by and asked if it was ok for her to sit down as she'd just been to physio and her back was crippling her. Instead of saying no and banishing her, I let her sit and in the mean-time brought her a free hot chocolate because she was having a hard enough day as it was, I didn't want it to become any worse for her. After that she profusely thanked me for my kindness, and I felt so much better knowing I'd brightened up another persons day by doing something so simple. By no means am I an angel, and nor will I ever claim to be. There are plenty of others who display similar acts of kindness daily, and you're honestly all amazing. I have been raised with the right morals that I've lived by my entire life so far. As the title of this post states, kindness costs nothing. A little can often go a long way. It's true that you never know what another person is struggling with and sometimes, we as humans just need a little extra love to help us through the day. There's enough hatred circulating in this world to begin with and it's about time people stopped adding to it. Please, spread love and kindness rather than hatred and abuse. The latter will never get you anywhere, and the older you get the more you'll regret the things you said and did to people and how you hurt them. Where's the point of bringing yourself and others down? Being a bully will get you nowhere; it'll turn you into a monster. I'm certain that the majority of people were not raised in a manner that made make them so negative towards others. And even if you were, don't become the person everyone else labelled you to become. You're worth so much more than that.

The bottom line is that life is too short. We need to live in the moment. Spread as much love, kindness and happiness as we possibly can. At the same time, we need to defend ourselves when necessary with words because they will change people's perspective during conflict; actions will not. Being physically abusive will only land you in further trouble; don't stoop to that level. Also, don't be verbally abusive; use your words to invoke thought and change rather than negativity. Every single one of you has a purpose in life; you're all worth so much more than you could ever imagine. Live your life to the fullest, and in the meantime be the best you can be. I believe in all of you, and hope that your futures are filled with more joy, kindness and love than you know what to do with!

Thank you for your support thus far with the blog, and my best wishes to all of you in whatever you're doing with your life at the moment. Everything will get better if it isn't so great already.

Until Next Time,

Luce xo

'I love Summer' Tag

I'm quite certain this is the first 'tag' post I've ever participated in. Since it's summer, it's time to try new things so I'm going to go for it. My friend, Chloe Stedman a.k.a http://chloestedman.blogspot.co.uk suggested I do the 'I love Summer' tag and she's also done it. Well, let's get started!

1) What is your dream vacation?

This is a tough one since I'm an aspiring World Traveler. But I love adventure, so a road trip around America/Canada would be pretty incredible. Also, I've always wanted to visit Italy so they're the joint #1 dream vacay's for me!

2) Favourite summer drink

Anything cold. I'm currently hooked on fresh orange juice, though. It's a shame the sugar content is so high but when it tastes as good as it does, it can't be helped, I must drink it.

3) S'mores or Ice Cream

Ice cream. Honestly, I've never tried S'mores but I imagine I'm missing out 'cause they sound amazing.

4) Pool or Beach?

Beach. It's more adventurous than sitting by the pool all day. 

5) Would you rather spend a summer day outside by the pool or inside watching Netflix?

Since we don't own a pool, I'm going to opt for the latter. Currently suffering with an addiction to Dexter which I recommend everybody watches. Trust me on this one, it's amazing. [As I've come to discover in numerous episodes it is also extremely graphic: sex/murder scenes are brutal and there's often not much they don't show - please bare this in mind]. 

6) Favourite Summer Memory. 

I'm torn between our family 2010 summer holiday to Florida and NYC with friends in 2016. Florida had Disney World *insert heart-eye emoji* and Universal Studios which have some of the best roller-coasters I've been on in my life, I'm a bit of an adrenaline junky. But NYC is the city of dreams, and we did so many incredible things while we were there (read about it all here). Ah, I'm sorry I can't decide on just one! There's way too many to choose from. 

NYC at night from The Empire State Building.

7) Favourite Summer Nail Polish. 

Bright colours are a must in the summer. ORLY's range of neon colours are so great for the summer. My personal fave is the Melt Your Popsicle. It's neon orange, if you're not into neons I'd stay really far away from this range of colours... Melt your popsicle is such a pretty colour! You might want to wear sunglasses whilst wearing it though, there's potential for being blinded by it's brightness. 

8) Sunglasses or Hats?

Personally, I'd go for sunglasses due to having prescription lenses. No point in going on holiday if you can't see anything, right? 

9) Favourite Summer Scent

Victoria's secret body sprays smell gorgeous! Love Addict is my current fave. Bargain alert: You can get 2 bottles for £9.09... Quick, go grab some! 

10) Favourite Barbeque Food

Gotta be burgers. So bad, but yet so good for you. I could devour one right this second to be honest.

One of the best burgers I've ever eaten from TGI Fridays.

11) Bikini's, Tankini's or one piece? 

I'd probably opt for a one piece. I'm not a fan of swimwear due to the fact it clings to all the places I don't want it to. Maybe one day I'll change my mind and flaunt this bod in a bikini, here's to hoping!

12) Summertime Book Recommendations

I could give an extensively long list, but I shall refrain and only list a few. 

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak which is definitely a heart-wrencher. 

Just Friends by Billy Taylor. I don't even know how to begin with this book because parts of it literally broke me. I sobbed, laughed and overall, adored reading this book.

The Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic which is a relatively new book, and sadly underrated because it's fantastic. Warning: It can be highly graphic and there's a lot of violence in this book. I'd avoid reading it if you're not ok with gore/violence. I've reviewed this book fully here. 

Until next time,

Luce xo

The Weight of Perfection

So you want to be perfect?

Firstly, there’s no such thing as “perfect”, nobody and nothing is absolutely perfect no matter what anybody tells you. The fact that people hold such stigma towards themselves over their weight because of the “perfect size” campaigns made by modelling companies and magazines is saddening. Nobody should be made to feel horrible about themselves because of lies thrust upon them by the media and society.

The reason I come baring this pressing matter is due to the fact earlier today I read an absolutely shocking article on Elle.com. Myla Delbasio has been labelled as “plus-size”… I would personally love to know when size 10 became plus-size? Now I understand that in the modelling industry most models are a (rather terrifying) size 0 – 4. Why? What is this obsession with still making that size seem ‘healthy’? It’s incredibly dangerous to be so depleted in weight. Myla is absolutely beautiful regardless of her size, no matter what modelling companies have previously told her and there was no reason for her to think otherwise.

Within the article, it is also stated that Myla “spent years abusing Adderall, crash dieting, and flirting with bulimia in an attempt to whittle herself to ‘straight size’”. “Flirting with bulimia” – it’s almost as if they’re romanticising this serious illness, which, in itself, is quite grotesque. Even by just pin-pointing what this poor girl went through to try and work her way to the top of the modelling game is absolutely horrific. There is no reason why any woman, girl, man or boy should feel the need to put themselves through hell just to be a part of their dream profession. Modelling industries need to put their heads into 21^st-century gear as what they portray on their magazines and runways is – for the most part – diabolical. The women who put themselves forward to walk these runways and be a part of these shoots often have underlying health problems, and an extensive list of them. The list includes conditions such as Anorexia and Bulimia, which are not only physical illnesses but mental illnesses as well.

You might be think, “well it’s their own fault, they made themselves do what they did to be a part of that career path, nobody forced them to do it”, but how can you possibly know that? There are so many reasons why people do the things they do; pushy family members, underlying mental health problems and so they can be happy in what they do. Those are only a few reasons why people feel the way they do towards a particular life choice.

The media plays such a humongous role in today’s society that it’s no wonder with all the thin, beautiful models gracing the covers and inner pages of magazines and websites, that people (not just girls/women) feel so horrid about their own appearance. Personally, I understand this feeling because my own self-esteem is rock-bottom most of the time and seeing those kinds of pictures just makes it worse. As I’ve heard from other peers, and folks on the internet, I’m not the only person who feels that way. Take into consideration the amount of Photoshop work that actually occurs on the majority (if not all) of these models before they are published into these glossy magazines. “Go on, just a little more nip and tuck there, thinning on the cheeks, airbrush those blemishes” – I can bet you those are just a few of the thoughts running through editor’s minds… and straight out of their mouths. 

“If you got beauty, beauty, just raise ‘em up, ‘cause every inch of you is perfect, from the bottom to the top” – Meghan Trainor, thank you for blessing us with these lyrics. I understand why some of you might just be teeny bit sick of this song – as it was blasted on the radio a million times a day for at least 2 months. But seriously, she’s right, every inch of you is perfect in its own way. Alas, I did kind of contradict myself there from the being paragraph of this post, but you gotta do what you gotta do! Of course, everyone has their flaws, but remember – beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It’s time you, and myself included, became the beholders of our own beauty.

Much love to you all,

Luce xo

(This is the link to the article I was referring to: http://www.elle.com/news/fashion-style/myla-dalbesio-calvin-klein-plus-size)