Girls

Girls can be, and often are, the worst most horrible specimens to grace our earth. However, I am not here to talk about that kind of girl. I want to talk about the rare kind, the diamonds in the rough, hidden gems and best kept secrets. The girls who praise other girls. The ones who compliment one another. And most importantly, and the reason for this post, the ones who protect one another.

In this day and age I find that a lot of us are anxious, even the most confident of girls get uncomfortable with unwanted male attention. I think I speak on behalf of the majority of girls with the fact that 'oi oi' isn't as flattering as you may intend it to be, no means NO and it is NEVER okay to cross boundaries and touch us. (By that I do not mean 'I'm too prestige', I mean it as in inappropriately). My honest favourite feeling is when a girl senses your discomfort and literally saves you. I've read some lovely stories of when a girl has helped another girl out in a distressing situation so I thought I'd write about mine. 

A while a go I was on my lunch break. I usually spend these sitting alone, on a bench and listening to my music in my own little world because I find the staff room horrendously awkward. I had my bag in between myself and another girl.  Unfortunately, my 15 minutes were coming to an end when this guy came over and asked me if it was okay to sit where my bag was. Me, thinking nothing of it happily moved my little black bag and got ready to leave (as I needed to go back to work). He then said ''I actually came over because I thought you were beautiful''. I, very awkward and easily embarrassed, thanked him very much, he then continued to ask for my number, me, being uninterested, (and believe seeing somebody at the time) declined, explained why, apologized and then said that I needed to get back to work. My rejection must have hit a nerve, as he started to question it, called me a bitch because he thought going back to work was a getaway excuse. At this point I got a little stressed out and felt hideously uncomfortable, baring in mind that my music was still playing in one ear so in my tizz I couldn't really hear how rude he was being. My hands began shaking slightly and my chest swelled up in its usual manner. I honestly needed to get back to work I proclaimed, as he continued to, I guess, harass me. He then abruptly stood up and stormed off. A heavy weight was instantly lifted off of my shoulders. The girl on the other side of the bench was obviously listening in. I got up to go, when she stopped me to ask if I was okay, my initial response was 'Yes I'm okay thank you' although that salty water was rapidly developing.  It was nothing major what she did next but to me in the moment its all I needed. ''Are you sure you're okay? Did you want me to walk you back to work?'' Although I said that I'd be alright, the fact that she offered to somewhat, protect me, until I was safe was the most gratifying feeling. I felt so lucky, her words made me feel safe, I am still so thankful to this day.

Another, more recent act of kindness was on an exceptionally cold Saturday night. McDonald's decided that it would be a fantastic idea to lock a large group of intoxicated, hungry and fairly rowdy, cold teens outside until there was no queues inside. But, of course, there were a few middle aged, foreign men packed within the group. Whilst huddling up to my best friend two men behind us were getting unpleasantly close. One of them then put both hands on my shoulders and somewhat shook me and said ''you must be cold''. My face must have pictured how distressed I was. A girl who was with us, who I'd only met a few times and spoke to briefly so naturally wrapped her arms around me and gripped my hands until they opened the doors. It was so selfless. She's probably doesn't even remember doing it, but to me she is a literal angel.

So thank you, to all the lovely girls who have ever helped, protected or comforted girls when they are insecure. You're worth your own weight in gold.

Thank you for reading,

Apologies for the HUGE lack of posts, I should be back on track for weekly posts, I hope.

Chloë X

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Unrequited Love

I'm a hopeless romantic. I love, love, honestly it is my favourite thing. I have for as long as I can remember. Could be star sign related, or could just be because I'm a loser. But, I love seeing people in love, I love watching love films, well, crying, at love films, hearing about love, and of course, being in love. I love the passion, thoughtfulness. It's indescribable; and I love it.

Unrequited love; the worst, most treacherous feeling in the world. Being desperately in love with someone who doesn't love you back. Nothing is worse than the complete agony of loving somebody who just sees you as another person. It could be that they don't want you in the way you want them, or the other person could be completely oblivious to the way you feel about them.

It's a feeling that I hate and somewhat love at the same time. I think the admiration is lovely but despise the way somebody can make you physically feel weak. It's crazy how a person can make my legs tremble and my whole body shake because of the burning passion I have towards them. I can't decide if I think the feeling of being so passionate about another person is beautiful or dangerous. I think everybody should have somebody who is completely and utterly obsessed with them.

''The exquisite pain of wanting someone so unattainable'' - Sex and the City. One of the greatest TV series in the history of all TV series. I've seen every episode countless times but no other part of the series has stuck out at me more than this quote. Because it is exquisite. Unrequited love is bitter sweet, although it tends to be painful I think the idea of admiring somebody with or without them acknowledging your feelings is pretty beautiful. There is nothing wrong with one sided love, because the feeling of love is so great in itself.

Just remember to ''Never apologize for how you feel. No one can control how they feel. The sun doesn’t apologize for being the sun. The rain doesn’t say sorry for falling. Feelings just are.''

Love is love.
Thank you for reading,

Chloë X

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Lush Haul

I've been a Lush customer for as long as I can remember. I pretty much only like having a bath if I have a bath bomb to come in with me. After receiving some lovely bits for Christmas, I thought I'd treat myself to some more, and, as per usual I am delighted with the purchases I made.

Dragon's Egg

I loved this fun filled bath bomb with colourful confetti, my one critique is the water colour left is golden/yellow which leaves me feeling uncomfortable as it looks like I'm bathing in very strong (yet nice smelling) wee, a few Lush bath bombs create yellow/orange water but  nevertheless I am ALWAYS satisfied. It has a very citrus fresh smell which is lovely, leaving you feel very clean and relaxed. 

Karma

I haven't used karma yet but I have heard great things about it, what's not to love about a soak in a glittery purple bath? What I love about bubble bars is that you can get more than one bath out of it, I reckon I could have about  three baths with using Karma as it is quite large. This bubble bar is quite zesty, smells very clean with a hint of patchouli which is very fresh. I'm very excited to use this.

Intergalactic

I saw this bath bomb on Instagram and fell in love. It kind of reminded me of the 'Experimenter' bath bomb but a more pretty version as I'd much prefer to bathe in blue glitter rather than the greenish colour the experimenter left me with. I loved this galactic treat. The peppermint and popping candy works exceptionally well together creating an ''80's aftershave'' scent that I absolutely adore. You leave the bath feeling soft, smelling divine and shimmering with glitter. It's a must have.

Soft Coeur

This massage bar is such a beauty, I am a lover of a sweet smell. I've loved it for endless years, my mum has used it for the majority of my existence and it smells like a dream. A sweet creamy vanilla, toffee, cocoa scent that soften your skin and leaves you smelling heavenly for hours. Every time I visit Lush I get my friend to give me an arm massage using it. I absolutely love it and recommend it greatly to you all.

Eau Roma Water

My sister introduced this product to me and I am so glad she did. The Rose water calms the skin and reduces redness (which I NEED), whist the lavender water softens the skin. This is great to use before moisturising to start the day and great for removing access make up at the end of the day. This product is so great a few spritzes of this completely freshens up my face and really does work a treat, it smells beautiful and makes you feel awake. I recommend you try this.

Thanks for reading, what lush products have you used recently? 

Chloë X

Find me on my social media here:

INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/chloedurant

TWITTER: www.twitter.com/chloedurant

Beauty

I've always had thoughts on this. I love how beauty is defined in so many different ways. People can be beautiful, weather, cars, music. People see beauty in different things. I like that, I like how somebody's face can be the most beautiful thing I've ever seen but then so are flowers, so is food I've eaten, you know? I like how you can smell beauty, feel it, touch it, see it. There is endless forms of beauty. Light is beautiful, the changing of seasons is beautiful, colours, feelings, halloumi, love, laughter, words... There is so much in beauty and it goes often unnoticed. 

There is beauty in every where, again like love, I think we disregard it. It's over looked and certainly not appreciated enough. Everything has beauty, it's just not everybody sees it. There's beauty in so much. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It's something that "pleases the aesthetic senses". Similarly to perfection, everybody's perception of it is different, and I love that. I love how people find beauty in different things that other people would pay no attention to. I love how I could think somebody is the most beautiful person I've ever laid eyes on, but to somebody else it could be just another face. ''One man's trash is another man's treasure'' people can be intoxicated by beauty, and I love that.

Thanks for reading.

Chloë X

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Love Actually

As it's December and Christmas will all be over in less than a week, I (of course) watched the British classic 'Love Actually'. It is one of my all time favourite films. Every time I watch it I find a new favourite part. This year round the part that stuck out to me is from the very beginning. The part that is usually spent rushing to make a cup of tea or a quick trip to the toilet. I always knew that the start of the film had a pretty special quote, but after this horrid year it really hit me. This is what Hugh Grant says in the opening scene.

''Whenever I get gloomy at the state of the world I think of the arrivals gate at Heathrow airport. General opinions starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. Seems to me that love is everywhere, often its not particularly dignified or news worthy but its always there. Fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the twin towers as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge they were all messages of love. If you look for it I've got a sneaky feeling that you'll find that love, actually is all around'' 

(In which Billy Mack then sings a Christmas rendition of Wet Wet Wet's Love Is All Around).

Love Actually was made in 2003. 12/13 years later I think the world has become far more sinister. Horrid things happen everyday. Social media has too much control. It is so easy to send out hateful messages online and we're all so pessimistic. But then I think that it's because people look for negativity. People all have things to say about things that are unimportant. There is not much more to say about it really, because I mean, he says it all. Love is there. If you look for it you'll find it. Because love is everywhere, you can see it, hear it, feel it. It's like my post before where I spoke about making more effort with the people we love. (chloedurant.blogspot.co.ukl) 

Love is, actually all around (puns).

Thanks for reading & Merry Christmas.

Chloë X

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''What a treacherous thing to believe that a person is more than a person''

Sorry for a lack of posts I've been working like mad over the Christmas period.

I'm a massive fan of John Green and his incredible way with words. He's the only author to ever keep me captivated in a novel. The only author to intrigue me so much that I'm reduced to tears or contagious laughter. I thoroughly recommend his work.

Anyway, for those who don't know, this quote is from Paper Towns. You see, my problem with people is that, if I love them I will continue to think they're better than they are even if they completely fuck me over. I praise them to the high heavens because I feel like they're more than they are. I always want to see the best of them and I always hope that they're not as bad as they've proved to be. Which is a 'treacherous' thing to do because I'm left hopeful yet always end up broken. It's in my nature to see the best in people, to put all my faith into somebody because I am so accepting of the people I love, 

People are people. People can be completely and utterly lovely or they could be absolutely shit. You can never expect much from anybody. In fact, you shouldn't expect anything from anybody because you'll anticipate good things from them that will never come. I could have the whole world telling me "you can do so much better" but I never want that I hate it when people tell me I can do better, I don't want better? Who is better than this person? I am too expectant that people will be more than what they are and will turn around and prove everybody wrong, and me right. It sucks because it never is that way. I waste so much of my time praying that these people will be more than a person and it's such a mistake. 

I really love this quote, I think it's a perfect. I need to learn to spend more time on myself rather than on people who don't spare a thought on me. Where people I once adored have let me down I fear falling again. I'm afraid of starting again, worshiping a person (who before meeting them I was completely fine) to then have the feeling of the world against you. How a person could be the only person to make you happy to the one person who makes you sad. Love is never the same but the pain is.

Thank you for reading.

Check out my previous quote post here: chloedurant.blogspot.co.uk

Chloë X

Find me on my social media here:

INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/chloedurant
TWITTER: www.twitter.com/chloedurant

Body Shaming | Part 1

What even is a 'perfect body'? Who decides what that is? Everybody has a different perception of perfection. What one person sees as unattractive, could be somebody else's ideal. I think my sister is perfect, I think certain shoes are perfect, some days to me are perfect, drinks, food but not everybody has the same opinions as me and could see what I see as perfect as complete shit, but that's irreverent to me because I think it's perfect. It doesn't matter what other people think about your physique, if you are happy with yourself, that's all that matters and if you're not, change it? I know for some people you can't physically/emotionally but then you need to learn to love yourself because you are more important than anything else. You do not need to change yourself for anybody ever.

It is so easy to judge people, say hateful things without even realising that your words could really put them down. People on the internet are always dragging people down, It is not OK, it will never be OK to publicly shame somebody for their appearance. The media are to blame for the amount of shaming there is. Comparing older celebrities who have had children to these young, fresh on the scene celebs is completely wrong. labeling somebody as 'fat' because she hasn't got a completely flat stomach, what is that? People tweeting celebrities saying how awful they look because they haven't got super thin legs, or whatever. People are people. Everybody is different but were all the same in the way that if somebody calls out on your insecurites it hurts.

Why is it that no matter what size you are, somebody has something to criticise you for? Everybody nowadays is so judgmental. I haven't a clue why but it should seriously stop. And it's not just guys shaming girls, it's girls against girls, girls shaming guys and then guys vs guys. Why is it anybodies place to say anything about YOUR body. Do people shame people because they aren't happy with their own appearance, so it's only right to make somebody feel  as bad as you do? It's not OK.

I have more to say about this topic and will write about it again in the near future.

Let me know what you think. Thanks for reading.

Chloë X

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INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/chloedurant

TWITTER: www.twitter.com/chloedurant

Just a Thought

I think there is too much negativity and sadness around at the moment, unhappiness is an all time high. And it's sad because it's so easy to make somebody smile, whether it be showing an interest in their day, paying them a complement or just smiling at them. If anything were ever to happen to people you love you would regret not telling them that you loved them enough. I have a really strong friendships with people because it's so easy to be genuine and tell them how much you're thankful for their companionship, that you love them, that they look beautiful and just showing them general respect. ''You look nice today'' I don't know, just simple things that make people feel good about themselves. My friends and I are always dropping random complements in our conversations and each time it feels nicer to receive. I really don't think we tell people how much we appreciate them enough. 

When I am working if I like a customers hair, nails, clothing or whatever I'll tell them. I'm not afraid to tell people they look good. Seeing a genuine smile from them afterwards is so nice. I hope that something that was so natural and easy to say could have made that persons day. I just wish more people were comfortable with telling people that like what they've done with their hair, or whatever because it's the simple things that go a long way.

Sometimes nice words go over your head. But sometimes they stay with you and when you're feeling unhappy with yourself you remind yourself of when these kind things were said about you. For example, about 4 years ago I was waiting for a friend to get off of her bus and two old ladies got off and without any hesitation said that I was beautiful to my face and spoke so lovely about me to her friend. It still makes me smile all these years later. Negative things however are much easier to remember, again,  for example; the very first time I met my ex's friends about 3/4 years ago (I was youngish and very shy) I heard one girl say "she's pretty", in which another responded "yeah for Shrek" in which they then were laughing and saying "Fiona" behind my back for the whole time I was there and as we walked away. Firstly, I don't know who these girls were, nor do I care, but what I do know is that they made me feel so fucking shit and insecure and I still today think how nasty that was. Secondly I fucking hate Shrek so it was a double insult. Anyway, I'm not green so I try not take it to heart. If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything. It is shit that something that they probably cannot even remember saying still pisses me off years later. But then this works either way I guess, if you make somebody happy with a words you've said it would feel so nice knowing that they still are thankful for what you said that random day 4 years ago.

It's so easy to be nice. It's totally cool to not like somebody, you won't always get on with everyone, but don't be a dick about it. Be nice to people. I just think if everyone were to just be nice, and if you think somebody looks nice, TELL THEM they might be having a really shitty day and you could completely change that. Make people smile, it's nice. 

Let me know what you want next. 

Thank You!

Chloë X

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Paris

It's absolutely heartbreaking. This world is so tragic. It's clear that there is so much love in the world as the world is showing their support and praying for the "act of war" in Paris. But why on earth is this happening? It's disgusting, bombing the most beautiful city, of love and breaking thousands of hearts how dare they. 

I'm petrified. My heart hurts, I can't believe that there are people who are capable of such massacre. Its revolting, why is this happening what do they honestly think they'll achieve from this. It's fucking hideous that they've targeted innocent people, families, couples and children. It's horrific they were probably having the the best night of their lives and I imagine some of them even said those exact words and these sick people destroyed their whole life, merciless. They probably were counting down the days until the match or the concert all for their precious lives to end tragically. 

Can you imagine the horror, being there, knowing you probably won't survive. I think even the thought of knowing I was going to die so gruesomely and knowing I'll never see the faces of the people I love, the pain of never seeing my family, never telling people how much I love and appreciate them enough, no future, the thought of that alone could kill me. The fear in that moment would be absolutely sickening. 

I can't imagine how these peoples families and loved ones feel at this horrible time. All I know is that you were probably their last thought and the whole world is thinking of you and praying for Paris. I'm honestly scared for my life because it can be gone in an instant. I hope and pray to God that this all ends and western countries stick together and never give in. Were stronger than them. Please don't start war, love and respect everyone, don't be stereotypical and racist because that's what they want. Spread love and we can try our very best so not let their hopeful "Great War" happen. 

Be safe and careful. 

Thank you for reading  

My thoughts are with Paris and everywhere and anyone affected by the terrorist attacks. 

Chloë X

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INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/chloedurant

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Saying NO

I've seen this a lot recently on various social media, how people are getting shamed for saying no to guys. It really frustrates me. It's so much easier to lie and say you're in a relationship than to say ''No sorry, I'm not interested''. Because when you say 'no' you usually get the 'oh why not', 'let me take you out anyway' or the short and sweet, 'bitch'. Or whatever but when you say that you're seeing someone else people tend to back off. And it's crap that you have to lie to these people to tell them no. I know I'm not the only person who uses it as an excuse, although it may seem like a low blow and a rude thing to do, you don't have to put up the shit they give you after you have said no. I appreciate that it takes balls to ask somebody out, and it's mostly flattering but if I wanna say no, leave it there. 

'''I have a boyfriend' is the easiest way to get a man to leave you alone. Because he respects another man more than you''

I was on holiday in Greece earlier this year I made great friends with group people that were staying in our apartment block. At a club one night these two guys tried talking to me and my friend. I'm usually a great judge of character (if I do say so myself) I instantly knew what type of people they were, I didn't want to talk to them at all because as I knew what their intentions were when talking to us. I was not interested in the slightest. So when they tried it on with me, I declined I got all this crap questioning me as to why I wasn't interested. And yeah okay, I get you wanna know why but don't hassle me and make me feel like I'm a shitty person. If I said no, then no? I said he wasn't my type and I don't fancy him like in the nicest way possible, but this guy was obviously so full of himself and a complete dickhead that he wouldn't stop because he clearly thought he was good enough to carry on. One of the friends we made saw that I was uncomfortable in the situation and came over and said 'are you okay?' I responded 'Yeah I'm fine, let's go though'. And this piece of shit guy said ''oh is this your type then, fat and ugly?' and in that split second he epitomised exactly the type of guy I thought he was. It was so fucking unattractive and disgusting that someone could openly say that to somebody else. I felt so awful like it was my fault that he had had that said to him. There was nothing wrong with our friend and he wasn't fat nor was he ugly but this twat obviously thought he was way better than everyone else. It was so harsh I could've cried with anger and it still infuriates me months later.

Just because somebody may be attracted to you does not mean that you have to be attracted back. It makes me so mad that sometimes you're made to feel obliged to like somebody back. If it's made clear that someone is not interested, don't continue in trying to pursue that person. Talking to guys makes me feel insecure and uncomfortable. I don't really like going anywhere alone because I get heckled or whistled at and that makes me feel very uneasy. I do think it's sad that you have to lie to these people because it is easier than saying 'no' and it shouldn't be like that. 

P.S: If you are one of those guys who after I've said I have a boyfriend say ''Would you cheat on him'' please, go to hell, you are shit.

NO means NO.

Thanks for reading.

Chloë X

Find me on my social media here:INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/chloedurant

TWITTER: www.twitter.com/chloedurant

Love Yourself

I always see posts online of people saying 'love yourself before you love anybody else', 'love who you are' and stuff and I think that's true and great. My problem is however, as soon as somebody does show a hint of self praise they're shot down with 'full of themselves', 'big headed' and 'loves themselves too much'.

I grew up hating who I was, it's really sad. I know SO many people are/were the same. I remember literally screaming and crying one day when I was as young as 6/7? in my room because I thought I looked like a boy, and sounded like Malfoy from Harry Potter (lol). I think that is so so so sad that at that young age I was embarrassed of myself. I hope there is nobody that young that feels the same. This feeling was continual for so many years until the past year or so? My unhappiness was getting a little unbearable, looking in the mirror saying ''I hate you, you're ugly,'' I did that far too often and looking back at it now it's quite heartbreaking. I kinda bullied myself I guess, now if I'm feeling shitty I try be positive to myself because it helps. I'm so much happier with myself now. I ditched people who make me feel worthless, stopped caring what people might have thought about me and spent time with people I loved. If you surround yourself with people who love you, you will start to love yourself. 

It is SO important to love who you are, I believe its totally fine to like your body, your hair or facial features. You are you. If you don't appreciate yourself you'll be miserable, you'll train yourself to believe that nobody will want you, because you don't even want you. If you appreciate you, you won't care what other people think. I love the way I dress, I like how I do my hair, I like my make up and I like me and if somebody turned around go me and was like 'I don't like that' I'd let it go over my head, I don't care if somebody isn't a fan of what I'm doing with myself, I'm a fan.

So, love yourself. Tell yourself in the mirror that you look cool today. Rub your confidence off on other people so they can feel good too. Being told that 'you love yourself' shouldn't be an insult, embrace it. You're only given one life, it's up to you to make it a good one.

Thanks for reading.

Chloë X

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INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/chloedurant

TWITTER: www.twitter.com/chloedurant

''Soon She'll Be Like a Book You Read a Long Time Ago''

I thought I could occasionally write about my favourite quotes, so here goes.

This one has to be my all time favourite from the film 'Endless love'. I think it is the utmost perfect way to look at a passed love. Either a good one or a bad I think it's perfect. Because books are books, they're written and they end, you can go back and read it over and over but the story won't change. If there's no happy ending the first time, why would it be any different if you go back. Getting over somebody can be, and usually is a long horrible process, worse if you know they're doing fine without you. The metaphor is a nice way to look at what is no more. It's beautiful, you see it as fond memory and there is nothing else to it. Sometimes love runs it's course but the memory of it can last. You can read the same book over a hundred times but the ending will always stay the same. So when you are toying with the possibility of being back with somebody maybe the best way to keep them is in thought, you could end up disappointed because there's nothing better than that first time feeling. 

I like to read, and I like love, the way I figure it is that reading a good book is like the way you fall in love; you only get that exquisite feeling of reading a new book once. Once you've finished it rereading it isn't the same but you can remember how that once felt and start to read a new one. (i.e fall in love again)

It gets easier and soon that person will be like a book you read a long time ago. A beautiful memory or completely irrelevant.

I'll conclude this post with another quote that I believe links quite well 

''When it’s over, leave. Don’t continue watering a dead flower.''

Thanks for reading.

Chloë X

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