A Goodbye...

Hello!

When this blog first started two years ago, the day I got home after my last GCSE exam, I did not ever think I'd be writing this post. Heck, it wasn't until this summer that I really thought it may be time. Don't get me wrong, I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of this incredible blogging community. We have created a place on the internet where a bunch of people with a common interest can come together, from the comfort of their own homes to be in an environment where there is no judgement. Here we can all just be friends, support each other and be happy.

After that little ramble about only some of the many incredible benefits of being part of this lovely community, it does sound kind of stupid to even be thinking of leaving. Yet, the time has come for me to step away from the blog, as I don't believe I will have enough time to truly give it my all (with uni starting in a few weeks). I will, of course, still be present on social media (i.e. Twitter).

BerryBloomXO has been an incredibly fun project to work on, becoming committed to post a few times a week, and having wonderful opportunities like attending events, working with brands, interacting with people and reading such lovely comments are things that I will always remember. I hope you have enjoyed all that BBXO has had to offer.

Thank you for making my time as a blogger incredibly rewarding (we surpassed 100,000 views last month!), fun, and a great experience. Who knows? Maybe I won't be able to stay away for too long - haha! Either way, just remember I am beyond grateful of your support throughout this journey.

Farewell.

A Vitamin Infused Lip Balm - Proceeds go to CHARITY

Hello!

"with every lip balm bought, donations are given to CLAPA"

A little different of a post to normal, I'm talking about giving. Giving? You ask. Well, yes, giving. Yo may have noticed the new button the nav bar called 'Shop'. This leads to a link on Etsy selling a Lip Balm. The lip balm is 100% Organic. It's made of natural ingredients, is infused with Vitamin E and is part of a social enterprise that's been funded by Unltd to aim for creating a lip balm with little unnecessary chemicals to ensure you get the best quality.

Now, where in the world does the GIVING part come into that? Well, the lip balm is not only incredible for your lips, but with every lip balm bought, donations are given to CLAPA. CLAPA is a charity that helps those with a cleft lip build their confidence, and give opportunities to them for a brighter future.

"a charity that helps those with a cleft lip build their confidence, and give opportunities to them for a brighter future"

There are all these talks about rising each other up, bringing up confidence and not beating people down - making the world a better place. Buying this lip balm will not only give you confidence as your lips are looking lovely, but also children and adults around the world affected by cleft (which is surprisingly common) to feel confident through workshops and treatments CLAPA offers.

So, buying a BlushLips lip balm will not only benefit you, but also benefit more people than you can imagine. That's the power of giving.

Get the Lip Balm HERE: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/246115858/vitamin-infused-organic-lip-balm 

Also, share this, spread the word and help out all those that CLAPA can benefit by just the simple action of getting a lip balm.

Day out at Sea Life London - DoMoreWithAvios | LIFE

Hello!

"see them being fed, swim under the sea, float near us and waddle about!"

I hope you're enjoying the bank holiday! Of course it has to rain (in London, anyway) on the day we have off! Luckily, there are so many things to do inside, including going to the Aquarium! I popped down to London's Sea Life Aquarium this weekend and had a blast! Oh, and to add to that, you could go for FREE. That's right, free tickets to anything is great, so read on to find out how. 

The thing with London is that there is always something to do, I'm talking the Shrek Attraction, London Dungeons AND the London Aquarium being neighbours to each other, so you can only imagine the other things you can see in London besides that street, let alone other things around the world!

We saw so many fishes including spotting tiger sharks swimming right past us, and every time we see a tank of fishies, my nephew would say 'Nemo, Nemo, Nemo!' - although ironically, when we got to the actual clown fishes and 'Nemo', he didn't utter the word! His and my favourite part of the aquarium? The penguins!! We got to see them being fed, swim under the sea, float near us and waddle about! I ended up buying a cute pink pearl bracelet with a penguin on it for memories (which I'm currently wearing as an Anklet FYI ;) )!

In terms of how you can get a free ticket, just do your groceries, go on holidays and adventures as you would normally and you can earn points with Avios, which you can then spend those points on more holidays, days out and even a chance to upgrade your economy ticket to business class! You can join and collect points via Avios Travel Rewards programme or British Airways Executive Club.

What I'd do next? Maybe take a trip to New York, or even go to a nice Afternoon Tea (Read: Afternoon Tea in London). Luckily, you can invite a friend to share the points with you, so you're not left doing it alone! Check out Do More With Avios for more!

Tell me, do you have a favourite Sea Life Animal? 

5 Emojis I Loathe | LIFE

Hello!

"[if you] have used them in the last week... don't talk to me - just kidding :)."

We all know there's that one emoji that makes you a little annoyed. Well, is it completely out of the ordinary to have 5 of those? That's right. 5 stinking emoji's I don't like when they're used. Don't get me wrong, use them sarcastically and I'm lol-ling with you, but actually mean it and I get a little irritated. 

"that one emoji that makes you a little annoyed"

There's always that one person that uses every single one of these, and I'm just gritting my teeth trying not to swear at them for being such Negative Nellies! Maybe it's because I try to not use them, as I don't want to feel as though the world is terrible, and everything bad is happening and think all these negative thoughts putting me in a negative place (Read: Stay Positive).

So, stick to :) and :D and ;) , stay positive and if you're using the above 5 for a laugh, go for it, but if you actually mean it and have used them more than 3 times in the last week... don't talk to me - just kidding :).

I'll sort of create this as a tag, so if you're a blogger/youtuber that wants to do this tag, I TAG YOU.

What is your most hated emoji? 

New TV Shows, GBBO is Back, Candles + Meeting Olympians | BERRYWEEKLY

Hello!

"their show stopper bakes are very much 'on point'! ;)"

What a week it is been! I feel like after results day I have said the word 'uni' a billion times. Not only has results day come and gone, but The Great British Bake Off has also begun! Having also recently gone to an event to meet some pretty famous Olympians and those that help behind the scenes, I can say it's been a good time!

"the scent is not very strong but is surprisingly quite fresh"

As for a brand new TV Show, Scandal has been my go-to. There's something about the drama and the gorgeous Olivia Pope fixing everything that makes the show quite interesting. Although every episode they always end up fixing the problem, it's a show that is great to have running in the background.

As for The Great British Bake Off, if anything it's a tradition (Read: Last Years GBBO post). They have some pretty interesting contestants this year, and their show stopper bakes are very much 'on point'! ;)

"the melted wax look like it's, almost, glowing!"

Hydrangeas are my new favourite flower to decorate my room with. We have about 4 huge hydrangea plants so they're readily available! I also picked up a 3-wick candle in the scent Champagne Cassis. I like that the scent is not very strong but is surprisingly quite fresh.

As for the quote, I saw it somewhere and ended up saving it on my phone (Read: Phone Wallpapers). I think it's a lovely quote to remind you to keep on going, and make everyday something special (Read: Cherish the Moment).

"if we see things as an opportunity and have a positive outlook, we are more likely to just do it"

This is actually a photo I stuck up on my Instagram (Link Here) a little while ago. Doesn't it look really cool?! I put the candle on my desk which has glass on top. This made the melted wax look like it's, almost, glowing!

This week, I've also been loving this shirt. I have a thing for lace and flowy/chevron blouses and think this is such a lovely one for summer! The bright colour is super fun, and you know what's better? The super good price tag! You can get it at 10dollarmall.com - yes everything is $10 or less!

"The showers and lockers and all were super nice and high quality"

On August the 5th this year, it marked one year before the 2016 olympics! Fitness First had a few bloggers over and we were given three 15 minute sessions on various parts of olympic training. By that, I mean we had a session on working out, a session on nutrition and a session on psychology. Surprisingly, there's a lot to how the brain works, and the fact that if we see things as a threat we are more likely to make excuses, whereas if we see things as an opportunity and have a positive outlook (Read: Positive Thoughts), we are more likely to just do it. 

"it marked one year before the 2016 olympics"

Not only did we hear great tips and learn so many things, but we (obviously) got to see the beautiful place that Fitness First have. We went to the one in Bishopsgate, and as it's in central London, I thought it'd be pretty small and that it'd be super cramped. Well, let me tell you, it was super spacious and they used the space quite well. You had 2 flights of stairs, and in between the first and second flight you had the spin room and the ladies changing room. The showers and lockers and all were super nice and high quality, as well as the cleanliness being a high standard!

All in all, a lovely week! 
What did you get up to this week? Oh, and are you looking forward to the Olympics? 

***I was able to attend the event for free, but was not told I had to write about Fitness First or the Olympics. 

September 2015 Calendar | LIFE

Hello!

"cherish the idea that it's a fresh start, no matter what you're doing this month"

As it is the month that we all remember as 'Back to School' Month. It's the month we began yet another academic year. Soon the leaves will turn brown, and as the air turns crisper it feels like a fresh start all over again (Read: Fresh, Positive Thoughts). Whether you're going about work, going to uni, sending your kids off for the first year of school or just chilling, a pretty calendar is just what you need this month. Heck, you need it every month (Read: August 2015 Calendar) but this month is a good place to start.

Click Here to Download

The theme this month? Obviously it has to do with the trees. The brown leaves on trees are the ultimate sign that we are approaching, or in, the incredible season of Autumn. Autumn, if you didn't pick it up already, is my favourite season (Read: Autumn Inspiration). Sure, I love the Spring showers as much as the next guy (just kidding, probably much more than the next guy as most people don't like the rain, whereas I LOVE it), but there's something about the clean, fresh Autumn air that lifts my spirits. Not only that, can we just take a moment for Autumn fashion? Yep, *sigh*, it's a wonderful time.

So, make the most of your September, enjoy Freshers if you're starting uni, continue to (or start to) enjoy the work that you do and cherish the idea that it's a fresh start, no matter what you're doing this month.

Hope you have a wonderful September. Tell me, what do you think about the transition to Autumn? 

Become what you Respect | QUOTES

Hello!

"You can become what you respect. That's the least that you can do."

These posts are one of my favourites. Why? Well, they're all about spreading positivity, encouraging thinking about who we are and who we want to become, and I can almost feel myself coming 'back down to earth' as I write this, and maybe you feel the same when you read it. There is a reason quotes are ever-so popular, and here are 4 that you must read today.

New Shoes, Vintage Clocks, Movies & a Life Tip | BERRYWEEKLY

Hello!

"having dreams of owning something close to Khloe Kardashians heavenly shoe collection"

They say summer passes by in a flash, and they couldn't be more right! I don't know if it's because of the idea that we have 'all the time in the world' to do whatever we want to do, or if it's because we choose to spend our days doing practically nothing but somehow, the clock is running on super speed. To cherish every moment, we tend to resort to our handy dandy camera phones to capture memories - and that's exactly what BerryWeekly is all about. So here are the memories of the week!

Khajur Pak 'ENERGY BALLS' | RECIPE

Hello! 

"A vegan friendly, healthy yet delicious snack to grab whenever you feel a sweet craving"

Medjool dates are getting popular by the minute. Known for their incredible caramel-like taste and sticky texture which is great for no-bake treats. Yet little did I know the treat I'd been having since as long as I can remember would be huge in the 'Western World' too! Being Indian, my family love the good old sweet treat and the now known 'Energy Balls' were always called Khajur Pak [kha-joor pah-kh] in my book. So, as I made a batch, I thought I'd give you the low-down to these incredibly tasty, nutritious and super EASY treat!

The Awkward Moment, Pitch Perfect 2 and Love, Rosie | MOVIE REVIEWS

Hello!

source 1, 2, 3
"It's a rollercoaster of emotions and a movie that's my favourite"

There have been many-a movie reviews on BBXO recently, but you seem to like it (*I hope so, otherwise this is quite annoying!*), but I had a movie day a little while ago so decided to combine the 3 reviews in one. We watched That Awkward Moment (only because Mr Zac Efron was in it, and who would say no to Zac time?), Pitch Perfect 2 (how could you not?) and Love, Rosie (Lily Collins is absolutely stunning!). In case you're either running out of movies to watch, or just want to hear my thoughts, read ahead and then conclude whether you should add the title to your movie list! 

August 2015 Free Printable | CALENDAR

Hello!

"you need a calendar to make sure nothing clashes, that you plan your days wisely"

How is the 8th month of the year starting very soon? It's crazy! Nonetheless, it's probably the most looked forward to month, it's the month of SUMMER. Filled with trips to the beach, pool and planning picnics and spending time with family and friends. With all of that going on, you need a calendar to make sure nothing clashes, that you plan your days wisely. Oh, and it is completely okay to plan a DO NOTHING day - not everyday has to be busy just because it's summer, right? :)

The DUFF Movie Review | THE VERDICT

Hello!

source

Every time I see the word 'DUFF' I cannot help but think of Duff Beer. The Simpsons basically owned that word in my head, but apparently there was another use for it. Oh, and needless to mention, the gorgeous Bella Thorne is in the movie, yet not going to lie, she wasn't the reason I'd watch the movie. The main guy, however, called Wes (Robbie Amell), is the reason you should watch the movie. He's the charming, super cute guy that you see in practically every chick flick/teen movie, yet he plays it very, very well. 

Memphis Theatre Show, Seeing Gok Wan + Wimbledon | LIFE

Hello!

"hear her voice and you think you're listening to an angel"

If you follow me on Twitter (shameless plug ;) ), you'd have seen the ticket to Memphis picture I posted. Memphis is theatre show on at the moment at the west-end Shaftesbury Theatre. It was very hot on the day I went, and boy was I glad that the theatre had air conditioning! Oh, and we came across Gok Wan and past an official Wimbledon car, but more on that later. 

EE Power Bar - Keep your Phone Charged for Free | TECH

Hello!

"being out and about during the summer, it's nice to know you have backup!"

Shortly after joining EE on contract, they released the power bar. The power bar is basically a charger that you keep in your bag, and whenever you're out of battery, you can recharge your phone without the need of a plug socket. The best thing about it? It's free for EE customers and even if the power bar also runs out, you're still sorted. Let me explain...

A Quote to Live By - Be Open | MOTIVATION

Hello!

"gets you on the right track again"

You know the quotes you find on Pinterest, and occasionally pop up on your Tumblr and Twitter feeds, well I think they're great. It's a way to bring you back down to Earth, reminds you of your morals and gets you on the right track again. Well, this is one that really gets me back down to Earth, reminds me of my morals, and helps to get me back on the right track again. 

Scent your Room with Wax Warmers + GIVEAWAY | LIFE

Hello!

"The scent that fills the room is just so lovely"

Although it's summer time, I still like to light a candle or two. In fact, you may have seen the pomegranate candle I was loving last week in this post here. The scent that fills the room is just so lovely and the warmth from the flame is very nice! Then I came across the wax warmer. It's the same idea but has a light bulb instead of a flame, which is good for the safety side of things too.

Watermelons, Cookbook, End of Exams & Mason Jars | BERRYWEEKLY

Hello!

"First of all, watermelon season is upon us"

The week has been a start of something new. I say that meaning there's less pens and papers and exam seats in my life, and more sun, movies and what feels like freedom! I do believe it's all about the little things in life that make us happy, and here's a peak at the week!

"To celebrate the end of exams, I bought myself a gift"

First of all, watermelon season is upon us. We love watermelon and bought 2 that were over 10kg! That's a lot of watermelon, but it is just so delicious! Watermelon juice (pictured above) tastes incredible when its cold, on a hot summers day!

On that note, I also got myself the Deliciously Ella cookbook! I love her YouTube channel and thought the book would be great to get some new recipes. It was a decision and a half to choose between this one and the Get the Glow by Madeleine Shaw book, but went with this one as I thought it'd more suit my vegetarian lifestyle. So far, I have been loving it, it's lovely to read her story and the tips behind ingredients she keeps as staples!

"totally feel 'tumblr worthy'"

On Saturday I had a huge clear out in terms of revision material. Let's just say my walls look a lot cleaner without a million papers stuck there. Oh, and a couple of pens were, unfortunately, murdered in the process!

To celebrate the end of exams, I bought myself a gift. The Magnitone Lucid had been on my skin care list for a while, and I thought it was finally time to take the plunge (blog post about it here).

"it's all about the little things in life that make us happy,"

I love candles year around, and when it comes to summer, more floral scents are opted for. The candle pictured above is Pomegranate and Acai, and let me tell you, it smells incredible!

Finally, if you saw a picture posted the other day on Twitter or Instagram, you'd have seen the mason jar. I bought it the other day, and although it's not 'legit', it's still super cool and I totally feel 'tumblr worthy'. Is that a thing? I don't know but it's just so cool! It has a double wall so your drinks remain colder for longer too - it's just cool! I got it from Sainsbury's by the way :)

Having spent most of the week just chilling and having the pleasure to do pretty much nothing, I've loved it! Tell me, what has been your highlight for the week? 

Summer 2015 Inspiration Board | LIFE

Hello!

 Okay, I'm going to be completely honest with you and say this inspiration board was a bit of a nightmare to create. I think it's to do with the fact that my brain has been so wired for exams in the last few weeks that it's kind of gone "Creativity? What the heck is that?". Although it may not have the same effect as the Spring Inspiration Board that was previously published (pretty summer-y too, if ya ask me! ;) ), it's something, and I hope you like it!

source (clockwise from top left) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Summer screams all things pretty. I'm talking pretty flowers, pretty dresses and pretty fruit! There are a million and one DIY's for summer on Pinterest and a range of pastel colours for your nails just waiting to be painted on. It's a time to wind down, enjoy the sun and also at the back of your mind be wondering how the time of 2015 has flown by so fast that we're already past half way point?

Yesterday, being the official first day of summer and the longest day of the year, it may just have finally hit us that 2015 will soon be over. So make the most of it! :)

What are your favourite things about summer?

July 2015 Calendar | PRINTABLE

Hello!

"what better way to do it than stay organised and plan things you enjoy?"

We're past the mid-month mark of June, and I cannot believe the 6th month of the year is almost coming to an end! Really? It's like 2015 has whizzed by. That doesn't mean we shouldn't cherish the next month, and what better way to do it than stay organised and plan things you enjoy? 

Click HERE to Download

Here's the calendar for July, of course it's free and super quick to download!
Any interesting plans for the coming month?

In The Cinema This Summer | MOVIES

Hello!

source, source, source
"reminds me a little of a female version of 22 Jumpstreet!"

It's prior to the summer when we're saying things like 'Yes, I will win the Nobel Prize this summer, I'll climb Mount Everest and I'll meet the President of the United States... all in one day'. Okay, basically, we have a million and one things we want to do, but when we get to it, we're like.. 'Right, what do I do now?'. Movies are generally resorted to, because let's face it, a trip to the cinema is much more likely to happen than climbing Mt. Everest! So, without further ado, here are a few ideas as to what to watch this summer.

The Age of Adaline

Blake Lively is back! I didn't think much of the movie, but after seeing a few posters around the tubes and on the side of London buses, I thought I'd give it another look. It looks like a nice concept, although in all honesty, it wouldn't be number 1 in the 'things I want to watch' list. But that's just me, maybe it'll tickle your fancy? 

Pitch Perfect 2

I remember watching the first one, on a snowy day when everything in London got cancelled due to bad weather! It was lovely, and better than I had expected. That being said, I'm looking forward to this one. After watching the trailer, it reminds me a little of a female version of 22 Jumpstreet! What do you think?

Mr Holmes

So the BBC absolutely nailed the Sherlock series. Honestly, anyone that has ever seen an episode of Sherlock is always raving about it, so if you haven't yet - DO. I remember watching the Sherlock Holmes movie, before the whole BBC show, in the cinema and it was not to my liking. Okay, basically it was bore-ring! This, however, it's a different concept. Sherlock years older seeing people gasp at the sight of 221B Baker Street yet them not recognising the man himself steps behind them. His last case? Well, it better be a good one, and I do hope the movie is not a let down - especially after the brilliant Cumberbatch played the role so greatly. 

Do you have your eye on any movie in particular? Do let us know! :)