Hiya, my name is Laura, I’m 19 years young and I study English and Creative Writing at Plymouth University.
I am a major shopaholic, foodie, wanderluster, and absolutely love cats ❤
In the hope that someday I may make it as a professional Journalist / for a bit of fun, I have decided to set up this blog; allowing you to enter into my crazy and wonderful world!
This is the first time I have done anything of the sort, so please don’t judge, just (try to) enjoy!
Ciao for now, Laura xx
Hi guys, someone has contacted me to say that they legally own the rights to the blog and domain name ‘Just Your Average Girl’, which means that I now have to change my blog name! Any suggestions would be greatfully appreciated!
Ciao for now, Laura xx
In the approach to leaving university for summer, I have been dreading the temptation of mum’s snack cupboard – full to the brim with yummy chocolate, crisps, biscuits and cakes. Because I (somehow) resisted the urge to buy these treats whilst at uni, I knew that the temptation of the snack cupboard would be waiting to entice my deprived taste buds as soon as I came home – consequently resulting in majorly over-indulging and putting on weight. Therefore in an attempt to stay fit and healthy without the help of my university gym, I have bought Charlotte Crosby’s ‘3 Minute Belly Blitz’ DVD as an alternate home workout to my previous workout which I did at my university’s gym.
Although I am looking more for a workout to help tone muscle and keeping my current weight at bay as opposed to losing weight, I have to admit that the claim that you could ‘lose up to 5 pounds a week’ did make me curious as to what was so great about this DVD. I follow Charlotte on Instagram, and I personally think that the photos of her body transformation are amazing – she just looks so gorgeous and healthy! Therefore coupled with my love for Charlotte on Geordie Shore and my burning desire to try out new products, I have decided to give this home workout a go.
Bought for £12 in comparison to my gym membership of £99, I have to say that I have been pleasantly surprised with the intensity of this DVD. When I read that the DVD consisted of twelve rounds of cardio / abs, each three minutes long, I was slightly apprehensive – how could three minutes of exercise result in losing 5 pounds?! However having now done the DVD and only managed seven rounds out of twelve, I can safely say that this workout is far harder than you’d expect. When working out at the gym I would normally go for an hour session around three to four times a week, using machines such as the bike, the cross trainer, and the treadmill; therefore to give up just over halfway through this exercise DVD, I can clearly see why ‘3 Minutes Belly Blitz’ claims to burn up to 5 pounds a week.
Surprisingly, this blog post has actually been more difficult to write and make a decision than I’d have originally thought. To be honest, even though I try and workout and eat healthily in order to stay fit, as much as I’d like to be, I am not one of those girls who enjoys working out; and although I do enjoy salad, I would nine times out of ten enjoy a McDonald’s even more. Although an exercise DVD is far cheaper and a lot less effort in terms of not having to leave the comfort of your own home; whilst home comforts are lovely, I personally feel that the mix of potential peer judgment coupled with the different types of machines that the gym offers, means I put more effort into my workout when at the gym. I don’t know if it’s the knowledge that no one other than myself is going to appreciate my new Nike running gear when I’m stuck at home, or the fact that actually leaving the house to go to the gym somehow makes my workout seem more worthy; but despite ‘3 Minute Belly Blitz’ being great, throughout the time it has taken me to write this blog, I have come to the conclusion that I still prefer going to the gym. By all means, for those who prefer a home workout, You won’t go wrong with Charlotte’s DVD; but personally, the home workout life is not for me.
Have you tried any home workout DVD’s? Which method of workout do you prefer?
Ciao for now, Laura xx
Okay so obviously I cannot speak for society as a whole as everybody’s relationships are different, but I have been (officially) going out with my boyfriend, Adam, for just over a year now and would like to think that judging by the points listed below, we have a pretty comfortable relationship with one another. I’m not suggesting that you aren’t in a comfortable relationship if the points below don’t match your reality, but going by the countless number of Cosmo mags I have stashed in my bedroom, along with my own relationship experiences, I like to think that the points listed below are a pretty safe bet 🙂
1. You leave ‘spares’ at eachother’s houses. You spend so much time together that it’s just easier if you have your own set of pyjamas / toothbrush / makeup / clothes etc at their house as well as your own.
2. You help yourself to their food. Not in a rude way, you’re just comfortable enough to not feel guilty or shy about helping yourself to food when at their house.
3. You’ve overcome the embarrassment surrounding toilet matters. Ok so I won’t go into depth with this one! All I will say is that I think this probably applies more to guys than girls!
4. You finish eachother’s sentences. This one may sound a bit soppy but I have personally found that if you know someone really well / spend a lot of time together, knowing what the other person is going to say before they’ve even said it, happens quite often!
5. You wear more makeup on a trip to the village shop than you do on a date. For me, this is a crucial indicator that you are comfortable around your other half – the moment that a girl switches from a full face of make up to a plain face free of make up, is a big step.
6. You have no problem expressing your inner weird side around them. You don’t feel embarrassed or worried about what they might think when showing weird sides of your personality – if anything, they join in!
7. You don’t freak out if you have an argument. You don’t panic about being un-compatible etc when arguing about something. Whether arguing about TV programmes, what to have for dinner, or a more serious matter; despite intiailly disagreeing, you are confident that you can sort it out together.
8. They’re your bestfriend as well as your boyfriend / girlfriend. Despite having a serious relationship, you’re careful not to take things too seriously, making sure that you always have fun together!
9. You’re not afraid to show your emotional side. Whether it be crying your eyes out whilst watching The Notebook or confiding in one another about an upsetting or serious matter, feeling able to convey your true emotions is vital for a comfortable and healthy relationship.
10. You aren’t constantly trying to impress them. You’re comfortable in the knowledge that you don’t need to change anything or put up a front in order to impress them. They love you just the way you are and vice versa.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog post! What reasons apply to your relationship?
Ciao for now, Laura xx
Given that myself and my boyfriend are avid lovers of baking (and eating), I thought that baking something yummy would be a nice way to spend today’s bank holiday. In an attempt to try and bake something vaguely healthy, we decided to make granola slices 🙂 These are great for satisfying sweet tooth cravings or to grab when in need of a quick and filling snack. All of the ingredients needed are also fairly cheap – making for a great bake that will last ages in the snack cupboard.
You will need:
1. The first step is to preheat your oven on fan to 200º. Then mix your seeds and oats together in a sided baking tray and place in the oven to toast for around 13-15 minutes. Make sure to stir your oat/seed mix every few minutes in order to stop them burning.
2. Secondly, whilst your oats and seeds are toasting in the oven, place your butter, salt, vanilla extract and sugar into a saucepan and stir until lightly simmering.
3. Once your sugary mixture has reached a light simmer, take your now toasted oat/seed mixture from the oven (the oven can now be turned off) and mix with your dried fruits and chocolate chips. Once the fruit and chocolate has been completely mixed in with your oats and seeds, stir your sugar mixture into the oat/seed/fruit/chocolate mix. Make sure you thoroughly stir in your liquid sugar mixture into your dry mixture as the sugar mixture will be what holds your granola bar together!
4. Once both mixtures are thoroughly stirred together, line a rectangular baking tray with greaseproof paper and spoon your granola mixture on top. Once all of your mixture is on your baking tray, spread the granola out evenly, making the thickness to your liking.
5. After you have spread your granola evenly across your tray, fold over any remaining baking paper of add a sheet on top, and firmly press all over the granola so that it is compressed. Press really hard on this part so that your slices won’t fall apart when you cut them later on! Once you are happy with your bake, leave your granola to set for around 3 hours.
6. After 3 hours, place your granola onto a chopping board and carefully peel back your baking paper.
7. Finally, press firmly with a sharp knife and cut your granola into your desired slice size.
I hope you love making these delicious slices as much as we did ❤ *recipe adapted from http://www.joyfulabode.com*
Ciao for now, Laura xx
The downfall of living in Plymouth, is that pretty much everywhere is in walking distance, and by this I mean Drake Circus shopping center. I don’t know what it is, but I feel almost cheated if I somehow manage to miraculously walk through a shopping center without at least buying something – yes, I am guilty of buying Krispy Cremes despite not feeling hungry in the slightest (I literally can’t put into words how good the Caramel Crunch flavour is?!)
Anyway, last week when I was browsing Boots (for no particular reason other than I was passing through and why wouldn’t I buy something?); I came across Garnier’s new ‘Strength Restorer Serum’ from their Ultimate Blends collection. Reduced from around £5 to just over £3 (I think the exact price was £3.29 reduced from £4.99 but can’t remember for sure); I was instantly drawn in as I have used Garnier Ultimate Blends shampoo and conditioner in the past, and have always found both products to leave my hair smelling amazing as well as looking extra glossy! Because my hair is quite thick, it often goes out of condition very quickly, resulting in it needing a cut about every six weeks, therefore I felt that this serum which claims to be perfect for ‘fragile hair’ which is ‘prone to breakage’, would be perfect.
The Strength Restorer Serum is enriched with protective honey bee Propolis extract which is believed to act as a great protective barrier for hair, whilst also giving the serum a lovely subtle honey fragrance. Garnier advise that you can either use 1-2 drops of serum applied to the lengths and ends of fragile hair in order to smooth the look of split ends and straighten hair; or you can use the serum as a pre-styling ritual by using 2-3 drops of serum on towel-dried hair for an intense treatment for added softness and protection against breakage.
The serum claims to make your hair stronger in just one week when used in conjunction with Garnier’s Ultimate Blends Strength Restorer shampoo and conditioner. Although I haven’t been using the shampoo and conditioner recommended, I would still say that my hair is feeling thoroughly nourished and cared for. Unlike some serums, I have found this product to be light weight and non greasy, making application really easy for a quick fix! For anyone looking for a hair product to help keep their hair nourished and in good condition, I would definitely recommend this serum – especially at the bargain price of £3.29! What’s to lose?
Ciao for now, Laura xx
A few of the children we met back when travelling in 2010.
As I realise the whole world is, I am literally stunned at the amount of devastation and deaths (bordering on 10,000) that Nepal’s recent earthquake has caused. As you can see from my blog post’s title, despite being thousands of miles away, Nepal’s earthquake feels a little too close to home as five years ago I was travelling in Nepal with my family for a month, across both Kathmandu and Pokhara – both of the places to have been hit hardest in the recent earthquake.
To see such a serene, beautiful country demolished in a matter of days, is truly devastating – even more so when I think back to the countless number of lovely Nepalese people who we met throughout our travels. Natural disasters such as Nepal’s recent earthquake shouldn’t be inflicted upon anyone – however as this power is unfortunately out of our control, the best we can do is help with the aftermath.
Please donate whatever you can to help Nepal and its people get back on track – even the smallest donation will make a difference. There are number of sites you can donate at, a couple of which are listed below, thank you:
Nepalese children after the earthquake.
I’ve donated, have you?
Ciao for now, Laura xx
Like many others I’m sure, I am constantly in the bid to try and live a healthier lifestyle. Despite regularly going to the gym, it occurred to me that although exercising regularly will somewhat counteract the unhealthy parts of my life; it only counteracts these parts to an extent – to lead an overall healthier life I need to focus on what I eat, just as much as the amount of exercise I undertake. Therefore as you have probably already guessed, I have started to focus more on what I eat as well as what I do; such as eating more fresh food than processed etc. As an avid lover of chips, pizza and all things fast food; I have actually been pleasantly surprised with my latest dinner recipes – my favourite being the Italian baby leaf salad recipe that I have shared with you below:
You Will Need:
Start by spreading your salad leaves across your plate – nothing fancy, but make sure you use a decent amount and cover your whole plate! Next, chop up your tomatoes into thin slices and place onto your salad (I usually use around 3, but you may want 4 if yours are relatively small). Having chopped your tomatoes, cut your avocado in half – wrapping half in cling film for the fridge, whilst thinly slicing your other half in order to add to your salad leaves and tomatoes. Once your avocado has been added, drain the excess water from your mozzarella and either slice or tear into thin strips; once done, add to your salad. The salad with just mozzarella alone is very filling in my opinion, but for those who think that it won’t be enough; I suggest baking a salmon fillet in the oven with mixed herbs, pepper and salt, and then adding this to your salad once cooked. Finally, add a couple of black olives to your salad, season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with olive oil… Perfect!
I hope you enjoy this meal as much as I do!
Ciao for now, Laura xx
Having only had my blog for just over two months, I have been blown away by the amount of views/likes/follows I have received in such a short space of time. Therefore as a little thank you, two randomly selected people will receive a unique code entitling them to a free goodie box from ‘graze’ – all you have to do is make sure that you follow my blog via wordpress, bloglovin’ or email, and ‘like’ this post!
p.s. remember to leave your email in the comment section so that I can contact you if you win! (no one can see this but me).
Graze boxes are deliciously yummy, containing four randomly selected treats for you to ‘graze’ on throughout the day! These boxes will be delivered to you by post, and are usually worth £3.99!
Get following and liking … good luck! Competition ends on 2nd May at 5pm.
Ciao for now, Laura xx
For those of you who are unaware, today – the 25th April, is World Malaria Day.
Malaria is a deadly disease, thought to have killed half the number of people that have ever lived, including 90% of those who live in Africa, with half of the world’s population still currently at risk – making it one of the largest causes of poverty in the world. Malaria is transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes – deadly, yet preventable. Across Africa Malaria kills approximately one child every minute – and yet it costs less than £1 or your morning coffee, to save an infected child’s life.
‘Malaria No More’ works to protect those vulnerable to malaria by using money raised and donated to provide people in countries such as Africa with mosquito nets, malaria tests, and malaria treatment. Since 2009, programmes run by Malaria No More have helped over 10 million people; whilst overall child deaths since 2000 have halved.
Just take a minute to reflect upon the amount of protection that you are privileged enough to have when travelling abroad to mosquito infested areas: nets, tablets, spray, repellants… the list goes on. Now take a minute to reflect upon what the people in places such as Africa don’t have – yet are subject to each day, and ask yourself this: why wouldn’t you help?
Whether it be putting £1 in a donation pot, buying a cute little ‘Malaria No More’ bracelet from Jack Wills, holding your own fundraiser, or even simply making others aware; do your bit for those who can’t fight Malaria themselves, and help make Malaria No More, and #MakePovertyHistory.
http://www.malarianomore.org.uk/
Ciao for now, Laura xx
Having read ‘Before I Go To Sleep’ from start to finish in a matter of days, I knew I had to buy S J Watson’s newest release, ‘Second Life’.
Admittedly, I did originally plan to try and wait before buying, in the hope that the price may go down (classic student thinking). However when my flight was delayed on the way home from Barcelona, it seemed fate was urging me to read it as surprisingly, the shop in Barcelona airport was piled high with English copies.
The book’s blurb reads: 
‘She loves her husband. She’s obsessed by a stranger.
She’s a devoted mother. She’s prepared to lose everything.
She knows what she’s doing. She’s out of control.
She’s innocent. She’s guilty as sin.
She’s living two lives. She might lose both.’
Obviously I don’t want to give anything away, but basically, the novel’s storyline follows the life of Julia who lives a normal, respectable life with her normal, respectable husband; until news breaks of her sister’s death, and her life changes for ever. Obsessed with the idea that the police aren’t investigating the death as well as they should be, Julia takes matters into her own hands…
When I say that this psychological thriller is a ‘must read’, I am in no way exaggerating. From beginning to end, S J Watson will have you hooked on the followings of Julia and her family – this novel is a definite ‘page turner’; great for blissfully reading away the day! 5 Star *****.
Click the link in pink (or black if using a mobile device), to order from Amazon now! 🙂 Buy S J Watson’s ‘Second Life’ here!
Ciao for now, Laura xx
Life Online With Laura. 