... Hello 2011!

The countdown has begun; in just over five hours (at the time of writing this) the fireworks will be going off, drinks will be flowing and people will be cheering as Big Ben strikes midnight, and what will I be doing to celebrate ... absolutely nothing!

It's not that I haven't been invited to places but I really do not understand the big fuss about New Years Eve - you go out, que for aaages to get into bars and to get a drink, which is way more expensive than usual, and then you're waiting for over an hour for a taxi in the freezing cold! Don't get me wrong, I love a good night out and I wouldn't have minded going out tonight - it's just the pressure of the whole occasion I don't like, and most of the time (in my experience) it's not worth the fuss! It is this, along with other factors (which I won't go into) that have gone into this decision, so I have decided to turn down all offers and stay in my little flat, eating chocolate and watching Mr DiCaprio from the comfort of my settee ... lovely!

And of course, now that New Year's Eve is here, it is time to reminisce about the past year (see my last blog post *hint*) and state what our 2011 resolutions will be ... if we have any at all! Usually I do not bother with resolutions ( I really do sound very anti-NYE don't I?!) but because 2010 was incredible for me I have decided to make a few so I can be sure I will be making the most of 2011. So, for the first time, here are my New Year's resolutions for 2011 ....

1. Taking the next step in my career: Now that I have found my way into the journalism / print publishing industry, I do not want to leave! I have learnt a lot in the six months I have been employed as a features writer and I am becoming increasingly confident in what I do, so I definitely feel that in 2011 I want to advance further - maybe at a brand new company in a brand new place, or perhaps more responsibility at my current job? Either way, I am going to make sure I do my utmost the whole time to make sure this happens.

2. Dance, dance, dance!: This is something I did during my school years and absolutely loved it! The hobby ended when I left school but I have always thought about getting back into it, and now I am thinking why not? I absolutely love watching Strictly Come Dancing; it always makes me want to dance, so I was ecstatic to receive the Strictly Fit DVD for Christmas - so consider this the start of my resolution! I will be blogging my progress (see my previous blog post: Strictly Diary) and hopefully, later on in the year, I will start attending a class ... so watch this space!

3. The personal life: I'm not quite sure what this resolution is yet, but what I do know is that this is going to be handled very differently in 2011. In December something changed in my personal life and, if you have read my tweets you may have gathered I have been a bit upset about it, but since this is what has happened I know I have to make the most of it - and when I know how I'm sure I will let you know! Sorry for being a bit vague, but I do like to keep some things private, despite how personal these blogs are getting!

4. The LC Issue: Finally, I am going to try so hard to keep this blog growing and to make it a success - and hopefully I can count on you lovely readers to help me to do this! It may be a bit hit-and-miss at the minute but I am determined to keep posting and see where this leads - so spread the word, follow, comment and let me know your thoughts - it really is appreciated, whatever you have to say!

2011 does feel like it's going to be a challenging year for me; I am slightly nervous for some reason but at the same time I am quite excited! So on that note, I would just like to say thank you to you all for your support so far and I wish you all the best for 2011. Have a wonderful night whatever you're up to and Happy New Year!

Lindsay x

Goodbye 2010 ...

Here we are, at the end of another year, preparing for the changes we vow to make for 2011. Fortunately, I am lucky enough (and very grateful) to say that 2010 has been an incredible year for me - I'd even go as far as saying the best yet - and I'm only 21! So in the spirit of rounding up the year, here are some of the highlights from my 2010.

One of my favourite highlights: Graduation Day
The final three of the class and our tutor, Emma.

I can't really remember much about January, only that it was the start of the final semester of my degree - oh how those three years flew by! But in February it was time for me to celebrate my 21st birthday; the celebrations started by traveling to Nando's for a fantastic meal and then celebrated in style with a night out in good old Meggies (aka Cleethorpes!) with my best friends - perfect! March time was when my year started to get interesting; I received a letter from HM Court Services and opened it to find that I had been summoned for Jury Service (yes, me, at 21!) It was due for April but I had to defer my service for a later date as I had a better offer - a job interview at the Daily Mail!

I was so unbelievably excited; a third-year journalism student who had yet to graduate had the opportunity to train with the Press Association and end up with a job with the national newspaper itself.  I did not get the job but I had the best time in London anyway; my dad came with me as I had never been to the city before (only to see Britney Spears at the O2 arena in 2009 - but that was a quick visit) and it was great spending the day with him, walking around (in my classic black pencil dress and heels from House of Fraser), seeing the sights and taking in what a great opportunity I had been given, despite the outcome - I was a very lucky student!

On Liberty Island in front of
the Manhattan skyline

The week before was equally as excellent, after a lifetime of wanting to visit New York, I finally went as a part of a uni trip. We visited Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, 5th Avenue ( and Bloomies!), The Empire State Building, Coney Island, Staten Island (what a day that was!) and whatever else we had time for! The group of students that came were such a laugh and we really did have a brilliant time. New York is a truly unique city and I can not wait for the day I get to return - this was definitely one of the best weeks of my life!

The Perfect Wedding
Magazine

Midway through May I handed in my final pieces of work for my degree and like many students I was thinking about what was going to happen next. Luckily, a wonderful tutor of mine sent me an email about a job opportunity at a local magazine publishers as a features writer - and now six months on I am still there! I have written lots of features for various magazines (all of which you can see at www.waltonspublications.com - sneaky plug) and I am so grateful to all of my tutors at East Coast Media (particularly Emma and Fiona) for the advice they have given me.

Myself and friends ready for
a night out in Manchester!

In July I completed my jury service; without going into too much detail it was a trial full of sex, violence, drugs, blackmail, lies and confusion - what more could you want when you're sat on a jury?! I also went to Manchester for the first time to celebrate one of my bestest's birthday - lovely food, shopping and a fab night out, more great memories for the year so far.

The view of Cleethorpes Seafront
from my flat.

In September the biggest change in my life happened - I found my own flat! I have lived in Cleethorpes, just around the corner from the beach, all my life and loved how close I was to the seaside, so you can imagine my delight when I found a flat right on the seafront for a great price! Unfortunately I couldn't move in until late October (thanks to a brightspark at the estate agents) but now I'm all moved in, half-decorated and completely settled; I realised just how much my life has changed!

October was another highlight - my graduation ceremony. After waiting months for the day to arrive, it finally came and it was definitely one to remember! I received the Student of the Year award which I was ecstatic about (and very surprised!) and on the way to the pub for a family meal to celebrate I received a fantastic phone call from Cosmopolitan magazine; somebody had dropped out last minute for work experience so they called to ask if I would like to go, which if course I would have LOVED to, but unfortunately I couldn't at such short notice - I was absolutely devastated but the lovely lady on the phone said she would call back next year to rearrange - so fingers crossed that happens! Or if it doesn't I will make it happen, I am so determined to not let this slip away!

December has been a strange month for me, I won't go into detail as, despite sharing a lot of information about myself on this blog, I am a very private person, but after a long time a part of my life has changed and I really am so upset about it. But despite this I had a lovely Christmas with my family and I have realised how great my friends are - well I always knew it but this has proved it!  So now New Year is nearly here and I know that in order to top this year I really have to push myself career-wise and in my personal life - I'm very nervous but I am so excited; I am determined to make 2011 just as good, or if not even better than 2010.

Strictly Diary

Strictly Come Dancing; since 2004 this dance-packed, sequin-lavished programme has been gracing our television screens, and I for one absolutely love it! Which is why I was so excited to receive the 'Strictly Come Dancing: Strictly Fit Dance Fit' DVD for Christmas.

Like most other fitness DVDs, it has arrived at the perfect time - most people are stuffed from all the chocolate, pringles and wine consumed (and I am also guilty of this) and it is the perfect opportunity for a New Years Resolution - but you will hear more about mine later ;)

Now that the Christmas festivities are over and we are all waiting for the start of 2011, I decided to give the DVD a sneaky try before my resolution really begins, and boy, am I in for some hard work!

You can play the DVD as a whole or work out section by section, which includes the following dances:

• Paso Doble
• Cha-cha-cha
• Jive
• Samba

Phew! It makes you feel worn out just by reading it! Luckily there are very effective warm-up and cool-down sections to get you started and relaxed once the workout is over.

Each section of dance follows a similar structure; you learn three separate sections, first at a slow pace and then at a faster tempo, and then all three are put together to create the dance. You get several chances to practice along with the dancers and then once you become a professional (or as close as you can be!) then there are studio sessions where you can practice some more!

The DVD also includes a glossary which is perfect for learning the lingo so you sound like a pro. Each section is taught by the gorgeous Ola, Natalie and Artem (Kara Tointon is one lucky girl!) so you have the inspiration you need on screen right in front of you.

Now that I have had a sneak preview I am fully prepared when my new fitness routine begins - and I have also learnt not to try these moves whilst wearing slipper socks on a laminate floor, you slip everywhere! I will be regularly updating my progress on the LC Issue, so consider this my first official entry in my Strictly Diary!

In the words of Brucey and Tess ... "Keep dancing!"

Lindsay x

A very Yankee season!

Christmas may officially be over, but for many people who recieved one of these, like myself, the memories of this year's antics will still be present due to the gorgeous seasonal Yankee Candles!

Thanks to one of my bestests and my parents, the amazing scents of the Christmas Cupcake candle and the Sparkling Snow candle will be gracing my home for the next few months. My parents also went a step further and bought the Butterfly Crackle small jar tray and shade accessories to accentuate my new candles, and when lit (like in the picture above) it looks absolutely stunning! As I have mentioned before I recently moved into my own flat so these little gifts are absolutely perfect for making my flat more homely and cosy.

I have never really been a big candle person, sure they make a beautiful impact on romantic occasions but I never really understood the need for them on an everyday purpose, that is of course until I discovered the delights of Yankee - and when they smell this great who can't love them!

Yankee Candles are available in all good retailers, prices vary. For more information visit their website www.yankee.co.uk

Believe me, you will not be disappointed with their range!

Lindsay x

Merry Christmas to all!

Well that time of year is here again, the decorations are up, the kitchen is full of chocolates and nibbles, and every television channel is showing festive specials ... Merry Christmas everyone!



Back in October I moved into my first flat! I absolutely love living there and I was very excited about having my very own Christmas tree (shown above). I'm a very traditional girl at heart so I chose gold and red decorations, but unfortunately I underestimated the size of the top branch so I do not have a star at the top of the tree this year (woops!)

However, now Christmas Eve is upon us, I have ventured home to the parents' house; dad is sat watching 'A Christmas Carol' (only he's moaning about the fact it's the coloured version, not black and white), mother is faffing about as per, my brother is out with his friends somewhere so I'm sat here with my Sandy (the family dog of nearly 12 years) writing this, and I am so pleased to be home! For the past four years I worked in retail meaning I only had Christmas Day and New Years Day as time off, but thanks to my brilliant new job I am able to have a whole two weeks off - I don't know what to do with myself, but it is fantastic!

Now, since my blog is brand spanking new, I realise I do not have any followers yet (sad face), but for all of you out there who have taken the time to visit my blog I would just like to say Merry Christmas! I appreciate the time spent looking at my site and I really hope this blog grows to be something special, so I wish you all the best for the festive season.

Eat, drink ... and be Merry!

Lindsay x

Blonde ... or Brunette?

This is a question that has been on my mind for months now. All my life I have been blonde, and very proud of it, but people have been telling me that a darker hair colour would suit me? So last week, when I met my hairdresser of 21 years (yes, really!) I made the jump and booked myself in for a new colouring.

I do not want to go really dark and have a drastic change, but when watching Gossip Girl series 4 and saw the character of Juliet I thought her hair colour was gorgeous! So I am hoping that if I do go ahead with this my hair will resemble something closely to this:



However, I am still very nervous about this and am worried about not feeling myself once the hair has been dyed; some people are used to big changes on a regular basis but I am not! Luckily I have seven weeks to make my final decision.

So, what do you all think? Shall I make the risk or stay safe and stick to the hair colour I have always been and loved? What have your experiences been - good or bad?

Looking forward to hearing from you all soon!

Lindsay x

Ending the year as I mean to go on

So, after months and months of tweeting about starting my new blog, I'm finally doing it! So welcome one, welcome all....

I have been saying that I have wanted to revamp my previous blog for a long time now; I started the last one at the beginning of 2010 and aimed to create my own fashion blog. It underwent a couple of revamps, most recently as The LC Issue, but for some reason my heart wasn't in it anymore. I was spending a lot of time working in my first full-time journalism job and unfortunately I became too busy to keep blogging.

However, if you follow my tweets you may have seen that I am now renting my own place, which means I have more time to myself and to completely revamp The LC Issue, and I couldn't be more excited! Instead of focusing on one subject I am just going to write about whatever I feel like, whether it is fashion, books I've read, things I've seen or just my opinion ... just be aware there may be some shameless plugs to my own published features ;)

Actually, It is my role as a features writer that has inspired me to recreate this blog. I graduated from East Coast Media / Grimsby Institute with a degree in Journalism, and like most new graduates I was unsure about what was next. During my final year as a student I was editor of the Grimsby Institute's student Newspaper 'Pulse', had work experience at the Grimsby Telegraph, and in April of this year I even had a job interview for a trainee sub-editor for the Daily Mail and the Press Association (even though I obviously didn't get this job I am still so proud to have been considered) - it seemed newspapers were my future! But of course I kept my options open for any job opportunity so I could get my foot in the door and
fortunately, a wonderful tutor told me about the opportunity to become a features writer for a local publishing company and the rest is history! I have now been working there for six months and I have managed to have LOTS of features published already!

I am so pleased with the way the beginning of my career has started and I now know that if I do continue on the magazine road, I will be very happy! One day I would absolutely love to be the editor of my own magazine, but until then I will be the editor of this blog, The LC Issue! It may take a bit of trial and error but I am determined to make this blog work, so I only hope whoever reads this will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing this.

Lindsay x