Take a risk, enjoy your life #MOTIVATIONSUNDAY

"Take a risk" How often have I heard or read that sentence in the past? I can't even remember. I am pretty sure you will have come across is it just as often. Did you ever take it seriously? Do you ever actually apply this to your life and take risks? It probably depends on your character, whether you do or not.

An extrovert reading this is more likely to answer with a "yes", an introvert would probably answer "no". Without labelling myself to either of these sides, I would say that I never really applied that advice to my life. Taking a risk.

I am not really someone to take risks or be spontaneous. I love structure and I love having a plan. If my calculations say I don't have enough time to get myself a Bretzel, I am not going to get myself a Bretzel, even though I probably would have had more than enough time if I would have actually gone. Sorry, I can't seem to think of a better example. If I ever did take risks like that, I never did it knowingly, I guess.

Something changed a few days ago, when I was practically pushed to do something, and it ended up being the best decision I could have made. We got our friend a skydive experience for her 18th birthday, and I was half an hour away from where it was happening, unsure of when she would set off. I messaged with someone who was already there, and I was convinced that I wouldn't make it, because she was already dressed and everything, ready to set off.

But my parents didn't let me stay. They somehow actually managed to talk me into trying to get there in time. The thing is, I don't like taking risks, but I do love challenges. So I legit put on Harry's album on full volume and sang along to it for the whole journey, and went off. I didn't drive as calmy and "slow" as I would have usually done, but I made it. I believed in myself and pushed myself, trying to think positively, that I would actually make it. 

I literally got there when her plane had just set off into the sky, aka I had come in the exact perfect moment because I took a risk. If I wouldn't have gone, I am pretty sure I would have regretted it later, because I would have felt like I had missed out on something so cool. I took a risk by driving there. Maybe I would have gotten there and it would have all been over already. But it wasn't. I came just in time because I tried. To be honest, I would have been pretty pissed at myself if I would have taken the risk and NOT gotten there in time, and that probably would have not make me take any risk in the sooner future either. But that day just made me realize how important it is to take risks from time to time.

Yes, taking a risk might mean failing from time to time, but isn't that what's going to happen at some point either way? Nothing will always go right and the way you want it to. But it's the same the other way around. Taking a risk, doesn't mean it's going to go wrong. It might be just the right decision.

I am not saying you should do something dangerous or illegal. But you should push yourself from time to time, and try something new. Don't live in the same old patterns. Not everything has to be planned out and end up perfectly. Things will never go a hundred percent like you planned them. Stop taking it the comfortable way at all times.

Taking the risk might just be the right choice, and really bring you forward. Yes, it might not. But never taking risks might not be the way to go at all times, either. Just try pushing yourself and doing something that you usually wouldn't do! Open your horizons to new things! It will be worth it - trust me!

I'm really sorry that today's blog post is pretty short and maybe not the best one I have ever done, but stay tuned, because starting next week you will be hopefully be spammed with some really awesome posts about something really really exiting, which I can't wait to share with you!

See you next week! Have a good day!

Love, Jacqueline Xx

Shawn Mendes Live: Illuminate World Tour

Welcome to a new post!

If you follow my social media, you might have seen that I went to the Shaw Mendes concert last Sunday in Oberhausen, and had the most magical time. As I love concerts, music and photography, and I feel like I am not the only one that loves staring at concert pictures of their favourite artists from time to time, I thought I would share my experience with you. Even though we didn't have the best seats in the arena, we still had the best time, and I guess that's what counts the most.

As we live around two and a half hours away from Oberhausen, we met around lunch time to have some food first. Afterwards we headed straight off towards the arena, obviously blasting Shawn through the speakers. The nice weather, the good music and chatting made the hours fly by quickly, even if I was driving the whole way. We spend some time walking around the arena, in the hopes of seeing something - but obviously, that didn't happen haha. Once we got into the arena we got to enjoy some really good music from the speakers, making the waiting time a little more enjoyable.

At 19.30, surprisingly punctual for a Brit (haha sorry, don't take this in a negative way - sometimes, I just to be a very stereotypical German 😂), Shawn's support act James TW started. I had had heard of him before, but not properly listened to him. Most of the people were showing no emotions towards his music, which I found a little sad, because I actually thought he was really good. I've still got a few of his songs stuck in my head and it's almost been a week since the concert, as I am writing this - a whole one, when you're reading this. Have a little listen yourself, if you like.

The build-up to Shawn was really well made. I always love that part, when you know the artist you came to see is just about to come out. I'd totally show you the whole video of it, but I can't really keep myself together when an artist starts a show with one of my current, favourite songs haha.

They also put a second stage, practically straight across the room in front of the lower blocks, where Shawn played about 3 or 4 songs, if I remember correctly. I'm really happy that they did put a second stage there, because otherwise we wouldn't have seen much more of Shawn, other than a teeny tiny figure at the other end of the room. It's also where I took some of my favourite shots from that night.

Is it only me that thinks it looks kinda cool, that you can't seen anyone or anything, but Shawn in these pictures?

We had a really fun day. It was such a good concert. Next time, I'll definitely have to get tickets that are closer to the stage, because the atmosphere of the people around you just seems a lot better.

I only wish merchandise would be less expensive, because the stuff that was designed by a fan was just so freaking pretty! She did a great job at those designs!

Concerts are one of my favourite things in the world. You are so lost in the music, that you can forget everything else that has been bothering you...and you can scream at the top of your lungs haha (not that I would ever do that... *cough*).

I'll definitely have to go and see Shawn again. He's so good live, and he's such a nice person. Pray for me, that he's going to the Summertime Ball and that I get tickets 😃.

I had planned on including a video full of the parts of the concert that you can't hear me screaming or singing in, but the cutting programs are all making it worse quality than it actually is. Let me know if you would still like to see it, and I'll upload it at some point next week!

Have you ever seen Shawn live? Or are you planning on seeing him live? I would definitely recommend going - you won't regret it! It's totally worth the money!

Have a great day ♥

Love, Jacqueline Xx

P.S. Please, do not use these pictures without my permission. Simply contact me if you want to use them. Thank you.

6 Spring Wardrobe Additions

Welcome to a new post!

Spring is here, and with that comes short sleeved weather. Seeing as I spend the last few years only buying few things, I am now standing in front of a huge list of things I need, as I seem to practically have way too little shirts for the warmer times. With my internship approaching, I also need a few new shirts and other bits for that. So me and some friends headed to Frankfurt, and I actually found quite a few bits that I liked. However, there are still some things on my list, so if you have any tips where to look for cute pieces for Summer and Spring that aren't too expensive, let me know.

I'm really sorry that these pictures aren't that great, but I sadly don't have the time to find someone to help me with them right now. I'll try to do better next time.

 H&M

It's a little see through, but I don't think you can do a lot wrong with a white blouse, sprinkled with dots. The v-neck isn't too deep either and it's a piece you can easily dress up and down, wearing it with a huge ass, but very comfy cardigan or with a blazer, for example.

Hollister

This is one of the pieces I got from my voucher. I was really surprised to see that it actually turned out to look a lot better on than I thought it would, because tops like that usually tend to not be very figure hugging. White is a risk for me, as I easily spill stuff over me, and it's also slightly see-through, but it was too pretty not to take with me.

Hollister

This shirt is actually a bit too big for me, but I didn't want to carry that voucher with me for another four years, so I decided to get it anyway. It's just fine when stuffing it into your jeans or shorts.

Vero Moda

I actually didn't really want to buy black clothes, or dull colours in general, but this looked really good on, and it's also armpit free - aka sweet free, which is great. I still need some other clothes, so I guess I'm going to have to force myself to buy some colours.

Primark

To be completely honest, this is actually from the men section. But the design was too nice not to take it with me. In the end it's still a t-shirt, no need for gender labels.

ONLY

I don't buy many dresses for some reason, even if I love them. I need something nice to wear on my first day at work though, which is not allowed to be a pair of jeans, so I thought this would only be perfect. I can easily wear it all through summer as well, and it wasn't too expensive either. I had to get it.

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Soo, did you make any new additions to your Spring wardrobe yet? What have been your favourite places to get clothes from right now? Leave some suggestions, and you might find them in another blogpost when I've gotten the other bit of clothing that I need. :)

Have an amazing start to the new week ♥

Love, Jacqueline Xx

8 Fantastic Films You Need To Watch

Happy Easter everyone!

I hope the Easter bunny has brought you some pretty things and a bunch of chocolate bunnies this morning. Most people aren't working today, so it's the perfect day to watch some good films. These aren't really Easter related, but I don't think it's that important to watch a film that fits the theme of the day...unless it's Christmas of course.

 The Last Song

One of my old time favourite films, and not just because it features Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth. This film tells the story of Ronnie, a "rebellious" teen who is forced to spend the Summer with her father, together with her little brother. She makes new friends and meets Will. She makes mistakes and has to realize quite a few things that Summer. Especially the end is heart-breaking, but it's honestly such a beautiful film.

 The Help

I only saw this film recently when it was on TV. I didn't expect much from it, especially because I had never heard of it before. There's a reason why this film has won Golden Globes and Oscars. I initially only watched it because I thought a story about a young girl wanting to become an author sounded really fascinating. I didn't realize until watching, that one of it's main topics is actually the racial segregation of the United States and the early starts of the civil rights movement. After talking about the civil rights movement and segregation in class, only a few months ago, I didn't think I enjoyed the topic that much, but this film portrays the events of the past really well in my opinion, and it's filled with emotions.

Camp Rock

If you are around my age, you probably know this film already. If you don't, I don't know where you've been. If you like music and a good teen film, this one's for you. If you like things like High School Musical, this one's for you. But be careful, you might become obsessed and at some point be able to repeat every single line, ever mentioned. Mitchie is off to spend the Summer at Camp Rock, together with her mother, who's going to cook there. She also meets a boyband, whilst there, and I don't think you need to know much more, do you? 😏

 Me Before You

Yes, okay, this is one for the romantics, that don't mind to shed a tear or a thousand. After loosing her job at the local café, Lou is hired to take care of Will. Because of a motorcycle accident he has been paralyzed and has to sit in a wheel chair. Although he is pretty stubborn and rude at first, the two of them slowly get closer. But Will has a wish, one that Louisa is not fond of, at all. It's a story that breaks hearts, and it's really beautiful. It just might not be for you if you don't like a cringey romance.

 Love, Rosie

Sam Clafflin. Lily Collins. British Accents. Beautiful. Anything else needed to be said?  Basically, Rosie and Alex are best friends. They are planning to go away to university together, but Rosie finds out that she's pregnant, so she let's Alex leave, making him believe that she is going to follow him soon. However, she doesn't do so, and they slowly loose contact. They keep living their lives, he gets some girlfriends and goes to uni. One day he's standing at her door step though, because he's found out about the baby. Yeah, I'll leave the rest to you before I spoil everything. It's really beautiful, but again, probably not something for people that don't enjoy a little romance.

 If I Stay

Yes, okay, allow me this one last soppy romance please. I actually consider myself someone who doesn't enjoy these cringey romances too much, but somehow, when it comes to films, a few of my favourites actually are romances. Strange. Anyway, this story is about Mia, who is a passionate classical musician, and in a relationship with rockband singer Adam. One day her and her family get in a car accident, and she finds herself wandering around the hospital halls, being able to witness everything that is going on, but to the outside world, she is in coma. She has to make the decision, whether she wants to stay alive or move on. I'm not one to easily cry when it comes to films, but this one breaks hearts, because you can absolutely feel what Mia is feeling. Also, it has a few good music bits in there.

 Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

My personal Easter watch, as I haven't seen it yet, which is a disaster for a Potterhead like me. Obviously, Harry Potter is also a good watch for Easter, but if you haven't seen this one yet, do it. I mean, apart from being a Harry Potter film, it also has Eddie Redmayne playing the protagonist, who has such a pretty accent - what else could you possibly want? Yes, okay, it's also got a nice plot, special effects, magic etc. (Sorry, just obsessed with British accents hehe.) A must see for any Potter fan, although I am only half way through the film as I am writing this.

Divergent

Last but not least, one of my all time favourites. For once, it's not a soppy romance - hope you're proud of me haha. It has some romantic aspects to it, but it's not the general focus of the story. It's a dystopian story, adapted from Veronica Roth's novel. If you like anything like Hunger Games, Maze Runner, The 5th Wave etc, this one is probably for you. Tris is a real badass once she has found her place in the dystopian community of Chicago, which has been split up into factions, each valuing different things. When she chooses the faction she wants to live in for the rest of her life, she starts changing, she has to start fighting, and not only for her faction future. I don't want to spoil too much. Please, watch it. This one is not just for woman, although I have to say, Tris is probably my favourite female protagonist.

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I hope I was able to give you some inspiration on what to watch in the next two days. I know these are not really Easter themed, but I don't think that's that important at Easter, is it? What are some of your favourite films? Do you have a particular genre or topic, which you prefer, or do you just watch whatever floats your boat that day?

Have an amazing Easter, whatever you're doing ♥

Love, Jacqueline Xx

P.S. All rights for the pictures used above go to their owners! I do not claim any copyright for them! I do not use them to gain money, but for fun and inspiration only! Source links will follow soon.