Finding the Niche

Bloggers. There are millions of us, writing and giving our opinions on whatever we feel people should know about. Success as a blogger is also something that not many of us really reach when comparing the statistics. There are thousands of bloggers across the world who think that what we do is easy: we get sent free stuff, we write about it and we get paid. Right?

Taking time to nerd up my blogging skills!

The Life of an Obsessive Compulsive

Ask my Parents and they will tell you I am not the most tidy of people. In fact when I was younger, there was a floordrobe instead of a carpet. When I come back from uni, my stuff literally overtakes the entire house and things begin to look messy and cramped. Ask me and I will tell you I hate it.

Armed and Dangerous!!

Life Lessons: A Letter to Myself at 15

I've been seeing a lot of these letters lately and fancied hijacking the bandwagon to write my own! I have changed a lot since I was 15 and although I'm some sage old woman with knowledge beyond my lifetime, I do consider pretty well experienced for my age. So here goes...

Back when I was 15: dodgy eye-liner and all!

Heroes: Katie Piper

There are many people I use as inspiration in my life but none hold quite as much sway as Katie Piper. I think I have watched every documentary she has ever been involved with from the very first, during which my mum and I sat in tears for what had been done to her, all the way to the programs in which she sheds light on other visibly impaired people and how it affects them.

She has handled her situation with great strength, poise and elegance. Katie has gone from strength to strength and it has been a real pleasure watching her confidence grow and her story unfold. Which brings me to the present day when Katie herself cannot quite believe how wonderfully things have turned out in her life.

 Before and soon after her attack.

Who I've Become...

It is said that our personalities are formed by the age of 7. I cannot remember much about being that age, apart from wanting to make sure everyone else was okay and happy. I can remember that feeling of pride when I would help with folding the washing (pairing socks is serious business) and the swell of happiness when my parents would come back from a good parents evening. I did that, I made them happy.

Don't even know how old I was here.. Maybe around 6ish?

Women in Sport

It's no secret that I quite like sports and fitness. I've been a runner for three years now, I have an interest in karate and I'm stoked to get back in the gym when I return to the UK. What I'm not so keen on is how women are represented and how the fitness world is pitched to us ladies.

Seriously... No woman looks like this at the gym. Ever!

Why Unemployment Disagrees with Me!!

Okay so technically I am still employed but since I'm in France I can't work... I applied to jobs but apparently the French like me about as much as I like the French.... Maybe they've been reading my blog?! ;) Since I only have 3 months left here (97 days!) I have started thinking about saving money and what I want from my money etc.

Regrets: Turning Back the Hands of Time

I think I've done a fair amount in my 22 years of life. I've traveled lots, I took A Levels and went to university. I've had a job I kept for 3 & a half years and another I've had for 2. I'm pretty confident around other people and I know my own mind. I've been to a festival, I've partied until the sun came up and I've been on the edge of love. But I am far from perfect. There are things I wish I could have back and there are things I regret deeply, so today I wanted to talk to you about regrets and wanting to turn back time (I know you all want to break out into song... I did!) to have a do over.

Me at age 16

A Step too Far for Feminism??

I rage about this topic quite a lot. I'm all for burning my bra and having equal rights as a woman but lately Feminism has just become a political volcano that could blow at any given moment if someone says something wrong.

My Heart Will Go On...

It's that special time of year again, where the shops bust out an inordinate amount of chocolate and extortionate cards with soppy poems in them. Good old Valentine's Day is on Friday and it's a day where we are meant to cherish our loved ones, spoil them with gifts and do something romantically out of the ordinary.

You Better Work, B*tch!

Good old Britney knows her shiz. If you want something the you gotta work for it!



Personally, I'm not such a fan of the singer but her words do hold a grain of truth. So many people today want to take the easy route, without putting in their 10 000 hours, but that's simply not how the world works.

Reflections of 2013

T'was the night before New Years and all through the house people were drinking... even the mouse!
I am also reflecting over 2013 as a year in general. The last year has been difficult with a relapse of depression which I will talk about in more detail in another post, a complicated flat mate, a break up and even the end of a 10 year friendship.
So given the highs and lows of the year, here is a round up of the best and worst parts of 2013 and all the lessons they taught me! :)

The Ugly Duckling

If I could go back and tell the 15 year old me some advice it would be this:

You are beautiful. The boys don't like you because you're not easy and the girls don't like you because you're not easy (and that makes them jealous.)

Ahh the ugly duckling.......

Bringing Sassy Back!

There's something to be said for upping sticks and moving to another country. It's terrifying, it's exciting and it's a mash up of every fear you've ever had about yourself. Mostly though it's the biggest boost of confidence you could ever have! ;)

Lyon by night!

The Escalator Fandango!

Now some of you may know, that my sense of fashion as a teenage resembled something from a late nineties reject girl band. When I was young, I wanted nothing more than to be just like Sporty Spice, with her toned abs and penchant for pulling off jeans and crop tops. And the high pony tail? I was a master of that hair style for sure! As I got older, I went through a phase of wearing heeled boots and kitten heels. I was about 13 and felt super grown up and thought they made me seem more important and successful. Then came my late teens; by age 16 I was living in my Vans with baggy jeans and the grunge look down. I didn't care what the authorities thought-- I was a badass and I would not conform!

Unfortunately I didn't have the advantage height of heels in this scenario...

Lumière De Vie: The Science Behind Beauty

Being a lover of all things French or even remotely French sounding and an assortment of beauty products, I was excited to have stumbled across a new brand of skin care products called Lumière De Vie.

I have been on a mission for the last year or so to find some skin care products that actually suit my skin, which is awkwardly dry and sensitive, often being allergic to many "natural" skin products. I wanted to research a little more into this brand in order to decide whether or not I should fork out a portion of my hard-earned money on their range.

Fashion Snaps: The Style Tribe Column

It's no secret that I am a sucker for a good shoe. I've been known to battle it out with teens for shoes in the sale and even ordering from another country for that coveted pair of heels. *Le Sigh*
I was on the internet the other day searching for some fashion advice (because even classy gals like me need advice sometimes) and I came across something on the Glamour Magazine website called Style Tribe.

The Name Behind The Blog

I get asked quite a lot what the meaning of SassyLassy16up actually is when it comes to ye old blog. And because this question is one that gets frequented by you badasses often I thought I'd just explain myself a little and clear up the confusion.

Public Displays of Affection

We've all been there, we've all seen it and some of us have even envied it. Affection. That sought after emotion we want with another person, to be unapologetically ourselves, around another person and still love and be loved for it!

Romance isn't just sex

Winners Never Quit... Quitters Never Win!

My life is so far from going to plan right now... I had 2 days of calling around French people for some accommodation only to be told I need a French Guarantor, by the time I actually organised it and paid for the pleasure, I found out that Student Finance England (being the stellar organisation that they are) have messed up my loan for the THIRD year running. So I give them my greatest congratulations because it is looking like I won't be going on my year abroad thanks to them.