Your name:
Alicia Natalie Holmes

Your Instagram handle:
@alicianatalieholmes

Where in the world do you live?
Wolverhampton - West Midlands

Tell us your life story in 5 sentences.
22 year old Fine Art student studying at Birmingham School of Art. I’m obsessed with my pooch / sister Belle and love my family dearly. I have lived with my Mom all my life, she’s my bestie. I currently live with my Mom, Stepdad and fur baby sis, Belle.

What are your biggest passions?
Art and design within education and making sure people are as happy as they can be. (Also fashion and shopping - slight addiction of mine)

What would make a perfect day for you?
Morning with a million and one scotch pancakes and a Sex and the city marathon with bae. Spend the afternoon with my family and bae talking my beautiful baby Belle for a walk at our favourite place, Padstow🐾
Spend the evening in front of the fire with a nice glass of red catching up with everyone and just chilling out. Or if we were to go out - stuff our faces at our favourite Italian restaurant 🐷🍝

If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else what would you want to know?
No - in all honesty there’s nothing I’d want to know. If anything I’d have liked to have spent more time with my Grandad. But I think everything happens for a reason, so there’s nothing I would really change.

What would you tell your younger self?
Be kind to yourself. Everything is going to be ok. Believe in yourself. You are loved!

What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?
I have many! One being making my Mom feel proud of me - that’s my main accomplishment ❤️ it’s been tough for us, but I think she’s done the best job!

What is your most treasured memory?
Going to the park with my Grandad.

What does your work mean to you?
My work means my career! I am studying in my third and final year at Birmingham School of Art and I am hoping to start my PGCE Art and Design this September. I am beyond excited as I’ve wanted to be a teacher since leaving sixth form. I am so passionate about Art and Design within education! I cannot wait to share my love for it.

What’s a typical day in your life?
I have recently qualified in gel polish manicures. So a typical day for me may be to go to university 10-4 and fit clients in around that time for gel manicures. I usually try and go to an exercise class too. I have a love hate relationship with spin classes - but nothing beats the feeling after one!🙌🏼

If you could invite anyone in the world to dinner who would it be?
This is a tough one! I would have to say Robert De Niro. He’s one of my favourite actors - I bet he has so many stories to tell.

What is your favourite thing about your career?
As I said before - I’m still at uni, but I cannot wait for the future and for my career to start!

When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I’m pretty sure I wanted to be a Princess haha, but when I was around 10/11, I knew I wanted to be a painter/artist!

What is your favourite book to read?
I’m not much of a reader, I struggle to get stuck into books, but my favourite has got to be: American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis.
If you think the film is good, get the book!

What’s your favourite thing to bake?
Cookies! My boyfriend and I are obsessed with cookies.

What do you listen to the most?
My music taste is so mixed! It’s a mix of artists like D-Block Europe, JHus, Jhené Aiko then I love old school R&B.
But my shower playlist consists of Amy Winehouse, Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra 😂 I love a classic.

What music makes you feel the most energised and happy?
I love old school classics! Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan - the best feel good anthems.

If you could eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
PASTA! I love pasta with anything. From lobster linguine to cheesy beans and pasta. It’s the best.

Have you ever had a nickname? What was it?
People tend to called me Leesh, short for Alicia. My name is pronounced like ‘Alicia Keys’.

What has been your favourite holiday?
I love Mykonos and Costa Adeje in Tenerife. My favourite places to go! But I love Padstow and the Lake District for a UK break.

Do you have a motto? What is it?
Be kind! And you do you do.

Which of your five senses would you say is the strongest?
Taste! I’m a pro at eating, so I have my Momma to thank for that. She always cooks the tastiest food.

If you could wake up tomorrow having gained one quality, what would it be?
Belief and confidence in myself! Instagram hides a lot of imperfections in peoples lives. Mine is my self belief. Although people can look majorly confident on Instagram and online platforms. I have very low self confidence - but my 2020 mission is to get stronger and learn to love myself for me!

What do you value most in a friendship?
Trust, empowerment, support and communication!
The green eyed monster (jealousy) is the biggest red flag for me. If a ‘friend’ can’t be happy for you, it’s a no from me.

What are you most looking forward to?
Starting my PGCE this September. My final year is so stressful at the moment, especially with the coronavirus outbreak. Stay safe everyone ❤️

What’s your favourite trend for 2020?
I do try my best to stay true to my own style. But my favourite 2020 trend is Boyfriend jeans and Vegan leather!

What are you going to be wearing this summer?
A lot of AYM Studios 🙌🏼😍😏

Any words of wisdom for your audience?
Be kind, stay true to you and this is my biggest piece of advise.
Speak to yourself as if you were your Mom/best friend/someone you think and care a lot about. You would never say unkind things to these people. We are all so self critical. We need to be kind and support ourselves ❤️ if you do one thing today - look in the mirror and tell yourself 3 things you love about yourself. Your sense of humour, eyes, your ambition.