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Monday 25 September 2017

4 Things To Know Before Going To University

With most University's freshers starting soon, or even having started already, I just wanted to give you all three tips which I think are invaluable to every new student. A couple of these I wish I knew before I started.



1) It goes way too quickly.

I sound like such an oldie when I talk about time going quickly. but those three years of my life went by in a flash. It seems like yesterday that I was moving into my halls and meeting these five strangers that I would be living with for the next year. Do not take this time for granted like I did, it goes incredibly fast, and once you graduate, lets just say - life is not as fun as it is was when you were a student. 

2) You wont make friends if you just sit at home. 

This is possibly the most valuable advice I could give to any new students: sitting on your butt doing nothing and keeping to yourself will make your time at University miserable and lonely. You will probably be the person crying, even into Spring term, about how much you miss home, and trust me, that is not fun. I'm not by any means suggesting that you go out on a bender every single night (although equally as fun), but just make sure you put yourself out there and at least talk to those you live with. University is a chance to reinvent yourself, and I most certainly took this opportunity to reinvent myself as someone much more confident than what I was. 

3) You probably won't stay in contact with your 'current best friends'

As much as it sucks to think about, University life is so much of a bubble that if you're anything like me, and you're living away from home, you're probably going to quickly fall out of touch with your best friends from home. It's only natural, and when you graduate you will probably rekindle those friendships, or even in the holidays, but whilst you're there, you will probably slightly forget about each other. You will be surrounded by new people everyday, living with new people, sitting in lectures with potential new friends, and you'll end up making a strong support group at University. I'm not saying you will never talk to your 'home friends' again, but just giving you a heads up, it's not as easy to stay in touch and remain 'best friends' as you may think.

4) University is not a walk in the park.

Yes, Uni is a lot of fun and games, and you will try so many new things, meet so many new people, and generally have the best time of your life. But let me tell you one thing, I have never ever been so stressed in my life, and at times, as lonely, than I was at University. Not because I had no friends, as I had the best friends anyone could ask for, but because at times you just feel a little isolated, with everyone having lectures at different times, and obviously being away from your loved ones (hence point 2!). Stress was a major killer for me, and I can not express how important it is to do your reading before it gets to exam time. I never took this advice and every year I was stressed out of my mind, drinking more coffee than I care to admit. Not only this, but managing your time is such a difficult task, and something you will come away with having perfected. Let's take one of my 'typical final year' days for example. I'd wake up, go to lectures, want to socialise with my housemates, need to go to the gym, and also some days have work. Learning to manage all this alongside completing assignments is a struggle, but you will nail it eventually.

Those are my four main things to know for those of you who have started University this September, or who are off in the next few weeks. Please embrace every opportunity that is thrown your way, get out and meet new people, try new things, because this experience will go so quickly and you don't want to have any regrets when you leave Uni. Also, don't take these points too seriously, obviously they are based on my experience.


Monday 4 September 2017

Gift Ideas for Hard To Shop For People #AD

There are always some people in your life who are impossible to buy gifts for, for me, it's my Dad. I swear, every Christmas or Birthday it's a massive struggle to decide what to get him because he's one of those people who says "just get me a card" - wow, helpful. Anyway, the lovely people at Uncommon Goods reached out to me to collaborate with them on a post, and I just think I might have found the best website for gifts for hard to shop for people.



They not only do the most beautiful handcrafted items, but also offer many personalised gifts, such as this Personalized Hearts Four-Across Game which I am so tempted to order for my Mum and Dad's anniversary - how cute is it?! It would definitely make a gorgeous wedding present as well. Uncommon Goods even have a whole section on their gifts page for anniversary presents, which you can check out here. I think there's just something so thoughtful about personalised gifts, as it's not something you've just walked into a shop and picked off the shelf. You can see more personalised items on this page

Another item which hugely intrigued me was the Himalayan Salt Tequila Glasses, which are beautifully handmade. This would be the perfect gift for any drinker, and I would most certainly love them on display in my kitchen. Not only are they made from natural materials, but they are obviously gorgeous in colour. When I eventually buy my own home I am most definitely ordering these to keep on display on my bar cart, goals. 



Lastly, I cannot write this post and not share this item with you, it's a Wine and Beverage Dispensing Tote Bag - how bloody cool! I'd be so chuffed if one of my friends picked this up for me as a gift *promise I'm not hinting at anyone*. 

I urge you all to check out more unique gift ideas from Uncommon Goods, especially if you are having a hard time coming up with gift ideas for your friends or relatives. Not only is everything on their website absolutely gorgeous, but with every purchase made, Uncommon Goods donates $1 to one of their four non-profit organizations (which you can choose!). The organizations range from anti-sexual violence to rainforest protection. Since they started this Better to Give program 12 years ago, they've donated over $1Million to charities around the world, which I think is amazing. So not only are you making someone happy with a thoughtful gift, but you're doing something good at the same time.

Happy gift buying!

Friday 1 September 2017

August Love List

Where has August gone, like seriously? I feel like I haven't written a favourites in ages, so here is my Love List for August.



The glow, the glow, the glow. I have naturally quite dry skin so I am all about that dew, and I have to say that Iconic London Illuminator Drops are insane at giving you that intense glow. I've been loving them both under foundation, for an all over glow, as well as on the tops of my cheek bones. There are three different shades, but I went for the medium one, Original. If you're after a more thorough review of these bad boys then click here for the one I wrote a few weeks ago. 



I remember all too well the day I said that Lolita would be my favourite ever lipstick shade, well, I was wrong. Turns out Bow N Arrow is even better and I truly don't think I will ever find a better nude shade. If you've never tried any of the Kat Von D liquid lipsticks I urge you to pick one up, especially if you're a fan of a matte lip. They aren't drying in the slightest and they last a really long time, if you aren't eating. Bow N Arrow goes with absolutely any makeup look, and it would suit so many skin tones.



Becca x Jaclyn Hill Palette - Discontinued (I believe)

I know you're all going to hate me for including a discontinued product on my August Love List, but I honestly couldn't not include this palette. I bought it on sale in Sephora when I went to Nice in July, and I fell in love. There was so much hype surrounding it when it was released, and I can tell you, it was all worth it. The blush shades are insanely pigmented, and although I probably wouldn't wear the bright pink, aside from at Halloween, the other two are very wearable shades. As for the highlighters, I'm sure I don't need to tell you how gorgeous they are. The shimmer in them isn't uber fine though, so if you like a more subtle or 'glowy' highlight, rather than a shimmery one, it probably isn't for you. 





When I graduated in July my parents bought me an Abott Lyon watch as my present, and its so stunning. All of their watches are so reasonably priced and look way more expensive than they are. They're insanely adjustable, so even my tiny wrists can comfortably wear it. I've been loving wearing this to job interviews as it just makes me look so smart and a little sophisticated (which is not a word I'd overly use to describe myself...). 

Graphic Tee's 

In general, I've been loving wearing graphic tee's this month. My all time favourite one is my ASOS one, here, but I've also grabbed a couple of others over the past month and they're just so easy to style. I'm definitely more into the relaxed/chill style at the moment, and these fit perfectly in with that vibe.

Prison Break

If any of you follow me on Twitter you will know I cannot stop talking about Prison Break. I started watching it at the end of July I believe and I am now almost halfway through season 3 (send help). I didn't actually think I would like it as much as I have done, but there's so much drama and suspense, and I absolutely love anything to do with prisons. I'm trying to persuade all my friends and family who haven't watched it to start watching it now. If you love action and crime shows you'll love Prison Break. Oh and if anyone has recommendations of prison documentaries please send them my way!

Taylor Swift's Comeback (!!)

HOW could I not include this in my Love List?! When Taylor starting posting all these weird snake videos on her Instagram I was a tad worried about what was coming, I won't lie. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I listened to Look What You Made Me Do. In all honesty, it isn't my favourite song of hers, and I don't think this will be my favourite Taylor era (RED era all the way!), but I am so excited to see what she has to come, and her comeback has been one of the most exciting moments of August. 

What have you been loving this past month?


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