1. Expand our bird feeders

When we first moved into our house in late Autumn we put a bird feeder in the tree in our garden. It has taken a while for the birds to be brave enough to use it but they are now feeding from it regularly.

I'd really like to get some more feeders such as ones for sunflower seeds or fat balls to encourage more birds to visit our garden.

2. Create a mini pond

Our garden is far too small to have a decent size pond but a water source is really important for encouraging wildlife to live in your garden.

I saw this project for creating a mini pond and thought it looked like fun, as well as being small enough for our space.

It also looks super easy, which is always good for gardening novices like myself.

3. Get a bug hotel

As part of providing a home for wildlife in our garden I'd like to get a bug hotel. You can make these yourself but some of the ones you can buy are really cute.

They cost hardly any money either and it would be nice to start adding some character to our garden as it's currently pretty sparse.

4. Get a fruit tree

Our garden already has a large cherry tree (which sadly doesn't seem to fruit) and some crab apple trees but I'd really like to get some sort of potted fruit tree.

Most likely an apple tree.

We don't have space for a whole orchard but one that is compact enough for a pot would be perfect.

5. Train some climbers up our trellis

We have a trellis that separates our oil tank from the rest of the garden and I would love to grow some climbers up it to hide this eyesore from view.

My mum has a honeysuckle growing in her garden that she took as a cutting from our old house.

But the original plant was a cutting from my Grandma's garden and I really like the idea of taking a bit of it with us to our new house (particularly as honeysuckle is quite easy to grow from a cutting).

6. Grow some fruit in our hanging baskets (probably strawberries and cherry tomatoes)

I always enjoy growing tomatoes and I'd like to make the most of the small space in our garden and grow something in hanging baskets.

The added advantage is they would have the heat from the wall of the house and from the fact it faces south. Plus they're right next to our water butt for easy watering. 

7. Attempt to help our lawn recover

We have a small lawn that is currently looking a little bit sad.

My cousin (who owned the house before us) has two small children and they had a trampoline and various toys in the garden. As a result our lawn has a lot of bare patches and it quite sparse and weedy in places.

My parents bought us a lawnmower for Christmas so hopefully come Spring we can fertilise and reseed it. After that we should now be able to mow it regularly.

Fingers crossed with a bit of TLC it will recover a bit. I'm not bothered about it not being a 100% perfect ornamental lawn. It would just be nice if it was a little better.

8. Challenge myself to grow something new

I tend to grow similar things each year and I'd like to branch out this and try to grow something I haven't attempted before. Perhaps runner beans or courgettes. Something simple and that can be grown in a pot.

9. Start a compost heap

Every garden needs one, even if it's just somewhere to get rid of your lawn clippings.

Again, this is another super easy project and hopefully one that will reward me further down the line when I've got ready made compost on hand.

10. Trim our cherry tree

This is something that needs doing fairly soon while the tree is still dormant during the winter but it needs cutting back a bit. Some of the branches are quite low and it's starting to take over the garden. 

11. Get a coldframe

This would help a low with lots of different plants and I've asked my very DIY orientated sister is she could build me one. Hopefully she'll feel the urge to build something new at some point!

12. Get some patio furniture

There's not much point having a garden if you can't enjoy it! We're in need of a table and chairs so we can sit outside and use the space. 

Our budget is tight so I'll probably be on the look out for some second hand items.

13. Host a BBQ

Hopefully by the summer our garden will be a little more welcoming and it would be great to invite some family and friends over for some laid back food and drink!

A Christmas Gift Guide with Uncommongoods

I don't know about you but these darker, colder nights only mean one thing... It's nearly Christmas! 

Now yes I am aware it's only October but a girl needs to be organised about these things or it can very quickly become stressful and expensive instead of fun. I always start my Christmas shopping early because I can't deal with the crush of people in every shop from mid November and I always try to do as much as I can online to save time and effort.

So in this post I've got a few ideas to share with you as part of a collaboration with Uncommongoods. 

I was really excited about this post because I absolutely love buying people gifts, but I can struggle to find them unique and exciting things that they actually want. But one of the things that immediately caught by eye about Uncommongoods is that their products actually do offer something different. On top of that they are committed to doing good business. By that I mean focusing on sustainable products and packaging, supporting their designers by celebrating what makes their creativity unique and making sure all their staff have a great place to work. 

I always try to get my boyfriend Jared cool little stocking fillers but he can be incredibly hard to buy for. He has very particular tastes and interests and I don't want to get him anything too generic. 

I think he would absolutely love these beer jellies as he is a real foodie who loves to try new things. He really likes chutneys and savory foods like that and as these have beer in them I think they would go down well. I got him a tomato and red pepper chutney last year and he loved it, so I think these would be a winner.

Even though I try really hard with buying presents for Jared, he's not always the best at buying gifts for me. I have sometimes ended up buying things for myself for him to give to me. Such romance in my life *inserts eye roll emoji*. 

That said, I'm sure finding special gifts for your girlfriend can be a bit of a minefield because we can be just a little bit picky. But that is because we usually have a firm idea of what we want. Personally I would love to receive this for Christmas. What is not to love about a cute little tin full of pampering goodness? I can see myself relaxing with this on a lazy Sunday afternoon when I need a little bit of zen time. 

Even shopping for those who have similar tastes to your own can be tricky. I try to get my friends unique and useful Christmas gifts. We've all got enough stuff cluttering up our lives without well meaning friends adding to it.

I think this is the perfect example of the kind of thing you never knew you needed but is fantastically handy. Some of my friends spend a lot of their lives on the road due to their job and after four years living out of a suitcase traveling back between home and uni I think this would be helpful for someone who travels a lot. One of the frustrating things about traveling is no matter how neatly you've packed you can't find the thing you're looking for. By keeping things separated it should also make it easier to unpack once you've arrived. 

Hopefully this was some inspiration to get you started on your Christmas shopping. If you've spotted anything that you've simply had to get someone recently let me know!

*This post is sponsored by Uncommongifts but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

How to make your student room feel cosy

Ok so your student room isn't quite the cool and happening Pinterest worthy space you daydreamed about when you were applying to uni.

Chances are there's some curtains with a questionable pattern, a dodgy looking stain on the floor and walls that are covered with generations of students worth of blue tack. And it really doesn't matter if you're in halls or are renting privately. Unless you've got shed loads of cash to spend on rent, which lets face it isn't most of us then your room is likely to be a bit of a craphole. Chances are its probably a tiny craphole as well.

During my four years at uni I lived in a tiny room in halls, a disgusting student house and spent my final two years in a pretty nice terrace with an absolute gem of a private landlord (hence why I stayed).

But it need not be a grim and depressing place. With a bit of ingenuity and some inspiration you can spruce things up and put your stamp on the place in ways that won't lose you your deposit.

1. Throws. Get several in nice fluffy textures. An absolute must is to use one to cover the grotty chair that sits with your desk. Of the three different houses I lived in, one had a sticky brown stain, one had ancient chewing gum glued to it and one had cigarette burns. The same throw covered all of them and made it somewhere nice to sit at the same time. Easy to do and makes a massive impact. Put another one over the bottom of your bed, instantly makes the whole room feel cosier. You'll probably need it to survive the sub zero temperatures of the average student house.

2. Fairy lights. A classic but so useful. Primark does a range of absolute bargain ones that are not only pretty but importantly are battery operated so you can have them in your room without your landlord/student housing nazis losing their shit over them. Wind them round your headboard, drape them over your mirror, display them over your noticeboard or desk... Just be liberal with the fairy lights! Try and get ones that are natural light rather than white light as they give a softer effect.

3. Lighting. Following on from the previous point good lighting can totally transform the feel of a room. Creating soft pools of light changes the whole feel of a space and its easy to do. A bedside lamp (alongside your fairy lights) is a good start - but if you can possibly stretch to it and have the space a floor lamp is a great idea. My parents gave me their old one and I put it on a timer so that it was always on in the evening. Nothing makes a room look uglier than harsh overhead florescent lighting and having soft low level lighting will make your space much more inviting.

4. Rug. Use it to cover the industrial carpet that seems to feature in every student house. As much as you would love to rip it up its not an option but a rug can be a good compromise. Small ones are actually pretty inexpensive (H&M Home have some great ones at the moment) and a nice neutral tone means it can help tie the room together. Its also nice to step out of bed onto a nice soft rug and helps make the space feel yours. The best part is you can roll it up and take it with you everytime you move which you can't do with an actual carpet.

5. Picture frames. Get a few nice ones (Wilkos and IKEA do excellent ones that only cost a few pounds, TK Maxx and Homesense slightly more elaborate ones that are still good value) and frame your favourite pictures. Or some cute slogan postcards from Paperchase. Or your favourite quote that you hand wrote. Put one on your windowsill, on your bedside table, on your desk. It'll help you feel at home and help get rid of the anonymous feel that most student rooms have.

6. Fake flowers. Good quality ones can actually look pretty nice and they need zero care. IKEA and Homesense would be my recommendation. A few fake flowers in a £2 jug from Sainsburys add a nice feminine touch. Of course a small potted plant on your windowsill or heck, even actual real flowers (Waitrose reduce theirs to a few pence after 8pm) are also excellent. But fake flowers will ALWAYS be there to brighten up your room so they're worth getting.

7. Cushions. Ignore anything any man in your life says about cushions being pointless, the more the better. Its easy to create a nice tiered effect on your bed with just a few cushions that makes your room look more boutique hotel and less student squat. Add in a pretty focal cushion and you're good to go. I also liked to have one on my desk chair to make it a bit comfier. And because my cushion obsession is a bit out of control.

8. Good quality bed linen. I'm going to be straight up here and admit that both of my Grandmothers bought me a nice duvet set when I went to uni which I am very grateful for (and I'm still using them now). The price is less important than how it looks in this case. The bed is likely to be the focal point of your room and taking the time to choose nice linen that compliments the other aspects of your decor will dictate whether the room is a mish mash of styles or not. Choosing two that are different yet enhance different parts of the style you're going for is a good idea because then you can change your room up each time you wash your sheets.

9. Add furniture. Once you leave halls chances are you'll be living in a student house where all the furniture you'll get is a bed, a desk and a wardrobe. Most student landlords don't even think about how a normal person can store all their possessions in one room with nowhere to put anything. Adding a bookshelf, some drawers, or a bedside table, (depending on the amount of space available) can make the world of difference to the amount of storage you have. You needn't blow your entire overdraft on this though.

First off see if any friends or family have anything they want to get rid of. My Nan gave me a chest of drawers and a mirror, my Mum took me on a trip to IKEA to get a £20 set of drawers which doubled up as a bedside table.

If that isn't an option there will be loads of people in your city looking to shift stuff they don't need and a lot will deliver it for you if you ask. Gumtree, Freecycle, eBay, Craigslist, Facebook... the options are almost endless.

Not to mention local car boots and other students. Final year students will often sell their furniture or even give it to the new tenants so its worth keeping an ear out. One of my friends bought two sets of drawers for £30 from someone she knew who was graduating and then sold them onto the next person who was renting her room. Win win because she didn't have to find someone else to get rid of them and the person buying them knew they would fit in the room.

Of course you can also use this to furnish the rest of your house, perhaps with a second hand TV or an extra chair. During my time at uni we acquired everything from an electric organ which we kept in our kitchen at halls for as long as we could get away with (which my flat mates carried up 8 flights of stairs) to an enormous trampoline we got off Freecycle which probably saw a lot of dodgy activity at house parties.

So there you have it, 9 quick ways to instantly improve your student room without breaking the bank.

Shop this post:
Lamp - Old from Tesco, similar one here 
Chest of Drawers - IKEA
Clock - Matalan 
Jug - Old from Sainsburys similar one here 
Candle - Amber Noir from Shearer Candles 
Photo frame - Wilkos
Perfume -Flora by Gucci
Slate Heart - Old, I think it was from Home Bargains similar here
Initial Coaster - Aspire Style  

18 ways to save money on buying high end brands

1. Make the most of offers. Brands often try to tempt you by offering free gifts when you buy certain products or spent a certain amount. Take advantage of this and only buy products when you're going to get a little extra for free. Its also a great way to try things and then you know if a product is really worth the money.

2. Get savvy with the sales and sign up for email alerts to your favourite brands. Then you'll be the first to know about them and should be able to pick up some bargains. Also they often send emails with special offers and discounts so its a really easy way to stay up to date with any potential deals.

3. Make good use of sites like Pinterest. It helps you develop your personal style which saves you money long term. If you know what you actually like then you waste less money on buying stuff you aren't really that fussed about. That leaves you more money to spend on that really nice coat you wanted instead of buying five really average T shirts you'll never wear.

4. Get comfortable with the idea of second hand. Sites like eBay and Vinted are great ways to pick up a bargain. People often sell on high end brands at significantly discounted prices.

5. Make good use of blog sales as people often sell virtually untouched or new clothes and make up at massively reduced rates. A good way to find them is to search 'blog sale' on twitter.

6. And blogs in general. Look at swatches and make certain it is what you want. Read reviews and see what other peoples experience with a product was. Doing your research on an expensive purchase is essential because you need to know if its right for you before you part with your cash.

7. If possible try to look at it in person/try it on in the shop before taking advantage of a better deal online. Particularly with perfume as its impossible to tell what something smells like just from a description.

8. Always check if you can earn cashback on purchases with sites such as Topcashback and Quidco. In the past year I've made over £200 from doing this so its well worth doing.

9. Make good use of comparison sites if you can. If you really want the latest iPhone then make sure you are getting the best deal for your money. Also take a look at your current bills and see how much of your current package you are actually using. You might be able to cut back and save yourself loads of money.

10. Sounds obvious but if you really want something but can't justify the money then ask for it as gifts. If its really pricey then you could ask for a gift voucher or cash towards it instead.

11. If you really really want something but its just too expensive then a dupe is a great way of trying it and seeing if you actually get on with it. For example you really want MAC's Ruby Woo lipstick but you decide to get a Rimmel dupe instead. If after a few months the lipstick has been hardly used or you're not too sure if the colour suits you then you'll know not to bother investing in the real thing.

12. Always be on the look out for any loyalty or reward schemes and save your points up for luxury items.

13. Learn what you can save money on. So if you don't find there to be any real difference between Maybellines Lash Sensational Mascara and Benefits Roller Lash then stick with what's better value. Then use your extra cash for items that are worth the splurge.

14. Always check sites like FragrenceDirect.com to see if they have your desired product for less.

15. Choose your most used brand as your favourite on feelunique.com and then you always get 10% off. They also offer free shipping on orders over £10 so its a great way of ordering your staples. I also recommend choosing a high value brand e.g. Chanel because you hardly ever find discounts elsewhere for brands such as these. Then if you choose to invest you'll save quite a bit of money.

16. If you're a student buy makeup from ASOS as you get 10% off. They stock some really big brands such as NARS and Benefit so the savings can really add up. If you're no longer a student then persuade a student friend to order if for you and give them the money.

17. Sites like wowcher and groupon often have really good deals on make up. For example reduced MAC lipsticks, heavily discounted fragrences and gift sets. I've saved considerable money buying feelunique.com vouchers and on my BirchBox subscription.

18. Outlet shops are often full of bargains and always have a good look in TK Maxx. You'll never know what you might find if you have a good rummage in there. For every ten smashed up eyeshadows there is a hidden gem lurking at the bottom of the pile.

If you have any other tips or tricks I would absolutely love to hear them!

How to get the most out of Clinique including things for free!

I am a huge fan of Clinique. There's no hiding it. My bathroom and make up bag are littered with their products and I'm forever harping on about them. However it is a relatively expensive brand and as a poor student I can't really afford it. Below is a list of the ways I have used to make it as affordable as possible and get as much for my money as I can.

1. Get yourself a Boots and/or Debenhams card depending on where you most frequently shop. I personally prefer Boots and its more convenient and you get more points with every spend. Always use your card when you buy your Clinique products. You will be amazed how quickly they add up and it is an easy way to make the most of the money you spend. Download the app on your phone to keep track of points and take advantage of the offers that are frequently available. In a few months I earnt enough Boots points to spend £30 on Clinique. That's £30 worth of stuff I effectively got for free.

2. Spend a little time choosing a favourite counter. This is really important as if its in a convenient location that you are likely to go to frequently you are more likely to pop in. I would advise frequenting your local Boots counter so you can also build up your Boots points with every purchase.

3. Develop some loyalty. By repeatedly visiting the same counter you will get to know the staff that work there. The guy who runs my local Boots counter in Southampton is absolutely awesome and so helpful. I always go to this counter and as a result he now knows me well and I can use his expert knowledge of the products on offer to my advantage.

4. Get involved with their social media. Follow them on Twitter and Instagram, sign up for their newsletter and like them on facebook. By doing so you can keep up to date with all the promotions that are on offer. Clinique almost always have some sort of promotion running and if you make an effort to time your purchases you will always save some money or get some products for free. For example I got an email yesterday to say there was a 24 hour offer on the Clinique website where you got two freebies with every £30 spend.

5. Make the most of Bonus Time. I only buy things from Clinique when its Bonus Time so I can get as much for my money as possible. In the UK you usually have to buy two items (one to be skincare) so I keep an eye on the Bonus Time website and carefully time my purchases to take advantage of these offers. Another thing worth bearing in mind is the more exclusive department stores (eg. Harrods) usually have better stuff in their Bonus Time than say Boots does. If you happen to live near a larger department store it may be worth popping in there for a visit as the value of the products you receive is probably more than you would earn in reward points from Boots or Debenhams.

6. Choose your products carefully. This is why it is useful to always visit the same counter and get to know the staff. Only go in when you know it will be quiet so that the staff have got the time to advise you properly. The people who work at Clinique counters have a genuine passion for beauty and skincare so taking the time to chat to them will help you get the most out of your purchases. Don't be afraid to ask to try products either as trying before you buy is essential. You don't want to spend £17 on a lipstick only to find it doesn't suit you. Never buy a product that you haven't tried in store or received a sample of during a promotional offer. That way you know it will work for you.

7. Make the most of new launches as there is usually a free or promotional offer to go with it. For example when the new Beyond Perfecting Foundation launched there was a free colour matched sample for every customer in store. You need so little of this foundation to make it work that my sample pot is still going strong so a quick trip into store was well worth it.

8. Don't be afraid to shop around as there are often deals available online that aren't available in store. Check the Clinique website carefully for offers. Sites such as Fragrencedirect.com often have Clinique products at discount prices and is always worth a look. Feeluinique.com allows you to choose your favourite brand and you always get 10% off with free shipping on orders over £10. This is very useful if you are too busy to go into the store and need to stock up on essentials.

9. If buying online always use Quidco which is an online cashback website. So far I've earnt £80 using this site so its well worth doing.

10. Most importantly always take advantage of instore services such as the Foundation Fit or skin type assessment. The key to getting the best value for your money is to only buy the products that will actually work for you. The more time you invest into choosing your products the better.

These are the methods that have worked well for me, if anyone has any other suggestions or tips I would love to hear them!

New Beauty Buys all under £10

So ok I might have gone a little mental in Boots and Superdrug last week. I only went in there to return a nail varnish I wasn't happy with and before I knew it the three for two offer had sucked me in...

Anyway I'm actually really pleased and impressed with all of these products so wanted to share them as I feel they are really good value for money. Just goes to show you need not spend a fortune to get good quality products providing you make an informed choice.

First off I got myself three new Rimmel lipsticks. I am a big fan of their lipsticks (and Maybellines but I've already got most of theirs) as they last a long time and give a great buildable colour. I got two from the Kate Moss range in shades 01 (far right) and 30 (far left) which are a bright red and a berry colour. My favourite though is from the standard line and is shade 016 called Heart Breaker (centre) and is a lovely rose pink.

I always end up with nail varnishes and I am really loving Barry M ones at the moment. I picked up two from their new Speedy Quick Dry range in Pole Position (far right) and In a Heart Beat (far left) as well as an iridescent shade called Pacific (centre). This looks amazing over my Gelly Hi Shine in Blueberry.

As an extra nail varnish I got an Essie one in Bikini So Teeny which I've been waiting all winter to get. Its such a lovely pastel blue and is perfect for Spring. I've had my eye on the Bourjois cream blushes for ages now so got one in Rose Tender and it comes in the cutest little pot! I'm currently wearing it at work and it just gives the most natural looking flush I've ever seen which is perfect for Spring. The second blush I got was the Max Factor Creme Powder blush in Seductive Pink. I am loving this so much and I've worn it to work twice this week.

In addition to make up I also got some more Nivea extra gentle eye make up remover as its such good value for money and a Boots essentials 3 minute clay mask. At only £1.50 this is a bargain for anyone with oily skin. I also decided it was time to lose my waxing virginity to got some wax strips (not pictured) and sweet jesus does it hurt! Won't be doing that again in a hurry.

Thank to a combination of Boots Points and the Three for Two offer I got the Essie Nail Varnish, 1 Barry M Nail Varnish, 1 Rimmel Lipstick, the Make up remover and the wax strips for free. Boots, you really are the best.

I also dropped into Superdrug to pick up some blackhead removing strips after trying one for the first time last week (soooooo satisfying!) and to grab the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer as they had ran out of my shade in Boots. Have you tried any of these products? Do you have any favorites?

Why is everyone hating on the French Manicure?

B

So as we all know, yesterday was Valentines Day and no I am not going to write a post on it because couples who post their relationships all over the internet make me want to vom (but thats a post for another day).
I love nail varnish, like almost as much as I love lipstick and I wanted to make them look pretty for my Valentines Dinner.

Normally for a big occasion I like to paint my nails red to match my lipstick (I'm a feisty kinda gal), but as I was staying in I wanted something a little less in your face.

So I decided on the trusty French Manicure. While on the bus on my way to town to purchase a new white tip pen I did an idle google on French manicures for some inspiration. I got back a ton of pages, blog posts and fashion articles on how to 'update' the french manicure and on 'fun new twists' to put on it.

Now I am all for trying something new but a lot of these ideas were Pinterest worthy and looked tricky. I wanted the standard French manicure so I started to narrow down my google search and got back tons of stuff on how it has 'gone out of fashion', is 'so overdone' and is 'cliche and passse'.

I was stunned by this. Maybe I am not very hip and down with the kids any more but as far as I was aware the French mani is a classic. And classics never go out of fashion. Thats kind of the point of them.

You never hear about people saying a bold red lip, or the classic LBD is 'tired'. Instead it is praised for being a classy and put together look.

What is not to like about the French mani? The whole point is it is so unoffensive and subtle. If it is done well it just looks like you have healthy, well looked after nails. There is a reason it is the top choice for most brides and most people in the know advise it so as not to make your wedding photos look dated in a decades time. Plus the understated look does not detract from the dress.

Maybe it is because in the mid 90's it was massively popular and was the mani of choice when people got acrylics and this probably was tacky. Long overdone nails never look good to me.

In my opinion I say it is time to welcome back the French look and I for one will not stop wearing it just because some fashion magazine has told me to. I want to look elegant from time to time and this goes hand in hand with simplicity. That is exactly what the French Manicure is: simplicity at its best.

Major new addition to my skin care routine: Clinique Sonic Brush

Say hello to my new Clinique Sonic Brush I promised I wouldn't get. Whoops, well I did. Today is my first day using it and its pretty damn great.

I'm justifying this as a reward for finishing my dissertation and as part of my 'doing what makes me happy campaign' I said I would do once the work was done. And taking care of my skin makes me look great, and that in turn makes me feel amazing.

My plan is to continue to use this alongside my normal 3 Step routine for 1 week and then we'll have a little review of what I reckon the results are.

So far I am impressed with it, it has added a grand total of 30 seconds to my morning routine (although after a month of use I plan on upping this to a minute) and its so simple to use. The reason I was attracted to this face brush over many others on the market is it does not have a rotary head. This makes it very gentle and it feels like a dream on your face. I do not want something that feels like it is scrubbing every last cell on my face off and this does not have that affect at all.

I used it in the shower with my normal Clinique cleanser for oily skin as part 1 of my 3 step routine. I followed this up with step 2 (exfoliate) and step 3 (gel moisturizer) before using All about Eyes cream and Superdefence SPF 20 Moisturizer. In total this whole process took about 4 minutes which is hardly an excessive amount of time. Plus its nice to leave the house each day feeling pampered.

Here is my mug after my first use today. So watch this space for the second part in a weeks time where we will have a look to see what the results are.

I'm really hoping its going to be as good as the rest of my Clinique Products.

7 Hairstyles to rescue a bad curly hair day

Curly hair is a frickin pain. It looks oh so fabulously shiny and swishy on the day you wash it. You float about with a tumble of glossy curls that cascade down your back making you look at feel like a Disney princess. Once you've slept on it the nightmare begins. Normal straight haired people just brush their hair again, maybe use a little dry shampoo or a quick once over with the GHDs and they're set.

Just washed

For people with curly hair its a whole different game. Now don't get me wrong the good thing about curly hair is that it never looks as greasy as straight hair so you don't have to wash it as often which is great cos washing it is a total pain in the arse.

However you can't brush it without washing it (or you'll look like the local madwoman) so you're in a bit of a tricky situation. You could just wash it everyday but if you wash it all the time it will eventually start to look flat and lifeless as you strip all the natural oils out. But if you don't wash it everyday you can't brush it. The result is a tangled mess that takes you forever to deal with plus second day hair never looks as good.

My advice? Figure out what you can do with it to disguise what a mess it is so you can waste less of your life washing it and make your hair better in the process. Accept the fact that you cannot brush your hair everyday and you will have to get up 10min earlier on days you DO wash it so you can attack it with conditioner and a comb while in the shower. Sorry housemates who also need to shower in the morning but TOUGH.

First thing you need to remember is that unless its been quite a few days since you washed it or you've worn a sweaty riding hat on it (like I do) then its highly likely that to anyone other than you your hair looks no different. I swear that normal people think my hair looks exactly the same all the time and they regularly feel the need to tell me this. Its all part of being 'blessed' with naturally curly hair.

So now we've established the plan of only washing your hair every 2-3 days what do you do with it in the meantime? Well as I have a lifetime of experience in this area here are my suggestions. All of these though will obviously work with straight hair too.

Day 2. Difference is not that obvious. Really

1. Just wear it loose anyway. As I've already mentioned nobody else thinks it looks any different anyway so just leave it and don't care. This is obviously the easiest option but it is really only suitable for the day after you've washed it. Get yourself some decent serum and run that through it and 9 days out of 10 it still looks fine and you're good to go. Laugh at all the straight haired people who had to brush their hair that morning.

2. Plait it. Once you've gone past this point or you woke up with it all stuck up cos you slept on it weirdly you are going to have to tie it up. I find day 2 or three to be the best day to go for a plait because my hair is not yet knotty enough for me to have to rip most of it out in order to achieve this.
The classic plait will keep your hair under control and tidy and is ideal if you are trying to do something where you need it out of the way eg. at the gym.

3. The fishtail braid. Looks great when you get someone else to do it and have it all the way down your back but I usually end up doing it myself so have it as a side plait (congrats to anyone who can do it by themselves without making it a side plait). I think it looks cute like this, particularly in the winter when I wear it with a beanie. Plus it keeps it out of the way and under control.

4. The french braid. Although I can french plait I need someone else to do it for me cos it's just too fiddly to do yourself. As a result this one rarely gets a look in but if you are skilled enough then it looks incredible.

5. Pigtails. These take only a few moments to do so are great when you are in a hurry. Plus almost everyone looks super cute with pigtails.

6. The pony tail. This old friend will never fail you and is great for days when you don't have time but your hair is just so bad its beyond saving. Get yourself some decent hair ties that are tough enough to hold your curly locks and tie it up in a high pony tail. I like to pretend to myself that this tells other people I'm low maintenance and I just woke up looking this cool. Scrunchies are back at the moment so add one of these on top of your hair tie thats doing all the work and you're good to go. 

7. The messy bun. Now as your hair is curly every hair style you do it going to be messy so just embrace it. Those straight haired girls spend ages back combing and using curling tongs to get this look. Just grab your hair and wind it into a loose, messy bun. Secure with a nice strong hair tie and glam it up with a scrunchie/ribbon/hair clip etc. Use bobby pins to secure any bits that wont co-operate. This style can hide even the messiest of hair so no matter how bad it looks and how much you overslept it can always be disguised.

So there we have it, 7 different ways to turn around even the worse of hair days.
What do you find works best for you?

Things I currently want

I love pretty things!

1. A faux fur headband. As previously mentioned I think I might look like a total muppet so I have never bought one. But I want it...

2. Netflix. As my boyfriend has this and I spend a lot of time at his house its pointless to spend any money on it. But I want to be able to watch it whenever I like. AKA. All the time.

3. For my dissertation to stop ruining my life. If it could just go away that would be great.

4. To have my car at uni. It would make my life a million times easier. 

5. I really want a go pro. Like really want one. Partly for filming my horse stuff with but also for just say to day life. I've spent a lot of the Christmas holidays watching old home videos and they're so hilarious. I reckon we could record some awesome stuff on a go pro. Now I just need to find £280....

6. A cat onsie. I already have a onsie. It's leopard print and it's awesome. I also have pjamas with a hood that looks like a robin. Next on my list is to actually get a cat one. With ears and a tail and everything. I'm going to wear it and sleep for 16 hours a day. 

7. Eyelash curlers. I'm not sure I can be a proper girl without these. I need to stop messing around and just buy some. 

8. Clinique sonic brush. I feel like this will turn my skin care around and make me look like a super model. But then again it's EIGHTY POUNDS. So maybe not. 

9. Coffee. I bloody hate coffee yet I want to be as basic as everyone else and walk around with my Starbucks. Instead of having to be boring and get a hot chocolate every time I go into a coffee shop.

10. A Mac. Again I'm basic and I don't care. My sister has a Mac and it's so much prettier and cooler than my shitty HP laptop. But y'know as I don't have a spare grand lying around I'll have to give this a miss for now. 

Barry M's Winter Nail Colours

I am literally in love with Barry M's A/W Nail Varnish collection this year and every time I go into town I seem to come back with yet another one. Whoops. Here are the four I've collected so far.

1. Berry Cosmo.

Love this bright, happy purple colour. I swear purple is literally the best colour for winter as its so deep and rich. Shown here with one coat and no top coat. Looks great with neutral colours and certainly brightens up any outfit. I've been wearing it all season and I have to keep stopping my sisters stealing it. Everyone else is obcessed with it and I even had a stranger in Boots ask me what colour I was wearing. If you only buy one of these, make it this one as its the most versatile.

2. Vintage Violet                                                I'm sure nobody will be surprised after my above statement to see yet another purple on this list. I just had to buy this as it is so different to any other colour I own and I think it will also work great in Spring. Its such a soft, dusky colour that it instantly makes me feel demure and classy. In fact its so soft, it looks almost neutral on and therefore goes with literally everything. As is it has such a neutral undertone it will look great with most skin tones too. Buy this one if you are looking for something a little different to add to your collection. Two coats, no top coat.

3. Raspberry                                                          I love berry shades of nail varnish and raspberry has to be my favorite. Its so bright, fresh and zingy. It just screams fun and happiness. Its still quite a strong, bold colour so is great for the colder months. I wore this with dark colours to liven up boring work outfits and it worked a treat. This is probably the most 'out there' of these colours and I've got a few friends who I'm fairly sure this is not their cup of tea. But I love it and its going to be making a few more appearances during this cold snap. Shown with one coat, no top coat.

 4. Nightshade
Now this is definitely a winter colour! Its actually a very deep purple and I think it looks great with a vampy lipstick. I can't wait to wear it out to parties when I get back to uni.
Its extremely bold and not a colour for the faint hearted but its really wearable and looks great with virtually every outfit. In particular with a crisp white shirt and its a great way of injecting some style into work wear. Shown with one coat, no top coat.

5 hidden gems you should only buy from Primark

Primark definitely has some hidden gems among all the tatty clothes that will fall apart as soon as you wash them.
Now don't get me wrong, some things are worth buying from quality retailers because they will serve you well and be well worth the money you spend. But other simple, small things that are everyday items are just not worth spending loads of money on.

Here are my top 5:

1. Socks and knickers.

Now I'm not talking about your fancy lingerie here. I'm talking about good old fashioned, comfy cotton knickers for everyday wear. Primark do them in cute designs that are seriously cheap and actually surprisingly comfy. As with everything in Primark take their sizing with a pinch of salt. And as for socks, there is literally no point in spending loads of money when Primark does some really nice ones for next to nothing. As a student, conserving your drinking money has to be the top priority.

2. Vest Tops

Topshop charges like £12 for two vest tops. That would probably buy you a vest top in every colour in Primark. And owning all the colours wins everytime. Also they fit well, are surprisingly flattering and mine have so far lasted well.

3. Pyjamas

Seems like madness to me to waste money on stuff nobody ever sees. Again I'm not talking about slinky, sexy stuff for the bedroom but comfy, snuggly everyday stuff. And I am seriously impressed with their range. I was admiring a pair of PJ bottoms that cost £22 in Boux Avenue and found an almost identical pair in Primark for £6. Need I say more?

4. Hair Ties

I've mentioned this before but Primarks hair ties are seriously good. They are strong, yet stretchy enough to control my crazy hair. You can buy them in almost every colour, including nice neutral ones and they cost like £1 for a pack of about 50. Which is great cos I lose them constantly so no point spending proper money on them.

5. Candles

I bloody love candles but some of them are so expensive. I've recently discovered that Primark does some for like 80p and they have such yummy flavours like this Vanilla and Coconut one. I plan to invest in a few more so I can continue to relax in my room with them and not break the bank.

Outfit of the week

So I've decided to try something new this week and share with you an outfit that I have been wearing.

I absolutely love this dress and I wear it a lot, as its so relaxed and comfy. Also the loose fit hides any bloating. YAY!

This look is perfect for warmer Autumn days like we've been having lately but I will still be wearing it when it gets a bit colder but maybe with a big parker jacket instead.

I love this monochrome, slightly grunge look as its literally effortlessly elegant (I got ready in 15min this morning).

The boots and scarf add an autumnal feel and provide a bit of colour. I am in love with these boots at the moment and I'm wearing them with 98% of my outfits. They are just so bloody comfy and perfect.

The cardigan is something I've had since about 2007 (I'm that cool) and I've only recently rediscovered how awesome it is. It goes with everything and is great for layering and I plan on wearing it a lot more.


Dress- Topshop but old (Similar one here)
Scarf- Newlook but again old
Cardigan -Newlook (also old but similar one here)
Boots- Joe Browns £44.95
Lipstick- Clinique So Sweet £17.50