Like every blogger in the world I am super excited that Autumn is just round the corner now we're in September. Without wanting to sound like a dick, I liked Autumn before it was cool and all about chunky knitwear and berry toned lipsticks. 

It's been my favourite season since childhood and people used to tell me I was weird for liking it better than summer. I suspect it's because I've always associated it with going back to school and the fresh start that it brings.  Like the true goody two shoes I am I've always loved school and got excited about going back to learn new things.

In some ways Autumn is sad because it's the end of the summer, but to me I've always seen it as more than just pretty coloured leaves. It represents wiping the slate clean, ready for a fresh start to be born come spring. I also secretly love the stark barren landscape of Wiltshire in the winter. It has it's own unique beauty to it that is masked by all the growth of the summer. 

So because blogger cliches are cliches for a reason here is why I am excited for Autumn to arrive!

1. Layers. All the layers. You're not really that British unless you have got more than one jumper on. You can whip out your chunky jumpers. Your fine knit ones. The oversized sweatshirts. And the fun doesn't stop at jumpers, your extensive cosy scarf collection comes out of hiding. Time to wear all. of. it. 

2. Being able to wear ankle boots with every outfit. Doesn't matter what the outfit is, a sassy black ankle boot with a mid heel will instantly improve it. 

3. No more shaving your legs. Or painting your toenails for that matter. Your razors can gather dust because those babies are not seeing the sun again until mid June at best. Let's face it, it's way too much effort anyway. 

4. Picking blackberries and making the world's sexiest blackberry and apple crumble with enough custard for the crumble to do laps in.

5. Making homemade jam, or going pumpkin picking, or whatever other wholesome venture your heart desires that can only be done properly at this time of year. 

6. Feeling no guilt whatsoever about spending your evening snuggled up watching Harry Potter because there is zero point in doing anything productive when it's already dark and raining.

7. Your extensive blanket, candle and fairy light collection is finally dusted off and put to good use again. 

8. Baking gingerbread to make your house smell warm and cosy. And because baking is a million times more fun with a hot cup of tea and a soothing cooking programme on while you wait for it to come out of the oven. 

9. Getting up early, making yourself a flask of steaming hot chocolate and taking yourself for a walk in the crisp air. 

10. Knowing that every Friday brings you not only the weekend, but that little bit closer to Christmas and all of the magic that December holds. 

11. Forget PSL (gross) it's all about the Spiced Apple tea. If you've never tried this then you need to, it's the most warming and comforting thing ever.

12. Sitting inside on a Sunday with a good book, listening to the rain outside.

13. Making the incredibly difficult decision of which one of your 487895521 winter coats you're going to wear to work today. 

14. Your biggest, fluffiest dressing gown can become your favourite item of clothing again.

15. Treating yourself to a new, fluffy pair of slippers because a girl has got to have warm tootsies at all times. 

16. Shepherd's pie, lasagna, toad in the hole, roast potatoes, gravy... you can stick your fancy summer salads and get back to the old school hearty basics.

17. Halloween and Bonfire night are just around the corner.

18. It's no longer so hot and sweaty that showers are all you can stand. A good long soak in the bath after a long day is just what you need. Preferably with candles, a good book and your favourite bubble bath.

19. Putting your wellies and a coat on and getting out of the house for a good walk to clear your head. Even if it's raining. 

20. The magic of the first proper frost. The cool crisp air, the way everything is really still early in the morning. How the landscape seems so unfamiliar. 

Are you sad the summer is over? Or are you secretly like me and prefer the subtle charm of Autumn and Winter? Let me know what you're looking forward to!

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!

28 Things you only understand if you're part of a large family

As the oldest of four girls we are a pretty big family for 21st century Britain. We live in a small 3 bed house in various states of chaos. And you know what, mad as it is, growing up like this is also pretty awesome. 

1. Privacy? What even is that. You will never get to be alone while you shower or pee. Someone will always need to brush their teeth and get to bed the instant you get in the bath. Relaxing evening ruined.

2. On the same note you have never slept alone until you went to uni. Your parents would need to be millionaires to buy a house big enough for you to each have separate rooms. Until then you share and shut up.

3. You will constantly fight with the sibling whom you are forced to share your space with. You hate the way she leaves the light on when she gets up early and she hates that you leave your dirty pants all over the floor. These things never change no matter how old you get.

4. There was probably a pointless room switch up to try and solve these arguments at some point. Only for you to realize that your new sibling roomate was a million times more annoying and you missed the routine of arguing with the old one. Best swap back cos better the devil you know.

5. Being made to let the youngest play even though they would ruin everything about the game.

6. The constant shifting pattern of sibling alliances. Today we are friends because the other two are annoying me more. Tomorrow: who knows what might happen

7. Hand me downs. Even if you are the oldest there's an older cousins who's clothes are destined to be yours.

8. No matter how annoying your siblings are though you stick together when it comes to Mum and Dad. We all understand it is us verses them. There's safety in numbers so best to stick together.

9. If the youngest ratted you out to your parents they would suffer the consequences of breaking the sibling code. It might not happen straight away but we'll get our own back eventually.

10.  Being dressed in the same outfit on family days out so your parents could keep track of you all.

11. Little old ladies cooing over you constantly wherever you went. Usually about how sweet we all are and don't we all look alike? No we do not.

12. Having to own an enormous car so that you can all fit in it at the same time. A car that your mum cannot park.

13. Family holidays consist of camping trips to Devon where we all pretend we're having fun in the rain.

14. Ensuring your siblings will never make friends and are stuck with you for life by refusing to act normal when potential new friends come over for tea.

15. In fact the friends you do have are desperate to come and play at your house although their parents seem strangely reluctant. They usually mutter about how their children come home covered in mud and totally hyperactive.

16. The more of you there are, the more toys you collectively have. How much you want to share them depends on your mood.

17. And if you are all into the same thing then it can get out of hand *spends 24 hours building a My Little Pony empire*.

18. Christmas lists were tactically designed. "You ask for the Barbie House and I'll ask for the Barbie Car, then we'll have both".

19. Bath time was the best part of the day when all of you were small enough to fit in together. It was a chance to make a huge splashy mess playing imaginary games.

20. In fact the best games were the totally random ones that involved large amounts of imagination

21. Despite being the first person to ever hold you, your Dad still gets your names muddled up.

22. Teachers have no clue which one of you is which.

23. You genuinely never understood why your friends always complained about being bored in the holidays. When there's so many of you there's always someone to play with.

24. Fighting over who gets to read the newest Harry Potter book first.

25. Pretending that you still play with dolls because you can't spoil the youngest ones fun when really you're just not ready to let go yet.

26. Making a huge effort to not ruin Father Christmas for the younger ones. Now you get to eat the cookies you put out yourself.

27. It is almost impossible to find a picture where all of you look nice.

28. Although its difficult at times you wouldn't swap it for the world <3

The Liebster Award

So I've been nominated for this by MakingLifeACamera which was such a lovely thing to find when I turned my laptop on this morning!A huge thank you for that, you should definitely check out her blog, her photography is lovely and I always read her posts.

The purpose of this award is to recognize the up and coming blogs that you personally enjoy and to share them with both your readers and fellow bloggers.

So the official rules are as follows (as stolen from MakingLifeACamera) 

1.Thank the blogger who nominated you
2. Answer the questions given to you by the nominator
3. Nominate 5-11 new blogs with less than 200 followers and link them
4. Create 11 questions for them to answer
5. Notify the bloggers you have nominated

So here are the questions given to me by MakingLifeACamera


1) What is your favourite type of food?

This changes literally all the time. I'm quite a fussy eater but I try really hard to combat this by trying new things when I get the opportunity. However my all time favorite has to be a roast dinner. Nothing can beat that.
 
2) Who is your celebrity crush?

Channing Tatum. He's funny, he's hot and he can dance. Tatum get in my pants. 
 
3) Where in the world would you most like to visit and why?

Since I've got a bit older I have a huge urge to travel. Luckily my lack of actual money quickly reminds me to calm the eff down. But right now I would really love to go to Iceland. I'm not sure I can be a proper geologist until I've been there. Pretty much everyone I know has been and they tell me how amazing it is and I've seen a blog post on NISHAANTISHU and dear god it looks incredible.
 
4) On an everyday basis, what puts a smile upon your face?

The little small things people do for me. Making me a cup of tea without being asked, a surprise bar of chocolate just because, cooking a nice meal. Its the small easily forgotten moments of happiness that create a happy life. 
 
5) What is your favourite quote?

I have loads but back when I was 13 and just about to compete for GB for the first time I went to a sports psychology conference where the guy said to us "Good sports people are like a horse with blinkers: always looking forward". 
I have that quote pinned up above my bed and I think it can be applied to all areas of life. In order to be successful we must learn from our mistakes and channel them into something positive. 
 
6) Who makes you happy?

My hilariously crazy family. I love them so much. I'm also lucky to have some amazing friends who make me laugh so much. And my boyfriend Jared who really understands me. They all make me incredibly happy.  
 
7) If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self?

It will all be ok in the end and everything will work itself out. Worry less, live more.
 
8) Any embarrassing stories?

Most of these are too awful to type. I embarrass myself on an everyday basis by saying stupid things. Unfortunately a lot of my cringy moments are recorded on home videos so there is no escaping the shame. 
 
9) What is your favourite scent?

Nina by Nina Riche. My Mum used to wear it and I got given it for Christmas a few years ago. It reminds me of my Mum whenever I wear it and it makes me feel powerful and strong. 
 
10) What song are your loving right now?

I'm currently loving Heaven by Amber Run. Such a great track! I love singing to it really loudly in my car.  

11) What is your favourite part of blogging?

I love the chance to express whatever I'm thinking and being able to do something creative. As I am doing a science degree I often end up having very little to show for my efforts. For instance weeks of work might culminate in a few pages of A4 paper which is unlikely to be something I treasure. By writing this blog I am producing something I am proud of and want to continue to work on and improve. 


I would like to nominate 

Laura Leanne

Eden Markel 

Oh So Daisy

The Hunt For Fabulous

Oh Boy Lola

Your questions are:

1. What made you start blogging?

2. If you had a whole day to yourself what would you do?

3. What is your goal for 2015?

4. What is your favourite thing about yourself?

5. If you had the chance to move abroad for a year would you do it and where would you go?

6. What is the best gift you have ever received?

7. If you won a million pounds how would you spend it?

8. Given unlimited funds where would you like to travel to?

9. What do you like to do to pamper yourself?

10. What is your favourite beauty brand?

11. Who in the world would you most like to meet?

Things that have made me happy this week

Its been a really busy week for me and I'm pretty tired from it. I'm currently working every weekend and its really starting to take its toll, particularly as I am not very well at the moment with a really bad chest and throat. Poor little me I know.
However because its been a busy week theres been a fair bit going on and theres plenty of stuff thats made me happy.

1. On Wednesday I headed off to London with my Dad for a family party. I hardly ever go to London and its actually been two years since I was last there! The party was for my Dads cousins (so my second cousin?) 50th birthday and we went with my Grandad, two of my Aunts and one of my cousins and it was really nice to spend some time with them. I've never really met much of my Irish family and it was nice to meet some new people.
Also I always enjoy an excuse to get dolled up and I wore a black pencil dress with flats because I couldn't be bothered to walk all over London in heels. It was so much fun and I am really glad I made the effort to go.

2. This party seemed like a great opportunity to try out some of my newest beauty buys. I was so impressed with them that they made me happy enough to warrant their own point on this list. However I had to get ready to leave Southampton at midday and the party was from 7pm to 11pm. Therefore I needed my make up to stay put all day.  For anyone who is interested here is a quick rundown of my #MOTD. It felt odd putting all this slap on my face in the middle of the day as I don't really wear much during the day normally. 
After my usual Clinique skincare routine I used Clinqiue Universal Superprimer followed by Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation and Concealer in Alabaster. Not entirely sure how my olive skin is considered Alabaster but this is a surprisingly good match for me.
Over the top of this I used Clinique Stay Matt in 101 Invisible Matt. For my cheeks I used Clinique All Over Bloom blush in Peony and Seventeens Shimmer Brick in Pink Bronze. For my eyes I used Urban Decays Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Original, with my new Soap and Glory Supercat eyeliner alongside my Naked 3 eyeshadow palette. I finished this off with my Benefit Rollerlash mascara. Finishing touches were my eyebrows done in my Rimmel Pencil and my favorite Clinique Long Last Lipstick in So Sweet.
 Apart from lipstick touch ups and a quick repowder of my shiny nose my make up lasted ALL NIGHT. Yes thats right. I put it on at 12pm and and I took it off at 2am when I got home and it had not budged a bit. Thats 14 hours. Usually by the end of the night my make up is all over the place. I am crediting the two primers I used. You seriously need them in your life.
Excuse the poor quality of the selfie. There was wine involved by the time I thought to take a picture.

3. After this party on Wednesday I was feeling naughty and decided I couldn't be bothered to go back to uni. Yes I know, I'm a bad person. But I don't care. I spent Thursday just chilling on the sofa (nursing my hangover) and I've got to be at home for 4 lovely days with my crazy family. I literally love them so much.

4. Seeing our new kittens, they are just so cute! They've got their eyes open now and are just starting to try to walk around. Its impossible not to be happy while holding a newborn kitten in your hand. I've been taking so many pictures of them and sending them to my friends to make them jealous. Not feeling any guilt about it either, I mean can you even believe how CUTE they are?

5. Its Bonus time at Boots at the moment and I've grabbed myself some great Clinique Products. I love the chance bonus time gives you to try new products that you might not have necessarily chosen for yourself. I am loving the blusher and the Chubby stick eyeshadow and I think they make a great spring look. I wore them both to work on Friday and they made me feel so on it. I mean get me, coordinating my make up to the seasons. My only complaint is I wish Clinque would let you tailor the products to your skin type. The Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion is just too rich for my oily skin and I wish I had the option of exchanging it for the gel version (which I LOVE). But overall I love the bag that this came in and I was also really impressed with the mascara. Its the perfect size for my handbag too. Get yourself down to Boots and get one for yourself, you won't be dissapointed!

6. This weekend I managed to drive Jasper for the first time since Christmas and he was such a good boy. I think I should get extra dedication points as I was feeling really poorly and going outside in the cold was the last thing I wanted to do. This sport has been such a big part of my life over the last 13 years and its makes me sad that because of uni I can't devote as much time to it. It was so nice to get back to it though and I'm going to make a determined effort to try and squeeze it in around work and uni.

3 Ways to Brighten up your room on the cheap

As a student your room is where you spend most of your time. You work, socialize, sleep and (most likely) eat in there. Its also your haven away from annoying housemates and life in general. Unfortunately most student landlords are agents of the devil and are capable of making any room look like a prison cell. After 3 years of student accommodation I have finally managed to find a nice landlord who appreciates that students do not want to live in a magnolia box (he is most definitely the exception to the norm though). Even so, it can be hard to make the space feel like your own when you are limited by your contract and a tight student budget.

Below are three ways I have personalized my room with accessories acquired for very little money, I hope they inspire you to be creative when it comes to decorating your room!

1. It is a known fact that fresh flowers make any room look much nicer. To decorate one of my bedside tables I got this vase for £3 from Waitrose and a bunch of Daffodils for £1. The three candles are all from Primark and were 80p each. I love the yellow of the flowers against my yellow walls and how much they brighten the place up.
Total cost: £6.40

2. This idea was direcetly taken from Hannah Gales happiness advice so after a rubbish day I ran to Paperchase and picked up this postcard for 60p. I decided I loved it so much it needed a frame so picked this one up from Poundland. I am really loving having it next to my bed as it is the first thing I see in the morning. The lamp is one I already had from Tesco a few years ago, the handcream I got for Christmas and the lip balm came in my Pink Parcel. So although I already had this stuff none of it was too pricey.
Total cost: £1.60

3. My third and final idea is a craft I did myself. I've been looking at some lovely prints on Etsy but I didn't really have any pennies. So I went on Pinterest and found a quote I liked and made my own design using my sisters watercolours before adding the lipstick print. The frame is another one from Poundland and I think its a great way to display my creation. The diffuser is from Sainsburys and was about £5 (although you can similar ones from TK Maxx) as is the candle holder (not sure on price as it was a gift). The heart is from Primark and was £1 which was an absolute steal. The little box and mini candles were also gifts.
Total cost: £7

So for a mere £15 I have decorated 3 different corners of my room and made the space my own. Best of all these can be packed up and easily moved to the next student house. Has anyone else got any tips for decorating on a budget?

Things that have made me Happy this week.

Since I've started this blog I have found writing these posts on happiness to be particularly helpful. It gives me time to take stock of the week that has just passed and encourages me to be grateful for my life. It can be easy to get caught up in todays pressures from social media to be 'better than everyone else'. But really I am becoming happier to go my own path and to enjoy things just because I like them. Not because I've been told to by the media.
This self reflection is good for my overall happiness. Funny how writing about happiness is somehow making me happier, but there you go.

1. This week I decided to try out something called the Pink Parcel which is where they send you everything you need to make your period less of a torture each month. They have a great introductory offer as well, which was what persuaded me to give it a go. The website is easy to use and you get to choose your normal tampons/towels. The whole process took a few minutes and before I knew it I had an email to say my parcel was dispatched. The packaging is discreet and the box inside is a gorgeous muted grey with pink.
Inside you will find your tampons in little matching boxes and a small drawstring bag to put in your handbag. There is also some delightful goodies and this months box contained a face mask, nail file, lip balm, eyeshadow palette and brush.
There is also some chocolate and a herbal tea bag for you to relax with and pamper yourself. I am so impressed and I had a long bath with my facemask on. You should definitely give it a go!

2. Its Clinique Bonus time at John Lewis at the moment and I popped in to get some more Instant Foaming Cleanser. At the same time I picked up a new Chubby Stick Intense in Mightiest Maraschino which is a brilliant red colour. I've found this to be a great alternative to wearing lipstick as it has the same colour intensity but a lovely light feel.
With this came a little bag of bonus time goodies that you got to choose from a selection. I absolutely love this idea as sometimes the bonus time products aren't really suitable for me but this means you get real value out of your freebies.
As well as the Smart Serum (which I've wanted to try for ages!) and the new Aromatics in White fragrance (which is lovely) I also picked up the new Repairwear Sculpting face and eye creams. The face cream is a gel which is perfect for my oily skin and the eye cream glides on so smoothly. I also got a bright pink nail varnish and a chubby stick in whopping watermelon. Felt very smug and satisfied with my haul. Go me!

3. Made some progress on sorting out where I am going to live next year and the girls I am potentially going to live with seem really nice. Spent a nice afternoon with them chatting and eating cookies. Finding somewhere to live as a student is really stressful and it would be great if I could get this sorted.

4. My Mum has decided to pass down some of her rings to me and my sisters this week and my one is absolutely beautiful. Its an opal with sapphires and it has to be one of the nicest things anyone has ever given me. Big thanks to my Mummy! Maybe one day if I have a little girl I might give it to her as it is such a special gift. I will always treasure it.

5. Spent several evenings this week cuddled up on the sofa under the duvet with a cup of tea watching Harry Potter. I bloody love HP and its such a great way to unwind. It literally never fails to cheer me up. Yep I realise this made the list last week too. That's how much I love it.

6. I did something a bit different this week and went to watch my Unis 'Strictly Come Dancing' competition. I admit I only went because two of my friends were competing and I am so proud to say they won! I've never been to watch anything like this before and surprised myself by really enjoying it. Its encouraged to me to maybe check out some of the other events the uni puts on.

The Happiness Project

So some of you might remember a few weeks back when I was still in the midst of exam/dissertation hell I wrote a post about all the things I was planning on doing once it was all over?
Well now that it has all been handed in I just thought it would be nice to share the positivity and happiness of all the fun things I've been up to.

In my head, I have called this 'The Happiness Project'. Please nobody laugh at how lame that sounds, I just think its important that we all focus on doing the small things that make us happy. In the rush of everyday life it is so easy to get caught up on all the stuff we need to do and this makes it hard to do the stuff we really WANT to do. So I'd like to share with you guys my busy week so far which I have tried to fill with as many fun things as possible.

In a way, this is the whole theme of my blog, in that I try to celebrate the small everyday joys in life. It can be tough sometimes, and recently things have been tricky for me. This post is about how you have to sometimes be nice to yourself and be proud of your achievements, even if they seem small to others. What is important is learning to respect how you feel and understanding how to make yourself feel happy. So while the things listed below are actually very mundane, for me the time I have spent with people while doing this has made all the difference.

Went on a fantastic date night on Friday to Turtle Bay which has got to be one of my favorite restaurants. This was partly a celebration of me finishing exams (and my dissertation although I had not handed it in) as well as Jared's birthday. A big happy birthday to him <3 I got pretty sloshed on Prosecco before we even got there and then continued with the wine throughout the meal. It was nice to get merry though after so long of having to be boring. The food as ever was divine, and I had pulled jerk pork for a starter followed by Mo Bay Chicken (chicken in creamy sauce) with sweet potato fries. Jared had their goat curry which was also delicious and as always I was getting food envy. The only problem with Turtle Bay is all the food is so good I always want all of it. 

On Monday as we all know, I handed in my dissertation and this was the same day as the start of the new semester. My new modules seem to be fun so far which is good. As soon as lectures were finished I headed straight to Boots and treated myself as promised. I bought my new Clinique Sonic Brush as mentioned here and a new Long Last Lipstick in a colour called Rose Shimmer. It's much pinker than the lipsticks I usually wear but I wanted a change. So far I am obsessed with it. I think after all that hard work I deserved it. And I feel better now I've rewarded myself.

I did have a whole day of Netflix planned yesterday but this has had to be postponed due to my boyfriend being called into work at the last moment. Will be doing this at the weekend instead and I am really looking forward to some vegging out. We've made a whole list of movies we want to watch and I can't wait to get stuck in.

Yesterday, instead of watching Netflix I went to the gym and actually enjoyed it. I haven't been in so long it was actually fun. Fingers crossed for me becoming a super fit gym fanatic. It could happen.

After the gym however I undid all my hard work by meeting my flatmate for lunch at Wild Lime where the food as ever was delicious. Plus it was nice to have a catch up as I have hardly seen anyone recently.

I spent the afternoon having a really good sort out of my room and threw away a whole bag of rubbish. There is something so soothing about having stuff back in order and clean isn't there? Had a lovely relaxing bath before heading out on a bar crawl with the rest of the geologists in order to celebrate our freedom.

So there is what I've been up to so far. Can't wait to carry on having fun over the rest of the week!




Pictures: my own and the top one is stolen from Pinterest. 

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?

The Clinique products I'm currently lusting after

Now first off, the work situation is currently dire. I am in the grip of a tortuous two week exam period and only a few days after my final exam is the hand in date for my dissertation. In case I hadn't gone on about it enough. I've been staring at a computer screen ALL DAY drawing lines in order to make my interpretive map. The good news is I've done one of my exams, submitted a deadline and my map is slowly but surely getting there. Also almost half way through the dissertation. BOOM.

Instead of revising tonight I am procrastinating by making this post. I am a top student.
I've already spent several hours watching Him & Her (rapidly becoming my favorite show of all time) and Orphan Black (only just discovered this, it is so darn gripping!). And I've had a ready meal. But I have spent 8 hours today making that fecking map so I think its only fair enough.

Just as a side note, Clinique have not bribed me in anyway to make this post (although if they want to I would be more than happy to accept aforementioned bribary). I am actually a genuine fan. Also a very poor fan, who would already own all the things on this list if I actually had any money. So please indulge me in another whiny post about all thing stuff I want. This really is way more fun than actually doing any form of work.

1. Turnaround Overnight Radiance Night Cream

I love a good night cream. There is something so luxurious about taking the time to pamper yourself before you go to sleep. Also I am a bit of a sucker for thinking I genuinely look like a model when I wake up after I use one. The reason why I've got my eye on this one is it is oil free and designed for my skin type (which is type 3 in case anyone is interested). I currently use Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask which is great but I think it is a teeeeeeny bit too rich for my shitty oily T-Zone. It also has 95% recommendation rate. Sounds pretty ace to me.

2. Turnaround Instant Facial

Another one from Clinque's turnaround range. I love their other cleansers but I am looking for something that can create a real at home treat. This product (according to the reviews) has sparkly bits in which sounds exciting! I need something that will repair damage done from a late night binge watching Breaking Bad or from too much wine. I feel like I could use this product and skip off to lectures with nobody having a clue how exhausted I am. I want people to be like "Amber's skin is always so radiant! I wish I knew how she did it!". I can dream.

3. Clinique Sonic Brush

I've mentioned this bad boy on here before. But its because I really REALLY WANT ONE. I tried one at my local Clinique counter when they first came out and it was so good. Felt so soft on my skin and I'm certain it could zap the greasy bits by my nose. I feel like it would boost my 3 Step to a whole other level but the expense is certainly holding me back on this one. The huge amount of positive reviews on the website promise I wont regret it, but I still just can't quite bring myself to part with the cash. Maybe I'll spend my birthday money on it... (By which I mean, I will.)

4. Smart Custom Serum

Now this is also a relatively new product from Clinique and I have a free sample of it somewhere. I'm desperate to try it but it has vanished into the depths of my room. This promises to address uneven skin tone and to improve radiance. Sounds pretty incredible to me. Again, this is quite pricy for a student budget so I think I'll have a good look for that free sample and see what I make of it. But serums are all the rage at the moment and I'm keen to see what all the fuss is about. This little beauty also has over 95% recommendation rate and I can't imagine all those people are wrong. I shall prepare for a trip to Boots in the near future.

5. Airbrush Concealer 

My flatmate has this and I find myself stealing it before every night out. I also tried it last time I was at a Clinique counter. Mostly cos I was looking like shit that day and wanted someone to patch me up. I haven't bought it yet because I am too poor. But I am going to. At some point. I need a concealer that will work perfectly with my foundation and I suspect that this is probably the answer. Also I just love that its a pen cos thats so handy for emergency spot hiding. I suspect when I eventually own one I will go though it pretty quickly and it will become a handbag staple.

6. True Bronze Pressed Powder

Another one that I've tried during a makeover at a counter and I loved it! I use bronzer all the time but I am always stressed my cheap one makes me look like an orange amateur. This gave me such a healthy glow and I got so many compliments that day on how great I was looking. I already own Cliniques Fresh Bloom All Over Colour and I think its incredible so hopefully I would love this one just as much.

7. Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm

This is not an essential purchase. I already have several blushers that are all great. This is purely something I want. As I already have 3 Chubby Sticks I am confident that this would be a flattering, long lasting colour. I've never owned a cream blush but I constantly read that they give a very natural flush which sounds good to me. I like to go for the natural look on a daily basis so anything that can help me achieve that has to be on my wishlist.

8. Long Last Lipstick

I already own two of these and they are by far my favourite lipsticks. They are soft, creamy and really do last for ages. Ive already mentioned my newer of the two called So Sweet here and I am devastated that Clinique decided to discontinue it. What will I do when it runs out!! There are several different colours that I like the look of available such as Black Violet, Watermelon, Pink Spice, Rose Shimmer, Violet Berry, Heather Moon, Dubonet... Basically all of them! I probably need to go into store and spend a delightful hour trying them all on. I highly recommend these lipsticks. You need one in your life. And for a high end lipstick they are very reasonably priced.

So in conclusion: I need to get saving. When I finish this exam hell I plan on going on a splurge to reward myself. What the hell.

Pictures all from Clinique,

Stuff I can't wait to do

Ever since I was about 14 I've hated January as it involved some sort of exam season. Not only is it cold, with shit weather and no Christmas to look forward to but then they decide to add EXAMS into that delightful mix.

This time last year I was disastrously ill and having one of the worst months of my life. This year is not much better for very different reasons. Basically I have three exams to sit and I hate two out of the three modules. Plus my dissertation deadline is only 2 days after my final exam. That's right. TWO WHOLE DAYS. Aren't they generous?

The amount of work I've got is crippling and is leaching all the fun and enjoyment out of my life. Even when I am taking a break I am so wracked with guilt I cannot enjoy what I am doing. Right now the only thing I seem capable of doing is crying and that is really not helping because I have got a horrible cold that is already making me a snotty mess.

To try and cheer myself up I decided to write a post on all the fun things I am going to do once this work is out of the way.

1. Netflix, tea, pjs. All day, for a whole day. I don't care what I watch or how much fast food I eat but its going to be incredible. Might even do it for several days. We'll see how I feel.

2. Dinner with my Geology Girls. We've got a fun celebratory dinner planned and I can't wait to consume copious amounts of wine and relax. While stuffing lots of yummy food into my face.

3. Get back to the gym. I have not had time to even go near that place, but weirdly I find myself looking forward to going back there... Probably a good thing as I plan on doing a lot of eating over the next few weeks.

4. Date night with my boyfriend. As a well deserved treat we are off to do something special together. It will be really nice to spend some time with him where I am not on the brink of bursting into stress tears at any moment.

5. Party time! There is a big party being planned for some friends of mines birthdays. Best part is its DISNEY THEMED. Time to crack out my well thought out costume and drink large amounts of vodka and coke (mostly vodka).

6. Planning my holiday. The reason I worked my butt off over Christmas was to earn some cash and I plan to spend a bit of it jetting off somewhere hot and sunny. Even thinking about it makes me excited!

7. I'm going to treat myself to some sort of beauty item. I haven't decided what yet but I've promised myself that the day I hand in that stinking dissertation I am going to go straight to town and blow my student loan on whatever takes my fancy.

8. Doing whatever the hell I want. This is probably the most important one. I am desperate to regain some control over my own life and get back to doing stuff I find fun. Life is too short to waste and I believe in spending every moment making yourself as happy as possible. I believe in doing what you love and I am hoping that one day this degree that I despise so much might actually lead to something I enjoy. So once this is over I plan on doing whatever I please for a bit. At least until the next deadline starts looming...



Picture from Pinterest.

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.

New year... New Goals

Now I'm not really one for making New Years Resolutions. I never stick to them and that just makes me feel bad about myself. However since I was 14 every year with my sport of Carriage Driving I sit down and make a list of goals of what I hope to achieve each year. This tactic has allowed me to compete for GB so it must be working. In which case, its probably time to apply it to the rest of my life.

1. Be better with my skin care. I started using Clinique skincare back in April and it has made a huge difference to my skin. Over the next year I want to start being more dedicated to my routine and stop being so lazy.The effort is worthwhile and will pay off in years to come.

2. Finish my dissertation. This is a bit of a cheat goal because the deadline for this is the end of January and isn't something I am going to work on for the whole of next year. But this is a project I have been working on for the best part of a year and to finally complete it will be a huge achievement. I can't wait for the day after its done. I'm going to sit in PJs drinking tea and watching Netflix. Its going to be glorious and I'm already fantasizing about that blissful moment of relief.

3. Find a replacement curly hair shampoo. I've been loyal to Naked Bodycare for the past year and I've never been able to fault it. Unfortunately they have gone out of business so now everytime I venture into Boots I find myself leaving with every bottle they had in stock. Obviously this approach is not sustainable for ever so at some point over the next year I am going to have to go through the horror of trying to find something suitable to replace it with. No doubt that will appear on here at some point so keep your eyes peeled for that in the future.

4. Stop being so horrible to myself. I am very bad for talking myself down and telling everyone how bad I am at things. Now clearly I can't be bad at EVERYTHING so this needs to stop because the more you tell yourself things the more you start to believe it. It becomes this awful self perpetuating cycle and its very hard to break. This year I am going to make a concentrated effort to stop being my own worst enemy.

5. Care less about what other people think of me. This is a lifelong goal for me and I think it will probably appear on this list for a few more years yet. Certain events that have happened this year have brought how short life is into very sharp focus for me. Life should not be wasted worrying about other people. Over the past year I have started wearing a lot of lipstick, and I am sure it is not to everyone's liking, but it makes me feel happy so I do it anyway. This blog is another example of me trying to combat this problem that regularly threatens to cripple me. I felt like people would laugh at me if I started a blog and I eventually gathered the courage to do it anyway. Now I wish I had done it ages ago. I make small little baby steps with this everyday, but its important to keep focused on it. Otherwise I slip back into my old ways and that will not make me any happier.

6. Go on an adventure somewhere. I'm not really bothered where or what it is but I want to plan it and just do it. There are few things in life that are more invigorating than doing new things and its a worthwhile use of your money. Half the fun is in deciding what you want to do, or in just waking up and doing something on a whim. So while I have no plans yet, I will definitely be making happen.

7. Try to eat more fruit and veg. I'm not going to start whinging about dieting but I do need to eat a slightly more balanced diet and stop having eating so much junk. This ties in nicely with No. 1 and I'm sure my skin will thank me. I'm not going to give up anything or start being restrictive. Instead as a very picky eater I am going to try and be more inclusive and add some new foods to my repertoire. We'll see how this one goes.

8. Go on more dates. Both with my boyfriend and my friends. As mentioned above doing new things is good for the soul and is proven to forge stronger bonds between people. But aside from that its just plain fun. And I'm keen on anything that adds extra fun to my life :) I've already got a few things planned and I'm so excited for it!

9. Do the Race for life. Again I'm not going to pretend to have unrealistic goals of turning into a super fit gym bunny but I would like to do this in memory of my Grandad whether I run, walk or crawl it I don't care. I want to do it anyway. I think its a worthwhile achievement however you complete it.

10. Be more assertive. This is my big one for the new year. Despite my friends thinking I won't take shit from people I am actually incredibly prone to letting people walk all over me. The problem is I have a hard time standing up to people who are close to me. Yet I have no issues releasing my resting bitch face or scathing sarcasm on mere acquaintances who have mildly annoyed me. I don't want to argue with people or upset them and sometimes I let that be an excuse for allowing them to upset ME instead. This year I want to try to say NO more and start focusing on whats best for me. This might mean some of my friendships will change but I'm starting to realise that if they don't see that my happiness is important then they probably weren't my friend in the first place.