2014

So we've reached New Year's Eve and although in a few minutes I need to start getting ready to celebrate the end of the year with some of my closest friends, I wanted to put a few thoughts down on what has probably been one of the biggest years of my life.

2014 started with me being pretty unwell, lacking confidence and not really being sure where I would end up. I left therapy, only to find my anxiety got worst and my panic attacks became much more regular. March came and I got an offer from my dream uni, and for a few days I could relax. The end of my school days came around so quickly, with laughter, tears and a few (small) fights and before I knew it I was sitting my A Level exams. Around this time a lot of stuff was going on in my personal life (worst possible timing I know) but somehow I made it through and then it was summer.

Summer was one of the craziest times of my life, I had so much fun with so many amazing people, went to some incredible places, but there was also some frightening and horrible moments, and quite a few tearful train journeys. I also had the constant fear of result day and whether or not I would get into uni.

Finally, results day and my eighteenth came round on the 14th of August. Logging onto UCAS to see I had been accepted into my first choice uni was definitely the highlight of the year, and I have never felt so much relief. That was probably the best day of my life, spent with all the people I love so much and feeling so proud of all my friends.

Towards the end of summer, my confidence grew. I don't really know what it was, maybe it was getting into uni or maybe it was being 18 and a few eventful nights out but I felt so much better about myself.

Then uni came around and after a nerve wracking few first days I made some great friends and I have been having the time of my life ever since. Crazy that I've only been there 10 weeks and yet I'm so comfortable and happy there.

2014 has definitely had its ups and downs, and some bad and some good moments, but it's been amazing and I can't wait to see what 2015 brings.

Happy New Year everyone!!

xxx

Best Christmas Surprises

Call me nosey, but I love knowing what other people got for Christmas. I was really spoilt this year (mostly by Mum who is one of the best present buyers ever) but also by the rest of the family and friends. I had a few requests on my list this year but these are a few of the best surprises I got on Christmas day.

This biscuit was actually given to me a bit before Christmas and was waiting for me in the post when I got back from Paris from my lovely flatmate. It was a hint that something was coming when he asked for my address but it was so sweet and really made my day!

This Pandora charm is a Disney 101 Dalmatian- Mum found it in a charity shop but 101 Dalmatians is one of my favourite films so I was so pleased with this.

Personalised soap- this smells amazing and it has my name on!! Personalised gifts are always a winner and a student can never have enough soap.

Lush gift boxes. The top one is from my brother and the bottom one from my grandparents. I love Lush probably more than anything else and I am going to have an abundance of bath bombs, soaps and body stuff to be making my way through this year! 

And finally, more Disney themed presents. Mum got these in Disneyland Paris when we were there at the beginning of December. Eeyore and Donald are both kind of private jokes between Mum and I so I can't wait to take these back to uni as I know the Disney memories will always make me smile if I'm having a rough day (pass the sick bucket...) 

So those are some of my favourite surprises from Christmas, I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and I would love to know what you guys received! 

xxx

Disneyland Paris

Last Sunday my Mum, Aunt and 8 year old cousin Matthew set off to Disneyland Paris. We spent four days there, staying at a hotel just five minutes bus ride from the Park and I thought it would be nice to share some photos!

Christmas greetings with Mum 

Parade time!

It's A Small World 

Stitch is my favourite character...and no I did not purchase this delight of a hat

Was taking a photo with Eeyore when Tigger came over to ask if he could join haha

Anna and Elsa 

Character dining at Inventions- it looks like an assault but it wasn't, I promise 

Donald Duck <3 

My favourite person and the best mother in the world 

I killed it at the Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast game

Got photobombed by Smee whilst with Stitch...a sentence I never thought I'd type 

Scared faces on the Slinky ride 

Christmas Tree oh Christmas Tree 

A pretty magical place 

Look out for some more Disneyland posts coming soon! 

xxx 

Winter haul

Being back in London has made me realise how much I've missed shopping. The combination of student budget plus a lack of shops means I've restrained myself, but today I hit the shops and brought a few things for winter.


First stop was Primark. Primark is a must go to in winter for jumpers, Christmas attire and leggings.

The first thing I picked up were these grey leggings and velvet lined leggings. I'm not sure how good the quality will be but they both look super warm and with all the cold weather we have predicted for us, I'm going to need these! 

Secondly- MY CHRISTMAS JUMPER!! This is a super pretty pink with white polka dots and a grey fuzzy squirrel with different textures and a real pom pom bobble. I can't wait to wear this in the lead up to Christmas and on Christmas day. 

This top

was an impulse buy, I figured I could wear it with the grey leggings. It's crotched with flowers and it is see through so vest tops will be worn underneath. However I thought it would be nice for either casual everyday wear or with leggings or a skirt for a night out.

(Sorry for the photo quality being crap)

Finally from Primark I got these adorable guinea pig gloves, which are fingerless which I find essential. They are really warm and really cute- and were only £2! Next is the purse with a fox pattern. I have asked my Mum for a new purse for Christmas that has enough space for all my cards and my money (or lack of it) but I spotted this and thought I would grab it. Finally I picked up some face masks. My skin is currently suffering, a combination of a foam party, cold weather and end of term stress has led to it being pretty gross so I feel like it needs a little TLC with a face mask. These are 90p in Primark which I think is a total bargain!

I popped into New Look and picked up this scarf for just under £10. A classic tartan print goes with anything and will never go out of style. It also looks great with a parka which is the coat I will be wearing for many winters. 

Finally I ran in Superdrug to pick up a new pressed powder as my Rimmel Stay Matte powder came to a sticky end under one of my guy friend's heavy feet on a night out. I picked up MUA pressed powder in shade one as it was only a £1. I've never tried any MUA products so I'll be interested to see if their low prices mean low quality. 

Next I headed to the Barry M stand to restock on my favourite foundation, the Flawless Matte Finish in shade one "Ivory". I've just about finished my bottle of this and I need to write a full post on why this is such a great foundation, so whenever I remember to do that, look out for that! Barry M had a deal on that if you spent over £6 you got a free nail polish and annoyingly the foundation only came to £5.99 so I picked up the Loud Mouth lipgloss in "Tease" which is a deep red. I love these, they have amazing payoff and last such a long time. You do need a lip brush to apply it with but you get a neater finish that way anyway. 

I got the Barry M glitter nail polish for free in "Jingle Bells" which is so pretty and glittery, perfect for those holiday parties!

That was everything I brought for winter, I definitely don't need to go shopping for a while again! 

Anything nice you've brought recently?  Let me know in the comments!

xx 

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

Even writing that title has started me humming Christmas tunes. It's no secret to anyone (my flatmates who were forced into Christmas dinner, my family who have been getting Christmas themed texts and emails since November 1st or anyone who witnessed my excitement at our Winter Ball) how much I freaking love Christmas. This year my festive spirits has reached new highs and so I thought I would share some of my favourite things about Christmas time.



1) The music. Yes I am one of those people who's had their Christmas playlist on since November. Yes I struggle to listen to any music that is not Christmas-y throughout December. The other day I resorted to listening to Justin Bieber's album as I couldn't bear a car journey without Christmas music. Personal favourites are All I Want For Christmas is You, Fairytale of New York, Baby Please Come Home and Merry Christmas Everyone. And you can't go wrong with a bit of Buble.

2) Lights everywhere. From my university to my good old home town of London, nothing says Christmas like beautiful Christmas trees and rows and rows of lights.

3) Festive drinks everywhere you go. particular mention goes to Costa who's entire Christmas menu makes me happier than anything. Our campus cafe had amazing "Snowballs" which was white hot chocolate and all kinds of other toppings. Mmmn I'm going to miss that cafe over the holidays! Chain cafes like Costa, Starbucks and Pret drinks are also delicious, perfect for warming you up whilst giving a little taste of Christmas!

4) Advent Calendars. Possibly the best invention ever. A treat everyday? Who doesn't love these? My very kind and amazing Mum brought me the Benefit advent calender this year. A bit different from the £4 Cadbury chocolate ones I've had the years before! I am loving the free samples and it is such a perfect way to test little bits before splashing on the full size. I also love genuinely not knowing what I'm going to get each day!

5) Christmas films. From Love Actually (which is actually favourite film and I will watch it all year round) to Elf there is nothing better than a good Christmas film to warm your heart and put a smile on your face. Everyone has their favourites but Elf and Love Actually I watch every year without fail.

6) Buying presents. It sounds so cliche, but I genuinely love buying presents. I know many people dread it *cough* Dad, my brother *cough* and yes trying to find something for that obscure family member you only see once a year or that person in secret santa who you've spoken to precisely three times is not my favourite part of the holiday season. However, taking the time to choose that perfect gift that you know will make your loved one smile or laugh when unwrapping is just soo worth it. Only a few days ago I said to my flatmate "I love giving presents more than receiving" to get the reply "That's good Alex as I haven't brought shit!" Boys ey?

7) The food. I'm almost disappointed at myself for putting this so low down on the list. Nothing beats Christmas food, from the turkey to pigs in blankets to my grandmother's roast potatoes (that are really Aunt Bessie's but shuuush). It also makes it even more special the chaos that leads up to sitting down at the table, from attempting to weigh the turkey with my Grandma and Mum last Christmas Eve on scales that had long given up the ghost to my Grandma insisting we could microwave all the vegetables. If there's anything better than Christmas dinner, give it my number.

I'm sure I could go on and name many more things that make this time of year so amazing and special to me but I think this is a pretty good start! Now I have some questions for you: 

Favourite Christmas song?

Favourite Christmas film?

Favourite part of Christmas dinner?

Where will you be spending Christmas this year?

xx