my week in pictures #1

Week 1

night out with the best friend // the best breakfast I've ever made // discovered Big Johns - amazing!

         

beyonce on the middle stage // Elliot & I waiting for the show // beyonce concert

                            

I treated myself to some time off revision to go out with my bestie, Robyn; we all need a break once in a while, life is too short not to have fun in between our stressful schedules. I also don't respond well to stress so I realised this exam period that I need to give myself more breaks to relax and let my hair down. I had a presentation at uni on Thursday which was the worst part of the week, but it always feels good once those kinds of things are over! Then I could get properly excited about going to the Beyonce concert with my boyfriend Elliot; it was a late valentines present - such a lucky girl! It was absolutely amazing, but it felt surreal that I was actually there. I'm definitely buying the DVD so that I can have another dance along! So pleased that  didn't cry (which I warned Elliot about - these kinds of things make me a little emotional!), so laughing at my expense was spared this time!

xxx

nails nails nails!

For anyone who knows me, you should know I love doing my nails and am into everything nail and nail art related. I don't go anywhere without a nail file, and usually at least one nail varnish. I find that having my nails painted makes me feel better because it shows a bit of personality and personally I think it finishes an outfit. I can't remember the last time I had plain nails; actually it was because I had to for dance competitions, but I don't remember before that! 

One night last week I had horrible chipped nails and it started to get to me. After gawping over some nail photos on instagram, I was given a bit of inspiration to do my nails after revision; I couldn't keep looking at pictures anymore! So here is a picture of the nails I did (which I started way too late and didn't finish until about 2am...) 

Admittedly, they're not my favourite creation, but I think when I realised what the time was, and there were no good programmes on TV I just wanted to finish and let them dry a little before bed! 

I used a mixture of varnishes including Barry M (yellow, green & pink), a nail varnish that I had as a present from an accessorize set (really light pink) and a cheap black nail varnish with a nail art tool from Avon, to do these nails.  

National Sibling Day

I am lucky enough to have two siblings; an older sister, Emma, and a younger brother Ross. I am the middle child, but fortunately do not suffer from middle child syndrome. Seeing as it was National Sibling Day yesterday, I thought I would make a little picture collage of some memories we have together and to write a post about them, because I don't tell them often enough how much I appreciate them. We have got millions of memories together; from holidays and getaways,  family parties, even to stupid laughs in the living room, there's never a dull moment with us three (not to mention our two young-at-heart parents). Obviously there are some bad memories, nobody is perfect, but lets not focus on those!

I love looking back on old photos, although I don't like it so much when I can't remember where we were, or what we did, because it shows I'm growing  up and already losing my memory...

The top left photo is of my sister and I, I would've been under 2 as Ross wasn't around, and Emma would've been about 5. I believe we were in the car on the way back from Disney World in Florida. Obviously I don't remember that journey in particular but I have loads of memories from our other 6/7 trips to Florida, including all the rides, Mickey ice lollies, breakfast with the characters, being locked at the back of a crocodile infested hotel & Ross getting his leg stuck in the railings whilst waiting what seemed like hours for the Dumbo ride. The top right photo and bottom left photo are also pictures from Florida (we love it there). I remember we loved these hats because our mum had just had a fancy dress party where she made an appearance as the statue of liberty (our family never ceases to amaze me), but we were too stingy to buy them because they were wayyy overpriced, so just took a sneaky picture instead (everyone's done it...).

The bottom right picture is me and Ross at our much loved annual Easter & summer holiday destination: the infamous Clarach Bay. Our lovely Nan & Grandad owned a caravan there and used to take the Powell & Kang clan (our cousins), along with many other special guests (our school friends) along to the 2 bedroom caravan which quickly became a tradition. We loved it, it was the best place for fun as children and I think it was where we were first given some independence. We made loads of friends and would go into the town, to the arcade, swimming and bowling, not forgetting fishing and playing on the rubber dingy on the river. We would be taken down to the 'Showboat' club most evenings for the kids disco, bingo and a family show, and if we were good we were allowed a tray of chips. I'd do anything to be that age again and to go to Clarach Bay altogether, but I'll just have to try and hold the memories for as long as possible.

Anyway, that was just a quick post to show my appreciation for my siblings :) I think in life we can get carried away with all the stresses and little things, that we don't get enough time to reflect and appreciate the things that really matter; these two help to keep me sane (but sometimes drive me insane too) and have shaped my life dramatically, I don't know where I'd be without them, so thank you for being there.

Happy National Sibling Day!

Cherry on Top!

If you're a student, you're probably in the same situation as myself; boredom, restless and pulling your hair out because its revision time! I hope I'm not the only one who looks for anything else to do but revision, when it's probably the most important time of the academic year for a student. My boyfriend always teases me around exam time, because I always develop new hobbies in a bid to avoid revision. Not quite the right approach... After days on end of psychology revision (which is only one out of the five modules I have exams in) and daily time slots allocated for the 'Great British Bake Off', I couldn't cope any longer; I needed to get my creative juices flowing! I decided to make Cherry Bakewell Cupcakes which I saw one of the contestants make on the programme and they looked delicious. She was the top baker that episode so I hoped I could give her a bit of a run for her money...(you never know, I might be good enough to enter myself next year...)

Not bad, eh?!

Here are the finished results, minus a couple that had been sneakily eaten already. I had to use blackcurrant jam instead of raspberry, but I think it worked as a good substitute! They were very tasty and a nice twist on the bakewells that the shops sell. I'd make them again, but I hope to extend my baking skills by attempting sausage rolls soon!

If anyone wants to give these a try the recipe is at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/cherry_bakewell_cupcakes_24953

Best Buys: MARCH

Like most girls my age, I am a bit of a shopaholic. Even though money is tight for me at the moment because I'm waiting until my placement starts in June, I still manage to give-in to temptations! Granted, I'm not buying anywhere near as much as when I worked at New Look, so the buys aren't very extravagant, but nevertheless I have had a bit of retail therapy and I've been pleased with what I did spend money on in March! I thought I'd write about my few favourites...

 (sorry about the photo quality, I quickly took it on my phone!)

1. L'Oreal Wild Ombre Dip Dye Kit. 

I got box number 2 which was meant for dark blonde to medium brown hair. I was going to buy box number 1 for dark brown hair, but I had seen some disappointing reviews, and was told by my friend that it doesn't really show a difference. I was sooo scared doing this kit because firstly, I have only dyed my hair once and it didn't really work, so I wasn't used to hair colouring! Secondly, I was even more scared about technical aspects; I wanted a gradual effect and was worried about getting a distinct line, so I got my brother and sister to help me! So on went the bin bag, and away we went! The brush that came with the kit was really useful to spread the dye, I've kept it in case I want to go over the ends in the future. It did smell quiteee strong, but it was fine once we opened the window (even though it was snowing outside!). 

Here are some pictures of the final dip-dye! It's not too drastic but I'm really pleased with the outcome. There's no prominent line, and I can always lighten it if I want to, but at the moment I'm leaving it how it is. Don't want to run before I can walk!

2. Nivea SOS Lip Care.

I alwaysss seem to have dry, sore lips and no lip balm seems to help! I had this lip balm years ago and I remember thinking it was a miracle worker! Somehow, as things do, it got misplaced; I think I gave it to my Grandma, but I couldn't find a replacement anywhere! At the beginning of the month, I ran into Superdrug on the way back to my flat at uni and went to buy a lip balm, because my lips were so sore I couldn't wait until I was back (and then use a rubbish product!). I saw this little baby was back on the shelf and wanted to cry with happiness. It was a bit more expensive than the others at around £3, but I knew it would be worth it. Unsurprisingly, my lips have felt the best they have in months, and haven't hurt or split in a while now! Plus, lipstick looks ways better on a night out now!

3. MUA 'Undress Me Too' Eyeshadow Pallette.

For weeks I've been umming and ahhing over buying the Urban Decay 'Naked' palette, after watching eyeshadow tutorials which use it, and make it look really easy to achieve both natural and smokey eyes. As you know, I'm on a bit of a budget, so over £30 for an eyeshadow set seemed a bit too much. The bargain hunter that I am went on a hunt! On a separate occasion in Superdrug (I actually went to buy nail varnish; always the way!) I saw this palette for £3! Obviously I thought it might not stay on as long as the Urban Decay alternative, or be as strong, but for £3 I couldn't refuse. I've used it quite a few times now and I've been pleasantly surprised with the outcomes! So glad I didn't splash out (for now anyway)!    

4. Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner.

I've always wanted to be able to do eyeliner flicks because they look good both in the day and at night for going out. Again, the tutorial videos made an appearance (during revision) and I thought they definitely looked achievable, but more so with a gel liner rather than the pen style. To my surprise, I did flicks on the first attempt and I was dead chuffed with them! So much I instagrammed a picture of them... This was quite pricey at £8 for a tiny pot, but there was a 3 for 2 offer on at Boots, and it also came with a brush so I could start using it straight away, which made me feel better about buying it. After using it, I realized that actually a little goes a long way, so it will probably last me ages. I've used it loads already because its so quick to use, so it was definitely worth buying.

Not bad for a first attempt!

The instagram photo...