weekend travel bag

Bag | Primark

 

The bag I usually use for overnight stays and travelling is this one from Primark. It's not the most fashionable best quality bag ever but I do actually really like it, especially for £12. It's pretty much the perfect bag for travelling because although it holds a lot, it also has a lot of pocket space that you can put all your money, headphones, tickets ect. in to have them easily accessible. 

 

Makeup Bag/Pencil Case | WHSmith

 

This may have been in the back to school section of WH Smiths but that wasn't going to stop my buying this amazing pencil case. I'm secretly obsessed with anything holographic and shimmery and I find things like makeup bags to be the perfect thing for getting away with over the top materials. I bought this straight away without really thinking but it actually turned out to be the perfect size for all my everyday makeup products.    

 

Mirror | Primark

Hair Band | Primark      

Hair Clip | Primark    

Headphones | Apple            

 

Obviously I need my door key, that doesn't need much explaining, and I can't stand train journey's without music so headphones are also a must for me. I rarely even use the mirror or hair things but I always like to have them on me just in case, and it's not like they take up much room so I might as well.     

 

Purse | Primark

Card Holder | Accessorize    

 

I bought this blue and rose gold purse a few years ago now in Primark for £5 which I thought was pretty good, but as much as I like it, it's starting to look a bit rough so I'm hoping get a new one soon. Primark are good though if you just want a nice cheap one. As for the Card Holder, this is new and very much still loved. Again with the holographic material, I'm obsessed and I think because it's so small it really isn't too much. I recommend getting a card holder because it's so useful for just carrying around your card and a bit of cash when you don't want to take a bag out, and in this case it's perfect for putting my train tickets and rail card in to keep them separate and accessible. 

Makeup Remover | Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

Deodorant | Ushuaia - Vanilla              

 

I'm not the best when it comes to skincare. I have a couple of other good products that I use every now and then, but usually I'm just lazy and stick with this micellar water, so obviously that's all I'd take with me when packing minimally. It's a really good simple makeup remover and the fact that they now do mini travel appropriate bottles is so handy. I don't think you can get this deodorant in England so embarrassingly enough I often bring it over from France because I hate using anything else. I can't stand the usual strong 'fresh' deodorant smell so this really sweet vanilla scent is perfect for me. It might be tmi but even if I sweat with this on, I just smell like vanilla (#goals).

IPhone Charger | Poundland    

Umberella | Primark

 

A couple more practical things: A phone charger (a very snazzy pink one) because who goes anywhere for more than a day without their phone charger, and an umbrella because the amount of times I've got caught in the rain is ridiculous and also very easy to solve. 

Sweatshirt | H&M            

Jeans | Topshop

Dress | Topshop

Pyjamas

T-shirt | Double Agent  

Joggers | Primark (men's)

10 tv series to watch

You know when you binge watch an entire series, or you're favourite series comes to an end and you actually start to miss the characters and don't know what to do with your life anymore? Same. So I thought I would put together a list of some of my favourite TV programs of all time. I've chosen a mixture of different genres, so that you have something lightweight to chill out and watch after a long day, and something a bit more intense that you wont be able to take your eyes off.


Parks and Recreation

I only actually heard about this recently but I'm glad I did because I fell in love with it and ended up watching all 7 seasons in a week. It's basically a comedy series following a group of people who work at the parks and recreation department of Pawnee. It does sound boring but I promise you it isn't. The characters are amazing, my favourites being Andy, April (#relationship goals), and Ron, and you can't help but get sucked into it all and get quite attached to the characters. If I had to compare it to another tv series I would say the office because of the relaxed documentary type feel where the characters talk and react to the camera.


The Simpsons

I'm sure you've heard of the Simpsons and have probably already seen a couple of episodes at least but I feel like it's been forgotten about a bit and is underestimated.  I used to love it when I was younger but I watched it again a couple of months ago when there was nothing else on and was pleasantly surprised. I'm not really much of fan of animated films and tv shows usually, so if you're the same I still recommend it for something fun to have on even if just in the background.


Father Ted

Yes it's pretty old now, but I couldn't do this post without mentioning Father Ted. It has to be one of my all time favourites and always cheers me up and makes me laugh. It's about three priests living on the fictional 'craggy island' just off Ireland and what they get up to. Although primarily based around religion, the whole thing is kind of taking the piss out of itself, which we in Britain love. A lot of the jokes are obvious but actually quite witty and cleverly done.



Alan Partridge

This is another comedy that I love to put on when I want cheering up. I feel like not many people have heard about this series and they could be missing out. It may be of a certain taste but I think those who do like it will love it. Steve Coogan is a genius and Alan Partridge is such a great character. Although the whole thing is kind of ridiculous, Alan, a dj for radio Norfolk, is that kind of cringey character that could almost be real, which is what makes it all so funny. I also love the more recent film Alpha Papa so give that a watch as well, but it makes it so much better if you already know the characters. 



The Graham Norton Show

As far as chat shows go, Graham Norton is up there with the best. Some interviews like this can be very uncomfortable to watch but I always feel as though the guests are always at ease on this show which is what makes it so enjoyable. They always have a great selection of guests, from local comedians to massive international celebrities, and I love the fact that the guests for that week are all on at the same time, making it really interesting to see how they interact with each other. Of course you also can't help but love Graham Norton himself, and he always makes me laugh.


Broadchurch

ah... on to the dramas. Broadchurch is hands down one of the best detective dramas out there. It begins with the death of a young boy, and the series follows detectives as they try to uncover what happened and the family of the boy as they try to cope. The story is incredible and you really do feel more and more emotionally involved as it goes on. The finale of the first series is completely shocking which I always want from these kind of things. I also think Olivia Coleman is brilliant and brings so much to the whole program.   



Doctor Foster

Doctor Foster is a very recent bbc drama which is also perhaps in my opinion one of the best. There are only a couple of episodes but I like that it unravels quickly and doesn't drag on. However within the short series you see lots of different aspects to the complex characters. The plot is really quite chilling and keeps you gripped, eager to see the next episode.   




Pretty Little Liars

I have mixed feelings about pretty little liars but I think it's worth having a watch. In the first couple of episodes, maybe even the first whole season, it comes across as a lightweight drama aimed at young teenage girls. But if you give it a chance it really kicks off and gets very tense and actually pretty dark. The recent reveal was disappointing a poorly done, but the build is actually very entertaining and gripping.




Sherlock

I love love love Sherlock. This is a series about Sherlock Holmes, very loosely based on the books, but set in modern day London. Although sometime rather complicated, the plots are always really clever and well put together. With there only being 3 episodes per series, each one is practically a short film in its own right. I often forget the storylines so I can and have very happily watched them over and over again. It is also really interestingly filmed and edited and has a very English feel to it which adds to its charm. I have to say I was slightly disappointed by the third series, especially after waiting so long for it, because I feel it moves away a bit from detective work and becomes a bit more mainstream, focussing on the characters social lives. But series 1 and 2 = amazing.



Grand Designs

Usually I subconsciously stay away from non-fictional programs, but I'm personally very interested in architecture and  interior design so I love to watch some Grand Design every now and then. It is my dream and life goal to design my own house one day so I find it so inspiring to see some of the extraordinary buildings that ordinary people have created. There are a lot of house programs about, but they are usually based around buying houses or diy/decorating (which I would enjoy more if their decoration wasn't so tacky imo), so I enjoy watching something that is more about the creative and impressive side of things.

18 life lessons

This June I blew out the candles of my 18th birthday cake. Whaaattt?! I'm officially an adult and I can't quite decide if I'm excited or terrified about it. But I do know that as I've got older, and hopefully wiser, I've learnt a lot of lessons about life. So here is a list of things, both cheesy and practical, that I have learnt in my 18 years on this earth.

p.s. thank you mummy for the cake Xx 

1. That thing you're self conscious about? In the nicest way possible, no one cares. Everyone is so wrapped up in their self to be noticing your so called flaw, let alone judging you over it.
2. Sometimes change is the healthiest thing that can happen to your life.
3. Growing up and maturity happens naturally - don't force it.
4. As confident as people might seem, you're never the only one who doesn't have any idea what's going on.
5. It's hardly ever as bad as you make it out to be in your head, and if it is, it's over quickly and you can move on with your life. 
6. You are never compelled to respect people who don't respect you, no matter what their age.
7. Avoid arguments at all costs, they're a complete waste of your time.
8. Always choose comfort over fashion.
9. As downhill as things seem to be going, there's always away to turn it around.
10. A positive attitude can change your life completely - this isn't an exaggeration.
11. List making does wonders for organising your thoughts and life.
12. Sometimes its ok to quit as long as you're doing it for the right reasons.
13. Music is the ultimate way to instantly cheer up.
14. It's good to organise and have goals but never expect your life to go to plan - things are going to go 'wrong', but sometimes it's for the best.
15. Don't compare your own life with someone else's 'social media life' - all you're seeing are the 'best bits' and even then they could be completely enhanced.
16. It's always better to be over friendly than to come across rude.
17. Seize as many opportunities to travel as you can.
18. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Nail Varnish Favourites | Autumn 2015

Montreal | Summer 2015 Photo Diary

Benefit Roller Lash | Worth the Hype?

It might not be that relevant right now but I forgot this in my drafts and I kinda love the photos too much to not post it.

When the Roller Lash mascara first hit the blogging world, all I heard was amazing positive things. But not wanting to spend so much on a mascara I have yet to judge myself, I was so happy to see this sample inside the Elle magazine packaging. Although there are probably thousands of reviews already from people who actually know what they're talking about, I thought there might just be someone who is interested in whether I think this product is worth all the hype it's received.

 

First of all, if all I was looking for in a mascara was pretty packaging, this would score 10/10 no doubt. The shiny rose gold colour of the lid is so lovely, and is pretty much the main reason I bought the magazine in the first place. But as they say, you can't judge a book by it's cover, so lets talk about the content.

My first thought when trying this mascara  was 'Not Bad!'. I like the fact that it has a curved brush and how it helps to create a pretty, subtle curl. I would say subtle is a key word here. It's not the most voluminous of mascaras, but it nicely lengthens and does the job of accentuating your lashes. My main issues with it are 1. I prefer more over the top mascaras that compensate for my pathetic excuse for eyelashes, and 2. The 'pretty, subtle curl' I described doesn't last long. Maybe a waterproof version would work better?

Overall, I would say it's a decent mascara if you're willing to pay the £20, but I do think you'd be better off just going for a Maybelline alternative for half the price.

 

13/09/15

Crop top - Topshop

Suede skirt - New Look

Cardigan - Primark

Everyone's Beautiful | So What?

Its a well known fact that in todays society there's a big issue with body image and beauty pressures. What with models and fashion encouraging the straight skinny body shape, and music and social media telling us that having 'curves' is the most important thing in the world, it seems to be pretty much impossible to be happy with the way you look.
However there is still a big part of the population that recognize this as a problem and want to do something about it.

 

We see so many campaigns nowadays telling women that they're all beautiful. But is this really the best way to go about it? Doesn't this simply encourage the view that beauty is all that defines a woman's worth. Yes we are all 'beautiful' but should that even matter?

What I hate, is that someone's looks are so commonly used as a means of complimenting and as ammunition for insults. I may be in the minority here but I know that I would 100% prefer to be complimented on something I had worked towards or put effort into. Of course I always appreciate a compliment about my appearance, but it always seems slightly superficial. I find that complimenting someone's physicality can also create unnecessary self consciousness and take away from personality and skill. So you think I have a nice nose?...great...I'm flattered, but shouldn't you really be complimenting my parents?

As for insults, insulting someone about the way they look is pretty much the lowest you can get. Appearance should never influence your respect for someone ever. I think that's all I need to say about that really.

When you compare appearances to all the other incredible attributes that we humans have; creativity, intelligence, empathy, wit... it becomes clear how unimportant and superficial it really is.
Think about all the people in your life. Now think about the reasons certain people mean so much to you. I'm guessing 99.99999% of those reasons have nothing to do with the features they were born with or the body they grew into.

In short, I'm saying this: How about we stop telling people they're all physically beautiful, and instead start telling them that really, it doesn't even matter.

20/06/15

blue floral print top -  Primark
black high waisted jeans -  Primark
denim jacket - Pull & Bear
necklace - Primark

May + June Playlist

My blog has really been lacking new content recently, sorry about that, and thank you to everyone for not unfollowing me! Not blogging much has resulted in me forgetting to post my playlist for the month of may. I love sharing the music I've been loving and didn't want to miss anything out so I've put the two months together to create one slightly longer playlist for you.