#76

From looking at all your blog posts, I can safely say you've all had a fantastic Christmas! I've enjoyed reading what you got up to and seeing the goodies you got, and the games you played with your loved ones, really cute :)

My Christmas has been really fun, but it's gone by far too fast! I spent Christmas Eve at Jack's; we walked up to the square and got cakes and dvds, ordered Chinese and watched Bunny and the Bull, a movie by The Mighty Boosh guys, Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt. It's a really funny movie, very weird but it suits their style down to a T.

Christmas Day got off to a bad start, as the water pipes in our area went off, so I come downstairs to find my parents heating up buckets of snow so we had water to boil! It was mad, but the water came back on in time to cook the lunch, which was amazing! I couldn't eat much, but it was delicious! My brother and I spent the day playing silly games on the Wii and eating all the chocolate.
The parents slid on over to a family friend's house for a drink or two, but I was tired so I stayed on the couch, watching my new Supernatural boxset, eating a bowl of stuffing and cranberry sauce ^__^
Boxing Day, we had family over for Christmas dinner round two, where I ate about three times as much as I did the day before, goodness knows where I've put it!

Photo overload, I went a little crazy with photos of my presents, so I do apologise!

My Secret Santa present - I'm so excited to make the gingerbread house!

Dresses Jack bought me; they look much nicer actually on, so pretty :)

Christmas jammies!

My brother and I also got new tv's as our current ones aren't digital, but they're in the study so my dad can "scope them out"

Now I just have to decide what I'm actually doing for NYE, so I can wear one of my new dresses! What're you doing for NYE?

#75

Haven't done an outfit post in quite some time, so thought I'd show you what I wore to Jack's last night. (I cheated and took these about an hour ago as I didn't have time to last night, explaining why my face and hair isn't exactly up to scratch!)
I'm quite proud of myself for having the time to do several posts this week, but as I explain further down, I won't have much time this coming week to post, so this is to make up for that I suppose :)

Skirt, shirt - H&M; Belt - New Look; Tights - Primark; Owl necklace - Tammy @BHS

I ordered this top off the H&M online sale, and it's gorgeous, so comfy even though the material's super-thin. It's more than long enough to be a dress, but I prefer it tucked into a bodycon skirt and pulled out slightly to give a baggy/voluminous look. I added the tights to give the outfit a bit of fun/variety. I wore it with my army boots and chunky grey socks, a grey cardie, my snood and winter coat so I was nice and toasty on the walk over.

I have a fun but busy week ahead of me - Online report's due in Tuesday, so I'm spending tonight and tomorrow finishing that bad boy off, and Tuesday night, a friend from uni invited me to go see Frankie Boyle in the Echo Arena - like I'm gonna turn that down! I know he's in the press at the moment for the controversial comments he made towards Katie Price's son, Harvey, but I'm hoping he doesn't bring that up in the show as I still like him as a stand up.
We finally finish uni on Thursday, so we're all coming into town to Scream for a big lunch and a good drinking session. It's about bloody time since we haven't been out as a uni group at all and we're half way through our second year! I'm looking forward to it though, should be fun!

What're you up to this week? Any of you still stuck in uni?

#74

As promised in my previous post, this is on the Neal's Yard set my auntie sent me for my belated 21st present.
She has worked for Neal's Yard Remedies for years, and while their products are not something I have always thought to get myself, perhaps because I'm a bit of a cheapskate :P But she has always sent my mum and I samples of new products and specially made lotions and creams to suit our skin perfectly.
This is a brand new set, available online here, she also put a nail protect and moisturise balm in as she knows how much I love to do my nails:

The website says:

NEW Power Berry Skincare Essentials

For Youthful Skin

Protect youthful skin from ageing environmental aggressors and free radicals, with our blend of antioxidant-rich superberries and plant extracts, scientifically formulated to help keep skin looking younger, longer.

Contents:
Power Berry Facial Wash 50ml

Power Berry Daily Moisture 30ml

Power Berry Facial Mask 20g

I only recieved it yesterday, and I tried the moisturiser before I went to bed, and it works a treat. I usually have a lot of trouble when it comes to picking the right moisturiser, because my skin tends to get quite oily, but I sometimes end up with dry patches on my cheeks. This moisturiser is really light on the skin, soaks in quickly and doesn't irritate at all. I woke up with softer skin which wasn't oily in the slightest.

I'll be trying out the face mask and face wash later tonight after my shower, but I'll definitely keep you updated as to whether they're worth picking up and if they really do keep my skin looking youthful!

What's your favourite Neal's yard product(s)?

#73

Apologies for the lack of updates this fortnight, and I know, it's the same excuse as always, but uni is ridiculous; I have a Media Law exam on Thursday which I will not do well in; I shouldn't have put my name down for it, especially as the resit's £40! £40 which I do not have - if anyone's kind enough to donate some spare pennies to me, please drop me an email :P
I'm currently writing this, wrapped up in my thermals, vests, joggers and the comfiest jumper ever, battling every cold-related issue under the "sun" - I'm so embarrassed at how much I've been sniffling and sneezing in uni this week. My Shorthand teacher even stopped so I could blow my nose - tragic :|
Anyway there won't be an outfit post until maybe Friday when I can rob Jack's awesome camera instead of settling for my poor-quality phone photos that can be seen below...

This is the church at the top of the shops in Ormskirk - the photo doesn't do it justice but all the trees are coverd in snow and ice, it looks gorgeous!

I'll be writing up a post on a Neal's Yard set my auntie sent me as a belated birthday present soon, keep your eyes peeled for it tonight :)

#72

This week's been kinda weird for me - I haven't had anything new or interesting to blog about if I'm perfectly honest. I don't wanna subject you guys to a boring post (I am aware that me blabbing on in this one contradicts that, but it's a one-off ^_^)

I'm stressing out due to the massive pile of uni work due in before we break up in three weeks; this will fly past before I even realise! I'm having a meeting with some of the tutors on my course tomorrow, I'm pretty nervous but I'm hoping it will help me de-stress and feel better about my work.
Still haven't found a job - absolutely nobody wants me, even though I've got 3+ years of retail experience, they'd rather hire people who are fresh out of school (no offence if that's you, I'm just pissed off that noone's gotten back to me) Even companies that I've been for interviews at haven't let me know about the position, so I've given up, and I'm making a list of things I'll need over Christmas so I spend my money wisely. I have just placed an order with Victoria at VIPXO for a handful of the gorgeous Scrabble rings she makes - sorting out half of the presents for my bezzies :)

Anyway, I don't want to bore anyone with the dulcet tones that is my life, but please leave me a comment telling me how you spent your weekend; have you already bought Christmas presents? Any new winter goodies I should invest in?

Anyhoo, to brighten up this word infested post, I have some Polariods created using Polaroid camera software I came across on Charlotte's blog, You Were In A Dream I Had - have a peek!
As much as I adore my red Polaroid camera, I'm sick of sitting on Ebay trying to win film for it - if anyone knows of cheap places to get it, lemme know!

#71

This week has been such a mad rush for me; I've been trying to recover from a cold/eye infection (I hate when something goes wrong with my eyes, I always start panicking and freaking out), make it into uni and sort things out for Christmas - me trying to be organised is Hell on Earth!

I'm aware 99% of the people on this website don't care for wrestling as a sport, but I adore it and Jack made me so proud last night - I went to Hindley with Stacey to watch GPW - Guts and Glory (a British wrestling company), where Jack was drawing the raffle and had a front row seat so they could interview him about losing his last match at GPW, and being unable to gain a roster place. We sat front row with him, it was pretty fun but I felt like I was sort of "on show" on the front for whatever reason. His interview came before the match for the GPW British title, where Jack Gallagher, who beat him last time, was fighting. Halfway through the match, Jack Gallagher comes over, starts shouting at Jack, slaps him and they brawl, pulling him over the guardrail and into the ring! I had no idea this was going to happen so you can imagine my face throughout this! Anyway, my Jack gets beaten up and thrown out the ring. Thinking that was it for him, I calmed down until I see him hop back in and get the last pin for the title!
I couldn't believe it actually happened! He's the youngest person to hold the GPW British Title, which is such a prestigious title, I'm so proud of him :D
Anyway, this is the outfit I had planned to wear last night, but changed the skirt to treggings, as it was hideously bitter out:

Shirt - H&M; Vest, Skirt - New Look; Tights - Primark; Necklace - Vivienne Westwood

I don't like how a lot of people are wearing these tights with denim shorts and little tiny outfits, especially in Winter, but I personally think it looks more respectable if you don't show them off completely; or maybe that's just the grandmother in me talking!

What do you think of these tights - too Taylor Momsen? Or can they look good with the right kind of outfit?

#70 - Blog award

Haven't posted properly since my birthday; through those few weeks I've been pretty unwell and literally suffocating under all the uni work I have to do - I have an important piece in pretty much every week until Christmas, so it's all systems go!
Not to mention I went to see Paramore on Wednesday, and Deftones on Sunday. Both gigs were amazing, but Deftones was unbelievable for me - they've been my favourite band for goodness knows how many years, and I've finally seen them live. I am currently suffering from several bruises on my legs and arms, as well as as bruised cheekbone, but it was definitely worth it! They sound exactly the same live as they do on a cd. (The video for Diamond Eyes)

I was given this blog award by Alex at Life After 20 - I finally met her in person last Saturday at the vintage fair, and she's even lovlier in person, so go check her out :)

Here's my attempt at the answers:

1. Why do your blog?
I like to think I have a way with words, and even if nobody reads it, it always makes me feel better posting things up on here. I've "met" some lovely people through this and it's great to hear other people's opinions on things and to know that your voice does count!

2. Name your 3 best memories:

This took me a while to narrow it down!

1. When I met Jack; as cheesy as it sounds, he turned my life around, made me a more positive person, and is always there for me. He really makes me happy, even if we're just sitting with a movie on, pulling stupid faces at each other; I love him ^_^

2. Maybe four months after we had to get rid of our kitten, Tarmac, I come home from work to find an unbelievably happy dog sat in the kitchen. Turns out he had been abandoned and my dad found him in the Leeds-Liverpool canal and fished him out. He hadn't eaten properly for weeks, and after the month appeal nobody claimed him, so we got to keep him. We named him Hippy and he's the happiest dog I've ever known; always welcomes me home like I've been away forever!

3. When I found out I got a second chance at university. I had been messed about by my first choice, and thought I'd have to go to college or get a full-time job and miss out. But I rang up Edge Hill by chance and they offered me a place on the course upfront. I appreciate being given a second chance and I know it happened for a reason so I'm trying my best not to mess up!

3. Five best fictional books you have read.

1. Servants of Twilight, Dean Koontz
2. Fight Club, Chuck Palahniuk
3. One Big Damn Puzzler, John Harding

4. 5 Best movies ever made.

1. Pulp Fiction

2. Forgetting Sarah Marshall

3. Shawshank Redemption

4. Hocus Pocus

5. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

5. Name 5 things you cant live without.

1. Family/friends

2. Good food, like my mum's roast dinners!

3. The photos I have, jam packed full of memories

4. My bed

5. Positive people

6. If you could change your name what would you change it to.

I really like my name, and think I suit it. People have said I look like a Rebecca or Claire though.

7. Tell us a unique fact about yourself.

I can only eat M&M's and Skittles in two's of the same colour

8. What do you love most about yourself?

That I don't know what's just around the corner but I don't mind that. And that I am finally comfortable in my own skin

9. If you had a freaky Friday experience who would you change places with?

As "original" as it may seem, I'd like to trade with Anne Hathaway or Emily Blunt - two people I look up to; they're both hugely successful, beautiful intelligent women who go against the grain, and I admire them for doing so and sticking to their guns

10. Whats the best thing about being a women?

Being able to look pretty; women have much more freedom when it comes to fashion, make up, etc. And not being told off for wanting to be career-forward

I give this award to:
Frannie
Emma
Rebecca

Victoria

Kelly

#69 - Big Vintage Fair, Manchester!

The UKs BIG Vintage & Fashion Fair hits Manchesters PRINTWORKS!!!

You really dont want to miss the BIGGEST Fair of the year, with 60 amazing stalls of Vintage, Retro, Designer, Accessories & loads more!

All the way through The Printworks, AND a MASSIVE (and we do mean MASSIVE) Pop Up Shop INSIDE PURE!!!

Get all your Christmas gifts & outfits sorted in one day!!

TOMORROW!
Saturday 13th November!
9 til 6
The Printworks & Pure
Manchester

If anyone's heading down to this, let me know, myself and Alex (her blog, Life After 20, have a nosey) will be working on the doors of the event, so make sure you say hi and let us have a peek at the bargains you snap up :)

#68 - 21st Birthday!

Apologies for my absence for the past two weeks, I have been spending this week at least relaxing as much as I can with it being "Reading Week" - I have had several assignments to do this week but haven't had the motivation to do anything about it :/
Monday was my twenty-first birthday!
Even though I had already chosen my main present, it was still gorgeous to open on the day, and I love what I got.
We went for a family meal to Red Hot Buffet in Liverpool One - amazing food! We were all so stuffed, and auntie Kathy kept the bubbly flowing, so it was a fun little night :) Photos of that will come later.

This is the majority of my cards and presents... PHOTO OVERLOAD AHEAD! I do apologise, I got rather snap-happy taking photos of my lovely gifts :)

From my parents, I got beautiful purple Vivienne Westwood jewellery. I originally wanted just the bracelet and necklace, but after the assistant in the shop showed us the brooch and ring I couldn't leave without them! Sounds like I'm spoilt, I know, but please know I work for everything I earn, so my mum insisted on spoiling me for my twenty-first ^_^
I couldn't get a decent photo of the necklace, but it's the same as the bracelet in the third photo above.

My pretty cake; the glitter buttefly broke in half on the way home from the restaurant, still yummy!

Lauren from uni bought me this ceramic money pot - when it's full you have to smash it open, but it's far too pretty to break! I may end up keeping it full so I always have a stash of money! She also put a New Look giftcard in my card; she's such a sweetie pie :)

Danni bought me a huge nail varnish/care kit and sparkly bra straps! I'm planning on having fun doing my nails over the weekend.

Chris bought me a Vivienne Westwood voucher - gives me an excuse to go back and drool over the counters again!

Cute little belly bars from the Beauty show last month


My cousins, uncle and auntie got me a beautiful brush set - made from badger hair; softest thing ever! And a bottle of bubbly and chocolates - this weighed a tonne.

Heather knows me all but too well - a Soap & Glory giftset - all the things I was running out of, a bottle of bubbly and she said there's something else but she hasn't finished making it yet - I am very intrigued to see what this will be!


Last but certainly not least, I went shopping before the family meal with Jack - he has already bought me tickets to see Jason Manford in April, but wanted to get me another piece of jewellery since he already made me bracelets and bought me a gorgeous necklace.
He had his eye on a ring, but it was far too big for my tiny child-like fingers, so we both saw this one and loved it. Not the best photo, but it curls round my finger leaving a gap at the front, and the top half is covered in crystals, it's beautiful <3

Liverpool Vintage Fair!

This Saturday the Big Vintage & Fashion Fair is coming to Liverpoo's Met Quarter!
I've never been to a vintage fair before so I'm really excited! I'm also getting to finally meet Alex from Life After 20; she's lovely :)
They're also holding model castings for their next fashion show which is on 11th November, so if you interested get down there early to snap up the little bargains!

If you do fancy going, leave me a comment and I'll keep an eye out, always nice to put a face to the blog :)

For more information on the day, check their Facebook page here.

#66

Just a quick post as I'm procrastinating on my very lazy Sunday. Went out with some friends I haven't seen in a while, it was really fun. We went to Popworld, Django's Riff and ended up in The Krazyhouse, all the while dancing to Spice Girl mixes and batting away boys with suspicious Pokemon hair :')

I've been meaning to post a photo of the Limited Edition Barry M colour nail varnish for a while now; I've only had it a couple of weeks, but it's not left my nails!

Nabbed it in the 2 for £5 deal, it's not a typical Winter colour, but I adore it! It goes on quite a light pink in the first coat, but a second gives it a lovely purple, I think it's quite a delicate colour. Not sure if you can still pick it up, try having a peek in a bigger branch of Boots, I don't think Superdrug stocked it to begin with.

I also nabbed these three the other week, I've tried the Indigo and LOVE it; it's more of a bright blue but with dark purple undertones - perfect for Winter.
I picked up the Strawberry Ice Cream because I've heard good things about it, and also "Wham" which is a light grey, purely because I don't yet own a grey, plus it was £1.99, so I can't really complain if it's crap!

EDIT - Looking deep into my nail varnish drawer, I may have a slight addiction... will post more on this addiction tomorrow.

What colour have you been painting your nails?

#65

This is me trying to show off my new dark hair - I haven't had it this dark for soo long, I love it!
Sorry for the daft photo, my mouth looked funny :')

I'm feeling pretty bad that I haven't posted anything new and exciting for over a week; I blame uni and the joys/stresses of Journalism, I just haven't stopped!
We have two court readings to do in Reading Week, but me and my friends have decided we'd rather do it next Friday, so we can relax in Reading Week instead!
Also, I got myself a job interview on the 2nd November! I'm really happy, especially as I only handed my cv in there on a whim, I'm just hoping the hours available will be flexible enough for me :)

Anyway, It's my birthday on the 1st November, and I'm turning 21! So I may be feeling generous enought o do a little giveaway for you lovely ladies over that week! It will only be something small, but will include my HG items, especially for the Winter :)
I have remembered to take some outfit photos this week, so I actually have some pretty photos for you guys to awh over haha
I've been loving my dark floral dresses this week, so comfy under a cardigan with my chunky boots and socks!

Cardigan - Matalan; Dress, Tights - New Look

I found this after my friend Frannie suggested it on her blog, I love it even though it looks huge on me here, I promise it looks good in person!
Dress - Matalan; Tights - New Look; Pocket watch necklace - H&M

Dress, Skirt, Tights - New Look; Cardigan - Matalan; Boots - Schuh; Socks - Primark