I know, I know, another 2018 goals post. I know they're everywhere right now but these are my fabourite types of post to both read and write this time of year. I love the feeling of a brand new year for a fresh start, to make brand new goals. I love writing my goals down so in a years time I can check back and see the progress I made. Back in summer I made some goals, which I've done a pretty good job at so 2018 calls for bigger and better resolutions!

All the tips and stationary you need for a productive 2018

Monday, January 1st calls for a fresh start and a new year full of being productive. I like to think over the years, through blogging and being a student I've learnt the tricks of the trade of getting the job done. 

A reflection of 2017

I know these kinds of posts are going to be everywhere over the next few weeks but they're something I really love doing. Reflecting it something I love to do,  and I like to take time to do so at the end of the year to really sit down and soak up everything that's happened. I think it's really important that we take time to reflect in order to appreciate all the brilliant, and not so brilliant things we've achieved.

Girl Power

I can't lie, I felt a bit like a sassy queen in this outfit. Knee high boots just seem to have that effect on me. Anyone else? I couldn't believe my luck when Miss Pap popped into my inbox asking if they wanted to collaborate, I've worked with a few brands through my blog before but's it's so rewarding when a brand you previously know and love asks to work together. I feel like I've come such a long way with my blog this year and I'm so excited to see what 2018 brings..

Partywear for the festive season

I love dressing up this time of year. I may not be going to the fanciest of parties, but I will always find a reason to dress up. Heck, last year I went to the pub in the sparkliest, fanciest dress I've ever owned and I bloody loved it. Christmas and New Years is the one time I feel like I can go extra on the outfit, and I don't care how OTT I look. I'll go to the supermarket in my ball gown if I feel like it.

PVC

Another day another outfit. Jamie and I found this super cute road when shooting a few weeks ago - pastel house dreaaams! A nice location really can make or break a shoot sometimes. Shoutout to my hometown Suffolk for having some of the cutest places eva. I don't have a lot to say in this post but I'm sure as I continue to type I'll find more to ramble on about...

10 things I'm grateful for

Christmas time, for me, is always a time to reflect. It's my favourite time of the year and always reminds me how fortunate, and lucky I am. To celebrate this, I've decided to share with you 10 things, although there are hundreds, that I'm grateful for.

Flowers as a gift this Christmas

Christmas presents are always a difficult one. Every year theres a couple of things that I know my friends and family are after, but more often than not I'm stuck with what to get them. This ends up in a last minute panic round town, buying something which sure, is nice, but not exactly a gift that will be used, or appreciated for a long time.

*That* Scarf and Coat Combo

 Big apologies for wearing the same scarf and coat as last week's outfit, but ya gal has gotta keep warm and this is all I brought home with me for the weekend! My struggles will be no more VERY soon because I'm heading home for Christmas on Monday!!! I'm very excited for 5 weeks at home, earning a bit of money, relaxing and eating allll of the Christmas food.

5 things blogging has given me

Blogging has been a little hobby of mine for nearly 5 years now. That's a bloomin' long time. Over that time, there has been a lot of things it's given me, so I thought today I'd share them with you.

Magnitone London Limited Edition Barefaced Brush

I 've had my eye on these facial cleansing bruhses ever since they came about a few years ago now, and recently I've been saying how I've been lacking on that secondary stage of cleaning. I'm great and cleansing my face to remove all my make-up and grub of the day, but sometimes I feel like I need a second cleanse, just to ensure my skin is super squeaky clean. Of course, when Magnitone London offered to send me one of their Limited Edition Barefaced Cleansing and Toning Brush*, I thought Christmas had come early.

5 ways to get into the festive spirit

Urm, how is it December already?! As I get older, the years seem to fly by quicker and quicker. Despite not being a massive fan of winter, Christmas is up there with one of my favourite times of the year. The music, the food, the love - I love every little bit of it. But I know for some people, getting into the festive spirit might not be so easy. Here's 5 ways that might help you feel a little bit more christmassy...

So...? New fragrances

So…? bring back an array of feelings from my high school days. Back in high school P.E. body spray from the likes of So..? and Charlie were the shizzle. If you were spotted with one of those beauties, you were sure to be the most popular girl of the day.

As I’ve grown, body sprays have slowly been replaced by the more sophisticated perfumes. When So…? offered to send me some scents from their new perfume range I jumped at the chance. As a student I can’t exactly afford the Marc Jacobs and Chanel scents and your gal has got to keep smelling fresh one way or another.

Home Sweet Home

I felt a bit lost not posting an outfit on my blog last week - I've got myself into my own little routine of posting an outfit every Friday and because I had friends up the weekend before last, and didn't see Jamie, so I didn't have my fantastic little photographer to shoot with. I'm so happy to have them back though, especially with a bunch of photos which could be some of my favourite yet. I've decided a bold lip automatically makes outfit photos 10 times better.

These photos just seemed to turn out so right, from the get go. It's very rare that I can shoot an outfit and be this happy with the results. 9 out of 10 times an outfit photo shoot ends up being 40 minutes long and in me being in a strop and Jamie having to deal with that. But this time, we were done and dusted within 10 minutes. If only all blogging photography was that easy!!

Pink Parcel

Last week I took part in an instagram collaboration with Pink Parcel. Pink Parcel are a subscription box (I know what you're thinking, not another one) with a bit of a twist. They're not your typical beauty box, although they can have a few beauty related goodies in, they're actually a subscription service for when you're on your period. Absolutely genius.

My new favourite moisturiser

I'm not one to spend a lot on skincare. In fact, I try to avoid the high end brands. Currently the only slightly pricier items I have in my skincare collection is the Pixi Cleansing Balm (£18), and the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish (£15) which I asked for as a gift. Looking at these now, they're not the most expensive out there, but for a student on a budget, they're not your typical Garnier Cleansing Water that will cost you a fiver and last you a lifetime.

The importance of treating yourself

In life, I think one very important aspect is treating ourselves once in a while. Each of us are busy people, leading busy, and often very stressful lives. Without a treat once in a while I wonder how we would function properly. Now, I'm a student - while I wish treating myself was whisking myself off for a mini break to somewhere exotic, quite often it's simply having a lie in. And that's perfectly fine, and absolutely brilliant.

Bright Stripes

Christmas is officially on its way. The scarves and gloves have come out for winter and I feel like this week we've finally got that crisp chill in the air. I kinda love it kinda hate it. I don't do well with cold but I bloody love a bit of Christmas spirit. I really should start my Christmas shopping. I'm not one to leave it until last minute usually but uni might get in the way of that this year. One year I will be one of those super organised people and have all my Christmas shopping done by November, just not this year.

5 ways to get into a better headspace

Some days I wake up, and I feel a little bit shitty. No particular reason for it, other than hormones maybe! My headspace isn't great and I don't feel up to talking to people or getting anything done. Having a horrible headspace is something I've accepted now - it happens from time to time and I've come up with a few little rituals or jobs I can do to help get myself out of that zone.

Cobbled Streets

Outfit posts are definitely my favourite kind of posts to both read and share - as much as I love the odd bit of beauty and lifestyle, I feel like fashion is where my heart is at and something I really love sharing, even if I'm not the most fashionable person 24/7 (damn you netball 5 training 5 times a week!). There's just something about getting new clothes, or putting on a different outfit that you feel banging in, it's something I'll always have a love for.

An Autumnal lipstick I wont be using

Every now and again I come across a product I'm not too fond of. Unfortunately, the Loreal Matte Lip Paint is one of them. Autumn has rolled around and out has come the dark reds and berrys in my make-up collection. I'm not big with bold lips, but a dark red tone is surprisingly something I'm relatively happy to wear. I have two in my lippy collection already - a lovely matte one from NYX, and another from Rimmel which has a little more sheen. When I travelled back to Ipswich the other week to visit a local pumpkin patch with Jamie for the perfect Halloweeny blog photoshoot, you can imagine my despair when I realised I'd not bought either of my darker lipsticks home with me. Of course, my blog and my instagram could not possibly have all these pumpkin patch photos without a dark lip, so off I popped to Tesco for a last minute hunt for one. The Matte Lip Paint is what I picked up.

A Pumpkin Patch OOTD

I'm getting all halloweenyy! I don't feel too big on Halloween this year, I don't have any major plans to go out and celebrate, but that didn't stop me and J from heading to our nearest pumpkin patch in attempt to get into the Spirit of things.

My favourite desk accessories

 Whether I'm at home or at uni, a lot of the time, I'm at my desk. I have endless essays to write (and an actual dissertation right now, help), as well as writing new blog posts every week. My desk is very important to me. It's my space of work, a clear mind and where all the positive and creative juices flow. A lot of people need to work somewhere other than their bedroom to be productive - to an office, a  coffee shop or a library for example, but if my desk is decked out in all the right bits and pieces, I'm perfectly fine just there. Today I thought I'd share with you just exactly what I need on my desk to make it work for me.

Letting it go

This post is a little late. Since January I vowed to myself I would post at least twice a week for the whole year, and soon picked up the schedule of a new post every Tuesday and Friday. Of course, yesterday Friday rolled around and although I had some photos, I had no words. I wasn't really feeling it. I'd planned to write it up Thursday night, but I ended up having a bit of a shitty day and my head just wasn't in it.

Friction Free Shaving

I spend a fortune on razors. Playing netball at uni means my legs are out 5 days a week, and unfortunately I can’t leave my leg hair to grow like a gorillas for extra warmth in the winter. Buying new razor heads has always been a grudge of mine, especially as my skin can be quite sensitive to cheaper kinds.

The Jumper of Dreams

I've found it. I've found the one. This is quite possibly the dreamiest jumper of all. Cosy, high neck, cute pastel colours and only £25. This student was very happy to part with that £25 for this beauty. I've been raring to get the jumpers out recently but it's been so mild out I've ended up sweating by lunchtime. Luckily we did have a few colder days the other week so this was the first thing I wanted snapped.

September Unibox

Last month the lovely people at Unibox offered to send me their new September box, and of course I said yes. If you don’t know, Unibox are a monthly subscription box tailored for uni students. Each month they’ll deliver a little box of goodies designed for us stressed-out students to help us through the month! I’ve always been a lover of subscription boxes, and while most out there are beauty related, I love the mix of things you get in Uniboxes. Here’s a little rundown of what was in Septembers ‘back to uni’ box.

Another One

Finally, the last outfit from my holiday to share with you! Does anyone else really struggle with naming their blog posts when they're outfit posts? I never know what to call them so here is a totally un-imaginative named post for you..

The Orange Dress

 Editing these photos up are giving me real holiday blues. Walking along the beach at sunset was so beautiful, I wish we'd done it every night! Despite wishing I was back in Gran Canarian 30 degree heat, I am a little bit excited that the weather is getting a bit chillier now. I'm a Spring/Summer girl at heart, but boy do I love a snuggle under the duvet!

A Festival Inspired Outfit

 Todays holiday outfit is festival inspired. In fact, it is what I wore on one of the days of V Fest before it obviously rained and I swapped the shorts for something longer and chucked on a hoody and waterproof. I was beyond excited to wear all of the glitter for V, so bought a couple of new outfits but typically ended up covering the sparkles most of the weekend with a warmer layer!

Facing your Fashion Fears

Oh hello me, in a bright red swimsuit, booty out and all. Today I want to talk to you all about something I have battled with forever, and still do, and I'm sure you do too. Sure enough I advertise myself as a fashion blogger, I should be confident in whatever I wear right? Nope. We all have our insecurities - sometimes there are clothes I just adore, but no way in hell would I be brave enough to wear them. Today I ask you to face your fashion fears, and heck, BUY that item, and bloody well ROCK IT!

Sunset

Let me present to you holiday outfit number 2! Jamie and I headed out on a whim one night, just to see if we could catch the sunset and boy am I glad we did. These photos are some of my favourite Jamie has ever taken, they're just so beautiful!

Dressed in Red

If you follow me on twitter or instagram, you'll know that (unfortunately) last week I got back from my holiday in Gran Canaria. I had the best time with my boyfriend Jamie but I'm excited to be back home, back at uni, and ready for the academic year ahead! Of course while I was away, my amazing insta boyf took a bunch of outfit photos for me which I'm sharing with you over the next few weeks!

The 5 Product Face

Some days we just don't have time. Those extra 15 minutes in bed are way more worthy than a full face of makeup. With that in mind, I've created the perfect 5 product face - 5 products to give a full make-up look but in half the time.

The skirt that doesn't fit

I have a confession. This skirt does not fit. Every time it goes on I have to do that little wiggle to get it over my bum and my hips, and every time it comes off, it takes at least 5 minutes and is a two man job (Sorry Mum and Jamie). The worst part of all? I have the exact same skirt in blue too.

Bloggers apps and tools

After blogging for nearly 5 years now, I've come across some handy little apps and sites that every blogger should use to really ace their content. I really love writing posts that will be useful for other bloggers, like The Ultimate Flatlay Props and How to Blog with a Full Time Job, so today I thought it was about time I shared some of the most useful tools I've come across.

Palm print

Plam print has to be one of my favourite trends of this summer. I'm all for gingham, and frills and a bit of embroidery but theres something about banana leaves (I think that's what they are?!) that I love just a little bit more. Maybe it's because I'm a geographer and I'm supposed to love green leaves and earth 'n' shit.

Spend vs. Save Dry Shampoo

I would struggle without dry shampoo - it saves me on a weekly basis. For years now I've been using Batiste as my number one go to dry shampoo brand. I've tried a few in the past, but found they left my hair greasy, didn't smell right, or simply didn't quite do the job. As a student, and with some Batiste dry shampoo's costing £5, it's pretty steep. 

What's in my travel bag?

I'm going on holiday biaaatches! Today I'm off to the airport to jet off to Gran Canaria. I know I'm a bit late with the holiday theme posts but I suppose that's just the way it goes - Jamie and I have opted to go on holiday in September for the last 2 years. Let me tell you it is SO good seeing everyone else jet off on their holidays all summer knowing yours is still to come! I also managed to cop allll of the summer sale goodies last week just in time for our trip. 

Today I thought I'd share some of my must haves in my hand luggage this year.

Birkenstocks

I bloomin' love the simplicity of an outfit compiling of jeans and a simple top. It's nice sometimes not to over do outfits with all the accessories and simply chuck on some skinnies and sandals. These Birkenstocks were a TKMaxx find last summer. I have the worlds skinniest feet so finding shoes, especially sandals, can be a real pain in the arse. Birkenstocks are my favourite summer sandal - they're something I feel will always be in style.

How I blog with a full time job

Recently I realised I owe myself a bit of credit. I've been blogging for a long time now, and the majority of that has been done where I've been at uni where I've had a lot of free time to fill. While on my Summer break I've been working 9 til 5, five days a week, and I've kept my blog going with the best content it's ever had. My job is nothing fancy, just something to get me some money before my final year at university, but it's still taking out 8 hours of my day and I'm still managing to photograph and write content I'm really proud of, so go me.

The ultimate flatlay props

I like to think my photography game has improved over the years - exhibit A, B and C. It's still not the best it could be, but I'm proud to say I've upped my game, and put a lot of time and effort into perfecting my content. Flatlays are still something relatively new to me, but they're one of my favourite styles of photos to take, albeit the messiest too. I like to think I've got myself a little collection of props and accessories perfect for any flatlay and thought I'd share them with you..

Crown Brush

Last week I recieved a little box of goodies from Crown Brush. Given the choice of a few products from their site, I instantly knew I had to get my hands on the 35 Colour Rose Gold Palette - the perfect Morphe 35O dupe - something I've been wanting for ages now! Other than that, I was interested to see what products Crown Brush reccomended and let the rest up to them. Alongside the palette I found two lipsticks and a selection of brushes.

Zoeva Brushes

I always felt one thing my make-up collection lacked was a good set of quality brushes. I'd had the odd Real Techniques ones in the past, but for a long time I'd been using a simple set from Amazon which sure enough did the job, but were certainly starting to see better days. I bought the Zoeva 102 Silk brush after seeing this gorgeous set online to see if perhaps it was worth the investment in the full set. A month or two later my amazing boyfriend got me the full Rose Golden set, without me even asking for it (#boyfriendgoals).

Creating a Gallery Wall With Desenio

Gallery walls are the sh*t. I've been wanting to create a gallery wall for a long time now. I moved into my brothers old bedroom a few years ago and have slowly been making it my ideal little haven over the years, and a gallery wall was one of the final finishing touches. When Desenio offered to send me a few posters for it, I jumped at the chance.

Batiste 2 in 1 Invisible Dry Shampoo and Conditioner

A few weeks back I received the Batiste 2 in 1 Invisible Dry Shampoo and Conditioner* in the post to give a try. I am a big dry shampoo user, and only ever use Batiste's. Their favourite of mine has to be the XXL Volume one - my hair is pretty much straight and flat, lacking any life so I have been known to spray a bit of this in the roots even when my hair isn't in need of a shampoo! I'm a big fan!

Blogging and Confidence

Today I wanted to switch things up slightly. One of my aims to step up my blogging game was to write some different posts. By this, I meant posts which have a bit more thought behind them, and perhaps give my readers a bit of food for thought. A lot of things have changed in the past few years with myself, the biggest for me being my confidence. Blogging has been a big part of that.

Review: Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

I don't own many mascaras. They tend to dry out so I opt for trying a new one everytime this happens. Up until now I've been using the Rimmel Lash Accelerator - a firm favourite of mine which I have repurchased a few times before. The Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara is raved about a lot. After seeing it floating around for a while now, so I thought it was my turn to pick it up and give it a try!

The best way to spend a Sunday

 Sundays are no doubt my favourite day of the week. Not only is it the start of my weekend (thanks retail life), it's also the only full day Jamie and I get together, and it's basically the ultimate max-chill-out day, right? Since I've moved home from Uni for the Summer I've got into a bit of a routine with my Sundays and worked out the perfect day off..

Blue Gingham

These snaps are from J and I's trip to London last week - I may or may not have bought this new dress especially for the trip (I did). Don't let these photo's fool you by the way - the sun made very few appearances over the weekend and it was a bit wet, but nothing was stopping me from wearing this little beauty.