lest we forget

Today is a day of remembrance.

xox

fireworks day

*HAPPY FIREWORKS DAY!*

I love all holidays, but Fireworks Day is up there with Christmas! We always get together with the family to celebrate with yummy food and cocktails. This year we went up to my Auntie & Uncle's house for some firework displays in their garden. The puppies (Wilson & Alfie) were running around like crazy but I think they actually enjoyed it once they had calmed down!

We had sparklers and hot dogs and watched the glittery explosions snap and crackle in front of us. It wasn't too frosty either, the weather was just cold enough to put the right amount of flush in our cheeks and make it feel like a cosy November evening.

What did you do for Fireworks Day? xox

university experience / starting my new job

Today I start my new job in Sheffield. I'm absolutely terrified to say the least.

This is going to be a very long post, you may want to grab yourself a cup of tea and a few biscuits.

I was planning to create a whole blog post dedicated to my university experience but I guess it ties in very well with this topic. You may or may not know that I attended university at the beginning of September and hated it. When I say hated, I mean loathed, despised even. The funny thing is, I never wanted to go to uni in the first place! I think it's a wonderful place to go if that's what you want to do, but I didn't - my tutors pushed me into it. 

I remember near the very end of my college course when all of my friends had applied and got conditional offers, one of my tutors told me that my "talent will be wasted" and I would be "throwing my life away" if I didn't go to university. I panicked and started applying to any and every university I could find in the hope that one of them would take me on so late in the application process. Leeds got back to me pretty quick and I also had an interview in Sheffield but that one didn't impress me very much. I ended up going to Leeds College of Art and had to rush to sort out how I would go about getting there and applying for my loans.

It was very, very rushed. So much so that I think I kind of blurred out what I was actually doing. I had my mind set on the fact that this was the only option for me and I had to get it sorted otherwise I would just become nothing and nobody, a thought that my tutors had created in my head.

I had a slight breakdown the night before my first day, I remember not being able to sleep and absolutely dreading having to drag myself to the uni. As soon as I got there I wanted to leave. I remember feeling very uninspired, talked down to and I basically felt like I was trapped in this horrible, boring place with no way out for the next 3/4 years. This is when my happiness plummeted and my depression began to spiral out of control. I cried every night for two weeks, unable to shake the feeling of hopelessness and isolation. After 14 days, my mum suggested I go see somebody.

I arranged a meeting with my tutor on the Monday and I left that very day. I felt relieved to have left but then I felt scared about what I would do next. My tutor suggested having a few weeks off just to relax and work out exactly what it was I wanted to do. My college never really explained any of the alternative progression routes there are in the big wide world, but during this time off I came across apprenticeships. I'd heard of them but never really thought of them as something I would want to do.

I applied, got a few interviews and had amazing offers from everybody who I went to see. I was amazed! I accepted one in Sheffield for a company that I believed would offer me the most in terms of experience and knowledge in the industry.

And that brings me to today! Day number 1! Scary stuff, but I feel so much better that I did on my first day of uni. I can't wait to see what lies ahead and if you're ever unsure about your future, just pick something you enjoy and see where it takes you. Don't ever go to uni because people are telling you that's what is right for you, I've wasted so much time on it when I could've been doing something I love. I might go back next year, the year after or never. But I'm sure in myself now that if I ever decide to take my education further, it'll be on my terms. Nobody else's!

*Designing icons for work in my new job!*

halloweeeeeeen

*HAPPY HALLOWEEN GUYS!*

Yes, I know it was a few days ago but I wanted to share some photographs of my plans/outfits! For work on Saturday, I dressed up at a devil and had so much fun that day. I just love it when we dress up in the bakery and everyone always seems so cheery and happy when we do. For the night, me and Jack thought it'd be a good idea to dress up as a couple this year and after many friendly discussions we finally decided to be a zombie version of Fred & Wilma Flintstone! We had so much fun putting together our costumes and we went to a party with some friends before hitting the town. I love going out for Halloween and seeing everybody dressed up. The atmosphere is always so fun and crazy this time of year! Anyway, enjoy the photos!

Halloween @ work.

Jack as zombie Fred Flintstone.

Me as a zombie Wilma.

Me & my friend Beardsley who was a ninja turtle!

Me & Chelsea the fallen angel.

What did you dress up as this year? x

maybelline baby lips pink punch

 

Baby Lips have been hunted down by many since their arrival here in the UK. I love the idea of a moisturising balm with a hint of colour and I'm a fan of the tinted Vaseline which felt lovely on the lips and gave a wash of pink.

 

What I like about Baby Lips is that they're so easy and quick to apply. I love that they are in the stick form in contrast to Vaseline, which means no more sticking grubby fingers into the pot and wiping it over your face (YAY.) Pink Punch gives a lovely touch of pale pink colour to your smackers and I like to rub it in slightly as does tend to drain me of colour due to my pale skin. They're super comfortable to wear and I don't even have to pull my mirror out when I want to apply them. Lovely!

 

I want to try the cherry one and the coral too! What are your thoughts?? xxx

wishlist #2 (christmas edition)

(Totally irrelevant image from my instagram @teapluscake.)

 

Christmas is getting closer and closer, and with each blog post I read and YouTube video I watch, my Christmas list grows and grows! Here's a peak at 5 items I am asking Santa Claus for...

 

• {1} ESCENTRIC MOLECULE 01 PERFUME

The fragrance that has done the rounds in the blogging world this year. It is available from Cult Beauty £38.00 for 30ml and this perfume contains (you guessed it) one molecule and apparently works with your skin to develop you're own unique scent that is supposed to be irresistible to anyone who smells you. I gotta try it!

• {2} MAC MINERALISE SKIN FINISH in SOFT & GENTLE

Described by MAC as a "luxurious velvet-soft powder with high-frost metallic finish" this product sweeps on to highlight any areas of the face/body that you apply it to for £22.00.

• {3} REAL TECHNIQUES EYE BRUSH SET

I own the core collection as well as several other brushes and love them all. They're the brushes that I use daily and I have recently noticed that I am missing some decent eye brushes in my collection. These come from Boots for £21.99 and are highly recommended by other bloggers as well as my friends!

• {4} "PRETTY PASTEL STYLES" by SELINA LAKE

I adore interior design/style and I desperately want to add this book to my collection! The photographs are just divine and super inspirational. I'd recommend checking out Amazon before buying books in store, as this is available for £13.39 which is 33% off the recommended retail price!

• {5} SHU UEMURA EYELASH CURLERS

The iconic eyelash curlers are on my lust list! Eyelash curlers are a staple in my daily routine and these look incredible. You can buy them online for £20.00. Want. Want. Want.

 

What's on your Christmas list this year?? xx