9 Things For 2018

The only thing that is certain in those days between Christmas and New Years is that continual depleting pile of rations. Biscuits, chocolates, sweets, cheeses. They'll be part of your daily routine at least once, or twice.

This year is the first year I've had no plans in the 'in between' time, and you know what? I bloody love it. No one to see, no one to please and I don't have to go out of the house if I don't want to. 

You see, I really wanted a shutdown this year. This year has been manic, exhausting, but incredibly rewarding. So this time is now for me, to regroup for the year ahead and get ready for my shit to be together come January 1st. But we all know really, that those resolutions don't start until the 2nd, right? One extra day to finish up those boxes of biscuits should be enough.

Anyway, here's 11 little things I'm gonna be working hard on in 2018.

1. Diet Changes

Changing my diet in the new year is going to be 100% my priority, if you read my relationship with food post you'll know how ill my favourite foods have been making me recently.

The measurable changes I'm making are that I'm going to be removing dairy completely from my diet for the first month (at least) to see if there are notable differences, and if it helps my asthma too.

I totally get the everything in moderation and we shouldn't 'restrict' ourselves, but there is no middle ground with me. It's either the whole pack of biscuits or nothing. I'll be following a pancreas friendly diet from January which is basically fruit, veg and pulses. YAY ME. So I'll be saying bye to dominos, crisps, chocolate and cake for a little while.

Because of this I'm going to be learning to cook one different meal a week, and I've already been busy pinning recipes. This will be the first time I've properly got myself onto this diet so I'm honestly so excited to see the results, and ya know, to actually feel well!

The first few weeks of going cold turkey on sugar should be fun!

2. Less Digital Time

Haha that was also one for 2017. lol. I mean, I did have one whole week off, and 24 hours off on Christmas Day... 

I'm talking about regular evenings off from 7pm, mornings where I read or watch TV rather than scroll past influencers promoting the same bottle of fake tan. But also weekends where I completely disconnect with it, because I can.

Less digital time makes me happy, so I'm going to actually be proactive in doing it more this year. It means more time to do things I love, so why wouldn't I?

3. Learn Something New

I'm bloody cliche and I know it. As nerdy as I sound, I get so driven to learn something new, I've always loved learning languages and having something new to focus my efforts on. 

I haven't decided what that new thing is yet, but it will probably be to pick up where I left off with Finnish and Spanish whether that's online or with my little pal duolingo.

4. Up My Blogging Game

Your gals got big blogging plans for 2018. I'm already in the midst of planning new content for 2018, and my action points for the year.

In short, I'll be blogging more, more lifestyle content which I love to write, more self promotion, actually host a blogging workshop and up my blog photography as I say I'll do every year. No biggie. Getting past 2,900 followers on Instagram would be real nice too.

5. Be More Active

It's not like I'm not already active, I swim around 3-4 times a week, on a good week. But sitting at a desk all week is me just waiting to be carted away with diabetes or a DVT.

I'm going to be making small changes like walking to the toilet downstairs at work rather than the one on my level. Have a morning sea walk before breakfast once a week. Walk to town instead of drive (which I often do) and maybe clean more too, that's exercise eh?

These small changes are all I want to add on, as they're achievable and honestly won't take any time out of my day.

6. Get A Skincare Routine

For the last 10 years I kid you not my resolution has been to stop picking my spots. Firstly, why am I a 25 year old woman and still getting spots and 2) why do I STILL pick them, and never learn. 

To stop myself looking like a Margherita pizza next year I'm hoping that my new diet will drastically help. The key area that is always congested is the space between my eyes, apparently this area is to do with your liver which is great, right.

I'll also be trying to have one makeup free day per month and obviously to have some sort of skincare routine. I want to invest in some high end cleansers and toners and even use a fancy muslin cloth to take my makeup off with. How often do you have to wash them tho? Asking for a friend.

It could go either way, but I'm hoping with a new skincare routine which doesn't involve face wipes, cotton wool and a drop of cleanser will really help.

7. Self Care

I'm ending the year feeling in a much better place than the start of the year, and whilst I still get down days, I know how to deal with them now. And you know what, it's okay to not feel okay sometimes.

I think I've been pretty good at making time for myself this year, so I want my self care routine and self love to continue and grow in 2018. YOU ARE NO1.

8. Cut The Toxic, Unsupportive People Out of My Life

See ya. Whilst my 'friends I'm leaving in 2017' post may or may not have rattled some feathers, I DID IT. Why do we find ourselves holding back in situations when we know our own worth.

I've read about it for years about cutting the unsupportive and happiness sucking people out of your life, but I've never had the guts to do it. 

2018 is firmly the year of happiness for me. The year that I'm not taking shit from anyone anymore. What does it leave me with? Loyal, good friends that I can count on one hand, and ones that I know will always be there for me. A 2 way friendship, where friendship works both ways. 

9. Give Blood Again

One of my proudest moments of 2017 was giving blood for the first time. That feeling you get when you receive the text to say where your blood has been administered to is like nothing else. 

It's one of the most selfless and nicest things you can do, if you can. I wanted to give blood again last year, but with winter colds and my asthma playing up I needed to look after myself first and foremost.

With my pancreas flare ups rearing their head at the moment, once my new diet has got me feeling a lot better I want to book in again and give blood. I can give blood every 4 months, so I'd like to try and donate twice in 2018.

What are you most excited about bossing in 2018?

Jumper - Primark

Joni Jeans - Topshop

Boots - Miss Selfridge via ASOS

Bag - River Island (similar from Skinny Dip)

Beret - Vintage Market (similar from La Redoute)

Follow me on Bloglovin , Twitter , Instagram

A Few of My Fave Christmas Presents

I write this as I nurse the Christmas Day bloat, yet still dive my hand back into the M&S shortbread tin for just one more. It's Christmas!

My day digital detox made such a refreshing change to endlessly scrolling through pictures of Charlotte Tilbury, engagements and pictures of everyone's Christmas dinner. I knew this year I was gonna be like HEY I got a baking tray and a mini pyrex jug for Christmas, so....

I mean, I really thought you'd all love seeing pictures of my new baking tray I got for Christmas and OMG I have a new pizza tray so I can cook pizza without the edges being pushed into the oblong tray. 

But, I was also really lucky to receive some other non homeware (non essential) items that I wanted to share with you. I guess, I like pink right?

Copper Cutlery

One commandment I always follow is, thou shall never have too much copper. I'm at risk of shortly living within the realms of a copper cooking pot, and what? The only reason I didn't get any copper cutlery sooner was because you can't put it in the dishwasher. Imagine actually having to clean your dishes. Ugh. So the copper cutlery is going to be for best, and for best I mean when I'm cooking up a lil batch of pancakes for one. I can't bloody wait!

Flamingo Teapot

I spied this little beauty on the Paperchase Instagram a few months ago. I sent it to a few people at the time because OMG. My family/bf know me so well that I opened my presents to not one but TWO flamingo teapots. Who's the real winner here? I'm calling them Pearl and Penelope and I'm so excited to have cups of tea and many Insta snaps with these gals.

Notebook

Too glam to give a damn and don't I know it? I may currently be makeup less and airing the red skin I've been picking, buttt.. Major brownie points for my mum for spotting this in Primark. Nothing motivates me more than a super sassy notebook in my hand and writing on the first clean page of a new book. Is it 2018 yet?

Converse

Baby. pink. velvet. converse. Need I say more? No pair of standard white high tops will do me anymore, I'm in love, I'm in love and I don't care who knows! 

Pancake Making Set

I was blown away by this little pancake making kit that my sister got me from Not On The High Street. I didn't know such a thing existed and if anyone knows me well, I love a good stack of pancakes. The batter mix even came with the cutest heart shaped cutter and pastel coloured whisk. Coming to you on an Instagram very soon...

Flamingo Globe Decoration

The pink and flamingo trend continues here. I just love how my friends and family know me so very well. My blogging gal Emily from Maytooctober got me this super sweet flamingo globe. I've already decided it's gonna be an all year round kinda thing, it's too pretty to be stored away for 11 months every year. Dontcha think?

Candle Teacup

I love my mum for crafting this little candle teacup for me. She sourced the vintage tea cup and saucer from a charity shop and made the candle inside it. It was her first attempt at something like this and I love it! It's a present that will stay with me past when the wick burns out too.

Rather than sharing the rest of the kitchen cupboard and chocolate aisle of Sainsbury's with you I wanted to share a few little faves with you. 

Now, if you've done any similar posts hook me up with them below because there's never I like more than have a little nosey!

What did you get for Christmas?

Follow me on Bloglovin , Twitter , Instagram

30 Things To Do This Christmas

Yesterday was wonderful. I booked a day off to buy and decorate my first ever real Christmas tree. I did step in dog poo, smash a glass bauble and bought netted light curtains instead of tree lights, but whatcha gonna do? I mean I don't know about you, but I really think I'm bossing adult life right now. Just me doing adult things and making my first Christmas in my new home one I'll remember forever. 

When we work, exercise, blog, socialise and just try to be the best person we can, before we know it Christmas has been and gone and that lull between Christmas and New Years has just been left to decay and sit there, along with the tub of cheeselets and boxes of partially opened Christmas biscuits. Let's face it, there's always at least 5 on the go.

I want to make this Christmas the best yet, Squeeze every ounce of time out of my days off and just ya know, make it the best one yet. 

Just a gal hooking you up with 30 lil things to keep you occupied this Christmas so you can tell your colleagues on the 2nd Jan you've done more than eat. Well, maybe.

1. Go to a Christmas carol service, with mince pies, mulled wine and good people. Most churches host these sorts of events. There is one in Plymouth on the 19th and I am ridiculously excited. It's something I've never been to before, but it's sure to give me all the festive feels.

2. A day devoted to Christmas films, wrapping, and doing nothing. Okay, so we've probably already all done this. But there is nothing better than keeping cosy, not moving for the whole day and just generally loving life.

3.A Boxing Day walk. Nothing gets me ready for more food quite like a Boxing Day morning walk. It always feels so fresh and quiet on this day, and I love the anticipation of more food and films with the family.

4.A board games evening. With hot chocolates and snacks. 'Cos Christmas. It's the perfect reason to ditch your phone for the evening and enjoy the company you're with.

5.Do a random act of kindness. Buy a homeless person a drink, donate some clothes to charity or a local refuge centre. Take part in the shoebox appeal. Christmas is a time for giving and family, but it's also important to think of those less fortunate.

6. Bake mince pies and Christmas gingerbread cookies, eat them in one sitting. 

7.Go for an evening walk and admire all the Christmas lights on the houses. It's my favourite thing to do. I try to do the same when I drive home from work, but there's only so many times I can get away without hitting something.

8. Christmas jumpers all day errr day. It doesn't have to be Christmas jumper day to wear those ugly, but oh so beautiful things. 

9. Build a gingerbread house. This has legit been on my Christmas bucket list for 16373 years. Basically since before time. I can't think of anything more fun than building one by yourself or with a sibling or partner, if ya fancy a row.

10.Wrapping. Get the Pinterest boards out, the ribbons, masses of wrapping paper and even some foliage. I like to go ALL out when it comes to wrapping. I love getting crafty and making it look nice. Is it okay to ask for the ribbon back after tho? Asking for a friend.

11.Sales shopping. Whether you're a get up at 5am kinda gal on Boxing Day morning or like doing it from the comfort of your Christmas pit, there's always sales to be had. A great filler of time when the family have gone home and your only company is a tub of cheeselets.

12. Plan your new year. Once the festivities are out of the way, that lull until New year is the perfect time to sit down and think about your goals for the new year. There's never a time I feel like I have my shit together as much as when I have that written list of resolutions in front of me.

13. Go to the pantomine. If the 'he's behind you' jokes still get you, then the panto is an absolute must. Who said it's just for the kids?

14. Buy everything festive shaped. Christmas tree crumpets, tick. Mini mince pies, tick. ALL the festive food needs to be bought, consumed and posted on Instagram during the 12 days of Christmas. It will guarantee you at least 20 likes.

15.Head to your local Christmas market or go away somewhere for the weekend. Sample all the food stalls, hot chocolates, churros, mulled wine EVEN Yorkshire pudding wraps in Plymouth, say what. Eat your way around each stall until you can't walk anymore.

16. Buy a real Christmas tree, and decorate it. It's 100% more effort than a fake tree, BUT the smell and the fun of trying to make it look straight. It's worth every bloomin' second.

17.Turn on Christmas FM. Cut the fuss. Make the switch and revel in the Last Christmas' and All I want For Christmas for at least, hmm, all 4 weeks of December. 

18. Buy all the Christmas lush bath bombs. Use Luxury Christmas Pud bath bomb on Christmas Eve, bathe in it, enjoy the sweet scent of Twilight. No Christmas Eve bath time will ever be the same again without this one.

19.Crack out the new Christmas PJS. Head to Primark for a new set, hit up the ASOS next day delivery for a pair on the 23rd if you forget. There's nothing better than putting on a clean, fresh pair when you're waiting for Santa.

20. Ice skating. Whether you hit the ice, or just sit from the sidelines and pretend you went, ice skating is so magical at Christmas. It might not be the Rockefeller ice rink, but STILL.

21. Cracking the tub of Roses open at 10am. Ain't no time like the present. (DOES ANYONE EVEN LIKE ROSES THO?)

22. Treat yourself to a hot chocolate, cream and marshmallows. Swap that daily cuppa for a little cup of loveliness. Nothing says Christmas like a warm cup of cocoa.

23. Invite everyone over. Being a host and getting to buy all the festive napkins, plates, cups, balloons, festive food is just the best. £100? No problem. It's Christmas! Making your guests have the nicest time is just the best feeling. Not up to hosting? just order a dominos for everyone. It's a win, win!

24. Light all the candles, turn all the fairy lights on. I always hit up the Primark home aisle for a set of fairy lights, or 56.

25. Have digital free time. I'm actually *thinking* about not using or looking at social media once on Christmas Day. There's only so many engagements and #boydidgood posts a gal can see, and quite frankly I want to be in the moment this year and grateful for what I have around me. 

26. Crack out a Christmas buffet. I might go as far as saying I actually sometimes prefer a buffet to the actual Christmas roast. Well, probably not, but I do love a bloody good spread. The cheese, the crisps, the chocolate, the nibbles, I like it all. 

27. Leftover turkey sandwiches and chips. The leftover turkey is here to stay, there's plenty of it, if you're not a bubble and squeak sort of person, sandwiches are the next best thing. 

28. Make a Christmas cake from scratch, Ok, so you probably needed to do this one a couple of months in advance. We usually buy a pre-made fruit cake and then decorate it with marzipan, chocolate, basically the whole works. It's still just as fun and tastes pretty good too.

29.Christmas is a whirlwind, but it's also a time to take time out and rest. Christmas is for you to refresh and look after yourself. Make time for self care, general rest and time alone. It's so important to realise you don't have to be constantly pleasing people over the Christmas period. You do you.

30. Hang a Christmas wreath on your door. Go round the local neighbourhood and take a picture of every single door you spot with a wreath on it. I make this a yearly tradition now and I love that I can actually take part this year too. Perfect Insta content for the whole holidays. #ihavethisthingwithdoors

What are you most excited about this Christmas?

Follow me on Bloglovin , Twitter , Instagram

50 Flatlay Photography Props For Your Prop Drawer

When I moved out the first thing I wanted to do was seriously up my flatlay game and create a flatlay prop drawer that I could draw upon when I needed some inspiration. It worked well, admittedly the drawer has now become overrun with receipts and just general junk, but the thought was there.

Flatlays are honestly my favourite thing about Instagram, I love being creative and putting pictures together that I know I would love if I spotted them on my feed. It does help having a prop box drawer or box of some kind so you're never short of different ways to style a flatlay. Whether you're looking for some guidance on flatlays or are running short on some prop ideas, these 50 flatlay props will seriously help you to up your flatlay game in no time, you'll probably have a good majority of the things on this list too!

1. Quote cards (Paperchase have a really good choice and are cheap too!

2. Cheap rings (I have about 3 packs from Primark)

3. Flatlay cards for backgrounds- I use the Range, Hobbycraft, Paperchase for mine - use wrapping paper too!

4. Books - stack them up to add some texture or feature their Instagrammable covers (see above)

5. Fairy lights

6. Candles

7. Cactus'

8. Flowers - a few stems set off any flatlay

9. Tea cups (with tea in. Or coffee)

10. Glasses/sunglasses

11. Watches

12. Scarves - use them at the back of the image to build texture

13. All the makeup

14. Laptop/Macbook

15. Calendar - perfect for 1st day of the month posts

16. Bags/makeup pouches/ cute purses

17. Notebook and pen

18. Ring holders (I love my little Saskia)

19. Coasters

20. Prints (A4, A2, A5 - do your thing!)

21. Cake - cake always looks good as a prop, whole or with a bite taken...

22. Hats - boater hats with a saying on them, berets, flat caps

23. Cameras

24. Rugs/Throws for building texture into the image

25. Macaroons

26. Leaves - perfect for nailing that autumnal shot

27. Pretty shoes! 

28. Sequins

29. Magazines

30. Trinket dishes

31. Saucers (pretty saucers for rings and bits and bobs)

32. Mini eggs - because why the hell not! Pastel perfection.

33. Diaries

34. The screensaver of your laptop

35. Any Lush Cosmetics product

36. Slogan tee/jumper

37. Pretty phone cases

38. Underwear

39. Bikinis (for a holiday packing post)

40. Makeup brushes

41. Perfume bottles

42. Eucalyptus

43. Passport/luggage tag

44. Headphones

45. Pizza, because Pizza

46. Bath caddy/tray - totally killing the bathtime flatlay game right now

47. Wooden chopping boards for food flatlays in bed

48. Photographs/Polaroids

49. Phones - Iphone/Ipod

50. Cutlery - cute cutlery at that

Maybe, I'll do a part 2 to this soon! If you're looking for further inspiration, take a look at my Flatlay board on Pinterest, I'm close to 1,000 + pins on there now...Not obsessed or anything.

Do you have any other flatlay prop ideas? What are the 3 props you can't live without?

Follow me on Bloglovin , Twitter , Instagram

6 Tips For Taking The Perfect Instagram Picture of Food

I like food, you like food, we all like food. We all want to see each others food, we only want to eat the most instagrammable food, and we certainly don't go without taking pictures. Because how can you possibly eat a slice of cake and not take a picture? I'm getting a rash just thinking of it. On Instagram, food pictures are completely split, you get the perfectly put together ones, laid out to perfection, and the one's where it looks like 2 weeks worth of leftovers have been slopped onto a plate. No thank you.

I'm obsessed. I cannot eat without taking a picture without thinking of the gram, and I almost always opt for the most instagrammable thing on the menu regardless to its price, how it tastes and if it will make me ill. But if it 'looks good' then who cares, right?

There's more to food flatlay photography than you think, this post if for you if you want to nail that shot to perfection!

#1. Choose Wisely

I'm 100% sure I'm not alone here that I will always choose the nicest looking thing over the fact whether it actually tastes any good. Someone gotta do it. For me, brunch always looks good as I pretty much eat pancakes and anything sweet. Sweet stuff always seems to get the most likes over something like a fried breakfast or scrambled eggs. Just ask yourself, if it came up on my feed 'would I like it?'.

#2. The Lighting

Lighting is everything. There's nothing worse than having the most appeasing dish delivered to your table when you realise that your table is situated in a place darker than a dementors soul or you got all the spotlight going on. Get a table that can do both. You need to consider the table you choose too, plastic table cloths are a no no.

#3. No Hands In Shot

Harder than it sounds believe me. Bribe your guests if you have to, or better yet eat alone so you don't have to worry about it. Let their food go cold in the process to get that perfect shot. Hands in photos, bites already being taken are real life, yes, but it ruins the photo. Less is more here.

#4. Lay It Out

Turn your dishes around, move the pot of flowers over into the shot, move your plates closer, do your thing. Just like you play around with products or items for a flatlay the same should apply for any food shots. Keep changing it around until you get it right. Waiters/waitresses are inconsiderate and will not take Insta needs into mind so this part is up to you.

#5. Grab Some Props

I love me some props for a food flatlay. I haven't got to the stage of taking my own props in a bag yet, but it is going that way. Use what's around you, but some things that are perfect for foodie flatlays are; newspapers, magazines, sunglasses, flowers, quote cards (in case you got a spare one in your bag..), laptops, hands & watches etc, etc.

#6. Aerial View

Get the aerial view going. Standing up to take photos of dishes is common place now, everyone is getting in on the act and there is no need to be embarrassed. Embrace the food shots! Standing up will always give you the cleanest, laid out look, you can then shoot as much or as little in it as you want. 

Have you got any tips for nailing the perfect food shot?

Follow me on Bloglovin , Twitter , Instagram

Christmas Homeware Haul!

It's officially one month until Christmas eek! I am so excited now that it's almost acceptable listen to endless Christmas songs, decorate the tree and start wrapping presents! In preparation I have been buying some pretty Christmas homeware bits from various places and I really wanted to share with you all what I got! There are some really nice bits in the shops this year, my favourite shop for Christmas stuff has to be John Lewis, I don't think their prices are too unreasonable either.

Candle holder - John Lewis

John Lewis had three like this, you could either get one with a tree, heart or star attached to the holder. I loved the tree one but thought this would be suitable all year round. I'm not one for scented candles and much prefer tea lights so this jar will be perfect for my room!

Wooden decorations - John Lewis £2.50 each

I absolutely love the white colour wash of these decorations, they are really shabby chic and I just love the simplicity of them! I probably won't be hanging these on my tree but on my noticeboard or something like that!

Mug - Steamer Trading Cook Shop £4.99

I probably own a cupboard full of mugs already but I don't think I even own a Christmas one! The cookware shop was new in Southampton so I thought it was necessary to make a purchase, I can't wait to start using this one for Christmas!

Duvet - Primark £12

Primark do the best duvets for Christmas and at only £12 each its not going to break the bank! I picked this one as it's definitely acceptable to use for all of the wintry period. It also matches my blanket in the background (also primark)!

Pot - Ikea

So, pretty much all bloggers own or have seen the infamous Ikea pots that people use for makeup brushes and other various things. I have the white and pink ones but thought that I just needed a red one for the festive period!

Napkins - Ikea

A fairly boring buy but I love buying pretty napkins for Christmas, I always love setting the table nicely on Christmas day!

Tea Towel - Primark

The most adorable tea towel I have ever seen! I have developed quite an obsession with pugs this year, I can't have my own so this is the next best thing hey?!

Decorative star lights* - LED Hut

Last but not least are these adorable star battery operated lights. I seem to buy more and more each year as they just look so pretty. The battery operated ones for me are the best as it means that they can be transported around the house and used anywhere. This string of lights is 1.9m so they stretch pretty far, they are also on a wired string so they could be wrapped around a jar, vase or anything for that matter. They look perfect as a backdrop for blog photos too!

So that's my first Christmas homeware haul! If you can't get enough of Christmas like me then I have a few other Christmas related blog posts that you might like to read including; Christmas Wrapping DIY, decorations from The Christmas Boutique and of course my pick of my favourite Christmas Jumpers!

What do you think of my Christmas homeware haul? Whats your favourite item? When will you put your decorations up?

*Products marked with an asterix (*) have been sent to me for review. However, all opinions in this post are 100% my own

Follow me on Bloglovin , Twitter , Instagram

Graduation - Class of 2014!

I'm officially a graduate!! On Friday it was finally my turn to graduate and it was the culmination of 3 amazing years of hard work (and a lot of partying)!! I am so thankful for the whole experience, I have met some amazing people along the way both in Southampton and Finland and it's sad to think that this is the end of an era but it's also time for the next chapter in my life. I honestly couldn't be more proud of myself, many of you probably don't know but I was really poorly during my final year and there was a few moments when I didn't think it would be possible to finish. But here I am, I persevered and it was without a day one of the best days of my life!

My ceremony wasn't until 2:30pm but there was lots to do before then. I headed to the Benefit counter in Boots first and had my makeup done in the morning which I absolutely loved and it lasted all day! The downside was that it was raining all morning so getting more pictures beforehand was out of the question, luckily it cleared up by the afternoon, god definitely answered my prayers, thankful that I wasn't wearing fake tan either!

I didn't manage to get any pictures with all of my family together as we had SO much to carry because of the rain. We had a group photo beforehand though which I really can't wait to see!

Before the ceremony I caught up with one of my best friends from uni, we met whilst studying in Finland and I don't think I would have survived the year without her! It's sad that I don't know when I will see my friends next but it's a good reason for touring the country by car!

The ceremony lasted 2 hours and it would be a lie if I didn't say I was bored by the end! I was so nervous but I was literally on the stage for 5 seconds and it was so nice to see everyone else up there too. Cue take one of throwing hats...

 Take two...

I think take 3 kinda worked?! Had to do the obligatory throwing the hat photo! Once the ceremony was over we lost half of our course friends so we had our own mini procession.

So that was the end of the most amazing day that I could have wished for. Everything was so perfect and it was amazing to see all of my friends again. I was more than happy to take my robes, hat and heels off after wearing them all day. My shoulders genuinely have burns on them from continuously having to pull my robes back up, ouch!

After the ceremony we headed into a marquee for drinks and biscuits! This made me much happier than it should have done, shortbread biscuits with the Southampton Solent sign on what could be better?!

I hope you enjoyed having a peek into my graduation! Also apologies for the lack of posts this week sometimes life gets so hectic that it has to be put on hold but I'm full steam ahead again from this week, so look out for some more beauty posts this week! Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Follow me on Bloglovin , Twitter , Instagram

Packing for a weekend away | Blog4trek

I am a massive fan of Inthefrow and when i saw a post pop up last week saying she had collaborated with Trek America to offer readers a chance to win a trip of a lifetime on Westerner 2 and to blog your way around the West of the USA, i knew that i had to enter!
I'm really lucky that at only 21 i have already had some fantastic opportunities to travel, with holidays,Camp America and my exchange year spent in Finland, coming home was the hardest part because i realised that it was all over until i had another adventure planned. Now my final year of university is coming to an end and the feelings of wanderlust are definitely starting to set in. Why work when i can have fun travelling the world instead?! There really is nothing as exciting as experiencing a new place and culture for the first time.

So what would i pack for a weekend away? Well it really depends on what exciting place i would be visiting,whether i'm going for a weekend in a City, somewhere hot or cold, it really does vary as to what you need to take with you. So, i thought i would come up with some of my top essentials that you just cant go without packing when you have a weekend away and are suitable as to whether you're on a desert island or in New York!

1. Camera + Iphone  Seriously, since i have had my iPhone it has completely changed my life, most probably because I've never been able to read maps and always used to get lost looking for various landmarks when i was away for a weekend. The inbuilt gps is amazing, it saves so much time and endlessly getting lost! Having all my social media apps at the click of a button is also perfect when you're away and want to be able to update your status to wherever and whatever amazing thing you're up to. Taking a camera with you in my eyes is also an essential, memories last forever as they say but taking pictures means you can reminisce in years to come and share them with all your family and friends too.

2. Guide book/language book Depending on where you're going of course, but its always handy to know a bit of the language so  you are able to get by, for instance in some places they don't speak much of English, in Russia for example we really struggled and a small phrase book was the best thing since sliced bread at the time! Picking up a guide book also helps so you can pre plan and make an itinerary to get the most out of your time away, especially if its only for a weekend. You can even get apps for your iPhone for phrases in lots of different languages, your iPhone is a multi purpose item that you just cant forget to take with you!

3. Comfortable shoes If you're into fashion like me you'll want to look stylish all the time but from my many painful experiences DO wear comfortable shoes because you'll be able to stay out longer and do more things and you wont be in agony!  You also don't even need to pack these, so that means more room in your bag for something else!

5. Toiletries We are all guilty of packing the contents of our entire bathroom when we go away but for a weekend less is definitely more! Pack the bare essentials and items that double up as other products and definitely buy mini versions of everything to save room or you can even decant your own into travel size bottles to save money.

7. Snacks & Water This goes without saying really! But it really is an essential and you never know where the nearest shop will be when you arrive so leave prepared, i always pack food as well just in case i don't like the local delicacies!

8. Your Sense of adventure! Lastly, and probably the most important, be willing to try new things,until you step out of your comfort zone you wont know what you're missing out on! This is one of the most important things to bear in mind when you're travelling to get the most out of your experience.
I hope you enjoyed reading my entry, you can also enter for yourself, be sure to read up on the full instructions here first! The closing date is the 9th March,Good luck!
What would you pack for a weekend away? Have you been travelling before?
*None of the pictures are my own

Follow me on Bloglovin , Twitter , Instagram