We're going through changes

It may only have been a week since my last post, but boy has it been a mad one. As I mentioned in my previous post, I've just finished my degree and am currently out of work, so I've had to make a lot of changes to my usual routine. As a bit of an organisation freak, I thought it would be a fab idea to note down all the changes I'm currently going through or implementing and what better way to do that than share it on here!

Losing weight | Finding a job | Graduation

1) Losing weight

So, I've not been happy with my weight for a long time now - In all honesty I don't think I ever have been, even when I was a size 6 teen - but at the biggest I've been (size 14) and after months of eating reaaaally badly (damn you uni!) I've finally decided to do something about it. I've tried dieting several times before, some more successful than others, but I've never found anything that I can stick with. As a huge foodie, I decided that the best way to tackle my weight was to cut everything out (no more temptation!) and start with meal replacements. My choice? Tesco's Ultra Slim, a slightly cheaper alternative than Slim Fast. I've been using Ultra Slim (the milk chocolate and vanilla shakes) for almost two weeks now and I feel like I'm doing really well. I've been sticking to two shakes a day and one healthy meal with healthy snack where necessary and I'm feeling so much better for it. Don't get me wrong, I'm still craving Chinese food and all things bad, but I'm not giving in to temptation. To test myself, I've had two days off the shakes in the past two weeks in which I ate surprisingly healthily! Sadly for me, I don't actually have a pair of working scales, but I'm definitely feeling the results. I wouldn't say it's going to be a long-term plan, but it's a great way to get started and ease myself into a new and much healthier routine! If you'd like me to keep you updated with my progress, please let me know and I'd be happy to!

2) Finding a job

Anyone will know (especially any of you fellow recent graduates!) how daunting it is to be out of education and thrown into the big wide world of work. Don't get me wrong, I've somehow managed to hold down three jobs (yes three!) whilst studying at uni so it's not like I've never worked, but there's something much more daunting when the job you're looking for could be your big break into what you set out to do. Since my last post I've applied for five jobs, heard back from two and had two interviews in two days... Phew! I'm super excited about both jobs that I interviewed for and would love the opportunity to work with either of the companies - one is a beauty distributors and the other is a global sourcing company. Both jobs are in marketing but are actually really varied. Although with both I'd be doing the same sort of activities, one is much more design based which is new to me but pretty exciting! Fingers crossed I impressed both and get through to the second stage of interviews!

3) Graduation

Aaand finally... With finishing university comes graduation. In all honesty wasn't too bothered about going - I'm not great in crowds or with attention - but after being persuaded by my Mum I'm starting to get excited, even if it's only for the chance to get a new outfit! I've been scouring the web for the perfect dress, but there's just so many to choose from and I don't think it helps that I don't have a clue what style I want to go for. I'm thinking of doing a little Facebook stalking and seeing what some of last years graduates wore for some inspiration! I might even put together a little wishlist on here if that's something you'd all like to see!

I think for a lot of people, me included, change is terrifying, but it's just one of those things that you have to accept and adapt to. Although it is a scary time of my life, I'm starting to really look forward to where the change will take me.

I'm back, but where have I been?!

Well hello there my lovelies! Remember me? I barely remember myself. I can't believe it's been 8 months since I last posted on here... *slaps back of hand* but it's safe to say I've had a seriously hectic time and I feel like I may owe a little explanation, or even just catch you all up!

Struggling writing dissertation | The final draft

So where did it all go downhill? Well, September meant entering my final year at uni and any of you final year or recent graduates will know what I'm talking about! It's been a killer. I started off the term being handed two assignments but actually quite enjoying myself. I was super motivated about it being final year and was ready to work my butt off..  but boy was I naive. For the year I had 4 assignments, my dissertation (see progress and the final draft above!) and 3 exams. May not seem a lot for some, but for me? Daaaaamn. But, I'm very happy to announce that I have now finished my degree! Wahoooo! All I need to do now is wait for my results and classification (quite possibly the worst part?) and voila, I'm a marketing graduate! 

It's not all been about uni though, as some of you may know I've been working part time doing social media and marketing for a lighting company (yawn at the lighting part!) and so have been juggling a hell of a lot of stuff. They even promised me a full time job when I'd finished my degree - something which is fairly hard to come buy these days! - buuuuuut, I'm pretty damn annoyed to say that they've gone back on their word and let me go. I've got to say, I wasn't happy there... So whilst I'm sad that I've been let go, I'm also kinda happy to be out of there, even if it wasn't on my terms. So its safe to say that the next few months is going to consist of some serious job hunting, buuuuut on the bright side, I'll have more time for blogging! Oh how I have missed thee. 

Anyhoo, I'm going to love you and leave you for now (before I ramble on and bore you to death anymore!) with a few highlights and fun bits from my time away. I hope you're all doing well and are as fabulous as ever!

Relaxing with my baby | My two babies - boyfriend & devil dog | Watching Maroon 5 in Manchester | Robin Thicke was supporting! | 21st birthday decor | 21st birthday pressies - I'm a lucky gal! | I got a car! | Completed my degree | Feeling much more relaxed

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Desk Essentials #1: Nougat London Nurturing Hand Cream

 Nougat London Fig & Pink Cedar Nurturing Hand Cream 

Working in a cold office eight hours a day, five times a week calls for some serious desk pampering! An absolute essential to have on my desk at the minute is hand cream as those pesky dry patches are tragically becoming a more regular appearance. My pick? Nougat London's Nurturing Hand Cream.

Having got this in my July Birchbox, I stupidly threw it in my 'to try' pile, by which I mean to try in months to come when I can find it again. However, after an amazing weeks holiday in Lanzarote and the blues that ensued as I returned to work my hands were not in the best condition. Searching through my long last stash, I rediscovered this handsaver. 

A luxuriously rich texture, this hand cream is enriched with cocoa butter, almond and macademia oils (that's some seriously smoothing properties going on!) to aid in softening, smoothing and protecting your hands and nails. A little definitely goes a long way with this product, and this tiny sample size has lasted me a week so far! It doesn't leave a greasy film like so many others do, which gives it a huge thumbs up from me... Who wants greasy hands when they're trying to type all day!? And the scent... Oh boy. It is truly beautiful. Light and fresh, yet strong and almost empowering, the gorgeous fig and pink cedar scent lingers hours after application. 

A gorgeous, non-greasy, thick and beautifully scented hand cream? What's not to love!? I'll definitely be purchasing this when this cutie runs out!

What are your desk heroes? Have you tried any of the Nougat London hand creams?

Mini MUA Haul!

Another month, another hard time trying to not spend anything and save up for my holiday... Once again, I failed, and I blame it all on MUA! It was Tuesday evening, and I was just casually checking my Facebook when all of a sudden I came across this post. I popped right on over to the website and just couldn't resist hitting the 'add to cart' button, I had to have it! Whilst I was on their page I noticed that they have recently joined up with another brand you can find in Superdrug, Fashionista. This was great news, and I couldn't resist picking up a little something from their range too.

Fashionista Double Take Lipstick - Ultra Pink Britain's Next Top Model Palette

 The first thing to catch my eye was this amazing palette, containing a whopping 28 eyeshadows (ranging from pearl, matte and high shimmer finishes), a bronzer, a blusher and a highlighter as well as several little applicators to boot! I've not tried any of these out yet but cannot wait to get my hands (or rather my brushes) on them!

Anyone who knows anything about me will know I'm a complete lipstick fanatic, and despite picking one up only the other day I just couldn't contain myself and this appeared too! The Fashionista Double Take lipsticks boast a luxuriously creamy texture, leaving a super pigmented 'modern matte' finish. I popped this on as soon as I was done taking pictures of it and so far so good. It lives up to it's creamy formula and is still going strong a few hours later. The shade I chose, Ultra Pink, is a gorgeous hot pink - perfect for Summer!

Delivery wise, I didn't expect anything too spectacular. The site said that products are usually dispatched within 5 days of ordering and can be expected to be delivered a few days after that, but boy oh boy was I surprised! After making the order Tuesday night, I received and email saying they had been dispatched yesterday and they arrived with my postman today! Absolutely fantastic!

All in all, I can't wait to try these out. Both products can be bought from http://www.muastore.co.uk. The BNTM palette was £7.00 on an introductory offer (usual price £12.00) and the lipstick was an incredible £3.00!

Let me know if you'd like to see any of these products reviewed, I'm sure if I love them as much as I hope reviews should come within the next couple of weeks anyway!

Have you tried any MUA or Fashionista products? What did you think of them? Will you be picking up the BNTM palette?

Weekend Wishlist #4: Boohoo Special

1. Headband 2. Earrings 3. Dress 4. Top 5. Shoes

Long time no see! I think it's safe to say I have well and truly neglected my blog this month, but hopefully I'll be getting into the swing of things again starting today. I'm gonna try and get a few posts up this week to get things up and running again! It's been a busy few weeks since I last posted, I won't go into detail here but if you want to know what I've been up to then let me know and that could be a whole other post!

Anyway, another weekend, another wishlist. This week I am seriously loving Boohoo, and have been stalking their new in section non-stop bookmarking all sorts to buy when I finally get some money in my hands. Here are my top picks!

1. I've been lusting after the Crown & Glory floral headbands for ages now, but have never been too sure whether one would suit me. This cute dupe is a fraction of the price and would be super sweet for summer, and if it doesn't suit me then it's only £6.00!

2. Anyone who knows me will know I've had a love affair with anchors for years. There's just something about them I've always loved, and these cute studs are no exception.

3. It's a striped pinafore... Need I say more?! Dungaree and pinafore styles are HUGE right now, as is monochrome so this dress ticks all the boxes. I'm loving both of these trends right now, so this is very me. Come payday this will be mine!

4. I'm really loving the Bardot style off the shoulder look at the moment too. There's just something about it which is super sexy but classic and timeless, especially in this gorgeous vibrant red. I'd wear this with high waisted skirts or with this striped pinafore dress to hide that wobbly stomach and to define my waist.

5. Oh my.. these shoes.. I have no words. I'm not usually one for heels. At 5'8 I usually end up around 6ft with heels (giant anyone?) and I'll admit I'm not the best at walking in them, but there's just something about these. The chunky platform heel makes them look way comfier to walk in than most (keep telling yourself that Rachel!) and the whole chunky style in general would toughen up the girliest of dresses. A must.

So, I'm back and rambling with a vengeance. I think this break has fried my brain! Are you loving Boohoo as much as me recently? What's on your wishlist?

Haul #1

Let me set the scene... It was Bank Holiday Monday, the sun was out and I was super stressed about my final exam of the year that was going to take place the next day. I didn't intend on spending much, just wanted to maybe get a few little pick-me-ups but yeah... this happened!

A Perfect World moisturiser, United State toner, A Perfect World Serum, Checks and Balances cleanser, Plantscription eye cream, pump

First stop was The Trafford Centre, Papa Hart wanted to spend some of his birthday vouchers so being the kind and lovely daughter I am I may have offered to go along! I knew I wanted to have a look at Origins when I was there, their counter in Debenhams is brilliant, and my skin has been playing up a lot recently so I wanted to see what might be able to make it all better again! After being badgered by the sales assistant for ages, I gave in and let her help me out. She pulled out about six or seven products that would be suited to my pesky combination skin, and this is what I came out with half an hour later! Not only that, but because I spent an absurd amount, I got the eye cream free as well as a complimentary tote bag and goody bag with three sample sized products! So far so good, I'm loving using all of these.

Shoes

You may recognise these babies from this wishlist. I popped into Zara on my travels, and despite initially being a little bummed when I couldn't find these in coral, I just had to get these when I spotted them. They're such a gorgeous colour and I can't wait to wear them throughout summer.

BB cream, nail polish 1 & 2, expert face brush, angled brush, brow pencil, nail art pen

 cream blushes

After a successful trip for me, but a not so successful one for my Dad, we went to our local retail park for a quick look around. I told myself not to buy anything, but it just didn't work! I ended up spending a fortune in Boots... I've been wanting to pick up these Revlon cream blushes for ages now, and after reading all about the Expert Face Brush and how amazing it is at applying them I just had to pick that up too. 

You know how much of a nail polish junkie I am by now, and these two just couldn't be left in the shop. I've also been wanting a couple of new products to try out for my unruly brows. I've been using the angled brush alongside my Gosh brow palette, and the Soap & Glory Archery tint and pencil is amazing. 

After being faithful to my Garnier BB cream for a long time now, despite it being a touch too dark for my skin tone, I decided to give Revlon's latest release a go. So far I'm really liking it, it's not particularly great for coverage but the shade 010 light it suitably pale for my pasty skin.

I've not got a particularly great picture for it, but I also picked up this gorgeous white lace dress from River Island which was reduced from about £40 to just £25! Bargain, no?

It's safe to say I won't be spending for a while, but I'm super happy with what I got. If you'd like to see any reviews of anything I bought, just let me know! What are your latest purchases?