I'm off!

The flights are booked, the bags are packed, Passport? Check! I'm off

Tomorrow morning I will be getting on a flight which will take me to my new home for a year. I can't tell you all how excited I am. It's been pretty stressful bookings apartments, sorting out euros, bank accounts, phones etc, but it's all sorted.

Uni starts on the 1st October, I wonder how different it will be to Universities over here?

I've written a couple of blogs to post whilst I'm settling in, but I'll be sure to let you know how everything is going as soon as I can.

Goodness knows how I'm going to sleep tonight, I'm so excited :)

H x

P.s. This picture really has nothing to do with anything, but blog posts without pictures just aren't as interesting are they, so here's my new phone case :) I love Cath Kidstone

Advice to freshers

Lots of people will be starting uni soon. I love uni, and have the complete time of my life there. But going to uni for the first time can be daunting, and working out exactly what you need to pack can be pretty stressful. So I've put together a quick guide on things to pack that you might have forgotten, but chance are they will come in handy. I hope it helps!

Door Stop

To hold your bedroom door open. Especially useful on the first day when you want to meet all your new housemates. If people see an open door they are more likely to come in and introduce themselves.

Alcohol

For the first night when you want to make friends with your housemates. Everyone can bond over a glass of wine or bottle of beer :)

Drawing Pins and White Tac

For pinning up pictures, notes or leaflets in your bedroom. Also, it is worth checking with your uni if you are allowed to stick stuff up on your walls. Some universities won’t allow blue tac but do allow white tac. If your uni doesn’t allow either then don’t worry. Most people put stuff up on their walls any way, just make sure it all comes down before your room inspection.

Marker Pen

Useful for scribbling all over your freshers top and countless other fancy dress items throughout the year.

Fancy dress Basics

You will dress up at uni. It’s a fact. So save yourself some hassle and take the basics. Common themes are; Where’s Wally, School Disco, Rave, Army, Beach Party, Superhero, Pyjama Party and many many more!

Pack of Cards

Ring of Fire... ’nuff said

Paracetamol

For the mornings after Ring of Fire

Music Crush

As I mentioned on a previous post, I went to a festival about 6 weeks ago. When I was there I discovered a new band, that I had never heard of, by complete accident. I can honestly say it was love on first sight sound.

The band is called Of Monsters and Men, and is made up of six musicians from Iceland. The have an indie/folk sound and  When home from the festival, I ordered the CD straight away and have been listening to it ever since. Then I heard their single being played on Radio 1.

This is their first album, and the single they have released is called 'Little Talks'.

Give them a listen, and I hope you enjoy.

H x

My Week in Pictures

1) The view in Loughborough. 2) Seeing a T-rex at the National History Museum. 3) Visiting Buckingham Palace with the bf. 4) Multi-coloured houses in Brighton. 5) Don't feed the seagulls (or they will swoop down and steal the flake in your ice cream!!). 6) Serving lemon and honey chicken at a dinner party with friends using homemade honey YUM. 7) Celebrating my housemate's 21st birthday. 8) Going to the Icebar in London.

H x

Review: Toni & Guy

Boots were recently doing a 3 for £10 deal on all Toni & Guy hair products, so I thought I'd grab a bargain and write a review.

A quick background on my hair (how exciting). My hair has been pretty dry recently, probably due to the fact that I dyed it in an ombre style. I try to wash my hair every two/three days, and it can get a little greasy round my temples, but isn't too bad everywhere else. I try not to use too much heat on my hair, keeping the use of straighteners and hair dryer to a minimum.

The three products I chose where the Classic Shine Gloss Serum, the Cleanse Dry Shampoo and the Casual Sea Salt Texturising Spray.

I really like the Shine Gloss Serum. I put it on the ends of my hair whilst it's wet and when it drys my hair feels soft and smooth, and the tips feel healthy. The only down side of this product is that is doesn't smell as nice as my Lee Stafford Shine Serum.

The Dry Shampoo is also a really good product. As well as erasing all the grease in my hair, it adds volume. Plus it also smells good :)


And lastly the Sea Salt Texurising Spray. I really bought this product for my sister to try out as she has beautiful wavy hair that looks incredible with this product. I have used it myself and I can say that it lives up to its name, adding loads of texture. But be careful not to use too much or your hair will just end up looking wet and greasy.

One last thing to add, I feel like I'm in a bit of a hair style rut. I either wear my hair down or up in a plain ponytail (or in a bun if I'm just chilling at home). So, I'm going to do my research and find some new pretty updos that I can wear.

H x

Glossybox, June 2012

Sorry this post is a little late, but I really wanted to use the products properly before giving a review.

So this is my second ever Glossybox and to be completely honest I was a little disappointed when it first arrived. It wasn't until I tested some the products that I discovered I actually really liked it.

At first glance I though the box looked quite empty (partly because the products where a smaller size, and partly because the last box contained extra goodies), and none of the products really jumped out at me...until I tested them. The more I use some of these products, the more I love them.

YVES Rocher Ultra Volume Sexy Pulp Mascara: I've heard good things about YVES mascaras, so I was excited to try this one. I was a little daunted by the size of the brush and at first it took a while to get those pesky lashes in the corner. However I really like how my lashes look after application. Lots of volume and length, and no clumping. I am very tempted to purchase this product once the tester has run out.

Vichy Dermablend Ultra-Corrective Foundation Cream Sick: This was another product I was unsure of at first glance. I normally use liquid concealers and foundations, so being a stick concealer, this was different for me.

I really liked that they sent you the different skin shades, so you can use that one that best matches your tone. The consistency was very creamy, long lasting and truly covers up blemishes. This product was the one that surprised me the most, and I really enjoy it. Unfortunately, my student budget won't cover the hefty price tag but I shall scrape my tester pot dry! 

Glossybox Serie Exclusive Pro Beauty Brush: My least favorite item, and most disappointing item. When I first saw it I thought; "yay, another make up brush" (because lets be honest, you can never have too many), but the brush itself isn't all that soft. I have £1.50 brushes from Elf that are softer, and couldn't believe the RRP was £15. Sorry Glossybox, but I just don't this the brush is worth the price. However, I do like that its personalized with their name, and like I said, you can never have too many make-up brushes, so I'll find a use for it. Maybe I'll use it as a travel brush.

Agent Provocateur Perfume: I am terrible at describing scents, so I'll leave it to Glossybox; "A new collection of the three new feminine, sensual and tantalizing day fragrances". I tend to stick with the perfumes I know and love (CK Eternity and Gucci Rush), and the Agent Provocateur perfumes smell quite nice but I probably wont purchase the full size of these. However they are good for travelling or popping in your handbag.

BM Beauty Summer Warmth Bronzer: Sadly this bronzer is just too dark for me. However, I may try it again once I've been to Malta and built up a tan.

So overall not an amazing box, but a few products that I really liked. Plus I really love the excitement of receiving a box and can't wait for the next one.

H x

Olympics OOTD

Yesterday I went to the Olympics! It was such a good day. My family and I went to go and watch the basketball (Dad's choice), but how could I pass up the opportunity to soak up the Olympic spirit in the Olympic Park.

My youngest sister and me at the Olympic Park

I thought I would do an OOTD post for you and I was quite pleased with the outfit I chose in the end. I think it looks pretty and girly without being too dressy. Plus most of the items are new and I was desperate to wear them :)

Top: Zara

 The top I wore is from Zara and I am totally in love with it. It's a white/cream colour, slightly sheer and has beautiful detailing on the shoulders and cuffs.

My new jeans are from Topshop. They're the 'Leigh' design, super skinny and have a dappled effect on them.

Jeans: Topshop

I kept the accessories simple, so as to not over crowd the outfit. The belt I wore was from h&m and is a gorgeous rose gold colour. I have a feeling I'll be wearing this lots over the next couple of months.

Belt: h&m

 The watch I wore was from Asos. It has a dark leopard print strap and a gold watch face. I wear it every day and feel lost without it. I also wore some beautiful stud earrings that were a present from my boyfriend. Sadly I couldn't get a picture of them as my iPhone wouldn't focus on them properly and all the pictures turned out blurry, but there are white gold, yellow gold and rose gold.

Watch: ASOS

I had loads of fun, and it was a brilliant day out. Go team GB and congrats on hosting such a wonderful event (oooh, aren't I getting patriotic).

H x