Year 2 - Journalistic livin'

So, today is the official start of year 2. The first week if freshers is over, and although this week is still freshers week, I think I will be going out less.

Freshers week was brilliant. It was everything I wanted it to be, and I had the best week ever. I spent it with my closest friends and made a couple of new friends along the way. So second year is already off to a great start. This year, I am trying to be more motivated. This morning I forced myself out of bed at 9:30 and to the gym. I was especially pleased with myself as my first lecture isn't until 4pm today. I could have stayed in bed, but I felt so good for going to the gym. I would love to be able to go every day of the week, but this is me we are talking about. I can just about manage 2-3 times a week.

I'm really looking forward to lectures starting actually. I didn't think I would do, but I am excited to see some people who I haven't seen since first year ended in May. I am also looking forward getting back to doing Journalism and what I love best - writing. There were times this summer when I thought that I wouldn't be able to last with the work load, but we'll see.

One of the things I am trying to do this year, is do more and be more involved. And most importantly, have no regrets. I didn't have that many regrets from first year, but there are certain things that I wish I did. So, this year, I am going to try and have as few regrets as possible. So far, so good actually. I stuck to this in freshers week, so let's hope that this continues.

I got too philosophical in this post, I can tell. It doesn't suit me.

Someone get me a cuppa and a biscuit? (actually, make that a vodka, I'm a STUDENT!)

Hello, 2nd year!

September has finally arrived and I can't tell you how excited and happy I am to be back at uni. I moved back to Preston just over a week ago and I've already been having so much fun. And this is BEFORE freshers has begun!

This year, we are getting a new flatmate which is really exciting. Although he hasn't moved in yet, which is making us all nervous. Is he a first year? Is he a second year? He has to move in sometime this week because next week its freshers, and to miss freshers would be rubbish and boring. Freshers is ace.

I am so pleased to have moved out. I know that sounds bad, but my mum knows I love her really! I just like being independent and not having anyone telling me what to do. (I say that in the least precocious way possible, I just like the fact that there is no one to nag me!)

Our new home (student halls) are not quite as nice as last year, much to our dismay, but we have made it home. It's still on the same street as where we lived last year, which means I can still go and stock up on sensible things and other student essentials - alcohol - from Nisa. The view from my bedroom window is shocking compared to last year. This year, I am greeted with a factory. A far cry from my scenic view of last year. 

Away from uni, boring bedrooms and cheap alcohol, I have recently started drinking diet coke. I hate diet coke and I mean hate it. I decided that I wanted to be more careful with what I drink and eat this year and swapping my beloved calorie brimming full fat coke to 1 calorie boring diet coke was the start. It's been going well so far and I've not had full fat coke in a while. Except on days when I really need a sugary drink to get the day going.

Lectures start in exactly 2 weeks time but before that, freshers week will be upon us. I am far too excited and I'm already planning outfits for the crazy wild nights that are to come.

Expect another post in a few weeks, I imagine I'll be bed ridden with a hangover for most of next week.

I AM SO EXCITED.

Today has been a good day.

This morning when I woke up, I felt like today was going to be good. I felt that after yesterday, I wanted to take my mind off some stuff and just have fun. So that's exactly what I did.

Today was the day that I was meeting up with 5 of my friends from uni in the city where I live after not seeing them for 4 months. I was so excited but sad at the same time. The purpose of us all getting together was to say goodbye to two of my closest friends who I have met since going to uni. The two girls, Ana and Michelle, are off to study abroad for their second year of University in America.

It was so hard to say goodbye to them, as I have some great memories with them that I won't ever forget. (Mainly car cruising in Ana's car at 3am with a cheeky trip to the mcdonalds drive thru) My first year university experience would not have been the same without them. Although I cried a little today when I said my final goodbyes, It isn't forever. This time in twelve months, we will all be back together and ready to start our third and final year at uni.

Tearful goodbyes and snotty tissues aside, I had a really good day. Spending time with them and three other guys who I have become friends with this year, I realised that that was exactly what I needed. It allowed me to remember why I became such good friends with them all in the first place (not that I had forgot - they are all brill!)

Reliving student life with them for one afternoon one last time, we had lunch and spent the rest of the afternoon in pubs. True student life. Of course, moving back home for the summer has allowed me to curb my drinking (I never drank that much at uni in the first place) but I have had a welcome break from it these past 4 months. So naturally, after two cider blacks, I was walking around Primark laughing hysterically at onesies.

Not only was today a pivotal day for my friends and I, many other people's lives changed today. Today is A level results day. I remember like it was only yesterday, when I found out I had been accepted to my first choice university to study the course I have wanted to do all my life. I hope that many other hardworking a level students have had their dreams come true too.

Throughout my journey at uni so far, a couple of times along the way, I have forgotten who I am and started to act like somebody I am not. I promised myself that uni would not change me, and I often blamed these changes I saw in myself as just my 'natural personality developing' and made excuses. I realised though, this wasn't me. I had noticed a difference. Mainly good differences, but sometimes, not so good.

When you are around new people, you find yourself adopting their habits - saying what they say, acting how they act, and you sort of lose who you are along the way. You do it to fit in, you worry you won't be accepted if you don't. But, why should I change who I am just to fit in with somebody else? I have met many friends at uni, and they all are friends with me because of my natural personality, not who I chose to become.

So for that reason, I try and make a difference to somebody's day everyday. Not because somebody else told me to, not because I am expected to, but because I want to. I know that sounds cliche and cheesy, but I enjoy making people smile. Today, I broke the 'rules' and sent a text I was advised not to send. I realised that although the 'rules' told me 101 reasons why I shouldn't send that text, I was going to do it regardless, because that is the sort of person I am.

It was a good text, a positive text, but because I hadn't had contact with this person for a while, I was told not to bother. "They will have forgot you", "They might not have your number anymore" were a few things I thought to myself. I planned to send the text way before today but I kept putting it off.

In the end, I sent it. I felt better for sending it and regardless of what other people thought about it, I sent it because I wanted to. And I felt good for doing so. Turns out, this person hadn't deleted my number and sent a very nice text back.

So the moral of this productive, eventful day - always do what you think is right,

Because, It most probably is.

Summer is flying!

So it's well over 2 months now that I finished university for the Summer and I can't believe how quickly it has flown.

With a recent turn in good weather, for the first time in what feels like years (possibly, quite literally!) I have been wearing my holiday clothes (I have no other summery clothes, so I was forced to wear my new holiday clothes. What a shame!)

 Despite the lovely weather, I can't help noticing how fast time is going. Not just summer, but life in general. Since I started uni, I have noticed how fast the weeks are going and how scary it all is. I am now 9 weeks away from starting my second year at uni, 5 weeks away from moving into my new accommodation and 14 months away from being a third year. I don't like it. I don't like it.

I've been spending my summer working, learning to drive, sitting in the garden, reading and just generally having a good ol' time. Also, my holiday is now closer than ever. With 11 days to go till I jet off to Majorca, I have so much more to do.

Nails, hair, driving lessons,working, writing, more shopping!!

Not enough hours in the day anymore and this isn't the first time this year I have said this!!

Change.

Rihanna for River Island : my thoughts.

River Island never used to be a shop that I would go to before Topshop or New Look, but recently, I have been venturing more towards River Island, and I haven't been disappointed.

With the price of the clothes not being far behind Topshop, River Island has some very expensive, but worthwhile investing in, pieces. An example of this would be the new collection that has hit the highstreet by storm.

 The 'Rihanna for River Island' collection is the talk of the changing rooms, and with a range of bright, neon yet wearable pieces, I'm guilty of this too. Although I haven't yet invested in any of the pieces in the collection, I have taken a good look on what is on offer, and you can't be disappointed.

A new release this week of additional pieces had River Island brimming full of angry shoppers this May Bank Holiday. Making my way inside, to the changing rooms, paying and leaving was a struggle in itself. I felt as though I needed  coffee after my mammoth adventure.

The new pieces that have been added to the collection this week will not leave you feeling disappointed. Poor, perhaps, but more than satisfied with your purchases.

The collection is called 'Rihanna for River Island, Summer Collection' and has a range of skirts, blouses, swimwear and general beach attire. I noticed that one particular pattern of florals kept popping up. On a total of ten pieces from the collection, the same pattern was used with the same material used also. The only differences were the pieces themselves and the price of each individual piece.

One of my favourite pieces from the collection was this thigh split skirt priced at £35 http://www.riverisland.com/women/rihanna-for-river-island-collection/skirts/Black-Rihanna-knot-front-thigh-split-skirt-635493 - perfect with a white, loose blouse tucked in, worn with a pair of ballet flats, and of course, a huge bag!

I feel like this collection is one of the best River Island have ever had and they are definitely not short of customers who agree with me - many pieces were out of stock in the generic 8-10 sizes.

Ladies, if you are interested in this new collection, get yourself down to RI before your size and favourite piece is gone..

That's where you'll find me.

The collection : http://www.riverisland.com/women/rihanna-for-river-island-collection?icid=hp/p1/cta/wrihannacat

Right on Trend : Midi rings.

On beauty guru's youtube channels this month, I've seen a pattern of one staple jewellery piece for summer : midi rings.

Midi rings are the perfect way to jazz up an outfit, making a subtle but noticeable fashion statement and show that rings don't have to always be worn in the normal way.

I have noticed that shops like 'Topshop' and 'River Island' have started to stock midi rings, alongside Asos.com too. I went ahead and bought some from 'River Island' and I have really been enjoying wearing them this month.

They are cheap (I payed only £2 for my double set!) and often have interesting designs/patterns on them, though you can opt for a simple, plain banded ring if you wish.

What are you waiting for, get yourself a midi ring and make a fashion statement this Spring/Summer!

 (Picture taken from fashionandhappy.info)

Red Nail love.

This month, I've been reaching for one nail polish colour only, - Red.

I recently indulged in a Chanel Nail Polish (something which I have never done before) and I do not regret spending £18.50 at all!!

I've been wearing Chanel's 08 Pirate on my nails for the whole month and every week I've gone to top it up and reapply. I love it! The polish itself is of a very high quality, it glides on your nails smoothly with a thick applicator brush, making it easy to get a fine layer of polish on your nails. It's not gloopy or runny either!

The wearability of this polish is about 5 days and then It starts to chip. However, It can be easily topped up and has a high quality shine finish to it! As mentioned, It is a little pricey for a nail polish, but I know that I will definitely get a lot of wear out of it!

What's been your favourite polish this month??

Everything happens for a reason.

I am 100% a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I never used to think that, but as I've got a bit older and matured, I realised that some things that I thought were coincides actually weren't. I think that fate exists.

For me, I have had a lot of new experiences since coming to uni.  Recently, I think that good and bad things are happening in my life so that I can experience more things.

But, If I have to criticise fate on one thing, it's the timing. I know fate is all about timing but sometimes, fate doesn't give you enough time.

Some people may walk into your life when you are least expecting it. Circumstances beyond your control may also cause them to walk out of your life quicker than you would have liked.  However, if it was only for a brief time, maybe there is a reason it was only for a short time and not longer.

But I won't dwell on the timing of some things.

Instead, I will be thankful that they actually happened at all and I can look back on this period of my life and be happy that it happened.

For that, I am thankful.

Eventful bank holiday weekend + unexpected burst of sunshine!

So this weekend I got to stay at uni as I had a weekend off work! I haven't stayed for a full weekend in about 3 months and this one was my last one whilst I am a fresher, waaaa. Sad times.

It was bank holiday weekend and I definitely made the most of it. I went out Thursday, Friday, Saturday AND Sunday and I cannot wait for a rest tonight. I'm so tired from partying and enjoying my last few weeks as a first year so I felt like I need an early night.

On another note, it's been strangely warm today! Like warm enough for shorts and sunglasses! Sadly, I spent most of the day in the library as I have one deadline left to meet before I finish first year completely. But I did go shopping this morning and treated myself to a new YSL eyeliner. I know, I really didn't need anything else, but hey ho.

One thing I can conclude from this weekend is that It has been an experience I won't forget. I really have had a very good weekend and I have the best times with some great people. I will miss them all when I move home for summer :(

I can also say that after this weekend, I will never be rude about chicken and chips and takeaways in general after a night out.

I have seen the error of my ways, and Chesters chicken takeaway has become a new friend of mine.

Ciao.