1. I bought 5 mini buckets in Hobbycraft because I thought they were 'cute'. If anybody can cure me of my shopping issues then please comment below...
2. I dug out my 'Croatia' ring for the first time in probably a year these past two weeks. I made it after I got back from Croatia and had coins that couldn't be changed back into British currency. Here's a little fact: that coin has climbed a mountain/kayaked on the Adriatic Sea/kayaked on Croatian rivers with me.
3. Sophie's annual bonfire party last Saturday was...interesting. This is what happens when your friend has a dad who works somewhere with huge cardboard cut outs of Robbie Savage.
4. Lyrics from Timmy the Dog's (Tim Minchin) 'Happy Boy', which always come into my head when I'm having a rough time (see the post before last).
5. In the midst of my mid-week semi-nervous breakdown, I went for a nighttime drive and ended up drinking an awful hot chocolate in the car park of my closest McDonald's... and then the car wouldn't start and my parents had to come. The darkest hour is just before the dawn, and all that.
6. One of the many advantages of being close to someone who works in a department store is that they earn beauty points when they buy products... and they accumulate to the point where, in my case, you end up with a free Chanel lipstick. As Charlie Sheen would say, winning.
7. I spent an hour and a half sitting in a Starbucks in Leeds on Thursday afternoon while I had time to kill between Icelandic ending and meeting the Spanishy (yes, that is a word... or at least to me it is) people for tapas. There are few places as welcoming as a cosy coffee shop.
8. My second city is beautiful at night, especially when the German market is there.
9. After finishing our tapas, we ended up watching the Christmas lights switch on ceremony thingy, where we witnessed fireworks, Tyler James, some guy from Calendar news and a terrible band from Britain's Got Talent.
10. Miss Dusty has been particularly affectionate and excitable recently. If only humans behaved like animals, life would be much more simple...
11. Miss Dusty also likes posing, as is evident in this shot where I think she probably spotted a tiny rabbit (aka her reflection, she's done it before) on my screen and thought ''ooh''.
12. I took my hair down today and it was unexpectedly wavy. I'm also wearing my freebie Chanel lipstick and clearly I felt quite vein.
SOTD is my attempt to claw back something summery, and nothing says 'summery' quite like something Hawaiian.
Aloha nui loa,
Rx
P.S. Don't you just love the real meaning of 'aloha'? If you don't, read this and then you probably will...
I found some old video footage earlier whilst rooting around in old files on the hard drive and thought I'd share... Don't we all look...interesting? We went bowling on the day we left school, and then Zoe and Danny had a race and a few of them did the YMCA while standing on huge rocks. Contrary to popular belief, this is normal behaviour for The Lunch Bunch.
(I don't know I'm wearing the plastic tiara I received in my party bag in our last Spanish lesson/language party, though evidently I'm not the weirdest one so it's all good...)
Rx
I really hoped that my next post would be something fun and interesting (and I'm working on that one, but the shocking northern weather is really holding me back at the moment) that I'm planning to share when I can. Unfortunately, today has 100% matched the stereotype of a depressing, rainy Sunday and my mood very much reflects the weather and atmosphere today.
Something's been niggling away at me all week and I realised why and what it was today. I read an article some time around the beginning of the week, and it was one of those articles that you wish you hadn't read because it evokes emotions and opinions that you'd managed to bury deep within you.
But, truthfully, the contents of the article and its effect on me remind me that sometimes you can't do anything more than to try and cover it up.
I suppose it doesn't help that a year ago things were very different to how they are now. A year ago it was the beginning of another cycle of turning up at college every day and wondering if I would make it to the end of the day without crying, of practically running from room to room because any amount of time spent outside the trusty language lab made me stop breathing with anxiety.
I'm thankful that now I'm at university and I even manage to commute there and back relatively anxiety-free, but every now and then life gives me those little reminders that take me back to certain dates...dates that I would very much like to forget. And it's ironic, because Tuesday March 13th was one of the best days of my life - because I met one of my favourite comedians in the evening - but I very vividly remember the light hours of the day and sitting and shaking in an unwelcoming little office in what was virtually a shed with Sophie and Aiden, not really knowing what I was supposed to do because it was all so ridiculous. It was worse than that, but I'm not entirely sure I want the internet to know about everything else.
It's difficult looking back because even though I know I'm in a much better place now, events that have occurred in the last two years still shape the way I behave. I'm still pretty much silent throughout every day unless I'm around people I trust. I still don't volunteer to speak in lectures, seminars or language tutorials. For now, though, I'm coping. I know I'm coping because I've made it through six weeks of university and this is the first time I've felt unsure about anything. Because of that fact alone, I know things will be OK in the long run.
I'm going to leave you with a newer version of my absolute favourite song. I've probably posted this on here before, but it's relevant and, quite frankly, if you can't even find one thing that you like about this song then chances are we wouldn't get along. I'm also hugely grateful to whoever uploaded it in the first place because I must watch it every day... It's inspirational and beautiful, and the new version is brilliant. I love both versions to listen to when I feel sad. What do you like to do when you feel down?
I also hope that everybody who reads this is well and happy, but if things aren't great then please remember that you are not alone and things do get better.
Rx
I haven't checked, but it seems to me that every post at the moment starts with ''apologies for not blogging recently''. I could be wrong, but it feels that way.
Truthfully, I haven't been blogging because I've been busy living and loving university.The whole idea of enjoying uni is a strange concept to me, but I'm going with it because to be honest, it's fun. Next week is reading week and while I'm looking forward to it, it's going to be a bit strange because I get to see some friends on Saturday at Sophie's bonfire party. I don't think I've let myself think about the fact that everybody is scattered all over the country now.
Here's what I've been up to recently...
Top to bottom, left to right:
1. I've been very much enjoying autumn and all of the wonderful colours that come with it. I even braved this colour lipstick to uni.
2. My first Topshop nail polish purchases, Gypsy Night and Brazil. The fact that I have Fridays off is very dangerous for my shopping habits.
3. Came home (from shopping...ahem...) on Friday to find this sitting on the mat in the hallway. As expected, Loreen's debut album is incredible.
4. I've really been loving the moments where I'm on a train and this song comes on. There are few things as wonderful as drifting into your own little world, listening to this, surrounded by falling leaves.
5. Commuting. I am pretty much an expert regarding East Coast trains right now.
6. Last Sunday (the fact that it's a week ago now really makes me sad), Poppy and I went to see Mark Watson live in Sheffield. Mark is one of my favourite comedians and also happens to be a brilliant author. We met him after his show and he signed my books. I really do recommend that you look him up because the show was hilarious and he's also lovely. Win-win.
7. My first assignments were due in last week and the week before. How fun.
8. Saturday 13th was my sort-of-cousin's 18th birthday party. I'm not sure I like the fact that everybody's growing up now.
9. This is what the inside of a Hebrew textbook looks like, just in case any of you were wondering. I finally got this in class last Monday and it's so exciting. I love our Hebrew class - there are only 8 of us and we have two hours together every Monday where we ask each other awkward questions in Hebrew and tell random stories in our five minute break.
10. It snowed here in the early hours of Saturday morning... as in... actual snow... in October. I assume this is one of the many disadvantages to living ''up north'', except I've never lived ''down south'' so I can't really compare.
I hope everybody in the blogging world is well. I do hope to be back soon with something a bit more interesting, but we'll have to see how busy I am. I bought some crafting goodies in Hobbycraft this afternoon and I have two projects lined up, so I might write something on those up if they go well ;-)
SOTD is Keane - On the Road. It makes me happy every morning when I'm on the bus (bleh) and that's good enough to want to share it with you all. Hope you enjoy :-)
Thanks for reading,
Rx
So, it's been a while since I last posted. I started university a month ago and I only have the time to write today because I've had to take the day off ill. I don't know if it's 'freshers' flu' or just 'flu' but I feel like rubbish and I've almost completely lost my voice... Not the best thing to happen when you have two assignments due in within the next week... But never mind.
I've been intending to do this post for a while now, but I wanted to wait until I felt that I could write it honestly and have enough to say.
I started uni on the 17th and had a week of intro meetings before actual lectures started on the 24th. I'm only in 4 days a week, with 6 hours straight on a Monday (and if you're thinking ''that's awful!" I've heard it all before), 1 hour on a Tuesday and Wednesday and 4 hours on a Thursday. I didn't move out, so my commute takes about an hour and a half. Whenever I tell people this they look at me like I'm mad but I honestly couldn't have coped with moving out so I'm happy with the commute and I actually don't mind it that much at all.
My degree is joint honours BA Spanish and Linguistics, and because at my university you get spare credits to choose electives from any department, I also have modules in Beginner's Modern Hebrew and Icelandic Language and Culture. So far, I'm enjoying my course although the workload is a bit difficult to manage when so much is supposed to be done at home. On a Monday when I have 6 hours straight of lectures, I get home at 7pm and it's just impossible to then dedicate time to doing more work. I still don't regret choosing to stay at home, though. I am also looking forward to reading week, ha!
Socially, university is miles ahead of college. It's actually nice being able to leave my house, go to uni and come home without seeing people who know much about me. I was worried that I'd struggle with the social aspect of it, and not moving out certainly made me feel a little more lonely in the first two weeks when everybody else seemed to know people and I didn't.
I think since starting university I've learnt a lot, but I think the quote above is true. It's easy to feel judged and to judge other people in the first few weeks of something new, but it's also important to remember that everybody else is feeling the same way and while you're worrying about people not liking you or finding you weird, everybody else will be too.
I'm aware this is getting a little long, so I'll wrap things up now. Overall, I really think I've started to settle in and enjoy it. I've got through almost a month without hating anything, being upset or wanting to leave, so already it's going better than college did.
If you started university this September too, I hope it's going well for you all too :)
Thanks for reading,
R x
P.S. Do you like the new design? ;)
Apologies for how long it has taken me to get this posted, I properly started uni on Monday and I've only just found time to actually sit down and write this.
My birthday was on the 18th and I turned 19. So far, I prefer it to 18 - mainly because there's no drama this year. My mum and I went shopping on my actual birthday as I didn't have to be at uni that day and I thought I'd show those of you who are beauty-minded a few things that I bought with my birthday money...
Illamasqua Pure Pigment in Beguile
I seem to have lost my mind slightly in recent months. With the exception of nail polishes, I never used to like glitter. Now, if it sparkles I'll probably buy it. The glittery pigments were all extremely pretty, but this one was 'plain' enough for me to know that I'll use it on a regular basis. This looks lovely just patted over eyeshadow and unlike some glittery eyeshadows (UD Sidecar, I'm looking at you) it doesn't end up all over your face.
MAC Cremesheen lipstick in Creme Cup
Here's a little story for you... I bought Hue (also by MAC) for college prom and while I do love the colour, it is occasionally slightly too light on my lips and the formula is a bit...meh. To me, Creme Cup is a slightly more pink version of Hue, and the formulation is tons better. I also noticed that it stays on my lips for several hours, which is incredibly rare with me.
Nails Inc 'Nail Jewellery' nail polish in Diamond Arcade
You know what I said about glitter? Yeah, you see it now, right? The photo doesn't really do it justice, but this polish comprises of differently shaped pieces of glitter. I tried to take a photo of it over a plain white polish, but that photo doesn't do it justice either...
I suppose you can kind of see the difference in the pieces of glitter. Those nails looked much prettier in 'real life'. But even though it's a real pain to photograph, this polish is still absolutely gorgeous and perfect if you love a good glitter polish. The wear was decent (I'd say about 5 days before it started to look like I needed to either re-do it or change it completely) but that was without a top coat.
So, they were just a couple of purchases that I thought I'd share. I had a nice, low-key birthday this year, which was definitely necessary during a week of rushing between meetings and making new friends/acquaintances.
SOTD is Daughtry's 'Start of Something Good'.
Hope you're all having a good week :)
Rx
P.S. Jess did the coffee talk tag, go and read it here :)
Hi guys :) I'm back after a long week of commuting and fairly dull 'induction meetings' with a cute little tag - the 'coffee talk tag'. I was tagged by the lovely Gabriella of Love From Londres, whose blog is one of my favourites. The tag itself is all about autumn (or fall, depending on where you're from), so without further ado here's the tag :)
1. It's finally autumn, what are you most looking forward to in this season?
All of the colours - autumn is without doubt the best season for being able to step outside and be mesmerised by the colours of the trees etc. I'm also looking forward to the whole ''it's cold and rainy so I'm going to snuggle in bed even though it's only 7pm'' thing.
2. Which autumn item in your closet are you most looking forward to pulling out?
Because we don't really have a summer here, my clothing hasn't really changed from winter until now. I'm looking forward to wearing my beautiful new boots from Zara more.
3. Since Halloween is the first holiday to celebrate, we all get treated with a horror movie marathon all month long. What is your favourite scary movie to watch?
I really hate horror films (though obviously if you love them then that's totally cool). I just can't understand why people would want to be scared. The closest I've ever got to a horror film is Pan's Labyrinth. Sad, but true.
4. What is your favourite autumn treat?
Since I rarely drink coffee during the summer months, a grande caramel macchiato from Starbucks. That, and my hot buttered rum shower gel by Philosophy.
5. Now that summer is finally over, what will you miss about it?
As dull as it may sound, the hours of daylight. Now that I'm commuting, 3 hours of my day are spent walking, on the train or on the bus, and the other hours will often be spent at uni. I can just tell that I'm going to miss the amount of daylight we get during the summer as I always feel it makes the days seem longer.
6. Which make-up/beauty products do you love for autumn?
Without a doubt my Nails Inc polish in Madison Avenue. I believe it's been discontinued now, but it might be available on Ebay. It's basically just the most gorgeous deep forest green and is the perfect autumn shade for me.
7. What have you recently bought in preparation for the autumn season?
The Zara boots I mentioned and, because I'm in the UK, an umbrella. Ha.
8. Have you ever been trick or treating?
Yes :) I was usually a witch (in fact, I think I was only ever a witch) and the last time I went was when I was in year 8.
9. Name the first 5 things that come to mind when you think of autumn...
Leaves (a bit obvious)
Lamps (to make the room all cosy)
Edinburgh (I went to Edinburgh last October)
Josh Groban (such an autumn/winter musician, his music always starts the transition to winter)
Stand-up comedy (it's become something of a tradition for me to see live comedy in autumn/early winter and it isn't the same without it [this year is Mark Watson with Poppy :D])
10. What is your favourite season and why?
Summer (when we have a decent one) or autumn. I really don't like winter, and our spring is often just the same as winter.
Once again, I tag Jess and Beckie :) But do feel free to do it yourself and leave me a link in the comments :)
Thanks for reading :)
Rx
