What a strange time we all live in now! "WFH" has become a well-used acronym, "social distancing" and "furlough" are used in our everyday conversations, and hugging your friends and loved ones is a thing of the past. For me, working from home instead of an office is now the norm and I've learnt to appreciate lots of small things in life that I used to take for granted.
One thing in particular that 2020 has taught me is the value of good working-from-home attire. This has consisted mostly of leggings or soft trousers and a baggy top, or occasionally a blouse and a bit of mascara if a video call is on the cards. This extreme comfort during the day has in turn made me appreciate my nightwear even more. I was kindly sent a beautiful satin nightwear set from IDentity Lingerie which has completely upped my pyjama game. The material is perfect if, like me, you've gotten used to living in comfortable clothes or if you just fancy waking up feeling like a satin goddess.
IDentity Lingerie sell a huge range of nightwear, lingerie and now in our new normal, they're selling a great range of handmade face masks. I've been wearing this one (in between a couple of others while it's being washed) and I can vouch for it being really comfortable and breathable. Check them out for the full range.
Despite all the bad going on in the world right now, I'm trying to see the positives and make the most during this ambiguous time. What will you take away from 2020 - good and bad? Let me know in the comments below!
I've written a lot about student living, particularly for Fresher's just starting their Uni journey, and one thing I touched on in my Student Checklist (click here to read) was decorating your student digs. Let's be real, halls can often look very dull, so it can be nice to put your own spin on things - make things feel more "you". Having photos around and cute decor that you've picked out yourself can also help to ease any feelings of homesickness too. Thinking back to my halls in 2012 (eek!) one of the things I loved the most was my photo wall (apologies for the ANCIENT and TERRIBLE quality photo!).
Websites like Funky Pigeon (spoiler: they don't just do cards!) can create personalised, unique home decor that are perfect for decorating your gaff. Funky Pigeon kindly gifted me some products from their website to share with you to help you decide what to buy. They also make perfect gifts for any siblings/friends/loved ones who are flying the nest and beginning a new chapter in a new house/halls.
Candles are a great addition to any bedroom or living room to create a cosy vibe, and these candles from Funky Pigeon are extra cute when they can be personalised with their own quote or even photo on the front. The smell is a fresh linen-type smell - perfect if you haven't washed your clothes for a week (or three). *Check with your landlord or in your tenancy agreement first before lighting any candles in your house!*
I also love their photo blocks which I think look a little more sophisticated than your average photo stuck on a wall (sorry 2012 me). You also don't have to worry about carefully pulling the blu-tack off your walls before you move out! These are just great if you don't have anywhere to hang or stick up photos around your room. I love the addition of the glitter too (snow globe-esque in that it moves as you shake it round).
Now we all know that University (particularly in your first year) involves a fair bit of drinking and what better way to drink than with personalised glasses! Although these would also make a fab gift for an engagement/wedding, I also love the idea of having a quote on it too! I went for "Prosecco is always the answer". As easy as drinking out of a mug may seem, you can feel a little bit fancier with these for sure.
Now this isn't from Funky Pigeon (although you can buy flowers and plants from them too!), but I love the addition of a plant in a room to give it a bit of something extra. I go for ones that I know I don't have to water often otherwise they WILL end up dead. I also think they complement the candle and photo block really well too!
Here are the links to the products I received:
https://www.funkypigeon.com/gift/photo-block/acrylic-photo-block/162200
https://www.funkypigeon.com/gift/candle/shine-bright-personalised-candle/161604
https://www.funkypigeon.com/gift/glass/vintage-heart-personalised-flutes-set/153481
Charli's Funky Pigeon tip: check their "Offers" tab at the bottom of the page to see what they have on offer at the time you're browsing - you can end up saving yourself some money too!
I hope you like the new additions to my flat - I'm so happy with them and even 2012 Charli in her student digs would have loved them to brighten up the place! What's your favourite item? Leave a comment below!
Many of you will soon be celebrating the end of the exam period. I've been there many times now and generally it goes a bit like this:
1. Spend two hours getting ready
2. Friends arrive for pre-drinks
3. Spend a good few hours at someone's house playing drinking games (everyone knows this is the best part of a night out)
4. Get a taxi to town to go to a questionable nightclub
5. Boogie
6. Walk home, stopping at some kind of fast food place on the way
Now let's skip back to step 3, because there's a new kid on the block in the games industry and it's called "Shit Happens". I was kindly sent this to review and in true student fashion I, of course, had to review it as part of the night out ritual.
What's better than a good old fashioned workout to make you feel great? I'll tell you what - a good old fashioned workout followed by a glass of prosecco!
I was invited to try out Tramshed's latest fitness craze - a workout class followed by a relaxing glass of bubbly. It might seem counter-intuitive but in fact there's nothing more refreshing than the fizz of prosecco after working your socks off.
I took my flatmate to the class with me - it's a really social atmosphere and a great place to meet people or hang out with friends. The class I took part in was "Smash Hits" - all the tunes! The workout was a body combat style and I'll tell you now it wasn't easy! However I got stuck right in and by the end of it I felt like a street fighting pro. The instructor was really engaging and made sure everyone of all abilities was able to get involved, which made all the difference.
At the end of the class, we sat down in Tramshed's bar/restaurant area called The Waiting Room. Unfortunately I can't comment on the brunch part of the event because due to chef illness that day there was no food. However, the prosecco went down very well and added to the social aspect of the event.
I think Tramshed's Class and a Glass is a fantastic idea - it's fun, keeps you fit and allows you to hang out with your friends at the same time. They even do a student discount for us University go-ers! The class is the perfect to sweep away that Sunday morning hangover! Keep an eye on http://tramshedcardiff.com/ for any more upcoming classes in Cardiff!
This month, two of my favourite things in life (Japanese food and talking about mental health) came together and I couldn't be happier. I visited Wagamama in Princesshay, Exeter a couple of weeks ago to talk about their current collaboration with the charity Mind - and of course a lot of delicious food was devoured in the process.
As a Psychology graduate and also now a Psychology PhD student, mental health is something I am and have always been interested in, and I'm aware that Mind are a fantastic charity that provide invaluable resources and advice to so many people across the UK.
Wagamama are donating 25p from every one of their Positive juices that they sell up until 6th March - AND they're delicious! The juice is made up of pineapple, lime, spinach, apple and cucumber and is super refreshing. All the ingredients are great to cleanse the body, as well as the mind.
Wagamama are also promoting mindfulness and its benefits for improving mental health. Their paper placemats are the perfect canvas for some mindful colouring while you wait for your food. They are also supporting mindful eating - the act of being in the present and taking in and appreciating every single mouthful.
During my visit, I tried the grilled duck donburi along with numerous delicious side dishes - my favourite side had to be the ebi katsu: gorgeous crispy fried prawns with a chilli sauce. The duck was also beautiful. I wanted to try something different from my usual ramen noodles and I was recommended the donburi, which was a great choice!
I'll definitely be visiting Wagamama again soon and picking up a Positive juice to support Mind and the amazing things they do... and hopefully you will too!
If you're local to Exeter or the surrounding areas, there's no doubt you'll have heard of Darts Farm. It's a beautiful farm shop boasting local produce and so much more. A hidden gem around the back of Darts Farm is its spa & beauty facilities, including the likes of Energy Hair.
I was kindly invited to receive a wash, cut and blow dry with Luke, one of Energy's newest recruits. He finished his training with Sassoon in London earlier this year, and his enthusiasm and talent for hairdressing really showed. He also makes a pretty good cup of tea!
The process began with the hair wash - quite possibly my favourite bit! A relaxing head massage was exactly what I needed after the stressful weekend I'd had at work. The massage chair they provide at the basins definitely helped too! These little touches just go to show how luxurious and relaxing Energy Hair is - it's not just a place to get your seasonal haircut, but somewhere you can unwind and enjoy.
Post-wash, Luke asked how I'd like my hair cut. I wasn't looking for a drastic hair change - just a couple of inches off and some subtle layers cut back in. Luke listened well and did a great job. He cut and blow dried my hair exactly how I like it and I couldn't have been happier with it. It was great to see Nathan, the owner of Energy Hair, checking in on Luke and I during the process. Luke is still learning of course, but it was clear that Nathan had full confidence in Luke's abilities - as did I! The whole staff team seem really friendly and were a joy to be around.
Overall, I would really recommend Energy Hair at Darts Farm to anyone in the market for a new do or just a touch up. The salon is perfect if you're looking for a luxurious retreat and an hour or so's escape from reality while the team work their magic on your locks. And don't underestimate the talent and abilities of a newly trained hairdresser - Luke did a better job than a lot of more experienced hairdressers I've been to in the past! Definitely worth a visit! For more information, visit http://www.energyhair.com
Father's Day is looming and The Car People are encouraging bloggers to share a memorable car journey they've had with their dad's. I could tell you all about some lovely car journeys I've had with my dad, e.g. when he dropped me off at Uni for the first time, our car journey back from my graduation or our road trip up to Scotland when I was a kid. But one in particular stands out more than others that has a more humorous tone to it, and I definitely think you'll enjoy it more as a reader.
This particular car journey happened just over six years ago when we went to pick up our dog Alfie for the first time. He was a 2-month old puppy at the time and we had all fallen in love as soon as we set our eyes on him. A cross between a collie and a King Charles spaniel, he was bouncy and playful with a little squashed nose and a white stripe running down between his eyes. All four of us made the journey to pick him up - myself, my dad, my mum and my brother - and we were excited to get him home.
We had the car all set up for him, with a large dog cage and blankets in the boot of our people carrier for him to cosy down in and enjoy the ride home. It wasn't long before we realised this was not going to be an enjoyable experience for him at all as he squealed and cried the whole way home. We were only about half an hour away from our house, but the high pitched crying made it seem like a lifetime! Although we were taking him back to our loving home, in Alfie's eyes we were merely taking him away from his mother and brothers and sisters and he was not having any of it. He would stop crying for a split second and we would all sigh in relief, only for him to begin all over again just seconds later.
Despite the constant whining from the back of the car, we thought "at least he hasn't had a little doggy accident this whole journey" - he was after all only 2 months old and not toilet trained yet. Those were our famous last words. We live in a small cul de sac of about eight houses and as we turned into our little road, Alfie decided this was the perfect time to poop. I guess we should count ourselves lucky that he didn't do it earlier because we would've had to put up with the smell the whole way home, but the timing couldn't have been more comical. Six years on, Alfie now loves car journeys (especially to the beach) and hasn't pooped in the car since.
So I want to say thanks Dad for this particularly memorable car journey - even if it was memorable for all the wrong reasons! I'd love to hear your funny car journey stories with your Dad in the comments below! You can check out other bloggers' memorable car journeys with their Dad's over at The Car People here!
Hello! Long time no post! I've been feeling a little demotivated recently with my blog, partly because of what I wanted to talk about today. I graduated with a 2:1 in Psychology from Cardiff University last summer. Having spent four years at Uni, one of which I spent on an unpaid placement in London, I thought finding a job related to Psychology would be easy. How wrong I was! I want to talk to you about what I've learnt since graduating, how I've found searching for a job and post-Uni life in general. I'm currently working in retail which is fine and gets me by but of course it's not related to my degree. I've applied for jobs, had interviews, had rejections, and even never heard back from some applications. It's tough but I guarantee you're not alone!
1. Experience is KEY. Whilst at Uni, I can't stress enough how important and useful gaining any relevant experience can be. I volunteered through my Uni's SU volunteering facilities and I also worked for a relevant student charity during my studies. Everyone who graduates from University will have a degree. Not everyone will have additional work experience. It'll help you to stand out from other graduates and will give employers the impression you're a motivated person.
2. Living back with your parents is okay! It's not something I particularly wanted to do having lived independently for four years but it's meant that I can save on rent/bill costs (I pay my parents rent but nowhere near as much as I would if I lived elsewhere) and focus on saving up to live comfortably once I move out.
3. Keep an open mind. Don't expect too much too quickly (like I did)! You might find that you'll need experience in less desirable positions before progressing onto what you really want to do. Again, in this case, work experience really is key! Despite having a degree under your belt, the phrase "you have to work your way up" still applies.
4. Make the most of your Uni's career services. Most (if not all) Universities offer this service and it can be really useful. I used them when I was applying for placements and I honestly don't think I would have got the placement I wanted without them. They helped with my CV, cover letter and interview skills. I think the mock interview was the most valuable thing as it's what I struggle with the most. These kind of services are a lot harder to come by once you've graduated - and you'll struggle to get them for free too!
5. Take into consideration the physical and mental transition from Uni into work. This is something I discovered when I started my work placement. Whilst Uni (for me as a Psychology student) involved fewer hours in lectures and seminars, and more hours in the library doing independent studying which also involved later nights and later starts. Getting into a work routine was difficult for the first few weeks and it can be physically and mentally draining for a while. It's definitely something you get used to though.
Do you have any thoughts about post-Uni life? I'd love to know what you think and if you've had any different (or similar) experiences to me!
This month marks two years since I published my first post on High Street Beauty Junkie. Little did I know then how much I would actually gain from it! I'm not talking about financial gain - I've done a couple of sponsored posts but that was never my blogging goal. I've gained confidence in myself, in my writing, in my photography and so much more. This week I wanted to share a few things that I've learnt through blogging over the last 24 months.
1. Progress is important, but it isn't the be-all and end-all. I feel like I've progressed really well in the last two years - I've gained followers and opportunities that I never really thought I would. It's been slow in comparison to other bloggers who perhaps have more time and determination than me. I love seeing my blog grow but at the end of the day it is a hobby, not a full-time job, which I've managed alongside uni and work. Any progress and growth in my eyes is great, no matter what speed it's achieved at.
2. When blogging starts to feel like a chore, it's time to take a break - and that's okay! Blogging is a great hobby to have, but it's tough work to keep up all the time. Sometimes I'm just not inspired to write or I have no new content to upload and so I'll take a couple of weeks away from blogging until I get my mojo back. I used to feel guilty when I did this, as if I was neglecting my little space and my followers. Now I know that my wellbeing needs to come first, and if I'm not up to it then that's fine. Plus it means I come back full of new ideas and inspiration!
3. Hard work pays off and has opened up lots of exciting opportunities for me. Despite it only being a hobby on the side, I do put a lot of time and effort into my blog. I work hard to maintain it and try to post every week. From the hard work I've put in, I've been offered many great opportunities. From sponsored posts with clients such as Panasonic and Loccitane, to attending events in London, to reviewing a 4* hotel, it sometimes seems a little unreal that little old me earned these opportunities! I've also been featured in The Guardian, The Tab and in multiple listicles of top student bloggers, all of which have been very exciting and surreal.
4. Blogging has allowed me to meet some amazing people over the last two years. This goes hand in hand with the last point but along with events I've attended, I've also met some incredible people along the way. There are way too many to name all of them but I'll leave some of my favourite photos below! I'd be lost without our little Whatsapp group now and I'm so happy I've met bloggers that I can go to local events with.
At the end of January, I surprised Tim with a few days away in the beautiful city of York for his birthday. Having only visited once before when I was 9 years old, I did a lot of research beforehand about what was best to do and see to make the most of our three days there. We had a really great time and managed to do a hell of a lot, and now I want to share with you what I thought was worth doing and why! I'm aware that some of these are super tourist-y - but they're popular for a reason! Here's my top five:
1. Walk along the historic City Walls: York is showered in history and culture, some of which can be explored by walking along the 3.4km of city walls. There are some fantastic views along the way to enjoy and best of all it's completely free.
2. Climb up Clifford's Tower: built in 1068, Clifford's Tower is another cultural must-see. Situated on a hill, the views once you're up at the top of the castle are beautiful. Despite the fact it was cold and foggy when we went up, it was still a great way to see across the whole of the city. Admission prices are around £5 per person, which in comparison to other attractions in York is pretty good.
3. Visit York Dungeons: If you fancy a bit of a scare whilst also learning about York's history along the way, the York Dungeons are a perfect novelty attraction. Tickets start at £10 per person and include over an hour's interactive entertainment from amateur actors. I've never been a huge fan of learning about history but the York Dungeons manage to make it an enjoyable experience at the same time.
York Minster
4. Go for a drink (or four...): York famously accommodates 365 bars a pubs - one for each day of the year. Basically, there's a bar for EVERYONE in York. For a more student-y vibe, check out The Graduate, a small chain bar with some great cocktails (which are £3 on certain nights!). If you're looking for a more traditional pub, try out The Old Starre Inn which boasts its historic roots and has a really cosy atmosphere inside. For a cool bar with a great selection of beers and gins (and an amazing tapas menu) I'd definitely recommend Sotano's. It was one of my favourite finds in York!
5. Get lost: No I don't mean this as an insult. Accidentally getting lost in York on our first day (mainly due to my terrible navigation skills) was one of the best things we could've done. There are so many quirky little lanes and streets to check out in York that you might miss if you stick to a particular route. In my opinion, it was the best way to explore and get to know the city.
I really hope this helps if you're planning to visit York soon - and of course I'd love to know if you have any recommendations. I can't wait to visit again in the future!
