what i wore last week | university edition

Over the past couple of months, I have started to think a little more about what I am wearing rather than my classic jeans, white top, denim jacket and vans. I bought a new pair of jeans last month from Asos and a cardigan from Monki in September and they have been my new favourite thing to wear.

So over this past week, I have thought a lil more about what I have been wearing trying to put a lil more effort in however that is not always the way. It was also very cold Tuesday morning for my 9am so the beanie did come out.

MONDAY

Top - Misguided

Belt - Forever 21

Jeans - Asos

Coat - New Look 

Shoes - Nike Air Force 1's

TUESDAY 

Hat - Primark

T-shirt - Asos

Jumper - Primark

Jacket - Misguided

Jeans - Topshop

Shoes - Nike Air Force 1's

WEDNESDAY

Top - H&M

Jumper - New Look 

Coat - New Look

Belt - Forever 21

Jeans - Asos

Socks - Asos

Shoes - Nike Air Force 1's

THURSDAY

T-shirt - H&M

Hoodie - Tala

Coat - New Look

Leggings - Tala 

Shoes - Nike Air Force 1's 

FRIDAY

Top - H&M 

Belt - Forever 21

Jeans - Asos

Coat - New Look

Shoes - Nike Air Force 1's

I really enjoyed doing this post and hope you have enjoyed seeing a lil bit of fashion content on my blog! Thank you so much for reading and hopefully, I'll be back with another post soon. 

back at university | life update 03

I have now officially been back in Leicester for a month and I thought it was time to write an update on here, for you guys but also for me.

Throughout the summer I imagined how my life would be when I come back to University and boy was I wrong. Honestly, I imagine things so much that when they don't actually happen I almost get upset over it but for no reason. It's weird. I think that's why I love watching tv shows and films so much because I can easily escape reality. However, just because it isn't how I imagined doesn't mean I am not enjoying it. 

My new accommodation is so amazing, I bloody love it. I have my own little studio flat, so no sharing a kitchen with anyone and having a fridge/freezer all to my self!!!! I even have a cute little 2 person sofa, which is surprisingly very comfy. I have fairy lights all across one wall, photos everywhere, a giant Avengers Endgame poster above my bed, my lil pop vinyls dotted around the room and this year I have a cute little house plant! I did manage to break the plant pot so that doesn't look as cute now but it is still alive. I am feeling very content in my room. I just need a few more photos and some pillows for my sofa (which are at home) and then expect a room tour, at some point.

University itself has been good. I am in every day which isn't brilliant but some days I am only in for 1/2 hours, however 2 days a week I am in till 6pm which isn't the best thing. I have also been blessed with my first 9am. The modules for 2nd year and very interesting so far, apart from one but you can't love em all. I am currently doing one optional module till December and then I have another optional module that starts in January for 2nd semester. I picked 'Media & Crime' for this semester and Policing for 2nd semester - originally I picked 'Forensic Investigation' but they had to cancel it due to a lack of lecturers. 

Since my last update (last November) I have done a lot. I had a lovely long summer that started back at the end of May - the 23rd to be exact. I spent most of my summer at work, but when I wasn't at work I was spending as much time as I can with my friends which was lovely.

In August it was my mum's birthday and honestly, we had the best day! We took our dog, Pickle for a walk around a local nature reserve and then I treated mum to Afternoon Tea at the cutest Vintage Victorian Tea Room. We got a pot of tea and some sandwiches to start off with, and then a cake stand which had 4 MASSIVE slices of cake and 2 scones. We shared the red velvet cake and took the other 3 slices home, my brother ate one of them. We then went and got our nails done as we had wanted them done for a while and luckily they weren't very busy. We ended the day with a meal at Annie's Burger Shack in Derby - which I was very overdressed for.

Overall I had such a lovely summer and I was sad when it was over but I was ready for University. As I mentioned my timetable isn't too bad, especially as I am only in till 11am on Friday's and next semester I have them off!! I also get an 'enhancement week' this year so I am going home for the first week of November which will be lovely. I'll get to snuggle with my dog and the cats if they move, as well as spend time with my family and hopefully see my aunt!

I have quite a few exciting things that will be happening over the next year, and I am so excited. I feel like the rest of 2019 will be great, and hopefully, 2020 will be just as good. I say this like there isn't still 2 months left of the year. They will go quickly though I am sure, soon it will be Christmas and then New Year!

Anyway, that is enough from me. I hope you enjoyed this lil update. Hopefully some more posts will be coming soon as I have an exciting few weeks and some good ideas. Thank you for reading!

university room tour | first year

I thought it was finally time I got round to share my university accommodation, especially as semester 2 has just finished so I only have exams left to go of my first year. I am currently located on the ground floor of my halls so the lighting is terrible most of the time, especially as I only have one window which isn't that big and we have offices just behind us.

First of all, what you see when you walk through the door. Underneath those jackets and hoodies, there is my wardrobe which contains all my clothes, washing basket, a box of lush bath bombs I got for my birthday and on top of it is actually covered in an empty box, appliances I use but not that often and my toilet roll.

Just before the wardrobe on the left is the bathroom, as I was lucky enough to be blessed with an ensuite room. The bathroom itself is a pretty decent size considering this is student accommodation, the shower, however, is big enough for me but a little too small for my liking - my shower next year is a lot bigger.

As you leave the bathroom, there are 2 hooks on the wall opposite it. This is where I keep my coat and my rucksack - which I use every day for uni.

The overview of my entire room, which I must say was quite difficult to take because of the layout but I managed to sit on my desk for the first shot - which looks very plain and boring. Also exposing the random mess at the top of my wardrobe.

Just underneath my radiator is where I keep all the shoes that I wear the majority of the time and as you can see, I have a wide range of colours...

The shelves above my desk. These have been changed so much since I have been living here, and just recently they were covered in birthday cards but I finally took them down last week. The first shelf is home to the box sets I bought with me - Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother and Gilmore Girls. Along with a couple of DVDs - Pitch Perfect 1-3, Girls Trip and Solo: a Star Wars Movie. I also have a reed diffuser as we aren't allowed candles or plug-ins in our uni rooms, so I have one in my room and one in my bathroom - both from home bargains. The second shelf is home to my skincare, makeup palettes, water bottle, a travel mug (free from my uni) and cinnamon - for my coffee machine.

Finally, my favourite bit, the pinboard. As you can see I decided to cover it in photos along with some concerts tickets at the bottom (the ones I have been to so far this year), my calendar (solo: a star wars story) and 2 cinema tickets - Captain Marvel and Five Feet Apart. 

So, that is my university room! It isn't the biggest or the best but compared to other accommodation I have seen at other University I think I am quite lucky. My room is also next to the kitchen so I can sneak into the kitchen without the light in the corridor turning on. Thank you for reading and I hope you have enjoyed this snapshot of my uni accommodation and how I decided to decorate it.

Meg x 

feeling more myself | life update 02

It is finally time for me to sit down and tell you all about how I have been doing the past couple of months, since my last life update back in June when I finished my A-Levels. 

LIFE UPDATES:

• I spent the majority of the summer working at my 'part-time' job at a kids holiday club. I love my job and I had so much fun going in every day of the six week holiday and then during term time as well. It was strange when I said goodbye to them as I know I will be going back in Easter.
• I FINALLY moved into university. Now you're probably sat there thinking 'No sh*t Megan, we already know that' but honestly it has been one of my biggest achievements and I am so proud of my self for actually coming and not changing my mind at the very last minute. 
• I am now studying (BA) Criminology at De Montfort University in Leicester

• I went to Leeds to visit one of my friends from school, as she is now studying at the University of Leeds. I went up Friday 22nd October after I finished lectures and ended up coming home on the Sunday evening because it was a little too much for me to get the train home alone (as this was my first train journey alone) - anxiety won basically. Apart from my anxiety making me an emotional mess I was so proud that I managed to make it to Leeds in the first place and had the loveliest time visiting my friend, visiting a new city and comparing out university accommodations!

• I went home for a day on Wednesday 26th October and got to spend most of the day with my brother and my friends. I took a trip to Home Bargains and Tesco (exciting I know!) to stock up on diffusers from my room as the Christmas ones were in and they make my university room smell amazing - my room currently smells of 'gingerbread' and my bathroom smells of 'warm apple and cinnamon'.
• For Halloween, my flat decided to host a party on Saturday 27th October and it was interesting to the say the least, but what do you expect for a university flat party! 

• I have been officially been at University for 6 weeks now (5 'teaching' weeks) and honestly, I am loving every second of it. It did take me a while to adjust and get used to things but that always happens when you go to a new place or start living somewhere new. I have finally got a routine down here (I think) and I am actually feeling more motivated to do my work as well because at first I was struggling to get my head around all the new 'content' and all the assessments I have due in December.
• My room is starting to feel a lot more like home. In the first 2 weeks, I moved things around a lot and (I think) I have finally got everything the way I want it apart from my pin board as I am in the process of ordering some more photos and quotes to fill it up a little more. 

I hope you enjoyed these little life updates about me going off to University and starting the next step of my life. I am so excited to share my university journey with you over the next 3 years, I am ready to see what the future brings.

meg x 

my recent purchases | student lock-in & online shopping

I have been MIA for a few weeks but that is because I moved into University on the 22nd September, which in all honestly seems like forever ago but in reality, it has only been just over 3 weeks. I (think) I am finally getting into the swing of things after 2 weeks of lectures and 1 week of the 'introduction'/freshers week.

Now that I am having to buy everything myself I have decided to create an expense sheet on 'google sheets' and honestly it is helping me quite a lot especially as wasn't planning to do this originally. In this post, I thought I'd share the 'treats' that I have bought for my self over the past couple of weeks whilst I have been at University using the wonderful thing that is student discount via unidays or studentbeans.

The first item I picked up was from Jack Wills because there was 30% off and I have a weakness for their joggers, they are the comfiest things ever! I would never pay full price for them as they are a little expensive but I saved around £15 off them which was amazing. These are actually my 4th pair, one I have left at home, one has a massive hole in so I cannot wear anymore, one pair are actually my brothers but they are too small for him, and finally my new pair. I picked up the Bakershill Soft Skinny Joggers in Black.

Next was an item I have had my eye on for a long time, and their website, Urban Decay, had 20% off and free shipping!!!!! So, of course, I had to purchase it. It is the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray.

The sticker in the photo below was kindly sent to me by my favourite band Kovic. They sent their logo sticker to everyone who has recently made a purchase of their website, I bought their new album Running Underwater which I showed in august playlist post. 

Onto the 'student lock-in' event that Highcross shopping centre Leicester hosted on Tuesday 9th October. The first place we headed to after the queue to get in was Urban Outfitters as it is the first shop on the left when you walk in. If you have read my blog for a while then you will know that I am obsessed with the Mario Badescu facial spray with aloe, herbs and rosewater. In recent months they have brought out 2 new sprays, and I finally caved and bought them. I got the facial spray with aloe, cucumber and green tea, and the facial spray with aloe, chamomile and lavender.

Next, I purchased something very random that I had never considered buying but knew I wanted to try one. That is a Two-Faced Melted Matte Long Wear Lipstick in the shade Child Star - soft nude' 

The final thing I picked up at the 'student lock-in' was from MenKind... I am a massive pop vinyl fan and already have 3, well 4 now actually. I got the Solo Story: Han Solo pop vinyl, so the younger version of Han Solo played by Alden Ehrenreich. As soon as I got back to the flat he came out of the box and straight onto my favourite shelf in my university room. 

I hope you enjoyed this lil haul of the 'treats' I have bought myself since moving to University. I am sorry for going MIA but I have honestly been having such a wonderful time I forgot about my blog for a bit and wasn't sure what to write. Hopefully, there will be a new life update post at the end of October to update you on how I am doing at university. 

what is something you have always wanted to buy but never have because it was 'too' expensive?

meg x 

what i am taking with me to university | a basic guide for you

If you have been reading my blog for a while, or even just the past year or so, then you will know that I am off to University this month. Saturday to be exact. So I have been shopping around for everything I will need to take with me, as I am going to be living in University accommodation also known as halls.

I thought I'd give you a basic list of what I have bought to take to University, but to a too in-depth one that lists every item of clothing, skincare or make-up I am taking with me.

this post contains amazon affiliate links below 

BEDROOM

• Pillows 
• Duvet
• Bedding (duvet covers) x2
• Mattress protector 
• Single air bed (for guests)
• Doorstop
• Airer (clothes horse)
• Tote shopping bags

• Fairy lights - primark do cheap battery powered ones! I got some of mine for 50p. 
• Clear command hooks - small & medium
• Blue tack - amazon
• Extension cable
• Portable charger
• Phone charger
• Laptop 
• Laptop Charger
• Favourite TV boxsets- Gilmore Girls, Big Bang Theory & Miranda
• Favourite Films- Girls Trip, Pitch Perfect (1-3), Trolls, Clueless, Pirates of the Caribbean (1-5)
• New Books- Surprise Me, To All The Boys I've Loved Before (1-3)
• Playing cards - amazon
• Photos - I got mine from free prints (app) and I got 30 images for £1.50
• Washi tape - wilko
• Sellotape 
• Make-up storage
• Light up Mirror

STUDYING

• Printer - amazon
• Printer paper
• Post-it-notes
• Labels/stickers - wilko
• Pencil case - pens, pencils, highlighters, rubber, ruler, sharpener, fine-liners, stapler & hole-puncher.
• Desk lamp & light bulb - wilko
• Notebooks - 2x A4, 1x A5
• Rucksack - vans

BATHROOM

• Hand towel
• 2 x Large towel
• Bath mat
• Head towels

• Period supplies
• Shower gel
• Shampoo & conditioner
• Razors
• Sewing Kit
• First aid kit - plasters, blister plasters, paracetamol, ibuprofen, strepsils and cold & flu sachets
• Laundry bag
• Small bin - amazon
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush holder - wilko
• Toilet roll

• Bleach
• Hand soap
• Defuser - most students accommodation don't allow plug-in air fresheners so this will be perfect to put in the bathroom or even in the room to keep it fresh.  
• Clothes
• Anti-bacterial wipes

KITCHEN/COOKING SUPPLIES

• Teapot
• Mugs 
• Drinks glasses
• Reusable tumbler - the range 
• Reusable coffee/tea mugs - chilly's 500ml tumbler
• Water bottle - chilly's 500ml bottles
• Coffee maker (tassimo) - amazon & argos
• Smoothie Maker - argos
• Slow cooker
• Plates, bowls & cutlery 
• Frying pan - ikea 
• 'Pasta' pans - ikea
• Baking tray
• Chopping boards - ikea
• Grater - ikea
• Peeler - ikea 
• Can opener - ikea 
• Colander
• Measuring jug

• Greaseproof paper 
• Foil
• Oven Gloves - wilko
• Scissors
• Sandwich boxes - different sizes
• Bags for food/freezing
• Tea towels
• Washing up bowl
• Washing up liquid
• Bin bags
• Kitchen cleaner spray

CUPBOARD ESSENTIALS

• Fry light - sainsbury's 
• Salt & Pepper
• PG tips
• Wholemeal pasta
• Noodles
• Red or green pesto
• Honey
• Nutella
• Oats
• Pot Noodles (obviously, what uni student doesn't take some?!)
• Snacks - chocolate, nature valley bars, brunch bars, biscuits & crisps. 

I hope this is helpful for those going to University this year or even next year. I move in on Saturday and I am feeling very mixed emotions about it all. Good Luck if you are also going off to University.

meg x 

Back to School | University of Lincoln Open Day

It is officially that time again for me to start looking at university's, and I am very very excited to start looking around again. When I first started looking at university's I automatically fell in love with Birmingham City University, but after waiting over a year I am beginning to properly look at them.

When I first started looking at Universities I had no idea what sort of campus I wanted to go to, where in the Country and most of all what subject I actually wanted to study. I originally looked at two campus based Universities and 3 city based ones, and realised that a city campus was defiantly for me. I didn't like the idea of being in the middle of nowhere, but for some people that is what they are looking for. For example I have a friend who has just started at Keele University which is basically in the middle of nowhere, but she adores it because she use to live in an area surrounded by fields. On the other hand I have a friend who is now in London at Westminster University and she loves that too because she is right next to the tube so can travel into Central London when ever she wants. It all depends on where you want to go, and where you can picture you're self for the next 3 years of your life.

So far I have booked 3 University open days for the University of Lincoln, Birmingham City University and De Montfort University. Saturday was the open day for Lincoln. My Dad and I spent the majority of the day up there, started off by registering and getting some booklets about the university before meeting my friend for lunch. As she has just started doing Law at Lincoln, so I had a nice catch up with her discussing the university, how she likes Lincoln and generally gossip about life. After having lunch we headed off to a talk about the course I want to do - Criminology. However we were too late, but we got to speak to another professor who teaches the degree along with a 3rd year Criminology student at the University. Therefore not only did I get to talk about the course, with a student I got to learn about the University and City from a students point of view which was wonderful.

After that we just decided to look around the city, did a little bit of shopping before walking up to the Cathedral. However I have decided if I chose to go to this University I will only be going back up 'steep hill' when family members are visiting or a need to go to a shop up there - only if its an emergency though!

Saturday was also Pride in Lincoln, so we got to witness the parade walking past us whilst eating lunch and seeing everyone dressed up for the occasion - was very pretty.

Thank you again for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.
Love Meg x