getting things done

   with one day to go the countdown to the last hours of 2014 begin...
unfortunately I'll be working until late so no big plans except for a champaign filled night snuggled under our new bear rug watching cheesy New Years countdown programmes and reflecting on 2014.

New Years resolutions are beginning to take action. - However, thinking of resolutions is usually as hard as sticking to them so if you're lost for ideas, think about your wants from the year, what you've told yourself off for, ways in which will make you happier, places you want to visit, people you want to see... Write everything down and finalise your top 4-6 - don't be afraid to challenge yourself. This year I succeeded in visiting the Angel of the North and not dying my hair once!

Mine so far are to :

    - Stop biting my nails and picking off fresh nail vanish (Its simply a waste)

    - Try and succeed velcro hair rollers 

    - Regularly jog and squat

    - Team regular exercise with a better diet (Cut down on biscuits)

    - Stay motivated and positive about everything in my life

    - See Edinburgh!  

Here's a few easy ways to keep up with your plans:
    Screenshot your notes on your phone/tablet and make it your background
    Go crazy with Post-it notes to remind you not to take another biscuit from the jar
    Make notes on a Blackboard and check them off at the end
    Get arty on a canvas and make your plans permanent
    Download apps to remind you
    Even telling family or friends will encourage you as they notice everything, including your                 midnight snacking

Good luck with all your plans and make sure you keep focused on getting things done, have a happy new year bloggers and keep updated in 2015!

3 days to go

saturday I'll be home and seeing my rents for the first time since they dropped me off at uni in september, the excitement builds everyday as everyone asks me if I'm ready to go home or how much I miss my family and the answers are YES and LOTS. Everyone I know has been home or families been up to them but being 7 hours away its not that easy to make a quick trip home especially when I spent my first birthday away from home yesterday.
   However my boyfriend is at uni with me and completellllly spoilt me as I opened my door and unwrapped this, I was the happiest and luckiest girl on the planet.

After an afternoon at uni I treated myself to getting my nails done and bagged a few indian takeaway bargains (talking, 66p masala, rice and bombay potato) from Tesco and whizzed back to get ready for a meal from heaven at Millers and Carter Steakhouse. One huge starter of nachos, a bbq burger and sticky toffee pudding later I wrapped up in bed to HSM 1 with my boyfriend

Bracelet - Michael Kors

Monday I went for cocktails and pizza with my flatmates, wearing dark greys and blacks with a pop of colour in my favourite (most uncomfortable) shoes

Coat - Topshop

Scarf - French Connection (mens)

Clutch - Primark

Jeans  - Warehouse

Shoes - Miss Selfridge

Top - M&S 

Necklace - New Look

All in all greaat bday, with a cute care package sent up from my family I am feeling so thankful and happy so many people wanted to celebrate with me. Massive THANKS

and so.... with my birthday out the way and a deadline tomorrow I have to go. I'll be blogging again end of the week perhaps before I go home or when I'm snuggled in my real bed, updating you on the weeks happenings and my trip to the Angel of the North !

E

xmas wish list

so its my birthday soon and I have been searching like a crazy person for ideas to ask friends and family.
   Being in December I have to look for birthday and Xmas presents for people to buy which is sooo difficult. Also thinking ahead, the rest of the year I must go present-less so have to consider what makeup will run out in the year or winter crop tops that will also work in the summer..

And because I'm either busy in uni or at cheer training I never have time to go into town so I took to the internet ... Days and days of soul searching I narrowed down to some beloved must haves. I love minimal, tailored and Isabel Marant but unfortunately no one has a budget for that!
  So here is a few ideas from my high street birthday/Xmas wish list if you too are stuck for ideas:

  Ladies if you're looking for a man like me and you're finding it ridiculously difficult, the 'Shop for Him' icon on Topshop,com - Christmas, is great, also searching for quirky ideas from 'Not on the High Street' is a plan. ASOS have tonnes of brands under one website so it won't have you jumping through websites.

Think about little things he likes, favourite sweets - buy jumbo box from Amazon/Ebay or local wholesale. Does he like a new style but isn't sure if he'll suit it - buy and gift receipt (men are indecisive so we have to take the reigns). Is there a favourite place he wants to visit,  a football ground - stadium tour, see someone live he loves - a comedian, singer, West end show. Could you afford to escape to a B&B or stretch to a nice hotel with dinner for the night? Does he love pizza - Pizza Express do pizza making lessons, cocktail/alcohol lover - take him to a cocktail making class, Ice Bar London, then make the day of it, go shopping, free museums (The Tate, V&A, Natural History)

  Just a few ideas for you there...don't stress, good luck!

roll necks are back

   I can't believe I'm saying this but the 90s turtle neck is back and I've fallen hard for it.

Oversized, cropped, knit, jersey, cashmere... the list goes on. So far this year I have added three more to my collection, Primark, Zara and Warehouse. They go with everything in your wardrobe from wool coats, capes and fur soles for the chilly days, to party shorts and leather skirts for the party season.

Photos courtesy of Pinterest

Since moving up to Newcastle I have become absolutely obsessed with expensive shops I cannot afford - Reiss' shapes and colours and The White Company's amazingly soft, beautiful cashmere! Pricing in the region of £125 its a little more out of my budget but check online and they are offering 30% Seasonal Offers so now's the time to plea for Christmas!

http://www.thewhitecompany.com/clothing/knitwear/

   Here's a breakdown of how you can shop catwalk knock-offs from the shops we love ~

Warehouse - £45 Tuck into a leather skirt for a night out

ASOS - £35 Wear with ripped boyfriend jeans or leggings and wear with an oversized boyfriend coat 

New Look - £9.99 Team simply with a camel coat or oversized wool scarf and dark high waisted jeans

Topshop - £44 Wear high fashion with a midi pleated skirt

River Island - £25 Dress for a party with leather leggings or sequin shorts and barely there sandals

Shop the Look ~

ASOS Skirt - £55  Miss Guided Jeans 29.99  PrettyLittleThing Coat £55  

Next Coat £65  New Look Jeans £34.99  UNIQLO Skirt £19.90

River Island Leggings £18  Topshop Shorts £36  River Island Shoes £45

E

hectic days

at last I have one hour to just blog !

   Last week I had a reading week which I read as being 'do nothing week' but no. I had a million things to do and every time I sat down to blog the thousands of things I had set ready to write I found another thing to do. But finallllly things have gone back to 'normal'.
One of my recent projects has been a shop report on Burberry which looks at their layouts, merchandising, store stock and website. I can safely say I am now Burberry obsessed. Here's a few cheeky previews of my work for you -

Currently sat in my halls kitchen listening to David Guetta classics with a bun higher up on my head then you could shake a stick at, my fluffy leopard dressing gown and rabbit slippers, I can't imagine I'll be going out within the next hour, but that is uni life.

   I'll probably wear my new Topshop purchase (bad student example-did not need) (but very much wanted) A top/dress in the most beautiful crepe fabric, of course in my favourite colour, which I pretty much wear every day with jeans/leggings/tights and at night with heels

   Last Friday I wore it all day and decided to wear it to a Halloween house party with no plan to go out afterwards so wore ballet flats... SUCH a bad decision for a dwarf like me. We then decided to go out on the busiest night in Newcastle everrrr and I felt so short all night but I could bounce up and down like a maniac when 'Shake it Off' by Swifty came on... every cloud..

 Top - Topshop 

Jeans - Warehouse 

Necklace - H&M

 Cardigan - Warehouse

  Totally obsessed with roll necks and camel coloured everything right now, next week I'll do a style post on how to's and where to go,

E

beauty reviews

As a make up/hair/body product buyer fanatic (that is a mouthful), I believe myself to have some seriously strong opinions on some beauty products and forever am trying to tell people of my latest findings or something I want everyone to steer clear of..
   Advertisement of these products is massive so trying not to view everything as 'I NEED that' and ranking them high on our Christmas lists only to discover its awful is proving difficult.
   In this post I want to highlight to you the great, the 'ok' and plain bad of what I have bought into.

I'm no professional and my views might only account for me but if you've had similar or the same thing happen comment below or add your personal experience to make us all a bit more beauty savvy.

E

AW14 shirts explained

   Everyone knows a white shirt is the key to elegance for formal and casual occasions and every season white shirts are tailored with the next 'in thing'. As a white shirt lover I have been on the hunt for the perfect shirt for years and finallllly nailed my ultimate fave ~

http://www.warehouse.co.uk/relaxed-white-shirt/shirts-&-blouses/warehouse/fcp-product/4423097100

Its effortless, comfortable and versatile. I wear mine alone with statement jewellery and boyfriend jeans or with brights against signature monochrome for a change~

Shirt - Warehouse

Jumper - Warehouse

Gilet - Topshop

 (Top to bottom) New look - Topshop 

Top Left - Victoria Beckham

(all other photos courtesy of Pinterest) 

This autumn/fall try effortless chic by styling a stiff white shirt with a long skirt with a bold colour or print. Or try layering up with a checked or striped shirt popping out under a dark jumper and simple coat for casual sophistication.

   Try these quick links to build your look ~

Uniqlo - £14.90
http://www.uniqlo.com/uk/store/goods/086570?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=comparsionshopping&utm_campaign=googleproducts&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=Product_Feed&network=google_pla&utm_terms=&device=c&gclid=Cj0KEQjwq52iBRDEvrC12Jnz6coBEiQA2otXAsD-WxcZXGq0w7lzUJPcI3mPZW7yOYOUxljEzEgJjDsaAkDK8P8HAQ

Zara - £25.99 

http://www.zara.com/uk/en/woman/knitwear/boat-necked-sweater-c269190p2038028.html

Topshop - £40.00

http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/jeans-446/moto-black-ripped-leigh-jeans-3433584?bi=1&ps=200

Missguided - £39.99

http://www.missguided.co.uk/catalog/product/view/id/130992/s/lena-cocoon-coat-black/

made in chelsea mondays

HURRAY my life is back to normal, Made in Chelsea is back!

   now at 9oclock if I go out I can still pre drink watching MIC in the corner of my eye.
The adverts are always so dramatic. Louise now has her New York lover in Chelsea, surprise ex boyf Andy is back and getting jealous. Lucy is as per, stirring the pot whilst squinting and rolling eyes of hate to everyone and anyone.

Surprise, Alex is trying to win Binky back with his over hair sprayed quiff. And Jamie is angry at his 'mate' Proudlock for getting with ex ex ex ex ex girlfriend, squints. (Lucy)
   I have discovered every episode you are bound to see:
- Two people who hate each other randomly meet in a park or side street (what are the odds?)
- Someone moaning and drinking tea in a living room
- A huge party, where the music is low and awkward dancing is a regular
- Spencer is chasing after another girl

   However, as set up as it is, I love it. And can't stop being addicted and girl crushing on Louise ...her clothes and hair are just too dreamy

 London Fashion Week 

 Now tell me that ombre isn't done to perfection.
    Made In Chelsea is back tonight - E4 at 9pm 

E

sunday catch up

morning all ,
   This weeks been pretty packed, every day starts half asleep at 9 and finishes half asleep at 4, consists of a different night on the toon (town) or movie in bed - Thursday was Gatsby, which ranks high on my favourite films evvver, which I watched eating popcorn with my corn intolerant friend.. she will never learn

Saturday I took to cheer try outs - 1 of 60 potential cheerleaders.We had to show a bit of stunting where I haven't roly-poly'd since I was 9, also trying out handstands into crab and experimental cartwheels (aced that). Then because I'm short I became the flyer, which I loooved.
I became lifted into the air by my feet, stabilised by two shaking hands gripped to my thighs and told to smile and lock my body. They said I looked good (I'm going with that)
Then we had to demonstrate our flexibility. Left, right and box splits, pike jumps, crab (again). For some reason my body tried to resemble an elastic band that day because I was surprised by my achievements and haven't been able to do it since.
Then it took to the dance. Half an hour of practising a routine which made my arms, head and legs move in completely opposite directions to different beats. Then finally...
   after the 4 hour day, 10 were picked for the stunt team  and 4 specially picked for the dance team........and, I got in!
   Wednesday was not a happy day for my body, aching from my neck down to my toes. But YAY

Today's Sunday and I'm popping into town for some food bits and a sneaky peak in the shops I can't afford -
E

 Jumper - Primark

Coat - Zara kids
Bag - Longchamp 

 Leggings - H&M
Shoes - River Island

longchamp love

Monday was the first day of studio lessons. Went for my favourite style statement - monochrome with a splash of brights - 

Jumper - Warehouse
Cigarette Trousers - Topshop
Shoes - River Island
Bag - Longchamp

 Fur - Topshop

Rings - Pandora

Seriously in love with my Longchamp. I own two and they are the biggest investments I've made into items of clothing, but I use them near to every day, they have lasted me over a year and can carry a few books without looking empty, to an entire weekends clothes. They are simple elegance I think so will seriously recommend!  Longchamp le Pliage Tote in black - £68 Selfridges
E

freshers

Moving day - 

   So I am officially moved in !

Newcastle being known for the coldest place on earth had let the sun out to a comfortable 15 degrees for an easy move into my flat, despite managing the packed lift to my floor filled with other stressed out parents, moaning siblings and neglected moving boxes. My room was set up within an hour and I felt as good as being home. Being treated to my last (good) dinner from my family, I slumped back to my flat afterwards where I was to be released into the world of independence and bad cooking.

Freshers - 

    I had been told we would have 'fresher reps' which are a god sent if you are lucky enough to have them. But we missed out, so flats in our building never mixed and we didn't know the good, bad and cheap places of the town, resulting in quite a quiet, but expensive and unsociable freshers. Luckily! my flat are all friendly and we are all very similar, making it easy to get along and go out as and when we all wanted where we met  other students.

In the first week I had an introductory lecture for my course where I was determined to talk to the girls I was next to and luckily found they were more than happy to talk to me. Being freshers, everyone wants to be friends with anyone, so whether I turned up looking like Rihanna's twin or a sloth I would have had the same response. 

    A week in now I feel settled, happy and perhaps ready to brave the supermarkets with my new found allowance (woo) (purely for food purposes), stay tuned for my goss and excitement of the adventures (hardly adventures) I encountered.

ADVISE TO ALL NEW FRESHERS  - 

Whoever it is, be friends with everyone, never burn your bridges, you never know who surprises you. 

Whether you're crying inside, don't give up, its only the first week, if you get home sick talk to your tutor or if you have a student union.

When your in your room, leave the door open. This helped me a lot. It makes you appear friendly to your flat mates who are equally as nervous as you are. 

Most of all HAVE FUN but eat fruit and take vitamins on the regular or you'll end up with those dreaded words. Freshers flu.
E

student life

So, whoever may be reading this...
   I have officially began my new life at university in the coldest place known to man in the UK . Newcastle. Originally a southern girl I'm not used to changing my shoes quite so many times in the day due to them forever getting wet due to the continuous rain. Many things are different in comparison to 'home' and I plan to update this blog on all my adventures (lectures and comments on halls and living as a student) to all those who may be in the same boat, looking back on the good old days or looking forward to student life.
I'm yet to discover the joys of the washing room, 1 hour waiting for a wash for £2.50, followed by another hour waiting for the tumble dryers, £1.75. Equally, on the edge of my seat waiting for my first food shop..the joys.

This blog won't just be about the hard (amazing) life of a student, I'll include daily/weekly outfit posts that are affordable ..as I am a student and have no money now, and some beauty/hair posts, if I'm feeling adventurous.

  So here's to the first blog post of themissingkardashian  ..sparked by my devoted love to 'keeping up' with the family that has had me hooked since I can remember and sharing features of only long dark hair and nothing else..

E