IT'S MY 18th BIRTHDAY!

5 May 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK

Finally... I am 18 years old! I'm just so excited I can barely keep still. Not only is it bank holiday Monday which means I have the day off school, it's not absolutely freezing as it was last year so I can really enjoy the day. However, I do have an extremely busy day ahead of me. First a meeting with the BBC, then a job interview, a meal with the family and finally an evening-in with my very best friends. Most 18-year-olds would jump at the chance to head to a crowded night club and spend their savings on so much alcohol they can't remember their last name. But there's plenty of time to do that, and today I feel like a fun-filled night-in with films, snacks, drinks, games and whatever else the night brings.
For that evening I'm wearing this electric blue jumper from Marks and Spencer. I love the really bring colour, and this jumper is 100% wool so I'll be warm if I decide to sit outside tonight. The jumper is the perfect length to go with these charcoal jeans from Miss Selfridge that I just can't seem to get enough of. I have two pairs of these, in different colours of course but charcoal is my very favourite. To match my jeans. I'm wearing my favourite coat I bought from Matalan in Autumn last year. This coat is faux fur lined with the softest material which means I can wrap up in it if it does get a little chilly. With me, I'm taking my everyday handbag from Next full of all my essentials and my boots, which I have recently become obsessed with are from a mysterious shop in Leeds. I'm assuming it was a charity shop or similar, but no one really knows. Anyway, these boots are super roomy as they can be tied tighter of left loose. They're strong and structured which makes them ideal for walking on terrain other than tarmac.
Now, to begin the celebrations!
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TINY BAGS AND SUEDE SHOES

3 May 2014

2 days 'til my birthday! I'm so excited I can't wait. The 5th is literally around the corner and I am thrilled to be turning 18. As it's Saturday, I'm heading out to Leeds for a spot of much-needed window shopping in anticipation for my birthday. 
My stripy jumper was made by my mum, and she actually made this for herself, but I decided it's better suited in my wardrobe. The white and charcoal striped jumper is made out of jersey so it's super stretchy and soft to wear all-day. It's also quite warm to wear to and walking between shops. My jacket is from F&F at Tesco which I originally bought for a formal, dressed up dinner but decided to wear it for more casual occasions like shopping because it's thin but extremely warm. The fabric is thin enough to fold down or carry as it's really lightweight, but it is lined with a wool-like material which makes it toasty for window shopping. My jeans are blue high-waisted jeans from Next which are so comfortable they're almost like jeggings. I have two paired of these in charcoal and blue - they are always my go-to for a day out in jeans where I know I'll be wearing them all day. They have that extra bit of elastic which makes them soft like Topshop jeans and durable too. My handbag is my everyday handbag, also from Next which I love for days out shopping because it doesn't weigh me down! I have owned a lot of handbags in the past that just get really heavy and I get tired of carrying them for a while, but this bag is light even though it's decorated with large buckles, and it has two modes as a bag on the wrist, or a shoulder bag. The adjustable strap also means I can put it around me rather than just carry it on one shoulder.
Finally, my shoes are from Brantano, however the make is Front. Suede, like real leather is durable for nearly every occasion, and I chose this hi-top style rather than a regular pump because I like the contrast of a formal shoes with casual elements. The thick sole on these shoes makes it easy to walk long distances and they are one of my favourite pairs!
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TRIPLE LEATHER

2 May 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
It's finally Friday! The three-day weekend, and birthday celebrations for me are in the midst. It's the last day of my 15-hour exam and what drama there has been! First, a swarm of wasps suddenly appeared in the exam room and I have never been so terrified. I've never been stung by a bee or wasp so I don't know what to expect, but I was the first person out of the classroom and the last one back in. Then the entire school system suddenly shut down, which isn't idea during a graphics exam when you're using Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro to edit film and photos. Finally, there was a little bit of a flood after the water dispenser decided to leak. So my exam has been eventful to say the least. But today is the last day, all networks are running and we have hopefully seen the last of the wasps. 
My leather jacket is from Miss Selfridge, and I'm wearing this because it has been quite chilly outside recently, but it extremely warm in my exam room with all the computers running so I can take it off whenever I need to. My stripy dress was made by my mum, and the fabric is jersey which is great for an all-day exam like mine because it's a soft and stretchy material which means it will be comfortable as I'm sat working for five whole hours. I chose the material from a fabric shop and I loved the 'broken' effect in the stripes, rather than solid lines.
My tights are simple plan black, 40 denier tights from Marks and Spencers, and my bag is one I bought in Spain while on holiday in Salou last year. It's great for today because I don't have an huge folders to carry with me, but I do have my iPad and notebook so I need a strong leather bag to shield them from the cold weather. Lastly, my boots are were a gift from a family member and essential for today as it looks as if it could rain, and waterproof leather is always my first choice.
Leather is one of my favourite materials because of it's durability and strength as well as it's variety in colour and style. Leather comes in nearly every clothing form, as well as accessories and shoes which puts it at the top of my list.
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NEXT WHITE JASMINE AND APRICOT BLOSSOM CANDLE REVIEW

25 February 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
 I am really excited about this review because it's a product I really love. If you've been reading my blog and following me on social networks (linked above) for a while, you'll know that I have a small but healthy obsession with candles. I like that they fill a room with a great aroma and they looks great too. As mentioned in a previous post, I quite like a fruity or floral scent which are the two candles I have chosen. The White Jasmine and Apricot Blossom candles from next were £3.50 each and have 15 hours burning time which I bought from the 'home' section inside a Next store. What I really like about these sets of candles in particular is that they come in different forms. You can buy them (with the same smells, plus plenty others) in different sized candles and even incense which you can burn the make the scent even stronger. What I also like about these candles is that they are filled with a genuine aura and the wax isn't too strong that it's overbearing either.
I have previously bought candles from shops such as B&M and Home Bargains as I was simply after some sweet smelling candles, but I found that when I burnt them, they didn't smell very nice, or quite 'waxy' in comparison to some of the previous candles I have bought by Glade and Air Wick. These two candles from Next, which I have started burning today still smell really good, and the design/pattern on the tub looks great when lit up. The tins they come in are also metal, so I don't feel uncomfortable trying to light them as I sometimes do with glass. The wick is tall enough so I can actually light the candle without burning my fingers.
I really love these candles and hope to go back to get more as there were several more fragrenced candles that I would like to try!
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