A brief catch up!

Bonfire Night.

Hey, so I've not been posting much lately sadly. I realise I am only a fairly new blogger on here but life has been so extremely hectic lately! I finished my undergraduate degree at university last July and have since gone on to start a PGCE teaching Secondary Science, which really is a massive hand full! I'm basically constantly doing work for university or planning lessons/ marking etc. So please excuse my lack of posts lately! 

Heres just a quick catch up on whats going on in my busy life at the moment...


I am teaching Science at a school in Blackpool and go to university once a week. I am still working as a safety steward at PNE FC when I can. I still go on lots of walks with my beautiful pooch Pennie and go to see my friends as often as I can. If I'm honest I havent really bought many beauty products lately as I've just been too busy to even really go look around shops! 

Heres my boyfriend and I at a Bonfire night last week enjoying the huge bonfire and firework display. 

Introducing Clown Pennie... This was on halloween.  

The other week on a long walk with my favourites I managed to find a leaf big enough to cover my face! 

Vampire and Invisible Man on Halloween. 

Show Girl Pennie again on Halloween... she loved dressing up really! (well she put up with it...) 

Pumpkin! 

For some reason it keeps making my eyes look scary on this photo, but thought I had to share it! I bought this wig for £1 from pound land! I actually look like a younger version of my aunt with this wig on too! I didn't end up wearing the wig out on a night out because I figured I'd just get too hot in it. 

So heres just a snippet of my life at the moment and I'll try to keep updating! 

K 

Lush Blogger Event!

Last Sunday myself and a few other bloggers attended a private blogger event at Lush Preston, the weather was horrible and miserable so unfortunately only a few of us could attend the event which was such a shame because of how fantastic the event actually was! Laura organised the event for us with Lush, and the amazing staff at Lush Preston really made the event great! 

The staff at Lush Preston supplied drinks and snacks for us and were really lovely, and they told us everything we needed to know about products and which products they love and would recommend. First we looked round the shop and got a load of free samples of all the different products we have always wanted to try, for example I got a free sample of D'fluff, Gold fun, various hand creams and some tooth tabs. I actually got that many free samples and also bought some of the products that my room currently smells like the Lush shop! I have only tried my sample of D'fluff so far this week and I've got to admit it smells so lovely and immediately leaves your skin feeling so smooth and soft, definitely a must have for shaving! 

We were then able to create our own Cinders bath bombs with some guidance from the staff, in fact they allowed us to make several of them! I am again yet to try my bath bomb but I'm sure it will be lovely and even a good gift to give to others.  

The event was a perfect chance to really get to know some of the Lush products, and I definitely came away from the event with a list of products I wanted to buy and try. The Christmas gift sets in Lush are also the perfect idea for gifts and I think I will be returning to treat some people this Christmas. 

It was such a lovely event, and the staff were amazing as always so a big thanks again for the event and for running such a great event! 

Hopefully another event will be hosted again at Lush Preston in the near future! 

So many lovely gift ideas for Christmas! 

Snowman Fun! Definitely a must have stocking filler or a perfect gift! 

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cookies! The Perfect Recipe! (Gluten Free)

A friend of mine posted some photos of some delicious cookies that she had made, and they looked so amazing! I got her to share the recipe with me as I just had to make some myself. I posted a photo of them on Instagram and Facebook and everyone told me how delicious they looked, so I had to share the recipe. 

The recipe is really so simple and easy and does not take long at all, in fact I made mine yesterday morning in no time at all. The recipe doesn't require a lot of ingredients, and is also gluten free (there is no flour involved). Once again this recipe is perfect for any peanut butter lovers out there! The cookies also have chocolate chunks in them but you can leave the chocolate out if you'd prefer a slightly healthier alternative.  

This has definitely become one of my favourite cookie recipes!

Ingredients: 

- 250g peanut butter (I used chunky but you can use smooth too).

- 150g sugar 

- 1 large egg, lightly beaten

- 1 tsp baking powder/soda

- 100g dark chocolate (chopped into small chunks, or use chocolate chips)

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees, line two baking trays with parchment paper or baking foil. 

2. Beat the peanut butter, sugar, egg and baking soda until well combined. 

3. Chop up the chocolate bar into small chunks.

4. Add chocolate chunks to the peanut butter mixture.

5. With lightly floured hands, roll tablespoon amounts of the dough into balls. 

6. Place dough balls 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.

7. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to another plate and let them cool. 

The cookies are also perfect whilst they are still slightly warm as the chocolate is all gooey and melted. 

Also, I aimed to get the chocolate chunks into the middle of the cookies so when they are bitten into the chocolate is all gooey and soft on the inside of the cookie. 

The recipe made about 14 cookies, and go perfectly with a cup of tea!  

Here is the original recipe if you'd prefer to follow this instead. The ingredients are slightly different to the ones I used. 

If anyone has any questions about the recipe please don't hesitate to ask! 

Going to University? Here's my advice and tips.

The Great Hall, Leeds.

Seeing as A level results came out this week and a lot of people will be heading off to university in September I thought I would do my own little post about my time at university (specifically moving to and living in halls), some tips I have for people going to university, and also some of the small regrets I have of my time at university. But don't get me wrong I absolutely loved my time at the University of Leeds really, but of course I have some small regrets and some things I would have liked to have done slightly differently. 

It is crazy to think that this time three years ago I had just got my A level results and had been offered a place at the University of Leeds. Without a doubt I loved my time at university and am 100% glad that I went and completed my degree. Even when times got tough, and when I got really stressed out and just wanted to pack it all in and quit, I am still so proud of myself for sticking it out and achieving my degree with a 2.1. The University of Leeds is a great university and would always recommend that people go there, Leeds is also a fantastic city and is always a great place to visit. 

First year was definitely the year where I changed so much, and partly grew into the person I am today. It is also the year where I made friendships which I hope will last the rest of my life. But it is also the year I had to put up with a lot of annoying crap. I went straight into halls and lived in a hall of 5 people, but fortunately I had an ensuite bathroom to myself. I do not miss halls at all, my other two years at university were definitely an improvement. 

Some people love halls, whereas I was definitely not a fan, at all. Halls are great for really social people, who love sharing everything, enjoy being kept up during the night, and love fire alarms at 7 in the morning after getting in from a night out at 4am. But like I said, other people love university halls. 

The Parkinson building, Leeds.

Some of my own tips for people going to university:

- Don't take anything of value into halls, or at least keep them in your own room. Things will get taken, used or broken. I had a roommate who ate most of my food so I ended up storing most of it in my room, and I also had another flatmate who broke my digital camera, not on purpose but whilst dropping it when drunk. You might think your stuff will be safe, but again it is always best to be on the safe side. 

- Following on from my previous tip; take insurance out on your belongings.

- Take a prom/smart dress. You will want one in your first weeks at university especially with all the events and parties such as the Freshers Ball. 

- Try to find your future flatmates on Facebook/ Twitter etc before actually moving in. It is a great way to meet the people you will be living with, better to get to know them a little before moving in and also a good way to ease any moving anxieties you may have.

- Do a trip to IKEA or another homeware store before moving in. 

- Stock up on food to take with you, or ask for food parcels off your parents/grandparents. This is what my family did for me before I moved away and it definitely helped me save money during my time at university. Also ask for lots of washing powder etc as you will have to do your own laundry once you move to university. I also stocked up on toiletries before I went so I didn't have to buy loads whilst at university.

- Before you go print/prepare photos you want up on your bedroom wall. Having photos up around you in your room is great when you're feeling homesick. 

- Wait until you start lectures before buying any of the recommended textbooks. Textbooks are ridiculously expensive, and it is likely that you will be able to access them online through your library, saving yourself a lot of money. The Psychology school at Leeds also do a used book sale at the start of the first semester, which is a great opportunity to buy secondhand textbooks from students in the years above.  

- Finally, relax and make sure you enjoy and make the most of your first year at university. It doesn't matter if you get a first or a third for your final mark in your first year, it will not count towards your final degree classification, at all. So make sure you go out, make friends and most importantly have fun. The second and third year definitely do count and will be a lot more work than the first year, they are the years to stay up till 4 am in the library finishing essays, and definitely the years to work your ass off. 

Heres me in my final year submitting my dissertation. 

Here is a photo to demonstrate the thickness of my dissertation. 

Also, I obviously recommend that you make yourself some check lists and such before you move to university to make sure you have packed and prepared everything you will need. Also check out other tips and items to take to university before you go. 

- Here is a great link I found. 




I had said that I was going to share some of my regrets of my time whilst at university, but I think regret is the wrong word to use really. I don't so much as regret any of my time at the University of Leeds, nor would i change it, but a part of me does wish that I could do it again slightly differently. 

For example;
- I wish I had spent more of my spare time actually in Leeds, and had explored the city more than I did. 
- I also wish I had joined some of the societies at university during my three years, and had overcome my shyness whilst in first year. Whilst at university it is a great time to meet more likeminded people and also try some new hobbies.  
- I also wish I went out more during my second and third years, as now I'm back in a "city" with no good night clubs, thus I wish I had explored more of the night clubs in Leeds whilst I had the chance. 





Here is just a small insight into university life, so if anyone has any questions about university, my Psychology degree, or the University of Leeds please do not hesitate to ask! 

A Few New Home Additions.

I thought I would do a small post about some of the new home items I've recently bought and loved. 

At the weekend my boyfriend treated me to this small Yankee Candle with the scent of Salted Caramel. It really does smell so delicious, and seriously makes you want to eat some salted caramel, it almost makes your mouth water! The smell hits you instantly as soon as you walk in to the room where the candle is, this even happens whilst the plastic is still on the candle and without the candle being lit. Which is fantastic because it makes the candle last longer because you don't feel the need to light it. If you hold the candle for only a minute too the smell transfers to your hand. Also, the candle was in the sale so only cost £1.20, I always feel that Yankee Candles are too expensive but whilst they are in the sale I can't resist. My only problem is that I wish I bought a few more, especially seeing as its only a small candle! But it was definitely a nice little gift off my boyfriend. I definitely need to invest in some more Yankee Candles too! Which is your favourite Yankee Candle smell?

Another great home item I am loving at the moment are these alphabet letter mugs from Matalan! I thought I would treat my boyfriend and I to some new mugs, at £2 a mug I couldn't resist. My boyfriend loves anything with typography designs on them so these mugs are perfect for him really. My only issue is now I have to find room for them in our kitchen, as I have a slight obsession with mugs so I may have too many...

Wednesday Wish List #3

one / two / three / four / five / six / seven

I recently had a clear out from my wardrobe and got rid of quite a few clothes, so really I could do with some new tops and jumpers. At the moment I love both the jumper and t-shirt from Topshop, I love anything with stripes on and that t-shirt would be perfect for a casual look with some skinny jeans. Also the grey jumper looks so cosy and perfect for the cold rainy days we have been having this past week. 

However, in the hope that we may have some more sunny days this August I am also loving these two crop tops from Topshop. The daisy crop top would be lovely for a hot summers day outfit with some high waisted shorts, and the black sun and moon crop top would be perfect for a night out outfit. 

I am also due to start a new full time job soon and so I really need a new bag to use everyday, ideally it would be a big bag to fit all my stuff into and even maybe a packed lunch as I'll be working long shifts. I usually don't go for anything pink or girly but I do really like this tote bag as the colours look like they would go with most outfits, it also seems like the perfect size. Also the bag is £36 which is fairly reasonable for a bag from Topshop! 

I have heard great things about the essie nail varnishes and these colours are so lovely! They remind me of mermaids and I think they would look great on toe nails.   

What's on your wish list this week? 

My week on Instagram #2

             

         

            

             

        

Last week I put up a post on my blog about my everyday makeup which can be found here, the first photo is just showing my everyday make up again. Last Friday I also ordered some new trainers, which can be seen in the second photo. If anyone is debating getting some new trainers definitely buy some Nikes! They are the comfiest shoes ever! 

As you can also see most of my instagram photos are of my dog Pennie, who is a beautiful cocker spaniel. The third photo is of her sulking because she wasn't getting all of my attention. Last week my boyfriend and I bought The Last Of Us on PS3 to play so that took up most of my Friday and Saturday night. 

On Monday I went to see Guardians of the Galaxy with my boyfriend, which was so good, definitely recommend that everyone goes to see it. I'm not a massive fan of them type of films but I really did love it, it was hilarious. 

A lot of the other photos on my instagram from last week are from walking Pennie in various different parks. The next photo is of Pennie on a walk at one of our local parks called Worden Park in Leyland. Another of the photos is of Pennie on a walk at the lodge near my house in Lostock Hall. 

The other night my boyfriend and I also went for a walk near his house down by the canal, where we also fed some of the ducks, I say some but really there was so many of them. 

The last photo is of Pennie, again, next to a giant wooden pine cone at another park near my house, where we walked her last night. 

My instagram is mainly photos of Pennie, so if you want to see some more photos of Pennie it is here. Feel free to follow me, I follow back! 

What's New in my Bathroom Cabinet.

I recently bought this almond exfoliant soap from L'Occitane whilst I was in Ireland, which is priced at £4 in the UK. This product is definitely becoming one of my favourite soaps ever. There is nothing bad to say about the product, it is perfect for a simple hand soap or to put in the shower and use all over the body. It has a gorgeous almond scent to it, and is nothing but brilliant for exfoliating. The soap has small almond flakes integrated within the soap which exfoliates the skin softly. I have also found that this product is perfect for using when shaving your legs as it provides a great lather and also exfoliates at the same time leaving your skin irresistibly smooth. I only wish I had bought more now! 

After reading a great review about the Soap and Glory No Clogs Allowed Face Mask by Loulabeth I was very tempted to try the product myself. I have used various other Soap and Glory products but never a face mask by them. When I went to Boots last week the product was also on offer with a third off the normal price at just over £7, so I had to buy it. Although this price may seem a lot the tube is fairly large and seems like the product will last a long time, so is definitely worn the price as you can use the face mask many times. 

One thing I really like about the mask it how it also acts as a gentle exfoliator, so whilst it deeply cleanses your pores it also exfoliates your whole face. What is also great about the product is how you can either leave it on or massage onto your face for a quick few minutes to clean your face, or  t can be applied it for longer and leave on as a warming face mask for 15 minutes. In future I will definitely be trying some of the other face cleaning products from the Soap and Glory range.   

Recently I purchased this Anatomicals Peach Shampoo from ASOS for £3.50. I had always been attracted to the products from Anatomicals, mainly due to the great product packaging. Sadly I was not impressed with the Peach Shampoo, the product says that it leaves your hair feel soft and greatly conditioned however I didn't really feel like it did this. On the other hand, one plus with the product is how amazing it smelt, it really did smell gorgeous and like peach ice tea.  However, I may be persuaded to try some of the other Anatomical products and see how they are, such as the shower gels or conditioners. 

Have you used any of these products? 

IKEA WISH LIST.

I am due to have my room decorated, or at least get some new furniture, so I thought I would do an IKEA wish list beforehand. First I need to get rid of some of my stuff, as I'm a slight hoarder, so I can actually fit in a new double bed in my small bedroom. 

I've just come back from living in Leeds for three years whilst at university, so going back to a small single bed isn't ideal, especially not when my boyfriend stays over too. So ideally I need a trip to Ikea asap! Heres a selection of my favourite items at the moment over in IKEA. 

Beds.

MALM £145

LEIRVIK £80

BRIMNES £165

HEMNES £165

Here's a selection of my favourite double beds that IKEA has on sale at the moment, I am so indecisive so I've not really picked my favourite out of the lot yet, so when I do go to IKEA who knows which one I will return with. Really I should probably pick one that isn't too girly incase I move out in the upcoming years with my boyfriend. Although I am swaying towards the MALM bed or the BRIMNES bed. Which do you like? 

Bedding.

PALMLILJA £35

ANGSORT £55

MALIN BLAD £15

DVALA £17

SOTBLOMSTER £20

With the duvet covers I am definitely loving the MALIN BLAD and turquoise PALMLILJA sets, both are affordable and will really suit the colours of my bedroom walls, saving me from redecorating. I do really love the ANGSORT duvet set too but unfortunately I think it is slightly out of my price range. I also love the DVALA duvet set, as you definitely can't go wrong with anything black! The SOTBLOMSTER duvet set is also really lovely, and I really do like the different and striking pattern on the duvet set. It will definitely be a surprise with which duvet set I return home with from my trip to IKEA. 

Accessories.

OFELIA throw £20

LYNDBY £10

STOCKHOLM £15

SNABBVINGE £4

GULORT £3

KNUBBIG £7

I just love the look of the OFELIA throw it just looks so fluffy and warm, perfect for snuggling up under during the cold months. I also love the pattern on the LYNDBY throw too, the colours are just so vibrant and warm, but sadly I don't think it will really match the colour of my room. 

I also love the quirky SNABBVINGE and GULORT cushion covers, for both at such a cheap price it will be hard to resist! I love the STOCKHOLM cushion too as I love anything with a leaf pattern or detail on. 

As you can see again I love the leaf pattern and detail on the small table lap KNUBBIG, my friend bought this lamp last year and I wish I'd bought one at the same time, may have to treat my room to a cute little table lamp this time round. 

These are all the items I've come across so far on the IKEA site that I love, but if you have any suggestions or know any great shops to go to for bedroom furniture etc please let me know! 

This blog post was inspired by a recent blog post by Kristina Ross over at Not Your Cup of Tee.