Products I'm loving - January

My first BIG hurdle for dissertation- properly drafting my three chapters- is out of the way!!! Yay!!! I'm looking forward to taking a breather for a few days after what has been a month of deadlines and incessant essay-writing. So I thought I'd use my time to tell you what I've been loving this January... (Clockwise from top left)

1. Tetley Green Tea, Raspberry and Pomegranate- I'm a huge green tea fan and all the new and wonderful flavours coming out make me a very happy girl, especially this fruity combo. I also really like their Peach and Apricot flavour. Both can be purchased from any good supermarket.

2. Clinique Take the Day off Make-up Remover- so so gentle and removes stubborn mascara easily, it's the best remover I've tried so far.

3. Jessica nail polish in Sun-kissed Beauty- purchased on offer at my local beauticians, and I thought it would look incredible with a tan (wishful thinking for decent weather, I know).

4. Jessica nail polish in Awakening- also purchased on offer, and a lovely girly colour ready for Spring!

5. MAC Powder Blush in Mocha- perfect colour for my skin tone, not too pink so gives a really natural look while making me look all perky in the mornings.

6. Vaseline Paint the Town Red- after a little look, I now realise this limited edition is no longer being sold! Bummer, because I love it. I'm not one for a bold lip during the day but my lips always need moisturising and it's nice to have something. This does the trick! The colour is not intense at all but provides a light tint which is perfect for me.

Final year student plans (or lack of...)

In a rare moment of down time in what has been a good few weeks of intense work to get three assignments submitted, I'm using the opportunity to get back in touch with the blogging world. By back in touch, I mean posting a little rambling which someone out there might read and go, 'hey- I do that too!' or just think I'm plain crazy...

My new favourite thing to do at the moment when I'm not obsessively finding new stuff to pin on Pinterest (I'm pretty sure I'm dangerously addicted...) is stalk the animal charity websites. Yeah, I know, it's probably very odd for a 21-year-old to spend her time looking at animals when she has a dissertation deadline looming. But for those of you that know me, and those of you who look at this blog, it's pretty clear I'm an animal lover and I'm probably also going to be a crazy cat lady one day (secretly looking forward to it). So I stalk these sites because I'm looking for a little lonely kitty that I can give a home to.

Problem is that I'm still at university and I feel like the fellow residents in our halls wouldn't be impressed if I brought a cat to live with us, that's assuming the accommodation people would let me have one in the first place- which they wouldn't. 

But it's all coming from a very logical place, I promise.

Where is my life going next? (... cue dramatic freak-out)

I'm a final year student with big dreams of 'not being ordinary', like everyone I suppose. I loathe the idea of sitting here in 10, 20 or 30 years' time and not feeling like I've made the most of every opportunity, or stopped myself from being happy. But I have no idea what that might be. I do, however, know what my short term goals are: a cute flat/small house, a little cat, a fiat 500 and a good degree. Do-able right? Right. But it's all dependent on me and the job I may (or may not) have. 

I'd love to be able to look into the future and see where I'll be, but I know the answer is lying with the decisions I make now. That's scary, actually it's terrifying. Buuuut, it's also amazing. I could literally do anything I want. Entering the 'real world' as us undergrads call it is going to be such a huge change, but it's also been the moment I've been working towards since I left school, took A Levels, went to uni etc... And as people keep telling me, I have the rest of my life to work and create the life I want. 

So while I might be dreaming of cute cats I could own, and jumping on all the new season homewares at Next, it's really just suppressed excitement about starting a new chapter in my life. Until then, I'm enjoying what's left of my final year because I probably won't ever get a point in my life where four hours a week is an acceptable timetable...

Appropriately cute photo of my cat (who can't come with me...)

10 Best Bits of 2014

Bonjour! Hello! It's me- I'm back! I understand if you no longer know who I am, it's been a long time. I have no excuses, other than life happened as it so often does. But while I sat here chipping away at another essay (yes, being back at university has hit harrrrd), I thought to myself: I really should do a blog post and not leave it to just be another new year's resolution (that I may or may not keep) because I miss it too much for that. There is understandably a recurring theme in the blogosphere at the moment, the '10 [insert appropriate somethings here] of 2014'. I have decided to jump on the bandwagon and instead of doing a generic catch-up post, thought I'd combine it with a few memories of an incredible year.

1. New Year in Paris

Kicking off 2014 in style with my bestest friend in the world, Sophie, in the best city in the world (I can't vouch for that admittedly, but Paris will always hold a special place in my heart). Even if it was a bit of a flop celebration-wise, we had a great time and it set the bar for the rest of the year. 

2. Mum and I in Paris

The most important lady in my life came to stay with me in Paris in March and I got to show her my new life. We had so much fun together and are even planning round two. Bring it on.

3. June in Paris

I spent my last weeks in Paris having an absolute ball, and my friend came to stay for my last weekend there. Sitting in my favourite cocktail bar, aptly named 'La Favorite', I felt that I was where I belonged and in that moment could see myself living permanently in Paris. Reality burst my bubble of course, but who knows what the future holds?

4. Summer in France

An amazing opportunity with a lovely family and a little girl who I really do miss. I got to see a part of France I never would have seen, and of course got to lounge in the sun too.

5. Lessons on Toffee

Photo of Your Horse Magazine 2014

Over summer I found a new instructor and have never looked back. In just a few lessons, she has made such a huge difference to my attitude and understanding of riding that I know I will make such great progress with her. To top off a great few jumping lessons, Toffee and I also made a name for ourselves in the monthly horse magazine Your Horse. I got to tell my story in their special confidence-centred issue and help other riders in similar situations. I even got a double page spread!

6. My 21st Birthday weekend

Turning 21 in styyyyle. Yes, I now feel old at uni, and yes, I probably need to start making life plans. But for now, I am enjoying my half-birthday as a 21-year-old who is generally having such a great time.

7. Venice

Even if I could have dreamt of the most perfect getaway for my 21st birthday, it wouldn't have topped the trip mum and I took to Venice in September. It was so so memorable and was the most amazing present my family could have given me.

8. Running 5k

Bearing in mind I only took up running properly last October as a huffing and puffing, could barely run 100 metres novice who really likes food, this has to be a huge landmark in my achievements this year. I ran my first 5k with the running club at uni in November in just over 25 minutes! I was aiming for around 30-35 minutes, so you can probably imagine how elated I was when I saw my result. I think I can class myself as a proper runner now!

9. Back with the Equestrian Club

Being back as Vice President of the Equestrian Club is a dreeeaaam. It's nice to still be a member of the committee without the pressure of Presidency and we have some great new members this year. The rosettes above were two of three I got on our Christmas fun day and our socials so far have been huge successes- it's great to be back with like minded horsey people and to see the club growing so much!

10. Christmas with my grandparents

For the first time since I can remember, my Nana and Grandad spent Christmas with us! My Grandad is 90 years old in May and my Nana is 82 and we thought it was high time we all spent the holiday season together. They live up north so transport has always been the problem but mum and I shared the drive so they could spend five days over Christmas with us, and it really was so special to have them there.

Thank you to everyone who has made this year so incredible... 

Here's to 2015!! Happy New Year!