Bring On Christmas!

I've finished my first term of University. It feels very odd to say that as it still doesn't seem completely real that I'm doing this! 

Since my last post, things have got a lot better as I've written 2 assessment essays, done a quiz that counted for my final grade, written three coursework essays and got all but 2 coursework marks back! I'm working at 2:1 and even got a first in my first assessment essay I got back which makes me really happy as that's the equivalent of Bs and As - my previous doubts about being good enough have diminished quite a lot luckily. It makes me realise how messed up A levels are as I was at B/C level for those but I'm getting better grades in a higher level of study?! I think I suit independent working a lot more as I like using a lot of books and finding my information from them which is exactly what is needed for University essays!

Even though I seem to be doing well in my work, it's taking its toll as it means that I'm up quite late at night finishing my essays off and I'm not able to see my friends or even my flatmates that much! I'm starting to feel a bit distanced from them which isn't too fun. Luckily I get to see my old friends in my month off so I get back into a good social environment with a much needed break from working, it will be a nice change! 

Christmas is easily my favourite time of the year so getting nearly the whole of December and the beginning of January off from Uni is so exciting! The fact that I'm going to have 2 weeks of nothing means I'm going to have loads of spare time to get presents and cards for people which is great! Hopefully I'll also be able to work more so I'll earn money that I can save up and spend later on next year! The time off also means I'm going to have loads of time to blog and read again so be prepared for more posts (I mean it this time!) - I intend to get back into the swing of things again as I haven't had any inspiration over the last couple of months as nothing very exciting has happened! I do however have a few things to catch you up on! 

Jess xx

I'm 18!

I'm really sorry for not blogging much recently, the last four days have been filled with my birthday celebrations so all of my free time has been taken up by homework to make sure I could do all of the awesome things over the last few days!

On Wednesday, me and my college friends went to Pizza Express for a birthday meal as everyone gets Wednesday afternoons off college. It was a lot of fun and it was nice to do something with them that didn't include school! We had a really nice meal and I even got a mini chocolate cake with a candle on! I got my presents early from them as I don't see most of them around college apart from my friends who are in my lessons. 

Lots of chocolate!

Beautiful purse with a mirror in the back, a pen,
desk organiser and animal rubbers!

I now have enough chocolate to last me until Halloween, let alone Easter! I love the little French purse so much because it's just so me! French themed and with stripes?! Yes please. I also love the pen and organiser, definitely helps for Uni in September! I really don't want to use the rubbers though, they're way too cute!

My birthday was on the Thursday and it was an amazing day! I woke up and had to get done quicker so I could open my presents - I GOT A CAR!!! It's also insured with Compare the Market so I got a meerkat toy with it which now sits in my car! I got baby Oleg and  he comes with the most adorable grub! My parents said I would get my car at the weekend but I came home from college and it was sitting on the driveway! My car is a red VW Up and I've decided to call him Perry! I've been out in him quite a bit considering I only got him on Thursday and I love him - he's really great to drive and has a lot of room considering he is actually only a 3 door car!

I love my car so much! And the bow on top!

Oleg, his grub and his bed!

I got money from quite a few family members but my grandma got me a couple of really pretty bracelets that I can't wait to wear. My auntie and uncle got me a gorgeous silver trowel necklace which came in a brilliant little box that is so clever as it looks like a special (small) finds box! It's possibly one of the prettiest and well thought out pieces of jewellery I've ever been given!

The bottom bracelet was given to me by a friend on Wednesday.

I'm in love.

My mum's friend also made me 24 minion cupcakes which are chocolate and taste amazing! After we got back from our meal out, I also got given a minion lemon birthday cake which looks and tastes just as good!

These are the cutest little cakes ever!

I can't believe how talented my mum's friend is!

On Saturday, I had some old friends over for a movie day as I didn't want to involve alcohol and we couldn't afford a big party. It was a lot of fun and we ended up watching Pacific Rim, Despicable Me 2 and part of Monty Python's Life Of Brian. I love catching up with my old friends as I don't see them much any more due to work which is sad, but we act like we only saw each other yesterday when we do see each other again!

The Fault in Our Stars poster, it's so gorgeous!
From Julia.

Loki sticker also from Julia!

Weeping Angel and TARDIS biscuits also from Julia!

Julia is basically the girl who gets me tonnes of fan stuff and it's always the best! I love it all so much!

Bourjois little round pot intense eyeshadow in 08, Maybelline jade high heel mascara in brown,
Maybelline illegal length mascara in black, Dainty Doll eyeshadow in 002 Treat Her Like A Lady,
Maybelline colorsensational lipstick in 380 Sweet Bordeaux,
Maybelline colorsensational lipstick in 720 Drive Me Nuts.
From Lisa.

Left to right: Sweet Bordeaux, Drive Me Nuts, Bourjois eyeshadow in 08,
Dainty Doll eyeshadow in 002 Treat Her Like A Lady.

I'll probably review all of these at some point but so far I'm loving them!

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-glass by Lewis Carroll and
The Collected novels of The Bronte Sisters. Also got a really cute badge that says 'I read therefore I am'.
From Krissi.

Box of really cute goodies from Katie!

For when you're out and about and have the moments of inspiration for a blog post,
new outfit whatever it is, you can put it in this!

To get the creative juices flowing I guess you could say, or maybe just because
TASTY SWEETS!

This is a memory jar.  Any good memories from the day, write them down on the block then fold up
and put in the jar. Only at New Years eve can you look through all your memories from the year.
It's a good way to remember all the positive stuff and that maybe the smallest of things can be the best!

My old friends have obviously known me longer than most people outside of my family and their presents are all so thoughtful and basically cover every part of my life that I consider important and fun outside of people I know! I really love them and can't wait to use them all!

Kate also sent me a present which was super sweet of her - it's a scarf and mirror! I love them both - the green of the scarf is actually one of my favourite colours so I'm so happy! Thank you Kate!

Overall, it's been an amazing birthday and thank you to everyone who has been involved to make it a really special 18th! I'm so so lucky and it's probably been the best birthday yet! 

Jess xx

MAC Christmas.

For Christmas, I was bought two MAC lipsticks! I was so excited to open them and I can see easily why people collect them and prefer them over other lipsticks!

I chose this frost lipstick in Viva Glam IV when me and mum went to Reading a while ago. I love this colour - it's a light berry and I love it so much! I think it's perfect for Autumn/Winter!

A surprise lipstick was this Amplified Dark Deed lipstick which was included in a gorgeous bag with a lipglass and lip pencil! I've wanted a dark lipstick for quite a while so this one is perfect! The lip pencil matches it perfectly and even though my application in the picture is horrendous, it stops the colour bleeding which is great! It doesn't last for ages but I wouldn't expect it to as it's so dark! 

Both lipsticks go on really well and are creamy and soft, I really like the texture and feel of them when they're on! 

I'm going to save up and definitely buy some more as the MAC colours are so pretty! 

What are your favourite MAC lipsticks? 

Jess xx

P.S. I reached 150 followers on Bloglovin', thank you guys so much!

Merry Christmas!

I'm a little late but haven't had time between eating, sleeping and playing games to get on my phone and snap some pictures of my lovely gifts! I hope you all had a fantastic day, got what you wanted and spent lots of time having fun with your families!

I thought I'd share some (most) of my presents with you and you guys could share what you got too! I knew a few of my presents this year for various reasons and I was so excited to be able to actually use them!
This post is very picture heavy so I apologise for that, I'll try and add in some writing here and there!

As some of you may know, I have an unhealthy obsession with Kate Spade so I was so happy when I received this in my stocking (pillowcase...) this year! I've used it every day so far - the handle is the perfect size and the writing is perfect for me! Such a great gift!

John Green is another favourite, I'm super happy to have his books in physical form now instead of a couple of them on my kindle!

Speaking of Kindles, I got this in my stocking too - a Kindle case! I love it so much, it's so cute and is a hard case so it protects my kindle!

This jumper from Crew is probably one of my favourite presents, I've worn it so much already; it's so soft and comfy, I would happily live in it!

I chose the Naked palette when me and mum went shopping the other month so I was super excited to actually get it! I got the eyeliners from Father Christmas and I love them - they go on so smoothly and seem to stay put forever! 

I also chose the MAC Viva Glam IV lipstick (Left hand pink cased lipstick) on the same shopping trip and was given the rest in my stocking! The lipstick, lip liner and gloss came with the gorgeous bag and the mascara was separate. I'm in love with all of them and the lipstick is the one I'm wearing in the picture of my jumper - I've probably been wearing it as much!

These were from my Auntie and Uncle, I'm so happy to have some more make up brushes because I've been using the same brush for my foundation and blush which has been quite annoying!

Left to right: Ballet Slippers, Mademoiselle, Muchi Muchi

Left to right: To Buy or Not to Buy, Orange it's Obvious, Mojito Madness

I also have an obsession with Essie...

My old snow boots have been completely worn out now so mum managed to find a new pair which I'm so happy about as they're super comfy and warm! I wear them when it's cold, not just when it's snowy!

Lots of chocolate! I'm a complete sucker for rose an violet creams and Godiva chocolate pearls so this was a good lot for me! My grandma got me quite a lot of Betty's chocolate which is probably my favourite overall, it's so lovely and the animals they create are just the sweetest, sometimes it's hard to actually eat them!

Some bits and bobs from my stocking! I love these little presents, they're always adorable! I'm really glad I got a new pair of headphones as mine are probably going to break soon knowing my luck!

I LOVE these. Purple leather heeled boots?! Yes please. 

This top is from my grandma and it's so gorgeous! 

I chose this from Zara a few weeks ago and I'm completely in love - it's sheer so something needs to be worn underneath but it looks amazing on!

My grandma also got me these, they've been making me laugh rather a lot, I'm just waiting to see something I've said in a test!

My other Auntie and Uncle bought me my first ever Lush products! The snowman is vanilla scented which is gorgeous and  the one on the left is cinnamon and apparently has popping candy in it! I can't wait to try them!

The aftermath of me & my brother's present unwrapping.

I also had a Kate Spade scarf but it had holes in so we took it back, a post to come about what I bought in exchange!

I feel so incredibly lucky to have family that know me so well and that I got to spend time with them over this holiday (some of them at least)!

Leave me links to your present posts and I'll check them out, or comment with your favourite gifts this year! 

Jess xx

Christmas Eve!

I'm an absolute sucker for Christmas, it's definitely my favourite holiday without a doubt and I can't get enough of the happiness that seems to fill the air around this time - I'm always in such a good mood too! This year, all of my friends have been saying that they aren't feeling in the festive spirit as much as they usually are but I totally disagree, I'm just as excited as ever! Everything is so pretty with the Christmas decorations up and the presents have been put under the tree now so it's just adding to the festive feeling! 

Today I went round to my secondary school friends and dropped round presents and cards which was great fun - I love seeing them all, even if it's only for a short amount of time! It was great because I realised how much I missed them so I will definitely be meeting up with some of them over this holiday and catching up which will be amazing, spending time with them is always so much fun. I felt like Father Christmas as we went through three villages to get to everyone, we also managed to get a pretty decent route so everyone was included on the way! I was so tired by the end of it but I was so happy to have seen everyone.

I hope you all have a great day tomorrow and get what you wanted, eat as much food as possible and have lots of fun with your families! 

Jess xx

How can I not be excited when my living room looks like this ?! 

Santa Claus is coming to town.

A few weeks ago, me and my friends at college decided that, as we all have next to no money, we would do a secret santa instead of buying 7 people presents. As it was late night shopping on Friday, we decided to meet up after college, go to the pub and exchange presents there! It was such a great time despite the fact that I was only there for an hour - I love spending time with them all outside of college time, they're great!

I only had one lesson in the morning so I went to my friend's house and met her new puppy while we waiting and she was the most adorable thing! A hyperactive ball of fur!

When we got to the pub, it had such a Christmassy atmosphere which put everyone in a good mood! We then put all of the presents in the middle (without looking of course!) and then we opened them and guessed who got who one by one!

My friend Milly ended up buying me a 4 set of EOS lip balms! I've seen them all over the internet but as they're an American brand, I gave up hope of ever trying them! I honestly love them so much, they're super moisturising without feeling heavy and like you're wearing a thick layer of gunk on your lips and they smell so amazing! They also leave your lips feeling so soft, it's amazing what a difference it makes! The set I was given had Strawberry Sorbet, Pomegranate Raspberry, Summer Fruits and Fresh Watermelon. Strawberry sorbet and Summer fruits are my favourites but I love them either way, the packaging is also amazingly cute and so easy to just throw into a bag! 

How adorable are these?!

The sphere makes application so much easier!

My three best girl friends and I also decided to get each other little presents so two of them brought their in at the same time so I also got some really adorable things from my friends Lauren and Katie!

Katie gave me mine when I was round her house earlier in the day and it's such a pretty cameo style necklace! I love it and know exactly what I'm going to wear with it so I'm really happy with this, it's gorgeous!

How pretty is this?!

Lauren started throwing little gifts at me Katie and Milly which was quite funny, but they were the sweetest, quirkiest gift ever!

This jar of buttons will look so cute on my desk, they'd also be great if I decided one day to make a ribbon notice board that I could decorate with pretty buttons!

The next thing was a handmade soap. It smells of sherbet and has layers of different colours. I don't want to use it because it's too pretty and smells to good to ruin!

The final little thing are these socks which are so so cute it's unreal, they even have little ears! I think they're so adorable so I can't wait to wear them! 

I break up for Christmas in a week and two days so I should be able to blog more after that! 

Jess xx