TRAVEL | Edinburgh

If you're at uni then you'll know that the weekends can be very boring. Especially if you've gone on a night out during the week and just fancy relaxing at the weekend, but then you realise that you only have you room to relax in, and you can go stir crazy.

So I wasn't fancying just sitting around last weekend. On Friday I spontaneously bought a train ticket to Edinburgh as its only an hour away on the train from Newcastle! I hadn't seen my best friend for over a month so thought I would pay her a visit. 

Edinburgh is a beautiful city, its like a mini-London in the countryside, as its surrounded by rolling hills. It was amazing, and my friend has the grand view of Arthur's Seat right outside her bedroom window, whereas I have the other side of my halls block to look at.. Bit of a difference. I'm from the countryside as well, which makes me really think that I would have settled in great if I'd gone there, although I do love Newcastle, its very 'cityish', and I miss the greeness and space of home. Edinburgh is the best of both worlds.

On the Friday night we went to the Christmas market which was lovely, had a hot choc with cream and marshmallows mmmm. We then had dinner in this small authentic Italian restaurant called La Lanterna on Hanover Street, which was again yummy. We had a night out at Castle Club, which was so much fun, but very different to Newcastle. Everyone wears much more chilled clothing and flat shoes, whereas in Newcastle, girls dress up to the nines every night, hair extensions, fake eyelashes, heels, fake tan.. the whole shabang, which gets very tiring after a while. 

The next day, even with a hangover, we walked Arthur's Seat, which I have to say was the hardest thing I've done in a long time! I'm so unfit, going to have to get going properly in the gym again. But when we got to the top, it was the most beautiful day, chilly and cold but bright shining sun. My favourite kind of weather. The view from the top was amazing, and then it was freezing so we went back down again.

I only went for one night but I could already see what an amazing city Edinburgh is. Loved being there, and would definitely recommend it for a hilarious night out.

Amy xi

STYLE | Today's Haul

1. Topshop Tartan Leggings: £28

2.Topshop Midnight Blue Shorts with Metallic Embellishments on the side: £45

3. New Look Disco Ball iPhone 5 case: £5

4. New Look Leather Look Jacket with Fur trim: £39.99

5. Topshop Classic Look Fedora: £25

6. All Saints Peeptoe Leather Boots: £197, reduced to £98

7. Urban Outfitters PolkaDot Velvet Skirt: £35

8. Topshop Floral Playsuit: £50

9. Topshop Red Bittersweet Nail Varnish: £6

10. Topshop Tartan Skirt: £35

I didn't buy all of these at the same time, otherwise I would not have enough money to even eat! But I did have my eyes set on them for a while and have bought them when I can afford them. They are all perfect for any type of Christmas activity. 

Except, I wore the Topshop tartan skirt last weekend for a few quiet drinks in my hometown, but when I got home I realised the material had frayed away from the stitching! So annoying when you've only just bought something that you love, and its broken! So I've taken it back, and it didn't look good in another size, so I've just had to leave it at that.. Was nice knowing you tartan skirt. I did love it though, so I will find one somewhere else and get that!

The Urban Outfitters Glitter Polkadot skirt is hard to see on this photo, but in the flesh its the glitter polkadots are pretty obvious. 

The mixture of leather, fur, tartan, suede and chiffon perfectly fits my look for this winter. Which one of these is your favourite?

LIFE | in instagram

1) On Prince my lovely black pony, who I've left behind at home.. its so lovely to come home and get some needed fresh country air on a ride (I'm a country girl at heart)

2) Reunited with my best friend Mischa for my birthday at CCTV in Newcastle Student Union

3) Also reunited with my family for my birthday when they came up for a meal and a night out. My mum and dad went home after the trebles bar, but my 17 year old bro came to riverside!

4) The view from the Baltic museum in Newcastle whilst I was on a field trip for uni

5) The pumpkins we carved for Halloween/my birthday, as I was born the day after!

6) Uni life has brought me to cook, although this is probably the only proper meal I've actually cooked at all since I've been here! Mmm, might make it again soon, I love chicken stir fry!

7) I look like such a home girl on these instagrams, but the truth is that I am. I miss home so much, can't wait to get back home into the country air for xmas.

8) Bridget is well and truly back! I haven't had much time to get into it yet, but once I'm finished I will be writing a review for you!

9) Standard toilet shot in Bar 32. I never have time to take any photos before I leave the house as I'm always late, so end up having to get a quick snap in the club loos!

STYLE | Kylie Jenner

Recently I followed Kylie Jenner on Instagram and I've completely fallen in love with her fashion sense. I do love all the Kardashians, but Kylie has always seemed much quieter and never stood out to me. In my opinion, she is totally underrated, and slightly shadowed by her taller sister, Kendall. Yet, Kylie's style is so cool and chic, that’s why I've picked my fave outfits of hers. They are simple, stylish, cool with a hint of quirkiness and personality. She doesn't look as if she is copying anyone, she wears now trends in her own way, and never overcomplicates her outfits, which I think Kim sometimes has a habit of doing.

This grey, narrow-fronted, tight midi dress looks insanely great on Kylie. Matched with her chunky black Louboutins and matte black clutch, along with the dark plum lip, gives her the edgy edge that suits her so well even at the young age of 16. Even without the Kardashian clan behind her, she storms the red carpet of the Hunger Games premiere in LA, looking totally amazing on her own. 

Again the little slit in the leg is perfect for slimming the curves in your thighs (not that she needs it of course). Its sexy but conservative with a high neck. Her simplicity shines through again, with her natural waves and side parting, paired with elegant gold bangles. Although I definitely don't have any premieres to attend to in the near future (there's always hope) I will definitely be on the look out for a look like this for New Year.

A more wintery look from K-Jenz that we could definitely duplicate! The red striped, faint tartan pleated skater skirt looks sophisticated, yet still young and playful. The shortness of the skirt is matched with a high necked black jumper with a white peter pan collar and cuffs. I would wear thick black tights with this look and a high heeled boot, for a girls meal or Christmas evening.

Although this is a more summery look, there is nothing wrong with a staple white dress for a night out, and afterall snow falls in winter and thats white! I've sort of gone off these panelled dresses with mesh pretending to cover your chest and actually revealing more than you bargained for, but this mesh is so perfectly fitting to her body shape that it looks nothing but classy. The contours of the panels shape her figure to be very womanly even though she is so young. She looks sexy and classy. To add a winter touch, you could wear a cream or black fur coat and black chunky heeled boots. Kylie has done it again looking effortlessly cool and collected, wish I portray that same expression!

Which Kardashian do you think has the best style?

STYLE | Going Out Outfits

1. Purple Dress, Asos. Black Peep-toe Stilettos, Kurt Gieger.

2. Black Halterneck Leotard, River Island. Burgundy Midi Skirt, Topshop. Peace Belt, Urban Outfitters. Rose Gold Watch, Michael Kors. Same shoes as before.

3. Red Halterneck Midi Dress, Asos. Same watch and shoes as before.

4. Black Leotard, Oh My Love at Topshop. Sequin Skirt, Topshop. Black and Gold Clutch, Accessorize. 

5. Red Mini Dress, Misguided. Same shoes as before.

If attention is what you are looking for, then a little red dress guarantees to do the trick. They're so simple, and let's face it.. men are simple. I love to wear black on a night out because its easy, but if you want to go that bit extra, opt for purple or burgundy, which are perfect winter colours for a night out.

What are you're fave night time outfits?

Amy xi

CHAT | The Sliding Doors Effect

6.

The Sliding Doors Effect

Isn’t it strange how one thing we do can change the course of our lives forever? If I choose to go to Newcastle University like the rest of my friends, I might end up of a path of self-destruction (and probably devastation in my case). Going out all the time and not working at all. Or perhaps I will end up being a complete work-a-holic and be really successful with loads of money and cars. Or I could go to Liverpool University and have a balance between work and play, but then end up in a job that I hate. Although the exact opposite could happen, just depending on what opportunities I accept, and which ones I reject. Oh the choices and decisions. Which is the right one to take?

I suppose its sort of a ‘Sliding Doors” Effect. Anyone who has seen the film will understand, and if you haven’t then go watch it now. If Gwen had missed that train then she wouldn’t have got home in time for her to find her boyfriend in bed with another woman. And if she had never done that then she wouldn’t have kicked him out, and wouldn’t have ended up with the Scottish guy, who happened to be the one for her. If she had caught the train on time, then she would have kicked the adulterous one out quicker so she could find the Scottish man earlier, and be happier for longer. Even though she thought finding her boyfriend was probably a very bad incident at the time, it probably was the best thing in the long run. These bad incidents that happen are sometimes the key to opening another door, and most likely a better one.

So it looks like this post has kind of two messages. One: how do you know which opportunity is the right one? Two: look on the positive side if you’ve found your boyfriend cheating on you.

Back to the initial message, that it is hard to know what decisions to make, and whether you should stay at home to finish that essay, or go out for a “quick drink” (which, in my experience, is actually impossible), but you just have to live it day by day and try and make the right decisions. So, yeah, stay in and finish the essay because then you’ll feel much better about yourself. You’ll come to find a balance between the things you love to do and the things you have to do. But when either side weighs more than the other, that’s when you know you’ve got a problem. 

FILM | Les Miserables

Breathtaking. As a huge fan over this musical and the melodies within it, I am very protective over people’s views and misunderstandings of the storyline. I was very excited to say the least when I first saw the trailer of it. Even snippets of the songs give me shivers and goosebumps. So the first week its out and I went to see it. All I can say is to definitely take tissues. I cried literally the whole film, and this poor woman was sobbing very loudly on my row. At one point towards the end, I thought she was laughing and I looked over in disgust, when actually it turned out she was just crying so much that her sobs sounded like laughing.

It moved me, upset me, and uplifted me onto a level, which I cannot explain. I was in awe of the acting, and surprisingly (contrary to what I had heard previously) I thought every inch of the singing standard was perfect. It isn’t meant to be exactly in tune, because of the singing as speech approach. Hugh Jackman as Jean Val Jean was magnificent and the character’s kindness rubbed off on me, as I walked out of the cinema (on the coldest night of the year, -6 degrees celcius) a homeless man was begging, and I gave him all the change I had in my pocket. I feel my new year’s mentality should always refer back to, what would Val Jean do?

The songs and lyrics are nostalgic for me, as I was in two Les Mis productions as a child and played young Cosette and young Eponine, therefore it is a musical very close to my heart, and I am so proud to have seen this fascinating collaboration of stories captured into three hours. Which wasn’t long enough if you ask me!

LIFE | Home Away From Home

4.

Okay, so this isn't your average uni halls room. It is particularly nice I'll admit. I have a double bed and an en-suite, which is more than amazing. But I did get it just by chance. In my flat there are 4 bedrooms, only 1 is a double and the rest are singles. It just so happens that my name was assigned to this room, completely by accident! 

I am so lucky.

The colour scheme of the room is red and black, so all the extras that I brought match this. Like my throw and pillows. I love it so much and it fully feels homely, making the change to live here a lot easier. 

I also made a poster out of all my ELLE magazine subscription copies, and that really helps make it extra cosy. As you can see, it is also colour co-ordinated hehe.

From top left; Gwen Stefani, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Kate Hudson and Miley Cyrus

From bottom left; Mila Kunis, Scarlett Johanssen, Rosie H-W, Dakota Fanning and David Beckham

It's fair to say that I couldn't really have a nicer place to live, even if I do say so myself.

What's your room like?

BEAUTY | Winter Skincare

3.

As soon as that extra chill hits the winter breeze, you know your skin is in trouble. Well in my case, a lot of trouble. Ever since I was a baby, I've suffered from eczema, and I hate it. I have it on the inside of my joints, at my elbow and knees, but also on my mouth which is the worst as its so hard to cover. Usually, it gets worse whenever I'm run-down, drinking too much alcohol, and not sleeping enough. But it gets especially worse when its cold.

However, because I get it so often, I have found many many ways at reducing it! Here are some of the products I use!

Clarins HydraQuench Cream-Gel: £27.20

Clinque Moisture Surge: £32

Every morning and night, I use Clinque Moisture Surge, or, Clarins HyraQuench Cream-Gel. They are both hypo-allergenic products, so they don't irritate my skin with un-natural fragrances and chemicals. They are also a great base to wear under your make-up as it protects your skin from drying out throughout the day. Although they may be expensive, they are definitely worth it if you have sensitive skin. Also, you don't need to apply much at a time, so they last for ages!

E45 Shower Gel: £4.40

E45 Ich Relief Cream: £5.29

Savalon: £1.67

Homeoplasmine: £6.00

Hydrocortisone Cream: £3.49

These products are more specific to dealing with dry skin and eczema, but they really do work! In the shower I try not to use shower gel with too much fragrance in them as it can really irritate my arms, so I wash my face and eczema with it, which is so soothing. If you have eczema, you will be able to sympathise with me about how itchy it can get. Even when its red-raw and stinging so much, its so hard not to itch it. And I end up scratching in my sleep! So this itch relief cream is so useful at reducing soreness and stops it irritating you. However, it doesn't last forever, so you end up applying it every 5 minutes. 

Savalon is infamous for stopping infection. The week before I was to start uni, my eczema got very bad (probably because I was so nervous). And I got a secondary infection of impetigo. This was because my skin was so run-down that it is so susceptible to catching diseases. If I had been applying anti-bacterial Savalon, I could have prevented it, but it was too late and I had to go on a course of anti-biotics. Fortunately it was gone before I started uni, Thank God!

Homeoplasmine cream is a French made product that I originally found in France, but it can be bought on the internet very easily. I wouldn't say that it is great at treating your eczema, but it does sooth it, much better than Vaseline, as its thicker. And it cures dry skin in seconds!

This brand of Hydrocorisone cream was prescribed to me by the doctor, however E45 have their own version which is just as effective. Its very strong cream, that basically replaces your skin, but don't use it on your face as it can be very harmful. Also, if it is used too often, then your skin would become immune to it, and its doesn't work as well as it should. But if you're really struggling to get to the bottom of curing you're dry skin or eczema, then give it a go! It works.

Johnson's Baby Oil: £1.49

Simple Oil Balancing Facial Scrub: £7.40

Most of my friends end up breaking out in spots and blackheads when they're run down, but I unusually get very dry skin. Therefore Johnson's Baby Oil might seem like an over-reaction, but it really works well at defeating the dryness. It has no fragrancing (as its for very sensitive baby skin) and although it is oil, it isn't too oily and does dry quite quickly. If you apply it just out of the shower then it locks in all the moisture and your skin will stay silky smooth. 

However, sometimes it can be too much moisture, and a few blemishes may appear. I have such a weird mixture, as I might have a dry patch right next to a spot. SO annoying. That's where the Simple Facial Scrub comes in. In the shower I give my face a scrub with it, which clears my pores. When I get out of the shower, I splash my face with cold water, to close my pours, making sure that dirt and nasty things in the air stay out. This is when I apply the baby oil, to lock in the moisture.

I hope this helps guys! 

Do you have any skin beauty secrets?

Amy xi

STYLE | Hallowe'en

2.

Halloween is one of my favourite times of the year. This may be because my birthday is the day afterwards. But it is also because I LOVE fancy dress, and especially when its scary!

I just love the atmosphere on a night out or at a party when everyone is in fancy dress. People seem to get on better. There's never (usually) any drama, because most people are more bothered about what people are wearing, and not about what is being said or done. Well nothing ever bothers me on this night because at midnight it turns my birthday, so I'm always in a good mood!

Last year was my 18th, so I didn't wear anything too scary, in fact, there was nothing scary about it at all... But hey, its a special day and I didn't want to look back in photos and feel disgusting! I went as a vampire, so I had some scary, stick-in fangs, which stuck for about half a minute as it was so hard to talk with them in your mouth! 

I wore a Lipsy dress, which I got shortened, as I am only 5ft 2... with my trusty black Carvela heels (the loves of my life) and a hair piece so I looked especially glamorous and vampish (if thats a word). That's my Dad by the way, he went as Dracula, if thats not obvious enough haha. Weirdly he loves fancy dress too!

However, this year, my 19th, was slightly different! Emphasis on the 'slightly', because I went as a vampire again... I like them okay?! But it was different, as instead of being at home, I was in Newcastle, otherwise known as the toooooon. So got all my friends together from around the country, and my best friend threw a pre-house party, then we all went out on the toon.

We decorated her house with spooky cobwebs and made our own pumpkins. I'd never carved a pumpkin before, but it was so fun, and not as hard as I thought! Although it was messy and smelt horrid. Oh well, I like to get my hands dirty sometimes! 

My creation is the scariest in my opinion, the second one from the left, and I named him Patrick. You can just imagine him saying it, can't you!? They looked great and really got us in the Halloween spirit.

This year I wore, Rare dress, and again my trusty Carvela's! 

I love being a vampire because its simple and you look nice, which is always a plus! However, think I'll go a bit scarier next year, as its only one night of the year that you can look as bad as you want to!

What did you wear this Halloween?

Amy xi

HELLO WORLD

1.

So this isn't my first first blog, I have started others, which I admit, they failed. I guess I just wasn't sure on what to write about, so none of my posts had a proper identity. I didn't have a proper cause to write about. It was just a big mish-mash of rubbish basically.. slightly awks. 

I've just started work experience at Capital FM in the North-East, and my job is to find the best regional bloggers and sort them out with tickets ect to events that they can then blog about. And it got my hands tingling... As I was looking and reading and pouring over all these blogs, it just made me want to pick it back up again! And this time, I'm going to do it properly.

I've just moved to Newcastle, from a small village called Addingham which is on the edge of Leeds. So I suppose you think it would be a big change, from living on a farm to the middle of a big city. Well, it is very different. Instead of waking up to see hills and sheep and greenery, I now wake up to face the windows of fellow students on the other side of my halls' courtyard. (I usually keep my curtains closed, something very new to me). But I did live near Leeds so I know what cities are like, and I love them!

This blog will be about things I love to do, to eat, to wear, to drink and places I love to go.

Hope you enjoy!

Amy xi