What I Wore: My Graduation

I have recently graduated from Southampton Solent University, with a 2:1 with BA Honours in Writing Fashion and Culture. Yay, now onto real life! I have to start sorting my life out - first off actually working out what I want to do 100% - wish me luck?

It took me a while to find an outfit for the big day, as it was late in the year I didn't know what the weather would be like so I waited till the last minute. I had an idea of what I wanted, and thankfully I managed to get exactly what I wanted.

Whilst waiting for the Graduation Ceremony to begin.

The day was amazing, the weather was perfect, it was so sunny but also not baking hot, which I was glad of, so I didn't get too hot in my gown and mortarboard. 

The whole outfit was from New Look, which made it so much easier to find! I went for a midi skater skirt, which was gorgeous with a large graphic flower print all over it, which I absolutely love. For £22.99 it is an amazing price for such a gorgeous skirt. It is made from a scuba material and has a raw hem, which bothered me at first, however if there was a hem it wouldn't hang so nicely as it does. 

Trying not to fall over, whilst shaking the Dean's hand. 

I wore a black long sleeved crop top with it, which was £8.99, which fitted really nicely, and I showed a nice little bit of flesh, but not too much, as I wanted to look as sophisticated as I could...it wasn't easy! 

I also wore a pair of black ankle strap heels with it, which were £24.99, just for something simple and it was easier to walk in them - I knew they wouldn't slip off my feet and consequently I fall to the ground! 

Christmas with Friends

Every year my friends and I like to go for a meal at Christmas time, as we don't get to see each other as much as we would like through work and people being all over the place (geographically of course!) It is also a lot cheaper than buying presents for everyone of us, so that's what we do! 

Small look at the table decorations

This year we went to one of my local pubs called 'The House Martin' which is in New Milton in Hampshire. It is a Hall & Woodhouse pub which is a chain, however I think they have kept their own personality within the pub as it is absolutely beautiful. 

A snippet of the amazing decor in The House Martin, New Milton. 

The pub is in two sections, there is the bar area, with an amazing bar made out of copper along with sofa's, chairs and tables with a relaxed vibe. We were sat in the amazingly decorated main dining area, with bird cages hanging from the ceiling with lights in many of them. 

At the front of the dining area there was a massive glass window which just made the building even more impressive. This was an awesome setting for our Christmas meal, it helped that we were on a round table as well which means everyone can talk to everyone easily. 

Blurry but pretty good joke. 

The table was nicely decorated - a red table cloth with little stars dotted across it, massive wine glasses each with a napkin in it, along with a cute sign saying 'Merry Christmas Megan' written on it. I really wanted to take this home but decided not because it was such a lovely pub! 

Lovely decoration for the table, along with personalised table setting. 

We opted for a three course Christmas meal, which came to £18.99 each, which was really good value for money. For a starter I had 2 mini fried camembert with rocket salad and cranberry sauce. I was apprehensive about this, as I had never tried camembert cheese, but I decided to try it out, as you never know it could be the best thing you've ever tried. 

Baked Camembert starter

When cutting into it the top was crispy and the inside was deliciously gooey, it just oozed out to mix with the rocket, then when adding the cranberry sauce into the mix it just became even more delicious. 

For our main course we all had Roast Turkey, with green veg, roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, pig in blanket and stuffing. It was wonderful. 

Roast Turkey Main

The turkey was perfectly cooked, and not dry in the slightest, along with the other components it was lovely - obviously not as good as a home cooked Christmas dinner, but it came a very close second! 

Then for the best part of any meal, the dessert! I opted for a Winter Mess, which already sounds wonderful, and it lived up to the hype. The meringue had a lovely texture, mixed with the double cream and a mix of blackberries, red currants, black currents and strawberries, you can not go wrong! 

Winter Mess desert

Some of the girls had a white chocolate blondie with a 'Santa Surprise', which none of us could guess would the surprise could be...

Santa Surprise on a Blondie desert

A Santa hat of course! It's so cute - such a great surprise. 

All in all we all had a lovely evening, catching up, laughing and just enjoying each others company, the setting made it just that little bit special along with the lovely food. I will definitely be going back to The House Martin pub again and again. 

Have you and your friends done anything similar to this, or do you do something completely different?

x 

Outfit - The Roll Neck

For a while now I've really liked the look of a roll neck - love a 60's vibe. I finally gave in, and bought one from River Island, what do you think?

I love the colour, it goes perfectly with my skin tone, and even more the polo neck doesn't look horrendous, which I was worried about. I just wore my black Jamie jeans, my black felt fedora and my Domino boots from Office. 

I bought the top from River Island for £15 and it also comes in brown, black, navy and grey. I prefer the purple/red to just add a bit of colour to my wardrobe, but I might pick up the navy one too. This is the beginning of me buying all my basics again as I haven't got many now and everyone really does need their basics! 

I wore my long gunmetal and sparkly necklace from Mint Velvet, and I think it adds to the outfit, without it, the outfit looks a bit old fashioned. 

Have you gotten into the roll neck trend? 

x

Outfit - A Winter Afternoon

It is starting to get pretty chilly outside, so I've dug out my faux fur coat from my wardrobe to keep me cosy. I love my coat which I bought from River Island two years ago and it is still as soft as ever and fits like a glove. 

Coat - River Island, Scarf - Pull & Bear, Jeans - Topshop, Boots - Dune, Hat - Urban Outfitters

I stole my boyfriends beanie, as my head was getting cold and I quite like it, it goes perfectly by picking out the lighter brown in the coat. 

River Island Faux Fur Coat always feels glamorous

I put a basic long sleeved green top with the outfit, just to add a bit of colour. I love the forest tone to the green, along with the brown which works really nicely. 

The coat maybe 2 years old but I love it more every day

I also wore a pull & bear scarf, which was made to be worn with this coat - I love them together, the tones of the brown worn so well with the black. 

Dune Rafferty Boots - Still on sale two years after I got them! 

I love these beauties - my Dune Rafferty boots, which you can surprisingly still buy! I was given these as a Christmas present about two years ago, so seeing as they're still being sold is pretty odd. They are good boots, with a sturdy rubber sole with a lot of grip, a small heel and the best part - the tartan fold over with the knitted collar. Beaut. 

None of this outfit is new, in fact the top is the oldest - probably 4 years old! But the colour is still as vibrant as ever. 

What are you wearing now it's getting colour outside?

x

Christmas Baking - Gingerbread cupcakes

Christmas baking is my favourite type of baking, I usually make a Christmas cake but this year I left it too late (completely forgot) so I decided to make something different. As well as that we have 'Cake Month' at work so I was testing out some ideas for my day next week!

I decided to make Gingerbread cupcakes, with lemon flavoured buttercream. I haven't ever made them before, I usually make lemon, chocolate or vanilla cupcakes so it was fun to try something new.

The recipe is from Homemade Baking, which hosts 175 'old fashioned cake, cookie, muffin and cupcake recipes'. I have slightly edited the mixture, by adding in a bit more spice and taking out the fresh ginger and nutmeg as well as ground cloves. 

Ingredients: 

225g Plain Flour

2 Teaspoons Baking Powder

1 Teaspoon of Salt

2 teaspoons Ground Ginger

1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

1 teaspoon Ground Allspice

125g Cooking Margarine or unsalted butter

150g Soft Light Brown Sugar

2 Eggs

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

125ml milk

This recipe makes 12 cupcakes. 

1. Sift the flour, baking powder, salt and spices in a bowl. 

2. Cream the margin and sugar together in a bowl, until pale and fluffy. 

3. Add in the eggs, beating well, as well as the Vanilla Extract, 3/4 of the flour mixture and the milk. 

4. Fold in the remaining flour mixture.

5. Spoon the mixture into cupcake cases. 

6. Bake in a preheated oven (180 degrees fan) for about 20 minutes. 

I then made a lemon buttercream, to go on top and some mini gingerbread hearts! Yum yum yum! 

The lemon buttercream was made as a usual buttercream and then adding fresh lemon juice and zest of 1 lemon. The gingerbread was a standard gingerbread recipe. 

Have you been doing any christmas themed bakes over the festive period? 

x

Secret Santa Ideas for under £10

It's getting closer to the big day and secret Santa's are filling up offices and other work places up and down the country. Usually secret Santa's have a limit on how much money you can spend, sometimes going up to £20 - depending on how much you ! Me friends and I are doing our own secret Santa, and we have decided on a £10 limit. This has given me the idea of showing you what you can get for £10. Which is actually very surprising - obviously you can't get all of this for a tenner -I wish!

I have picked out loads of different items from many different shops, some items are actually now on sale which makes them a great bargain for secret Santa's and also items that are just under £10 so you get a tiny but of change.

I hope this gives you some ideas if you're getting a bit stuck on what to get that woman in your office that you have said 2 words to in the time you've been there! Or just a little present for yourself!

Secret Santa Ideas for under £10

1. Jelly Cat Reindeer - John Lewis £7.50
This little cutey would melt anyones heart! It's only about 10 cm's high but oh holy he's adorable.

2. Cat in space mug - Topshop £7
No words except amazing.

3. Photo Cube - Paperchase £4
Great for anyone who loves to take photos - who doesn't?

4. Gingerbread man and reindeer hand warmers - New Look £4.99
Such an easy gift and cute too, a lovely alternative to gloves.

5. Penguin mug - John Lewis £5
Penguin + a scarf. What's not to love?

6. Secret Santa - Lush £9.95
For the last minute secret santa! Just pick this up with two pre picked items inside, one for the shower and one for the bath.

7. Eflie Selfie disposable camera - Urban Outfitters £7.50
Selfie - the word of the year. Plus some elves ..well it is Christmas. Perfect novelty present.

8. Santa Egg and soldiers set - Paperchase £7
So adorable, and healthy.

9. Christmas Tree hot water bottle - Urban Outfitters £7.50
Garish but also amazing. Urban Outfitters have a 50% off sale at the moment for many of their christmas novelty gifts, grab them whilst you can!

10. Santa socks - John Lewis £5
Free bauble, the socks are super soft as well!

11. The Christmas Penguin Bubble Bar  - Lush £3.25
Look at him! Great for anyone who loves to be clean and loves penguins.

12. Star Light Star Bright Bath Melt - Lush £3.50
For that person who just LOVES glitter, with this there is no getting away from it! Seriously it gets everywhere, but it is also amazing - smells great too!

13. Molton Brown Body Wash Bauble - John Lewis £10
Bit more pricey but the smell is to die for! You could also use this as an actual bauble if you wanted.

14. Unicorn Hottie - Topshop £9
Erm Unicorn...this is all.

15. Christmas Bauble shot glasses - Urban Outfitters £6 

Another tacky item from Urban Outfitters, but for £6 you can't go wrong.

Have you got any secret Santa's you need to buy this year?

Simple Kind to Skin Nourishing Body Wash - Review

A few weeks ago whilst in Boots, I decided to buy some new shower gel, I usually use Radox Moisture Boost Shower Gel. I fancied trying something new, so whilst perusing the shower gel section, I noticed the Simple shower gel section, I chose the Nourishing Body Wash.
I don't know wether I'm really late to the party or that it is a new product, but either way it's new to me. I already use some simple products and have done in the past, and seeing as my skin is quite sensitive I decided to give it a go.

I have used this for some time, so you know it's a true review. 

The initial packaging is good - simple of course, which always makes me think that they take more time on the product inside the packaging. However I also go the other way, and love unique and exciting packaging. But seeing as the brands name is Simple it makes sense that they have such minimal packaging.

Scent 

The smell of this shower gel, is well...none existent, but for sensitive skin this is a god send! I found that it was great because I could then use my scented moisturiser and it wouldn't create an odd mix of smells, it just focused on the moisturiser scent. It smells exactly the same as their face moisturiser, to give it a bit of context.

Simple Kind to Skin Nourishing Shower Gel

Texture 

So it came around to using the product, and I thought I knew what to expect, you know as using shower gels now for near enough my whole life...I was wrong. When you think of shower gel you probably think of a soft luxurious liquid, however the Simple Nourishing Body Wash looks lumpy, yes lumpy!
A friend of mine explained that she thought it was the same texture of PVA glue, I absolutely agree. Such a strange texture! But I decided to persevere.

Using a purple puff to apply the Simple Nourishing Body Wash

First use

After lathering up the weird lumpy liquid, it actually went rather well, the texture changed into a really bubbly luxurious one - this restored my faith in the product! As there wasn't a scent afterwards I used my moisturiser and I didn't get a weird mix of smells, which I really appreciated.

Simple body wash after after being lathered up - BUBBLES!

Overall 

All in all I think this product is very nourishing, however it doesn't feel as luxurious as other brands - mainly down to the fact there isn't any scent and that's what I feel makes something feel luxurious. The product is lasting a long time, as you don't need a lot for it to lather up. I would definetely purchase this product again. 

Have you tried any of the other Simple shower gels, are they the same kind of thing? Or have you tried anything else that is good for sensitive skin?
x

Winter Essentials: The Coat

For the next month or two I will be posting all about essentials for winter, in my Winter Essentials Series. This week I'm talking about one of the main things you will need in winter - the coat!

Wrap up warm because it's going to get cold! Every year we look for the perfect coat that will see us through the cold and damp winter months, and obviously this year is no exception.

I always look for something that is a statement, a few years ago I bought a brown faux fur coat, which I still have and still looks gorgeous. Last year I bought a fur, tweed and leather number, which I absolutely adore, it might sound like a horrendous mix, but it is gorgeous and I always get compliments on it.

This year I was hoping to get a coloured coat, so I have something that I can wear when it's grey and gross outside. Just to brighten up my day. Here are my favourite four coats that you can find on the hughstreet. 

Green Coat - River IslandPink Coat - River IslandDogtooth Coat - OasisCheck Print Coat - New Look

Where are you getting your winter coat from this year, and will you be going for a bright number or a subtle black or monochrome?
x

Handmade Burger Co. Review

Whilst on a shopping trip to Southampton a few weeks ago, my boyfriend and I decided to try a new place for lunch, so we went to the Handmade Burger Company which has just opened in West Quay shopping centre. The Handmade Burger Co, boasts a huge menu and has many restaurants around the United Kingdom.

We were greeted by a lovely server, who was chatty and helpful, he explained the extensive menu (over 40 different burgers to be exact!) explaining how you can have anything you want, if you don't want it ask for it not to be included and if you fancy something different on your burger just ask to add it on.

First impressions were great, the decor was very hipster, with singular lightbulbs hanging above every table, along with a metal gate surrounding the whole restaurant, as well as music playing in the background. It was really nice that it felt so different from being in West Quay - it actually felt like we weren't in the shopping centre at all!

Looking through the menu, I really couldn't chose, it was so difficult to chose from all the different burgers - going for something regular or trying something new. I decided on staying to what I knew, because I was so hungry, I had to know I would actually eat it! However I was very tempted by the Avocado and Bacon burger!

Like I said the range was massive, from beef to chicken and of course veggie, along with sliders, lamb, smaller burgers, stuffed burgers and more!

My boyfriend ordered a Banana Milkshake, which took quite a while to arrive and when it did we were quite disappointed, well my boyfriend was. It could be that we were expecting too much, but it didn't taste as nice as we expected it to. It wasn't very thick and it tasted like banana flavouring not fresh banana.

In the end I ordered an American Cheese burger, which had onion rings, swiss cheese, lettuce, mayonnaise and red onion. We also ordered a side of chips to share as our server told us they were massive portions. 

To be honest I wasn't very impressed with the burger, it was alright. I felt like they cooked it too much for my liking, so it was actually quite dry and tasteless. So I was very disappointed if I'm honest. 

They had only been open for a week when we went so I will give them another chance, and go there again another time. Maybe in a few months time to see if they have improved, I may even try a chicken burger to see if it is better than the other one. 

x

My European Adventure - Ten Tips for Travelling Europe

This is the final post in my European Adventure Series, my ten tips for travelling around Europe. This doesn't mean that I know everything about travelling because I really don't, but these are just a few things that I found out through my travels.


1. Don't pack every single item in your wardrobe into your bag/suitcase - it will be heavy and you will want to throw it all away half way through!


2. Go with a friend or an organised group, you will be safer.

My friend and I

3. Do something you have never done before or you are scared of - I went on a really high cable cart ride over Barcelona and I am terrified of them, but I did it and it was amazing.

Cable Cart over Barcelona! 

4. Eat all the food you can, never go hungry. All the walking and carrying of heavy bags you will be glad you had 3 croissants covered in Nutella for breakfast!

Good food in Paris 

5. Wear comfy clothes, yes ok be as fashionable as you want, but at the end of the day you don't want to be catching that silk top covered in sequins on something and ruining it. Smock dresses were my favourite thing to wear whilst away, they were just so comfortable.

Love a smock dress

6. Put your iPhone/camera down and look at your surroundings - a study in 2013 said that people who just observe their surroundings rather than documenting it in a photograph remembered it better when asked about it later on.

7. But also take photos/videos etc - it's always nice to show your friends and family you in front of a building in the middle of a city, which generally has some sort of importance.

8. Go to the places that are tourist attractions but also find things that are unique and not the main sights. Whilst in Barcelona we went to see the works of Gaudi and we also ended up at a cute little outdoor market full of antiques and jewels it was so nice. Then whilst in Madrid we found a rooftop bar which looked over the whole of the city. It was basically empty and so nice just to chill.

View from the rooftop bar over Madrid

9. It's always nice to buy friends and/or family presents from your travels, but don't buy them anything heavy or breakable in your first part of your trip - remember you have to carry it around. Don't forget to get yourself a little memento of your time away. Unless you don't want to or your budget is small, then don't feel like you have to buy everyone presents.

This wasn't even the full map of places we ended up going to, too much to do in two weeks! 

10. The most important tip - Europe will be there forever don't feel like you have to fit everything into one trip, take your time and chill out. It also means if you enjoyed travelling you already have a list of places to go.


You can check out the rest of my European Adventure Series, from which backpack is best for you, to what to take with you in your backpack and all about my experience with an Interrail Ticket.

If you have any other questions about travelling around Europe, please feel free to ask :)
x

Outfit - Velvet Dreams

It's a jean kind of day today! My trusty black Jamie jeans from Topshop were on top form today, with a little roll up on my ankle, exposing a bit of skin on a surprisingly warm Autumn day!

Velvet Dreams outfit 

I wanted to wear something a bit interesting so I went for my vintage GAP jacket, in a gorgeous bottle green velvet - perfection. I love the look of a soft velvet jacket, as it shimmers in the daylight.

Dream Catcher top from Gold Kid London
Velvet jacket vintage GAP 

I wore a top I bought from a stall in Camden Lock called Gold Kid London. I love it, and it was only a fiver! I am a huge fan of dream catchers so this was definitely the top for me! 

Necklace from BornPrettyStore.com 

I didn't want to wear a necklace that was too loud and flashy, so I went for this simple black rope necklace with three skull beads - perfect for the week of Halloween. 

Astrix Boots from Topshop

I really need a new pair of boots, as these seem to feature all the time on my blog! But I do love them dearly! If you have any suggestions of new winter boots, please let me know! 

x

Liebster Award

I have recently been nominated for the Liebster award by Ashlie from Fashion is a Thief. Which is awesome, so thank you very much!

Liebster award

The Rules1. Post 11 facts about you.
2. Answer the 11 questions set by the blogger who nominated you.
3. Nominate 11 blogs under 200 followers.

4. Link your nominees to the post.
5. Create 11 questions for your nominees to answer.
6. Let the nominees chosen know they have been tagged.

11 Facts about Me
1. I am 22 years old, and I will be 23 on Boxing Day!! :( (Nobody likes you when you're 23 - guess the quote!)

2. I currently work as a merchandiser on the fashion department at John Lewis.

3. My plan is to find work experience/a job within editorial design.

4. I studied Writing Fashion and Culture at Southampton Solent University, where I got a 2:1 degree!

5. I AM GOING TO GLASTONBURY 2015! I also went to Glastonbury 2014 and it was amazing!

6. I love cups of tea, but they have to be made right!

7. My boyfriend and I have been together for just over 4 years!

8. I have a Japanese Akita called Millie and she is the best dog ever, but she is so soppy it's ridiculous. People often get a bit scared of her because she's quite big and looks like a 'wolf' apparently, but she wouldn't hurt a fly!

9. I live at home, in the middle of nowhere and it sucks - definitely a city girl not a country girl!

10. When I'm eating anything bread/dough based, you know I'm full when I start eating the crust.

11. I have mild dyslexia and dyspraxia, which makes my diary and spell check is my best friends.


Questions from Ashlie

1. Are you a nude or red kind of lipstick girl?
I actually don't know, I really want to get into lipstick!


2. Trousers, Skirts or Dresses?
Trousers, then dresses then skirts.

3. Do you prefer a flat shoe or heels? 
Heeled boots please.


4. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Hearing people eat and generally noisy eaters!

5. Pizza or Pasta? 
PASTA! Carbs carbs carbs <3

6. What career goals do you have? 

To become a successful editorial designer.

7. Fashion or Beauty? 
Fashion, but I would like to get into beauty more.


8. What is your favourite TV show?
New girl and Parks and Recs






9. What would your 3 wishes be?
To achieve my dreams.
For my family to be happy.
To have less money issues.

10. What's the best thing you've ever done?
Completed my degree, with a 2:1


11. What was the best holiday you ever went on and why?
Florida 2012, with my friend, it was our first holiday without our parents and it was just a fun filled two weeks.

Nominations

I couldn't nominate 11 blogs under 200 followers, so I have 5, hopefully you guys can think of a few more than me!

Daisy - Daisy Churchward
Elise - Style Standfirst
Conny - Floral Chaos
Gemma - Gemma Carey Fashion
Anna - Made Up Style

My questions for you are...

1. What is your favourite thing to do on a lazy Sunday afternoon?
2. Topshop or River Island?
3. Faux fur coat or leather jacket?
4. Name one thing in your wardrobe you couldn't live without?
5. What's your favourite holiday? (Christmas, Halloween, New Years etc)
6. Who is your fashion idol?
7. What item are you most coveting the most right now?
8. What is your most played song on spottily/itunes right now?
9. Vintage or new?

10. When did you start your blog?
11. Which Witch is which?

Hopefully you know more about me, and I hope to find out more about you too!

x

My European Adventure - What to pack

Welcome to the third instalment of my European Adventure Series, where I will be talking about what I packed in my backpack!

Months and weeks before I left I was frantically reading other blogs and websites on what I needed to take with me on this trip. However I found they were few and far between. A lot of the websites were full of things that I knew I didn't want to take (3 pairs of heavy jeans, 50 hoodies etc - this may be an exaggeration!)

Batiste shampoo - A MUST when travelling

So I've decided to put up this guide to help you work out what you want to take with you, but obviously I went in the Summer so if you're planning to go in Winter your list would probably be a bit different from mine.

It was actually really hard to pack for so many different countries as I had a feeling it would be colder in Paris, Vienna, Berlin and Amsterdam but obviously a lot warmer in Madrid and Florence etc. I only went for two weeks, but I managed to fill the bag 3/4 of the way!

Some of the bits I had in my backpack whilst travelling Europe

I took:
-A handbag
-A compact camera - Sony CyberShot DSC-HX50
-A pair of lightweight jeans
-A thick cardigan
-A lightweight shower proof jacket
-A pair of vans
-A pair of dolly shoes
-A pair of sandals
-A pair of flip flops (for the showers!)
-A bikini (for the showers!)
-A small towel
-A black maxi skirt
-Three dresses
-Seven tops
-An umbrella
-Two pairs of Sunglasses
-Miniture makeup bag - slimmed down make up (eyeliner and mascara)
-A mini pack of shower gel, shampoo etc.
-Underwear and socks obviously!

We didn't take as much as we could have done, as we thought we could wash some things during our trip. Often my friend and I would wash things in the sinks of hostel toilets with a bit of shower gel and it seemed to do the trick - well made them a bit fresher anyway!
Ok not the most glamorous of things to do but to be fair you're travelling around - IT ISN'T GLAMOROUS ANYWAY!

Wouldn't have gone anywhere if I didn't have my Passport. 

Remember you can always buy things when you are travelling, there is an H&M on every corner in most places in Europe (They have shops too  - Dur!)

My bag was quite heavy when travelling around the hotter places as I had a pair of jeans and a cardigan in my backpack but it was a godsend when I was in the colder places! You could of course take more with you but by the end of the trip your back will hurt so badly, you've just got to ask your self if it's worth it.

If you want any other tips on travelling, check out the rest of My European Adventure series, one on the way to get around Europe - Interrailing and another post about the backpack I took with me.

x