Feeling Minty!

So, another new week, another new nail varnish!

I picked up a new varnish in town yesterday and I LOVE it!

I went for 'Mint Choc Chip' by 17 at Boots. It's part of their new 'Candy Collection' range, which also includes Orange Soda, Fairy cake, Parma Violet and Sherbet Lemon.

It's a good consistency and went on really well. Two coats were definitely required, but it's lasting really well and has yet to chip at all. the colour is fresh and gorgeous.

The bottle cost just £2.99 and, even better, all the 'Lasting fix' varnishes are currently on offer for 2 for £5, both in store and online.

So I say get down to Boots and check out the Candy Collection. The pastel shades and long lasting formula is a winning combination, just in time for spring!

xx

My life in a bag

At uni I'm always carrying my life around with me.

I normally have my handbag, laptop bag, bag with folders and books in, and a carrier bag for my lunch. All in all I usually resemble some sort of bag lady around campus!

So I decided it would be a good idea to get one larger bag to put everything in. Now I've had this plan before and have purchased many a bag that a week later has snapped handles because of the pure weight I lug around everyday.

However, last week I bought a new bag, in the hope that this one could withstand the pressure! It was from Primark, costing only £6 (I'm wary of spending too much on a holdall for uni as so many have broken on my in the past).

So far though, this one is faring better than the rest! It seems a lot stronger because of the way the handles are stitched and the thick material.

I've already had a lot of compliments on it. If you're wary of buying things from Primark because everyone will end up with them, then you could easily customise it with ribbons, badges or flowers.

I think it's perfect for the confusing weather at this time of year because the print is summery, but the waterproof material means all your things wont get soaked if there's a sudden downpour. It reminds me of a Cath Kidston design at about a tenth of the price.

For now at least its doing is job, and looking good!

xx

Bank account says...no

It's always a depressing day when your bank statement arrives as a student, and this month was no exception.

I got mine yesterday and it was even worse than expected, which means major shopping should really be off the cards for me for a while. Saying that, I know I won't be able to avoid the shops entirely, so I'm just going to have to hunt out bargains instead of splashing the cash.

I know exactly what's going to happen now that I have no money - when I go into town I'll just want EVERYTHING I see! Why does this always happen?! When you actually have money to spend and need to buy something, you can never find anything anywhere, but as soon as your money runs out, hello, you love everything!!

Saying that I've been good for the first 24 hours at least(!) buying just another new varnish.

I went for 'Polyester Pink' by NYC which cost about £2. It's proper Barbie-style pink - very girly almost like bubblegum. It goes on well and so far it's a lot more longer-lasting that the Collection 2000 one I bought at the weekend, and hasn't chipped at all with two coats.

I'll post up anymore bargains I find over the next few weeks while I'm keeping a close eye on the finances. Wish me luck!

xx

Just a high street girl..

So, I've started a blog!

There are several reasons I've decided to take my first, tentative steps into blogging. Firstly, my boyfriend, I'll call him 'Mr X' from now on, has encouraged me to do so (I was going to call him Mr C, seeing that is what his surname actually starts with, but Mr X sounds much more intriguing). He has his own blog about technology/internet/website things I don't really understand, but seeing how much he enjoyed writing about his interests made me want a piece of the action.

Just as I was pondering the possibility of being the next Perez Hilton I bought this month's edition of Company magazine. As if by fate, the edition is all about blogging (maybe some fashion angel was looking down upon me). I found the articles, about all different people who have blogs, not just fashion-related, really inspiring.

The common theme of all the advice the top bloggers gave was to write about something you are passionate about.

So you know what, I've decided what the hell!

I may be no 'expert', in that I don't currently work in the industry, I'm not doing a fashion-related degree and I've never picked up a needle and thread in my life. But I just love talking and reading about style. If no one reads my blog, then so be it (although obviously I'd love it if they did). I'm writing it so that I can put my ideas and opinions out there. I'm not claiming to be some sort of fashion leader. I'm a high street girl on a student budget, and I think that's something many people can relate to. I'm looking forward to talking about my outfits, my best high street finds and of course some celebrity style.

If anyone out there IS reading this then thanks a lot. I'd love to hear what you think.

Happy blogging!

xx

(PS The title of this post is to be sung in true Journey stylee)

Love is in the air

As bridesmaid-to-be, I felt the need to look good at my boyfriend's brother's engagement party in Ipswich last night.

As usual, when planning my wardrobe I decided I needed something new for the occasion. I took jeans and shoes away with me, in the hope that I could hit the shops during the day to find something to wear on top.

We were starting of at a pub for drinks and nibbles with both families and friends, and then the younger crowd were heading for a club.

In the end I went for the outfit in the picture. The jeans aren't new but it was the first time I had worn them. They were £25 from Crafted at Republic. They're 'skinny flare' and I think they're really flattering. The shoes are my old favourites - a tan pair of heels from Dorothy Perkins.

I found this top in New Look for £20. Cream with pink love hearts all over it, I think it was super cute for the occasion. Maybe it was a little bit 'themey' to wear hearts at an engagement party, but I thought it was sweet (it wasn't like I went dressed as a wedding cake or anything!). I think the top was a really good buy - with a blazer over the top it would be cute for work, but could also be dressed down with baggy jeans and flip flops for the summer. New Look have some really nice pieces in at the moment at good prices if you are willing to look.

All in all it was a great night - it was lovely to catch up with people we haven't seen in a while and was a welcome break from uni. i felt really comfortable in my outfit, and it took me from pub to club really well.

Now, just the wedding in July to look forward to.

Congratulations Rachael and Rob! xx

Best quick, cheap fix

When you're feeling you need to freshen your look, nail varnish has got to be the best quick, cheap fix you can get.

After a rather stressful day at uni, I felt like I needed cheering up and typically turned to the shops to do it. Although a whole new outfit, complete with bag, shoes and jewellery would have been the perfect antidote, unfortunately I'm living on a student budget. So instead I went for new nail varnish. Strange choice you might think, but I think it's perfect for just making you feel that little bit better.

The colour I went for was 'BMX Bandit' by Collection 2000. I'm normally a black, purple, deep red kinda girl, but thought this was the perfect colour for this time of year- fresh and vibrant for the start of spring, without being too summery (we're not there quite yet!). It's a great colour for any situation- funky enough for the evening, yet not too garish for daytime.

For just £1.79 it really cheered me up- I genuinely smiled when I noticed my nails when typing on the keyboard earlier!

There's certain things that I think it's important to spend a decent amount of money on to get good quality. However, I think with nail varnish, unless it's a particularly special occasion or you need it to be particularly chip-resistant for any reason, then cheap will do. If you're only paying a couple of pounds a bottle you can afford to experiment, trying out new colours without worrying you might not like them and never use them again.

Nail varnish adds a finishing touch to your look, and might even make you feel that little bit happier. And all for just a couple of pounds!

xx