Pretty Place for Pretty Things

Hi girlies,

Sorry I've been a little bit absent from blogging over the last week or so. I started a new job on Monday which meant moving city and being really tired from taking lots of new information in every day, so I haven't had the energy in the evenings to blog. But now I've had a lovely lie in this morning I feel much more awake and ready to get into the swing of things! My job is going really well so far - I've had a great first week :-D I'm looking forward to moving into my new flat in a week or so too, and not longer having to live out of a suitcase (MBFGW calls...)

Anyway before I left home for this new job I'd just about got my room at home how I wanted it, so I took loads of pictures. I'm going to miss my room as I'd just got it really pretty and girly, but hopefully I can make my room in my new flat just as nice.

So, despite moving out and so my room at home not looking like this any more, I still thought it would be nice to show you some photos of what it did look like. I've done a post on my bedroom before (which you can find here) but all the pictures were taken for that when I didn't actually live at home and was at uni. However, when I moved back in before Christmas, the room had all my stuff in and so was a lot more 'me' :-) I'm going to do a couple of posts to show how I finally got my room looking, but for now I'll start with my dresser (well, it's not a dresser, it's a chest of drawers, but I used it for the same purpose).

So, here it is, as it was...

The chest was from Ikea and I believe it was about £80, which I think is great value. The mirror is also from Ikea and it was a bargainous £10!

On top of the chest I kept all my jewellery, everyday things that I need easy access to, and a range of trinkets to keep my room looking pretty :-) I'm not a particularly girly girl generally, but I find a girly, pretty room so much more relaxing that any other style.

The 'LOVE' block is one of my more recent purchases. I got it from TK Maxx for just £3.99, and couldn't resist its sparkly goodness! There's also a pair of adorable tealight holders on there. I don't ever light them, but they're cute just for decoration. The flowers are artificial, but added some much needed colour. The dark box is my nifty solution for storing all my earrings - you can see the post I did on it here - I thought it was a cool idea!

I kept my everyday essentials out on top of the chest. I have more brushes than this, but not that I use on a regular basis. I keep a few brushes, emery boards, tweezers, scissors and eyelash curlers in this 'Bridesmaid' mug which I was given when I was a bridesmaid last year.

In the back corner are all my necklaces and bracelets on a mug tree. I find its the only way I can keep them all untangled, which made it much easier in the morning when I'm rushing about, trying to get ready.

Probably my favourite thing on the chest is this lovely glass pot, which I got from a car boot for £1. It actually has a silver lid that goes with it, but because I use it to store all my eye make up, it wont fit on. These are all the eye shadows, eye liners and mascaras I have - not a huge collection, but to be honest if I had any more I probably wouldn't use them.

I got this cute vintage pot from a car boot for just 50p! At the moment it's perfect to store all of my rings. However, my collection seems to be growing rapidly, so I might need to reassess...

Finally, hanging off the handle of the top drawer is adorable sign... so true...

So there we have it - my much loved chest of drawers. I'm really going to miss it now that I've moved out again, as I'd just got it set up exactly how I wanted it.

I'll be doing another post shortly to show where I kept all the rest of my make up and toiletries, and how I stored them while I was back at home.

Have any of you got any cute storage ideas? Send me links to your blog posts on your storage if you've written any...

xx

Alphabet of Love! T-Z...

Evening ladies!

Hope you're all good, and happy that tomorrow is finally Friday! As I haven't had a job since Christmas all the days have started to blend into one for me, but as I start my new, very exciting job, on Monday, I'm looking forward to the days actually meaning something and getting that Friday feeling again :-D

Today I was finally able to finish my 'Alphabet of Love' - my A-Z run though of all the things that float my boat. You can find the first three parts here, here and here if you haven't already read them. Turns out it's much harder to think of things the closer you get to Z! Anyway, here's the final countdown...

...Tattoos (but not on me!)

I really love tattoos, even though I don't think they're for me. On other people I think they can look so gorgeous, but I just wouldn't get one myself (even though I think about it A LOT). I think it's because I'm very pale, could never decide on what to actually go for, and that I always think that it wouldn't look nice on my wedding day.

If I looked like the girl in this picture I would definitely have one. I really like meaningful quotes/words in particular, and I'm not a big fan of getting wives/husbands names tattooed - just asking for trouble me thinks!

...University

As you'll know if you read my blog regularly I graduated from university last summer after four years. One word to summarise my uni experience... awesome!

Although I was ready to leave, it doesn't mean I wasn't sad. I had a brilliant time, met great people and had so many memorable experiences! From other people's blogs I can see that many don't have as good a uni experience as I did, so I guess I was very lucky :-)

...Virgin Islands

So, in 2009 I basically visited paradise on earth! I hadn't really visited any exotic locations on holiday before, so when I went to the British Virgin Islands I loved it so much (it's where Richard Branson's Necker Island is). We stayed on Tortola but managed to visit some of the other islands too, and the scenery, beaches and people were amazing. The only problem is that I'll now probably never be able to top that holiday, so am going to feel disappointed for the rest of my life!

What's not to love about these pictures?!

...Weddings

Believe it or not, until a few years ago I'd never been to a wedding. But in the last few years I've been to quite a few, and feel like I was missing out before - they are so much fun! I was even a bridesmaid last year for my (now ex) boyfriend's brother and wife-to-be :-) I loved it so much and it was such a gorgeous wedding! I'm sitting on the left of the bench...

So if anyone ever needs people to attend a wedding because they haven't got enough guests and want to look a bit more popular, I'll be there!

...X Factor

So this choice isn't that unusual at all - along with the rest of the country I love the X Factor. And pretty much every other reality show out there for that matter. I never actually phone up and vote, but that doesn't mean my Saturday nights don't revolve around the TV. I usually pair this with a Pizza Hut delivery, making me one very happy bunny :-)

...YouTube

Once I log on to YouTube, the next thing I know a couple of hours have passed - I just don't know where the time goes! I spend most of my time watching videos by all the big beauty gurus, and enjoy discovering new favourites too. However, my most watched video on YouTube has to be this performance of 'Set Fire To The Third Bar' by Snow Patrol and Cheryl Cole. I wouldn't usually say Cheryl has that great a voice, but I think this song really suits her, and their voices sound great together.

What do you think?

...Zzzzzz

Sorry if this is a bit of a cop out as it's not really a word, but I couldn't think of anything else apart from zoos or zebras! And it is true - I do really like sleep :-) I've never been one of these people who can get away with not getting much sleep, and if I go a few days without my 8 hours definitely start feeling a bit ropey! I love nothing more than snuggling in my bed, in some nice pyjamas, with some magazines in hand :-)

So that completes my alphabet of 'loves'! I hope you've enjoyed reading it, and if you've found it just a tiny bit interesting, funny or insightful then I'm happy :-) Hopefully it's allowed you to get to know 'the girl behind the blog' just that little bit better.

As I said at the top, I start my new job on Monday, so along with that and moving city and finding somewhere to live, things could be a little hectic. So I apologise in advance if my blogging is quite sporadic over the next week or two.

Loves.

xx

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day one and all!

I spent my evening alone watching Bridget Jones. Tragic.

Please fill me in on your Valentines stories to cheer me up!

And just because I'm a bit of a maths geek..

All pictures from weheartit.com

Loves.

xx

Alphabet of Love! M-S...

Hi ladies,

Sorry for the lack of posts this week - it's been a rather hectic few days in the life of Erin. To sum it up, I had a second interview for a job I REALLY wanted, and I actually got it! I am so happy but so nervous at the same time. In a recent tag post I did (which you can find here) I described my ideal job, and this new job is basically exactly this, so really I couldn't have wished for anything better :-D But now the frantic search begins for a flatshare, as I need to move back to London again.

Anyway, after a busy week, I'be finally managed to put together the third part of my 'Alphabet of Love' series. The first two parts are here and here. So without further ado...

...Macbook

Without doubt the best purchase I've ever made. I just couldn't live without my lovely little macbook. I got it in my final year at university and compared to my old, super slow laptop, I would say that it's genuinely changed my life.

...Names

Ok, so this one's quite weird, I admit. I have a slight obsession with baby names! I just find it interesting what names mean, what celebrities call their children and what names go together for siblings. Maybe I shouldn't have admitted that one?..

...online window shopping

I love a good old bit of surfing my favourite sites to see what goodies I'd like to buy if money was no object. I've bought a few things online but don't tend to do it that often, as for me I like the whole shopping experience and trying things on. But I do like to see what's out there and create my own little wishlists :-)

...Puddles

No, not of the rainy variety. Puddles was the name of my dearest pussy cat who sadly passed away about two years ago. We called him Puds for short.

He lived to 18 years and I'd like to think he had a very happy little life :-) I still miss him all the time though. I don't think people who don't have pets can ever understand how close you can get to them.

...Quizzes

I LOVE quizzes. I don't know why really though, as I'm not actually that good at them! My general knowledge is pretty poor, especially geography and history. I tend to do alright on the celebrity, entertainment and music rounds though (no surprise there then!). In my first year at university we used to do the pub quiz every Monday, and those were some of my happiest times :-)

... Revision

Jokes. I HATED revision with a passion. At uni I didn't mind lectures, tutorials, coursework, or actually doing exams themselves. But revision periods were just the worst ever - I could always find something better to do with my time. So for all of you that are revising for school or university - I feel your pain. But believe me it will all be worth it in the end when you can be proud of yourself. Then you can LOVE that it's over!

This picture was taken when I was revision for my finals - hoping that all the contents of my Operations Strategy module would go into my head through some sort of osmosis-like process!

...Stationery

I'm a sucker for cute stationery - I could get lost in Paperchase for hours. Having pretty stationary just makes writing things down so much more fun! And as I'm always writing lists, I go through them really quickly. This is my current notebook - so cute from WHSmith...

Only one more post to go! As i said before, if any of you want to do this tag then go for it - just send me the link so I can check it out :-) You don't have to make it a mega 4-part series like I have!

xx

All Snuggled Up!

Evening chicas!

Hope you've all had a lovely start to your week (or as lovely as is possible!). I had an interview in London and then met up with a friend for drinks in Birmingham, so I've been a busy bee :-)

So I just have a very quick OOTD post for you today. This is what I wore on Saturday to go shopping with my mum... (I apologise for dodgy pictures taken on my iPhone and Photobooth)...

Jacket/Cardigan - New Look

Trousers - Dorothy Perkins

Boots - River Island

Bag - River Island

Necklace - Secret Santa!

Vest - New Look

I put my hair up after I took these two pictures, because it just didn't look right. It just seems very nothingy to me at the moment - very long, but it doesn't really 'do' anything (if this makes sense). I really want to have a bit of a change in the hair department, so I'm busy looking for inspiration.

I am so in love with this jacket, cardigany thing (I don't really know what to call it!). It's just a gorgeous mix of autumny colours and is really snuggly - perfect for this chilly weather we seem to be having.

It was actually a bit of a bargain - I picked it up in the New Look sale for just £5. However, when I got home and looked at my receipt it said 'Zip Leggings', so it turns out it had the wrong tag on it! I practically haven't taken it off since I bought it!

Getting gangsta...

xx

Alphabet of Love! G-L...

Hi all!

Hope you're all having a good day :-) Despite it being pretty cold it's really sunny where I am today, which is making me excited that summer is nearing! As much as I love hibernating in the winter, I can't wait for longer evenings and not having to wrap up in so many layers.

Anyway, I'll stop nattering and get on with the whole point of this post - continuing with my alphabet of things that I love :-) (You can see the first post in this little series here). So, I'll carry on where I left off, with 'G'...

...Gladiators

I couldn't possibly do an alphabet of things I love without mentioning Gladiators! And by this, yes, I do mean the 90s TV show. I was SUCH a big fan of Gladiators - I had all the annuals, recorded all the shows on our VHS player and was lucky enough to go to see the show about six times. Whenever anyone asked me what I wanted to be when I was older, I would say a Gladiator! I was excited when they announced it was coming back a few years ago, but it just wasn't the same (maybe because I'm not 7 years old any more!...)

This was taken when I went to see the show one time - Falcon wasn't actually there, they just put a little lens in the camera with her picture on. I was very proud of it though!

...Handbags

I'm sure you all have your own fashion and beauty weak spots - be it shoes, jewellery, lipsticks or anything else. But for me it's handbags - I just can't resist! I don't have a huge collection at all, and I definitely don't own any designer bags, but sometimes I just spot a handbag (usually in River Island) that I just can't walk away from! *must get more will power* What is it that you just can't resist?

...Inbetweeners

Despite it making me cringe soooo badly, I love The Inbetweeners. I didn't watch the first series when it was first on, but had a marathon box set session to catch up for series two, and it's blimin' hilarious! It reminds me so much of my school and is just so true to life. I love Will the 'Briefcase W****r' in particular! I am super duper excited for the film that's due out this summer :-)

...Joe Hart

I'm a huge football fan, and as much as I love the 'beautiful game' I also love the 'beautiful people' (not that they're all attractive by any stretch of the imagination - Wayne Rooney being a perfect example). As I said in my 15 Random Questions tag post I did here, Sami Hyypia is my favourite footballer ever and my big crush! But Joe Hart has to be up there too - a goalkeeper who plays for Machnester City. Fit.

Now I come to think of it he actually looks like a young Sami, so maybe that's why I like him!...

... Kardashians

I am ADDICTED to Keeping Up With The Kardashians! I just love that family so much - they're brilliant. I don't know whether it's because I'm an only child with quite a small family, but I love how close they all are and how much fun they have. The programme is hilarious and I am mucho jealous of their glamorous lifestyles.

Couple how entertaining they are with how darn stunning they are and you've got a winning combination. Basically my ambition is to be a Kardashian. Could be a difficult one...

... Laughing

Don't worry I don't like laughing like some kind of weirdo. But I love that feeling when you're laughing so much that you just can't stop, your mouth hurts and you can't breathe. These moments don't come that often, but now I can think back to the last time I did this and it's making me smile just thinking about it :-) Even better is if you're in a situation when you aren't meant to be laughing - you know it's wrong but just can't control yourself.

I'm nearly half way through the alphabet now, so hopefully you'll stick with me all the way to 'Z'!...

xx