10 REASONS TO LOVE AUTUMN AS MUCH AS ME!

This post is dedicated to my all time favourite season and time of the year...autumn. I am a self-professed summer scrooge and every year I can't wait for autumn to role by. There are so many things I love about Autumn, from the food straight to the fashion. So I thought I would share with you my top 10 reasons why I am so in love with this wonderful season!

1. Colours - Now, no one can argue with how incredibly beautiful the colours of autumn are. From the crisp orange and red leaves to the glorious pinky sunsets of the night. There is nothing I love more, than walking through a forest in autumn with all the amazing colours that surround me.

2. Weather - Anyone who knows me well, knows how obsessed I am with rain. Don't ask me why, I just am! I love the sound of it and I love watching it. It is probably one of the main reasons I love autumn and even though in the UK we pretty much get rain all year round, it feels so right to splash in a puddle during the autumn months.

3. Fashion - Autumn and winter fashion is just SO MUCH BETTER. The ability to layer up and add a staple trench coat to any outfit, just makes fashion during these months seems so much more sophisticated, and of course bringing those booted heels back out.

4. Smells - The smells of autumn are sensational. Not only does the air smell crisp and fresh, but the smell of rain and earthy leaves and trees, just gives you an incredible range of smells and lets not forget the smell of all the candles and the sweet smell of cinnamon and mixed spices.

5. Cosy Nights - I hate nights that are light! Night to me should be dark and that is exactly what autumn gives me...nights start to become cosy again and I love it! Time to draw the curtains, light some candles and snuggle under a blanket with a roaring fire in the background...delightful

6. Hot Drinks - I think Starbucks has a lot to help with this! I am tea and coffee drinker all year round, but autumn brings with it more exciting and jazzy drinks like a pumpkin spiced latte (autumn in a cup) and cheeky hot chocolate of course.

7. Beauty - I love autumn beauty. It is now an acceptable time to start rocking a dark red lip or a deep setting purple lip and it be totally acceptable. Make-up is also so much easier to wear in autumn, because you are not sweating and smudging it off!

8. Rugby Season - Rugby season is in full flow and I have so many matches to look forward too. Rugby is my favourite sport to watch, and it is the epitome of our autumn and winter. I love standing in the crowd with a hot chocolate all wrapped up!

9.  Comfort Food - Autumn brings with it the food we try and avoid all year round...pure and utter comfort food. Sunday roast dinners are back on the menu, mid-week stews and casseroles are bubbling away in the slow cooker and its time for pies and crumbles. I wait all year for my food coma hibernation.

10. Upcoming Holidays - This is the best time of year because of all the upcoming holidays. I love Halloween, getting dressed up for a party or a night full of scary movies, either way I have to celebrate. But the excitement of Bonfire Night, Thanksgiving and of course the countdown to Christmas begins...

What are your favourite things about autumn?

Much love

**This post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own. Images was taken from Google Images

TOP 10 TIPS FOR FIGHTING FLU SEASON

Well well well, its nice to be back! I am really sorry that I haven't been around for the past couple of weeks! I came down with a horrible fluey/virus that has really kicked my butt and put me out of sorts and I haven't had the energy to write! I am glad to be back now and promise that some really exciting posts are coming up!

So, as it is coming into cold and flu season, I thought I would do a post on what helped me through my time being ill, so here are my top 10 tips!!

1. Rest - Sleep, sleep and sleep! Don't feel guilty for staying in bed all day, it is so important for the recovery process to let your body relax. Snuggle up in bed and wait it out!

2. Drink - Another essential part of the illness is to drink plenty of fluids! I really struggled with this, because my throat was so sore and I just couldn't be bothered, but it was really important - I alternated between green tea, cucumber and lemon infused water and hot ribena.

3. Vitamins - It is so important to get your Vitamin C in, as this is what your lacking in the first place! If you can't manage an orange or some orange juice maybe try a vitamin c supplement until the sting of your throat dies down, but try and push through.

4. Antiviral Medicine - I felt so awful that I literally tried everything to feel better. Lempsips, cough medicine, sinus relief spray, 4 head patches - anything that said cold and flu relief I bought. But in retrospect the best thing for me was Lemsips, Sinus Relief spray and 4 head patches.

5. Bubble bath - This was my saving grace, not only did the steam from the bath relieve the blockage in my nose, the warm water seemed to give me a moments peace from the achey muscles I'd seemed to have aquired. I suggest some 'Radox Muscle Soak' bubble bath and some scented candles to give it that extra relaxing feel.

6. Blankets/Fan - I suffered from a temperature and a fever and so although I was instructed to stay warm, I felt on fire some of the time and so that is why the fan was needed, but nothing is more comforting than a big, snuggly blanket!

7. Soup - My mum makes the best soup in the world (I mean she is Scottish, so its in her blood), but nothing beats her homemade soup and when I am feeling ill, all I need is a big bowl - some of my favouites were 'Carrot and Coriander', 'Chicken and Rice' and 'Sweet Potato and Bacon'. I wasn't hungry at all with my flu but I managed mums soup!

8. Hygiene - This one is a given really, but keep washing and antibacing your hands as mush as you can to avoid spreading it within yourself and others. Regular showers help the fever and make you feel a bit more fresh and alive after a round of hot/cold hot/cold hot/cold.

9. Bloggers and Vloggers - When I had a bit more energy, I enjoyed reading through blogs...although my flu took away my energy to write, it was nice to see what others had been up to and plan what I'd be doing when I didn't feel like a zombie. I constantly had different vlogs on, as they are one of my favourite things to watch. I was watching 'How to Cook That', 'Those Rosie Days', 'The Michalaks' and 'Dolly Bow Bow'.

10. TV - Getting a good TV boxset or series can really help you through your time in bed - I like to pick an old favourite that I have seen many times before, so that I don't really have to concentrate too hard and can dip in and out in-between naps, I went for the classic 'Desperate Housewives' and my new favourite 'Dance Moms'. 

I hope you don't get struck down with the cold or flu this season, but if you do then I hope my top 10 tips manage to help a little bit.

What do you do when your ill?

Much love

**This post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own.

**Image is credited to Google Images and its not my own

SATURDAY AFTERNOONS - GREENWICH PARK!

Well hello mini heatwave! How glorious was the weather today? Although, I am a self-professed summer scrooge, I really did appreciate the blazing sunshine and the heat on my skin today. Being stuck in an air conditioned office all week, doesn't leave much of a chance to be out in nature getting some fresh air!

Today we decided that this Mediterranean style weather should be celebrated with a picnic in one of my favourite parks in the UK...Greenwich Park. I am really lucky to only live a 20 minute drive from Greenwich, so throughout the year, sun or rain, winter or summer, we often frequent it. I love how it gives you the feel of being completely stuck in with nature, but also, the breathtaking views of our cities spectacular skyline! You can literally see right from the O2 arena and the Olympic stadium all the way over to St Paul's Cathedral and The Shard, it really is magnificent! There is so much history and beautiful architecture, that even someone who is not so great with history, can become completely entranced! Not forgetting the Greenwich Observatory, where you have the chance to stand at the centre of worlds time! 

The 'Flower Gardens' is my favourite place to have a picnic, it is just so pretty and the perfect place to catch a few rays of British sun. Today our picnic was from Waitrose (I know I know, I should totally make it myself, but I just didn't have time and Waitrose was there to help a brother out). After feeding our tummies and having a cheeky Summer snooze, we took a walk around the park and then down into Greenwich town. I love Greenwich town, I think it has the bustle of being a London borough, but isn't crazy busy that it is just plain annoying! Down towards the river you have Greenwich Market, which promotes glorious hand made food from around the world, to cute trinkets and nic-nacs and then of course the Cutty Sark, which is a great big ship from the 19th century! Now, I am not going to profess to knowing anything about it, but it is pretty amazing to look at and I would definitely suggest checking it out if you are in the area. 

After a wonder round the town, we headed back up to the park for another walk, a cheeky ice cream and a sit down under a semi-shady tree. The atmosphere was incredible and it was so lovely to see families and children happily playing around together - it made me very proud to be British!

Have you ever been to Greenwich Park?

Much Love

**This post what not sponsored and all opinions are my own 

SATURDAY AFTERNOONS

I thought I would share today how I spent my Saturday afternoon. I love going to cafes, sandwich shops or tea rooms...I am an absolute sucker for them. Wherever I go, I have to stop for a tea or a coffee somewhere...it is just a must!

Anyway, quite recently I found a hidden gem of a tea room, quite local to where I live and I have already been there a couple of times since (I actually mentioned it in my post about my birthday weekend here), but I went there today and I thought I would share my trip with you. The cafe in question, is called 'The Drawing Room' and it is located in Locksbottom which is a small village/town just outside of South London. 

We shared a pot of tea for two, which came in the the most charming, bone china teacups with the matching teapot. To eat, I had a delicious hummus and roasted vegetable panini, which came with a side salad and the greatest homemade coleslaw I have EVER had! My boyfriend had a bacon, brie and mushroom toasted baguette, that I also had a sneaky taste of and was incredible too!! I loved how the food was presented, it came on a beautiful floral china tray and the side salad and coleslaw were served in little teacups! Absolutely delightful! 

The tea room itself is really cute and quaint with the walls covered in picture frames and pretty mirrors. The table and chairs are all wooden and antiquey looking, which give a really cosy feel to the place (even in the blazing sunshine). It also has seating outside, which is always a plus. The staff that work there are really kind, and nothing is too much trouble.

Now just look how amazing those cakes look...I am definitely going in for the kill next time and having a great big slice of Victoria Sponge!

It is unlikely that many of you would be able to go if you aren't local to the South London/Kent area, but if you are, I massively recommend it. I love reading posts like these and seeing how other people spend their days, so I thought I would do the same. 

Have any of you been somewhere similar, or to the Drawing Room itself?

Much love, 

MY WEEKEND IN PICTURES !!

I haven't done a post like this yet, but I really think that it is a nice addition to a blog and as this past weekend was my birthday, I had lots of pictures I wanted to share with you all.

This weekend I turned 22 *cue the Taylor Swift tunes* and had an amazing time with friends and loved ones with some delicious food and amazing drinks! I feel so lucky and grateful that I had such a happy time and wanted to document the moments on my blog! 

I started off my day at this beautiful cafe by my house called 'The Drawing Room'. I have wanted to try if for ages and what better time to go than on my birthday.

This was an incredible tuna, olive and rocket multi-seed baguette and it was absolutely delish!

I absolutely love the way it was presented and the teacups with the salad and coleslaw was such a nice touch. I don't think you can really see it but the teapot in the back was in shape of a house...it was so beautiful and quirky.

We absolutely love driving into London, but living so close it never makes sense because it is only 14 mins away by train, but as it was my birthday I was a bit of a princess and wanted to drive in. This photo makes me so happy, although you can't see his big flashing smile, you can see St Paul's Cathedral.

This photo makes me love London so much and people will think I am crazy for saying that, because its grey and rainy...but I love that. It optimises London and I just think its so pretty. I love rainy days and I love London site seeing...perfection in a picture.

Again, another rainy day photo, I felt really artistic after I took this purely because of the rain drop that I managed to catch on the lens.

 This is another photo that just makes me so, so happy. My girls. Nothing more that I can say really, they made my birthday so amazingly special and I am so grateful. Oh and we had no option but to have a glass of prosecco of course?

The gang's all here. We managed to get a sneaky spot on Tom's Terrace' at Somerset house. It was a perfect way to start the evening and I would really recommend it for beautiful sunset drinks. The waiting staff were so lovely and accommodating...considering I hadn't even booked!

Having my best buddies and my boyfriend in one picture in the middle of London is just pure perfection. It sounds super cringy but we all look so happy and I absolutely love it. I am so lucky to have them in my life.

I was able to go to my favourite restaurant for my birthday - Benihanas on Sackville Street. For those of you who haven't been its the best place EVER! Its Japanese cuisine that is cooked in front of you...literally (you can see our wine glasses at the table). We had such an amazing chef who wasn't just an amazing and talented cook but who was also an absolute joker! 

 Exhibit A, he fell in love with my friend and this is what he did for her...whilst singing James Blunt 'you are beautiful'. Talented just doesn't quite do it justice!

My boys - again there is nothing else to say. I am so glad that my boyfriend and my best guy friend are so close and they both are the greatest people on the planet. I know either of them would be there for me at the drop of a hat. Must point out that they are both slightly sozzled here. 

I can assure you that I ate ALOT more food than this, but apparently I forgot to carry on taking pictures it! Here I have prawns, onions and courgettes which were delicious (oh and you can just about see the remains of my salad bowl).

Exhibit B of pure talent. This is his Japanese volcano. It was so exciting to see this right in front of our eyes. I wish I could do something cool like this! I would really recommend this restaurant for all ages, couples, families, special occasions or just Friday night dinner. The food is incredible and the atmosphere is buzzing. 

The gang at the dinner table. Again I am so glad that I was able to share my 22nd birthday with them. Aww, they just make me so happy.

And finally, I had to finish with this...a big thank you to this guy for making my weekend so special.

Hope you don't mind me sharing these with you, I had such a lovely birthday and wanted to document that forever on my blog.

Much love

THE BLOGGER LOVE AND HATE TAG!!

I had the privilege of being nominated, this week, by H from The Small Things of Life to take part in the Blogger 'love and hate tag'! I have never been asked to do anything like this so I was super excited when I got a tweet from her! 

The concept is that once you have been tagged, you list 20 things about yourself; 10 of which are things that you love and 10 are things of which you hate. You then tag 10 other bloggers to have a go at it too!

Surprisingly, I actually found this really hard which sounds weird, considering I am only listing things about myself, but to pick the top 10 things I love and hate is not as easy as it sounds. Anyway, here it goes:

Loves

1. My Boyf - I really can't thank him enough for everything he has done for me.

2. My Family and Friends - I am really grateful for everything my family have done for me and to my friends for always being there for me.

3. My Puppy - She turns one next week! She really is the cutest most loving little Shih Tzu there is.

4. Blogging - Blogging has become such a huge part of my life and I absolutely love it. I love writing and sharing my thoughts with others.

5. Makeup and Fashion - this is a bit of a given really. I am such a girly girl when it comes to all things beauty and fashion

6. Babies - must be my evolutionary maternal instincts but I absolutely love babies, I just always want a cuddle with them.

7. Winter and Rain - winter is my all time favourite time of the year, I love wrapping up warm and feeling the cold air on my skin. 

8. Reading - I really love it when I get into a good book, so much so that I can't put it down and I genuinely get excited to read the next chapter. I think that it is just such a nice way to spend time. 

9. Peonies - I don't really know much about flowers but I really love peonies. I think they are so beautiful and have such an elegance to them,

10. Movies - I am a complete movie geek,  I love watching all kinds of movies and can watch the same movie over and over again.

Hates

1. Wasps and Spiders - I hate all insects really, but I especially hate wasps and spiders! I just don't understand their existence.

2. Hayfever - I think hayfever is the main culprit for me being a bit of a summer scrooge really. I suffer really badly from hayfever and it really does just ruin my whole day.

3. Dirt and Mess - I have a bit of OCD when it comes to dirt and untidiness, I like things to be just so...thats not to necessarily say that I like doing it myself.

4. The Dark - I feel like a five year old for saying it, but I am still absolutely terrified of the dark. I hate being in a dark room...I have to have some sort of light.

5. Being Uncomfortable - In any way, shape or form, I hate feeling uncomfortable. I hate being in awkward situations and like everyone, I hate doing things I don't want to do. 

6. The Heat - Just to set it straight I am not talking about the movie because that is bloody brilliant. I hate being too hot, I just hate it! The only way I can cope with the heat is if I have a swimming pool to hand.

7. Red Meat - I can be quite fussy about my food even when I am not trying to be, but I completely detest red meat. No lamb and no beef for me thanks!

8. Bad Manners - Good manners cost nothing and you don't have to be a genius to have them...it is just common courtesy.

9. Rejection - This is a bit of a cheat because I don't think anyone enjoys rejection but my self-esteem and confidence can really suffer from any kind.

10. Nails on a Chalk Board - Even typing about this gives me the heeby jeebies. I genuinely have come out in goosebumps...its just the world's worst sound!

I hope you enjoyed this little insight into the world that is me. Do any of you share similar loves or hates?


Much Love

My Nominations

Sarah - http://www.sazbomb.co.uk

Jemma - http://www.dorkface.co.uk

Emma - http://www.essaysandwine.co.uk

Zoe - http://stylingthechapters.blogspot.co.uk

Holly - http://www.bisoushollyolivia.blogspot.co.uk

Jo - http://www.theclearlyinane.com

Becky - http://www.beckybedbug.com

Lauren - http://www.laurenselwood.com

Alessia - http://whispersfromangels.blogspot.co.uk

Courtney - http://www.courtzmelv.com

**All opinions are my own and credit is given to google images for the image above. 

THE INCREDIBLE WANTFEED!!

I have been meaning to do this review for quite a while now, but as my birthday is coming up I thought it would be the perfect time to share with you my experience of the next big thing!

For those of you who haven’t heard (and I am not entirely sure why not) of 'Wantfeed', I shall briefly explain. Created by the incredible Stefan Michalak, husband of the beautiful Hannah Maggs, Wantfeed is a social wish list website which lets you list and share items that you want…literally anything that you want! I mean already your thinking what a genius idea! How many times have you been stuck on what to buy someone as a gift. Or you have wanted to share ideas with family and friends of things you have been looking at near gift giving times! Its perfect! I think its so much nicer than giving someone a list of things you want or verbally saying so. This way, you give them the link to your Wantfeed and they can troll through your items and pick from a wide selection of wants you have listed. In this day and age, everything is done through social media and social networking sites and this is just another step in the right direction.

I don’t know about you but I find gift giving can be a massive pain in the backside. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love buying gifts for people, but I do find some people really, really hard to buy for and this is where Wantfeed comes in super handy! A lot of my friends and family say that I am not the easiest person to buy for and they have found my Wantfeed an absolute godsend as they have been able to have a visual list of things that I am really liking at the moment and well for lack of a better word want! It genuinely makes shopping so much easier, you add the link of the website that your chosen item is featured on and you add the price of said item. This allows you to have a wide array of items all of which have different price ranges. This allows a gift giver to find an item within their price range, click on the link to purchase that item and voila – sorted!

Not only is it great for gift giving, its great for the individual! I am obsessed with shopping (a lot of which I do online), I absolutely love the thrill of buying something new and I am forever on the lookout for what I am going to buy next. That being said, it can be hard to keep up with myself sometimes…I forget things I’ve seen that I like, I forget how much they cost or where they are from and that’s why Wantfeed is perfect for me. I can keep track of all things that I love and want to purchase in the near future. I have to admit that I do enjoy treating myself, but then again who doesn’t? Every paycheque I like to pick out what I am going to treat myself to, some months it might be on the pricier side and some months not, but I can keep track using my Wantfeed.

Finally, its another great social media site! You can connect with other people using the site and check out there Wantfeed. Then like twitter you can re-want someone’s item so that it appears on your Wantfeed or you can simply like another users want. Its another great way to connect with like-minded individuals over the internet and I am always up for that! Below are some snapshots of some of the things I have been wanting!

Go on, go and check it out and get wanting!

Much love

10 THINGS I HAVE LEARNT SINCE GRADUATING

I can't believe that it has been a whole year since I strolled across that stage to get my degree certicficate. Well, I say strolled but the whole time I was walking all I could think off was 'please don't trip, please don't trip'. So it wasn't as graceful as I am making out...but still a whole year has literally flown by and I really haven't achieved much! You think that when you graduate you will be instantly mature and become this high flyer over night but the reality is very different. One thing I can say, is that it has been the most eye opening year of my life and I have learnt so much, so I thought I would share the top 10 things I have learnt with you. 

I had THE best university experience I could ever have imagined. I was so lucky to have the most amazing flatmates who instant became my 'flamily'. I loved my course (even if there was the odd occasion where I might have skipped a class or two..or three) and I absolutely loved being a student in Brighton. It really was the most incredible city to be a student in! I wouldn't have changed an absolute thing and I think thats why my transition from uni to real life has been super hard. Anyway here is my top 10 life lessons since graduating:

1. University really doesn't prepare you for the real world in any way, shape or form: I learnt nothing at uni that prepared me for how tough the real world is...it only makes that jump so much harder.

2. It's okay to not know what your doing or what you want to do - plans change: the year after  graduating is purely for learning. Its okay to flit a bit and change your mind here and there. Some people know what they want and others don't and thats okay!

3. The future is nowhere near how you planned it to be and it never will be: That plan that you set out...yeah that was a waste of time, it rarely turns out that way and count yourself super lucky if it does. The path I thought I would take is so different to the path I am on now and that can be really hard to comprehend.

4. You need to make decisions on your own, or at least learn how to: I had my flatmates to make every decision with me; to what lipstick shade I should wear on a night out to the modules I should take next semester...decisions were a group thing but thats not the case anymore.

5. Full time hours absolutely suck and annual leave becomes the most precious thing in the world: working a full week is hard! I miss my days that were full of one lecture and messing around with my friends for the rest of the day. Also, holidays are no longer given to you as 4-5 week stints...thats all you get for a WHOLE YEAR!!!

6. Hangovers have become way more severe: I have never been one who is able to handle alcohol, but its like hangovers become so much more severe as soon as you are handed that certificate. I have no idea how I ever managed a whole freshers week once upon a time!

7. Morning time is 7am not 11am: apparently 11am is mid-morning now and you can get so much done before then! Gone are the days of mid-week lie ins and casual brunches at the local student cafe...that isn't real life

8. Most of my wardrobe is no longer appropriate or acceptable: I used to always spend my money on buying a new dress for a night out, I now realise how none of these dresses are appropriate for anything anymore - as soon as you graduate you need a whole new wardrobe.

9. You will never create a bond with anyone like the bond you had with your housemates: I was the luckiest girl in the world when it came to my housemates, I lived with the same people for the entire 3 years and I absolutely love them. The bond you have just can't be explained...aww I love them so much.

10. University changed me so much as person and I am so grateful: the person that moved into Northfield halls on 24th September 2011 was not the person that left 106 on the 2nd August 2014, I changed so much for the better and I am so grateful for the people that helped on the journey.

Have you graduated recently? What have you learnt?

Much love 

TAKE A LOOK INSIDE MY HANDBAG!!

I absolutely love reading "What's in my handbag' posts. I think its because I am super nosy and love to find out what people perceive to be necessary to carry around with them all day! I recently bought a new handbag, so thought it would be a great time to do a 'what's in my handbag' post.

The bag I am using here is the 'Valerie Winged Boxy Handheld bag' from Accessorise. It was a recent purchase and cost £32, but it is in the sale now so I think you might still be able to get it online here or in some stores. I was drawn to it because it was really summery, I loved that it had smaller handles and then a handle for over your shoulder. Its really spacious inside which is a must for me and has a zipped pocket and a phone pouch.

I am a safety girl *quote Pretty Women* and would literally carry the kitchen sink around with me if I could. So I am sure you are going to find some of the things I carry with me daily quite entertaining...so here it goes:

The Essentials

Purse

Phone

Keys

Sunglasses

Reading glasses

Bottle of water

Diary

Notepad

Oyster Card

Chewing gum

Emergency Moments

Paracetamol

Hand Sanitiser

Tissues

Wet wipes

Time of the month supplies

Hayfever tablets

Mini sewing kit

Plasters

Mini toothbrush and toothpaste

Girl Moments  

Hair bobbles

Curby grips

Hand moisturiser

Mini Dry Shampoo

Blistex

Makeup bag

Random Bits and Bobs

Several receipts

Random change

Pens

Gloves (in winter)

Umbrella (in winter)

Wow, when I look it like this I really do realise how much I carry around with me, yet I still feel that I need it all! Hope you liked this post as much as I love reading them.

What do you carry around with you in your handbag?

Much love