Life Update | Leaving England & Panic Attacks

It's been over two weeks since I posted... I'm sorry, but I also have my reasons (both bad and exciting reasons).
Let's roll back to the week commencing 19th of January. I was busy preparing the final touches of my portfolios and completing tasks for my university interviews.
Then on the Wednesday we went out to celebrate my lovely mum's birthday and so we went to Beefeater for yummy foods. The Thursday was my mum's actual birthday, we ordered take-away that evening and then I spent a good hour making sure I had everything for my interviews sorted and packed my bags ready to get the train the next day.
Friday came along and I was so nervous, as I new year's resolution I told myself I'd do things that scare me and overcome my GAD (generalised anxiety disorder), or at least have it under control a bit more. I'd never gotten a train alone before, I don't really have much experience with trains and the fact that Manchester Piccadilly Station has 14 platforms kinda terrifies me. When travelling to the Valleys to see my boyfriend (Matthew) I've always gotten the Megabus to Cardiff and he has picked me up from there but it takes around 6 hours, sometimes 7 where as the train only takes around 3.
I asked my mum if she'd come with me to the station and make sure I got on the right train, and I'm so glad she did as my train wasn't appearing on the timetable, then it turned out to be cancelled, the next train that the lady at the information desk said I could get on with my ticket either didn't exist or was also cancelled. That was stressful. I finally got on the train, however it was absolutely packed, the only seat I could find was one which was facing other people (that was very uncomfortable for me). I hardly moved for the duration of the journey and I had food in my bag that I was too scared to eat, but I did it, and I got there in one piece without getting lost or anything awful happening. Matthew and I went to Harvesters that evening and I had the yummiest nachos ever along with my usual southern fried chicken, chips, peas and bbq sauce. Mmmm.

Saturday came along which was interview number one and it was for Documentary Photography. My stomach was filled with butterflies as I didn't know what to expect. Soon after I arrived everyone who had an interview for Documentary Photography or just Photography got called into a cinema room and watched some presentations of work until it was your turn to go to be interviewed. I was second, I walked in and it all seemed so professional and I sat on the chair opposite one of the tutors and he pretty much interrogated me and made me feel uncomfortable as he sussed that this course wasn't my first choice and so he wanted me to admit that (which I wasn't going to). My chest then got all tight and I'd forgotten how to breathe, I was trying to convince myself that I wasn't having a panic attack because that was my biggest worry of the day. Whilst convincing myself I wasn't having a panic attack I wasn't listening to the questions he was asking and so I got stressed and embarrassed and worried and bleh. I went into a full on panic attack, tears and all. He didn't seem to really acknowledge that I was struggling to breathe and kept shooting me with questions whilst my voice was currently unavailable. Safe to say I wanted to end the interview there and then so I pretended to listen to his ramblings and then swiftly made an exit. Also, I got my application declined for the course so that was all for nothing.

Sunday we had Sunday dinner made by Matthew's parents which is never a disappointment. Then went for a walk around where he lives in the valleys, all the hills killed me off and I needed a nap when we got back home whilst he did his uni work. 

Monday I was very excited and scared for as I had two interviews for the courses I really wanted, Creative and Therapeutic Arts first then Art Practice. They both went so well and were both very informal in comparison to Friday's goings-on. I got offered a unconditional place there and then for each course which is so exciting and I was so so so so so happy! Obviously we had to celebrate with food, and so we went to a gastro-pub nearby and had a starter, main and desert which resulted in a food baby for the remainder of the day.

Tuesday we went to Harvesters... again (and also got served by the same lady and sat in the same seats). I got the train home around 5pm- it was only around half full when I got on and just got emptier, so that was nice and relaxing in contrast to my previous experience. I watched Gravity then Date & Switch whilst eating chocolate, yum. 

My excuse for not posting this week was that it was deadline week for two of my courses so I wanted to get them out of the way. I'll hopefully have a post up this Wednesday.

See you soon, Rachel x

Wishlist Wednesday | Urban Outfitters: Homeware

I absolutely love the home-ware section on Urban Outfitters, however I don't have my own place to fill with all the lovely things and it also wouldn't be very healthy for my bank balance if I bought everything I adored. So, I decided I'd do a short and sweet post on my top five UO home-ware items in the sale!

Tweedmill Zig-Zag Blanket in Green | £50 was £75

First up is this beautiful Tweedmill blanket. I love the zig-zag pattern and recently I've become a big lover of this pale green colour! The white zig-zag pattern really breaks it up and makes it a subtle addition to a sofa or bed.

Pear Magnetic Memoboard | £14 was £28

Next is this simple magnetic memoboard in the shape of a pear. I'd definitely have this in my kitchen with little basic recipes for food like pancakes and cupcakes (I am so forgetful when it comes to amounts and far too lazy to open one of my cookbooks). 

Hang It Photo Display | £14 was £25

I have to admit, I'm a sucker for unique things like this. This photo display is right up my street! I have photos displayed in my room using just clear cotton and mini pegs, however I think they'd look so much cooler on something like this! I would definitely have purchased this by now if I wasn't moving away to university in September.

Panda Money Bank | £10 was £15

This panda money bank is sooooo cute (and I'm really tempted for £10!) I love all things panda-fied and this is actually quite boho-chic as appose to other tacky money boxes shaped liked animals that you can find.

Brass Cactus Jewellery Holder | £8 was £12

I'm so in love with this brass jewellery holder! I currently just have a dish for my rings and a little elephant for my midi-rings so this would be perfect for organising them because of all the little cactus... Uh, arms? Only £8 as well? I need!

I hope you liked my little Urban Outfitters discoveries. Some of these are only available online, however if you sign up to their mailing list you get free delivery until Easter so you don't have to worry about that extra cost. Also, if you're a student like me don't forget that they offer 10% discount (Yes, even on sale items).

See you soon, Rachel x

Best of High Street Beauty | 2014

It's almost two weeks into 2014, I know. But I'm here with my beauty favourites in 2014, and I'm bringing every single one into 2015 with me.

First up is something I don't know what I would ever do without, my Tangle Teezer. I have curly, crazy hair and any 'normal' hairbrush would just hurt me so bad and I'd get to the point where I just wouldn't brush my hair. I love how soft it feels and the fact  it doesn't have a handle makes brushing my hair almost painless.

Staying with the hair theme, next is my Schwarzkopf got2b texturizing salt spray. I find that this works really well on my hair when I've straightened it on those days when I don't have time to create subtle waves with straighteners. It was only around £3 too, and it lasts a long time as you don't need a lot to create your desired look.

More hair! I'm very particular with my hairspray, and haven't settled for anything other than Tresemmé (yet). The white one on the left is a freeze hold, and it super useful for those of you with a sweeping fringe. I could always rely on this to make sure no gaps appeared in my fringe, it lasts all day and I didn't have a bad word to say about it. However, in October I ditched the side fringe and got my hair cut into a middle parting (this was very brave as my forehead was always hidden). New hairstyle meant that I needed new hair products, and I found that the black can on the right wasn't quite as strong as my previous hairspray, but it gave me the hold I needed all day to prevent frizzy hair and still allowed my hair to move around. I always have at least two cans for back up in the cabinet in the bathroom (that's when you know it's a keeper).

Scent time! I absolutely adore this perfume. Katy Perry's "Killer Queen" is so great for everyday and I don't think I could ever get bored of it. Plus, isn't the bottle so cool? I had to buy it in 100ml when I first discovered how lovely it was. I really hope it's still available to  buy when I eventually run out.

The Garnier micellar cleansing water was first recommended to me by my friend Jennie early last year. I'm only on my second bottle and I use it everyday, so it really does last for 200 uses! I use this after I have removed makeup with make-up wipes, it picks up the parts you may have missed and makes your skin feel so soft. I love how you can use it on your lips and it doesn't leave a disgusting taste like most make-up removers.

The Garnier toner is great for using straight after the shower or when you wake up in the morning as it makes you look so much more awake. Again it really makes your skin feel soft, but I also feel like it assists my primer in stopping my foundation from going patchy or sliding off my face (not sure how,  but it does).

I think this eye-shadow palette cost me little less than £5 in Superdrug, and honestly I didn't have high expectations as it was only cheap but I really love it! It's great for everyday eyes and I even use two shades from this palette for my brows! As long as your prime your eyes then this eye-shadow won't budge all day.

I bought the Bourjois highlighter and bronzer duo just for the highlighter as mine had shattered and they didn't have the one I wanted in store. However, I found this one pretty crap, it didn't really seem to do much at all unless you put loads on. The bronzer on the other hand I absolutely love! It works so well and looks natural too. I probably won't re-purchase this in future as I don't like the highlighter, but I hope I can find a similar bronzer by Bourjois.

The lash accelerator endless mascara by Rimmel is so, so, so good! I can't live without it! I need to buy another soon as this is coming to an end. It's great on it's own as it makes your lashes super long- I sometimes add a volumising mascara if I want them more full on.

As I previously said, I wasn't a fan of the Bourjois highlighter in the bronzing and highlighting duo. So that meant I was on the look-out for another, and I must admit I struggled to find one that wasn't liquid. This one by MUA was a steal at £3 so I thought I'd give it a go, and I'm so glad I did! It's so easy to apply, and looks fantastic in my inner corner! I will definitely be re-buying.

I love both of these Rimmel London Lasting Finish foundations in Ivory. However, the one on the left is an older version and so they don't sell it anymore. This was great when I came back from my holiday and have a bit of a tan as my usual foundation was too pale. The coverage is so good and doesn't feel 'cakey' either. The one on the right is the newer version, and as you can see it is noticeably lighter, which was convenient as my tan had faded by the time I bought this so it matches my skin tone perfectly.

I'm pretty sure this is every beauty blogger's Holy Grail concealer. Rimmel London's 'Wake Me Up' concealer. It covers those dark circles, it's buildable and disguises all those nasty scars which take forever to fade... What more do you want?

Last but definitely not least is my top five nail polishes. The Topshop matte topcoat has actually almost gone, I think  it looks great on top of the Maybelline's Colour Show in 'Noite De Gal' which is a lovely dark purple. Then we've got another Colour Show in 'Latte' which is something I bought as a substitute for a nude, it goes with everything (and I mean, everything!). Next up is my all-time autumn/winter favourite; Rimmel London's Lasting Finish in colour '505: Get it while it's hot'. This a browny-orange and goes most things I wear and looks great when my third finger on each hand has a glitter topcoat or a matte. I can't forget Tanya Burr's range which was released in January! My friend Jennie bought me the nail varnish in the colour 'mini marshmallows' and I adore it, although it does take about 3 coats to make it opaque (I'm not sure if this is the formula or because it is so pale). I haven't worn it for a while as I see it as a colour best worn in Spring.

What beauty product have you brought into 2015?

See you soon, Rachel x

Weekly Wrap | Back to Normality

So we all ended up back at school, college, uni or work this week after a fabulous festive holiday eating too many goodies and doing not very much at all.

Monday soon came along my 9am alarm went off and I stood in the shower half asleep trying to recall how I'm supposed to brush my hair or apply make-up or wear something other than leggings, a hoodie and slippers. 

This week as a whole has been quite stressful, I'm in the last few weeks of finalising projects, writing up evaluations, planning coursework and organising my university interviews and portfolios.

I didn't feel myself on Wednesday and I had to miss my lesson and stay at home (I suffer from GAD (generalised anxiety disorder)).

I've had many deliveries this week! (I say many... I had a grand total of three). One of them, the least exciting, a litter tray for my guinea pigs. I am a crazy guinea pig lady, I must admit. I adopted two gorgeous little piggies a couple days after Christmas as sadly mine died in 2014 and for months I was missing having a fluffy companion to share my love with. Buzz and Buddy had been ill when they were babies but were fully recovered by the time I saw them up for adoption. However, they were unable to return to the pen with the other piggies as they may be bullied by them and so they were in their own little enclosure looking for a forever home. Of course I couldn't say no! A cuddle with them and a donation later they were mine and are being truly spoiled.

My second delivery this week was a little more exciting than the previous- a new phone case! I had been looking for one for soooooo long but unfortunately couldn't find the perfect one until I came across a this beautiful, orange and white, hard, snap-on case with a mandala print all over it. It looks lovely with my white Nexus 5.

Delivery number three was SUPER exciting! A set of thirty-four make-up brushes in an organised travel case which I purchased from Ebay. They're such good quality and were an absolute bargain, I can't wait to use them!

On Saturday I went shopping with my dad as my mum's birthday is approaching and we always buy joint presents. She's so difficult to buy for, but we got there in then end!

What did you get up to this week?

See you soon, Rachel x