Moving into Uni Halls? Here's what I packed.

Hello lovelies!

As you may not know in a few weeks time I will be starting university (for the second time) at Lancaster University to study advertising and marketing. Not only does this mean I'll be moving country and leaving all my friends behind it also means I'll have to move into university halls for my first year at least. 

At most halls you're provided with the bare necessities; bed, bathroom, fridge, freezer, oven and hob which means that if you're like me, and have never lived on you're own before you'll need to buy everything brand new. As a savvy saving student, as we all are, I'm guessing you won't be prepared to fork out a whole load of cash for your new homeware. So thank the land of the Swedes for coming up with a solution to our need for stylish and economical homestuffs by gifting us with IKEA.

My very first trip to IKEA was to stock up on things for moving out and now that I've aquired quite the stash of kitchen utensils and bed linen I thought I'd make up a little checklist for any other students out there who need a few ideas of what to bring to halls with them. 

STORAGE

Now most halls rooms will be well fitted with shelves, wardrobes and under the bed storage space but if you're like me and you're planning on hauling your whole wardrobe over with you you'll want to invest in a few storage items. After all where are us gals going to put all of our shoes?

Yellow File Box, Wooden Drawer Organisers, White Shelf Splitter, Hanging Wardrobe Shelves- All IKEA

Felt Hangers- Dunnes Stores

These are a few storage bits I picked up to help organise my room. The hanging shelves are a brilliant idea because they attach with velcro to your wardrobe rack and instantly you have so much more space to put your t-shirts and jumpers. If you don't know what the shelve splitter is don't fret because I didn't understand either at first. If you have a press with to very high shelf spaces you simply pop the splitter onto a shelve and voila, you've now got 3 shelves instead of 2. 

Here are the hanging shelves in action.

KITCHEN UTENSILS

When I was looking around for things I needed for the kitchen I had to keep in mind that I wouldn't have a lot of room to put them in seeing as I think I've only 2 presses and a drawer which will primarily be storing all my food. So I looked around for items that could be multipurpose for example, a deep frying pan I could use as a wok for stir-fries and as a pan for making pancakes!

Chopping Boards, Pots, Plastic Sandwich Bags, Frying Pan, Glass Baking Dish, Grater, Whisk, Ladle, Fish Slice and 'Poached Egg' Spoon-Trio, Measuring Jug, Mixing Bowl, Glass Tupperware, Plastic Tupperware, Can Opener, Wine Opener, Scissors, Sharp Knife, Dish Scrubber- All IKEA

Tea Towels- Dunnes Stores

Baking Tray- M&S

CROCKERY

Again keep in mind you won't have a lot of room to store 6 bowls, plates, glasses and mugs in your uni kitchen so stick to the bare minimum.

Set of 4 Forks, Knives and Spoons, Bowls, Plates, Glasses, Serviettes- All IKEA

Mugs- Homestore And More

BATHROOM

Save the actual toilet, shower and sink there's not a lot you have to get for your bathroom. A few towels and cleaning stuff will suffice. Don't forget a shower caddy so you don't have to put all your shower gel and shampoo on the floor.

Laundry Bag, Toilet Cleaner, Shower Caddy- All IKEA

Towels- Dunnes Stores

Shower Mat- Penny's

BEDDING

Unless you want to sleep on solely a mattress for your time in halls get yourself a good pillow and a comfy duvet. Also don't forget a mattress protector because who knows what could have gone on in that bed before you.. I decided not to get mine in IKEA because I don't think the quality is as good and I'd rather pay a bit more for the comfort in the long run.

All from Dunnes Stores

BEDROOM

You're going to be spending a lot of time in your bedroom while you're at uni whether that's studying at your desk or just procrastinating on your laptop in bed so make sure you get a few bits and bring some things from home to make you feel at home in your room.

 Butterfly Cushion- Next

Eiffel Tower Cushion- Homestore and More

Fake Flowers, Bed Linen, Lamp- All IKEA

Covent Garden Sign- Shop in London

MISCELLANEOUS 

Last but not least if you're a girl and prepping for a night out you'll want to have the hair dryer, straighteners and phone charging all at once so may I suggest investing in an ultra glamorous extension cord? Some batteries and white-tac won't go astray either.

3 Way Plug, Extension Cord and Light bulb- All IKEA

I've a few more things to pick up before I head of but all this stuff is the bones of  what I'm bringing. If you have any suggestions as to anything else I have to lug across the pond with me please do pop them down in the comments. And to any one else who's frantically running around from shop to shop I hope this gives you a list of ideas.

Thanks for reading,

Ciara xx

Outfit Edit: Monochrome Chic

Hello my lovelies!


So I was feeling low one very late night and decided to distract myself with a spot of online 'browsing'. Big mistake. I foolishly went over too Missguided and engaged in a totally pointless but fruitful spot of retail therapy. 

I picked out a few bits and bobs that will appear in another blog post but today I thought I'd try out the monochrome look. Now I'm no expert stylist so as this is a new look for me you'll have to bare with me. I'm also no model so you'll also have to out up with my outfit photos!

I love the monochrome checked a-line skirt because it's a nice comfortable fit and doesn't ride up when I walk thank god! Quite frankly I'm sick of having to pull down a bodycon mini skirt every 5 seconds. The skirt was the main reason I decided to opt for this white organza top because I thought they'd go nicely together. What do you think?

Organza top (it comes with the white vest too how handy?) -Missguided

Monochrome a-line skirt- Missguided

Black sandals- River Island

Bag- River Island 

Nail polish- Inglot O2M Breathable Nail Enamel 617

Not a bad first attempt 'ay?

Thanks for reading,

Ciara xx

Favourites: Summer Lovin'

Hello lovelies!


So since my photographer has abandoned me for the weekend (she's gone off to Berlin with my other sister and my dad) I thought I'd put together a little favourites post instead. Now I have a few to go through but I've really been loving using these products over the last few weeks or so and they're perfect bits and bobs to stock up on for the sunshine filled months.

1: First up are two pretty little headbands I picked up from River Island. On a hot and sweaty day I don't necessarily want to have the weight of my hair on my neck so I pop it up in a messy bun to keep cool. These trinkets do the job of holding everything in place and making a boring bun more summery.

2: I'm practically glued to my gorgeous Ray Ban Wayfarer sunnies to keep my sensitive eye from watering in the sun and getting damaged. 

3: These two cute bikini tops are from H&M and I think they are flying out of stock at lightening speed. They're wired so there's a bit of support and they fit me really well. Hopefully when I'm in San Francisco (only 2 and a bit weeks left) I'll get some use out of them. 

4: I've been going through a nail varnish craze lately and the Barry M Gelly Hi-Shines in Blueberry and Pink Punch are so bright and summery. I have Blueberry on my toes at the moment and because I have to wear sandals at work so many people have been complimenting me.

5: To keep my skin soft and smooth for fake tanning I've been using the Soap and Glory Flake Away body scrub. It leaves my skin super soft and also smells. so. good.

6: Because I spend about an hour and half on the bus everyday I'm going into work and recently I've decided to get into reading books again, the book 'To Die For. Is Fashion Wearing Out the World?' by journalist Lucy Siegle has taken up permanent residence in my work bag. If you're a shopaholic or just interested in the fashion industry this is a great book to look into. It's all about how fashion industry and fast fashion are affecting the world socially, economically and ecologically. Don't worry it's not some fact laden series of reports, the way it's written is quite gripping and easy to read.

7: After exfoliating I slather a bit of Bath & Body Works Sweet Pea body lotion to moisturise and oh gosh it smells so light and sweet. Not only does it do it's job it also dries in really quickly which is a plus for me who hates waiting for lotions to dry in. A perfect summer body staple.

8: I've recently discovered Burberry's perfume 'Touch' and I've been using it non-stop. It's quite a mature scent so while delicious it's not exactly a summer fragrance. 

9: I'm fairly lazy when it comes to self-tanning because really I couldn't be bothered to even try bronzing my milky white skin. But to take away a bit of light reflecting whiteness the Dove Summer Glow moisturiser with gradual tan is great. I've got in the shade for fair to medium skin and it's not 'orangey' at all. Plus because it's moisturises the skin I find I don't go patchy around my ankles or knees. The smell is not too bad either.

10: I recently paid a visit to the Clarins beauty counter to pick up the Skin Perfecting BB Cream in the shade 00. OMG this is seriously the best BB cream I've ever tried. Not only does it actually suit my fairer skin tone exactly it has great coverage and doesn't give that wet oily look. Packed with antioxidants like green tea extract and SPF 25 the BB cream also evens out the skin tone. 

Take it from someone who wear so little make-up she sometimes forgets to even put on mascara for work this BB cream is so quick and easy to apply.

11: Last but not least the Tony & Guy Sea Salt Texturising Spray is wonderful for adding a bit of oomph and texture to second day hair. It also has a great smell. I feel like a sun-kissed beach bunny without having to deal with a grain of salt.

Hopefully I've given you a few items to add to your summer shopping basket this year.

Thanks for reading,

Ciara xxx

Beauty Haul!

Hello lovelies!

I'm in London at the mo' staying with some family and having a ball interning with head buyers at M&S. I never really thought of myself as a M&S kind of girl but they've got some really gorgeous pieces coming out for A/W and I can't wait to buy a few pairs of new boots. 

But anyways that's enough about my work experience (for now...) I'm here to show you some beauty buys I treated myself to before heading off to London. 

First up is some purchases from classic MAC. I was in major need of new highlighter and concealer so I opted for both at MAC.
For a concealer I bought MAC Mineralize Concealer in NC15 and I quite like it. I apply it in dots under my eyes and on blemishes and red areas and the blend it in. It doesn't cake and stays on during the day. It also blends in really well so that you could almost where it with no foundation on a lazy day (which I'm prone to do).

I also bought MAC Mineralize SkinFinish in Soft and Gentle to use as a highlighter and I must say it's very nice. Not too luminous and over-whelming and just the right level of reflection to brighten up your cheek bones and where the sun naturally hits your face.

My next purchase was in Topshop as I love their lip sticks and needed  a bright summer time colour. I chose Brighton Rock, a gorgeous pink that stays on your lips for a good length of time and doesn't dry out with it's creamy texture.

I'm afraid I over did it in the brush department on my spending spree but hey you can never have too many brushes! Whilst in Topshop I decided to try out their brushes so I bought the foundation and eye brushes to see if they were as good as their lipsticks. I'm afraid I haven't been able to try them out yet but they feel a little too stiff for me as I like my brushes to be softer and more flexible. But alas they are a pretty bright pink and not the worst brushes I've seen.

 

Perhaps my favourite thing I bought is the Real Techniques brush collection I picked up at Superdrug on my first day in London. The pack comes with a contour brush, a tiny detailer brush, buffer brush and pointed foundation brush along with a handy case that folds up nicely. Really lovely brushes that work well to blend and apply product. They are currently my go to brushes. 

So that's the sum of my recent beauty buys hope you find it useful if you're looking to spend some money on. Be warned that I have also made quite a dent in my bank balance with the amount of clothes that I have bought and have yet to buy once I hit Oxford Street so stay tuned for another haul post.

Hope you're enjoying the summer to the fullest and the sun is shining.
Thanks for reading,
Ciara. xx