What To Take To University

I might be a bit late with this post as I know many of you will have already started university however, I know some universities haven't started yet or are about to start. As a second year student, I have gone through the madness that is freshers, and to help you through that I wrote a post about how to survive your first year at uni. Before you go to uni, you need to figure out what you want to take and how much you're going to need. I'm the worst person for buying homeware stuff, if I see a cute mug I like I'll put it straight in my basket. I thought I'd make a list of things that you might need for your kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. However, I must say that this is mainly aimed at self-catered accommodations (particularly the kitchen list) however, it can apply to everyone, even those who are returning to university!

Kitchen:
Plates
Bowls
Pasta Bowls
Mugs (If you're a tea/coffee lover)
Glasses
Frying Pan
Wok
Saucepans
Cutlery: Forks, Spoons, Knives, Scissors, Chopping Knives, Ladle, Fish Slice, Pizza Cutter, Tin/Bottle Opener, Ladle, Whisk, Tong, Wooden Spoons
Chopping Boards
Baking Trays
Pizza Tray
Measuring Jug
Cheese Grater (particularly the ones with the box on the bottom so you can store your grated cheese. I LOVE THEM)
Casserole Dish
Tuppaware Boxes
Toastie Maker (AN ESSENTIAL)

Bedroom:
Duvet
Pillows
Mattress Protector
Sheets
Duvet and Pillow Covers
Throw
Television (Not a necessity)
Extension Cables
Storage (For make up, beauty bits etc)
Hangers
Fairy Lights (If you wanna be cute)
Laundry Basket
Clothes Dryer (Saves so much tumble drying money)
Lamp
Photo Frames (Filled with photos from home of family and friends)
Mirror (If you don't have one already)
Cleaning Kit
Over the Door Hooks
Bin

Bathroom:
Toothbrush Holder
Soap Dish
Shower Holder (To hold your shampoo etc)
Towels
Bath Mats
Bin
Set of Drawers (To hold all your bits and bobs)
Over the Door Hooks

I hope you have an amazing time at university for whoever is starting and like in the picture above, don't take as much stuff as me because you really don't need it. Well, I can't really say that because even though this was my second car load, I still need everything in it...

Charlotte xxx

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Review: Ardell Fashion Lash Demi Wispies False Eyelashes

I've never been a false eyelashes kinda girl, purely because I was so useless at applying them. But recently, I've been starting to wear them more, particularly on nights out and I've really been loving them. I have a few sets of falsies already but my recent purchase were these little beauties: Ardell's Demi Wispies lashes, the most well know lashes on the internet, if I'm honest. I'm not the type of person to go all out, I prefer people to not be staring at my eyes trying to figure out if my eyelashes are real or not so I opt for the more natural look. I have worn these a few times and people thought they were my natural lashes so that's a bonus!

I hate it when my lashes irritate the inner corner of my eyes so when I first tried them on, I ended up trimming the left eyelash (which now makes them look a bit odd but never mind) as I could feel it and I knew it would bug me all night. I love how natural these lashes look, don't look too over the top but add extra length and volume to your own lashes. I really like eyelashes that have more volume towards the outer corner as I think that is very flattering on the eye and makes the eyes look bigger than they are. I'm always a bit weary about wearing eyelashes, particularly on a night out, as I worry incase they fall off in the middle of the club. The half eyelash look doesn't really suit me, I must admit. But, they do last all night which is perfect! There is eyelash glue in the box but I tend to use the glue that comes with the Eylure lashes because I find that works best and I can easily take it out with me if I need to fix things up. 

They're so easy to apply, and that's good for a useless eyelash applier like me. I swear down I just make names up on my blog. They're so affordable as well at only £5.49 and you can buy them at either Superdrug or Boots. 

Have you tried the Demi Wispies?

Charlotte xxx

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Autumn...

I LOVE AUTUMN. As it's now September, I can say that it is officially Autumn. Don't get me wrong, I love Summer, but once my birthday is over I just want Christmas, jumpers and berry lips. 

Here's what I'm excited for and love about Autumn:

1. Dark nights. I love light nights in the Summer but when the dark nights start to creep in, it makes me excited for Christmas (16 Fridays!!) I always love the cosy feel that they bring and especially when you're wrapped up in bed and not going anywhere, it's the perfect feeling.

2. Candles. Oh my goodness gracious me, I love candles. What's not to love?! I light candles all year round but it doesn't get as serious as it does from September. I light a candle nearly everyday, just for a few hours, and it makes my room smell so Autumnal, particularly when the cinnamon and pumpkin scents come out to play. 

3. Rain. This is funny because I hate rain when I'm out in it but when I'm all warm and cosy inside and I can hear the rain hitting off my window, I'm in heaven. And what's better than that? Thunderstorms.

4. Jumpers. I love a good woolly jumper and what is a better time to get them out than in Autumn. In England, it's always cold, but we're still in the transition from Summer to Autumn so it's still not quite woolly jumper weather. Still wear them though...

5. Bonfire night. Fireworks are one of my favourite things and when the 5th November comes, I can't wait to put on my hat, scarf, gloves and wellies and trail through a muddy field and watch the firework display with my favourite people.

6. Onesies. Need I say more?

7. Fires. Since I'm at uni, we don't have a fire. So I love going home and sitting in the living room with my parents whilst we have the log burner on. There's something so relaxing about the sound of the logs burning and watching the flames. And it keeps me warm too of course.

8. Berry lips. As a beauty lover, I had to include something make up related. I love whipping out my trusty Rimmel 107, a beautiful dark berry toned red, perfect for Autumn/Winter

9. Autumn colours. Khaki, burgundy, black, grey and white. I love wearing these type of colours. I feel like they're the perfect Autumnal combination and match the leaves on the trees. Because who doesn't love to coordinate with trees ey?

10. Baths. I have baths all year round and there is no secret in that. But there's something about a bath in Autumn/Winter when it's cold outside that makes them much more special. Using a bath bomb that smells just like Autumn would smell, if it had a smell (SMELL SMELL SMELL), puts the icing on the cake.

11. Fairy lights. Since moving into my new house at uni, I decided I wanted to make my room cosy. I decorated my bed with fairy lights and when they're on at nighttime, it makes the room a lot warmer. Is that possible? I think they're an essential for Autumn.

12. Christmas is coming. Well this is obvious. Like I said, once my birthday is over in August, I get so excited for Christmas. It's my favourite time of year and I am SO excited.

What's your favourite thing about Autumn?

Charlotte xxx

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Review: Topshop 'Rio Rio' Lipstick

A red lip is a must have for every girl. I just think there's something so sassy about a girl when she wears red (cue sassy girl emoji). Summer is the perfect time to be wearing a bright red lip, particularly and orange-toned red, however as the transition into my favourite month, Autumn, is upon us, the deep berry reds will begin to come. But I don't see what is stopping us from wearing our bright reds, hey girls? I've never really been the type of person to give into the hype of Topshop make up and ever since they released their own make up line in 2010, I didn't really seem to bother much about it. To this day I own 5 products: 2 nail varnishes, 2 lipsticks and 1 lip pencil in the shade 'Coy' (which Corrie from Dizzybrunette3 made me buy way back. Yes Corrie, you did). I also had an eyeliner which I absolutely loved but sadly I had to part ways a few months ago.  

This year, Topshop celebrated their 5th birthday for their make up line and for this, they brought out their 5 best selling lipsticks, nail polishes, black liquid liner, 'Head Over Heels' blush and their 'Glow' highlighter in a stunning new packaging. I love the Topshop packaging already however changing the original black detail to rose gold just topped it off for me. I love a bit of rose gold me, and Topshop just pushes all my rose gold loving buttons. At the beginning of Summer, I took a trip to Westfield in London. Being a Northern girl, I don't go here often and had actually only been once before my recent trip but having a Southern boyfriend means I can take a few more trips I guess. I decided to add 'Rio Rio' to my Topshop collection, a bright orange-toned, matte red perfect for Summer but also the upcoming Autumn months. As well as deep reds, orange reds are one of my favourite kind of reds. Say red again? Red.

This lipstick is super long lasting. I am so impressed with the longevity of this lipstick, this is particularly down to the fact that it is matte but still, it is most definitely a positive. I love matte lips. I love my shiny lips but I have never been a fan of lipglosses, just creamy and glossy looking lipsticks. Matte lips are all in at the minute, particulary in Autumn and Winter. Unlike some matte lipsticks, this one is not drying which is great because as the colder weather draws in, the dry lips come out. It is defintiely a bright colour, however it would suit every skin tone. I love it because it makes my teeth look super white, especially if I have a tan going on. BONUS. This shade is perfect for the transition of Summer into Autumn and is one of my go-to lips at the moment.

Charlotte xxx

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My Favourite Ever Nail Polish - Essie's Fiji

Could this be my favourite EVER nail polish? I think so. Essie's 'Fiji' has always been a firm favourite of mine. Yes, I know, it is one of the most talked about nail polishes out there but I can completely understand why. This is the perfect pinky nude and one of those colours that always makes your nails look like they have been professionally done. If I don't know what colour to wear I always seem to be drawn to this colour. It is so wearable and suits every skin colour. I particularly adore this in the summer when I have a tan because I think there is nothing more polished and pretty than tanned skin with pink, white or nude nails, and this nail varnish fits in all of those categories. It is very much a milky pink and only needs two coats to create a solid colour. It lasts a long time too, I always find Essie nail polishes to be the most long lasting polishes I've worn. This colour isn't just a summer colour either, it is wearable all year round and I love it so much that I've had to repurchase this product because I wear it CONSTANTLY!

Have you tried Essie's 'Fiji'?

Charlotte xxx

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