Payday goodies...

Hey everyone...

Its my favourite time of the month, PAYDAY. Every payday I treat myself to some things to say well done on working so hard and so I can have fun before I have to buy necessities like rent, food etc. This month I really treated myself here are some of the things I treated myself with...

CK underwear.

(It is very hard to photograph bra's well, sorry)

I have been in love with the modern t-shirt bra and pants for a long while and I decided as a motivation (to look great in it) I got it. I am still waiting for the pants to arrive but I am already so in love with the bra. It is well worth the price. It is so comfy and soft it is almost as if I'm not wearing it. That may be too much information but I am more than comfortable sharing about the worlds greatest bra. 

Trainers.

(Snazzy new nikes)

With my recent purchase of a gym membership I felt that I really needed to get myself some decent gym gear so I am more motivated to actually go to the gym. I really liked the look of these trainers as they aren't too much which is great as I like to lay low at the gym, which is hard when I am normally dying on the cross trainer.

Sports Bra.

(I love this print, I should have got more)

Again, I was in desperate need of gym stuff and I LOVE this crop top/sports bra. Although I like to lay low at the gym it doesn't mean I can't get fancy with my sports bra's. This one has this really cool tie-dyesque print which underneath my gym top makes me feel uber funky and teamed with my funky playlist it gets me ready to really kick butt and work hard.

Have you got yourself anything nice this payday? Let me know on Twitter/Instagram. Stay tuned for my next post all on what I'm looking forward to the next month.

See you Thursday,
Love Katie x

Self Love Summer Revisited...

Hey Everyone,

You may have seen at the beginning of summer I posted about how I wanted to decrease my insecurities and have a summer full of self love. Well as summer is drawing to a close I am reflecting back on the summer to see if my little experiment worked. (Featuring pictures from throughout the summer, some selfies, sorry)

(Giggles on a night out with friends)

Overall I would say that I am definitely happier. I started this summer ridiculously hung up on someone who was not worth even an ounce of my time and I shouldn't have let it effect me but I did and it did not make me feel great about myself at all! It is safe to say that I don't feel hung up on him at all and can stomach myself a little more (crazy how us girls let guys make us feel so bad) and looking back I realise it was just stupid. I am in a much better place and enjoying my own company and I am 100% ok being single and if I meet someone I meet someone and if I don't it is all ok.

(Spontaneous hair chopping = instant confidence boost)

Exercise wise I didn't do too great. The running didn't stick for long, but hey I tried. I did however join a gym last week and I just got loads of new gym gear so hopefully I can get the bug and then my body confidence will go through the roof. However I do love my lumps and bumps a little more. Diet wise as well I did start eating better but long days with no structure did take their toll and biscuits were well needed. I tried and I will definitely try again once back at work (even with tea and cake friday).

(Surprise birthday drinks, reminding me I have the best friends ever and I am more than loved)

I recently got into a whole new beauty regime and new make-up which has made me feel so much more confident with my looks. Buying new clothes every month although it has killed my bank balance has also made me feel 100% better about myself as I realise I can pull off the latest trends and in fact I do really enjoy a lot of them.

(This cheeky little pup has been making every day a barrel of laughs)

Even if we haven't had much of a summer (the weather has been awful) I definitely feel better in myself. Being that little bit selfish and focusing on me has done me wonders. I smile a lot more, which for a girl with a usual 'speak to me and i'll kill you' resting face, this has done me wonders as people have found me so much more approachable. Obviously I still have my moments where I panic about things and I have evenings where I get emotional and sad but those nights have gone down an awful lot. It really has been an eye opening summer and I am so glad I did it. I am also hopefully going to try and continue this mentality throughout the rest of the year and I'm sure in no time at all I'll be loving myself even more (but not too much, I don't want to be an arrogant diva, ok maybe I want to be a diva... just not an arrogant one).

(a night out in an outfit I thought I rocked)

Did any of you have an eye opening summer like me? Are you loving yourself a little more after this summer? Let me know on Twitter/Instagram.

See you Sunday,

Love Katie x

Back to School...

Hey Everyone,

So Summer is almost coming to an end which means it's time to head to Uni or school. Which means time to knuckle down and get back to work. This post is all my back to school essentials that everyone needs to be prepared for the next academic year.

1. A diary.

(I love a good floral print)

This is my ultimate essential (well other than pen's, obviously) purely because I love being organised. With an academic diary I can write in all the important dates, like trips, term dates, appointments etc. so I don't double book and it also helps me budget my weeks.

2.  A lunch box.

(Perfect for left over pizza, haha)

If you are planning on saving money and have long days at uni or want to bring a snack to munch between lectures, or during, I don't judge) its perfect. I went for this Star Wars lunch box, as firstly I am a massive Star Wars fan. However, I love the style of it the fabric band ensures the lunch box is always shut so you, hopefully, don't spill your lunch over your bag/work/laptop.

3. Stationary Essentials

(You can never have too many highlighters)

Every year at the end of summer I go on a mad one and stock up on every possible stationary item there is out there. Some of these I don't really need (in my three years of uni I did not use a pencil, ruler or rubber). However for some courses these are essential. My current essentials include, black pens and highlighters. As I'm working in a school now anything else I need is already there. Just think sensibly about the course you are doing and if you really need that bumper pack of post-its.

4. Folders

(can you see I have a running theme in my stationary this year?)

I could not have enough folders, however like stationary I realised I didn't need half as much as I had. This is where you need to think practically again, not 'OH BUT THAT FOLDER IS SO PRETTY SO I NEED IT'. It happen to the best of us, I understand just if you are on a budget it is not ideal. Think about what you need it for as some people might need one for each module, others not so much. I current am using mine for all the planning I receive and to keep records in.

Is there anything you think I have missed? What is your stationary essential? Let me know on Twitter/Instagram.

See you Wednesday,
Love Katie x

Beauty Loves...

Hey everyone,

Todays blog is all about the beauty products I am loving right now. This isn't a usual blog post as I haven't really covered beauty before but as a girl who is just getting into her beauty stuff I really want to share what I am loving with you all.

Cleanser:

I am loving Garnier's Micellar water. Micellar water seems to be everywhere at the moment but Garnier is the only one I found that works for combination and sensitive skin which is perfect for my dodgy dry one minute oily the next skin. I use it on its own some mornings (if I am feeling lazy) or after my oil cleanser in the evenings and it picks up all the last bits of make-up/dirt that other cleansers may not have picked up. If you haven't already got some Micellar water in your beauty routine you need to, it is a live saver.

Hair:

I have said in other blog posts about my hair routine and my love for the Daddy-o shampoo made by Lush however, my current favourite hair care product is my heat protecter. I am using the Tresemme Keratin Smooth Heat Protection Shine Spray. It is great. It leaves my hair with a smooth shiny (frizz free) finish which is handy as I now have to straighten it almost every day since chopping it all off.

Make-up:

I was a massive sceptic of the Benefit Roller Lash Mascara when it first came out as I felt for me it didn't really live up to the expectations, However that was a lie. I continually used it and over time as the mascara became less wet it worked and made my lashes look amazing. I even treated myself to a proper tube last week. I don't know if its just me but I do find the mixture a bit too wet to begin with but that is nothing a wipe on a tissue cant solve and then you have a fabulous curl and length that lasts all day. Its great and best of all, it doesn't give you spider lashes.

Have you got anything beauty wise that you are loving? Let me know on Twitter/Instagram. Stay tuned for my next post which is all about my must haves for school/uni which means all things stationary (my favourite).

Love Katie x

Lost in London...

Hey everyone,

As part of my self love summer I said I was going to be a bit more spontaneous and finally I did it. A few weeks ago I woke up checked my bank balance and decided I would head to London for the day. I had been dying to go to the Natural History Museum as I haven't been in years so what better of an excuse to head up on the train and go have a look.

(Left: Natural History Museum and Right: Peter Pan statue in Hyde Park)

The first real decision I had to make was whether I needed to top my oyster card up. It was a great day so I opted to walk around London and take more of the scenery in. It wasn't too long of a walk and I got to the Natural History Museum, although there were big queues I got in very quickly. I really wanted to see the dinosaur exhibition, as I am a massive dinosaur fan. However, with it being the school holidays and Jurassic World just being released (Thanks Chris Pratt) it was very popular and after a bit of a wait I got to go in. The exhibition was incredible with different dinosaur skeletons and animatronics along a walk way suspended above the information. I learnt so much about dinosaurs and I was really impressed with the giant T-rex.

(Left: WHALES, Right: My favourite dinosaur)

The dinosaurs weren't the only thing I checked out, I also had a look at the mammals exhibition. Just for the whales skeletons, sorry! It was really cool, lots of different whales and dolphins suspended from the ceiling and lots of other animals dotted around. I found out loads about different animals and walked away feeling very intellectual.

(Left: Carnaby Street, Right: My beautiful burrito from Chipotle)

After I spent some time wandering around the museum I decided to do a spot of shopping down Oxford Street and Carnaby Street. Some of the items I got feature in my payday post. I felt like a true London girl (I even got asked for directions so I must have looked the part too). After some shopping I was in desperate need for food and after finding out the Chipotle had UK branches I made it my mission for some burrito loving. It was everything I hoped for and more. With so many choices I opted for a chicken burrito with brown rice, pinto beans, medium salsa, cheese, sour cream and of course guac (YES I KNOW ITS EXTRA, sorry). It was heaven, I managed to finish every bite and was each one was just as delicious as the first. It is officially my favourite Mexican chain now and I cannot wait for my next one.

(Left: Just a spot of shopping, Right: Everyone really wanted to go to the dinosaurs)

Have you been on any spontaneous trips recently? Let me know on Twitter/Instagram. Stay tuned for my next post which is all about my home town.

Love Katie x

Welcome to August...

Hey everyone,

We are now in the centre of summer and in less than a month it draws to a close with the start of school and university, sad times. However that gives everyone the opportunity to make the most of this last month of summer and here is what I am looking forward to this month.

(Image from Pinterest)

Movies:
This month see's the release of some really great looking films. One of these is Fantastic Four, the latest Marvel release which is a re-vamp of the 2005 film. If you haven't seen the older film it is about 4 young scientists travel to an alternate universe and upon their return their bodies have been altered to give them super human powers. This becomes a challenge as they have to harness their abilities to help save the world from the evil Dr. Doom. Another film I am looking forward to this month is Trainwreck. This is all about a career woman who has always believed that monogamy doesn't exist which gets put to the test when she finally meets a decent guy. I am looking forward to seeing this as it hopefully will be the breath of fresh air very much needed in the romcom genre. It is also from the guy who did Bridesmaids, so hopefully it will be just as hilarious.

(Preview into my trip to see the dinosaurs)

In regards to my blog this month I will be telling you all about my spontaneous trip to visit some dinosaurs, a tour of fun things to do around my home town and I will also be giving you some summer cocktail recipes so you can make the most of what is left of your summer. I will also be doing a back to school/uni post full of the best things to kit yourself out with ready for September. I am hoping as well for a few more spontaneous trips this month, all things for you to keep up to date with on my Twitter and Instagram.

Are you looking forward to anything this month? Let me know on Twitter or Instagram.
See you Sunday,

Love Katie x

July Payday Treats...

Hey everyone,

I have put myself on a very strict no shopping this month after a big blow out this payday, but that doesn't mean no payday post, after all you probably want to know all about my blowout?

(insert heart eyes emoji here)

This payday I really treated myself with a new rucksack, my old one sadly broke on me while I was in America last year. I did replace it but I wasn't in love with the replacement however, on my spontaneous adventure I walked into Zara and could not leave without this stunning leather look backpack. It will give an instant grungy yet chic edge to any outfit I pair it with, PERFECT.

(contrast trims are in... my wardrobe)

I also picked up these two cropped tee's from Topshop and H&M. I am completely in love with the Foxes tee (part of the HMLovesMusic collection, which is great) and the contrast trim style of the Topshop tee is perfect with some mom style jeans for that 90's vibe.

(The holy grail, white jeans that do not go see through)

I also recently have got back into loving jeans and there is nothing more summery than a pair of white jeans. This was a challenge in itself as super stretchy jeans tended to go see through over my thighs and no matter what size I tried it didn't seem to help. Then Topshop came to my rescue and their white Jamie jeans now have a firm place in my wardrobe and I am looking forward to wearing them out for chilled drinks this summer.

(Topshop really know how to do denim)

While hunting for the perfect white jean I also discovered this stunning denim pinafore dress (also Topshop) this teamed with my cropped tees or a sweater on cooler days again will throw me straight back to the 90's (where I truly belong... I think anyway).

Have you guys treated yourself to anything new this payday? Let me know on Twitter or Instagram.
See you Wednesday,

Love Katie x