UNIVERSITY | Moving Out

I moved to university this week and, in typical 'me' style, left all the packing until the last minute. Since arriving, we've had a head wave so nearly all the clothes I brought were wholly impractical but they seemed like a good idea at the time. I'm sure I'll be going home soon and picking up more shoes, clothes and make up. Living without all my stuff is proving difficult.

OUTFIT | #28

This was my first outing with my new boots. I love them. Some people I've shown them to have had mixed reactions. The term 'ugly granny boots' springs to mind. Honestly, that's half of why I like them. Because they are ugly. In a weird kind of verging on granny-esque/something my mum would have worn in the 90s, possibly almost masculine, way. They are not dainty or necessarily all that 'trendy' (god, I hate that word). They're pretty much just a bog standard pair of clompy black boots. 

For fear of using too much fashion mag lingo, I love how they look with pretty feminine dresses or with a more androgynous preppy style. In the same way that I like a leather jacket over a floral summer dress. Plus they're really bloody comfy.

I would also like to throw an honourable mention to Illamasqua's 'Rampage' nail polish. I'd been lusting after it for positively ages, years even, after seeing it on Belle Du Jour NYC's blog yonks ago. It doesn't look that special in these pictures sadly. I'd definitely recommend doing a quick Google search to see the true beauty of this polish. It's absolutely gorgeous.

blazer, necklace: Topshop; dress: H&M; boots: River Island

RECENT PURCHASES | September 2011

Most of my shopping lately has been focused on things I need for university. It hasn't been much like the window-shopping for home wares I do when I'm bored either. This was carting around a list as long as my arm, scouring the stores for the cheapest frying pan, realising I have to buy my own toothpaste now, that kind of shopping. There are now two big boxes in my utility room that are overflowing with every essential I could possibly imagine I'd need in my first 12 weeks at university.

In the mean time though, I did manage to get a little 'fun' shopping in on the side. A bit of online shopping here there, taking advantage of the Hollister sale while I was in the States, plus a trip into my local town centre for a few pens and notepads with a detour through River Island...

Clockwise: Hollister 'Super Skinny' jeans, River Island boots, Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, a whole bunch of NYX products

DAYS OUT | Last Weekend in Town

This weekend was my last before I move away to university on Saturday. You've all heard that boring spiel about how it's 'going so fast, I can't believe it' before, so I'll spare you. Although sometimes I do stop and think, how is it mid September already? I was cramming for exams and sitting on a beach in the south of France not long ago, now it's getting dark at half past 7 and I'm leaving town?!

So I had my last shift at work, before I come back and work in the holidays, and spent Sunday by the sea with my family. Not pictured is the part where the rain poured down and, soaked through, we ate greasy chips on a bench.

sunglasses: River Island; jacket, jumper: Forever 21; lipstick: Revlon Matte 'Really Red'

OUTFIT | #27

top, skirt, shoes, ring: H&M, nails: Rimmel 'Rose Libertine', lips: NYX 'Fig'

TRAVEL | Turning 19 in New Jersey

I spent some time in the States seeing family lately. There was a lot of good food, playing with my new baby brother and I also had my birthday while I was over there. I'm 19 now. My teenage years are pretty much over, it's so weird. I don't feel old enough to be 20 next year but at the same time, I do. It's taking some adjusting to.

It feels so strange to be back in the UK where it already feels like autumn after waking up everyday to at least 25 degrees. Also, I'd kill for a Wendy's.

You're never too old for a mirror picture...