DAYS OUT | Birthday Lunch

Today was my mum's birthday so she and my sister came up to see me to do some shopping and get lunch at Wagamama. Somehow, I managed to oversleep and ended up dashing out the door in a panic after getting up 20 minutes before I had to leave. After countless mornings where I woke up 10 minutes before my bus to sixth form came, I like to consider myself a pro at the dress-and-dash scenario. I even managed to remember to pack my mum's presents before I left so any disasters were averted, although I think I'll be having some early nights this week to avoid any repeat performances.

glitter nailpolish: Confetti 'Tasmanian Devil'

cardigan: Topshop; playsuit: Missguided; watch: Citizen; nail polish: No7 'Temptress'; lipstick: MAC 'Lollipop Loving'

UNIVERSITY | Home Comforts

As much as I enjoy being at university, sometimes it's nice to be able to hop on a train and come home for a few days. Being able to sleep in my own bed, have my dinner cooked for me and watch telly are quite a luxury these days.

shirt, shorts: H&M; necklace: Forever 21; ring: Dorothy Perkins; bracelets: I have no idea
(This is actually my sister. I slobbed around in jogging bottoms all weekend)

UNIVERSITY | Getting Organised

I'm not the most organised person there ever was but I do take a strange pleasure in sitting down and filing things for hours on end, so I like to think I'm not too bad at it. I've been at university for nearly 2 months now and slowly, but surely, I've figured out ways to keep on top of not only my workload but also all the mundane little chores I never had to do before. For instance, that pile of washing in your laundry hamper? Doesn't just magically disappear and come back clean and neatly folded like when you lived at home, surprisingly!

I thought I'd share a few tips on how I keep myself organised. After spending the first few weeks here running out of vital food staples, putting off writing essays until midnight on the night before it was due in and generally being a bit all over the place, I decided to get myself sorted out. It's made schoolwork and living on my own quite a bit easier, plus it's a great excuse to buy lots of new stationery.

1. Highlighters (and pens in general)

Basically, have loads of them. You're going to need them. Have them in every colour you can possibly get your hands on and, although I know it's tempting, don't buy the cheap crap. It will only run out after a handful of uses and end up costing you more in the long run. Personally, I like to use Stabilo Boss highlighters and Bic Cristal biros, which you buy in bulk on Amazon.

2. Post-It Notes

The same rules apply as above. Have an endless supply of them that you put everywhere. I am a massive fan of writing lists: shopping lists, to-do lists, etc. I write them out and stick them all over my room and in my diary and anywhere else I will frequently see them. Having constant reminders of stuff that needs buying, tidying, writing or researching keeps me on track. They're also good for sticking on things in the fridge that you don't want anyone else to eat...

3. Notebooks and planners

Use them and use them wisely. I have a separate notebook for every class I take, just so I don't get confused, plus one for any notes and quotes I may need to write down from a book I'm reading (I'm doing English Lit so this is essential), one for anything extra-curricular - if you write for the school newspaper, like I do, for example, and various others for any notebook emergencies that may arise. 

A good planner is also essential. I plumped for the Moleskine this year but as long as it's sturdy and has enough room for you to write stuff down in, any will do. Write down anywhere and everywhere you have to be and you'll, hopefully, never be late for a lecture again.

OUTFIT | #33

I, for one, am a massive fan of chillier weather. I'll take any excuse to put on big jumpers and curl up under mountains of blankets so at the moment I'm jumping at the chance to dress around my knitwear.

Also, I think I may have finally found a way to take outfit pictures that doesn't involve my bathroom mirror or balancing my camera perilously on a pile of books. It only took nearly two months of living here...

jumper: Zara; blouse: Topshop; skirt: H&M; boots: River Island

OUTFIT | #32

Sometimes I surprise myself and break out of my well-established sartorial comfort zone and buy something a little different. Like a hot pink blouse. 

Seriously, the picture does not do this thing justice. It is fluorescent pink, like neon or something. You can see it from miles (well, metres) away. In fact, I did. I was ambling through H&M, looking for my usual colour palette: black or striped, or both if possible. The next thing I know, I'm homing in on this blouse and picking it up. 

I tried it on (I try on everything. I'm not the kind of shopper that buys something and hopes for the best) and before I knew it, I'd bought it. And, would you know, it's probably my most complimented piece of clothing. As someone who spent their entire life prior to purchasing this blouse thinking I didn't suit pink, it's kind of strange to think that I not only own such a bright piece of clothing, but that I really, really like it. 

blazer, blouse, skirt: H&M; bag: New Look

OUTFIT | #31

I think my love of anything striped needs a blog post all of its own. If you know me in real life, you already know that I will buy any item of clothing if it is striped. I have a problem. 

Therefore, this outfit pretty much sums up what I look like 99% of the time. Striped shirt or dress? Check. Blazer? Check. (Not pictured) Those River Island boots that I wear all the time? Check.

blazer: H&M; dress, belt: New Look; leggings: George @ ASDA