My favourite Student Discounts from Unidays

Hello beautiful!

When it comes to being a student, I think the most valuable lesson you learn (as well as your degree) is how to budget & making every last penny count.

Even though I commute to University, a great deal of consideration about my spends still has to be made to make sure I am able to afford bus/train fare. It's not all fun and games believe!

However, when you do have the luxury of treating yourself - you want to make the most of it, right?

Unidays are a site that shows the best student discounts the internet has to offer - including discounts for Apple, Jack Wills and Benefit.

Here are my favourite discounts and why I think you should use them:

1. Spotify

Spotify offer a huge 50% off their premium rate - meaning it's only £5.99! Spotify is available on your computer, IPad or mobile - which mean you can always have music wherever you go, with no annoying adverts.

2. Apple

Technology giants Apple offer a 15% discount for students - which is perfect for anyone who uses iMac. I have recently used this to buy myself a lovely little iPad Mini and it is perfect for notetaking in my lectures.

3. Motel 

Motel are offering a massive 25% off their clothing, which for any fashion lover is perfect! They offer a diverse selection of clothes for an affordable price!

There are so many places to choose from - if your not already a member of Unidays, I would recommend you join as you could save a huge amount of cash - perfect for a cheeky night out!

What is your favourite student discount?

60 seconds to perfect nails!

Hello Beautiful!

For any girly-girl like myself pretty nails are an essential. There is nothing nicer than having pretty coloured nails - and painting them can be so therapeutic!

Unfortunately for me, I am not allowed to have my nails painted for work (sob) and only paint my nails when I have time off.

Luckily for me, I have this week off to celebrate my birthday! (Hello twenties!) and I decided to invest in a new nail polish colour.

I have always been a fan of Rimmel's nail polishes - so when I heard that Rita Ora was the new face for the 60 second nail polish, I had to check out her colours!

I have had a good look at her range and I love all the colours in it - but this pink really took my fancy.

'Don't Be Shy' is a beautiful bold pink or, as I would say, a 'Barbie Pink' and I'm a sucker for these shades!

Now, me and nail polish have a real love/hate relationship. I can be a very heavy-handed and easily chip nail polish. I've even been able to chip gel nail polish - which I thought was impossible!

However, with this range - I find the consistency very thick and I haven't chipped the colour of at all! Result!

The big selling point to this product is that it dries in 60 second - and, as a tester and a very impatient woman, I can tell you that it indeed dries in this time!

Rimmel
'Don't Be Shy'
£3.69

For the price of £3.69 at Superdrug, the item is extremely affordable and I totally recommend it if you're after a decent nail polish with a variety of colours.

Do you enjoy painting your nails?

The 'No Make Up' Challenge

Hello Beautiful!

Over the past few months, we have seen 'nomination challenges' such as the infamous neck nomination and the neigh nomination.

The other day, I got nominated to do the 'no make up' challenge - which entails girls to post a photo of themselves on Facebook or Twitter with no make up on. Completely barefaced. 

For females all over the UK, this is a very daunting task; especially if you started to wear a make up from a very young age or never publish a photo of yourself without any make up on.

The reason for the challenge? simply to promote natural beauty and to give us girls some self esteem. It has also been rumoured that the challenge is to help to raise awareness for cancer - which I think is a brilliant reason to do so - however random. 

However, I have noticed a lot of girls (and a few guys) giving stick about the challenge - branding girls as 'dog ugly' or stating  that the photos 'make me want to vomit'.

I find it disgusting that people would actually say things like that.

 At the end of the day, I believe it takes a lot of courage for females to post images like this. Some women would have never posted an image of themselves barefaced - and to be called names is horrible. 

I have seen a fair few of the 'no make up' images and most of them look better without the slap and I think it is an exceedingly brave thing for them to do. 

Personally, I do prefer the natural look - and obviously this is not to everyone's taste but you should never compare a girl to a dog when it comes to their appearance - what happened to girl code?!

This is supposed to be a bit of fun and no one should feel crap for partaking in this event.

And to show my appreciation for the event, I am going to post my nomination for the challenge here and challenge you to take part! You can even link back to the Original Blonde Journalist page!

We are all beautiful in our own way, and no one should be made to feel ugly by other peoples judgement. I do not know one ugly person. And that's a fact.

I challenge you!

You are beautiful - Now get barefaced!

Statement Necklaces: Yay or Nay?

                                                                                                             

Hello Beautiful!

Accessories wise- this years biggest trend is most definitely the statement necklace. I'll admit it - when it comes to accessorising, I like to keep it clean and simple. But this is a trend that I love; being able to instantly change a plain, everyday outfit into something a bit more on trend.

Think of an outfit made up of a plain white shirt with your favourite jeans - without a necklace, its very casual and somewhat thrown together. However, wear an amazing gold chain and it's been upped to something with a little more zazz.

Retailer's Primark have an amazing selection of statement necklaces this season - one of them being this amazing tribal necklace. I think this screams holiday - the Aztec feel would be perfect teamed up with a black maxi/midi dress whilst you are enjoying your holidays. Whats more, Primark prides itself in it's affordability - meaning it won't hit the purse too hard if you purchase a few pieces.

Aztec Necklace
£4
Primark

After browsing on the ASOS website, I came across this beautiful necklace from New Look . The pastel  pink roped chain is beautiful, and is perfect for completing a pastel outfit or it can be teamed on an outfit similar to the one below. At £20, the necklace is a little bit steeped but because of it's versatility, I think it is well worth the investment.

Princess Stone Necklace
New Look
£19.99

Zara have a reputation for delievering amazing fashion pieces and have a  great selection of statement necklaces. This particular one was my favourite! The multi-gemmed piece would add some sass to any outfit or make a plain dress stand out from the crowd. The hints of pastel is also bang on trend.

Multi-stones Necklace
Zara
£29.99

                                          

I hope I inspire you to incorporate statement necklaces into your outfits.

Saving money: Lingerie

Hello beautiful!

Every woman knows that the right underwear can make you feel a million pounds. Not only is it an everyday essential - but it is also a big component for creating body confidence. This is probably the reason why women spend £836 on their underwear collection!

For students however, the cost will be on a smaller scale - with girls opting for a cost-effective Primark bra than the luxury of Ann Summers or La Senza.

With this is mind, I have been browsing the web to look for more affordable but luxury bras for us poor students and I came with a solution.

Ann Summers have an amazing sale sections that - to my knowledge - is always available. The amount of underwear I have brought from their is ridiculous!

This bra is a perfect example of this. The black padded bra first retailed for a staggering £18, which is a pretty standard price for an Ann Summers bra. However, after a few months the bra has been reduced to an amazing £5! Saving you a huge £13.

£18
Now £5
Ann Summers

If you don't mind having a nice surprise or just love a good bargain than the assorted bra is perfect for you. For a measly £3, you can own an Ann Summers bra which could save you a great amount of money! They also do the same for underwear, which can range from £2  to £2.50.

Assorted Bra
Now £3

If your after something cute to sleep in, rather than an old baggy tee try this cute babydoll set! The polkadot theme is super cute and very flattering.

Was £18
Now £5

The sale section also contains erotic items, clothing and sleepwear - making this the best place to go if you ever need any sexy underwear.

And what's more, Ann Summers offer a 10% student discount! which also applies for sale items.

 So what are you waiting for?

Return of the denim skirt?

                                          

Hello beautiful!

Yes, another fashion post - I have got a few beauty bits to try out & review for you so expect some posts in the days to come!

As an observer of fashion, I have noticed another nineties flashback. It's back; the denim skirt has made a return to the fashion world.

To be honest, I have. It worn a denim skirt since I was about 12 & whenever I used to think of them, I would instantaneously think of middle aged teacher with the skirt at knees length.

However, after looking at a few looks and a change in the hideous length, the skirt has grown on me. 

This acid wash pencil skirt from New Look would be my perfect go-to denim skirt. It is just the right length and really reminds me of my childhood days; with the acid wash adding some flare & bring this look to the present day. It could be teamed up with a cute pair of flat ankle boots and a floral shirt.

                                            

What are your thoughts on denim skirts?

My March wishlist

Hello Beautiful!

Well, it certainly looks like spring is on it's way. When I was on my way back home yesterday, I wouldn't help but notice the early blossom blooming on the trees and the daffodils pushing their way through the ground.

As any fashionista (or shopaholic) knows, springs means rotating the wardrobe once again. Or just another excuse to shop a little. Cough.

Anyone who lives around the Nottingham area will know the sheer size and range of shops surrounding the city. The temptation not to buy anything is overwhelming at times!

So, I thought I would share with you the items I want and crave this month!

1. The Statement Tee

Okay, anyone who knows me would describe me as a hopeless romantic; I am a total sucker for romance and I am always watching some sort of romantic comedy/unrealistic Disney film. So when I saw this in New Look last week, I instantly fell in love. The simple, plain tee with the eye-catching slogan would look great with a pair of dark/black skinny jeans and a beanie to create a perfect, casual day look. At the moment, New Look are offering a 2 for £12 on their tees so go & check that out!

T Shirt
New Look
£7.99

2. The Playsuit

For some reason, I have recently discovered a new love for playsuits - and recently purchased a black backless one for going out purposes. However, I was looking for a playsuit which I could dress up or dress down to - depending on what time day it is. I came across this white beauty whilst browsing through the website Fashion Union. It could totally be pulled of with a pair of wedges to create an evening look or worn with sandals (depending on the weather!) for a more casual-but-cute look. 

White Playsuit
Fashion Union
£28

3. The Bag

I actually love the colour of this bag! This year, I am really digging the pastel trend that is lurking around the catwalk and this is definitely the definition of a pastel blue. The bag, as found on ASOS, is the perfect scallop satchel for everyday use (although too small for university!). I think this bag would look great teamed up with a pastel outfit or white a white dress to add a splash of well-needed color.  

Satchel bag
ASOS
£30

4. The Must-Have Beauty Product

All you tan fans - I have discovered a miracle tan in a bottle! Tan gurus He-Shi have created this 1 hour rapid tan guaranteed to give you a beautiful tan in just 60 minutes! and what's more? the tan is guaranteed to last 7-10 days! The tan has already won 4 awards - if that's not something to persuaded  you then I don't know what is!

Rapid Tan
He-Shi
£22.50

What is your wishlist this March?

Review: Ellie Goulding

See original post here: http://www.nottinghampost.com/Review-Ellie-Goulding-Capital-FM-Arena-Nottingham/story-20772587-detail/story.html

IT was an effective way to kick off her first major arena tour; sporting an outfit that appeared to show one of Britain's biggest female artists completely nude underneath a body suit of black panel strips.

The wow! factor of Ellie Goulding's stage wear was easily matched by the show she put on for Nottingham fans at the Capital FM Arena on Wednesday night.

The 27-year-old singer behind the hits Burn, Anything Could Happen and Starry Eyed, said how she'd not performed in such a large venue before but it was clear from this tour opener that arenas suit her.

A beautiful indigo beam lit up the stage, revealing a backdrop of huge squares, reflecting the cover of her latest album, Halcyon Days. Throughout the show, beautiful graphics and photos flooded the screens - including one of her mum, as the singer would later tweet: "Thanks Nottingham! Buzzing! My mum loved her cameo on screen."

It was Figure 8, with which Goulding opened the show in that aforementioned 'nude' bodysuit, over which she wore a glittery hooded bomber jacket.

After Ritual, came latest single, Goodness Gracious, the first proper singalong of the night.

For each, Goulding displayed remarkable energy, using every inch of the stage, suggestively grinding to those in the front few rows and looking like she was having a blast.

The set was, as expected, all the hits and more from her two studio albums, the No. 1 Lights and No. 2 Halcyon, along with the extra songs from the reissued 'deluxe' editions, Bright Lights and Halcyon Days. As a result it was a mostly uplifting, dancey vibe but with the more sedate and touching ballads thrown in, such as How Long Will I Love You? and her cover of Elton John's Your Song.

It is easy for performers to become consumed by the need to deliver a well-rehearsed set at an arena show, sticking to the structured routines that have been worked on for weeks in advance. But Goulding didn't appear overwhelmed and relaxed into it,

chatting to as many in the crowd as she could, sharing jokes and encouraging them to light up their phones.

As she broke into I Need Your Love, she shouted for us to "dance like you've never danced before", joking that she wasn't much of a dancer herself.

It was Burn, her first UK No.1 single, that closed the show.

"I really do have the best fans." she said. "You have all stuck by me from the beginning and I can't thank you enough."

There was only one way she could have done that and that's exactly what she did; by putting on a show to remember.

Is it summer yet?

Hello Beautiful!

With forecasters promising the hottest summer on record (please be true!) I have already begun the search for the perfect bikini and summer accessories. A little premature perhaps, but as some who loves nothing more than to soak up the sunshine and tan my body - I think its a necessity and definitely a little mood booster!

After browsing a few High Street stores and my favourite online shops, I have picked up on a few key trends to rock on your jollies; including eye-wear - which we all know is essential during the summer months.

Sunglasses

For many people (I know it is the case for me) only certain sunglasses suit certain shaped sunglasses. For example, I can happily rock a pair of aviators but look like a bug in over sized glasses. However, linking in with the sixties vibes that seem to be featuring all ore the high street are the round framed sunglasses. Yes, think John Lennon or nineties nostalgia - but they are super cute! And they can easily be pulled off. I love this pair of round sunglasses from BooHoo - and they are available in a range of different colours to help fit in with your wardrobe. Topshop and River Island also have a great variety of sunglasses in their store - but with a price range of £12-£20, BooHoo seems to be the more 'student friendly' option.

Zoe Round Frame
BooHoo
£8

Swimwear

Linking back in with the sixties themes, a lot of stores are displaying bikinis with high waist bottoms. As a female with insecurities about her stomach, I find this a great thing and really believe it will encourage more self confidence for women who are scared to get into a bikini. Primark and River Island have a great selection of high waist bikinis - some even demonstrating a nautical theme. However, I love this from BooHoo. The print on the bikini reminds me a lot of the Aztec themes that have been popping up on the catwalk this s/s. The bikini is also reasonable affordable, making it an essential for your wardrobe.

Paphos Retro Snake Print High Rise Bikini
BooHoo
£20

If you are more body confident or want to add some flare and sass into your wardrobe, I would recommend taking a look at Missguided. Their swimwear offers sexy and stylish bikinis and beachwear to wear around the pool. My personal favourite is the tasseled bikini in a neon pink: I absolutely adore the colour of this! The brightness of it will definitely make you stand out from the crowd. However, if you are not a fan of the color - Missguided do a range of different colours to suit your mood. What I do love about this bikini is that if you teamed this up with a pair of acid-washed denim shorts - you could pull off a casual summer look.

Trona Halterneck Fringe Bikini In Hot Pink
Missguided
£20.99

Last year, the trend of realistic or animal faces was huge - and I can distinctly remember New Look selling a swimsuit with a huge lions face on it. This year, ASOS have brought back the trend and create this beautiful swimsuit with cutouts on either side. It is perfect for those who have issues with their bodies (although every body is beautiful ladies! flaunt it!) and I cannot get enough of the elephant print! I may even purchase this myself!

Safari Elephant Print Bandeau Swimsuit
ASOS
£35

Beachwear/Pool-wear

Beachwear is a great way to make the transaction from hotel room to the beach or to the poolside. However, I am sick of seeing the same repetitive maxi dresses or short dresses and was looking for something a little bit different. After having a browse on ASOS, I came across this gorgeous outfit! This two piece has definitely ticked the boxes for uniqueness and still looking stylish. As we know, two pieces are hot right now and the cute print will definitely help you stand out from the crowd. At £40 for the complete outfit, it is a little steep - however, your student discount and/or other promotional codes. 

    

ASOS Reflective Palm Print Crop  outfit
ASOS
£40 (£20 for each item)

Footwear

Now this next item really is a flashback of my childhood. My mum used to hate me wearing jelly shoes - but I couldn't help but think that they were cool! And I still have a little love for them. I agree that not everyone will like them - but I think that they are prefect for wearing around the pool. They are also pretty inexpensive - with New Look selling them for £10 (plus 10% student discount) and they come in a variety of colours. If you loved them as a kid, I would recommend picking up a pair asap. 

Silver Clear Flat Jelly Sandals
New Look
£9.99

I actually cannot wait to purchase these items and, hopefully, it will encourage the sun to make an appearance. Please?

How excited are you for summer 2014?

Pancake Perfection

Hello Beautiful!

Across the world, people are celebrating Shrove Tuesday or as many call it - Pancake day. For many young adults and children, the day is on a similar level to Christmas and Easter - consuming pancakes all around the clock.

With many people opting for the traditional pancake with clichéd lemon juice and sugar; I have decided to mix things up a little. With a growing interest in trying new foods whilst trying to be reasonably healthy, I have scoured the internet for new ways to update and reinvent the classic pancake.

On the Good Food website, I have found the perfect mixture of fun and healthy! lemon and blueberry pancakes which are less than 70 calories each!

 

 

Ingredients

200g plain flour

1 tsp cream of tartar

half of a tsp bicarbonate of soda

1 tsp golden syrup

75g blueberries

zest 1 lemon

200ml milk

1 large egg

butter, for cooking

 

Method

1. First, put the flour, cream of tartar and bicarbonate of soda in the bowl. Mix them well with the fork. Drop the golden syrup into the dry ingredients along with the blueberries and lemon zest.
2. Pour the milk into a measuring jug. Now break in the egg and mix well with a fork. Pour most of the milk mixture into the bowl and mix well with a rubber spatula. Keep adding more milk until you get a smooth, thick, pouring batter.
3.  Heat the frying pan and brush with a little butter. Then spoon in the batter, 1 tbsp at a time, in heaps. Bubbles will appear on top as the pancakes cook – turn them at this stage, using the metal spatula to help you. Cook until brown on the second side, then keep warm on a plate, covered with foil. Repeat until all the mixture is used up.

With Shrove Tuesday marking the beginning of lent - a time recognised for giving up fatty or unhealthy items, today is a perfect opportunity to treat yourself while being good to your body.

 

How will you be having your pancakes today?