New year resolutions?

It's that time of the year. Oh yes, Christmas time. There's something about christmas that makes everybody love it and for me? it's the communal spirit, its family time and its a time of self-reflection.  2016 has been absolutely crazy. A rollercoaster of emotions, stress and life-lessons. 2016, for me, saw me working waaaay hard and aspiring to my goals, but also learning that life should not be structured, its a complicated thing- things change, things happen that you do not expect to, like ever. Anyway, here are some of my new year resolutions that i want to start doing. who ever said new year new me is bullshit? haha.

1. Become extremely organised.
Literally, I brought a journal from 'Oh Deer' from urban outfitters and i love how every single page and day is set out. You get to write your daily objectives, and if you are a stationary lover like myself, you will fall in love. I've been waiting for ages to actually purchase this (i waited until it was on sale ha). I'm so looking forward to ensuring that each day is productive and it may make me feel a little bit important?

2. Have some 'me-time'.
I can not emphasise enough. I don't have enough me-time. I don't mean being on your phone or laptop, just having a face-mask, treating your skin, relaxing and just thinking about loads of different things. i think it is SO important to just take a break away from life (because let's admit, it is pretty crazy) and just do you.

3. Have a set-skincare routine.
Genuinely, for the past 18 years, there has never been a set skincare routine. I usually just apply cream from a drugstore and that's me done, but not anymore. I found Liz Earle's cleanser so revolutionary and life-changing to my skin and I think it's okay to spend a little bit more on your skin. I was such a stingy person, I never knew what a cleanser was, what to do when you go sleep but now I want to have something set in me that I do daily. I have also laid eyes on Pixi Glow Tonic which I hear good reviews from. My friend, Lydia, is a massive skincare brainiac and I think it's good to be inspired and look for different products that suit your skin. After all, skin is so important. You need to make sure the products are for you because I only realised how sensitive my skin really is and what my skin loves and does not love.

4. Find your fashion-inspo and adopt your own style.
Believe it or not, I don't really know what my style is. Well, I had some kind-of idea but I was afraid of what people would really say. Even now, my boyfriend has very different taste in fashion, so does some of my friend, but I believe that finding your own fashion reflects you and your personality.

I hope you all have a lovely christmas, whether you celebrate it or not, i believe its a great time to get everybody round and spend time with your loved ones.

Merry Christmas,
Elaine xxx

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

I am in love with the festive season. As I walk through George Square, Glasgow (which is so beautiful), I took in the beauty of the Christmas lights, the chills and rain, the smell of mulled wine and so much chocolate surrounding me and my friends. It instantly reminded me of Prague, where myself and Haroon (my significant other) went for Christmas last year and had so many Christmas markets and fond memories. There were so many unique, cute, festive stores that I just wanted to be there literally forever. From mulled wine stalls to cheese markets to jewellery, there was something there for everyone. I felt that I needed to embrace and dress with the festiveness. Though, the walk to the subway was so long and cold and my feet ached from my heeled boots, I persevered with Christmas spirit and tunes. Who cares if it isn't December yet? I am in love. 

OUTFIT: 

HAT- TOPSHOP (old)

COAT- TOPSHOP http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/jackets-coats-2390889/fur-collar-boyfriend-coat-5841376?bi=0&ps=20

PRODUCTS I'M WEARING:

Red lip- RIMMEL 107, Kate Moss http://www.boots.com/en/Rimmel-Kate-Matte-Lipstick_1281356/

Eyebrows- SLEEK http://www.sleekmakeup.com/uk/brow-kit-dark

Contour & Highlight- SLEEK http://www.sleekmakeup.com/uk/face-contour-kit-medium (my shade was light)

Eyeliner- RIMMEL http://www.boots.com/en/Rimmel-Scandaleyes-Waterproof-Gel-Liner_1450812/ (my go to babe)

Blusher- BENEFIT, Dandelion http://www.boots.com/en/Benefit-Dandelion-blusher_7692/

Perfume- BODY SHOP, Love etc (Can't find link).

Hope you enjoyed this week's blog post <3

E. 

WISH LIST: Urban Outfitters

Greetings everyone! I hope you all had a fabulously spooky halloween and now it has become acceptable to CELEBRATE THE COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS! Woo, I'm literally extremely excited and full of this festiveness! *jumps with joy*. Now, as it is nearly reaching that festive time of month (I am aware its early November but don't be a scrooge!), I thought why not share some items I want to love (but can't afford), literally weeping inside, and perhaps give you guys some inspiration. *hint hint*. I really do need to stop online 'window' shopping- I don't know if that is a thing, but I just made it one! 

just a tad in LOVE with this. it's getting soooo cold, especially in Scotland, and I thought why not dress warm with a baggy hoodie which also sends a positive message. 

I've really been getting into peg-leg trousers, I think they're really cool and quite quirky and fun dressing with. I would most probably wear these trousers with a darker top (like black), giving the outfit a cooler fined look and more attention is paid to those statement trousers. Probably nothing to distract the look away from your statement trousers.

Stay beautiful, E xxx

September and (basically all time) favourites

This is a quite late September favourites so I 100% apologise for this delay, but if you are curious as to what my favourites are last month then have a little read here.

From basically all this summer, I have been in love with these lipsticks/lip creams. As you can tell from my previous blogposts, the NYX lip creams have made it into my faves (because they are amazing). 

From the left: NYX lip cream in Copenhagen (a beautiful look for a special occasion or even just to make you look a bit more fancy!), NYX lip cream in Cannes, Rimmel London Kate Moss 107 lipstick, Bourjois Paris in Praline and Topshop LIPS in Love Struck.

These are all fairly affordable drugstore lipsticks so treat yourself because you need it! 

Top to bottom: Lovestruck by Topshop, Bourjois Paris' Praline, Rimmel 107,

NYX Cannes and NYX Copenhagen

Lets talk about.. face makeup! I never really ever wear makeup on my face like bronzers, contouring and all that jazz. This was mainly because I never knew how to 'make up'?? (Does that make sense?) haha. However, I have to give it to one of my friends who is a makeup fanatic and I was curious. The two sleek palettes (the bigger one) is the highlighter kit which gives a great glowy effect (i look so shiny!) and the smaller palette is the contouring and highlight in the shade light. The Bourjois Paris limited edition bronzer smells AMAZING! I just want to eat it (but please don't!). They all have a nice pigment and are brands I trust with my face. They are all really affordable and you can find these at your local drugstore (like Boots and Superdrug). Make up, you have converted me. :)

I hope you enjoyed this drugstore favourites and I hope you had an amazing weekend, whether it is studying or just chillaxing (I'm jealous). :)

E. xxx

Lets talk about...applying to university

To those who are currently in the position where you are applying to university and picking your university options then please have a little read of my blog post today.

I have shamefully (im soooo sorry) not updated you all, but I am currently in university- yes, Glasgow University, and I wanted to share with you all some of my regrets/things i wish i wouldve done when applying to university. 

1) Make sure the course is right for you:

It is quite obvious, but honestly, what you study at a-level does not always mean that university will be the same. This is to not put you off the subject, but more to really be careful and think- do i LOVE (not like!) this subject and what can it do for me after I graduate? Getting into a university is easy, it may sound cocky but you can go to any university you want, but if you don't like your course it may seem harder for you to love anything else. Afterall, you are there for 3/4 years of your life. I have heard so many people choose a subject to do at uni just because 'they were good at it at alevel'. That does not cut it. Make sure you utilise that £9,000. 

2) Choose the dream university:

What I learnt is that treat your 5 uni choices carefully. I tend to have chose some just as back up in case i did not get the grades for the university i wanted. With all seriousness, make sure it is right for you and that the university caters for your needs. Currently I'm in Glasgow and I do have questions of whether this university is for me. Its so important to really and truly evaluate how that university can benefit you. I would really insist on attending open days- i did not go to Glasgow's open day because it was too far. That was one of my  biggest regret ever- but that deserves its own blogpost in the future. I would really advise looking at whatuni.com (really good for comparisons!) and just looking at all your options you have. Don't focus too heavily on league tables.  Make sure that the environment you are in is good for you. 

3) Do your homework:
I have read previous blogposts when I was applying to university too, and I must say that I subconciously tricked myself into thinking I knew my universities from top to bottom (I think that's the phrase! The truth is, I didn't. I mean I read student satisfaction etc but I honestly did not see whether I would be content/really happy with my university. Look at the important things: how you wil be assessed and whether you like their methods, how many contact hours you have, what you are studying and the compulsory modules you have to take. Does that uni do well for your taste? These are questions that every student should figure out before applying. Applying is easy, universities tend to 'over-offer' anyway and give places to a lot of students, knowing that not all of them will even get in. Don't rush this process, otherwise you will regret it. Clearlng is a long way away so make sure you know in advance than in a rush!

4) Make sure that your personal statement is the shiz:
I started writing my personal statement in the summer, where I was at an advantage of being able to figure out whether this course was good for me or not. Originally, I wished to study both history and politics, but I later realised that it was not for me. Your personal statement really and truly tests your passion. It is better to write a lot of things you like about a subject than nothing at all. My school always sent us to personal statement classes and sometimes when I was at university open days, such as Uni of Southampton, they would have personal statement classes based on what they expect from each and every successful candidate. Fall in love with your personal statement and make it really positive. Most importantly, your statement is not going to be perfect, so keep redrafting and be-friend your tutor. Afterall, they are the one who will be writing your reference.

5) Do you want a gap year?
When applying to university, I 100% gave taking a gap year no thought whatsoever. I thought I would become way more stupid and lose my IQ (clearly did) if I took a year out. What would I do instead of not going to uni? I feared i would miss out and waste a good year rather than studying and getting university out of the way. I really regret this. I knew i was not going to be one of those 'I went to Africa and then to India for my gap year' type of people (nothing wrong with that at all, I envy that!) the thing is, you really need to think about whether university is really for you and if you're not sure then maybe you should take a year out. You don't need to be chilling with animals on your gap year but just gain work experience and other things and you never know, your path may change!

These are the holy grails to applying to university. I would also add in look at your accommodation before even getting in to that uni! I mean, both of your firm and insurance! Please do not rush your firm and insurance choice, you may change your mind halfway through and it would be too little too late.
I did have quite a traditional mind about university before. i always thought that uni was the next step for me and I would be totally successful blah blah. Thats not necessarily trus. Just because a majority of your classmates are heading to uni does not mean you should too. Take some time and really think about it. Its never too late. 

Review: NYX lip-creams

Dear fellow bloggers, 

Summer is finally out! Wow, I have finally completed my a levels (A2s this year) and it has been a crazy. I have learnt so many lessons and I have become a stronger person. I do again apologise for my absence, I felt  there was nothing blog-worthy of writing because I was cooped up in books and pink highlighters. Nevertheless, I will continue with this little review.

Recently, I have purchased two lip creams - NYX 'Copenhagen' and 'Cannes' and I must say, once I ordered them, I fell in love. I honestly could not get enough of such beautiful colours and I'm sure you will agree. It feels like you're applying lipgloss at first but then its a matte colour. However, what I find is that you would have to touch it up a few times, it isn't as long-lasting as I hoped it would be but still retains a beautiful touch and look. 

COPENHAGEN

The Copenhagen lip cream reminds me of the autumnal and maybe even the winter season and I can definitely imagine this with a nice warm jumper. Alternatively, this could be suited for a night out- perhaps clubbing or having a nice get together with your friends. The berry colour really appealed to me and I don't really have these berry colours in my makeup collection at all. No regrets made with this purchase!

CANNES

This BEAUTIFUL nude was the one that really stood out for me. I honestly love the colour and everything about it. It was the fact I could wear it anywhere- on any occasion- picnics, parties, bbqs, a casual day, chilling with your friends, lover, going out, staying at home etc. SUCH A BEAUTIFUL COLOUR I CAN'T DEAL. I believe Cannes is one of the popular lip-creams out of the NYX collection and I was so tempted to purchase other lip-creams and explore other NYX products but I felt guilty for my bank account. Damn. One day when I become Queen maybe, joke ( not really :( )

Thank you for reading this post and my review on these two lip creams I purchased. I hope you have a LOVELY evening or day and make this summer the best it can be! 

Rights are also reserved to the owner of these images taken (I didn't take them!) 

Stay beautiful,

Elaine Chu x x x