Slidin' into Summer

Okay, I'll admit I'm low-key proud of that title, has a nice ring to it don't ya think? It's not 100% on point because this post is about slides and mules but it'll do. So like I was saying, mules and slides are probably the footwear of the season, especially the former. When Gucci came out with the Princetown mules , I was in loooooove. Too bad the only way I could afford a pair was to probably take shelter on the streets and starve my broke student ass for a year. Slight exaggeration but the way my bank account was looking at the time, it didn't seem like such a stretch. I was so glad when the trend trickled down into high street stores and a majority of retailers started producing their own version of mules. You can probably find them at any high street store now!

Dainty necklaces

I love jewellery but I never really wear any all that often. Most of the time, I just forget really. It's like I'll do my makeup, hair, outfit and boom, I'm straight out the door. I always forget to put on a few rings or a necklace. Which is a shame really because I love how a couple of accessories can effortlessly complete a look. However, as of recent I've begun to incorporate a few simple jewellery pieces to jazz up my outfits a little. Especially with my recent obsession with off shoulder tops (I kid you not my closet is slowly being taken over by the bardot trend), I always try to add a few necklaces or chokers so that my décolletage area isn't so bare. Lately, I really love layering more dainty pieces of necklaces and chokers. Don't get me wrong, I love a good ol' statement necklace but most of the time, especially for everyday wear, I rather opt for a few simple dainty pieces. It's just such an effortless way to add on to a simple outfit, makes it seem like you made way more of an effort than you really did (which is always a win in my book). I got all the pieces in the photos from either H&M or Forever 21. Definitely good places to scout for affordable accessories. I try not to spend too much because I tend to lose my jewellery really easily, like I'll start my day with maybe 5 rings on my hands and come home to realise I've only got 3 on instead. So I try to spend as little as possible on accessories when I can. I also try choosing a few more sophisticated pieces that I feel would work for most occasions. I just realise that I tend to pick up more gold pieces rather than silver but to be honest, I usually switch up between the two colours depending on my outfits. Might just try to expand my silver collection a little more.

Talk soon xx

Day in Manchester + OOTD

I don't know how true this statement rings but I've heard that "Manchester is the better London". It's a pretty outlandish/controversial statement as half of the people I know seem to agree while the other half just laugh. I've been to London quite a few times and the city never really spoke to me, it was never one my favourite places to visit. I'll admit I haven't properly explored London yet but for now, I have to admit that Manchester definitely takes the cake for me.

A few new makeup bits

Hello, I haven't bought any new makeup in quite a while considering I just finished my final papers for my first semester, basically caring how I look goes completely out the window during exam season. I figured I couldn't think of any better way to spend a little bit of my Christmas money then on some new additions to my little makeup collection. So on a little shopping trip to the mall, my friend and I stopped by Nars, initially just to re-purchase our concealer. We both use the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer and I picked up mine in Caramel. Honestly, the best part about this collection has got to be the shade range. It's so difficult to find a drugstore concealer that works for me because most of the shades available are all to fair to suit me so I decided to venture into Nars instead. The steep price is a little worth it though, the concealer is creamy, blends beautifully and matches my skin perfectly however the lasting power isn't as spectacular.

2016, you've been a ball

Dear 2016, you've been a ball.

I'm sure I'm one of the rare ones who say that. Everyone's thoughts one twitter and such have been the complete opposite but hard as I try, I really can't dampen my enthusiasm and relate. Because for once, I actually understand when people say they had a great year. That was 2016 for me. I absolutely adored this year and lately it's all I can think about, how bloody fantastic this year has been for me! And no, I'm not one to exaggerate and look at everything through rose-tinted glasses because sure this year hasn't been perfect, of course there's been some low points too, but does a completely perfect year even exist? I'm just weighing the pros and cons and even at this moment in late December, I can barely remember all the low points because I've had way too many great moments in 2016 that outshine them. I can't help sounding overly enthusiastic so I'm sorry if this posts rubs you wrong or even comes of as bragging because that's not my intention with this. Blogging has always been my writing escape, a community I love being part of but most importantly, my virtual memory box. I document these moments because I don't want to forget them and I don't want to miss how I felt in that moment and place. So for this posts, I'm going to round up all the best parts of the year and to reflect and remind myself how grateful I should be to experience all these amazing opportunities.

The Girl on the Train

I haven't had the time to pick up a book and sit down for a good read in agesss and I quite miss it. Honestly, who knew uni life was going to be so hectic. I've had this book sitting on my bedside table for months and just never had the time to finish it. With my first semester of first year over, I figured our short family trip to Phuket would be the perfect time to crack it open again. It was such a big hit when it was released, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it and understand what all the hype was about and with the movie coming out, it sorta fuelled the urge. I have to say, I'm not sure exactly what my expectations were but the storyline definitely wasn't what I expected from the title. It's a psychological thriller to say the least and a pretty darn good one at that. The protagonist is a troubled woman named Rachel, aka the girl on the train. Basically, she gets tangled up in a murder investigation during a vulnerable stage in her life. She commutes to London for work every morning and while on the train she observes a couple who lives in one of the houses the train passes by daily. So she begins to create this imaginary ideal reality for said couple (whom she's never met) where they live this happy and perfect life until she witness something that shatters that illusion. The story is narrated from the point of view of 3 women, Rachel, her ex husband's wife and the female half of the "happy couple", Megan. Personally, I find Megan the most interesting character in the book. Her personality is so complex and at times the author has managed to capture certain thoughts of mine in Megan's own feelings. I sorta related to the way she thinks on a very minimal level but that sort of sparked my interest in seeing how her role plays out. The ending was definitely unexpected and was what put this book in the thriller category for me. I can't say I was blown away by this novel but it did make me think quite a bit after I put it down which is something I always appreciate from a good book. Themes of the novel include romance, treachery, murder, adultery and addiction. Not usually the sort of books I tend to gravitate towards but I think I might just pick up a couple more thrillers after this. Overall I give it a 6/10. Just because I expected a lot more from the huge hype surrounding the book. If you've read it, what are your thoughts on it?

Talk soon xx

College Abroad

Well, I can't believe it's already time to do this post. I planned to a couple months ago mainly to sort of reflect on the past months and to keep this little post handy in my virtual memory box. 8 months went by a lot quicker than I expected. I still remember how doubtful and nervous I was about doing college abroad and taking the foundation programme. It didn't fit in with my post-highschool plan. I was meant to do college for a year at home with the SAMs programme and then apply for a university in Australia. Exactly what my sister did. A safe, secure plan.
Except, my mum heard about St Andrew's foundation programme and asked me to apply. Thinking I'd never get in but I'll just do it for the sake of pleasing her, I sent out my application. Surprisingly enough....I got in. I still remember receiving the call while we were on a weekend vacation in Penang Island. Basically, my reaction was "well shit".