19 Things at 19

1. Oats isn't "old people food" and it actually tastes amazing in the morning (honey, cinnamon & mixed seeds all the way)

2. Friendships aren't defined by how often you text or see each other.

3. Nor does the number of years define the quality and strength of a friendship. 

4. Bandanas are cool and you should wear them as often as you want without worrying if others think you're being too "extra".

5. You may love your alone time but don't waste the limited time you have being a hermit in your room when you could be spending time with your loved ones. Making new memories is important.

6. Speaking of memories.....print out pictures and fill photo albums with them! Don't let them waste away in your phone. It's more fun to reminisce this way, trust me.

7. Green tea is a great substitute for coffee (also healthier hello).

8. Sleeveless tops are pretty and don't let your physical insecurities ruin them for you.

9. Suddenly losing a family member is difficult (which is why no. 5 is important) but it also serves as a reminder to constantly appreciate those around you.

10. "Comparison is the thief of joy"....so for god sake stop doing it. 

11. The best place to read is by the beach. On a lounge chair, in the shade with the slight salty breeze enveloping you.

For Future Reference

creds

God, I hate that word. Future.
How can such a simple word that used to be filled with endless excitement and unimaginable opportunities be so daunting now. I guess that's the beauty of growing up, everything starts to lose a little magic as each year goes by. (gag) I'm speaking as if I'm a tired 50-year-old who has persevered through everything life has thrown at me and lived to tell the tale. When in reality, it is quite the opposite. I'm 19-years-young and has just sauntered home after a really good dim sum lunch and flipped open her laptop to find multiple tabs and windows left open from when I was intently researching career prospects and crazily trying to plan and organise the next 5-7 years of my life one late night.

It's crazy. I'm crazy. If there's one thing I've learnt on my short time on this planet, it's that things rarely carry out as we planned. I can sit here all day trying to decide which degree would give me a better chance at being admitted into a doctorate programme and reviewing all the volunteering and work experience I'll need to undergo after in order to make the cut...but, what good does it do if in a couple months or years from now, I'm sitting in a lecture hall and it hits me that maybe I don't want this path anymore. What happen's then?

Colourpop haul!

This package came at such an unfortunate time, literally the day after my dad gave me a lecture about saving money and then this parcel arrived in time to remind me I spent over $50 just to get free shipping from Colourpop. I was still excited though because I've been wanting to try their makeup for sooo long. I picked up mainly lippies but also a super shock blush in Flush'd and a highlighter in Glo Up. Both products were super creamy and pigmented and worked best when I used my fingers to apply them. They had a very interesting, almost bouncy texture which I guess is the main feature of the super shock line. Both the  matte coral blush and golden highlighter looked amazing on my tan skin and stayed on pretty well, such pretty colours for summer!

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.