hold on

image from weheartit.com

It's been a while since I posted on here for a mixture of reasons, one being family problems that I'm not going to go into, and the second that due to being at different places I've had no internet. There's a few things been going on, which seems the same with a lot of people, and usually I let them get me down, but I really want this year to be special, so I'm just going to breathe and carry on!

I'm back at uni today, finally. I really hope the new modules are interesting. Pretty nervous about getting the results for my assignments as well! Had an absolute drama yesterday when I realised there was no train from Rochdale to Leeds for some reason, and I'd have to get to Hebden Bridge. Luckily my boyfriends lovely mum offered to drive me!

Not been a lot else going on. Me and the boy got takeaway pizza and garlic bread on Saturday night, which was bad but so good! We then watched some film called Devil (I think) which creeped me out!

Hope everyones had a good weekend!

Dan xxx

breaking my back just to know your name

Top - Urban outfitters

Skirt - New Look

Belt - New Look

This is what I wore today for a trip to my grandmas and a bit of shopping with my boyfriend! I really like this top, I think the bow on the chest is so cute! Not too sure about the belt, but I was wearing brown boots so wandted to link it in. Maby navy, black and tans a bit much?

So I went to my grandmas for dinner today with my boyfriend! I really do love my grandma + grandad to bits, they're so good to me, helping me out whenever I need it, and constantly suplying me with food to take back to uni. Not to mention today they bought us the biggest chocolate choux buns ever! I am doomed with my health quest! My boyfriends a fitness instructor though, so I'm going to get him to make me a fitness plan. I really am determined.

I didn't really buy much in town ( serious lack of dollar atm!), but I did get a no.7 hot cloth cleanser with a £5 off voucher. Quick question - with these do you need to take makeup off first? Because surely the muslin cloth will end up all foundationy, or am I being stupid? I also got my step mum a shirty thing from H&M that I want to keep for myself! And that is it! Saving money is hardddd when theres so much I want.

Tomorrow I have a lot of ironing to do, how exciting. Then just gonna chill. Hope everyones doing good :)

Dan xxx

smile like you mean it take 9

1. CSI/ Criminal minds. One word: OBSESSED! I am literally adicted to this show atm. Living has like 3 episodes on a day. Not too sure what my enjoyment of these says about me haha! In other tv news, anyone else ridiculously exicted about the return of Gossip Girl? That would be most people I think. Can't wait!

2. 30 day shred. It was so hard at first, but everytime I do it I feel so much better. Although its probably not so good that I then go bake cupcakes with my boyfriend and eat like 3. He really is the worst influence ever. Oh well suppose it's better than eating them and not doing it. Right?

3. Orange Wednesdays. Tomorrow night I'm going watching Morning Glory with my mum. Before I moved to uni Wednesday cinema nights were practically a traddition, and I've really missed it! I'm not often home on a Wednesday, so I jumped at the chance this week.

Dan xxx

until we hit the ground

Long time no speak! I've had a pretty busy week doing nothing! Highlights include an absolute feast at Gourmet Burger Kitchen (oh how I love the 40% student discount), more flat hunting and films in bed with my boy.

This is what I wore today, nothing exciting just a topshop dress and tights. I've not really done anything today, spent the day at my dads where I finished reading Room (for Gem's book club, which I only started yesterday!) I'm really such a quick reader, my boyfriend always jokes that I must only read the last word of every page, I don't I swear! I then made a homemade lasagne and garlic bread for tea with my dad, which was amazing! My dads a great cook, he always makes things from scratch, which I'm going to start trying to do more.

I still have all next week off, before starting back at uni on the 31st, so I've come home for the week. To be honest I just want to begin working again, and starting new modules. I want to be learning again! Doing nothing is slowly driving me insane.

I want a new layout for the blog, but I have no idea how to do it! I've tried looking at tutorials, but I just don't understand it. I'm not very good with things like that! I don't want anything to complicated, Just a nice header and plain background. This one isn't very personalised..

Hope everyones had a good weekend!

Dan xxx

what makes a house a home

When my contract at halls runs out, I'm planning on moving into either a flat in the city centre, or a house a little way out with my boyfriend. Yesterday we went to view our first flat, and it was terrible. First of all, the kitchen was in a cupboard. No joke, you opened cupboard doors to get to the sink.hob.microwave. I'm also pretty sure there wasn't an oven.. And it was just so small!

Now I'm not sure if I'm being too over ambitious here, or if most of them will be like that. I've got an idea in my head of the kind of place I want to live, and that really wasn't it. Of course I know that our first flat probably won't be brilliant, but I still want to like it, to be proud of it.

I want a nice kitchen area that I'll enjoy cooking in. A cosy living room to relax. Somewhere I can make my own.

 I don't think that's too difficult? What would you want out of a flat/house?

picture from weheartit

Think I can keep dreaming for this!

Dan xxx

smile like you mean it take 8

1. Good food (again). My boyfriends up for the week, and does anybody else think there's a much better option of food to make when cooking for two? Plus you seem to make much more of an effort. Last night we made giant yorkshire puddings with grilled chicken, mash, mushy peas and gravy. It was so good! I don't think this is too unhealthy, but I'm not too sure.

2. Acting like a child. For some reason, last night we also decided to play jenga, and it was so much fun! I've not laughed so much in ages. Needless to say, I didn't really play properly, and didn't win. Gutted!

3.Sunshine. I've just looked out of the window and it's sunny! Oh sun I've missed you. Makes a nice change from the endless rain we've had recently. (Yes I am writing about the weather. My grandma has too much influence on me..)

Last Night At Chateau Marmont

By Lauren Weisberger

'Brooke and Julian live a happy life in New York - she's the breadwinner working two jobs and he's the struggling nusician husband. Then Julian is discovered by a Sony Exec and becomes an overnight success - and their life changes forever.

Soon they are moving in exclusive circles, dining at the glitziest restauraunts, attending the most outrageous parties in town and jetting off to the trendiest hotspots.

But Julians new-found fame means that Brooke must face the savage attentions of the ruthless paparazzi. And when a scandalous picture hits the front pages, Brooke's world is turned upside down. Can her marriage survive the events of that fateful night at Chateau Marmont? It's time for Brooke to decide, once and for all, what it is she really wants...'

Review

Last Night At Chateau Marmont is unashamedly an easy to read, girly book, perfect for sitting down to relax with when your not in the mood for too much thinking.

From the second you meet Brooke, and learn about her relationship with Julian, you're dreading the point where inevitably things will turn sour.  The author creates two characters it is impossible not to like and relate to. As you follow them along their journey and things begin to go wrong, you spend each page wishing the best for them.

This book contains many different emotions, which everyone can relate to, on some level, and can pull many different reactions from people. This combines with its glitzy nature made it a fun read, although quite predictable at times.

4/5

the answer that could never be found

It's Fridayyyy! I'm everyone who's back at work/collage/uni will be very happy about this. I don't start semester 2 at uni until thr 31st, so it doesn't make much difference to me, but I really wish it did! I can't wait to go back, bored is not even the word at the minute. I've been spending my days lounging around reading and watching tv, but I'm getting sick of it now!

Today I walked into Leeds as I still have a few vouchers (topshop, highstreet + hmv) to spend, but came away with nothing from any of them places. What I didddd come away with, however, is the loveliest little journal I've ever seen. I originally went into WHSmiths for a moleskine, but when I saw this I couldn't resist. The makes paper blanks. It's a really nice rusty gold colour, and I love the detail. I've been wanting to start a diary/inspiration type journal for a while, so here we go! I'm going to do my best to keep it up.

My health/fitness goal took a bit of a bashing the other day, after my first attempt at the 30 day shred. I'm not joking when I say I couldn't walk. My quads were just so tight, and it hurt to use steps, and even sit down! They're a lot better today, so I think I'm going to attempt a run tomorrow morning. I bought lots of veg and some kiwi's from morrisons today, but forgot the oil for my stir fry! No idea what I'm going to have tonight now, was really looking forward to it.

Have a good weekend

Dan xxx

smile like you mean it take 7

This has had a bit of a break over Christmas, and then last week I forgot, but it's back baby! Not sure if people enjoy reading these, but I like writing them so I'm gonna keep on going with it

1. Uni work hand in. Ok so I don't have to hand in until Thursday, but I've finished everything so I'm very happy right now! I've had quite a lot to do, so I'm quite proud I managed it all with time to spare instead of rushing. When accomodation money goes out on Friday I think I'll hit the shops for a treat.

2. Planning for the future. Recently I've been thinking/talking a lot about the future. Some people can just take it as it comes, and I wish I could be like that but I'm really not! I like to know what I'm doing and when. Plus I find making plans exciting. I'm looking forward to seeing what'll happen!

3. Doctor Who. I am obsessed with this program, geeeek I know! Being at home I've had the delights of Sky, which means...back to back Doctor Who on Watch! My mums not too impressed, she's not a fan and everytime she walks in its on.

pictures from weheartit.com

Whats been making you smile recently?

Dan xxx

the world is a beautiful place

I wouldn't say I've travelled a lot in my 19 years. I've done a fair bit, but a lot of that has been in a holiday environment, ie not really leaving the hotel. There's so much I want to see. If I had the money/time/opportunity to do anything in life, it would be to take a few months out to travel. There's so much out there, and I want to see it. It's hard to narrow it down, but these are the 5 places I most want to visit.

Italy

I say Italy instead of a specific place in Italy because I simply cannot choose. I want to experience a gondola ride in Venice, eat pizza in Rome, shop in Milan and generally just explore the lesser touristy parts of Italy.

Kenya
I've always wanted to do a safari, not to mention it looks beautiful

Las Vegas

Because its cool. And I have a secret obsession with poker and blackjack.

Beijing

Since watching Karate Kid with my brother a few weeks ago I want to go to China. It looks so beautiful. I want to visit the Great Wall of China so much.

Tokyo

Japanese culture is so different, and I really want to experience it in real life.

pictures via weheartit.com

And a few places I've been:

New York, Paris, Florida, Grenoble, Monaco, Marseille, Dominican Republic, Tenerife, Portugal, Majorca.

Where would you like to go more than anything? Where have you already visited?

Dan xxx



Topshop wishlist

As soon as the sales are over  I'm hoping to get a few new pieces of clothes. I'm so bored with everything in my wardrobe at the minute! Here's my favourites from the new in section on topshop. Out of these I think the only things I could actually get are the two tops. I love the dots on the first and the colour of the second. The second one looks like it could be really didfferent in real life though.. I also really like this dress and cardigan, but the prices may be an issue!

What everyone up to this weekend? I'm back home as I got an extra 3 days for my assignments and I've practically finished them anyway, so decided to come and chill with my boy. No plans really, going to cook something tonight, not sure what yet though!

Hope everyone has a great weekend

Dan xxx

No.7 Beautifully Matte Foundation Review

When I was walking through Boots the other day I saw that No7 have launched a new foundation, and as I've been on a never ending search for the perfect foundation, I thought I'd get a sample. As I'm quite pale I got the lightest shade 'porcelain'. I'm pretty impressed! After a few wears I went out and bought the full size.

First of all I found a little of this goes a long long way, as proven when in the shop I dabbed a tiny bit on my hand, which I then had to spread over my whole hand to use the full amount! I think this is great, as hopefully the bottle should last a while.

I also really like the coverage, I think it covers really well without looking too cakey. And it's definately matte! None of the awfull stickiness some foundations give you after applying. I think it lasts well, and only really wore off my chin a bit.

The one downside I think is the colours. As I said, I'm quite pale and I think anyone paler that me would really struggle. There are 6 colours available and I don't think that's great!

Has anyone else tried it? What do you think?

Dan xxx

I wouldn't go there without you

Ignore the hair - I got rained on!

How is everyone today? Im currently feeling very happy as I've just finished my second essay for uni, and only have 2 more assignments to do. On friday I'm meeting my friend in the library to get one done, then we're planning on going for some food, so that'll be good as I've not seen her since before Christmas!

Today is my first proper day of being healthier, and I think I did well on the food shopping front! I got lots of veg, carrots, humous and eggs, although I did sneak some cheese in there, cos I literally cannot live without it! Now I just gotta make sure I don't blow it all by having burgers and curly fries for dinner..

Tonight I'm just gonna chill out, read a few blogs and see whats on 4od, what an exciting life I lead haha! (All in my massive fluffy purple throw thing given to me by my step grandma, the warmest comfiest thing ever - as seen above) I really want a project of some sort. Something creative, but I'm really stuck for ideas. Help would be appreciated!

Dan xxx

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

Hope everyone had an amazing night. Mine was pretty chilled out, spent the night at my cousins house with my boyfriend and my cousins boyfriends after a beautiful buffet at my Grandmas. I know I'm pretty late with this post, but hopefully I'll be back to blogging regularly now everythings out of the way.

First of all I have a nail post for you. These were done on New Years Eve, but only photographed today so excuse the chips. I used Barry M mushroom, rimmel matte topcoat and eyeliner for the dots.

I've decided to add a new feature to the blog, as this year I hope to achieve so much, and feel I need a place to document/measure this, and also to hopefully encourage me. What I'm hopefully gonna start (and stick to!!), is deciding on a few goals for the month, and at the beginning of each month I'll mention them on the blog, then next month I can see how well I did/didn't do.

So goals for January:
1. Complete all uni work and be happy with what I produce
2. Take a day trip to York
3. Read 2 books
4. Save £40

They're not supposed to be serious goals, just little things I want/need to achieve. What do you think, good or bad idea, because if it's not what people want to read it doesn't have to be shown on the blog!

Dan xxx