University: Year 2

I've found it really hard to post lately with finishing me first year at uni.. Practical courses are very stressful and pretty demanding, fashion especially. However, new year - fresh start! I've passed my first year so now I'm looking forward to working even harder and pushing myself further this year. It's a 2 year course so it's kind of my final year; scary that I'll have a degree before I'm even 20!

They very kindly gave us 2 days freedom before briefing us for year 2, so I'm already working on research for our first term back. It's a semi-tailored project, which I'm really looking forward to. 

I've started on a sketchbook, its a tad collage so far, as I'm yet to visit exhibitions around Yorkshire and London.. But it won't be long till it's filled with pencil sketches and design ideas.

Skin Care

Everyone has a different skin type, however I find to be them all. I have the worst possible skin, and it's been an issue since I was about 11. I genuinely can't remember a time when I haven't had spots. It made me so self conscious and it didn't help when the boys in secondary school started to nickname me 'mountain range'. Oh how witty.

My skin always flares up even more when I'm stressed, and these past few weeks I've been horrendously stressed. Living in London only adds to things as the air isn't exactly clean. I wish I lived in LA, as vitamin D is meant to help - and the sun is non existent in London.

I have tried and tested every single product under the bloody sun that claims to rid of spots. Heck, I've even been on flaming medication for them. And nowt. No result at all. I find a combination of different products and a brilliant cleansing brush works more than any quick fix solution I've ever used.

These products aren't all from the same company, they're not miracle workers.. But for all you beautifully unlucky people with stubborn spots; these are probably the best bets for any kind of improvement. Good luck!


Living Nature
Living Nature is an awesome skin care range from New Zealand, if you go on their website you can custom make your own skin care routine for your skin. They have loads of products for 'blemish prone skin'. It also recommends what you should do daily, and weekly. Which is pretty useful. The best products from the range are definitely the deep cleansing mask, and the purifying cleanser.

The deep cleansing mask is a weekly thing, and you get a box of ten packets of the mask. This mask is amazing, it makes your skin really soft and you feel like you have completely empty pores. It's also really good for break outs, I always tend to put a little dab on each of my spots before I go to bed and they actually look better in the morning.

The purifying cleanser is a daily thing, I use a little bit of mine on my cleansing brush. A little goes a long way, so you get your money worth. It smells really good, and doesn't leave your skin feeling sticky like some cleansers do, or like there's still product there even when you've washed it off your face.

Proactiv
Proactiv claims to rid everyone of spots with their three step solution, SPOILER - it sadly doesn't perform the miracle it claims to do. The adverts are very bloody American, shouting about all the people who swear by their products. It's not going to be an overnight fix like they sell it to you, life isn't that fair!

The cleansing exfoliator however is pretty good. I sometimes (more often than not, strangely) wake up after a night out with seriously dry skin. I blame this on not being arsed to actually take off the remainder of the clubbing make up before crawling into bed after a drunken 5am pizza.. As soon as I use this exfoliator I immediately feel so much fresher, like a weight has been lifted. Plus my skin is always amazingly soft afterwards.


Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is possibly the greatest multitasking product of all time. Low fat butter replacement for cooking, super hydrating hair mask - works a treat on split ends - and an amazing natural moisturiser for skin. I bought an about massive tub of it from a health shop in York for like £8. I bought it in November, and it looks as if it's barely been opened. It lasts for ages: complete bargain! Instead of using a bog standard moisturiser overnight I use coconut oil. It's a really good lip balm too, so just rub it all over your face! It's really hydrating so great for making under eye bags less obvious. Everyone needs to try this as a beauty product, I don't know why I wasn't told about it earlier.

Heartbreak

The worst thing about heartbreak, undeniably, is slowly having your heart ripped in two - and watching a dear friend living with the same pain. The mind numbing pain that makes your days longer and getting out of bed seem worthless. It's difficult enough to deal with a broken heart, but knowing that sadly you can't actually say anything that'll make it any easier for your friend, sucks.

As a proud Yorkshire bird, I strongly believe that a decent brew will make everything better. Sadly, this does not apply to heartbreak. Alcohol doesn't help either, it actually only fuels the abuse you'll text to the man that broke your heart - while your girlfriends aren't looking, of course. I've had countless evenings presenting pictures of 'the other woman'; in an attempt to build my self esteem back up while my friends tear every little detail about her photos to shreds. All girl power ideology is left outside in the cold, vodka-less.

Everyone has their own advice for heartbreak, whether it be a bottomless pint glass, a new hair colour, some form of anger management (boxing, anyone?) or that classic "you have to get under someone to get over someone else". The worst advice, by far, is a torturous evening spent under the duvet watching 'P.S. I love you' and crying into your Ben and Jerry's. I know this from experience. About 2 weeks ago I decided it'd be a brilliant idea to watch said film, already feeling empty and numb. Bad idea - I did not shed a single tear. Becoming emotionally dead inside is not an ideal result of heartbreak.

The only possible upside is the lack of judgement. Your friends won't judge you if you start drinking at 11am, or if you crawl out of bed at 4pm; eat some cereal for dinner and then continue to spend your days asleep. It beats the waking hours wondering how you could've been so wrong about someone after spending several years together. 

Heartbreak can't be avoided. Everyone will one day be broken into a million pieces by another that they'd fallen so madly in love with, they couldn't see it coming. But thankfully a broken heart comes with life lessons (they might take you half a year or even 10 to realise) but one day you'll be grateful for them. The ultimate lesson learnt is to always be honest, with everyone. If you're honest, hopefully you won't be the cause of someone else's heartbreak someday.

The only advice I could possibly offer, as a broken girl myself, is to roll with the punches. This sounds ridiculous, I am aware, but the pain reminds me I'm alive. Do something you've always wanted to - easier said than done - focus on something else. Your heart won't heal instantly, but one day in the future that mind numbing, energy thieving pain will eventually wash over you, and you'll be much wiser for it. 

Spring Swimwear

I'm aware that it is only February, however late winter/early spring is the BEST time to buy swimwear. I always leave swimwear till last minute if I'm going on holiday, therefore I struggle to find my size. Swimwear also seems to be a hell of a lot cheaper when there's less of a demand, so now is the perfect time to look. I've decided to pick out a great bikini in every style - from bandeau to full swimsuit - and at a great price too!


The Swimsuit

Topshop have a great swimsuit, if you're wanting something more practical for like an active holiday. Swimsuits are a good choice if you're gonna be on the rapids on your holiday - probably the best choice. Also, if you're not comfortable with your midriff showing make sure you find one that detracts from your stomach.

This one is £36 from Topshop, I love the scalloped edges on the top of the swimsuit. It also comes with removable halter ties, so if you want more security for the rapids, you can have it! I used to work at Topshop up in Yorkshire, so I know how well this suit sells (they did a navy version last year) so get one fast!

The Mix and Match

Asos is the King of mix and match bikinis. They do long line, bandeau, halter neck -- anything you want really, plus in a great range of colours. The brilliant thing about mix and match bikinis is that if you're a different size up top to what you are on the bottom you can always get a great bikini.

This longline top from Asos is £14 - BARGAIN. Plus you can choose the style of bottoms you want - they're about £6/£7 depending on the style. This particular one is from the D - F  range, so us top heavy girls can get a good bikini. Longline bikinis are a classic look, and suit just about everyone.

The Long Sleeve

I'm the only person I know that owns a long sleeve bikini, however I swear by it. It looks really different to anything else that people are wearing at the pool. It's also brilliant for the rapids, I've tried and tested it - it won't lift up! Asos do a really cool printed one, I have this style but in a lighter print. 

The top is £17.50 in the sale, so get moving! Long sleeve bikinis look really cool, granted it's more suited to the poolside and not the beach in LA. If you don't like your arms or boobs its a great covered up option. 

Bandeau 

Topshop do great bikinis each year, but some of them are restricted to a set - so you can't buy separates. However, this one IS separates. HALLELUJAH! It's £26 for the set, which isn't bad for Topshop as they're usually about £32.. As proven - it's better to get swimwear late winter!

Bandeau styles tend to suit the skinny friend more than the rest of us, so if you've got a boyish figure this style will look ace. Floral prints look great on the beach too. 

Triangle

Triangle bikinis should not be worn on the rapids, or for any activity! They are so dangerous, such a liability! They're kind of for lounging about on the beach only. I always tend to look for a cool print that's perfect for summer, rather than just a plain black style as they can risk looking kinda mumsy..

This one's from Asos, and is £14, the bottoms are £12.. £26 isn't bad for a bikini in such a cute print, but there's not much to it, so I doubt I'll be buying this style as I'm a bit too busty.

Sexy

This bikini is so awesome, if you're feeling particularly Sex and the City, this is the perfect Samantha bikini. This would look so amazing in a jacuzzi, with a cocktail (or a pint if you're anything like me). It's also really great for making you look a bit bigger on top if you're lucky enough to be a skinny minnie. 

The top is £20, and the bottoms are £14 from Asos. So it's a bit of an investment bikini, however I'm sure you'd get your moneys worth! It's real subtle but also really sexy at the same time - without looking like you've tried too hard.

Old School

This bikini is so gorgeous - I may have to buy it myself! I adore a daisy print (my middle name is Daisy). The high waisted bottoms make it so old school and retro, the top is kinda bandeau but it's a halter neck so it's a lot more wearable.

This one is by Motel, but available at Asos. This is the most expensive bikini, at £20 for the top and another £20 for the bottoms.. That's £40! But I can't say no to this bikini.. I may be investing for this summer. My only bikini splurge this year.. I promise.

Have you guys found an awesome bikinis ready for summer?

Back to Uni

So I've been back at university for about 2 weeks, and the first few weeks of the term is always slow to get going. Our brief this term is kind of a sport luxe or drape brief. We can either go the sport inspired day wear or drape inspired. I'm not really a drape kinda girl, so I've chosen sport - Redbull X-Fighters to be precise. I love freestyle motorcross, big fan. I like the whole 'performance' aspect, plus I'm a sucker for a dirt bike.

I chose this sport because it has some really inspiring detailing, like the seams that contour the body on the suits. I reckon there's a lot of fabric inspiration too - for example the mesh on the inside of their protective helmets. I also love love love the really tough industrial plastic on the boots, I could incorporate it in smaller areas, like pockets and elbow pads for example. I'm more excited about this brief than last terms; as the expected outcome was 10 creative samples, however this term it's one garment. Hopefully this'll mean that I can really get my teeth into every little detail on the garment.

We've started looking at raglan sleeves in classes this term, kimono sleeves etc. Basically the sleeves that are gonna drape nicely, and not need any shaping (darts etc). Cutting out these stretch blocks in a small halls of residence room is a bit of a nightmare, so I had to utilise my desk and ironing board and do it block by block!

Anyone knuckling back down with uni? Or you lucky beggars still got some free time?

Dr. Martens

Love them or hate them, Dr. Martens are a pretty iconic shoe. My boyfriend HATES the things, but he's not the one wearing em! I love mine, they are the most perfect shoes ever. After a successful trip to Sheffield this past weekend (spending some Christmas money), I now own two pairs of Dr. Martens. 

Docs are the most comfortable shoes ever! I needed a pair of decent shoes for trekking all over London before I left for uni. So I invested in a black pair. £100 is pretty pricey, however you should look at your Docs as an investment - they'll last forever. They only get comfier the more you wear them. Black goes with everything - so they look great with any outfit! They also add that edgy vibe. I took a lot of pairs of shoes to London, but I find myself reaching for my Docs every single morning. 

Working in a pub I need a sturdy pair of shoes, that won't get ruined by the amount of booze that falls out the drip trays. With Dr. Martens, you can pretty much wipe clean all the booze straight off! They are amazing. 

The second pair I bought (in Sheffield this weekend), were the last size 4 I could find near me. I couldn't wait for delivery from Office if I'd bought them online. I rang the York store, went into the Meadowhall store and had no luck. I called up the Sheffield city centre store and voila! One last size 4 pair. I was so unbelievably happy. 

I love love love the metallics trend. I'm dragging it out, I won't lie. I need some proper silver nail varnish too. I found these down from £95 to £60 on Office. Bargain for a pair of Docs. It's strange though, cause Urban Outfitters are flogging them for £80 down from £120. An Shuch haven't even got them in their sale! Moral of the story, Office rocks. 

Anyone found any sale bargains, or do you steer clear of the mad January rush?

Low Fat Pizza

I am a certified pizza queen. Whenever I go out for food there has to be a pizza option. I have tried a pizza in pretty much every restaurant, my mum always says I’ll turn into one soon. As much as I love pizza, I can’t continue to eat it cause it’s pretty calorific. 

But then came along the answer - low fat pizza!

My mum got ‘The Hairy Dieters - Eat for Life’ recipe book for Christmas, and amazingly there was a low fat pizza recipe. The trick: use a tortilla wrap instead of a thick dough base. Result.

Of course I had my doubts, as a pizza base is one of the best parts. (Deep pan pizzas being the best, of course). But it’s actually really good, you can get your pizza fix in no time at all and for way less calories - 250 per pizza.

‘The Hairy Dieters’ five minute pizza recipe gets my stamp of approval! Enjoy!

You will need:

- 1 large flour tortilla wrap
- 3 tbsp passata with basil
- 20g low fat mozzarella cheese (you can always add more if you love a cheesy pizza)
- handful of rocket
- dash of olive oil
- black pepper
- optional toppings (ham, mushrooms, etc.)

Preheat the grill to its hottest setting, put the tortilla wrap onto a baking trap with greaseproof paper underneath the wrap. Spread the passata onto the wrap leaving about 2cm round the edges for a crust.

Sprinkle on the cheese, pepper, some oregano and your chosen toppings. Toss the rocket with the olive oil and put to one side.

Place the pizza under the grill until the cheese is bubbling all over and starting to go slightly golden. If you need to, turn the pizza round so that the edges don’t burn.

Once cooked put your pizza on a plate - you can maneuver it using a spatula as you don’t want to rip the tortilla! Top with the salad, then start eating.

Love, the pizza queen.