Christmas For Him

Joules For Men Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes set - £14
Ted Baker Wallet and Cardholder set - £35
Clarks Desert Boots - £79
Ted Baker Socks Set - £22
Best of John Miles CD - £13.25

I'm going to jump on the bandwagon and post a couple of gift guides. I don't have many people to buy for at Christmas so I'll try and be as broad as possible in my choices. Alongside this one I plan on doing one for her, and then one for stocking fillers.

These are few things I've chosen for this year. I find men really difficult to buy for! Another couple of ideas are a watch - Casio is always pretty cheap on Asos, and smellies are always a good bet!

My Christmas Wishlist

Nars Cream Blush in Penny Lane, REN Combination Regime Kit, Carhartt Hike Dress,

New Balance 420s in Grey Suede, Dr Martens Nixon Boots,

Virginia Woolf's Selected Essays, Hutton's Library Scented Candle.

I am rubbish at thinking of things that I would like as gifts, as I fall into the trap of looking for things I need rather than want. 

I think that at Christmas it's nice to have something to open, rather than receiving money, so these are a few things I wouldn't mind seeing under the tree (not including the things I have asked my sister to get me - she bugged me for ages).

I have lusted after the 420s for months but they are never in stock in my size. I'm a massive Woolf fan so these selected essays would be lovely to read whilst burning the candle (which is also out of stock everywhere). I have asked my mum for the Nixon boots, as they're a bit different from the Clark's Desert boots, and cheaper, and new make up and skin care is always appreciated.

What's on your Christmas list?

Weekly Summary #41

OOTD, Dissertation work, I'm funny.

OOTD, BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER, Laptop background,

Lords of Dogtown, Charmed.

1. This week has been manic, therefore fewer photos and late posting. We're coming up to the final couple of weeks of term so expect fewer posts (ha I know one a week is hardly crazy blogging) and slightly frazzled everything.
2. I've actually began working on my dissertation. Nothing has been written yet, lets not go crazy, but my arse has been well and truly kicked into action. I'm stressy.
3. However, I have pretty much completed my Christmas shopping! Mum, Dad, sister and boyfriend all have their main presents bought so it's just little stocking fillers to buy. 
4. I'll also be posting three gift guides, and then my own Christmas wishlist over the next couple of weeks, just to give you all a few ideas; I'm busy compiling those right now!

Sorry this is so rushed but I have a chapter to read and then an episode of Charmed to watch. I've just started a whole rewatch and am superglued to Netflix!

Thanks for reading x

Stocking Fillers

O.P.I The Top Ten - £28.50
Owl Compact Mirror - £12
Topshop Gift Card
Lindt Lindor - £3.50
iPhone Case - £8.00
Rob Ryan Cup - £9.00

Looking at this selection, it is pretty much girl orientated, sorry about that. Although these items could easily be switched out for more male orientated picks. I put the O.P.I set in there because, although pricey for a stocking filler, it can be broken up and put in numerous stockings. Also, Lindor just scream Christmas for me. My sister and I always get a box at Christmas.

Weekly Summary #40

OOTD, Went to the David Shrigley exhibition, Red velvet cake,

OOTD, To do list, Lunch - day two of work experience,

Lunch - day three of work experience, 007 watching me work, Reece's hair is LONG,

Got paid in books, Taking up all the room, Good girls.

1. This week has been CRAZY busy. I didn't have a rest until Friday night when I stayed at Reece's. I was bad company and crashed out. Oops.
2. I did three days work experience at Manchester University Press and it was honestly the most helpful three days of my life. I have definitely decided that Publishing is the industry I want to work in. The staff I worked with were ready to answer any questions and give me tips on how to progress. I got told that the amount of work experience I've been doing is really good, and even got told by one of the editors that if I applied for an entry level position at MUP I would get an interview, which is definitely encouraging! I also got to choose a couple of books to take with me, which was extremely generous of them. I'm honestly so happy regarding my career right now. I have one more internship to do at the end of the year and then I think that may be it for work experience! I've worked so hard, it's time to concentrate fully on my dissertation!
3. I'm off to a post-grad fair on Wednesday to look in Masters courses, and how to get funding for them. I really want to continue studying, but the financial aspects is a major negative; if anyone has any tips it would be really helpful!

I don't have much else to say really, this week shouldn't be as busy, so I can get some serious work done! I have a couple of assignments coming up in December so I think I'll start trying to look into them! How exciting.

Thanks for reading :) xxx

Weekly Summary #39

Burrito, Rain City Tattoo, Reece's finished tattoo - Bill Murray from A Life Aquatic..

Dissertation reading (each post-it is colour themed), Lovely print by Gre Hale from Reece, New trainers,

And bag, More dissertation reading, Going home.

1. Last week was a busy one. Reece came to get tattooed in Manchester on Tuesday, so I accompanied him (and watched him squirm) as he got a portrait of Bill Murray tattooed on his leg by Matt Cooley - who, by the way, is the nicest guy ever. I also go treated to the lovely print in the fifth photo. It's two mice entwined, with banners reading 'To Be Alone With You'. The cutest thing ever.
2. My packages came this week, which was probably the most exciting thing to happen all week. Wild, I know. The trainers are so comfortable, and the bag is worth every single penny. I love them both.
3. I also got worried about my dissertation progress, or lack of, so started reading. I have on novel to read and one left to mark up and then I get to seriously get stuck in. Hopefully by the start of next week.
4. This coming week I am working every single day. I have 3 days work experience at Manchester University Press, which I am ridiculously excited about. I really want to get in to publishing once I finish my degree (dreams of doing a Masters will have to be put on hold) so these three days are going to be so helpful. I can't wait!
5. I also bagged myself a month-long editorial internship with Moonproject.co.uk where I'll be working from home, proof-reading and publishing articles onto the website. I start mid-December. I'm proud of the way I am a bit like a dog with a bone when it comes to getting work experience - I won't take no for an answer. My CV is filling up nicely, even though my social life may be dwindling.
6. I need to start Christmas shopping. Now. ARGH.

A busy week for me! And this one shows no sign of slowing down!

I hope you all had a nice week. Must dash, I have 50 pages to read before I can call it a night.

Thanks for reading xx

What I Wore Today #1

Mango coat, Usc dress - no longer available, Fossil watch, Carhartt bag,
Nike trainers, Primark snood - not online.

This is what I wore to uni today; the shoes and bag are both recent acquisitions, retail therapy was needed after a naff weekend last week. 

I'm in love with trainers at the moment and very rarely wear anything else; I've been reading Scandinavian fashion blogs a lot at the moment - my favourites are anywho.dk and feedmyego.net - where trainers are often the footwear of choice. The Scandinavian style is really interesting and inspiring. 

This Nike pair were a complete bargain, and also replace my black Vans which are dying a death. They're also super comfortable. 

I'm also getting more into street-wear brands, like Carhartt - the bag was a bargain at £35 from Zalando. I had initially seen the bag on Asos for £44, so £40 with student discount, but then found it on Zalando for £40, but if you sign up to their mailing list you get a £5 voucher to spend, reducing the price further.

Although Carhartt is pretty expensive full price, the quality belies it though, as it is a brand that started out as a durable work-wear brand so everything lasts ages.

In the end I did end up changing the dress to a big black jumper (from H&M years ago), belted at the waist, as it was way too cold for the dress, and of course wore tights and socks. 

I'm not an OOTD girl - I hate having my photo taken, but I like piecing together these collages, so let me know if you like them and I'll keep doing them :)

Thanks for reading x

A book review will be going up once I get back to Manchester; I forgot to take photos before I came home!