New Look Jewellery Haul (and a Merry Christmas to all!)

Hello!

Today I popped into town to have lunch with Chris and exchange Christmas presents. We have a tradition every year that we buy each other a CD. My extensive music collection is mostly due to him introducing me to new bands and it has gotten to the point where I have more music than my phone can hold so I am having to make sure I only upload music that I listen to (goodbye old NOW albums!). This year I bought him Katy Perry's new album and he got me Jake Bugg's new album and now I am happy that I can finally put the album on my phone!

Anyway, I popped into New Look after lunch and ended up spending £14 on jewellery in New Look. Yes, FOURTEEN POUNDS and I got three pairs of earrings, three necklaces and a ring for £14. Crazy huh? I could have bought much more but I decided to to stop myself. That money was already put aside to pick myself up some Philosophy shower gel but who wants to smell like a honey bun past February (well, I would but I'm trying to make myself feel better!)

Instagram Update #11

New boots / As you want Victoria / An end to semester 1 / Leadenhall Market / Christmas tree / a night out with the girls

Like cats? A couple of gifts for cat lovers

It is both fortunate and very unfortunate that my birthday is in November. First, it means that everyone tends to be free and can go out with me to celebrate. Second, I usually get enough books to last me until Christmas when I will get even more books to read to get me through to the start of Semester 2. However, I can never have a birthday barbecue and I always tend to have tests around, if not on, my birthday.

Anyway, moaning about the timing of my birthday aside, I didn't get any books for my birthday but a few cat related gifts from some of my friends. This year a couple of them really went the extra mile with getting more quirky and unique gifts that no-one else would even think about buying, let alone find! They are so lovely and I thought they deserved to be shown on my blog because they are so lovely and quirky and I love them!

Review // Lush Amandopondo bubble bar

This is the first Lush product I have ever tried. One of my friends depends on their products and I luckily got given this bubble bar by my lovely friend Ellen for my birthday. As soon as I got it I couldn't wait to get home and have a bath and it was definitely worth the wait!

OOTD // I love London at Christmas

Hello! Today I spontaneously popped into London with my friend Chris. Every year we go to London around Christmas time and realised that we hadn't yet been this year. Well today but a stop to that. Sure, it wasn't as exciting as last year (where we went to see pointless filmed and I was wearing a Christmas jumper and was asked to take it off and Alexander Armstrong compared me to a Chilean miner and I got a bigger clap than him when I walked on set) but it was still a lovely day!

Wishlist // 13/12/13

Hello there!
I cannot believe how long it has been since I have posted. If I am honest I have had such a hectic last month at university. After 8 lab reports, 5 course tests, 1 piece of quantum mechanics coursework, one essay on antibiotics, one Norwich Fringe show, one trip to Thorpe Park, Halloween, my birthday, three gigs and a couple of trips home I have finally home for Christmas!

I do have some big news - next year I will be studying at The University of British Columbia! Yes, I know! I can't believe it! It is all dependent on my grades, of course, but I am going to work so hard to get there. A year studying in Canada at a university which is in the top 30 in the world? How could I say no!

Anyway, I'm going to start my next 4 weeks of blogging heaven with a wish list!

Review // Rimmel Scandaleyes Retro Glam mascara

Hello there!
I have been using this mascara for about two weeks so I decided it was time I did a little review.
I picked it up as part of the 3 for 2 offer in Superdrug whilst I was having a bit of a Rimmel overload. I decided to save myself a little bit of money and not buy Maybelline's Falsies. I buy it every single time I buy a new mascara and I just wanted to change brands to see if I could find something cheaper that I love just as much - I am a student after all!

Well, here is my opinion!

OOTD // Simple Pleasures

This is my first OOTD post in months! I usually take photos in one of the full length mirrors I have at home but I do not have that luxury at uni. I have to stand on my bed to look in my mirror on the wall to see if I look relatively presentable. I know what you are thinking - 'buy a mirror!' - but even if I did I would have nowhere to put it.

Basically, I got a new camera for my birthday from my lovely father. It has the sensor of an SLR but is in the body of a tiny point and shoot. Therefore it is easier to take photos at strange angles.  Fantastic huh? I do realise that you can't really see the trousers but yeah - I'll just have to explain them.

Excuse the messy floor! How filthy to my lab shoes look?!

Review // Rimmel London Moisture Renew 'As you want Victoria' (360)

Hi there!
I have been a tad cheeky and bought myself a couple of new Rimmel lipsticks recently as part of the 3 for 2 offer going about at the moment. I have been in love with this colour for about a month now and finally got around to buying it this weekend (along with a mascara and second lipstick).

Instagram Update #10

Tom Odell / lab reports galore / Halloween / Fireworks / Gabrielle Aplin / Catching Fire

PLAYLIST #3

Hi guys! I’m sorry my blogging has been lacking recently. I just don’t have enough time in the day to do everything I want to do. In between lab reports, course tests, tutorials, committee stuff and, of course, not going entirely insane there just doesn’t seem to be any time for me to sit down properly and write a blog post.

However, as a consequence of me travelling to uni every day and working almost non-stop, I’ve been able to listen to a lot more music. I have so many albums on my iPod that I have had for months and never listened to and now I have the time to sort through them all. I’ve recently seen Tom Odell and Gabrielle Aplin live so of course that has been influencing my music taste A LOT recently but yeah…. here’s a playlist for you guys!

AW // Evening dress edit (featuring River Island, Matalan, Very and Sainsbury's)

I'm currently freaking out over the fact that I currently have three lab reports due in and a test in four days so I have used it as an excuse to procrastinate and look at the what is to offer on the high street. Today I have focused on dresses! My birthday is coming up in two weeks and shortly after that it'll be Christmas so I think I'm allowed to look at some of the gorgeous dresses I'll probably never own. These are my top picks for A/W.

Instagram Update #9

Hello everyone!
Here is another update. It looks like, pretty soon, my blog is just going to end up as Instagram updates of my life. The thing is, it is so quick and easy to post a photo on Instagram and I still have no SD card and I hate taking proper blog photos on my phone - simple as. I can't do any OOTD because I don't have a full length mirror OR any extra time in the morning to sort out a camera with tripod etc. With three 9am starts and 2 10 am starts I already have to leave the house before 8/9 most days. Let me tell you - it's not easy sorting out an outfit in the morning! I only have a small mirror on the wall so I have to stand on my bed and adjust my outfit every morning. If I leave my curtains over one morning I bet any passers-by would be in fits of laughter - it has to be a sight to see!

Anyway - here's my update!

it's definitely sweater weather / such a cute book / thorpe park / full beam / polymer chemistry rocks / the fur is back

Review // Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss lipstick 01

Hi everyone!

It is proving very difficult to do uni work, blog and rehearse for my Norwich Fringe show coming up on Thursday. Luckily, I managed to write this post in the 15 minutes before a lecture and take photos on my iPhone. I'd have taken proper photos but - as I said earlier I'm sure - I am currently without an SD card and I just want to wait until I go home in a couple of weeks to search the house for my old one (that could be in the vacuum cleaner for all I know). So yeah, excuse the quality of the photos. I tried my best....

 

Instagram Update #8

The 1975 were amazing / learning lines / t-shirt / Kate Moss 01 / cheeky cheeky nandos / the 1975 were that good okay?

Review // I'VE SEEN THE 1975 LIVE AND THEY ARE AMAZING

Hi guys.

Can I leave the review there? Can I just say that they are amazing and leave it at that? I've only had one lecture today so I really do feel like I can't be that lazy. I'll try and elaborate - I don't see the point though.

Instagram Update #7

Hi guys! Sorry I haven't been posting for this past week or so. I've moved into my house for my second year of uni! Wow - a second year of chemistry. If someone said to me four years ago that I'd be doing a degree in chemistry and would actually get onto the second year I would not believe them one bit. However, here we are and I'm actually super excited for lectures to start tomorrow. Unfortunately I can't do a big post showing off my room because I've managed to lose 2 SD Cards (don't tell father) so Instagram will have to do.

My desk is already a mess / I want more bunting / A cheeky souvenir from London / How perfect is that card? / Off to the pub / A cheeky Sunday morning shopping trip

The Royal Albert Tea Tour - Take Two

Hello there!
Yes, that's a lot of alliteration. Sorry about that.
Anyway, today I popped up to London to visit the Royal Albert Tea Tour in Bloomsbury Square with my friend Hannah. I had such a lovely time and just wanted to share some photos with you guys. It's all in aid of Breast Cancer Care too - who doesn't want to drink tea and eat cake for a good cause?

There are still 3 dates left so if you want to have a lovely afternoon with plenty of tea and cake make sure you turn up to the following parks on the following dates!

Friday 13th September - Bloomsbury Square (near Holborn tube station)

Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th September - Parsons Green (near Fulham Broadway tube station)

I move back to uni in less than a week!

Hello!
Considering that I am moving into my new house in less than a week I decided that it was time I found some lovely bits for my room. The only reason I was allowed anywhere near Ikea and The Range was because Father wanted a display cabinet. 'What for?' you ask? Well he has subscribed to the Star Trek figurine magazine and wanted a display cabinet to put his little models in. That's right folks - that is the real reason we went to Ikea. I'm not kidding.

Anyway, whilst Ikea was generally uninspiring I could have spent a fortune in The Range. I picked up some lace curtains and a wardrobe rack in Ikea and that's it. This post is about the cute little bits I picked up in The Range.

Here we go!

The Royal Albert Tea Tour is back!

Hi everyone!
As you may know (or, you know, you don't) I went to one of the dates of the Royal Albert tea tour in London earlier this summer. For those of you who were heartbroken that you couldn't make any of the earlier dates you are in luck. Yes, that's right ladies and gents. They are treating us to another tea tour!

Review // In This Moment by Autumn Doughton

I keep saying that I will write book reviews and I never do. I haven’t posted for quite a while (I’m super sorry but I’ve not really had anything to say! I know right – me with nothing to say? Never). Anyway, I’m watching Strictly and have decided to write this review as I finished the book this afternoon.

Haul Time // Primark and Matalan

After not shopping for over 2 weeks (I know right) I finally made it to Lakeside to get my shop on. I managed to only spend about £30 and I am very proud of that. However, I also managed to pop into my local Matalan store and take advantage of the further reductions. Here are a few of the things I picked up!

AW13 at Matalan

Hi there!
As you may, or may not know, I used to work at my local Matalan store. It was just a tad handy working there because you could see the new stock as soon as it came in and, occasionally, when I was unpacking the new stock I would comment on every single item I could get my hands on (it both entertained and annoyed those around me). Whilst I was working I never really found much that I liked. Yes, there were a few gems that I loved but for the most part I didn't spend a lot of my wages in store. Since I have left (almost a year ago!) it seems like they have had an overhaul on their designs and the past three times I've visited I've ended up spending stupid amounts of money. The new AW13 preview has been released on look.co.uk and these are my fave bits (all photos are either from www.look.co.uk or www.matalan.co.uk)

Instagram update #6

scrabble/hastings beach/i'm on a masters!/i am katniss/new top/ice cream/the doctor/official monopoly winner/black cherry party

I've been on holiday - Hastings!

I'm sorry I haven't posted in over a week. I've been on holiday this week to Hastings! Here are just a few of my snaps from the week down South. It was really lovely down there and I ended up seeing three castles that I will never, ever live in (because they were ruins rather than due to me not marrying a prince. I still have time for that). I managed to get read a book and a half too - review to come!

Instagram Update #5

Review: Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder in Transparent

Hi there! I have been using this product for the past week and LOVE it. I know that it is mentioned time and time again on every blog under the sun but I thought I'd give my view. In a nutshell - I love it and can't believe I have put off buying it for so long. 

Oh dear, I've been shopping again.

Hello there! This is just a quick post of some of the things I've treated myself to this past month (excluding T supplies!). I said I was going to cut down on my shopping and I have - a lot! Well, kind of. Anyway, here we go!

OOTD // Let's work

Hi, these are a couple of old photos that I took about a month ago. I had a job interview to work at my local Topshop and unfortunately I didn't get the job. I'm not surprised at all - but at least I got an interview! I thought the interview went really well but I am definitely not Topshop size and I'd only be there for about 2 months. With those two points going against me I wasn't expecting anything from it but it's all experience! I go on holiday next week so at least I haven't had the stress of trying to book it off!

OOTD // But I know, I know, I know I know that you're gonna be okay anyway

Hi guys, I haven't posted an outfit in a while! It seems that I am just recycling outfits that work at the moment. I'm not leaving the house much other than for driving lessons and who dresses up for those?

H&M Wishlist - 29th July

This morning I was pleasantly surprised to see the new H&M catalogue in my postbox (as well as the ASOS magazine). As always, it was a mistake to flick through the shiny booklet of generally affordable clothes as I wanted a good three quarters of what was pictured. I have made another wish list that makes me wish I got my student loan in August rather than September. Seriously, go check out the new arrivals on the H&M website - there is so much to look at!

River Island wish list - 25/07/13

This morning I felt like looking at the River Island website for the first time in a while. Now I wish I hadn't! I went on it looking for, maybe, a couple of pieces for a wish list post but I liked so much that River Island now have a post of their own! Crazy.

Playlist #2

Time for another playlist! This is half inspired by T in the Park and half from random songs I've heard on the Radio/from Youtube suggestions recently. Again, I know some of these songs are old but YOLO (obviously).

Falling - Haim
Grow Old With Me - Tom Odell
Toxic - Peace
Bang Bang - Will.i.am
A-Punk - Vampire Weekend
Love Like This - Kodaline
Ho Hey - The Lumineers
Panic Cord - Gabrielle Aplin
Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
Thunder Clatter - Wild Cub
Way in The World - Nina Nesbitt
L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N - Noah and the Whale
Amsterdam - Imagine Dragons
Burn - Ellie Goulding
Heads Will Roll - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Summertime Sadness (Remix) - Lana Del Rey vs. Cedric Gervais
If You Wanna - The Vaccines
Laura Palmer - Bastille
Sink or Swim - Lewis Watson
Wild - Jessie J (feat. Big Sean and Dizzee Rascal)

So these are the songs i'm listening to right now! If you like any of them make sure you buy the tracks in store or from an online retailer (like iTunes or Amazon). Downloading illegally isn't helping anyone guys!

What songs are you obsessed with at the moment? Let me know!

Rachael xoxo

Review: Nivea Daily Essentials Express Hydration Primer (dry/sensitive skin)

You may or may not know this, but I do not like primers. I have tried various brands - Avon, Smashbox, Benefit to name a few - and have never found any that I would buy again. Actually, I haven't ever finished a tube (and they are usually tiny tubes!) Sure, The Porefessional is okay but I would never buy a full size! Recently I got my Elemis moisturiser free with a magazine (was it Marie Claire?) and I started using that as a primer with brilliant results. Now I am finished with it and I was sad - until I found this! It is my new favourite product! I love it!

What I'm Reading #1

Hi there!

I know, I have been awful with posting recently. I can't even give you a valid excuse for my lack of productiveness because I can't think of one. I have been sitting around, watching awful daytime tv and thinking about posting but not actually doing it. I have done a bit of reading, so I thought I'd post up the books I've ravished in the past month or so.

I’m back from T in the Park 2013 (and a cheeky trip to Edinburgh)!!!

 I’m sorry I haven’t posted in over a week. I have been in Scotland! Yes, I know, exciting! I spent a few days in Edinburgh before getting the bus to T in the Park for an AMAZING weekend. The weather was so  lovely and if the line up was good again I would definitely consider going. It was definitely the best festival I have ever been to.

Edinburgh was really lovely too. I was forced to go to the castle and now I feel like a cultured lass. It is just a really pretty city and yes, I would go back! I have no clue what to say so I am just going to post some photos and list the bands I saw this weekend. Excuse this awful post – I’m still dead tired. I just want to upload some photos!

Instagram Update #4

I haven't had an Instagram update for a while. I thought I'd do one. Enjoy.

OOTD // And I will wait, I will wait for you (and an update on Mumford and Sons in Stratford! It was so so so so so good!)

Yesterday I went to go see Mumford and Sons at the Queen Elizabeth park in Stratford. I can tell you, it was absolutely amazing! Although it was probably a bit too hot, I had such a good time. All the bands I saw - Haim, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Ben Howard, Vampire Weekend and Mumford and Sons of course - were fantastic. I am so happy I forked out the £60 for the ticket and at least now Chris has said we are definitely seeing Mumford at T in the park (like we weren't going to anyway. Who would choose Calvin Harris over Mumford?)

So here's my outfit!

OOTD // Then the walls of my town, they came crumbling down

I'm so sorry I haven't posted in almost a week! I have been doing absolutely nothing but going to supermarkets, reading Pride and Prejudice and watching awful films on Netflix. I want to do a few posts but with my Macbook playing up it is just such an effort to take photos and upload them. Tesco gave my mum a "£2 off when you buy an SD card" so I think that this is a sign that I need to get a new SD card for my camera. Pointless story over...here's my outfit!

OOTD // In my fantasy we're running wild

Royal Albert Tea Tour 2013

OOTD // And you run, and you run to catch up with the sun

Mini Primark and River Island Haul!

I had to pop into the Apple Store to take my Mac to the geniuses. After being told that to fix my laptop I may have to pay £350 I probably shouldn't have bought what I did. Oh well, here is what I picked up anyway!

OOTD // I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweetheart

Ways to follow Rachaelisnotwowzie - Bloglovin', pinterest, tumblr, twitter and instagram!

Instagram prints from printed.com

I recently saw on Behind These Closed Eyes a review of Instagram prints from the company printed.com. I saw her photos and instantly wanted some myself so went and ordered some! 2/3 of these are actually presents for a couple of my friends (I sure hope they don't read my blog!) and unfortunately they didn't come in time for their birthdays but I intend to post them to them anyway. Everyone loves to get post!

What's in my make up bag?

I was sorting through my make-up bag the other day and, like many others I expect, found that I used probably about a tenth of the products in my make-up bag on a daily basis. I have a certain few products that I pick up every day (more or less) and this post is to show you these products! Exciting right?