I'M MOVING TO CANADA.

Hello there!
The past couple of days have been pretty darn exciting. Yesterday I got my grades for second year back, after a horrific month and a half wait, and I somehow managed to get a first overall! Yes, I know - I cried.

Anyway, that means that I am definitely (well it hasn't been confirmed yet but it's pretty much certain) that I am studying at The University of British Columbia in Vancouver next year. Words cannot explain how excited I am.

Note: this is my excited face.

WISHLIST // Black, white and burgundy

Hello!

I'll be honest with you. My online shopping first began by trying to find a sale wish list. I spent a good hour or so traipsing through the remainder of the Topshop, ASOS, H&M, River Island and Dorothy Perkins website and actually only found one item I loved enough to put on a wish list. I then looked at the new arrivals and - oh look! - it's all black, white and burgundy. I think my brain is telling me I'm ready for Autumn but I haven't even been on holiday yet!

HAUL // Oxford Street, London

Hey there! I popped up into London yesterday to meet up with Amber considering it was her birthday a couple of weeks ago and we're used to seeing each other every day (not once a month!). After spending 45 minutes trying to find her in Kings Cross Station (words cannot explain how much I dislike  that station) we popped up to Oxford Street for a spot of shopping. What started out as a disastrous day ended up in me spending WAY too much money so I need to sort through everything I bought and make sure I actually need it all. I organised 3 black sacks of clothes last night to get rid of - that helps right?

MUSIC // MONDAY MIXTAPE #3

Hello there you lovely lot!
Here is this weeks mixtape. I've added a couple of guilty pleasures today (in the form of The Vamps and 5SOS). I can't believe I like these songs - but they are so damn catchy!

BEAUTY // Lee Stafford Argan oil twisted curling wand review

Hello my lovelies!
As you may (or may not) have seen, when I went to the Company Style Blogger Awards a few weeks back I got my hair done by one of the lovely ladies at Lee Stafford. She used the strangest curling want I had ever seen on me and it gave such a good look that I ended up buying it earlier in the week.

I'm such a sucker for things that give my hair massive curls with minimal effort.

Here it is - the Lee Stafford argan oil twisted curling wand.
Not gonna lie - I really like it!

WISHLIST // I don't do Summer

I cannot be the only person in the world who is already over Summer right? Sure, it has just started but my summer styling is just not up to par in my opinion. I love Autumn and Winter where I can pile absolutely everything on at once. At the moment I'm having to really think about what I wear and if it goes with that top. There are only so many hot days and so many t-shirts, blouses and skirts to wear. It's always such a pavlova (haha pavlova - I'd love some right now!) trying to decide what to wear. Does anyone else feel this pressure? You're right - it's probably just me. 

Anyway, here's my wish list for this week. I've tried to add a few summery bits here - really, I tried!

MUSIC // MONDAY MIXTAPE #2

OOTD // Hudson Taylor at the Kings Cross St Pancras Renaissance Hotel

Last night I was ever so lucky to win tickets to see Hudson Taylor live at The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London as a warm up to their set at Glastonbury today. I've been a fan of Hud Tay for at least two years now and have never had the chance to see them. I'm so glad that I have finally had the opportunity - they were absolutely fantastic live!

WISHLIST // ASOS Swimwear

My third instalment of my weekly posts: Wishlist Wednesdays (I know I've taken this alliteration thing too far!)

I'm going on holiday in a little over a month and am in desperate need of some new swimwear. I'm not the smallest girl in the world and so do not want a skimpy bikini that would leave absolutely nothing to the imagination. That lead me on a hunt looking for as many swimsuits and high waisted bikinis (that aren't ridiculously expensive or horrifically frumpy). I had to look at ASOS and managed to add almost £200 of swimwear to my basket. How am I going to choose?!

MUSIC // Ed Sheeran - Multiply review

Today Ed Sheeran's new album was released! I've been waiting for it for absolutely ages and recently have definitely been keeping up to date with the new tracks as he has released them. I finally got my paws on the album this afternoon (before listening to it on Spotify all morning) so here is my review for Music Monday!

In short: 4/5 stars

READ // Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Introducing part 2 of my weekly posts: review friday! Every friday I'll upload a review of some sort. This week - Life As We Know It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Now I've finally finished university for the year I have time to read again (when I'm not working!) This is the first book that I have read this summer and it was okay. Sure, it wasn't the best book to start the summer with but it was worth a read.

In short: 3/5 stars

Company Style Blogger Awards

Last night I went to the Company Style Blogger Awards in London in association with Missguided. It was a really lovely night and, not gonna lie , I really want to go again!

OOTD // Walking the Norwich lanes

On Thursday I popped up to Norwich with Hannah (who I hadn't seen for ages!) It was such a lovely day, showing her around Norwich. It is crazy how I've lived there for 2 years and still have seen so little. Shopping definitely happened and a post for that will be uploaded soon!

Introducing: Music Monday

Hey y'all (yes, I went there).
I've decided I want to post much more regularly than I have been. Therefore, I am introducing three weekly posts this week starting with MUSIC MONDAY. I absolutely love making playlists (I think one of my dream jobs may be being a Radio 1 DJ) and I've made a few playlists in the past so now it's time to make this a weekly thing!

Hope you enjoy!

OOTD // Leather in london

Hello there! I've had such a busy week this week and I hope the summer stays just like it! I popped into London on Wednesday to see QI being filmed (after being told it was postponed from the Tuesday - what a nuisance!). After a lot of rearranging I eventually made it (and got within the first 10 people due to the others seeing Loose Women first. Brilliant!)

Goodness Gracious....

I'm going to miss Norwich.
I was so lucky to get a place at UEA two years ago and now there is quite a high (well kind of) chance that I will be spending next year in Canada, studying at UBC. Although both universities have abbreviations of three letters I know that it is going to be a huge change if I do go. I'll have really moved out...well moved country! I cannot just pop home for the weekend if I want to go see my cat or it's my friend's birthday. It's crazy to think that in three months time I'll be living over 8 hours away by plane.

Anyway, on my final day in Norwich me and the girls decided to wander about the lanes and have a cup of tea. There is no better way to go out in style than with vintage tea pots and freshly baked victoria sponge cake if I do say so myself.

Time flies when you're having fun....

Well, I wouldn't exactly say the past three months have been fun. I looked at my blog for the first time since April today and was astounded/gobsmacked/disgusted/surprised/any other adjective that I hadn't blogged at all. To be fair, my exam season was tremendously long this year. After 10 lab reports, 3 assessments and a course test I still had 5 exams to revise for during April, May and June (and that's just second semester!) However, I am finally free from exams (well I'm revising some physical in case of a resit) and I really want to get back into blogging. The weather is lovely and I'm just so busy right now with driving, work and the other commitments I've somehow made along the way that I feel like I finally have things to talk about.

It's crazy what a bit of good weather will do to a girl.

So now, I'm starting again with this whole blogging malarkey. I'm currently organising certain weekly posts and how I'm going to do outfit posts and what I really want to talk about. My first real post is coming today and I just can't wait to get back into blogging. I have the whole summer ahead of me...what could go wrong?

Rachael
xoxo

OOTD // You'll be singing me a song that I'll forget, I always forget

Instagram Update #14

How have I not posted anything for over a month! How, how, how, how how?!

I have been they busiest I have ever been and working non-stop. I had three deadlines last week, two deadlines a week every week before that, a course test (I definitely failed - not kidding) this morning and still have one lab report to do. I've had to go out and read the occasional book just to stay sane. I wish I had more than one evening to waste to just relax but with five exams looming but unfortunately that's not the case! One evening will have to do. 

£5 H&M kimono / Haim are amazing / Becky's birthday / no more labs / I MET HAIM / Deliriu, / Physical chemistry / Paperchase obsession / Headlights showcase

Instagram Update #13

Hello!

This has been long overdue - I know. I guess this is what second year chemistry does to you. I have not stopped since the semester has started and now I've just finished week 6. I've had lab reports coming out of my ears, rehearsals for the Headlights end of year showcase, I've been trying to eat a little more healthily and be exercising three times a week, I've had to sort out my year abroad stuff, internships - basically everything! Oh, and there is keeping up with lectures and tutorials too. I've currently got two lab reports on the go but due to my living in the library for the past week I'm giving myself a little breather (I think the first report is almost done now anyway!) so here is my first post in about 3 weeks. Ergh, I'm a terrible blogger!

Models Own Utopia and Pink Fizz / Pink lipstick / Uni life / The 1975 were amazing again! / A night out with my girls (and guys) / Why was L'oreal 3 for 2?

Models Own Sale Haul!

As many of you know, Models Own have had 50% off of all products on their website (excluding gift sets). I couldn't help but take advantage and I am just a little bit proud that I managed to stop at just 6 new varnishes. I could have bought at least 12!

I felt a little silly ordering new nail varnishes considering I haven't painted my nails since last summer. It takes forever for nails to dry and I feel so guilty spending an hour painting my nails when I could be working. However, now I've gone back to painted nails I don't know how I didn't paint them for so long. It looks so much better!

Anyway, here are the varnishes I picked up in my haul!

Review // The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason

I can't believe this is my third book review in 2 days. I might as well just make this blog about books and nothing else!

I don't think I could do that.

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago I read The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason and here is my review!

Review // Nobody by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Hi Y'all. Yes, here is another book review.

So far this month (and we are on the 20th!) I have read 9 books. NINE.

Here is my third review!

Review // Insurgent by Veronica Roth

I read Divergent in about 2 days. I read Insurgent in less than 24 hours. I know - crazy right?
I just could not put it down.

Instagram Update #12

Divergent / New Years Eve / Insurgent / Back to work / I love Primark socks / Gingerbread fro

Review // Divergent by Veronica Roth

Say hello to my first proper post of 2014 - a book review!

I'm already on my third book of the year so I thought I'd best catch up and write some reviews.

I started reading Divergent on New Years Day. By the 3rd of January I had already started Insurgent. I think that alone tells you how much I loved Divergent and this review will tell you why!

My Books of 2013

This year I have read a LOT of books. For Christmas last year I treated myself to a Nexus tablet and, I hate to say it, eBooks are so convenient. I didn't realise how many books I had read until I compiled the list and I thought I'd share it with you all. I've read some fantastic books this year, many of which I came across by accident.

Those with an asterisk are my favourites of 2013 and I definitely recommend them!

Here we go!

2013 is so yesterday

I'm going to be honest with you. I am sitting in my onesie, watching The Sound of Music, wondering where on Earth 2013 has gone. This time last year I had just finished my first semester of university. Now I am nine months away from moving to Canada for year. I'm not even half way through my degree. If you had told me two years ago that I would be studying for a Masters degree in Chemistry and spending a year of it abroad you could have knocked me over with a feather. It is crazy how much can happen in 12 months.

But then again, it really is not crazy. In 12 months there are 365 days. Even if just one thing happened each day that is 365 things and generally I have to believe six unbelievable things before breakfast. I've excelled and I've failed. I've been happy and sad. I feel like I've apologised for things like no tomorrow and like sometimes absolutely everything is my fault. However, 2013 has been pretty fantastic for the most part and here is a (not really) brief overview.