Life After University

Not going to lie, since finishing third year, life has been so different, in ways that are good and bad. It's such a strange position to be in, it's almost like a limbo. I am graduating in a couple of weeks time, but I completed and finished the course back at the end of May. To me, I haven't felt that feeling of it all coming to an end yet. Maybe that's because I know that I will be returning one more time to graduate, but I'm not entirely sure. There has been an 'in-between' if you will. Whereas, with other universities, graduation follows directly after finishing their course. I am looking forward to graduating though and getting on with the next step that continues on from my undergraduate degree.

One of the definite pluses of finishing uni, is having moved back home. I'm such a homebody, I love being at home and being so comfortable in my surroundings here. Granted that I now have adult responsibilities (which are such a bore, I'm so not ready to adult haha), it's been nice to have my room back to how it was before university, and not being spread out over two places is so much nicer. However, a downside to returning to home is the amount of people that I've had ask "Do you know what you're going to do for work?", or "Have you got a job yet?", or "You're going to use your degree aren't you?". I can't help but feel the pressure of it all. It's questions like that that almost make you question your motives and whether there is actually a job out there that will take your interests, and one that you stand a chance with. It's definitely such a stressful time - there is only so much you can do, and if you're as uncertain as I am in what I want to do, it hasn't been helping the matter. When attending uni, I don't think most people think about what you're going to do or what you want to do when it all ends, and I think that was a downfall of mine.

It's also so difficult to not compare yourself, and the position you're in to others, even when you don't mean too. Knowing that some of your friends have landed themselves incredible graduate jobs, and you're left thinking, well why haven't I been capable of doing so? It's going to happen, it will (that's what I'm telling myself anyways). You just can't gage when, everything happens for a reason.

Another thing I have noticed since leaving uni is how fast time has gone, and how much I have done and achieved in that time. It's crazy how quickly things can fall into place for you, especially when you're not imagining them too.An important thing that life after university has taught me is that stressing out is going to get you nowhere. I am literally the worlds best stressor - I can't even help it, but I always stress myself out over the smallest and stupidest of things. It's good to know that finding yourself confused about the process is ok! Trying to relax and staying on top of the job search etc, is the best way to go about it, and something will fall into place eventually. Your time will come!

How did you feel when you finished university?

Amber X

A Positive Reflection

Seeing as it's now waaaay over half way through the year (what the hell?), there is no better time to reflect on all the positive and good things that have stuck out from the rest so far. It's so easy to become lost and stuck amongst the negative and bad things that arises for each and every one of us, we almost lose track of all the good and how far we may have come in such a short space of time. It's not all doom and gloom..

January
Welcoming a new year isn't something that I tend to enjoy, and I swear that January this year felt like the longest month ever - or was that just me? That being said, I smashed my January university exams and worked so hard for so long. It truly is the best feeling when your efforts, persistence and patience all come out on top. January also marks the first time I published a blog post, working alongside a brand. How exciting! At the very end of January, my favourite individual came and stayed with me for a couple days at university. It was so lovely to have her down, and to show her all around my second home.

February
I spent a few weekends at home in February and I loved it. Being away from home is something I have never struggled with, not even when I was younger. But there is something so comforting about spending time at home after you've been away for a while. The hard work at uni also continued throughout the month of February, so a little break was very welcomed. I also made the best pancakes for pancake day - yum!

March
SNOW!! We had snow here in the UK and as stressful as it was, it worked out ok in the end. Uni was closed for 3 days... And one of my closest uni friends, who was on placement whilst I was in 3rd year, ventured 8 hours from London to come and see me for the weekend. We braved the snow and had such a lovely time catching up and drinking too much (oops). I also had a reading week in March which meant travelling back home again, and I got to spend some time with my grandparents and my favs from home. I also cut all my hair off in March, something that I was so glad I did. My Dad also came down for a St Patricks Day, we drank Guinness and saw one of his favourite bands, happy days. At the end of the month, I came back home for the Easter holidays.

April
I started the bank holiday weekend in Wiltshire celebrating Rachel's 21st birthday. It was nice to catch up with uni friends we all hadn't seen for a while, and Rachel and I alone drank too much prosecco (not that it's ever a bad thing haha). After 3 weeks of being back home, it was time to go back to uni and start getting my life into order for the last push of my three years studying.

May
May was the most stressful month I have ever had, by far. So SO many deadlines, all of which I met, and I sat my last 2 exams. Uni came to and end in May and it was such a strange feeling. To think something that you've been working towards for three years was finally over, was so bitter sweet. I worked my butt off in May, and I couldn't be prouder of myself for doing so.

June 
The Summer Ball was at the very beginning of June, and Rachel came down and stayed at uni with me for a couple of days. There was no better way of celebrating the end of uni, than the way we did it. So many laughs, so much wine, so much sun and exploring. I was truly on cloud nine. I then travelled home to jet off for a week in New York with my Dad. This trip was my 21st birthday present, but tied in so nicely with the end of university. No better place to celebrate and no one better to go with than my Dad. Towards the end of June, I left my job at uni and came back home to a few job interviews and a new job. June was such a fast paced, but incredible month. One I am not going to forget.

July
And this is where we are all at now. This month I have received my overall degree grade, and my Dad has done the best job with my car, which is now back on the road. I have so many summer plans to look forward too. Just writing this post has made it so clear that there have been so many amazing things that have happened this year so far and we still have the other half to come. However you may be feeling at this moment in time, have a think back to the start of the year, and write down all the things you've overcome and achieved.. trust me, you'll surprise yourself.

What has been your favourite memory of 2018 so far?

Amber X

Maybelline Lash Sensational

Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara is all I have seen on social media lately - loads of people have been sharing how great it is. I've been meaning to pick up a new mascara for a while so I took it upon myself to see what the fuss it about. When it comes to mascara, I love a big wand, that way I know that each and every lash, big and small, will be covered in product. I thought to share my thoughts with you...

Packaging

The pink and black packaging is simple and classic looking. The effect that the mascara will give your lashes is clearly written on the tube itself - very handy when picking from the vast number of mascara's available to choose from.

Wand

The Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara has a curved brush wand. Personally, this type of wand wouldn't be my first choice - I like a classic wand with thick bristles that really gives volume to the lashes. However, the wand does comb through all of my lashes, even the small ones! I do find it tricky to get to the little lashes right in the corner of my eye with a big mascara wand, but the Lash Sensational coats them pretty easily. The curve of  the wand helps get right into the root of the lash, achieving a curled and thicker lash effect. I don't know if it's just me (it probably is), but sometimes I end up poking myself in the eye with the mascara wand... For some strange reason, I'm thinking it's because the wand is curved. I find myself doing it more often than usual with this mascara :-( 

Overall Effect

 I do like the mascara, but I don't think it's going to become my favourite mascara. The wand definitely separates my lashes and adds length, but personally, I'd like a bit more volume. 

Update
Since writing this post, I have been using this mascara every day and have grown to love it. I think it just took some time for me to get used to the curved wand. Typically, I do apply more than one coat of it, but I'd do the same with any other mascaras. As gross as it sounds, I think I prefer the mascara more, now that it is not brand new. Dryer, clumpier mascaras tend to give me the volume I want in my natural lashes. If you haven't tried this mascara, I would recommend you try it for yourself!

Have you tried the Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara? What were your thoughts?

Amber X

20 Facts About Me

Ever since making my blog back in December, I haven't posted anything slightly personal. Therefore, I thought it would be a good idea to write a list of facts about myself so that you lot could get to know me a little better. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I find writing about myself the most impossible thing to do, but I'm sure I'll get there. Number...

1 - I have three little freckles on my cheek that are in the shape of a triangle that have been there as long as I can remember. 

2 - My middle name is Atlanta because the year I was born the Olympics were in Atlanta, USA.

3 - Mostly, all of my clothes are black. 

4 - Finding Nemo is my all time favourite film. I turn into one of those annoying people who know the majority of the words when the film is put on...

5 - The one album that I will listen to on repeat is The 1975. 

6 - My favourite colour is blue.

7 - I have wanted a Pug for the longest time ever. The day I can finally say I have one, will be the best ever!

8 - Ever since coming home from University this summer, dairy doesn't seem to agree with me anymore. It's so sad because anyone who knows me well knows I have the biggest love for cheese :-(  However, I do feel so much better for dodging milk and cheese!
9 - I cannot go a day without listening to music at some point. Whatever I am doing, music will most likely be playing.
10 - If I was only allowed to use one beauty product for the rest of my life, it would be moisturiser.
11 - My favourite smell is the smell of bonfires!
12 - The places that I really want to visit one day are Santorini, Bali and Bora Bora.
13 - I love to go running or for walks, especially in the evenings.
14 - Autumn is by far my favourite time of the year. I cannot wait for cosy weather, orange leaves on the trees and pumpkins.
15 - I have such a large collection of fluffy socks that I couldn't be without. I just love fluffy socks haha!
16 - If I had to make a choice between chocolate and sweets, it would be chocolate every time.
17 -  I am in my third and final year of university.
18 - I'm an only child, but I have 4 half brothers, and 1 half sister.
19 - Tomatoes, peas, avocado, and pineapple are foods I cannot stand!
20 - From a young age, my Dad would take me along to car shows, and my favourite cars to look at were the Mitsubishi Evo's. I always said I'd have one when I'd pass my test...

What fact about yourself would you share with others?

Amber X

Cheeky Little Asos Haul

When it comes to clothes shopping, it takes me ages to find pieces that I like. Then comes the debating as to whether I can see myself wearing it. If I can't see myself wearing it, it goes back onto the clothing rack. This is usually, if not always what happens whenever I attempt to go clothes shopping. It just so happened that the last time I looked on asos for some new clothing pieces to get for going back to University, I found a whole bunch of items I liked, result haha!

I'll leave links to the few items I picked up, in case you wanted to have a look yourself :-)

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Ox Trainers 

I have been thinking about getting a pair of Converse for a while now, but just haven't seen a style or colour that I think would suit me. Initially when I saw these on asos, I thought they were grey - when they arrived, they were not! However, I do love the colour of them (maybe even more than if they were grey) and I cant wait to wear them!

Asos Cami with Eyelet Trim 

Black cami tops are just my favourite - they look good with jeans, skirts, shorts, everything! The V neck and eyelet detailing makes this cami so different to any others I have seen and it breaks up my collection of plain, black tops haha! This little cami definitely meets the 'jeans and a nice top' memo.

^ How cute does it look with Converse?!

Asos Stripe T Shirt in Baby Loop Back

Stripy tops are something that I love to thrown on with a pair of jeans. You can never have too many. I love the style of this one -  being slightly baggy, it's nothing like the other stripy tops I own. It fits well around my shoulders and isn't too tight around my wrists - this is often something I find with a lot of long sleeve tops/jumpers. I may need to get the red colour too...

What have you treated yourself too lately?

Amber X

A Stop Off in Padstow

Last week, I visited Padstow. Cornwall has always been a place that I have visited here and there, especially when I was younger with my family, but I have never visited Padstow. There is something so pretty and quaint about little Cornish town's that are full of independent shops and cafe's, and Padstow was just that. A lot of walking was done, but sometimes taking the time to walk along the beach, by the sea, can be just what you need. 

The beach pictured below was in Rock, by the River Camel. It was just a short ferry ride from Padstow to get to the beach, and it was beautiful - I don't feel like these photo's do it justice. 

I love exploring little seaside towns and finding new favourite places to go. 

Have you ever been to Cornwall? Where's your favourite place to visit?

Amber X