Finishing My First Year At University!

Hi everyone!

I haven't spoken to you all in so long, with finishing my first year it means I've had uncountable assignments which have knocked me so close to the edge.

But I'm back!

Before I get back on track with my posts, I thought I'd do an update on what happened this year - in case anyone is starting university in September and want to know a bit more about it goes down.


So as some of you will know, I studied Magazine Journalism at Sunderland Uni. My first year has just finished and it hasn't been as hard as I thought it would have been - let's hope I've worked hard enough.

I've made some incredible friends. There's the friends who you see now and then but are always greeted with a smile and a "hey", there's the regular drinkers who you see on a night out and are greeted with a cuddle and dancing. 
Lastly there's the ones that you've grown up with. Although it's only been 9 months, everyone has changed so much and came out of their shells. It's crazy because you don't even realise it happens but all of a sudden you have your really close friendship circles.
I know that I'll end up being friends with them for a very long time, not just for the next 2 years of uni. 

My flat mates are my home away from home. Over the past couple of months I have been at my actual home in Hartlepool a lot more, purely because with the stress of assignments I prefer my own environment and my home town makes me so relaxed. But when I am at Sunderland I love spending time with them. We have had a handful of fallouts - all for stupid reasons but we always end up making up and completely forgetting anything that's happened. That's how it should be, at the end of the day you have to live with them so what's the point in falling out and having to avoid each other? That's soooo much more effort than making up.
I'm able to talk to them about anything and they can tell me anything.
p.s - Hi guys if you're reading this, I love you x

For you guys who might be joining uni soon - don't worry about making friends. I panicked so much about making friends when I started. But you make them and you don't even realise. There isn't really any effort. If you are staying in halls like I did, you're surrounded by people who are all in the same boat. Even saying hello or smiling to people who walk past you is a great start.
 Honestly there's so much stigma about "will people like me?" but yes, yes they will. I'm friends with a complete mix of people. I don't know how we met, but I regret nothing.

Passion on a Monday.

Play Wednesday!

IndieP on Friday!

With regards to university itself - it was amazing. If you want a blog on my course (if you're interested) let me know. 

The night life was amazing, all thanks to Stephen Gatsby, Harry Play, Sam Evans and Tom Box. Play Wednesdays and 21st Century Box Fridays - are the shiz. 
I didn't go out every week because when I did go out I would appreciate it more. But yeah it was such an amazing experience, filled with so many friendly people and cheap drink!
Plus who can go wrong with winning free stuff?
So I owe these guys a big thanks for making my Fresher's year a blast.

This year has went SO quickly it feels like last week I was in Fresher's week dressed as a zebra. I wouldn't change anything.

Guys if you're going to become a fresher - I highly recommend that you put yourself out there with people, don't be shy. You don't need to be. 

I've loved my first year - here's to the next two!

Love,
Amie 
xx

My Small Lipstick Collection!

Hey everyone!

So I thought I'd do a beauty related post this time around.

It's only been over the past year that I've really started expanding my make-up collection. My make-up bag used to only consist of my daily make-up, nothing fancy - Just my every day foundation, mascara and bronzer. Now my make up bag is too small for the amount of cosmetics I own so I have several.

Something I never used to be too bothered about was lipstick. Mainly because my lips are not the biggest and are not that far from being a straight line. But as I'm getting older, I'm slowly becoming addicted to putting colour on my lips - It really finishes my make-up looks and with going out on student nights and weekends, lipstick really helps to ensure I don't look like a ghost in the flash photography. 

My collection is only small - as I've not long been buying them. I have 6 at the minute. Some I prefer over others. 

I really hope you can recommend me some brands and colours as I'd love to give them a shot!
I'll attach links to each lipstick so you know where to find them.

1. Rimmel London: Kate Moss Lasting Finish - 45

Rimmel is one of my all time favourite lipsticks. 4/6 that I own are in fact Rimmel. I find them really moisturising and have a great shine to them. They last on my lips too.
This particular lipstick is in a pale pink packaging with a silver band with the Rimmel London brand. The packaging of these is so luxury I think - they're the perfect size for your bag when you're out and about. 

This colour is my favourite nude colour yet. It's like a pink/peach that blends into my lips lovely. It's perfect for every day make-up looks and if you don't really fancy wearing much on your face, it's great for the simplistic look.

I'd recommend wear it with some light coverage foundation or BB cream and a little bit of mascara.






2. Rimmel London: Lasting Finish - Heart Breaker (016)

Once again another Rimmel lipstick. It's the same as the above with regards to glossiness and shine. I love Rimmel it doesn't dry your lips out.  

This colour is a mix between a really dark pink and a red. It shows as more of a red on the lip but not as intense as other shades. This is one of my first lipsticks as I wanted to try a dark colour to see if it worked with my skin - well I think it does. 

A good thing about Rimmel also is that it smells so good! It's kinda sweet? I don't really know how to describe it I just like it.










3. Rimmel London: Lasting Finish - 107

Now i'm not going to lie, I did buy this lipstick because I seen Zoella raving about it on her channel and it's what she always wore in her Instagram photos in the winter - where I thought she looked flawless. 

It's in the red packaging with the black Rimmel London band. 
I do like this lipstick colour - which is a very bold red. Although it's very intense on me. Perhaps a little too intense as I don't tend to grab for this one as often. 

A good thing is it smells a lot like watermelon which is gorgeous. You can smell it when you're wearing it! 

I definitely rate this lipstick.


I'd recommend wearing it in the winter, around Christmas as it's a very warm red perfect for the festivities. I'd wear this with full coverage foundation, black winged eye liner, a warm toned gold eye shadow and some bold lashes - either mascara or fake lashes. 


4. Rimmel London: Lasting Finish - Alarm (170)

Okay this is the last Rimmel one I promise! I bought this one as a replacement as I was at I had left my Rimmel 107 at my University halls by mistake when I went home for Christmas break - so for a Christmas present my boyfriend was kind enough to get me a substitute. Rimmel 107 wasn't in stock when he went to collect it so I suggested this shade. 

It's in the original dark packaging with the silver band.
This is a bold red but nowhere near as bold as 107. I actually prefer Alarm. It suits my skin tone a lot better and lasts longer on my lips compared to 107. Even though they're the same price (or around), if you don't like the really bold 107, definitely try this one!

I'd wear this with the same as above. It also works with casual clothing too and especially nights out - it really stands out.




5. Maybelline NY: Forever Metallic - Gold N Roses (20)

I never bought this shade, I got it off a friend who didn't like the colour on herself so kindly gave it to me.

It's in a lovely rounded shiny packaging with a silver/clear ball on the top - maybe some particular design but I'm not sure.

Even the design of the lipstick itself is lovely to put on, its a flat nib compared to Rimmel.

The shade itself is a light pink with a glittery shimmer.

I love this for casual wear as it's not extremely pigmented but gives a lovely shine and is really moisturising. 







6. Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Ultra Lipstick - Petal (18)

I got this off the Depop app unused as I wanted to try a higher end lipstick and see what the fuss was about. 

It is actually a lovely colour, like a rosy pink. It's very glossy and soft on the lips.
It doesn't smell as nice as the Rimmel but the quality is better.

I didn't pay that much as it was second hand but I am definitely working towards a larger collection of these. 

It's perfect for casual wear if you want a little colour but not over powering.
(The link to this is of the new packaging - I have the older one)






I hope you like this post guys, let me know what you thought?

Also let me know of any recommendations in the comments, I really want some more lippies!

Love Amie
XX

The Holiday/Christmas Tag.

Hey everyone!
So we're finally into December and wow has this year flew.

To start off the month of Christmas I thought I'd do a Christmas tag. I've joined two tags together and chosen the questions I'd like to answer most. 

1) What's your favourite holiday movie?
Out of every Christmas movie I've always loved the ones everyone goes for like Elf, that's my favourite comedy one as I laugh all the way through.
But I've always loved The Gremlins. It's a one that's always on TV and has a bit of everything in it, definitely one that stands out to me.

2) What are you doing for the holidays this year?
Since i've had my operation i'm house bound for a few weeks so i'll be spending these holidays at home catching up on University work and perhaps starting a Youtube channel...

I'll be spending it with my family, friends and boyfriend.


3) Do you like to stay in your PJ's or dress up for Christmas?
Well it's a tradition that on Christmas Eve me and my sister get new pyjamas to sleep in to wake up for Christmas. 
We tend to wake up and open our presents downstairs in our pyjamas and then get changed into fancy clothes for when we go to visit all our other family members and for our delicious dinner.

4) Candy cane or ginger bread men?
Got to be ginger bread men! I'm more of a biscuit than a sweet person. Candy canes are nice until you get to the bend in the cane and its hard to eat. It also gets quite boring eating one after a while. Compared to ginger bread which is so yummy!

5) Favourite Christmas song?
I have a few...
Being a Belieber, Justin Bieber's Mistletoe Christmas album is always on at this time of year (i've actually been playing it since October...)
Then I love the 'Ittttts Chriiiiistttmassssssss' - Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day. The jingle gets me so excited!

6) What's the weirdest gift you've ever received?
Hmm... Well i've had a lot of strange ones. I think the weirdest one has got to be a pack of glow sticks off my grandparents. I think that was pretty strange, although they came in handy when I went to that rave... no i'm joking I don't know what I did with them.

7) What do you like to do on your Christmas break?
Well I do like to relax, chill with Youtube and hot chocolate...
But University happened so now I have a lot of work to catch up on after my op so amongst the festiveness I'll be writing essays.

8) Any Christmas wishes?
There's the big wishes like 'World peace', which would be brilliant but I don't think wishing it at 11:11 will help much.
So my wishes would be:
- A speedy recovery for myself.
- A fresh and great year of 2016 to me and my family.
- Passing my first year of University.

9) What's at the top of your Christmas list this year?
I think the thing I want the most is my hair doing. I plan on going fully blonde like Holly Willoughby.
I'd also love the Naked Eye Pallette as I'm going to up my make-up game in 2016

10) Favourite thing about your Christmas dinner?
This is really hard.
I love the meat, the gravy, the pigs in blankets!!
But I also love love sprouts - which a lot of people hate but I think they're amazing.
I enjoy the cranberry sauce with my turkey too.
Wow answering this made me very hungry.

So that's it guys, let me know what you've asked for this Christmas & what you're looking forward to the most. 

Share this if you like and follow me on my social medias!

Love Amie

XX

Life Update: November 15.

Hey guys, so a lot has gone on lately and instead of doing a ‘past Halloween but not quite Christmas’ post, I thought I’d give you all an update on what’s been going on with me. If that would bore you then don’t read any further. But if you’re nosy like me, carry on!

University life.

So as most of you will know, I started Sunderland Uni in September and I’m studying magazine journalism for three years. So far it’s been okay I guess. I’m not loving my course, but I guess they have to get through all the nitty gritty things like lectures on apostrophes before we get onto the actual journalism.

I was considering changing my course to something more academic that would be easier to just sit with text books and learn like at A-Levels. But unfortunately the only thing that would interest me would be sociology or geography. But with sociology I don’t really like any of the careers that come after it – I really can’t see myself as a police woman. I loved geography throughout school and took it at A-Level, but Sunderland don’t do it as a degree course unless it’s something to do with tourism and that isn’t me either. So I think I’ll stick journalism out – since writing is me.

I write for one of the Universities media platforms called Northern Lights. So far I’ve done reviews on things like Username Evie by Joe Sugg, Girl Online On Tour by Zoe Sugg, Purpose Album by Justin Bieber etc. 

http://www.northernlightsuk.co.uk/2015/11/17/girl-online-tour-review/

http://www.northernlightsuk.co.uk/2015/11/07/review-username-evie/

http://www.northernlightsuk.co.uk/2015/11/18/justin-bieber-purpose-review/

      

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I’m loving living in halls. Moving away from home is such an experience. I miss home so bad. I miss my family, Luke and Zhiyin like crazy. But it’s really helped me realise who my real friends are, who is bothered and who isn’t.

My Uni friends are practically my family away from home. I get so excited to come back to my flat to see them. There’s seven of us in the flat - 3 boys 4 girls and everyone is very different from each other. There's Lauren, Sam, Jess, Katie, Ross and Steven! (Hey guys, I know you'll be reading!)

People are right when they say you’ll get your closest friends at Uni, as I already can tell who are going to be there for me for a long time, like I am with them.

A lot of people who I’ve met in this time have quickly went from being close friends to just people I wave at when I see them – which is sad, I know with a few if I needed them they’d be there, but I think with others I was just there as a friend before they found better ones, or worse – opinions vary.

I’m used to being independent now I guess, I mean I’m struggling with money and I’m living off beans and supernoodles – but that’s all part of being a student right?

I know I always have my family who help with a lot of my problems and are more than happy to help out if I need anything.

I love being able to go into the kitchen freely at 2am and get food, which I can’t do at home without my mam questioning me (Hi mam! I know you’re reading this too!)

I love how I can go out at random times at night for no reason what so ever – for example getting the metro train to McDonalds because, well, it’s McDonalds…

I’m getting better at cooking too! I’ve made a Sunday dinner (on a Thursday) with Ross for the rest of the flat mates which went down a treat. I also made 6 servings of meatball bolognaise and pasta, which everyone enjoyed and completely cleared their plates!

The social life is great too. Twisted Mondays, Play Wednesdays and 21^st Century Box Fridays are the main student nights. I rarely go out to be honest, mainly because on Tuesdays and Thursdays I start at 9am and that’s very risky sitting in lectures that early when you’re severely hungover.

There’s been a lot of cool theme nights though. I’ve been out at Halloween on the PLAY pub crawl (which was insane), and there’s also the Disney night coming up. Our flat went out as the Peter Pan crew – I was Wendy Darling, so there was Pan, Wendy, Hook, Sme and Tiger Lilly. It was so fun and we all looked great!

 

BIG NEWS!

So, the past couple of months I’ve been pleading back and forth with the NHS about getting a breast reduction. This finally got accepted and the date of my operation is the 30^th November – which is in two weeks!

This is such a big thing for me as I’ve been uncomfortable in my body for such a long time. I’m always in pain and they don’t suit me (I don’t think), and I just hate being so big. They completely limit me. I can’t do the exercise which I love, I can’t get fit so I completely hate my body. I especially hate the unwanted attention I get with them, even when people don’t think I realise – yes I see you looking! As much as people say ‘your body is fine’ and ‘you’re skinny!’, to me I’m not. If I’m not happy then that’s the problem.

After the operation and the weeks of recovery over the winter, I’m so excited for the new year of 2016 to be able to change the way I live.

I won’t be limited in my activities so I plan on getting fit, losing weight and toning up my body. I want to be happy in myself – I think if I get to look the way I want and be able to smile when I look in a mirror and wear nice, well-fitted clothes, I’ll be a lot more productive with the work I do and a lot happier when I go out with friends on nights out etc.

I’m so excited for little things like being able to sit straight. Or buy nice underwear sets instead of wearing ugly bras that are £15 a pop!

I MET JOE!

So as most of you will know - I love Joe Sugg. Luckily last month I met him! I waited 7 hours to see him for 20 seconds but it was the best 20 seconds of my life! 

He remembered who I was, knew my name and said he knew my twitter - which is so crazy that I still don't understand it.

Username Evie is an amazing book (read my review), but having a one that he gave and signed for me personally is unbelievable.

It still doesn't feel like it happened, he held my waist in photos (fan-girl), I held his too - although I don't remember doing so, it must have been my subconscious tell me we're meant to be... 

I'll just insert photos here.

I’ll keep everyone updated on my recovery, as being bed bound will be a benefit when it comes to doing Uni work and writing blogs.

Thank you all for reading – this may have bored you to be honest. But I always like to hear about how people’s lives are going so you might be interested in mine.

Let me know in the comments or message me on my social medias if you’d like to see a particular post on my blog over the Christmas period.

Love you all,

Amie XX

Collective Haul!

Hey guys! 

I haven't uploaded in a while since Uni is now in full swings and deadlines are not nice.

I've been shopping quite a lot this last month so instead of doing separate posts of what I've bought, I've decided i'll do a collective haul!

These items are from the Student Lock In and various shopping trips.

Apologies in advance for the change of lighting in photos, they've all been taken at different times...

Clothes:

This beautiful dark green skirt is from New Look which I got in the sale for £10 I think?

 It's got silver buttons down the front and a belt can be worn as it has the loops for one.

 I loved this I thought it was different and would go well with perhaps a turtle neck in the cold months.

 I'm yet to wear this as I don't know what to match it with so any suggestions would be great!

This gorgeous shirt is a gold shimmery colour and reminds me of the dolly's grandparents put on coffee tables- haha!

This cost be £8 (I think) in the sale at New Look.

It's such a lovely fabric and is very comfortable! I dress this with some black jeans and black boots, it's great for the upcoming festive season!

I bought this long white tee from Select in the Student Lock In. 

I've forgotten how much this was but I know it was less than £10.

 It goes down to the back of my thighs and has a slit up the side.

 I love the design on the front reading: I'm only ever going to be me and I won't change for anyone or anything so accept it: FLAWLESS. 

It's such a meaningful quote placed on a casual shirt so it adds a little attitude to my outfits.

 I wear this with black leggings or black jeans and usually white converse.

I needed some new tights so I got these 50 denier tights from New Look for £4.99 but I got 10% off with student discount. 

These were so comfy but recently they got ladders in so I need to buy some more.

These were from New Look for £1 in the sale.

 I had to get them because they're so cute! 

Beauty:

On the Student Lock In I went into Lush as they were doing a deal that if you spent £10 you got a free goodie bag! 

So I bought the bath bomb Twilight as I seen it in the tester bowl and it looked amazing! I keep forgetting to bring it back home with me so I can use it - as I only have a shower in my student room. 

I also bought the Bubblegum Lip Scrub which I've heard many people rave about so thought i'd give it a go, especially as the cold weather makes my lips go horrible so i'll see if it helps.

I also bought myself the Dirty Springwash Shower gel for my shower. Although it smells really nice, I find it quite sickly as the smell is so strong. It's like a potent peppermint smell, like i'm washing myself in toothpaste... but it's okay and i'm sure i'll keep using it.

In the Goodie Bag I received: Fair Trade Foot Scrub - Which I haven't used yet.

Miranda Soap Bar - I haven't opened this yet as I have the new Zoella Soap Bar which I use at the minute.

Lastly I got the cute Against Animal Testing badge which is great! 

I got this Collection Nude Palette: Eyes Uncovered. 

The colours are beautiful and glittery, i'm looking forward to using this as I have a smoky eye palette but not a nude palette! 

This was less than £4 from Boots.

In the Student Lock In I went into Debenhams to the Benefit counter to have a look at this Hoola bronzer. I have seen so many people use this and rave about it so I thought i'd give it a go.

 It was around £20 which I thought i'd never spend on a make-up item but I thought i'd treat myself and this could be the one I use on special occasions. 

It's so lovely and is very pigmented. It's great for contouring the cheeks too it really defines the cheek bones.

I bought this Pro:Voke Touch of Silver colour care shampoo from Boots as I have recently had all my hair shopped off and got a full head of blonde highlights.

 I've heard that this shampoo is really good for enhancing the blonde which is brilliant as i'd love to go lighter eventually! 

This was less than £3!

Home:

I seen that Zoella brought out new products in her range and once I seen this product I was so excited! 

As i'm in student halls I can't light candles - which kills me because I love candles especially in the autumn/winter months.

 Although a reed diffuser I can use!

I haven't opened it yet as i've just had it delivered but I think it's going to smell like her first range of products - which is really nice.

 It's going to make my room smell so cosy!

I got this from Boots for £10 and it's definitely worth that, the packaging is so lovely and unique, it definitely suits Zoella.

In the Student Lock In I went slightly crazy in the Disney Store!

I've always wanted a Disney teddy so when I seen the selection I had to chose very carefully. 

I decided to get Dumbo as he was always my favourite when I was a little girl, to the point that I watched it that much the video cassette broke! That little fella cost me £20 but it was so worth it! He's gorgeous!

I have a mild obsession with mugs also so I felt like crying when I seen all the really lovely ones! I decided to get the Wall-e character Eva (If that's how you spell it) as she was so cute and the cup will fit a good hot chocolate in! 

She cost me £9-£10.

As it was the Student Lock In, they had an offer on that if you spent £30 and went to the till, the first 20 people to say Mickey Mouse got a free gift. So of course I said it and won a pack of Inside Out sticky notes. They're so cute! All in different shapes and sizes - and you know how I feel about stationary!

My boyfriend also bought me the Sulley teddy from Monster Inc and he's adorable! 

I am not ashamed of my Disney obsession - okay?

I hope you guys liked this post!
I've been spending so much money on new things at uni and i'm loving it.

Halloween is coming up soon so look forward to a themed blog post!!

Amie

XX