October/November Haul

For the past couple of months I have been somewhat chained to my computer desk doing work, so I'm afraid this two month haul is mostly random little online buys. Hope you might enjoy a little insight into my purchases anyway.

Topshop Skater Skirt (via eBay)

My first purchase of October, this came about as I realised how much I had been neglecting all of my old favourite band t shirts, simply because I never wear trousers anymore and didn't have any plain skirts that would look nice with them. A good simple skater skirt has been missing from my wardrobe for months, and now I can't really see how I lived without one - the fit is so much more flattering than straight skirts on my body shape. It's was only a couple of quid and is a great 'throw-on' piece for work, adding a touch of smartness to my otherwise pretty simple cafe uniform.

Vintage Cream Blouse via eBay

Again pretty plain and boring, but a definite necessity in Autumn when layers are less of a fashion statement and more of a health precaution. This blouse was just 99p and fits perfectly on it's own or under dresses for a more retro look, which has allowed me to revive some of my old favourite pinafore style frocks.

Wax Coat - Tesco

For those who don't know, Huddersfield is the rainiest place ever. I ventured out to uni one day in October and got caught in a rainstorm, resulting in a drenched backpack and most unfortunately, a passport in the front pocket that had soaked up so much water than my picture in it was totally ruined. An incredibly irritating waste of £70, but a proper wake up call that I could do with dressing more appropriately for the weather. Luckily Tesco turned up the goods with this lovely Barbour-style wax coat, complete with hood (a surprisingly rare attribute in fashionable winter coats) and for only £35. There was only one left in my size in this colour, so I like to think that it was my reward for having such a rubbish rainy day. Stupid passport.

Care Box from Ma and Pa!

Having not had a chance to visit home properly since July, I REALLY miss my Mum and Dad. Third year of Uni is really full on and sometimes I miss the days where I had somebody else to be the adult for me. I guess they must have realised that I was feeling a bit down because just after Halloween, I received this lovely little care package which included sweets, my favourite Revlon nail varnish, new squishy socks, craft paper and my hideous Year 7 school photo (I guess that one was to amuse Kev). Mum also put in this lovely necklace/collar which I can't wait to wear over a plain dress. They know me so well and it really perked my day and reminded me that I CAN do whatever I set my mind to. I can't wait to see them over Christmas.

Boots Gift Card from the in-laws

 Speaking of Mum's, my boyfriend Kev went home to visit him Mum recently and she was lovely enough to give him a £10 Boots gift card to give to me. How sweet and kind is that? I'm not sure exactly what to spend it on yet but I'm thinking smellies - I love Boots's natural collection body sprays and moisturiser but my Passion Fruit spray has just run out. Maybe I'll try Vanilla next...

Freebie promo Cd's

With our uni set to move their SU building over to a new multi-million pound development, we've been made to clear up the Student Magazine's offices ready for the move. In the process, we unearthed a stack of cd's that had been sent to various Music Editors over the years that had been left behind, encountering more than a few blasts from the past. Whatever happened to Klaxons?

Primark Navy Polka Dot Kagoule - Inherited from lost property!

There are many perks to working at a Cafe (yummy cake, hot drinks to perk you up on a morning shift, overhearing customers gossip) but the best thing is that often, people will leave their possessions behind. Yes, I know this sounds awful, but we do have a lost property policy and we do keep things in case people come back for them, but sometimes though, things are left for so long that they just need a new home. Such was the case with this Primark Kagoule, which must have been left with us for well over a month. Everyone knows I'm a sucker for a good polka dot and it's so useful how it all fits back into it's own pocket. Still, if you are the Kagoule-less student and would like it back (sob), please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Business Cards from Moo.com

With graduation getting ever closer, our uni have set us a module this year called 'Professional Development Portfolio', where we are required to put together a Media CV, Cover Letter, examples of our best work and a business card. I had so much fun designing mine that I thought I'd share it here. Using my favourite printing service (Moo.com) and some voucher codes online, I managed to get 50 cards for just over £13, which isn't bad at all considering the high quality of the paper and how carefully they have been cut.

Magazines

Other university work has sent me on a bit of a magazine spree. I LOVE magazines but I normally deprive myself as they seem like a bit of a luxury. Still, since I enrolled on 'Writing For Magazines' this year I can justify it a little more and splashed out on Company, NME and The Times Higher Education Magazine to give me some inspiration for assignments. I'm really looking forward to getting stuck in with this weeks NME - My big case study project this year is centred around Women In Music Journalism so I can't wait to investigate how they have approached M.I.A's big comeback.

Bon Marche Tartan Skirt (via eBay)

The tartan trend has been all the rage for a little while now, and as a child of the 90's I've been itching to try it. It's mad how people will pay so much for stuff on the high street when you can get in on the eBay for 99p. Now, Bon Marche wouldn't be my first choice (although my Nana used to love it), but the colours on this skirt are so perfect for autumn and the material is far better quality that I was expecting.

Primark Mustard Jumper (via eBay)

I've never been quite sure about wearing yellow as I was scared it might hollow out my skin tone, but after experimenting my £4 bargain Topshop mustard maxi, I thought I'd take the plunge into some bold knitwear. Mustard is such a great shade for this time of year anyway as it matches the leaves, and I managed to snag this off eBay for just over 3 quid. I normally find cropped jumpers pretty annoying as they tend to just make me look as if I'm wearing something that doesn't fit properly and often leaves slopping hems hanging out underneath, but as I'm planning to wear this over collared dresses hopefully it will work a bit better.

Not Nineteen Forever - My very spoilt birthday!

This weekend I made the exciting voyage out of teenagerdom... that's right, I turned 20. Can't say I was too thrilled about it- being 19 means being cool and partying and all the rest of it, whereas 20 just seems, well, like you're on the path to proper adulthood. Scary stuff. But anyway, I wasn't intending on making much of a fuss so was amazed by the lovely gifts my friends and family bought me.

My birthday really started on the Friday night, when boyfy Kev and I went to Manchester to see Beyonce. I had bought my ticket as a birthday present to myself months before - there was no way I was missing out on seeing my ultimate icon live. Without getting too far into the feminist debate, I've always found Beyonce to be a great role model, particularly to young mixed race women, and it felt like such an honour to see her perform in the flesh. I would have liked to have heard a few more Destiny's Child songs, but to be honest, I was too in awe of how beautiful she is to mind too much.

I was pretty content to leave my birthday celebrations there, but ohhhhhh no. I woke up on Saturday morning to A LOT of post, and lots of pretty cards.

Cards from my mum and dad, my aunt, my housemates Will and Snowy, my friend Laura and my old housemate Charlotte. Look how amazing Charlotte's card is!

Foxes AND bows - surely the best combo ever!

So I opened up some of my packages, and here is what I got -

Simply Knitting Magazine from Willl and Snowy, as well as NME and Take A Break magazine (bit of  an inside joke, I'm hopefully going to be doing some work experience for them)

The history of NME from my Mum and Dad - can't wait to read this, I've heard so many great things. They also sent me a lovely little Owl necklace, which my Mum confessed was an absolute find at just 25p! I love a good bargain - I'm a firm believer that presents don't have to be expensive to be thoughtful. Here is a close up of the little guy.

My best friend Anna also sent me a very exciting package, marked up with the Cadbury logo...

 I opened it up to find one of every cadbury item, beautifully packed up with a little card. Anna Walker, what a legend. Birthday gifts from Anna always remind me just how fast time moves - I've been getting birthday presents from this girl since we were five years old!

And the gifts kept coming...

A lovely jar of handmade lavender and olive oil bath wash from my friend Laura, who came up to stay for a few days last weekend. Having already tested it out, it smells divine, I shall have to ask her for the recipe!

And a little girly Owl Watch from Charlotte, perfect as my old watch completely combusted a little while ago. It's so dainty and old fashioned, I love it. I completely forgot to take my own picture but here is a stock one from River Islands website so you can see the design

So I was feeling suitably spoilt, but then Kev took me into town and bought me this. Words cannot express how excited I am to be the proud owner of my very first sewing machine.

It's so, so pretty. Yes, it was pretty expensive, and I feel pretty guilty, but I have since given Kev back some money to ease his burden! Bless him, he knew how much I've been lusting after one and he said he wanted to get me something useful. I've been uhmming and aahing over one of the little John Lewis coloured ones for ages but this one was only a little more expensive and does so much more, plus buying it from an independent shop meant 2 years warranty and the promise of free sewing lessons whenever I needed them. My head is literally bursting with all the things I want to try out on it.

So that was the pressies, but Kev insisted on taking me out for dinner as well. He'd managed to bok a table at Discovery Bay in Huddersfield, an entirely Carribbean restaurant. I'd never been before, but spotting Saltfish Fritters on the menu was enough to convince me. Check out this food! 

Saltfish Fritters with Pineapple sauce!

Brown Stew Chicken (Kev had Jerk Chicken and Rice and Peas)

Free birthday Cocktail - whats not to love!

Beer in Hand Drawn Monkey after - Cherry beer is crazy delicious

So that was my birthday! I'm still drowning in all the love. Thanks so much to everybody who wished me a good day or bought me a gift, I feel so popular!