The Sunday Post: The One Where I Graduate

On Thursday the 4th of July, I officially left the world of education and graduated in sunny Reading. Earlier in the week I posted a What I Wore, which you can take a gander at, I was really pleased with my last minute grad dress purchase, what do you think? I also finally got my hair cut and spruced up for the occasion, and my oh my does it feel and look ten times better than the scraggly mop it was before.

The weather held out, Pimm's were to be had, and it felt strange that three years at University had come and gone so fast. I've now got the daunting prospect of actually living my life, no more hiding in the education system, it's time to figure out what I want and do the things that have been on my bucket list without excuses of coursework to put me off. I do feel ready to start a career, I feel like this blog has opened up my eyes to a path I do want to take and I'm already taking baby steps to achieve it. 

The ceremony was actually quite quick but whilst I was waiting to walk up to the podium, shake hands with the chancellor and collect my certificate all I could think about was tripping in my heels, thankfully I didn't, but I was left with some nasty blisters...

I was chatting with lot's of my friends from my course and some are taking the year off to just laze, or go travelling, or you know think about what the hell is their next move in life. Some have already landed jobs, some, like me, are making their way with internships and trying to put their name out there ready for the world to sit up and listen. 

Have any of you ever had the 'Oh God, I'm getting SO old, and I have so much I want to do' moment? Yeah, I'm having a little bit of that right now, which seems silly as I know I'm twenty one but I swear yesterday I was only sixteen, going to house parties and starting sixth form?!

I'm just happy I did it, University isn't always the best option for everyone and I did struggle a lot at times but I've done it and I'm proud of myself, and excited to see what happens next...

Bloglovin'//Twitter//HelloCotton//Facebook

Read More

The Sunday Post: Dungaree's and Dissertation's

Sheer White Blouse - H&M

Denim Dungaree's - Topshop

Wishbone Above Knuckle Ring - The Bohemian Collective*

Rose Gold Watch - Michael Kors*

I'd just like to start this post with a massive HELL YEAH, my dissertation is done and dusted. I can't even express in words how happy, relieved, and proud this makes me all at one time. In true Lauren style I left a big chunk of it to be done at the last minute, I know I work better under pressure but this was something else. I couldn't even cry I was that stressed but I got it done and I'm really happy with it, fingers crossed it goes down well. I went on a bit of a Boot's haul as a treat after I'd handed it in so expect a post dissertation haul to come soon. 

This weekend consisted of Iron Man 3 and therefore lot's of drooling over Robert Downing Jnr. Hnnnng. I absolutely love marvel comic's and films but although I really enjoyed the film, it wasn't as good as I had expected. The rest of the weekend was filled with dancing to 90's one hit wonders, who remembers Marvin and Tamara? G to the R Double O V E, Get on my Groove Machine! Me and my friends are quite obviously hell raisers on our Saturday nights...

This Week I've Been Listening to: 

• I've had 'Chocolate' by The 1975 stuck in my head all week. Get out already.
• Might have also performed my own production of 'Hairspray' in my room this morning, you can't stop the beat...

I've Been Watching:

• Re-runs of 'Angel' - not as good as Buffy but I'm still addicted to when vampires were actually cool and not soppy, sparkling creatures.

I've Been Reading:

• I've just started reading the second book in the Hunger Games Trilogy, 'Catching Fire'. It's nice to be able to actually read books simply for me again instead of annotating every last inch of a novel until I hate it.
• The beaut is back. If you haven't read Lily Bee's blog then you're missing out. A great girl and beyond stunning, I'm glad to see Helen posting more regularly again!
• The Spring Trilogy Post's over on Essie Button are well worth a look. I love Estee's sense of humour and watching her video's, as well as reading her posts, never fail to put a smile on my face.

Do have any good reads to recommend, I'm looking for more books to add to my summer reading list!

Bloglovin'//Twitter//HelloCotton//Facebook

instagram: ohlittlered

Read More

twenty one

I thought I'd pop up a few snaps from my 21st birthday which was yesterday. I still can't believe I'm twenty one, I still think I'm in my teens most of the time! I had a wonderful day and was throughly spoilt this year, I am a very lucky girl and I hope my friends and family know how much I love them. As always, I woke up VERY early, eager to make the most of the day as Jon had taken the day off to take me to Westfields. I was extremely excitable and had VV Brown's 'Shark in the Water' on repeat. It's my happy song, okay.

I won't go into much detail about what I was given as I know a lot of people see those sorts of posts as boastful but I would like to send another very big thank you to my mum and nan who went all out and not only treated me to a new dresser and drawers (post coming soon!) but to this little baby. I don't want to even get it out the box at the moment as it's just too perfect and I have a track record of being a klutz. This watch is just SO beautiful. My dad and his girlfriend Julie also treated me to Vaccines tickets (eee!) and a trip to New York at the beginning of next year! Thank you isn't even enough and I just can't believe it. I've always wanted to go to New York and I'm literally counting down the days, I need to get saving for my spending money, mainly for Sephora eeeep!

Jon was naughty this year and bought me a new camera, I actually cried when I opened up the present as I really wasn't expecting it. We took it out with us to get a feel for it and create some photographic memories of our day. Jon see's it as his new toy as he takes my outfit photo's for me and we both can't wait to get snapping!

After over five hours roaming the shops, and spending my birthday card money quicker than you can say 'bazinga', we had dinner at a cute little American Diner which had a bowling alley next to it as part of a dine and bowl deal. The food was gorgeous, nothing beats a good burger. You can see more snaps on my instagram @ohlittlered if you want to see more! We then pottered around East London, playing around with my camera settings, and taking in what turned out to be a really gorgeous sunny day.

By the time we got home around half eight, I was ready to get into my PJ's and tuck up in bed with a good movie. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday and can't wait for this weekend when I'll be celebrating with my friends, hopefully having the first BBQ of the year (fingers crossed it stays sunny!), and a little family buffet to see the rest of my family and celebrate both mine and my granddad's birthdays. Until then I have to get back to reality and the hell that is leaving a big chunk of your dissertaion to the last week before its due in. I always do this but I find I work better under pressure, so I best get back to it.

P.S. Thanks to all of you that left such lovely birthday wishes, you little cuties!

Bloglovin'//Twitter//HelloCotton//Facebook

instagram: ohlittlered

Read More

Easter Weekend Edition: Weekly Peek

This Easter Weekend has just flown by, and I've had such a lovely time. On Saturday night me and my friends headed up to Camden for a bar crawl and ended up bumping into my childhood best friend who was out celebrating her birthday. Me and Jon ended up joining her  later that evening to continue the merriment, and let's face it one too many jager bombs - sorry, Liver. As you can probably imagine Easter Sunday was spent mostly recuperating and tucking into good food.By nine o'clock I was ready to tuck up in my duvet and take full advantage of the new Disney On Demand Channel on Sky! Today's plan is to eat my remaining hoard of Easter Egg goodness, catch up on some blogs, and not get out of my pj's all day.

We've been looking after my nan's dog whilst her and my papa went away for an Easter Break to the midlands. Storm has to be the soppiest dog I know, she's such a sweetheart. I've been taking her for walks around our local forest and it's been so nice to get a good long walk even though my legs are killing  from the 30 Day Squat Challenge - anyone else braving this too?

This Week I've Been Listening to:

• Bastille's 'Pompeii' has been stuck in my head for days, hence the obvious title for this post.
• AlunaGeorge and their rendition of 'I Wanna Be Like You' - anyone who does a Jungle Book Cover is a winner in my books.

I've Been Watching: 

• Meg's (from Lips So Facto - check her out!) video on four ways to wear winged eye liner - an art I am yet to master sadly! 
• I've also been wearing my major envy face watching Zoe's vlog of her trip to Disney Land Orlando, I want to visit Harry Potter World SO BAD.

I've Been Reading: 

• Might have got oh-so-slightly engrossed in Kate's new project, Nouvelle Daily. Such a great concept and fantastic read, so easy and simple and great for lazy day reading.
• I have a new found blog love in the form of Little Winter - I am in love with the Little's cosy home, the photography and how cute are the little garden mushrooms in this post.
• Becky got me drooling over these adorable cookies in a cup - hands up who thinks Becky should open her own bakery already?!

What have you been up to this Easter Weekend?

Bloglovin'//Twitter//HelloCotton//Facebook

instagram: ohlittlered

Read More