A REFRESH

So it’s not the 1st of January and no New Year resolutions are in sight but I’m in need of a restart and a refresh. Nothing dramatic has happened to urge this restart but I’ve just grown bored of the same things, the same routine, the same feelings of boredom and frustration. This has felt like the longest winter and with snow only just stopped being forecasted I’m sick of being inside and the grey weather. I’m sure we’d all feel better if we just saw some sun and the beginning of Spring and hopefully a long hot Summer. This time last year I was heading to Asia with one backpack full of all my summer clothes to last me four months and my favourite person by my side. This year, however, seems slightly disappointing in comparison with rain still falling and gloomy Birmingham being my current home. It’s got me thinking was uni the right choice and should I swap modules for Mai Tai’s and Thai Islands. Of course when the weather is this depressing we look back on sunnier times and holidays so I can’t help but flick through my backpacking photos at 3am when I can’t sleep knowing I have to get up at 4:30am for work and then go to uni straight after. If you can’t already tell I’m feeling very doom and gloom but I know uni was the right choice and I love my course and backpacking couldn’t have lasted forever.

The whole point of this post, that I am trying to get to, is what to do when your feeling doom and gloom and nothing seems to be changing. One thing I’ve started to do is refresh my instagram as lately I’ve felt bored with social media and instagram especially when I used to love scrolling through instagram and posting pretty much every day. I thought almost restarting my account would be a good start, posting photos I wouldn’t usually post as I felt stuck in a format* and trying different layouts. Of course, a self-promo is to follow, so if you don’t follow my instagram it’s _caitdavies and I’d appreciate the follow seen as the instagram algorithm seems to be throwing everyone under the bus with me losing more followers than I’m gaining. 

I’ve recently just come off working nights thank the lord! Honestly, if you’re ever contemplating working nights for extra money while in uni don’t do it, I’d have rather starved. The only thing I was doing was working and then going to uni, I mean the main appeal of uni is the so-called social life it promises you. Now, however, I'm back on the lovely early morning shifts which I have never been so thankful to start work at 5:30am again. This means I actually get to do stuff like go out and drink and start going to the gym which I promised I would try harder to do which is easier said than done when your working from 11:30pm to 10:30am. But now there are no excuses and I need to get started on this ‘summer bod’ I promised I’d achieve! 

I’m someone who likes change and gets bored easily so when I can’t make drastic changes like moving house or escaping the British weather I like to make little changes like the instagram refresh. Although I’m hoping to dye my hair which is just a little drastic change for someone who’s never dyed their hair. Let’s hope the sun arrives soon and we get this Spring we’ve been told were meant to get and that I get a move on and get my arse in gear - wish me luck!

UNI PROJECT - FASHION COMMUNICATION

I thought I'd share a few images from my recent uni project because it was such a fun project and I loved working on this! The module was Visual Literacy and as part, of this we had to create and direct a photoshoot which I have never done before. It was so fun to work on and luckily I managed to get a great model and photographer and the photos turned out so well. I will link Connor's instagram down below (photographer), he's a great photographer and so easy to work with and definitely worth checking out his work! And of course, it helped that I had the lovely Hanna modelling for me as well. 

Connor's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connorgordonphoto/

Connor's website: https://connorgordonphoto.com/overview

NEONS & MIRRORS AT CADBURY'S WORLD

When it's grey, miserable and raining and your sister's up visiting what else do you do in Birmingham other than take a day trip to Cadbury's World! At £9 for a student ticket and free chocolate, why would I not go? I'd say the main attraction for us had to be the gift shop, you can buy as much chocolate in bulk as you like, who doesn't need 50 Freddo's?! I honestly had the funniest time, we ate chocolate all day and got to be as childish as we liked. I definitely need to do more days like this, it just makes a change to the usual trip into the town centre of Birmingham. Sometimes I struggle to think of things to do here just because I live in the centre so my first thought is to just go into town. But it gets so boring and too busy and I definitely don't have enough patience to deal with swarms of people for more than two hours max. 

If anyone knows of any interesting things going on in Birmingham do let me know because there's only so many times you can visit the Bullring and it be interesting. Also a round of applause to Cadbury's World for providing the best photo opportunities with all the mirrors and neons, of course, me and my sister took advantage of this and be sure to keep an eye out for a Cadbury's World Instagram coming very soon.

OUTFIT:
Kiss Sweatshirt - Cow Vintage
Jeans - BDG, Urban Outfitters
Slip On Vans
Sunglasses - Primark

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS AND NEW FAVOURITES

I was definitely spoilt over Christmas and was lucky enough to receive some lovely presents and some products that have been on my wishlist for so long. I'll start with my new favourite which is the Jo Malone perfume in the Peony and Blush Suede scent. I love this scent so much and have already burnt up my candle in this scent, I was lucky enough to get this in the full size so this shouldn't be running out anytime soon. Jo Malone will always be on my wishlist because all of their scents are so dreamy!

My next new favourite are these Missoma gold lightning bolt charm hoops. These are so cute and so worth the price tag. They're such great quality and I definitely need to build up a collection. I also got one of the individual lightning bolt studs which is again so cute. The individual studs are great if you have a lot of ear piercings and I love changing them up and not wearing matching studs so these are great for me!

A new makeup favourite is the Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder in Translucent, I finally got my hands on this and I'm so happy I did. I love this product and don't know why I didn't get this sooner. It helps keep my face and makeup from going shniy throughout the day and I love the finish on this. The only downside I would say is the packaging because it's just so bulky so I don't tend to carry this with me but other than that it's definitely worth the hype.

I had to of course mention Suitcase magazine especially as I use it's lovely cover as a background. I'm pretty sure I mention Suitcase magazine in every favourite post, but I just can't not when the photography and flatlays are that beautiful.

Keep up to date with my posts through my instagram: _caitdavies ! 

Links:

Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede Perfume

Missoma Small gold hoops with lightning bolt charms

Missoma Individual Lightning Bolt stud

Suitcase Magazine

Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder

NEW YEAR, NEW ME?

Typically you know with it being the New Year and whatever we tend to make resolutions that personally I have never stuck too...so with the title of this blog being the cringy typical saying of this time of year, is New Year, New Me I thought I'd talk through some of the changes I want to make this year, I realise I'm saying this at pretty much the end of January but it's never too late to start. Of course, I have resolutions and goals I would like to reach this year like every other person on this planet but more reachable goals unlike to become a millionaire which being a student and unless I win the lottery is really not going to happen anytime soon. My first resolution is to become healthier and just to generally look after myself a little bit better. I don't want to lose a massive amount of weight or anything but to just tone and get in shape and to more specifically become more confident in myself and to especially gain some body confidence. I mean doesn't everyone, anyone with any tips for body confidence please throw them my way. I've recently actually started to enjoy going to the gym and it makes me feel productive so that's definitely something I want to do more and of course drink more water blah blah blah...This will most likely be a typical resolution post that you will see everywhere but yes apparently drinking water is good for you, who knew?! 

Going along with this post I'd like to start blogging more often which is something I have continued to say and never really acted on it, so this year is the year! I enjoy writing more personal blog posts but is anyone really reading, but I guess there's less pressure with that. I want to be a little more relaxed about blogging, I think I've always got an idea of what it's meant to be and can't live up to that. I really enjoy reading more personal almost diary-like blog posts so that is definitely something I want to start doing, so look forward to rambling never-ending posts.

I'd like to go traveling again at some point soon even if that's only a weekend city break away in Europe. After backpacking for four months I've definitely got the travel bug so anywhere is great with me! So far I've booked a trip to Amsterdam in the summer so that's a good start if any of you have been to Amsterdam and have some favorite spots let me know! I'd love to go to Paris again, and of course about 50 other places so fingers crossed I can tick another place off my list this year. 

Look forward to some more posts soon!

2017 FAVOURITES ROUND UP

I've been strict on myself for last years favourites and given myself 3 favourites for each section, and how mental is that to say, 'last years favourites'! This has been the slowest and the fastest year as well as the worst and the best year. I'll jump straight in with my favourites for 2017 and start with the palette that dreams are made of, the Urban Decay Naked Heat palette! I felt like I'd been waiting for so long for the perfect warm toned palette to come out with plenty of red and oranges with shimmers I could smear all over my eyelids and of course, Urban Decay delivered. There was no doubt I was getting my hands on this palette, I still wear this all the time and its the main palette I reach for and haven't felt like I need another eyeshadow palette anytime soon. If you haven't already got this where have you been and why haven't you got this, it's such a gorgeous palette and I will continue to reach for it throughout 2018! 

I had to include a lipstick in my 2017 favourites and it was a tough one to pick but I had to go with this Mac matte lipstick in the shade Kind of Sexy. I don't realise how often I reach for this lipstick, it's my go-to trusty lipstick and it never fails! I love this pink nude shade and it's so perfect for every occasion and doesn't dry my lips out even though it is a matte lipstick. I'm sure this will continue to be a favourite of mine throughout 2018 as well! For my last beauty favourite, I thought I'd go with a perfume, I have loved other makeup products but there's not a firm yearly favourite to pick out so I've chosen to include my favourite perfume of the year which has been my Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir perfume. I love Jo Malone and the scents she comes up with are amazing! I've sadly used up all of my perfume of this scent, in all fairness it was the smaller bottle so of course next time I'm obviously picking up the bigger bottle. I did ask for another scent for Christmas and this time I've chosen the Peony and Blush Suede scent, which I'm certain you'll see in a favourites post soon. 

My first skincare favourite, of course, is the Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser and again this was on my Christmas list for 2017 and in the Christmas scent obviously. I love how gentle this cleanser is on my skin but at the same time clearly makes a difference on my skin for the better. I don't use this every day because of my eczema but use it most of the time and reach for it over any other cleanser. I'd definitely recommend this if your struggling to find a cleanser that works for you and if you can get your hands on the Christmas scent it's even better! My last two skincare favourites have to be Glossier favourites, 2017 was the great year that Glossier finally came to the UK! My first Glossier favourite if you haven't guessed is the Rich Priming Moisturiser. I love the feel of this on my skin and the barely there scent, a little goes a long way. So even with this product being £29, you won't have to stock up anytime soon. The only reason I look forward to taking my makeup off is to use this moisturiser at the end! My final skincare and Glossier favourite are the Balm Dotcom in the Birthday Cake scent. I had to mention this as this product helps my chapped lips so much as well as it is a universal balm. I have my eye on the set of 3 Balm Dotcom's and need to get my hands on the coconut scent.

My first home favourite is the Diptyque Vanille candle, I love Diptyque candles in general but honestly, this scent has to be my favourite. How can you go wrong with a vanilla scented candle? This fills my room with the warm scent of vanilla and a slight hint of cinnamon and nothing is better than this in winter. I'm running low and it's getting close to that time where I convince myself to buy another Diptyque candle rather than eat for a few days...oh the joy of student life. Studying the course I do I'm lucky enough to have an educational purpose to spending lots of money on lovely expensive magazines, and the one I always opt for is Suitcase Magazine. This magazine just makes me want to up and leave my uni room and travel pretty much anywhere, the photography is amazing and follows with such lovely persuasive words. I love the flat lays they always include lovely expensive beauty and skincare products, this magazine is pretty much 'insta and life goals'! 

I want to do a sort of New Year's resolution post so keep an eye out for that!

Beauty:
Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette
Mac Kind of Sexy matte lipstick
Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir perfume

Skincare:
Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser
Glossier Rich Priming Moisturiser
Glossier Balm Dotcom

Home:
Diptyque Vanille Candle
Suitcase Magazine

BACK IN LONDON FOR CHRISTMAS

I love London but especially at this time of year because of how festive it is with all the beautiful lights adorning every street. The main reason behind getting my arse on a Megabus for four hours was to go to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. I mean Cardiff has one but it's nothing compared to the size of London's Winter Wonderland! But of course our first stop was to a cake shop and surprisingly I've never been to Peggy Porschen Cakes so where else was I going to stop first! We managed to time it right and it wasn't completely jam-packed, so we managed to get our photo op outside the beautiful shop front. 

It's such a lovely cake shop, and in the perfect spot if you're just coming off the train or bus in Victoria or heading back to Victoria. Of course getting off the bus at 9:30 we headed straight there to get some well-deserved cake for breakfast!

A pit stop for lunch was a must especially after wandering around all morning in the cold! We headed for the warmth of Zizzi's and may have forgotten it was the last Friday before Christmas but we luckily managed to get a table as well as a free festive glass of Prosecco!

I love this time of year as you can layer up and get all cosy not to mention all the shops packed with winter clothes and Christmas gift sets. We didn't travel four hours to London and forget to pay a visit to Oxford Street and Carnarby. For once Liberty and Topshop weren't the main attractions but the amazing lights that filled the sky! 

We may have timed Winter Wonderland a little too late as we didn't realise quite how big it was! The queues were huge not to mention the several different gates just to enter. But once we finally got in it was well worth it, and we didn't know where to start. Although the rides are slightly extortionate to ride they are great fun and reminded me of being younger when the fair was in town! I definitely have to do this every year, and to remember not to eat before going on the Waltzers!

It's already 2018 and I seriously need to get my arse into gear with blogging more often, so if anyone has any tips or posts they'd like to see, a comment is always welcome!