Lifestyle

January Favourites

Hollie EdmeadesLeave a comment

I love a favourites post. So many products and trends get spoken about online so I feel like a favourites post is the best way to see what people really love, not just what they tried once and liked at the time. This is unlikely to be a monthly thing because I wouldn’t want to force it, but when I have that epiphany and things naturally stand out as something I’ve been loving that’s when I know a favourites is overdue. I hope you like these kinds of posts as much as I do, and keep on reading to see what I’ve been loving this month.

VIEVE

My VIEVE collection

I did a whole post on VIEVE if you’d like to read my in depth thoughts on the brand, but spoiler alert: I love it. I think the standout product for me are the Modern Matte Lipsticks but I’m always surprised at how often I use the Essentials Palette. It’s just so versatile and even a super quick everyday eye looks finished and curated even when I only use two shades. VIEVE have just announced that they are releasing some blushes next month and I’m both insanely excited and terrified for my bank account.

Nabla Cupid’s Arrow Liners

Nabla Cupid’s Arrow Eyeliner

I’ve needed new pencil eyeliners for a long time so when I heard about the Cupid’s Arrow range from Nabla I thought “why not?”. I bought the shades arrow 2 (brown) and arrow 4 (black) and I really like them, they’re a perfect balance between creamy and long lasting, They are some of the softest pencil liners I have ever used but seem to last a long time in my waterline and certainly don’t make me look like a panda by the end of the day. I’ve heard good things about Nabla so I’d like to try out some more things from the brand soon!

Monki High Neck Jumper

Monki High Neck Jumper, Hollister Check Trousers

This is not a new piece in my wardrobe but one I’ve been reaching for again and again this month. I’ve been actually getting up and dressed virtually everyday working from home this month, I wrote a whole post about this recently if you want to know my how I got on, and this Monki jumper has been a staple for me. I am obsessed with the colour, it’s that perfect neutral tone that doesn’t wash me out which is such a blessing! It also goes with everything: I can wear it with all of my skirts and trousers as well as under little pinafore dresses. Kind of a sneak attack favourite and not something I ever thought I would be gushing over when I bought it, a practical purchase that has turned into something I don’t want to be without – the dream!

6 Minute Diary

6 Minute Diary

I found the 6 minute diary on Amazon whilst looking for some kind of gratitude diary. I should start by saying that I am not into manifesting or The Secret, I just can’t get on board with it but I do love the first part of that philosophy which says that thinking positively is a helpful habit. I don’t believe that thinking about my dream house or car or career will make it happen, but I do believe that thinking about it will make me happier than dwelling on the negative would. When I saw the 6 minute diary I thought it would be a great aid, particularly as you use it first thing the morning and last thing at night meaning that I should start and end my day on a positive note, no matter how lockdowny my day has been. The diary definitely forces me to think of the good rather than the bad, which during lockdown can easier said than done!

The Mandalorian

The Mandalorian on Disney+

I’ve been watching The Mandalorian with my boyfriend via Teleparty (previously Netflix Party) over these past few weeks and I had no idea how much I was going to like this show. I have seen all the start wars films but I’m still not super knowledgable on it so I wasn’t sure how much I would like The Mandalorian, but there’s so much to love about it. The show looks amazing visually and I always get lost in the episodes which is so important for me. The writing is also fantastic, it never feels convoluted and I’m never questioning the decisions made by the characters. The casting and acting is superb, and Baby Yoda is a genuinely incredible addition to my life. I felt like such a basic bitch when I fell in love with him but I actually cannot contain myself when he is on screen, I make these weird squeaks and I gasp anytime something mildly perilous happens near him. My boyfriend actually sent me a stuffed Baby Yoda and he sits on my desk when I work from home, he’s just so cute. I’m nearly done with season 2 and I’m actually getting a bit sad about it 😦 clearly I could go on and on, so yeah it’s a favourite!

My blog

I’m really enjoying getting back into writing again, it’s undoubtedly giving me something to do and occupy myself with which is welcome right now! I’ve always said to myself that my blog is something that is there for me when I need it, I try to not feel guilty when I don’t post on it for months because I started it for me so if I haven’t got time to write I’m not going to force myself! But at the moment I am making time for it and loving it.

I hope you enjoyed that post (which mainly ended up being about Baby Yoda, no regrets) and if you did it would be great if you stuck around and subscribed and followed my Instagram – I’m trying to do some reels and it’s going…. interestingly..? Also if you have anything you’ve been loving this month definitely let me know!

I wore office attire working from home everyday for a week: did it make a difference?

Hollie Edmeades1 Comment

I feel like there’s two types of people in the world. The first type gets dressed like they’re running into every manager that’s ever sacked them and ex partner they’ve ever had, even when their day consists only of a supermarket trip. The second type (hi, nice to meet you) puts joy and comfort above all. That means that when staying in the house they’re wearing tracksuits and that hoodie we all have that’s been around for so long that it’s near enough moulded to the shape of our torsos. And with this comes the conundrum of the work from home outfit.

I will be working from home for the foreseeable future so I’ll be toeing the line between ‘workwear’ and ‘I haven’t left the house in three days’ wear. My happy compromise is usually the Zoom outfit: that is of course a suitable top – ranging from a nice plain t shirt to a shirt – and the comfiest trousers I can find. Sometimes I go the extra mile – in both directions – and put on a full face of makeup and fuzzy socks and slippers.

Anyone who does get dressed like they’re going into the office always swears by it; “I just can’t get into the right frame of mind if I’m not in my work clothes” “how can you work in your pyjamas?”. So I decided I would test it myself. Would wearing human clothes make a difference? Or do the pyjama gang have it all figured out?

Monday

& Other Stories Mock Neck Jumper in Pink, ASOS Design Leather Look Leggings, UGG Slippers

I felt kinda sluggish on Monday, so comfy and warm was on the agenda. I got this jumper for Christmas and was super excited to wear it, and if my morning cup of tea wouldn’t wake me up that colour certainly would! I really wasn’t sure about this jumper when I first got it but wearing it throughout the day only made it grow on me. These leggings are also a great compromise between looking put together and being comfy. Day one: success!

Tuesday

Stradivarius Pearl White Jumper, River Island Trousers, UGG Slippers

On Tuesday I went for a classic work outfit for me. This is definitely comfier than it looks because these trousers have a nice amount of stretch to them but they still look structured. This jumper also kept me nice and warm when I went out for my walk, it’s been so cold recently I needed all the help I can get!

Wednesday

& Other Stories Dress, UGG Slippers

Still not sure I’m over this dress yet! I got this dress for Christmas and was fed up of waiting to wear it so I threw it on at home. When I first put it on I wondered if I looked a little too Little House on the Prairie but again it grew on my all day. Good job it goes with my slippers too! (the wfh staple we all need and none of us deserve)

Thursday

Stradivarius Dress, ASOS Design Cardigan, UGG Slippers

I honestly did not want to get out of bed on Thursday, so I felt pretty good about getting dressed! I really did not know what to wear so I just pulled out this old dress from Stradivarius because I know I can’t go wrong with it. It’s probably not a favourite of mine anymore and I didn’t feel amazing in it but it’s good to throw on when I’m standing in front of my wardrobe questioning all of my life choices. The cardigan went on when I got cold and just never came off, not a curated look!

Friday

Monki Jumper, Hollister Check Trousers

I went into the office in Friday for the first time this year so I wanted to wear something I felt good in. I went for some little green heeled boots, these check trousers and neutral Monki jumper, even though I was actually on my feet for most of the day… the boots were worth it (I think).

So how did it go? The main thing I noticed was that I was sitting in a much better posture at my desk. I was less tempted sit like a pretzel because I didn’t want to knee my trousers and I basically acted like I was at work rather than sat in my bedroom! I’m not sure if I necessarily worked any better but I did sit better and my back is thankful for that at least. I also put a full face of makeup on everyday because it felt wrong and a bit like cheating to wear proper clothes with a bare face. This absolutely helped me get into the right mindset to work but the main thing that I notice was that it marked the end of the day for me when I took my makeup off ready for a nice hot bath.

My favourite outfit of the week was definitely Wednesday; LOVE that dress! Although a sneak attack favourite was definitely Monday’s pink jumper – & Other Stories are killing it. I also fell back in love with Friday’s Monki jumper which was a nice surprise. It goes without saying, but the slippers were the true hero of the week. People who say that UGG slippers are the best really are not lying, worth every penny!

Overall, I think this did teach me the value in putting on my work ‘uniform’ rather than sitting in tracksuits, but will I do it everyday..? I hope the answer is yes but I’ll have to see how long I keep it up before gravitating towards the cosies again. One thing is for sure: I will be trying to incorporate the slippers into all outfits from now on.

My 2020 Favourites

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It feels like I’ve broadened my horizons over this last year. I think I’ve shaken it up in many areas including but not limited to my makeup routine, my skin care routine (see: actually trying to have one and my clothing. A lot of these came quite late in the year but they’ve made such an impact that I couldn’t not mention them. This is a bit of an eclectic post, featuring single products and longer term changes, thoughts on last year and what I hope to continue for 2021, but I hope there is something in here for everyone.

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless filter

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter

I’ve heard so many influencers and makeup artists talk about Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter but it was only after seeing Jamie Genevieve use it that I realised how much I needed it. The reason it’s a must-have for me? I haven’t worn foundation since I started using this product. It is not a foundation substitute, there is no coverage it just has a very light tint that evens out your skin tone a little and makes you look glowy. I love it because it wears so nicely throughout the day and gives my cheek products something to hold onto so they stay on for longer – I always feel like they fade so quickly without some kind of base to hang onto! Bottom line: it’s worth the price tag for me.

Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Ritz

Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Ritz

I’ve loved Ritz since the day I got it. It’s such a low maintenance but high impact product that makes getting ready in the morning so much easier. This product has given me an answer to that question I ask myself every morning I haven’t quite engaged my brain: “What am I going to do with my eyes today?”. It’s quick and easy to apply and goes with almost everything. I can also layer it on to get something really impactful or add just a touch on a no-makeup makeup day. See my full review on Ritz and Colourpop as a whole here.

My fringe

So I technically got my fringe cut in at the very end of 2019 but I feel like she’s really come into her own in 2020 (it might sound odd that I refer to my fringe as a separate entity but if you saw what she looks like when I wake up in the morning you would be doing the same). Having a fringe totally changes the way my face looks, and I know that’s not groundbreaking but it’s interesting when it’s your face! I also feel like just wetting and blowdrying it in the morning makes me look so put together, equally if it’s greasy af then I can look a shambles! I kept trimming during the first lockdown but by June I was almost ready to let her go, but she’s had a resurgence and I’m loving it.

Skincare

Trying to have an actual skincare routine has totally changed my skin. I’ve tried to do a little bit more research last year into what makes a good skincare routine and the thing that has really stuck for me is double cleansing. Any day I wear makeup I use an oil cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser to try and get all of the makeup off. I’ve also been experimenting with active ingredients like AHAs and BHAs as well as Vitamin C, but I’m still working on getting the balance right. I have a long way to go in this area but I’m excited to learn more this year, my skincare wishlist is long!

My attitude towards clothes

My style has changed every year since I was about 18. It’s partially trend lead but also depends on who I’m seeing on my Instagram feed and what I’m doing at the time. This year I swung away from the super girly stuff and looked for different structures and silhouettes, I dabbled in the puffy sleeve and I don’t think I’ve worn skinny jeans all year (certainly a positive change). Where do I stand now? At the moment comfort is King but feeling good in what I wear is Queen, and sometimes she wears the trousers (pun not intended but definitely appreciated). A great example of that compromise is one of my typical work outfits: a skirt, jumper and boots with a chunky heel – comfortable but I feel confident.

Getting stuck in in the kitchen

Lemon Cheesecake

I’ve tried to do more in the kitchen over the last year but the lockdown in March really got me into cooking and baking. I’ve made curries, pizzas, chillis and pastry dishes as well as baked cakes, brownies, more cookies than I can count (not more than I can eat of course) and have a pretty good bread recipe in my repertoire. One of my favourite bakes has been these amazing lemon and blueberry oat bars, they’re similar to flapjacks but are light and flluffy. They’re not too bad for you in the grand scheme of things but still taste amazing with a cup of tea in the morning!

One of the main things I love baking and cooking for is when I’m feeling in a bit of a funk. It gives me something to busy myself with, it’s enjoyable, it feels productive and I (usually) get something tasty at the end of it. I’m writing this with a stomach full of homemade pizza and a slice of lemon cheesecake in my hands, so all in all a very positive change and something I want to continue to work on this year.

Exercise

I’ve always had an inconsistent exercise routine. I suppose routine is a strong word for going to the gym 4 times a week for a month, then not at all for 6 weeks, then everyday for 3 weeks, then not at all, the- you get the picture…

When lockdown hit I started running again with the help of Couch to 5K – which I cannot recommend enough as a side note! I’ve done it twice now and think it’s the best thing to get you running from a standing start. My mum and I did the programme and vowed to continue once it was done – long story short we haven’t… But we’re going again now! The best way for me to sum up running for me is that although I might not love it whilst I’m going, I almost always feel better when I come back than when I left. I was also really looking forward to getting into some classes at the gym this year but that clearly won’t be happening for a while yet.

I would also love to get into yoga and I’m going to try again this year (she says optimistically less than a week into 2021). My main issue is that I’m entirely inflexible and therefore pretty rubbish at yoga. Additionally, getting more flexible and better at yoga is a slow process so it’s hard to see the changes. This all explains why I’ve never done it for longer than a week or two in the past! I tried a few times to get into it in 2020 and it never stuck, but hopefully the fact that I will be working from home for the foreseeable future will give me time to really give it a go. Place your bets as to whether or not I’ll be saying exactly the same thing next year…

Is there anything you loved in 2020? Or any changes that you’re hoping to carry forward into the New Year?

What I got for my 21st birthday

Hollie EdmeadesLeave a comment

It’s fair to say that 6 months ago I didn’t think we would be housebound for my 21st birthday. I was planning on going on a night out, having cocktails, going out for dinner maybe, but instead of that the BBQ we had at home was a lot of fun and a really nice way to spend the day. I was very lucky this year (like every year) and got treated to some really nice bits from my family which I thought I would share.

You can also read my post from last year here!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Palette

The first thing I got was the ABH Soft Glam Palette. I was super excited to try this out as I love the colour story and really enjoy the Anastasia formula. Safe to say it has not disappointed! The reason I’ve been loving this is because it’s super easy to get a nice natural look by throwing a few browns in the crease, but the shimmers are super metallic and really take any look from 0 to 100!

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Luminous Bronze Light

Another bit of makeup, I’ve always wanted to try something from Hourglass because I’ve heard so much about their powder formula. I got this Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Luminous Bronze Light in a little travel size because it always seems to take me forever to get through bronzers! I really like this one because it doesn’t look powdery on the skin and gives a nice summery glow without leaving glitter all over my face.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask

I’ve been getting more and more into skincare so I really wanted to try out Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask. It has some active ingredients and acids that work overnight to smooth and hydrate your skin and having used it a few times that’s definitely how my skin feels in the morning! My skin is nice and glowy and smooth the day after I use it and even though the acids aren’t too strong I make sure only use this once a week so as to not overload my skin.

Bose SoundSport Free wireless headphones

I was so excited to open these! Until my birthday I was the only pleb left in my house with wired headphones and after trying my parents’ out I decided I’d like a pair of Bose SoundSport headphones over AirPods. The great thing about these is that they twist and fit into your ear so they’re much less likely to fall out, which is was put me off AirPods – the thought of losing something that small and that expensive made me too nervous! So far I’ve used these walking the dog and going for a run and they’ve been fab.

& Other Stories Floral Mini Dress

I loved this dress when I found it online and loved it even more when I tried it on! This & Other Stories Floral Mini Dress falls beautifully on the hanger and looks even better on. It’s a perfect fit and such a simple summer dress that could be worn anywhere. The quality of this is fantastic and although its not the cheapest its amazing value for money for the quality, I’ll definitely be looking at some more bits from & Other Stories!

ASOS DESIGN hair clip in layered leaf design in gold tone
ASOS Design hair clip in layered leaf design in gold tone

My sister surprised me with some really cute hair bits from ASOS. The first was this gorgeous gold layered leaf hair clip which I’ve worn a few times and haven’t had any issues with it sliding out of my hair which is fantastic. She also got me a deep red velvet knot front headband which is really lovely, I can’t wait to wear it!

Fitbit Inspire Stainless Steel Mesh Strap in Rose Gold

Another really great present was this rose gold strap I got for my Fitbit. I wear my Fitbit Inspire HR everyday and I used to have a rubber black strap, which was comfortable but looked very clunky on my wrist. This new strap is really nice and slim and doesn’t look out of place when I’m a little dressed up.

Zara Floral Printed Top
Zara Flat Leather Sandals with Pearls

Finally I bought a little something for myself because if you can’t treat yourself on your birthday then when can you? That’s what I told myself anyway! I popped onto Zara and bought this gorgeous floral printed top, it’s amazing quality and such a nice fit with a super flattering neckline. I also picked up these stunning flat leather sandals with pearls because I’ve been looking for some comfortable flats that I can dress up or down. These definitely fit the bill and are super comfortable which is the most important thing. I actually wore both of these new pieces on my birthday!

A little late this year but I really enjoyed writing this post. Also this way I got to try out some of my presents so I could write about them in greater detail! I had such a nice day, even if it was in lockdown! Here’s hoping I can leave the house when I’m feeling 22.

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My Festive Favourites

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Happy 1st December! I’ve seen so many people do some form of Blogmas and this year I wanted to get involved. Basically, I’m just going to try and post way more often this month in the run up to Christmas to get us in the festive mood. I thought it would be a nice challenge for myself and be interesting for me to see how much I actually can write about in such a short space of time! And what better way to start than by talking all about my favourite things about the festive season.

Allll the festive music

Some people hate this about Christmas, but I love hearing Christmas music in all the shops this time of year! Christmas music puts me in such a good mood so why wouldn’t I want to hear it everywhere? I’ll never get tired of hearing Michael Bublé everywhere I go this December!

Cute Christmas Films

I’ve already been to see Last Christmas (Emelia Clarke, Emma Thompson and a George Michael soundtrack? Yes please!) and it was so cute! I had such Faith in it (sorry I had to) after seeing the trailers and it did not disappoint. Next on my list to watch are the Grinch and my favourite festive film ever, Love Actually.

Cozy vibes every evening

The only positive of living in a freezing cold student house: snuggling down under blankets for warmth! Getting cozy with candles, blankets and a nice hot drink is bliss after being outside in the freezing cold, maybe even whilst watching a nice Christmas film..? Sounds perfect to me.

The “it’s Christmas” line

We all use this excuse for everything and anything this time of year, and I’m all for it. Chocolate? Its Christmas. Wine? Its Christmas. Going out for dinner when you’ve got plenty of food in the fridge? Its Christmas. Buying unnecessary new things? Its Christmas! It really is the most wonderful time of the year.

I hope you enjoyed reading about my favourite things about this time of year and that you’re as excited for the next month as I am! If you did enjoy this post then I’d really appreciate it if you could like and share it and subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss a thing!

Hollie x

Travel Blogs: Once Upon A Time In Hollywood

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I’ve been fortunate enough to go to California for two weeks with my boyfriend and his family, first stop on our trip around the golden state was Hollywood. I really wasn’t sure what to expect but safe to say I loved every second of our stay at the home of cinema.

We flew into LAX at around 6pm local time and headed straight for the Loews Hotel, right around the corner from the Dolby Theatre: home of the Oscars! After falling straight into bed that evening we got up the next day ready for our whistle-stop tour of Hollywood.

We had a private tour booked where a tour guide took us in a car round Hollywood, Beverly Hills and of course pointing out celebrity homes along the way! Some of our favourite celebrity palaces we tried to peek at belong to Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, and the home of the late Avicci. My favourite part of the tour was a trip up as close as we could legally get to the Hollywood Sign, so iconic.

After lunch and a cheeky trip to Sephora for some sheet masks (aka: essentials) we had a tour round the Dolby Theatre and got told the story of Oscars night. Along our tour we found out that each Oscar is made from a copper core and twice dipped in 24K gold… they really are as heavy as they look!

Our second and final full day in Hollywood was spent on a VIP Experience at Universal City Hollywood. In the morning we had a tour around the sound stages and the backlots, some of which were active filming locations! This was definitely my favourite thing we’ve done so far as we were able to get out of the cars and walk on the sets. We saw the set for War of the Worlds with Tom Cruise, the City Hall Square from Back to the Future, their very own New York Street, parts of which have featured in shows like Brooklyn 99 and How I Met Your Mother, and finally my personal favourite we saw the outdoor set for The Good Place (I may or may not have had a minor fangirl moment when the guide said she’d seen D’arcy Carden) (I definitely did).

The afternoon was spent with VIP tour guide Jeff taking us round the theme park taking us on almost all the rides, my favourites were Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Revenge of the Mummy. Another highlight of the day was when I got pulled out in Olivanders to take part in the wand choosing ceremony, my wand was made of ivy. The Holly(ie) and the Ivy..? I liked the coincidence anyway!

All in all a very successful and memorable trip to Hollywood, I think you’ll agree! If you liked this post please like, share and subscribe to see more and follow me on Instagram to see some more photos from my trip.

Hollie x

My favourite things about Southampton

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I have been a student at the University of Southampton for two years now (where has the time gone!) and in that time I’ve come to love the city I live in for half the year. I wanted to write a post on my favourite things about Southampton from the perspective of a student not only for any prospective students but for anyone looking to visit the city. Keep on reading to see my favourite things about Southampton.

The university campus

I visited a few different universities in preparation for applying to uni and over the past couple of years with visiting friends and I’ve not seen a nicer campus than the Univeristy of Southampton. Highfield campus, the main campus, is modern and well equiped for lectures but it’s still beautiful and not overcrowded with towering buildings. Walking through campus is a joy, the areas of grass to sit on and the little stream make it difficult to be in a bad mood, even when I’m inundated with essays and exams!

The nightlife

One of the things that seems to set Southampton apart from other university cities is the variety of nightlife, from bars and pubs to clubs there’s something for everyone! One of my favourite places for drinks with friends is Wild Lime in Portswood, just down the road from Trago Lounge a cafe and bar that’s just as lovely for coffee and brunch as it is for evening drinks. One of the best student nights is Karaoke at Stags on campus, it gets super busy super fast so better head in straight after your 4pm lecture to get a seat! With cheap drinks and a buzy atmosphere Stags is a great place for a drink with friends anytime.

There are so so many clubs in Southampton so there’s definitely something for everyone. Everyone loves a night at Oceana, of course we head straight to the cheese room for some what I like to refer to as year six disco classics mixed in with some ABBA and not forgetting a Grease medley at the end of the night! I’ve also heard great things about Popworld and The Edge, they’re two of the places that nearly always come up when I’m asking where to go for the best night out. But the crown jewel in Southampton’s nightlife has to be Jesters, she might not look as swanky as Oceana but I’ve had some of my best nights at Jesters. There’s one mystery I just can’t solve about Jesters though, Southampton students help me out, what do they put in a Jesticle?! All of their signature cocktails are equally as confusing but we’ll keep ordering them!

Places to meet friends

If going out until 3am isn’t your thing, Southampton has some really lovely coffee houses and eateries to meet friends instead. I’ve already mentioned Trago Lounge is great for both daytime eating and evening drinking and another similar option is The Bridge. Located in the Union Building on campus, it’s another great place to chat, laugh and cry over essays (only sometimes!). Although we love a good Costa and Starbucks, Coffee#1 on Portswood high street is my favourite coffee house. I love the atmosphere in there whether I’m relaxing or furiously writing last minute essays (it happens more often than I care to admit..).

The layout of the city

I really like that the campus sits slightly outside of the city centre, it means I can keep my uni work and my social life separate where I can. It’s much nicer to walk home from lectures and put my work out of my mind when I need to. The house I rent sits bang in the middle of the city centre and the university so I’ve got good access to both my lectures and Westquay shopping centre, just how I like it!

Transport links

This might sound like a weird one, but with a spread out city a good bus service is vital! I got a free year long pass for the Unilink buses in my first year because I was living in halls and it was a lifesaver when I was running out the door for a lecture. Not only that but both Southampton Central and Southampton Airport train stations were really convenient whether I was going all the way to Plymouth or heading home for the weekend. Good transport links might seen strange to single out but you don’t know what you’ve got until its gone!

That rounds up my favourite things about Southampton as a student, I hope it was helpful to any prospective students or any visitors! If you liked this post please like, share and subscribe and follow me on instagram to see when I post first.

Hollie x

How to get the most from your money: saving money

Hollie EdmeadesLeave a comment

I’m lucky as a student in that money isn’t something that causes me real worry and stress, however I still try and make it last as long as I can and with saving for holidays this summer I’m trying my best to save where I can! Below is my list of the best ways to try and save a little money here and there.

Disclaimer: I definitely don’t scrimp and save every penny I have and definitely shop unnecessarily, for example going shopping “because I’m bored” is not a foreign concept to me. What I’m talking about here is realistic and easy ways to save some money when I am spending and trying to make my money go as far as I can, just fyi!

Get a seperate savings account

This might sound strange, but the first thing I’d say you NEED is a seperate savings account. Without that you have no where safe to store any money you take from your main account to prevent you from spending it. Trust me it makes such a difference!

Take a certain amount of money from your account each month

This one is simple, but so easy and effective. As I’ve been starting to save for my holiday I’ve been taking out about £20 per month so that I just won’t spend it. It has shocked me how easy this has been because even if I have overspent a little that month I’ve never thought “oh if only I had that £20”. It’s such an easy way of saving and I’m definitely going to continue next year.

1p Savings Challenge

The premis is very simple, you take 1p and save it on day one, 2p on day two and so on for 365 days and at the end of that year you manage to save a huge £667.95. I only saw this one very recently but it caught my eye and I started immediately, it sounded so easy and doable that I had to give it a go. The first few weeks are obviously far easier than the latter weeks but even if I don’t manage to make it all the way to the end I’ll still manage to save a little along the way! You can see how it works in more detail here.

Student Discounts

Far and away one of the top perks of being a student is the student discounts which I believe are eligable to those over 16 and in full time education, that includes you sixth form students! They’ve help me save so much money over the past 4 years and most of the websites are free to sign up to. Anyone who tells me they “just don’t use them” blows my mind because they are literally FREE. FREE. FREE and you can get up to 40% at certain restuarants as well at 10% off all year round at places like ASOS, Superdrug, Boots and even discounts from Apple, Hp and Microsoft. If I haven’t convinced you now I don’t know what will, all I can tell you is it will be a sad sad day in the Edmeades house when my student status expires.. it makes me very popular with my parents when I manage to get us money off when we’re eating out!

Some of the best sites that I’ve used include Unidays and Student Beans. Both of these sites are very similar in that you sign up with a personal email address and enter your school/university/college email address to verify that you are a student. After that you simply set up you ID with your name, date of birth and a picture of yourself and you’re good to go. These discounts can be used both online and in store and I never really go anywhere without checking for a discount! You can sign up for Unidays here and Student Beans here.

Another great option is the TOTUM Card which is run by NUS Extra. I used to have one of these when I was at school but unfortunately my university is not associated with NUS and therefore I can’t get one anymore 😦 this one is different because you do have to pay for it but it carries great discounts so the card will pay for itself in no time. I would really recommend signing up to as many sites as possible because whilst some discounts are carried across multiple sites they all offer some slightly different ones and you never know what you’ll need! You can check it out here and see if your institution is eligable.

Other discount websites

As great as student discounts are, the more general websites can also be worht checking out. I am signed up to both VoucherCodes and vouchercloud which I always check especially when I’m eating out. They work very similarly to the two student discount websites I talked about earlier, they’re free to sign up to and give you discounts both in store and online. I always try and look for discounts where I can because its literally only takes a minute and if I don’t find one then its no problem, nothing to lose by having a check! You can check out VoucherCodes here and vouchercloud here.

Railcards

I use the trains a lot and have saved incredible amounts of money by using my 16-25 railcard. There are a range of railcards available and almost everyone will be eligable for at least one of them! Most of them cost around £30 a year (and with a student discount you can get money off buying your 16-25 railcard!) and give you a third off your train fare. These cards pay themselves off so fast, for example everytime I travel to and from Plymouth to see my boyfriend I save about £20, so all I need to do is buy at least two sets of tickets (which I would be doing anyway) and the card has paid for itself. With a bit of quick (and probably slightly dodgy) maths I think I’ve saved about £300 a year since I’ve been at uni, literally ten times the amount it cost me to buy it in the first place. The best thing about this card is that you don’t have to spend extra unnecessary money to make it worthwhile, most people who own these cards use the trains frequently so they genuinely help you save money rather than coaxing you into spending where you otherwise wouldn’t, safe to say I’m a fan! You can see all the railcards available and choose which is right for you here.

Loyalty cards

This one might sound weird in terms of saving you money but hear me out! I tend to sign up for loyalty cards anywhere I know I’ll be a repeat customer because I don’t see any reason not to. They all work differently, but most allow you to build up points which you can then spend to save some money later on. I know there is the idea that they make you spend more money because you think more about the points you gain than the money you spend to get them but honestly I don’t need an excuse to go shopping, I’ll probably just go anyway so might as well take advantage! Some cards also allow you access to student discounts which you can’t use if you don’t have their points card. Some of my favourite and most used cards are Boots’ Advantage Card, Superdrug’s Health and Beauty Card, my Nectar Card, Tesco Clubcard and my Costa Card. All of these let you spend points once you’ve built them up and some give you access to discounts and offers that you wouldn’t otherwise have access to.

If you’re still reading at this point, congrats! Maybe you deserve a treat.. shopping maybe..? And look at all the money you can save now! Sorry thats not very helpful! But really thank you for reading this far I hope it was helpful, I understand that some of these ways of saving are pretty well known but I hope you’ve seen a new way to save, the more you know the better chance you’ve got of finding that discount! If you liked this post then please like, share and subscribe and follow me on instagram to see when I post first. Also let me know of any ways you know to save some money!

Hollie x

Five on Friday 006

Hollie EdmeadesLeave a comment

Hi everyone, I hope you’ve had a good few weeks. I’ve had a busy couple of weeks with finishing my essays (thank god) and celebrating my birthday along with other things. Keep reading to see what I’ve been loving these past few weeks.

Plymouth University Summer Ball

A great few days celebrating

I had a really great time celebrating my 20th birthday a couple of weeks ago. I was very lucky to spend it with some amazing people and received some lovely presents to top it off! (you can find my what I got for my birthday post here)

An amazing night

I travelled to Plymouth to go to the UPSU Summer Ball last Saturday and had such a fab time. Between the silent disco, Sigma’s DJ set and my embarrassingly loud singing at the end of the night I think you might find the source of my hangover that hit me like a train when I surfaced on Sunday morning (lets be honest, afternoon). But I guarantee it was totally worth it!

Another year complete

I finished my second year of university a couple of weeks ago, I honestly can’t tell you where the time has gone. There’s certainly been ups and downs to my uni experience but I’m trying to appreciate all my time here and am simultaniously looking forward to and dreading my final year… is that normal?

A new workspace

In the process of furiously finishing my essays I decided to try working in a coffee shop near my uni house. I found that I really enjoyed being there, be it to work or just get a pot of tea in the morning and relax. I’ve realised working/eating/sleeping/relaxing all in my uni room doesn’t always work for me so I’m happy I’ve found a new space.

A welcome catch up

I went home for a few days last week and had a really nice drink with an old friend. I’ve really enjoyed getting back in touch with her and I’m looking forward to more drinks over the summer!

Don’t forget to like, share and subscribe and follow me on instagram to see when I post first.

Hollie x

Five on Friday 005

Hollie EdmeadesLeave a comment

Hi everyone, I hope you’ve had a nice couple of weeks, the lack of posts (and the reason this one is late) is due to my getting back to university resulting in a pretty busy couple of weeks will all the packing an unpacking! Keep reading to see my highlights of the past couple of weeks.

An incredible invention

I heard about these over the past few weeks and had to share them with you, C lash eyelashes are fake eyelashes made specifically for people who have lost their eyelashes through cancer treatment, or any other illness. They are different to normal strip lashes because they have thicker transparent sticky layer that sticks to your eyelid and makes them stick down far better on eyelids with no eyelashes. So brilliant yet so simple.

A warm weekend

At risk of sounding way too British, I fell in love with the weather over the bank holiday weekend! We’re getting closer and closer to shorts and summer dresses and it makes me so happy and excited for summer.

A last term

It’s my final term of my second year at university, I can’t tell you where the time has gone! My final essays of the year are creeping up faster and faster, at least that means we’re one step closer to summer.

A spring clean

I managed to procrastinate from essays by being somewhat productive (can I call that a win..?). I cleaned my room at home whilst packing my stuff and I finally sorted through a box that’s been sitting there for about 4 years, so satisfying! I topped that off my cleaning and somewhat organising my university room when I got back as well, a nice fresh start for my last term.

A little break

I’m thinking I’ll have to take a break from blogging whilst I’m working on my essays, I’ve really enjoyed posting more over Easter and I’ll get back into the swing over summer. I’m sure I’ll still post but it’ll be more sporadic, unfortunately most of what I write over the next few weeks will be academic rather than for fun, I’m not happy about it either!

Dont forget to like, share and subscribe and follow me on instagram to see when I post first, thanks for reading.

Hollie x