Sunday Update #7

Here's a blog post I thought I would never end up writing and if you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you will already know that on Monday, I passed my driving test. Many of my friends and family will know that this has been a real struggle for me and honestly, I still can't quite believe it. 

My driving journey began when I was 17, my parents bought me 10 lessons as a birthday present and I picked everything up pretty quickly, but when it came to the test a year later I failed right at the last minute. Although I was obviously gutted, I knew that most people passed second time round, so I didn't let it affect my confidence, until I failed a further two times. By this point I was emotionally drained and I stopped driving for quite a while. Long story short - I passed on my sixth go and every fail was not down to my ability, but just my nerves completely taking over. For anyone who has failed once or multiple times, it is so disheartening, but when you want something, you have to keep trying and whilst I have had several breaks in-between, I really didn't want this demon get the better of me.

On Monday 3rd February at 10.14am I set off for my test, this time I took my driving instructor with me, as I never did this in the past and I thought it would help me to have someone who knew I could drive, with me. I loaded up on Bach's Rescue Remedy and slathered on my beloved This Works Sleep Balm - basically, I left nothing to chance. I was incredibly nervous, as expected and when I pulled up at the test centre after taking the test I honestly did not know the outcome, I just had my fingers crossed and was chanting 'please, please, please' over and over in my head. When he told me I had passed, I just said "oh my god what a relief!" and then scribbled an eligible signature onto my test certificate and that was it - I'd done it! My parents have been away and all I wanted was to ring my mum and tell her and her reaction was everything I wanted and so much more - actually everyone I told or spoke to was so pleased for me and I felt on cloud 9 for the rest of the day. 

Yesterday, my parents took me to a local garage where my mum bought her car, to look at what they had on offer. After looking online, I had my eye on a Nissan Micra that they had, but didn't want to get my hopes up, just in case she had been sold when I got there. Low and behold, she was there waiting for me. I am very fortunate to have the best parents in the world, who agreed to loan me the money so that I could get a half decent car and so, Poppy the Micra is now mine! We pick her up on Tuesday and I've spent the weekend sorting out tax and insurance for her, as well and buying the essentials - car mats, de-icer and Yankee Candle air fresheners (the closest thing to a beauty product I can buy for my car...) My pink license also came through the post yesterday, which I wasn't expecting - the icing on the cake you might say.

I'm honestly elated that I've finally done it and I know this is going to give me the independence I've desperately wanted for years. If your struggling with driving or maybe you've just failed - please don't give up, when you finally do it, it makes all the hard work so worth it. Those regular Space NK trips may need to stop for a while though...

Sunday Update #6

There's a large elephant in the room, concerning my absence (and the layout change). To say the last six months has been crazy is a slight understatment. I graduated from university in June and I was fortunate enough to land myself a 3-month job trial at a Beauty PR agency, which begun on July 1st. Whilst I was on my trial, I kept my part time job so I was working 6 day weeks, and needless to say, that by the time Sunday came round, I really couldn't face taking blog photos, editing them, uploading and then writing a post - I just wanted to do nothing! Some call it lazy, but I needed some me time on those Sunday's. 

I have now been with AD Publicity for five months, which means I got the job and I couldn't be happier! I've now left my part time job and have really enjoyed having my weekends back (it's been five years since I last had Saturdays to myself). During the past six weeks, I've had more time to read and enjoy blogs again and realised how much I missed it myself. I wanted to start fresh, with a new layout, so enlisted the very talented Megan, who illustrated my last header for me. I wanted a more beauty orientated header as I very rarely talk about anything else on this blog. I think it sums the blog and myself up perfectly - NARS is my favourite brand for make up in general, Origins is my go to skincare brand and Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish still reigns supreme in my stash as the best cleanser I've ever used.

There are a lot of exciting things on the horizon, both at work and in general. Christmas is coming and if you follow me on Twitter I am literally wishing my life away just for it to be December - such a child at heart! I want to start blogging more frequently so will try to get up at least two or three posts a week, beauty is still my passion and I'm lucky enough to be able to work with it everyday now too!

How have you been?

Sunday Update #5

It's been a long time since I last wrote a Sunday Update, mainly because I've either been working overtime, had other plans or just not really had much to update you all on.  I'm a bit of a girl band (Cheryl) fan and Girls Aloud have recently announced their comeback tour.  I woke up early to ensure I got good tickets, because I don't know about you but I don't see the point of going to a concert and watching the band on the screens.  Ticket buying is extremely stressful.  I had brilliant tickets and I went to continue and Ticketmaster froze which meant I lost them and when I logged back on, the tickets had sold out.  After giving up all hope, Girls Aloud announced a third date at the O2 and I managed to get some.  My Mum and Dad kindly offered to buy my ticket as part of my Christmas present, which has become a theme over the past few years.  Needless to say I'm really excited about it!

I've been trying to keep motivated and using the time I have off university as productively as possible (Made In Chelsea is a huge distraction).  I've been working on my dissertation as well as an investigative article which I'll get onto in a second.  Pamper sessions are always needed after a day of hard graft and right now I'm trying out some Ojon products which I really like. Just a heads up, Ojon are now in Boots and when you buy anything from the range you get a free 50ml Damage Reverse Restorative Hair Treatment (worth £16 may I add).  

I've been trying to get my nails long and strong for a while now, but it's just not happening.  I purchases OPI's infamous Nail Envy and so far so good. I've only been using it a little over a week, so there's no real results just yet.  With all the university work I have on right now, I like to have some time doing things I enjoy.  I love my Kindle and i'm currently reading Cheryl's autobiography, which is surprisingly good. 

I made a mistake this week, I had two tutorials on Wednesday but I didn't really look at the times for each when I signed up.  I ended up having a three hour gap. I ended up writing up some blog posts and doing some research on my iPad whilst enjoying a Christmas Starbucks.  For my investigative article, I'm writing about Internet trolling and I was lucky enough to interview one of the Olympic Athletes that had to battle the trolls this summer.  Zoe was great to talk to and I can't wait for you to read what she has to say on the subject later this month.  

Yesterday we celebrated one of my best friends 21st birthdays with a spa day followed by dinner at a Mexican restaurant.  It was a lovely, relaxing day away from university and work.

  

What have you been up to?

Sunday Update #4

This week has been spent adjusting to being back at university and the heavy workload our lecturers have thrust upon our shoulders - oh the life of a third year student.  Last Sunday evening I spent doing my usual routine; washing make up brushes, painting my nails, dousing hair in deep conditioner and so on.  Doesn't my nephew look cute in his Halloween "costume"? Speaking of Halloween, what are you planning on doing? I'll be off to a house party dressed as Luna Lovegood - I'm going through a serious Harry Potter phase right now.  

I made an online order for a hard to find birthday cake mix for my sisters special day and two bags of candy corn happened to end up in the box too... I'm a sucker for the stuff.  Being back at university and in my third year means the dreaded dissertation. I've began my research but honestly, I don't understand anything these theorists have to say.  I'm keeping my dissertation beauty related to keep me motivated, hopefully I wont end up resenting it by the time I had it in! 

I curled my hair for the first time in ages on Friday, using my Remington Pearl Conical Wand.  It turned out pretty good, the curls lasted all throughout the day and I even had a cute curled ponytail at work yesterday, result!  I've been loving my studded camo jacket that I bought from Topshop. I found this cute little pooch at the train station (with her owner of course) and she was extremely friendly.  Growing up I had two springer spaniels and this puppy made me extremely nostalgic, springers are a gorgeous breed.  

All of my favourite american shows started back this week including The Vampire Diaries - do any of you watch it? The season premiere was amazing and I'm already counting down the days until the next episode.  

How has your week been?