My Week in Photos... again.

Ok, so I realise I only did a post similar to this 2 posts ago. But it would seem that it is a new thing for me to get all nostalgic around this time on a Sunday and feel the need to look back on my previous week. So, as I sit here eating Tesco Cherry Ice Cream (a new find, but amazing!) and my Primark, 'Sweet Vanilla & Coconut' candle burning that I have decided to do another post looking back on this week. Perhaps this will be a new regular thing on the blog? 

I realise looking at this collage, that most of my week has been consumed with food and drink... but all my favourite days usually are! 

It's lovely to see the weather finally cheering up in England and so I have tried to make the most of my beautiful surroundings on campus by taking detours to the lake every now and again. Or even to the point of having a picnic by it today. 

Earlier in the week, I had the pleasure of 'helping' one of my flatmates with her assessment for her hospitality degree by going to the restaurant on campus and having a beautiful 2 course meal consisting of fajitas and an ice cream sundae to the theme of 'Summer Fling'. It was a beautiful meal and I felt quite proud of her as she served us very professionally. I have to say I could get used to the idea of going to restaurants and eating to help people out, possible career idea in the making perhaps?!

This weekend has been truly lovely, with the weather brightening up as I already mentioned, as well as the fact C now gets weekends off as he works his way through Phase 2. This meant we had the perfect opportunity to enjoy the sun and have a general wander. We took a trip down to Southampton to wander around the amazing West Quays Shopping Centre for a couple of hours before heading to Portsmouth and Gunwharf Quays to see some family of mine. It was safe to say that we really enjoyed our stroll near the Sea... despite how busy it was. We both particularly enjoyed the cold drink we had outside the pub there before going to Cafe Rouge for a beautiful meal and a catch up with some of my family. 

All in all the sun is putting everyone in a fantastic mood. Now to have a week of hard revision in time for exams. I cannot wait for summer so expect a post on that soon...

Katie .xx

Holi 2015

Holi is traditionally a Hindu Festival that has more recently been adapted by non-Hindu's. It is a Spring festival, celebrating all things colour and love. My uni held their own Holi Festival 2015 yesterday and I decided to go along. It was so much fun. You basically just get powdered paint and throw it everyone, friends or strangers! Everyone was laughing and it was generally a great hour of fun! It was a shame the weather did not reflect something similar to India or a country where the festival is more traditionally held. But unsurprisingly in a very British style, the weather failed to hold anyone back and we all had a great time anyway. If you get the chance definitely go to a Holi Festival, but prepare to get messy. 

Katie .xx

My Week in Photos

As mentioned in a previous post my boyfriend (C) passed out of Phase 1 of his Army Training last Friday and has since had the week off. As a result, we have been pretty damn busy- apparently when you've been away for 14 weeks everyone wants to see you- and I haven't updated this blog at all. I thought as this evening's post I would put a 'My Week in Photo's' post. After all I started this blog for me, to keep a track of my life at uni and this has been one hectic week with a lot to remember! 

The week started on Friday with a fantastic passing out ceremony. It was amazing to watch the parade and see the Military Band performing.The whole day made me feel so proud of what C has achieved so far. If you have any family, or close friends in the army I would really recommend that you go to their parade's. It was a great day celebrating all that he had achieved and as I said made me realise quite how proud I am of him. 

This was followed by a hectic weekend, trying to catch up with as many friends and family as we could. Turns out we needed a few more hours to do everything we wanted, which was not helped by the breakdown of my car, but actually it was a really lovely weekend. 

Sunday, was back to uni for me, followed by two pretty normal, lecture filled days. I must admit, motivation after Easter was not at its highest and they were not my finest, most productive days. But, that will all change this week. 

Wednesday started with the arrival of C to uni. We had a very chilled out day, especially contrasting our previously hectic weekend. A few of us took a walk in a beautiful woodland and even got to meet the Gruffalo! 

Thursday, was a crazy day, mainly spent driving to the West Midlands to collect a car and then back down to Kent to stay for the night and deliver my car back to uni. I actually quite enjoyed the day even though it turned out to be longer than planned and it was nice to go back home for the evening and Friday morning. This was spent surprisingly running a couple of errands, that for some reason I had not got done in the month I had off for Easter... these things always seem to build up! 

After another busy morning it was quickly back to uni for my afternoon of lectures. Saturday was all about the ball. Starting with a morning of swimming (mainly consisting of sauna time), myself and the girls pretty much spent the day pampering ourselves in prepartion for the evening. (Any excuse for a pamper session!) Pampered or not it was a fab night and everyone looked stunning. 

Today, I reluctantly sent C off to a new camp to start Phase Two of his training. The trouble with having so much fun is that it makes leaving the week behind even harder and so I seem to have spent much of this afternoon reminiscing the week.  But, that is not always a bad thing! 

Back to the hard work tomorrow, I hope everyone has had a good week.

Katie .xx

Passing Out Gift

My boyfriend passed out from Phase 1 of training in the Army on Friday and I searched for ages looking for a present to just say 'Well Done'. I wanted something he could keep because its not something that happens every day and I thought it would be nice to have something to remind him of the day. Not to mention how proud we all are of him! Having searched the internet for a while I came across UK Military Gifts. 

This was the perfect website for what I wanted. It enabled be to choose a gift that had the badge of his regiment making it personal to him but also relevant for the occasion. I decided to choose the engraved cufflinks as I thought he would get the most use out of them. However, there were many different gifts on offer, meaning there is bound to be something you'd love. They arrived promptly and look stunning. The box is engraved with a personal message, meaning I could engrave the box with the date of his passing out as well as a congratulatory message, which looks beautiful. 

They are the perfect gift for what I wanted and I think he loved them!

Katie .xx 

Primark Haul

You may have noticed a brief absence of myself from this blog and it is simply because I have been enjoying my time at home. Also, I lacked inspiration for the blog and didn't know what to write about. Until yesterday, when I took a trip to Primark. I had wanted to go for a few weeks now and its safe to say I went a little crazy, so I thought I would share what I bought with you. 

One of my main aims with this shop was to brighten my wardrobe as I feel like I have been wearing only black and white for the last few months. My main way of doing this was with the huge array of tops Primark had in a variety of colours. 

(excuse the creases this is straight out the carrier bag!)

One thing I love about Primark is their offering of Disney T-Shirts and this one completely sums me up. How I wish I could actually be a Disney Princess and so maybe this puts me closer? 

Of course, though I was trying to brighten my wardrobe I could not avoid the black and white completely. For years I have loved this type of patterened trouser but also admired people that could actually pull them off. I decided that this year I would just go for it, buy a pair and make them work. For £8, it was barely worth the thought and so worth giving it a try. 

The shorts caught my eye and were just too cute and comfy to leave behind. 

I have wanted a kimono since last year and the selection in Primark this year was fab! This one is so light and I thought I could wear it on so many different occasions, also tassles are going to be big this year and I couldn't possibly leave it in the shop! 

I bought the blazer below with a specific occassion in mind, but I think it will be suitable for so many different occassions. I could wear it with jeans, or something more dressy and it would be suitable. I'm sure it will get a great deal of wear! 

No trip to Primark is complete without some pjs and I thought these Coca Cola ones were just so cute, the top is slightly cropped and the bottoms are shorts, super comfy but not too much, perfect for lounging in the summer. 

Something else I buy A LOT in Primark is sunglasses, I love sunglasses and at a £1 a pair you can hardly complain. I think I have about 6 pairs in varying colours. I love them. 

And apparently I am loving this mint green/blue at the moment as I also fell in love with these simple pumps and know I will pretty much live in them during Spring/Summer. 

 This cover up will be perfect for my summer holiday. I just need to find that perfect bikini now!

I also love Primark's array of Sportwear, having recently been to the Nike shop to buy some new gear I was shocked at the prices. (Especially due to my Student budget!) I decided it just wasn't worth the money and Primark would serve me fine! Back I went  and found this peach crop as well as another blue one. They will do me just fine for my trips to the gym and were only £4 each. Nothing better. 

As I said, I went a little crazy, but Primark was on point yesterday and filled with so many great clothes for Spring/Summer, I would recommend a trip! 

What is your favourite piece from above?

Katie .xx

A bucket list... The final installment.

I have decided to put the rest of my bucket list into one post to conclude this mini series of blog posts. This by no means completes my bucket list as I am sure as I gain more opportunities and experiences my bucket list is sure to grow. Especially due to my previously mentioned FOMO. Some of these things are a bit bigger or unique than others, but they are all equally important! 

One day I would love to work abroad for at least one year, I don't know where or what I would be doing. But, I just think it would be a great experience both personally and professionally. Maybe it will be somewhere completely random such as India (my Uncle did this!) or perhaps somewhere more like England such as America. 

Leading on from this, hopefully before this I aim to find my dream job or at least I job I completely enjoy. Though, I am now at University I don't completely know what I want to do with my life at this moment in time. On my bucket list, I hope to discover a job I would completely love, so that I don't consider it a chore to go to work every day. 

This one is pretty much a given that it will happen, however moving into my own flat or house is making my bucket list. Though I am not currently living at home, University is a different experience and I can't wait to actually have my own place to do what I want with. 

Moving on to the smaller aspects... I want one day to make a den and watch films in it all day. This seems simple, but sometimes the simple things in life are what makes us happy and I think this would be the cutest way to spend the day. Especially, if I shared it with someone I loved! 

The last thing on my list right now is to one day get a tattoo. When I say this lots of people ask why I don't just get one now. But, I struggle to make decisions/commitments this big. One day I hope I will just know what I want, but until then it is going to remain a bit of a dream. 

Like I say, I realise this is a bit of a small list currently. But, with time I have no doubt it'll grow. I just suppose I like to be sure of these things before I commit to them. 

Katie .xx

A bucket list... Music

Following my previous post, I have decided to continue my bucket list, this time concentrating on music and the concerts/festivals I would like to go to. Again, live music has already been a big part of my life thanks to my parents. Music has always been big in our household, despite our collective lack of musical ability, we have always been big music fans and made the most of any opportunity we have had to see live music. 

Source: google.co.uk/images

The main music themed thing I have on my bucket list is to see Coldplay live. Despite the many bands I have already seen and enjoyed, I am yet to see Coldplay and this is a major desire of mine. I imagine - and have heard countless times from my friends, who like to rub it in that they've seen them- that it would be one of the best shows I have ever seen. 

Another music related thing I would love to do is visit multiple festivals. This is the least specific thing on the list and so probably needs more thought. But, last summer I went to Glastonbury for the first time and had the best time ever. It made me want to go to a festival every year, even more than before. As line ups are starting to be announced, my ambition to visit every single one is growing! 

What about you, do you have any live music aspirations? Or have you previously been to a festival? 

Katie .xx