What to expect in your 20s

So I turned 20 in October and as much as I was dreading having to say that I'm now in my third decade, I was actually really looking forward to my 20s. There just seemed to be this air of sophistication surrounding my 20th birthday that I'd never felt before, I already felt more mature in the months leading up to it. All of a sudden mums in public said to their children 'watch this lady' and I was like 'am I really classed as a lady now?' I imagined that my 20s would bring the most exciting times in my life, I will graduate, hopefully buy my own house, get married, maybe get a dog etc. But instead I am faced with these battles:

1. Cheekbone acne/dried up spots
So you know when you're a teenager and you go through that face for about 6 years where there's never a moment with clear skin? Well it carries on, but this time that  one single spot lasts 4 to 6 weeks and just dries up and creates a horrible rough patch of skin on your face, Not good. Also, all spots have relocated from your forehead and chin to cheeks and jaw. Whaaaat?

2. Under eye wrinkles/bags
Yep, I got my first wrinkle under my left eye two months ago and have never forgiven my face for it. I probably wouldn't mind having it if only they evened out! My face is already asymetrical and now it's even worse that I've aged more on my left side than my right. Saying that, I'm not wishing any more wrinkles upon myself.

3. Hangovers
WHY DID NOBODY WARN ME? In all seriousness, if you are 18 or 19, don't even bother working in a bar, spend all your time on the RIGHT side of the bar while you still have the chance to recover. Hangovers jumped on me all of a sudden and I can never get the years back where I could just get up the next morning and resume my normal life.

4. Lack of ambition and intelligence
I was WAY more clever as a teenager than I am now, I used to love maths and now I can't do any of it (and it's not through lack of practise - well, not that much). Also, I have no motivation to do anything, or if I do, it only lasts as long as my car journey. I really wish I'd put more of an effort in when I was younger and was more able to produce better outcomes because I'm really making up for it now.

5. All your friends are getting married?
Or buying houses. I have a group of friends where half of us went to uni and half of us got full-time jobs and I've got to say it's really unfair watching your friends buy brand new cars whilst I save up for weeks for a new foundation. I don't have any direct friends getting married yet, but loads of people I know are, when did I get so old?!

6. Yet you have no money  ...
As mentioned above, weeks to save up for a foundation. The money I get from my part-time job pays for petrol and coffee at uni, nothing else. Goodbye new Kurt Geiger dreams

7. No more birthdays to look forward to
Apart from your 21st which I suppose is a biggy, there's no birthdays in your 20s worth celebrating that much, now I have to wait until I'm 30 to get more than 4 cards.

8. No immune system, like seriously, can't walk into a room without catching pneumonia
Especially if you go to university, or even commute via public transport. Say hello to frequent colds, stomach flu, fevers and much more. They last at least twice as long as they did last year too.

9. The majority of people you meet are arseholes
Yes, children and teenagers are probably more cruel than adults are, but adults are so rude and obnoxious, not all. Chances are, unless you say hi to me, I instantly hate you

10. It's so hard to make friends!
An expansion of above and of my previous blog post on what uni has taught me, if it takes seconds for me to decide I hate people, then it takes seconds for them to decide they hate me too. First impressions are everything.

11. You have to look your best all the time
There's no more getting away with dodgy eyeliner or slightly knotty hair because you're young, every day counts now. I'm not saying you have to look like perfection all the time, but you at least have to make an effort if you're leaving the house.

12. Learning from your mistakes
You'll constantly be looking back to your teenage years and thinking 'WHY did I do that?!' but on the plus side, you're not likely to make those mistakes again, keep learning and growing. Onwards and upwards!

13. Companies see you as replaceable
As the moral theory goes, you are treated as a 'means to an end, rather than an end in yourself'. In other words, unless you've got something that no other person can provide, you are surprisingly easy to replace, and it will hurt to see that, but life goes on

14. You NEED a hobby
Trust me on this one, if you don't have something to focus on other than you're workload, you'll give up on that too. Recently I've been feeling the Work, Sleep, Uni, Read, Repeat thing and this is not healthy! If you have a hobby, you are more likely to have more focus in everything you do and you'll use those rare few spare hours productively

15. You'll grow apart from friends
Now's the time where everybody grows up and away from one another, if you've managed to cling on to the few childhood friends you had, well done you! But once you hit your 20s, your differences become more noticeable and sadly you drift apart from people, it just gives an excuse for catch up drinks though!

16. Loneliness is inevitable.
Even if you're surrounded by people, it's still possible to feel alone. It's not that you don't have people, but they don't get you, the ones that do moved away, or moved on, and you're just here, on your own. It does get better though

17. Your soul mate is probably your best friend, not your partner
You know it, they know it, and I know it. There are certain things you do with your best friend and only your best friend.

18. Everybody's having kids and you can't even look after yourself
You heard it. Facebook is now overcome with pictures of scans, baby showers, newborns, toddlers, you name it. How do they do it? I still can't get to the top shelf of my fridge without climbing and there are people with actual humans depending on them. I applaud you 

19. There's ALWAYS time for alcohol
Made a dick of yourself in work? ALCOHOL. Failed one of your university essays? ALCOHOL. Another friend is pregnant? TWICE AS MUCH ALCOHOL (because they can't have any). Fell over at the gym? ALCOHOL. (No? Just me then.)

20. The world's your oyster! Or is it?
Every time I go on instagram I have to look at travel pictures or even travel blogs! It seems so unfair that there's a whole lot of amazingness out there to discover but there is no way I can afford the time or money to explore! I'm getting there, but Bali is the dream!

This is everything I've learnt from the first couple of months of my 20s, I'm sure there's a lot more to learn but I thought these points pretty much summed up the decade! Let me know what you learned once you reached 20!
CJ x

What I got for my birthday

It was my birthday at the end of October and I got so spoiled! My friends and family really do know me so well and I am so appreciative and thankful of what I received, I have used every single item so far (apart from the gift vouhers and GHDs) so nothing has been wasted!

Beauty

Rose Gold GHD V (latest arrival - only came this morning!)
MAC lipstick in Pink Plaid

MAC lipstick in Up the Amp

Benefit's Bronze of Champions Kit

Urban Decay Naked Palette

Essie Nail Polish mini trio (Madamoiselle, Fifth Avenue and Mint Candy Apple)

Ted Baker Make Up Bag

Lush bag things - Sparkling Pumpkin bubble bar, The Wizard bubble bar, Butterbear bath bomb, Snow fairy shower gel, Star Light, Star Bright bath melt, the Christmas Hedgehog bubble bar, Candy Mountain bubble bar, 

Fashion

Olivia Burton watch
Marc Jacobs purse

White Old Skool Vans

Hollister Shimmering crop tee

Hollister long sleeve striped tee

Zara black bag

Hogwarts Tee
Accesorize every day earrings (not featured/currently wearing)
Accesorize scrunchies

Miscellanious

Handwarmer
Jamie Oliver's 15 minute meals

Kopparberg

Vouchers - Boots and Topshop eee!

So that's everything! I had a wonderful birthday and I'm so grateful for everything I received. I even bought a few of these items myself as a gift to me from me.

P.S. How amazing is the Frozen gift bag? I couldn't resist putting it on here, it's so cute!

CJ x

October Favourites!

Beauty

I can't believe November's almost over! Like where has it gone?! I apologise for a very belated favourites this month, I have had it done for ages I just haven't had the time to post!
I wasn't very adventurous with beauty last month, so some of these are rediscovered products and products that I've previously mentioned, but I've been so busy that I've not even used that many products. Here are my top buys for October -

Mac Lipliner in Subculture

Mac Honeylove (again - but it's so nice!)

Mac Rebel

Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Metallic Pomegranate

Lush Lip Scrub in Bubblegum

Witch bursting beads scrub

Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Oil

Viktor Rolf Flowerbomb

Fashion/Home

It was my birthday at the end of the month and I did a lot of shopping so there didn't seem to be much point putting them in a favourites when I can put them in a haul! Keep a look out

Monki Jumper

Missguided Cardigan

Topshop Joni Jeans - Blue and Black

Black Old Skool Vans 

Toffee apples

Yankee Candle - Fireside Treats (as you may have noticed, my yankee candle favourites are usually more appropriate for the next month, as Candy Corn was a September buy, I used it as a favourite and I used it throughout October, which is the same with this one).

Books/TV/Music

All my law books (I haven't read much else)

Grey's Anatomy - sky living

Modern Family - sky one

Criminal Minds - sky living

The Big Bang Theory - e4

Wicked soundtrack (I saw this for the second time in October and it was AMAZING! My favourite musical of all time)

Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran) - single

Blame it on me (George Ezra) - single

Hope you all had a wonderful October and November too (now it's almost over), sorry this post is so late but I do have a few more schedualed so keep a look out over the next couple of weeks!
CJ x

What's in my Uni Bag?

Happy Monday!
These are my absolute essentials for going to university everyday, there are a few things that I would also consider essential but aren't on here (mainly because they can't fit in my bag), namely, my textbooks if I have a long day or an essay due in and a jumper because I get cold really easily. Here's the rest that can fit in my bag - 

10 subject notebook
Diary/Planner
Pens - multicoloured (obviously)
Highlighters
Post-it Notes
Tangle Teazer (not shown but always in there!)
Lipstick
Lipliner
EOS Lipbalm
Glasses
Tissues
Hand Sanitizer
Breath Spray
Chewing Gum (not on here - in my pocket!)
Inhaler
Mini post-its
Purse


Bag - New Look
Purse - Marc Jacobs
Lipstick - MAC Honeylove
Lipliner - MAC Subculture
2014/15 Academic Diary - Paperchase

Keeping this blogpost short but sweet, I don't know how I'd cope without all of these items on a day-to-day basis!
CJ x

What My First Month of Uni Has Taught Me!

Hello! 
So, first of all, I would like to sincerely apologise for me being M.I.A. recently, as some of you may know, I started at a new university last month and I've been SO busy!
In case this is confusing, I did go to university last year, but I wasn't overly keen on the place, course, etc so I started all over again in Chester! And I have never been given so much work in my life, I think it might just be because it's the first month but my workload is insane! So here's a quick list of things that I have learnt from this experience (and last year too)!
1. A full-time degree means full time!
- Think that you have a good timetable? Think again. Those 15 hours of lectures are only the beginning. Get ready to read 629 page books in the space of a week friends!

2. It's really hard to make friends.
- So you literally have to be that awkward person who smiles and shares too much information with people to even become an acquaintance (people who live in halls - it's easier for you, but also easier for you to dislike others too). However, the actual friends you make will become your soulmates, trust me on this one.

3. You instantly dislike everyone you don't know.
- Yeah you know that person that arrives late every Wednesday morning and then sits and texts for an hour so you have to endure the buzzing of their phone? Yeah, I don't know them personally either, but I still hate them.

4. FRESHERS FLU IS A THING.
- Luckily, I got my flu jab last week, this does not mean that I don't sit in my lessons with my scarf covering my face because I feel the germs of the person that has so kindly coughed all over me attacking me, thanks for that!

5. ... and apparently so are male ugg boots.
- Yes, I'm serious, I have seen no less than 3 pairs in one month and it's only October! Not forgetting to pair them perfectly with an uber-tight, matching, grey jumper and joggers/leggings for that perfect everyday look boys.

6. Leggings and Tights are now accepted as pants?!
- No. Just no.

7. Books are bloody expensive!
- £41.99 for ONE book, bloody English Legal System. Not to mention that my friend is a medical student and if she wants to buy her physio book new it's £129.47, absolute joke. On the other hand, if you don't buy these books, you're screwed.

8. Companies will do ANYTHING to get into the student market.
- Want unlimited buy-one-get-one-half-price pizza from dominoes? No problem! As long as you order every other day without fail. What about your face on a pepsi bottle? Just tweet and follow them! (Which shamefully, I did, but who doesn't want their face on a pepsi bottle?)

9. The Starbucks at Uni will never compare to the real thing.
- As my friend puts it, they always end up tasting like cardboard but who can resist a caramel latte when it's only £2.22?! Furthermore, the assistants look like they want to drown you every time you order anything but the basic americano, latte or tea. AND they don't have the pumpkin spice ingredients (basic bitches - beware).

10. The Freshers 15.
- You may not realise this yet people, but as soon as January comes, it'll hit you. Christmas did not make you fat, uni did. I did warn you about dominoes ...

11, You're already an alcoholic/Coffee addict
- I actually posted this on Thursday night, but somehow it's already Sunday morning and you're hungover. And if you are reading this on Thursday night, it's only because of that seventh cup of coffee you've had today.

12. Embarrassing moments.
- As it has come to my attention (mainly because this is exactly what happened to me), everybody did see you fall over on the first day, they just don't like you enough to make fun of you about it.

13, You can't afford to live.
- A little bonus one so you get your time's worth, commuter or inhabitant, you probably can't even afford to read this blogpost, let alone the pot noodle you're eating

Keep checking here for my upcoming blogposts (and P.S. it's my birthday on Sunday so look out for a haul in the next week or so!)
CJ x

September Favourites

Happy Sunday and Happy October!
I thought I'd finally get round to doing my September favourites (seeing as it's been October for 12 days already - can you believe it?). I've had them picked out for ages I just needed to get round to writing the blogpost and taking pictures but here it is!

Beauty

I have been LOVING loads of new pieces of makeup and skincare recently, the first 6 items I have only tried and purchased this month, but the last two are long time favourites as they are amazing! I think the beauty bits I've picked out this month are just perfect for Fall.
MAC Honeylove
Kiko Lipstick
Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze
Topshop magic liner
Tea Tree Night Serum
Garnier Micellar Water
EOS Lip Balm (in general)
Bed Head Small Talk

Fashion/Home

Once again, I've picked out items that are very weather appropriate! I've been really in to patterned trousers recently (maybe you can tell) and I just love snuggly jumpers, even though there isn't a picture of my jumper on here - sorry! Also, how perfect is the Candy Corn Yankee Candle? Let me know if you've tried it!
H&M pants
H&M jumper
Brandy Melville Striped Dress
Topshop Dogtooth Pants
Topshop Hat
Kurt Geiger Boots
Yankee Candle - Candy Corn

Books/TV/Music
Not much tested out on the entertainment side of things this month really - I've been so busy with work and university this month! If I was being completely truthful, one of my favourites of the month would be my law books haha.

You're The One That I Want - Giovanna Fletcher
Our Zoo - BBC
America's Next Top Model
The 1975 (I saw them this month!)
Bang Bang (single) - Jessie J ft. Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj

Hope you enjoyed this months favourites! Let me know what you've been loving in the comments, whether it's the same things or something you think I should try. Wishing you all a lovely October!
CJ x

Garnier Micellar Water

Long time, no blog! I'm sorry I've been M.I.A. lately but it was my first week at a new university (more on that later), but for now - beauty.

If you're in the UK, I want you to head to a drugstore or big supermarket and purchase the Garnier Micellar Water! I got this stuff just over a week ago and I have been officially converted.
If you haven't heard, it's basically like the Bioderma makeup remover except that it's available in the UK (yay!). It's a makeup removing water, there is no scrubbing or extra water to be involved. Just put some of this stuff on a cotton pad, hold it on each eye for a few seconds (or so I do) and then just rub around your face, not excessively though, to remove the rest of your makeup.
I use this mainly at night and I've seen a very noticeable difference in my skin! It's so much clearer and it just feels fresher and cleaner overall! I would highly recommend this product to anybody looking for a new makeup remover as it seems so much better for your skin than scrubbing it to death with makeup wipes.
I would however like to point out that I have heard that the Bioderma product can make dry skin worse in a few cases, and as this is a more or less perfect substitute so I wouldn't be surprised if it had similar effects.
But I personally haven't suffered from any escalated dry skin, I think this product is the perfect all-in-one cleanser and will definitely be part of my daily routine in the future!
The price is £4.99 for a 400ml bottle which equates to about 200 uses apparently, which I think is pretty good value anyway! But it's also 3 for 2 on skincare and Beauty at Boots at the moment, so take advantage!

CJ x