NEW IN: WINTER PIECES

Today, when out shopping with my mum, I picked up some great new additions for my winter wardrobe. When it comes to the colder months, there are certain pieces that are staples in my wardrobe. Namely, a warm jacket and the perfect pair of everyday boots. 

A fur jacket is something I have been longing after for quite some time. Not only are they extremely warm and cosy in the winter months, they are also the perfect mix between between causal and formal and can be worn with pretty much any outfit. After hunting high and low for one last year, I just wasnt able to find one in the right colour, style or length. 

Initially, when Whistles released the Kumiko Faux Fur Coat earlier this Autumn, I fell in love, as the lilac colour was just really unusual and different from every other jacket I own. But with a £275 price tag, I just couldn't justify buying it. So, you can imagine my excitement when I came across this gorgeous Aldora jacket in Monsoon. 

At £99, it was still expensive but much more affordable. When I tried it on, I actually liked it better. It seemed to fit me perfectly and as it's black, it will go with literally anything. I love it and can't wait to start wearing it! 

Admittedly, I already have a few pairs of black leather boots. But when I saw the Nima Ankle Boots from Dune, I couldn't resist. I love the style of these boots. They have the perfect heel- not too high and not too low. Perfect with tights and a winter dress or skirt, in my opinion! 

I just love Winter fashion. There's something so chic about a cosy jacket and a good quality pair of leather boots. 

What's on your Winter shopping list?

PRODUCTS OF THE MOMENT

When it comes to anything makeup or beauty related, I am always so eager to try out new products and/or new brands. Lately, I've started using a few new items. So I thought I would share just a few of my favourites with you. 

First and foremost, this gorgeous set from Laura Mercier. 

I got this Lip Transform Trio Make-up Set collection in "Pink Spark", from John Lewis just the other week and have already worn it so much. The colours really are the perfect shade of pink and can be worn with any outfit, for any occasion. The lipstick, liner and gloss can be worn all together or separately. Although some of the products are "mini", I can already tell they are going to last a while as a little goes a long way, and the products are rarely having to be reapplied during the day. At just £25 for all three products, you really can't argue. Perfect as a gift or for a little self indulgence!

Dior Blossoming Bouquet Eau de Toilette

I got this perfume in Marbella back at the beginning of September, and have been dying to use it ever since. I love Christian Dior perfumes. Each one has such a distinctive, feminine smell.

I finally opened up the packaging yesterday and used the perfume for the first. Falling in love almost instantly. Remembering just why I bought it in the first place! If you love feminine, sweet perfumes, you have to give this one a try! 

L'Occitane Shower Gel

L'Occitane shower gels are my all time favourites. In fact, they are the only shower gels that I use. Not only do they smell amazing, they last so long. This new, Bonne Mere Peach Shower Gel is to die for. It smells incredible and leaves my skin so much softer every time I use it. Definitely worth a try. If the peach one isn't to your liking, the new Bonne Mere range comes in several different scents including Honey, Lemon and Rosemary. 

Have you tried any new products recently?

BLOGLOVIN

My blog is now on BLOGLOVIN, check it out and follow! 

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HALLOWEEN IS COMING

Our outdoor decorations

Last week, my boyfriend and I decorated my house for Halloween. And I have to say, I am really in the spirit now, despite not having any actual plans! 

For some reason or other, Halloween seems to be completely regarded as a day for children. It's almost as if anyone over the age of 16 don't dare get involved. Does anyone agree with me? 

Although I won't be getting dressed up or venturing out to trick-or-treat, I am still very keen to celebrate this holiday somehow or other. Hence, the decorations around the house! 

Thankfully, my mum is exactly the same as me and has an abundance of decorations for all imaginable holidays. 

How cute are these candles?

How are you getting into the Halloween spirit? Have you got any plans? 

AUTUMN IS HERE

Autumn is finally upon us. Gone are the sunny(ish) Summer days and here to stay it would seem, is the continuous downpour of rain! 

It has to be said, I love it this time of year. The ever-changing colourful leaves. The cool, refreshing air. The need for warmer clothes, and possibly a small shopping spree for a new and updated Fall wardrobe ;-). And of course, Thanksgiving. The epitome of the Autumn season for me. 

Although my family and I no longer live in the US, we still make a conscious effort to celebrate Thanksgiving each year. It just wouldn't feel right to pass it by and give it a miss. It is a holiday which I think has a really special and significant message: being entirely grateful and thankful for all that you have. Whether that be the people in your life, the chances and opportunities you have had, good health, your lifestyle, the list goes on. It is a chance to reflect on how lucky we are and reminds us that although we all lead busy (and at times, stressful) lives, we must not forget how fortunate we are. 

Not to mention Thanksgiving food is some of the best. Having spent a huge chunk of our lives in Texas, my mum has managed to successfully master the art of the Thanksgiving Dinner. From sweet potato casserole and cornbread to pecan pie and turkey, our Thanksgiving Dinners are pretty special, and are probably closer to a full-blown feast than a dinner, to be truthful. Nevertheless, it's the time for indulgence. The day the diet gets left at the kitchen door and the inner fat child inside of me comes out! With all that delicious food filling our huge Dining Room table, it is simply impossible to resist. Just thinking about the feast we are in for this year, is making me hungry! 

What makes Autumn for you? 

BUSY

The last few weeks have been really hectic. Uni is in full swing again which only means two things: endless reading and an influx of deadlines. With all that being said, I've finally reached my third year! Only two more years to go before I will (hopefully) be standing on that stage accepting my degree classification. Both scary and exciting! So for now at least, I don't mind the extra reading and hardwork so much. 

It's not been all work and no play the last couple weeks. My boyfriend Jamie came to spend two weeks with me and my family. Jamie lives in London which means that fitting in the time to travel and see each other can often be stressful and difficult. Those of you who have experienced a long distance relationship can sympathise, I'm sure. Even though it can be hard at times, we make it work. A lot of people seem to have negative views about long distance relationships. Yes I agree, they aren't ideal,but I believe in that old phrase "absence makes the heart grow fonder". It's true- the longer you are away from somebody you care about, the more you seem to appreciate that special time that you do get to spend together. If you want something to work, you'll find a way. 

Jamie & I

During Jamie's time here, we managed to do a lot and enjoyed spending quality time together, eating at some of the best restaurants along the way. We went to one of my favourite restaurants ever. The Marcliffe. The food there is just second to none and I'm really glad Jamie got to experience the food and the atmosphere there before it sadly closes down. He had a huge sirloin steak which, (judging by the time it took him to finish it), I'd say he enjoyed ;-). And I had the amazing Caesar salad, complete with tempura prawns and Canadian maple bacon. Heaven on a plate. 

Huge sirloin steak… 16oz to be exact

Simply delicious!

We also dined at Nargile the night before Jamie left. I hadn't been to this restaurant in quite some time. (Over 2 years!). But I was so glad to learn that the standard and quality of food had stayed exactly the same during all that time. They do the best Turkish/ Mediterranean food. Most of which is surprisingly healthy. Bonus! 

We ordered three starters- calamari, hummus and pitta bread and arancini (risotto balls), all of my which were delicious. I could have easily just eaten starters all evening! For main course, I had the best steak and prawn kebab which was served with rice and a small side salad. All round, this meal was pretty amazing and I will definitely have to return sometime in the very near future!

Sadly, Jamie has gone back to London now but hopefully he will be back sometime soon and we can enjoy spending time together again! Until then, I go back to my full-on university life where the reading is mounting up and the deadlines are looming!

LONG TIME, NO BLOG.. AND INDEPENDENCE CHAT

It was only recently that it dawned on me just how long it has been since I last blogged. Safe to say, I have well and truly neglected this for quite some time. My lack of blogging is not without excuses, though! Namely due to the fact that I was working in London for the last few months- which was such an experience! (a post on that to follow)

Since being back things have been rather hectic. I have been dealing with university issues (course selection, seminar selection.. the list goes on) non-stop and haven't really had any time to just kick-back and do what I wish! Now that I have some free time, I thought it was the perfect time to start blogging and getting back into the swing of things again. Hence this very overdue blog post.

What better way to kick things off than with a politics post, and the ever-looming referendum? 

For those of you that live in Scotland, or have been following the recent referendum news, you will be aware that Scotland has a pretty important decision to make next Thursday. Do we stay or do we go? That is the question.  As a politics student living and studying in Scotland, this is a topic which I find extremely interesting… and admittedly, a little frightening. I may as well declare now that I am very much in the NO camp. This is a decision that was reached with much deliberation, research and thought. After all, it is a decision that will not only impact and undoubtably hugely affect, the next 100 years of my country, but will also change the lives of my future children and grandchildren. 

There are several reasons why I will be putting a huge cross against the word "NO" on Thursday 18th of September. First and foremost, I entirely believe that by voting yes, we are not voting for change or a better standard of living, but instead, we are voting for risk and uncertainty. Perhaps, if my main questions and concerns could be answered, then this would not be my view. However, the Yes Campaign have failed to answer the crucial questions, time and time again. When it comes to questions of our currency- we still haven't got an answer about what currency we would operate in, even though the referendum is a mere 6 days away, slightly worrying! Similarly, we still have no answers about jobs, pensions, security, and much more. It seems that "we will have oil" are the only words that the Yes Campaign can mutter. But from endless reports and statistics, we have clearly seen that oil is on the down, and will not last us a lifetime. Or even the next 30 years. Additionally, Tesco Bank, RBS, Lloyds TSB, Clydesdale Bank, Asda and Standard Life, are just a few of the many companies that have all made it abundantly clear that they will be relocating their offices to England in the event of a yes vote. Surely this in itself is enough to set alarm bells ringing.  I will be the first to admit that the event of a yes vote, scares me. It worries me to no end, that so many people are willing to take the leap and such an irreversible gamble, when they have been provided with such little information. I for one, don't want the future generations of my family to grow up in an uncertain, and likely, weak nation which does nothing but limits their opportunities. Instead, I want them to grow up in a nation which is comprised of four equally strong countries, who strive to tackle social injustice and make things better together, not apart. 

Secondly, I find the Yes Campaign to be extremely childish and pathetic. From immature slogans to offensive responses, they have left me far from impressed. The latest advertisement they released stated that those who were planning to vote no were not "real Scots" and were instead "traitors". I find this to be a cheap shot and a poor tactic for attempting to gain last minute votes. I will not be bullied into voting yes, nor will I be made to feel guilty for voting the way that I want to vote. Voting no does not make me any less of a Scot, nor does it make me any less patriotic than someone voting yes. I love the country I was born in and I am proud to be Scottish. But I am also very proud to be British, and come from one of the most powerful and influential nations in the world. And that is not an identity I am willing to give up. 

The decision that our country must take is colossal. And for me personally, this is probably the biggest decision that I have had to make thus far in my lifetime. I am proud to be voting NO and putting the futures and livelihoods of not only my own family, but also families all around Scotland, first. To vote yes and take irreversible gambles and risks, would be irresponsible of me, and to be honest, it is not a decision I could live with if things went wrong. If someone told you that you could have keys to a new house, but you can't see the house- where it is, how big it is, if it's going to be suitable for you and your families needs.. would you say yes?

I eagerly await for the 19th of September to be upon us, with my fingers crossed that we will make the right decision, securing those bonds and proving that we are very much better together.

What are your views on the referendum?