So You're Going to Uni! | My Top Tips

It seems like yesterday I was tearfully waving my parents off as I stood in the door way of my new home for the next year. I was in a city I didn't know, surrounded by people I didn't think would like me and I was about to start a course I knew nothing about.

Not going to lie was was quite a bit scared. I couldn't play sports, had no hobbies and I had spent the teenage years of my life either being socially awkward or at an all girls boarding school. As much fun as this was, I was little prepared for talking to boys, getting drunk or swimming naked in a fountain. My uni didn't help much, I was shoved in a halls full of hormonal girls and off campus. I had decided the best way to make friends was to offer passers by skittles from a massive fish bowl I had brought especially for the occasion or a chilled Kopparberg. You think this sounds cool? No, the sweets were still there a year later and the Kopparberg turned out to be non alcoholic!

At uni I met some people I never spoke to again after I left and had a few failed relationships. In saying this I did have a great three years and I have some incredible memories, some embarrassing photos and  a great degree!

Here the tips I wish I could tell my 18 year old self. Some I wish I did and others I recommend, they gave me the greatest memories.

Do

Leave your door open for the first few weeks.

Go on all the fresher nights out, here you will find out who you want to hang out with and who has the most fun

Something silly, it will give you memories! (swimming naked in a fountain is optional/cold)

People will walk in on you changing, showering and in other compromising situations, learn to laugh at it.

Join a club, even if it is chess club!

Go on the trips. Ski trip was THE best week of my life!!!!

Spend all of your student loan on £1.00 shots and bright blue VK, when you leave uni this becomes a thing of legend.

Get involved in fancy dress, Primark is your dressing up box and UV nights are the best

Sleep as much as you can! Once you get a job you will forget what this is!

Play fluffy bunnies during pre drinks! Actually hilarious! (stuff as many marshmallows in your mouth)

Write your address on the back of your hand if you think you will be having a big one. Can be waved in the face of taxi drivers and good Samaritans.

Watch over your drinks and don't leave them hanging around. (spiking happens even in the carefree environment of freshers fortnight so keep your head just a bit)

Make your room your home

Don't

Call home every few hours, it will make getting used to being away a lot harder.

Go home every weekend, you will miss out

Get into a relationship in your first year! This is the year you will find yourself, give it enough time and he will still be around.

Feel pressured into being someone you're not, it isn't worth eating the cat food the club captain is forcing you to eat laced with vodka.

Go home on your own, stick with your friends.

Are you off to uni in September? Would you like to know anything?

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Is it wrong to do your makeup on the train?

There has been a lot of chat about what is acceptable to do on your daily commute to work. Women have been shamed for eating on the tube with the appearance of Facebook groups posting unflattering photos. Now it is apparently time to bash all women who dare to add a bit of lippy or touch up their mascara. I have come across some fairly strong views on the topic and it seems there are two camps. A woman and her make up has an air of mystery which should keep a man guessing about her beauty and women are free to do what ever the hell they want, when they want and non one should give a flying monkey what the bloke opposite thinks.

I for one am a make up commuter, I wrote a post on my essentials (here). I once commuted from Cardiff to London every few days at 4am in the morning. Now I live in London I often faff around so much in the morning that I run out of the house having forgotten to apply blusher or mascara. So if I am lucky enough to grab a seat I often pull out a compact to apply the finishing touches. Yes occasionally men look at me a little funny and sometimes I can see the woman opposite staring at me as though I have come out with just my bra on, but I don't really care. I don't feel I should conform to feeling uncomfortable doing my make up just because someone may see me. I am of the opinion 'if you don't like it, don't look at me!' 

What do you think of doing your makeup on your commute? 

Stay beautiful

xoxo

#4London Loves | Zucca Bermondsey Street

Zucca sits right in the heart of the up and coming Bermondsey Street, a place that is buzzing with activity and quirky bars. I am pretty lucky to work on this street and one lunch time myself and some colleagues thought we would give Zucca a go. The food here is based on traditional Italian, with delicious fish, pasta and vegetable dishes!

I am not joking, it was the best food I have had in a while. The restaurant is airy and really trendy and the kitchen is open plan, so you can see the chefs cooking up a storm. I am not going to lie, the food isn't cheap at around £17.00 a dish and the portions are an average size, but the flavours are incredible! I had the fried sweet potato to start, smoked hake for my main and some crazy yummy chocolate with hot sauce thing for desert. I am sorry about not being able to tell you what they are actually called but I can't find any information on their website. 

Have you been to Zucca? What did you think?

Stay beautiful

xoxo

#3London Loves | First Date Idea: The Boy Who Climbed Out of his Face

So you're going on a date and have no idea where to take him/her? You want somewhere a little off the cards, something will make you look like you are a cool, quirky but fun person? Then I may have the best date location for you!

I literally stumbled on this place on a date of my own and having heard about the performing group Shunt 5 years previously I knew we had to go. Shunt are a group that perform immersive theatre, meaning you become a part of the act. The performance name The Boy Who Climbed Out of his Face has absolutely no relevance to what you will see, but that is the whole part of the fun!

We walked towards the Jetty in North Greenwich where we could see a group of shipping containers sticking out onto the Thames and covered in fairy lights. There is loud music playing and lots of trendy looking people milling about. There is a place to get a drink and some food before your number is called and you enter the maze of crates. The atmosphere of the place makes you feel like the coolest, non cool person ever. GREAT!

The performance takes part inside the shipping containers and I must warn you that if you like theatre with a plot and story line this is not for you. Expect hilarious awkwardness and leaving 45mins later wondering what the hell just happened and why. I don't want to ruin any of the actual performance because the expectation is a part of the sensory overload. But you also have to take your shoes off! 

Why I think this is a great place for a date? Well, you will look like you know about these wacky, cool and trendy places. If, like me, you aren't on the cool side of the fence this place will help you fake it. You will both be made to feel awkward making it all equal on the nerves front, but you will have a hilarious experience to talk about afterwards and there is also a bar to get drunk in at the end! What is not to love? 

It is on until 27th September and tickets are a bargain at £10! It will be the best £10 you spend!!

Have you been? Or if you go on your first date here, how did it go?

Stay beautiful

xoxo

#2London Loves | Lest We Forget: Poppy Memorial Tower of London

Want to see something super amazing in London?! Head down to the Tower of London to see a really beautiful installation. The Bloodswept Lands and Seas of Red, by Paul Cummis, marks the 100 years since the day Britain entered the First World War. 

The 888,246 hand made ceramic poppies represent a British fallen soldier and a poppy will continue to be added until 11 November 2014, the day the war ended. It is a painful, visual reminder of just how many we lost during that war. You can purchase one of these poppies for £25.00, which will be donated to Help the Heros charity. 

Have you been to see the exhibition? What did you think?

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Banishing Chapped Lips with Blistex

I have been battling with dry lips for a couple of weeks now. With the constantly shifting weather my skin really doesn't know what's going on, dry to oily in the matter of hours. Such a pain!! I think I may have found the answer to all my wowes.

The Blistex Intensive Moisturiser* has been my day to day go to lip product. The tip is angled so that it hugs the lips giving maximum coverage. The cream itself isn't too thick or gloopy like some lip balms, it almost has a watery consistency. It contains Shea Butter that you can really feel working some voodoo magic. It gives a weird tingling sensation that soothed my red, sore lips and provided an almost instant relief.  Pure heaven! The Blistex Intensive Moisturiser also has a handy SPF10, perfect for protecting your puckka on skiing holidays!

We have all been there. You have a sonking cold you can't shift and you're having to breath through your mouth constantly because your nose feels like you have cotton wool stuffed up there. Resulting on your lips being dryer than a desert and you are desperate for people not to make you laugh for fear of them splitting. I will be reaching for the Blistex Relief Cream* on such occasions. This product is medicated and smells really minty. When I first opened the tube it squirted all over the place, so watch out for that! But I really like the texture of the lip balm, It may not be suitable for every day but I love that I have something to use in times of emergency. I am starting another course of Roacutane, which will intensely dry my lips out so the Blistex Relief Cream will be a god send!

Plus both products are under £3.00!!! Bargain!

Blistex Intensive Moisturiser, £2.63

Blistex Relief Cream, £2.65

Are there any lip balms you recommend for dry lips?

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Love at First Flutter | Clinique Lash Power Feathering Mascara Review

Been looking for the ‘it’ mascara of the summer? I have been trying out the new Clinique Lash Power Feathering Mascara in Black Onyx for a few weeks and I think I may have found it.

What they say: Out-to-there length and fine-tuned separation plus a feathery-soft look and feel after every buildable coat. All in a formula that stays put for up to 12 smudge-resistant hours, yet removes easily with warm water.

Before 

After 

What I say: I have totally fallen in love! This mascara creates beautifully natural looking lashes with the staying power of a waterproof mascara. It is also really easy to remove with warm water but it doesn’t budge through tears, sweat or rain! A bonus if you are heading to a festival this summer and you want something that will last just as long as you can. It is quite small so it doesn’t exactly last very long and you do have to apply a few coats to get this look. I have also used my MAC lash curlers in both pictures as I find my lashed need some added lift. But in saying that I really do rate this mascara!! 

Clinique Lash Power Feathering Mascara, £18.00

Are there any mascaras you have tried and loved?

Stay beautiful

xoxo

P.s sorry for the lighting and cropping. Made the mistake of taking photos at different times of day! Whoops!

Dipping a Toe into the Ocean of Blogging

There are millions upon millions of blogs out there, we are saturated with people sharing stories and opinions on a hourly basis. What clothes to wear, what make up is worth buying or where to go for the best burger. Although my little corner of the internet was started a few years ago, it is only in the last two months that I have invested my heart into it and I am a little shy to say love it. But I never expected anyone to see it.

This last week has brought me some revelations. For a while I felt like I was writing my thoughts down to be swallowed up by the black hole of the world wide web, never to be read, never to be pondered. But I knew that my Nanna who is in her 80s, and uses the internet, reads Pixi Picks and to me that was the only follower I ever really needed. Then something magical happened. I started getting tweets, direct messages and emails from people who had stumbled on my little island, liked what they read and actually took the time to message me. Some of these people have become virtual friends, swapping stories and tips but most importantly offering support.

I have reached a little mile stone, I wish I could personally thank every person who follows my adventures.To some reaching 50 may not be a big thing, but to me that is 49 more people than I ever thought possible. So thank you, you wonderful bunch of Pixi believers for joining me and my wonderful Nanna as I start paddling in the blogging ocean. I hope we can laugh a lot together! 

As a thank you I am running a give away to win a Tom Ford Lipstick (here)

Stay beautiful

xoxo

White Noise: Holiday Look #2

The sun was setting on my final night in Spain, we walked down to a seaside cove for a spot of dinner and along the way stopping to look out to sea. This Miss Guided dress was perfect for a glass of wine and a dinner of sea food Paella. The holiday flew by way to fast and I was sad to be coming home after just four days in the sun. 

Photographs by ADE Photography

Dress: Miss Guided Crochet Skater Dress

Shoes: Peacocks 

Necklace: Forever 21

Clutch: Kate Spade 
Sun Hat: Forever21
Sunglasses: Sheriff & Cherry

Watch: Michael Kors

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Flawless Foundation | Moisture Surge CC Cream Colour Correcting Hydrator Review

Shhhhhhh!!!! I am revealing my biggest beauty secret here, you can probably tell what it is from the title. I worked at Clinique for a year and became totally hooked on a few of their products, they pop up through out my blog. People often ask my how my foundation looks 'flawless' and if I am wearing the Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation (also a love), but I'm not and I can't take all the credit. The Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream Colour Correcting Hydrator is one of those products I will never again be able to live without. 

Light Medium

After (using Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream)

With foundation

What they say: One day, your skin looks 'different.' Too red, sallow, dull or ashy. Our guiding dermatologists know why. Skin's undertones change. Now, Smart Colour Correcting Technology helps change them back. In seconds, you look like the picture of health. Lasting, oil-free hydration and a sunscreen mean a more flawless look tomorrow, too.

What I say: On its own it acts as a colour corrector, evening out the skin tone and providing light coverage; similar to a tinted moisturiser. I have quite bad acne scaring so this alone would not be enough to conceal the redness and any blemishes.

So here is my secret, I use the Moisture Surge CC Cream as a primer. I like to use a flat foundation brush to apply a thin, pea size amount over my face. This evens out the colour and redness but doesn’t give me the coverage I need, so I follow with my foundation. Today I have decided to use Clinique Anti Blemish Solutions Makeup as I do not want it to look too thick and I want my skin so have a slight dewy sheen. Using the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush I then gently buff the foundation over the skin and blend it in with the Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream. The finished look is all one colour, redness and shadows gone.

Some people have questioned if this is quite thick but actually it isn't if you partner it with the right foundation. I also found that the finished look is better if you layer the products rather than mixing the CC cream and foundation together. Another great thing is that there are sooooo many colours! You are bound to find one that suits your skin tone. At the moment I am using the shade Light Medium because it is summer, but I also have the lightest shade Very Light which is perfect for me during the winter when I have less colour.

If you have quite dry skin I would recommend a gentle weekly exfoliator, I have heard some people say it can stick to patches of dry skin. I have oily skin so I haven't found this. If like me you skin gets oily, I like to set the foundation with Estee Lauder Double Wear Pressed Powder, but some other setting powder would work just as well. 

Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream Colour Correcting Hydrator, £28.00

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Summer Time Madness | Holiday Look #1

I took a little long weekend to sunny Spain a couple of weeks ago. It was so lovely to take a break and enjoy the sunshine. We decided to go out for cocktails and I thought it would be the perfect time to wear my favourite new dress from Miss Guided. Separates seem to be having a bit of a moment this season and this dress is seriously cute. The top hangs open exposing your back which I love - I had sunburn as you will see. 

I teamed the monochrome dress with some turquoise accessories which looked great in the sunshine. I love this outfit, I may even pull it out for my birthday in a couple of weeks. 

Photographs by ADE Photography

Dress: Miss Guided Scallop Dress 

Shoes: Peacocks 

Necklace: Forever 21

Clutch: Kate Spade 
Sunglasses: Sheriff & Cherry

Watch: Michael Kors

Stay beautiful

xoxo