A change of scenery

Well, over the last few weeks everything about my daily routine has changed. On the 19th September, my parents and I packed up the car with all of my things, and plugged Nottingham into the sat-nav. Slightly teary after saying goodbye to my sister, we headed off, bound for the place I was going to be calling my home for the next three years studying a subject I love: Photography.  I had finally started university.

The thought that I am sat here writing this in a completely different area, house and bedroom shows just how much things can change so quickly, and how even though I thought I could never do it, finally leaving that home - wrapped comfort zone is some what refreshing.

This last few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster (excuse the cliche); there have been some really great times (the notorious freshers week really lived up to expectations, as it was GREAT) but also some very difficult times getting to grips with living with complete strangers and learning to adapt to this new environment. I am a fully fledged 'I love my home and family and typical comfort zone of life' type of girl, so that first night and for a couple of weeks after arriving the transition was HARD. However don't take that as me saying I want to leave university, as living independantly is pretty refreshing once you get into it, and let me just say that I have taken a liking to cooking which my mum thought would never ever happen.  So maybe you will get some food snaps on the odd occasion, who knows!

If any of you reading this have just begun university, keep up the good work and I hope you are enjoying yourself! I hope to continue this blog as it is a reminder of home to me but also as I develop through my university adventure.

Rea x

Entering Autumn

So despite the incredible blue skies today clinging on as apposed to our usual grey and glum weather, Autumn is undoubtedly on our doorstep. This season, is one of my favourites. Many of you may be thinking how could you say that!? after the beautiful summer us Brits have just had (and believe me I am whole fully grateful) but there is something about Autumn that just gets me every time. 

The weather in Autumn, I think, is like marmite. Some hate it and and some love it. I personally love it, because you can enjoy those sunny mornings where the sky is blue and clear but you also get those days where you are forced to snuggle up inside all day (in fear of that transitional-to-cold-weather freezing numb face, but really it's an excuse to fill up on tea and cakes and lounge on the sofa) 

Some of my favourite things about Autumn include:

• The weather, as stated above
• The clothes. Topshop in particular becomes a beacon of guilt at this time of the year for me, because everything is just way to perfect. And so because of the change in temperature, without those new extra layers *trying to justify purchases*, well you may freeze . And no mum, you wouldn't want that...
• Candles. Those heavenly warm scents are back and there is no problem in filling your house with those smells even if someone else doesn't like them.
• Food. Hearty portions of typical pub food are back on the menu after the 'summer salad' phase. Oh how I've missed you...
• And obviously, with the arrival of Autumn, means not far behind it, is Winter. I don't think I need to tell you what that means... *Que Michael Buble serenading the hearts of every British woman*

So those are some of the reasons I am ready for Autumn this year, and I would love to hear your thoughts on the season and what your looking forward to also!

This Weeks Pic's

The perfect accompaniment of a mint green clutch with gold detailing from Accessorize

A perfect day at my Nans' Cousins house for a family reunion 

There were many little hidden gems among the gardens

I fell in love with the colours of the 'Primrose: Early Colour Photography In Russia' exhibition at the Photographers Gallery, London

Which was then followed by Eds diner Cajun Vegetable burger. I think it was well deserved after all the walking...

On the road

So a few weeks ago my family and I flew across the pond to embark on a two week road trip, starting in Canada where we drove down the west coast into the United States. We landed into Calgary in Canada, where we then travelled down towards Vancouver. The scenery was incredible, and made the hours of travelling down there slightly more bearable. After soaking in the scene in Vancouver, we headed across the border (where we met the most talkative and helpful border officer I've ever met) and plodded towards Seattle. Bringing the first sunshine of our trip (we were eternally greatful) it really was a beautiful city with lots of shops and markets. The trip then took us to San Francisco which was amazing. Here we were able to stop and rest our tired bones for three days and then the return journey involved heading back up to Vancouver, driving through areas such as Portland and many small towns and pit stops. It's safe to say by the end of the trip we were stuffed to the brim with burgers and chips and had done enough travelling to last us a lifetime, but it really was a memorable trip with many fun memories. 

Sorry if the spacing between some of the images has messed up and is all over the place, I know it looks awful! I am still working out how to stop that!

Soap & Glory Solar Powder review

Can we firstly just admire how beautiful this bronzer is? It is perfect. 

It hadn't really occurred to me before to delve into Soap & Glorys' make-up collection, as all I had really tried (and loved) were their bath and body products. But as I was wondering back and forth through the isles of Boots in search for a new bronzer, I spotted the S&G body care and had a light bulb moment. After hunting further to find their make-up section I came across this bronzer which just looked too amazing to leave behind.  

I personally think this bronzer is for all skin tones as it is not to heavy at all, but could be darkened with a few layers. The highlighter S&G in the middle adds extra luminosity and just gives the perfect sun-kissed glow.

However slightly pricey at £11, it really is a gorgeous bronzer in my opinion and can work for everyone! The packaging is nothing too fancy as it has a paper/cardboard feel (if that makes any sense) so that aspect doesn't really wow, but does have a mirror in the top of the compact which really comes in handy for on the go. All in all though, love it.

This Weeks Pic's

Hamsa necklace - Urban Outfitters £14
2 Pack necklaces - H&M
(http://www.hm.com/gb/product/27904?article=27904-A)
- £6.99

Desk decorations including fresh flowers and
a mini Buddha I picked up from a charity shop

Current favourite summer nail shades - Urban Outfitters 'Violet Cream' and 'Peach Melba' (http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/uk/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=5763444181001&parentid=WOMENS-
BEAUTY-EU) -Both £6.
Paired with Sally Hansen 'Double Duty' Base and Top Coat (http://www.superdrug.com/sally-hansen/sally-
hansen-double-duty-base-and-top-coat-13ml/invt/243132&bklist=) - £4.95

Adding some greenery to my room with these cute
artificial cactus
(http://www.johnlewis.com/house-by-john-lewis-
artificial-
mini-cactus-h20cm/p637249)
Both around £8

Making my face feel clean and refreshed every
night is the 'Seaweed Clarifying Toner' from The Body
Shop
(http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/skincare/top-
rated/seaweed-clarifying-toner.aspx)
£8

Look who's finally back

So, I haven't been on my blog in what feels like forever and it really has been ages! When I stopped writing my blog its because I wasn't sure I was happy with how it looked and what I was writing was enjoyable enough. But after a bit of thinking I've decided to come back to my blog (took me long enough to get to that conclusion) and continue in the way I was before, whilst also adding my own photography projects to make this blog even more personal. I am currently in the final stages of an art foundation so things are a bit hectic but I think this blog will be a good platform to share things I enjoy and my passions. I am off to university this September (pat on the back if I may say so) and so I hope to carry this blog on into that new chapter! Hope you enjoy!

Rea xxx