Illuminating York 2015

Illuminating York is one of the first festivals of it's kind in the UK! It is now in its 10th year and is one of the most magically beautiful events I have seen. Running between October 28th-31st, the beautiful city is illuminated in unique and breathtaking ways. The festival re-defines well known sites in York and brings to light hidden gems enclosed in the historic city. From illuminating works of art to fringe events across the city, Illuminating York 2015 is said to be one of the best yet and I couldn't agree more after witnessing the opening night.

My personal favourite was seeing The Shambles lit up by glitter balls running down the centre enhanced by strategically placed lights. The whole street glistened and was filled with sighs of delight by the many attendees.

The Museum Gardens were another luminous delight, filled with botanical themed lights and sounds. As everybody walked around York's beloved Museum Gardens, all to be heard were positive comments and gazes of awe... A truly impressive display.

Of course, after all of the excitement of the magical lights, what better than some crepes rustled up by a Come Dine With Me winner? This adorable crepe van was filled with West End classics and you're served by charming men in suits and bow ties!

With 2015 being the UNESCO year of light, Illuminating York truly represented that in full form. The works of art by students displayed in The Guildhall were a perfect representation of this spectacular festival. As usual, York hasn't failed to impress me. Illuminating York is a must see and I can't wait for 2016's festival.

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All I Want For Christmas Is...

As Christmas speedily looms on us, I've of course been thinking about what presents I'd like to be opening on December 25th.

1) First on my list is something I've been after for quite some time. A Jo Malone candle, every time I go to buy one I always talk myself out of it: "this much for a candle, am I really going to do that?" and every time I regret not buying one... So what better way to get around the problem than to ask somebody else to buy me it?!

2)When I'm at home, I love to go for a walk in the woods with my family so a pair of Barbour wellies would be the perfect gift! These little babies to be precise..

3) If I was being optimistic and very lucky, a new Apple laptop would be perrrrfect.

4) As every girl does, I love handbags.. What's missing from my collection is a nice slouchy handbag, I've seen a few around but none are just right, if I found one that I love (eventually) then that would be a lovely gift to receive!

5) When it comes to comfort, Ugg have pretty much got it covered.. And what's better than the perfect pair of comfortable slippers? I've got my eye on these Scruffette II slippers for toasty feet through winter!

6) My bedroom is my sanctuary and I've decorated it with grey and white accessories. I'd love some photo frames to match in with my room as I love having my photos displayed.

7) My house mate has a fur blanket in her room and it's the softest thing I've ever touched. Of course after stroking her blanket for probably too long, I decided I wanted one.. It's from John Lewis and I think I need this blanket

8) Recently I've been using some Dermalogica products after being treated to them as an early birthday gift and I LOVE them.. My skin feels absolutely incredible. I usually have a very oily complexion and this special kit of miniatures for oily skin has really helped control it and give me a lovely even result, I got mine from Harvey Nichols in Leeds. I'd love to try some more of their products as they seem to agree with my skin!

9) If slippers and wellies weren't enough winter accessories on my list, here's another. The White Company do stunning jumpers and I'd love to have one! Have a look at their knitwear collection, you'll be as obsessed as I am! http://www.thewhitecompany.com/clothing/knitwear/

10) The same as a lot of girls I know, I'm absolutely lusting over H&M and Balmain collaborating! I'd love a killer dress to wear on a super special occassion!

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12 thoughts that girls have approaching winter..

1) I cant wait to get my winter jumpers out!

2) Did I REALLY look this fat in this jumper last year? Why did nobody tell me?! I look like a pumpkin..

3) This candle will look so good on my Instagram.

4) Whoever said layering was easy LIED TO MY FACE!

5) Oh these Starbucks and Costa Christmas cups are amazing.... for my Instagram

6) As soon as the snow turns into that gross slushy stuff I am BED BOUND 

7) Why have no shops realised that boots need to be nice AND have a good grip too?! I can't deal with slipping and sliding everywhere! 

8) Who cares if I eat my body weight in cake? Surely my winter woollies will cover it up, right?

9) Shit, it's Christmas very soon and I am very skint.. Looks like everyone's getting a hug this year, the gift that keeps on giving... 

10) How am I seriously expected to get out of my bed when A) it's absolutely baltic outside and B) it's still dark? Nope, not happening, not today.... Or tomorrow

11) This dress will look sooo cute with tights and boots... *steps outside*... Holy mother of God my legs are freezing!!!! Layer those tights ladies..

12) How do some girls pull of the bobble hat so well? I look like a rather obese male..

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Lists lists lists....

As I sit here to write this post, I'm surrounded by to do lists, weekly planners, diaries, lists for any occasion really. . I'm probably the worlds most obsessive list writer.. Everything is transferred to a list (I am far too rock and roll for my own good, I know)

The one thing I couldn't live without is my academic diary, this thing goes EVERYWHERE with me, if I ever lost it, it actually scares me thinking about what I'd do without it! I'm really starting to realise how sad my life is whilst I'm writing this post.....

I love to use my Ted Baker pen as it makes me feel a bit fancy! It's also a dream to write with... Wow I REALLY am sad.

In this little book my life is contained.. Appointments, lectures, dinner dates, train times, addresses, birthdays, phone numbers... The list goes on!

I've got a busy weekend ahead as it's my birthday weekend, the big 20! I can't even think about how many times I'm going to have to consult my diary this weekend, I'm terrible for forgetting times etc! When I'm not being lazy (most of the time I am) I use a different colour for different kinds of things.. Pink for dinner dates, black for uni, blue for birthdays etc.. I find that really helps if I'm just quickly checking my week.

Now my family are fully aware of how much pleasure I take in lists and stationary.. So last year my sister bought me this amaaaazing list book from Paperchase

 

I adore the print but sadly they don't sell them in this print any more, however they have some really nice ones in at the minute! It comes with a tick list, a larger list page, one with the floral print on and some little tab notes too. I use the tab notes for my reading for Uni to mark pages in books.

I make lists for every imaginable thing, on my wall at the moment I have a list of things I need to buy (this is a long one), how much I've spent this week, Christmas gift ideas, my Uni deadlines, things to do/read for Uni, what I'm going to take to Uni for lunch and what a I need to take home with me. Usually the one I need I'll pop into my diary so I always have it with me in case I need to add to it.

How do you guys keep organised? Do you have any tips to share?

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What's been keeping me so busy?!

I've been pretty distant from the blogosphere for a fair old while now, haven't I? Here's what I've been up to....


Spending a lot of time with my friends!
From day trips to nights out and everything in between! We've had weeks full of food, fun, drinks and so much quality time!

Amongst all of the fun, me and my house mates from first year have moved into our lovely new house, still in the centre of York!!

We've also gained a house mate, Victoria! She's so lovely and I'm really enjoying living with her!

I've also had lots of fun with Jack lately, including a trip to Kendal for our 1 year and have been spoilt with flowers too! 

As it's reaching that Christmas period, I couldn't help but start my shopping! I also may have gotten a bit too into the whole thing and spent £25 in Paperchase on wrapping things too!

Since being back in York, I've been really missing my friends from home, we spent so much time together over summer it's been more than odd not seeing them daily! This called for a good old reunion with them coming to York for the weekend!

Another friend came to York for the day, and he had one mission - to get to Betty's fast!! As always we had a delicious time! Afternoon tea for two!

So along with Uni and a loooot of Uni work, that's whats been keeping me busy in my time away from the blogosphere!

I'm back!

I have had a crazy busy few months, with moving into my new house, getting back into the swing of things at Uni and other things that have had me rushed off my feet! All of these things have lead me to neglect my beloved blog quite considerably..

I'm now back and ready to blog - I promise I'm back for good this time! I've been getting up to some really fun things lately and I'm really looking forward to sharing them with you all! I've been having lots of fun with my family and friends and of course have been taking lots of pictures to share!

As my 20th birthday looms closer and closer, I'm really starting to panic and think about the future, see my blog super soon for a post of things that I'm thinking about as I realise that I'm a fully grown adult now! Eeeeep!