So I went to Tesco today with my mum, and she (lovely of her) treated me to this beautiful little journal. I don't know what it is about stationary but I find it all very exciting don't you? Probably not, you probably get excited about money or holidays ( I do also)  and not pieces of paper being held together in a journal. However how cute is this? 

I'm going to use it as my blogging and journalism journal. I will take it with me to places so I can jot down ideas for posts and articles- that's what writers say you should do! So hopefully this will mean better and more blog posts that you'll all enjoy. I am also hoping to get back on the photography wagon so you can all enjoy pretty little pictures too!

Much love X Laura

Sometimes we fill our lives with social plans and studies and work, that we forget about one very important thing- relaxation. We may feel like we have no time for it or that cramming lots of activities into small amounts of time is the same as relaxing as you are spending your 'free time'. However free time can be seen and used in different ways.

In my opinion, free time is what I call the time I spend alone relaxing by myself and doing the little things that I want to do- like watching my favourite show or playing my guitar. To others free time may be what they call their social life. Or they may be one of those people who HAS to be doing something social to be having a good time and feel relaxed.

I am here to express the importance of relaxation. Which I'm sure you all already know, but as I sit snuggled up in my duvet at 5pm on a Tuesday, I have decided that I want to stress how wonderful it is to 'chill' and relax. It's just so cosy and warm and makes all the little things and problems go away for a while. I'm not suggesting you run away from problems but sometimes you want to just curl up and that's okay!


I believe it is important to spend time by yourself, whether it be napping, shopping, jogging etc whatever it is you like doing. This is because sometimes we spend so much time helping others or listening to others that we forget to listen to ourselves. We need time alone in order to catch up with ourselves and think about what it is that we want, and how we feel. You need time to gather your thoughts and organise your time so that stress is gradually eliminated.

So next time you have a few hours free, instead of planning outings or social events, take some time to be by yourself and enjoy your own company. You'll feel more refreshed and calm and happier about your routine and life. Time alone sometimes can be good for you! :)

Fresher's week is always a much awaited time for students to-be. For a lot of students, it offers a chance to be wild and free, and a perfect way to celebrate living away from Mum and Dad. It's hard to know what to expect before experiencing it as it is not the same as going on a one off night out. Here are some things you can expect from 'Fresher's week'- or in some Universities' case 'Fresher's Fortnight':


1.) Fresher's flu is NOT a myth. You WILL get ill during your first few weeks. This is because there are so many people, all in a new environment, and it is easy to spread germs and illnesses.

2.) You will be handed flyers everywhere you go and you will end up with a room full of them by the end of the week.

3.) Foam parties can be dangerous if you're not overly tall!

4.)Your halls will look worse for wear when you wake up every morning.

5.) Queues will be massive and you will wonder, when you finally get in, if your first year is already over because you've been standing in the queue for that long.

6.) Everyone is overly friendly. Be careful.

7.)You'll eat a lot of fast food.

8.)You'll get sick of your 'Fresher's Week' wristband getting soaked every time you shower, wash your hands or wash up, and staying wet for the rest of the day.

9.)Flat/House parties will probably end up being better than the events.

10.) You may not make it into all of your University lectures. Or if you do, it's probably because you have just stayed awake from the night before.

11.) Fresher's Fayre will make you feel like you are a herd of cattle, and you'll feel as though someone will 'moo' at any given moment.

12.) You'll have been persuaded to enter an empty night club, just because you were all too polite to walk away.

13.) Even if you haven't gone out, you won't sleep due to all the racket going on outside- both from club music and people having arguments in the courtyards at 4am.

14.) All your shoes will be sticky from people spilling their drinks down you whilst you try to squeeze past them to go to the toilet when in night clubs.

15.) And finally, you'll realise you've spent too much money, and you'll try to make a plan where you live off £5 a week- which only one day later won't work out as you've bought another kebab to 'save on washing up', when we all know it's because you're too lazy to cook.

We spend all year waiting for our summer holidays whether they be a sunny beach holiday or a bagpacking scottish wildlife holiday, we can't wait to start packing. But are you ready for your holiday? Some of our holidays can be very costly and it seems too much to pamper ourselves before we go, even though we may need it. However not all beauty products are expensive. Here are my budget beauty tips and holiday essentials that will assure that you are ready for your much deserved holiday without splashing out too much cash!

Before you go:

Boots Simply Sensitive range will assure your skin will be squeaky clean, fresh and nourished just in time for your holiday. Simply Sensitive's face wipes are perfect for popping in your holiday bag for quick make up removal!

I know people love a good ol' 'How To' blog post, myself including, so I thought it was about time I did another. I don't know how helpful it will be but I suppose we shall fathom that at the end. So recently I been a little down and I sat at my desk all alone, feeling sorry for myself, and it got me pondering happiness.
Sure, we all feel down and sometimes we feel really down and we think that happiness is so far out of reach or for some is an impossible task. But I soon realised it wasn't. Sometimes when we're down, we see happiness as something enormous and difficult to get, which then only makes us feel worse. We sometimes feel as though we are never going to be perfectly happy. So whilst pondering, I thought I would list down some steps as to being happy. Now of course I'm not saying these will definitely work or that they are scientifically proved, but they have helped me.


1.) Realisation- Sometimes even WE don't know why we are sad, we just are. And not knowing can make things worse, which is why I feel it is best to ask yourself and really dig deep, 'Why am I sad? What is causing my sadness?' Now it will take time, and there are days when we are literally down for no reason, but usually there will be a reason, and once you've figured out what it is, you'll be able to understand your emotions and perhaps overcome it.

2.) Acceptance- Accept the situations, accept your life and accept yourself. This is tricky. I won't sit here and act like it'll be easy. I still have a lot of work to do on this step. I find it hard to accept things in life, things that aren't fair and make me ask 'why me?'. But getting wound up about something won't necessarily change it. Unfortunately in life, things aren't always fair, and they do suck! But it is how we react and go about them that will result in a happier self. We sometimes have to just ACCEPT that there will be bad times, and some days we will be sad. But that's okay, we're only human.

3.) Talk to people- bottling up emotions is never good. Hell, I've tried, and I'm sure you all have too. So maybe you feel most comfortable with a friend or maybe your sibling or your mother, who ever you feel is the right person to talk to, talk to them. Even if they have no opinion on the matter, just having someone to listening will feel great. And once you've ranted and gotten everything off you chest, a huge weight will be lifted. Will the problem be solved, no probably not, but you'll feel happier for sharing. And besides that's what your friends and family are for.

4.) Don't be angry- We all get angry from time to time, I get angry a lot. But what does anger really solve- nothing. So it's a whole lot of wasted energy resulting in nothing. It's so much better to just brush it off your shoulder and let it go. Need I sing Frozen's 'Let It Go' here? I know we all want to get angry sometimes, not that its a nice feeling but in some ways I feel as though because it is one of the stronger emotions we feel more certain and powerful, which can often give us a rush of adrenaline. But wouldn't you rather have a happy adrenaline rush. If you face things positively they are much more likely to be resolved. So don't be angry, just stay calm and distract yourself with something that will make you laugh.

5.) Always make time for family- I know when you get to a certain age, all you want to do is hang out with your friends. And whilst friends are extremely important, nothing goes deeper than family. I know that I feel at my happiest when I am with my family. And if you are lucky enough to have a good family, then there is just so much unconditional support, comfort and love there waiting for you. Whenever I feel down, I think of my family and how crazy we are. It gives me strength . When you're with family, you can completely relax and be you.

6.) Do fun things- Sounds and obvious one but it can be the simplest of things. Such as going for a coffee with an old friend and catching up, or booking cinema tickets to a funny movie. Even a little stroll through the park with your partner, will be enough to make you feel like you did something productive with your day. I went for a 10 minute walk through the park with my boyfriend the other day- so simple- and it made me ridiculously happy! Or if these aren't your things, then whatever is, you should do them. Having something to look forward to or maybe something spontaneous, are really great, easy ways to stay positive and happy.

7.) Listening to happy music- Music can have such a strong impact on our emotions and mood. If I listen to a sad song, I feel sad. It goes without saying. So listen to a happy song in the car or whilst getting ready in the morning, it does a world of good!

8.) Stay cool- Whenever I get hot and bothered I feel angry and stressed. Whenever I'm walking somewhere, because I am a fast walker, I get hot very easily. So if you're like me, then plan extra time to walk, so you don't have to walk so fast, don't get out of breath, and you'll have more time to enjoy the walk. This sounds like a silly step, but like I said, sometimes it's the little things, that will determine anger/happiness.

9.) Treat yourself- I know some of us aren't exactly rich, so this one may be a little difficult. But I'm not suggesting you spend heaps of money all the time. Just every now and again or when you're feeling down, treat yourself. It could even be free, for example a relaxing evening away from work/study, with a face pack and a movie. I treated myself to a Domino's pizza the other night- totally worth it!

10.) Relax- It's so easy to get stressed these days. So why not try sleeping to some relaxing music. When I did that for a week, my sleeping was so much better and I felt a lot better for doing it. It can really help stress levels. Or if you're not in to that then meditation could work- although a little hard if you're a fidget like me! Whatever it is that you find relaxing, a bubble bath maybe, it'll help you wind down from the day and you'll see that anger wash away!

Now I hope these little tips have helped. Of course these aren't the only steps, but these were some I had thought of and wanted to share with you all! X

Have you ever felt like you have so much to give, yet you can't seem to give it? I know I have, and that's why I felt it was important to write about becoming the better you. We all have a version of ourselves that we like more, you know, the kind who always has an answer or come back? Well unfortunately most of the time we spend our days worrying and stressing about that person we want to be, that we forget about the real person who is dying to come out. So here are my 5 steps to becoming a better you....


Step 1.) Find out what it is that makes you happy.
It is extremely important that we feel comfortable doing what we do, and that usually comes with happiness. I know that I find my confidence when I am doing something I enjoy and feel comfortable with- I feel a lot happier about the way I am also. Doing the things that make us happy, will all round make us feel better about ourselves. It will allow us to forget about what others think of us and start enjoying the freedom away from our thoughts. Once you start enjoying yourself, those worries suddenly fade and you realise you stop thinking about them so much.

Step 2.) Take opportunities.
Don't pass up opportunities to do things. They may just be your big break, or chance to meet some wacky new people, or even try new foods. I know sometimes we feel nervous about taking opportunities, but once you take them, your confidence will rise and make you glad you did it. Also, if opportunities don't come to you, why not go to them. There is no harm in being bold and going for it, and putting yourself out there. For example, in business terms, instead of waiting for them to request you, email them and let them know who you are. Being bold and confident and pushy sometimes gets you further than you'd think. Don't hold back, just go for it! What have you got to lose?


Step 3.) Talk to people.
I used to always feel nervous talking to people, and worry about what I said or how I was perceived. Once you get over that barrier, you will be able to have good conversations without worrying. So stop and chat to people you know on the street. Ask about them and don't feel shy about telling them all about what you've been doing. Walking away from that conversation will make you feel happy, confident and in control- as if you handled the situation well. It sounds silly but trust me it works. So say hello to people and don't be afraid to ask questions and start discussions.

Step 4.) Get organised and be productive.
There is nothing worse that clutter and disorganisation. So tidy and clean and file etc. Make you work, or house, or even you blog look organised. Once you have you'll feel a weight has lifted and feel much more relaxed. Once you have relaxed you'll feel happier and productive. And more so, you will have more time on your hands to do things- such as arranging to go out with friends, or read, or shop!

Step 5.) Get in touch with who you really are.
Ask yourself 'Am I really the person who my head creates or is that just a fictitious character I have developed?'. Sounds complicated but let me argue my case. I always used to see myself in my head- an alter ego shall we say. And I always compared myself to her, and felt as though she was the real me. She was cooler, prettier and funnier and much more confident than I was. And it used to get me down just thinking about 'when will the outer me start acting like the inner me?'. So I asked myself, 'Is she really me? Am I capable of being her?' And the answer was mostly no.  And do not be disheartened by this, I'm sure there are plenty of her/his qualities that you can learn from and alter to your heart's content. But do not rely on this alter ego. Be who you are and work on that. Be confident and do not hold back. Be proud of who you are and how you are.

I hope these 5 steps have helped. If you would like more tips and advice then please leave a comment!

As a student, we are constantly trying to find the cheapest brands of foods. Although its tough, its actually a valuable lesson for the future. If you look hard enough you will find there are foods out there which are much cheaper and taste just as good as the more expensive ones. Here are a few tips and foods that are great for students:


I hope these tips have been useful. Don't forget to compare prices at different supermarkets too. X

ALDI and ASDA are fantastic! https://www.aldi.co.uk/   http://www.asda.com/