Suicidal People are Attention Seeking

And so they should be if it means getting the help they need...

   National Suicide Prevention Day yesterday saw the spreading of love, support and awareness for mental health on social media. Unfortunately, it also laid bare the harmful mindsets surrounding those who choose to speak out about their mental illnesses.

   I ask you this: when you saw this blog post on your feed, did you click on it expecting to read a full blown rant about how mental health sufferers play the victim to get their two minutes of fame?

I don't blame you if you did.

Habits not to get into when you're at University

   Taking flight from the nest to university comes with a great deal of responsibility. You won't feel the weight of it at first but, shortly after all the fun, dancing and boozing at freshers, there will come a time where you must 'adult'.

   Take it from me, a university student who has completed her first year, you will do very well not to pick up any of these bad habits...

Why not to despair if your A Levels didn't work out

   A few days ago, the dreaded annual A-Level results day swarmed mainstream media. Televised everywhere, tantalising truths were disclosed at the tearing of envelopes and tears that followed.

   Were you one of those students? In the heat of the moment, it might feel as if those typed grades will forever be imprinted on your life, defining your self worth, your future and your success. You couldn't be more wrong.

Sheaqueous Moisturiser by SheaByNature Review

   Being someone who has dry and sensitive skin, I was delighted when SheaByNature kindly sent me this multi-purpose moisturiser to trial and review. The best thing about it is that it is for everyone! It's vegan friendly, suitable for babies and children as well as adults and no animal testing was involved in its production.

What to expect from your first driving lesson

   If you're reading this, you are either considering taking driving lessons or you're one of my lovely regular readers who already know how to drive but decided to drop by anyway. If you're the latter then your almighty wisdom would be very much appreciated in the comment section!

   As for me, I started my driving lessons fairly recently and - so far - so good! (At least, my driving instructor tells me so.) For those of you bricking it at the prospect of operating a vehicle, I must digest: you have absolutely nothing to be afraid of.

Discover My Blog - The Liebster Award

   I have been nominated by the lovely Lily of Covet Luxe for the Liebster Award, which helps readers like yourselves discover the person behind the blog. Lily has presented me with 11 questions so I shall do my best to answer them. I hope you enjoy getting to know better through this week's post!

The Skin care routine you need

   Something I have been doing for a while that I wish I started doing earlier is double cleansing. It is now an essential part of my evening skin care and make up removal routine. When I am consistent with these steps, my skin clears up fast and always leaves me feeling refreshed.

 

Review: The Devil's Poetry by Louise Cole

Overall Rating: ★★★ ☆☆         Difficulty Rating: ★★★★☆

   Nothing was abnormal about Callie's love for books. However, the fact that reading from one particular powerful book was to determine the fate of the world certainly rang peculiar...

Review: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Overall Rating: ★★★★★         Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆

   Young Lou Clark - with her quirky personality, eccentric dress sense and untrammelled love for cups of tea - enjoys her job at The Buttered Bun cafe. Descending into her late twenties, she seems content to go from job to job to help her family make ends meet. She seems content to carry on with her boyfriend despite being acutely aware that she is not in love with him. She seems content to never leave the confines of the cosy, traditional and small-town Pembroke. 

   That is until she becomes a carer for Will Traynor, whose desire to live was snatched from him following his horrific motorcycle accident. Little do they know that they will each change the other's outlook on life forever.

Revolution and The Alchemist Bar

   Seeing as I finished my studies for the year and my best friend - Katie - had an interval between her law exams, we decided to take some time off for ourselves. What better way to treat yourself than to explore some beguiling city bars?

Three Days in Dublin

DAY 1 ♡

   February was a trying time for me and my friends at university so, by the time the days dragged to March, we were too ready to get away. After some deliberation, we decided on visiting Dublin as flights were fairly cheap. I had never been to Dublin before so I was on a whole new level of excited!

Review: What Remains of Me by A.L Gaylin

Overall Rating: ★★★★☆          Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆

Review: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by Jack Thorne, John Tiffany and J.K. Rowling

Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆          Difficulty Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

   Just when you thought the wizarding world of Harry Potter could expand no further, J.K. Rowling - who brought us Pottermore and Fantastic Beasts - worked her magic yet again and presented us with a play!

A Tribute To My Mother

This is a tribute to my mother

Stern she may be

But I still love her

Because of my mother, I am me.

When I sprouted from a seed

And bloomed into a bud,

She catered to my every need

And pulled me out of the mud.

As the years went by

I began to branch out

I was growing less shy

And, when it came to voicing her doubts,

My mother never held back.

I just wish I cut her more slack.

Now fruitful, blossoming, flowering

It's clear to see I stole her traits.

Advising, supporting and empowering:

She's still doing this to date.

Mother, thank you for everything you do.

I honestly don't know what I'd do without you.

Review: My True Love Gave To Me edited by Stephanie Perkins

   Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆          Difficulty Rating: ★★☆☆☆

   If you want some easy going stories of romance to curl up with during this chilly season then this book is perfect for you. My True Love Gave To Me comprises a collection of twelve short tales of love that will make you feel all warm inside even with the numbing cold outside.

   Whether you celebrate the Winter Solstice, New Year, Christmas or Hannukah; whether you are a believer or non-believer of magic, there is something here for everyone. This book features stories from twelve young adult writers - including Ally Carter, Gayle Forman and Myra McEntire - that have been edited by international best-selling author, Stephanie Perkins.
   The best thing about this short story collection is the exploration of contrasting writing styles. Each author is wonderfully unique and has a different take on the subject of wintry romances. You can really see how their minds tick.

Valentines Day Gift Ideas for Her

   Valentines Day is just around the corner and you have not yet purchased a present for your girlfriend - sacrilege! Fear not. If you are struggling to find the ideal gift for your loved one that is less on the pricey side, you have come to the right place. With these simple but effective ideas, you will obtain the perfect present for your lady in a heart beat!

Rosa White Photo Frame, £12,
Paperchase

1. A Framed Picture of You Together

   Nothing makes one smile more then reflecting on a treasured memory. So, what better way to do this than presenting her with a framed photograph of you together? That way, she will always have an aesthetic reminder of how great you are together to display in her room.
   I would recommend purchasing a Paperchase picture frame as they have a beautiful selection that is cost efficient (There is a 10% discount for students!). My personal favourite is the simplistic Rosa white photo frame, which is only £12 and guaranteed to go well in any room as white goes with any colour! It is, however, available in other colours.

Britney Spears Midnight Fantasy
Eau de Parfum, £15.30, Boots

2. Perfume

   Do you like the perfume she wears? Let her know you do by gifting her with her favourite fragrance.
   I use the Britney Spears Midnight Fantasy perfume, which is faultless with its sweet smelling aroma that, unlike a lot of perfumes, is not sickly or overwhelming. It is currently on offer at Boots at £15.30. That saves you just under £8 and so would make a bargain gift for her this Valentines Day.
   You can find more offers of up to 1/2 price on perfume here.

Cosmetic Make Up Clear Acrylic
Organiser, 20 Sections with Draws,
£12.19, Amazon

3. Make Up Organisers

   If you know that she is a make-up maniac then you can be sure that she will definitely appreciate some form of organisation!
   These Cosmetic Make Up Clear Acrylic Organisers are certainly growing in popularity. There are many variations of this product and its minimalistic design allows for it to look exquisite on any dressing table. What's more is that they can be purchased cheap on Amazon, which is an amazing deal taking into consideration it's spacious storage. No more messy make up!

My turquoise themed stationary set

including: Pukka Pad, 2017 diary,

laptop case, pencil case (including

pencils, pen, ruler and rubber) and

revision cards, WHSmith

4. Matching Stationary

   Whether your partner is organised or has a flair for creativity, stationary possesses the key to her heart. Matching stationary sets are a sight for the sore eyes of any perfectionist!

   If you struggle to find a set of stationary that matches, try instead to apply a consistent theme. For example, you could purchase a number of pastel coloured items or products with butterflies on them. As you can see in the illustration, I have a matching pencil case and laptop case as well as a diary, revision cards and a notebook that follow the turquoise theme.

   You will easily be able to find matching stationary sets in any stationary store such as WHSmith or Waterstones but I would highly recommend Paperchase because their selection of stationary is just breathtakingly beautiful and exquisite.

   

5. Books

My last book haul from
Waterstones

      If your woman is a book lover like myself then there is no doubt that she will adore the bones of you if you present her with a paperback or two... or ten.

   Unsure of what books to buy her? Get a feel of what genre she enjoys to read about (thriller, fantasy, biography, sci-fi, etc) or have a look at the recommendations in any book store. They always tend to display the latest and most popular publications that have received good reviews and awards. Alternatively, explore any book store yourself and have a read of the blurb; if it sounds interesting to you, it will be likely to appeal to her also! 

   Who knows, you might find yourself asking her to borrow them to read after she has finished with them. It would make a great discussion over a cup of tea!