Thursday 28 June 2012

Style Crush: Kendall and Kylie Jenner

The last few months I have been obsessed with Kendall and Kylie Jenner! I know their fame was handed to them on a plate but I can't get over how amazingly good looking they both are. They're so fresh faced and have such cool style. So, I found some of my favourite photos for you all to have a look at and an ogle over. Enjoy!

Stunning!!

 Alex x

Monday 25 June 2012

Sunday is for Baking



Whilst nursing a hangover yesterday, I found the sudden urge to bake some yummy cupcakes. Now I know what your all thinking, 'Demi, you said you were on a diet!' and yes I am. I didn't touch one of them but sold them at the shop I work at instead. As seen in the photo above are cupcakes, both standard sponge but the toppings are 'Chocolate Overload' with chocolate butter cream, milk/white chocolate buttons and a malteser to decorate. The other is the sophisticated combination of butter cream, decorated with a rasberry and white chocolate shavings.

For those of you that enjoy a bit of home baking, you can find easy recipes online. The one I normally follow is the standard Vanilla Cupcake recipe on the BBC page.


In terms of decorating your cupcakes, go wild and decorate the hell of them. However, if you like the less is more approach a simple butter cream topping will do the trick For those of you that follow the blog, go on if you have some free time on your hands bake some yummy cupcakes and if you fancy it send me some photos! Demi xo. 

Monday 18 June 2012

Summer slimming



As we all know, it comes round to that time of the year where we regret not putting in extra work at the gym in the winter. The sun comes out, shorts get shorter and the bikinis come out, especially on holiday...

First year of uni is the worst time to lose weight or stay fit, (well, it has been a struggle for me!) You go out, you drink and you suddenly get the munchies for everything going in the takeaway which does nothing for the figure. So... with that said, I have taken it upon myself to invest in a personal trainer this summer. I know not everyone can afford to fork out for a trainer and trust me I can only afford it thanks to my summer job. But anyway some key tips he's already taught me about being healthier is

1.BREAD AND PASTA are a complete NO NO!







2. Try to stay away from dairy products, especially in your cuppa. Change it up for a green tea, so much better for you!



3. Jog, jog, jog! It is an all around body workout. Keeps you in shape- try do a good jog once a week!




Watch this space, I will keep you all updated with how my summer slimming is getting on and if your trying to get fit too, then go for it! Get motivated and hit the gym, or just walk more, take the stairs or whatever you can. Trust me, I hope it pays off in the long run and I'm sure it will...

Demi x

Sunday 17 June 2012

Make A Statement

I thought I'd share some of my favourite websites for finding statement jewellery. These two, Galibardy and Regal Rose, are two particular favourites.

If you want to make a bold statement have a look at Galibardy.com. They have some really quirky, gothic-looking rings and necklaces. Here's some of my faves...




Regal Rose, on the other hand, is more kinda Urban Outfitter-esque type jewellery. Everything is pretty reasonably priced as well.







Alex x

Thursday 14 June 2012

Guide to being a Fresher...

Following on from Demi's post on finishing uni I thought I'd do a little post on my tips and tricks for having a fab first year at university.

Freshers Week
1) Don't drink too much - Kind of an obvious one. Have fun but no one wants to be found passed out in the hall's lift and found by some random that will laugh about it with all their friends.
2) Don't try too hard - Trying too hard to impress might come across as a bit fake and put people off. So, just be yourself, add a dose of confidence, and you'll be fine!
3) Fresher's Flu is imminent - Having never had a proper hangover before uni I thought this whole 'Fresher's Flu' business was nonsense. Well after 6 nights out in a row you're immune system is at an all time low. I don't think mine ever recovered and spent most of first year with some medical problem or two!

Work
1) Work or Play? - I think its best to balance the two. Keep on top of assignments but skip a few lectures, lay in bed for a day after a solid night out, just don't get too far behind. Cramming for exams after easter is not much fun.
2) Course - Make sure you have a proper look at your actual course content. You can change course once you're there but theres nothing worse than not enjoying what your studying.

Budgeting - Something I majorly struggled with!
1) Nights out - A majority of your budget will end up here but always make sure you've got guest list, share taxis, and find other people to buy you drinks hahaha. I joke.
2) Food - the reduced section is your best friend. Also, look out for the local market to get healthy stuff way cheaper than in supermarkets. I was catered first year which I think made a huge difference. I didn't have the pain of always going to the supermarket to buy food and also dinner was always really social.

I hope this has been helpful and ask any questions if you want!!

Alex x

Wednesday 13 June 2012

Today was a Royal affair


Crowds fill market place in Nottingham town centre. anxious for a view of the Queen, William and Kate

Today was an exciting day in Nottingham for all. The Queen was in town along with Wills and Kate who greeted her at Nottingham Train station this morning. I was absolutely devastated when I found out I was working today, as friends of mine had asked me to join them, to see the royals in the Market Square in the centre of Nottingham.

Fashion wise Kate is the queen or should I say the duchess of recycling her outfit pieces for different public appearances. This assemble seen below Kate has worn before, but today she teamed it with black courts and a navy fascinator

Same dress, different occasion: Kate wore the tweed dress in March to Fortnum & Mason, left, before recycling it for today's outing, right
The Queen arrived at Nottingham Train Station where she was met by William, The Duke of Cambridge and Kate, The Duchess of Cambridge.

Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the balcony at the Council House, Nottingham.

The Queen continued with the ever-so-flattering mint green palette, following on from one of her Jubliee outfits from last weekend...

Crowds filled the Market Square to see the Royals (as seen on the photo top) around 35,000 people , some setting up camp for front row seats from as early as 5am this morning! It is great to see such royal spirit in my home town, it makes me even more proud of where I'm from, to see local people showing such adoration and support for the Royal Family.


P.S Wills looked as dashing as ever, giving his grandmother a warm greeting at the station and during the days events x

Demi x

Time flies when your drinking trebles...

After the weekend, I feel like it is only appropriate that I write about my first year of uni! On Sunday I left the 'toon' for the summer and headed back to suburbia, Nottingham style. As cheesy as it sounds, it only seems like yesterday when my parents dropped me off to an empty room to start a year of crazy madness.


Freshers week, full moon party.

Freshers week was so bizarre, you spend all your time partying with people you just met and it is an exhausting week of partying and finding your feet in a new city. I especially learned quickly that trebles were definitely not an urban myth in the town of Newcastle, they did exist, and they are lethal! 

Although my whole year was not one big party I did enjoy myself, attending music concerts, comedy nights, trips to the cinema and Tynemouth to name a few... 
Trip to Tynemouth 

A few of the girls on a Friday night

Morning stroll round Leazes lake 

I can't believe I am now at home for a mammoth summer which will be amazing. I am so glad that I have so many great memories to look back on for my first year of uni, this may relate to many of you and if it does then I hope you all had a fantastic experience like me. x 

Demi x

Friday 8 June 2012

End of exams!!!!

None of you may care but Demi and I are so relieved that exams are over we had to blog about it!! We headed over to the Slug and Lettuce for 2 for 1 cocktails with our friend Katy and we also had some yummy food. Afterwards we thought the celebrations should continue and we went to Pasqualino's for a pitcher and it was so tasty. We were pretty tipsy by this point and still had the night to come :)


Fisherman's Platter

Solid Effort...
Course Friend!! 
The Crew
Us with our German Friend, Jana!
Alex x

Tuesday 5 June 2012

Jubilee Joy

For the patriots amongst us, it has been a weekend filled of tradition in truly British Fashion. As all of us are aware, this weekend the Queen celebrates her Diamond Jubilee meaning that she has spent 60 years reigning as our Queen.


Whether you have been celebrating with your family, or taking advantage of the extra few days off work, I hope its been a good one. As you can see above, one of my friends got into the celebrations with this royal nail art.

Queen Elizabeth II

Kudos to the Queen herself today, her style was impeccable in a sparkly mint green ensemble. This outfit was designed by one of her favourite long-serving designers; Angela Kelly. Kate Middleton nailed it (yet again), in another Alexander McQueen nude creation for today's continuing celebrations...  

The Duchess of Cambridge

I realised that there has been so much coverage over the weekend that I have missed and decided to catch up today. As it is such an achievement and a historical weekend, how could I not blog about it! Congrats Lizzie, your dedication to this country is inspiring and I hope you've enjoyed yourself as much as the rest of the country has!

Demi x

Sunday 3 June 2012

Lianne La Havas


I mentioned in our very first blog post that I am currently in love with the jazzy tones of Lianne La Havas.
I first discovered her on the BBC Sound of 2012 list and have been hooked ever since and so Demi and I went and saw her at Northumbria Union and she was INNNSSSANNEE.
Give her a listen as you will DEFINITELY enjoy!
Here's some of my favourite songs of hers and her album is coming out soon....EEEEK


Alex x

Student style, for even less!

I do appreciate I am not the first person to come across Primark, however, it did occur to me yesterday that you can get some ridiculously cheap items of clothing in there and if you style them up it looks more chic than cheap.

 My friends and I hit the bars of Newcastle last night and when in the bathroom one girl commented on how nice my skirt was, she was shocked when I told her the price of it; that being ONLY £3. She couldn't believe it, and neither could I at the time of purchase but I was pretty pleased with myself that someone complemented on my outfit which cost me near to nothing.

Turquoise chiffon blouse- £10 Primark
Leopard Print rara skirt- £3 Primark 
Black suede heels- Kurt Geiger
Black clutch with gold chain- Mulberry


Whilst I appreciate that the shoes and the bag cost considerably more that the core elements of the outfit, you can easily find cheaper, stylish copies. Accessorize always do some cute clutches and again even search in Primark or H&M. For more affordable shoes on our student budget, I say New Look is your best bet, they always have some great heels in stock at around £20. 

Here are some alternative choices... 

Black (Black) Black Almond Toe Court Shoe | 252161901 | New Look
Shoes- £22.99 New Look


Black clutch with gold strap- £12.99 H&M

Demi x