My 21st Birthday

It seems like only yesterday I was a fresh-faced seventeen year old anxiously awaiting my eighteenth birthday. Fast forward a few years (very quickly, I might add) and I've just turned twenty one. Oh my gosh, you guys do not even know how fast the time has gone, it is actually truly frightening. In recent years, I haven't really enjoyed my birthdays much, Don't get me wrong, I've loved spending time with my friends and family and I've been incredibly grateful for my gifts and money, it's just the thought of growing up was a pretty scary concept to come to grips with. Now I'm graduating from university, the reality that I'm no longer a girl but a woman is dawning on me. But this time, I felt positive from the start of the day until the end and can say without a doubt, my 21st was one of the best birthdays I've had. It may not be the typical wild night you'd expect from a twenty one year old, but it was perfect for me. Lets jump in!

Derren Brown

For the first part of my birthday treat, I went to see Derren Brown's latest show, Infamous. You guys know I'm the biggest fangirl of this guy you'll ever meet, and just like Svengali, the show did not disappoint. We're sworn to secrecy so as not to spoil the show, but I will say both Jack and his friend participated in some way - and it was truly the most bizarre thing I'd ever seen in my life, and made the night even better! You need to see this show, as always, this man continues to blow my mind with his brilliant brain. A serious hero of mine, I'm giving good old Derren a huge thumbs up!

The Big Day
On the 9th May (the big day itself), I had a lovely relaxing day which consisted of playing with my puppy and cats, visiting my Grandma and enjoying the company of family members who came to wish me a happy birthday. Later, we ate dinner at one of my favourite restaurants, The Spode Cottage. I ordered a Vegas Spicy Bean burger (which is topped with cheese, pineapple and sweet chilli sauce), my favourite!

Spicy bean burger topped with cheese, sweet chilli sauce & pineapple with salad, coleslaw & chips - delicious!

My 'blowing out candles' face 

Jack & I 

My brothers & sister; William, Edward, Rosie and I

I've received so many lovely things, including a beautiful gold bangle from my parents, Pandora charms, an Instax Polaroid camera, a Pandora ring and a golden chain belonging to my Grandma. Here's some pictures of a few of my presents.

Today, I finished university. I handed in my last assignment at nine o'clock, grabbed a bus home, took a shower and fell straight to sleep. It's been a bit of a rollercoaster, but surprisingly, the third year has been the calmest for me. Was it a good experience? Hmm, it was mixed. I've met some wonderful people and worked pretty hard but of course, the end of my studies have left me questioning my future. Next week I have work experience at a prestigious paper and I'm hoping it will help put all the little thoughts whizzing round my head into some order.

Here's to the next step.

♣

Christmas, New Year & Beyond

First Buddy's Pizza of 2014 - BBQ base, sweet corn & pineapple

Rudy in his high-vis jacket at Jack's nan's - hasn't he grown a lot from my last post?

Isn't my Salvador Dali clock amazing - I have my lovely sister to thank for this! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas - I had a great time and some lovely presents including a brand new TV! However we were all really unwell - I'm not exaggerating but by Boxing Day I felt like I'd been poisoned and I promise you this sickness was not self-inflicted (i.e I had not been drinking). I sincerely hope none of you come down with this illness, it was so horrible.

Luckily, I was feeling better by New Years Eve but I didn't really fancy going out - it's too expensive, too cold and to be honest, too overrated. Instead, I went with my boyfriend to give his nephew's their Christmas presents and later with my sister and I went to my brother's and his girlfriend's flat to eat pizza and watch films. On New Years Day we went for dinner with my cousins and aunt and uncle which was lovely. Afterwards when we returned home we watched Cabaret and scoffed chocolates.

I can't remember if I told you guys this but I'm going to Paris on the 10th for a weekend, it's my friend's 21st and I can't wait! I've been desperately been searching for a nice faux fur coat for the occasion but I haven't been able to find any recently, do you guys have any suggestions?

Thanks guys and I hope you had a lovely holiday

♣

CHRISTMAS! ❄

Hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas, I certainly have.

 

We weren't able to fit all the presents under the tree, and even then, we still had even more to put under! We were all completely spoiled - everyone bought really thoughtful lovely presents. I want to show you a few  gifts that my amazing family and friends gave me.

A few of  my Pressies! 

My best friend Alex bestowed the gift of a wonderful bag of goodies upon me. Let's take a look inside...

She knows me so well. I'm obsessed with all things nail-y. How cute are these? My favourite is the little cats! I've always wanted to get some for my nails and I can't wait to pair them up with a design.

These pens are more efficient then stripers, as they won't blotch as much. One is a fine liner pen and the other is a polish pen in a chrome-like grey colour. She also gave me a new black polish and awesome neon green. 

Check out this unusual eyeliner. I've never seen one like this before, when I first opened it I thought it was a pointy lipstick :') I look forward to using this, less messy than a liquid and less painful than a pencil. Perfect.

Nail foils! Look at the cute candy cane ones, so appropriate for Christmas. I seriously love the harlequin ones , they even match the gift bag. 

Ohmigosh, look at all those colours! I love these little pots; the pigments are really strong and vibrant. My favourite colour is the aqua green, but I'm also really liking the look of that shimmery bronze. Stay tuned!

The trend I've been longing to try - the caviar manicure! No, not literal fish eggs, but pretty pearly ball bearings that stick onto your nail polish to create a cool textured look.  

And lastly, some lovely earrings. I love the delicate silver dream-catchers and the bright doughnuts will be perfect when I'm feeling more playful ;3

Next present ...

How cute is this gorgeous bag? My sister Rosie picked this for me, in my favourite colour! It's supposed to be an owl, but I think the little button looks a bit like a nose, which makes him reminiscent of a little bush-baby or squirrel :3 I love it so much, I actually can't wait to use it! 

Next up ...

Here's the charm in it's box

You jelly? Here are my beautiful Vivienne Westwood earrings from my boyfriend Jack. Total shock! I couldn't believe it when I opened the package. He also hid my lovely new Pandora charm inside a Kinder Surprise egg, very creative, don't you think? 

Also...

Jack's nan also bought me a Westwood gift, Naughty Alice perfume. I've been wanting this for ages  and  it smells gorgeous. I love the cute charm it comes with. 

And finally ...

I finally have a sewing machine of my own! I'd been using my Nanny's old Singer up until now, which is beautiful and I love, but quite old and difficult to master. Now I'll be able to run up some mad creation with no trouble at all. Look forward to seeing what divine (ahem) things I come up with.

Christmas cats

So those are a few of my many pressies. I love my wonderful family and friends, I think it's safe to say this has been one of my best Christmases yet. I'll be off to spend my Christmas money soon as the sales are here My veggie Crimbo din dins was spot on; I ate so much and had another huge dinner on boxing day.

 It's likely I won't be fitting any of my clothes ;D

What did you guys get?

Enjoy the rest of the Christmas season ..

♣❄