Afternoon Tea and Business Awards

This weekend has been filled with glitz and glam! Firstly, I attended the Business Awards hosted by our local paper. The company I work for had sponsored an award so we were all invited! We got glammed up as it was a black tie event.

I wore a navy dress with hand sewn pearls on. It had cut outs at the waist. I had originally bought it from Topshop for my graduation ball but then wore another dress. I never had an occasion posh enough to wear it so was really excited to wear it! My heels were just little black heels from Marks and Spencer and my clutch was a navy clutch from New Look. My mom’s dress (above) was from the Wallis range at Harvey Nichols, her clutch was a gorgeous black sparkly number from Dorothy Perkins.

The evening was really fun, we were given champagne upon arrival, a three course meal and a disco afterwards. When we came out it had started to snow as well!

The part two of my glam filled weekend was afternoon tea and cocktails in Leeds with the ladies in my family. We were celebrating my Mom’s cousin’s 60th birthday so wanted to do something extra special!

My Grandma and I on the way to our ladies luncheon!

Drinking my all time favourite cocktail – Cosmopolitans – before our afternoon tea!

My Auntie and I in Browns Bar

Our afternoon tea at Harvey Nichols complete with Champagne!

The afternoon tea was beautiful, and we had scones and caramel lattes for afterwards! It was such a fun day – cocktails, looking around the Leeds Christmas market and having a ladies luncheon!

 

 

 

Halloween in Newcastle

This weekend I went up to Newcastle to spend Halloween with my sister. We had lovely meals, drinks and shopping time together!

We went to Jamie’s Italian in the city centre. It was so yummy!

Gothic Balleria ft, Snow White

My Graduation Ball

Following on from my graduation day post (if you would like to read that the link is here). The graduation ball’s theme was Las Vegas. It was voted that by the students – so the dress code was glamorous. I bought a beautiful nude dress from River Island which was covered in lots of hand sewn pearls and beads. It is the most gorgeous dress I have ever worn in my entire life! It was super heavy! I got ready with my mom – I did my make up simple – contoured, foundation, blush, smokey eye with lashes and bright pink VIVA GLAM MAC lipstick.

I went to my best friend’s house for ‘pre-drinks’. There have been a group of us at uni from my university halls that have gone out with each other on many nights out over the years – we have had some amazing times. We had a few drinks then walked to the union which was about 5-10 minutes away.

The student’s union was completely transformed! The iconic fountain outside was lit up with beautiful colours. Inside there was a place where you had your photos taken, a chocolate fountain, a casino room, a stage where an Elvis impersonated was doing his thing, women on stilts wearing red feathers, an acoustic set and a concert room for the main acts. Outside there was a silent disco, a pink Cadillac car, a fake wedding chapel, roller coasters and a fire works display. The Pigeon Detectives and Professor Green performed which was amazing!

The night was incredible! Freshers ball in first year and graduation ball in my final year were definitely the best nights out in my life! I had an amazing night with all my friends and danced until my feet killed!

My University Graduation

Firstly I apologize for not writing a post in a while! I have had my university graduation and have been on an amazing get away to Budapest! (but more about that later!). I thought I would write two posts on my graduation day and ball because it has been a massive mile stone for me! Graduating university has been an ambition of mine since I was a little girl. It was such an incredible day for my parents and I!

We set off early to travel back to my university which was so strange! I have been home officially from uni now for about two months so it felt strange not going back with the car packed full to the brim with all my stuff! We arrived there and were staying in my old room. I was quite fortunate to have a big room with my own en-suite for my final year. We got ready for the ceremony then travelled onto campus!

There was a shuttle bus to take us to where the ceremony and gown collection was because my uni campus is huge! (It actually is one of the biggest campuses in Europe apparently!) I went to collect my gown and register. The gown itself was so warm! It is catered to everybody’s height so fit well. I saw one of my old work colleagues there too which was lovely. We then went to have the official university photos taken (where you have a scroll and wear the traditional hat). First I had one by myself then another with my parents which was really nice!

I then met all of my friends at our department because the English department had organised a hog roast picnic for before the ceremony. It was so great to see my lecturers and my friends again! I was super nervous though for the ceremony!

The ceremony itself didn’t take that long – it was only an hour and a half! We were ushered to our seats then the procession started which included important people from the uni such as the Vice Chancellor who were going to sit on stage. One of the procession worked with me at the library so when I was on stage I gave her a big cheesy grin! We had a few speeches and a video about my university’s achievements this past year then the ceremony started. It was so nerve wracking going up on stage but I didn’t fall over! I was so happy and relieved to get my certificate!

After the ceremony closed me and my friends dashed to the iconic places for photos on campus (the fountain and the Loughborough sign). We clambered onto the sign for photos in our heels and dresses! Then we handed our robes back and I went for a meal with my parents.

The day itself was so much fun. My parents really enjoyed themselves too. The weather was really nice and sunny as well which was great!

Graduating with a 2:1!!

This past week or so has just been so great! Everything is going amazingly at the moment and today I received some great news – I have officially graduated from university with a 2:1 degree in English literature and language! I am so so sooo happy. I can’t even believe it! I have worked so hard through high school, college and university to get to this point so it’s a bit surreal that I am finally there! I’m really looking forward to my graduation ceremony and graduation ball (I’ll keep you all posted with the outfits/hair/make up looks!). My family and I are off to Centreparcs next week as part of the celebrations!

xox

30,000 views say whaaaaaaaat!!

I literally can’t believe I have hit 30,000 views on my blog! Seems like not long ago I was freaking out about getting 20,000 views! I started my blog really because I love to write and because this blog was quite a cool way to keep all my uni work in one place (that’s why in my earlier posts I have poetry and language tutorials as well as the more recent fashion and beauty content). I never expected it to be this well received and follow the direction it has. Everyone is known for their ‘thing’ and I guess my ‘thing’ which people would associate most with me is most probably my blogging. I love being ‘the girl who blogs’ because blogging has so many rewards. It is the nicest thing to feel like other people appreciate and value what I write and even go as far as to choose to click onto my page and take moments out of their day to read my work. So thanks again to everyone that reads my blog, follows me, likes my blog and comments. I really appreciate it 🙂

So what’s next for my blog?

Wellllll….. I have just come back from Prague (which was incredible!!!) so will be doing a three part post on my trip. I had my first ever Sephora shopping experience (I must have been living under a rock because this shop is amazinnnng!) so expect a longgggg make up haul article! I am going on holiday to Centreparcs with my family and Budapest with my boyfriend so will post about the shenanigans we all get up to. I also recently got a new job which I’m really enjoying so will post a work-fashion related article. Phewwwwww I’m going to be busy this next month! If there is anything you’d like to see/ read a tutorial of then just comment below or drop me a tweet/ Facebook message or email because I love hearing people’s suggestions and requests!

xox

Today I did a skydive!

My friend Lizzie and I after the jump

Today I did a skydive! I did it to raise money for the Breast Cancer Campaign, when I put everything together I will have raised £400 for this amazing cause!

I have always wanted to do a skydive and my university were offering the chance to do one in their ‘choose a challenge’ evening. So I signed up then seven months later the day finally came! I was so excited for it I only managed to have four and a half hours sleep the night before! A group of us went from the university on a coach to a local airfield. Once we got there we were briefed on what to expect, what positions to do at certain altitudes (the safety stuff really). I was one of the first to jump! I was more excited than nervous because I’m quite good with heights. We climbed into the little plane (which had no seats and a sliding see-through door!). The flight up was quite cool because I have never been in a plane that small before. I was then attached to my skydiver because I did a tandem. Then when we got to 13,000 feet above the clouds it was my time to jump!

We shuffled to the edge, the plane door was open and I dangled my feet over the edge! This was the scariest bit because all I could see were clouds. It is honestly what I imagined heaven to be like, it was so peaceful. It was quite cold at the top and progressively became warmer the closer to the ground I got so I wore gloves! I had to cross my hands over my chest, put my head back and arch my back ready for the free fall. The free fall was really amazing! Floating in the clouds, just enjoying what felt to me like flying. I had such a good time, it lasted for about 50 seconds before Chris pulled the parachute. Then we shot up and began to descend. The views were absolutely incredible! If you have ever seen Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the original version) when they fly in the glass lift – that’s what it felt like!

It was literally the best experience of my life. The feeling you get from skydiving is so unexplainable – the adrenaline, the excitement and the nerves all at one time! I really enjoyed it and would do it again! The guys at the airfield made us all feel so comfortable and not nervous at all.

In the grand scheme of things I am more proud of the money I have raised than doing the actual jump itself. To be able to help people who have breast cancer by raising £400 is incredible. The university raised well over £6,000 for breast cancer from the skydives alone – which is phenomenal!

I will never forget this experience! I had a cameraman so have photos and videos and when they get sent to me I will upload it to my blog and you all can have a good laugh at me screaming the whole way down in true Sophie style!

50 Random Questions Tag

I was going to do a q&a post but saw this post on http://www.dorkchopsworld.wordpress.com/ and thought I’d do it too! I absolutely love her blog, make sure to check it out guys!

1. Would you rather be twice as smart or twice as happy?

I would rather be twice as happy! I would say being happy is better than being smart.

2. What’s your worst habit?

A bad habit I have is that I never finish shampoo bottles/shower gels/make up/toothpaste etc I leave them with a tiny bit left then buy a new one and start using my new one but don’t throw away the old one because it still has stuff in. So I’m left with a load of almost empty bottles cluttering everywhere!

3. What is your favourite shop?

I have a few! I love River Island, Topshop and MAC.

4. Do you take shampoo and conditioner bottles from hotels?

Of course! I love trying out new brands (whilst adding to my half empty bottle collection).

5. What is the one thing you’ll never do again?

Put all of my trust in somebody who has cheated on someone before.

6. Do you collect anything?

Make up and clothes! I’m a huge clothes hoarder!

7. Worst injury you ever had?

I almost broke my nose boxing, I heard it click and it bled a lot. To this day my nose isn’t right and slightly curves.

8. What is your favourite pet/animal?

My favourite animal is a tiger.I also love turtles, meercats and owls – random I know!

9. What’s your dream vacation?

Bora-Bora! I would love to go to Croatia as well.

10. Honestly, are things going the way you planned?

Yes and no. I have learnt to embrace surprises and know that if things aren’t planned that’s okay too.

11. Do you have any tattoos?

Nopeee! I was going to get one for my 18th but chickened out!

12. What’s your secret to lure in the opposite sex?

‘Lure’ that sounds soo creepy! haha I don’t have a secret as such, if I like someone I’ll just talk to them – boring I know!

13. Any phobias?

Small spaces, getting caught in a crowd and feeling like I can’t get out, fire and wasps!

14. Do you bite your nails?

Nooo! I never have. When I’m nervous I just pick at them – which is arguably just as bad!

15. Do you ever count your steps when you walk?

No I’m too busy grooving along to Beyonce to count my steps!

16. Heels or flats?

Heels. Heels. Heels.

17. Have you ever stolen a street sign before?

Hahaa no! I’m too small to even lift one up!

18. Do you always smile for pictures?

Generally yes, unless I’m in a silly-pouty mood with my girls!

19. Do you ever dance even if there’s no music playing?

Of course! Who doesn’t?!

20. Do you miss anyone right now?

Yeah I’m at home at the moment so missing my uni friends! Also my grandparents are in Mexico at the moment so haven’t seen them in about a month so I’m missing them!

21. What’s your favourite colour?

Yellow – always has been!

22. Do you want kids?

Yeah definitely – I want 4.

23. Are you patient?

I am patient but if I’m excited for something (like my dad picking me up from uni) I get impatient as I can’t wait to get home and see everyone! But I am quite a patient person.

24. Can you swim?

I can but I don’t enjoy it. I’m not a confident swimmer.

25. Tea or coffee?

I go through phases. At the moment I’m on a coffee hype. My favourite coffee shop at the moment is Costa.

26. What do you wear to bed?

It varies, usually my Topshop pjs or one of my dad’s big jumpers with some shorts.

27. Ever used a gun? 

I have used a paintball gun. I would never use a real one.

28. Do you sing in the shower?

Of course! I just put my phone on shuffle so it could literally be anything playing.

29. Are you stubborn?

Not really, only when I think I’m/someone else isn’t being treated fairly.

30. Are you lazy?

I don’t think so. I prefer to be up and about doing things!

31. Can you change the oil in a car?

I don’t have my own car but have passed my test. I’m sure I could work it out (with a bit of help off my dad haha!).

32. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper?

I wrote a letter to my grandma last year at uni.We wrote to each other for my first two years and I still have them all.

33. Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine?

Noooo.

34. What is your favourite food?

PIE (such a northern answer).

35. Do you still watch cartoons?

Yeahh! Disney movies are the best.

36. What movie(s) can you watch over and over again and not get bored?

Grease, Love Actually, Bridget Jones, Home Alone.

37. What superpower would you have for one day?

The ability to pause time.

38. What’s been your favourite age so far? 

Argh erm either 18,19 or 20.

39. How old are you?

I turned 21 in December.

40. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self?

Have more confidence in your own ability. There’s no point worrying about things that haven’t happened. And you will achieve all you want to achieve and more so relax and enjoy it.

41. If you knew you would die in one week, what would you do?

I would get all my friends and family and just go travelling around Europe to all the places I didn’t get to go to and make more memories with them.

42. What celebrity would you trade lives with?

Kim Kardashian or Beyonce or Kylie Jenner.

43. Do people ever take you seriously?

I hope so!

44. What happened the last time you cried?

My best friend told me a story about her parents that was so lovely I filled up! We were literally in Cafe Nero having such a nice deep conversation and filling up!

45. Who knows you best?

My mom, dad, sister, my grandma, Catharina, Hannah, Sarah and Sam.

46. Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?

Either, mostly closed though.

47. What is your song of the week?

Rixton – Hotel Ceiling.

48. Last person you kissed?

My Momma on the cheek before she went to work this morning.

49. Best thing to eat for breakfast?

I love having a fruit salad with cherry yogurt poured over it, followed by a sausage sandwich mmmm!

50. Does anyone know the password to your email?

Nopee only me!

Monday Summary ♥

Alongside my fashion and beauty posts I thought I would write more personal posts because I don’t do it very often and would like to document my life a bit more! I have had such a good day today! ♥

#PhotoOfTheDay

I went out for lunch with my flatmate and this was my pudding! I never ever manage to finish these ice cream sundaes but this one was too good not to finish! It was an Oreo-toffee sundae with miniature smarties on top! We had a lovely meal at Harvester before we both go home from University for Easter.

I then braved the horrible weather (today it’s been torrential raining and windy at the same time – not ideal!) to go meet my best friend for a coffee catch up date at Cafe Nero!

I caught up on last night’s episode which was soo good!! I always think they paint Scott in such a bad light though.

I have to read this raunchy little novel for my Neo-Victorianisms module. This book has been one of the easier ones to read on the reading list. Waters’s writing style flows so smoothly – plus the plot is gripping!

This picture I feel represents how much I am taking home with me tomorrow! I’ve literally been packing endless books, clothes and my baking things (keep your eyes peeled for some cake baking tutorials soooon!)

♥

This or That Tag

I recently stumbled across the fabulous blogger https://fangirlingowl.wordpress.com/. Her blog is full of beauty stuff and really fun to read. One of her recent posts was the ‘This or That Tag’ where she tagged all her followers to do the same! So here goessss….

Makeup

Blush or Bronzer?

I prefer to use bronzer, although sometimes I apply both! My favourite bronzer is ‘Bronze Glow Mosaic Powder 030’.

Lipgloss or Lipstick?

I’m definitely a lipstick kind of gal. Whenever I wear lipgloss the wind-hair-lipgloss situation seems to happen to me! So I tend to avoid it! I have lots of different lipsticks but my faves will always be MAC ones.

Eyeliner or Mascara?

I only really wear eyeliner if I’m going to an event/occasion of some sort but mascara is an everyday make-up so I prefer that.

Foundation or Concealer?

Foundation! I hoard them – I have 4 different ones going at the moment (who knows why).

Neutral or Colour Eyeshadow?

Neutral definitely! I’m a huge fan of nude colours. In my opinion the subtle yet classy look goes a longggg way.

Pressed or loose eyeshadow?

Pressed! I have both and the loose tends to go everywhere – all over my (cream) carpet (sorry mom). So I take the cautious option and go for pressed!

Nails

Long or Short Nails?

I prefer having short nails! I find them much more practical.

Acrylic or Natural?

My sister has acrylics occasionally and they look fantastic but I prefer to keep mine natural.

Bright or Dark?

I love dark purple nail varnish at the moment!

Flower or no flower?

No flower. I like to keep things simple with just one block colour.

Body

Perfume or Body Spray?

Hmm this is a tough one, I love both! Victoria’s Secret and Soap and Glory do some absolutely gorgeous body sprays. But I have literally just got Lady Million and I am so in love with it – so I going to have to say perfume!

Lotion or Body Butter?

I use the Soap and Glory body mist which is more of a lotion that you spray onto yourself – it smells incredible!

Body Wash or Soap?

Body wash for sure! My favourite every body wash is the body wash that came with my Britney Spears – Fantasy perfume. The smell was beautiful.

LUSH or Other bath companies?

I don’t tend to shop at Lush just because there isn’t one close to where I live and I’d rather smell them instead of just buying them online. So I just go to Boots/Superdrug to get my bath stuff!

Fashion

Jeans or Sweat Pants?

It depends what sort of day it is. If I’m having a lazy Sunday then sweats definitely but if I’m going out to meet friends or whatever then I’ll tend to wear my black or blue jeans.

Long or short sleeves?

I’m all about the layers because I feel the cold easy! So I’ll usually have a short sleeved top under a jumper!

Dresses or skirts?

Dresses! However I am a huge fan of middy skirts.

Stripes or Plaid?

Plaid, most of my wardrobe is plaid!

Flip Flops or Sandals?

In my first year of uni I lived in my flip-flops, they were the comfiest things ever!

Scarves or hats?

I’m definitely a hat person! I love a good beanie.

Studs or dangly earrings?

I constantly wear studs in my third ear piercing. But I have these earrings my mom passed down to me that are dangling and I wear them on every single night out! So I’d say studs for day, dangly earrings for night!

Necklaces or Bracelets?

I go through phases of wearing necklaces or bracelets daily to not wearing them for ages. I’d have to say necklaces because I wear them more.

Jackets or Hoodies?

I only really wear hoodies for sport so jackets and I’m going to sneak blazers in there as well!

Hair

Curly or Straight?

My hair (naturally) is straight. I prefer straight but I curl it occasionally for nights out.

Bun or ponytail?

I loveeeee a good top knot! So buns!

Bobby Pins or Butterfly Clips?

Bobby pins although I have the exact same problem as all the other girls out there – I buy so many yet seem to have none! Where they all vanish to I have no clue!

Hair Spray or Hair Gel?

Hair spray! I love cheap and cheerful hairspray – like the 99p stuff. It works tonnes better than expensive hair spray I have found.

Long or Short hair?

Yesterday I went from long to short! So I’m kind of biased to say short now!

Light or dark?

I change my hair colour and style so much, I usually go blonde for summer and brunette for winter. Last year I had the whole ombre thing going on which was definitely my favourite so I’d have to say both!

Side sweep or Full on bangs?

It’s really unfortunate for me because I have a core flick right a the front of my hair so it is literally impossible to have a full fringe so I’d have to go with the side sweep which I’ve had in the past.

Up or Down?

Down! I hardly ever wear my hair up, only really when I’m doing sports.

Random

Rain or Shine?

Shineeee! But running in the rain is sooo nice!

Summer or Winter?

Winter – because I love being cosy inside around Christmas time when it’s snowing outside (and in Yorkshire it pretty much does every year!). Plus my birthday and Christmas are both in winter! 😛

Autumn or Spring?

I love autumn – the colours, the fashions, crunching leaves!

Chocolate or Vanilla?

Chocolate! I literally cannot remember when the last day was that I didn’t eat chocolate!

Now it’s your turn fellow bloggers! I nominate you all to do the This or That Tag post! Hope you enjoyed mine, I would love to see yours too!