A New Adventure

Hi lovelies!

I just wanted to give you all an update as to why I've been a little absent lately, but not to worry I will be back and posting regularly!

A fabbbb homeware company called Coconut Lane have recently opened an online store and their products are absolutely gorgeous. I've been asked to join The Coconut Crew and write for their online blog which you can find on their webpage and this week has been the first week of writing so I've had a lot to juggle in terms of planning content for both blogs. However, it's all resolved and I'll be posting on each site regularly each week.

Please check out the Coconut Lane page, not just for my blog posts but for their to die products... I promise you won't regret it!

See ya real soon!

Love Lauryn xo

It's The Little Things...

Don't get me wrong, big changes/events/presents are a fab thing that we all enjoy as it's easy to focus your life on these kind of things, but sometimes we need to stop and remind ourselves that the little things in life are pretty great too. Things like...

• Making it on the train just before the doors close *smug grin*
• Paying for a 6 chicken nugget meal and getting seven... thank you very much mr McDonalds server man.
• Finding an item of clothing and getting the last in your size.
• Finding that cheeky tenner hidden in last years coat pocket.
• Making it home just before it starts raining.
• When your computer crashes mid-essay, but when you turn it back on your essay's there waiting for you... yay for Autosave.
• Taking a spontaneous shopping trip and finding out theres 20% off... see, my shopping addiction totally has its benefits.
• Wrapping a present perfectly... this almost never happens for me.
• Being given flowers for no reason/occasion.
• Waking up to find you have another few hours in bed... result!
• Receiving results and getting a lot better than you thought you did.
• Three words... 'I love you'.
• Laughing so hard you cry.
• Catching up with friends *added bonus if wine's involved*
• When your Instagram looks on point. 
• When a nice person gives up a seat for you on the tube... another rarity, but therefore even nicer when it happens.
• New pyjamas... especially in the winter.
• The feeling when you come out of the gym on a day you really didn't want to go and smashed that workout.
• Finding old songs on YouTube that bring back thousands of memories... I'm looking at you DJ Boonie.
• Getting a new highest number of views on a blog post.
• CHRISTMAS. Need I explain?
• Receiving a really thoughtful and personal gift.
• Checking your bank balance to find you had more money than you thought.
• Getting to the till to find something's even cheaper than you thought.
• Having a family day and realising just how lucky you are.

What little things cheer you up?

Love Lauryn xo

Monday Motivation|| It's Okay Not To Be Okay

photo: www.reloveplanet.co.uk

Recently, there's been a lot of focus on promoting women as strong and independent, and while I'm all for that girl power *spice girls peace sign*, I also think it needs to be put out there that sometimes, well sometimes it's just okay not to be okay. You don't have to be a strong person 24/7, after all we're only human.

In the last eighteen months myself and my family have been through things I never would have thought we would have gone through, and while it's made us all the more stronger as a family, and made us appreciate each other a hell of a lot more, there are days when sometimes it can all be a bit too much.

This isn't a pity party, so I won't list off everything that's happened in the last year or so, but what I will say is that I felt, and sometimes still do, like everything I set out to do was a failure. In the last year or so, it felt as if nothing had gone my way and the plan I had set out for my life, had been completely turned on it's head. It's human nature, and especially British, to keep a stiff upper lip and plough on through the hard times, and my gosh, as a family we have certainly done that. We have battled all kinds of situations, but there are days when I personally, sit back and reflect on everything that has happened, and realise that I am not okay with it. There are days when everything mounts up and the smallest thing will upset me and I will feel like the entire world is against me and nothing will ever go my way... but guess what? That's okay!

If I've learnt anything from the last year, it's that the bad days make you appreciate the good. I am by no means the worst person off in the world, or even in my family, but sometimes when you've had a good few things pile up against you, it can seem like you are, and there are days when I will just wake up and feel sad, or angry, or frustrated. I hear of people who feel the same but won't talk to anyone because they don't want to appear weak or feeble and it frustrates me so much that we live in a world where being a strong person is more important than being true.

I'm not promoting any form of self-help here, but my point is that when you are battling a hard time, whether it be within your family, or school, or work, or even just a time when life doesn't seem to be going your way... accept that you will have bad days, and embrace them because you will enjoy the good days so much more. Everyone goes through tough times in life, it's what makes us who we are, but there is no rule that says you have to be okay. Sometimes accepting that you are not okay, helps you to become okay.

So please remember, it's okay not to be okay, and whatever it is your going through, you've got this.

Love Lauryn xo

My Summer Experiences

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for Autumn... I love the cosy weather, candles, nights in and what not but it got me thinking that I had a pretty good summer this year. At the time, I didn't really feel I did a lot, but looking back now, it was actually pretty eventful.

So here's some of the stuff I got up to:

1. Visited New York

So this year I visited America for the first time. We decided to take a trip to New York to celebrate the end of university, and I had one of the best weeks of my life. I quite literally feel in love with the city that never sleeps.

                           

2. Turned 21 

This year was the big 21. I was so spoilt on my birthday and had so much fun celebrating with everyone.

                 

3. Holiday With Friends

For my 21st we booked a long weekend away to Center Parcs with our friends, and I loved every minute of it. I've been a few times before, but I loved going with friends and celebrating... especially in the spa. 

             

4. Graduated University

After three verrrry long years, I finally reached the end of university and received my degree from Jacqueline Wilson... 9 year old me went craaazy.

          

5. A LOT of Barbeques

One of my favourite things about Summer is the chilled evenings, sitting around the BBQ with friends, and this year I definitely made that most of it!

6. A Weekend Away

My parents took my younger brothers and sister away for the week to Somerset, and we joined them for the weekend. It was so nice to get away and switch off for a few days.

7. Booked my Wedding

Eeeek! A year after we got engaged, we finally booked our wedding at the venue I'd dreamed of having since I was little girl... excited doesn't even cover it!

7. Ate A LOT of food

What says summer like endless amounts of food? Errr nothing!

8. Family Weddings.

Finally, Summer wouldn't be summer without a good ol' family wedding!

So it's safe to say, Summer 2015 served me well.. but for now, I am more than happy that Autumn is on it's way!

Love Lauryn xo

Baking Haul: Queen of Cakes

With Great British Bake Off airing again, it's safe to say I've caught the urge to bake! Which to those who know me, will realise that was something I thought I'd never say as I am possibly the worst person at baking, ever.

While we had a few baking bits in the cupboard, there were a few basics that we didn't have, so when I took to Amazon to have a browse, I found this brand The Queen of Cakes that sold super cute baking equipment that's pink and heart shaped... what more of an incentive do I need to bake if everything is pink?!

Cake Pop Silicone Mould
I've always thought that cake pops like so cool, so after finding this mould I thought I'd give it a whack, and for just £4 why not?!

Rolling Pin
For some very odd reason I couldn't find a rolling pin in our house so this silicone one that prevents the dough sticking to it - great for people like me - was a steal at £3.

Measuring Cups
Half a cup? What sort of cup? A drinking glass? A mug? Well, now I know with these handy measuring cups that were just £1!

Cake Saver
Not that cake ever lasts long enough to have to be saved in my house, but I thought its a cute way to display a cake if anything and for just £3 it seemed like a fab idea.

Cupcake Filler
Okay, so this seems a bit adventurous for me right now, but maybe when I become the next Mary Berry I can use to take my cupcakes to the next level - and it was a complete bargain at £1!

I found this adorable Tala Icing Bag Set in The Range, although I'm not sure of the price but it was definitely less than a fiver! It comes with so many nozzles which makes decorating cakes so easy - even for rubbish bakers like me!

Keep your eyes peeled because I'll be showing you how I put these products to use in some upcoming Halloween Treats Post!

Love Lauryn xo

Fall/Autumn Make-Up Essentials| Featuring Mac Media

So now that October is almost here and Fall/Autumn is upon is, it's time to mix up the makeup routine a tad. So here's what I've been loving so far... P.s. I do apologise for the abundance of Bourjois Paris products, I seem to be liking them a lot lately!

Bourjois Paris Healthy Mix Foundation

I have always been a firm believer in sticking to a good foundation, so for the last few years I haven't really tried any new ones. Then, this month Bourjois had a 3 for 2 event and I thought I'd give this foundation a go... and I am so glad I did! It's super high in coverage which means I don't have to wear as much concealer and it gives such a nice glow after even when you've put powder on. It lasts me all day too, which is a must have in the colder weather!

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette

This palette has been collecting dust in my drawer until recently. This is such an autumnal palette with all the gorgeous brown, golds and purples and it works fab for an every day look or a vamped up evening smokey eye!

Bourjois Paris Bronzing Powder

This is my absolute go to Bronzer. I love it. It looks stunning with a dark lip in the autumn/winter and is so easy to apply.

Barry M Nail Varnish

Lets face it, we've all been waiting for October to arrive so we can rock the dark nails again... and here's two of the shades I think look fab... Cosmo Berry which is a darker plum colour and Raspberry which is more of a deep red. I've also been loving the matte nail look so apply Barry M matte paint over the top and prepare for nail envy!

Bourjois Paris Blush

This blush in shade 54 Rose Frisson/ Frosted Rose is such a gorgeous colour. I'm not usually a fan of bronzer and blush together but paired with the Bronzing Powder, this creates such a fresh faced look - like you've been out in the cold with rosy cheeks - but you get to sit in the warm, instead!

Dark Lips

This combo of three lip products will no doubt be my staple autumn lip. NYX lipliner in plum, The Ted Baker Lip Pencil (no shade colour, sorry!) and Mac Media are spot on for autumn. I've never tried NYX before as it isn't sold in the UK but I am so surprised by its good quality for such a cheap price. And as for Mac, well we all know how blimmin' good their lipsticks are.

Bourjois Paris 1 Second Volume Mascara

I am so fussy when it comes to mascara, but this one definitely has my approval. It's a winner if you're after length as it's probably the longest my lashes have ever been through mascara alone, and the brush is a good'en as well!

Let me know what products you're looking forward to trying this fall/autumn!

Love Lauryn xo

September Birch Box

                     

                         

So over the last year or so I've absolutely loved the monthly Birchbox but when I graduated and had to crack down on my spendings I had to cancel my subscription *sob*... However, when I saw a cheeky little email in my inbox about Birchbox's birthday I couldn't resist having a peek at the website. Whether your a member or not, this month they were offering a present to everyone... and mine was 50% off this months box. A Birchbox for £6?! Well, it would be rude not to, right?

I have to say, for £6 this months box was just fab. I received products I'd been wanting to try for ages... although now I'm not so grateful because I'm totally hooked on them. I've included a little description of each product below...

1. Benefit: The Porefessional: License to Blot
I am a huge fan of the Porefessional primer and when I saw this in my box I was so happy. I've been wanting to try it for months and I can say it definitely lived up to my expectations. My foundation went on a lot better and stayed on a lot longer than without the blotting stick... plus the packaging is so cute.

                                       

2. Beauty Protector Body Cleanser
This is pretty much your standard body wash but I must say that it does smell amazing! It's perfect to pop in your suitcase and take on holiday!

3. The Birchbrush
This little brush is so handy to leave in your handbag for work or in a clutch on a night out. It's pretty similar to a tangle teezer which is my holy grail of hair brushes, except the bristles aren't as flexible but it's size makes it a life saver on a windy morning.

4. Laura Mercier: Flawless Skin Face Polish
We all know Laura Mercier is the queen of beauty, so I was beyond happy to see one of her products in this months box. With sensitive skin, I have to be so careful what products I use but this was a god send! The cleansing wash made my skin feel so smooth and clean and meant applying makeup was a lot easier, too.

5. John Masters Organics: Detangler
I've never really used a detangler before and when I first tried this through my hair it did make it a little greasy. However, the second time I just ran it through the ends of my hair and my brush ran straight through... plus it smells like a spa in a bottle! Bonus!

6. Laqa & Co: Cheeky Lip Pencil in Humble Brag
I love the Laqa & Co lip pencils as they apply so easily, are full of colour and stay on for ages, and this one was no exception! The colour is such a nice shade of pink that I'll definitely be wearing.

                                     

If you head on over to birchbox.co.uk before the end of September you can still grab a birthday box... and trust me, its definitely worth every penny of that £6. Meanwhile, I'm off to shopaholics anonymous...

Love Lauryn xo

Life Lessons We've Learnt From American Tv Shows

So over the years there have been so many fab American TV series that have captured the hearts of the British Nation, but as well as providing us with endless hours of entertainment, they've also taught us many a valuable life lesson...

1. Friends: Cheating is not cool, even if you were 'on a break'.

2. Sons of Anarchy: That it's totally okay to fancy a long haired, slightly psychotic mummy's boy... cue Jax Teller.

3. Gossip Girl: That on/off thing you've had with that boy from college for four years? It's so Chuck and Blair.

4. Pretty Little Liars: That when the majority of the town's population has at one point been a murder suspect, it's probably time to move...

5. Sex in the City: At times in your life, men will screw you over but as long as you have a bottle of wine, food and your bessie friends, you're all good.

6. Glee: There is a song... and a costume... for quite literally every occasion.

7. Desperate Housewives: You're totally okay to sleep with your gardener if he looks like Jesse Metcalfe.

8. CSI: We're smarter than we thought, in fact we're so smart that we suss out who the killer is before the actual detectives. Hand over the shades, Horatio.

9. One Tree Hill: It's totally possible for one group of friends to all end up famous. Basketball player, author, singer, tv presenter, fashion designer? Unlikely? Pfft not in Tree Hill.

10. New Girl: If there's one girl that gets us... It's Jess...

So thank you, America for some of lifes best TV shows!

Love Lauryn xo

Rediscovered: Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette

                         

                           

After a huuuge clean out of the makeup drawer, I found a few gems that I realised I'd completely forgotten about the last few months. There's nothing better than re-discovering an old love, especially when it comes in the form of chocolate scented makeup!

After playing around with the gorgeous colours that are on offer in the palette, I soon remembered how much I loved it, especially in the autumn with so many bronze, golds and gorgeous purples. The shadows are quite pigmented which makes it easy to build up the colours and blend them in easily.

                                      

I'm no expert when it comes to eye makeup and normally stick to the basics but these colours make it so easy to create a smokey eye so I'd definitely recommend it for beginners like myself - plus it literally smells like chocolate, who can resist that?!

Love Lauryn xo

Autumn Must Haves

So in the blink of an eye, Summer has been gone, and here we are in Autumn... and I could not be happier! I absolutely love Autumn... Halloween, cosy nights, hot chocolates and most importantly... a whole new wardrobe. And this year, there are some fab trends hitting the high street. Have a read below for my Autumn must haves!

1. Loafers

I'm absolutely loving these patent loafers for that in between sandals and full on winter boots stage. These burgundy loafers from New Look are so comfy and I'm in love with the autumnal colour. 

                                

2. Faux Fur
Whether it be a collar on a coat or a full gilet... nothing says Autumn like faux fur! It's a great way to keep warm as the cold sets in and it looks super stylish.

                                

3. Hats

Whether its a Fedora or a floppy hat.. they're back in! Not only do they save your hair from frizzing up in the soon to arrive fog, but they add an edge to any outfit. This cute Fedora was a steal at £14 from F&F at Tesco. 

                             

4. Burgundy

So incase you can't tell, I have been completely obsessed with the plum/Burgundy colour that is literally everywhere this year! From nail varnishes to lipsticks and coats... it looks so autumnal and suits everyone.

                             

5. Layers
While we can no longer walk around in those floaty tops, it's not quite time to bundle up in our Winter coats just yet. Layering a plain long sleeved top with some of the fab jackets that are on the high street at the moment is a great way to stay warm but stay on trend. Sleeveless Waterfall jackets are everywhere, as well as wraps, and they both look gorg!

6. Candles

For me, candles are an absolute must have year round but even more so in the autumn and winter. Yankee do some of the most amazing scents and the new box set smell like Autumn in a box. I can never decide on one scent so the Autumn box set at Asda for just £6 is perfect for me, and it means you can create your own scent by burning a few at the same time!

                             

7. Patterned Scarves

With the dark colours making an appearance, a patterned scarf is the perfect way to brighten up an outfit. 

                              

8. Cosy PJs

It goes without saying that Autumn is the time for cosy saturday nights and comfy pyjamas while you watch X factor and eat your bodyweight in food... and Primark have some fab new PJ sets. Not only are these princess pyjamas crazy cute but they're so comfy for saturday night tv marathons.

                                       

What are some of your autumn faves?!

Love Lauryn xo 

Being Lipstick Brave

So last year when the whole dark purple/berry lip colour thing became a trend, I bought myself the Mac 'Media' lipstick. When it arrived I was so excited to try it and loved it. That was until I walked into the bedroom and asked Mitch what he thought, and out came the dreaded words of... 'It's alright.'
Any girl will know that what he might as well have said is 'have you seen what you've put on your lips?' 'Alright' was not the right answer. 'Alright' is not what we are striving for here, 'alright' is in fact so very far from what we are aiming for that you might as well have have laughed in our face and told us we look a disgrace. So basically, after the 'alright' comment, the lipstick came off and went straight to the back of the makeup drawer.

So, a year later I'm having a look on good ol' Ebay for a new lipstick (I'm on a student budget so no judging), when I saw 'Diva' and quite frankly, fell in love, and that's when I remembered poor old Media sitting at the back of the drawer. But that's when I realised, what the heck do boys know about makeup? They are completely clueless as to what makeup actually looks good, and most importantly it's my face, so I'll wear the makeup that I like. So in my rage of defiance, I purchased Diva and adored it even more when it arrived.

As with all mac lipsticks, it applies so smoothly but as it's a dark colour you have to be so careful with your lip line, so I bought the Nyx 812 Plum lipliner also from Ebay for just £2.50 which makes it so much easier to get a neat application. The colour looks so autumnal which I adore and I have vowed to myself not to hide this one away.

So, if you have that bold lipstick you've been dying to wear out but feel a tad too shy, it's time to be lipstick brave!

Love Lauryn xo

Dear Freshers...

As September rolls around yet again, a new whole new influx of freshers are getting ready to leave home and take on the new life of a uni student. From first hand experience, moving away to uni can be a pretty scary experience so here's my advice to beat those Freshers nerves...

1. Facebook

A lot of student accommodations are now on Facebook, so if you're lucky enough to find out which building or even which flat you've been assigned, log onto Facebook and see if any others have posted their living assignments on there, too! I met my entire flat before I moved in and it made it a lot less daunting to meet people I kind of already knew.

2. Room decorations

While some Freshers will take it all in their stride, some, like me, will get homesick - and there's nothing worse than missing your home comforts. Remember, your new uni room is your home for the next year so make it as cosy as you like - and if that means taking your faded old blanket and one direction poster, then do it! Primark is a great place to buy some new decor such as fairy lights which really make your room cute and cosy but don't break the bank.

3. Making Friends

Chances are, in a flat full of complete strangers, you aren't all going to get on - and the same goes for everyone on your course. But you are going to have to live with these people for at least a year so it goes a long way to make a little effort with the people you live with - there's nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable with the people you flat share with! Take common place items such as a pack of door stops that other people would have forgotten to bring, to help break the ice.

4. Be Organised
Of course Freshers week is about the social side of uni, but you are there to learn, too. (Totally sound like my mum now!) In the midst of nights out and hungover days, it's easy to forget about your new studies, so before the partying starts get all of your study materials ready for your first day so it's one less thing to worry about.

5. Pace Yourself
Throughout your welcome week, there will be an event happening pretty much every night - so remember to pace yourself! As tempting as it is to get drunk past the point of knowing your own name on the first night, you don't want to give yourself a hangover that's so bad you miss the next night out, too. Nights out can really help you bond with your new friends, so pace yourself and enjoy!

6. Be Money Wise
Chances are, this is the first time you're really free - and that includes your finances, too! Depending on your student loan, you might have a lump of cash just burning a hole in your bank account, but remember it has to last an entire semester, so as tempting as a shopping spree may be, think about what you need to buy for uni. I found the easiest way to handle my money was divide the amount I had by the amount of weeks I was at uni - that way I knew exactly what I could spend each week. (This was more my mums idea but shhh!)

7. Speak Up If You're Not Happy!
Uni isn't for everyone, so if you're really not happy, tell someone! You might be on the wrong course, find living at home easier like I did, or even just not want to be there anymore, and if that's the case then don't suffer in silence because 9 times out of 10, something can be done to fix your problem and make the absolute best of your university experience.

Your three years at uni will absolutely fly by so make the most of your Freshers week because you'll soon be crying that you're all old and stuff!

Love Lauryn xo

Graduation| Goodbye To University...

So after three verrry long years, this week I finally became a university Graduate (Hooooraaaaaah!) and you must now address me Lauryn Williams BA (Hons)... just kidding.. kinda.

Graduation is what can only be described as an American-ism... and unfortunately only something University Graduates can experience in the UK, which seems such a shame because after Monday, I honestly believe that everyone should experience such an amazing day.

You don't realise how important the last three years have really been until you're stood in front of your family donning your Harry Potter-esque robes with a weird hat on your head, but trust me, it's so worth it. Even though your time to shine on stage is literally ten seconds long, it's one of the proudest ten seconds of your life, so if you're soon to graduate... own those ten seconds!

Looking back now, university was such a roller coaster ride for me, but I wouldn't change any of it. It's made me who I am today, and without it I wouldn't have made the friends I have or experienced half of the things I did, and for that I am truly grateful, plus nine year old me literally died when not only did I get my degree... but got my degree from childhood hero Jacqueline Wilson!

So I guess what I'm really trying to say in all of this is a huuuuge thank you to all of my family, and friends and of course my fiance for sticking with me for the last three years, through the tears and tantrums, I couldn't have done it without you all.

I'll leave some snaps from the day below, and if you're soon to graduate, enjoy every second, you earned it!

Love Lauryn (BA Hons) xo