Sunday Musings: Flat Decor

With my move in being only 23 days away (not that I'm counting) (or that I have a countdown app on my phone), I can't help my mind but wander to all this decor, home ware, and ways to transform my student studio flat into a lovely space for me to feel at home in for the next year. I already adore pinterest but I am constantly scrolling through beautiful pictures, articles, and inspiration for all things homey.

One thing I really need to be organised and tidy is my desk so I have an entire pinterest board titled 'Bonjour Desk Inspiration' (can you tell I have a theme with my usernames, blog name, everything really...).

found on burkatron.com

How beautiful is this setup?! I adore the DIY mesh notice board, it's something super simple to make and is super effective, not only in being very useful, but also by looking so chic. I'm an avid lover of Caroline's blog, especially her DIY's which are always so cool! 

I LOVE this desk lamp! I'm really into my greys so it would really tie in with the theme I've got going on. I also like the print in the frame, I have a black frame which is filled with 4xA5 limited edition prints by the one and only Polly Vadasz  (see her shop http://www.sighh.co) and I can't wait for it to take pride of place on my desk. 

This photo is courtesy of @hayerlily on instagram and is used to illustrate my new bedding (shown in the photo) which has been sat untouched for months just waiting to go on my new bed! I'm also a massive fan of throws and lots of cushions cause it just makes a room feel so much more cosy! I think my boyfriend disagrees when we have to move approx. 769 cushions to get into bed though hehe! 

Finally is plants and flowers! A way to inject a bit of colour and life into a room and don't they just look so cute! There's a trip to Ikea on the cards and hopefully they'll have some succulents there, as well as some other cute items! 

If anyone knows of anywhere to buy nice but cheap matching kettle/toaster sets then please let me know cause I'm in the market for one! I can't wait to move in, a flat tour is definitely on the cards :)

x

How I Take My University Lecture Notes

I was recently requested to write a post on how I take notes at university, specifically, how I use my iPad for my university studies so here goes!

The first app I use is Microsoft Word for iPad which I use to take notes in lectures and seminars. I save all documents onto the online cloud One Drivemeaning I can access all my files on my laptop instantly. 

The format of my notes is pretty simple. I use Calibri Light in font size 12. I simply underline my titles and subheadings. My title (usually the lecture title/topic) always goes in the middle and then I split my document into 2 columns. I do this as I write my notes as short bullet points so therefore they don’t fill the whole line so it not only looks neater to have two columns but it also saves paper!

I always make my notes on what the lecturer is saying rather than copying what is on the powerpoint slides as these are available for me to access before and after the lecture so I can add this detail in at a later date, whereas you can’t hear the lecturer over and over (unless you get permission to audio record!). I try to be as concise as possible so I don’t miss anything, you can always add detail in at a later date. 

As far as printing goes, I don’t print these notes unless I’m doing an assignment on that topic as then I prefer to have a physical copy to highlight/make physical notes on. But other than that I save all my files in folders on One Drive but also on my laptop. 

A secondary use I have for my iPad is reading Journal Articles which means I can have them next to my laptop as I work and I don’t have to spit screen my laptop. Not a necessity but I like working this way. This also means if I want to quickly read an article for a seminar I don’t have to use my laptop, I can just quickly use my iPad and read it anywhere really easily. 

I hope you’ve found this useful! Are there any other posts you would like to see on this topic or anything I do at university?

x

Tips For Shopping On A Student Budget

After living on my own at university for a year now, I'd say I've learnt quite a lot on shopping on a budget and cooking for one person, it's a lot harder than you expect! You'll get portions wrong, have gone off bananas and nothing to do with them and spend far too much money than is needed in the first few weeks but hopefully I can give you a few tips to help you out. P.S This is the first post written from my new house (shared with 4 of my uni friends), hoping to get a blog post up on how I've decorated my room after I have perfected where I want all the furniture to go, so keep your eyes peeled!

Frozen/Fresh:-

• Chicken - buy frozen as it's cheaper and the quality is just the same, just remember to defrost the day you want to use it!
• Mince - bought fresh, split into portions and then frozen for individual portions or cooked into batch to make chilli or spag bol, makes for a quick meal on days where you have late lectures!
• Veg - easily bought frozen which is cheaper and means you can just use it when you need with no risk of it going off before you get chance.
• Berries - Again, buy frozen and use for breakfast with yoghurt and granola or made into a delicious smoothie.
• Natural Yoghurt - Great for breakfast or to cool down a spicy curry.
• Milk
• Frozen Onion - great to add to soups, chilli, homemade sauces and can be kept in tthe freezer for months and used when needed. 
• New Potatoes - can be boiled, roasted, fried or used cold in salads.
• Eggs - A good addition to lunches and salads.
• Fruit - Buy individually if you can to stop it going off before you eat it.
• Stir-Fry vegetable mix - Lasts easily for two meals and is cheap!
• Garlic - An essential for making your own sauces, etc.
• Butter
• Bread

Dried:-

• Tinned Tomatoes - Use in curries, pasta sauces, chilli, spag bol, etc.
• Cereal - Granola is great because it's filling and can be eaten in a variety of ways!
• Herbs and Spices - You don't need all the herbs and spices available, it would cost a fortune, but a good start would be salt and pepper, chilli and stock cubes.
• Tinned Fish - Good for sandwhiches, salads or as a filling on jacket potatoes.
• Rice/Pasta - Buy these in bulk before coming to uni because they'll last all year!
• Cous Cous - Great flavoured as a side dish instead of potatoes or in salads.
• Dried Fruit/Nuts - Raisins and Almonds are my favourite, they're great as additions for breakfast or as simple snacks. 
• Tea/Coffee/Sugar 
• Rice Crackers/Cream Crackers - Great topped as part of lunches or as a snack.
• Preserves - Jam/Peanut Butter/etc, good for breakfasts or as a snack on top of rice cakes. #
• Instant Noodles - an obvious food to list but make a pretty filling lunch and are dirt cheap!
• Dried Fruit - Raisins, Apricots, Cranberries, etc. make a great snack or to go as part of breakfast.

General Tips:-

• Lots of vegetables nearing the end of their fridge life? Make a hearty vegetable soup by simply boiling the veg in stock, you could even add any left over chicken or other meat you fancy. Easy to make and can be frozen to eat at a later date.
• Just because it's from the value range at your supermarket, doesn't mean it isn't good quality. 
• Make sure you write a shopping list before you go, and more importantly, stick to it! It's very easy to spend over your budget on things that are on offer or that you're tempted by when you're walking around.
• Don't go shopping on an empty stomach, you'll simply buy more, and possibly quick snack foods (like chocolate or crisps) that you wouldn't normally buy, just because you are hungry.
• Make batches of food (eg. Curry/Chilli) that you can freeze and defrost the morning you want to eat it - an easy meal if you have late lectures. 
• The reduced section of a supermarket is a fab way to pick up ready meals cheaply, and freeze ready to eat another day. Just make sure you can freeze them before you buy!

// 18 WAYS YOU KNOW YOU'RE A UNI STUDENT //

1. The day you move into halls you will spend the day feeling like you're going to poop your pants with excitement/nervousness until you get a vodka mixer down your neck.. then you won't care and everyone will be your best friend despite this being the first day you know them.

2. Freshers photos. The most mortifying photos to look back on but at the time you thought you were hilarious and wanted to show everyone from home just how much fun you are having in your new city. Ooh drinking. Ooh predrinks. Ooh 'I love uni'. Such fun. 

drinking from a smart price lemonade bottle in the street while waiting for the bus to our freshers ball? classy one i am.

3. You blew your student loan in the first few weeks due to going out every night for two weeks and 'needing' a new outfit for each night.. cause yknow, who wants to be seen in the same outfit twice?

4.You are constantly being told off by the little library minions who are insistent that you must follow every single tiny little rule in your university's policy and have the most un-enjoyable time in the library as possible, even if you have done nothing wrong. I'm not bitter at all...

5. You eat supernoodles at least twice a week, from the saucepan, with whatever utensil you can find, or failing that, your hands. 

6. "I'll do it later" is a frequent excuse for everything. Washing up? Tidying your room? That assignment that is due next week? Yep, there's plenty of time for that.

7. "I'll just come for prinks" or "I'll go out but I wont drink much". You know this is the biggest lie but you undoubtedly tell yourself this to make yourself feel better and to convince yourself that you can control how much you drink. Wrong. Once prinks are underway, it is just too tempting not to join in. You'll work through the hangover anyway, right?

8. You think back to first year and cringe with all the embarrassing things you said/did and when you walk past that one guy that you kissed or that girl who you pissed off that one night you will forever be haunted by the memories of alcohol induced stupidity. Why oh why.

9. 9am lecture? Yeah, not a chance you'll be making it to that. Even if you set 10 alarms. Or leave your door unlocked for the flatmate who is practically nocturnal to waltz in and wake you up. Tried and tested, it doesn't work. *slaps self on wrist*

10. You have said at least twice "40% will do" or "first year doesn't count anyway" when you don't do as well as expected. Yeah, we've all been there. Expectations dramatically lowered, oops, sorry mum.

11. You go all out with cheap, yet cheerful halloween costumes. £2.50 white primark tee slashed and stained with fake blood? Yes please!

12. You take rivalry with the other uni's in your city very seriously and any frolicking with the 'enemy' is seen as strictly forbidden. *cue chants of stating that your uni is great and the others are words that can't possibly be said when not intoxicated* oooh naughty. 

13. You know how you said you were going to go to university and learn how to cook? Yeah, that didn't happen did it? Yay for Domino's two for Tuesdays and oven chips. Yum.

14. You spent over £300 on books that you have only looked at a handful of times... why when they are in the library for loan? Yeah, I have no idea either. 

15. You love baths. And you didn't know this until you moved into halls and could't have one. Such sadness. 

16. You hate the guy that invented Harvard referencing and truly believe that he did so just to spite anyone trying to get a qualification. 

17. The impending 10,000 word dissertation haunts your awake and sleeping mind. Ugh. Effort.

And finally, 18. You realise that you sleep more than a new born baby. But this is normal... because you're a student it's okay. Right?

lessons learnt in my fresher year.

As I write this I'm currently donning fluffy socks, a glass of Archers and lemonade and watching the intense Wimbledon final. Relaxing Sundays are the one.

This year has been a huge whirlwind and so much has changed in my life, the majority for the better. Your fresher year at university is most definitely a learning curve, you'll make lots of mistakes; not only academically but also with your life choices, so here is my reflection on what I've learnt throughout the year. 

You'll do a stupid amount of stupid things when you're drunk // 

If you drink, or even if you don't, you are guaranteed to make rushed or peer influenced decisions which you will live to regret. Fact. Whether it's having that extra sambuca shot, kissing that person or leaving your essay to the last minute, it's gonna happen. But don't let it get to you, you're young and at university, if that's not an excuse for your silly mistakes then what is?! It's a learning curve, embrace it. But do  remember that although you may have erased it from your memory, others may have not...

Although you'll deny it at first, the library will become your "favourite" place // 

It seems daunting at first, especially if you miss the library induction due to a hangover, like someone I know *hides face in shame*, but the library really is an invaluable resource. I know, who'd have thought it?!?! You'll need it to find the endless list of books you need for essays or presentations and you'll spend hours in there wishing you hadn't left your essay or revision to the last minute. My advice would be: take snacks, a friend and your headphones. They're your best weapons to surviving it. 

You will miss home more than you expect // 

Before leaving, I knew I would miss home, but I thought I'd be too busy to really think about it, which is true to an extent. When you're out partying, meeting new people and attending lectures, you'll rarely have time to think about what you're missing. But it is when you feel down, or are low on money or have had back a result you aren't pleased with, that you'll really start to miss your home comforts and family life. Sometimes the only thing that will make thins better is a mummy cuddle.

You can't please everyone // 

Although I tried super hard in first year to get along with everyone I came across, in reality, it just doesn't happen. But instead of moping around and wondering why, just accept that it's the real world. You can't be great friends with everyone you meet, they may not like you, you might not like them. Just forget it and concentrate on the people who you are friends with, cause they're the only ones that matter. 

Lecturers will give you better marks if they like you // 

It's not fair to anyone, but it undoubtedly happens. It's hard not to see it when, for example, this year I completed 4 essays as part of my four modules and in them I received two 2:1's and two 3rds. Coincidently, the thirds came from the lecturers who disagree with everything I say in seminars. Of course their opinion is valid, but so is mine and I feel it is extremely harsh to mark a student down simply because you do not agree with the points they made. As long as they have accurately backed them up with evidence, they should get credit. But of course this is not the case, it's not fair, but it's life. 

You will return home with half the kitchen stuff you came with //

I spent hundreds of pounds buying ample kitchen equipment and crockery only to have to re-buy lots for second year. Partly due to my clumsiness but also due to other people thinking it's okay to claim it for their own. If you live in halls for first year, in shared flats, you will definitely experience this. Not only with equipment but with food, certain people have no morals and therefore if they see, it they'll nab it. Not a lot you can do because you don't want to go round confronting people (even if you know exactly who the culprit is...) because it just creates unwanted tension which will make you uncomfortable for the rest of the year. 

You'll meet people you never thought you would // 

There are thousands of students at university (duh...) so you'll meet and possibly become friends with people you never thought you would, which will in turn open up your ideas about the world and the people in it. It's a wonderful thing because you can learn so much in so little time, not just academically but about the world we live in. 

Make the most of societies and clubs // 

This year I failed to join any clubs or societies and made the excuse of  "I just don't have time" when really, I was just lazy. It's a great way to meet new people and learn new skills, university is a time to develop yourself as a person as well as becoming more qualified in your field of choice. Make the most of your time there and learn as much as you can! 

Instagram Update and It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas

Hey!

I didn't fancy taking ages to write a big post this weekend as it's my first weekend back home for Christmas and wanted to spend it with  my family!

So here's a little update of some instagram photos and a few snaps I took with my camera.

posing for a new blog post // all snuggled up to watch Christmas films // reindeer at our students union // my own little bauble for the tree at home // train selfie on the way home to surprise mother bear for her birthday // vodka always lies to me and leads to embarrassment // assignment work due before Christmas breakup // you never appreciate baths until you go to university  

a students makeshift christmas tree

christmas dinner for 12 

my bauble taking its place on the tree

 Hope everyone is enjoying the festive season so far, I'm having fun but struggling to adapt to being back at home and filling the gap I left. Plus I miss my uni friends and other people so much, skyping them just isn't the same as being with them! 

Right, I'm off to have a cup of tea and a mince pie,

Katie xx

Halloween Flashback

Hey! 

Bit late on the bandwagon I know but I've got a free Saturday morning that isn't filled with work or a food shop (hurrah!)

This was the first year I actually celebrated Halloween and dressed up for the occasion and let me tell you, it was so much fun and I'm already thinking of ideas for costumes for next year!

My group of friends and I decided we would have a running theme of  'Doctors and Patients' so we were recognisable as a group and all looked the same!

Two of the boys bought 'scrubs' online and as they both do medical courses, 'borrowed' a few pairs of latex gloves from practical rooms. Then they just flicked fake blood over themselves and chewed a few blood capsules and they were done! 

Us girls bought XXL white tshirts from primark, cut them using scissors, a sharp knife and used a cork screw to score the tshirt in places - quick note, be careful doing this and lay the shirt on cardboard so's not to damaged the surface underneath! 

Then we rubbed in fake blood and some cheap dark brown eyeshadow to look like dirt. Although we all used the same method, all the tshirt's looked so unique - it was a good technique.

In total, it costs us less than a fiver which for students, is brilliant. 

For my makeup I decided straight away that I wanted a bright red lip and to dribble blood from my mouth so I opted for MAC 'Russian Red' which I knew was highly pigmented and would stay on the whole night without the need for touch ups. 

I decided on a black smoky eye (halloween has got to be the only day when dark eyes and lips are acceptable!) and I used the Sleek iDivine pallette in 'Au Natural' to create the smoky effect.

I teamed all this with strong contouring using a mixture on my normal bronzer and a bit of brown and purple toned red eyeshadow to create a bruised effect, I contoured my collar bones with this also and added a few bruises to my arms and legs.

Here is my finished look:

We couldn't resist carving a pumpkin as we had a few guests so we decided to put our flat number on one side and a scary face on the other!

It was a great night and we had such fun playing dress up! I need more fancy dress parties/club nights now, I feel so creative!

Hope you've enjoyed this post - apologies for the lack of good quality photos, I was having too much fun to whip out my Canon! 

Katie xx

Organisational Skills for Education

Hey everyone, sorry it's been a while, I've been super busy, but I shan't use that as an excuse and I'll try to be more consistent in the future, even if I only post small posts.
So, I know a lot of people my age struggle with organising their work and I feel like I pretty much have my organisation down so thought I would write a few tips for people!

1. Keep a Diary

Colourful diary that was bought cheaply from Tesco!

I ALWAYS keep a diary and literally cannot live without it in my bag, it pretty much has my whole schedule in and without it with me, I'm totally lost! I include any social events, no matter how big or small in here and when receiving homework or assignments at sixth form, I make sure to write every detail down. Don't think that you'll remember all the information, it's very unlikely that you will, so just write everything down, it doesn't take long!

I also colour code the diary so different aspects of my life and different deadlines are clear when flicking through. This helps you not only organise, but to be quick when looking for a specific event or deadline.

2. Typing up class/lecture notes

This is actually something that my boyfriend introduced to me. (Thank you Jack :3) I've loved the technique and it really does help the information sink in. As I'm a neat freak, not only does it make my notes look lovely, but while typing the up, you're going over information and therefore you will notice any issues and you can iron them out a long time before your exam, rather than having a last minute panic! And again, I love to colour code my notes to make them easier to read... can you sense a pattern too?! ehehe

3. When working, create a nice environment.

I love to grab a huge mug of tea, sit on my bed with my work laid out, put on a film/tv show/music and relax while I'm working or revising. I can't work in silence, silence creeps me out, aha. Remember to keep hydrated because (and here's the fact everyone tells you...) your brain is about 70-80% water, it needs it to function! Plus, if you have a lovely warm drink, or a crisp cool drink to keep slurping while you're working, you're bound to be more relaxed and in the right 'working' mood. On the topic of keeping your body hydrated, you also need a good amount of sleep! If you feel tired, you simply won't want to work and will keep putting it off until it's too late. Plus, who doesn't love sleeping?! ehehehe

4. Set yourself goals -but don't beat yourself up!

I like to set myself small goals on either a daily, weekly, monthly or even yearly basis just so I know I always have something, whether small or not, to work towards. These don't all have to be work related goals, they could be health/fitness related, or even to do with your own personality or attitudes. If you set small goals, at regular intervals, then you always have something to work towards, and you are completing them on a regular basis which is a great confidence boost. Most importantly, don't beat yourself up if you don't complete a goal in the time which you assumed it would take. Priorities change all the time and things will come above others in your list and that's just part of life. Embrace that you've completed something else, rather than focusing on the negatives!

5. Treat yourself!
I am a firm believer that you shouldn't work yourself stupid without rewarding yourself once in a while. Your self esteem needs this. It doesn't matter if it's a day off working/revising, buying a new lipstick, buying a new top, spending special time with a sibling or friend... it doesn't matter what it is, just keep your happiness and nice memories up and your negativity down!



And that concludes my top tips for organising and I hope they've been helpful! I know this is a very different post to my others, but I felt like writing this and if it helps just one person, then I shall be happy. Let me know if you want more posts like this, as I enjoyed writing this and would like to do something similar again.

I promise to have another post up this week. But in other news, I finally got my first follower, yay!
See you later on this week!