Review Time: How To Be Prepared

REVIEW TIME


For a majority of the architecture students at my uni, the last week was a grueling, stressful nightmare, fighting time to finish our projects. Studying architecture, for every project we have a final review and for those who don't know, this is when our studio tutors critique our response to a brief which the whole year is given. I found that I coped pretty well with the deadline, but I know that people using computers to draw up their designs struggled, especially when they were new to the software.

Throughout the reviews you could definitely tell who struggled and who was prepared, and I'm not going to lie, my mind got a bit sidetracked and started thinking how people could have avoided this. I know that being organized isn't as simple for some than it is others, but I feel that by reminding myself of certain things I need to do, people in similar positions might benefit (maybe somewhat?!).

Things I do to prepare myself, usually in this order are...

1) Write a list of things I need to do 
You can never have enough scrap paper set aside for lists

2) Set reasonable achievements
If you think something will take a certain time, add some more time, it'll usually take longer with procrastination and all

3) Keep up with your course mates
Living with other architect students who all work at different paces, I find that knowing I'm at the same level as someone else re-assures me that I will finish in time

4) Tick things off of your list!
When I see how much I've achieved I feel really good about myself

5) Eat healthy (and don't stop taking vitamins!)
If a deadline is approaching, you don't need to be ill and spending a day in bed, getting more stressed about the work you need to do

6) Get a good nights sleep & get some me-time
When we're tired, we don't want to make decisions, we just want to sleep. Also, you don't want to present your project zombie-style


Those are the things which I have found keep me sane when coming up to a review or an important deadline, and I know everyone works different and these are probably things people have said before, but they really do work!! 

If all else fails, at least be proud and confident about the end result, then you can fool anyone.

Simples!

Instagram of Final Review Layout

Sweater Weather

SWEATER WEATHER

Hi Internet!

It's finally getting chilly on the south coast, and I'm finding myself having to layer up (even in the house!) just to stay warm. I thought I would post a few winter warmers to keep the sniffles at bay, and rid the goosebumps. Living in a student house, we're all very stingy when it comes towards bills that we know we can avoid, heating being the main culprit. A thick blanket or cardigan is vital when sat still going work all afternoon, or for all times when not in bed. 

This season, H&M has come out with an incredibly reasonably priced cardigan. When I set my eyes on it, I thought it would be £40, because of the amount of material and the stitch detail, but I was pleasantly surprised when I turned the price tag over. It has been featured in their Autumn/Winter 2013 ad campaign, looking high in material quality and texture.

H&M
£14.99

H&M
£29.99

I style the cream coloured cardigan with my summery tops and dresses which are too thin to keep me reasonably warm throughout the winter. I feel like this piece fills the versatile-cardigan hole in my life. Also, it doubles up as a blanket in bed or something I can layer over a hoodie. When i first tried it on, I wasn't sure if it was a bit too OTT to be hobo chic, but even if it was, the practicality outdoes the style element.

There is also a much more colourful alternative, at double the price. Despite this, the colour palate could be translated to a Valentine's outfit! 

Was £40, now £32
Selling out fast!

A thinner jumper that could be layered under this type of thicker cardigan would be this one by H! by Henry Holland. With a thermal top underneath and a gilet on top, this jumper could be dressed casual, or as seen in the picture, with a black skater skirt, could be dressed up for Christmas. Robin jumpers are definitely on trend for this winter, and have replaced the Christmas jumper in my heart, because it can be worn on many more occasions. 

Others that have caught my eye in shop windows have been from River Island, which I found for the price you pay, the design would be the decider, and not the quality of material, and one from New Look. With student discount, this would work out the best deal of them all, but I still find myself gravitating towards the Henry Holland Design!

                        

                  New Look

                   £24.99

River Island
£30

These are my fun picks from the high street for jumpers and possible Christmas picks. I will report back with more Christmas things, gift ideas, or looks, in the run up to the big date!

Happy winter!

OOTD: An Autumn Sunday

AN AUTUMN SUNDAY

Hi Internet!

Last weekend I ventured home from uni firstly, because we had a reading week, and secondly, my friend had staff tickets to the Beaulieu Motor Museum fireworks.

Now that we're getting into cooler temperatures, spending time outside is becoming a little more daunting, having to layer up to just stay comfortable. However, my parents had some apple picking to do, and being helpful people, my boyfriend and I thought we'd help (good photo opportunity!).

Seeing as all my clothes are at the uni house, and I didn't want to bring too many back just for a couple of days, I made the most with what I had in my wardrobe, combining bits that I wear all the time, and pieces that live folded up in my draws (pretty much forcing myself to be a bit creative with what I had), and here's how that turned out!

My outfit for that day...

Khaki Jacket: Fat Face £30 

Reduced to half price

2 years old

Blue Hoodie: Top Shop £18

Cheaper alternatives available in Primark

Grey Top w/ Lace Pocket: Hollister £4

Bought off eBay

Floral Skirt: Gina Tricot 50kr 

(around £4)

Wellie Boots: Viking Brand 800kr

(around £70)

I wouldn't usually wear the skirt, but the plain colours of the clothes I'd brought back from uni seemed to have toned it down. Plus I've had the skirt for years and haven't got much wear out of it so I felt guilty for neglecting it and leaving it in my wardrobe.

My jacket came from Fat Face a couple of years ago on a bit of a whim purchase, seeing as it was a bargain! I know that Fat Face is aimed at all ages, but can be considered to be an older persons shop at times. This may be because of the prices (definitely not Primark or New Look prices), but you pay for the quality, and not the name plastered all over the pieces like some other brands. If investing in a pair of jeans or coat, I will check out Fat Face for their selection, however if I'm just looking for a strappy top, £2.50 from Primark will do me just fine. 

As for the wellies, I have only worn these when walking in the forest or at festivals (another neglected item), but they do serve their purpose as you can see by the amount of mud they have collected. Boots could be worn instead of wellies for a more pulled-together look, however these were definitely a comfort-over-style item that day!

A little bit of texture!

Hope this was inspiring for a bit of Autumn fashion,

Happy Sunday everyone!

Bit of posing in the garden

Review: Real Techniques Brushes

REAL TECHNIQUES

vv

Expert Face Brush & Powder Brush

Hello Internet!

On this lovely Saturday morning, the sun is shining, there's not a cloud in the sky, and I'm still in bed, wanting to make up for a lack of posting since I started this blog.

The Real-Techniques brushes by Samantha Chapman (one half of Pixiwoo on Youtube) are raved about by everyone and anyone who have tried them, and my opinion is no different. Though I don't have much to compare them to (cheap H&M make-up brushes and an M&S set), on first view, the brush looks professional, and the bristles look thick and full, which is definitely enough to make me take it off the shelf and have a look!

When I opened the packaging on both of these, the first thing I noticed was the softness of the bristles (it was just difficult not to touch them!). However because they are used for different purposes, I will go into detail about each.

POWDER BRUSH 1401

As you can see from the first picture in this post, the size of this brush is considerably larger. For me, this is great for the amount of product it picks up and spreads evenly over my foundation. It doesn't make powder look cakey and thick, like if you were to use a more dense brush, but leaves a micro-thin layer, producing a much more natural look. 

I use this brush to apply setting powder, however it can also be used for a sweep of bronzer all over the face, and for a light mineral foundation (if you're not looking to build up coverage). 

The bristles are synthetic, though I'm not sure what the difference would be between real-hair bristles and these. They definitely don't feel like real hair at the base, but the end of the brush feels nice to the touch, and not itchy like my H&M 'budget brush'. 

I've used this brush with 3 different powders so far, and as long as they are the right shade (I bought a powder in a hurry... don't out to be a bit orange!), it produces great results and is easy to work with.

EXPERT FACE BRUSH

 In comparison to the powder brush, the bristles on the expert face brush are much more firm, and densely compact. This makes it good for applying any liquid based foundation or BB cream, because it is able to pick up a substantial amount of product, but then blend it out well with the tapered edges. 

The size of the brush is much smaller than the powder brush, which allows the user to focus on areas, and apply in all the nooks and crannies on their faces (or at least that's how it works for me!).

When applying foundation though, one thing i found was that you have to work with the brush, then it will blend seamlessly. I used to not spend a lot of time blending my foundation, haphazardly using my fingers, thinking a brush would hold too much bacteria, and just make my pores clogged. When i first tried this brush, foundation was still 'streaked' across my skin, (clearly not applied properly), but it definitely produces better results with a bit more time spent. 

Overall, both of these brushes provide quality and value for money. They fulfill their purposes, and have improved my understanding of how to apply foundation minus the use of fingers. 

I read some reviews on these brushes before I bought both of them, and I saw one comment about the bristles falling out after washing them, however this hasn't happened with me, and I've washing them both plenty of times. To wash them I use a facial cleansing soap bar, and basically scrub all the dirt out of them! I could be a bit more gentle to them, but I like knowing that I've tried my best to get them as clean as I can, and it definitely hasn't changed the quality of the bristles from when I first opened the box. As for drying time, I usually thoroughly ring them out before leaving them, and then they'll take about a day. I also leave them next to the window so they've got a bit of a breeze (don't know whether that helps or not).

 I know we've only just got into November, but they would be great as a Christmas gift for a girl just getting into make up or someone looking for good quality brushes to expand their collection!

Another added bonus, they stand up on my dresser, great for displaying them in all their glory!

Prices at Amazon

Real Techniques Powder Brush £10.99

At the moment on Amazon they are £8.66, which is a great bargain  then you could go on to use Super Saver Delivery if you went and bought another brush and spent over £10!

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush £9.99

On Amazon at the moment at £6.66, so another bargain there!

Prices at Boots

Real Techniques Powder Brush £12.99

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush £9.99

However Boots sometimes have Buy One Get One Half Price deals which apply to these brushes. It's all about getting the good bargain at the right time and doing your research!