See you later student life!

University = complete! 

Where did the past four years go?! The past few weeks have been extremely challenging for me, I really had to dedicate my time towards writing my dissertation instead of blogging. I just cannot believe I have finished university forever! I was lucky enough to have a great university experience, meeting some great friends along the way. 

I studied Public Relations (PR) as it was always a field that I wanted to get into, ever since I was around 13. Sounds cliche, but very true! I thoroughly enjoyed it, although it was very different to what I expected! I certainly didn't expect to cover economics and politics during my first year! Can you imagine me doing politics? Didn't think so!! 

In terms of actual uni life, I feel I have changed quite a lot as a person over the years. During first year, I loved the whole uni life; meeting new people, going out, just about making it in for lectures! I remember being incredibly nervous to meet my flatmates and I certainly had no idea how I was going to cope fending for myself! I remember my mum driving down just to help me and my flatmates with our first wash - hilarious looking back! Thanks mum! Next was 'Leggit' the challenge to travel as far away as possible from uni without paying a single penny, all for charity! We made it to France but it was a seriously testing experience, sleeping on the streets was an experience I won't forget! It is fair to say that I adapted to uni life very quickly, something that I am aware doesn't happen to everyone! 

By second year, it became a little more serious. I realised that the work actually counted for something and I found myself struggling to get the grades I had hoped for. I began staying in more and swapping a few nights out for nights in - something I seemed to adapt too, very quickly. However, my experience was spoilt a little when my uni house developed severe damp and I became quite poorly with chest infections. I was at home quite a lot and the more time I spent at home the less I wanted to go back to uni! Admittedly, I became quite anxious, I am not really sure where it stemmed from, maybe the OCD I had as a teenager caused it to develop. (Something I have not yet discussed on my blog). Anyway, by the end of the year I managed to just get a 2:1 (thankfully)! I feel moving forward I became motivated to work harder and improve as a person. Particularly with confidence, I think because I am quite chatty people assume I am really confident but I am actually not! 

As you know, I was lucky enough to carry out a placement with Walt Disney during third year - an opportunity I will be forever grateful for! I have to say, I enjoyed every minute of it. Although it was very busy and sometimes stressful, I got to meet some amazing people and got to work on some fantastic films. It was during that year that I met my boyfriend, something which I didn't realise at the time would change my final year experience! 

Upon returning back to uni for my final year, I became a different person. My friends and I swapped nights out for nights in, something I loved. I am a sucker for a night in with my pjs on, it actually became a joke amongst my friends that I practically lived in my white dressing gown! I feel there is such a stereotype that you have to go out every night but I think it is important to mention, it really isn't the be all and end all.  I found it important to concentrate on my work, after all I hadn't come that far to not get my degree! When I wasn't devoting my time to work, I enjoyed spending time with my friends and my boyfriend. I also became far less concerned with what others thought of me, a big achievement for me, especially in comparison to second year. 

I definitely had a few hurdles along the way and times where I really wanted to drop out and stay home, but I am SO glad I stuck it out. I am looking forward to the next chapter in my life, dedicating all my time to my blog! Something I have wanted to do for ages and now I finally have the time! 

Facts about my uni experience: 

- I avoided uni at all costs if it was raining (drama queen)!

- I survived final year without a single all-nighter..(a big achievement)! 

- I worked as a club promoter in my first year - a job that SO many students do! 

- I had to get my flatmates to help me change my bedding - did I really just admit that?

- I was too afraid to start my blog until my placement year as I was too scared about what people would think! 

- Napping is SERIOUSLY underrated. 

Things I learnt along the way:

- I can actually cook things other than pasta! 

- I am surprisingly good at budgeting! 

- Networking is key. 

- Don't be afraid to ask for help - especially when it comes to assignments. 

- You cannot beat home comforts!

- There is always someone worse off in life (cliche, but very, very true)!

Thanks for reading!

Lauren-Faye x

Shaping up for Summer!

Summer is rapidly creeping up on us, we all know that! Every year I constantly promise myself to work harder, eat better and prepare myself for getting into those pretty bikinis! Like many of us, it doesn't usually go to plan, I am always wishing I worked harder when I am sunbathing on a beach! It is far too easy to fall out of a routine, especially when you're at University like myself! I am constantly snacking on naughty treats and I avoid exercise at all costs (well, the majority of the time)! It may come as a surprise but I am extremely body conscious, I don't have a favourite body part! I am quite short (5'2) yet quite curvy, particularly on my hips and so it is very noticeable when I gain a few pounds!

As a result, I have decided to do something about it and get my body confidence back! I was recently introduced to an online personal training hub named Ghogy, offering affordable, progressive and tailored programmes. Upon speaking to the Ghogy team, I realised it would be a great opportunity to try out the plan and really get myself back into shape! I signed up to the twelve week 'Trim and Tone' plan as it suited my lifestyle perfectly, I informed my personal trainer that I would prefer to exercise at home rather than the gym and a plan was tailor-made for me. 

My plan consists of three main meals a day and two snacks, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. It isn't calorie based and I have the opportunity to pick my own meals from a wide selection! Any dietary requirements can be taken into consideration and I love the fact that I can mix up my meals. I will be uploading my before photos and progress photos halfway through the plan to show you all how I am getting on. I think one of the most motivational parts of a healthy eating plan is before and after photos, they really encourage you to keep going! The best thing for me about this plan is knowing that I can email my personal trainer whenever I wish to perhaps ask for tips or new recipes and of course, added motivation if I need it!

I am really looking forward to sharing my results with you and if any of you are interested then check out the Trim and Tone plan here! For an added bonus, I have a discount code to share with you all entitling you to 20% off... 'LAUREN20'. Thank me later!

Thanks for reading,

Lauren-Faye x

My Revlon Top 5!

Good morning!

I have decided to review my top 5 Revlon hair products today! I was lucky enough to receive a bundle of products a few weeks ago and it has been tough to decide which ones to review! I have chosen five of my favourite products that I think are perfect for a great hair routine. 

 Volume Shampoo & Conditioner: 

Annoyingly I have a major problem with volume! My hair is very long but also very flat on top and it is something that drives me crazy! I am constantly on the lookout for volumizing products and new backcombing brushes! I usually use normal shampoos and conditioners that aren't focussed on volume so I was particularly excited to give these a go! I wash my hair two to three times a week, and for the past three weeks I have been using these during every wash. 

The texture of the shampoo is very silky, whereas the conditioner is very creamy - I find these products are usually the best otherwise I find my hair to be slightly greasy after every wash. Generally after every wash my hair still remains very flat on top, but I have noticed since using these products that my hair naturally rises during blow-drying. Of course, as my hair is very flat I still use volumizing hair products alongside the duo, but I feel they complement my hair routine very nicely. The smell is gorgeous and my friend who was curling my hair actually asked me what products I had used as she loved the smell so much. I would highly recommend using these products if you also have flat hair or if you are looking for extra volume! 

 Hairspray Photo Finisher: 

I am not exaggerating when I say this but this is my absolute MUST-HAVE product at the moment. I often find hairsprays to be very sticky with very little hold so I am very picky with what products to use. However, I used the Photo Finisher and fell in love after my first use. It has a lovely scent that lasts and it keeps my hair in place, particularly the curls. My hair didn't feel sticky or rough and that is one thing I usually dislike with hairsprays. I also found that my hair didn't feel dry after brushing the hairspray out which is something I have found with some other hairsprays in the past.

Volume Amplifier Mousse: 

Moving onto the mousse...I have always been wary of mousse, I'm not the biggest fan of the texture and it doesn't seem to have much of an impact on my hair. However, I used this mousse and was pleasantly surprised, a small amount definitely goes a long way! I applied it to towel-dried hair and continued to blow-dry it as usual. I particularly struggle with the front of my hair and that is exactly the section I specifically wanted to target, the mousse certainly increased the volume on my fringe. 

All In One Hair Treatment: 

Shock horror.. I am a little lazy when it comes to looking after my hair! It is so long, yet so fine but there is so much of it so I often find myself neglecting it slightly! I have only used this twice but I will continue to do so as it has a whole range of benefits! It has definitely made my hair softer and it appears to have a nice little shine to it (even if I do say so myself)! It can be used on wet or dry hair and it is a leave-in spray which is perfect if you are rushing around! No excuse now, ladies! 

If it sounds like you have similar hair problems to me, why not give these a go? 

Thanks for reading, 

Lauren-Faye x