Christmas Tag

What is your favourite Christmas film?

My favourite christmas film has to be the Grinch. Without fail I watch it every year at some point. Nice and snug on the sofa with a hot chocolate!

What is your favourite festive colour?

I wouldn't say its much of a 'christmassy' colour unlike you golds and reds but I'm loving Burgundy this year. Anything burgundy and glittery just shouts christmas at me!

Do you open your gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

Morning! We're a massive family and with younger brothers and sisters they're awake around 6am anyway, so it's a nice early start, plus it takes us hours to get through the presents anyway!

What is your favourite winter fragrance?

I wouldn't say I have a favourite winter fragrance as such. My mum is always burning candles so the house always has a nice fresh and warm feel at christmas. 

What is your favourite Christmas scent?

Christmas dinner has to be the best scent of all. Although again, i'd say probably the smell of my mums candles constantly burning throughout the day at christmas.

What is your favourite holiday drink?

There is nothing better than a good cuppa or hot chocolate at christmas.

Candy Canes or Gingerbread Men?

I'm not really a sweet or cake type of person so I don't think I'd have either. I'm more of a meal type of person than a snack one.

What is your favourite Christmas song?

I'd say it would have to be good old Mariah with 'All I want for christmas' that one's always a good'un on karaoke .

Have you ever made a snowman?

I've made a few snowmen over the years, although I tend to get bored half way through as I get annoyed with the cold and my hands being wet. Or the snowman just doesn't go to plan and I get pelted with snowballs by my brothers. (Usually happens)

What is the most important thing to you about Christmas?

The most important thing to me at Christmas is Family. I'm lucky to have the most amazing foster family in the world and I wouldn't want to spend Christmas anywhere else. Being away at University for the whole year makes me SUPER excited to go home for a few days at Christmas and spend it with people I love.  I think Christmas is a time for appreciation and I really enjoy being part of a big family at Christmas. We all open presents together and it's a day that involves everyone which I think is really nice. Also, the other most important thing about Christmas to me would be giving. I love wrapping up presents for people and seeing their reaction when they open it. 

What are your favourite things about Chirstmas?

Do this tag and join in (:

Rachel

My Winter Beauty / Hair Essentials

Winter has rushed in a lot earlier than we expected this year, meaning it's time to forget our summer beauty routines, and give ourselves a little extra beauty TLC throughout winter. It's amazing how the weather can have such an effect on our skin and hair in both positive and negative ways, and the winter certainly takes all of the life out of your skin and hair. I've dug out my favourite winter hair and beauty products which I use throughout winter ensuring my skin and hair continue to be healthy.

1) Moroccan Oil

I SWEAR by this product. After being introduced to it by my cousin I have continued to use this dream product on a regular basis, and boy has it made a HUGE difference to my hair! This product is designed for the ends of your hair, locking in moisture, and it does exactly that. I use a pea sized amount on my hair when it is damp / towel dried, and it keeps the ends of my hair silky soft. I use this product all year round, yet more so in Winter as I find my hair tends to become more dry. I got this little bottle for roughly £12.50 and it was worth every penny. It's lasted me since August and I'm not even half way through the bottle. You can use this as little or as much as you wish on your hair. 

2) LUSH Face & Body Cleanser (Angels on bare skin)

Skin exfoliation is a big must for me during winter. Theres nothing worse than applying your foundation on to a bed of dry flakey skin. Eugh. I'm a big fan of Lush's products as they are all fresh ingredients so can rely that they will not be too harsh on my skin. I use this on my face 2-3 times a week, depending on when I think my skin needs a bit of attention. This one provides a lighter exfoliation, so is less likely to irritate skin and is good for an every day routine. 

3) Dove Winter Care Nourishing Lotion (Dry Skin)

There is nothing worse than having dry skin in winter. As much as you try to keep warm with plenty of  layers, the cold always manages to suck the moisture out of our skin. This moisturiser keeps my skin well nourished and soft all through winter.

4) Dove Purely Pampering Hand Cream

Sometimes that trusty pair of gloves just aren't enough, and you have to keep your hands well nourished underneath your winter woolies. Dry Hands are one thing I dread in winter. Nothing looks worse than a dry pail of hands and a chipped set of nails. (Take note girls!) I carry this round with me everywhere, and it's a life saver. Pop a little bit on throughout the day and your hands will be soft all winter long. 

So, there we have it. These are my top winter favourites. What products do you rely on during winter?

Rachel 

x

Winter Is Here

It's that time of year again, time to put all of your summer clothes to the back of your wardrobe and dig out the woolly hat, gloves and scarf ready for the daunting season that is Winter. Winter is a love / hate thing for me. Firstly because I hate being cold, I'd much rather be snuggled up in bed watching films with a nice cuppa than dragging myself out of bed for an hour lecture in the cold and rain. Although, I do love hunting around for cosy jumpers, scarves and all things wintery. This year I decided that I needed to invest in a good pair of gloves. And with this in mind, I chose to head to Primark. Yes, I know what you're thinking 'hardly the best quality' but at £3 a pair, I couldn't complain. They had a wide variety to choose from. Some plain, come printed, and others (which are my favourite) with Animals on, so obviously, being the mature 20 year old that I am, I picked the ones with Foxes on. (Not sorry!) 

The next thing that says Winter for me, is a weather proof coat, and nothing says winter more than a coat with a fluffy hood! This one I picked up last year from Internacionale (Kids Section) Yes, the coat in the kids section fits me, be jealous! Im proud to say that this coat has got me through one winter, and I'm hoping it's going to get me through another.

Now... you know it's certainly winter when the Christmas decorations are up. This has to be one of my favourite things about Winter. Although all of the decorations go up early, I love how festive everyone gets, and the mad shopping rush. Although it isn't so fun when you have to work in a retail store and there are mad shoppers everywhere. 

Next up is Bonfire Night. Although I don't enjoy being outside in the cold, I do enjoy getting all snug in my winter warmers and standing outside with a cheeky hot chocolate watching the fireworks. For me, I love how unpredictable the fireworks are. No one knows what to expect, how many will be let off, or what the colour will be like. This year we had a display put on at my University Halls, and I have to say it was pretty impressive. 

Finally, It's all about the dark nails. For me, lighter pastel shades of varnish just don't work in the winter, and I prefer to stick to darker shades such as blues and reds. This year, I'm loving the Burgundy colour. 

What are your favourite things about winter?

Rachel

BarryM | Autumn / Winter Nails

When it comes to winter, I feel that Dark nails are essential. They fit the cold weather perfectly, and as much as a bright summery nail varnish puts you in a good mood, nothing says Winter more than a dark christmassy coloured manicure. Now, firstly my nail varnish obsession is out of control, and by that I mean a huge box of colours that I regularly never wear, just buy with the intention of wearing them because they are pretty, or my usual weakness of glitter. But these 4 that I selected are the perfect winter colours, and will look great day or night. 

The first colour I went for was a Dark green, or as titled 'Watermelon'. I'm not usually a fan of Greens so I thought I would step out of my comfort zone, and try something a little darker than usual. This Varnish goes on smoothly without any little air bubbles (which may I add are a pain in the butt!) I managed to get away with just 1 coat of this, but for a stronger and shinier look 2 would do the trick. I'm still to try out this one a little more, but so far, so good and I can definitely see myself using this one nearer christmas teamed with a dark red for a little Christmas nail art.

The second colour I went for was one I've been hunting around for for a while now. Indigo. I saw this colour on a friend and instantly liked it, although the colour was a shellac, so the finish was a lot shinier than usual, this colour is eye catching, and a great autumn winter varnish. I figured I would wear this colour a lot, as I'm fairly fussy when it comes to nails and outfits. They have to somewhat go together. And being someone who wears a lot of white, black and grey, I figured this colour would look good. Plus teamed with some gold or silver rings, this colour will really stand out. I used 2 coats for this, as it is fairly thin. I also teamed this look with a coat of silver glitter on the top, which looks great. Although glitter varnish is a NIGHTMARE to get off.

Thirdly, a dark shimmery purple caught my eye. I've always been a fan of purple polishes, although I'd never opted for one quite as dark. This colour has a really nice glossy finish and again works great from day to night. I found that this colour shows up more under or in the light, but again is great for a casual wintery look. 

Last but not least, I got drawn back to the blues. This time I chose a shimmery navy colour. With all my reasons being the same as the other blue I got, I figured this colour would be good for when I fancied a different shade, or depending on my mood if I wanted to go a little darker. The only issue I had with this colour is that it really stains your nails when removing it, so I found it best to apply 1 or 2 under coats of clear varnish to prevent staining. Other than that, it is a lovely colour and one I'll find myself wearing a lot through winter.

As always, Barry M never fail to disappoint with their amazing products. I've lost count of how many of their nail varnishes I have now, but can assure you that more will be making their way to my collection very soon.

What are your favourite colours for Autumn / Winter? 

Rachel x

304 CLOTHING | NEW AMBASSADOR

Buying new clothes is definitely a weakness of mine, and I am always on the lookout for new brands, quirky designs and most importantly, affordable items. After browsing through Instagram, I discovered 304#Clothing. It was launched in 2012 by three friends who decided to make handmade vest, and a year later, they are expanding the brand even more. I personally have always been a fan of printed t-shirts, so instantly 304's tees had caught my eye and I wanted every single one from the website, and at affordable prices starting from £20 it was hard to say no! 

Continuing to follow the brand, they began bringing out new pieces, and designs, which I felt were individual, simple, and most definitely caught peoples attention, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on some of the clothes to show off! But little did I know, one simple email to the company would result in them asking me to work alongside them as a ambassador. Brilliant! I was able to wear the clothing, promote the clothing, blog about the brand, and suggest new ideas. Perfect, I jumped at the chance! They had posted on Instagram that they wanted people to join their team, promoting the brand around their University campus, and I thought it would be a great way to get chatting to people, promote the brand, and I also wanted to be involved in the social networking side of things too.

It's an honour to be working alongside the 304# team! I cant wait to get stuck in, and introducing people to the brand! If you haven't yet discovered 304#Clothing then click the link and check out their website! I guarantee you'll be making a cheeky purchase! 

And if you are just too eager to see some of their designs, well, here's a few for you to check out.

304 Top (Front View) £20

Back View 

Real Eyes T-Shirt £20

Happy Shopping

Rachel

304 Clothing Ambassador 

 

LUSH Face Products | Review.

Skin products are forever something I'm willing to get my hands on, which was why when I walked past LUSH the other day, I couldn't resist a cheeky look at some of the new skin care products they had  in store. If like me, you are forever trying to find the perfect face wash / moisturiser and have tried everything under the sun, then you can understand the annoyance of believing in a product and then finding it out it does nothing for your skin at all. Annoying! Which was why I decided to go down a different route of using products with organic and fresh ingredients. 

The first product I came across was 'Ultrablend' Facial cleanser. Firstly it was the colour I found appealing, a soft yellow creamy product. After testing the product in store, I noticed it left my skin amazingly moisturised after using it, and I hadn't yet found a product which had done so before. After my first time properly using it as part of my skin care range, I noticed a difference in my skin. Easily applied with warm water and using your fingers, then gently wiped off with a damp clothe or cotton pad, this cleanser left my skin well nourished. 

The second product I brought, is one I've always been a tad hesitant about. Face masks. This one is called 'The Sacred Truth'. With a mid / dark green colour, it appeared healthy looking, and as I was going for something light, yet effective, I decided to give it a try. Now, I've always been a bit funny when it comes to trying face masks. I love the idea of them, cleansing the skin and getting rid of spots etc, but some of them I find too heavy, or leave my skin itchy after wards. But I was hoping to get on well with this one. 

I have still a lot of time to continuing trying these product and seeing the benefits. But so far so good!

I am beyond satisfied, and cant wait to get back in store and try out some more amazing products. What's your favourite product from the LUSH range?

Rachel

Day In The Life of An ELLE Fashion Assistant

Today at University I was set the task of writing a 250 piece on something of my choice, and the first thing that came to mind was a 'Day in the life of a Fashion Assistant'. The media ad Journalism industry is as fast paced as it comes. Gone are the hour lunch breaks, and you'd be lucky to have 15 minutes sat down browsing your favourite clothing websites. So to all of you aspiring journalists, and most importantly fashion assistants, I thought I'd sum up the typical day in the crazy industry for you. So here goes...

'It's a mad rush; the doors are rammed with staff sipping on their morning coffee, grasping hold of the freshly new ELLE magazine. The magazine departments keep themselves to themselves, all dividing on to their own floors. Heads down in the lift, and little communication. The office i a different environment; It's like a family, a close unit. The desks are placed together, with each department working closely. 

It's obvious I'm a fashion assistant, surrounded by a floor of tissue paper, Christian Louboutin heels and Prada handbags; I feel I'm disturbing the team packaging my items ready to be collected by the designer. The office is loud, amongst the sound of computer keyboards, numerous phone calls, and the annoyance of me wrapping items and unpacking delivery, we're interrupted by yet another delivery. 

The post room man loudly shouts 'Lorraine Candy' in the office, holding a bouquet of flowers in one hand, and a Chanel and Gucci bag in the other. Yet another exciting daily delivery for the ELLE editor.  The day continues at a fast pace, I'm stuck doing about three things at once, In between answering emails and phone calls, I have to package items ready to walk over to the location for the shoot. I'm panicked, knowing thousands of pounds worth of designer goods are in my hands, yet it's an honour to know I'm trusted with it. Half an hour later I'm walking the streets of London with two Louis Vuitton suitcases. I feel rather important'. 

This is just a summary of one of the days I experience whilst at ELLE, although every other day there was just as crazy and exciting, not to mention unpredictable. 

Have you worked in the media / journalism industry, and If so, how did you find it?

Rachel

Student Spending.

Since being at university I have come to terms with the fact that the saying 'A girl can never have too many clothes' in completely incorrect unless you are Paris Hilton and have about 15 rooms to put them in then it's a different story. The idea of having many different outfits to wear day and night is great, but realistically, how many pairs of leggings do you need in your life? Lets be honest. Now,  I'm not going to lie, I'm defiantly a fan of a Topshop purchase. Probably not the best place to be shopping on a 'student budget', but somehow I always manage to avoid Primark and magically end up in the more expensive shops. Lets just say budgeting isn't my strongest point. But anyway, back to the point. When packing up my room to go home for the summer, I realised how many clothes I had that I never actually wore. Stupid I know. I'd buy maybe 2 or 3 jumpers at a time, telling myself I'd get lots of wear out of them, and by the end of the year, it seemed I had only lived in 1 of the 3. Ridiculous! If there's one thing I've learnt, (after a big clear out of all the many clothes I have and never wore, or completely forgot about' it's that, half the time, at University, unless your going the extra mile for a night out, is that no one actually pays any attention to what you look like. 

Before coming to my senses and realising I had far too many clothes, half of my problem was that I had far too many, and I didn't think I had enough. It wasn't until I came home and unpacked that I realised that I'd wasted far too much money on clothes that I'd hardly even worn. Silly mistake. 

Lesson learnt, my wardrobe is now cut down to clothes that I love and wear all the time, which is a lot easier to decide on what to wear when I'm in a rush to my 9am lectures. 

 Tips to save money as a student - 

Make Primark your new best friend - it may be known for 'cheap' clothes, but you can buy 3 jumpers for £30 or 1 jumper for £30. Easy decision!

Ask yourself the same question - 'Do I NEED it?' Most likely the answer will be no. And if you choose to buy it, give it a week and you'll wish you saved the money for that extra night out on the town.

If you've seen something in Topshop, chances are the same thing will be in Newlook, River Island and most likely Primark, so try and save yourself that extra £5.

Get wear out of things. It's so easy to get bored of a item of clothing, (I'm guilty of this one) yes, you may of worn the same pair of jeans to uni 3 times in a row, but if you know you have had good wear out of something, you won't feel as guilty when its time to buy a new pair.

Accessorise. A few pieces of jewellery, studs or some sequins can instant change an outfit. So instead of chucking it away or to the back of your wardrobe, think of a few ways to jazz up your top or shirt. Cut off the sleeves, add a few studs to the shoulders, and you have a brand new top. 

Are you guilty of having too many clothes? Does your student loan burn a hole in your pocket? 

Rachel

Student Summer

After a long year of studying, endless amounts of referencing, and not to mention a few nights out on the town, your left with a lecture free summer, plenty of lie ins, no horrible 3am fire alarms, and most importantly, your home comforts, but what the summer does hold, is plenty of time to explore, travel, work, party, and have an incredible time. But what better to do than work and party at the same time? Sounds fun eh? Which is exactly what I decided to do this summer, on the amazing island that is IBIZA! For many student, working abroad is always a fun way to travel the world, gain experience, meet new people and most importantly earn money, which was why I saw it as a great opportunity. So, with my location decided, flights and accommodation booked for the month, I was all set to go on what was yet to be the most amazing time of my life.

Little did I know, finding work in Ibiza wouldn't be as easy as I had imagined. I found myself skipping through various jobs, from Ticket selling, to PR, to Shot Girl, which all sounds fun, but commission based work can be hard work. 

The West End in Ibiza is the party strip in San Antonio, with a few smaller clubs near by, it is flooded with promoters, ticket sellers, face painters, and many 'looky looky' men selling knock off Ray Ban sunglasses (If you look closely it actually says 'Ray Beri', rather amusing I know)

Although working could be tedious at times, with split shifts, long hours, and many un interested passers by, patience was a huge requirement when it came to PR'ing on the west end. 

With some of my evenings being taken up from work, I was able to live by the saying 'Work hard play hard' and that I most certainly did! 

In the month that I was there, I went to Amnesia once to see Calvin Harris, and by that performance, once was definitely enough. With it being a pricey $55 for a ticket, it was definitely worth every penny, and I would 100% go again! 

Ants at Ushuaia was held on a saturday, and was more of a workers event, as that is the day workers have off. An outdoor event, where you can dance in or around the pool, listen to house music, and be in the company of dancers around the pool.

David Guetta, now, everybody knows him, and everybody loves him, and this has to be one of the most craziest nights of my entire life (apart from Avicii because that was INSANE.) I've never been to an event where I physically couldn't not even move. I found myself in a mosh of people, being pushed around, stood on, elbowed numerous times, but I didn't mind, because I was watching David Guetta perform, and I was in Ibiza. so there was not much I could complain about. Here in the picture is 2 of the glowsticks I managed to grab in the crowd, and I made a wise decision of going round to the back of the stage, with a perfect view of him and the crowd. Amazing!

Zoo Project - The body painting in Ibiza is incredible, and even if its not a Zoo event, people still walk around half naked in body paint, its pretty much the norm. This was one of the main things I wanted to do out here, which was why I chose to splash out $35 on body paint. Expensive I know. 

And finally, Ocean Beach Club, known for its ridiculously expensive beds, amazing cocktails, famous people, and of course the man himself, Wayne Lineker (also owner of Linekers bar) Now, if you know me, you'll know I love meeting famous people, people in the public eye, or what ever you want to call it, and a picture opportunity makes it 10x better. Lets be honest, its just extra proof when your telling some one the story that you met them. Wayne was really chatty, offered to have a picture with me, and was chatting away about Towie, his tattoos, and how he loves the island. 

Overall, It was the best month of my life, and working made it that much more enjoyable. I recommend Ibiza to everyone, and encourage you to work, as it builds up contacts (free guest list) that was the best advantage. 

Hair Treats

If you know me, you will know that I am forever messing about with my hair. I've dyed it almost every colour under the sun, had it cut short, grown it back, and forever go round and round in circles, yet lately, since being home from University, I've barely touched it, and I can certainly see and feel a difference. My hair is naturally dead straight, so I can simply leave it to dry naturally and not do a thing to it. Having recently said goodbye to my horrid split ends, I decided I wanted to look after my hair more, which would only mean using good products little but often. Moroccan Oil was on the top of my list to get!

Moroccan Oil has caused a huge craze lately for all hair lovers. This 'miracle' oil as some have called it works wonders on your hair. I was first introduced to it by my cousin, who had purchased the large bottle for a whopping £30 after falling in love with the product.  I'd contemplated getting the big bottle myself, but just couldn't justify the price. So when I saw this small sample 25ml sized bottle for only £12.50 I could not resist! 

Moroccan Oil

Firstly I love the size of this bottle. It's perfect to fit into your handbag, and great for a holiday too! Personally, I think that this bottle is just as good as getting the bigger one for £30 as it lasts forever as you only use a pea size amount each time.

Moroccan oil is designed for the ends of your hair. A small pea size amount rubbed through your hands and on the lengths of your hair does the trick nicely. With a non greasy texture, you can use this on damp towel dried hair or completely dry hair, whichever you find best for you. 

Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray 

I haven't yet tried this product out, but from reading other blogs, It seems the Bumble and Bumble range is very popular, and this spray seems to get a lot of attention. I figured this would be a nice little treat for my holiday to create a beachy wave look when I'm in Ibiza. This little bottle cost £9.50 and again, is perfect holiday size. I'm excited to try this out, although knowing me, I'll go for an effortless look when it most likely took me about an hour to achieve my desired hair style. 

Have you brought any hair products lately? What do you think of Moroccan oil & Bumble and Bumble products?

Rachel x

Ibiza Summer Haul

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It's not long now until I jet off to Ibiza for a whole month. How exciting! I've been counting down the days with my app on my phone, and it's only 26 days until I fly out there. I'm really looking forward to some sun, anything to get away from this depressing British weather! 

I've been buying a few pieces recently, and have found that Primark do some amazing summer pieces. I've always been a fan of Primark, well working there for two years it was hard not to buy from there, but more recently, they have certainly up'd their game, and have some amazing items for a great price!

Ibiza instantly screams sun, a whole lot of fun, and if your lucky unlike myself, then a golden tan, which meant a few bikini pieces were on the shopping list! I'm taking my Jack Will's one out with me this summer that my parents treated me to last year. A simple two piece striped bikini in Jack Wills traditional colours of blue and pink, this number will hopefully keep me going for a few more summers to come. Now, a brighter piece was essential for my trip. so I went for this turquoise number (see in pic) It's a gorgeous colour and with removable straps, I can avoid the dreaded tan lines!

Above are a few of the many things I'm taking out with me. Primark aztec and printed shorts are a must this summer! Nice and light, not to mention comfortable, I'm sure I will get a lot of wear out of these! The blue / purple shorts are Topshop, but I got them off Ebay for a cheeky £10 Bargain!

This is just a selection of some of the things I've got, there was far too much to fit in the photo. Oops.

What summer bits have you brought?

Rachel x

Turquoise Jewellery

Jewellery, now tell me what girl doesn't love it? Personally, it has to be one of my favourite accessories to go with an outfit. There is so much to choose from, rings, necklaces, anklets - the list goes on but a favourite of mine this season is Turquoise jewellery. Firstly it's my favourite colour, so even more reason to be attracted to it, but secondly, it's such a bright and summery colour. 

Whenever I'm out in town shopping, I'm always on the lookout for a new piece to add to my small but ever growing collection. There are loads of high street shops with gorgeous pieces for a great price for you to get your hands on this summer to brighten up your summer wardrobe that little bit more, and to tempt you that little bit more, turquoise jewellery will show off that golden tan to the max! 

Here are a few particular pieces I love.

I personally think that the silver compliments the turquoise stone better than gold, but other people prefer the gold, so it's a personal choice, but not to worry, as there is plenty of jewellery to choose from, so you'll be struggling to pick your statement piece! 

Recently I've brought myself some lovely rings from Primark, and I have to say, for a cheeky £1.50, they have seriously upped their game. Impressing. Although Primark have a great selection in at the moment, another store which also stock a slightly more expensive range are Newlook, which I have to say, if I could, I would buy the whole collection, it's gorgeous! 

The great thing with the turquoise statement stone is that it works with a small, simple piece, or bigger statement necklace, yet they look equally as good as the stones are so bright and summery.

Why not head out and see if you can find yourself some turquoise pieces? Any excuse to go shopping eh?!

Rachel  x

Cambridge Satchel Company

Now, if you're anything like me, then bags are a favourite accessory to have! All different shapes, sizes, colours and not to mention designers. After a think about what bag I wanted to purchase next, I narrowed it down to one. A Cambridge Satchel. These have bloomed recently, and I'm sure you have all seen or heard of the Google Chrome advert which they are featured in. And if you haven;t yet seen it, check it out on Youtube asap, and I an guarantee you will want your hands on a Satchel in minutes! 

I decided that the Satchel was a perfect buy as they will never go out of fashion, and a bag that can go with every outfit in a simple colour is a must have for a girls wardrobe! After looking on the website, I noticed that my decision was going to be a lot harder than expected. Far too many designs and colours to choose from, but after my trip in to town today, visiting the newly opened Cambridge store, a certain one caught my eye.

This cream limited edition leather satchel was my final choice. Originally playing it safe with a tan leather bag, I decided to go for a lighter colour, and this cream number is lovely. I personally love the first feel of a new bag. The smell of fresh leather, and that new feel it has to it.

At a affordable £120, but with a cheeky 20% off, this bag was a great deal, and will last a long time being leather. Another bonus, leather bags last forever! 

I can't wait to get more use out of this bag, its gorgeous, and a perfect size for your handbag essentials! 

What style and colour satchel would you choose?

Final Week At ELLE

My final week at ELLE has been great and I'm sad that it was my last day on friday. Although, little did I know, they asked me to come back for a day extra, so thats great news! This week has been just as fun as the last, if not more. Consisting of more returns, more exciting deliveries, helping out taking items over to a photoshoot, and having my picture on the ELLE website again. Here's a few pics of my week for you.

More Fashion Returns

Rather Messy Fashion Cupboard

Some shots taken for the sweatshirt feature

The Final Shot used on the website. Take a Look

Overall, an amazing last week, and I have learnt so much over two weeks! They have flown by. I've been blessed with amazing opportunities, and got to work with and meet some great people! Still another day to go working for ELLE, which will be my official last day, but hopefully not forever as you never know what doors the experience may open. Who knows, give it a few years and I may find myself working there as a Fashion assistant rather than an Intern...

Rachel  x

My Thoughts on ELLE so far...

I have been at ELLE for a week now (it's gone so fast!) but so far I have learnt a lot about how the fashion department works. It's a very busy and fast paced industry so you have to ensure you are that extra one step ahead as sometimes it can get a little over whelming when there are 4 urgent returns to do at once. 

Before I started, people told me it would be similar to the film 'The Devil Wears Prada' and in some ways it is, but the people in the offices and the industry are extremely busy with many other things. 

Although in the offices there is communication between staff regarding shoots, pages and most often returns, a lot of the time it's just you, at your desk, getting on with the job at hand. 

For me, I enjoy being kept busy, there for  the return are perfect as I know I can move from one to the other and continue with what ever else needs to be done. 

I'm loving my time at ELLE so far, and today I have a lot more to learn as from Monday, I will be the 'main' intern and will have to show someone else what to do. So today will be spent taking all the information in. 

Don't forget to check out my next post on how my Friday at ELLE went today

Rachel. x

ELLE Day 3

Arriving at 10am, my desk was tidy and ready for me to start my busy day. Today's priority was the fashion cupboard. With items constantly being taken in and out of the cupboard for editorial and shoots, it rarely stays tidy and things are always moved around, making it mine, and Megan's (another intern) job to organise. Believe it or not, ELLE'S fashion cupboards are relatively small, yet filled with incredible designers, making it hard to place things. A good two hours later and the cupboard was organised. Much better, and the team certainly appreciated it as they were too busy planning and working on the September issue. 

Next, my job was to collect delivery from the post room, with a whole shelf dedicated to ELLE fashion, there are a good 20+ deliveries per day, and with a tiny cupboard, it can be a little tricky unpacking it all. 

The majority of my days are spent doing urgent and normal returns. Urgent ones need putting in the original packaging, and taken downstairs to becollected by   someone from the store it was requested  from. And all other returns are simply posted to the store, simple once you get the hang of it! 

The least favourite part of my day would have to be bagging up hangers, not the most exciting job, but the fashion cupboard looks a whole lot better now, and the most favourite part of my day would have to be arranging the fashion cupboard, and seeing all of the new trends that no one else has seen yet. I promise you, it's worth the wait, they are fabulous! 

Pictures; 

Sorting hangers - not fun 

Fashion returns - got the hang of it now!

Dolce & Gabbana bird cage heels - LOVE

That's all for now, after a long day, it's another long train journey home, then back to ELLE tomorrow. I'll be head intern on Monday as Megan's leaving tomorrow, but excited to take on the challenge! 

Rachel  x

ELLE Day 2

My second day at ELLE allowed me to wake up an extra half an hour later, so that was much appreciated, trust me, these long days certainly get the better of you! But if you don't put in the hard work, you don't get the reward! I arrived at the Hearst offices at 9.50 ready for my 10am start. Before hand I was admiring the shops on Carnaby street.

My day continued with many fashion returns. Filling out paper may sound tedious, but when you get to hold and admire all the amazing designer clothes shoes and handbags, you can't complain. 

Today I also got to arrange and tidy the fashion cupboard. Yes, I know what your thinking tidying is the most boring thing on the world, but when you are arranging  Ralph Lauren bags into colour order it becomes a whole lot more fun. 

Whilst browsing through the fashion cupboard, I discovered all of the new upcoming trends. And I can tell you now, they are amazing! I can't wait for them to come out. Not that I can afford half of the items, actually, make that any of the items but even still, they are gorgeous! I won't give any away, as tempting as it is to share the wonderful new trends with you, I'll leave it as a surprise. Maybe you can guess some?...

I found today more relaxed, but I guess the second day always is. You have met everyone. Learnt your way around the building, and have a brief of what you are doing. I found today a lot easier than yesterday. 

Here are my pictures of my day from start to finish...

- Walking to ELLE along Carnaby street

- Making a start on jewellery returns

- More and more jewellery returns

- Finally last shot of the day, a huge board of the ELLE Rihanna cover. This looks great just outside the office.

Successful second day, now for a 45min train journey home, dinner, bed, then up at 6am to start the day all over again! 

Rachel  x