laura ashley phone case.

Can we all just sit back and admire how beautiful this print is?! I absolutely adore it, if I could, I'd have it everywhere in my house, whether it would be a duvet cover, sofa cushions or plates. I love it that much!

I've been lusting over this for months, but couldn't justify the £25 price tag, however when Neil and I were browsing the other day, we found it, and with a 50% off sticker - winner! Neil kindly bought it for me as he knew how much I loved it! Sort of like a late Christmas present.

I love the colours, right up my street, its so beautiful. Laura Ashley is a dangerous place for me, its so easy to get your debit card out and go crazy, hence why I try to keep myself away! What do you guys think about Laura Ashley, would/do you shop there?

Jessica's Journal // One

001. This week has gone by so incredibly slowly! I don't know if it's just me, but its dragged big time. This week I've had work everyday, including this weekend! It's been a struggle to say the least and I cannot wait for next weekend to come along so Neil and I can have a relaxing weekend to ourselves! Neil was on call this week too, so we haven't really been up to much!

002. This week I had my haircut for the first time in literal months! I think the last time I had it cut was July, so you can imagine the damage and how tatty my ends were! It feels so healthy again! Considering about taking my skin, hair and nails tablets again, see if that makes a difference! If you'd be interested in a post about them and progress, let me know!

003. I was also very poorly for a few days, I started feeling grim at work on Tuesday, then Wednesday I woke up with a full blown illness, it was vile, I ached, my nose cracked because I was getting through endless amounts of tissues, it was horrid! I managed to get through it though, and now I'm feeling tip-top!

004. If you follow me on YouTube, you might have seen that I filmed a new video! It was just a little update and quick haul! If you didn't see it, I asked for some help! I got a new camera for Christmas, it's a Nikon coolpix s6600, but I can't ever edit my videos on WMM as the file is QuickTime?! I don't know if any of you guys know how to change the format or any software I can use so I can start filing again?! Please let me know!

005. Fingers crossed this next week goes by fast, I need a day off! Think we're planning to go to the beach at some point this week for a nice stroll, I'll try to take some pictures! Hope you've all had a lovely week, what did you get up too?!

flashback: 2013.

Evening all,

I know I'm a tad late for New Year and all that, however I felt like doing a nice little recap of my year. Just scrolling through the endless amount of pictures I took over the past 12 months makes me realize how good it actually was. Now lets start from the beginning shall we?!

January: I started doing my driving lessons in January last year, this was the day it snowed so heavily for 2 hours, I couldn't even drive back home as there was a bus stuck on the hill, so I had to walk! But what a beautiful picture, I bloody love snow, even though its a pain!

February: This was a good month. On Valentines day, I had my driving test, and I passed with one minor! Even though I was incredibly ill with the flu, I made it through! As it was valentines day, Neil had surprised a lovely little romantic get away for us both in a mega pod (you can see pictures on my Instagram) it was lovely, and I'm excited to see what we'll do this year!

March: This was the month I got my car, little Pete. I named him after my driving instructor, and because he's a Polo, just seemed like the most obvious thing to do!

April: We had our first holiday of the year in April. We went to Spain, not the warmest time to go, however we got VERY burnt. The first day, we covered ourselves in baby oil and laid out in the sun, fell asleep and burnt. Neil was as red as a lobster and wore a hoodie the rest of the time we were out there!

May: I loved May. We had our one year anniversary, and we spent 3 days in London. It was lovely, we did all the touristy bits, took so many pictures and walked miles. It was lovely and I cannot wait to do something this year too! Neil also treated me to my first pair of Converse!

June: This was my favourite month, we had the ultimate summer. First of all I had my 20th birthday and got my beloved iPad, the day after we went to see Derren Brown - he blew my mind. If you've ever contemplated going to see him, do it. I would go to see him again in a heart beat. Then to finish it off, we had an amazing 2 weeks in Olu Deniz. It really is the idyllic holiday. Perfect weather, so many lovely restaurants, cheap goodies and just perfection. Although I got prickly heat, I would go back tomorrow if I could.

July: Trying to get over the holiday blues of coming home from Olu Deniz, and getting back into routine, we just continued making the most of the summer. We had so many bbq's, lovely days out and just had a laugh. This picture is of us before we went to a christening!

August: Neil had his 24th birthday towards the end of this month, I did a post about it here, so you can read all about it. We also went to Neil's brothers wedding. It was such a lovely day! Even though the picture doesn't show it, my dress was neon! You can see it better here.

September: The hardest moment of my life happened in September. I completed a full marathon. It was mentally and physically draining. It took place in London throughout the night. We started at 9pm and finished at 6am. It was all a huge blur, I cried around the 9th mile after Neil called to say goodnight. But looking back on it, I might do it again this year. Call me crazy but the feeling when you finish is second to none. 

October: This month life changed for Neil and I. His flatmate moved out, so we 'officially' lived together, no-one else, just me and him (and little humph) We really made the flat our own, we said goodbye to the cheap Argos furniture, and welcomed in some beautiful new pieces that I still adore to this day. We also took a cheeky trip to London's Ikea and got lovely little bits!

November: Another life changing month for me, I had realised I'd had enough of working for Newlook. Never having a structured week, always struggling for money, never having the hours. So I applied for new jobs, got a call and got offered an interview. I was so thankful when they gave me the job, and I still am to this day!

December: Finally to end the year, my favourite picture, of us at Christmas!

So, what a year I've had! It probably looks a bit soppy because the majority of the pictures are of Neil and I, but he's the main man in my life. I am so excited to see what's ahead for us both. I turn the big 21, Neil turns 25. Big changes might happen, who knows?! All I know is that I'm very excited! What's been your favourite moment of last year? And what are you looking forward too this year?! Let me know! :)

Rambles

Hello my lovelies,

It's been a long time coming, and I'm sorry I haven't blogged for what seems forever. My normal mundane life took a change, hence why I've been so quiet. As some of you know, I had a job in retail at Newlook. Well, just over a month ago, I got offered a new job. Full-time hours, salary, Monday-Friday, so I jumped at the chance, and left Newlook a week later.

So here I am, currently sat at my desk on my lunch break updating you all. My new job is good, I won't really go into much detail about it, but it's a small company, made up of 5 including myself, and there's more responsibility, which is stressful at times, but rewarding too. Other then that, nothing else has really changed, I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and got some nice goodies! I got spoilt rotten and loved everything I received. I've actually got a new camera and tripod, so fingers crossed I can start producing some nice posts for you all.

I'm thinking about starting my diet/fitness posts again, so if you guys are interested, leave me a comment and I can see if I can include any ideas you have? Any ideas as to what to call my posts?! I'm open for suggestions. I'm currently at my heaviest weight in a long time, so I'm hoping to get some inspiration, and give some back! :) Anything else you'd like to see, let me know.

The whole saying 'New Year, New Start' and all that really winds me up, however, this year is going to be a big one, so, I'm being cliche and running with it. Time to get my act together and get into the swing of things. 'Jessica's Journal' will return every Sunday, and I'd like to try and give my blog a makeover. I'm excited, and I hope you are too!

september non-beauty favourites.

This post is a little spin off from monthly beauty favourites, instead its non-beauty! I've been into quite a few things this month, so without further ado, lets get into it!

001. Furniture Shopping.
For the past month or so, Neil and I have been purchasing little bits here and there to finally do up our home. The friends we're living with are about to move out, so we can finally put our stamp on it, and decorate it how we like without worrying whether its to other peoples taste. As you can tell, the bits above are for the main bathroom. Would you be interested to see how we have decorated each room? Could maybe do a blog series on each room, let me know!

002. Candles and smellies.
To be honest, I've always been a candle lover, ever since I was small (blame the mother) but when the nights draw in earlier each day, its a sign that Autumn is certainly here, which makes me love candles even more. They make the home look, feel and smell so snug, and its the next best thing to a log burning fire. I popped into Sainsbury's the other day as my oils are on the low side, and I set my eyes on Christmas fragrances, how exciting, however I left them sat on the shelf, but they shall be mine within the next few weeks!

003. Cross Stitch.
Another rather odd habit that I have, is cross stitch. It started last year, and I've just really started getting into it. I'm currently finishing off the one for four Christmas ones. I find them so therapeutic whilst I'm sat down watching tv with a cup of earl grey. I live beyond my youth, I can guarantee when I'm 60, I'll be out clubbing, rather then doing cross stitch.

004. Great British Bake Off.
Everyone loves this programme, and if you don't, why not?! It's such a good show, I don't even know how to bake but I just love it, especially Mel & Sue, they just make it worth watching. I find it very easy to unwind too, with my cross stitch of course!

005. Humphrey.
Finally of my monthly non favourites is this little man. Everyone, meet Humphrey. He's my newest addition to the family. I wont go into too much detail as I'm going to do a blog post on him very soon. All I have to say is he's a Syrian who's black and white with grey speckles on his back, and he's very cute! :)

Hope you enjoyed reading my non-beauty favourites, what have you been loving lately? Let me know if you like the idea of my upcoming blog posts!

baby it's cold outside.

1. khaki fur parka - miss selfridge

2. knitted grey cardigan - topshop

3. grey fur snood - new look

4. loreal colour riche lipstick - boots

5. black buckled boots - new look

6. tartan tea dress with collar - river island

Now that the summer has officially gone, I've come to terms with no more bright blue sky and sunshine and I've prepared myself for the chilly weather, which I cannot wait for since I'm christmas in a person! Today's post is a wishlist/items I've been lusting over.

I really want to get a coat early on this year, and I've got my heart set on a parka, I'm not 100% sure which one yet, however this one from miss selfridge is very cute! The other thing I adore the most is the River Island dress that I actually saw on a fellow bloggers site and fell in love, but they've sold out online! Check out Phoebe's post on it! What are you wanting at the moment? Does anything on my list take your fancy?