Summer Lovin' #6

Some highlights of the last week and a half-ish of my holiday.

-some nice reading and TV days, I got a little obsessed with Catfish:the TV show

-I've loved having a friend who's moved in on my road and also lives alone so it's been nice to have people to watch TV with and cook with sometimes.

- a night out with the girls, reliving those student nights.

- I've been enjoying tea and cake with friends, it's especially tasty when it's free from John Lewis!

- a trip home to my parents with comfort food (sausage and mash and apple crumble and custard) and a walk through the fields and a rural church.

-a trip to Ikea to imagine my perfect kitchen and bathroom of the future.

- feeling very lucky to have a great friend who sent me a supportive message and gift.

I have to say I've really enjoyed making the most of this summer, and blogging it! 

Summer Lovin' #5

Here is what I've been up to this week-

Monday- I spent the day making a cake for my mums birthday. I wanted to make a vegan chocolate cake with peanut butter icing, unfortunately this took two attempts because I burnt the first one!

Tuesday- It was my mums birthday and her and my dad came to visit me. She was very excited to see the cake and the flowers I bought her. We then went into town to Las Iguanas for lunch. After some shopping we stopped at a veggie cafe to share a vegan chocolate torte and rum and raisin sponge cake. It was a lovely day and I think my mum had a good day.

Wednesday- I spent the day doing jobs but I did buy a new nail polish.

Thursday- I went to Lincoln to visit a friend. I saw her two new kittens and went to a tea house for the hugest and tastiest afternoon tea. 

Friday- I picked my friend up from the airport and then we headed to our holiday cottage for the bank holiday weekend in Winster, Derbyshire. We arrived to see the amazing garden and view of the countryside. In the evening we ate at the pub in the village which was lovely, we then played card games and Disney trivial pursuit!

Saturday- We drove to Bakewell for lunch  and I tried the traditional Bakewell pudding and custard- it was nice but very different to Bakewell tart! We then went to Matlock Bath which is just like a seaside town that isn't by the sea! We played on the 2p machines and went to the aquarium. After a food shop we had pizzas and curly fries at the cottage and played more games. 

Sunday- we had a lazy start then went to the local pub for a Sunday roast. We then went on a walk, we took the public footpath and ended up in the woods and had walked four miles in the end! We then played a lyric board game and cranium. 

Monday- Once we had left our cottage we headed back to Bakewell to the market. We then went to Chatsworth house, it was raining but we walked around the gardens a little. We looked around the house and I had an amazing cheesecake. 

That's it for this week, only one week left!

Summer Lovin' #4

Although I've had busy days this week I've had lots of time to relax. I have been getting bored but I shouldn't complain.

Sunday- on Sunday me and friend went to Rugby to visit my old housemate and his very pregnant girlfriend. We took a gift and I could resist a cute little pink dress. Then we left them to it and got a yummy roast in a little pub.

Monday- I had a lazy day but went out for a walk to see the flooded river. I then went round to a friends for a movie night, we watched 'white house down'.

Tuesday- I went into town and got myself a new pair of jeans and some hair dye. I also had an iced mocha as I'm trying to get into coffee. Then I drove back to my parents to surprise my Dad for his birthday. I think he liked it, we had presents and cake after tea.

Wednesday- I got the train to West Bromwich to visit a friend, she showed me her place and where she works. Then we went to Merry Hill and did some shopping and stopped for a Krispy Kreme. We went to a pub for tea before I got the train home.

Thursday- I drove home from my parents while they were at work. When I got back I dyed my hair. I used casting creme gloss in the shade 'chilli chocolate'. I wanted to go red again but my hair to also be darker. It was less messy than when I've previously dyed my hair and I'm really pleased with the result. I also cooked a courgette tart. 

Before and After!

Friday- another lazy day but I got washing done and cleaned all my make up brushes. I made a yummy homemade coleslaw to go with the courgette tart from yesterday and took a walk to Asda.

Saturday- chilled all day but walked to the library. Then went round to a friends who had just moved in on my road (yay!) and we had a takeaway and watched a film.

Summer Goals

Schools out for summer!

As I finish for the summer after a very stressful year I'd really like to make the most of if! I'd like to set myself a challenge this summer to take a picture or write a note about something good I've done each day and document it on this blog. I also have a few things in mind that I'd like to do-

1. Exercise more- I'd like to do more walking, swimming and yoga.

3. Bake and cook lots- although I've always baked I'd like to try and make some news things and cook proper meals all the time. 

4. Sort and deep clean the flat- not very fun but it will be good to be de-cluttered and will make me feel better.

5. Spend some time away- I'm not going on holiday this year but I do have a weekend away and a trip to London planned. 

6. Spend lots of time with family and friends- that's a given!

7. Have lots of tea parties with my leaving presents from work.

I will post weekly 'summer lovin' posts and hopefully have something to report each day. 

'Enjoy the Little Things'

I know, it's been a long time! The last year,my first year of teaching, has really not gone to plan but things are on the up and more than ever it is important to 'Enjoy the little things'.

 

 

 

The first thing I've found is it's important to have reminders that it will all work out and that life is good, like this beautiful cushion. The second is to make time with friends and loved ones, whether its a Sunday chocolate twist, a drink at the pub with my Dad (mine's a Southern Comfort, lime and lemonade) or a full on afternoon tea- yum!

 



 







 







 

I also treated myself to a much-needed couple of days away at Easter to Barcelona which was amazing, the perfect mix of sunshine, sand, sangria and sights.

 



 

 

 

 

I shall go to the ball!

As 4 years of uni is finished for me now it was time for a celebration with my best friends at our 'Teachers Ball', basically a Graduation Ball for just our course.

The Dress-

I found this maxi dress in Debenhams and fell in love with it, I love the colour and it was the perfect length for me (something I normally struggle with). It was little cut outs at the waist which are surprisingly flattering!

Accessories-

I went for a simple silver clutch bag from Accessorize and then some Navy sparkly sandals from Primark because of the length of the dress and because I wanted to be comfy!

I did my fingers and toenails the same using 17 Holographic polish with Models Own 'Juicy Jules' on top, very glittery!

For Make Up I went for quick a subtle look. I used MUA's Undressed pallette on the eyes using a darker colour in the crease and to line the eye. I then used a turquoise eyeliner pencil on the water line for a subtle pop of colour. I wore Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey on my lips.

The finished look-

I had a fantastic evening, the ball was held at a hotel and we had three lovely courses of food: Asparagus tart, Chicken in creamy sauce and the richest chocolate brownie ever!

 

We also got a picture from the photographers, these are some of my favourite people:

I'm on the top left :)

Life Update....

So I've been pretty busy recently and thought I'd update you on what's going on in my life!

Market Square, Nottingham

Job hunting

As I do a primary teaching course we'll all been applying for jobs for September. Some of my friends are moving back home but I decided I wanted to look in Nottingham, the city I have been at uni at. I love the city and the idea of getting a flat and staying here, living like a proper adult and excited me!

So, I don't know if you know but when applying for teaching jobs it's advised to arrange a visit and look around the school first. So I ended up looking around about 9 or 10 schools and decided a couple weren't for me.

Then there was applications to do, personalising each one to the school.

The whole process was, and still is, pretty stressful as you can't help but compare yourself to friends who seem to be getting jobs and interviews before you. 

Teaching Interviews

Then, when I was lucky enough to be invited to interviews there was the preparing for my lesson and interview in advance. I actually had two interviews and luckily both asked me to teach an English lesson so I could use a similar lesson! I was unsuccessful in the first but knowing what to expect calmed me for the second. On my second interview I also had to prepare a 5 minute presentation about my lesson. The second was actually a really enjoyable day, the staff were lovely and I enjoyed chatting to other candidates. Then there was the nerve wracking wait for the call and I am so excited to say I GOT THE JOB! 

The job

I'm so excited to go into school in July to get acquainted before having my own KS2 class in September. It's a lovely school and I can't wait. I've been addicted to Pinterest, looking at how I'm going to set up my classroom.

University

This week is actually my last ever week at university after 4 years which is very strange! I'm writing an essay that's due in on Wednesday then it's goodbye from the lecturers. On Friday we then have our teachers ball which is very exciting, I have my dress sorted (photos to come after!)

Flat hunting

As I'm now going to be staying in Nottingham and visiting my school in July I need to find a flat to move into before my student house tenancy ends in June. This is very exciting as I've been looking forward to decorating a flat and living alone for a while. It's great that i have friends staying in the area that I can visit too. My parents are coming down to help me flat hunt then July/ August I'll preparing my flat/ buying furniture and preparing my classroom.

Exciting stuff!

Good luck to anyone else graduating this year (mines in July) and job hunting!

Cute little 'getting a job' present from Ellie at Waterproof Lashes

Sense of accomplishment

Yesterday was the last day of my final year teaching placement.
It's been a rollercoaster, I had a fantastic school and worked with lovely people and children. The pressure got to me a little this year, but as it was the final year it could be expected. I made it through alive and was graded as 'good with elements of outstanding' so I was really pleased.
I had an amazing day yesterday with presents from staff and children (who had apparently picked up that I like dinosaurs and bought me a few!). I got a star in assembly and a big card with a picture from every child and spent the afternoon making dinosaur biscuits!
This was the best 'last day' I've had at a school and I'm so happy to be leaving as a qualified teacher ready for my own class in September!

all my cards and pressies

How cute is he?! Definitely a present I'll remember.