This year has possibly been the most exciting of my life. My blog turned 2, I hit 50,000 page views (!!), and hit 40 followers ( not on bloglovin ). Big year for the blog. Hasn't been too bad for me either - in between starting to realise the pressure of GSCE's, I've been to new places, met new people, and just had a beautiful year.

Trips away

I fiiiinaaaaallllyy went on a trip down Columbia Road, and have since been twice because it's absolutely beautiful. It will forever be one of my favourite places in London. The little shops lined up and down the streets, the smell, the atmosphere - all lovely. Also, for my birthday we visited Sketch on Conduit Street and had the best time. The food was insane, and a completely pink room covered in David Shrigley illustrations ticks all of my boxes. I felt really really posh and British, and although we probably shouldn't spend that much money on tea and cake, it was an amazing treat.

Americaaaaa

This year we visited California for 4 weeks, and I love love love love loved it. We went to 7 different places ( los angeles, beverly hills (90210!!!!), santa monica, santa barbara - all of the santa's ), and ate so much junky food. Venice Beach was amazing, and I loved going to all the different vintage shops, wandering about, seeing my cousins, swimming, and doing yoga for the first time (on the beach (at dawn)).

Amsterdam

My dream came true and I visited Amsterdam with my best friends. Ticked off the bucket list - anne frank house, canal tour, floating flower market, and waffles. We even stayed on the (voted) most beautiful street in Amsterdam, so, yeah, get us.

I GOT A DOG

Aaaaaaaaaaaw and the cutest one. Poppy is so funny, and I could spend hours with her. Also, she has got a major haircut since these pictures so she no longer looks like a mop hahahahaha.

London fashion weekend

My lovely mum got tickets to London Fashion Weekend, and we went to see the Sibling show!! I sat in the front row and felt really really sophisticated and cultured :)) But then I stood in the courtyard of Somerset House feeling really small and uncool. But it's okay because, in a ridiculous way, I loved the whole experience.. ft so much coconut water I could die. For my lil blog, I feel insanely lucky to have worked with some incredible companies too, W7, Punky Pins, TheBalm.... I still find all this crazy!! A pretty big thing, I joined the secret blogger project and made the best friends, I love them all to bits.

This year I need to drink more water, I think maybe getting an app that tells me how much I need to drink in a day is the way forward. Also go to more sessions of rowing training, no matter how much I have to force myself. Anyway, thank you for following my blog, see ya on the flip side.

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now playing: warrior laura marling/mykonos fleet foxes/wash bon iver/small things ben howard/samson regina spektor

what i've done this month

I've loved this month. Good month. In between all the end of term tests and getting up at 6:40 everyday ( paper rounds are still a thing ), I've managed to have a really, really lovely time.

• Invested in some new Christmas jumpers
• Christmas-y day at Harrods
• Went ice-skating at Westfield, and, you know, fell down
• only went to the JINGLE BELL BALL
• Made the most of the Christmas filters on snapchat
• Spent approximately 15321673584 hours wrapping presents
• Made a wreath
• Went on a well overdue visit to Monki on Carnaby Street!!
• Skiing :)))

I'm really looking forward to the 25th. We might go skiing and it's supposed to snow ( whiiiiite christmaaas ). If not, it'll be so nice to have a really laid-back day just eating and watching films. 

I hope everyone has an amazing Christmas, hugs from France

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now playing: mr maker the kooks/summertime sadness lana del rey/wasting my young years london grammar

oversized stripe t-shirt

shoes - docs

top - american apparel

skirt - topshop

Trampoline in the background. CLASS. Kinda simple and easy this, but I haven’t worn this skirt in ages and it was about time that I dug it out of my wardrobe. I bought it in Topshop around Easter when everyone was obsessed, but it's a trusty denim skirt (everyone needs one) with some cute buttons up the front. The a-line shape is lovely, too. Most skirts make me look like I've draped a bin bag around me, so a-line skirts are perfect for their high waisted and tailored shape. I decided to wear it with my american apparel oversized (sliiightly to big for me, but really lightweight) top. The story behind this is - it's one size, and I'd been looking for a stripy top for ages, but the ones I tried were too fitted and didn't really suit me. I love the whole shape to it, and although American Apparel is stupidly expensive, wherever you look it's never going to be the same as the one you really like. And it's all good now I have it :))

ps - 3 days until Christmas!!!

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now playing: sugarmaaan

i really hope these go in the sale

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Stopping myself buying these is hard, but it's just my luck that they'll end up being under half the price in the boxing day sales. Some are new loves ( asos floral print lace skater dress!!! nye dream ), and some I've had my eye on for ages but never convinced myself to buy ( looking at you, docs ). In other words, if only I was a billionaire. Any donations appreciated.

I can't believe there's only six days until Christmas. There's been such a build up and now I feel a bit sad that it's going to be over in less than a week..

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now playing: trouble jamie t/favourite day bombay bicycle club/conrad ben howard/april nick mulvey

my bedroom is a grotto

 

 

A really cluttered grotto. I love seeing posts on other people's rooms, and videos on room decor ideas etc, you know, being a nosy person and all. Especially during Christmas, there are too many tempting pieces in the shops (santa mug and christmas banner are essential), so I thought I'd do a post including some of my new, not really needed items. But it's Pinterest-y so I don't mind.

The pillows on my bed are from asda, ikea, urban outfitters and primark, and the penguin is from SeaWorld (13 and still lovin it). The bedding's from asda, too. Got my ever-growing collection of books peeking out a bit, and my really, really messy desk. This is on a good day. Also, isn't the light up house the cutest thing you've ever seen?

ps - I've put baubles on my fairy lights like every year, and nearly broke my ankle whilst doing it.

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(This post is part of a little blogger series I'm taking part in called the "secret blogger project 2015" run by teen bloggers Emily , Rebekka and Charlotte. About 30 of us will be writing 4 times per season on selected little lifestyle topics and you can also go onto the twitter and Instagram hash tag "#secretbp2015" to have a little chat and view everyone's posts. If you would like to join or know more (we'd love to have you!)  Instagram dm @theperks0fbeingemily or if you don't have Instagram, send a quick email to  rebekkarosebeautyxo@gmail.com!)

now playing: ghosts laura marling

festive spiced cookies

Today I have done some baking! And what I made actually turned out well! Unusual! Browsing on Pinterest during Christmas time is a recipe ( get it ) for disaster. You sit staring at all the cakes and cookies baked to perfection, and you convince yourself that you actually need a copper kitchen aid. Being a baking enthusiast, I'm always looking for really easy recipes that are very hard to mess up, and I think I've found a fool proof way of making Christmas cookies.

You will need -

8oz Plain Flour ( sieved )

4oz Butter 

2oz Sugar

1 Egg 

1tsp Cinnamon ( optional )

1. Add all of the butter to the bowl and stir until it is a creamy consistency. It took me ages to do this but it's really important for later.
2. In this order, stirring in between - add the sugar, the egg, and the cinnamon. Add the flour in sections, stirring in gradually so it isn't too hard to mix in. You should now have a dough.
3. Pour some flour on a clean surface, and cover a rolling pin in flour to prevent the dough sticking.
4. Roll out the dough until it's about half an inch thick, and start cutting out shapes with your cookie cutters.
5. Once you've finished, spread a tiny bit of butter over some greaseproof paper on a baking tray and pop your cookies on them, and put them in the oven for at least 10 minutes, at 150-200 degrees.
6. Take them out of the oven, and leave to cool completely, otherwise the icing will melt when you ice them.
7. Stir in the colour of your preference in a bowl of icing sugar and water. I went for red because it's the most Christmassy!
8. Ice your cookies, and do some cute little designs in icing pens. You're done!

(This post is part of a little blogger series I'm taking part in called the "secret blogger project 2015" run by teen bloggers Emily , Rebekka and Charlotte. About 30 of us will be writing 4 times per season on selected little lifestyle topics and you can also go onto the twitter and Instagram hash tag "#secretbp2015" to have a little chat and view everyone's posts. If you would like to join or know more (we'd love to have you!)  Instagram dm @theperks0fbeingemily or if you don't have Instagram, send a quick email to  rebekkarosebeautyxo@gmail.com!)

christmas gift guide for her

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This is something I've been wanting to do since last year's post, and I felt it was just the right time. I geared this more towards girls, just because I don't really know what boys like to receive as presents. But this could work for boys, too, depending on their taste.  I personally love all of these things, and would be so happy to see them under the Christmas tree. So if you're wondering what to get for your mum, daughter, friend, sister, aunty, nan or whoever, this should hopefully provide some inspiration and help you out a little bit!

november favourites

Yes, yes I know. It's November and I'm already using Christmas products and I already have a Christmas background, but what can you do. I've always been one of those people who think 'Christmas doesn't start until December 1st, but now, after watching all the YouTube videos and the reading all the blogposts, I'm thinking, 'Christmas starts NOW'.

Lush Santa's Belly shower jelly 

My favourite scent, possibly ever, from Lush is So White, but of course the beautiful bath bomb is only released at Christmas. I popped into the King's Road Lush and asked if they had any in stock and they said no, but then they showed me this little miracle. A cherry red, sparkly shower jelly with the exact same scent. Life complete. I've always loved Lush shower jellies, especially Whoosh which my sister loves too, so I've affectionately added this to the collection. The scent - apples. Super fresh, uplifting, and I love everything about it.

Nākd bars

I snack a lot, that's a given. It's hard to find things to eat in-between meals that are healthy but don't taste like cardboard. When the lovely Fran from Total Media contacted me and asked me if I'd like to try these out, I was a little hesitant. For me, there's a stigma surrounding 'health' bars, meaning that they don't taste too good. Still, I accepted. A box of about 25 arrived at my door, and as soon as I saw that there were coffee flavoured ones, I was sold. These. Taste. Insane. The ginger bread one especially, it's so fitting for the season! Thank you Fran for these, they're delicious!!

Lush The Sun perfume

Ironic, seeing as I live in England so never even see the sun, so perhaps the wrong timing to be realising what a lovely perfume this is. This literally smells of oranges. I don't have anything else to say. Beautiful.

 Origins GinZing Energy Boosting-Moisturiser

Very late to the parade on this one. It seems like every blogger and their cat have this moisturiser, and I hear so many good things about it. Aside from it smelling identical to chocolate oranges, an obvious bonus, it's actually a miraculous product. I have very oily skin, and for a long time I followed the false rumour that you shouldn't use moisturiser if you have this skin type. Of course, you shouldn't do that. If you have oily skin and don't use moisturiser, your skin will only produce more oil. This is a great product to stop me getting too shiny thorough the day, and keep my skin all lovely and soft.

Yankee Candle in Christmas Cookie

We've all heard of this one. The queen of christmas candles. Christmas cookie. It smells so lovely, basically just Christmas in a jar, and it's an essential for this time of year!

betty girl's club

 

If the title is misleading, I can explain. I don't know if any of you have heard of the magazine Betty, but a few months ago they held an event for their readers called Betty Girls' Club. Complete with lip shaped donuts, free lush perfume samples ( complete with matching chocolates ) and nail polish, the night was a dream.

I went along with my friend Ellen ( the one with the curly blonde hair ), and a whole two hours was spent being all fancy with mocktails, flicking through various magazines on display, and taking pictures of e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. We even had a little chat with the founder and the editor of Betty, which was a bit surreal, and though we were the youngest there, everyone was super lovely. We went away with a goodie bag and the Betty annual feeling really really spoiled but happy.

ps - Is it too soon to be looking forward to it next year?

pps - You can sign up to Betty here and be informed when there's a new event like this!!

buttons and bags

top - primark

iron on badge - eBay

skirt - urban outfitters

bag - herschel

shoes - adidas

Hi hi. Sorry for the lack of posts recently, but I thought I'd try to make room in between struggling to read Little Women and doing equations for hours on end to share and outfit with you! I've been wearing this non-stop on slightly warmer days. It's just completely pouring down most days where I live, so altering my outfit choices so they're fit for cold weather hasn't been easy.

I love this skirt. I bought it in the sale a few months ago, and it's just gorgeous!! Besides being one of the only skirts I own that doesn't have a weird crazy print it, it's super versatile, so I can wear it with tights to help face the rain. I think it's out of stock now but I've linked something pretty similar.

ps, it seems like every post I write now begins with 'sorry for not blogging in weeks', but I really am. Why did nobody warn me about the sudden change in work once you get into middle school?!

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now playing: i love catfish and the bottlemen

& other stories x rachel antonoff

Just a quick post to tell you all to WATCH THIS NOW. It's a four minute film created by Rachel Antonoff for her collaboration will & other stories. It stars Zoe Kazan and is directed by Lena Dunham. Inspiring and funky to a whole new level.

nude dude

I'm not really that big on makeup if I'm honest. I kind of tried to pretend I was until a few months ago until I gave up because it just doesn't interest me. Don't get me wrong, I like makeup, you know, your standard concealer, powder, eyebrow gel and eyeliner. But anything from TheBalm? I'M IN. I own the naked basics palette which is my absolute favourite, and I turn to it if I ever want to wear eyeshadow or fill my eyebrows in. With open arms, I've added Nude Dude to my eyeshadow 'collection'. It's very natural, but also has lovely shimmery shades and darker shades for a smoky look. I love the shade Fit, a gorgeous copper glittery colour. This palette is a dream, from TheBalm and ideal for autumn, and even Christmas presents if you've started thinking about it yet..

although I was sent this product to review, it does not influence my opinion and I have been 100% honest as always

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now playing: i know there's gonna be good times jamie xx/someday the strokes/cause i'm a man tame impala/naive!!!