Lonely train journeys...

H&M £14.99 25% discount £11.24

Spotted Crop Tee - Topshop Sale

Gold Chain - Forever 21

Vintage Lee High Waisted Shorts - Mum's

Brown Leather Belt - Mum's Vintage

Bag - Zara Sale

Medium Brown Bag - Bloomingdale's from New York off Kelly

In my post yesterday I said I was taking my first ever train journey on my own & I did it! I made it there & back to Manchester on my own. I was a little scared due to my bad experiences with trains either to or back from Manchester but it all went fine no problems just lonely being on my own! So it meant everyone mainly gabby getting a lot of snap chats & texts to keep me company! 

I got to Oxford Road & the first thing I did was go straight to Chinatown to the Chinese Bakery of course! My great sense of direction never fails to let me down & I guided myself straight there. The past couple of times we took the biggest detour around town to get there when it pretty much is round the corner from Oxford Road train station really easy to find no need for Google maps whatsoever! After getting my usual custard filled bun & walnut cookie I walked into town to Primark to meet my cousin Sindy. She's doing a PGCE to become a high school Spanish teacher, she's starting her placement this week so had to get some smart clothes to look like a teacher! But as she is tiny but eats like an elephant she finds it really hard to find clothes! Nothing fits, she has to get petite size 4! Basically kids clothes but she's too embarrassed to shop in the kid's bit as she's 23 unlike me. She managed to get 2 shirts from Primark. We we then went to H&M as we had this 25% off email. I was hoping to buy a fedora hat. They had a nice one that had spikes on it but only had large's left but my head isn't that big! So I didn't end up getting it :( I only ended up getting the jump. Sindy got a few things. They're also doing 20% student discount if you download the Unidays app.

We went into the Arndale to have a look round but didn't get anything. River Island still haven't the things I want in from my River Island AW13 Collection post which is annoying!

We went to Wasabi in Chinatown for dinner. We got the dinner meal B £8.50 which is 3 grey dishes off the belt then a rice or noodle dish. I went for the Roast Pork Yaki Soba for my noodle dish which was really nice. Their sushi selection off the belt seems a bit limited. Everything just looks the same YO! Sushi definitely have a more varied selection but a lot more expensive though. 

We then a had long walk to the car park where Sindy's car is parked. She's currently staying in a house where her brother's girlfriend, her mum & friend live in as it's close to the school where she has placement is & the rent is only cheap. The house isn't that nice but it was nicer than what Sindy was telling me it'd be like. Her room is a nice size & the bathroom is modern. We just watched Alan Carr Chatty Man tried to look for a dress as she's going to a fancy birthday party in London in the Gherkin! But as she's so tiny it's hard to find anywhere, doesn't help when there's nothing nice either.

I got the 12:44pm train back home today & spent the day catching up with Eastenders & Strictly, made dinner & ironed the clothes as I have work tomorrow. I live such an exciting life...!

Julie

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I only have to sniff alcohol & I'm drunk...

Yep that is so true I am the biggest light weight ever! I got drunk far too easily!

Leather Jacket - Matalan

Lace Peter Pan Collared Top - Topshop

Necklace - Topshop

Brown Leather Belt - Vintage Mum's

Floral Skirt - Topshop

Flats - Vans

Heels - Miss Selfridge

Bag - Marc B from Tosphop

 So last night I went out for Amy from work's birthday meal. We went to The Hub on Hanover street in town. I got the King Prawn Linguine which was nice a bit spicy though I should have asked for no chillies! But it was ok.

This is the second time I've worn this skirt the only other time I've worn it was for Danielle's birthday night out last July! It's from Topshop & actually 2 sizes too big for me it's a 10 & I wear a 6. It was given to me by Kelly as her flat mate last year bought it but didn't want it & didn't take it back then left it in their flat so Kelly gave it to me! As it's a paper bag skirt it works ok with a belt cinched at the waist. 

As I got the bus into town & back (I have a bus pass & I'd have to get a taxi on my own would cost like £10) I had to take my heels in a bag. I wasn't planning on going for drinks after as I thought the meal would be longer but we were only there for like half an hour before we met the others which meant I was walking round town with a Hollister bag with my heels in! I should have just wore my cut out boots but then I'd be a midget compared to everyone else hence the heels! I got the bus back home on my own at 11:30 as I'm going to Manchester today so I'm trying to type up this post really quickly! I'm going to see my cousin. So there'll be some photos of Manchester probably not till Sunday night after work or Monday! I'm getting the train for the first time on my own which I'm a bit scared cos me & Manchester trains don't get a long but hopefully I should be fine!

Have a nice weekend! 

Julie

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Flapjacks!

So the last time I baked was well over a month ago when I baked a birthday cake for my dad for when he came home from Spain. I was definitely having withdrawal symptoms from not baking for so long especially watching The Great British Bake Off which I'm absolutely loving!

I baked the biggest batch of Flapjacks yesterday however I think I over baked it & used a bit too much porridge oats as they didn't stick very well!

This was actually the nicer tray!

The burnt black things are the sultanas that got burnt!

500g Porridge Oats

250g Butter (A whole pack of butter soften at room temperature)

6oz Sugar

Mix all these together then add anything you want to it! This time I put

Tablespoon Honey

Tablespoon Peanut butter

Handful of Sultanas

Hanful of Walnuts

Handful of Peanuts

Handful of Sunflower Seeds

Handful of Black Sesame Seeds

Bake 200°C for 30mins or less once it goes a nice golden colour.

This batch below was from the first time which turned out really well but I though it was too buttery so I put more porridge oats but if you want it to be buttery then use 400g of porridge oats rather than 500g. (I actually used 600g which is too much!)

Julie

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Floral Penguins

Zara Neoprene Trousers with Zips £25.99

Hooded Jacket - Topshop

Striped Top - Original Penguin from Asos about 3/4 years ago

Belt - Hello Kitty from H&M

Floral Buttoned Skirt - Urban Outfitters

Cut Out Ankle Boots - Zara

I managed to find a little bit of time yesterday when it wasn't raining to take these photos outside. But as you can see the wind was still in force! I'm hating this cold weather so much already! Doesn't help the fact that it's below average for the time of year, more like mid autumn rather than the start of autumn. I want the sun back! :(

As you will know by now I like pattern clashing... Striped top which has coloured the Original Penguin logo dotted around on it with my floral Urban Outfitters skirt which has a made a number of appearances on my blog already. I had to wear 2 pairs of tights as it was that cold today! I think this outfit is quite summery & I did wear it during the summer without tights but also works well with black tights. 

I was in town to take something back for my mum & tried on the Zara pants I wanted. I was too lazy & didn't really have the time to take my two pairs of tights off so I tried them with them on which isn't really a good idea as I don't actually know what they feel like on my skin but they fitted alright with two pairs of tights on... I need to go back & try them on properly when I'm not wearing tights under them...

I got my uni timetable this week I'm in 3 days a week & in 9am Monday & Tuesday!! I'm planning on changing my Monday though as it's a seminar as 9ams are the worst things ever! Tuesday is a lecture so can't be changed sadly & happens to be the my dad's off so can't even give me a lift! I bought my student bus pass last night so I am now £288 poorer thanks to Arriva! Urghh I hate buses!

I've been given a 11-5 on Sundays but still waiting to find out for the rest of the week as I have Wednesdays & Fridays off. Can't wait for pay day to spoil myself!

Julie

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Zara AW13 Collection

I think Zara the past couple of seasons have been completely on point & has been my favourite high street store. They've just had the best things in compared to the other shops who have tried to do look-a-likes but just aren't the same! Slight problem with Zara the past couple of years though is their price tags most definitely not money friendly! As they've gotten more popular the prices have gone up! I wish they did student discount cos then I really would shop there a lot more or I could visit Spain more often as it's cheaper over there!

These are some of the pieces I have picked from the Look newsletter & their website

http://www.look.co.uk/pictures/zara-aw13-collection-see-the-new-range-now/

Grey Tweed Double Breasted Coat

Contrasting Canvas Jacket £79.99

Black & White Print Shift Dress

Navy Blue Patter Dress

Short Fitted Dress £39.99

Retro Printed Dress £45.99

Long Printed Blazer £79.99
Printed Mini Skirt £35.99
Love this 2 piece shame I don't love the price tag though together it's £115.98 :'(

Grey & Black Zig Zag Print Jumper

White & Blue Check Jumper

Long Jacquard Cardigan £59.99

Quilted Sweater £25.99

Combined Checked T-Shirt with Collar £19.99

Houndstooth Skirt £25.99

Short Jacquard Skirt £59.99

Neoprene Trousers with Zips £25.99
Love love love these trousers! Think these are my favourite thing from Zara at the moment! I seen them in store the other day but didn't have time to try them on but they feel so soft & comfy! Bit pricey I think though I'd have bought them there & then if they were £20! Also they're green I'm like a magpie to anything that's green!

Houndstooth Print Trousers £19.99
These are from the TRF collection which is the cheaper collection of clothes. They have houndstooth print trousers in the more expensive collection but I think these are nice & are half the price too! I love love love houdstooth print just as much as a I love stripes... I definitely have a thing for patterns & think I will get these!

Flower Print Trousers £29.99

Suede Platform Sandal £59.99
I hate open toe, peep toe, open shoe, show toes shoes as I hate feet! But I'm in love with these shoes! I wish they weren't peep toe & they'd be perfect with the ankle straps!

Quilted Leather Track Ankle Boots £59.99
I love these boots! But I've just bought the Zara cut out ankle boots! But I guess you can't have too many boots right? £60 for leather boots too..??

Mini Office City Bag £29.99
I actually like the big verison of this too but which is like £45/50 but I'm not sure if they're still selling it...

Leather Messenger Bag with Zips £79

Patterned Minaudiere £59.99

Pack of Two Rings: Geometric & Eye Design £9.99

Crystal Earrings £9.99

The items without prices & links were from the Look collection & I weren't on the website yet.

As you can see I am in love with most of Zara I walked in the other day & just wanted everything! Even if I worked there I don't think I could afford all the stuff I want! I wish my wardrobe was all Zara :(

Julie

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