Catch The Bus Week with Arriva

*I was contacted the other week by Abi from Arriva bus asking me if I have ever considered bus travel as an environmentally way to travel, which I coincidently have. I'm very familiar with Arriva as I have Student Saver North West pass for uni which I've been using for the past 3 years & I've always used them with where I live it's the only bus that takes you into town.

I think using the bus is a great way to travel around for the environment.

It means there are less cars on the roads = less air pollution & traffic. The pollution isn't good for our health, the environment or the buildings which are getting damaged with the pollution so anything that can help to decrease it will benefit everyone both in the short & long run.

You can take in things around you that you wouldn't be able or haven't noticed when you're in the car whether you're the one driving or as the passenger. Especially on a double decker gives you a better perspective & is defiantly a lot more enjoyable. 

It work outs cheaper even with the increase in fares compared to keeping your car running on the road. However as well as these good things about buses I'm not going to lie I've moaned a lot about Arriva even more the past 3 years having to try & get to uni in the morning especially for 9am during rush hour. My uni bus pass has been a good investment meaning I can go anywhere in the North West (My mum keeps telling me I've paid that much I should get more use out of it!) but it is the most unreliable bus ever which really puts me off wanting to get the bus anywhere. Since it's the only bus from where I live that takes you into town you'd think it would come more often. But no it's meant to come every 10 minutes... That never happens. It's always late or it just doesn't even turn up at all when it's timetabled to! Most of the bus drives aren't particularly nice, neither are the other passengers.

I could carry on... I believe improvements need to be made to encourage more people to use the bus. Why would you use the bus if it's not going to turn up or get you to where you need to be on time? Of course the bus is a lot cheaper than a car especially if you're going to town you don't have to fork out to pay for parking & it takes you closer than the nearest car park but I think people would still rather drive their car than have to put up with all the problems that come with buses.

The reason for this post is not for me to slate Arriva but it's actually to tell you about their campaign Catch the bus week they have next week running from the 28th April - 2nd May.

If you download the M-Ticker mobile app (you don't have to worry about losing your ticket, it'll just be on your phone all day! Just make sure you have enough battery to last the day!) between those dates & insert the code 4343 you will get a free day saver ticket which is worth £4 for you to travel as much as you like. Jump on any Arriva bus at any time. (Between the bus running hours of 6am-12am)*

If you have an android phone you can download the app here

If you have an iPhone you can download the app here

I would love to hear your bus journeys you've taken with your free day saver, whether it was your first time using the bus or even if it was just to get to work, school, college or uni for the day!

I also want to hear what your experience with Arriva is like, I'm sure it's not just the North West who have been complaining!

Julie

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*I was contacted by Arriva to see if I would be interested in covering Catch The Bus Week Campaign as an environmentally way to travel. All views are my own, based on my own experience. I was not in any way paid or told to write anything in this post apart from the offer of a free day saver ticket. If there are any problems with accessing the free day saver ticket please contact Arriva directly on their website.

Slightly Obsessed...

1) Mango from Asos - £30 reduced to £9 15% discount £7.65

2) Forever 21 - £3.90

3) Topshop - £18 reduced to £1.50 10% student discount £1.35

4) Pull & Bear - £9.99

It's save to say I have a slight obsession when it comes to chain necklaces as you can see from my collection... (Yes I go attach them back to the packaging. Also apologies for the crap photos, it was a distraction from doing my dissertation!)

A bought the Mango necklace the other day when I should have been doing work but seen that Asos were doing a further 15% off sale items so I thought I'd have a look & treat myself. I couldn't resist the fact it was a chain layered necklace & it was reduced to £9 from £30 which is a bargain!! But I've just found out that it was 22,99€ which is £18.92. I wish I could go to Spain & just raid Mango & Zara since it's so much cheaper there!!

I also got a wool biker coat from Warehouse which was £40.80 (£48) reduced from £120. But I sent it straight back this morning once I tried it on. I got a 6 & 8 cos I didn't know what size I was. Tried the 6 & it was massive! Don't even think a 4 would have fit me so didn't bother with the 8. Packed it back in the box & took it straight to the collect+ newsagent! It wasn't that nice either, looks nicer online than in person.

You will have seen the other 3 necklaces on nearly every post as I just wear them with everything especially my Forever 21 gold chain which was such a bargain for £3.90!! I got it a couple of years ago from the Birmingham one, I don't think they sell it any more.

The Topshop one is the biggest bargain out of the 4. As I've said before it's actually meant to be braces but I took the other clip off as it was beginning to come off & I didn't fit well as braces so decided to wear it as a layered necklace instead.

Pull & Bear was the first out of the collection which is about a good 4/5 years old now. I'd been looking for a layered chain necklace for ages which wasn't that expensive & finally found this one. They've all had their fair usage & probably made no difference if I did pay full price for them as I've worn them so many times!!

Julie

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Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2014

Photos are from the Victoria's Secret Facebook 

So you should have heard by now that Victoria's Secret Fashion Show this year is going to be in London!! The first time it's come to the UK!

Keep you diary free for 2nd December 2014 Earls Court!

Adriana & Candice were in the London Flagship store on Bond Street this morning to revealed the news to the world's media. They were joined by marketing director Ed Razek. He revealed the brand has hoped to bring it here since 1998, but "Candidly, we weren't well known enough here until we opened the stores. We have six store in the UK now."

He also let a secret out that he told Cara Delevigne a few days ago & asked her to save the date in the hope she will walk it. 

The two angels also discussed that if Prince Harry has a front-row seat is he wanted one. This year's theme is black tie which will be exiting to see how they will style it! It is going to be the biggest show yet as the audience will be almost 3,000 compared to the usual 1,000. 

I have to admit I've not actually been into a VS shop or own anything VS... But I'm pretty excited for it to be happening in London & might even try to get myself a ticket to the show, if not at least try to be in London for it to stalk Candice & co!

I was listening to Radio 1 last night on Mondays 9-10 they have BBC Radio 1/1Xtra's stories. Last night was called Colour on the Catwalk which was really interesting. (I only caught the last half an hour last night & listening to it again now on iPlayer. You can listen to it here) It was really interesting to hear how the fashion industry in quite racist but it starting to get better as I have noticed a lot of Chinese and black models have started to emerge. I personally believe that people who are mixed race are very lucky and are extremely good looking so don't understand why where there is a race issue. There is obviously all different raced people in the world why do they only need like white, blonde haired models to show off their clothes or brand? It just doesn't make sense, they surely would have realised by having diversity it does actually branch out to a wider market to make it more representative?

I could go on debating this but I think I'll leave it for another post as I'm still trying to do my dissertation which is no where near done so I need to save my arguments for that. 

Also whilst listening to the show I learnt that the fashion is the second largest employer of people in the UK which I didn't ever think about or realise. But I guess there is a lot of different roles with it, photographers, designers, directors, models, magazines, stylists etc it is actually endless!

Julie

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Alexander Wang x H&M

6th November 2014

The secret is finally out. During a party at the Coachella Music Festival in Palm Springs, US, H&M announced that their next designer collaboration will be with Alexander Wang. On November 6 this year, it is time to sharpen your elbows and put your game face on, as the Alexander Wang x H&M Collection will hit around 250 stores worldwide and online. 

“I am honoured to be a part of H&M’s designer collaborations. The work with their team is an exciting, fun process. They are very open to push boundaries and to set a platform for creativity. This will be a great way for a wider audience to experience elements of the Alexander Wang brand and lifestyle,” Alexander Wang said. 

“Alexander Wang is one of the most important voices in fashion today. He understands exactly what people want to wear and does it with an energy and passion that’s infectious. It feels incredible to be collaborating with him this year,” said Margareta van den Bosch, H&M’s creative advisor.

I'm so excited for this collaboration!!! I love Alexander Wang but there is no way I could afford any of his stuff so this will hopefully give me the chance to own something by him!

I love his knit wear & designs I think he is one of the best designers around & the fact he's the creative director of Balenciaga which is also one of my other favourites just makes me so excited!

I want pretty much everything from his collection! The Rocco Duffle bag is what I want the most but £733 for a bag is way out of my price range :(

Studs & leather just me as a bag!

 

6th November is in my diary already!

Julie

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Work's going well as always...

Baked Blueberry Cheesecake

So I should be doing work I'm not going to lie today was a complete write off. I went to the gym in the morning, came back walked Frodo, had a shower, washed my hair then came onto the laptop to start work & my dad said he was making roast chicken so did I want to bake these cheesecake while the oven is on so I did. Then watched Britain's Got Talent & writing this now so yet to start any work!

I'm not really a fan of cake mixes as being an avid baker I prefer do it all from scratch following a recipe but we got a few of these cheesecake mixes & crème brûlée from Asda as they were reduced to only 20p I think it was so we thought lets just give them a try. I made a baked vanilla one a while back & a strawberry one where you just chill it in the fridge. We still have 1 baked blueberry, 2 strawberries & a crème brûlée mix.

You get 3 packs in the box, dried blueberries, blueberry cheesecake mix & biscuit base but I'd already opened it before I could take a photo!

All you need to add to the mix is cream/soft cheese, milk & butter.

I've mentioned this baking paper in my previous baking posts as it's defiantly the best baking paper I've ever used. There's no need to grease it with butter or oil before & your cakes or anything you use it for comes off so easily with no mess! I think it's like £1.20? I'm not sure but you can search for it online or go in store to find out how much it is cos it is worth it!

I added 50g of soft unsalted butter to the biscuit mix

Then pressed it onto base once it was all mixed together

Emptied the cheesecake mix & added 200ml of cold milk & then whisked it for 1 minute

Once it was mixed together I put the whole tub of soft cheese (300g)

Then added the dried blueberries

Baked it at 200°C for 30mins in a preheated oven. 

It actually looks terrible which is my dad's fault cos I was going to use a loose bottom cake tin but my dad told me to just the lid of the pyrex dish so it just doesn't look like a cheesecake at all! I let it cool & now it's in the fridge chilling to eat tomorrow.

Yorkshire Puddings

For dinner we had roast chicken so I wanted Yorkshire puddings. How can you have a roast without Yorkshire Puddings & gravy?!

We had a bag of batter mix which is super cheap only like 8p from the supermarket. 

Get a 12 cup tray you use to make fairy cakes or muffin tray is better as it's bigger but a normal sized fairy cake one will be fine. Put a tiny bit of oil into cup then put it into the oven at 200°C until it's smokin hot. 

Empty the batter mix into a bowl & whisk 1 egg

Then slowly whisk in 200ml of cold water to the mixture until it's smooth. Take your tray out once it's smoking & pour the mixture evenly into each one.

Put in the oven at 200°C for about 25/30mins until they've risen & have turned golden

They didn't rise very well I think cos I didn't fill each one enough but then I wouldn't have enough. They were still yummy though!

Now starting on getting some work done but I don't think I'm going to get very far! Hopefully tomorrow will be a better work day, well it has to be cos I'm running out of time!! 

Julie

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Adidas Originals x Farm

Translating the global energy and anticipation as the world turns towards Brazil this year, adidas Originals has partnered with Rio de Janeiro's The Farm Company in an exclusive collaboration.

The collection intertwines the rich heritage of adidas Original's iconic styles with Farm's feminine and bombastic prints.

Adidas have collaborated with The Farm which I've actually never heard of maybe because they are from Brazil but I'm loving these prints! I really want the green floral jacket & matching shorts! I also love the toucan print as well! I think I'm loving this collaboration more than the one they've done with Topshop. We shall see if I end up with any of the pieces!

The shorts are £30

The tanks range from £22 - £25 depending on print

Tees - £30

Track Pants - £52

Jackets - £55

Trainers - £67 

They also have some bags £35 - £40

You can buy them now from the Adidias website here 

Yes I've done 2 posts in one day! I should really be doing work but I couldn't help myself when I see this & had to do a post on it!

Julie

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The finish line is near

Leather Jacket - Matalan

Denim Shirt - Marks & Spencer

Striped Pants - H&M

Cut Out Boots - Zara

I am now off uni for 3 weeks for Easter & after that I only have 2 weeks left of uni!! WHERE HAS THE PAST 3 YEARS GONE?!!?!? 

I've spent the past 3 years pretty much moaning & hating life. I've really not enjoyed uni at all & most defiantly hasn't been the best years of my life. Teachers lie to you to make you go to uni. The best years of my life was the 14 years I spent in school! I've said before it might be because I stayed at home in my own city & the fact I hate my course which probably all add together. But it wasn't what I was expecting though. As much as I have hated it I don't want it to end because it means I have to make some really really important decisions which I'm not good at all!! I wish I could stay a kid forever seriously growing up is the worst thing ever!!

I want to do a Masters so I can say I have one & to stay in education longer but really don't think they're valid enough reasons especially the fact I've hated uni I don't think I can stick out for another year! But I'm to convince myself that if I do it in something I actually like unlike this degree I might actually enjoy it & it won't be the wrong choice... 

For now I just need to get this dissertation & essays done so I can actually have a degree otherwise the past 3 years really will have been pointless! I'm really stressed but hopefully I can get so much done the past 3 weeks since I'm not going away anywhere like everyone else as much as I'd love to!

Julie

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