When life gives you lemons.....

Hello, my little internet pals!

How are we all? Good, good, I'm glad. WHAT a couple of weeks it has been. Hen weekends, coffee and late nights galore. Let's start at the beginning, shall we? A few weekends ago, I headed to Bristol with a handful of my oldest school pals, and my dear friend, and beautiful bride-to-be Becca's nearest and dearest females to celebrate her hen weekend. I ugly underestimated how beautiful Bristol was, as I have never been, but by Jove, the sun came out and the weekend was perfect! Cocktail making (a new talent, some would say), yummy dinners, and champagne afternoon tea were the main hits on the agenda for the weekend, and thanks to Chillisauce, the weekend came together beautifully. HIGHLY RECOMMEND for any hen/stag/big birthday weekends you want to plan!

After a wonderful weekend it was time to head home and throw myself back into the books. Frustration is the only way I can describe my current emotions towards exams, but I have exactly 8 days left and I have to stick with it, regardless of the outcome. 'Everything happens for a reason' and all that. Absolutely nothing an almost tear filled call from Mum can't fix! When life gives you lemons, make lemonade, and all that...

I have also strongly debated the daily vlog recently, but am just not sure this summer will be the mightily fun viewing experience we little internet warriors have come to know and love, so it might have to be a bi- or tri- daily vlog when I pluck up the courage and finally have my life back in order.... We shall see.

And last but not least, a special little shoutout to the blog(and vlog) of the wonderful Megs at http://www.wonderful--you.com who is arguably one of the most adorable people I have ever come across. I just urge you all to go and watch her and love her and take in her good energy. 

I'm always on the lookout for new blogs to browse... Who do you recommend?

With Love, 

Zoe 

X

Home, Roast Dinners & Chocolate.

Hello friends!

Happy belated Easter to all of you who celebrate Easter, and happy Tuesday to those who don't!

How are we all? Come on in. Huddle round. Lets share our tales of the last week or so!! 

This Easter weekend I returned to my family home on the sunny south coast, and it was diiiiiiiivine! As excited as I was to move out of my family home and become a free, independent woman, there is nothing I love more than coming home for the weekend, snuggling up with Lexie, sipping on wine and eating the most incredible food! Home is definitely where the heart is! Totally underrated.

The weather is definitely getting warmer and I can almost feel my nerve endings shaking with excitement over not being suffocated over heavy jumpers for the next few months!!! I welcome you with open arms for a loving embrace, my dear friend, Summer!

I also have a handful of very fun events coming up in the months of May, June and July, which I will keep you in the loop about! Lots of love and fun to be had- now just to find the perfect dress for each occasion (if you see any you love, feel free to help a gal out pretty pretty please!)

What did you guys do over the Easter weekend? And what do you love about being at home?

With Love,

Zoe

xxx

Maths, coffee, repeat.

Hello! 

I know, I know, I slacked, I'm bad, but life is currently a monotonous cycle of revision, Gossip Girl (oops!) and early nights.... Not the exciting life I wish to lead, but short term pain, long term gain, and all that! Now that summer seems to be creeping in, I'm finding it more and more difficult to glue myself to that seat in the beautifully airconned silent section of the library, and away from the sunshine joy and often find myself walking into the library with my soul pulling this face... 

OTT I know but I just love the sun!

Anyhoo, as a finalist (so scary), I have finally come to realise that I have few words of wisdom for all of you in a similar predicament to myself, struggling to motivate yourselves.

1. Tea/ coffee are your friends. Obviously not in huge amounts, but I have found a cup of tea in the early afternoon is really kick starting my work after lunch.

2. Get up and take 5 if nothing is going in. Arguably the most important thing I have learned in the last month. I'm a maths student and sometimes no matter how hard I try, my brain simply cannot find the answer. But after looking away for 5 minutes, getting up, and coming back to it, I can usually fix the problem pretty quickly.

3. Take that time off work. I can be a workaholic. I like working and I like earning money. I pained me to take 8 weeks off work to study and take my exams but I know the month or two of taking extra financial care will be worth it... Don't be scared to do the same too!

4. Early nights are for cool kids. I've always been known as the Grandma of the house, I'm not ashamed, but it's hugely paying off when it's come to studying. Be cool, be in bed early!

5. Classical music is underrated. YouTube has all sorts of lengthy classical and soothing playlists. I recommend them for and kind of revision, then you're not tempted to sing along!

What other tips and tricks do you guys have up your sleeves??

With Love,

Zoe 

x

100 Happy Days! || Week 2

Hello, hello, hello!

Loaded with cold and illness, but we are powering through, team! The rain is falling, my best friend is back in town for a week, and as promised, your mid-week dose of happy days is here!

7. 9th January 2014 - The gym gear is back on and we are back in business! 

9. 10th January 2014 - Happy Birthday Grandad! The big 7-0! The best!

10. 11th January 2014 - Alumni Sports Day. It was cold, it was fun, it was wonderful!

11. 12th January 2014 (late night/early morning photo cheat but I love this one so much!) - Two of the closest pals just being close pals!

I had hoped to take a few more snaps this week to fill up this post, so if you're disappointed, I'm truly sorry! Alumni beat me up, and then my cold jumped on the bandwagon and after almost three long days, my voice has returned, and the coughing is becoming less and less!

What has made you guys happy this week?

With Love, Zoe 

x

100 Happy Days! || Week 1

Hello there!

A friend I went to primary school with (and easily one of the most beautifully positive people I've ever come across) has been uploading the most fun pictures to her Instagram (find it here, or her twitter here) and hashtagging '#100happydays' I'm not sure if its a thing she just made up out of the blue of whether its a real thing but regardless, I think the concept is fabby! 

So with this in mind, I will be starting my own little mini-series of '100 Happy Days' right here on my blog. Basically, finding the positives in as many days and humanly possible! I'm probably not going to post them as 100 separate posts because it will bore you dry, but I think every Wednesday I'm going to upload up to seven (aka every day) 100 Happy Days pictures. It may not be exactly a picture per day, but I'm going to try my hardest to find something that makes me smile every single day!

So here goes!

1. 1st January 2014 - Fun in the Alps with Daddio. What could be better?

 2. 2nd January 2014 - Last day in France. Holiday blues but happy happy happy times!

3. 4th January 2014 - Enjoying the remainder of my time at home. Clearly smiles all round.

 4. 6th January 2014 - One of life's little pleasures, a good, British cuppa!

Fancy getting involved in #100HappyDays? I'll be posting and tweeting them day by day on my Instagram and Twitter! What has made you happy today?

Until next time, friends! 

With Love,

Zoe xx

Let's keep up and chat | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin |

2013 Favourites

Hello there!

It's that time. I've consumed more food than I ever thought was humanly possible, been overwhelemed by the generosity of my friends and family and am now less than a week away from returning back to Surrey for the final university push! I'm truly terrified so any prayer and general good advice you have, I'd massively appreciate!

2013 has been a top notch year all round really, and I couldn't be a happier little chicken than I am right now! Here are some of my favourite discoveries, memories and experiences from 2013!

1. TRAVEL - Marrakech - Simply beautiful. If you can go, GO! I wrote about my African adventures here earlier this year.

2. MASCARA - The Falsies by Maybelline - I challenge you to find me a better mascara than this. You rock my world, Maybelline!

3. TV SHOW - Pretty Little Liars - I'm obsessed and I'm not ashamed to say it! It returns to the screens of you American fellow on Jan 7th! You lucky ducks!

4. LIPSTICK - Kate Moss Lasting Finish lipstick range by Rimmel London - I couldn't just pick one colour and think I am now the proud owner of every single one in the collection. Moisturising and the finish is lasting... Does what is says on the tin! Well done you, Kate!

5. BLOG - Lottie's Little Kitchen / Sprinkle of Glitter  - I'm not ashamed to say that I think I might be Lottie's biggest fan! She is the best friend of one of my best friends, Jess, and the recipes on her blog are deeee-lic-ious! Louise at Sprinkle of Glitter is just a ray of positivity and wisdom that I feel everyone should admire. A good soul with a beautiful family! Check them both out!

6. BOOK - A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini - A book I highly recommend reading! Not a typically easy read but a fantastic read. Total page-turner!

7. PERFUME - Daisy - Marc Jacobs - And it seems everyone knew it! I could have come out with a 'Sponsored by Marc Jacobs' sign and no one would have questioned it. Thank you wonderful famille!!

8. Lush - I adore everything about a Lush store... Even the overpowering mixture of smells that smacks you in the face as you enter the door! Give me any kind of bath goody from Lush and I will find it tricky to thank you enough!

9. CANDLE - Air Wick Colour Changing Candle - A bizzare one, I know, but this may be my favourite discovery of 2013! If you haven't seen these, they are available in any local supermarket I believe (I found mine in Tesco!) 

Phew, that took some serious thinking! What have you all loved in 2013??? What am I missing out on?

With Love, 

Zoe

xx

Let's keep up and chat | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin |

Bonne Anneé from France!

Helloooo out there! 

As some of you may know, I spent my New Year skiing in the French Alps, which was AMAZING. You give me a little snow shower and I'm going to return to a happy snowman building 10 year old.
(See Exhibit A)

Aside from the obvious little life pleasures that France has to offer, (bread, cheese, wine, repeat) it was wonderful to be able to spend some quality time with my Dad, Step-mum & Step-sister, which is a rarity these days and everyone is SO busy with clashing routines.

We also got to set off Chinese lanterns in Les Carroz town square in between Christmas and New Year which is something I've always wanted to witness, so seeing it in a snow topped setting was fantastic! (I also may or may not have turned a bit pyromaniac with the lighter - oops!). There was a massive tun out of both French and English tourists who delved in and went wild with their lanterns, and aside from us almost burning down the Christmas tree in the square more than once, it was an incredible sight to see- no photos I have seen do Chinese Lanterns justice!

 The view from our chalet was beautiful. Luckily the Boxing day snow came right in time for my arrival and I was ready and raring to go with skis in tow (oooh how poetic!)

 It also made a fantastic beer and wine fridge. Super Eco-Friendly Family! 

Now now, mulled wine, my old friend. Not only am I sure it is in the small print of the definition of 'winter' but it is best tasted on the side of a mountain with a side order of snow! I promise. I might have had cold tootsies by the time Vin Chaud O'Clock occurred but it warmed me nicely from the insides out every single time!

One of the highlights of the holiday, however, was the surprise Christmas present we received from my Step-Mum when I finally met them out in France. Ski-Joëring. Yeah 'what on Earth is that?'... Exactly my question when I opened up the little letter and miniature donkey figurine. Skis on, grab the reins and off we go! Basically skiing on the back of a horse, and SO much fun! A little family run business with 12 horses and the most adorable dog, Goliath, Cheval et Montange (found here) was perfect! Everyone seemed to chip in and although there was a minor language barrier, everyone was super friendly! As you can see, my horse Isabelle and I bonded like nobody's business and I effectively became a horse whisperer!

I know that Cheval Et Montage is open all year round for various different weather related horsey activities, so if you're ever near the Alps, hit them up!

All in all a very welcome holiday and the most perfect way to bring in the New Year!

What did you guys do to welcome in the new year?

With Love,

Zoe

x

Let's keep up and chat | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin |