Wednesday

101 in 1001 XXXII

Well, this month has been pretty jampacked! Two holidays, a theatre trip, and a superhuman amount of studying (even if I do say so myself!). My goals are coming along very nicely! 

#15 Visit Sweden
Stockholm Church
After years of saying "One day I'll go to Stockholm", I finally did it! It was very snowy but a lot of fun! Read all about it here: Part one & part two

Tuesday

November Reading Wrap Up

I miss writing book reviews. I loved them so much but the problem was a) they took forever to write and b) nobody ever read them. It just got easier to stop. Of course, I include the books I've read in my 101 in 1001 reviews each month but I feel like I want to start talking more about them, rather than just "here's a photo of some books". Because of this, I've decided to create monthly reading wrap up posts where I can share what I thought about each book without going into a full, in-depth individual review.
Forensics Hitman Anders

Monday

OOTD // Lovedrobe Spotty Dress

I'm looking pretty smart this week, right? If you didn't know I was a work-shirking student, this could almost be a winter office look. Lovedrobe very kindly sent me this cute beige and black dress, and this grey coat is the perfect accompaniment. Plus size grey coat
Dress: Lovedrobe
Coat: ASOS (similar here)
Leggings: Evans
Boots: Primark (similar here)

Sunday

Review // Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

When Myles was tiny, he really loved Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. We'd watch it together constantly and sing the songs but with little tweaks to make them relevant to us. So when Dick van Dyke sings "Someone to care for, to be there for, I have you two", I would swap you too for Myles and he would sing Becky. It was cute and cheesy and we both loved it. Of course, now Myles is a big lumbering 17 year old so when I jokingly suggested we go to see the touring theatre show, I was pretty taken back that he was up for it! So it was that we found ourselves sitting in a theatre on a Sunday afternoon surrounded by children and singing classic tunes from a 1960s musical.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Tour Review

Saturday

How I increased my affiliate link clicks and transactions

I've been using affiliate links for a while now but never really had much success. That is, until I actually started putting some effort into them and I saw a huge improvement. In October, my clicks increased by 500%, my transactions increased by 375% and my commission jumped up by a huge 700%. Don't get me wrong- I'm hardly making a fortune but it's still amazing what a massive difference has been made just by putting the effort in.
Increasing affiliate clicks transactions and commission

Wednesday

Review // Lush Buttered Brazils Lip Balm

Remember when I went to Austria and bought Honey Trap lip balm from Lush? Well, I did it again. Not go to Austria and buy Honey Trap lip balm, you understand, but go to Sweden and buy Buttered Brazils lip balm. They're the perfect item to buy when you're travelling with hand luggage only since they're so tiny. Besides, you can always do with a new lip balm, right? One for the living room, one for the bedroom, one for the spare room, one for the shed...
Lush Buttered Brazils Lip Balm Review

Tuesday

New hair, new me // Hair styling at Rush Reading

Let me start by getting straight to the point: I know nothing about hair. It stems from my youth and being completely disillusioned with my curly hair. I literally wore my hair in the same style for five years (tied back, loose bun) because I felt like there was just nothing I could do with it. Then, when I got bored, I just got it all chopped off, as you'll see in my early, terrible Lookbook posts. Eventually, I realised I could tame it by taking the straighteners to it but even then I just wore it down or in a ponytail. Because of this, I was very excited when I was invited to visit Rush Reading for a cut and blowdry... and also a little nervous. Did I mention this was my first trip to a hair salon in about 20 years? It's fair to say I had little to no idea of what to expect! Rush Hair Salon Reading

Monday

OOTD // Green Tartan

I wanted to call this post Silver and Cold but a) grey isn't really silver and b) emo lyrics as post titles is a bit passé, isn't it? This is the second of my Stockholm outfit posts, which I thought was taken along the banks of Gamla Stan. We just crossed a load of bridges and walked around down little side roads. Turns out I was way off- we were on the other side of the water, next to City Hall. What do I know, eh? Plus size winter outfit
Golddigga Jacket: Sports Direct
Jumper: Primark (similar here)
Skirt: New Look
Leggings: Primark and Simply Be
Shoes: Skechers
Mittens: Primark (similar here)

Saturday

Underwhelming Cities

No matter where I travel, I'm always super excited to explore a new city and sample everything it has to offer. Unfortunately, not every city has lived up to my expectations. Whether it's because they're less exciting than I expected, lack a certain something or are simply just too cool for me, here are four cities that left me feeling underwhelmed.
Underwhelming European Cities

Thursday

Review // Lush Black Pearl Shower Gel

When I read the description of Lush's Black Pearl Shower Gel in the Kitchen, it sounded perfect for me. Lavender and chamomile? Yes please! Just what I need to chill out before bedtime! 
Lush Black Pearl Shower Gel Review

Wednesday

72 Hours in Stockholm pt II

On our second day in Stockholm, we decided to head back to the island of Gamla Stan and have a general little mooch about. Whereas I'm normally a go-go-go kind of traveller, wanting to squeeze in as much as possible, Rich likes to take things at a gentler pace. I thought it was only fair that we had at least one more relaxing holiday for his sake! Stockholm Waterfront

Tuesday

72 Hours in Stockholm pt I

As I mentioned in my last post, Rich and I spent a few days in Stockholm last week. We landed on the snowiest November day in forever so it was a lot of fun!
Stockholm Church

Monday

OOTD // Stockholm Snow

Well, we certainly got our money's worth when we visited Stockholm, arriving on the snowiest November day in 111 years! I normally hate snow but luckily I'd prepared for the -6c temperatures by buying out the entirety of Primark's knitwear department. Plus size winter outfit
Golddigga Jacket: Sports Direct
Jumper: Primark (similar here)
Gloves: Primark (similar here)
Skirt: Primark (similar here)
Leggings: Primark and Simply Be
Boots: Skechers

Sunday

How I applied for my master's degree

Ever since I was accepted onto my master's degree (Death, Religion and Culture at the University of WInchester, if you're new here), I've been meaning to write a little series about studying and now that I've settled in, it seems like the perfect opportunity! Let's start at the very beginning, as they say, and talk about how I applied. A lot of this will be relevant to anybody hoping to study for a postgraduate course so it should be useful, whatever you're studying.
Applying for master's degree tips

Thursday

Nails // OPI Berlin There Done That

I toyed with the idea of getting black glittery nails but after two consecutive dark nails- first OPI Cosmo with a Twist and then China Glaze Liquid Leather- I thought I'd lighten it up a bit and go for a grey. There's also the fact that I'm off to Sweden and I've packed lots of muted colours so I'd ideally like my nails to fit within that colour scheme. Surveying the racks of polish, this one caught my eye as it's not one I've seen before- OPI Berlin There Done That.
OPI Berlin There Done That Swatch

Wednesday

Review // Bare Minerals Prime Time Foundation Primer

Months ago, when I was looking for a suitable primer for my dry skin, one of the recommendations- aside from Smashbox and Laura Mercier- was Bare Minerals Prime Time. I asked Twitter to vote on which one I should get and Bare Minerals came out bottom so I forgot about it and moved on. Since I've tried both of the others, and wasn't particularly overwhelmed by either, I decided to give this one a shot. Turns out, it's the best of the lot!
Bare Minerals Prime Time Foundation Primer Review

Tuesday

10 Instagram accounts you must follow

We all have a love-hate relationship with Instagram, right? I know I certainly do so I thought it would be nice to spread some love and share my ten favourite Instagram accounts. With a couple of exceptions, these accounts all have fewer than 10k followers so they're perfect if, like me, you prefer to follow those who aren't Instagram megastars with millions of followers (though they're all megastars in my eyes!) In alphabetical order, because I'm not down with that MySpace top 8 malarkey, here we go:
Best blogger Instagram accounts

Monday

OOTD // Festive Styling With La Redoute

Oh my gosh, only 6 weeks until Christmas! I'm trying to resist getting excited until December starts but it's so difficult when I bloomin' love the festive season so much. It's especially hard considering I'm going to three European Christmas markets this year- Hamburg, Munich and Salzburg (and my traditional trip to Winchester, of course!). With this in mind, it was perfect timing when La Redoute got in touch asking me to create a cosy outfit that's ideal for visiting Christmas markets.   Plus size red winter coat
Swing coat- La Redoute
Faux fur collar- La Redoute
Dress- La Redoute
Bag- Michael Kors
Leggings- Simply Be
Boots- Missguided (similar here)

Saturday

November Wishlist // Winter Warmers

With Halloween well and truly over, it truly feels like winter is on its way. Time to think about keeping as warm as possible!

Grey skater coat (plus size) // Grey bobble hat // Star patch cardigan (petite / plus size) // Grey rib tights (plus size) //Teddy bear blanket
Star print pyjamas // "Over it" sweatshirt // Faux fur cardigan // Winter candle

Affiliate links have been used in this post

Bloglovin' // Twitter // Instagram

Thursday

Review // Chicago

I bloody love the film Chicago. When I was about 15, my friend Amanda was really into it so I'd watch it at hers a lot and her enthusiasm rubbed off. I bought the soundtrack and everything. Once I put All That Jazz on and performed a funky dance number for a then 4-year-old Myles. I got fully in the zone, jazz hands and everything, and it was only once I'd finished that my stepdad decided to announce his presence. Yep, he'd been standing in the doorway watching the whole thing. Mortified. Anyway, the point is- I really like Chicago and ever since I first watched it, I've wanted to see the theatre show. Last month the Chicago tour swung into Woking so I took my chance and booked a ticket.
Chicago UK Tour Review

Wednesday

Review // Primark PS Super Matte Liquid Lipstick

Initially, I was going to post this review as part of my Halloween week but somehow the time passed and I never got round to it. Instead, I'll post it now but I am fully aware that this lipstick looks freakin' horrendous on me!
Primark Super Matte Liquid Lipstick Review

Tuesday

101 in 1001 XXXI

October has not been the most productive of months. Actually, that's not strictly true. It's been incredibly productive but, unfortunately, not many of the things I've been doing have been on my list. 

#56 Watch 50 new-to-me films 24/50
Er ist wieder da
I watched Look Who's Back, based on the satirical novel of the same name which I reviewed here. At first, it was hysterically funny (at least, it is if you have a very dark sense of humour) but the mood very gradually changes until a chillingly prophetic closing scene which will stay with me for a very, very long time. Everybody should watch it and reflect on our current society.

#61 See 5 shows 7/5
Chicago UK Tour Review
After years of wanting to see it, I finally booked tickets for Chicago. I have a review going live in a couple of days so look out for that. I'm really impressed with how many shows I've seen- I have another three planned so my total will be in double digits by the end of my 1001 days!

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