20151220

The Sunday Post #7 | Revision Time, Booking New York, Festive Fun & More



It’s been a little while since my last Sunday post but I thought I’d do one last little update before we head into the new year!

Exciting Blog Stuff

I've had a few exciting things happen in terms of my blog. The highlight has to be getting re-grammed on Instagram by Nars here! I woke up in the morning and checked my phone (still half asleep) and saw I had over 100 new followers! I scrolled back and there it was! I also had two of my posts featured in Bloglovin's weekly Beauty email: Autumn Cheek Wardrobe and Winter Glow: My Highlighter Picks. The latter of which was also featured on their blog. I'm so grateful for the exposure and recognition; it really is overwhelming!

Life

The past 6 weeks has consisted of a lot of flapping around and worrying about my exams! As I’ve got together a study plan it’s really hit me how much work it will take to be ACII qualified in two years. Alongside work, our own internal exams and having a life it’s going to be tough. I’m trying to break down what I have to do so it’s not as overwhelming. At the end of last month I set the first internal exam my company requires me to do and passed it well enough to get credits towards the CII, which was a good start. 

The big, exciting thing that’s happened though was booking New York! I’ve wanted to go for forever but whether it was money or a fear of flying, there was always something that seemed to get in the way. We managed to find some flights with BA for £400 return, which seemed fair so we booked it for my birthday in June. I’m so excited, though it’s a while away so once we’ve booked accommodation I’m sure it’ll get pushed to the back of my mind for the time being. If you’ve been before and there’s anything I need to check out apart from the obvious then please let me know in the comments! I've not had the best week or so, so booking New York and having some time to relax over Christmas have cheered me up.

I've not been out and about too much, however I did catch up with some friends at the Chapter One Books in the Northern Quarter. It doesn't look like much if you're passing it in the street but inside it's lovely and we had a really nice lunch and coffee there. I also went to the Christmas Markets in Manchester, which is always good, though it does get a bit crowded there! I also had a great breakfast in St. Albans at the Waffle House, which is well worth checking out if you're in the area.

TV & Film

I haven’t managed to get out to the cinema very much lately but I did catch Mockingjay Part 2. I wasn’t a huge fan of Part 1 so I was going partly out of duty (being someone who enjoyed the books as a teenager) and partly because the first two films really were enjoyable. I’m not convinced that splitting a book that could easily have fit into two hours really worked, as 80% of the film felt like the ending. However it was full of action and had some really great moments so it still gets a decent 3 stars out of 5 for me.

Since my last Sunday Post I started and very quickly finished what I’m going to say is one of the best TV series of 2015: The Man in the High Castle. It’s an Amazon Original Series based on a book set in an alternative history where the Nazis won the war and the USA has been partitioned between the Nazi-controlled east and Japanese-controlled west. There are some really interesting characters and the story is so interesting with themes of politics, love, morality and even a little (*Mild Spoiler Alert!*) sci-fi. I kind of saw the big twist ending coming from the first episode but there were some genuine ‘edge of the seat’ moments and some shockers throughout the series. In short: you need to watch this!

I also saw Cinderella on Sky Movies. I really wasn't fussed about seeing it at the cinema, but I've actually ended up really loving this film! The cinematography is stunning and they really do somehow capture the magic in a story we've all heard hundreds of times.

Festive Plans

Whilst I’ll be working on Christmas Eve, as soon as they let us out I will be heading down to Warwickshire with my mum to spend Christmas with my family down there, which is always really nice. My boyfriend will probably come and pick me up on Boxing Day so we can spend some time in St Albans where he lives.

I think we will probably come back up to mine in Manchester for New Year’s Eve, though I think it’ll be a quiet one. After paying for Christmas along with the New York flights, neither of us are really going to be in a position to pay a fortune to go to a big event. If anyone I know has a party we will probably just do that or head to a local pub for a few. I’m glad I took a few days off along with weekends and bank holidays over the festive period as I think I needed a bit of a break.


What are your Christmas plans? What do I need to see in New York?


 



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35 comments

  1. I was wondering whether it was worth giving The Man In the High Castle a go as it looked interesting on the advert - now I definitely will! Good luck with juggling all of your exams, sounds like you're doing brilliantly so far :)

    Claire | Stylingo.co.uk xx

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    1. Definitely do - it's amazing! And thank you lovely xx

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  2. Sounds like you've got some super exciting things planned for the new year, especially NYC how amazing, hope you have a fab time when you go in June. also best of luck with your study plan and the exams ahead, it sounds like you're organised and that's the most important part. Lastly huge congrats on all your blogging achievements, you are doing so well and it's definitely inspiring to look at :) x

    Beauty with charm

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  3. First off, congratulations on your blogging success, you're doing an amazing job! second, how exciting that you will be celebrating your birthday in New York! I've never been there so can't recommend anything but I'm sure you'll have an amazing time. Christmas break is definitely needed so enjoy yours! xx

    Mummy’s Beauty Corner

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    1. Thank you so much - hope you have a lovely Christmas too! xx

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  4. I saw NARS regram you! How exciting! If you are half as organised with your study plan as you are with your blog I'm sure you will be fine! New York sounds amazing! Hope you have a lovely time off over Christmas, always worth taking a few extra days :)

    Danielle's Beauty Blog

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  5. Woo we are thinking of going to the States around June/July next year too! Good to know the flights hopefully won't be too pricey. Hope you get some time to relax over Christmas! x

    Jasmin Charlotte x

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    1. I think BA have a lot of sales around this time of year! Have a fab Christmas! xx

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  6. Congrats on all the amazing bloglovin posts!! That's amazing! And I LOVED Cinderella seen it in the cinema and watched it again with my mum the other week! Xx

    OliviaCheryl.com

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    1. Thank you lovely and it was such a good film, so much better than I'd expected! xx

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  7. I would love to go to New York, its so good when you have something to look forward to! x
    Emma | Emmys Beauty Cave

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  8. That's amazing, Jasmine!! You are doing such a good job with this blog, you deserve all the recognition and support :)
    Hope you enjoy your holiday. I don't have so many plans, probably just chillin with my family and friends, nothing too special or festive :)
    Kisses,
    www.bloggerissa.com

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    1. Aw thank you so much, hope you enjoy yourself :) xx

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  9. Congrats on the repost and being featured, that's amazing!
    Charlotte / charlottespicks.blogspot.com

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  10. Congratulations of the recognition of your blog - you 1000% deserve it. Also I hope you have a lovely time in New York in June, it sounds like a dream holiday!

    Jodie, xo // Jodie Loue

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    1. Thank you lovely and I'm looking forward to it already! xx

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  11. A massive congratulations on your blog! That's amazing! I'm so jel your going to New York.. I'm trying to convince my fiancé that we should go for honey moon in October. My Christmas plans consist of spending time with the family and eating haha! xx

    www.lpagebeauty.com

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  12. Amazing post, thanks for sharing all of these things!
    http://www.silkypearl.com/

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  13. I don't think they should've split mockingjay either, that easily could've been one film rather than two slow ones...

    New York is so exciting! I'd definitely recommend going to Eataly while you're there :)

    www.thesundaymode.blogspot.com.au

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  14. Good luck with the revision! Such an exciting post xx
    www.aliceinbloggersland.com

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  15. Awwww bless, you totally deserve it as you have been working hard on your blog. I missed the NARS oost and I have been back to like it. Well done girl!!...xx

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  16. I loved reading this - I absolutely love your blog so it is so great to read a little more about your personal life, too! I'm so glad your blog is getting more recognition - you deserve it!

    Jodie @ Jodetopia x

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  17. How exciting to have New York booked! I've never been but would really love to - I'm looking forward to your hauls already! Congratulations on your Nars regram! Life sounds hectic so I hope you get to have a nice, relaxing Christmas xx

    Beautylymin

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    1. Thank you :) it'll be great to just chill out for a week or so! xx

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  18. A massive congratulations on your blog success, you really deserve all the recognition. I'm sure you're sick of hearing how your blog is one of my absolute favourites haha. I hope you have a lovely break over Christmas! x

    Megan | http://www.meganjean.co.uk

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    1. Thank you so much and I'm definitely not sick of hearing that haha. Have a fantastic Christmas! xx

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  19. I'm not going until June :) thank you for all the tips! xx

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  20. Thank you for the lovely comments, have an amazing Christmas everyone! xx

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