20170219

The Sunday Catch-Up & Current Lifestyle Favourites #3


Sooooo, a lot has changed since we last chatted! 2017 has been a whirlwind so far, but I must admit; it's been an exciting and enjoyable one. 


A Fresh Start

Just before Christmas an opportunity arose within my company in an area I really wanted to gain more experience in and I was offered the job, which was actually a bit of a surprise! This meant I needed to move house, though obviously it's the worst time of year to start trying to look at places, so January rolled around and I needed to find somewhere fast. After some disastrous viewings, luckily I found somewhere and the move itself worked out and I'm all settled into a house share now. 

As much as I enjoyed working in the team I'd been with, I'm just so happy to be back in the city! I'm living in Birmingham now, which is where I went to university, so it honestly feels like coming home. I'm so much more suited to city life and honestly, the cost of living in the South East was completely unsustainable for me (or just about a manageable if I gave up on any hope of ever owning my own place...) I feel like a massive financial weight has been lifted off my shoulders!

I definitely hit the ground running with my new job, however I'm really enjoying the fast-paced environment and getting out and about to meet with customers. I've been lucky enough to end up in a really great team that's part of such a friendly and fun office. Overall I'm so happy and can't wait to keep throwing myself into the role and gain experience and confidence as I do so.

On my first weekend back in Birmingham, the whole of my mum's family got together at my grandparents' house in Warwickshire, which was lovely (and almost never happens!) Then afterwards I went with my mum and my boyfriend to San Carlo in Birmingham, which was soooo good! How has it taken me so long to try this restaurant? If you like Italian food, you won't be disappointed because there's a vast amount of choice (even for me as a pescetarian). It's reasonably-priced, there are generous portions and it was all so tasty. On the Sunday I went work clothes shopping with mum, because a new job = a new work wardrobe! Zara have some really great stuff in at the moment, and so does River Island, if you're in need of stylish new office clothes.

A Rush of Inspiration

I don't particularly broadcast this, because it's something I feel incredibly private about, but for as long as I can remember, I've been writing. I've always had the little pipe dream of one day getting a book published! For the past few years, though, I've just not been that focussed on my writing but (ironically, since I've become even more busy lately) recently that's all changed. I've had a rush of inspiration and motivation and have been writing at just about every opportunity! I'm such a perfectionist that I've scrapped my work so many times, however this time round I'm just accepting that it won't be perfect but I can't improve on it until the words are on the page. So far I'm at about 45k, which I'd say is probably halfway there for a novel! It's both exciting and encouraging to make this sort of progress. The fact I've written so much is spurring me on to finish the book.

Lifestyle Favourites

A Series of Unfortunate Events | I absolutely loved these books as a pre-teen and read the entire series! I also always felt the film was sadly underrated, however Netflix have taken everything that was good about it and made it even better, whilst giving this series the platform and attention it deserves! If you aren't familiar with the story; it's a slightly surreal, off-beat, darkly humorous tale centred around the three clever Baudelaire orphans, who are left with a huge fortune by their parents and are put in the custody of a series of hapless guardians whilst Count Olaf (a failed actor) takes on a series of guises in an attempt to steal it.

The Tudors | Thank you to Lauzrah for suggesting this after I finished Reign (which is conveniently back now I've seen all of the Tudors!) I don't know how I'd never properly watched this show before as it's so up my street, however it's now on Netflix and I've marathoned the lot. In case you've been living under a rock; this series charts the reign and many marriages of Henry VIII in a dramatised but kinda-historically-accurate way. It stars Jonathan Rhys Myers and Natalie Dormer (until, well, you know the story...) and a whole load of period costumes and fancy houses. It's occasionally melodramatic, a bit raunchy and totally entertaining; essentially all the ingredients for a guilty pleasure in my books!

Pretty Iconic by Sali Hughes | I've only just started on this one but I'm hooked already! As I have said many a time; Pretty Honest is a must-read, whether you're 18 or 80, a total beauty newbie or a seasoned pro. Pretty Iconic is the follow-up but instead of being focussed on general beauty advice, it's a personal take on the most iconic products of all time. I've always felt that beauty products can tell a story, and that's exactly what Sali does with this book; what the products do is almost secondary to the memories they evoke and what they symbolised in their era.


What are you watching, doing and eating this month?




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51 comments

  1. How amazing is San Carlo's!?! I went for the first time recently myself and I can't believe the level of service and food for the price, seriously impressed. Glad to hear you are settled into your new job too, how exciting! I watched a Series of Unfortunate Events, I kept telling myself that I didn't like it but I couldn't stop watching it, it was addictive haha! Loved this update xx

    Jodie / jodiemelissa.com

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    1. Thank you Jodie :) and yeah San Carlo definitely isn't your standard chain restaurant :) xx

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  2. Love posts like these, I'm glad you're enjoying your new job!

    Lauren Ashleigh xx

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  3. I have been loving a series of unfortunate events, they were my favourites books when I was younger, congrats on the new job and move! x

    www.shayholly.com

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  4. I love these lifestyle posts of yours! I'm so pleased everything is going so well for you, you totally deserve it! & I CAN'T WAIT to hear more about your novel, eep- so exciting!

    Style Sunrise☀

    :)
    x

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  5. Congrats on the job development and successful relocation - that's amazing! So good that it's back in your uni town too, I'll always feel like a piece of my heart is in Winchester where I studied. Pretty Iconic has just gone on my Amazon wishlist after reading this, sounds like a good 'un.

    Gorgeous flatlay as always too!

    Sinéad ♥ Check out my re-launched blog HERE

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    1. Thank you Sinead :) and yes it's a must-read if you love beauty! xx

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  6. Catch-up posts are always fun to read! It's great that you find youself in an overall better situation with your new job opportunity. If you know Birmingham well, I'll take all the recommendations you have for food or nice places to see - I'm in Northampton and I want to know where to go when I eventually take a daytrip to Birmingham! :D
    The Tudors is an awesome show, I remember binge watching it a few years ago. Natalie Dormer is great. In the same historical series vibe, have you heard of Vikings? You might like it. It's by the same director as the Tudors! :)

    Julia x
    Last post: A Pixi Skincare Review | http://juliaspeaksbeauty.blogspot.com/2017/02/review-pixi-skincare.html

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    1. Ah there's so much to do in Birmingham :) there's a really great art gallery, amazing places to eat and drink (Brindley Place, the Mailbox, the Jewellery Quarter, the Balti Triangle etc. etc. etc.!) and great shopping (plus Cadbury's World, which needs no introduction!) xx

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  7. Oh, congrats on both the new job and the progress on the book! I know completely what you mean about living down in the South - we're not doing too badly in terms of living in London right now as we're still managing to save a little and pay for wedding stuff, but it's not easy!

    NINEGRANDSTUDENT: A Lifestyle Blog

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    1. Thank you :) Yeah I can imagine it's tough! Though at least if you're saving towards something like a wedding it motivates you! xx

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  8. Congratulations on the new job I'm so happy for you! I bet it's really nice to be back where you were for your studies. Best of luck with everything.

    Beckie xo // The Pale Tails

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  9. How exciting that you've written so much of your book! Congrats on your new job and move!

    I need that Sali Hughes book! xx

    Beautylymin| LuxuryFragranceGiveaway

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    1. Thank you! And I know that you'd absolutely love the book :) xx

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  10. Aww I'm so happy that you are loving it in Birmingham! I really like Boston Tea Party there but San Carlo is amazing too. Great post, Jasmine :)

    Fatima x www.fatimawrites.co.uk

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  11. Yay, so happy you found a place to stay and a lovely job. Congrats to you. :-) -Jocelyne from resonatecreations.com

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  12. Muy buen post, muchas gracias!
    Un beso

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  13. I like to write as well and I know exactly what you mean! I'll go on a writing binge and write more in a week than I have in the past few months. I just finished A Series of Unfortunate Events, too, it was so good! I remember the movie really scaring me when I was little haha

    Beauty From Katie

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    1. Ah I've always been the same, though I seem to have settled into a healthier routine of 'little and often' now, which keeps up the momentum :) xx

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  14. Congratulations on your new job and move! I live in the south east and the cost of living is ridiculous. I'm really intrigued by your writing and what your writing about. When you're ready I love to hear more about it - No rush though! I must check out those TV recommendations. Ive just finished Fortitude and i need something new :) xx

    LPage Beauty

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    1. Aw thanks Leanne, and I appreciate the encouragement! I haven't seen Fortitude (yet!) xx

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  15. Congratulations Jasmine on the new house and job!! Your book sounds amazing too, I honestly don't know how you have the time to fit in everything you do, superwoman!!

    The Makeup Directory

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  16. Congratulations on the new job and the move, so many big things happening all at once!

    Danielle xx
    http://www.fashionbeautyblog.co.uk/

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    1. I know right - 2017 has started with a bang :) thank you lovely xx

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  17. Congrats on the new job! Everything sounds super exciting! My mother is an author, so I've seen the book writing process first hand multiple times. It's hard and it takes a long time, but it's definitely worth it!

    xx Dany | The Queens Empire

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    1. Thank you lovely :) Yeah I really hope it does! xx

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  18. Super exciting to hear you're working on a book!!! I love writing too and despite writing many stories as a child, sadly I feel those days are behind me. So its lovely to hear you've had a rush of inspiration. Never let it go!!! Good luck getting the rest written, it can be perfected later for sure xxx
    Sal | UmmBabyBeauty

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  19. Congrats on the new job & move!! I will have to have a look at A Series of Unfortunate Events, next time I am flicking through Netflix!!

    Mel xx || Loads of Lifestyle

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    1. Thank you! It's so worth watching if you like slightly offbeat black comedy xx

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  20. It's so great that you're happy in your new role! I hope you gain a lot of marketable experience :)

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  21. So great to hear about your new job and move! I love it when a rush of inspiration comes around, perfect time for writing x

    Everything But The Kitchen

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  22. So good to hear your new job is going well :) a series of unfortunate events is next on my list to watch!

    claresloves.blogspot.com

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  23. Congratulations on the new house and job, glad to hear they're going well. A series of unfortunate events is one of the next shows on my list.

    Lauren x Huggled

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  24. Congratulations on the new job! I've just started watching Black Mirror and I love it x

    http://emmaboughtwhat.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Thank you! Black Mirror is definitely one of the best shows out there :) xx

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  25. Big congratulations to you on your new venture!

    www.upyourvlog.com

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  26. Congrats on the new job & move Jasmine. Sounds like so many big things happening all at once! Enjoy Hun!

    Ann-Marie | http://facetocurls.com

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