Personal: Hello England

It's been just over two weeks since I said goodbye to Aberdeen, loaded a frankly ridiculous amount of boxes in the back of a moving van and hopped on a 9 hour train to Oxford, England.

Since then, I've been staying at my boyfriend's parents' house near Oxford and commuting to Oxford for my work experience. I've also been flat hunting (which proved a success!). The two weeks have gone by unbelievably quickly, and to be frank, it's also been exhausting. This past weekend I made a little trip to London to visit a friend (and raid the Oxford St Lush store, shhhh) and now I finally feel a little more relaxed and like I can sit down and write. I haven't actually even opened my laptop on multiple days, and if I have, it's usually to use Google Maps for journey planning. This is unheard of for me, who usually spends about 5 hours a day staring at their laptop screen. But yeah, it's been that busy.

Hopefully it'll be less busy from now on and I will be able to take some photos for posts (surprisingly difficult when you're living out of a single suitcase and generally home after 7pm). I've got another week of work experience left, after which my boyfriend will be back in the UK. Then I'll start looking for a full-time job, go back to Aberdeen to graduate on the 15th of June and on 6th of July we will move into our flat!

Regarding the flat... Despite my previous plans to find us a place within a cycling distance of the Oxford city centre, we ended up deciding to rent in the same town that Nick grew up in. It's half an hour from Oxford, so not very far away, but still not quite what I planned. But we decided that being able to have 2 bedrooms in a lovely modern flat right in the centre, a couple of minutes away from the bus stop, for the same price as a grotty 1 bed in Botley, was a pretty good deal. Even if means living 20 minute walk away from his parents and grandparents – something which I definitely did not plan. And no, I don't dislike them — at all. I like them, and I'm very grateful for their support so far and in the next few weeks while we wait for our flat to become available. But I'm 3.5 hours away from my family by plane and have never been closer than 30 minutes drive to any family member previously, so it feels a little too close. And not living in a city is not something I ever wanted either.

Anyway. Expect some homeware hauls, wishlists and probably a little tour in late July/August when we've settled in and I've had the chance to decorate a little bit. And hopefully outfit posts soon.

Outfit: Queen of the Hill

Bag: Vinted | Dress: Topshop via Vinted | Shoes: New Look

Second outfit post from Cyprus! We were driving back to Limassol from Paphos via 'The Scenic Route' when we spotted a little cafe on the side of the road and a lot of cars, and decided to go and have a look what the fuss was about. Turns out, the cafe/shop was next to an underground tunnel to Aphrodite's Rock, a beach where (according to mythology) Aphrodite was born!

Sadly, I can only give you three photos, as I realised upon closer inspection of the photos that there were only two where you can actually see what I'm wearing (my boyfriend is still learning the meaning of an 'outfit' photo). Oh well. It's a very simple one, and as impressive as big rocks are, multiple photos might be a little boring.

Queen of the Hill (or rather, of a Rock)?

This will be my last week in Aberdeen(!) and while I have a couple posts planned up, I admit I might be quiet again here for a little while. The coming week(s) seems quite intimidating, as I have to finish my very last essay, box up all my belongings, move to Oxfordshire on Saturday, start my work experience at OUP on Monday, really begin house-hunting (instead of just browsing) and try to settle in (as much as I can). Intimidating, but exciting.

Outfit: Here Comes The Sun

Little darling
It's been a long, cold lonely winter
Little darling
It feels like years since it's been here

Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun,
and I say, It's all right

The Beatles - Here Comes The Sun

Sunglasses: Accessorize (old) | Top: H&M (old) | Dress: Asos Petite (old) | Shoes: New Look

As cliché as a Beatles song might be, it perfectly captures my feelings about the day these photos were taken. It was the first day of my holiday in Cyprus and after the never-ending rain and gloom of Aberdeen, it felt like world had suddenly come alive. The fact that I was also seeing my boyfriend for the first time in about 4 months probably helped too. ;)

I landed to Paphos Airport late on Friday night, so we decided to stay at the camp for that first night, and check in to our holiday accommodation in peace the next morning. In the morning, we made a pit-stop at Kolossi Castle on the way to Limassol since we had a little time before the check-in time. Apart from enjoying the sights from the top of the castle, and goofing around and being silly, we also took a few outfit photos, so I thought I'd share them with you (including the sillyness)!

And for the outtakes...

I find 'posing' for photos quite hard, and when the nerves get the better of me, I become silly. In the second photo, as you can obviously tell, I was channelling some angry fireplace spirit (don't ask).

Outfit: Back in Your Own Backyard

Oh you can go to the East go to the West,
But someday you'll come weary at heart back where you started from,
You'll find your happiness lies, right under your eyes,
Back In Your Own Backyard

Billie Holiday - Back in Your Own Backyard

Top: H&M | Necklace: Topshop | Jeans: New Look Petite | Shoes: Dorothy Perkins

I never thought I'd buy anything with peplums but here we go (and this is my second peplum top)! I spotted this rainbow-dotted piece from H&M sales a few weeks back for mere £5 and decided that I absolutely needed it. I've since seen a pair of trousers in the same print and been tempted to try them on every time I walk past them in the shop — but I'm afraid that I might end up buying them if I do haha.

I only have 2 weeks left in Aberdeen before I move to Oxfordshire. I have no flat and no proper job waiting, so it's quite scary. I will, however, be starting on 3 week work experience placement at Oxford University Press and I'll be staying at my boyfriend's parents' house until I find us a flat, so it's not too bad.

Before that, however, I have a presentation, an essay and a lot of packing to do (already started on that!). I'm trying to clear out my wardrobe a little bit, so if you're interested in having a peek, you can find me on Vinted (swingmeout) and Depop (@swingmeout)! I'll be posting a few more bits in the next couple of days.

There are no words to express how excited I am to finally be living in the same country with my boyfriend again, and even living together this time! It's been nearly two years since he got posted abroad and I must say, it's been tough at times. It feels almost unreal that we have finally got to this point.

Fashion: Spring Jewellery

I had such good intentions for this month. Dissertation handed in, holidays began — 'I'll have so much time', I told myself. 'I'll post at least three times a week', I said. Somehow the first week went by in a flurry of working and organising things, and suddenly I was jetting off to Cyprus via London to see my boyfriend for glorious 10 days with pretty much no internet (still wading through the backlog of 900+ posts on Bloglovin). Then there was the last minute flight change, the 3 hours of sleep after travelling all night to get to Oxford, and the internship interview. Seriously, can life get any busier? I am finally home, and it's the middle of the last week of University holiday before I have my final essay to hand in. But I will blog. I WILL.

So, here we go! I thought I'd share some of my recent jewellery finds.

In the past, I never really bought any jewellery. I didn't like wearing anything but earrings, as anything around my neck, wrists or fingers made me feel uncomfortable. The high street shop selection did not appeal to so I made all my jewellery by myself. While you'll still catch me sporting handmade strawberries or watermelon slices on my ears, I've slowly started getting into wearing more fashion jewellery though, and when I started my new job, it became almost a necessity. I work for a company that deals with jewellery in Outfit, Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, Miss Selfridge and Boots, and we are, of course, encouraged to wear the products as well (yes, I am essentially a walking jewellery display as well). So I've branched out a little bit more with my jewellery wearing habits, and I thought I'd show you what I've picked over the past couple of months. Most of these are still available in (selected) stores and I'll try to link all the ones available online as well.

Tassel Necklace via Topshop (available in stores)

Marble Front Back Studs via Topshop (available in stores and online)

I've always worn silver jewellery and stated that I dislike gold. Yet somehow, most of the stuff I've picked up has been gold! I feel like with blond hair, gold suits me better than it did with dark hair.

When I picked up the tassel necklace, I thought it looked really cool. But in all honesty, it's too cool for me. I don't really know what to wear it with. I'm all stripes, skirts and polkadots. Not cool enough for this (or, well, different kind of cool). I love love love the marble studs though.

Pearl Ear Cuffs via Miss Selfridge (available in stores and online)

Leaf Earrings via Dorothy Perkins (available in stores and online)

The ear cuff is sadly quite uncomfortable on (do I have weird ears?), pretty though it is. The leaf earrings are one of my favourites. So pretty!

Bee Ring via Dorothy Perkins (no longer available)

Lead Ring via Dorothy Perkings (available in stores and online)

The bee ring was a find on my first day of work. It was down to £2 and with staff discount I took it home for only £1.80. I'd been wanting a bee ring since seeing one in Topshop months before (could only find one and it was so big it fell off my finger immediately). I had to have it!

Bunting Necklace via Dorothy Perkins (available in stores and online)
Square Necklace via Topshop (available in stores)

Silver Rope Knot Bracelet via Topshop (available in stores and online)

Leaf Necklace via Dorothy Perkins (on sale, available in selected stores)

This is my elf necklace. All the Thranduil vibes (sorry (not sorry) for the geekery).

3-pack Fine Neckwear via Topshop (available in stores)

I got this multipack on a whim even though I thought it 'wasn't me', but funny enough, I've got more wear out of it than any of the other necklaces! I particularly like the circles and the bar.

Disclaimer: I did not pay for these pieces (except for the bee ring), as they are part of my work 'uniform', but I was not asked to write a blog post nor am I getting anything for it. I just liked what I picked up and thought I'd share.

Wishlist: Spring Footwear

1. ASOS LUMBA Pointed Two Part Ballets £22.00

2. New Look Lolita Weave Gladiator Leather Flat Shoes £24.99

3. Clarks Ennis Willow £70

4. Faith Gipsy Pink Ombre Glitter Flat Shoes £39

5. ASOS MIGHT YOU Cut Out Leather Jazz Shoes £30.00 

6.ASOS SUMMIT Heels £35.00

7. New Look Klub Mint Tassel Patent Flat Shoes £24.99

8. New Look Liquorice Two Part Colour Block Flat Shoes £17.99

9. Oasis Black Flat Pointed Shoes £22.00

I was having a little browse at ASOS, looking for a nice pair of spring shoes to take with me to Cyprus. I don't think the weather will permit my icy feet to wear sandals, but I thought that a nice new flats might be in order — but of course I got distracted by all the prettiness and both sandals and heels made it to my 'Saved' page. There are so many nice shoes available for this season, so I thought I'd share my picks. Everything, except for the gorgeous Clarks pastel brogues, is available via ASOS.

I impressed myself by only choosing one(!) pair of black shoes — it must really be spring!

Freedom (and Other New Things)

I feel like a fairy tale expert now (this is about a quarter of my books)

It's been over a month since my last update and a lot has happened since then, so I thought I'd write a little catch-up post before returning to my usual content.

Terrified graduate-to-be handing in their dissertation after much drama

The reason for my lack of blogging has been my dissertation, which I handed in yesterday. The final month was very hard, as not only did I get sick twice (currently still in recovery), but we also had our annual 3-day swing dance workshop and the University's dance society's annual dance showcase, which both took place in mid/late March. During the final two weeks before the show, I was spending about 10 hours a week at dance rehearsals. Amazing, but exhausting. And probably not great when you have a dissertation to write! I was determined not to miss the showcase, however, as this year was my fourth and final year participating. It felt very special, especially since I was co-choreographing our swing dance performance! I was so proud of our little troupe!

Today is the first day of Easter holidays, which means glorious 3 weeks with no University or deadlines (besides a few job applications). I'm still working, but my hours are so small that it hardly counts. I'm jetting off to Cyprus next Friday to see my boyfriend for the first time in over 3 months and to celebrate our missed anniversary (3 years!) and his birthday. I must admit, a trip to warmer climate sounds absolutely heavenly in itself too. Aberdeen has been absolutely dreadful. +6 degrees, and on 1st of April I got caught in snowstorm on the way home from work (wearing ballet flat, cropped trousers and a blazer, as it had been sunny all day until that point). The sky is obscured by grey clouds on nearly daily basis, I can't remember a day when it hasn't rained, and often I can't tell the difference between 8am and 3pm.

My plans for the coming weeks include (besides boring things like internship and graduate job applications) lots of crafts (maybe finally learning to crochet?) and relaxing. I'm looking forward to having time to spend blogging as well, I've jotted down so many blog post ideas over the last month! Anyone else get all the ideas when they have no time to execute them? Cyprus should also be great for outfit photos, because a) boyfriend (camera man), b) sun (nice clothes) and c) pretty sights (nice backdrops, unlike the stonewall at the backgarden)!

A little announcement to finish: I am moving to Oxford(shire) on the 9th of May! I'll be doing a work experience placement with Oxford University Press and househunting for a flat for my boyfriend (who'll be moving back to the UK at the end of May) and I. I am beyond excited and can't wait to start this new chapter of my life. I have one essay due after the holidays so I'm moving out straight away after it's done, and then I only need to come back to Aberdeen for graduation in mid-June. Hurrah!