14 Things That Makes Uni the Best Time Ever

Being a student is one of the most messy, confusing, weird, hectic and fun times of your life.

 And I flipping loved it.

I've recently just graduated (yet again), and along with re-living and binge watching Fresh Meat from beginning to end, all of that has left me feeling a bit nostalgic about my old uni house, and the whole student life.
There's so many things that are brilliant about not being at uni anymore - essays are a thing of the past and not having to bicker about who takes out the bin is bliss - but there's also so many weird and wonderful things that make me want to enrol onto a course and do it all over again.

1.) Going to the corner shop at your worst. 

Pajamas. Onesies. Or whatever kind of lounge-wear your heart desires. It doesn't matter, if you've stayed in them until 2pm and decide you want a bag of sweets, it's socially acceptable as a student for you to not get changed and pop out. The staff at the Sainsburys Local in Northampton have seen some pretty spectacular get-ups on me. Including but not limited to rollers in my hair, and flats with polka dot socks and pink sweatpants. 

2.) The debrief the morning after the night before

One of my favourite things about uni was waking up and going downstairs to reconvene with your housemates and figure out and discuss last night's drunken events. There'd be endless cups of tea, embarrassed faces, waves of laughter, recollections of drunken snogs, and screams of 'OMG, NOOOO'. A hangover is so much more bearable with company.

3.) Your dancemoves come out in full force

Since it's student night every night, that means plenty of opportunities for you to bust out your moves, but that doesn't stop you from cracking them out at home as well. It may be the Jagerbombs, or just the fact that you're having fun with your friends, but you stop caring about what you look like when you're dancing, and just have a laugh. After that, there's no going back, and it's the best! 

4.) Your diet is bizarre and brilliant

Making a dinner as a joint effort and sharing it together is the best. But it's rare. Sharing a whole trifle, finding out chocolate bars are great to use as straws for tea, and taking full advantage of the yoghurt offer they have at your local shop however, are all completely reasonable. It may be because you're stressed or hungover or have a lack of sleep from staying up and chatting all night. Or it may be because your parents aren't there to tell you off and you can eat whatever you want cause you're a badass bitch.

5.) You suffer essays and deadlines together 

Yes, you have a horrific portfolio to finish, and there's simply no more words you can possibly write about art deco design, but at you've got a house of other people suffering the same plight. You know what they say, misery loves company, but with all of you huddled in the library or your living room together, with shed-loads of snacks and constant tea breaks, you'll get through it. I promise it.

6.) Your friends are never more than 15 mins away

It's like living in a bubble of students, so anyone you could ever want to hang out with or house you'd want to crash out, is always within arm's reach.

7.) Your creative juices are running to the max

Because you're a student, that means your skint. Probably due to all the student nights out that you end up going to, and the student discounts on ASOS that you can't say no to. So that means you can't just go out and buy Christmas decorations willy-nilly. Oh no. Cue cutting out snowflakes and stringing up your own baubles from Poundland.
You also get creative when it comes to pranking housemates - disguising your mannequin in a onesie ready for when your roomie gets out of the bathroom?

8.) Having one big-ass shared wardrobe

Hit a wall while trying to put together an outfit? Never fear, you've got a house full of other wardrobes for you to rummage through - you're bound to find a top or pair or heels to make your look work. Just beware: your room may be one big mess of a floor-drobe when you get home at 3am.

9.) Using fridge magnets and post-it notes is a perfectly reasonable way to communicate

Need more milk? Stress-baked some cookies to share with everyone? Your housemate needs to throw out that 3-month-old pot of hummous out of the fridge? All these notices are perfectly fine communicated via lettered fridge magnets from The Early Learning Centre. These are also a great tool for putting up artistic doodles and polaroids up on your fridge. Home decor at it's finest.

10.)  You do some weird-ass shit.

A video posted by Amy Lo (@amylo92) on Dec 30, 2013 at 5:50am PST

You live together and there's nowhere to hide. Even if you didn't want people to know that you sing along to Knarls Barkley's 'Crazy' in a weird voice while you wash up, they're gonna. And truth is, they'll probably find it hilarious and love that you're a bit bonkers, because they are too. Before you know it, you'll be making up dance routines to the Pokemon theme tune in the kitchen, and hiding under one another's beds together. They're really random and bizarre memories that you'll look back on thinking 'WTF?!', but you love and cherish them oh-so-much.

11.) Creating a spectrum of new concoctions at pre-drinks

You always end up with half bottles of spirits that guests have left over from the previous pre-drinks, so what better way to use them up by putting them all together in one big cauldron of mixers, and see what you come up with. Some will be successful - Fruit Twist Fanta and gin - and some, not so much - sambuca with...anything. Ever. 

12.) Going out on a weeknight on a budget of £5

Student nights means student prices. Everyone will try and lure you in with their special offers they've got going on (and sometimes even carry you over their shoulder in order to get you to their dead empty club...) But, rejoice! This means after a fiver and a couple of drinks, you'll think you're Sasha Fierce strutting you're stuff in the club, when in reality, you're quite drunk and probably look like Betty Spaghetti falling over. Ah, the high life.

13.) Crawling into one another's bed unexpectedly is completely acceptable

 When you're upset/hungover/stressed/all of the above, you can run upstairs, knock on your housemate's door and climb into their bed and vent or cry your little heart out, no questions asked.

14.) You always have friends there 24/7 

You can literally run across the hall to your roommate when your freaking out cause youe ex has crept back into your life unexpectedly, or crawl up the stairs to them as a hot mess when you're hungover. They'll make you tea when you're sad, cook you pancakes when you're happy, post pictures and sprinkle confetti all over the house when it's your birthday, make sure you've not fallen into the bathtub at 4am when you're drunk, make sure you're up for uni at an ungodly hour, dye your hair for you, and just be there for you. You're just surrounded by these people who are pretty damn great!
You grow with them, You learn with them. You live with your friends and they become you're home. 

It's a fucking fantastic time. 

What do you miss about your uni time?

Stay happy!

Until next time...

A.x

Graduation Celebrations!

Guys & Girls, this past Friday....

I GRADUATED!

After 3 year of hard work, friendship, sweat and tears, it was time to celebrate all that we'd achieved, and it couldn't have been a better day! The sun was out, hugs were shared, congratulations were made, champagne was popped and hats were thrown.

It was was a glorious and fantastic day, even if I id spend it with a hot and sweaty cape and not the most flattering cap in the world, it really was a day to celebrate with all my beautiful classmates that I'd spent the pat 3 years with, whom I'd share experiences, adventures, cocktails, laughter, tea, and friendships with.

It was also a day filled with family members being proud, which was particularly touching to me, as being the youngest in my family, I'm the last to graduate and it's almost like the end of the trilogy is now complete!

And of course, none of this would have been possible without my amazing tutor, Jane Mills, there for us and guiding us in the right direction, every step of the way.

The day really hit home hoe far we'd all come along and how much I've loved and appreciated the whole degree and uni experience, and I can't wait for the next chapter in my life.

So here's to the Fashion Class of 2013! I hope you all get towards your dreams and goals, and don't be a stranger :)

Hope you're all well,
Speak soon,
A.x

Rolling in the deep

As you know, I headed down to the Big Smoke to support my classmates, friends and university.

Having to get up at the silly hour of 4.30am, and being on a coach for 4 hours in total, I definitely had comfort at the forefront of my mind, however, being a fashion student at such fashion orientated event of Graduate Fashion Week, and just generally caring what I look like (how vain), I thought turning up in my pyjamas or onesie probably wasn't ideal...

Slipping into my slinky trousers, that swished and swoshed in the wind, like the waves of the sea rippling on the sand, I hopped up into my blue-hued shoes.

I love Libertys, the store, the brand and it's ethos, and their prints. So when they collaborated with Clarks (who always make shoes so comfy!), I had to nab my hand on a pair!

I'm a big fan of wedges, which are so versatile and a staple in my eyes, and in such a vibrant colour and print, I just couldn't resist their beautiful charm.

cardigan: Hannah's wardrobe, trousers: Matalan, top: Asos, wedges: Liberty for Clarks

With these trousers having the magical power of lengthening my petite legs, I contrasted this with a simple, black and borrowed a cardigan from my housemate, which I just love the sheer panels in.

Picking out the golden tones within the trousers, I highlighted this with some gold and bronze accessories, with a new addition of lil' initial ring adorned on my pinky finger (which I can't get over how cute it is!)

ring: Topshop, earrings: Topshop, nails: Warm&Fozzie (The Muppets for OPI)

While looking through my photos as well, I got reminded of two stunning and beautifully clever pieces by Jousianne Propp from the Manchester School of Art.

I love how she's used a hard material and has layered and transformed it into something delicate and beautiful. The mix of  materials also made me lust over her jumper.

On a completely different note, I've been watching the Britiain's Got Talent final tonight and cannot believe how brilliant all the acts were on there, and I especially enjoyed all the acts that got me in stitches and have loved the increase in comedy acts. (And I just love David Walliams in general and his cheeky behaviour!)

Did any of you watch it? What did you think?

Hope you're all well,
Speak soon,
A.x

GFW

On  Tuesday 4th of June, it was the University of Northampton's time to shine at Graduate Fashion Week.

After being a away for a little while, we definitely came back with a bang, and perhaps it's me being biased, but I truly felt like the work produced from our Uni was some of the most innovative, creative and professional that was there.

Although I didn't get selected for the catwalk for GFW, I was stupidly excited for the day, to see our stand and see everyone's work on the catwalk. Waking up at the silly hour of 4.30am, we piled onto a coach and made it to Earl's Court, and I couldn't have enjoyed the day more.

Being around everyone who has been beavering away at their collections, and knowing all the stress, work, and trauma they've all been through, I felt truly proud of each of every one of my classmates and friends, and what they've achieved.

I love my class and is one of the most supportive group of people I've known, so when it came to the catwalk, we were all cheering and roaring like mad men!

The stand looked fantastic and professional, with footwear's creations that were beautiful, and textiles' prints encased in globes that were stunning, and everyone's collection looked fantastic on the runaway, but if I had to pinpoint some out, my favourite were...

Kiran Bassan's fun and free use of colour and texture...

Iyesha Whitehouse's slick, sexy and streamline use of leather...

Mia Felce's playful use of print and layering with transparacies (that would keep anyone cheerful in the rain!)...

Emma Parker's beautiful and dreamy innovative use of different textiles....

and my dear friend, Hannah Podbury, and her calming and quirky mix of knitting, sheer devore and twisting and intertwining tubes (Jellyfish!)

I sound like such a mother, but I'm so proud of everyone for the class of 2013 and so happy for all those who got to see their dreams become a reality on the catwalk.

And especially for my friend, Kiran Bassan, who won the Zandra Rhodes Textiles Award! Who truly deserved it!

GFW was amazing, there was such a buzz and atmosphere, and there were so much talent there. I especially loved De Montfort's Contour collection and The University of Lancashire's display. Definitely go check out of the amazing talent on GFW online.

Have you been keeping up with GFW? Did any particualr collections catch your eye?

What do you think of University of Northampton's work?

Hope you're all well,
Speak soon,
A.x

Marvellous place to shop, Marvellous friends, Marvellous time

With my recent freedom, I've been spending some time with family and friends.

Two of my friends from home came to visit me, and it was lovely to have some fun, share some laughs and drinks, and create some new memories to add on top of the old ones we have. 

As well as an evening painting the town red, we went for a little wander and spot of yummy lunch at one of my favorite gems in Northampton, The Most Marvellous Place To Shop.

A fantastic vintage shop that's has brilliant treasures hidden within it, from colourful glassware and pretty tea sets and cake stands, to vinyls that were the soundtracks to your parents youth and dresses and coats that that could paint out a lesson in history.

They also have a cafe within it called Nana's Cafe, and not only is the decor and furniture kitsch, adorable and different, the food is brilliant and so reasonably priced as well.

I indulged in a chicken, bacon and avocado salad, with one of my favourite drinks to wash it down, a peach iced tea.

An assortment of sandwiches and fresh milkshakes were also had between my friends, and they looked mouth-wateringly delicious and filling.

I love places like these that take away from the day-to-day surroundings of the norm, and every trip has an abundance of treasures to be discovered. 

If you're ever in Northampton, I would definitely give this place a visit, and I wish there were more places like this around!

Recently, I've also made a trip to go see the University I'm going to be studying my masters degree at in a couple of months (fingers crossed on my current degree results!). I'm ever so slightly scared to be leaving my home and friends of 3 years, but more than that, I'm so excited for what new friends, experiences and memories I'm going to have in the up-coming future :) 

While there, I also spent some time catching up with my big brother, sister-in-law, and gorgeous baby nephew. It was great to share some laughs and to see that gorgeous baby's face everyday and hearing that giggle..I almost didn't want to leave!  

It is true what they say, there's nothing like family, and if anything, this week has just reitereated how great and important it is to spend time with those you love and those who love you.

Memories with family and friends are just priceless.

Have you got any places near you which are different and special to you? Or any vintage gems that you've foudn in such places recently?

Hope you're all well,
Speak soon,
A.x