Update: Leaving University & Plans For The Future

I thought I'd give you a short update on what's been going on in my life over the past few months. Most of you will know I came to university in September and moved to Nottingham. Nottingham is a wonderful student city and the university life was enjoyable. However, after Christmas something just didn't feel right. I knew I was doing the wrong course for me but battled on as I didn't want to be a drop and realised the city wasn't as safe as first impressions. I became very depressed, stopped going out, stopped attending lectures and seminars, stopped eating & shut myself in my room all day everyday.

I knew I had to make a decision about what I wanted to do with my life, I knew I could never been happy continuing with the course I was doing and didn't feel like I fitted in with the whole student thing. The noisiness, untidiness and drunkenness of people really got on my nerves and I was constantly stressed out and irritated. I decided to quit, but not altogether, just somewhere else and a new course. Anyway between then and now things have finally started to settle down. I had to finish out my the year (due to issues that are too long to explain) and then I will finish up here when exams are done.

I'll be attending Staffordshire University from September to study Business and Marketing Management. I chose the course because I'm really into marketing with my work in social media, it seemed very fitting and interesting compared to Accounting and Finance. I hope things go well this time, I'm looking forward to it and hoping some big changes in my life will commence in this time, for the better of course.

Thanks for your patience if I haven't posted much here and on my channel recently.

The Perks & Struggles Of University Life

Every now and then I like to pop up with a different kind of post, this is one them.

As most of you will know, I'm an undergraduate student. I moved away from my home in Birmingham in September to live in Nottingham. I always knew I wanted to go to university and didn't really see is as much of a choice, more an expectation. University life can look very appealing; boozy nights out, funding, your own flat, meeting people from across the country and a degree that will enable you to enter a financially rewarding career at the end of it. However there are a lot of things about university that you won't figure out until you get here. I expected things to run a lot more smoothly than they did for me. So if you're undecided whether it's for you or not, consider these points...

• You live off very little money, and I mean very little. My student loan didn't even cover my accommodation and therefore I rely on handouts from my parents. Even with this help I still managed to use my entire overdraft in my first semester. Make sure you have some decent savings/very generous parents if this is the case for you.
• Don't move away to university with the mind set that a job will be here for you, it most likely won't. Unless you already have a part time job at home with a company who are willing to transfer you to a store in your new town, it's literally mission impossible trying to find a job among thousands of other students during a recession.
• You'll have to adapt to live without things that you didn't even consider a luxury before. The odd coffee here and a pack of biscuits there soon adds up. I haven't brought one bag of crisps or a pack of chocolate bars, sigh.
• Most people opt to live in halls, although it seems dandy at first you will more than likely not get on with everyone you live with. A bunch of strangers people, with different interests and different personalities being thrown under the same roof can lead to some messy business.
• Trying to find the right balance between study and fun is the most difficult task you will endure, I've spent most my first year in bed recovering from nights out and will soon live it to regret when my exams come around.
• If you thought your motivate to study sucked at college, it reaches a whole new level at university, there's no one to nag you about anything whatsoever, you are entirely in control of your success.

However there are some amazing things about going to university too, it's not all doom and gloom.

• The boozy nights out are ridiculously good, alcohol will soon become part of your daily beverages even if like me, you didn't even drink before you came to university.
• You get to live alone; freedom to choice of food in the fridge, what's on TV, how long you wait until you decide to get dressed that day, your own bedtimes and going wherever you want whenever you want.
• You meet some amazing people who will more than likely become friends for life.
• You learn invaluable life skills that you wouldn't learn at a young age otheriwse such as cleaning, washing, ironing, cooking etc (although some of us learnt beforehand...)
• There is ALWAYS an opportunity to go out any day of the week and almost always people around you to accompany you on said messy nights out.
• If you move away for university, you get the experience living in a different place.
• You end up with a degree which widens your branches into the type of careers you can enter as well as getting to graduate (who doesn't want to throw their hat in the air after all?)

University is a huge decision and I cannot stress enough how it should be solely your decision to make, so don't be pressured by expectations as it is a massive physical, mental and financial investment to make and if you decide it's not for you once you get there, it's a massive loss and rather distressing. Seek as much guidance as you can and do your research beforehand. Although this was brief, I hope it gave you more insight into the reality of being a student. I quite enjoy writing this kind of posts so if you have any questions or any request for further posts please let me know below :)

What 2014 Holds For Abbroseee

So this year has gotten off to a flying start. I got engaged, started my second semester of university and if you haven't noticed already, I've been blogging quite a lot! However, I did plan to do a lot more OOTDs and videos this year but some numpty forgot to pack her tripod so I'll have to pick that up when I go back to Birmingham. My blog will be 2 years old this year and it's not quite where I want it to be, mainly on my own behalf. To be fair to you guys I thought I'd throw you a few notices so you're more aware of what's going on as opposed to me going missing for weeks/months.

I plan to post at least twice a week, every Monday and Thursday at 12pm. If I'm not going to post that day or if I am going to do extra posts that week I will let you know via my facebook page or twitter.

I am going to upload once a week on my channel. I still haven't quite gotten the hang of my YouTube yet so once a week is more than enough for me. I haven't decided a date or time yet. Again, I will notify you using my social media.

I plan to do a lot more OOTDs. I've invested hugely in my style the past few months and feel like I've 'found myself' as such.

I'm not far off 100 subscribers on my channel, if I hit this I will be doing a giveaway. I haven't decided what yet but it'll be pretty special so keep your eyes opened for that.

I always need help when it comes to thinking of new ideas for posts and videos. Please please please interact with me more! I answer all my comments and am more than happy to accept requests from you so don't be afraid to ask!

Anyway I won't babble too much as uni work is calling! Hope this has filled you in a bit more. This will all start from Febraury as I'm just settling back into life after my break at home and the hectic start to the new year. Thankyou for all your support, I know things can't be a little slow with me sometimes but I assure you things will be much better this year.

Our Trip To Paris & Some Big News!

So for my Christmas present Lee paid for us to go to Paris in the New Year. We flew out on New Years day and arrived to a very rainy Paris. We hadn't sorted out any transfers so we (badly) navigated the trains halfway and then got a taxi to our hotel. We stayed at the Mercure Paris Arc de Triomphe Etoile which was a lovely little hotel situated round the corner from the Arc de Triomphe itself. The room was gorgeous, totally up my street with super modern fittings and a very comfy bed.

As we arrived quite late we went for dinner at a American style restaurant called Indiana Cafe. The atmopshere in here was great, super chilled out with great food and friendly staff. After this we headed back to our hotel for a well deserved sleep.

The next morning we headed out to see the sights. The first stop being not far from us, the Arc de Triomphe. Having been to Paris several times before, I'd already been up and remember the pain in my poor legs so we decided to admire it from the bottom. My favourite thing about Paris is the amazing architecture and history.

After a (ridiculous) walk, we next visited the Eiffel Tower. Everyones favourite part of Paris. Unfortunately we couldn't go up to the 3rd floor as it was closed. The queue were stupidly long as always and the journey up over 600 steps is not for the faint hearted, but once you're up there the views are like no other. Seeing out  for miles across Paris whilst the sun is setting is one of the most spectacular views ever.

After this we headed back across the River Seine to the hotel and stayed in for dinner as I was super poorly and wasn't capable of leaving the room that night.

The next day we decided walking was just too much so we hoped on the Metro to the Louvre. Our first stop was the Pont Des Arts which is the famous bridge known for it's love locks. The love locks on this bridge are to symbolise committed love. We made our own little mark by attaching our own. The bridge is spectacular and the amount of locks is overwhelming. I would definitely recommend doing this if you visit Paris with your other half.

We then walked a short distance to the Notre Dame. I can't remember getting to visit this in previous trips so it was a first time for me. It's one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen, inside and out. Absolutely massive too, lots of interesting things to see inside.

We then got back on the Metro and headed for the Louvre, having been inside already we decided to just walk around outside as there are plenty of things out there anyway.

For our last night we headed to a nice little restaurant for steak (my favourite) and back to our hotel for an attempted early night before out 4am wake up to catch out flight back, boo :(

I bet you're thinking where's the big news then? Well if you scroll back up to the picture of the sunset on the Eiffel Tower, moments after that picture was taken at that very spot, Lee asked me to marry him! It was an amazing start to the year, although I'm still very young, the last 3 years have been life changing and there's no one else I could ever see myself wanting to spend the rest of my life with. He has all the qualities for a perfect partner and I love him so much.

I was super overwhelmed in the moment and he'd only been on his knee for about 3 seconds before I grabbed him back up and squeezed him to death whilst blubbing like a baby (not my finest moment I know).

The ring is absolutely stunning. A beautiful 18ct white gold number with a solitare diamond and extra diamonds under the setting. It's literally the most perfect ring I could ever wish for and I'm completely in love with it.

Before you ask when the wedding is, not for a good few years is the answer! I want to finish university first and get myself into a career. In the mean time we have a wedding fit for a princess to save for so those years are going to be useful! I'm very excited about the future, our own little house, becoming Mrs Thomas and a few babies are definitely on the agenda.

Have A Holly Jolly Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I feel like I don't need to justify this post much so I'll keep it short and sweet and I'm sure you're all in a rush today. As it's Christmas day I decided to surrender to the power of the Christmas jumper. I picked up this little beauty from ASOS a few days ago and luckily it came in time for today! I am actually in love with this jumper, it combines my loves for pugs and my favourite colour green! I haven't felt festive at all this year but gradually through the day I'm getting more into the Christmas spirit. It's a shame that Christmas doesn't feel the same when you're older, makes me excited to have a family of my own one day so I've got enthusiastic little people to make Christmas special again.

I hope you're all having an amazing Christmas and have gotten loads of lovely presents. I'm looking forward to spending the rest of my day seeing family, eating a delicious roast dinner and visiting my boyfriend and his family.

Trois Années Anniversaire

On Friday me and my boyfriend Lee celebrated our 3rd anniversary of being a couple. We landed lucky this year that it fell on a Friday so even though it was a couple of hours left of the day, we still got to see each other. I don't tend to talk much about my relationship on my blog but milestones like this are very special to me. Me and Lee have done the long distance thing from day one and it hasn't been the easiest of relationships but it's always been a pleasure to do just to spend time together. He spoilt me rotten with dinner at Marco Pierre White for steak and champers and then Coco Tang for after dinner cocktails.

I thought I'd put together a few pictures over the past year.

1, 2 New Years Eve, the first picture was at pre drinks in Spoons and the second was midnight hugs. 3 Random picture in the car before going to Frankie & Bennys with the family 4 At Lee's friend's wedding in Stoke-on-Trent. 5 In Macclesfield for a night out for Mike's birthday. 6 Spending time in the garden making the most of the lovely summer weather. 7 Lee's graduation at Trentham Gardens. 8 Lee's birthday night out in Stone. 9 After our day out at Trentham Monkey Forest. 10 At Twycross Zoo for a day out with my family. 11 After a lovely weekend of Lee visiting me in Nottingham. 12 After our anniversary meal at Marco Pierre White and drinks at Coco Tang.

Twenty Five Facts About Me

I'm not very personal on my blog at all and felt it was time for you to all get to know me a bit better. I looked through some other blogs to find a quick yet informative tag I could do and came across this one. What better way for you to get to know me better than by posting a cheeky 25 facts about me for you all.

One: My full name is Abbie Rose Deen, my name was planned to be Robyn or Lily Rose but my dad decided he didn't like them at the last minute and I got stuck with Abbie.

Two: I currently study Accounting and Finance at university and I'm in my first year.

Three: If I won award for anything it would be 'Queen of Procrastination' as I am the laziest person ever.

Four: My parents didn't have to worry about me losing dummies as a kid as I sucked my thumb for 14 years. In fact, on one of my baby scans it looks like I'm already sucking my thumb from the womb.

Five: I really hate eating in front of people who I'm not really close to or in public, I'm a really fast eater which means messy dishes usually end up all round my face and on the surface I'm eating from, attractive thought for you there.

Six: I used to be a dancer from the age of 4 until I was 16. In my final few years I belonged to two dance schools and one dance company and would train for anything up to 16 hours a week.

Seven: When I was younger I was convinced my toys all came to life when I wasn't looking like in Toy Story, I'm still yet to be convinced this isn't true.

Eight: If I could be anyone in the world, it would be Beyoncé.

Nine: Most people assume my heritage is full English, however, I'm a quarter Pakistani and and eighth Irish.

Ten: My favourite colour is green.

Eleven: I have the stomach of a sparrow, however, I can absolutely demolish a full rack of ribs in 5 minutes flat.

Twelve: I get cold really easily and I absolutely hate winter, snow and cold winds make me want to cry. But this is made up for by the addition of white hot chocolate to the coffee shops seasonal menu.

Thirteen: My eyes are dark brown but they change colour like Vampires do in Twilight. Some days they're near hazel and others they appear black.

Fourteen: I'm very much a dog person, in fact the thought of cats make me shiver a little. I am super obsessed with pugs and will own one day (will someone convince boyfie please?).

Fifteen: I stay up crazy late. I don't actually have things to do, I just find them instead. This isn't a student trait at all, 4am has been an acceptable bed time for me since about the age of 14.

Sixteen: I'm scared of things that fly; birds, butterflies, wasps etc are my worst fears.

Seventeen: I'm a really fussy eater and places like McDonalds are more hassle then they are worth. Having to order everything 'without salad' or plain makes waiting times devastating.

Eighteen: My biggest love in the world is cars. I've been obsessed with them ever since I was a little girl. I'm currently driving a beautiful little yellow BMW Mini Cooper called Coopz.

Nineteen: I have the worst collection of laughs known to man. They include the 'duck' and the 'pig snort'.

Twenty: I prefer cute looking guys to rough around the edge manly types, but I strangely find Ryan Gosling the most perfect specimen of a man ever created.

Twenty One: I always say five is my lucky number, but good things to happen to me in threes.

Twenty Two: I always prefered indulging in things that no body else wanted to do. This led me to studying 4 languages during my school years and doing 2 of them for GCSE. Sadly I can speak barely any of them these days.

Twenty Three: When I was younger, I secretly wanted to grow up and be a lingerie model. Unfortunately my legs and boobs never grew enough for me to fulfil this dream.

Twenty Four: I thrive in messy environments and despite my battle to be a neat freak, I will always be a naturally untidy person. Nothing bugs me more than other people tidying my stuff up.

Twenty Five: My favourite band has been the Arctic Monkeys since the age of 13.

My University Room!

This post has been a long time coming but I wanted to make sure it was as interesting as I could make it rather than snapping a bare dingy room for you. I moved into my halls of residence in Nottingham city centre a whole 6 weeks ago and its safe to say I'm loving student life! One thing that was most important to me was that my room reflected my personality as much as possible so it was a welcoming atmosphere after a day of long lectures. My room isn't completely finished and I'm constantly buying bits and bobs to prevent it from looking too bare and contemporary.

 I've posted a video over on my channel too if you're interested, enjoy!

My Halloween Face Of The Night

I've been back at home this weekend for a change! Yesterday before heading back to Nottingham my flatmates decided to go out on the night, I spontaneously decided to get the train back and join them. However, I didn't get back until 8pm and not having anything to wear for the Halloween theme night, I had to think fast.

Cat is always the easiest option for fancy dress so I poped down to the local fancy dress store at home and picked up some ears and a tail. I decided on my black disco pants and a top I'd picked up from Miss Selfridge a few weeks ago, with my converse. I didn't want to do the generic draw on a few whiskers and a nose look so I googled a few ideas and decided to have a bash and some proper stage make-up. I thought I'd share with you how it turned out!

As my skin is very red and sensitive, I started by applying my usual going out base MAC Studio Fix Fluid using a Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and finishing with MAC Select Cover Up to conceal any pesky blemishes and under-eye bags. I then used some white face paint and a sponge to create definition and highlight my t zone and emphasize the mouth area to create a more feline shape. I wasn't too neat about this but that's fine. To continue defining the face I used Rimmel Natural Bronzer to contour the face on the sides of my nose, on my temples and around the outside of my face.

For the rest of my  face I kept my eyes simple due the the lack of time so just thick winged eyeliner using Rimmel Glam Eyes Liquid Liner. I also used this to create the outline of the nose, draw on whiskers and to wing the sides of my top lip. For my lip I used a black lipstick I got from the fancy dress shop. I then used black face paint and my MAC 217 brush to fill in my nose and draw the line from my nose to my mouth and also fill in my nose. I finished it off by using a few coats of Maybelline The Rocket mascara on my lashes.

As I was going to a club and obviously had quite a lot of products on my face I did the naughty thing of lightly spraying my face with hairspray to keep the whole thing in place all night. It did work and was pretty much fully in tact when I got home at 4am. I was really happy with my work for a last minute job, if I'd of had more time I would of added more detail like better eye make up and some work on my brows.

My flatmate Anya also joined me on the kitty front and she looked pretty awesome! She's also just started a style blog which you can find here. You should all go check it out and give her a cheeky follow as she wears some awesome stuff and it's definitely worth a look.