Hello November

For some reason October seems to have been a really long month, though I'm not complaining as the way this year is flying by it'll be 2016 before we know it... 

crazy right?!

I've enjoyed my first month back at uni and have jumped straight back into student life. 

Ahh the joys of living independently again! Cooking for myself, doing as I please and feeling rich after receiving my student loan payment (and slightly poor following the rent cheque!)  

Although that hasn't stopped me treating myself to a few bits and taking full advantage of the fantastic student discounts floating about - well it would be rude not to!

Highlights of the month have been moving into my new flat, getting to know my flatmates (they're totally cool fyi), catching up with old friends, enjoying a couple of nights out, a few nice meals and a spot of shopping for good measure. Not a bad month at all.

What did your October look like? Did you celebrate Halloween?

Holly xx

Here's a few pics from the last month...

Back in the gym after a 3 month break eek!

Loving this image of London

Missing this guy tooo much :'(

Simple :-)

Mmm cookies

New shades

#ELLEinspire

Ready to party in Notts 

Cocktail o'clock

Beautiful autumn walks in the park

#BuddhaQuotes

Banoffee ice cream sundae = heaven

 #TBT I miss my long hair! :-(

Relaxing nights

Happiness never decreases from being shared

First pumpkin spice latte, I think i'm in love

Such a pretty dress

Pizza party in the flat

Hello Ocober Birchbox

 My cosy room

Let it go

Adding a touch of spirituality

My handsome little guy *insert heart eye emojis x 1000*

November issue

Lunchtime

 Autumn walks

Sundays breakfasts are the best

 Received this little treat with my ASOS order... they know me too well!

 #ThrowbackThursday me and my sister Halloween 2012

The spooky cemetery opposite my apartment... right before Halloween 

For more pics follow me on Instagram @misshollyamber

25 stylish home buys under £25

When you're a student (like myself) and money's a little tight it can be hard to personalise your room and decorate it how you'd like - especially if you live in halls of residence/rented accommodation.

When I recently moved into my new flat the first thing I wanted to do was add my own touch and make it feel like home.

I went in search of inspiration and found ways to add style and decoration without breaking the bank - or the conditions of my rental agreement!

Here's 25 affordable ways to vamp up your interior and make any space look chic and stylish just like you :-) 

Holly xx

Peony Roses - £25 - John Lewis
Faux Sheepskin Rug - £10 - Ikea
Mannequin Jewellery Holder - £15 - M&S
Alphabet Candle - £6 - M&S
Mauve Velvet Throw - £20 - George

Tropical Duvet Set - £12.95 - eBay

Floral Photo Frame - £5 - George

Flamingo Fairy Lights - £13 - Not on the High Street

Cushion cover - £6.99 - H&M

Pip Studio Floral Mug - £9 - John Lewis

Leather Journal - £15 - Paperchase

Heart Mirror - £19.50 - M&S
Butterfly String Lights - £15 - M&S

Butterfly Cushion - £17.60 - Debenhams

Metal wire basket - £14.99 - H&M
How To Be Parisian: Wherever You Are - £11.89 - Amazon
Buddha Sculpture - £14 - Next

Dark Orchid Diffuser - £14 - Next
Tealight holders - £12 - Next

Faux Fur Throw - £25 - George

Isla Print Bedding Set - £19.50 - M&S

Hummingbird Wall Sticker - £12 - Next

Twin Bell Alarm Clock - £19.50 - M&S

Floral Peacock Candles - £10 - Debenhams
Storage box - £2.99 - H&M

Style spotlight: Gigi Hadid

At the tender age of 19 she's already starred in campaigns for top designer brands including Guess, Balmain and Tom Ford, been named as the new face of Topshop AND walked for the likes of Tommy Hilfiger, Versace and Diane von Furstenberg during the recent SS16 fashion weeks.

With A-list BFFs including Cara Delevigne, Kendall Jenner and Taylor Swift on speed dial and a wardrobe that sparks major closet envy, Gigi Hadid undoubtedly the girl crush of the moment.

Here's some of her amazingly cool-yet-effortlessly chic looks that you can steal to make your wardrobe equally as fabulous as the gorgeous Ms Hadid's.

White Fur Coat - £89 - Topshop

Blue Sweater - £6 - Boohoo

Leggings - £22 - ASOS

Black Buckle Boots - £60 - River Island

Mustard Dress - £15 - Boohoo

Patent Nude Courts - £39 - Dune

St. Tropez Perfect Legs Spray - £10 - ASOS

Black Vest - £15 - Great Plains

Faux Leather Trousers - £28 - Topshop

Boots - £24.99 - H&M

Yellow Side Bag - £27 - Dune

Studded Biker Jacket - £50 - Pretty Little Thing

Black Lurex Tee - £8 - George

Jeans - £36 - Topshop

Black Pointed Heels - £25 - ASOS

Which look's your favourite?

Holly xx

Villoid

My latest obsession/way to waste time comes in the form of Alexa Chung's fabulous new style app Villoid.

As a lover of fashion I'm constantly using sites such as Instagram and Pinterest to search for style inspiration and seek the latest looks and trends. 

Villoid happens to be the perfect combination of the two and allows you to follow your favourite fashion brands, create style boards featuring the latest products and inspirational images and then share them with other users.

Not only does the app promise to be "your very own endless dressing up box" it also features a 'buy' button so you can shop directly from the app which includes hundreds of brands from ASOS and H&M to Acne and Hervé Léger.

The app is free to download from the iTunes App Store. Here's some of the boards I've created so far...

70's chic

Smart style

Off-duty

Pretty pastels

Ready for fall

Autumn essentials

Arm candy

What do you think to my boards? Have you been using Villoid?

Holly xx

Eat Nourish Glow

Having a three month summer break from uni means I've had plenty of time to indulge in things that I wouldn't normally have time for, such as staying in bed until 11am on weekdays, watching daytime TV and reading non-journalism/educational based literature.

Ok so the first two aren't exactly true (not everyday, anyway) but the third is something that I definitely miss during term time when I have lectures to attend and mountains of work that needs doing when I'm not in class. 

I love a good book and usually opt for easy-reading chick-lit or glossy fashion mags when I want to unwind - although health and nutrition is another area I am very passionate about.

Fresh ingredients for making green juice

After reading many of Amelia's articles and following her blog, 

Eat Nourish Glow was on my list of must-reads.

When my sister kindly surprised me with it I began reading it straight away and read the entire thing in a matter of days.

Chicken and pumpkin soup

 Amelia's philosophy about food and the modern diet is spot on. Instead of focusing on eating 'low-fat', 'fat-free' and 'diet' 'health' foods she discusses the importance of eating real and natural whole foods that have not been processed or messed around with by manufacturers. 

The book is a real eye-opener to how dangerous processed food is and highlights how a poor diet can be the cause of so many health issues and diseases, not to mention the rising rates of type 2 diabetes and obesity. 

Amelia's courgetti, a delicious alternative to pasta

Although I try to maintain a good diet and eat healthily, this book has definitely made me look closer at my eating habits and encouraged me to make some positive changes going forward. 

I strongly recommend it to everyone - whether you're interested in health and nutrition or not.
The simple layout, easy-to-follow recipes and pretty pictures will keep you glued and you will most definitely learn something new.


Have you read Eat Nourish Glow? What did you think?


Holly xx