What I do with my down time

All work and no play makes Katherine a very dull, and quite moody girl! So its important to use your time wisely when it comes to rest, as its equally as important as work. So I just thought I'd share what I get up to when I want time out from work, might not be interesting but it might be helpful...

Yoga- good for the mind, good for the body! Whats not to like? I use 'Yoga with Adriene' video on Youtube. They're great, she's great, and they makes me laugh too!

Although drawing is a part of my course and I have to do it a lot, I like to do it as a past time. I am trying to get better at drawing but I do find it therapeutic .

Struggling for inspiration? I tend to head to Pinterest for ideas for outfits and style, room decor, food ideas, anything pleasing to the eye really. I love it! I could spend hours searching through the aesthetically interesting images. I also have a few boards you could also check out- my pins. 

I love doing my nails and hate when they have nothing on them! Whether its glueing on fake ones or making something pretty out of the real things, I find it really relaxing. My favourite is my new Chanel nail polish in the shade Rouge Noir! A gorgeous deep red colour that's a perfect accompaniment to any outfit.  

I've always been pretty crafty! and I like to make my room homely, so little things like this I think are really cute. I cut out the letters myself and the bobble ribbon was only £1.25 from Paperchase. 

Instagram is another great time waster! No, I love it really but I am addicted. Nothing wrong with sharing a few selfies and ootd's !

Yep, Candy Crush! But this is Candy Crush Soda! A new addiction. The fascination should wear off soon, hopefully! But in the meantime I'll crush away!

Lastly, Netflix. My best friend, soul mate, worst enemy? Can't decide, but with its help I've made my way through Breaking Bad and now I'm onto Prison Break. Okay life is pretty sweet!

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2015 ambitions...

Not as cliche as it may seem! Because 2014 was great and I look back on it with really fond memories, even if everything that happened wasn't great. But thats life isn't it! You take everything that happens and learn from it. 

So basically I thought I'd write a few things down to look back on, in like a years time. And it wont matter if I haven't done them or totally forgot about them. It's just something to help me focus, on work, and ambitions. 

1. Keep Blogging. I do love it and always want to do it, but I'm sometimes too lazy to be bothered. 
2. Don't be lazy! Life is too short, and no good stories start with 'This one time, when I was doing nothing...'
3. Make sure I do my work when I get it. Don't leave it until last minute, I'm better than that!
4. Get fit and healthy. It does actually make me feel great, and I do really love yoga. 
5. Be Happy. I have no reason to be otherwise.

Five points, not ten, not twenty. Just five things I want focus on and keep in mind when I think I can't be bothered or I'll do it later. lets see how it goes! 


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What I got in the sales...

Post Christmas/ early January was a busy time for me. As my last day at work was boxing day, I had a bit of time on my hands. Sadly I had a lot of work to do before going back to uni, so this meant little time to go shopping, or relax at all. 

On my return to Newcastle I finally found the time for a little retail therapy. Nothing to exciting here- few fashion pieces but most of the things I got were for more practical purposes, such as for my room and work. Fashion pieces first-

Marks & Spencer £35 £18

Topshop £40 £18 (with student discount)

Zara £69.99 £59.99 £49.99 (£10 cheaper when I got to the til)

Do Pjs count as fashion pieces? They are super cute anyway.

Boux Avenue £30? £9.50!

And the rest-

Saw this desk tidy in the Metro Centre but didnt get it. Totally regretted it so has to nip into town to pick it up! Might even spur me on to do some work!

Paperchase £7 £3.50

I had something to return to Primark, so while on the hunt for some black trainer socks I saw this. Anyone who knows me, knows I love black and white, so I couldn't resist this stationary set. I took out the black and white bulldog clips that were in there and put in some gold pins I already had. I hope these will also inspire me to do work. Somehow.

Primark £2 £1 

Primark £7 £5.90

BHS £34.99 £17.99 (each)

This is the 'sofa' I have in my studio flat in Newcastle. I thought the cushions would look great here, and make it feel so much more homely. I think they look lovely!

White Wash...

...Colour of the Moment. 

I'm really loving white at the minute and want to invest in more pieces, apart from a basic t-shirt! I found these image on Pinterest and love them. I'm taking them as my inspiration for this and next season's 'colour of the moment'. 

Butterfly Cupcakes

I thought I'd share my favourite cupcake recipe. I made these a few weeks ago now but I have used the same recipe for years. Its so simple to follow and has the best results. I always adjust the recipe depending on what outcome I want. I didn't change the basic recipe for this but I did turn them into butterfly cakes. (Bring back the childhood memories)

You will need one 'cup' or measuring device. You will use the same 'cup' for everything so make sure its a good size and will make the quantity you want. 

You will also need bun cases or cupcake cases. Cupcake cases are much deeper, but this does mean you will make less cakes as a result. (pretty colours optional)

Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Line bun tray with bun cases. 

Ingredients- 

• 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shortening 
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla 
• 2 large eggs

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add shortening, milk and vanilla. Mix with a wooden spoon at first to soften the butter. Then beat for 1 minute on medium speed. Scrape side of bowl with a spatula. 

Add eggs to the mixture. Beat for 1 minute on medium speed. Scrape bowl again. Beat on high speed for 2 minutes until well mixed. 

Spoon cupcake batter into cases until 1/2 to 2/3 full

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until you can insert a knife into the centre and it comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes in tray then remove and place on a wire cooling rack. 

Cut a circle into the top of the cakes. This can be as wide and as deep as you want. 

Then cut in half. This creates the wings of the butterfly. 

Repeat to all.

Follow instructions on box for butter icing. Instead of milk or water I add vanilla. 

Once combined, icing hollows of cakes and place wings on top

Finish with icing sugar on top. 

Et Voila! 

3 Looks Wishlist- ASOS

(Trousers- £35, Crop Top-£22, Gold Headband-£4, Zebra Slipper shoes-£35)

(Plazo Pants-£25, Structured Crop top-£25, Senso Leopard Print Sandals-£111, Gold Stack Rings-£12, Tube Ring-£7)

(Jumpsuit-27, Cheap Monday Necklace-£20, Heeled Sandals-£40, Kurt Geiger Bracelet-£21)

Weekly style inspiration #1

I was having a good ol' rummage through Pinterest the other day and came across so many inspiring images such as these. So I though I'd do weekly posts showcasing the styles that are currently influencing me and shopping. As you can tell from this post and my previous ones, I love black, white, simple style and jewellery. I love Pinterest and find it so influential! If you don't know what it is you should check it out, and if you do have an account you should check out mine. 

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Pinterest- http://uk.pinterest.com/kvleigh/