Lifestyle | Netflix | My top 5 Series

Between being a student, spending all of my money on make up and being knackered every night by 9pm I have spend a lot of time recently on netflix. I just love the convenience of being able to watch a whole series in one night, from wherever I might be.

I'm always looking for new things to watch when up at 3am and can't sleep so I wanted to share the love and recommend my top 5 series to you!

1) Pretty Little Liars

Now I know there's been a lot of excitement over this the last year or 2 but I have been watching right since episode one when it aired in the UK on viva (UK freeview channel) and went on to stream online weekly when it was only being shown in the USA. When it finally came on to Netflix I could have literally peed my pants with excitement. 

I am honestly hooked. Who is this A and how are they everywhere all of the time! The basic plot is of 5 best girl friends who have all been a bit Regina George victimised by their BFF Alison when one night she vanished and that's where it all begins. 

I would recommend to anyone into girly series/films/Romcoms but I'm sure there are some males out there enjoying it too. When the series first came out not many people watched it and so I had nobody to share my excitement with, now with it on Netflix gradually all my friends are getting hooked... YAY!

2) Once Upon a Time

This is another series that aired on UK freeview TV, I can't remember what channel or for how long but it was there somewhere.

My sister always watched and raved about it and then it came on Netflix and she watched it all over along with my 7 year old nephew. They both went on and on about it so eventually I caved and put on episode one. 

Well that was it, 4 series consisting of about 22 episodes each, all over before I knew it. I loved it and cannot wait for a new series to be released! 

It's about fairy tale creatures such as red riding hood and Snow White and without giving too much away it tells all of their story's. It's really unpredictable and the story line is always changing with new characters being introduced all of the time. It's really fun trying to guess what character they are before it is revealed. 

Again I would highly recommend, this time to literally everyone! Old, young, male, female, whatever your interests are you are bound to get hooked.

3) Orange is the New Black

Ok ok I bet your all sick of hearing about this one what with season 3 being released but I couldn't do a Netflix post and not include.

I think this may have actually been the show that made me get Netflix. I remember seeing the advert in the cinema and just thinking yes I love prison dramas!! (Think back to bag girls- I hope some of you watched that because it was insane!) 

It's funny, it's emotional, it'll leave you at the edge of your seat and make you watch 13 hours straight in one day. 

I wasn't as impressed with the 3rd series but I still love it non the less. I did forget how graphic it could be, I'm glad I didn't watch it with my dad anyway... 

I have to mention Ruby Rose as well.. She is just flawless. 

4) Unbreakable kimmy Schmidt

This was something that I had been recommended to watch, I didn't think it sounded all that but eventually decided to give it a go one Saturday night when I couldn't sleep. 

It is absolutely hilarious! I cried with laughter the whole way through and had the whole series finished the same weekend. I am dying for them to release a season 2 already! 

It's by the same creator as mean girls and is about a girl who has been held in an underground bunker for the last 10 years and her life once she is freed. 

I think if your easily offended maybe this isn't one for you but if you like a good laugh and are a fan of mean girls you HAVE to watch!

5) RuPauls Drag Race 

I can't even explain why I started watching this, I have nothing against drag but it was never an interest of mine. 

I put it on in the background one day whilst I was tidying up but soon found myself sat watching it for hours desperate to see which drag won. 

It's pretty much a reality series where a bunch of drag queens get together and compete on weekly tasks. At the end of the week the 2 worst contestants have a lip sync battle to see who gets sent home. 

It's really funny and some of the drag is breathtakingly amazing.. I had so much make up envy throughout and have already started on the second season and stalked all the drags on Instagram!

Has anyone else watched my favourite shows? What's your favourite series on Netflix I would love to know! Like a need a new one to get addicted too...

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Follow @passion0527

Beauty | Nails | Barry M - Blueberry Ice

If you have followed my blog previously you will know that I am an avid fan of Barry M nail paints. The shade in question today is Blueberry Ice (I think it might be Blueberry Ice cream but the bottom just says blueberry ice). I have had this colour on my shopping list for what seems like forever so when my boots app offered me £1 off Barry M I knew it was time to pick it up! With the voucher it cost just £1.99 and was worth every penny. It has quickly become my favourite colour to sport and I feel it would suit all seasons and occasions, especially summer and spring .

The colour actually reminds me of blue tac which is a weird thing to wear on your nails but it is just incredible, like a neon pastel. The finish and lasting effect of this is exactly what you would expect from Barry M, lasting around 3-5 days without chipping. You can pick this colour up here for the full price of £2.99 which I think is great value for money.

Whats your favourite shade of Barry M nail varnish?

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(All products where purchased with my own money and all views are my own).

Lifestyle | Is it worth doing a placement year at university?

(Image not my own nor do i own any rights to the image) 

 Hell Yeah!!

 So back in 2012 I packed up my life and moved half way across the country to start a degree in Business Management. It was without a question of a doubt the scariest thing I have ever done. I literally knew nobody north of London so it was a massive change for me.

 My first two years were amazing, I won't go into too much detail here but do let me know if you want that in a separate post! Once second year was coming to an end I had a big decision to make - to take a year out and do a work placement or to stay on at uni, graduate a year early and get to go through final year with all my best friend.

 I probably changed my mind about a million times on what the best thing to do was. When I started uni it was always my intention to do a placement year but when the decision came it seemed so hard to take on the responsibility and leave all of my friends behind to finish uni without me. In the end, I took the plunge and I did the placement and it was the best decision I could have possibly made. I genuinely could't recommend it enough!

Ok.. I'm finishing uni a year later than everyone else but I have a fantastic job and a great reference to fall back on after uni life. I still lived with all my friends, I still went on the odd night out, joined in with the family dinners and spent my weekends hungover and eating unlimited amounts of £3 pizzas. But.. Instead of being skint and spending 3/4 of my life asleep - I worked 9-5 every day and had money to burn.

Doing my placement in my uni town meant I had the best of both worlds and I haven't felt I missed out on anything.

Things to consider: 
-Why do you want to do a placement
-Where do you want to do a placement
-Where will you live
-Will you have friends left at uni after the placement has finished
-You won't have uni holidays

Where to find a placement: 
-Company websites
-Ratemyplacement.com
-University job websites

  How to apply: 
-Start looking early
-Perfect your CV and cover letter and have them checked
-Do research before any interview
-Only apply for jobs you would be happy to spend 12 months in

  Useful info: 
-You are still considered a student, will be eligible for the minimum amounts of student finance and are still exempt from council tax
-If you have not worked for the last year you probably wont be taxed for your first 6 months work
-Don't think you can go out every night and still make it in to work for 9am (you cant I tried many times)
-Remember not to take it too seriously, they will understand you are still a student!

  Benefits: 
-I came out of my placement with a promotion, pay rise and permanent job offer
-I have made a number of useful contacts for my future
-I will be better prepared for interviews
-I have industry relevant work experience
 -I paid off my £2000 overdraft and brought a number of extravagant purchases
 -I have met some amazing people and made life long friends (so cringe but true)

 In simple terms I would 100% recommend doing a work placement if you have the opportunity. Leaving university and trying to get a career relevant job can be tough and having a years experience really does put you one step ahead.

 If you are thinking of doing a placement or already have one lined up and have any questions at all, or just generally want to know more about my experience then please do get in touch I would love to answer your questions.


  Ashley xxx

  Follow @passion0527

Beauty | The Glamour beauty Power Box 2014

After falling in love with the first Glamour beauty box, I knew I needed the second one.

At £15.99 with free delivery for 7 products and a years free online subscriptions to Glamour magazine you really cannot go wrong. The reason why I love this beauty box is because you know exactly what your getting. There is no disappointing surprises. The box is available from Latest In Beauty here but be warned they only have limited numbers available.

I love how much care goes into the packaging, I'm a sucker for packaging!

The box contained the following products, I will be reviewing my favourites right here on my blog at a later date so keep your eyes peeled for those posts.

1. Philip Kingsley - Daily Damage defence

I don't tend to use a lot of heat on my hair so I have never bothered to purchase heat defence, I used to use the GHD one religiously when I had an addiction to straightners but since I have ditched them I have ditched the heat defence. I think this will come in handy on occasion but I doubt I will re-buy. The box comes with a 60ml bottle worth £7.50, the full size is 250ml and costs £22. Both are available to purchase here. 

2. James Read - Sleep Tan Mask

I am super excited to try this. As a self confessed tanaholic, the thought of a sleep in tan mask sounds like heaven. I will be sure to review this product after a few uses! The box came with a half size 25ml portion, the full 50ml is available here for £25.

3. Bourjois - Volume 1 Second Mascara

Bourjois describes this mascara as having a 'unique brush with spherical bristles to wrap every lash and straight bristles to create clump free definition.'. This is unlike my everyday mascara but I am intrigued to see the difference. The box included a full size mascara which is available here for £9.99.

4. Laura Mercier - Foundation Primer

I have had a real struggle with finding a primer that works for me, I have quite noticeable pours around the nose area which I hate and, so far I haven't been able to find a primer that works... and believe me I have tried a lot! The box comes with a 30ml sample size so hopefully I can test this out and see if theres a difference. Click here for the full size product at £29.

5. Eyeko - Mascara Off Wipes

Again, not something that I am likely to re purchase but Ideal for when I am away for a weekend! They come in a full size back of 10 which costs £6 which is quite pricey for 10 wipes so will be interesting to see how amazing these are. Buy here. 

6. Liz Earle - Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

 This is the reason why I needed this box, I have wanted to try this cleanser in forever but I always seem to run out of cleanser when I am broke as a joke and opt for my usual clean and clear bargain cleanser! This is the perfect opportunity to try this out before I decided wether or not to throw my hard earned cash at it. It comes in a variety of sizes and packages and the box included a 30Ml started kits available here for £5.50. The packaging is so amazing also which is always an added bonus.

7. Maybelline - Colour Sensation Stripped Nudes in 710 Bare sands

The new range on nude lipsticks from Maybelline are available in 6 different shades costing £6.99 each. I am quite disappointed in this product for a few reasons. The packaging is ugly and plain and the shade I received was way too pale for anyone - It reminds me of a collection 2000 shade I had back in the day called 'Birthday Suite' and results in lips that look like you've just finished eating a tub of hand cream.

Safe to say I wont be repurchasing this - It did come in a full size and is available here in all shades.




Did you get this beauty box? What was your favourite item?

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Work life | Mid week mini series | The work saga: Part 4 (3)

I am still not really happy with the quality of these photos but I'm getting there!

Outfit one:

Dress: Quiz Clothing £25

Blazer: Next Sale £16

Outfit two:

Dress: Next £35

Blazer: Primark £12

Can you tell I was having too much fun taking outfit pictures this day! I think once I have the lighting sorted these images might actually be alright! 

I have also put more brown through my hair so it is much darker.. whatta ya reckon?

Make sure to follow for next weeks outfits!