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...

Make sure you follow! 

Follow @passion0527

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

Lifestyle | USA California Haul!!

This is a major exciting post to write, I have been back a few weeks now and have been suffering with major holiday blues! So what a perfect time to share the love with all the amazing things I was lucky enough to pick up whilst I was over there.

I don't know about you, but personally I am mega nosey and love looking at what people but have brought.. especially from America what with it being my favourite place in the world AND having such a great beauty culture!

Be warned this post is *PHOTO HEAVY* 

My favourite American treats

Hershey's Kisses my absolute fav american chocolates & presents for the work gang

Back to school in America & presents for my little cousins 

They have amazing cards, I picked this up for a friends up coming birthday

I haven't brought ears since I was 7 so these were long over due!!

Back to school for myself, could not resist these glittery note books & neon flash cards

Anaheim shot glass for the holiday collection

One of my all time favourite things about America.. TOILET SEAT COVERSSS

The most amazing valentino dupes!! See post about there here

Mac haul = girl heaven separate post coming soon

Ulta haul & new favourite store! Separate post coming soon

99c crazy coloured socks 

My love of Nikes could not bare to be in the states without picking up some newbies

If you follow me on twitter or instagram you may know that I have recently moved house, both my front
and back door keys are identical so I wanted something to differentiate them.. this was perfect! 

My nephew got me this when he went to Lego Land LA

I went to LA aged 11 and got a tinkerbell keyring just like this, she now has no wings,
no arms and her face has rubbed off so I got this as a replacement for her

Christmas Tree decoration, a disneyland tradition of mine

Facts on disneyland - Very interesting if your obsessed with Disney

Abercrombie & Fitch kids Jeans for $20 = £12 amazing quality jeans!!

Goodbye Topshop Leighs

White Girl wasted Beer Pong set

Aldo tan hand bag - This reminded me of the Chloè lock bags

Last & definitely not least I got a mac book pro!! Feels so good to have a laptop again after months of iphone posts
Of course I had to customise it to be all pink everything

What would you have brought?

Make sure to subscribe so not to miss the up coming haul posts!

Travel | what's in my suitcase

It has been way too long since I packed a summer suitcase.

Well it's only been 2 years so I'm being a bit spoilt there but I was so excited to pack! I'm off to calafornia for 3 weeks for a family holiday so have tried to keep half my suitcase empty for newbies ;)

This was so tough so I thought I'd show you what made the final cut. 

A couple of light jackets/ cover ups (I also added in a denim shirt). 

Some day dresses and playsuits.. I don't want to give too much away incase I decide to do a few outfit posts. 

Skirts, skorts & shorts. 

A whole load of random tops.. LA Lakers top just seemed a must seeing as that's where I'm jetting off to. 

A small bag for carrying around daily necessities, I opted for gold as it goes with most and it's quite summery, also this style takes up no room in the old suitcase. 

A couple of pairs of pjs, If your familiar with the US you may have shopped in a store called 'old navy' it's kind of like a cheaper version of gap. I absolutely love their pajamas and mine are all well worn so I'm in need of some new ones which is why I've opted for only a couple pairs to pack. 

I couldn't resist picking up my nephew some cute little holiday bits. 

 A hat and sunglasses, I also have ray bans at my mums but I don't think they really suit me. I might take them to see if they grow on me but I haven't decided yet. 

Footwear.. This was the hardest for me to cut down but I did it eventually after a lot of debating. I went for 3 simple pairs of sandles & my white and red nikes just incase I need comfy shoes one day. 

I don't know why I'm sharing my undies with you.. Pretty self explanatory and an essential if I do say so myself. 

A beach towel & a few bikinis. 

Make up, nail stuff & my favourite summer perfume. 

I went so OTT on toiletries. But I'm hoping I will have used the majority before I fly back! 

And of course, my hand luggage. I am so 90s. Separate post of what's in there is already up. 

Make sure to subscribe to see what I got up to on my travels! 

Travel | what's in my hand luggage

Firstly, please appriciate this bag. I have had some very strange looks & comments when using this!

I wish I could like in the 90s still it's my favourite thing and I love it. As soon as I saw this bag I flashed back to being a kid again and just had to have it. 

Some of you may know that I'm off to the USA for a holiday so I wanted to jump on the band wagon and kick off some holiday posts to get me in the mood. 

My main reason for breaking girl code, and using this instead of a handbag for hand luggage, is that I'm debating getting a new bag whilst over in the states so if I do this one will deflate (LOL) and take up next to no room in my suitcase whilst still being roomy enough for all my stuff. 

Firstly, and most importantly, my passport. 

My glasses, it's no fun being blind for 3 weeks. 

I am so fortunate & super excited to stay that I'll be seeing eminem whilst I'm over there so the tickets were a must! 

Comfy socks for the plane - Boys socks are my favourite. 

My purse, a pen & a travel size moisturiser. I'm hoping the 12 hour flight won't ruin my skin too much with a bit of moisturising help. 

My iPad loaded up with iBooks & films for the plane. 

These cat eyed glasses are my current go to's so they made it to the hand luggage. 

iPhone and headphones.. Why do they look so grubby here!? Ew. 

I'll probably grab a bottle of water & some snacks at the airport too. 

Make sure to subscribe to see what's in my suitcase!