How I Avoided Debt During My First Year at University

As my first year of uni draws to a close, I can't help but feel a little bit smug about my positive bank balance. I might not be loaded, but I managed to keep out of my overdraft for a whole nine months, which isn't bad going.

Here are my tips on how to keep in the black while at university.

1. Get a job
I do realise that this isn't an option for everyone, and I was incredibly lucky in the job which I managed to get. Depending on your location, there may be roles within the university or as a part of the student's union, many of which are zero hours contracts meaning maximum flexibility for you. It's worth looking around the city you're studying in too, as lots of places are willing to take on students. As well as giving a financial boost, a part time job alongside studies also looks great on your CV.

2. Take advantage of student discount
An NUS card is around £30 for three years, but you make that money back almost instantly. Also sign up for Unidays which offer fantastic student offers and is completely free. Get smart on which discounts are offered when and try to keep shopping splurges to double discount periods. It might feel a little awkward to ask for student discount in shops and restaurants, but it's absolutely worth it.

Some of my favourite student deals are:
Free standard McFlurry when you buy a medium or large meal at McDonald's
40% discount at Pizza Express on a Monday and Tuesday
10% discount on Topshop/Topman including sale items

3. Sign up for a Santander student account
Santander student accounts come with a free four year rail card which would cost over £70 to buy yourself. A rail card entitles you to a third off all fares, which is a massive saving over the four year period. If you're with another bank, you can either swap your account or just keep two accounts running. I personally recommend the latter as with simple online bank transfers it's easy to separate your money for important things or larger purchases, such as saving up for a holiday.

4. Pre-book train tickets
This doesn't just apply for students, I recommend it to anyone, but it's still an important one. Booking train fares even just a few days in advance can result in a huge saving. But check first: it can sometimes be cheaper to buy a day or open return, it all depends on your journey. Having a quick look on nationalrail.co.uk is an easy way to find the best option.

5. Don't buy the entire reading list
This is the one where I messed up, and I urge you not to do the same. The university will send out a huge reading list, insisting that 75% of it is 'mandatory' and the other 25% is 'highly recommended'. This is probably complete bull, so wait until you have your more individual reading list before filling your Amazon shopping cart. Also, lots of universities hold book sales, where students in the year above sell used copies for a fraction of the price. It may also be worth seeing if your textbooks are available as e-books from the university library.

Are any of you going to university this year?

Any Size (As Long As You're 5'10")

The internet has had a bit of a stir today, after Jamelia made some comments about people who are smaller than a size 6 or bigger than a size 16... she basically said that they shouldn't be catered for on the high street. Jameela Jamil (personally one of my favourite human beings of all time) hit back with this brilliant article, about how people shouldn't be made to feel ashamed of their bodies whatever their size.

But the thing which I feel always gets left out of the 'love your body' campaigns, is something which really cannot be changed: height.

At 5'4" I am a pretty average UK woman, but I am bombarded with images of women who are 5'10" and above. These women are beautiful, but they don't represent all women.

I'm a UK size 10, which is on the smaller end of the spectrum. But if I chose, I could probably make myself a size 6 and I could probably make myself a size 18. I physically cannot make myself six inches taller. So no matter how many 'plus size' mannequins and models are shown on the high street and in magazines, I, along with millions of other women, am still not represented.

My point? If the fashion industry are going to really start representing women of all shapes and sizes, can they please do it properly?

I want to see women who are short. Women who are tall. Women who are a size 4. Women who are a size 28. Women with stretch marks and acne scars. Women with size 8 feet. Women with size 3 feet. Women with small boobs, big boobs, flat bums, peachy bums, toned stomachs and muffin tops.

And don't just show people at either end of the spectrum, include everyone along the scale so that nobody is left thinking 'why can't I look like that?'

An Imagined Place

Headband - Primark

Top - River Island

Watch - Michael Kors

Skirt - Primark

Shoes - Converse

It's great to see that summer seems to be on its way, but in the world of the student that means only one thing: deadlines. I have three essays to write and one exam to study for... maybe I should be doing that rather than taking outfit photos and writing on my blog?

This skirt was an absolute bargain, it was only £1! Spotted in the reduced section of Primark (student budgeting at its finest) the bright green makes a simple skater skirt a statement piece. Such a bold coloured piece can sometimes be difficult to wear, but as it was so cheap it doesn't matter if I hardly wear it. 

After seeing all of the Coachella photos on Instagram, I wanted to add a festival vibe to today's outfit, which is why I went for the floral headband. It's a really summery piece which makes the outfit feel especially cute, and a backcombed updo is always a great option for unwashed hair. 

How are you guys preparing for summer? 

Hopscotch

Top - Next

Jeans - Red Herring

Cardigan - Moda at Asda

Ring - Pandora

Bracelet - Pandora

Nails - Hopscotch by Ciate

Sandals - Primark

Today was the first day that I've worn sandals this year, and it's great to know that spring has truly arrived! Naturally, this being England, I couldn't leave the house in April without having a cardigan just in case the weather tuned cool.

These jeans were a great find in the Red Herring range at Debenhams - they're called Holly! They're supposed to be anklegrazers but as you can see, because I'm a little on the short side, they don't really have that effect on me. However I was really drawn to the pale colour, and figured the slightly shorter length means that they'll look good with sandals and ballet pumps through the summer.

The nail varnish I'm wearing is my new favourite shade, after receiving a set of miniatures for Christmas, I will certainly be buying the full-size version when it inevitably runs out.

I'm not opposed to supermarket clothes, and this Asda cardigan is no exception! I've seen very similar styles (for a lot more money) in places like Urban Outfitters. With a student budget to contend with, I like to think that it's more about how you wear something than how much it cost.

I've been home from university this past week, and it's been lovely to relax at home with family and catch up with old friends. Today I went on a very unsuccessful shopping trip with an old school friend, but getting 40% student discount on our Pizza Express lunch went down very well indeed!

What have you all been doing this Easter?

OOTD: Brain Cell Overload

Playsuit - River Island 

Coat - Ark 

Shoes - Converse

Winter seems to be finally coming to an end, which is why I've adopted a less snuggly outfit than yesterday. Converse are my favourite shoes as they are incredibly comfortable and go with every outfit, making my everyday look more casual. 

It is still very windy today despite the sun, so I decided to let my hair dry naturally and do its own thing today, I didn't see the point in curling or straightening it for it to just get messed up anyway!

What are you guys doing today? 

OOTD: The Death of the Author

Shirt - Next

Jumper - Primark

Watch - Michael Kors

Jeans - Next

Brogues - Primark

Welcome to my first OOTD post on this blog! 

I've been a member of Lookbook for quite a while, but got out of the habit of posting after coming to university, mostly because I lack somewhere to take outfit photos. I like to take the photos inside because I'm still quite new to it all and asking my boyfriend to take my pictures in a crowded street scares me a little!

This look is a typical look for me - I like to mix high street pieces from cheap stores and more expensive ones, and my Michael Kors watch is a great statement accessory meaning that little else is needed, great for 9am starts. I also love collars and cute prints which this shirt combines perfectly, and the burgundy shoes and jumper are a shade of red which (I think) don't clash too horribly with my naturally ginger hair. 

I hope you're all having a lovely Monday!

The Denim Shorts Dilemma

It's now late February, and the shops are full of their Spring/Summer 2015 collections. But there is one summer staple which I battle to find every year, and this time I've finally found them... the perfect denim shorts.

There is by no means a shortage of denim shorts on the high street, Everywhere you look there they are, but finding some that don't show a little bit of bum cheek every time you move seems to be a constant struggle.

Since I don't have legs like Jessica Simpson in Dukes of Hazzard I want some shorts that are just that little bit longer, and cover up at least some of my thighs. During my teenage years I developed stretch marks around my thighs (thanks to Bio-Oil they have disappeared dramatically) so I feel a little bit self-conscious about that area.

So here are the wonderful shorts... only £18 from Next! They are a bit longer so I don't mind going bare-legged, but the distressed look also stops them from looking like something my mum would wear. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing, my mum is a very well-dressed woman.

What are your summer staples?