What To Wear On Your Graduation Day

I graduated three years ago in June and to me it feels like it was last year, I genuinely wish I could go back to university again as I loved my time there even though it was incredibly stressful and nerve wracking at times *presentations, cries*. I didn't even want to go to my graduation if I didn't get a first, thankfully I did but then came the dread of what to wear. The university I went to had a dress code of a white shirt and black pants...I only found out on the morning of my graduation that we could wear whatever we wanted, you can imagine my stress levels.

I wore a plain navy skater dress for my graduation day with black tights and black wedge heels and looking back it wasn't an awful outfit and it did fit the occasion but I wish I had been able to choose something different - I just didn't have time! Choosing an outfit for your graduation day can be so difficult as it has to be formal and practical (as you will be struggling to keep the gown and cap on at the same time), also it has to match the colours of your gown and there is no point in picking a dress or shirt with an intricate print or embellishments as you won't really see them because of the gown.

House of Fraser have some fantastic dresses and formal/workwear options that would be perfect for graduation. Here are my picks:

- Biba Lace Button Up Shirt Dress: If your university allows dresses for graduation then I think this one would be a great formal but colourful opinion - although make sure it complements the colour of your gown. It is such a fun, cute opinion.

- Yumi Net Lace Skater Dress: This is a dress I would have picked for my graduation as it is simple and black so it will go with the gown and the skater dress fit is so flattering. The lace adds a nice touch of detail and the dress could be worn to other occasions.

- Dorothy Perkins Lace Pencil Dress: Another gorgeous but formal dress would be great for graduations as the colours won't clash with the gown and it is more feminine and figure hugging compared to most formal or workwear dresses. This would be a great opinion if your graduation is in the summer as mine was as wearing a gown and cap can be a bit much!

- Warehouse Mix Lace Prom Dress: I think this dress is my favourite from the ones I have picked, it is simple but cute and formal. I love the lace detailing and navy will go with everything, that's one of the reasons I chose a navy dress for my graduation...that and I didn't really have many other choices with a hour or two to go until graduation!

- Ted Baker Crepe Suit Trousers: Some universities have a dress code for graduation as mine did until the last minute so you might have to wear a shirt and trousers. As I'm petite and I am a bit picky when it comes to clothes, it took me ages to find a decent pair of black trousers that didn't give me horrendous flashbacks of secondary school days. I love these Ted Baker trousers, they would be perfect with a cute blouse or shirt and heels although if your university has cobbled streets around it as mine does then opt for wedges - there were quite a few people falling on my graduation day thanks to stilettos!

What do you think of the items I picked? What did you wear to your graduation? 

*sponsored 

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My University Experience: Managing Money

If you have been following my blog for a while then you may know that I graduated from university two years ago now and I have to say it was one of the best decisions I've made, even though it can be so difficult and very stressful sometimes (especially while blogging as consistently as I could and writing my dissertation!) but I would definitely recommend it! I went to a very small campus which was part of the University of Huddersfield which was close to home so I didn't need to move out; therefore I didn't have that added financial strain. Although being a student isn't a walk in the park for anyone in terms of studying, exams and finances. 

Todays post is a sponsored post in collaboration with TSB and my friend Yasmin, who is also a university graduate, all about our university experience with regards to managing money. Also you get to see some slightly embarrassing photos of my graduation...If you have any advice or tips for managing money while at college or university then feel free to leave a comment below! 

As mentioned in my previous post, the TSB student account is a great option for university students but did you know that they also have an app where you can easily manage your money? Yasmin uses the free TSB app all of the time as it is so useful for transferring money to friends/family even if they are with different banks as well as paying tax, bills or standing orders for example. The app shows your transaction history so you can see exactly how much you have spent, saved and transferred to others which makes managing your money so much easier especially as a student with student loans, grants and payments that need to be carefully managed. On the app your TSB student account will be displayed so you can monitor your finances and if you also have a TSB savings account them it too will be displayed so if you were very money savvy and forward thinking, you could transfer a certain amount of your student loan or grant into your savings account so quickly and easily - otherwise it will probably be spent on nights out! I think if you have numerous accounts (for example a student account and a savings account) then it might be useful and easier to have them with one bank, especially if you're using a banking app. 

As well as the app, you can get mobile text alerts from TSB so you receive a text reminder when you are nearing or if you have reached your limit; therefore you know if you need to cut back on the spending a little (feelin' spendy is ok sometimes but not all of the time!) or if you need to transfer money. Yasmin used the app and text alerts while at uni as it is perfect for students as it means you can avoid unplanned overdraft charges. I think both the app and text alerts will be invaluable to students as being a student can be difficult enough without adding in extra stress about managing your money and payments. 

Also, within most universities there should be student financial support where you can get general advice as the world of banking and managing money can be confusing (even if you aren't a student)! Lastly, one way of managing money that all of us could use is to shop around for the best deals and rates to make sure you are not spending more than you need to. 

If you're looking for money saving tips then check out my 'student money saving tips' post and if you want more information from TSB then check out their useful savvy student guide. 

Do you have any money managing advice or money saving tips?

*sponsored 

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2013 Roundup & 2014 Goals

Well I can't believe that 2013 has passed, I am writing this on the new years eve and I can't wait to make cheeseburger cupcakes and dress up as a 1920s flapper actress later on today/tomorrow! But before then here is my 2013 roundup, photographs, blog resolutions and my goals for 2014.

My highlights of 2013:

- Graduating with a First Class BSc Honours Degree in Psychology

- Turning the big 21

- Holidaying in Scandinavia and Russia

- My first blogging event (T.G.I Fridays)

- Features on Very and London Beauty Hub 

- Blog design changes, winning lots of competitions, seeing my first musical in years (Wicked)

- Having 9 inches of my hair cut off for the charity The Little Princess Trust (they make real hair wigs for children with cancer)

- Working with amazing brands, people and getting fantastic new followers

- Blog/social media milestones = over 900 GFC followers, over 700 Bloglovin followers and over 200 followers on Instagram and Twitter!

Well, it has been a mixed year with a lot of highlights but some disappointing and sad times. While looking for the photographs for this post I am so grateful for having a blog that I can look back through to see what I did and how I have grown. I love sharing important (and crazy, unimportant) moments of my life with my amazing followers and readers - thank you so much!! When I started this blog I never thought I would have 100 followers, never mind over 900! Thank you!

I have quite a lot of ideas for new exciting posts for 2014 including: skincare ingredients 101, 2013 favourites, blog tools/basics, freebies, reviews, share the love posts and of course giveaways. I want to get in the habit of a blog schedule, over the festive period it has been really useful - write a comment below to tell me what blog posts you would like to see in 2014.

My goals for 2014 are: be more confident and get out of my comfort zone, spend more time with friends, drink more water, apply for a Masters degree (late 2014) and get a job!

I hope everyone had an amazing christmas, new year and 2013 - happy new year!! x

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Week in photographs # 27

More graduation/congratulations cards, selling on ebay, sale buys, outfit of the day, rain!

My week has consisted of: sale shopping, visiting family, more graduation cards, rain, watching Bones and Wimbledon, selling on ebay and having no internet!

Well, lets start with the horrible events of the week - we had no internet from Wednesday night to Friday night! Apparently someone had stolen the talktalk/BT internet and phone cables so Manchester, Lancashire and parts of Yorkshire had no internet or phone services for a couple of days! Usually when the internet goes off, it comes back on within a few minutes which myself and my sister can live with but two days - we almost busted out the board games #living in the stone age

We have been watching Bones (gotta love a bit of Bones), Wimbledon, old re-runs of The Simpsons and the news for two days - it was torture. Although it made my write some reviews that needed to be done. Also I received some more graduation/congratulations cards this week from friends and neighbours which was nice but it is making me nervous - it is only 17 days until graduation! And I don't have a graduation outfit now as we have been told that we cannot wear dresses. 

Finally, sale shopping has been going on again this week - I bought four Ciate nail polishes today in the shades 'stiletto', 'pepperminty', 'Iced frappe' and 'red hot chili' all of which were only £4.50 each - how amazing is that! Wait, it gets better, I have a code for 30% off - code: MARIE30! So I bought four Ciate polishes (free delivery) for just under £13! I also got some amazing bargains from Organic Surge - they are having 75% off and you can get free delivery with the code: NEWDEL.

I hope everyone had a great week - oh and google friend connect might be going tomorrow so if you want to keep in touch and follow my blog then you can via Bloglovin' x

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