Weekly Round-Up: #1.15

What a week! As you all probably know I started uni this week. I am officially a fresher! It has been fabulous & challenging in equal measure – but more about that later. The main themes of this week have been stationery & setting up my study, student life, make-up experimentations & healthy food.

Stationery & Setting up my Study

I had hoped that I could get organised with blogging and continue with my three posts a week; Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday. However I have not been able to manage it this week. I will try to stick to this schedule over the next few weeks & if the pressure of student life & managing a chronic illness means that I cannot do this then I may reduce my blog schedule to just a Wednesday & Sunday. We shall see. 

This week I posted about my fantastic Papergang stationery subscription box. If you missed it then follow the link: Papergang – September 2016: The Unveiling. 

I have absolutely fallen in love with this box and the beautiful My Week planner came along at the perfect time as I was in desperate need of one to keep up to date with all my lectures, seminars & assignment deadline dates.

This week I also bought this incredible autobiographical novel Brave by Adele Bellis. Two years ago when she was just 22 she was attacked by a bottle of acid being thrown all over her face orchestrated by her controlling & abusive ex-boyfriend. Adele lives in Lowestoft in Suffolk and at the time I was also living in the town and actually drove down the road a few hours after the attack took place to police cars and police cordons. 

This book is a brutally honest, raw & an inspiring must read for anyone, especially young people embarking on their first relationship. 

This autobiographical book documents Adele’s whole on/off again relationship with her abusive ex-boyfriend & how the signs of a controlling, toxic relationship were there from the start –  really hitting home how easy it is for people to get caught in a suffocating web of control & abuse without even realising it. A must read from an incredibly strong, brave young woman – at the moment it is only £4.00 on Amazon so go buy it! Brave: Adele Bellis. 

This week I finally finished the above artwork for my new study. I am really pleased with how the bold colours & different textures turned out. It compliments my study beautifully. If you like my art and interested in seeing more or possibly buying or even commissioning a piece then check out my art website: Art By ELS. 

My study is now all set up and ready for me to do my uni work. I have been spending a lot of time in there this week!

Just look at this beautiful mosaic marble garden table which my parents bought we as an early birthday present. I am so in love with it – and it will be great for blog back drops.

Student Life: MRes

Monday was my first day at uni. I am now officially a fresher! 

This is actually my fifth time at University – yes I just love learning too much. This degree with actually be my second full Masters degree and my fourth post-graduate course. I am now a full time student on the Masters in Social Sciences Research Methods (MRes) at the UEA. Do let me know if you are interested in finding out more about my Univeristy experiences as I would like to write a post about returning to uni 10 years after graduating from my undergraduate degree.

I am very familiar with the UEA as I studied for my qualifying MA in Social Work and my post-qualifying PG Diploma in Advanced Social Work here. 

The UEA is one of the best universities for its research reputation alongside being one of the best universities to study social work so it was always going to be the uni I returned to. Luckily it is only about a 50 minute drive from my house & as a research student I get a permit to park on campus – which is a massive advantage!

The UEA campus buildings are not the most visually appealing – however the distinctive concrete architecture was pioneering & innovative when it was built in the 1960’s/1970’s and are protected structures. 

The UEA is quite a large campus and I have been struggling walking around – fibro problems! I have actually invested in a walking stick in the hope it will help with my leg, hip and back pain as I walk from building to building. I really didn’t think it would come to this – I will be 33 on my birthday next week and I’m already using a walking stick….

Make-Up Experimentation: Kat Von D 

When I have had a few moment to relax this week I have found experimenting with my Kat Von D make-up incredibly therapeutic! If you missed my latest haul check it out here – Kat Von D Haul. 

I was inspired by the beautiful Autumn Inspired Make-Up: Purple Smoky Eyes YouTube video by the gorgeous fellow blogger Karen over at Confetti & Curves. I used the shade Queen from my Kat Von D Serpentina eyeshadow palette – a wonderful early birthday present from my boyfriend Dave.

I also used the foolproof Tattoo Liner from Kat Von D to create a winged eyeliner look – something which I have never been able to achieve before. I used studded kiss lipstick shade Motorhead to complete the look. I love it. What do you think?

I have also been loving using Snapchat this week – if you want to add me my ID is  countrygirlem83. I love playing around with my make-up and different filters on snapchat & following other people’s snaps! I am actually wearing the Kat Von D liquid lipstick in the shade Bow N Arrow in this snap and using a quirky mystic filter.

Healthy Food

I have been trying my best to eat really well this week as I know eating well impacts on my stomach issues, my energy & pain levels and my fibromyalgia. 

This is a photo of a delicious salad I made for lunch one day. I cooked up some buckwheat and mixed some pesto with it and served it with salad leaves and violife vegan cheese. The buckwheat was really delicious and filling and very low in calories compared to rice or pasta – and it’s totally gluten-free! Yummy!

I hope you have enjoyed my Weekly Round-Up. Thanks for reading. Do let me know your thoughts as I love reading and replying to your comments. 

 

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