Hello there! 

Can you believe that I have been back from Canada for about 2 months now. Where has the time gone? I really, really wish I knew. I have been working, I've been seeing friends, I have been house hunting (I FINALLY have one and it sounds perfect!) and, of course, blogging! Still, with results being posted (although mine still aren't...grrrrrr) I thought it would be nice to do a little post on a few things I learned during my year abroad. 

TRAVEL // Montreal, Quebec

Hello!
Are you guys ready for my next instalment of my travel photos? Of course you are!
After a few days in Toronto, I grabbed my bags and jumped on a 4 hour train to Montreal. We met the most adorable Canadian couple who said 'ey' at the end of pretty much every sentence and who had been married for 60 years or something. They gave us lots of tips too - especially on marriage. You know you've got a winner if you have a husband who lets you eat crackers in bed apparently.

TRAVEL // Niagara Falls

Hello there!
Just 2 days into my trip I found myself on a coach to one of the most beautiful places I have seen in my life - Niagara Falls. It was the reason I flew all the way over to Toronto and it is such a beautiful area. The falls are just breathtaking and I could stare a them for hours (although I did not have this opportunity unfortunately due to a very badly organized tour). However, if you ever get the chance to go to New York or Toronto, please go see Niagara Falls. You will not regret it!

STUDY // I'm home!

Hello there!

This post has been a long time coming.

I kept starting to write this post but have never been able to finish it. I tried as soon as I finished my final exam. I tried to write it again once all my bags were packed. I sat down at Vancouver airport, Montreal airport and LAX and attempted to write this post and I just could not bring myself to do it. Now I'm back in England I feel like I HAVE to write it because I am no longer living in North America anymore and I really do need to sum up the past month and a half that I have been away for.

If I am honest, I was in complete denial that I was ever going to leave Canada. I had a job interview lined up, I had accommodation sorted for when I got the job (which I didn't get but considering the whole getting a visa thing last minute is completely understandable!) and I was convinced that I would not be leaving for a good few months. I had 3 weeks of travelling around the East coast of Canada and then West coast of the US before I had to leave and it just felt so far away. 

However, now I'm sitting on my sofa with my cat, watching Pointless, and yearning to go back to Vancouver as soon as possible. I have banned all travel websites and have three estate agent websites up instead because I still don't have a house for university this year (slightly worrying - but I'm technically a grad student so I'll just repeat that over and over until I have someone let me live in their house). 

I may be awfully jet lagged (like crazy - it's not what I want right now) but at least I have Radio 1's Big Weekend this weekend with all of my girls in Norwich to look forward to. Muse, Florence, Tay Tay, Catfish, James Bay and more all in one weekend (for free!?) How could I even be so lucky!?

Anyway, I'm going to stop blabbering on and feeling sorry for myself and start giving a quick recall of my final weeks in Vancouver and my final thoughts on the whole thing. Let's go!

BEAUTY // Essie Berry Hard

Hello!

Just before Christmas I treated myself to my first Essie polish. I had been put off my the hefty price (considering the colours are nice but not that unique) but I was very pleasantly surprised. It's a lovely polish!

LIFESTYLE // Hello January

Hello!

I'm currently sitting at the airport with an americano waiting for my flight back to Canada! After being a little confused by the saucer my coffee came on, I thought I'd best to a blog post exclaiming HAPPY NEW YEAR, or at least something like that.

I had a lovely evening last night seeing all of my friends for the last time in a few months whilst drinking my Dad's homemade wine (once I got it open that is - plastic corks are the devil!)

So basically, I hope you all have a fantastic New Year! Grab a hold of 2015 and make the most of it. I know I will.

UBC won't know what hit them (other than a very ambitious Brit who probably thinks she is much better than she actually is)

WISHLIST // Spark Session Wishlist

Hello there my lovelies!

Coming up soon is the Spark Sessions conference in Toronto! It brings together Canadian beauty and fashion bloggers and, not gonna lie, I would absolutely love to go! They are currently running a competition (here) that runs until October 14th where you can win a ticket and transport to the conference and I couldn't help but apply!

I thought my entry would include a wish list of items I would love to buy if I got to attend the conference. I have tried to stick to brands that I can buy here in Canada (although I do miss the UK high street absolutely insane amounts!) I have been spending quite a lot of time getting to know the shops in Downtown Van and I want so much (like so much) that my student budget just could not stretch to. However, I think I can let myself buy a few of these bits - they are just so lovely!

STUDY // Study tips from a British student in Canada

Hello there!

I have been studying at UBC for over a month now and I have given in so many assessments that it is now time for mid-terms. I know, just five weeks in and I am already freaking out over a test that is going towards 15% of my grade.

I have had to change the way I have been studying significantly in just this first month. It is crazy how the different schools structure each course and although I expected it, I didn't think it would be that different. That's for sure.

STUDY // Study abroad 5 weeks in

Hello my lovelies!
I cannot believe I haven't posted in over a week. I hoped it wouldn't come to this until finals but it has come early and it sucks. Everyone says that you have ups and downs during your study abroad and the past couple of weeks have definitely 100% been a down. Sure, there have been good bits and bad bits but overall, this past couple of weeks have sucked. If I hadn't made such great friends out here I know 100% that I would have given up and just gone home last week and that would have been the end of this adventure in Van and at least I tried.

Anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say here it that absolutely everything they tell you about how it's going to be difficult and you'll feel sad is 100% true! Yeah, I know - that sucks!

WISHLIST // Pre-Vancouver

Hello!

I cannot believe I move to Vancouver in just over a month. It's crazy. I don't even know how this has happened but I am rolling with it.

Anyway, I need to stop shopping because I cannot take anything with me but I have no idea what the Canadian shopping scene is like. I mean, come on - how am I going to last without River Island, Primark and Dorothy Perkins?!

I have compiled a few bits and pieces that I want right now which are potentially packable (potentially being the word).

I'M MOVING TO CANADA!

Hello there!

Please excuse the capital letters but I am incredibly excited. Yesterday I found out, after a horrific month and a half of waiting, that I managed to get a first for my second year of my chemistry degree. Yes, I know - I may or may not have cried (okay, I cried).

Not only that, I've officially been given my grades so I am officially moving to Vancouver in less than two months. Yes, I know - I cried! Excitement does not cover it.

Please note: this is my excited face.