The Present Problem?

As for myself, it is coming to the time when a lot of my friends are leaving their teens,the first year of the 20's and hitting that milestone of TWENTY ONE! This poses me with a great problem, the present problem to be exact. 

What to buy for a 21st? Do you splash the cash and blow it on the expressive gift? OR Do we stick to a sentimental sort of budget? 

Here's some of my suggestions for some 21st Birthday Present Ideas (both blow it and budget)

For the Blow it sort of present, I think nothing says Happy 21st better than a bottle of Champers... 

John Lewis do some lovely gifts, for girl friends, add that special touch of a Rose Champagne, here is one I found when searching today...

Bollinger Rose Ice Tube Champagne Gift- £60

For the Classic Blow-out and a keeper present (suggest splitting the cost of this with other friends as we are not made of money) but this gorgeous black patent Vivienne Westwood Purse is a lovely gift and good enough quality to stand the test of time. 

Vivienne Westwood Classic Patent Purse in Black- £125

Some ideas for the sentimental sort of budget, what about a memory book. If your like me and have known a lot of your friends since the start of school, I'm sure you have a lot of funny pictures dating back to the time of Bebo that you can fill a memory book with. Its a great gift and really shows that you have put thought into the present. On the plus it also doesn't break the bank, get your prit-stick and scissors at the ready... 

Here's a 21st Memory Book that you could fill with fun pics! stockist: www.gorgeousgifts.co.uk - £23

Another gift which I have received myself in the past, and is really cute is this range of Lolita wine glasses that again John Lewis stocks, here is 'Birthday Girl' one. Also what I like about this range of glasses is that under the bottom of the glass there is a recipe for a 'Birthday Girl' cocktail which is quite fun!

Lolita 'Birthday Girl' Wine Class- £18

So here's just a few suggestions of 21st Birthday ideas, I have many birthdays coming up so shall be using some of these ideas. Hope this helps any of you with the same problem. It just goes to show you don't have to spend a fortune on a fabulous gift! 

Enjoy xo Demi 

Guide to being a Fresher...

Following on from Demi's post on finishing uni I thought I'd do a little post on my tips and tricks for having a fab first year at university.

Freshers Week

1) Don't drink too much - Kind of an obvious one. Have fun but no one wants to be found passed out in the hall's lift and found by some random that will laugh about it with all their friends.
2) Don't try too hard - Trying too hard to impress might come across as a bit fake and put people off. So, just be yourself, add a dose of confidence, and you'll be fine!
3) Fresher's Flu is imminent - Having never had a proper hangover before uni I thought this whole 'Fresher's Flu' business was nonsense. Well after 6 nights out in a row you're immune system is at an all time low. I don't think mine ever recovered and spent most of first year with some medical problem or two!

Work
1) Work or Play? - I think its best to balance the two. Keep on top of assignments but skip a few lectures, lay in bed for a day after a solid night out, just don't get too far behind. Cramming for exams after easter is not much fun.
2) Course - Make sure you have a proper look at your actual course content. You can change course once you're there but theres nothing worse than not enjoying what your studying.

Budgeting - Something I majorly struggled with!
1) Nights out - A majority of your budget will end up here but always make sure you've got guest list, share taxis, and find other people to buy you drinks hahaha. I joke.
2) Food - the reduced section is your best friend. Also, look out for the local market to get healthy stuff way cheaper than in supermarkets. I was catered first year which I think made a huge difference. I didn't have the pain of always going to the supermarket to buy food and also dinner was always really social.

I hope this has been helpful and ask any questions if you want!!

Alex x

Student style, for even less!

I do appreciate I am not the first person to come across Primark, however, it did occur to me yesterday that you can get some ridiculously cheap items of clothing in there and if you style them up it looks more chic than cheap.

 My friends and I hit the bars of Newcastle last night and when in the bathroom one girl commented on how nice my skirt was, she was shocked when I told her the price of it; that being ONLY £3. She couldn't believe it, and neither could I at the time of purchase but I was pretty pleased with myself that someone complemented on my outfit which cost me near to nothing.

Turquoise chiffon blouse- £10 Primark

Leopard Print rara skirt- £3 Primark 

Black suede heels- Kurt Geiger

Black clutch with gold chain- Mulberry

Whilst I appreciate that the shoes and the bag cost considerably more that the core elements of the outfit, you can easily find cheaper, stylish copies. Accessorize always do some cute clutches and again even search in Primark or H&M. For more affordable shoes on our student budget, I say New Look is your best bet, they always have some great heels in stock at around £20. 

Here are some alternative choices... 

Shoes- £22.99 New Look

Black clutch with gold strap- £12.99 H&M

Demi x