Summer days fast approaching

So... I know it's technically still spring but Sydney weather is unpredictable at best, and offers spectacular glimpses of days to come. So I thought this outfit was perfect for a day in which we visited a dog adoption festival and spent the rest of the day at the beach.

Top: Boohoo.com
Skirt: Attik clothing
Rings: Asos
Hat and bracelet: gifts from Greece
And the adorable puppy is a labrador cross border collie

The Precarious Life of a University Student

No one really prepares you for life after school, life after the strict routine that dictates your every decision. You don't realise it at the time but that life is simple, certain and perhaps even stable. However do I really miss that? Do I miss not having freedom in what I chose to wear, in how I express myself and in the way I plan my life? Well the answer is not that simple. If I had known what freedom meant, what comes with such a privilege, I may have reconsidered being so miserable at school.

Although... the HSC (higher school certificate) which students much complete in their final year of education in NSW Australia, is quite a daunting and scarring experience. One I would never repeat. The amount of stress and angst placed on a young student is enough to traumatise anyone. I still get nightmares two years on. I don't know why though, my parents never pressured me to study and to do well, I guess I placed that stress on myself. Because life then seemed as though it would not go on if you didn't make it into university (I know... how dramatic).

But I overcame this obstacle and found myself thrown into a whole new playing field. Alone and having to decide what I want to do for the rest of my life, I unknowingly jumped into Advanced Science thinking it would nurture my love for animals and the environment. However I was wrong and soon realised that unless I wanted to work in a lab doing research earning an incredibly low pay for the rest of my life, this was not the place for me.

I want to travel, to be outdoors and to enjoy our world.

Now I find myself starring down a tunnel of uncertainty, I'm not sure if I can see the light yet, but perhaps there is a sliver creeping through now that I have transferred into another course. Something that makes more sense to me, something that could perhaps feed my motivation and goals once more.

I know I shouldn't be complaining because there are many less fortunate than I, but how can I control the fear of not making it out there, in the "real" world. Not being good enough and just becoming another graduate looking for work. Somewhere deep down I know this won't happen because I believe in myself too much, I believe I am strong enough to make it, to contribute to society. But until then I must live the precarious life of a university student.

Elle xx

My Trip to Europe

So last year at the end of June and throughout July, my best friend and I travelled across the globe to Europe. We didn't have much time to spend as we were on our mid semester break at uni and thus decided to only visit two countries in Europe (and one country through transit- Vietnam). This way we were able to see a great deal of the places we visited and not skim through cities feeling unaccomplished.

It was my first time travelling without my family and I was apprehensive about the whole ordeal, however once we landed abroad it was not as intimidating as I though it would be. The language barrier was not even that big of a problem as english was spoken in all the places we visited.

Ho Chi Minh-Vietnam was a massive culture shock, though I loved it, the hustle and bustle of city life was amazing. We only spent 2 days there for our transit and it was pretty hot and humid so we spent the majority of the time in the hotel pool, however we walked around the city streets and visited the markets for some bargaining practise!

Paris- France was beautiful! Such a lovely city to get lost in, and we did get lost, once or twice. When we became familiar with the metro things got a lot easier, as Europe's metro system is amazing! Much better than Sydney's in any case.

We spent most of our time in Spain as my best friend had family and friends there, and that meant free accommodation. We went to Bilbao where her family is from and they took us to San Fermin (or the running of the bulls festival). Then we travelled to Madrid which I absolutely adored, the streets, the people, the beautiful architecture it was just perfect. However Madrid is in the centre of Spain and has no beaches so we were due for a swim and thus our next destination was Denia, a small beach town an hour from Valencia. We were at the beach everyday, and the water was so warm and calm, just how I like it. Our last stop was Barcelona which was also very beautiful however full of tourists and you always have to be on guard at the beach and on the metro so that your stuff doesn't go missing. We visited Camp Nou, the home stadium of FC Barcelona and Barceloneta beach.

Here's a little video of the photo collection from our trip.

So before Christmas I went on a camping trip with my friends to Glenworth valley,  a beautiful place just over and hour north of Sydney. Here's a little video of the shenanigans that were had.

Dinner date outfit

So this weekend was Father's Day and my family celebrated by going out for dinner to a cute restaurant by the beach. It was a quite a lovely day spent relaxing with my family, something that is quite rare in the frantic lives we live.

I also managed to pull together a rather fancy and sweet outfit which I absolutely adore. Since its quite a dark colour palette its essential to style with light, playful colours such as pinks and creams. Its a really simple outfit that anyone can pull off, all you need it a little black dress!

Dress: Pull and Bear

Shoes: Asos

Necklace: Romwe

Head band: Diva

On cold days I like to dress like a flower princess, probably because overcast and cold weather makes me happy. It's a welcome change to the usual heat that we experience in Sydney. Thus this outfit features a pastel pink and white colour palette.

 

These are my new favourite shoes! They go so well with frilly socks which I also adore... yep typical girly girl.  This pink skirt is also a new love I'm not usually a fan of the 3 dimensional rose thingy but in this case I just think it's absolutely adorable.

Knit Jumper: New Look
Skirt: Romwe.com
Shoes: Asos.com
Socks: Asos.com
Necklace: Romwe.com

Playsuit: asos
Shoes: Oasap
Bag: asos
Floral notebook: bed bath and table

So, today was my first day of uni! I had no idea what to expect but my very first lecture was a complete bore. I arrived slightly late (of course) and thus was left to sit next to a rather antisocial individual, so that two hours was a drag. However my day improved because of the most unlikely events... a debating society party! ahah it was the most bizarre thing cos there was alcohol and everything! Alcohol on a monday? Seriously... #unilife aha but  it was a great way to get to know more first years and suss out the cute guys...

I'm really hoping my course (advanced science) is not as academically demanding and daunting as many are making me think ahah. Don't get me wrong I am studious however I always imagined first year as a time to have fun and not stress about academical matters.  

Nonetheless everyone is very friendly and I can see myself having a great four years! So yea I'm looking forward to the future.

Elle xx