Winter Candle Wishlist

 Hey guys!

 

 As Christmas is only a month away, I thought I'd share the candles I've been lusting over from Yankee Candles and Bath & Body Works.

 

I'll be honest, I've never really been that into candles. As a student, I wasn't allowed candles in my accommodation at uni, and we never really have any at home. However, I keep seeing candles from Yankee Candles and Bath and Body Works mentioned in other blogs, and the scents look so irresistible. When I visited my local shopping centre a few weeks ago, I noticed that a new Yankee Candles shop had opened. Naturally, I had to go in to see what all the fuss is about. Oh my God, the candles smell as amazing as they look! I love all the Christmassy scents!

 

Also, how pretty are the jars?! I love the colours and themed pics on the labels.

Yankee Candles

1. Spiced Orange - bright, cheery blend of sunny citrus and snappy ginger

2. Christmas Cookie - buttery rich, vanilla scented, holiday sugar cookies

3. Cinnamon Stick - fragrant mystery of imported cinnamon bundled with cloves

4. Cosy by the Fire - a warm mix of ginger, clove, and orange combines with woody notes to give the snap of a crackling fire and the comfort of a hot and aromatic drink beside it

5. Festive Cocktail - a tart concoction spiked with mountain berries and a sprig of fresh-spinned pine

6. Pain au Raisin - the tantalizing aroma of cognac soaked raisins baked in a buttery vanilla dough and sprinkled with cinnamon
7. Sugared Apple - a perfect recipe of juicy apples sprinkled with sugar and vanilla

8. Vanilla Cupcake - the rich, creamy aroma of vanilla cupcakes with hints of lemon and lots of buttery icing

 

You can buy Yankee Candles directly from the website or from a range of other stores, including Tesco, ASDA and Debenhams. Online shop Yankee Doodle has a huge range of Yankee candles, some of which are usually only found in America. I just love the names of these candles - they

remind me of Christmas and snuggling up by the fire. I also like the mix of sweet and spicy scents - I love anything cinnamon, vanilla or apple flavoured. Browsing the Yankee Candle website is really making me crave pain au raisins and vanilla cupcakes! I haven't had either for sooo long!
 

Bath & Body Works

 1. Sweater Weather - Fresh Sage, Juniper Berry, Aromatic Eucalyptus, Fresh Woods

2. Salted Caramel - Salted Caramel, Roasted Chestnut, Caramelized Sugar, Dark Molasses

3. Spiced Apple Toddy - Warm Apple Brandy, Spiced Plum, Cranberry, Cinnamon Stick

4. Vanilla Snowflake - Creamy Vanilla, Iced Fir, Wintry Mint, Coconut Flakes

 

 

 Unfortunately, there isn't a Bath & Body Works shop in the UK, but you can buy their products from eBay and Bath and Body Shop. Like Yankee Candles, Bath & Body Works has a fantastic range of candles that are perfect for winter and Christmas. Some of these are listed above. You could also try Marshmallow Fireside, Spiced Gingerbread and Evergreen.


I can't believe I don't have any of these candles already! Please tell me I'm not the only one! But if you have bought any candles from Yankee Candles or Bath & Body Works, let me know which ones are your faves!


Hasta luego!


Serena 

(Image from HD Wallpaper Backgrounds)

My Favourite Blogger Tools

 

 

 

Hey guys!

 

 

As a blogger, it is essential that you install certain plugins and apps to help grow your blog. These will increase your productivity and optimise your blog for search engines. I'm sure you've heard about SEO - it seems to always be drilled into us bloggers.

 

 

When I first started my blog in my first year of uni, I wasn't aware of these blogging tools. However, I soon started to use them, and they have basically become my lifesaver. I use them all the time to ensure that my blog is always up to scratch.

 

 

There are so many blogging tools out there, so how can you possibly choose which ones to use? Well, hopefully this list of my favourite blogging tools will make your decision much easier.

 

 

1. Buffer

 

Buffer is amazing if you want to post several tweets about your blog during the day but won't have time / access to the internet. With Buffer, you can write a tweet and schedule it to a time that suits you. Buffer also allows you to schedule posts on Facebook, although I have yet to use this feature. One other brilliant thing about Buffer is that it shows you how well a post has done - this is in terms of the likes, shares, comments and retweets the post has got.

 

 

2. PicMonkey

 

PicMonkey is my go-to website for editing photos and creating collages. It's so simple to use, but it can take a long time to load on my laptop! Nevertheless, PicMonkey does has some great features and I'd recommend using it if you don't want to fork out for Photoshop. Alternatives to PicMonkey include BeFunky, LunaPic and Canva. The latter is great for creating visuals and specific designs for your blog.

 

 

3. Social Media

 

I don't know what I would do without social media - it has helped my blog so much! Not only do websites like Twitter and Facebook enable you to promote your blog, but they are also a great way of networking with brands and connecting with other bloggers. There are several groups on Facebook with threads for sharing posts and commenting on other people's blogs. My faves are UK Bloggers and Bloggers Helping Each Other - I'd recommend these to smaller bloggers who want to build up their views and increase awareness of their blog.

 

 

4. Keyword Tool

 

I have just started using Keyword Tool this week and it has helped me find keywords to use in each blog post. Moz has a good guide on how to use keywords in your blog.

 

 

5. My camera

 

I could not live without my camera! I have a Canon SLR and it produces such fantastic photos! They are such great quality and so clear. I don't just use my camera for blog pics - I regularly go on photo trips around London and I used it when I studied Photography at A Level. I bought it back in 2014 and it's still usable.

 

 

6. My iPhone & Laptop

 

Both my iPhone and laptop make blogging so much easier. I also use my iPhone for taking photos, as well as keeping up to date with social media, checking my emails, posting pics on Instagram, and making notes when I'm out and about. My laptop is where I upload posts and edit photos. It's quite heavy so I can't really take it out with me.

 

 

What tools do you use for your blog? Which tools would you recommend?

 

 

Hasta luego!

 

 

Serena



Sweater Wishlist

 

Hey guys!

 

 

With Christmas coming up in just over a month, it's the ideal time to start posting lots of wishlists. I've already done one about marble products, so I thought today I'd do a sweater wishlist.

 

 

I love sweaters! They are so cosy and comfy! It's great that you can just throw them over a vest top and wear with a pair of jeans or a skirt - you don't have to spend ages deciding what to wear.

 

I've had a hunt around some online stores and found my 8 most favourite sweaters, which I have made into a collage

 

 

 

 

1. New Look

I love this sweatshirt from New Look. It has such a simple but pretty design. The flowers make this sweater suitable to wear in the Spring and Summer as well as Autumn and Winter.


2. Etsy

This sweater is perfect for anyone who loves Gilmore Girls! I.e. Me!


3. Etsy

So many sweaters I see in the shops have ridiculous slogans, but I like the one on this sweater from Etsy.


4. Etsy

Etsy is on a roll this year! I'm such a grammar Nazi, so this sweatshirt is perfect for me!


5. Etsy

This just had to be included! Anything cat-themed gets a thumbs up from me!


6. H&M

I don't really like Christmas jumpers (I know, don't give me that look!), so I'm more likely to buy something like this sweater from H&M. The penguin is so adorable and wintery, so I wouldn't just wear the sweater around Christmas.


7. Etsy

Because I defo need a Mean Girls slogan sweater!


8. Romwe

Since I am ALWAYS so cold!

 

Hope you've enjoyed this post & have added some new sweaters to your wishlist!

 

 

Hasta luego!

 

 

Serena

The Student Freebie Guide: Without Being Scammed

 

 

Hey guys!

 

 

Today I am going to share some ways of getting freebies as a student. I'm sure many of you would like to find out more about freebie apps and websites that are genuine and won't scam or rip you off. Below is some tips about finding freebies in the UK, and a list of places to get them from.

 

 

Read the Small Print

Some freebies come with a catch. For some offers, you may need to buy something, which means it’s not free at all. Make sure you read the small print to see the terms and conditions to see what you’re getting.

Look for Reviews

Before you sign up, do research into the company or website. Check online comments and reviews. Don’t get hung up on one or two bad reports, however, if people don’t have anything good to say, there may be a good reason for it.

Don’t Give Payment Information

Be careful when giving out your credit card details to websites and apps. Make sure to check reviews first before signing up to any freebie websites and apps, and don't hand any money over. Genuine freebie sites will not charge you. The thing to remember is that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. It is possible to get some freebies, but receiving hundreds of pounds with minimum effort is very unlikely.

 

The Top Places For Free Stuff

Freebie Websites

Ilovefreegle.org and Freecycle.org – These sites allow people to offer free stuff they no longer want to people in their local area. This is great for larger items like furniture.

BzzAgent – This site offers free products in return for a mention on Twitter, Facebook, and other social network pages.

GumTree (Freebies section) – You can get anything you want on Gumtree which includes free stuff, from fire extinguishers, sofas, and TVs to concrete, soil, and scrap wood.

WOWFreeStuff – This site offers a mix of free samples, printable vouchers, and freebies, that are used in stores across the country. Currently, they offer free stuff from coffee to student freebies and free stuff.

Freebie Apps

O2 Priority – This app is available on the Android and iOS app store. It offers awesome offers and deals. These include random freebies, like chocolate bars and cinema tickets. You can also get O2 Priority on other networks, so you can enjoy their freebies.

WeQ4U – This freebie app is a bit specific. You can skip phone queues and reach companies using their direct number, instead of the standard 0800 number. This will let you make a somewhat expensive call for free through your mobile device.

AppGratis – This app offers you all types of new paid/premium apps for the Android and iPhone. And you can get these apps free every day using this app.

Do you have any good freebie apps and websites that you use to get free offers, samples and deals? If so, let me know in the comments!

 

 

Hasta luego!

 

 

Serena

 

 

Dislaimer: This post was contributed by Sami at Wow Free Stuff.

Tune Tuesday: November Playlist

  

 

Hey guys!

 

 

Since we're halfway through November, I thought I'd post a playlist for this week's Tune Tuesday. So here are my favourite songs at the moment:

 

 

1. Starving - Hailee Steinfeld & Zedd

  

Okay, yes, I know I included this song in my October Playlist, but I just can't get enough of it! I play it literally every day!

 

 

2. Closer - The Chainsmokers & Halsey

  

Pretty much the same as 'Starving'! I seriously can't stop listening to 'Closer'! It's so catchy and I just love Halsey's voice. I'll admit I wasn't really keen on The Chainsmokers when I first heard about them, but they have definitely grown on me! I love the artists The Chainsmokers have teamed up with this year.

 

 

3. One of a Kind - Busted

  

Ah, Busted, the band I'll always love! So so so glad they're releasing music again!

 

 

4. Love Me Now - John Legend

  

How amazing is John Legend?! He seems like such a nice guy too.

 

 

5. All We Know - The Chainsmokers & Phoebe Ryan

  

I love Phoebe Ryan. She has a really unique and haunting voice. 'All We Know' has been played on repeat this month.

 

 

6. Don't Wanna Know - Maroon 5 & Kendrick Lamar

  

I pretty much love anything by Maroon 5!

 

 

7. Famous - Nathan Sykes

  

Nathan Sykes has such a beautiful voice. I was never really a fan of The Wanted, but he's probably my fave. I love the old-school, soulful vibe to Nathan's voice.

 

 

 8. Paramore

 

Okay, so this isn't exactly a song, but I am loving Paramore at the moment. My fave songs by Paramore include Still Into You, Misery Business and Decode.

 

 

 

What would be on your November playlist? Let me know!

 

 

Hasta luego!

 

 

Serena 

 



Creams Cafe Opening

 

Hey guys!

Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend a bloggers event at the new branch of Creams Café in Finsbury Park. It was only advertised on Twitter the night before, but fortunately I didn't have any plans until the evening, so I immediately said yes. I mean, who could say no to waffles and ice cream?!

It was a bit short notice but luckily the friend who I had dinner plans with was available to meet earlier. So I left my house and headed to Finsbury Park, where I met up with my friend Jack. We had a little difficulty finding the café, since neither of us had Internet access, but we managed to find it eventually. And when we arrived the waitress didn't seem to know about the event! However, we soon found Hayley, who was sitting at the table behind us with a few other bloggers and non-bloggers.

After getting to know each other, we placed our order. It was difficult choosing what to get as there were so many tempting and mouth-watering options on the menu - including waffles, sundaes, crepes, milkshakes and smoothies. I decided to get 'The Waffle of Oreo Cookies' to share with Jack. The others also got some waffles and crepes, as well as a plate of cookie dough and the humongous 'Birthday Extravaganza'.  

When the desserts arrived, I wasn't that surprised at how huge they were. However, it was clear that we would definitely not be able to eat all of it! Nevertheless, I think we did quite well, considering there were only 6 of us, and we managed to sample all of the desserts. I personally loved 'The Waffle of Oreo Cookies' - I made the right choice there! It was a giant round waffle with a scoop of Oreo ice cream in the centre, crumbled Oreos, and white chocolate sauce drizzled all over it. The waffle also came with a side of vanilla ice cream - absolute madness!


Here are images of some of the desserts:

Overall, I really enjoyed the event, despite being very full afterwards! Creams Café is a fantastic place if you have a soft spot for desserts. Not only are the desserts delicious, but the staff are friendly and the décor is fun - I loved all the purple and glitter. I'll definitely be paying Creams Café another visit since there are so many other desserts I need to try - I love the sound of the 'Mango Mania Alfonzo' Sundae, 'Coconut Island' Sundae and  'Melted White Choc Indulgence' Waffle. Of course, I won't be getting quite as much food as I did last Saturday when I next visit Creams Café!

Creams Café has various branches in London and the rest of the UK, including Newcastle, Brighton, Coventry and Cardiff. Most branches are open from 9am to 11pm. I visited the one in Finsbury Park - the address is Unit 7 & 8 Clifton House, Finsbury Park, London, N4 3JU.

Have you ever visited Creams Café? What are your favourite desserts?

Hasta luego!

Serena

Marble Wishlist

Hey guys!

If you've been following bloggers recently, you'll be aware of how obsessed we all are with marble. It's literally everywhere - in our bathrooms, in our bedrooms, in our kitchens, and on our Instagram feeds, you name it. I personally don't actually have much in the way of marble, but I do love this new trend. After seeing lots of lovely marble-style products online, I was inspired to create my own marble wishlist. Marble looks brill in the background of blog photos - it makes them uncluttered and is a nice change to the white found in a lot of blog photos. 

1. Passport Cover / 2. Clock / 3. Notebook / 4. Hip Flask / 5. Flip flops / 6. Mug

I love the hip flask - especially the swirly marble effect. The second notebook (number 3) is really pretty too. I have way too many unused notebooks but I'm definitely adding this one to my shopping basket! I don't have a clock on my wall at the moment, so I'm really tempted to buy the marble one from Karlsson. It's a little expensive but my walls are so bare - I need a clock to jazz them up! You can't go wrong with a new mug, especially a marble one!

What's on your wishlist? Do you own anything marble-themed? Or are you completely sick of this trend? 

Hasta luego! 

Serena