weekly wishlist #4: a university essentials edition

ASOS Canvas Backpack: £22.00

Vans Burgundy Trainers: £45.00

Moleskine Ruled Notebook: £9.00

Topshop Basic Hoody: £22.00

Urban Outifitters Polka Dot Umbrella: £8.00

My city is slowly starting to fill up with new Freshers and returning students so that only means one thing...a new semester! Alas, I am no longer a student (although I wish I was!) but I thought it would be a great idea if I compiled a wishlist of things that I would love to get to get ready for university!

I have always been a backpack girl. I don't think I've ever gone to school or university without a backpack. I love the look of these canvas bags because they're so casual although I don't think they'll last very long in typical Scottish weather! I live in trainers (I'm partial to Converse mainly!) because they're so easy to style and throw on when I'm in a rush. They are especially comfy when you're having to sit in a lecture theatre for ages! Keeping in the comfort theme, in my opinion, you cannot survive university without depending on a hoody or two. Great for cold library study sessions or running from building to building!

I always go crazy when buying stationery. Notebooks, pens, ringbinders and ruled paper! I'm pretty sure I've managed to keep WHSmith running for an entire year with my stationery buying habit! I've always lusted after a Moleskine notebook, there is always something grown up about owning such a classic notebook. Last but not least, is an umbrella. 'An umbrella'? I hear you say. Yes, especially if like me you had to depend on public transportation for a long time! You can thank me later!

If you're going off to university, whether as a Fresher or a returning student, I wish you all the best luck for the year!

What are your university essentials?

Vanessa

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London Purchases

I didn't really know how to approach doing this type of post and I even considered embedding a YouTube video but I truly believe that I'm not quite ready/prepared to put myself out there on YouTube yet. So this is my best offering to show you what I bought from London.

My criteria for making purchases was simple. I was only allowed to buy things that I can't get back home i.e. it's not readily available. I exercised an amazing amount of self control and my bank balance can weep no longer!

 If you follow me on Twitter (@ParisianOrchid), you will know that I was very overwhelmed in Forever 21. It wasn't what I was expecting and I must admit, the ones in America are better (possibly a very unpopular opinion, but I'll just put that out there!). The only thing I got was this mint green tank top. It's pretty but nothing too spectacular! 

I always love the sales when it's right at the end where it gets discounted even further! I mean, you're going to be sifting through the stuff no-one wants but you can stumble upon an amazing find if you're lucky enough. I got this red top from Urban Outfitters half the normal price. Yayzers!

I then got this green t-shirt from a store called The Sting where there are lots of different brands in the same store. Again, on sale and I think it's quite 'quirky'.

 Whenever I hear the words Abercrombie & Fitch or Hollister, I tremble at the thought that I would just look like a sausage bursting out its casing if I wore any of their clothes. I didn't hold much hope out for Gilly Hicks which is the sister brand to the Abercrombie & Fitch but I wanted to have a gander around their store anyway. Yes, I ended up getting two jumper cardigans *hangs head in shame*. In my defence, they are the softest things to ever touch my skin and they feels so much more comfier than the tighter cardigans from the other brands. I live in Scotland, they shall be worn very often!

I was reading Temprary Secretary's blog and she posted about Urban Outfitter's Twinkie nail polish and I knew I needed it in my life. I mean, a nail polish with actual stars in it?! It's times like these that I think I was a magpie in a past life!

Lastly, I went to a Victoria's Secret and I bought some underwear but I really don't think this is an appropriate forum to post about them! But I can show you what my friend bought for me as a belated graduation gift. She let me choose a toiletry item because they were part of a mix and match deal and I chose the Hello Darling Eau De Toilette. I was torn between two different scents but I finally settled on this which is a white nectarine and peony scent. Smells like a flirty summer spent reading books in a park *sigh*.

So this is my 'haul' (urgh, I really dislike that word...kind of like 'moist' *shudders*). I think I was very level headed and bought things that I will actually use which is always a bonus!

What have you been purchasing recently?

Vanessa

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