I'm Moving!

Hi all!

This is just a quick post to say that I will be moving to a different URL/blog! I've set up a new Google+ account and it's just easier if all my accounts are linked to one Google+ rather than having to keep logging in and out each time!

The new account link is:

loulouansell.blogspot.co.uk 

Names Loulabelle :) 

Hope to see you there ;)

Love
-Lou-

A skint students dream!

It's that time of year again for The Oracle in Reading to host a Student Session! To sum up what one of these are; you arrive in the early evening, receive discounts at all the amazing shops (TopShop, New Look...), there's a live DJ, prizes, contests and it stays open just for students till the evening (normally around 10). I know... Discounts and prizes? Always a winner. 

This time round, there was a Pyjama Party theme and for all those that arrived in PJs, they all had the chance to get gift cards for the Oracle, ranging from £5 - £50! AND the first 50 to arrive in PJs, one person would be selected to do a Supermaket Sweep of one of their stores! And... Unbelievably.... I WAS CHOSEN TO DO A SWEEP OF TOPSHOP FOR 2MINS!! 

I know! I literally was speechless! The Oracle PR Laura was so lovely and she loved my giraffe onesie and thought that I should be the lucky student! I can't believe it! I always knew giraffes where the best in the world! ;) 

I can't even describe to you the feeling that I got before I did the sweep... It was unreal! I couldn't believe how scared I was but also excited; shaking in my giraffe onesie as I prepared myself for the count down. 

You have no idea how hard it is to grab items and put them on and be able to move on in such a short time! It's overwhelming having so many beautiful items available and not enough time to get them all! 

This is me just after I finished; such a good look...

After the chaos of running around customers, coat hangers flying every which way, arms in one sleeve, one leg in a trouser leg, trailing behind me as I hobbled along with one high heel on to grab a handbag, I finished the sweep with £508 worth of TopShop goodies! I'm so immensely greatful and I am going to put this experience to good use! I'm intending to do not only a haul video of all the items I got at the Student Session, but also, hoping to create my first look book! These will be posted on my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/louisegraceansell 

Please check it out, the videos should be up soon! 

What I have to say is, if you've never been to a Student Session or Student Lock In at The Oracle, please go to one! As one skint person to another, these student nights are amazing! You come away with so much and it's such a laugh and a good night; definitely pop in on your bucket list and you never know, you might get picked to do a Supermarket Sweep too one day ;) 

Thanks for reading! 

-Lou- 

Happy to be alive

After 12 weeks of training, today was the day of the Reading Half Marathon! I've raised over £500 for The Duchess of Kent Hospice in memory of my grandma as they cared for her in her final days of her fight with cancer.

It was an early start, a challenge for me, but I had so much adrenaline I was able to get up in time; a miracle, I know. Had a good breakfast and got to Madejski stadium nice and early but it did take us about an hour to find the start line! But I'm very proud that I was able to run the whole time, didn't have to stop or walk, kept a good pace and finished in 2 hours, 45 minuets and 18 seconds; which is shorter than 3 hours so I'm happy!

When I finished my dad forced me to get a massage and Sue Ryder were so supportive, not just during the race, screaming "GO ON LOUISE" "DON'T GIVE UP" but before and after too! Such an emotional day.

This has been on my bucket list for a while, I've never been good at long distance, in PE at school, I was just always better at short distance. This was going to be a push and a challenge, I did it all on my own and I have to say, I'm so proud of myself and today has really made me happy. Not just for my achievement but everyone else's as well. There was fancy dress, couples crossing the line holding hands, friends and family crying, it just made me feel amazing to be alive and healthy.
If you've ever felt this way, I'd love to hear from you in comments.

What has made you proud to be alive and brought you happiness? 

Thanks for reading,

-Lou-

Forgive me.. Please?

I feel like I am not using this blog enough. I seriously need to start sticking to my new years resolution and GET OUT MORE... My life is becoming purely orientated around the carvery. It's been a bit mental but I'm training for the Reading Half Marathon too so I keep forgetting to blog... I'm sorry! I'll be better, I promise! 

Went out for a family meal today for my cousin's boyfriend, Matt's, 23rd birthday. I chose to wear my new killer heals from Miss Selfridge (my birthday present to myself..) paired with my high waisted jeans from TopShop that I got off eBay for a bargain! My top is a simple chiffon black shirt from Primark with a cute sequin collar. At the moment I've been addicted to wearing red lipstick with smoky cat-eye eye makeup and I decided to go for the sideways plat. The meal was very good, I tackled my way through 3 courses (not much of a challenge to be honest...). 

Any ways, I hope you like this outfit as much as I do; smart but casual :D 

Post soon! (Promise!!) 

-Lou-

Be my valentine ❤️

It's valentine's day and I know a lot of you are bound to be on dates today. Here are some little things I think suit valentine's day and will make you look great on your date! 

This first outfit is a cute number for a day time date. The shirt has little hearts on it (perfect for valentine's day) and a cute black bow at the neck. I've paired it with a black leather skater skirt for an edgy effect but a soft grey skater skirt would help to keep it girly and sweet. I've added my new favourite hat to this outfit, I just think it give it a little extra something :) I've chosen to wear black brogues with this but you can definitely add heals to this! And finally, my new orange satchel give an nice pop of colour to the outfit: pastel colours are go to for a sweet girly look :) 

Red is a must for Valentine's day! I recommend bright, strong red lips but golden, smoky car eyes. It helps creat an impact on your eyes appearance and the lips just pop and look kissable! ;D A red skater dress or one that cinches at the waist will look lush on a dinner date with your other half! 

Remember though, it's okay to be single on Valentine's day. Organise a girls night out or a shopping trip! Look amazing, feel good and just be happy. Valentine's day is about love; whether that be friends, family or partners, so enjoy it! 

Thanks for reading :) 

-Lou- 

Hat- Topshop 

Shirt- Primark

Skirt- Miss Selfridge 

Tights- Primark 

Brogues- Primark 

Satchel- Topshop 

Have a fashionable Christmas!

Christmas is fast approaching. And then it's New Year's Eve! There will be family dos, work dos... So many chances to dress up and lots of outfits to plan! It can get very expensive this time of year. After you've got the presents, how are you expects to look amazing when you're completely skint! (Even worse if you're a student!) 

Well, a sullotion could be the Fashionably Skint app! Ideal for this time of year. You can't wear the same dress more than once to all these parties! So why not borrow one from a fell skint girlfriend?

Easy and free unlimited wardrobe; what more could you want? 

If you're struggling for ideas her are some of the outfit I'll be wearing; 

Of course we've got the cute and cheesey Christmas jumper! I got this from Primark for about £10 and love it! So cute and great for a festive casual lunch or meet up! I have loads more jumpers to as I always borrow my mum's Christmas jumpers too! 

This time of year also means I'm breaking out the Christmas socks too! These were a gift for me from a friend last year; found in TopShop. A simple way to bring the holidays to your outfit. 

I also got these cute pj bottoms from Primark, ready for Christmas morning when I give my family their presents :) till now I've been borrowing my friends pj bottoms similar to this cause I loved them so much I'd steal them at sleepovers! 

This is literally my new favourite top from Topshop. It cost me about £50 but if I could have borrowed it from a friend on the Fashionably skit app, that money could have gone towards more presents! It's perfect for a pub or going for some drinks, depending on how you accessories it. 

This gorgeous sequin skirt was a bargain! I got it for £10 at Clothes Show Live this year and I'm thinking I'll save it for a Christmas work do or a dinner. Very festive and girly! I think I will borrow a black top from my friend for this outfit; save myself a bit of money! 

Those are just some ideas, I will post what I decide to wear on these events over Christmas! Happy Holidays everyone! Thanks for reading 

-Lou-  

Clothes Show Live

I love this outfit; comfy yet totally on trend

My goodies!

Well, it's been a week since I went to clothes show and I just had to tell you guys about everything I bought and saw! 

For starters, my outfit I chose was some light blue denim, high waisted jeans, paired with an oversized top that I got from a charity shop for £1 (bargain, right!) with a vintage chunky patterned, oversized cardigan I got from eBay. I had my creepers, my bowler hat and my furry brown handbag, perfect for autum and winter outfits. The final touch was my white frilly socks to bring some girliness to the outfit. 

I got a huge bundle of items, I got goodie bags from Rimmel London and Barry M, found myself a gorgeous gold sequin skirt which I will talk about more in my next post, a floral print, fitted Amy Childs dress and a vintage silk blouse. I can't wait to pair the blouse with jeans and my bowler hat with my trusty creepers for a grungy look! I also was convinces to get some cute colourful heels as there were only £5! But they really are super cute and will brighten up plain outfits. 

Going back to the makeup side, I got a starter kit from bareMinerals which is fantastic when on, feels like you have no make up on but makes a huge difference to skin appearance. I also got a HUGE hair bun that I will likely use soon to show how big it truly is! It's from the Lauren's Way range and gives a Audry Hepburn inspired look which looks great on those who can pull it off! I got some nail art kits from Ciaté which came with jewels, caviar kit, felt to make velvet nails and plain polishes; perfect for Christmas or any parties! 

Sorry for not posting often but I will be posting again soon! I promise! 

Thanks for reading!

Hat- Similar- http://tinyurl.com/oqel9nv

Cardigan- Similar- http://tinyurl.com/l6cpq8z

Jeans- Topshop- http://tinyurl.com/nex6fk6

Top- Similar- http://tinyurl.com/pf9w7xs

Creepers- Similar- http://tinyurl.com/pfcv27s

Socks- Topshop- http://tinyurl.com/obnzt69

Handbag- Similar- http://tinyurl.com/na3cz4e

-Lou-