INK

I've never really been a fan of tattoos. I've been brought up to think they're tacky and 'imagine how they'll look when you're all old and wrinkly'. They've never really been of interest to me, on others and definitely not on me. My parents don't have, and have never liked tattoos so I guess that's where I got my initial perception from.

source : pinterest

But I've decided I want tattoos, and I'm actually going for a consultation next week. I don't  want to be covered, it wouldn't suit me at all. Small/medium ones. Or big ones, but just one or two. I think the change of heart is due to a few things.

My change in taste and style over time. In school I was all about the pretty/girly style; the polka dots, bright colours and endless Cath Kidston-style prints. I used to think wearing a plain top looked boring, but now it's what I love. I also wouldn't dream of wearing all-black outfits. How boring, bring out the mint green polka-dot. I now see simplicity in style something which can be exciting by how you pair it with things and wear it, adapting it to your own tastes and style. I've learnt a good few basic pieces are essential, and just easy to wear. I blame my change in style on my age, and things around me like my peers, and it may sound odd, but largely the internet. Social media, and being introduced to the blogging world has given me inspiration to just wear it if I like it.

Now, instead of seeing tattoos as tacky or distasteful like when I was younger, I see them as works of art which explicitly express your tastes, loves and interests.  I've been looking at simple, outline tattoos of things I think I won't get bored of. Roses are a cliché design for a female but I love them. I've found so much inspiration from Instagram accounts and done a ton of research for nearby tattoo artists who's work I love.

I've landed on a simple line tattoo of a rose, which I hope for the artist to maybe tweak into his own style and incorporate a bit of dotwork as I absolutely adore it. I plan on getting it done on my side/ribs, yes risky as it's supposed to be a painful area but it's not going to be very big.

So yeah, there's just my recent thoughts on tattoos blurted onto the internet. I want to know other's view on tattoos...love or hate them? have them? don't want or want them?

Have a look at my Tattoo pinterest board here and the specific ideas for my first on this

college bag contents

I've recently started my A Level courses at a sixth-form college and thought I'd share what I carry around with me. A slightly overdue What's In My School Bag?...

Bag // My bag (top left) is a black and white backpack from Topshop, which I bought last year from ASOS Marketplace and I love it. It can fit so much in and goes with everything.

Stationary // I have some stuff from my recent stationary haul in my bag, including the 5 Subject Notebook from Tiger, which I use everyday to write notes, as well as my smaller, geometric pattern notebook from Homesense. A pencil case is obviously a must, filled with pens, pencils and highlighters - mine is from H&M.

Beauty // I take a small makeup bag to school for touch-ups once or twice throughout the day, I tend to take a mattifying powder (Maybelline Matte Maker) and face brush (e.l.f. Complexion Brush) , a concealer (Collection Lasting Perfection), eyeliner (Rimmel Scanaleyes Master Precise), compact mirror, and the lip colour I'm wearing that day, I also take a small purse with essentials like hand sanitiser, paracetamol for the occasional headache, plasters, and hand-cream. I also bring some scrunchies and hair-clips incase I'm feeling a mid-day hairstyle change...rare but potential. Lastly for beauty, a deodorant (for obvious reasons), and a small Benefit perfume.

Other bits // I wear glasses for long-distance reading, and mine are THE SMA from Cheap Monday. I also carry my purse which contains money and my student ID, and lastly, my earphones. I also forgot to include my phone - which is a white iPhone 5c - and my house keys in the photo.

So there's a snoop into my college bag. 

Are you back at school/college/uni? What do you carry around?

stationary shoppin' // back to school

In just over a week, I start at a sixth form college to begin my 2 year A Level courses *shudders with fear*. But of course, with the nerves, there's excitement to meet new people AND an excuse to buy pretty new stationary. I thought I'd share what I picked up.

Tiger // ah, the amazing store that is Tiger, filled with the most random things that you definitely don't need, but somehow want (like a tea-towell with a print of french fries or an alarm clock with a propeller which flies across your room as it goes off...had way too much fun playing with it when I was in there) From Tiger I picked up the brown A5 notebook with blue stripe for £1, and I use this as my blogging notebook as I find it so much easier to manage when everything is written down. I also picked up the A4 5 Subject Notebook which was £4, as it's perfect for college, as I'm taking four subjects, and I'll use the spare section for rough notes or drafts. Finally I picked up some post-it notes for a pound which will always come in handy, for both blogging and school-work.

Homesense // I never knew how much stationary was sold in Homesense until I had a snoop around there last week. I saw this orange and grey chevron-print magazine file and loved it. It cost me £3.99 and I think it's perfect for organizing my school work at home. I also picked up this geometric patterned A5 notebook for £3 in the clearance section which I love. It has different coloured sections and will again be perfect for jotting down notes for college.

H&M // finally, I picked this aztec pencil case up from H&M which I spotted at the till when paying for something else. It's the perfect size for various pens and high-lighters and was only £1.99.

Are you going back to school or starting college/university?

And are you as over-excited about pretty stationary as me...?

the british tag

photo // my instagram

After seeing the beautiful Sammi from beautycrush do this on Youtube, I loved the idea of it and thought it'd be fun to do!

1. How many cups of tea do you have a day? + How many sugars?
I normally have 2-4 cups a day depending on what I'm doing. I always have one with my breakfast, and more often than not in the evening too if I'm having a night in. I have 2 sweeteners with my tea, I tell myself they're the healthier option but having two kind of defeats the object...

2. Favourite part of your roast?
Yorkshire puddings are life.


3. Favourite dunking biscuit?
hmmmm so difficult! Think my two favourites are ginger biscuits or milk chocolate digestives...soooo yummy.


4. Favourite quintessentially British pastime?
I live in Cambridge so my 'quintessentially Cambridge-ish' pastime is biking everywhere as the city is known for having so many bikes...believe me there are loads everywhere you go! British overall?...probably eating crumpets because I love them...and hot crossed buns.

5. Favourite word?
I love the word 'bloody' so much haha! Like 'I bloody love them' etc. makes me chuckle.


6. Cockney rhyme slang?
I don't use it, and only know the standard 'apples and pears'...


7. Favourite sweet/ chocolate?
I really like the 'Teeth and Lips' supermarkets sell under their own brand and have done since I was little..they're so nice! I also love milk bottles and the sherbet flying saucers.

8. What would your pub be called?
No clue...haha I have no pets or anything to name it after and just my name sounds abit crappy...


9. No.1 British person
I can't just choose one...
I have a huge amount of love for Ed Sheeran - so talented. Also Tom Fletcher from Mcfly is a brilliant man. I also love comedians like David Walliams - hilarious guy. And of course the Queen.... and Prince Harry


10. Favourite shop / restaurant?
My favourite shop is Forever 21, which is American I think haha! British wise, I really like H&M and Miss Selfridge, and Pull&Bear but I don't think that's british. My favourite food places are probably Nandos and Millie's Cookies...the cookie shakes are heavenly.


11. What British song pops into your head?
Something Spice Girls...'Spice Up Your Life' is a goodun. Ellie Goulding also popped into my head, seems very british.


12. Marmite?
Nooo, hate the stuff.

I tag anyone else to do this !

the beginning | lauramaexo

Hello!

Welcome to my self-titled blog, which I thought I'd tell you (there probably isn't many of 'you' at this point haha...with time, with time!) a bit about...

My name is Laura, I am sixteen years old and live in the UK. I am heavily inspired by bloggers and after a year on a collab blog Hooked On Beauty, I've decided to set up a little space on the internet of my own. I'll still be posting on there occasionally, but this blog is my new project which will receive the most love! (posts from my friends will still be going up so definitely give it a follow!)

As this is all new, I thought I'd give you the run-down on me, and this new blog...

- I love all kinds of make-up and have a shameless growing collection...I blame the beauty community of blogs and youtube entirely haha!

- I also love fashion and style - anything mint green with lace is immediately grabbed, bought and worn...that also goes for floaty shirts and white converse.

-I post way too many pointless selfies and pictures on Instagram, (which you can follow here...sneaky plug)

-Commercial dance is one of my hobbies, and my real, deep-down ambition is to be a ballet dancer but I've accepted I'm definitely no-where-near graceful enough haha!

-I have a guilty pleasure for Mcfly and have been a fan since I was about eight...no shame

-I have a really sweet tooth...sugary sweets, berries and fizzy drinks are kind-of the best foods ever.

-I'm about to start my first year of college/sixth form to study Sociology, Geography, English Language and Photography...and hoping to go into a career of journalism in the beauty and fashion department...maybe...who knows?!

-I'm terrible at saving money...every pay-day I make a list of all the over-priced make-up items I want to buy, and tell myself I'll save next month...

So there were some random and probably un-necessary facts...if you're still with me I'm hoping you're interested in following me on this new project, where I'll be posting beauty, fashion and the occasional rambly post (kind of like this...), on a weekly basis.

Who's with me?
Watch this space...