Making Friends is easy but still requires effort
A lot of people will say ‘Oh, you’ll make lots of friends at Uni’ and they’re not wrong, they just missed out a vital part. Making friends doesn’t happen if you stand still - to be brutally honest, you have to put some work into it to get things back. But, don’t worry, I’m not telling you you need to train day-in-day-out on how to greet people properly, I’m saying you need to engage with people and make sure that you come across as an approachable person or even human. This included getting into group chat for, say, your course mates; inviting flatmates over for food; going along to social events, and even having a go at the karaoke night. It might seem painstaking, you might feel completely intimidated by those 3rd years in the society meetings (which, by the way, is how everyone else feels) but in these first few weeks, you have nothing to lose. Get yourself out there, step out of your comfort zone, and be the best version of you that there possibly is.
Revise from Day 1
I said this about college and now I’m here saying it about Uni; this time, though, I mean it. No matter what kind of course you’re studying on, whether it is coursework or exam based, revise from the moment you start. It may seem insignificant now, but when it comes to exams, you will hate yourself for losing that piece of information or having not written down the necessary notes. In general, just be organised and make life so much easier for your future self.
You’re an investor in a business, so get back your worth
When I started working for the Uni a few months into my 1st year, my previous naivety quickly began to wear off and I started realising that Universities are a business; a money-making scheme. I have previously discussed on here how I strongly believe that certain courses should not be worth the £9K that is required in comparison to some more costly courses. In a way, though, I think a lot of people would be able to use this information as they head into Uni (no matter which year you’re entering) as an advantage. Don’t sit and struggle in silence; as for things from your lecturers, attend the extracurricular lectures, use the library computers, their software, etc. do everything you possibly can to gain back your worth as an investor in their business. After all, you are paying for this, so it’s time to get your own back.
If you’re starting University this year, heading back into your next year, or even just thinking about applying for Uni, make sure to remember that it is a unique and excellent experience and, in more ways than one, and excellent learning chapter.
Never in a million years did I think I'd be the kind of girl to enjoy wearing false lashes. I've always had delicate, sensitive and all-round problematic eyes, so some eyeshadow and mascara were often enough. Not until one day I went out on a whim, bought some lashes, and then completely fell in love with them.
Admittedly, I'm still a beginner myself and, if I'm honest, I think everyone attempting to put false lashes on is just winging it. There's no definitive order of how to put them on, no rules on how to wear them, and no rules for when and where. I do, however, believe that there are a few key ingredients for making sure that you are pushing off the right foot when starting your first false lash escapades.
What you'll need:
- Lashes. Of course, you are going to want to find the best lashes suitable for you and, while you can pop into town in the likes of Boots, Superdrug, or even Primark, there are great places such as FalseEyelashes.co.uk which offer an extensive, organised range of lashes as well as free delivery! I ordered a set from here in the sale and will definitely go back because of how easy it was with them.
- Glue. Of course, there are lots of different types of glue because nothing is ever simple. There are dark glues, clear glues, brush-on glues, dab-on glues, quick-set, latex-free, aloe vera, rosewater, waterproof, and sensitive glues. Oh, and that's probably only to name a few. If you're new to the lash world, don't be overwhelmed by it - a lot of it won't matter to you but it is going to pretty important that you carefully check whichever glue you choose to use before going on your big night out, ust to check for sensitivities.
- Scissors. This was one of the main mistakes I made when wearing lashes one of the first times, I didn't cut them enough. Now, it may seem like a shame when you are cutting a chunk, sometimes a full quarter, of your lash strip away, but it's vital to remember that these strips are made to be extra long and designed to be cut to size. Some lashes you may not have to cut because they might just suit your eye shape, but a lot of the fuller styles will need to be chopped in order to sit better above your lashes.
- A steady hand. While I do like to use regular tweezers to get mine right in place, you really only need to stand at a mirror with a steady hand in order to get your lashes on. If you don't feel like you'd be able to stick them in the right place, don't worry, a regular pair flat tweezers will help get that little bit closer. Also, don't forget to lightly press your own lashes and false lashes together for some extra security.
What you WON'T need:
Just like everything else, there are a few things on the market that can be deemed just unnecessary. Some including:
- Eyelash tweezers. Following on from my previous point, you may have seen the funny looking hammer-head tweezers swimming around the lash world and, in my opinion, they just aren't necessary. Of course, if you get them as a gift or they are included in your packet of lashes, go ahead and give them a whirl but, if you're looking to start wearing lashes on a budget, don't fork out the extra money for something that can so easily be replaced by simple flat tweezers.
- Individual Lashes. When just starting out don't attempt the extremely intricate job of individual lashes. As you can imagine, they include a lot of concentration and skill so maybe don't try this on your very first shot.
- Preglued lashes. Another lash type that I would deem unnecessary for beginners would be pre-glued lashes. There really isn't much point in paying for the glue to be on your lashes when A) glueing them is the easiest part and, B) all lashes already have an existing layer of glue in order to stay in the packet. You really aren't going to go wrong on the glueing part so try spending the extra pennies a bit more wisely.
- A lottery win. You don't have to sell your arm and leg to buy lashes. As I mentioned before, FalseEyelashes.co.uk and the likes of beauty outlet stores mean you can find some fantastic offers. My 5 set of Lashes from The Vintage Cosmetic Company on False Eyelashes came to just over £7! That makes each set of strips just over £1 each, AND they're reusable. If you're just starting out and don't want to break the bank before deciding if you even like wearing lashes, make sure to shop around first.
What would your top tips be for false lash beginners?
"Don't wait until you've reached your goal to be proud of yourself. Be proud of every step you take toward reaching that goal"
1. Enjoying a night out
I reckon if you met me, it would only take one of my Dad Jokes for you to realise that I'm no cool kid. And when I say I've been recently been enjoying a night out, I still have no shame in telling you that most of the time it doesn't stretch out any longer than 2am, at best. Nevertheless, I'm always up for so many more events now than I was a year ago, whether it's day drinking, nightclubbing, or parties - I'm a lot happier with how these things go now and, to be honest, have my fabulous friends to thank for that.
2. Going to blogger events
As well as my own personal events, I've been extremely lucky enough to be invited to quite a few Blogger/VIP Events lately courtesy of this little site and that Instagram page of mine. Seeing as though it's around a year ago since I went to my first blogger events, I'm delighted at how often I get to attend these events now. I have to agree, living in Newcastle is the key for me. Being from a village at home, I was never able or even considered for such events, but now I have so much more on my doorstep and I'm so grateful for that.
Wow, I didn't think I'd be saying this ever in a million year but I'm officially one of those girls who goes out wearing false lashes. I've always not been very risky with make-up and stayed safe with things but, once I started going wild and trying more adventurous eyeshadow looks (I know, hold me back right now), I decided it was worth jumping on the lash bandwagon too. And. I. Love. Them. I have naturally very straight and stumpy lashes so to be able to leave the house feeling like I have feathers on my eyes is fabulous.
4. Not underselling myself
Speaking of taking risks, when it comes to my content, I've recently been asking for budgets and not being scared to ask for the credit that I deserve. So far, I've experienced a few little knockbacks (expected) but, in some cases, been pleasantly surprised. It is a relief to finally be earning from my passion and, with what I do earn, be able to put more effort and care into my content.
5. Growing
Admittedly, this may be jinxing things but my blog and Instagram has been growing pretty healthily recently and I am so, so proud of that. I surpassed 1.5k on Instagram and it actually didn't fluctuate back down as it usually would. I have managed to post blog and insta posts pretty consistently, and feel good about the content that I'm sharing and I'm just generally having a good time with it all. There's something so fulfilling about putting effort into something and getting the feedback and results that I'm hoping for.
What are you proud of right now?
I had no idea what to expect upon my invite to visit Eden on their launch night. I knew that it was a replacement of the old night club, Tiger Tiger, but was a little bit confused by the way it was also advertising brunch. This only made me more eager to take a look around and, once my friends and I were through the door, it all began to make sense. The new Eden venue is a replacement of Newcastle's notorious Tiger Tiger, now with an elegant botanical theme, up to date vibes, and everything that a night out could ask for, all under one roof. So, here's what you need to know.
What's there?
Starting from the bottom, as soon as you walk in you are enticed by the botanical theme; flower walls, punny neon signs, and botanical wallpaper; the Garden of Eden theme is completely floor to ceiling. There are two entrances, the door on the left brings you into the bar area (which eventually leads through the restaurant at the back) and the door on the right is an entrance to the stairs, leading up to the clubrooms.
Upon entering the bar, they pride themselves on their very luxurious gin bar, fully equipped with efficient staff members and what feels like an endless drinks menu. There are plenty of places to sit and enjoy your drinks, from booths hidden away in private corners, to tables centred around very flamboyant trees.
Through the bar and into the restaurant, there is plenty of seating (again with a variety of different dining setups), each table laced with more botany vibes and crystal wine glasses all flickering in the light of the open kitchen and pizza oven.
On the first floor, I was surprised to find out how much I loved karaoke! You can hire out rooms for you and friends for as little as £5 an hour with pretty much any music you could ask for and on-hand drinks service at the push of a button.
Finally, the top floor is home to 3 new clubrooms. The first is my favourite, Genesis, which is the cheesiest, most extravagant mix of light up dancefloors, glitter balls, and 80s hits. With a huge window watching over Newgate Street, it looks fantastic at night. Through another door is the smallest club room, Forbidden, serving the R&B lovers, and finally, the main room is a new, open-plan venue that will host DJs and event, Hedonist.
The Food and Drink
While the place radiates such a luxurious vibe, you'll be pleasantly surprised to find out that the food is excellent value. At £9.50 for a 2-foot-long pizza that is so big, it's ideal for sharing, you really can't go wrong. My friends and I devoured 2 of these huge pizzas, as well as their tasty chunky 'Cheeky Eden Chips' and we have all already vowed to head back asap to get more of that delicious dough.
You will have definitely guessed by now what the theme is for the cocktail menu?! You got it - Floral. But fear not, the classics are all still listed there too, but you have to try their stunningly unique cocktail mixtures, mostly themed around botanicals. I recommend 'Petals & Peaches' and 'Le Bouquet'.
But wait, it might all sound to good to be true, but one of my favourite things is the happy hour between 5-9pm EVERY DAY! That's half-price drinks for 4 sweet hours. Not to mention their fizz Friday's, packages and masterclasses.
Upstairs...
As I previously mentioned, there are fabulously entertaining karaoke rooms on the first level which are available for booking. On the busy launch night, we did manage to get a booth on a walk-in basis, having to only wait around 10 minutes but I reckon the short wait really can't be guaranteed (especially because the sing-a-long is so addictive you will all want to stay in their forever).
Moving onto the rooms, I believe they've all just had a lick of the Eden theme, cleaner spaces, with more up-to-date decor, but still completely remain as a true geordie venue. If you're their on a weekend (or even the launch night) you'll still see the results of someone taking advantage of those happy hours or someone who won't stop singing even outside of the karaoke room. Nevertheless, it's great fun, a stylish nightclub, with the Geordie cherry on top.
I adore finding new, exciting places in Newcastle and I'm delighted that Eden has graced the toon', bringing with it what it has to offer but welcoming our culture with open arms. I already can't wait to visit again soon.
Have you visited Eden yet?
Having only opened in April, and being York's very first cat cafe, I definitely had to visit. When planning a trip to York with friends, we all instantly knew that The Cat's Whiskers would be on our list of things to do (amongst drinking cocktails). Obviously, being full of cats and cake meant that it was always going to be great but there are a few things that made this particular cat cafe stand out as one of my favourites.
The Atmosphere
So, here's how it works - you go into the introduction room first of all to confirm your booking, and you're given a little clipboard for any food orders to be noted on by staff. Once you've been let through the next door, you're onto the ground floor seating area with all the cats, but the feline friends don't stop there, there is also an upstairs with 2 more rooms of seating. As we went as a group of 5, we filled one of the upstairs rooms (after being advised that many of the cats were currently up there by one of the many lovely staff members).
The place was peppered with people all around, not too busy but a lot of the seats were taken up. I think it's always important that they don't overcrowd these places; for the cats and the guests. You're free to walk around anywhere, but I do certainly recommend getting there nice and early in order to ensure you get your favourite seat.
After petting cats till our hands were hairy and eating lots of delicious cake, we all sat back on our seats, classical music in the background, playing Cat Bingo. The staff were always happy to drop past and give us some facts about the cats wandering around us, or help us in any way we needed.
The Cats
In the area that we were sat in, it had already been claimed by Sprout (above) and Olaf (last image). Sprout was a huge, playful cat who laid splayed in front of the air conditioning unit but still seemed happy to play and amuse us all. Olaf, on the other hand, was a lot calmer and would slowly walk amongst the chairs to find a new spot to sunbathe in. He and his brother, Snowy (first image) are both deaf, meaning they have adorably loud meows that can be heard from anywhere in the cafe.
As well as those 3 cats, we had visits from the huge tom-cat, Bear. He was once living rough and looks like a guy who has been through quite a lot but now seems so relaxed in a place where he is very loved. Then there was the oldest girl, Coco, who was previously used for breeding and went through a stressful time but is now thriving and living her best life.
It's always wonderful to hear how these cats have been rescued and brought back around to a life they deserve. Going from living on the streets to being able to relax on whichever shelf, cat bed or cushion they wish - it's lovely that this cat cafe is doing their bit for the cats of York.
The Food
Obviously, I chose Red Velvet cake and it was one hefty slice. Luckily, Jamie and I shared our piece of cake so didn't end up overdoing the sweet tooth. My friends opted for the Gluten-Free Lemon and Poppy Seed cake which I hear was also delicious (and also hefty). Their cakes are made and sourced locally and there are great efforts to include an inclusive variety of options on the menu.
For drinks, a few of us opted for a simple lemonade because anything cold was amazing on a warm day. I can imagine if it was a cold winter's day we'd all have gone for a cuppa or a latte with our cakes because the coffees did look really good.
Unfortunately, the cafe does just serve sweet treats at the moment, so I wouldn't recommend going in expecting your lunch but, at the end of the day, we really just go for the cats.
Overall, a brilliant experience and this stands out as one of the best cat cafes I've visited because of the great size of the place and just how perfectly it fits into the York culture. Amongst the hustle of the shambles, it's lovely to take a break with some furry friends.
Which cat cafe is your favourite?
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