As I sit at my desk in my childhood bedroom with a cup of tea at hand, I still cannot believe that I have already been at university for a month, for I sometimes wonder if I'm even at university at all. This year has been defined by one defeating announcement after another, from that of a national lockdown to the cancellation of exams, and Zoom university fits right into the mix. It hasn't been all doom and gloom, don't get me wrong, but the experience could in many ways not be more different to that of my older peers. For that, I've decided to write a little post both entailing where I've been during this one-month hiatus and what this new experience has been like from the perspective of a first-year student. I hope you are all doing well and, as per usual, leave any thoughts in the comments below.
G x

Whether we like it or not, the clothes that we wear every day have the potential to say an awful lot about ourselves. I have always been one to embrace this and so when I had a little clear out a couple of weeks ago, I couldn't help but think that my clothes no longer represented the person that I am today: it was time for change. More specifically, it was time for a change that would be both sustainable for the planet and for my pocket. That brings me to today's post: a compilation of my treasure hunt finds. Above all, I hope this post busts a few old myths about second-hand shopping and encourages you to give it a go if you haven't already - I promise you won't be disappointed! As always, leave me any thoughts in the comments below.
​G x 

Well isn't this a trip down memory lane? Those that have been here a while will know that - while a fashion post is now probably one of the last things that you would expect to see on this blog - I was quite fond of the odd fashion post a couple of years ago. Don't get me wrong, my utter adoration for clothing as a means of expression has not once disappeared in that time; fashion was simply an interest I felt somewhat misplaced to talk about. Having realised that you do not need to be some sort of expert to speak about a subject you are passionate about, I am back to present you with a Style Forecast for this season. From knitted vests to faux-leather shirt jackets, there really is something for everybody this season! As usual, do let me know of any thoughts in the comments below and I hope you enjoy this post.
​G x

​As much as I enjoy picking up a good book, I will be the first to say that I am not the biggest reader. Despite frequently setting myself the goal of reading more frequently, there was always something that came up which distracted me from this mission. This, of course, all changed once my sixth-month long holiday began and I had a little bit more time on my hands - particularly during August. For that, I wanted to share some of the books that I have been reading recently and give you a couple of recommendations from an average person's perspective. I do hope you enjoy this post and, as always, be sure to leave me your thoughts in the comments section below.
​G x 

Let's take our minds back a decade to 2010; you've just arrived at your dentists for a check-up and, as always, things are looking a little busy and you may have to wait a little longer than you anticipated. Nowadays, you're likely to use the time to catch up on your socials but let's not forget that, at this moment in time, smartphones were only just beginning to disrupt the market. So what do you do now? Well, what better way to pass the time than to grab something from the little table in the corner - you know, the one that's overflowing with magazines such as Hello and Now? You see, whether you love them or hate them, the gossip magazine was the pinnacle image of the 2000s. In a quick turn of events, however, the sound of crickets can be heard emanating from the very Tesco shelves these magazines were bought from. That leads me to the question, has 2020 finally marked the end of the gossip magazine? 

To say that the last couple of days have been manic would be a great understatement; from last-minute changes to the A-Level appeal system to the UCAS website crashing at 8am yesterday, it is as if the universe wished for every A-Level student alike to be left on tenterhooks. As it turns out, I will be going to university after all this year and had a pleasant surprise in store for me on opening my results - not bad! Now that the celebrations are over, it's time to think about what's next and I thought it would be a perfect time to share what I'm doing to prepare with you today. If you too received results yesterday, or are receiving them next week, I truly hope you get the grades you deserve. In saying that, don't forget that your grades do not form your entire identity - particularly this year when it seems to be a lucky dip of sorts. There are always alternatives and I am a great believer of the phrase "rejection is redirection". Nevertheless, let's dive straight into this post!
​G x 

It's been a while hasn't it? It's no secret that many of us have felt our lives resume to their usual what feels like hundred miles per hour speed since the easing of lockdown here in England, myself included. Following my switch to more analytical and informative content, I'm not overly sure as to how many people are still interested in posts like these. That being said, it's a bit like grabbing a coffee with a friend and talking about both nothing and everything at the same time; we all like a casual catch-up every now and then, am I right? However, before we can dive into this catch-up, I wanted to draw your attention to the explosion that recently took place in the Lebanese capital of Beirut. This recent explosion has left many dead, injured or homeless and has caused a devastating impact, adding to the strain of an economic crisis and a global pandemic. If you can donate, I urge you to do so (you can find some suggested organisations here) and if not, have a look at this Instagram graphic to understand the deep-rooted nature of the matter. Thank you.
​G x 

'Cancel Culture': a twenty-first century social media phenomenon seeking the mass boycott of public figures or companies following "objectionable or offensive" actions (Dictionary.com). Born on and popularised by Black Twitter in the mid-2010s, 'Cancel Culture' aims to hold those in positions of power accountable for their misdemeanours - predominantly acts of discrimination and racism - by taking away their public platform. In lieu of recent events, what with some of YouTube's largest creators having some rather questionable remarks dug up and laid bare for all to see, I thought now would be a more pertinent time than ever before to ask ourselves just how effective 'Cancel Culture' is. 

Sixth Form: two words that quite possibly evoke the entire spectrum of human emotions. As I begin to reflect on the wild and eventful rollercoaster ride that was my A-Level experience, I thought it may be worth compiling a few things that I wish had known prior to starting the journey - for I know that I was Googling left, right and centre for any more information to squeeze out on the topic! Today, I would suggest taking a look at the challenges faced by Indigenous people in Latin America - I found this documentary by The New York Times particularly fascinating. 
G x

Those that know me personally will know that I have been going a little Depop/eBay crazy as of late, having both a large clear-out of my own as well as finding a few unique pieces to add to my wardrobe. Admittedly, I'm no professional when it comes to these two platforms but, what with business gaining a fair amount of traction at the moment, I thought it may be helpful to compile a few tips from an average Sally's perspective. Today's educational recommendation is The Guardian's "Today in Focus" podcast, which can be found on Spotify. I must say, I have really been enjoying getting a concise news round-up that lends itself to discussion and debate, thinking about the wider picture than the information we receive at face-value. Without further ado, I hope you find this post informative and be sure to let me know if there is something that I have missed in the comments section below. 
G x