Top 5: Online Stores

These days, online shopping is becoming a popular thing to do. It's convenient, sometimes cheaper, and means I can sit in bed and browse the internet. This weeks Top 5 are my top online stores at the moment. Although I haven't actually purchased anything from a few of them, I love being able to look at all the goodies I dream of having. Maybe you'd like to check these out next time you need a browse. Hope you enjoy xx

1. ASOS

ASOS is the UK's largest online fashion store and you will find anything and everything on ASOS. They have a huge range of men and women's fashion depending on what you like. They have the best sale items and I've bought a few bits and pieces off here recently. It's often a bit hit and miss with the sizing but if you had the patience, you could buy something off here, then take it to someone who will resize it for you! Best of all? Free shipping to New Zealand. What a deal!

2. Trade Me (Does this count?)

Ok so, it's an online auction site, but that still counts as shopping doesn't it? If your not from New Zealand, Trade Me is pretty much like Ebay or any of those sites where people sell their stuff. We've had to buy a few new bits and pieces for our flat and this has been the place to go. Two cream couches for $20. What a steal. 

3. Redcurrent

If you're a sucker for homewares and gifts, this website will keep you for hours. Redcurrent is a New Zealand store which has everything from gifts and home decor to clothing for babies! Although I haven't yet purchased anything from here, window shopping keeps me happy anyway!

4. Cotton On

Yes we have a Cotton On in Hamilton, but the one with the Typo bits and pieces isn't exactly on my doorstep, so this is the perfect place to window shop, then maybe go and purchase. This site is based in Australia so anything you do buy will cost an extra $20 postage, but sometime's it's worth it. 

5. Little Paper Lane

I recently found Little Paper Lane on Fat Mum Slims blog. If you live in Australia - you definitely have to check this out! The cutest store that sells invites, stationary, diaries, notebooks, the list goes on! It's times like these that I wish I could be older and getting married. One day. I'm not 100% sure how much shipping to New Zealand will cost, but when I decide I need/want something off here, I'll let you know! 

Those are a few of my favourite places to browse and sometimes shop, check them out oxo

Top 5: Things I Love

When in need of blog inspiration, I pop over to Fat Mum Slim's blog (Chantelle Ellem - Australian blogger who I've mentioned before) and see what she's been up to. She blogs a lot about food and recipes, and although I love food and cooking, because I'm on a student budget, I don't bake that often, and if there is baking in my flat, it's gone within a day. You may see a few recipes here and there (mums famous aioli which is here) but I'm going to start something called "Top 5." 

Once in a while, I'll do my top 5 on different things. Could be my top 5 movies, top 5 songs, top 5 shops, you get my drift. So todays "top 5" is things I love. Read on and you'll get a bit of an idea of what I love at the moment. 

One. Polka dots. 

How could you not? Anyone who knows me, knows I am obsessed with polka dots. Mainly red and white, but polka dots are polka dots. A lot of what I own is polka dots, including the cutlery in our flat, as well as half my wardrobe. I think I got the polka dot bug from my darling mother though, it's contagious. 

Two. #YOLO

Yes, I know it's overused and everyone is sick of it. But seriously, whoever came up with this saying had it all sorted. You do only live once, and although it shouldn't be an excuse to do anything silly, I think it's quite a relevant saying. Apologies to you if you don't. I may have even bought these wall letters the other day, but don't tell anyone. Yolo. 

Three. Typo

If you haven't heard of Typo, where have you been living? The perfect place for stationary, room decorations, calendars, the list goes on. Typo has finally made it to Hamilton's Cotton On store which I am so happy about, cos before this I would just get Typo things for pressies or I'd buy from Australia. So wooohoo Hamilton, wooohoo Typo. My lanterns, bunting and my yolo hashtag letters are all purchased from Typo, and it's not to spensy either which makes it so worthwhile. 

Four. Chuck Taylors

A must have for the wardrobe, Chucks are the perfect shoe to wear with anything, anywhere. I've had one pair of black chucks for the last year or so, but I decided I deserved new ones so these are my new babies. So comfy yet they don't look too bad either. 

Five. We Heart It. 

One of my favourite online photo sharing websites. Most of the photos I use are from we heart it. I find it easier and more simple than Tumblr and I can use tags to find photos. Whether you are looking for inspiration photos, Zac Efron photos {I have lots if you want them. What a babe.} or photos which make you want to go to the beach, you'll find it on we heart it. 

So that's my top 5 things I love right now. What are you enjoying? Summer? Holidays? Your camera? Asos? These things could be on my list next time. Til next time oxo

In other news..

There is no other news, just a title to get you excited, hope you did. Saturday night and I'm home alone cranking some school work. Had a wee/major freak out last week because I realised how many assignments I have to do, in so little time. I don't have exams {thankfully} and I do sympathize with those who have to study for those yucky things. 

One of the assignments on my "to do" list is to make a webzine {an online magazine} so it's been my task to take photos for this website, which is based on Casabella Lane. For those of you who aren't from Hamilton, Casabella is a very cute side street with lots of cute boutique shops including Redcurrent which is my absolute favourite.  

Here's a few of my photos so far with improvements still to be made. 

Enjoy your weekend! Til next time oxo

When to say, he's mine?

When you were 12, 13, 14, your friends would ask boys out for you, true? After a few days when you were over it, you'd text them to tell them it's totes over babes, and that would be that. So when we're 19, 20, 21, how does one even get to the point where that guy you've been seeing for a while, is actually your boyfriend? Two friends of mine are both in this sitch, and everyone needs some advice. Since I did the "hey i've met you once or twice, wana go out?" text..(It kind of stuck and we've been together ever since - i know, don't judge) .. I'm not exactly the best person to give advice.

There's no rules on this kind of thing is there, which sucks. But what do you do? Is it the guys responsibility to take it for the team, spoil her and ask her to be his girlfriend? Or should it be a mutual decision where you both decide that you've been on a few dates, you may or may not have stayed over a few times so could it be more than a "thing?" Or, sadly, is it when you're official on Facebook? (So sad, but so 2012.)

Personally... (Even in my lack of experience) I say it should be a mutual decision whether or not you say you're "together." If you're too nervous to bring it up with them and ask where you stand and why you're spending so much time together, maybe it's not worth it? As long as you're happy and you're having fun, then it's up to you whether or not you even have a title. So what if they aren't your usual kind of guy, change is good, and you never know what could come out of something little.

Good luck girlfriends! 
You go glen coco xx

Honestly, your life isn't that bad.

This may be a bit of a more serious post, which isn't usually me, but something has to be said. Recently, I've found myself listening or seeing people complain about the lives that they live and how everything is "just so bad." I think of myself as a reasonably positive person (usually!) and so when I hear my friends, family or acquaintances complain about the smallest of issues, it really grinds my gears. 

I get that life can be hard, but life is full of challenges (corny - I know) but sometimes we just have to pull through and be thankful for what we do have, rather than what we don't. Sometimes I just want to say to people.. Think about what you are complaining about. Are you alive and living? Do you have a roof over your head? Are you fed every day? It sometimes just takes a little nudge of reality for people to realise that they are blessed. 

I found this on we heart it the other day, and it stood out to me

This is really simple right? Yet so many people are living their lives doing things they hate. People who are just out of university are in jobs they dislike. What is the point in this? I know that in this day and age, it's hard to get a job but who is to say that you shouldn't enjoy what you do? We spend thousands on university, don't waste that. I haven't even finished my degree yet, but I know that there is no way I'll sit at a job that I don't enjoy. Life is way to short, live it well. 

This is what a tutor told me to do at the beginning of the year, and I did. Changed my major in my degree 'cos I didn't know where I was going. 

And lastly.. Some of the stuff I have seen on other blogs recently has been completely the opposite to "classy." Don't be silly on the internet, everyone can see it. Just be classy, fabulous, positive and driven and I'm sure you'll live a much happier life. 

Sorry about the wee rant that I went on, some people just need to look at their lives and be grateful for what they have been blessed with. 

So why don't you just take a step back, look at your life, and how lucky you are to have it? Pretty good isn't it? End of rant. Hope you all had a beautiful weekend, love x