tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86155710504776360812024-03-14T08:53:15.534+00:00Hyper HeartMelita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615571050477636081.post-63255631178902941132013-10-20T21:08:00.000+01:002013-10-20T21:08:10.209+01:00Origins Zero Oil Deep Pore Cleanser<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Nfy_bs-r7WdZ6N5C8miaxpIPcOGgaJSE6znsrnHFX-p1Nu9qwBQTSoKtUCZtnW6FkHF-vUGIvnixc-0x55YtbxBxMXFAr2z0N_hzf6fBzsWTfjg6BgcQidE5w_dJ0vXEgec6v9zZzIV1/s1600/photo+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Nfy_bs-r7WdZ6N5C8miaxpIPcOGgaJSE6znsrnHFX-p1Nu9qwBQTSoKtUCZtnW6FkHF-vUGIvnixc-0x55YtbxBxMXFAr2z0N_hzf6fBzsWTfjg6BgcQidE5w_dJ0vXEgec6v9zZzIV1/s640/photo+(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Like many girls I am constantly striving for the perfect products to keep my skin looking healthy and breakout free. I have combination skin which tends to be dry on my forehead, oily around my nose and chin and normal on my cheeks. As someone who has, thankfully, never really suffered with particularly problematic skin I wasn't quite sure what was causing me to break out pretty consistently a couple of months ago. I think the combination of stress and working in an office which allows for no fresh air day in, day out, were to blame. Whatever it was, it's safe to say my skin hated me.<br />
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My cleanser of choice at the time just wasn't cutting the mustard and after hearing many good things about the Origins range, I thought I would treat my skin to a little TLC. At £18 a bottle, Origins Zero Oil Deep Pore Cleanser doesn't come cheap. However, for a product with natural ingredients and not the acetone-like substance you can get in a £4 Clearasil bottle, I think spending a little more is always worth it.<br />
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I have been using this cleanser now for four weeks and I am so impressed. It contains saw palmetto which is supposed to inhibit excess oil production, salycilic acid to exfoliate and unclog pores, and the added mint makes it smell so fresh. The cleanser foams up slightly as you add water and washes off easily leaving my skin free from all traces of make-up and looking brighter but not tight or stripped entirely of moisture. In terms of breakouts, it has certainly kept them at bay and I have definitely noticed an improvement in the oiliness of my skin. You only need to use pea-size amount for your whole face so it doesn't look like it will be running out any time soon. But if the effects continue to be as good as I've experienced so far, I'll almost certainly be repurchasing.Melita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615571050477636081.post-35820392737120471792013-02-12T18:52:00.000+00:002013-02-13T12:00:11.486+00:00I Could Drink a Case of You Darling, Still I'd Be On My Feet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last Monday I started my latest work experience placement with<a href="http://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/"> The Spirits Business Magazine</a> in London. As ever, first day nerves were rife but I swallowed my worries and tried to walk into their offices as confidently as I could.<br />
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This was my first bit of experience writing for a publication with a very specific target audience. The magazine focuses on all things spirits; vodka, whisky, gin, new releases, competitions, the works. What surprised me even more was that deputy editor Becky was pretty much running a one woman ship. I was told the editor contributes various pieces but overall, she was the editorial team wrapped up in one.<br />
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Teamed with the knowledge that I was their first student in for work experience the pressure was really piled on for me. I knew I had to step up to the mark and make sure that I got to grips with the publication's style and (to an extent) the spirits industry as quickly as I could. One of the first things Becky asked me on my arrival was what did I want to get out of this week? I knew the answer right away - as many bylines as possible to add to my portfolio, and that is certainly what was provided.<br />
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My first task was to compile the monthly round up of the 'top 10 spirits' featured in the previous month's publication. Now, I like a drink as much as the next person but I would by no means consider myself to know anything about spirits. Cue frantic Googling and searching their archives for any scrap of information I could lay my hands on. However, I managed to meet the deadline which I am hastily learning is crucial in this industry.<br />
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In the days to follow I was sent an abundance of press releases to write into worthy news stories, I searched the web to find new stories that had not been sent through to us and learnt the basics of photoshop. (I don't mean to brag but I'm now a dab hand at cropping photos.)<br />
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Friday was supposed to be my final day however, due to a cancelled work placement I was able to stay on for another week at the Spirits Business with the added bonus of working from home (allowing me to save some much needed pennies.) Friday afternoon certainly came with its perks including a trip to a local pub, being gifted with a bottle of vodka for my contributions to the website and a cheeky cosmopolitan in the office.<br />
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I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Spirits Business Magazine and would definitely recommend it to anybody looking to build their experience and portfolio. It was certainly challenging at times but help is provided on tap and what I have learnt over a short amount of time will undoubtedly prove useful in the long run.Melita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615571050477636081.post-18571889621326150802012-11-13T20:35:00.000+00:002012-11-13T20:35:08.013+00:00Live To Tell The Tale<div style="text-align: justify;">
The last few weeks have absolutely flown by. It is strange to think that in less than four weeks time I will have completed my course and Christmas will almost be upon us. Before I can even begin to dream about that glorious Christmas break there is a lot of work that stands in my way and I am so determined to make the most of it and achieve the results I so desperately covet.</div>
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Throwing myself into a world of fast paced learning has been such a change of life style compared to the laid back methods us university graduates have become so accustomed to. My days are jam packed with media law, public affairs, endless hours of shorthand and sub-editing. Then on top of that there's the small task of going out into the world to find real stories to be published. Every break time is filled with revision, emails and occasionally, a truly fascinating and insightful talk.</div>
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As a result the time to browse ASOS, to pick out my weekly favourites, to write about new products I have found and would love to review and to have a good ol' rant about one topic or another have become few and far between.</div>
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And truth be told, I've missed keeping up this bog. It took a lot of courage for me to publish my blog to the world and despite those who mock because they don't get it, every post I've written on here has been a pleasure to produce. Some make me question what I was thinking when I pressed 'publish' and others make me proud of how I've grown as a writer.</div>
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Everyday without fail there is a blogger who starts their post with 'sorry I haven't posted for a while.' So rather than be an apology to the 281 subscribers who have so very kindly chosen to acknowledge Hyper Heart, this post is more of a promise to put more into this blog because, actually, it may still be small in comparison to how others have grown, but I think it has done all right.</div>
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Here's a little snippet of how I've been putting my journalist skills to good use with my fellow students, enjoy!</div>
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<embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/10151306666782930" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="1" width="650" height="404"></embed></object>Melita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615571050477636081.post-86146236933606672742012-10-01T18:54:00.001+01:002012-10-01T18:54:43.839+01:00Fleet Street Fox<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Four weeks into my journalism course and it has been pretty fantastic boombastic. From shorthand to media law and court reporting to getting my first feature published in the Argus newspaper and today a talk that I had been looking forward to for quite some time from the anonymous,<a href="http://www.fleetstreetfox.com/">Fleet Street Fox</a>. Hard hitting and brutally honest, it was a talk that inspired me to no end while at the same time scared the bejesus out of me. </div>
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To be told that you will be called a liar several times a day, have countless doors slammed in your face, be the victim of the odd punch or strangulation, witness suicide, see corpses and become very accustomed to phrases involving the word 'fuck' and 'aunts' (as autocorect loves to put it) is a lot of information to absorb in 60 minutes. Oh, and did you know that when you're hit by a train at 70mph you're pretty much vaporised and all that's left are little fat droplets the size of skittles? Yeah, you might witness that too. It was at this point I realised she was not joking when she said some people's human-inhuman ratio tips over into mental illness. I think it's clear to see why. </div>
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But I also heard how writing can take you all over the world. How a 3pm phone call could see you on the next train to Edinburgh, or grabbing your passport and heading for the airport, or being on the front line of ground breaking stories, watching and telling history in the making. </div>
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How you can bring down a government, have the press office for the House of Commons or the spokesperson for the Queen on the phone in a flash. </div>
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How you will know information that you may never be able to publish due to ethical and legal reasons but you will know and more often than not you will have the power to tell. And let's not forget experimenting with jaegermeister which seems to be a fundamental journalistic skill. </div>
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People will read <i>your </i>stories, <i>your</i> words, take in the facts that <i>you</i> sourced. And that's why I'm more excited than ever about the career path laid out before me. </div>
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Now I think I'll go get some fresh air like Foxy told me. </div>
Melita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615571050477636081.post-62889502924255186562012-09-11T20:40:00.000+01:002012-09-11T20:40:12.939+01:00Strengthen Your Strengths, Weaken Your Weaknesses<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what happened when I went home for a weekend and was the only photo I had of remote relation to this post..</td></tr>
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The apology for lack of blogging never gets tiring, oh no wait, it does. However, once again life has come at me full pelt and blogging has been forced aside to make way. Last Monday I started my journalism course and with only 15 weeks to become a fully fledged journalist and an absolute tank at shorthand it has been an intense week and a half. But I bloody loves it! For months now I have been itching to get stuck in and being unemployed and out of education is the worst so I am absolutely loving having hardly a moment to spare. </div>
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Lectures are far more interactive and practical than university which is fantastic and so far we have covered lessons on Shorthand, Public Affairs, Media Law and Reporting. Not only that, but I now have my own patch of Brighton, Whitehawk and Woodingdean, to report on; I am pretty much living, breathing and dreaming journalism. No really, I am. After 7 hours of media law yesterday I dreamt about getting the word 'court' tattooed on my neck. Thankfully, I can report that my neck is tattoo free and like that it shall stay. </div>
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Today was particularly interesting as a former editor of The Daily Express took our lessons and the tales that he enthralled us with were just fascinating. I don't think that there was a single student in the room who wasn't utterly gripped by his real life accounts of the world of journalism. I look forward to meeting him again in week six and the many tales that I am certain he still has to tell. </div>
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So far, the course has not helped me to make up my mind as to whether I'd like to become a columnist, feature writer or a reporter. In fact, it has done the complete opposite and made me want to pursue each of these fields in more detail. What I have been left with is a feeling of being utterly inspired and that the hope of becoming a writer is a tangible dream. </div>
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So until I get there, I plan to abide by a little gem of wisdom that Roxanne, champion of shorthand many-a-times has said; strengthen your strengths and weaken your weaknesses. </div>
Melita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615571050477636081.post-36331964791169357912012-08-29T17:36:00.000+01:002012-08-29T22:35:28.978+01:00"Sorry Miss, But You're Overweight"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For a while now, I have been teetering dangerously (ooh er) on the edge of being a healthy weight and being, dare I say it, <i>over weight</i>. My weight has stayed steady for a couple of years now and sure there have been times when I've wished I could shed a few pounds, there have also been times when I have shed a few pounds and there have been even more times when I've put a few on. But that's how my body goes and we get through it together and carry on on our merry little way. </div>
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Until today that is when a great big, fat, over weight bomb was dropped on us, my body and I. So, this is what happened..</div>
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I went to see the nurse over a pesky cough I've had for ages and so she took my blood pressure like a good nurse should, asked me my height and to then step onto the scales. My blood pressure was fine, my height is below average but I've known this for a while and my weight...well, my weight went a little something like this:</div>
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Nurse takes weight measurement. Nurse takes BMI chart. Nurse looks at weight in correspondence to height and then looks confused. Nurse looks at me confused, wrinkles her brow, then shakes her head and looks at re-aligning her measurements on the chart again. And then comes the talk I've been waiting for, the one that I know the scales have been trying to tell me for a long while now, "For the love of God Melita, just put that doughnut down and stop stuffing your face already. Can't you feel us crumpling under your chubby, blubbery mass? Can't you see the needle spinning countless times, around and around, for crying out loud just STOP EATING! We judge you Melita, we judge you." Reality?</div>
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Nurse, "Erm, Miss Kiely, it says on this chart that you are over weight as your BMI is slightly over 25". Oh god, the words I had been dreading and preparing a speech along the lines of, 'BUT I'M ONLY A SIZE 10 AND A SIZE 8 ON A GOOD DAY, IN A GOOD SHOP! HOW CAN THIS BE?' </div>
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But I needn't have prepared such a speech because before I had the chance to exclaim such confusion and outrage she threw her chart aside and cried, "But screw the chart. I am looking at you now and you, my dear, are not over weight!" And then we laughed and did a happy dance and slagged off the ridiculous chart that claims that somebody who is a size 10 and a size 8 on a good day, in a good shop is over weight. We slammed down our fury at a chart that embeds insecurities into so many young women and men (hey boys, we know you feel it too) when it does not take into account muscle to fat ratios, whether you exercise or smoke or drink or do drugs. </div>
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And d'ya know what, I could have kissed that nurse today (Sandra, I think her name was) for throwing that chart aside and telling me to ignore it and that I was not overweight and that in fact, I was pretty damn healthy. And I could punch you in the face Mr maker of BMI charts, because fuck it; I am fine exactly how I am. </div>
Melita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615571050477636081.post-58585365585288466722012-08-28T20:02:00.002+01:002012-08-28T20:02:46.765+01:00Being A Fresher<div style="text-align: justify;">
So it is that time of year where results are in and hundreds of thousands of teenagers across the country are ticking off the days until they move out of the humble parent abode and into the magical land of halls. When I first went to university I was not at all prepared for what it would entail. I mean, I had a duvet, pots and pans and a laptop (it was a big deal in my day) but I wasn't <i>really</i> prepared for the enormity of it all.</div>
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<img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC32jQclzq07iN44BKZp9TzSRAj-9nJJJQgcIU4taVRJozvbd7ffV5kpxumtxaTZF927w354PP5VhQDar5P8Lnn9Pwvfd_MovPLKqqV8Ax5HS0_aOsc9Ny1eVmAXMbIX-6V3O3rYq9vwk2/s640/27838_392465258601_2726500_n.jpg" width="650" />I was a shy little bean when I went to uni, like, silly shy. The idea of meeting new people and having to talk to them scared the life out of me. It made me feel physically sick and as if I would burst into tears at any moment. The first few weeks at uni were a scary experience and I wish I had had the advice and encouragement to enjoy the very first experience more and not be so worried or nervous. It took me at least a month to find my feet and pluck up the courage to really embrace student life, so I am writing this post for anybody who might be as nervous as my 18 year old self was in those first few instances.</div>
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1. It is so much easier to meet and keep contacts nowadays. Facebook and Twitter alike will have countless groups, pages and events for you to join, like and interact with. You can find out who is living in your halls, when they will be moving in (I was terrified of being the only one in my house) and what events everyone is talking about for Freshers Week. Hind sight is a wonderful thing and a heads up ain't too bad either.</div>
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2. Throw yourself into EVERYTHING. Accept every invitation that comes your way, say hello to everybody that you are introduced to. Swap numbers, go for coffee, lunch, beer, a double vodka, lemonade and lime or just an orange juice. Interact with everybody you know. These people will be your closest friends for the next 2/3/4 years and the better the friends you make now, chances are the better your time at uni will be. It's much harder to become part of a friendship group once the bond has been sealed.</div>
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3. Join a society. Take up something new or pursue an existing hobby. This is not only another chance for you to meet future friends but employees want to employ interesting people to work for them. If you have all the grades and experience you need on paper, this extra curricular activity might be just the thing that gives the edge over everybody else; it shows a commitment and ability to go that little bit farther, to do that little bit extra. And honestly just makes you a little more interesting. </div>
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4. If you need a job, try and get one with your student union. It is the best option for students. I have had friends weeping on Christmas day because the hotel they waitress at made them work Christmas Day or Boxing Day, meaning that either they were not home at all for Christmas or that celebrations were cut short in order to return to a lonely city miles away from home. An SU job means that chances are you work during term time and are then free to enjoy the holidays as you wish.</div>
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5. Go home once in a while. Don't be too keen to break ties with boring little ol' home now that you are an independent woman or man. You more than likely owe your folks everything for getting there and now that there is some distance, you may very well find that the heart does indeed grow fonder meaning relationships are better.</div>
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6. Keep in touch with your home friends during term time. Start a Facebook message with everyone included and update it every once in a while. It is so important to keep in touch with your old friends while building your uni life with your new found friendships. Reunions with friends from back home are always something to anticipate and welcome when those long holidays come and believe you me, you will all have some pretty special tales to tell!</div>
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7. Take photos. Take photos all the time, everywhere you go. You will want to look back one day and laugh and smile about every little memory even those that make you want to die a little inside. You will want to share your photos with the world and show everyone how wonderful university life it. It all goes so quickly, trust me, and you will want each and every moment documented.</div>
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8. Do not think that Freshers year 'means nothing'. For a lot of universities, the first year is like an induction into uni life; the grades do not count towards your final degree and therefore it is seen as a party year. Well, to a certain extent, it is just that! In my 2nd and 3rd year I wasn't able to go out nearly half as much as I did in my Freshers year. But make sure you get the grade you want at the end of your first year, it could very well set the tone for the rest of your degree; nobody likes playing catch up.</div>
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Most people are probably just as nervous about starting university as you are, so bear that in mind. It is a new way of learning, a new city and a new way of living. Leaving home for the first time is an exciting yet daunting step. Like I said, embrace it, say yes to every invitation (stay safe, of course), be inquisitive and interesting and soak up every second. Make friends and some of the best memories and I can assure you that everything falls into place eventually and becomes second nature. It <i>will</i> be incredible.</div>
Melita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615571050477636081.post-11988079576960958282012-08-25T14:24:00.000+01:002012-08-27T21:51:14.068+01:00Roma, Part Two<div style="text-align: justify;">
This time last week I was hopping off a sight seeing bus and stepping foot upon the beautiful Vatican City. I've wanted to visit the Vatican since I can remember and after burning the soles of our shoes whilst queueing in the mid-morning heat, we were finally inside the walls of St. Peter's Basilica.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88hh4SSjRoJBgjd4zYeoZkxk1QlGGBKrMm-7CgYcw8sSVaSpuM2PryWj47xQugxGXrr2yP_sSwi64iFByFFNECWMadyjwnoxvm2RcxFgBKk6qQ25NqrqIYgU9jdIk29KJGCFJ4K9BdGp7/s1600/DSC04478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: -1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88hh4SSjRoJBgjd4zYeoZkxk1QlGGBKrMm-7CgYcw8sSVaSpuM2PryWj47xQugxGXrr2yP_sSwi64iFByFFNECWMadyjwnoxvm2RcxFgBKk6qQ25NqrqIYgU9jdIk29KJGCFJ4K9BdGp7/s640/DSC04478.JPG" width="650" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtHni6SUoCAmbgoXuEZAhdk4A8TIyogJLrVYwiXld5uwclzAasb75e1inRZTMhYXe2g66Wt-D05ZkqZhYGykfB8e7rcZJANaezkP29JJwnEJYIFAKCDAbZsaZUkS-QQWnS91tKwy_jLMw/s640/DSC04485.JPG" width="650" /><span style="text-align: justify;">Unknowingly jumping into the wrong queue we ended up buying tickets to walk to the very top of the Church, but at only 5 euros each we couldn't really complain. Rob's fear of heights got the better of him about 300 steps up and after edging his way around the circumference of the balcony, he made a swift decent back down to sea level! For me, it was onwards and upwards and slightly sidewards as the walls curved round. After clambering up over 500 stairs, through narrow passage ways and tiny spiralling staircases with no hand rails, I made it to the Cupola of St. Peter's Basilica to be greeted by some pretty spectacular views.</span></div>
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<img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPS2NRFNNJVRtjdcnTMqLpAAQb1Yt-FJDSBOmU7ln8MMqhJIp8Pici3cOVePmgU9q79VaoQf2yr2q9UW05s7vSia6syN1CqBkza8Uu4hgiIGGAUz0hziDdxkjhcAVD-WW9mxpr1IV5aU6r/s640/DSC04298.JPG" width="650" /><span style="text-align: justify;">After getting my fix of these awesome sights, I ventured back down to meet up again with Rob and we began exploring the incredible architecture of the church, mouths gaping in awe.</span></div>
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We then walked round to the Vatican Museum in order to see the Sistine Chapel. The Chapel was amazing, it was pretty mind blowing to think that all those years ago, Michaelangelo painted the ceiling in such vivid detail. It really was spectacular to behold. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This isn't the Sistine Chapel, it is in the Vatican Museum. You aren't allowed to take pictures in the Chapel so I have none to show you, but Google has plenty!</td></tr>
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The next day we hopped back on the tour bus and went to Villa Borghese, an area just above where we were staying, The park was huge and we rented what was called a <i>Roscio</i> and with the fear of God installed in me (it felt very wobbly and Rob was a terrible driver) we tore around the park for an hour.<br />
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As it was our last night in Rome we decided to head back to our favourite restaurant and area of our trip, <i>Cantina e Cucina</i> for more incredibly tasty food and drinks. The staff were as welcoming as we remembered and yet another free glass of wine was consumed while we waited a short while for a table. </div>
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On the Monday our flight was not until evening so we took one last trip to the Spanish Steps and the church of Santa Maria del Popolo. It's always sad when a holiday comes to an end and Rome really did make us fall in love with it. I am already planning on taking my mum to Rome either next year or the year after (somebody give me a job, please!) My mum has always secretly wanted to visit the Vatican and seeing as she has only ever been to two countries, the Philippines (her native country) and England, I think she is more than overdue a trip to such a beautiful place, don't you? </div>
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Have you ever been to Rome?</div>
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Melita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615571050477636081.post-52878861244550717992012-08-22T16:20:00.000+01:002012-08-23T11:41:32.713+01:00Roma, Part One<div style="text-align: justify;">
The lovely English weather sure is easing the transition, but there is no denying that the post-holiday come down sure does hit you with an almighty thump. Four nights and five days in Rome were absolutely glorious, there is no other way to describe the experience. There is so much I want to write about but I reckon a five-part post would be pushing it just a tad. So here goes the first instalment of two about my time in Rome.
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<img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0hiStkp87w5HsEfsx_RHsikDukhRBNbky4c-lGEFCobww03o_vGXaghi-uHC5pB9ze2Oqgpy08mf79SdD2BDqiOFewP1HuUIb3YlzhaPLFRiA_zhewsJ4L9-3kSLv8zzOnArPXRC2V8W/s640/rome+blog3.png" width="650" />The hype and promise from my students that Italy was all things wonderful only lead to ever increasing excitement and anticipation for our trip. After a short two and a half hour sleep, we awoke at 2:30am ready to depart for the airport. A sleepy Stansted greeted us and a short flight later, we stepped off the plane to be welcomed by Italy's morning heat. A swift 40 minute coach ride to Rome's city centre and we were well on our way to getting our holiday started!</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Our hotel was wonderful. The location was perfect, just outside the centre of the city and within walking distance to metros and to most attractions as well. Our room was huge which was an extremely pleasant surprise and in the 36 degree + heat, the air con was a god send. The staff couldn't have made us feel more welcome, from the concierge to the reception desk; <a href="http://www.bellesuiterome.com/">Bellesuite,</a> we salute you. </span></div>
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On day one we were absolutely shattered from our early flight but, not wanting to waste a second we headed out in search of the Trevi Fountain. A five minute walk from our hotel and we were immersed in tourists all enjoying the same admiration for this wonderful piece of architecture as we were. It really was amazing. Finding a little bar down one of the side streets, we sought some shelter from the midday sun and enjoyed our first refreshing taste of proper Italian beer. </div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">That evening we ventured back to the Trevi Fountain area and found ourselves a lovely little Italian restaurant and after a delicious dinner and a glass of wine, walked back to our hotel to catch up on some much needed sleep in preparation for day two! </span><br />
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The next day was full of adventures! We found it extremely easy to walk to wherever we wanted to go in Rome (well, Rob did. I, one evening, went in search of shampoo and an hour later after roaming around lost eventually made it back to the hotel! It is safe to say that my sense of direction leaves something to be desired). And so, for the majority of our stay that is exactly what we did; we walked and soaked in every inch of Italian culture we possibly could. Friday was host to visits to the Pantheon, Roman Forums and the Colosseum.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkHNa2q7v45tHBK4j00wAmDIAGOfmXZvuLCZHP3Cho3T1ohiWIrrDr-UFBWFyyYP2Wivwk-CiXWNCyj5bbdT8jsKN1EStRk673dJDnf5ncG0tvuS2fmgwk4usd8PkxH2PuVsG9JXWELpx/s1600/DSC03803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: -1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkHNa2q7v45tHBK4j00wAmDIAGOfmXZvuLCZHP3Cho3T1ohiWIrrDr-UFBWFyyYP2Wivwk-CiXWNCyj5bbdT8jsKN1EStRk673dJDnf5ncG0tvuS2fmgwk4usd8PkxH2PuVsG9JXWELpx/s640/DSC03803.JPG" width="650" /></a>
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<img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTuALX5lPcUtkaKGf9KoyNiFAletvVtaJIkAIB71ZQftHE_Z8-lndqVb2KgBseVHeI6Zu3IcvvZDNegkLN2SXBlgC_ALqAM6E1289TGymbUT67PvtrWjfelvwPSNreJImc5_Uf2DW-uDZ/s640/DSC04122.JPG" width="650" /><span style="text-align: justify;">The views and architecture were once again out of this world and the weather as always was beautiful. Exhausted as we were, we were eager to venture out once more in search of Italy's best Roman cuisine and we found it in the form of a gorgeous little restaurant just off of Piazza Navona called </span><i style="text-align: justify;">Cantina e Cucina.</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> After consuming the tastiest Bruschetta, Carbonara, Pizza and Italian ice cream ever, we indulged in cocktails before enjoying the walk back to our hotel in the evening heat.</span></div>
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Melita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615571050477636081.post-35850042968047182502012-08-11T12:36:00.000+01:002012-08-11T12:49:53.120+01:00I Covet Thee, A Summer Holiday<div style="text-align: justify;">
Next Thursday I will be boarding a plane to take me to Rome and with each passing day it is getting harder and harder to contain my excitement! Rome has been a dream in the pipeline for so long now and I can hardly believe that I will be enjoying its company in just a few short days. </div>
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However, when it comes to summer clothes, I am really not too fussed. I love summer. I love the long days and hot weather and to be beside the seaside, but I just do not like <i>buying</i> summer clothes. English summers are so temperamental and short lived that I would rather save my money for when the long winter nights set in again. Nevertheless, with temperatures set to be a minimum of 35 degrees, what to pack and what to wear has been playing heavily on my mind..</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk/vintage-renewal-destroyed-denim-shorts/invt/5414462092589/&bklist=">1</a> // <a href="http://www.nastygal.com/clothes-dresses/desert-cutout-dress">2</a> // <a href="http://www.nastygal.com/clothes-tops/double-scoop-tank-gray">3</a> // <a href="http://www.nastygal.com/clothes-dresses/tribal-grunge-dress">4</a> // <a href="http://www.nastygal.com/clothes-dresses/crochet-cross-dress-mint">5</a> // <a href="http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=1&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=5804427&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208529&parent_categoryId=203984&pageSize=200&refinements=category~[209771|208529]&noOfRefinements=1">6</a> // <a href="http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=1&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=5808815&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208548&parent_categoryId=204484&pageSize=200">7</a> // <a href="http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=1&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=6127975&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208555&parent_categoryId=204484&pageSize=200">8</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I'm thinking loose-fitting dresses and tops and I really, really want some Levi cut-offs but they must be butt cheek covering as the world already has far too many butt cheeks on show by girls who have confused their pants for shorts and I just canny cope with it if I'm honest. So I am off to go charity shop shopping and find me some jeans to snip at before hitting up Eastbourne Airbourne and catching some rays. </span></div>
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<br />Melita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615571050477636081.post-84248282718911444782012-08-08T12:00:00.000+01:002012-08-08T15:51:24.212+01:00Motel Rocks Street Style Team<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It has been almost a year since I became and ambassador for high street brand Motel Rocks and it has been thoroughly enjoyable. From writing articles for my university newspaper to the Motel Rocks blog to hitting up London Fashion Week AW 2011 as part of the Motel Rocks team and gaining a few little treats along the way, I owe them a very big thank you for allowing me the privilege! </div>
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Recently, I was contacted by Laura of Motel Rocks, manager of the new Motel Rocks Street Team, and was kindly asked if I would like to join the ever expanding Motel Rocks team. So of course I said yes! One of the perks of being part of this fantastic team is that I get to offer all my readers a whopping 20% off any order with Motel Rocks using the code above. Just enter '<b>melitakiely</b>' at checkout and the pennies and pounds will come tumbling back into your bank account while their clothes make a pretty addition to your wardrobe. Not a bad deal, huh? </div>Melita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615571050477636081.post-18814812496489915052012-08-06T21:46:00.000+01:002012-08-06T21:47:36.389+01:00Ebb Or Flow, I Do It All<div style="text-align: justify;">
The past few days have been glorious. Friday brought an anniversary that I won't indulge into too much but, it shall always break my heart. Cue the best possible methods of comfort and I found myself being spoilt with a remedy of endless Harry Potter films and copious amounts of comfort food, which made an unbearable day became just about bearable.
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Saturday brought some lovely weather to the sunshine coast where I currently reside, and with that a colourful lunch was consumed in the garden before Rob and I took pursuit of our first bike trip this year, soaking up some truly beautiful sunshine and sights.</div>
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One day, we will venture out early enough and be fit enough to complete the 14 mile cuckoo trail where these pictures were taken! (Gosh darn the crippling of bum cheeks that a cycle brings). There was a family of swans as you can see above, the baby cygnets so very nearly ready to shed their grey feathers. It was quite the sight and many a cyclist stopped to capture this happy little family.<br />
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Today was equally enjoyable when an impromptu day off work allowed me to spend some time with my family as we were entertained by the Moscow State Circus, who are in town this week. My mum, as always, was far too excited and nearly jumping out of her seat with excitement! I think she enjoyed it more than my 9 year old brother did, by far. </div>Melita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615571050477636081.post-57398049376795243902012-08-02T17:14:00.000+01:002012-08-02T17:14:05.019+01:00Guess Who's Back, Back Again..<div style="text-align: justify;">
I did contemplate opening this post continuing the little rap in my title, but in all honesty I am not quite ready to pop my vlog cherry just yet and let's face it, that is a level of painful embarrassment that nobody needs to be subjected to. It has been well over a month since my last post and boy oh boy have I missed writing. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">Life has thrown me some wonderful curve balls over the past 5 weeks or so. For one thing, I found out that I received a 2.1 for my degree and with that came the glorious day that was Graduation.</span></div>
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<img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlMInvaTt2f6hiux_qGlAjy9bfMpJ-Vju9EBCVAjZiJQyYPmtsVIu1vYpcaV0oQ1gslwrBh3H1sRPoFvYLRj4dbQ47dUkKzkf9dTQyyfcEp6KJF8kgFEfBT_BoQVI1MNcE570KPPT4kOJ/s640/DSC02214.JPG" width="650" />Graduation was an amazing experience, I felt so privileged to celebrate my degree in the beautiful building that is Canterbury Cathedral. It was great to be able to show my family a little of the city that I love so much and to see my mum standing up to cheer as I received my degree, just bursting with pride! We had both waited an awfully long time for this day and I owe everything to my mum for helping me get there. It was amazing to see her so happy for it really was just as much her day as it was mine.</div>
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<img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLFL6v1UXNdH1F5bOOWT5HMUI9rPgImAm0baHosTAtfR0xURhTbWWZORv151ds-Fu5_KZnaKLc5mrCSPzB5ZBeLqhxphfor8JdgVI36mafpe5Ur_WwKO7nELndx2dmre6H-jdv8umiV7j/s640/DSC02348.JPG" width="650" />My absence has mainly been down to working so bloomin' hard. Since the end of June I have been working for a local language school teaching English to foreign students and doing activities with them. The students were amazing to work with and it was a hell of a lot of fun, but also incredibly challenging and exhausting. (It only hit me how hard I have been working and how stressed I have been when I found a dreaded grey hair this morning, I kid you not).</div>
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So thank goodness I have 5 days in Rome to look forward to in 2 weeks time! I have been dying to go to Italy for so long, and hearing about so many different beautiful places from the Italians amongst my students just made me even more desperate to get out there and see this beautiful city. I am counting down the days until I get to fall in love with what is arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the world. And stuff my face with lasagne 3 times a day. If anybody can recommend any hidden gems that I should check out while I'm there, please do let me know!</div>
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I am also incredibly excited that it is merely a month tomorrow until I start my journalism course! I cannot wait, I have been itching to get back to learning and to get my first foot in the door towards a career that I am certain I will love!</div>
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So until then I am going to enjoy a little time off. I am going to get my running shoes back on once I get rid of the disease that has plagued my school, read a lot, hopefully soak up a little English sunshine and blog a little more along the way.</div>Melita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615571050477636081.post-52063175295034290432012-06-25T18:04:00.003+01:002012-06-25T18:04:42.339+01:0010 Reasons Why You Should Go To Uni<div style="text-align: justify;">
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I am still coming to terms with the end of my university life while my little sister prepares to embark on her own university adventure this coming September. She will, unfortunately, be part of the first batch of students forced to pay £9000 a year in tuition fees. I was therefore a little shocked to find out that on top of these disgustingly high fees, that she had chosen to attend a London university, therefore increasing the additional debt that will be accumulated due to higher maintenance loans in order to accommodate for London's living expenses. </div>
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Talking about her decision and if she had realised the extra debt she was getting herself into, it became quite apparent that she had not even thought about it. She then panicked about the money and about going to uni altogether. So I then found myself back tracking and telling her that she must go to uni because it was the best thing that I had ever done! Perhaps it is a good thing that she has approached it this way and just followed her heart in what she wants to do...</div>
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I'm sure that the majority of future applicants will be pondering whether or not it is worth racking up a £40000+ debt for 3 years of study. My answer? Yes, it is. If it were me having to do it all over again at £9000 a year, I would accept my place in a heart beat, pack my bags and be on my way. Here are my 10 reasons why:</div>
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<b>1.</b> <span style="background-color: white;">'B</span><b style="background-color: white;">ecause I want to, because I want to,</b><span style="background-color: white;">' (i</span><span style="background-color: white;">n the words of Billie Piper)</span><span style="background-color: white;">. There was nothing that I wanted more when I left college than to go to university. I wanted it so bad I would have cut off my right arm, re-attached it to my body then cut it off again, just to get my place. Nothing was going to stop me from going. I had no interest to travel, to work or save money (I'd saved everything I'd earned during College anyway...) I was going to uni and that was that. A round the world ticket would not have swayed my mind. If you really want to go, you should just go. </span></div>
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<b>2.</b> <b>It's exciting</b>. A new city, a new subject (in my case at least, I had never touched Philosophy until entering the doors of Kent Uni), a new home and new friends.</div>
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<b>3. A new found independence</b>, way of life and way of studying. It is all so different and you cannot know that difference until you experience it first hand. It is a great way to experience leaving home for the first time and living with other people who, hopefully, will become life long friends and really make for a great uni experience.</div>
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<b>4. It's a</b> <b>confidence builder</b>. I was so ridiculously shy when I went to uni, the idea of simply meeting new people, let alone living with them, made me feel sick to the pit of my stomach. I remember my first night alone at uni and I was certain that I would either vomit in front of my house mates or have a nervous break down, there and then. How you grow as a person at uni is amazing; the social skills that I learnt and the confidence boost that it gave me, I will be eternally thankful for. The person I was then is a shadow of my current self and it is such a relief to no longer have that anxiety hanging over my head.<br />
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<b>5.</b> <b>Chances to travel.</b> You don't just have to be studying a foreign language to spend a year or a semester abroad. My year in France was one of the toughest of my life, but it was also amazing at the same time. I got some great work experience, met yet more wonderful people and was able to make a final career decision on reflection of my time there. Living in another country for a prolonged period of time is an invaluable experience. If given the chance, you should grab it with both hands and run. </div>
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<b>6.</b> <b>Money isn't everything. </b>There is no point in earning lots of money if you don't spend a little once in a while and enjoy yourself. I feel the same about my uni debt. Yes, it makes me want to weep sometimes when I think of its magnitude, but oh my, it was <i>so</i> worth it. You have to spend money to make money and uni is not too dissimilar. It is an investment in your future. Even if the fees had stayed the same for the next generation, the debt would have still been pretty overwhelming. Don't forget that. Forget the 'then and now' price comparisons and focus on what makes it worthwhile for you.<br />
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<b>7.</b> <b>Work then study.</b> If money is really holding you back from applying or accepting your offers, defer for a year and work to save some money. This could lessen your debts slightly if you're able to use your savings a little and not rely solely on the highest loan available to you. But, also remember that the interest you earn is extremely low, you only have to start repayments once you earn over a certain threshold and even then, it is only 9% of what you earn <i>above that threshold.</i> (A slight dent in your wage packet at most). </div>
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<b>8.</b> <b>Are you really ready to start your working life at 18? </b>Okay, so not everybody goes to uni at 18, some do go later. But personally, I was just not anywhere near ready to leave education at 18. Heck, I'm 22 and the idea of mapping out a fully fledged career still scares the bejesus out of me! Are you ready to join Dolly Parton in her 9-5 or is there something about studying Music, English or Fashion that you are just not ready to let go of yet?</div>
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<b>9.</b> <b>So many beautiful cities to choose from</b>. I decided that I didn't want to study at a London based uni due to the extra debt it would give me. But thankfully, there are countless other amazing cities to study in. I think that this kind of consideration is even more important given the debt that will be accumulated through the new, higher tuition fees alone. London will always be there. It is top of my list, along with Brighton, of where I want to live once I finish my journalism course next year. But I want to do it when I start earning, not drown myself in more debt straight away when I can enjoy the beautiful city life any time I want to in the future. London will still be there when I can afford to make the move.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The college I taught at in France.</td></tr>
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<b>10. They will be the best years of your life! </b>Seriously. I cannot gush over how brilliant the experience is. The amount of jealousy I feel towards current students is unhealthy. It's not for everybody and by no means a bad thing if you decide it's not for you, but for me, it was everything I hoped it would be. I'd recommend it to anyone.<br />
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What I would say to people umming and ahhing over uni is to make sure that you are 100% certain that you have chosen the right subject and, just as importantly, at the right university. Make sure that if you want to study in a particular city that your course is not based at one of their other campuses. It could lead to a great deal of disappointment and take away from the experience.<br />
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There is no shame in not going. And there is no shame in changing your mind. It is an awfully brave decision to realise that you have not made the right choice and decide to leave. But, a lot of careful consideration could lead to a very happy uni experience.<br />
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Would you still go to uni at the current rate? Are you planning to go in the future? Let me know what you think!</div>Melita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615571050477636081.post-88997734131532262492012-06-14T15:49:00.000+01:002012-06-14T15:49:56.115+01:00I Covet Thee, Zara<div style="text-align: justify;">
Oh, Zara. Why must you bring out such beautiful things when I don't have a whole lot of dollar to spend. Today I took a trip to town as I needed to go to the bank and seeing as I was already in town, I thought I'd have a muse around a few shops. </div>
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Now, I haven't been into Zara for ages and thank goodness I haven't because I just wanted everything in sight. Their current collection is just too beautiful, so many pretty lace pieces, floaty dresses and drop dead gorgeous hand bags. A quick browse and I had to run out as fast as I could, just in case temptation became too much. Sorry, Zara, but I just can't give you my pennies right now, no matter how beautiful you make your clothes. Another time, another place. For now, I shall just have to blog about what I'm currently loving:
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIat_paJ-ZdJbbPbh0WcFSgavarHrHCONjXXQgOBAPv0uEI1Gj0kX1n4CN1XwlDs8Q413TOZlk_KpXIUc6WinVBKym7G0GzAHtapu1wypOGTQ1wzC-C_ElGMM4S3KQEeG-7PqqDfORwzX8/s1600/Beeclip.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIat_paJ-ZdJbbPbh0WcFSgavarHrHCONjXXQgOBAPv0uEI1Gj0kX1n4CN1XwlDs8Q413TOZlk_KpXIUc6WinVBKym7G0GzAHtapu1wypOGTQ1wzC-C_ElGMM4S3KQEeG-7PqqDfORwzX8/s640/Beeclip.png" width="650" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/uk/en/zara-S2012/189508/713554/BLOUSE%2BWITH%2BEMBROIDERED%2BLACE%2BSTRAPS">1</a> // <a href="http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/uk/en/zara-S2012/189503/735020/CAP%2BSLEEVE%2BDRESS%2BWITH%2BASYMMETRIC%2BHEM">2</a> // <a href="http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/uk/en/zara-S2012/189503/713580/STRAIGHT%2BEMBROIDERED%2BDRESS">3</a> // <a href="http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/uk/en/zara-S2012/189512/726556/SOFT%2BBOWLING%2BBAG">4</a> // <a href="http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/uk/en/zara-S2012/190055/873040/FLAT%2BJELLY%2BSANDALS">5</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkoQ2qDzzBQBgRDNMdv4D_IICWonFLINcnNGb1kz7FHQso0oDSQBXZtHaEXS45CEN1LlyhQRN_RSTfYs6xIQaZ5C8pupldcpiB5GdjVz4z-AbpDkthZq8Bcd7SafUNE3xiHpywQemvLpI/s1600/Beeclip2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkoQ2qDzzBQBgRDNMdv4D_IICWonFLINcnNGb1kz7FHQso0oDSQBXZtHaEXS45CEN1LlyhQRN_RSTfYs6xIQaZ5C8pupldcpiB5GdjVz4z-AbpDkthZq8Bcd7SafUNE3xiHpywQemvLpI/s640/Beeclip2.png" width="650" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/uk/en/zara-S2012/189502/827220/EMBROIDERED%2BWAISTCOAT%2BWITH%2BLACE%2BTRIM">6</a> // <a href="http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/uk/en/zara-S2012/189512/828113/COMBINED%2BSHOPPER">7</a> // <a href="http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/uk/en/zara-S2012/189507/780002/OPEN%2BJACKET">8</a> // <a href="http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/uk/en/zara-S2012/190055/750031/VAMP%2BJELLY%2BSHOE">9</a></td></tr>
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<br />Melita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615571050477636081.post-47710557874333330762012-06-13T14:52:00.002+01:002012-06-14T11:07:37.727+01:00We Grew Up At Midnight<div style="text-align: justify;">
Goodness, I didn't realise it had been so long since my last post, and there I was pledging to be a better blogger post exams and what not... However, I do have lots to tell. It has been a wonderful couple of weeks since then, that I think it best for us all if I break it up into bite size pieces for y'all. </div>
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#1. On the 2nd June, I attended what was sadly my last ever summer ball at Kent uni, *sad face*. It was such an enjoyable evening. We were lucky enough to have Noah and the Whale headline who were brilliant. I heard part of their set at Bestival last September so had quite high expectations for their performance, and I thought they were great. The Saturdays, meh...A let down. Easy on the eye but harsh on the ear drums, so thank goodness that Annie Mac could be relied upon to finish the night in style with a fantastic DJ set. It was a shame that the bumper cars closed so early as that would have just been the icing on the cake, and boy do I love cake.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah and the Whale</td></tr>
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#2. On the 6th of June I turned 22 BUT IT'S OKAY because I still look 12. Well, my height says 12 anyway. However, I do still get ID'd everywhere I go and as long as that continues to be the case I shall be a happy bean. My birthday was lovely, despite the weather raining on my parade (read: barbecue) in the evening, but nevertheless I had a wonderful day. A long awaited game of Articulate later and we were ready to dance the night away. My house mates bought me the best pen ever (the flower winds up), an introductory book to journalism (so thoughtful) and the most beautiful diary, which I am too scared to write in as of yet! (Such a neat freak when it comes to diaries and journals... anyone else get that?) I also received my first ever 'for a special auntie' card from my niece and nephews which I am going to keep forever!<br />
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#3. My siblings bought me an awesome present, which was to see The Maccabees at Alexandra Palace in London last Friday. OH GOD. So good. They were just amazing, so incredibly on the ball live and with the perfect mix of old and new songs. I was pretty blown away that they would have thought to get me a gift like that and Rob and I had the best time. It has been forever since I went to a gig and it makes me ever so sad that I don't have a festival to go to this year due to my limited funds; the first time in four years, I'm not quite sure how to handle it. I did not want the gig to end, I could watch and listen to Orlando Weeks forever. The support act, British Sea Power, were awesome as well.
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#4. The following day, I was lucky enough to have some friends from home come and visit me in Canterbury. We got very merry and once again set out to dance and sing our hearts out! It has been a wonderful couple of weeks filled with some amazing music and company. I will be ever so sad to say goodbye to it all this coming weekend, when I have to leave this beautiful city.<br />
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I have had some truly lovely comments on my blog as of late and I feel awful for not having had the time to reply to them yet, but this past week has just been so crazy! I promise that I am going to do that right this minute, just bear with me because I really do appreciate the time that is taken to read and comment on my posts. </div>
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Finally, I know that it is a week and little bit later than I said that I would announce, but the winner of my <a href="http://delilahdust.bigcartel.com/">Delialah Dust give away</a> is Lucy from <a href="http://slicesofstyle.blogspot.co.uk/">Slices of Style!</a> I will pass on your details to Antonia and get her to post your bracelet to you!</div>Melita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615571050477636081.post-89716842142903848612012-05-30T12:22:00.001+01:002012-05-30T12:22:30.004+01:00Attend To The Tale Of Sweeney Todd<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's the third and final instalment of my London trip today! I hope I haven't bored you to tears by rambling on too much. As you will know if you have read my previous two posts, Rob and I went to see Sweeney Todd at the theatre on Thursday. Now, I love the theatre. Seriously. Somebody please let me get on a stage and sing my heart out. (Always how I feel after leaving a show).</div>
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Now, I haven't seen the film Sweeney Todd, you know, the one with Johnny Depp and Helen Bonham Carter, so I really couldn't say how alike they are. But the musical was fabulous. Brilliantly witty and the actors and actresses were just ridiculously talented. Sweeney Todd was played by Michael Ball (although, had I not known from the programme that it was him, I would never have guessed!) The lead female role of Mrs. Lovett was played by Imelda Staunton. I had no idea that she could sing, but she can and is brilliant at it.</div>
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The musical is about 'the demon barber of Fleet Street', Sweeney Todd, who murders his clients by slitting their throats with his razor. The bodies are then handed over to Mrs. Lovett, his accomplice who grinds the bodies up and bakes them into pies, which she sells in her now booming café.<br />
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The story is quite dark, but comedy genius at its best and it really is impossible to tear your eyes away from the lead characters. The story is complete with a beautiful damsel in distress, a young orphaned boy, two evil perverted old men and the man from the 'Go Compare' advert (spitting image!) I won't give away the ending of the story. but I implore you to go and see it. Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton were just flawless and it was a thoroughly enjoyable three hours of entertainment.</div>
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Have you seen anything in the theatre recently? What would you recommend for my next visit?</div>Melita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615571050477636081.post-91326454059483894682012-05-29T11:51:00.003+01:002012-05-29T11:51:56.638+01:00Promises, Swear Them To The Sky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The second day of our London stay saw clear blue skies and more wonderful sunshine. It also saw us checking out of our beautiful hotel, sigh. With out bags put away, we hit the streets in search of some brunch, and little Googling from Rob led us to <a href="http://lantanacafe.co.uk/index.html">Lantana Café</a>. It is an Australian café and they served the most delicious salads, fresh juice and coffee. The quiche tarts that had just come out of the oven looked incredible as well, and the rest of their menu left me more indecisive than usual. I would definitely recommend checking them out should you be in the area (they're just off Goodge Street down a pretty little lane).</div>
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<img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJkXCw8AeZ3Nturjuwjs7BDakqi8YvRGwVRpHegdyRKGl6sxHdcIMedp-lutU4jzbBVJeM7zrQsEoSV8na4hH8NndvzaWbHdkWgXXQF1PD95_4TWx4VKGmLYCrfNhfpdRt4VgRvcje71j/s640/DSC01750.JPG" width="650" /><span style="text-align: justify;">With our salads in hand, we chose St. James' Park to bask in the sunshine and soak up some rays. The park was bustling with people sunbathing, enjoying picnics and feeding the ducks. (I didn't get to feed any ducks unfortunately, I was too pre-occupied with stuffing my own face). </span></div>
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<img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJdM31eC8PPQ0dgASgiMHshQtvGV2ruCNXlJ8O1hJGy0w5cvIlvZ43CMVZPMltAce1ABAvY6voh7760NTWPu650Cg0M4bu1DdrNhOBDVeYy4tk7G-oWdo-A5rgmOohxOqtsoQK43ZqeFc/s640/DSC01761.JPG" width="650" /><span style="text-align: justify;">Afterwards we crossed the bridge, and headed for Oxford Street to have a quick mooch around Selfridges and sigh over how we could afford nada! One day, perhaps... </span></div>
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All too quickly it was time to catch our train home. London really is wonderful in the summer; it's easy to forget that there are beautiful bits of greenery like St. James' Park hidden amongst the hustle and bustle of the busy Londoner's life. It was good to step away from London's chaotic streets for a few hours and relax in the summer heat. A wonderful second day to end our trip. </div>Melita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615571050477636081.post-85297286023342857232012-05-28T21:42:00.000+01:002012-05-28T21:42:10.820+01:00Let This Part Of Me Remember How Lovely We Are<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have been one incredibly lucky girl this weekend. Last Wednesday I finished my last ever university exam and with a huge smile on my face and the sun beaming down gloriously, I made my way home. Not knowing what belated anniversary plans had been made for the next two days, I was one incredibly excited bean. </div>
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So, Thursday swiftly came around and still clueless as to what the next couple of days had in store for me, Rob and I boarded a train to London Victoria. An hour and a half later and all surprises were revealed...</div>
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<img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRD10QZOXy4knTJ8ZOyVQRaxQn8DJEDlj8FUcDv4FXX1ty93W-oyJxV8TaK2P3QFHGLwkUZcCMybYkpgCO9h2CFGuj_x3M4-ot6-y5lqwvW70P4jlrWDodsq0IC-ylvhRDxQAQSnWoy4H/s640/DSC01766.JPG" width="650" /><span style="text-align: left;">Rob had booked us a night at the Savoy Hotel, which is just the most beautiful hotel I have ever seen in my life. The building was gorgeous and the staff treated us like the most important people in the world. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcacEsQIC603MjHoNdo1eZYZaKjeyJjejMvOb_M3-Q-wUa7llmHN-JdAP5_d-1KbcuuMibtnYPOFnwnpvZ9MGaC5OX4kZCt_c98iL_tE9vuYMG56z4eOtHqiSNLNG8EOFn6ak8mNDjMUwL/s1600/DSC01715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: -1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcacEsQIC603MjHoNdo1eZYZaKjeyJjejMvOb_M3-Q-wUa7llmHN-JdAP5_d-1KbcuuMibtnYPOFnwnpvZ9MGaC5OX4kZCt_c98iL_tE9vuYMG56z4eOtHqiSNLNG8EOFn6ak8mNDjMUwL/s640/DSC01715.JPG" width="650" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZ4hDyDuSTKf6IMEqokaR-jQmPKjw0zdZK37cn_nA0F_ytmdICxD9907D0hXFgdcTLaBWZKbO51EaNnwz9d7qRMZCwipmqiSm-VWMq-6kvHJz_zgXE-VSv39HEmzetDGuVKCK3FsR3qge/s640/DSC01717.JPG" width="650" /><span style="color: black;">Our room was amazing. After oohing and ahhing over its magnificence for quite some time, we decided to take advantage of the complimentary use of the gym and went swimming, being fortunate enough to have the entire 5 star pool to ourselves! Post swim, we crossed the street to a lovely little Italian restaurant where we feasted on their delicious cuisine before we pottered slightly further along the road to the theatre for phase two of the surprise: Sweeney Todd!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I cannot gush enough about how much I <i>adore </i>the theatre, and this show was just incredible. (I'm going to review it in a separate post). With our eyes and ears both equally satisfied, we went in search of a bar for a few drinks and finished the night off in <a href="http://www.beatone.co.uk/">Be At One</a> cocktail bar. They played some great music and had a never ending selection of delicious cocktails and topped all this off with some extremely enthusiastic bar tenders getting a bit excited to one particular song, removing their shirts and dancing on the bar! </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">It was such a lovely day and I am so grateful to Rob for organising it all; a truly wonderful way to unwind and celebrate after these past few weeks of dissertation and exams. Day two was just as wonderful but that's for another post...</span></div>
</div>Melita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615571050477636081.post-50065719517197678212012-05-18T13:11:00.003+01:002012-05-19T19:00:02.351+01:00I Covet Thee, ZatchelsIt feels like an absolute age since I did an <a href="http://hyper-heart.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/I%20Covet%20Thee">'I Covet Thee'</a> post. So today I thought I would take 10 minutes out from revising for my final exam and give the blog a little update. This week, what really keeps catching my eye is <a href="http://www.zatchels.com/">Zatchels</a>. Not a new brand and something that I am certain y'all already know and love, but this week it has really tickled my pickle. This is why:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcVYuq4AUmP4E-VL9eqHYoFXUnGCFPkFf87HVt6nLoV2q6V_SfEkrdKgMvPwmK1FlUHYJur6ayEq6WTFfjw0_N2tNk27VQqxr7SwX_t9QQYjfJ8VKtRulh90XzW1ukVo0hyphenhyphenbQ1e9aUaig/s1600/polka_dot_red_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcVYuq4AUmP4E-VL9eqHYoFXUnGCFPkFf87HVt6nLoV2q6V_SfEkrdKgMvPwmK1FlUHYJur6ayEq6WTFfjw0_N2tNk27VQqxr7SwX_t9QQYjfJ8VKtRulh90XzW1ukVo0hyphenhyphenbQ1e9aUaig/s640/polka_dot_red_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.zatchels.com/bags/red-white-polka-dot-leather-satchel-746.html#!prettyPhoto">Red and White Polka Dot Leather Satchel</a>; anything with polka dots is okay by me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZinwKOKd3ijML5qCVPL6wOO-uhhPSOqtUfxaNaMO2DtzmD6pbgHg77XxG8kE2FfqyAsawFKEHIOW7OGlBbyx1Vwd1nt27R7IoTcjOXAb52twUDAnlmeeXIxiyxEEI_deB8aBsvKP0PYw/s1600/zat88_reptile_print_green_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZinwKOKd3ijML5qCVPL6wOO-uhhPSOqtUfxaNaMO2DtzmD6pbgHg77XxG8kE2FfqyAsawFKEHIOW7OGlBbyx1Vwd1nt27R7IoTcjOXAb52twUDAnlmeeXIxiyxEEI_deB8aBsvKP0PYw/s640/zat88_reptile_print_green_front.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.zatchels.com/bags/green-reptile-print-leather-satchel.html">Green Reptile Print Leather Satchel</a>; admittedly, I am not a huge fan of snake skin type patterns, but I think that in this green colour, it looks beautiful. Quite possibly my favourite of the lot!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuP7g0QWCWUt6cnzrkjboaMcp3HRtVgfk9E513m3mEeEIdy-c4RCSbMFJdwtuHPYNwLIYpNHd7PAjYyfsr1mlq7irSESXDRV9ltaHfKyz7-ECVI9C0cWb9Tl_ebhkQ-3-wP7oiLUHfZmW/s1600/zat60_junkyard_lilac_front_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuP7g0QWCWUt6cnzrkjboaMcp3HRtVgfk9E513m3mEeEIdy-c4RCSbMFJdwtuHPYNwLIYpNHd7PAjYyfsr1mlq7irSESXDRV9ltaHfKyz7-ECVI9C0cWb9Tl_ebhkQ-3-wP7oiLUHfZmW/s640/zat60_junkyard_lilac_front_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.zatchels.com/bags/lilac-distressed-leather-satchel.html">Lilac Distressed Leather Satchel</a> is not overtly girly, despite it's lilac title, and yet is still a lovely coloured alternative to the brown or black norm.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCIp8QVE053YWsfOjTOMYVmohCRec9FN3Cm7YhPIIVvnDoDTaRQYGN0XKo_cFrGeknM0YE4nlus5SJTKoCsxo7Xi2dCwj_L6vkufRmN6wSiS6iAlU03cJp0Ljgqmm8rS_KP-SuNTtNfJK/s1600/zat162_white_polka_dot_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCIp8QVE053YWsfOjTOMYVmohCRec9FN3Cm7YhPIIVvnDoDTaRQYGN0XKo_cFrGeknM0YE4nlus5SJTKoCsxo7Xi2dCwj_L6vkufRmN6wSiS6iAlU03cJp0Ljgqmm8rS_KP-SuNTtNfJK/s640/zat162_white_polka_dot_front.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.zatchels.com/bags/white-red-polka-dot-leather-satchel.html">White and Red Polka Dot Leather Satchel</a>, you get the gist with the polka dots.. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyFUQf6j8hzmImloskBMK23HrWfm8Cl6VkrvYWeONYjE-nli_X3oiju6CbLVrebKYwVCZY8sVxoy8-ANVcZ4DDQ7hJJJQG7of1XbgdvCe6nLiY9ymApokjNnwSkDbiHbXA15l4VvChotu/s1600/zat148_cream_with_small_floral_pattern_leather_satchel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyFUQf6j8hzmImloskBMK23HrWfm8Cl6VkrvYWeONYjE-nli_X3oiju6CbLVrebKYwVCZY8sVxoy8-ANVcZ4DDQ7hJJJQG7of1XbgdvCe6nLiY9ymApokjNnwSkDbiHbXA15l4VvChotu/s640/zat148_cream_with_small_floral_pattern_leather_satchel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.zatchels.com/bags/white-leather-satchel-with-small-floral-pattern.html">White Leather Satchel with Small Floral Pattern</a>, because despite the rainy weather we're having it is very nearly summer.<br />
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My current bag that has served me so well throughout my four years of uni is sadly falling apart, quite literally at the seams. I might just have to indulge in a Zatchel to cope with all my new books in September, and with all bags being hand made from real leather (plus options to add a handle/ strap slider), I am in no doubt that it would last me an awfully long time.<br />
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<i>Ps. If you haven't already noticed, I have added a <a href="http://hyper-heart.blogspot.co.uk/p/blog-roll.html">blog roll</a> of my favourite bloggers, which you can find in my side bar. There are some wonderful blogs to read there, so I hope you'll find something new that you like to add to your own list! </i>Melita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615571050477636081.post-86635945187626259422012-05-15T18:17:00.000+01:002012-05-15T18:21:00.606+01:00Work Work Work (Pub Club Sleep)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dear Readers,</div>
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I am writing this post to apologise for my awol absence over these past few weeks and to give a much needed update. As you're probably well aware by now, I am all too close to finishing my degree and therefore my life has been a world filled with library dates, essays, dissertation and exam preparation. All work and no play makes for very dull blog posts and up until this weekend, that has very much been the case. </div>
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This weekend Rob came to visit for a few days. The weather was glorious on Saturday so we ventured into the heart of Canterbury, a pleasure I had not had the chance to enjoy for far too long. There is a lovely little café called <a href="http://tinytimstearoom.com/">Tiny Tim's Tea Room</a> which I have wanted to try for ages so we went for a spot of afternoon tea. The menu left us spoilt for choice! We decided to opt for tea and scones, which were equally delicious and I would definitely recommend popping in for a bite to eat if ever you're in this beautiful city. I'm definitely going to have to re-visit this little gem once (or five times) before I move out of Canterbury to try their amazing cake selection. I wish I had more photos to show you, they looked truly incredible!<br />
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After wandering round the town for a while in search of a birthday present for my house mate, we headed to my local pub to soak up some rays in their beer garden. A pretty marvellous afternoon. The evening then saw us belatedly celebrating my house mate's birthday with a delicious Wagamama's feast and plenty of alcoholic beverages in a few different pubs. (NB. Take care when being adventurous with cider people, some of them smell like manure, I kid you not. And THAT my friends is not a fun experience, hey Rob?)</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Sunday was spent lounging in front of the telly (or Rob's iPhone to be more exact) with baited breath to see whether his beloved Queens Park Rangers would be relegated or not. Thankfully, they were not or God knows what state my relationship would be in now...</span></div>
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Today, I had my first exam of two and come next Wednesday it will all be over, which is an incredibly exciting yet daunting thought! From then on, I promise to be a better blogger and ply you no more with my woeful excuses of dissertation this, exam that, no blog post the other. To those of you who still take the time to read my posts, leave comments, tweet me wonderful support and add yourselves to my slow but growing band of followers, I thank you so very much.</div>
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With love,</div>
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Melita</div>
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x </div>Melita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615571050477636081.post-43822099687505035492012-04-21T18:01:00.000+01:002012-05-15T23:45:03.790+01:00When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Cringing at the cheesy title? Excellent! Now, if you're a regular reader of my blog ramblings or twitter rants, you will know that being a fourth year uni student is killer. Read any other final year blogs/twitter accounts and it will soon become apparent that we are all in a very similar boat, constantly battling feelings of stress, exhaustion, hunger and self-pitying. This week I had an essay deadline (one of the countless others that I have had to meet) but, for some reason I found this week was tougher than most. I don't know whether the stress and magnitude of nearing the end of my degree caused such a struggle, but there it was and I had what felt like more than the one emotional breakdown.</div>
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<span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZbdyeaA94bpNnL9GGdOMrfByrbaPH-IZx7nE4IJht8IJfO63UAkn26pUxqZWv2vRwpjTDCtoDW8__IIp0ZbH_QX2C6lQlil1vCcq8dTPh0IiTjRHvXFhsAvMSGLGYvw9yKP1rXJwKGz7/s640/DSC03106.JPG" width="650" /><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">I found it really tough to find the motivation
and concentration to get on with writing this particular essay. It is always
harder when the question you're faced with seems impossible. But the reality is
that it isn't impossible, right? It's just testing. That's what uni is all
about, testing our limits and reaching new potentials, and this week I realised
that I put up far too many walls in front of me, told myself far too many times
that I wasn't capable of answering the question, that 2000 words was an unreachable
target and wallowed in my own self-pity. I'm usually pretty good at coping with
deadlines but this week I found myself dissolving into a blubbering mess with
one too many negative thoughts about myself, when deep down, I know that I can
do it. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">So here's what I
propose next time those walls come up and the word count doesn't:</span></span></div>
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1.Take a break. Yes, take a break. It's okay, really, shut down the laptop, put down the books and take 30. You don't have the time to take a break? Oh, I think you do, because lets face it, the 30 minutes that have just passed have achieved nothing but a tired head, an 'I just can't do it' attitude and an immediate deletion of anything that you may have written. Make a cup of tea, listen to your favourite album, read a chapter from your favourite book and take some very deep breaths. Hopefully everything will seem a little clearer and calmer after taking a step back . It really is okay to not be all consumed in work for a few minutes.</div>
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2. EAT. Exam/ dissertation season is not the time to test out that new diet and leave yourself hungry. Your body is going to be burning so much energy while you work your brain over time so when you feel hungry, go with it people. Food makes the world go round, don't ever forget it.<br />
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3. I find that I want to sleep more than ever when workloads pile up. I'm an early riser, a lie in to me could be 9.30am then I'm ready to get up and go. But as stress mounts, sleepless nights happen and my alarm becomes the most horrendous sound in the world. It's important to know the difference between your body <i>needing</i> sleep and just being greedy and wanting more. A few hours a night isn't going to get you very far so put the books down early, unwind for a while and embrace the time to rest. Bliss. </div>
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4. See your phone sitting there that you use to check your Facebook/ Twitter every five minutes? When you feel like your head is going to explode and that the tear gates are about to give way, pick it up. Find the number of the person you know will make you laugh until you pull a muscle in your side and press the call button. Rant a little, then laugh a LOT. Best way to relax and pick yourself up; completely fail safe.<br />
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6. Remind yourself why you chose to go to university (or college). Then remind yourself why you chose your subject(s) and what it is that you love about them. Then think about the fact that very soon it will all be over. Remember how desperately you wanted to finish school, turn 18, be an adult and laughed in the face of anyone who told you that those were the best years of your life and you'd miss them once they were gone? And yet here I find myself in my early twenties dreading the day that I have to say 'I'm 22'. Once it's done, it's done, so it is worth putting in the hours now, soaking up as much information as you can and making each day count. (Too much Titanic, perhaps?) </div>
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I adore my university life and will be sad to see it all come to an end this summer. But, I don't want to spend the next month or so in the fluster that I found myself in this week, so food, treats and kit kat filled breaks will be helping me get by.<br />
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How do you find yourselves able to cope with the stresses and strains of essays and exams? Tell me your secrets, please!</div>Melita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615571050477636081.post-84667141981562326462012-04-13T18:29:00.000+01:002012-04-13T18:29:26.551+01:00I Covet Thee, A New Way Of Thinking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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By now, every Tom, Dick and Harry should be familiar with the name Samantha Brick and the uproar that her <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2124246/Samantha-Brick-downsides-looking-pretty-Why-women-hate-beautiful.html">controversial article</a> caused the other week. The target of many a bitchy comment about her apparently average looks and delusional self perception, it is a wonder that she didn't merely crumble away and regret the whole thing. But today, she hit back with yet another article explaining and justifying herself and her words. I don't want to focus on the controversy of Samantha Brick so much in this post, but the fact that here is a woman so confident in her own skin that she has no qualms professing her self worth.<br />
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On a daily basis women are inundated with the front covers of newspapers and magazines sporting the latest fad diets that we just HAVE to try because we all HAVE to lose that extra bit of weight that stops us from fitting into a socially acceptable size 8 and pushes us into the deep, dark realms of double figured sizes, dare I say it, A SIZE 10! Shock bloomin' horror. </div>
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Ever tried fitting into your boyfriend's skinny jeans? Ever found that you can barely slip them over your thighs? Ever wondered why? Women are built differently to men; we have hips, child bearing hips and we are bloody well supposed to be that way. </div>
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Magazines and the media seem to think that they are doing us all a much needed favour with their relentless quest to get us to buy their latest issues, try their latest quick fixes and then cry as we have to pull the size 10s back out of the wardrobe once we stop living off just carrot sticks. </div>
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What needs to be promoted to women more is not weight loss but healthy life styles. Women should be conscious about the health of their bodies, not merely if they can pinch an inch too many. Exercise is solely promoted as a means of weight loss, not as a necessary activity of everyday life, not as something that can be enjoyable. Last year I ran Race For Life, a 5km fun run that I am sure you have all heard of. This gave me the kick up the bum I needed to go for a run/jog regularly. (I use the term loosely, no more than 2/3 times a week, but that's more regular than my previous status of zero runs a week). I don't think I lost any weight from training, but I got a hell of a lot fitter and eventually managed to finish 5km without having to stop and pick up my lungs; the furthest I've ever run, ever! I've never been good at running, but I've kind of grown to like it. It hurts like hell and my legs haven't learnt to carry me all that far, but I'm working on it (partly as I had a mental breakdown and signed up to a half marathon in October, jokes!)<br />
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Not everybody likes running or wants to do it. But, my point is find something that you do and take it up and stick to it without weight watching. Think about your body in terms of healthiness, not jeans size. I made Rob do that 30 Day Shred workout with me, which is quite popular at the moment and I have never laughed so hard! Do it with someone, trust me, it's hilarious. People look ridiculous doing star jumps, watch them, it's brilliant.<br />
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Not everybody was built to be super slim, and if you weren't, don't try and force your body to fit that mould. Embrace having a little junk in your trunk and make maintaining a healthy life style your priority, not the unhealthy images of a size zero craze. If only it were that easy as to turn the other cheek to the diet covered magazines and re-wire our brains to see exercise as more of a healthy life style, then perhaps we could all write like Samantha Brick about how beautiful we are and be confident in doing so, perfectly happy in the skin that we have. For that, I envy her.<br />
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<br /></div>Melita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615571050477636081.post-61661751659040468892012-04-06T17:10:00.000+01:002012-04-06T17:10:16.839+01:00Lead Through The Dark With Your Eyes As Candles<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last weekend I went home to celebrate my mum and my sister's birthday, which I finally have time to blog about. On Friday, my mum threw a huge party for my sister as it was her 18th. In the Philippines, when you turn 18, you have what's called a 'Debut', and it is custom to have 18 candles and 18 roses (some also have 18 treasures, but we missed out the latter). So 18 of my sister's closest girlfriends, including my mum, took to the floor to light a candle for her and wish her happy birthday/ recall a fond memory from their friendship. There were tears and smiles and it was all very beautiful. </div>
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Then the boys stepped forward and one by one presented my sister with a rose and quickly wooed her round the dance floor. My little 8 year old brother was absolutely adorable, sweeping in on one knee, taking the rose out from the inside of his jacket and then removing his hat while he took her hand! Once the song had ended he made a far too cool for school exit from the dance floor with his Michael Jackson style moon walking! </div>
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The party was held on my mum's actual birthday so after celebrating my sister's turning of 18, we surprised her with a cake and round of happy birthday to ensure that she felt just as special. It was a lovely evening and I am looking forward to next weekend and leaving the library behind for a slightly longer visit home. </div>
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<br /></div>Melita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615571050477636081.post-43575799893063136922012-03-28T13:44:00.000+01:002012-03-28T13:44:05.671+01:00I Covet Thee, Pastel Wardrobe<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I really could get used to these summery evenings and waking up to the sun beaming through my curtains. The blue sky's set to stick around for at least the next week or so and I for one, sure hope that it does. Fingers and toes and all other crossable limbs are crossed for a real summer this year. Not the standard English, 'Here's your one week heat wave folks! See ya next year, perhaps..' No sir-ee. I'm sure when I was in school the majority of my summer holidays would be spent at the beach, in the sea and returning home to a horrified mother after catching one too many rays. Whatever happened to that? I miss it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The weather has made me realise that I need to brighten up my wardrobe; far too much black, grey and blues hanging around, and I want pastels. If I could just have all of the above, that'd be just swell, please and thank you bank of Mum and bank of Rob (ha!) The Asos dresses are my favourite and there are a few more different patterns and shades on line, I could just build a summer wardrobe out of these dresses alone and I would be one happy so and so. I might just have to settle with the <i>Peach Melba Barry M</i> nail polish though; cheapest product, isn't it? Alas...</span></div>Melita Kielyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133490732709640894noreply@blogger.com13