Paperchase Haul

I'm an absolute sucker for stationary- it's one of my (many) shopping weaknesses because I feel like you can always justify it. I was in London earlier in the week with some time to kill so I popped into my favourite Paperchase in Covent Garden for a browse and came out with a few bits and bobs. First of all I picked up this cute floral A4 notebook which I think will be perfect for uni. I have so many different sized notebooks but I love A4 size for academic work so if I ever need to make some notes in lectures etc this will be perfect. This pencil case is also going to be great for university because it's just the right size to fit a few pens and pencils in but is small and light enough to fit in any bag. The print is absolutely stunning combined with the rose gold zip and was really affordable. They had a lot of products in this range and I genuinely could have bought them all!

It's no secret that I adore organisation and I adore cats so why not combine the two?! I bought this list pad which is also magnetic, meaning it'll be perfect stuck on my fridge to make quick shopping lists. I don't know what it is with washi tape at the moment but I am obsessed. This pack of 6 caught my eye and I couldn't say no. I love that it comes in this little cardboard tray that will help to keep them tidy on my desk.

Olivia Ellen XXX

Miscellaneous USA Haul

I hope you don't mind me putting up another haul so soon but it's been a long time since I did a non-beauty haul and I picked up some things whilst on my holiday that I wanted to share with you. I'll start of with the clothing and a few things I picked up from Forever 21. First are just a couple of basic tops which are all I seem to wear lately. This khaki v-neck burnout t-shirt is a super soft fabric and I pretty much live in v-neck t-shirts as I think they go with pretty much everything and are a little more flattering than round necked ones on me. I know I'll get a lot of wear out of this because khaki is one of my staple colours for A/W. Also I picked up just a stretchy striped top with long sleeves which will be great for layering. You can't go wrong with simple stripes!

The best item I picked up is this real suede jacket, also from Forever 21. It's such a great fit on me and because it's real suede it'll hopefully be really good quality and last well through A/W. The tan shade will go with most things I own so look out for this in a lot of outfit posts over the next few months!

I picked up a mascara from Covergirl, a drugstore brand that a lot of American's talk about. The brush reminded me of Maybelline's The Rocket mascara but it was quite a bit cheaper so as a lot of my mascaras are getting low at the moment, I thought I'd give it a try. So far I quite like it- it adds a lot of length to the lashes without much clumping. I wouldn't say it's the best I've used but it's pretty good. This cute cranberry scented candle was an absolute bargain- $1! I love the scent- it's very warm and autumnal- and I though the cute jar would look nice in my university room which I move into soon. I've got quite a lot of decor items to make my room homely so I'll definitely do some sort of room tour once I'm all settled in.

I have the HTC One Mini phone which is a really good one and even after more than a year I still like it. However I'm pretty clumsy and have dropped it a few times (ok, maybe more than a few times but shhh) which means that some of the plastic edging has snapped off. I'd been sticking it back on with sellotape but decided to pick up some cutely coloured Washi tape to repair it with from now on. Admittedly it doesn't look like the sophisticated phone it once was but this tape is super cute and I'm sure I'll find lots of other uses for it too. Finally I picked up the Hawaiian Tropic After Sun Lotion which is a product I haven't used for years but the scent is absolutely beautiful and once I'd smelt it I couldn't go without it. I actually didn't bring a moisturiser on holiday with me (for some strange reason) so this helped to keep my skin soft and tanned, plus it's a lot cheaper in America than it is in the UK.

Olivia Ellen XXX

Autumn Wishlist (Already?!)

Dungarees- Topshop // Gilet- New Look // Boots- ASOS // Heels- River Island // Top- ASOS // Pencil Skirt- ASOS // Wall Art- Etsy

I know it's technically still Summer but we haven't exactly been having the weather I'd been hoping for so recently I've been starting to think forward to Autumn. All the shops are beginning to get A/W stock in and I'm loving the whole vibe this season and I can't wait to slip my feet back into a pair of classic chelsea boots. I love these ones from ASOS because of the pointed toe and block heel which will smarten up any outfit. I can see myself wearing a lot of polo necks, especially as layers- one would look great under these super cute dungarees. I'm also glad to see that off-the-shoulder tops won't be going anywhere in a hurry. I think they're super flattering on all body shapes and this striped one has a real 70s feel that I love. I think simple tailoring is also going to be a big thing which is why I love this khaki pencil skirt- imagine it with a fluffy jumper and a tailored coat and it's a classy everyday look. I actually tried on this faux-leather gilet in New Look recently but opted to buy a faux fur one instead, but there's no doubt I'll be heading back to pick this one up too in the near future. 

I'm pretty sure it's no secret anymore that I am an absolute shoe addict- I'm always coming up with some reason why I need another pair. These holographic platforms are simply stunning and would look amazing with so many outfits for a night out. Unfortunately at £65 I'm not sure I can justify them but I can dream! As I'm heading off to university soon I've been stocking up on homeware in order to make my new room a lovely place to spend time. I've been obsessed with Etsy lately and I've seen so much cute decor- I love these embroidery wall hangings, as well as banners and prints that will just make me smile when I see them. I'm definitely planning on doing a room tour when I'm all settled in so look out for that in the Autumn.

Olivia Ellen XXX

Keeping Organised + Stationery Collection

I know I'm not the only who is obsessed with stationery in the blogging world but I can't explain what it is I really love about covering fresh blank paper in my own little scribbles and notes. I also know that I own an inexplicably large amount of notebooks and pads (many of them were gifts, many I bought myself because, why not?!) but it's fair to say that without them I'd be a lot less organised that I am. Today I thought I'd talk you through my favourites. 

Let's start with most important bit of kit I own: my diary. This gorgeous floral number is from Paperchase and contains my whole life- work shifts, school work, even my scheduled blog posts get noted down in here. Personally I prefer writing dates down rather than storing them on my phone although I don't think there's a real reason for this- I guess I just love having a pretty little book! I picked up the I'm Over It notebook in New York as I'd filled up my previous list book. Yes that's right- I have an entire notebook dedicated to making lists. There's something so satisfying about crossing things off once I've done them and it also helps me remember things I need to do or buy as I have a truly terrible memory sometimes. Plus it has funny statements all the way through such as II'm never drinking again' or 'I can handle this'- little lies we all tell ourselves which cheer me up!

The small notebook on the left is my theatre book. In case you didn't know, I also run a little theatre review blog as it's something I'm really interested in (Olivia Loves Theatre) and so this is the book I take to performances if I want to make notes on things to remember for when I write up a review. It's handy because it's really slim and compact so doesn't weigh me down. The elephant notebook at the back is one I love mainly for aesthetic reasons- the cover is made of fabric and the design is 3D with the paper inside being really good quality plain paper. It doesn't get loads of use but it sure is beautiful! 

I sure am a sucker for stationery that's a bit of fun. Whether it's sticky notes that are pencil shaped, patterned sticky tape or something with a punchy slogan, you know I'm going to want it! That's why I love the In My Humble Opinion... book. It has quotes about humans on one side and a space to right about your day/encounters on the other which is a bit of fun and a good way for me to get my feelings out. Another are the Please sticky notes with tick boxes on them. They're great because they get noticed so whatever is on them gets done quickly!

I'll finish off with a couple of creative things. Although you can't really see it on the picture, in the top left is a ring-bound scrap book which I've been making a start on. Everything is done so much online these days that I think it's really great to have some physical photos and memories so I'm enjoying spending some of my free time filling this in. Equally is the book of Secret Garden postcards that you colour in yourself before writing on the other side and sending them off. The patterns are so therapeutic and I'm looking forward to sending some of these to my friends when I go off to uni. 

While I was writing up this post I made the mistake of looking on the Paperchase website and I now have a list as long as my arm of things I think I need. Let's see how long I can resist!

Olivia Ellen XXX 

Shoe Storage

I was having a sort-out the other day and decided to rearrange some of my clothes. I put my summery clothes into storage and hung up my lovely warm jumpers. This also involved putting sandals and jelly shoes away, so I tidied up my shoe rack. This sits outside my bedroom between my study. On it  I'm keeping on it my most-loved or most worn shoes so they are easily accessed (or looked at in some cases).

On the top shelf I first have my new pair of Chelsea boots, which I recently picked up from you'll never guess where- Sainsburys. I was so surprised to see them but thought they were really nicely made and very reasonably priced too. I've worn them a few times already, but they will be especially good for when the weather gets very cold- plus they look fab with my duffel coat. In the middle are my most loved shoes (dare I say ever?!) which I've actually managed to wear quite a few times already. I intend to wear these a lot through the festive season, and hey- they're quite a treat for the eyes too. And finally the pair you've seen too many times- my Topshop Webb's. They've been my go-to shoes for going out for almost a year now and I can see them lasting me a lot longer. When I need that extra height and edginess they are perfect.

So the bottom shelf- I have to admit I rarely wear these sparkly heels from Next but I had to keep them out because of how lovely they are. They're fairly comfortable, but like all heels my feet start to ache after a few hours of wear. In the middle are a pair of simple black flats which if I remember correctly came from Dune. I don't often wear them anymore but I think they're a good pair to keep on the shelf in case a quickly need a pair of fairly cute flats. Finally are my Nikes which probably get the most wear out of any of my shoes. Do I really need to tell you again how comfortable they are?!


If you want a full shoe collection do let me know because, believe me, there are many more pairs which I keep tidied away!


Olivia Ellen XXX