THE PODCAST EDIT: JULY - AUGUST

[Some links in this post re-direct to Spotify for listening, but all are also available for listening on Apple Music and possibly other streaming sites too)

The only thing that really makes my day tick over - aside from excessive amounts of breakfast tea - is a good podcast and some fresh air.

Over the years I've not really been a big podcast listener, I didn't know what was out there, what I wanted to listen to or learn about, or what I was interested in enough to focus my attention on. However, aside from the occasional one over the past few years, I really started to getting into them when two members of my favourite band started recording their own one. I was fascinated and loved hearing stories from other band members they'd toured with, tech crew that travelled the world with them, or anyone they knew in the industry.

That quickly became my go-to listening when doing laundry at uni (I really advise it, especially when you're not up for talking to strangers in the laundry room).

Since then, I pop on a podcast when I'm out walking, travelling, cooking, relaxing - there's virtually no bad time to do it, well not unless you're having to solely focus on something else because I can't tell you how many episodes I've had to re-listen to because I've missed a whole chunk.

My new found love of podcasts has prompted a little series that I intend to share with y'all every other month - there will be a mix of new shows I've been listening to and focuses on particular ones with a selection of recommended episodes that are well worth a listen.

To kickstart this, July & August's favourites are as follows; 

THE WAYWARD PODCAST

Since my first trip to MCM Comic Con back in May, I've become hooked on the TV show Supernatural - I'm at least ten years late to the party, I know. So when I stumbled across The Wayward Podcast last week, I knew I'd hit the jackpot. Hosted by the two bad ass female Sheriff's in SPN - Kim Rhodes & Briana Buckmaster - this podcast really made me stop and think about my own life, habits, mental state, health etc. It's the perfect show for ladies to immerse themselves in, they're non-time consuming episodes but Kim & Briana really shed a lot of light on a number of topics that are important to women and are relatable even if you find yourself in a different position to them.

So far they've talked about Health, Periods, Beauty, Motherhood, Mean Girls, Sex, Sleep and the general goings on in a Woman's World. In just a week these ladies have really helped me re-evaluate the way I view life situations and make me strive to work harder on being an even better person -whilst simultaneously making me see that it's perfectly okay and normal to mess up, you just gotta pick yourself back up.

MY FAVORITE MURDER

When I say this took over my life for about two months, I'm really not exaggerating. May/June I spent all day watching Supernatural (post uni-life really threw my head in a spin) and then as soon as I stepped into the kitchen to make dinner, I hit play on a new episode of MFM and listened for a good few hours. 

After being relatively fascinated in murder cases for quite some time, I decided to give this a listen and learn about a number of tales and cases I've never heard of. Georgia Hardstark & Karen Kilgariff have been recording this podcast for three years now, they're lively, (mildly) crazy and enthusiastic West Coast American woman who protest to re-tell their favourite murder story of the week with the odd inaccuracy thrown in which always makes for a fun 'housekeeping' segment in the following episode.

If you're interested in true crime, murder, hearing the listeners hometown murders, and have a laugh along the tragic and morbid path of death, GH & KK have you well and truly covered. There's really no surprise that the show has gained such an incredible worldwide following and media acclaim.

Remember; Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered.

TABLE MANNERS

Another marvellous laundry/cooking podcast comes from British singer-songwriter, Jessie Ware, and her very charming mum, Lennie. The promise of talking about food is already a winner in my book, but throw a whole host of guests from actors, to musicians, to radio DJ's, even Sadiq Khan, and sheer hilarity between the hosts and their guests, into the mix, and you've nailed the podcast format.

Everything, and everyone, in Table Manners is so down-to-Earth, funny, intriguing and makes you feel like you're sat around the dinner table with everyone else. They talk desert island meals, food habits growing up and favourite dishes to cook, all whilst learning more about their guests.

It's the perfect background accompaniment whilst pottering around the house that you're guaranteed to enjoy.

What podcasts are you all enjoying? I'm definitely on the hunt for more to listen to no matter what the genre! And please let me know if you listen to any of these and what you think of them.

S xo

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HWYL FAWR CAERDYDD!

*This post contains affiliate links that, when clicked, may result in myself earning a commission from that click and/or purchase. Please do not click any associated links in this post if you are unhappy with this. Full disclaimer here.*

(Translation: Hwyl Fawr Caerdydd! - Goodbye Cardiff!)

Time sure flies when you're having fun! Or perhaps when you're job hunting and having 7.5 meltdowns a day, and wondering what the heck you're doing, and why you spent 3 years at university and didn't just get a retail job and stay in retail hell for the rest of your days. I think it's safe to say that last part just reaffirms why I put myself back into the world of education.

But it's been a relatively chilled (yet somewhat stressful all the same) seven weeks since I graduated, and left the beautiful Cardiff behind. Job searching is underway, catching up on sleep is something still a bit hit or miss, and positive thinking is something I'm willing each day, but everything will be fine soon. If you're in the same position, we got this!

I had a total panic leading up to graduation because, as a fashion student, what in the heck are you supposed to wear?! Now, I love a sexy, 'I'm a confident, mature and sophisticated woman' dress as much as the next gal, but that ain't me and it's not something I can pull off with a few too many curves, lumps and bumps. But as soon as I saw this skirt in H&M in Westfield, on a girls shopping trip, I fell. in. love.

It's lush but I put it to the back of my mind as an 'I'd like something like that for graduation but not as dressy or formal' with the equally as gorgeous matching tie back top. Fast forward a few weeks and I spied it again in New York and fawned over it - that's when I knew I needed it in my life.

The v low cut crochet top was perfect with it, it makes it slightly less wedding-y and more 'Look I'm a woman and not a twelve year old'. And the shoes were a very last minute purchase - the morning of to be exact, I love stressing myself out and being a bit lastminute dot com.

The only downside to feeling like a total "goddess" - to quote of my classmates - was the blistering heat that probably made me shed a few pounds in all that material with the cap and gown. I'm melting just thinking about it.

I don't remember the last time I actually felt that confident so win-win all round, amirite?

Big shout out to my mum for being my little rock and being there for me on the day, and my lovely girls who are the best friends I could ask for (some not pictured in this post because of ugly photo lighting).

Gold skirt - H&M  //  Crochet top - H&M  //  Sandals - H&M (Sold out)  //  Earrings - H&M  // Bag - Primark (Old)

S xo

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MAKE YOUR UNI ROOM YOUR NEW HOME

Sa-mmy's back, alright! If you didn't just sing that to the tune of Everybody by Backstreet Boys, then you really missed a trick.

Ya girl is back home, university has been done and dusted, I - surprisingly- made a non-teary journey back from Cardiff and I'm still in the process of settling back into Northern life. So far it's... going.

Now I've had a little bit of time to process the past 3 years, look back on the experience and think about everything that has, or hasn't, changed, I want to share with you all how I made the move a much easier transition, and turned my uni dorm room into a home away from home.

1. BE AWARE OF WHAT YOU CAN AND CAN'T DO IN YOUR RESIDENTIAL RULES

From the first year I moved into Liberty Living, they made it crystal clear that you were not to stick anything to the walls with sticky tack, quite often the oil in tack leaves a darker mark behind on most wall paint and there's no getting rid of it unless it's painted over. So check first before you get in trouble and have your deposit become non-refundable.

I'll be honest, when I first moved in I stuck a couple of posters up, the marks weren't majorly noticeable, probably due to the fact I'd stained the walls by accident with exploded pink fruit cider. I didn't lose my deposit, but seriously, be careful. Mostly the threat of not receiving your deposit after you move out is only enforced if you smash a hole in the wall, or take a door off its hinges, but don't quote me on that.

Luckily by the second year, the whole building had undergone a renovation, and the walls had a more resistant paint applied, so no more sticky tack residue. Winner! We were still advised not to stick anything up but it wasn't visible on the walls so I took the chance.

2. TO PACK OR NOT TO PACK

I was expecting my childhood home to have been sold whilst I was at university, that was the plan at least, so when I first moved in I took virtually everything I owned with me. I filled SIX Royal Mail type cages with stuff and then bought more furniture from Ikea down the road. It was excessive, but I didn't have the choice back then. I love love loved having everything I owned with me though, it made life so much easier and I wasn't constantly thinking "Did I bring that with me? God I really need it".

However, it really isn't feasible for everyone, and I completely understand that. Most students move into halls with their parents car full of stuff, my mum and I travelled over 200 miles with a Transit van. Bonkers.

If you have the space then take what you want. A few flats I went into were so sparse and had zero personality, or character, that it felt cold and unwelcoming and I honestly don't know how they coped living in such an impersonal space for 3 years.

3. FILL THE SILENCE

Taking my little old TV was a no brainer, I'm pretty sure TV was the only thing that carried me through uni. 

First thing you need to know is that you all need a TV license in your flat if you're all going to be watching 'normal' telly. Unfortunately it doesn't work if you just have one license per flat, in ours we would have needed 5 separate ones if we all wanted to watch it in our own rooms. I wasn't fussed, I had my DVD player, a selection of DVD's and my Amazon Fire TV Stick. A student Amazon Prime account is free for 6 months and then £39.99 a year after that, it's way way worth it and so much cheaper than a TV license. Obviously you just can't watch ITV or the Beeb. Not a deal breaker for me.

I lived on buying cheap DVD's from CEX and binge-watching tv shows whilst working, it provided such good background that made me more relaxed and less stressed out with work.

4. THE LITTLE THINGS

As you can see, I've got a tonne of pictures printed and stuck to my walls because I love all the little moments that they represent. 90% of them were printed on FreePrints, if by some stroke of misfortune you've managed to not hear about this gem, then let Sam give you a little tip. 

FreePrints allows you 45 free photos a month, the delivery varied on how many you have printed, but either way it still works out a heck of a lot cheaper than it would be to have them printed in-store. It probably averages out at 11p per print for 45.

(To get an extra 5 prints a month, click this link and make your first in-app order!)

As you can see below, I have a collage wall of just good memories, and then there's the black and white wall of my fave actors and postcards I've collected along the way. It looks neat and personal and all for next to nothing.

I purchased the film poster from eBay for a few quid (because hello, The Martian is one of my faves) and then I had a few promotional pictures and artwork printed at FreePrints to accompany it.

Paperchase have some cracking postcards for sale, some I've collected over the years, or a fair few I've nabbed when they've gone in the sale, but for 80p each you can't really complain either way. Don't forget your 10% discount too.

My other little bits and bobs are either things I've accumulated from friends over the years, promotional theatre materials, and small items that go with the colour scheme of my room. As you can see I'm still into pink and grey so I've accented the room in those colours. I think it really ties the room together nicely.

Now, I'm a major candle obsessive so being at uni has put a real strain on my candle affection, so instead I've used them (unlit) as decoration and then I sticky tacked fairy lights along the edge of my bed and around the edges of the ceiling. There's nothing nicer than relaxing in bed after a stressful day and switching the tiny lights on to let them softly light up the room. 

Lastly, snap up a few cheap cushions and throw them on the bed with a fluffy throw blanket, it looks cute and turns your bed into a comfy seating area when your friends come round to visit. Double winner.

I always had complimentary comments from friends and Liberty Living staff when they came into my room, because it really was a home away from home. It's so very affordable to decorate a basic room with just a few bits and bobs, and takes next to no work to turn it into a personal little haven that you'll be glad to escape to when uni and work become too much for you.

If there are any other university posts or tips you'd like me to share, drop me a comment or a message on Twitter/Instagram and I'll be more than happy to help!

S xo

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