Back to College Stationery Haul!

It's officially that time of year again - preparing to go back to school or college! You might be thinking, ''I still have a month of left my holidays, leave me alone Aveen!'' yet I feel you can never prepare too early for going back in September. 

As I will be starting my second year in college, I now realise what stationery I actually need for my college course (primary teaching). Last year I went slightly insane buying every and any piece of stationery I could place my hands on. (Including a page hole puncher which I have not yet used). This year however, I was more sensible thankfully! 

To start with, I bought a school bag from the Roxy website. Even when I was in secondary school I always had to have a Roxy school bag. I found them so spacious, stylish and comfy to lug my heavy books around in. Needless to say, this ethos hasn't changed so I bought a floral patterned bag this year. Funnily enough, the bag matches the pencil case I bought in Penneys/Primark! (not in that photo but in normal daylight they match). 

For lectures and tutorials I always bring refill pads to write notes or to occasionally doodle. I tend to buy refill pads with dividers in them and you can label each section according to each subject. Due to the amount of modules I study each semester I usually need 2 refill pads with 5 dividers in each. I find it a lot easier coming up to exam and assignment time to study as I know where my notes are. 

I picked up some sticky tape with dispensers (you never know when they will come in handy). I got two so I have one for my bedroom at home and one for my room in Limerick. Likewise I bought two sets of sticky notes so I won't have to carry extra things around when I'm travelling to-and-from at the weekends. 

Blue tack is also a great investment to get. I found I went through a lot of blue tack when I was teaching on placement last semester. As a result I keep blue tack with me at all times during college time. 

I also bought two lever-arch folders for future placements later on in the college term, along with the poly-pockets to go in the folders. Sharpies were also on special offer in Tesco (where I also got the majority of my stationery, their section of stationery is just a dream!) so I picked a pack of them up, along with pens, pencils, an eraser and highlighters. 

I also find that light plastic folders are great for keeping any hand-outs or notes you might be given in tutorials or lectures. Depending on the subject, I could get several handouts from my tutors or lecturers. Keeping them in the small plastic folder is great especially coming up to exam time as you know exactly where the notes are. 

I also picked up two smaller notepads, one will be for writing down my 'homework' or my to-do list whilst in college. In some lectures we're asked to study readings in advance of the next tutorial or lecture so I'll most likely write down the necessary information in one of the notepads so I can keep on top of my work. 

I hope this has helped anyone starting college as a guiding point for what to buy as regards to stationery. If you aren't sure what to get (regardless of your college course) a refill pad and a few pens/pencils is always an excellent starting point. I think with my course I go through a lot more stationery than the average college student, I feel as though I spend the college year just stocking up on stationery!

Have you gotten any cute stationery or notebooks for going back to school or college?
Send me a snap (SC: awkwardaveen), tweet me or let me know in the comments!

Aveen x

After Christmas Sales Haul

Hey Everyone!

Hope you are all having a wonderful New Year, even if you're back in school. This blog post is late and should probably be called January sales haul but ''shur it'll be grand.'' Here are the things I bought over the sales before I went back to school!

Hollister had a 50% off sale and free shipping for orders over 25 euro, so I obviously pounced on it. I got these three t-shirts for 12 euro each. I only got them yesterday (hence the lateness of this post) but they're really light and comfortable, perfect for summer and for winter under a cosy hoodie.

I've been wanting a nice pair of boots for the past couple of months and finally got them! These boots are from Susst and I got them for 30 euros on a half price sale. I should probably explain the sale I went to. A local shop in my town stocks lots of designer clothes eg Superdry, Converse, Vans etc and after Christmas they have a half price sale. It's worse than Black Friday, you have to run to the things you want or else they'll be gone! Down below are some other pieces I got in this sale too.

I got these lovely pair of jeans in another sale too. I loved them so much I also got a pair in black. which I've been wearing constantly! I'm waiting for Spring maybe before I start wearing these, they're so comfy and I got them for 20 euros.

These photos genuinely don't do this top justice! It's a black sequinned top/jumper that I got for 30 euros in another local shop. I haven't worn it yet but it looks so pretty.

I also got this lovely and snug Diesel hoodie for 30 euros down from 60 in the half price sale. I just saw it and tried it on, it fitted perfectly! I love it, especially in this cold weather and I love Diesel hoodies.

I also bought a pair of black suede Converse with a warm, insulating type of material inside. These were 40 euros down from 80, yet again it was in the half price sale. I've been wearing them a lot as they're so incredibly comfy and snug!

Last but certainly not least is... my selfie stick. Okay I couldn't resist. I got it for 20 euros in Tesco but my brother paid half so we share it (imagine two selfie sticks in a house? Scary stuff) Mainly my two year old cousin uses it whenever she sees me! I'm waiting for a random social event in order to use it, it's so easy to use as it connects via Bluetooth.

So these were my purchases! I was really happy with what I bought, did you get any bargains?  If so, let me know in the comments!

Stay Strong, Happy & Fearless!
Aveen xx

What I Got For Christmas 2014!

Hey Everyone!

I hope you all had a lovely, happy and healthy Christmas. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of Christmas. This post is about the presents I received from my family and friends.

Just before I start, I would like to state that I'm entirely grateful and humbled by the beautiful presents I received. This blog post isn't for bragging, some like these type of posts, some don't. Anyway, here is what I got for Christmas 2014!

I didn't ask for anything 'big' this year like a phone or a laptop as I got a new laptop in the summer and a new phone a few weeks ago. I was delighted and happily surprised with the gifts I received.

Taylor Swift's album '1989' along with 'The Silkworm' by Robert Galbraith. The 'Pengwing' beside the Smarties and 1989 is a hand warmer! I have horrifically cold hands in Winter (even with gloves or mittens) so it's perfect!

Sweets, Impulse sprays (my absolute favourite!) and Penguin socks (Pengwing if you love Benedict Cumberbatch like I do)

A Starbucks mug with a candy cane spoon! There was also sachets of coffee, yum!

A Vaseline bag with some pretty products, 'Shopaholic to the stars' by Sophie Kinsella. I've been reading the Shopaholic series since I was like 13! (5 years ago help)

The cutest fluffy pen! Reckon my teachers will allow me write in class with it? 

The massive shoes are slippers in the shape of Converse! I also received a One Direction calendar. I received one last year and loved it! I also got a couple of pairs of pyjamas, which I love and adore! 

So that's what I received for Christmas! Hope you had fun having a nose through my presents! :) 

I'll be back shortly to write a 2014 reflection (which I've started planning!) 

Best wishes for 2015 to all you lovely readers!

Stay Strong, Happy & Fearless!

Aveen xx

Christmas Penneys/Primark Haul!

Hey Everyone!

I recently visited Penneys and picked up some items for Christmas! *Cue excited squeals of joy* Here are the items I bought!

I've developed an obsession with fairy lights recently, this heart (with the prettiest snowflake) was 4 euros. I thought it would be a nice touch in my room. 

*sighs* I saw these fairy lights too and these were also 4 euros. I've become quite focused on decorating my room since I got it re-decorated over the summer. 

This cute Christmas tree hairband was only two euros and is ideal for any Christmas party. 

I also bought this cute elf clip, it's subtle yet so Christmassy at the same time. 

Gingerbread men mittens! I've lost the receipt so I'm not sure how much these are, but it's Penneys so it wouldn't break the bank. I've been wearing these to school and down the town and I love them. 

I saw these slippers and thought they looked so cosy and warm. (They are)

I love a good pair of fluffy socks and these are just ideal. This pair was 3.50 but so cosy. 

This t-shirt was 3 euros and I couldn't resist it. I've worn it once so far but plan to wear it more during the rest of the month.

My final item and probably my favourite. This was 17 euros and isn't it just the best/cutest cardigan you've seen? I wore it yesterday to the Slógadh Spleodar for the Christmas party and I was so warm wearing it, as well as looking festive.

That's my Christmas haul from Penneys/Primark. 

Have you bought any bargains or gorgeous pieces from Penneys recently? Let me know in the comments. 

Stay Strong, Happy and Fearless!

Aveen xx

Penneys/Primark Winter Haul!

Hey Everyone!

Over midterm I paid a trip to my beloved Penneys to stock up on some accessories and t-shirts from their Autumn/Winter collection. Needless to say I wasn't disappointed. Here are some of the items I bought! 

**I bought Christmas items which I will post at a later date. I feel November 1st is a little too early to be singing about a 'White Christmas.' I'm not the Grinch but I always wait until December before getting excited for Christmas! 

Another sign to hang up in my room, it's a similar design to a heart I bought last time in Limerick!

I think it was 3 euros.

Here are some pretty bobbins, I thought they looked really cute and girly.

You may not know about my bow obsession (It's getting serious) so these were a delight to see!

More bows. Oh dear.

I love this bobbin with the pink tinged roses, I wear my hair in a doughnut bun in school so it would be amazing to wear with it.

Owl pyjamas! 

A blouse I bought for only 7 euros. I really like the shape, it's similar to other blouses I have. 

I feel in love with the detail in this cardigan collar! It's so pretty and brightens the appearance of the black cardigan.

Here's a black top I bought, the back is longer than the front and creates a flattering effect. 

So that's my Winter haul! I'll be posting a Christmas themed Penneys/Primark haul closer to Christmas. Warning, may contain cute Christmas cardigans. 

Stay Strong, Happy & Fearless!

Aveen xx

Haul: Converse, Orla Kiely & Wet N Wild!

Hey Everyone!

I did some shopping over Midterm and decided to share my purchases with you all! You may know I've developed a teeny obsession with Orla Kiely, an Irish designer. I got one of her handbags for my birthday and I bought one myself. They're such versatile and pretty bags.  Her designs are just simply to die for, they're that beautiful. 

I was in Wexford town on a shopping trip and paid a trip to a shop, which had an entire section of Orla Kiely products! I actually squealed a little, it was like an Aladdin's cave, filled with so many pretty items that I just wanted to own and stare at for the rest of my life. I bought a cute cake tin which I'm going to be using whenever I bake and a pen which I can't wait to use in school or to take notes with. 

Last Saturday I was going around the town and saw these gorgeous Converse on offer in a local (but my favourite) clothes shop. All Converse High Top shoes were reduced to 30 euro and I luckily found these in my size. I adore the colour and think the shade of pink is really striking. 

I also went into a local stationery shop (another favourite of mine) and saw that 2015 planners were out! I love having notebooks to scribble things in and I fell in love with this design. I love the birdcage and the general romanticised Parisian feel to the planner. It'll also be useful for organising my study. 

On Tuesday morning I was woken up to my brother shouting in the hall, ''YOU'VE POST AVEEN!'' Turns out it was the package from Elizabeth from Elizabethsblog and the prize of make up I'd won. The products are simply gorgeous and so pretty so thank you again! x

That's about it from me, 

I'll be posting an AwkwardSprinkles video on my channel soon. *Hint* Grace has uploaded hers*

I've another few blog posts planned, in particular an Awkward Sprinkles blog post and a Penneys/Primark haul so stay tuned! 

*****I've started a YouTube series called ''Letters to the Leaving Cert'' 

Let me know what you think of it !

Stay Strong, Happy & Fearless!

Aveen xx