The End of First Year

So I don't really know how this blog post is going to be structured. All I know is I wanted to talk about the last year of my life that has been spent in the most amazing place. I finished my last exam yesterday, and my summer has officially begun. Over the next week, so many exciting things are going to happen, and I wanted to write about them, so I can treasure them forever!

My first year at Loughborough University is over, and I am so sad to see it put behind me. When I think back, back to Freshers, and Halloween, and Christmas and Easter, I think of some amazing times and amazing accomplishments that I've managed to achieve on the way.

In semester one, I managed to get a 71% overall; which is a First (top level you can get in a degree). I might not get that overall throughout the entire year, but at least I know I managed to achieve it in my first semester ever at University. Semester one also included several AMAZING nights out, and involved getting to know my flat (and one of my best friends' flat), and several good course mates that I'll love forever. I have made so many friends in Rigg-Rut (my hall) that I know I'll stay in contact with for a long time.

Semester two was when it all kicked off for me though. I've managed to secure myself a summer job, a job in the Union starting from September, and a part time promotion job for throughout. I am so excited to start all of these things, and feel independent. Rigg-Rut Summer Ball was amazing, and I'm gutted to have missed Stage Society's Summer Ball (nothing will hold me back for the winter one!!). Another thing that happened throughout mainly semester two, is that I was appointed as Stage Society's secretary; something that has completely changed my university experience as a whole. I've got to know a whole new bunch of people who I think are absolutely brilliant, and I can't wait for the next couple of years with them. 

Over the next week, I get to chill, work with my fabulous flatmate, experience Rigg-Rut day (celebrating a year in Rigg-Rut), and most importantly, watching series 3 of Orange is the New Black; which came out today!! (oh, and I get to see my boyfriend, who has been on a 17 night cruise, and I've really missed! I guess thats kind of awesome too ;D). 

In a week and a bit, me and one of my bestest friends are jetting off to Spain, and my summer really begins! I'm undoubtedly going to do a blog post about the whole week, but I thought I'd mention it because I'm so excited! Heres to the summer!

Who am I?

So it has occurred to me that you have no idea who I am. I have people reading my blog from Australia, USA, Ireland and several places in Europe that I've never even visited, let alone know people there. Obviously the UK views are most likely people I know, so if you do know me already, feel free to skip this. I thought I'd do a little portfolio thingy explaining who I am and what I like.

Who I am:

Name: Sharla Louise Bennison.

Age: 19 years old.

Star Sign: Sagittarius.

Hair colour: Fake ginger most of the time, but currently a mousey brown colour.

Eye colour: Green.

University: Loughborough University.

Course: BSc Psychology.

Relationship status: In a relationship with a Mr Dominic Muir. <3

Likes and Dislikes:

Favourite food: pizza, or cous cous.

Favourite soft drink: Diet Coke or Dr Pepper.

Favourite alcoholic beverage (I'm a student, this had to be in here!): currently Dark Fruits Strongbow, but it always changes.

Favourite TV show: Currently Orange is the New Black, but I have also been addicted to Once Upon a Time.

Favourite book: The Fault in our Stars or P.S. I Love You.

Favourite song: again, always changes, but my long-term favourite song is All of Me; John Legend.

Favourite makeup item: I love all of my lipsticks; my fave atm is the kate moss one, i have a corally peach colour and its beautiful.

Least fave food: tomatoes. Can't stand the buggers.

Least fave soft drink: dandelion and burdock; it is GROSS.

Least fave alcoholic beverage: anything with gin, or peach schnappes.

Least fave TV show: um... not sure tbh. There's nothing that stands out as rubbish to me.

Least fave book: I love books, but hated New Moon (Twilight); I wasn't a fan of Jacob, so it was poo.

Least fave song: I literally can't stand most of Sam Smiths music (I know; I need looking at... sad!).

Least fave makeup item: I was really disappointed with the collection lipsticks, although I do have a few that stand out and are good.

Interests:

Books, blogging, wearing onesies all day, singing, dancing and acting.

Thats pretty much it... but last and not least, here is a picture of me! I know you've seen my ugly mutt before in past blog posts, but thought it wouldn't be a complete portfolio without a good old-fashioned selfie!

Hope you enjoyed!

My Summer Ball

Yesterday, I went to the event of the year in my halls at Uni: the Summer Ball. I thought I'd do a blog post on it, a little bit from a beauty perspective, but also just as a tribute to an absolutely amazing night; one of the best nights I have ever had.

In terms of hair and beauty, (I'll get that out of the way first, if you're not interested in this bit, feel free to scroll!) I wore a lot of makeup last night! I took some artsy fancy pants photos that I thought I'd post...

 So below are the pictures of the finished look. I decided on a neutral base for my eyes, as I wanted the bright pink lipstick to pop. Also, as I was wearing a dark dress, I didn't want something too heavy on my eyes. I loved how my foundation and skin makeup looked by the end, and i managed to do a pretty good eyeliner line! I'll make a list at the very bottom of all of the products I used, if you're interested in finding out how i did it! As for my hair, I braided it after a shower in the morning, and then pinned back the front slightly with two small plaits and sealed with a little black flower. I like this look as it was simple, but enough to make me feel pretty for the night!

This is my dress and heels, will mention those below too. I was so excited that i was able to wear this dress again, as I hadn't worn it for ages! Trying to find somewhere to wear it was very difficult. The heels were also a killer, because I knew I'd be wearing them from 6pm until the early hours of the morning. I packed a spare pair of flats which came in very handy!

ENOUGH ABOUT BEAUTY, MORE ABOUT THE NIGHT!

The night was magical. We started off on the floor of a very packed bus, and were greeted with Bucks Fizz on arrival. We then seated, after lots of photos, and had the most amazing meal. I am vegetarian, so I had a main that was slightly different to everyone else, but the rest was the same. Oh, a story that needs to be told now is the story of the Brie.

So my flatmate and bestie Sophie was sat next to me while we ate, and when our soups arrived with the most adorable bits of bread on and a tiny slice of brie, she was gobsmacked that her bit of bread had no Brie on. She tried to swap with Alex (my other flatmate), and he swapped back because he wanted his brie... everyone was so possessive about cheese! Soph was getting pretty hysterical at this point, so i decided to be the bigger person and swap with her so she could have some brie (she was more drunk than I was, i felt this was the best idea..). Anyway, long story short, we realised after a while that the brie was on the other side of the bread! She had the biggest hissy fit for no reason. To be honest, the funniest part of the whole story was seeing her little face as she realised she had no brie. She loves cheese so much... it was heartbreaking for her.

Anyway, my main was a lovely quiche served with vegetables, and dessert was the most amazing double chocolate cheesecake i have ever had in my entire life. Served with both red and white wine, it was a meal to die for. The cannibals in the room (;D) had chicken instead of the quiche. 

After dessert, the night consisted of some hilarious awards, including but not limited to "rear of the year", "best rebound" and "best fresher", a game of something very similar to "never have i ever", and then several hours at the roulette table (with fake money), and several photo booth visits with crazy props.

The way back was uneventful for me, but me, Sophie and Hazal (another flatmate who I love to pieces) grabbed some pizza and chips on the walk back to our flat and sat eating them and talking for an hour or so. It was so great.

There was lots of dancing, lots of hugs and lots of photos. It was so lovely to spend a night with my flatmates, and all of the wonderful people in Rigg-Rut. I wish there could be another one!

Makeup:

Face

* Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation; 100 Ivory

* Rimmel Stay Matte Powder; 002 Pink Blossom

*MUA Mosaic Blush; English Rose

* Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer; 1 Fair

* Bourjois Bronzing Powder

* Rimmel Hide The Blemish Concealer; 001 Ivory

* MUA Undress Your Skin Highlighter; Iridescent Gold

* Sleek Blush; 926 Rose Gold

Eyes

* Sleek i-Divine Storm Palette; Rose Gold shade as base

* MUA Eyeshadow Trio; Pink Sorbet; Top shade for inner corner and dark shade for crease

* Collection Fast Stroke Liquid Eyeliner; 1 Black (applied with different brush)

* Several coats of Collection Extreme Coloured Lengthening Mascara; 1 Black

Lips

* Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick; 148 Summer Pink

Outfit:

* Dress: H&M £30 about 2 years ago.

* Shoes: New Look £30 also about 2 years ago, but they still stock them.

Trials and Tribulations of a Psychology Degree

So I am a psychologist. And by that I don't mean I can read your mind, I am simply studying the brain and the mind and a high level. I wanted to rant about how stupid this can all be at times, as I have left my revision wayyyyy too late again and am feeling the consequences.

So, we have the Brain. And one part of our brain, is the forebrain. The forebrain is split into two primary sections, the telencephalon and the diencephalon. Within the telencephalon, there is the cerebral cortex, the limbic system and the basal ganglia. The cerebral cortex specifically is the skin of the brain basically... a thin layer of tissue that is responsible for things such as language. This is split into four lobes. Each lobe has a different responsibility that is then linked to other parts of the brain. The limbic system and basal ganglia have subsections too.

WHY THE HELL ARE THERE SO MANY SUBSECTIONS. AND WHY DO NONE OF THEM HAVE LOGICAL ORIGINS?!

I think my rant may be over. Although I never thought studying the brain would be easy, I didnt realise there were so many subsections to one individual bit of the brain.

Help me. My exam is so soon.

Kind and soothing comments would be lovely.