Today I embark on a pretty exciting journey, so I thought I better share it with you. Let's just say, it's not a decision I've taken lightly and if I said I wasn't scared I'd be lying. I want to blog and I want to travel so I took the decision to defer my third year and head abroad to Canada so that I can learn lots of new things, move away from my degree and share my adventures with you (yes you reading right now!) It's taken me months of hard work to save up, but I don't want to limit myself when I'm out there because of money, I want to be able to travel every weekend, I have plans to do America, Canada and hopefully I'll go to Hawaii too! The best part? I can share it all on my blog and YouTube channel, we're talking Sephora hauls, American and Canadian beauty but obviously, I'll still be doing my normal kind of posts too, just expect a few more lifestyle/adventure posts too! So what have I been up to the past week...?
The past week has been a crazy one, I've really learnt who my true friends are - as cliche as that sounds, it's really been lovely to see the effort that my friends have put in to come and visit me and catch up.
Some of the messages of support and love I've received have been amazing too.
but cards like these just make it more difficult to say goodbye to the people I love the most.
Even though I'll be back in December to celebrate my 21st birthday (you can't get rid of me that easily!), I've really never been away from home so it's going to be very difficult. I'm extremely close to my Mum, Brother and Grandparents so it's going to be weird and sad not having them around but I feel like I need to go on an adventure and I really want to focus on my blog more!
If you read my University blog post, you'll remember I said that I really still don't feel like I've got out of University what I wanted to get out of University. Deferring and taking some time away means that I can start fresh - focus on what I really want to focus on and hopefully, have an even better University experience when I get back.
It was the card from my Grandparents that was the best, it really made me cry. Unfortunately they can't come out to visit me because of insurance costs so that is really upsetting as I'd love to share my travels with them. My Grandma said 'this is a special journey, enjoy, touch, taste, see buildings, gardens, sky, landscapes, hear sounds, see a different way of life, don't rush, stop and look and stare, don't miss anything, keep it in your head and heart and bring it all home to remember - we will miss you very much, but it isn't forever, laugh and be happy'. Even typing out her words makes me nearly cry.
I made sure I visited my favourite local cafe for some brunch, Betty's.
I couldn't resist a British scone. If you watched my British Tag video you'll know just how much I love all things British.
So I thought I should probably give you a little low down about what I'm taking with me too. I won't delve into it too much because I'll be filming lots of YouTube videos and shooting lots of blog posts out there, so I can keep you updated on this kind of stuff but here's a little look into my bag...
I'll be taking my gorgeous Aspinal make up bag - it's too pretty to use to be honest!
Inside; Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer, a holy grail item of mine to keep me hydrated. The Body Shop Shea Eau De Toilette, perfect for travel. The Body Shop Wild Argan Oil for body and hair and face, hello multi-tasker! I love The Body Shop body oils! Clarins One-Step Cleanser... perfect for in-flight.
Weleda have the best little travel bits too; creamy citrus body wash, nourishing shampoo, citrus refreshing body oil, wild rose body oil.
More stuff includes; Radical youth infusion serum (my favourite), Xen-Tan mini dark lotion, Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish mini, Banace Me Wonder Eye Cream.
Finally... Nude Perfect Cleansing Oil for Face & Eyes, N4 Super Comb Prep & Protect Leave In Conditioner (I got this with my Birchbox!), Perfume samples, Aromatherapy Associates bath & shower oil - uh how gorgeous? and Clarins Hydraquench mask - the only thing that rescues my dry skin.
As most of you know, I own a lot of jewellery and owning my own jewellery shop (LVNDR) means that I just keep adding more and more to my collection. Aspinal's jewellery roll (which matches my make up bag) is the perfect addition to my travel set.
I'll be taking lots of my LVNDR jewellery with me, including my favourite lucky rose stardust necklace.
and look how easy it is to pin my favourite earrings onto it? Bravo whoever designed this!
So there we have it, a quick little look into my bag, a massive explanation and a little quote below, I really do feel very lucky that I have such an amazing family and friends, they've made something so exciting very difficult because I don't want to leave them!
For my readers, thank you so much for sticking by me, I have so many exciting things to share with you, my travels have only just begun and I already can't wait to start typing and photographing my adventures for you. Bring on the stateside blogging (and many Sephora trips!)
Lots of love, Em x
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