Back to Uni Wishlist | 2014

The trip back to uni is now only two weeks away for me so of course I've started to fantasise about all the lovely things I'd love to bring back over with me... Some of these things I think I will treat myself to after payday.

Black lace-up boots: Pull & Bear I just thought these would be really good for the winter time, especially because it rains A LOT in the North West and I hope these will keep my toes warm! I've actually already bought these but just want to say, if you're going to buy these online, the soles on my pair are a lot lighter than they appear in the photo.

Tartan scarf: ASOS  I just thought this looked so cosy and would probably go with everything. I do need a new scarf for the autumn/winter time.

Jack Wills Hoodie This is one of those things I'll probably not be getting any time soon, and I know they're a bit cliche these days, but I really want one, just because they look so cosy!

Coral Hunter Wellies Another thing I probably won't be getting any time soon, but I love Hunters more than anything in life and I just thought these were so cute for autumn time!

Moroccan-style fairy lights: Lights4fun.co.uk I think I might get these for my uni room this year, just because they're so pretty.

Instax mini 8 camera I've wanted one of these for absolutely ages but unfortunately they've always been a bit out of my student budget. One of my good friends, Giselle who's from Hong Kong though messaged me the other day asking if I'd like her to bring one home for me because they're a lot cheaper over there which was really really kind of her.

Clocky Alarm Clock I am notoriously bad at getting up in the morning. In fact, last term I had an exam at 9.30am and woke up that morning at 9.40, absolute nightmare! My mum has joked for a long time about having to get an alarm clock that I have to chase after and now I've actually found one!! Whenever this alarm goes off its wheels start moving and you have to run after it to turn it off, such a good idea!

Photo Chain: Urban Outfitters I posted something like this on my uni room inspo and originally I was going to just make it myself but apparently you can purchase them at urban outfitters- win!

Sports fleece: H&M I really want something like this so I'm able to go running once the cold weather comes since I find normal hoodies a little too heavy!

Navy Converse: Office always a good shout. I'm hoping the navy will go with most things!

Purple sports shorts I've wanted these since I saw them in H&M a few weeks ago, though of course I was skint at the time (still am!). I sort of want to get them for motivation to try for really toned legs this year.

Adidas sports leggings: Next Basically I just need a pair of full-length sports leggings, again for the cold weather because the majority of mine are cropped!

Update: I just got twitter again. If you would like to follow me (and I'd love it if you did!), you can @alphabethblog

What's on your back to school/uni wishlist?

Coastal Adventures in Dundrum, Co. Down

Over the weekend a couple of my friends and I went on a little adventure to a place called Dundrum in Co. Down, a little town on the coast surrounded by the Mourne Mountains. We went up in the early evening on Saturday night so we were there whenever the sun started to set, which was beautiful, especially because the moon was so bright. We parked the car and headed down the pathway through Murlough National Nature Reserve towards the beach. It started getting dark quite quickly after we arrived so that was the only part of our trip I really managed to capture (my camera isn't great in the dark), but since Robin Williams's death my friend Chris (who was still a nutcase before this) has been moved to "suck the marrow" out of life- a reference from Williams's role in "the Dead Poets' Society"- so as soon as we reached the beach, he stripped down in the pitch black and ran half-naked into the sea. He has since caught a cold, but fair play to him I guess, I think we could all do with sucking the marrow a little more, because let's face it, life is short! I think Robin William's sudden death has really proven that to all of us in these last few weeks. I've certainly been thinking about it anyway.

When Chris had enough of frolicking around in the water and had dried himself off we headed back and up to Dundrum Castle which sits on a grassy hill overlooking the town. The castle was built by John De Courcy, an Anglo-Norman knight, during his conquest of Ulster around the turn of the 13th Century. As like many of the castles in Ireland, Dundrum Castle is now in ruins but at one time it was a strong and imposing structure, passed through the hands of kings, knights and earls over the course of its time, and so is seeped in history. If you'd like to read a bit more, I found this little PDF from Northern Ireland's Department of the Environment. I'll confess, the castle is pretty creepy in the dark and I was a little bit nervous but we still went up and had a good wander round anyways! Because it was so dark though the stars were really bright which was nice.

After that little adventure we headed back home (though not before stopping for a cheeky McDonald's!) and I went straight to my bed. It was a really lovely, fun night though, I really want to do it again soon!

The Harry Potter Tag

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Hey everyone, I'd seen this tag floating around a bit, especially over the course of this summer and I just thought I'd give it a go since I love Harry Potter and tags are always fun! Doing it has really inspired me to reread the books as well which is what I think I'll be doing over the course of this year! So without further ado:

1. Which is your favourite book?

For a long time my favourite book was the Half Blood Prince. I just loved all the background into Tom Riddle's family and Lily Potter's as well. I was so disappointed when the majority of it didn't even make it into the film and also by how the inferi looked in the film as well- they're supposed to be reanimated corpses but they just looked a bit like Gollum from LOTR... Not what I had envisioned. I ultimately lost a bit of my enthusiasm for THBP in general after that but I still think the book is great. I really need to reread it soon.

2. What is your favourite film?

My favourite film is a definite toss up between the Deathly Hallows Part I and Part II (though leaning more towards part II), if the two were just combined into one massive film it could well be my favourite film of all time. After the book came out it quickly surpassed THBP as my favourite, firstly because I was just a massive Ron/Hermione shipper from very early on and it was like all my wildest dreams were coming true, but also just because it's so different from all the other books with them no longer being at Hogwarts.

3. What is your least favourite book?

My least favourite book by far is The Chamber of Secrets. To me it just doesn't really serve much of a purpose as part of the overall series as the other books apart from the introduction to the concept of horcruxes. 

4. What is your least favourite film?

Again, The Chamber of Secrets. I just don't find it as exciting or relevant as the rest of the books/films.

5. Parts of the books/films that made you cry?

I cried by eyes out when Sirius died and also, of course, when Dumbledore died. Especially when Harry is looking down at him and his glasses are askew. It just broke my heart.

6. If you could hook up with any character, who would it be?

Cedric Diggory, hands down. Robert Pattinson looked fiiine in The Goblet of Fire.

7. Who is your favourite character?

Albus Dumbledore. Not even just my favourite from the books but one of my favourite fictional characters period.

8. Who is your least favourite character?

Dolores Umbridge. She really gets under my skin. Not a big fan of Lavender Brown either, for obvious reasons.

9. What is your favourite line?

"Ah music" he said, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here!"

Preach it, Albus Dumbledore.

10. What would your Patronus be?

I'd like to have an Icelandic horse. I just think they're so majestic but still so wild and untamed. I think they would make a beautiful patronus.

11. If you could have the resurrection stone, invisibility cloak or elder wand, which would it be?

Probably the invisibility cloak. Not sure I could handle the responsibility of the other two.

12. Which house would you be in?

Ravenclaw I think, since they're known for their love of books! I also got sorted into this house on Pottermore.

13. If you could meet any member of the cast, who would it be?

Obviously I would love to meet Daniel, Emma or Rupert but I also love Emma Thompson and I think Helena Bonham Carter would make for some pretty interesting conversation!

14. If you were on the Quidditch team, which position would you play?

I get really easily confused in team games so I'd like to be a seeker since your objective is fairly simple.

15. Were you happy with the ending?

Yeah I was. I was a bit taken aback when I read it at first but actually when I'd processed it I was glad that there was the sense of finality at the end of the series and that "all was well".

16. How much does Harry Potter mean to me?

Harry Potter basically defined by childhood years and were the first books that I ever really cherished. I owe a lot of gratitude to J.K. Rowling for the many hours of escapism I found in the world she created.

If you're a bit of a potterhead yourself I'd love to see you doing this tag!

Hope everyone's enjoying their weekend!

disclaimer: all images property of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc unless otherwise stated