My aspirations for the upcoming year;

Hello Lovelies!

Today is a post about "getting things done" as it were - within my career and my personal life. 

I am very passionate about this blog and the love it receives, I've just hit over 2,000 views from all you lovely people, so thank you for that. 

But, I'm hungry for more now, so here's a list of what I want out of my blog for 2015-2016...

• Of course, I wish for my blog to get bigger, and to receive some more recognition from higher levels, for example, newspapers and maybe some celebrities (a girl can dream). 

• To receive over 5,000 views would be just delightful, showing people actually want to read my stuff and appreciate what I do.

• To attend a press launch for an upcoming film or book, it would be a great way for a small town girl like me to push her blog up! 

• To review more restaurants. Just because of yummy food and dressing up. 

• To work harder at pursuing my goals, it's not going to come and hit me in the face, I've gotta work for it. 

• To visit another country and write about it. Unfortunately, funds are quite low right now but as soon as I can I'll be on a plane outta here. 

• To experience new things. Eat weird things, try new shops, make new friends. Create memorable experiences for myself every time I walk out of the house.

There's so much more I want to do, but if I wrote it down none of you would have any surprises when reading! 

Also guys, write comments, positive or negative, a comment to me shows that people out there are interested! 

Tell your friends and family how awesome I am (lie if you need to).

Thanks for reading, 

Jx 

Things to learn before you move out:

Hello Lovelies!

As I've mentioned in previous blog posts, I will be moving back to Liverpool to continue my studies. I'm really looking forward to moving back to a city where I can focus on studying and enjoy living life as a second year student!

Although there are a few things I've had to learn before I branch out and start a new chapter of living alone, so I thought I'd depart my wisdom onto any of you wonderful first years and people who are moving away from Mum and Dad and start independence.

1.) Remember to sort out your finances. You're paying for everything now so you've gotta make sure you've got enough for food, commuting to uni and paying rent. Don't get caught out at the train station or in the restaurant eating your food without money.

2.) Don't forget to learn how to wash your clothes. You will look gross if you're going out with soy sauce / chocolate/ blood on your shirt (what you do on your own time is your business).

3.) Learn to say no, You can't do everything and you've got to make sacrifices in order to live a life within your means. If your friends want to hang out, suggest coming round to yours and having a night in, it 's cheap and fun too!

4.) Be handy. If something breaks, try to learn how to fix it (unless you could get electrocuted - then hire someone or tell your landlord).

5.) Find hobbies. Living alone, like myself, means you've got a lot of time to kill. Do your uni work, watch TV that you enjoy, read books! Maybe even start something creative, a project maybe?

6.) Get to know your city/town. Walk around and get to grips with where you live. Where to go, where not to go, where's cheap, where isn't. The better you know your city, the safer and more at home you'll feel.

Hopefully this will help you guys with moving away and make preparing for the process as easy as possible!

Thanks for reading!


Jx

Having a couple's night in;

Hello Lovelies!

Now I'm sorry to my single readers but today's post is about my experiences with a couple's night in!

Elliot and I have been very busy lately, with him finishing his dissertation for his Master's and starting his new job and me starting my summer job, so we've definitely needed a night in to just chill and reconnect.

Food: 

We are big takeaway junkies so home cooking is never really on the menu when we see each other, it's a miracle we aren't obese. Although home cooking does have it's perks. You can get creative, cook together, create a recipe and just experiment with different food! This could open doors to trying new things with your partner, e.g. I hated pate before I met Elliot and now it's my starter at most meals!

Movies: 

Choose movies that you're both fans of, don't make him sit through Mean Girls unless he absolutely insists on it (some guys do). Find common ground when choosing film genres when you first start dating and as the relationship progresses expand that genre to watch more and more together.

Pamper/treat yourselves: 

This is something most guys are scared to admit to but, they love a good pamper! Seriously, ask your boyfriend if he'd like a massage or a facial some time. It gives them a chance to put down the manly weight they carry and a chance for you to use all your beauty goo (cleanser, moisturizer etc.,) on someone other than yourself!

If that's not your thing, then maybe you're both into health? Couples can indulge themselves in a cheat day together - I'm thinking chocolate cake, ice cream, no limits! Show him you can eat like a horse and he'll love you even more (at least I hope he will).

Make time for your partners people! Especially as you get older, making your time together memorable and special is essential in making sure you both stay happy and in love! 

Thanks for reading, have a great night!

Jx

Yankee Candle favourites;

Hello Lovelies!


Just a quick 'Happy Birthday' to my youngest sister Demi who is thirteen today! Have an amazing day!

Anyway, back to the post, seeing as for Demi's birthday I got her a few Yankee candles, I thought I'd give you a list of my favourites...

Fresh Cut Roses;

Clean Cotton;

Mango Peach Salsa;

Pink Dragonfruit;

True Rose;

Check all of these out via the links, and see what you think...now I'm going to go enjoy a piece of birthday cake!

Thanks for reading!



Jx

People can be mean;

Hello Lovelies!

Today I thought I'd address a more serious topic with you all.

In my nineteen years on this planet I have come to realise that people can be cruel, horrible, jealous, selfish and just downright awful sometimes.

I have experienced this sort of behaviour in my life multiple times and thankfully I have overcome it. Sadly, there are some people who never recover and this is for them, I guess.

In life, there is always going to be someone who wants you to hurt. Be it an ex, a family member, a friend, even someone on the street could make you feel inferior to them just because they can. As children, we pick out flaws in each other, that we didn't know existed until someone else pointed them out.

For me, this was the fact that I was a redhead, or a 'ginger' as I got labelled at the age of twelve. This mutated gene which affects thousands of the human population was suddenly an insult and I began feeling very bad about myself.

This insecurity continued subconsciously through my teens, I remember being embarrassed of my red hair and continuously dying my hair a dull brown, dark red, purple, anything but ginger.

But then one day I realised that my hair was unique and that colour was what made me feel special. I embraced my insecurity and began letting my colour show and now I even dye my hair a more vibrant red to enhance the beautiful colour I've began to love.

The message behind that anecdote is that people are mean, yes, but you can rise above and become stronger than them. You decide your own destiny, your own story is only written once and you don't want to be worrying that each chapter 'could have been better' than the last. Keep your head up and make yourself into the best person you could be.

Thanks for reading,


Jx

My Summer Job:

Hello Lovelies!

Sorry I haven't written at all lately, been on hiatus for a few months as I'm on break from university and doing nothing has become a bit of a thing. I apologise for my laziness, but sometimes that is essential for a happy life....(lazy person excuse).

However, my lazy butt got itself a job for the rest of the summer at one of the West Midland's most prestigious family days out...the West Midlands Safari Park!

The role I am undertaking is a Commercial Assistant which entails selling WMSP merchandise, such as toys, guidebooks etc,. painting faces (ahh!) and other fun games.

To me, this was a great job to apply for, especially with my degree. I was extremely interested in the selling products and learning how to market for a major business, both assets towards a successful career in the PR field. I also enjoy that the target audience is so broad, and could take me down so many different routes in the leisure industry.

Any university students who are struggling to find work, make sure you follow my rules to ensure you get that job so you don't have to live off the bank of Mum and Dad.

• Apply for everything, and I mean everything. Literally scrubbing toilets would be acceptable because it's impossible to live without a little pocket. No one is going to judge you for trying to earn some money for yourself! 
• No job is too small. Go above and beyond for your employer, especially if yo get a test shift. Not only will this make you a desirable candidate, you will also receive personal satisfaction and probably sleep like a baby because you worked so hard. 
• Babysitting isn't just for teenagers in horror films. Kids are not that bad to deal with, and parents will pay hundreds to ensure their little tykes are well looked after, and boys, you can babysit too.
• Don't worry if you don't get the first job you applied for. Whatever happens, jump straight back on the horse. Confidence is key and with each rejection, you encourage yourself much more to succeed. 

I will be documenting my work time and anything else exciting that happens to me over the next coming months, including moving back to uni and my birthday!

Thanks for reading,


Jx

How to avoid uni stress;

Hello Lovelies!

I've been thinking a lot lately about stress and how so many young adults experience it, particularly those who chose to study at university. it's a horrible time when exams are around the corner and assignments are due in, it really takes it out of you.

So, I decided to make a list of a few tips on how I avoid stress!

Here we go;

1.) Talk to someone

Don't take the stress alone. Your friends, family, significant other and your teachers are all there to help you feel better about your exams and to be honest, they've all probably felt the pressure of assignments and exams before. I like to work on plans with my other classmates, just so we understand structures and what we're actually doing. (Don't worry, we always pull through!)

2.) Relax!

I know I know, easier said than done isn't it? Even though you're studying and revising you still need to have some time out for yours truly. Crank up the some tunes, run yourself a bath and just don't think for a while. If you're a bit too macho for the tub, go out for an hour or two and socialise! It's good for your brain to process other things rather than exam question after exam question.

NB: just don't get drunk in the afternoon, you won't resurface until the next day, take it from personal experience - stick to coffee.

3.) Plan

This is a new thing for me, I am not a planner. I am a 'it'll be fine, just write' kinda girl. Until recently, when I looked at my boyfriend's work for his Master's.

He planned the bejesus out of his assignment, with references and quotes and it made it look 1000 times easier.

So I decided to write plans for my next two assignments and god it's helping! I've got a place to write down all my scrambled up thoughts, quotes and references without wanting to bang my head against the table. Seriously, plan it to avoid panic.

4.) You can do it!

Repeat this in your head until you believe it. Self doubt is the worst thing for university students and only you can make yourself feel like you can do it. You're going to hit some bumps in the road I'm sure but if you believe in yourself you can do whatever you want and achieve all your goals!

There's some of my ways to avoid university stress, now I'm going to continue with my assignment (ugh) in the most non-stressful way...

Hope this helps!

See you soon!


Jx

I'm back!

Hello Lovelies!

God, it feels so good to say that again!

I missed this! I've been so out of it for so long and it's seriously starting to make me feel bad, not writing down how I feel, I definitely needed a huge kick up the ass.

I realised how much I enjoy writing and I hope none of you have moved on to greener pastures and have waited eagerly by your laptops, praying for my return.

A lot has gone on since I went MIA, both in the fashion world and my personal life and I will be telling you all about it in time, just let me get back up to speed!

On a serious note, I am eternally grateful to the people who read this blog, who actually have decided my writing was worth it. I still have my doubts as to whether I can write or not and if anyone even takes anything away from this blog then I couldn't be happier. I've had some lovely surprises and made some decisions about my life lately and I hope you guys want to follow me on my journey.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Cya soon,



Jx

My Interview with Crosby Noricks;

Hello Lovelies!

As a budding Public Relations student hoping to score my dream job in the fashion industry, my work aspiration was no question. Crosby Noricks, founder of ‘Fashion PR’s #1 haute spot’ prcouture.com, is an innovative fashion strategist whose website is a bible to the hopeful fashion PR students of the world, including me! Not to mention that she has her own book Ready to Launch: The PR Couture Guide for breaking into Fashion PR.

I recently caught up with the woman who can do it all and between my girlish screams of ‘Crosby Noricks spoke to me!’ and running around my flat, I got to ask her some burning questions I’d been wanting answered.

What made you want to work in Fashion PR?

 I didn't truly discover public relations until graduate school, but was instantly excited about the opportunity to work in a field that combined business strategy with writing and creative campaign ideas. I'd always been interested in fashion and was especially interested in how I could use PR skills to help designers experience more success.

Why did you start PRcouture.com?

 While completing my Master's Thesis in fashion PR, I found that there wasn't very much about it online (or offline in my PR textbooks or academic/trade journals, but that's another issue entirely!) and I found that frustrating as someone who was exploring this avenue as a potential career. I started the site mainly as a way to share what I knew from my research, what I was experiencing working in-house for a jewellery company, and to connect with other publicists and like-minded people with similar interests.

Where in the world do you think the most jobs are in fashion PR? Considering the fashion capitals of the world (Paris, Milan etc.,) are in Europe?

 Hmm - that's a bit of a hard one as I haven't spent nearly enough time connecting with fashion publicists in Europe. In the United States it is definitely New York and Los Angeles, with London, Paris and Milan definitely up there in Europe.

Do you think there's many differences in Fashion PR in the USA and Fashion PR in the UK?

Fashion PR is much better known in the UK (my first introduction to it was actually as a study abroad student at the London College of Fashion during my undergrad). Here we never refer to someone as "a Fashion PR." I think that the history and legacy of luxury fashion in Europe has created more of a defined role within Fashion Communications - it's a bit more ‘Wild West’ over here.

5.) Any advice for students who want to work in Fashion PR?

 I'm encouraged by all the ways that digital communication tools - from social media to blogs - allow us to communicate and connect. My biggest piece of advice is to begin to define the direction you want your career to take by intentionally building a personal brand online and connecting with the right people through authentic, shared interests and curiosity. And of course, follow PR Couture!

Well there you have it, some great advice and knowledge from one of the best brains in fashion PR! Her book is a complete bible as well on how to achieve your goals in the fashion industry! I’ve got mine, have you got yours?

By Joanna Xiourouppa

Edge Hill University, 1^st Year

I hope you all enjoyed that little interview! I'm attempting to get some more as this year continues.

Thanks for reading!

Jx

Follow Crosby @ www.prcouture.com

Follow me @ www.diaryofa-prgirl.blogspot.co.uk

Happy New Year!

Hello Lovelies!

Happy 2015! I hope everyone has had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

I will be posting some new fashion trends as soon as I'm back at university, and luckily for us it's awards season! I cannot wait to watch the Oscars, and all of the other fabulous shows!

I'm also gonna attempt at making some YouTube videos, 'get ready with me', make up and clothing hauls too! 

 

Hopefully this year will be very beneficial for me and all of my lovely readers!

I'll see you all soon! 

Jx