Uni life

We made it!!

So we arrived in Bath, and it is more beautiful than I thought!

Living in independent housing is the best decision I've made, our housemates are so lovely and after speaking to lots of other students on my course, I think it is much cheaper and I feel much more in independent so I definitely recommend going straight for housing!

Congratulations to Jake as well who got a job in the first week! Woop woop!

Freshers was great! I personally prefer meeting people with a few pints down the pub, which is what I did for the first few days, then I became a bit more curious about the real Bath nightlife and ended up in very silly outfits and having awful headaches for my practical workshops the next day!

I LOVE my Drama course! There's a real mix of practical and theory, and plenty of performances on every night of the week to indulge in. I've also started a Flamenco class on Sundays which is great fun! 

And the campus is sooooo beautiful! There's cows and sheep and swans!

I'm so glad I finally went for it after three years of decision making, I'm so glad I left it until now as well as I feel moving away really helped me with budgeting and keeping healthy.

I think there's going to be a great few years ahead!

Zero hour contracts

It's been a very stressful and overwhelming week!

I've been let go from work and been in complete shock about the whole thing!

So last time I spoke to you all, I was busy doing 40+ hours a week, loving my job and keeping very busy.

Three weeks ago I went to check the rota to write down what days I was doing that week and to my surprise I couldn't find my name, I spoke to one of my colleagues, and they asked whether I had booked holiday. With my palm on my face I remembered I had booked that weekend off as I was going to have a little look round Bath and see my friends in Glastonbury over four days. 

That still didn't explain why I was given the whole week off, a couple of the other girls offered me some of their shifts as they had too many that week, so I gladly took them.

While at work that week, the rota for the following week went up. Still nothing. So I spoke to a manager who said he didn't know what happened and told me he would absolutely sort it out and give me some hours for when I got back from Bath.

I had a lovely time in Bath!

I felt a bit panicky all weekend about what it is I could have done for them to take me off the rota, if it was a mistake or whether I had done something wrong.

On the Monday, after we got back I rang in to find out my hours (as I was told it would be sorted out) I was told to ring back on Tuesday. So I did and they said they'd ring back at some point that day. I stayed in all day expecting a call. Nothing.

I felt horrible, I was left hanging not knowing what was going on.

Jake who also works in the same place got back from work one day and said that the new rota had gone up and neither me nor him were on it this time.

On the Friday, I waited till the quietest part of the day to go in and find out what was going on. 

They said that the managers were taking over the host role, and there wasn't another role I could do. They said they could keep me on but they wouldn't give me any hours so they suggested I find a new job. I felt very trapped and panicked, there was nothing I could say but "Okay". I asked why they hadn't told me sooner, they said they were meant to three weeks ago.

Straight afterwards, Jake went and spoke to them, they said to Jake that he didn't look like he enjoyed the job, he argued saying he loved it and the people are great etc. Then they said the same thing to him that they said to me, "We won't give you any hours, so we suggest you find a new job".

As we were both in zero hour contracts there was nothing we could do.

We felt awful, it felt like they just needed two people to get rid of, so they targeted us as a couple and made us leave. Everyone we told was in shock and worried for their job. We hadn't done anything wrong and their reasons were pitiful.

We have one month left now before we leave for uni, so it's going to be tough not diving into our savings if we cant find a new job.

This is just my story and experience of a zero hour contract. 583.000 of the UK workforce were estimated to be on zero hour contracts between October - December 2013. Many employers are abusing them and offering no security to their members of staff.

Some may argue that this "flexibility" is equally beneficial to both employers and employees, in most cases this is untrue, employees have no control over the hours they work, the amount they earn each week or the breaks they take.

If you would like to help ban zero hour contracts click here to sign a petition against them, in order to increase security for members of staff.

Working girl

I haven't written anything in such a long time. I do have a good reason for this though, I've been working full time as a host at The Godolphin Arms hotel which is in a very popular location - right off the causeway from St Michaels Mount.

The Godolphin Arms has recently undergone a huge refurbishment, it closed for five months and reopened on the 2nd of April, It has had fantastic reviews, especially as it's full size opening windows give such a good view over the mount.

I think it's fair to say that I'm very lucky to work here! Even if it means i am extremely busy all the time!

I think it's a fantastic place to go as it caters for all of your needs, you can just have a drink, or a full meal or even just a slice of cake. There's also plenty of outside seating too for the sunny days!

The menu is great too, as it does your typical fish and chips, yet it also has a more gourmet feel to it, whilst making the most of locally sourced ingredients. A specials menu is also provided daily with a catch of the day option.

When it comes to booking tables, on Fridays and weekends, they only take booking of six people or more, although everyone is welcome.

It is my plan to stay working in this beach side inn until September when I start my exciting new adventure in Bath!

Lucky me!

GUESS WHAT??...

I GOT MY DRESS!!!

So as I was so obsessed with getting my two Yumi dresses, I decided to enter a competition on facebook, in which the public had to decide which out of two dresses in a picture they liked best. The winner would get a Yumi item of their choice.

So I along with several hundred others entered, not thinking anything would come of it, as I never win these things. 

I lost.

So I though "f**k it" and bought the Navy dress online. 

The next day a new competition went up, this time the prize was a Yumi dress of your choice, plus a Passionata push up bra and knickers set for valentines. So I tried again, just for fun.

I won!!!!

I bought the green dress! Yippeeeee!!!! So overall I managed to get both dresses, pretty much half price each, then a french lingerie set thrown in. Sweet!

I thought I'd show you a bit more of the dresses, just incase you like them too, as they are rather scrummy :D

The green polkadot sun dress is so flattering, and really light. So great for Spring weather! I can't wait till it gets a bit warmer to wear this out now!

It's also really comfortable as it's a nice length, on me it just goes past the knee, but I am super short so I can imagine on average sized women it would be just above the knee.

Something I wasn't aware about when.. err.. winning this dress, was that it has a petticoat with a green netted hem which is actually really lovely because the dress sits so nicely with that little bit of extra weight, plus it feels all ruffly and nice.

The dress also comes with a thin white belt, as you can see there are small belt loops. 

I'm really happy with this dress, in fact I don't think I can wait for warmth, I might just pair it with a cardigan, tights and some ankle boots, just so I can show it off a bit more ;)

You can buy it here Yumi Polka Dot Sun Dress

As well as green, it comes in Navy and Black.

I am so happy I got this dress, It is so pretty and I get so many compliments.

I love the detail put into the dress, it has little gold buttons on the cuffs of the sleeves which just add a little bit more sophistication. 

It is 100% polyester so is very light and floaty.
The shape is lovely and fits so well, it comes just above the knee on me.

I have been looking for a polka dot dress like this one for a long time, but I've never found one as nice. Either the fabric is cheapy and goes bobbly, it lacks detail, or the shape isn't right. I like that this is very 1960's and a beautiful shape.

If you'd like to buy one for yourself click HERE

It also comes in Black with brown dots/collar.

If you are poor like me and like to save your money wherever you can, I'd just like to leave you with the thought that next time you want an item so much you can't wait, waiting is probably the best thing to do, look around and see if you can get it cheaper or check to see if there are any competitions you could enter for free, you never know, you could end up getting it for free!

Decisions, decisions...

I made the mistake last week of searching for beautiful dresses, I am a great fan of retro prints and vintage patterns.

I came across ModCloth which has some stunning clothes, but it's based in America and I'm too impatient, when I find something I want, I need it straight away!

Then I remembered Yumi, my favourite shop when I go to St Ives. I found this gorgeous little number, a 60's style polka dot 3/4 length sleeve dress which comes in Navy/White or Black/Brown:

I fell in love, I can't stop thinking about it! I've thought about when I'd wear it, what I'd wear it to, how i'd wear it.

Here are some ideas, going down the neutral road:

Nude heels from BooHoo

Pearl Bracelet

     

Dun Dripplelock Satchel

Cream flower corsages

Anyway, I've been dreaming about this dress and I really want it, only having recently become unemployed and as I am between jobs, I'm finding it very hard to resist temptation! And what makes it even harder is the fact that I didn't stop looking when I saw it... and now I want this gorgeous dress too!!

YUMI

To buy, or not to buy... THAT is the question!

Anniversary

20/01/2010 - 20/01/2014

Well so far we've made it four years! Yippeeeeeeee!

I love celebrating the anniversary for the day I agreed to be with Jake, because I think it may have been one of the best decisions, if not THE best decision I have ever made.

We got together in 2010 when we were sixteen, we met through School, friends and music. I think we have a very special relationship as we've really grown up together as we've stayed with each other through School, two years of College and we even went to live in Spain for 10 months and made a street performance routine in order to pay the rent for our apartment, and so together have learnt many life lessons. I'm so happy and lucky that he's my best friend! N'aawwwwww soppyyyy!!!

But I have to admit, the best thing and what makes the relationship so special is the fact we are absolutely, unbelievably, undeniably happy to fart in each others presence! ... There's the secret guys ;)

Salt Bar

Salt bar in Hayle is a great little inexpensive bar/restaurant.

It has a relaxing atmosphere with fantastically delicious food and drinks! In the summer it has live bands and events on Friday evenings, which I'd love to go and see!

The menu is fantastic as it has a bit of everything from traditional breakfast to nibbles, amazing sandwiches, vegetarian dishes and grilled meat. The children's menu is also brilliant compared to a lot of other places.

The drinks are delicious too, I'm not a big drinker so I love their non alcoholic 'mocktails' which are great for the price and look beautiful. I loved my summer breeze...

For lunch I had 'The Bookmaker melt' and is was truly amazing: tender rump steak with homemade red onion marmalade, melted blue cheese on a garlic, buttered, ciabatta base with a side salad, homemade coleslaw and a handful of chips.

(mouth is watering right now!)

Take a look at the Salt Bar website for more info and a look at their menu and prices, it's worth it!