There's no denying that I'm a huge bookworm and read at practically any given opportunity, but if I have a choice then I always find myself reaching for young adult novels or something sci-fi. I started studying English literature at A Level last year and, aside from the required novels for the course, I didn't really do a lot of wider reading of classics as they weren't of a huge interest to me. However, over the summer when I had to read some 20th-century literature for my coursework, I really fell in love with some of the novels I selected, including Northanger Abbey, Wuthering Heights and The Great Gatsby. Since this point, I've decided to read a lot more classic novels, so in this post, I thought I'd share with you some of my main motivators for reading more classic literature, as well as what books are on my TBR list, so I hope you enjoy it!

1 - I'm Studying English Literature
As an English literature student, you're expected to have a huge love of novels and read for enjoyment, which is definitely true for me. However, as much as I love the likes of Sarah J Maas and Cassandra Clare, English literature requires the reading of more advanced and often older novels. Not only has reading classics helped to improve my understanding of specific literary eras and have a greater appreciation for their work, I also feel as though it's improved my all-around knowledge as a literature student - something that'll definitely pay off when I'm in university.

2 - I Enjoyed The Classics I Read On Holiday
One of the reasons why I never really tried classic literature was because I thought it'd be too boring and not interesting, but I was proved wrong when reading books like Northanger Abbey and Wuthering Heights on holiday. I enjoyed these equally, if not more, than the young adult books that I brought with me, and although the narrative style was difficult to grasp at first, the quality and engagement of them wasn't compromised.

3 - They're More Challenging
If you've read any of my book reviews, you'll know that quite often a criticism that I have is that some books are too easy and don't challenge me as a reader, which is partially due to young adult novels being more aimed at younger teenagers these days, and also because growing up I've always tended to read above my level. This desire for a challenging and gripping read was definitely fulfilled with the classic novels I read, and they allowed me to really think and be puzzled at times while trying to understand them, which I much prefer than a light, easygoing book that I can finish in a couple of hours.

4 - I Wanted To Broaden My Horizons
As much as I love reading young adult fantasy and contemporary novels, at times it can really become repetitive and boring. Character archetypes become incredibly cliche, plot points are expected and overdone, and as a whole a lot of the novels feel like duplicates as I've read so many. I really wanted to expand my repertoire and explore new genres in search of something unique or at least different to what I usually read, and classic literature definitely allows this, being a complete change from what I'm used to.

5 - I Don't Need To Have An Analytical Eye
Whenever I'm reading a book for college, I can't just live in the moment and appreciate it for what it is, as I'm subconsciously analysing it in preparation for study. Even when I read a young adult book, I always presume that there's a possibility of reviewing it on my blog and so my mind is thinking over possible points worthy of mentioning while I'm reading it. With classic novels, which I probably won't review and I'm not studying at A Level, I can enjoy them to their fullest and not have to worry about techniques or analysis, instead just appreciating the novels for what they are.

I thought it'd also be worth sharing the novels that I plan on reading in the upcoming future. I ordered all of these classics last week and I'm eager to dive into them, but I'll definitely have to wait until I'm not drowning in homework and revision to start them. They're all Gothic novels, as I've found this to be the area of literature that interests me most, both in the way that they're written and the historical context. The books that I'm hoping to read are:

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - after falling in love with Wuthering Heights, I was eager to try something by one of the other Bronte sisters, and Jane Eyre has always been a classic novel that I've wanted to read. It's been referenced often in books that I've read and TV shows, and after hearing so much about it I'm definitely eager to read it.

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde - another novel that I've heard so much about, and despite already knowing the main premise and what happens in this novel, I really want to read it. It seems like an essential that everyone must read, and so I definitely had to pick it up.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - I've mentioned often that I'm quite a fan of science fiction and horror novels, and considering that this classic features elements of both of these, I knew that it was worth reading it.

Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Stevenson - this is another Gothic novel that I've heard a lot about but never actually read, and thought that it'd be worth picking up for only £2. My mum actually suggested reading this one, and I'm looking forward to trying it.

The Turn of the Screw by Henry James - this is the only novel on my TBR list that I hadn't previously heard of, but I ordered it making the most of the 6 for £10 offer. The synopsis sounds incredibly intriguing and definitely up my street, making this possibly the most anticipated read on the list.

Dracula by Bram Stoker - I've read a lot of vampire books in my time of reading young adult novels, and so I thought why not read the one that started all vampire fantasy? I'm definitely excited to read this, and it's another novel that I've heard lots about already.

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I hope you enjoyed this post and if you'd like me to write more about classic literature in the future then make sure you let me know, as I'd be happy to do so. Thank you again for all of the continual blog support, as I really appreciate it and it makes me so happy to have a growing community here on my blog.

Love from Daisy x

It's time for my final back to school post, which will hopefully be helpful for any of you that have just started another year of school or college. I thought it'd be interesting to see what my on the go essentials are for the college day, specifically what beauty products are a must-have in my bag. It's fairly minimal since my bag's heavy enough without carrying tons of makeup that never gets used, and so I only carry with me the essentials. Keep reading if you'd like to hear what my daily beauty necessities are, and hopefully, it'll help you decide what to pack in your school bag.

A Variety of Lip Options
I'm a sucker for a good lipgloss and when I find one that I love, like the Primark PS Lipgloss which is a firm favourite of mine, I tend to wear it day in day out. However, they don't tend to last long, particularly if you're eating or drinking, so having one in my college makeup bag is a must-have. I also like to keep a berry lipstick with me in case a bold option would go better with my outfit that day, and a lip balm is vital for someone like me who constantly has dry lips.

A Powder to Combat Oiliness
By the time it's lunch, I'm quite often an oily mess with a lot of my makeup starting to transfer and leaving my face, so having a powder with me is handy for those essential touch-ups. I keep a sample size of the Bare Minerals Mineral Veil as it's the perfect size for throwing in your makeup bag, and is ideal for preventing any oiliness on the go.

Some Perfume Samples or Body Spray
It's important to make sure you smell nice throughout the day, but carrying full sized body sprays can take up a lot of room in your bags, and it's dangerous having perfume in case they spill or break (I definitely learnt this the hard way last year!) However, perfume samples are ideal as the plastic packaging won't smash, they're convenient for throwing in your makeup bag and it's a great way to try out a few different scents.

A Brush, Bobbles and Clips
You never want to be left with your hair looking a mess throughout the day and no way of fixing it, so it's always handy to have a few bobbles and clips to hand. This makes adjusting your hair easier and is also an essential if you're in school and have to tie your hair back for PE. A miniature brush is also a necessity if I'm wearing my hair down, and I find myself reaching for this constantly throughout the day to tame my tangled hair.

A Compact Mirror
Sometimes you need to check that your makeup is still in place, or you have no crumbs around your mouth, but it's so much easier having a compact mirror than venturing to the toilets for a quick check-up. This makes touch-ups incredibly easy to do on the go, and it's always good to be on the safe side with your mirror to hand whenever you may need it.

An Old Concealer
I like to have an old concealer in my makeup bag, so that if it was to leak then there's hardly any product left in it to spill in my bag. The Essence Stay All Day Concealer is one of my favourites for touching up blemishes that won't stay covered throughout the day or to reapply makeup on my nose and chin where my foundation has started to wear away. It's incredibly handy to carry a concealer with you, and I definitely get a lot of use out of mine.

Mints for Fresh Breath
I'm a bit obsessed with the Trebor Mighties Mints I'm not going to lie, but regardless of whether you're more of a chewing gum or mints person, it's vital to have some with you. They're ideal for freshening your breath, especially after eating lunch, and I personally could eat these like sweets as they're quite addictive. These definitely require stocking up every couple of weeks, but I honestly feel lost when I don't have mints and they're a vital part of my makeup bag.

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Hopefully this post was useful for you, and I'd love to know if you have any makeup bag essentials that I didn't include. Thank you very much for reading this post and I'll see you again next week with another new blog post!

Love from Daisy x

With the new academic year being just days away, and autumn closely around the corner, I've been doing a lot of shopping lately so that I have a variety of new outfits to wear this year. After my Spring Primark Haul was a huge success, I thought that it was about time to do another one since I'm frequently buying new clothes and accessories from Primark that you may be interested in. There are some absolutely gorgeous pieces in store right now that are definitely on trend and perfect for the autumn, so if any of the clothes included take your fancy then make sure you pick them up as soon as possible before they're all sold out. Keep reading to hear what my clothing staples are for college this autumn, as well as some necessary accessories and other purchases.

In the summer months, I  lived in my Converse, but it's nice to mix it up and try out some other pairs of trainers. Primark have a variety of really nice trainers, which people might look past as they're not branded, but they're definitely worth trying. I fell in love with these faux suede beige trainers as soon as I spotted them, and they look particularly nice as my legs are still tanned after going on holiday. I can definitely see myself getting a lot of wear out of these, and they're a much comfier option than other shoes for college, particularly if you do a lot of walking during the day.



When it comes to autumn and winter, a pair of black boots are an absolute essential and look nice paired with pretty much every outfit. The pair I had last year were worn to death after relying on them practically every day, and so I thought it was about time to buy a new pair. These black Chelsea boots are quite basic in style, with some detailing down the side to add a bit of interest. They're a definite essential and I'm certain that I'll be getting my wear out of these this year.


A basic white t-shirt is a must-have for your wardrobe in any season, but they're particularly useful in autumn when layering clothes or to wear underneath tops and jumpers for some added warmth. Primark sells a variety of t-shirts in all different cuts and colours for just a few pounds, so it's definitely worth picking up some. Whether you choose to wear it alone and style it with some jewellery or opt for layering it with other garments, it's definitely an item worth having in your wardrobe. I've also been loving wearing a baggy, oversized t-shirt and tying it to the side and folding up the sleeves, which creates a very relaxed style yet is much more interesting than just wearing a plain white t-shirt. If you want one that is oversized then it's also worth looking in the men's section, as the more straight fit makes them ideal for looking baggy and tying at the side or tucking in.

Autumn means it's time to put away the white and pale blue jeans and opt for something a bit darker, and so a pair of washed-out grey jeans are the perfect substitute that are fashionable without being too wintry. A pair of distressed grey jeans has been something that I've been missing from my wardrobe for quite some time, as I outgrown my previous pair from a long while ago and never got around to repurchasing some, so I knew that I had to correct this. Although I tend to wear skirts and dresses most days, jeans are ideal for those days in college when you want a more comfortable and casual look, or for when it's colder and can't brave having bare legs. I love this pair as they're quite fitted on the leg, which is a style that I personally prefer, and the ripped, distressed details definitely make them more trendy and fashionable.





Dainty ballet flats are definitely a style of shoe that I like to wear, particularly in the autumn months when the weather is still transitioning and it's not extremely cold. These burgundy ones are perfect for dressing up an otherwise basic outfit and making it look much more trendy and sophisticated, and I really think they worked with the grey jeans and plain white t-shirt, despite it not being a look that I'd normally wear. The pointed toe and strappy details are nice additions, and I'm definitely looking forward to wearing these shoes with a variety of outfits.

I always get a new pencil case for the new academic year, and for the past few years I've found that Primark's makeup bags work the best for this. They're big enough to house all of my stationary (including my variety of coloured pens and highlighters) yet doesn't take up too much room in my bag. The two pockets also mean that your stationary is split evenly and so doesn't get lost inside, or you could double this up as a makeup bag with half being for pens and the other half being for your on-the-go beauty essentials. This year, I fell in love with their nude and rose gold makeup bag, since I love pretty much anything copper and rose gold, so this was an obvious purchase.


Despite owning an abundance of eyeshadow palettes, I realised that I don't have many cranberry or burgundy shades, despite loving how these look on the eye and them being perfect for autumn. I fell in love with this eyeshadow palette when I saw it in store, and had actually heard a lot of people say that quite a few of the shades or dupes of those from MAC. I knew I wanted to try it, and after swatching it I have to say that the pigmentation is insane, with the rich and creamy formulation not being what I'd expect from a budget palette. If you'd like a more in-depth review of this palette, possibly including an autumnal eye look, then make sure you let me know!


I'll admit, I never make an effort to paint my nails, despite loving how they look once they're all finished, which is partially due to me never having the time and also because I'm not the best at painting my own nails. However, Primark sell a variety of adhesive false nails (?) that are very easy to apply and look like you've had a proper manicure. I personally find that the almond shape is really flattering and isn't too dramatic for daily wear, and since they launched a few neutral and autumnal colours, I knew that I had to pick them up.


I also couldn't resist and found myself picking up a couple of Primark's new fragrances, which have been hyped about non-stop online for being dupes of some of Jo Malone's most renowned scents. These spray bottles are only £3, making them ideal for testing out a couple of the fragrances before you commit to buying the larger bottles, and they're also the perfect purse size or for throwing in your school bag to top up throughout the day.

I chose the scents 'Pomegranate and Black Tea' and 'Mandarin and Basil', although they all smelt really nice when testing them in Primark, and they have a very unusual yet gorgeous scent that isn't what you normally get from a cheap perfume. After settling for a short while, they smell amazing and I honestly can't get enough of them, so these are highly recommended.

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