As you will have noticed, my blog has recently undergone a huge relaunch! It had been a long time in the works and so it's been honestly amazing hearing all of the positive feedback about it, especially since I was nervous about its reception as I made some drastic changes. I thought that there's no better way to commemorate this new era of my blog by allowing you to delve behind the scenes, and I asked on my Instagram stories the other day if there was anything in particular you'd like to know about my new blog. So here it is, your questions answered...

I started 'Daisies and Delights', as it was formerly known, in February 2014 - which is now a hell of a long time ago! I played around with the design in the early days but everything was pretty much constant from 2015/2016, and in all honesty, I'd just became bored of it. Looking at the exact same layout and design for years can really make you grow tired of it.

On top of this, you've got to remember that I was only 14 when I started my blog, and I've obviously changed and grown a lot between then and now. My old design perfectly encapsulated who I was back then, but I felt as though it was no longer me and I wanted something that more accurately portrayed me. I mean let's face it, I started my blog before I'd even picked my GCSE options and now I'm going into my second year of uni!

This is something that I thought long and hard about, despite the simplicity of it (it really just is 'by' and my name - how inventive!) One of my main goals when relaunching my blog was to inject myself and my personality into it more, and now this is established right from the get-go by reaffirming how everything is by me. The almost diary style to the title is the perfect way to sum up all of my ramblings and recommendations, and it also seemed to work well for social media.

Perhaps the reason I put so much thought into this was because my old blog title, 'Daisies and Delights', was something I created on a whim simply due to it being girly and alliterative. While I liked the name and thought it was quite catchy, it had nothing to do with my blog and was quite childish in my opinion, being more reminiscent of my 14-year-old self than now. The name seemed to imply baking and treats in 'delights' and also the image of being a florist or nature enthusiast, which is far from reality, plus it also caused a lot of people to misspell my name, so I knew I needed a change.

To put it simply - yes and no. My content has already gone through large shifts in the past 5 and a half years, going from a solely beauty-related blog to one that also discusses my life, studies, books and pretty much anything I find interesting. I love having a large variety on here, and even if it doesn't fit into a specific niche, it's true to myself and what I enjoy, which is all that matters to me.

However, it'd be a lie if I said my content wouldn't be changing at all. I always strive to come up with creative ideas and put a lot of effort into blog posts, and this is something that I'll be continuing to do. I can't wait to push myself and create some exciting new content here on 'By Daisy Bradbury', and you'll have to stick around to see it!



Looking back at my notes, I started planning the relaunch in March, meaning it took about 4 months to fully complete. This was a long and laborious process of finding fonts, perfecting designs and tweaking colour palettes, plus a lot of writing and photography to go along with it. I definitely think I could've done it in a much shorter time, but I was balancing this with university (especially my end-of-year exams) and working on the weekends, so my time dedicated to blogging was extremely limited.

A huge difference is that I've finally got a proper camera! I've been taking blog photos on my phone from the very beginning, starting on my iPhone 4s and then moving to the 6s a few years later. However, a couple months ago my boyfriend gifted me the Olympus Pen E-PL9 and I am seriously over the moon with it! Not only has it been my dream to have an Olympus camera for ages, but it's also massively improved the quality of my photos. I might actually write a whole blog post about it if it's something you'd be interested in seeing!

As for editing, I still use VSCO as usual, as it's my holy grail that I don't think I could replace. I still edit my photos in a very similar way, except I've been trying not to go overboard with the filters and instead try and recreate how products look in real life opposed to being highly edited, which is definitely useful for swatches.

As of right now, I don't. I decided that I'm going to use the rest of my summer holidays just to get back into blogging since I'm really out of the swing of things. Whether that's uploading once a fortnight or a few times a week, I don't want to pressure myself to force out content and I'd rather take it at my own pace while I'm readjusting to frequent blogging. When I'm back in university in September I'll definitely have a more regular uploading schedule, but currently I don't know what it'll be.


I'll be honest with you, it wasn't a quick process! My GCSE in graphic design really has come in handy over the past few months as I've been glued to Photoshop trying my best to perfect everything. I'm no expert and probably should've had a professional help me design these bits, but I quite like how I made them all and my blog is entirely true to myself. Plus, it was a fun revision break searching the internet for fonts and tweaking design ideas.

Let me know down in the comments what your favourite part of my blog relaunch is, and whether you're planning to do one yourself!

One of my absolute essentials when creating a glowing summer makeup look is bronzer, as it's perfect for injecting a sunkissed tan. I always apply this generously, and rather than using it as a contour, I focus on the areas that the sun would naturally hit, washing it over my forehead, cheekbones and nose. By using a baked bronzer, it really adds a radiance and glow whilst also looking like you've got a natural tan.


To accompany this, a radiant blusher will add a pop of colour to the face and recreate a natural flush. A hint of highlighter is also essential, although I'm careful to be more subtle with this to really make the face glow whilst still looking natural.

For some reason, I always associate summer makeup with more natural, bushy brows, and despite mine being quite thin at the moment I've been playing around with making them appear fluffier. If you want to know how I've been achieving this then I can definitely do a whole blog post on the products I use and my current brow routine, but I've definitely been embracing the fluffy brow look.


From a combination of the heat and also the potential for swimming, waterproof mascara is a necessity for summer. I always find that a waterproof mascara holds a curl much better and doesn't transfer onto my eyelids throughout the day, plus it really does stay in place all day. I didn't want to apply too much mascara as I wanted this summer makeup look to be more natural and daytime appropriate, but I did apply enough to create a full and flirty lash look.

The final step is a glossy lip or tinted lip balm to tie the look together. Unless I'm going out of a night, I don't like wearing heavy lip colours in the summer and prefer to opt for something more natural, plus it's nice to not have to constantly worry about reapplying my lipstick throughout the day.

Since summer is well and truly upon us, I knew it was time to revamp my wardrobe. Although this is arguably my favourite season for fashion, I tend to stick to my comfort zone of white, grey and pastel blue quite a lot. However, there are some gorgeous items on the high street right now that are bolder and much more out-there than I'm used to, so I thought I'd push myself to try some new items. I'm absolutely in love with everything I bought and hopefully there'll be something in here for you!

As you can tell, I'm a huge fan of Zara's floral dresses this season, and this one is no exception. Upon initial sight, I didn't think that the cream and rose print would suit me but I actually think it looks lovely on, especially with a tan. The puffy sleeves are right on trend, and I also love the details like the front tie and side slit at the hem, which really make it look more expensive and flattering.

If you would've asked me a year ago if I'd wear orange, my reply would be absolutely no chance, yet I've absolutely fallen in love with this dress. The floral print alongside this colour makes it perhaps the boldest item I've ever owned, but it definitely screams summer and is right on fashion. The wide neckline is very flattering on the collarbones, and I also love the floaty sleeves, making it an all-round gorgeous item!

As soon as I spotted this in Stradivarius, I knew that it was totally me. Anything that is white and lacy or embroidery is really my style, and the ruffled detail around the top adds some extra interest. The figure-hugging style is flattering and it's also cropped, making it perfect to style with some high-waisted jeans or shorts. I definitely think this can be styled in a variety of ways, whether you want to dress it down or go for a more flirty and girly alternative.



Midi skirts and floral prints are both on-trend right now, and so this co-ord is definitely a must-have for this summer. The skirt, albeit being more like a maxi skirt on me since I'm so small, is very flowy and airy, making it perfect for the warmer months, and the side slits add a flirty and fashionable touch to it. The matching crop top rouches in and is adjustable, sporting the same wide neckline and short puff sleeves that you can see everywhere right now. Whether you decided to wear these alone or paired together, I definitely think that it's a gorgeous outfit that will guarantee to turn heads.



If you know me at all then you'll understand how this top is completely out of my comfort zones, as my petite figure and small chest means I normally steer clear of any low-cut or v-neck tops. However, I spotted this wrapover top and thought I'd embrace it, since it was too pretty to leave behind. The black floral print is a gorgeous combination that makes it perfect for transitioning into nighttime, yet the open back and tied detail adds a more flirty and feminine touch that I adore. Whether you style this with jeans or a floaty skirt, I can guarantee it'll look lovely.



I love wearing bardot tops and find that the style is right up my street, since they're very flattering on the shoulders and collarbones. However, I'd never normally opt for a colour as bright as yellow, and so this blouse was a huge step outside of my comfort zone. However, I've really fallen in love with the girly style, and I've found myself reaching for this top frequently.


A sundress is a must-have for the warmer months, and I adore this one that I found in New Look. It's floaty, comfortable and I can already tell it'll be ideal to throw on whilst I'm on holiday, plus it has pockets! It also has a built-in bust which means you don't need to wear a bra and it makes it more flattering for someone like me with a petite figure.

Frances, Bobbi, Nick and Melissa ask each other endless questions. As their relationships unfold, in person and online, they discuss sex and friendship, art and literature, politics and gender, and, of course, one another.
Twenty-one-year-old Frances is at the heart of it all, bringing us this tale of a complex menage-a-quatre and her affair with Nick, an older married man.
You can read Conversations with Friends as a romantic comedy, or you can read it as a feminist text.
You can read it as a book about infidelity, about the pleasures and difficulties of intimacy, or about how our minds think about our bodies.
However you choose to read it, it is an unforgettable novel about the possibility of love.
Described by the New York Times as a ‘new kind of adultery novel’, Conversations with Friends is also sharp, bitingly funny fiction that digs deep into identity and communication; slicing into the divide between who we are, and who we present ourselves to be. Hooking a reader from the first page, this modern love story about growing up and the infinite complexities of intimacy is a masterful debut from a major new talent.

Everyone has been raving about Sally Rooney's bestselling novel Normal People, which was also nominated the Waterstones Book of the Year in my work, so I feel as though it's a crime that her debut Conversations with Friends is left unread on my bookshelf. Rooney's minimal, almost bleak writing style perfectly encapsulates the raw emotions and regularity of the lives portrayed, and I surprisingly love her minimalism despite being someone who prefers more flowery and elongated descriptions. I genuinely can't wait to sink my teeth into this novel, and hopefully it'll live up to the continual praise it has received.

One house. Nine strangers. Ten days that will change everything...
The retreat at health-and-wellness resort Tranquillum House promises total transformation. Nine stressed city dwellers are keen to drop their literal and mental baggage, and absorb the meditative ambience while enjoying their hot stone massages.
Miles from anywhere, without cars or phones, they have no way to reach the outside world. Just time to think about themselves, and get to know each other.
Watching over them is the resort's director, a woman on a mission. But quite a different one from any the guests might have imagined. For behind the retreat's glamorous facade lies a dark agenda.
These nine perfect strangers have no idea what's about to hit them...

When this novel was one of the Waterstones books of the month a while back, I instantly knew that I wanted to read it. However, due to being extremely busy with uni and a TBR list a mile long, I'm only just getting to it now. The pervading darkness and intrigue behind the spa retreat setting really gripped me, and I'm a huge fan of mystery and psychological thrillers, whilst also carrying Moriarty's relatable and down-to-earth writing. I feel as though I'm simultaneously yearning for the soul-seeking relaxation of experiencing Tranquillum House when reading and also uncovering the dark secrets that lie behind it, and I can't wait to get stuck into this book.

I am old. That is the first thing to tell you. The thing you are least likely to believe. If you saw me you would probably think I was about forty, but you would be very wrong.Tom Hazard has a dangerous secret.
He may look like an ordinary 41-year-old, but owing to a rare condition, he's been alive for centuries. From Elizabethan England to Jazz-Age Paris, from New York to the South Seas, Tom has seen a lot, and now craves an ordinary life. It’s a life he once had, long-since buried but buried secrets have a habit of catching up with you and nobody can outrun their own past.
Always changing his identity to stay alive, Tom has the perfect cover - working as a history teacher at a London comprehensive. Here he can teach the kids about wars and witch hunts as if he'd never witnessed them first-hand. He can try to tame the past that is fast catching up with him. The only thing Tom must not do is fall in love.

I've had my eye on How To Stop Time for quite a while and finally decided to pick it up, and I simply can't wait to get stuck into it. This fantasy historical hybrid catapults the readers across centuries in Matt Haig's beautiful and captivating writing style and inventive novel. Also, the film rights have recently been picked up and so I'm eager to give this a read before it becomes popular!

A chair, a table, a lamp. Above, on the white ceiling, a relief ornament in the shape of a wreath, and in the centre of it a blank space, plastered over, like the place in a face where the eye has been taken out. There must have been a chandelier, once. They’ve removed anything you could tie a rope to.
Offred lives in The Republic of Gilead. To some, it is a utopian vision of the future, a place of safety, a place where everyone has a purpose, a function. But The Republic of Gilead offers Offred only one function: to breed.
If she deviates, she will, like dissenters, be hanged at the wall or sent out to die slowly of radiation sickness. But even a repressive state cannot obliterate desire - neither Offred's nor that of the two men on which her future hangs.
Brilliantly conceived and executed,The Handmaid's Tale is a bold evocation of twenty-first century America that gives full rein to Margaret Atwood's devastating irony, wit and astute perception.

Since I only decided to go to the University of Manchester last minute, I chose to stay in private accommodation, so I can’t speak on behalf of anyone staying in halls. I had a shared flat between myself and two other girls, but since they weren’t in that often I hardly struggled with clashing in the kitchen or bathroom, and everyone kept it quite clean and tidy. The girls were nice and I got on with them well, although we weren’t the close-knit group of best friends I initially hoped for as they were older, very different in personality and often did their own thing. If I’m completely honest, I didn’t deal with this well initially and felt as though there was a huge pressure to find friends for life in my flatmates, so I wish someone would’ve told me that it’s not the end to not click with your flatmates.

My uni room was honestly gorgeous, as it had a modern design, was spacious and had a lot of light, although the huge windows weren’t the best during the cold winter mornings. There wasn’t tons of storage and I added a couple of cupboard and storage boxes to compensate for this, but this is probably due to my ridiculous amount of clothes! I also made good use out of the on-site gym and used this quite frequently before exam season. Location-wise, I was ideally situated about a ten-minute walk away from my local shops and the bus route into the centre, as well as a twenty-five minute walk away from the university campus, and I definitely appreciated not having to rely on buses every day.


English literature is a huge passion of mine, so it’s no surprise that I really enjoyed the academic side of first year. In the University of Manchester, first year is aimed at providing a breadth of study and covering many aspects of literature, teaching us the basic skills and approaches needed for the remainder of the degree. I really enjoyed this variety, and it definitely helped to highlight which aspects I enjoyed and which weren’t my cup of tea. I also found there was a good balance between independent and taught work, with the lectures providing a preliminary base that led to productive discussions in seminars and my own wider research, and I liked being able to take this into my own hands.

Most of my modules for first year were mandatory, which meant that I got to try a variety of modules that I might not have otherwise considered. For my optional module I selected something from the world literature course (although there were many other options in a variety of subjects), and I found it incredibly eye-opening to learn about literature spanning the globe that I was previously oblivious to.

For all of you wondering if there’s a lot of reading, then it’s a no-brainer. On average, I’d say that I was reading three novels, plays or collections of poetry each week, as well as all of the wider contextual information and secondary criticism that was recommended. It goes without saying that if you’re not a fan of reading then this definitely isn’t the degree for you.

I didn't have a part-time job whilst doing my A-Levels, and so starting uni was my first time having to balance studying with work. It took a while to adjust to, and if I'm completely honest I struggled to find the motivation and enjoyment to work in the first few months as I wasn't in the best place mentally. Now that I'm doing better, I genuinely enjoy my job and get along well with all of my colleagues, despite being the youngest. It's also incredibly rewarding to help people find the perfect book to indulge in and to rekindle their passion for reading. I work around 12-16 hours a week which is manageable for me, and although it does get quite hard balancing with uni and I give up all my weekends to work, it's a sacrifice I'm now used to.

I was very apprehensive about this aspect of uni to begin with since at home I didn't take on a lot of these responsibilities. Apart from the odd meal, I'd never cooked anything at home that went beyond the microwave or toaster (although my boyfriend and I did try and experiment with a few meals over summer). I always presumed that I'd be a terrible cook, which is ironic as it's now one of the parts of uni that I enjoy the most. I really enjoy cooking meals and experimenting with new foods, especially since I can buy exactly what I like rather than eating what my whole family are. I've also been experimenting with vegetarianism and cutting out meat from some of my meals, and I've loved having a veggie burger or meat-free curry a few times a week.
One of the best parts about uni has been meeting some amazing people that I’m so grateful for and I know will be in my life for a long time. When I first started, I was incredibly anxious that I wouldn’t fit in anywhere, so now looking back it’s really nice to see that I’ve made some amazing friendships and get along really well with the people on my course. I’ve also made some incredibly close friendships outside of my university, and the people who I’m living with next year are in a different uni to me, but we’ve ended up becoming really close. I’m definitely excited to meet even more people next year, and I also want to put myself out there more by getting involved in clubs and societies.

To sum it all up, first year has definitely been a journey that I’m incredibly grateful for, and I can’t wait for next year. If you’re in university I’d love to know what you thought of the past year and whether your experiences were similar to mine, so please leave me a comment letting me know!

You truly know a girl means business when she chops off her hair! I’ve had incredibly long hair for about ten years now, and I was in desperate need of a change. It was dead and dull at the ends and I had fallen out of love with the length, especially since I had become really lazy with it and didn’t give it the attention it needed. It was a bold decision to cut my hair into a lob, but I desired something fresher and more modern looking, and I honestly haven’t looked back since. I personally think it looks much thicker and healthier now, plus it’s more flattering on my petite figure, as opposed to my long hair drowning me out.

One of my favourite pamper evening activities is painting my nails, as it’s therapeutic and is the perfect way to tie together an outfit. I never normally have time to paint my nails during term time, however lately I’ve loved experimenting with some at-home gel nails with my LED lamp. This has revolutionised painting my nails, as you don’t have to sit around for hours waiting for each layer to dry plus you can achieve a salon-level appearance without having to pay for a manicure! Although I’m still getting the hang of it, I think having nail varnish on makes a huge difference to your overall appearance and is something I want to try and maintain.

As a fake tanning newbie, summer is the perfect opportunity to experiment and practice this, especially since there are quite a few nights out that I’d like to look bronzed for. The Solait Tinted Bronzing Lotion has been my go-to since it’s affordable for whilst I’m still getting the hang of tanning, but I have to say I really like it. It’s easy to apply, even for a beginner like me, and doesn’t come out patchy or streaky, so I’ve really enjoyed playing around with this from time to time.

Without a doubt, the thing that I've been loving the most lately is my new camera. My boyfriend generously gifted me the Olympus Pen E-PL9 and I am over the moon with it, and it's been travelling almost everywhere with me ever since. I took some absolutely gorgeous snaps of Majorca with it while I was away and I've also adored taking blog photos with it, so hopefully you can see the improvement in my photos. I am genuinely so thankful for it and I can't wait to thoroughly explore all the different settings and experiment with it, and you can guarantee I'll be sharing a lot of the photos with you guys!


On the music front, it’ll be no surprise to you that I’ve been obsessing over Doom Days by Bastille, since they’re my favourite band. The songs, despite being different to their previous music, are all beautifully written and I’ve had them playing non-stop during my gym sessions and showers. I’ve also been listening to quite a bit of Jon Bellion since I’m going to watch him in October with Aiden, and so I’ve been making an effort to learn some of his newer songs.

As predictable as it may be, my TV obsession over the past few months has been Love Island. Every year I’ve been on the sidelines listening to everyone gossip about it without understanding what’s happening, since it always coincided with my exams. This year Love Island started the day that I finished university (if that’s not meant to be then I don’t know what is!) and it’s safe to say that I’ve been hooked. It's taken over my evenings and has been my priority rather than watching Youtube and Netflix like I normally would, and I've even managed to get my boyfriend to tolerate it which is a win in my eyes!

Now that you know what I've been loving lately, it's your turn to share! Make sure you leave a comment with what you currently can't live without, as I'm always on the hunt for some new recommendations!