Oh summer, where've you been?

Dress Topshop

Shoes  Primark

Scrunchie Primark

I have so much love for this dress, it's so easy to just throw on and whilst smock dresses aren't the most flattering in the land it doesn't make me look massive either. Despite the rain drumming against my windows as I type this, I still felt summery today and I couldn't resist putting this dress on. I picked up these cute ballet shoes, which look very 1996 school shoe, from Primark and I think they're adorable. I do need insoles for them though because I have really shallow feet and these rub my heels at the moment. I've been getting bored of my hair whilst I'm waiting for my fringe to grow out (curse of the fringe!) and I haven't been brave enough to go for the half up top knot, but I tried it today and I actually really like it. I am also a sucker for the scrunchie trend, a true 90s child at heart, what can I say.

I'm currently selling some clothes over on eBay, click here to check it out.

I'm also selling some iPhone 4/4s covers over on Depop, my username is 'zoenicolexx' if you're interested.

Title: lyrics from 'Summer' by Frank Hamilton

Those doors won't open while you stand and watch them

Dress Topshop

Boots Primark

Frilly socks Topshop

First off I apologise for the terrible quality of the photo, I've been home for the past couple of days and all I had was my iPhone camera. Oh and I'm also sorry about my messy bedroom background, my mother would be ashamed of that unmade bed! Now for the outfit, I wore this dress out the other night for a film night that a couple of my friends from work had organised. They were showing a few different independent short films and it was a really cool and interesting night. As for the dress, this Topshop beauty is one of my favourite items in my wardrobe at the moment, it's easy to wear, to dress up or down and it's a lovely statement piece. I love these cute little faux-suede ankle boots too, they're just from Primark but they're lasting well and I know I'll be gutted when they do start to fall apart.

I've been pretty awful with blogging over the last month and if I'm honest I've just had no motivation. Since moving into the flat and receiving all my official results and certificates from university it's sunk in that it's all over. I am excited for the next chapter of my life but it's still been a bit overwhelming and I have been a wimp this last month and hidden from it all. Now it's a new month and I'm ready to start pushing myself and to get myself sorted and that includes getting back into regular posting on here too. So here's to August and the rest of the summer, let's make it something special.

Title: lyrics from "Cha-Ching (TIll We Grow Older" by Imagine Dragons

My life in pictures

Went and chopped all my hair off! / Saying goodbye to my last uni house / All the fun of the fair at The Hoppings (Blog post here)

 I miss the poolside view, take me back on holiday please?! / You hardly ever see Red Admirals these days / Graffiti in Sheffield

Summer pudding = yummy! (Recipe here) / Seriously good coffee and some girl time at Couch/ Green tea, lime and mint cooler was amazing on a hot day!

Life has been a strange mixture of crazy and quiet over the past few weeks as I'm settling into my new place, job hunting and catching up with friends both at home and in Sheffield. I feel like I'm busy all of the time but also like I spend too much time binge watching Orange is the New Black. I guess this feeling is normal for all graduates, but I hope I can find a job or something to fill more of my days soon, I am actually bored of wearing my pyjamas past noon!

Anyway enough of me rambling about grad life, although England isn't a patch on the gorgeous weather of my holiday last month I have been trying to soak up all the sunshine we get here with yummy summer treats, walks through some of Sheffield's beautiful parks and a day at the fair.

You can follow me on Instagram here.

Ahoy there sailor!

Top Primark

Skirt New Look

Whilst I was home last week I had a huge out of my old bedroom including my closet and I found this old skirt. I couldn't resist teaming it up with my Breton stripe top to create a super nautical look. After sorting through my wardrobe I've decided to sell a lot of my old clothes so I've set up a Depop account. I'll be listing loads of my clothes over the next week, including this skirt, and you can follow me at 'zoenicolexx' if you're interested.

In the Kitchen: Summer pudding

Yesterday I had a craving for something sweet but also something fresh and light so I decided to have a go at Eton Mess with a couple of extra touches. I thought I would share my culinary experiment on this little blog ..

You'll need:

• Whipping cream (I used Emlea a low fat alternative to cream)
• Meringue
• A punnet of strawberries
• White chocolate
• Caster sugar
• 6 ramekins or a dish to serve

The method:

With an electric whisk (or a very strong arm) whip the cream until it forms stiff peaks.

Break up the meringue, chop half of the strawberries and some white chocolate and add them all to the cream and stir to coat them in the cream. Spoon the mixture in the ramekins.

Next make a strawberry compote by heating two tablespoons of caster sugar on the hob until the sugar melts, then add the rest of the strawberries. Simmer for approximately three minutes and then remove from the heat. I strained the compote to remove the big chunks of strawberry and then drizzled the sauce over the individual portions in the ramekins.

You can keep them in the fridge or enjoy straight away. 

They make a lovely summer treat with the perfect blend of sweet and light and you can mix up the ingredients you have to make them different every time, I think next time I might try dark chocolate and coconut.