Freshly done, a little swollen and red.

All year round black platform boots are my favourite item in my wardrobe but I don't own enough of them!!! They especially make my wishlist in the winter when I want something warm on my feet which make me look incredibly badass in just two small details. Naomi Shu have the most gorgeous range of boots so no wonder they are on my December Monthly Wishlist.

L'Oreal Paris Infallible 24H Matte is by far my favourite foundation of the month, and definitely drugstore favourite of the year. The formulation is perfect for the finish, and coverage I want and if you want an affordable perfect matte finish then go get it now!

I first became vegan because I wanted to completely swap my unhealthy lifestyle which was leaving me feeling gross and unsatisfied everyday, to a healthy and fulfilling one. Now it's been just over a year and I'm so happy that I made such a big change.

People are sometimes very reluctant to experiment when cooking and try products out of their comfort zones so they wouldn't consider becoming vegan. They believe it's all lettuce and lentils and nothing more.

Sometimes I want something quick and easy to cook and these vegan alternatives to 'normal' frozen foods hit just the spot! And as much as I enjoy spending time cooking and trying out new recipes, these are sometimes more practical and I think if people knew that these products where out there might be convinced to convert.

Here's a few of my favourites.

Fry's do a great range of frozen foods which are a delicious meat alternative and I constantly stock up on their items. Their meet style chunky strips are my go to when it comes to fillings for fajitas or a little extra in a stir fry.
The chicken nuggets and tasty sharing and finger food which take no effort.

If you like the crisps Frazzles then you will without a doubt like they taste of those vegan pigs in blankets. Admittedly, they aren't my favourite but I know others that say they're great.
The Linda McCartney sausages are a firm favourite with EVERYONE, vegan or not, because they taste so great! I'm going to try and make some sort of meat free 'pigs in blankets' this year for Christmas.

As Quorn mince isn't vegan we've had to try out other alternatives and the supermarket own brand minces tends to be as good as the rest. Asda and Morrisons meat free mince are the ones I prefer and we constantly use it in chillis and spaghetti.

Even before I turned vegan, I would choose Vegi Burgers over normal burgers anyway because I loved the potato-y goodness that they bring. Morrisons own brand are the best when it comes to the perfect fluffy centre and crispy outside.

There will never be a time of year where I am not constantly buying and trying out products to try and keep up with the latest popular products where I can. Over the past few weeks I have been doing just that to treat myself now and then.

November 1st has arrived, and so has my passion for Christmas. I'm the kind of person who's excited for Christmas all year round but truly reveals my true love for the season when it becomes socially acceptable to start going crazy, which for me is the day after Halloween. I haven't banged out the Christmas tunes just yet but I have started decoration and Christmas gift wrap shopping and I couldn't be happier. As this time of year I thought I'd share the first few bits I've bought so people who start Christmas shopping at a 'normal time' have some inspiration.

Me and my mum went a LITTLE crazy in The Range and picked out a few bits to set the scene of the theme of our decorations this year. We've gone for a rustic country theme, with lots of red, cream, wood and hessian.

I have never loved school apart from Year's ago in Year 6. From Year 11 and up it kind of became a hell whole for me and my attendance became...let's just say, shameful. I've never liked the restraints of education and I constantly felt like I was never getting anything out of it. After attempting my AS Levels twice (I didn't do great my first time and this year I completely gave up after 6 weeks), I knew it as time for change. This week I was supposed to be starting a 2 year course in Business but I didn't even make it to the first day without realising it just wasn't for me.

After my first week or two of trying my new healthy eating and strict vegan routine I have seriously felt so much better and satisfied once I've eaten. The general guilt goes away (I'm trying to go transfer to raw vegan as well, but I'm only slowly transitioning into this). As a few weeks had passed I thought I would share with those who don't follow my health eating/vegan food diary Instagram ( @vegan_valley), a few of my posts and food ideas. As you can see I am a MASSIVE fan of watermelon and fruit at the moment, far more than I used to be. I've always been a fan of vegetables in anyway but unless it was exotic fruit used to bore me. It's all about making your average fruit and vegetables more exciting!

Grapefruit, Homemade Granola and Soya Yoghurt

Mango and Blueberries

Watermelon

Blueberries, Figs and Bananas

Banana Porridge, Figs, Mixed Seeds and Mixed Berries

Watermelon and Figs with Lime Squeezed on Top.

Mixed Vegetable Broth

Rice Noodles, Greens, Sweet Potato and left over Nut Roast.

Left Over Bowl: Greens, Onion, Avocado, Couscous, Hummus, Pepper, Lettuce

I have been vegan for over a year now but my vegan diet hasn't been the healthiest or anything particularly commendable. I'm known to go off tracks a little when I'm out and I tend to turn more vegetarian than vegan. In an aim to get fit in time for christmas and to generally gain a positive and happy attitude to myself and life, I've decided to add to my blog (and new instagram) healthy eating/vegan inspo posts. This may inspire some of you as well or it could just be an interesting read as I try and improve and adapt my lifestyle changes completley. I have a few ideas for Recipes, What I Eat In A Day, Vegan Favourites and all things good and yummy like that.

In terms of fancy events where a gorgeous full length dress is required I go to very little. My last one was my prom waayy over a year ago, so now that another opportunity has finally arrived, the fraction of a girly side I have within me has come out with full force. After browsing around many websites, ASOS, once again, came out top with the BEST selection. Which only means one thing, they have once again become the subject of my September Wishlist. I have chosen a few of my favourite dresses, minimizing it down was hard, to show you watch looks I am aiming for, for this up and coming Ladies Evening Ball.

• Embellished V Neck Tulle Maxi Dress
• Lace Maxi Dress with Fringe Sleeves
• Plunge Neck Long Sleeve 70's Maxi in Glitter Knit
• Wrap Front Maxi Dress
• Lace Panel Long Sleeve Maxi Dress
• Front Slinky Maxi Dress with Keyhole

Summer has pretty much ended which only means one things, AUTUMN IS ON IT'S WAY! As much as I love the hot weather and happiness that summer brings, I cannot deny my love for all things autumnal. Big sweaters, pumpkin latte's, reading books in candle light, the beautiful tones of orange, brown, yellow and red everywhere, are just some of the things I ADORE about autumn. I thought I'd share with you a few photos I pulled from my Autumn Pinterest board to get you in the mood as much as I am.

Let's call this my second installment of me talking about charity shops and why they have become the places I love to go. Not only can you find a whole new wardrobe but you can also re-vamp your bookshelf. I am a complete bookworm and whether I'm on the train, in the car or sitting in a coffee shop I will always have a book with me. As I've got into my late teens I've started to finally delve into classic novels and drifted away from my much loved teen fiction (although The Princess Diaries series still has it's permament place, who else loves those books?). With starting from scratch I don't have enough money to buy each book brand spanking new from my nearest Waterstones or WHSmith, and too me books being in the newest condition is really not important. A scratch and broken spine to me shows that someone else once enjoyed the book, adding a little extra meaning and if it means I get to pay just a fraction of the price then count me in.

Most charity shops have a vast selection of books, some are extra helpful and even have different sections *TO THE CLASSICS*, which is where I like to find most of mine. Over the past months or so I've started up my collection rather nicely...