From The Vault

Sometimes you just need to detach from reality and run away to the countryside for a couple of days. This is exactly what my boyfriend, Alex, and I did at the start of November.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (better known as SAD) - is essentially a form of depression, which often comes paired with anxiety - all induced by the autumn and winter months. The days get shorter, nights get longer and the sun is a rare occasion.

Last year I waved goodbye to university and embarked on the next part of my life. With graduations occurring from throughout the year, it can often come at quite a shock when you leave the university bubble you've been living in for the past 3 years or longer.

While I didn't start taking classes until I was 16 pretty late to the game I was always dancing around when I was little. Flash forward to July 2018 when I walked across the stage of the Royal Festival Hall on the South Bank to receive my degree in Dance Studies.

When it comes to skincare I used to have really simple regime and I didn't really know what was going on with my skin - I just kind of brought products and hoped for the best.

Now when I saw Latest in Beauty were doing another Sunday Times Style Awards box...obviously I couldn't resist. I picked the box up last year and featured it as <a href="https://alicia-smith.co.uk/the-one-off-beauty-box-you-need/"> The One-Off Beauty Box You Need</a> and from the box last year I've discovered some of my favourite products that I still use to this day

And who am I? That’s one secret I’ll never tell. Okay so you probably know who I am, but I’ve watched Gossip Girl at least 8 times all the way through and multiple different episodes more than that, and one character I always adored…Queen B. While she may seem like your average spoiled socialite, there is so much more to her character, which develops with every season.

Last week reality set in that Mother's Day wasn't far away and I hadn't even given it a second thought. Luckily <a href="https://www.oceanretailpark.co.uk">Ocean Retail Park, Portsmouth</a> allowed me the pleasure of browsing their small, but useful selection of shops. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Valentine's or Easter...I think we can all agree that Mother's Day is a day to celebrate.

It may be the fact that I am more aware now-a-days of how much skin I place on display but I have been leaning more towards to a trusted midi skirt opposed to my previous favourite, the mini. As someone that is only 5'2, the idea of midi skirts coming into fashion terrified me a little - how was I going to be able to actually pull off this trend without looking like I'd been swallowed up whole by a piece of fabric? Well the secret is in the styling

The idea that the underwear you were defines whether or not your consent to anything is just pure disgusting. Sometimes wearing a thong is necessary to avoid a panty line...it doesn't mean you automatically consent to any sexual activity.

Halloween has always been an occasion I enjoyed, whether I was out trick or treating or attending parties...I love using it as a time to get dressed up and play around with my makeup. I've always been someone that goes for more of a 'cute' halloween look opposed to scary.

I sound like a bloody owl when I say twenty two by twenty two, but with my twenty second birthday less than six months away, I thought I'd put together a list of all the things I want to achieve...maybe I should start with realising I'm getting old. It's crazy to think that in January I hit the big 2-1 and now I'm about to be able to sing 22 for an entire year and HOPEFULLY relate to it.

Now it's been a while since I did a favourites post, they're not normally something I enjoy writing or find interesting to read...however this month I've been loving them for whatever reason. I blame this extreme heatwave.

Am I the only one that feels like 2018 is just running away from me? I always seem to have so much to do but absolutely no time to get everything done. Despite the fact we are only in July I already feel like so much has changed in the past 6 and a half months

As someone that loves a good bubble bath and pamper evening from time to time, I often find myself reaching for Zoe's products to use along side some of my trusty favourites from Soap & Glory <s>including a Clean On Me shower gel with my face on</s>. I must say other than one or two other moisturisers I typically reach for my Zoella ones...I think it's the pretty packaging that always catches my attention.

Now I'm someone that loves to wear the colour black, as well as the occasional pop of colour...but when it comes to summer white makes it's way into my wardrobe. It's the perfect colour especially when there's a heat wave brewing.

Crete is the biggest of the Greek islands, situated in the northeast of the island is the little fishing village of Sisi. With Malia a 12 drive away, and the capital of Heraklion only 40 minutes away it's in a pretty ideal location.

These past 3 years have been a roller coaster ride, I spent first years partying and in denial of struggling with depression until I finally went on medication before starting my blog that summer. Fast forward two years later I'm off my medication and have been for the whole the third year, I've gotten grades to be proud of and I'm walking out of uni with my dream job...although it's not related to my degree in the slightest!

The sun has arrived, I'm wrapping up my last few weeks of university and then I'll be jetting off for a week in Crete. There's only one type of clothing that can see me through all the coming weeks...the trusty jumpsuit. It seems as though the shops have twigged on that use girls love our jumpsuits and playsuits, they can be dressed up or down and can even work in the office.

It's been two years since I first hit publish on my <a href="https://alicia-smith.co.uk/whats-in-my-makeup-bag/">What's In My Makeup Bag</a> post and what a rollercoaster it's been since. I've come on in leaps and bounds. Although I'm still nowhere near where I want to be with my blog, there's still a lot of room to grow and develop.