all of the updates.

Well hello guys,

Over the last few weeks it just hit me, I needed to get back on this blog and write stuff. I have had this little piece of the internet for quite a while now but in the last 1 1/2 years I just haven't appreciated it as much even though the blogging community has remained a big part of my life. However, lately I realised how much I want to blog again even if it won't be all that often and probably not regularly since my life is still crazy busy (which I absolutely love by the way).

I thought I would start my new found love for this blog with a bit of an update as to what I've been up to, since after all this blog is mainly about what I get up to (and what I eat, duh).

The year (which for me starts in September) started off pretty well, I had some more friends at uni including the lovely people I met through the blogging society (especially Nisha) and was generally feeling pretty motivated. I was happy with my flat and absolutely loving my modules at uni. However apprently it wasn't meant to go as well as it should have gone and only a few weeks into the semester I started to get really bad headaches, looking back now I am not sure how I managed to do all the things I did but I just really wanted to keep going. Turns out my headaches were caused by stress which is pretty unfortunate when you're a science student and can't really ever stop being stressed in a way. Luckily the headaches disappeared over christmas (although I still get them every now and then, but now I panic way less).
Despite the headaches I still had a great time, I volunteered at the Manchester Science Festival where I met some great people and got to love science even more.

I managed to do reasonably well in my exams and the second semester started pretty well. I absolutely loved my labs and was feeling myself again and managed to spend a lot more time with my friends and go on little adventures with the boyfriend. One of the best things that happened to me this semester was that I joined the university iGEM Team which means I will get to work in the lab over summer where we will be working on our very own synthetic biology project.

At the moment I am starting to prepare for my exams that are coming up sooner than I would like, but the end of exams means the start of a science filled summer which I honestly cannot wait for. I shall be keeping you updated and I also have some food related posts lined up.

It's good to be back.

Magdalena.

Wednesday Wishlist: Kitchen & Dining

I have already posted an extensive kitchen wishlist before moving last year and I don't want to bore you with the same things again, since yes, most of them are still on my wishlist at the moment.
I thought I would add dinnerware and dining items in general (such as glasses etc.) to this years wishlist. The reason I don't have most of these things is that I was lucky to have a housemate who moved in bringing along a set of plates, pots, pans and all sorts of other useful things who she kindly let everyone use. Truth be told there wouldn't have been space for everyone to have their own stuff anyway so I was very grateful.

But since I am going to be living by myself now I obviously need certain essentials such as plates and bowls, pans and all those things you need when you don't want to have take away every day. This means that some items on this wishlist are going to be a little boring for those of you who aren't moving out this summer, but I tried to find some that are fun despite being practical.

1. Salad Dressing Mixer - Butlers
I saw this at the Butlers store in my hometown the other day and thought it would be really useful to make and store salad dressings. It even come swith some recipe suggestions on the bottle and you can close it and store it in the fridge.

2. Vinegar Bottle - Butlers 
I'd like to get a set of matching oil and vinegar bottles. This isn't exactly necessary but I think they would look cute so if I have some spare money I'll order them too.

3. Glass Bottle - Butlers 
I think you've realised by now that I'm in love with Butlers, it's such a cool shop and most things are really affordable (unfortunately they are cheaper here in Austria but I can't take things back with me) and so unique. This bottle for example is just awesome, made to look like a plastic bottle. I would use it to store homemade juice and syrup probably.

4. Green Glass - IKEA
I definitely want a glass that looks similar to this one, I like the patterns on it, the colour and it seems pretty solid which I also like a lot about glasses. Definitely on my IKEA shopping list.  

5. Flamingo Glass - IKEA
This is a more fun version, I like flamingos a lot and I already have one glass like this so I was rather excited to see they are still in stock, these will probably be used for lemonades and some fruity cocktails. 

6. Mint Service - IKEA
This is exactly what I'd like my plates to look like, simple and pastel-y. Unfortunately this particular set doesn't seem to be in stock at my IKEA at the moment, but fingers crossed it comes back or they'll have something similar.  

7. Patterned Bowl - H&M & Patterned Plate - H&M
I'm in love with patterns at the moment and this set of plate and bowl from H&M are really up my street, if I happen to place an order they might just slip into my basket.

8. Retro Plate - Butlers & Retro Bowl - Butlers
Love for patterns again huh? I think I actually prefer this set and both bowl and plate come and five different colour combinations, love love love.


xx

Wednesday Wishlist: Bedroom

Being a student in the UK means moving to a new place is on the agenda pretty much every summer. However, unlike most other second year students I am not moving into a house with 5 coursemates, instead after having lived in a house with two housemates last year I decided to get my own little studio flat. I managed to find one that was affordable and could still fit me in it so I'm pretty excited to be moving in.

As the flat is furnished I hopefully won't have to buy too much furniture myself, but I know there will be certain things that I will need to get as I haven't really bough many things for my place over the last year. I have spent many hours on the internet looking for things I might need/want so I thought I'd share them with you on here, starting with things for the bedroom. There will be a bed in the flat but that's about it so here are some things I've been looking at.

1. Quilt Cover - IKEA
Considering I owned just one set of quilt and pillow covers for about 4 months last year (which yes, I did wash) I am quite proud of myself to have this on my list this early. I do now own two sets but I believe three is a good number and this floral one is perfect for me.

2. Floral Throw - Butlers
I've been after a floral throw for ages, I had my eyes on one from dotcomgiftshop for a while but that one is way too expensive. To be honest this one from Butlers is still too expensive but I have hope that one day I will find one I can afford.

3. Cushion Owl - Butlers
One can never have too many own themed items. I already have an owl called Henrietta who sits on my bed during the day so I am sure she would welcome an owly companion.

4. Green Cushion Cover - H&M Home
I'd like some decorative yet practical cushions in my bedroom. Since I won't have a sofa I will probably use my bed for things like watching films or tv shows on my laptop so some more cushions would be very useful. I love the mint colour of this one especially, and it's currently on sale (fingers crossed it stays like that until I can actually order it)

5. Rose Party Lights - dotcomgiftshop
In all honesty I have no idea where I would put these, maybe on my bookshelf? They're not the most necessary items and this version isn't exactly affordable either. So if someone finds a cheaper version please let me know.

6. Bedside Table - IKEA
I definitely need a bedside table this time around, using a pile of magazines wasn't the most practical thing to do but it worked for the last ten months I guess. This little item from IKEA is perfect, it's really affordable and would go with the other pieces of furniture I might buy. Definitely on my 'to buy' list.

7. Green Alarm Clock - dotcomgiftshop
Those of you who have been reading my blog for a while might recognise this item, it featured on a wishlist last year already but I still want it and thought this would be a good reminder for myself to finally get around to buying it. Wouldn't it look lovely on my bedside table?

8. Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch - eBay
I am currently reading the first book of this series, Rivers Of London and I absolutely love the style of it. It combines both crime and magic which are two things I love to read about so I cannot wait to read this second book of the series.

9. Autumn Bergamot & Grapefruit Candle - Flamingo Candles
This is the perfect scent for a cosy autumn evening which makes it the perfect bedside table candle in my opinion. I tried this scent as one of flamingo candles' scent melts and loved it so I couldn't stop myself from ordering the candle version when they had 20% off the other day.

xx