What has Lauren Marie been up to?

In my previous ramblings, I mentioned that I finished my time at university, graduated (not the official ceremony, I have to wait until November for that) with a First Class Honours in Advertising and enjoyed an unwinding girlie holiday in Portugal. So, to get you really up-to-date I thought I would do a quick run-through of all the things that I have got up to, over the last few months and what excited things are yet to come…

Finishing University  

After all the tight deadlines and the nail-biting experience of giving the two copies of my dissertation to the man to bind and the reality of, if he got it wrong, I would have to reprint 151 pages again (twice!), university was officially over. During my last week in Southampton, I managed to fit in a night out, multiple trips to cute little cafés in Bedford Place with the girls, a day of shopping and too many Selfies to even count… Although, this week was one of the most memorable weeks, I think I will ever have, it was also one of the most emotional weeks; although I knew all of us would keep in touch after uni, it felt strange knowing that we wouldn’t be coming back together for another year of university but I wouldn’t change a thing and I hope these girls will remain in contact with me for a very long time. 

Advertising Girls | Class of 2015 

London Weekend 

To summarize this weekend in one word is extremely difficult because it was one of the best weekend, I’ve had in a long time. During my London weekend, I went to ‘The Making of Harry Potter’ studios in Watford and the Capital Summertime Ball at Wembley Stadium; I went with one of my fellow Heart Angels, Leonie, who is one of the greatest people that you will ever meet (mean girls quote wasn’t intended). Although, we were in and out of London in less than 48 hours, and dealt with the late-night freezing cold Megabus… I couldn’t of asked for a better weekend. 

The Making of Harry Potter, Watford

Seven books, eight films and ten years in the making, it was time I finally visited ‘The Making of Harry Potter’ studios in Watford. What can I say other that, it was definitely worth catching the wrong train and paying a fortune for a taxi ride to the studios…  IT WAS AMAZING! Although, our phone batteries were dead by the end of the day and we took way too many selfies for our phone memories to hold, it was worth the 4am start from little old Devon to the big city. 

Photo opportunities are everywhere at 'The Making of Harry Potter'. 

Capital Summertime Ball, Wembley Stadium

21 artists for £10 – BARGAIN! From One Direction to Olly Murs, Little Mix to Nick Jonas, it is definitely worth every penny and it was an experience I will never forget. Although, I am not a massive One Direction fan, my love for them has certainly grown (quite rapidly) from seeing them at Wembley but Olly Murs and now Little Mix will always be my first love. Again, not to anyone’s surprise… Leonie and myself took too many selfies! 

Selfies, Little Mix and One Direction, what else could you possibly want? 

Albufeira, Portugal 

I have never been to Portugal but I would certainly go back again. It was beautiful and a very memorable vacation indeed; although myself and Eleanor both got this cold/hayfever thing that to this day, we are still both unsure about what it was, it was filled with many cocktails, lots of sun, swimming and a few too many games of Uno (which tested our friendship to say the least). With views that you couldn’t find in the UK and cocktails that made Vodka Revs cocktails look like a squash, it was a holiday that we all enjoyed and allowed us to unwind after three (intense) years at university.

Gorgeous beaches + cocktails + best friends = A HOLIDAY TO REMEMBER!

Graduate Status! 

The 13^th day of July was known as ‘D-Day’ in the Chamberlain household as I woke from a restless nights sleep, to many different messages, emails and snap chats, it was time to find out my fate. Yes, after three crazy, emotional and empowering years at university, I achieved 'First Class Honours in Advertising' status; something I only dreamt of when I first started university in September 2012. I can now officially say “I am an advertising graduate and it is the best feeling in the world!”

You're only an 'Offiical Graduate' when you have too many cards to include in a photograph. 

21^st Birthday Party (not mine, unfortunately, I have a few more weeks to go)

After a month of not seeing the girls, it was back up to Woking for Louise’s 21^st Birthday Party, where I wasn’t only reunited with Louise but Eleanor as well. It was lovely to be reunited with the girls and celebrate not only Louise’s 21^st but all of our First Class Honours' together. 

So, as you can see, I’ve been up to a few exciting things over the last few months and I thought a general overview would fill you in quicker without my endless ramblings about how great One Direction are live, my endless love for Olly Murs and how much I should of been a member of the Harry Potter cast because I looked pretty damn awesome on a broomstick. 

Anyway, what is yet is come is unknown but stick with me folks, exciting things may be right around the corner but we'll just have to wait and see… 

- Lauren xo

Hello Stranger!

Okay, I don’t actually know where to start; maybe starting with an apology is the best idea. I don’t want to dwell on this too much but I would like to apology for my absence over the last four months (I didn’t realize it was that long) but I do feel the need to explain my reason of absence in order for you to understand completely, why my absence was necessary. I thought I was doing really well keeping up with my blog on a regular basis but at the same time, I needed to balance my time between work, a blog and my final year at university, which unfortunately meant my blog suffered for a while (a long while apparently). But although, my time at university has officially come to an end, I am also happy to inform you that I will be graduating university with a First Class Honours in BA (Hons) Advertising; so letting my personal life and blog suffer for a while was definitely worth it, especially to get a grade that I thought I would never achieve at university.  After all my deadlines were handed in, I felt it was time to blow off some steam (as they say) with none other than a girlie holiday to Portugal and I definitely think a break helped in many ways because I got the chance to unwind and gather lots of exciting new content for my blog.

Anyway, with all my work out of the way and the holiday over (unfortunately), I am eager to start blogging again and get on with the job hunt, which isn't going all that well at the moment but I am excited about what the summer and future golds. Only a short post from me today but I really hope you stick with me to check out my new content coming but in the mean time, have a great summer. 

- Lauren xo 

The New Find

Accessorize Tote Bag, From £45 to £30

After weeks of searching, I finally found it… my perfect handbag! When it comes to clothes, shoes, bags and the rest, I am really quite fussy with what I want but I suppose you could always just say that I am a woman that just knows what she wants and knows her own mind. Now, when its comes to a handbag, it must have some basic requirements like a zip for starters; during my time browsing for a new bag, I’ve noticed that bag manufacturers must have a problem with zips these days as I struggled to find a bag with a zip and that was big enough to fit all my university books, notepads and other junk into. Although, I wanted a big enough bag for all of that stuff; I didn’t want to feel like I was dragging around a suitcase all day, everyday. Also, a bag must have pockets (inside and out) and finally, it must be a practical colour (by practical, I mean something that goes with near enough every outfit). Not too much to ask, right? Wrong, it took me six weeks to find a bag that fit these requirements and time wasn’t exactly on my side as everyday, my handbag was ripping more and more until finally, the strap snapped. 

Anyway, after strolling around Exeter all day, I came across Accessorize (a shop, I’ve really thought about looking for bags in, but I had been in every other shops going, so this had to be worth a shot). The main pocket of the bag is the perfect size for getting all my university books and notepads in and the front and inside pocket are perfect for storing all my other handbag essentials; keeping my bag organized and neat. This perfectly sized bag with a black, decorative interior and a large, practical yet stylish front pocket is the perfect addition to any outfit, especially if you put it with a black leather jacket. As a lover of a good bargain, this beautiful Accessorize handbag had £15 off; reducing it from £45 to £30, which for a good quality handbag isn’t bad at all and saving £15 is a bonus – making the bag a must-have in my eyes!

- Lauren xo

#SpringEssentials

Flowers blossoming, birds tweeting and shades on; it all means one thing… Spring finally is here! I am getting rather excited for all the plans that I have to come this year, once all my work is finished, I can start to enjoy the sunshine and Spring-time fun and before we know it, Summer will have arrived! My Spring-time excitement wouldn’t be complete without a few #SpringEssentials; here are just a few things that I am lovin’ this Spring.

1. Barry M Prickly Pear Gelly Nail Vanish (I am lovin’ Pastels!) 
2. Flowers (Specifically Daffodils!)
3. Vaseline Rosy Lips (Perfect!)
4. Garnier Hand Repair Cream (time to rid of those horrible wintery hands!)
5. The Body Shop – Vitamin E Moisturizing Cream (so soft and silky… LOVE!)
6. Summer Scoop Yankee Candle (which arrived TODAY, might I add and its smells BEAUTIFUL!)

These are my #SpringEssentials, What are yours? 

Now, my #SpringEssentials are out of the way, it's time to look at why I LOVE Spring! Normally, Spring is a time for that spring clean and a time where lots of little lambs are starting to run around in the fields again (I live in Devon, so this is something you look forward to in the Spring!) but for me, Spring is more than that; its about new beginnings, a fresh start and about getting yourself out there and having fun. I am currently sat in my garden, enjoying the sunshine; munching on some Summer berries, drinking some freshly made cucumber water whilst attempting to write my next chapter for my dissertation – as you can probably imagine, its not the easist thing to be doing, whilst outside in the sunshine. But the truth is, I cannot wait to finish all my uni work and get out and enjoy this sunshine and the time, I have left before my parents start on the ‘job talk’ as I like to call it - I’m hoping the weather is going to be nice to me this summer – optimistic, I know! Anyway, that’s enough from me today I think and all that’s left to ask is… do you have any #SpringEssentials that you would like to share this Spring time?

- Lauren xo

Super Stressful

Okay, this past week hasn't been the greatest time of my life with the lead up to big deadlines, realizing the fact that I have lost; what once was a good friend, housing dilemmas and original homing situations; it hasn't been the easiest of weeks and I have found myself getting more and more worried; making my stress knot more tangled than before. One thing that I would say I am thankful for this week is having a pen and piece of paper at the ready to write down all my stresses and having a fabulous set of parents on the end of the phone, ready to hear my worries (thank you Mum and Dad - You are lifesavers!)

Stress is no ones friend. It creeps up on you when you least aspect it and its something that you can't just run and hide from (Believe me, I have definitely learnt that this week). In life, the word 'Stress' is used so often, people seems to forget how to get over it or just how to work through it; this week I have excluded myself from my friends social gatherings, had sudden anger outbursts at the ones I love and under-eaten but after putting down my technological devices down, my stressing workload aside (which was easier said that done)... ALL I REALLY NEEDED TO DO WAS THINK!

All thinking aside, just relaxing was a nice way to relief stress but here are a few inside tips that seemed to work for me when my stress levels, just got unbearable…

1. Talk to someone.
Don't be on your own! Believe me I don't know what I would of done if it hadn't been for my parents this week; they have been superstars (they always are to be fair) but talking to anyone, it can be a friend? A total stranger? Your parents? Your pet? It can really help to lift the wait off your shoulders in no time!

2. Have some YOU time!
Go for a walk, get a coffee, call a good friend or curl up with a good book... do something that interests you but hiding away and carrying on when your not getting anywhere isn't the answer.

3. Change Environment. Change Clothing. Change Thinking.
By changing into a different environment, into some comfier clothes like jogger bottoms (or pj bottoms are always nice!) and by thinking about something different, just changes your attitude to think more clearly as you aren't stuck on one piece of work.

4. Believe in yourself…

Don't let anyone or anything stand in your way of getting through something. Remember, no one actually has confidence or no fears but it's about learning to project it and being champion over your stress.

5. Don't follow the pack!
Stress can come from anything but it doesn't help when you compare yourself to others. If someone is going work and you can't bear to face yours, don't feel guilty and get yourself into a state, just think about something different or go off and come back to it; don't sit and state at it and stress yourself out because actually you aren't going to get anywhere fast as your not giving yourself a break!

6. Find something that works for you…

A lot of people say that meditation has helped them to relax, for me this isn't so true but listening to dolphin sounds or unwinding with a good book always help me to relax but you have to find something that works for you… This may seem like a type of procastination but its not; I am telling you to walk away and do something different and then go back to it because stressing over it won't get you any further with your work! (TRUST ME!)

Stress will never leave you and it's a horrible thing to have to deal with but being able to control your stress levels and find what works for you can help! Stress is an individual thing and no one can truly understand an individual’s problem not fully; overcoming stress can be more empowering and achieving than most things in life.

I hope this simple guide will help you like it helped me and hopefully you won't have as bad of week as me!

Goodbye Stress. Hello Relaxation.

All the best…

- Lauren xo

Calling all dog lovers

How many of you tuned in to watch the #SuperBowl game last night?

Well, if you’re anything like me, you would've just tuned in for the 30 second slots in the middle of the game which seem to capture the hearts' of the world every year… Yes, that’s right, I am talking about some of the most powerful advertising that can change a brands’ image forever in the space of 30 seconds. The #SuperBowl is a prime-time spot for any brand, who wants to pull on the emotional heart-strings of their target audience because over 75% of the US population tune in to watch the #SuperBowl every year and within less than 12 hours those adverts have normally gone viral and made their way across the pond! 

DID YOU KNOW?
(Siciliano, 2015) A 30-second slot during the event sells for around $4 million (£2.7 m)!

One advert in particular that pulled at my heartstrings and was an instant reminder of home was Budweiser ‘Lost Dog’ 2015 campaign. The advert tells us about #BestBuds love story between a Golden Labrador puppy and a horse; the ad shows a puppy living on a farm with horses – getting lost, travels with all his might back to the farm, confronted by wolves and later is rescued by the horses from the farm – who bring him home!

From Budweiser 'Lost Dog' 2015 Campaign

As a dog-lover myself and with a puppy at home with a face so similar, this campaign definitely ticks all the boxes for me (I’m still currently weeping writing this post!). I’m not a Budweiser user myself but if its brand awareness they want, its brand awareness they’ve got! It's one of those legendary ads, that people hear about and will spend hours searching for on the internet and later share with millions on social media. Within the first 10 seconds my heart was captured and it will be a brand that I recognize instantly through this emotional connection that they have now made between them and me. Budweiser is seen as a young gentlemen’s drink but they have connected it with more than that, they have used the power of love and emotion from the first second, when the pup's head pops up from the hay to the last second, where the pup and horse are #BestBuds; Budweiser have drawn in everybody’s heart to think only of one thing… Budweiser!

 Cheers! Budweiser on a job - Well Done!

- Lauren xo

 OH WAIT! Remember, I said I had a puppy with a face so similar, well its only fair I prove it…

Still not seen the advert?
What are you waiting for, check it out now!

Missed all the #SuperBowl adverts? Check them out here -
there are some pretty good ones this year! 

The 'Lauren Marie' Bucket List

WARNING! This is NOT your average Bucket List… 

I am twenty years old and in the past I've been told to write a ‘Bucket List’ but if I'm not mistaken a bucket list is something created when people want to achieve or accomplish something before they die...  But the idea of having some kind of goal-orientated, organized and purpose filled content, that would hopefully one day make me feel like I have got an achievement of success on my back and a life long list of memories rather than someone who doesn't dream, want to succeed or just can't be bothered with doing anything... Sounds just like something I need to do! So this bucket list of mine is about finalizing my life ambitions that float around in my mind all day, flow through my diary and come to bed with me every night; life slips through your fingers so fast that it can’t be stopped but you can hold onto the great things and memories that you do in your lifetime. So here it is, My Bucket List which is full of my simplest of dreams to those that are just waiting to prove everyone who said ‘you can’t’ wrong…

1. Own a MacBook
2. Graduate University
3. Let my hair get really long
4. Read ‘The Hunger Games’ trilogy. Twice.
5. Visit London
6. Visit Monsters University
7. Take my mum on the vacation of her dreams
8. Learn how to apply false eyelashes (it still amazes me how people do this!)
9. Go on a spontaneous road trip
10. Visit Walt Disney museum
11. Have flawless skin
12. Live life without regrets
13. Take a photo everyday for a year
14. Be the girl of someone’s dreams (cheesy, I know but it’s nice to hope!)
15. Own the car, I’ve always wanted
16. Shop on ‘Black Friday’
17. Spend an entire day watching Disney movies (in Pj's) 
18. Own a Dream Catcher
19. Write something in wet concrete
20. Have a wardrobe I actually like
21. Be kissed unexpectedly yet romantically
22. Stop eating fast food for at least a month (I've actually done more than a month!)
23. Save money (not so easy when your surrounded by super cute shoes and clothes all the time) 
24. Find my dream job
25. Go an entire day without using any technology (If social media could just shut down for a day, I would really appreciate it!)
26. I want to be (more) organized
27. Visit the 7 wonders
28. Grow old with someone I love
29. Visit the Walk of Fame in LA
30. Go to Winter Wonderland, London
31. Make a time capsule (Planning to do this after university!)
32. Be a good parent
33. Scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef
34. Go skinny dipping
35. Meet an amazing guy
36. Be proposed to in a unique way
37. Have a romantic date under the stars
38. Go to a spa
39. Release a paper lantern
40. Start running
41. Feel great in a bikini
42. Write a letter on Juliet’s wall in Verona, Italy
43. Go on a road trip with friends (Bournemouth in 2013 was amazing… I think its time for another one girls – Louise, Eleanor and Charlotte don’t let me down!) 
44. Walk on the Great Wall of China
45. Live in my dream house
46. Fall in love
47. Have best friends who will never let me down
48. Kiss in the rain
49. Live to see cancer cured
50. Go to Atlantis Bahamas
51. Attach a lock to the love bridge
52. Kiss under the Eiffel Tower
53. Complete a scrapbook (I need to actually start one first) 
54. Go to Disney Land
55. Eat healthier
56. Visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
57. Visit Australia
58. Go on vacation with my best friends
59. See as much of the world as I possibly can
60. Go to California
61. Ice skate in Central Park
62. Own a pair of Ray Bans (I will be doing this after I learnt NOT to sit on my sunglasses)
63. Go to Hollywood
64. Get engaged
65. Experience Christmas in New York
66. Stand under the Hollywood sign
67. See a Broadway play
68. Go to Times Square
69. See the Statue of Liberty
70. Shop in New York
71. Have Children
72. Visit the Lourve, Paris
73. Go on an African Safari
74. Go in a hot air balloon
75. Say ‘I Do’
76. Pet a baby lion
77. Stay in touch with all my university friends
78. Fly 1st Class
79. Be someone that everyone wants to be friends with
80. Do everything on my bucket list (Cliché, I know!)

If lists aren't your thing; check out my Pinterest account 'Bucket List' pin board! {Bucket List Picture...} I hope one day, you will fulfill your dreams, just like I plan to with mine but just in case you don’t think I can do it; check back in 20 years time, when I will be writing my best seller about my high-powered, purpose filled, beautiful lifestyle when my ‘Bucket List’ is complete…

Remember Readers: Never stop dreaming!

- Lauren xo

This blog post is in loving memory and incredible honour of an old family friend, who was a loveable, friendly and a truly honest man, who was suddenly taken from us with such shock and upset 12 months ago today – Unfortunately he didn’t get to finish his Bucket List.

{This is for you H!} x