What's In My School Bag?

As you read the title of todays post I know many of you may be thinking 'but we went back to school a month ago?' but realistically, nobody has the same things in their bag that they took on the first day of school do they? (Well I know mine is significantly lighter than it was some weeks ago!) So here is my more realistic approach to the classic 'What's In My School Bag?'


Bag // Accessorise

I was originally looking for the 'Office City' bag but sadly Zara had changed their stock for the new season and I was a few months too late; so I was looking out for anything similar. I ended up finding this bag in Accessorise and paid £37 which I would say is quite pricey but I am hoping it will last the whole school year rather than having to buy a billion rubbish quality ones. I bought it way back in June as I didn't want to leave it and not be able to get it a few months later. So far I have been really impressed with it as it goes with all my outfits and fits loads in whilst being sturdy and practical! Sometimes it has a tendency to hurt my arm a little when I have a full day of lessons but overall it has been a great all rounder!

Now for the overview of the things I take to school with me everyday;

Purse // Primark
I always take a purse with me as although my bag has lots of pockets, I find it is a great way to store important things like my bus pass, money and house keys (it also means I can find them really quickly!) I absolutely adore the colour of it too, I always get so many compliments and people genuinely can't believe it's only from Primark haha!

Carmex Lip balm // Boots
Lip balm is an essential for me as I cannot stand having dry lips and there's nothing worse than forgetting your lip balm when you have a bad lip at school!

Gum // Poundland
Again, who goes to school without gum??? I know we are not allowed it in lessons but it's always nice to have at the beginning and end of the day or in between lessons to freshen up.

Mirror // Cath Kidston
I always carry a little mirror around with me because not a day goes past when nobody asks for one!

Hand Sanitiser // Bath and Bodyworks
I always take a hand sanitiser everywhere with me as sometimes the toilet soap isn't all that nice and so I always use this after washing my hands just to feel clean. The Bath and Bodyworks ones are great to just chuck in your bag as they are so compact and smell divine!

Pencil Case // Home Bargains
For years I would take the most extravagant pencil case 'just because I could' and I loved stationary but this year I decided to downsize a little with a little simple one. I love the pattern and it fits all my stuff in; what more could you ask for?
-Glue ~ I take Textiles so I always like to have my own glue with me however they always come in handy in all lessons!
-Memory Stick ~ These are great for saving your work or research on, transferring things from home to school (&vice versa) and storing the classwork presentations/extra materials on if you would like to go over the lesson again at home.
-Rubber ~ I don't really use it much but how could you leave it out?
-Highlighters ~ I LOVE highlighters and bringing colour to my work as it really helps me learn
-Pens ~ I like to take a range of pens as I tend to change what I'm comfortable with every lesson and I like to be the one to offer out my things rather than ask to borrow someone else's if my pen brakes!
-Pencils ~ Pencils, although aren't used the most, are another essential. I tend to go for the mechanical ones as they last the longest and you don't have to sharpen them (yes it's lazy of me!)
-Tippex ~ Everybody makes mistakes!
-Ruler ~ Another thing that isn't needed as much this year but I couldn't come to school without it.

Impulse Body Spray // Boots
Body sprays are great way to freshen up throughout the day as they are so cheap, light, fresh and super easy to chuck in your bag. My favourite at the moment has been the impulse one called 'Sweet Smile' which is a gorgeous fruity scent and boots always seem to have them on offer!

Dove Deodorant // Boots
I always carry a mini deodorant with me just incase it's really hot at school or I am going out afterwards and don't have time to go home.

Tissues // Home Bargains
Tissues are something that have many uses and better to have on hand rather than to have to hunt for them. I love the cutesy print on the packet and at only 12p these packets are a complete bargain!

Mini Diary // Paperchase
Although I do use the homework diary provided by my school, I also like to carry a personal one around with me to plan my evenings & weekend schedules, coursework and blog posts better as I love to take down loads of notes and lists about everything.

Tangle Teezer // TKMaxx
I have quite long hair which I tend to wear down quite often so I always need a hairbrush to keep the tangles under control or to neaten it up before I chuck it up if I've had enough of it haha!

Make Up Bag // WHSmiths
My make up bag holds all my essential other bits such as ladies things, hair bits and obviously make up! (I will be doing a What's In My School Make Up Bag/ School Make Up Routine in a couple of weeks, I just have to find a time when lighting is good as my school mornings are very busy, so watch out for that!)

Folder // Paperchase
This folder is a representation of my books (couldn't fit them all in the photo) which are probably the most important item, I like to have pretty patterned ones as I carry my folders around! Paperchase always have nice ones and luckily I got mine in the sales too!

Phone
Not much to say apart from this is the thing I never leave the house without!

Earphones
Finally, another item I never forget are my earphones they are used for all types of bus journeys and to chill out to whilst I'm working in my study periods; safe to say without them, I would genuinely be lost!

I hope you enjoyed tonights post, comment below something you never go to school without and as always, check out my social media links if you haven't already and if you would like you can follow me on Bloglovin' to get my posts as soon as I upload them!

Hope you've all had a lovely weekend!

Yasmin xoxo

PS; Next week I break up from school for 2 weeks (Fri 17th-Nov 3rd) so will have loads of time to write posts so if there is anything you would like to see please let me know! :) 

Haul ~ Autumn Is Coming

As much as I love Summer, for me, there's nothing quite like cosiness that Autumn and Winter bring. This month I have been saving my birthday money, vouchers and wages to go on my first spree for bits for when the weather begins to get a little colder. I absolutely love all the things I have picked up, I can't wait to style the clothes and try out the new beauty items. I have organised things in this post by the various shops and tried to find links to as many things as I could so if you love them as much as I do, you can find them too; lets get started....!

The first shop I went to was Matalan. Every time I visit I seem to find so many hidden treasures, I really feel that Matalan is a shop that people just dismiss thinking it's where older people shop but they always have some excellent quality pieces for great prices! This weekend I picked up;

~ Jacket £25 
I have been searching for a thin coat like this for ages because whenever I go out I often get too hot in a thicker Winter coat but moan when I bring nothing and end up too cold, it also has a hood: bonus! It will be an essential in my wardrobe especially for Sixth Form over the next few months and the colour means it will go with everything!

~ Check Shirt £14
Recently I have LOVED wearing these shirts! They are incredibly comfy, so easy to dress up or down and excellent for layering which is great for Autumn. I haven't seen anyone with one this colour so I'm really happy I found this!

~ Leggings £12 
This was a bit of a random purchase as I wasn't really looking for anymore leggings but the pattern just caught my eye and I immediately grabbed the first and only one on the rail sadly to see they were a size 8 (definitely not my size especially in trousers haha) not wanting to put them down I decided to try them on just in case they did fit... and when I tried them on I found that they fitted perfectly; although I don't know what I will wear with them yet I just couldn't say no!

~ Letter Mug £2
Again another totally random purchase but I just think mugs are the best and I've always wanted one with my letter on so it was just great that I finally found one, now I cannot wait to make hot chocolates every evening!


Next I went to New Look which I still had some birthday vouchers for. I literally lived in New Look all Summer and they definitely haven't disappointed this season! I only picked up a couple of basic items but I am really happy as I will be able to pair them with so many different things!

~ Top £9.99
Another black T-Shirt to add to the growing collection you may say BUT what drew me to this one was the gorgeous striped texture and how it is thicker than the usual tops I reach for which gives it a more fitted feel, the 3/4 length sleeves also mean it is excellent for layering or just wearing by itself!

~ Mom Shorts £19.99
I have wanted a pair of mom jeans for the longest time (yes I have looked high and low in every shop possible) but because I am short and have quite large hips, nothing ever seemed to fit or suit me nicely so I have given up and opted for shorts instead! I love how they fit round the waist but also how baggy looking they are on the thighs so I can wear them with tights in the Winter but also use them when Summer returns. I know many people hate wearing shorts in the Winter but personally I love it as they are a great way to feel free from the tightness of jeans and are generally something different to style.

Then, much to the dismay of my Nan, I disappeared into Primark (I promise she was fine, I just love to browse way too much haha) I did have a lot more things in my basket but for about 10 minutes before I went to pay, I stood in the middle of the shop doing the old 'do I reeeealllyyyy need that' thing and taking half the stuff out! Nonetheless, my bank balance was happy I didn't buy the whole basket but I do wish I got the pastel blue jumper.... maybe next time!

~ Supersoft Skinny Jeans £11
Jeans, of course, are an essential all year round but particularly for Autumn/Winter. I have seen loads of people wearing the lighter blue wash in magazines, on blogs and others at school and really liked the look of them so I decided to pick some up for myself. These jeans are soooo soft and I praise Primark for doing short leg (ILY) I can't wait to wear these!

~ Skort £5
This was my bargain of the weekend! As I get so bored of wearing trousers in the colder months, I am always on the look out for anything I can wear with tights and also anything I can stash away for my holiday next Summer, when I was rummaging amongst the sale rail I fell in love with the pattern and colours of this skort, then I saw it was only £5 reduced from £12 I just had to get it!

~ Scarf £5
Last year I wore my red tartan scarf almost everyday so this year I was looking for another one but with different colours in so I could alternate between the two. I picked up one with more greys in it and I just think it is gorgeous (now I am glad I have so many black and white tops because it means it will match with everything!) it is also so big and cosy too!

~ Socks £2
Socks were another thing on my list because I only seem to have black or Summer brights so I decided to pick up some Autumnal shades!


I only picked up one thing from Topshop as I find it can be a little pricey and not much suits my shape.

~ Bottle Green Scallop Top £16
I suppose this was kind of a re-purchase as I bought this top in the burgundy brown the other day but loved the shape and style so much I decided to get it in another colour. I was going to go for black (noooo) but then decided I needed to add some colour to my wardrobe and I think this green will look great with my gold jewellery.

Onto makeup where the damage was first done in MAC (but thanks to vouchers from my fabulous friends, I only parted with a little of my own money!) Apart from essential repurchases of the trusty Rimmel powder and Collection concealer I haven't actually brought any make up in what feels like forever so I thought I would treat myself and try something new.

~ Trax // Pan Eyeshadow £10

This colour is just incredible! The purple-ly pomegranate shade has flecks of gold, which I am told, will complement my eyes and will add something a bit more exciting to an Autumn look!

~ Honesty // Pan Eyeshadow £10
Another nude to add to my palette but I think it is going to work so well as a base for my sparkly shadows but will still look great by itself with some winged liner!

~ Craving // Lipstick £15.50
Rebel and Rimmel Kate 107 and have been my Winter staple lip colours for the past couple of years so this time I wanted to try something a little bit lighter and more plummy. The finish is an Amplified Creme which is probably my favourite finish as they stay on so well but are also moisturising, it looks suuuuper gorgeous by itself especially when you matte it down but I can also still mix this with my favourite shades to create a darker berry look! I think this is going to be an amazing burst of colour against all the dark outfits over the next few months!

~ 217 Blending Brush £19
For months I have been thinking about buying this brush as I want to get into trying some more adventurous eye looks and the blending brushes I have are just way too small and hardly pick up any product! Everyone on Youtube raves about this brush so lets hope it lives up to the expectations!

After that splurge, I quickly popped into Boots just to see what offers were on and as usual I fell hook line and sinker.

~ L'Oreal 'Pure Reds Collection' in Blake Lively's shade  £6.99
I love the L'Oreal lipsticks, they have an amazing formula and smell lush so when I saw they had released a reds collection I was genuinely so excited as many reds just never suit my complexion and I have always wanted to find the perfect one for Autumn Winter. I was automatically drew to Blake Lively's shade first as I am a Gossip Girl lover but after swatching the whole collection, I went back to pick up her one as I think it is the darkest and most blue toned (yay for blue tones making your teeth look whiter) which I mainly look for in red lipsticks.

~ Essie Bahama Mama £7.99
This nail varnish has been on my wish list for so long but it is quite dark and plummy so I was waiting until Autumn to buy it. Finally it's October so I decided to pick it up, it is definitely going to be my staple nail colour for this season!

Finally, a couple of random things odd bits that don't fall in any category.

~ 'Red Apple Wreath' Yankee Candle // Clintons £1.80
First Christmas-sy scent of the year yay!

~ Candy Mountain Bubble Bar // Lush £2.75
Thank you Lush for brining the Christmas collection out so early! I just loveeee the scent of Snow Fairy and can't wait to use this in my baths.

~ 'Woodland Animals' wrapping paper // Paperchase £1.25
In a couple of weeks I am going to Centre Parcs with my friend so I decided to pick up this wrapping paper for the scrapbook pages I will fill up when I get home as it was just too sweet to leave behind and I knew I would regret it if I couldn't find it.

So, that is everything I picked up this weekend, I'm sorry it was quite long and ramble-ly so if you've got this far well done *applauds* but nonetheless, I hope you enjoyed; leave me a comment on what your staple things will be this Autumn and as usual check out my social media links or follow me on Bloglovin' to be notified and see my posts as soon as they are uploaded! 

Yasmin xoxo