Becoming Austen: June 2016

Sunday 12 June 2016

The one where a Topshop coat takes over my wardrobe | OOTD

A good trench coat can change an entire outfit, making it uber chic and sophisticated. I own more than two coats which is unnecessary but I am addicted to finding the perfect coat (s).

I found this beauty at Topshop on sale for just $70! It was an amazing find and I am super happy with it. I usually don't find anything that suits me from Topshop but after scavenging my way through the sale racks, I found this steal and it was calling my name.

Lesson of the story - always look through sale racks and shops you would never go into!

Saturday 11 June 2016

The one in which Rumi makes me fall in love | LIFESTYLE

I loved reading when I was kid. I was my way of escaping the lonely dinner parties and long car rides home from school. But as I grew up I left the words and become much more engrossed in the world of social media. But I miss it. I miss reading and flying away to another time and place and I desperately needed a book to bring me back to the thing that I loved entirely.

And then I found it.

And it was amazing.

Elif Shafak's Forty Rules of Love is beyond amazing. I am late to the bandwagon as the book came out a couple of years ago but nevertheless it didn't matter.

The novel is set in two different centuries and multiple perspectives which is somewhat confusing but adds to the drama in the novel. Shafak successfully uses so many different voices to tell the story of two scholars Sham of Tabriz and Rumi and how they come together. She also tells the story of Elle and her modern life in 2009 and the effect Rumi has made in her life.

The forty rules of love by Shams of Tabriz are profound and made me ponder over life, love and Islam, somehow making me fall in love with my religion all over again!

I read the book in two days and couldn't put it down! I adored every second and cannot wait to pick up other books written by Elif Shafak. She is a definite inspiration to my literature geek self.

I highly recommend the book for anyone who likes semi-romantic, finding yourself, history books.

Thank you Elif Shafak for letting me become myself again!

Friday 10 June 2016

The one in which you learn to rule university # 1 | LIFESTYLE

Yesterday was my last final for my second semester and freedom has never felt so good.

I quite enjoy university and assignments (nerd much?) and I believe that everything should be completed at least three days prior to the due date.

Yes. I am that student that asks for homework. Don't hate me.

Anywhoo, I thought I would share a few secrets to my study techniques. I may have to break this up into two parts...

C O M M I T | University isn't like school where the teachers are going to count your presence in class and sit and explain what went wrong. If anything, university will leave you feeling somewhat independent and very stressed out. But before you even decide to have those restless nights, you have to commit to your education.

It's not easy and the amount of time and effort that goes into university studies is profoundly worrying so make sure that once you begin you commit to it. No one is going to be cheering you on for every move you make - you have to encourage yourself.

A T T E N D | Attending some classes is extremely helpful, whereas other classes just put you to sleep. I am a victim to lecture naps and though they are risky, they sure are satisfying. Teachers often judge your holistic attitude towards your studies based on your attendee and contribution in the class. So speak up in class.

R E A D | Usually unit outlines are provided before the semester begins. Make sure you read those outlines as they help you understand what assignments there are, when they are due and how much the weigh.

P L A N | I have bought sooooo many planners in anticipation that I would start planning with sticky notes, highlights etc but let's face it - it was never going to happen. For me, I like simple lists.

I found this weekly planner from Etsy and use it every week to note down any due tasks etc.

D R A F T | Start your essays waaaaaay before the due date. Write up drafts and essay plans beforehand and research the topic. Essay plans are the most amazing things ever! They fast-pace the actual essay writing and make it easier to form paragraphs.

Hope that helped somehow!

Thursday 9 June 2016

The one in which Pitt Street becomes home | FASHION

Addicted is a strong word but I am using it wisely.

I am addicted to shopping.

Sydney's Pitt Street is one of my favourite places to shop. Not only does it have the best cafes but high street stores such as Zara, Toyshop, H&M and luxury brands such as Chanel, Prada, Michael Kors and Ted Baker.

I went shopping about two months ago and did some major damage to the old bank account and thought I'd show you some of my favourite items that I found.

Z a r a J u m p e r | I am in love with this slouchy jumper from Zara. It was around $45 which is a steal for such amazing quality. This jumper/shirt is oversized and slushy in all the right areas and is super versatile. It goes with jeans, skirts and pants.

Zara is an amazing place to find such steals and is one of those shops where you have to look in every nook and cranny for something delicate. The shop usually restocks every two weeks so go which means I'm poor by the end of the month. Ha ha.

M i c h a e l K o r s E s p a d r i l l e s | I have to admit that these were a pricey pair of shoes ($130 to be exact) but I wear them everyday. They are comfy and the colour goes with everything. The leather is soft and it looks better with every wear.

These shoes and I were meant to be - they were the last pair in this colour and my size in the entire store and I adore them!

T e d B a k e r S h o u l d e r B a g | I have been lusting over a Ted Baker bag for years and this was one perfect when I bought it. It's reversible with a tan side and black side and a gorgeous gold chain. It's versatile but doesn't hold much which is a shame.

But a lot has changed since I bought this bag - I still adore the bag no doubt - but I've been using backpacks more often and boy oh boy does it store much more and not hurt my shoulders!

I think I may talk about my bag choices in another blog post and an in-dpeth review of Zara cause it a piece of heaven.

Tuesday 7 June 2016

The one where Chanel is the hero | BEAUTY

Can we just take a moment to appreciate the packing of Chanel! Ugh. Perfection.

Anywhoo, I adore this product. It's a lightweight foundation to light to medium coverage - perfect for everyday use as it's not to heavy or cake-y.

I picked this up about two months ago at a Chanel counter at David Jones and the woman who served me was so nice!

Initially, I wanted to try the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua as Suzie from Hello October raves about it but the lady at the counter suggested that the Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet would be a better option for my needs, which were - a light foundation with a flawless finish.

This is such a good first time foundation and through it comes with a hefty price tag, it is totally worth it. It smells and feel super luxurious which is always a bonus. This product used with a beauty blender gives such a flawless look to the face which is always nice when you're skin is looking poorly.

I wouldn't recommend this product for anyone who wants heavy coverage as though this is a build able product, it is quite sheer.

Overall, I'm super glad I picked this up as a 'treat yourself' buy!

SHOP: Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet SPF +15

Monday 6 June 2016

The post where you get to know me | HELLO!

I have done this before. The writing, the picture-taking - the whole blogging shabang but it was getting too much. I wasn't writing as me anymore, I was writing as the person I wanted to be and than it hit me.
I can be that person.
The person that takes amazing photos.
The person who puts time and effort into all posts.
The person that doesn't blog on a whim but because they like it.

So here I am. I am being that person.

Basically, my name is Kulsoom (cool.soom), I'm twenty and a professional wallflower, aspiring writer/publisher, literature major and Instagram connoisseur (at least I like to think I am). My favorite pastimes include Netflix-ing, editing pictures and pretending my life is a sitcom...this is beginning to sound like a Tinder profile but I've already got a ring on that finger.

So that's about it. I'm nothing special but I hope Becoming Austen becomes something special.

PS. I live for Jane Austen, hence the name. Duh.

Becoming Austen

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