Tuesday 12 July 2016

Swoon in June!

Rain and grey skies is no way to spend June, so I took matters into my own hands and packed up all the essentials a gal needs for a couple of days in the sun, and jetted off to Portugal with an old friend. 
And beofre you know it, the Wilma Flinstone bikini was thrown on, plaits were braided and there were magically cocktails and wine to hand.
And if that wasn't enough, I also got to frolic around a deserted island in a Morrocan tile rinted one-piece. But with all the cut-outs and deep plunge, had to make sure I didn't frolic TOO hard. Don't want any wardrobe malfunctions being posted to Snapchat now do we...
After a hard day of lying in the sun and splashing in the sea, it's only right you treat yourself to some Portugese green wine (it's AMAZING) and local tapas while dressed in a strapless lace dress that's as orange as the orange trees that fill the town.

Sadly, holidays DO have to come to an end at some point and although you have to return back to the 9-5 grind, jsut feel safe in the knowledge knowing that everything in life is better with a tan. So flaunt that badass kiss you got from the sun with a strappy cold-shoulder top in bright white and a pop of pink lippy. Holiday blues have ever looked so good!

If a bronzed bod isn't good enough though, then head into the office looking like a Barbie Girl you played with when you were 6 years old in a Bardot-style bubblegum pink dress, complete with white ribbon and heart-charmed choker. Other names inclde Sandy from Grease and Jigglypuff. All ridiculous. All acceptable.
Someimes though, not enough pink in the world is enough to save the political state of the world and you need to dress to match your campaign sticker and say 'Hey bouys and gulls - please remember to vote!'

And envitably when the results don't...QUITE how you would have hoped, cheer yourself up by hiching up your lilac tutu and knocking over every passenger on the tube.
But somehow, I don't think dressing up as a grown up ballerina will quite do for a swanky brunch on the 40th floor overlooking the London city skyline. And when those times come along, it's time to whip out the swishy and starry printed dress that makes me feel like in a carefree Stevi nicks who's just swoshing her flared sleeves through life.
Oh. And can we just appreciate these black beauties of a pair of boots. Treaded. Pointed. Heels. Oh somebody stop me before I get too carried away...

But who can totter around in towering boots all day eh? Time to dig out those black Vans you lived in when you were about 15 and was deperately trying to be a skater girl just so you can nab yourself a sk8er boyfriend. 
Who knew that trainers from your adolescence could be so versatile eh? Team with your fave brightly coloured fun and flirty strappy dress, or with a graphic covered Adidas top and stripy skirt combo that makes you feel as cool as Gwen Stefani (even if you don't LOOK as cool as her...sigh...)

And as if bringing your footwear back from your youth wasn't enough, I still rock the same hairstyles I sported back from my childhood. High half-up ponytail anyone? All I'm missing is a bone going through it and I could be Pebbles from the flipping Flinstones.
At least I've a strappy white top and ripped jeans to bring me back down - or up should I say - to my age!

And by now, you know my undying love for dungarees. As much as I love the denim (so much so that I've been known to double up on more than one occasion!) sometimes you just need to step up your game with a suede khaki green number.

And while the weather why not be in keeping with the Summer season, doesn't mean your wardrobe can't be with an injection of flower power. Silky bomber jackets or white jeans like your mum would've rocked in the 80s - you can never have enough florals (no matter what Devil Wears Prada tells ya)

Until next time,
A.x

Wednesday 6 July 2016

Month by Numbers: pools and polls

7 faves...
1.) June is supposed to be filled with British BBQs, Pimms o'clock and other summer-filled fun activities. Unfortunately, as is standard with English weather, ol' Blighty had other plans. So I skipped over to Portugal for some sunshine and drowned my weather-based sorrows in lots and lots of bloomin' good food.

2.) And my god, was I glad I booked that little trip to Portugal. My usual getaway of a city break are all well and good, but usually jam-packed with plans, miles upon miles of walking and being a top-explorer of culture. As much as I love and live for that, it was nice to go to somewhere with a small town, and spend the rest of the holiday lying on a deserted beach, sipping cocktails by the pool, catching up over drinks and just generally have a pretty laid back time. Faro - thanks for the R&R that I didn't even know I was in such much need for (less thanks for the awkward tan lines...)

3.) My parents have recently got smart phones, and so the Lo family Whatsapp group was born, because, you know, I just don't have quite enough group chats on my Whatsapp... It's so nice to have somewhere we can all check-in and share moments of our days, although, I don't think my mum has quite gotten the hang of emojis just yet! 

4.) Food glorious food! This month saw me ticking a box of brunch with some pretty brilliant views at Duck and Waffle (where I tried Ox cheek for the first and fell in love with it!), and discovered Japanese Yaitori at a Wes Anderson swoon-worthy pastel palace. 

5.) WE'VE GOT A NEW HOUSE. After months, and I mean, MONTHS of searching, viewings, offeres rejected, and not seeing eye-to-eye on compromises, we've got a new house to move into and my gosh...is it homely and gorgeous. I already anticipate how stressful and hectic the actual moving is going to be, but I can't wait to be settled and get making this new house into our home.

6.) UK voted to leave the EU and I've never been one to be that invested in politics, but my god, did it break my heart. I've always encouraged other to take part in poltics and use their vote - epescially women. So many of us before us fought and died for our right to vote, and it angers and saddens me when it doesn't get used. But sadly, this year, in a very important vote, it did get used and after a very close call, and it wasn't what I or the majority of our peers had hoped or expected. And while that might the case, and it's an uncertain and scary time after a sombre shock, it's important we stay a united kingdom and we move forward with this life-altering change.

7.) And in the wake of what was a rather odd week of social and politic events, I got to go to the most fabulous event there was - the Absolutely Fabulous film premiere. It was glitz, it was glamour and it was a dream for me as I got to meet and speak to 2 of my idols and favourite fabulous females ever: Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders. Oh, and of course, they were as fabulous as you'd expect. A moment when I was trying to remain professionally calm on the outside, as I fan-girled mentally on the inside.

5 tweets...
1.) The guy I'm dating thinks I'm 2 stone lighter than I actually am (ha it's all an illusion!) WHILE referencing Mario Kart. I KNOW. 🙈
2.) Accidentally came to work as Barbie🎀(Names in the office have included Sandy from Grease & Royal Princess🌸) #ootd
3.) My office just suggested a 'Dress like Amy Lo day' - the words Space Jam, braids & tutu have been muttered. Mad, but accurate 💅🏼
4.) 2 years in London & the dream's happened. A beaut man just asked for my number ON THE TUBE. Like, this doesn't happen in actual real life!? 🙈
5.) Got soaked in the rain on the way to vote. Came home, took off wet clothes. Now in my underwear making cheesy crumpets #livingthehighlife💁🏻

3 songs...
Dua Lipa - Hotter Than Hell 

If a summer flind were to be embodied in a song in 2016, this baby would be it. Think sweaty kisses, balmly sleepovers and talking about everything and nothing over sunsets.

MK and Becky Hill - Piece Of Me
 This has been my go-to whenver I need to get pysched up. Whether that's for a night out, for boxing or just to tackle a very full train garage. That vocal mix at the beginning gets me pumped every time.

Clean Bandit and Louisa Johnson - Tears
I'm not a big X Factor fan, but when last year's winner teamed up with classical-dance music dream team Clean Bandit, I thought it was such a clever move and partnership. And Louisa's vocals just boom and shine over this fiesty number. If you're going through a break-up or have had a not-so-nice romantic experience of late, listen to this and I dare you not to stut out of the house feeling like a strong, sassy and confident person. Think 'I Will Survive' for millenials.