Week by Numbers: underground secrets & fun by letters

Hope you'e all been enjoying the long weekend and having lots of Easter fun, you lil' bunnies!
Netflix marathons and copious amounts of travelling have meant that this week by numbers is more or a fortnight by numbers, but hey, I won't tell if you don't.

7 favourites...

 

1.) First of all, how on EARTH is it April already?! I've always loved April - not only because it's the month of my birthday (HOLLERRR) - but because to me, it's the beginning of Spring, flowers blossoming, the sun making more of an appearance. But before I jump into April, here's what my March looked like.

2.) Anyone who knows me knows that one of my favourite movies is Clueless. And it's not just cus of the killer outfits that I wish I had and could disect for hours. It's based on Jane Austen's 'Emma', it's nostalgic, and is so damn quote-able! So when my bestie told me that it was being played at an underground cinema where seats are massive bean-bag-beds and blankets, I was there in a flash. 

There was pillows, and afterwards, board games and ice-cream cocktails were had. A perfect playdate, defo.

3.) I bought an alphabet necklace and it's the best £3 I've ever spent. I can express my philosopical musings and emotions solely via my neck from now on.

I need never express my feelings verbally again!

4.) I'm a sucker for different cases for my phone. And I unfortunately go for novelty and design over practicality and protection, every time. And this newest member of the family, may be the most ridiculous of them all - and I bloody love it.

5.) My nephew and niece came to visit, so I was faced with a very tough conundrum when one of them wanted me to play MarioKart with them, and the other wanted me to make Disney Princess bracelets with them. It was a dilemma I tells ya. Of course, I zoomed round course throwing red shells, whilst wearing a Cinderella beaded beauty around my wrist.

6.) I cannot stop wearing/buying/being drawn to suede and denim at the moment. I have enough denim jackets and dungarees at my disposal to dress a 90s pop band, but I keep trying on more. And this lime-yellow suede skirt is my new BFF - soz rest of my wardrobe - but may also take the making taking care of. Rain, spillages and accidents, STEP AWAY FROM THE SUEDE.

7.) I went a bit overboard with the festively-themed nails. Which is something that happens more than it should. Speckled mini-egg anyone?

3 thoughts...

"Clueless, is truly, fabulous."

"Is Adele coming back yet? PLEASE."

"AHHH IT'S HAPPENED - THEY'RE ENGAGED! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!"

1 outfit...

dress:Topshop, shoes:ASOS, necklace:Topshop

I went out (OUT-out) in the town that I grew up. It was a last-min affair, so I peeled my sweats off me and grabbed a LBD. Since pastels and swishing around are my fave things, a bodycon little black dress is something that you'll rarely see me in, but hey, variety's the spice of life right? I felt ridiculously old amongst teenagers, and at the same time, like I had taken a time machine back to when I was 17 and underage drinking. But it was a jolly way to spend a Good Friday nontheless. That's what Easter's for, right? 

Stay Happy!

Until next time,

A.x

16 Unrealistic Expectations as a Disney Princess Wannabe

I am a total Disney-loving nut.

No, I don't have a tramp stamp of Tinkerbell tattooed on me, nor do I have any desire to get married dressed as Minnie Mouse. But I do still watch and genuinely enjoy Disney films as a grown adult - and often find them even funnier when I catch onto lil' jokes I missed as a kid that they included for parents  (cheeky one Disney) - and sleep in pyjamas that have The Little Mermaid on.

Heck. I've even dressed up as my fave Disney Princesses at every possible fancy dress opportunity.

And yes, I know that Disney isn't all sunshine and sing-a-longs as it makes it out to be - I wrote a whole 10,000 dissertation on the whole blooming thing.

But things have moved on - Elsa and Anna have been taking over the world ever since the question 'Do You Want to Build a Snowman?' was uttered.

And  the thing is, they're magical. They make me think, feel, and believe ANYTHING is possible. And hey, in a world where we're constantly bombarded with depressing shit and utter chaos going on in the world to make even Mickey Mouse lose his faith in humanity, isn't a bit of magic to escape to just what we need?

Ever since I was little, I've wanted to be a Disney Princess - and still kinda do now. Ahem.
(Like you would say no if you were asked. Pft.)

But as time's gone on, I've realised that some things in the life of a DP, ain't all it's cracked up to be....

1.) Brushing your hair with a dinglehopper isn't magical and only ends in tangles and tear.

Leaving 6-year-old Amy having to have a fork wrestled out of her hair by her dad.

2.) In fact, ALL of the unrealistic hair envy.

Ariel's hair's so big because it's full of secrets - LIKE SECRETS TO HER BOUNCY HAIR.

3.) Not enough extensions and backcombing in the world would get your hair as volumious as Jasmine's pony tail.

I'll just settle for the gemstone headband and tiered hair ties I think, cheers.

4.) Top knots definitely don't work out like this when I pile my hair on top of my head.

Mulan? More like Mu-can't.

5.) And don't even get me started on Elsa's plait.

Girl must be packing some serious hairspray to keep those fly-aways at bay.

6.) Housework is never this much fun.

In reality, it's just me in my joggers, getting sweaty and swearing.

7.) Even Mary Berry can't cut off the pastry crust off a pie this casually.

Nevermind doing so balancing it on one hand and spinning it in the air willy-nilly.

8.) And sifting icing sugar without it looking like you've journeyed through a snowstorm?!

Who are you kidding Tiana.

9.) Rodents won't make a fancy ballgown for you.

If my fashion degree taught me anything, it's that it also involves pins pricking your fingers, loose threads stuck to you, and a lot of swearing.

10.) In fact, animal sidekicks in general can't do jack shit.

Meeko's hair salon? Yeah right - I'd just be happy if I could teach a puppy to sit.

11.) No-one is ever this quick when they're getting ready to get turnt up on the dancefloor. Not even The Flash I tell ya.

Fairy godmother, where art thou?

12.) Unlike that smart cookie Rapunzel, the smoulder can really fool you.

And although they may be charming, unlike the films, they most likely aren't gonna be your Prince Charming - and that's coming from someone who's dated someone who looks like Flynn Ryder with matchable smoulder.

13.) Eyeliner does not go on this smoothly and swiftly. Nop, nop, noppity-no.

The life of a eyeliner-flick-obsessed girl is a tough one. Symmetry is a bitch.

14.) And it sure as hell isn't this easy to fix up your make-up after getting a bit emosh listening to Adele.

"What? No, these aren't tears. I'M JUST ALLERGIC TO AIR."

15.) And if one was to accidentally fall asleep in their make-up, they DEFINITELY would not look this flawless.

Less Sleeping Beauty, more sleeping mascara smudges.

16.) Ribbon bows alone can't tie and keep up a ponytail. Take it from a seasonal ribbon wearer.

You ain't fooling anyone Belle.

But if it's one thing that is bang-on accurate, is that I wake up exactly like this...

Soz Quen Bey, but Anna's got this one nailed here.

Stay happy!

Until next time...

A.x

Let It Go!

Recently, I've been able to catch a couple of films, and although I've enjoyed all of them, the one that I have just been obsessed with (along with the rest of the world!) is the latest Disney film, Frozen.

The plotline was not what I expected. It was so much more than your typical Disney movie where the girl meets her Prince Charming and lives happily ever after. The theme of 'love' is strongly streamed  throughut the film, however it is the bond and love that sisters share that is what's really touching about this film. Along with all the hints of humour scattered through it as well, it really is a film for all to enjoy, and that will warm anyone's heart in this cold weather. 

As well as the great story line, the animation is stunning and all the snow and ice scenes just breathtaking.

And then, there's Elsa. Who is sassy-as-heck! And I have completely hair envy over! 

Not only is she beautiful, but she also have a beautiful dress to match, just look at the gown glisten!

The soundtrack to this film is pretty epic as well, and if you've not been living under a rock, you would've heard all the hype around the main song 'Let it Go' 

Don't think there was ever a more inspirational and uplifting song in a cartoon!

Have you seen Frozen yet? What did you think of it?

Hope you're all well,

Speak soon,

A.x

Knowledge is power...

With the festive season being tucked away back into the dusty attic, normal life has resumed back and I've been chipping away at my dissertation, and although it's a mountain of work, I've been really enjoying it! Is that strange...?

It can only be a good thing and i now understand how important it is to pick a subject that really interests you personally, and i suppose it helps that m topic is about the Disney Princess films and franchise. Reliving my childhood and watching Disney films isn't the worst thing i could be doing for research, let's be honest!

In all seriousness though, i have learnt so much about the history of the movies and the social and cultural connotations are associated with them. 

I honestly do think you learn something new all the time and you can never stop learning. Many people think when you're finished with education, you're done, but there is so much out there that can broaden your knowledge about every aspect of the world. Even just going on Youtube, you discover amazing music in different languages and read about different ways of living from different blogs on the net. There are negative sides to the internet, but in the whole, it is such an amazing tool to explore this big, wide world we exist in.

While I'm reading up, discovering and learning more and more about my topic, i have also been reading a new book i received for Christmas from my brother.

 I was eyeing up this book when it came out and in short, it's a book about has different fonts, why certain ones are used and why people like or dislike certain fonts. I know it might sound a bit geeky (which, to be honest, deep down, i am just a bit of a nerd who loves Nintendo :p), but it is so interesting and has just opened up a whole new world to me.

I also used to take piano lessons, and because i was kind of forced to by my parents, i was being a bratty, typical teenager. Now, i love playing it and wished I'd taken it on further, so I'm hoping to start learning more of the piano now, and along with trying to learn the ukulele from scratch, I'll be like Dick Van Dyke from Mary Poppins anytime now!

It's not just books and instruments though, life provides so many learning experiences. I learnt so much just going to uni, not only through my education there but also because i moved away from home, i learnt social skills, things about myself and just general simple life skills.

Are you guys reading any books at the moment you can recommend me after i finish this book?

Have you guys got any resolutions or aspirations to take up learning a new skill this year?

Hope you're all well,
Speak soon,
A.x

A dream is a wish your heart makes...

Throughout my 3rd and final year of university at the moment, i am doing my 10,000 word dissertation, and as ridiculous as it may sound, i am doing mine on Disney Princesses. I am looking into the design and appearance of them, but also have found it extremely interesting looking into gender and racial issues in the films also.

Recently though, some of the world's best designers have collaborated with Disney to create their own interpretations of the Disney Princess' gowns, which are now being shown in Harrod's windows for their Christmas display. As I'm talking about this in my dissertation, of course it was vital for me to go have a little look...ahem...and do some...research...

Joking aside though, they are absolutely stunning. Not only the dresses themselves, but the whole display. There is so much attention to detail, it is astonishing, with cute fairies fluttering about, the dwarfs beds snoozing under Snow White and a projection of a clock about to hit midnight shining on the pavement.

Some personal highlights for me were Mulan's colourful gown by Missoni, Rapunzel's (Jenny Packman) lustrous locks weaving through the fields of flowers, Snow White's (Oscar de la Renta) golden apple purse, Ariel's flowing, fiery hair (Marchesa), and Cinderella's (Versace) iconic shoe and pumpkin carriage.

But my ultimate favourite though, was Sleeping Beauty, whose dress was designed by Elie Saab, who is one my favourite designers ever. He creates pieces that just ooze out femininity and that sparkle with a glimmer, and being the complete girly girl i am, i just fan-girl at everything he creates. This dress was no exception, it was stunning, with flower upon flower adorned onto, not only that though, even the bed she was laying on and the mice and cobwebs surrounding her were thought out so carefully.

And her hair! How beautiful does it look with all those flowers dotted around caressing those curls!

It may only be a window display to some, but to me, it was like the world of fashion that i love and am on a journey on at the moment in hope to be a part of one day, and my childhood, joined forces and created a beautiful and breath-taking sight to see.

And if you still want some more Disney festive cheer, check out this animation Barneys New York has created in collaboration with Disney, including a few familiar faces.

Are you a Disney fan? Whose your favourite Princess?

Have you seen the Harrod's Christmas display? Which ones impressed you the most?

Hope you're well,
Speak soon,
A.x