23 reasons why 'Friends' needs to make it's way back into your wardrobe...

"So, no-one told you life was gonna be this way. Your job's a joke, you're broke, your love life's DOA."

At this point in my life, those lyrics could not be truer. And I'm so glad I have the Friends gang to relate to and take comfort in.

I flipping love Friends - who doesn't* - and it's not just because of the superb writing, brilliant cast and ever-lasting one-liners. But Rachel, Monica and Phoebe were style inspirations on screen for over a decade. And it's about time they inspired your wardrobe once again.

*(Actually, there was once guy who I didn't want to give my number to because they said it was lame I still liked Friends...)

1.) THE HAIR

Yes, 'The Rachel' is infamous (we've talked about it enough, have a look at this other great Rach Green hairdo instead), but all 3 ladies had great hair. Always full of body and with lashing of layers. Which way to the hairdressers?

2.) The show was the epitome of the 90s

In the early day of the show, the fashion was 100% unapologetically 90s. Unsuprising, as it was actually the 90s... 

But as the 90s are having a bit of moment in the fashion limelight - which as a 90s kid, I couldn't be happier about - it's time to get your strappy dresses out and start layering them up.

3.) Get your checks in check 

Checked prints aren't just reserved for flannel shirts and lumerjacks. Rachel shows that the red and green tartan look isn't just for Christmas, it's for life.

Or go the whole-hog á la Phobe Buffay and go full-frontal checks for a 60s look. Groovy.

4.) When in doubt, tie it up

One of my favourite tricks, executed perfectly by these gals. Things go from loose and casual, to sasssy and cropped.

5.) Fitspiration

Monica was all over cropped sports tops before Ellie Goulding and Kendall were posting them all over Insta.

6.) There's no such thing as too much denim

Miss.Green LOVES a denim waistcoat. And here I was thinking they were just for members of B*Witched.

7.) Diggin' the dungarees

I'm being utterly serious here now, but I cannot express to you enough, the love that I have for dungarees. Over the past year, I've dug out and acquired more pairs than is probably sensible for an adult. But you just slip them on, and look instantly effortlessly cool while still feeling oh-so-comfortable.

 

And no-one rocks a pair of dungarees like Rachel Green. Seriously. She's got a pair in every shape, size and style. If you haven't already, GO GET YOURSELF A PAIR. They'll change you life. Believe me.

8.) Being a slob never looked so cool

Seriously though, how do they manage to look so great in loungewear? When I'm slobbing out for the day, that's exactly what I look like - a slob. But in the world of Friends, you look like you're in a Urban Outfitters ad - all you need is a sweatshirt with a motto on.

9.) See? Slogan tops work everytime

Especially when you match them with something short and have it monochrome.

Even Ross mastered this look.

10.) Classics are called classics for a reason

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Black and white paired with high hemlines worked in the beginning in the 90s, and they did again at the end in the noughties. Kinda oddly philosophical ain't it? Full circle and all that shit.

11.) No really, mini is the key word here

Even the aprons are mini. It might not help protect your clothes from any spills, but dammit, you look like a stylish piece of origami.

12.) Long socks aren't just for your hockey kit

Short skirts and long socks: BFFs of preppy fashion. And you thought you'd seen the back of all the clothes from your school days, pfft.

13.) Max it out

No into micro skirts? No problem, your favourite hippie's got you covered with a long maxi number, finished in crushed velvet and completed with worker boots. Lorde, eat your heart out.

14.) Best of both worlds

Or if you're indecisive, wear them both. The mullet of the skirt world is suprisingly stylish. More so than the haircut anyway.

15.) Have a right ol' party with your hair

Forget pom poms on your shoes and bags that can be mistaken for pets, Phoebe takes it to the next level with fluffy hair ties. Her and Cher Horowitz should team up and inject a bit of fluff into everyone's lives - you'll have a blast!

16.) And follow suit with your coats

Have a whale of a time with your coats too. Thought Alexa Chung brought on the Teddy Coat trend? Nop. Our homegirls Rachel and Phoebe were already there - albeit, in slightly more eye-catching tones.

And you can't forget Janice! No-one rocks a leopard print like her.

17.) You can totes pull off pigtails as an adult

And here you were thinking that you could only have 2 bunches in your hair if you're 6, going as a sexy schoolgirl for fancy dress, or Anna in 'Frozen'. 

18.) Florals always work

Whether it's a tropical dress while you're jamming out to Smelly Cat...

...a cheongsam that even Mulan would be well jealous of...

...or a dressing gown that makes you look like a ethereal goddess. Seriously, stop it Jen An.

19.) Sometimes, you just feel like showing of a bit of skin

Wit-woooo. With the high neck and key hole cut-out, this is incredibly throwback when it comes to 90s. It was like the cast of 'Coyote Ugly' had came to visit.

20.) Or a lot of skin

Who knew when Rachel Green accidently wore a slip dress out for dinner, that in a decade's time, it would be an actual trend. Kudos RG, kudos. We'd just hope our boob didn't fall out at the dinner table as well...

21.) Or cover up in an oversized jacket

It's olive green. It's oversized. It looks like something Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock mode would wear. And it's oh-so-right. Break-ups never looked so good.

22.) They perfected the wistful winter wonderland look

Before the days of 'Let it Go' and sparkly ice princesses, there was Phoebe Buffay's wedding, and I for one will from now on be matching my red-carpet beaded dresses, with J-Lo worthy fur-hooded puffa coats.

23.) Last but not least, a crown is always appropriate

Cause you're the Queen and King of your own goddamn, amazing life. 

You'll never be stuck flicking through your wardrobe, screaming you have nothing to wear again. You may even have a few too many clothes and options...

Which is your fave Friends character? 

(Can I marry both Chandler and Ross....PIVOT!)

Stay happy!

Until next time...

A.x

14 Things That Makes Uni the Best Time Ever

Being a student is one of the most messy, confusing, weird, hectic and fun times of your life.

 And I flipping loved it.

I've recently just graduated (yet again), and along with re-living and binge watching Fresh Meat from beginning to end, all of that has left me feeling a bit nostalgic about my old uni house, and the whole student life.
There's so many things that are brilliant about not being at uni anymore - essays are a thing of the past and not having to bicker about who takes out the bin is bliss - but there's also so many weird and wonderful things that make me want to enrol onto a course and do it all over again.

1.) Going to the corner shop at your worst. 

Pajamas. Onesies. Or whatever kind of lounge-wear your heart desires. It doesn't matter, if you've stayed in them until 2pm and decide you want a bag of sweets, it's socially acceptable as a student for you to not get changed and pop out. The staff at the Sainsburys Local in Northampton have seen some pretty spectacular get-ups on me. Including but not limited to rollers in my hair, and flats with polka dot socks and pink sweatpants. 

2.) The debrief the morning after the night before

One of my favourite things about uni was waking up and going downstairs to reconvene with your housemates and figure out and discuss last night's drunken events. There'd be endless cups of tea, embarrassed faces, waves of laughter, recollections of drunken snogs, and screams of 'OMG, NOOOO'. A hangover is so much more bearable with company.

3.) Your dancemoves come out in full force

Since it's student night every night, that means plenty of opportunities for you to bust out your moves, but that doesn't stop you from cracking them out at home as well. It may be the Jagerbombs, or just the fact that you're having fun with your friends, but you stop caring about what you look like when you're dancing, and just have a laugh. After that, there's no going back, and it's the best! 

4.) Your diet is bizarre and brilliant

Making a dinner as a joint effort and sharing it together is the best. But it's rare. Sharing a whole trifle, finding out chocolate bars are great to use as straws for tea, and taking full advantage of the yoghurt offer they have at your local shop however, are all completely reasonable. It may be because you're stressed or hungover or have a lack of sleep from staying up and chatting all night. Or it may be because your parents aren't there to tell you off and you can eat whatever you want cause you're a badass bitch.

5.) You suffer essays and deadlines together 

Yes, you have a horrific portfolio to finish, and there's simply no more words you can possibly write about art deco design, but at you've got a house of other people suffering the same plight. You know what they say, misery loves company, but with all of you huddled in the library or your living room together, with shed-loads of snacks and constant tea breaks, you'll get through it. I promise it.

6.) Your friends are never more than 15 mins away

It's like living in a bubble of students, so anyone you could ever want to hang out with or house you'd want to crash out, is always within arm's reach.

7.) Your creative juices are running to the max

Because you're a student, that means your skint. Probably due to all the student nights out that you end up going to, and the student discounts on ASOS that you can't say no to. So that means you can't just go out and buy Christmas decorations willy-nilly. Oh no. Cue cutting out snowflakes and stringing up your own baubles from Poundland.
You also get creative when it comes to pranking housemates - disguising your mannequin in a onesie ready for when your roomie gets out of the bathroom?

8.) Having one big-ass shared wardrobe

Hit a wall while trying to put together an outfit? Never fear, you've got a house full of other wardrobes for you to rummage through - you're bound to find a top or pair or heels to make your look work. Just beware: your room may be one big mess of a floor-drobe when you get home at 3am.

9.) Using fridge magnets and post-it notes is a perfectly reasonable way to communicate

Need more milk? Stress-baked some cookies to share with everyone? Your housemate needs to throw out that 3-month-old pot of hummous out of the fridge? All these notices are perfectly fine communicated via lettered fridge magnets from The Early Learning Centre. These are also a great tool for putting up artistic doodles and polaroids up on your fridge. Home decor at it's finest.

10.)  You do some weird-ass shit.

A video posted by Amy Lo (@amylo92) on Dec 30, 2013 at 5:50am PST

You live together and there's nowhere to hide. Even if you didn't want people to know that you sing along to Knarls Barkley's 'Crazy' in a weird voice while you wash up, they're gonna. And truth is, they'll probably find it hilarious and love that you're a bit bonkers, because they are too. Before you know it, you'll be making up dance routines to the Pokemon theme tune in the kitchen, and hiding under one another's beds together. They're really random and bizarre memories that you'll look back on thinking 'WTF?!', but you love and cherish them oh-so-much.

11.) Creating a spectrum of new concoctions at pre-drinks

You always end up with half bottles of spirits that guests have left over from the previous pre-drinks, so what better way to use them up by putting them all together in one big cauldron of mixers, and see what you come up with. Some will be successful - Fruit Twist Fanta and gin - and some, not so much - sambuca with...anything. Ever. 

12.) Going out on a weeknight on a budget of £5

Student nights means student prices. Everyone will try and lure you in with their special offers they've got going on (and sometimes even carry you over their shoulder in order to get you to their dead empty club...) But, rejoice! This means after a fiver and a couple of drinks, you'll think you're Sasha Fierce strutting you're stuff in the club, when in reality, you're quite drunk and probably look like Betty Spaghetti falling over. Ah, the high life.

13.) Crawling into one another's bed unexpectedly is completely acceptable

 When you're upset/hungover/stressed/all of the above, you can run upstairs, knock on your housemate's door and climb into their bed and vent or cry your little heart out, no questions asked.

14.) You always have friends there 24/7 

You can literally run across the hall to your roommate when your freaking out cause youe ex has crept back into your life unexpectedly, or crawl up the stairs to them as a hot mess when you're hungover. They'll make you tea when you're sad, cook you pancakes when you're happy, post pictures and sprinkle confetti all over the house when it's your birthday, make sure you've not fallen into the bathtub at 4am when you're drunk, make sure you're up for uni at an ungodly hour, dye your hair for you, and just be there for you. You're just surrounded by these people who are pretty damn great!
You grow with them, You learn with them. You live with your friends and they become you're home. 

It's a fucking fantastic time. 

What do you miss about your uni time?

Stay happy!

Until next time...

A.x