Month by Numbers: holidays, birthdays & drunken haze

7 favourites...

1.) April is one of my favourite months. Yes, it being the month of my birthday might have a little something to do with it (just maybe). But honestly, it's the time that Spring really starts to kick in, which gets me all giddy for Summer approaching and all the fresh starts that can be made. Not you could tell with the recent downpour of snow. YES SNOW IN APRIL.

2.) Yes, it was that time of year again I got yet again a bit older. It's funny, but I was talking to a friend about how organising something to do for your birthday is so stressful, when you should just be having a laugh and a half. You worry if people will like the place you're going to, that they'll all be busy and you'll be a billy-no-mates. But after all that, you realise that that's all just quite silly and all the people who love you and you truly care about, actually care about you too and you'll recieve cards you didn't expect to get a text off, thoughtful gifts from friends who've moved to the other side of the world, dance with you favourites, and find your parents at Euston station with 2 massive balloons that are nearly bigger than you teeny tiny mum. Thanks amazing humans - you're all swell and I love you quite a bit.

3.) And what better way to celebrate turning 24 than to go see Disney's new animated bundle of goodness - Zootopolis. I went to go see it with one of my best friends and fellow Disney-loving nut, and amongst a see of children and parents on a Saturday afternoon, there were us haha. I cried. A LOT. 4 times to be exact. And the 1st time was only about 10 minutes into the film. It's so funny, and real, and charismatic. You'll fall in love with the characters and it's got such a good message - it's just good for your heart and your soul guys!

4.) Along with cartoon bunnies and foxes (2 of my fave animals FYI), I went for many a drinks to celebrate my increasing old age - no surprises there. There were tropical tipples at Ridley Road Market Bar, cake and coffee at Wes Anderson playground Drink, Shop & Do, magical moments in Alice in Wonderland themed bar Callooh Callay, right antics with some scoundrels in an old underground tube station at Cahoots, and relaxed in the lap of luxury in the pink paradise that is Sketch. I never stop finding fab places to eat and drink in London, and that's reason no.39840234 why I love this mad city.

5.) Like the love child of Hozier, The 1975, Tame Impala and Miguel, comes east-London duo Honnes. Not even joking, it was love at first listen when I first heard these two. I Shazam-ed them as I exclaimed 'omg who's this? I love it!', and the rest, as they say, is history. Their words make my heart break, that voice makes me melt and the beats they create are criminally indulgent. My life is changed. You should change yours too.

6.) The month, I've realised that I comprise a lot. Being a fully-fledged adult means that you DO have to compromise on stuff and I have no problem with that. But it dawned on my recently that I compromise a lot of my own feelings, opinions and happiness, to make sure other people are ok. As much as I want people around me to happy, that shouldn't be a compromise on my own happiness, so I'm slowly but surely learning that it's OK to put my self first sometimes.

7.) To top off a pretty marvellous month, I jetted off on a pretty impromptu weekend getaway to Amsterdam and oh my, did I fall in love with that city. I love most places that I go away to, but this was the first time I felt like I wanted to pack up my life and move there - the people are so friendly, it's such a chilled environment and all the wonky and discombobulated houses make me feel like I'm walking in a scene out of Aristocats. Despite nearly getting lost at midnight and getting locked in an empty tram carriage, the capital of Holland provided good beer, sunshine through the cold weather, beautiful tulips, amazing waffles, and I was blown away by the oh-so-cute windmills. Amsterdam? More like AmsterDAMN.

5 tweets...

1.) Good thing is by now, I've got my game face down to an absolute art now. House party? Yeah no worries - hand me the eyeliner

2.) With my Adidas jacket & Lola Bunny phone case, passengers on the tube might not think I'm a 

9-5er but the bags under my eyes say otherwise

3.) Went for pub food & had ham in my hair - why do I always have meat in my hair?! If that's the biggest problem in my life, I'm ok with that 

4.) You know when you go out and you only realise how drunk you are when alone in the toilets? Yeah. That's me today but with being tired

5.) Shoutout to the security guys @Gatwick_Airport who were funny & friendly at 5am (and didn't judge me on my animal pjs in my case) 

3 songs....

1.) Drank - One Dance

I think my love for 90s throwback UK garage plays a big part of why I can't resist dancing to this but dammit, I just can't stop. (The proper version isn't on YouTube, but here's a pretty badass cover from Radio 1's Live Lounge)

2.) Honnes - Baby Please

I mentioned already why I love this so much, see above for reasoning ok, thanks.

3.) Calvin Harris & Rihanna - This Is What You Came For

This is just proper good dance-pop. If the beats, subtle clever drop, and smooth as butter vocals on this don't get you psyched for the summer, I don't know what will  

Month by Numbers: sporty & singing-filled Spring

7 favourites...

1.) This month, it's finally felt that Spring has well and truly sprung. Like actual birds chirping, still light when you leave work, warmth on your skin...SPRING! And I've celebrated with classes of champagne in the countryside and singing along to said cheerful birds like I'm an animated Disney princess.

2.) All these antics have been captured on Snapchat as well. I've been well into Snapchat since day 1 way back when I was still in uni, but it went off my radar for a bit. But now with filters galore, my Snapchat story gets updated more regularly than a daily vlogger's YouTube channel. Add me babes, you can find me over at Amylo92 - see ya thereeee

3.) And there's plenty to be Snapchatting about when there's trips to country manor houses in the sunshine with champagne to be had. I kinda have my own little routine and bubble in London, so I kinda forget there's so much that I haven't ventured out there and seen. Like, who would've thought that just down the Northern line, is this little slice of paradise?

4.) I'm not one for change and in the past haven't been great at pushing myself out of my comfort zone. This year I've been really trying to do that more though - trying new fitness classes, going to more events when offered. I'm just trying to say 'yes' to more things, even when I'm initially not that excited or sure about it, and my life's been a lot more fun and varied due to it!

5.) For someone who's least favourite Spice Girl back in the day was Sporty Spice, I've certainly been taking a lot of inspiration from Mel of late. Oh, how wrong my young self's Spice Girls judgement was. Boxing gloves, Adidas stripes and Nike Air Maxes. Who says style and comfort don't go hand in hand?

6.) Guys. It finally happened. After years or wishing and waiting, I finally got to see my queen, the goddess that is Adele, sing live. It was everything I thought it would be and more - I laughed, I (nearly) cried, I lost my voice and my mind. And she's not the only music I've been indulging in - I've been venturing into the world of modern choirs at Southbank, and I got to go to a Sofar Sounds in Dalston. If you're into discovering new music and artists, get signing up to Sofar Sounds - it's intimate, personal and make you fall in love with music all over again.

 

7.) This back end of this month has been a bit of a funny one. I've just not really felt like myself, and it's not because I'm ill. I've been unmotivated about life in general and don't really know what's up with me, and that stresses me out more that I can't pinpoint it. And as someone who's a constant optimist, I didn't quite know how to deal with it. But as I knew I would, I'm out at the woods on the other side now and back to my usual Powerpuff Girls-esque self. So no matter how bad things, it'll always work out in the end my loves.

5 tweets...

1.) Put an emoji in an email & my boss asked if I could only communicate via emojis from now - you don't know how much I want and can do that 

2.) HOW have I just discovered Poutine?! It's chips, and cheese, and gravy...THAT'S ALL MY FAVE THINGS 

3.) No Facebook, I don't want to be friends with my ex's new girlfriend, so please don't suggest I add her as one.. Thanks. Sincerely, Amy 

4.) Excited to get home tonight because I'm going to ice some puns on some buns. Yup. That's the life I lead kids 

5.) My flatmate the other day asked if I'd watched Mean Girls recently because I'd been quoting it a lot. Nop. That's just how I roll hun

3 songs...

This little blank space used to be saved for 3 babein' outfits that I'd been reppin', but with a monthly rundown of my #OOTDs and general dressing up, it seemed a bit reptitive. And since I have a bit of a tendancy to get obsessed with songs and listening to them on repeat non stop, I've swapped this bit over for the earworms that have been invading my life recently.

1.) Troye Sivan - Youth

I remember watching this lil' munchkins vlogs years ago on YouTube, and now, he's got a full blown album and performing all over the world. I've had his album since I've been released and this song been out for a bit, but recently, I just can't get enough of it's drop and it's lyrics that make me want to sack everything in and run away into the sunset.

2.) Meghan Trainor - No

Yes, the lyrics are...quetionable. But this is dripping in 2002 vibes a la Britney Spears. So when Meghan says no, she actaully means 'YES THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE JAM AND YOU CAN'T HELP BUT SHAKE YOUR BUTT'

3.) Ariana Grande - Be Alright

If you're having a bit of a shit time of late like I was, take it from the sassy babe that is Ariana and know that everything will be alright.

Until next time,

A.x

11 things I get way too excited about now I'm an adult

I never thought I'd see the day that I get a sense of pride and relief over getting all of my ironing done, but sadly, the reality of that day has come everybody.

Yeah sure, hearing the twinkly tones of an ice-cream van and making it to a bar just in time for happy hour are still things that make my absolute day, but coming home to fresh bedding and fresh flowers are also now things in my life that make my heart flutter.

And that, my friends, is because with every day, I'm becoming more and more of an adult and apparently I get kicks from the tiny, silly things in life.

1.) Getting a new glasses prescription

Yes - you need to get your eyes tested where your opticians gets uncomfortably close in your personal space. Yes - you'll have to fork out for essentially some magnifying glasses. But my god, all of a sudden, you'll be seeing the world in HD vision. Well, until the next time your eyesight declines again.

2.) Bounding into a freshly made bed

If you're anything like me, you still won't know the best of most efficient way of putting your bedsheets onto your duvet but wrestling with your bedding will most definitely be worth it when you snuggle up at the end of the day and it feels like a warm marshmallow that smells like spring. 

3.) Enough to feed a small army

Gone are the days of dry pasta with whatever veg and sauce you had in your fridge. Cooking in bulk is now the norm, because as well having a banging dinner, you also want to have a lunch at work that's NOT a Pret sandwich, as well as a back-up meal in the freezer for when you work late and get home with no energy to even make a meal, nevermind whip up something a la Nigella.

4.) Fresh Flowers

Like Sweet Female Attitude once said: "I'll bring you flowers, in the pouring rain". A little pang of joy sets off in my heart whenever I'm cutting fresh flowers and have a variety of vases out ready to arrange them all in. They get dotted around the house and every time I walk past one of them, that pang of joy returns. I don't think more than 3 days have gone by without there being fresh flowers in my room, which is world away from when I smashed the pot of plastic flowers at uni.

5.) Tetris kitchen
There's just something about doing a big ol' food shop and having your fridge so well stocked that you have to slot everything in so it fits oh-so-perfectly. Content at it's finest.

6.) Pinterest as fuck

Yes I do have multiple pillows and cushions on my bed now, and some of them are (dare I say it) just for aesthetic purposes. Also, making my bed is the first thing I do now when I roll out of it, well, while the kettle's boiling for tea because who can even function before caffeine eh? YOU TELL ME WHO. I just want my space to look on point so when I see it, I know at least one small componant of my life to not be a mess.

7.)Clean & serene

Once upon a time there was a floordrobe living in my room 90% of the time. But oh how those times have changed - now if coats aren't hung up and clothes aren't folded away, I just can't sleep easy. 16-year-old Amy? You better believe it.

8.) Going green

I have a potted plants of different herbs on my windowsill ok. Not only do they look cute but boy, do that pack a punchful of flavour to my meals. It's all about being functional kiddos.

9.) Stuff in jars

You can take your packaging and recycle those bad boys because I, my friend, have got multiple containers, jars and bottles to decanter all your sauces, your pastas and your oats into. You want thingamabobs? I've got plenty of 'em.

10.) Fold it up
I'll hold my hands up and admit that I've spent more than one Friday night in going through my pile of laungry, ironing it, and folding it into one neat and concise pile. And for a gal that used to hate ironing so much that she ended up eating food on her ironing board instead of actually, y'know, ironing on it - I'd say this was a pretty big turnaround don't you?

11.) Walkies?

They're not just for your four-legged furry friends! Honestly, can you beat a long ol' walk to...NOWHERE of a Sunday afternoon with your rabble of a family or friends? After stuffing yoruself with a massive Sunday roast that is of course. No destination to get to. No time period to finish by. Just wandering aimlessly in the outdoors. Music to my ears that.

And you know what? Even though most of the time you feel like you haven't got a clue what's going on and just like a big kid in disguise just winging it as and adult, it's these little things that make you realise that actually, you've kinda got it down kiddo.

Until next time,

A.x

16 signs that you're morphing into a Londoner

The other day, as I got to the platform feeling a bit bleary-eyed after a couple of drinks after work, all I dreamt of was getting home and collapsing onto my bed...only to just to see the train pull away.
"No biggie" I thought, and looked up to the board to see the next one was in 3 minutes.
Three. Whole. Minutes. What.
 Before I knew it, I found myself puffing and sighing under my breath. And at that point I know what had happened. Yep. I'd turned into a flipping Londoner.

And that's not the only glimpse that I've had that I've realised that I'm morphing into a one of those city types down in that there London...

1.) You become REAL impatient

We may be the nation that queues, but just like the 3 minute tube incident, you just ain't got no time for anyone or anything. Someone walking slightly slower than you in front of you? You overtake with fury while all that poor sucker was doing was enjoying the sights of their holiday.

2.) "Sorry, I'm busy this weekend - I'm off to another pop-up activity/exhibition/bar"

Yep. Welcome to the club. You've become one of those dickheads who does wacky and ridiculously niche things but you just can't help it. THERE'S JUST SO MUCH FUN TO BE HAD DAGNAMMIT!

3.) To the left, to the left
You find yourself judging people who are standing at on the left hand side of the escalator

"Move to the right hand side of the escalator please people! I'm running 5 mins late to work and I'm carrying a bag with a my packed lunch and an umbrella in it and I'm not afraid to use it!"

That is, until the one time you rush down the left hand side and get your bag caught and end up tumbling down them in a sitcom fashion. Yep. That happened.

4.) You get angry at people who don't Oyster card out and ready

You know there's going to be a gate you have to go through, right? But then you feel instantly terrible because it's just a poor parents who taken their kids down to see all the sites for the weekend, and as if keeping 2 kids in order wasn't overwhelming enough, they now have you tutting at them for not having their ticket out RIGHT AWAY. Shame on you.

5.) You avoid Oxford Street like the plague

Imma stay at home and buy that birthday present online thanks. I'll just end up angry, irritated and being a moody cow adn no-one wins.

6.) Everything's either too far or just down the line

"You're East? Oh, I'm West...yeah...sorry, this isn't going to work out between us. It's not you, it's me. No wait. IT'S LONDON." But while my love life might have taken a few hits through Zone dilemmas, apparently I will travel far and wide for food and booze. Food festival all the way over at Ally Pally? Karaoke in Hoxton? Gin bar in Greenwich?? I'm there! Just give me 45 minutes...

7.) Remember that thing called personal space? 

That vanished long ago when that drunk guy on the tube feel asleep on your shoulder, or when you your face got pushed up into that person's armpit on your commute.

8.) You dread people outside of London asking you about rent

While you think you're rent's pretty decent talking to others in London, as soon as you leave the big smoke bubble, you realise that it's not.... Yes, I know that with the amount I pay I could probably put a down-payment on a house and get on the property ladder somewhere else in the country, but right now in my life, there's no place I'd rather live and frolic around in. You do you, I'll do me, kay?

9.) Your concept of what's affordable is messed up

"£2 for a bottle of water?! That's preposterous! Water's a human right!.....£20 for a mini lobster burger dipped in a wasabi mayo and a pint? Oh, and there's a queue? Yeah sure!" Priorities am I right?...

10.) You're an absolute boss when it comes to walking

Didn't think there was anything more to walking than putting one foot in front of another? Well, no you dodge round people like it's a slalom course, pivoting on your feet and everything (glad to see those netball skills still come in use)

11.) You're a master of navigating your way home when you're drunk or hungover

Need to locate the nearest tube stop from the pub, get there before the last tube and in under the time that Google Maps that says it takes? No problem. Even after 5 G&Ts in, I promise we'll get there. It's amazing what auto-pilot mode you can get into when you've got booze on your side (or not in the case of the morning after the night before)

12.) That being said, you still rely on Citymapper like a bitch

I can confirm that it is possible to get lost using GPS, and for you to be 15 minutes late because you walked past the place you were supposed to be about 5 times before realising that you'd reached your destination.

13.) You DREAD seeing the 'seek assistance' sign flashing at the tube gate

Having to scour away from the gate and try another gate, or worse yet, having to find the staff while everyone tuts at you and walks into you. Getting heart palpitations just thinking about it...

14.) You have the superpower to Tetris-fit your way into any tube carriage

No matter how over-crowded it is, you'll find some way to fit yourself in there. Cus gosh darn-it, if you have to wait another 3 minutes for the next time...

15.) But equally, you get hella creeped out when a tube carriage is empty...

What in fresh hell is this ghost town?! It feels far too weird not having someone accidentally fall into me as the train stops - Is there a party going on that I missed a memo on...

16.) You say 'Have a nice day' and someone still seems surprised

You tell someone to have a lovely weekend, or ask that girl that her shoes are amazing, and they seem so shocked by olive branch of human contact that they're a bit taken aback. And then you realise you're not THAT terrible stereotype that everyone thinks people in London are like - you know the one where they think everyone's grumpy and no-one talks to one another?
 (Yeah, it's pretty much a load of boo hockey - yeah, some people ARE like that, but they're probably just mardy anyhow y'know?)

Yes you might run up the escalators like a man person to get to the tube, but you also run after that man in the park to tell him how cute his puppy is.

Until next time...

Speak happy!

A.x

Orange is the new Black

Strapless items have become my new best friends.

Being an overweight teenager who didn't have the best perception of her own body image, the last thing I wanted to do was wear something that squeezed out every inch of flab spilling over the top, and spend every 5 minutes hitching it back up. 

But now, as a happy and confident 22-year-old woman,  I love having my shoulders out. Not only do you escape any pesky tan lines, but there's just something so carefree and summery when I hop into something strapless.

And with this fun-coloured and floral-crocheted piece, it just amped up the summer feeling by 100%.

dress:Topshop, jacket:Topshop, shoes:Topshop (a bit of a Topshop heavvy outfit!)

With some plaits in my hair, my new favourite platforms that make me feel like a Spice Girl (a girl can dream), and a khaki jacket - complete with leather trims and shiny, gold details - I skipped around Kensignton without a care in the world! (Except when people are looking at me taking photos..that's a bit awks still!)

Summer in London is one of the best things ever. I can't even describe it in words, but you just flit around this buzzing enviroment with beautiful places and people in between.

And as well as many other parts of London which are firm favourites of mine - Islington, Soho, Brick Lane - Kensignton is just one of the most beautiful places, and I dream of living in a building like these.

I was a bit late onto the 'Orange is the New Black' train when it 1st came out, but when the 2nd season rolled around, I was well and truly hooked, and many binge seasons took place on Netflix. Now, I might not as sassy as Laverne, as funny as Nicky, or as fiesty as Red, but I think I rock the orange look in my own way!

This summer for me is very exciting personally, there's new opportunities and new cities to explore, and it's the 1st time in my life where I don't know what's going to happen or what's coming up next. And that's all kinds of scary and excitement! 

What parts of London do you love? 

Hope you're all well,

Speak soon,

A.x

Just a small, town girl...

For the past 2 weeks, I've been on a placement at a national magazine in London, and as if I didn't love the capital enough already when I lived there for my fashion internship, my love for it grew to a dangerous level this time...

I used to hate the city. It was too busy, everyone was always in a rush, I didn't understand the underground, everything was too expensive, and I didn't like how every person on the train didn't say 'Hi' to one another...

But just like people grow and change, their perceptions and aspirations do too, and my god, I cannot wait to be in the centre of this bustling environment now...get me down there ASAP!

Bauer towers, the office I was at, was based in Camden, and if you just skipped across the road, you'd find yourself at the Camden Lock canal. And everyday, I was armed with my lunch and my book of the moment and spent an hour soaking up the British sunshine, and it was glorious!
Bella was such a great enviroment to be working in, and as I often feel like I'm playing catch up with the rest of my coursemates when it comes to journalism, this give me a confident boost, and made me more ambition and wanted to chase after that career that I dream of, more than ever.

In lil' ol' London town,
There's always lots to do...

I met up with a friend, who found out on Twitter that there was an event at Selfridges to celebrate Magnums' 25th birthday, where you could make your own personal Magnum! As well as metallic and glamorous displays, there was a smorgasbord of toppings you could choose from, to sprinkle onto your Magnum, made up of your own chocolate combination. I went for cinnamon sugar, popping candy and silver leaf. As much as that sounds like a tooth cavity waiting to happen, it was one of the most fun and tasty ice lollies that I've had....I'm drooling now as I look at the picture...

There's always lots to see...

I've had tickets booked to go to the Wedding Dress exhibition at the V&A for a while now, with 2 of my old housemates and closest friends. And when I found out Kate Moss' dress was going to be there - which makes my heart flutter and what my dress dreams are made of - I couldn't wait to go, and it did not disappoint. It had everthing from the history and evolution of 

wedding dresses, to celebrity ones and how they differ in different cultures. And before I met up with my friends for that, I popped on over to the Quentin Blake exhibition at the newly opened House of Illustration by Kings Cross. It was so interesting to see how those drawings that I cherished while growing up, were developed and created. And with a trip to China Town, some strolls through Kensignton, and a secret garden discovered, I couldn't think of anywhere else I wanted to be at the point.

There's always lots to feast on...

Bad news for my tummy! Or good news, as I ate everything from cupcakes and cheesecake slices from the Hummingbird bakery and creamy milkshakes, to a sophisticated lunch of charcuterie and cheese boards with a glass of champagne and Dim Sum with blossoming jasmine tea, to just a FEAST of Brazilian barbecued meat. And it'd it all again. In a heartbeat.

There's always lots to shop as well (bad news for my bank account unfortunately)...

From the great British high-street, to market stalls and even a spot of fabric shopping from an iconic department store...my wallet took a bit of a battering...

And most importantly of all, there were lots of lovely guys and gals to share it all with!

As well as meeting lots of great new people at my workplace, I caught up with family that I don't see as much as I should, childhood school friends that make me feel like no time has passed, old housemates who I've spent many a night playing stupid pranks with, and newer housemates who I've spent this past year with.

It seems just like yesterday that I was writing about how scared and excited I was to move to a new city and move to Sheffield. And now as I type this, my room looks like a tornado has hit it as I try and pack up my life and move out - and it's been one of the happiest, hardest-working and mostly, most fun years of my life so far. And if that's what a year in Sheffield had in store, I can't wait to see what my life has in store for me when I move to face the real world (I can't believe I've been in education for so long!)

This post is a little bit different - a little update if you will! (Do you like posts like these?!)

Hope you're all well,

Speak soon!

A.x