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

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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.

Oh hey May!

I'm so late on this, July is creeping up and May seems like a lifetime ago - I guess that's when you know life's been good to you eh? Oh that you're just getting old and time's going by quick like a motherfucker. Yep. It's probably that.

But the thing is, when you're living that adult life, and you become ill. You can't really just stay in bed and have a Parks and Rec marathon (as much as you'd like to). Instead, you have your eyeliner on point, hop yourself up on medicinal drugs, and put your pink jumpsuit on to stride into work.

It's what the doctor would've prescribed anyway no doubt.

But don't worry! Adult life also mean fun things like first dates where you get to whip out your sassy disco pants and star-printed wraparound top that is just a little out of this world.

Oh, and also not so fun things like waking in horrifically hungover in last night's dungarees. When all you were planning was a quikc pint or two down at the pub...

Pom poms, badges, and 90s basketball jerseys?

See. I told you. ADULT.

But don't worry. I tackle the important issues as well, like girl power and sarcastic slogans. Both of which are actually two very impotant pillars in my life.

But enough of all this serious adult malarky - when it comes to the weekend, surely it's playtime? And I hear Club Tropicana does 2 for 1 mojitos, so imma head over there in some slouchy striped trousers perfect for busting out the dance moves, with a tropical crop top to boot. And let's throw in a braided faux-mohawk in for good measure eh? Yeah, why not!

Ah, and let's not bypass my new obsessed with Puma. I'm a Nike girl through and through but tropical ptints and rose gold lettering? Well, can could I say no eh?

 

And when all's said and done, you just can't beat a denim jacket to get you through the...let's say tempermental British summer weather. Emblazoned with ombred embroiderary and topped off with stripes on your bum and sparkles on your bow - that's enough to get you through the Endless summer.

Until next time...

A.x

Month by Numbers: booze, broken & braids

7 favourites...

1.) Guys. We're like, halfway through the year. How the flippity-flip did that happen?! May was pretty fab and also hilariously disastrously. As this year goes on and on, I'm finding it more and more brilliant - from the cringe drunken events, the casual family catch ups, to the dirty dancing. More please 2016, you're doing splendid so far. 

2.) And one particular nice thing that happened this month is I went on a first date. Now, I've had enough first dates in my life to know a lot of the time, they're just that and never blossom into anything more. But when I was whisked away to probably one of the most fun first dates I've ever had (in the top 5 for sure at least), well, I thought if it doesn't turn into anything, at least there was this fab first date. And what was this amazing first date I hear you cry? Rooftop drinks with champagne? A hot air balloon ride? 5 star dinner in Mayfair? Nop. He took me to play old school arcade games in Peckham. We shot baddies and made a bad-ass team. Growing up with 2 older brothers means I have a soft spot for all things gaming and when I walked into this gaming bar, my geeky lil heart did a lil flutter. And the best thing is? Things have been going really well since then! 1UP in my love life kids.

3.) This month, booze has gotten the better of me. Just when I thought I had a handle on it and I would never get bested by it again like i did in my younger years, alcohol thought 'oh no you don't'. Fast forward to me walking home at 5am after the sun has risen after a night of 90s RnB and killer dance moves. Or, waking up in your dungarees with last night's make-up and contacts (I know, naughty) after you had to be hauled home by your flatmate as you were hugging the pub toilet like a 17 year old's first time drinking.

4.) I've had an iPhone for about 3 years, and thankfully have somehow escaped the dreaded cracked screen, and was feeling quite smug about it, partifucarly since I'm a clumsy lil cookie. UNTIL NOW. After a clean run for 3 years, in the space of a week, I dropped my phone, smashed the screen, then did the cliche of dropping it in the toilet. That'll teach me to be smug.

5.) I live in the amazing city of London, and so often, I just do my daily thing of going to work, going to the same bars and same places. And as much as love those locals that I've collated over time, it's been quite nice to do all the stereotypical things that you do in London, like giving my thighs a workout by climbing approximately 359 stairs (not even joking) up to the top of St.Paul's cathedral.

6.) For some reason, my default of late seems to have been whipping up a whole roast dinner when I'm hungover on a Sunday. I don't know what it is - maybe I just want to feel productive and wholesome after a night drunken debauchery. Maybe all I want is to devour Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes and gravy but with no parents there to feel sorry for me, I'll just have to make it myself. Whatever it is, I think it might be my flatmates new favourite thing.

7.) I'm all about the braids these days. Even before that Kardashian Klan were posting boxer braids all over Instagram, I was rocking plaited pigtails on the regular. And i'm getting more and more adventurous and the other day I managed to whip up a faux-mohawk down the centre of my hair and I could not have felt more like Gwen Stefani (let's face it, it's the closest I'm ever gonna get) 

5 tweets...
1.) Wrote a piece at work and got asked if I could help find a pic of cupid for it. My response: 'Yeah I'll look for cupid - story of my life' 

2.) Sweated so much at boxing earlier that I had to wring actual sweat out of my pigtails. Never been more impressed & disgusted at myself 

3.) Someone last night described my voice as northern & sexy haha. Glad to know that's the bran I'm representing down in London

4.) This is the 1st weekend in months that isn't jam-packed with plans. I've watched 2 hrs of make-up vids. I don't do 'doing nothing' v.well...

5.) I'm ill & got a date tomorrow. WILLING myself to be better asap w/green juice & a pink jumpsuit. That's what a doctor would prescribe yeah? 

3 songs...

1.) Mariah Carey - Emotions

It's an oldie but damn is it a goodie. Especially THAT high note that I think I can try and hit every single time.

2.) Ghost Time DJs - My Boo

Yes it's that song from the Running Man vines but dammit is it a jam. It's what my dad would call groovy, and indeed, he would be right. Perfect for summer BBQs with plenty of beers.

3.) Mura Masa - What If I Go?

This is so chilled and makes me fell all lovey dovey for some reason in the sunshine. Summer love kinda vibes.