Week by Numbers: 23, bowling & bright skies

This week, I turned the grand ol' age of 23!

7 favourites...

1.) I started the 1st hours of being a 23-year-old with a gold crown on my head, eating rainbow cake. I had a lovely day full of sunshine, animal pjs (complete with unicorns - winner!), a Cinderella-worthy Michael Kors bag, and lots of love and birthday wishes. I felt so lucky and thankful to have so many people who care about me in my life.

2.) As a kid, my brothers would come home every year to celebrate my birthday with me, watch me blow yet another set of candles out, and spend 3 hours building me that Barbie dream house. But now we're all grown-ups, and the big 2-1 has been and gone, and we've all got busy lives, sometimes it's a rush just to send a card off in time. But even now, I got this box of birthday goodies in the post. And as someone who loves receiving letters and hand-written letters, a package of fun made me insanely happy. Especially when it including a box of Disney Lego to build.

3.) Birth-Day? More like birth-week! Back in the capital I had an all-weekend sleepover with my bestie, got greeted in the morning with birthday cake, marshmallows, Hairspray on full blast and Minnie Mouse ears on my head. Spend all day wondering around Regents Park in the sun, enjoy a bubblegum ice cream, and go from getting gutter balls to getting strikes and ultimately winning at bowling, complete with a cocktail in hand. Oh, and screaming along in karaoke. Course.

Can every weekend be this fun-filled with activities please? 🎳👯🎤 #imatiredpuppynow @wilsonrosie2 #birthday #karaoke #bowling #weekend #sundayfunday #instavideo #london

A video posted by Amy Lo 🐚 (@amylo92) on Apr 19, 2015 at 1:58pm PDT

5.) I can't stop listening to Marcus Mumford's (of off Mumford & Sons fame) cover of Bob Dylan. Literally the best thing to have on while walking in the sunshine. Get this song in your life, you shan't regret it.

6.) Speaking of sunshine, London in the spring and summer is legit one of my favourite places to be. When the blossom's out, and you can hear joy in people's voice as they natter, and you can spend all day just aimlessly wandering around - it's the best. Brings so much happiness into my lil heart.

7.) As I mentioned Hey Claire's last week, with her sunglasses video, I have fallen in love with THIS pair. Unfortunately, they're Miu Miu and I can't justify spending so much £££ on some shades, but MY GOD, they're beautiful.

3 thoughts...

"Please don't be a dick, please don't be a dick, please don't be a dick..."

"It's so quiet and activity-less back at the house. WHERE'S ALL THE FUN."

"I can definitely hit this high note in Whitney Houston. 100%..."

1 outfit...

bag:Aldo, trousers:H&M, shoes:Topshop

Now, I don't want to speak too soon, but I think Spring has finally sprung! I'm all over the floral trousers and equally floral shoes - complete with jelly sandal flatforms. Oh, and what this? This pink suede tassled number? Yeah, it's pretty great so shimmying around in the sunshine, thanks for saying. 

Stay happy!

Until next time,
A.x

25 reasons why I grew up wanting to be Gwen Stefani

When I was a mini version of myself, I was obsessed with Gwen Stefani. I tried with all my might to replicate her awesome style, and wanted nothing more than ice-cool peroxide blonde hair, and it's not hard to see why...

1.) She's the queen of the red lips and ice-blonde combo

She is completely the reason why I started wearing lipstick. Teenage Amy accidentally broke one of her mum's lipsticks when trying it on, begged her if she could buy her her own, and it's been a match-made in heaven ever since. Cheers Gwen.

2.) She just OOZES cool

Ugh. It hurts just how damn cool she is. She's such a sexy badass that I don't even know how to deal with it.

And she's still just as awesome to this day (also, how does she not seemed to have aged one single goddamn day?!) As Bruno Mars would say, "too hot, HOT DAMN" indeed.

3.) She was part of epic band of the 90s, No Doubt

If you don't like No Doubt, we can't hang out, soz - they were basically the epitome of the 90s. For reals. They were all sorts of weird and wonderful in a sea of girl and boy bands back in the day.

4.) She rocks a pair of tracksuits like no other

15-year-old me LONGED for a pair of matching green Adidas tracksuits. But teen me also only had pocket money to spend, so it's probably a good thing that I didn't splurge my money on them, as I have no doubt (eh? geddit?!) that I would defo NOT look that killer in them.

5.) Oh, and can we just take note of her KILLER ABS?!

BRB as I go do 12945829 ab crunches.

6.) 'Just A Girl' spoke the absolute truth

As I jumped around to this song when I was younger, I didn't realise how ahead of it's time it was, and how poignant and meaningful it would mean to me now. It's not only an insanely good song, but also an education, and is sarcasm at it's best - PREACH.

7.) She is a style icon. Fo' realsies.

The master of personalised fashion: LAMB top and No Doubt belt anyone? 

8.) She clashes patterns like a trooper

Teach us your ways oh masterful one!

9.) Think that having your bra straps on show is tacky?

Think again. 

10.) She's all over leopard print

RAWR.

11.) Off-duty look on lock

Ugh, this whole ensemble is so brilliant and effortlessly cool, it makes me want to cry.

12.) Oh, and let's not forget the gold-n-stripes phase during 'The Sweet Escape'

I own some striped jeans - others call them Beetlejuice pants, I call them my Gwen Stefani trousers.

13.) And think she's just all about being cool chick?

 Think again, look at her all glam and sophisticated! We are not worthy.

14.) She's just like a multi-faceted GEM!

15.) Let's not even get started on the art piece that is her hair

She was all FKA Twigs before FKA was even born. 

16.) Who'd ever thought your string bikini could be so versatile?!

Gwen did, THAT'S WHO.

17.) 'Don't Speak' is lyrically heart-breaking and oh-so-honest

When I got over the 1st boy I ever fancied at school, I listened to this on my MP3 player on repeat. I wish that was a joke (school girl Amy was very emo over the whole thing). But now I'm older - and hopefully wiser - OMG, those lyrics convey 100% how you feel when you go through a break-up. And the fact she wrote it about her split with ex-boyfriend and bass player of the band, Kana, as well, just tugs at my emotional heart strings even more.

18.) She taught a whole generation how to spell 'bananas'

And also made me wish I was in band in American high school, just so I could wear that feathered hat. 

19.) Her wedding dress was flipping pink!

Tranditions? Pft, who needs traditions when your wedding dress looks da bomb.

20.) 'Hey Baby' is a tune and a half

It's also the 1st song I heard of from No Doubt, before trawling through their back-catalogue and vowing to love them forever more.

21.) On that point, their comeback single was perfection

All was right in the world again in 2012 when No Doubt reunited and bestowed upon us this ultimate summer jam. They're like an ol' rum & coke - they never go out of style and are always a sturdy choice to making you feel-good.

Oh, and Ms.Stefani's hair was crazy-good in the video too.

22.) 'What You Waiting' for was a crazy pop masterpiece

Laying some truth down on us about the music industry. Not to mention the video was a crazy, wonderful, Wonderland-filled dream as well. 

23.) She's super kawaii

And not in the Avril Lavinge way (Thank God...remember that?! Let's never speak of that again...)

24.) She's probably the most badass mama ever

Just look at the matching quiffs yo! 

25.) Long live the queen of cool!

 But alas, young Amy realised that red lipstick and a mint Adidas zip-up hoodie alone wouldn't turn her into Gwen Stefani. And besides, probably not the safest idea to try and bleach your deepest of dark hair to a bright, white blonde. That's just a catastrophe waiting to happen...

There's only one Gwen Stefani, and that's what makes her so goddamn special! 

Week by Numbers: Easter, jumpsuits & Toblerones

Bank holidays are great aren't they? Especially Easter - the whole country seems to come to a calm and chocolate induced standstill.

7 favourites...

1.) I've been watching Friends since I was far too young to watch it, but recently I've found myself starting it from the very beginning again, and I still find it as funny now as I did the first time round. It's just perfect to have on while I'm getting ready, or when I've come home from a long day and just need to unwind a la Chandler.

2.) You'll most likely have heard 'Stay High' by Tove Lo (it was everywhere last year y'all). But the swedish songstress has released this beauty of a single and I am 100% hook, line and sinker, OBSESSED. Her sultry vocals, the build-up to the chorus, and the lyrics about intimacy and sex, without it sounding like ANOTHER Jason Derulo song about booty. Winner all round.

3.) What do you do when you're 22-years-old and have lost your pair of heart-shaped sunglasses, even though you've got other pairs of sensible ones? Pop out to Claires and get a hot pink pair of course. How can one survive without resembling the heart-eyed emoji? 😍

4.) Towards the end of the week, I found myself with a free weekend, and made some last-minute impromtu plans with my friend Rosie in Birmingham. I'm a major planner, so impromtu isn't really my thang, but sometimes I think we get so busy with work and other serious stuff, that when we have time off at the weekend, it ends up flying by and we don't fully take advantage of living our actual lives. Hopping on a train is never as much hassle as I think it is - and in this case, it leads to having pie and ale for lunch, and watching movies old-school style with cocktails for dinner. Oh, and we booked loads of exciting plans for the future including a trip to Milan. So, y'know, not a bad weekend.

5.) I've been subscribed to 'Hey Claire' on YouTube for about a year now, but it wasn't until quite recently that I've completely fallen in love and been in awe of her videos. Her editing is insanely good and creative - only she could make a video about her sunglasses collection so entertaining and stand-out so much from all the other generic hauls on YouTube. You need to subscribe to this girl, ASAP.

6.) ORANGE you glad I baked this orange cheesecake? (I'll let myself out..) It's a Hummingbird Bakery recipe, and involved a top layer of orange jelly... I was skeptical but hey, it works. And of course, I cut out a citrus print template and sprayed gold shimmer onto it. Glitter queen and everything you know?

7.) I love Caitlin Moran - I look up to her massively, think she's outrageously hilarious and she makes me think about shit. But for some reason, I hadn't gotten round to watching her series 'Raised by Wolves' until now. And holy crap is it refreshingly real and makes me crease with laughter. Completely different to anything on at the moment, and has so many zinging one-liners that I can't stop quoting.

3 thoughts...

"Not AGAIN - C'MON! That's no way to treat a gal!"

"I'll just play this on repeat. Ju-just ONE more time. Promise..."

"SUNSHINE SUNSHINE SUNSHINEEE"

1 outfit...

jumpsuit:Topshop, necklace:Topshop, shoes:ASOS, messy room:my own fault, please excuse

I went out for with my friends for an early-birthday dinner, and a loose jumpsuit not only makes me seem like I put in loads of effort getting ready and makes me feel more sophisticated than I actually am, but also leaves lots of room for pudding (also kinda makes me feel a bit 80s...) I had to involve lots of double-sided fashion tape in this though to stay away from any Janet Jackson Superbowl sitch. But I'm sure some tropical slingbacks and a long-line necklace down the plunge could distract from any slip-ups,

Stay happy!
Until next time,
A.x

Mellow Yellow March

There's been glimpses of sunshine throughout March - which makes me so unbelievably happy! - but Spring has still being a bit shy. But that doesn't mean I can't prepare with some shopping. Right?

Scandinavian vibes with embroidered flowers and festival perfect crochet. 

Yellow's one of my favourite colours - it's just so goddamn happy. So come rain or shine, I'll be repping it. 

(Although, maybe don't rain on this number please, cus it's made out of suede. Cheers. Much appreciated.) 

Stripes and me have had an odd relationship. When I was an impressionable young lass, I honestly thought if horizontal stripes went anywhere near me, I'd gain half a stone. Obviously, that was all boo-hockey and you should wear what you goddamn want to wear. Now I'm inseparable with those lil chic buggers. 

Along with some major bling in the necklace game, stripes seem to have this superpower to make me seem and feel instantly more mature and grown-up. Which is more than can be said about the rest of my wardrobe...

Hey - if it's impossible for me to be a mermaid, I'm gonna represent my inner-Ariel the only way I know how. Seashell style all the way babes.

Yep. Really got this 'dressing-like-an-adult' thing nailed. If wearing My Little Pony t-shirts with mis-matched printed skirt in this world is wrong, then I don't want to be right.

But what do you do when you have to face the world as an actual bonafide grown-up? Keep the fun on your feet. I own minimal pairs of plain socks. And I don't intend on that to change. 

Or what about some snazzy shoes instead? I'm telling you, a book to get lost in, and some sparkly tootsies can do you the world of good if you're having a tough day. I like channel Kylie Minogue when wearing these.

Or yellow strappies make for just as equally happy feet (see, told ya: yellow = happy!) Especially when they're paired with a fuzzy Bambi-print skirt and a sunny orange top. 

Clueless is one of my favourite films, so anything that looks like it came out of Cher Horowitz's wardrobe, is a A+ in my books. And that most definitely includes checked skirt complete with preppy vibes. Teamed with a trusty denim jacket and brown leather bag, it's the perfect combo to go hunting for treasures in vintage shops. A fashion pirate if you will.

And if you needed to up your Clueless stakes - and why wouldn't you - you can always get yourself a necklace that comes complete with all the letters of the alphabet so you can quote the film to your heart's content. 

Stay happy!

Until next time,

A.x

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