Week by Numbers: scribbles, slides & Scandinavian flatpack

This week I've been hammering nails, taking care of shiny new piercings and getting even more awkward tan lines.

7 favourites...

1.) I love ASOS more than your average 20-something year old, but there's just something about going into a vintage shop and getting lost in hidden gems and treasures. You find stuff you never thought you'd wear, which is exactly what I found in a flower-embroidered Western style shirt. And you also find cheaper alternatives to popular pieces, like this dungaree-skirt which not only was a steal but I also love it has little touches that makes it unique to other on the high street. Like the little embroidered 'B' and the multitude of pockets. If you have enough dungarees to wear a different pair for every day of the week, does that mean you have too many...?

2.) While on the denim train, I found this beauty of a denim jacket on sale at Levi's. I practically live in my dark denim jacket in the summer, and have been on the hunt for a light denim one for a while and I love the sewn on phrase on the back of this is varying hues of blue. And did you know at certain stores you can get your denim baby tailored and customised? Which is exactly what I did by picking out some additional patches to get put on. There were skulls and vintage rock 'n' roll ones to pick from, but of course I choose hearts. Typical.

3.) From looking at me, you probably wouldn't think I'm very hand-ons gal, and that boys and girls, is why you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover! There's something very satisfying and methodical about DIY and seeing something come together right in front of your very eyes. And then there's the whole taking out your frustration by hitting nails situation...

4.) Friday I got let off work a little bit early - yay! - and had to pop into central London to run some errands, and while there, I thought I'd pop into one of my favourite stores for a little mooch. Libertys. I always love their flower stall and decided to treat myself when I saw some daisies. They were a steal at £2 and they may not be much, but it instantly made me feel happier and every time I see them in my room they make me smile. Sometimes, the smallest things you treat yourselves to can make the biggest difference.

5.) Two of my friends from the two different unis I went to came to visit me this weekend for some fun and games, and of course, one needs energy to participate in said fun and games. And what better way to do so than going for brunch. A hearty BLT sandwich on extra crunchy potato bread, drizzled with garlic butter was EVERYTHING. We went to Canvas which is a cafe in Shoreditch which I love - there's great food, great atmosphere and you can draw on the walls. What more could you ask for?

6.) Oh, and said fun and games that took place included the Decision exhibition at the Hayward Gallery. It was bonkers, bizarre and brilliant. With lots of interactive elements, you'll have no problems getting stuck in straight away. I mean, how could you not when there's you the exhibition via tunnel and leave it via a slide? Oh, and there's upside-down glasses to make you look like a fool too. 

7.) This song by John Newman makes me want have this blasting while I zoom across the countryside in a convertible with the roof down. But since I don't own a convert able, I'll just stick with skipping along the pavement with this in my headphones.

3 tweets...

"Parents are in London & I've gained 2 new piercings since I last saw them. At least I've now got 8, which is lucky in Chinese culture..."

"@george_ezra TOP advice today - what should I have for dinner?  Cheers"

(to which he responded: "Something simple, it's summer! Eat it with the window open and I'd like a risotto if you're asking x" Like I said, top advice) 

"Just mumbled 'can we have 2 extra buns please' with a mouth full of crispy belly pork. The phrase 'you are what you eat' comes to mind "

1 outfit...

shirt:Mango, jeans:ASOS, shoes:ASOS, hat:Topshop

This shirt is a little bit jazzy (name that reference!) with it's 2002 Joss Stone vibes and metallic thread shimmering through it but oh I love it so! It's a bit outside of my usual wardrobe vibe and I think that's what makes me love it even more. Teamed with ripped black jeans, tortoiseshell wedges and a feather-trimmed hat, you would have never thought it was pastel-loving, skirt-twirling me standing in front of the mirror eh? 

Stay happy!

Until next time...

A.x

Juicy June

June FINALLY saw the start of summer. Like, actual summer with sunshine and warmth, as opposed to British summer with grey skies and temperamental rain…

So what better way to kick start the summer then showing off your (slight) tan that you’ve caught while walking on your commute, than with some bright whites. Got to emphasise it somehow right?

Wimbledon anyone?

Or, you could go all tropical with a rainforest printed kimono and crocheted halter neck top. Oh, and trusty Levi shorts. But careful, there’s a danger you may end up looking like you could be heading to a holiday in Mykonos, rather than your office for work...

But fear not! Even at work, when there's a tropical summer party to go to where the cocktails have flower petals in there, you know you'll be fine turning up in a flowery dress. Complete with flower necklace of course.

And there’s not many more colours out there that are more tropical than a bright orange. Zesty, no? And if that’s not enough to fulfil your summer soul, if said item is crocheted, strapless and paired with some pigtail plaits – that should do the trick.

If all the bright colours are hurting your eyes and brain though, let’s tone it all down with some monochrome scribbled honey bunny (insert blowing kiss emoji face). But sorry, had to slip in a lime yellow skirt in there too.

If monochrome’s not your bag, how about injecting some nautical royal blue into the mix. With all these Parsian-esque stripes, it’s all of a sudden looking awfully more chic round here… WHAT’S HAPPENED AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THE REAL AMY?

Oh wait. Phew - don't worry. Panic over. Order restored. A hot dog sweatshirt with Mark Ronson reference (Too hot? Hot damn!) Pom-pom plimsolls and a milk carton handbag will restore any whimsy and ridiculous-ness into your life. At least sketched, floral trousers are sensible, right?

Sketches and inked scribbled not your thing? How about an equally as chaotic kaleidoscope of pastel colours? Complete with a deep plunge and tasselled heels of course.

Now, by all intensive purposes, sensible stripes and a suede skirt should be a pretty cool and chic paring right? Nop. If you're me, you end up throwing in some denim and ribbon wrapped round a plait, and result in looking like a babysitter our of a 90s children’s picture book.

Or go full-on babysitter mode with dungarees (you know how much i love those suckers). And like a magpie, can't keep away from the holographic sandals for long, and be still my beating heart. ROSE GOLD buckles.

And what activities from a babysitters do while doing said babysitting? Play with temporary tattoos and unicorn stamps obviously.

Shame I’m not a 16-year-old babysitter out of an American teen movie, but actually a 23-year-old working adult…

Stay happy!
Until next time...
A.x

Week by Numbers: New Cross, new flat, new friends

It literally feels like yesterday that I was excited about the arrival of June and therefore summer. And now, in the blink of an eye, it’s July, and I can’t think of the last time I wasn’t uncomfortably hot.

7 favourites...

1.) But before this month sneakily flies straight past us, here’s my June full of sing-a-longs and golf

2.) One of the best things about living in London is that there’s an endless list of ridiculous, fun and niches things right on your doorstep. And one of those things that I went to last week was Alice’s Adventures Underground. With the C.S Lewis series being quite a beloved favourite of mine, it was an absolutely incredible experience to not only see but take part in Les Enfants Terribles adaptation of it. I was in hysterics, felt awkward, a bit emotional and got completely got lost in the world of Wonderland. From walking through a tunnel made of books, issued the role as the 3 of diamonds, and being the first to be whisked away behind a disappearing door, to reading out a riddle and making egg puns to Humpty Dumpty, wearing the mad hatter’s hat at an un-birthday tea party and seasoning a man with a string of garlic (yes really) – it was a magical experience and the best £35 I’ve spent all year. Truly, you NEED to go and experience it for yourself. You'll fall straight into the rabbit hole of whimsy.

3.) Boys and girls - pop open the Champagne, roll out the red carpet, call out the fanfare - I'm moved into my new flat! AND IT'S FLIPPING BEAUTIFUL. Seriously, I could not love the place or the people more. And now, this is a different flat that I spoke of before with the Taylor Swift cardboard cut-out. As nice as that was, through a odd turn of events, I've ended up moving in with someone I knew a bit from school in South East London. The flat is gorgeous, there's loads of space, I don't feel like I"m going to be mugged when I'm walking home, the commute to work is a breeze and the rent is not extortionate can you believe it? I finally feel at home in London and although there's still a thing of two I'm still waiting for from Mr.Ikea, my room feels like a colourful haven at the end of the day. I was lying on my bed one of the first few nights I was here, looked at the window, saw the beautiful sunset (which seems to happen everyday!) and just felt so goddamn happy and content, as soppy as that is.

4.) Oh! And part of the reason why I love where I am so much are the girls! Bryony- who was in the year above me when I was in 6th form - and Katie are both absolute dolls. We all felt like home as opposed to just a house, straight away. And if the first week living together is anything to go by, I can't wait for the rest of the time in 18B!

5.) One of the first things I did as a flat with these girls was go to Pride last weekend. Not only was it a ton of fun in the sun, but it was also so touching, poignant and up-lifting. Love For All. That's all there is to it and we've come SUCH a long way and made such a change towards that but we still so much more to do.

6.) In case you live under a rock and haven't heard, there's been a heatwave going on in the UK and people are lives are melting. Seriously people, it's been 33 degrees! That just DOENS'T happen over here! When I'm on the train back home after work jam-packed in with other commuters, with sweat literally dripping down my face and want to chop my hair off so it doesn't stick my every inch of my skin - I hate it. But apart from that, I love it! I and everyone else just seems happier (and constantly drunk...) so I'm keeping my complaints to a minimum in case I jinx it...

7.) I've liked Years & Years ever since I found out about them, but there's something about Shine that is so unapologetically romantic and makes my heart swoon. The only way I can describe it is as a bunch of lights twinkling when I listening to it. Pretty apt given the name really. It's been on repeat endlessly and Olly's voice is heavenly in it. 

3 thoughts tweets...

"Smelling of sun screen & happiness today - yeah buddyyyy 🏼"

"Ending your Saturday with a bit of a tan and with glitter in your pigtails? Must've been #Pride2015! "

"I have an alluring addiction to alliteration"

1 outfit...

dress:Topshop, necklace:boutique, sunglasses:vintage

When there's a heatwave going on and you can't think of anything worse than putting clothes one, but that's not a socially acceptable option, then a strapless dress is your next best bet. Especially when it's bright orangefor all the summer vibes. But then, you think you might put some pigtail plaits in your hair a la Alexa Chung - she looks chic and great in them right? Ah, but that's the power of the Chung-meister. Because when you do it, you end up looking like Pocahontas...

Stay happy!

Until next time...

A.x