Twenty Five

Last week, I turned the grand age of 25.

It may be unsurprising to know that I didn't wake up that morning with new-found wisdom and the answers to the questions of life. 

Instead, I woke covered in sequins with a nice hangover all wrapped up in a bow.

I still have the same ridiculous childlike outlook to life and optimism that sometimes gets the better of me.  

But an hour before the clock struck midnight on my birthday, I was harping on about how content and happy I was this birthday, more so than I can remember being before. Despite my life still pretty up-in-air and me still not having a clue what I'm doing. 

(It might've been the cocktails talking, but let's go with a new-found epiphany from my mid-twenties).

When I was a teen, I had such an idea of how my life was going to be like when I was well in my 20s, but when 15-year-old me didn't know was that in actual fact, I didn't know shit...

F R I E N D S

What 15-year-old Amy thought...

After a school life of having a pretty big friendship circle, it was like I was part of one big gang of guys and girls. And I was. It was the best as a teen. You always had someone you knew someone who'd share a bottle of Apple Sourz with at pre-drinks, or who would help you put fake tan on your back in a streaky fashion. Everyday in the 6th form common room was like one great, big party, and every weekend it actually was, and of the fancy dress variety in fact. And this will only continue and grow as I grow up. Imma have hundreds and hundreds of friends y'all.

What my 25-year-old life is actually like...

Those friends are still friends and we care about each other to the moon and back (you can be damn sure if someone had something less-than-nice to say about one of them, then my hoops would be whipped off and I would give my best Rocky impression...before inevitably falling to the ground.)

While the day-to-day circle may have grown smaller, the group who I know has my back and would be there for me come what may, well, that's only grown from strength to strength.
It's cliche, but it is quality, not quantity. 

You may not see some friends for weeks and months on end, but when you do, you pick up from where you left off with no problems. And the ones you see all the time, while you've not grown up together, you've grown together, and probably know you better than you do yourself. 

R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S

What 15-year-old Amy thought...

Longing for the day where homework would be a thing of a that past and I could stop saving up loose change as I'll be working 9 to 5 and have all the money in the world to splurge on whatever the hell I want. I'd buy designer shoes, jet off to private islands, and no-one can tell me I can't cus there'll be no-one telling me what to do with my life, YAY.

What my 25-year-old life is actually like...

My GOD how I wish I had someone to sort out my life. Boring life admin stuff like washing, ironing and bills just don't come into account when you think about what being an adult is like when you're younger. Not to even mention all the emotional shit like work/life balance and those pesky things like feelings. Some days, it would just be fab if someone could just take care of it ALL, while I just curled up into a teenage ball and binged on everything the internet has to offer.

B O Y S

What 15-year-old Amy thought...

By the time I'm in my twenties, that's like so old. I'll have gone through all the rubbish boys and found y'know, like, THE ONE, and live happily after together. Sunday lunches with the in-laws, pet puppies galore and domesticated housewife to the max. 

What my 25-year-old life is actually like...

Oh HELL no. I am so not ready for any of that marriage malarky. I have so much more I want to do, and while it's fun having a partner-in-crime for the ride, I'm not ready to not be completely selfish yet. I know someday it'll all just feel, RIGHT. But that day keeps gets pushed further and further back the more I live and love my life.

There's been highs and quite a few lows in between. But all the tears, hours crying along to Adele, heart aches and heart breaks are worth it for the connections, memories, laughter, adventures and sparks. It sometimes seems like I'm no closer to finding that special gooseberry, but I know I am. I used to think I knew exactly the kind of person I want to be with,  but all the shit dates and awful break-ups also make me realise what I don't want. And that's just as important. Why should you settle for seconds best when you should always put yourself, first. 

H O U S E 

What 15-year-old Amy thought...

One of those pastel coloured town houses in West Kensington in London please! That would be fabulous and I'll decorate it all in Cath Kidston and have tea parties all the bloody time. It'll be great.

What my 25-year-old life is actually like...

So yeah, there's these thing called mortgages? And the housing market is a shambles, which is a nice little treat for us millenials eh?! But shared houses means drinking buddies for nights out, having someone to stroke your hair while you throw up at 3am, and discovering some gems who become friends for life, who I would've never met if you used all that money I don't have, to splash on a house to live on my own. (Also, the kitsch Cath Kidston phase came and went pretty quickly.)

F A S H I O N

What 15-year-old Amy thought...

Vogue, eat your heart out. I'll be strutting into the office with the highest of heels on, looking swish with the newest IT bag, and ALL the designer gear. I'll be covered in all the brands and labels, just you wait and see, I'll be chic af.

What my 25-year-old life is actually like...

Pricey Von Dutch caps and having Juicy written across your butt weren't all it's cracked up to be. And I'm so thankful I didn't spend a whole load of £££ on a rainbow monogrammed Louis Vuitton bag,  just because Paris Hilton had one.

Buying stuff just cus of celebrities, is just not cool. And hey, look! I've only gone and developed my own individual style that is completely ridiculous and relates to me, and me only.

(And my god, do I bloody own those prints and pastels, topped off with fluff and fun.)

W O R K

What 15-year-old Amy thought...

Picture Ugly Betty meets The Devil Wear Prada. I'd turn up to work in the most stylish stuff, cus, well, I would've designed them myself. Everyone around the world will be wearing my work, and of course I will have done this all before I'm 30, DUH. I'll be the next Elie Saab before I know it.

What my 25-year-old life is actually like...

A degree studying fashion design drove me NUTS. Lord knows I couldn't spend a career in it. I bloody love clothes but I nearly fell out of love with them (and that would've just been a crime.) I'll leave it to the professionals and just admire from afar thanks. And who knew that all those mad stories I used to make up and write, and the number of years of diary writing, would lead me to a job in writing eh? Still trying to find my exact place but I'm having a hell of a time on the way.

F A M I L Y

What 15-year-old Amy thought...

"Oh my GOD, why is Dad being SO unfair?! He just doesn't GET me at all!" is what I screamed on a nightly basis as I slammed my door with my Fall Out Boy poster stuck onto it. My parents just don't understand me and they're just there to ruin my life. If they weren't my parents, I wouldn't even want to spend any time with them! I CAN'T WAIT TO MOVE OUT!

What my 25-year-old life is actually like...

Oh Amy. Amy, amy, amy. If only you knew how much you'd miss Mama and Pops when you move away to uni. Now, they're over 100 miles away when all you wish for is a cuddle off them at the end of an utterly shit day. I realised they're not just my parents, they're actual human beings who've lived a hell of a lot of life and are only looking out for me. They're caring, ambitious, hilarious and are filled with love, and no words would ever be enough to describe the love I have for them.

My brothers and I are closer than ever, the addition of sister-in-laws are a joy and I never knew how much unconditional love I could have for the tiny humans that are my nephew and nieces. Being an Aunty is THE best deal cus you get to have maximum fun with minimum responsibility!

When I was younger, I couldn't wait to be older.
Now, I'd love it just to slow down - just a tad - so I can enjoy and savour every moment and memory.

The past 25 years have been emotional, ecstatic and amazing.
I've learnt a hell of a lot about myself, life, and what I want from it.
And I can only imagine what the next 25 will bring.

Until next time...

A.x

Absolute April!

April is one of my favourite months, and I'm not gonna lie, part of the reason why I love it so much is because it's MY BIRTHDAY! And what better way to celebrate getting older and not really that much wiser, than with a LBD (psst, it's backless! oo-er.) Oh, and 2 metallic silver MASSIVE balloons to let everyone how old you are. Of course.

And let's face it, getting older was never going to stop me wearing ridiculous and silly things now was it. There's too many moving sequinned tops, heart sequinned bras, cactus printed shorts and tassled slogan sweatshirts to get through.

But don't worry I'm practical too! If by practical you mean a sport Space Jam basketball jersey and an equally as sporty Adidas jacket. SPORTS.

Oh, and there were stripes involved - colourful, tied-up stripey numbers...

ALL the stripes. From jeans to go with bright lemon-yellow midi skirts.

See, told you it went with yellow. Even when that yellow is in the form of a fisherman-style raincoat. Which go perfectly with floral embroidered jeans. All the essential one needs to go away on holiday right?

But that doesn't mean I can't do dar and mysterious as well! Look at that dark lipstic, strappy cami and metallic leather skirt. All the many, mad dimensions to how I like to dress y'all.

But let's face it, I'm just gonna end up back to comfort. Whether that's a slouchy jumpsuit, a shirt worthy of a sleepover, or your actual pyjamas. Comfort is king kids.

Until next time,
A.x

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  

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

Festival Festivities

During the past weekend, I slipped my wellies on, and spent it at V Festival.

The weekend was filled with music, drinks, party hats, bands I'd been dying to see and bands that i love, and was shared with friends who put out with my out-of-tune screaming along, and new people who jumped up and down incessantly with me in crowded seas of fans.

During the Saturday, it was my best friend's brother's birthday, and he turned 18! In my eyes, I still think of him of the 13 year old that used to open the door for me when i came around, and then scuttle off to play Xbox...and now, he's about to go to uni and a proper grown-up young man, and what better way to spend your 18th birthday, than at a festival :)

If you follow me on Instagram, I'm sure you would've been sick of all the videos and selfies I took. 

We were prepared for the forecast of torrential downpours of rain...

...but thankfully, the skies were forgiving and we only saw sights of a few raindrops, and after that Sunday was just sunshine and smiles!

With the sunny Sunday saying hello, I went to town on my festival outfit and went a bit mad with pastel power, and bright make-up ad socks to boot.

I am in love with these shorts, not only are they coloured in with pretty pastels, which i always have a soft spot for, but each panel is a different colour! 

Music plays a massive part in my life, and I don't understand how music couldn't mean something to you, so when live music is around, I'm just in my element. It's not even if the band is amazing, or if they're interaction with the crowd makes you feel connected, which 99% of the time, both of these are true, but most of all, what i love the most, is the atmosphere. There's just something about being with a crowd of people, even if you are squished like sardines, you forget all about that fact because you're with people who all have the same passion as you for the act you're there to watch, and singing your heart out along with them, and jumping like crazy kangaroos.

Lissie and Seasick Steve are both artists that i really like, but know limited amount of their songs, but one of Lissie's song, is one of my favourite songs, go and Youtube 'When I'm Alone' by her, and I guarantee you won't regret it :)  Despite not knowing a lot of their songs at all though, I thoroughly enjoyed their sets, more than I expected, they are both such talented artists, that are amazing and charismatic live, and definitely made me want to go and check out more of their work.

Lissie @ V Festival 2013

Ellie Goulding and Kings of Leon are both acts that I've seen live before, and were absolutely blown away by, and seeing them again, I once again was lost for words (and also lost my voice due to all the screaming!). One of the things that really impressed my was Ellie's passion and energy, and as strange as it sounds, Kings of Leon's visuals were just stunning. You know those big screens they have so everyone at the back can see? Well, they didn't just have them showing the band playing, but they had edited them to go along with and fit in with the the vibe of the song they were playing, and the lights of the show were just as good.

Kings of Leon @ V Festival 2013

Ellie Goulding @ V Festival 2013

Two Door Cinema Club is a band that I love, and have been DYING to go see live for years, but fate just intervined and our paths never crossed, however, I finally saw them, and they were the energetic and exciting band that I was hoping for and more.

Two Door Cinema Club @ V Festival 2013

The Vaccines and The Script are both bands, whose songs I enjoy and sing along to, but have never paid all that much attention to. Well, that all changed at V. The Script had such amazing interaction with the crowd and just seemed so humble and excited to be playing, and really got everyone involved with the brilliant live set they were playing. And The Vaccines just made all the songs that I love, come alive on stage.

The Vaccines @ V Festival 2013

The Script @ V Festival 2013

But the main attraction, and the main reason why I was so excited for V this year was for the Queen herself.

Beyonce.

Beyonce @ V Festival 2013

Despite her coming on stage late, I still lost my goddamn mind, and after wanting to see her for so long, it wasn't just a live set, it was an experience.

I read  a blog post not that long ago from The Man Repeller, and I completely agree with what she said. It's not until you see her in action do you see her  passion, her drive, her gratefulness, how humble she is, and what a showman she is.

Beyonce @ V Festival 2013

She was fierce during 'Run The World', danced her bootylicious booty off to 'Crazy In Love', belted her lungs out during 'Halo', got the crowd going and singing along with 'Irreplacable', and of course, got everything turning their hands back and forth during 'Single Ladies'.

Did you go to V this year? Who was your favourite act? Have you been to any other festivals?

Hope you're all well, and have a brilliant Bank Holiday if you're in the UK!

Speak soon,

A.x