Month by Numbers: old friends, old exes, old patriarchal shit

7 favourites...

1.) I rung in the 2017 with some of my oldest friends. 2016 was a bit of a tough one, but it's heart-warming and comforting to know that people can grow up and further away, but that doesn't necessarily mean you grow apart. 

2.) To beat the January blues, I got the opportunity to go see Cirque Du Soleil's Amaluna show and I was completely blown away by the bedazzling and jaw-dropping talent. It also made me want to finally sign up for those ariel acrobat classes, but that's another story. I also went to see one of my friend's band. They all work 9-5 jobs but they're also following their passion. The crowds are getting bigger and bigger names are noticing them. Morale of the story to both of these shows kids? Follow your heart and follow your dreams y'all.

3.) Everyone has highs and lows in their work life, but undoubtedly the no.1 high is the work family I've gained. Not only do they turn dreading my commute, into looking forward to chatting all kinds of ridiculous rubbish with them in the office, but I've gained a whole bunch of new friends who inspire me, support me and encourage me (whether that be in work or to drink)

4.) An old flame of mine got in touch with me out of the blue. He called time out on our relationship, and after 6 months of silence and moving on, he decided to call once again. This time on my phone. I don't know what his intentions were or the words he had to say, and I gave up sticking around to find out when we parted ways, so I guess I'll never know what he wanted to say.

5.) You know what? We should all take random days off work more often. I did for a friend's birthday and we just wandered around London without feeling like we were running late for work. We drank hot chocolate that was 90% toasted marshmallow, and we went to the You Say You Want A Revolution? exhibition at the V&A. Yes it was about the music and fashion of the the 60s, but what I didn't expect was for it to go into the social issues and movements of that time too, which seem more relevant in this current moment in time in society, than ever.  

6.) The Women's March left me feeling proud, united and hopeful in humanity and the scary uncertainty of the future. There were people of all genders, ethnicities, ages and walks of life, caring about, well...people. And that's all it is people!

7.)To me, Chinese New Year every year means family time, tons of food and the tradition of receiving money in red packets (which I don't think I'll ever get bored of)
But, every year, I want to learn more about my heritage, and do so over a bottle of red wine with my dad. Basically, it's like a 2nd Christmas for me and I'm more than OK with that.

5 tweets...

1.) "I've started off the new year w/fizz, a puppy, chanting 'Stoke' @robbiewilliams on the tv & my tit tape sweating off #Hello2017"
2.) "I'm having pigs in blankets withdrawal symptoms "
3.) "Newbie at boxing yday came up to me at the end saying 'thanks for being a cheerleader when I was struggling!' Girls are THE BEST "
4.) "My thai green curry has gone pink cus I put red cabbage on it. Pretty on-brand tbh "
5.) "Friends say I'm more youth-like than usual this week. Strange as I've said sensible things: 'My side hustle is so extra, it's gonna be lit'"

3 songs....
1.) Ed Sheeran - Shape of You

He's back, and with a funky and sultry sound. And I'm a big fan of this and it's flirty lyrics.

2.) Childish Gambino - Redbone

If this doesn't make you want to snog the person you fancy all over, then I don't think you're listening to it right.

3.) Snakehips and MØ - Don't Leave

This sounds gorgeous and the lyrics are oddly heartbreaking. All the feels, all at the same time.

Month by Numbers: new year, new room, new job

7 favourites...

1.) My short month of Feb with filled with cheesy dance moves and eating a lot of meals out. So, what else is different eh?

2.) February is the time for Chinese New Year, which is essentially a 2nd Christmas. And as you can imagine, I absolutely love. Oh, and I get to spend lots of time with family too, which is also pretty swell.

3.) This month came with a lot of music in different genres and in different ways. My brother got us tickets to see a singer we both love - the folk angel that is Lissie and my god. Her voice, man. It's got so much emotion in it, it's insane. I've also been listening non-stop to Slaves' album, Are You Satisfied. A bit late to the party but perfect for everything from getting me out of bed and getting ready to go out, to going for a run and running errands. They're exactly what British angst has been missing for a long ol' time.

4.) This month I've really revelled in the love and lols of my friends. Everything else in your life can fluctuate so easily, but your friends are the ones who at the end of the day are proud of you, cheers you, and dance the night away with you. Whether they're all the way on the other side of the world, you're reprioritising some friendships that have been in life for a long time, or just making sure you clock in some quality time with them - they're pretty damn great aren't they?

5.) I re-decorated my room and it's now a Pinterest-worthy, marshmallow, circus wonderland and oh my...is it dreamy. I love it so much. Who knew bedding and some fairy lights could have such an effect on a girl?

6.) Chiswick House held a lantern festival to celebrate Chinese New Year, and despite my fingers and legs nearly freezing off (damn you tights and lack of gloves), it was a lit-up funfair of bright colours and amazing structures. Never have I felt more like I was tripping out of my mind.

7.) I GOT OFFERED A NEW FLIPPING JOB BOYS AND GIRLS. Sometimes life throws you a bit of an unexpected curveball. But you know what you do? Suck it up, keep calm and deal the fuck with it the best that you can (cause you're as British as a tea-drenched crumpet). Even when it tests your Jigglypuff-esque, optimistic persona - stick to your guns because in the end, it'll all end up working out and you can stick 2 fingers up at self doubt, that negative lil bugger. YAY TO EXCITING NEW CHAPTERS!

5 tweets...

"Spent this morning polishing my boots & brushing suede items. Quite the change from my usual state of nursing a hangover. Am I an adult now?"

"An absolute babe at the post office just said my hair was dead nice & asked where I got it done. Now feeling über-sassy "

"My nephew was singing Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody while having his bath tonight. Top choice kiddo. Mega impressed & proud "

"You. Yes you - you beautiful bastard. I still think about you far more than I care to want to. Dammit (Cryptic MSN-esuqe status done with)"

"My nephew saw a baby photo of me and said: 'I don't like you small, I like you bigger' "

3 outfits...

Cute, pastel, embroidered details, denim and crop tops - all very crucial staples of my wardrobe. 

But who knew I'd take inspiration from Dennis the Menace's stripes as well hey?

Week by Numbers: Baymax, denim & Year of the Ram!

7 favourites...

1.) Thursday 19th of February was Chinese New Year! This basically means a 2nd Christmas - family, get-togethers and a ton of glorious food. Unsuprisingly, cheat days turned into a cheat week, and runs went out of the window, because celebrations span over days (gotta make those days last bro). And it's one of the very few times a year that our whole family gets together, so it's just a little bit special, plus, there's a tradition of giving those younger in your family a red packet filled with money...I ain't complain' - Bonus!

2.) I finally got round to watching Big Hero 6 (I know, ridiculous for a Disney gal like me) and I loved it more than I thought I would. It was heart-warming, witty, and of course, included a big squishy robot called Baymax - I desperately want him to be real! All the characters have an amazing personality in their own way, but I'm just in awe of Honey Lemon. She's excitable, crazy good at chemistry, and runs around to battle baddies in hot pink wedges. My kinda girl!
Also just look at this bag that lets her combine elements to create different materials - insane.

3.) The next and 3rd book finished this year, is Caitlin Moran's 'How to be a Woman'. I zoomed stright throguh it and became obsessed with her musings, hilarious anecdotes and frantic rants in CAPS LOCK. It made me laugh and it made me think, and just like Caitlin says how she worships Germaine Greer but respects her enough to know it's ok not to agree with all of her ideas, I feel the same about Caitlin.

4.) I've had a couple of interviews this week (yes, I'm still on a major job hunt - it's a marathon, not a race y'all) and with every one, I'm getting more confident and worry less. Life will be stressful and hectic enough when it happens, so I'm gonna 100% take advantage of the fact I can just wonder around a bookshop with no clue of what to get, discover a new book, and indulge in it at a coffee shop. 

5.) The girls that I went to school with sometimes have dinner where we bring a dish each, which means we end up with about 7 different things. This time round, it was Italian night, and I whipped up these parmesan and gruyere cheese twists. They went down a treat!

6.) My brother bought me tickets to go watch Edward Scissorhands, the ballet production by Matthew Bourne, for Christmas, and it was the first ballet I've been to go see. I didn't really know what to expect, but it was so moving and witty, without a single word being said - definitely won't be my last ballet. (Ooh, get me going to the ballet and everything).

7.) I went out for my friend's birthday on Valentine's Day night, and as we were in the queue, a beautiful vision in a red tutu walked by, and my friend Kim whispered, 'Is that Jade from Little Mix?!' And before I could answer, she yelled 'CHASE HER!' and I was running down the streets of central London while holding her hand. Lo and behold, it was her and we were unashamedly excited and completely fan-girling. We were incomprehensible and silly with our compliments to her - nop, didn't say we liked Little Mix's music, instead Kim screamed 'I love your glittery eyes!' and I followed suit with 'I love your tutu, I have it in lilac!' Great job KLo. When we returned to our friends and they didn't understand why we were so excited, we launched into a ramble how 'Move' by Little Mix if our friendship song and this was our reunion....don't know what on earth a friendship song is, but EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE ONE.

3 thoughts...
"Sooo...after texting for a week or two, the first time you decide to ring me is 4am on Valentine's Day...?"

"Where can I get a phone cover that's a fox, complete with swinging tail a la Honey Lemon?!"
"Can I fit another duck pancake in my stomach? Yes!"

1 outfit...

dress:Bellfield, necklace:Topshop

After going from living in denim skirts in my early teens, to hating jeans in my early 20s, I'm re-kindling my love for denim with a dress - might as well go the whole hog and wrap myself in denim-y goodness! And my new fave piece of jewellery is this longline necklace with glistening gems.

Stay happy!

Until next time,

A.x