Month by Numbers: Ibiza heat

7 favourites...

1.) At the very beginning of this month, I headed to Ibiza and it was the perfect remedy that came at the most perfect time. After what were some of the worst months of my life, I got to get away to a sunny paradise with some of my favourite people. We danced, we did nothing on the beach and our meals consisted mostly of sangria and gelato. 

This is uber-melty, but there was one point on the holiday where we were on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world (6th in fact FYI) and I went for a swim on my own in the bluest, most crystal clear water I've seen in my life. And there was not a worry or thought in my mind and before I know it, I'd swam so far out, I was just on my own and I just felt truly content for the first time in ages. After all that's happened this year, I was just floating there thinking 'You know what? It's really not all that shit. Life's OK. I'm OK.'


2.) After coming back from Ibiza tanned and filled with tequila, I spent a whole weekend with my bestie and a bunch of boys from Sheffield who I have a blast with every time I see them. Which would be once. I've met them once before. One weekend last year, I spent a weekend with my BBF, and her boyfriend had some uni friends stay. We all ended up hanging out all weekend and becoming friends - isn't that just the sweetest story you ever did hear? And this time, we drank a lot, and played a lot of games (because, you know, we're really cool like that)


3.) Sadly, all those drinks and games means a lack of sleep and an increased chance of feeling pretty rubbish. Probably not the best combo before you do a 5K charity run for Cancer Research. BUT, even after 5 hours sleep and being low-key hanging, I laced up my trainers, travelled from North to South London and threw myself (literally) into the mud that is the Pretty Muddy 5K. I'm not even joking, there was mud EVERYWHERE. In places where mud should never, ever be. But we did it! We raised over £350 for an amazing cause, which was made even more amazing after receiving the news that my no.1 gal Mama Lo had been given the all clear from the Big C after showing it who's boss, just like we all knew she would. 

4.) Ah the Bake-Off. It'll come as no surprise that I'm a massive Bake-Off fan. In fact, last year, me and my flatmate baked something each week to go the theme of said week. I love how wholesome it is. I love the cheeky innuendos. I love the characters on it. I love Mary Berry. I love how a whole nation is gripped by a show about cakes and soggy bottoms. And then, it all came tumbling down all so suddenly! First, it was moving to Channel 4. Then the hilarious Mel & Sue were leaving. And the final blow, the Queen herself Mary Berry bowed out. This current series of the Bake-Off is the last one as we know it, and I am not emotionally prepared for that guys.


5.) Hi, my name's Amy and I've become obsessed with pin badges. They're sassy and cute and creative and teeny tiny and up my accessorises game in a big way. But sadly, they're also starting to drain my bank account in a big way too.

6.) And speaking of little things, I've been doing more little gestures. I know what a heartwarming surprise it is when you get or hear something you really didn't expect to. So I've been writing postcards left, right and centre for my friends. To cheer them up, to encourage them, to thank them, and just to say hello. And I'm hoping they've loved the sentiment as much as I've loved sending them. 


7.) A mixture of holiday blues and that back-to-school slump of September meant that I felt like I was in need of about 50 hours sleep, 50 cups of tea and cuddles with 50 puppies. Fortunately, one of my fave babes told me to come up North where she could provide me with lie-ins, all the teas I could ever ask for and 1 adorable puppy. She even threw in a 10-course fancy and fabulous Italian dinner and some dancing as well. She knows the way to my heart.

5 tweets...
1.) Catching up on #GBBO on the train. Man asleep next to me woke up as I let out an audible gasp at someone forgetting to turn on their oven
2.) Playing Heads Up at the pub & Vera Wang came up. Me: designer makes lovely wedding dresses!  Lads: surname sounds like a DICK 
3.) Something in my lad of washing has made all my clothes glittery...whilst I don't love it, I don't hate it either
4.) Let's just get this out of the way. Thing I don't like that everything else loves: avocado, Idris Elba, chocolate orange & salted caramel..
5.) Can never remember how to do an accented 'e' on my keyboard. Always end up googling Beyoncé and copy & paste. PROFESSIONAL JOURNO Y'ALL 

3 songs...

1.) Tove Lo - Cool Girl

This makes me feel like a genuine cool girl, no matter how much I may not be. If you see you strutting down the street and swooshing my hair, 90% certain this is what's playing on my headphones.

2.) Little Mix - Move

I feel in love with this song with my BBF 2 years ago at uni, and even now, it still makes me dance like I wish I was in a girl band. Sass-central y'all

3.) Kanye West - Fast

If the other 2 songs make me feel like feisty and cool independent women, this song makes me feel tough and ready to box about 10 rounds in the ring. Neither of which I am, but the bass lines and auto-tuned singing in this makes for a good disguise for it

Until next time...

A.x

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

0 retweets1 like

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.

Week by Numbers: Milan, munchkins and manic

7 favourites...

I've had a week off from work and my god, was it needed and oh-so-heavenly. I lied-in. I wasn't rushing around stabbing mascara in my eye while trying to get ready in the morning. I got to chit-chat about nonsense without worrying what else on my to-do list needs to be done. It's been absolute bliss.

But before we get into the nitty gritty, can you even Adam-and-Eve it that it's now September?! Madness. Kids are heading back to school. Leaves are falling off leaves. I've even whipped out the tights out for regular wear again. Summer is well and truly on the way out and I'm not sure if I'm quite ok with that.

1.) So here's a glimpse of what August and the last glimpse of summer looked like for me through the lens of my camera and iPhone. Prepare for lots of shots of drinks in the sunshine and general larks.

2.) You know that week off from work that I took? What exotic location did I head to I hear you cry! Stoke. Stoke-on-Trent. And honestly I've never felt more happy to be back at home. Three months ago I moved permanently to London and as much as I absolutely love living here, the past few weeks I felt waves of being homesick and just missing my family. So when I got back home and my 2-year-old nephew ran throttle up to me and hugged me so much and wouldn't let go, my god, did my little heart flutter. I shared drinks with my dad, hugs with my mum, laughs with my siblings and cute moments ahoy with my nephew and nieces, as well as catch up with my childhood friends. It never feels like much has changed even when people have been away for months, but it's odd to see this group of people who I used to hang out in the common room and mess about on the school field with, now all being legit functioning adults with jobs and houses and shit. Life huh.

3.) Ah, but if you think Stoke is the only exhilarating place my lil tush was heading to then oh boy are you wrong. Cus ladies and gents, I was heading to the chic city of Milan! But of course, being the ditsy fool that is me, it couldn't just be a smooth ride to the airport could it? Oh no. So, I was flying from Birmingham and went there a day early to go stay at my brothers' and spend some quality time being Aunty Amy. But being someone who flaps about and gets flummoxed when under pressure, when there's a line of people waiting for you to get off the train and you've got not one, but TWO suitcases to take off with you, of course you end up taking someone else's suitcase that's identical to yours and don't realise it's not yours until 10pm... What follows is some serious detective skills via social media and a drive down to Reading at 11pm for a suitcase exchange. Drama, drama, drama.

4.) But reunited with my mini-Milan capsule wardrobe of a suitcase, me and my friend Rosie (You go Glen RoRo as I yell at her a lot) headed to Milan and after an evening of carbs and champagne, we rested our weary heads, ready for our first proper day, where we got turned away from Duomo Cathedral for having too much skin on show - opps -which Rosie also commented on me looking like a Spice Girls Bratz Doll. Standard then. (Note to self - always pack a shawl on holiday) 

5.) So we took ourselves to Bar Luce, which my pastel-colour-obsessed soul had been dreaming of since I found out that Wes Anderson himself had designed the candy-coloured wonderland. And it did not disappoint. From the waiter's aprons and the jukebox, to the menus and decor, it was like stepping straight into the world of Mr.Anderson and me and my glittery Miu Miu sunglasses didn't want to leave.

6.) Milan surprised me in that what I thought was going to be pretty city-esque, was actually dripping in culture and I felt like I had be taken back in time somewhat - in a really nice way. But just hopping on a train for a hour, we found ourselves at Lake Como and MY GOD. What a flipping view. I couldn't stop the profanities coming out of my mouth over how breathtaking the scenery was. And as I sat in the 30 degree Italian sun, dipping my feet in the water, hearing the sound of the lapping waves and sipped on my beer, I was plotting my plan on how to move and live in Italy.

7.) After a day floating on the waves of Lake Como, we headed to the theatre to watch a symphony - which we decided to treat ourselves to tickets to because...when in Milan (insert sassy girl emoji) And on our last day in the city, we FINALLY tackled Duomo cathedral, covered up (and sweating in the heat mind), but holy moly was it worth it. Climbing to the rooftops of the cathedral - which is beautiful, exquisite and every other word you could use to describe the marble masterpiece - and you could look down over the landscape of the city...I kind of just took a moment and contemplated how momentous the history of it was and how insignificant I was as a single human being in the scheme of things. Pretentious rambling over.

3 tweets...

"Brother walked in the kitchen as I was lighting candles on his bday cake. Panicked & did star jumps while shouting 'DIVERSION' repeatedly "

"Too much Chinese food & no yoga every day being back at home has made my body go all doolally. Ouff. Downward facing dog - come & get me "

"Never been through the security gates at an airport without it beeping. That's what you get for dressing in ornaments all the time "

1 outfit...

 Milan bought out the best of my wardrobe, despite me melting every time I merely put underwear on.

When you're walking home in the streets of Italy with a gelato in your hand, and your friend says you look like Sandy from Grease in your floral midi skirt and ponytail complete with pink, sequinned oversized bow. Well, that's just a life goal complete isn't it?

Until next time...

Stay happy!

A.x

Week by Numbers: Czech-ing out Prague

7 favourites...

1.) As mentioned before, I want to use my money on more experiences, and less material things, and having not gone abroad for a few years - cus of being a skint student and the like - I still believe that exploring and opening your eyes to different parts of the world, is one of the bet ways to enrich yourself with your riches. So, off to Prague I went for the weekend. I was faced with beautiful buildings covered in pastels and gold (be still my beating heart!), great beer, vats of hot chocolate laced with Baileys, and miles of walking. I mean, we hiked all the way up to a blooming castle - that's my kind of holiday!

2.) After watching an episode here and there, I took the plunge and watched Parks and Recreation from start to finish, and got completely swept up in all the heartwarming characters, each more weird that the last. And this is one of my favourite scenes, and this unconditional and stupid friendship reminds me exactly of my best friends and I.

3.) Speaking of Parks and Rec, as if my love for Chris Pratt wasn't enough, (though in my heart-of-hearts, he'll always be Che from The O.C in my mind), after watching him photobomb with Jimmy Fallon and Captain America himself, I just want to grab a milkshake and play arcade games with these dudes.

4.) Oh, and on the subject of the Super Bowl, can we just talk about the fact that Katy Perry rocked in on a giant golden lion, brought Missy Elliot back into our lives, and then exited on a flipping shooting star?! I love Katy Perry for all her pop princess goodness, and I don't care who knows it - you keep doing you girl.

5.) I managed to win a couple of £££ from the lottery on the rarity that I decide to buy a ticket which is a nice perk to the week - keep the luck coming!

6.) I worshipped Skins when I was a teenager, and I've found myself dipping back into them. The fashion which I once loved and the life that I once desperately wanted, I now watch back cringing at bits and feeling tear-y and nostalgic at others. (Chris 4evz).

7.) In keeping with trying to use my DSLR more and have a nicer document of my memories, and inspired by Jack Howard's monthly PMS (not what you think - pretentious monthly scrapbook), I've decided to make a lil' round-up video of each month. Nothing snazzy, but I'm happy with how it turned out, and if you want to watch shots of my feet and the M6, then here you go!

3 thoughts...

"Omg I love Andy Dwyer. Where can I get my own?"

"OMG I LOVE BEN WYATT. I love Ben and Leslie and where can I sign up to be in that in my very own Ben and Leslie?"

"No. I'm not from China/Japan/Korea. I flew in from England. No I'm not lying to you..."

1 outfit...

top:Topshop, skirt:Urban Outfitters, belt:ASOS, scarf:Urban Outfitters, coat:Topshop, boots: Topshop, sunglasses:Ray Bans

Going on holiday to somewhere where it's -2 degrees means multiple of layers and making friends with polo-necks is a massive plus. Now, I can hear you screaming that I'm mad for wearing a bloomin' skirt of that length in the freezing cold, but FEAR NOT! I've got super-warm, fleecy leggings on (which every woman should own FYI). And what else do you need in the cold weather? Your sunnies and your wrestler belt of course.