Month by Numbers: gals & good times

7 favourites...

1.) One of the reasons I love my job so much is because of the people. So when there's a chance to drink and be merry with said people, that's time well spent, especially when that day is Valentines Gal-entines Day. A day of love spent with my loves!
 And you can beat anytime that the Bella Babes are out on the town, there's bond to be prosecco, espresso martinis, Instagrams on fleek, laughing in unison and hazy memories the next day.

2.) Continuing on my bid to see more of the country I live in, I headed to Oxford to spend some time with some of my favourite uni babes, and Oxford just happens to be the same distance for all of us to travel. We ate, we drank, we wondered around feeling uber-British and we climbed up a castle in the rain. Time. Well. Spent.

3.) I got my bake on this month y'all. Because when you need to bake a surprise cake for your bff's birthday, only a chocolate cake with Nutella frosting and a peanut butter glaze will do. Oh, and covered in gold stars and glitter of course. 

And would you just LOOK at this bad boy! Not only is it the first time I've ever made a swiss roll (hence some cracks on it...don't worry, just throw some glitter on it, that's what I do for everything else in life anyway), but it's drench in motherflipping emojis. You're welcome. 

4.) If you know me in any capacity, you'll know how much I love Adele. She's gotten me over heartbreaks and gotten me into sassy 'over you' mode. She's hilarious, engaging, has ALL the emotions and let's not even get started on her voice. 

So when she won Best Album at the Grammys and said she couldn't accept her award because she though Beyonce deserved it, and then shared her award with her Cady Heron outta Mean Girls style? Well, my love for her just went up another level. 

5.) After nearly 3 years of living in London, I finally got round to seeing some of the iconic sights. And all it took was for a London newbie to move into town so I could use the excuse to show them around. Lizzie was in the royal house and Big Ben was chiming. 

6.) And on the flipside of all the London tourist sights is all the greenery that the big smoke has to offer. Some Sheffield huns came down to visit and we spent all day just meandering around Hampstead Heath, coo-ed at all the doggos, sang Disney songs, and the sun even came out for the occasion. 

7.) Social media is fucking great. Not a surprising statement to make from this millennial here, I know. But there I was, scrolling away, and then came across someone sharing some pretty badass t-shirts, and as a slogan tee obsessive, I clicked on it straight away. But they were so much more than a sassy slogan tee. Lolli, aka Girl Stole London, is the genius behind these tees, and also the babe that is kicking cancer in the tits. She writes about her battle in a really honest, real and hilarious way in which her personality really shines. As someone who's seen their loved one go through cancer, it can be scary and you can have fear instilled into you constantly and it's refreshing to hear about it from a down-to-earth and logical way (read more here boo).

So if you love a slogan tee as much as I do, get one from here, look great with 25% of proceeds going toward Breast Cancer Haven, do a great thing while doing so.

5 tweets...

1.) Work wifey @anna_tabs: "I'm looking at houses to buy" 

Me: "...I'm looking for lace0up bodysuits to buy" 

2.) Woman in the office: 'you always wear nice clothes, I have wardrobe envy!' Girl, I've been curating that shit all my life 

3.) I'm wearing a mini-skirt & the lipliner is ON...I think I'm over the worst of the illness guys! 

4.) Booking a Jacqueline Wilson event & drinking honey & lemon, while in my boxing kit listening to Skepta...I'm multi-faceted ok 

5.) Finished a double page health & diet feature at work, just in time for cake o'clock 

3 songs...

1.) Katy Perry - Chained to the Rhythm

This pop bish is back y'all, and doing what she does best. Good, ol' pop, but this time with an important message to say along with the catchy tune.

2.) DJ Khaled, Beyonce & Jay-Z - Shining

All the swag you could ask for to accompany you on your morning commute.

3.) Starley - Call On Me

This makes me so ready for summer, WHERE ARE THOU?!

Chained to the Rhythm

All hail the return of the pop princess,

Music snobs, step aside.

After all this time away, she slays no less.

Back with a bang, platinum haired dyed.

Banger after banger, a popstar extraordinaire,

She's your Dark Horse and Teenage Dream all rolled into one.

Glitter and sass on stage, she sings and struts around with flair.

Goals, aesthetic, crush, queen, a full-time Hun.

Hair flicks and cupcake bras, she puts on a show that makes you to roar,

Feisty and fun - 100% unadulterated pop, filled to the brim.

From the catchy to the issues that matter, the lyrics keeps you wanting more.

Everyone from California Girls to those the One Who Got Away...we're all a Chained to the Rhythm.

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.

Jungle Jane!

This pastel princess has gone a bit khaki crazy.

Continuing with my love affair with strapless items, this playful piece has become a firm favourite of mine that I keep whipping out day & night.

What's not to love about it?! It's got a beautiful playful print on it, it's geometric cut makes it' a bit different and interesting, especially with the layering of a skort design (which also means you don't have to worry about any accidental flashes or embarrassing Marylin Monroe moments!), and it looks flattering on every body shape.

I remember one year, one of my New Year resolutions was to wear more green (obviously out a lot of thought went into that particular year's resolutions), and this lil' outfit kicks that resolution right out of the park - even Kermit the frog would be proud

As if wrapping myself in jungle leaves wasn't enough, I threw my new favourite jacket on top in all it's khaki glory (which incidental, I bought the both of these items together, which made my friends call it my Jungle Jane outfit). With a brass belt to tie it all up, my trusty black wedges and bag, I was ready to go on safari! (I even had my magical, rainbow sunglasses, which every person should have as they instantly make you happy!)

playsuit:Topshop, jacket:Topshop, shoes:Clarks, bag:Mulberry, sunglasses:Urban Outfitters

My arm candy game has been stepped up recently. When I was younger, I stacked so many bracelets and bangles on my arms, it sounded like a cattle of cow bells! Now though, I usually just slip on my Pandora bangle with all it's meaningful and cute charms that people have given to me over the years - but after buying a lovely lil' friendship bracelet from Liberty that's simple and sweet, I re-discovered some of my old ones and have been layering them ever since.

This outfit is literally something I've been pulling out of my wardrobe constantly. Skorts are so underrated (and not like that kind that I used to wear and to play netball!). They're not only stylish and different, but comfortable and practical too - the est of both worlds! I definitely think that skorts and playsuits are a go-to for summer, and if you're looking for a way to save on your summer essentials, then you should head over to Raise.com - they're the 1st online marketplace where you can sell your unwanted gift cards, and buy discounted ones to your favourite stores - Genius! (why didn't anyone think of this idea before!)

They have brands from Victoria's Secret to Starbucks - so there's something for everyone! 

https://www.raise.com/buy-gift-cards

https://www.raise.com/sell-gift-cards

Now, I may not be Katy Perry in Roar, but I can certainly be Jungle Amy in life!

images: thatgrapejuice.net, e-online

What are your essentials when it comes to summer?

Hope you're all well,

Speak soon,

A.x