Month by Numbers: Ice, ice, baby

7 favourites...

1.) I left on a jet plane and hopped over to Iceland and it was unlike anyone I'd ever been on holiday.

The sunshine was swapped for snowy mountain-tops and bikinis were out while thermals were in. 

We galloped around geysers, went chasing after waterfalls and soaked our troubles away in the Blue Lagoon.

I came back feel uber-zen and my soul feeling as happy as Larry.
(and skint. very skint. Reykjavik is expensive y'all.)

2.) But you know what doesn't cost a thing? Love. 

So when my lil' nephew ran and threw his arms around me when I arrived for a surprise visit, boy did my 

heart feel all warm and fuzzy.

Oh, and when he told me he likes me visiting and wants me to come back on a sunny day? 

Well, I'm done. No emotions left in me cus he's taken them all.

3.) Perks of my jobs are one of the best things about my job and this month has been particularly brilliant.

First thing's first is the opening of a new gaming bar. Four Quarters in Peckham is filled with old arcade games

and holds a special place in my heart. So when they invited me to the opening of their new bar, for a night

of beer, burgers and video games, well how could a girl refuse?

Also, I won Street Fighter, and my girl Chun Li came out with this, on International Women's Day nonetheless.

Jumping for joy like chocolate frog that I'm drunk off butterbeer on Diagon Alley 🔮✨#forbiddenforest #WBTourLondon #harrypotter #HP #diagonalley #london #boomerang #gif #instavideo #instavid #video

A post shared by Amy Lo 🐚 (@amylo92) on Mar 28, 2017 at 1:39pm PDT

4.) Secondly, a night to galavant around the Harry Potter studios while I chomp on canapes and sip on bubbly?

Erm, YES PLEASE. I got invited to the opening of the new forbidden forest at the studios, and despite having 

been before, going after hours with booze somehow seems more mischievous. 

5.) Last, but not least, the third perk was a night to run around Thorpe Park like a bunch of school kids. 

And free beers, which I didn't take full advantage of because I didn't want to embarrass myself on rides!

I haven't been on a rollercoaster in about 10 years, and I used to get my kick out of them, and I'm proud 

to say that after some initial nervous-ness, I still bloody love them (and love to swear on them it seems...)

The Last Thing on my Mind when I went on a Steps night out was that actual @officialsteps would turn up to Stomp all night. Pretty sure I turned a Deeper Shade of Blue from excitement as 8-year-old me was SHOOK 😱💃🏻🌟 @middletonhadley @welovepopclub @lisascottlee1 @fayetozersmith @princessclarabella @ianhwatkins #deepershadeofblue #videocollage #video #collage #nightout #weekend #instavid #steps #90s #london #vsco #vscocam

A post shared by Amy Lo 🐚 (@amylo92) on Mar 12, 2017 at 5:03am PDT

6.) Steps was one my favourite bands growing up, so when they reunited and released a new single that 

was everything I wanted to be and more, I was all over it. 

(Groups looking to have a reunion - THAT'S how it's done. Don't try and be 'relevant'. Don't lose your identity!)

So when me and friend went to a Steps themed night out, expecting an evening of fun and silly dancing,

and lo and behold, the actual band decided to show up!

We were excited to say the least.

7.) On March 22nd, an attack happened in Westminster and people were killed and injured.

I never thought I would see the city that I'm living in, trending on social media as people prayed for us.

My heart was breaking, and this happens all to much all over the world, all the time sadly. 

It's always horrific, always shocking. But when it's happening to London, to your home...

But I couldn't be prouder to be British and live in London. While the media were scaremongering and 

portraying to the rest of the world that we were stopped with few, in actual fact, mere hours after the 

awful event, the Westminster tube stop was open and running again.

Our Shaun of the Dead 'let's go to the Winchester' spirit will never be beaten. 

5 tweets....

1.) Woman next to me on the train has a bottle of wine in handbag, listening to Streisand & whipped out a
cheese toastie. She knows how to LIVE 

2.) Back in the day I would've already started drinking & putting my lashes on for a night out.

Now, I've just cleaned the house & made a tea 

3.) Papa Lo just fed some Pringles cus I've painted my nails and they're still wet. My dad's a babe 

4.) Brother laughed that I have feminist badge on my jacket. C'mon bro, get with the programme, this has 

been the situation for years now! 

5.) It actually felt like spring today! I'm happy as my natural comfy state is in sunnies (which @anna_tabs 

points out is a Mariah statement ) 

3 songs...

1.) Little Mix - Beep Beep

This is just pop-tastic, fantastic. Makes me feel like I'm a Pink Lady in Grease and about to break out 

into a synchronised doo-wop dance routine.

2.) Gavin James - I Don't Know Why

This makes me feel SO excited about summer and when Gavin goes all falsetto to sing the leading lines,

boy does it give me goosepimples.

3.) Sigala - Only One 

If Gavin James' song makes me think of summer in a chilled on the beach, watching the sunset kinda way. 

Then Sigala makes me think of summer in a 'opps, I accidentally got drunk by day-drinking in a beer

garden all day' kind of way. Very mad. Very excitable. Very happy.

It's the golden labrador of songs.

Month by Numbers: Lisbon, love & life

7 favourites...

1.) I’ve been looking forward to July for SO long and for SO many reasons. And while there was a small bump in the road, there were holidays planned, weddings to attend and a relationship to blossom. Simultaneously one of the worst and best months I’ve ever known.

2.) You know that small bump in the road I mentioned? Well, my mum receieved some bad news and although it’s the last thing anyone ever wants to hear about a loved one, it’s the best of a bad situatuation. And do you know what the best thing is? How flipping great my family are. We all love each other so much that without asking we all assembled together like the Power Rangers and were there for my mum – and each other – without a second’s thought. And the thing that has caught me off guard to make me weep like a baby the most, is the support and love and well wished thoughts that people around me in my life have given. From hugs, and deep chats, to flowers and little notes and even just a text. It’s all meant so much and really reiterated to me just what great people I have in my life. Thanks chick-a-dees.

3.) The perfect remedy to being a bit drained from a mad emotional rollercoaster, is a getaway to the colourful city that is Lisbon. I truly fell head over heels in love with the capitol of Portugal, and the people in it. It has everything you could possibly want in one place – rooftop bars with RnB songs to bust your dancemoves over the sparkly skyline, authentic, fresh and amazingly delicious food, palaces and castles aplenty, clear blue water lapping onto the scorching hot beach, and more pretty balconies, brightly coloured building and more jaw-droppingly impressive graffiti than you could shake a stick at.

4.) After what seemed like a lifetime of scrolling on Rightmove and going to viewings of places that weren’t ever quite The One, we finally found a new house to move into, and guys, it’s pretty damn dreamy. We’ve got a garden of luscious green space and everything. AND THE WARDROBE. I can’t even begin to explain to you just HOW fab it is. You can even hop out of my window and sit yourself on the roof and watch the sun set. If that’s not great, then I don’t know what is.

5.) Summer brings out the drinker in me (not that there’s much to bring out to be fair..) It’s the late sunsets, it’s the Pimms, it’s the pub garedens. And when brans like Rekordelig and Stella Artois invite me to their brilliant and boozy events, well, who am I to say no? So in comes the sweet Swedish summertimes of grilled meat and floral feasts, and the wacky, weird and wonderful immersive theatre experiences of being transferred to 1809 Wimbledon, solving crimes with Sherlock Holmes. Yes. I know. It felt as weird typing that as it did for you reading it.

6.) And with these summer months, come the summer nights, like Danny and Sandy sang with all their might in Grease. Summer nights that consist of FINALLY going to see the The Lion King on the West End (I know, criminal for someone whose loved Disney all their life), 1920s bar in old underground stations to surprise your friend who's back from travelling, and a picnic and Pimms date while watching the sun set over the London skyline (yes I know how soppy that sounds, and yes, it was delightful thank you very much.)

7.) One of my closest friends and most beautiful human beings - inside and out - that I know, got married and I honestly felt priviledged to be invited to her and her newly-wed's husband's special day. 3 years ago, these 3 girls and I didn't even know one another, and after this date being on my calender for a year and a half, the big day finally arrived and I couldn't have felt more content, happy and joyous the entire day! We cried (a lot), we cheers-ed, we hugged, we laughed and we were the first and last ones on the dancefloor. Naturally.

5 tweets...

1.) Last night my flatmates went to a party - I declined, started my #OITNB binge, did my nails & eat doughnuts in an empty flat. IT WAS BLISS 🍩

2.) The Pokémon Go app is now more popular in Tinder and that's exactly the kind of world I want to live in ✔️🔥✖️

3.) I miss singing hymns. But as @anna_tabs points out it's not the same if you're not with a congragatio. You're doing Sing Hosanna alone 👼🏻🎶⛪

4.) I'm out in central London with no bra & no make-up on. TMI? Perhaps. Blissfully free? You bet your sweet ass🚫👙💄

5.) BF: 'you look sexy - & I never thought I'd say that about a pair of culottes...' Changing perceptions on fashion💪

3 songs...
1.) M.O - Who Do You Think Of?

Sassy 90s R'n'B throwback anyone? I became obsessed with these girls when the came out with Dance On My Own with an old-school sample of 90s garage, and I'm so psyched that these girls are finally getting the recognition they deserve!

2.) Disclosure - Boss

I love those Disclosure boys and this song is no exception. Over a month on and when this song comes on my shuffle, I still stut along the tube platform like I'm the boss. Yep. That's what this song will do to you guys.

3.) Christine and the Queens - Tilted

Whimsical and good ol' pop at it's best. If this doesn't make you feel you're meandering along the street of Paris with a bouquet of Peonies in your bicycle basket, well, then I don't think we can be friends. Soz. 

Until next time,

A.x

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