Week by Numbers: culture vulture & pop princess

IT'S OCTOBER HOW ON EARTH DID THAT HAPPEN. While I freak out over how quick time's going, the weeks have just completely bypassed me and before I knew it, it's not a week by numbers anymore, it's just recently by numbers. So without further ado...

7 favourites...

1.) This was my September. It's filled with family reunions, odd exhibitions and confusing feelings about relationships and dating.

2.) Two of my friends from school came down to visit me in London, and they're the first ones to do so, so it was really nice to kinda bring my old home to my new home. Both being rugby fans, we went to the pub to watch England play - and sadly ultimately lose - against Australia. Despite feeling a bit confused at what on earth was going on watching my first ever rugby match, the night completely spiralled out of control from a couple of pints at the pub to tequila shots and dancing to Depeche Mode. And my god, was it glorious.

3.) How did a weekly tv programme about baking become such a vital part of my week? With me and my flatmate making something every week in the theme with the show, the final was worthy of a four-tiered, pinata filled, ombre cake. It lasted a whole week in our flat. It was a monster. I know it's just a show about cakes but it's so not - it unites the whole nation together is such a ridiculous and stereotypically British way and produces wonderful quotes from wonderful people like this:

4.) The words 'Britney Vs. Beyonce night out' is like music to my ears. So when a night out consisted of exactly that, I immediately got my best Britney gear out and was more excited than a kid at Christmas. I was doing body rolls and arm pops in the club like nobody's business - THE CORRS WAS EVEN PLAYED. It felt like a school disco and it was brilliant. 

5.) Recently I made my way to The Strand to see the Louis Vuitton Series 3 exhibition, and it interesting to say the least. Forget your standard views of what you thought exhibitions were like - this had mirrored rooms with flashing lights, catwalks shown in a room full of screens and a live workshop or artisans constructing LV products. Oh, and I think i've got the LV Parisian posing down haven't I?

6.) My mum and dad have been away in Hong Kong for 5 weeks, and even thought I've gone that long without seeing them before, with them not having internet access there, I forget how easy we have it now when it comes to communication. Needless to say I missed them like mad and FaceTimed them as soon as they got home.

7.) I'm on a bit of a hair journey at the moment. Apart from a few regrettable blonde highlights and my on-off fringe that I got cut because of Zooey Deschanel, I've not really been that experimental with my hair. It's pretty much just been long and the same since I was 15, so, I'm having a bit of fun now - and I'm dead excited, like.

3 tweets...

"My flatmate gives stellar love advice: "tell him it's waiting his texts and YOUR time" she says while slipping her shades on. SASS "

"Just woke up to be told I'm 'more of a girl than @JessicaMPlatt will ever be' & shown a video of me drunk singing by @joannaolivia92"

"Am loving the combo of legs out, long autumn coat and sunglasses on right now. This British autumn weather man "

1 outfit... 

top:ASOS, skirt:Girls on Film, shoes:Topshop

So a Britney vs. Beyonce night out is worthy of a Britney-poptastic outfit right? That's why the metallic leather mini skirt was whipped out along with the fluffy heels. Add a sassy side-swept style into the mix and you're set for your school disco girl.

 Oh, and some glitter on your face is always a must.

Stay happy!
Until next time...
A.x

Weekends by Numbers: Bae-hoven, slides & squad goals

So, I've been a bit rubbish with updates and blogging recently because life and work has been so busy and I always feel like I'm having the best time but that it's going about 80mph! And whenever I finally do have a moment of serenity, I end up putting everything at a halt as I catch up on sleep and life-admin. So here's my proposal boys and girls - instead of telling you what I've been doing this week, I'm going to jot down all that's been going on during my jam-packed weekends - Ready? Let's go!

7 favourites...

1.) Just as I was getting used to making plans with friends in July, we've somehow now ventured into August....the 8th month of the year...HOW. Well, before August passes us by in a flash, here's my July, filled with pianos, pedelos and pints.

2.) One of the things I wanted to do more of this year, is spend money on experiences and days out, rather than on materialistic things, and although my ASOS habit hasn't quite been kicked, a lot more live music and weird and wonderful activities have entered my life too, and that's included Citadel festival which my fave bedtime and chill out babe, Ben Howard headlined, which was the perfect relaxing end after jumping around in the blazing heat all day. Throw in some cider, fairground rides and new music that's been discovered and you've got a crackin' day right there my friend.

3.) Another sunny weekend, anoth couple of pints of beer drank - standard. This time 

at Ally Pally at their summer festival, which basically means that there were stalls of yummy food and booze at Alexandra Palace, with fun fair rides and kick-ass singers distributed in between. And that made me super happy. How happy I hear you cry? THIS happy.

I mean - when you've got a hot dog, a pint, and heart sunglasses on, what more could you possibly want in the world?

4.) But if booze in the sunshine isn't your cup of tea (I mean - have you tried it?) then maybe a night at the BBC Proms in a motherflipping box (Yeah, housemates RULE) listening to Beethoven while sipping on bubbly and eating quiche. And since this isn't an everyday occurrence - would you believe it - we got dressed up for the event and no amount of typical British rain was going to put me off wearing this little backless number! 

5.) 'This sounds like a lot of activities Amy, what do you do when you're doing this with your weekends?', asked no-one ever. But one of my my favourite things to do of a lazy Sunday morning is to have a lie-in, crawl out of bed and enjoy a cup of tea while listening to Desert Island Discs while sat by the big ol' window in the living room. Utter. Bliss.

6.) A night out that is filled with Disney songs and musical songs you say? Right, i'm there with bells on it! That's how I spent one Friday night with my BFF, and how do you end such a magical night? By staying up to 4am playing Disney Trivial Pursuit and watching The Lion King obviously. Oh, then spend the next day hungover at Highgate Cemetery and spending 7 hours on a hunt for ice-cream, which ends with a MASSIVE sundae in your belly.

 And this is all done with said BFF, her boyfriend and 3 men that you met about 10 hours ago... Casual. 

7.) One thing - amongst many - that I miss about uni is house parties. Not needing to think about entrance fees and how much you're gonna spend on drinks or time you're gonna sacrifice dancing on the dancefloor because you're queuing up at the bar. Nop. Cus you're at someone's house, with a bottle that you've bought with you, and you can even kick off your heels as soon as your get in. My uni friend Hannah popped to London to attend such a party, and even stayed for a good ol' fashioned sleepover afterwards - n'aww! Unfortunately, I reverted back to my uni days a bit TOO much and ended up in quite a state. So much so that I sprained my ankle and spent the rest of my weekend with a fat ankle covered in bags of frozen veg. Whiskey - 1, Amy - 0.

3 tweets...

"Texted my flatmate with  this morning - is 7am too early for such an emoji combo?"
"Spending the weekend with a bunch of Northerners in London made me realise how much I miss people saying 'Ta love' to me "
 "You know it's gonna be a good day at work when your to-do list includes #GBBO and Spice Girls - YES then!  "

1 outfit...

You know THAT house party night I referred to where it all went Pete Tong? Yeah, well, while I may have looked like a 10/10 hot mess by the end of the night, the start of the night actually started off in a much more modest and monochrome manner.

With a black and white crochet bralet and striped pyjama-like trousers, this outfit was SO out of the realms of my usual ensembles, but I loved it SO much. Someone gimmie all the crochets crop tops please - they're flattering and oh-so-comfy.

Stay happy!

Until next time,

A.x

Week by Numbers: perseverance & magic

7 favourites...

1.)  Ladies and Gentlemen. Boys and Girls. I have some brilliant and exciting news! And no it's not that the Royal baby has been born - although, congrats to Kate & Wills and the new gorgeous princess! No. It's that after nearly a year of interning, uncertainty, literally hundred of cover letters written, endless interviews gone to, and feeling pretty low at points...

 I'VE GOT A MOTHERFLIPPING JOB! 

Like, I'm a legit, proper journalist at a national publication - say whatttt?! I cannot tell you how the sheer joy and relief I feel at the stability and security I now have, and the fact the all the hard work and grief was all worth it. If you stay true to your ambitions and keep plugging away, you'll get there eventually. Am very grateful and just all kinds of happy!

2.) Apart from landing myself a job, here's what the rest of my April looked like - pretty gutted that my bday month is now over tbh, booooo.

3.) Sometimes, wading through floods of people on the tube isn't what you really wanna do with your weekend. So when that happens, and your friend lives a quick 30 min train journey, the sane thing to do is to jump on that train and head for a land of all things green and surrounded by trees. You get welcomed with creamy mushrooms on toasts and the chance to have a big, deep, breathe of fresh air. Bliss.

4.) After being appalled by myself for not having watched all the Harry Potter films when they first came out, I bought the whole series on DVD during my last year of uni, and blasted through them all in one weekend, sat on the edge of my seat. That was it. Hook, line and sinker, I was in love with the world and the characters. So, me and my 2 besties and housemates from uni booked ourselves to go to the Harry Potter studios for a birthday present for each other and OH MY GOD. It was amazing. There's a surprise round every corner and I genuinely felt like a big kid. From being in Diagon Alley to having my mind blown by the props team and the mechanics behind the mythical creatures, it was such a fun day that I feel sad to be back in reality now. Even if I did genuinely get scared by a deatheater...

5.) I always end up having a song on repeat, and at the moment, it's the Oliver Nelson remix of All Cried Out (which I love anyway) by Blonde ft.Alex Newell. When the sun's shining and I'm skipping along the streets of London, it instantly makes me happy and wishing I was sat on a rooftop terrace , with a cocktail in my hand, cherry blossom raining from the sky and the warmth of the sunshine beaming on me. Heavenly.

6.) Don't get put off by the name, but Scrotal Recall, is an amazing series on Netflix. It's heartwarming, witty, oh-so-British and makes your heart feel all warm and smooshy. Think major 'Cold Feet' vibes.

7.) I have a small hoard of small nephews and nieces now, so that means when I usually see my brothers, it's not without the presence of small humans who I love. But midway through this week, my brother was in London for meeting, he treated me to congratulatory cocktails and dinner. It was so nice to chat and catch up as 2 adults with no lego about and feeling shattered from pushing swings all day. Going from teaching me how to ride a bike (unsuccessfully I might add), to sharing after-work drinks together. Siblings rule y'all.

3 thoughts...

"I'm so excited there is a high possibility I may be sick"

"If you don't want to be an asshole, then you have the choice to not be one y'know?"

"Imagine if you're Kate Middleton and the whole world's waiting for you to push a human out of you..."

1 outfit...

We had a couple of heatwave days in April, so I assumed like any normal person would, that the weather was on the rise, and we were entering a solid Spring. Oh, how wrong I was. It's England. Of course good weather being on the cards isn't a certainty. So a striped poloneck it is, but that doesn't mean I can't flash a bit of leg with a midi-skirt, and channel some sunny shades with a lemony-yellow, embroidered skirt. Add lots of black and gold accessories and a seashell bad and hey presto -you've brought spring to yourself!

Stay happy!

Until next time...

A.x

Week by Numbers: Easter, jumpsuits & Toblerones

Bank holidays are great aren't they? Especially Easter - the whole country seems to come to a calm and chocolate induced standstill.

7 favourites...

1.) I've been watching Friends since I was far too young to watch it, but recently I've found myself starting it from the very beginning again, and I still find it as funny now as I did the first time round. It's just perfect to have on while I'm getting ready, or when I've come home from a long day and just need to unwind a la Chandler.

2.) You'll most likely have heard 'Stay High' by Tove Lo (it was everywhere last year y'all). But the swedish songstress has released this beauty of a single and I am 100% hook, line and sinker, OBSESSED. Her sultry vocals, the build-up to the chorus, and the lyrics about intimacy and sex, without it sounding like ANOTHER Jason Derulo song about booty. Winner all round.

3.) What do you do when you're 22-years-old and have lost your pair of heart-shaped sunglasses, even though you've got other pairs of sensible ones? Pop out to Claires and get a hot pink pair of course. How can one survive without resembling the heart-eyed emoji? 😍

4.) Towards the end of the week, I found myself with a free weekend, and made some last-minute impromtu plans with my friend Rosie in Birmingham. I'm a major planner, so impromtu isn't really my thang, but sometimes I think we get so busy with work and other serious stuff, that when we have time off at the weekend, it ends up flying by and we don't fully take advantage of living our actual lives. Hopping on a train is never as much hassle as I think it is - and in this case, it leads to having pie and ale for lunch, and watching movies old-school style with cocktails for dinner. Oh, and we booked loads of exciting plans for the future including a trip to Milan. So, y'know, not a bad weekend.

5.) I've been subscribed to 'Hey Claire' on YouTube for about a year now, but it wasn't until quite recently that I've completely fallen in love and been in awe of her videos. Her editing is insanely good and creative - only she could make a video about her sunglasses collection so entertaining and stand-out so much from all the other generic hauls on YouTube. You need to subscribe to this girl, ASAP.

6.) ORANGE you glad I baked this orange cheesecake? (I'll let myself out..) It's a Hummingbird Bakery recipe, and involved a top layer of orange jelly... I was skeptical but hey, it works. And of course, I cut out a citrus print template and sprayed gold shimmer onto it. Glitter queen and everything you know?

7.) I love Caitlin Moran - I look up to her massively, think she's outrageously hilarious and she makes me think about shit. But for some reason, I hadn't gotten round to watching her series 'Raised by Wolves' until now. And holy crap is it refreshingly real and makes me crease with laughter. Completely different to anything on at the moment, and has so many zinging one-liners that I can't stop quoting.

3 thoughts...

"Not AGAIN - C'MON! That's no way to treat a gal!"

"I'll just play this on repeat. Ju-just ONE more time. Promise..."

"SUNSHINE SUNSHINE SUNSHINEEE"

1 outfit...

jumpsuit:Topshop, necklace:Topshop, shoes:ASOS, messy room:my own fault, please excuse

I went out for with my friends for an early-birthday dinner, and a loose jumpsuit not only makes me seem like I put in loads of effort getting ready and makes me feel more sophisticated than I actually am, but also leaves lots of room for pudding (also kinda makes me feel a bit 80s...) I had to involve lots of double-sided fashion tape in this though to stay away from any Janet Jackson Superbowl sitch. But I'm sure some tropical slingbacks and a long-line necklace down the plunge could distract from any slip-ups,

Stay happy!
Until next time,
A.x

Week by Numbers: dreams, drinks & braids

How is it already March!? Before you know it, we'll be sipping Pimms in beer gardens and getting awkward tan lines.

7 favourites...

1.) This is my visual update/diary/pretentious monthly scrapbook a la Jack Howard for the past month. It's not the most cinematic, deep or has the most meaningful narrative to it, but I like it as a fun snapshot of that month of my life.

2.) I met up with my homegirl Kim at The Breakfast Club - standard - and after guzzling down pulled pork and burgers, she whispered a secret password to the waiter. Before I knew it, I was clutching onto my glass of wine, being whisked through the kitchen and down into a secret bar. Who knew there was a speakeasy so close by! Cue a night of rum and laughing so much that your cheeks hurt. 

3.) I'm an animal lover, and when it comes to dogs and puppies, I lose all sense of adult sensibility. So unsurprisingly, when I stumbled onto the show 'Supervet' on 4od, it bought me out in waves of coo-ing and tears. This genius works some hard-core Iron Man magic. 

4.) I don't ever really do much with my hair, firstly because there's just too much for me to handle, and secondly, I'm just plain lazy. But I tried something new the other day, and I don't know how I ever lived without it! 2 pigtails plaited and pinned up for some serious Scadanavain vibes, and all in a flash. I can feel my look getting chic-er by ever twist of a braid.

5.) My new music obsession is Jack Garratt. If you're into James Blake and The XX kinda vibes, then you'll dig this dude. 

6.) I've been re-reading 'Bridget Jones' Diary' in preparation of a much delayed start of the 3rd installment. What I've gathered is that, a.) I sometimes share the same thoguhts as her, but I'm on the opposite end of the 20s spectrum, so I need to chill the fuck out. And b.), she talks about how she keeps dialling 1471 to see if the person she's dating has called. Oh, if only she knew the trail and tribulations of iMessage time stamps and 'last-seen's on WhatsApp.

7.) A perfect end to the week came in the form of this bag. It was love at first sight, and before I knew it, I was holding it in my arms as I rode the tube home. Hey, if I can't be Ariel due to my lack of fins and hair that slays, then this is the perfect way to channel my inner mermaid on a daily basis.

3 thoughts...

"Omg, what is little ol' me doing sat here....I'm so out of my depth!"

"CALVIN HARRIS LOOKS LIKE WHAT NOW?!"

"Can I justify spending money on a seashell bag? *tries it on and looks in the mirror* Yes. Yes I definitely can."

1 outfit...

I had an interview for basically my dream job the other day. So I went dressed as a smart-n-sassy me, topped off with a metallic blue scrunchie complete with bunny ears, as a sort of 'please-hire-me-i'm-the-perfect-girl-for-the-job!' kind of good luck accesory.

top:ASOS, skirt:ASOS, jacket:Urban Code, bag:Modula, scrunchie:Topshop

KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED BOYS AND GIRLS.

Stay happy!

Until next time,

A.x

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