Month by Numbers: N64, night moves & namaste

7 favourites...

1.) October has basically been intervals os being jam-packed busy with plans, and then being a lazy coach potato. One day i might get the perfect balance instead of going from one extreme to another, but for now, this is what my life looks like.

2.) What better way to spend get over the hump in the middle of the week than go bake the biggest cake you ever did see, and being taught to do so by a past Bake-Off winner. It felt my ateries clogging up with diabetes as I was making the chocolate and sweets covered doubled up monster, but my-god was it worth it. Drinking bubbly and icing chocolate fingers on a cake with your buddy. What a great British evening eh!

3.) For my birthday, my flatmates got this yoga-loving bear a trip to do yoga while overlooking the city of London at the top of the Shard. So at the crack of dawn, I headed out into a crisp and quiet central London and my god, the early morning was more than worth it. I spent an hour just contemplating the big ol' city while stretching every limb. I left feeling refreshed and relaxed - just the R&R this bear needed in the midst of the London hubbub.

4.) Growing up with 2 older brothers meant I was a bit of a game freak. You might not of guessed what with the fluffy lilac bag and sparkly skirts, but throw a Nintendo controller my way and i'm a happy bunny. So a bar where you can play arcade and videos games - old and new - until your heart's content? I'm running there quicker than a a blue shell flying through Mario Kart. And with such a fab place, it was hardly surprising that it was busy and filled to the brim with people having a ball. So when it came to time for me and my friend Thea wanting to play some old school N64, we made some gaming buddies. They scoffed with pity as they offered me the character of Princess Peach and picked 50cc for our benefit. Cue me whopping their asses on Mario Kart and Thea thrashing them on SNES Street Fighter. If that isn't girl power, well, then I don't know what is.

5.) And now onto night out of a completely different calibre. For my gorgeous friend Chez's birthday. I went for the nicest pre-drinks of sushi and Prosecco (come a long way since the days of Apple Sourz and Dominoes!) before heading to Piano Works which was THE most fun! With a live piano band taking centre stage, there's no set list, the crowd hopped up on tequila shots and beer request all the songs and they just kill it each and every single time. Form Outkast and Gangsta's Paradise to All About That Bass and Spice Girls and everyone is just having a ball.

6.) Having a couple of days of holiday left to use up at work, I used up some for a long weekend to go back home for some peace and quiet from the city life. Life and work and all that's in between is so damn tiring - being an adult is tough y'all! So sometimes you just need to go back to your hometown, to your parents and just sleep, be fed and spend afternoons chasing your nephew from a field of pumpkins. Feel like a new woman after that long weekend! That is, until I got back to London and hopped on the tube...

7.) I love a theme so it's unsurprising that I love Halloween. Our house was covered in cobwebs, we were splattering blood (fake, of course) all over my flatmate's wedding dress ("Zombie bride? An ex-wife" - name that film!) After going my fave babe Ariel fora friend's birthday before, i've been desperate to go as Ursula for Halloween and finally did it. There was purple in my face, white in my hair and gin in my tummy. Which I'm pretty sure is why I felt like a poor unfortunate soul the next morning...

5 tweets...

1.) Life as the youngest person in the office: my editor just asked me if I new what a jukebox was

2.) Sat here with my carrots and hummus before sacking that in and cutting myself a fuck-off massive slice of cake
3.) People need to go on more 'mate-dates' cus @delphinechui & I went from social media buddies to IRL friends  #LevelUp 
4.) Just had Diet Coke moment: Hot moving guy came into our female filled office. Tried to be cool, strut by. Fell into a door intstead..
5.) Haven't seen my aunt for a while and she just said 'have you said thank you to your mum & dad for making you so beautiful?...WHAT?!? 

3 songs...

1.) I am a fully-fledged feminist through and through so when H&M released this bomb-dope ad showing what it REALLY means to be a lady, i was all on board. Being a lady doesn’t just mean swanning around mansions and swishing their dresses in fields. They also get on the tube and love to chow down on meals.  Oh, and that babe that is Lion Babe’s cover of a Tom Jones classic encompasses this perfectly. 

2.) Little Mix are one of the only and best girl bands around at the moment. Watching them perform and sing sassy lil’ songs as a something makes me feel the same kind of girl power that  I felt when I was throwing peace signs to Spice Girls in my bedroom. And when it comes to break-up songs, there’s the ones that you just want to sob to as you drown in your bottle of wine, but after that, you need something feisty and this is that. When you need to say to your ex, ‘yeah it’s nice what we had and yeah i was sad for a bit, but i’m so much better than ok now so cheers for that.’

3.) This is just one of those songs that make you want to ditch just plain ol’ walking all together and stut like you own the place. I find a new one of these songs ever so often, but sadly my grounds for strutting around is just the the northern line on the London underground, which usually is accompanied with mice , At lease this song makes it feel more glam than that eh? 

Month by Numbers: Kylie, Kiss-mas & Kicking Back

With December being the festive season of gifts, drinking and eating until you resemble a pig in a blanket, it was a hella hectic month, broken up by a stint of Crimbo limbo where you do nothing but sit on the sofa and only move to grab another chocolate out of the Quality Street tin - and it looked a little something like this...

7 favourites...

1.) When I set myself a goal to document more little bits and moments of my life this time last year, I didn't actually think I'd stick it out for the whole 12 months! (My attention span isn't the best..) But Even if it's just me and my odd cousin who I don't really talk to anymore watches it, I've loved doing it and it's made me see my day-to-day life in a different and more creative way. And it gives me a outlet for all the random bits of clips that I record or save from my Snapchat story - they're not just wasting away on my hard-drive. Here's my December and last mini documentary of 2015: there was lots of family time and lots of festive fairy lights.

2.) I love getting post, and I wish I got more or sent more. Maybe it's because it's the festive season, or cus my friends are just thoughtful munchkins, but I came home from work to find quite the few Christmas cards - from friends at home to friends on the other side of the world - and even a little letter just to say hi. Everytime I saw an envelope with my name on and ripped it open to read what was inside, I was grinning like a Cheshire cat and my heart felt all warm & fuzzy. So maybe this year will be the year I get my pen & paper out...

3.) One of the massive perks of my job is getting tickets to go see something that I might not necessarily have been able to or have thought about going to. And one of occasions is when I got to see the pop princess that is Kylie Minogue perform a one-off Christmas spectacular at the Royal Albert Hall with my bestie. It was one big camp, colourful and carasmatic Christmas party, and I left feeling hysterical, overjoyed and exhausted in equal measures (and with no voice...)

4.) If you know me, I'm all about the activities. Yeah yeah, going for a drink or a coffee is all perfectly well and good, but why would I want to go for a flat white when I can skating on the ice white? And with festivities well and truly in full swing for the festive season, I did everything from skating - roller AND ice - to going to Christmas markets and pop-up versions of Tokyo. 

5.) Budapest was the perfect winter getaway - filled with twinkly lights, beautiful buildings & hot coco that essentially was jut melted chocolate (which was completely necessary in the cold & rain). Sights were seen, wine was drank and many miles were walked. Budapest? You were the Buda-best!

6.) Christmas means home. But not driving home for Christmas a la Chris Rea cus, y'know...trains and shit, but every time I come back home and see my family and catch up with my friends, my heart feels all warm and fuzzy inside. 

7.) And speaking of Christmas, what a Christmas it's been this year. This year, I felt well and truly excited and content at the same time. Food, family and fun is what it's all about, and everything else on top of that is just a brilliant extra. Now I have little niece and nephews running around putting cookies out for Santa and ecstatic for the morning of the 25th, it makes the festive season all that more magical.

5 tweets...

"I've eaten a mince pie every day of December so far - Christmas is off to a 

brilliant start y'all "

"Listening to @britneyspears as I do yoga is making me feel sassy & serene in equal measures "

"Pretty sure at this festive point my blood stream is 70% mulled wine, 20&% gin & 10% glitter "

"Oh man! Dude on the train just sprayed an aftershave that smells just like my ex. Definitely don't miss the ex but god I do miss that scent"

"Today's the first time in about 6 days I've not had red lipstick on. Feels strange "

3 outfits... 

dress:ASOS, skirt:Mango

I spent most of the month looking like some form of wintery ice queen. Whether that's in a sparkly and bejewelled dress to honour the pop princess that is Kylie Minogue when you go see her festive spectacular. Or covered in a wool and shimmering textured mad mess of a skirt with complimenting glittery nails. 

top:Nasty Gal, skirt:Mango, boots:Daisy Street, earrings:New Look

Or you could just go all out with your trusty fluffy and shimmering skirt once again, with a low-cut, flared sleeved top (did someone say ABBA?) Add some equally as fluffy pom-pom earrings and some knee high boots for good measure and BAM! You've got yourself a snow angel. Extra festive points for icy silver hair.

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: 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.

Youtube

I always feel like there's two worlds when you mention the site of Youtube. There are those who use it to watch their favourite artists' videos on Vevo and watch cats and animals being cute and funny. And then there are those who watch all the million other talented stuff that it has to offer.

I definitely fit into the 2nd category.

I have watched vloggers and sketches on Youtube since i can remember, with AmazingPhil and Community Channel being the first people i was subscribed to, and who still remain to be regulars that i love to watch (come back Natalie Tran!)

There is just so much talent out there on the net it's insane, and because the internet is global, there is literally something to tick everyone's box.

I guess this post isn't really anything but to shed a bit of light onto the side of Youtube that some people may bypass, and point out a few of my personal favourites i think you should definitely go check out.

 

I've known people who have discovered a new genre of music they love to death, others who found their perfect foundation or tried a new products from beaut gurus and i felt like some sort of proud mother when AmazingPhil and Danisnotonfire got their own show on Radio 1. I think they are both hilarious and charismatic and their videos are always engaging and have so much thought put into them, from the dialogue to the editing and even the sill roles the sometimes put themselves through. And i just felt like all their hard work paid off and am so glad they are getting more notice.

KickthePJ. He comes up with the most imaginative, bonkers and brilliant things, from sketches about a grandad falling over fruit, to scary clown characters. I also personally love the way he edits, with annotations and lil sound effects that echo back to my childhood, and being a bit a Nintendo geek, this just makes me smile :) A brilliant storyteller.

GunnaRolla. I love the music and humour he creates and think he is incredibly talented. I first stumbled upon him when i saw his song, "Comic Sans" and just thought it was hilarious and so catchy, i was singing it for days!

Crabstickz. Fucking hilarious and crackers. Simple as that. I think his acting is brilliant and that he's very honest about how Youtube has changed. His video of animal impressions cracks me up every time and still remains to be one of my favourite things. ever.

Community Channel. Some of the best sketches that are brilliantly funny and relatable. Beautiful and hysterical, and i hope her and her clone self comes back soon!

Goss Make-up. One of the most honest youtubers I've ever seen and i just think he's brilliant. Gives very simple yet professional and effective tips and tutorials and they're just so well-explained. And a brilliant sense of humour!

Daily Grace. Love her comments and reactions to popular culture, absolutely witty and the catchiest little jungles that get stuck in your head...

OMFGIt'sJack&Dean. Hysterical sketches that are brilliantly written, acted out, and shot. 2 hilarious guys, whose some of their sketches have become things i refer to in daily life..."BALLS DEEP!"

 

Sorted Food. Simple ye effective absolutely yummy and creative recipes. Explained clearly by a team of charismatic and cheeky chappys!

Zoella and Sprinkle of Glitter. Both seem so sweet, funny and friendly, and i just think the make beauty videos so much more entertaining and fun with their personalities shining through.

Benjamin Cook from Nine Brass Monkeys made a series called 'Becoming Youtube' that talked about and looked into a lot of the different aspects and sides of the community and was extremely interesting and well-made and i highly recommend anyone to go watch it. But in particular, the last episode really stood out to me.

I've mentioned before who i want to start Youtube, and in fact, since i joined the site in 2006 to subscribe to channels, I've attempted 5 times, and being too afraid each time to upload what I've recorded or made. I managed to start this blog and talk a load of rubbish that most of you aren't interested in, so how is that any different?  I think it's just different. Talking to a camera and basically letting people not only judge you but also they way you look, speak, act, compared to typing your thoughts down onto a screen. But i have always thought that, with beauty gurus aside, there is a lack of female youtubers. Don;t get me wrong. I love watching beauty videos, and the female youtubers i do watch, i love. But why are the boys dominating Youtube so much? Is it because girls just can't take criticism as well? Or do we get judged by looks more? Or are girls less willing to let other people see when they make a fool out of themselves? Who knows, but there is definitely an imbalance there.

Hopefully, that's about to change and there will be one more girl in the game. If the fear doesn't take over again.

These are just a handful of my favourites, there are a plethora or other people and channels that i love and am subscribed to, but if i went through the whole list, this post would go on forever! 

I really do hope you check out some of these channels and enjoy. I have discovered and love so much that have come out of Youtube, and i hope you do too.

Hope you're all well,

Speak soon,

(promise there will be more fashion-related posts again soon!)

A.x

Knowledge is power...

With the festive season being tucked away back into the dusty attic, normal life has resumed back and I've been chipping away at my dissertation, and although it's a mountain of work, I've been really enjoying it! Is that strange...?

It can only be a good thing and i now understand how important it is to pick a subject that really interests you personally, and i suppose it helps that m topic is about the Disney Princess films and franchise. Reliving my childhood and watching Disney films isn't the worst thing i could be doing for research, let's be honest!

In all seriousness though, i have learnt so much about the history of the movies and the social and cultural connotations are associated with them. 

I honestly do think you learn something new all the time and you can never stop learning. Many people think when you're finished with education, you're done, but there is so much out there that can broaden your knowledge about every aspect of the world. Even just going on Youtube, you discover amazing music in different languages and read about different ways of living from different blogs on the net. There are negative sides to the internet, but in the whole, it is such an amazing tool to explore this big, wide world we exist in.

While I'm reading up, discovering and learning more and more about my topic, i have also been reading a new book i received for Christmas from my brother.

 I was eyeing up this book when it came out and in short, it's a book about has different fonts, why certain ones are used and why people like or dislike certain fonts. I know it might sound a bit geeky (which, to be honest, deep down, i am just a bit of a nerd who loves Nintendo :p), but it is so interesting and has just opened up a whole new world to me.

I also used to take piano lessons, and because i was kind of forced to by my parents, i was being a bratty, typical teenager. Now, i love playing it and wished I'd taken it on further, so I'm hoping to start learning more of the piano now, and along with trying to learn the ukulele from scratch, I'll be like Dick Van Dyke from Mary Poppins anytime now!

It's not just books and instruments though, life provides so many learning experiences. I learnt so much just going to uni, not only through my education there but also because i moved away from home, i learnt social skills, things about myself and just general simple life skills.

Are you guys reading any books at the moment you can recommend me after i finish this book?

Have you guys got any resolutions or aspirations to take up learning a new skill this year?

Hope you're all well,
Speak soon,
A.x