Thursday, 6 April 2017

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.
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...)

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.

Sunday, 12 March 2017

Holographic happenings through February

What that I see? A hint of spring trying to peek through?! 
So I'm trying to lure out the sunshine and warmth with florals - groundbreaking, I know - but when they're in the form of a choker or on a background of a metallic silver leather jacket, it's hard not to strut into a new season feeling like a rockstar.
If a David Bowie-esque jacket wasn't enough, then shimmery culottes, a metallic pink mini skirt or Dolly Parton worthy glittery boots should do the trick.
And nothing goes better with a holographic palette than a sassy slogan. U ok hun? Well, everything is more than OK when there's a slogan tshirt in town. 
Espeically if that slogan tshirt is for an amazing cause supporting Breast Cancer Haven AND it quotes Fergie. What else do you need?
But why go subtle with a slogan tee when you can go the full-hog with a Space Jam basketball jersey. Gotta support my homegirl Lola Bunny y'all.
My girly heart can not get over this uber-cute and uber-glitzy heart shaped choker. Real Marie from Aristocats vibes going on here.
But it's not always pink clouds and fluffy unicorns round these parts. Especially when there's crimped hair and dark lipstick to be worn.
At the end of the day though, you can't go wrong with old faithful. Red lippy, you've never done me wrong girl. 


Until next time,
A.x

Monday, 6 March 2017

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?!