Weekend Away With The Girls

I'm a little bit of a dreamer, I always have these ideas I want to do but talk myself out of it. I am on a mission to go away on more little trips as I'm such a hermit and spend so much time at home. Last September I mentioned to my girl friends that I really wanted to do a weekend away, stay somewhere like a cabin and be a bit boujee by finding somewhere with a hot. They are like the in thing right now and Instagram just makes them look pretty. We don't all live around the same area and being adults and all we barely get time when the six of us can hang out. Its not like when we were back in school and could hang out most of the time. So we all decided that we'd free a weekend in our diaries and go somewhere for a little reunion. Towards the end of last year I was feeling extremely lonely and like I'd lost contact with everyone. So I really do value the time I get to spend with the people I care about. We of course always had so much to talk about and bought a large supply of Prosecco (or beer for Ania).

Turning 23...

So on the 8th of April I turned 23 and it's dawned on me that soon I will be in my mid twenties. I feel like it was only yesterday that I was celebrating turning 18! Seriously where had those five years gone. What exactly are you meant to do when you're 23, its kind of a boring age. People keep mentioning that soon you will be getting married and the whole kids thing but why is there such a rush to be grown up. I'm scared as I feel like I'm at an age now where I should get my shit together and actually know what I'm doing. I'm partially getting my life back on track as I've now gone full time at my internship so I've left the retail world finally. Although things are testing me slightly, i.e my car got a cracked windscreen and lost a hubcap in the same week. That's my luck really! Plus April is a bloody busy month for me, so many birthdays to deal with I am broke.

I didn't do anything wild for my birthday hence why no photos were taken, but we had fantastic weather for once and i wasn't working on my actual birthday which was a bonus. I spent the day relaxing with my family and then Ben and I went for dinner at TGI's and both treated ourselves to a drink as it's rare that we get to do that.


Yeah this one was a bit of a random post but I guess it was a catch up, it's nice to just type about life. I hope everyone had a lovely Easter and enjoyed the four day weekend.

Hello 2017...

Well first off Happy New Year, so so late I know. I hope everyone had a great evening indulging in a few drinks and dancing the night away (or if you're me having a glass of prosecco and then going to bed as you had work the next morning boo!). Now I won't lie New Years is my least favourite time of the year, probably because I love the build up to Christmas and now its over. I'm not a huge fan of New Years Resolutions but it is a time when you reflect on what you want to achieve so I thought  would write some new goals. Also I've been stuck in bed with the flu over the last few days so it's been a cracking start to the year already...

1. Find my passion for things again

Over the last few months I've kinda lost my way in life in general. I've had a lot of days where I haven't even wanted to get out of my bed and I've never experienced that before. I just have had no desire to do anything (well apart from cuddle with my boyfriend all of the time, cringe!) but it's time to focus on changing that. I guess being stuck in a job that lets face it depresses me and not being able to find work in costume making has got me down. But I've managed to bag a little paid internship so that is a start. And in terms of costume making I'm just going to make stuff for fun, I miss sewing and creating so much!

2. Post on this damn blog

The amount of posts on here has dwindled and the reason for it... I honestly couldn't tell you why. I think part of the reason is not being happy within myself. I need to gain more self love in order to do more posts I want to like outfit posts. But I'm gonna write a bunch of ideas and I'll hopefully get back to posting lots soon.

3.Travel more

Last year I got to go on two holidays which is insane. For most people they'd be like why is that exciting but I hadn't been away in years and really did appreciate the breaks away. After visiting Venice with my boyfriend Ben and experiencing a whole new culture we are dieing to go travelling. There are so many places we want to travel to and we are heading on a little holiday soon to Lanzarote which I am very excited about!

4. Make Healthier choices 

I've written it many times on here... I lost weight I've gained it all again so hating myself big time right now. I guess food is unfortunately a comfort for me and I like eating. So I would like to exercise and find a way to enjoy it again and get a buzz from it. But mainly discover what healthy eating is again. Seriously before I went to university I was so healthy and my willpower was on point, now I'm terrible and always wanting chocolate... help!

5. Reach out more to friends

I've lost contact and been terrible at seeing my friends recently so I'd really like to make more of an effort. I've been slowly introducing my boyfriend into my friendship group which is exciting as I never thought I would have the opportunity to do that. But yeah I need to have more chats and I miss a lot of people. 

Well lets see what 2017 has to offer then shall we...

Venice 2016

 

For years I've been jealous of reading about what felt like everyone in the world going on holiday except me. I've been to a few places but there are those places where you've dreamt of going to and I have a pretty long list. But one place in particular I've wanted to go for years is Venice in Italy, and well a couple of weeks ago that dream came true. It's taken me ages to edit the photos so apologies this is a little late.
The whole holiday itself was a bit of a dream as I went on holiday with my boyfriend Ben which also is something I thought I would never say. And Venice is an extremely romantic place so it was a rather lovely place to go to on our first holiday together. And plus I loved being able to spend a few days together just the two of us as work makes it tricky to see each other a lot of the time.

 

 

A Seaside Pirate Adventure

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its rare that I get to go away but after going abroad last month and going for a weekend away I am fully now on a mission to make more time for myself and get away. I think everyone needs a break from everyday life. This past weekend I went down to Hastings with my family to have a weekend away. Each summer they have a day in July called Pirate day and everyone goes to town. Last year I missed out as it was my first shift at my supermarket job (yes I've been there a year already...).
I'm a massive fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean films and anything with a skull on so it was safe to say I was in my element. My whole family got involved dressing up and everyone in the town wore an array of costumes. Some of them were incredible, yeah my costume nerd side came up. Definitely have some inspiration to make some Pirate outfits now. To have time with my family was really nice, life is so busy so its quite uncommon for us to all get together. And with my nephew being the happy, full of life baby that he is made it a lot more special. Everything was Pirate themed, pubs were full, music blaring and the pier had a treasure hunt for all of the family.
And um I met Captain Jack Sparrow, okay maybe he wasn't exactly Johnny Depp but the resemblance was crazy.
I just love being by the seaside, I don't think it'll ever lose its charm. The air is fresher and everything just seems a lot happier there. And the weather for once was amazing. I need another weekend away soon.

Where Have I Been...

Hello, yes I do still exist haha. I didn't post for the month of May, that wasn't intentional but it just didn't happen. I think I've realised how much I want to create content I feel proud of and some of the stuff I posted recently I'm not completely satisfied with. I'd rather post nothing then post something that is crap. I've updated my Instagram (hence the collage above) with my usual selfies, things I've bought and photos of days out.
Life's been a bit well weird. Job wise I'm still in my retail shop job. My confidence in applying for jobs has just gone lately so I've been so lazy. However in my head its time to move on so I need to man up and do it. Speaking of manning up, I've managed to bag myself a new boyfriend (wtf). So yeah that's us in the top right we had a day trip to London yesterday and it was lovely. The weather was dull and rainy all day of course but it didn't spoil anything. And we even went on the London Eye, something I've wanted to do for ages. It took me months to pluck up the courage to talk to him at work but finally did it. And somehow that developed into dates and now a relationship. I do get quite scared to post stuff about it like pictures as it's still really new but I haven't been this happy in a long time. And it feels really nice. I'll stop with the cheesiness now. Also I go on holiday in just over a week and I cannot wait. Lots of photos will be taken and hopefully a few posts as well.
Hope your all doing well, oh and apparently in the UK its now officially summer. Maybe someone should tell the weather that.

A Day At The Zoo

 

Its rare that my family and I go on days out. We don't really spend that much time together. Yesterday my nephew Alfie somehow turned 1, I literally don't know how it's been a year since he's born. It's crazy. So to celebrate we went to Whipsnade Zoo. So I thought I'd do a little bit of a photo diary. The elephants were by far my favourite, but they had a massive fence in front of them so couldn't get any decent photo's.
Also yesterday evening I went to see Nothing But Thieves in Kentish Town. So all in all I had a pretty decent day!

Enter Shikari- Alexandra Palace 27.02.16

 

 

Pictures are from the Rocksound website- http://www.rocksound.tv/photos/view/17-photos-of-enter-shikaris-huge-huge-london-show

My god this was special, like seriously mind blowing. If you know me, then you know that I literally love Enter Shikari, they're undoubtedly my favourite band around right now, perhaps even ever. I was late discovering them compared to a lot of other people but I think I've made up for lost time. Last night I saw them for the eighth time (and counting) and at one of the most beautiful venues Alexandra Palace in London. If you've never been well it is a thing of beauty that can hold a capacity of 10,000 people that's right 10,000!!

For a band that aren't signed to a record label and do things completely independently to play in a venue like that is a bloody amazing achievement. I had been excited for weeks leading up to it as I hadn't seen them live in about a year and a half and couldn't wait to see them play in such a big place.

The set was awesome starting off with Solidarity and of course the song everyone goes crazy over Sorry Not A Winner. On the train down to the venue I said to my friend that I'd always wanted to see them play the song No Sleep Tonight as they never had and that was the first song I listened to by them and fell in love with. Also playing tacks from their newest album mixed with some older classics from Common Dreads it was the perfect eclectic mix they pull off so well.
And what happened, they included that in the set. Mixed in with surround sound speakers which echoed throughout the place, lots of amazing lights and a screen with incredible visuals as a background. It was literally a thing of beauty I felt like I was transported into a dream it was that good.

One highlight for me was the singer Rou (lyrical genius, damn right legend and most attractive man to come out of Hertfordshire... in my opinion) play the piano and do a trumpet solo on a platform in the middle of the crowd. Then go onto do a piano version of Juggernauts. I can only imagine the adrenaline he got singing to that many people surrounding him.

I'll never probably have a bad word to say about them but I do honestly believe they are one of the greatest bands to see live. There music isn't everyone's cup of tea but I can say that even if you aren't a fan of them if you witnessed the show last night you would have been damn right impressed. This was summed up by the fact that everyone around me and myself all had the same expression on our faces, utter amazement.

Shikari you've somehow outdone yourselves again, thank you for the best gig I've ever experienced.

*Idiotic me forgot to bring my camera and my phone couldn't deal with the lighting so I've used some pictures from the rock sound website. Wish I had the skills to take photo's like this!

Things I loved In January

In all seriousness we've already finished a month of 2016!?! Time seems to be going faster and faster as I get older! I thought I would do a favourites post as I've rediscovered some new and old items that I've been loving over January (A month in which again I've been terrible  at posting yet again).

 

Netflix I have rediscovered, I now use it daily. I probably am one of the worst people when it comes to seeing the latest films or TV series, there's always so many things I want to watch but I just never get round to it. Pretty Little Liars was a series I started watching back in the summer of last year but I got a bit lost. I think it's cause there are so so many episodes in one series that it got a bit like okay am I ever going to make it to season 3. But I cannot recommend enough after starting to rewatch it. The girls are gorgeous, the guys are gorgeous, there's so many twists and now its getting more gritty. Lucy Hale is officially my new girl crush.

I've been really into trying to perfect a skincare routine this month and bought a product everyone has been raving about and for good reason. I never really used a toner but now the Pixi Glow Tonic is part of my daily routine both in the morning and evening. It just seems to make my skin appear brighter and it feels tingly on my face but not in a worrying way. I just feel like its working wonders on my dull dry skin face I'm experiencing lately. But trust me I have  a lot to learn abut skincare and I should have started this much sooner. Teaming it with the Vitamin E sink in moisture mask from the Body Shop its been working wonders.

If I could marry a pair of shoes then my Navy suede boots would be in the running. These beauties I got for Christmas from New Look I immediately fell in love with and I adore. It's got to the point where I get a mark on them I panic and start frantically wiping them. And when you're walking through the streets of London there bound to get a bit of dirt on them. The rich navy teamed with the suede is just a match made in heaven.


I went a little crazy with make up purchases last month, guess I was making up for slacking over the last couple of months. The best item I picked up was the False Lash Sculpt mascara from L'Oreal. I only picked this up because it was on a special offer as it was a new product and honestly its amazing. It doesn't make my lashes look clumpy and gives them so much length. I love wearing it as an everyday mascara as it's not too dramatic but still shows a difference in my lashes.

 For Christmas I got a couple of DVD's and the one I have been loving is The Duff. In a way its a bit of stupid teenage school usual rom com but I do love those types of films. It's silly but I love it for that reason, so unbelievable that it's brilliant. And in a way I relate to the main character, always feeling a bit like the ugly duckling in your friendship group. I saw it at the cinema and it made me laugh so much. This may be the perfect film for fellow single ladies to watch on Valentines day tucked up in bed with a shit load of chocolate (definitely my plan once I finish work).

 And finally I couldn't leave out some music. I was so late to the party getting Automatic by Don Broco but I literally haven't stopped playing it since I got it for Christmas. So much funk but then heavy riffs I mean it's impossible not to enjoy. I'm always amazed how the drummer can sing so high, but I honestly love it. It's an album that definitely puts a smile on my face if I've had a terrible day. I think my favourite songs from the album are Nerve and Money Power Fame which I've loved since it was released as a single. Check out Don Broco if you haven't before, their music is always featured on Made In Chelsea.

Time for a new start

Well here we are, another year has come and gone we're somehow now in 2016. I reached probably the darkest place I've been in a while at the end of 2015 (I've spoke about it in my last post so I won't dwell too much on it again..). I don't really like the bullshit new year new me that's bombarded all over Facebook, Twitter, basically every social media platform. But this year I am sort of joining the hype. I don't need a new year for me to change, it just so happens that new year has come at a point where I do need to make some changes.

Breaking up from my first relationship has knocked my confidence hugely. I worried before that there was no one out there who would ever want me.To finally find someone and then for that to just drastically stop after a month has just made me doubt a lot of things. I guess I've just dwelled on why I couldn't make another human being happy. But hey ho as I keep getting told plenty more fish in the sea and all that.
My weight has fluctuated over the last year and its making me so unhappy. Well I'm changing that, I have to so I can hopefully start to feel good about myself again. I've firmly established I will never 100% love myself as that's not how my mind works. But if I can increase the self confidence only slightly I'll feel a whole lot better. But I think mainly I just need to stop, dare I say giving a fuck what people think. I've learnt that you'll never please everyone and there will be people that simply don't like you.

Everyone has a different story. Mine took a negative twist currently, but I plan to create some happy memories in 2016. I hope to thrive upon new opportunities which I hope involve a full time job that gets me out of the retail hell I'm currently stuck in. I want to travel more, I need that thing what's it called.. oh yeah a holiday! I haven't been on holiday in years so to get away would be simply amazing and it's going to happen. Also to get what is an actual social life and go on more nights out, I don't even know what a night out is anymore.

Let's see what the next 365 days has in store for us then shall we :)

Fall/Autumn Wedding Inspiration

Recently I came across The Black Tux, a tuxedo rental company, and decided to come up with some inspiration for an Autumn/Fall wedding.

Being my favourite season by far I jumped at the chance as if I were to get married I would want it to be around this time so I felt it'd be interesting to see which direction I would take it. I'm a long way off from getting married but it's fun to think about it and what I would like. Come on girls we all think about it a little bit...

I think my choices are kind of obvious but the leaves really are the main inspiration for this beautiful time period.  I picture a very rustic and warm feel to it, even with the terrible weather we experience in England. Plus I live with a very busy lifestyle of travelling to London a lot so I think it would be nice to escape to a more chilled rustic atmosphere for the day then the suburban hell we face most days.

The Holden Outfit

 

I had to start with what the bride and groom would wear as it's the main focal point. I don't know what it is about a navy suit but I just fall in love with them constantly. I picked the Holden Outfit from Black Tux as I think it just looks very polished with the hint of edginess I love. The rich navy with black accents and crisp white shirt. Match made in heaven! The perfect thing about this is you can rent the whole outfit from Black Tux including the details like the shoes and cufflinks you literally don't have to worry about buying the extras.

 

 

Now for the bride immediately I thought about lace and sleeves. They're are both things I've always envisioned myself wearing but for Autumn particularly in England I just think you need a sleeve for practicality as it will be freezing. It also fits with the gothic Victorian lace trend that being seen in many high street stores. This dress is just gorgeous!

 

Burgundy, Oxblood, Berry whatever you want to call it seems to be everywhere and in particular featured a lot this year. Therefore it was the obvious colour scheme choice for me as I am lusting after anything in this shade currently. It's such a rich and sophisticated colour and just adds that vampy edge to everything. They are all traits I like to portray in my style choices and I would definitely want them shown on a wedding day. Plus I think it is a shade that suits all skin tones so would be perfect for bridesmaids. I think the key with this colour is to keep everything else pretty simple seen with floral arrangements this colour is the focal point keep everything else neutral like with the boquet above.

Check out the Black Tux website here

All images sourced from Pinterest unless stated otherwise