Reading Festival 2015

 

So I've had 4 hours sleep but I now have a severe case of post Reading blues. This was my third time going to Reading for the entire weekend and it was fucking amazing (sorry but the swear word was necessary). Even with the enormous amount of mud and the hell known as the toilets it was honestly a weekend I'll never forget. I just love seeing music live, it's a feeling you just can't beat. I don't know whether anyone is interested but here are the bands and acts I managed to catch:

Friday
Mariachi and the Bronx, Hunter & the Bear, Panic at the Disco, Don Broco, All Time Low, Bastille, Limp Bizkit, Mumford & Sons

Saturday
Nothing But Thieves, Marmozets, Modestep, As It Is, And So I Watch You From Afar, Royal Blood, Everything Everything, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Twin Atlantic, Metallica

Sunday
Black Foxxes, Fort Hope, Ghostpoet, Mooseblood, Mini Mansions, Jack Garrat, Coasts, We Are the Ocean, Manchester Orchestra, Kendrick Lemar, Little Comets, Frank Turner, Refused

So quite a mixture of bands seen and that's what makes Reading so amazing. You can go from seeing a heavy metal band in one tent to a dance act in the next it's celebrates such an eclectic mix which I fully appreciate. Highlights for me, by far Royal Blood were the best act, what an incredible atmosphere. I really didn't want their set to end. Also probably a little bias as they are one of my favourite bands but Twin Atlantic were on point!! Frank Turner was also incredible to see especially acoustic. I'm also chuffed I can finally say I've seen Refused and Limp Bizkit. Discovering new bands is always the best part, Mooseblood I really enjoyed seeing.
In terms of headliners both acts I saw were incredible. Mumford and Sons are my best friend Charlotte's favourite band so it made me think of her. Listening to them just made me so happy. Downloading some songs now. And Metallica well they're Metallica enough said. The set seemed to last an eternity though my feet were giving up half way through and I didn't catch all of them. I didn't see the Libertines as I'm not really bothered about their music but I've heard they were amazing too.

A weekend of music, mud, cider, dancing, singing, glitter and floral crowns galore, what a treat. I now can't wait for the next time I go even though I felt extremely old there and I'm only 21!!

Discovering somewhere new

 

 

 

There's something I find so rewarding when I venture to a new place. One thing I hate about myself is that I don't explore enough. I stick to the same areas and never broaden to where I can go. Watford's great and all but I would quite like to go somewhere new ya know. I guess being limited with hardly any funds and not coming from a family that go on holidays very often I haven't had the chance to see a lot. On the odd occasion, my parents and I go on a day out somewhere usually on the coast so we get to be by the sea. We decided to visit Portsmouth and Southsea as we'd never been there. It was just nice to get away from home really even if it was for a day. It consisted of walking by the sea, checking out the shops in Portsmouth (there was a designer outlet in which I bought nothing aha) and my Dad talking to everyone like he always does. I think it has firmly established that I need a holiday of some kind. I need to get away more and have some time to myself. I tried to look like a 70's boho girl with my outfit for this day, don't think I got that right.

 

So I know I haven't blogged in weeks and I apologise. Life is a little well difficult at the moment. Maybe I'll write about it. But I have missed writing posts and hopefully it'll be regular again soon :)

Dream vs. Reality Festival Fashion

 

Images- Pinterest

 



Festivals in general are my favourite thing about summer. They're everything that I love, live music, people all together and just letting go and forgetting about the stresses that you go through. Festival fashion is such a diverse thing. I thought this post would be quite fun as I've collected photo's from Pinterest of what I would want to wear and look like in my head. Where as in reality you just can't get away with half the things at British festivals. There is no way any of the girls in the photo's above did a whole weekend at a festival. To look that pristine after 3/4 days of camping is just not bloody possible. If it is then what is there secret because I am dieing to know! Reality is everyone get's sweaty, dirty and wet from the rain that is bound to happen at some point. Here's my dream scenario of what I want to where and look like vs. reality:

Dream
*Maxi dresses
*Kimono's
*Fedoras
*Boots
*Perfect beachy waves with head pieces and floral crowns
*Lots of jewellery
*Smelling fresh as a daisy
*Glowing skin

Reality
*Band tee's (not that I'm complaining about that)
*denim, lots of denim
*Waterproof
*Wellies
*Chucking my hair up in a messy bun and wearing a floral crown to hide the fact that dry shampoo doesn't work for me
*Sweaty and dirty skin

Well whatever the case I have way too much planning outfits and can't wait to see what people come up with this year. I'm so excited for Reading now!!

Feeling A Bit Lost

 

I would imagine this is the natural feeling most graduates have when they finish university. Going from knowing exactly what your doing each day and having a ton of work to do to nothing. You suddenly have this thing called free time and can have a moment to think. Third year for me was pretty intense and my stress took it's toll on me. I always moan when I have lots to do but then when I have nothing to do I get so bloody bored. And this is what I'm currently experiencing. I have bagged myself a part time job in a supermarket which I start my training on Thursday which I am so nervous about. All I find myself doing is wondering what's on TV (Jeremy Kyle and Judge Rinder are what I am watching... Yeah judge me cause I'm judging myself), daydreaming about how I would love to write these amazing blog posts with beautiful photos (but in reality I have no one to help me take any pictures) and job searching.
All I'm feeling currently is negative feelings, scared, lonely, worried, anxious I mean I could go on and on. I've always had a sort of structure to what I'm doing. Years and years of school knowing it's your summer holidays and then you start a fresh a new school year in September. Then once sixth form is finished bam here you are heading to university for three years which you think will be ages. But in reality it just flies by. I didn't really take it all in.
I've always said I can't wait to be an adult with my own money, a house etc. But that just seems so far away. Let's hope I start finding the swing of things soon, all I know is I have to escape this house. I need to start taking up walking.
Woo needed to get that off my chest clearly. I'll stop typing now, get a green tea and go listen to some happy tunes.

 

The Netflix Hype

 

As I've had all the free time in the world lately I've discovered the joys of Netflix. I know what you're thinking bit late on the hype Katie. Well yeah that's pretty much the story of my life. I'm not cool enough to be up to date with anything. I've had Netflix for a little while but I've never really truly got into it. Now that has changed as I've discovered some new TV shows and some old seasons that I have loved rewatching. . I now see no better way of spending a lazy weekend/ everyday in my pyjamas, cup of green tea watching the vast amount of programmes available. This is probably due to the fact I'm in a current mood where I want to hide away from the world. Here are some of my current favourites programmes:

American Horror Story Coven
A series about witchcraft need I say any more. But in all seriousness this programme is incredible. Usually I hate any type of gore/ horror ask my mates I am such a wimp. But for some reason I can't get enough of American Horror Story. The acting is amazing, the effects and make up are incredible and the costumes are on point. With this season in particular I love how the witches have been styled I'm about half way through now and there's just so many twists and turns. My question is who is the next supreme??

M & S Summer Beauty Box

So being back home now and sorting through the hideous amount of stuff I've collected over the past three years of university I should be chucking out a load of the mammoth amount of beauty products I seem to have. However my mother gifted me with this impressive summer beauty box from Marks & Spencers which she got free as she spent over a certain amount. For the products she got, it is a cracking deal. I'm yet to try out anything but it has everything for your summer essentials.

Tanning
Apparently its important to have that 'summer glow', even though I know I need some colour in my life I am so bloody lazy when it comes to tanning. I'm all for embracing the pale however this year the sight of my pale legs has embarrassed me slightly. Within the box the tanning products you get are amplify daily gradual tan by Fake Bake and Overnight Tan Sleep Mask Tan Face by James Read. Lets hope they're not too dark, that's my idea of hell.

Sun Protection and Masks
You have to protect your skin from the sun if your on holiday, sunbathing in the garden or simply walking round your local town. But there is the inevitable fact that you probably will turn that awkward burnt shade of pink from time to time, I'm waiting for it to happen to me. Its so awkward walking round and someone says the inevitable you've caught the sun haven't you (oh yeah no kidding like I don't already know that...)The M&S Sun Smart After Sun is the ultimate product to help nourish your skin after catching some rays. Also there is the Ultrasun Face sun protection, which is also anti-ageing. I will probably have to start using anti- ageing products soon so I'll embrace it, but a sun screen for your face, perfection!
To give yourself a bit of indulgence there are a couple of mark products as well. The product I'm most excited to try out is the REN Glycolatic Radiance Renewal Mask. I've heard so many things about REN and from watching Claire Marshall's videos I've always wanted to give it a go. Please give me radiant beautiful looking skin. I'm really intrigued by the Philip Kingsley Swimcap as I never really thought about using a product to protect my scalp. It says its good for colour treated hair which doesn't concern me but still definitely going to try it out.

There are a selection of three Nail varnishes. From left to right:
Plush Pink, Butterfly Wings, I love Juicy
The names of the shades made me gag a little, to me its definitely the names of nail varnishes you'd buy when you were like 10, cringe factor is high. I'm not a massive pink lover but I will no doubt give em go and see how the colours turn out. Again painting my nails is a task I don't do very often as I can't be bothered half the time.

If you get anything from this post it's the fact I am lazy when it comes to beauty rituals... losing dramatic girl points right now.

Red Vibes

 

 

 

Ramones T-shirt- Primark

Denim Jacket- New Look

Shorts- New Look

Sandals- New Look

 

This is a pretty New Look heavy outfit hmmm. It's been ages since I've done a proper outfit post but I felt like I wanted to share this one. Anyone that knows me is aware of how often I wear Ramones T-shirts and yes I do listen to them. The Ramones are one of my favourite bands. I guess I kind of collect their t-shirts and this one is the classic design. But the main focal point of this outfit is my red shorts. They just scream festival vibes to me with the pom poms and pattern on them. I love them and they're comfy too so it's just a bonus. Also they are great to just lounge about in at home. The denim jacket is a staple for me during summer, I am living in this one. I love the wash of this jacket and it has a little bit of distressing. My shoes I bought last year and now they are stating to become comfy. I've persisted with them as I think they are too pretty  to not wear (great logic by me as always).  

Being back at home after uni unemployed is a tad frustrating. I've managed to get a small costume making job but I need something regular really. I had a pretty fun week though. I got to see one of my uni friends Sade and we went to see the band Nothing But Thieves. Live they are amazing, check them out if you haven't.