MONTHLY LOVES: September

September is over, and it's strange to think that this time a month ago I wasn't even back at college yet. Now I've fully started my A-Level courses and I've applied to uni. It's safe to say that the start of A2 has been much more stressful than the beginning of AS; a lot can change in a year. September is never a particularly fun month because the academic year takes a little getting used to and the weather is so temperamental. That said, it's been rather eventful with the 18th birthday of my best friend and my sister moving to Spain, and I have a few monthly loves:

PURCHASES 

While my mum (Mare) and sister (H) were browsing apartments in Spain, my dad and I (Will) spent some quality time playing squash and shopping so that I could pick up some new A/W clothes before the start of college. Side note: how nice are Topshop Meadowhall's new fitting rooms? Very snazzy, however the lighting is still as unflattering as before, unfortunately. Will replaced my grey cropped sweater from last year which he shrunk in the wash, and I picked up a leather skirt with pockets (I am loving the pockets), a checked biker skirt and a pair of flat Chelsea boots, from Topshop. I later found out that I bought the wrong size boots as they were on the wrong hanger, but I'm still wearing them because I don't want to waste the £40.

(Outfit post to come,)

FOOD

This week I tried out the Bakedin mug brownies. I wasn't sure what to expect after years of failed cakes in mugs made from scratch, and I was very pleasantly surprised by how good they were. They took no more than 10 minutes to make (including the 5 mins cooling time); all I had to do was melt some butter in the microwave in the mug then stir in the mixture and a little water. After 45 seconds in the microwave (mine is 1000W so takes less time) they were ready. The little chocolate chunks had melted, the brownie was spongy, and my kitchen was clean, which is extremely rare after I have baked. Actually, it's unheard of. All in all: a pretty good brownie. Not as good as my mum's homemade recipe, and they probably need a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of cream, but it's a fab idea to have a kit in your cupboard for sudden cravings, or to give as a quirky gift.

The box comes with 4 pots of powder brownie mix and easy-to-follow instructions.

Ft. my favourite mug

MUSIC
For the past few months I have been listening to How Deep Is Your Love (Calvin Harris & Disciples - not the Bee Gees), so for once a song I actually know and like has been played on a night out. My song for the summer was also Cool for the Summer and, since cutting my hair cut short, I have been trying to do Demi Lovato-level hair flips in my mirror. It's just that kinda song.

BOOKS
I read it a few months ago, but it deserves a mention, so Funny Girl by Nick Hornby is my book of the month/summer. Set in 1960s London, the novel follows a TV comedy actress, Barbara from Blackpool, as she makes it big. She's an endearing character and I was quick to love her sense of humour and drive for success. I found the sixties setting exciting and I would definitely time-travel to that era if I could, but the difference in attitudes to gender was evident throughout the novel. The constant sexualisation of Barbara and the frequent comments on her looks and body, rather than on her talents, subtly reminds us of how women were treated only 50 years ago. This was my first Hornby so I can't compare it to any of his other books, but if you want a funny, easy read, I would recommend this.

September's reading included Woolf's A Room of One's Own and various works of Franza Kafka. Having never read any Kafka before, I was surprised and intrigued by his, well, just plain strange stories. I can't think of a similar writing style that I have read and his use of symbolism to comment subtly on human nature and societal attitudes in The Metamorphosis was clever and I was quickly drawn in. I was also quickly confused.

Summer is well and truly over, the year has officially begun and this year will not be an easy one but, for now, I think I'll try to come up with a good Halloween costume idea. Time to get thinking.

ANNE, TRAMS AND AMSTERDAM

By the end of summer, I was feeling increasingly suffocated by the house and, taking pity on me, for my AS results/17th birthday(/good luck surviving A-Levels) present, my parents packed me and H off to a city break in Amsterdam. I realise that it has a slightly questionable rep but we went for the history, the museums and nothing illegal, honestly.

The Anne Frank Huis has been on my bucket list for years so, after settling into the hotel and getting a steak the first night, we woke early on our first day to queue. We got a little confused by the grey maze of roads but the architecture along the canal was so pretty it softened the trek and we reached the museum by 9.30am. The line length was a little disheartening but we picked up a bacon sandwich and coffee from a bakery down the street and ate breakfast whilst waiting (which I fully recommend, but remember to check the fine print and see if they put sauce on it if you're a plain bacon kinda person like me). We also met and chatted to a friendly Canadian girl called Chloe who was travelling around Europe, so the 2 hour wait went quickly. Unfortunately there was not a great deal to see inside the house and the queue continued all the way through until the gift shop and exit. However, the museum is an incredible reminder of those lost, and the pictures Anne Frank stuck on her bedroom wall of famous people, just like any teenager does today, showed how innocent and relatable she is. I think it was well worth the wait.

Our next trip was to the Rijksmuseum which holds a famous Rembrandt our mother told us we had to see but H and I found to be, frankly, overrated. Although it was partly blocked by a crowd of onlookers. While looking for the current exhibition, New For Now: The origin of fashion magazines, we found a room of benches scattered with pencils and pens and famous copies of paintings. The wall was covered in postcard-sized interpretations of works in the museum, and H and I decided to rest our feet for half an hour and have a go. After a few trips around the museum and some confused map reading we finally found the exhibition and wandered around, reading the walls and taking pictures (the trip's highlight for both me and Hatts). The pit of my day was missing the Van Gogh earlier on in the Rijks because I wasn't paying attention when we walked through that room. I missed it. Who does that? We didn't have enough time to visit the Van Gogh Museum after either so I was very, very annoyed at myself. But H suggested that we go to the waffle shed in the square across the road and, with a chocolate muffin, all was forgiven.

The next day was SHOPPING. So after some crazy good crepes for breakfast, we walked the few feet it took to reach H&M. H bought a 'garm' (cape/blanket thing) and I got a navy fine-knit jumper for college (well, and general life). The peak of the day was visiting Brandy Melville which, as we were informed by Chloe, was in Amsterdam and we would love. A white shirt, white tee and black t-shirt dress later, I was leaving very happy that I was not in England, where there is no Brandy Melville, as far as I am aware. Taking a tram up to Dam Square for a little more shopping before our train to the airport, I felt very proud that we had managed to navigate the confusing transportation system of Amsterdam. There we had lunch at De Bijenkorf (similar to our Selfridge's/Harvey Nichols) and scoured Pull and Bear, Urban Outfitters, Mango, Forever 21, Pimkie, etc, etc. Let's just say it was a successful trip. And even more successful because I managed to fit it all in my hand luggage (after removing a few items to wear/sweat in in the airport).

The guy at passport control saw my D.O.B. and said "have a good birthday tomorrow" and I was so excited I said "DANK YOU" and skipped off. It was an amazing birthday because Amsterdam was amazing and it was freaking amazing that neither my sister nor I was hit by a car/tram/bicycle while we were there. Forget amazing, it was a miracle.

Check out my vlog of the trip on YouTube:

11 FACTS ABOUT ME + Nominated for the Liebster Award

THE RULES:
1. Post 11 facts about yourself.
2. Answer the 11 questions provided by the person who nominated you and then create an 11 question set for the next group of nominees.
3. Choose 5-11 people with under 200 followers to nominate and link them on the post.
4. Let your nominees know they've been tagged - and no tag backs!



Cue Nick Jonas singing Introducing Me from Camp Rock 2 in my head for the next hour, because I have been nominated for the Liebster Award (thanks to EJ from ejtheblogger.blogspot.co.uk), which gives me an excuse to write another post alllll about me. Which, clearly, the world wants. Fact no.1: some say sarcasm is the lowest form of wit but personally I think it's an art form. 

Let's do this thing.



THE 11 FACTS ABOUT MOI:
1. Please see the introductory paragraph above.
2. Mamma Mia! is my favourite musical, although I haven't seen it live (*tear rolls down cheek*) and an excellent film. Excellent. Well, Colin Firth will do that for any film.
3. On a rainy day, there is nothing like watching an Agatha Christie, under a blanket, with my mum and a bowl of Mr Potato Head soup (Covent Garden's cheese and bacon soup renamed by my sister and I when we were younger).
4. A cup of tea is instantly calming and, although I am in so many ways a perfect fit for the British stereotype, I don't drink English Breakfast or Earl Grey. Sugar, milk, fairy dust, I don't care what you put in it: PG Tips won't beat a cup of Clipper peppermint tea.
5. My favourite book is Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen.
6. My secret life dream is to play Elizabeth Bennet in a film production of Pride and Prejudice. 
7. As a one-off, I binge-watched every single episode of 30 Rock in under 2 months in Summer. 
8. I've also seen every episode of Friends over time, but who hasn't?
9. My favourite song is Roxanne by The Police.
10. I can't rap, but I like to in private or when with very close friends, probably after a certain beverage. 



EJ'S QUESTIONS:
What made you want to start blogging?
I've  loved writing since I was little and after reading blogs for a while I wanted my own url to put memories, thoughts and all that jazz.

What do you like about blogging?
Being able to scroll back through things I've done and clothes I've seen.

Do you think your personality and style is reflected through the way you blog?
I'd like to think so.

How can you see yourself and your blog doing in 5 years?
Possibly floating about somewhere in the blogosphere, but we might be non-existent.

What is one good thing about you?
I agree with the "tidy house, tidy mind" idea.

What is one bad thing about you?
I pay too much attention to little imperfections.

How would you describe yourself in one word?
Seventeen.

If you could change one thing in the world, what would you change?
If I said "world peace", someone would want to stop world hunger. If I said "stop world hunger", someone would want to help abandoned puppies. If I said "help abandoned puppies", someone would want to save the rainforests. Considering this, I will ask for England to get a Brandy Melville. We really need one.

Where is your favorite place on earth?
Home.

If you could meet anyone in the world (from the past or present), who would you meet?
Jane Austen.

If you could go back in time, where and what time would you go to?
18th Century England, to go to a ball and visit Jane Austen (this would also be my ideal episode of Doctor Who if I was a companion).



MY NOMINEES:
carpe-everything.blogspot.co.uk
tresbeau.co/
girlseekinghappiness.blogspot.co.uk
infinitelyfashionate.com
sophiapatelblog.wordpress.com


MY QUESTIONS for you to answer if you feel like it:
1. How old are you?
2. How many languages do you speak?
3. What is your dream career?
4. If you could live in a TV show for a day, which would you choose?
5. Do you have any plans to travel?
6. What is your favourite city?
7. What is your favourite place to shop?
8. Whose celebrity style do you admire the most?
9. What is the one item in your wardrobe you couldn't live without?
10. Insert your favourite quote:

SURFING, SCONES, AND OTHER STORIES

Cornwall is one of my favourite places to visit for many reasons, and this year I avoided falling seagull faeces which I did not manage Polperro 2k13. 1 point to Lydia. The beaches are buzzing in summer and there is always a plentiful supply of scones and pasties; my personal pasty of choice is steak and stilton (why hello there, cheese and carbs). And fresh seafood is always on the menu: crab claws, fish cakes, paella, chilli fried squid, mussels.  I must say, despite my food overload – I’m looking at you, moules marinière – we must have fitted in enough exercise to destroy those calories. This has to be the holiday that has caused the most physical pain.

We arrived on Saturday to a late lunch of baked brie and fresh bread in Port Isaac, where we were staying in a seafront house which was not quite ready for us yet. Tired after a 5 hour car journey in a cramped backseat with my sister, H, and her boyfriend, George (known as ‘G’ or ‘Geo’, as we are too lazy for three extra letters), I had a nap. I was on holiday, I had an excuse. Sunday was a chilled day also, which meant plenty of time to read my latest book: Funny Girl by Nick Hornby (review to come). We made plans to surf the next day and prepared for the physical challenge that would be pulling wetsuits on and off.

Walking to the pub; H and G didn't realise I was taking this

Mary was loving this heart-shaped puddle on the beach







Surfing on Monday was incredibly fun but also incredibly difficult: as soon as we had finished the introduction on the beach and made our way into the water I completely forgot what we’d been taught. Do surfers just get on the board and then surf? I soon found that it is possible, but not likely, after an hour of salty attempts choking on sea water. I was finally on the last wave, kneeling, about to stand up when I saw a guy from college/the ex of one of my friends and, confused, I wiped out. Mascara (and probably snot) down my face, we said hi. Waterproof mascara is not the miracle we are tricked into believing it is; it certainly cannot stand an hour and a half in the surf. I like to think I worked the 'drowned rat' look though.

Still sore from surfing, the next day one genius family member suggested a coastal clifftop walk. It was not only ‘clifftop’ as we went up, down and all around those freaking cliffs. I admit, I was a bit grumpy initially but I was grateful that my glutes were having a better workout than a Davina McCall exercise DVD could give them. All this in the particular type of thin, wet rain which soaks through every item of clothing until you are, officially, a human raisin ready to be thrown into a bowl of muesli. Yes, all rain is wet, but this rain was wet. In order to keep the team moving, Dad and I sang ABBA's ‘Super Trouper’ – complete with dance routine – at the top of a hill to my mum, Mary, struggling at the bottom. It cheered her up, but she laughed so much she nearly wet herself on the side of the cliff, and we didn't need any more water to fall. 4 hours and 5 miles later, we reached a bee centre where I finally had a much needed bacon sandwich. We then limped to the side of the road to pray for a bus to take us back home. We weren’t walking; ain’t nobody got time for that. Mascara down my face again, I saw my friend’s ex again, as we were getting off the bus. How small is this world? It’s big enough for plenty of irony at least.

Navy raincoat (ASOS), cherry red Doc Martens (Office), ft. the castle from Poldark





Casual dinner: sailboat print peplum top (ASOS), high waist mom jeans (ASOS), heeled lace-up sandals (Office)

Chilli fried squid at the Golden Lion in Port Isaac

Moules marinière

After the devastation caused by all that physical activity, the next day was a leisurely trip to the small town of Wadebridge to scour the gift and charity shops for board games and DVDs to take back to the house. I picked up a wooden postcard printed with a photo of some girls on the street in the 60s (#sixtiesstreetstyle) for my wall, and 4 clam shells for £1, to use as tealight holders, from a fish shop. On Thursday, we arrived at the beach to a non-existent surf: 0 waves. Nada. Content, I laid in the beach tent all day with mint choc chip ice-cream and my book.



Tim's Place in Wadebridge for a tea and cake pit stop



Wadebridge finds on my desk at home

Friday, I went for a walk with the 'rents along the headland of Port Gaverne as we were trapped in the village all day with the car in the garage. It was, in Dad's words  as we crossed the rocks on the beach "something the Secret Five would do!" No, the Secret Five is not a Yorkshire gang, I'm pretty sure he meant the Famous Five, however I doubt that the Famous Five would have taken #ootd photos on the rocks mid-adventure. We had a nervous journey the next day, wondering whether the car would make it, but we made it home safe and sound. Now, a couple of weeks later, I have just recovered from my food coma, but seeing Cornwall all over my Instagram timeline, I want to go back.





(I told her to point)



High neck crop top (Topshop), high waist denim shorts (ASOS), white leather converse (Office), tortoiseshell sunglasses (Next)

I told him to pose like it was for Vogue; Will wears Fat Face shorts and Timberland boat shoes



Hopefully see you next year, Cornwall,

 L

The LRD (Little Red Dress)



Red Plunge Neck Satin Dress - Topshop
(photos from Topshop.com)



As any student around summer, when the digits drain from the ATM bank account balance with every lunch, brunch and pair of sandals, I have been attempting to restrain myself in the spending department so that I can get a new A/W wardrobe in time for college in September. The social media fashion feeds have been pouring salt in my wound as, scrolling through my Pinterest feed, I fell in love with Selena Gomez' red Christian Dior mini-dress which she wore to the Rudderless premiere last October. And I was head over heels. Her translucent Manolo Blahnik heels.

Selena Gomez at the
Rudderless premiere, LA
(source: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic)    

Obviously, we are all accustomed to drooling over the latest designer collection, with the realistic view that never will we step into that Elie Saab gown or those Louboutin pumps, however this dress has a high-street dupe. When I discovered Topshop’s strikingly similar satin plunge-neck dress, sat in the college library and scrolling through Topshop’s “NEW IN” section at my desk, I was so excited I immediately asked for someone to take me to a ball in our family group chat. I didn’t get any invites. Although Topshop’s LRD is a little longer, with cross-back straps and what appears in pictures to be a pinker shade of red than Dior’s, the two are very similar in style and it is the closest I have seen the high-street get to a designer dress. Whether for dinner or a graduation celebration, for those of us who are not an acting, singing, ex of Justin Bieber and BFF of T-Swift - Selena Gomez - or Lucy Hale at the 2014 Teen Choice Awards, this Topshop tribute is a good choice. This explains how there are only 5 left in stock. 

Lucy Hale at the
2014 Teen Choice Awards
(source: Steve Granitz/WireImage)

I have not purchased The Dress after a) convincing myself that I cannot and should not buy it due to lack of funds and, b) realising that I do not have an upcoming occasion to wear it. I stayed strong and didn’t even try it on after seeing it in the Topshop concession stand in Selfridges. *sigh* A girl can dream. What do you think of my Topshop alternative?

May your dreams be filled with Dior and Manolo Blahniks,
L









FRAMES, TRAINS AND NETFLIX FEELS

After exams, I was straight off to see H in Exeter, who was at university, as I’d decided to make the most of the opportunity to visit for a few days before she moves to Spain for a year. The weather was amazing, compared to the northern gale I’m used to, and for the first time this year I had the chance to wear my oversized, navy frame Mango sunglasses. Despite the sun, we spent my first afternoon chilling in the Lush Brazened Honey face mask with takeaway pizza and 30 Rock as Hatts was recovering from a sudden flu. After 2 seasons in 4 days, I may be turning into Liz Lemon. But as I like a night in under the duvet, that was possibly my favourite night.

Lush face masks are lush

Well-rested, the next day consisted of brunch with Teagan, H’s friend from uni, at Bill’s (my new favourite place to eat) and shopping. We went into Exeter Cathedral, which had been on my to-do list and visited Vintage Store Exeter, a treasure trove of prints and sequins. I bought a light tea dress, which I expect will be great for summer if this sun continues, and I found a thick, red and white striped t-shirt to introduce some variety to my wardrobe which is primarily navy and white stripe. Let's just say I’m having a moment with stripes. After having watched Pitch Perfect the night before, we saw the sequel at the cinema and I must confess to eating an entire bag of mint matchmakers myself. But any chocolate that says ‘SHARE PACK’ is simply asking to be proved wrong.

Bill's blueberry pancakes with bacon, maple stuff and all that fun fruit

Exeter Cathedral

The next day we caught the train to Topsham where we scoured the charity shops, gift shops and antique store, resulting in a £5.50 denim jacket, a book on modernism and a birthday card for my best friend whose birthday was 3 months away. Once back at H’s I threw on the red and white vintage dress and we went for dinner at Carluccio’s. I don’t know how we do it, but we always seem to find ourselves there with a bowl of pasta, in a long discussion over which pudding to go for. After a tense debate over the bread and butter pudding and salted caramel sundae, I caved in to my wild side and chose the special. I didn’t have my glasses so I couldn’t read the specials board. Luckily, it was a hazelnut ice cream with a molten chocolate core. It’s also lucky that I’m not allergic to nuts.





Quay Antiques Centre, Topsham



I left H on the train platform on the Thursday, because college was starting the next day, and waved as the train drew away. It wasn't an overly emotional departure as we were reuniting the next week after Bristol University open day to bring her back to Yorkshire. I love having her home; it’s just like having another of myself around the house, and who wouldn’t want that? We are frequently having the same thoughts at the same moments but it hasn’t become annoying yet. We'll see how it goes...

The button-down dress from Vintage Store Exeter

L

CATCHING UP: Vogue (strike a pose)

Hello, hello, hello, long time no see, no? Well it’s been a busy few weeks, full of university open days, trips and college essays (I thought it was summer but apparently Lloyd George won’t give a girl a break). I’ve finished my AS year and started A2 but, as I sit in the back of a crowded car with a bag full of books and bikinis, it’s officially summer now. I have The Drums on a loop and we’re gonna go surfing (down, down baby, down by the rollercoaster), so I’m happy. Destination: one of the many ‘Port Somethings’ in Cornwall.

As I have been absent from t’internet for a while, I reckon it’s time to catch up. It’s now July, but other than open days and orthodontist appointments, nothing much has happened in the return to college life. Yes, I loved the universities we visited; no, I am not sharing my favourites. We’ll see whether results day shakes things up first. June has been probably the best month of the year so far; I finished exams on the 4^th, went for a steak sandwich lunch, and I was on the train to Exeter the next Monday.

 

Before that however, in late April, I was tapped on the shoulder at the Patisserie Valerie counter in King’s Cross. H and I were meeting in London for the day to visit  the 2015 Vogue Festival. I had a new white tote from ASOS, my skinny Zara gingham trousers and white leather Converse, so I was practically dressed for the day. After a lunch of calamari at Carluccio’s (where else?), we got lost, then found the foyer which was buzzing with swishing midi skirts and sleek ponytails. After about an hour queuing, H had her hair done by the Kérastase stylists while I watched a styling challenge. During her stop at the salon, Jean Paul Gaultier popped into her mirror, said hello and disappeared. That man is cool. A stop by the Vogue Shop was inevitable and I purchased the notepad and water bottle; needless to say, I feel very college-chic at the hallway water cooler. Other activities were placed around the building, such as the Topshop nail bar and Vogue cover shoot which unfortunately we missed due to lack of time.

 

The Vogue Festival talk we attended was an interview with Jean Paul Gaultier and his muse and friend, Erin O’Connor, whose tall, willowy frame I was instantly jealous of. As they already knew each other well, the pair were funny and comfortable together and the interview felt very honest and intimate. Gaultier’s career began with his designing for his teddy bear and progressed to designing for Madonna (the person he would most have liked to have dressed is the Queen Mother). Gaultier was such a funny and fascinating character and I am so glad that we chose this talk in particular as it was quirky, interesting and I was excited to hear about Erin O'Connor's experience as a model and Gaultier's seemingly rare appreciation for the individual personalities and bodies of models. Hopefully we will go again in a couple of years as I loved the experience but there were a few stations I would have liked to have visited in the foyer.

Cheeky selfie waiting for Jean Paul Gaultier ft, FIJI water photobomb

L