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

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

SUNNIES MAKE THE WORLD GO ROUND

The Wildfox Couture Twiggy Frame Sunwear

THE SUN IS OUT. Or has been going in and out from behind the clouds for a week now. The point is: I’m going to need some sunglasses on standby. At the moment, there is a thick, white blanket of cloud  but it could easily be blue skies for us tomorrow. Oh English weather, why do you do this to us? I have a feeling however, that it will be warm from now on. Time to slip out the sunglasses and slap on the sun cream.

Every year I find a new favourite sunglasses style. Last year it was the cat-eye 

Minkpink Madness Sunglasses

and the year before that it was the John Lennon look. This year I’m going round, like I did a few years ago with my lennon sunnies but with a much chunkier frame this time around. I am in love with Wildfox’s Twiggy Frame. In love. They are so sixties. But I am also not made of money and £168 for a pair of sunglasses, when I have a whole new summer wardrobe in mind, is a bit pricey. Luckily, I have discovered the Minkpink Madness Sunglasses for £26 from ASOS which have the chunky, round frame I’m looking for in sunwear this season - and they're tortoiseshell, bonus. Happy Lydia.

Sunglasses can make or break an outfit. Whether you use them to bring a little je ne sais quoi to an outfit or to hide panda eyes, whenever, wherever you are: sunglasses are the answer.