September Check List

Inspired by Milk Bubble Tea's blog I thought I would begin a similar monthly goals post. As an organisational freak, I love a good list. Being a recent graduate means there can sometimes be a lot of post-uni blues: job hunting, self-identifying and money desperate times. 

1. Get a job. 

Life has just begun some might say, it is time to begin the steps up the career ladder. So far this has been a hugely, daunting experience. I feel like I have been chucked in the deep end. However, it's time to be brave and apply, apply, apply. 

2. When it doesn't go right go left. 

I can easily get very upset after rejections - a direct consequence of point 1! However, I'm a big believer in the saying 'everything happens for a reason.' I'm going to try and be more positive towards these hurdles and take everything in my stride. 

3. Running Time.

 I have just signed up to run the Brighton half marathon. It takes place in February and I am determined to beat my time of 2 hours 4 mins and complete it under 2 hours. This means a lot training in the winter months. Hello waterproofs, it's time to face the cold and the dark and the rain...

4. Spend less on food. 

Now this is a difficult task for a confessed foodie. I suppose I mean I'll be more economical with food: plan in advance, use the freezer, cook big batches on a weekend. Hello adult life, I'm slowly becoming receipt hoarder. 

5. Plan. 

Whether this be more plans to the theatre, more plans to visit family, I love to have something to look forward too. I'm currently beginning research for a 2016 trip to New York!

6. Be a better blogger. 

I will be strict with myself and blog every other day. This therefore means blog post planning too! 

7. Take more photos. 

I absolutely love my camera and taking photos of my product but I now want to expand my subject. I'm thinking food and my love of London restaurants…it's time to get rid of the social anxiety that overtakes me when I take a photo of my pudding. 

Time for a positive and successful month. 

Read More

Taste of London

Last week was my lucky week as I won tickets to  Taste of London. A festival of food in Regent's Park which celebrates the diversity and creativity of London's restaurants. If you're one of my instagram followers then you'll know I love a good food post. So instead of my nail themed Monday, I thought I'd share with you some of the delicious things I tried out!

Firstly was this bad boy from Kurobuta. A BBQ pork belly in a steamed bun with a spicy peanut sauce.  Throughout the day I kept thinking back to this, it really did set the bar high! 

Annoyingly this was the only photo I took of the next place, Bubbledogs. I have always wanted to try this restaurant on Charlotte Street. The menu is simple: hot dogs and champagne. In my opinion, that's the perfect combination. However, here I tried their Ranch 'Tater Tots' which were some rather snazzy potato croquets. 

If you've dined at Duck and Waffle then this photo is recognisable: Bacon wrapped dated. This photo does not do any justice to this plate of deliciousness. Situated at the top of Heron Tower Duck and Waffle is, without a doubt, one of the coolest restaurants I have been to in London. The menu is so unique.

This Barbecoa pretty pudding is a salted peanut butter Cheesecake with black cherries and sour cherry candy floss. I chose this mainly due to other Instagram posts on the day, it just looked so inviting! But I've never been one to say no to cheesecake. This was good, but I did expect more of a peanuty taste…

HALF TIME. It's time for a classic Sipsmith Gin and Tonic and a rest to digest. 

 I had never heard of Mazi before, but I was certainly all hands up for their Grandma's meatballs with handmade crisps. They were rich tasty meat balls that left me and my boyfriend with a big grin. We just wanted some tomato sauce and spaghetti on the side.

I'm sure a lot of you Londoner's will have heard of MEATliquor. I, however, have never tried the famous burger chain. I know, I hang my head in shame. This is one of their Dead Hippie Sliders. A mustard-fried beef patty, with dead hippie Sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles and onions. Drooling yet?! Whilst it may not be a fancy as the more expensive restaurants, this was definitely one of the tastiest things I ate the whole day. 

Then, my last dish of the day was from Chop Shop. A Roast pulled pork sausage roll with apple ketchup. Mmm, the pork was perfectly cooked. My only criticism was it was too small. 

Now I did just say I had my last dish but what I meant to say was my last savoury dish. I wasn't going to just walk past the Primrose Bakery stand now was I?! I chose one of their malteaser brownies. A lovely sweet treat to end a day of stuffing my face.

Read More

The Bedroom tour

I don't do many lifestyle posts despite my love for reading others. After a recent room decoration and change around I decided experiment with my new camera. As my photography improves I hope to do more similar posts...

 Owl Lamp - Dunelm- Mill

Owl Bookheaders - Laura Ashley (If you couldn't tell I have a thing for owls!)

After I finished senior school I bought a glass frame and board from Hobby Craft and decided to make a big collage of my memories and favourite fashion moments and celebrities. This is one of my favourite things in my room and think it is a great way to display photos. I'm currently in process of collecting items for my new one!

Bird cage lamp - Laura Ashley

Read More

Macbeth review

It is an experience like no other when a theatrical production transports you away from reality, displacing you in an unfamiliar dream-like sensation. Over exaggerative, you say? I say not. Today I went and saw Jamie Lloyd's production of Macbeth and indeed, excuse the use of hyperbole, experienced the performance of a life-time. Although I have to admit, on a vain level, it was Jame's McAvoy's performance that led me to see the production I was truly not disappointed.

Presented in a dystopian, fracture Scottish landscape Shakespeare's Macbeth came into a new light of interpretation. Traditionally, the tragic hero Macbeth is interpreted on a same wave-length as Hamlet: deluded and decaying into a self-conscious layer of madness. However, here we saw a revolutionary performance as the audiences witnessed the blood driven, ambitious and terrifying portrayal of Macbeth. McAvoy, I believe, picks up Macbeth's tortured conscious like no other has done before: creating a futuristic, yet albeit, a realistic and timeless interpretation. Here was a character who was not and immature Hamlet. It was a shell-shocked, troubled and anxiety-ridden soul who was not comfortable but yet seemed to share our own personal issues: How do we deal with our fears and struggles when we know we are in the wrong?

McAvoy brilliantly depicted Macbeth's slow pyschological turmoil; bringing to life and emphasising Shakespeare's haunting soliloquays as he gaged and deluded over the lines. Indeed, 'the dagger of the mind' was enticing and metaphorically powerful.
Moreover, the Scottish setting of the play was, in a peculiar phrase, beautifully presented. Never have the words of Shakespeare has so much power as the actors seemed to sing their lines of conflict and chaos. Shakespeare's haunting language has never seemed to reveal so much prophetic layering.

Clair Foy's portrayal of Lady Macbeth of corse can not escape praise. Her strong depiction as she confidently and almost psychological abused Macbeth to kill Duncan struck a new level. For such a young actress it was deeply interesting to watch a new portray of what is so traditionally perceived as a mature role. Her slow isolation from her husband is outstandingly captured as she too descends into her madness.

Drawn to tears I left Trafalgar studios emotionally drained. Undoubtedly this is a remarkably production; one which doesn't deserve the Guardian's three stars!! Definitely catch this if you can! It is bloody, brutal and undeniably brilliant.

Read More

Borough Market

I may ramble on about makeup and fashion the majority of the time, but one of my other passions is food! Yes, I do indeed love my food (hello fatty!). However, I am actually a fussy eater. Im obsessed with healthy food: by healthy I mean good, organic ingredients in wonderfully, prepared-on-the-day receipes. 

So with now living in London for five months now I finaaaallly took the needed trip to Borough market with my London bred friend Charlotte (check out her blog here). 

The market really was incredible. It was a visual heaven of food!! With produce from all around the world and try before you buy options (yay to my hungry belly!) I really was in a tasting paradise. 

If you are like me and love food and experimental cooking then you seriously need to check out this place. With a range of unique and international produce you will be able to find that scrumptious, impressive ingredient that you need to impress your dinner party friends.

Or, if you just want a quick bite to eat then you be introduced to unique take away experience. But warning, it will take a while to make up your mind!

As you can see I was mighty impressed by my free range chicken wrap with rocket, salsa, mayo and sweet chilli dip...quite a mouthful, I know!

Read More

Company Blogging Forum

Last night Style Scout and I took a little trip to the Company Blogging event. Being used to a boring routine of revision we were perhaps a bit too excited about this trip to Shoreditch! After getting a tad lost, (and annoyed with google maps!) we finally arrived to what can only be described as an exciting evening of fashion blogging inspiration!

The evening consisted of talks from the editor and Company team; sharing their tips and advice about the blogging world! As well as meeting some other bloggers the event was truly encouraging for the blogging newbies. So with my new found skills I promise, or will try to, make a space for folkesthinks in this blogging environment. Watch this space! For more photos and advice from the night check out Company's website.

Read More

Valentino time

Somerset House is currently home to some wonderful sights and exhibitions; conveniently located right next door to my University my lovely friends and I decided to take a trip yesterday to the much  talked-about Valentino exhibition. 'Master of Couture' is a respect to fifty years of Valentino's genius. With 230 dresses on display we were all excited for the treat ahead!

And oh boy were we right!! The Couture Collection is mesmerising. Indeed it was hard not to be in awe of the dresses that were displayed on the mannequins as works of art. It was impossible to not be in awe of the intricacy, hard work and craftsmenship that obviously went behind such fabulous pieces of fashion! What made this more incredible was the layout of the exhibition. The gallery was cleverly set out like a runway, with the spectator beings the models, and the mannequins being the spectators.

It was interesting to note that dresses were not characterised by year or collection but by style and theme. This created an interesting perspective on the development of couture over the fifty years.

Unfortunately we were not able to take pictures. However, I can recommend that you check out this:

And of corse the exhibition (which is £9 for students) which runs until the 3rd March. So if you want to be dazzled and awe struck by fashion then take this insight into Valentino's world!

Read More

Little Black Jacket

Coco Chanel. One of the most influential fashion designers of the twentieth century. When creating the Little Black Jack in 1916 who would have known how iconic, desired and timeless the piece was to become.

With so many women still craving for this luxurious fashion item it was only necessary that some sort of tribute should be made to celebrate the fashion antique. And so the genius that is Karl Largefeld, with help from former French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld, created the wonderful exhibition that is currently gracing the halls of the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea. 

Wall after wall visiters are welcome to drool upon wonderful, classic Chanel black and white photographs of models and actresses all wearing the LBJ.   Taken by Largefeld himself, I was in awe of the beauty and fun that oozed from each picture.

On leaving the Saatchi I too, like the many before me, felt the need to add a LBJ to my wardrobe! But with a free print of one of the photos (for everyone who comes to the exhibition) my bedroom wall is now graced with a bit of classic Chanel, and so I can dream of a future purchase.

Read More

Primrose Bakery

As you know I am obsessed with all things fabulously British and 'vintagey', and so my love for baking and beautiful looking cakes should come as no surprise! Therefore when I realised I lived within walking distance from the Primrose Bakery I went into my far-too-excited mood!!

So, at the weekend I finally ventured in for a famous cupcake an hot chocolate! With a lovely, quirky interior I felt so comfortable and cosy as I tucked into this...

As you can see it was visually delicious and the taste stood up to its look! So for anyone who is in to beautiful cupcakes, or just is looking for somewhere to have an enjoyable sit down and cake then I would recommend the Primrose Bakery!

Read More

Tim Walker Exhibition

Surreal, fantastical and magical are just a few adjectives that one would expect to hear when regarding a Tim Walker photograph. In my opinion, there is no other photographer that has the gift of Walker; being able to transport the viewer to another world. A world of make-believe and beautiful dreams. He achieves this in just one shot, ultimately creating a fairy-tale wonderland landscape. Thus it is ever so appropriate that the name of his new exhibition (featured at Somerset House) is titled 'A Story Teller' and indeed it lives up to its five-star expectations!

For free (yes, free!!) viewers are transported into the fashionably- exquisite world of Walker. From past Vogues and Bazaars we are able to adore over his well known beautiful shots and well known stories.

 Walker captures fashion like no other. He shows the links between fashion and fantasy. A wonderful world which we do not want to leave.  From swan-lake typography, cello-playing bees, to nine feet tall skeletons, the Somerset Gallery comes alive with Walker inspiration. We feel part of his world as we walk through and witness the essence of Walker narrative.

It is an exhibition of escapism. I truly could have spent hours sitting and drooling over these wonderful photographs, wishing to be in the beautiful, world of Walker. Undoubtedly this is why he stands out in the world of photography and thus is taking the photographic world by storm. He is a transporter. A district, recognisable artist. No one does it like Walker, and thus this is a must see exhibition. Whether you are already a Walker fan or not I can guarantee you will be a Walker-fanatic by the end of your journey through his world of fashion fantasy!

Read More

Spa day

I was fortunate enough yesterday to have been kindly treated to a day at the Verbena Spa located at the Feversham Arms Hotel in the picturesque, Yorkshire town of Helmsley. My opinion on the spa you say? WOW. It truly was beaaautiful. My friend Alice and I had full use of the 'heat experience' treatments: steam room, sauna and some sort of room which raised your temperature! These rooms were wonderfully relaxing and I nearly did fall asleep! However, I was soon awake after a chilly experience by ice exfoliation! Suprisingly this left my skin feeling beautifully smooth. Just when I thought I was in relaxation heaven we then made our way outside to try the outdoor pool and hot tub- my favourite!

The photos don't do this outside area justice. With beautiful outdoor deco and a big heated pool this really was luxury!

And of course I couldn't not talk about the food...after twenty lengths I was feeling rather peckish....

I treated myself to something from there tapas menu...tempura battered crab, which was literally was a melt in the mouth sensation, and some mixed olives. Whilst Alice had a ham sandwich with apple chutney, garnished with salad and home-made chips!

The food, like the spa, was beautiful and I would recommend going to the Feversham arms for lunch or dinner if you were visiting Helmsley just for the day.

The day at the spa was perfect; relaxation heaven. I would definitely recommend, if you are in need of a pamper day, to visit! 

Read More