Alice in Wonderland at Tate Liverpool

Although I'm currently reading English ("books. You read english... books" I always think of that An Education joke) at university in Liverpool, I studied Art until A Level and I still can't resist a gallery every once in a while.

The Tate Liverpool has had its Alice in Wonderland exhibition since November but a lethal combination of essays, exams (one left!), and going home for Christmas has meant I haven't been able to go... until yesterday. I know, a blogger~ liking Alice in Wonderland is hardly surprising, but knowing there would be some Pre-Raphaelite works there (Rossetti! Hunt! Millais!) gave me a more substantial need to visit and part with £5.40 (Worth. It. It's a massive exhibition too). I thought you might like to see the sketches I did while I was there (Millais, Penrose, and Rackham. Further proof I still can't draw hands. Click through to see it bigger, if you fancy), and a photo of me taken last term standing on the kitchen surface and "proving" I'm tall by touching the ceiling. Maybe it was something labelled "drink me".

And in regards to the Coachella stuff I wrote in my last post, I was going to go, but my friend pulled out due to an internship and I didn't fancy going all that way with people I don't know so well. Thank you for letting me know about your experiences though! To compensate, I've been spending too much time window shopping on the Mulberry website and dreaming of Paris next year.

xxx

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Coachella Dreaming

Jumper; £1.50; charity shop. Skirt; £15; American Apparel via ebay. Shoes; £60; Topshop. Necklace; gift. Watch; gift.

Got a bit lost (a.k.a. got distracted listening to Bowie) when on the way to find my usual spot to take photos, but serendipitously came across this place. Hooray for mistakes! Not so hot on the facial expressions, but you can't have everything.

But yes, important stuff, I'm sure you'll all seen the Coachella 2012 line-up by now, like I did just as I was about to go to sleep last night, keeping me up till silly hours fangirling. (Yeah, I apologise if you follow me on twitter.) I just want to know if any of you have ever been? Or even have just been to America? Might be a bit optimistic, but you know, fingers crossed...

xxx

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This is for girls who dress like awkward boys

Jumper; £12; Primark. Dress; £20; H&M. Boots; £60; Topshop. Necklace; Gift. Rings; vintage/Topshop. Watch; Rotary (gift).

2012 is here! Currently watching the Come Dine With Me: Made in Chelsea special - so much love for Caggie and Binky - proof alone that my taste in TV hasn't improved one jot. For NYE I went to a house party (there was a pool, Michael Barrymore was mentioned many times) and I sincerely doubt any photos will make it here, but I had heaps of fun and little sleep (yet again, no change from last year).

So, what has changed? Well, my hair for starters. Not quite the "Mahogany Brown" advertised but it's pretty cool, if I do say so myself. Outdoor photos at home, much to the bemusement of my mother (Who took the photos? Where did you go? Just why did you do that??).

Other than that, I really can't think of anything else. I'm still the one that turns up to a party with at least three cameras and I spent today breaking up one of the wooden stirrers in Starbucks. Living the dream.

xxx

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..___ _____ .____ .____

1. Skulking round Bloomsbury, February. 

2. Regressing in the Raz's toilets, March. 

3. Well..., June. 

4. L'Oréal advert in Hooga, August. 

5. Oh, memories!, August. 

6. Discovering it's 85p for a single to Stratford from Hampstead Heath, September. 

7. With Sian, Char, Hayley, Eloise, Michelle and Emma at the Brimingham Christmas markets, November. 

8. End of film madness with Josh and Amy at our old school's reunion dinner, December.

You know people make YouTube videos of all the stuff they bought that week and call it a "haul"? Well, this is my haul of 2011, so sorry for the massive overload of photos, but it was so, so difficult to narrow it down to these eight.
I've written about ten drafts of text to accompany this post, yet everything I write is so sentimental that it ends up sounding insincere. So, in its simplest form, I'd just like to thank everyone who reads whatever rubbish I write here. It truly does mean a lot to read through comments, have ridiculous conversations on Twitter, and even meet up with you lovely lot. I hope you all have a fantastic NYE, can't wait to read all about it!
My resolutions for 2011 were to "stop acting like a dick and wear more glitter", might have to carry those ones over to 2012...


xxx


ps, pixel cookie for whoever can work out what the title of this post means.

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Crackers.

Hi gratuitous photo of my face. But it's Christmas, so there's my feeble excuse. Loving life in my cracker hat (I won a mini photo frame) and with my new mug. Everyone's got to receive a novelty mug at Christmas. This one's from M&S and, according to the label, holds "a gentlemanly cup of tea". Danielle's mum made these cupcakes - how cool is the penguin?? - so this can be added to the long list of things I've eaten today (the "it's Christmas" excuse comes into play again).
Going to head back downstairs to watch the Strictly Come Dancing special with my mum as there's something christmassy in essence about Anton du Beke's face.


Merry Christmas!


xxx

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XX

Since getting home on Thursday I've been freezing among good company. Lots of catching up to do being done over food and drink, breathing out ice and watching it glitter in the wintry sun. Tomorrow I'm meeting up with Jazzy (you should go and enter her giveaway!) for more of the aforementioned food and drink, then I'm off to see The Waxwork (again. jeeze.) for a setlist which features Peanut Butter Wolf (who apparently is a real person).

This is what I received from family and friends (and myself!) for my birthday. This is by no means a "look what I've got and you haven't" kind of post, more of an "I'm currently sitting under a duvet in my PJs after getting in at 7 and you really don't want to see my face" one.

Cath Kidston weekend bag from my brother. Coco Chanel edp, lipstick, and mirror from my mum. Blue bead necklace from Beth. Alice in Wonderland necklace from Amy. Aubin and Wills stripe tee from myself(!). Watch chain from Sabby.

xxx

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Raz Juice

Dress (worn as top); M&S. Skirt; £15; American Apparel via ebay. Cardigan; £63; Carven via sample sale. Belt; 20p; M&S via charity shop. Boots; £60; Topshop. Necklaces; gifts, etc.

It's so odd to leave my lectures and wish people a Merry Christmas, is it just me who finds the festive season has crept up on them? Regardless, with my final tut on "Jude the Obscure" finished, I can now say I'm halfway through my degree. Woah. To celebrate the end of term I went with some of my course mates to the Raz (read this to whet your appetite). Thankfully you can't see it in these photos, but it's quite obvious I haven't had time to clean my shoes since. (Or sleep either, can you see those bags?! Damn you dubstep boy on the floor above, must you really listen to it till six every morning??)

I'm getting the train home in about two hours, so by my side there is a suitcase of quarter gifts, quarter clothes, and half books (essay and exams to treat myself when I come back in January - hooray!).

xxx

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The Belles of Belsize

What I call my "Heart of Glass" raglan; £27; Illustrated People for Topshop. Skirt which I always wear; £30; American Apparel. Belt; 20p; St Michael's via charity shop. Tights; probs 50p; Primark. Socks; £3; Internaçionale. Chelsea boots; £60; Topshop. Rings; Topshop and vintage. Necklaces; Accessorise, Topshop and vintage. Skull bracelet; £11; Made via ebay.

I had the most wonderful weekend with two of my favourite people. When not learning how to do the Paper Planes dance in Sabby's flat in Belsize Park, we went to the Degas exhibition at the Royal Academy, ate hummus for four meals in a row (thank you to hummus bros for the free birthday malabi in the last photo!), disputed the legitimacy of an "all night" DJ at Proud Camden on the 24, and drank cocktails and champagne at Dirty Martini (who have the nicest staff, I truly recommend it).

I didn't intend to take outfit photos, but while Sabby was preparing for her moot and Charles was in Acton I wandered down to Hampstead and took advantage of the Heath's emptiness caused by the chilly December weather.
Birthday tomorrow!

xxx

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The Hand That (Motel) Rocks the Cradle

Do I win the "last to blog about it" prize?


1. Dina at Whistles.
2. I can never resist a red velvet. You can tell by my face...
3. Me, Elosie and cocktail umbrellas.
4. With Jazmine (I need to stop putting my hair behind my ears).
5. Appreciating cupcakes with Dina! Thanks to Elosie for the photo


Three weeks ago (ha) during my reading week I went to London to meet up with some lovely people. I met Elosie and Dina at Euston and headed directly (for we did not get lost) to the Whistles SS12 press day. Bright colours, stripes, lace... Let's be honest, Whistles haven't ever got it wrong. I felt kiiind of uncomfortable after reading the guestbook (companies included Vogue and InStyle, that I can remember), so we headed off to to the Motel bloggers evening. There were so many people I knew. Probably definitely came across like a stalker, but it was lovely to finally meet people I've "known" for what felt like forever over mojitos prepared by Motel Student Ambassadors (of which I am one too, my first post can be found here) and Lola's cupcakes provided by GlossyBox.
Thank you to Selina for the invite, and as a bonus she's given me a discount code for 15% off to pass on to readers of this humble blog, just type in TOPBLOG15 at the checkout. I picked a dress for my Christmas Ball next Monday, which is doubling up as my birthday dress (twenty on Tuesday, oh jeeze), so I'll "unveil" it when the event (read: hangover) is a mere memory...


xxx

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it's like you're trying to get to heaven in a hurry

Jumper; £10; Ryan Vintage Liverpool. Necklace £9; ElsieBelle. Skirt; £30; American Apparel. Patent Loafers; £15; Russell and Bromley via ebay.

This is the only photo I managed to get where my hair isn't in my face (here's a good example of your classic hairinface scenario). I've currently got it pushed behind my ears so I can ignore it, but I promise you that it's incredibly windy in Liverpool today.
Okay, I caved, I bought something else. This jumper is from Ryan Vintage which opened a couple of days ago about halfway down Bold Street (apparently they have branches in Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield too). Texting my friend, she noted the irony of having summery flowers on a winter jumper. Whatever, it meant I didn't freeze today.
On my way to campus I picked up my train tickets for tomorrow's meet up in Birmingham, are any of you going? I had a ridiculous amount of fun last time, and even though I'm not staying for the night this time round, I can't wait to explore the Christmas Market.

xxx

ps, I created a FAQ page. Ultimate procrastination.

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It's always darkest before the dawn

Taupe Lambskin Medium Leather Pouch; £46; American Apparel. Copper Embellished Shorts; £58; Topshop. Bone Chiffon Tee; £40; American Apparel. The Collingdon Blazer; £269; Jack Wills. Python Serpent Heel; £195; Allsaints

Bow-embellished Suede Ankle Boots; £320; Red Valentino. Octet Key Pendant; £1,150; Tiffany. Glitter Velvet Bow Clutch; £28; Topshop. Melissa Dress; £175; Whistles.

Models Own "Mixed Up" Nail Polish; £5; via Motel. Aloë Lace Playsuit; £175; CoCo de Mer. The Huntsgrove Jumper; £125; Aubin & Wills. Poinsettia Boot Sock; £7.62; Free People.

Peacock have £5 pizzas (goats cheese, obviously). The Yule Ball gives me an opportunity to twirl around a dimly lit basement in a fairy dress. Then home means duvet snuggles with the usual suspects, lots of food, and a DVD or two.

Just because I'm turning twenty in a fortnight doesn't mean I have to grow up. Or aspire to have clothes I can afford.

I've been spending a lot of time being your cliché English student recently (poetry readings, open mics, film screenings, etc.) which has been FUN, but now I feel slightly delirious from lack of sleep. It was wonderful to meet Olivia a couple of days ago and talk about scones, trains, and the importance of taking the teabag out of your tea before putting the milk in (no joke, this is a really important issue). I just got another disposable camera developed so expect to see some (but definitely not all) of them here very, very soon.

xxx

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