We're flying first class up in the sky

Silk blouse: £1.50, Per Una via charity shop. Paisley Shorts: c/o Glamorous. Adder heeled boots: £36, Topshop. Leather bag: £4, charity shop. Cloud charm: gift, Luella. Lipstick: Gabrielle, Chanel.

When I started this humble journal of sartorial mistakes, there were many things I wouldn't wear. I've tackled jeans, and the up-do, now it's time for paisley. Glamorous contacted me asking if I'd like to try out a couple of their products, and, despite the Royal Mail's best attempts at ensuring I wouldn't receive anything, these shorts came through my letterbox a couple of weeks ago. They're a little tight, so although they may have been 100% appropriate for my first Essex night out since coming home for the summer, I would recommend going up a size, just to be sure. Check out the new loves of my life in kick-ass leather form that I picked up in the January sales but have only just got around to wearing due to living a few hundred miles away. They'll have to be surgically removed from my feet at some point in the near future.

The weekend (read: the sleep) was very much appreciated, and I had a wonderful weekend with a few people that I miss incredible amounts when I'm at university. It's so difficult finding the time to see everyone during the week, as commuting tires me out more than I imagined it would. I'm slowly getting used to it, however, and am looking forward to seeing  a big group on Wednesday, as well as catching up with some blogger pals at the weekend. Sometimes I think it's a shame that I haven't tried the new flavours of Red Bull introduced for the Jubilee (cranberry, lime and blueberry, so patriotic ⚐) as they'd surely pep me up Queen Liz style. Then sometimes I'm really rather glad I haven't.

xxx

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She was a princess, queen of the highway.

Jumper: £9, Fred Perry via Oxfam. Vest: Fat Face. Floral Print Trousers: £13, H+M. Chelsea Boots: £60, Topshop. Bag: gift, Marks and Spencer. Necklace: £1, Topshop. Rings: vintage, gift, Rock 'n' Rose.

Lunch hour equates to adventure time in my eyes. I went to Brick Lane yesterday and died a little inside at the prices (I swear it was cheap a couple of years ago? Now it's £45 for a fur hat??). I also received frowns/winks as my skirt couldn't cope with the wind. But less chat about my abysmal wardrobe choices, more about the pictures, which portray a slightly more picturesque image of my embarrassing life.


The "R" is a piece of graffiti by the artist Eine. In all honesty, if I hadn't researched his work for GCSE Art, I probably would consider this to be just another piece of wall-art, but seeing this brightly coloured piece of typography whilst meandering along, almost half an hour early, ignited a certain nostalgia for rooms that constantly smell of aerosol and the musicians who had lessons scheduled at the same time playing Wonderwall again, and again, and again... It's enough to make you hate Oasis, before you even know who the Gallaghers are.

If you're more into the Doors, then there's a restaurant that plays Morrison Hotel on repeat. The Breakfast Club may be only five minutes away from where I work, but my friend and I were still unable to finish a pitcher of smoothie in that time. And we really did try. I went once for cake and coffee with my dad on the way back from an Aresenal match (woo! football!! sartalics>), but this time I opted for actual food. And, boy, was it good. I decided upon the apple and cinnamon french toast (considering I dislike both cinnamon and eggs this was, perhaps, a risky option), whereas my friend went for a salmon and cream cheese beigel. I did get slightly confused when they placed a plateful of what was definitely bacon in front of me, but once they'd realised their mistake they were really apologetic, and brought me the correct meal (and an "I'm sorry!" chocolate bar). It is pricey, but you do get massive portions, and the toilets boast the world's smallest disco, which may only be experienced, not explained.


One week down, plenty more to go! I already feel like I know Liverpool Street station like the back of my hand (check it out in the background of the second photo!), and love being the only commuter wearing things outside of the muted greyscale palette.


xxx


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The East-West Divide: East. #GigNics

Postcode warfare!

The North-South divide is a well-known concept in the UK; my halls of residence last year were a breeding ground for (faux!) rivalry between southern pansies and the grim northerners born and bred above this invisible line. However, this binary opposition is paralleled in the capital, just spun on its axis. Londoners are notoriously defensive of their city, and take sincere pride in their location. Although I currently spend most of my time in NW3, I was born in E11, so can barely show a true allegiance. This weekend I travelled along the London Overground to Haggerston for the Nando's GigNics. And ate lots of chips.

The email saying I'd got tickets served as a catalyst for an an almost incomprehensible stream of texts to my lahndahn lovely Sabby. Both big time fans of Nando's, we always go to the Euston branch when I'm headed to and from Liverpool, so we made the most of the peri-infused atmosphere by treating ourselves to some cocktails (I had a Peri Mary, Sabby a Caipirinha). We sat "chilling in East London sunshine" - my answer to the "sum up today in five words" question. Embarrassment, coming to a video near you soon! The line-up included a few favourites: some I'd never seen before, such as MistaJam, and ones I knew all too well - hello Ed Sheeran! (We'll leave the "I've sung karaoke with Rizzle Kicks" story for another time, as they fit somewhere in-between...) Of course, it wouldn't be a Nando's event without some chicken, so we queued up with some food vouchers we'd managed to procure. Unfortunately I couldn't get a burger - they'd sold out of veggie burgers, boo! - but the chips were very, very much appreciated. Haggerston was the most beautiful location, and in an area I've never had the chance to explore before. Hopefully, as I'm interning in EC2 this Summer, I'll be able to see more of what the East has to offer. Fingers crossed this rain subsides sometime soon! At least both ends of the spectrum agree that this weather is not suitable for summer, what happened to the sunshine?

xxx

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Take me back to dear old blighty

 

Sheer blouse: £13.50, Miss Selfridge. Pocket skirt: £2, American Apparel via ebay. Leather belt: 20p, charity shop.  Jacket: £22, Primark. Chelsea Boots: £60, Topshop. Bag: gift, Marks and Spencer. Bracelet: gift, H Samuels (one of the baby bracelets!). Sixpence pendant: stolen from mum. Red ribbon: 23p, market. Ring: £1.25, vintage. Lipstick: £1, shade 3, MUA @ Superdrug.

Happy jubilee!

I shan't pretend I've done anything vaguely patriotic (other than eat the delicious cupcake made by The Cake Shop in the last photo that I picked up from Aubin & Wills when browsing), but it's been nice to see so many flying the flag. I did indulge in this Cath Kidston pocket mirror, but otherwise I've been spending my money on making the most of what little time I have left in Liverpool before I return home for Summer. I did give the union flag a little reference in my outfit though. The white is in the form of a blouse I picked up in the Miss Selfridge sale, but, despite loving it, I normally reserve for going out as it's exceptionally sheer. The blue is the navy version of the American Apparel pocket skirt that everyone has (I have it in grey and a pale blue too). And the red is with some ribbon I picked up at the market, secured with a pin, which I covered with a sixpence my mum picked up at my village's summer fair last year. And then the wind decided it didn't like my beehive, but we'll ignore the rather windswept nature of these photos...

After much deliberation, I decided to create a facebook page for this blog. I've always put it off as I like to avoid the "so you take photos of yourself and put them on the internet?" question from my friends, but recently I've started to feel slightly more confident with the content I've been publishing. I would really love it if you could 'like' the page here, and a massive thank you to everyone who has so far!

I'm off to my flatmates from last year's house for movies with something a little patriotic (okay, I couldn't resist) and edible in my bag this evening. Hope you're enjoying the four day weekend, and keeping up with You Know You're British When.

xxx

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fiesta bombarda

Double U Dress (worn as top): American Apparel. Suede Skirt: £8, Oxfam. Paisley Bag: £8, Primark. Chelsea Boots: £60, Topshop. Sunglasses: £1, Primark. Necklace: £9, Elsie Belle. Rings: vintage, and c/o Rock 'n Rose. Lipstick: Cockney, MAC.

freeeeeeeeeeeedom!

The less said about yesterday's exam the better (we dissected it beyond belief in Cuthbert's over red velvet cupcakes, my hair still dripping from the walk there). But the day ended in true Liverpool style at the Cavern Club, watching the Merseyrail battle of the unsigned bands in association with bido lito, which Beach Skulls deservedly won, even if Carousel were my favourites.


Still, that's so yesterday. Today the sun is beating down, and the olympic flame is passing through town. To celebrate the start of summer and the "jubilympics", bido are helping to host Fiesta Bombarda at the bombed out church. It seems like half my university are heading down, so it's set to be rad. Starting at four (I am aware it's gone five, ahem), there could be some sartorial difficulties, however I personally find it pretty easy to change from day to night as the only difference is a lack of tights. I do love a pair of 120 denier, but even I can't deal with them in this sunshine and have had the milk bottles out for a good couple of weeks. I thought I'd give a slight patriotic nod to what is, essentially, a conical candle with a red top, but I'm hoping it'll be suitable from six till sunrise. I'm two thirds of the way through my degree - I have to make the most of student life while I can! Good luck to all those still stuck in exam halls. Just remember: keep calm and carry on.


xxx

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When I buy my mansion, I'll invite the world to stay

Michelle dress: c/o Motel. Black pumps: 50p, Russell and Bromley via ebay. Bag: £3, charity shop. Skull bracelet: £11, Made via ebay. Sunglasses: £1, Primark.


I always feel drawn to the canal in beautiful weather, and, seeing as I wasn't stuck for three hours in what is essentially a greenhouse writing about Renaissance literature, I thought I'd take another wander down to photograph what came through my letter box the other day. This dress is part of Motel's "French Riviera" collection, but I'm choosing to transfer its nationality across the Channel, in preparation for next week's jubilee - aka Pimm's drinking festival. I'm not one for bodycon at all, so it was a big thing for me to wear this for a whole day. Everyone has their body hangups; my biggest one is my stomach, and this dress is pretty unforgiving on that front. Yet, with the help of the stretchy material (and some pants Bridget Jones would be proud of) I think I've just about got away with it. Still, some of the photos do make me want to overcome my massive gym phobia.


My last exam is on Thursday (uh oh), and then I've a few days to appreciate sunny Liverpool before I'm back to Essex for the Summer, and get to see all the lovely faces I've missed for the past few months. However much I love Liverpool, I know I'm still an Essex Girl! Even if I haven't been to Sugar Hut, which I believe my friends intend to change at some point...


xxx

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I'll let you say I love you when I know I'll never say it back

1. train-induced delirium twenty minutes in | only leather allowed at the Roxy
2. being cute in the Diner, Ganton Street
3. New career path | Essex jam!!
4. Waitrose's jubilee-themed cupcakes at Canary Wharf (£2 for a pot of tea and cake!)
5. belle | ufo light lovin'
6. Hampstead! Check out the guy on the right.


Although this post is about my travels to the smokey capital, I wrote a guest post for Lauren about Liverpool. She has a beautiful blog and enviable sewing skills, so please do have a read!

On Tuesday I headed dahn sarf to stay with my friend Sabby (again). In the midst of our exams, plenty of time was spent in Costa, me with my head stuck hopefully not prophetically in "The Unfortunate Traveller", Sabby memorising cases for her final law exam. But, of course, the books were soon forgotten in favour of trips to the Lock Tavern in Camden and the Roxy (cheap) and Salvador and Amanda's (expensive) in Soho. On Thursday night we went for a celebratory* meal at the Diner, just off Carnaby Street, after hearing everyone's recommendations. I had the mushroom burger, whereas Sabby opted for a BBQ one, and it got a big thumbs up from the both of us, as we ate every crumb. A quick shout out to the barman Stevie and his good taste in shots. On Friday, I met up with Jazzy to go to Beyond Retro, their tenth birthday 50% sale prompting me to buy my first ever playsuit and a tartan skirt. Oh purse, I am so sorry. It's always a bit of a whirlwind trip, and there's never a boring moment - I can't wait till I can explore London with my legitimately earned millions. Sure...


*The reason for my trip was an interview for an internship this Summer. I obviously got lost when I emerged from Old Street, but thankfully this didn't reflect too badly on me, and I got the placement. I'm not exactly superstitious, but I didn't want to say too much just in case. I'm so relieved, and am ridiculously happy. If you follow me on twitter, I apologise for my sometimes exasperated tweets in regards to my future, but if you just keep trying then things will start to look up for you.

xxx

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