TO ME, LOVE ME

Only these past 2 years or so have I been fully into buying myself a birthday gift, and you know what, it genuinely feels so nice to treat yourself and know that you have that little extra something. You know yourself better than anyone, so it makes sense, right? I'm a sensible Susan; I spend within my means, so I've been thinking of potential presents from moi, to moi.

These two books have been on my amazon wishlist - amongst many others - for what feels like forever, and everytime I see someone post a photo on instagram of them, part of my heart crumbles away. I have flicked through 'How to be a parisian wherever you are' in Waterstones an unacceptable amount of times, and I just know 'Eat Pretty' is right up my street/city/world/universe (Nutrition AND Beauty. Ruddy'ell.) 

I've been itching like a 7 year old with head lice to get my hands on a high-end beauty product for some time now, and only recently did I think of Bobbi Brown. I've been a total swatch whore lately, showing a particular interest in these... 

YSL packaging is just, its just, its - just - thats all it is. Just. The product above is the YSL Volupte Tint-in-Oil, its such a unique product that nourishes the lips, but gives them a lovely glowy sheen; so stripped back and minimal. But then I wonder if its too little impact on the lips in comparison to its rather sizeable impact on the purse. I also had a look at every other YSL lip product on offer over the course of the 850 times I have visited various counters, and the other collection that interested me was...

YSL Rouge Pur Couture The Mats - 208 in particular was giving me serious visions.

 I think I just love the idea of having such an exceedingly satisfyingly beautiful and photogenic product perched on my shelf - owning a YSL product can count as a self-achievement right?

I said to myself at the beginning of the year; 

'If I get into Uni, I'll buy myself some earrings.' (you know, ones that don't turn your lobes green.)

I didn't do it. I mean, I treated myself a bit, but I didn't get earrings. I do need earrings. But I also want another dainty necklace, because I just absolutely adore layering them, it adds such an easygoing touch to an outfit. I got one just after Christmas as a present for myself, so I guess it would be only fitting to potentially follow suit and get another one for my birthday. Tehehehehe. 

Orelia is an easily accessible brand found in Topshop and other places, it has some really delicate pieces and the prices aren't too bad either. 

And then there's this ambrosial creation. (Scandalous by Victorias Secret) I got a whiff of this when I visited Stratford back in, I think it was around February/March time, I wandered into the Victoria's Secret and dawdled over to their fragrance section. Now, I will say, its a very very sweet fragrance, not every ones cup of rosie-lee but its definitely a bit of me. Ever since the end of last year my taste in perfume has changed dramatically; from being continually drenched in anything by Marc Jacobs, to now being unable to find any joy in a bottle of Daisy. I'm all about the super sweet scents and this is just that. And I was even more sold when I read what the 'notes' were; raspberry liquer, black peony, and praline. (Its basically fruit, flowers and a box of guylian.) I mean, it sounds like a dessert right there. So divine, thou shall be mine. 

Long story short. Smelled a girl that had it on. Salivated profusely. Now I want it. 

When choosing what to get myself, I like to take into consideration things that I have wanted for a long time, but also things that I consider to be a real special treat; you know, something you wouldn't normally buy for yourself any other time of the year. Woe is me.

Lets be real, there are much worse decisions to be making. 

Nudge, nudge.

I always forget how much I love this song, and how it is one of my favourite songs - ever. On the odd occasion that I hear it, it undoubtedly strikes a chord, and the lyrics entirely speak for themselves. Its so easy to get bogged down with this and that; you have a bad day, or a bad week, for whatever reason and to whatever degree of severity, but, at the end of it all, you have to remind yourself - what really matters? 

This song will be eternally poignant, and a reminder of how important it is to simply enjoy living.

FRIDAYS INSPIRATIONS

I was browsing Daily Mail online this morn, and actually came across a little unexpected inspiration..

I absolutely am smitten with LA style, its so fresh and simple. Jessica Alba's sophisticated, yet easy breezy look personifies just that. I adore everything about this, right down to her bright pink water bottle and blue coffee cup. This look is so fun and bright, but still so enviably ladylike, even with the addition of a sweatshirt. Clubmasters, balyage, colbalt blue - Alba is fuelling me with some top class summer inspiration.

I love me some Miley, straight up. This look caught my attention because it reminded me of her style pre transformation into global megastar and eternal hot topic. I'm all about laid back, casual and comfortable, and this look is just that. I also really like the masculine vibe of the outfit, super chill with a subtle nod to that old school rocker look. It inspires me to practice not thinking too much about an outfit - I forget that the art of being effortless is to put no effort in. Duh. 

One of my major LA inspirations comes in the form of Boho goddess V-HUDGE. I found this picture on Daily Mail aswell and it inspired me in a way different to the others. Its not necessarily the most attractive photo of her, nor is she wearing something that makes me breakdown crying with envy like she normally does, but what enchants me is the beaming glow of good health and happiness in which she radiates in abundance. Her physique is inspirational, and her smile is infectious. She is currently on Broadway playing the title role in 'Gigi', I mean, she must be absolutely wrecked and yet this, to me, is not an image of a tired actress, but an image of a girl who is at the peak of her wellbeing, and who is clearly in love with her life.

It's so easy to look at celebrities simply for what they wear or the make up they put on their face, but after seeing this photo today, I have been inspired to live well and to strive to live a life I love. So, thank you V.

Effervescence is a beautiful thing. 

B'DAY PLANS 2015

 I shall be transforming into a 22 year old on the 6th of May (The Sims style, you know, where they spin and there is sparkly things and that funny noise of accomplishment and then a baby is suddenly 4 years old) and so have been lightly scouring the interwebz for outfits and places to go.

I have been thinking for a few days about what I actually want to do, because I know I don't want to be indoors - I find the thought of that really quite saddening. So, my current thoughts are to go out for my favourite meal of the day...BREAKFAST. 

I'm not much of 'go-out-and-get-smashed-on-my-birthday' type of gal, so this is a fitting and equally as exciting ideal for me! As much as I like to go and find different places in London, I think I'll stick nearby-ish in terms of where to go and am now pretty certain I have decided where it will be...

After seeing about a BAJILLION instagram posts about this place, it was about time I found a reason to go there - not that you even need one, eating is a basic human need. Conveniently, they are opening a brand new restaurant in Canary wharf 5 days before my birthday, which is relatively near to me - #TOTALWIN. It's all coming together! Lets just hope I can actually nab a table! 

Who says you cant dress up for breakfast? 

Audrey Hepburn bloody did.

Shirt dresses have been a focal point of interest for me for a little while now, I love their effortless nature and versatility. A shirt dress is the perfect compromise for this kind of outing, it really is the ultimate smart/casual combo. I know that one of them isn't a shirt dress, but, to be frank, I just really liked it and most importantly it was giving me major visions of fabulousness. All of these picks are so wearable,outfit-inspiring and actually would be really useful and, as aforementioned, versatile, additions to my wardrobe. They could easily all be worn with some immaculate white trainers, a backpack and big sunnies for a super cool day look. 

1) ASOS Shirt Dress in Pinstripe (£50)

2) MISSGUIDED Peach Skin Khaki Shift Shirt Dress (£28)

3) MISSGUIDED Suede T-shirt Mini Dress (£25)

4) ASOS Denim Shirt Dress (£40)

 Here's hoping the I am also laden with gifts of continual sunshine!

ON REPEAT #1

Mood-lifters, sweat-pumpers, smile-makers - these are some of the songs that have been putting many a pep in my step...

Play em' loud and proud. Its the only way. 

SPEX

I recently (FINALLY) , after much deliberation, got a new pair of glasses - and I am super chuffed with them. They are exactly what I wanted, so I'm really really happy. I'd had my old glasses for a verrrrrrry long time, and it was getting to the point where they angered me, I didn't like putting them on my face, and wanted to aggressively burn them at all times.

 These frames are by Wildfox and although I could never justify spending money on their totally 'LA cool' clothing, I can most definitely justify this.

They are a very dark brown tortoiseshell, a change from my previous black frames. The frames themselves are actually very thick, and really protrude.

They're big and I love them. I wanted something more oversized than what I had before, and a little rounder so these really were the perfect choice!

 These new frames have given me a little baby self esteem boost, which is always a welcome added bonus - it helps to feel good in something you place on your face everyday!

The all important obligatory selfies. OBVZ. 

MoBa - French Asian Bakery

Just today I came across this place on instagram. Where else would I find it, duh?

MoBa is a French Asian bakery not too far from Goodge Street station. The image that led me to further investigations was that of a hot beverage and what appeared to be a croissant with a green - YES A GREEN - tinge.

'Could it be?' I thought. 'Could it really be a matcha infused croissant?!'

I WUZ RIGHT. Cool, heh?! 

Turns out they also do a matcha green tea BROWNIE. EH?! I mean, to be honest, I'm not a connoisseur of all things green and matcha, infact, I've never even tried matcha. But I do,now, rather enjoy green tea amongst other herbal offerings, which is the reason behind my interest. It looks like a really exciting and interesting place, really quite unique and niche which in turn makes it attractive. The aesthetics; divine, the prices; affordable, and they even offer lunch in the shape of some exceedingly enticing 'banh mi'. I love stumbling across places like this, its really satisfying and so much more exciting when you venture out of what you may normally be drawn towards.

I can wait to give MoBa a go...ba!

...I know, I know.

UNI ESSENTIALS #1

I'm excited.

Ever since I applied for University, and even more so now I know I am definitely going, I have been compiling a list of items that I want to collate before I start. It's well fun. 

1) BACKPACK 

Since I will without a doubt be carrying work and a laptop around with me, a comfortable, good quality backpack is essential, and is one of the things I'm looking forward to getting the most. I have been wanting one for a while truth be told, for when I go on days out, because its just so easy and fuss free - I know, I know, how can a bag be fuss-free? I DON'T KNOW OKAY I KNOW WHAT I MEAN. As a matter of fact though, its not actually fuss free - in fact its the complete opposite, having to continually take your bag off your bag to get your purse out and what not, i think that's been a deterrent, and why I haven't already got one.
Oh Courtney, you are such a rational, contradictory creation.

There is a backpack/brand that I literally have not stopped thinking about since I laid my hands on its/their buttery softness on the Saturday before last...

OH FFS. 

The Oxford Street Topshop cruelly introduced me to this beautiful creature, and the brand itself. This design comes in this dreamy grey toned blue, a classic black, a nudey, lilac-y pink, and a bright orangey red (not my cuppa) and they were just so beautiful and buttery and amazing and beautiful.

PELTOLA - LOOM COLLECTION; £115

Matt and Nat have many other designs, not only for backpacks but just bags in general, and are a vegan brand, which I find to be a really appealing feature. I like this design because of the square shaping and feel it would encase a laptop comfortably, but I still want to assess their other designs. Although its gotten to the point now, where I feel dissatisfied with any other backpack I look at.

WHY TOPSHOP WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO MEEEEEE.

2) SNEAKZ

Any excuse to 'have to have' a new pair of trainers is FINE BY ME. But this time though, there actually is a valid reason/excuse so its good, its okay. I will be walking to the station so feel there is a burning need/want/desire to have a danggg comfortable pair of trainers to pound dem pavements in - can you notice a reoccuring theme of comfort here? 

No, vans are not the most comfortable trainers in comparison to others on the list, BUT I have been looking at them for an age anyway and thought I would add them in - jus'coz. As you can see they will almost definitely be black or white, more leaning towards black I think. I want to have a white pair for the summer, so if that all goes to plan I will end up having both. YAY SHOES. 

These are the main two 'splurge' items that I want, but of course I have many other silly little things I want to get in preparation, and many outfit ideas!

I will be sharing it ALL.

(Except like, knickers and bras. Like, I won't need to share those.)

TO GO #1

List making seems to be rife in this day and age, and I, for one, am a great lover of a good list or 4000. I am forever making them in my phone, head, and on paper, and so I want to start doing some on here too - and then documenting my successes in completing them/checking them off.

There are many, many, many, many, many places I want to go. So, I'll start off small shall I?

Inspired by my recent trip to Monmouth Coffee Company I want to go to...

THESE COFFEE JOINTZ IN LDN;

1) Tap Coffee - Wardour Street 

Stumbled across this place on instagram yesterday, and thought it looked really quaint and authentic. I particularly love the understated and super minimalistic aesthetic. 

'We think that people enjoy what we do because we enjoy what we do. If the intention is to make something great every time, the limits of what is achievable tend to disappear.'

2) Milk Bar - Soho 

Well-reviewed, this little place looks promising - plus, for whatever reason, I'm drawn to the name; I love it, so simple and sweet.

'We offer some of the best all-day breakfasts around, healthy lunches and naughty antipodean cafe treats and not forgetting out expertly prepared and delicious speciality coffees and teas.'

- I'm sorry, did someone mention food?

3) Kaffeine - Fitztrovia

Another instagram discovery from a while back, and once again, I'm head over heels for the aesthetics. I think I have a 'type' when it comes to coffee shops I find alluring. Kaffeine also serves up breakfast, lunch and indulgent temptations - ding ding dingggggg.

'At Kaffeine we have taken a lot of time and effort to perfect our coffee in order to provide you with the perfect cup, each and every time.'

So there we go.

There are roughly, I would say, probably, about, maybe around a bajillion coffee shops in London, so I'll stick to these 3 for now - anymore and fufilling this list would take 20 years longer. 

16/4/15 - Borough Market and Monmouth with Mimi

Another trip to London under my belt - this vow I've made to explore more of London on a regular basis is really going rather well. hm.

An annoyingly abrupt, unforeseen interruption of mildly Arctic wind made my wait for Mimi at West Ham tube station feel like an eternity. I hadn't prepared for any kind of cold breeze outfit wise - seemingly, neither had the girl whose dress flew up in the wind to reveal her underwear-less derrière - so I really couldn't wait to get on the tube.

Borough Market was our destination, and it would be my 2nd visit thus far. I went not all that long ago with my mum back in the beginning of Feb and had this: 

Prawn Pad Thai from Khanomkrok

It was, just, I mean, it was - hang on, let me find a word suitable enough, bare with...

CELESTIAL.

So, as a result of my previous experience, my high hopes were - well - high. 

It was busy - it was lunchtime, and we were people-weaving like ne'er before. Punched in the face by the tantalising aromas of vegetarian indian cuisine, paella, pulled pork, and ethiopian curries, we made our way through the crowd - knowing that making the decision on what to have was going to be tougher than an overcooked leg of lamb. Its safe to say our stroll through the stalls selling baked goods was nothing short of sexual. We were simply reduced to groans and noises, no fully formed sentences left our mouths - infact, if we recorded our dialogue during this time, it would probably be marketed as soft porn. 

I will quickly brush over the fact that what I had wasn't actually that great. I went for a pulled pork baguette type thing, with a cheese sauce and salad etc. It was 'aight.' It filled a hole and that was it. I wasn't angrily disappointed, but definitely a little disheartened. So, I'll move back onto the more triumphant findings. 

As aforementioned in previous posts, Mimi shares a love of baked goods, and so our plan was to peruse all the stalls, pick out 2-3, and then head to Monmouth Coffee (I'll tell you about that later.) A stall had caught my eye on one of our many strolls around the market, a stalled called 'The Free From Bakehouse' - considering my interest in baking, and healthier baking, I was interested to find out what one of their products would taste like. It was a tough choice between a Peanut Butter and White Chocolate blondie (would probably try that if/when there is a next time) or the Raspberry and White Chocolate Brownie - made with 64% peruvian cocoa solids. 

100% gluten and wheat free, it was one of the fudgiest I've ever had. Super rich and indulgent with every bite, this brownie was smooth and decadent - and exceedingly photogenic by the looks of it.

My last 2 purchases were from the same stall, 'The Cinnamon Tree Bakery' fronted by a charasmatic silver fox with an accent. I'm not going to lie, his rather mysterious charm teamed with his generosity in letting us taste anything we seemed interested in was half the reason we went back. 

We both picked up an almond macaroon the first time round, agreeing that it was a good choice considering we had both decided we wanted to try something we wouldn't normally go for; 

Wonderfully chewy, this macaroon was a good choice. 

BUT. The winner was the triumphant White Chocolate and Sea Salt Cookie. 

It tasted like, almost like, popcorn. On first glance, I thought - oh, you know, the salt will just be on the top and you'll get that savoury flavour when you reach the middle where its all sitting - BUT OH NO. NO. The salty flavour ran all the way through the cookie, till the very last morsel, continually hitting your tongue paired with the creamy sweetness of the white chocolate. Amazing. It was a very crunchy cookie, not super soft - but I was ok with that, because the flavouring was so sublime and so skilful.

We concluded our day with a trip to the much raved about Monmouth Coffee Co, a beautifully simplistic building, with minimalistic aesthetics, oozing with cool and nonchalance. 

Not knowing what 'good coffee' is, and knowing that this place supposedly delivered just that, I was eager to know/taste what all the fuss was about. Being a novice I got a latte, and at £2.70 I didn't feel as though I was being ripped off. One thing I loved was where you picked up your coffee, they had 2 giant bowls of brown sugar - none of that murderous white stuff, so I put in 1 and a half spoonfuls praying it was enough to please me.(Thankfully, it was.) It was only when I got through over half of the coffee that I realised this stuff was good. Real good. My latte was like velvet; it was smooth and silky and left me wanting another one. Mimi went back the next day. I died a little inside.

Heres to you, Monmouth.

We sat down on the cobbled floor and basked in the sun, then cloud, then sun, then cloud, then sun, chatted about buttery soft backpacks, did some online trainer browsing and indulged in some stylish people-watching. 

Another lovely day with one of my most treasured friends.

Till next time!