Tower Bridge

You know those days you have where everything just seems perfect? This was one of them.

On Tuesday, as part of our mission to be tourists in our own city during our last week in London before the summer, Lucy, Lyndsey and I headed into central. We planned on going up Monument and Tower Bridge however Monument was closed for maintenance so after a quick stop off in Pret we headed towards Tower Bridge.

Tower Bridge has always been one of my favourite landmarks in London. It's just so traditionally London and so so beautiful - I even have a big poster of it in my bedroom. Walking up to it, the day already felt special. I still can't believe (and I don't think I ever will) that this is the city that I live in. Surrounded by school trips and foreigners and with my camera around my neck, we were tourists for the day. Going up Tower Bridge was amazing because although it is stunning to look at , it also has stunning views! 

When you in Tower Bridge you're able to walk along a corridor on both sides on the bridge, meaning you can see both East and West of London which is pretty cool. The newest feature to the attraction is the glass floor. Having this on both corridors was really exciting, you could look down and see the water and people below, which was strangely relaxing. Then above the glass floor was a massive mirror so you had the reflection of yourself on the glass floor which was slightly freaky but really cool. This was such an easy fun thing to do, and pretty cheap - we prebooked student tickets online for £5:65! A simple but way to see a good view of London.

We then wondered along the Thames and made our way to Maddison Rooftop Terrace. We wanted a great view of St Pauls Cathedral, as it is Lyndsey's favourite building and Lucy was christened there! However as soon as we got to the terrace everyone was leaving as the thunderstorm was just coming in. Us being the stubborn people we are decided it wasn't going to ruin our fun so sheltered under the railing and had one of our favourite moments of the year. We were alone, with St Pauls right in front of us, the London Eye in the distance and could not see another human in sight. We were at the top of London, and everything was quiet - apart from the loud thunder and the noise of the rain hitting the pavement. It was warm, it felt like we could have been in a different country, but with the view of St Pauls, we were definitely in London.

Hope everyone had a good weekend - I moved out of Uni halls and am back home for the summer now - Have a good week! Christina x

My Week in Photos #8

Gosh, it feels like a while since I last blogged. I've got into a routine now here at Uni, I've got into the swing of things having settled well and found my feet. However one thing I've still left out of my routine is my blog so to try and ease myself back into it I'm going to return to my good old weekly round up.

This week was another busy but good week. Tuesday evening was exciting as one of the friends I've made at Uni, Arjun, returned from being away for two weeks so we threw him a small welcome back party which was just lovely as it reminded me of freshers week but we're all so much more comfortable with each other now its easier to relax and have a good time. Wednesday night I had a cheerleading social where we went bowling, it was fun but I did manage to get the worst score out of everyone, a good solid 33 (when the person who one our game got 108...).

On Thursday morning I had to travel home briefly to visit the physio which meant I could have lunch with my mum. Which was lovely, it meant I had such good food (seriously, if you live near St Albans, you need to go to The Waffle House asap) and could spend some time with my mum which was so lovely because I used to spend so much of my time with her and she was a constant in my life. However coming to uni has obviously changed that, I haven't really been homesick but nevertheless seeing her made me happy. 

 On Friday evening, after a tough three and a half hours of cheer practice a couple of us went to this random bar called 'Silk Stockings.' It only opened three weeks ago but it was such a lovely find, it served great cocktails (if you picked the right one) had lovely waiters and a pleasing decor, we were all happy that we ventured to a new place for a night out doing something different. I spent yesterday afternoon at 'Tumble camp' which was so hard but so rewarding, after just doing Cheerleading for a couple of weeks I can already see an improvement in my fitness, strength and skills! Yesterday evening had to be spent having some a bath and watching a film in bed, just what I needed!

This next week seems very busy, but that's just what I like. I seem to have a thing where I overwork myself, at school I was always stretched between dancing and schoolwork and here it's no different. There is so much more work, cheer is very intense meaning I'm struggling to write my blog, yet alone the uni magazine! However I know at some point it will all slot into place, I'd much rather be too busy that too bored. Hope your weeks all turn out to be fab, I cannot believe it's nearly November!

Now Reading // I've just started Reading Frankenstein for one of my modules and am liking it so far.

Now watching // Still Reign - I love it!

Now Listening // I've got Jamie Lawson's album on repeat.

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3 reasons why Beautycon London was so inspiring

I feel so motivated. I want to do my best, I want to pour my heart into my blog and I want to feel proud of the content I have created.

I went to Beautycon over the weekend and it was amazing, I met so many great people and listened to some really interesting panels that I feel so inspired with my blog, and here's why - 

1. Being surrounded by like-minded people.

My friends understand that I love blogging and the internet etc, and even my family get it - but I'm not sure they fully understand it. But, being at Beautycon felt like I was surrounded by people who truly understand the blogging/vlogging community. Yes, we could freak out that the bloggers that we watch and read everyday were right in front of us but we could also listen to what they were saying during the panels and learn from it. When I asked the not so simple question of 'Twitter or Instagram?' to Lily Pebbles, Anna from Viviannadoesmakeup, Lucy and Lydia and Sammi from the Beauty Crush they all reacted in a way that I would - completely stuck but decided on Instagram because of the visual elements and creativity. It was just amazing to be surrounded by people like that, and reminded me why going to events isn't scary, but fun!

2. Making a career out of a hobby.

Now when I started this blog, I wanted to be a journalist. And, part of me still does, but another part of me wonders if I could make a career out of this blog. Obviously this blog doesn't have a wide readership and is just a hobby and will be of the next three years but a tiny niggle in the back of my brain says, if these women did it, why can't I? Reading people like Suzie from Hello October and Zoe from ZoeLondon blog's everyday, then meeting them in person just made it clearer to me that these women are normal human beings who have worked incredibly hard to be where they are today! And seeing that has motivated me to try my best and make this blog the best it can be!

3. Everyone is unique.

The blogging world is huge, there is no denying that, and quite often it feels like your just the same as everybody else and cannot come up with original content. But, from listening to the panels I started to understand something - everyone is different. Everyone approaches their content differently, everyone is better at a specific part of a blog whether it be the writing, the photographing or the promoting, and it doesn't matter that the blogging world is so big. It was tempting to think that at Beautycon there was just multiple people who are exactly like me - but, yes, they're similar - but no-one can blog the same. Everyone runs their blog for a different reason, everyone has different aims for running their blog, everyone is different but everyone loves blogging and that's the thing that connects us all!

After a crazy busy weekend I am stuck revising and preparing for a big dance competition at the end of the week so make sure to follow me on twitter and instagram to keep up with my random daily thoughts and please, keep me entertained!

Now watching // I may have watched the whole of season 1 of Once Upon a Time last week...

Now Reading // I've literally just started a Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Now Playing // Hunter Hayes has been on repeat after seeing him in concert of Friday night!

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Uptown Funk

 Jeans - Topshop. Jumper and Jacket - Reublic (ages and ages ago) Scarf - Zara

I often think how much I would love to be a full-time blogger, like Lily Melrose, Lily Pebbles, Suzie from HelloOctober but I realise that it means I would be by my computer all day and as I have seen the past weekend, I can get very distracted by get very obsessed with a television show and then end up shutting the world out. Like I have with The Vampire Diaries the past weekend! I had some busy nights last week celebrating birthdays and Christmas with friends so by the time Friday came I need to rejuvenate myself so I opened up Netflix and got lost in the Mystic Falls world. It was fab but by the time Monday came around, I had cabin fever, I needed to get out of the house. So therefore on Monday I ventured into the hectic streets of London to do some photography shoots with Vicky. We braved Oxford street and took some street photography whilst gaining some odd looks from people around us, then walked to Carnaby street where we looked into a few shops like Brandy Melville and Monki before going to a thai restaurent. It was such a chilled day and I wanted to be comfy so kept my outfit simple and understated but actually was quite a fan of it. Grey has been a really popular colour this winter and I've definitely joined the trend, it goes with the monochrome vibe I often sport but just adds something slightly different. This is a jumper I got probably about 4 or 5 years ago and every now and then I find it and realise how much I love it!

I cannnot believe Christmas is so so soon! It's so exciting, I have been christmas baking and watching countless of Christmas films (The Polar Express on Sunday, Elf yesterday and The Holiday later today) to get me in the festive spirirt that I felt I was lacking. My family and I drive down to Essex tomorrow to spend Christmas and Boxing Day with my family, I'm super excited for a family Christmas and hope you all have a jolly time as well!

Now Playing // Yours by Ella Henderson, Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson and Classic Christmas songs!

Now Researching // Ways to get messy waves on short hair - Having serious hair envy at Izzy's hair (and life in America) at the moment!

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Topshop Summer Haul // London Days #3

On the Thursday of half term I travelled into London for the third day and went for my Christmas present to Topshop for a personal shopper experience. Now I won't say much about it because I've been sunbathing too long in this gorgeous weather and I need to get ready for dancing. Buutt, It was so fun! When I got there the person helping me, Rachel, had already picked out 10 or so outfits from my 'brief' I had given before. I then spent an hour trying them on, mixing and matching and asking for anything else. It was so fun and a really great way to getting a start on my summer wardrobe. I filmed a whole talky type haul video but really didn't like the outcome so bundled together this short video to show you what I got!

I go back to school tomorrow for the last few weeks before summer. It feels like it will be a bit of a drag but I'm hoping it will fly by as it's mainly focusing on our personal statements then I've got a work experience placement!

What's your favourite piece in my video?

Currently Reading - The One by Kiera Cass lived up to expectations and I finished it within one afternoon.

Currently Playing - Lucy Hale's album 'Road Between' has also lived up to expectations, my favourites at the moment is 'Just another Song' 'Kiss me' and 'Road Between!'

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Serenity // London Days #2

I have finished my exams for this year! The Friday feeling is top-notch right now, it's just so exciting! I actually have to go back to school until July so that is a bit of a bummer but that's on Wednesday so I have a little while yet! I'm so excited to have a bit of freedom from revision and exams for a while!

A bit of a random post this afternoon but if you saw my London vlog you will have seen me in a garden looking over Oxford Street. My mum and I were wondering in John Lewis ( I got very excited about some garden furniture...) when I saw a sign for a 'rooftop garden' so we went and explored to find out that it is part of their 150 years celebration. Now I felt a bit like I did in my reflections post, I think that  there is something about looking over people and being disconnected from the street that really intrigues me. It was so lovely laid out with plants everywhere and the cutest garden furniture. The English geek is me thought how it was an oxymoron/juxtaposition/contrast between the urban view that went on for miles to the green plants living in the city on the top of a massive building. There was a serenity of being away from the hustle and bustle of one of the busiest streets on London and just being a spectator. The view was spectacular - funnily enough a few days before I was saying how I've never seen London from a height (like the London eye) but I have now, and it didn't disappoint! There was something so special about this area that I just had to share! 

Now reading: I finished 'Broken hearts, Severed Heads' at the beginning of this week and LOVED it! It was such a refreshing YA novel that was slightly different to the traditional, hence why I think I liked it so much. I've got a new kindle! Thanks to my amazing parents who have replaced my old one so I plan to download Kiera Cass The One and spend all day tomorrow reading it, I've been waiting for the  final in this triology for a while!

 

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Summer Rain

Dress - Primark. Shoes - Office. Watch - Asos.

Throughout winter I had thought to myself how cool it would be to accessorise some outfit photo's with this massive umbrella but never seemed to get round to it. So when I went to shoot these before going to London last Monday and it was raining,  I jumped at the chance - my mum, not so much. She stood hidden from the rain inside whilst attempting to zoom to get some decent photo's, which I think she did actually manage to!

When I went shopping to Primark a couple of weeks ago I picked up about 10 dresses to try on! Most of them were pale pink with a collar and I was certain I would end up getting one however none looked right, but then I slipped this dress on and it was perfect. It fit great, it looked great and could it be anymore great? (Well, yes - the zip could have not broken and I wouldn't of had to go back and get a replacement buuut) No! Sheeesh, what an overuse of a word! I think it has a subtle grungy 90's type feel yet remaining girly which is the exact vibe I'm liking at the moment. So I paired it with my trusty DM's (I promise I'll get some new shoes soon) my gold watch, matte white nails and I was ready to go!

You can check out the vlog of my day trips to London here - without blowing my own trumpet too loud I'm actually quite proud with this video. So would love it if you could give it a watch and let me know what you think of it/ what I could improve! Also subscribe whilst your there *shameless plug.*

Now reading: You can see over there < - Check out my goodread's page to see my recommendations, what I'm currently reading and what I plan to read!

Now Playing: Patiently waiting for Lucy Hale's album to be released tomorrow!

 

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London Days #1

On Wednesday I travelled to London to meet up with Jordan but completely forgot to take many photo's. I had been so intent on vlogging it and  because of that I forgot to take out my camera and take photo's! But these three photo's seem to be the only ones took whilst at Ed's diner. When we firstmet up after both being overwhelmed by the massiveness of Kings Cross and unable to spot each other we jumped on the tube to Camden Town. We wondered around the markets aimlessly for a while, browsing and looking at lots of different things. However due to the weather (rain rain and more rain) we decided to be all sterotypical and go to Starbucks. Here we just had the loveliest chat, chatting about I don't even know what! After some more wondering we decided to venture to Oxford Street. We ended up going to Ed's Diner which I ever only go to when I'm with blogger friends!  After taking a few selfies etc we jumped back onto the tube and said our goodbye's.

I feel like I have literally just given you a run down of our day like a schedule. Sorry for this bitty blog post. Last night I felt a bit overwhelmed with all the content I have from the last few days. I vlogged my three days in the city, I've got lots of new purchases and had some fun experience's so all of these will probably be posted in a weird and odd timescale, sorry!

P.S. I've also decided that this is going to be the first post of my new series that I will be starting on the blog; as I will be (hopefully) spending a lot of the summer I figure this is a good way to document them!

Now reading: I've just finished The Treatment by Suzanne Young - I really really enjoyed it, the concept is so strange and odd but found it really hard to put down!

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