Reflecting on 2014

So I started doing a reflections post on the last year yesterday and it turned into a more of a personal in depth reflection (and was 2,500 words) so I thought I'd spare you the personal essay type reflection and put it in bullet points (as every other reflection post seems to be) after last year I don't think this year has been as dramatic, my life hasn't changed hugely or anything, it's just continued and that's the main thing I've learnt I suppose - that Life goes on and that Life is good. 

• Around February time I chopped off my long thick blonde locks to a shorter style. I wasn't initially pleased with the actual cut but was happy that I had taken the plunge and done it. After that my hair felt fuller, thicker and I didn't feel like I was hiding behind it anymore.
• I started reading Rookie more regularly after I got the second yearbook for my birthday and immediately became obsessed.
• Most of March and April were spent leading up to my dance exams, I took my Advanced One Tap, Intermediate Modern and Intermediate Ballet, and although I wasn't overly happy with the outcome I am happy I powered through and did them, and am happy I never have to do a dance exam again!
• During April I travelled to Russia with school and had a great experience. I remember feeling happy when I was in Russia but not ecstatic or anything but I know that as soon as I returned home I missed it. I missed the country, I missed the people I shared the experience with and I just missed travelling. It was a really great experience that I don't think I can ever match. 
• Although my youtube channel was not updated regularly I was really happy with these few videos that I took, a vlog, a chatty one and a lookbook.
• Had my annual dance show this year and once again it was amazing. It takes so much hard work the couple months before but when your on that stage surrounded by the friends that you love, all the literal blood, sweat and tears are worth it! 
• After a week work experience in a PR agency in London I got asked to go back so spent three week of my summer working there. This must be one of the highlights of learning in my year, although I didn't have the greatest time of my life - I wasn't that interested in what I was doing and didn't feel a connection to the work - looking back at it, I learnt a lot. I learnt what it's like to commute, I learnt what an office environment is like, I learnt the standards expected of you in an office, I learnt how beautiful London is in the summer. One of my main highlights of these three weeks were my lunch breaks when I would go out to Soho square and sit and eat my lunch int he sunshine of London and people watch, there was so much hustle and bustle and so many different types of people around that it was just so intriguing and captivating to watch.
• I travelled to Chicago and Florida with my family which was an unforgettable experience. Chicago was a dream, an absolute dream. It was exploring another corner of the world that I've never been to before, seeing new sights, seeing new people, learning new random things about American culture. It was bonding with my family. It was eating too much. It was sleeping in a hotel next to a fire station. It was walking in the boiling hot air in the windy city. It was sitting on the pier looking at the fireworks on the last night, staring at the skyline lit up in the night sky. We then travelled to Florida which was even more of a dream. It was spent eating, laughing, tanning, shopping. I treasure these holidays with my family a lot as I never know when the last one we take with all five of us will be (because of changing lives - jobs/uni etc)
• I got my exam results which I was relatively happy with. Happy with English (the main one!), Photography and Classics but not so much with History but I knew I just had to work harder the upcoming year.
• Starting Year 13 was really exciting - our senior year! It didn't feel like the movies but I felt we all had a collective feeling of making the last year the best one. 
• In October I passed my driving test! It gave me the freedom to get out of this village when I want to and not rely on many other people to do so.
• I sent off my UCAS and got three offers and an interview! All the stress surrounding personal statement etc was definitely worth it.
• After becoming Editor-in-chief of my school magazine in March, the first issue came out beginning of November and I felt so proud! So proud of all of my team to put it all together, we felt it looked so professional and it got a great reaction from the rest of the school which was a needed plus.
• I became of one of the 'head pupils' at my dance school which is what I've dreamed of (I suppose) since I was little. It's odd being one of the oldest at the school but I've been attending it since I was three so it is a honour to be a head pupil of it with three of my best friends.
•  I got my first ever PR sample of a divine bracelet from Tales of the Earth jewellery. I was really pleased with this as I felt that my blog had suffered from school etc in the past few months so getting given this gave me an extra small boost of confidence!
• Christmas has to be my last highlight of the year - It was spent laughing, eating and talking loudly with my cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and close family. It was divine and just what the holidays are supposed to be about.

2014 was a good year! And I have a sneaky feeling that 2015 will exceed it, I've got lots of exciting things happening - A mass of parties, a ski trip, my 18th party, (exams etc) leaving school, girl holiday to Aya Napa, Final Fling, the dance show then off to University. I'm not sure where I'm going yet but I suppose it makes the upcoming year very, very exciting. But wherever I'm going, and wherever my life takes me I plan to take this blog with me. I know I haven't excelled or anything this year in my blog but I will continue to work hard on it and dedicate my are time to making it bigger and better!  My life isn't precisely planned out like it has been all my previous years, it changes drastically this year and I cannot explain how bittersweet yet excited I am!

Happy New Year!

P.S. Congrats if you made it this far - it was a very very rambl-y post!

Twitter / Instagram /Tumblr / Youtube! 

Absolute Dream

As absolute dream happened on Saturday night that meant I was able to get this Chanel, I repeat - Chanel (!) lipstick for free through one of my sisters friends! I had a choice of this classic red 'Cambon 31' or other shades of pink but I felt obligated to my love for red lips to choose this one, and I'm so glad I did! It's just pretty amazing to have something from Chanel, its not something I will wear everyday but I think that it will be special when I do. It's just such another lovely gift to have after Christmas!

So yeah, not the most informative blog post ever but I felt the need, as every blogger does, to share a materialistic thing with you all!

Now Watching // Watching Downton Abbey from Season One again, I forgot how much I love it!

Now Reading // Just finished Love, Rosie by Cecilia Ahern - such a captivating book with a sweet ending.

Twitter / Instagram /Tumblr / Youtube! 

My Christmas Day Outfit

 Dress - Asos. Shoes - New Look. Socks - Forever 21

This is so exciting, my first blog post from my new Macbook Pro. I am so so happy right now. Christmas was amazing, I spent it with lots of family in Essex laughing, eating and smiling. We arrived on Christmas Eve when we went to the cathedral for a Carol service which was good then had an evening of laughter with the anticipation of Christmas not too far away. Christmas Day was mainly spent eating and just catching up on life then opening presents in the evening. Boxing Day was spent not like I imagined but was equally as good - my cousins and I went on a (roughly) 15 mile bike ride! And I am not one to ride a bike often so I am feeling it today but it was really nice to spend some quality time outside with them, and burning off some Christmas lunch! We then had another big meal and finished off with Downton Abbey Christmas special (such a good episode) So overall I had a lovely Christmas that it is almost too hard to put it into words how grateful I am to spend it like that!

My main present was my Mac which I have been waiting for since last summer and I cannot explain how amazing it is! Hopefully everything will be slightly more professional and high tech on the blog from now on. I also got a range of clothes, accessories and lots of other lovely little gifts that I cannot stop staring at. Today is being spent rejuvenating and learning my way around this laptop, tomorrow I am off to see Edward Scissorhands at Sadlers Wells so it is fair to say, Life is pretty darn good right now! Hope you all had a Merry Christmas laughing and eating with loved ones!

P.S. Madeleine shot this outfit on Christmas Day and although I was at first doubtful at her camera skills I am really really happy with how they turned out, I think the light and background is beautiful that I would go as far to say that it is one of my favourite shoots on my blog, ever!

Now Reading // Love, Rosie by Cecilia Ahern - So sweet and captivating!

Twitter / Instagram /Tumblr / Youtube! 

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!

Twitter / Instagram /Tumblr / Youtube! 

Got that red lip classic thing that you like

Dress - Missguided. Coat and Boots - New Look. Scarf - Zara.
My recent obsession with roll necks is a bit out of control, the last three days I've worn them and I'm planning on wearing another one today! I remember when I was little my mum quite often wore them and when ever I would I didn't like them, I felt like they were choking me but fast forward ten years and I can't get enough. However they do still remind me of my mum, I think I look really similar to her with this style, especially with my short blonde hair! 

This is becoming my go-to outfit for any slightly more dressy occasion as it is so simple and comfy to wear but paired with my heeled boots from new look and my new coat, it works quite well to fit the 'smart-casual' look. I'm planning on wearing it tonight as I'm going to the West End to see The Scottsboro Boys with my friend Vicky and I cannot contain my excitement, I'm a sucker for a good musical!
My life the past couple of days has been recuperating from the past hectic term at school by watching a fair-share of The Vampire Diaries as well as rushing around the shopping centre looking for Christmas gifts - 8 days now!

Now Watching // The Vampire Diaries (obviously!)

Twitter / Instagram /Tumblr / Youtube! 

Style Crush - Gigi Hadid

 All pictures from Gigi Hadid's instagram

My ultimate girl crush at the moment has to be Gigi Hadid. She has such a classic cool California chill vibe, the long blonde hair, the big blue eyes, it's no wonder at 19 years old that she has already had an amazing model career. At the moment she is linked with many model friends like Kendall Jenner and Cara Delvingne as well as being the girlfriend of Cody Simpson. Her instagram is one of my favourites as it is filled with different pictures like her beautiful model shots, stunning selfies and fun photo's with her friends. I just think that her career is going to blow-up in 2015 as she is such a stunning girl. Her fashion sense does also stand out to me as the California 'chill' vibe is very much there with casual knit jumpers and (as a model for Guess) the classic denim. Then her red carpet style is also stunning, my favourite being this simple black and white combination. The simplicty of it really captivates her laidback feel she has. But yeah, you can tell she is a proper girl/ style crush at the moment for me!

I should (fingers crossed) be back in the blogging swing as I break up for Christmas holidays tomorrow so can hopefully can spend some time on this blog and get it back to something I am proud of! Sorry for the absence over the past couple of months, life has just been getting in the way, as it always does! Hope life's good with you!

Now Playing - Yours by Ella Henderson

Now Reading - Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

Twitter / Instagram /Tumblr / Youtube! 

Morning Haze

                                                                                 

  Yay yay yay, an outfit post! I had a mufti day at school on Friday, hence the very very poor light of the photo's as I had to take it so early, the sun hadn't fully risen yet. But I think it actually gives the photo's quite a nice effect, a sort of soft romantic teenager angst type effect, I'm not sure, maybe I've just done too much A Level photography and am analysing photo's too much! This is why I cannot wait until next year when I go to uni when I can wear my own clothes everyday and don't have to wait for a mufti day to take outfit photos!

This is quite a special post for me as I am featuring my first item that a company has very kindly sent to me to put on my blog. I got an email from Sarah from Tales From the Earth jewellery company a few weeks ago asking if I would be interested and after searching through their website, I jumped at the chance. They centre around small things meaning a big deal, they're handcrafted silver jewellery is beautifully quaint. My bracelet has an inscirption saying 'A life filled with adventure' which I think is just the cutest little phrase, having this little message on your wrist is just an inspiring and cute thing to have. I rarely wear silver and rarely shy away from my standard gold watch and ring but it was nice wearing something different for the day. Tales from the Earth will definitely be a company I will keep in mind when thinking about Christmas or birthdays from now on!

Jumper and Shoes - New Look

Jeans - Topshop

Jacket - Crafted by Republic

Bracelet -     Tales from the Earth *

Now Reading // When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman

Twitter / Instagram /Tumblr / Youtube! 

P.S. Add me on Snapchat 'ChristinaStorey' for my occasional random updates on life!

Rainy Cities, Magical Worlds and Future subjects: A General Life Ramble

Hi there, I'm back again. This blog is turning into a one post per week type blog and although I'm not really okay with that I'm just trying to juggle everything and sometimes it proves difficult. So today I thought I would go on a good old ramble about life because I haven't taken outfit posts in about 4 weeks and sometimes a ramble is just what is needed. So grab a cup of coffee and enjoy...

 I'm not actually that big fan of the rain. I hate being outside in it and it generally just makes everything gloomy but sometimes I find it quite calming. There's a romantic side to the rain, it reminds me of the Taylor Swift lyric -

There's somethin' 'bout the way the street looks when it's just rained 

There's a glow off the pavement, you walk me to the car 

And you know I wanna ask you to dance right there 

In the middle of the parking lot,

 There's a sense of vulnerability if your stuck outside in the rain and a sense of strength if your shielded inside, either way I think it can be seen as as a really interesting concept. Then this photo just stood out to me because as you know I am a sucker for cities and right now I would love to be stuck inside looking out at a rainy city and all the different mix of people that would run past.

Over the past couple of weeks I've returned to the world of Hogwarts, Muggles and Butterbeer and was reminded of the fact that 'Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home' (All hail Queen Rowling.) I was instantly transported back to the world of Harry Potter and it made me feel warm inside. It was like going home to such a familiar setting, people and story. I think I almost forgot how much I love the world of Harry Potter but recently I have been fully reminded and now know that you can never fully leave it.

However much I dislike getting up at 6:13 (Yeah, I'm one of those weird alarm clock people) every weekday I know there is something worth getting up for; the transportation of the day from dark to light and being awake in that hour, I get to see most days. It's so beautiful, seeing the sun rise from a misty cloud of grey to a beaming shade of orange. And do you know what I can't wait for even more? When it is all frosty and even snowy and how the sun rays catch light of the tree branches and sparkle. It will make my mornings magical.

I'm really excited for the future (although pretty scared but that's a whole other topic!) Next September I will be packing my bags, saying goodbye to this village and going to university. I'm not sure where yet but in the past week I have got 3 offers and an interview so I am definitely going somewhere! One of the things I am most looking forward to is just studying English. Although I don't actually mind photography and history  (my two other Alevels) this photo just really excites me for when reading will be the main bulk of work I have to do. It will just be so good to just study one specific subject and not have my brain burnt out by all these various completely random other topics. I can't wait when all I study is English!

This past week I've been in bed with a nasty cough for half of it and to cure my boredom I went back to season 1 of The Vampire Diaries, and I love it even more than ever. It's just one of those shows that I will never get bored of. It captivates you, keeps you guessing and you fall in love with each character in their own way. I'm still not sure who I want Elena to be with in the end but I love watching every twist and turn in their messed up and totally unrealistic lives!

So there we go, my thoughts and random feelings at the moment. All of these images are from my tumblr so if you want more of my random feeling and thoughts head on over there for a more regular updates like this! Hopefully I will actually post soon, but I cannot make a promise to that!

Twitter / Instagram /Tumblr / Youtube!

New York is Always a Good Idea

Top and Necklaces - Bershka. Jeans - Forever 21. Hat - H&M.  

Throwing it back to mid-September today because my weekend was spent going to a 1st and 18th birthday party. So for many different reasons I did not get the chance to take any outfit photo's or put together any vaguely exciting posts for this week. Sunday was spent recovering by catching up on Xfactor, watching the Hunger Games with my brother who came home for the weekend and attempting to watch The Vampire Diaries; the perfect lazy Sunday! However I'm now paying the price with my work this week so once again this blog is going to have to take a back seat which annoys me but school's got to come first I suppose! I've sent my UCAS off so hopefully some offers may start to appear and that weight can be lifted off my chest!

Now Reading // Rookie Yearbook Two - It's amazing!

Twitter / Instagram /Tumblr / Youtube!

 P.S. The writing on this top - New York is Always a Good Idea - is like my life motto.

Brunch at Bills

 Last Friday evening I got a spontaneous text from my friend Ella to go to brunch on Saturday morning with my friend Bryony, I obviously jumped to this as I never really say no to food and 'Bills' has just opened in Berkhamsted! Now I've never been to a Bills but have heard about it and there was a lot of happy buzz when they announced they were opening, so I was obviously eager to check it out. I got a cappuccino and the 'blueberry and buttermilk pancakes' but opted for without the banana, and they were delicious, like literally mouthwatering good!

 We then went on to go and see The Maze Runner. Now I've watched the trailer and heard a bit about this but hadn't researched it that much. Normally when I see a dystopian film based on a book I would have read the book months prior to it, however I was un-prepared and hadn't read it. So I therefore only understood what the film told us, I had no background knowledge. I found it really interesting to watch and am now, probably, 80% sure that I'm going to go and read the first book now!

Twitter / Instagram /Tumblr / Youtube!

Blank Space

Blouse: Asos. Jacket and Skirt: New Look. Shoes: H&M. Socks: Forever21

TGIF! I am so so thankful it's Friday, the week seemed never-ending. I don't know why though as we just had a break from school but it already seem ages ago. I suppose the novelty of being Year 13 has worn off and it's just settling into the same old routine. It's also been the stress of people talking about Uni and their offers etc buuuuut, my UCAS has been sent off! I finally sent it off this afternoon, so the waiting game starts!

One thing this week that has been a positive is dancing, on Monday night I had my normal Contemporary and Jazz classes and I'm not sure why as it was not much different to usual, but I loved them! I couldn't really stop smiling, even when in the Jazz warm-up my legs were shaking and I was completely out of breath. Then yesterday between Ballet and Modern, I took my friends Emily and Becky to drive-through MacDonald's and we ended up in one of those giggly moods where everything was funny. Weeks like this remind me why I dedicate so much time to my childhood hobby; for the rush you get whilst dancing and for the people who are there who make it just so special.

This outfit is a flashback to half term and I cannot actually remember when/ where I wore it! I think it was from this vlog when I went shopping with my mum. I felt like a schoolgirl in my knee high socks, my actual school shoes and my blouse but I'm not going to lie in saying I quite liked it!

Hope your weekend is fab, I'm going to celebrate it this evening with pizza, because why not?

Now Playing// Literally haven't listened to any other music apart from Taylor Swift's 1989 since it came out - be expecting a lot of 1989 blog post title references!

Twitter / Instagram /Tumblr / Youtube!

 

My Favourite Youtubers at the Moment

As much as I, plus many many others, enjoy watching the whole British youtube gang (Zoella, Tanya, Marcus, Jim, Alfie etc) I have been really loving some slightly smaller channels recently that I thought I would share with you. These youtubers are still very big and deserve every success that the others have had. (a whole other topic but youtubers seriously are taking over the world!) So kick back, grab a cup of coffee and watch until your heart's content.

Llymrs - Lily Melrose

I have been a reader/ subscriber to Lily's channel for a long time and I absolutely love it. She is just such a chill cool girl with an awesome fashion sense that I quite often get inspiration from. Her hair is also pretty cool, however hard I try I will never seem to get her matte messy look just right! My favourite video's from her channel would have to be her Get Ready With Me's as well as her chatty tag type videos. Seriously go and check her out for some major make-up/hair/ winged eyeliner envy.

HelloOctober - Suzie

One thing that I think of when I think of Suzie from HelloOctober is her 'Sunday post' on her blog. She always posts lovely photo's and a blog post about her chilled out Sundays. Then her video's are so great as well, her make-up is always seriously on point and hair is beautiful. Her vlogtober vlog were so chilled and relaxed and her editing skill are fab. Just another youtuber/blogger who I aspire to be like really!

InTheFrow - Victoria

The thing that I really admire about Victoria from InTheFrow is that she is a lecturer (Well, was) although she is now focusing on blogging/ vlogging full time she managed her blog, a PhD and a career as a lecturer whilst keeping up an amazing blog and youtube channel, talk about time management! Having recently been recruited by Gleam management I'm pretty sure we'll be hearing a lot more about her. Also, I never thought I would want to dye my hair purple, hers is just so beautiful that it's almost tempting!

ItsWayPastMyBedtime - Carrie Fletcher

I've known of Carries for a while but never properly watched her video's however in the last month or so I've started watching her 'Letters to Autumn' series - and I'm now obsessed. I've been watching her 'Letters to Autumn' every day and they are just so addictive, her voice is so soothing (sounds weird but you'll understand when you watch them) and her filming skill are so subtle but work so well. I'm just a little bit jealous of her life - She Eponine in the West End, Her brothers in McFly and she's obsessed with books!

So there is a few youtubers I have been loving recently, it's so nice to just kick back and watch these videos. It's something that I think some people don't understand, like they don't get how addictive youtube is and the whole impact the community has on everything at the moment. (Cheeky plug but I wrote an article on this youtube generation in my school magazine which I will link here - Also the new issue (the first one under me being Editor-in-Chief is coming out today! Very excited/nervous/scared/proud - they'll be a post on it soon)

Twitter / Instagram /Tumblr / Youtube!

Half Term Vlog // Shopping and Brunch

Check out my youtube channel here!

This half term has been so chilled, I've just had the right amount of chill time and doing stuff that the balance between the two has just been perfect. At the weekend I had a day shopping with my mum and then on Monday I went to brunch with some of my friends and thought that I may as well vlog. I really wish I had the time/ something interesting to vlog more as I really love it when I do. As I can be so chatty and often people don't want to listen to everything I say and I figure even if no-one watches them it still something to chat too! (Gosh, that sounds quite sad!) I'm hoping that once I get a Mac laptop (eeeeek, hopefully for Christmas/ my birthday) editing will be easier and therefor I'll make more videos but for now please subscribe/ comment/ like if ya want too.

Now Playing // 1989 is literally on repeat, it's perfect. (although quite a way off from the country ballads that I originally loved Taylor for!)

Twitter / Instagram /Tumblr / Youtube!

Recent Tumblr Lovin'

All sources on my tumblr

Soooooo, basically I wrote this post a couple of weeks ago but somehow didn't post it and looking back at it I figured why not post it today? So yeah, That's my explanation for this post, I've updated my tumblr quite a bit in the last couple of weeks so be sure to check that out.

I find sometimes when I am so bombarded with school work that I lose my creativity and passion for something different. That with wearing a suit each day and having my shoes and bag every day for 5 days out of 7 a week I lose my sense of personal fashion. This often happens when I'm in the middle of a term but as so often as before all I need to do is have an hour or two to have a search around on tumblr and different clothes websites to feel inspired. At the moment on tumblr, well actually always, I love black and white images. I just think they have such a sleek clean and classic feel to them. This is also portrayed in my sense of style, about 90% of my clothes I wear are monochrome. And surely if I like fashion so much I should experiment and be out there? But this is my style. Black, white with an occasional glance of colour, which is quite often denim. 

So this post started out as an inspiration post but ended with me analysing my own style, so yeah! At least my creativity brain now feels refreshed. 

Twitter / Instagram /Tumblr / Youtube!