Sunday 10 December 2017

On December

Definitely not my footprints, but those of a giant!

I am writing this snuggled up, after finishing the first season of The Crown (so good), seated at just the right angle to be able to watch the snow. I absolutely love snow; it is my all time favourite form of weather. As soon as I realised it was snowing, I wrapped up and went straight out into it. I love the crunch it makes and the glisten when it lays untouched. 

Here are some things I have been loving lately. 

Reading - I have always read a lot and since commuting I get through about a book a week. I have recently just finished His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. I never read the second two books when I was younger but I got completely lost in them last month. I also highly recommend The Penguin Lessons by Tom Michell; it was such a lighthearted, easy read, perfect for an afternoon. 

KeepCup - I ordered one of these a little while ago after Boyf found it and thought it would be something really useful. This is such a great company; essentially they are trying to revolutionise the way we currently go to coffee shops by promoting using a reusable cup instead of the paper ones (which are horrendous for the environment). I got a Long Play which keeps cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot - and you can design your own!

Nigella Lawson - Have you been watching At My Table? I have re-discovered my love of Nigella. I recently met her at Stylist Live after watching her speak, where she was actually quite inspirational. In her new book, she writes about how complicated life can be and how it is so nice to just gather around a table and eat food which isn't complicated. She deifnitely advocates a very nice way of living!

Fortnum & Masons - I love Fortnum's. I subscribed to their emails a little while ago and everything they do is crafted so wonderfully. They make such simple things seem so luxurious; I have been over the last couple of days really enjoying their Christmas Spiced Tea. Definitely a little Christmas luxury in it's beautiful tin! 

Christmas at Southbank - We went here last week to explore the Christmas market, expecting it to be fairly standard. However, it was so much better than expected! It has the usual little stalls of crafted goods, food and mulled beverages, but it also goes all the way through into an Alpine-esque Ski Lodge with fire pits. A really lovely smaller alternative to Winter Wonderland. 

Christmas is only 15 days away (!) as is 2018 drawing ever closer. I am about to write my Christmas cards (which I am making myself this year for a lucky few!) with some classic Christmas music in the background. I hope you are all enjoying the snow (if you are experiencing it!) 
Here's to the last few weeks of weeks 2017!

xoxo

Saturday 4 November 2017

On November



Hi Guys.
How are you all?
It's been some time (again).

I am quite a fan of numerous aspects of November. I love Autumn (which I did way before it became 'a thing'). I love getting cosy. Thanksgiving is also possibly my second favourite holiday of the year (despite being British). It's such a lovely holiday; it's like Christmas with the food, merryment and decorations but without the stress and commitment of gifts. It's just about being thankful and grateful. Of all my time spent in America, that time of year was definitely one of my favourite parts. 

With that in mind, here are some updates and things I am currently really thankful. 

Big News. I moved out! Hopefully there will be some more on this to come (the stress, the ups and downs, the packing, oh my word the packing). It's exciting and scary and fun. I am full on adulting now. 

Following from that, I am falling back in love with make up again. Now, I didn't exactly fall out of love, but what with making my morning routine as slick and quick as possible, I used about three products and that was it. But now I have more time (shorter commute for the win!) I am rediscovering everything I used to love about taking that bit more time with make up. (I even ordered the Morphe palette on my lunch break..I regret nothing, it's incredible).

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. If you take any notice of any books I ever mention or that anyone recommends, read this. It is incredible. I have never, ever, been so utterly absorbed and invested in a book. I genuinely felt as though I knew the characters and they were a part of my life. Honestly, one of the best books I have ever read. 

Our building has a gym so I am finally getting back into exercising. My confidence in regards to fitness and body image has definitely become something that I have become more aware of since not doing any exercise at all so I am so happy that I can now get this back on track. I am also currently very motivated; I need to do something to counteract all the new Christmas beverages! 

Glossier. They finally ship to the UK! I know that this is not news at all, but I have ordered some of their products and thus far, am very impressed! Watch this space for more details. (Also, the packaging is worth placing an order alone). 

I also want to say thank you to everyone who has followed this blog over the years, and to the newcomers. It's been a bit of a slow journey here recently, but I am working on it. This year has been difficult in more ways than one and The Kazlight Anthem has fallen by the wayside. But I have plans on numerous levels, so please bear with me. 

Thank you all and here's to November! 

xoxo


Tuesday 20 June 2017

On Taste of London 2017







Have you ever been to Taste of London Festival? It is so good! It is rated as being one of the best Food Festivals in London and definitely deserves that title (I haven't been to any others but I ended up going to this one two days running and was not at all disappointed so I feel I am safe in giving my opinion here). 

As with all festivals, you buy a ticket and then have free reign throughout the event. It is basically stalls and stalls and stalls of food and drink. Held in Regent's Park it is of course in a great location and easy to get to.
There are samples galore. You can go most of the day without actually spending that much and still feeling full. Nearly every stall has samples of some kind or are giving away something free. All in the name of promotion and deliciousness! 

Then there are the plates you can buy. They are around £4-12 for a dish and are so good. Each of the restaurants there does some of their signature dishes (on small scale and takeaway plates so you can gorge on everything) and some fancier ones especially for the Festival. There are differrent dishes across the days. These are so good. We tried one of our favourite restaurants, Balls and Company as they had Squid Ink dishes which we hadn't tried. I could not recommend enough! There are restaurants such as Temper that become so much more accessible to try. The cocktails are incredible as well. You could get ones in a whole pineapple! 
There is a whole range of food and bevbevs and something to please everyone.

The Festival is over for this year, but definitely go next year! We ended up going both Saturday and Sunday (long story) and loved both days!
It's definitely a lot of fun in a group. I would say that it is not reeeeally the best place for children; the majority of the beverages there are alcholic. 

Speaking of; did I mention the masterclasses? We did a Gin one with Sipsmith (free!) and it was incredible! You can learn so much.
And there are all the food masterclasses and shows and all the fancy stuff. We did a 'Become your own Barista' class with illy; I was abismal. You can see my latte up above; but it tasted good! There are also a load of start ups meaning that you get to try brand new products. 

It's a really great day out and I will be reminding you all to go next year if you are a foodie (or drinkie...)

Would you go?
xoxo


Tuesday 13 June 2017

On Recent Reads


I have somewhat at least mentioned (I think?) that I have been absolutely ploughing through books lately. I don't remember the last time I read this many books. It is honestly the one, and I mean the one good thing about commuting. 
So here are some of the books I have loved recently and am definitely recommending!

This is a must for Gilmore Girls lovers. It's a really great, quick easy read that will make you want to re-re-rewatch Gilmore Girls and A Year In The Life and fall back in love with Lorelai and Rory all over again. It is autobiographical and sees Lauren go through her childhood, how she got into acting and everything in between. Including all thoughts on the latest episodes of Gilmore Girls - the end if a cliffhanger right?! Right?!

This was such an original read and not one that I had ever been planning on reading (I acquired it as a bitter act of revenge when a doctor's appointment was stupidly delayed and refused to swap for another book ... ) Yet it was really good. I loved all of the characters and felt all of their emotions and would genuinely be unsure what to do in their situation also. A young couple who live in a lighthouse discover a washed up boat with a man and a baby inside and it follows their subsequent lives. It's a great story of the distance that love can go. 

This one I had been wanting to read for a little while (I'd heard so much!) Following the remaining time of her Father's life, Kyo begins to explore what life really means and what we can make of it. She begins to follow a birdwatcher and learns how the small and significant can be the things that really mean the most. This is one of those books (such as Marina Keegan's The Opposite of Loneliness) that will go into a special section of my bookshelves for those books that give more meaning to the more mundane and ordinary lives. One of those books that makes you want to do what you love and pursue your dreams more. 
The book is also filled with little drawings and is written really beautifully. And I am by no means at all interested in birds, but this did make me start to pay more attention to them!

I mentioned this in my last post; I got through this literally in a few days. And I as I finished the last few pages I litrally sat there going Ohmygosh!!!!! Even to the final paragraph. There are a lot of narartors going on here and it does jump around a lot which some people have said they found difficult to follow. But for me I just felt it added to the mystique and intrigue. If you enjoyed Girl on the Train, then you will definitely like this one. I think it is a much better story (and I loved Girl on the Train), but the characters have a bit more depth and it sucked me in a lot more. 

I could carry on with this list, but I think I will save my further recommendations for now...but let me just say that Kate Atkinson has become of my new all time favourite authors. Life After Life anyone?!

Let me know your thoughts and any recommendations please send forth!
xoxo

Sunday 28 May 2017

On Sundays





Once again, apologies for the delay. Life is busy and a pain and gets in the way. 
Anyway. 
Happy Bank Holiday! 
What are your plans? How is your weather where you are? Have you had an obligatory Pimms yet? 

I have just been chilling; however the clouds are looming and the Sun seems to have disappeared. No matter; there is still one more day! 

Here are some things that are on my radar currently. 

As we speak I am listening to Harry Styles' new album. For those that know me, I am by no means a One Direction or et al fan, but this is good. His carpool karaoke also? A must watch. 

I got a FitBit! I love it. I have the Charge 2; hopefully more on this to come soon. 

I'm considering beginning Bullet Journalling.  

Working right around the corner from KikkiK is both a blessing and a curse.I am absolutely loving everything they are doing currently. 

I am ploughing through books right now. (Thank you long commute). I am currently reading Paula Hawkins' Into the Water. I am hooked!

I'm giving blood this week; sign up now!

Have you been to Melt Room? Such a good idea - the specials are incredible.

Slowly rediscovering my old favourite blogs: Gal Meets Glam, The College Prepster, The Londoner.

Enjoy your Bank Holiday Mondays!
xoxo


Sunday 26 February 2017

On Life



First things First. 
Apologies. 
My sudden disappearance for about 5 months was not planned or intentional. But as Summer says in 500 Days of Summer, what happened was what always happens: Life. 

Life gets in the way. Of essentially everything. And yes we are all busy, and we all have things to do, and we all have commitments, and we all want to just do nothing sometimes. So life shouldn't really be used as an excuse. But really it is all I have. 

Working a full time job (that's more than 9-5) plus commuting takes up a significant amount of time. When it was dark as I got up and left for work, and dark as I came home it was really hard to adapt and appreciate what I was doing. I would come home, eat my dinner and not move from in front of the TV until I went to bed. 
I was exhausted and feeling very 'meh'. But now the heavy onset of winter seems to finally be fading into a more dusky morning, there quite literally is light at the end of the tunnel. I am embarking on some really exciting projects. My commuting routine is down to a T (except for of course when a strike or fault hits, then we are all in the horrendous boat of delay). 

I have always been on a 'day-to-day' basis. That hasn't particularly changed, but now my days are planned out hour by hour; my calendar is colour coordinated. 
The first 6 months of the particular industry that I am in is said to be the worst. It is claimed to be utterly horrendous when you are starting out. I am nearly at the end of that bridge and it definitely is looking up. There is purpose and reason. There are projects and rewards. The 'Sunday Scaries' still set in, but that's okay. Because on Monday morning I know I am in the exact same position as everyone else that is crammed onto a train so that they can't actually feel their hands nor are you actually carrying your bag because it is just being held up by the mobs. And time flies pretty quickly when you have too much to do. 

In other news though; I miss my blog. I miss blogging. So I am going to endeavour to return on a more regular basis. 
Because there are so many things I want to explore and share.
My new blender and how everyone needs one. 
How the last three books I have read have seen all of the main characters die (also why you should not read these kinds of books if you are not enjoying your day job).
Why working round the corner from Kikki.K, Mac and Jack Wills is a serious problem.
That my best friend had a baby
Why having a routine is beyond necessary if you have little free time. 
That Dublin is amazing and everyone should go.

So please bare with me and thank you all for still coming back despite the lack of new content. Let us all endeavour to do that bit more than just 'our daily lives' (but maybe after Monday...)

xoxo