Prague // August 2015

Last month Joe and I spent 6 days in Prague in an adorable apartment just off the main square. We took a couple of disposable cameras and here are a few of the results. Prague is absolutely beautiful, it feels exactly like walking around a real life Disney Kingdom. There are even often beautiful women singing show tunes in alley ways and if you listen carefully you'll be sure to find a jazz bar or two. Highlights of the trip include the Dali exhibition at the GOAP which was amazing and Joe fitting 19 Haribo Tagada's in his mouth at the airport. I'm missing those delightful European Haribo more than you can imagine. Why you no sell these in England, Haribo??! 

Also, The Zoo Crew (aka me and Joe) are now an International Zoo crew and Prague Zoo is insane. It is bloody huge, has every animal you can imagine, and you can even taken your dog! We still haven't managed to see a red panda though. Do they even really exist? I'm not so sure. 

Prague, you were wonderfully and I hope you guys enjoy our attempts at edgy disposable camera shots. 

Zoo Crew // Bristol

A few weeks ago my boyfriend and I went on the coolest date ever to Bristol Zoo. I hadn't been to the zoo since I was a kid but I can assure you that, similar to Disney World, looking at animals is equally, if not more exciting at nineteen. 

My favourite enclosure was the butterfly room. It is about 700 degrees celsius in there but full of beautiful butterflies that even land on your head (see last picture). I felt nostalgic as It very much reminded me of going to Bedford Butterfly Park as a child, feeling very sweaty but equally in awe of these lovely little creatures. I coincidently happened to be wearing my butterfly t-shirt. I cant decide whether this is cute or whether I just looked like a twat. Probably the latter. 

Our shared favourite animal was in fact the tiny little Pudu Deer. My photographs were all awful because I was too busy enthusing over it but please google them. They are now my favourite animal. Other favourites include the meerkats because they're always cuddling and the giant guinea pig aka. Capybara.  Look how cute it is!!!

I do realise my current blog maintenance is atrocious and I can only apologise kids. I hope you're all well and enjoying the summer as I am. Spontaneous trips abroad have meant limited wifi and time to post things but I'm looking forward to getting back on top of sharing things with you. I'm feeling very positive at the moment and sending you all equally good vibes. Lots of love x

Dr Martens Fan Girl

After several years of contemplating this purchase and 3 pairs of topshop alternatives I have finally invested in the Dr Marten Polley shoe. It is safe to say I am in love with it, even though my mother thoroughly disapproves and described them as the least feminine shoe possible. Sorry mum. They have ripped my feet to shreds, I am covered in blisters and I am £81 poorer (thank you student discount). But it was all worth it. I have been considering them for such a long time but the price was putting me off. I have since then probably spent at least £81 on cheaper alternatives which have only fallen apart, thus I feel this purchase is fully justified!! 

 

I actually bought the shoes in store after a very successful sale shop in Milton Keynes. Upon my return home I had a wee browse of the DM website and came across this beautiful Agyness Deyn dress in the sale at only £30 down from £90. Absolute bargain or what? I love the crazy Hawaiian print contrasted with the dark red but my favourite part is the back which features a single strap reminiscent of braces. Paired with my DMs I look like a full DM fangirl but it is too cute for me to care. I leave for Prague tomorrow (super spontaneous holiday) and apparently it's 37 degrees out there so the sundress is perfect. 

Also! I let my 13-year-old cousin dye a purple streak in my hair with a temp dye by bleach London. I figured as I soon turn 20 it will no longer be acceptable for me to do ridiculous things and blame it on teenage naivety and lack of responsibility. I'm fully aware I look ridiculous but I'm also very happy about it. 

Apologises for the sparsity of content recently, I guess I was too busy buying things and doing things to tell you about that I didn't have a chance to actually tell you about them! Lots coming soon. Sending you all love and good vibes as per x

The Liebster Award

I don't really understand what has just happened because I am such an outsider to the blogging community. Apparently over at wordpress they do a fancy blogger award thing and my friend James nominated me for one. What an angel. Thank you James. You should check out his blog he's pretty good at the blogging thing and posts daily. Yes, daily. He actually tagged me in two (Inspiring Blogger Award- thanks for calling me inspiring James). But this uncreative guy only chose one set of questions. So I've chosen the prettier looking award to feature on my blog based on my shallow nature. 

I'd like to thank James for this award. Also my mum for her on going support and my die hard fans. 

The rules are: 

1. Post banner 

2. Answer questions 

3. Write some questions

4. Tag people. 

(This feels like getting tagged in something on bebo in year 7, I feel strangely popular in a superficial manner).  

Questions for me from James 

1) Green eggs or ham?

This is a trick question because James is actually vegan and he really wants me to say none because eating such products is unethical. I do not like them Sam-I-am. I do not like green eggs and ham. 

2) Aside from writing, what is your favourite artistic pastime?

I like drawing shit sketches. I'm literally awful at it but it makes me super happy. 

3) Who doesn't inspire you?

This is truly one of the most bizarre questions I've ever been asked and I cannot think of a genuine answer. Probably because I'd be pretty hurt if somebody said I was uninspiring and I don't morally agree with this question. Thus, instead, I'm going to release a post on who DOES inspire me tomorrow. That's a promise. 

4) Would it be feasible to live in a mud hut outside Euston station instead of risk my life savings trying to get a flat for September?

I am asking myself this same question every day. How do you feel about getting a mud hut together? Mud mates? 

5) Top hats or monocles?

Monocles. Definitely monocles. 

6) Is a dead tree in an urban area beautiful or tragic?

Probably both. Tragically beautiful. 

7) Why is Bloodborne so hard?

So after extensive research I have discovered that Bloodborne is an action video game for PS4. I do not know why it is so hard. I can just about play the Sims and even that is a struggle. 

8) Would you ever consider wearing swimming goggles as a fashion item?

No. Just straight up no. 

9) At what point does celebrating success become a stagnant attempt to relive the past?

This is too intellectual for me and it's hurting my head. 

10) Would you rather live life or observe it lived by others?

Live it, definitely live it. 

Questions for James from me 

What is with these deep intellectual questions? Why did you put me through that? My head is genuinely now sore.  (That wasn't part of the rules I'm just distressed by the intensity of this task). 

Nominations 

I think I was meant to nominate like 10 people but I'm going to rebel and only nominate Sophie Ellen Thomas because her blog is cool as fuck and I think if nothing else you guys should check in out. 

Questions for nominees

A. How do you take your tea? 

B. What is your favourite poem?

C. Will fetch ever happen? 

D. What is your favourite film? Please tell me why this is your favourite film.

E. Which country do you want to visit the most? 

F. Are you superstitious? 

G. Who inspires you? 

H. What is your dream?

I. Do you believe in soulmates? 

J. Will you ever grow up? 

This was an unusual post from me. I hope you learnt some things. My next post should be back to the usual format. I hope you're all well and enjoying summer x 

Paris 4 // A Conclusion // August 2014

The final post in the Paris series has arrived. 11 months on and we can finally conclude this journey through theme parks, catacombs and museums. Here are some touristy pics. Ps. The gentleman in the photograph is my brother, alta-petes meet Josh, Josh, meet alta-petens. 

In typical tourist fashion we spent a day seeing the sights. I watched the Eiffel tower sparkle, visited the hunchback at Notre Dame and took a really awesome selfie and top of the Arc de Triumph. (I've lost all pictures of the actual Arc because I'm silly like that. I'm sure you all know what it looks like anyway and are not awfully heart broken). 

It is so strange to reflect back on these adventures nearly a year after they occurred and think about how drastically things have changed for me. At this time I was still a wee town girl waiting for her A level results. Now I have moved out of home, completed a year of a degree, removed 8 inches of my hair and fallen in love with London as well as Paris. I was terrified of the uncertainty of my future at this time a year ago. Now I am excited by it. Our realities are transient and fragile. Anything could happen within the next 12 months. Here's to growth and positive change. Oh, and also more cheesy grins at the top of landmarks. 

Little Venice

Sorry it's been a while you little gems. Life is hectic and sometimes you have to step away from social media for a while (see this post for more thoughts on that). Whilst trying to escape I've been exploring London a little and thought I'd share Little Venice with you. This was one of the places Ellie mentioned on her London bucket list [x] way back in January. Now my exams are finished and I'm officially enjoying my longest summer ever I'm finally getting a chance to tick some things off. N.B. This is a great point of reference for anyone living in London or visiting London and looking for things to do. It sits at the top of my reading list. Shout out to Ellie for that. 

I really like pretty things, and if you too like pretty things you'll probably like Little Venice. It is a little pocket of beauty within the concrete jungle. It doesn't feel like you're in the city. You can sit by the water and read your book or drink coffee on a boat (yes that is a really thing!! see photograph above). You will feel like you could be anywhere in the world whilst the sun beats on your back and renders the water deceivingly blue. I'm really sure it wasn't as blue as it looks in that photograph. 

I didn't go alone and some of my friends were underwhelmed by the experience. They thought it'd be 'a bit more exciting.' So if you don't have a passion for strolling around and admiring pretty things. If that doesn't make you feel happy, then you too may feel underwhelmed. Obviously we all enjoy different things, but I loved the boats and rustic bridges and the general calm atmosphere. It is an escape from the city without leaving the city, which I fully recommend when the tubes and constant speed walking is all getting a bit too much. 

Berry Smoothie Bowl // Recipe

Continuing with my smoothie obsession, I thought I'd share my favourite breakfast at the moment: The Smoothie Bowl. I only recently started eating granola as I thought I didn't like oats. Turns out I do like oats. I really like oats. And after this discovery I went on a massive granola kick. I started off eating my granola with yoghurt rather than milk as I liked the thick texture and stronger flavour. However, recently I've tried to cut down on diary (and meat) with the view to eventually stop eating them altogether. 

After a bit of research and inspiration from Ella at weneedtolivemore- the most inspirational blog around- I decided the answer was to top my smoothies with fruit and granola. It tastes as rad as it looks. 

RECIPE 

(makes one large cup of smoothie) 

Two handful's of kale 

1 large handful of blueberries

1 large handful of raspberries

1 large handful of blackberries

A few strawberries 

1 table spoon of flax seed

Water to get it moving 

Top with fresh strawberries and granola 

Enjoy x