Top Five Moments of Late 2014

Happy New Years all! A little belated, yes, but *cough* better late than never. Weirdly, late 2014 is lacking in photographs. I must not have taken as many (that or they are on my film camera) but I'm going to try salvage whatever I can. So here goes, the top five moments on the latter half of the year gone by!

1. Brunch Dates

[Sorry for any involuntary salivating I may have unintentionally induced] Oh so many lovely meals out with my auntie, cousins and uncle. They were mainly girly little brunch outings. We went everywhere from tea houses, steak houses, to pizza take outs. They also kindly catered to my love of desserts... damn they were b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l. Food aside, I love spending quality family time in their company!

2. New School Year

Certain things happen which may seem bad at the time but somehow they work out for the better. I didn't get into the universities I initially wanted to but starting the course I currently am on was the greatest thing, education/creativity-wise, to happen to me. I started to actually feel that I could do the things I wanted (which is fashion) and express myself the way I couldn't previously. Being surrounded by creative like-minded people has been the best eye opening opportunity I have been given.

3. Dolphinholme

Imagine starting a new school. You're the socially awkward kid and you literally know no one. Then you are forced into staying at a two day residential with a bunch nameless faces you only got acquainted with two weeks prior. Sounds like hell, right? I thought it would be... but it turned out to be hilarious. Especially during the night - we got spooked by some guys coming around scaring everyone in their tents which consequently lead to our tutors finding us all hiding behind the kitchen counter. We also stole toilet paper from a neighboring tent and Alice went a little crazy and began making shadow puppets. I also (surprisingly) further established some newly found friendships which would last throughout the year (and hopefully longer!).

4. Oxford 

I went to visit my brother and sister-in-law in Oxford. My brother acted as a bit of a 'tour guide' (he was pointing out the obvious might I add). We walked around, shopped, went punting with a pair of Germans (lovely people!), went to the gallery, ate yummy food and most importantly - had the most delicious bubble tea I have ever had E-V-E-R. So authentic, such lovely distinctive 'tea' taste and the right kind of bitter. Mmmmmm. I had a grand time.

5. Wedding

What kind of sister would I be if I didn't even mention my own sister's wedding? ^-^ I officially love weddings. I especially loved hanging around my family as we tried to get each other more drinks. It was so much fun that went asked about the wedding by my friend I responded 'I had 2 jagerbombs and several other drinks and I still didn't get tipsy!' - it was safe to say he wasn't really impressed with that answer. Seriously though, I probably could not have picked a better brother-in-law. Who else would manage with our crazy family?


Phew! I actually had more photos than I anticipated. A few other noteworthy occasion is Christmas of course! My brother stayed for a week. My whole family knows how much I love my brother's visits, we all do. And also a Christmas meet up with some old friends, because who doesn't love a little friendly get together?

That wraps up 2014! 

Top Five Moments of Early 2014

Initially, I did want to do a photo diary every six months but I realised that it was a little unrealistic keeping track of everything that happens on a daily basis (which is surprisingly a lot, even for a introvert/homebody like me) but I still wanted to create an opportunity for me to be able to look back on my life. So, instead here is the condensed version - the top five moments of early 2014! 

 1. Hong Kong

Hong Kong is definitely a highlight of mine. Without a doubt. My whole family went including my in-laws which was just double to fun. Plus, I got to reunite with my awesomest cousins - hey Sinny, Tubbs + Emie (if you ever read this)! There was SO much more that happened that I simply cannot fit it all into a simple blog post. I'm sure you could imagine though, travelling is like everyone's favourite little adventure!

2. The last day of school. 

Need I say more? It was a huge relief just to leave that dreadful place but besides that my friends and I went to have a lovely meal afterwards and not only that as well but I went to my first ever festival! It wasn't a typical outdoorsy type one but the music was so on point! I watched The Heartbreaks, The Midnight Beast, Life in Film, Catfish and the Bottlemen and Sivu, several of which are my favourite bands.

3. Prom. 

It wasn't so much prom itself but also the events leading up to it. I went to Georgie's house (which is the most beautiful place ever) and it was like a whirlwind of events: we were both surprised by having a day at a salon getting our nails and makeup done; I forgot my prom dress (doh!); had one too many champagnes; and got ready whilst ever so slightly tipsy. I was happy that I got to see everyone together for that one last time.

4. Reunited with my family. 

I hadn't seen much of my Dad's side of the family in years. This family in particular (Dad's youngest brother) I hadn't seen in about 11 years. I honestly did think it was going to be awkward and I would just sit there in silence whilst everyone talked amongst themselves but we got along famously. My cousin and I also reunited and I loved her when I was young - even after all these years we just got along so so well. We're like twinnies! I just love them so much.

5. Little moments with my friends and family. 

For the fifth and final moment it isn't just one significant day but various 'insignificant' ones I've spent with my friends and family. I would do them an injustice if I hadn't mentioned them. You don't need a big fancy excuse to just enjoy the company of people you love. The days I've spent getting 'freedom cake' with Charlie, taste testing food with my sister and brother-in-law and 'stalking' Vincent around school are little things that make everyday life that little bit more happy. ^^

PHOTO DIARY #1

Here's a photo diary of the (not-so) new year so far! In the year of 2013 I vowed to myself that I would improve my cooking for the sake of my future independence and lack of my mothers presence - boo. My cooking endeavors are very much 'hit-and-miss'. Sometimes I come up with cutlery genius but more often than not it turns out to be a major flop, naturally I did not include those in this blog! This is a tuna and courgette pasta. You can get the recipe from foodwishes.com or foodwishes on YouTube. I love his recipes. Also, a super simple mango ice cream!

Galleying with Nick. Costa with Charlie. Bubble Tea with Sylvie

It seems Costa has become the student hangout. I like the atmosphere in coffee shops, I'm sure you know what I mean! The nice sanctuary it provides on those particularly gloomy and wet English days is always lovely. And the mandatory bubble tea fix! I'm sure if your Asian you know of this legendary liquid~ I literally walked past it when it was newly open and stood in the middle of a crowd of people going "omg omg omg BUBBLE TEAAA!" to which my sister mocks to this day.

more cooking. *chef jess*

For Sylvie's birthday we went to see The Script. At first I thought I might not enjoy it as much as maybe a few years ago but it was awesome! By far the most aesthetically pleasing concert so far~ the photos came out very well and it was most enjoyable!

MY BIRTHDAY!

I think the night before my birthday my brother told us he was coming back home for my birthday. Keep in mind it is about a five-six hour drive. I honestly felt like crying (okay, I did cry..) and I felt so overwhelmed that he and Hannah would come all that way to celebrate with us. So my sister booked two extra seats at an Italian restaurant. Even my sister's boyfriend Alien - which is his nickname from the family - came around for birthday cake and then we played cards and Uno. Don't you ever get those days you feel really united with your family? I honestly feel beyond blessed to have them in my life. They mean absolutely everything to me.

Of course, I also celebrated a 'school' birthday because my birthday was during time off. Sylvie gave me a hilarious bag with ours, nick's, charlie's and katie's head stuck on it. Honestly, I wish I had a photo! *tears of laughter* Nick even went and ordered me a gameboy and pokemon emerald! I was able to reunite with my old (though admittedly super lame) pokemon team.

practice cake and rocky road I was going to make for my friends.

Mother's day dinner with my mum (obviously!) and Jen. yums yumz yum~ 

LONDOOON! You can read the full photo diary { h e r e }.

Kev came back down for the bank holiday weekend and we drove to a nature reserve. The drive was lovely because it was such a sunny day! It was such good timing too~ Kev started going on the kid stuff and mother bear got all ninja and 'HAH! you suck! loook at meee and my yoga skills. BOOYAH!' (she didn't actually say that but...).  We also went to 'yam taa' and I had my much loved coconut ice cream! 

And finally, we went Leeds today and had McDonald's as you do!

So that is 2013 from January - June! Thank you if you have read so far. You should tell me if you like these life blogs... I may do them more frequently or I may just stick to doing them once or twice a year. It is rather a joyous thing making this blog because you get to look back on all the memories you would have otherwise overlooked ^^. I feel a little bit more appreciative of my life now~ <3

 

london || PHOTO DIARY

A few of my friends (Sylvie, Nick, Charlie and Katie) and I hopped off into London for a short trip!

1. The first stop was Oxford Street and anyone who knows me knows I love socks so I always end up drooling in front of every Topshop sock display.

2. On the second day we decided to be all cultured and visit the Natural History Museum. I was craving waffles like a rabid rabbit so I got this awesome looking cookies'n'cream one as we waited outside in the freezing snow (look at the joy on Charlie and Nick's faces!).

'naaarrhhhgh' - that's supposed to be a whale noise...

3. Next, I needed my hit of BUBBLE TEA. Honestly, I cannot live with the stuff. I also get the rest of the gang to get just as obsessed.

4. My favourite spot of the whole trip was at Camden, probably just because of Rokit and the wonderful array of vintage clothing~ I ended up buying a really nice denim jacket for £30!

5. We walked over to Embankment Pier where you could see the London Eye, Big Ben and all that fun touristy stuffs and ended up heading to Trafalgar Square. 

I felt a bit like God sat on Nelson's Column and watching over this view *-*

6. Then off to meet the Queen... kinda! We ended up walking all the way to Buckingham Palace surprisingly!

7. Last stop was for some bubble tea (of course) across Piccadilly Circus and into China Town. 

I had an awesome three days with my friends. London is one of the iconic cities so it's good to walk around there and just to think you are living thousands of peoples dreams just being in the city. No doubt many of you have and will visit, you'll have to tell me about it! ^___~