Keep Calm and Carry on

I am having trouble in knowing what to blog lately as I've been really busy, stressed and not sleeping well. 


As many have seen in the media or maybe around them, UK has been suffering riots and looters this past week that has gone so out of hand, it has actually been causing me to lose my concentration at work (-.-")

The riots and looters have really angered me having kids as young as 8 years old taking part damaging their community and stealing from it. It just gets out of hand, where innocent people got swept into this mass destruction and have been injured and killed because of it. 


UK I feel is becoming soft, evil thoughts have sprung to my mind such as bringing back the death penalty! Or even at least be like countries such as Germany or Korea where people age 18 have to take part in the army for 2 year, then they can have some form of direction to life and become well disciplined and learn respect


I am pretty pissed of how some people can act, especially in a country I was born and brought up in. 


I suppose as the saying goes, we need to try keeping calm and do our best to carry on and not dwindle 


I am so glad that people are getting involved with helping to clean up the mess, and an epetition has been made to revoke all benefits from any rioters involved, over 100,000 people have already signed it, more support is needed 


Click to read and sign the petition

  

Forever 21 arrives to London

It's been a week since Forever 21 has opened on the busiest shopping street that is Oxford Street. As my colleague old me the day she went, which was the grand opening it was RAMMED full of people! So many people were excited over this brand finally coming to London, since there's a branch in Birmingham that has been opened for a while now.

London's branch consisting of 3 floors all womenswear (unlucky guys hopefully in the future!) full range of smart, casual, underwear and accessories.

I decided to have a mosey of the store after work seeing what the clothes were like. I will say that the clothing is young fast fashion, style is definitely High Street- Miss Selfridge x H&M, quite nice for an American brand! However the prices and workmanship/quality of clothing is Primark to H&M prices. As I said, fast fashion for consumers needing their fashion fix and keeping on trend.

My friend who came along with me said that some of the prices are really good but differs pending what type of garment you're looking for; and she did say America would be cheaper with the brand, well of course! I did feel bad wandering off to try some clothes on in the fitting room, was a LONG queue. I can't believe how long women can take to try clothes on, but some did have 10 pieces with them!

 

I couldn't get over the cost of shorts that were sold ranging from £7-£13, basic tops from £2.50 even a light showerproof jacket was under £30, such a bargain!

I decided to try out some pieces towards the Autumn Winter trend of cobalt blue. I was quite hesitant about this colour on me as it doesn't suit everyone, but I ended up really liking the colour and found it suited me; beats my usual pallet of greys and earthy colours! ^.^

Those who don't have the store you can opt for shopping online!

Forever 21 Enjoy!^.^

iTunes Festival at The Roundhouse

This year the tickets have been so difficult to win and obtain, iTunes Festival is getting more and more popular as the years go by and the line up of artists get better.

It so disheartening when you get emails from iTunes of the band’s name, and then saying, "Thank you for applying for iTunes Festival tickets. Unfortunately you have not won tickets". As my mate said, if you want to be rejected 20 times or more, apply for iTunes tickets! (o_0)

Fortunately I managed to go iTunes twice this year o(^_^)o being a spontaneous lastminute.com helps and winning a pair of tickets from Metro, the only other time I tried my luck in getting tickets.
So first gig I went to see at Roundhouse was The Script. My friend spontaneously asked if I wanted to go that afternoon. I thought why not as I didn't have any other plans and Zumba was out of the question as was suffering split shins from the 10k run ( ; _ ; )

The warm up act was Loick Essein, I didn't know who the hell he was until he sung his popular hit at the end, making me think "oh, that guy!" was a good performer too much rnb/soulful music for my taste to be honest.
When The Script came on the vibe was really positive. Many people were singing along including me, and was good the band worked the crowd; I was really impressed how good they are live- nice gig for a Tuesday night (^｡^)
Then on the Monday 2 weeks after, I won tickets to see 2 Cellos & Lang Lang. I was expecting a lot of classical music from the sounds of their names.

I was very entertained by 2 Cellos Croatian musicians who became a real hit on Youtube, where they twist it up by playing modern rock music on the modern electric instruments. They really worked the crowd! Was amazing that they also got a drummer in so they played a really well know 80s rock song I've forgotten the name of and "Highway to Hell"
They even did an encore which was really good, still can't think what the name of the song was...

Then final act of the evening was Lang Lang. Slightly short Chinese guy but had a lot of spirit in him especially when it was just him and the piano. I was amazed at how well he played and was fascinated at the speed he played was intense, but something about a gig i usually relate to rock than classical.

But Roundhouse is a good venue for all genres. However I wish I had a seat for his performance; though I was wearing trainers my feet hurt after the 20min performance as I wasn't really moving or dancing to the music. Thought was really funny that after his performance, fans gave him flowers. I bet none of the other artists who performed got flowers (^_−)−☆

Nail Art

I always enjoy nail art since I was a kid, painting them, pierced them when the craze happened in the mid 90s and even brought fake nails, but those didn't last long as I hated them! :P


I will admit, I did enjoy having my nails pierced though needed long nails, and I managed to make little charms for the pierced nail too ^.^ but this was when I was about 14!! Over 10 years ago!! I wouldn't mind doing the piercings again, but will be too impractical, as I work with garments and catching the accessory on the fabric causing snagging will not be good! Lucky I don't work with knitwear atm!!


Sophy Robson's Salon people were doing manicures for free over in Shabba Dabba Rah beginning of the month, there were so many colours and styles to choose from, so I decided something bright and stripy! ^.^ Definitely recommended 

www.sophyrobson.com 


But back in the 90s there was some really decent nail varnishes I remember buying in France a lime green nail polish where you could peel the paint off when you had enough with it; so didn't require nail varnish remover ^.^ 


In Boots for £3 in the bargains, the nail varnish was the type that cracked I don' remember what the brand was called but I'm sure I've still got them in Devon, hopefully not dried out! (O.o). Unfortunately with this brand the nail polish was really effective, but the paint just flaked off which was a real shame.


Rolling to over 10years later Barry M release the same type of nail vanish in a fair few colours, best bit is, the polish doesn't flake off like the previous brand used. I really like that the varnish dries with a matt finish, but you can top coat it to make it last longer and have a glossy finish, £3.99 for the bottle, quite a bargain (^.^) 

Exploring East Central

Gosh it's been a while since I've actually got round to composing a new blog post >.<" work has been busy and then after work activities take over making me get home late and just sleep! Bit of the rat race lifestyle me thinks (-_-)

Last weekend after Japanese class, I chose to skip Zumba, as I needed to rest my legs before the race (10k run in Central) the next day.

So my friends and I decided to head over to Farringdon for lunch. they told me they were going to Exmouth Market and try out this Japanese cafe called Necco cafe; I was intrigued as I have not really explored Farringdon and sounded interesting so tagged along.

Exmouth Market is actually a street full of different cafes and restaurants, a very relaxing street, but no markets; I felt a bit mislead. But I'm sure the place used to have markets back in the day!

There were just so many varieties of food you could have, from Italian pasta, Spanish tapas, bakery classics, to local English food that were jellied eels. Many of the eateries had some nice cosy decor to something very trendy and quirky.

But Necco Cafe was really sweet little place with Japanese food that was so yummy and not too expensive, I definitely would recommend this place. The food was so homely especially the brunch bento that was in three layers, a lot of heart was put into the food (^-^)

Their desserts were quite nice too (o^.^o) I tried their green tea Tiramisu which was so yummy and not too rich.

I really thought Necco cafe would actually have some felines around, but I suppose it's just the name of the place, as I know in Japan there are places where you can pay to pet young animals such as cats or puppies (^^) But not this shop, I suppose sake of hygiene with cats running around the place! 

21st Century Dating

Ok so over a month ago, I had a friend ask me out. To be honest I laughed in his face and didn't take him seriously, as he's the character who's such a joker, looks like someone who looks like a gangster, tall, well built, shaved head- throw things off he's a teacher!

That night with friends he just kept going on asking me out and throwing the funniest chat up lines to me. The one that was most hilarious was
"You are the last stick in my match box who can light my fire"
It made us all laugh.

Right so last weekend I finally agreed to go on a first date with him, however the twist was I'm the one paying dinner for this first date with my "Ai Ya Boyfriend". Fair few of my friends were saying "isn't it the guy who'd usually pay, or even go Dutch?"

But then again it's the 21st Century and modern times we are in. Women are independent and can earn more than the other half. So I suppose it's ok, as long as the favour is returned and he brought the drinks or next dinner, he pays. It's good to keep balance as he sussed out from me and can be opinionated when I want to be.

He ended up being more Fashionably late compared to me; well he is the type to be late to occasions.

I decided to take him to Wahaca in Soho, a nice place for sharing different types of Mexican food and good chilled environment with the bar downstairs and not too expensive.

We ended up chatting about alsorts ended up widening his vocabulary with words with terms get doesn't usually that I would. suppose rats what happened when a very Street North Londoner and a Devon girl get together!! haha! (^｡^) It was quite a sociable get together  as opposed to a proper date. Was funny when he was kind of using me as a shield, since he weekend was Gay Pride and the restaurant on he same road as The Village.

But this "Ai ya boyfriend" won't last long for me, he doesn't want a relationship and wants to work in HK, I can't see me being a couple with him; he's pretty crap a contacting me! But I think we just enjoyed each other's company in a sense of companionship.

I reckon I prefer traditional etiquette is better on a date, guy pays or at least go Dutch!

Haha! *Ding* next please!

As I was searching for an image to go with this post, I found this which is pretty funny!!

Damn Temptation

I've
now worked at my new office for three weeks now, still a lot to grasp and
remember their ways of working; but I suppose that's normal. I like the fact
this company does flexi time, the commute I'm getting used to now, bit being so
close to Oxford Street is the worst thing for me! 

Summer Sale has been happening, I've already had a browse in
Selfridges 4 times already & 3 of the times I brought something (ｰｰ;) damn the sale, I have been doing so well in
not spending much on clothes then I go on a bit of a spree. Currently at this
summer sale, I've spent just over £100... Lucky I have gift cards! 

As I'm now in a new job, I consider it a new job treat! (typical girl
I know!) I think this year I've gone through a sportier looking phase of
minimalism, as lately clothing wise my eye has been on the nice basic
shapes.  

High street are doing many nice basics in a different range of
colours, or if you want to indulge, quite a few pieces by T by Alexander Wang
are pretty simple but with a twist. Not bad ranging from £20, but were out of
my budget range. I really liked this Acne vest with a placement print- I
completely disagreed with the price of £40 for it. 

Made out of thin jersey and to be honest I could easily make it! For
typical me my Achilles heel, no pun intended is for shoes!! I was on a serious
hunt for a nice pair of wedges; wish I ended up buying the pair in HK I saw!
However all the styles I saw were missing that je ne se quoi. The designs were
either quite nice but if it had more platform, better or the shape was quite
clumsy for my feet. I saw this pair of neoprene zip detail wedges by Beau Coop.

Very mad style but they were so comfy!! Selfridges struck again on me
as I fell in love with a sporty pair of grey canvas lace up wedges only cost me
£20 I'm happy (^.^) but if it were me to design the shoe, I would have wanted a
bit of platform at the front for more comfort! Hmm I wonder what being a shoe
technologist is like.... 

So as it's the Summer, I also needed some new sandals. They were
simple, cost me £8, however crap to run around in! Along with this Summer
trend, of course many women own a maxi dress. I however didn't own one until
this weekend, because I felt they were too long for me as I’m short (~_~;) damn
New Look. Well at least it was only £9!! 

Ok I am now forbidding myself going
shopping clothing wise until Winter Sale, as I want a nice leather jacket,
don't own one of those yet