charlotte. nineteen. my two cents' worth.

Wednesday 22 October 2014

The East - Part 2

After a few hours on the bus we crossed the border into Poland. It still amazes me how you can be driving for a few hours and end up in another country...that's the beauty of Europe! 

Before arriving in Krakow, we made a stop at Aushwitz Concentration Camp. During World War II it was used as a network of German concentration and extermination camps that were built and operated by the Third Reich in Polish areas annexed by Germany. I knew that today would be both physically and mentally challenging, and it proved to be just that.

Enclosed by barbed-wire fences, we were taken into a few of the houses that once held thousands of innocent Jews. Inside were glass cabinets filled with belongings of people who died where I stood. Shoes, luggage, glasses, combs, clothes; the list goes on. After silently passing through what remains of these people's lives we were taken to the second camp. This was where the train came into the camp, and people were immediately separated. If you were fit and healthy you were put to work, and if not you were marched to the gas chambers to have a 'shower'. 

The bus ride to Krakow was silent as everyone mentally processed the events of the day. I was so emotionally drained. It was such an experience that I believe everyone should have at least once in their life. I still struggle to describe to people what this was like. When you see how those people lived and what they were put through I think it changes you. It defiantly changed me. 

Arriving in Krakow, I knew nothing about Poland's people, culture and traditions. I didn't know what to expect.

Krakow is Poland's culture capital, and is also surrounded by a crazy amount of pigeons. It is home to one of the oldest and most prestigious Universities, and has been proclaimed the 'City of Literature'. It is also known for it's nightlife, so obviously I had to go on a pub crawl. One thing I did not expect was for every pub to give you a complementary shot upon arrival, which was rude to refuse. So after I'd had enough I walked back to the hostel (picking up a big mac on the way) and managed to fall asleep in my drunken state.

The next morning we all staggered out of bed and hopped on the bus to our next destination: Zakopane. It is one of the cheapest places to ski in winter, and it also very beautiful. I stupidly didn't pack enough warm clothes (it was September, didn't think it would be that cold) and had to borrow some extra layers from people. It was freezing. And raining. And foggy. Basically, the weather was miserable and was terrible for photos. Nevertheless, Zakopane was stunning and ridiculously cheap!

Poland as a whole surprised me. Everything was cheap, the food was amazing (a lot of meat: ribs, steaks, sausages, etc.) and the people were very friendly. Poland is not somewhere that was very high up on my list of places to visit, but it really is culturally amazing. Defiantly worth a visit!

Aushwitz Concentraion Camp

Krakow

Zakpane 

Wednesday 15 October 2014

The East - Part One

Well...I'm not sure what to say about Eastern Europe. It was never really on the top of my to do list, but I was mesmerised by the history, architecture and culture of this particular part of Europe. It really is something else. From tank rides in Slovakia, to pub crawls in Poland - it's fair to say that I ate and drank my way through the best of the East!

I set off from London, arriving at my destination (Prague) in the middle of the night. Being the cheap traveller I am, I stayed at the airport until it was light out and I was sure I wasn't going to get attacked or lost. As the sun rose (yes, finally there would be sunshine!), I begun to gather my bags and searched for coffee at the airport. It didn't take me long to find a Starbucks, but the problem arose as I looked at the price. Hmm. No idea how much that converts to, but I need my coffee so take my money. That was my thought process at 6am in the morning.

Arriving at my hostel, I left my bags and found a map with tram numbers on it. Fabulous. I made my way to a tram stop and was waiting for a particular number to take me to the Old Town, when a girl came up to me and asked if I was from the hostel. Hours past, and we were walking along The Charles Bridge together - an Australian and a New Zealander taking on Prague together.

I was left speechless by Prague. It was really a highlight of my trip. The architecture was breathtaking, and after figuring out the exchange rate I realised how cheap everything really was. From walking 1.5km across the Charles Bridge, to the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, and on to the Statue of St. John of Nepomuk (don't forget to rub it's tummy for good luck!) Prague should be on everyone's to do list.

Statue of St. John of Nepomuk

The Charles Bridge

St, Vitus Cathedral

I had to be up early the next morning as my tour departed from the hostel at 7:30am. I was a bit nervous as I'd never done a tour before, and didn't know anyone. For a shy Australian girl, this was a big step. Ignoring my nerves, I hopped on the bus, and off we went! Our next stop was Olomouc! 

Prague, Czech Republic

Wednesday 23 July 2014

Italy/Paris

I've got the travel bug, and I've got it bad. I just got back from a nine-day trip across Italy, and finishing in Paris. And what a fun-filled, jam-packed nine days I had with some friends from Australia.

Landing in Rome from London, the first thing was to find our accommodation, which wasn't too difficult. We did all the tourist things (Vatican City, Colosseum, Roman Forum) which were all dripping with history. But my favourite memory from Rome is one particular restaurant in which we practically became locals. We ate there the night of the World Cup Final, which was insane. The Italians really are football crazy! I had the best meal there - spaghetti with pepper and cheese - and way too much wine. It was by far my favourite night in Rome!

Catching the train from Rome to Florence was easy enough, and we were greeted with breathtaking scenery. I've never seen anything like the Cathedral in Florence. Although I found there was not much to do, it's beauty is enough to captivate you for days on end.

Florence

Our next stop was Cinque Terre. I hadn't heard much about this place, but it's made up of five villages, in which you can walk from village to village (although not the easiest walks, but very worthwhile for the views!) The water was beautiful to swim in, and this was my favourite place in Italy we visited.

Cinque Terre

We made a little pit-stop on our way to the airport to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Not really much to see here, only thing we did was get the perfect tourist shot holding up the Tower.

Paris is something else entirely different. I'd heard a lot of negativity surrounding Paris and the French, but I couldn't have loved Paris anymore. The pastries and bread are as good as everyone says, and standing under the Eiffel Tower was possibly the most exciting moment of my life. You dream about going to all these places, and when you're actually there you have to pinch yourself to let you know that yes, you are in-fact at the place you've been dreaming about since you were a little girl. And that feeling is magical.

"Love Locks' Bridge - Paris

TTFN x

Monday 7 July 2014

Brighton

Brighton, Brighton, Brighton...where to begin. Firstly, you were defiantly worth the 7am wake up on a Saturday. Secondly, you were even more beautiful than I expected. And thirdly, how soon can I return?

As soon as I stepped off the train at Brighton station I immediately noticed it's colourful nature. No, it was not like London. London is bleak and mind-numbing...but Brighton is vibrant and happy. The people, the atmosphere, and it's sheer pride are enough to see how it lures in the crowds. 

Being an Australian, I laughed at Brighton Beach. Everything about it seemed so wrong. There were pebbles where there was meant to be sand, the water looked horrible and cloudy, it was raining, and not to mention the temperature of the water was something I would not be keen to swim in! But that's what makes it so special. Brighton Beach is everything a beach shouldn't be, and that's why I love it.

Another thing you can't go pass up is fish & chips. You can't go to Brighton and not have fish & chips (although I will forgive you for not putting vinegar on them...that's just plain weird!) Sitting in the park with friends, eating our lunch...it was just a moment of bliss. 

Walking through the streets, they were lined with colourful decorations and market stalls. Brighton just has such a happy feel to it. From now on, Brighton is my happy place. After all, it's only a train ride away, but it feels a million miles away from busy London. 


TTFN x

Saturday 28 June 2014

My London

"When man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford." - Samuel Johnson.

I've tried looking for more quotes or opinions to express my thoughts on London, but none even come close to the one above. London is something else entirely. London is loud, and proud, and is definitely not what people expect when they arrive.

London is busy. The people in London are busy. They are always in a rush to get somewhere. Home? To a meeting? Who knows. All I know that when in London never ever get in the way of a Londoner. The people are not friendly - they will not stop for a chat or even share a simple 'good morning.' It's just not the London way. 

The streets are dirty, often piled with litter and swimming with the homeless. I find it quite funny actually, how you can walk down an empty street and see a mass of litter and a homeless man, and the next corner you take is filled with tourists shopping acting like everything is normal. 

The weather is dreadful. If it's not raining, it's overcast. It's usually cold and windy, making you wrap your scarf and coat tighter around your shivering body. You should always, always carry an umbrella with you. London's weather is unpredictable, and it always looks like it's going to rain. The lack of sun is somewhat depressing, and you have to try not to notice the colour of your now pasty skin.

But there's something about London that draws you back. It's intriguing. On a rare sunny, warm day, the parks are flooded with people taking in the sunshine with a pint or bottle or wine, and you think to yourself, "this is why I'm here." This is why I put up with the rain, the cold days and nights, the bleak city. 

There's always something going on; always something happening. People try to leave London, but end up returning because they simply cannot be anywhere else. As I said before, London has something about it that draws people in and doesn't let them out. 

London is my city, and I never want to let it go.



Sunday 4 May 2014

Portobello Road Markets

I don't know what it is about markets. It might be the smell of foreign food, the endless hours of people-watching, or the promise of snagging a bargain, but either way I just love them. Hence, I've managed to make my way though quite a few markets since being in London. It's safe to say I've eaten way too much market food, drunk way too much and spent more money than I'm keen to admit. Markets just make me impulsive.

The Portobello Road Markets were no different. Perhaps the most famous markets in London, these markets are located in the beautiful area of Notting Hill. It's exactly as you'd expect it: vibrant, colourful houses surrounding the market stalls, people everywhere, and busy restaurants and pubs. 

I didn't know where to start, so I just walked. To say it was crowded was an understatement. Wherever I walked I was constantly squashed between dozens of random people (I would hate to see how busy these markets get in the summer!)

My first stop was a second-hand book stall. I was in heaven. I literally could have spent all day, and all my money, flicking through the old pages of classic books. I ended up controlling myself and thankfully only purchased a Beatrix Potter book.

I was getting quite peckish, and luckily I was just entering the food markets. The only problem with market food is that I never know what to eat. There is every single kind of cuisine you could wish for. I opted for some sort of chickpea patty, and it was unbelievably good. And to make the day even better, the sun decided to come out after weeks of constant rain and cloud. It was looking to be a pretty perfect day!

After what felt like an hour, I eventually made it to the end of the markets, and it was time to turn around and walk around the other side of the road. There were so many interesting things being sold, including polaroid cameras, which I so desperately wanted to buy, but didn't due to my lack of funds. But that was okay, because when I reached the next stall I saw the most delectable looking brownie. I obviously had to try it, and it was the most amazing thing I have ever tasted. I could eat these for the rest of my life and die a happy lady!

So there you have it - my day at London's most iconic markets. I ate, and shopped, and ate some more. I was full, I was happy, and I was in London. I could not have asked for a better day.


TTFN x

Tuesday 22 April 2014

Italia

I've just returned from the Easter holidays in Italy - my first European holiday since moving to England 2 months ago. I was meeting 2 friends in Rome, then we would head south to Sorrento.

Walking out of Termini Station, I instantly felt out of place. I had no idea where I was, or how I was supposed to get to the hostel I was meeting my friends at. All I had was a map I couldn't read nor understand, and a suitcase and a bag I was desperately clutching too in attempts to not be pick-pocketed in my first moments in Rome. After about twenty minutes of wandering completely in the wrong direction I miraculously bumped into my friend on the street, and had never been so happy in my life to see a familiar face.

It's easy to see why Rome is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world. With it's architectural and artistic treasures, noisy markets and its romantic corners, Rome certainly knows how to impress.

Rome

Moving south to Sorrento, it took a lot of chocolate and a very long 4 hour bus ride to see what all the fuss was about. And boy was it worth it. With houses scattered on ruggered terrain overlooking Naples and Mt Vesuvius, Sorrento is an appealing place with an undeniable laid-back charm. Wandering around the town centre is enough to see why it's so easy to fall in love with.

Sorrento

The next site to tick off the list was Pompeii - "an ancient town frozen in its 2000 year-old death throes, Pompeii was a thriving commercial town until Mt Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, killing some 2000 people." We arrived at 10am, and did not leave the ruins until 6pm that night. It would be an understatement to say that there was a lot to see. It easy to see why this site attracts so many tourists worldwide.

Pompeii

Quite possibly my favourite part of the whole holiday was our day trip to Capri. "Get past the designer boutiques, and you will discover an island of rugged seascapes, Roman ruins and an unspoiled rural inland" - and we sure did. We ended up completing something like a 2 or 3 hour walk along one of the walking tacks around the coastline, and in doing so I saw some of the most spectacular views. It honestly looked like something out of a movie. Yes, I could definitely picture myself living in a little house on the island of Capri, where the streets are too narrow for cars, the houses overlook some of the most spectacular views, and the people are very friendly, and the food is indescribable. 

Capri

Yes, this is my happy place. In the short amount of time I had here, and the limited number of places I was able to visit, I can honestly say that I am in love with Italy.

  


Sunday 16 March 2014

Positive Thoughts

"91% of women surveyed on a college campus had attempted to control their weight though dieting. 86% report onset of eating disorder by age 20; 43% report onset between ages of 16 and 20.6. Anorexia is the third most common chronic illness among adolescents. 95% of those who have eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25.8. 25% of college-aged women engage in bingeing and purging as a weight-management technique."

It appears that every weekend when I pick up the paper, the front page is always sprawled with new research and new statistics regarding the mental and physical state of school-aged children. Apparently the pressures of school, social and home life are taking their toll on our youth. This makes me so sad. We live in an age where 'thigh gaps' are encouraged, and getting a good grade is more important than a good nights sleep. 

Eating disorders are a topic close to me. I've had friends battle though them, and come out the other side. Although the might look okay by the end of it, their insides and organs are severely damaged. It's time we started to look after our body's the right way.

"Did you ever realize how much your body loves you? It’s always trying to keep you alive. It’s making sure you breathe while you sleep, stopping cuts from bleeding, fixing broken bones, finding ways to beat the illnesses that might get you. Your body literally loves you so much. It’s time you start loving it back."


Sunday 2 March 2014

Aus vs Poms

After getting over a 28 hour flight, jet lag, and a whole new country to live in, I can happily say that I am now settled in. And have the time to blog (yay!). I've been out and about for the past week, seeing things and doing things, and have been tired out every single night by 2 six year old girls. Putting this aside, it's a bit early for me to be feeling home-sick, but I have noticed some slight differences between England and Australia. 

Firstly, the people. I miss the simple 'good morning' while walking through the streets of Aus. In England, when people see you walking down the street they simply put their head down and continue walking.

Secondly (and perhaps the most obvious) - the weather. I miss the sunshine. I miss the warmth. 

Thirdly, the amount of tea the British drink is RIDICULOUS. I mean, I love my tea, but I cannot keep up with their 15 cups a day!

These are the three major differences I've noticed. However, I am absolutely loving it here! It's a very nice change which I am slowly adjusting to. 

TTFN (ta ta for now) x 


Friday 21 February 2014

London Calling

I recently left the comfort and familiarity of my home country, Australia, for a much more colder country. Arriving in the UK early this morning, I finally figured out what real jetlag is, and how bad it really can be. It's currently 5pm (and I seriously don't know how I've managed to stay up this long!) and all I can think about is sleep. But I want to try and get my body-clock used to the UK time. Sigh. At least I know I'll sleep well tonight!

I'm constantly cold (even with the added heaters that my new family so kindly placed in my room) and I still feel out of place. England is just so different from Australia. Aside from the obvious temperature and climate differences, England is sort of crammed-in. Everyone and everything is so close together, whereas in Australia you literally have to fly to the other side of the state. 

In my one day of being here, I've gone for a walk around the neighbourhood and taken a few photos. And I can't wait to get out and explore more!


Friday 14 February 2014

Valentines Day

To me, people fall into two categories on valentines day: 

1. The people who are so happily loved and adored by that one special person and enjoy yet another day of being spoilt and showered in expensive gifts.
2. The people who opt to spend their night with an entire bottle of vodka.

I think we all know which category we fall into. Whether we're all for Valentines day, or refer to it as 'singles awareness day', there is no doubt Valentines Day is just another day of the year. Hence, I spent my day working, and my night with one of my best friends having a lovely picnic. I think one of the things people forget (especially on Valentines Day) is that we need to not only appreciate our significant other (or lack-there of), but all the people who put up with us and make our lives better. So instead of picking up that bottle of vodka, pick up the phone instead and think about who you are thankful for this Valentines Day x

Tuesday 11 February 2014

Australia to England...

I think when I move to England (agh, only 8 days away!) I'll miss the simple pleasures Australia has to offer. I take everything for granted here...the easy going lifestyle, the proximity of the beaches, and perhaps the most important one...the sunshine! It hasn't hit me yet that I'm going to a part of the world where you will literally be lucky to see sunshine once a week. Coming from Australia, this will prove to be an extremely hard change for me!

I spent this afternoon at Currumbin beach, and the weather was perfect! Not a cloud in the sky. As it's coming into my last week in Australia, I'm trying to make the most of the sunshine, weather and being able to see my friends. Because when I move to England it will be very hard to fit in skype calls when everyone goes back to Uni and I'm trying to get over jetlag and adjust to a totally different time-zone. But bring it on!

Saturday 8 February 2014

Saturday Nightlife

Tonight myself and two of my closest friends ventured out and explored one of the Gold Coast's best nightlife scenes. Hidden away in Miami, Miami Marketta offers a variety of market street food, live music, and local brewed drinks. What's not to love?

I had only heard positive things regarding these markets, and decided I had to try it before I left for the UK (only 12 days away, AGH!). Open every Saturday night from 4 - 10pm, the markets are a great way to catch up with friends and just chill out. Additionally, every 2nd Friday of each month is Marketta Arts Creative, with locals selling vintage, one-off pieces direct to the public. 

So head on down next Saturday night for what is sure to be the start of a tradition that brings so much culture and food and fashion into the Gold Coast. Enjoy! 



Tuesday 4 February 2014

#justinlane

If anyone likes pizza as much as I do, you have to try Justin Lane Pizzeria & Bar! Located in the heart of Burleigh along James Street, this tucked away little goodie is too good to miss! My sisters and I went out here for dinner tonight, and I couldn't be happier with the service, the food, and the overall ambiance of the place! 

I highly recommend to anyone to visit this little piece of heaven if they have the chance. It has received numerous good ratings on various review websites, and I can personally say it is one of the best feeds I've had in a while! So what are you waiting for? Bon appetit! 


Wednesday 29 January 2014

Food for Thought


Ever since c.w.b wrote her piece about friendship, I've been doing some thinking and have come to the same conclusion, and essentially my next question: do relationships have a timeframe? Is their a certain length of time that people can be friends before the relationship runs it's course and eventually fizzes out? 

At school, it was hard to imagine going a day without seeing your best friend. You'd plan your lives together. But then you graduate school, and university comes along, as well as partners, new jobs, families and eventually children. Suddenly, the person you once thought would be in your life forever no longer is.

"All friendships have a life cycle," according to social phycologist Dina McMillan. Lifestyle changes are inevitable, and with these changes comes a shift in your social circle, and you no longer have much in common with your 'friends'. 

"Any friendship that is based around you having the same experience - be it school, university, work, being neighbours or having children at the same time - might have a limited life and it's important to remember that's completely normal."

Monday 27 January 2014

c.w.b

When I think of the word 'friend' I can't help but refer to the conditioning media has given us up until this point in our lives. From the womb we are fed fictional characters; cartoons with unrealistic expectations like dying for one another, girls who bitch and whine but end up best friends, fairytales with wild impossibilities and perfect endings. But the truth is, there is never a perfect ending and even after being exposed to this throughout most of our childhood lives we still cannot properly define the meaning of the word 'friend.' And if we can, we certainly cannot live by it.

This tech-savvy generation we live in had made the freedom of opinion and observation too accessible and vulnerable. Facebook has given us the option of virtually befriending someone, which potentially can give you more opportunity to get information then the people themselves are willing to give. Instagram, Twitter and Tumblr let you follow people. Follow. We have all this access with no privacy, no boundaries, no rules. We sit behind screens and silently judge with every photo that gets uploaded, every text post that gets created, every comment that gets shared. You're probably sitting there right now, claiming you're not guilty of this, but the truth of the matter is we are all guilty but we will share no real consequence. It has made us detach from the reality of what friendship really is. When I think of the kind of friends I want, I think of someone who has your back no matter the circumstance, someone who will willingly follow you up shit creek so you're no alone, someone who doesn't degrade you or tell you you're wearing your hair wrong, someone will will answer your calls at 3am in the morning and listen to your incoherent sobs, someone who will have a shoulder for you to cry on at any time of the day. It is hard: it is hard to find someone who will do all of those things for you and it may take a lot of failed attempts to find one. But when you do, oh boy, am I happy for you.

c.w.b

2014 Grammys

For those of you who unfortunately missed the 2014 Grammys, do not fret! Everything you need to know (the gossip, the best and worst dressed, winners, etc) is below! So keep reading!

Best dressed
I couldn't pick - it was a tie! Chrissy Teigen and the one and only Queen B were both looking mighty fine!

Beyonce

Chrissy Teigen

Worst dressed:
As much as I love Katy, she definitely could have worn something a little more...flattering 


Winners:
Our very own (yes, us Aussie's are claiming her as ours) Lorde won big this year, scraping up not one, but two Grammy Awards, as well as Macklemore and Ryan Lewis winning multiple awards. It's safe to say that the winners this year were extremely deserving, and we can't wait to hear what they come out with next! 

The very beautiful and talented Lorde.

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.

Saturday 25 January 2014

#aussieday

G'day mate! Happy Australia Day! I hope everyone is having a bloody good day, and celebrating what it means to be an Aussie. Us Aussie's are a very unique bunch, living so far away from everyone and everything else. We pride ourselves on being an easy going, carefree and plain-speaking nation who is sport-crazy! 

So whether you're draping yourselves in Aussie pride by the barbie, having a few beers, or spending the night at work (like mwah) we have to be proud of who we are, and where we come from. 



Thursday 23 January 2014

Jeff Buckley

Jeff Buckley was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, and is my new obsession! If you've never had a chance to listen to his one and only album, 'Grace', you're missing out. The acoustics of the album, accompanied by Buckley's unusual sound lead the singer to be dubbed the 39th Greatest Singer, according to Rolling Stone Music. They claimed they couldn't "compare his voice to anything - he had such an usual breadth of influences." 

 This very talented musician unfortunately died on May 29, 1997 when Buckley went swimming in the Wolf River Harbour, and his body simply vanished. I think the fact that this musician only had the chance to record one album makes this album even more special, and adds to the purity of his sound.

"But you can talk all day about technical aspects, and you get nowhere. Jeff had the ability to sing a cappella in almost a whisper in a packed club environment and be able to hear a pin drop - that's not about technical ability, that's something else." - Rolling Stones Music

Wednesday 22 January 2014

#princecharming

Ladies, if you're anything like me and are still waiting for Prince Charming to come and sweep you off your feet, be worried. Be worried that you're betting on a dream that affects your perception of reality and for most, will never ever come true.

If I've learnt anything, it's that movies and TV and the internet create an illusion of our perfect partner. We have a certain checklist that a suitor must pass, and we are not willing to settle for less (yes, there is a difference between having standards and expecting Prince Charming ladies. We just have to learn the difference!)

Besides, in this day and age, it's all about girl power! We don't need no man anyway! It is now acceptable for a woman to be single and successful without a man by her side (it's about time!) and I personally encourage this. So ladies, delete that mental checklist you have when looking for a partner, and just have fun! 

#girlpower 

Saturday 18 January 2014

Advice

I've always wanted to compile a list of advice that I would give to my previous self, and when the time comes, my daughter. Scrolling through my tumblr dash, I came across this list that I couldn't tear my eyes away from:

Dear Future Daughter:
1) When you’re at some party, chain smoking on the roof with some strange girl with blue hair and exorbitant large dark eyes, ask her about her day. I promise you, you won’t regret it. Often times you’ll find the strangest of people have the most captivating of stories to tell.
2) Please, never mistake desire for love. Love will engulf your soul, whilst desire will emerge as acid, slowly making it’s way through your veins, gradually burning you from the inside out.
3) No one is going to fucking save you, anything you’ve read or heard otherwise is bullshit.
4) One day a boy is going to come along who’s touch feels like fire and who’s words taste like vanilla, when he leaves you, you will want to die. If you know anything at all, know that it is only temporary.
5) Your mental health comes before school baby, always. If its midnight, and you have an exam the next day but your hands have been shaking for the past hour and a half and you’re not so sure you want to be alive anymore, pull out that carton of Ben and Jerry’s and afterwards, go the fuck to bed. So what if you get a 68% on the exam the next day? You took care of yourself and at the end of the day that will always come before a high test score. To hell with anyone who tells you differently.
— Abbie Nielsen  (via narobe)

Wednesday 15 January 2014

#breakfast #important

I recently read an article in a magazine that caught my attention. It was describing how missing breakfast is so bad for our bodies. I think you'd have to be living under a rock not to know this, as health experts are constantly telling us that the first meal of the day is the most important. I know this; yet sometimes I just can't help but skip this meal. I'm not sure if it has something to do with waking up late (it's 10 already, I'll just wait till lunch to eat), or if I'm ever in a hurry (I'm not that hungry, I'll just have a coffee - GUILTY!). Whatever the reason, it has to stop.

The article detailed how you're better off to eat a donut than to skip the first meal of the day. Funnily enough, this is kinda true (although I definitely would not eat a donut for breakfast every day!). Your body responds to not eating for hours and hours by slowing down it's metabolic rate, and by eating breakfast, you essentially wake up your metabolism. Additionally, research has constantly shown that those who eat breakfast have a better chance of losing weight, and keeping it off.

I know that after a bit of research, I woke up and made myself a beautiful breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast, avocado and tomato's. What did you have?

Monday 13 January 2014

#goldenglobes

Undoubtedly, the Golden Globes is a night about awarding the talented actors and actresses for their handwork and dedication on-set, and for celebs to bring their fashion A-game. Along the night there were numerous hits and misses, and I'm going to show you some of my favourite outfits of the night!

Oliver Wilde
A pregnant Wilde did not fade into the background in this sparkly emerald green frock, and looks simply amazing!

Emma Roberts
Miss Roberts was definitely the standout for me. I absolutely adore her in this black number paired with turquoise earrings #perfection

Naomi Watts
I'm loving Watts in this delicate Tom Ford frock. Watts seemed to keep to the trend of this years Golden Globes, which was undoubtedly metallics! 

Emilia Clarke
This dress is absolutely adorable on Miss Clarke! I love everything about this detailed strapless gown!

As always, some celebs just don't bring their fashion A-game. The Golden Globes were no different, with celebs such as Taylor Swift, Drew Barrymore, Kelly Osbourne, Emma Watson, Kayley Cuoco, Sandra Bullock making it onto the worst-dressed list. 

Sunday 12 January 2014

Rising Stars

2014's ones to watch:

Elizabeth Olsen 
This year will see this particular Olsen sister alongside Breaking Bad's Brian Cranston in a legendary remake of Godzilla. 



Emily Ratajowski
2013 saw Miss Ratajowski in the infamous staring role of Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines video clip, but 2014 will see Ratajowski cast in the adaptation of Gone Girl. Thus, we will be seeing a lot of Miss Ratajowski in the media this year (and it's easy to see why!)



Gabriella Wilde 
Miss Wilde is easily recognisable from one of her many Burberry campains, and this year will hit the screen along side Alex Pettyfer in an unmissable remake of Endless Love (we will definitely not be missing this must-see movie of 2014!)



Lily Collins
Collins in undoubtedly known for her fashion taste, and 2014 will be no different. Enough said. 



Cara Delevingne 
This British babe needs no introduction, and is set to make her second on-screen appearance this year in The Face of an Angel.