Weekly Summaries 43 and 44 (Bumper Edition)

Cute wrapping for Reece, Sleepy dog, Festive student house,

Essay work, Rain City Forbes, Tattoo Stencil on,

Finished product, BEST COFFEE CAKE, More essay work

OOTN for a house party, Essay woes, Fuel,

More essay woes, Dominos, Gift from Mum,

Lazy girls, Late night drive with the little monster, Re-reading the Hobbit and my new playbook :D

1. So sorry for the lack of post last weekend! But the past couple of weeks have been my final two weeks of the term, so lots of deadlines and revision and essay writing!
2. Not much has gone on really; it's all been revision and essays. I got tattooed again and also went to my friend's house party with Lydia, Charlotte and Bobby (promised I'd mention you ;D), and then to the film society Christmas meal which was really nice.
3. I came home for the holidays on Friday, worked this weekend and saw Reece for the first time in a fortnight tonight, which was lovely. 
4. Every year Ikea gives each of its coworkers a (very generous) Christmas present. This year they gave us a Blackberry Playbook. I set mine up last night and it is amazing. So impressed with it. It isn't too great on the app front, but I plan on using mine for storing all of my dissertation research on it. I find whenever I try and use my laptop for research it takes twice as long due to 'Tumblr breaks'. So this should hopefully work, as flipping between screens isn't as easy on the playbook. So excited.
5. I have almost a month off from uni, with an essay to write, but I also started my MoonProject internship on Friday. I haven't done too much as yet, but I can tell it's going to be a great experience.
6. We bought out Christmas tree today, and Colette and I are decorating it tomorrow, so we can finally put gifts under it! Can't wait!

I think that's basically everything! Thank you all for sticking around, and I promise to try and post more. Posts will be more sporadic between now and April, as dissertation work is really picking up :'(

Thanks for reading! xxx

Weekly Summary #33 (21st Birthday edition)

First day back at uni, Princess Diaries, Coffee cake,

Off to Huddersfield, Compromise - football and film, FINISHED!

Going home, Reunited, Birthday meal starter,

And main, Birthday OOTN, On cola

1. Hi guys! I'M 21 TOMORROW!! So this week has been crazy! I started back at uni on Monday, went to see Reece on Wednesday, went to Leeds on Thursday then back to Manchester on Friday and then finally back home on Friday evening.
2. Reece took me into Leeds and we went for an early birthday meal at Zizzi's in the Light. Italian food is my ultimate favourite so we gorged ourselves. He also bought me my replacement Jonny Craig ticket as he lost the other in his room somewhere. Fool.
3. I also went out on Saturday night with my work friends, although due to catching a horrible cold off Lydia and feeling generally poop all week, I laid off the alcohol and went home early. I also rang in sick to work today and spent my time in bed recuperating. I now feel much better, although wish I could have stayed out a bit longer.
4. I also had my inner arm tattoo finished. It only took about 40 minutes and didn't hurt half as much as the first session. I'm so pleased with it.
5. Colette and I exchanged gifts tonight, as we won't see each other on our actual birthday. She got me a beautiful silver Fossil watch, which needs a link taking out, a feather bracelet and a feather ring. They're stunning. I refrained from wearing them until tomorrow though. I've got a stack of cards to open from family too, I feel very, very lucky. I think being 21 is going to be good.

I'm currently in bed and plan on watching Despicable Me and reading the last 50 pages of a book for uni tomorrow. It's been a good week :)

I hope you're all lovely (as always)

Thanks for reading xxx

Weekly Summary #23

Ready to go get my tattoo finished, The finished result! Stuck in Huddersfield,

Colette before phone shopping, Before work, Online window shopping,

Reece is funny, Snoozy dog, Evil dog wants skittles.

1. Another week and no new blog posts. I don't know what's up with me. I'm all blogged out at the moment, plus I've been working way more hours, so blogging is at the bottom of the pile unfortunately :( I promise to at least try and put a post up this week, probably Wednesday. I think it will be a post about my tattoos, now my back one is complete!
2. Like I said, I've been working a ton. It's remarkable how exhausting it is to serve hot dogs day-in, day-out. 
3. I spent a couple of days at my friend's in Huddersfield during the week and had lots of fun watching a lot of Prison Break (which is dead good!) and eating a lot of crappy food.
4. I also saw my favourite ladies for the first time in what seems like forever on Friday. We went and got Colette her iPhone (ick) and had coffee and chatted and ate pasta. It was fun.

Not much has changed with me, still always working, and when I'm not working I'm sleeping! The only day I have off this week is Friday, which I should be spending in Huddersfield shopping and spending my wage - come at me Nike. 

How are you all? I feel like I haven't spoken for an age! Leave me a comment telling me how you all are!

Thanks for reading, promise to speak soon! xx

Weekly Summary #16

new purchases: Barthes 'A Lover's Discourse' and The Science of Sleep, sunburny legs :(

Pub quiz after a Nandos on Tuesday, Lunch at Teacup on Thomas St, Smoked chicken soup,

CAKE, Red Velvet cake (that we couldn't finish), New Rilo Kiley print,

The National print for Lydia's birthday present all framed and pretty, Tattoo half finished, Waiting for the train home

1. This week has been ridiculously fun! I spend Tuesday catching up with and old friend with a picnic (resulting in the sunburn). It was lovely to catch up with her as I haven't seen her properly in a few months. I've also made plans to get together with my best male friend from school in a few days as we keep missing each other, which is silly considering we live about 20 minutes away from each other.
2. I also saw Moonrise Kingdom (review here). Recommend me your favourite Wes Anderson film? Have you seen it, what did you think?
3. I spent Thursday with Abbey in Manchester. We went to tidy and clean up her flat so she can just nip back and collect her stuff next time we go. It only took us and hour between us to completely upend the kitchen (think pulling every compartment out of the fridge and scrubbing the oven), whilst simultaneously dancing and singing along to the music channel on the tv. We then went shopping for my housemates' birthday gifts and had lunch. We went to Teacup on Thomas St. in the Northern Quarter, which I've been wanting to visit for a while. It was delicious, and not too expensive either. We were defeated by the yummy red velvet cake though. We then went to the gallery next door, where I found a couple of prints - one for me and one for Lydia's gift (which she loves!)
4. On Friday I got my back tattoo started, and blogged about it here. It's only half finished at the moment, with colour still to be added in a few weeks, but do let me know what you think! Are you pro/against tattoos?
5. Yesterday I went back to Manchester to celebrate Lydia's birthday. It was a brilliant night, with all of her friends from home. We went to 42nd Street (as always) and danced our feet off. It was great to be back again, I miss it and can't even contemplate the fact I have one year left as a student :( This afternoon a few of us went for a Nandos (second this week, and I didn't pay, it was great), and then headed home. I caught a ridiculously packed train which went the long way home. Not amused. 

Tonight I think I'll stay in bed with books and films having a late night as I get a lie in tomorrow! 

I hope your weekends have been as lovely as mine :) Happy Sunday!

Thanks for reading x

p.s. Oh, if anyone knows of a cheap place that sells custom sized frames could you drop me a comment and let me know? That Rilo Kiley print is proving awkward to frame!

Tattoo Session Number 1 (and a few tips)

I've been posting about it for the past couple of weeks, but today I finally had my first session on my latest tattoo. I now have four in total, with this one being my biggest.


When I had my consultation and booked in, I gave my tattooist the brief of a lighthouse with crashing, Japanese-style water, which was to be in the middle of my upper back (no tramp stamps here). 
He has done one of my previous tattoos, and I wouldn't go anywhere else, so I fully trusted him with the design.


He came up with this:

This is obviously the basic outline, overall I was ridiculously pleased with it. I'd looked online at lighthouse tattoos, and obviously it's difficult to come up with one that is totally unique, but I think that the little details Gazz has added have really made it a bit different. I love it.

I was initially want a quote running along the bottom of the design, but for now I think I'll leave it as it is.

I had my first two hour session, and this is the tattoo so far:

excuse the back fat/bra

The first hour was the most painful, as the outlining is definitely the most painful part of any tattoo. For me, getting tattooed isn't really overly painful, it's more like an itch I can't scratch, but the lining, especially near my spine did hurt. The shading felt like nothing in comparison - more like being tickled, it was pretty relaxing actually!

I am so pleased with it, it's going to be about 6 weeks until I can get it coloured, unless a cancellation comes up, I really can't wait. I find lighthouses beautiful, whenever I told people what I was getting, they looked at me like I was a bit mad, but there really isn't any other reason than I wanted it because I find lighthouses beautiful. Simple.

I'll do another post once it has been finished.

A few tips (from my own experience):

• Look around different shops before settling on a tattooist. Look on websites at portfolios etc to see if the style is what you are going for. 
• Don't always go for the cheapest or quickest option. It is worth paying that little bit extra, and being on a waiting list a little bit longer in order to get a decent quality tattoo. They have to stand the test of time, after all.
• Listen when it comes to design advice. Understandably, you want a tattoo that you;re going to love, but tattooists really know their stuff. Tattoos are made to fit the contours of the body, so if you take in a design and the tattooist doesn't think it will work, listen to them and see if you can adjust it so it will. In my opinion, custom tattoos are worth the effort, if there is something you don't like in a design just tell your tattooist. Some may look tough, but they don't bite!
• Listen when it comes to healing advice. There are many different ways to heal a tattoo; I personally leave my tattoo to air out ant apply savlon or bepanthen cream. Some people don't use creams at all and dry heal, others apply creams and then wrap up the tattoo. Bodies work in different ways, so listen to advice. Also, if it scabs, don't pick at it.
• GO TO A PROFESSIONAL! It sounds almost silly, but tattoo machines and kits are easy to buy online nowadays. There are people who tattoo out of their homes, which is just ridiculous and unsafe. Go to a professional. Please. Just do.

My tattooist is Gazz Hunter and he tattoos at The Integrity Tattoo Lounge in Ossett, West Yorkshire. I may be biased, but he's brilliant, so if you're up this end, check him out.

Links: shop website and Facebook

If you'd like me to do a post about my tattoos let me know and I'd be more than happy to :)

I hope this has been helpful!

Thanks for reading x

Weekly Summary #14

Shopping in Leeds with Rose, Ted Baker changing rooms,

Rose looking beautiful, sculpture on Briggate,

Coffee break, Working out graphs for Work Experience,

Waiting for the bus, Sausage and kidney bean casserole,

Mango for breakfast, Pizza for lunch,

Rain on the way to work, More coffee,

Tesco book deals are a killer, Bunny love,

More bunny love,

Outfit going to see Rose, 'To Read' list is a bit excessive!

1. This week has been eventful! I went shopping with Rose to find a dress for a ball at her university. She didn't buy the yellow one, isn't my best friend stunning?! Leeds is a brilliant place in the sunshine, I haven't spent loads of time there recently, but I spent most weekends between the ages of 14-17 in Leeds. It's so lovely.
2. I went to Manchester on Tuesday to meet Abbey for tea, and then a magazine meeting. I got there and Abbey rang me saying her car had been broken in to, so I didn't end up going to the meeting, we sorted out her car and then I made us tea. Luckily nothing expensive was taken (the idiots even left the sat nav and took about £5 in coppers) it was just a bit crazy.
3. Work experience is still going well, and I may have secured an internship in Manchester in August/September. Fingers crossed for that one, I'm going to email the lady back this week. As for work at Ikea, that's the same as always. It's crazy how busy I am recently even though I don't feel like I'm getting much done.
4. I finally told my mum about getting tattooed. She wasn't happy (as expected) but I'm not dead, so that's a plus. I just need to sort it out with work (even though I've told them I can't work) that I get the hours I need. It's getting silly really.

How were your weeks? Hopefully this week marks my first OOTD. Colette is coming back on Tuesday giving us plenty of time to attempt them. She's the only one I can get to take photos. 

If you haven't completed your university years yet, good luck! Same goes to those with A-Levels etc to take. Work hard and you'll be fine!

Thanks for reading x

Weekly Summary #13

Visited the nephews, Arthur, favourite poem from my A-Level anthology,

Tattoo appointments booked! reading material, interesting article in Grazia (see previous post)

Lunch, outfit featuring short shorts, an article I wrote for the paper!

New watch, me and Scrawny bunny, Scrawns who is being given away today :'(

Chocolate fudge cake and prawns at the pub, new book .

1. This week has been an exciting, but tiring and stressful one. The launch date for the magazine is creeping ever closer, and I haven't actually started writing anything yet (eek!) But I've had a good couple of ideas to get started with, so plenty of emails have been sent. I'm starting my first blog post on Monday! It's all really exciting.
2. Sticking with work experience stuff, I started working at romania-insider.com on Tuesday. I work Tuesday and Wednesdays 9-1 and help with content creation and editing. It's my first time having any experience in editing so I'm slightly out of my depth, but the editor-in-chief is lovely and helps me with any queries. It's a slightly bizarre experience as we communicate purely via email, as she is in Romania. It's great though. I'm really enjoying having the opportunity to write. 
3. I'll also be working on another magazine with Michelle in the coming months. She created a magazine (read it here) as part of a university project, and has decided to take it further. There was a post on the magazine's blog asking for people to collaborate. I will be writing about books (yay!), doing reviews around certain themes etc. I think the first theme may be 'Cult Classics', using Trainspotting and 1984 as examples. I need more books along this sort of theme to read, so if you have any suggestions please share! I'm really excited to be a part of Aesthetic, as I've read Michelle's blog for years and love it. The magazine is fantastic too.
4. I have my first driving lesson in almost a year on Monday afternoon. I have failed three tests. I love driving, but put me in the test situation and the nerves kill me. We'll see how it goes I guess.
5. I've started making plans for over Summer this week. I was talking with Abbey about visiting Scotland as I've never been and really want to visit Edinburgh Zoo and see the pandas (ARGH). She wants to revisit her Grandad's old house, which isn't far from Edinburgh so we're planning a trip there. I also want to visit Durham, Liverpool and Copenhagen. I think I've grown out of beach holidays, although I wouldn't say no to a week off in the sun relaxing, so I want to explore different places. I've also booked my tattoo sessions in, so my upper back will be lovely and decorated by the end of July. I have my first session in just over two weeks and still haven't found a way of telling my mum yet, oops.

How have your weeks been? I have some posts planned out for this week, any feedback on what you would like to see more of would be helpful! :)

Thanks for reading x