Monthly Challenges | February

With all of the New Year's resolutions flying about, I've decided to try giving myself monthly resolutions. Year long goals can seem intimidating and unattainable, but having five smaller goals to achieve in four weeks seems like a fun way to challenge myself and really push myself to make the most out of every month. I want put myself out of my comfort zone as much as I can, and having smaller aims seems like a realistic way to achieve this.

Plus, I love a good list. You may have noticed that from reading this blog and seeing the many list orientated posts...

(Before you think, 'is one of her resolutions really taking selfies?!', no, it's not. I'm just a little bit obsessed with these sunglasses and that seemed a reason as good as any to use this photo)

The Music To Watch For 2016

Festival season is approaching and omg I am So. Excited. They combine two of my favourite things, summer and music, and please can someone give me all the money so I can just tour Europe going to every single one? 

No takers? Damn.

I realised the other day that probably the only time I don't have music playing is when I'm asleep, and for someone as obsessed with music as I am, I don't have nearly enough posts about it.

I've gone through such an indie phase recently (I know, I'm so hipster lol), and have found some amazing bands I have playing on repeat. It's so bad, but whenever I find an artist I like they're on basically every day until I find something else. But hey, if it ever see them live or it starts playing on the radio I'll be see that super cool kid who knows all the words right?!

Blossoms

Monthly Misses | January

I approached January with the attitude of simply getting through it, since everyone knows it's probably the least exciting month of the year. But I've been so pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable it's actually been I thought I'd do a round up of all I'm going to miss about it. I'm thinking about doing this every month- hopefully not another resolution I'll end up breaking!

(Genuinely don't think I've ever made it more than a few weeks into my resolutions- I'm blaming early Easter for the abundance of Creme Eggs screwing with my healthy eating...)

1. Brunch at The Black Penny

Beat Those January Blues

I've seen quite a few posts about tips on how to banish the post- Christmas slump so I'd thought I'd add some of mine that never fail to boost my mood. I've just got back to uni and despite the yellow walls in my accommodation it's so lovely to be back. Just seeing my friends and being back in London has put me in the best mood, there's no place quite like it. 

Listen to your comfort music, and find something new

Last night I was snuggled up in my duvet, room pitch black apart from laptop glare, massive good quality headphones on and had a steady stream of music. Until a frankly stupid time of around 5am my friend and I sent music recommendations on youtube, and there's something so exciting about discovering a new artist you love. Plus, with no other light or sound, all you focus on is the music and I've found it's such a therapeutic way of forgetting all your troubles, even if just for a short time.

How To Live The High Life For Less | London

I like the good life, who doesn't?! But rather than being Blair Waldorf, an Upper East Side Manhattanite (I miss Gossip Girl...), I'm a slightly broke student in London. Sigh.

But there's always ways around this, and recently I've been living it up for less, so I thought I'd share some of these ways.

1. Competitions

I know it sounds cliche and unrealistic, but recently when I was watching TV one evening, I thought I may as well give some competitions a go- someone's got to win, right?! And for one of them, it actually was me!

Music | Counterfeit

If I had a choice of how to spend an evening, going to a gig would be top of my list pretty much all the time. There's really no feeling like hearing the voice that's sung you to sleep, motivated you in the gym, got you over heartbreak, from 5 metres away.  Or the way the music spreads through your body until that's all you think about, or lusting over the skinny jean clad guitar players, or even the way you walk out sweaty, ears ringing, probably covered in warm beer... Okay so maybe 1/5 times I'd take a hot bath with a glass of wine and a good book. 

But if the voice that's the soundtrack to your life is Taylor Swift, or Foo Fighters, or Jay Z, tickets to see them in a massive arena where they're a little pinprick on a stage far away can set you back at least £70. Not particularly in a student budget. Sigh.

Luckily I've found some amazing up and coming bands, and their relative obscurity means that tickets are super cheap, plus there are perks like smaller venues. (Excuse the awful photography, I was too busy dancing...)