Seeing Glasgow: Glasgow Green and People's Palace

My boyfriend Alex is from Perth, so I always forget that Glasgow isn't second nature to him.  I love taking him to lots of different places around town and showing him more of this fabulous city!  It also gives an excuse to do the more touristy things as Alex is technically a tourist.  We've been on an open top bus, round Kelvingrove and a rather ill fated trip to the Transport Museum (I accidentally took us to the wrong side of the river) and earlier on in the week we walked through Merchant City and through Glasgow Green which was a lovely day!

Glasgow Green is basically just a massive park, so we went a stroll through the greens until we got to the People's Palace.  The massive Greenhouse is lovely inside and then we went on to the little museum part.  It has lots of interesting titbits and history of the city and everything it's been through, from the wars to the state of housing through the years.  Apparently just outside the building was where they would hang criminals back in the day, charming!  After wandering around and soaking up some new knowledge (Alex found out what "doon the watter" meant!) we headed back over to Trongate area to get some lunch.  I'd spied a little cafe on the way in that looked nice and most importantly was cheap so we went there.  For the life of me I can't remember the name of the place but it was great!  We both just had a sandwich but mine was delicious; chicken with garlic mayo, sundried tomatoes and rocket.  It also came with a salad and coleslaw.  Usually I absolutely despise coleslaw in restaurants and cafes as they rarely make their own but this one was home made and really tasty!  Thumbs up all round.

We headed back to Alex's after that, we were both very tired and very full!  It was the first time I'd seen him since I got back from Spain so it was a really simple, but lovely day :)

A very long winded welcome back

It's been a bloody long time hasn't it?  Every year I seem to go through a phase where I decide I will BLOG and I will BLOG WELL and I will KEEP IT UP and that inevitably falls by the wayside after a bit.  But this year I want to try and keep it up in one way or another.  I think last time I focused too much on fashion and clothes and stuff.  But after reading other blogs I think I'd like to focus still on some fashion and style but also bring in lifestyle and just my day to day happenings.  Will that work?  I have no clue but hey ho!

To start things off I thought I would do a round up of what I've been up to in the last month as it was a big one!  For the month of August I lived with a family in the region of Galicia in Spain and was an Au Pair.  Overall it was a brilliant experience.  The most I've ever been away from home before has been two weeks, and even then that has been holidays with my parents so a whole month away on my own was quite daunting but I'm so glad I did it!  I think everyone should do something like this at least once in their life.  I really want to do something else abroad now, I think I have serious Wanderlust!

I was worried I was going to be very busy, as I would be looking after and teaching English to four kids between the ages of five and 12.  As an only child and the youngest in my immediate family, I knew I was probably taking on a lot but it went slightly better than I feared.  I taught English for two hours each weekday, and then would "supervise" them all while they played on the beach.  I use supervise in the loosest terms as the beach was literally their back garden and so they knew it like the back of their hand!  I just had to sit on the beach, keep a vague eye on them and all the while soak up the sun!

I will be the first to admit that it wasn't as fab as that may sound.  There were very, very trying times with the children (one particularly vivid memory of having to clean up orange sick springs to mind), but I just had to keep telling myself that they were only kids at the end of the day.  The fact that I had weekends off and could explore nearby towns or even just lie on the beach and not have a care in the world was also a good thought to keep me going!

The month actually flew in, and though I got homesick near the end and felt pretty lonely at times, pretty soon I was off to spend my last day in Santiago before my flight.  The city was beautiful, I love old stone cities with narrow streets and cobbled lanes.  It was swelteringly hot though, so I maybe didn't get to see everything I could have, but what I did see I loved.  I spent most of Tuesday travelling home, have now been back two days and it feels like I haven't been away!  I feel like I've probably ranted on for long enough now so will finish this first post back with a few photos from my month away :)

Fringe Fun

Shorts - Vintage Levis

Top - H&M

Scarf - Accessorize

Jacket - Urban Outfitters

Shoes - Converse

Bag - River Island

I'm gutted that I've not been able to post more often, as I have a tonne of ideas and inspiration for outfits!  But it's just so difficult to find the time to get everything on and rely on the weather to be nice enough to set up my (superbly crap) camera out in the garden.  Add to that fitting it around working basically full time over the holidays, and the fact that I like to take blog photos when I'm in the house myself so as not to get a load of questions from the parents, and that doesn't leave many opportunities!

The photos here were taken when I spent the day at the Edinburgh Fringe with Alex.  It's basically a month long celebration of the creative arts, with over 1,000 shows on throughout the city!  We managed to see four when we were there and absolutely loved every single one.  I would definitely recommend it, and considering we went to see a musical, an improvised soap, an acapella group and a movement based protest again the Palestine conflict, there's absolutely something for everyone!

Here's to hopefully more updates in the future!

Breakfast at Tiff's

Dress - Warehouse

Shoes - Office

Bag - Accessorize

Sunglasses - Warehouse

Lipstick - Revlon True Red

I love that I get to wear this dress to work.  It was a grower on me though, since I almost never wear black and like more colourful, girly shapes.  But It's just so simple a classic that the moment I put it on I knew I could get so much wear out of it.  I wear it with sandals in work, but here I put on my brand new, super sexy heels that Alex treated me to from the Office sale, and I love it just as much.  I feel kind of like a modern Audrey Hepburn in the Breakfast at Tiffany's heyday in this get up, even more so when I wear it with a massive bun in my hair.  A bit of simple classy-ness always goes down well!

Aztec Cowgirl

Shirt - New Look

Top - Fat Face

Shorts - New Look

Boots - Office

The weather stayed really sunny for a few days last week, so I made the most of it with another outfit post.  I was off work for a good few days in a row which was great, partly because I didn't have to spend all day inside a shop, and partly because I could wear things other than my uniform! I made the most of the day, and after pottering round the house I completed my first number choreography wise for Annie!  I was pleasantly surprised in that it didn't take me as log as I worried it would, so now I just need to get cracking with the rest and I will be a happy chappy :)

P.s I totally miss the colour I was here. Got a spray tan for my dancing show and it's all gone now! Back to being a pale little ghost, sob :(

Birthday Outift

As I said previously, I loved what I wore out for my Birthday!  Since it was sunny today, I thought I'd get it all back on and even add some more bits and pieces to it :)

Dress - Motel Rocks

Bag - New Look

Shoes - Converse

The paisley pattern on this Motel Rocks is gorgeous, and a really nice shade of blue which is perfect for summer!  I'm all for heels and looking sleek and classy, but when I'm standing on them for too long I HATE how sore my feet get!  And this in turn just makes me really grumpy, so on the night I just decided to put my good old sequined converse on.  To be honest, I liked the more casual edge it gave the dress.  The pink headdress isn't actually a headdress; it's a garland from the West End Festival that I went along to a week or so ago.  I loved the colour, so just kirby gripped it round my head to DIY a headband!

Lots of big news

Ok, so the last few weeks have been pretty manic for me.  Like, so much good stuff happening, which is crazy good, but also a little terrifying and daunting.

First up, it was my birthday at the start of the month!  Turning twenty was a slightly depressing occasion, but only slightly as I had an absolutely brilliant time.  I went out with my friends the night before, and had a wonderful lunch with my family on the day itself.  I absolutely loved what I wore out at night so I may post something about it!  I got spoiled rotten by my Mum and Dad, friends, and especially Alex, who took me on an overnight stay to Edinburgh!  All in all, the week was a great one, I turned 20 in style!

Next, I was delighted to get an A in my English Language exam at University which meant I can take the subject to honours level!  Though not my original plan, I love the subject and am looking forward to two more years of Crazy Wendy, lolcats, grammar nazis and good old JJ..

A few weeks ago I auditioned to be part of a production of Avenue Q the musical.  I've loved the show for years, seen it twice and so was desperate to be part of it in some way... and I am!!!  I have been cast as one of the Bad Idea Bears (who are effing hilarious) and I couldn't be happier!  Rehearsals are starting soon and the show will be in September, and I can't wait!

Finally, lots of fun dancing related news!  Last night was my dancing school's annual show and it went absolutely brilliantly!  I love love LOVE dancing (as seen pretty clearly here) and this year was no exception.  I was really proud of myself for how I danced, and can't wait to see the DVD and ashamedly make other people watch it too!

And now (this is the big bit) I have something pretty exciting to share.  Every year, along with their main show, the Cecilians produce and perform a show over the course of a weekend.  This year, the show is Annie.  And this year, I'm the choreographer.  Me!!!  I'll be creating and teaching dances for a 60 strong chorus to learn; AHHHHHHHHH!  I really am still in a state of daze as to how it all came about.  Originally myself and my friend James were going to run jointly, but the night before he told me he was pulling out, as he thought another guy deserved it.  So on the train to my interview I hastily wrote up some base ideas for the main chorus numbers, so I'd have something to give to the panel when they asked for creative ideas.  And after about an hour of waiting, they came out to tell me I got the position!  On one hand I am terrified I'm going to cock it all up and the show will be infamously remembered for it's awful dances, on the other I'm worried it's going to be a LOT of work for me to take on when I'm already doing lots, but on yet another hand (I have three now) I am totally over the moon.  My dances are going to be put on stage!  In a musical!

I've not done much to start yet, though I have a few ideas floating around my head.  I'm hopefully going to keep updating here with the progress, but for now I'll leave you with a bit of my inspiration in the form of the cast of Annie performing at this year's Tony Awards.

The Day That Changed My Life

It was 2009.  I was 16 years old.  Which seems like a lifetime ago, but in reality it was only four years in the past.  My Mum pushed a newspaper over to me across the table, pointing at one heading in particular;  "Auditions for a production of West Side Story".  I immediately scanned the rest of the ad and saw they took place that weekend, in town.  I got butterflies at the thought of what this could lead to, because being in a show, on an actual proper stage had always been a dream of mine.  I'd always thought it would be that, just a dream.  But here was a chance to make it happen.

I remember heading there with my Mum and Dad for emotional support.  I remember exactly what I was wearing.  I remember exactly what I sung - Feed the Birds from Mary Poppins - and I remember the "awwww" some older member gave when I told them said song choice, along with my age.  It struck me that I was probably the youngest person there, and might not have the best chance at getting in.  Looking down the line of the ten people I would audition alongside, I could tell they were all much older, and probably more experienced as a result.  But I sung my heart out anyway.

And I got in.

I threw myself into rehearsals.  Every Wednesday and most Sundays, I was Puerto Rico-ing it up as a Shark ('mon the Sharks).   Even though I wasn't in many scenes - OK, I was on a rota to sit on a bin for America - I loved every second I spent at Apollo.  Show week was just as amazing and magical as I had always imagined, I honestly cannot describe the feeling of being on stage, putting on this spectacle, and having people cheer for you, for you and everybody else's talent.

I went back and did a few more shows with Apollo, a pantomime, then Gypsy (which is actually a pretty crap musical, don't watch it unless you love Bette Midler.  Or Stripping.), and finally Les Mis.  This was possibly the highlight of my time there.  I finally got some solo lines, I was in the majority of the numbers, and I got praised when I filled in for the principal females when they weren't at rehearsals.  The week I spent in East Kilbride Theatre with that cast was just such a memorable and emotional one, I don't think I'll ever forget it.

My time at Apollo drew to a close, and after a short dry spell show-wise (mainly due to school exams) I joined The Minerva Company in their production of Anything Goes.  Once again, I was a newbie and a relatively baby member of the cast, but I still had a blast.  The choreographer recognised I could dance much better than most of the girls well, and gave me the part of an Angel, which meant I got more dancey stuff in a smaller, solo group.  Knowing that someone actually appreciates your talent, and makes an effort to showcase it, is quite something.  As usual, show week was brilliant and I loved my time aboard SS American.

And, finally, I've mentioned it before but my most recent show has been Guys and Dolls with the Cecilian Society at Glasgow Uni.  It was everything I've talked about above and more;  I got a solo line, was in the special female dance troupe, got snazzy costumes, and just generally had a blast.

All of this would not have happened had I not seen that advert in the paper, and I can honestly say my life has completely changed as a result, 100% for the better.  I have met some unbelievably talented people, and made some amazing friends who will undoubtedly stay with me for life.  I met my first kiss, my first boyfriend, and my current one all through different shows.  I've become more aware of my own talents now, and I'm not afraid to admit that I am a pretty good singer, or dancer.  I'm more confident in myself.  A little more daring and spontaneous too, I would say.

 Musical Theatre is such an amazing and crucial part of my life now.  All because of an advert, and I will always be greatful to my 16 year old self for finding the courage to take it up on its offer.

What's the pointe?

Ballet 2012

I've danced since I was about three years old.  I don't really know why my Mum and Dad decided to send me, maybe they thought it was what little girls would like, maybe I begged them, maybe I did a pirouette into an arabesque in fifth at the end of my first few steps.  Whatever their motives, I caught the bug.  And 16 years on (which looks terrifying written down) I'm still dancing.

Every Saturday, I would get my stuff together and get dropped off at Margaret-Ann Brogan's school of dance just up the road, and prance about for a few hours attempting jazz, tap, ballet and majourettes.  I sat exams and passed them, slowly making my way up the dancing academic ladder, if you will.  And at the end of every school year, in June, I would take part in the Display at a local High School.  Looking back at this school, I know it wasn't the best - the teachers were a bit old fashioned, the prices were expensive, the costumes were one big Lycra nightmare, and the high school the shows were held in wasn't the most dazzling or inspiring.  I'd been playing the viola all this time too, and when I got to High School I got into an council wide Orchestra, which took place on a Wednesday night.  Unfortunately (or maybe not), this ended up clashing with the senior classes of dancing and, after a long hard think, I left Margaret-Ann's.

The Rose - Ballet 2011

A couple of months down the line, I got talking to a friend who had also left my old school, and she mentioned that she'd started classes with someone new, Jayne Arthur.  They were on a Tuesday and fitted in with everything else, so I decided to go along, and I cannot describe how glad I am that I did.  Jayne had trained at a well known dance school, and gone on to perform in pantos at the King's, dance on cruise ships and perform along side people like Elton John and Liza Minelli!  On top of all the experience, she was young, she was pretty, and she just had this amazing energy and passion for teaching her pupils that you couldn't help but get swept up in.  I loved it from the get go; and while she didn't teach majourettes (who needs that anyway?  Unless you're going to march in a Thanksgiving parade), with Jayne's help I continued to sit and pass all my exams to a high standard.

A showgirl opening

To top it all off, Jayne has a vision for her end of year shows that are just... unlike anything I've ever seen.  Every year, for one or two nights, my local town hall is taken over by the school and by God, do we put on a show.  As if the calibre of the dancing wasn't enough to show off, we get the most amazing costumes and music to dance to, the ideas that come out the woman's head are just fantastic.  Even the standard iffy baby dances are elevated by the things they are put on the stage in (frogs, Mexicans, Dora the explorer and sheep, to name but a few).  I feel like a proper showgirl every time the seniors open the show in our feather head-dresses, and through the years I've also dressed up in a variety of cameo parts; from Harry Potter right up to wearing Jayne's wedding dress!  My loft at home is filled with costume box upon costume box, which comes in very handy for impromptu fancy dress events.

Sexy sexy (look at that pout)

But I always get asked one question: why do I do it?  I'm not looking for a career in dance, because I know how difficult and short lived it would be.  I know I'm not the best dancer technically in Jayne's; I have nice arms but I'm not the best for kicking high and I'm definitely not that super bendy type of dancer who can stick their legs behind their head and the drop of a hat.  I'm lucky if I can execute a teddy bear roll well.  But I don't care; I just love to dance.  I love to get up on that stage, with my friends, and show an audience what I can do.  I love feeling sexy when it's called for (see the above photo), but also being able to change it up with every dance we do.  It's such a mix, from a cool-as-ice tap number, to a really pretty and graceful ballet dance, to an all out, no holding back musical finale that leaves you out of breath, and all the while, never being able to wipe the smile off my face.  Because I'm doing something I love and I'm putting everything I can into it.  It's a passion, and I honestly don't think I'd be the person I am today without it.

The seniors with Jayne

Hello old friend

I thought that my poor, poor attempts at blogging previously was a hint to STOP IT.  Now.  Just walk away and forget about it.  And for a while I did, and it didn't really bother me.  But I liked having a place to put my style and thoughts and opinions, even if no one was really listening, so, here I am once more.

I won't make myself any ridiculous promise I won't be able to keep, like blogging every day because really, I couldn't find the time for that, but maybe something like once a week for definite.  To start with, I thought I'd do a little round up of major things that have gone on this year.

Ok so the first thing isn't really the nicest part of the year, in fact it's probably the shittest part of my year, of any year of mine really.  Everything went sour with Sam, as bad and as heartbreakingly sour as relationships can get.  I thought he was The One, as young as I was.  I could see such an amazing and happy future with him.  And a part of me still wishes for it, so badly.  But he treated me unbelievably badly, and thought the grass was greener on the other side where one night stands and student life called.  So I lost all faith and trust in him, and it's over.

As sad as that is, things are better now.  I've found someone new, someone better, Alex.  And while I know it's not as serious as me and Sam were,  I like it because of that.  I don't feel that immense pressure to be perfect all the time and don't think of the future as much- well, not as super far into the future.  It's much more healthy and I can be me and relax around him and know that whatever happens we'll just take it as it comes.  We get on, make each other laugh and just click well.  It's lovely

Uni has been the majority of my life.  And while parts of it are very good (lectures on Lolcats anyone?), I've finished second year feeling slightly deflated to tell the truth.  It's been a hard slog, I knew it would be, but it was made worse in my opinion by some really bad lecturers.  I've felt really angry and let down, but just need to keep my head down and push through.  

And tying in nicely to all those bad feels about lectures, I have exams in a few weeks.  Which terrify me.  On top of poor lecture quality, I have the knowledge that I need to average a B in my chosen Honours subjects (English Literature and Language) to get in.  Which is an awful lot of pressure.  These little highlighter guys are all I can do to try and cheer me up.  Roll on the 3rd May when Summer will officially have arrived!

And finally, for one of the best things of this year!  At the start of second year my good friends Gillian (Gildo) get me to tag along with her to an open rehearsal of Glasgow University's Cecilian Society.  For those of you not in the know (probably lots), the Cecilians are a musical theatre society at Glasgow who recently celebrated their 60th Anniversary so have been around for a while!  I've done a few shows in the past but this was my first with the Cecilians and it may possibly be one of my favourites.  We performed Guys and Dolls for a week in February and the whole experience was just fantastic.  I have made so many new friends and had such a blast at all the parties and events that have followed.  I also really think the whole show and company helped a LOT with the whole Sam situation, as it all came to an end round about the start of rehearsals so I had something I could really throw myself into and just forget about all the sad stuff.  So yeah, it's been a damn good decision and one I will never regret.  I'm  already looking forward to next year's show!

So that's about it for my first post in a very long time.  I hope it's a good 'un.  If not, at least semi-decent :)

Flying Saucer Blogging Challenge

On to days three and four of the blogging challenge:

3. Something you're wearing for the first time

I will admit that now I have worn these twice, but when I took the photo I just received these in the post!  They from Boohoo and I'll be honest, the only reason I got them was because they are called Megan!  I couldn't resist :D  but I do love them; they are so bright and summery and fit just nicely :)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4.  Your Favourite Print

After looking through my wardrobe I decided my favourite print is probably Aztec prints!  Yes I love florals and stripy T shirts, but I love the eclective and clashy type style of the Aztec print.  The photo above is a playsuit, denim shorts and a bodycon dress... all from New Look now I think about it!

Flying Saucer 30 day Blog Challenge!

It's been a while, but I am back!  Been busy with Uni and working lots but I saw Selina at Flying Saucer had created a 30 day Blogger Challenge for the month of May and I was really keen to join in!  I know I'm a little (A lot) later than most, but here are days one to four:

1. Your wardrobe

Geeeez these photos make my wardrobes look MASSIVE!  They really don't look that gigantic in real life... anyway these are my big imposing wardrobes that face my bed.  The first one (nearest you in the top photo) has my dresses and coats on the rail, then my viola and dancing bag on the shelf with my super cool Ikea shoe rack on the bottom!  I now have too many shoes for said rack though so I may need another one ;)  The middle little wardrobe is my main one, from bottom shelf to top I have: undies, tights and some socks, some more socks and jammies, tops, bottoms, jumpers and hats and scarves etc at the top.  This section is usually the messiest because I'm always throwing stuff in and out at speed!  Lastly, the end two doors house my skirts, trousers, and more fancy tops that do better being hung up on the top rail, with my bags and various other bits and bobs on the floor out the way!  I really should clear out that wardrobe seeing it in that photo...

And that's that!  Oh one more thing, I have covered the inside of my doors with various photos, artists etc, purely because my Mum would go ballistic if i covered my walls!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. You have the most...

This was a toughie, because I recently threw a lot of stuff out!  At first my answer was going to be feather boas because it have about a dozen from various dancing shows but I though they were a bit impractical!  So instead I went with something I realise I have more than my fair share of...

I have loads (around 15) of big old slouchy t-shirts!  I don't even have a proper explanation for the collection either; I think mainly because they're good for dancing or when I'm on study leave.  Here are a few of my favourite ones:

Victims T (Killers fangroup) was a was unexpected Birthday gift, Scottish Ballet Romeo and Juliet tour T, some malt shop tie-dye number Sam gave me, Shark member T from when I did West Side Story ('MON THE SHARKS)

few reasons why life is good

                                      

This lovely white plant that's out in my garden at the moment.  I don't quite know what flower it is, but I love how it's just so white and pure looking.  It works especially well with the darker colours of the others things in the pot and the pot itself.  Kudos to Mum.

It's a lovely sunny day outside, and I've been sitting out in the garden studying.  To cheer me up even more, the sweet little couple next door are sitting out discussing if it's too hot hot have a toastie for lunch, and someone on my street is playing a ukulele.

Now that the sun's coming back out and Summer is almost here, I can wear my wedges again!  I got them from ASOS last summer but it was too late on to wear them out enough, which was saddening.  So now I'm going to take full advantages of the benefits of wedges (stable heel, wear with anything) and ignore the fact they'll make me taller than Sam and wear them as much as I can.

Fish finger sandwiches.  Seriously; these things are AMAZING.  So simple, yet so tasty and satisfying.  I would recommend making yourself one at once, they're not hard.

We got new diluting juice at the weekend; cherry, cranberry and raspberry I think.  It's super tasty, and goes very well mixed with lemonade.

Finally, life is currently good because LOOK!  Look at my new, pretty dress!  Isn't it purdy?  See all the daisy print and the big skirt and how it's so summery?  It makes me feel like a little girl again.

Look at that little cut out bit at the back; so cute!  And the little gold buttons!  Do you know what the best part is though?  I get to wear this to work!  This is my newest piece of uniform and it's safe to say I love it.