Super Kawaii!

When we were poodling around China Town during our recent trip to London, we had a little fun with Mr Panda's Photo Booth. It's pretty difficult to manage it with four people and I think the prices may have almost doubled since the last time I did it but it's always nice to have more physical souvenirs at the end of a day out - a couple of these are now on our fridge, but there's so many I'm not sure where to put the others.

I think they're fun and I know that there are phone apps that will yield pretty much the same result but where else can you feel cramped and get warm with friends than a photo booth? I think the one on the right on the second line is my favourite.



I'd love to hear about any more Purikura booths, this one is in China Town Market but it is a bit on the expensive side. Saying that, they were nice enough to give us an extra free copy because the first one didn't print out properly, and that's hardly something to sniff at; especially seeing as it meant each couple ended up getting a set.

Almost Friday.

Today is not a good one, I feel rubbish and I can feel myself feeling more rubbish as time goes on. Looks like it's pyjamas, tea and soup for me then. It's definitely going around but it means missing out on Nandos with work this evening, which is just about the worst.
Powering through just isn't doing it, which is why I'm at home feeling sorry for myself.


[via Daily Frenchie]
I'm really hoping that I feel better soon as I have some lovely plans for the weekend, the way it's looking at the moment though, I'll be going even if I'm dosed to my eyeballs with ibuprofen. The weekend of Oxford's Gathering Festival is almost here and I'm excited even if the outlook is a little grim at the moment.


The line-up is great and I'm so excited to see Dry the River again, even more so after being recounted Moon's brother's great evening with them in Portsmouth last night. It looks like it will be a great opportunity to see some new music, as well as see Spector and actually know who they are! 'Enjoy It While It Lasts' by Spector is one my favourite albums in a while and I found myself listening to it on repeat when it was first released.
I'm also looking forward to Bastille, The Staves and Lucy Rose - as well as having a peek around Oxford as it's somewhere else I've never really visited before.

I hope you're feeling a little more healthy than I am, everyone seems to be moaning about being ill at the moment, I guess it's just that time of year.
If you are feeling under the weather then here's a picture that will hopefully at least cheer you up. It's Frank the British Bulldog pup, one of our visitors to the office on Tuesday, what a ladykiller.

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Moving day tomorrow!

I guess normality will resume when our Internet is hooked up next week. A whole week without Internet, when a job hunt is necessary is going to be hella tough, I guess I'll just have to build some strong bonds with the local recruitment agencies. I've applied for the 'most important' jobs to come up in the last few days, lucky me for having a smart phone, I suppose... Pity about the restricting data charges though...

It only really took me around three days to pack everything, and I did a lot more today than any other day. Most of today felt a lot like it was just this, forever, but I think realistically it probably only took about half an hour.


It's going to be so weird that this time tomorrow Moon and I will be getting ready to spend our first night in our own place. We've lived together for practically four out of the (nearly) six years we've been together and it's still weird to me, exciting and fun, but weird, I think it's a good weird though.

It's probably good that I'll be able to take a step back from this for a while, I'm struggling to think of post/have anything to post about, but don't desert me, I'm going to try and come back fresh.

I hope that you have a fun weekend and a great week and I hope to see you when I'm able to reconnect with civilisation. ♥

Zzz.

So zapped from this week, I feel like my feet haven't touched the ground. Even when I've not actually been doing anything I've really stuck at keeping myself occupied. Today was a terrible day and I'm pretty sure I spent about a quarter of it in traffic jams, sure I wasn't driving but I had places to be.

Take-three of this week's house hunt in Newbury today and we were incredibly unsuccessful yet again. The first was incredibly overpriced and not that great anyway and the second had a great downstairs but awkward upstairs, not to mention a weird garden (although at least it had one) and was right next to a main road and so noisy inside. We're looking at a couple more on Monday, but Moon will be starting his job and it makes things very up in the air as to when we can view, especially seeing as his job will mainly involve driving so commuting to and from Dorking adds to this and I can't really afford to take the train down there to view houses all the time, especially three times a week.

The job hunt isn't looking much better either, I had a promising email letting me know I was the right candidate for the role but that I lived a bit far away, despite applying for it because it was closer to Newbury. It actually was about halfway between here and there but I never got a response when I explained that travelling wasn't an issue, and I've tried ringing but the contact never seems to be there. I haven't had a lot of time to look for jobs this week but I've been trying, having received two rejection letters by post and one rejection email this week, there's only so much bad luck I think I can continue to get... but onwards and upwards, something's bound to come up soon, etc.

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In slightly more positive news, the lovely NUJDM posse have used a couple of my photos in a report about the Leveson investigations. You can take a look at the articles here, and my photos were used here and here. It's quite hard to believe that NUJDM was nearly a year ago.

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At least the weather has been fun this week, I've nearly finished my chest, and I'm pretty proud of it really, I just hope it doesn't suddenly rain. Here's a photo of Moon looking like a babestation.

This outfit is from Monday, which I know is basically forever ago, but I had to share this dress with you, I'm so pleased with it. I don't know why I ever stopped rummaging in charity shops and online, I blame Portsmouth's shoddy charity offerings. These were taken on a quick walk by the canal whilst we were down in Newbury. We were actually looking at a flat that was practically on the canal, but sadly it was pokey, expensive, and generally not what we're looking for. Location-wise you couldn't fault it though, I'm definitely looking forward to being down there and taking Sunday strolls and feeding swans.


Dress: Charleen's Closet, Etsy
Necklaces: Primark, H&M
Belt: eBay
Tights: Primark
Socks: Primark
Boots: River Island




These guys were failing epically, but what a good effort

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It's time for me to catch up with more of The Tube and have another cup of tea.

Thanks for listening, hopefully I'll stop moaning soon. Have a good weekend.

#760: Hello, Monday.

First outing for one of my Flapper Girl lady ties, so lovely.
Good morning!
I hope you had a good weekend, mine was nice. Some of our Uni friends came up to watch the rugby at Moon's on Saturday, I hate sports so I joined them afterwards, it was so good to see everyone and hang out. We went for breakfast at Frankie & Benny's yesterday morning and it was terrible, I've been thinking and I don't think I've ever had a good meal at any Frankie & Benny's restaurant. We laughed it off just because it was so awful, safe to say I don't think we'll be returning, milk for tea/coffee in a shot glass, come on!

So, towards to tail-end of last week I was feeling really demotivated, but the sun is shining and it's a new week. I've already had a promising phone call from Portsmouth University's recruitment agency, Purple Door and I've got a list as long as my arm of jobs to apply for/enquire about so I hope to keep busy.

Here are some things that are exciting and nice about today.

The sun is out and even though I am restricting myself to inside, my room is warm and bright.

I'm seeing Russell Howard this evening.

Hello 22 followers, I hope I live up to expectation.

Crafty Creatives — This is an incredible idea, it's like a Glossybox but for crafts! I think it will provide a much higher standard than those magazines you usually see floating about right about now, already subscribed.

Orla Kiely for Uniqlo — If I can't afford her beautiful homewares, I can still wear her designs, currently lusting after one of the tunics. Here's hoping the local Kingston Uniqlo is stocking it.

Lovely jobs, and not in the falsly advertised reed.co.uk sense.

Models Own new Beetlejuice colours — Was a good excuse to place an order for a new bottle of Top Turquoise and some other pretty springtime shades, can't wait to get them. I only ordered Indian Ocean from the new collection, not for any reason other than that I'm not a 'metallic nails kind of girl' and I thought the other two were a bit too gold/copper for me.

Like any good Internet user, I rounded off my Sunday with videos of cats, there are too many 'awhs' to not share. :3

Here's to a productive and happy week, did I mention I'm seeing Russell Howard tonight? *squee!

3rd decade.

From 2010.

Exhibiting my work for the first time.

Making new friends and finding out who my real ones are.

Losing a bit of weight and toning up.

Braving Glastonbury and enjoying myself, not to mention the bitchin' tan.

Paris, my first holiday booked and planned without the help of my family.

Recruiting strangers and eventually a respectable amount of people for a Photography project.

First proper Photography job, even if it was only for Malden Fortnight and The Village Voice, it brought me work shooting at a birthday party.

A bit more confidence, I'd like to think it means I'll eventually be able to call myself outgoing.

Managing to keep up this blog and becoming better at writing.

Turning 21 and having a great birthday party with all my family around me, then being whisked off.

Getting closer to my sister.

Taking more photos!

Seeing 2011 in with more spots than I've had in my life and ghastly roots.

It might even be another New Years Eve in with boyf, Bucks Fizz and nibbles. I'm not really sure how much I care about this, it's nice to be a bit boring as I've not seen him for an extended period of time at all this holiday.
I'm looking forward to everything exciting next year is already promising; Disneyland Paris again, graduating, final exhibition, finding a real job with a career path, perhaps even moving out. eep!

2011.

So, I guess it's New Years Eve tomorrow.
I went to Oxford Street yesterday and I don't see what all the fuss is about. Nothing I bought was in the sale but I am very pleased with all my new things anyway.

I found Carnaby Street like the tourist I am, and I bought Moon a lovely t-shirt, just because it was very 'him'.





I also bought a cross stitch from Topshop, I guess that was in the sale but I'm not sure how much it really counts. I finished doing all the hearts last night, it gets much harder from there. I kind of went a bit mad in Topshop and got some new pyjamas, earrings and socks and a really comfy cardigan for my Afternoon tea at Claridges on Monday - which I'm excited for.

I thought a bit about doing a 'my year in photos' post but there were about 50 images and I didn't feel I could narrow it down much more and that's too many for one post when the photos are so small on here. But this has probably been the best year for taking photos so far. I haven't really thought about New Years Resolutions yet, but I might just write them down rather than sharing them with the world.

I have decided my next University project is going to be about the science of dreams — I'm quite excited but I need to figure out how it's going to work.

Shanana.

It looks like I have lots of eyes.

These are fake but I think they're working, plus they're not nice and chewy so I'm not biting them. They're in preparation for Halloween.
I read some dissertation stuff today, re-going over the history of Liberia(!)
I'm ready to roll for my tutorial for my other unit tomorrow though.
My sister is coming to Portsmouth and I'm putting her in my project.

I'm so excited to get my Urban Outfitters stuff through the post, I want it to come now! One of the items is velvet, I'm venturing into that trend.

Both.

Here's hoping things will be better from tomorrow onwards.

Woah.

At the moment, I look like this;

I'm so tired, but I can't bring myself to go to bed.

I have some nice photos to show you, brb.

Giveitago.

Today's the day that I try and stop biting my nails. I'm fed up with ugly hands.

#411.

I've had a pretty relaxing weekend.
I've made some tasty food and watched some nice films.

I also bought this plug with a hand, and it's pink to go with the new kitchen. £1.49 from Steamer Trading Cook Shop.

Videos and photographs.

Here is a video of Moon mouthing the words to whatever he was listening to on his iPod. It was recorded really late on the way back from Cornwall. I'm kind of missing Moon right now, this is the longest we've gone without seeing each other in ages, probably the whole summer holidays. It's been quite difficult to talk to him on the phone as we're both doing different things and I just miss him, but I'll probably see him on Wednesday, so it's not too far away now, and I've kept myself pretty busy.

And, here is a video of a cat I encountered on the way back from the dentist, I thought it had a weird voice, excuse the heavy breathing, I'm was/still am very much getting over this horrible cough, the medicine I was given did literally nothing and I'm taking myself to the doctors again on Tuesday.

My mum found me a Fujifilm Instax camera, the batteries for it finally arrived this morning and I took my first photograph with it, it's come out brilliantly and in focus, much better than my Polaroid 600. This camera has autofocus, so I'm anticipating good things. In fact, I think I'm going to pack in my Polaroid and stick it on eBay, along with the few films I have left. The film for this Fuj Instax is cheaper and more readily available and the photos come out nicer. With the Polaroid, I've only taken a few decent photos because I've been so aware that it - especially recently - costs over £1 a photograph, so that's what I'm going to do when I get back to Portsmouth, it should help cover my share of the TV license, plus this camera is so much more badass.

Hoopla.

My O2 Wireless tickets arrived in the post today.

Along with an apt Vice Guide to Festivals booklet, which is almost no use whatsoever and incredibly against most festivals for some reason, thanks Vice, the photos are nice though, even if they are teeny tiny. That's right, that's me kind of dissing Vice, still haven't read this month's issue though..

I completely feel like this today;

I was so bored, everything on TV is going on about football, and I've still got World Cup fever, just because it's more exciting than watching Big Brother - who cares if it's the last ever series, total good riddance.

I've been loving seeing these billboards and adverts all over recently, I'll take a better photograph of my own when I'm next out and about, they have a massive one of everyone in Dorking at the moment. They're from a wonderful art project call 'Got, got, got, need!', for which artist Elliot Quince has created large 'football card' canvases of the stars of the World Cup 2010. The work is currently being exhibited at The Offside Gallery in Islington and all proceeds are going to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital.

© Elliot Quince via Got, Got, Got, Need

I also came across a neat series today which shows the World Cup stars as vegetables/fruit, it's just for absurd amusement really, but I do admire Park Pea-Sung, Frank Yam-pard is a joke though, there's something really awesome to be done with Wayne Rooney, but that's not for me to work out.

© Kyle Platts and Rupert Murphy at Yep via Viceland.

I have re-done my website but there's still stuff to be done, I'm quite proud of what's there at the moment, but I am starting to realise to limitations of Mr Site, despite singing it's praises when I started the site in January.

Feeling goofy.

These seem to be all the rage, or they were, or whatever.
I have two outfits left in my wardrobe and that's only because I might be going out tonight, almost everything is completely packed. Sigh.

Thank you Mr Postman.

Even though I am still waiting on so much stuff. I love getting things in the post.
These are my new salt & pepper shakers to replace the grimey S & P ones.

I also got a label maker. I have already labelled the fridge.

I also made this discovery, nom.

Purikura.

It's not worth the money but it is so much fun to do.
I got these done in Chinatown, in that huge shop that sells basically everything, 'oriental & cute'. I remember doing the stickers, but they don't do those anymore, and it's such a shame that these are even more expensive. We tried to pick the ones that made the least sense.
The individual photos can be found in this Facebook album, at the end.
I like this one best, but I love all of them.