A Walk in the Bluebell Woods

Well its the simple things which can make a day isn't it... at least thats what was proved to me very recently, when we set off on a bleak Saturday in search of a place to stroll, and wound up at Culzean Castle (where it just so happened to be raining even harder, ick!)

Regardless, we simply popped up our hoods and down our sleeves and wandered on, first around the swan pond. Truthfully, there were probably more ducks than swans, but it was still lovely. The trail we went round wasn't even ruined by the downpour, in fact everything just appeared brighter; greener, not to mention the bluebells, which were like a thick rug on the ground, painting it with pastel shades. 

One round of the swan pond later, and the heavens seemed to close, persuading us to keep with out exploring and venture into the walled garden. With four cameras between the five of us, there were probably pauses at each beautiful flower or tree or statue, as our eyes feasted on the wild abundance of colours and textures of the nature around us.

This time of year has to be my favourite in terms of plants, due to the blossom which makes it way into every corner and inch of the gardens it grows in.

There were commemorative benches strewn about everywhere, some immaculately maintained, and some somewhat given over to the nature - the best way, I think.

It did feel much like a rainforest at times, bar the chilly moments.

Unfortunately the soup and cake we stopped for lasted too short a time to catch on camera, as boy it was well ready for, but there was time for a quick classic "Beth-on-a-weird-tree-thing" picture (so it's all good?!)

And that was that! Any previous tired moods (courtesy of moi) were banished, replaced with soggy clothes, a good dose of fresh air, and a spring in our step. Culzean really is a fantastic place just for a stroll around, even if we're yet to do so on a day without torrents of rain!...

x

Smile with Tired Eyes, Tired Minds

I don't think anyone could argue there to be many things greater in the world than a sunrise, viewed through sleepy eyes, tinted by the groggy happiness of being woken up by pink light pouring in through the window.
Now that its nearing summer, and the end of the school year, I'd like to think this will begin to happen more often, be that because I like to remain optimistic about the Scottish weather, or just because I could certainly do with that helping hand every morning to snap me out my slumber!
A sunrise (or set) is the most perfect excuse to wander round aimlessly with my camera, and recently after unexpectedly waking up early one day, I decided to pull on a hoodie and trainers with my pyjamas and do just that...

Seeing the sky in all its bright and pastel glory makes it so much easier to think positively the rest of the day, don't you think? Its as though those rosy shades seep into your brain, and suddenly you find the maybe that test, or awkward moment, or bad hair day isn't quite as bad as you initially thought! And who wouldn't want that kind of realisation?

I can only hope that whether the sun chooses to shine where you are or not, you can perhaps take a moment to enjoy the whole experience vicariously through my photos.

Meet The Elite: Met Gala 2014

I'm probably a bit late on the Met Gala bandwagon this year, but with so many dresses/accessories/style queens to consider, I wanted to make sure the ones I picked as my favourites really were the best! As an event it's something I've always been vaguely aware of in previous years - big dresses, anyone who is anyone all under one roof, it's fairly hard to go unnoticed - but this year was the first where I've actively gone and found out about it a bit more!

Basically. for anybody who is new to the whole concept, it's a highly exclusive annual ball held in New York to raise funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Art. With the organising committee headed by the one and only Anna Wintour, it is one of the hottest events for anything and anyone with a soft spot for fashion, as lavish ball gowns are unleashed, along with extravagant hairstyles and experimental beauty. This year's theme was 'Charles James', whom I was initially clueless about, but whom, after a wee bit of digging, it appears was the British designer responsible for creating wonderful ball gowns sculpted to fully flatter the female form. Indeed, I would say that many at this year's gala paid him great tributes, and he would have been very proud. Here are just a few of my favourites...

Suki Waterhouse - definitely the most beautiful dress of the night, in my opinion, in a "totally just wrapped myself in tutus and working it" kind of way...

Karlie Kloss, not one I've seen covered very much, but so so stunning, so I can't think why! (Ugh I feel like we should just bow down to her or something!)

Model Karolina Kurkova, stealing the show in this breathtaking ensemble, unusual, but in a totally amazing way!

Shoe designer Tabitha Simmons just made me want to live in a fairytale with this dress, with my own turreted castle and private rose garden (or something equally as cliche)...

Ooh Emma Stone, you go girl! She's always on point with her style if you ask me, and whilst I did think this was quite simple considering the occasion, I couldn't really fault it!

And for the couples?...

A clear first! I dare you to find me one girl who hasn't seen these pictures of Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds and just wanted to be her already! Old school glamour will never go out of style...

A close second in the couple stakes, just for sheer class, has to be Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady, who showed that simplicity will always be in fashion!

On that note, I feel I can say that despite my insane jealousy, I have been thoroughly inspired. Admiring such outstanding designs only remind me why fashion matters! 

It's events like these, despite being extremely flashy and excessive, which can show the world once and for all that even when fashion isn't the most important thing in the news right now, when there's always something so much better or worse happening in the wider world, it's still something worth reporting and showing off-and enjoying! Whilst not everybody has the body to pull off a figure-hugging gown, or the cash to splash on a $25000 ticket for a one night event, there's no reason why we can't still revel in fashion and learn to build and love our own styles! If these people can go out in wild dresses and look drop dead gorgeous and inspiration, why shouldn't the rest of us have such fun too?!

In the words of the woman herself, Anna Wintour:

"Create your own style...let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others"

And we all know if Anna says it, it must be right in the eyes of fashion!

x

We Picnic in Pretty Places

Sometimes, it's so easy for me to get caught up in every day life, and forget that actually I live in quite a nice (for want of a better word) part of the world! But, just as quick as that fact can slip my busy mind, it also only takes one day, or one part of a day, to re-stumble across the pretty landscapes around me - for example, this Bank holiday, when we set off in search of a place to picnic.


Whilst it seems that everybody decides to embark on the great outdoors in some form or other when a bank holiday comes along - be that for a gentle stroll, an invigorating hike, or a long bike ride - personally we just wanted a bit of fresh air, a stretch of the legs, and a bit of a change of scenery.

Hopping in the car for a long drive is no problem to me, especially when we end up wandering round somewhere are attractive as we did, however it might have been even better had I not wisely brought my camera along without both it's battery (charging) and memory card (in computer) - I don't even know how I managed it! Thankfully I did manage to borrow scrounge another camera, and so, not to waste the opportunity, got clicking...

 Overall I had to say, quite simply, that I loved the whole place for it's beautiful houses, trees and cute little cafes! What more could you want from a town?

Aside from the throngs of other tourists with much the same idea as us, our wander along the river was fittingly peaceful, and even a panorama photo could hardly do it justice (plus, points for who can spot how I've creepily managed to duplicate Dad, oops!)

Of course walking around/ standing around when slightly lost, only calls for, what, a foot selfie? It sounds weird when said like that, but come on, you know fine well the ones I mean...

Impeccably styled as always (haw haw), I decided there was nothing better to wear on such a chilled excursion than a good pair of leggings, riding boots and a slobby jumper - we all have those days right?


Of course, the goal at the end of all our wanderings, the final destination, was the picnic, and oh boy, by the time we got there was my stomach growling in anticipation! We found a suitably humungous tree stump to perch our bums on, and dug in.

All washed down with a steaming hot flask of peppermint tea of course, as by then it was undoubtedly chilly!

With satisfied bellies and the beginnings of tiredness showing, we jumped in the car and head back home - even the view out the window was pleasantly scenic, as we passed by the 'Devil's Beef Tub'.

Impressive right? All in all a successful, thoroughly calm, stress-free day!
What did you get up to this Bank holiday? Is there something, like picnicking, that you like to do, maybe that makes you feel a bit like a kid again too?

x

April Adorations

For me, April has been one of those funny months, a bit up and down and around, just whizzing by! But between studying, stressing and sleeping, I've also had just about enough time to discover some new things to wear, hear, do, and generally make my day. I thought I might like to share some of these "adorations" today, as the month draws to a close and we move swiftly on into the next one (eek!) So, this month I've enjoyed (ft. dodgy editing)...

Watching:

Frozen! For sure! I know we're moving into warmer, brighter days, and I should be well past the age and stage of obsessing over Disney films, but this film is just impossible not to love! Quite simply, the songs are currently my life's soundtrack (can. not. stop. singing.), and Olaf is my new best friend. If you're having a down day, there is no better medicine!

Reading:

Asides from textbooks and revision notes (yawn) I haven't had the chance (or energy) to be reading all that much, but one beautiful book I did get to enjoy was  The Book THIEF, which was fab!

Putting on:

-Vaseline 'Spray and Go' cocoa moisturiser - does everything it says on the tin, perfect for my fellow lazies

-Benefit 'Total Moisture' face cream - so fresh, even for my driest-of-dry skin

-Marc Jacobs 'Honey' - a go-to whenever the weather looks like its picking up

Listening to (on repeat):

1. This beacon of wonderfulness, "Another Story" by Head and the Heart. It's one of those songs that can lift my spirit at any moment, and I can't see it getting old anytime soon either.

2. Or "Heartbeats" by Jose Gonzalez. You know those late night explorations of the YouTube sidebar that occasionally turn into something great? Well, this was one of them! (Also, I later realised it had been in One Tree Hill too, even better)

Wearing:
Saving up means that I haven't bought very much recently, but it also means that what I have picked up has had to be worth it! I'm loving my floral/lace kimono from Urban Outfitters, and can't wait to be able to wear it in all its glory! A more recent purchase was this black bag from Accessorize, which hasn't even had its first outing yet, but I am determined to get as much use out off as possible!

Doing:

Well, it was only for 3 days out of the months, but Future News 2014 will not be something I am likely to forget in a hurry! Meeting such a diverse group of people from around the globe, all connected by a common interest and goal, was a one in a lifetime opportunity I think, and I'm so glad to have conquered my worries and gone ahead with it!

Now that brings my favourites to an end, and I can now say that I hope May shapes up just as well as April did! What have you loved recently? And what are you looking forward to in the coming months?

Oh, Dear May...

I've waited so long for this month to come around, it hardly feels real now that it has actually arrived! 

I mean, if my life were one of those books I've been writing about in English, I think this month would be the turning point - not to scare myself, but there really is a sense of the rest of everything that matters to me right now riding on these next few weeks.

Obviously it is exams that are clouding the forefront of my mind, after months of preparation and studying and "staying cool". With the first one over and past today, I can say that all those nerves and stress I thought I'd be feeling right now seem to have bypassed me, and in fact I'm just tired and relieved; quietly confident but not wanting to jinx anything! Still though, it's undoubtedly easy to dwell on what could have gone, or could still go, wrong, yet I also know this is my time to finally let all my hard work pay off and get the most from it! I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm excited, but it's a feeling not that different.

So, I approach this month with optimism, and a handful of mini-goals for myself (maybe like not looking like Cyclops in photos...)

With looming stress and drowning in books, comes also the opportunity to take a break and embrace a healthy, happy lifestyle. Everybody says this every month, I know. But the past few weeks I feel like I've really been getting into it, and on the first of the month, having just returned from a quick run, I'm feeling positive that this can, and will, continue. Eating well, drinking lots of water, regular moving - simple right?! As with any girl on the internet, I feel Cassey Ho from Blogilates is my saviour in helping me with this, and as much as possible I'll be following her May calendar (I can already tell I'm going to die from it, no joke).

Something I've been wanting to do more for a long time now is draw and paint, and literally just in the past few days I've already tried to start this. My problem before was that I never know what to draw, being such a damn perfectionist(not a good thing_, but now I'm going to drop the idea that everything I do has to be of any quality, and just make some (possibly not great) art for the fun of it instead! I'm hoping the amazing original ideas will ensue. 

Study leave. Weeks of free time at home. Sure, I'll get some studying done, and some fun things too perhaps, but what am I really looking forward to? Getting to read! Now my English exam is officially over, I can pack away all those quotes and themes and characters which have been consuming me since last August, and finally enjoy books again. Not really a goal because I love it, but certainly something I will look forward to getting the chance to do once more, not to mention blogging about it too. (Also, watching Game of Thrones, which I've recently been hooked by, but I don't know if that's something I should actually encourage in myself?...)

Staying positive is something I'm normally ok at on the surface, but everybody has their down days, even their 'really-down' days. Recently I have been feeling a lot happier, not thanks to anything in particular I don't think, but this is something I want to maintain - however one does that! With the flowers blooming and the prospect of summer and the great big world and future just around the corner, May feels set to be a mighty alright month. If it'll agree to jump on board and be kind and treat us all well, then what could go wrong? 

x