Cirque du Soleil

Saltimbanco!

A few weeks ago, my boyfriend and I went along to Liverpool (after Scotland - the photos will be up soon - they need to be developed). I haven't been to Liverpool since 2005(?!) with Foundation, and even though it's been a fair ol' while, I still utterly adore it. When we arrived (keeping in mind that we barely had time to actually sight see etc, just get to the Echo Arena) it was bright and blue and sunny. Liverpool architecture is all about the juxtaposition - old versus new, all next to each other, but all fitting together well like some giant puzzle.

The show itself was mind blowing (thanks to all the seats not having been sold, we got upgraded!) It started off a tad disjointed it seemed, but when the music started, that was when the proper show began. The gymnastics were exceptional, and the costumes (keeping in mind I started a degree in Costume, and even though I didn't complete it, doesn't hinder my love of beautiful and well made outfits) were inspiring and wacky and amusing. I managed to sneak a few photos (minus flash - as you weren't really supposed to take any - and I did get told off!) so excuse the poor quality of them - but hopefully it will give you some idea of how great it was! It was visually stunning, amusing, and just generally enjoyable. If you ever get the chance to - go and see a show!

Music to my ears

Whitley

After a bit of a strange day (I'm doing my month's placement at a butterfly / reptile / bugs / small pets place called Pili Palas), and having been crapped on by a snake (NOT something that I suggest in any shape or form) I came home to listen (AGAIN) to Whitley. I found out about him from watching Flashforward (what can I say - I got hooked!) and it was on the final episode of the first series.

So far he has totally rocked my epicentre of music, and I can't wait to listen to him whilst at a BBQ on the beach when I'm not working!

One BIG Weekend

Bangorlicious!

Wow - it's been a while! I've had a fairly busy time since having finishing my exams (yay - first year over!) The weekend before my final exam, Radio 1's Big Weekend came to Bangor, North Wales. As you can imagine, this was a fairly major event, as thins sort of thing doesn't often happen in Bangor. The sun shone (I managed to get some rather excellently sunburnt shoulders), music was played, jumping around was done, and my boyfriend and I managed to make the grand total of £46 by picking up paper cups (I strongly suggest this to anyone going to festivals this summer!)

There were many people - a variety of the hard-core 'indie' people, those that looked as if they'd been tangoed, and many, many people that fashion had apparently passed. Faithless were easily my favourite band that I saw there, MGMT were spewing out the summer vibe; but I always love it when you go to a festival and find a band that you had never heard of, and turned out to be rather great. So was the case with Bombay Bicycle Club. I guttingly missed the acoustic session, but managed to catch the main performance. The main singer had a fantastically energetic (though it did look at points that he was having some sort of fit!) way of dancing, which added to the enthusiasm of the audience. I hope that you enjoy them as much as I did.

The best way to start the summer?

A free festival where the sun shines, you manage to make money by doing good for the environment, whilst seeing and hearing fantastic bands!

Vintage tent at Radio 1's Big Weekend, 2010

These two photos above are of the stall of Dolls & Molls. I brought (with my money earned from collecting paper cups!) a gorgeous pair of earings in the shape of feathers, gold in colour, and went gorgeously with my turquoise top that I was wearing. Their stuff was well priced (the earings were only £4) and had a rather nice home-made quality, as opposed to the shop brought stuff, so you know that you won't find someone with the stuff jewellery as you (unless of course their taste is as good as yours!)

Faithless

Bombay Bicycle Club

Butterflies and Hurricanes

Black and White KINKIness

When flying back from Switzerland, I picked up a fantastic (but not in English) magazine called KINKI. These are some of my favourite picture from the magazine. I especially like the photograph of the guy's face having been rubbed out.

And I am seriously wanting the big wooly jumper of the girl sitting by the window.

And here's a rather plinky track from Faithless. Enjoy :)

Music for My Love

Inspiration Needed!

Ok - seeing as how all but one of my exams are over (yay!) I have realised that I need a humungous injection of culture in my life! With the closest cinema about 30 mins away by train/walking, and over a week until I go to see Cirque du Soleil's Saltimbanco in Liverpool, I need to do something creative :)

I have already written and wrapped a parcel for my sister, but I wanted to make my boyfriend a music CD.

I need ideas of songs to put on! Along the lines of Faithless, Tiesto...but also wanted to put chilled out stuff on like Chicane. Any input of must-have tunes would be greatly appreciated! I will post up the final track list once I have completed it.

And whilst on the topic of music - check out Rose of Jerico by BT. I especially love the video.

Shop Till you Drop - then have an Ice-Cream

La Di Da

40 Silver Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset

Bridal wear, fabric and haberdashery

Ginger Beer

12 Broad Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset

Outdoor living - garden equipment from a sepia era

Susie Cole

15 Broad Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset

Lacey, pearly, crammed full of girly goodness

Local is Best

When I went back home for Easter, I had momentarily forgotten how quaint and unique Lyme is. There are some truly cute shops which allow you to rummage and look for yourself to come across an absolute gem. The best bit is, that all of these shops are one-offs and therefore you are more likely to have a totally individual style if you buy from places like this.

It's far better than the high street shops.

I don't know if anyone else has noticed the irony that New Look produces, but on the window in Bangor it has the phrase 'Be the Trend'. How, New Look, can everyone 'be the trend' if we all buy from your nation-wide store? We'd all look the same!

Charity shops, thrift stores and vintage all the way - mixed in of course with car boot finds and staple goods that are going to last rather than become yesterdays fashion today.

Time for Tea

(Stuart Kolakovic)

Fancy a Brew?

On plodding around the Web, I stumbled across a gorgeous variety of tea towels. I know that teat towels seem like an odd thing to get excited about - but just check them out! I especially like the French designs created by Darling Clementine and the Eastern European influenced ones created by Stuart Kolakovic. If you go onto To Dry For and have a root around, there are some other fantastic designers who's illustration are great inspiration (I feel a big of a rhyme coming along!) To Dry For also have their own blog which you can find here.

It's certainly cheered me up finding such wonderful tea towels, and makes me want to have a cup of tea and some tasty flapjacks before settling down for some revision (honestly - who wants to learn about radon when you could be finding out about tea towels!?)

Tasty Revision Flapjacks to go with a cup of Tea :)

You will need:

2 tbsp golden syrup

4 tbsp runny honey

150g butter

150g porridge oats

100g dessicated coconut (optional - but I strongly suggest it!)

150g dried fruit of your choice - apricots and raisins are a good choice

Flaked almonds for topping - or you could use these rather than the coconut

Method:

1) Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Get a baking tin and grease (a 'brownie' style baking tray is good - or whatever you can find!)

2) In a pan on low(ish) heat, put the golden syrup, honey and butter and melt and stir until combined, then remove from the heat.

3) Mix in the dry ingredients - oats, coconut, dried fruit and put the mixture in the greased pan once thoroughly combined.

4) Put in the oven for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown.

5) Cut whilst still in tin and leave to cool. Then eat :)

You can kid yourself that they are vaguely healthy due to the dried fruit, but they are certainly a good snack to break up revision, and much better than a chocolate bar - not quite the same as brownies though!