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spooky tv and film to watch this halloween

Tuesday, 18 October 2016

SPOOKY FILMS TO WATCH THIS HALLOWEEN


I have to admit, I really enjoy watching horror films all year round - it's not uncommon for my household to have horror movie nights at any given time. As a fan of all things horror, Halloween always seems like my time to shine and give some creepy and spooky recommendations for all levels on the creep scale. Whether you're a seasoned horror fan or you're just looking for some thrills this Halloween, here are some of my recommendations! 

The Grudge

For A PETRIFYING GHOSTLY EXPERIENCE

The Grudge is the one horror film that left me petrified. Maybe it’s because I watched it when I was 10 years old, or maybe it’s just a great horror film?  (probably a bit of both) It’s a little bit like The Ring, with the premise that everyone that enters a specific house starts seeing ghosts and ends up dead. I’ve yet to watch the Japanese original, but the American remake stars Sarah Michelle Gellar (let’s be real, this is the reason I watched this film in the first place) and it's a great watch if you’re looking for something creepy and scary with a lot of jump scares and creepy ghosts.

A Tale of Two Sisters  

FOR A SLOW and CREEPY  HORROR

This is one of my more recent favourites. I watched the original Korean film and would highly recommended it. The story revolves around two sisters, Su-yeon and Su-mi and their family, following Su-mi’s stay in a psychiatric hospital. The film is quite subtle for the most part, with few jump scares but there are so many creepy moments. The creepiness is so intense and well done, it’s amazing to watch if you just want a slow, mysterious and creepy film to watch.

28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later 

FOR a FAST PACED and THRILLING ZOMBIE FILM

What would a Halloween watch list be without zombies? I’m a huge zombie fan and have watched so many, but my favourite has to be the 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later. Each film follows different sets of characters 28 days, and 28 weeks following a zombie outbreak in the UK. There’s everything you would expect from a zombie film -  action, violence, gore, unsettling and heart racing situations and moments, as well as some likeable characters to get attached to. The beginning of 28 Weeks Later is such a scary masterpiece and 28 Days Later has some amazing scenes of an abandoned London.

Nightmare before Christmas 

FOR A FUN, ANIMATED HALLOWEEN film

I’ve seen the Nightmare before Christmas everywhere (especially in emo days) but I have to admit, I only watched the film a couple of years ago. If you’re not a fan of scary horror and want some cute animated Halloween themed viewing, this is a good shout. It also doubles up as a film to get you excited and pumped up about all the autumn/winter festivities and Christmas!

SPOOKY TV TO WATCH (OR RE-WATCH) THIS HALLOWEEN


Stranger Things 

I think this is a rewatch for most people! I'm sure everyone has heard of Stranger Things and at only eight episodes long it's a quick watch and honestly not too scary. It's quite creepy at times but even if your're not into super scary horror and thrillers, definitely give this a watch -  it's more of a mystery with elements of  sinister creepiness thrown in.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Buffy is one of my favourite TV shows ever and was my childhood obsession so it comes as no surprise that I'm recommending this. Buffy is quite a lengthy show at seven seasons but they're so addictive and easy to watch that it's super easy to fly though them. The first three seasons follow Buffy and the 'Scooby Gang' in highschool and have a more monster of the week format, whilst seasons four onward gets a bit darker and brings in some more serious issues. Either way, there are some delightfully creepy moments, some action, humour and just about a bit of everything in Buffy. 

American Horror Story

If you’re not scared of creepy and downright disturbing content, give American Horror Story a watch. Some of the things on this show are so creepy that I was kind of surprised they allowed it on TV? The characters and plot change each season which is pretty cool and unique for a show and also keeps the suspense high, so the mysteries aren't dragged on and on to the point of getting dull. Thus far, Murder House and Coven are my favourite Seasons. The Sixth Season has recently started airing and the Halloween episode is always spectacular and creepy, so definitely keep an eye out for that. 

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30 lifestyle and book blog post ideas!

Saturday, 8 October 2016

Looking for some blog post inspiration? Since conjuring up and planning 31 blog posts for Blogtober, I've acquired a wealth of ideas for blog posts. Here are some which will hopefully give you some inspiration! 

Lifestyle & Style

  1. Share your day in 24 photos or 60 seconds if you want to branch into video format! Or maybe even both if you’re up for a multimedia challenge
  2. Go on a date with yourself and document it
  3. Share your favourite things about blogging/being an internet babe
  4. Write the recipe for the perfect day
  5. A list of good things for bad days
  6. Write a post raising awareness for a cause you really care about
  7. Share some tips for productivity and time management
  8. Did you have any childhood obsessions?
  9. Share some inspirational quotes and why you love them
  10. A classic what’s in my bag or a what’s on my bag (for any badge, pin, and accessory fans)
  11. Share your favourite seasonal outfit 
  12. Share your favourite lounge wear 
  13. Share and outfit of the day and your thoughts on each piece/what it means to you, and how it fits into your personal style
  14. Share the evolution of your personal style, your taste in music, makeup etc.
  15. Write a posts sharing your collections- makeup, books, badges/pins, hairbands, merch etc.
  16. Spread some internet love and share your favourite bloggers and youtubers
  17. Share some dreams – from your childhood and your current dreams
  18. Write about the inspirational figures in your life (fictional or not)
  19. What are your hobbies? Write a post for beginners and how to get into it –where to start.
  20. A themed wishlist or current wishlist (because everyone loves a bit of online shopping)

Books, & everything else

  1. Recent reads and your thoughts
  2. Cosy reads for colder months
  3. Books you are determined to read by the end of the year!
  4. Reasons to be excited for recent releases/upcoming releases
  5. Share your favourite book quotes
  6. Pick up a newspaper/old book and create some blackout poetry + share the process!
  7. Your favourite books/films/TV of all time
  8. Create a themed playlist and share it (seasonal, by genre, the possibilities are endless)
  9. Apps that make life so much easier/ your essential apps
  10. Create a themed recommended reading list (eg recommended Halloween reads, recommend reading for nerds/for fans of …. etc.)

I hope you found some inspiration or just had a nice time perusing these ideas! Thanks for reading and have a lovely day!
PS. let me know if you're doing blogtober too!
G O O D R E A D S // T W I T T E R // I N ST A G R A M // B L O G L O V I N'
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my buffy the vampire slayer merch collection

Wednesday, 5 October 2016


Buffy the Vampire Slayer is without a dobut my favorite TV show. It's been such a is a huge part of my life, imbued with nostalgia, childhood memories and just a general feeling of happiness. To me it's a timeless tv show, I'll probably still be re-watching Buffy until old and grey and love it just as much as I did when I was younger. Over the years I've accumulated a lot of Buffy related merch and I thought it'd be fun to share my collection! Plus a good excuse to get all my old merch out and reminisce. 

First up I have this Buffy Flannel, which I've never used and now don't want to break that cycle.I think I bought it from ebay around the time I was first allowed to go on the internet (makes me feel old.) I also have x2 Buffy Postcards and a Cordelia Postcard. Fun fact: Cordelia was one of my favourite Buffy characters, I seemed to overlook the fact that she was pretty mean, but I really admired her confidence and sass! 
 I'm pretty sure this Buffy mug came with an easter egg my parents bought me! It has a photo of Buffy and the quote 'I have a strategy, you're not in it' on the other side. The quote is said by Buffy to Wesley when he's interfering with her slaying! I've had the mug in storage for absolutely ages but I've just started using it for my makeup brushes. Yay for usefulness! 

Also pictured is a witch pez. If you're a Buffy fan you might remember Oz gifting Willow a witch pez dispenser in season three. It's not the same one but it's similar and reminded me of that episode, so obviously I bought it! .I think I actually bought it whilst on a day trip to France during my Primary school days. You can totally tell I was obssessed with Buffy to extent that even abroad, I scouted out something Buffy related to buy! I also remember buying a Buffy magazine (in french) because I thought it was cool and I was sure that one day I'd learn to speak French (spoiler: that day has yet to come!) I guess it was a Buffy filled school trip. 
I''m sure this Buffy Tin also came with an Easter Egg. It's a really pretty purple and silver colour and really good quality so I've been using it for a good few years to store bits and pieces in. Plus, it makes great decoration! 
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds, PS2 game. This game is so much fun and is definitely one of my favourite games from my childhood! You get to play as a different character for each level, and I remember playing the multiplayer mode with my brother and sister all the time! I also have this Buffy pencil tin which I store my Buffy trading cards in. I was always too scared to store my everyday pens and pencils in it because I was so scared it might get scratched! (and still kind of worried so I keep it hidden and safe!) 
Ah my DIY Buffy stickers. I was a crafty kid, and I was so obsessed  with Buffy, I would literally cut out photos of anything to do with Buffy case from magazines, and make them into stickers with my  trusty sticker maker (which I still have and use!) Not sure what I was planning on using them for but I still have them in my sticker book, and look fondly at them from time to time. 
I literally have a folder just full of Buffy related clippings from magazines, packaging and random other Buffy related bits. Again, I'm not sure what I planned on using them for? Maybe just to horde!? I also have the packaging for a lost Buffy mouse mat and book light (r.i.p.)
ONTO the objects which were once my pride and joy. There used to be a Forbidden Planet in my town, and every time my Mum would take me and my sister into town, we insisted on going to Forbidden Planet. And in Forbidden Planet, I would fangirl over all the figurines. I absolutely adored them and remember always being so so excited to add to my little collection. Above are figurines of Willow and Tara (two in one pack!) & Anya (from the iconic musical episode!)
x2 Two Wesley figures 
I'm honestly not sure why I have two figures of him, because I don't remember having any particular love for him? Looking back he was a pretty entertaining character though. I guess I was subconsciously secretly in love with him!?
Buffy Trading Cards & Half a pack of Top Trumps. Because I was so young, and didn't have the money to buy a lot of merch, I often ended up just buying a pack of trading cards (despite having no one but my sister to trade with.) I even got one of the special cards, with a piece of the coat Warren wore in the episode 'Seeing Red' I was pretty stoked about that.  

AND ALSO HOW COOL IS THIS!?! 
At first it might just seem like a photo of a door, no big deal, but on the door I have the same poster Buffy and Willow have on their dorm room door, and even better, it's about all about CHOCOLATE. The poster has little images depicting different chocolate treats and even has some little facts about chocolate at the bottom. It's pretty snazzy.

Some things I know I have somewhere but couldn't find include: a Buffy bag made from purple velvet, a 12" figurine of Buffy and  another of Oz, the Buffy Soundtracks 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Album' and 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Radio Sunnydale' as well as the 'Once More With Feeling' soundtrack. I also have a ton of  Buffy magazines that I bought every time I visited WH Smith, and also the DVD box set! I distinctly remember being around the age of twelve and coming home, eating some food and then spending the evening watching a couple of episodes every day after school until I got through all seven seasons! 

I have so many happy memories associated with Buffy and writing about all my merch and my strange but sweet childhood obsession with Buffy makes twenty one year old me happy. 

I'd love to know if you had any childhood obsessions!?
or were a Buffy obsessed youth like me!??!
G O O D R E A D S // T W I T T E R // I N ST A G R A M // B L O G L O V I N'
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✨ anime recommendations ✨

Hey everyone! I've been watching anime for a few years now and one of my absolute favourite things about anime, is that there is just so much choice. So many genres and so many amazing stories and characters that are hard to find elsewhere. So today I'm sharing six different anime I really love and would recommend to everyone!


For friendships and slow burning romance  

Kimi Ni Todoke 
Kimi Ni Todoke is a cross between a slice of life anime, showing everyday life of characters with a comedy and drama undertone. It follows the misunderstood Sawako, and the friendships and relationships she develops, after an encounter with Kazehaya, a popular and energetic boy in her class. Sawako such a cute little cinnamon roll. She's kind to everyone, humble, and always tries her best, even in the worst of circumstances. Her shy and kind nature is often misinterpreted by her peers as creepiness, however she always does her best to be helpful despite her undeserved reputation. (Although some of her facial expressions are quite creepy… in a cute way). Some parts were a little frustrating (especially in the second season) but it’s just adorable and so lovely to watch.




FOR ENCOURAGEMENT TO ALWAYS TRY YOUR BEST

Love Live!
After hearing that their high school is closing due to lack of student applications, Honoka, with the help  her two friends Umi and Kotori and decide to create a school idol group in an effort to boost the popularity of their school and save it from closure! The series follows their failures and successes and all the hard work they put in toward achieving their goals of competing and winning the biggest school idol competition, Love Live! The whole cast of characters have such dynamic and different personalities and its such a fun and refreshing anime to watch. It’s all about always trying your best, and working hard to achieve your goals and dreams with a positive attitude. 

FOR LONERS AND OUTSIDERS

No Matter How I Look At It, It's You Guys' Fault I'm Unpopular!
Where do I start with this anime. It’s simultaneously entertaining, comical, and uncomfortable to watch. The anime follows fifteen year old Tomoko Kuroki, who spends her time reading manga, watching anime, and playing a ton of dating sims, and is resolute that her life will change when she enters high school and becomes a high school girl TM However, things don’t go to plan and Watamote essentially follows the struggles of Tomoko as she tries to figure things out. It's quite dark at times and might be a little hard to watch for some people, (second hand embarrassment) but I think it's a very realistic and sharp portrayal of social anxiety. The entire anime is from Tomoko’s perspective and there are very, very few other characters, which makes it a super interesting character exploration. 

FOR ROBOTS AND A PSYCHOLOGICAL DRAMA

Neon Genesis Evangelion 
This is the first anime I ever properly watched so it will always have a special place in my heart. Apparently the Fightstar album ‘Grand unification’ was partially inspired by this anime, and as a huge Fightstar fan I had to check it out. And boy am I glad I did! Set in a post-apocalyptic world threatened by beings known as ‘angels,’ the story follows fourteen year old Shinji who called by his father to pilot a giant robot, and battle the so called ‘angels.’ The fate of humanity hangs on Shinji and his fellow pilots and a whole host of deeper and darker secrets are revealed. Whilst this anime is considered a psychological drama, it does have some comical and light-hearted moments as well as deep, psychologically dramatic moments. The ending is a little confusing but it’s all about the journey really. 

FOR ACTION, DRAMA, plot twists AND A LOT OF EMOTION

Attack on Titan 
Set in a world where humanoid giants known as Titans roam the world, humanity has barricaded themselves behind walls in order to survive. After a hundred years of the walls existence however, one titan breaks through the walls and sets off a whole load of drama, plot twists and action. The series follows Erin, his adoptive sister Misaka, and their friend Erin as they join the Survey Corps, a military unit who are trained to go outside the walls and combat titans. Attack on Titan is one of those super popular anime that have tons of hype surrounding it, and rightfully so. This anime was so amazing I managed to watch the entire 25 episodes in two days. Needless to say it’s got some super addictive qualities.

FOR a fun CHARACTER DRIVEN comedy

Himouto! Umaru-chan
Himouto! Umaru-chan is another slice of life anime, following the daily adventures of Umara, a high school girl who seems to be ‘perfect’ girl – kind, popular and an overachiever, however as soon as she gets home she transforms into a lazy otaku. As a slice of life anime, there’s not much in terms of an extensive plot - it’s more about the characters and their lives. It’s funny, lots of fun to watch and it has some cute moments. It’s a great anime to watch if you’re in the mood for something fun and funny, or something to cheer yourself up!






Do you watch any anime? or any of the above!? let me know + feel free to leave me some recommendations, I'd love to hear them!
G O O D R E A D S // T W I T T E R // I N ST A G R A M // B L O G L O V I N'
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✨ A very pink and fandom inspired art print haul ✨

Wednesday, 28 September 2016

I've been neglecting this blog for a couple of weeks now (laptop troubles, it's a long and ultimately boring story) so I figured why not write a post that is pretty and lovely to counteract all my technical troubles. I also really admire my skills in making this title so long it could be mistaken for a Panic! at the Disco song.

A while ago, I decided my walls looked a little bare, so I made things happen and bought myself some art prints. My two criteria were pink and fandom related. Pink because it looks great against my turquoise walls, and fandom inspired because I’ve been super into my fandoms and fictional worlds lately and what better way to decorate my space than with aesthetically pleasing art of things I love.

I found some stunning art by super talented artists on Etsy and Redbubble. I ordered the Redbubble prints in ‘postcard’ size so they’re super cute and can fit anywhere! Take that limited wall space.

steven universe postcard prints artPearl's Dance // Rose and Lion
The Crystal Gems // Cookie Cat 

I’ve been a little Steven Universe crazy recently. A while back I wrote a post all about why you should give it a watch, and last week I even made some Steven Universe inspired clothing purchases. Needless to say, I'm in deep. I bought these four Steven Universe prints - dancing Pearl, Rose and Lion, the Crystal Gem squad, and the last one featuring everyone's favourite treat, Cookie Cat! They're all so amazing and visually pleasing, I couldn't be happier!

New High Score // Endure and Survive 
Max Caulfield // Crybaby

As for other fandoms, I bought some Adventure Time, video game, and music inspired prints. The first Adventure Time print is so cool and mixes the characters with a video game theme! The next print is inspired by one of my favourite quotes from the game The Last of Us, and the third is inspired by the game Life is Strange! Video games are kind of a theme here. Lastly, I have a Melanie Martinez, 'Crybaby' inspired print and it's just perfect. Melanie Martinez is one of my fav female singers and I find her creativity super inspiring and this print always reminds me of that. 

Stevonnie & Princess Bubblegum from NuitBlachnes on Etsy

Finally, from Etsy I purchased these amazing portraits of Stevonnie from Steven Universe and Princess Bubblegum from Adventure Time. Stevonnie (and Connie) are some of my favourite characters and I absolutely adore the art style of these! This concludes my art print haul, I love them all so much and I'm super excited to put them all up! 

Thanks for reading & have a great day! 
G O O D R E A D S // T W I T T E R // I N ST A G R A M // B L O G L O V I N'
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✨ a badge/pin wishlist ✨

Friday, 2 September 2016

Happy September everyone! It's no secret that I love badges and pins, I even wrote a post about my collection a while ago which motivated to expand my collection. So I've complied a wishlist of badges I would love to have in my collection and today I'm sharing them! Most of these badges are from Etsy as I'm a firm believer in supporting independent artists, and let's be real, Etsy is the best place for really unique and cute pieces!


1) Steven Universe 'I Believe In...' // 2) Life is Strange // 3) Fur Club 
4) Sailor Moon Crybaby // 5) Eat Sleep Read // 6) Adventure Time
7) Adorable Buneary // 8) Buffy 'I'm a Slayer, Ask Me How' // 9) Grl Pwr
10) Adorable Steven Universe // 11) Twin Peaks 'Damn Fine Coffee' // 12) Steven Universe Assortment

I picked a bunch of cute badges that reflect the things I love and things that are important to me. A lot of Steven Universe, some Adventure Time, an adorable Life is Strange badge, a crybaby Sailor Moon, a cute little Pokemon badge (Buneary is one of my favourites) and a quote from Buffy! I also love the grl pwr badge, because feminism, and the fur club badge because body hair is not a crime + when I was younger I used to call eyebrows 'fur' so this badge is a perfect throwback!

Thanks for reading and have a great day!
 Which is your favourite!? Do you have any favourite places to buy badges from? 
G O O D R E A D S // T W I T T E R // I N ST A G R A M // B L O G L O V I N'
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reasons to watch steven universe

Sunday, 21 August 2016


steven universe on tablet
So, I've been watching Steven Universe recently, and I'm kind of obsessed. Steven Universe is a cartoon following the lovable adventures of Steven and the Crystal Gems, who are essentially space aliens protecting the earth. Steven, a half human, half gem spends his time navigating life as a kid, as well as saving the world, helping out with offical gem business and controlling his magical powers. Steven Universe is great, lovable and one of the best kids cartoons I've ever watched, I've come to adore it, so much so that I'm writing this blog post about it. Also, note how I skillfully incorporated a chunk of amethyst and a shooting star in the above photo, because Steven Universe is all about space gems. Nerd level intensifies.

Reasons to watch Steven Universe


Steven the 'Magical Boy' You've seen magical girls, now get ready for a magical boy! Steven is not the typical 'boy' character you'd usually find in cartoons. He's sensitive and naive but emotionally intelligent and kind. He possesses a lot of traits which are typically 'feminine' and which are often absent in the portrayal of male characters in cartoons. Steven's character is kick ass and magical in a new and different way, a way which disrupts gender conventions.

In fact the entire show scrambles and disregards plenty of gender conventions. Steven's father, the only other main male character on the show, is gentle, kind, and always has time for Steven. The Crystal Gems, are genderless but also very 'feminine' and use she/her pronouns. Steven lives with three gems, Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl, who are his mentors, teaching him how to use his gem power and have a close family bond. It's a break from the traditional cereal packet family and offers not just an alternative, but an alternative that is positive and shows how alternative family structures can work wonderfully. Steven Univere is also super inclusive, and one of the most open minded shows, normalising queer relationships, which is super important in a hetro-normative society! (especially through Garnet and Pearl, without spoiling anything!)

Well developed female characters
Pretty much all the main characters, with the exception of Steven and his Dad, are female or presented as female. This is super important for representation, especially for kids! Similarly, the characters are all different shapes, sizes and colours. All the characters have their own strengths and are amazing in their own ways, showing that no matter what you look like, you are awesome and can kick ass. The Gem's bodies are all different, but celebrated and accepted as great because they are what feels best for each gem. An important lesson we can all learn from.

Voice acting 
The voice acting is amazing and the cast features plenty of women of colour!! This show has my support 110% ALSO the music. Sometimes the characters burst into song and there are some really amazing songs. Stronger Than You was the first song that hit me in the heart, it's pretty damn amazing, just give it a listen. My other favourites include, Strong in the Real Way, Do It For Her, It's Over Isn't It?, Something Entirely New, and Tower of Mistakes. LISTEN and be amazed!

The story and overarching plot is clever and gets pretty intense! It reminds me a bit of a slice of life anime, showing the everyday life of Steven as a kid but also glimpses of Gem life and Gem adventures! It's upbeat and optimistic whilst dealing with serious topics. Steven never gives up and always sees the best in people (even when they're threatening to kill him.) It's so refreshing to see and watching an Steven Universe just makes me feel all warm and fluffy inside.

The Artwork is AMAZING 
Steven Universe is set in a little beach town with magical goings on, and the artwork is super pretty. There are a lot of pinks, purples and blues and all the settings are so magical and visually pleasing!!

Peridot. 
If none of the other reasons speak to you, give Steven Universe a watch just for Peridot. She's such a precious and hilarious character. She's a little gem from the gem homeland who gets stuck on earth, and has to adapt to life on earth. She's awkward, strange, and hilarious as she learns about humans and humanity. Also this gif:

Thanks for reading and have a great day! 
Do you watch Steven Universe, or any other cartoons? Let me know!
G O O D R E A D S // T W I T T E R // I N ST A G R A M // B L O G L O V I N'
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✨ Badge Collection ✨

Friday, 12 August 2016

I love badges. They’re cute, inexpensive and fun. They can symbolise literally anything - your interests, your passions, your favourite band to simply looking just plain cute. I've been a badge fanatic since my early teen years, (thanks emo phase) and my love for badges has never really faded. Badges are amazing because they give you an added level of customisation to your outfits and bags - you can pretty much pin them anywhere and curate a collection based on your personal interests and style. I love them so much I thought I'd share my small but meaningful collection!

badge collection
The first two are my old school Paramore badges I bought way back when were still a four piece band. I’ve listened to them since I was a little baby teenager and even though the band has practically disintegrated, I still have a place in my heart for them. I bought a pack of four and two are pictured here. They’re pretty beat up but I like keeping them around as little reminders of my emo days. Plus, I still adore the 'Riot' artwork.

The next three in the top row, are from when I apparently got caught up in the keep calm and carry on trend. I’m not a patriotic person but they remind me that sometimes things are beyond your control and the only thing you can do about it, is keep yourself from freaking out and keep going. The crown also came with the set and to be honest, I never really liked it, but it could be kind of cute if you forget about it's association with the monarchy.  

The badge in the second row is DOMO. Another teenage purchase that I still love. I had a Domo obsession after seeing it on Nickelodeon between programmes (probably SpongeBob) and bought another four pack of badges! I've got them all over the place because they're so cute and this is the only one I’m not currently using!

Then I have two badges with Joel and Ellie from the PlayStation game ‘The Last of Us’ because it’s one of my favourite games in existence! Seriously go and play that game if you’re looking for a great all round game- great story, characters, graphics, environment, gameplay + zombies!!

I impulse bought the ‘will work for books’ badge from Waterstones after triumphantly handing in some University essays last year. Apt because I will work for (money to buy) books. Please hire me, Waterstones. 

The final little blue badge is one that was gifted to me by my sister, and has the initials AAR which stand for The All American Rejects – probably the first band I ever considered my favourite. Ah nostalgia. 

bag with badges
bag with badges and pins
Next up are the badges I currently have on my backpack!, There are quite a few and it's a bit of a struggle to safely fit any more on!

Starting from the top left corner I have the sunglasses, roller skate, and dreamer badge that I acquired at Dreamland in Margate whilst on a trip. They are super cute and the most recent additions to my collection. I thought the roller skate badge was hilarious because I went roller skating for the first time and literally couldn’t get round the rink once without falling over!

I bought the orange ‘masterpiece’ badge from the Tate Modern gift shop on a school trip for my GCSE art class in 2010/11 (ages ago!) I stuck this one on my bag a couple of months ago after stumbling upon it and deciding that yes, I am a masterpiece, and so is this backpack.

And then I have a bunch of ‘The Last of Us’ badges and another Paramore one, and finally another keep calm and carry on badge!
pins and badges on a backpack
On the bottom section of my backpack I only have three badges because they always seem to get knocked off and lost! I have yet another (really beat up) Paramore badge, another DOMO badge, this time adorably peeking out from an egg shell, and a peace badge because I am a peace loving fairy who wants a kinder and more accepting world.

And that's it! With the increased popularity of pins and badges, there seems to be more choice than ever, which means it's become so much easier to find something great! ! I want to buy some more from independent artists (etsy is a badge and pin goldmine) and some more with political slogans (feminism) and cute nerdy badges (steven universe at the moment!)

Do you guys have any badges? + Let me know which badge is your favourite!?
G O O D R E A D S // T W I T T E R // I N ST A G R A M // B L O G L O V I N'
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Review: I.D. by Emma Rios

Thursday, 28 July 2016

I.D. by Emma Rios

‘Being unhappy with what we are, or have may seem frivolous but it is inherently human’

I.D. is a dystopian tale, analysing perceptions of identity through three characters considering a body transplant as a solution to their problems. The graphic novel itself is quite short at 84 pages and reads much like a short story, honing in on the turbulent times these characters are living in, and the difficult decisions they are making about their future and identities. Their initial meeting is supposed to be brief, a short meeting in a coffee shop to meet the others considering the body transplant; however fate, circumstance, and the universe force them to spend more time together than anticipated.

I.D. begins mid-sentence of the three meeting for the first time. They don’t know the other’s backgrounds, and nor do we. We are introduced to the characters the same way the characters are introduced to each other. As the graphic novel is so short, little is revealed about the characters as the story progresses; however we are presented with a short snippet of their lives and their reasons for considering the body transplant. We’re forced to focus on the characters in that present moment, on the immediacy of their reactions, thoughts and feelings about their planned transplants, rather than extensive character development. It’s an approach that’s true to life, in the sense that you don’t get an automatic backstory for every person you encounter in life, you meet them at a specific time in their life and can only gather what they choose to reveal. It’s an interesting approach and definitely one to make you think.

The characters include Noa, a Trans man, Mike, an ex-convict, and Charlotte, a seemingly bored woman with a history of depression. They’re thrown together through their mutual consideration of the body transplant. Their interactions are humorous, as are their contrasting personalities. Whilst they are only together for a short time, we get a real sense of their personality thought their actions, which is emphasised through Rio’s amazing art and attention to detail.

The entire graphic novel is completed in shades of red. Whilst this is sometimes a little confusing during some of the few action scenes, it works well. The hues of red depict a sense of mystery and urgency, making this graphic novel feel really unique. If there’s one thing I absolutely loved, it’s the layout of this graphic novel. Rios overlays the wider image with smaller and cleverly placed boxes, often in sequences of squares and circles, depicting smaller details, especially facial expressions, through which we learn a lot about the characters. They give little inklings of their personality and inner workings that otherwise go unexpressed.

Whilst this graphic novel does not go into huge detail, it also throws up some questions about the ethics of procedures by big medical corporations and meshes a largely unexplained and unexplored dystopian and sci-fi setting with questions of identity. I.D is a brief but interesting read.

🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thanks to NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
G O O D R E A D S // T W I T T E R  // I N ST A G R A M // B L O G L O V I N'

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how I made it to every 9am last semester

Tuesday, 19 July 2016




Today I'm sharing some secrets. The secrets behind how I made it to every one of my 9ams, on top of a two hour commute. And on top of that, I had another lecture at 10am, a break and then a one hour seminar. I’m not going to lie, it was pretty grueling. Some days (let’s be real, most days) I was super tired and running on less than six hours sleep, but I made it, and made it out alive. Here’s how I did it, and how you can to.

Some things you’ll need: 


An alarm clock, the will to resist the snooze button, determination, motivation, perseverance, preparation, snacks and maybe some coffee or an energy drink (or two)

Motivation – You have to have the determination to do it. My motivation was essentially that I knew I had to stop myself from snowballing into bad habits. I knew if I missed one lecture, I could easily start making excuses for missing subsequent lectures and I didn’t want that to happen. I knew I could snowball easily, so I put in the effort to make it to every single one.

Alarms – DON’T press the snooze button. I know how tempting it is, especially when you’re waking up super early in the winter and it’s still dark outside. In my experience, snoozing just makes me feel even more tired, and makes it so much harder to fully wake up and get going.

Preparation – I feel like a mum saying this but prepare everything the night before. That means planning, preparing, and making your breakfast and lunch the night before, putting everything you need in your bag so you can literally just pick it up and go in the morning, planning what clothes you’re going to wear. Pack it all before you go to sleep so you can get as much rest as possible and so you don’t have to rush around in the morning whilst you’re tired, groggy, and probably sleep deprived. Pack some snacks to keep you going and some music to lift your soul and mood.

Get to sleep early and get ready for your early morning. I know I slipped up a couple of times experienced some regret whilst I was  struggling to stay awake during my lectures and suffering through my day, but I made it out alive.

It’s not all bad though. One of the ultimate perks of being up early is seeing the sunrise. The amalgamations of pinks, oranges, purples and blues never cease to amaze me, it’s always pretty and pretty amazing to witness. After powering through such long days, I’m pretty sure I’m invincible, or at the very least, can do anything I set my mind to.



Peace out xoxo
G O O D R E A D S // T W I T T E R  // I N ST A G R A M // B L O G L O V I N'
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6 punk rock ethos to live by

Sunday, 12 June 2016

punk rock vibes zine

If I've learnt one thing about punk rock attitudes, it's that everything is subjective. Including the term punk rock; it means different things to different people. Punk rock is not exclusively a style, but it can be an attitude, a music style, an ethos, a mentality, a community - it's different for everyone. This is my interpretation of punk rock and in true punk rock form, I created a mini zine about some empowering punk rock ethos that we should all live by.
Question everything 
Literally everything. That's from established definitions, cultural and social norms, gender roles, stereotypes, to things like why there so much sugar in everything. Question where information is coming from, and how it effects you. Nothing is completely unbiased or objective, so it makes sense to consider where the information you're absorbing is coming from. Remaining curious helps us consider alternative perspectives and viewpoints which helps us become more empathetic. Another thing I've learnt is to reject ‘tradition’ if the only justification for its existence is 'that's how things have always been.'

Just wear the thing 
Beauty is subjective, if you believe you're beautiful, you are. Other people's opinions  do not define you. Wear that article of clothing  that 'doesn't suit you' if it makes you feel beautiful. Destroy the belief that you can't pull off certain looks. In the words of Oscar Wilde, 'you can never be overdressed or overeducated.' Personal style becomes so much fun when you start dressing for yourself and stop basing your style decisions on what other people and society tells you you should (or should not) be wearing. Throwing away the rules is empowering and freeing. At first it's easier said than done but if I ever get self conscious, I always remind myself that my body is my own, and my body is no one else's business.
Do It Yourself
Do it yourself (DIY) is all about getting what you want with what you have. It's starting where you are, using what you have and doing what you can to get where and what you want. It's about creating change for yourself, working with your strengths, being creative and expressing yourself. Making zines, blogs, youtube channels, music, and every other creative venture out there to empower yourself. Whether you're creating physical or digital things, it's ultra fulfilling to craft something. DIY is one of my favourite punk ethos because it provides accessibility for so many people. It allows you to create a space of your own and craft your own rules away from those who don't share your perspective (or outright make you feel as though you are wrong!)

Community 
Once you get through the door, leave it open. Help other people through. Celebrate other people and their success. Comparison if the thief of joy, don't compare your success with others. Everyone's success is different. Community is about being inclusive, helping each other out and being generous in whatever way you can. We're all in this world together so helping each other out is important. I think this goes hand in hand with creating alternative spaces and listening to other people's perspectives and voices. 
Embrace Difference
Embracing difference is a super important one. Punk and alternative scenes have for a long time been an accepting place for those who are different, but not one hundred percent of the time. Acknowledging, embracing and accepting differences helps foster positive relations and general betterment for everyone. Differences make us great and keeps things interesting. Be as subversive, unconventional,and mold breaking as often as you want. Accept differences in others and avoid being judgmental (except if someone's getting hurt, then judge away) and challenge existing prejudices - we all have them, but the good news is we can challenge and unlearn them.

Individuality 
It's about recognising what is important to you and embracing that. It's not about being different or standing out, or being 'authentic.' Individuality is about accepting yourself, accepting each of the building blocks that make you as an individual, everything that is important to you, the things you are, and the things you are not. It's about trusting yourself, your voice, and embracing the current version of yourself. Limit comparison to others and learn to respect and embrace your own voice and style. You do you, and own it.


I had so much fun making this little zine and post, thanks for reading! I hope you feel inspired enough to incorporate some punk rock into your life!
G O O D R E A D S // T W I T T E R  // I N ST A G R A M // B L O G L O V I N'
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ways to tackle feeling down and unmotivated

Tuesday, 31 May 2016

Sometimes life is overwhelming. It's easy to get cloudy headed and fall into a puddle of negativity and bad vibes. I find trying to keep a positive mental attitude (PMA) when possible, really really helpful. It's not possible 100% of the time and it's not easy, but here are some things that help when I'm feeling negative and hopeless. I've anointed it my personal 'get out of that slug life,' note to self, for future reference.
❤︎ Make a to-do list and plan your week. Schedule time for getting things done, time for rest and time for everything else. If you don't have a proper diary, just make a week plan on a piece of scrap paper and keep it somewhere easily visible. Schedule time for fun things and relaxation as well as work, so you have something to look forward to, Once you've got a general schedule down, it makes life seem less overwhelming. It's okay if you don't 100% stick to it - don't give up on it, just try again.

❤︎ Make something. Do something creative. I always feel 110% more energised when I've done something creative. This could be your passion, planning a blog post, starting a piece of art, working on that thing, or finally finishing that other thing, taking a photo of something beautiful. Alternatively you could pick up a new book you've been looking forward to, or return to an old favourite for some comfort. 

❤︎ Read and collect some inspirational quotes. Pinterest quotes always motivates me to get out of a slump and do something. Writing them down in your phone is helpful too, so whenever you feel down you can quickly read some nice words. I have so so many quotes that inspire me but that's a whole other blog post! Some of my simple favs are: 'So far you've survived 100 percent of your worst days. You're doing great,' and 'when you think you're screwed, remember we're all on a big wet ball, floating in the dark.' The latter in particular helps when I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed and has a kind of grounding effect. 

❤︎ Make a positive playlist and put it on repeat. - I have a playlist on spotify specifically for songs that make me feel positive and hopeful. Alternatively, sometimes listening to sad songs can help you feel a bit more understood, but don't fall into the trap of getting bogged down by the sad songs! To quote The Maine, 'no one gets me like the sad songs, when I'm lost and I'm all alone.'

❤︎ Tidy/clean your space. - Cleaning is always quite satisfying. When things are feeling overwhelming, a messy environment sometimes makes things seem x1000 worse. Tackle each area bit by bit if you have lots to do, and put on your comfort music, tv or film in the background to keep the monotony at bay. 

❤︎ Go outside. Cloud watch, gaze into the depths of the universe, just absorb the outside air. If it's winter, put on a coat and scarf and go outside, embrace the cold, even if it's just for two minutes in your garden/street. Go somewhere you love (or just really like) and embrace nature for a bit.

❤︎ Exercise/Shower/Nap. I recommend Blogilates video workouts for some simple and easy ways to get some exercise, you don't need any equipment and Cassey (aka blogilates) is so motivational and amazing! I always feel ten thousand times better after taking a shower, all clean and refreshed. Taking some time to moisturise and look after your body is always helpful as well. Naps are a bit controversial as they're sometimes hit and miss but when they're good, they're good! 30 minutes usually works for me, I set my alarm for about 45 minutes to give myself 15 minutes to fall asleep! Taking time to look after your body is hard when you feel a bit down and gross but I find starting with a shower is usually the way to go!

❤︎ Write your feelings. Find an old notebook and just write your feelings. You don't have to write everyday but if you don't want to talk to someone about your problems, or have no one to talk to, writing your feelings can really help, and even give you a new perspective.

❤︎ Cry if you need to. It's okay to cry. Crying is kind of refreshing. I always feel so much better after a good cry. I like to see it as expelling my problems or whatever I'm upset about. Once you've wiped away the tears, it's like a weight has been lifted, and I force myself to stop thinking about it.

❤︎ Talk to someone. Even if it is just a simple conversation, it can really help. Ask them about the highlights of their day, talk about all the good things and the funny things.  


How do you get yourself out of a slump? I'd love to hear some of your tips! 
G O O D R E A D S // T W I T T E R  // I N ST A G R A M // B L O G L O V I N'
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musical women appreciation post

Tuesday, 8 March 2016

Happy international women’s day! What better way to celebrate than an appreciation post for my favourite female music artists.
musical women appreciation post

Music has always been a big part of my life, especially around the ages of 12/13 when I really started getting into music. And by getting into music, I mean becoming a fangirl, and generally listening to an artist’s entire album rather than just a few songs. I pretty much made the transition from being a casual fan to a freakin' hardcore fangirl.

But I never really listened to muisc made by women, it was all overwhelmingly created by men. I grew up listening to a lot of rock and alt music and always assumed I just preferred listening to guy’s voices, until it occurred to me that there are very very few female artists and bands in those scenes. Like ridiculously few. But whyyyyy?? Lack of exposure? A male dominated system fuelled by what seems to sell? Where are all the girls at!?!??!!!?

Coinciding with my increased social awareness, I've gradually been branching out and actively seeking female musicians and bands to listen to. Representation is super important, especially considering there are so few girls, especially in genres like pop punk (in which the audience and fans are predominantly female) succeeding in bands and making music their career.

I want to keep finding and supporting glorious girls and wonderful women in bands and music, and I hope everyone will try to do the same! Supporting women in music has become really important to me so I'm sharing my most inspirational and favourite women in music, old and new!

And just some bonus links to click!! -  I really recommend this podcast with Charlotte Church, which highlights the plethora of problems women face in the music industry, and one of my fav intersectional groups dealing with sexual harassment/assult at gigs! Go check them out!

Female Bands // Female Leads


Paramore // Hayley Williams 
Hayley Williams has been my alt inspiration since I was a young teen. Whilst the other members of the band are men, and many people are critical of only focusing on Hayley Williams, I'm okay emphasising her as a successful women in the rock industry! (in which women have historically been excluded) Musically and style wise, Hayley Williams inspires me to be my best possible self and really instilled me with the confidence to just wear whatever the heck I feel like wearing. Anklebiters and Last Hope are my go to songs, and obviously, everyone's favourite, Misery Business.  

X-Ray Spex 
X-Ray Spex are my favourite punk rock/new wave band from the late 70s. With lyrics like 'some people think little girls should be seen and not heard, but I think, OH BONDAGE, UP YOURS!' and 'do you see yourself, on the t.v. screen, do you see yourself in the magazine?' and also my personal favourite, 'I wanna be a frozen pea' They are so underrated but SO SO good oh man. A bunch of their songs are really feminist and anti-consumerist aka about two social issues I'm always talking about. My favs are Identity, Germ Free Adolescent, Warrior In Woolworth's, and Oh Bondage, Up Yours.

Bikini Kill 
The ultimate riot grrrl band from the 90s. Bikini Kill are all about female empowerment. They emphasised the girls to the front mentality at punk gigs and were queer friendly and super awesome and inspiring. Rebel Girl 100% makes me feel like a badass who can do literally anything. Revolution Girl Style Now! was recently reissued and you can bet it's on my wishlist. Also 'revolution girl style now!' is always a relevant phrase. It's my favourite strand of punk rock. My favs are Rebel Girl, White Boy, and Double Dare Ya.

Le Tigre
Their self titled album is hella amazing. It combines feminism and politics with electro beats and it's very very wow and amazing. Hot Topic is pretty much just a shout out to a bunch of feminist icons and What's Yr Take On Cassavetes explores the idea of separating art from artist and it's so good, I never knew music could express these things omg. Eau D'bedroom Dancing is so magical and chill and has a really nostalgic vibe. It makes me all emotional and I can't even express how much I love this album, just listen to it all the way though - it's a masterpiece to me. Eau D'bedroom Dancing (that title though) Deceptacon, The The Empty, and Les and Ray are my ultimate favs!

Female Artists 


Lights
Perhaps the first female music artist I fell in love with as a young teen. Her voice is super amazing. She incorporates a lot of electro beats and keyboards and her music is always magical and great. I can still remember the first time I heard February Air  and my mind was kind of blown. She's a fan of video games as well and has some amazing tattoos! Fav songs include, Face Up, Lions!, Siberia and Portal.

Marina and the Diamonds
I first heard Marina and the Diamonds agessss ago with her single Hollywood but never listened to her other songs until I somehow came across the album Electra Heart and my love for Marina just snowballed. It's hard to chose favs because her albums are so different from each other and always unique. I Am Not A Robot, The Outsider, Teen Idle, and Blue if I'm forced to chose my notable favs.

Melanie Martinez
Combines amazing music, aesthetics, and lyrics. She only has one album at the moment but it's a concept album and she has this cutesy aesthetic which is simultaneously adorable and subversive. Some of her songs deal with some difficult topics as well, which is always great. She once said in an interview that she writes her songs with a visual concept or music video idea in her head and it's definitely reflected in how creative her music videos are! Favs include Pity Party, Mad Hatter and Cake.

Lorde
Oh lord, I love Lorde (sorry not sorry) Her lyrics are amazing and so quotable. Her voice is so unique and amazing. Everything about her is so refreshing. She's so young and inspirational and I love how she's not afraid to call out other artists/celebrities over twitter. My favs include, Ribs, Still Sane, Glory and Gore, The Love Club, Team, and Bravado. I'm too into Lorde to limit myself to three or four, Pure Heroine is addictive, just go listen to it and prepare to be blown away. 

Halsey
When I listen to Halsey I so invincible and inspired, like I can do anything and fight the whole world. Her songs are lyrically amazing and empowering, ('don't belong to no city, don't belong to no man') and I just hella love Halsey. Also she's mixed race (and so am I) so mixed race pride! I love how candid Halsey is about her sexuality and mental health as well, it's super refreshing and they're such important topics to speak up about!! My favs include, Ghost, Color, Hurricane and Control.


Also shout outs to some individual songs by female ppl that are super feminist and/or remind me girls are amazing, girls rock, and girls can do anything; Bad Reputation by Joan Jett, Typical Girls by The Slits, Sugar Water by Cibo Matto, It's My Life by No Doubt, and Bad Girls by M.I.A.

Who are your favourite females in the music industry? Leave some recommendations! I want to support all the girls!! 

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reasons to play life is strange

Sunday, 24 January 2016


Life Is Strange has quickly become one of my favourite games.

It's an episodic game, following student, Max Caulfield as she navigates her life after acquiring the ability to rewind time. The decisions you make in the game impact the past, present and future and have different consequences which is always hella fun!

Just some reasons I love this game:
  • It's beautifully written and the story involves time travel, a mysterious tornado and uncovering the secrets behind the disappearance of a fellow student. Also reconnecting with a friend and being all teenage and nostalgic.
  • It made me feel all the feels. 
  • It has an amazing soundtrack, so nostalgic and cute. 
  • Has a female lead.
  • The story is very character driven and has a female friendship at the forefront.
  • ALL THE FEELS
  • Shout out to the characters Warren and Kate, for being cute lil' cinnamon buns. 
  • The character and complex and amazing.
  • The graphics have a hand drawn aesthetic and are very beautiful.
  • Time travel woo!
  • IT MADE ME CRY FOR AN HOUR 
  • Has tempted me to invest in a polaroid camera 
  • And make a polaroid wall (as pictured above) 
  • I just love this game and a limited edition (including the soundtrack and exclusive art book) has just been released! 

Has anyone else played Life Is Strange? If you haven't definitely give it a go!!

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