What I'm Loving: Summer Edition

It’s been a fair few months since I posted a round-up of all the things I have been currently loving, so I thought it was about time that I rectified that situation. During the summer months when I am free from coursework and lectures, and therefore have more time to myself I feel that I really get to discover some new loves, and rediscover some old ones.

Finding a TV show these days that I haven’t already watched is quite a difficult task, however I was determined this summer to be on the hunt for a new show to binge watch. I fancied something a little bit different from the usual teen drama that I usual watch, and wanted something more in the realms of Suits – which is a show that I am also loving at the moment, and have been for the last few couple of years! I stumbled across Mad Men purely by chance, and gave the pilot a watch and from there I was sold. I love everything about this show: the 1960s glamour, the exciting setting of New York, and most of all the complicated and mysterious Don Draper. For those of you who aren't familiar with the show, Mad Men is set in an advertising agency on Madison Avenue in the 1960s and follows the tumultuous life of creative director Don Draper, and the high pressure environment of both his career and family life. As well as Don, beautifully played by Jon Hamm, there is a range of dynamic characters, including my personal favourite, Joan, who is the type of career woman I aspire to be!

Believe it or not, up until a couple of weeks ago I had never had frozen yoghurt, and now that I’ve tried it I don’t understand how I have lived so long without it! A couple of weeks ago I was on Southbank with one of my best friends and we happened upon a Snog van and after telling Jess that I had never actually had a frozen yoghurt before she insisted that it was an absolute must. Being a novice, I let Jess take the lead in constructing our masterpiece, which resulted in the original flavour of yoghurt with raspberry and fudge brownie toppings and completed with a salted caramel sauce. I can report that it was absolute delicious, and frozen yoghurt has been on my mind ever since. I also highly recommend this specific venue, just a short walk along from the London Eye on Southbank – which is a permanent favourite of mine – Snog have converted an old bus into the cutest environment to enjoy this frozen treat.

Another favourite that I am annoyed at myself for not realising sooner, and that is the wonders of H&M. Over the last couple of months I have been shopping in H&M quite a bit and every time I come out with pieces that I am so happy with, and at such affordable prices. The H&M that I have at home is massive meaning there is an amazing range of all their different departments. I love the summer ranges they have in, from really cute summery dresses and playsuits to the extensive choice of styles in their swimwear. I have always been a Topshop and Zara lover, but in recent months I have become a complete H&M convert. In the past I have often neglected H&M due to the fact that the store layout is often quite jumbled but I think that it is worth the effort of having a good look through to find the, sometimes, hidden gems

What I am loving to listen to can be summarised and explained by my ultimate favourite thing of the summer which was the festival I attended at the beginning of June. With all of my best friends from university we attended No Tomorrow Festival, and John Newman was headlining. I can honestly say that dancing and singing along to John Newman with the sun setting around me with all my best friends was one of my favourite memories from my whole year. Just as sitting on the hill with a cider in hand, sunglasses on, swaying along to James Bay was a moment I will always remember for being truly content and happy. John Newman has some amazing up tempo songs which make you want to jump along and sing at the top of your voice, and James Bay at the other end of the spectrum is so calming and comforting and his music is what I have been turning to when I want something relaxing and something to make me smile.

Overall I am very happy with the collection of shows, food, clothes and music I have loved for the last few months.  But most of all I am happy with the memories I have made, the people I have spent time with and the things that I have been planning and looking forward to in the future. Even though the weather in the UK gave up a long time ago, summer is not over yet and there is still so much more I have yet to experience and enjoy, and I can’t wait to document it all here for you and for myself.

Thank you all so much for reading, and until next time,

B xx

Because happiness is only a cupcake away...

Never have four words brought so much joy to my heart! Anyone who vaguely knows anything about me knows that when the Great British Bake Off comes back on TV, that I am back in my element!

The whole of Britain goes baking mad whenever the Bake Off is on TV, and I am no exception to that. For anyone however that doesn’t know what this series consists of, it is a reality show with 12 contestants who are all keen amateur bakers. Each week there is a different theme, ranging from cakes, biscuits, pastry, and many more wonderfully tasty treats! It truly is a wonder we don’t all launch into a 12 week long sugar induced coma....

Proof of how far the love for this show has spread was in the creation of the Great British Bake Off drinking game. With various hilarious rules such as 1 shot per blue plaster worn by an injured contestant, 2 shots for a contestant sitting and watching hopefully at the oven, and the harshest: 3 shots for a cake drop! This has gone straight on to the list of things to do whilst this series is on, as well as mastering the art of meringue.

With every series I am continually amazed by how incredible Mary Berry looks. A lady in her early 80s, she is super glamorous and super talented. She has a warm, comforting personality, and to be epitomises the perfect Grandma – only outdone by my own wonderful grandmother!

Her partner in crime Paul Hollywood is again fantastic, and I love the way they complement each other. Paul’s deathly stares and blunt comments would be absolutely terrifying as a contestant but as a viewer makes for very entertaining television.

The combination of Mary and Paul as the baking judges is amazing to watch, and to take that even further is the presenters Sue and Mel. Best friends who met at university who went onto become a comedy duo; Sue and Mel with their endless infamous sexual innuendos really are the icing on the cake – no pun intended! As much as I love them, there is a part of me that is extremely jealous as hosting a TV show with your best friend when you can try as many amazing cakes and desserts is the genuine description of my dream job.

Whilst I feel that a future career in TV presenting is probably not for me, being a contestant on the show is a legitimate dream of mine. And the pinnacle of that would be coming first in a technical challenge, or even being crowned star baker at the end of one week. However living vicariously through all of the contestants is the next best thing, and it always makes me smile how genuinely happy it makes me feel at the end of each episode when one baker is announced as star baker. Just in the same way that my heart actually aches when I see someone’s showstopper bake collapse or they've used salt instead of sugar, or the ultimate bake off disaster: the soggy bottom!

Not only did the return of the show inspire me to write this extensive review of all things bake off, it also inspired me to get my apron on and get baking myself. Given that I am trying to eat cleaner in the weeks leading up to my holiday, baking is not often conducive to this. However I was overcome with a craving for carrot cake, so I searched for a healthier alternative to this usually highly calorific classic. BBC Good Food came up trumps: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/11871/low-fat-carrot-cake

The end result was super tasty and was super easy to make, a simple all in one bowl type mixture. And I would recommend this recipe if the mood for cake strikes but you want to stick to that summer body plan you promised yourself all those weeks ago!

I think this brings me to the end of my collection of all thoughts Bake Off related, so until next time, thanks for reading,

B xxx

20 Things I’ve Learnt Turning 20

Since my last post – which was back when dinosaurs were still roaming – I have turned the ripe old age of 20. Entering my third decade of life felt like a momentous milestone, and one that felt like it needed to be documented...five months after the event...

Despite my inadequacy in actually physically writing this list, it is a list that has been floating around in my head for a very long time now. Leading up to my 20^th birthday at the end of February I was surprised by how much I felt like I really had reached a significant moment, the closing of one chapter and the beginning of the next.

Whilst there are things in my teenage years that I probably would go back and change – people who say they wouldn't are lying – I was truly amazed and almost comforted by the closure that I felt in knowing that I had had a fulfilled existence as a teenager in this world. And therefore the prospect of entering my 20s was not as terrifying as I had anticipated. This being said I am still coming to terms with the continuous realisation that I am an adult, with adult responsibilities and problems, and that Arthur can’t really be my favourite TV show anymore!

This is a list of things that I thought I would share about the life lessons and truth I have learnt and experienced in my 20 years so far. This is by no means extensive, nor does it mean that in turning 20 I have become some kind of life guru. Just that I feel slightly closer to becoming one ;)

So without further ado here are the 20 Things I've Learnt Turning 20:

Say yes to opportunities

Being hard working is not uncool

Take time for yourself

Enjoy being young

Increasing responsibility doesn't have to equal scary and boring

People won’t be in your life forever

Old friends are sometimes the best friends

People progress at different stages

Things don’t always work out how you plan, but usually do work out eventually

If something sucks it won’t last forever

There are people who you cannot get on with, and that’s okay

Nothing is worse than regrets

FOMO is real and deadly, and learning to overcome it is a true skill

Independence is a very attractive quality

Book smart is important but street smart gets you a long way too

You don’t have to wear makeup everyday

Pushing yourself is scary but the rewards are worth it

To love tea and tequila equally

Parents can be best friends

Being a teenager is amazing and you will only have the opportunity to be there once, so treasure it, it’s precious 

A few throwback photos from my birthday - firstly I took the bold move and had over 12 inches cut off my hair, a decision I couldn't have been happier about. Secondly my amazing birthday cake that my best friends surprised me with, which tasted as incredible as it looked 

As I said this list is just one girl's take, and I am fully aware that I have a lot more to learn. I am excited to be in this new chapter in my life, to see what the next decade has in store. It is crazy to think of the person I was ten years ago, and even more crazy to imagine what kind of person I will be in ten years time!

I look forward to documenting my life here, and I hope you are looking forward to sharing it with me. Thank you all for reading, and until next time,

B xx