All Things... Shoes!

Growing up I was never really a girly-girl.  I lived in jeans, hoodies and trainers and my hair was always out of my face.  But after moving to uni and trying to find clothes worthy of nights out, as well as having the luxury of wearing whatever I want to class for the first time in my life, I've developed an obsession for clothes.  Term after term, my loan has melted away into a mound of heels, handbags, dresses, blazers, leggings... and the odd bottle of vodka.

A serious obsession has been developed over these last few years: for shoes.  Gone is the time that I lived in my black and white Chipie trainers until the sole had worn so thin that they couldn't be road worthy and my toe was edging out of a hole at the front.  

Nowadays I'm spoilt for choice between flats, wedges, heels, boots etc. 

I'm taking full advantage of my student discount to build my collection into something Anna Wintour would be proud of.

Here are some highlights of my 'Shoe Closet':

 Galaxy Lace-up Boots

 Lacy Nude Heels

 Pink Bow Heels

 USA Boots

Zebra Print Heels

I'm off out to show off my new heels and admire other girl's.  Now that's the real reason I go clubbing! I will not rest until my shoe collection is as big as Kim Kardashian's!

All Things Awesome

Can we all take a moment to appreciate how awesome Lego is?

I've had a really stressful morning at work and I was close to tears, when my boyfriend (yes, loyal blog readers: Sam is now my boyfriend) took me by the hand and led me to St. Davids 2.  

Knowing that I had no money for retail therapy, he did the next best thing to calm me down, and led me around the Disney store and the Lego store.  He knows me so well.

Just looking through all the awesome dolls and figures (Disney) and amazing new sets that were inspired by the Avengers and The Hobbit (Lego).  It was really fun.  I thoroughly believe the people working there must be the happiest people in the world.  

How can you not love the immense colours and the way that they seem to build absolutely anything?  Moving and fully-functional things.  They have a figurine that looks like Wolverine! It's too amazing, I can't even put it into words, so I'm going to stop typing and go play with my old lego... 

All Things First

So I did something today I haven't done in a long time.

I went on a first date.

I've never really had many first dates.  I tend to fall into relationships, without doing the whole dating business.  I don't know whether that's better or not.  Well, all those relationships ended so I guess not...

I felt sick with nerves to be honest as I got ready.  I put on my 'Little Black Dress'.  It's from H&M and has a zip right down the front.  It also has 'Love is Hard' written all over it, which was going to be beautifully poetic or a disaster waiting to happen, I couldn't decide.  

We were meeting at the pub that he worked in, where we first met a few weeks before.  I'd gone down to visit my friend Jade who worked there too.  He'd finished his shift and was having a drink so we chatted at the bar.  I'd seen him occasionally since, when he'd serve me and my dad but not spoken too much.

It was Thursday when everything happened.  I'd arranged a surprise birthday party for Jade in the pub.  He was working the few hours while I set up, so I told him he had to come to the party, I was worried a lot of people weren't going to turn up as they hadn't messaged me back, so numbers counted.  However, planning a party all day meant that I hadn't really eaten and I was on my second bottle of wine (sharing with one of the girls obviously!) by the time Jade came in for the 'surprise!' moment.  It's safe to say my memory rapidly deteriorates from there on.  I woke the next morning on the sofa to a text from Jade; "Do you remember kissing Sam?"  Balls.  

I remember him helping me to the car, and me asking if he had my number and to text me.  Everything before that is a blur.  So is everything after that.  Anyway, he started texting me and asked me on a date.  I thought he seemed nice, so what did I have to lose?

I got to the pub (in a taxi - didn't want to be all red-faced and sweaty!) and he was just finishing his shift so I sat and waited.  We were making small talk because there were a few people around and obviously its first date nerves.  It turned out that Jade was working the shift after him so she came in and broke the silence, chatting away and telling me that her ex boyfriend wasn't leaving her alone.  The next thing I know, Sam and I are having our date in the pub, to make sure that Jade gets home okay!

Her ex-boyfriend was waiting outside the pub when we left and followed us up the road.  We walked up a one way street so he sped off and met up with Jade further up the hill.  He and Jade started having a huge argument whilst Sam and I watched at the bottom to make sure everything was allright.  About half an hour later, Jade walked off and he got back into his car.  We were glad that everything was okay and it had really broken the nerves as were both talking about how concerned we were for her. 

We went to Wetherspoons to have a drink and get to know each other since they never play music in there that you have to shout over.  He bought the drinks (bonus) and then sat next to me rather than opposite which I thought was really nice.  After a while, we got a taxi to his house to watch a movie.  

It was really nice and he made me feel comfortable, my nerves were completely forgotten.  I walked home afterwards but we've set another date for tomorrow which can only be a good sign surely?  

Wish me luck!

All Things Cheated

I am a woman perplexed.  I don't understand people, or the way that their minds work.  Or why they're so ridiculously stupid.  

I'm sat at a bar with my workmate when she gets a phonecall from her boyfriend.  I'm sat opposite her studying the menu, but I can clearly see something is wrong, she's frowning a lot and being really cautious.

"Okaaaay..." she drags out her words as if there's some doubt in them.  It's weird, especially for her.  She finally snaps as some information is told to her; "Right.  Did you?  Right.  Mhmm.  I'll call you later."  The phone is slammed onto the table.  (The only downside to a mobile; you can't just slam the receiver when you're done with the conversation.  You've got to frantically press the end call button before dropping it to the table.  Takes all the drama out of it.)

"He cheated," she tells me before I have chance to ask.  I make her take a shot before telling me what happened.

Turns out, her devoted boyfriend who is always all over her, telling her how much he loves her and getting upset because she doesn't do the same back (she's not very lovey-dovey.  Ever.) went on a night out with work and slept with some girl.

"I could deal with a kiss but that's too much."  After some serious discussion, we reach the conclusion that if he wasn't so drunk that he could still get it up, it meant he was sober enough to know what he was doing, and therefore there was no excuse.  Cheating is cheating.

To me, cheating is always cheating.  Whether you're drunk, sober, bored, planned it or it was spur-of-the-moment.  Cheating is cheating and there's just no need for it.

You're not happy in your relationship? End it.  Not getting any at home? Talk about it or end it.  She's coming onto you? Tell her to get lost, your woman is at home.  There is simply no excuse.

Texting, picture messages and dirty messages count too.  If there is intent it's cheating.  I have no sympathy in this area.

Why do people do it?  Why do they think they'll get away with it?  And why do they always cry, apologise and beg for forgiveness?  No.  You chose to go there, you decided your relationship meant nothing and you threw it away.  You deserve the unhappiness that follows, because the person that you cheated on feels a thousand times worse, and you had no right to make them feel that way at all.

So after 30 something more calls from her (now ex-) boyfriend, he seemed to finally get the hint that he should leave her alone, at least for the rest of the day.  However, it was about 2am by this point (that boy is not bright at all.)  

"There's no way I could forgive that.  A few minutes worth of average sex was worth more to him that I was in that moment.  That's a place I'm not prepared to be."

Hey guys, think about your woman, not your little man yeah?

All Things Music: Day Seven

Well it's day seven, and the end of my music challenge.
I woke up to my alarm again, and listened to the radio whilst I procrastinated from my essay with Facebook.
Other than that, all other music has been heard on TV whilst I caught up on some soaps.

This challenge has shocked me a little.  I knew that I listened to music a lot, I love it - so why wouldn't I?

But it seems that music is an uncontrollable force, it is everywhere.  In the background of shops, taxis, restaurants... blaring out of speakers at clubs, being mixed at events... slyly creeping around TV shows, as well as being purposely played via radio, Internet or iPod.

Personally, I can't concentrate without sound; my body genuinely reacts negatively to silence.  I have had countless coughing fits during exams and funerals; my bodies way of breaking the silence.

So yes Tom, I listen to a lot of music, but unwittingly so do you.  And with this discovery, I raise my iPod with pride and victoriously place my headphones on my head.  I think this calls for a bit of Queen...

All Things Music: Day Six

No.  No music today.  I can't face it.

All Things Music: Day Five

Today started with my alarm clock singing at me (a bit of classic Ne-Yo).  I carried on listening to his album as I got dressed and left the house.  I listen to my iPod on the walk into uni where I sit down to edit the footage I got of the festival.  

Side note: I'm really disappointed with the sound on the footage.  It seems that the mic couldn't ignore the mixes that were playing or the general sound of background chatter, so the audio in the interviews isn't usable.  However, I can't film it again, because we can't get hold of the guy who organised it (probably still hungover), and we have a deadline so I have to make the best of it.  

Watching and listening to the footage over and over again builds my music intake and my appetite so I head to the Student's Union for lunch, where the TVs are playing one of the many music channels that are around.  

After lunch I do a bit more editing, before heading home; iPod in hand.  I'm rocking out to a bit of Kate Nash when I get in and start tidying my room.  Once it's finished, I then trash it by throwing dresses, handbags and shoes around deciding what to wear tonight.  

Once I'm (finally) dressed, I hang up my iPod for the day and walk to my friend's house for predrinks.  There's music playing somewhere in the house, but it's faint in the background behind everyone talking and getting rowdy from a few too many jagerbombs.  About 11, we all pile into numerous taxis and head into town.

The rest of the night is filled with a lot of very loud music and a few cheeky beverages.  Plus all of us singing to each other in the kebab shop afterwards.

Music always brings everyone together.

All Things Music: Day Three and Four

Day Three - Saturday

It was rugby day in work Saturday, which means a delightful 15-17 hour shift.  So this means my music intake was constant as we had a playlist going apart from when the games were actually on TV.  Even when I went on break, there was music playing from other clubs and in the background of shops/restaurants.  Today was definitely not my fault!

Day Four - Sunday
I'm halfway through the week already and I'm proving Tom right, it seems that I can't do anything without music, so I thought I'd try to avoid it a little today.  I'm still so tired from yesterday's shift I decide not to go anywhere more than 20 metres from my sofa so that eliminates the risk of background music.  I settle down to watch TV all day.  The only issue is; there's background music in almost every scene!

There's also a jingle on nearly every advert and some of the trashy American shows that I watch have "live" singers or bands at their parties.  I can't escape.  

So I've indirectly listened to just as much music as I would've listening to the radio really. 

All Things Music: Day Two

So I stayed up to listen to Nicki Minaj's new song on some obscure American radio station. It was 45 minutes late, so I spent even longer listening to random music than planned before I went to bed.

I woke up to my alarm again (Jessie J's album today) before listening to my iPod on my way into uni. We were doing filming today so I didn't have time to slack off, 'ahh this should bring down my music hours for today' I thought. Wrong.

So we had to go to a Cider and Ale Festival at Cardiff University for our story. There were loads of barrels of Ale and Cider, and bottles of wine and mead. So much mead.

There was a DJ to the side of the stage who was playing some really good mixes.  He was mixing them himself as we were all milling about, which impressed me.  He started talking to one of our team and gave us his Soundcloud link, so I'll have to check him out again and see if he's got any cheeky downloads available.

When we'd finished filming, we were invited back to the festival to check it out.  This time they had live bands playing, some were quite alternative but it was fun to check out some of the local talent, most of which were Cardiff University students.

I drank a bit too much mead during the evening, so wisely decided at this point to head home to bed.  (Never drink mead: it's not a good idea!)

So my music intake was really high again today, even though a large portion of that was subconscious, but it's really hard to escape background music - it's everywhere.  Even supermarkets have radio stations these days.

All Things Music: The Challenge

I walk into the kitchen with my friend Tom to cook some noodles while we have a break from the essay we're working on for uni. I flick the radio on as we walk through the door. "Do you have to have music on to do everything?" Tom asks me. I think for a minute... It seems that I would.

My laptop is still working its way through my playlist in the other room because I can't concentrate without background noise and anyone in the hallway is definitely experiencing some conflicting sounds.

So I'm looking at my life. I do listen to music a hell of a lot, who doesn't? But I'm interested to see just how much. Therefore, I present The Challenge. I will keep a record of how much music I listen to and how I listen to it for a week. And I will share it here, with you.

Day One:

I woke up to Jeff Buckley singing Hallelujah from my iPod alarm; score 1 for music and I haven't even opened my eyes. I have to walk into town to sign for my house so chuck my headphones on and work my way through Jessie J's album until I get to the estate agents.

When I get home I put the radio on in the kitchen while I spend a good hour cooking an amazing paprika tortilla and cleaning the kitchen - it is now spotless! I return to my room to eat so put Loose Women on in the background while I sort e-mails etc. I mute it occasionally to listen to some youtube videos; my music intake is increasing rapidly...

I shower (in silence!), get dressed (to music), then put my headphones back on to head to my mates house to do some uni work. I'm there all afternoon and evening (we have a vair important deadline tomorrow), and while I'm there we take random breaks to show each other new music that we haven't all heard before on Spotify and Youtube. I also put my headphones on from time to time when I'm really trying to concentrate and drown out the boys bantering with each other.

I listen to my iPod again on my way home and put it back on my alarm clock, ready to wake me tomorrow. Then I start my TV intake, no more music tonight.

Wow, day one alone seems to have shown a lot of music in my day-to-day life. I'm in lectures tomorrow though, maybe that'll change things a bit. In the mean time I'm waiting until midnight when Nicki Minaj releases her new song online...

Adele's Apology

Adele has apologised to her fans for giving the middle finger in reply to being cut off mid-acceptance speech at tonight's Brits.

James Corden was forced to cut her off before she said her thank-yous so that Blur could begin their three-song close of the Brits.

Adele won the biggest award of the evening; the Mastarcard Album of the Year and was quite emotional as she began her speech.

You can hear her apology at http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/adele/news/brit-awards-2012-speech-middle-finger-best-album

All Things Brit Part 7

Music legend, George Michael came onstage to presents the Mastercard British Album of the Year.

Adele won, unsurprisingly, with George himself commenting "I know who's going to win this one, so I just came over from Australia."

Adele was emotional during her acceptance speech, as expected. She said that there was nothing better than just coming home from winning 6 Grammys (a week last Sunday) to win album of the year.

(Adele with her 6 Grammy awards after this year's ceremony)

As she went to issue her thank-yous, James ran onstage apologising for having to cut her off, to which she commented, "I'll just say thank-you and I'll see you next time round yeah?"

Blur than played the show out with two of their songs, before being joined by Phil Daniels (former Eastenders actor - Kevin Wickes), to sing Parklife.

All Things Brit Part 6

Will.I.Am and Rob Brydon announced Lana Del Rey the winner of International Breakthrough Act.

International Breakthrough Act

• Aloe Blacc
• Bon Iver
• Foster The People
• Lana Del Rey
• Nicki Minaj

Del Rey appeared very emotional during her acceptance speech and hurried off stage. Personally I was hoping for a win for Nicki Minaj, although I'm definitely a fan of how powerful Lana's voice is on Born To Die.

Rihanna was next to perform in a perspex box, wearing a ripped white t-shirt and hiker boots. As she stepped out of the box, her dancers began throwing bright paint around the box walls whilst she sang and danced to We Found Love. Again, the scenes were familiar to something from a neon rave. It was a little disappointing that Rihanna didn't dance as much as the song, which features music from Calvin Harris, usually provokes listeners to dance. It was still a good show though...

Blur were then announced Outstanding Contributors to Music by Ray Winstone. Followed by them making a loooooooong speech. Cue ad break.

All Things Brit Part 5

Best International Group was awarded to Foo Fighters who were unable to attend but sent a video of drummer Taylor Hawkins saying thanks.

Foo Fighters Drummer Taylor Hawkins

Ed Sheeran won British Breakthrough Act, much to the delight of the crowd (and me!).

British Breakthrough Act Anna Calvi Ed Sheeran Emeli Sandé Jessie J The Vaccines

He beat some huge British names and thanked the fans as well as his manager, informing him that he 'needs a new sofa'. An inside joke to how Ed has a habit of sleeping on other people's sofas rather than booking into hotels maybe?

Next, Bruno Mars sang a jazz version of his hit, Just the Way You Are. It was different and interesting to hear and won over the crowd.

James then spoke to One Direction, joking about how they were allowed 'squash and a kids meal, nothing else', whilst commenting on the number of empty wine bottles on their table. He also referred to Harry Styles' past relationship with 32 year old Caroline Flack by commenting, "he loves a Loose Woman" and asking if he would be going home with Denise Welch. Much to the delight of One Direction haters everywhere.

All Things Brit Part 4

Part 4 began with a tribute to Amy Winehouse who died last year.

Plan B came on stage to announce the winner of British Male Solo Artist.

British Male Solo Artist Ed Sheeran James Blake James Morrison Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds Professor Green

The winner being Ed Sheeran.

He said that he was bad at giving speeches and struggled to rememeber everyone to thank before walking off stage. This just highlighted that fame is still yet to go to his head as he's still such an average guy. I think he's so loveable!

Huwie Morgan and Jo Whiley were onstage to announce Coldplay Best British Group. This is the 3rd time that they had won this award.

James spoke to Kylie Minogue about 2012 being the 25th anniversary of her debut single; a huge landmark of her career.

Next up was Adele, singing Rolling In The Deep. She camera cut to Alan Carr who seemed to be having a ball supporting his new BFF.

All Things Brit Part 3

Tinie Tempah opened Part 3 by announcing One Direction the winner of Best Single.

The boys were clearly over the moon with their win for Thats What Makes You Beautiful. The overly-tanned boys dedicated the award to their fans before thanking Radio One and their backstage team.

James ran back on stage to tell the boys to 'ring their mums' before introducing Jensen Button to award the International Female Artist Brit to Rihanna. This is her second year running, winning this award.

(Rihanna with her Brit in 2011)

She commented on the design saying, "I got a Peter Blake Brit!" before thanking her fans.

Next to perform was Noel Gallagher, taking the awards swiftly to the next break.

All Things Brit Part 2

Oh dear, James Corden messed up his lines for Kylie's introduction. I think he must have been overwhelmed by how amazing she looks. Kylie awarded Adele Best Female Solo Artist. She is the first artist to sell over 3million copies of an album in a year in the UK.

She said to Kylie: "I feel like a drag queen next to you, I've got high heels on!"

"That's one hell of a successful tranny" commented James.

Jessie J and James Whitehall proved to be the best looking couple giving an award whilst announcing the International Male Solo Artist, which went to Bruno Mars.

Bruno promised his fans that his 2nd album was on its way before skipping off stage.

Olly Murs began his performance by hopping out of the top of a giant union jack painted heart. Before the awards he had been quoted as saying 'This will be the biggest performance I've ever done'.

A number of dancers were on stage with Olly, including plenty that stood in a heart formation at the front of the stage, hiding the Rizzle Kicks, ready for them to appear in time for their verse in Olly's song My Heart Skips a Beat.

James Corden then spoke to Jessie about her upcoming coaching role on BBC1's The Voice alongside Tom Jones, Will.I.Am and Danny from The Script.

Ed Sheeran finished Part Two with his stripped back rendition of Lego House using just his acoustic guitar for accompaniment. He had also changed out of his suit into a simple green t-shirt and jeans. Casual but amazing, Ed in every way.

All Things Brit Part 1

Coldplay opened the show, playing guitars splattered with neon paint with a set that wouldn't look out of place in a festival rave tent.

Sir Peter Blake, got a mention in James Corden's opening speech. The less-than-enthused gent designed the special 2012 Brit in a tribute to the 2012 Olympics which are to be hosted in London.

Alan Carr also sat at Adele's table and the pair were seen chuckling along together throughout.

There was also a tribute to the late Whitney Houston who died little over a week ago, aged 48.

Florence and the Machine was next to perform. Her and her dozen backing dancers all performed barefoot, running along the stage to a podium surrounded with upturned strobe-lights making her appear to be caged in the music.

And that's it for part one...

All Things Brit

Ed Sheeran is remaining humble about his four Brit award nominations. In a quick interview with CapitalFM he said, "I don't want to place too much importance on it, in case I walk away like 'oh, that wasn't really...'"

He also went on to say that he shared Jessie J's stance that just being nominated; "We've already won, I know that's cheesy to say."

Ed is performing fourth on stage and will be surrounded by friends and family whilst finding out whether or not he wins.

"I think at best I'll come away with two." He thinks that One Direction will win British Single, "It's all on votes and their fanbase is massive." He also thinks that Adele is bound to win British Album.

All Things Brit

And she's arrived! Rihanna is at the Brits.

She's been trending on Twitter non-stop the past two days due to her two new remixes with ex-boyfriend Chris Brown having stormed the internet. In the midst of rumours that they are back together, Rihanna has shown up to the Brits alone, with a smile on her face and looking as gorgeous as ever.

I really like the blond hair...

All Things Brit

Example told CapitalFM his mum said she'd slap him if got drunk on camera tonight. He then said "I'm not going to win anything so I won't be on camera!"

He's going to be sat on Adele's table, which he says is the only reason he changed his mind and decided to attend the awards.

Example has been nominated for British Single along with:

British Single Adele - Someone Like You Ed Sheeran - The A Team Example - Changed The Way You Kissed Me Jessie J ft Bob - Price Tag JLS ft Dev - She Makes Me Wanna Military Wives/Gareth Malone - Wherever You Are Olly Murs ft Rizzle Kicks - Heart Skips A Beat One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful Pixie Lott - All About Tonight The Wanted - Glad You Came

He said: "Against One Direction and Army Wives you're going to war there. Against the One Direction army and the actual army!"

All Things Brit

Looks like the One Direction boys overdid it with the fake tan...

All Things Brit

I'm a little bit excited for the Brits today. Just over an hour to go!

Ed Sheeran has been nominated for the most awards today, and upon arrival at the red carpet, was given this from Lego, in tribute to his song Lego House.

How amazing!

Also Jessie J arrived about an hour ago looking gorgeous as always...

Personally, I love her hair today but that dress is definitely a stunner.

She's not the only celeb thats glammed up for the event, Ed Sheeran is certainly looking dapper in his suit...

Big performances tonight are coming from Ed Sheeran, Rizzle Kicks and Olly Murs. Also Adele is definitely going to have some big wins tonight. Her table is closest to the stage; if that doesn't give the game away I don't know what does...

All Things I Love...

Everyone's different, yes? Glad you agree. So different things make us all happy right? I'm told that some of the things I love are quite random and weird things to admit. Personally, I just think I'm easily amused. But I've decided to let you decide. You. You there, reading this. Hey you - bored of Facebook clearly. (I really don't blame you.)

So yeah, back on topic; here's all the things that I love...

• Rainbow colours
• The feeling of achievement you get when finishing something
• Watching reality TV (guilty pleasure - I'll admit it!)
• Traditions
• The smell of freshly boiled water

• Getting post
• Belting out a big song and getting all of the words right
• Photographs
• Bedrooms with character

• Cooking
• Baking
• Learning how to use new things (software etc...)
• Making playlists for any occasion
• Trying new things
• The Clothes Show Live

What things do you love?