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Monday 18 March 2013

What I've Been Up To: London and a Mini Haul

Howdy stranger! As it usually is, your slowest blogging months are invariably your busiest "life" months. I was pretty shocked when I looked at the calender and realised it's been almost a week and a half since I last blogged! This is by far my longest break and I've really missed blogging. I could have squished in a couple of posts but to be honest they would have been very lack lustre. This week has been all about University preparation. Last Wednesday I had an interview at Westminster University to try and win a place on their Journalism course. I've always loved writing but blogging has been a total revelation for me; I never imagined myself forging a career in journalism but now I know what I want to do with my life. In a dream world I'll one day be working in the beauty department for a magazine but any kind of writing would be great for now, you never know!

I'm one of those people that always remembers the camera and then totally forgets to take photos. Halfway through my great London journey I suddenly remembered it nestled in my bag and whipped it out to take a few shots in the Natural History Museum. If you get a chance to go exploring around London I wholeheartedly recommend a wander through it, if for nothing but the stunning architecture in the foyer.


Bar the first image which is the foyer, all of these photos were taken in the mammal room. There's something truly awe-inspiring about the sheer size and majesty of these animals. There were a lot of interesting exhibitions but this was one of my favourites (hence I remembered I had a camera!) The museum also housed a mini gallery of works inspired by nature. Animals and plants have always been my favourite things to work from and I'd actually forgotten how much I enjoyed and appreciated art so it was wonderful to see everything. The most bizarre and disturbing thing for me was the human biology exhibit - lots of terrifying massive babies and glowing red "womb" walls. I'm the least maternal person ever and myself and my flatmates were all suitably disturbed.


Just as we were leaving the museum my boyfriend pointed out the sunset and I had to a nab a photo. It was so beautiful and the surrounding buildings were stunning. A very fitting end to the day.

If I sound like a major tourist it's because I really am. I've only been to London once before and it was an awful College trip experience. All I did that day was walk up and down a packed Oxford Street (it was January 3rd and ridiculous) whilst other people tried on clothes in stores that didn't carry my sizes. This second trip has shown me a whole new side to the city and I really want to study there. It's so full of inspiration and colour. It's also full of some seriously stylish women. I remember in particular this one Asian girl in the tube station with a slick, black graduated bob, bare skin and bright red, matte lipstick. She was wearing a big voluminous coat and black tights and I just kept thinking about how incredible she looked. So if you're ever in a style rut, go and people watch in London, you wouldn't ever get bored.


This mine and my boyfriend's ridiculous tower of plates at Yo! Sushi. We'd never been there before but he and my flatmate were adamant that it's where they were eating dinner so off I went. I have to honest, I'm a firm cooked-food eater. The one piece of raw tuna sushi that my boyfriend forced on me was horrific. All I could taste was blood and it had the most repulsive texture; squishy, slimy and jelly-like. I still haven't forgiven him for his enthusiastic offering. I was also rather perplexed at the wait staff's apparent disgust when I asked for tap water. The glasses were tiny so I had to ask for a second and they seemed very stressed about it. Certainly not the best service I've ever had. Regardless, the noodles, prawns and chicken dishes were fantastic and I'd definitely eat there again.

And of course you know me... I couldn't leave without buying some beauty bits!




Clearly I was in an orange mood! Sadly I didn't have time to go for a serious shop at Selfridges or Debenhams so these were actually nabbed at the St. Pancras station Boots. I originally went in on the off chance that they'd have 17's Beehive in stock since I've been searching for it for lord knows how long. Lo and behold, the whole glorious shelf was filled to the brim! I also considered buying the Doll'd Up mascara that everyone has been raving about but decided to try "Belle," another rarely-found lipstick (at least in my local Boots.) The rest were kind of bought on a whim which is a bit unusual for me but they'd all been fully researched so why not?! I've been putting off buying the Tangle Teezer for so long because of the price but I figured since it was a day out I could treat myself. I've also decided that this Summer I'm going to really embrace orange cosmetics so I popped a couple more Revlon products in my basket to add to my collection.


Honourable mention of the day goes to this ridiculous doughnut. They do say everything is bigger in cities. Unbelievably it was only 99p which I think is a very fair price for something that could feed a family of four.

And that's my little trip all summed up! The University was really wonderful and I'm so hoping I get in. If anyone else has a group interview coming up please don't stress too much about it. I almost made myself ill with worrying and it was so unnecessary. Everything was really relaxed and informal and I turned up in black trousers and a red shirt and was completely overdressed. There was even a couple of people in jumpers and leggings and they looked much more at home than I did. So try not to worry and don't be afraid to chat to the other interviewees, they're all feeling the exact same way and you might even connect with someone. I was really lucky and managed to meet another beauty and fashion blogger who was absolutely lovely and happens to be the first blogger I've ever met!

Are you hoping to attend University this year? Do you spend much time in London? Let me know where I should visit when I (hopefully) start studying there!

Lauren

P.S. I know there's been a total palaver over Google Reader (which is being killed soon) and GFC recently. I'm fairly certain that GFC isn't going anywhere in the near future, but just as a little bit of shameless self promotion and precaution, I'd love a follow on Bloglovin'! You can find my profile here.

22 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh... THAT DOUGHNUT!!!!!! Yum yum yum :)
    But I'm so glad to hear you're doing well and best of luck with your interview results!!

    Cassie
    thriftthick.blogspot.com

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    1. I know it's absolutely nuts! haha. Couldn't believe it.
      Awh thank you gorgeous :) I am doing wonderfully. I really hope I get in! >.< eee!

      xx

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  2. That doughnut looks nom-tastic! I'm glad you had such a great time in London! I'm the same as you, I'm not stressing too much about GFC. They've put the scarers onto us at least once before and it ain't gone anywhere! :D

    xx

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    1. It was so big haha. It was like the size of my face. Thank you lovely :) yeah agreed, I don't think we'll be saying goodbye soon! xx

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  3. I really want to try the Revlon Just Bitten Balm! That looks like a fab shade too :) x

    http://www.beautyboxuk.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. I honestly can't recommend them enough, I've tried a couple and they've all been fantastic. You should try one if you get the chance :) x

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  4. Aww, sounds like you had a great time! I've never been to London, one day though, one day! :)

    Laura x
    http://pale-girl-reviews.blogspot.com

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    1. I really did! :) I hope you like it when you do! I don't think there's anywhere quite like it in the world x

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  5. I'm so jealous of your trip! I want the 17 lipsticks too! Good luck with getting into uni x

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    1. awh it was lovely :) they're such a bloody pain to get hold of! I did it! I got the email a couple of days ago :) so thrilled x

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  6. Looks like you had a great time :-) Blogging has rekindled my love for writing and I'm hoping to do some freelance work around my full time job. Good luck with getting your uni place!xx

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    1. Ooh thats an excellent idea :) I hope it goes well! Thank you! xx

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  7. Wow, huge doughnut! Yummi! :)
    xoxo Renee

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  8. I really want a tangle teaser too! Looks like your had fun! xo

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    1. It's so worth it Jasmine! Especially if you're always snagging your hair and it hurts. It barely snags at all :) x

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  9. I would have loved to have gone to Westminster ! i applied but unfortunately didn't get a place :( but good luck i hope you manage it!
    I would recommend portobello road and camden my two very favourite places in London and Shoreditch is great too. i live there last year :).
    Lovely post as always.
    Alex ox.

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    1. Oh thats so disappointing :( would have loved to see another blogger there. Good luck with your other choices though :) Thank you!
      Ooh I'll check them out! Thank you for the reccommendtions xxx

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  10. That is one hell of a doughnut :P
    I'm glad you enjoyed London more this time. The Natural History Museum is one of my favourite places, as long as I'm not battling children on school trips xD

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    1. Tell me about it! haha
      Oh yeah I hate kids haha. It wasn't too bad when we went, maybe because of the bad weather :) x

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  11. i love this post, wish i lived in the uk because london seems like such a lovely place :) also..really wish tangle teasers were available here haha! xx

    http://xoxoseana.blogspot.com/

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    1. thank you lovely :) Ahh there are so many american brands I lust after! Grass is always greener isn't it :( haha :) xx

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