It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas.....

Hello my Lovelies,
As I begin to write this post is is just 3 days till I finally get to go home. I have my shift today in about 9 hours (it's 2 am) then two days off then my shift on Christmas eve!!! After that I am free!

My train home is at 17:04 so I'm sure I shall write some sort of post then to make use of my time.

The past few days have been hectic so I'm continuing this post while on the train home.

The day has been one disaster after another. Rude customers at work, having to fight the queues to get my tickets for the train and then the train itself.

My first train from Brighton was, in usual British fashion, horrifically delayed. Normally I wouldn't mind but since I then missed my second train due to that delay I was rather miffed.

Therefore I am currently on the hour later train and having been up since 5:45am and it is now 21:09 The tiredness has well and truly set in.

Cliched as it may seem we are all culprits of end of year evaluations and reflections. Having been through many ups and downs in relationships of all forms this year I've been thinking on how we meet the people who genuinely matter and stick around in our lives.

Many will say through existing friends, work or education. I personally disagree. I find the best way you meet those who matter can be the most obscure and random.

Today on the first stint of my journey from London I met a guy and a girl who I clicked so well with, it was as if we are already friends. Yes I am aware that I'm piling on the cliches here.

Yet it's true. We had a wonderful chat and it made the tedious train journey all the more fun.

Is there a conventional way in which to meet people. Is there an acceptable forum upon which to make friends. In the digital age where finding future partners on dating sites and apps why is it seen as odd to make friends with people on trains. Yes the window  of interaction is short but you are meeting a real person. This enables you to gauge body language, idiolects, temperament and a great many number of things that are easily hidden on the internet.

People seem much more detached from actual human interaction content with mere screen to screen contact. I know people that go days without actually talking to another human being. It's that the scariest thought.

People go on and on about books and journalism being dying forms or communication yet the death of physical human interaction is being completely overlooked.
Being able to catch up with friends and family over the festive season is my favourite thing which is why every moment I'm not working this holiday I'm going to spend my time on the trains getting back home.

I've loved every moment of Christmas so far and have gotten so many thoughtful and amazing gifts I feel truly loved and blessed to have such amazing friends and family.

I hope all you lovelies have had a magical Christmas with those you love.

Iona xoxo

It's A Boy Girl Thing

Hello Lovelies,

As I have explained countless times I am currently studying at Brighton university, to those who know me or have already read my blogs this will be old and boring news. To you newbies I'm just bringing you up to speed.

In my last post I touched somewhat briefly upon relationships I had developed with classmates and housemates. Therefore I decided to continue upon that theme for this post. Be warned there is content in this post relating to sex and whatnot.

I'm sure you like me will have had some wild fantasy that University would come filled to the brim with kind, gentle and honest young men with very pure intentions. Many of my friends who went to uni at 18 have all found amazing boyfriends or girlfriends and are very much in happy long term relationships. 

Some of these friends much like me had no romantic relationships through out school so it was a very exciting prospect. Luckily none of my friends to my knowledge were lead on and used by anyone. Some found solid relationships and other enjoyed a more casual attachment. Neither is better than the other it's all down to personal preference and needs at that current time.

I would like to take a moment here to blame teen movies that portray University life as either finding your one true love on day one or as one massive orgy where there are no repercussions to sexual promiscuity (which I note that there shouldn't be).

As someone who has never been on a date let alone in a relationship I'm not overly comfortable with the whole casual sex thing. However not everyone else seems to get that.

I recently had my drink spiked in a night club which scares me for two reasons; one - someone wanted to take advantage of my vulnerable state for sexual gain or two - they thought it was a funny prank. 

Neither option restores my faith in humanity.

I'm realising more and more as my time at Uni goes on that people expect a level of sexual maturity among their peers. I'm currently 20 which is two years older than your stereotypical fresher, yet at 18 I couldn't imagine being as sexually active as a handful of freshers I've seen.

I know not all freshers are horny teens. However I'm beginning to feel as though it is what is expected. 

Maybe I'm just not meeting the right kind of people but I feel as though it's a bloody miracle that even one of my friends found a meaningful relationship let alone most of them.

I know I'm wildly generalising here based on my limited view on the situation based only on what I have personally experienced. Yet as far as I can see it's the truth.

I may very soon be taking all this back and see things in a very different way. I personally hope it happens sooner rather than later.

I find something that doesn't help is the stigma with the word 'Relationship'.
Having never had one myself I am by no means an expert in them, however I get the sense the word puts the fear of god into guys.

I'm constantly perplexed as to why the term makes boys run a mile. Is a relationship so bad? Do they genuinely think a relationship requires any extra effort then regular casual sex?

Maybe I'm just not cut out to be wanted for anything that requires the lights being on and conversation with real substance to it. Yes I am re-accounting my own somewhat embarrassing encounters here but I don't really have anywhere else to draw perspective from without having some rather awkward conversations with my friends.

Before posting this I did have a conversation with my friend Christy about this very topic. It was a good giggle and put my mind at ease. She says she would totally date me. Huzzah

We've all had those awkward drunken kisses and fumbles and that's all well and good. But is sex the be all and end all.

Maybe I just need to buck up my ideas, lie back and think of England. Or be patient and keep waiting and hope I one day be dateable.

Hopefully not before my best before date.

Haha I'm so very funny

Take care all more deep and exciting thought to come your way.

Iona xoxo

Great Expectations?

I don't really recall what expectations I had of University life. I can safely say they definitely weren't half of what I have experienced.

The first few weeks of living in Brighton were a blur. Non of it feels real. I was completely overwhelmed by the change without even realising it. I just kept bobbing along in what I call my honeymoon phase with Brighton.

Everything seemed to be falling into place perfectly. I had an amazing house, wicked housemates and was going to be getting a job at Lush. I had hit the trifecta of Uni life as far as I was concerned. The first of my bubbles was burst when my Coconut allergy was clearly much more severe then I had believed it was. Severe to the point that working in Lush would result in an almost constant state of  Anaphylaxis . Needless to say both myself and the manager decided it was safer to not progress with my trial shift. she was so sweet and gave me a hug as I cried and some free face masks to thank me for all the time and effort I put in. 

I left the shop feeling devistated and like everything was going to the crapper. 

My mother and fairy godmother were both very comforting and the yummy cake they bought me certainly helped heal the heart break. 

I remained positive and kept on looking for jobs in places I also loved. 

I suffer from the condition biggious boobus so finding bras that actually fit me is a challenge. Pretty much the only place I can find pretty non granny bras in my size is at a shop called Boux Avenue. And huzzah a job was going and I now work there and have super lovely work pals!!! 

Disaster one had finally be neutralized. 

Disaster two came as a massive shock. 

I've been relatively lucky in my life with friends and those I have around me in my life. I've had a few friends turn on me and become my most severe bullies but luckily I had amazing friends to stand by me. Moving to uni was scary because I had no friends around me and was starting afresh. Yet this was also exciting and gave me hope. People always say you make your best friends in life at uni. 

As I mentioned in previous blogs I was lucky enough to find four amazing girls to live with. We all liked similar things and had similar levels of maturity. One girl E who I meet for the house hunting in August was really lovely. We got on really well and I took her under my wing. I helped her move her furniture around by myself, lent her money, dyed her hair, did her make up and let her sleep in my bed when she felt really home sick. One day she suddenly turned.

That day I got a phone call from our letting agent saying her and her parents had phoned to report that the rest of us were bullying her. She felt segregated from the group and we were phasing her out. This came as a huge shock. We tried to resolve it as adults but that wasn't in her range of capabilities. 

Her mother even got my number phoned me up and threatened me down the phone. 

The whole night was terrifying and her mother even called the police on us as E claimed to feel unsafe. 

After her mother threatened me I went into total meltdown and had a massive panic attack.

This girl who I had helped so much and given my friendship to completely was throwing it back in all of our faces and putting us through hell. 

As horrible as the situation was the girls and I only grew closer. We all have a really open and honest relationship, telling each other about every annoyance so nothing boils up. 

I learnt a lot about the adult world through the situation no longer being so naïve about the character of people. The internet only gibes you a snapshot of a Pearson's true character and she well and truly blinded all of us. 

As you can imagine my start to university was no where near my expectations. 

Thankfully life can only get better and boy has it. Life is amazing, I've made great friends at work and on  my course. I went to an ADTR gig and made some friend from the local area. Had a cheecky kiss with a guy, had some silly drunken nights out and hilarious kitchen parties in the house. We have a new housemate moving in who I was friends with at Uni and she is so lovely. 

I guess what Uni has already taught me in such a short space of time is that life always throws you a curve ball but you can get though the shit and emerge smelling fresh as a daisy. 

If this is what the first two months are like the next 4 years will be an adventure and a half. 

Be wise and make good choices guys

Iona xoxo

Ladies Who Lunch

Afternoon all.

As you may remember I mentioned in my previous posts how I was treating my long term bestie Claudia to afternoon tea at The Palm Court in The Park Lane Hotel for her 21st!!!
Not long until mine now! We've been friends for nearly 10 years how the time has flown.

Last Wednesday morning, after a stressful clothing decision the night before (which resulted in both of us feeling fat and with low self esteem) we headed to the train station in our best fitting finery. As per Claudia looked classic and beautiful. I on the other hand looked like a complete heffer.

We were both so excited and couldn't wait for all the tea and cake to get started. I however being the useless goon I am soon ruined the happy mood by realising that I had forgotten the virgin experience day vouchers for the hotel.!! I couldn't believe that I had forgotten the one thing I was solely responsible for and the whole reason for our trip. How Claudia has put up with me all these years is beyond me. After some frantic phone calls to both my mother and the Palm Court manager the day was saved. If my mother sent me pictures of the vouchers with the codes on we were able to show that as proof then post the vouchers to them later.

Thankfully the solution meant I was back in Claudia's good books and the death glares stopped. *Hehe I joke Claudia loves me too much*

I've not been to London much and have only used the underground on two separate occasions in my adult life. I wasn't that successful on either attempt. However I discovered a hidden secret of my gherkin's...she is a blummin pro at the underground. She knew everything there was to know, With her nimble guidance I was soon a pro myself easily navigating the network of tunnels and trains as though I had used them every day.

Success I had made it as a slightly more accomplished adult.

The first port of call was of course the shops and as luck would have it the first shop outside of Oxford Circus was none other than Topshop! My goodness me it is a huge shop, the mecca for Topshop lovers everywhere. I swear Claud and I spent nearly 2 hours in there and we must have only seen half of the stock.  We were trying on everything within our clutches sadly not all of it was meant to be and all I bought were my now trusty daily worn black Joni jeans. These beauties are my life and soul. Not only are they super comfy and actually high-waisted sitting above the belly button but they were from the TALL section.

As a girl with a tall stature just scraping 5'9" and a half, clothing length is a constant pain. Regular dresses become micro mini's on me; revealing areas that are normally covered in polite society. Yet this dark tunnel of being above average height lies beneath the beautiful glowing light of the Topshop Tall range. The Joni jeans were a refreshing 36" leg!!! Huzzah my ankles will be kept nicely warm and covered this winter. Victorian men will no longer swoon at my scantily clad lower calves to ankle regions. I shall now go forth in a ladylike manner.

For those of you fortunate enough to not be burdened with legs a mile long Topshop do jeans in leg lengths from the very petite to the more average 30" and 32" leg.

With much sadness and difficulty we tore ourselves from the beautiful bosom of Topshop round the corner to H&M another favourite and another amazing shop with about a zillion floors. I was rather lucky and had a gift card for the grand total of £8 so I was blummin loaded. My cold black goth heart was in heaven, the new season was clearly for the inner goth in everyone and I had a mini squeal when I saw all the lovely black clothes. Trying to pick one item was a mission in itself. I settled for a gorgeous lace kimono that was surprise surprise black with a very AHS Coven vibe to it. It was a bargain at £9.99.
We looked in many shops all up and down Oxford Street yet I felt we went in hardly any.

The main event soon circled around and we hopped on the tube to get to it. The street it was on with a lovely park on it which I soon realised that could have had an impact on the name of the Hotel. In our excitement of all the beautiful Edwardian architecture we nearly walked into the Japanese Embassy by mistake. Though I'm sure they would have been very hospitable and provided us with our much needed tea.

We arrived at the Hotel and blimey it was beautiful!! I felt utterly underdressed. I wasn't exactly sure what I was expecting but a harp player in a gorgeous evening gown was not on that list. It was mesmerizing to watch and the music fit beautifully with the Japanese art deco vibe that the room had. Claud and I were in heaven. A tea menu which was rather vast and exotic made choosing very difficult. The service was fantastic and we were treated like ladies of high standing. My inner aristocrat was very pleased to see correct etiquette being followed from the teaspoon and tea cup handle being parallel. I know I know it makes me sound like a real posho. I'm really not I just wish I was.

If you've ever had a really really good sandwich the likes of which you've never had before seriously think again. The sandwiches at The Palm court were above and beyond. The bread was all flavored bread and sadly I did have to remind them of my vegetarian dietary requirements after being presented with an array of beef and salmon. The day was a scoff fest. Extra complimentary sandwiches were brought out. Suffice to say Tomato and Avacado sandwiches are officially my life.

My promise of photos sadly failed the second the food arrived.

Despite escaping Gainsborough for the day it followed us. Apparently they actually made silver products in Gainsborough. I knew they did in Sheffield but Gainsborough was a shock.

 Selfridges windows displays for LFW this dress was my favourite.

This Selfridges window display was just the most fun and colourful I loved it.

Never before had I tried Passion fruit curd but damn did it make the scones taste amazing. Scone like cones not gone. The scones were lovely but nowhere near as good as my Nannoo's. The sentimental value of those make them best. 

Claud and I both have a hearty appetite however the afternoon tea (technically High tea as it was after 4pm) had us well and truly stuffed. The cool evening walk to the tube helped to settle it but needless to say the food babies were in full podge mode. We both had a second pot of tea my first had been a dissapointment so I had a berry and rosehip infusion foe seconds. Claudia's first pot of flowing rosebud tea was so delicate and sweet I drank most of that instead of my own Gunpowder green tea. For the scones and patisserie she had a more spicy Assam to balance with the sweetness of the food.....

Blimey I sounded like a real tea connoisseur there.   

It had been a really lovely day but we both get very tired when we are full of food so we just strolled through London mostly in search of a Primark where in true bestie fashion we bought matching t-shirts. 

What is life without a little A.S.O.I.A.F

The t-shirt was a bargain at £6!!! Primark really know what the nerd population want.

The journey home was long and by that time we were hungry so we got a cheeky Boots Meal Deal from Kings Cross. 

In conclusion the day proved I am an amazing friend and a really all round awesome person. I get people the best Birthday treats as I get to enjoy them too!!! 

Claudia and I will hopefully be collecting Afternoon Tea's in all the places in London.  

I hope you all enjoyed this very long overdue post. My excuse is the drama of beginning Uni which will be thoroughly dissected for you in a blog post later this week.  

         

Exciting developments

Hello again everyone!

Since last time I have made my pilgrimage down to Brighton with determination in my eyes. As I may have mentioned I didn't get University accommodation so I needed to find a student house.
Myself and four other girls I met on the campus Facebook page had spent some time finding and booking viewings. These girls I met are all really rather lovely and a funny bunch, they restore my faith in Facebook.
On the Friday two of the girls and I met up in Brighton to find a house. Alas it was not meant to be one of the girls had a horrid journey down with an hour delay on the train. The house we fell in love with got stolen from us, our nice back ups got taken before we even had a chance to view them and our last resort house doesn't bare thinking about.
The last house is forevermore to be called the drug house. The second the door opened the acrid smell of pot hit us like a brick wall, which please my godbrofhdr far too much for my liking. The five boys living there had destroyed the place. Mould was everywhere the shower was broken and rancid and the toilet should have been studied by the CDC.

Needless to say we kindly declined.

After such an awful day I just wanted to cry. Uni was meant to be the best time of my life and it was already falling apart. My godmother was , as usual, loving and supportive.
On the Saturday as a last ditch effort I began looking for one bed flats for myself and I came across two beautiful five bed student houses.
Having been told by most agencies there were no five beds left I couldn't believe it. They were listed with agencies I hadn't seen before so I booked a viewing for both. My mother and fairy godmother in tow we saw the first house. The street was beautiful brightly painted Victorian terraced houses up and down. It was a short walk from the campus and the city centre it was fantastic . Inside my Godmother was horrified. Despite telling me about her experience of nursing accommodation when she was at uni the mouldy fish fingers in the over disgusted her.
The letting agent was really lovely and knew his stuff. All the house needed was painting, a good scrub and it would be beautiful.  We soon phoned him and secured the house. Thankfully the gods were smiling on us that day and no one else had snuck in and stolen it.

We ended the day having delicious tea and scones. A celebration of the happy turn of events in the house search.

After a stressful Friday the success of Saturday more than made up for it.
I texted the girls of my success and needless to say I am now the group hero.

All the paperwork is now nearly complete and we are begining to move into the house in just a few weeks.

But first I got to see my best friend today who has been away in the mountains of Italy for a month. I have missed that girl like crazy. We're both stupidly excited for next Wednesday when we're heading down to London for afternoon tea at Park Lane Hotel!!! Fancy or what.

Lovely dresses are a must we want to look like elegant ladies who lunch. C will achieve that easily I may take days of preparation to be considered elegant.

As neither of us have ever had afternoon tea in a swanky London restaurant/hotel/tea room (or any other place jn the country for that matter) we are really rather excited for all the yummy food and tea. In true British fashion we are both tea mad.

I shall take lots of pictures to make you all jealous.

I hope you are all having an awesome day
Iona xo

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Greetings

This year has been a pretty hectic and big year. After many many years of being dragged through a very jagged and sharp hell I am finally going off to University!
Not just any University but one in my favourite city. My Mothership if you will.

The City of Brighton

Jeepers I'm so excited. It's just one huge big adventure and I can't wait to get started. I have so much to get ready and the delightful list I made does not seem to be getting any shorter.

This is just one page of it and much more needs to be added but I feel I covered the basics of teapot, wok and the highly accurate pasta server spoon. I assure you that is an upgrade from the previous name of pasta server thing with prongs that had been on my Ikea shopping list.

I of course mean this contraption though that specimen is rather conservative.

I personally find this fella rather fetching...

Therefor the following weeks will be filled with earning money (and actually saving it), stealing duplicates of items my mother has in the kitchen, sorting out a house to live in (I'm venturing to Brighton later this week to do just that), completing student finance doodahs, finding a form of employment in Brighton and having the occasional fun day in the British summer. Thermals at the ready!

The adventure awaits 

Iona xo

p.s. Thanks to ikea.com and kitchenalia.wordpress.com for unknowingly allowing me to commandeer pictures of pasta servers from them :)