My Birthday Weekend and Kawaii Tattoos

Hello my lovelies,

This weekend just past I made the huge leap from 20 to 21!!!

Thus my survival of another year deserved nothing but the most stupendous of celebrations. Armed with determination and my best friend Niall I planned the most amazing of four day weekends.

Because I am so lucky Niall booked time off work so he could stay with me from Thursday till Sunday. This created the biggest birthday weekend of my life. 

Since it was my 21st I felt this was only fair.

Day one was Thursday I set off in the morning to get the train to London to meet Niall there. After a quick Pret and Starbucks stop we hopped in the tube to Oxford Street for a little shopping spree basically just Topshop for some new Joni jeans I also bought some cute socks, necklace and ring.

Then I bought the all important birthday Tiara from Claire's accessories. 

After those important purchases were made Niall and I headed off to Charring Cross to have a nosey around Trafalgar Square which was just beautiful in the dark with all the statues up-lit.

True I'm not the best photographer but you get the idea. We were headed to the National Portrait Gallery to see the Grayson Perry exhibit. Grayson Perry is one of mine and Niall's favourite artists. 

The exhibit is called 'Who are you?' and it's done in collaboration with the Channel 4 program he was involved with. It seemed the birthday gods were smiling on me that day because Grayson Perry was actually there leading a tour so we got to see him. However the tour was private and required a ticket so we couldn't jump in on that action.

The exhibit was beautiful and the way he managed to present some hard hitting topics was inspiring. His talent is a rare and resplendent one.

When we left the gallery after a very brief  wander through the gift shop we found ourselves in Covent Garden where we decided to stop at a pub called Punch and Judy. The pub itself was quite cute and the prices for the area were really good however they only served Gordon's gin. How a pub can only carry one brand of Gin is beyond me. However that is a rant for another time.

Niall and I then headed home and went of a studenty night out with me in my tiara.

Friday was Laines day. Niall and I explored the many vintage and record shops that Brighton had to offer. We ventured into many shops I'd seen but hadn't ever been in to. I felt like the worst tour guide ever. However Niall being the lovely gentleman he his he thoroughly enjoyed his day.

Food is a big part of mine and Niall's time together so we had to find a nice place to stop for some foor. we found a cute cafe in the Laines called Nest......
     ...... if you ever are in the area I highly recommend it.....

......Look at Niall all handsome and purdy

Yummy toasted sandwich

Niall also got a scrummy giant Oreo. 

Niall bought a new record and a book. Sadly that meant we went to a bookshop which means I bought several books. I have a somewhat unhealthy book addiction...... Scratch that all book addictions are healthy. More people should read.

The next day dawned bright and early.... 10am is early right?

The best birthdays start with making up to open presents with your best friend from all you best people.  My Gherkin Claudia was especially generous.

......By the time Niall and I got the train to London I had been well and truly spoilt. I was enjoying my vastly healthy pre breakfast of Macaroons from Julien Plumart Patisserie. I had never had macaroons before but my oh my were they worth the wait. The were like mouthfuls of heaven. I got two macaroons; Berries and Violet and Raspberry chocolate.

My amazing friend Bex knows me so well as she sent me a Starbucks Giftcard to help fuel my addiction. I decided it was only right to get a venti Chai Latte with no water and a shot of Pumpkin Spice. My beautiful friend Ella who works at my bucks was so cute when she made my drink.

When we finally arrived at Brick Lane to go to the Cereal Killer Cafe (cerealkillercafe.co.uk) my face fell. The line was huge. I was worried we would never make it in time for my tattoo. However the birthday gods were smiling upon me. We got in within 10 maybe 15 minutes of arrival.

Walking through the doors was like entering a real life childhood dream. I genuinely lost my shit. The vintage cereal boxes were enough to excite any of you other 90s babes out there. The Addams family one got me especially excited. To be perfectly honest I hadn't decided what I wanted until the last second. I went for a colourful magical madness with party rings and strawberry milk. 

To top things off the lovely gang a ckc played the Happy Birthday Lisa song for me and gave me extra party rings. Sadly I can't promise this will happen to you when you go. I'm just super loveable.

Next we headed to my favourite Tattoo Studio, Jolie Rouge on Caledonian Road. Keely Rutherford Kawaii Queen had saved my birthday tattoo disaster with another artist. Really why I would consider anyone else to do my birthday tattoo was beyond me. 

On Halloween  Keely beautifully tattooed Brutus the Batcake on the back of my calf.....

.....Look at his cute face isn't he just Halloween Kawaii perfection. 

I'm not so ocd that things have to be matchy matchy symmetrical but a certain level of asymmetry matchyness is needed. I'm pretty sure not a single word of that makes sense to anyone but me. 

I can say with complete honesty that I trust Keely with my skin 100%. I didn't know what the design was going to be until the day. She knew I wanted creepy cute halloween Kawaii-ness to match Brutus. 

The resulting design was much better then I ever could have imagined, Cleo and Percival make a gorgeous addition to my left calf. 

Together I think they look stunning. Brutus has more dark tones whereas the brightness of Percival (the pumpkin) beautifully offsets againts Brutus. It's opposite matchyness.

I can't wait to add some colour background so they don't look so stark agains my pasty which skin with some more cute tats from Keely. I'm going to let her be responsible for the entire coverage of my calfs.  If you love Brutus, Cleo and Percival as much as I do seriously check out Keely's Instagram @keelyrutherford.

The horror and realisation of finally being a legit adult in every country hit me very suddenly. It could have been the post tattoo delirium setting in or my plain craziness but I had a sudden urge to buy a crap ton of stuff from the Disney Store. Sadly it was 5pm on a Saturday on Oxford Street. The place was heaving with snotty nosed screaming children getting their grubby mitts on my potential birthday treats.

That idea swiftly went out the window as I ran off to save myself from the swarm of cretins in the Store. My one last ditch at childhood would have to wait till I got home. That plan was then crapped on by the fact that the shop I work in had in fact replaced Brighton's Disney Store. I seriously could not catch a break with this aging thing.

Once my leg was full of kawaii matchyness I dashed back to Brighton for a family meal complete with my Uni family. To say people were generous was and over statement. I don't wish to divulge the presents my nearest and dearest got as they are all in my birthday vlog so I shan't bore you twice with the bragginess.

My 21st was everything I hoped it would be but also in some ways a huge disappointment. Everyone was so busy with exams and work that it was all rather a brief celebration and as always it was really bloody cold.

Luckily my mum loves me lots so much like the Queen I'm have a second birthday this year. A half birthday if you will in the summer with tea and scones and nibbles and pimms and gin and cake.

After all you only turn 21 once. Or in my case once and a half.

Ttfn my lovelies

Iona xo

p.s. Sorry this took me 6 months to write

p.p.s Follow Keely she's a mega babe and I love her <3

How Am I This Old Already?

Hello my Lovelies,

As of today it is 3 sleeps until my 21st Birthday. THREE DAYS!!!

Part of me is ridiculously scared at the thought of being an official adult in every country in the world. I feel like I should automatically become much more sophisticated and responsible. Yet somehow I very much doubt that will be the case despite asking for a Rotary watch and a handbag......
Yes a real handbag!!

I always feel bad asking for presents worrying I'm asking for far too much. However society has mad become 21 this huge milestone birthday. Therefor it would be rude for me not to embrace it.

My best guy Niall is full on treating me and will be visiting from Thursday through til Sunday.

I shall be writing about our many adventures in London maybe even making a 'Day in The Life of' vlog for my Youtube.

My parents, sister and her boyfriend are also visiting, They've booked in at a nice hotel just outside Brighton and there is no way they would all fit in this little student house.

I'm just feeling really loved by how many caring and kind people I have around me. My home town is around 250 miles away from Brighton and it amazes me.

As usual in life there have been ups and downs recently with the stress and pressure of Uni work and exams becoming more real. Which is why my birthday being in January is both a blessing and a curse. My exams start 3 days after my birthday so I can have one last blow out to get rid of any stress and be refreshed for exams but also some people have finished them this week so they can celebrate finishing them by a good old party.

I've come a long way in a year. This time last year my depression was really bad, I'd quit my job, I had no money and was really struggling to stay positive at college. Now I have a job, I'm at uni I'm settling in making friends and joined my local Roller Derby team. Heck I've even been on my first date!!!! I never thought I'd be saying that.

I guess what I've come to realise is that shit really does get better. The cliches are cliches because they're true. So much can change in the space of a year. Remaining positive and working hard is the only way it will change for the better.

It's funny but the threat of turning 21 is making me feel all mature and like I have a new outlook on life. This disturbs me greatly so I'm off to have ice cream for breakfast and watch Adventure time.

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.