Things Are Coming Up Milhouse

Hello my Lovelies........ This picture captures a wild best friend.

.....This best friend is in natural habitat. Have food and tea with her bestest most loved friend in the entire world who is totally awesome.

               ...... Big hint that bestest of friends is me. I'm just that awesome.

My best friend featured above is Claudia. She's pretty great.

As per with best friends we have lots of fun and sillyness and lovely times.

This past year she's be off gallivanting about Europe learning stuff and speaking in foreign languages. I hear it's hard work but it all looks like a lot of fun and exploring to me. Thankfully much to our happiness and sanity she will be returning to old blighty in just 11 days!!!!! I've been missing her like crazy and I couldn't wait for her to come visit Brighton in the summer and see it in all it's glory. Beach, sea, piers the lot.  Today we had a quick skype session ( just over an hour) during which my gherkin had a mad idea. We were discussing money and jobs as we are both now legit adults we have serious conversations. Claudia was planning on finding a job in wales and spending the summer with her family have a jolly good time whilst at it. I was planning on getting a second job to save myself from a financial pit of despair.

During this rather depressing conversation where we realise neither of us have the money to see each other over the holidays, Claud just says, "I wish I could live in Brighton with you!" Clearly we have both completely lost the plot because I tell her why the heck not. Just get a summer job here and move in.

A few hours, a chat with the parents and a few job applications later it's official.
Should she get a job which she will. My gherkin is going to be living with me fore the summer!!!!

Even just a few days ago with the beautiful weather summer was making me feel awful. All of my housemates have gone home for the summer and I was going to be suck here the whole summer completely alone.  With next to no money and no company. Summer was as depressing as being here alone for the Christmas holidays.

Any who enough depressing talk.
This may be my most boring blog post yet but I'm essentially trying to tell you all to enjoy your summer, see your friends, try something new ( as long as it's legal) and don't let the bastards grind you down.
Happiness is round the corner you just need your best friend.

Iona xoxo

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

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

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 :)