A few weeks ago, my friend and I met up in Covent Garden. It was theatre time, so to avoid the rush, we walked around for about 20 minutes. Next thing you know, we've ended up in front of the London Eye! As large of a city that London seems, it is so easy to walk through an area and find all of the 'tourist traps', without necessarily going in. It's amazing to see all of the gorgeous sites around the world, even if you aren't one for tourist attractions and crowds. 

How Kerry Washington Became A Publicity Magician, via Buzzfeed

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Ecouter

With all the binge watching, there hasn't been much change on the music front. I really need to get into some new artists, so if you have any recommendations, please let me know! Old or new, any genre... I'm willing to listen to pretty much anything. 

I hope you've all had a lovely week! Next week's post will come from a different place, so I can't wait to share this next journey with you all... PS packing tips would be much appreciated.



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I won't bother going to much into the philosophy and history of the French Press, but here's some useless facts: it is also known as the сafetière à piston, and it was invented in the 1850s in France (duh).

The french press has a cylindrical body with a mesh 'filter' that separates your coffee from the grinds once ready. It's really that simple. But the important thing to note is the flavor profile created by the french press is something very acquired, it's got a gritty consistency and has a higher bitter to acidity ratio. 

2.  Boil your water. However, do not use boiling water to brew your coffee. If you have a thermometer, you're looking for around 60-65ºC, if not just let the water sit for a minute or so.

3.  Make sure you heat all your equipment. This isn't 'vital' but it plays a decent role in preparing the good stuff.

After what feels like months (it pretty much has been), I'm back on the blog! Exams are finally over, which means that we have the joy of a three/four month holiday. With university right around the corner, it means that the next few months leave a huge opportunity for me to meet some goals and relax for the first time in two years. Here are some of the things I'd like to do this summer!

Travelog

For my birthday last year, Sarah very kindly gifted me this gorgeous Moleskine travelog notebook. I'd love to feature key 'tourist' events from my summer on the blog, but also have a physical record of my favorite places to go in London.

Random, I know. To be honest, I've never been good at art. Ever since the doodling books became popular, I thought it would be a good idea to try them out. I got this coloring book last year, and really have found it to be a really relaxing process. Hopefully I'll be able to transition into a more 'artistic' medium soon!

These past few months have been really sedentary. With exams finally over, I'd really like to get into exercising regularly. I bought the Fitbit Alta to track my steps and exercise, and so far have really been enjoying tracking my progress. I can't wait to go to the city and walk around everywhere! It will be so lovely to explore and enjoy the gorgeous weather. 

Again, the past few months haven't left much time to read. I'm sure you noticed if you follow me on Goodreads, you'll have noticed that I have a giant list of books on shelf and very few updates. Naturally, I'd like to make it to 100 books before the end of the year (I'm currently on 42?), and in order to do so, I'll have to pack a very heavy suitcase! At the same time, I'd love to explore more magazines, so if you have any recommendations, please let me know!

What are your plans for this summer? I hope you're all having a wonderful week! 

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On the way to brunch around midday, someone on the radio announced that it had crossed into the warmer weather... 31C, in fact. So as the temperature over here climbs, I thought I would share exactly what I love to have for the proper Spring/Summer seasons, from head to toe! Transitioning into the warmer weather means a shift in style and scents, so here are the main changes that I will be going through to adapt to the heat.

One warm weather trend that I'm really adoring is jelly shoes. I don't mean the clunky ones we all wore in the nineties, but much sleeker, comfortable ones, to the point where you can't even tell that they are made of plastic. They're perfect for beach days, and are comfortable enough that you could wear them all day and feel like you're walking on air! I adore these Ted Baker Ettiea Flat Sandals*, which can easily be worn for brunch or more formal day events, with the classic bow and rose gold embellishment. In black or white, they would go with almost every summer outfit. If you aren't a fan of open toed shoes, you could go for the much pricier Salvatore Ferragamo Nilly Jelly D'Orsay Flats, or if you wanted a similar shoe for formal events, Ferragamo's Perala Sling Jelly Sandals would be a nice alternative. Either way, this nineties favorite will be perfect for those of us nostalgic for a simpler time...

Since being gifted a Coach wristlet, I've realized how convenient ditching the stuffed bags is. I cannot recommend getting a smaller bag for the warmer weather. We all know how sweaty we get, and lugging around the extra pounds just makes our perfume's job harder. By only carrying the essentials (your phone, keys and a bit of cash), you're not only making it easier to travel, but also makes you less at risk of ending up stuck in tourist season (if you catch my drift). 

Beach hair, don't care

Softer scents

After a very unhealthy season, my mother has banned juice from our house (for real this time). Now, whilst I've never been one for soda, coffee or tea, there are two drinks that are my saviors - juice and hot chocolate. Water is something that I have to force myself into drinking, and it's really becoming a problem. So, after doing some Googling (gotta love browsing), I've found a solution of sorts - infused water. 

Even though I did drink a lemon, cucumber and mint combination over the summer, once I finished my travels it really didn't stick. However, after reading this article, I really want to stick by it. Since I don't really want to buy a pitcher just yet, I've used the following method to make a nice tasting water-

1. 3 sprigs of mint
2. 2 slices of lemon (each about as thick as a £2 coin)
3. 1/3 of a small cucumber (chopped)

If I do manage to keep up with it (which I hope I do!), I might end up buying one of these... For the time being, I'll leave you with this link from Buzzfeed, about some cool fruit-infused waters to try! Let me know if there's a specific fruit water you enjoy! 

IT'S THE LAST MONTH OF THE YEAR!!!!!!!!! I saw this on Facebook last night, and could not agree more.

Way to crush our souls

So, before we start singing Christmas songs at the top of our lungs, or explode over mocks and revision, let me share with you what I've been enjoying this month.

How to Get Away with Murder
I've heard mixed reviews about Shonda Rhimes's latest  show, How to Get Away with Murder, but I really like watching it so far! With the constant plot twists, a diverse cast and the complexity expected in Rhimes's show, it's surprising that anyone finds faults in the program. A great binge watch during the two weeks off! (Also, fun fact, Paris from Gilmore Girls is in it!)

WeightWatchers bars
My pathetic attempt to stay healthy until the holidays has failed. Between Thanksgiving, the never ending stream of cakes and candy, and no time for the gym, I have managed to become the most unhealthy person in the house (that's a hyperbole, but I'm still pretty damn close). I recently bought some WeightWatcher bars (in apple crumble and the raspberry one), and they are delicious! The best sweet snack (besides fruit of course) that is much healthier than chocolate. I think it's a must have for after the new year!

Apple Music
My switch from Spotify to Apple Music was a tough one, but now I'm wondering how I ever listened to music without the streaming service. Spotify is still amazing, but there are certain things you can't ignore about Apple's streaming option. If you haven't subscribed for the three month trial, I'd strongly recommend it (mine ended this morning), just to take a little dip into the waters.

Source

What did you enjoy during November, and what are you looking forward to this December? Let me know in the comments!

Everyone has those staples in their bag that never really leave their bag, unless to switch them from one bag to another (I don't mean literal staples, but knowing me, there are probably some lying at the bottom of my school bag). So, whilst our bags slowly get heavier, here is a list of my essential items that I have to have! 

Minty stuff

Usually, I pack a pack of gum, mints, and tic tacs, just to be on the safe side. However, as a general rule, if you carry a pack of gum in school, it's guaranteed to be gone by the end of the day. So, I've started carrying a tic tac pack with me wherever I go. As you can see, this one is just a little bit larger than the normal box, but for some reason our supermarket also stocks these enormous packs, which cost just a few pence more than the small ones. So, not only is this a bargain, but also you don't need to stock up every week.

A wallet/ wristlet

Instead of carrying a wallet around, I usually carry this wristlet by Coach. I love it because it means that if I need to do a grab and go trip (like to the supermarket or for a snack) I don't have to carry a giant bag. It's easier to store money and essentials, and it's so much more convenient when you're in a rush.

Headphones

You know I love my music!

Lip balm

The weather's gotten colder, and naturally, my face is looking worse for wear. Lip balm and moisturizer are my two best friends right now, so carrying one in every bag is my only option.

Allergy pills

Fellow lactose intolerant friends, rejoice! I carry a giant pack of pills in my lunchbox or in a purse, just because I can't resist frozen yogurt and cheese. It's a curse, I know. (Sidetone - my wristlet has a tiny pocket inside which very conveniently fits a little ziplock of a few pills, just in case I end up eating a dairy filled snack on a quick trip!)

Hairclip

Anyone who goes to school with me will know that I have two hair clips attached to my school bag. I keep a mini one in my purse in case I need to quickly whip my hair up (I used this one today to put my damp hair up in a bun, and voila, manageable waves!) It's good if you're always in a rush or are constantly experiencing weather changes! Fun fact, it's 18C in my room, but 29C outside right now...

What are your bag staples? Let me know in the comments if there is something that I should start putting in my bag! 

P.S. - if you'd like to know more about my bag, I gave more details on it here!