The beauty of unexpected journeys

This isn't about those well planned, well organised (sometimes not) holidays or road trips you have with your fellows. This is the genius part of life which lives up to the phrase "it's all about the little things." This is also an encouragement to those of you who may be a little socially shy, like me, or feeling a little lazy, .....ok, like me, to say 'yes' to things, just a little bit more. You never know, it could be a fun night. Take mine for example...

I've just finished my placement at the internship, previously mentioned, and actually ended up making a few good friends there. On my last day, I wasn't planning to do anything, there was other stuff going on the following weeks, but, upon an uber last minute request from Claudia, one of the good ones ;-) I thought, why the heck not!?

We had an amusing journey to the first location, one of those situations where you end up making an inside joke and tell it for the rest of the night. She took me to a bar I've never been to before, the Covent Garden Cocktail Club. It's London, what else do you do!? This bar had some of the most amazing cocktails, music and bartenders of all time, even as the tiny little basement room it was. Danny, the main bartender, seemed to have the memory of an elephant. Each time one of us went up to get a drink, he'd remember our names, previous drinks, including where we were from. He also turned out to be an actor (of course), and as soon as I revealed that I haled from Stratford-Upon-Avon, and was an avid RSC goer, we nattered about all the Shakespeare plays we liked and why. I mean, when you think about general service 'stereotypes' in Britain, this was bloody lovely!

The rest of the night consisted of some classic dancing, changing the heels for flats, and another first, riding in one of those bicycle pedallo things which are all over London. The next day, after staying over at Claudia's, which has the most AMAZING view by the way, the journey home was a delicate one, to say the least. I took my time and wondered into an American Diner cafe. Enjoying scrambled eggs with potatoes, bacon, tea, the Beach Boys and a good book is something a lot of people don't have time for these days. Also, bearing witness to a 7 year old's birthday breakfast, and their nan dancing a jive with his sister, is oddly charming.

So this is about the little things. Whether it's taking the opportunity to people-watch, to gander down a different route for a change, or by saying 'yes' to more offers and invitations that come your way, do it! It's not going to work out every time but there is something more life-revealing about experiencing new things and seeing how the 'other half' live. Take the opportunity to grow a bit more, whatever stage of life you're in. People never stop learning, seriously. Sometimes you need to stop looking at your destination and start occasionally enjoying the road along the way! Cheesy but whatever.... See what you end up doing next time.

The brilliant 90s

Oh hello there! What's this? A post where I'm NOT moaning? Whaaaaaaaaaaaaa.......

So yes, I have progressed somewhat onto the field of fashion again, this time with an ode to the inspiration of the 90s for women's fashion. This is finally a colourful, lighthearted piece I had to get out there after having two accidental doses of 90s TV sitcoms over this wonderfully long weekend. Never mind the fact that it is slightly depressing that an era that still seems pretty recent to me is now deemed 'retro'!

Firstly, F.R.E.I.N.D.S. What else can I say, other than reminding you that it was, and almost still is, the biggest series of the 90's through to 2000's. Till not long ago, it was constantly on TV. Nothing else was on really. I saw an episode quite randomly last night and got to thinking how I would quite happily wear most of the things Rachel, Pheobe and Monica were wearing, except for Monica's Marilyn waitress outfit, ....obvs.

Then came Sister Act 2. Again, just by accidentally walking into a room where the TV had been left on and there it was. This is the Sister Act film where the nuns, and Whoopi, help a bunch of rebellious school kids in a broken down, about-to-be-closed school. The kids are trained up, they solve all their social angst, as you do, and win their final show down at a massive singing contest, ultimately saving the school and proving to the world, and me, they have great style. Yep, guys, this just crunched the biscuit for me, and I had to explain, again, why the 90's style is purely great.

It's the baggy, boyfriend, yet high waisted jeans, worn with colourful crop tops and varsity jackets. Sound familiar? Dungarees, shorts or trousers, and heavy dot martin boots. Summer dresses with high socks and sandals. Sleeveless denim jackets over sweat shirts and big hoop earrings. Denim jackets tied round the waist with another crop top and low slung sweats or high waisted denim shorts. Long slit skirts or dresses with a loose fitting shirt over the top. To say the least! Have I missed anything? Probably, but all this is great, in my opinion.

Something about the 90's is so unashamedly colourful and, well, denim. With patch work, bright prints of floral or shapes, and those girly high pony tails or braids. I like the side of it that's also a liiiitle 'hooch', hence the hoop earrings and lip liner. It's fun and funky, just like the music, and can be seen through timeless classics such as these shows and many more. I mean, who can forget 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer" or "Clueless"!?

The last example I want to show you is the beautiful Ashley Banks, from my all time favourite, 'Prince of Bel Air'. When she got older, her style turned truly amaze. For all the reasons and examples mentioned above, just see below. Enjoy.

All images nicked from Google Image Search

Oh, and you can thank me later for this: