NEW YORK, NEW YORK....

This is currently how long my hair has grown to, I am desperately due a cut but I am liking the length for the time being!

Concrete jungle where dreams are made of...

The countdown has well and truly began, it is 5 days until I board the plane and fly off to New York, with the hectic workload I

haven't really allowed myself to get too excited about it but as its quick approaching I am becoming very excited.

I leave on Thursday (2nd December) returning on the Sunday/Monday. I have been trying to organise and think about what I will be doing whilst I am out there.

Having never been to NY before I'm planning to do all the sightseeing including the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, Central Park, Rockefella Centre, Empire State Building ohh and The Sex and The City Tour!!

I have been thinking about what to pack for my trip to NY, I am trying to pack as light as possible as I want to shop and bring as much back as possible. Bearing in mind I

haven't even started my Christmas shopping I plan to get most of it out there.

I have invested in a couple of essentials for the trip including a fur coat which I have been wanting for a long time now. I managed to find one in a new vintage shop that has just opened up down the road from me in Southampton. I have attached a picture of myself in it, its over sized so I have belted the coat for a more defined waist. However it can be worn loose as well, there is also a picture of it loose.

I will be wearing this coat on the plane to save my suitcase and also for warmth. I have also purchased some black high heels for the trip to NY this is because I haven't got any court shoes that would be suitable at uni for nights out in NY. I managed to find these beauties in TKMaxx, anyone that knows me will know I love TKMaxx and swear by it. I always manage to find different

items in there which your unlikely to see anyone else in.

Along with these items I plan to take a couple of dresses for nights out, one pair

of jeans, my jopper type black leggings, cream cords, several pairs of different tights, a couple of skirts, two blouses, one smart blazer, boots, brogues, going out handbag, jumpers, jewellery and anything else I can think of. This is just a rough list I'm certain more will get added when I actually think about it.

Until I go to NY I have to concentrate on my work and getting as much done as possible, I'm sure I will blog about my purchases and my adventures....

Much love

April x x x x

Winter's Here...

So as I am writing this I'm currently summing up today and the winter conditions we were forced to experience. Having to be in uni at 9 is hard enough let alone when it feels like you have monsoon rains beating against your window panes. So this morning was dull and dismal and made me want to jet set somewhere hot.

However now winter is here it now means my autumnish wardrobe can be used to its full advantage. I am hoping to invest in some warmer clothes when I venture to New York in under a month so I will do a full winter blog on what I'm wearing after I return. However there are a few items I am lusting over right now. These cord trousers are from boohoo.com and are only £20 the camel colour is very on trend for this season as well! They come in lots of other fabulous colours too!!

I am hoping I get to buy a new

party outfit for Christmas season as I've been looking at what Lipsy have to offer and they have a great range of differently styled dresses. I love this one shoulder Grecian dress, however it does set you back at £65...

Here is a Tiered Bandeau Jumpsuit, I would love to be able to wear this but I am slightly vertically challenged. But I can still lust over it just not wear it unless I suddenly have a growth spurt.

Until next time where I will be blogging about more things to lust over and it won't be such a delayed wait (uni has been pretty hectic so that is why the blogging has lapsed slightly!)...

Much love x x x

Man I've been lagging.....

Heyyy sorry to have been so bad with keeping up my blogging act life has been far too hectic for my liking. A lot has been going on since my last blog, I finished my first proper week at work experience it was amazing!! I had a really great experience, on the night I arrived I went to Notting Hill for some drinks with the lady I was staying with.

I have attached a picture of the place I went called: Beach Blanket Babylon it was very quaint!

My week consisted of researching upcoming film releases, cd releases, album releases and book releases which were suited to the publication. After working closely with the showbiz team I then went onto working with the fashion team, I was helping to work on the Christmas edition. I was sourcing pictures for the colour themed pages which usually take up 3 double page spreads in this edition. After my busy week of wining and dining and of course working I was given a goodie bag full of treats to thank me for my work during the week!!

After my work experience it was straight back down to Southampton to start back at uni, since then I have been getting to grips with all the work and generally organising my life. I have been on several shopping trips wince being back purchasing new items to rejuvenate my wardrobe for autumn/winter.... I will post a separate blog detailing a few of my top purchases for those of you that wish to know.

Sorry again I promise the next blog will be sooner rather than later :) x x x

Hi hoe hi hoe its off to London I go...

This is just going to be a quick post today as I'm due to depart for London in a few hours and it's all a bit hectic really! I have packed for my week of work experience as best as I can as I'm really not sure what will be worn in the office.

So as a rough guide for those of you who might want to know I have packed my new zara trousers, a black pencil skirt, some blue capri smart trousers and a new black dress that I wore out the other night (see picture)!! As well as that I have packed another dress which may be suitable for a night out, three vests, 2 blouses and a few other tops ohh and two blazers! One black from warehouse which I adore and one from grey from Primark..

Shoe wise I have a black pair of pumps, one set of black heels, a pair of brown brouges and a pair of short ankle boots.

Hopefully what I've packed will be suitable for the week, I am very excited for it now. I wish I had more time to babble on about it all but I really don't.

I have packed my camera and notepad and pen so will be taking notes throughout the week and taking as many pictures as possible.

Much love x x

End of an era

Right so with the end of Big Brother see's a decade of television disappear, I wrote an opinion piece before the show ended and I thought it would be right to post it now as the show has finished, so here goes hope you enjoy:

So with the end of Big Brother nigh what does this mean for the future of reality television? BB as it has been referred to through its airing decade has consumed screens for far too long now.

The BB phase that has taken over the nation’s hearts is finally closing its curtains for the last time. About time too, that curtain needs to stay firmly sealed, the reality series has well and truly strung itself out. Going from BB to Celebrity BB and then a whole show called BBLB about the live show, how many plugs can you get?

Celebrities soon jumped on the bandwagon when the series starting taking off, it was a way to get back in the limelight and rejuvenate a sour career. So much so that the show actually started creating celebrities, through their appearance on the much-watched show. Some of the most prominent celebrities to come out of the programme are: Jade Goody, Brian Dowling and Pete Bennett. All of whom were handpicked because of their quirkiness and what they brought to the show.

After summer’s consumed with non-stop live streaming of the ‘housemates,’ viewers have continuously been glued to the screen year after year. Is it really interesting to watch the housemates cooking dinner or showering? It has clearly entertained the nation for far too long. Although a drop in ratings has ultimately caused the axe of the series, it’s been a long run for Channel 4.

BB has always set the stakes as to what is acceptable in reality television, whilst causing controversy along the way. The Jade Goody vs. Shilpa Shetty racism debate meant the show was in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. It was publicized to the extreme with excessive news coverage, it questioned the sanctity of such a show on television. Even after Jade Goody passed away following her battle with cancer her legacy remains that she shot to fame through Big Brother.

But following the tenth and final series of BB will shows like Coach Trip and Come Dine With Me soon faze out and drop off the radar? The Hills is also coming to an end as it reaches its sixth and concluding season, a show that blurs the lines between reality and scripted drama. Is it really time to get rid of all these shows that everyone seems so fascinated with, if so what’s next?

I think anything that tries to replace such shows will be a shambles; they’ve run their course and now its time to move on. Big Brother will no longer be bringing Divina dressed in… surprise surprise black to our screens anymore. What will replace a highly renowned series? Channel 4 needs to pull spectacular something out of the bag if they’re to keep viewers switching on.

Much love x x

Shop til you drop!

Well last Thursday the shopping trip was a success in the end, I managed to find some narrowed legged trousers, not the Dorothy Perkins ones I mentioned in a previous post however! Instead I was overcome by Zara's new season stock, on entrance to the shop I was enchanted by the new colourways and cuts being displayed.

As a result of Zara holding me hostage in there store (it was my choice really!) I purchased these trousers :) at just £29.99 I was pleased with my choice... Another exciting event for Zara was the launch of there online store last week, it is clean cut and nicely set out. But it means the temptation to buy from there is even higher now as you don't even have to go in store to see what's new.

Another website that is due to launch tomorrow is H&M they will now be selling there goods online too! I enjoy a bit of late night online shopping, there's nothing quite like anticapting the arrival of your new dress or shoes. When your knock at the door (or at uni a piece of paper under the door) arrives it's great.

In Look magazine this week I was reading about women who hire designer clothes, handbags and shoes instead of paying out a lump sum on owning them! I personally think that the idea is great, you get to hire the 'must have' clothes and accesories at a fraction of the cost. The feature is entitled "We Hire All Our Designer Wardrobes" and is really worth a read if like me you will continously lust over outrageously priced items!

One of my all time favourite handbags is the Chanel 2.55 and you can hire this on the website for a month at a time for £130! (quite tempting I must admit)

Click on the picture and it will take you to the site or click here if you fancy a look www.fashionhire.co.uk

Whilst browsing on the site I came across the facilate to buy some of the bags as well, I am guessing these bags have gone out of season an

d they are selling them so they can invest in the hottest bags of the season! This is the Fendi B Bag I loved it when it was first released sometime ago and I still love it now! At £400 it's hard to resist.

The other websites where you can rent items are for a snippet of the high life:

For dresses: www.girlmeetsdress.com

For bags: www.fashionhire.co.uk (as mentioned)

Celeb looks: www.mycelebritydress.com

For shoes: www.cinderella-me.co.uk

Cinderella me website for the hiring of shoes is to die for, I am more than tempted to hire some classic black Christian Louboution shoes. It is a different system here though, you hire for a week at a time. These set you back £80 a week, but imagine the looks you would get, I think it's the red soles on these shoes that capture me! I have already

informed my father that when I get married I want to be wearing Louboutions! He said yes, and that he'll start saving haha!

I highly recommend having a look through these websites, it brightens your day to think you could afford to walk in such shoes (even if it's only for a week!)

I will try and blog again before I go off onto my work experience it starts next Monday and I'm looking forward to it. I am staying with a family friend for the week in her apartment she's a personal stylist at Selfridges so it should be good fun!!

Hope you enjoyed.

Much love x x

Bang on trend

I know I only blogged last night but felt I had enough material to go ahead and blog again tonight, I have been flicking through the weekly magazines today and also online shopping with my eyes of course! I enjoy lusting over something and then when you finally get it you appreciate it so much more but recently my lust for some shorts got too much and I was about to give way and buy them. And then what do you know it, my size is sold out! I even bookmarked the website I was that keen haha!

The shorts would of been ideal for wearing with pumps to my upcoming work experience. I have never really got into wearing shorts but I have seen this particular pair featured in a lot of magazines and I thought they looked quite flattering. So at the moment I am disappointed to say I didn't get one of my lust items but here's hoping they re-stock!! I have put the information

in for those of you who care to indulge in the lusting :)

Whilist I was browsing on the Topshop website I came across a small feature on leopard print, it interested me as I recently treated my self to a Suzy Smith leopard print handbag (naughty I know but it had to be done!) Here is the link to the feature: http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StaticPageDisplay?catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&brdcrmb_trail=&identifier=ts2-weekly-leopard&intcmpid=W_FEATURE_FLP_UK_WK51_LEOPARD_FASHION_FORECAST

Below I am pictured holding the bag at arms length, the quality of the picture isn't great as I took it with my web cam so sorry about that. Also is the article on how even a leopard print accessorise could brighten an outfit and bring it bang up to trend... It can be found on the Topshop website if you care to take a closer look but its worth investing in one piece of leopard

print to enhance your wardrobe if you dare to! I for one am glad I invested in the handbag, my weakness is handbags, shoes and watches!

I am now on the lookout for the next lust item while hoping they will either re-stock those shorts or I will stumble across them in store somewhere. In Look magazine this week I noticed a pair of smartish narrow legged trousers that are a must have from Dorothy Perkins at £28. I plan to take a trip into my nearest shopping centre on Thursday for a bit of late night shopping so I am hoping to get my hands on a pair. They are definitely the sort of trousers that need to be tried on though so I will post a picture if I end up purchasing them but until then I will leave you in suspense.

Hope you enjoyed reading my late night blog...

Much love

x x x x

The bob and innocent show continues...

Pictured is the outfit I wore last night, not too sure about what all the dust particles are about sorry! But it was a sequin number, a bit of razmdaz haha! I hope you like.

Well the bob and innocent scenario came to a grinding head today. I was finally confronted (over facebook of course) because saying things behind a screen is a far better way of releasing your frustrations right?! No I don't think so. Anyway bob went about contacting me and accusing me of talking about her when I was out last night (i have nothing better to do you see).... this of course is a load of BS to put it mildly. I really couldn't give a damn about what the girl is doing and who she is doing it with.

So I of course defended myself and said it as it was, through her cheating and lying actions she has lost a lot of people who were important to her in her life. She managed to alienate her 'friends' by forcing us to live this lie and then as a result she lost the boy she 'loved' who she was also keeping all the lies from. Despite this I don't want people to get the wrong impression of me as I usually don't fall out with many people (painting a great picture of myself I know). I have always been weary of bob though even from a young age back in secondary school. I don't know about you but there always seems to be that one girl that you want to trust but something tells you to be careful, and she is it. Now her true colours have finally shone through and people can see her for what she really is.

I hope this is the last blog I write about bob and innocent, as it must be boring you as it is beginning to bore me! Who needs Eastenders or Hollyoaks when you have your own real life dramas playing out in front of your eyes?! I hope innocent can move on from this chapter of his life and take it on the chin that it wasn't meant to be...

Anyway enough said about all that, it's now 2 weeks until I start my work experience at Women's Own magazine im tres excited about it! I am going to be staying in London with a family friend for a few days (she's actually a personal shopper in Selfridges) so I'm hoping she might show me around London and the places to be! I would love to do a spot of shopping in London also but time wise I don't know if it's going to be possible. I am scheduled to work 10am-6pm days so will see if I can squeeze a little mosey round the shops during my time there!

I don't really have much other news but thought the drama update was necessary, here's to moving onwards with life and leaving those people who bring unnecessary problems and baggage behind. It's sad to say but people move on and grow up its just the way life is, its just horrible to think its been done in such an unpleasant way...

I will leave you with a few snaps of Sunday (last nights) night out! Hope you enjoy marvelling at the outfits, I seem to be a flapper when it comes to getting ready these days throwing outfits around the bedroom and flinging shoes in the hall in complete despair and desperation as to what to wear! I think this indicates it's time for a wardrobe re shake!!! Although I don't think the parentals with be best pleased with this outcome as my clothes are already in the spare room along with supplies of handbags, belts and shoes! But hey hoe!

Anyway until next time,

Much love x x x

Back to reality

The drama seems to have calmed since my last update, bob is no longer a part of my life or any of my friends! I had a great few days recently when I took a road trip down to Southampton, it was one of my best friends and also house mates birthday Ryan.. He was celebrating his tweenteen (he's a bit touchy about no longer being a teenager) birthday. And a messy time was had by all, if I say dancing on the kitchen worktops you can probably understand just how messy it was. We well and truly christened our house :)

I purchased a new dress for the occasion (it had to be done) a white lacy number (i will attach a picture for those of you who may care to see), which I later found was bang on the lace trend of white/cream dresses (similar to wedding dresses in a way) which was featured in Look magazine. I apologise for the belt not being centrally positioned I was under the influence at this stage lol. So I felt relatively pleased with myself after finding that out, I don't tend to follow trends but I buy pieces that suit me and my figure. Like I would not touch a maxi dress as being 5ft 2" I know it would drown me, and skyscraper wedges COULD potentially save such an outfit but I think wearing stilts really is too far haha!

The other outfit of the weekend also featured lace and was borrowed kindly off my sister who is due to return from Thailand after a extended months holiday!! I will attach a picture of this dress also but credit goes to her for this one! Here I am pictured with the birthday boy looking dashing!! The friday night was the warm up for the big saturday night out but both ended up extremely messy!

I love taking short breaks or weekends away as they are always a chance to bring out the best clothes you've been saving for sometime. This year I've had the chance to get a few weekends away to different uni's, I've been to Bournemouth and also Louroughbourough! But I'm hoping next uni year (which commences in a matter of weeks) I will be taking far more road trips as two of my best friends are starting uni this year: one at Bucks and one at Middlesex..

I was reclutant to return back to 'asbo' langley after a truly amazing weekend away, but it's not long until I'm back to uni now. I have some work experience at Women's Own magazine (which is very exciting) on the 13th September for a week and then I'm back to uni for Freshers week!

I've already been thinking about potential outfits for my work experience, the first day I plan to go very smart and then just see what everyone else wears from

there on. I was thinking cute dresses with tights depending on the weather or I have smart trousers which go with most tops. Any ideas then go ahead and share?? Also I am currently in the process of trying to grow my hair, I haven't had it cut for a long while so I'm planning on trying to get it to grow. There is a picture to show how long it currently is, it seems to differ in length as to how curly it is, how annoying!!!

Anyway until next time,

Much love

x x x

Drama drama drama....

Right well in the last week my life seems to be consumed in drama, I often joke and say I feel like I accompanied by my friends could create a juicy episode of the Hills (which I love)!! But NO joke me and my friendlings have enough material to complete an entire series..... (Thanks to Mtv for the image)

It all started when a friend who we shall refer to as 'bob' thought it was ok to go around cheating on her boyfriend who is not at home a lot due to his profession. The reason I'm not giving too much information away is because I do not want more drama to kick off if certain people read this. So anyway 'bob' has gone about cheating on her boyfriend and for arguments sake lets give him a name too... 'innocent'!

On a recent night out 'innocent' came across two friends (I was not there but I am telling the events as they have happened). Were all friends together due to going to the same school together so 'bob' and co will often see 'innocent' and co out and stop say hi have a chat etccc.

Sooo 'bob' of course wasn't on this night out, I'll cut the jibbi jabba out but basically 'innocent' only recently got back with 'bob' and was saying how pleased he was to be back together. And two individual friendlings broke the news that 'bob' had cheated more than once.

As you can imagine the shit well and truly hit the fan, 'bob' and 'innocent' were due to go on holiday together this week of course this was cancelled, 'innocent' finished it all and pretty much went on a rampage.

By rampage I don't mean mad I mean texting and calling people to ensure what he'd been told was true. And of course all of it was, what sick individuals would go as far to create something so in depth such as this up!!

Anyway between 'bob' and friendlings crossed words were said, texts and phone calls made, deletion of friendship off facebook and general unpleasant exchanges.

'Bob' was left stranded in england as 'innocent' jet setted off alone on the holiday they were suppose to share, however no pity or sympathy will be felt from me, she caused this drama and has no one but herself to blame for her crumbling life.

Not only has 'bob' isolated herself from friends but she's also lost her boyfriend as a result as well!

I hope I have entertained those of you that love the drama, I'm just pleased to say usually the drama is around me and not about me and I hope it stays that way.

Just remember you can't eat your cake and have it to!

Anymore drama will be updated on here asap!! I'm sure there will be more to fill you in on.

Much love x x x x x x

Longtimeee

Sorry for the lack of loving, life always seems so hectic... Since my last post I have been to crete with my best friend, it was great just chilling and sunbathing (of course)! Also went out to London for a friends birthday, I still don't know what to think about it.. I had a good time but I didn't get how we were able to get into the club and drink for free?? If anyone would care to enlighten me on how this works then feel free to help me out, because I certainly seem to be struggling.

Other than that I have been busy organising my life, our university house which I'm sure you'll hear plenty more about in the following months is now ours. From monday rent goes out once a month :( and we have a beautiful four bedroom house/flat to call our own. I don't know if you would class it a flat as it has stairs?? But whatever it is its now ours.. mine and three other lucky individuals that have the joy of living with me again for another year!

Im off to cornwall on sat with the rents and pooch (bailey boo) for a week of relaxing I plan to take Alan Carr with me, not literally I think he may protest if I did that but his autobiography. Reading the blurb was enough to get me to read his book, I love him already from watching Chatty Man but I think I fell a bit further when I read a bit of his book!

Until next time, I promise it wont be as long

Much love x x x

Heyy

Hey I'm a newbie to this blogging, but seeing as I'm studying journalism I thought it would be a good idea to own one of these. I often read blogs and a few in particular I read as often as I can, so I hope I can entertain and engage as those bloggers I regularly follow do.

My life is far from simple, this year has made me realise you can't take anything for granted and everyday in itself is a blessing. I don't want this to sound like my life story but I feel that to understand where I'm coming from it's essential to know what has happened to make me think about life so differently. So here goes.... In March 2010 by boyfriend of 5 years passed away suddenly, I don't want sympathy this is not the reason I've chosen to write it on here I just want anyone who reads this blog to know where I'm coming from.

Hense the name for my blog: Life is Life, because it is what it is, I have been dealt this hand in life and now my only option is to try and continue on with my life. Anyway enough about me and my life, in September I will be entering my second year of university at Southampton Solent studying Magazine Journalism and Feature Writing, which I am really enjoying.

I will try and blog as often as is possible or when I have something interesting to share...

Until next time

Much love

April...(it's me in the picture, just incase you wondered sorry for the grumpiness haha!!) x