Beyonce isn't Flawless?

Warning:This post contains shocking images that some readers may find offensive.

Some pictures have been leaked. Pictures that will shock the world. Pictures of...wait for it...Beyonce UNphotoshopped. Say whaaat? Let us all take a minute to process this guys...it's a scandal. Somebody call the police. 

But is it really? 

I wanted to write a post as soon as I came across an article (on none other than the Daily Mail), containing these unretouched photos of Queen Bee from her 2013 L'Oreal cosmetic campaign, 200 of which were recently leaked and removed from one of her fan sites. 

The latest celebrity to be scrutinised for her appearance. Judged for her spots and less than perfect complexion. The fact that these images even have the ability to cause such uproar and horror is shocking in itself (there are surely more important issues...like ISIS overtaking the world...!!) So Beyonce doesn't have 'flawless', unblemished skin. News flash...noone has Barbie-like skin; Beyonce, Miranda Kerr, Jennifer Aniston and all celebrities included. They're human beings like us! Hoorah!

What worries me is that girls are surrounded by these photo-shopped images and have unrealistic ideals of what it is to be 'attractive' or 'pretty' or what the perfect body should look like. I've been there, and if I'm honest, as aware as I am that these images are all computer-made, I still struggle with the whole thing.

Magazine images are so distorted that if you saw the women in the street, chances are you probably wouldn't even recognise them. Trust me, I've seen a bare-faced Cheryl Cole in her trackies and hoody, as far from the glitz and glam she's usually caught up in, and guess what...she's a normal human being with imperfections too. 

So here's what I say...

B, it's okay, I take you for you, yourself and you. I'm still head over heels, crazy in love with you. You're still irreplaceable. I'd still put a ring on it...and a few spots and whiteheads ain't gonna change that!

XOXO

17 THOUGHTS A GIRL ON THE PILL FACES DAILY

Regular sex; always a good thing. The side effects; not so much. 

Who would've thought that such seemingly harmless little circles of innocence could hold so much power. Hormones eh?!

Here's some thoughts I've had daily since I started digesting these badboys two weeks ago: 

1) Why do I feel an irrational urge to eat anything and everything around me?

2) I thought the pill was supposed to prevent pregnancy, not make me resemble pregnant lady.

3) 1000 Activias couldn't beat this bloat. 

4) Extended periods. Oh the joy.

5) My jeans are too tight. 

6) No really. They didn't shrink in the wash and I'm not experiencing the placebo effect. I just got fat. 

7) My poor boyfriend. What if I go crazy and he dumps me for a sexier, thinner sane person. 

8) He's the best. 

9) Brb while I have a little cry for no reason. 

10) Whoever said that your sex drive decreases is cuckoo cray.

11) It's only 99% effective. Oh my god. What if I get pregnant.

12) Note to self: never google medical side effects and spend hours reading through negative forums.  It will not help your situation. 

13) Women are complicated.

14) Don't mess with us. 

15) Someone pass me the wine and chocolate. 

16) Ah, that's better. Choccies and wine solve everything. 

17) I've got this dowwwwn. 

18) He's the best. He's worth these highs and lows. 

XOXO

2014 Reflections & My 2015 Goals

New Year. New Nish. 

I said that last year, along with 95% of the population. 

Looking back at my YouTube video and post on my 2014 resolutions (see here) has been strange and quite frankly, depressing, because not only has it made me miss my long locks, but also serves as a stark reminder that I have failed. Failed to learn to drive. Failed to save money. Failed to travel.

However, I've (sort of) stuck to 3 of the 6 resolutions; I have gymmed 3 times a week (most weeks), continued to develop and write my blog, and am finally starting to get to grips with "eating well", and by this, I mean I have felt less need to 'binge' and yo-yo diet, and am beginning to view my dietery habits as a lifestyle choice. Go me! 

I have also, somehow, against all odds, acquired a boyfriend along the way, and although this was by no means a resolution, I feel that anyone who has been subjected to my endless discussions surrounding 'the one', heard my cries and ultimately seen me embrace the single life like an independent woman (thank God for Destiny's Child), will understand the significance of this milestone. Oh, and FYI, single lyf for the last 4 years…totally my choice. 

Anyway, I wanted to make a list of my goals for 2015 because, well, I always find that writing down a list is a great motivator. This year, I want to steer away from the standard resolutions surrounding weight loss and money goals and make some more personal aims:

1) Learn to drive - I'm taking this baby from last year and carrying it over to this year. I will be behind a steering wheel by December 2015. 

2) Read more books - I don't read as much as I'd like. I am constantly finding new books I'd love to read, but thanks to YouTube and my mild obsession with various fashion / beauty channels which started this year, the publications have become mere ornaments for my pretty plain bedside table. Less YouTube before bed, more reading.  

3) Become more geographically aware - The Christmas period has highlighted just how poor my general knowledge really is, and this does my competitive character no favours. If I lose one more game of articulate / pointless / a pub quiz, I will cry. So I have ordered a world map to stick on my wall. Come 2016, you'll all be begging me to be on your team!

4) Run a half marathon - I've been a keen runner for around 3 years now but rarely run longer than 5km at a time (a mixture of shin splints and disbelief in myself). However, I recently ran the whole of Richmond Park (11.7km) with my auntie, something which I never believed I could do, and now am keen to push myself to run the Richmond half marathon on 22nd March 2015. It's a challenge, but what is life without challenge? 

5) Go on at least one museum trip / theatre trip a month - I live in London. There are a lot of free galleries and museums to be making the most of (and cheap theatre tickets). In 2014, I probably visited about two. This will change.

6) Visit New York - A naive and foolish 20 year old me made my sister a promise that for her 16th birthday I'd take her to New York. Obviously assuming I'd be in a full-time, well paid job with my very own place to live, this seemed attainable at the time. Yeah, young and foolish. But what can I say, I'm an optimist, and by 2016, we will hopefully both have experienced the Big Apple.

7) Develop a new skill - I haven't decided what yet, but I want to try new things. Maybe a dance class, an art class, a course in journalism or coding. I want to continue to learn and develop as a person, and if that means shaking my booty to Beyonce's single ladies or penciling in a naked man's willy at a life drawing class, then so be it!

8) Introduce more structure to da blog - I'm thinking of introducing a weekly post: 'Thoughtful Thurdays'. A post of personal musings where I contemplate and discuss anything from current affairs to inspirational quotes, stories or people I've come across that week. I'm really enjoying writing this little space of mine on the internet and would like to dedicate more time to see it grow and develop by 2016.

SO laterz 2014 and helloooo 2015. I welcome you with open arms.

Again, totally my choice. I mean, getting stuck in the past never did anyone any favours. Except for Taylor Swift. Reliving her roller coaster of relationships has resulted in every girl wanting to be her best friend, every record label wanting to sign her, and every man wishing they could a) be her next 'one' or b) have access to her bank account.

XOXO

New Year's Eve!

NYE. You only have to watch the film 'New Year's Eve' to note the pressure everyone feels to have the time of their lives on this one particular evening. Like the world is about to explode and this is our last chance to party hard. YOLO comes into full effect on New Years Eve. HAM is given new meaning. But mostly, the overwhelming hype surrounding the last day of the year leaves me feeling a mixture of exhaustion, excitement and mild anxiety (pretty much like how I feel when I'm running a tad late...this reference is for you Kate Dooley).

NYE also happens to coincide with one of ma besties birthdays: Happy birthday Charl!

As I've got older, we've come to realise that less pressure= more fun. So this year we made some vague plans and decided to see where the night took us!

It took us: to winter wonderland (more specifically, to the mulled wine and cider at the bar), a Thai restaurant in Soho which conveniently advertised itself as 'permanently closed' online (a blessing in disguise as it meant we could make a verrry last minute booking), an interesting, some would say 'edgy' house party / renovated warehouse in Camden (my words when we entered: guys, we need to pretend to be cool), and of course, a kebab shop; the perfect end to a pretty perfect night <3

Shout outs to some special people:

This babe and our standard pre-night picture outside of my house (but the first outside the new abode!)

Special shout out to this girl, Kate Dooley. Thanks for all the blog advice and stalking. And of course for enlightening me on the existence of Robson Green. Keep on reeling those bad boys in Kate. 

These two beauties. Always got my back. Always keeping it real. Too much love.

And lastly, a shout out to this dude who has made the last few months of 2014 a whole lot brighter! (When did I get so cringe?)

Cheers to 2015 everyone! Lets do this. 

XOXO

The Christmas Jumper Post

The  festive season is here!!!

Streets are brighter than the moon (thanks for the metaphor Katy Perry), bobble hats and fur coats are spotted at every corner, the 'snood' is making a comeback, supermarket shelves are stacked with mince pies and turkeys and it becomes acceptable to eat chocolate every day for breakfast (dairy milk advent calendar always). 

Also, the words 'warm' and 'sweet' become terms we can temporarily associate with getting crunk and not just with our grandma. Mulled wine is the one. 

So in true Christmas spirit, I recently went "Christmas Jumper shopping". This is a thing...we all know it. Christmas jumpers are great for two reasons: 

1) They speed up the 'what do I wear' process ten fold. Whack it out, throw it on, and best of all, have an excuse for the cheap novelty statement piece you're rocking that day...It's Christmas baby and if I want to dress like a Christmas pudding I will #WORD

2) They hide that dreaded Christmas Day food baby. Come to think of it, they hide the general seasonal tum which tends to develop amid the several Christmas parties, Winter Wonderland trips, pub times and movie nights (most likely Love Actually with homemade pudding and hot chocolate at the ready). The Christmas period is just one big celebration. It's what Jesus would have wanted. 

This year I bagged not one but two knitted balls of joy so obviously felt the need to share with y'alll in case, ya know, you've been hiding under a rock all season and have yet to pick yours up.

1) The Disney Jumper 

I spotted this in Primark and knew it had to be mine. It felt only right that during Christmas the Adam and Eve of Disney remained close to my heart. And, I know I'm no Minnie Mouse guys, but the big gold hair bow brings me one step closer (I also feel like this is something ma bae Ariana Grande would wear which made it twice as appealing). 

I Am Wearing

Jumper - Primark 

Skirt - Topshop 

Boots - Miss Selfridge 

Bow - Tiger 

Nails - Kate Spade in 'Big Apple Red' & Barry M Glitter in 'Jingle Bells'

Lips - Rimmel Lip Liner in 'East End Snob' & Rimmel Apocalypse in 'Celestial'

Ring - Topshop (ancient) 

2) The Pug Jumper 

Oh my God, well it was love at first sight with this jumper from Tu at Sainsbury's, believe it or not (who knew they even had a clothing line?!)

Pugs. In Santa hats.

Until I get the real thing in the future, this jumper will have to do. I really do love it and would wear it all year round if I could. In fact, nothings stopping me. Genius Nish strikes again...fave jumper 4 lyf.

I Am Wearing

Jumper - Tu at Sainsbury's 

Wet Look Leggings - Missguided 

Boots - Topshop

Bobble Hat - Topshop

Fluffy Headband - Primark

Eyeshadow - Maxfactor Excess Shimmer in 'Bronze'

Lipstick - Rimmel Lip Liner in 'Red Diva' & Mac's 'Russian Red'

14 days till Christmas guys. Going HAM. 

XOXO 

23 Going on 30

This post is gets a bit deep so get your snorkels at the ready peeps! 

Today I woke up with a weird feeling in my tummy. This sometimes happens, and I can't really explain why. No sudden tragedy has occurred. I hadn't had any nightmares. Christmas is coming (my favourite time of year!!) and I spent a lovely, chilled Sunday with the family shopping for furniture for the new crib followed by a big up roast. So why did I wake up with this sense of overarching emptiness? 

Whilst reading Glamour mag just now, I came across an interesting article about turning 30 and it inspired me to write a blog post. I know I'm 7 sweet years away from the big 3-0, but being a job-hunting 23 year old in this recovering economy with an overcrowded jobs market and house prices higher than Bob Marley, I can defo relate!

It dawned on me that there are two possible reasons for the empty feeling this morn (besides the hunger pangs and Monday vibes, obviously) 

1) The predictability of life! 

By this, I mean the fact that there is a societal pressure for people to live a certain way. The status quo is to go to university, get a good job, work hard, meet the one, get a promotion, get married, buy a house and start a family. 

Where's the spontaneity? Currently, I can tick off one of this long list of eight. But what if we don't conform to this list? Does this mean our life is less fulfilled? Currently I guess I'm feeling pretty unsatisfied because I am nowhere near ticking off the 'to do-list of life'. But hey, sometimes I need to remember that I am only 23...so I'm practically still in nappies, right? 

2) The uncertainty of the future!

This may sound contradictory, but whilst the idea of inevitably falling into the generalised way of life and ticking off the above to-do list scares me, so does the uncertainty of it all. What if I don't reach my potential in life? What if I settle for someone for the sake of settling? What if I die tomorrow?

...We can't look into a crystal ball and see what our future looks like, and although tempting at times, I don't think I'd want to! 

A few stats stood out to me in the Glamour article that made me feel a whole lot more relaxed about my current sitch: 

1) 56% of readers aged 29-30 are less financially secure than they expected to be and 12% have moved back in with their parents (!!) 

2) Given the choice between a promotion of the chance to travel for six months, 54% would opt for travel.

3) 90% of 29-30 year olds haven't met the right person yet 

4) Only 50% of 29-30 year olds feel ready for children

So basically, for all those 20-something year olds like me who worry about the direction (or lack of) their lives are taking...I say we need to stop worrying about the future and start concentrating on the present. After all, isn't that what YOLO is all about?! 

XOXO

OOTD: Bambi Skirt, Backless Top & Black Boots

Oh heyyy, 

It's been a while and there have been two main developments since my last post.

1) I moved house

2) I met a boy

Finally hitting the life goals people. If only the house was actually mine and not my parents'...

Saturday night ended up with a trip to good old Infernos in Clapham. I wish I could say this wasn't planned...that it was a last resort...that the rest of the high street had burned down and it was literally the only place left...but I'd be lying. I'd also be hiding the fact that I am secretly in love with the place. The top 40 tunes just complete it for me. When it comes to music, the cheesier the better!!! Where else would blast a load of 90s tunes all night long?! S Club, Backstreet Boys...I felt like I was back at the school disco. 

After a chaotic attempt at taxi ordering, (unintentionally) hijacking another persons ride and a declaration that we should be 'brave rabbits and not scared bunnies' (who am I though?), we reached our destination. 

Highlights of the night include:

1) The FISH in their extravagant tanks casually chilling in the middle of the club. 

2) The cocktails bigger than my big O'Connor head. No really...

3) The dance moves. Take that Jagger.

4) The snapchats. I mean, there should be a button that temporarily deletes the wannabe Whitney in me from my story after an alcoholic bevvy or two. But then again, where's the fun in that? 

Outfit of da night: 

I've been really into the whole A-line skirt and knee high boot combo recently (when I decide I like something...I latch, and this is defo the latest victim of my clinging tendencies).

I spotted this beautiful felt bambi skirt on the Topshop website and travelled far and wide to find it (okay...well Knightsbridge...but it's outta ma South West endz!). They had one left in my size. It had to be fate. I urge you to buy it if you find it as it is incredibly hard to track down...trust me. 

No back means no bra (Note to self: step away from the plasters and buy yourself a backless bra woman!!)

I Am Wearing

Top - Asos 

Skirt - Topshop (buy here)

Boots - Miss Selfridge (buy here)

Watch - Michael Kors (buy here)

Bag - Michael Kors (buy here)

Bracelets - Topshop 

Rings - H&M

Eyeshadow - Lorac Pro Palette 2 'Beige' 'Rose' & 'Plum' (buy here)

& Bourjois in '17 Prune' (buy here)

Lipstick - Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in 'Dark Night Water-Oops' (buy here)

Eyelashes - Tanya Burr 'Girls Night Out' Lashes - (buy here)

Nails - 'Sass Pot' from the Ciate Haute House Collection (buy here)

& Topshop Glitter varnish in 'Klaxon' (buy here)

Special shout out to the new love in my life, my Michael Kors handbag (Soz Kris, I know ya got excited)

XOXO 

How We Do (Party)

Those of you who know me will know that a few of my favourite things are my family & friends, singing & dancing...and drinking. So of course I was very excited for another reason to embrace all of the above on the special occasion of Lynda's 60th birthday (my dads cousins' wife). Who else can relate to having a bigger extended family than the brady bunch? I guess it comes with being of Irish descent...my grandad was the youngest of 11! Ratings to my great grandmother for squeezing eleven children out of her lady parts. Ouch.

My dad, sister, granny, another one of dads cousins and I crammed into a cosy (crowded) car and set off for Rugby yesterday afternoon. Fact of the day: the sport, rugby, originated there. Who'd have thought eh?

Four hours later, we dragged our limp limbs out of the car and leapt up the stairs to get ready to partay. I love staying in new places: the hotel was holding a wedding reception and obvs had me day dreaming about my big day, one day, with the one.

After a rush of makeup re-application, a panic at the thought I might have to rock my Nike frees to the party as I couldn't find my platforms (turns out they were in the back of the car boot) and a minor squabble with the sis (standard), we headed to the bar Lynda and Johnny had hired out in a coach which bought back memories of my aunty's wedding last year. 

The dance floor lit up with disco lights and the *free* drink flowed (the perks of partying with your nearest and dearest!) 

Highlights of the night: 

My uncle John trying his first sambuca shot...

and this reaction...

My sister wanting to spend time with me (15 and she wears the trousers in our relationship)... 

My little cousin Dolly aka Buzz lightyear. She sure did rescue that dancefloor at the start of the night...

Johnny's speech for Linda. The. Cutest. Ever. Forget the bass...it's all about that love, Meghan Trainor. 

The food. Oh my, I've never tasted anything quite like those cheesey potato skins. They'll be on my mind for a long long time (I was too busy eating it to take pictures). 

My dad singing (this is unheard of).

My granny's Irish dancing. She's just so great.

The DJ's enthusiasm (Megan!)

...and this face...

Some more snaps...

I do love ma fam.

Hope everyone had an enjoyable Friday! Is it just me or has this month gone insanely quick? 

XOXO