Playlist. #1

Better Off Without You - Summer Camp

Can't Stand Me Now - The Libertines

Evening / Morning - Bombay Bicycle Club

Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepson

Baba O'Riley - The Who

Right Thru Me - Nicki Minaj

Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap

Too Young To Kill - Brite Futures

Not Coming Home - Maroon 5

I Still Remember - Bloc Party

Want U - Lo-Fi-Fnk

I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You - Black Kids

Kiss Me - Rediscover

LSF - Kasabian

LYMH.

This weekend...

Marcus played golf whilst I avoided revision like the plague... 

Guess which are England and which are America? :)

LYMH.

forgive us for what we have done because we are young.

I'm so late to the hype but Young by Tulisa has become my sunshine anthem the past couple of days. I didn't even like the song at first but now I'm obsessed! It makes me think of beaches and laughter and friends and dancing and SUMMER.

Image Credit - 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5


Can't wait to finish my exams and begin my summer. 

LYMH.

A couple of summery days.

We might be 3000 miles apart but we've both been getting some nice weather recently...

(From top left, clockwise) My sister & I whilst out shopping in Manchester, my uncle's dog enjoying the sunshine, a picture he sent me whilst he was having dinner by the canal, him driving home with a rather pretty sunset, out for a lunch in Boston and a pic from his recent lacrosse trip.

Needless to say his photos recently have been more interesting than mine! However, I did have a lovely time out with my sister and may have spent a few more pennies than I should have done... damn you Zara!

LYMH.

Christmas 2011: London

When you mention to 99% of American's that you're from England, their first response is to assume that you live in London. Their second response is often something to do with the Queen/Royal Wedding/Drinking lots of tea.

So yeah, when Marcus visited for the very first time he was always going to want to go to London and see the sights. We only went for a few days and even though we didn't get time to do half the things I wanted to, I still think he got a good idea of the capital and it's delights.

One of our first stops was Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. I adored seeing the crown jewels again (such a sucker for anything sparkly) and all the history of the Tower is amazing.

And of course, a trip to London wouldn't be the same without a flight on the London Eye. 

On our last day we met up with some of our friends from camp for drinks. Was weird but lovely to see people again. I hope I return some day because I met some amazing people and hopefully we'll all stay in touch for years to come!

So there are some of my pitiful pictures from our time in London. I'm so bad at remembering to take pics - I will get better! Still, we had such a good time and I'm so glad we got to spend a few days with just each other for company.  

LYMH.

Christmas 2011: Liverpool

After the hectic rush of Christmas we spent a day recovering, enjoying spending time in each others company and eating a lot of Christmas chocolate. Chill time was good but as Marcus was only in England for 10 days, I knew that we should make the most of the time and so along with my parents we set off for an afternoon in Liverpool. 

We did The Beatles museum, walked around the docks and then went for a browse around Liverpool One. I love The Beatles and I've been to the museum a few times so knew what to expect but I think Marcus enjoyed it. I think they've really hit the right balance of information, memorabilia, reconstructions etc. and it makes for a really nice trip. If you haven't been and get the chance then do!

LYMH.

10 ways to avoid essay writing:

 

1. Go shopping/ shop online 

2. Bake cupcakes 

3. Tidy bedroom/bathroom/kitchen etc. meticulously 

4. Try on your wardrobe and create new and interesting outfit combinations

5. Do some good ol' Facebook stalking 

6. Paint your nails 

7. Write a letter to your boyfriend/friend/relative/anyone 

8. Catch up on reality tv (Made in Chelsea is the best at the mo!) 

9. Take a nap 

10. Write a blog post on 10 ways to avoid writing an essay 

 Oops!

LYMH.

Christmas 2011

For Christmas 2011, I stole Marcus away from his family and he flew to stay with me in England. It was the first time he had ever ventured out of the USA/ Canada (he didn't even previously have a passport to my amazement) and so I was determined to make sure he had a really good visit. 


He flew into Manchester on the morning of Christmas Eve and I swear I felt like I was in the final scene of Love Actually. Arrivals is genuinely the most adorable place. I remember stood waiting for Marcus, butterflies in my stomach, watching all these scenes of family reunions, boyfriends with flowers and thinking how lovely it is to be reminded of all love around us (yes, cheesy but yes, true). Anyway, he came through the doors and as usual I was the happiest girl in the world with him around.


The poor boy got an afternoon of rest before we started 'lets meet Laura's entire family in 2 days'... he was a trooper :)


Christmas Eve/Day/Boxing Day were lovely and it was so nice to have him with me after so long apart! The pictures are from our Christmas dinner - we go out these days because it's so much less hassle but my whole family is always there! Our table is generally the biggest!

LYMH.

20 years old.

I turned 20 a week ago and celebrated with an American themed party. Dressing up was mandatory and some of my friends were hilariously inventive. Best costume of the night definitely went to 'Little Miss Texas' who had me in stitches with her impression of the brats on Toddlers and Tiaras! My girls were amazing and decorated our flat with American themed posters, handmade American bunting (which now has pride of place in my room it's that good) and just generally ensured that my birthday was fab. I love you girls! I dressed as a lax bro but really it was more of an excuse for me to wear my pinny I stole off Marcus seeing as it became my favourite thing to wear ever last summer!

I'd love to post more photos but I really don't think some of my friends would appreciate it! Lets just say that after a few rounds of flip cup and smack that, the party got interesting! 

Still can't believe that I'm 20 though... where the hell does time go?!?!

LYMH.

You're not 19 forever...

Today is my 20th birthday! I can't believe I'm not a teenager any more, twenty sounds so old. 

LYMH.

My Travel Essentials:

In the past year I've been on more flights than probably the rest of my life put together. I don't mind flying at all but you do learn a few things about how to make trips more comfortable! So here you go: Travel essentials according to yours truly...

Clockwise from top left:


* Earphones with remote and mic - £26 - Apple 
Okay so yes they give you earphones on the plane with long-haul flights. However, they're uncomfortable and uncool and you should just save yourself the pain and bring your own!


* Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Complexion Highlighter - £22.50 - John Lewis Online
The saviour of my face. I do not look great after 14 hours of travelling, yet this little marvel seems to brighten up my complexion enough to make me feel outwardly presentable (even if inside I'm channelling 'rough-as-fcuk').

* Bassett's Sherbet Lemons - £3.39 - Amazon UK
**Replace with favourite sweets as desired** No one likes that ear popping sensation so suckable sweets are a must for take off and landing. Sherbet Lemons are my current favourite!

* Knitted Crew Neck Boxy Cardi - £28 - Topshop
I love cardigans on long flights. Easy to slip on and off (seeing as I range from absolutely dying after sprinting to my connection to freezing my ass off when the cabin temperature is arctic) and can easily be bundled up as a makeshift pillow if needs be. 


* Marc Jacobs Daisy Petite Flower On the Go Eau De Toilette, 20ml - £22.50 - John Lewis Online
Smells divine and perfectly travel-sized. Marc Jacobs, I love you. Simple.


* All Change Passport Holder - £5 - Paperchase
I love passport holders and this one is especially cute. Okay so it's not technically essential but still, I'm including it, shoot me.

LYMH.

Morning Skype sessions.

Some mornings I'm just not in a talkative mood. Most mornings I look like crap. Other mornings I'm bright and breezy, all fired up to take on the world.

Today I wasn't talkative but that didn't matter. I just like knowing he's there and saying good morning. I like being able to say 'have a good day at work'.

Little things in our routine but ones that mean the most.

LYMH.