THE CHRISTMAS PLAYLIST

Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!
Hi everyone, I hope you're all having a propa good mid December weekend. Today I haven't done a great deal of importance, other than watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and eat like, 12 biscuits. I appreciate I haven't blogged much in the past fortnight or whatever, but it's been Christmas and I've been steering clear of the obvious festive themed posts because everyone does them. But then it hit me! A Christmas themed Dance Party. Knowing full well I've got my Christmas party, Christmas, mini festivities and New Years coming up, I won't have time to do a December edition, so why not now? And why not the SINGLE BEST FESTIVE PLAYLIST YOUR LITTLE ELF EARS WILL HEAR?! Featuring my all time favourite festive tune What Are You Doing New Years Eve? and a really good Bruce Springsteen number, 'appeh christmis. 

1// Alone on Christmas Day by Phoenix

2// Only You by Kylie Minogue and James Corden

3// Kindle a Fire in Her Heart by Los Campesinos!
4// Merry Christmas, Baby by Bruce Springsteen

5// I've Got Something For You by Best Coast and Wavves

6// Home For Christmas by Kate Bush

7// The Power of Love by Frankie Goes to Hollywood (SUE ME)

8// Don't Shoot Me Santa by The Killers

9// Christmas TV by Slow Club

10// What Are You Doing New Years Eve? by Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt

SO YES ITS SO FESTIVE AND FUN AND REALLY COOL. What do we think? Have you got any more tinsel wrapped tunes I've missed?

HAPPY CHRISTMAS CEREAL READERS 

Cheerio,

Hope x

THE DANCE PARTY - VOLUME 6

HI YOU
Merry December friends and colleagues. I hope you're all feeling festive and warm and it doesn't take you hours to get home in the traffic, like it did me tonight. Boo. Anyway, to warm ya cockles it's time for The Dance Party! A couple of days late yes and not particularly Christmassy YET, but still good and full of CHOONS.

1// Old Old Fashioned - Frightened Rabbit

2// Swapping Spit - Big Deal

3// Cadillac Girl - Only Real

4// Fade Away - Twin Peaks

5// Say You'll Be There - MØ

6// The First of the Gang to Die - Morrissey

7// The Hills - The Weeknd

8// Take Me Over - Cut Copy

9// The Medic - Foxing

10// In an Aeroplane Over the Sea - Neutral Milk Hotel

Music is great right? This selection is particularly cool because it's a lot of what I really love (Danish electro covers of the Spice Girls, hell yes). ITS A GOOD MONTH FOR MUSIC THANKS SPOTIFY.

Heard anything cool recently?

Cheerio,

Hope x

I DON'T HAVE AN ADVENT CALENDAR SO SOMEONE HAS TO PAY

HI EVERYONE
I know I've been a little MIA the past couple of weeks or so, but work has been a massive priority recently! But here I am again, ready to blow ya damn minds with some truly high quality content. I hope.
SO unless you live in a cave or don't have any concept of time (if so I want in), it's nearly blinkin' Christmas! And Hanukkah! And Kwanzaa! BLIIIIMEY HOW EXCITING. Seeing as every paper and magazine under the sun is doing a gift guide, I thought I'd join in the fun. I've tried my best to find things for boys because as not a boy, I struggle so hopefully there's a little something for everyone. Also my brother helped. 

1. New Balance 420 Navy and Pink Suede Trainers - £60 ASOS
I love trainers, more than I love heels I reckon. I mean I love a good heel, but trainers are top of the pops for me. I love my mint NB's but have been lusting after these bad boys since I saw them floating around Pinterest. Mega cool. 

2. Rifle Paper Co. Birch Floral 2016 Planner - Around £15 Rifle Paper Co.

Since I've now got a proper job and wake up at 6am to earn money every day, I feel the time has come to be more organised. I have long loved stationery and Rife Paper Co, make some really cute bits and bobs to make your desk look super nice. 

3. ALDO Bossy Box Clutch - £22.50 ASOS

SALE ITEM ALERT SALE ITEM ALERT. I am in love with this bag, it's so quirky and sassy and a little bit badassy. Also I need a bag for the Christmas party so maybe I'll buy this for myself by then. Yeah, I'm gonna do that.

4. Penny Nickel Complete Skateboard - £99 Skatehut

I'm not expecting anyone to actually buy me a Penny board, and actually if I ask my parents they'll probably just tell me to find the Globe board I lost in the garage sometime over summer. But I kinda got good on that and if I get a replacement, a Penny would do me alright. Thanks.

5. Frends Layla Rose Gold Leather Headphones - £119 Frends

Extremely ostentatious, especially unnecessary and massively lavish, they're pretty though, right? 

6. Parks and Recreation Pencil Set - £4 LaLaLand

Stationery and Aziz Ansari, two of my favourite things have come together in these pencils. If you're not singing the Bye Bye Li'l Sebastian song right now, you're doing Parks and Rec wrong. 

Okay so the whole "boy" section is a bit nerve wracking because I don't know how to buy things for boys in general and sort of went along the lines of "well if I were a boy.." and also asked my 14 year old brother. It's alright though I suppose?

1. Vans Old Skool Trainers - £52 ASOS

My brother has a pair of these and I always want to steal them. Though he is 11 and has the shoe size of an 11 year old boy. I think the old skool Vans is a bit more unexpected, in a way, than white Chucks (although they're always cool). And also they look pretty smart too, so I reckon you could get away with being more formal with an outfit when wearing these bad boys.

2. NYT. 36 Hours. Europe - £20 Amazon

Travelling is fun right? EVERYONE BLOODY LOVES TRAVELLING! This travel guide to Europe's biggest and best cities is fast paced, fun and a total must have for anyone looking to escape for a couple of days. Or 36 hours to be exact.

3. ASOS Bobble Beanie in Mustard - £10 ASOS

Yellow is my favourite colour and everyone needs a hat. This one is a bit quirkier than your standard navy blue bobble and I love how it seems really oversized on the model meaning it's exxxxxxtra cosy and warm. If I chose two more hats, it'd be a hat-trick but this is good enough. 

4. Uppercut Deluxe Hair Matt Clay Gift Set - £35 ASOS

My brother loves Uppercut products so this seemed a no brainer to me. The shampoo smells minty fresh and I have been known on occasion to borrow a blob of conditioner because it's so hydrating and smells so nice. It comes with a matte clay for styling too which is awesome for guys with no knowledge of hair products beyond V05 gel. 

5. Lomography Havana Lomo'Instant Camera - £129 Urban Outfitters

Yes it's expensive and yes it's also lavish AF but I love cameras and this one is like my expensive Diana Lomo and my also expensive Polaroid Instax had a baby and it's so pretty. And I mean if you're going to travel Europe with the NYT book, you'll need something to document your time right?

So what do we think? Any other Christmas gift ideas you can think of? 

Cheerio,

Hope x

22 LESSONS, 22 YEARS

HAPPY THURSDAY CEREAL FANS

We all know what that means, it's nearly the weekend and tonight is bonfire night! I've been a poorly bun today so getting an early night and catching up on Catastrophe is an excellent end to the day.

So I thought today I'd talk a little about life lessons. It was something that I thought about recently after a bout of spot prone skin and a misjudged attempt at flirting. What, after 22 years on this planet, have I learnt about life? What can I tell my sister when she's older to save her from the embarrassments I went through? How do I explain without using inappropriate stories that start with "well we were really hammered..." the things I wish I'd have known? Well it turns out after those 22 years, I've picked up a few bits here and there, and thought I'd share them, without recounting tales that end "...and that's why you should carry wet wipes with you when clubbing". There's a story there, trust me.

1// Pasta solves all kinds of sadness.
2// Failing that, cheese on toast will work.
3// Everyone has an awkward stage. You are not exempt. Just deal with it but trying to stand out by not brushing your hair and earning the nickname Justin Lee Collins isn't going to help.
4// DRINK MORE WATER
5// Carry flats in your bag. You will appear shorter and less on point perhaps but you won't have to face the humiliation of your housemate telling you you're too heavy to carry home. There is a story here.
6// Be eccentric and off the wall and take the word "weirdo" as a compliment.
7// If your dentist tells you not to eat apples when you have braces, for the love of god don't eat apples. Trust me.
8// Buying slogan t-shirts sounds like a good idea now, but give it two months. This rule does not apply to band t-shirts. Good bands only.
9// The best advice ever is that Roald Dahl quote. "I began to realize how important it was to be an enthusiast in life...lukewarm is no good"
10// Persevere.
11// Stop worrying about looking stupid. If you want to do it, bloody do it. See below.

Here she is throughout history, demonstrating number 11.

12// Immerse yourself in the moment. You'll only kick yourself later if not.

13// Invest in a good foundation. If you're me and can't apply blush/bronzer without looking like a scruffy clown (not even a well put together clown), a proper foundation will suit you enough to go without.
14// If your mum thinks you need a swipe of lipstick, just put the lipstick on. She's probably right.
15// SEE THE WORLD
16// Friends who don't stick up for you or listen are not friends. Get rid. Friends who don't judge you ARE friends. Keep.
17// Boys are fickle. Stop caring about them. 
18// Read, read, read, read, read. 
19// Listen to music too. And watch films. Let them shape you. Listen to Taylor Swift and Black Sabbath and everything in between if you want. 
20// Life is too short not to eat biscuits.
21// A pair of classic white Chuck Taylors work with any and every outfit.
22// Make your own rules. 

So there we have it! Just a small teensy bit of what I've picked up on my 22 years of bad jokes, too much chocolate, memorised Lady Gaga dance routines and online shopping. I've skimmed over the truly horrifically embarrassing things I've learnt and could've gone on for another 22 items about how not to talk to boys but once again, horrifically humiliating. Have you learnt anything you wish you'd known sooner?

Until next time, 

Cheerio,

Hope x

THE DANCE PARTY - VOLUME FIVE

Gooooooood evening Vietnam and rest of the world! Hi.
Where did the month of October go? It feels like only five minutes ago I started working and did the usual "pinch punch" with a 3spoopy5me twist, now all of a sudden I'm doing Secret Santa and buying a woolly hat, what?
So whilst we all reminisce about the last 22 days since September ended, shall we listen to some music? Spotify has been acting weird recently and I haven't liked many of the suggestions on the Discover Weekly playlist, but it has forced me to go and find some really good stuff I do love! Some oldies, some newies, some inbetweeners and one of the guys I went to school with, it's all in there. ENJOY CEREAL FANS!

So what do we think, sports fans? Heard anything good yourselves lately?
Cheerio,
Hope x

ELLEGIRL: AN OPEN LETTER TO THE MAKERS OF ELLE UK

Dear Lorraine Candy and the team at ELLE UK.
Hi guys, hope you're well. I appreciate this might be a little out of the blue for me, a somewhat lowly fashion marketeer from the East Midlands to be writing you, the biggest women's magazine in the UK such a letter, but after I was in the audience of Lorraine's Q&A at The Guardian on Monday, I felt inspired to write you this letter.
Firstly, hi Lorraine, you're fab.  I really liked your chat on Monday at the Guardian, and your lipstick was a fantastic colour. Listening to you give advice to the audience and make some truly compelling points about the feminsim issue (which I dutifully bought after the class, of course), you mentioned that you've been editor in chief at ELLE for 11 years. Now I'm no mathematician - that's why I studied languages at uni - but if I'm right, that makes your first year there 2004. 2004 was a funny year for me. I was eleven, I'd moved to middle school where I wore a really ugly uniform, my second brother was born and I had started to become interested in things. These things included finding out how much chocolate I could fit in my mouth without damaging my retainer, the movie Josie and the Pussycats and ELLEgirl magazine.
Which brings me to the meaning of this letter, LC and gang. What happened to ELLEgirl? And more importantly, can we have it back? 
Maybe I should start this massive plea with a little background on why I loved ELLEgirl when I was younger. EG (as I shall now call it to save my fingers typing) was the best teen girl magazine going. Yes, Teen Vogue was awesome and I also collected that. For a while I enjoyed Seventeen, and yeah, Borders used to stock J-17, but nothing could compare. EG had it all. The clothes I wanted, make up that I wished I could own, articles that shook me that I can still remember today. EG had tours of celebrities homes, interviews with girls about stem cell research and a weekly column by Peaches Geldof that I read religiously, poring over the stories about her friendship with Kelly Osbourne and always looking at the credits on her pages to find out where she bought her clothes from. More specifically, those boho beads that everyone and my mother had in the mid 2000's. EG was full of music, bands I loved, up and coming Canadian singers and the newest album from indie rock bands featured on The OC. All the models in EG had glitter on, and the cover stars were always my favourites. Whereas my mum's copies of ELLE saw Nicole Kidman and Gwyneth Paltrow grace the cover, my issues featured Mischa Barton, Natalie Portman and Gwen Stefani. Covers I ripped from the magazine to stick to my bedroom walls alongside my posters of Fall Out Boy and Nick Jonas (but that's another story for another time). The pages smelt of Davidoff Cool Water and there was something from ASOS on every page.
EG came with the BEST free gifts, guys. A pair of absolutely iconic orange and silver glittery socks were worn until they had holes in and a neon orange plaited belt which, at EG's suggestion, was worn around my neck and attached to my belt loops as a pair of braces. To say I was a fashion rule breaker at age 11 is an understatement, and something I wish my sister could appreciate, rather than referring to my culottes as "clown trousers".
Speaking of my sister, she's seven and already a truly fussy mini me. She, one day will buy magazines just as I did, and just like me, learn from them. Only this time, the advice gifted unto me by other readers of EG will not be available to my sister. Jess from Southend will not write in and advise readers to dry their hair upside down and simultaneously douse with hairspray for "beadhead chic" extra volume. She won't read a letter from Louise in Preston suggesting that you plunge your nails in cold water after painting them to get them to dry quicker. INVALUABLE ADVICE FOR THE MODERN AGE I KNOW. 
So what do you say, guys and girls of ELLE, UK? I know it's a big ask, but I'll do it if you want me to! I volunteer, Lorraine, you don't have to worry about a thing, I just want the cool teen magazine back I loved eleven years ago. If not just for me, then do it for my sister, who deserves to know how to do a French braid and wear blue eyeliner one day.
With all the best humour, love and true dedication and admiration for ELLE and EG,
A real ELLE girl,
Hope. x

KHALEESI HAIR GUIDE

HAPPY SUNDAY BREAKFAST CLUBBBB (still figuring out these cereal based introductions)
Today I thought I'd try something a little different and talk a bit about my hair, which has been every shade of blonde possible, it's crackin'.
My favourite way of having my hair is icy white blonde, something that may or may not have happened after I read Game of Thrones and decided I wanted to be Daenerys Targaryen. Which I really truly do. 
It's no surprise that my hair takes a hell of a lot of upkeep and trips to the hairdressers (Hey M&I!). But after 22 (nearly, there was those times when I was ginger and brunette) of being a blondie, I've learnt what works for my hair and how to use it, so I thought it'd be cool to share that with any other blondes or aspiring Khaleesis!!

1. BaByliss Natural Bristle Brush - I can't find evidence of this online anymore irritatingly, but it's very similar to the Denman's natural bristle brush which is on sale in Boots. Natural bristles mean less breakages to hair when styling it which is fab because my hair is naturally frizzy and all over the place. I also think it speeds up drying time, winner winner! 

2. Lee Stafford Golden Girl Oil - Okay be prepared for a lot of Lee Stafford in this post. I LOVE HIM. I've only recently bought this oil, but have already fallen in love and wondered how I've managed to cope without it. I have stupendously thick hair and conditioner likes to glue itself to my scalp and make my hair look gross and like straw at the midlengths and ends. Which is where this bad boy comes in! I use a pump on my wet hair and then dry it immediately It makes my hair feel so much less weighty and dull, I'm like a VS model.

3. Lee Stafford Hot Shots - Another LS product, this is my favourite. These sachets of purple treatments are lifesavers in between trips to the hairdressers. I use them every other time I wash my hair and instantly feel better about life when I have. Use them after shampooing to refresh your colour and stop those horrific brassy tones. It's like having a toner each time I use them, I cannot recommend them enough, lovelovelove.

4. Lee Stafford Bleach Blonde Shampoo - I love when I have my hair different tones. I've had blue, peach, pink and even purple, one of my faves. This shampoo is like a godsend for us bleachies and use it enough, it can add a little purple tinge to your locks, bonus! If that's not your style though, still go for it, used once a week and with the Hot Shots, it keeps everything looking bright and beautiful!

5. Toni & Guy Prep Heat Protection Mist - THIS IS IMPORTANT. I can't tell you how much of a difference I can see between using this spray and not. Blonde breaks more easily than brunette hair and if you're a slave to your straighteners, you're gonna need this! Rather than fry your hair, T&G mist protects against the damage caused with styling and stops that horrible scarecrow frizz I was so familiar with before I discovered it. 

6. GHD Gold Series Classic Straightener - I am a huuuuuuuuuge GHD fan. I have the amazing curling wand too, but until I've mastered the beach babe waves, I've been using my mum's (sorry mum) straightener and I don't think you can get much better. Smooth and easy to use, everyone from the rookie hair styler to the pro can get maximum results from these. Because the heat plates are ceramic, it reduces the likeliness of frizz and breakage and you can't protect your locks enough, A must have for any hair colour!!

So, Daenerys's, Debbie Harrys, Dolly Partons, Marilyns and Hannah Montanas (?) of this world, I hope I have helped you out. These are my all time holy grail products for any Dothraki queen. Have you got any bleach blonde must haves? Let me know!

Cheerio,

Hope x

THE DANCE PARTY - VOLUME 4

Hey breakfasters! (I'm trying new post openers out, bear with me) Happy Sunday, hope you've had a relaxing weekend! I started my new job this week so a Saturday morning snooze was a very welcome treat! It's with this that I present the latest edition of The Dance Party - Spotify edit! I've been out of my 60s/70s/80s comfort zone and been a normal human being for once and listened to some more recent and up and coming stuff, so hopefully I can introduce you too to some "bangers" as my brothers would call them! I also love (and I mean LOVE) Kevin Bacon, so any excuse to use Ren McCormack/man of my dreams is more than welcome!

A special dedication to my absolute favourite man of all time Bruce Springsteen, because it's his birthday on Wednesday, I adore him and that date marks four (FOUR!?!?) years since I moved into PeverHell for uni! Listen to The River on Wednesday for full Brucie effect.

Have you listened to anything cool recently?

Cheerio,

Hope x

MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY - ROALD DAHL EDITION

It's Monday! It's rainy! It's the first time this year I've thought "I need to buy some gloves"! Hope your days are going well, and if not, Monday brings with it my favourite TV show, University Challenge, so let's look forward to that this evening!
If you didn't know, yesterday was Roald Dahl day, and as he was the man who wrote the books I, my brothers and sister all still adore (my favourite is Revolting Rhymes - Little Red Riding Hood has a gun), I thought it appropriate to impart some of Mr Dahl's wisdom with you on this cold, wet weekday!

On success - 

"NEVER DO ANYTHING BY HALVES IF YOU WANT TO GET AWAY WITH IT. BE OUTRAGEOUS. GO THE WHOLE HOG. MAKE SURE EVERYTHING YOU DO IS SO COMPLETELY CRAZY IT'S UNBELIEVABLE"
- MATILDA

On nonsense - 

"A LITTLE NONSENSE NOW AND THEN, IS RELISHED BY THE WISEST MEN" 

- CHARLIE AND THE GREAT GLASS ELEVATOR

On following your instincts - 

"I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, AND YOUR COMMENTS ARE VALUABLE, BUT I'M GONNA IGNORE YOUR ADVICE" 

- FANTASTIC MR FOX

On the comfort of literature -

"ALL YOU TO DO IS LOOK, AT A PAGE IN THIS BOOK, BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE WE WILL ALWAYS BE. NO BOOK EVER ENDS, WHEN IT'S FULL OF YOUR FRIENDS" 

- THE GIRAFFE, THE PELLY AND ME

On magic -

"THOSE WHO DON'T BELIEVE IN MAGIC WILL NEVER FIND IT"

- THE MINPINS

On a successful life -

"IF YOU'RE GOING TO GET ANYWHERE IN LIFE, YOU HAVE TO READ A LOT OF BOOKS" 

- ROALD DAHL

On complacency -

"OH MY DEAR YOUNG FELLOW...THERE ARE A WHOLE LOT OF THINGS IN THIS WORLD OF OURS YOU HAVEN'T STARTED WONDERING ABOUT YET" 

- JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH

On enthusiasm -

"I BEGAN TO REALISE HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS TO BE AN ENTHUSIAST IN LIFE. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SOMETHING, NO MATTER WHAT IT IS, GO AT IT FULL SPEED. EMBRACE IT WITH BOTH ARMS, HUG IT, LOVE IT AND ABOVE ALL, BECOME PASSIONATE ABOUT IT. LUKEWARM IS NO GOOD"
- MY UNCLE OSWALD

On positive thinking -

"IF YOU HAVE GOOD THOUGHTS, THEY WILL SHINE OUT OF YOUR FACE LIKE SUNBEAMS AND YOU WILL ALWAYS LOOK LOVELY"
- THE TWITS

I hope some Roald can inspire you to make the most of your week ahead, and even better if you pick up your copy of Matilda or The Enormous Crocodile. What's your favourite Roald Dahl book? And oh, who's taking me to the museum in Buckinghamshire? It's been on my (Charlie) Bucket list for years!

Cheerio,

Hope x

#INSTADIARIES PART ONE

Bonsoir Cereal readers and a happy Sunday to you!

I hope your weekends have been relaxing and we're all ready for the week ahead - myself included, I start my first grown up job on Tuesday! I know my weekend was fabfabfab, I got the pleasure of being there whilst one of the best people I've known got married on Saturday afternoon and spent it with the squad, laughing far too hard at Harry Potter jokes and dancing at a ceilidh, which I would highly recommend! I thought I'd share a few of my Insta snaps from August/September, including a couple of this weekend! 

1// Yesterday, I was in Norwich with the pallies to celebrate the wedding of Ben, one of my school friends, and his wife Beth. It was sunny, we danced, laughed harder than ever and took a trip down memory lane together, with the phrase "Oh my goodness, remember when X happened?" being said more than ever! I made Rhea take this because I didn't get a full dress shot from graduation when I first wore this dress and I love it and my silver shoes. Both are from ASOS. I took so many photos of us on the day, so expect some sunny wedding themed OOTD posts soon!

2// There they are! Pre-dancing and post romantic vows and speeches, I was so happy to have been a part of such a wonderful wedding. I think I spent all day permanently grinning and cheering, and even found confetti in my makeup bag this morning! Wedding for the ages, and I know the rest of the group of us there are itching for another ceilidh (team, if you're reading this, I know you still have the songs stuck in your heads!). It was a lovely day, gorgeous weather and what a couple! 

3// Think back to last weekend, Cereal fans, I went to London. This may or may not be a shameless plug for that post - if you haven't read it, it's here - but aside from horrendous self promotion, I can't stop raving about Columbia Road market. It was there I found these vintage Private Eye covers and wished I had a little more room in my bag to have fit them! I'm a sucker for a vintage market, and even more so if it's on a street lined with flowers. If you're heading down to London soon or are there and need a little Sunday afternoon adventure, I desperately recommend it, and pick yourself a bunch of hydrangeas and a retro paperback from one of the treasure trove shops along the road!

4// It's no secret I am a coffee addict. I have go-to cafés in Notts, London, Loughborough and Leicester and it's possible Lesta's St Martin's Coffee might be my favourite! I can, and often do, spend hours in there with a book, large Americano and peanut butter brownie. I love the vibe in St Martin's, and the day I took this was rainy and miserable outside, but the mad dash I had from the café to the bus station after wasn't so bad once I'd eaten my body weight in peanut brownies, so good! 

If you fancy, you can follow me on Instagram and let me know what you've been up to in some Valencia filtered shots!

Until next time!

Cheerio,

Hope x

FASHION MATHS

Hi Cereal Fans! As we all know, autumn has well and truly arrived and with it, we're all back to school, work and uni.
As a recent graduate, I had to girl up a bit (sassier than manning up) and find a job and would you believe it, I did! So naturally this means I had to do some working wardrobe research and in true school style, did some fashion maths! Taking a look and notes from the runway, some of my favourite bloggers and street style, I've put together some budget friendly, high street stylish sums for you to solve - 5 marks, show your working out, calculators not permitted.

PRETTY PREPPY

I'm a particular fan of the preppy, bookish look and couldn't be more thrilled to see the good girl, Margot Tenenbaum style hit the runways this season. I especially loved Orla Kiely's A/W15 collection, which was decked out like a vintage library. I took inspiration from the collection's knitwear and tailoring with a twist of the 80's comeback seen at Temperley in the form of some killer silver heels.

Round neck jumper - Zara £19,99
Limited edition collar - River Island  £20
Double cloth trousers - Zara £25.99

SODA heels - ASOS £30

HIGHS AND LOWS

I love the idea of playing with proportions and this attendee of LFW nailed mixing lengths and heights and textures. The ASOS crop top helps incorporate the graphic print trend all over the runways this season and the navy skirt creates a sense of cohesion between the two. I know blue and black should never be seen together but these boots are beauties and I'm a little bit of a rule breaker, who knew?

Crop top with zig zag stripe - ASOS £18
Beau box pleat midi skirt - Boohoo.com £15
Magnificent sock boots - Topshop £79

ARTY LAYERS
Celine, Jil Sander and company all showcased layering as a key style this season and thankfully, it's easy to translate this trend to your working wardrobe. Roll the sleeves up on this H&M shirt and keep your top buttons undone to let this slim fit stripy number show underneath, warm and fashion forward, win win! Paired with skinny fit trousers and a laid back Chelsea boot, this look nails laid back layers. 

Cotton shirt - H&M £19.99

Striped jersey top - H&M £6.99
Workwear skinny trousers - Next £22

Leather Chelsea ankle boots - Next £58

***

There we have it! I know I don't usually foray into the world of styling but loved the idea of working current AW trends into something more wearable and comfortable. So if you're heading to school, uni, work or like me, your first full time role, have fun, work hard and look good whilst you do it. That's what Nicki Minaj would want.
Until next time!
Cheerio,
Hope x

MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE I'M A LONDONER...

Hey team! I have been a busy bee this week, writing, researching, GETTING A JOB (finally!) and this weekend I celebrated with a visit to the big LDN. I took a load of snaps, so here's a selection of my trips to Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Brick Lane and the adorable Columbia Road. I want to live in London immediately. 

Me and Salinger on my journey

Covent Garden had their annual cultural programme on and artist Charles Pétillon had filled the market's ceiling with 100,000 balloons and it was like walking through the clouds, dreamy. I didn't know much about him before this installation but it's titled Heartbeat and is meant to bring a playful element to what would usually be a mundane environment and his other artworks with balloons are amazing. So pretty.

True tourist.

I love Brick Lane and banana bread and the two together is a dream come true.

Columbia Road was my favourite, so gorgeous. If like me, you love wandering through markets and like Brick Lane or Camden, I'd definitely recommend Columbia Road. Books, vintage, flowers and sunshine, what could be better? I ended up wandering into Hoxton Mini Press where there was a book launch (don't ask me how I got there) and got offered free Pimms so as far as Sundays go, this one was pretty much perfect. Oh, and a busker singing Sunny Afternoon by The Kinks, I mean, come on!!

Vintage posters on Columbia Road.

Sunny Afternoon.

Goodness gracious I love London. I covered so much ground and still missed so much! Brick Lane was, as always, beautiful and full of the most delicious looking street food and vintage bikes. I forever love Covent Garden and there's still nothing quite like Carnaby Street. Until next time, LDN.

Cheerio,

Hope x

THE DANCE PARTY - VOLUME THREE

CEREAL FANS! Happy Monday everyone, hope your week is off to a good start and nobody had to build an ark to escape the torrential weather we had today! I personally had a good old day taking myself on a date into Leicester and reminiscing about school trips in New Walk museum. I took loads of photos (I'll post them on Wednesday) and got told off for Instagramming in the German Expressionist exhibition, oops. But my day had a playlist and when I checked my Spotify later this evening, the soundtrack was mainly the artists featured in this month's Dance Party. So I've decided to do a new volume each month with my most listened to artists on Spotify. I apologise in advance that Years & Years, Fleetwood Mac and Bruce Springsteen will no doubt feature heavily, but I'll try and substitute! This months was perfect for my rainy Leicester day and I hope you find some inspiration of your own!

Heard any good tracks recently?

Cheerio,

Hope x

PS I love One Direction and don't you dare judge me.

BOOKISHLY VINTAGE PAPERBACK REVIEW

Those of you that know me, know I am a bookworm. For a fortnight a year, I go to a festival dedicated to books and sit in a tent and read. When I packed up my uni room, I filled two large suitcases with books and still had to carry extras. I love books.
So when it was my birthday back in May (19th, mark your calendars for next year, kids!), my parents got me a subscription to Bookishly. Every month, I get a surprise vintage paperback, some tea and stationery and basically it is an accumulation of everything I love in life.
I've gone through two months so far, and yesterday, the third came through the letterbox so I thought it'd be nice to share!

I love Graham Greene books and getting The Quiet American as my mystery novel was right up my street, down my alley and right round my hedges(?)
The tea of the month was Rose Congou Superior and it's a flavoured black tea. Drinking it is a bit like drinking reeeeeally weak English Breakfast tea with no milk, so a little weird but pleasant enough.
And this month's stationery was a selection of greetings cards. A birthday one, a romantic-y one with Romeo and Juliet quotes in the shape of a rose - A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME ANYONE?, and one that says Thinking of You which is cute I suppose if you're a romantic and like other people.
See, told you that biting misanthropy wasn't too far away.
Read any good books lately?
Cheerio,
Hope x
learn more about Bookishly

CH-CH-CH-CHANGES

She's back! I've been AWOL for the past couple of months, finishing uni, Glastonbury, Isle of Wight and Hay and being a little all over the place, but now I've returned to my rightful spot of QUEEN CYNIC OF ENGLAND and back on the blogging scene! The Cereal Diaries has undergone a little makeover, as I've discovered a world outside MS Paint and I feel a little like Jennifer Garner in Thirteen Going on Thirty when she makes that speech about "OPEN UP THE FOB, OVERHAUL THE BOB, PULL TOGETHER AND SHOW THEM WE STILL HAVE SOME POISE LEFT!"

Anyway, aside from quoting underrated chick flicks, I needed a fresh start with The Cereal Diaries and now is as good a time as any! 

There'll be music stuff, lit, life, the odd fashiony bit when I look fresh to death and a few surprises thrown in for good measure. And as always, a spoonful of cynicism because hey, it's me and I am the dictionary definition.
Happy to see you
Cheerio,
Hope x

"I'm too old for this" and other things said in the library

"Jesus Christ..." I huffed at a group of giggly second year students who were trying to negotiate the revolving door to Boots Library whilst holding what looked like ten coffees. They screeched as one got her bag stuck, then one proceeded to get her phone out to Snapchat the entire event. If you can't tell, it's exam season, my face constantly looks like Grumpy Cat and as was the case at school - if I am older than you I am therefore far superior and you should stay FAR away from me and the row of computers final years are gunning for on the top floor. It's no secret to any Trent student that Boots library is simply not big enough. Sure, it's technically six floors, but trying to find anywhere to sit let alone use a computer is like trying to sit on the Iron Throne, near impossible without murdering someone.
You might sit there, rolling your eyes at this blog post, another in a long line of cynical, grouchy posts I've made, hissing about something or other, but for once, I am totally right. Not that my post about going to the gym was rubbish, but I'm a fourth year and actually, the work I do is more important than the Wikipedia researched last minute essays some first years submit to their tutors seven minutes before the deadline. Maybe it's jealousy that I'm being so mean, I haven't been on a night out in months and the phrase "lie-in" makes me feel like the old woman on Titanic - it's been eighty four years.
Don't worry freshers, it's not just you! In fact to put your minds at rest, since I know how truly STRESSFUL your studies are and all that PRESSURE you're under, I've made a list of the more ridiculous things I've seen in the library.

• A selfie stick
• A homeless man sleeping
• Six girls gathered around one computer
• Someone watching The Voice
• Someone Skyping without headphones
• A lecturer on Tumblr
• Fanfic
• Bags on computers not in use

Maybe it's just me, maybe I have poor timing and go to the fourth floor bright eyed and bushy tailed only to be devastated at what I find just cause I've picked the exact wrong minute. I know it's not all first years that do this. Some of them do what I want them to do and stay hungover in bed watching Extreme Makeover until 3:30pm in their underpants. Thanks guys. Maybe I'm just overreacting. But I'm so, totally not. So on behalf of every final year university student the length and breadth of our deceivingly sunny nation, (it's actually colder than it looks kids!) Freshers, please, would you ever so kindly go away and wait for us to all leave. I guarantee you'll feel the same in two or three years. And if not, you're doing final year wrong. Get back to the library and don't leave until you're crying.

I sound like Victor Meldrew. But I really do believe it.

Less Rocky Balboa, More Rocky Horror.

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to be truthful with you. My metabolism is slowing down. I can no longer eat four jam doughnuts for lunch and a box of Mr Kipling fondant fancies for dinner. No, now I have to throw in the odd vegetable and stop putting two sugars in my tea. I can no longer drink a pint of milk and eat cranberry Wensleydale and call it "a balanced meal". Life as I have always known it, is over. Now I'm not saying I've suddenly ballooned and my housemates have to forklift me out of bed and on the way to uni, but the little pudge on my stomach says it's time to make a change.
I'm not sporty, dear reader, not by a long shot. In Year 3 I placed eighth out of eight in the sack race on sports day. I am out of breath walking up the hill that I live at the bottom of, and I'm pretty sure just watching the London Olympics gave me a stitch. But sacrifices had to be made. After a weak attempt to run across the Forest Rec ground last week, I soon came to the conclusion that running was not my forte and I'd have to do something else.

Which I have. (Brace yourselves...)
Online exercise videos. I'm not afraid to say it, online exercise videos. From cardio to pilates, yoga to HIIT, I have become an expert. I could go on Mastermind with "YouTube exercise routines" as a specialist subject and not too too shabbily. Last week, on top of my game, I did what is known as the Victoria's Secret Ten Minute Cardio Blast. My housemate James laughed so hard when he found out about my foray into the world of looking like Gisele Bundchen that I felt the walls shake. How dare he, I am a supermodel in the making doing my VS Cardio Blast! Just typing the name of the workout makes me cringe, but not as much as I did the following day when trying to walk to the bus stop. OH THE PAIN, THE AGONY, THE BURNING, STABBING MALAISE COURSING THROUGH MY LEGS AND RIBS, WHAT IN THE NAME OF ADRIANA LIMA HAVE I DONE?! I decided to try something else. Something I would soon discover had an even cheesier name and even more painful effect on my soft little tummy. The inFit Burn to the Beat (I'm not joking) consisted of twerking - which I, as someone with as much rhythm as a teaspoon shouldn't even try to do - and a move the overly excited instructor referred to as "booty rolls" which I have an issue with. How is my booty supposed to roll? Is that possible? I tried it and heard an ominous click come from my hip, immediately thought EARLY ONSET ARTHRITIS and stopped. I stood in my bedroom, red faced, trying to regain a normal breathing pattern, muttering "Jesus H Christ..." under my breath. NO. I CANNOT GIVE UP, HASHTAG THIS GIRL CAN YAAAAS GAGA YOU LOOK SO GOOD YOU CAN DO THIS, DO IT FOR THE GIRL WHO CAME EIGHTH IN A SACK RACE, and I soldiered on. Brave, aren't I? In my Jack Wills gym wear which I bought purely for the aesthetic and my hair actually sticking to my face, I stuck my hips at all sorts of peculiar angles, kicked a bit and jumped about in a move called the "ski curtsey" until the bitter end of the workout when I fell face first onto my bed and considered never moving again. I had done it. This was my Rocky moment. I was running up the steps, punching the air and shouting. "Wow," I thought "I am in SUCH good shape, that was amazing!" 
Until the next day. The ominous click had returned and the searing pain in my waist was throbbing so strongly that twice my friends asked if I was okay when I stood up from a chair. Aching, I returned home and straight to the cupboard to eat the family size Galaxy bar I'd been saving.

It's all about balance.