#ScoutsHonour2014

Last week I did something that totally surprised me: I went to my first blog event!


I'd always read posts from other bloggers about going to events but I never thought I'd have the balls to actually go to one myself. However, when my lovely aunty Kayleigh told me that she was organising an event with Angela from Scout Vintage I decided it'd be the perfect opportunity to dip into the world of blogging events. 


I'd heard lots of good things about Scout, but I'd never actually been in the shop before. It was quite small, but full of rails packed with some amazing vintage clothes. As I'm going on holiday soon all of my money is now waiting to be changed into Euros,  but the next time I've got some pennies I'll definitely be heading to Scout for a proper look. 


There were also some lovely goodies on offer from other local businesses. Serendipity - the prettiest tea room ever - provided cute cupcakes with the most gorgeous buttercream/frosting. There were caramel, vanilla and chocolate iced lattes from Holmeside Coffee, which I didn't expect to like because I don't like coffee. How wrong I was. I chose the caramel option and it was so good! There were also strawberries and cream and two giant bowls of popcorn! 

We also had the choice to get our hair done by the girls from The Black Door Hairdressing and makeup by Tamzin Cummings. I eventually plucked up the courage to get my hair done, and I was so glad I did. I hardly ever wear my hair up (because I'm generally rubbish at hair) so I asked for an updo to try something new. I was so happy with it, and even my Dad said he liked it when I got in. I only wish I'd decided to get it done earlier in the night because by the time it was finished I didn't get the chance to get my makeup done too. Everyone who got theirs done did look amazing though!


The event was accompanied by the sound of some quality 80's music, played through the coolest record player in the corner. I was well impressed. 
I was quite proud of myself because even though I am really shy I did manage to speak to some people, and it was nice meeting some other bloggers. Everyone was so lovely, and I've now got a whole list of new blogs to read.


Finally, at the end of the night we each received a lovely goodie bag which included a bandana from Scout, makeup, a ring and some Yellow Fun from the Sunderland Lush store.  

Thank you to Kayleigh for organising the event (and for inviting me!), Angela from Scout and all of the other local businesses that contributed to the event with their yummy food, refreshing drinks, goodies and amazing hair and makeup skills! 






York

Hellooo!

I realised recently that despite being at Uni in York for two years, I haven't ever really posted anything about being in York. Not even a picture of the Minster. Which I'm sure is probably some sort of student crime. So last week I decided to spend a few days in York to see a couple of my housemates while they were there. I had a lovely few days and I was reminded why I chose York for my University city. 



When I finally got back to the house on Friday, the weather was absolutely beautiful. So once I'd been to buy some food, and after I'd put on some sun cream (#gingerproblems anyone?), I settled down in the garden to read in the sunshine. (After fighting my way through the spiders in the shed in order to get a garden chair out to sit on!) It was so warm that I eventually had to change into a pair of shorts - I swear it's always six times warmer in York than it is in Sunderland!


On Saturday morning I enjoyed waking up to total silence and then having breakfast in bed watching 8 Simple Rules. I'm going to miss my double bed when I have to move back home at the end of third year!


Despite it being a Saturday, and it generally being ridiculously busy in York at the weekend, I went into town for a wander. Again, the weather was gorgeous and I finally got a picture of the Minster! I actually sat for about an hour outside the Minster in the sunshine, listening to Of Monsters and Men. The Minster is one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever seen and the history nerd in me always wonders how amazingly foreboding it must have looked centuries ago. 


All around York were flags that I assume were hung up for the when the Tour de France passed through the city. I wasn't really bothered about missing it, but I love the way York looked at the weekend.



On my way home I decided to treat myself to an ice cream. I chose strawberry, which I think I've decided is my favourite flavour. (Where traditional ice cream flavours are concerned anyway - Ben and Jerry's is a whole other debate!) Apologies for the blurriness of the photo, it was so sunny that I couldn't see the screen on my phone properly and didn't realise it was blurry until I got home. 
I'm not usually one for taking selfies - I'm far too picky about how I look in photos and it takes me forvever to find one that I like - but surprisingly I didn't think this one turned out too bad!



After spending Sunday doing a little bit of research for my dissertation, on Monday me and my housemates went to Slug and Lettuce on the riverside for lunch. I think it's one of my favourite places to eat in York, the food is always really nice. Plus they do 50% off food on Mondays - so my meal and drink only came to £6.40 - as well as 2-for-1 desserts and cocktails all day everyday. I went for a Southern Fried Chicken Wrap with chips and a diet coke, but I also love their Chilli too. 


On Tuesday it was time to head home, but not before grabbing a hot chocolate from Costa to drink on the train. I won't be getting too sad about leaving York because I'm back there next week with my boyfriend for a few days, before I head off on holiday to Lanzarote at the beginning of August!







The Color Run!

The Color Run Race Pack
Incl. The Color Run t-shirt, race number, headband, temporary tattoo and poncho.  

I was rather excited this morning when the postman finally delivered my Color Run Race Pack!  I signed up for the race back in February along with my Sister, Mam and Aunty after finding out that 'The Happiest 5K On The Planet' would be coming to Sunderland. After starting to run regularly when I got back to York in September I was hoping to sign up for a race this year and, after seeing pictures of previous races, I knew immediately that I wanted to do the Color Run. 

' The Color Run is a five-kilometre, un-timed race in which thousands of participants are doused from head to toe in different colors at each kilometre.' [Source]
The idea is to start the race wearing white - I'll be wearing my Color Run t-shirt - and finish covered from head to toe in paint! 

I was just planning on making a donation to Save the Children, which is the official Color Run charity partner for 2014, after completing the race. However, at the end of last week I was asked if I would help my sister, Hannah, raise money for Music in the Minster. Music in the Minster is a charity which works 'to bring leading figures from the world of opera to share their skills and passions with Wearside communities.'  I first became aware of the charity when Hannah auditioned for a role in Music in the Minster's production of Whistle Down The Wind in 2012. She got the part of Cathy, and it was an amazing experience for her. It's an amazing charity that allows amateurs and professionals - people of all abilities - to get involved in opera and musical theatre in Sunderland. I know that my sister really benefited from the experience - and she still takes singing lessons from their Artistic Director Alison Barton. 

I'll be raising money for Music in the Minster's next project: An Opera for Sunderland. It will be a 12 month project taking place in 2015, seeing the creation and performance of a new opera - with a football theme! I know opera isn't everyone's cup of tea, but judging from what I've seen from Music in the Minster so far I know it'll be amazing! Fundraising is really important now, in order to make the new project a reality. Any donations in support of me, Hannah and Music in the Minster's Project Manager Louise Taylor - no matter how small -  would be amazing and would be really appreciated by everyone involved. 

If anyone would like to make a donation you can do so here - thank you!

For more information about Music in the Minster and the amazing work they do, check out their websiteFacebook and Twitter pages. 


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