Hot Summer Sun : London Life

Good Morning London!

I can only profusely apologize for my lack of time in the blogsphere since I returned from L.A. On touch down at Heathrow airport from Los Angeles, the international idiot that I am had managed to make it back without a laptop. Having left my pride and joy (not to mention all my work!) back in Detroit airport it took a good month and plenty of panicked 3am phone-calls to Detroit airport staff, Fedex America staff, and some amazing help off a friend's American family to get it safely back in my arms. Well, that is, apart from the 3 large cracks down the center of its screen.

We wont mention the fact that this disaster could have been averted had I not left it amongst the sweet aisle when buying chocolate on the stop-over flight...

Life's been hectic since my return, and I've spent the last few months in London jumping from one home to another, jumping from one freelance Production job to another, and in-between all of this attempting to find a frozen yogurt which rival's L.A's. As of yet America's froyo is still winning. I have finally settled, and on watching television in my new home last night it was amazingly rewarding to see two of my recent adverts I've helped produce come on within the same ad-break. Hard-work paying off!

My clothing line has been a slow work in progress, but my first design is done, and has been sent off to be printed. Now I just need to spend a few days sitting around in arty cafes, eating overpriced cakes, and throwing out ideas to uninterested friends to come out with a one-syllable brand name. On the sideline I have signed up with a modelling agency for print work, and I am shooting for a friends headband brand this week.

Recently finding myself single in this big ol' city I have done what any self respecting 20-something would do, and joined Tinder of course! Although I really feel the need to have words with the many guys who seem to feature exotic birds in there profile pictures...what is all that about?! I also need to have a serious word with my friends who have a great time matching me with complete crazies whenever I leave the room...

If one wishes to read a hilarious article on just how BAD men are on tinder then my Australian friend Alex conducted her own little experiment here : https://funnellism.wordpress.com/2014/07/01/proof-men-love-crazy-women/
 

With England beating Barbados temperatures in its heatwave this last month, I do not feel so bad about my so far lack of a summer holiday abroad. What does make one feel bad however, is attending LoveBox Festival in 31 degree heat, only to hydrate on alcohol. All day. The inevitable dehydration was nicely set-off the sunburn. Which in turn was nicely set off by my glittery hot-pants.

But a summer holiday is not completely lost for me, and Ibiza is on the cards for September. Now as an Ibiza virgin at the age of 27, this holiday has been long over-due. Too long have I heard people rave about Pacha, the best DJ's in the world, and the overuse of body paint... well soon enough I can be annoying people with my tales of raves and glitter! 'Future tattoo funds' have been changed to 'Ibiza overpriced drink funds', and I have Kevin and Perry Go Large on repeat.  

The city is utterly captivating in the summer sun, and I would rather be nowhere else. London's hot evenings were made for picnics, parks, views, wine and friends... something which I am making the most of.

Happy Summer!

Emily x

March Madness

My time here has flown by, and this time next week my feet will be firmly on the ground back in London. Well not firmly, as lets face it, they never are, and even less so when I have been drinking (Bambi on ice springs to mind)...something which I hope I will be doing a lot of when I return. Not from drowning my sorrows, but from catching up with ALL my friends (*cough*cough* everyone I'm coming home!).

This last month has gone even quicker then normal, probably as it's just been one big holiday. The clean-living and daily swimming routine I had going on went straight out the window the minute I left Mama Linda's (corn-chowder recipe in hand of course), moved to Santa Monica, and picked up my boyfriend from the airport. The lack of gym, pool, and eating burgers for ten days straight will kinda do that to you. Not to mention an impromptu trip to Las Vegas and copious amounts of Bacardi 151 (the devil in drink form *shudder*).

After waving goodbye to my love (with the promise that it's salads all the way for us back in London) I was re-united with my sister and a good friend, and a day later I can honestly say I don't think The Getty Art Gallery has ever seen three quite so hungover souls. A highlight of their time here was our visit to Disneyland as the 'Three Mouseketeers'. At the age of 26 I dressed as a giant Minnie Mouse for the day, and yes, I loved it. The greatest acheivement of the week however, had to be when we got enough stamps on our froyo loyalty card to receive a free 8oz of frozen yogurt. It was a proud moment for all involved.

I've been lucky enough to be with people the last month who have been brave enough to drive on the right hand-side of the road. And the only slightly hairy moment of the whole time has to be when my friend straddled three lanes of traffic oncoming at 70mph and casually asked 'Is this legal ?'. Needless to say there was a small amount of hyperventilating coming from myself on the backseat.

March has brought along two more new snack obsessions. First, Recces Peanut Buttercups. For some bizarre reason I've always believed I disliked them, without even trying them. However, try them I did, and it was as though my mouth had just bitten into a small part of heaven and all its creamy, nutty glory. Since then I have been eating at least one Reece's a day, with the justification that I cannot get these back home. When my friend pointed out I could indeed buy them back in the UK, I shushed her and proceeded to buy a pack of four. The other new fad in my life is 7/11's Slurpee. It's like I've reverted back into a second childhood where instead of being allowed to drink one a year, I can drink a x-large 44oz one a day. And I do. The only reported side effect so far is a blue tongue.

My suitcase is already straining from all my thrift shop purchases out here, so I was highly relieved (if not embarrassed) when my sister rather incredulously informed me that ranch dressing is available in England, so there is no need for me to bulk buy out here. 'How have you never tried it?? You wrote a whole blog about it, and they sell it in Subway Emily.' Ok, so I've never been a sandwich kinda-gal, but now I know that's where the ranch is at... Subway, hello.

Since I've been out here I've found myself really influenced by the creativity, and the get-up-and-go attitude of the Los Angele's people. The American Dream is truly alive and kicking, and if someone wants to achieve something, well, hell they go out and do it. Us Brits are notorious for talking down dreams we have and putting aside projects we would love to do. When I get back home I have several exciting work projects in the pipeline, but a sideline venture which I am really excited to get started on is my own clothing brand. I've been really inspired by all the self-made brands out here, and look forward to putting my own stamp on things.

My final two days are going to be spent chomping Reece's, shooting one last fashion shoot, and stuffing as much froyo as possible without suffering from brain-freeze. Oh, and of course looking out for the elusive Mr Gosling.

LAX I'll see you soon, Ryan hopefully sooner...

Emily x