Valentine's Day 2014

This is basically my Valentine's Day in a nutshell... I had a beautiful Lush bubble bath (you need to do things for yourself sometimes!)  and then went out for dinner with my family in a Spanish restaurant. I have NEVER had Spanish before so some of the tastes we quite unusual but very tasty, we ended us spending a whopping £80 on food but it was all worth it! Has anyone ever told you how delicious hot, crispy churros are dipped in chocolate? Well darling im telling you now - you have got to try some!

I also spent some quality time with my date...Ben and Jerry.

What were your plans for Valentine's Day?

Taylor Swift RED Tour !! : 4th Feb 2014

As you would all know (especially if you read my last post !!) that on Tuesday 4th February 2014 at 7pm in the 02 Arena, London, England, UK, Earth, Milky Way, A Galaxy, Somewhere in this world I was at TAYLOR SWIFT RED TOUR CONCERT!!!! It was such an AMAZING night!! As well as that The Vamps were her opening act and she had invited Danny O'Donoghue from the Script to join her!!

My best friend and I are mega Swifties and we had been screaming about this for months, so when the day came you could presumably guess what screaming, annoying, fan girls we turned into! (You could ask anyone at school and they would know exactly how out day have been from beginning to end!)

After the prolonged school day had ended (what a rebel I am by going out on a school night?!) we rushed - no RAN- out of the gates and got ready for the night ahead. We did have to leave fast so that left us only some time to grab some snacks and drinks but when we arrived at Westfield Stratford Shopping Centre we had a lovely Mexican Burrito dinner and half a hot, chocolaty, crispy croissant!

Somehow, my friend's parents decided that is would be 'reasonable' to leave us alone for a while so when they had gone around the corner I whipped out my felt tips so we could write our favourite song lyrics down our arms!

 The train to the O2 Arena was packed full of Swifties wearing RED clothing and RED lipstick like Taylor (why didn't I think of that?) and it only finally started to sink in that we were actually going to see her live :O

If it wasn't obvious enough this was my first concert and it was INSANE! The Vamps, who are currently my new obsession, opened the show with some of their new songs from the debut album (that is out soon!)

We screaming for 3 hours straight and I could feel my throat straining and my ears bursting but it was ALL worth it! Taylor sang some of her songs from the RED album and some of her other famous songs, (like 'Mean') she is a real inspiration for me and some of the thing she said (that she had probably repeated and rehearsed a million times in her tours) were close to making me cry...in happiness!

The whole atmosphere was just so incredibly beautiful, like a 5 thousand little shinning lights were bringing the place to life (literally). 

When the concert had, unfortunately,  finishes (I could do all again a million times), we had to wait for a bus for nearly an hour in the pouring rain, since there was a tube strike and then make our way back home after my friend's dad had to use the lady's toilets because the men's were being cleaned !

With about 5 hours of sleep the next day it felt like having a hangover, which is weird since I have never had one but just expect it to feel like that from the movies. Living off coffee and the excitement, we let the whole world know about our evening (emphasising that whilst they were at home studying , we were with TAYLOR SWIFT AND THE VAMPS!) Surprisingly, my form tutor made the class sit and listen to me talk for 5 minutes ...yet I was not complaining !

I could not express further what a magical day I had.

Priyanka xx

TAYLOR SWIFT CONCERT OUTFIT !!

So October came and after checking my email I found out that Taylor Swift Red Tour UK tickets were finally on sale (one day in advance for her fan club...yes which includes me!) With a LOT of persuading to my dearest father I got tickets!! They were a little pricy, like any concert, but I am sooo grateful I am going!! I seriously love Taylor Swift, she is my idol so I look up to her and her music is amazing! We bought 3 tickets for me, by best friend and her mum and (to prove that time flies by so quickly) the concert is on the 4th February 2014! If I've done my calculations right that's in...3 DAYS!!

Because of how sad I am, I planned my outfit last year and decided to bring it all together today to show the world.

You probably think I'm crazy (and by thinking so you would be correct), but I think shorts are the way to go since it might get hot in O2 Arena, even though its February and I live in London so its freezing. I have never been in the O2 so this is extremely exciting for me!

I am going to pair this with the classic converses since they are comfortable and go with pretty much everything!

- Levis Midi Shorts - (that I got from Macy's in LA! If you want to know all about my amazing time in LA you can read my blog post here !)
- Chuck Taylor Converses
- Calvin Klein Jeans Sunglasses- from TK MAXX

If your wondering why I would need sunglasses in a dark concert hall its because I want to embarrass my friend... personally I thought I was already embarrassing enough but go BIG or go home :)

 

 

 

 Obviously for the middle of winter I am taking my:
- Harvey and Jones Quilted Jacket 
- Infinity Scarf from Monsoon
- My sleeveless Olive and Oak top-which I got from Calgary, Canada. I love the delicate cut out designs at the bottom and the fact the peachy, pastel pink colour is so summery! 

In my Paul's Boutique Bag I am taking :
- Money (obviously I don't want to get stranded anywhere)
- Sharpies - because we decided we are going to write her lyrics down our arms to 'feel the part'
- Body Shop Lip Butter
- A ton of other things that I probably don't need but with take anyway to be on the safe side of things

WOW I AM SOO HYPED ABOUT TUESDAY!! Unfortunately, it is a school night so I will probably half asleep the next day, with no energy for about a week and no voice for about 5 days!

Have you ever been to the O2 Arena or any other concerts? Do you have any advice on what and what not to take? Let me know!

Priyanka xx

Product Review: Loreal Voluminous Million Lashes Waterproof

O.M.G. I have totally been loving this mascara! I purchased L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes during the summer holidays when I went to Calgary, Canada in August (which seems to be such a long time ago!) I needed a new mascara that would last those summer pool dips, sweat, heat, water fights and survive the whole day (since during the summer keeping preoccupied is my biggest concern) and this was the mascara for it!

When I came back to school (unfortunately summer doesn't last a million years), soo many people complimented my lashes! I naturally have long, thick eye lashes but this product emphasized my eyes, created a 'million lashes' (see what i did there?), gave me great volume and length so that I could look wide awake without any other eye makeup like eyeliner.  

The elastomer applicator (wand) is AMAZING as it doesn't leave any clumps or over-load the product on your lashes. Also, I found it could really grip every single lash and coat it will minimal effort which is very helpful for those, like myself, that have limited time in the mornings or are new to makeup.

I like to put on two coats onto each eye, without letting it dry until I'm satisfied with how it looks. 

However (oh no!), I would say the only disadvantage of using this mascara every day is that it can be rather difficult to completely remove. I felt like it was a little bit too harsh everyday and when I went to remove it with a waterproof eye makeup remover (as I found that normal wipes didn't remove anything) and ended up pulling my lashes out in aggression...eek!

 Seriously, I would recommend buying this mascara or a mascara in L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes Range which are £10.99 at Boots. Eventhough this is a pricier side for a drugstore mascara it is totally worth every penny!

I know that before I buy a product I always do my research and see other people's views on products so I hope this helps.

Priyanka xx

How to Deal With Exam Stress

 Exams. The most time consuming, annoying and stressful thing to do during the whole of school life but its simply something we all have to deal with at one point or another. However, when you do try your utmost best to get the grades that will stick to you like super glue your whole live, you can easily forget about things that are very important to your body. 

Here are some things that helps me to DE-stress and stop me from going insane...   

DRINK WATER! 

You need to drink enough water to keep you body hydrated (and keep you alive!) Water increase your energy levels, fights fatigue (from staring at your book for what seems like a million hours) and is a natural head ache remedy. So isn't that exactly the kind of substance you need when you feel stressed?

Personally, I think it helps a lot to keep a cool glass of water in front of you whilst your studying rather than a bottle. This is why...

1) Every once in a while you can take a sip, with minimal energy since there is no lid.

2) As its just sitting there on your desk there's the worry that it will spill, so your more likely to drink all the water.

3) You won't have the option of throwing it onto your bed to drink for some imaginary time called 'later' 

4) When your bladder's full it is be the perfect opportunity to fill up your water again

5) Cool water more is more refreshing and awakening 

6) Glasses are better than bottles. Its a fact.

Light a candle

After revising for hours, sleep is the best thing that you could do, but your is still in the 'work mode' and it could be difficult to find your comfort spot. So to get you calmed down, relaxed and ready for bed, a lovely scented candle can allure you to sleep with its natural stress relief (heads up: do the sensible thing and blow out your candle before you fall asleep so you don't start a fire.)

Read a book that appeals to you!

Yes teachers 'recommend' that you read classical books (most of which someone gets married at the end) but its also important that you read books purely because you enjoy reading them. These are SOME of my favourite books, expecially The Hunger Games, that I am totally 'Cray Cray' about!

Try to read a good book (with your candle on), when you get into bed and you will notice it does several things. It opens your imagination to all the beautiful characters in its world and lets you dream about these stories with werewolves, vampires, extraterrestrial creatures, sad endings (that make you feel like you don't have the worst life at the moment), other planets and heroes (ha you already forgot about exams!). Also, it slowly shuts down and unwinds your mind so that you naturally feel more sleepy so you have better sleep since your in that type of mind. It's exactly like when your trying to go to sleep on Christmas Eve but you can't because your too excited!

The Divergent Series would have been here but I lent it to two of my friends...(its really amazing you should read it.)

Exercise

Just raising your heartbeat:

1) Releases good vibes all around your body (literally if your dancing)
2) Naturally reduces stress
3) Puts you in a good mood
4) Lets you have some free time whilst keeping active
5) Burns calories (umm...those cookies...)
6) Takes your mind away from work
7) Motivates you to do anything
8) And can be a lot of fun

You don't need to get your hand on any techy equipment or heave yourself outside in the middle of the winter. Do have earphones? A source of music? Then there you go! You can create a dance pattern to your favorite songs, jog on the spot, situps, squats, lunges, crunches, yoga...anything that will make you sweat a little!

Stay off Facebook

The last thing that you need is finding out ridiculous gossip and rumors that will distract you from your revision. Its really not necessary to log into Facebook after school since you see your friends at school for 6 hours everyday anyway. Do what is important to YOU!

 Look after you skin

Its important that you don't forget to look after the biggest organ in your body. Shower, cleanse, refresh.

Eat Healthy

The more nutrient packed, vitamin bursting you foods are the better job they will do to keep you brain functioning at its best, the better concentration you will have so the better you will do in your exams. So if you are guiltily munching on you chocolate cookie at this moment, finish it and then turn to those berries, fish, spinach and milk that are all good for your brain.

(Bananas, Strawberries, Fage Greek Yogurt, Honey, Jordan's Country Crisp Cereal...yumm!)

I hope this has helped anyone who is in the middle of exams and is pulling their hair out with stress! Remember relax and keep calm and you will be fine!

Good Luck

Priyanka xx

New Years Resolutions 2014

2014...wow is that not really strange?

I have a really good feeling about this year, I just want to make it a magical year that I can remember. Normally I wish away the days until a big event or something exciting but I have decided that I really want everyday to count.

So here are my resolutions...

Live for the present and smile!

Time, time, time. It's something we all want for to last longer but there is nothing else like the present. I always forget that the best time to do something is NOW! I really want, and I will really try, to make every second to count and to make it amazing...by just having fun and not caring what others think, because at the end of the day, it's me whose having the fun and making memories!

Find a new hobby:

This year I really want to build on my personality, to discover what kind of things I enjoy and what I dislike, find my inner passion and to unleash my (inner beast and...) interesting and creative side for everyone to see. I know that I would really like to take up photography and possibly even skateboarding /penny boarding, since it seems like a pretty awesome thing to do, especially for a girl. Taking up new things will probably be difficult at the beginning but I'm up for challenges. Bring it on!

Speak up!

 I have always been a quite girl, well that's what everyone thinks (except if you ask my friends they would give you a very different answer!) but I am tired of hearing the same old attention seeking voices in class. My aim is to talk freely to everyone, all the time and express my opinions and answers so that I do 'participate' more everyday, instead of watching, and become a much more confident girl.

Keep being active and healthy: 

I am generally a healthy and active person, I like to exercise at least 3 times a week or more and watch what I'm eating. However, this year its a new me and I want to push the limits! Taking up running with my dad and yoga at home could make my goals even higher and motivate me to do anything, since fitness is for both the mind and the body!

I'm going to try my best to keep to my New Year's resolutions this year and make it a very exciting time! 

I hope this has given you some ideas for yourself, what resolutions are you keeping? 

Priyanka xx

Day 6: LOS ANGELES

Last day in LA...Unfortunately :(

We didn't have time to do much on the last day in LA (wow that still sounds so sad), so my little brother and sister spent some time in the pool messing around and being... children.

...we were the only ones by the pool since it was only 9am!

After we had got our luggage completely ready at the hotel's lobby, we went out to a near by shopping mall to kill some time. That's when the most amazing thing happened:

We had Chinese for lunch, where they gave us a fortune cookie which read something on the lines of ' You will receive a pleasant surprise'.

Once we had finished shopping, we headed back down to the car park where we had arranged to meet the driver from the hotel. We waited for half an hour, but he didn't come. My dad started to worry since we had a plane to catch back to London (which I rather had missed!)

Soon enough, after we had waited and worried a little longer, a black limo pulled out in front of us and said that the driver from the hotel had sent him to pick us up...in a limo!

It was a perfect experience and it did simply feel 'so LA'. I could just feel those many heads turning wondering who was in the limo!

Us getting out of the limo!

Unfortunately all good things come to an end.

If there's anything to learn from my beautiful trip to LA it is that you have to spend more than a week there! Seriously, if your going to travel so far and spend so much money you have to make up for it. There are so many things in Los Angeles to see and do, even spending a day or two on the at beach or traveling to other places in California is time well spent.

For those who have already been in Los Angeles, you know what I'm talking about!

When I was there it really felt like I was living the Californian Dream, well maybe thats just me.

Priyanka xx