Gig Catch-Up

Oh man why do I even bother trying to blog when I forget to post everything? Haha. So a select few photos from gigs since November. Apparently I had good luck and got to the front for all three!


Jimmy Eat World back on November 19th in O2 Academy Bristol was a bit of a last minute one as it sold out the day tickets were released and I only confirmed that I had entry on the day of the show! The girl I bought my ticket from turned out to be really nice, and she even dragged my right to the front and centre so we had the best view possible even though we arrived late!


Skipping forward to 6th December at Cardiff Motorpoint Arena, we have Biffy Clyro.


I was a bit too close to get photos of the whole stage, but got some nice shots anyway! I wish they'd played more old songs, but at least they played Justboy (I think I cried a bit when they started playing it haha).


And lastly, Yellowcard, on December 11th at Bristol O2. Although I don't know their stuff very well, and have seen them twice before, this was my first time seeing them in a smaller venue...I couldn't even see the stage the other times! I'm glad I went along since it was their last tour and therefore the last chance to see them live.

The end of this year has been a busy one for gigs! And travelling too, I guess. Also went to Worcester to visit Sophie earlier this week, but I failed at getting photos so I can't really blog about it...epic fail!

International Lolita Day

The first Saturday of the month was Summer International Lolita Day! I ended up being really late thanks to work and really bad traffic due to some neo-Nazi protest going on at Park Street (there were a LOT of police about, including Welsh ones!). Also saw a HUGE nude cycling group when stuck in traffic...interesting!


A bunch of us met in Bristol for bagels and lolita bingo! It was a nice chill afternoon after the stress of getting there was over. However I did twist my ankle really badly missing a tiny step out of the venue and it still hurts weeks later #fail


I finally wore Angelic Pretty's Mercator Antique Shop. I got a lot of compliments for it! I find it hard to coord due to the strange colour (it claims to be mint but is more duck-egg, I'd say?), but it's just so pretty!


There were also party bags with sweets, a bow, and a post card, plus I somehow won with both of my raffle tickets and got a cute Eiffel Tower necklace and an Angelic Pretty bracelet! The bigger prizes were amazing! I really need to have a sort out before the next one so I can donate some things.

Somehow when I was waiting for the bus some chavvy youths offered me a beer because apparently I looked "fit". I don't even. But hey, free beer!

Frank Turner 21/11/15

On Saturday I was able to attend the sold out Frank Turner show in Bristol. It's been a fair while since I last saw a full band show, and after a disappointing solo gig at Reading I wasn't feeling much hype. My worries were completely unfounded however, and I only wish I hadn't taken so many mornings overtime or I'd have happily gone again on the Sunday! But I was just too tired.

The first act of the evening was Will Varley. We were seated at that point so I didn't get any good pictures, but some the lyrics made me laugh out loud and I'd definitely check him out again. Reminded me a little of Mumford & Sons, only actually interesting to listen to.


Next up were Skinny Lister, who I had missed at Reading due to clashes. They were also really good, and the double bass player even crowd surfed while still playing! This is the second band I've seen with an energetic double bass player now. I'm really impressed at how people can throw those around the stage and make it look effortless.


And then Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls!


Obligatory selfie during Polaroid Picture.


The show was brilliant, and we managed to get quite close to the front!


On this occasion, the setlist was actually too long to post my usual screenshot. Was such a good setlist, despite obviously having more new songs than older ones. The only let down was Eva Mae as the fan request really (I'd have wanted Smiling At Strangers On Trains). You can see the setlist HERE.

I was gutted that I couldn't go to the second show on the Sunday, but hopefully the wait for the next tour won't be too long!

Excursion!

I made a fail of an H&M online order a week or so ago, so I had to return pretty much everything (the XS top was too small, the S top was too big, the Pusheen nightie was just vile). But it was a good excuse to out for the day by myself!


Couldn't resist grabbing a sharkie drink before getting the bus.


After returning the stuff to H&M in Bath and popping into Topshop, I got my tragus changed to a shorter bar and a cheeky rook piercing from Broad Street Studio. Most of my reason for this trip was that I need an old piercing checked out, but apparently it's fine!


Then it was chill time while I ate lunch at my favourite spot in town - Norfolk Crescent. After a few chapters of Goblet of Fire I hopped on a bus to Bristol.


Tried on such a pretty dress in H&M!


And silly little boy's pjs in Primark. Not sure about keeping them as the bottoms are too short and have...erm..."room" in the crotch haha.


Full haul! Jeans from H&M, blood necklace from Topshop, the rest from Primark. I had intended to get some Yankee Candle Halloween stuff but felt uncomfortable in the store, so I ordered some online instead!

I'll admit, I did more sitting and reading than shopping on this occasion!

Enter Shikariiii

So the Download warm-up show ended up being rescheduled to Thursday the 9th of July, which meant that I could go! I was so desperate to grab a ticket haha.


I decided to wear my big boots just in case I needed them to see!


And of course got a curry in 'Spoons first. It was way too mild, but sadly there was only one veggie option!

The venue (Motion, in Bristol) was only a 5 minute walk from 'Spoons which was handy, and it was easy to find because there was a huge queue. Apparently the meet and greet was just for people who were already in the queue like 4 hours before doors, so I had to miss it as I was at work (also hell no to waiting in a line for that long!).


MythCity were up first. I picked a spot on the balcony to hog so I could have a good view. Nice little genre blend of rap-metal-y goodness going on, plenty of crowd participation. Will definitely be looking them up at some point.


Area 11 were next. I feel kind of bad for them as they just didn't stand out as much as the openers. But still good! To be honest I didn't remember what they sounded like...ought to start taking notes like the girl next to me was doing. Upon listening again afterwards I actually much prefer them on recording to MythCity which is weird. And catchy enough that I was singing along at the time even though I'd never heard them before.


Then Enter Shikari!! You can probably tell from all my photos that the fog/smoke machine was badly abused for all the bands' sets, so getting photos was impossible. Especially with all those strobes!


Lack of photo opportunities was easily forgotten however, as they put on one of the best performances I've seen. Even if Slipshod did start before it was supposed to before they stopped it & carried on with the setlist haha.


Aaand the setlist! Good mix of stuff, pretty predictable aside from using Gandhi Mate, Gandhi as an ender. Wondering what kind of vases they're using for Slipshod since Rou smashed it off his head! Sugar glass?

After a 40 minute wait for the bus and another 40 minutes to get home, I was pretty tired afterwards...but also filled with excitement for getting to do it all over again the next day!

Tongue Piercing

Oh man, I've been wanting my tongue pierced for AGES but things kept getting in the way. When a few weeks ago I finally went to get it, I was told my tongue was too short. So naturally I just went somewhere else for it...

Since Electric Vintage in Bath doesn't have a piercer in on Tuesday (my day off), I went to Pierced Up in Bristol. I'd heard lots of good things about their piercer from sharkies previously anyway!


This photo was taken the day of the piercing. You can't actually see it at all as it's kind of far back, but at least that means less risk of tooth/gum damage and it is more comfortable in my mouth.

However my tongue most definitely is short. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to stick my tongue out anymore! It is pierced at an angle around my tongue frenulum, but I'm hoping the top looks less wonky once the swelling has gone down.

The piercing itself was surprisingly painless. The ball tightening, not so much! Also not convinced the bar I have is long enough as I didn't swell much and there's no bar spare at all =/

I was told to only drink water and eat soup, avoiding dairy and sugar. That didn't work out. Went to the cinema the day after getting it, and due to the good weather nowhere was selling soup so I had to painfully work through half a sandwich. I'd had 300kcal that day. I went to bed at 6pm feeling sick and dizzy, woke up at 5am hypoglycaemic. Heart palpitations, hot/cold sweats, the lot. So I ate chocolate salted caramel cake after my soup and had a cup of tea. Much better! Fearing infection and prolonged swelling, but my blood sugars dive very quickly so not eating just isn't an option. Looking forward to solid food though, and missing chilli a lot!


Aaaand I went shopping after the piercing, as per usual. This is my H&M haul, including the size swap for the jealous dress I bought the other day. It's still slightly big? Wtf H&M?


And my Primark haul. Been wanting a jacket like this for ages, and it was only £14! Had also been after these pyjamas for a while, but the shorts are so short on them!

Hoping my tongue is healed up by Download! Next on my list is industrial, but not looking forward to it as I know it'll suck (and not sure my ears are the right shape either, ughhh).

Record Store Day 2015

Any of you who were following any Record Store Day updates this year will already know why I had to put myself through it all again. Biffy Clyro's album Puzzle has finally been released on vinyl! I needed it!


As such I donned my Biffy Clyro shirt, hoodie, & tartan toasties for the occasion. Excuse how messy I look, we got up just before 5am for the occasion and this was taken when I got home at around midday.


We arrived at Rise Bristol just before 6am. The queue wasn't too big, and we ended up being tickets 50 and 51. Had to get a pain au chocolat and hazelnut hot chocolate since they sounded delish (and they were).


We were also given goody bags!

I'm not sure what time we got into the store. They opened just after 8am, so I guess half hour or so after that. I panicked when we got in there, struggled to find things. Luckily Rob helped a lot (as well as only being there to drive me so I didn't have to wait up all night in town ♥). Couldn't find any Tears For Fears, talked myself out of We Are Scientists and Placebo, and Foo Fighters sold out pretty much instantly.


So aside from Puzzle I caved and bought records by The Used and Daughter/Warpaint (this one is mostly for dad). Probably not worth the early start and waiting, but it wasn't all that bad and I didn't want to risk missing it (though it turned out there were loads of copies...).


We went for a little wander afterwards and I finally found Jeffrey Campbell shoes in T.K.Maxx! They had 2 pairs in my size, but the other ones were ugly white patent heels. These JC Play beauties were only £20 ♥ just hope I actually get wear out of them!

We then found a little food place that sold everything for 99p and I had a panini. Would definitely go back as cheaaaapppp.

Bit worn out now, but not as much as my wallet is! At least I didn't have to work this afternoon as I worked last night instead. I wonder if there will be any good RSD releases next year? I kind of hope there aren't as Rob said he wouldn't take me again!

Spring Picnic

Since the weather has finally turned sunny, I attended a small lolita meet in Bristol on Saturday!


I'm not happy with the outfit I put together as I had to throw it on at work without seeing it all together, and I'm not fond of wearing pink. But I really wanted to wear Wonder Story for the first time in ages as it's perfect for this time of year, I feel. Jacket, skirt, and socks are all Angelic Pretty, blouse is Innocent World, jewellery are Metamorphose and Patisserie Pink, cardigan and flower crown are Primark, shoes are Bodyline.


I made some double custard cream blondies and double oreo brownies! I'm not pleased with those either...nothing can live up to the toblerone brownies I made recently.


I also made cucumber maki. Came out messy, but tasted so good and was so easy to make!


The fooooood.


Ziggi's gluten free cake was amazing! The texture was so strange but so so good.


After the picnic we went into Bar Chocolat and I fell in love with the chocolate ducks!


I was so tempted by cheesecake as it looked yummy but I had already eaten so much that I opted for an ice cream instead to cool down after so long out in the sun.


When I got home I opened my gift that Maria and Monika brought back from Paris for me - more chocolate! It's so insanely beautiful that I can't bring myself to eat it yet though. Colourful shiny chocolate ♥

I always feel strange in lolita recently. I'm never happy with my coords, and I really hate being laughed at by strangers. Guess I'll have to up my game and get more confident though, as I have bought a silver ticket for the Regalia Saturday event later in the year!

Out & About

I made an online order to arrive in store so I had to make another trip into Bath yesterday!


So firstly I picked up the New Look order in Bath (after taking ages and ages to get there...). I got that top I tried on recently, and impulse bought a cheap skirt from the kids section (reluctant to try it on...it looks big enough, but who knows?!), some tattoo bracelets, and a super cheap and cute purse.

I then dashed up to Broad Street to get my septum jewellery changed, but it looked shut. I discovered when I'd just caught the bus to Bristol that they actually were open and that refurbishments had been finished. Argh! I did get a gift for someone in the Cath Kidston store near it though.


I had a very late lunch at around 4pm in College Green before going up Park Street to Forbidden Planet. I had a Boots meal deal of veggie sushi, carrots and humous, and Naked superfood smoothie!


Tried on a bunch of awesome black things in H&M, but I'm tight on money so I'm thinking on these things. I really want the skirt, but I'd have to buy 2 sizes smaller than usual and cut out the underskirt in order to wear it as high up as possible due to my height!


I think I will probably end up going back for this vest too at some point, although £25 is pretty expensive for something pointless. Also think maybe I need a bigger size? Idk what it's supposed to look like tbh aha.


Also sad I couldn't get these cute Mickey Mouse shorts. They didn't have my size, boooo.


Here are my other buys of the day! The pony came from Tesco before I caught the bus to Bath, the A Day To Remember CD was from Bath, and the rest was from Bristol (all Primark except the vest on the right which was from H&M).


Today I went to Clarks Village with Rob, and wore my Mr Shark shorts. I love them a lot!


I met a huge Lindt bunny! Other than eating burgers in Spoons the only thing we bought was a pair of £1 skull earrings from Claire's so it was a bit of a failed trip. Had to be out in the good weather we've been having though.

And now to work ridiculous shifts for the rest of week. Doing 18.5 hours over Thursday and Friday alone, and I'm only contracted to do 17 hours IN A WEEK ugh.