GOOD EVE FELLOWS.  My life has all of a sudden turned into one one busy little existence so apologies, I'm not sure what for.  I have recovered from my strange bout of voice loss and I am feeling much better, I'm sure you were all concerned....

The highlight of this week was probably my lovely Auntie's 40th birthday party.  This party has been months in the making and I certainly thought it paid off!  There was a DJ and a band who played 'The Ramones version' of almost every song under the sun including Don't Stop Believing, it took me a while to find it funny, at first I just thought The Ramones had written much more than I thought they had.  I did end up going home early due to being unwell, I think lack of food throughout the day and a busy week had big parts to play myself.  Other than that it's been a quiet week so here are some photos!

My darling sister and I, not purposely matching, I swear. 

My cousins Evan who believe it or not is 12, and taller than me.  

My beautiful cousin Ffion, who dances like a little pro!

Finally, my gorgeous Mum and Auntie.  

Please, blogging world, forgive me. I have not fallen off the face of the earth, I am here and I have a lot to catch you up on. First things first, I'm back in school! I have a lot of early finishes so I'm rather happy with my timetable, it's especially good because...*drumroll* I HAVE A JOB NOW. How exciting is that, after months of making excuses for myself to not hand CVs in I surrendered and got offered at interview at Fat Face days later! I've done four shifts now and I love it, what's even better is I don't work Saturdays so I can still go and teach at The Performance House as normal.

Aside from that I'm currently beginning all of my coursework pieces in school, for Media Studies you have to write an essay then produce a creative piece which has been informed by it. I have chosen to  write an essay on the sexualisation of young people and then create an advertising campaign for a new youth clothing store. For my final textiles project  I'm making a dress inspired by Scotland's commonwealth games and for English Literature I'm looking The Bell Jar, Emily Dickinson poetry with John Green's Looking for Alaska. I should be finalising my question right now but I felt this was more important. Tbh.  

While everything is sounding hunky dory, something terrifying has happened. We have had the first 18th birthday in our friendship group. Alys turned 18 on September 13th. I couldn't even buy her card from the fear/realisation that we we are actually growing up. I'm applying for uni soon! Oh dear oh dear oh dear. Anywho, in celebration Alys held a lovely party where a good time was had by all in attendance! Plus, she looked gorgeous. (excuse the awful photos) 

Fear not, you are almost up to date. Yesterday Caitlin had a little shindig for her 13th (*faints*) next Wednesday where her and some pals went to see White House Down, so Dad and I thought we'd join, sitting a few rows down and across, of course. I wasn't expecting much of the film initially, it took finding out Channing Tatum was in it to encourage me fully. I really, really wasn't disappointed. Action films usually aren't my thing but I thought Tatum and Jamie Foxx were brilliant and the story line was pretty good too. Although my Dad said if was very much like Olympus Has Fallen. 

And to end, I've completely lost my voice. Fantastic. Cheerio!

Hiyaaaaaaaaaaa! Is anyone else really shocked it's September?  It's terrifying.  My friends are starting to turn 18, we're starting our last year of school and applying for University.  It is such an exciting time for us and I am buzzing for it, I've got where I want to apply sorted, I've planned for the next year, I feel so ready and really quite happy.  I picked my AS results on Monday which I wasn't particularly happy with in all honesty.  I had an A in Media Studies (HOORAY), a B in Textiles (I'm going to resit the exam, a B isn't half bad but I really want a A), a C in English Literature which has left me devastated, I love English with all my heart and I put in so much work for the exam, I'm having my paper remarked and I will probably resit.  I also had a D in RS, a bit disappointing but I've already dropped it and I prioritised my other exams.

Aside from picking my results up it's been a pretty quiet week, I had a lovely night in with Molly on Wednesday with  A LOT of food.  Yesterday as I mentioned in my OOTD I went to a lovely party with even lovelier company! It was Megan's birthday so the house was brimming with people.  Today I had my first ever job interview (ooooooOOOH) in Fat Face, I actually really enjoyed the interview, I should find out whether I've been successful or not on Tuesday.

What does this week bring?  It brings a day in tomorrow, a day with DofE girls on Tuesday, back in school Wednesday and Thursday and off to the Gower on Friday! How exciting, I have a busy month ahead and I can't wait.  I'm gonna do some coursework now so, peace out!

Ditching the selfie bit.  I no longer dig long titles.  

So HOLA I am in the land of Spain, in Cabrils in to be precise (in the province of Barcelona) and I don't have a lot to report as I've literally done nothing but eat/drink/read/chill/swim.  I have by some miracle finished 'The Bell Jar' which I am reading for my English Literature coursework, I started attempting to read it back in May but I just could not get past chapter three or four, this time around it took me from Thursday to Saturday to start and finish.  I gave myself a well deserved pat on the back  before picking up 'Looking for Alaska' and starting to re-read that.  I made a vow to myself  before I came away that I wouldn't ask people their results because I knew I would scare myself silly but I have and now I am absolutely petrified to pick them up. AGH.

The photos do not even give justice to how stunning the view is.  Spanish blogger is confusing me now because it won't translate so au revoir! 

In case you hadn't yet guessed from my previous post I have had a pretty good week this week. I'd like to take this opportunity to reiterate my point and say - definitely do courses like that! One of the most insightful things I have ever done. I did, however receive some awful news on the last day, this week my poor dog who has been suffering from canine epilepsy passed away. It has been one of the saddest parts of my life for a few years, anyone with a dog knows how attached you become so it's almost been like losing a friend and it had upset me an awful lot. :( Boooo. 

This weekend, however I was cheered up greatly. On Friday some friends Rebecca and Meredith from drama held a 'Midsummer Extravaganza'  for their 18th Birthday - It was wonderful and magical and great.  I wore a halterneck white dress which was kind of Marilyn Monroe-esque.  I loved it. 

Then today it was my good pal Sophie's birthday so she kindly had our lot of friends over for a barbecue to celebrate that it was sunny (yup, we celebrate). I had one of the best afternoon/evenings, it was the type of evening that makes you appreciate your group of friends more than you do every day. I'm gonna leave it now before I cry or something. I LOVE MY FRIENDS.

Pretty short post this week because I told you what I've done already once! I'm off to Barcelona on Thursday so a week of (putting off) packing awaits me. 

(pls ignore how strange my formatting has gone I did try to fix it but sleepy)

now playing -jasey rae/all time low - only love/ben howard  - summertime sadness/lana del rey-  other side/jason derulo

Hello lovely people, how are we all on this rather miserable Sunday?  I've had a quiet day really just doing little bits of preparation for London as I begin my course in London College of Fashion on Tuesday which is all very exciting!  I also finally after beginning in the middle of May have finished all six seasons of Gossip Girl.  I cried like a small baby whilst watching the last episode, I actually thought I was broken, (I am trying not to give much away) but when Serena walked down the stairs looking all fierce and radiant and everyone was standing and looking at her I just couldn't handle it.  

For the most part of this week I have been helping out at a Performance House Summer School putting on 'A Very Potter Musical' which is a satire of the Harry Potter series written by Darren Criss from Glee back when he was studying at the University of Wisconsin.  

The musical has everything you need to make a brilliant show from painfully catchy songs, familiar characters and a good few chorus pieces, killer harmonies, AND an 11 minute opening number.  The amount of talent we had made casting extremely difficult but we definitely ended up with a hilarious, brilliant cast.  

Good luck to the rest of the Summer Schools which I unfortunately cannot attend! I'm off to discover the next doctor now, I'm hoping Olivia Coleman but I was in the same drama group Aneurin Barnard went to so it would be amazing if he got it!

now playing -sing/cast of a chorus line - misery business/paramore -new york/paloma faith- bi g when i was little/eliza doolittle

HEYA. Whilst lying in bed and enjoying the wonderful "musical hot water bottle" on B.Trait's radio 1 show, the voice inside my head asked "El, you've had a good day but what haven't you done?" and it was at that point I lept from my rather comfortable position to haphazardly grab my laptop from beneath my bed. Obviously we both made it in one piece and here I am writing my Sunday Scoop.

I can quite proudly say that this week I have succeeded in finishing season five of Gossip Girl. It's been an emotional roller coaster and I am not sure if I can handle having to finish season 6 and therefore ALL OF GOSSIP GIRL this week. In the last five seasons I've gone from *spoiler alert skip to the end of this paragraph if you aren't okay with this* shipping Dan and Serena to hating Serena and not being Dan's biggest fan, from not liking Blair to feeling like her best friend, loving, loathing then missing Little J AND Eric at points. I think Chuck wins the biggest turnaround in my emotions though. My life has become one big hunt for my very own Chuck Bass. I am totally kidding. A bit.

As many of you know, for the last 19 months I have been a student tutor at The Performance House.  This Saturday was the final day for Assistant Tutor Kieran who is heading off to the army at the end of the month, like me Kieran has been there since the start and we have worked on on a number of shows together so it was a very emotional day! Although we did go for a wonderful meal at Zia Nina (the Lasagne is spot on) to celebrate his time with us! We all wish him the bust of luck and hope he stays in touch and doesn't forget about us!!

I also spent a lovely afternoon with my lovely cousins Evan and Ffion which consisted of Ffion texting my friends off my phone and taking photos.

Next week will be more eventful as I am working on our production of A Very Potter Musical...yay!

Upon reaching the end of my final week off school for study leave I have reached a conclusion...these six weeks back in school are going to be long, boring and possibly a little pointless. We're all in for two weeks (Also, my birthday is in two weeks...just saying) then we have four weeks to complete work experience, so there will be four weeks of half empty classes! I think I'm just trying to come up with reasons I don't want to go in and wake up early. Boo-hiss. 

I've spent this week watching Gossip Girl (still) and walking to Bridgend to pick my sister up from school, which was slightly frustrating because its a 40 minute walk, one way. I even managed to sunburn my shoulder, I suppose it's all toning my legs so I can't complain. 

Today I went to meet my mum and Caitlin at the end of Mairs Walk, a local charity walk that they participate in, it's a lovely day so I donned my new white crop tee and a grey maxi skirt. 

I'm going to spend the rest of the day wishing I was watching Iggy Azalea at Parklife festival and inwardly complaining ahoy having to get back to school tomorrow. Much fun. 

I almost forgot - Rihanna tomorrow woohoo!!!!

This week was probably one of the most chilled weeks in the history of chilled weeks. I tried so hard to wake up at sensible times and walk my dog (it's the thought that counts) but I was so chilled out I just couldn't! I didn't do all that much, on Tuesday Sophia and I took the 30 minute trek into town to buy out joint present for Molly, we settled on a gift bag of little things we knew she loved, including a pot noodle, pink lucozade and blue bon bons! I also bought myself a lovely top from New Look which was black, I really wanted the white but it was too big! I'll tell you more about that later. The day after that I headed back into town to make preparations on my parents behalf for a wedding they attended yesterday. I picked up a suit, ordered buttonhole flowers, booked a haircut and bought Moroccon hair oil! Busy busy busy.

I did pretty much nothing on Thursday and Friday apart from finish Gossip Girl series two and pack up more of my room! On Saturday I went to The Performance House as usual and we have officially started roughly blocking Beauty and the Beast, woohoo! Later on that day Molly (who's birthday it was) and Elen came over to get ready to go out to a house party, and voila, selfie! Is it cheating using a few photos of not just me too? Definitely not. Great night had by all!

This is the top I bought - I'm not a huge fan of baring lots of skin so I loved the lace overlay, I may buy it in white when it is restocked. 

This week has been mad! Five exams in three days with two days of packing/revision/Gossip Girl has been tough but I've made it out the other side fine if not a little ill.

I won't bore you with the details of my exams but I am going to talk about The Great Gatsby as I watched it on Friday. I loved it. I was sceptical after some of the reviews I'd heard but on the whole, very impressed. Now, don't read on if you haven't read the book or seen the film! So it started off with Nick in a psychologists office, the opening was nice but I didn't really get why that had been added, it was a nice feature and all but I think going back to it so much was not necessary. Next, the soundtrack was just amazing. I already knew what it was prior to going in but i thought the placement of the songs was really great, most notably "Young and Beautiful" by Lana Del Rey as it really summarised Daisy's attitude and thoughts. Some of the filmography was absolutely outstanding, for example when Mrytle (who I think Isla Fisher played brilliantly) gets knocked over but then there were some really awful moments, especially a particular part where Gatsby is talking to Nick in front of a screen. Diabolical. All in all, excellent film. Worth a watch for sure. 

On to a fun filled week of more packing now, and possibly some pampering! 

And the selfie - today I took my little cousin to her dance performance at Maesteg's Party in the Park. She was absolutely excellent as always, a little star! 

I seem to have encountered a problem.  My keyboard on my laptop no longer works, we've just sold the house, my AS exams are in a week and I've badly neglected my poor blog.  So here's an apology and an explanation.  I'm not sure why my keyboard doesn't work, I think i'm going to find a keyboard on eBay and attach it through the USB port and all will be well! Next, so after a grueling few years we have finally sold our house! We're actually planning to build a house but over the next few months while we're building we're going to have to rent - so expect lots of potential bedroom idea posts over the next few months, because I promise there will be a lot of them!  And yeah, AS exams, much fun.

NOW, the past two weeks have obviously been exciting and to top it off I've been given the role of Deputy Head Girl of my school 2013-14.  Isn't that fun!? I'm super keen to get going, organising parties, charity work and lots of involvement with lower school years.  Last Thursday I presented a charity fashion show for Latch, a charity that does a lot of work for children and teenagers in Wales who suffer from cancer.  The lovely Bethany (click her name to see her blog!) took lots of photos which I have stolen hehehe

This volume's selfie -doing my presenting thaaaang!

The show was a great success and we raised over £600 for such a worthwhile charity, well done to all involved as without such a great team, it would not have all come together!

As for the blogging, I absolutely 100% promise I will be back on form soon! 

ttfn x

First week back in school = eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeugh. 

I'm kidding, I've actually had a really great week to be honest.  Monday morning my sister woke me up with a coffee and said 'coffee and a cuddle happy Monday!' which was possibly the best/cutest way to be woken up EVER never mind on a Monday.  Monday is also the one full five lesson day on my timetable, so I wasn't completely up for it.  I went in however as usual, had a form registration class, went to double textiles (I AM NOW COMPLETELY DONE CLICK HERE TO SEE MY CORSET) and made a half hearted attempt at putting the button holes in my shirts, I ended up unpicking it and returning on Tuesday.  Then went to media studies and then double RS which turned out to be a mock exam on Judaism.  Wasn't that fun.  BUT during lunchtime I attended a meeting for all those who applied for the role of Head Boy/Girl and got told that from the nine girls who applied I was one of the six who'd be chosen to do a speech on Friday to my year group about why I should be Head Girl.  Much excitement.  Then we were back in dance which was fab and as funny as it always is - especially now that Sophie has joined, despite her adamant complaints that she couldn't dance and didn't have rhythm she fitted in well.  

The middle of the week was a bit of an excited blur as I was so excited to do my speech on Friday - my old textiles teacher returned from maternity leave so I was super excited to see her, both her and baby Bella are doing well! The downside of school at the moment is that basically all we're doing is past paper questions and essays and revision so we aren't really doing much learning, just putting what we have learnt into practise.

Friday came and I woke up nervous, went to school nervous, went to form nervous, went to the hall nervous, walked on stage nervous, and then said my speech.  I've been told the start of my speech was a little...not angry..but....let's go with fierce...PASSIONATE! Ooops, maybe I was a little scary, but after a few people told me they'd voted for me I guessed my scare tactics had worked.   Hopefully we'll find out tomorrow who's gotten through to interviews with senior staff which is all very exciting!

Yesterday we continued on with casting Beauty and the Beast which is going really well, and it's very difficult to call who's getting what! Then I went to Rhodri's 18th Birthday (where I got to wear my outfit from my vlog HERE) with Morgan, Molly and a few others from The Performance House and beyond which was a really lovely evening - thanks Rhod! 

Today I've been to Wedding Fayre (no, there isn't something I'm not telling you I promise, it was for research purposes I swear!) Where I got asked 'When's the big day?' 'Do you have cars yet?' and my personal favourite was when I explained I'm doing research for school - 'Where do you teach?' face to the palm.  

I've seen on a number of other blogs that people have really regular posts like 'MAKE UP MONDAY' or something like that and I've come to the decision that I want one too.  SO after much deliberation and one too many lie-ins over the Easter holidays meaning I'm still awake at stupid o'clock I decided on this.  It's a little more personal than the rest of my posts, and kind of keeps you all up to date on what's going on. Let's not mess around, here goes.

....TAH DAAAAAAAH

My trusty disco pants served me well on Saturday!

This week has been the last week of the Easter holidays and I did more or less absolutely nothing.  It felt good.  I spent the majority of the first half of the week waking up gone midday, trying to revise, ending up online shopping, trying to revise again then playing a board game with my sister.  Very much eat, sleep, repeat.  As I spoke about in my vlog  I went for a meal at Frankie and Benny's on Monday for my friends Emilie and Dayna's birthdays which was lovely, I gave up meat for lent so I thouroughly enjoyed my Buffalo Wings and New Yorker Burger.  On Tuesday I was supposed to go to a gathering at Libby's but she was ill -sad face- but she's all good now!  Instead I went over Charlotte's.   On Wednesday SHOCK HORROR I had to go into school for textiles coursework completion.  In textiles this year we've had a portfolio style approach to the coursework, which is 50% of our final grade. We've been given three small projects - a bag, a shirt and a corset.  Now for those among you who don't do Textiles or a DT subject and assume that it is easy, you my friends, are very, painfully wrong.  I think people saying 

• 'Textiles is so easy'
• 'Why are you acting like it's so much work'
• 'How can you even have a textiles exam'
• 'What do you mean textiles theory'

And the like is the most annoying thing.  I'm not going to launch into full on rant, but you get where I'm coming from.  I also went in on Thursday but didn't actually do anything other than a flow of manufacture due to the high concentration of GCSE students who's deadline is closer than ours (meaning on Thursday, them > us).  

 I've also spent the week nursing my new rook piercing with salt water every chance I get, I seem to have bad luck when it comes to infections in piercing so I'm trying to prove I can learn from my mistake and so far, so good.  

On Saturday I (woke up at 7:30!!!!!!) started back after two weeks off from The Performance House where I work as a Student Tutor to get on with auditions for the year 7-9, or Midi's production of Beauty and the Beast which I am SO excited for! Although I'd never worked with the majority of the group so I was rather nervous about meeting them all for the first time, I've been teaching with The Performance House since January 2012 but always with the younger group.  However of course they made me feel right at home!  Then I stayed on for my own class, and after we had planned to have an after show gathering from West Side Story at the beach but it rained, as it always does in Wales, so it got called off so I went on to stay over my friend Molly's.  

And now here we are, it's Sunday.  I'm revising, I'm doing coursework, I'm generally chilling and it's feeling great.  How is your Sunday? What are we thinking about this post?

p.s. I've recently had lots of views from Germany, so hello my German friends! Please say hello!

p.p.s. I think I like writing in italics now