Discoveries This Week

Shortish post today as I have work in a couple of hours. I'm sure you've heard the saying you learn something new everyday - its really quite true. Here are some of the little things I have learnt this week.

Shopping at the local greengrocers: I usually make a weekly trip to Tescos to buy all my essentials but its quite small and its difficult to eat healthily if you're constantly buying the same fruits and veg - I get bored easily. This week I popped into my local greengrocers instead not only is there much more variety but its good or better value and the fruits taste so much better! Yesterday I had a nectarine, peach and strawberry fruit salad after my run and it was aammaazzing!

Excuse quality of photo - I've mislaid my camera so I'm relying on my trustee blackberry!

People in bookshops like to talk: Working in the evenings means I get 'browsers' who like to spend time gazing at the layers upon layers of books for a while before making their choice. I don't know whether its just the area but I have met some really interesting people lately; sailors, wealthy yacht owners, cooks, photographers and people from all around the world and everyone has something interesting to share.

Chilled Jasmine Tea: I discovered this by mistake only this morning. After a lovely meal and tea session with one of my friends last night, I couldn't bring myself to throw away the remaining jasmine tea I had made so I popped it in the fridge. This morning I tried it with my breakfast and it was delightful. Definitely repeating this.

Lawson: Based in London four piece band Lawson have been high on my playlists recently. They remind me of bands like The Calling and Hanson from years gone by. I have posted 'When She Was Mine' below but I am spoilt for choice so here's a link to their new single 'Taking Over Me' also :)

Grilled Mozzarella and Sundried Tomatoes on Toast or dark rye bread: I'll admit I am slightly scared of mozzarella because I feel like it will go straight around my waist, however, a little treat every now and then is acceptable. Rye bread is amazing because its nutty and heavy, just layer a slice of mozzarella on top and a sundried/sunblushed tomato and pop it under the grill. Sprinkle a little fresh basil and black pepper on top and you have a lunch of dreams.

Lauren Conrad.com: I am a blogaholic and have been for quite some time. I have a tumblr account, a we<3it account, pinterest account and a list of favorite blogs on my bookmarks menu. In fact I waste a huge amount of my free time just browsing the internet to satisfy my aesthetic tendencies. My latest little discovery laurenconrad.com has been occupying large amounts of my time and inspiring me with everything from my wardrobe choices to decorating my new sleeping space. 

That's all for now lovelies, speak soon!

xoxo

What Makes a Man

I am in the process of collecting images and ideas for an 'eye-candy' wall in my new flat. I have never done this before; to be frankly honest I like my interiors to be minimal (so my buzzing over-analytical mind will have some excuse to chill out and relax) so why the wall of eye candy? I am aware I'm on the the brink or perhaps have already stepped too far into the realms of superficiality - before you jump to any conclusions I would add that there are a million more things to appreciate in men other than a pretty face. Today I am simply defending my eye-candy wall I am not out to reveal the top 10 tips to finding the perfect match - I’m definitely not the right girl to write that article!

I have many reasons in defence of this little venture and I'll admit some are more amicable than others. The most superficial of all is probably the most fundamental reason why we all like to buy those glossy magazines and sigh over the air brushed faces and chizeled abs of both male and female celebrities; we like beauty. In fact I'd go as far to say as we are drawn towards beauty. Many have critized the western world for being so image focused but who truly can claim that they remain totally indifferent to a pretty face or a well-toned body after having grown up in a world plastered with the media's perspective of outward beauty? Unless you have dodgy sight like me, we cannot help but double-take as an attractive individual passes by and I'll be the first to admit that my hands reach into my purse for my glasses for a sneaky scan of the boys at the beach. And even outside the western world, men and women have always been attracted to those figures in society who are youngest, fittest, healthiest. Whilst our superficiality in society is critized as one of our greatest flaws it is also one of mankind's most fundamental traits. Consequently, I think I can justify a little eye-candy!

For many years I have 'bookmarked' my issues of Elle with my revision sticky tabs on pages with clothes and accessories I love. The idea of this little exercise is that in physically bookmarking the page I am more likely to remember that item. When I see something similar whilst out shopping I know I am buying things I really like rather than getting caught up in the shopping 'moment'. I propose here that the same approach should work with men. The phrase beauty is in the eye of the beholder is ageless and so very true. My friends and I have very different tastes in men. Whilst I go for the muscular clean-cut types such as Liam Hemsworth, Ryan Reynalds and Channing Tatum one of my good friends at university would much prefer Matthew Lewis, Douglas Booth and Matt Boomer to move in next door. There are girls who are team Edward or team Jacob, those who'd prefer Gale over Peeta and those who can't stand any generic teenage heartthrobs at all. Case in point; everyone has different tastes and in a world full of attractive men knowing your 'type' is vital to being happy with your choices rather than just getting caught up in a different kind of 'shopping moment'. 

Finally, a little bit of incentive is guaranted inspiration for my own health regime. Fit and healthy men and women keep me inspired to exercise and eat well thus the importance of having my collection in my kitchen! Barring the fact that most are air-brushed, photoshopped and covered in fake tan the bare potential is very much present and whoever likes to shoot for the stars will achieve much more than those who settle at nothing. You see, there is nothing wrong or immoral in appreciating beauty and hard work. I will press on towards the eye-candy wall with a clear conscience!  

See below for a list of contenders for my wall. Ten of the best:

Back for the Summer!

I found this on Tumblr... I think it sums up the dream pretty well!

Well Hello,

Damselfly I have missed you, I have neglected you and I am sorry for this. Life picked me up by my ankles and swung me over its back a good 10 months ago and it took me a while to get my feet back on the ground again!

I am currently enjoying my official ‘summer’ although the likelihood of me spending even one day in seven on the beach is slim according to the weather forecasts. It has been the wettest June on record and July doesn’t seem to be shaping up to much either. Safe to say I have been enjoying my time anyway. Last week I played ‘lawyer’ at a large firm near my parents’ home and loved it. This week I return to Cornwall to start my new seasonal job as that-girl-who-runs-that-bookshop. I will be sporting a pair of geek chic glasses and trying to dress a little less casual. Most importantly, I will be reading a great many books.

During my degree amongst the towers of legal textbooks and journals my enjoyment in reading gets a little bit lost. In the last two weeks I have chowed down on five books. I thought I’d begin with a little review.

The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern: Rating *****

The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho: Rating ****

Before I Go to Sleep - S J Watson: Rating ****

The Sense of an Ending - Julian Barnes: Rating **

Fifty Shades of Grey - E L James: Rating **