The Start of 2018

On the 31st of December, Harry and I travelled up to London to see the new year in. With 2017 not being a year I particularly wanted to hang on to, there seemed no better way than to see it out in the best way possible. 

As you can see in the picture above, we managed to get the perfect spot. We were directly opposite the Eye and the tower block where the countdown is projected on to. You can also probably see the vast numbers of people, which in any other situation would probably have caused me major anxiety, but I am so grateful that I managed to enjoy it all without one single anxious thought. I would like 2018 to continue that way.

If there's one thing I absolutely love, it's fireworks. Every time I watch a fireworks display, big or small, I stand there speechless. Obviously this one was absolutely huge, so I was in complete awe. I would recommend that you go and watch these fireworks at least once in your life; the tickets are only £10 and the atmosphere provides warm feeling of togetherness, wherever you come from.

We spent the night in the Tower Bridge Travelodge, which in hindsight probably wasn't the best location as we were at the opposite end of the embankment to watch the fireworks. However it was really comfortable and gave us the rest we needed after such a long day.

Afresh from the night before, we headed to Trafalgar Square to watch the New Years Day Parade. The parade starts at Piccadilly, by Green Park, and goes down Regent's Street, heading towards Pall Mall. It then goes down Pall Mall into Trafalgar Square (Charing Cross), before going down Whitehall and finishes up at Westminster. Again, I would 100% attending the parade, and if you want guaranteed viewing, try and get there just before it starts (even as late as 5 minutes before), and stand between each "sight", rather than at them. We went to Charing Cross but it was packed, so we walked towards New Zealand House and got right up to the barrier.

This years theme was 'Showtime', and from old cars to stuntmen, and marching bands from US high schools to cultural dancers, there was a whole variety of participants, from all walks of life. 

As we all know, a new year is about putting the past behind you and starting fresh, which feels ever more so poignant with the year starting on a Monday. Other than going to Berlin next week, I don't really having anything planned for 2018, so I'm not going to worry too much about what I want to happen and just let it roll out as it comes, taking each day with fresh eyes.

In terms of goals and resolutions, I just want to improve myself in order to improve my mental health. I'm halfway through my degree now - doesn't time fly?! - so I just need to keep on going. 2019  is going to be a big year, so my main aim this year is to save up enough money for me and Harry to travel to somewhere really nice to celebrate everything that's happening. We would love to go to Mexico, and at this stage it seems unrealistic, but I'm determined not to settle for second best!

Back to this year though! I'm looking forward to it, and I hope it brings you all happiness.

Georgia.xo 

The Generator

Hello, it's been a while.

This past week I've been back at uni, trying to settle back in to a routine, and chasing up maintenance to come and finish my room for what feels like every five minutes (that's a story for another time). But, whilst all of this has been going on, I went to London on an FCP night for a couple of days, and we stayed at The Generator in Kings Cross.

When I first think of the word 'hostel', I instantly think some cheap, run down building, with dated wallpaper and rusty bunk beds. With The Generator that is not the case. Being FCP students we obviously have to do style on a budget, which is totally what The Generator is. It's decor is very artistic and visually attractive, with bright colours, different materials, funky typography and lots of illustration.

The atmosphere is brilliant, because it's full of like minded people who want to stay somewhere nice, but can't necessarily pay mega bucks. People who are creatively minded. People who aren't settling down for a while.

However, being a hostel there are some down sides to the small price tag. For example, you do still get bunk beds, which isn't a problem in itself, but the mattresses aren't particularly comfy to say the least. And breakfast is nothing to write home about. Nevertheless, I had a full nights sleep and I was fed, which you can't really complain about considering we paid less than £30 for the night.

The Generator is a chain of hostels, so they also have hostels in most major European cities, including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome and Stockholm. It looks like there is going to be on in Miami very soon!

If you're exploring accommodation options across the continent I would definitely recommend having a look at their website.


Georgia.xo

An FCP Trip to London

Yesterday, we made our first FCP trip to London to carry out "research" (or crying over how my student loan doesn't stretch to the price tags in Selfridges). Our main aim was to explore how our given trend (in my case, a knotted waist) was communicated through retail and worn by the consumer, however it was also an opportunity to explore London and see how fashion in general was being communicated within the shops.

We visited Camden, Shoreditch, Spitalfields Market, as well as the obvious two - Regent Street and Oxford Street! Each has its own style and atmosphere about it, which helped us make comparisons within our research.

We also made quick stops at Liberty, including their Christmas shop! And also Burberry with their world famous and absolutely incredible flagship store. Christmas or not, there's something magical about visiting designer stores, from the innovative visual merchandising to the experience created by the store assistants. I would definitely recommend making visiting stores like Burberry when you're in London, because their use of technology within the store is something entirely different from the typical high street.

"If you're curious, London's an amazing place" - David Bailey

Georgia.xo

Blogmas | Day 20 | Winter Wonderland

Yesterday (today... the 20th December if we want to pretend I'm not quickly writing this up the day after) me and Harry went to London. Our main purpose was to go to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park because it's a Christmas tradition of mine, but we also popped into St Pancras, to see the tree made out of Disney toys,  Covent Garden and also Oxford Street to see Selfridges' window displays and the pretty lights.

I'd seen the St Pancras tree on Instagram and I'm easily excited by things like this so it was a must that we went to see it. When we got there it was truly magical. Everyone was walking around with their suitcases ready to spend their Christmas in France, there was a choir singing Christmas songs and then the tree, which had snow falling down over it from the ceiling.

The whole day was magical really. Covent Garden looked stunning with the larger than life mistletoe and so did Oxford Street. I feel in love with the Selfridges window display, Hannah Emslie and her team have done an amazing job with the zodiac theme. And as always, Winter Wonderland never fails to amaze me, even if it is incredibly over priced and packed!

Georgia.xo