Current Obsession

Monday 30 March 2015

Don't leave, don't leave, don't leave, don't leave // You've only seen half of me.

And watching: American Horror Story. Once Upon A Time. Millionaire Matchmaker (I have discovered ITVBe.)

We Went To Paris

Tuesday 24 March 2015

The weekend before last, Thom and I went to Paris. Booked on a whim when Eurostar had a sale, the trip was a welcome break from the repetitive nature our weekends have taken on of late. We loved it.

How to do Paris the Thom & Charlotte way
Book a cheap hotel near Montmartre - marvel at the French definition of a twin room, find it very amusing when one of you accidentally kicks the panel on the side of the bath, and it falls off. Spend 9 straight hours walking in random circles around the city, somehow managing to cover off both tourist attractions and more random pursuits, such as tiny Parisian pet shops. Watch in wonder as Thom falls madly in love with a (adorable, admittedly) French hamster, who will forever now be known as ‘George.’ Eat macarons in Montmartre after fighting off men trying to lure you in with friendship bracelets. Nap. Watch a strange TV show consisting of sloths yawning, while Ed Sheeran plays in the background. Get very drunk on cheap wine, play never have I ever. Take a stroll through the sex district in pursuit of a place to drink – stumble into a private club that lets you off being on the guest list, purely because they have no idea what you’re saying to them. Leave very quickly. Eat a Royale with cheese in bed whilst watching the French version of The Voice. Walk some more. Go to an enormous and slightly terrifying flea market, where everything appears to be made of tartan. Eat a baguette. Buy souvenirs. Go home.

To visit
- Shakespeare & Company – the most beautiful bookshop I’ve ever encountered.
- Sacre Coeur – more specifically, the outside of it. The view is worth the lifetime of steps/the harsh realisation that you need to get yourself to a gym, immediately.
- & the obvious ones, too – The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Champs Elysees, the love lock bridge, etc.

To eat
- Macarons – available at most bakeries.
- Crème Brulee and a cup of tea – Café Des Deux Moulins (the Amelie café.)

To remember
Look up, the architecture is beautiful.

On Consent (& Tea)

Wednesday 18 March 2015

Below is a very British, very important metaphor for consent, as shared by The Independent, via rockstardinosaurpirateprincess – I couldn’t not repost this.

On consent:

“You say “hey, would you like a cup of tea?” and they go “omg f–k yes, I would f–king LOVE a cup of tea! Thank you!” then you know they want a cup of tea.

“If you say “hey, would you like a cup of tea?” and they um and ahh and say, “I’m not really sure…” then you can make them a cup of tea or not, but be aware that they might not drink it, and if they don’t drink it then – this is the important bit – don’t make them drink it. You can’t blame them for you going to the effort of making the tea on the off-chance they wanted it; you just have to deal with them not drinking it. Just because you made it doesn’t mean you are entitled to watch them drink it.

“If they say “No thank you” then don’t make them tea. At all. Don’t make them tea, don’t make them drink tea, don’t get annoyed at them for not wanting tea. They just don’t want tea, ok?

“They might say “Yes please, that’s kind of you” and then when the tea arrives they actually don’t want the tea at all. Sure, that’s kind of annoying as you’ve gone to the effort of making the tea, but they remain under no obligation to drink the tea. They did want tea, now they don’t. Sometimes people change their mind in the time it takes to boil that kettle, brew the tea and add the milk. And it’s ok for people to change their mind, and you are still not entitled to watch them drink it even though you went to the trouble of making it.

“Unconscious people don’t want tea and can’t answer the question “do you want tea” because they are unconscious.”

I’ll pop the kettle on, shall I?


Image: Jean Shrimpton, looking like a total babe.

Valentino Pre-Fall 2015 Runway

Monday 2 March 2015

Valentino Pre-Fall 2015 Runway
Valentino Pre-Fall 2015 Runway
Valentino Pre-Fall 2015 Runway
Valentino Pre-Fall 2015 Runway
Valentino Pre-Fall 2015 Runway
I was under the impression Valentino had peaked at the release of fragrance, Valentina - one of my (many) signature scents. It would appear I was wrong. With flowers, beading, hearts and stars, the pre-fall 2015 runway collection is nothing short of enchanting, and I can't stop looking at it. I want it all.

Found via: Pleurs, by way of Vogue. 
Another fashion favourite: Orla Kiely with Clarks.
Something else from Vogue: How to survive fashion week by Alexa Chung.




Little Loves

Harry Potter onesie by Peter Alexander the rosie project by Graeme Simsion Tartan scarf edinburgh - clans of scotland 1. Harry Potter onesie, by Peter Alexander. This - my first and only onesie - is one of the best things I've ever worn to bed. Given to me by Sam for my 26th birthday, it is both comfortable and the perfect fit, and it hasn't shrunk in the wash like many other things seem to do in our house (unexpected bonus.) First worn just after midnight on the day of my birthday, whilst lying on my bed with Sam laughing about failed romance. Since worn for much less interesting pursuits, like sleeping.  So cool, so cool.

2. The Rosie Project. I picked this up on a whim whilst charity shop book shopping (my weakness) and am now around halfway through. It's a charming and easy read, with lots of oddities that keep you wanting to learn more about each character, and I love the style in which it is written - a style that reminds me a lot of a favourite of mine, Silver Linings Playbook. At this point, I'd recommend it. I'll let you know if it's all downhill from here.

3. Clans of Scotland tartan scarf. I spent new year in Edinburgh, and inbetween Hogmanay celebrations, and dodgy fake accents, and a questionable club called The Hive that was actually FAB, I went in search of 'the perfect tartan scarf' - an endeavor my severely hungover housemate was less than enthused by. This one isn't actually as chunky as what I wanted, but I loved the colours, so I went for it anyway. It can now be found around my neck or on a hook behind my door, depending on my mood. And on the weather, obviously.


Listening to: On My Own, A Little Fall of Rain, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables #LesMis
Reading: Ellie's Favourite Things, The Laowai Life, Tiny Little Mixtapes
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