Cardiff

Last week I went to Cardiff with most of the WOLF PACK cast. I’m part Welsh, and every time I’m back in the country it reminds me of the idyllic childhood I spent there. We were only there for a few days but it was lovely to see the familiar road signs with everything written out in both English and Welsh, and seeing the distinctive flag everywhere always makes me feel at home.

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This is the third time I’ve been to Cardiff (I grew up in the North) and although I’ve not explored as much as I would like to I always find it such a charming city. This particular trip was with all the WOLF PACK lot following our busy week at VAULT. Most of these photos are from around the centre, near where we stayed. Cardiff Castle is one of my favourite castles, entirely because of the animal wall. You all know how much I love animals; what could possibly be better than a giant stone wall with a different animal perched atop each segment?

Winter Wonderland

 I don’t like Christmas. There, I said it! It’s strange as I love cheesy tack and pointless schmaltz, but from the age of 7 the only feeling I can remember having towards Christmas is one of resigned boredom. The idea of owning a Christmas jumper in a non-ironic way or eating a mince pie whilst wearing tinsel just makes me want to cringe in a corner for several hours. Add to that the fact that London seems to grind to a halt and you’ve got my least favourite time of year!

However, in an effort to reverse my usual yuletide gloom, I’ve made a list of the most festive experiences I can think of (chestnuts, ice-skating… baubles) and with James on hand to supply childlike enthusiasm and glad tidings, I’m attempting to overcome my inner Scrooge. I donned my snow-queen headdress (actually an untwisted candleholder) and we headed to Winter Wonderland to crank up the merriness. In between cracking up over some of the weirder animatronics and screaming my lungs out on the Ice Mountain roller-coaster, I did genuinely feel a (small) festive glow wandering through the market area and looking at the pretty fairground attractions. The fact that it’s free to walk around the whole place is impressive, and if you’re in London I’d recommend it for a seasonal stroll even if you’re festively-challenged like I am. I’m glad we decided to go on a school day as I imagine it could get pretty rammed once the school holidays are here!

If you have any recommendations for quintessential Christmas activities then let me know and follow here for part 2 soon.

Coat – Urban Outfitters, £60 (sale plus 20% off!). Brogues – James’. Tights – Forever 21, £3, sale. Scarf – Marks & Spencers, gift (years ago). Bear ears bag – Urban Outfitters, £10 (sale). Thing in hair (DIY destroyed candleholder) – charity shop, 50p.

Kentish Town

James and I had a rare Sunday off and I had all these grand plans for a jam-packed day of action and adventure. I think this is what happens when you don’t have weekends or a normal working schedule; you see a window of opportunity and go insane trying to make the most of the day! However, as it was a day off  I predictably slept for hours, and by the time James and I bothered to leave the house we decided to just head ten minutes down the road to Kentish town rather than trek over to East London. I was initially annoyed at failing in my original plans but cheered up considerably following a breakfast that involved dessert and a very fruitful trek round the charity shops. You can see my purchases above (accompanied by James). The book is amazing and the polo neck is so warm!

I’m wearing one of my many, many purchases from the charity shop where I work – it’s covered in the kind of ridiculous 80s print that makes me laugh (chains, hooks, iron rods and pearls… that classic print combination) and it was a mere £1.50. £1.50! That’s cheaper than nearly everything in McDonalds! James jokes that every Friday is “New Outfit Day” as it’s the day after my shift and I invariably have new clothes. He’s got a point, but it’s hard to feel guilty when everything is secondhand recycling, incredibly cheap and contributing to a good cause. I never shop on the high street or online but if I find something I like in a charity shop I do tend to just get it (funds allowing!) because you might never see it again: too many times I’ve had the depressing “return” to a charity shop for that one singularly amazing item, only to find somebody worth more sense has snatched it away in your absence.