Post Exams Freedom: Durham

Last week, I finally got my life back. Exam season had ended, the sun was shining and I was ready to celebrate my freedom. Not only had I finished what felt like a gruelling few weeks of assessments, I'd also finished my university career! I was flooded with relief at the simple fact that I'd survived, but bar that, I felt.... precisely as I had post exams, which was surprising since I'd been expecting to feel magically different. Older? More mature? I mean, I had just completed the last step in my formal education! No matter. This lack enlightenment wasn't going to deter me and so after my first decent nights sleep in months, I hopped onto a train to Durham...

...and promptly realised just how tired I still was. Thankfully, we refuelled at Tango and I was revived by a deliciously succulent burger, far too many fries and a large glug of ginger beer.

The next week passed in a whirl of cooking yummy food, sunshine, Pimms, eating out and afternoon naps (one of life's luxuries I'd sorely missed!). We attended a charity cricket match one afternoon, taking a picnic of summery food with us, full of strawberries, blueberries and cherries, cheese with onion chutney and pita and hummus. Oh and of course, more Pimms!

We also made the short trip to Newcastle for lunch with some good friends at (an incredibly amazing little place called) the Fat Hippo. (I tried to make out that I was excited about seeing our friends but they all knew it was the food I was so enthusiastic about... Apologies for the lack of photos, but take it from me, the burgers are TO DIE FOR!)

Another evening, we popped out for a Thai dinner at the Lotus Lounge where we demolished a table full of food, happily washed down with cocktails.

(Essentially you get the picture, yes?)

In essence, it was heavenly to have some free time: to sit around doing nothing and not feel guilty or cook and eat meals which took more than a designated lunch break hour. More than that, it was wonderful to finally have a chance to catch up with friends... especially one in particular!

The King's Road and the Google Labs

Since exams were finally over, I decided to take my purse for a little walk about and hit the King's Road for a touch of retail therapy.

My main aim was to visit Brandy Melville, an Italian brand which has only recently recently hit the UK.

 I'd been promised good quality, affordable clothes and I can't say I was disappointed. More importantly, everything fitted beautifully and hung well, despite the store's 'one size fits most' policy. (I often find it hard to find clothes that fit my figure, so was pleasantly surprised!) Feeling rather spoilt, I happily trotted away with a pretty little tee and a floaty pink skirt, while Marcus treated me to the cutest pair of shorts! 

After a bit of a wonder, it started to tip it down so we headed over to the Science Museum (a favourite haunt of mine as a child- everything's so 'hands on'!) to visit the Google Labs. 

This exhibition is highly interactive, inviting people from all over the world to get involved (live!) over the internet. Your interactions are logged on a special lab card you're given, which allows you to view what you've done from home. While we were there we had time to watch a robotic arm draw our faces in the sand (which was incredible to watch) and view live 360° images of a 24hr bakery and an aquarium! Unfortunately we couldn't stay long, but I wish I'd had a chance to fully explore the exhibit as everything seemed so interestingly eye-catching  The exhibit closes in August so hopefully there will be time to go back and see what else it has to offer!

Rather hurriedly leaving the Science Museum, we dashed to Leicester Square to see if we could win a pair of Book of Mormon tickets...

UCLU Variety Show at the Magic Circle and Soho House

The sun was streaming in through the windows as the invigilator took one final glance at his watch and called that time was up. The room of students in front of him scuffled as they wearily put down their pens. Finally, after many long weeks of revision, the last exam was over. Freedom beckoned and I answered with full force, jumping on the first train out of the city and back to London. I had a fabulous weekend ahead of me which was to be kicked off somewhat magically that very evening!

Last Thursday, Marcus and I went to watch a variety show which had been organised by his friend Edward Hilsum, a rising star amongst magicians and a member of the secretive Magic Circle. It was at the Magic Circle's head quarters the show was to take place, a building full of mystical displays and frequented by extraordinary people, tucked behind an unobtrusive blue door.  I could easily spend a few hours wondering between display cases, ogling all the artefacts, but soon after arriving we were ushered into our seats. Marcus and I were lucky enough to have some of the best in the house, right in the front row!

The most magical of staircases

Murals decorating the staircase

The show was incredible and really did justice to the concept of 'Variety.' The acts ranged from a serene contortionist to the strangely enthralling  art of 'paper cutting,' whereby a lady stood on stage and cut silhouettes out of paper while the audience watched with bated breath. Ed performed his incredible dove act (I can never get over the finale- it's simply mind boggling!) and there was even a special surprise performance from Piff the Magic Dragon, who left the audience in stitches! The whole night was hosted by the hilarious Young and Strange who made a girl vanish into thin air!

The evening really was magical and I couldn't recommend the shows highly enough. The amount of skill and talent put on display is simply astonishing and made me wonder what on earth I was doing with my life! Unfortunately for you guys, I think this show may have been the last of its kind for now, but be sure to look out for it in the future- hopefully Ed will co-ordinate something similar at some point!

After the main show, a few of us got talking to the liveliest of characters I've met in a long time, Fay Presto, who also performed that night. She kindly invited us along to her local haunt which just happened to be Soho House! For the second time that night, we were ushered through a secretive door and up to the main bar where Fay hosted the most spirited table there. After showing us a trick which involved an entire napkin going up in flames and then reappearing scorch free, we ordered cocktails. Soho House still remains somewhat of a mystery. The bar appeared to be fairly ordinary, like a club house if anything. However, there were a number of doors leading off in various directions which I didn't get a chance to peak through and I bet hid much more interesting places- I heard whispers of a private cinema behind one of them..?

Eventually, Marcus and I excused ourselves and headed home. I'd had the most wonderful night and the best possible start to the weeks of freedom ahead.



Ps- apologies for the lack of pictures and for the number of links. The links for the acts however should point you in the right direction for the performers' showreels which will demonstrate some of what I got to see that evening. Enjoy!

Sally Hansen and Sparkles

So I've decided that I may as well do something useful while I'm in the student version of solitary confinement. I'm growing my nails. (Yes, I'm sorry, it's another nail post. I would write about something else, but not leaving my room doesn't really inspire much in the way of material.) Anyway, my housemate did a bit of spring cleaning the other day and on lifting up his bed, he found a full bottle of Sally Hansen maximum growth polish! He was pretty bemused since he has no need of nail polish and we were under the impression the tenants before us were all male, but I took it as a sign that someone was suggesting I did something useful with my revision time...

I've now been using the polish every day for about a week (as per the bottle instructions) and I have to say, I've noticed an improvement. My nails, normally flakey and ripped, seem to appear stronger and even the polish hasn't chipped around the edges. However, it is a tad dull on the colour front, so I may have added a little sparkle.

These sparkles come in tiny little bottles and just need to be dabbed onto damp polish. I found them on one of my many internet wonderings and thought they'd be interesting to try out. I have to admit, I'm rather taken in by them! I can't remember where exactly I found them, but if you google 'nail supplies' I'm sure you'll come across something similar!

Anyway, I hope you're all having a much better time than I am now and are getting ready to say hello to summer (with beautifully grown nails, of course)!


P.S- 10 days until my last exam and freedom! Wish me luck!

SNOW IN CAMBRIDGE / Revision Time

So despite it being March, for some bizarre reason we have snow! Baring in mind this is the country where throughout my childhood (when I would have wanted to play in it), I swear there was barely any. Ever. Now however, when I'm more concerned with issues such as 'Are the trains running on time?' and 'Can I get down the motorway to get home?' the heavens decide to open and cover everything in fluffy whiteness. Very pretty but really not all that practical.

Anyway, despite all of this, today I was a bit more enthusiastic about it because I got to see Cambridge dusted with a few flakes! Normally I'm not around to see this and so was excited to realise I would when I woke up this morning. Cambridge is (undisputedly) one of the most beautiful cities in the world and seeing it with this extra little frosting was really rather magical. I just wish I'd got up a little earlier to see it before the day (marginally) warmed up and it melted a little. 

(Sorry there aren't more/better photos- it was really very cold!)

Moving on from the wonders of British weather, I have a little apology to make. That dreaded time of year is upon us again- exam season. This means that for the next five weeks or so, my social life will vanish and I will be buried under piles and piles of books. This means won't be blogging quite so much as maybe I have been over the course of this blog's existence. So for any devoted readers out there (hopefully there's one or two!) I'm sorry and please try and bare with me. With any luck there will be a couple of interesting posts, but don't hold your breath! 

Look how many books I have to read! 

For all those who are also starting to revise, good luck and remember to eat well, sleep well and think happy thoughts- summer is only around the corner after all, although someone may need to remind whoever's organising the weather..!

(Also it's coming up to Easter and who doesn't like chocolate eggs!?)