Everything Erin

I like to write a reflection of how the year has gone every year on my blog, not only so I can read it back in years to come but really take stock and think about how far I have come, and where I am today, on 31st December 2019.

Looking back, 2019 has been the biggest year of self-growth for me. It has no doubt had its difficulties but working through the struggles has also made the year very enjoyable, and made me into the best version of myself.

In 2019 I have...

Got a rejection, but started at the uni that I believe is right for me

It feels like a lifetime ago since I got the no from Oxford, because so much has happened since - now that it has been a year I can say for definite that I ended up at the university that suits me much more. I'm a huge believer that everything happens for a reason and this solidified it even more.

Seen Hugh Jackman live

In May we got last minute tickets to see Hugh Jackman live and it has to be one of my highlights this year, it was so much fun! It was a really great show full of songs I absolutely love including tracks from The Greatest Showman and Les Mis - he sounded exactly as good as he does on the screen!

Conquered A Level French!

I guess the other A Levels were conquered too, but French was definitely the one I was the most proud of because I found it so difficult. To get the grade I needed was a real struggle but I made it! 

Let go of friends who dragged my happiness down, and instead made some amazing ones

I think I have come so far this year because I finally decided to only surround myself with people who had a positive impact on my life, rather than being bogged down by those who constantly made me feel miserable. I stopped being disappointed when certain friends repeatedly let me down because I knew they were never going to change. It was hard getting over a huge chapter of my life with them, but I made some amazing friendships that I have really enjoyed this year with and I can't thank them enough for being there for me.

Visited Central Perk

The Central Perk cafe based in the Manchester Primark was such a fun experience to visit with my friend Ellie. The cafe looked so similar to the set itself and served a great hot chocolate - a must for any Friends fan like myself!

Experienced living in London

In September I began studying at University College London, so moved to a uni hours away from home for a different living experience! Moving to uni changes anyone's life, having to get used to a food shop and laundry and everything, but living in London instead of a small town was a huge step - one I have really enjoyed.

Seen 6 West End Shows

I have definitely made the most of being in London and gone to see plenty of shows! I went to see Joseph at the London Palladium in August and then saw a bunch more while I have been living there, including Mary Poppins & Come From Away. I can't wait to see even more next year!

Made some great friends at uni

I was quite worried about making friends at uni but I needn't have been because I couldn't have been luckier. I have made some wonderful friends at uni who I can't wait to spend more time with in 2020, we have had so much fun exploring London together so far.

Finished watching Suits, and watched Brooklyn Nine Nine

I started watching Suits in the summer of 2018 and only ended up finishing it this December, as I watched each season on and off. It has become one of my favourite shows ever and I was so emotional watching the series finale, I cried even more than when I finished Friends! I have also discovered the show Brooklyn Nine Nine this year and absolutely love it, it's so funny.

Started my first job

I started my first part time job this summer in retail at New Look which has followed me down to London. It has been challenging at times but I have gained so much confidence from it; I know it has helped me to grow a lot as a person.

Developed my love and skill of oil painting 

I have really enjoyed painting this year, including finishing my Fine Art A Level and being really proud of my final piece, to producing some portraits over the summer. It's something I want to make more time for in 2020 because whenever I paint I remember how relaxing and therapeutic I find it.

Listened to a lot of The 1975 & Taylor Swift

This year my most listened to artists have been The 1975 and Taylor Swift which is not surprising at all! I am always listening to The 1975 (very excited to see them next year!) but also got really obsessed with Taylor's new music from her Lover album.

Got a PR package from Pixi

Something I am really proud of this year happened right at the end of the year. Just before Christmas I received a PR package from the beauty brand Pixi in the post and I was so excited. It served as a great reminder of how far I have come in blogging, but how much effort I want to keep putting into it in order to get even further.


It was weird writing this up, because some of the things I mentioned feel like half a life time ago to me. 2019 feels like it has been a year that has at sometimes gone really quick, but also felt very long. Time can feel so weird!


Read what I did in 2018 here. Thank you so much for reading my blog this year, I really appreciate every read. I hope you had a great 2019 and I will speak to you again in 2020!

EG x

Glossier's announcement of a London Pop-up store was simply a dream come true. I'm one for loving a good old swatch of products before I buy, and this gave me the opportunity to go along and explore Glossier's range.


Located in the heart of Covent Garden, at 13 Floral Street (there really couldn't be a more fitting street name for its location), the shop was everything I hoped and expected it would be, and more. Welcomed by lovely staff dressed in baby pink Glossier overalls, the shop consists of several rooms with plenty of areas to really try out the products. The carpet and wallpaper is decorated in classic Glossier floral prints in different colours, and at the back of the shop there's a London style roof-top chimney, a fun photo opportunity.


After spending a lot of time exploring the entire range, I had finally decided what I wanted. You place an order with one of the shop assistants who take your name and email for receipt, and then go over to the waiting area where they prepare your order. This was reasonably quick and they pop all your items in a little bubblewrap pouch to keep them safe, then a really pretty Glossier bag with your name on which of course I will be keeping forever because it is gorgeous.


All in all, I spent just under half an hour in there which is quite a while really! I was just so in awe of the place and how pretty it was.
Onto the products themselves! I decided to limit myself to just two items - very difficult, but I knew because it is open for a while that I can come back.

Mango Balm Dot Com

I simply had to try out one of their classic balm dot com lip balms, now didn't I? I actually don't use lip balms too much nowadays but that didn't mean I couldn't find space for this one in my life. There's a selection of different flavours which all smell lovely, but I went for the mango scent as I absolutely love mangos and fruity scents.


This lip balm has definitely made my lips feeling far better than ever before, which is especially essential in the winter months when I find they can get a bit dry! My only issue with it was at first it was really difficult to get out of the tube, and I was a little scared of loads of the product coming out everywhere! However, we had no issues and I am now safe to say this is a handbag essential.

Lid Star in Moon

I am a huge fan of the ease of a liquid eyeshadow and the whole range of shades Glossier offer in their lid stars are so pretty. I was totally torn between Moon, a champagne with a little bit of a blue iridescent shimmer, and Cub, a pretty rose gold, but I ended up opting for the former and I am really glad I did. It has a real brightening, eye-opening effect which lasts longer than I expected it to.


It's really easy to apply, popping a bit on your lid with the applicator and then blending with a finger works perfectly and matches really well with any other eyeshadows. I am really impressed and find myself reaching for it a lot - maybe I will have to pick up some more shades!

EG x 

 

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One of my favourite things to receive at Christmas has to be a new eyeshadow palette. They feel like such a treat and perfect to use for your Christmas day makeup look. Today I have rounded up a few of my favourites out right now that you might want to hint for, or perhaps treat someone special to!

The Classic High-Quality Palette: Anastasia Beverly Hills' Soft Glam

The palette I am personally wishing for this year is ABH's Soft Glam. Being obsessed with the Modern Renaissance for about a year and a half now, I really feel like I need an addition to my collection in the form of one of their other palettes. Soft Glam is absolutely gorgeous because of its range of warm brown mattes and sparkly gold and rose gold shimmers that will create all sorts of classic looks. The quality of ABH palettes is unbeatable in my opinion, so you know you won't be going wrong with this one.

The Spoilt For Choice Palette: Beauty Bay Origins Palette

You thought Morphe's palettes were big? Think again! Beauty Bay's own range of palettes are pack in a whole 42 shades - imagine the sheer amount of different looks you could make with that! They now have quite a few different palettes in their collection, to suit all preferences, but personally I prefer the warm tones of the Origins palette. The palette is perfect for anyone makeup obsessed but also beginners because, not only will it give them everything they need and more, each row has a different role, for example 'base', 'crease', or 'highlight', to name a few. This means that while 42 shades can look pretty overwhelming, the palette is really easy to use.

A Little Taste Of Luxury: Charlotte Tilbury's Quads

If you're really wanting to treat someone this year, I have to point you in the direction of the Charlotte Tilbury quads! Again, there's a whole variety of shades, but if you're struggling to pick I would suggest the 'Bella Sophia' palette, four really classic, luxurious bronze and copper tones. It may be considered pricey for only 4 eyeshadows, but you are really paying for that incredible quality and luxurious packaging - it's a real treat!

The Disney Obsessed: Colourpop's Frozen II Palettes

Colourpop are one of my favourite makeup brands - they create incredible shimmers like no one else! I absolutely love their themed collections and their recent range, inspired by Frozen II, is perfect for any Disney fan. I absolutely love their Anna inspired palette, full of oranges and purples to suit her look, and the gold shimmer right in the centre is absolutely stunning! You can even get a lipstick inspired by the range to match.

The Colour Crazy: Morphe 35B Palette

If know someone who loves to experiment with colour, look no further than Morphe's 35B palette. Morphe's palettes are always exceptional quality for their price, and imagine the fun you could have with a palette like this! Your eyes would certainly never be boring again!

The Christmas In A Palette: Too Faced Extra Spicy Gingerbread Palette

Too Faced's Christmas collections are always to die for because of how in-your-face festive they are! The perfect gift is definitely something Christmas-themed, because then when the recipient uses it, they will always be reminded of festive fun. Having received Too Faced's Gingerbread Spice palette last Christmas, I can tell you now that the quality will not disappoint! This year's release is similar to last year with some different shades - there are some gorgeous champagne shimmers! Oh, and did I mention the palette even smells like Christmas?!

The Travel Friendly: Zoeva Cocoa Blend Voyager Palette

The perfect gift for someone always on the go has to be a travel-friendly palette. With the rise of huge palettes, it can be difficult to find one easy to carry around, but Zoeva's Voyager versions of their classic palettes do just that. They cut their palettes down from 10 to 6 shades, leaving the only essentials, perfect for a few nights away. I love their Cocoa Blend palette and the 6 shades in the Voyager palette are the ones I am always reaching for so it is a great option!

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Want even more options? Check out my 2018 eyeshadow gift guide - most are still available and would make the perfect gift, or treat for yourself!

EG x

 

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It has truly been a crazy time for me with new music releases. I have waited years for some of my favourite artists to come back, and then they have all suddenly come back at once! So today is quite possibly my favourite music post I have ever written, with all five of my favourite artists back at the exact same time!

McFly - The Lost Songs

After waiting years for McFly to make a return, I had practically given up hope - the announcement of them releasing music they released years ago as ‘the lost songs’ was certainly a shock to all fans like myself. The music certainly hasn’t disappointed me because it has that true McFly sound I have always loved, with favourites of mine being Hyperion and We Were Only Kids in particular. The songs were being released every Sunday the lead up to their O2 show on 20th November, the day I am publishing this post, so hopefully we will be getting some live footage of them too very very soon! I can’t wait to hear them all on tour next year in Manchester.

The Script - Sunsets & Full Moons

The Script generally release a new album every two years or so, therefore it was about now we were due another one - I cannot believe Freedom Child, their last album is already two years old! Their latest album, bringing their total to six, has been said to be very different from the previous album, making a return to the true ‘Script’ sound of the first two albums. I certainly agree that they have returned to their roots, bringing out a collection of songs with amazing lyrics. Something Unreal, the first track, is a song I can’t see myself ever getting bored of, it is such a catchy one to dance to. However, there is some more emotive tracks like Run Through Walls that are really reflective - an incredible release, for definite.

The 1975 - A Frail State Of Mind

While we have to wait until 2020 for The 1975’s next album, I have been really enjoying ‘A Frail State of Mind’, a single they have released prior to the album. It really feels like a combination of TOOTIME and How To Draw / Petrichor from the last album, in a good way! I absolutely love TOOTIME (my most listened to song last year) so it is a nice little sister of that song, a bit more of a chill version. Their new single has made me very excited for the album to be released, especially because I wasn’t completely sold on People, the first single from the album. Instead, they are definitely back to what they do best here!

Harry Styles - Lights Up

Lights Up has been a grower for me. Harry Styles releasing new music was of course, an incredibly exciting event, and all I could think was: ‘well, it's no Sign of The Times, really…’. One thing is for sure, it is different. I am not too keen on the autotuned sounds, but I am totally in love with the main chorus - the shine, step into the light part! It is hugely uplifting and motivational. His album Fine Line will be released before the end of the year so I look forward to finding out the direction he has taken it in.

Coldplay - Orphans, Arabesque and soon… Everyday Life

I thought I had hit the jackpot already with all those artists I have just mentioned releasing new music. Then, one Thursday evening, I finished my shift at work to see that my absolute favourite band, Coldplay, had released two new songs, and have a whole double album out very soon! Talk about excitement! Each of the singles is from a different side of the album; Orphans from Sunrise, Arabesque from Sunset.

Orphans is very much reminiscent of their music from A Head Full Of Dreams, which I cannot criticise at all, because I absolutely love that sound. It is really uplifting and joyful, definitely doing what they do best. Arabesque is completely different but yet still totally Coldplay, perhaps more similar to the sound of the Viva La Vida album. It is very experimental with some obvious jazz influences and a prominent saxophone riff. I absolutely adore the French bit too! Their new album release is certainly going to be a good one, if these two songs are anything to go by.

Niall Horan - Nice To Meet Ya

The final song I have been really enjoying currently is Niall Horan’s comeback single, Nice To Meet Ya. Perhaps what made me a little disappointed at Harry’s single was how much I love this, released the week before, I felt so disloyal! Nice To Meet Ya is so catchy and fun, a great return for Niall. I absolutely love the production of it. I enjoyed Niall’s earlier solo music, for example Slow Hands and This Town, but this is certainly my favourite song of his yet, such a fabulous tune.

EG x

Being at uni in London, it can become surprisingly easy to stay in my ‘uni bubble’ area, between my accommodation near Islington, down to Euston where UCL is located. I am trying to challenge myself to try a new ‘London’ thing each week, whether it be a new area, museum or show - here are a few places on my list!

Primrose Hill 

After visiting Notting Hill a few weeks ago, it only feels right that we visit another pretty area, Primrose Hill. Its park in particular is an area I would love to visit soon because its views of London look amazing. It also has some dreamy colourful houses - the street where the family live in the Paddington films is there! I imagine there are plenty of quaint cafes too. 

Leadenhall Market

The location of Diagon Alley in Harry Potter is such a gorgeous building I would love to visit. The architecture and cobbled pavement is so unique and picturesque, and I am sure it is brimming with lovely shops and cafes inside.

One New Change

This may look like a simple shopping centre from the outside, but it is its close proximity to St Paul’s Cathedral that makes me want to pay a visit. Its rooftop terrace has amazing views of the Cathedral and across London - a perfect photo opportunity!

Sloane Square

My friend has told me that Sloane Square is lovely to visit so I have made her promise we will go soon! It is full of pretty shops and houses and isn't far from the blogger favourite cafe, Peggy Porschen, which can you believe I have not visited yet! It is a blogger crime that definitely needs fixing, I must pay a visit!

National Portrait Gallery

As someone who loves to paint portraits myself, I almost equally love looking at portraits and the details that have gone into them. The National Portrait Gallery, located just off Trafalgar Square, is one of my must visits right now. It has free entry, which I am sure I will make good use of as I could probably spend a good few hours in there!

More Musicals!

My favourite thing about London so far has to have been how close I am to the West End, as I mentioned in my recent theatre round up. I would love to take some more trips to shows, and utilise the Today Tix app, where you can get rush tickets on the day for only £25 - such a good deal!

See a film at the BFI Imax

I really enjoy going to the cinema, and I am really excited by the fact I now live a ten minutes walk away from a Vue, but I would love to see a film on Britain's biggest cinema screen! It is located in the middle of a big roundabout in Waterloo, which you can only get to by going underground and I certainly think it would be an interesting experience!


Of course, I would love to visit some places I have visited already, such as Covent Garden and Harrods, which I am even more excited to visit on the run up to Christmas! Plus, Notting Hill was at the top of this list before I visited a few weeks ago! I would love some more suggestions too, because I have lots of exploring to do!

EG x

 

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One of my favourite things about being in London is the close proximity to its famous West End. If I ever had to see a show before it would have to be a proper, planned trip, and now I can just pop off half an hour and I'm there! I have seen three shows over the past three weeks that I have absolutely loved.

Les Miserables - The All Star Concert

When the All Star concert edition of Les Mis was announced I was so excited, and really lucky to get a ticket because it sold out really fast! I went to a Saturday matinee on 19th October, where I was lucky enough to see all of the All Star cast. They certainly did not disappoint!

I saw Carrie Hope Fletcher as Eponine back in 2015, and didn’t know how I would see Les Mis again without her in it, so I was overjoyed to see her in the cast, this time as Fantine. Now, I Dreamed A Dream is not my favourite Les Mis song (it has been a bit overdone, really), and yet this was the one I was absolutely bawling my eyes out over, Carrie was simply so good! I was trying to stop crying so I could see her properly but it was a struggle!


Alongside Carrie, the cast starred Alfie Boe as Valjean and Michael Ball as Javert and the pair were, as I expected, simply amazing - especially Alfie Boe, I don’t think anyone can do Bring Him Home as perfectly as him! Matt Lucas as Thenardier actually really surprised me vocally too.

As it is all sold out by now, I would seriously recommend going along to your local cinema for a screening of it on the 2nd of December, or get the DVD when it comes out early next year. I know I will be getting it so that I can experience it all over again!

Lungs, starring Claire Foy & Matt Smith

On the 5th November, the day before my birthday, I decided to treat myself to get a last minute ticket to the play Lungs, starring Claire Foy & Matt Smith, who I absolutely fell in love with the acting of in the series The Crown.

I got there early but didn’t realise you had to get a ticket from the cafe to enter the queue so I ended up nineteenth in the queue by accident! So, although the day seats had ran out by my turn, I managed to get a return seat in Row B of the dress circle which I was actually happier with - meant to be!


I returned a few hours later for the matinee of the play, featuring a couple debating starting a family in today’s climate, amongst other issues such as careers and aging. The production was so stripped back, just Matt and Claire on a simple stage, so it was up to them to sell the story and boy did they. It was such a contrast to where I had seen them before, in Netflix’s high budget drama, and I was amazed how they were just as moving on stage as on the screen.


Sadly as I post this, the run of Lungs at the Old Vic finished the day before, but I had to write about it to celebrate the talents of Matt and Claire if nothing else!

Mary Poppins

The first ever musical I went to see at the West End was Mary Poppins, when I was four years old, and for years now I have said I wish it could return so I could go again. This year I finally got my wish, as the musical made its West End return, coincidentally the year I came to uni here. It was a real treat to see it on my nineteenth birthday. We had wonderful seats, if you are visiting the Prince Edward theatre I would really recommend the Loge seats of the Dress Circle - when we sat down I honestly teared up with how good the view was and you have your own little row to yourself!


The production was truly incredible. It varies a lot to the film itself, which I remembered from when I was little and very confused, but this is a good thing because there are lots of fun new songs, as well as the classic favourites. I don't know what it is about Feed The Birds but it really makes me cry! Step in Time was a real highlight for me, the choreography was insanely good.


However, the best part of the show had to be towards the end. My friend had told me the day before that when she was younger, her favourite part was when Mary Poppins flies over the audience - I couldn't remember that and didn't think it was even possible! But it truly was, and where I was sat she basically flies right towards us and was level with us at one point! The production of the show really is amazing, they put so much into it and I seriously recommend going down and seeing it.


I have another show to look forward to in a few weeks and may end up getting some rush tickets, so you never know, I might end up writing a similar post soon! Have you seen any shows lately? I would love any recommendations!

EG x

 

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