Everything Erin

The Script are one of my favourite bands to see live, so I was very excited to have tickets to the Manchester date of their Sunsets and Full Moons tour in Manchester, on 22nd February 2020. I was seeing them for the fourth time (please appreciate my pun on their song For The First Time), but I think this made me even more excited because I knew how much exuberance they bring to the arena.

This was my third time seeing them in Manchester Arena (the other time was in Blackpool when I actually hugged Danny!) and I had the best seats yet, in block 114. I found out these were really good seats because it was about equidistent to the main stage and their B Stage, providning a great view for the entire concert.

The support act of the Sunsets and Full Moons tour was singer Becky Hill. I discovered I actually knew quite a few of her songs - the perks of working in a clothes shop that constantly plays pop music! Even if you didn't know them all, you would have been living under a rock if you hadn't heard her smash hit single Wish You Well, a song that was huge last year. Her talent really impressed me, she had a great voice and warmed up the crowd well.


The Script's set began just after half 8 and ended at about half 10, so they were on for a full two hour set, which is really impressive. Six albums down, they definitely had a big enough back catalogue to fill the time! They began the set with their new album's first track, Something Unreal. And it really was, something unreal! I was really hoping they would begin with that from the first time I ever heard it, it is the perfect song to get the crowd up on their feet.

They carried on with hit singles such as Superheroes and Rain. The visuals of the concert really impressed me, the moon above them as they began looked incredible. A favourite moment of mine was their mashup of one of my favourite songs of theirs, Good Ol' Days, and the song Jump Around. It was something different and really fun - especially the electric buzz when Danny goes into the crowd!


The Script always do something a bit different with their shows, including calling up the ex of an audience member during the song Nothing, and even performing a couple of songs within the crowd. In the block opposite me, 103, the band had a whole set up to perform Run Through Walls and Never Seen Anything Quite Like You; they'd even got a keyboard in there!

However, it was the B stage moment that was the highlight for me. Here they played some incredible songs including all time favourite Script song, Science & Faith, the classic The Man Who Can't Be Moved. Yet I was most excited for the final B Stage track, Millionaires, that had never featured on a setlist before until this tour, despite it featuring on their 2012 album #3. I had been hoping they would add it to the setlist one day and finally my wish was granted; it was every bit as good as I had expected.


After the B Stage, the band returned to the main stage for a few more tracks including new song Hot Summer Nights, which is definitely becoming a fan favourite, and arguably their most famous song, Hall Of Fame. We then had a quick pause before the encore, which comprised of Sunsets & Full Moons' first single, The Last Time, and early hits Breakeven and For The First Time. They really finished the show with a bang!

As I mentioned earlier, they were on stage for two hours, and how they sustain that night after night, especially with some of the notes Danny hits, is honestly insane. As always, they performed an unforgettable show.


There's still a few nights left in The Script's tour, and also a few summer shows so make sure to check them out. If you are unable to go, I suggest checking out their Instagram stories because they often live stream the gig. They are a band I cannot recommend seeing live enough, and I am sure I'll be seeing them many more times to come!

EG x

I recently made a second visit to Covent Garden's Glossier Pop-up shop - which, by the way, has extended its opening to the rest of 2020, hooray! I was very glad to read this news because was still many products I wanted to try. Like my first visit, I again limited my spending to two products; after all, I am a student on a budget! I opted for one skincare product and one item of makeup, both products that really caught my eye.

Milky Oil Makeup Remover

The first product I decided to pick up is their makeup remover, Milky Oil. While I had originally considered purchasing their much raved about cleanser, right now I am still really enjoying my cleanser from The Ordinary, so decided I would try Glossier's when that one runs out.


I ended up choosing the makeup remover because I often find it difficult effectively removing eye and brow makeup without it just smudging all over my face. But Milky Oil has changed the game; if it's one thing, it definitely is effective. By squeezing a tiny amount onto a cotton pad and holding it up against your eye, everything comes off straight away. A little goes a long way with this product so it's going to last a really long time. It is worth paying a bit more than something you could find in Superdrug because you would probably have to repurchase that several times before one of these runs out.

The only thing I must say is it does leave a little bit of an oily residue. I only use it on my eyes / brows, and follow it up with cleanser, so it doesn't bother me too much, but it is something to bear in mind if you have oily skin.

Nite Shine

Nite Shine is Glossier's liquid highlighter is a product from their 'Glossier Play' range, which I suppose could be best described as its slightly more fun and colourful range of products. Glossier describe them as 'dialled-up beauty extras', so basically non-essentials, but exciting products to have in your collection.


I am definitely very excited to own Nite Shine, which I got in its palest shade, Pale Pearl, a really pretty champagne tone. The bottle opens to reveal a little applicator which has been designed SO WELL, because it makes sure the perfect amount of highlighter ends up on your face - you don't end up wasting too much product, or accidently looking as shiny as a glitter ball.

It is super easy to blend and provides a really natural, long-lasting glow. I think it gives the effect that you have put way more effort into your makeup than you actually have, making my skin look like I'm wearing foundation even when I'm not. I used to love liquid highlight a few years ago but sort of fell out with it when Colourpop's supershock highlight entered my life, but now, thanks to Glossier, I have certainly rekindled my love. This has to be my favourite Glossier product I have tried yet as I have been using it almost daily and could not recommend it more.


The London pop-up is a must visit if you are ever in Covent Garden; I know I'll be back again soon because I still have a few products on my wishlist! What is your favourite Glossier product?

EG x

I like to post a little update of what is currently on my playlist every few months, and it feels like a while since I last wrote one up. Having reread my previous edition, I realised I am listening to quite similiar music still, but I do have a few recent additions to my playlist that I am currently loving.

The Script - Sunsets & Full Moons (album)

The Script's Sunsets & Full Moons tour begins very soon, and I am off to their Manchester date on Saturday, so of course I have been listening to their most recent album a lot in preparation, along with their Spotify playlist 'Snoom Lluf Dna Stesnus', (Sunsets And Full Moons backwards) which is their official tour setlist. I am really excited about the songs they are playing, starting with new song Something Unreal is going to be exactly that, something unreal. Also, while this will be my fourth time seeing them, it will be the first time hearing one of my favourites of theirs, Millionaires, so I can't wait.

Sam Fender - Hypersonic Missiles (album)

I purchased Sam Fender's album on vinyl recently and this has provided the perfect opportunity to discover what a fabulous album it really is. I had listened to a few tracks already, but have now found even more that I love. Will We Talk? and You're Not The Only One are both real stand out tracks for me, along with White Privilege, I cannot get over the lyrics of that one.

Taylor Swift - Only The Young

I went to see the Taylor Swift documentary Miss Americana at its first UK screening a few weeks ago and it was such an experience to watch it alongside three hundred other Taylor Swift fans. A new song Only The Young was released alongside the documentary and it's all about mobilising young voters and creating change which is just as important as how good the song is.

The 1975 - Me & You Together Song

Of course, whenever The 1975 release a new song it's going to end up on my playlist, so there's no doubt I am currently loving their most recent, Me & You Together Song. For me, it instantly reminded me of Busted's What I Go To School For, I just feel like they have a very similar sound, anyone agree? It has a really fun throwback feel to it.

Declan McKenna - Beautiful Faces

The most recent addition to my playlist is the new release by Declan McKenna, Beautiful Faces. It has such an uplifting feel, just like his previous music. I listened to his track Brazil over the summer and it has the same catchy, fun sound - one I definitely recommend a listen of.

EG x

I love collecting perfumes and it is such a coincidence that three of my all-time favourite scents are made by Gucci. I suppose they just know how to make the perfect combination of a long-lasting, fresh scent that smells unique and different to everything else out there. These three perfumes really stand out to me among the rest.

Flora

Flora is my first of the three fragrances. The scent has been brought out by Gucci in a few different varieties but the classic Flora Eau De Parfum is my favourite. It's a real 'a little goes a long way' sort of scent, and is incredibly long-lasting. I can always still smell it hours after application so it's an essential when I'm going to be out all day. 

Of course, being called Flora, it goes without saying that this is a floral scent. The scent is comprised of mandarin, peony, rose and sandalwood which is a wonderful combination. It's a lovely light scent and its bottle is also very classy.

Bloom

Bloom is likely to be my favourite perfume ever, so probably the one I would recommend the most, I just fell in love with it straight away. Like Flora, this is another Gucci perfume with a floral inspired name so you can guess pretty easily at its scent. It is jasmine and tuberose which I think is very fresh and feminine. I can say for certain that this is a scent I will never be bored of.

The bottle is a gorgeous light pink which is very aesthetically pleasing, however I have no idea how much of it I have left! I also have the matching shower gel and body lotion which I would really recommend if you already love it as much as I do because they complement the perfume perfectly.

Memoire D'Une Odeur

The most recent addition to my perfume collection, Memoire is the most unique of the three - unlike the other two the name does not give any clues to its scent at all! It is the first universal fragrance of Gucci which is reflected in is gorgeous bottle, very much ungendered and sleek.


The idea behind the fragrance is that a certain scent can bring back memories. The scent is described as both 'mineral' and 'aromatic', featuring jasmine, vanilla and sandalwood amongst other notes. It's very fresh but also an unusual scent - I feel like it's sort of a 'love it or hate it' one so I would really recommend giving it a try to find out. But to be honest, Harry Styles advertises it so how could you say no?

EG x

It is hardly surprising that as a student in London, I have been trying to make the most of my close proximity of some of the country's oldest and most beautiful bookshops. Here is my favourite selection of all the bookshops I have visited in the capital so far - these are the ones that any bookworm MUST not miss while visiting, with also some hints of where else to go nearby!

Daunt Books

84 Marylebone High St, Marylebone, London W1U 4QW

If you search anything about London bookshops on Instagram or Pinterest, Daunt Books will definitely start appearing everywhere, so this one has to be your first stop. Tucked into Marylebone High Street, the shop seems quite ordinary from the outside - it's only when you step in that you will realise its beauty. With the most beautiful arched window, this bookshop is a seriously photogenic place - a book or lifestyle blogger's true dream. Daunt books specialises in travel books so many of its selection are organised by country - it groups its books about the history of each country along with travel books for there too which I think is a really clever touch.


Surrounding Area: I discovered when visiting Daunt Books that Marylebone is a beautiful area! Being situated on the High Street, the shop really is in the thick of it all and surrounded by other lovely shops. If you head north, it is also a short walk from Regent's Park which is the perfect spot for a wander - I would suggest bringing a picnic in summer! However, if you keep heading south you will soon find yourself at the big department stores of Oxford Street.

The Notting Hill Bookshop - Notting Hill

13 Blenheim Cres, Notting Hill, London W11 2EE 

The bookshop that actually inspired the one in the film Notting Hill, this is another must-visit. Although in the film it is a travel bookshop, the current Notting Hill Bookshop hosts a whole range of books so there is something for everyone. It is such a cute little shop with a perfect photo opportunity outside. Plus, they have the cutest accessories such as coasters and tote bags - I love using my bag everyday.


Surrounding Area: The book shop is in a perfect location, as of course the name suggests, it is in the heart of Notting Hill. The shop was my first stop when I spent an Afternoon In Notting Hill, where it was followed by exploring the beautiful colourful house-lined streets, and the famous Portobello Road.

Primrose Hill Books

134 Regent's Park Rd, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8XL

When visiting Primrose Hill, we popped into this little bookshop, a real treat. Upon walking in you are able to really pick up that classic book scent and with books piled high on every shelf, you do feel really immersed. They had a really good selection of both fiction and non-fiction so I would really recommend checking it out if you're in the area.

Surrounding Area: Primrose Hill is a gorgeous location, full of beautiful houses including the colourful ones that are a location in the film Paddington! Primrose Hill itself is a park with stunning views of the city. After picking up some books I would recommend stopping for coffee and cake from a cafe nearby, my favourite being Primrose Bakery - beautiful and reasonably priced!

Hatchard's

187 Piccadilly, St. James's, London W1J 9LE

Another one you MUST visit has to be, of course, the United Kingdom's oldest bookshop, Hatchard's. Now a branch of Waterstones, the store is famous for having royal warrants and its classic, cosy decor. It hosts a huge selection of books of all genres, from biography to cookery. I was particularly impressed by its history section - obviously, being a history student and all!

Surrounding Area: Hatchard's is in a wonderful location because there are so many exciting landmarks within walking distance. You can easily walk to Leicester Square or Trafalgar Square or even Buckingham Palace, which is where I headed after visiting! Regents Street is very close by for more shopping.

Word On The Water

Regent's Canal Towpath, Kings Cross, London N1C 4BZ

Word On The Water is equally a unique London experience as much as it is a bookshop. Situated on Regent's Canal, the bookshop is technically a floating one because it is on a boat! It's location used to move around, but nowadays you will find it a stone's throw away from King's Cross. It hosts a selection of all sorts of different books, so no matter what your preference, you're going to love it.



Surrounding Area: Since it is literally on Regent's Canal, Word On The Water is surrounded by the perfect place to go for a good walk. You're in the heart of Kings Cross here, so it's a short walk from the British Library, or even closer is Coal Drops Yard which is a lovely space featuring shops, eateries and a cinema.

Persephone Books

59 Lamb's Conduit St, Holborn, London WC1N 3NB

Persephone Books is possibly my favourite one of the whole list because of how unique and niche its book selection is. Specialising in twentieth-century female writers, the shop publish their own selection of over a hundred books that are no longer in print elsewhere. They all share the same grey cover with a beautiful design inside, and a matching bookmark to accomany it. All the books look really pretty, sat on the shelves together. I purchased one called 'London War Notes', which I thought was very fitting as a history student in London, to read one woman's perspective on the second world war, and I look forward to growing my collection of their books.

Surrounding Area: Persephone books is situated near Russell Square, which is a lovely area to sit and have a bite to eat. It is also a short walk from the Brunswick Centre, a real hidden gem - I had never heard of it for years! It is nothing too special, just a little shopping centre with a selection of restaurants and shops, one of which I work in. Plus, carrying on the book theme, it is also home to a second hand academic book store called Skoob Books which could be your next stop!

EG x

As more and more magazines begin to publish print issues less frequently, or even disappear altogether, it has made me wonder what the role of the fashion magazine is in today’s society. The world of the internet, full of quick snappy reads and ‘influencer’ fashion, has started to push the fashion magazine off its pedestal as being the style bible. But it cannot be said that ‘influencer’ culture is the only thing responsible for the change in attitudes towards magazines. The internet has allowed everyone a voice and everyone an opinion, and as a result, the world has become much more self-aware. With the growth of important topics such as ethics and sustainability in mainstream media, it has led to greater questions about the responsibility glossy magazines have, and whether they should be using their influence for the greater good.

Are magazines losing the dominance they once had? Evidence to suggest this lies simply in statistics. With Company closing its print publication in 2014, UK Marie Claire following suit last year, and British Glamour now publishing only two issues a year, it seems that readership is on the decrease. Nowadays, as blogs and YouTube channels are flourishing, the opinions of magazines are not the be all and end all of fashion, which has often caused a rivalry between the two forces.

However, it is possible that the publications’ desire to keep up by increasing their online presence has, in essence, shot themselves in the foot. This is portrayed in series The Bold Type, the successful drama currently in its fourth season, that is set in a magazine company. Their “dot com”, in their words, is at the forefront of importance, giving the print magazine a bit of a backseat. The most important articles are no longer always being saved for the print issue, and afterall, if we one can read practically the same content for free online, why would someone pay upwards of a fiver for a print copy? The consumer media has become dominated by convenience, and print issues of magazines don’t exactly fit this model when everything they could ever ask for is already accessible online.


So, how have magazines adapted to stand out to the average reader of today? Magazines have notably began to become more inclusive of crucial topics to today’s society. In 2018, Elle produced a ‘Sustainability’ issue, and last year, British Vogue’s ‘Forces For Change’ September issue, co-edited by Meghan Markle made ripples among mainstream media. Forces For Change celebrated fifteen different women on its cover with even more stories inside; stories of inspirational politicians, actresses, athletes, activists, but above all, advocates for change. Yet through celebrating these forces of good, the issue sparked debate and it seemed that In some ways, critics could not seem to make up their mind. It appeared to be the opinion of some critics that Vogue as an institution, should be focusing more on important topics because the sheer amount of clothing featured in every issue is unsustainable. Yet others believed that it is not the place of Vogue to promote activism, because at the end of the day, it’s a fashion magazine. Perhaps it seems magazines can do no right, or no wrong, on that front?

Going into 2020, the world of fashion seems to be separated into two fronts - a sustainable, ameliorative force for good, and a lucrative, fast-fashion, ‘influencer’ driven world, that sadly seems incapable of dying out. But my question concerns where magazines lie in this - a question that could be key to their future.


As I have considered my angle of writing this, I had to also consider my own opinion. Where do I want magazines to head in the future? Personally, I love having a printed issue to read, whether it be a book or a magazine. There is something I find important about being able to switch off from a screen, separate myself from everything and have that media to hold. I have a subscription to Vogue and I do believe that there is something about the makeup of the print magazine, the way the pages can be presented and organised together, that the online world does lack. It is absolutely my dream to work for a magazine one day. Which is, of course, why I always feel disheartened when another magazine closes its print publication. It is a form of media I don’t want to die out. But equally, I am a blogger, and believe in the importance of the online world. There should not need to be a clash between print and digital as for me, they both occupy an important part in my reading life.

How should magazines continue, as we are entering the decade of the twenties? As magazines such as Vogue pioneer a more inclusive approach, albeit sometimes slowly, it is clear that this has to be the way forward. There is a huge campaign for major brands and fashion houses to become more diverse, more ethical, and more transparent about their production, but those at the top of them aren’t listening to the small group from below demanding change. Perhaps these magazines could become ‘forces for change’ themselves. Maybe if magazines step forward and take a stance for good, the fashion industry will take notice. Maybe making a difference could be their future.


Do magazines need to transform their image in order to keep up with the times? Or can they carry on into the future as they are? I would love to hear how you consume magazine publications - whether you are still or have ever been a loyal subscriber, or prefer reading digitally now? Or perhaps, like myself, you enjoy both and hope to see both forms of media continuing to thrive into the future.

EG x