Soul It Out Sunday - Regulate, I Keep Forgettin'

Happy Sunday Darlings,

This weeks song is by Warren G and Nate Dogg. It relied heavily on the four bar sample of Michael McDonald's 'I Keep Forgettin', and peaked at number 2 on the Bilboard Hot 100 in 1994. It also enjoyed success in the UK, reaching number 5 in the charts. 

The song appears on the film soundtrack for 'Over the Rim' and is largely heralded as the catalyst for the G funk genre of music' a hybrid between 'gangsta rap' and funk. 

Of course I'm also pretty partial to a touch of Michael McDonald, so I have also included the this video too. This featured on his debut album 'If that's what it takes'.

Have a relaxing evening everyone,

Lea

x

p.s. All this hype about GFC; it's still going to be working (so I am informed), so if you'd like to follow me, please still click on the button to the right :) Alternatively, you can follow me via Bloglovin' <3.

Snapshots of Life

Hi Darlings,

This week has been a mixed one. I've deep cleaned my house, lazed in the sunshine, had toothache from my dentist being incompetent and had fun out and about with Alex. All in all though, it's been a happy one :)

Mozarella and Tomato for a BBQ with Alex

Homemade Ice-Tea

Freshening my bedroom for Summer

Trip to Krispy Kreme

New Red Blouse from H&M 

Let me know if you've had an interesting week?

Love you all,

Lea

x

p.s. All this hype about GFC; it's still going to be working (so I am informed), so if you'd like to follow me, please still click on the button to the right :) Alternatively, you can follow me via Bloglovin' <3.

Everything is just magical..

Hello Beautiful,

Sometimes we're all guilty of not living in the moment. It's a shame because we miss the little things. I'm making a conscious effort not to let these moments pass me by. Life's too short <3

Lea

x

p.s. All this hype about GFC; it's still going to be working (so I am informed), so if you'd like to follow me, please still click on the button to the right :) Alternatively, you can follow me via Bloglovin' <3.

Images via weheartit.com

The Joy Of Makeup

Hi Lovely,

I don't have much to say other than take a look at this. Even Barbie needs a little help.

We can breathe a little easier.

Have a good day everyone <3

Lea

x

p.s. All this hype about GFC; it's still going to be working (so I am informed), so if you'd like to follow me, please still click on the button to the right :) Alternatively, you can follow me via Bloglovin' <3.

Sunspo

Hi Honey!

I'm so excited for the sun, nothing makes me happier than waking up to the sun streaming in through the net around my bed, it looks so pretty!

I have these images on rotation for my background on several things, they make me feel motivated and on top of the world <3

What do you think?

I hope the sun is shining where you are :)

Lea

x

p.s. All this hype about GFC; it's still going to be working (so I am informed), so if you'd like to follow me, please still click on the button to the right :) Alternatively, you can follow me via Bloglovin' <3.

Images via weheartit.com

Fancy a laugh??

Hi lovelies,

Just had to share this with you, God it made me laugh!

Who on earth is this cretin? He looks a gherkin short of a burger, I'll tell you that one!

Lea

x

p.s. All this hype about GFC; it's still going to be working (so I am informed), so if you'd like to follow me, please still click on the button to the right :) Alternatively, you can follow me via Bloglovin' <3.

Sunny weather food

Hi Darlings,

I don't know about you but as soon as the weather gets warmer I get so much more creative in the kitchen. I love to mix it up with different salads, cold drinks and frozen treats. Here are some that I've spotted round and about that I'd love to try!

Berry Milk Pops

Mix milk and condensed milk together and blend, add frozen berries, then pour into lolly moulds. Use this recipe if you need some help.

Simple Fruit Salad 

Try adding something exotic such as dragon-fruit or passionfruit for  a change.

Nutella Strawberries

Easy peasy, take the tops off, dip in Nutella. Marshmallow fluff also works really well with this.  

The Girly Breakfast

Slice different types of melon and strawberries, sprinkle with a touch of sugar.

Buttermilk pancakes, try this recipe. 

Strawberry smoothies, simply blend plenty of strawberries, a good amount of frozen yoghurt and then fill your jug half full (to the yoghurt) with milk. Blend and add a cute straw.

Breakfast Sunday

Layer up natural frozen yoghurt with your favourite berries. Try adding a layer or two of granola for a crunchy treat, and drizzle the top with honey. 

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Lea

x

p.s. All this hype about GFC; it's still going to be working (so I am informed), so if you'd like to follow me, please still click on the button to the right :) Alternatively, you can follow me via Bloglovin' <3.

Images via weheartit.com

Soul It Out Sunday - Englishman In New York

Hi Darlings,

This week's Soul It Out Sunday comes in the form of Sting and the Police, namely their collaboration entitled 'Englishman in New York'. Now granted, this isn't soul, it's most definitely Jazz, but you'll let me off won't you?

'Englishman in New York' came from Sting's 1987 album 'Nothing like the Sun', and talks specifically about the gay icon Quentin Crisp as the Englishman. 

The single was re-promoted in the mid 1990's reaching number 15 in the UK, however it only peaked at #84 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

At the end of the original video, an elderly voice can be heard saying, "If I have an ambition other than a desire to be a chronic invalid, it would be to meet everybody in the world before I die..."
As it is, this is a really great video and I really recommend that you check it out.  

I hope you've had a great weekend guys, I enjoyed writing about this one. It's got some great trivia surrounding it and I really recommend you check out the link to Quentin Crisp above, he certainly was an interesting character, he even criticised Princess Diana publicly; quite the scandal!

Lea

x

p.s. All this hype about GFC; it's still going to be working (so I am informed), so if you'd like to follow me, please still click on the button to the right :) Alternatively, you can follow me via Bloglovin' <3.

Low Cal Sweet Summer Treat - Whipped Strawberry Smoothies!

Hi Beautiful!

When Summer arrives I'm all about self improvement, just those few extra tweaks that I want to do when the sun shines. But this doesn't mean I don't crave a treat every now and then!

Enter Whipped Strawberry Smoothies!

They are so easy to make and under 150kcal!

Take some Angel Delight, (I used strawberry, but you could use any) and make it up according to the instructions (I use roughly half a packet for my own portion). Use Skimmed Milk to keep the calories down, add a little more than normal to ensure it doesn't thicken too much.   

Grab you blender, and pour you mix in, then add an equal part of skimmed milk, a handful of strawberries and plenty of ice. Blend like crazy!

It's lovely and thick and creamy, but still cold and refreshing!

Put it into a cute jar with retro straws or spoons, to serve for the girls on a sunny afternoon!

Have a fun day everyone <3

Lea

x

p.s. All this hype about GFC; it's still going to be working (so I am informed), so if you'd like to follow me, please still click on the button to the right :) Alternatively, you can follow me via Bloglovin' <3.

Image via weheartit.com

What on EARTH is wrong with Weheartit?!

Hi lovelies,

Now I'm just as much of a fan of Weheartit.com as the next person. It's got great inspiration and it's one of my go-to's for bright, colourful, happy images. But every now and then I stumble across a photo and just think what?!

Just take a look at these for instance:

What on EARTH is going on with these? And believe me, this is a small selection of ones I could have used. Some far worse than the ones above! I have to say, Weheartit really does need to start moderating their images much better. Particularly those relating to pro-ana. And on that note, has anyone ever actually seen a female on Weheartit who is anything less than tiny? It drives me nuts! What kind of message is this sending out to the younger and more impressionable girls out there?

Have any of you found this? Let me know. And also, if you do come across a pro-ana picture on Weheartit, please please report it. We don't need that out there do we?

Have a wonderful day lovelies!

Lea

x

p.s. All this hype about GFC; it's still going to be working (so I am informed), so if you'd like to follow me, please still click on the button to the right :) Alternatively, you can follow me via Bloglovin' <3. 

Currently Wishing...

Hello Darlings,

With summer just around the corner and an impending trip to Vegas, I'm in the mood for bright colours,  whites, and gold jewellery to offset your tan.

These are the things that I'm currently lusting after!

White Jeans, H&M, £9.99 - here

White Camisole, H&M, £12.99 - here

Black Camisole, H&M, £12.99 - here

Nailvarnish, Mavala, Jaipur, Beauty Bay, £4.00 - here

Rings, H&M, £2.99 - here

Clutch, Zara, £39.99 - here

Shoes, New Look, £59.99 - here

Lipstick, Mac, Morange, £14.00 - here

Necklace, Topshop, £25.00 - here

I am completely in love with the two camisoles, I think they'd look great with some denim shorts and a tan! Definitely time for some online shopping!

Let me know if you have a current wish-list?

Lea

x

p.s. All this hype about GFC; it's still going to be working (so I am informed), so if you'd like to follow me, please still click on the button to the right :) Alternatively, you can follow me via Bloglovin' <3. 

Snapshots of Life

Hello Sweetpea,

I hope you're having a lovely day, I'm off out with my Dad. We haven't been out together in a long time, and since I don't live near my parents, I don't get to see them as much as I'd like. Today is about great food, good music, and shopping! (Honestly, he's a bit Lawrence Llewelyn Bowen - he loves to shop).

I thought I'd take this opportunity to show you a few snapshots of my life in the past week, it's not been all that exciting, but it's the little things <3

 Tea in my favourite mug, a gift from Megan's brother, Tom for my 21st.

 Breakfast with the girls, Eggs Royale at LS6 in Hyde Park in Leeds.

 Yo Sushu! One of my favourite places to eat, their Katsu Curry is amazing! This was on a trip out for my Mum's birthday.

 Candles lit as I curled up on the sofa with my book after my last exam.

Watching the sun rise through my bedroom window; I love to do this if I'm awake early enough.

It's all about the little things. 

I'm feeling very lucky at the moment, I'm about to start a new chapter in my life and I'm so excited to see what it brings <3

Love to you all,

Lea

x

p.s. All this hype about GFC; it's still going to be working (so I am informed), so if you'd like to follow me, please still click on the button to the right :) Alternatively, you can follow me via Bloglovin' <3. 

Favourite Spring Outfit?

Hello Darlings!

Today I'd like to share my favourite Spring outfit with you. It's great for plenty of different occasions, with sandals and the jeans turned up in the daytime (weather permitting) or with heels and a jacket on a night time, when a dress is OTT.

These are very quick iPhone snaps, so forgive me for the quality, I just wanted to share!

The jeans are from H&M - Similar here

The Top it from Zara - not available online, but similar here

The necklace is from Primark (last year)

I love the simplicity of the outfit, yet it has lovely details like the back of the vest, or the light rips in the jeans <3

Do you have a go to Spring outfit? I'm loving seeing all of the bright colours appearing in the shops, Zara is really on form at the moment!

Have a wonderful day everyone,

Lea

x

p.s. All this hype about GFC; it's still going to be working (so I am informed), so if you'd like to follow me, please still click on the button to the right :) Alternatively, you can follow me via Bloglovin' <3. 

Soul It Out Sunday - Dreams

Hello Darlings,

It's my favourite day of the week again, you all know how I love my music.

I am aware that these posts are a hit and miss with you guys, but it's something that I love doing, and frankly if I spread a song to even one person, it's worth it to me. In my opinion the craft of music is in a serious decline, and I'm in love with the way that (in my opinion) it should be.

This weeks song is by the fabulous Fleetwood Mac. They had a particularly fabulous album called 'Tango in the Night' that was released in 1987. Not my favourite time music wise (or in general if I'm honest), but I do enjoy that album, if you ever find it knocking about, I recommend a listen.

I doubt that many of you out there won't have heard of Stevie Nicks, she has to be one of my favourite female artists, with such a lovely tone to her voice. This song really showcases her talent, and I'm sure it's one a lot of you will recognise.

'Dreams' is from Fleetwood Mac's 1997 album, Rumours. It was written by Stevie Nicks, and was Fleetwood Mac's only number one US hit, remaining in the Billboard Hot 100 for 19 weeks. It peaked at number 6 in the UK.

Initially it was criticised for the chord pattern being too simplistic, mainly consisting of a three chord structure. However, the song was pushed through, and became a massive success.

Happy listening everyone,

Lea 
x

p.s. All this hype about GFC; it's still going to be working (so I am informed), so if you'd like to follow me, please still click on the button to the right :) Alternatively, you can follow me via Bloglovin' <3. 

Every girl has a favourite dress?

Hello Sweetpea!

When I was growing up, I never really had a favourite dress. Actually, maybe that's a lie..

I remember I had one when I was much younger, maybe 6-7, which my grandparents brought me back from Portugal. It was a very expensive, heavy emerald green material with white trim and lace detail, very tutu-ish in the skirt, and I loved it. 

Fast forward to now, and it's taken me years to get giddy over a dress. Normally I like one for a little while and then I'll snap; something in me will have changed the way I see it, and alas, it's a favourite no more. (Bit fickle there Lea... I can assure you I do still wear these dresses). 

However! Over a year ago now I found the one. And I love it so much, I really limit the times I wear it, so it's a real special occasion dress. It wasn't that expensive, it was from one of the concessions at Topshop, maybe around £80. You know when you put a dress on and you just feel nice? Well it's one of those. It's flattering, it's bright, and most importantly, it's fun!

If any of you have recognised me from my incredibly brief appearance on a rather embarrassing TV reality series (which I thankfully severely doubt), you'll spot it's the one I wore then. (And yes, I would rather die than ever do that again - for the record, how I left was a set up, I opted out based on what the next episode entailed). It was potentially one of my less wonderful decisions in life! But hey ho! We live and learn!

If this was my one and only dress for the rest of my life I would be happy, I'm a monogamous lady! Do you have a favourite dress? Or are you a polyamorous dress lover? Let me know!

Have a wonderful day lovelies,

Lea

x

p.s. All this hype about GFC; it's still going to be working (so I am informed), so if you'd like to follow me, please still click on the button to the right :) Alternatively, you can follow me via Bloglovin' <3.