Tag Archives: Challenge

#BEDM | The End

The End of BEDM So the Blog Every Day in May challenge has come to an end. I’m happy to say that I’ve managed to keep on top of it, writing posts inspired by the daily prompts and even though some of the posts have been written right at the end of the day – hitting publish at 23:30 sometimes – they have gone up on the correct days! It’s been difficult (as all good challenges should be) but I really glad I stuck with it.

I pleased that I’ve managed to stay committed to this despite my real-life  work-life ramping up a gear or ten over the past month. There’s been a few topics that I haven’t immediately been taken with a few days where I’ve just wanted to go to sleep, not blog, but overall I’ve enjoyed the challenge very much.

I’ve learnt to branch out of my comfort zone. I’ve learnt that I can write about pretty much anything. I’ve learnt that I suck at posing for outfit posts – but I can work on this. I’ve learnt that it gives you a great feeling to tweet someone to say how much you have been enjoying their blog. I’ve learnt that every week is a National Something Week – and I can mine this for ideas if I’m feeling uninspired. Overall, I’ve learnt that I am really loving this blogging lark and want to keep it up not matter what.

Here is are some of my favourite posts from the past month in case you missed them:
Sharing the Blog Love – some of my favourite fellow #BEDMers.
Spa in the City – rather fine example of some of the amazing events that are always going on in Edinburgh.
Inside & Out Book Tag – love a good tag and this is a fun one for bibliophiles. I tag YOU to do this immediately!
Being Adventurous – I drawed a picture! Seriously, first time I had done a sketch for ages so I am a bit proud of this.
Passion Projects – a bit of escapism, what would be your dream job? Mine is colour namer. That’s a thing right?

So will I blog tomorrow? Yep, definitely. Monday? Probably. Tuesday? Err… maybe not. I’ll be going back to normal sporadic posting for June (we’re two weeks from Festival time so most evenings I’ll be getting much-needed rest in preparation) but I will still be about. And I have another challenge I’ll be doing! I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow.

Hope you’ve been enjoying my #BEDM posts. Please leave me your link if you have been joining in, I’d love to read them.

And a big thank you to Elizabeth at Rosalilium for creating this challenge and being so inspirational. She is awesome.

#BEDM | Edinburgh Napier Photography Degree Show

I know that for today’s Blog Every Day in May post we are supposed to be talking about our own talents and what makes us unique, well, I don’t know about you, but lifestyle blogging can get a bit ‘me, me, me’ sometimes, and frankly, I’m tired of talking about myself. So instead I’m going to encourage you to go out and appreciate other people’s talents.

On Saturday I had the pleasure of visiting my old learning haunt,  Edinburgh Napier University’s Merchiston Campus to check out the Photography Degree Show.

Lisa Boyd

Lisa Boyd, Mods: Olya Tyukova, Circus Kids.

Louise Anne Kennedy

Louise Anne Kennedy, Lolitas.

Donna Clarke

Olya Tyukova, Circus Kids: Donna Clarke, Over a Century.

James Parker

Thomas Hofer, This Must be the Place : Carmen Haigh, Simulacra (just seen).

My photos obviously do them no justice so you’ll have to go in to see some really great work from these promising photographers. After the whole community has been shaken by news of the GSA fire, we should really be making a conscious effort to show support to our creative students. The Napier Photography students are currently raising money to take their work to a gallery in London, here’s the link if you’d like to donate to them. The Degree Show is only on until 1st June so hurry.

At this time of year there are Degree Show exhibitions all over the UK and I really urge you to go to one. You may just meet the next Rankin.

#BEDM | Wishlist

I love a good wishlist post, it’s basically guilt-free shopping. I don’t have too many things on my wishlist this time around – which is lucky as the items that are there are at the top of my budget. But they are luuush…

Ash Bowie hi-tops trainers navy

I’ve wanted a pair of Ash hi-tops for ages. The awesomely named Ooh Ruby Shoes in Bruntsfield sells and they are on 30% off until the 2nd June! Will have to go try them on, hope they are as comfy as they look. £155.

AshJungleTrainerLeopard-440x440

And I may have to get these Leopard slip ons while I’m there… £139.

Cassi Fatchel

There’s no two ways to say this, I need a Fatchel. Rhodesian of Edinburgh offer made to order wide satchels which are absolutely beautiful and practical. The above is the Cassi, a good medium sized bag and is available in a multitude of colours. I really want a lilac one like Hannah’s here. Rhodesian also donate £2 to charity for each sale – what good guys! From £125.

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess

And one beauty product – I’ve been after a bottle of “summer holiday in a bottle” Bronze Goddess by Estee Lauder for years but I keep leaving it too late before it goes off the shelves. This year will be my Bronze Goddess year! £47.

Well I do deserve a treat! What is at the top of your wishlist?

#BEDM | Sharing the Blog Love

Bloglovin'

I am a big blog lover As you can see on my Bloglovin’ screen grab I follow over 400 of them and I read blogs every day. Constantly really. Today I wanted to share a few that I’ve found during the Blog Every Day in May challenge using the #BEDM hashtag on Twitter.

Nomad Seeks Home - This creates food envy and travel envy for sure. Also love the ice cream background!

Boobellina Blogs - A brand new blog, the author writes with such a natural voice, I can’t wait to she where she takes it after #BEDM.

Plastic Rosaries - Great read for the book and stationery obsessed – like me!

Borondy’s Purple Planet - I really enjoy the Mood Music series, helping me to break out of my musical rut! Not to mention the fab DIYs and the cutest cat I spotted in a Photo an Hour post.

Oh Hay! - I love the design of this blog, as well as the Pinterest Favourites series. Good luck with your end of year show, Lauren, you’re obviously very talented and will do great I’m sure!

And many, many more! I should really do a link love post more often, once a month or so maybe. What new blogs have you discovered recently?

#BEDM | Shebeen Bar & Braai Edinburgh

As you are no doubt aware, just because you declare a random week in the year to be ‘National Whatever Week’, doesn’t mean you’re going to get the weather for it. Especially if you’re in the UK and you want to do an outdoor activity in May. So, since this National Barbecue Week looks set to be a washout, I have something for all you Edinburgers who just want your BBQ Burgers.

Shebeen Edinburgh

Look at that walloping great slab of meat! A short walk from miserable barbecues in The Meadows, Shebeen is an authentic South African Bar and Braai (the SA equivalent to a barbecue) located on Morrison Street with a second location soon to open in Dalry. If you like your meat, this place has you covered with everything from steaks in two size options (Cheetah sized portion or Lion if you’re of sturdier appetite) or a burger than can feed four to South African boerewors sausage or traditional slow cooked stew. I recommend the mixed grill for the indecisive – lamb chop and beef rump steak, a sausage, wedges, crispy onion rings and a grilled mushroom all topped off with a gloriously runny-yolked fried egg.

Now that is what you call Barbecue Bliss.

#BEDM | Inside & Out Book Tag

I always loved reading as a child. I spent far more time reading books than I do nowadays that I have magazines and the internet. I used to take part in summer reading challenges at our local library where I’d read over 30 books during the schools holidays and I was delighted when they let me start taking books from the teenage section two years early. So today under the “best thing about childhood” prompt I thought I would do a book tag. I found this one at BooksBiscuitsandTea which seemed fun. It was originally created by Youtuber MathomBooks and I think has been floating about for around a year.

Book shelves

Inside flap/back of the book summaries: Too much information or not enough?
The blurb on the back is usually enough for me. If there is an additional synopsis in the cover I tend not to read it. I also never read the pages of praise for the author at the front either. I’ll decide, ta very much.

New book: What form do you want it in? Be honest: audio book, e-book, paperback or hardcover?
Paperback please! I love reading on my Kindle, books tend to be cheaper and easier to get (Amazon 1-click, you are dangerous!) but I do miss having the physical book. I love hardcover editions and will buy them, but more for displaying my favourite books, they’re a bit impractical to read. I’ve only ‘read’ one  audio book – Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. I did this because it was required reading for uni but I found it impossible to get through, the audio book made it pretty funny though, the reader was so over dramatic.

Scribble while you read? Do you like to write in your books, taking notes, making comments, or do you keep your books clean?
I’ve only ever written in textbooks for uni, never in books I’m reading for enjoyment. I hate the idea of this – you’re ruining it for other people! Textbooks don’t matter so much, other people’s note could serve as a study aid but never, never novels. I don’t make notes in a separate book while I’m reading either – to me that’s like pausing a film to write down what someone says. Just enjoy it!

In your best voice, read for us your favourite first sentence from a book.
“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.” – Rebecca, Daphne Du Murier.

Does it matter to you whether the author is male or female when you’re deciding on a book? What if you’re unsure of the author’s gender?
No, don’t be so sexist!

Ever read ahead? Or have you read the last page before you got there?
This is something I used to do as a child all the time. I barely read books in order, I was that much of a cheater. But I’ve since grown out of my impatience and am happy to let the author decide when my curiosities will be satisfied.

Organised bookshelves or outrageous bookshelves.
Organised, particularly the ones that are not behind cupboard doors. Don’t want the place to look a mess! When I have a bigger place and more books I will have colour coded shelves. That is happening.

Under oath: Have you ever bought a book based on the cover alone?
Only all the time! I think graphic design is extremely important and a good cover can tell you all you need to know about a book. Case in point: Where’d you go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple.

Take it outside to read or stay in? 
Since I live in Scotland, mostly stay in. Although perhaps if I take A Song of Ice and Fire outside I’ll gain a better affinity for the Nights Watch. I do like to read outside while on holiday in sunnier climes though. Mostly I read in the bath or in bed. Somewhere cosy.

How about you? Let me know if you have done this tag, I’d love to read it, or leave your responses in the comments below.

#BEDM | Healthy Living

I live a very unhealthy lifestyle. I’m not going to pretend otherwise. I’m never been a smoker and I don’t binge drink (anymore! 18 – 21 was a different story), but that’s probably the only good stuff I do. I am one of these people who vow to change my ways every new year and fail within a month. So I’m going to do exactly the same again now – a month of healthy living is better than nothing right?

Hula Betty Ford

I think it’s best to make goals realistic and with a time frame. So these might not seem like very much but it’s all about baby steps!

  • Cut energy drink consumption to max. one per week.
  • Do 3 Blogilates videos per week.
  • Drink at least two glasses of water each day on top of normal drinks.
  • Only have fizzy juice if out for a meal or for drinks – post-festival (I know I can’t do this now).
  • Go hillwalking or for a country walk for at least on hour once a week – post-festival, on weekends.
  • Eat at least one piece of fruit every lunchtime instead of chocolate.
  • Have a salad for dinner once a week.
  • New Friday work treat: smoothie from Hula (above) instead of Krispy Kremes!

I think those are manageable and only require small changes. Hopefully I’ll be able to achieve most of these and will eventually be able to add more healthy habits. At the very least I need to put the yoga mat to better use than Murphy does!

Cat Yoga

#BEDM | Film Review | Godzilla

A film review is a totally appropriate topic for a ‘Date Night’ prompt, right? I’m a big cinema fan (obviously), there’s something about the shared experienced of watching a film as part of an audience over at home. It makes it funnier, more emotional, more awesome. And Godzilla definitely falls into the ‘awesome’ camp.

Godzilla-2014-RoarGodzilla | Gareth Edwards | 2014 | USA/Japan | 12A | 123 min

Gareth Edwards returns with his second feature film and again it is a monster movie. This time though he has a considerably larger budget than the £10,000 for his 2010 feature, Monsters. Godzilla is a big-budget Hollywood movie but it benefits from Edwards’ experience in creating a film of substance and atmosphere on a shoestring.

Ford (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) was just ten when a nuclear plant disaster in Janjira, Japan, killed his mother and sent his town into quarantine. 15 years later and now a bomb disposal expert he is forced back there when his father Joe (Bryan Cranston) is arrested for trespassing in the quarantine zone. Racked with guilt and anger since his wife’s death, Joe has spent 15 years investigating what really went on at Janjira convinced that there is a cover-up over what  caused the tremors that caused the meltdown. Turns out he’s right – the Government have been hiding knowledge of three giant monsters – a male and female parasitic insectoids and Gojira.

During some films of this genre, you are just waiting to see the monster (Pacific Rim) while other make the most of its off-screen time to build an actual story (Jaws). Godzilla lies between the two. Godzilla’s screen time isn’t huge but there are two other monsters – the MUTOs (Massive Unidentified Terrestrial Organism) to balance this. The story is definitely solid, even if it doesn’t quite stand up to the likes of Jaws - possibly due to the sheer number of characters. Edwards clearly wants to return the legend of Godzilla to its roots – born out of fear of nuclear warfare. Dr Serizawa (Ken Watanabe) urges the government officials away from resorting to nuclear weapons to take down Godzilla and the MUTOs, his family having already experienced the fallout of Hiroshima. The design and sound of Godzilla is much more like an updated version of the Japanese Toho Pictures than the 1998 attempt and he is restored as an ‘avenging angel’ character over a mindless force of destruction.

Above all, Godzilla is a hugely enjoyable film. The final third is stompy, confident, and full of swagger. Godzilla’s first roar make the wait for him to appear in all his glory worth it. See it in IMAX to have your face melted by the sheer awesomeness.

#BEDM | OOTD Blitzkrieg Mint

OOTS Mint Ramones tee

As today’s Blog Every Day in  May post is about doing something out of your comfort zone, I thought I’d attempt an outfit of the day. I don’t really do these, mostly because I have no style, but also because I don’t have a tripod. So aerial view of clothes!

I am beyond in love with this Ramones tee from Primark (£8). Mint is my favourite colour at the moment and I genuinely love the Ramones so I had to have this. I also like that the sleeves nearly cover my upper arms and that the v-neck is not too deep. Rock ‘n’ Roll Granny!

I teamed this with dark grey skinny jeans from New Look, mint Converse and minimal make up.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Heading out a threw on a grey H&M blazer to break up all the mint and grabbed my Leather Satchel Co. bag.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

It’s so glorious! I actually got this bag for half price through Itison so I am over the moon with it. The pretty pastel-ness is making my neon nail polish look cray. It is Model’s Own ‘Pink Punch’ by the way. Rings are from River Island and Forever 21.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Hope you liked this post. I will get better at taking and posing for outfit photos (maybe).

#BEDM | Workspace

Having already bored you with glimpses of my real workspace during “A Day in the Life” and shown you my totty tiny desk in “Room Tour“, now you’re being treated to a look inside the spare room/office/man cave.

desk

David’s desk is fairly standard. He has a huge, noisy tower PC and two monitors but he also has a super comfy chair. I sometimes sit here to blog if I’m feeling particularly productive.

Geeky stationery

Stationery for sci-fi geeks! The Star Wars note books are Moleskins while the Dr WHo notebooks were picked up in HMV.

Vintage billiard balls

Vintage billiard balls.

photo 4

Iron Man Print.

photo 5

Vinyl Sheldon (and bizarrely, a mini shopping cart).

photo 1

The Big Bang Theory Hama picture made by me, and gory Rubber movie poster.

photo 2

Stegosaurus tie!

Obviously you need to surround yourself with all manner of geekery to maximise productivity. I should introduce this at work (just kidding – our offices are packed with all kinds of film crap already).