A Hard Path Awaits Me

Well, I'm joining the gym this week and I have literally no clue how you go about it.  All I know is I want to be Rosie's body double by the end of summer. 

I'm not starting on a good footing.  I don't know what to wear, my diet consists of 80% carbs (this evening I've eaten six slices of buttered toast - the shame) and I only understand a cross-trainer and a running machine despite my hard-suffering personal trainer's two month battle to entice me on to something more torturous.  I figured that if he couldn't make me do it, I'd have to wait until I turned 20 and had to go, rather than probably should for the benefit of my health.

In other news, I just bought this and it's the best shower gel type thing I've ever bought. It was about £10 and it's the most moisturising and lathery, freshly-scented cream. I completely love it, and tomorrow I'm going to get the body butter. Addiction. Anyway, see you when I'm skinnier!

Labrador T-shirt

After lunch with my Dad today, I was wandering through Fenwick and spotted this cute t-shirt. It was designed by Barbour for Newcastle Fashion Week, and all the profits go to this great cause. It's perfect for me - I'm not exactly a very 'fashion' person, so something comfortable rates really highly in my shopping ideals, and at £15 I couldn't resist. I think it's unisex as the sizes are on the large side.

On another very exciting note, Liz Earle have released their makeup range today and you can browse and buy it online. While I was in town, I went by their concession in John Lewis but they didn't have anything on the shop floor yet. I'm really interested in the Cream Blush and the Loose Powder; both of which I've already read glowing reviews.

Finally, I got a new candle from Wax Lyrical called Day At The Spa, which despite the cringey name, smells absolutely divine. I thought I'd treat myself as I'll be spending many an hour revising in my room over the coming weeks. 

Sophie x

Arlo Jesmond

I first started going to this café in Jesmond when I was at school, and my love for it has never faltered.  Back then it was under different management and had a different name, and even though it has gone through a few changes, the basic premise has remained the same; tasty, simple food in a lovely atmosphere.

It is now called Arlo, named after the owner's son and can be visited every day from half eight to seven on some nights, nine on others and five on Sundays.  Lucas, the owner, has introduced an evening menu and lunch now has a bit more substance as opposed to the cakes and sandwiches you were limited to before.

I visited with my Dad this past week and had the absolutely delicious crispy fish fingers with chips, salad and home made Tartar sauce. My Dad had the Otis burger, which also looked incredible. 

During the Easter holidays I sat outside in the sun with one of my friends home from University and got more than a little tipsy with a bottle of wine between us and balsamic roasted vegetables.  

(A complimentary bowl of crisps was also in order when Lucas realised that persuading two students to indulge in a lunchtime rosé on such little sustenance was probably not a brilliant idea!)

Another all-time favourite that gets us out of bed on a hungover morning is the mouth-watering waffles with dry cured bacon and maple syrup.  

Sitting with pots of tea and magazines, this is my favourite spot to people watch the best suburb of Newcastle. All in all, Arlo has something for everyone; friendly staff, a relaxed atmosphere and great interior design.  You can follow them on Twitter, like them on Facebook or visit their website.

Enjoy! 

Sophie x

To Inspire

I believe there are many ways to convey messages & meanings; but for me, photography is one of the few modes that really captures & challenges my imagination.

Lauren-Eloise x

My Unrequited Love

As the saying goes, you always want what you can't have.  Now, for most people this may be something they can't afford, something they don't have room for in their life or something forbidden to them but my unrequited love is affordable, compact and universally idolised.

Heels.  A chic pair from Zara, some quirky and cool platforms from Topshop or the heart-stopping Charlotte Olympia range (Dolly, shown above, £575). And yet why can I not indulge? At 20 years old, I stand at a vertigo-inducing 6 feet tall.

Although many of my more vertically challenged friends claim to hanker for a couple more inches, I cannot stress enough to them the trials of being tall. From standing out a head above your classmates in assembly, to your choice of men being seriously reduced (especially when with shortness seems to come a charming cheekiness) it really can be a hindrance.

Since going out clubbing on an evening has become a bi-weekly habit at Uni, my pain has only worsened.  I watch friends slipping on a pair of sexy heels and stepping out in gorgeous, feminine confidence while I go barefoot during pre-drinks before I cram my feet in a dull pair of flats and shuffle out of the door.

People suggest a mid-heel but who wants shoes that signal the wearer is nothing more than safe and sensible? I want eight inch, stiletto platforms, I want the real deal, and I want it without repeatedly bashing my head against the ceiling of the club (true story).

So, any lucky readers who stand at a height suitable for vertiginous heels, thank the Sex-Kitten Gods for blessing you with smaller proportions and understand when your tall friends weep in the shoe lounge of your nearest Topshop or browse Louboutin alone with a tub of Ben and Jerry's at night. We are the walking wounded (in flats), girls with our hearts constantly broken, cursed with a problem that simply cannot be solved.

Your friendly neighbourhood giant,
Sophie