Nineteen

After a birthday people often ask if you feel any different than you did a few hours before, being a younger age and honestly some things never change-I type this handicap-idly with a fistful of gummy bears. I've learnt a lot about myself since my 19th birthday, whether that's because I'm in a different environment, no longer a full time student but now a full time worker I don't know but I have noticed some changes. Turning 19 was unexpected and without cliché which I have appreciated. I didn't have many expectations and some people think this is good, so there's no disappointment but I've taken everything in stride and embraced emotions as they've come. I've learnt that I can't control everything around me, whether you like it or not life goes on and you have to move with it or get left behind. Some things never change though, being around older guys have taught me that no matter what age, boys who are not yet men are still very dumb, idiotic and insensitive. I taught myself how to distinguish between terms for example calling 16 year old males 'boys' and 24 year old males who are still 'boys' 'guys' instead. Aswell as learning a bit more about the rival species, I've uncovered information about the league of aspirational women and the trail of imbecile little girls who let the side down to garnish attention from the opposite sex. It may seem as though I've discovered information about everyone except myself but this is the joy of being 19; well getting it right first time that is. 19 is an age rarely mentioned or warned against. Being 19 is all about subtlety, if you're an extrovert this is your year to sit back and observe, find out exactly how to read people and spot the bullshit a mile off. Trust me after a while it becomes so easy to do. Learn from older people, study their achievements and their mistakes and heed that warning. 19 is a purgatory state between youth and adult. I still believe it should be made illegal to address an 18 year old as an adult, here in London at least. At 18 you have no where near the mental capacity needed to be and adult and do it properly. 18 is the year of ill informed, uneducated decisions and 19 comes along to clean up that mess. So many people end up starting University aged 19 and not 18 because of those ill advised decisions but they usually end up with a lot more to show of their year of growth, maturity and progression. At 19 you're young enough to fool older generations into underestimating our talents, wit, intelligence and skill. Working hard at 19 shows people you want to be taken seriously, especially if you have the facial features of a 16 year old teenager. No ones going to call you a teenager and no one will respect you like an adult until you show them your edge, and this comes naturally once you've mastered being 19. 19 is a good year, just don't mess it up.  

Seven At Brixton

Ever been to Brixton at 7? These days it's bang on trend, the skater boys are emerging from the infamous skate park round the back of the Brixton O2 academy and flexing in front of the once archaic library. It's always good vibrations at the Ritzy, and the market has it's own currency! And with that I move on to my next question, have you ever been to Seven At Brixton? If so you know it's a small bar at the back of Coldharbour lane inside the actual market! Don't worry it doesn't smell of fish and meat, instead you have a wave of mintyness waft pass as you upgrade to upstairs seating, because this place can get pretty packed; and please mind your head! After securing our seating, we made our way to the bar whilst bumping and with little to no grinding to music by hip hop legends Nas and Jay Z. We watched the bartender make our order, 5 Ginger Beer Basil Mojito's all at one time and he laughed at our bemusement, because honestly, mixology never gets old and these guys are great. We waited a short time to be served and have our drinks made however, I do advise you, this is Brixton, don't be shy otherwise you'll never make it to the front. The Mojito was super sweet, I loved it the ginger beer infused with basil was amazing, then I stirred the bottom where the sugar resided and wow I found heaven for the remainder of that cocktail, and for a fiver that was a good deal. We wanted to try the Buffalo Passion and both of the speciality cocktails just for the fun takeaway box and glass skull bottle, but as Seven closes at 11 we knew we'd never make it through that queue. So now along with the great vibes and lively buzz I have a reason to go back! I also have a question for the guys at Seven At Brixton, is there real actual buffalo in these cocktails!? 

Guys follow their Instagram account for mouth watering temptation at @sevenatbrixton 

Race For Life - Meesh's Racer Angels

Hello Beautiful People!

Happy Easter and blessings all round! 

A week to date was the famous London Marathon, the worlds runners, skippers and fancy dress joggers joined forces to say no to life threatening illnesses and raced for life. Watching the beautiful array of colours of peoples vests and numbers was mesmerising, how could you not want to be apart of something so vibrant, a show of brilliance, bravery, courage and pride?

For the last 2 weeks i've endured an endless barrage of Snapchats of my best friends sweaty face and laughed at her whilst she struggles to train for a 5k run for Breast Cancer supporting her mama and family. So before I could talk my indecisive self out of the idea, I whatsapped my best friend and said I want to do it too! SIGN ME UP GIRLFRIEND! The sheer excitement and thrill I got when I said yes was immense, I wanted to say yes over and over again, tell everybody and their mothers that I, Regina has said YES to A 5K RUN!

Go Team! 

FOR BREAST CANCER! If you know me then you know running is my weakness, my kryptonite, my Harry Styles-Zayn Malik. I have spent the majority of my spare time researching a variety of ways to say the same thing "Will I die if I run 5K?" Think of courage the cowardly dog and multiply that image by 10 and there you have me torturing myself on a treadmill. However, with some friendly advice from my novice runner friends and family, and obviously the everpresent helping hand of Google search engine I've garnered some tips on how to journey from Couch to 5k around Clapham Common.

London Marathon 2014

Everyone has a story or knows of someone who does when it comes to the nightmare that is 'The Big C' but we don't have to whisper in fear anymore because times are changing and we are fighting back!... So help me, my friends and family say it... Cancer, we're comin' to get ya! Do something bold, say yes to something new and frightning, then plough through it and show it whose boss! I cant wait to rip open my starter pack and get fundraising and I'm counting down the days until I can wear my number with pride panting around the common. If you see me give us a wave! 

If you've got a story you should share it too and others can learn from you or help you get through! Drop a comment, and share this all over the world and back again and visit our Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/meeshs-racer-angels and donate anything you can to support us and millions of others in the UK. If this is too much to ask then I give you full permission to laugh at my expense on the 31st of May when I'll be sweating, crying and cussing under my breath. Thank you all for your support Big Love and Happy Easter! x

Camden Town

Last week I went to Camden Lock with my cousin to have dessert at Chin Chin Laboratories.

They serve Ice Cream made with liquid nitrogen-generated steam in three flavours, I had the Pondi cherry-vanilla topped with hazelnuts.

It was so yummy! If it's your first time they talk you through it and explain that using liquid nitrogen to make ice cream results in a smoother texture and stronger taste, which contrasts so well from the crunchy hazelnut toppings. The parlour is very small and cosy, neatly tucked away in the midst of Camden Lock but you cant miss it because that sweet smell of ice cream just draws you in! The price is reasonable and they only take cash but don't worry, the staff are so friendly and kind they'll show you where the infamous cash machine is.


I'd definitely go again, for a quirky catch up date with a friend and then do a spot of Camden Market shopping.

Radio 1 Live Lounge In Da Mix !

Alright mate 'Vas Happenin?! I have news for you! And it's of course 1D related - crowd cheer. Trolling Youtube has literally become my job away from my real job and I found some tres cool One Direction covers over at the super sweet Live Lounge with the Super Duper Fly and Fluffy Ferne Cotton! I'm guessing she loves the boys just as much as the rest of us as her guests just keep it coming with the covers. Have a listen and see what you think.
Click the captions on the picture for a link to the song/video

Matty & The Boys Cover What Makes You Beautiful  Here 

Thought The 1975 gang were the only ones to cover the hit single? Girls come on, you got it wrong, to prove it right Rita put it in a so-o-ong! (see what I did there?)

Rita Ora Covers What Makes You Beautiful 

Ooooh competition! Girl vs Boys, who made you feel more beautiful? 

Rudimental Cover Story Of My Life (& Monster)

It's obvious One Direction's music just lends itself to this kind of underground, electronica, reggae vibe, fellow British artists cant help but infuse loud trumpets, keys and saxophones! - I played a bit of sax, got my grade 2 in 6 months, think Rudimental would take me on? Even the boys cant help but create a reggae remix to their own track! Awww ain't that sweet xx 

One Direction Last First Kiss Reggae Cover 

The boys new album also consists of some great folk/pop tunes and it suits them well, this next cover reflects that element and style, its Gabrielle Alplin's take on the more recent hit single 'Best Song Ever', what do you think?

Gabrielle Alplin Covers Best Song Ever 

Ahh what's that I hear? More rhythmic drums, reggae, it lives in all of us... like I said, just cant help it.

So there you have it, all the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge One Direction Covers, a huge effort but sorry guys, the originals still have my heart. Have you heard any other covers worth mentioning? And no don't mention those pre-pubescent vampire boys who cover every other One Direction song out. 

A/W Essentials

Hello Comrades!
My apologies for not writing sooner, I've been quite busy at work and ashamed to say I haven't really taken advantage of London like I said I would. I, however, have taken it upon myself to live vicariously through the cast of Made In Chelsea. (it really isn't that posh you know, I did a journalism course there and if they let me in... well) While they play recklessly in the Royal Borough, handbags in the arm crease, heels so high-sorry Jessie they're still having a wicked time- I lay sloth-style in my bed equipped with an electric heater and 4od on my Smart TV-sounds cosy I know, I know. Anyhow, that along with the cold has inspired me in the fashion sense and my style has once again transitioned...operation Chelsea Girl is now underway...

Asos Textured Block Coat
Was £90
Now £67.50

And here to support the cause...ASOS is having a SALE! YES! 30% off Big Chill Winter Essentials and this my dears is most definitely essential! I need a coat like this in my life, it's androgynous, chic and most of all WARM! (at least it looks like it is) I cant stand a coat that ruins an outfit, this coat can literally go over all the knits and jumpers I strongly advise you to be wearing this winter without making you look like you've overeaten due to the cold; the colours are dark and would contrast well with some softer palettes and the leather bits add that badboy edge we're all looking for, the cold makes us vulnerable but we can brave it like the Russians and look great doing it! I'm loving the deep pockets as I myself am a pocket hoarder I'm forever filling them up with receipts, tickets and sweet wrappers-I'm not gonna lie. And last but not least, the obvious USP the price chop, bargain!

Zara Leather Riding Boot
Was £119
Now Still fucking £119

Moving on to these beauties...Zara have a hold of my heart with these babies. These boots were not just made for walking no! These Riding Boots encrypted with classic gold details and buckles were made to run the world, riding buses, trains and horses alike to explore the universe... too far? Okay well, you don't understand just how long I've peened for a pair of AFFORDABLE riding boots that won't make me look like an absolute joke. 100% cow leather and 100% MINE when payday arrives. Now Zara aren't really in aid of supporting the cause and do not currently have a sale-unless they kept it completely quiet and I have no clue about, so these boots are still a little pricey...

Inspired by MiC's very own style God Proudlock, these cool dangly above the knuckle rings resemble his dainty little cross earring that he undoubtedly cannot part with, unless he's modelling other style pieces on his style blog. I think this will be a cute little accent piece to the A/W collection with some pale coloured nails to finish off the look. Awww 

Regal Rose Above Knuckle Rings
Was £8
Now £6

Welcome

Hi Everyone & Welcome To My Blog!

My name is Regina and with that comes many connotations, the Latin meaning being 'Queen' and the American-High School symbol of  'Queen B(itch)'-Regina George.

Basically Me On An Arrogant Day

 I however, fit gracefully somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. I am both sheepishly subtle and charmingly boisterous at times and I cant wait to reflect that in my writing. If you're into scouting new talent, both musically and the literal sense ;) then you'll love my 'LoveSounds' posts about new artists on the scene and reviews on the books I've read and had a rather intellectual natter about at Book Club whilst munching on some good old Tyrells Sweet Chilli & Red Pepper crisps. As a Gap Year Student in London, the world has genuinely become my oyster, it's a shame about that 16+ Oyster card expiring though R.I.P free travel :( I still feel as though I owe it to the Dream Biggers out there who would kill (not literally) to live in the cosmopolitan hub that is London and take full advantage so I hope you'll stick around and see how great I can make my Gap Year! xx