Great Things London Has Given Us

I recently discovered that literally every good thing in life was invented in London. Every good thing. Here is a list of the bestest things that the most amazing city in the world gave to the world:

Scotch Eggs, 1738, Fortnum and Mason
I may not be able to eat these (although Quorn make a delicious vegetarian alternative) but I know (am guessing...) that they are every Brit's favourite picnic food. As they should be. They look amazing.
Thanks London.

Roller Skates, 1760
Only my favourite mode of transportation! What other shoes get you around so speedily and in such style.

Wedding Cake, 18th Century
This is not 100% confirmed, but I'm going to say it is because London is definitely capable of inspiring such a wonderful thing as wedding cake. Actually, fruitcake is kinda gross.

Bicycles, 1819
Only my second favourite mode of transportation!
These were first invented in the form of Hobby Horses, which are completely wooden bikes with big fancy wheels. (Not those toy horse heads on sticks)

Christmas Cards, 1843, John Callcott
Who doesn't love receiving Christmas cards? No one! Yay for London!

YMCA, 1844
You know- where it's fun to stay and you can hang out with all the boys? That place. First opened up in London.

Christmas Crackers, 1847, Tom Smith
Despite this guy having the least original name ever, he did manage to invent something super lovely. What would Christmas be without the crappy gift you get in your cracker and the joke that everyone already knows the punch-line to?

Underground Railway System, 1863
My actual favourite mode of transport! It may be unreliable and a bit delayed at times but, at the end of the day, all Londoners (bar those with chauffeurs) would be lost without it.
Thanks London.

The first ever driving school- the British School of Motoring, 1910
I didn't even know they had cars in 1910, let alone institutes in which to learn how to drive them. But, if anywhere was going to invent this kind of place, it would be London. Plus, this place is still open, I know where I'm going when I finally pluck up the courage to have my first driving lesson.

Penicillin, 1928, Alexander Fleming
Very important this stuff is. A great advance in medical science this was. All done in London. Obviously.

Cash Machines, 1967, John Shepherd-Barron, Enfield Barclays
These are possibly the most useful machines ever. I will never fathom how they work and I don't think I ever want to; for now, I'll continue to believe that there are tiny men inside the machine passing me £10 notes. Thanks little men!

Me, 1996, Queen Charlotte's Hospital
No comment.

Lucy, 1996, Queen Charlotte's Hospital
Yes, Lucy and I were born in the same hospital, in the same year. No, Lucy and I are not long-lost twins. (Although no DNA tests have been done)

As you can see, many fabulous things were invented in London, the greatest city in the world.
I'm not sure what brought on this sudden burst of enthusiasm for London. Not that it is unjustified.

Genuinely, I'm not actually that obsessed with my home city. Maybe there's something in the water.
Classic London.

M x

p.s I'm really sorry about the pictures. I'm not sure what compelled me to make them but, whatever, no regrets.

Diary Of An IB Student #1

IB therefore I am.

I heard the shrill warnings when I chose my Sixth Form pathway about how the IB would take over my life and how I would reminisce about the sweet old days when I could afford to go out and see friends. I naively laughed off their warnings as a big, over-exaggerated, dramatic joke.

But, yes, only four months into my International Baccalaureate, I can see what they were on about when they said 'IB therefore I am'. It's one heck of a soul-consuming education programme.

I never often finish my work before 10, which is proving very difficult for my Netflix addiction. What's more, there's always the ever-looming presence of some sort of coursework about to be set or a test on some incomprehensible science topic. My workload is like a dark, omnipresent grey cloud that is forever impending on me.

Maybe I'm being too negative and, knowing that I'm speaking to a predominantly non-IB audience, I am hyperbolising my experiences in order to obtain sympathy from those studying A-Levels or, even worse, those actually in the outside world.

Because, really, I'm going to speak out. It's not that bad really. Yes, I get hardly any free-periods during the week. But that means I have learnt to appreciate the free periods that I do have and, to a large extent, they are used efficiently. What's more, the IB has meant that seeing those at my school who study A-Levels (the other education pathway on offer) has become a near impossibility. However, without a doubt, it has made the time that we do manage to squeeze in together even more special. Even if they cannot understand why you have so many bags under your eyes due to lack of sleep.

Aside from the social aspect, or lack thereof, let me talk about what actually matters - why one actually chooses to study six subjects (well, seven. Theory Of Knowledge should always be counted). When offered to embark on the International Baccalaureate programme, they tell you that it really is the best way to receive a rounded education at an advanced level and keep your options for the future open. Now, if anyone out there is the typical deer in headlights when it comes to thinking about the future, then the IB is really a no-brainer. Sometimes enduring the horrors of science and maths if that's not your thing can be a bit arduous, but the benefits are clear.

As is often said in reference to this beauty of an education programme - 'The IB is like vegetables. Sometimes it doesn't taste nice, but you know it's good for you so you eat it up anyway'.

Coupled with the six subjects are three core elements of the IB that make it, admittedly, a lot more time-consuming than A-Levels, but actually have their benefits. At least, I can see the benefits right now while writing this. Perhaps I'm just in a good mood. I certainly don't feel this way about TOK at 7:00AM every morning.

If nothing else, the core (Theory Of Knowledge; Creativity, Action and Service and Extended Essay) really teaches important BS skills that have important applications in life post-education. I mean, who doesn't see the benefit in writing a 700 word reflection journal on participating in a yoga class?

Yet we saunter on, bs-ing along the way as though in the dark, hoping we'll surface after the two years with a diploma in our hand and without too many nervous breakdowns.

It's not about succeeding in the IB. It's about surviving. A decent survival at times, but nonetheless a survival.

So, it would seem as though this time it's not 'IB therefore I am'.
It's 'IB therefore I BS'

L x

Best TV Show Opening Themes

I actually rarely watch any show's opening credits because (I watch all my TV shows online and) I am able to skip them to save precious time. However, the following shows have title sequences that I don't ever skip because I love them so damn much.

Sidenote: I recently discovered a website where I can make GIFs (sorry about the annoying watermark). I may have got a little carried away.

One Tree Hill
The phrase "nailed it" doesn't cover how perfect this opening sequence is. Good one Gavin DeGraw, "I Don't Wanna Be" is a truly brilliant song and I love that he pops up every few seasons and sings it in the show.
I love title credits that show you which actors play each character because sometimes you just need to know who plays who in your favourite show. It gives you snippets of the best times of each season and the opening-sequence-making-people were good enough to make a whole new video for every season.
Having said that, only complaint: Brooke appears to have the same little clip in the opening sequence for a few seasons. And her hair changes a lot from season to season.

Teen Wolf
SO MANY BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE. That's basically all I have to say, plus I like the dramatic music.
Only complaint: Where is Isaac? He's been in the show as a principal character for ages now.

The O.C.
Not only is California by Phantom Planet the greatest song in the whole wide world but this opening theme gives viewers a chance to see all of the cast's beautiful faces in sequence before the show begins. The opening credits make me feel so happy, no matter how many people get brutally murdered in the episode that follows.
Only complaint: Why isn't Rachel Bilson in the season 1 opening theme? Summer Roberts is the bomb.

The Big Bang Theory
Even if you don't watch this show (why not??) you will be able to sing at least part of this song, "The History of Everything" by Barenaked Ladies, because it is brilliant. I, personally, know the whole thing. Even the fast bit. No big deal.
The accompanying video is simple and jampacked with historical references, but also appropriate to the show and fun to watch.
Only complaint: At the very end they show the characters eating take-away and it makes me hungry. Every time.

Game of Thrones
I don't even watch this show but I must say: these opening credits are beautiful. The song makes you want to get up and do something inspirational (I say while sitting on my laptop in my bed) and the whole moving across map thing and around places thing (I have no idea what happens in this show) is awesome.
Only complaint: I do not love the font they used for the names. Plus it's a little small.

Sherlock
This is my sister's choice and I do actually agree with her. I love London so much (as you may be able to tell from previous posts) so I love the edgy shots of the city that we see along with the most perfect music ever. The best thing about this title sequence is the song so a GIF doesn't quite capture the magic, but I shall obviously include one anyway.
Only complaint: It's only 30 seconds. It should last at least three hours. (The show would then be 4 and a half hours in total and that would be incredible.)

And there we have it, the 6 best opening themes from some of the greatest shows in this millennium.
I'm sure there are more and everyone has their own opinions on this and watches more shows than I do (wait, that's not possible. I mean that people watch different shows than I do).

Notable mentions should also go to: Parks and Recreation, New Girl and How I Met Your Mother.

M x

It's OK To Embrace Your Inner Schmidt

Whilst engaging in my favourite past-time of procrastinating from the hideous, nervous breakdown-inducing amount of work I have to do, I visited BuzzFeed in order to increase my own self-awareness and knowledge by completing their quizzes.

Lo and behold! What do we have here? A quiz titled 'Which "New Girl" Character Are You?'. It was my lucky day. Here I am, jovially ticking my answers of choice without a care in the world. And then it hits me, at the very bottom of the page.

You got: Schmidt

How are you supposed to react when news so terribly life-changing enters your world? I was dumbfounded, I was struck with a sense that I would never quite be the same ever again. It was that dramatic.

I guess there are negative connotations associated with 'being a Schmidt'. Yes, sometimes I humiliate myself in front of my entire year. Yes, I say absolutely ridiculous things that elicit someone, nay anyone, to shout out 'Luce... Douchebag jar, now.'

Mindy has been saying it for a couple of years now. Yet I always thought there was a hidden jokey sense within her comments. This quiz confirmed what I had spent so long dismissing as a humorous falsity.

And then I have a realisation. A Schmidt moment, if you will. Who said being a Schmidt had to be a bad thing? Schmidt provides a welcome relief to the other loft mates who are all separately struggling with the difficulties of early adulthood. He is successful and embraces this achievement. He is a hit with the opposite sex, so must possess a charming quality that makes the ladies swoon. Heck, he even has an eye for fashion and can appreciate the need for a good suit and good lighting. When life gets him down, he knows it's all about the recovery. Because, hey, Schmidt happens.

So, ladies and gentlemen, I would request that you look past the superficial arrogant and douche-y qualities that are seen by so many. Peel away the layers of the onion (jar, Lucy) and discover the true Schmidty.

Because, after all, we built this Scmidty on Tootsie Rolls.

L x

An Ode To Brunch

To say that I liked brunch would be a massive understatement. I love brunch almost as much as I love the  fact that Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom are now both single (though it sucks for Flynn and romantics everywhere, I think I could easily bag either of them. No? Ok...), Yes, I really like brunch. Honestly, what is not to love about brunch? You get to eat bacon,  A LOT OF BACON at the slightly later hour that brunch requires. You get to natter and catch up with friends. You get to stuff your face because it's two meals right?!

Did I mention you get to eat bacon?!

At first, I was of the naive assumption that you could brunch with anyone. I believed that this was a food-focused event and the company was only there to stop you eating your bacon alone and tell you politely that you've had enough to eat. But how wrong I was.

Your brunch crew is a fundamental component of a good bruncheon. Take a leaf out of the book of the girls from Sex and the City and brunch with your closest friends who you don't necessarily see a lot. Then, you've got a lot to catch up on and the light chit-chat is the perfect accompaniment for eating too much. Let's be real here, you've really got to know the special people. It can't just be anyone. I would even be wary of going to brunch with a member of the opposite sex. What if they don't appreciate the sanctity of brunch and all that it entails? I'm just saying, be careful, folks.

Now, I wouldn't consider myself to be the ultimate expert on the best brunch locations in London, because I am sure that there are some hidden gems that me and my friends are yet to discover. But I thought I'd share with you some of my favourite brunch locations around the city.

Bill's
A classic choice. A branch of Bill's can be throughout London, such as Chiswick, Richmond, Wimbledon, Kensington and Islington, and also outside of London in locations such as Bath and Oxford. So you're never too far from a Bill's and those incredible blueberry pancakes.

VQ
YOU CAN GET PANCAKES 24 HOURS A DAY!!!! Yes, this is a 24 hour brunch spot in the heart of Chelsea so there is really no excuse not to brunch.

Muriel's Kitchen
Because it is just a stone's throw away from South Kensington station, Muriel's is the perfect place to meet up with friends before heading off shopping to burn off all those well-deserved brunch calories.

Upsy Daisy Bakery
Anyone special in my life gets taken to the Upsy Daisy Bakery as a sort of initiation into the proper elite. It's one of those tucked away gems that no one really knows about, but it's everything you would want from a casual brunch. I love it.

The Riding House Cafe
I'll admit it, I've never actually visited this brunch haven, but the little green monster within me summons itself every time someone I know hashtags #ridinghousecafe on Instagram. I'm jealous, ok?

Dishoom
Another one that I haven't visited for brunch, but I can vouch for their bombay-style evening menu. The evening food was absolutely delicious, even if it is one of those 'trendy' no-book places. If their brunch is half as good as the rest of it, I'm sure it's a real treat.



Continuing with my life-long dream of being a part of a John Hughes movie, I would like to suggest a sort of gang. Much like 'The Breakfast Club'.

But instead. 'The Brunch Club'...

Applications will be accepted from early 2014 with a formal interview being conducted shortly thereafter.

L x

What Disney Villains Make us Think About the Royal Family

I don't actually think that any of the following things were intentional. Yes, Walt Disney was a wee bit on the racist side but, as far as we know, he wasn't anti-monarchist as well. Perhaps we should thaw him and ask.

Chances are, (slightly) overweight females will steal your voice and try to marry your man

Those with freaky headwear will put you into a long sleep with their knitting tools

Likes animals? Wants to kill your dad

If they have wispy hair, there is no doubt that they have ulterior motives to do with wearing all the dalmatians as coats

If he's balding he probably has no qualms about catnapping

The fact that he has long dark hair and a moustache directly correlates with him being a pirate and hating children in pyjamas 

The likeness is uncanny though

Always be suspicious about the pretty, brunette new girl

PEOPLE WITH ENGLISH ACCENTS ARE NOT TO BE TRUSTED!!!!!

Agh crap... that's awkward

But don't worry, there'll always be a trusty ginger around to kick butt and save their family

My damage here is done. (My imagination is so weird)
M x

PS. I lusm the queen

How To Be More Like Kate Middleton: The Royal Guide

I have only three main goals/resolutions for the looming year ahead and they are as follows:

1. To become better at decision making (blaming my indecisiveness on my star sign - Libra's are supposedly rubbish at making important choices)
2. Read 25 quality books
3. Be more like Kate Middleton

I'm not even joking with the last one. Kate Middleton is far from being short of admirers, and, without exaggerating, I certainly believe that we could all learn a thing or two from her. Buzz Feed even published an article yesterday titled '27 Times Kate Middleton Proved She Was The Most Flawless Human in 2013'

Baby, you light up my world like nobody else...

This woman can really do no wrong. She has a baby - she looks good. She goes to boring events - she looks good. She stands next to Prince Harry - she looks good. So, in 2014, it is my aim, no, my duty, to be a bit more like Kate Middleton. If you decide to be a copy cat, follow my decisive guide to being just a smidgen more like Her Royal Highness.

(Being decisive and following in K-Middy's footsteps. Killing two resolutions with one stone before 2014 has even begun. Kicking butt already, I like it.)

The Hair
Can we just stand back and appreciate how Kate Middleton's hair always remains beautifully wavy without falling flat? In my quest to be more like my dearest princess, I bought some large curling tongs so I too could get the oh-so typical Kate waves.

HA. HA. HA. Good one.

I think the curlers thought that they could trick me, because basically achieving any type of wave that is acceptable to leave the house in is very difficult indeed. And when it does go vaguely right, it is so momentous that it requires at least 15 selfies and a Snapchat to everyone you know.

Can I also just say that it's a really nice colour?

The fashion
Because I'm not a mega-millionaire/not everyone would bend over backwards for a lock of my hair, I can't afford Kate's stylish yet demure wardrobe, I'm going to have to try and re-create sophistication on a much smaller budget. Tips to consider:

• There is no outfit that a jacket cannot improve
• Princesses can wear jeans
• A hat can improve an outfit. However, there is a strict line between fascinating (tried to make a hat joke. Failed to make a hat joke) and Princess Beatrice and Eugenie.
• Being pregnant is no excuse for slacking in the style department (hopefully this will not be a problem for me in 2014. Well, apart from this post-Christmas food baby)

The Make-Up
Such a perfect human being probably does not need any physical adjustments, but those she makes just bring out the little green monster in me. Once again, her access to the best brands definitely have an involvement in the angelic glow-y quality of her skin. Ethereal even.

She doesn't over-do it on the make-up, coz she's a princess lyk, but always takes a tip from yours truly (or so I let myself believe) by always using just a touch of eye-liner to emphasise the eyes.

Of course, for a more comprehensive guide, follow this WikiHow on how you can replicate K-Middy's make-up at home. I tried to find a guide complete with cheesy, absurd stock images... but, alas, with little avail. This one will have to suffice.

The Smile

SMILE AND WAVE, KATE. SMILE AND WAVE.

Well, I mean, apparently it's down to thousands of pounds spent on dental whitening, but it's nothing that cannot be replicated at home. Easily available, whitening shampoo or an at-home whitening kit will be needed.

But, more importantly, the trick is to know when to smile. To keep things simple, just smile when out in public. It's what Her Royal Highness would do.

The Work
Even managed to divide this one into two sub-sections. I'm pretty fancy. Much like Kate.

Education - She became even more sophisticated in my mind when I realised that she studied History of Art at St Andrews University. It just seems like a sophisticated subject.
So, to be more like her, ditch all of your true ambitions and do History of Art. It may bag you a prince.

Charity work - Yes, she probably has to get involved to keep up the image and whatever. But, she does genuinely seem like she cares and is passionate about what she gets involved with and wants to use her status to make a difference. So why not, in 2014, aim to better yourself by trying to better the lives of others.
Now that's a thought.



Right now, I may be more 'The Princess Diaries' than the Royal Princess, but we can all hope/pray that by the end of 2014 I am just a little bit more sophisticated/classy/princess-y.
Keep me in your New Year's prayers
L x