Bournemouth and Friendship!

Hello my sweet ones! I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine and getting excited for summer. This post is about my recent first visit to Bournemouth, and the importance of friendship.

My friend Isabelle lives there, and I have been meaning to visit her for such a long time now. I'm sure people can relate; your lives get busy, things are pushed aside. Nevertheless, you should always make time for those special people who make time for you. So, after what feels like one hundred Skype and FaceTime sessions I finally managed to see her in person! The train journey was surprisingly calm, I made friends with a man who was an interior designer and we chatted about the weather and all those other awkward conversations train buddies have! (Remember kids; stranger danger!) When I arrived at Bournemouth station I got lost and couldn't get out, I felt like Alice in Wonderland but instead of talking/singing flowers overcrowding me it was just people bustling about trying to make their trains on time! The sun was shining, and when we were reunited it was the most exciting moment! Hearts pounding, tears forming, big hugs, just pure joy. We got in our Disney pj's, had a mahooooosive catch up and a good nights sleep before the jam packed fun events we had lined up for the few days ahead.

(Isabelle is wearing Little Mermaid and I am wearing Frozen pyjamas!) 

The sea is a huge love of ours, so myself and Isabelle took a trip into town where they had beautiful vintage boutiques, crystal shops and of course the famous sea front. The weather wasn't brilliant, but despite this the beach was gorgeous.

                                                  

We realised after about twenty minutes of snapping random pictures that the Harry Ramsden's restaurant was facing right out to us, and the people inside probably had a bit of entertainment whilst enjoying their meals because we were flicking our hair and numerous amounts of nonsensical things in their view line. You're welcome people!

    

They had the most beautiful little mini garden with flowers, trees and an old wooden bridge. It looked like something out of a fairytale so I just had to take pictures. If anyone out there can paint and draw.. PRIME opportunity right there!

On the evening we made some super tasty lemon shortbread treats. 

I have written about the making of them on a previous post, click here to read it! 

We also tried out a LUSH face mask for the first time. It was called 'Catastrophe Cosmetic' and smelt like blueberries and violets. It was kept in the fridge so was freezing cold on the face, was really fresh smelling and soothing on the skin. The only downside is when it dries it flakes off EVERYWHERE. Hilarious to watch but pretty annoying to get out of carpet. It left our faces feeling smooth and revitalised and was pretty funny to look at. 

 On another day, we went to see Isabelle's book displayed in an art gallery. For those of you who don't know, she is the most talented artist you will ever lay eyes on. Her work is absolutely breathtaking and you can now view her portfolio online by clicking this link- Isabelle's Wesbite and even buy some of her work if you wanted. Her work primarily draws upon the mystical story worlds of fairytale, folklore and mythology, but also has a very strong meaning behind them. An example being her most recent book which made me ball my eyes out when reading. Being the incredible friend that she is, Isabelle based her book on myself and named it 'Flight to Wonderland'.  Everything was illustrated and written by Isabelle...awe inspiring if you ask me! The time, effort, thought, attention to detail, just absolutely everything put into this book is clear from the finishing piece. It's hard to put into words how much this means to me, and I will treasure it for the rest of my life. 

The book will be available to purchase in the near future, and I will be sure to inform you all when and how nearer the time because it'll be darn worth it!!  The art gallery had some amazing pieces in, and it made me realise how powerful it is that thoughts and opinions can be expressed in art form.

Isabelle if you are reading this, I want to thank you again for letting me stay with you in Bournemouth, I had a wonderful time! I'd also like to thank you publicly for everything you have ever done for me. You have stuck by my side through every bump in the road. You have been there when I have hit rock bottom, and you showed me the way back to the top. You saw the pain in my eyes when everyone else was seeing my pretend smile. Your bright light has shone and guided me through the dark times, and I can't ever thank you enough for helping me become the person I am today. I love you dearly, and I am blessed to have a friend like you in my life. Never let anyone dull your sparkle.

And to everyone else reading this, if you are lucky enough to have a friend like Isabelle in your life don't forget to show them appreciation and time. Because ultimately, friends are so precious to have in your life. They are just like stars, they come and they go. But the ones that stay are the ones that glow.

Soph x

Lemon Fairy Shortbread!

I have never really written about this kind of thing before, but I want to include a lot more foody stuff on my blog! And what better way to kick start it, then with a naughty little recipe for shortbread?

No, this isn't in the slightest bit healthy... BUT its tasty, easy, fun and they look pretty cute too. We added lemon to ours to give it a zesty kick, and did them with a fairy like theme.

Ingredients needed for shortbread:

150g Plain Flour
100g Butter (Softened)
50g Sugar



Ingredients needed for decoration (optional and can be adapted anyway you like!) 

Hundreds and Thousands
White Cooking Chocolate
Pink Food Colouring


Method

1. Preheat the over to 150 degrees celcius

2. Put the butter, flour and sugar in the mixing bowl.

3. Mix together, until it forms a dough like texture. Hands may be required for this step!!

 





4. Roll out the dough with a rolling pin on a lightly floured surface.

5. Cut out the shapes using your chosen cutter.
(Excuse me in my Frozen pj's!)

6. Place on a baking tray and leave in the oven for 20 minutes or until they turn golden brown.

7. Let the biscuits cool before decoration!

For decorating

1. Melt the white chocolate in a microwave/hob until runny. Don't overcook the chocolate!!

2. Add the food colouring of choice until it is the colour you desire.

3.  Lightly wave the spoon of chocolate over the shortbread to get the splattered effect.

4. Add the hundreds and thousands. Of course you can decorate them however you like, especially if you are going with the fairy like theme. You could add edible shimmer, glitter, edible petals, cut them out in flower shapes etc! The shortbread is your oyster!!

ENJOY!! 

Soph x

P.S Please do let me know if you recreate the shortbread, I'd love to see!

"You Shall Go To The Ball!"

Greetings friendlings! 

I thought I would share with you my thoughts on a recent film that I went to see; a modern interpretation of Disney's classic tale Cinderella. For those of you who don't know the story behind Cinderella (Where have you been?!), it tells the magical story of a young girl who loses her parents and consequently is brought up by her evil step mother and two ugly step sisters. They treat her as a servant, forcing her to cook and clean up after them. She is even banished to the attic room after the step sisters complain their room isn't big enough. Harsh right?

Cinderella or 'Ella' was told by her mother one piece of advice which would evolve her into the kind and gentle being we see her as in the film; " I want to tell you a secret that will see you through all the trials that life can offer. Have courage and be kind". So despite her evil in-laws, she keeps this in mind and powers through these 'trials' in her household. She encounters the Prince of the land, (who conveniently is looking for a wife) and when he invites the whole kingdom to the ball poor Ella is trapped in her home and forbidden to go by her evil step mother. EVEN harsher!! 

Helena Bonham Carter plays the Fairy God Mother, who appears to come to Ella's rescue in the back garden. She brings an excitable wit and charm to the role, and is beautifully encompassed in a sparkly gown designed by the film's costume designer Sandy Powell. The costumes look absolutely incredible, my favourite being Ella's blue ball gown and glass slippers. Downtown Abbey's actress Lily James conveys the pure innocence and kind nature to Ella's character, bringing forward the classic damsel elements from Walt Disney's 1950's version. I would recommend to any Disney fan, although there are some scenes I feel children could find slightly distressing. (Passing of her parents/ The animals morphing into coachmen but still looking part lizard...quite creepy!) 

(Photo credit tumblr,inc)

Lastly a quote which proves so true, I wish everyone would abide by this day to day. 

"Where there is kindness, there is goodness. And where there is goodness, there is magic."

So please remember to be kind, be good, and most importantly stay magical. 

Soph x

Smiling Soph is BACK!

Hello lovely people!

It's taken me a while to get myself organised, but as promised I am officially back in action. Instead of putting up several posts of all the things I've been getting up to since the end of last year, I'm just going to do a quick summary of adventures. I still have a post regarding my reasons for abandoning my blog, but for now I want to keep things light and chirpy. Thank you to those people who have been messaging me to keep going with this, you are the reasons for doing so.

1. COMIC RELIEF!

On Friday 13th March my cousin and myself were lucky enough to attend the live recording of Comic Relief at the London Palladium.

             

 I didn't know what to expect what so ever.. We knew of a line up of general people but it was all an element of surprise for both of us. When we arrived at the Palladium the audience were greeted with Lenny Henry, a joyous and bubbly guy who got everyone's spirits high. If you've never been in a live audience before, I would recommend it to anyone. The buzz you get from people around you and the bizarre thought that you are aired to over seven million people is mind boggling and so exciting to be a part of!

HIGHLIGHTS


SAM SMITH AND JOHN LEGEND...
 I know Sam Smith is quite 'marmite', you either love him or hate him. But I for one LOVE him, and even more so after he proved he can sing absolute note perfect live. The goosebumps were REAL.

ORLANDO BLOOM...
 I actually saw THE Orlando Bloom in the flesh. I didn't even recognise him at first, I just stared for a while and suddenly the penny dropped that the guy off Pirates of The Caribbean was stood right in front of me. He is absolutely gorgeous in person guys, no sweat. Wasn't majorly impressed when Davina jumped on him though. Not cool.

Huge thank you to the the person who made this trip possible. You know who you are. 

2. WEDDING!

I promised a dear family member that I would write a post about this wedding day! It was magical, and there is nothing more warming than witnessing two people in love, and sealing it with vows in front of those closest to you. Weddings have always been a huge love of mine, the dresses, the themes, the colours, the flowers, the joy and general celebration; I could go on forever. So here are some snaps...Congrats Michelle & Dave! It was a beautiful day and I feel honoured to have been a part of it.

  Thank you Lipsy, this dress is BEAUTIFUL. 

                           

3. WICKED!

It was the first time in what feels like ages that I have seen a show at the Hippodrome. This production is one that I've heard great things about, I knew all the songs but didn't know of the storyline. In all honesty it was one of the best shows I have seen.

It is inspirational, gives you real thoughts about inner beauty and the strength love has and also that the wicked witch from The Wizard of Oz isn't that evil. Intriguing right?
Favourite quote; "Whatever way our stories end, I know you'll have rewritten mine by being my friend."

4. X FACTOR TOUR!

I went with my Mum and friends to Cardiff for the X Factor Tour. I had a really great time and especially enjoyed Fleur East and Ben Haenow. The covers they did were AMAZING and they seemed to get the crowd really going, as the majority sat down for the duration.. *snores*. I didn't let you fangirls down though, of course I stood up and danced like no one was watching!!


Pre-show railway snap...

5. THE GLASS SLIPPER!

On a spontaneous trip to London, I came across this absolute gem in the Disney Store. IT IS REAL GUYS, IT IS REAL.

And I pretended that it was in fact me on my way to the ball in a magical pumpkin! (The Fairy God mother didn't give me a beautiful gown this time...)

Anyway, thus so far I have had some wonderful times since we last spoke, and now you have me fully for the duration. It is my birthday coming up, so expect to see a blog post next week.

Toodaloo me dears!

Soph x