Blue skies and white clouds

 Lace cut out back oversized shirt: Topshop (eBay)

Multi-layer cross necklace: Singapore

Destroyed denim shorts: River Island

It's so sad
Babe don't look so sad
I've got it wrong today
Wrong today

And if she doesn't go your way
Look up to blue skies and say hey
It's ok it's ok

- Crumbs by Disagree

Job-hunting can be pretty stressful. Still, I'm not giving up. I know it's only a matter of time. Heads up :)

Budapest (Part 2)

Round scarf: H&M

Minnie and Micky Mouse jumper: H&M

Destroyed denim shorts: River Island

 Alexa-inspired satchel: Random blogshop

When I posted a pic of these shoes in my preview post, many of you asked me what the shoes meant. Well, I'm glad you asked because though I've visited a lot of memorials through out my life, this one really struck a chord and I wanted to share this with you. It's a memorial in honour of the Jews who were shot into the River Danube. Yes, right there. 

The significance behind these iron-cast shoes is very sad. No lengthy history lesson can be as powerful as standing there, looking at the shoes. It sends out a strong emotional message to those who bother to stop and ponder for a while. It was chilling to know I was standing at the very spot such human cruelty occurred. Looking around, everything seemed so normal now. There was a freeway right next to the embankment and cars were zooming pass. On the river, tourist cruises often pass by chock-full of tourists with cameras at the ready.

What actually made me cry was when I spotted this pair of kiddy shoes. It was then that it hit me that it wasn't just men and women who died here, but young, innocent children. I'm not sure if it was the artist's intention, but the pair of kiddy shoes were between a pair of woman's and man's shoes. It felt like a family once stood here, at midnight, perhaps even holding hands, awaiting their cruel fate. It really upset me that even children were not spared this brutality. I walked away from this memorial reminded that what the world needs is more love and that we should all prevent history from repeating itself.

Did anyone else watch The Boy in the Striped Pajamas? It's one of my favourite movies. If you've seen it, you'll know what the above "uniform" means.

I think Budapest is most beautiful at night. When we first landed, we caught an airport taxi to our hotel and on the way, I was just wow-ed by the gorgeous night scenery. I just kept turning to the boyf and expressed awe at the beauty we were seeing through the taxi's glass window.

We had a lovely time in Budapest. I would recommend anyone who wants a nice, relaxing holiday with  a bit of history to take home to visit this place. Food was ace and I really do miss the desserts and foie gras. Yum!

Don't forget to enter my Christmas giveaway!

Budapest (Part 1)

 Round scarf: H&M

Biker jacket: H&M

 Hey Hey Hey t-shirt: Hometoomuch.com
 Destroyed denim shorts: River Island

 Alexa-inspired satchel: Random blogshop

1) Funicular going up Castle Hill

I have been procrastinating quite a bit and today, I finally selected, edited and blogged about my Budapest trip. I hope you enjoy my very literal captions hehehe

2) View of Pest from Buda

Only while doing my research did I find out that Budapest is separated by the River Danube into Buda and Pest. We stayed on the Buda side which was near the Castle Hill, but we also made frequent trips over to the Pest side via the metro, trams or on foot (crossing the Chain Bridge).

3) Pretty lamp post

4) Map-reading

5) Jumping shot

6) Matthias church

7) Point of view

8) Royal Palace

9) Giant pencil

10) Er...another pretty lamp post

11) Hungarian post box

12) House of Terror

Despite its foreboding name, the House of Terror is actually a museum. It also serves as a memorial to the victims of the fascist and communist regimes. This is very fascinating museum and I think my favourite parts were the TV screens showing survivors being interviewed. Many of these first-hand accounts of the horror will bring a tear to your eye. All the survivors are old, but they can still recount with detail the fear they felt and the horror they witnessed. I walked away from the museum with mixed feelings. I felt a bit more educated, certainly, but also disturbed, yet relieved that we don't live in that world.

13) Foie gras

14) Homemade veal stew with ewe cheese strapacky

15) Duck breast and foie gras with apple and pear

When we found the right restaurants, Budapest has some pretty amazing food to offer. I had quite a number of servings of beef goulash soup (not pictured here) throughout our trip. Luckily for us, we found the Angelika restaurant just 2 minutes walk from out hotel. This restaurant was recommended by our guidebook and it definitely didn't disappoint. The foie gras at the Angelika restaurant is to die for! I really miss it *smacks lips*

16) Delicious k-ki from Butterfly

Those with a sweet tooth would be glad to hear that desserts are really cheap in Budapest. The fruit cake above only cost a couple of pounds whereas a slice of cake here in the UK can cost half the price of your main meal.

17) Hungarian Parliament

This is the view we get every night as we walk back to our hotel.

Informal

Long blazer: H&M
Sakura tank top: Random blogshop

Pink bow necklace: HitomiNeko

Pink studded leather bracelet: No brand

Destroyed denim shorts: River Island

Thigh-high socks: H&M

I'm in love with my new blazer from H&M. It has taken me forever to look for the perfect long blazer and I was so excited when I spotted this online. I had a 50% discount code, so the blazer worked out to be less than £14!! WIN!

I wore this outfit to attend a food festival at my Uni and there was an after party later that night. Man, I seriously felt so old dancing amongst freshers and younger undergraduate students. The music was too loud and I actually asked my friend, "Was the music always this loud?? How come I never realized it when we went clubbing last time??" I had to take so many breaks in between because I was seriously tired out and by 1.30am, I was ready to go home. They used to have to switch on the lights and kick us out...ah, those were the days. These old bones aren't what they used to be...

These days, I much prefer going to a cafe and chit chat over steaming mugs of hot chocolate. Is this what it feels like to be mature? Heheh...

Nails: Models Own in Pink Punch and Juicy Jules

Just chillin'

So life has been dull. I've been working on my dissertation day in, day out. I can't believe I'm putting myself through this torture, again. After my undergraduate degree, I swore never to go back to school, but look where I am now. The worst bit is that I've already written a dissertation for my undergrad, so this is my second one. Once was enough to nearly kill me, why I'm doing another one I've no idea. This Master's better land me a high-flying job where I can just bum around sipping overpriced coffee and occasionally sign a document or two. I kid. Even people with a Permanent head Damage are out of work these days, what more little ol' me. Sighhh

I wore this when I went out with a few of my friends for the second day of Tramlines Festival. I was really dressed down and just wore plimmies. My friends (wrongly) predicted that I would dress up (because I overdress sometimes haha) so they all wore heels. One girl even wore one that was about 5 inches! Luckily, I decided to throw on some accessories at the last minute, so I wasn't too shabby, I don't think. I think this is about the only way I can wear a usamimi headband without feeling overly cutesy. Keep everything simple and add a pop of bright red on the top of my head. Nice!

As you can guess, this post was rather pointless other than to bombard you with photos of me, me, me. You're probably thinking, "What on earth?? She's wearing a white tee and some shorts! Surely that doesn't deserve an entire post of its own" And you're right, so let me show you my nails. Ta-dah!

Base coat: Boots No.7 Stay Perfect in Twinkle

Pink nail tips: Etude House

White dots: The Born Pretty Store

Pink rhinestones:  The Born Pretty Store

Hello Kitty nail stickers: The Born Pretty Store

Tramlines Festival outfit

Biker jacket: H&M

I Heart Nice Guys T-shirt: Wong Fu Store

Destroyed denim shorts: River Island
Bag: Queen's Wardrobe
Heart-shaped sunglasses: H&M
Stack effect band ring: ASOS.com
Studded rings: H&M

When you think of British summers, what comes to mind? Well, yes, besides the sweltering heat...music festivals, of course!

The Tramlines Festival happened over the weekend! For those who've never heard of it, it's an annual music festival held in my city. It lasts for three whole days and last year, 125,000 people reportedly flooded into the city from all over the UK. It's certainly no Glastonbury, but hey, it's completely FREE!

I love, LOVE the fact that the boyf and I live so close to everything. The main stage (Concert in the Park) was just behind my apartment. I literally could have shuffled down first thing in the morn in my PJs and Mario mushroom slippers. But as much as I wanted to, I refrained and threw on some decent things.

Have you been to any music festivals?

Want to know who I saw? Stay tuned for the next post!
xx