July Top 10...

Hey everyone,

If you hadn't noticed (I was very quiet about it) I turned 21 last week. For this very special birthday I hosted a festival themed barbecue for me and my friends, which meant I had to do one of my favourite tasks PLAYLIST MAKING! So I have been dabbling in some new music as well as some birthday favourites to bring you my top 10 Birthday and summer songs.

(Birthday surprises, I have the best friends)

1. Happy Birthday - Stevie Wonder

I couldn't have a birthday related post without this stand out hit. It gets everyone moving and sounds way better than the usual happy birthday.

2. Birthday - Kings of Leon

As a massive Kings of Leon fan I could not leave this off. I listen to this every year on my birthday and although it has a more mellow vibe to it, it still makes me want to 'gather round like its my birthday'.

3. It's My Birthday - Will.I.Am feat. Cody Wise

This is the ultimate birthday song in my opinion. It gets you in the mood to hit all of the clubs and blow all your cash.

4. Lean On - Major Lazor feat. MO and DJ Snake

I am obsessed with song and listen to it at least 3 times a day, which normally spells trouble but I cant see myself hating this song at all. It is something I could listen to while partying on a beach somewhere but I'll have to settle for my garden for now.

5. Cant Feel My Face - The Weeknd

The Weeknd's song normally are uber sultry and saucy, this however has a funkier sassier vibe to it making it perfect for summer. It has a beat that will be perfect to strut to as well sing in the middle of the night about your closest friends or that special someone.

6. Body Talk - Foxes

I AM IN LOVE WITH FOXES. There I said it. Everything about her is amazing, she has great style, an amazing voice, what more could you want? Oh a song for the summer? CHECK. Body Talk is such a summer anthem, I could imagine this being played while dancing around a camp fire on a beach in America.

7. Oh My Love - The Score

Now it may just be because this song is on a particularly summery advert on TV but I feel like this is almost as good as Best Day of my Life - American Authors from a few years back.

8. Whisky Story - Example

Not your typical summer song but this is going to be a massive club hit this summer, Example you sir have out done yourself.

9. If You Ever Want to Be In Love - James Bay

I am ridiculously in love with James Bay's voice and music and this song keeps the pep in my step no matter where I am (yes even if it is raining...) in my eyes that mean its a great summer hit.

10. No Church in the Wild - Kayne West

I have been listening to this non-stop for the past week and I know its going to be my shower/cleaning/going to the shops song. Basically it will be my summer song without even trying, well done Kanye.

(My festival themed outfit for my barbecue)

Thats my top 10 for this month, have you been listening that you feel is going to be a massive hit this summer? Let me know on Twitter or Instagram. Tune in to see my payday post coming this weekend.

Love Katie x

Netflix Top 6...

Hey everyone,

It's summer (even if the rain today says otherwise) which means for some people a lot of time off. I often find my time off involves a lot of Netflix. I am one of these people that can easily get wrapped up in series and can go through them very quickly. This post is dedicated to the series I am loving on Netflix right now and in no particular order...

1. The Office (U.S)

(Image from Pinterest)

This comedy is set in the office of a branch of paper company Dunder Mifflin where a documentary crew has been invited in to see all the dysfunctional happenings within this 'family'. I personally found the first 2 seasons a bit hard to watch and struggled with them, but 5 seasons in I am loving it. It is definitely one of those programmes that just get better and better with time. So if you start watching it, just stick with it. Not an episode goes by where I don't giggle at top seller Dwight or the pranks other characters pull on him.

2. Daredevil

(Image from Pinterest)

This is a Netflix original series that I was super excited to be released. I am a massive fan of all things superhero so this show would be right up my street. I have only seen the first episode so far (due to waiting to continue with my dad, yawn!) but I loved it. It is very dark and has a different edge to many other superhero related programmes. I am looking forward to continuing on with this series in the near future, and hopefully it will all live up to my high expectations.

3. Orange is the New Black

(Image from Pinterest)

This is another Netflix original series but it took me a while to get into. I had heard loads of positive reviews about the show but never thought I would get into it as I just didn't understand where the story could really head. Boy was I wrong, I became obsessed. It is great to watch a programme so female dominated that has elements of humour and serious matters. You really get to know the characters and connect with them on a different level. I would recommend this series to anyone, just to warn people the title sequence will never feel any shorter... sorry.

4. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

(Image from Pinterest)

 This series was an easy watch that made me giggle every so often. Kimmy comes out with some classic remarks which made the show, I never thought a show about a girl from a cult going to New York would be so funny. A personal highlight is the Pinot Noir song.

5. Parks and Recreation

(Image from Pinterest)

This is only available on the US Netflix (unfortunately) but it has been one of the best series I have seen ever. Again it is very similar to The Office (U.S) but set in the parks and recreation department of a city's council in Pawnee, Indiana. Each character had me in stitches and I still find myself watching episodes and best of videos before bed. If you enjoyed The Office (U.S) or fancy an easy comedy get on it.

6. Pretty Little Liars

(Image from Pinterest)

I could not a do a Netflix top 6 without mentioning the series that seems to be taking over the world. I have been following the 'Liars' since it all began in 2010 but with the series recently being picked up by Netflix it has taken the world by storm and everyone seems to be talking about it. With a new episode being released every Wednesday (until the mid-series finale) there is no better time to get involved. The first two seasons are a little cringe looking back but it is so dark and twisted now you really wonder how on earth these girls cope. Dubbed the teenage desperate housewives but darker it is not really for the faint hearted (always watch in daylight guys) but definitely a must watch in my eyes. Honestly, give it a try.

Hope you enjoyed finding more about the series that I watch religiously on Netflix. Is there any series you think I should see that you enjoy on Netflix? Just let me know on Twitter or Instagram. Stay tuned for my top 10 songs of July and its a birthday/summer special, going live Tuesday.

Love Katie x

Landan Town...

Hey Everyone,

For Christmas my dad's girlfriend got my two brothers and I tickets to see Bend it Like Beckham the Musical and, finally after months of waiting it was time to go. We really wanted to make a day of it and there really is nothing better (in my eyes) than taking a stroll around London.

(The Phoenix Theatre shining in the sun)

Being so close to London (about an hour on the train) it is actually quite rare that I get to go to the fabulous city. Whenever I go to London I do dress up a little as you never know who you might meet so I popped on some liquid eyeliner (becoming a bit of a rare sight these days) and headed out the door. As the weather was great we decided to walk from Paddington to get some food. We decided on Five Guys on Argyle Street as it is a firm favourite in our family and was fairly close to the theatre. I went for my usual Little Bacon Cheeseburger with Cajun fries. It was delightful and as I have said before the drinks machine DID NOT DISAPPOINT.

(Why have one guy when you can have FIVE GUYS?! - Single Girl Mantra)

After stuffing our faces we headed to the theatre. Bend it Like Beckham the musical is based on the hit film that graced our screens over 10 years ago. It was a firm favourite for me when I was younger. When you go into the theatre you feel thrown into the two different cultures that Jess has to battle with. The set design on the stage was great and transformed for each place with ease (going from a football pitch to the front room doesn't sound easy at all). The cast were absolutely amazing, I was giggling throughout and they really suited their roles. A personal favourite for me was Paula, she was so clueless yet supportive and Sophie-Louise Dann played her brilliantly. The songs and choreography were also fantastic, I was still singing the songs during the week after the show. I would highly recommend people seeing this show especially if you were a fan of the film. It takes it that step further and it works perfectly on the stage.

(The curtain before the show, a mix up of cultures)

After we did a little shopping on Oxford Street which on a sunny Saturday was probably a death sentence but we got everything we were looking for (and maybe a little more). We had another little stroll around London (did I mention it was my favourite thing to do?) before heading home. London is probably one of my favourite cities as there is always so much to do and see.

(pre-show smiles from my brothers and I)

See you Tuesday,

Love Katie x

Cardiff Bound...

Hey Everyone,

Last week it was S at Eleven oh Seven's 21st birthday and as we are all miles from each other (sad times) we had to try and arrange something to do. She had decided, seeing as we still had our student digs for a weekend, we would go for food and cocktails in Cardiff. She doesn't like big birthday fusses (which I personally don't get being the ultimate birthday princess) so we just kept it super casual.

(Cocktails are the perfect way to celebrate any birthday, Anne Maries Salad - Ten Mill Lane)

I arrived into Cardiff quite late due to having to go to work earlier in the day and rather than being my usual tired self, I was buzzing. This may have been because I was having a reunion with some of my favourite people or because I was heading back to my second home, Cardiff. After a short while making sure we were all ready (toilet and outfit checks, obviously) we set off. Cardiff has so many great places for food so was very hard for us all to pick but Wagamamas is a firm favourite of S' so seemed like a great choice. I had never been before but I loved every mouthful of my Yaki Soba and I cannot fault any restaurant that stocks peach iced tea. I also tucked into some chicken and duck gyoza's and I wasn't too keen on the chicken ones but I still catch myself dreaming about the duck gyoza's daily. I am looking forward to my next visit to this great restaurant.

(Yaki Soba, Peach Iced Tea, and the heavenly Duck Gyoza's)

Next it was cocktail o'clock and S opted for somewhere we had never been to before, Ten Mill Lane. After walking down the flight of stairs the atmosphere was just perfect for the girly catch up we were in desperate need of. The bar staff were fab. After being unsure on what cocktail to order we told the bartender we liked it fruity and he started making. We were loving the fact we got to give it a shake ourselves and made to feel like a celeb with the house photographer taking candid shots of us (although my double chin makes far too many appearances, haha). After our pomegranate cosmo's we couldn't resist trying one of their signature cocktails and we all know, you can never just have one drink. We opted for Anne Maries Salad which contained strawberry, balsamic vinegar and basil. An odd but fabulous mix, it went down very well with me anyway.

(Got a fit of the giggles but still felt like an a-lister)

I love Cardiff its such a great city and I am looking forward to many more visits in the future. If you are looking for a great place for a few chilled cocktails Ten Mill Lane is your place, if Japanese food  isn't your thing check out my Cardiff Bucket List for more fab restaurants situated in Cardiff.

See you Wednesday,

Love Katie x

Hey July...

Hey Everyone,

It's July and this year really is zooming by. July is by far my favourite month of the year for many reasons so this blog post is all about what I am looking forward to this month and there is a lot.

(Image from Pinterest)

Movies

(Image from Pinterest)

This month I am super excited for the release of two films. One being Magic Mike XXL. As a girl of course I am going to be excited to see Channing Tatum getting his kit off for a second time. This time around Mike is coming back to the stripping world for one last show, I'll be straight in the cold shower after seeing this one. Another film I am looking forward to is Ant-Man, Marvels latest hero to be shown to the world. I am also excited to see Paul Rudd in a more serious role, although Marvel films have comical moments I think Paul Rudd will do it justice.

Celebrations

(Image from Pinterest)

This month has lots of celebrations, I will be blogging about my recent trip to Cardiff for S from Eleven oh Sevens birthday. I also have my graduation and birthday coming up which calls for lots of drinks and celebrating. I will be doing posts of my party planning and lots of Instagram posts of me at my graduation, so I will apologise for the spam now.

Trips

(Image from Pinterest)

This July I will be welcoming Eleven Oh Seven and TurnerTurner to my home town and will be doing a post on my fabulous home town and how cute it is. I am also heading to London to see Bend it Like Beckham in the theatre and I am sure that will be a great trip. July also means the end of school so I will hopefully make a few spontaneous trips around my town and maybe a far.

All these things I will hopefully be writing exciting blog posts on so you will have a lot to read this July. Keep an eye out for the things I'm doing on Instagram and Twitter.

See you Tuesday,

Love Katie x