THE FOOD POST | CÔTE

So as I stated in my last update post I would be looking at developing and changing what type of things I would be posting on here. One of those is going to be having a different type of post entitled with what I'm discussing. This post and all the future ones that will cover similar content are going to be called "The Food Post."

I recently visited Côte Brasserie in Oxford for one of my flatmates' 22nd birthday. It's a little restaurant that serves French food. It's a quaint and intimate place but I was slightly disappointed as it didn't have a very French vibe but that was not something to worry about at all.

I ordered Half Chargrilled ‘Breton’ Chicken with Frites which was effectively just glorified chicken and chips but it was lovely and tasted delicious.

And while my friends had some wine I was the responsible one with my Coca Cola ha ha. :)

All in all it was a nice meal but the restaurant was just a tad pricey for some of the food but I was paying for the atmosphere and would still recommend it if you happen to find yourself in Oxford anytime soon.

LOVE VANESSA xx

UPDATE | IT'S BEEN A WHILE...

Hello,

Hope you're all enjoying your weekend. Well as the title says it's been a while since I actually posted anything on my blog which is very remiss of me. I say it's been a while it's been 4 months... so apologies to you lovely followers.
Every time I decided to sit down and write something assignments would need doing and I'd put blogging on the back burner again. Also I'd struggle to actually write anything decent, I'm kind of at that early stage of blogging where I'm testing the waters and trying to work out what fits. But I've gotten myself a diary and intend to use it to manage my time better so blogging can have space to actually happen.

So hopefully I can continually update my blog more often. I was at London Fashion Weekend earlier today and was watching the Social & Creative Careers talk with Abisola Omole, Shini Park of Park and Cube and Serena Guen of Suitcase Magazine. What was really prevalent in the talk was that if you're serious about blogging or intending to be it's all about consistency and constantly creating content. Also you don't necessarily need to have studied a subject e.g fashion to blog about it. After this I was feeling incredibly inspired by the talk which also kick-started me getting back into the blogging game.

I was thinking I could post as regular posts like monthly favourites which I used to do or a round up of my week although I mostly study during the week so not sure how that would pan out ha ha. Any suggestions would be mightily appreciated. :D

LOVE VANESSA xx

THE MOVIE POST | THOR THE DARK WORLD

So I waited till Thor The Dark World was released in the US to write my review. I live in the UK so luckily the film came out on the 30th October.

Have to say there was a lot to live up to after the massive success of The Avengers & Iron Man 3 didn't really truly accomplish that task.

This is where Thor The Dark World is a success. It is a refreshing take on the Norse God of Thunder's adventures in Asgard & beyond. A far funnier and more realist approach to his trajectory and no less Shakespearean than the first Thor.

Thor The Dark World is basically about Thor trying to save the universe from the darkness the elves of Svartalfheim headed by Malekith intend to plunge it into. In order to do this he must enlist Loki's help and thus brotherly bonding and a road-trip ensue.

Thor is brilliant. Chris Hemsworth portraying him as a young man coming to terms with the fact he's becoming King and trying to protect the nine realms and those that he loves; Jane.

Sif & the Warriors Three have more of a role as does Heimdall & Darcy. Selvig is hilarious running naked around Stone Henge talking about the Convergence.

But the one character who steals every scene he is in is Loki. Tom Hiddleston is Hamlet like. He gives the character depth and complexity mixing vulnerability with indifference, anger and biting sarcasm. I've been a long term fan of Hiddleston's for about 5 years now and it's great that he's been given such an amazing and intelligent role as Loki.

The movie overall is funny, sad and there are so many twists and turns that you find yourself asking what is going on. If you like Game of Thrones you may like the tone of this film. The ending is particularly interesting and I wonder how Thor 3 will play out if that movie does indeed happen (nothing has been confirmed). The two after-credits scenes are intriguing and set up Thor's placement in the next Avengers film The Avengers Age Of Ultron and Thanos' role in terms of the Infinity Gems.

I really enjoyed this movie and can not recommend it enough, so if you haven't gone to the cinema to see it yet, go watch it!

LOVE VANESSA xx

THE BOOK POST | IT BY ALEXA CHUNG

Hello, 

I recently bought Alexa Chung's book "It" and I thought I would do a little review so here goes...

Now I'm not one to usually read something just because there is a lot of hype around the book it happens fairly rarely. Which is why it took me a while to decide whether I wanted to purchase Alexa Chung's book "It." 

I love Alexa Chung don't get me wrong, I think her style is the perfect mix of feminine and masculine but I wasn't sure about her writing a book. I love books but I don't tend to read biographies or anything close to that type of book. On this occasion I threw down the gauntlet and I decided to buy Alexa's book. I don't regret it one bit. It's not your typical biography it has a lot of photos and illustrations and very minimal writing. It doesn't tell you about her whole life but she has written little anecdotes about her style icons, her friends and a few tidbits about when she was younger. If you're looking for tips and tricks from her you probably wouldn't find many in the book but that's not too much of a detriment to the idea of the book at all. 

For me in a literary sense it's good but it fairs better in terms of the visual elements, it would definitely make a great coffee-table read. Overall I'm pretty happy that I bought the book it's nice that she has given us an opportunity to get to know the girl underneath the public persona. 

Have any of you read Alexa's book? What did you think of it?

LOVE VANESSA xx

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

LOVE VANESSA xx

I'M NOW ON PINTEREST

Hello!

Just a quick post to say I am now on Pinterest.

You can follow me via this link if you would like.

My MA in Publishing degree is going wonderfully and I've been really busy and haven't had time to post anything on here so I do apologize for the lack of posts again.

LOVE VANESSA xx

THE GIG POST | 30 SECONDS TO MARS AT THE iTUNES FESTIVAL

I was going to post this the day after the show but was so tired and had to be at uni for the morning that I forgot to finish writing it. But anyway hope you like. :)

I was lucky enough to win tickets to see 30 SECONDS TO MARS at the iTunes Festival on the 18th September. It was my first time at a MARS show and have to say it was an interesting experience. I've been a fan of the band for almost 10 years now and it was long overdue that I saw them live. I traveled to London from Oxford and met another fan who used my guest ticket. I saw and spoke to several other ECHELON and it was great to see so many won tickets too. I remember watching Lana Del Rey's show last year at the festival and really wanting to go to the festival this year. I honestly did not think I would win tickets at all so was astonished when iTunes emailed me to say I'd won.

Amazingly enough I was right at the front with maybe 2 people stood in front of me. I had never been to The Roundhouse before so it was great to finally see it in person.

There was a warm-up act called The Family Rain that played before MARS. I really enjoyed their set even though I did not know them. Their music was a lot more indie than is my usual taste but I loved the guitar melodies and the beats of their songs.

After their set the tension in the room was tangible and everyone was ready and waiting to see MARS. They came on stage at 9pm and played a 90 minute set. They played a mix of songs from the albums THIS IS WAR, LOVE LUST FAITH + DREAMS and an acoustic version of THE KILL from the album A BEAUTIFUL LIE. 

Their set-list was :

1. Birth

2. Night of the Hunter

3. Search & Destroy

4. This Is War

5. Conquistador

6. Do Or Die

7. Depuis Le Début

8. End Of All Days

9. City Of Angels

10. Pyres of Varanasi

11. Hurricane (acoustic)

12. The Kill (acoustic)

13. Closer To The Edge

14. Up In The Air

Here are some pictures from their show I apologise for the blurriness as I was too excited to concentrate on getting really good quality photos but look how close I was to the stage.

I was exhausted by the end of the show, I had practically lost most of my voice from singing all the songs (word for word I'll have you know ha ha). I got back to Oxford very early in the morning at probably about 2am and as soon as my head hit the pillow I fell asleep.

Note: Please do not take & distribute the photos online they are mine and are personal.

LOVE VANESSA xx