Blogging neglect has striked again (ho ho, how clever of me...), so apologies.  Things have been pretty hectic as of late what with uni work piling up and trying to grab extra shifts to fund my clothing and make up habits.

I also lost a friend to sudden death syndrome, which was the worst news I could have ever imagined.  He was my first boyfriend, first kiss, first love letter, and even though it was ten years ago that we were an item, he was, up until the day he left, such an amazing and memorable guy.  It cheered me up to no end to find out he hadn't changed in ten years; he had slipknot and CKY at his funeral. Adam, you were a blast.

Speaking of age, it is exactly a week until my 22nd birthday..  I have been on the hunt for the perfect birthday dress and trying to organise some of the most amazing friends to come up (fingers crossed!).  It's just typical that I find a dress, pay off my overdraft and find money to afford it, only to find it has sold out EVERYWHERE in the desired colour and needed size.  So, I'm giving the lighter shade a go:

[cobalt body con dress: rare]

So I shall keep you posted on how it pans out; I totally was crushing on the navy blue, but I'm optimistic!

JESSICA ♥

You know when you see something and you think, I just have to have that??

Well, behold the epitome of the phrase:

[wedge brogues: new look]

Oh I am literally counting down the days to my student loan so I can buy these guilt free. Plus New Look are currently doing a 20% student discount promotion until the 14th February; making it the perfect time to have a little splurge. I bought a few things from New Look last week which I'll post up online later.

I saw 127 Hours the last week. I was actually quite hesitant to see it at first on account of how much people are vom-ing up about that scene. To be honest, it wasn't as bad as I had heard it was. Obviously my ears were covered for certain noises (I cannot stand the noise of breaking bones!) but visually it wasn't too graphic; you see much worse in Saw, for example. James Franco presents the character of Aron Ralston brilliantly and the whole film isn't too hyperbolised. Hmm.. James Franco. Next on the list is Black Swan!

Anyway, university classes started back up today and I'm actually getting into the swing of it and feeling pretty motivated. Lets see how long this lasts! I also start my new job on Friday, which I'm looking forward too as I feel like I have been unemployed far too long!

What's on your lust list at the moment?

JESSICA ♥

Listening to Jaymo and Andy George on radio one tonight got me thinking about new years resolutions.  Now we are already three weeks into the new year, and by this time, generally speaking, people have lapsed back into eating carbs, smoking and yelling at people.  I never made, not do I really anyway, any resolutions.  I always wonder whether resolutions are worth making, since I am constantly telling myself to be a better, more well-rounded person all year anyway, so I just end up feeling like a failure before the new year is even in! 

Well I see this blog as a chance to be realistic about my life, and what I want to achieve.  I've always thought "when I turn eighteen I'll look like this, I'll be like this, and I'll be able to do this", which soon changed to "when I turn twenty one, I'll look like this, Ill be like this and I'll be able to do this." This was not good! Now that I am twenty one, the most I have achieved on my list of desired attributes is longer hair and clearer skin [hardly anything to pat myself on the back about].  Why am I not giving myself anything more realistic to do??

After careful consideration, I've made a list [oh how I love lists] of realistic resolutions activities to focus on this year:

1. stop abusing my savings! I really need to be more responsible when it comes to money and carefully considering the choices I make when it comes to funding my ridiculous clothes and make up habit.

2. Stop torturing myself over food and weight. It's not big (and neither am I) and it's not clever. I want to stop obsessing over food that goes in, and enjoy what I eat without feeling bad.

3. Learn something new. Actually, I want to pick up something old; ballet. I haven't done it for fifteen years, but I've found a begginers course in the city and once I'm working again I'm determined to do it! I also want to try my hand at yoga, knitting and pick up the clarinet again (even if I only manage to master the basic notes!)

4. Cut my hair regularly! If I want it to grow that extra two inches I have to work for it! I will have hair like Clemence Poesy!

5. Stop messing with my sleep pattern. It so does not help my mood, stress levels or metabolism. If I can get up at a regular time, I can do more in the day [as well as being a better girlfriend by not keeping the boy up all morning with the sounds of ANTM...]

6. To accept that I can't do everything, and that its okay to forget to book that haircut, spend that forbidden £5 on my fifth mascara, or have a lie in. Just not all the time.

So what are your new years resolutions?

JESSICA ♥

Hello and welcome to the first official post of STRIKESAGAIN.  Perhaps I should start with the most preliminary of questions?

who? my names Jessica. I'm a twenty two year old events management student from Edinburgh.

what? this blog is more of a collection of daily musings, hopes, dreams and appreciation of the good things in life!  i'm too much of a dreamer in life; thinking ahead rather than focusing on the here and now.  i'll regularly find myself creating lists and goals for myself.  only recently have i managed to sit back and think "woah! pressure pot!", so this blog allows me to organise my thoughts, and perhaps even achieve some of the goals i set myself!

when? STRIKESAGAIN was started January 2011.  after a pretty dire 2010, which was eventful, but for all the wrong reasons, not feeling like i was living to my potential and constantly worrying about the future i decided to focus on things that make me happy; which i will document in this blog.

where? i currently reside in a small seaside town just outside of the centre of Edinburgh.  its famed for its beautiful bridges (i promise i'll post photos; you won't want to miss them!). i moved up three years ago to start uni and finally live with my boyfriend, which was one of the scariest things i have ever done; being a little midlands gal myself.

why? to share thoughts and lust-worthy musings! after reading so many inspiring blogs about life, fashion, cosmetics and general day to day experiences, i am feeling enthused to start my blogging adventure!

JESSICA ♥

[p.s: bear with me while i get my blog beautified!]