H E A R T A U T U M N

Working in an office, you have a lot of conversations, varying from what you're having for lunch to horror stories of getting your menstrual cup stuck (we won't go there, today!). But one thing that's a constant in our office is a lot of movie chat. Recommending movies new and old, talking about favourites and discussing new releases. And it was these conversations that made me realise I haven't seen a great deal of films, not really; I've not seen many of the 'classics' and I tend to just watch my favourites on repeat. So as we made a collaborative office list of must-sees, I decided it would make a good post to share and chat about my own top 10. 
So what kind of movies do I like? To be honest, I don't know. Just like if I was asked to describe my style or my music taste, I couldn't really define it. It varies! From this list it would seem I'm very much a fan of a rom-com and a feelgood film. Anything fun and uplifting is usually my bag really, but the occassional bit of adventure/fantasy, oh and horror! I love a good horror film. And I'm always up for a musical! 



(Check out the dreamy af shirt, which will tell you my top move of all-time before you scroll any further! It's from the new ASOS collection)

I find these lists are very personal, probably nobody is going to agree completely with my top 10, in fact I might not even agree next week when I suddenly remember a favourite that I forgot! But here goes anyway:

10. The Sound Of Music
This is my mums all time favourite and it holds so many memories! It's a nice, wholesome, heart-warming watch perfect for a sing-a-long. I also have the most vivid memory of a school performance when I was 5/6 years old where we all sang Do-Re-Mi and each had a different line - resulting in me squeaking 'MI' in the most high-pitched sound only dogs could hear. And I can't watch and not remember this with a smile!

9. E.T
I was very late to the E.T party but omg it's amazing. The friendship, the childhood determination, the LOVE! I don't think it's possible to not like E.T is it? I only wish I'd watched it as a child, it would've been so much more magical!

8. The Breakfast Club
I first watched this as a teen with an ex-boyfriend who was like 'oh my god you've never seen this, you must!' and tbh it's the only good thing he ever did for me in 2 and a half years! But it's just the simplicity of basically 5 actors in one room, no special effects, that really makes it. So poignant, yet funny, it's a coming of age classic.



7. My Girl
Another great 'coming of age' story, but this one tackles grief in the perfect way. I fell in love with Vada as a young teen and wanted nothing more than to cycle everywhere! It's a great, funny yet touching movie that I can just watch again and again and never get bored.

6. Matilda
If you're a 90s baby who didn't grow up watching Matilda then there's something wrong! She is the perfect character that you want all kids to aspire to, so fiercely independent and the biggest bookworm. The characterisation is spot on and the soundtrack SO recognisable. I watch it every single time it happens to be on TV and more!

5. Love Actually
A Christmas film, but not just a Christmas film, Love Actually is so warm and happy and everything you need to watch after a bad day. Each of the storylines are so different yet all the same and it's just such an uplifting watch! My personal favourite, of course, is the Prime Minister and Natalie; which, can we have Prime Minister Hugh Grant irl please, I think he'd do a much better job than these clowns right now!

4. Harry Potter 
I can't talk about favourite movies and not include Harry Potter, which I rewatch on a v regular basis, always rewatching all 8 movies in order. I love the whole ~Harry Potter Universe~ and each of the films are great in their own way, but I think I have to say my favourite is Prisoner of Azkaban. Because Sirius Black! But honestly the whole magic of it all is just perfect escapism.



3. Billy Elliot
Oh how I have loved Billy Elliott since the first time I saw it, it's just so charming. It makes you laugh, it makes you cry, it has some cracking one liners and an even better soundtrack!  It's an immensely moving story about the strength and integrity of the working-class and those born to be different. You're rooting for Billy right from the start and honestly, any film with Julie Walters in, you just know is gonna be a hit!

2. 10 Things I Hate About You
As did every other girl to watch this movie, I fell hopelessly in love with Heath Ledger. They use the base of Shakespeare's The Taming Of The Shrew to rework a modern-day teen comedy. With a strong female lead, it stands out from most other teen movies of its time, to make for a great, sharp and witty watch. It captures teen drama, fear and exploration perfectly!

1. The Lion King
My all-time absolute number 1 favourite film EVER. Not to be dramatic or anything. There's nothing not to love about The Lion King tbh (except maybe for Mufasas death which always gets me). It's feelgood fun, great songs, great characters, witty, funny and even, somehow, relatable? Oh and don't even get me started on the West End show. I CRIED. In fact, I could do a whole other post on my favourite shows at the theatre tbh! And yes I've already seen the remake and it is just as wonderful as the original; the characterisation is still spot on and the graphics?! Wowwww

Whenever there's things that you want to change in your life (or even if there isn't!) the people that you surround yourself with are the biggest influence. And this isn't just the friends/family/colleagues you spend your time with, but the people/accounts you follow online too. (Arguably more so?) It's 2019, we're all well aware that we're spending too much time on social media, but we also know the impact of influencers and so those who are doing something good with their platform are the ones you should want to be influenced by, no?
Instead of being tempted to splurge on make-up remover wipes that are terrible for both your skin and the planet just because someones made them look appealing for a quick solution, be tempted to invest in reusable cotton pads. Instead of lusting after yet another leopard print midi skirt that you do not need, just because someones styled it well, think about how you can work that styling technique into your current wardrobe!

Here's a few Instagram accounts that have influenced some good habits into my life:

@tollydollyposh
Tolly runs a great account that both inspires me and really makes me think about my choices. She focuses a lot on ethical and sustainable fashion; asking questions about who made your clothes and encouraging people to not just minimise their wardrobes, but to look after the clothes they have and make them last. She shows that dressing more sustainable doesn't mean you have to lose the fun and colour! (Shes also responsible for the best Earth Day GIFs you find on Instagram and runs a fabulous, informative blog over at tollydollyposh.com)

@sustainable_stephanie
Stephanie is fast becoming one of my favourite people on Instagram; with her #sustainableswapsundays, quick & easy vegan recipes and world of environmental knowledge, she's a great person to follow to learn more! Showing that the journey to being sustainable isn't smooth, Stephanie opens up honestly about things that she could maybe do better and that's the kind of transparency that helps everyone. 

@ginamartinuk
If you don't know who Gina is, she's the powerhouse campaigner responsible for making upskirting a criminal offence! Along with campaigning for incredible causes, she's always offering up tips and tricks to be more environmentally friendly. It's Gina who actually showed me that supermarkets do plastic bag recycling last year and she shows that charity shops can offer up the best bargains, making the most fun wardrobes!

@earthbyhelena
I've not been following Helena for all that long, really, but her posts are greatly informative and still aesthetically pleasing, she's fast becoming a favourite! She posts about all kinds of environmental issues whether that be air pollution, composting or the many campaigns that she gets involved in. It's just really uplifting to see people doing their best and being loud about it.

@greengirlleah
Leah is another fairly recent follow, who I actually found through the Organic Basics Instagram! She focuses a lot on ethical fashion but also speaks about all kinds of sustainability with the most stunning imagery and well-thought captions. She shares content from marches that she's been involved in as well as great thrifting finds!

@becomingvegans and @vegansupnorth
And extra shout-out to two of my favourite vegan Instagram accounts which are really helping me to eat more vegan meals, both at home and when eating out! They're each secondary accounts set up by people who I've loved following on Instagram for a while now (@laurenevie_ and @yasminjohalx) so the relatability definitely helps. But they show just how easy it is to be vegan in 2019, which as we all now, helps save the planet!

Did you know there are over one BILLION journeys made by train in China every year? Crazy, right?! Well as a life-long railway enthusiast, acclaimed photographer Wang Fuchun has been capturing snapshots of them for over 40 years now and a select 45 of his estimated 200,000 photos are now on display in the National Railway Museum.
So last Friday, me and mum had a trip out to York to see this exhibition, explore the rest of the Museum and just enjoy York in the glorious sunshine! Having lived in Yorkshire all my life, I really should have visited the National Railway Museum before now but, better late than never, right? 



One Billion Journeys is an exhibition made up of black & white photo's capturing unknowing commuters in raw moments; capturing real human connection and unpolished beauty. Each of which has been categorised under: loving & caring, entertainment & boredom, work, comfort and health & spirituality. But there are a select few images in colour; breath-taking images of steam trains in motion, of trains moving through different landscapes. 



It brings you through the history of Chinese railway. From packed commuter trains to the modern-day first class comfort. There's striking contrast in so many side-by-side photos and the accompanying captions signify just how society has progressed. How the introduction of mobile phones changed everything; the community felt between commuters gathered around a TV, visible in older photos, no longer present as they instead sit occupied by their own phones.
In stealing unguarded moments from commuters, Wang has captured every emotion: between friends, family, lovers, strangers. The shots may all be monochromatic to the eye but the colour is there. It's there in the loving look a parent gives their young child; it's there in the adoration seen between lovers huddled under blankets; it's there in the smiles of faces as a man carries his (rather large) wedding photo down the carriage. It's there and it's captured perfectly.



You don't always realise how much you've taken in from an exhibition like this until later on; but on the train home, I found myself looking at those around me. Taking in peoples mannerisms, who they were with and how they were behaving. Just being more aware of who was around me and, I guess, being a bit nosey!



I took a lot of images in the exhibition wanting to capture the best parts to share with you, but now I don't want to share too many images because it's really something that needs to be seen in itself. At the back of the exhibition hall there's also an accompanying movie showing Mr Wang himself talking about his imagery! So it's definitely one not to be missed if you're in the area and want to visit somewhere truly inspiring. One Billion Journeys is on now at the National Railway Museum until 11th August. It's free, the whole museum is free to enter (although donations are welcome!) and you can even pick up postcards of some of Mr Wangs most popular images in the gift shop to have as a little momento!

Find out more about the exhibition here.



While we were there, we made time to explore the rest of the Museum and I think I turned into a bit of a train geek?! Home to iconic locomotives and an unrivalled collection of engineering brilliance, National Railway Museum celebrates the past, present and future of innovation in railways. It's so fascinating seeing old Royal carriages and great steam train engines. There's a miniature railway outside (great fun for kids and adults alike!), a cafe inside with old train carriages to sit at (and the largest yummy scones ever!) and so much more. There's even Steam Train rides running on select weekends and a road train that provides transport into the centre of York. Being almost next-door to York train station it's so easy to get to and absolutely a must-do if you're in the city!

Summer is here! Even if it is only for one heatwave (global warming) filled weekend, it's hot and sunny and we're all digging out the skimpies from the back of our wardrobes. It's summer!

For as long as I can remember, I have simply not been a fan of summer dressing. The idea of not layering up, of wearing as little clothing as possible, of having a great deal of skin on show; it's just never appealed to me. I've always been about piling the clothes on and covering things up, hiding away. I wrote all about this last year if you want to check it out! 
There's one memory that always sticks out, when in my first year of University, going for a picnic with some friends wearing leggings, a tshirt and sandals. Not too summery, but not too not either! And I got hit with comments (from a male, obvs) that I was gonna melt. I didn't, it wasn't heatwave temperatures, just average summer sun. And it just made me even more self conscious. Did I look silly not wearing shorts or a skirt? What did everyone else think? But somehow, a miracle has happened, and this year I've simply stopped caring! 

It wasn't quite a lightbulb moment, suddenly changing everything I've ever felt, but I've simply found myself just pulling on some shorts or an a-line skirt, a little dress or a playsuit, and just not agonising over wanting longer sleeves or trousers that cover my thighs. (Much in the same way that I've stopped feeling the need to wear make-up for work everyday, but that's another chat in itself I guess!).



So what's changed? The people around me. This isn't some 'I ditched my judgemental friends and found new, supportive ones' style post. I don't think I've ever really felt judged by my friends for my appearance. But it's the people I follow online, who I technically see more of than any friends; it's the different environments that I've found myself in and been inspired by; it's simply getting older and realising there's more to life than worrying over cellulite and bingo wings.
Since the start of the year I've been switching up my social media feeds, unfollowing accounts that make me feel bad and finding new ones that inspire and uplift me. I'm not following a bunch of fitspo's who make me feel bad for not working out daily; I'm not following all the Victorias Secret angels who don't have a single bad angle. Instead I'm following people who share the good, the bad and the in-between; people who share normal, everyday things that aren't so curated. Two people who do this perfectly are em_clarkson and alihemsley so make sure they're brightening up your Instagram feeds now!

There's a lot of ~real life environments that I've found myself in, making me feel more inspired and confident than ever too! I went on a spa day with my mum a few weeks back and pushing myself out of my comfort zone to wear a swimming costume in public, along with seeing others doing so, definitely helped. I've now actually switched gyms to one with more facilities and have found myself throwing a costume on for a swim in the pool or to sit in the steam room or jacuzzi without constantly worrying. Nobody there actually cares if my swimsuit is flattering or not! 
My brother and his girlfriend are both into crossfit so we've been to a few of their competitions this year; seeing people so comfortable in such little gymwear, even if they're not your conventional slim body, is definitely inspiring. They don't care about looking good, their bodies are strong (like, really strong, have you seen what they do in crossfit?!) and that's what they focus on. And really, we all need to focus more on the incredible things are bodies might be capable of and less on what they look like.

Whilst I am more comfortable in myself than I can ever remember being, we all still have off days. And the key to summer dressing when you're having an off day is to simply wear something that you feel comfortable in. It doesn't have to be skimpy if you don't want it to be, it doesn't have to scream 'summer' loudly. Learn what works for you!
- You can master layering without having to overheat. Lightweight cotton shirts or a denim jacket on top; cycling shorts or vests underneath!
- Get some shorts like these, that aren't tiny 'show your bum cheeks off' shorts and cover your thighs completely, but keep you cooler than your jeans and still look summery!
- Two personal favourites for summer: baggy crop tops (don't cling and show off your figure, flattering on everyone) and a-line skirts (a perfect hip and thigh skimmer).