I Am A Rock

Dearest bloggers.

First off, I'm ill. And I'm not even a hypochondriac, because I'm not. It's just that I am ill and it's summer (which, might I add, is uncharacteristically hot that it's not even funny anymore), so it's not particularly ideal. Do I sound ratty? I feel ratty. Not only that, but my hayfever is flaring up again and no amount of loratadine will protect my eyes from becoming all red and blotchy. I tried eye drops the other day, I have officially caught Rachel Green disease (Friends reference, if you didn't get that).
Anywho, despite much blowing my nose off and sniffling and coughing, I do have some good news. I had the last GCSEs that I will have this year (Chemistry, Physics and Biology) on Monday. The relief is so overwhelming that I want to hug all of you, but I won't in case I infect you all with my horrible pathogens. Yeah, I'm contagious, in the truest sense of the word.

I also had a magnificent weekend, despite my failing immune system. I chilled out on Friday and then I went out in the afternoon on Saturday with some family friends. We went to Pizza Express and I had a goats' cheese, spinach and cameralised onion pizza and then a caramel sundae thing, it was very yummy. I got back at about nine, but then my mother, sister and I went on an adventure with some more of our friends and we stayed out until like one a.m., I love my family!

And seeing as I didn't want to be boring and do an all text post (because words are like, so overrated), here's a photo of the lovely Louis Vuitton wallet that my mum's friend gave her since she never used it. My mother is besotted with it and I'm happy because I get to share it with her!



Also a few photos of me whilst I was bored at home (before the dreaded illness kicked in)!



Currently, I have English coursework to do, but it's not too bad. Thanks for all the lovely comments on my review, by the way, they've been included in my coursework (no need for any panicked faces!) so all is good. I'm going on holiday soon after school ends (23 days!) so yeah, all is good. Life is pretty good if I don't factor in the illness and the hot weather. I hope everyone else is having a lovely summer and enjoying the hot weather instead of being a moody grouch like myself. I promise I'll be back to normal soon enough. Gonna try and have me a nice week, read some books and chill out and then I'm off to a celebratory sleepover on Friday with my friends.

Happy blogging and have a great week!
Chloe xxx

P.S. This post is sort of a dedication to the lovely, lovely, lovely Sarah Starlight (AKA Sarah Fennell, AKA coolest, most inspirational girl in the entire world) at Austentatious Memoirs. She is honestly the most eloquent, articulate person I know and she is a sweetheart. Check out her Literary Hideaway post, because it's a crime not to.

P.P.S. The title of the post is sort of the song which is keeping me alive (not literally, obviously), because I want to remind myself that I am a rock. Rocks are cool and I want to be a rock, because I'm pretty sure that rocks are healthy and don't get ill. Also, Simon & Garfunkel rock. I'm off for some Vitamin C, water and a box of tissues. How much more quintessentially ill do I want to get? I know.

(500) Days of Summer

Hello, bloggers! As stated in my previous post, here is my review on the film, (500) Days of Summer. First of all, I have to say that I completely adored it from the very moment that I watched it in September last year. Writing this review has even given me the excuse to buy it on DVD.
…Hey, it’s still for educational purposes! Even if I do have to watch it five times back-to-back, it’s purely for “analysis” and if I just so happen to enjoy it, you most definitely won’t hear me complaining!



Firstly, this film is incredibly heartfelt and honestly one of the best films I’ve seen in a long time. The fact that the film begins with the line: ‘This is a story of boy meets girl. But you should know up front, this is not a love story’ just makes me fall in love with it even more. I remember Joseph Gordon-Levitt being very similar in the film, 10 Things I Hate About You, where he plays the cute social outcast, to how he is in 500 Days. The male lead is fantastic in his depiction as this creative, yet pathetically romantic man called Tom Hansen, who is completely and utterly in love with Summer Finn. She’s played by Zooey Deschanel, who has appeared as a cynical indie chick in just about every film of hers that I've seen (Failure To Launch, Elf, Crash, Yes Man, etc.). So if you've seen her in one of these roles, imagine that multiplied by ten billion. She is just the epitome of cool. Seriously, she scores off the chart of cool-ness.

Back to the actual review... The film is basically a rom-com with a twist. Everything that we girls dream about – well, I know I do – seems to occur in this film: a besotted boy who takes you on dates to IKEA and actually likes the same music that you do, i.e. The Smiths?! It seems too good to be true and thankfully, it is. Summer turns away from the love that Tom bombards her with, leaving poor Tom sporting a broken heart and a hangover. But even though I love Tom’s character, I don’t see Summer as the bad guy in the equation (and this isn’t just because of Zooey), but because I understood where she was coming from.
When you know that you love someone, you just know. Summer didn’t and that was the problem. No questions asked.



Even though I haven’t been in anywhere near the same situation as Tom and Summer, I found 500 Days really easy to relate to. Most parts were profoundly funny; Tom’s dance number almost had me in hysterics. Every time I thought that something was going to happen, I was instantly surprised by a sudden turn of events. Rachel, Tom’s sister, was wise beyond her years and consoled him as if he were the younger sibling, not the other way around. Tom’s friends were also fantastic in their roles as they brought so much humour to the depressing time that is heartbreak.

500 Days has already been hailed by Nick Hornby as ‘the most true-to-life romantic comedy of the past 20 years’. Nick Hornby is one of my favourite writers and I have already written about High Fidelity in a recent post (see here), so I invariably loved 500 Days of Summer too.

For me though, so many highlights of the film were related to music. This film is basically an analogy for a great song. For example, I loved it when Tom was wearing an array of Joy Division t-shirts (I’m also hoping to acquire one myself very soon). There was also the shot of matching Morrissey covers in both Tom and Summer’s childhood rooms. There were Joseph’s and Zooey’s renditions of both Nancy Sinatra’s Sugar Town and The Pixie’s Here Comes Your Man, respectively, which I found to be particularly endearing. Or the fact that I recognised Belle & Sebastian amongst the many quotable lines:
‘Colour my life with the chaos of trouble.’
It was all of these little things that made me smile and it’s always a good feeling to recognise something from a film – I felt very wise by the end!

The soundtrack was also, I imagine, the musical equivalent to the invention of the wheel. Some of my favourite artists were featured in the film, including: Regina Spektor, The Smiths, Simon & Garfunkel and The Pixies.



I have to say that during the end credits of the film, I completely disagreed with the opening line: ‘This is a story of boy meets girl. But you should know up front, this is not a love story’. I personally thought that it was, most definitely, a love story. Perhaps it wasn’t the most conventional of romantic-comedies, with its dry humour, splashes of satire and unpredictability. I was constantly waiting in anticipation to see what would happen next, but became distracted by my incessant laughing, due to the numerous wise cracks that appeared throughout. I loved that it was different and didn’t conform to the stereotype of a summer feel-good film, even though I ended up feeling amazingly optimistic. Which is quite a feat for a pessimistic person like myself. I loved it.

On a parting note, for those of you who haven’t yet been graced by the cinematic, dramatic and musical prowess which is so evidently present in said film, I urge you all to go buy the DVD. I really don’t want to have to shun any of my blog-readers, because I love you all very much, but seriously, don’t make me come back there..
Feel like challenging me? Don't.
This is a definite must-see! Go, go, go!

Here are some links to find out more about 500 Days of Summer:
Official Website, Amazon, IMDB, Youtube Trailer, Wikipedia

Chloe xxx

P.S. I really did enjoy writing this review. Perhaps it might be an idea to turn this into a permanent feature of my blog. I’d really love to hear your thoughts on whether you’d like to see more reviews on all sorts of books, films, music, anything at all.


(All photos were found via Google Images and are copyrighted to (500) Days of Summer.)

Louie Louie

Hey bloggers! So this week went pretty quickly and now I can't wait for Monday to be over since that will mean that IT is over foreverrrrr! I'm missing a wedding on Monday because of my exams, which is pretty rubbish, but it can't really be helped. Other than that, I've just been chilling this weekend and getting into a huge hype about the upcoming summer holidays: I already have so many plans that it's insane! Last summer, I spent weeks on end doing nothing and that's what prompted me to start a blog. (See! Good things do come out of boredom!) Anyway, my summer is going to be extra packed with a trip to London in the first or second week, then a trip to Manchester sometime, fun times with friends and then my trip to America on August 7th. I'm already making a list of things to buy over there, because America has everything and it's all so much cheaper!

Here are a few photos which I took last night at like ten o'clock. I absolutely love the summer night sky.




I was also in the car with my mother earlier in the week and I took a few more photos:




Song of the day is my title post: Louie Louie by The Kingsmen. Check the song out, it makes me want to get up and dance, even though I know it's not the best idea - I have no rhythm and my dancing skills are non-existent. Sorry to disappoint. Also featured on my Recently Played playlist are The Stranglers, Simon & Garfunkel (Greatest Hits, amazing), Joy Division and some Al Green!

Not much else to say, I'll be posting again next week maybe and then I'll be posting a review (as part of my media coursework!) Anyway, hi to my new followers, fellow bloggers, readers, et cetera. Hope you're all having a great weekend. Happy blogging!
Chloe xxx

P.S. My review for media coursework is definitely coming in my next post.

When the night feels my song

Hello, dear bloggers! Just a quick little post, seeing as I have revision to be getting on with. Recently, we were talking about blog writing in English and I got very embarrassed about my blog - not sure why, but I just became really self-conscious about it! Kinda silly, really, but anyways, yeah. I guess I shouldn't really care what people think! Anywho, here are just a random assortment of photos from the vast number that I've accumulated from my camera and various other places too.





I like to think that I'm an owl... Wise?



I don't have anything very exciting to say now, other than the fact that in less than two weeks, I'll be free of anymore GCSEs this school year (I'm in year nine for those that were wondering!) Anywho, hope everyone's having a great week. Happy blogging!
Chloe xxx

P.S. A little "shout-out" to everyone in my form, especially Jack and Izzy (who are cool people...) and anyone else who has decided to read my blog. The title of this blog is also a song which Jack introduced to me, by a brilliant band called Bedouin Soundclash: they're brilliant so go check them out!

P.P.S. In English, we're doing our media coursework on different types of reviews and one of them will be in a blog style. I'll be posting one soon-ish on a music video, so watch this space!

P.P.P.S. I might start looking at different layouts of my blog, perhaps after the exams. I'm getting really bored of it, but I dunno if it'll mess things up or not. Any thoughts?

UPDATE: After coming across the new Template Designer, which is surprisingly easy to use and also some tweaking of the HTML with the ever-useful Google, I've managed to change my blog layout! I kinda miss the old one, but this new one is a lot thinner in width and it just feels more like a blog? This weekend, I'll try and add some more things to the sidebar and maybe change my header!

High Fidelity

Bonjour, mes amis belles! I haven't blogged for about a week, but only because school started on Monday and you wouldn't believe how stressful the first day back was. More exams and revision and stuff which is endlessly boring and so seemingly sparse (whoops) that it really isn't worth mentioning for much longer. The weather has reverted back to its original, atypically-British state in all it's gloomy glory! Anyway, here is a long post since I will most likely not be posting for a little while, due to the aforementioned exams (Maths and Latin internal, then ICT GCSE and Chemistry, Physics and Biology modules) for the next few weeks. I know I said I wouldn't mention it, but I felt like doing so anyway! Anything other than actually doing it, anyway.

So here are just some photos of an outfit, showcasing my favourite blazer:




Burberry blazer from mother (from Bicester for £37!) and sheer dress from Debenhams (for £5!)
Apologies for the terrible quality, I used natural light which is sort of in short supply at the moment due to the rubbish weather!

Also as promised is my blog award and tags, from the lovely Jasmine over at :: Lavender's Green ::. I urge you all to have a look-see on her blog, I guarantee that you'll like what you see. And if I could, I would give this blog award/tag right back to her!

1. Who is your style icon?

In real life, my mother in her old days when she used to be impeccably dressed in lovely blazers, trousers and her designer bags! I've been very lucky in that I have inherited quite a number of gems from her and to me, she is incredibly stylish in that she knows what looks good and what doesn't. In terms of celebrities and renowned fashionistas, I really love Diane Kruger, Emma Watson and Rachel Bilson's style, as well as the lovable Alexa Chung. They all seem to have a sort of whimsical charm about them. Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen have their own look which I love. As for Mischa Barton, Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, Carey Mulligan, Chloe Sevigny and Leighton Meester: well, it goes without saying! The answer is that I have lots and lots and lots of style icons.

2. Which is your favourite socialite book?

I have no idea what a socialite book is?! Sorry!

3. Favourite party theme?

I quite like celebrity ones, I once went to one dressed as Amy Winehouse, which was fairly humorous, to say the very least!

4. Go to Halloween costume?
I've never celebrated Halloween before!

5. Extravagance you cannot live without?
Maybe my laptop or something, I'm not quite sure. I don't have too many extravagances of my own though, so maybe I can't answer this question too well!

6. Living person you admire.
My mother, probably. She is the most kind-natured human and even when she's getting on my nerves (which all parents undoubtedly do), I always remember that she is a great person. She's smart and funny and makes me smile a lot. Her approval and judgment means a lot to me.

7. Greatest fear(s).
The fear of failure, in just about everything. Failure to be happy, failure to reach my dreams and aspirations, failure to be good enough, failure to ever meet someone. A lot of things!

8. Traits you deplore in yourself.
I hate my hesitance and sometimes, my shy introversy. I wish I was fearless.

9. Which talent would you most love to have?

I would love to be able to play an instrument really well, or have an naturally great singing voice. Or be able to write great books, which have profound meanings and all the rest of it. Just something which would separate me from the norm.

10. Greatest Achievement?
My greatest achievement is probably winning the Academic Award and Latin Award last year, kinda sad and a little pathetic? Maybe just going through everything that I have experienced and finally getting to where I currently am.

I was also tagged by Jasmine to answer eight questions she has thought of. It is then my turn to think of eight questions and pass them on. Thanks again, Jasmine!

1. If you could have any super power, what would you choose and why?
It's probably the most atypical and generic super power, but I would love to be able to fly. Maybe it's because I dislike walking a great deal and it would just be a lot easier. But being able to grant wishes and read minds come a close second and third, respectively.

2. Would you rather forget all the memories you have, or never be able to make any more?
This is such a good question! I think that I would probably want to forget all of my memories. Whilst I do have some of the best memories ever, I think that this would make me more determined to make even better memories. I am a naturally sentimental person and memories mean a lot to me, but I would definitely prefer to be able to make more. There's no point to anything if you can't look back and feel happy or sad or any emotion at all.

3. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we so afraid to make them?

Perhaps the fear of not being good enough or being shunned for these said mistakes? There is some sort of reliability from doing things right and to make mistakes is kind of tipping the balance a little, I suppose. I am certainly one of those people who absolutely hates making mistakes and it's kind of embarrassing for me. Being able to get things right is a good feeling, I guess.

4. What is your favourite comfort food?

Everything! The most important variable is dependent on what food we have in. The ultimate comfort food has to be vanilla ice cream with golden syrup over it. Or just general junk food like KFC or something.

5. Tea or coffee?

Probably tea, since that's what I tend to drink the most at home. When I go out to a restaurant or a cafe, I tend to have a coffee or latte.

6. Where is your favourite place to visit?

Holiday-wise, my favourite places that I have visited are most definitely America, Japan and Italy.

7. What is your favourite store and what is your favourite item in that store?

It depends, for clothing stores, I love Selfridges because I simply love everything in there. But on an entirely different level, I love Waterstone's and there's one store in particular: Banker's Hall on New Street in Birmingham. It is one of the most beautiful buildings and of course, all the books are my favourite. There's one section in particular where I could spend all my time in.

8. What is your favourite item of clothing?
Out of all the clothing items that I own, perhaps my Malene Birger blouse which I got for my birthday from Selfridges for a very barginous £26! But if it wasn't just clothing, but accessories as well, it would have to be my Louis Vuitton bag which my mother gave me.

I pass this on to:
India at Oh, Beau
Sarah at Austentatious Memoirs
Mads at It's Okay To Procrastinate
Laura at A Fennel Designer
Poppy at Bears and Bunting
I would have included many more, but felt like five is a magic number here!

My questions for you are:
1. How would you describe yourself in five words?
2. What are your biggest aspirations?
3. Brains or brawn? ;)
4. Who is your greatest role model?
5. What are you most afraid of?
6. Where is your favourite place in the world?
7. Who frequently appears on your music playlists?
8. What is your favourite food?



And that's it for a few weeks, I reckon. I may just break this promise and go back to blogging instead of revising, but who knows. Funnily enough, in English, our new coursework will be based on media and we've been discussing blog writing compared to broadsheets and newspapers, it was quite interesting as I thought of all my fellow bloggers in the vast world that is The Blogosphere. On another note, I've reached 80 followers which is so lovely since I remember when I had about 14 and went crazy about it, so thank you! Until next time... Happy blogging!

Chloe xxx

P.S. The blog title is High Fidelity, a novel by Nick Hornby, which I really loved. Lots of witty mannerisms, some depressing stuff, some funny stuff, some romantic gushy stuff and a whole load of fantastic music references in there, including the amazing Otis Redding. And just for that last reason alone, you should definitely go read it!

Mr. Blue

Hey guys! Sorry for the lack of posting in about a week, there really hasn't been much to post about though and I didn't exactly want to bore you. This week has been really uneventful, I've just been going to sleep late, sleeping in til the afternoon and doing nothing of real consequence. I don't like this lack of routine, it's really annoying. The other day, I went to bed at about five am and then woke up at like half three in the afternoon, I have no idea why I do this to myself. Entirely pointless and I just end up staying up on msn and facebook, which is beyond ridiculous. I know it. But today's been okay as I cut my sister's hair and it turned out pretty well, even though it was possibly the most traumatic experience I've ever had. I am definitely not cut out for this hairdressing business (epic pun, by the way haha!)

Anyway, I just wanted to share a few photos from recently:




My outfits consists of:
Gap top - £5; UO paisley skirt - £20; Doc Marten's - Gift from friend; Louis Vuitton bag - From my mum

As said above and also in my previous post, these Doc Martens were given to me by one of my best friends, Abi. They used to be her mum's, who then gave them to Abi, but then she grew out of them and offered them to me. Much love!


C'mon, who doesn't love sushi?

I don't think I have much else to say, half term's quite boring. I had a good weekend last weekend, but that's about it. The weather's being so temperamental and just blah, so yeah. It's so typical of England to be mega sunny whilst we're at school, but then when we're on half term, it's all rainy and horrible. I bet it's gonna be like this in the summer, thank God I'm going on holiday on August 7th. I'm so excited, I think we're gonna go see Wicked on Broadway, during the time that we're in NYC, fingers crossed! Anyway, I always seem to ramble, so I'll stop now! Happy blogging!

Chloe xxx

Oh, also, I got tagged and received a blog award recently, but I haven't gotten round to answering the all questions, some are still sitting unanswered in my Drafts. I will try and do them very soon and post them in the next post.

P.S. I added a new formspring.me widget on the side of this blog, I love receiving questions so it'd be great if you could ask me some? You don't have to sign up or anything and it's pretty interesting to see what comes up.

Last thing, I've been listening to loads of women singer-songwriters, lately. I love a man folk singer and all the rest, but lately, it's been a lot of Ingrid Michaelson and Catherine Feeny. The title of this post is "Mr. Blue" by Catherine Feeny. Check it out! My June playlist currently consists of Ingrid Michaelson, Catherine Feeny, Belle & Sebastian, Laura Marling, Johnny Flynn and Van Morrison (always!)
Rambling on, as always.. Anywho, toodle pip.