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So you give me this and this, and I come up with this.

Karen Elson by Nick Knight, Vogue UK, October 2008

friends for fashion

I watch a lot of Friends. Obsessively, really. Thing is I can't revise without some noise in the background, and since I've seen the show about 30 times back to back, I can play the show without getting distracted, but when I do feel like being distracted, I get some laughs. Win-win.

So I was being distracted one day, by the One With Ross's New Girlfriend, specifically, and I realised that the skirt Rachel was wearing was selling on ASOS. Friends is no Gossip Girl, obviously, but it's still fun to put together this post- what goes around definitely comes back around in fashion.

The high-low hem: not a big fan but I just find it freakishly prophetic.

Jennifer Aniston as Rachel in Season 2, The One with Ross's New Girlfriend, 1995

Left/Right

The collar: which everyone is crazy about right now.

The gorgeous Brooke Shields guest starring in Season 2, The One after the Superbowl part 1, 1996

Left/Centre/Right

The Chanel cardigan: never gets old...

Random Rachel's friend in Season 1, The One with George Staphanopoulos, 1994

Left/Centre/Right

Screenshots taken by me (apologies for the low quality), images all from ASOS.

intellectual 'banter'

Banter: Supple term used to describe activities or chat that is playful, intelligent and original. Banter is something you either posses or lack, there is no middle ground. It is also something inherently English, stemming as it does from traditional hi-jinks and tomfoolery of British yesteryear. (urbandictionary)


These speak for themselves really. My collection from LSE history books and on campus.

Review: Athenaeum Spa, London (4 out of 5 stars)

I still can't believe that I forgot my bikini this morning... I actually contemplated going into the hot tub in my birthday suit. In my defence, I was the only one in the spa, but I chickened out.

My impulsive thoughts are testimony to the coolness of the Athenaeum Spa. I finally went today after buying a LivingSocial voucher literally 6 months ago. I've never actually been to an actual spa before, and it was overall a great experience. See the title? I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

The 'wet area', Athenaeum Spa 

Facilities: 5/5
The changing room has everything you need: lockers, bathrobe, slippers, shower, towels, hairdryer and straightener, plus a big mirror for post-spa primping.

I love the 'wet area': there are 2 hot tubs, a steam room, a rainshower and sofas and magazines just for chilling. There are juices and water just outside the area and they are free to guests.

The treatment: 3/5
The treatment itself was slightly underwhelming. The massage was alright, but the 'facial' was pretty shit, for the lack of a better word. The lady seemed to be an amateur beautician, she squirted cleansing oil onto my eye for crying out loud... thank God I had squeezed my eyes shut. The handiwork was sloppy and my skin didn't feel particularly clean or rehydrated at the end.

The location: 5/5
But, having said that, the spa, being right opposite the huge Hyde Park is a definite point of redemption. I took a leisurely stroll in the sunshine down Piccadilly to Hyde Park Corner. To complete the experience, I took bus number 10 down to Bond Street and got me some sushiiiiii from Atariya on the way home. Okay I lie, I actually went home but the sushi will absolutely be on the agenda next time.

Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner

I heard the reception lady talking to a customer on the phone about a 'mix and match' offer, and I checked it out here. It says it's expired in January, but for £50 per person I think it's worth calling them up to see if the offer's still valid anyway. Dialing now.