Back from BBL

So I got back from Beach Break Live on Monday and have been too exhausted to do anything pretty much. It was a fantastic festival, so much better than the two times I've been to Leeds festival. I think this is because its much smaller, and there's a lot more things to do through the day and night. Everything was a lot more decorative too, whereas Leeds is solely dedicated to the music, not the atmosphere. The weather wasn't fantastic unfortunately, although I did manage to get sunburnt hands, knees and nose. As disgusting as it sounds I didn't shower or wash my hair for four days, but my purple hair dye managed to vanish completely. It lasted a total of ten days, so now I am torn between bleaching my hair again or dying it brown. All in all, I recommend Beach Break Live as a festival, but I do not recommend Directions hair dye as long lasting.

Directions

So I recently dyed my hair bright purple specifically for Beach Break Live, which is approaching quickly! I bleached it first using Jerome Russell Bblonde powder bleach and cream peroxide. This was the first time I'd ever bleached my hair and I was a bit worried it would damage my hair really badly, but in fact it didn't harm it at all. I did use Aussie Reconstructor and Colour Treatment Minute Miracle hair masks before and after to keep it soft, which may have helped. A few days later I dyed it 'Violet' with Directions semi-permanent hair dye. It takes 15 to 30 minutes to set, but I'm starting to have a few problems with it. Once my hair was dry my boyfriend pointed out that some patches of my hair had turned back to my natural colour, which seemed really strange. I have now washed my hair three times with cold water since dying it, and it's faded a lot since then, and now resembles a grey purple colour. I don't know what I've done wrong, I'm just glad it doesn't look too awful!

Coat Hangers

I forgot to mention that over the Easter holidays I got a new tattoo! I have specific morals when it comes to tattoos; always get something that means something to you, something that you're passionate about and have wanted for a while; and always get something that is easy to cover up when you get old and it becomes mis-shaped and faded. So I already have two other tattoos; one is a tiny outline of a heart on my wrist, and a large red rose on my right hip. I had wanted these tattoo's since I was about 14, and although I got them a few years ago now, I am still very happy with them both. Although my heart tattoo is noticeable on my wrist, it's only small and can still be hidden easily. I really love my rose tattoo, as it is really beautiful and only goes on show when I'm sunbathing or with my boyfriend.

So in the Easter holidays I decided to get a third tattoo, which is also well hidden. A coat hanger on the back of my neck! I got the inspiration from a photograph I saw when I was 17. I was researching fashion photography for my exam for AS Level photography, and came across the photograph you can see to the right. I forget the photographer's name, and unfortunately my Photography workbooks are back in Newcastle, but when I come across it, I will be sure to mention it. To me it symbolises two things; the first being that I study Fashion Marketing at university, and it shows my dedication and appreciation to the industry; the second being that I am blessed (however, it is sometimes a curse) with the ability to look good in almost anything, therefore, I myself am the personification of a coat hanger. I tried to put that in a way that wouldn't show me as vain. I am not a vain person, in the sense that I am not full of myself. I'm as self-conscious as the next person. I don't flourish with confidence all the time, but I have my moments where I feel particularly good about myself. The personification of me being a coat hanger came from my best friend, and urged me to go ahead with the tattoo.

It's Been a While

It's been over a month since I blogged. This is mainly because of my exams at uni. Although there was only three exams spread over two weeks, I spent those two weeks completely devoted to revision. When my exams were over, I pretty much moved into my boyfriend's flat for a bit of relaxation. We aren't together tonight, however, due to it being a scorching 24C in Manchester, and I don't think I can trek to his in this sweltering heat.

A lot has happened in the past month. My exams obviously, which I think went pretty well (hopefully). There was also the AU Ball, which was so good! Apart from when someone stole my mask from my table and ripped the feathers off it (students, pfft!).

I have also been catching up on my reading, and recently bought a book entitled Emotions Revealed: Understanding Faces and Feelings by Paul Ekman. Paul Ekman is a psychologist who studies emotions and facial expressions. His studies are the basis of Lie to Me, the TV show featuring Tim Roth. It's a fantastic TV show, which has sadly now been cancelled, and is what inspired me to buy Paul Ekman's book. So far, from what I've read, it's a really intriguing book, and would recommend it.

I discovered a Youtube channel called MarbleHornets, which is based around the tale of Slender Man. I don't really want to go into too much detail, because it will stop you sleeping at night, but although the videos posted on MarbleHornets's Youtube channel are supposedly tapes his friend gave him, it's fair to say that they are fake. The acting is poor, and this is the only clear evidence that the videos are faked. It's a good idea though, especially as the channel owner and his friend who filmed the tapes are supposedly film students at university in the USA. The channel itself has been about for over a year now, and the most recent video was uploaded only one week ago. It's a good watch, amusing in some parts, and intriguing in others, but be warned, it might make you a little paranoid, and I had to sleep with my lamp on for two nights running after I started watching.

I also went to see Avenue Q at The Lowry in Manchester with my boyfriend this week. I've never seen it before, even though I have heard and loved the songs from it since I was about 14. It was fantastic! It was my gift for Matt's 28th birthday, and he thoroughly enjoyed it. I was so happy that I'd finally got him a present he really enjoyed.

Today I bought a box of bleach and some violet hair dye in preparation for Beach Break Live, which begins on the 16th of June. I've wanted to dye my hair violet for over a year now and I've finally built up the courage to do it! I also got some new aubergine Hunter wellies and a tent for the festival. I'm starting to get really excited!