The only person you need to have a good time is YOU!

This week I learned something about myself… I’m good company!

Well I mean I can’t say that from an outside perspective but this week I had a date with myself and we had a damn good time.

Let me explain:

There are so many things that I want to do, so many things I want to see! And whilst I don’t have enough money to travel the world like some, I certainly have enough to explore my surrounding areas. And one place I’ve always wanted to explore is the great city of London!

I want to go to museums, walk the streets and see grand buildings, stroll through gorgeous green parks in our nation’s capital. So on Monday I decided, why wait? Why sit at home wanting to do something, just bloody well do it! (insert Shia LaBeouf gif here)

I’ve always thought that if you want to have a good time, or go for a day out, you have to have company, a friend or other half to do things with. But I realised something (Kylie Jenner did say this was the year of realising things and we all know Kylie J is full of wisdom.. and collagen) – if I sit around and wait for someone to text me and say “hey Vicki lets go out and do something fun” or for me to text them and wait for us both to have a free day that coincides, I’ll never see or do half the things I really want to. I’m a freelancer, which means I often have free days during the working week and expecting someone to also be free on a Monday to hang out and go to London, it’s not likely! Not to mention I’m a single gal surrounded by friends nearby who are in couples, so I’m often going to find
myself bored or even lonely (there I said it, I get lonely sometimes!) So I didn’t wait around, I didn’t wait for the allusive text which isn’t going to happen. I didn’t wait for someone to be free, I just went and did it!

And I had the best day…

When you go out by yourself you can do WHATEVER you want. No deciding between a group of where to next. No arguments over where to have lunch (not another restaurant we also have 10 minutes down the road please *massive eye roll*). YOU DECIDE!

So I planned my day out as I sat on my train in the morning. It was filled with places I wanted to go, where they were, nearest tube stops and when they were open. I knew I wouldn’t be able to go everywhere I wanted, there were about six museums on the list! But I wanted them all listed so I had options.

Now I should say there are some downsides to doing things on your own. You can’t exactly share your excitement with the person standing next to you because you might get some weird looks. And I also spoke to a stranger on the Tube and she looked mightily freaked out (seriously why don’t people talk to each other, you’re in an enclosed space for 10 minutes, sometimes longer!)

So first up on my trip around London was the Science Museum in South Kensington. I’ve been to the V&A before, I’ve been to the Natural History Museum before, but one I really wanted to do for a long long time was the Science Museum.

The thing I love about museums is the sense of wonder I feel when I walk in. I love to learn, history being a favourite subject of mine, and seeing these priceless artefacts, reading about how technology has changed over time, it fascinates me. Seeing one of the earliest film cameras and thinking about how easy it is to film something now. Looking at the first motor car and thinking about how people from that time would find my little KA so advanced, even though it’s not really considered that now (sorry KA but you’re not an interesting car). It makes me put things in perspective. About how me and my problems are only a tiny tiny part of history.

Probably the most exciting exhibit was the exhibit entitled “Who Am I?” All sounds really deep and philosophical, but was actually about what makes a person, their genes, their bodies, their feelings etc… There I was able to take part in a neurological study, I didn’t get all the info but something about learning about healthy brains and how they react so they can help improve treatment for dementia patients.. so that was pretty awesome! I also played a lot of interactive games and quizzes. The weirdest one being an optical illusion where I had my hand stroked by a brush.. it didn’t actually work on me either…

Damn I’m gonna be a GILF.. maybe not..

I also got to see what I would look like if I was a guy… And also what I will look like when I’m old. Which is a truly terrifying thought!

So I ended up spending a lot longer in the museum than planned (it’s all those damn interactive exhibits, I just turn into a kid again) and by the time I had left it was three in the afternoon and I still hadn’t had any lunch! It was then I got out my phone and looked at my surroundings on maps… That’s when I realised just how close I was to Hyde Park which just so happened to be on my list. It was about a ten minute walk away (or Vicki speed 15 – 20..) so I did what all London tourists do, I rented out a boris bike!

That’s when it started pissing it down..

But still I had a little ride around and through Hyde Park and it was actually amazing! The park itself is beautiful, even in pouring rain, but what I enjoyed most was actually just being by myself, going the routes I wanted to go. No one rushing me. No one wanting to go further than I wanted to. Just me, my thoughts, and the green around me. Serene is a good word for it, I think.

Probably my favourite picture of the whole day..

Next up I NEEDED to find food before I became hangry (when will this become an official word?) I was reminded of a restaurant that had been recommended to me by a girl at work which only has shops in central London frustratingly, Abokado! It took me about 15 minutes to work out which branch was closest to me and then another 5 to work out how to get there from my current tube station, Marble Arch. But after all that I finally ate and it was delicious!! And with excellent service and at such a cheap price (most meals are between £4-5) it was well worth the wait. I only included this tidbit because I really want to recommend it!

Once I was nourished I had no idea where to go next, by this point a lot of places are starting to close. So I decided to go to the Tower of London, not IN the Tower itself but just to walk around and see it. Such an iconic site I had never been to before.

Whilst there I saw a cool statue of some Roman guy, some beautiful tulips (my favourite) and the tower itself.. or well it didn’t actually look much like a tower.. but it was all old looking and I do love that stuff!

Who doesn’t love a poorly done pano?

And by this point it’s gone 6pm and I only have a little daylight left so what else could I see?

I’d read online that there is an amazing view of London from Primrose Hill, and if you’re lucky you’ll run into a celeb or two.. I’m exhausted, my legs ache and Primrose Hill is on the opposite side of London.. but when in Rome! (or when in London as it is..)

So I got back on the tube and two lines, one wrong turn and 10 stops later I was in Chalk Farm and had only an uphill walk in front of me… It took everything in me but I made it to the top of Primrose Hill (it’s not that hard but it had been a long day and I had ridden a bike).

And voila.. the view was insane! And well worth the HILL!!

More panos!

By the time I got back to Waterloo and on my train back to dull and dreary Farnborough, my legs were ready to give way, but I didn’t regret a single twinge of pain because I’d had one hell of a day just for ME!

So it’s just a reminder to everyone – be independent, go do things you wanna do, don’t wait for people!

And maybe if I can save up a bit of ££ it’ll be the rest of the world next – and I won’t be scared to do it alone!

 

My Top 15 Songs of 2015

Hello friends!

For my final post before the year ends I want to do some form of round of my favourite 15 of 2015 and this year has really been the year I discovered a huge love for music. Music speaks to people in so many different ways, it is a universal language and there can be days I put on my favourite ballad about lifes struggles because I want to wallow in angst and other days I can put on a huge bop and dance around my room to lift my mood and wear myself out..

This year has also brought us some exceptional new music and new artists and that’s why I’ve decided to list out my top 15 tracks. And believe me it was hard to pick just 15!

Now I must stress I’m no music reviewer, nor do I claim to have an amazing taste in music (though I have a friend who swears my driving playlist is the best he’s seen) – so this list is purely MY top 15 tracks of 2015. So like them or not these are the songs I’ve been turning the volume up so loud it’s entering the red zone on my iPhone..

Anyway without further ado and in no particular order:

• Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself – Jess Glynne

My feel good track of the year – the whole song is about unapologetically being yourself. With lyrics like “I feel like I’ve been missing me,” and “how to see my life through someone else’s eyes” it certainly helps me forget my troubles but the amazing beat is what gets me dancing.

• King – Years & Years

There’s no denying this song is a jam – it reached number 1 as soon as it released. But what makes this song one of my top 15 of 2015 is that I’ve heard it a million times and I’m still not bored… which is more than I can say for other number ones like ‘Cheerleader’ and ‘Uptown Funk’ (if I hear that song ONE MORE TIME!!)

• Drag Me Down – One Direction

Yes One Direction are on the list because my name is Vicki Cummins.. really what did you expect from me? This song has made it on this list because lets face it my poor boys have had a particularly tough year! And when you consider that this is their first single after losing a member – I’d say it’s pretty damn impressive. It’s catchy, fun, has a very old school vibe to it and I’ve had numerous friends of mine, who HATE One Direction with a passion, tell me how much they love this song! Not bad from 0.8 Direction…

• Can’t Feel My Face – The Weeknd

Remember when the weekend just meant Saturday and Sunday? Supposedly this song is about cocaine… which is rather unfortunate… but I try not to think about the meaning whilst I’m bopping my head to the tune. This song has cool vibes.

• Lay It All On Me – Rudimental (ft Ed Sheeran)

I never really expected much from Ed’s second collaboration with Rudimental considering I thought the first was a devastating remix to a beautiful song (I will never not be bitter about it). But actually this song surprised me in so many ways. It’s one of those songs I just have to clap along to. The dance track with the subtle acoustic guitar background worked so well on this – which is more than I can say for Bloodstream.

• Fight Song – Rachel Platton

This song is cheesy as hell! And the first time I heard about it I dismissed it because it felt like one of those songs the winner of X Factor sings as their first single to talk about their fight to win the competition.. you know before we never hear from them again. A bit like ‘The Climb’. I also feel like this song should be accompanied by a montage of tears and looking into the distance on tall buildings… and maybe a horse galloping across an empty field. Nevertheless, despite it’s pure cheese I sing this song at the top of my lungs every time it comes on, usually whilst I’m driving 70mph down the M1.

• Blue – Marina & the Diamonds

Now plenty of you are going to be like “what?” See unfortunately for my dear Marina, her third studio album hasn’t done quite as well as her ‘Primadonna’ and ‘Hollywood’ days. But whilst y’all are missing out on Marina Diamondis I got to listen to this awesome song for the past 9 months. This is truly a tune – it’s got quite sad lyrics but is incredibly upbeat.. It’s an oxymoron of a song that I absolutely love! It’s also very different to her usual style in that it’s quite poppy.. eitherway I think it’s her best on ‘Froot’.

• Lean On – Major Lazer (ft. MØ & DJ Snake)

Major Lazer’s mellow dance track with MØ’s high-pitched “siren-like” voice made for one of the best songs of 2015. Bold statement but just check the stats, this is Spotify’s most streamed song of all time! It’s simply huge and surprisingly did not receive a Grammy nod, though Major Lazer member Diplo did so that’s something at least.

• Pay No Mind – Madeon (ft Passion Pit)

I have to say this song actually holds sentimental value. Every time I hear it I’m taken back to sitting in front of a mixing desk in a small studio in my former student union, the HQ of my beloved Fly FM. When this got added to the playlist I thought “never heard of them, probably some weird indie stuff” – instead I found what was to be one of my favourite songs of all time.

• Want to Want Me – Jason Derulo

I pride myself on the fact that I can both reach all the high notes in this song but I also know the lyrics by heart. After the successes of 2013 with the album ‘Tattoos’ including hit singles like ‘Talk Dirty’ and ‘Trumpets’, Jason came back and managed to top himself with this hit.

• Runaway (U & I) – Galantis

Yes I know another dance track… but I was a student for half of 2015 and in post-student depression for the other half, pretty much all we hear is dance tracks. I don’t know what it is about this song.. it’s not easy to sing along to, the vocals sound robotic and it’s pretty much the same three words repeated over and over again.. but this song just makes me want to dance!

• Together – Ella Eyre

This one I found really hard and not because I was deciding whether or not it should go on the list but because I couldn’t decided which Ella Eyre song deserved a place the most. After featuring on Rudimental’s ‘Waiting All Night’ two years ago Ella Eyre has spent 2015 making a name for herself with big dance-pop hits. Her album ‘Feline’ is one of my favourites this year and this girls got an amazing voice. Special mentions to ‘If I go’, ‘Comeback’ and DJ Fresh song ‘Gravity’.

(BONUS: I got to meet her and she seems lovely!)

• Here – Alessia Cara

Mark my words, 2016 is going to be this girls year – and if it’s not it REALLY should be. Alessia released an EP this year featuring this single which was a huge hit. This is the song for every introvert who’s been stuck at a party when they’d rather be at home with a good book. It’s beautifully written, has a ‘what I call’ eerie melody and really hits home to my 18 year old self. I can’t wait for her album to be released in the UK in March – and after the quality of the EP, I expect big things.

• Black Magic – Little Mix

This song is a bop and 2015 has been such a good year for these girls. The world has been sleeping on Little Mix since their first album but I was there dancing to ‘Move’ and memorising the rap in ‘How Ya Doin’ – now they are finally getting the recognition they deserve with this super-fun pop song. Unfortunately they still haven’t had their big break across the pond despite an amazing third album, lyrically and vocally (I will never get over those harmonies).

• Sax – Fleur East

The newest track on the list so the one I’ve had the least amount of time to dance to but this song is looking to be my party song for a while. It’s like a fun, less annoying version of Uptown Funk. I can see Fleur bringing out more hits in the future – another X Factor alum taking the industry by storm.

So that’s my top 15 tracks of 2015 and I guarantee I will be listening to all of these tonight as I party with some of my closest friends and bring in 2016.

I hope you all have an amazing new year and here’s to getting some awesome new music next year too!

5 Easy Halloween Ideas for Makeup Amateurs (like me)

 

It’s officially that time of year again! Ignore all that Christmas stuff that’s in stores wayyyyy to early because it’s October and all of October is designated Halloween month!

If you’re anything like me you love Halloween: sweets, alcohol and dressing up! Sounds perfect.

But the one thing that always gets me stumped is what can I go as which is cheap and easy but still looks awesome?

For this reason I compiled a list of five relatively simple Halloween costumes that don’t require much effort as long as your makeup is on point!

I am always experimenting with makeup and trying new stuff so please remember I am just an amateur here, no where near a makeup guru. But that’s ok because it means if I can do it then so can you!

First things first (I’m the realist) the classic Werewolf – a favourite for Halloween.

 

This one is relatively easy to do as long as you have four things: brown eye-shadow, a good eyebrow pencil, black eyeliner and an eye-shadow brush.

Start by giving yourself the fringe from hell. With brown eye shadow go around your hairline and then draw it in and down towards your nose.

Next draw yourself some super sexy sideburns that could rival the seventies. Smudge in some brown eye-shadow and use your brown brow pencil to draw lines to imitate fur in both the fringe and sideburns.

 

Next is the hard part: Eyeliner. Go around your eyes with the black eyeliner and then give yourself a cat-like wing on both sides of the eye, to create that animal-like look. Fill in your eyelids with some brown shadow.

Using your eyebrow pencil create brows thicker than Cara Delevigne’s. Make them really big and use the pencil to create a furry look – you’re a wolf not a runway model, they aren’t gonna look pretty!

Next with the brown shadow (or a contour palette if you have one) over contour your nose. draw two lines down each side of the nose from your brows and blend it in slightly.

Then finally the nose. With the black eyeliner fill in the bottom of your nose around the nostrils.

Make your hair big and bushy with some back combing and then you’re done! If you have some brown lipstick put it on just to add to the look but it’s not necessary because you are now a fully fledged werewolf! You’d make Michael J Fox proud.

To dress it up put on a black dress.. or black jeans.. pretty much anything black!

Next one is a little more difficult and you won’t be able to create this look without one thing: fishnet tights because we will be creating a mermaid!

You’ll also need lots of brightly coloured eye-shadow, some sparkly eyeliner, some brightly coloured lippy and blue eyeliner.

Put the tights over your head like the worst cat-burglar in the world. Then with the bright eye-shadow, brush it over the tights and onto your face so that is creates a scale effect. Any colours will do: blue, green, pink, orange or all of them – whatever takes your fancy! I also used some gold face paint to create the scales but this is optional. I’m just using what I have as it’s a way to keep your Halloween costume cheap as chips (not cheap as freddos because they are rocketing in price!)

Next add some bright eye-shadow to your eyes. Here I created a bit of a rainbow look with some blue, green and pink eye-shadow, just for fun!

With your blue eyeliner create a nice long wing! This one is very much do what you want to make the look. There is no specific way a mermaid looks so just any bright and shiny colours and lots of glitter on your face will work. Be creative!

I also added some silver eyeliner to the top lids of my eyes.

 

Next I filled in my eyebrows with some blue and green shimmery eye-shadow.

Finally add the lipstick! Pinks, purples and blues work best here. I applied some blue lipstick on the corner of my lips and then blended it into purple lipstick on the rest of the lip.

 

For your hair a long braid or flowy waves will work perfectly. Also glitter.. lots and lots of glitter! As for what you can wear, a long skirt or colourful leggings and a crop top.

Number three on our list of Halloween faces is my personal favourite (also what I shall be going as this year): an alien!

This is another one where you have creative freedom because what does an alien actually look like? You decide!

Firstly I dabbed on some light skinned powder to give my face a pale complexion.

I went along my hairline with some pink and blue eye-shadow and contoured using pink eye-shadow.

Next, using my blue eyeliner, I created some blue dots just below the blue eye-shadow.

I then filled in my eyebrows with purple eyeliner and made them quite thick and square.

Using some green eyeliner I create a wing along the top lid of my eye and then along the bottom of my eye, using the same colour, I created some more dots.

 

At this point I didn’t think there were quite enough dots so I put some along the sides of the bridge of my nose as well. Like I said, do what feels fun, there is no hard and fast rule of what an alien should look like.

I then add my trusty blue lippy to give a more inhuman effect.

Lastly, and probably my favourite part, I put my hair in space buns!

Clothes for this can consist of anything really. I’d stick to neon and metallic colours and then you’ll look out of this world.. literally!

Our fourth makeup idea for Halloween is very simple and can go with any costume really. I like to think of this as a witch look or spider.

I created some spider webs using black eyeliner and then applied black lipstick. I also gave myself dark black eyebrows because.. why not?

 

If you want this to be the spider kind of look then find some fake cobwebs and add it to black clothes.

Simply. Easy. Spooky.

Our fifth and final look is another fun but less simple one and that’s the leopard! Going as a cat for Halloween is pretty standard; it’s easy to do and doesn’t require much costume except some cat ears. This however just gives it a slightly jazzy look and a bit more fun for the simple cat costume.

 

Firstly using either brown eye-shadow or a contour palette, contour around your hairline, cheeks and down your nose. Make sure it’s quite dark, Halloween is the night where overdoing it is perfect!

Next using some brown eye-shadow create some dots along your forehead and along your cheeks and jawline to frame your face. I also popped a little gold face paint on the dots as well.

Using black eyeliner, frame the dots with wiggly lines. Don’t make perfect circles, messy is better.

Lastly create the cat face using black eyeliner. Draw on a little heart nose, draw a line from your nose to you cupids bow. Then outline your top lip with the black eyeliner, making it quite thick.

Apply three dots either side of the line and three short whiskers coming from the dots. I then applied some brown lipstick to complete the look.

Then all you need is some black clothes (or leopard print if you have any) and some cat ears and you’ll be purring the night away!

Also to give any of these looks a more spooky feel.. fake blood! Dab it on your forehead, on your brow, on your lips, corner of the eyes.. anywhere. And now your cool costume is fit for a horror film.

And that’s it. You look the part and you’re ready to party the night away with friends and you’ve spent little to no money on a costume! Perfection.

Hope you enjoyed my little helpful tips and tricks for Halloween makeup, keep an eye out for more makeup tips from a very very amateur, not at all trained, not entirely sure what she’s doing makeup artist (I’m not a makeup artist!)

Hope you all have a happy Halloween and remember to drink responsibly (ignore that).

Lots of love

Hello (it’s me)

I was wondering if after all these years you’d like to meet..

Ok no. I’m not Adele, clearly.. (I’ve got a far better voice!)

Wait! Let me start that again *clears throat*

Hi there, I’m Vicki and this is my blog!

It’s not my first time starting a blog but hopefully this one will be more fruitful..

Firstly I’ll address the name of this blog “The Idealistic Writer”. Idealism is defined simply as dreaming of perfection.. something I often find myself doing. I am quite the dreamer, typical Pisces!

That’s the intellectual explanation because it doesn’t sound very good when I just say I got it from a blog name generator.

But I do want to be a writer of some kind. Writing is the only thing that helps to clear my head half the time (too many dreams!)

So I will write.. About pretty much anything to be honest; I can often talk out my arse, why not write it down I guess.

But mostly I’ll be talking about celebs, social issues, TV shows and maybe even music.

I’ll also include some DIY posts:

I don’t like to cook often but when I do it’s usually some sort of experiment which can either go amazingly right or awfully wrong. So when I cook something interesting (good or bad) you’ll know about it!

I’ve also been doing nail art for about four years now so expect some posts about that! I also have an Instagram account specifically for my nail art which you are welcome to follow here. I may also give some helpful tips and tutorials..

And well I’m not much of a makeup artist but like my food I like to experiment. So you might see some posts about that (possibly very soon).

So that’s pretty much it and if you read all that then what the hell is wrong with you.. go read a book! (I’m kidding don’t leave I need attention and validation to be happy)

Yours Sincerely..

Vicki