Wednesday 30 September 2015

An Open Letter to my Childhood Best Friend

To my childhood best friend,

First of all, you know who you are. For a lot of my childhood I felt quite out of place, and you were the one person that made me feel that little bit more...'normal'. So this is for you. I honestly could not thank you enough.

I look back on childhood memories with you with such fondness, y'know. 

When I met you, aged four, I never knew how much of an impact you would make on my life. Luckily for me, you turned out to be my closest friend for a decade. You were one of the two people back home who I remained in constant contact with when I moved to India, and to this day I genuinely don't know what I would have done without you during that time. I'd look forward to going on MSN all day, going on webcam (which was all the rage back then) and having Mum telling me off for staying up too late. Our online catch ups were a blend between us genuinely trying to catch up, and a competition against the ever-inconvenient time difference. The day after I moved back home, when I saw you again, it was like nothing had changed. I'd moved six thousand miles away for two years and yet when we saw each other again, it felt like I'd never left. That instant feeling of acceptance after a difficult couple of years was just...unbeatable. Completely indescribable. 

I recall when you struggled to write back when we were first learning how to do so, and we used to share a chair so I could hold your hand to guide the way. In return, you'd keep me company, telling jokes that only the two of us found vaguely funny. I remember vividly this time when were eight or nine when we were making a leaflet for elderly people and decided that the only thing that would appeal to them is the offer of apple juice. I don't know why we found that so funny at the time, but it has stayed with me over the years as one of the happiest memories from my childhood.

When were seven years old and moved house,  and I begged your mum to keep you at our school. Somehow she said yes, despite the fact you lived down the road from a new one. I was chuffed to bits the day I found out you were staying. I would have been seriously unlucky to lose close contact with you at that age, as I don't know what I would have done over the following few years without you. 

A few years later, when we were ten years old, for some unknown reason we entered the school talent show with a couple of our close friends. Half of contestants on the show sang Leona Lewis' ever-lasting (and at that time, newly released) tune Bleeding Love, whilst our rendition of Hannah Montana's Nobody's Perfect somehow got us second place, which was rather fitting considering it was far from well...perfect. I'd been a shy and introverted kid at school for eight years and you, along with the other two girls, encouraged me to go for something and tackle something I was afraid of - performing in front of other people, and more significantly, rejection. That feeling of being scared to death for those three painfully long minutes will never leave me, but neither will the sense of relief when it was all done and dusted, voilĂ , never to be endured again. 

I don't want to say we've lost contact completely, but we haven't seen each other for a couple of years now and I definitely feel a you-shaped void in my life. We've both changed and evolved so much, yet through everything you've been one of the most supportive people in my life and well, I'm grateful for your existence.

You deserve the absolute world.

I miss you.

Thalia

P.S my 'moral' of the story is appreciate the people you have and don't let them go. You can go two, five, ten years without seeing people, but if they're a good'un nothing will change. Make the most of all of the special people you meet. 
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Wednesday 23 September 2015

21 First Day of University Thoughts


So a couple of days ago I started university. I don't want to speak too soon but so far it's been fab - better than expected, even. The people are lovely and I'm in that ~place~ at the moment when I'm just elated that a) I somehow even got into uni and b) chuffed to bits that I'm spending my time studying a subject that I want to study, as opposed to English Lit (which I was advised to study so many times by so many people over the past few years!) Freshers week has been a slightly unusual experience as a student who doesn't drink much (correction: hardly anything), isn't huuuuge on partying and doesn't live in student accommodation, but I'll touch on all of those things at a later point. All in all, it has been such an interesting experience so far and I'm looking forward to what is coming up in the next few months.

Trying to capture my thoughts in the present as opposed to in a month or so, here's a lil' list of what on earth was going through my mind on Monday. There's 21 listed as I y'know, wouldn't mind getting a 2:1 at the end of this experience and (more importantly) I couldn't really think of any more 'thoughts', as ironic as that sounds.
  1. Nervous. Don't be nervous. But my gosh I'm nervous.
  2. I hate the Northern line. Why did anyone think the branches were a good idea/easy to navigate?? 
  3. I hope I'm not the only Londoner.
  4. I believe I am the only person here from London. 
  5. Literally everyone is from such a cool place and I have travelled from the not-so-awesome territory that is zone 4 suburbia.
  6. Obviously it had to rain on the first day. Bloody brilliant.
  7. Why would anyone construct a building in the shape of a triangle? I'm so lost. I'm standing here, lost, thinking about how lost I am. 
  8. YASSS they sell pizza. I have made a wise life choice in coming here.
  9. Oi that pizza was bloody delicious. Three slices has me feeling satisfied, albeit a bit on the stuffed side.
  10. I really hope I'm not the shortest one there.
  11. Y'know I could try out some sports? I might as well?
  12. Having seen a few of the sporty students, I definitely think I'll give this sport thing a go.
  13. Cheerleading without pom poms and chants? Wicked. 
  14. I've never been naturally athletic, but whatever, I'll try out some rock climbing. Nothing could possibly go wrong.
  15. I couldn't have possibly stuck a worse landing from that. Climbing's alright, I guess, abseiling, however, is another thing altogether. My landing was so crap it received a giggling response from the people below. Fab. 
  16. I. Can't. Breathe. Rock climbing is deceiving. Far harder than it looks to the outsider. I’ll use my asthma as an excuse, it’s okay.
  17. I'm not sure if I regret taking a free backpack or not.
  18. Correction - I definitely regret that decision.
  19. Not the most helpful thing when you go to someone wearing a student ambassador top to ask where something is and they tell you to "walk down this corridor and at the end you'll find a bunch of people wearing red tops. Ask one of them."
  20. It's so weird that for years all throughout secondary school people yap on about uni like there's no tomorrow and then one day it's like shit, I'm here
  21.  Fingers crossed this year is a good’un.
Thalia
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Sunday 20 September 2015

Key Piece: The Casual White Shirt

white shirt new look (link)  ripped jamie jeans topshop (link)  small grey bag h&m  black desert boots clarks (link)  nails rimmel midnight rendezvous  watch casio silver mini (link)  ring river island (similar)

Before I purchased this shirt about a month ago I question how I lived on a day-to-day basis without it in my wardrobe. A casual white shirt is just one of those essentials that everyone needs, y'know? Versatile, comfy and easy to dress up...an absolutely killer combo in my eyes. The one I'm wearing was a steal at fifteen quid from New Look, but there are so many options out there to choose from. There's another couple of options below that I could easily encourage me to click 'Buy' if I wasn't desperately trying to stick to a student budget.


    new look  oasis  miss selfridge

Outfit-wise I've gone for a super comfy vibe, pairing the shirt with my favourite (and probably over-worn) pair of ripped jeans and my new pair of desert boots that I somehow got for free through work. Working in retail can have some benefits, you know! This is the sort of thing I shove on everyday, very simple in terms of colour scheme but well...I like it. And no matter what impression you may get from the media/other people, as long as you like the outfit you're wearing, that's all that matters. Rant/motivational speech aside, I'm absolutely obsessed with this piece and couldn't recommend a casual white shirt more.

Now the challenge is to see how many ways I can wear it before the English weather inevitably becomes too cold/miserable/yuck to wear anything other than huge coats and jumpers...British gals, I know you'll feel the pain.

Thalia
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The Relaunch


Why hello there!

Whether you're an old reader from my fashion galaxies xo days, a new reader, a family member or a friend, hello there - I'm so chuffed you've somehow stumbled upon my new site.

I've been wanting to properly relaunch this online space for about a year now, but wanted to truly put in some time and effort into it as opposed to continuing making content I was only 60-70% satisfied with. I'm a complete perfectionist, so a half effort was never really an option for me! I'm going into an exciting time of my life at the moment - I finished my A Levels back in June and now I'm just a day away from starting university. Honestly, I think there's no better time for a fresh start.

Tales of Thalia is a space that will evolve with me as I tackle the next few years head-on, featuring a mix of lifestyle, fashion, beauty and travel posts. I've been blogging on a regular basis since I was fourteen (you can read more about my blogging history here) and never plan on giving it up completely. It's reached a stage when I can't really imagine not doing it, and the past six months I've been off studying/sitting exams/working my butt off I've missed the positive and productive feeling blogging gives me.

I won't continue rambling on for too much longer so all I will say is that I'm looking forward to the future and what I have in store for you!

Thalia
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Sunday 8 March 2015

empowered in leopard print

leopard print dress topshop link | black biker boots topshop | black biker jacket miss selfridge | black shoulder bag dorothy perkins | nails: barry m vintage purple | purple earrings vintage

Over the past three and a bit years of blogging on here I've made it pretty clear that I freaking love a good bargain. I pride myself in my ability to find them. Oh, and they never lose their excitement. That's the thing about fashion for me..I adore it, but my wallet doesn't. It doesn't take long into the pay month for my wallet to feel the wrath of fashion, and considering I'm a student working part time in retail it's not as if my wallet had much to show off about in the first place. Anyway, this leopard print dress from Topshop was originally £40 and when I tried it on a couple of months' back in my fave Toppers branch (Knightsbridge, FYI) I just knew I loved it. But at £40 I let it go, thinking that at the end of the pay month I'd grab it for £30 with my Arcadia staff discount (which has since expired, RIP my baby). But no. I didn't even need to go that far. About a month ago Mum and I were in the flagship branch in Oxford Circus and I grabbed it for a mere £15 as it was on sale for £20. It's moments like those, when you're rummaging through the sale section desperately clinging on to that last ounce of patience et voila! you find the one. The one you've been looking for all along. So thanks, leopard print dress. You may not be very typically 'me', but you make me feel empowered as ever so for that I am hella grateful.

And on that note of empowerment I simply need to mention - Happy International Women's Day! Ladies, let's keep rocking this world like you wouldn't even believe.

Thalia
xxx
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Tuesday 3 March 2015

poseidon

blue oversized blouse Rokit - vintage | washed black a-line skirt asos link | croc shoulder bag asos link | black cut out boots new look | watch silver casio mini | earrings lovisa - Australia | nails: m&s city grey + barry m matte top coat | lips: collection lip butter in perfect plum 

I freaking love March. This year it looks like it is going to be a good'un. I have my 18th among the birthdays of numerous friends of mine, which is always fun. Any excuse to buy a cheesy card and write a mini essay about how much I appreciate my friends (yes, I am that friend that gets all sentimental on birthdays). I'm also going to see Paloma Faith with the rents and Sam Smith (!!!!!) with one of my besties Kate so all in all I am buzzzzzzing. January and February were slow brewers for me but this month looks like it'll be memorable.

On other positive notes, I've started my new job and so far I'm enjoying the new challenge. Whilst I still work in retail, this job is a lot more hands-on and fast paced so is a bit more exciting than my previous one (however it is also v. tiring and 2 flights of stairs have to be conquered quickly on a regular basis, something I'm really going to have to get used to). On the topic of exercise, I went to my first spin class ever with my two close friends Sophia and Tara and breaking news: we didn't die, so I guess that is a very good thing. I'm still a lil' shocked about how freaking hard the saddle was (honestly though, it was painfully hard) and my thighs aren't really loving me today, let's just say. The ache will be worth it - one of my 2015 goals was to exercise more and although I've left it a couple of months to start, better late than never, eh? Academically, sixth form is getting really quite difficult but fortunately I did better than I thought I would in my mocks and I think if I continue putting in the effort now I should get into uni come August! I know I've said this before but I'm still a bit blown away by how weird it is that I'm leaving school in a matter of months forever. I doubt it will really hit until the day I leave and then I'll be like 'Damn. There's a big wide world out there that I'm yet to see'. Don't get me wrong though, by no means am I dreading it. I'm excited for new starts and I'm ready to hit the ground running.

Thalia
xxx
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Monday 23 February 2015

the mermaid bag

long sleeve grey crop top (worn underneath) american apparel link | black polo neck dress new look similar | tall boots new look similar | earrings topshop | 'mermaid' sequin bag topshop | nails: barry m vintage purple 

You know when you just nip into Topshop for a quick browse, justifying it as 'killing time' and don't plan on getting anything? Well, needless to say, this beautiful blue/green sequin bag was one of those purchases. Sitting neatly on the sale shelf in my fave Topshop branch (Knightsbridge, FYI) for a mere fifteen pounds, it called my name. It's small enough to sit firmly in the 'bring only the essentials' category but large enough to actually fit the essentials in. The silver chain is a very decent length considering I'm only 5"2 and chain bags regularly sit half way down my thigh, not looking all that flattering.

Alsoooo, Cara Delevigne looks pretty fine holding this same bag in one of the Topshop promotional images that was in store when I bought this back in December. Between the reduced price tag, beaut sequins and Cara D I was completely sold.
So I guess these coloured sequins help commence my journey of inserting some actual colour into my wardrobe. And if not successful in that way, they at least spice up what is otherwise a predominately black outfit.

Until later,

Thalia
xxx
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Thursday 19 February 2015

team forest green

forest green crepe polo top topshop link | black zip coated skinny jeans cotton on - Australia link / UK alternative | croc shoulder bag asos link | new balance 410 grey schuh link | watch silver casio mini | spike earrings forever 21 | nails: m&s city grey + barry m matte top coat

They say money doesn't equal happiness, I get that. Not that I assume I'll ever earn enough money to truly put that to the test, but I know that with high-earning jobs come high levels of stress. Now I don't make much money at all, and fortunately, this top didn't cost much, yet it has taught me something very important. As silly as it sounds, clothes make me ridiculously happy. I just love them. The feeling of a Topshop carrier bag filled with new things is overwhelmingly positive (note: approximately 4% negative, as with any purchase comes a tinge of 'I probably shouldn't have done that'). Now, when I buy clothes that I love, I wear them until they die, denying that the small holes and signs of wear that form are significant enough to stop wearing the items altogether.

Nothing, I repeat, nothing beats them when they're at their freshest. The first wear, you know it's looking (and more importantly, feeling) fab as anything. You give it a debut to the outside world, whether this be outside the precincts of your home or in my case, a) sixth form or b) this thing I call my blog that you happen to be reading from right at this very moment. Every once in a while I find something that gives me the same amount of happiness the eighty-fourth time I wear it as it's initial wear. I have a feeling that this top may just fall into that exclusive category (along with my beloved asos a-line denim skirts I wear at least once a week without fail and my silver casio mini watch that has been my partner in crime since I was fifteen). 

So there you go - an ode to my new favourite shirt: possibly the comfiest thing I own, equipped with a seasonally-appropriate polo neckline and finished in a stunning forest green shade. I'd be lying to you if I said the truffle coloured version isn't next on my shopping list.

Thalia
xxx

p.s It destroys my soul a lil' bit that we don't have Cotton On here in the UK. Their jeans are legitimately to die for.

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Thursday 12 February 2015

Mapping the City, Somerset House

I mentioned in my last post that I went to see Somerset House's Mapping The City exhibition the other day and loved it. Naturally, I took a bunch of photos to remember my favourite pieces as well as the whole day in general. 

The exhibition closes this Sunday, on the 15th, so if you're interested in anything cartography-related, be quick! I know you'll love it just like I did.
The entrance to this exhibition was a different one to the ones I've used before, the River terrace entrance, tucked behind the back with a prime view of the 'behind-the-scenes' of Somerset House. The spiral staircase probably excited me way more than it should have, but what can I say...I love 'em and this one was so cute, tucked away in the myriad of old Neoclassical and Victorian-era structures. 
The exhibition's accompanying guide was a huge, folded A2 compilation of all of the necessary details as well as Art History-like descriptions of symbolism, meaning and all of that fancy pants artsy stuff I've never quite got my head around. Cleverly, the numbered pieces were linked together based on medium and theme, communicated in a coloured key.
Barcelona | Sixe Paredes (ES) | 2013
This piece was one of my absolute favourites, depicting Barcelona with geometric shapes in the bright colours I'd expect to see in the Catalonian capital. I'm not all that knowledgeable on art, so the conclusion I'll come to on this is that it would make a hella nice screensaver. Amirite?
Copenhagen | HuskMitNavn (DN) | 2013
Copenhagen shown in one of the smartest ways possible, in my opinion. This one takes a little bit of thinking, processing and that inevitable head shift as you try and get your head around some of the letters. Regardless, this piece is awesome, with striking lines and flowing continuity.
West Virginia / Chicago & Vicinity / Boston & Vicinity | Brad Downey (US) | 2014 
Bangkok | Swoon (US) | 2008
Something I particularly liked about the exhibition was linking some of the pieces to places I'd visited. The piece on the right shows Bangkok, and having been there last year I felt a connection to this one. Physically huge in size, I was taken back by the attention to detail Swoon put in, despite how the details were not necessarily tiny drawings. Huge yet intricate, and a wonderful equilibrium of these two elements. 
A standout piece in my eyes - the bottom map in the trio. Brad Downey has a way of thinking about maps that absolutely blows my mind. Now as a self-confessed map obsessive, nothing fascinates me more than analysing the little back streets and how cities come together. Flipping it upside down and somehow creating an image that actually looks like something is on a completely different level though. Wow
Mi mundo / Meine Welt | Martin Tibabuzo (AR) | 2013
Perhaps the piece I'd seen the most coverage/Instagram snaps of beforehand was this one by Argentinian artist Martin Tibabuzo. Now this isn't strictly geographically accurate, however the details were remembered before being drawn as part of a test after he began to lose his memory. Can we just take a moment to appreciate that please?! The detail is exquisite and considering it was done without reference to any other maps or images, I'm blown away. 

The only issue I had with this is how high up it was - seriously, you should have seen me desperately stretching/tip-toeing trying to get a view of the top. Alas, I never quite saw how England was drawn, but from seeing the rest of this I highly doubt it was disappointing. 
Buenos Aires, a city I adored // My previous country of residence - India
An attempt to see England // my favourite country on Earth - Australia

Mapping the City - details online here

Have you ever visited Somerset House? Being one of my absolute favourite places to visit in London, it's on my recommendation list for anyone that ever visits my home city. As I mentioned in my previous post, it covers all things art/fashion/photography as well as London Fashion Week twice a year, so whenever you visit you'll never be at a loss.

Thalia
xxx
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