Better late than never...

Okay, I admit, if BeingGraceElisabeth was a child, she would have been taken into social care and I would be in jail for child neglect.

However, I am back. With a vengeance.

So until tomorrow, when I will post something worthy of reading, I thought I'd update you a little bit on what's been happening with me lately.

Firstly, I have black hair. I made the leap just before Christmas, and after spending the better part of 24 hours sobbing uncontrollably into my pillow, protesting how much I hated the new 'do, after a few days it stopped being such a shock every time I looked in the mirror, and now I love it. Admittedly, it's still taking some getting used to on photographs as the camera seems only to highlight my pale complexion against the ebony locks, but the Nice 'N' Easy was definitely a good move.

Also, I'm going to Paris! The Guardian was offering a deal that was just too good to pass up, and so on the 19th March I will be Eurostarring my way to the capital of romance, to eat baguettes and drink coffee and practice my GCSE French.

I'm taking my Mini Diana Lomo camera, and so hope to get many beauty snaps, like the above.

I was also saving to go to Benicassim, however that is now unfortunately not happening. Sad face. I was so looking forward to laying on a beach and soaking up some rays, and I'd already started planning my summer wardrobe. And my beach wardrobe. There's so many beaut retro swimsuits that I want BADLY. Here's a few examples:

This is the cutest swimsuit ever - I have a dress in the same fabric.

Embracing my love for the polkadot again! Classic Hepburn chic.

High waisted knickers are so flattering and so 50's. Accessorised with a pair of red Ray Bans, it would be the perfect beachwear attire. Hello sailor!

This Stop Staring swim dress makes me want to die it's so cute! It's like a little prom dress in swimwear form. I've found it for super cheap online too. Maybe the Easter bunny will bring me it instead of a chocolate egg...

Hello Bette Lynch! Leopard print is one of my favourite prints, and this is just amazing.

I also found a swim cap like this. I could never look as amazing in one as this babe, but one can only try.

However, I have decided, as a compromise, to buy my desired swimsuits over the course of the year, so that by the time Benicassim 2012 arrives, I will have all the necessary dollar and swim attire I could ever need to be a beach babe.

Sex and the City is also taking over my life. Having gotten the boxset with my Christmas dollar, I am currently on Season 5. Things I have realised since watching are the following:
1) I want to be Carrie Bradshaw.
2) I want to live in New York.
3) I hate Big.
4) I HATE Big.
5) A little bit of me died when I saw Carrie in her purple bandanna.
6) Where are all the Monolo's and Louboutins?? I had not realised that my obsessive viewing of the later episodes of SATC had seduced me into thinking that the whole series was like this. The boxset has reminded me of earlier episodes when this was clearly not the case.

I'm lucky to have quite a few journalism placements lined up for this year. I've got one with Accent magazine in April, one with a newspaper back home in May, one with Lifestyle in August and I was offered a month long placement with Living North magazine too! Not bad given that it's only February! I'd have a placement lined up for every week of every month if I could, but unfortunately my rent pennies still need to be paid, and thus my availability for continuous unpaid placements is somewhat limited as a result. Boo.

I'm still working at Office, where I drool everyday over the new season stock and lament the fact that I have no money to purchase any of the shoes. Even with my discount! However, I also recently discovered that I get a 45% uniform allowance, and so the Francis Cuban heeled brogues I've had my eye on since the beginning of time will be mine at almost half price!! SCORE!

I've also found a camper van hire company in Keswick, which is literally on my doorstep at home! The prices are really reasonable and I'm crossing my fingers to have the funds for a 3 night rental. An old VW camper van in the lakes with summer weather would be ultimate bliss. I'd take some retro deck chairs with me and transport myself mentally back to the 1950's...

I would sell all my possessions to own one of these.

The epitome of summer in photographic form.

And with that revelation, I will have to love you and leave you. That's about all that's happened up to date, to spare you the boring details.

Until tomorrow...

HellO GlastO

Oh my GOD.

I got my tickets.

I cannot describe the feeling of relief and sheer excitement having endured 2 and a half hours infront of my laptop with many tabs open, hoping and praying that I'd get through, when finally the booking form popped up on my screen and I quickly filled in my details and comprehended the exciting times that are to come.

Glasto is my favourite festival in the world. Being a serial festivaller, I am relatively well travelled with my wellies. I've been to Leeds, Benicassim on numerous occasions, Glastonbury and V festival in Canada, and although all of my experiences have been amazing, nothing compares to the hippie vibe that is Glasto. Leeds is mental and very twinky, Beni has the benefits of the sea, sun and sand, but the music often lacks in comparison to other line-up's and sleeping in a tent there is an experience, and the Canadians aren't the biggest fans of alcohol and so the designated drinking areas at V over there didn't go down too well with us Brits (I went with my dad, and he was appalled...). And where there is a downside to every other festival I have attended, there seems to be no downsides of Glastonbury; no limitations and nothing that I would ever change. Okay, well maybe the toilets could be a little better (Leeds has hand sanitiser and toilet roll, need I say more?). But genuinely, nothing can quash my excitement or the feelgood mood that one gets from just being at Glasto.

Last year, the route to Glasto was one that began in excitement, and ended in torture. Having travelled for 6 hours with four changes by rail, I felt elated when I finally got off the train at Castle Cary station. It was midday on the Wednesday, and the weather was beautiful. I could not wait to get there! However, this joy was short-lived, as I found myself standing in a queue with my rucksack on my back for approximately 8 hours. I arrived at Glastonbury exhausted and sporting a trapped nerve in my arm due to the weight of my rucksack, and I just wanted to sleep. The next morning however, none of that mattered. Glasto has that effect on people where you just cannot help but being so incredibly happy and genuinely overjoyed to be there.

And so you can imagine my excitement at the fact that I have my ticket for 2011. Needless to say, I am not travelling by train this year... I cannot wait to pack my Ray Bans, my straw boater and my wellies (well, I actually need to buy some more as I lost them after Leeds, however you get the picture). Other than food and alcohol, they're all I need. And my headscarves of course - 5 days worth of ellnette leaves my bouffant looking somewhat dishevelled...

I cannot wait to see the line-up; I cannot wait to see the acts and I cannot wait to be there. I got a cup of piss in my face after Prodigy in '09 and even that wasn't enough to kill my mood.

I'll leave you with a selection of my favourite photos from my Glastonbury adventure. The next one can't come soon enough...