Socks and Sandals. It's a thing now.

Just when you think a fashion statement can have no redemptive qualities, the masses start trying to make it "cool".

Socks and sandals.  A combination embraced by swarms of balding men and cringed at by, well, the rest of us.  Until, now that is.

With the worlds revived obsession with jelly shoes (As a 90s kid, I'm all for the nostalgic comeback) we find ourselves faced with a problem.  Amidst these candy colored plastic shoes, our toes are a little cold.  Faced with two options on cold days, the fashion world has chosen to sport frilly socks under their beloved sandals rather than giving them up for an alternative shoe.

To all of you who wore socks and sandals before it was cool, I applaud you for not being swayed by the crowd because the crowd is now standing beside you wearing patterned socks and gaudy footwear.

It just goes to show that the rules of fashion were meant to be broken.  So, break them when you feel like it.  Wear those socks and those sandals.  Wear red and pink.  (I seriously never got why those two colors were banned from being together in the same outfit.  As, a five year old girl, pink and red were a match made in heaven!)

Should we really follow a list of unwritten rules when choosing what to adorn ourselves in?  If we're on our way to a job interview and are trying desperately to look as presentable as possible than that one's probably a yes.  However, when choosing outfits in everyday life we shouldn't limit ourselves to what society deems the best combos.

We know what looks good on us, right.  Don't let the haters tell you too ditch those sandals.  Unless the hater is your boss, then abort mission.

As a conforming non-conformist (though admittedly not a socks/sandals fan) I salute, those daring pioneers in fashion who so boldly marched through the world in socks and sandals before swarms of teenage girls started copying them.  Thank you!

-Madsyroo xx

America, America...

After a trans-continental flight, I find myself in day 4 of American living.  I have lived in America, but well not in the last 4 and a half years or so and I've established a few things...

1.  I looove target.  

It's true.  No Northern Irish supermarket quite compares.  Target is a one stop shop (with cute clothes and nice makeup, I might add) It feels, kind of like Tesco and Primark mixed together, only a little classier.  

2.  Sunglasses are more than a fashion statement.  

I was expecting heat.  What I wasn't prepared for was the light intensity that comes with it.  It hurts.  For the first time in a long time I've actually had use for them.  I can look people in the eye, behind tinted shades and nobody will find it suspicious.  Jealous?

3.  All tea is better with tapioca balls in it.  

Boba tea?  It's a thing. Well not really in Northern Ireland... I mean there is one place that sells it in Dublin which I haven't had the pleasure of visiting but as I said, not in Northern Ireland.  Here, it's kind of a different story.  Seriously though (as a pretty committed tea enthusiast myself, I'm rethinking how I drink tea)

4.  NEVER buy a large drink.

A couple days ago I was at In-n-out (They're burgers are divine) and I asked my Dad for an iced tea.  (I do, have a bit of a weakness for good old iced tea)  When my Dad handed my drink to me I was a little surprised.  Expecting a smallish paper cup, I found my hands cupped around a, well, not-so-smallish drink.  I  guessed my Dad must have gotten me a large but when I asked him about the matter, he confirmed that it was indeed a medium.  Not only was this "medium" iced tea rather too big for my liking, it was refillable for no extra cost, with any fountain drink of my choosing.  (I have to admit, I did take advantage of that perk.)  After this experience I'm a little frightened of what larges and extra larges look like.  I have also resolved not to even go there.

5.  McDonald's is not really THAT good.

Ok, so I like healthy food.  Let's get that straight from the get-go.  I always have.  This having been said, I've always had a weakness for perfectly salted fries and processed bits of chicken that come with a toy.  McDonalds had me hook, line and sinker from a young age.  I am now having second thoughts.  After experiencing In-n-out for the first time (in a long time), I must admit, McDonalds, has some pretty tough competitors.  Something tells me my McChicken sandwich days are over, or at least may have greatly reduced.  It's on to greener pastures.

So those are just a few things I've established over the past few days.  Re-adjusting and re-learning the American culture may take a while but it's very, very exciting.

Lot's of, See you, laters

Photo Creds: The lovely Andrea Africa ;)  And thanks for offering your tea, for a photo opp, Meera Kattakayam

I'm moving later on this month.  Not quite down the street or to a new cul-de-sac.  Not even to a town a couple hours away.  I'm moving to another country.  Not a neighbouring country.  You see, there's this little thing called the Atlantic Ocean and the country I'm moving to is on the other side of it.  America.  I've moved country, before of course, when I was little I moved from America to Northern Ireland (my current location).  I was thrilled. Not that I didn't love my homeland or wouldn't miss my friends, I was just caught up in the novelty of going somewhere new.  New, new, new.  I've always loved going new places, seeing new things and meeting new people.

The trouble is as you get older, it's harder to leave people.  Although, I'm still thrilled at the possibility of change, I'm devastated to be leaving friends.  I've come to realise, that it is inevitable that we face change in large and small portions, at all points in our lives and it's best to embrace it, taking each day as we're given it.

Needless to say, although the Atlantic is a bit of an obstacle, I won't lose the friendships I have here.  Thank goodness for Skype!  Good ol' 'Norn Iron' will always have a place in my heart.  Now that I'm moving, I've got a pretty good excuse to come visit!  

With less than two weeks until I depart this beautiful country, I'm intent on savouring every last moment.  Even the rainy days, which each and every local seems to detest so intensely.  I think I may always miss Punjanna tea, Primark and the lovely people that live here but hopefully I'll find things I love about America as well.  These past few years of my life have been seriously lacking in Redvines, Root beer (A non alcoholic fizzy drink.  It's like Coke, only much, much better) and sun.  However, I have appreciated rainy days spent inside eating scones and sipping tea by the fire.

As, the title, suggests these past few days, weeks and months have been full of "See you Later!"s.  Goodbye, sounds a little too finite at the moment.  After all, I'm determined that this place hasn't seen the last of me!

Today was spent drinking iced tea, eating pastries, chilling at the park and being idiots with some of my best friends.  It's days like today that I will miss, which is why it's a little bit extra hard to say "See you Later" but it's only a "See you later."  Not a goodbye!  Here's to many more days like today, hopefully on both sides of that little ocean.

(Bye the way, I highly reccomend Tazo's 'Passion' iced tea, as pictured above.  It's delish, and my favourite colour.)

 -Madsyroo xx

Five Ways to Stay Creative!

I love lists which is just a little ironic, considering I'm probably the least organised person I know (when it comes to feats such as room-cleaning at least).  So, because of my dorky love of lists I  have decided to compile a little list of ways to stay creative.  I'm in the middle of an exam week, well an exam month actually and I find this especially difficult.  Staying creative doesn't always mean pulling out a sketchpad, composing a symphony or knitting a sweater.

1.  Write.  Write anything.
A poem, a song, about your day.  Whatever.  Putting a pen to paper or sitting down at a keyboard (to write!) always helps.

2.  Pick up an instrument.
Your little brothers old guitar?  That clarinet that's been collecting mothballs in the back of your closet?  Endless hours of creative possibilities.  Endless.  

3.  Bake?
Making great food is a wonderful creative outlet.  If you have the time and ingredients, go for it!  In the end, you may end up with some tasty and edible bi-products.  That, or, you could of course end up with some burnt chocolate chip cookies.  Either way, you just made something.  Yay!!

4.  Reorganise that messy room.
This is a tough one, but what encourages creativity like creating a clean space in which to do the creating? Who knows, it could be the perfect time to get out your hammer and nail a couple of those framed portraits lying in your cupboard on your actual wall.  While your at it you might as well do a rearranging, right?

5.  Go, outside and face the day!
Take a walk, anywhere but honestly just getting outside in a new environment will do you wonders and, maybe just inspire you to create something AMAZING.  All, I know is I'm less likely to have a mind full of ideas while I'm scrolling facebook.  Sorry for being a total hippie, but nature really helps.

Anyways, hope you enjoyed my list of ways to "stay creative" when all sense of creativity is being sucked out of you by heartless examiners (tear, tear).  I'm sorry if these little ideas don't work for you.  Maybe you're more into sketch pads, symphonies and sweaters? (If so, I apologise, for this waste of your time.)

Goodbye!

Happy Easter!

Warning:  This is a kind-of serious post with no pictures.  I am very, very sorry.  I like words, a lot.

If the Facebook updates or "#eastersundayselfie's" haven't informed you by now, let me do the honour.  Today is Easter Sunday.  Easter, a word that has a random flurry of connotations stuck along with it.  Brightly coloured eggs, chocolate, bunnies? Crosses?  I mean, really what does this all have in common?  What is Easter all about?

When I questioned my four year old little sister, asking her what Easter was all about, she told me, "I don't know.  I've never done these things before!"  I'm not going to lie, that kid kind of cracks me up.  Obviously, her three previous Easters hadn't left a lasting impression and she still wasn't quite sure what this whole holiday thing signified.

We all know there's more to Easter than letting ourselves go and having a few extra pieces of chocolate along with our tea.  More than just a new dress to wear.  More than a nice, little excuse for a couple of weeks off school.  More, more, more.

I think for some reason, it's uncomfortable for us all to think that somebody actually died for us and there's nothing we can possibly do to repay them.  It's very uncomfortable in fact.  We all like to feel self-sufficent.  Independent.  The realisation, that our future is dependent on someone who we can't manipulate, is well, kind of scary.  Not only are we faced with this fact on a regular basis but there is an entire holiday in celebration of it.

So, in light of this, we try to make Easter a little more 'comfortable' by spending our time instagramming our easter eggs, taking selfies in our new clothes, or proclaiming the Easter bunny the face of Easter.  Either that, or we adorn ourselves in our Sunday best and go to church, so we can enjoy a guilt free Easter season.

The truth of the matter is, there is no reason to feel guilty on Easter, or any other day on the calender because, someone did die for us and we can not repay that person but that person did not die, so we could feel awkward once or twice a year around Christmas and Easter.  This person died so we could live GUILT-FREE lives full of purpose, joy and hope.  Just to clarify this person's name is Jesus.

As I write this post in my new Easter dress, whilst listening to the Civil Wars using the little red pair of headphones I found laying in my Easter basket, I'm thankful for the Easter surprise that beats Cadbury's Easter eggs hands down!  Happy Easter!

The Netherlands

I am a travel addict.  It's true.  I find myself gazing at the travel section on pineterest far too often.  Airplane's and boats are my favourite modes of transportation, and I find myself smiling at strangers in airports because every time I find myself in one, I'm genuinely happy to be there.

Earlier this week, I found myself pulling along a bright red carry-on and awkwardly making my way through an airport- completely unaccompanied.  That's right.  No, big deal but I flew by myself, for the first time ever.  Straight to Amsterdam.  Can you tell I was excited?

As I stumbled through security (after dropping many items) and browsed overpriced magazines before boarding my plane, my mind was busy mulling over what was to be of the journey ahead.

1 hour and 10 minutes after boarding I felt my suede boots hitting Dutch soil (well not really soil, more Asphalt, but that just doesn't have the same ring to it, does it?).  It didn't take long to fall in love with the country.

The friends I was staying with quickly introduced me to the beauty of Dutch culture.  Here's a few things I loved about Holland

1.  Bicycles.
 It seems everyone in the Netherlands is jetting off on bikes in every colour under the sun.  While in the Netherlands I spotted an older couple holding hands whilst cycling side by side.  (That's the kind of cool stuff you see, in the Netherlands).  Also it's not just the sport ones who cycle.  In the Netherlands practically everyone does. While I was roaming a street in Haarlem I spotted a woman in a dress coat and tights followed by a man with a cigarette in his mouth, both cycling.  It's cool to see so many different people on bikes.  Businessmen in suit coats and young children alike.

2.  The Food
While in Holland, I had amazing food.  From ribs, to Turkish pizza but one thing I found especially interesting was their frites (chips/fries).  We stopped at a little food place which sold chips wrapped into a cone of sorts.  The chips by themselves were lovely, but what made them particularly interesting was there topping.  A common topping for chips is mayo and peanut sauce.  Actually quite nice.

3.  Iced tea.
I've always liked iced tea and Holland had lots so, that was kind of perfect.

4.  The history
While in Holland I found myself visiting Rembrandt's Birth place and Corrie Ten Boom's House.  It was lovely to go somewhere with such a cool history.

Rembrandt's birth place

Statue by Rembrandt's birth place

 5. The canals
The Netherlands seems to have an abundance of canals, which makes it ideal for transportation by boat.  Very, very cool.

6.  The architecture

The cities I visited (Leiden and Haarlem) seemed to be full of gorgeous old architecture from centuries ago.  I often caught myself staring in awe at the intricate designs of architects from a time, long before mine.

7.  Flowers
There seemed to be fields of flowers EVERYWHERE, not only tulips but other varieties also.  I don't think I realised how fun it is to walk through fields of flowers until I actually did so.  While strolling flower fields with friends, we even managed to find some kool-aid smelling ones. Who knew flowers could smell so good.  Mind. Blown.  I was glad to "stop and smell the roses", it's not something I do often.

All of these things made it increasingly to march my grey canvas Toms on an plane back home.  As I flew across Europe I was reminded of how fortunate I was to visit a place as beautiful as this.  I do indeed love the Netherlands.

Until next time...

Afscheid!

Dear 10 year old me...

Well, the other day I saw a photo of me at 10 years old, kitted out it knee length denim shorts and a floral coral hoodie.  Being 10, was awkward for everyone, right?  Not to mention the middle parted bob of sorts and crooked teeth.  This photo took me back to a memory of a younger, shorter, more vulnerable version of myself.  10 year old me.  This photo got me thinking, what would I say to myself, if I was given the chance?  What advice would I give?  Soo, I decided to write a list of what advice I would give 10 year old me,

1. Burn all the capris in your wardrobe.

Capri trousers and 3/4 lengths, what is with those?  Seriously.  For seem reason at ages 9, 10, 11 I had an abundance of them.  I'm not sure what it was that drew me to them.  I'm just glad that phase is over!

2.  Lay off the chocolate chip cookies.  

Let's just say I wasn't the thinnest kid around.  I had a real sweet tooth. To make things worse, my mum is an AMAZING baker.  Who can say no to home-made chocolate chip cookies?

3. Sometimes it's better just to shut your mouth and stop arguing (even if the other person is wrong)

I was kind of a stubborn kid.  I learned this the hard way.

4. Unique Style > Paul's Boutique Hoodies

Paul's Boutique Hoodies.  Remember those?  No?  Well, when I was 10 they were all the rage.  What looks better than those 13 letters bedazzled on to the front of a hoodie?  Thankfully over the years my appreciation for brand names in general has decreased.

5. Don't get caught up in pointless dramas, they're not worth your time.

When I was younger I spent way too much time listening to pointless gossip and picking sides between friends who had fallen out.  When I look back on it now, I realise what a waste of energy it was.

There you go, I guess that shows some of what I've learned over the last 6 years.  I've still got lots to learn.  I'm sure when I'm older I'll cringe at the clothes I wear now and shake my head at the stupid things I've done.  That's how life is I guess.

-Madsyroo xx