Revenge Friday: Job Searching, Autumnal Vibes and Frazzled English Woman Walk

Hello darlings,

Hope you are having a good weekend. Sorry I didn't post last week... I just had nothing to say tbh. 

I thought this week I would share how I track my job applications using a table because there are a few people I know who are currently looking for jobs and it is quite hard to keep track on what you have applied for and the ones you want to apply for- I think this table helps. 

I am also going to share with you like my autumnal faves and things I have been watching.

Using Excel to keep a record of Job Applications + Job searching motivation

So for my job applications I will always keep track of them on a document. I will also add to the table any positions I want to apply for but maybe don't have the time to complete the job application there and then. 

I made a quick example of a table- these aren't actually jobs I am applying to and they are made up companies obvs. You could modify it however best to suit you, you can add another column for location or maybe the name of the hiring manager. Whatever is most helpful to you.

I will defo do another blogpost in the future about applying for jobs ect. Some tips I would say to stay motivated is like have a manifestation board nearby and also have a little reward in the back of your head for when you get a new job, like... a celebratory dinner with your partner or maybe like a new pair of ballet flats. 

Autumnal faves +things I have been watching

New bag: My Longchamp tote bag held up for like 7+ years until recently when I was on hols the zip broke in every single way a zip can break and plus I had been losing things out of the holes in the corners for the past few months. I originally came to own it because I found it outside a house... sort of a random story. Anyway it is a really great bag and I wanted to replace it- it is the same colour and size (large). My mum picked it up for me in France a few days ago where they are slightly cheaper.

Alma's Not Normal: This is a comedy on BBC and the series begins with Alma breaking up with her bf and she then goes to look for a job. The writer also is the main character in it and it has auto-biographical elements and it is slightly dark but it is really sweet. Alma is really gorgeous and likable. It is sort of a comfort show. I am so bad at describing it- watch it; it is good.

Twin Peaks: I have loved watching this. I am nearing towards the end of series 2 but I starting to pace myself; I don't want to watch it too quickly. It is very autumnal perfect for Halloween vibes.

All of Us Strangers: I watched this on a flight recently and it is really fabulous. It is about a writer who starts a relationship with a man who lives in his block of flats and at the same time he starts to visit his childhood home where his parents, who died when he was a child, are there as ghosts. They aren't like scary ghosts, like he just talks to them as if they were alive. The film is great and it stays with you. I don't really love supernatural elements but this is just executed so well. This is actually perfect for the Halloween season if you don't love spooky films.

Autumnal beauty products: I purchased this lip and cheek tint a few days ago. I already own a bright pink version but I see that as a more summery lip colour so I wanted to get one for Autumn and Winter. I have been loving wearing this and I have actually been getting complements. I love a lip and cheek product like this because it is just so easy to use.

It is also the time of year I get my poisons out. Dior hypnotic poison and poison girl are my autumnal scents and they are an acquired taste- my partner might not be thrilled that the poisons have made a return. I love how these make me feel: sexy and dangerous.

Lapsang Souchong: Another scent that fills my house at this time of year is lapsang souchong tea. I feel like everyone will remember their first cup of lapsang souchong because it is quite a unique taste. It has a beautiful and relaxing smokiness. This is perfectly autumnal because I can just sort of imagine some witches drinking this.

Definitely give it a try- you can get a box of bags in Waitrose for under £2.

Revenge Friday

I am actually really quite troubled by the death of Liam Payne and I just needed to leave the house to try to clear my head. I went for a walk around Blackheath and I did an architecture walk- my parents had a handout from a guided walk they went to, so I followed that. It was a guided walk of span houses... I was not in the right headspace tbh.

Afterwards, I grabbed some food from a bakery to eat on the heath. I walked around the common and the village- they have some really quaint bookshops and caffs.

I am defo due another trip to Greenwich so I look forward to being back in that neck of the woods soonish.

Love,

Happy hippo x

Intro to Revenge Friday, Bathroom Improving and Podcasts Revenge Friday #1

Hi darlings, 

I hope you are well! So, this year I have a day off every Fri as I have no lectures or seminars. So, I thought I would make Friday 'revenge Friday' and that I could blog about it. It will be a mixture of like what I have got up to in the week (what I have been watching, reading, podcast ect), then like what self-improvement I got up to on revenge Friday and then like advice maybe. I hope that sort of explains. Unfortunately, posting on a Friday isn't convenient (I normally go out in the evening) and so I won't actually post the blogpost then but like I will try and post it as close to the Friday as possible.

What to do if love doesn't work out

When I am in love, it is quite undignified. Something however, that has always brought comfort to me when I was feeling lovesick was to write a list- what I am going to do if love doesn't work out. It sort of has to list things that you can only do if love doesn't work out. If love doesn't work out for me, I am just going to become like very bouji or like if love doesn't work out maybe I can finally address my phone addiction because I won't have someone to check up on. It helps me to feel more in control of my life. I have written this type of note so many times, I never refer back to it because it is the process of writing it that brings solace.

What I have watched

Marie Antoinette (2006): This film is on Netflix and I defo recommend watching. It is sort of about Marie Antoinette's life, not too sure how like close it is to her life. It is sort of deep how they like beheaded her, just seems a bit unnecessary. But yeah, sort of a fun film. Kirsten Dunst is pretty <3

Love is Blind: I watched series two of love is blind when my friend came to stay with me about a fortnight ago and I watched it in a few days. I have very fond memories of watchign series one with a friend of mine. Series two was just sort of depressing. Series three I have been watching because my sister is, and she messaged me 'there is a literal psychopath on it'. So, I have been watching the third series, none of them seem like actually happily coupled up so far.

Smile: Ugh I went to see this with my friend. We weren't even keen on going from the start but like we didn't have anything else to do because we do not have many friends and it was a Friday night. I really didn't want to see Don't Worry Darling because it just looked from the trailer, I don't know how to explain it, but it seemed sort of boring. The film thinks it is cleverer than it is, but I have watched Stepford Wives and I can guarantee that its probs a better film that Don't Worry Darling.

Black Mirror: I watched these many years ago, I think when they first came out. Anyway, the other day I was with my friend and we couldn't think what to watch and they had not watched it so I thought it would be great to put on. So, I have been re-watching more of the episodes and yeah they were really great. I have had some nice evenings watching these with a glass of wine.

What I haven't watched

I haven't and will not watch the Dahmer Netflix show. I am sort of over true crime shows; some are just a bit tasteless. Also, the stories are so sad that I am not sure how healthy it is to watch too many true crime documentaries. I watched a Jeffrey Dahmer TV show or film, I think it was 'My Friend Dahmer' many years ago. I know the story and I am sure most people also do; it wouldn't be informative to me so, watching it would be slightly messed up. Do you see what I am saying? 

My lecturer actually is the most monotone man ever but he like actually lit up when he was talking about Dahmer.

What Podcasts have I listened to

I say I am not into true crime anymore and now I am about to list the true crime podcasts I have listened to recently, but the difference is these are more like investigative. They also aren't all true crime.

Transfer: The Emiliano Sala Story:

This was sooo interesting. The podcast surrounds the death of Emilliano Sala who was a footballer who died in a plane crash. The podcast investigates the totally dodgy circumstances that lead to his death. Some of the information is just like wtf. Really interesting podcast. Such a sad story too.

The Cruelty- A Child Unclaimed:

So, this podcast the presenter investigates the death and identity of a child who was found of a beach in Tayport, Scotland. In the process of investigating the journalist highlights the cruel treatment towards the traveller community by the authorities- so removing children from their parents' care. This is a really interesting story and quite sad.

The Missing Crypto Queen:

 I haven't quite finished the series yet but I am finding it interesting. So basically, the podcast is about a woman who was associated with a Crypto Currency called OneCoin and she persuaded thousands of people to purchase it, but it was sort of like not legitimate. Anyway, she disappeared, and the podcast is sort of investigating where she went. I look forward to listening to the rest of the series.

Life Changing (BBC 4):

I have listened to a few of these podcast episodes. Each episode a person who has gone through an event that changed their life is interviewed and they talk about what their life was like before vs after. One episode was about why someone was up for adoption and the reason is quite devastating. Then I also listened to one where a man believed he was in a zombie apocalypse and then it turns out it was a reality TV show (quite a wild story) and he just sort of discussed how it changed him for the better. I am looking forward to listening to more.

Death by Conspiracy?

This is a podcast on BBC Sounds about a man who like became interested in conspiracy theories during the pandemic and how that eventually resulted in his death from Covid 19. I must admit because I normally listen to podcasts at night I sort of fell asleep through most of the episodes so I cannot remember much about the podcast but like I recall it being interesting.

Halloween

I went out with some friends the Wednesday before Halloween to go to a Student Union club night but like it was all a bit of a disaster because we were in the queue from like 9 till like 11:30 and we didn't even get in. We did go somewhere else in the end which was quite fun.

Unfortunately, I didn't dress up because my bunny ears I ordered arrived late.

I had to go back to their house after because there was like a really tense argument going on and my other friend and I felt like we had to mediate. 

Then again, I went out on the Saturday to a club with a friend, it was just like the two of us which was fun. 

What I got up to on Revenge Friday

Every Friday I volunteer doing a bit of admin. It is convenient because it actually gets me out of bed whereas it would normally be tempting to have a lie in on a fri because I do not have any university on that day. I want to be a PA in the future so it feels like good practice. 

I then went into town after because my friends were coming to stay at the weekend and my bathroom in my uni house is soo grim. So, I picked up some linen for my bathroom, two handtowels and a bathmat. I also picked up six wine glasses for my house to share, I am not like sentimental over them like, I am not expecting all six back at the end of the year. I also brought some ink and pages for my filofax- there is such a nice stationary shop in Cardiff that does all the fave stationary bits. I then stopped by Weatherspoon's for some dinner on my way home.

Anyway, I thought I would be totally boring and share the steps I took to improve my bathroom

Step 1 So I tried to like chuck out any products I was not using because like it takes up space. I then removed any bits of rubbish or like any cups that had just been left in the bathroom.

Step 2 I purchased some handtowels and a bathmat. + washed my other linen.

Step 3 Someone in my flat brought some mould killer and it was really effective. The bathroom has really improved.

Step 4 Bled the radiators so the room feels warmer- there is nothing more grim than getting out of a shower to like a freezing bathroom.

Step 5 Place a room diffuser for a bit of luxury

I hope you enjoyed this blogpost. See you again soon.

Love, 

happy hippo x

Things To Do This Weekend to Feel Spirited

 Hey guys,

I thought it would be fun to share a list of Autumnal Halloween things to do this weekend. However, you could do most of these another time if you are busy or running out of time.

1.      1. Buy a pumpkin

I saw a post on social media about how many pumpkins go to waste each year at Halloween. So I have decided not to buy one this year but instead I might buy a squash and have it for dinner.

2. Go on an autumnal walk. Maybe bring your own flask of tea or hot chocolate

3. Buy and light sparklers

Guy Fawkes Night is on the 5^th of November so you can maybe buy some sparklers this weekend for it.

4. Go to a sweet shop

5. Do a Blackout Poem

I have always wanted to do one of these. A blackout poem is a page of writing that has been coloured in with a sharpie so that you can only see a few words. You try and make it profound. I think it could be fun.

 writers.com

So like this basically. I found this on the web as I do not have the time to make an example for you.

6. Craft a Halloween costume

I would have loved to have made an outfit this year. However, I totally ran out of time, I wanted to make a pink dress like the one Villanelle wears in Killing Eve. I am planning to make a witch hat though hopefully tomorrow. 

Image Source

Image Source

7. Watch a film or TV show of your choosing :) I totally want to watch twin peaks at some point. 

8. Put up Halloween decorations

9. Have a stay in cocktail evening

I think there is going to be a club boycott on the 29^th. It might be nice to stay home and make a cocktail for yourself. You could try and make it Halloween themed.

10. Read my blog x

Anyway guys. I hope maybe you try out the suggestions and that they make you feel spirited and alive.

Love Ruby x