The Week Edit #6

THIS WEEK IN PHOTOS:

The Valentine's Great Gatsby themed locomotion dinner, here with my 'Valentine' (Natalie) and my college son (Alex)//Pyjama Party 'A Different Nail Enamel' by Clinique, you knew I had to get Clinique in here somewhere// The locomotion dinner after party at the Cross Keys in Yarm was a very eventful night, read my post on Valentine's Eve below// teaching a sprinter to run a 5k is never easy, but I'm getting far better, today I did a PB (for a treadmill) of just over 26 minutes, a very proud moment// I cannot get enough of the Olympics, I was in the library watching it on my iPad//


THIS WEEK'S POSTS:

RITA ORA FOR RIMMEL LONDON//ME #1//ME #2//BEYONCÉ'S RISE//FITNESS THURSDAY #5 YOGA//HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY//VALENTINE'S EVE//

THIS WEEK I'M LOVING:

It has been quite a busy week, with Valentine's day and formal dinners, assignments and far too little running for my liking, but I have been enjoying having a week (4 days) off running. Today I attempted a 5k and was really pleased with a new PB on a treadmill of under 27 minutes (so hopefully much less on road!). But mainly my favourite part about this week was seeing the second years out on Friday night, all together, just like in our fresher's week, we don't get chance to go out as much (or maybe that is just granny Ruth over here) so its always really nice to see everyone, especially when the club you end up in is playing some immense tunes. Also just as an add on Clean Bandit have released "heart on fire" on Soundcloud here so check that out I'm loving it. Ok just one more thing I'm loving, can't believe I forgot this but how amazing has the Olympics been? I cannot get enough of it, I was on the treadmill earlier watching the x-country 10km mens relay, it took nearly an hour and 45 minutes and was amazing, It honestly made me run faster seeing how hard they were working made me increase my km/h!

NEXT WEEK:

More Olympics, I really can'y get enough, tonight sees the 2-man bobsled, featuring GBR and JAM (yes that is Jamaica! how exciting, cue Cool Runnings on repeat and a lot of kissing lucky eggs!) GBR also have a great team, they won gold in 1964, can they do it again? There is also the figure skating with a GBR team who won bronze at the world Champs at the end of last year, so hopefully they can do really well again. I have two days off this week from Uni (thank you very much!) however that is going to involve a lot of work and then a night out in Newcastle on Thursday should finish the week in style (Love a bit of the Newc) 

Have an incredible week, 

RHS x

Valentine's Eve

*subtly reaches for phone in order to remember the events of last night* 

Valentine's eve? Valentine's day eve? wasn't sure what to call this post, last night, Yarm, BeerSoc, Locomotion formal dinner. Anyway. 

Last night saw the last Locomotion dinner (a formal dinner held at Stephenson College, Durham Uni) of the academic year (sobs quietly) followed by a big night out in Yarm (organised by the very organised BeerSoc) 

Ah the locomotion, on Valentine's day, there were a lot of couples, however the singles definitely dominated the field. Standard antics followed the meal, including a poem about roses are red and taking your date to the waterside, cheap skate? was that how that went? Very poetic. Followed by typical photo taking, boys handing out the flowers from the tables to their respective others etc etc

The night moved to Central, for speed dating and ball room dancing (to Spanish music and the Killers, but who's judging?!), the speed dating consisted of people who knew each other having a chin wag (does anyone know what that means?) and the ball room dancing, people attempting to look very classy, the majority of the time it did look really cute, but by this time I was half a bottle of wine down (which I was sharing!) 

I then received a flower(s) from a rather intoxicated, line-out-themed nek-nomination rugby boy (I'll let those of you who know him guess who that is), a change of shoes, a few "we like to drink with so and so" and downing of drinks, running to the taxi, forgetting my blazer, sitting in the front with the taxi man and taking "taxi man selfies", miscalculating how many people were on the bus and somehow ending up in Yarm, with a few opera singing moments on the way. 

Yarm has the be the cutest place ever, after Durham and a few others (York etc etc), however the cobbles are not made for platform-ed stilettos, nevertheless, we made it to the George and Dragon to be greeted by the BeerSoc exec, who after being complimented were very pleased with their organisational skills, which they should be! A raspberry flavoured sambuca later (Blogger always edits sambuca to "samba" why?!) and we were well away to having a good night. The place was crawling with second years, which was really nice as we haven't all been out at the same time in ages. 

Osbourne's for cocktails and dancing to 70's and 80's classics, getting in the way of couple's lovely night out, mingling with Yarm-ers, we ended up in the Keys, with our wristbands like we were some kind of celeb pushing through the queue, or just like on Miss Congeniality when she walks into Starbucks to order her office's coffees and uses here FBI badge to push everyone out the way - it was like that, but better, ish, almost. 

For half an hour, we owned the dance floor. It was R&B night and there were some serious shapes being pulled. Stephenson college had made their mark on the dance floor, only to be made sweaty and frizzy-haired (just me then) by Yarm-ers cramping our style, nevertheless, we stuck to the lit-up trippy dance floor and danced to some incredible, black, bass thumping tunes. Maybe I was in a world of my own but I was having a great time. 

Now, I am not a big fan of Beyoncé's new album (don't judge!) but when Drunk in Love came on, oh my gosh, if you had a significant other you were grinding away like Jay-Zed's and Beyoncé's grammy performance was U-rated, if you were single, there were some serious hip shaking, Beyoncé on the beach style dancing, the bass was to die for. 

It is very fair to say, I wasn't near tipsy at all, but I learnt last night to just enjoy yourself and it was so worth it! - I was dancing to Beyoncé's new album, there was clearly some letting-go. 

What we didn't realise till we were inundated with Yarm-ers was that we were in a traffic-light party! I know, there were people running round (including bouncers) with green "single" stickers on them. I only managed to grab this "taken" sticker for blog-worthy evidence. 

By 1am, due to the heat in that club, my feet had just about given up on me, so we hobbled (ok, I), to a taxi and ate food back at our flat. yum yum. 

All in all, a great night (which you know is true when you wake up at 9am still buzzing off the night before). Newcastle on Thursday could be another one of last night all over again, that would be incredible. 

Whatever you did last night I hope you had a great time and have a great weekend. 

RHS x 

Happy Valentine's Day!

I thought I'd be the last person to wish anyone a Happy Valentine's Day, but I can only imagine it is actually a really lovely day (like any other) in which to show someone how much you care aww. 

So, as my nod towards the big V day, I thought I'd share some of my favourite love songs. Now that might sound a bit wet, however my childhood and into my teenage and now into my adult (gulp) life my parents always play Steve Wright's Sunday Love Songs, in every room of the house, the bedroom, the living room, the kitchen everywhere. Some were really soppy like a bit o' Whitney, but I'm talking the ones that you could get up and shake a few pounds off to! (and some others which are just pure classics)

I hope you enjoy and have a great day, whatever you do. 

"Isn't She Lovely" - Stevie Wonder

"You To Me Are Everything" - The Real Thing 

"At Last" - Etta James

"Lets Get It On" - Marvin Gaye 

"I'll Make Love To You" - Boyz II Men

"Rather Be" - Clean Bandit featuring Jess Glynne 

"National Anthem" - Lana Del Rey 

"Valentine" - Jessie Ware & Sampha 

"All Of Me" - John Legend

"Love On Top" - Beyoncé 

My list could literally go on and on, ok, I know I promised get up and dance, but some were just too irresistible. I'm quite impressed I managed to compile that without looking at iTunes. 

Enjoy your day!

RHS x

Fitness Thursday #5 Yoga

Ahh, a week off training (if you discount the 5k run two days ago) but still ahh for no sprint sessions and no puled muscles. However, I do a few Yoga poses before I go to bed just to make sure I don't lose form and so I work off those last few chocolates I just ate (and to increase my flexibility which is definitely my weak point, I blame it on short-muscled sprinters, I'm jealous of all you long-muscled dancers)

I used to practise Yoga quite a lot when I was in secondary school but didn't have time for it through sixth form but I still used some of the poses after I went to the gym to relax, stretch and de stress my muscles. Here are a few of my favourite stretches and some poses which target deeper muscles. All of these have come from FIT SUGAR YOGA which is full of poses, routines and targeted Yoga practise so check that out too!

 Downward facing dog: Ahh the classic Yoga pose to stretch out your tired legs and back and arms etc etc try to touch your heels to the floor, if this is too hard place your elbows and forearms on the floor for a modified version. Hold this pose for as long as you need, and breatheeee. 

Eagle: this Yoga pose is really good for thigh strength, the photo isn't very clear so I'll fully explain this one. Stand on your left leg and wrap your right leg over your left thigh and bring your toes to the inside of your left legs' calf. Squat down and find your balance. Wrap your arms over each other (right over left to start with) and bring hands together. Balance and hold

Camel: Please be careful with this one, especially if you have back problems, however it is much easier than it looks (begin and end with child's pose (below) to stretch your back).

Kneel on the floor and bend back and grab your right heel with your right hand, stretch your left hand up/back/sideways, which ever is comfortable, come back up and switch sides, when you are ready, place both hands on the respective heels and hold and breathe 

Upward facing dog: lie on the floor, as if about to do a plank, then inhale and push up with your hands using strong arms and lift your legs off the floor, balancing on the top of your feet, round your back and look up, neck back, hold for several breaths 

Butterfly: my favourite post-run stretch to de-stress groin and inner thighs (and back!), bring feet together, as close to you as you can, lean forward and push elbows into thighs to push them closer to the floor 

Wide legged forward bend C: I don't know where the C comes from, some Yoga guru I suspect, this is a really relaxing pose to work the legs and shoulders. Stand with legs wide and bring hands together behind your back. Keeping legs straight (don't bend your knees) bend at the hip and fall as low as you can go

Child's pose: Ok, maybe this is my favourite (I always remember a Yoga instructor telling the class to complete a Warrior sequence and end like this, I just went straight to this saying I was over stretched and needed to just lie there, like a child ahh). Sit on your feet, with knees apart, bend at your hips and stretch hands forwards as far as they will go and hold for hmm about 20 minutes ish




I do all of these Yoga poses before I go to bed, or at least the latter two to relax, never go straight into Yoga, make sure your breathing is correct and don't over stretch as this can cause injury. 

I also came across this video on Popsugar a few days ago and it is a 10 minute Yoga sequence by JENNIFER ANNISTON'S YOGA INSTRUCTOR (I know) its called the "Get Happy and Toned" Yoga sequence, watch it and go with it and you will know what I mean when during the sequence I ended up high fiving myself. But this is a really warm, happy, heart-opening Yoga sequence that will de-stress you in 10 minutes!

Enjoy and relax
RHS x

Beyoncé's Rise

Loath, like or love her, she's pretty incredible and she's launching her third fragrance "Rise" after her first two fragrances Heat and Pulse. 

This is supposed to be a blend of fruit and musk, lots of musk (supposedly "the sexy scent", although when ever I think of musk I think of stale water, if you know what scent that is). 

This time Bey has gone for a gold bottled number and an add that is very hair flipping, sultry looks loaded and covered in gold, as Bey talks about your "rise" to "stir things up". 

The perfume is currently only available at Superdrug online, more than likely to be available in other drug/department stores in the near future if Bey has anything to do with it (which she probably doesn't, not in the UK anyway!)

Here is the advert for her new perfume (no guest appearance from Jay-Zed or Blue Ivy unfortunately)

RHS x

ME #2

1. I always blow into gloves before I put them on to warm them up 
2. Pecan nuts are my favourite type of nut 
3. If I have my hair in a ribbon its either a day of thinking of something is wrong because I never wear my hair up in a pony tail 
4. My hair is naturally very afro-esque 
5. I once woke up with a dead spider in my hand, that i'd crushed, it was huge 
6. I do an awful impression of anything and everything
7. I passed my driving test in May 2012 first time
8. It took me two attempts to bass my theory 
9. I used to go with my dad to his U15 football matches just to watch the boys play football, that got boring when I turned 17 
10. I would send my children to single-sex schools, maybe not if they're a boy 
11. I once slipped a disk in my neck doing a forward roll in gymnastics
12. I used to make forts out of the sofa cushions and put all my toy animals in there and teach them maths 
13. I was at my parent's wedding, I was 5, it was in Jersey
14. I once had a sleepover where I put a chair and a camera in the spare room so people could record what they thought - like Big Brother
15. I love spontaneity - surprise me!
16. Christmas is incredible, I love Christmas, mainly because its my birthday then Christmas than New Year. Christmas
17. I used to eat chalk (no word of a lie, I used to love that delicacy) 
18. I'm really really good at pulling my hamstrings, although I'm getting better
19. I can click my jaw, constantly 
20. I'm double jointed in my shoulders 
21. I was born with black eyes, with the white part too, but just one big pupil I guess
22. I once told people at Primary school I could speed skate  - at 7. 
23. Coco Mademoiselle is now incorporated into my blood stream 
24. I have a weird obsession with muscly backs 
25. I have grade 2 Flute 
26. Prawn cocktail flavoured crisps are the bees' knees
27. Sun bathing is the cats pyjama's (but I get really sweaty - but its all the fat leaving me so its fine)
28. I can't eat chips, they really scare me 
29. Takeaways after a night out scare me even more unless I have had over 4 sambucas 
30. I have huge quads, maybe too big 
31. I have only ever been camping once (when I cycled a long way) and that is the last time, its horrific 
32. Team sports aren't my fave, although I love playing netball
33. I once dissected a rat (it smelt like olives and its intestines were disgusting, as was its brain) 
34. When I finish a run I imagine I'm winning a race 
35. My spikes are my most prized pair of shoes - I don't wear them enough 
36. I don't like apples because when I had a brace they got stuck 
37. courgettes over cucumbers any day 
38. I could drink orange juice by the gallon - are oranges orange because of orange? haha 
39. Wednesday night is Pizza night! until Dominos did two for Tuesday and I started eating healthy, Wednesday night is baked potato night!
40. Girls at my sixth form and secondary school hid notes in their tights during exams and would go to the toilet to read them 
41. I'm the biggest believer in karma - something minorly (why is majorly a word but minorly isn't?) bad happens to me if I think the slightest nastiest thought 
42. I used to have three hamsters called Boris, Gizmo and Harry 
43. I don't mind injections but I hate giving blood 
44. My parents think I'm going to become a diplomat and have thought that since I was 5 
45. I used to hate making conversations, I spoke to people when they really really needed to know something, other than that I stayed quiet - I know! 
46. I have never had a goldfish, although if I did I'd call it Orange, or Jasper or Squid ink 
47. I once went to the gym and pretended to be on the phone to my "coach" - I was 16 
48. Child's pose is my favourite yoga pose, and reverse plank as it is a "heart opener" 
49. Last year in Uni halls I cleaned my bathroom twice a week, if not more - OCD
50. I believe in fate and I believe that I have the bestest group of friends and family I could wish for, occasionally. Most of the time I just pretend to like them. Only Joking!

Love ya!

RHSx 

ME #1

1. I live in Holbrook, Derbyshire (with 47 sheep)
2. Ruth Hannah Smith (hence the RHS, incase you were wondering) 
3. 14th December 1993
4. I have been to five schools since turning 4 (16 years ago, cray-zee)
5. I don't eat lamb (not because of the sheep, because it tastes like plastic)
6. My favourite fruit is banana (with lashings, I mean a tablespoon of peanut butter)
7. I love to run (a lot, occasionally, sometimes, in lycra)
8. I am unbelievably organised (you should see my desk right now and my calendar) 
9. I will only drink bottled water when at Uni (theres just something in the water in Stockotn) 
10. My favourite film of all time is Love Actually (and The Holliday, and Notting Hill etc etc) 
11. I am an only child (not a lonely child as Sarah once thought it was, she's one of three) 
12. My aim in life is to achieve a Masters degree, just to get the same qualifications as my father 
13. My obsession for Clinique is frankly unwordable (which isn't even a word... see) 
14. I can't drink caffeine 
15. I don't drink milk, it makes me rather ill, but I will always partake in chocolate 
16. I can rap the words to "Make me proud" by Drake (Don't ask me sober though)
17. I always try and have breakfast in bed (a new thing, I wake up 20 minutes earlier to relax!)
18. I wear glasses to read (+0.5 - is it even worth it?)
19. I am the area champion in Derbyshire for the 800m 4 years running 
20. I have never broken a bone (apart from my nose, but that is not a bone) 
21. Myself, my mother, my grandmother and my great-grandmother all went to all-girls schools 
22. I have never smoked, or taken drugs, you will find me with a bottle of rose occasionally however
23. I have never had anything pierced, ever, anywhere, never will. 
24. My day always begins with solid porridge, keep it in the microwave for 5 minutes, with half the normal amount of milk. Bon Apetit! 
25. My favourite animals are cats, British Blues to be certain, although I love my rabbit Lady Gaga lots
26. I was in New York for my 15th birthday 
27. My biggest fear is illness 
28. My favourite holiday is to the west coast of France, Cognac, La Rochelle area 
29. My lucky number is 4 as it is the only number where the number of letters are the same as the number itself 
30. Are oranges orange because of orange or is orange orange because of oranges? 
31. I love scars, in fact don't get me started
32. Most used nicknames are Ruthie and Rufus (and now Rutilda from my supervisor at work)
33. I support Derby County, have done since I was born, with my dad taking me to the Baseball ground, then the opening of Pride Park
34. Harry Potter over Twilight all the way 
35. I can play the piano (a bit, when I feel like it)
36. My favourite composer is Beethoven, then probably Einaudi
37. My favourite actress EVER is Kiera Knightly, how is anyone that gorgeous? 
38. My favourite actor is Hugh Grant 
39. My favourite boys names are Elliott and George, maybe Morgan too 
40. I love the name Felicity for a girl 
41. I'm not superstitious as I never know what it means when you see a Black Cat and after all my Uncle Stevie Wonder said "superstition aint the way" 
42. I once cycled from London to Derby for Sport Relief and fell off and got bursitis in my shoulder, of which I still have the scars on my elbow from, nearly two years later. 
43. I often sleep talk 
44. As a 5 year old I always wanted a red Porsche boxter - I had one for my Barbie dolls
45. I have never owned a horse 
46. I have driven through Luxembourg in an hour
47. I would rather have fingers for toes than toes for fingers 
48. I am pretty amazing at risottos - ask me to make you one sometime
49. I laugh at everything, or I see the funny/happy side of everything. Every cloud!



I tan like there is no tomorrow

50. My greatest weakness is worrying. I worry about everything. Hence no.49! 



the fam



Ahh Stephenson College, DU



I'm a cat

Rita Ora for Rimmel London

Poor Mossy, girl turns 40 and she's pushed out for Georgie May Jagger and now Rita Skeeter... 

Not quite, Rimmel have just got Rita in for her own range, which consists of 17 items, 12 nail polish (like Rimmel need to bring out MORE nail polish) and five lip stains. The nail polishes are very cute with a cartoon-esque stamp of Rita's face and autograph on the lid, she's also wearing the nail colour in the picture too. 

The nail colours are all very summery, theres only a few light shades, most of them are blues or greens, however it was the name of them that struck me! A few of my favourites are "lose your lingerie" for a pearly pink shade, "orgasm" for a very bright orange-red and "midnight rendezvous" for a darkish purple. Very risqué Ms Ora! 

The range is to be launched on March 19th nationwide! So watch this space to see how well they go down 

R.I.P to the girl we used to see? (on TV, i.e. Kate Moss? No? haha just me then) 

RHS x

The Week Edit #5

THIS WEEK IN PHOTOS:

A banana, blueberry, raspberry and apple and raspberry juice smoothie, the morning after the halfway dinner I was in need of some electrolytes and just a large amount of hydration, this was perfect!// I spent Tuesday morning in bed writing an assignment, which was so easy, you just wake up and start typing, I'd written 1000 words by 10am!// Ok, not my greatest picture but this was so fun, at Kit Kat Chit Chat on Thursday there was a police officer talking about excessive drinking and I got to try on his uniform (which he wasn't wearing at the time, obvs) and use his handcuffs on people, very exciting// Ahh the halfway dinner, here with Natalie at our table, myself in Stevo red!//


THIS WEEK'S POSTS:

NFL SUPER BOWL XLVIII//THE WOLF ON WALL STREET//NEKNOMINATION//THE LIBRARY//HALFWAY

THIS WEEK I'M LOVING: I really didn't feel like I could write another post about Clinique, It is literally my weakness, its Bonus Time in Debenhams, that is all I shall say on that matter. What else am I loving, the halfway dinner was really cute, follow by a trip to Durham with Natalie. I have finally grasped one of my assignments which I started on 20th December! it all makes sense! yayyy me. I haven't been for a run since monday, or the gym or anything, I know its crazy. I started to get to that point, you know on The Biggest Loser where they start putting on weight in muscle, thats me, I'm no longer fitting into my jeans because my quads are tree trunks, so I'm ditching the gym of a bit in favour of some toning but not bulking exercises, more about that on thursday! Strangely I'm enjoying not going to the gym, I've been walking to uni everyday as our chauffeur has been living it up in Rome! so that has been keeping me on track, until I go home and devour six chocolates a night, I'm not doing this right am I? anyway, I haven't turned into a whale just yet, so I guess I don't need to worry.

BLOG POST OF THE WEEK: I liked a while back 14 RESOURCES FOR FOODIES from OH THE LOVELY THINGS quite a while back, but managed to stumble across it again this week and I forgot its magic, there a lots of info graphs and pinterest worthy pictures. Everything from what goodness is in vegetables to which wine you should be drinking when, measures, oven temperatures, you name it, it is there, a  very handy resource. 

THIS WEEK: Ah seminar week, or should I say seminar day. Every other Monday is the bane of my life. Ok, we don't start till 11am but we don't finish till 6pm, and our lectures are only an hour long so you can imagine how many we have to go through in that time, as well as a presentation and a telephone interview, tomorrow could be a rather stressful day! Friday sees a Locomotion dinner and oh Valentine's day! I stopped being sceptical about this day last year when I actually thought if you are in a relationship it is just another day however its a day to celebrate your relationship, which I can't believe I'm saying this but Its quite cute! Anyway! I'll be going to a Great Gatsby themed dinner followed by a Bar Crawl organised by BeerSoc - yes that is right, Durham University has a BeerSoc. 

Have an incredible week!

RHS x

Halfway

I think I am more the glass half empty kind of person when it comes to this kind of half. Half of my (our) university career is over, I can't believe it has been that long since I arrived as a nervous 18 year old and now I'm 20 with only 15 months left. Where has the time gone?

Anyway, enough pondering, questioning and wondering. Last night saw the Halfway dinner for second years. It was a formal event with a toast to the college, a speech by the Dean and lamb was even on the menu!

Lamb, eurgh, whoever invented that meat, let alone that animal needs shooting (they're probably already dead), I hate that meat, it is one of the only things I won't eat (that and pineapple - serious allergies). And it was on the menu, which was fine, it just meant I had the vegemetarian option instead, which was vegetables in a fill pastry, with vegetables on the side.. veg and more veg! I could never be a vegetarian. 

Anyway, everyone looked very smart, the boys in suits, the girls in classy dresses. I was potentially in THE brightest dress EVER - at least it was red (the colour of the college) and my nails matched. 

The meal went so quickly though, it was all over far too fast and when it was ever so slightly knocked off balance with an attempted (but very funny) neck nomination (worth a try I guess), everyone diffused to have a natter. It was nice to see people in that environment rather than running past each other at 4pm on your way to a lecture.

This is where I have to reach for my phone as I was taking notes at the end of the night on the bus back from Durham - on my own as Natalie left me! boohoo (to go home, she had work, not anything else!) 

A lot of people said to me "don't put that on the blog!" like I was going to transcribe their conversations on here - I don't do that don't worry! You can speak to me in confidence that I won't spill your gossip on here! (unless you really want me to!) 

When myself and Natalie got on the bus to Durham - that is ran, I almost and I mean I think I nearly did, break my ankle - stilettos and running = unhappy ankles. The bus driver waited for us, bless him to which Natalie said "thank you mr taxi driver!" - ah man, one bottle of wine and we forget our own names. And our age apparently as I was convinced I'm half way to 36, but in actual fact, this may shock you, I'm halfway to 40 - when did THAT happen?! - I've lost two years from somewhere! 

I said "surprise me" to the woman behind the bar in Whisky River (cocktail bar in Durham - so incredible) and I got a "forbidden fruit" cocktail which was so tasty, and I think it was soda water based = cha ching no calories! 

After squeezing our vegetarian filled bodies through Fabios to get a glass of water (really) we attempted to get a Subway - which wasn't happening because it was packed however I did manage to have a minor argument with an obnoxious Durham student about his friend who had pushed to the front of the queue, blindly missing eight people in the queue behind him. I had words, I wasn't impressed, but it was fine because he had a subway... common theme here... 

I got the bus back and was sat merrily typing away the evening, I got home, took my make up off with A MAKE UP WIPE - I know, God of make up removal, I am so so so sorry. BUT thankfully there was hot water (there is never hot water here!) so I was able to Clinique myself up and remove my make up properly (I am not going to make up removal hell). 

I may have had some curly fries when I got in - which I managed to burn?! - ahh this is why they turned the cookers off in halls at night - they were still edible though, only a few had slightly charred edges. 

All in all it was a good night, really really nice to see everyone and have a catch up. And I am really happy that people from Uni read this blog! - seeing as it is mainly about Uni, but I write it for you not for me so thanks guys! :D 

Here's to the next year and a half!

RHS x


p.s. thanks to Sam for the photo!

The Library

I thought I'd take 10 minutes procrastination time to write a blog post. I am currently sat in the library, researching antecedents of public service motivation and I am having a break of eating walnuts and drinking freezing cold water. 

I have been here, hmm about an hour now and I have already seen some very interesting sites. 

If you are in the library and not currently sitting a computer, you most definitely have an Apple product, be it an iPad, MacBook or covered in a green skin, you have one. I have to hold my hands up to that one. 

If you are in the quiet study area (as I am), it is acceptable to talk about who you are going to "cock block" tonight at the marrow strip, not mentioning any names... The marrow strip is a charity night in which people get naked and people pay to go and watch, high entertaining I can only imagine...

It is then also appropriate to chat about what you're having for tea, what you did last night, what you're plans are for your neck nomination challenge, it involves a toilet brush apparently.

It is also vitally important that you don't make eye contact with anyone when you walk in and out of the library. Ensure you maintain a straight forward "I'm in working mode" look about you to avoid any awkward "hey!"s that come out a bit squeaky as you're not sure if you're allowed to talk or not. If you do catch somebody's eye, a simple smile will send them on their way. 

As I am sat at the back of the library I can see everyone's laptop screens, not that I'm looking but so far someone has an assignment on kidney function and disease, someone has a journal open on motivation in the police force and there seems to be a few assignments based on Facebook (and blogger...)

Oh no, someone just did a squeaky hello. They are now talking about their assignment and that a girl looks nice in her new green jumper, from Topshop, in the sale. Bargain. 

Ahh Library chronicles. I really should get back to Perry 1997 

Love 

RHS x 

NekNomination

I woke up this morning and saw yet another video on Facebook of a Neknomination, this time nominating a friend from uni. The boy who was mixing his concoction included listerine and Reggae Reggae sauce. Needless to say after lots of vodka, milk, crunchy nut and beer were added I couldn't watch him down it. 

There have now been two reported deaths related to Neknomination, the craze that started in Australia (those crazy Aussies!). 

Jonny Byrne (19) was pulled from a river in County Carlow, Ireland after he jumped in as part of his Neknomination stunt. His brother tried to save him but Byrne had taken such a lethal concoction that he pushed his bother away to try to complete his stunt. He was pulled from the river 5 hours later.

His father gave the Irish broadcaster RTE this statement: 

“I'm pleading to every youngster to think of the things they're doing.

“It has cost my son his life. The whole family is devastated and our lives will never be the same again. I hope this message is heeded because for us, life is virtually over,” 

Jonny's brother posted this online later:

“This neck nomination s*** HAS TO STOP RIGHT NOW my young 19 year old brother Jonny Byrne from Carlow died tonight in the middle of his nomination.

“He thought he had to try and beat the competition and after he necked his pint he jumped into the river. After five hours of searching he is still not found. If people have any decency and respect they will refrain from any more of this stupid neck nomination shit.”

Hours before this incident occurred the body of Ross Cummins (22) was found in a house in Dublin, he was rushed to hospital but died as paramedics couldn't revive him. Blood tests found that he had been taking a lethal cocktail of spirits as part of his Neknomination.

Now the craze is all over the internet, I'm not going to share everything I've seen because I don't want anyone getting ideas! But interrupting a lecture was a little disrespectful. 

I think people simply need to be aware of the harms of alcohol, it will kill you in excess. 

Here is a video of a Neknomination taking place in South Africa from - a very different way to complete your nomination, but a highly respected one at that. Brent Lindeque posted this video on his YouTube page with this comment:

"I’ve decided to create something positive out of the random global phenomena of NekNominations.

"Downing a can of Castle Light is easy… imagine if we all harnessed the power of social media to make a real difference in peoples lives. #OnlyGoodThings."

Drink responsibly and thin twice before you accept the challenge (or at least your stunt).

RHS x

Drink Aware

The Wolf on Wall Street

IMDb have given it 8.5/10 - which is crazily high for that site. But it contains Leonardo DiCaprio - so who wouldn't give it a 10? 

I expected a lot of drug taking and a lot of prostitutes. I expected a lot of money, selfishness, working all the time, people shouting down phones selling shares, the good life... 

There was an excessive, obsessive, addictive amount of drug use. And I mean, to the point I'm surprised no body killed themselves (think cocaine, cocaine, more cocaine and some Lemmons? not even sure if that is a real drug!). "A lot of prostitutes" was an understatement, as was a lot of money. There was not much working all the time and there were definitely people shouting down the phone selling shares. And the good life, didn't turn out quite as expected, even if most of the characters wore rose tinted glasses throughout.

The film starts with Jordan Belfort (DiCaprio) arriving on Wall Street for his first day as a rookie broker, or "pond scum" as he was christened by his boss. Jordan works his way up, buying his wife expensive gifts, promising her one day he would be a millionaire. Which he becomes, till the stock market crashes and all brokers are laid off. 

He ends up setting up his own stocks and shares selling business (selling "penny shares") and hiring his nut-job friends and trains them up. These guys were the most randomest bunch of lunatics ever. But they learnt to sell and they end up being filthy, dirty rich. Having too much money to know what to do with. But they find what to do, they buy drugs and prostitutes - in the office, in hotels... you name it, there was that going on. 

The film is an 18, the older couple in front of us didn't realise and I think they got a bit of a shock. I'm not just talking women naked, usually just from their waist up, this film contains everything. No male nakedness, just female nakedness and farrrr too much for that matter. Maybe that is just my view but there were a few eye rolls when another naked female came onto the screen. Definitely a film for the boys. 

Jordan sees his relationships crumble, his health deteriorate and he finds himself fighting for his company, his money (which lets be honest he didn't need too, as he had plenty), the respect of others, he was constantly trying to suss out what others were thinking, doing, being behind his back. 

The film gets confusing when what he is doing is illegal and he is conning small business and people with little money to buy a ridiculous amount of sales. He reminded me of Mr Wormword on Matilda in his selling techniques. He was selling things that he knew weren't quite right, but it made him money, so who cared?!

It gets more confusing when his wife (number 2) has enough, the FBI want him and many of his colleagues, he faces $100m fines, 20 years in jail, so what does he go? Gets high on drugs from 1981, which don't have an immediate effect, so him and his mate take the whole bottle and the mess gets bigger and far more dramatic. Cue car crashes, child kidnapping and what you could only technically  class as rape.

He played a good role, he has the right kind of face for a rogue salesman - imagine him with a slicked up lid. 

Different to his previous roles, but then I only know the one where he sinks into freezing cold water, hardly comparable, however he does end up in freezing cold water at one point. 

This film was quite long, some parts could have been made a lot shorter, however it was very clever in places. Joanna Lumley stars, a blonde version of Mila Kunis, actually Margot Robbie, Mathew McConaughey plays a very drugged up psycho broker and Jonah Hill, the star of SuperBad is hilarious. 

Money, drugs, women, Wall Street, powerful men (and a few powerful women), marriages, divorces, children and more drugs and you have yourself the Wolf on Wall Street. 

A must see! - I was surprisingly impressed

RHS x

Helped written by Natalie xx 

NFL Super Bowl XLVIII

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 48 - 8 DENVER BRONCOS

To put it in a nut shell, if you didn't watch, it was like watching lions play mice at rugby - it was fierce, the Seattle Seahawks were on fire and the Denver Broncos were limp. 

I had to watch it on Channel 4, as I have broken my Sky Go account, so I missed out on a lot of adverts, however, the David Beckham for H&M commercial was broadcast (and I am currently very gutted that the full version is not available to post on here from YouTube yet, but click on the link for the H&M channel for the full version). He was just kind of running round, quite awkwardly in boxers, don't be thinking he's all macho, because he wasn't. Less impressed. 

Anyway, I turned on Channel 4 to see Vernon Kay in the commentary box, how bizarre, but he then disappeared and was replaced by a pre-Denver Broncos player. Vernon Kay just kept laughing at everything anyway, but he seemed to really know a lot about NFL! 

The Channel 4 intro of the Super Bowl included New Yorkers saying what was great about the place. Its triumphs (namely, Wall Street Stock exchange, wealth, etc) and its tragedies (9/11), and how proud the city was as a whole and how nice everyone is. Mainly, how cold the place is at this time of the year. I have been to New York in December and it is freezing. Even as a 15 year old in my Golddigger jacket - yes, really. 

The Broncos have won the Super Bowl twice already and have featured six times, it was the Seahawks' first time. Although they were favourites to win. 

The players came out of the tunnel, the Broncos led by a huge white stallion and the Seahawks by a hawk. The Star Spangled Banner was sung by Renée Fleming,
a Grammy-winning, soprano opera singer, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. 

Then it was play time, Seahawks won the coin toss - conducted by Joe Namath (Former American Quarter back) in a Macklemore thrift shop coat - and Seattle were well away into their 1st and 10s and 1st downs and field goals and a lot of touchdowns! - Watch some highlights because they were unstoppable. 

I'm gonna pop some tags

Half time saw Bruno Mars begin with a drum solo - showing off his talents then he was met by his band (all of the same height - impressive) where he sang "Locked out of heaven", "Treasure", something with topless Red Hot Chili Peppers and "Just the way you are" - it was quite an epic performance, and it unfortunately out did Beyoncé's performance the previous year, seeing as the stadium lost its lighting... 

The second half kicked off with the Seahawks 22-0 up, the Broncos were looking tired and just generally un interested in fighting back - not what I like to see, the first touch down was two minutes into the 3rd quarter - far too easy for the Seahawks. 

By this time I was in bed, eyes drooping, trying to stay awake to finish the 3rd quarter, but it didn't happen and I fell asleep with the tv on. 

I was awoken at 7:30am by road works, quickly checked the score and the Seahawks won 43-8 - I was very impressed, so to celebrate I had an early morning run...

So, not great commercials, although, unlike Sky, C4 didn't have breaks every time out, so I'm not surprised there weren't loads, although Snoop Dog featured on a money supermarket advert, and Lynx created a "make love not war" special edition advert...

Next year sees the 49th Superbowl, with the season starting again sometime towards the end of the Summer. I am hoping sometime to go and see a Super Bowl final but considering they said you were lucky if you got a ticket for less than $1000, I think I need to save up for a while. Although, like most sporting things, the TV shows the best coverage, but in the midst of all that American pride the atmosphere must have been incredible

RHS x

The Week Edit #4

THIS WEEK IN PHOTOS:

My post-run protein and potassium kick, my favourite snack ever// The Six Nations didn't get off to England's best advantage, however there are still plenty of games left, next week England are away to Scotland// I add peanut butter to everything, I am a big lover of its protein-ness and here I zuzzed it in a post-run smoothie of banana and raspberries// First run of February - start as I mean to go on at 9am - hello quads!// My Clinique arrived! yayy, I was nearly deprived of my night cream but Boots.com came to my rescue// Pizza night friday with Rachel, we went a bit mad but it was oh so tasty (hence the 9am run the next morning to burn it off - well, at least 1/4 of it)//

THIS WEEK'S POSTS:

SWEET DREAMS// UNIVERSITY SECRETS II// 6 WAYS TO STOP PROCRASTINATING//LADY CHATTERLEY'S LOVER//LUSH 'SOFT COEUR'//FITNESS THURSDAY #4//CARA DELEVIGNE "IV DRIPPIN"//PRIMARY SCHOOL//10 REASONS TO WATCH THE SUPERBOWL//

THIS WEEK I'M LOVING: I received my order from Boots on Thursday and I am in love with the EVEN BETTER EYES DARK CIRCLE CORRECTOR which has a really pretty sparkly tint to it and makes my under eyes really smooth - contrary to my flat mates'  dismay at the price... It was a slight indulgence for an eye cream but well worth it. I also bought a Boots ESSENTIALS CUCUMBER EYE GEL which I keep in the fridge and apply whilst I wait for my porridge to cook to reduce puffs!

BLOG POST OF THE WEEK: My favourite blog post this week was from LILY PEBBLES and it was her "JANUARY HITS AND MISSES" which are a big thing in the blogger-beauty industry, I already have my eyes on several of her hits.

NEXT WEEK: A busy week of welfaring, half way-dining (dinner-ing?) - can't believe I'm half way through Uni already, although by the looks of these assignments I'll be lucky to finish alive, or with a pass, running (I'm planning on 5 this week!), eating and probably a bit of blogging! Talking of blogging, my poll came out as you prefer me to write about "lifestyle/ everyday madness" - you voted, I'll deliver!

Have a great week,
RHS x 

10 reasons to watch the Super Bowl

Incase you have had your head in the sand, I shall inform you that tomorrow night it is the Super Bowl, the biggest night in American Football (NFL) and it is a family tradition in the Smith household to watch it. So, if you're not a big NFL fan, or just need a bit of persuading to stay up till 3am then here are my 10 reasons to watch the Super Bowl:

1. You get thoroughly educated in the American sport - tomorrow sees the Seattle Seahawks play the Denver Broncos, who are they I hear you ask? You'll find out tomorrow! 
2. Hint - the Broncos wear a horse on their helmet 
3. The adverts are the most important part - there is no time to get a cup of tea as the adverts are too good to miss. The Budweiser one has already leaked theirs 
4. I've heard on the grape vine for example that David Beckham in his lush H&M commercial gives viewers the opportunity to tweet #undressed or something like that to see the commercial where he has no boxers on... Very risqué 
5. Half time is always a great time, I do believe Bruno Mars is performing, the cutie 
6. You'll learn the actual rules of NFL which do take a while to get the hang of but when a team scores a touchdown you get far too excited 
7. The teams kit is rather lovely, it's like rugby, there's your big ones with the low numbers then the higher the number the smaller they are, that in Lycra makes for very very good viewing. 
8. This just researched, the two teams come from the only two states that have legalised marjuana, not sure that's a reason to watch, but it may stimulate some views. 
9. The Red Hot Chilli Peppers are performing... Topless... Make of that as you will 
10. And finally, you will have an extra thing in common with me! Isn't that nice 

See you there! - No doubt I'll be Tweeting

RHS x