Category: lifestyle

Disneyland Part 2

Disneyland Paris – Part 2

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As promised, you don’t just get 1 blog on Disneyland Paris, you get 2! Yay!!! If you haven’t read yesterday’s post on part 1 it’s a cracker so many sure to go and check that out. We were in Paris for 4 days in total, on to Part 2!

Day 3 

For our 3rd day, we went back to Disneyland to finish up on some rides (getting there early and heading straight to them was brilliant). We walked on to the Tea Cups without queueing, quickly got on to Dumbo and a few others. We were ON IT. They also made me go on It’s A Small World…

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After spending the morning in Disneyland we’d decided to do some shopping then go back to the hotel to pack (Mum and Sums) and nap (me).

After grabbing some food, back to the park for Fireworks!! Now, you all know there is NOTHING better than Disney Fireworks.

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Day 4 

Our final day was definitely interesting. After dropping our bags we headed back to the Studios. The aim? Get on the Turtle ride, get on the Toy Story rides. And we managed! Just. It was very hot and very busy. One of the rides broke down, all fun and games.

The rest of the day was a mix of Disneyland, shopping and sitting and waiting for our (very delayed train.

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The trip was so much fun and I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am that my Mum took us both and treated us. I don’t get to spend time alone with my Mum and Sister very often and it was a lovely break. Am I going back to Disney? Of course. It’s 100% made me want to save up and go to Orlando too!

I will say though, this is how I’m currently feeling – in need of a good sleep!

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Disneyland Part 1

Disneyland Paris – Part 1

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It happened! I went back to Disneyland Paris for the first time since 1999. Yep. The last time I went to Disneyland I was 5 years old and things have changed a little bit! This time I went with my Mum and sister and OH MY GOD DISNEY. So, because there is so much to cover so as requested on Twitter I’ve split it into 2 posts. So get ready, here we gooooooo!

 

Day 1 

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I had a 4.00am alarm. 4am. To get a lift to the station (thanks Dad!) in London. From there, things got a little manic we got there when we were told but hardly had time to get a cup of tea before rushing off.

We then took a train to Lille, where we changed. Then, after an hours wait, we got onto another train (this time a double decker…apparently that’s a thing?) to get to Disney. The station is right next to the Park, thankfully and we’d already booked for our bags to be taken to the hotel.

By the time we’d arrived we’d been awake for a damn long time, I’d had limited caffeine and was starting to flag. So, we took a look around the shops before taking a peek at Hollywood Studios, which I’d never been to in Paris! We even went in the Slinky Dog ride but, we were absolutely exhausted so went to our hotel to finally check in.

We stayed at the Newport Bay Club which was BEAUTIFUL! I mean c’mon look at that bed. The whole hotel was sea themed, we ever had little porthole designs with the characters in them in our room. The end of day 1 was an early one, with dinner in the hotel. The food was good with options but the best part were the desserts. Tiny, perfect desserts. I went to bed with a happy tummy indeed.

 

Day 2

Our second day had a really early start but it was okay because we were off to character breakfast in the park! My Mum booked this as a treat for my sister and I. It was so worth it. We met 6 characters and while I still wish I’d seen Minnie Mouse, Donald and Goofy too we had fun! Here are some pictures of me and my sister that Mum took during the breakfast. And yes, yes I am wearing rainbow ears.

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The rest of the day was full Disneyland! We all wore matching shirts and matching ears because, you know, my Mum is adorable like that. So after you’ve just eaten breakfast what’s the first thing you do? Go on Buzz Lightyear shootout of course. I LOVE this ride. Next up I decided I’d give Hyperspace Mountain a go. Stupid me. I didn’t realise it was in the dark, nor that it went upside down. I did it but I was slightly traumatised after.

Through the day we took pictures in front of the castle (obvs), sheltered from the pouring rain before having to shade ourselves later in the day because it was boiling. We went on rides like Thunder Mountain Railroad, Peter Pan and Pinnochio – thank god for access fast passes!  Mum also treated us to so many snacks and treats…I kinda forgot how much she likes to feed us.

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I met my fave, Woody. I LOVE Toy Story and he was just wondering around and so we had to get pictures (which Mum didn’t want to be in because apparently, his head is too big?!) We also waited and watched the parade which was super fun. I haven’t watched a parade in SO LONG. And it really, really is magic and was worth the hour and a half we spent reserving our spaces.

And that’s just the first part of the trip!! Make sure to pop back tomorrow for the second half and even more Disney magic! But, before you go – who’s your favourite Disney character? Let me know in the comments below!

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August Favourites

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It’s time for my August favourites… I am very aware that it’s the middle of September. I might have *slightly* forgotten to post it, oops. BUT there we go it’s here now and it’s a pretty good one! Let’s jump in.

Books

This was a month for YALC books (full haul here). My three favourites were all purchased at the convention and I LOVED them. Orbiting Jupiter absolutely broke my heart, This Is Where It Ends made me think and Vox is going to be a huge success. I wrote more about them in my reading wrap up. I read so much in August…let’s see how September goes!

Music

Has anyone else been listening to Sweetener on repeat? Ariana Grande’s latest album has been on constantly – I love it. I can’t wait to go and see her on tour when she next comes to the UK. Next up is an album that *just* got released in August – Emma Blackery’s Villains which has some damn catchy lyrics and is her best album to date. Also, I love Kacey Musgraves at the moment for her cool country vibes.

Musical!

Heathers The Musical

I saw my first Musical in FOREVER! I loved Heathers so much that not only did I write a blog about it, I also booked to see it again in October. If you’re unsure what it’s about, think Mean Girls but a lot darker and set in the 1980s. Could you think of anything better? Nope, neither can I.

Anniversary!

I’ve spent 10 years with this lovely man. It’s hard to put into words the feelings I have for him. We had a small garden party, I went with him to work for the day and we went to the Zoo. All in all a pretty perfect anniversary.

Lego

This is a very odd one. I really like Lego, but in August I LOVED Lego. The new Harry Potter figures were just the start, followed by a bigger Lego set (with spiders), a Star Wars set that I picked up for half price at a car boot sale and a trip to the Lego store in London.

Finally a phone update!

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After two years I finally got a new phone, look at the beautiful red colour though!

Ladybird Social

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I’m proud that my freelance business is now official! Ladybird Social is now up and running and I couldn’t be happier!

Top Posts 

I’m A Freelancer 

Why I Will NEVER Use An App For Birth Control

Spending A Day With Sound Engineers 

What I Read in July & August 2018

What I Read in July and August

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I have a confession to make! You might have noticed that I didn’t post a what I read post in July. Honestly, I forgot and then I felt like it was too late AND I only read 5 books in July. I completely lost my mojo, which is mostly due to having a lot of other things on my mind and recovering from my stay in hospital. BUT, it came back in August thanks to my YALC haul so let me share with you some of the awesome (and not so awesome) books I’ve read.

July

How To Be A Grown Up – Daisy Buchanan

A light-hearted book on growing up. This was a nice book to read, it had some useful insights but didn’t particularly stand out to me – I gave it 3.5 stars.

Plum – Hollie McNish

My regular readers will know I loved Hollie’s collection on motherhood so I wanted to pick up another collection. Plum is about growing up with added poems Hollie wrote as a child and teenager. Another 5 star read.

Notes On A Nervous Planet – Matt Haig

I love Matt Haig’s writing. This is such a relatable book, whether or not you’ve struggled with mental illness, it’s one to read. Short and easy to read chapters that will really make you think and give you a little pick me up. 5 stars review here.

Saga Vol. 5 – Brian K Vaughn

It’s so hard to write about these because if you write about ANYTHING after the first one then you post spoilers. Still loving it, still solid. 5 stars

Moonrise – Sarah Crossan

I loved this novel, even if it made my heart hurt. This looks at the brother of a death row prisoner. It is entirely written in verse which actually works really well, so much so I want to try her other novel One again. 5 stars and will make you very emotional. You’ve been warned.

August

Orbiting Jupiter – Gary D. Schmidt

If you need a good cry read this novel. Short, sweet and heartbreaking all at the same time. It’s a novel about second chances and a young teen who just wants to see his daughter. 5 stars, review here.

She Must Be Mad – Charly Cox

Poetry about being a woman, mental illness and body image. I enjoyed Charly’s first collection and think there will be more to come, one to watch. 4 stars.

Amy Chelsea Stacie Dee – Mary D Thompson

I read a few darker novels in August, starting with this one. Two girls are abducted and only one comes back, what happened? This was a thriller and a half! I gave this 4 stars and there will be a full review coming soon!

This Is Where It Ends – Marieke Nijkamp

On to another dark book, this time centring around a school shooting. Told from multiple points of view this was a novel full of suspense and intrigue. 4 stars.

Are We All Lemmings & Snowflakes – Holly Bourne

I used to love Holly Bourne but her adult novel left a lot to be desired and her newest made me frustrated. The novel follows teenager Olive who does not want to know her mental health diagnosis. After a crisis, she is sent to a remote therapy retreat which has the best treatment possible (no waiting list, just ‘luck’). Some parts of it were lovely and there were some good ideas it just didn’t feel realistic to me. 3 stars.

Vox – Christina Dalcher

This is one of the hottest novels of the year and for good reason. This novel is set in the future of the states, women can only speak 100 words a day, they cannot work, they cannot travel. While I felt like it was a slow start and there were a few plot holes I did really enjoy it and I keep recommending it! 4 stars.

Please Don’t Grab My P*ssy – Julia Young

This is a short, fun but powerful book. Poetry, satire and awesome illustrations. Some of them were a little bit of a stretch but I enjoyed it all the same. 5 stars.

The Choice – Dr Edith Eger

A memoir of a phenomenal woman. From teenage Auschwitz survivor to an internationally acclaimed psychologist working with those who suffer from PTSD and trauma. An interesting read and one filled with kindness and positivity. 4.5 stars.

 

What have you read in the past few months? I’d love to know! Let me know in the comments below!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taking The Plunge – I’m a Freelancer

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I’m so excited to share tonight’s blog with you with a big life update. A few weeks ago I lost my job due to contracts, yep, that happened. So I did what I’d done before I applied for a load of jobs, but I also toyed with the idea of becoming a freelancer.

Working for myself is something I’ve thought about for a while, but there were already so many obstacles, or so I thought. I didn’t have enough of a push to make it happen. Leave a job and jump into the unknown? That’s crazy! Then I didn’t have a job, I had a little bit of money and a whole lot of time between interviews. Why not give it a shot?

I got in contact with people I’d known in the past, I started actively using my Linkedin every day to chat, comment and post. At most, I thought ok I’ll do this as a side hustle. I still needed something full time because you know rent and bills. Then I managed to get in contact with some local businesses, I picked up work with them and another, then some more bits and pieces. Was I a Freelancer now? Apparently so.

Do I know if this is going to be forever? Nope. Does that slightly terrify me? Yep. The thing is I needed to give this a go. I need to try because otherwise, it will bother me for the rest of my life. I know in my heart I want to make a success for myself and slowly, over the past few years I’ve built up confidence little by little in what I can do

I’m really excited that I’m now the founder of Ladybird Social my own Social Media and Digital Content business! It’s going to be a while ride and I’m so excited to see it grow.

So what is it that I actually do?

I work with businesses on Social Media content (actually writing it), management (being the person behind a feed, monitoring them etc), training. The other side of it is writing digital content, whether that be for website pages, regular blogs, whitepapers etc.

I’m writing this with a huge smile my face and you can bet I’m going to work my arse off on this. Wish me luck!

The Honeydukes Book Tag!

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I love a good book tag, I love Harry Potter so why not combine the two? Now, this is the first tag I’ve ever written so I’m really hoping that you guys enjoy this one! So, what’s it about? We’re combining the sweetest part of the Wizarding World with books, what could be better? Let’s get started and make sure you share your responses with me!

Chocolate Frog

A book that you have multiple copies of because you have no chill

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Chocolate Frogs are a classic in the Potterverse. You’ll end up with a lot of doubles so for this question I’m looking at a book I have multiple copies of. I could have used Potter but for this, I’ve used one of my faves, The Fault in Our Stars because you need to have a signed and non-signed edition, right?

Sugar Quill

A super sweet read

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Wonder was just a book that made my heart feel so much. If you know anything about the novel you know it will probably make you cry too. Overall though, it gave me the feels and was just so, so sweet.

Exploding Bonbons

A book you love that exploded onto the scene!

The Exact Opposite of Okay - Laura Steven

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book and I LOVED it. Then it got released and loads of other people also loved it. I’d highly recommend getting on this novel before the second comes out. My review is here.

Honeydukes Chocolate

A book that can fight off Dementors

Reasons to Stay Alive - Matt Haig

This is the ultimate Dementor fighter, alongside Haig’s newest book Notes On A Anxious Planet. If you’re having a rough time this is the book to pick up. It’s not in your face but is a gentle way to find your way out of a dark time.

Pepper Imps

A book that blew your mind!

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If you like weird, you’ll like Nutshell. This is told from the perspective of an unborn foetus who is incredibly intelligent. It’s so well done though? Absolutely blew my mind. Review here.

Pumpkin Pasties

A book that gets you ready for Autumn

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You didn’t think I’d forget the series that inspired this tag? While all of the Potter books start in the summer, there’s going back to school, Halloween etc. I might even start a reread on September 1st…

Cockroach Clusters

A book you wish you’d never read

Clean Juno Dawson

I know, I know this is really controversial. The book just made me so, so mad. To me, it just gave a message of forgetting about the average person with a mental illness and focusing on the uber rich. Not my kinda novel.

Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans

A book you make everyone try (even if it might not be their taste)

The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

I’ve spoken many times about how Slyvia Plath meant a lot to me, so much so I wrote my dissertation on her works. So I always recommend this to everyone, even if I don’t know if they’ll like it because I think it’s a really close depiction of the depths of mental illness.

Blood Flavoured Lollipops 

 A book that you love, but others aren’t so sure on

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Now, if you give me a choice between a new release and a classic I’ll pick a new release BUT when I got to uni I had to read some and then I found Jane Eyre. I’ve encountered people who think it’s quite long and a bore but I adore Jane and everything she achieves.

Cauldron Cakes

A book you shared with all of your friends

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I made 3 of my closest friends read this, and almost all of them have now finished the series. We’re all more than a little bit obsessed!

 

So, that is my first tag! I hope you enjoyed it and please make sure to link or tweet me with yours! I can’t wait to see them

The Pill

Why I Will NEVER Use An App For Birth Control

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Don’t want to get pregnant? There’s an app for that…apparently.

So, you might have seen advertising for Natural Cycle lately, it’s an app that prevents pregnancy. Sound perfect, right? No pills, no extra hormones, no doctors visits. But all might not be what it seems as reports that the app is getting investigated, despite the fact it is now FDA approved.

Now, I’ve seen a lot of influencers talking about this and, personally, it was never something I was going to jump into. I know there’s science behind it but it just seems very risky. Hannah Witton did a very good video, explaining that there are a lot of different variables and it wasn’t for everyone.

Natural fertility cycling is something that’s been done for centuries, it’s not a new thing. This, however, has an app to track your data, learn your body and tell you when you can have sex without the risk of pregnancy. It can also be used to get pregnant.

For it to work you need to:

  • Take your temperature at the same time every day
  • Not drink alcohol (this will impact the reading)
  • Be healthy
  • Not be Jetlagged
  • Not have woken up 2 hours later than usual or had a bad nights sleep

All of these variables scream accidental pregnancy to me.

Do I like having to rely on hormonal contraception? Not really. Do I wish there was a male equivalent to the pill or implant? Yes, yes I do but that’s a whole other blog topic. For me though, taking the risk of getting pregnant right now isn’t something I want to play with.

I want to have children and I plan to, particularly after the trouble I had a few months ago. That said, accidents happen and they can be the best. I was a happy accident. I just want to do everything in my power to make sure I’m in a good position to have children and, right now, I want to focus on myself and my work. No risks where possible.

What do you think? Would you use an app like Natural Cycle? Let me know in the comments below!

10 Years in 10 Pictures

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Today is a big day for me, personally. Today is 10 years since Ali and I got together as those slightly awkward teenagers that we were. Part of me can’t believe it’s been 10 years, the other part of me can’t imagine what life would be without him. Wow, soppy overload. So, I wanted to take a little trip down memory lane, 10 years in 10 pictures. Here’s to the next decade.

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The beginning 

We look so young, this was at school we’d switched jackets (no idea why). I can’t quite believe how different we look. I was 13 and Ali was 14 in this picture.

 

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Trip to Italy with Ali’s Mum. The first time we went abroad together!

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Hard Rock Cafe, London!

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In the UK you can only go to prom once and it is only with people from your year. So we couldn’t go to prom together but that didn’t stop Ali coming to see me off with a kiss.

 

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Off to Corfu this time for a weeks holiday. Ali’s always in a better mood when we’re away and much more likely to take stupid pictures with me. Including ones with cocktails.

 

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The summer before we both went to uni together!

 

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Band photo shoot, photo by Sophie Hewett

We moved in together in 2014 while studying. We had our little flat in Kingston for 2 years in the end and now, not living together, just feels weird.

 

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Ah, my trip to Athens that was meant to be my first solo trip, then I broke my spine. Ali had to come with me and help me, featuring running through Gatwick airport with me in a wheelchair to make me laugh.

 

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We graduated one day apart. Couldn’t think of anyone else I would have liked to have shared those few days with.

 

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Our fab holiday in Majorca last summer and out first relaxing holiday alone.

 

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A little different to how things have been recently in this heatwave but here’s to 10 years.

 

 

 

 

Spending A Day With Sound Engineers

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If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know that my partner is a Sound Engineer. I’ve visited him at events before, but I’ve never done a full day with him as he works on a job to this scale. He wanted to show me what it was like to do his job and I was not prepared. Could I be a Sound Engineer? No, no I could not – but why?

We left the house at 6.30am – I can’t remember the last time I left the house this early. That was just the start of the day – we didn’t get home for another 21 and a half hours…yep. A quick stop off at McDonald’s and picking up one of Ali’s colleagues and we were on our way.

Me in High Vis

Guys, I’m not kidding this is a serious days work. As much as I joke to Ali about pushing a few buttons it’s intense. There’s the getting set up for a start. Every event you go to there is so much prep. I’m not going to embarrass myself by pretending I know what I’m talking about or trying to explain it. I know that at least some of the guys have read my blog before, they’re going to find this hilarious.

Ali and I Ascot 2018

I’m really lucky that I get to go and see some really cool shows and see what Ali does. Not a lot of people get to go and see what their other half does. I spent the whole day watching, trying to understand and ultimately just being a bit amazed. There was three hours of music (as well as rain) and you’d think after that the day is done…you’d be wrong.

This was about 9pm, the plan at this point was for me to go back to the van while they got to work if I’d helped I would have made the process even longer. I went back to the van and slept, 3 hours later, the boys were back. Hometime? Still no, back to the warehouse so they could unload the trucks. We ended up getting home at 4am.

So, could I join the ranks? Not on your life! Even if I did have the talent that the boys do it is such a full on and intense job. So, next time you go to a show, spare a thought for the teams behind it, they’re pretty great.

 

 

Heathers The Musical

Heathers The Musical

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Last weekend I was lucky enough to be invited to go and see Heathers the Musical last weekend with my bestie Abbie. We are both big fans of Carrie Hope Fletcher and went to see her in The Addams Family last year. Now, when this was announced I had no idea what The Heathers was, I had never heard of it…so how did it come to be one of my favourite musicals of all time?

If you didn’t know (I didn’t) The Heathers was a film in the 1980s. Think of an 80s, much darker Mean Girls, which we all know is one of my favourite films. It sounded interesting but at the time I couldn’t afford tickets, so I put it to the back of my mind. Then Abbie got tickets for her birthday, asked me to go. I looked up what it was about and thought ok that 10 minutes is all I’m giving myself. I was going to see The Heathers.

Now, this musical has made an impact. I saw it on the last night of playing at The Other Palace, it’s now going to the West End! And it so, so deserves it. This musical is one of the best I’ve ever seen. An incredible story, catchy songs and the best atmosphere I’ve ever been in watching a musical. That and it’s also absolutely hilarious.

Carrie Hope Fletcher is Veronica. She takes this character and makes her come alive with all of her complicated thoughts and feelings. And that voice! Of course, I’m not going to spoil any moment of this musical for you but there is definitely a part of Veronica in all of us. Additionally, each and every member of that cast were incredible, I have some new favourites to keep an eye on. They were absolutely flawless.

I have to mention, however, there was one scene that gave me LIFE. It involves Veronica, confidence and her bra. Carrie has mentioned before she had some nerves about that scene as she’s not as tiny as some musical theatre actresses. The audience screamed. I’m around the same size as Carrie and she looked damn hot. Curvy girls or the win!

When watching I felt such a connection, the play reminded me a lot of my own school days, in the lyrics of the opening song ‘This ain’t no high school, this is the Thunderdome’. So I was not the coolest kid in school…and I particularly remembered being told by some of the more popular girls in school they were all going to wear denim mini skirts, they had told me this, I’d be cool! Can I point out I was 13. Long story short I thought I looked amazing in my glittery skirt and blue fitted top…I was called a slut all day and hid in the toilet and cried until my Mum bought me some jeans. Yeah.

Anyway, the reason for that story. I could relate to Veronica, her confusion, her feelings of wanting to be popular and wanting to be a good person. I bet a lot of people have been there. If you have a chance you won’t regret going to see it. There are still some tickets at the time of writing here.

Want a sneak peek of some of the action? I’ve posted below a performance from West End Live in June!