Wow! It's hard to believe another couple of weeks have gone by since my last post! I can't believe we are in April already, does anyone else feel like this year is just disappearing? I've had the best couple of weeks! I've been overseas, had my hair and makeup done professionally 6 separate times and done more exercise than I can even comprehend, so it's no surprise I'm writing this exhausted from bed.
Disneyland Paris
Probably the most exciting thing ever was my 3 day trip to Disneyland Paris with Charlotte de Carle and Vogue Williams. I've been obsessed with Disney since I was tiny, and despite being well into my twenties my love definitely hasn't dwindled, we had the best time ever!
We took the Eurostar from London straight to the park, (I mean how cool is it that they have their own Eurostar stop) and then we checked into the Disneyland Hotel. It was my first time in the hotel and it was the most exciting thing ever - even the shower gels had mickey mouse ears! Plus it meant we got to meet Disney characters during our meals and were right next to the park!
The whole trip was pretty spectacular but our highlights were definitely the Tower of Terror (we did this at least 6 times), Crush's Coaster (again, we managed 5 times in a row!), Space Mountain, and the nighttime show, Disney Dreams. Fireworks literally lit up the sky, it was incredible! Oh and we also got to eat at the Ratatouille restaurant! Basically there were a thousand highlights and there's so much to do for kids and adults I'd definitely recommend you consider a trip there!
Game of Thrones screening
When I invited Vogue to come with me to the premiere of the new Game of Thrones to say she was excited was an understated. She didn't stop talking about it! We both got ready, and by ready I mean I got my hair braided by Grace at Hershesons and used the Priv app to book a makeup artist, Quelle, to make me look pretty. We met at Leicester Square to walk to the cinema, and it is then I realised that I had got the date wrong and we were four days early. Oops. Not to worry, those extra four days of waiting only added to Vogue's excitement.
So on the Monday, we have our popcorn and are sat inside the cinema ready... to find out it was actually a screening of an episode that has already been on TV and it was just to launch the boxset. Oops again! Don't get me wrong, anything Game of Thrones is very exciting, I just couldn't believe after all of that we didn't even see the new episode! HAHA, sorry Vogue!
That said, I loved my look. I got my hair put up in the sickest ponytail at Hershesons then Phoebe Taylor did my makeup. For my outfit I went with the sports luxe trend and wore head to toe Topshop with a Franklin & Marshall bomber jacket, and Pharrell for Adidas Superstars.
DJ'ing for Delam
The following night, I headed west to DJ at the store launch of Delam, a cashmere brand. I'm sure you know that I'm obsessed with music, so it was awesome to get behind the decks and get people moving and shaking to J Hus (or should I say Lean & Bopping?). If you want to check out my mixing I've started a Mixcloud so I'll be uploading mixes reguarly, you can check that out here.
For the event I wore a denim Topshop skirt, a Delam jumper, and the most insane Moda in Pelle knee-high boots, with a metallic SkinnyDip shell clutch. Makeup wise I decided to experiment with a bold purple lip, which was the creation of Phoebe Taylor again.
Matalan's spring / summer launch
Matalan invited me to their Oxford Street store for the launch of their Spring Summer collection, which was pretty special and very busy. I got to catch up with my buddies Lydia Bright and Ashley Roberts, and I also met TOWIE's Georgia Kousoulou, all whilst drinking champagne. I wore an amazing dress from Three Floor with some Moda in Pelle heels, and a Julien MacDonald for Debenhams coat - a collaboration I didn't know about but which is amazing! My makeup was done by the awesome Mario Brooksbank via the Priv app.
My body transformation shoot with Hunter from Gladiators
If you regularly read my posts, you'll know I've been training like crazy with James Crossley, AKA Hunter from Gladiators. Last week I went a along to Genesis Gym, which is this super hardcore gym near Wembley, to shoot my body transformation photos with renowned physique photographer SNHFoto (www.snhfoto.com). I'm really proud of my transformation as it was more than just working out with James, he helped with my eating patterns too. I can't show you the official photos yet, but check out the behind the scenes video here.
Running for Sports Relief
The very next day it was off to the Olympic Park to run 6 miles for Sports Relief, which I ran with my friend Hannah and Steph Elswood (healthy chef Steph). The run was amazing as there was support and music the whole way, plus I got to meet Fatman Scoop at the end, which was a personal highlight! It was such a great way to spend a weekend, especially knowing it was for such a good cause, plus it counts towards my London marathon training, which is less than a month away now. You can sponsor me here: https://www.justgiving.com/AshleyLouiseJames?utm_medium=email&utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_campaign=20160331_70371
Blondes have more fun
Finally, after making the brave decision to be a red head a couple of months ago, I decided to go back blonde! I've been blonde for so many years I felt like I wanted to switch things up, and I loved my experience of being a temporary red head, but I missed being blonde! They do say blondes have more fun afterall! So I went along to Hershesons on Conduit Street (where I always get my hair done), and they did such a good job of getting me back blonde. It's such a difficult task getting a nice blonde colour after being red, but they did amazingly, and in a few weeks I am going to go even lighter blonde for summer. If you're thinking about switching up you're hair but are too scared, I'd definitely recommend doing it, although there's no place like home as they say, and I feel more myself blonde!
Well that's all from me this time round, but check out my Hoxton Radio show Friday 2pm-4pm at www.hoxtonradio.com (you can catch up on all my previous shows too!).
Speak very soon xx