LIVE IN LIVING COLOUR

For years I was pining over tablets, the electronic device not the medication - obviously, eager to have one to myself for long journeys, work, and anywhere that would require a screen smaller than my phone. But of course, money held me back, and there was always something I needed more, like a new laptop or a camera (in my case, two) so a tablet always fell by the wayside.

But in January I stumbled upon someone's Instagram photo and I saw their iPad on the Pinterest app. It looked so fun and I imagined being sat there for hours pinning picture after picture, I envisioned how perfect it would be for my blog and how I'd have everything I needed on one device that didn't require me carrying my laptop on every trip I made.

Within the week I'd made my mind up and parted with my money; not once since have I regretted the decision.

I love using the notes section to draft my blog posts text, compiling a list of post ideas and making general notes on there to go back to at a later date. It's much easier to carry my iPad around in my bag than multiple notebooks and pens for when ideas strike me or I have a quick note that needs jotting down.

Pinterest has become such an obsession of mine, the first month or two after gaining my iPad I lost so much time and sleep because I was pinning whenever I had internet. Thankfully I've calmed down but it's great when I'm watching television or seeking out images for my next Trendsetter Tuesday.

My Safari browser has multiple tabs open with different blogs on each, this is great for research, having a quick read when I'm on the go and user friendly. I find it much easier than loading everything on my laptop. The first tab is my own blog!

After my mum subscribed to Vogue on my behalf last year, I've loved reading the electronic version when I'm out and about or I'm sat in a coffee shop. Before I used to carry the current issue with me but they are so bulky aren't they? Some of the ads and text are interactive too which causes for a more interesting read.

The majority of my images are edited via VSCOcam including my Instagram snaps and my blog pictures. It's free, real user friendly and allows you to do with your images as you wish without having to pay a hefty fee for computer software that will take you months to learn!

Whenever I see an Instagram picture, a blog post, a recipe etc I like to save and screen print things for future reference. Everything is stored in my photos and then categorised into separate folders.

The other most commonly used feature on my iPad is the calendar, every pre-planned blog post, photo shoot and event is input into my calendar so I know where I'm up to and can refer to it whenever I need to. It makes the planning stage so much easier.

So there you have it, my tablet is the perfect blogging companion!

How many of you use yours for blogging? Are there any other devices or tools that you prefer?

I'd love to know, just drop me a comment below or tweet me!

SB xo

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(Forgive my musical based post title, take a listen to the catch-y track here)

A NAME'S JUST A STRING OF LETTERS

Choosing a name for a blog is nearly as hard as naming a child. It's an identity, a brand and it's there for life. Okay, so you could change your blog name, but a person can change their name too. Your face is your identifier, but your blog is known by its name and if that's changed then your online blog presence has to, pretty much, be relearnt from scratch.

When it came to naming my blog, I had such a tricky decision on my hands. Sometimes I'm still not happy with what I chose. When I started this, back in August 2013, it was not just something I'd been wanting to do for a while, but it was part of my task work for college. We had to create a blog that reflects our interests and who we were, we had free reign on the topics as long as we had actually created something ourselves. Finding the right name at the time has been difficult, I'd written tonnes of ideas, tested them on different social media platforms and begged people for their input. Tea and Topshop was formed out of my love for, well, tea and Topshop. I adored the name, I still do, but it didn't really seem practical or professional to brand my blog with another brand name. 

[ This is definitely something you should take into account when starting a blog or rebranding yourself, be different, don't rip off someone else. Would a company want to work with you if your name all but promoted another brand? No, they wouldn't. ]

With my decision to rebrand, my name quest continued.

So many names were thrown around, I had a vote on Tumblr, Instagram and Twitter and I nearly became I am Sam Ball to match my social media handles. After much consideration I deemed it too plain and soldiered on.

[ One thing I liked to do was imagine different scenarios where my name could be used, if you saw a feature of yourself in a magazine, would you really want to see that blog name printed beside you? If yes, then go for it. If not, don't do it, think again. It's really worth the effort. ]

Alright Sunshine came about after I found a note in an old notebook, the words Hello Fascination were printed on the first page and nothing more. I first fell in love with the phrase when I heard the track The Dressing Room by Breathe Carolina which was featured on their album, Hello Fascination. However, with the name already in use, I wasn't okay with plagiarising it for my own personal benefit and I decided to play around with the concept.

My initial thoughts were Hello Sunshine, how coincidental that that phrase has now been used on mugs, cushions, postcards and everything in between since, but after a quick Google search I was faced with so many results that I knew it was an ultimate no-go.

But sunshine was stuck in my mind and after many many alterations, I decided on Alright Sunshine.

And, it works!

I'm from the North West of England and terms of endearment are as common as saying "hello". I call everyone names such as sunshine, lovely, sweetheart etc, in fact as I wrote this on the coach back from London a few weeks ago, a lady shouted "Ta-ra sunshine!" as she exited the vehicle. It's just how we are.

Alright Sunshine not only represents where I'm from, but it's also warm sounding and a phrase I've grown to use a lot. I'm a girl (sorry, woman) of little confidence and short conversational skills, the first thing I say to someone is "you alright?", it's a filler phrase but it's something I seek comfort in.

The name fits. It's not witty or frilly or related to my blog in general, but it suits me and reflects me to my audience. It sums me up and if that's not what a blog name should be about, then what should it be?

What's your blog story? Send me your links because I'd love to know what your name means to you.

Okay, I nabbed my post title from The Dressing Room. It's only fitting!

SB xo
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TRENDSETTER TUESDAY: JAMIE CHUNG

Months ago, images of Jamie Chung were forever popping up on Tumblr, I had no clue who she as but I craved her wardrobe and to look as effortlessly incredible as she always does. To be fair, it wasn't until recently that I realised she was an actress, I was convinced she was a full time blogger because she dressed so beautifully.

Not only is Jamie an actress, unbelievably beautiful and engaged to Bryan Greenberg, she's also one of the most stylish women on the planet. That is a fact.

It's hard to find words and phrases I haven't already used on my previous trendsetters but the I feel that the pictures I've shared of her style are worth a thousand words.

I admire her ability to think outside the box with her fashion whilst remaining cool, elegant and so well put together. There aren't many who manage this successfully. 

Besides this girl seems to love monochrome as much as me. Just another reason to adore her.

Her footwear also captivates me, not only does she wear the sorts I lust after, she also wears things similar to myself. It's exciting to be able to identify with someone's style and to take elements of their ensembles to inspire yourself. 

If I'm ever stuck in future, I'm definitely turning to Jamie Chung for some ultimate fashion inspo!

Tweet me pictures of your favourite outfit of Jamie's!

SB xo

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OH, WHAT A NIGHT!

Last week I took an impromptu trip to London for the weekend after my nan's friend was unable to go. To be honest, I thought the 3am wake up call would kill me after a long week of work. 

Can you believe it took 8 hours to get to London by coach?! I think I'll stick to my trains from now on.

After a 20 minute walk, and some major help from Google Maps, we arrived at the Picadilly Theatre to see the matinee performance of Jersey Boys. I won't lie, I've been itching to see this for ages, but with a musical list as long as my arm, I hadn't yet found time to see it. Who was I to turn down a free trip to London with a show trip thrown in? 

There's only one way to describe the show: incredible.

It doesn't matter whether you're seventeen or seventy, this show is not to be missed. I even found myself singing along to some of The Four Season's hits!

It left you with so many emotions but most importantly it left it's audience with beaming smiles, the reaction anyone should leave a theatre with. Even the cast seemed stunned by it's phenomenal audience response.

I'm already mentally planning another trip to see it, hopefully this time with my best friend in tow.

As this was a coach tours trip, we stayed in a hotel in Kent, about an hour from London. It was hard going being restricted to time limits, especially being stuck in traffic on a coach of mostly pensioners but again, it was FREE!

The hotel was nice in a seventies decor kind of way, but it was comfortable and a brief stop so not a whole lot to complain about.

Let's be honest, I longed to stay here.

On the Sunday we had a few hours to mooch around Covent Garden and I stumbled across this small group. There were so talented and entertaining that I was simply mesmerised. I'd love to find out their name! I must re-watch my videos of them and perhaps cobble something together to share with you guys.

I adore Covent Garden but isn't it a drag when it's pouring with rain and blowing a gale? I had to literally refrain from stepping into Dior, Chanel & Burberry and purchasing self pity items.

With half an hour until bus call, my nan protested walking any further so she parked herself into a comfy Costa seat with a pot of tea and I wandered off with my Nikon to snap the local Aldwych area.

I hadn't realised the whole area was so close nit with Covent Garden, Theatreland, Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square! I stumbled across the back of Somerset House and was stunned I hadn't noticed that entrance before.

I'm still so mesmerised by the area and the buildings, I could just stand and stare for hours on end.

Fashion Week nostalgia hit me full force. Bring on September!

The Lyceum is such a special theatre to me because I saw my first staged musical there and it was of my favourite childhood film (The Lion King). I'm itching to relive that emotion and experience.

All in all, the trip was worth it simply just to see Jersey Boys!

I cannot wait for my next short London break in May.

What shows have you seen? What are you really eager to see?
I'm in such a musical (and Aaron Tveit [oops]) mood!

SB xo
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