Wednesday

July in Review


My favourite outfit

I am still totally in love with my skull-adorned H&M dress.

My favourite shoes

My swallow-print shoes are so cute! 

My favourite book

The Hours was amazing! So beautifully written.  

My favourite day out

I went indoor skydiving and I was awful!

Other favourites

I bared my cellulite in a swimsuit.

School's out for summer!

5 tips on taking self portraits

Visiting the British Museum

On being plus size

A day in the life of a teacher

5 ways to show personality on your blog 

Word of the month


My word of the month was Love. I wasn't amazingly focussed this week. It was the last month of the year, so I was pretty exhausted! However, I managed to tweet all my favourite people to tell them what I loved about them. This was amazing, since I scheduled them all at the beginning of the month and pretty much forgot all about them! Most people responded by telling me what they loved about me (with the exceptiuon of my little brother, who just said "OK"). Sharing the love all over the place! 

Tuesday

30 facts about Becky



I've seen a few of these posts doing the rounds and I thought it would be fun to create my own. I thought hard to think of 50 things that you won't already know but I got stuck, so I turned it to 30. 

1. I can't wear socks. Tights are fine, but my toes feel stuck in socks.
2. Until the age of 18, I planned to be an interior designer. 
3. I love most vegetables but hate most fruit...
4. ...Except salad. I absolutely despise salad. Especially tomatoes. Work of the devil, I tell you!
5. I don't drink hot drinks of any variety. 
6. Until I was 18, I didn't wear skirts.
7. I used to go ghosthunting.
8. When I started school, I was a selective mute. 
9. I don't actually like cake all that much (Sorry, Ella!)
10. I've never burped. I don't even know how to. I don't think I'm physically capable of it.
11. I started reading at 3. My grandma- a retired headteacher- taught me.
12. The most expensive piece of clothing I own is my Marc Jacobs skirt. 
13. I've only ever had one pet- A hamster called Nibbles.
14. I could never live in the country because darkness and silence freaks me out.
15. All of my boyfriends have had long hair.
16. My grandparents took me and my brother all over Europe as children.
17. I've always wanted the ability to control time.
18. When I was little, I called naan bread "puppet bread" because I could stick my finger in it.
19. I think unfunny jokes are the funniest jokes.
20. Rich and I incessantly insult each other. It's how we show affection!
21. My eyes change colour.
22. If I touch a teddy in a shop, I have to buy it because I've got its hopes up.
23. ...and my teddies are always boys.
24. I have a compulsive disorder.
25. When I get excited, I develop a farmer accent. I'm not even from the West Country.
26. I do a cracking impression of Andy Parsons.
27. I don't like going to the cinema because I have no patience for films.
28. I stopped drinking alcohol at 20.
29. My arms are ridiculously weak. 
30. I love trashy documentaries on Channel 5. (Currently watching World's Scariest Holidays) 

Anything else you want to know? Drop me a line on Twitter and I'll answer asap. 

101 in 1001 VIV



#95: Learn to drive
Ok, so I haven't actually learned to drive yet but I did pass my theory test this month. I'm working my way towards it! 

#96: Read 75 books
I've read a fair bit this month. I'll be able to read even more in August and I plan to have a whole day of reading in bed. 

#101: Watch the backlog of films I've downloaded
 After finishing the book, I watched the film adaptation of The Hours. It was absolutely beautiful but also very, very depressing. Don't say I didn't warn you!
After my trip to see The Rocky Horror Show, I decided to watch the film again and see if I liked it any more now that I'd seen the stage show. I still found it underwhelming, unfortunately. It definitely doesn't translate onto screen well. Though I would love to see Tim Burton direct a remake! 
One sleepy Saturday, I decided to watch Brokeback Mountain. I saw it about 5 years ago and always meant to watch it again. 2 hours later, I regretted my decision as my face hurt from sobbing! Why does it have to be so sad? 
Who doesn't love a good gnome pun?

Monday

Evolution of Festival Fashion

NL

When New Look contacted me to tell me about their Evolution of Festival Fashion timeline, I checked it out straight away and I found it hugely inspiring. Straight away, I thought it would be fun to create three festival looks inspired by three decades. I had a bit of trouble deciding which three to focus on, but eventually settled on 1969, 1976 and 1992. 

I've been quite vocal about my thoughts of "festival fashion" that does the rounds at this time of year, so I've kept all of my looks practical. 
 1969
My heart is with the 60s so this was a really fun look to create. The dress is cheap and lightweight- Perfect for the unpredictable British summer- and make up is kept simple. Who wants a sweaty moshpit ruining your mascara? I'd wear this with classic green wellies, ready for a day at Glastonbury. 

1976
This look is so bizarre for me. I look so different and alien, but 8 years ago, this would have been a look I'd have worn daily. I'd wear this to Download with classic- and indestructible- black Doc Martens. Tights are already ripped, so it doesn't matter if they rip even more, and the messier the hair and make up, the better. 
1992
I got a bit carried away with my make up here. I was meant to be channelling Courtney Love, not The Joker! I wanted to wear ripped fishnets with this but I couldn't find any, so just pretend I'm wearing them! The petticoat and bedjacket are vintage, which I definitely would not wear to a festival! Basic modern ones would do the job too. I loved teaming it with the crop top- 90stastic! With sturdy ankle boots, I'd love to wear something like this to Reading. 

This was a whole lot of fun! I absolutely loved dressing up and doing something a little bit different. I recommend that you check out the New Look timeline and make up your own festival looks. I'd love to see them! 

Wreck This Journal I


I love anything creative. I've had a billion sketchbooks but I struggle with my quest for perfection. So when I heard about Wreck This Journal, it seemed perfect for me. The whole point is to destroy it. It's the nemesis of perfection. I thought this would be the ultimate way to harness imperfect creativity. 

I'm working on it here and there, and I'll post a monthly update to show you what I've been up to. Some of it will be pretty good, a lot will be rubbish but I'll show it all off anyway. 
I spraypainted the cover- terribly- and used a fineliner to draw on it. 

I wrote Brand New lyrics along the edges- Touch me or don't. Just let me know. 

This was meant to be a self-portrait. I made myself look more like Adele than I intended! 
 Crack the spine. It's not Mordor, as someone thought (I forget who it was)! 
 Drawing with my left hand. In case you couldn't tell, I created this page during Wimbledon. 
 Create a non-stop line. I used lyrics from songs of my youth to create this line. 
Can you tell what any of the songs are? Bonus emo points if you can! 
This is a page in process. I'll finish it off at some point. 
I don't drink coffee so I found it hard to pour my coffee. I chose Pepsi instead but it didn't leave much of a mark. I'll try it again. 
Do a really ugly drawing- I attempted a werewolf inspired by Every Time I Die. At least it's ugly...

I love this book! I can't wait to get more done over the summer.

Sunday

28th July 2013


Dress: H&M
Leggings: Asda

This tunic has converted me to leggings. I have always hated them but there was no way I could wear this as a dress! I had no choice but to turn to leggings and I haven't looked back! Yes, they're a little ugly but, my goodness, they feel good!

I was instantly drawn to this dress as it looked as if it had fallen straight out of 2005. I don't think you'll find anything more emo on the high street right now! In fact, Marie ended up buying the same one, so we can be old school emo kids together! 

52 Shoes XXIV


Shoes: Primark

I love these shoes. Unfortunately, being cheap Primark shoes, the soles have started peeling away from the upper. They were good enough for me to wear quickly as I popped to the local shops, but I really think I need to throw them out. Sad times!

Oh well, just an excuse to buy more, I guess...

Saturday

25 things fat people shouldn't do: Wear a swimsuit


25 Things Fat People Shouldn't Do is an unabashed middle finger to the preposterous idea that any human who weighs more than the status quo does not deserve to live a full and well rounded (ahem) life. The list of 25 is composed word for word from direct lists of sheer assholery found on the internet. These range from the absurd to the profoundly shameful, and I will be disproving this offensive notion with style. May the Chub Club live long and prosper!"-The Militant Baker

Wear a swimsuit
Ok, this is actually supposed to be Wear a bikini but I don't own any. I just don't like them. It would be too much like prancing around in my underwear!
Of course, most people would wear their swimsuit in the pool but there's not a nice one near us so this will have to make do. What do you think of my swimsuit? I'm obsessed with polkadot skirted ones. I have a red and white one too which I'll show off for you soon! 

27th July 2013


Dress: Primark

This dress is so cute! I am absolutely in love with it and it was only £13. Hooray for Primark!

It's my first weekend of the holidays and it feels so good knowing I don't need to wake up early on Monday! Today I popped to a local reptile shop that has just opened and checked out the lizards. There were some really cute ones and a gigantic python! They also had adorable tortoises, and now I really want one! 

Friday

FF XLIX


Look how pretty Islay's watermelon nails are! 
Amy's outfit is perfection! I had both silver jelly shoes and a silver inflatable backpack in the 90s! 
Sarah's camper is the stuff of my dreams! 


Ed Balls Teaches Typing is so addictive. I've learned to type Ed Balls in 0.565 seconds, which is probably the most productive thing anybody has ever learned from him. Boom boom! #TeacherJoke
Marianne's cat is so, so fluffy! 
Nora drew a picture of me and it's so freaking cute! 
Ally made a toucan dress...and painted the fabric herself. INSANELY GOOD! 

Book Review: The Way We Wore


The Way We Wore- Robert Elms
The Way We Wore is an autobiography of sorts, told through the medium of clothes- Exploring the dress of journalist Robert Elms throughout his 70s and 80s youth, from mod to new romantic and discussing the social implications of these subcultures.

I absolutely loved the first part of the story. Elms discussed his working-class background, growing up on a London council estate and how sartorial and musical subcultures formed his identity throughout his junior and secondary school days. This is something I could definitely relate to- I still attribute a lot of who I am today down to my teenage experiences of a council estate emokid. I felt that maybe I wasn't as crazy as I thought- Elms' obsession with clothes, his total reluctance to throw any out and his quest for sartorial perfection are all very familiar!
However, as he recounted his experiences growing up and entering the punk and new romantic scenes, his tale began to get a little cringeworthy. Every page had a namedrop and it began to all read a bit "Look how influential I was in the 80s!" Did he really need to tell us that he and Boy George didn't like each other? No, probably not. It's even more embarrassing when he explains how he named Spandeau Ballet. Maybe it's true, but it's not really necessary to the book. I did find, however, that this will provide a generic background context for when I visit the V&A From Club to Catwalk exhibit later in the year, so that's pretty helpful. 

I was even more annoyed in the final chapter, where Elms laments that, since the 80s, there has been no more creativity in British youth. He does admit that maybe he's a bit old, but seemingly fails to recognise that actually there certainly are young, creative subcultures and perhaps he just isn't as involved in the scene as he'd like to think he still is. He goes on to berate the rave culture generation who claim that they started the dance scene as it was, in fact, his generation. I think we'd all agree that every single cultural generation can be traced back decades and that his certainly did not start any single movement. 
Furthermore, I was disappointed by his self-serving epilogue that forms no other purpose than to describe, in great detail, the process of having one of his many bespoke suits made by a Saville Row tailor. As somebody who grew up on a council estate, unable to afford the clothing that he so desired as a child, he must surely be aware of the almost sickening boasting that this chapter creates. 

It's a shame as this book had such a promising beginning. Unfortunately, it unfolded into a totally boastful, ignorant celebration of a rather unlikeable author. 

Thursday

Sponsor Becky Bedbug in August


It's the best time of the year (bar Christmas, of course!). I have so many great plans for this summer and I'm hoping to fulfill a fair few of my goals. Maybe I could help you reach yours too. Ever fancied advertising your blog or business? Now is the time! 

All sponsors get an advert in my sidebar for 30 days, reaching out to my 1800+ followers across GFC and Bloglovin'. You also get a shoutout on Twitter, viewed by 1600+ followers, and, with some of the options, featured in a sponsor post on Becky Bedbug. 

Prices start from $10/ £6.60 so there is an option to suit all budgets! Full details can be found on my sponsorship page. I'm also happy to host giveaways and review products, so get in touch if this is something you're interested in. I look forward to having you on board! 

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