My Life Bucketlist

December 31st 2018

~~29. Finish my art journal~~

Wow. It's been a long while since I've written a post about something I've ticked off. This one is very important to me though.
I have this journal. Sometimes it acts as my diary, a brain dump which I can vent in about how I'm feeling and my struggles, mainly my good memories that I want to remember.
This journal has been with me to every country I've visited since 2016. It contains scraps of my memory, little trinkets, things I've learnt and is a key reminder of how I've changed over the 3 years.

It's quite bad how long it took me to fill it, because it's not really a big book, but that was what was nice about it - I didn't HAVE to fill it out if I didn't want to. It wasn't school work, it was just for me.

I'm going to upload a few photos of my favourite pages and include a little snippet of what it's about and why I love it so much. I will be starting another journal, but this one will forever be special to me.

I used to have a weird obsession with Brighton. I'm not quite sure why, but I used to beg my parents to go all the time. I'd normally go for my birthdays or as a treat and I'd mostly do the same thing each time.
I'd go to Snoopers Paradise, a gorgeous vintage shop which is located in the North Laine. For some silly reason, you're not allowed to take photos or film in there, so I can't show you what it looks like, but I make sure to go there every time and buy some old photographs.
Then I'd get bubble tea, go to the £7 buffet on the main street and go to the pier to go on the rides. The black and white photobooth photo is from snoopers too, as they have an original automatic photo booth in there! I definitely recommend checking it out.

There's this artist that I studied in my second year at college, called Angela Deane. Her work is quite unique, involving painting ghosts on top of people in old photographs that she's found.
My project at the time was about how we change as we grow older and leave 'ghosts' of ourselves behind as we go through phases.
This piece was just for fun. Just for me.
I found this photo in Snoopers in Brighton a few years back. It's of this girl and two older women. The girl is wearing something that looks like a wedding dress.
I have a large collection of black and white photos. I think it's quite sad that they end up in second-hand shops. The people in the photograph may be dead.
I just love it - imagining the story behind a photograph, what happened, who they were.

Being 16 was hard. Most people say that they miss being 16, and I wonder how that could be, for being 16 was truly horrible, for me at least.
I really don't miss it at all.
I definitely prefer being 18.

16 was definitely a key year of my life though. I did my GCSE's, went to America for the first time, fell in love like a dumb teenager.
I really was a dumb teenager.

I hope I'm not now

If you look through my previous posts, you should come across my monthly playlists goal. I used to write them down in my journal too.
Usually on a decorated page for that aesthetic (whatever I was trying to do, it still looked rubbish).
On the second page is a photo of me just about to go to bed. It's actually from 2015 when I got back from the Summer in the city convention in London. Myself and my best friend, Vikki, had a sleepover. I was completely knackered.

I like

adventures . The y
were
exciting

from the end of midnight things
started to look pretty bleak

the y
would go on without m
e
I was just about to end it
i said
"help me breathe."
i wa n t
to
try.

"I think I'm breathing better,"

This is from the 8th of May, 2018.
I'd just finished my second year of college.
I finished so early because I was only doing Fine Art and Photography, which both finish in May.

I loved being off so early, but it sucked because all my friends did at least 1 academic subject, so they were still stuck at college for another 3 months.
On the right is an old photo of my Grandad when he was in the Royal Navy. I doodled the pattern around the outside of him.

A few months ago, in October 2018, I went on a course trip for 4 days to Margate. Because I'm an art student, we went to the Turner contemporary, saw a load of Tracey Emin's work etc.
Our hotel was absolute shite. I stayed with 3 of my friends in this small room with 2 bunk beds and an ensuite. It was definitely better than the other peoples room. In my best friend's room, they had a live wire sticking out of the wall, hair in the shower drain, the floor was curved (and looked ready to go), and the draws didn't have a bottom.
It was crap.
And then at the end of the trip, we were told that a couple artists had used the rooms above us as art installations a few months back. I thought it sounded pretty cool, and we went up to take a look. There was one room painted entirely black, another red. And when it go to the room above ours, we found out that the artist had let a load of birds come through the window and SHIT everywhere.
I wish I was joking.
Margate itself was actually kinda nice. I got a couple new records, some old photos and an adorable bag. I also love this photo of me posing in a bookshop. I did do loads of work and have fun with my friends. I don't know if I'd ever go back though.

This is another photo of me in Margate. I'll save it for my disposable cameras post as I bought two and used all the film up on the trip.

The entry is my favourite part. I wrote this after I met Rusty Clanton, an incredible artist. His music is so beautiful. I literally can't find the words to describe him.
I'd listened to him for about 5 years, hearing him for the first time after finding Dodie. I can remember listening to his music and just plain sobbing because it was so emotional. He was so lovely, even though I was totally awkward and shy. I'm happy I got to meet one of my inspirations. Thanks Rusty! I've also covered his song in my most recent video 'WINTER 2018' (Click HERE). Although his version is much better.

In my final few entries, I spewed words of wisdom which I hope I follow in the future. I went over what the book contained and what I had been through. What I had accomplished.
Here it is:

December 30th 2018
This year has been hard, much like last year and the year before that.
If there's anything I've learned in the past 4-5 years, its that every year is going to be hard. Maybe they were only truly hard because I chose to focus on the bad things that happened rather than the good things.
Sadness is a part of being alive.
You can't truly be happy without sadness.
Things are always going to get hard. There's so preventing it, but if you look back through this book, many of the entries are about happy things that have happened.
- my journey through year 11, being 16.
- my GCSE's
- my feminist rants
- my old favourite memories
- Mac's wedding
- meeting Dodie
- Brighton x1
- prom
- America 2016
- starting college
- Dodie x2
- turning 17
- Brighton x2
- Kooks
- my crushes
- Brighton x3
- Mac's bday and meeting Amy
- Greece
- my first date
- late night drives with my friends
- pride
- victorious festival
- making new close friends
- parties
- people turning 18
- getting into my level 4 foundation diploma in art and design
- travel plans
- Brighton x4
- Dodie x3
- turning 18
- finishing college
- seeing peter pan in London
- Ed Sheeran at Wembley
- Disney Paris 2018
- Amsterdam with Elena
- Bournemouth beach with my college friends
- my first gay club
- Margate
- meeting Rusty Clanton

All these incredible things have happened.
I've been to different countries, made new friends, met famous people.
I've been LIVING, which is something I'm very happy about.

I'm incredibly thankful to this journal and my experiences, even the bad ones. Because I have learned from them and let them shape me into the person I am today.
I think it's time that I learn from my mistakes, surround myself with good and positive people who actually give a shit about me.

December 31st 2018

It's the last day of 2018 and I'm about to finish this journal once and for all.
I can't remember what inspired me to start it in the first place but I am so glad that I did because its so much better than a photo album. It contains my struggles and how I've changed and improved.
This is my greatest possession because of all the sentimental things it contains.
At this moment I wonder if I'll show this to my nieces or my nephew. Perhaps when they're older.
Or my future children.
They can see how I felt when I'm their age.

With next year bring the promise of adventure and experiencing new things.
I may or may not go to University, live in London.
I will meet new people
I'll go to different countries.
It's all very scary, but for the most part, exciting!

Well, here we are - the last page.
It's 3:14 PM, I'm listening to 'I hope it's you' by Rusty Clanton.
I'm sat on my bed with my fairy lights bright. My mini christmas tree is still up.
My room is an absolute mess!
Next to me on my bed is my 2019 goals list.
I'm 18 years old, I have an amazing and supportive group of friends, a loving family.
And I am happy.

Time to do something amazing <3

Thank you.

Amy.

19th May 2018

~~79. Finish College~~

When I first started college, I was so nervous. I've never really been that good with change and I nearly always assume the worst.
Luckily, I managed to make a lovely big group of friends who all mean so much to me. I am very thankful to have stayed so close with them over the two years at college.

Some tips I have for people about to start college:

- It's okay to be nervous. Remember that everyone is in the same boat

- The classes you will take are a lot harder than secondary school level classes. Please take ones you are prepared to learn.

- It is truly up to you how much effort you put into your subjects. Please keep that in mind and use your free periods wisely.

- If you take an art subject, like I did, be warned that art supplies cost quite a bit of money.

- Don't put so much effort into what you're going to wear everyday. Go for comfy clothes which are going to help you feel better when sitting at a desk for hours.

I owe so much to these people and how much they have helped me through my struggles. I know that these people will be in my life for a long time.

'We didn't know we were making memories. We just knew we were having fun'

Thanks,

Amy.

~~54. Take pictures in a photobooth~~

I manage to go to Brighton around 2-3 times a year. I'm not sure why it meant a lot to me when I was younger: perhaps the fact that people who used to be my idols live there?
Nevertheless I have visited Brighton many, many times and will continue to make memories there.

A couple years ago, I had a bit of a schedule that I would stick to every time I went. It was something along the lines of:
-Look around the shopping centre
-Venture into the lanes
-Choccy Woccy Doo Dah
-Grab some food off the main street (Wagamama, Subway or the 7.99 buffet place)
-Sit down on the beach and take photos
-Buy a wristband and go on rides at the pier till night.

Again, I don't know why my 'to do list' was so specific. I don't regret it though because I had a lot of fun. I only really go to Brighton with my really close friends because it means so much to me and I used to think of it as my happy place.

Now, however, I've realised that Brighton is slightly overrated. Jam-packed with tourists and shops which sell rock candy in the shape of private parts.
I still love it for what it is though. And because I still love it, I have a tradition from my early schedule days which I have continued everything I go.

I get a photo booth picture from Snoopers Paradise.

On my bedroom wall and in my art journals, I have a collection of about 20+ photo booth pictures from that place. I love taking my friends there for the first time and the excitement we feel when the camera goes off.

I just love it! Have you ever been to Snoopers Paradise?

Thanks,

Amy.

4th July 2018

~~60. Visit the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam~~

This is a place that I've wanted to visit for a long time. I've always been mesmerized by Van Gogh's paintings - the individual strokes and how it can contain so much emotion that some people can't see. When my friend and I decided to travel up to Amsterdam for 3 days before she went off to uni, I jumped at the chance to see some masterpieces.

Amsterdam itself was so beautiful. Each building was so different to the ones here in England. I loved the chill atmosphere and how everyone seemed so artsy. I'm definitely going to go back one day.

For the museum, we booked our tickets online so we didn't have to queue up there. Our tickets were for a set time, so when that time arrived, we went through the front doors and up the stairs to the first room FULL of portraits.
~~I could've cried.~~

There were 4 massive floors full of hundreds of paintings, sketches and letters. At one point on the 3rd floor, I found myself standing less than a meter from 'Bedroom in Arles', a very famous painting that I never thought I'd ever be so close to.

Unfortunately (but understandably) photography wasn't allowed in most of the building. The footage I did mange to capture is in a short video that I created about our trip.

I had the most amazing time and am definitely going to go back someday! Hopefully, you'll be able to stand less than a meter away from masterpieces in the future.

Thanks,

Amy.

7th July 2016

19. ~~Prom~~

For most people, prom is something they've always looked forward to. The idea of splashing out on a nice dress to wear for a couple hour is appealing. They've grown up exposed to multiple examples of how amazing prom can be.

I was one of these people.

Before my prom, I was so excited to spend a day getting ready and treating myself, to partying the night away. I bought a puffy red sparkly dress, very high heels, new makeup and myself and a couple friends hired a limo for the night. From my experience watching high school musical, I had high expectations of how the evening was going to be.

Problem number 1: my hairdresser was hella late.

For some reason, my hairdresser was late coming to my house. I decided to save some time and do my makeup, putting on a lot of sparkly eyeshadow and mascara. When she did arrive, I told her that I wanted it to be curled. My hair is already very curly, but also frizzy and messy. I wanted neater ringlets, however she had only brought straightners. To straighten my hair and then curl it with the straightners, she needed to brush through my ringlets.

This was a painful process which took half an hour (and I cried all my makeup off).

In the end, my hair fell down my shoulders in big poofy ringlets, which is exactly the opposite of what I originally wanted. I shrugged it off and hurried into my dress and shoes.

We had a set time to arrive to my friends house and get the limo to prom, and I was very late (because of the hairdresser).

I decided to just let go and have a good time.

Problem number 2: the traffic and heat.

I had never been in a limo before, and I was very excited to be driven around in one for a short time. The limo itself was very lovely and we all sat comfortably inside with some drinks and music. I had made a banging limo playlist weeks beforehand containing mostly sing songs, but because of the rush, my phone was on very low battery. This was mainly a problem because I wanted to take photos and remember the night. Nevertheless we had fun singing.

In films when watching the prom happen, you always forget that it's actually held in the summer, meaning that it gets very humid. It was hard keeping my hair flat and my makeup from spoiling.

We were also a tad late arriving because of the 4pm traffic.

When we did arrive, our head of year almost rushed us inside, but we were able to see our families who had come down to see us (and had been waiting whilst we were stuck in traffic). I got some nice photos and was ready to go in.

Everything was lovely inside - balloons were strewn about and there was a photobooth which you could take free photos in with props. I did manage to grab a couple of those.

Next we all sat down ready for food.

Problem number 3: the food (which I'm sure gave everyone food poisoning).

I hadn't eaten much all day because I didn't want to look bloated in my dress and I paid for a 3 course meal at the venue. Keeping in mind, I'm a vegetarian, they brought out meat curry for the starter.

Curry, for a starter, at a prom, where people are wearing expensive dresses and suits.

Of course, I didn't touch it. They only brought out the veggie curry 5 minutes before they served the main meal. The vegetarian option was okay: spinach and ricotta ravioli in a cheese sauce. I still think there was something in it as I was very ill the next day.

For the meat option, people were served half a corn on the cob, a chicken breast and a bit of bacon.

I can't make this up.

Also I didn't see any of the sweets we were promised for dessert.

The rest of the night was a blast though. I know I made it sound very bad, and it was indeed very bad, but we all made do with what we were given. Luckily the DJ played some really good songs which made everyone go up on the dancefloor. I also got some really nice photos with my friends.

It was fun to dance and sing with everyone altogether for one last time. There are definitely some things I would've changed, but looking back, I was very happy to just be with my mates.

Things may not turn out how you want them to but there's no use wishing for a different outcome or comparing yourself to others experiences. We should be grateful and realise how lucky we are. I accept now that the venue was pretty terrible, but at the end of the day, I was with all of my best friends and we had a blast.

I am very grateful to my friends, my parents and family.

But seriously, screw Botleigh Grange Hotel...

29th December 2017

~~143. Make a playlist every month for a year~~

Usually at the end of every year, I make a facebook post about how the year has been for me. I also include a load of pictures which I get to look through and relive the memories behind them. However, this year I wanted to do something different.
I've always been very passionate about music. I listen to it every single day. If i listen to a certain song in a certain place or at a certain time, when I listen to it from then on, I am always reminded of that time or that place. For some of my playlists, I simply use them to relive old memories or to feel transported to another country etc.
I'm also one to go off music after listening to it for a while. I can't help it, I get bored! So, I thought I'd make a different playlist every month. I'd select a photo which would describe how I felt at the time, and them I would state my aesthetic of the month and what I hope I achieve through each playlist.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. (I'll only write down a few of my favourites from each playlist, however the link to my spotify will be included)

January (2017)

Monthly Playlist // Jumpers and candles - a new year with new music, plus glimpses of 2016 I couldn't let go just yet

Anchor - Novo Amor
Spanish Sahara - Foals
Young Folks - Peter Bjorn and John
Even if it's a lie - Matt Maltese
30 Minute Break - The Luka State
Left Hand Free - Alt-J
Has anyone ever written anything for you - Stevie Nicks
The Wisp Sings - Winter Aid
ILYSB - LANY
Crosses - Jose Gonzales
The Trial Of The Century - French Kicks
Intertwined - Dodie
O Children - Nick Cave
Lifespan - Vaults
Weird Around You - Eerie Summer
A lovely night - La La Land
Memento Mori - Crywank
Terrified - Issac Gracie

February (2017)

Monthly playlist // peaches and cream - Songs that remind me of America, chill tunes and la la land

Life lesson - Dodie
Sweet Emotion - The Kooks
The Words You Say - Harrison Storm
Monster - Kanye West
Bridge Burn - Little Comets
Soundcheck - Catfish and the Bottlemen
With Love - Christina Grimmie
Milk and Honey - Jessarae
You - Petit Biscuit
Splendor - M83
Outro - M83
Wait - M83
How Far I'll Go - Moana
Top to Toe - Femme Lily

March (2017)

Monthly playlist // Fairy lights and green tea - Slowly attempting to mix in songs for summer.

Novels - Rusty Clanton
City of Stars - La La Land
Cocoon - Catfish and the Bottlemen
Rango - Catfish and the Bottlemen
Hourglass - Catfish and the Bottlemen
Flame - Sundara Karma
Shell Suite - Chad Valley
Yamaha - Delta Spirit
Missing you - John Waite
Losing my Religion - R.E.M
Beautiful World - Tennyson
Mt. Washington - Local Natives
Green Light - Lorde
for him. - Troye Sivan
Feels Like We Only Go Backwards - Tame Impala
Like it's over - Jai Wolf (ft. MNDR)
In Quiet Rooms - Ollie MN
Be our Guest - Beauty and the Beast
Untitled - Rusty Clanton
Chinese New Year - SALES

April (2017)

Monthly Playlist // Pressed Flowers and Poetry - Acoustic tunes, a few musicals and some quality bangers.

False Realities - Pleasantry
Laundry Day - No Vacation
Trouble - Cage the Elephant
Tell me - Johnny Jewel
No Surprise (Bonus Track) - The Shacks
Chloe - Matt Wills
April Skies - The Jesus and Mary Chain
Seven Wonders - Fleetwood Mac
Cinnamon - Jome
Sinnerman - Nina Simone
I want to kiss you - Spook School
The Man from Glasgow - The Raglans
Cold Cold Cold - Cage the Elephant
Newslang - The Shins

May (2017)

Monthly Playlist // Lazy Afternoons and Flower-filled fields - Hazy songs, a few 70's hits, summery tunes and les mis.

Number One - Tove Stryke
Rhiannon - Fleetwood Mac
Idle Town - Conan Gray
Naive - The Kooks
Seaside - The Kooks
Swim - Fickle Friends
Ballad of Dwight Fry - Alice Cooper
Hungry Heart - Bruce Springsteen
Space Oddity - David Bowie
Boyfriend - Tegan and Sara
First Day Of My Life - Bright Eyes
To Let Go - c o s y
Amar Pelos Dois - Salvador Sobral
Wake Up - Arcade Fire
The Whole of the Moon - The Waterboys
I Have Never Loved Someone - My Brightest Diamond
Red Red Red - Tom Rosenthal

June (2017)

Monthly Playlist // Oil paints and denim shorts - More pop tunes, still mixed with classics. It's finally summer!

Late Bloomer - Haley Blais
White Tiger - Izzy Bizu
Sign of the Times - Harry Styles
Crash - The Primatives
17 - Youth Lagoon
Desire - Years & Years
Twist and Shout - The Beatles
Self Control - Frank Ocean
Sick of Losing Soulmates - Dodie
Step Out - Jose Gonzales
Somebody Else - The 1975
Stay With Me - Angus and Julia Stone
Valerie - Amy Winehouse
Firestone - Kygo
Obstacles - SYD Matters
Sober - Lorde
bath - offonoff

July (2017)

Monthly Playlist // Lemon water and wind chimes - Pop playlist, quality tunes and chill beats. Bring on the holiday!

Malibu - Miley Cyrus
Absolutely Smitten - Dodie
Digging Holes - The Raglans
Mr. Blue Sky - ELO
What You Know - Two Door Cinema Club
Little Talks - Of Monsters and Men
Dancing in the Moonlight - Toploader
All Those Friendly People - Funeral Suits
PILLOWTALK - ZAYN
A 1000 Times - Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam
(They Long To Be)Close To You - Carpenters
Light The Sky - Grace VanderWaal
Sorry - Justin Bieber
Hidden Edelweiss - Spark Alaska
Nowhere To Run - BOGA
B-A-B-Y - Carla Thomas
Where You Are - Moana
Easy - Sky Ferreira
Baby Let Me Take You (In My Arms) - The Detroit Emeralds
Unsquare Dance - Dave Brubeck
Who's Lovin' You - The Jackson 5
La Vie En Rose - Louis Armstrong
All By Myself - Celine Dion
I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
Runnin' (Lose It All) - Naughty Boy + Beyonce

August (2017)

Monthly playlist // Sunkissed skin and pina colada - Here we start a new chapter; a better me, a happier me. Live for the moments that you will look back on and smile at.

I Have Nothing - Whitney Houston
Despacito - Justin Bieber
Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
Sleep Baby Sleep - Broods
Anything - Rusty Clanton
Be Your Own 3AM - Adult Mom
True Colour - Cyndi Lauper
Evermore - Beauty and the Beast
Pacific Blue - Emily Zeck
Million Reasons - Lady Gaga
Rooms On Fire - Stevie Nicks
Nights In White Satin - The Moody Blues
Lovebug - The Jonas Brothers
Secret For The Mad - Dodie
Brooklyn - Fickle Friends
New York, New York - Frank Sinatra
Numb - Max Jury
King Of The Hill - Bigtopp

September (2017)

Monthly Playlist // Fuzzy socks and hot chocolate with cream - Now is the time when things are gonna change, but these songs will help me through it.

September - Earth, Wind and Fire
Spooky Ghost - SNCKPCK
Savana Sabertooth - OH!hello
Vampire Banquet - Fox Academy
Grew Up At Midnight - The Maccabees
Anybody Else But You - The Moldy Peaches
Open Season - High Highs
Not Alone - Darren Criss
Think Twice - Celine Dion
Grow - Conan Gray
You'll Find - Dan & Drum
God Only Knows - Kina Grannis
Into My Arms - Nick Cave
I Will Be Okay - Mimi

October (2017)

Monthly playlist // Horror films and messy buns - Somewhere deep inside of these bones, an emptiness began to grow. Halloween is here, its time to get spooky...

This is Halloween - Nightmare Before Christmas
Jack's Lament - Nightmare Before Christmas
Oogie Boogie's song - Nightmare Before Christmas
Sally's Song - Nightmare Before Christmas
Poor Jack - Nightmare Before Christmas
Finale - Nightmare Before Christmas
Jump In The Line - Harry Belafonte
Monster Mash - Bobby Pickett
Thriller - Michael Jackson
Bad Liar - Selena Gomez
Zombie - The Cranberries
Cotton Candy Skies - Sean Bolton
Life is Beautiful - Vega4
Find My Way Back To You - Priscilla Ahn
She Moves In Her Own Way - The Kooks
Super Heroes - Rocky Horror
Vls - Common Souls
Dream a little dream of me - The Mamas & The Papas
Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You - Frankie Valli
Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers
Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
All The Young Dudes - David Bowie
Sugar Mouse - Oh, Atoms
How it yearns - Matt Watts
Varuo - Sigur Ros
Falling for u - Peachy!

November (2017)

Monthly playlist // Comfort films and glittery nail varnish - This is the month when things have to change. It may not be today, but please hold on to the hope of someday.

Lost Boy - Ruth B.
This Isn't You - Stranger Things
Your Song - Kate Walsh
The Chain - Fleetwood Mac
Poppin' - Angela Moyra
When Will My Life Begin (Reprise 2) - Tangled
Life Lesson - Dodie
Neverland - Zendaya
Suddenly, Seymour - Little Shop Of Horrors
Fools - The Ransom Collection
Drunk Text Romance - Cyberbully Mom Club
Choking On Flowers - Fox Academy
Wendy - Richie Woods
Mad About The Boy - Ava
Sleep Walk - Santo and Johnny
Toothpaste Kisses - The Maccabees
Space Song - Beach House
Everything Is Scary - German Error Message
Cut Your Bangs - Girlpool
All I Want - Kodaline
Oo-De-Lally - Rusty Clanton
Edge Of Seventeen - Stevie Nicks
You Were My Girl - Palmas
It's Oh So Quiet - Bjork
Rainbow Connection - Sleeping At Last
Moon River - Audrey Hepburn

December (2017)

Monthly playlist// Old books, wrapping paper and decorations. Happy Christmas your arse, I pray God it's our last. The festive season is here! It's time to be merry and end 2017.

All I Want For Christmas - Mariah Carey
Fairytale Of New York - The Pogues (ft. Kirsty Mccoll)
Merry Little Christmas - Sleeping At Last
Do They Know It's Christmas Time - Band Aid
Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - Sleeping At Last
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Sam Smith
Half The World Away - AURORA
Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
Last Christmas - WHAM
Places We Were Made - Maisie Peters
take me on - joan
Water - Jake Garratt
Seize The Night - Will Varley
At Last - Etta James
COUNT ON ME - NEEDTOBREATHE
Way Down We Go - Kaleo
Chasing Pavements - Adele
Smallest Light - Ingrid Michealson
Not About Angels - Birdy

MY SPOTIFY

So here we are! I had so much fun making these playlists and I will be more than happy to continue making them for every month of 2018. My mood is definitely displayed through the songs on each playlist. You can tell which months I was feeling down and you can see what phases I went through (eg. La La Land, 70's 80's & 90's, Nightmare Before Christmas etc).
I hope that if you decide to do this, that you have as much fun as I did.

Thank you!

Amy.

31st July 2016

~~150. Go to Yosemite~~

I honestly don't think I've seen anything so beautiful in my life. I wasn't prepared for how breathtaking this place was. When we drove though, I was in awe at how big the mountains were. After about 30 minutes of me pressing my face against the car window to try and take everything in, we stopped by Tuolumne Meadows, a large area of grass, wild flowers and, of course, large redwood trees.

After parking our rented car by the campsite, we headed over the road and strolled down the side of a bridge which the Tuolumne river ran under.
After walking down, making sure not to trip on any tree roots or rocks, we arrived in this amazing place right next to the river.

I sat on a large rock which stretched to the middle of the river. This was my favourite place I went in Yosemite because for a small moment, I couldn't hear the sound of cars, or people talking. It was just me and the surrounding nature. I can only hope I feel that at peace again, because It's not been almost a year since I was there, and I haven't felt that way since.
We spent about an hour there, and then drove down to our hotel. Sadly, unlike the rest of the park, our hotel was not as amazing.

There was nothing we could eat, as vegetarians, the air con didn't really work, the beds were uncomfortable and the TV only had a couple of channels that weren't full static.
Nevertheless, we made the most out of it and managed to watch Harry Potter.

As we were only there for the 2 days, after waking up we drove through down to Yosemite falls, the highest waterfall in the park. It was so beautiful. Even now, I can't think of the words to describe the place, and how I felt for the short time I was there.

Here's a short playlist of songs that I listened to when in Yosemite:

-Vampire Banquet // Fox Academy
-Young Folks // Peter Bjorn and John
-Spanish Sahara // Foals
-Savana Sabertooth //OH!hello
-Bridge Burn //Little Comets
-Anything // Rusty Clanton
-Even if it's a lie // Matt Maltese
-Open Season // High Highs
-Stay with me (live from Berlin) // Angus and Julia Stone
-Terrified // Isaac Gracie
-Obstacles // SYD Matters
-Santa Monica Dream // Angus and Julia Stone
-Mt. Washington // Local Natives
-Novels // Rusty Clanton

I'm already planning to go again, for longer so I can see more of this gorgeous place.

Thanks,

Amy.

29th June 2016 + 19th March 2017

40. ~~See Dodie live~~

Since I made this bucket list, I've seen Dodie live twice! Because I didn't take many photos at the first one, I thought I should include the second time I saw her too. Plus the first time I actually met her!

I've been watching Dodie for a couple years now. I remember the first song of hers I heard was 'She' and as soon as I heard the first strum of her guitar, I fell in love. Because I related so much to that song and the meaning behind the lyrics, I wanted to hear more songs of hers and so to this day, she is my favourite musician.
Dodie has influenced many things in my life, for example to learn how to play the ukulele - and there's not a week when I don't play it. She has also inspired me to start writing music again (not that it's actually any good). I really can't imagine my life without Dodie and her music.

When I found out she was doing a small gig to an audience of about 30 people in a small cafe in London, I had to go! The cafe itself was probably one of the most instagrammable places I've ever been. It's called the 'Cereal Killer' cafe (and I highly suggest you take a trip there - www.cerealkillercafe.co.uk ). The show was actually amazing and as I stood to grab my things and leave, Dodie walked right past me and towards the counter. It was then I realised that people were actually queuing up to meet her and Hedy, her sister. I was obviously shook that I finally had the opportunity to meet one of my favourite people on this planet.

During this time I was going through my GCSE's and so it was a nice break to go to London for the evening and see her. When I met her I wanted to get a selfie as well as a Polaroid so I got my mum to take the Polaroid whilst Dodie held my phone. I left with the biggest smile on my face.

When I went to the second gig, it was at a smallish venue in Bournemouth. Myself and a friend queued for about 2 hours and then got a good space in the middle. I was so shook when I found out Rusty Clanton was opening for her as I love his music too. The concert was so good! Better than the first one was, if that was even possible. I didn't meet her at the end of it, but I didn't need to because it felt like I was on that stage with her.

To make things even better, at the start of her song 'Absolutely Smitten' she threw out small instruments to the audience. I managed to catch one of them. It was a row of bells on a piece of material which you could Velcro round your wrist and shake. So, I played along during the song. I was so happy that I managed to catch something, and when I looked down I found that it was signed!
It was such a good night, and it wouldn't be a surprise if I went to see Dodie again.

If you're a fan of Dodie, I highly recommend you go to see her because she is so amazing live. She's just as lovely and beautiful as she is in her videos.

Thanks,

Amy.

10th April 2017

~~155. Become a 'Dancing Queen' (17)~~

I'm sure everyone dreams of the day when they turn 17 just so they can apply to the iconic song 'Dancing Queen' by ABBA.

Just me?

Well, I am now officially a dancing queen! I wanted to do something pretty chill this year for my birthday, so instead of having of having a party, I just went up to London for the day with my parents. I also went to Brighton a few days later with my cousin.

Because I don't live really far away from London, I've been there many times in my life. I never really liked London, purely because of how busy it is. But I'm learning to get past that and concentrate on the beautiful parts of London such as the unique architecture, rows of expensive shops and aesthetically pleasing cafes.

Luckily on my trip to London this time, I didn't run into any really rude people and I knew where I was going. I wanted to go to Tate Britain as I hadn't gone in years and I love Tate Modern. I was taken aback by the amount of inspiring, lively and expressive paintings which were presented before me.

Personally, I prefer abstract art but the amount of time and effort put into those paintings just shook me.

After this I made my way over to Madame Tussauds, getting ready to become a proper tourist. I think I was most excited to stand next to the wax figure of Van Gogh. It really was an arty day.

Onto Brighton

Brighton is basically my second home as I go there so often. I just can't get enough of the place! The pier is my favourite place to go as I love the rides (although the first time I went on them I thought I was going to fall off into the sea) and I also have a love for the rubbish 2p machines in the arcade.

The lanes also have their own beauty. I think the north laine is my favourite part as an amazing second hand shop called 'Snoopers Paradise' allows you to loose yourself through old black and white photographs of different families, old vinyl and weird trinkets (I'm not a fan of the boxes of china doll parts though). They also have a quality old photomatic which I have to go to every time I'm in Brighton.

Not to mention the AMAZING vegan restaurants/cafe's which are scattered round every corner. There's also this great bubble tea place where I like to sit and people watch, cause Brighton is just so full of beautiful people with beautiful clothes and beautiful personalities.
There are photo opportunities everywhere! Whether it's on the beach by the old burnt down pier or against the graffiti covered walls, my Instagram gets a spam of photos.

I don't think I'll ever stop loving Brighton. It's not the first time I've spent my birthday in Brighton, and it definitely won't be the last. I plan to live there someday which is basically impossible as a nice sized flat costs about £1 million, but hey a girl can dream.

I think being 16 was one of the worst years of my life, mainly cause of the whole being forced to decide my future when I don't even know what I want to do.
I'm planning on making 17 one of the best years of my life.
I hope it's the same for you.

Thanks,

Amy.

About Me

Popular Posts

Blog Archive

Contact Us

Why a blog?

Popular Posts

Search This Blog