Whilst in Hastings we are staying in a lovely house in the old town, I was completely in awe of the décor (well, and the CD collection) as soon as I set foot in it. I love the four balconies and can't get enough of the black and white pictures that cover the walls, but my favourite feature has to be the spiral staircase from the fairylight lit garden to the top balcony!
I spent a wonderful day visiting my friend Rosa's horse at the stables just outside Canterbury, the horses were beautiful and had a great space to run. It's fair to say I really enjoyed myself and would love to go back and ride.
Hello, I'm back! I feel like I haven't posted in ages, but I have reason for it, I'M ON HOLIDAY! YAY!
So I'm sorry for the lack of posts, but I didn't totally forget blogger, I've been taking loads of pictures here in England and I can't wait to share them with you.
I won't be back until next weekend, so until then, please enjoy my pictures of Hastings and London, as I don't really have enough time to write as much as I usually would.
Okay, okay, I know I probably post way too much about music. But I can't help it, I am obsessed.
So this is my August playlist, songs you really can't miss out on this August, some may be new, some may be old, but I promise they will all be AMAZING!
1. Nina Nesbitt - Way in the World
Nina Nesbitt is an Edinburgh born singer songwriter. She originally started out as a YouTube singer and her single "Stay Out" reached number 21 in the UK charts in April this year. This song "Way in the World" has a lovely summery feel to it and somehow reminds me of Amy Macdonald.
2. Karmin - Acapella
Karmin are a brilliant two piece from America consisting of Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan, not only do they write amazing music, they also do the BEST covers on YouTube. Their song "Acapella" never fails to get me singing at the top of my lungs.
3. John Newman - Love Me Again
John Newman, an English soul singer, is one of these people that just get me excited as soon as the open their mouth to sing. One of these people who I want to hug so tight that all their bones break. I can NOT even begin to explain my love for John Newman's voice, it's unreal! He has featured on two Rudimental tracks "Feel The Love" and "Not Giving In" but recently released this brilliant track "Love Me Again" on his own. It's just a breath taking song, and don't even get me started on the video!
4. London Grammar - Wasting My Young Years
London Grammar are a chillingly talented rock trio from London, they consist of Hannah Reid (vocals), Dan Rothman (bass) and Dot Major (keyboard, djembe, drums). Their song "Wasting My young Years" is quite different to the first three songs on my playlist, but that's not to say it isn't good!
5. Avicii - Wake Me Up
I never used to rate Avicii (Tim Berling, he's a Swedish DJ). I always thought he was a bit too mainstream/ravey (I know that isn't a word) for me, but this song took me by surprise! "Wake Me Up" is up there in my favourite Summer 2013 songs, it just makes me want to stay up all night partying. I can't help but dance like a freak when it comes on.
6. A*M*E - Heartless
A*M*E (Aminata Kabba) is a Sierra Leone born singer song writer from London. Like John Newman A*M*E is one of these people I can't explain my love for. I love A*M*E more than I love John Newman's voice! I just can't stay composed and professional if her music comes on. When I saw her live I got some interesting looks from other members of the crowd as I sat there almost in tears screaming "I WANT TO SQUEEZE HER SO TIGHT THAT SHE DIES!", her voice just has that affect on me, she is out of this world! This song is a great tune to dance to and anyone who doesn't like it, well I'm sorry, we can't be friends.
I'm going to include the acoustic version on here too so you can really understand her talent!
7. Half Moon Run - No More Losing The War
Half Moon Run are a Canadian indie rock band. Devon, Dylan, Conner and Isaac really know how to make music and this song shows it! It's from their album "Dark Eyes" which you should really check out as it is unbelievably good.
8. Ria Ritchie - Wrong Side Of Paradise
Ria Ritchie not only has a cool name, but also has an amazing talent for song writing. If you haven't all ready heard of her I pity you, she is incredible! Her song "The Wrong Side of Paradise" has a very catchy chorus and is well worth a listen.
9. Courtney Bennett - Her Covers
I couldn't choose a favourite out of Courtney's originals and covers, so I suggest you have a look at them all. She is a fresh talent from London with some serious attitude, here is her cover of "Do It Like A Dude" by Jessie J.
10. Shannon Saunders - Heart Of Blue
Shannon Saunders is an English singer/song writer who has become quite successful on line on Youtube and Twitter. Her song "Heart of Blue" is a sweet song with a beautiful melody.
11. MS MR - Think of You
MS MR are a fantastic New York duo. With the shockingly brilliant vocals of Lizzy Plapinger and producing skills of Max hershenow they are a musical must see! Their latest song "Think of You" is a great song, but you must also listen to Hurricane, I'll put that video on too.
12. Leah Mcfall - Love Her For Her Fire
Leah Mcfall has been my big thing since last Easter, I will never stop supporting her as she deserves all the success she gets! This song "Love her for her fire" really shows off Leah's mind blowing vocal abilities!
13. Arctic Monkeys - Do I Wanna Know?
The Arctic Monkeys, need I explain who they are? Eric Turner (Lead vocals/guitar), Jamie Cook (lead guitar), Nick O'Malley (bass guitar/backing vocals) and Matt Helders (drums/backing vocals) are an Indie Rock band who came together in 2002 in a suburb of Sheffield.
Their new single "Do I Wanna Know?" is a fantastic teaser to their new album "AM" which comes out this September 9th and has really left me wanting more.
Sorry for these countless emotional posts, really you don't have to read them if you don't want to. I just always like writing the things in my head down, it's soothing, and if anyone wants to read them, then that's a bonus!
Do you ever feel like your life is a roller coaster? Because these days one minute I can feel like I'm on the top of the world and everything is magical and colourful and loud and fast (a bit like what I expect being high would feel like) and that everything is in my reach. I'll email writers and editors with my work, I'll work for hours producing a piece of music until I am completely happy with it, I will run and it will make me feel amazing! And the the next minute I will feel like (for want of a better phrase) utter crap. I honestly won't have the energy to get out of bed, nothing will make me happy, I can't even be bothered talking. I just want to curl up in bed and drown myself in screamo music and My Chemical Romance, playing it so loud that I feel like I'm going to go deaf. I run to torture myself, I want to tear my hair out, scream at the top of lungs. I sometimes just wish that I wouldn't wake up in the morning. I work myself into such a frenzy that I'm overcome by nauseousness. I convince myself that I am a failure, that I'm never going to get anywhere in life. I tear up stories that I have been working on for months, I delete music I've made, convinced its all worthless. I push people away because I either don't feel worthy of friends or just want to be alone.
Is this what being a teenager is like? Because most of my friends don't seem like this. They enjoy life. I'm not saying I don't enjoy life, it's not that. I'm grateful of everything I have, but sometimes I feel like it's not worth it.
I'm plagued with nightmares, sometimes when I really feel like I'm going crazy I hear voices.
I HONESTLY DON'T UNDERSTAND MYSELF.
Supposedly I'm normal, supposedly I'm fine and there's nothing wrong with me, sadly, I just don't believe that.
So, July is almost over and it has been a pretty damn good month! I discovered a love for many new things this month and I'd like to share them with you.
So here you go, the things that have made me grin this month, enjoy!
1. Boy friends! (Not actual boyfriends, but friends who are boys)
My best friend in the whole wide world ever Eilidhcakes (She's really called Eilidh, but I may start referring to her as Eilidhcakes) has just got back from America, while she was away I had NO IDEA what to do with myself, so I had to turn to my trusty guy mates to waste away my hours with.
I hadn't realised how much I love them all, not in an "I love you so lets get married and have ten children" way, more of an "Damn I love the way you can make me laugh until I think I'm going to be sick!" way. Boys are great, when I'm with my four best friends Eilidh, Rosa Bluebell, Alice and Mara I have a great time but I am no doubt the gobbiest, loudest and most rude of the five of us but when I'm with the guys I don't sound so loud, because they are all crazy!
If this was a couple of years ago I would no way be able to chill with them the way I do now, I most likely would have had a crush on one of them so I would have constantly been trying too hard. But now, I'm so comfortable around them it's like one big family and I'm the little sister. I love making a fool of myself and being able to laugh uncontrollably without worrying about being judged. I've spent many a brilliant afternoon with the boys this summer and it has been great, so that is why they are on the top of my list!
2. Running.
I started running again this month, after not doing it for about a year. I forgot how free it makes you feel, giving you time to think whilst being really good for you at the same time! I adore taking runs down by the river and stopping to sit on the rocks and think, I am a big thinker, sometimes my thoughts scare me but I really do love getting outside so I can have a good old think.
The weather has been brilliant this month so running has been an absolute joy in the evenings, I really hope to keep it up.
3. Lauren Aquilina.
Okay, music was obviously going to be on this list somewhere because music is just aghhhh, I can't even begin to explain how much music means to me. But this girl, she is more than music. She is inexplicably haunting yet comforting and just so insane. Her music has really made me happy this month so you should all check her out!
4. SHOES! Okay, I'm having a bit of a shoe addiction this month. Shoes have just been making me really happy, that's probably really sad, but it's true! I finally gave in and bought creepers AND new heels all in one week, but it was a great decision, I not only have new foot wear, but I also feel taller! Great!
So those are a couple of the things that have made me happy this month, what's made you happy?
Sorry, please do excuse the pun in my title! But yesterday Edinburgh DID go wild, because no other than Jessie J was there!
I was lucky enough to get tickets to see her live last night at Edinburgh Castle, and it's fair to say that it was one of the best nights of my life so far!
Now me being a complete music junkie/music nerd I am always on the look out for new and up and coming artists, so the singer A*M*E has been on my radar for a while now. I first heard of her sometime late last year and have been watching her grow ever since, she is a very genuine girl and I am a HUGE fan! So when I heard she was going to be supporting Jessie I was so incredibly excited!
The night as a whole was amazing, A*M*E put on an brilliant show and saw me and Alice going nuts for her (I have to say that a lot of people around us were very unenthusiastic) so waved and shouted "I SEE YOU GUYS". At the end of her set Alice and I decided that we would run down to see if we could catch a glimpse of her. I was in high heels (stupid thing to wear to a concert I know) so running down the multiple stairs was a great feat in it's self! But as we reached the bottom of the stairs we saw A*M*E rounding the corner, at this moment I was thinking "I'm never going to see her again so what the hell, go crazy!" So I shout at the top of my lungs "A*M*E?" and she turns round goes "YES?" and me being completely in shock manages to force out a squeaky "We love you!" and to my surprise, instead of her bolting from this panting, red faced, over excited girl as fast as she could she goes "I love you too!" Honestly, the concert could have ended there and I would have been happy! It was the first time that I had almost lost my voice before the main act had even stepped on stage!
During the break between A*M*E's set and Jessie J me and Alice were queuing to try and get to the surprisingly clean toilets when I saw a door open and who should walk past (on the other side of a barrier) but Jessie J, let's just say I screamed, a lot!
The rest of the night was amazing, Jessie is just such a brilliant performer and really knows how to get a crowd on her side! At one point she even had us chanting people's names from in the crowd "STEVE, STEVE, STEVE, STEVE, STEVE. NATASHA, NATASHA, NATASHA!"
The atmosphere was amazing, I cried ("Who You Are" really is such an emotional song), laughed, danced, screamed and sang very out of tune! The backdrop of the castle was just so breath taking and as the sun began to go down it felt unreal!
There was a darling of a girl sitting in front of us, she must have been about seven years old and she talked to us through out the whole show. I have never met someone so sweet!
The whole concert went by in a blur! Alice and I ran up and down the stairs so many times as we couldn't bare to miss a good story opportunity! By the end of the night we had managed to talk to A*M*E, the backing singers and Jessie's best friend Hollie. We also saw Jessie come out of her changing room twice, stalkers much! And made some good friends, and possibly a lot of enemies, if looks could kill me and Alice would have been shot down multiple times, people did't like our enthusiasm!
But I can't complain as I had the most wonderful night, and one I will never forget!
I will just quickly apologise for the mass amount of pictures and the awful footage, filming really isn't my strong point!
