Myth - Beach House

My brother is currently home from Madrid for a week so on Friday we took a trip in to town to browse the local record shop and take photos on the beach.

I picked up some absolute gems and could probably have spent all day in the shop. There's something really special about owning and listening to music on vinyl and hopefully one day I'll have a collection as good as Peyton Sawyer's* but for now my handful plus my dad's collection will do me nicely.

We then popped down to the front, chips and cameras in hand, so John could have a play with my camera and teach me a thing or two (definitely should have taken a pen and paper!).

Later that evening I headed over to Faversham for a BBQ and drinks with friends which was the perfect way to end a lovely day.

*If you know who this is we can probably be best friends.

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But We Did - Thomas Dybdahl

Today I had an appointment in Canterbury at 10 so I took this opportunity to take my camera out for a play. I still have no real clue what I'm doing but it's fun to be doing something new and feeling my way with it.

I had a couple of hours free before meeting Tom for lunch so I milled about taking some snaps and looking at records in charity shops.

We had a delicious lunch at Kudos followed by a pot of my favourite strawberry green tea at Chocolate Cafe. If you're ever in Canterbury I strongly recommend checking these places out.

This evening is going to involve not a lot aside from listening to the wonderful Thomas Dybdahl.

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Honey - Swim Deep

Today has mainly consisted of trying to catch up on sleep from the past 3 weeks, playing with my new camera (read, not having a clue what to do), watching dexter, and listening to lots of new music.

Stream Swim Deep's debut album, released today here.

Sunday Summary #1 & Instagram #2

♦ tulips brightening up my room ♦

♦ May bank holiday BBQ turned bonfire in the front garden ♦

♦ Nelson helping me revise ♦

 ♦ Post exam drinks and mini waga in the sun ♦

 ♦ Went exploring which destroyed me ♦

 ♦ From Liverpool to Herne Bay ♦

 ♦ DVD organising ♦

♦ This morning's soundtrack ♦

I finished my second year of university just over two weeks ago now and have since been enjoying my time off exploring Liverpool and relaxing back at home.

I stayed for a week or so up in Liverpool after my exams finished to chill out and enjoy the city as this year has been so hectic I feel like I've barely paused and appreciated what it has to offer. Activities  included going to the safari park and seeing a lot of baboons, taking a trip to Alton Towers (the new ride is awesome) and frequenting the parks and beaches. 

Since being home I feel like I've spent most of my time in bed watching One Tree Hill from the beginning again and raiding my Dad's record collection. I've also been making a playlist of songs he might like as he wanted some new music for his birthday - so much harder than I thought it was going to be. I have however, been up to London to see Ben Howard play at Hammersmith Apollo. He is by far my favourite artist and as always it was such a privilege to see him perform. 

I'm feeling fairly despondent at the moment as this is the first summer since I was 16 that I haven't had a full time job and I don't really know what to do with myself. Also, this year seems to have sucked all motivation out of me. But, I am going to try and get myself up off my backside and start filling my days with free/cheap things to do and start going to the gym again for the 100th time. I'm trying to read more as well and so far have read Keeper of the Light by Diane Chamberlain, an author I love, and have just started The Hobbit.

Plans for this week include a trip to the dentist (joy), starting to paint the hallway as my job for summer is 'decorator' and just generally sorting my life out.

Film || Your Sister's Sister.

I recently made a watchlist on imdb of approximately a billion films and so I've watched a fair number of really good films the past couple of weekends

This particular film was also recommended by my friend who has really similar taste to me and I absolutely loved it. Emily Blunt is fast becoming one of my favourite actresses. She, Duplass & DeWitt all deliver brilliant performances and it made me cry just the right amount.

Seriously though, just watch this film.

Wednesday wishlist #5 || Desk accessories .

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

I have been spending a lot of time at my desk this year and these are a few things I want in order to make it in to my ideal workspace.

1 & 2 - I really want a plant for my desk to brighten it up a bit and as my room doesn't receive much light I figured a spider plant, which my siblings and I always had when we were growing up for some reason,  would be perfect.

3 & 4 -Love working with a candle burning. I bought my boyfriend a Yankee Candle for Christmas and now really want one of my own. Fresh and fruity scents are my favourite.

5 - I already have a small decorative lamp (which I still haven't bought a light bulb for after 4 months) but need a lamp so I can actually see my work! I want a floor one to save desk space and so I can move it to by my bed if I like.

On Repeat || James Vincent McMorrow

I'm not one of those people who sits on youtube watching video after video but for some reason the other week, I found myself clicking through a number of music videos, and I am so glad I did. James Vincent McMorrow has a beautifully haunting voice and I have not been able to stop listening to his cover of Steve Winwood's 1986 hit of 'Higher Love'.

According to my boyfriend this was actually used in an advert in 2011 but hey, I don't watch much TV so I must have missed out.

I also downloaded his album 'Early in the Morning' which is a really lovely listen. Trying to think of a favourite track now is really tough, I genuinely love them all! Here's the official video for the track 'Sparrow and the Wolf'.

Have you been unable to stop listening to anyone recently? If so, who?

Wednesday wishlist #4 || Make up

1,2,3,4,5

I've decided that this year I need to make more of an effort with my appearance. More often than not I will wake up, get ready for uni, and barely take any notice of what I look like in the mirror. But no more!

I want some easy palettes that I can just grab in the morning without thinking too much about and I've heard great things about both this Stila 'In the Light' palette (3) and Urban Decay 'Naked Basics' palette (4). Although maybe a little out of my normal price range I may be tempted to treat myself with some birthday money.

I barely ever bother with liquid eye liner, even on nights out. But I've heard this pen from Pixi (1) is really easy to use so sounds right up my street.

The nail varnish from Topshop (2) is something I've been lusting after for a while and the Pixi 'endless silky eye pens' (5) look so lovely.

30 things before I'm 30.

Hello! I am back from my brief hiatus thanks to exams (6 exams in 2 weeks is not my idea of a good time).

I am forever writing lists of anything & everything. I recently turned 21 about 2 weeks ago & thought I'd write a sort of bucket list of things I'd like to do/achieve before I turn 30.

1: learn to drive/own a car.

2: get married/start a family.

3: get a degree.

4: learn an instrument.

5: learn a foreign language.

6: own an awesome record collection.

7: learn photography/own a dslr.

8: visit all the continents and all the countries in Europe.

9: give blood.

10: own my own cat/dog.

11: buy a house.

12: get tattoo #3

13: go to Coachella/a festival abroad.

14: go on a road trip.

15: learn to juggle.

16: go skydiving.

17: learn to ride a horse.

18: go on a hot air balloon ride somewhere beautiful.

19: fly in a helicopter. 

20: see the Northern Lights.

21: ride a camel/elephant.

22: learn to surf. 

23: visit a rainforest & go on safari

24: be first aid qualified.

25: learn sign language.

26: attend Sundance film festival

27: learn to skateboard.

28: learn to ski.

29: spend a weekend at a spa.

30: knit a jumper! 

Are you a list lover too? Have you made a similar list to this?

21.

I turned the big 2 1 on Tuesday and spent the day eating delicious Italian and Chinese food, napping and being well and truly spoilt by my boyfriend, friends and family. I had such a lovely day that I didn't manage to take any photos so here are some pictures of some of the lovely gifts I received.

 My weekly Tuesday dinner at my Aunt and Uncle's house was made extra special with a decorations, wine and a Chinese takeaway.

 Cava and pretty chocolate from my cousin and his wife.

 Beautiful gifts from my sister.

My wonderful boyfriend knows me far too well. The pressure is well and truly on for his birthday next month!

I had the best birthday this year and I'm now looking forward to exams being over so I can celebrate properly with all my friends and house mates.

Instagram #1 || Christmas holidays.

♦ coming home means home made bread and an endless supply of cheese ♦

♦ bedroom looking cute with my abundance of candles ♦

 ♦ revising on the train home from the boy's ♦

♦ beautiful purse from the boy's parents for christmas, so generous! ♦

 ♦ new films - christmas presents and hmv sale ♦

♦ not allowed to open this till the 8th and it's just been sat on the side teasing me :( ♦

 ♦ tractor (early) birthday cake! never too old for a fun birthday cake ♦

♦ (early, again) birthday wagamama time with the best one ft. bag birthday present ♦

On Repeat || Jessie Ware

Stunning voice and an excellent album. Have a listen and see for yourself.

(Wednesday) wishlist #3 || Birthday edition

On my lunch break from work so taking this opportunity to create a (day late) wishlist for my birthday next Tuesday (my 21st, eek!).

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Top of my list (although not pictured here) is a keyboard. I had some piano lessons over summer and although I'm only able to play at a fairly basic level I'd really love a keyboard to have at uni so that I don't lose any skills I do have!

1 & 2 - My lovely boyfriend got my a record player for Christmas which I have wanted for so, so long. I have a big list of albums I want to buy on vinyl but these are just a couple of my favourites. 

3 - I have only heard good things about this and my eyelashes are pants so I am forever on the hunt for a miraculous mascara.

4 - I don't particularly need a new purse as I received this lovely one for Christmas. However, I was shopping in Cardiff at the weekend and had to resist the strong urge to purchase this rather bright one.

5 & 6 - I absolutely adore flowers (especially tulips) and think they have the ability to brighten up a room in an instant. I'd love a vase for my uni room and maybe it will somehow make my boyfriend buy me flowers! Either of these would be lovely but I think I especially love the one from Urban Outfitters.

7 & 8 - One of my resolutions this year is to read more. Again, I have a long list of books I want to get my hands on but these are currently sitting at the top of that list. 

2013.

Still can't quite believe it's 2013, 2012 has gone crazy fast! Last year didn't have the best start but I finished the year with my favourite person to come out of 2012 and lots of happy memories of the past few months.

I've really enjoyed reading everyone's new year resolutions over the past few days so thought I'd go ahead and post some of my own.

One: get fit and healthy! 
The number of times I've said this now is getting a bit silly but I've been feeling really motivated recently and am pretty excited to start eating really healthily and getting my butt down the gym!

Two: visit my brother in Madrid.
My oldest brother has lived in Madrid for the past few years and I've only managed to get out there to see him once! Rubbish sister. Thanks to the wonderful generosity of my lovely Granny I should finally be able to afford to go and see him at some point this year. Haven't actually told him this yet but no doubt he'll read this.

Three: save some money/be more sensible with money.
Being a student, living away from home and having to pay rent has been a bit of a shock to the system. I've been a bit pants with money so far and considering I'm 21 in less than a week I figure it's about time I managed my money better!

Four: go on dates.
I've been seeing Conor for a good ten months or so now and we've only been on a handful of dates. I've informed him we have to venture out of my house/his flat more this year and go on some kind of date at least once a month, even if it's just a £3 trip to the cinema on orange wednesdays or a walk round one of my local parks.

Five: blog!
I have been the worst blogger ever. I could give a gazillion excuses, but I'll spare you the boredom. Basically this year I'm going to try and be loads better and post regularly.

Six: read more. 
I absolutely love reading but barely read last year so this year I'm going to make it my aim to read at least 12 books.

Seven: be more proactive with uni work.
Basically, don't leave everything to the last minute! I've been a lot better this semester but I could still do loads better. Especially with regards to revision - I have 6 exams coming up and the stress is starting to get the better of me!

Eight: keep a diary.
I want to buy a notebook and write a little something in it every day. I've always tried to keep and diary but failed miserably but at the end of this year I want something to look back on so I can remember all the little things as well as the big.

Hope you didn't find this too boring! What are your resolutions?