#MusicMonday: Extraordinary - Idina Menzel

I love a story telling song, and Idina Menzel's "Extraordinary" is a song with a great narrative that a lot of people will be able to connect with.  We all have that person that we wonder if we could have been something with.

One of my favourite tunes of her most recent album "Idina" the whole album is full of story telling tracks. Heart breakers and power makers this album has it all.

go listen and enjoy x

#MusicMonday: Beauty and the Beast (2017) Soundtrack

I actually forgot it was Monday. Which sounds like the weirdest sentence to start a Music Monday post with. But as the minutes tick away and Tuesday officialy starts I thought I'd sneak up a quick post.

I'm actually really surprised that I haven't mentioned this soundtrack or any of its songs in previous Music Mondays, I was so impressed with this remake, I haven't really been into the whole disney remaking the classics there classics and I for a while did believe they should remain untouched. Live action just isn't the same.

But I thoroughly enjoyed Beauty and the Beast, it was my first cineworld VIP experience and that itself was amazing, reclining chairs and a little tray table all you need is a blanket and you literally wouldn't have to leave. At £28 for VIP 3D its a little pricy, but there is a buffet before hand, options of hot dogs, nachos, popcorn and drinks to take into the film with you and the best seats for ultimate comfort, it's defiantly an experience you need to have. Make sure you pick a good film though. So you don't leave disappointed and Beauty and the Beast just made me feel so contented.

I am in awe of new song Evermore and love the Beast POV the song offers. And classics like gaston and be our guest have been reimagined beautifully.

If you haven't listened to the soundtrack yet go forth and enjoy what have you been waiting for, It's disney for gods sake. With Audrey Mcdonald, Emma Thompson, Ewan Mcgregor, Stanley Tucchi, Ian McKellan, Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Josh Gad, Luke Evans and names I am definitely missing.

Enjoy x



^ my favourite Evermore cover by youtuber PeteJams

#MusicMonday: Remember Me - Jennifer Hudson

I went to see Dream Girls at the Savoy theatre in London at the beginning of summer, Amber Riley is honest to god perfection in the role of Effie White and gave me chills! But it was another powerhouse female with vocals to kill for who made me fall in love with the music, character and story, the one and only Miss Jennifer Hudson.

After taking a trip to see Dream Girls I started listening to Jennifer Hudson's music more than usual having previously seen her perform Remember Me on a talk show, I knew it was about time to download it, it is now a firm favourite of mine.

An upbeat tempo and gut wrenching lyrics paired with vocals that are as amazing as ever and just as you think it can't get any better a fucking gospel choir joins and creates pure genius. I can't wait to see a new album drop any time soon would be great.  I will forever be in awe of the amazing Jennifer Hudson.

... and I am telling you she ain't going.

enjoy x

#MusicMonday: Anything's Possible

sometimes you just need to believe, that anythings possible

just a quick check-in with my favourite tune of Lea Michele's last album Places. Which I highly recommend you have a little listen to.

Enjoy x

#MusicMonday: Look What You Made Me Do - Taylor Swift

I've followed Taylor Swift since the days where she hoped when you thought Tim Mcgraw, you thought of her favourite song the one you danced to all night long... so you know quite a long time since that is the first song on her first album back when T.Swift was still country with curly hair.

To give credit where credit is due I think Taylor is an amazing song writer and performer, I travelled down to London to see a date on her Red Tour and thought it was a phenomenally well put together show. The woman is talented. Where her talent really shines through is she a master of promo. She has really got hyping up her upcoming work into a fine art. This has really shone through in the 1989 era and now as we enter the Reputation era.

Look What You Made Me Do, is actually a brilliant song. I didn't think that I would enjoy, though I still like Swift's work its not something I seek these days and it took me a little while to get around to listening to it, but lyrically its genius.

Even better is the video that comes along with Look What You Made Me Do, in which Taylor Slays, LITERALLY. She rises from the dead, alludes to a whole number of different feuds that have went on in her life since 1989 and the satirical brilliance of all the old Taylor's at the end this is a music video for the ages.

Taylor knows what she's doing, and after many people have tried to drag her and make her look less than, she's come out on top and stronger that ever. The album that follows is certainly got high expectations.

And like a snake that shed her skin the old Taylor is dead, much like Taylor's old social media. Eagerly waiting for what the Reputation era holds.

Diving Back In: Plus size gal and the Pool

// I had originally wrote some of this post after the incident occurred. It has taken almost two years to work up the courage to both return to the pool and express my feelings about it // 

Day of the incident, heavily filtered photo. 

I took this at my least confident almost two years ago. Not to say this was my biggest ( this definitely wasn't my biggest I recently stumbled upon weight logs I kept from back then and I currently weigh in quite a bit heavier, hoping to rectify that) . I had been going to the gym and went swimming almost everyday and really I was feeling a whole lot better In myself.

 a week before the incident, feeling quite confident.

Until maybe about half an hour before I took this picture. I had just worked out and then went for a swim. I finished showering, and walked passed the class of school children going for there lesson. When a boy at the front of the queue decided to yell out "there goes a fatty" and proceeded to yell "fatty" until I was out of earshot. 

I didn't hear anyone reprimand this child. And to be honest I feel silly that I let it get to me as much as I did. Cause I went into a changing room and cried. 

Suddenly every negative comment that had ever been thrown at me was in my head and I honestly couldn't handle it. The the comment came from child who was maybe 10 (and should have know better) I was 20 and had been faced with comments like these my entire life. 

Now I know my reflection in the mirror I'm the one confronted with it everyday. And I've never been sure wither it's the words or how there said (probably both) Or the fact that some people can't see beyond the weight. Or if I'm in an argument with someone it's the first thing they bring up to hurt me. I've spent a lot of time wishing that I was different. I've spent a lot of time stopping and starting diets and exercise. And ultimately I've spent a lot of time trying to forgive myself for failing yet again. Long of the short of it is. Yes I know I'm fat. 

That is the truth. And I'm part of a society that deems that as a negative quality. The incident happened in 2015 and I went back to the pool a handful of times after it. And then when on holiday to Lanzarote in October of that year. And then didn't return to the pool until 30th May this year. 

It's a hard task. My confidence is still knocked. I have went up and down over the last two years. Never surpassing what I weighed at my largest. But never truly being able to shift the weight. It's frustrating especially when I know what to do. 

A photo I never thought I would put on the internet. 

Going back to the pool is step one of body take back. I can't keep waiting to lose weight before I am able to live my life. I have to be able to do the things I wish to do. And be comfortable with my self and whatever size. 

Diving back in…. or shuffling my butt to the end and gently easing myself in wasn’t as hard as I though it was going to be.  I imagined a much longer inner monologue about the whole situation.  I had packed my swimming suit so that after an early spin and gym workout that I could go cool of before work. And because I think my head was so in the zone, it was almost a non issue and before I knew it I was in the pool. 

I have returned several times since some instances harder than others to overcome, the more crowded the pool the more anxiety I have around the issue. The last time I was in the pool I stupidly went early afternoon during the school holidays, full of kids, who thankful left me alone. 

I still beat myself up for letting someone who 1) doesn’t know me and 2) is half my age affect such a part of my life unfortunately our brains are fickle things and we often do not have much control over feelings. Luckily we are able to control our actions. 

The boys minus one, they were good sports.

I even managed to work up the courage to wear a bikini in front of my guy pals on our recent trip to Annecy. Though it played heavily at the front of my mind what I looked like I got over myself and had a great time. 

Looking like a gal living life with confidence. 

I don't often write about my plights as a plus size gal, I've always figured whats the point.  I'm gonna touch upon this topic more on my blog I really feel like I'm beginning to find my voice and feel mildly comfortable to talk about issues I've faced living life on the bigger side. It's taken me years to get to this point.  

#MusicMonday: Overtime - Tyler Hilton

If you have been a long time lurker of this blog then you will know that I am a massive Tyler Hilton fan. I have seen him live numerous times and he is just an amazing performer.  I thoroughly recommend you listen to anything in his catalogue of music.

His most recent release "Overtime" written alongside fellow One Tree Hill alumni and regular touring partner Kate Voegele who also lends her vocals to the track, is this weeks choice for Music Monday,  there voices blend together in seamless harmonies to really add to this track.

Tyler Hilton is a master of the love song and even better at a heartbreak one.  He writes amazing lyrics that you can really relate to and Overtime is a great example of that.

Hopefully this is just the beginning of more new music to be heading our way as his last full length album was released in 2014. He continues to tour heavily so check out his website to check if he will be playing near you anytime soon as he is one act you should not miss with an amazing live energy.

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#MusicMonday: You - dodie (EP)

I've been lacking on the blogging front recently. And recently I've been quite good at making sure that I have at least got a music Monday to send out into the internet and vanish in amongst the mass.

dodie clark released her new EP on Friday. And after a hectic morning I finally got a moment to listen to it. " 6/10" which has been a favourite of mine for a while was available in a pre-sale so has been getting a lot of listen.  Its just the kind of song that you can really relate to which is something about dodie's song collection there are so many great relatable lyrics which really speak to her fan base.

"In the middle" starts the album on an entirely more upbeat mood that her previous EP the 2016 release "Intertwined".  As a whole this album is livelier the beat more uptempo the lyrics don't lose there depth or meaning and remain as relevant and brilliant.

I was really excited to see some of the songs on this album. "Would you be so kind" has been a firm favourite of mine since it was uploaded on her channel. Be warned it is incredibly catchy and you will find your self humming or singing it days after you've listened to it.

There's not a bad song on the EP, the only one I haven't mentioned yet is "Secret for the mad" which is the slowest song, catering to the mood of the song, but such an important and vital song. dodie who is open online about her struggles with mental health, and a mixed fan base many of whom have there own struggles, this song acts as a great way to describe the struggle and that "it will all make sense again"

Go listen, download and love.

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#MusicMonday: 22 - Taylor Swift

I don't know about you... but I'm feeling 22.

Where has this month gone, I completed yet another spin round the sun at the beginning of the month. My 22nd to be in fact.

This month has been crazy, as June always is. Its my favourite. I don't know if I'm biased because its my birth month.  But as a kid it always meant the beginning of the summer holidays and as an adult I've made some pretty cool memories.

So this week's Music Monday goes to this new age I'm encountering.

"We're happy free confused and lonely in the best way

It's miserable and magical oh yeah"

#MusicMonday: Other People's Greatest Hits - Patent Pending

This week's Music Monday is Patent Pending's "Other People's Greatest Hit's and I am 100% obsessed with this album.  Never in my life did I think I'd openly tell people that I enjoy "Spice Up Your Life" but it's now on my gym playlist.

Patent Pending have picked some unusual choices for there cover album for the pop-punk band.  Along with the Spice Girl's, Spice Up your life the album also feature's Shout out to my Ex, Little Mix and Livin' La Vida Loca.

My favourite of the album is the first track a Mash up of Tiesto's "Wasted" and Avicii's "Wake Me Up". This song is an instant mood booster.  I have it on constant repeat it's such a great spin.

The whole album just works so well but other notably great covers are Mr Brightside and Can't take my eyes of you.

So go listen and enjoy the album!

Patent Pending 

Twitter 

Youtube

The Album

#MusicMonday: I don't get to say I love you anymore - Tessa Violet

I started listening to Tessa Violet a few months back and totally fell in love with her music, especially this song.

It hits you right in the feels, the lyrics, the tune, her voice everything is beautiful and heartbreaking.

Her youtube channel is also one of my favourite things a mixture of advice, beauty, cover songs as well as originals. She's quirky and funny and I love her hair.

#MusicMonday: Sign of the Times - Harry Styles

I was never a huge One Direction fan, they had a few songs that I have to admit that I enjoyed but I never actively listened to there music.

This song came on in the pub one night and I have to admit that I really loved it. and have already downloaded his new album, ready to have a listen at this phase of his career.

His sound is just so much different that what I felt came from his boy band days, with a nod to bowie and Prince. It's an intriguing path for him to choose musically. But this is definitely a great debut single.

#MusicMonday: Only You - Selena Gomez

This song comes from the 13 reasons why soundtrack. A show that has worked its way into my life, I enjoyed each of the 13 episodes and have concluded that it was one of the hardest and worthwhile watches.

If you haven't jumped onto the phenomena yet, I suggest you do. Mostly everyone around me has seen it or is starting it. It opens up a whole platform of topics to discuss that you may not have previously or are not exactly natural everyday topics.

Not only is the show brilliant the soundtrack is amazing and this the first song is by far my favourite.

Way Back When: The Rocking Chair

  

 I found some old pictures and just wanted to share them and a little bit of the story behind them                                                                                                         

I don't remember this picture being taken I'd have been about two or three.


This is me on my Grandpa's rocking chair. He had two favoured seats in his house, the far left on the three seater couch closest to my Grans arm chair and this rocking chair.

 My cousins and I broke it a few times, but never to the point of disrepair. It was around long before us and I never did know what happened to it when they passed.

But its one of the first things I think of when I picture there living room, It sat between the Piano and Jigsaw table.

I used to think it was the coolest thing ever, cause it was a chair you were ALLOWED to swing on. Simpler times and all that.

I'm 100% going to buy a rocking chair when I have my own home one day!

The weird thing about this photo is that there is clearly a bit of mess made by children's toys. And I never remember this being the case at there house. There was a big teddy that sat on the chair at the top of the stairs and there were a few games and children jigsaws in the cupboard under the stairs but that was it.

It's strange how our memories work.

#MusicMonday: Wait For It - Hamilton An American Musical

This Musical has been one of my main obsessions for a WHILE now, it is just brilliant! I've chosen just a single song and not the whole album for the moment for the simple reason that Hamilton will be featuring on the West End as of November 2017, and I have my tickets for March 28th 2018 a year away and a day away from now.

It was Tony's week whilst I was in New York last year, and passing the Hamilton Theatre was like nothing else, it constantly has a queue people had blankets and pillows, clearly in it for the long haul to get tickets. Which were apparently being sold on for as much as $15,000 so there was no way of seeing this musical whilst I was over there.

I wasn't sure if it was going to be one of these shows that cross's the Atlantic, but around October last year I had the opportunity to sign up for priority tickets and in January managed to secure tickets for me and one of my bestie's who also loves Hamilton and we now get to see the show when it comes to London's West End.

I've chosen Wait For It, because it was the first song on the soundtrack I was obsessed with I went back and listened to it constantly. Between the lyrics and the beat there isn't anything wrong with this song. And I'm literally so excited to be able to see it be acted out on stage.

It's message of if something is worth it then you must be willing to wait for it. Even when someone else may succeed before you, and it may seem like you aren't meant for anything just wait for it. Its catchy its haunting. Just listen to it.

My countdown started at 434 days it now sits at 366 days, all I have to do is wait for it!

#MusicMonday: My Love Will Never Fail You - Marie Hines

I can't say I am the most lovey-dovey person, but sometimes a good love song is what you need.  This song is so sweet.  It has a great tune to it and Marie Hines has an amazing voice.

Sometimes lyrical fluff is the music your ears need.

#MusicMonday: The Middle - Jimmy Eat World

There are some songs that you just seem to return to time after time. This appeared in my Spotify weekly mix a few weeks ago. And then randomly started playing at a shopping centre whilst I was out one day.

The lyrics really speak to me just now and I was for sure certain that it was a sign... it knew I needed to hear it.

I will always have a lot of love for this song. Its timeless. (truly timeless, can you believe it was released in 2001)

#MusicMonday: Wind Beneath My Wings - Idina Menzel

I am such a fan of Idina Menzel, I was lucky enough to see her on tour in 2015 and was blown away by just how talented this lady is. It has genuinely been a love affair since I first heard the Wicked Soundtrack.

I first listed to her rendition of Wind Beneath My Wings whilst I was in a bad place and sobbed. Like could not control all the emotions inside of me and just cried. It was beautiful.

I'm not a crier, nor a very emotional person. But I was alone and this song just hit a level of which I could not return from.

I have yet to watch the new adaptation of Beaches, the Bette Midler version is one of my long time favourites and I'm very excited to see Idina Menzel shine in the role.

Monthly Motivation: Reflection (200th Post)

200th Post

I am one of the people who are really sentimental about the weird things, this post marks my 200th, in the post this morning I got a badge that congrats me on 5 years at work, theres a lot of emotions going on.

I think about when I started this blog, this may be my second or third blogging site that I tried out.  And the original post were mainly made up of things I had made on polyvore, very few of these post still exist on this blog, but I am sure there still up on polyvore.

Initially posts were few and far between, one of my most popular posts was a review of a Tyler Hilton Concert in June 2012, and re-reading it now it sort of cringy I was 17 at the time, but I still love to see it. I enjoy seeing how my writing style has changed and how I focus on different things.

Since 2014 I have certainly tried to spend more time on the blog and write more posts, and have stuck to certain things like #MusicMonday one of my most favourite things to write and monthly motivation as well as monthly favourites.

This blog really helps my creativity, it is a place to let go and is all mine. No one tells me what to do with it. And I really want to start doing more on it.

I have spent just over five years at my current retail job and realise that the blog posts start in 2011 and I started with my company in 2011. I had never thought about how closely each journey started. There is a huge comparasen  though my job is not mentally stimulating or challenging in the slight. And recently has been leaving me really unhappy.

So today has been a day of reflecting 200 posts and I hope to write many, many more. 5 years in a job and I hope for a change very, very soon.

XOXO

#MusicMonday: Free & Wild - Kate Voegele

I've been loving Kate Voegele's latest album "Canyon Lands" lately. So many good songs on this album a stand out being this weeks #MusicMonday "Free & Wild" its such a catchy tune. And really relatable lyrics.

It's been added to my work-out playlist to keep me motivated.

Another standout is "World Stops Spinning" I thoroughly recommend checking out the full album if you can.

itunes

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website

#MusicMonday: La La Land (Soundtrack)

I went to see La La Land on opening day with a friend, having a day off and listening to the hype made me eager to see it. 

I did as instructed by some reviews that I had seen and didn't listen to the full soundtrack before going to watch it, what I had heard had been tidbits on trailers.  I wanted the movie to be a whole immersive experience. 

The movie was great, I had maybe listened to too many people calling it exceptional and praising it. I didn't have the reaction I expected it didn't reach its full potential.  

Whilst it still remains a beautiful film, a simple story with real characters (and fools who dream) and is just pleasant to watch. A lazy Sunday spent with this film would be ideal. 

Though not filled to the brim with songs like I had expected the soundtrack is beautifully constructed with emotional scores and well crafted lyrics.  

My personal favourite the "Audition (fools who dream)" song is an honest ballad of the highs and lows of pursuing your dreams. 

"City of Stars" is the song that will get lodged in your head and weeks after you will find yourself humming it.... that may also have something to do with the fact that I keep listening to the soundtrack, but Immediately after watching the film, me and my friend both kept finding ourselves humming it.  

So enjoy both movie and soundtrack, its genuinely one of the most pleasing movie experiences I've had recently. 

#LifeinaPicture : Focusing on the Lows

I’m going to start a series over here, that I do on my Instagram from time to time, called #LifeinaPicture where I take a picture and kinda explain whats being happening even though the picture may not convey the story, thoughts or emotions. 

Life in a Picture - 11/01/17

Today was a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows,  I woke up late the alarm didn’t go off and luckily I only woke up half an hour late. I was going out shopping with a friend who over the past few years due to work or college related things I have cancelled or rescheduled on often. So these days even though work still gets in the way a lot I try my best to not cancel on her.  

 So when work asked me to do a shift on my first day off after 10 days on the trot and even though I knew I was over worked, tired and needed the rest I said yes.  I have a guilty conscious and even though it was them who were not organised to fill the shift I felt bad.  

So here’s to trying to fit everything in and half the best of both worlds… which never happens, the day ends up feeling rushed, stressful and never ending.  

I was subtly reminded amongst the shopping and spot of lunch what a crappy friend I can be. And when I got to work was reminded what a unthankful task that can be.  

It’s a lot of things were just coming my way telling me I was doing a horrible job at everything which leads me to sitting in my bed at 20 past 1 in the morning crying out my frustration. 

I try, I really try. I have been worked to the bone, had no thanks, been let down by my management time after time and basically been told to suck it up. (literally at one point told to continue taking shifts for a job role that I wasn’t getting correctly paid for and had not been given the promotion for as to not look like a “sore loser” ) 

Working with the public is thankless, people complain over menial things and management take it seriously. And most of the time I try to let what happens in a day just wash right over me, but sometimes it sticks. So again I’m stuck with nights like tonight with a deep need to quit my job and not being able to.

One day… one day soon, maybe. 

I realised I’ve focused on the lows so here are the highs; finally got my Michael Korrs Access to work, went record shopping, lunch with one of my best friends, made plans with a friend I haven’t seen in a long while.
 

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#MusicMonday: Impossible Year - Panic! At The Disco

We are finally saying goodbye to the Impossible Year that was 2016, here hoping for a brighter 2017.

Below is the cover that inspired the choice, reminded me that its okay to dwell for a moment,