Music is a world within itself

I've turned on the TV to find an old episode of Glee on E4 and I just had to watch it.  Any episode I see will automatically cheer me up, no matter how cheesy, how ridiculous or how shockingly un-Glee it can be (Quinn and the car crash anyone?!).  Why?  The answer's simple really; it's all about celebrating how good music is and how good it can make you feel.

Music is one of the few things in life that can automatically change our mood, for better or worse.  You always hear about people having a certain "break-up song" that takes them right back to the pain they felt, or   one song transporting you back to a specific moment in your life in an instant, where you almost imagine you've gone back in time for the three minutes or so it's playing.

Songs seem to have a magical ability to tap deep into our souls; they can come out of nowhere and smack us over the head saying "This is exactly how you feel, isn't it?" at any given time.  I've been there thousands of times, I'm like everyone else and relate a song to a certain moment or an experience from my past.  I hear Yellow by Coldplay and think of dancing with a boy I thought was magic but turned out to be the biggest waste of my time.  Toploader's Dancing in the Moonlight takes me straight back to being in the common room in sixth year and climbing out the windows to have lunch outside in the sun.  And the most beautiful piece of music I think I've ever heard, I Giorni by Ludovico Einaudi makes tears of happiness come to my eyes because of when someone say down at their piano and played it for me.

What I guess I'm trying to say is that music is a big part of my world.  I'd feel like a lost puppy if I couldn't have the security and safety of turning on my ipod and loosing myself in sound.

I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music.
Billy Joel

Things I've done in first year...

With only two more exams to sit, it's finally dawning on me that I have basically finished my first year at Uni.  Here's a round up of some of the things I've spent my time doing.

•   Finally acting like teenagers should and going out once in a while.  Though I'm still not sure it's all it's cracked up to be... standing in a cloakroom queue for 45 minutes at the end of a night isn't quite what I'd call "fun".

• In contrast to the above statement, I still act like a little old lady and bake a lot.  But I don't really mind because A)  Cakes are always a good idea and B) people tend to be happier when in the vicinity of said cake.

 

• Also, I still act like a five year old and jump at the chance to dress up, it never gets old.

• I've read.  Lots.  I know that's something you prepare yourself for when picking something like English Lit but at the same time So.  Many.  Books.  And often they are shite.

• Danced with the best.

• Tried to be fitter.  During Uni time I went swimming nearly every Wednesday and did between 30-50 lengths each time.  Now I'm not in the west end so much this is proving tricky.  Went a run today for the first time and discovered I feel out of breath after two minutes, then got caught in a downpour.  So safe to say, running isn't for me.

And finally, I've stayed in love.

A Slight Obsession...

Ok... I'm just going to come straight out and admit it.

I have an obsession with rolled up shirt sleeves on men.  There.  It's out in the open now for all to see.  Does it feel better?  Only time will tell.

I don't really know why this is.  Even if the guy isn't the nicest looking, if his sleeves are rolled up I immediately pay MUCH more attention to him.  All because of those sleeves.  I remember hearing on the news once that it's something to do with body language; that men who expose their forearm convey a more confident manner and are thus more likely to be interesting, or something like that at least.   It doesn't need to be anything fancy - jeans and checked shirt, a plain black one (yum) or even a blazer and shirt with the sleeves pushed up oh-so-casually.  Anything will do, as long as some of that lovely forearm is showing.

But enough, I'm creeping myself out a little now.  On to some photos I have snooped and found that triggers the disease I christened "Rollyupatosis"

From lookbook.nu.  See the casual push?

Brandon Flowers, you can do no wrong.

Jake M. Johnson from New Girl.  Couldn't find a photo but in the wedding episode he's got a three piece suit on with braces and the shirt sleeves rolled.  Nom nom.

From http://ljfashionstyling.blogspot.com

Indiana Jones.  All rugged, with a few more buttons done for extra yumminess.

THIS, I admit is a bit of an interesting one up against all the other pretty men I've included.  But I think this goes with that science stuff about rolled sleeves exuding confidence and stuff.  Barak is a clever man.

And I thought it was a vague line between like and love

What I'm wearing:

Dress - ASOS

Jacket - Primark (I know)

Scarf - H&M

Shoes - Dorothy Perkins

Title - Tommy Reilly, Jackets

It was a lovely sunny day on Sunday, which made a very welcome change to the dull skies we've had to endure recently.  It was deceptive though; when you stepped outside it was still bitterly cold, cue scarves and coats buttoned up and wishing you'd brought earmuffs. 

I wore this dress on Christmas day last year, I love how rich and warm a colour it is, and it also has little 3/4 sleeves of lace which I always prefer over strappy ones for some reason.

White...Part Two

On to another round of oh so pretty wedding dresses, this time of the more princessy and plain old big dresses.

I don't usually like this type of dress... usually because it's so HUGE and netted and stiff and (more often than not) very blingy and sparkly.  These ones sort of buck that idea though; they're so soft and simple.  Some dresses lend themselves to simplicity, like the detailed ones from last time, but here, the fact that the dress is so big and plain... it almost makes it even more pretty.  That there's only one or two little bits of detail - a ruffle there or a tiny sparkle there, makes it all the more super elegant and gorgeous.  Sigh...

White...Part One

I'm not going crazy wedding obsessed or anything, I just Love (with a capital L no less) no sheer prettiness and gorgeous quality wedding dresses have.  I'm sure it's the same with a good load of girls across the world; we all dream of that one perfect dress.  I've just had a little burst of browsing the internet for dresses and thought I'd share them here.

The dresses above all have beautiful detail on their backs.  And yes, Bella Swan's dress does feature there, but I just love the lace and button detail, it's just so delicate and pretty!  I'm loving all the lacy looks about at the moment - maybe it's as a result of THAT wedding dress Kate wore, but I'm not complaining! 

Berry and Gold

What I'm Wearing:

Dress - Boutique in Shawlands.  It's from the same places as my ruffles dress is, but I know the label on this is Crayon.  Never heard of them anywhere else though
Cardigan - H&M
Black Velvet Bag - Mum's wardrobe.  I borrowed this a few years ago to go to someone's party and I love it!  It's just such a simple and stylish bag, and the black velvet makes it that little bit more opulent.  Think the label is actually for BHS

Nails - The main colour is Temptress by No. 7, it's a gorgeous deep berry colour, very nice.  Then I painted Barry M Gold Crackle Polish over my ring finger for a bit of a fancy contrast.

Jewellery - Necklace and charm bracelet from Sam, DKNY sparkly silver watch was a birthday present from my Gran (AKA Neens)

This is what I wore on Monday night, when I went out to celebrate a happy year with my boyfriend.  It's flown in, which I can only assume is a good thing because I've not been bored for one second when I'm around him.  We went to see the lights in George square and went on the chair swings (which broke, gulp) and the big wheel they have up, then went for a curry in Ashton Lane.  I loved every second of it, despite the freezing cold weather.
Here's to many more years of you and I :)