Music Crush #16

It's Music Crush time!

I debated over what song to choose for a little while and then I decided I had to choose the one song that has been stuck in my head for the last week. So stuck I've been walking around work singing it to myself - I did get some weird looks, before you ask!

What is the song that's been on repeat on your head, you ask?

Hozier

~~~

Take Me To Church

I have no clue what it is about this song that has had it whirring around my head, maybe it's the strong beat or the powerful voice. I don't know. But I do know I've memorised all the words and the tune is constantly playing in my little brain. 

At first I wasn't sure if I actually liked it or if it was one of those annoying songs that plants itself in your head and you just can't get rid of it no matter how hard you try, but I've actually rather grown to like it and now love it.

It's unique. Or at least I think it is. I don't know any other songs that sound like it. Nor do I know any singer with a similar voice.

It's become my new music obsession whatever the case.

Have a listen and see what you think for yourself!

Katie x


Click here for previous Music Crushes

The Christmas Tag

I've seen this tag on quite a few blogs lately and I love seeing everyone's responses so I thought why not do it myself and get into the Christmas spirit!

1.

What is your favourite Christmas movie/s?

This could be a never-ending list if I'm not careful, but I'd say my all time favourite has to be The Santa Clause; it's hilarious! When I first watched it I was probably only about four or five and my brother used to constantly tease me that he was going to go and knock Santa off the roof so that he could become him. It's one of those movies that I have to watch every Christmas time when I want to get all festive = I find the best way to do it is to have a marathon with all three movies, one after the other.

2.

Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

Always on Christmas day. I've heard of the tradition of opening them on Christmas Eve but I don't know anyone who does. It wouldn't feel like Christmas day to me if we didn't spend the morning opening presents.

3.

Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?

Christmas is, and always has been, one of my favourite times of year yet I can't actually think of a specific memory. I think it's because every Christmas is as brilliant and amazing as the last! I just love that it's the one time of year that my whole family come together at my grandma's house and we always have a great day.

4.

Favourite festive food?

Pigs in blankets, without a doubt. It's the only time of year we eat them and, oh my god, what kind of Christmas dinner would it be without them?!

5.

Favourite Christmas gift?

This is going to sound really weird to anyone who doesn't know me but a Ted Baker pen that my mum got me for Christmas last year. I only ever use it when I'm writing stories and it's probably one of my most prized possessions, I can't explain how upset I'd be if I lost it.

6.

Favourite Christmas scent?

I love the smell of mulled wine and cinnamon candles that you can usually only find at Christmas time, mmm, yep, they're the best.

7.

Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?

I don't actually think we do... My mum and I tend to snuggle up and watch a Christmas movie whilst we wait for me stepdad to finish work, does that count?

8.

What tops your tree?

Well this one depends. I normally help decorate the tree at my mum's house and at my grandma and grandad's house and then I live between the two. If we're going to go with my mum then it's been a star for the past several years. If we're going with my grandparents, my grandma always has an angel topping the tree, always. 

9.

As a kid what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) gift you always asked for but never received?

I honestly don't think there was one... Apart from a giraffe. Every year that would go on my list, even though I knew it would never happen - Santa was always very thoughtful though and got me something giraffe-related, whether it be a cuddly toy or clothes or something else! Other than that I don't think there was anything I asked for and every year woke up hoping and half-expecting it to be the year. I was more likely to ask for more books than Santa could carry, I did circle half the Argos catalogue after all, as well as spend my nights making a list of all the books I hoped to read!

10.

What's the best part about Christmas for you?

Definitely Christmas day with my whole family. I normally open presents with my mum on Christmas morning and then my grandad will come and pick me up just before 12 and I'll go and help my grandma set up for the rest of the family coming in the afternoon and then we spend the entire night laughing and eating. It's the best time of year for us.

I'm in the festive spirit now, I think I'm going to have to go and have a Christmas movie marathon now! 

Here are a few of my favourite Christmas tags that I've read so far:

Be Beautiful
MakeupSavvy
Chloe's Way
Peaches and Smoke

Enjoy!

Katie x

Music Crush #15 (Playlist)!

Hey!

Obviously this weeks Music Crush had to be Christmas song - the problem is, I can't decide which one. I know I have this problem a lot but this week it's big and it's real. Decisions are just not happening.

So we're going to mix it up a little bit and do a Music Crush Playlist. Uh huh. I'm mixing it up good!

In no particular order...

1.

Last Christmas - Wham!

2.

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Michael Buble

3.

Driving Home For Christmas - Chris Rea

4.

I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard

5.

All I Want for Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey

6.

Merry Christmas Everyone - Shakin' Stevens

7.

Underneath The Tree - Kelly Clarkson

8.

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Dean Martin

9.

Do They Know It's Christmas? (1984 Version) - Band Aid

10.

Merry Xmas Everybody - Slade

11.

Run Run Rudolph - Kelly Clarkson

12.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Michael Buble

13.

White Christmas - The Drifters

14.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams

15.

Finally, and definitely the best of them all...

Fairytale of New York - The Pogues

There! That is my Christmassy playlist! I love Christmas music and especially all of the old ones, they get me feeling all festive!

Katie x

Cliftmas & Home Time!

I'm finally home!

I finished uni for Christmas last Thursday and it is definitely a welcome break. I still have work to do over the holidays but it feels good to have an official break and get home to my family. 

Friday was the official 'Last Day of Term', so there was a lot happening on campus, all known as Cliftmas! We got our picture taken with Santa, because who wouldn't? It's not like any of us are nearly twenty... It was an awesome night full of Christmas music and a hell of a lot of dancing and singing. It's safe to say, I had no voice the next morning.

I was living in an empty flat after that though and it felt really strange - I was the only one left at our uni flat out of a flat with eight people in it. It was weird not hearing other people in the flat and going into a completely empty and silent kitchen, I missed my friends too much over that weekend! Luckily one of my friends was still in the flat below me so we had a nice little dinner date and relaxed with Christmas movies for the night in our Christmassy-decorated flat.

I've eventually made it home though! I've seen all of my little ones and I've eaten lots of food, so Christmas can officially get started now!

Katie x

Music Crush #14

Another week, another Music Crush!

As always, my brain went through a million songs and couldn't decide which one it liked best but, eventually, I've gone for a bit of a chart-topper this week.

(I've also just realised this is the first Music Crush of December - it should have been a Christmas song!)

Taylor Swift

~~~

Blank Space

Now, I'm pretty sure it's a rite of passage that everyone should like at least one Taylor Swift song in their lifetime, whether you hate yourself for it or not, i.e. my best friend and her feelings about loving We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.

I actually don't mind Taylor Swift's music the majority of the time - I loved Shake It Off and now I'm loving Blank Space so I can hardly say I dislike her music. I'm just not the biggest fan of her... And I hate the fact that she's against Spotify and music streaming so much; I'm a student, I can't afford to buy her album and if I can't listen to it on Spotify then I guess I won't be listening to it all. I bought Blank Space on iTunes but only because I was hearing it everywhere and it was bugging me not being able to listen to it but that doesn't mean I'm going to buy her whole album (I won't just in principle, because I'm stubborn like that!). I'm pretty sure that she doesn't need the money, so she should just be happy that she gets to live such an amazing life and people are enjoying her music, but hey ho - there's my little rant over, promise!

Back to the song; it's soooo good. I don't know what it is that I love so much about the tune but there's something there that's just damn catchy. Obviously I love the lyrics too (I hear you all saying "Shut up, Katie", you know). 

So it's gonna be forever
Or it's gonna go down in flames

That's definitely one (or two actually) of my favourite lines from the song because it's so true about a lot of things in life, especially relationships but not just them. 

So here's the video, which is pretty weird but cool at the same time... if that's possible?

Katie x