#365DaysOfHappiness - Why I Love Music And The Playlist Shuffle Tag*

I don't know why but there is something about birthday's that makes you want to shake everything up and start again. Birthday's used to be something to look forward to - a day full of cake and presents -. You didn't dread them you looked forward to getting older. I'm now officially in the last year of my 30's and whilst I don't necessarily view getting older as a bad thing, I have spent more than a few minutes lately contemplating where on earth the last 30 odd years have gone, and asking myself why haven't I done more with my life.

Instead of looking back though I'm intending to spend the last year of my 30's living my best life, doing things that make me happy, trying new things, and taking a few risks along the way. If you follow me on Instagram you'll know that last week I started the #365DaysOfHappiness project and I've made it my goal to post a picture of something that has made me happy every day in the run up to the big 4 0 next May.

Today's photograph reflects one of my major passions in life, music. I'm not talking about playing a musical instrument I'm talking about the simple pleasure of listening to a piece of music that you love. I was lucky enough to grow up in a household that loved music. My dad was a big country fan, with a record collection that matched that passion so I grew up listening to the likes of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Hank Williams, with the odd bit of Elvis, and Jimmy Nail thrown in for good measure. My mum on the other hand listened to a wide variety of stuff ranging from classical to show tunes, and even Gregorian chants. It's safe to say that my musical education was a varied one but I'm thankful for that, I can safely say that I can appreciate most types of music, in the early days I was a bit of a metal fan, one of the first gigs I went to was Guns 'N' Rose, Soundgarden, and Faith No More, before progressing on like so many other 90's kids to a bit of Brit Pop when I spent my time wearing Adidas Gazelles and watching the likes of Oasis, Blur, Pulp and Ocean Colour Scene.

Nowadays I'll pretty much listen to anything, I like something that's catchy or that I can sing along to and I appreciate DJ's and mixing as much as I do a full on bands that play proper instruments, I love it all. I literally listen to music every single day and it makes me happy in a way that few other things do, yes it can make me sad or melancholy on occasions but there is always an element of happiness in every emotion and that's the nature of the beast.

When it comes to listening to music I literally listen to it on every medium possible depending on where I am. I'm a big fan of digital radio, and I still watch music television, in an attempt to seem down with the kids or to reminisce about my own teenage years, you pick the channel you decide! Unlike a lot of people nowadays I still own a CD player, a turntable and several cassette players where I spend many hours pouring through my own and my parents prized collections, remembering songs, and remembering times gone by.

I do hanker for the past on the occasions but modern technology has really made a world of difference to the music fan, now you literally have every single song in the world at your finger tips, and available for your listening pleasure in seconds, via You Tube, a online listening service or via your smart phone. I don't spend as long on buses and public transport as I once did but one of my greatest pleasures now is sitting on a bus and in sticking in my earphones, and allowing the music to take me somewhere else, and of course who doesn't play music where there in the bath or the shower, I've pretended to be Adele, or Lana Del Ray more than once using my shampoo bottle as my microphone, come on, don't tell me that you haven't done the same ;) As far as technology has progressed that I still think the inbuilt speakers on smart phones sound a little tinny and don't real add to the listening experience, I've tried all the tricks to improve my in-shower and iPhone listening experience like putting my phone in a cup, a paper tube, a bowl and in the sink but I really do think that I need to invest in something like the Panasonic Speaker System, to improve my in-shower and round the house listening experience, it would certainly improve the sound quality but I don't think it could do much for my vocal abilities (can you believe I was actually in the school choir though - what were they thinking?)

So now that you know a little bit about my love of music and my listening habits I thought I'd share my eclectic musical tastes with you by doing this fun tag, The Playlist Shuffle Tag that somebody once tagged me in on Facebook x

The Playlist Shuffle Tag

-

"Sweet Disposition"

1. Put your iTunes/Foobar/Spotify/Whatever on shuffle. 
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer 
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS. 

IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY? 
Empire State Of Mind - Alicia Keys

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF? 
Joy To The World - David Bell, Huddersfield Choral Society 

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL? 
Lana Del Rey - Video Games

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY? 
Telephone - Lady Gaga



WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE? 
Tired - Adele - (Ha Ha!)

WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO? 
Find Me - Kings Of Leon



WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? 
Stay With Me - Sam Smith

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? 
Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN? 
Disappear - INXS



WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR FIRST KISS? 
Ho Hey - The Lumineers



WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND 
Linger - The Cranberries 



WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? 
Story Of My Life - One Direction (freaky but this was genuinely the next song that I got)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? 
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman - Carole King

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE? 
Need To Feel Love - Reflekt

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? 
Waterfall - The Stone Roses 



WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? 
Wings - Birdy



WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST: 
 Let It Go - Idina Menzel

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR? 
Cold Little Heart  - Michael Kiwanuka



WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? 
Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW? 
 Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol



WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? 
Someone Like You - Adele

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS? 
Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap 



I'm not sure about the sense or reliability of some of the answers in determining my inner most thoughts but I hope this has given you just a sneaky peek into my musical world. I don't think there was anything too embarrassing there but believe me I do have a few things on there that do make me cringe a little bit when I hear them, Aqua anyone? Never mind it's all about the memories I guess, I do wish though that you could filter out Christmas albums though in the Summer, Joy To The World indeed haha x I'm going to tag anyone that wants to do this, so please give it a go, and share your random playlists with the world x If you do it, please link me up below I'd love to know what kind of music you listen to, and maybe I can discover a new favourite song or piece of music in the process x

*Sponsored Post 

8 Questions - TAG

Sorry I'm so late doing this tag but I have been tagged by two lovely ladies Emerald Green 88 and Fudge Smoothies Make Up to do the 8 Questions Tag - all you have to do is answer the 8 questions and then make up 8 questions of your own and tag away. Both lovely ladies asked different questions so I'll start with Sian from Fudge Smoothies Make Up

1. What's your favourite piece of jewellery you own?
I have a few things - a gold and diamond ring that was my grandmas, and the rings my parents bought me for my 18th and 21st birthdays, also a snowflake obsidian bracelet my mum got me before I went to New York I don't travel anywhere overseas without it, and a wooden bead necklace that I love

2.Have you ever broken any bones?

Thankfully not I've pulled ligaments and things but touch lots of wood I've never broken anything

3. What's your favourite holiday destination?

Probably Cyprus I have been lots of times but I love it I love the food, the people and the weather - I also loved New York for obvious reasons :)

4.Favourite thing to do on a rainy day?

Other than blogging or twittering, probably cooking or card making

5. Have you got any piercings?
4 in each ear

6.What would you spend your last £5 on?

probably chocolate lol

7. Do you prefer laptops or computers?

My laptop definitely my pc is soooo slow

8. Share a photo of something that means something to you

My mum


and here are Emerald Green 88 aka Laura's :)

1. What is your most worn nail polish?

I don't think I have one lol I am always chopping and changing my polishes

2. If I gave you £1000 to spend on anything you wanted, what would you buy?

probably a Mulberry Alexa - I am sizing up the copies at the moment but I would love the real thing

3. What three things do you always keep in your handbag?
tissues, purse, and a hairbrush

4. What is your dream job?

Hmm realistically something that makes a difference maybe counselling or in a dream world a fashion or a beauty journalist

5. If you could have any celebrity's wardrobe whose would you choose?

hmm as long as I can up size it I doubt I'd fit in to many celebrity's wardrobes erm probably Victoria Beckhams lol

6. Did you make any new years resolutions and have you stuck to them?

Erm yeah quite a few to lose weight - I've managed to lose a bit, save money erm that hasn't quite gone to plan, and to use up my mountain of beauty bits - I'm doing ok on that one x

7. What is your favourite beauty product at the moment?

Probably No17 Mirror Shine Lipstick in Nudist Peach I've worn it a lot over the past couple of months

8. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

Hopefully back in the land of the living, fit and healthy in a job maybe a relationship hopefully just not in the same place I am now

So there are my 16 questions - and here are my 8 :)

1. What is the one beauty product you can't live without?
2. If you could only buy clothes in one shop for the rest of your life what would it be?
3. Name one place that you would love to visit and why?
4. What is your earliest memory?
5. What is your most hated food?
6. What is your favourite items of clothing?
7. If you had £500 to spend on yourself what would you buy?
8. What did you want to be when you grew up

I tag

Raspberry Kiss
Computergirl
miss ellies make up blog
Lillian from Funny Faces Place
Happy 1234

20 Questions Tag

I was tagged by the lovely Nazneen at The Postcolonial Rabbit to do this tag over a month ago whoops! Thank you my lovely and sorry it took so long xx

1.What can't you leave the house without?
My phone and a hair bobble


2. Favourite makeup brand.
Super boring but it's probably MAC - I probably own more MAC than anything else

3. Favourite flower?
For appearance Gerbera, and Daisies, for smell Rose, Jasmine ,Lily

4. Favourite clothing store?
At the moment probably Primark

5. Favourite perfume?
I have lots but of all time Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio

6. Heels or flats?
Flats -I am out of practise in heels

7.Do you make good grades?
yeah reasonably - I wasn't the brightest but I worked bloody hard to achieve what I did

8. Favourite colours?
blue,purple, teals, silver

9. Do you drink energy drinks?
Not after an evil vodka and red bull induced hangover I don't

10. Do you drink juice?
Yes loving orange juice and especially blood orange juice at the moment

11. Do you like swimming?
erm not swimming as such I'm not the best swimmer but I love being in water but I have to stay within my comfort zone

12. Do you eat fries with a fork?
Usually yes - I was one of those anal children that used to cut burgers into tiny pieces lol

13. Favourite moisturiser?
Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream

14. Do you want to get married?
Yes.

15. Do you get mad easy?
yes I have a very short fuse

16. Are you into ghost hunting?
I wouldn't say hunting as such but I have been on ghost walks before and I love reading about real life ghost sightings and I definitely believe there is somewhere else

17. Any phobias?
Lifts or elevators, not to keen on any enclosed spaces really - going up the Empire State Building really freaked me out but I am fine on aircraft very strange

18. Do you bite your nails?
No.

19. Have you ever had a near death experience?
When I was a baby I was pretty premature and I was supposedly in a pretty bad way but I don't remember it obviously

20. Do you drink coffee?
not very often I love the occasional Starbucks or the occasional latte at home but I find it makes me too jittery and I have enough trouble sleeping as it is :)


So there you go 20 interesting things about me - well maybe not lol -please feel free to do this tag and link me if you do xx

Your Blog Is Over The Top Award

Huge apologies I was given this over two months ago by the lovely Alice In A New Wonderland and I haven't had a chance to do it until now


The rules:
answer the questions below and tag 5 other bloggers whose blogs you love reading.


1. Where is your cell phone? on the sofa
2. Your hair? a wavy mess which needs washing
3. Your mother? An amazing complex person who I can't live without
4. Your father? very much missed and loved
5. Your favorite food? cheese, chocolate, tortilla chips, rocket, risotto, cheesy chips, strawberries, yogurt, pesto pasta
6. Your dream last night? don't remember it
7. Your favorite drink? tea, pepsi,cola, fresh orange juice, anything from Starbucks
8. Your dream / goal? to be healthy
9. What room are you in? bedrooom
10. Your hobby? blogging, you tube, craft, cooking, reading
11. Your fear? being alone
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? healthy, in a happy relationship looking forward positively to the rest of my life
13. Where were you last night? at home
14. Something you aren't? healthy
15. Muffins? chocolate chip, blueberry, quite partial to raspberry and white chocolate too
16. Wish list item? erm too much to mention
17. Where did you grow up? here - a small village in Co Durham where everyone knows everyone else and their business :(
18. Last thing you did? ate a chocolate crispy cake
19. What are you wearing? blue jeans and a long sleeved white t shirt
20. Your TV? on Sky Sports News Soccer Special - Newcastle can get promoted today :)
21. Your pets? 3 cats - Jasper, Jake and Tallulah
22. Your friends? it's taken me a long time to find my real friends
23. Your life? Like Lydia a rollercoaster
24. Your mood? swings and roundabouts - the highest of the high and the lowest of the low
25. Missing someone? My dad as always
26. Vehicle? I don't drive so my weary legs or public transport bleurgh
27. Something you're not wearing? socks
28. Your favorite store? Primark, New Look, Boots, Superdrug, Dorothy Perkins
29. Your favorite color? blues and purples
30. When was the last time you laughed? Saturday
31. Last time you cried? a day or so ago
32. Your best friend? - pretty reliable
33. One place that I go over and over? doctors
34. One person who emails me regularly? friends
35. Favorite place to eat? home definitely or my godmothers

I tag

Beautylicious Love
Girls Are Made From Sugar & Spice
The Postcolonial Rabbit
x Diamonds and Pearls x
Sassy's World

Festive Tag

I saw this on the lovely Jo's blog and decided to do it :)

Favourite Colour Probably shades of blue or purple :)

Facebook? Yeah afraid so I don't spend as much time on it as I used to

Favourite Christmas Song I love all the Christmas songs but it would have to be an unusual one The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping

Christmas Tree - Real or Fake? I have to say fake now but we used to have a real one all the time when I was little the smell is something else but they are sooo messy and with cats the plastic is easier and safer

Hottest Celebrity? Must admit nobody is rocking my world at the moment

Favourite Restaurant - I don't eat out a lot it's too awkward but I like Est Est and Chiquitos I can normally find something to eat there

Favourite Magazine - I buy so many probably Elle or Vogue

Favourite Holiday Drink - ooo Bucks Fizz, Mulled Wine, Pepsi - odd one that but it used to be the only time my mum ever bought it :)

Favourite Christmas Movie A Muppet Christmas Carol or Raymond Briggs The Father Christmas

I'd love to know yours too so I tag all of you x

Tag - One Word

Two posts in the one day - what is wrong with me ;)
I was tagged by the lovely Michelle from Lipstick Rules a few weeks ago to do this tag - thanks honey x Believe me this is harder than it looks

Where's your cell phone: Sofa
Your hair: Brown
Your mother: Amazing
Your father: Missed
Favorite Food: Chocolate
Dream last night: Argument's
Favorite drink: Coke
What room are you in: Living room
Hobby: Shopping
Fear: Loneliness
Where were you last night: Home
Something that you aren't: Healthy
Muffins: Chocolate
Wish list item: Cosmetics
Where did you grow up: Durhamish
What are you wearing: Clothes
Your pets: Cats
Friends: Unbelievable
Something you're not wearing: Socks
Favorite store: Primark
Favorite color: Blue
Last time you laughed: Today
Your best friend: Dawn
Best Place you go to over and over: Bed
Person who emails you regularly: Bestie
Favorite place to eat: Home

I tag all my followers to try this one - not easy I promise especially the hair colour one erm how about, various shades of brown and blonde lol x

8 Things Tag

Just got this from Girl With The Golden Touch - Thanks Carla My First Tag :)

8 Things I look forward to -
My Birthday - Just Under Two Weeks Now
Holidays - I really want a holiday this year
Summer - I really hope we get a nice summer this year - I neeeeed sunshine
Being Healthy and Getting Rid Of My ME
Parcels Coming - I love getting goodies through the post
The MAC website updating
Finishing A Beauty Product or Starting A New One - Its always satisfying to finish a product and it super exciting starting a new one
My mum getting out of hospital



8 Things I did yesterday
Hoovered
Drank A Glass of Wine
Used NARS Orgasm Blush
Visited My Mum In Hospital
Cleaned The Cat Litter Tray
Placed a Dorothy Perkins and an ELF order
Made A Get Well Card
Used Dry Shampoo On My Hair




8 Things I wish I could do-
Live in New York :) (I'm with you Carla)
Play a musical instrument
Recover from my ME and be a healthy person
Eat Wheat without feeling ill
Be a lot thinner
Drive, I had lessons a few years ago and I'm just too scared (I'm with you here as well )
Meet Mr Right
Stop Spending Money

8 Shows I watch-
Sex and the City
Goks Fashion Fix
Ugly Betty
QVC Generally
Market Kitchen
Grow Your Own Drugs
Spendaholics
Match of the Day


I tag these 8 lovely Bloggers -

I don't think I follow 8 blogs at the mo and pretty much everyone I do has already been tagged so here is a few that maybe haven't been or I may be duping them too

Geeky Weirdo Chick
Em From A Passion For Fashion
Sadie from Butterfly Wings
Emma at Magpie Sparkles