end of this chapter.

Wow. It's been a while. And a LOT has happened..

GCSE's are OVER! My last one, maths, was almost two weeks ago - feels so good being free! It's so weird that they're done now though, considering I've been leading up to them for 11 years and now they're all over. But something else is over too..

Me and Marko are no longer together. And it's okay, because everything has to come to an end. But after being with him for a year and a half, its a little odd, so here comes the inspirational bit..

I'm turning 17 in a  few months. I've finished my GCSE's and I'm moving onto my A Levels. I'm not a little kid anymore. I'm entering a new stage in my life, so as scary and as sad as the split may be, I think it was the right time. Everything is going to start changing now; people's attitudes towards life, schools, what I get up to in my free time.. The list goes on. So for anyone else in my shoes, who's just come out of a long relationship and is a bit shaken up (trust me - some days I've been beyond a wreck!), don't worry! It's okay to cry! This is new and scary, but it'll be okay! It's just a new chapter in your life. And just like a new chapter in a book, you don't know what's going to happen. But that's okay too, because It's always fun finding out.

Right. That's my boring bit over. Lets have some fun stuff!

My prom is coming in a week today, and I am both TERRIFIED and very EXCITED! So now I actually have the time to post, I'll be doing a couple posts on how to survive prom - 'cause I've been going out of my mind!

So my photo of the week is probably from a month ago, but I wanted to post this one anyway because it's of me and my friend Chris dressing up on the very last day of Year 11 - Any guesses what I'm supposed to be?!

Sent to me by a very good friend, this song is not only great for nostalgia, but also made me realise that everything is gonna be alright ;) 

Jimmy Eat World - The Middle

That's it from me for now. I'll be back tomorrow with some old stuff that never got posted. BAH!
xox

Ps. It's okay to get angry too, as long as you think of clever ways to get revenge ;)

happy late valentines!

So its been a busy week at Panda towers! We've cleaned the garage out, moved the kitchen around, had carpet fitted and have been delivered a new broadband router - so no more dodgy internet!

This is just a quick little post, hoping you all had a lovely Valentine's day. I had a busy, but very interesting day. Marko surprised me while we were cleaning out the garage, with a beautiful rose, and we went swimming that evening. Didn't make too much of a fuss about it, as last Thursday was our anniversary! I can't get over that we've been together a year now.. It feels like forever, but like the time has flown by! Thinking of all the cool stuff we've done just blows my mind away.. So, inspired by Valentine's and our anniversary, this week's photo and song of the week are a bit more personal to me and Marko.

I loved this before 500 Days of Summer, and ironically, it's a perfect summer tune. Such a beautifully quirky band. This song makes me so happy.

Mumm-ra - She's Got You High

I'll finally get round to posting that DIY and get back on track with my monthly playlists in the next few days. In the meantime, hope you guys find love!

xox

panda, we have internet.

Ugh. Frustrating and stressful couple of weeks! But the internet is back up and I'm pleased to announce last week's photo and video of the week, as well as an upcoming tutorial and band review/photo dump that I've had ready and waiting for when the internet came back up!

I haven't really got a lot for last week's photo of the week! The most pictures I took were of friends at a party, with the exception of thissss.. A little something two of my mates left our host's parents..

Song of the week this week is in fact two songs! They're just in parts, so really it's one long lot of loveiliness! This comes from a French band, of which me and a friend are DYING to get their new album. From the album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix isssss..

Phoenix - Love Like A Sunset

All rights to V2 Records.

Enjoy! Will be back tomorrow with my tutorial, as well as this week's photo and song of the week.
xox

slow sunday.

I've realised just how fun it is making gifs..

The timing on it is a bit screwed up, but it's probably about the same time as it would be if it happened right in front of you.. Pretty pleased for a first go!

Had a bit of a slow Sunday where no-one did anything until about half 2, when we all got up and went to the beach!

It was really windy and cold, and the boys were moaning, but we braved it and it turned out to be a really lovely couple of hours! Of course, it's only Weston, so the snaps are nothing special, but I wanted to upload and share them with you all.

And my favourite picture of the day...

I'd just like to point out that she's not kicking HIM, she's kicking a ball for him to chase - it just came out as a hilariously funny picture!
xox

i'm useless. but this will make up for it.

YES. OKAY. I REALISE IT'S BEEN TWO MONTHS!
But a very busy two months. And I come today baring gifts!

This actually breaks my heart that I'm able to share this with you all, as I spent a lot of money getting a hard copy of this beauty sent over from the US, but one of my all time top 3 bands Paper Route, have released their first full length album from 2009, Absence, and their brand new single, Better Life, onto NoiseTrade! So the album that I've literally worn down from playing so much, can be yours FOR FREE!

Not bitter. Honest.

I don't work with Paper Route in any way, I'm just a huge fan of such an unfairly underrated band, and in a way I'm quite sad they're releasing their music for free, but it's sooooooo good that I just can't not share it with you!
You can find the whole of Absence, plus the new single Better Life, HERE!


So now that I've made up for my absence (heh heh.. Absence..), I feel it's time to introduce you to the newest member of the little panda bear family..

My Christmas present - A Nikon L120
(Just a quick snap I took before heading off to school.. Like the Koala hat Marko brought me?)

I say 'newest addition to the family' as I'm hoping this will mean the start of a LOT more posts from me. This makes it so much easier for me to share what I've been up to, or found, so easily. So here is where I introduce 2 new features to the blog!

(Okay.. Small lie.. I couldn't decide on just ONE for the first week.. So here's four!)

This week's song of the week isssss...

Lykke Li - Get Some

All rights to LL Records.

So there we go! Both those features will be popping up on Saturdays and will be separate from any other posts during the week :)

Ending on a sad note today - Picnik is closing! I'm so sad, it was the easiest way for me to edit my photos for free.. Anyone know any alternatives?

Have a nice night!

xox

IT LIVES!

Yes, I'm still alive!

I owe you a HUGE apology, I underestimated the amount of work GCSE's would bring, but I've only got one last mock coming up, so I feel I've got time to update you on the happenings from the last couple of months!

I turned 16! I feel so different now I've finally reached that monumental age.. It's all a bit scary! I celebrated by going to Harvester with Marko and my family. Didn't have a party, but low key is my thing ;) I wanted to tell you about the most amazing present Marko made me though!

It's based on the book Q and A a day, which I read about on the Dainty Squid, but Marko has made me his own version, full of his own questions and things personal to us.. Which is the cutest thing anyone has ever, or could have ever done :')

Just noticed that in the background of that picture, you can see my new wallpaper! The room is looking amazing, I could do with some things being moved about, but I love love LOVE it! ^^ For anyone wondering, in the end we went with one wall of lime green and two of the blue, as well as raspberry pink décor. Funkayyy.

Also, I KNOW that I've missed 2 months of my monthly playlist, but I will get around to them shortly. Thinking of getting rid of the opinions, as it takes up a lot of time that I don't have! :L

FINALLY! Something I've been gagging to do for a while, the Bombay Bicycle Club review!! 

Now I've been to a great number of gigs in my time (never before with my Mum though!) but I think I would go far as to say that BBC was THE best gig I have seen ever. From where we were stood, we could see the whole of the people on the floor, and a great view of the stage, and damn you could see a lot! The crowd was a sea of people that were going insane to even the slow ballad that is Still. The huge hits like Shuffle and Always Like This saw the entire venue come alive and sing the words at the top of their lungs. It was a room of pure passion. It could've easily gone on for hours and people would just never tire. It was a perfectly picked set too. They played pretty much all of I Had The Blues.. with the exception of maybe one song? 3 tracks from Flaws and about half of A Different Kind Of Fix, as well as a b-side that frontman Steadman said only their 'hardcore fans would know'. I honestly could not fault it. Except maybe that I would've liked for it to be even louder, so I could really get absorbed in the music. But in all honesty, Bombay Bicycle Club are a band that everyone has to see live.

Will be back in a day or two with my September and October playlists!
xox

back to school and my august playlist.

Hello! I'm right on time with my monthly playlist this month - get me! But first a quick update..
Today was my first day back at school as a year 11. And for anyone who doesn't know what year 11 is, it's the last year of my GCSE's, meaning that I am going to be SUPER busy between now and Christmas doing music coursework, and then again from about May onwards doing my finals. Thus meaning that you'll have to excuse my absence!


But lets get on with the cool stuff! I'm afraid that I'll be gradually adding my take on all these tracks as the days go by, as I'm tight on time!

Teenagers - Hayley Williams
First off, I actually know the girl that posted this video and she has some aweshum covers and original songs that you should check out, pronto!

The Beach - All Time Low

Pumped Up Kicks - Foster The People
Ahh this song just sums up summer for me!

Spotlight - Mutemath
Yessss. I know this was on here last month, but it is just THAT good!

Full Moon - The Black Ghosts
The video for this is a bit odd for me.. Personally when I hear this, I think of driving home through the elements..

Control - Mutemath

Childers - The Mercury Program
THERE IS NO LINK TO THIS! You CAN find it on last.fm though.

The Birth and Death of The Day (Remix) - Explosions In The Sky
This is the month, the amazing month, I found what may just be my favourite band of all time.

Shine - The Album Leaf

A Letter From Home - Ulrich Schnauss

Nozomi - Sleep Dealer
Ugh. I've been trying for ages to get Marko to appreciate the beauty of this - WITH NO LUCK! There is something about this song that just sends shivers down my spine and yet makes me feel so relaxed and high at the same time. I've decided that I'm writing part of my music composition based on this!

Pyramid Of The Moon - Maserati

The Tenth Planet - Sleep Dealer

Shivers - Shark Quest
I finally found one Marko liked! I felt this was a bit Spanish sounding, and very different from the other ambience music I'd heard before.. So I'm not sure if I'd class it as that? But still very good!

You Give Me Problems About My Business - The Mercury Program

First Breath After Coma - Explosions In The Sky
This makes me lost for words.. Love the bit at 5.50

Set The World On Fire - The King Blues
I SAW THIS LIVE! Amazing. Itch Fox is so inspirational.

Heavy In Your Arms - Florence and The Machine
YEAH? It's another from the Eclipse soundtrack. Problem? Hey, bet you didn't know that Florence has a new single out? I can't remember what it is, but I promise to try find it. It's very good!

Catastrophe And The Cure - Explosions In The Sky
As you can tell, I was really into EITS in August, but how incredible are they?!

This Orient - Foals

Moving To New York - The Wombats
This came up on shuffle on my MP3 and I realised I hadn't heard this in ages. I don't know why, it's an awesome song!

Lights Out, Words Gone - Bombay Bicycle Club
This is the live version from their set at Reading, and this was the version that made me fall in love with this song. Can't wait to go see them!

Love Generation - Bob Sinclar
Who remembers this?! How awesome is this! I found recently somehow.. I really can't remember how, but I'm so glad I did, 'cause this song is so happy and hippy and I love it!

Undercover Martyn -Two Door Cinema Club
If you haven't heard this yet, you must be living under a rock. It's been on the radio NON STOP. But with good reason yes?!

Loverboy - You Me At Six
Here it is! I mentioned this recently and now they've finally released the video I think it's only fair I share with you the epicness of their new turn. Win.


xox