18 memories of 2018 - part 1

Hey there Internet!

It's been a few months. I've been busy, but I think you're probably sick of that excuse by now. It's the truth, but I don't think I ever will be an acquaintance of consistency.

Every year I try to do a recap of some kind to end the year that has transpired, and offer myself a clean slate to start the new year on the right foot. This year, it's a reflective list. I'm going to upload it in 2 parts because as always, I have a lot to say....

I hope you enjoy reading and stay safe and enjoy however you are choosing to celebrate the start of 2019 ✨

(P.S. Along side each memory on the list, I have included some of my favourite flower photography from this year because... who doesn't love flowers? 🌷🌹🌺🌻🌼)

So New Year's is only a few days away, and I'm sitting here in my grandparents' dining room wondering where the hell this year has gone. It only seems like yesterday that we were all popping champagne and making resolutions for 2018 that we were never going to keep. Now we've completed another year on Earth and the champagne and fireworks are back on the agenda for December 31st's around the world.

As we wave goodbye to the rollercoaster that has been 2018, I thought I would post a year recap in the form of a list of 18 memories. There's been highs, there's been lows and as always, there's been a tonne of laughs, milestones, and growing experiences.

Therefore, here are 18 memories of my 2018....

18. pitch perfect 3.

One of the places I have frequented the most this year has been the cinema. I love a good movie excursion, and there was plenty of good stuff on offer. In total, I went to the movies 15 times over the course of 2018, but the first one was Pitch Perfect 3. It marked the end of an era for this much-loved franchise, and I had a fabulous time watching the Barden Bellas strut their stuff in some pretty beautiful locations. It encompassed fun, family, friendship, female empowerment and freaking amazing musical arrangements – so what more could you ask for in a feel-good musical comedy? As always, the songs in the film were awesome, and I was still listening to the likes of Freedom, Cheap Thrills and Sit Still Look Pretty throughout the rest of the year. An excellent way to say goodbye to the Bellas, and a great movie for a chill night on the couch by yourself or with friends.

17. ed sheeran.

In March, I took my brother to his first ever concert. We were lucky enough to get last minute tickets to see English superstar singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran on his Divide World Tour. Although it was lovely to be able to experience the electric vibe and Sheeran’s prowess on his beloved loop machine, we were basically sitting in the roof of the stadium. We were so far away that his stage looked more like a LED shoebox, but it was still incredible to watch the floor fill up with people to create a wicked mosh pit. As always, Sheeran was note perfect and brought each of his mega hits to life for a unique live experience. My favourites were Happier, Galway Girl, opener Castle On The Hill and the groovy mash-up of Don’t & New Man. A concert experience I can definitely put in the positive column 🎵.

16. christopher robin.

Later in the year, I went and saw the latest cinematic manifestation of A.A Milne’s beloved friends from the Hundred Acre Wood. I wrote a review last year of ‘Goodbye Christopher Robin’ (link is here), which was a darker portrayal of Milne’s origin story, but this film was the complete opposite in tone. Disney’s Christopher Robin starred Ewan McGregor and Hayley Atwell; jam-packed with an adorable warmth and sweetness so strong you’ll end up with a cavity. Winnie the Pooh is still honey-obsessed and as endearingly silly as ever. Other favourites like Piglet, Tigger, Rabbit were cute and sweet, but lovably gloomy donkey Eeyore stole the show for me with his great comedic timing. The hopeful innocence that lies at the heart of this film proves that adults are never too old to be kids again; even if everyone else thinks they’ve lost their marbles 😉 I would 110% recommend if you’re in need of a good smile.

15. the final songs about a boy novel.

For anyone who has kept up with the book reviews I’ve posted on here, you’ll know that my favourite book series at the moment is the Songs About A Girl trilogy by rocker turned writer extraordinaire Chris Russell. In September, I was finally able to procure and read the third and final installment to the story of Charlie Bloom and the boyband Fire & Lights – ‘Songs About A Boy’. There was the expected continuation of the typical teen romance, with just as much angst as you would expect. But there was also this darker, murder mystery-esque, thriller vibe that seeped through the narrative of this book – more so that the others in the trilogy. It was eerie and crazy to finally see all the little pieces of the puzzle surrounding the mysterious death of Charlie’s mother Katherine fall into place, and there were certainly moments where I was afraid to turn the page, for fear of what dramatic revelation was going to explode on the next page. The standout characters included surprises like Charlie’s dad Ralph and rockstar producer Barry King – who redeemed themselves from the previous novels, and strong women around Charlie like superstar photographer Carrie Shakes and Charlie’s bubbly best friend Melissa. Although I had issues with Charlie’s protagonist arc and the mildly underwhelming ending, this was still a really enjoyable read and I would highly recommend this series 😊 (You can read my review of the first 2 books in the trilogy here).

14. the greatest showman.

If I was to talk about all the films I saw this year (both in cinemas and from my extensive DVD collection) right now, I think you would drop dead before you finished reading. But some of my favourite films of 2018 have been movie musicals. I was quick to express my love and adoration for Mamma Mia 2: Here We Go Again back in August (link is here), but I also loved the vibrant cinematic extravaganza that was The Greatest Showman. Combining a stellar Pasek and Paul soundtrack with the prowess of an all-star cast, this was a technicolour re-telling of circus ringmaster P.T. Barnham’s tumultuous origin story. Aside from a few personal issues with the integrity and character arc of Barnham himself, I enjoyed everything about this film. But the star was well and truly the music. I could bore you with my thoughts on every song (because they were all brilliant (music notes)), but I do have my favourites that still give me goosebumps 12 months after their release. Never Enough is literally divine perfection in emotion and execution, This Is Me is a breathtaking anthem that allowed Keala Settle’s jaw-dropping vocals to shine, and Tightrope totally encompassed the sweetness and warmth of Charity Barnham. Although I’m not a fan of the circus in real life, this was one I would happily revisit time and time again 🎡.

13. book update.

I have done some reading this year, but in hindsight I would’ve liked to read more. I love getting lost in a narrative and not being able to put it down, and books are certainly a refreshing break from the screen oriented lives we all seem to live these days. However, I found it difficult to do recreational reading when I was knee deep in academic journals and weekly readings for classes at university. But I have read some lovely books this year, and I’m keen to keep expanding on both the number of books I read and ones that I would recommend as gems. At the moment, I am really enjoying Phillippa Gregory’s tales of Tudor women and apart from the books I’ve individually mentioned on this list, I would highly recommend anything by Katie McGarry and the Selection series by Kiera Cass. Here’s to discovering more exciting books in 2019 📚.

12. getting creative again.

I can safely say that this year I have spent WAY too much time in front of a screen. Whether it was YouTube, playing video games on my laptop or getting lost in the endless scrolling function of Instagram and Twitter, I felt like I was developing square eyes! So I made an effort in the last few months to get back into some of the hands-on, creative bits and pieces that I had neglected for a very long time. Cleaning up my scrapbooking supplies and making some cards on a random day off, or getting back into the swing of repairing and adding to my large jewellery collection – it felt amazing. I’m such a creatively oriented person, and I had forgotten how much I loved getting stuck into a DIY project. I’m aiming to get off the screen even more in 2019 and perhaps even learn some new creative skills – is anyone available to teach me how to knit?

11. lm5.

As a music listener who has a patchwork library of singles from all over the place, I was pleasantly surprised to get back into a bunch of awesome albums in 2018. Charlie Puth (Voicenotes), Calum Scott (Only Human), Ariana Grande (sweetener), Emma Blackery (Villains), Cimorelli (Sad Girls Club) and Camila Cabello (Camila) are just some of the wonderful artists who released rockstar albums I would 125% recommend you listen to. But my #1 album of 2018 is lm5 from powerhouse British girl group Little Mix. Perrie, Leigh-Anne, Jesy and Jade have outdone themselves with an empowering and complex array of songs that perfectly encapsulates their musical versatility and themes of confidence and self-love. Every song on this album is great in its own way, but Think About Us, Monster in Me, Love A Girl Right, American Boy and The Cure are some of my personal favourites. I can’t wait to see what these girls do next 💖.

10. youtube update.

It’s been a bit of a topsy turvy year on this infamous digital platform, and I’ve found that my viewing tastes have only slightly changed over the course of 2018. Don’t worry, I’m still Dan and Phil obsessed (you can read my review of their book here or 2nd stage show here if you’re interested) and Jenna Marbles will be my Queen of YouTube forever and always. But I’ve stopped watching some people for one reason or another, and simultaneously become more interested in people who are authentic and have something genuinely interesting to say. I don’t really give a crap about production value or how well edited a video is. If you’re 125% yourself and create content that feels authentic and unique, I will proudly hit like and subscribe. I’ve particularly enjoyed the lovely Louise Pentland and the incredible Carrie Hope Fletcher this year, and I would like to give a special mention to the Holy Trinity of Grace Helbig, Hannah Hart and Mamrie Hart for making 3 quality Christmas videos that left me in fits of side-splitting laughter. Keep up the good work please 😊!

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

That wraps up Part 1. I'll be back in a few days (hopefully New Year's Eve) with the second part 😀. 

If you do have a moment between now and midnight on December 31st, I highly recommend taking some time for self-reflection and working out what you want out of 2019. It's very cathartic ☀

Thanks so much for reading,

Love and self-reflective moments at the end of a long year, Emily xx 🎆