I Saw Suzanne Vega...

Yep, that's right folks, I saw the real Suzanne Vega! If you don't know who she is, she's a rather obscure 70s/80s singer-songwriter with a beautiful style of acoustic guitar. My music taste is partly something I've picked up off of my dad - Johnny Cash, Leonard Cohen, and Suzanne Vega, so it was incredible to get the opportunity to see her live.

She was touring because it's the 30th anniversary of her album Solitude Standing (which, for those of you who don't know, is my favourite of her albums), and the 25th anniversary of the album 99.9°F. So the evening was split into two, one half for one album, and the other for the second album, with a little break in between. 

The first song on Solitude Standing is 'Tom's Diner', which is sung without music, just a vocal. The whole room was deathly silent as this song was sung and it was incredible. This was more than just a gig, as I wrote on my Instagram after it finished - it was a performance, a celebration of music and it was wonderful. 

The special thing about this concert was that it was seated - something I've never experienced before. I meant that I could close my eyes and forget where I was and just let the music unfold around me. It was magical, and I didn't get hurt or pushed over or anyone dropped on my head! 

One thing I found absolutely staggering was the progression in just five years - the sound had changed and evolved and the music became more accessible. Suzanne Vega wasn't just an obscure guitarist singing of goddesses, she made it to the charts, and even got a single higher than Nine Inch Nails! 

I left the venue feeling so inspired to play guitar again, and to write and to learn and it was wonderful. Words cannot describe this experience but it was incredible. 

A Funny Old Time

5am.

A funny old time.

It feels as though the whole world is tucked up in bed asleep.

Even the sun is safely hidden away,

The morning cold.

Everything is quiet.

5am.

A funny old time

Halfway between awake and asleep

And here I am

Not halfway but all the way

100 per cent

Completely there

Awake.

Alone.

My Favourite Nail Polishes...

I like painting my nails, it makes me feel more put-together and stops me from biting my nails. Instead, I pick at the nail varnish but that's beside the point. I've been quite busy recently but I thought I'd share a few snaps of my favourite nail varnishes, all from Barry M. 

The 'Plumpy' top coat is honestly amazing, it really does make your nail varnish last a lot longer, and the 'Iron Mani' base coat has repaired my nails and made them much healthier!

♥ Five Happy Things ♥

I've seen so many bloggers writing posts like these (especially Jemma at Dorkface.co.uk), and I think it is a beautiful thing that can be so grounding and wonderful. So, here are five things that are making me happy right now...

1. I've finally decided on what to do at university, and now I just need to gather the motivation to go through the steps to apply. 

2. I've finally decided to quit my job, because it's making me stressed and anxious, and I feel as though the nine months I've been there are enough - I need a change, something closer to home. I wrote a little more about this in my most recent post on 18 Going on Eighty.

3. Once I get home from work tomorrow at 12:30, I've got all day to relax. Four-hour shifts are both a blessing and a cure, but I'm really looking forward to my relaxing afternoon/evening tomorrow. I might bake some yummy cookies and curl up with a book.

4. I've got so many lovely Lush products to use up, and I love that! You may scoff and tell me how expensive they are, but I believe in treating yourself and Lush does that well!

5. A good cup of tea makes everything a little brighter. I don't know what it is about the magical healing properties of tea, but it works. You can't beat a good book and a nice hot cup of tea. 

A Cinema Under the Stars...

Some friends and I headed to our local park (well, kinda) on Friday 1st September to head to Hogwarts with the Alfresco Film Company! We went to see Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone played on an outdoor screen, under the stars and it was magical! 

We loaded up with flasks, blankets, camping chairs, warm layers, chocolate, biscuits, and popcorn and found a place to camp out with a good view of the screen. It was actually surprisingly busy, I guess because some of the films were filmed locally, a lot of people would be interested. 

So, as the sun was setting, we all put on lots of layers (I had a strappy top, a long sleeved top, a t-shirt, a jumper, a hoodie, a denim jacket, a raincoat and a blanket and I was still freezing cold by the time the film ended!) and watched the bats flying around our heads as we waited for the darkness and for the movie to start. 

I have to say that despite the cold and the numbness of my toes and hands, it was a great experience. Watching a film outdoors isn't something that I would usually think of doing, because y'know, outside but it was fun, it was a laugh and I loved watching the clouds drift over the moon and looking up at the stars! I'm waiting for the next Harry Potter movie to be played outdoors! (I may also go see The Lost Boys since I've not actually seen it all the way through. I'll be taking a hot water bottle though). 

So yes, if you ever get the chance to go to an outdoor cinema, I say just do it because it's fun and you'll be with friends eating yummy food watching a good movie and looking at the stars and what more would you ever need?!

- Dottie x