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#BLOGTOBER Day 13- A Fall Memory

michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

Growing up, I was a really big Barbie fan. I loved buying them and playing with them. I loved picking out their outfits and brushing their hair. I had tons of them! And every Halloween or Holiday they would release a new seasonal Barbie. I wasn’t one much for collectibles, because I actually liked to play with my dolls. 

I remember when I was younger I used to take trips with my Aunt and my Mom, upstate to visit my cousin in college. 

It was a long drive so my Mom let me skip school on a Friday and we drove up early and shopped with my cousin for stuff she needed. We just spent the whole day with her. 

Those were always such fun days.

But this one time, I remember, while we were shopping, I saw a Halloween Barbie, that I really wanted. 

My parents never raised us to expect that we’d get everything we wanted or everything we asked for. But my mom made an exception and, ended up letting me get the Barbie. I was so excited that I opened it up right away and played with her the whole car ride home. It was always the best feeling, opening a new Barbie. 

Til this day I remember what the doll looked like and because of the internet…I can show you just exactly which one it was. 

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I remember thinking she was dressed so cool. I loved her sparkly, glitter dress and she had on these cool black ankle boots. Her lipstick was a nice orange, to match her orange studs. And how cool is that flame detailing at the bottom of the dress. She also came with a trick or treat bag. 😉 She was just super fun. I really hope my niece is a Barbie fan when she gets a big older!  I have all of mine packed away, I need someone to share them with. 

There was just something about playing with Barbies. It was like my own early form of story telling. I could name them, give them personalities, create plots, dress them according to their style. It was a blast, and these dolls could be anything they wanted to be. If you ask me, Barbies are an incredible tool for a child’s imagination. It certainly was for mine.

Signed, 

Barbie Girl 😉 

P.S. Just in case you didn’t know, Barbie has a YouTube Channel…

*I do not own any images, videos, songs/lyrics used.*

-<3-

 

 

 

#BLOGTOBER Day 3- My Fall 2018 TV Schedule

michelleleighwrites 1 Comment


tv
Fall is the time where all the returning shows start their season premieres, or when the new shows have their series premieres. And it is seriously like Christmas morning to me.  This year there are a few newbies and some good oldies that I’ve invested a few seasons in already. It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Warning…I watch ALOT of tv, it’s my favorite form of storytelling. I love getting to know characters and having them be there every week with new adventures. Hey it’s research! One day I’m going to have my own TV show, that’s the dream!

day 2 sneak peek

I try to watch live as much as I can, because I hate spoilers and I like the sense of community. #Livetweeting for the win! But sometimes I just can’t, because life and well sometimes I have to actually #Adult. But I usually catch up when I can, thanks to free on demand, and the internet. Here’s a peek at what I’m watching this fall season…

MONDAYS

The Resident @ 8 PM FOX *New for me [On it’s 2nd Season]

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Oh man oh man, so this show just started it’s second season and I had seen a bunch of promos for it. Of course it peeked my interest because Matt Czuchry (Logan from Gilmore Girls) and Emily VanCamp (Amy from Everwood & Emily/Amanda from Revenge) are in it! But I figured it was a hospital drama and it would break my heart just like Grey’s Anatomy did. So I kind of strayed away. And then one day YouTube happened, and I started to watch a few clips and I quickly realized that I was going to be in LOVE with Czuchry’s character, Conrad Hawkins. He’s basically a younger/sexy version of Dr. House. He uses unconventional methods to save his patients lives, and he’s lovably arrogant. He’s a third year resident supervising new first years, and he has one rule “He is always right.”  Very rough around the edges because he had a rough go at childhood and served in the marine corps as a medic. I love how he doesn’t even wear full scrubs he just wears the shirt and black jeans and combat boots, with his beaded and leather bracelets and chains and bolt like rings, and tattoos. He’s just so damn cool, I can’t take it. 

However he really cares about his patients and will break any hospital rule (especially when it involves billing and insurance) to help save them. Just the way he walks is amazing. It’s like a strut.

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I LOVE him, and even more so, I love his relationship with VanCamp’s character Nurse Nicolette “Nic” Nevin. You know if there’s a love story, complexities and all…I am ALL IN!

Thanks to hulu I just finished Season 1 and caught up on the first two episodes of Season 2. I will admit it’s my current obsession. This happens when I find a new tv show, I just can’t stop thinking about it. LOL. Season 1 was really strong and I am so happy I gave in and watched it. 

The show takes place in Chastain Park Memorial Hospital in Atlanta Georgia, and it drops us in the middle of these character’s lives, so there is a lot of backstory still left to uncover. Especially when it comes to Conrad and Nic’s relationship. It’s really interesting because I’m used to seeing these relationship stables play out- when did they meet? Who asked who out? What’d they do on their first date? When did they first say I love you? When did they have their first love scene? SO MANY QUESTIONS!!!! But I kind of like how they are showing their relationship unfold. It’s very cool. 

In college I had a college writing professor who used to always tell us to “tell it later,” I would always get so frustrated, because I felt like I wanted to tell it now, from the beginning. But as I grow older and watch tv shows and see how they differ in their storytelling, I totally see the appeal of dropping your audience smack dab in the middle of a couple’s complex relationship. For instance in the pilot, the first scene we see between Nic and Conrad is him pulling her into a room and kissing her, telling her he’ll do “whatever it takes to get her back.”

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SWOON! It leaves us wanting more. Nicely played FOX. I’m hooked. 

I don’t mean to go off on a tangent on this one show, but it’s a new one for me, so I have to get the obsession feels out! I also really like the way the show is shot. Very  hand held, snory cam- at times first person shots. The music they use is pretty dope too. For instance in Season 2, they used these two songs and I am obsessed!

I think I may need to do a full on review of this show so I will just stop rambling here and move on… 

TUESDAYS

New Amsterdam @ 10 PM NBC *NEW Series [1st Season]

All these doctor shows coming in and taking over…another doctor who is not a fan of billing or the medical system and is trying the fight for patients, you may think it’s the same as every other doctor show but…there is a mega twist at the end of the pilot…watch and wait for it…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY_5EvoL1Is

This Is Us @ 9 PM NBC [3rd Season]

You guys…come on now, do I even have to explain how good this show is. I would just like to meet these writers and directors and creators and just give them a standing ovation because, the way they let these stories unfold is just brilliant. I cry almost every week, but it’s still just such moving television. 

WEDNESDAYS

Riverdale @ 8 PM The CW [3rd Season]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr_XjNuiJk4

Chicago PD @ 10 PM NBC [6th Season] 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzFBTqD-fI8&t=35s

THURSDAYS

Will & Grace @ 9 PM NBC [2nd Season Reboot]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x6nay26Blw

How To Get Away With Murder @ 10 PM ABC [5th Season]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SByiHnyUxJI

FRIDAYS

Dynasty @ 8 PM The CW [2nd Season] 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYabs1_VqLM

SATURDAYS

FREE DAY! (Catch up day?) haha

SUNDAYS

Supergirl @ 8 PM The CW [4th Season]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcsOph_nqm0

Charmed @ 9 PM The CW [*New Series Reboot]

We shall see how this holds up to the original…I loved the original!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ycEPoT1Nzw

YOU @ 10 PM Lifetime [*New Series]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKSYTlSaGik

This show is so good, and is so creepy you just can’t help but be intrigued by what’s going to happen next. It takes stalker to a whole new level. 

 

Happy Watching…what are you guys watching this fall? 

 

* I do not take credit for any images used in my edit (or otherwise)

or any videos/music used.* 

 

-<3-

 

 

 

 

Finding my inspiration…

michelleleighwrites Leave a comment

Funk, slump, busy week off, and a sinus infection later and I was left feeling super run down and sick. And now I am trying to pull my life back together and get back into my routine of doing things and accomplishing my goals. 

And that means returning to this blog. I’ve missed it, but I’ve been lying in the bubble of uninspired ideas. So I usually turn to music and YouTube when that happens and recently I’ve just revisited some things that inspired me in the past…

These are the women that often inspire my creativity. They are all just filled with good, calm, healthy vibes. I feel like such a hippie girl. I want to just throw on my kimono and moccasins and roast marshmallows by a fire pit. #BohemianGirl

Joy Williams– Venus Album

Specifically…

Such a powerful girl power anthem. Her whole Venus album spoke to me. As earthy and hippie as I sound. Joy is actually in the process of recording her next album! So excited, I cannot wait! I would love to see her live in concert. 

Rachel Talbott– YouTuber/Vlogger/Musician

I really love Rachel’s YouTube content. Every time I watch her I just feel so relaxed and like I want to create a better, more balanced, healthy life style. Her demeanor is so sweet and serene. 

I actually made my own spa pedicure because of this, and I loved it so much. I think I may continue doing this more often…when I have a bit of extra pamper time. 

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Visit Rachel’s new shop online @ PacificThyme.com She has some absolutely beautiful things on there and the prices are more affordable then I’ve seen in a while. I just bought a candle, a loose tea, and a tea infuser and I cannot wait to get them! 

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I was never a huge Disney kid, I had my favorites- The Little Mermaid/Pocahontas. But I love the soundtracks. Every time I hear a Disney song I just feel like I want to cry. It just tugs at the heart strings. And this medley includes some of the absolute best ones! That Rachel…such a talent. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDCXk-fDwT0

Bethany Joy Lenz- 

This woman is always always always an inspiration to me. And recently I’ve just been listening to her soulful music again. She actually just released a new little track entitled Ghost Stories.  You can listen to it on her twitter. 

Here’s a vlog of mine from her concert I attended a few summers ago. It was an epic time!

This next concert was one I found on YouTube- a StageIt show, she had a while back. How gorgeous is her look! And that hair cut was pure fire. (video quality is a bit lagging) Her song “Dance with me” is my fav! ❤

Joy also paints and she has been sharing a lot of her work on her art instagram account The Lenz Gallery. 

Kalyn Nicholson– YouTuber/Vlogger/Author

This girl is inspiration reincarnated. Watching her plan her days and check her items off her list is oddly satisfying. Because I know how it feels to be a planner and a list maker. She’s real and she’s got these really chill vibes about her. I love the music she uses in her videos, I love her fashion and her home décor style. She makes it seem like you can really get through all your lists and encourages productivity. She also coined GYST day…a Get Your Sh*t Together Day! 

 

Who/what inspires you?

-<3-

 

 

 

2018 Inspiration and Planning Ideas

michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

I’m a planner and I love to know what’s ahead of me. Granted, I realize that’s not always possible, but having some vague plan in mind, tends to lessen my anxiety so I go with it.

Closeup image of notepad with pen.

I recently bought myself a new planner. Nothing fancy, as much as I love how they have all the stickers and the sticky notes and all that, I just don’t think I would actually use them. So I just went to my local Walgreens and picked up a Blue Sky, monthly/weekly planner. 

When I start to plan for the new year, the first thing I like to do is reflect on the year that just passed. As you can see in my- 2017 Memory Jar Review post.

I go back through my memory jar, my instagram posts and my blog posts and see what I accomplished. I also review my goals list and check off the things I accomplished, and narrow in on the things I still want/need to work on, or continue to implement. 

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Because even if I did accomplish a specific goal in 2017, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t carry over into 2018. For instance like personal growth- and working on my anxiety, that’s a goal that’s on going, bettering my mental and physical health is always a goal every year, as it should be. 

After I reflect, I review my old goal list, and check off, or add to it. And then eventually I’ll probably make a new list. 

After that I will look at the many many things on my list and realize that it is VERY overwhelming!

So this year I’ve decided that from that big list I will pick 4-8 things that I want to ABSOLUTELY accomplish this year. And so that way my brain knows what it needs to focus on. Categories can help- so for instance- Health/Self-care, Relationships, Career.

After that, this is where my planner comes into play. 

I like these planners (Blue Sky) because they have the monthly calendar and then the weekly where you can write in things per day.

However in hindsight, I usually end up needing more space, no matter what. So I’ll either use post-its or a separate sheet of paper/notebook or notepad for daily To-Do Lists or if something I’m working on needs a little more planning. 

I’m debating getting just a desperate notebook for To-Do Lists, because I feel like I make them so often, I end up with all these sheets of paper all over. So we shall see. 

It’s only January, things are definitely going to change as we go along.

I’ve started to do like weekly to do lists, and goals, and also I think eventually I may try monthly. Let’s be real January is a total hangover month. I’m still on 2017 time, so everything is trial and error at this point for me.

And that’s totally okay, because you don’t need a new year, to make a change. I kind of feel like I implemented some new things into my life last year around fall time, because I felt inspired to do so with the new school year starting up again. So you can always renew, revamp, and reflect. There are no rules. 

Last year I said my “mantra word” was CHANGE, and ALOT changed around me, and I adapted and am continuing to do so, and although I feel I made some changes for myself too, I want to continue to grow and change on my own this year as well. However, I’m going to add another word to my mantra this year and that is DETERMINATION. There are certain things I want to do, that are big, BIG CHANGES I want to make in my life, and in order to do them, I’m going to need that fire, that determination. So I’m going to aim to up that factor in my life this year, because let’s be real, we all get in our lazy funks. It’s winter after all, and there’s a huge snow storm outside. So nothing says “it can wait til tomorrow…” more. But here I am trying to stick to my Monday/Thursday posting schedule anyway, while the tv is calling my name- waiting for me to catch up on all the shows I’ve missed over the past few weeks. Determination, Michelle, DETERMINATION.

Another thing I find that inspires me is looking up videos on YouTube. Some of those ladies make the most inspirational planning videos! And they just give you the pep you need to get planning.

I’ll link a few below, that I’ve watched this year for inspiration. I’ve definitely pulled from them when doing my planning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4MRHvH4Qg0

I also like to have a visual to display so that I can see it. I never shared last years with you-(it was just a bunch of fun images with the word CHANGE), but after a while, it ended up getting buried in a corner of my room when I was reorganizing, but it’s back up and I’m going to add one near it to display images of my 2018 MAIN GOALS and the word DETERMINATION! 

vision board 2018

***

So to review the steps I use to plan:

Step 1: Reflect on the past year

Step 2: Review 2017 Goal List/Write a New One

Step 3: Narrow Goals Down (to the most important you want to focus on)

Step 4: Buy/Use a planner/To-Do List (to keep track of everything)

Step 5: Find inspiration (if you need help planning your goals)

Step 6: Choose your mantra word (the theme for your year)

Step 7: Create a vision board (to keep visible as a reminder of your goals for this year)

Step 8: Breathe & Believe in yourself ❤

MY MAIN BIG GOALS FOR 2018

*Get healthier- mentally/physically/emotionally

*Take the next step in my career

*Save money for my best friend’s wedding festivities!

*Get my permit/take driver’s ed (yes I know I’m way behind on this, in life- but hey I live in NY, technically- I don’t NEED to drive) 😉

*Work on relationships

*Self-publish a body of work (not on this blog, but elsewhere)

*Write my Pilot episode

Now that I have this locked down, I can go through and plan how to accomplish each one, step by step. I haven’t done that just yet, but…I will. The year is new, the year is young. 

Happy 2018! Now let’s crush it! ❤

Tell me how you plan for your year ahead in the comments below, and if you have any other YouTubers you find inspiring!

-<3-

*I do not take credit for the images used in my edit or otherwise.*

 

 

 

 

 

BLOGMAS -Day 5- My VLOGMAS Favs

michelleleighwrites Leave a comment

lights blogmas edit

I love YouTube. I think it’s a super cool, creative way to express oneself. And some of the work these creators put out is so cinematic, it’s like watching a mini movie and I totally dig it! You can get really creative with this medium. So much so, that people are making careers out of it. 

VLOGMAS has recently started, and basically if you don’t know what that is, it’s when vloggers (video bloggers) vlog everyday of December leading up to Christmas day. I know there are a million vloggers out there in cyber space. But I thought I’d share with you, who I enjoy watching. So these are my favs…

Carrie Rad

Niki Demar

Michelle Reed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgmdb7mak_c

Alisha Marie

Each of these ladies are super relatable. Each with their own style and persona. I enjoy their content so much because I feel like if I were to run into them in the mall, or something I could totally have a great conversation with them over coffee and become besties with them. There are certainly more vloggers I enjoy watching, but right now these are the ladies I’m keeping up with this Vlogmas season. 

**Kalyn Nicholson is also one of my absolute favs, but she is not doing Vlogmas, instead she is waiting until mid December to do her own- 12 days of K-MAS. Can’t wait for that! She did YouTober this October (daily vlogging for the whole month) and it was seriously so good and I looked forward to her videos everyday. 

Who do you like watching this VLOGMAS season. Have you ever vlogged, yourself?

 

-<3-

 

 

My Fall 2017 TV Schedule

michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

*Yes I usually watch most of my shows Live. I like the experience.

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Fall tv schedule 2017

 

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MONDAYS– Dancing with the Stars (8pm), Supergirl (8pm), The Good Doctor (10pm).

*Although Supergirl will probably take the 8 o’clock spot for me, I do like to check in on Dancing with the Stars here and there- depending on who the Stars are this year. The year Bethany Mota was on, I was obsessed!

TUESDAYS– This Is Us (9pm). *I really need to catch up before this season starts!

WEDNESDAYS– Riverdale (8pm), Chicago PD (10pm).

THURSDAYS– Grey’s Anatomy (8pm), Will & Grace (9pm), Scandal (9pm), How to Get Away with Murder (10pm), Chicago Fire (10pm).

*I check in on Grey’s Anatomy here and there via YouTube and sometimes I will watch live. And although Scandal and Will & Grace are in the same time slot, I will probably watch Will & Grace live and catch Scandal on demand, I have to catch up on last season anyway! And I will probably choose to watch HTGAWM live @ 10 over Chicago Fire, since I kind of lost track of it. I love HTGAWM more, so I will just have to catch Chicago Fire on demand.

FRIDAYS– Jane the Virgin (9pm) and let’s be real probably streaming/binge watching Fuller House and Stranger Things.

SATURDAYS– _______________________

SUNDAYS–  _________________________

(Low key debating getting back into The Walking Dead- AMC (October 22nd @ 9 pm)… but that’s a whole other blog post, if I make the decision, we’ll discuss more!) 😉

See you on the flip side, my fellow TV Junkie’s.

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I’m sure I will be live tweeting on my twitter- @Shellbelle91

-come chat with me all things TV!

 

Happy Season Premiere Season!

*I do not take credit for any images, or gifs used.*

-<3-

 

 

FOMO- The Coachella Epidemic

michelleleighwrites Leave a comment

So it’s that time again folks, the season of music festivals is upon us and these past few weekends has been all about Coachella. I can’t tell you how many Coachella vlogs I have watched. These YouTube vloggers make it look so effortless! Where ya’ll get this $$$? 😉

Coachella– The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is an annual music and arts festival held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, located in the Inland Empire’s Coachella Valley, in the Colorado Desert.

Hit you with a little Wikipedia info, ya know just in case you live under a rock and don’t get all huffy over the thousands of Coachella posts you’ve been seeing day after day.

We get it, it’s fun. You’re having the time of your life. No need to rub it in. 😉

Let’s be real though, I have to admit- I’m lowkey- totally jealous. FOMO [Fear Of Missing Out] is real, thank you internet.

Not because I want to stand for hours, in a crowd of people in the California desert heat.

But because the whole experience kind of speaks to my flowerchild self.

I LOVE music, I love food, I love FASHION.

And the fashion at Coachella is bohemian and hippie child and I am so with it!

However, I feel like my anxiety would kick into high gear in an environment like that.

I don’t do well in crowded places or in intense heat. So right there I feel like I would have such a tendency to be completely miserable there.

But I do think it’s a really cool idea and could be a cool experience if I worked myself up to go.

I feel like I’d fit right in, with the fashion inspiration.

Here are my favorite Coachella looks, I’ve seen from the YouTubers I keep up with.

Niki DeMar on YouTube

Niki

 

Niki DeMartino

Niki is my favorite Coachella look this year. I am OBSESSED with her blue hair. I always said I wanted to do something crazy like this. I’ve dabbled but it’s been a while and now with my job I feel like I can’t experiment like that. Anyway I adore her facial jewels and her nails! I also really love her cool and warm tone color combination.

 

Ashley Nicole on YouTube

Ashley Nicole

Ashley has a bit of a more 90’s grunge vibe and I totally dig the black, and monochromatic shades, and the choker. And those glitter freckles! Come on now. I have real freckles and I love them, so I would be all about glitterfying them! 😉

 

Ashley

 

Bethany Mota on YouTube

 

Bethany Mota

Bethany is my original YouTube Queen. I adore her. And I also love this sheer top she has paired with her denim shorts and the necklace tops it all off!

 

Kalyn Nicholson on YouTube

 

Kalyn Nicholson

Again with the black and the silver. I love it! I also really love this long lace skirt trend paired with a big floppy hat…perfection!

 

LaurDIY on YouTube

 

laur diy

Love this high low number and I also love Lauren’s heart shaped glasses in the picture below. Her mini space buns are adorable and I love how she’s not afraid to just keep it simple with some distressed jeans shorts and a funky tube top. Can we also just give her wrist full of friendships bracelets a round of applause! That’s commitment. Haha. I love that look of stacked colorful bracelets.

 

Lauren

 

Tess Christine on YouTube

 

Tess christine

Her color combination and her fringed jacket are EVERYTHING! That print tho!

 

Sierra Furtado on YouTube

 

Sierra Furtado

The bandana, the eye jewels, the sunglasses, very hippie chic, and totally cool! I dig it!

 

Mia Stammer on YouTube

 

miastammer

Coachella is known for being the time where over accessorizing  is a must. I love accessories and Mia killed it here! Super cool! I freakin’ love that purple ring!

 

Alisha Marie on YouTube

 

Alisha Maire

I love Alisha’s gladiator goddess vibe. The sheer overlay she DIY’d makes for the perfect cover-up.

 

Shay Mitchell on YouTube (Best known for her role on Pretty Little Liars)

Shay

Shay is keeping it simple here with jeans and a cropped knit top, but I just love the call back to 90’s denim and her hair…so rad. Yes RAD!

 

**Vanessa Hudgens- The Coachella Queen**

Vanessa Hudgens

I feel like Vanessa is at Coachella every freaking year and she always has the best looks. I saw this one and fell in love with her butterfly braids and flash tattoos!

 

I feel like I would like to experience this at least once in my life. Despite the dirt, sand, lack of real bathrooms/sinks, and the intense standing in crowds on your feet…It has a lot of things I love-music, food, fashion, and cool pic options. Haha. Who knows maybe I’ll be brave one day and go for it! Or ya know just host a Coachella themed party this summer, for the hell of it! 😉

Last weekend I rocked this outfit, and I was feeling some Coachella vibes in there, a little bit…no? 😉

coachellllaaaa

 

*All images are credited to each girl’s instagram.

I do not take credit for any images used.*

-<3-

Ed Sheeran ÷ Deluxe Album Review

michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

Ed Sheeran left us for a bit. But he is back and making us feel all the feels. Here are my first random thoughts during my first full listening party. Join me as I try and make sense of them all. Also I discuss some of my favorite lyrics. Ed does this amazing job of creating lyrical masterpieces.

Capture

#MYLISTENINGPARTY

View All Ed’s Lyrics HERE

You can stream Divide on Spotify and on Ed’s YouTube channel. Or BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT!

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Eraser

Rapping like old times

Great guitar riff

Sway-it’s dancing and a description for how I feel inside

African Safari vibes

Fav Lyrics:

“I think that money is the route of all evil, and fame is hell.”

“And I found comfort in my pain.”- Heavy

 

Castle on the Hill (previously heard)

A song about his home

That Rasp!

“Whohoo”- love that note!

Fav Lyrics:

 “And I miss the way you make me feel, it’s real, we watched the sunset over the castle on the hill.”

“Had my first kiss on a Friday night I don’t reckon I did it right.”

“I was younger then, Take me back to when.”

“One friend left to sell clothes. One works down by the coast. One had two kids but lives alone. One’s brother overdosed .One’s already on his second wife. One’s just barely getting by. But these people raised me, And I can’t wait to go home” – I adore this storytelling section and that last line is the beauty. Home is made of people who affect your life and help you to create who you are.”

 

Dive

Different

“Woo Yeah!”- my audible response a few seconds into it! Pretty sure I was snapping along too.”

Sexy/Sassy

Deep Vocals

Guitar solo- Yes! That’s going to be BADASS live on tour.

Tears

Fav Lyrics:

“Maybe I came on too strong, maybe I waited too long…”

“So don’t call me baby. Unless you mean it. Don’t tell me you need me. If you don’t believe it. So let me know the truth. Before I dive right into you.”- Just let me go, I’m feeling all the feels. SO DAMN GOOD! #Goosebumps

 

Shape of You (previously heard)

All kinds of HELL YES!

I heard this song and it was an instant favorite, still is.

Total Dance Jam

POP

Chanty and I love it! Love those drums!

Would be a kick ass Zumba song!

Fav Lyrics:

“The club isn’t the best place to find a lover. So the bar is where I go.”

“I’m in love with the shape of you. We push and pull like a magnet do. Although my heart is falling too. I’m in love with your body. And last night you were in my room. And now my bedsheets smell like you. Every day discovering something brand new. I’m in love with your body. Oh I oh I oh I oh I- I’m in love with your body.”

“Come on be my baby, come on…” Clap along Sing along? YES Please! Slay ED, SLAY!

 

Perfect

Ballad

Lyrics! So sweet

Love letter

It’s got that oldies vibe

Fav Lyrics:

“Cause we were just kids when we fell in love. Not knowing what it was. I will not give you up this time. But darling, just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own.”

“When you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath. But you heard it, darling, you look perfect tonight.”

 “Well I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know.”

“Now I know I have met an angel in person.”

“I don’t deserve this, you look perfect tonight.”

 

Galway Girl

Hip hop

 Violin/Flute/Fiddle?

Fav Lyrics:

“Kissed her on the neck and then I took her by the hand Said, “Baby, I just want to dance”

“And then she kissed me like there was nobody else in the room.”

 

Happier

Soft

Tells a story

Chanty- “hay ya hey ya hay yea”

Beautifully heartbreaking.

Fav Lyrics:

“I saw you in another’s arms. Only a month we’ve been apart. You look happier.”

 “Ain’t nobody hurt you like I hurt you. But ain’t nobody love you like I do.”

“But ain’t nobody need you like I do.”

 “Everything’s reminding me of you.”

 

New Man

Creeping- He admits it.

Jam

Swag

Jamaican

Sunglasses—-YES #truth

DJ-mixer/rap style YES!

There’s always the F-off song. This is it.

Fav Lyrics:

“But still, I’m just keeping it real, still looking at your Instagram and I’ll be creeping a little I’ll be trying not to double tap, from way back, cause I know that’s where the trouble’s at.”

“He wears sunglasses indoors in winter at nighttime, and every time a rap song comes on He makes a gun sign, says chune, boydem light up the room.”

 

Hearts Don’t Break Around Here

Daises. Baby. Lately. Roses. LOVE THIS.

Beautiful.

“Oh Yeah yeah yeah yeah”- I love this! I feel like he does this all the time and it love it!

Fav Lyrics:

“Took my heart upon a one way trip. Guess she went wandering off with it. Unlike most women I know. This one will bring it back whole.”

 “Love the way that you conquer your fear.”

“She is the lighthouse in the night that will safely guide me home.”

 

What Do I Know?

Campfire

Children talk

Backup Vocals- Chanty/Hums

Loving the chanty vibes

The world needs this song right now- Election inspired I’m sure

 

Fav Lyrics:

“I’m just a boy with a one-man show.” –Ain’t that the truth Ed! 😀

“Love can change the world in a moment.”

 “Spread love, understanding, positivity.”

 

How Would You Feel (Paean) (previously heard)

Paean: a song of praise or triumph. (Ed has said this was written for his girlfriend) Gosh I can’t- how freaking sweet.

That Piano ❤

This is most like the ED SHEERAN we’re used to.

LOVE

Vulnerability

Human

Wanting/ Needing Acceptance

Guitar Solo @ 2:57 crushes your heart. It reminds me of John Mayer playing “Gravity.” This has to be Mayer. I’m gonna check on this. Yup. Thought I read that somewhere, and even so I spotted it just by listening. Has to be this song that he played on.

Further confirmation…

knew it

Fav Lyrics:

 “We got questions, we should not ask but-.”

“How would you feel if I told you I loved you?”

 “Taking my time- spending my life. Falling deeper in love with you. So tell me that you love me too?”

 

Supermarket Flowers

LYRICS!

Heartbreaking

Recalling Memories—> history

Comfort

Simplicity in the vocals and the piano

“Who ooo who”- love that shit! 😉

Church like

Different

Love letter to his mom?

Fav Lyrics:

“Mom there’s a tear every time that I blink.”

“Oh I’m in pieces, it’s tearing me up but I know.  A heart that’s broke it’s a heart that’s been loved.”

“Hallelujah- you are an angel in the shape of my mom.”

 “When God takes you back he’ll say Hallelujah you’re home.”

 

Barcelona *Instant Fav

Up beat

A good change of pace from the prior heartbreaker

Saxophone

Breathy chant/beat box beginning

Sexy

One man band

Flutes/whistles

Guitars

Rasp!

LOVE

Spanish- YES!

Mamasita/sangria

Tropical

Feel good

Would be awesome live on tour

Dance anthem/Sing along

I want to go to Barcelona with Ed Sheeran right now.

Fav Lyrics:

“Well get up up on the dancefloor, move, it’s a Saturday night. I fell in love with the sparkle in the moonlight. Reflected in your beautiful eyes, I guess that is destiny doing it right.”

“You’re like something that God has sent me. I want you baby-solamente.”

 

Bibia Be Ye Ye *Instant Fav

Bibia Be Ye Ye- means All will be well/Everything will be alright

Different

Nice follow up to Barcelona

What a night!

Travel influence

Spanish/Twi vibes

LOVE

 

Nancy Mulligan

Irish/Ireland

Irish jig/River dance

Pub

Beer

Storytelling

Inspired by his Parents?

Claps/Chants

I’m there in a pub with Ed.

Only Ed can jump from an ethnic tropical vibe to a river dance vibe and make it work.

Fav Lyrics:

“From her snow white streak in her jet black hair. Over sixty years I’ve been loving her. Now we’re sat by the fire, in our old armchairs. You know Nancy I adore ya.”

 

Save Myself

Piano & Vocals

Letter to self

Sadness

Oddly Inspirational

Fav Lyrics:

“They gave me the heartache and in return I gave a song. It goes on and on.”

“So before I save someone else, I’ve got to save myself.”

“Human beings are destined to radiate or drain.”

 “Before I blame someone else, I’ve got to save myself.”

“Before I love someone else, I’ve got to love myself.”

Image result for ed sheeran divide iheartradio awards 2017

As I mentioned Ed had left us for quite a bit, but as he echoes in first track “Eraser.”- “Welcome to the new show I guess you know I’ve been away. Where I’m heading who knows. My heart will stay the same.” And I think that describes this journey perfectly. He’s always Ed, no matter the chances he takes, he’s still that talented one man show, we all know and love.

My first initial thought was this album is love- all the colors of it. Current. Past. Present. Heartbreak too. He’s storytelling, and at times he finds inspiration in other people’s stories too. Which is such a beautiful thing.

He’s still his usual self, he still has killer lyrics and rap moments, still hits those riffs, still has those guitar ballads, still rocking that epic loop pedal. But then there are the different elements. We get some more production in this album, we get a bunch of different instrumental sounds- violins, whistles, etc. He’s experimenting without losing what makes him so unique and special. And I love, love, LOVE how he mixed a bit of the Irish vibes and the Spanish vibes in one album. He had mentioned he was traveling throughout the writing process of this album and I feel like that shows in all the unique sounds and lyrics he created.

I also really like the track list placement. The order of the songs flow really well. The sad songs are followed by upbeat songs, the travel inspired songs are clustered, and then we get a bang of an introduction with Eraser and the sweet love letter to oneself at the end. What a beautiful message. You can also see this album is a reflection of where Ed is at in his life. Or so I would think. It’s quite different than the others.

Granted we get our Ed, but he’s softer, raspier, more hopeful, and there’s a maturity. He keeps themes of love, home/family, and parents, as he has in the past, but I also love how children has become a theme. He’s probably looking into the future and where he’s going to be soon- married with kids. Soldier on Ed, whatever you do, we’ll follow and listen.

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16 tracks Ed. 16 tracks. Solid. Epic. Welcome back, sir. You are killing the game. You are truly a talent- a one man show. Here’s hoping I’ll get to see you on tour this time!

 

*I do not take credit for Ed’s images.*

 

-<3-

 

 

 

 

“She Said” Update

michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

Hey Readers!

When I started this blog, I wasn’t sure how people would react to it- strangers reading my work? How…strange.

But recently a few things have popped up regarding a monologue I posted two years ago.

She Said was posted on September 1, 2014.

she-said-cheat-said

The inspiration for it simply came from just getting in the mindset of someone who had just had their heart handed to them. And what they would be feeling.

I want to say sometime last year, I got a message from a woman asking me for some background info about “She” because she had used my monologue for an audition into an acting school of some sorts. I tried to get some information out of her, because I wanted to know more about what the situation was before providing original work to a stranger. But unfortunately she never responded.

Needless to say within the last few days, I received a new message from a guy by the name Omar Salgado about this same monologue. He said he was inspired to create a vimeo video based off of it. And I thought it was really cool and wanted to share it.

This led to him linking a dramatic reading of my monologue. One he used as the audio for his piece above- read by a woman by the name, Eva Augustina Sinotte. I didn’t even know this existed on YouTube! I wonder if she was the woman who contacted me. Her emotion is on point!

Seeing people respond to my work, in their own creative ways is really something cool and surreal. I hear my words and see them mirror the story I created and it is truly a super weird feeling. Don’t get me wrong I am flattered, but it’s crazy that these things were being made, and I had no clue! I’m thankful that Omar reached out to me and gave me credit. I got to see that people can be inspired by something I’ve written. I can only hope this is the first of many inspirations to come.

The internet man, what a trip! 

The journey does continue…On September 2, 2014-a day later, I posted He Said, She Said.

This time you get to see the conversation between both She and He.

Enjoy!

 

*I do not take credit for the images used in my edits or in the videos used.*

-<3-