Got my groove back!

It may seem small to some people but when you feel like you are being supressed by a group of supposed friends, the release of the supression is just magical! I have been free of these people for 3 or 4 weeks now and feel like myself once more.

I am back to the carefree person that I once was and am beginning to love life once again!

One of the things that comes hand in hand with my happiness is being happy and feeling like 'me' in clothes. I have done some shopping lately (much to the disappointment of my mother I'm sure) & have found some great things that are making me feel like ME again!

Item 1 - Kardashian Kollection handbag:

Bags tend to be very seasonal and I have always been caught up by buying a 'new season' bag and then get disappointed when it really doesn't see me out through the whole time - granted I am very impulsive but I like to have that one key piece that will see me through and I feel like with the bag it will!

Item 2 - City Chic Beaded top: 

With new and exciting things happening in my future it's always good to have staples in your wardobe. A white top can take you anywhere, the office, the club, etc. This beaded top along with my next item can funk up those clothing blues and give you a little sparkle in your day!

Item 3 - Statement Blazer:

This citrine blazer jumped out at me and smacked me in the face as soon as I saw it. The bright colour lured me in, but then the feel of the fabric tugged me even more! It's a very soft t-shirt type material, its not too heavy, not too light and can be dressed up or down. I have also put up a photo of the white top and the blazer to see how they effortlessly work together. 

Item 4 - City Chic Snakeskin shoes:

Can you believe these were $20!!!

I actually bough these online and am so happy with how they look! I must admit I don't even wear heels anymore, but these looked so low that I wouldn't hurt myself. Those close to me will know that I am without a doubt a very clumsy person when it comes to my left ankle....

With all the new things happening in my life, I don't really have a focus for this blog yet...sorry! As you can see it has a new name (again...) , but I feel like this fits at the moment and kind of explains my freedom! Please bare with me as I find my way through the blogosphere and find topics to chat about and blog about!

Mel xx

Musical Therapy

If there is one thing that helps you, heals you and gets you into a particular headspace...its music!

I have never really thought about this until recently...why? I'm not really sure..but Sam Smith's recent album 'Drowning Shadows edition' got me thinking all sorts of things and it made me realise how much music really does affect us. At any one time we have so many thoughts running through our brains, its hard to keep up with them and to make sense of them all. So upon discovering this BEAUTIFUL album (and I don't say that lightly...it really is smashing!) I have taken to some musical therapy of sorts.

 

The album starts out with all the usual Sam Smith-ness that you would expect, his upbeat songs, the lovey dovey ones and the endless fab collaborations! It's the second disk that has really captured my heart and head with its hauntingly beautiful lyrics. I must confess that up until recently I was only listening to 2 songs on it because they were my faves - Drowning Shadows & Lay Me Down feat John Legend. Both these songs, as I've said above have hauntingly beautiful lyrics! 

I would drive along and just keep these two songs on repeat every time I went in my car. 

It wasn't until recently when I was playing Drowning Shadows to my mum that she encouraged me to listen to the rest of the album. Doing this was an awakening of my mind, heart and soul! The lyrics to 'drowning shadows' which is the opening track to disk 2 are sad, truthful & beautiful:
Running around chasing hearts
Chasing bodies to fix the parts
I don't know how I reached this place
So far from heaven, so far from grace

Am I wrong to give in to the pressure?
Cause I feel like the city's got the better of me
Oh, this casual love isn't what it seems
And I try to imagine something closer
And somebody who is good for me

I'm so tired of all this searching
Do I, do I, do I, do I

Go home to nothing or stay out for more?
Give in to someone or lock down my door?
Or drown all my shadows, drown them like before?
I'm drowning shadows once more

The more I drink, the more I drown
If I'm not thinking, I won't get down
The more I rise above it all
The less I care about the fall

Am I wrong to give in to the pressure?
Cause I feel like the city's got the better of me
Oh, this casual love isn't what it seems
And I try to imagine something closer
And somebody who is good for me
I'm so tired of all this searching
Do I, do I, do I, do I

Go home to nothing or stay out for more?
Give in to someone or lock down my door?
Or drown all my shadows, drown them like before?
I'm drowning shadows once more
Once more
Once more, ooh

Go home to nothing or stay out for more?
Give in to someone or lock down my door?
Or drown all my shadows, drown them like before?
I'm drowning shadows once more

Sam Smith has said that the song came from many a taxi ride after his recording sessions and that he was at a literal and thematic crossroads where he had two choices....
these lyrics and the meaning behind them hit home because we are always faced with choices in our lives when we can do something for the greater good, or do something for ourselves. Too many times in my life I have done things for the greater good. Not realising in the moment that it was never going to benefit me. I've helped people, I've supported people and sometimes (not all the time) have not received what I thought I would get in return...this has been a huge lesson for me. These days, I do what is good for me. What is right for me. What will benefit me. I make decisions based on how it will affect and support me! 
This album can be taken in so many forms. I have chosen, as stated in the title that it is musical therapy for me. I am using the music, the lyrics and the meaning behind them to help me heal. Even though many of the songs are about losing love, finding it again or realising what's right in front of you, I am singing my heart out and releasing all of my emotions - good and bad. A good friend said that the key to keeping a clear mind is to lie in a dark room, close your eyes and listen to calming music - I chose you Sam Smith! You are one amazing talent!!

Now I want to put it to the people...
What is your therapy?
Is there an album or artist that has had a profound effect on you?

Mel xx