Oh well, whatever, nevermind...

Picture credit

RIP beautiful.

♥

"You Will Skate Between Stars And Surf On Clouds."

Original Photo: Glen E Friedman

It's been about 24 hours since I heard the news that Jay Adams had died. And I'm still waiting for someone to tell me it's some kind of sick joke, that it's all a lie, that he's fine and surfing some big-ass waves somewhere. I don't think that anyone's going to tell me that though...

The second I watched Dogtown and Z-boys I was hooked. I wanted to know more. I needed to learn about these crazy kids from Venice. Their way of life had (and still does have) me obsessed. Then the Lords of Dogtown film came out. Which I've watched more times than any of you need to know. 

Jay Adams, yeah, he was the one that interested me the most.

I'm not sure why. But whatever it was, he had a massive impact on my life.

He made me face my fears by picking up a skateboard and teaching myself to skate. Ok, so I'm no where near the best skater -but he made me realise its ok to fall and get hurt, just to get straight back up. 

Hell, if he hadn't existed skateboarding probably wouldn't either.

He changed the world when he was still a teenager.

He didn't care about the whole commercial side of skateboarding.

He just had this total Fuck You attitude to that side of things.

I think that's pretty cool. And I also think that's pretty rare.

Especially now. Everyone seems obsessed with that part of life. 

I don't want to live like that. 

Jay didn't. He did what he loved and his love was enough. 

It's not just skating though.

He taught  me to be this weird wacky-ass kid and not give a shit what people thought. 

You know, just do what you love and not give a damn.

That it's ok to listen to punk music, to pull crazy rat faces, to not be like the other kids.

I hope there's some empty pools up there for you to skate, Jay.

And thank you. For changing my life. For everything.

I hope to live a life full of love and spontaneity, and be as unpredictable as you were.

You crazy kid.

♥

Coachella | My Fashion Favs

Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Benson, Taylor Hill

Chiara Ferragni, Sarah Hyland, Alessandra Ambrosio

Julianne Hough, Kendall Jenner, My Personal Favourite

Victoria Justice, Cailin Russo, Vanessa Hudgens

Sugar & Spice, Haim, Coachella-goers

Festival season has well and truly kicked off with the 2 weekend long, celebrity infused Coachella!

The music festival in Indio, California, is known for having incredible line up's year after year. But it's also as much about the music as it is about the fashion.

Now living in England, our festivals are a little different. For us Brits, festival season includes animal onesies, wellies and a lot of rain and mud. And by a lot, I mean A LOT. 

But I think that's way Coachella's interested me for years. Like I said in last years post, Coachella releases the inner hippy in every one.

I like to keep with festival fashion, art and music as it tends to fill me up with inspiration (and have serious envy of anyone who lives in California)

This year I thought it would be a fun idea to show you all a few of my favourite outfits over the past 2 weekends. 

I've obviously narrowed it down to just a few -there's always so many that I love!

What's your favourite festival fashion?

♥

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A Year In Instagram Pictures | Part 1

Is it just me, or has 2013 just gone by in a blur? 

As the year comes to an end, I thought it would be nice to take a little look at what I've been up to over the past 12 months.

January began with snow. And lots of it! I started to eat more healthy, did a ton of drawing and found a real life Spongebob in Sainsbury's. I also got front row at a We The Kings concert. All in all, a pretty good start to the year.

In February I fell completely head over heels in love with a grey bag from Topshop. I did my first ever beauty review on Topshop's Whimsical Lipstick (which P.S, I still love love to pieces) The lovely Zoella favourited a couple of my drawings on twitter and my love Cara Delevingne became very much real life. I also won a ticket to a We Are The In Crowd concert, which unfortunately I ended up not able to go to. And The 1975 suddenly became massive.

Not alot happened in March. I saw Lawson, made some cute cupcakes and bracelets and discovered 5 Seconds of Summer. I blogged about travelling and funny youtube videos.

April meant that I got to see 5SOS which resulted in me falling completely in love with them. I had my first ice cream of 2013 and spent a ton in Urban Outfitters. I also spent half the month daydreaming about being at Coachella

May was a really good month for me. We spent half of it having BBQ's and sunbathing. My love for Cara Delevingne grew a little bit more. We visited a zoo, I discovered the greatness of sushi, and a trip up to London to see The Summer Set was a must. May was also the month that I discovered The Vamps and I finally got to see James Bourne, who I'd been waiting to see since I was 10.

At the beginning of June, my cousins came down for a weekend which was lovely. I met District3 and Tom Odell came back to his hometown to do a little intimate acoustic session and signing. I FINALLY learnt how to do fishtail plaits and brought a skateboard. I wrote a blog post about embracing you're weirdness, which has since gone on to be one of my most popular posts on this blog! Me and my best friend, Katie, did the Race For Life and ended up raising around £300 for Cancer Research. 

All photos are from my Instagram: emmaalou
I shall post the second half within the next couple of days.

Much Love.

♥

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MMXIII

Photo Credit: Instagram

This post is actually a few days over due but it took me a while to find the right words.

When I was 9 I was completely in love with Busted. At the time they were the biggest band in the UK. with hits such as Year 3000, and Crashed the Wedding, they had A LOT of girls falling for them.
I remember begging my mum and aunt to take me to one of their concerts (they didn't of course)

Then Busted started talking about two bands that were going to be their support acts for their upcoming tour. I remember buying their second album, A Present For  Everyone, and there being a little flyer inside with the tour dates and supports. I've actually still got that flyer somewhere.

It wasn't until one morning in March 2004 (a few months after the album was released) that I first heard a  song called Five Colours In Her Hair by a new band called McFly. And I instantly recognised them as one of the supports. They were very similar to Busted and so naturally me and my friends completely fell for them. 

Busted were the first band that I'd ever really got into. But once McFly burst onto the scene something different happened. Once Busted spilt, I wanted to know more about them, made sure I watched every TV show they were on and brought a ridiculous amount of magazines purely for them. My parents had just spilt about a month before I heard their music, and looking back, I realise McFly became my much needed distraction for my parents divorce.

When I was 12, my aunt took me and one of my friends to our first concert -McFly at Wembley Arena.
Sunday night, I went -with my aunt again- back up to London, to the Royal Albert Hall to see them for my 11th time. It was the last night in a series of 4 extremely special 10th Anniversary shows. 

McFly were joined by James and Matt from Busted on all 4 of these shows. Although they were missing one member, I didn't really care. (I've seen Charlie solo a few times and he has no interest in a Busted reunion) but with or without I got to see Busted live. I never thought I'd be able to say that.

I was shaking and crying -pathetic, I know- but this was the band that got me to so much today and who made me who I am. They introduced me to McFly, and I have no idea how to thank them for that.

There was a reson for every song on that set list. Not Alone, All About You, Five Colours, I'll Be OK and of course, The Heart Never Lies. Plus Tom made a cheeky little song called Mcfly: The Musical purely for those shows. Dougie played the organ and there were a ton of flashback videos.

By the end of the night I was an emotional wreck. 

Yeah, McFly aren't as big now. There's younger artists doing different things now. But McFly are still a household name. And there are alot of hardcore fans of theirs.

I turned 20 a couple of weeks ago.
I've grown up with them. They got me through a lot of things over the past nine and a half years. I've watched them improve as musicians and grow into mature, handsome men.They're definitely one of the reasons why I'm still here today. I'm so ridiculously proud of those boys and I don't even want to begin to imagine what my life would have be like without them. 

So Thank you Dougie, Danny, Tom & Harry.
Here's to the next 10 Years.

♥♥♥♥

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California Cool.

Photo Source.

Back in May, ASOS sent me the newest issue of their magazine. The cover featured a band of three girls, sisters in fact, who I had heard of, but knew very little about. They went by the name of Haim. 

I found their article pretty interesting so I figured I'd check their music. 

What's come out of that, is a whole summer of me being completely obsessed with this Californian trio.

They play alternative rock which has a real indie, breezy up-tempo feel to it which is so infectious I just want to dance and sway around every time I hear them.

There's lead vocalist/guitarist Danielle, big sis Este, who plays bass and Alana "Baby Haim" who plays pretty much everything else. And they've created a sound which has somehow become the soundtrack to my summer of 2013. Which is fine.

They're music isn't the only thing I'm obsessed with though: each has long thick hair and their style oozes the same free spirit that songs do. They have the same late-70's vibe to their style that I'm completely in love  with- it's as if hippy and punk had three children together.

All I want to do is raid their wardrobes.

I've watched them seriously blow up this summer- they've played almost every major festival here in the UK, as well as a few other huge shows here and in Europe, despite the fact they've yet to release an album. But that's a given; they're literally covered with talent. 

So my question is, where do I sign up to become the 4th Haim sister?

♥

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Embrace Being Weird.

Photo from my Instagram

I picked up this tank top in London yesterday evening.

I went to see one of my favourite bands, The Summer Set, last night who, as per usual, put on an incredible show. They had two support acts -Natives and Action Item. And AI were selling this little beauty.

I think we all need a little reminder of this sometimes. I know I am someone that constantly looks in the mirror just to pick out things I don't like about myself and things I'd like to change. But those are the things that make me, well, me!

I know I'm not perfect -no one is. And having this saying around me isn't going to make me stop critising myself constantly. But I think it will remind me to stop obsessing over stupid small things that no one else ever notices. 

I think everyone needs a reminder that it's ok to be different. If we all looked the same think how boring life would be. 

So embrace being different and embrace being weird. And maybe we won't be stressing so much over little things that don't really matter.

An also, I bet there's someone out there that really loves that little flaw your dying to change. 

Much Love.

♥

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Memory Lane Take 2.

On Thursday Me and my Aunt went to Brighton to see McFly. Again...

I did warn you this post was coming.

In a way this was better than Tuesday night. We had a cheeky surprise acoustic set from James Bourne. (Top Picture) Who I've actually been waiting over ten years to see live. 

He's a big part of the reason I got into music and why I love so many bands/ artists that I love today -including Mcfly. So the fact that he did a surprise set made my entire life.

I managed to get second row for both him and The Vamps. Who, P.S, were even better Thursday than they were Tuesday. If that's possible.

Mcfly never fail to put on an amazing show and I think that's one of the reasons how they're still going strong after ten years. I think they're the only band that I have a huge smile plastered on my face throughout their entire show. 

They've gotten me through a lot of stuff over these past ten years and I can guarantee that they'll be the band that gets me through whatever else life decides to throw at me. 

I also managed to get a few more videos (in HQ) for everyone. 

Much Love.

♥

       
       James Bourne -Beautiful Girls Are The Loneliest                                                   The Vamps -Wild Heart



       
               The Vamps -Little Things (1D Cover)                                                      Mcfly -I'll Be Ok/Bubblewrap

I'd Rather Be...

It's that time of year again.
Where the internet gets plastered with images from the California music and arts festival Coachella, and almost everyone who isn't there wishes they were.
I am one of the "almost everyone".
The sun , the energy, the live music (there's so many ridiculously good acts that perform there!) everything makes me wish I could be there.

However, Coachella is just as much about the celebs that attend and what they're wearing as it is abut the music.
In the UK festival are wet, muddy and just down right messy. The fashion choices are generally wellies, shorts and t-shirts you don't mind either getting mud or beer on -but that's what makes the festival british.
And I think that's why I -and maybe alot of other brits- are often in quite in awe of Coachella.
It appears this festival releases the inner hippy in everyone. And that intrigues me. Because my love for all things bohemian tends to win. EVERY SINGLE TIME.

(Photos: vanessahudgensfashionstyle)

There's one girl who's fashion choices for this festival that is on point every single time; Vanessa Hudgens.
High waisted shorts, crochet, tye-dye, bandeaus, flowers, aztec prints and stacks upon stacks of rings and bracelets.
Vanessa's personal style is usually very lovely on daily basis, but when she hits Coachella it's flawless.

One day I hope to go and experience one of the weekends in Palm Springs surrounded by pretty clothes, chill people and fab music. Until then though, I'll stick to the muddiness of the Brit festivities.

Bring on weekend two of this sun fuelled fest!
Who's Coachella fashion is your personal favourite?

♥

Document Everything.

A little over a year ago I made this blog post and I changed my blog name to dreams are calling. (which I still love btw) But I changed it to that because I was figuring out how to reach my dreams and make them a reality and this blog was supposed to document that. But that's not really the case anymore.

Truth is, all these people I went to school with, a lot of them are now at university, college or apprenticeships. A lot have jobs and are working their way up to where they would like to be. Some have moved out of their parents home. Some are even in long term relationships and are having babies.

Now, I'm not saying I want to start a family at this age. (That's definitely not the case) And I do have a job that I've been at for about two years now. But I feel stuck in a rut. A year ago I thought I knew exactly what I want out of life. Now, I'm not sure at all. And I often feel as though I'm going to be left behind in this small town whilst everyone else has these amazing lives.

I know I want to travel. I want to travel literally everywhere. And I enjoy art, photography, fashion and I've recently discovered I quite like filming. And I do enjoy writing this blog -even if there's barely anyone in the world who cares what I have to say. But those are hobbies, not a job. I guess I'm trying to find a job that I can use those things in.

There's currently a lot of negative thoughts in my head, one reason why I've taken a back seat to blogging for a couple of weeks. You see the thing is, I suffer from anxiety, panic attacks and depression. Its not really something I talk about a lot, but those things are the reason I quit college, the reason I haven't learnt to drive and more than often why I'm scared to try new things. My mind tends to take control and stop me from doing things outside of my comfort zone.

(Photo: weheartit)

I need to start being more positive and stop focusing on the "what ifs?" I need to take more risks and say yes to more things. I have zero self confidence and that needs to change drastically. Maybe then I'll learn what I want out of life.

Because let's face it, I'm the only one that can do these things for myself. And well, I like to document things, so I'll try and do that here.

☮♥

Role Model.

 Original Picture: here

I had some creativity yesterday afternoon.

And a drawing of the ever so lovely Zoella came out of it.

Her youtube videos and blog posts are some of my favourites, and she gives some of the best beauty reviews and fashion finds.
Plus she has this completely adorable little quirky charm to her that you can't help but love.
Zoe's a role model to a lot of young women all around the world -including me.

In November, she made an incredibly inspiring video about dealing with panic attacks & anxiety, something which I deal with (but never talk about) That video made me love her all that more.
It made me realise that I'm not the only experiencing these things and helped me gain a bit more confidence and hope for my future. It also made me a bit more positive. That videos helped me an awful lot.
Definitely worth a watch.

It was really only a matter of time before I got out my paints and paper out and sat down to create something for Zoe.
I'm thinking of sending this out to her. But I'm not sure yet.
I'll keep you posted.
♥

"It's Only Rock & Roll"

Today I'm pretty sick. So I've been in bed all day. But that did mean I got round to watching The Rolling Stones documentary, 'Crossfire Hurricane'.

I'm someone that loves documentary movies, 'Dogtown and Z-boys' and 'Riding Giants' are some of my  favs, and being a big fan of the Stones, I had pretty high hopes for this.

To be honest, my high hopes were reached and beaten. 

The whole thing was amazing and extremely well made. 

I liked how they talked through the story, rather than having a narrator tell it.

And there was a lot of unseen footage. And of course an amazing soundtrack to go with it.

Being only 19, I'm pretty sure i was born in the wrong era. 

My heart craves for a way of life that doesn't exsist anymore.

I wish I could have been there when The Stones started- Watched them really blow up and grow into who they are now. 

But lucky for me, good music has no expiration date.

"Keep Listening To Music, Cause It Gets You Through Everything, I Promise"

(Photo from tumblr.)

On Thursday, Mitch Lucker from Suicide Silence died in motorcycle accident. 

Now, I'm not going to pretend I was a Suicide Silence fan, because I wasn't. I couldn't even name you half of their songs if I tried. However, I know they have a huge fan base. And I know what its like, to have a favourite band, to listen to a bands music and have it somehow save you. I know what its like to have a band become your heroes.

Mitch Lucker was a hero to so many people. He did something amazing with his life and managed to change so many other lives as well.

He left behind a beautiful wife and a gorgeous daughter who he unfortunately won't be able to see grow up.

I can't imagine loosing someone who I looked up too, who I could go up to thank for changing my life, for making me the person I am today. Nor could I even begin to imagine loosing my dad -someone who is one of the most important people in my life and I don't know where I'd be without him.

Mitch Lucker was talented person. An inspiration to many. And from what I can tell, an incredible father and a loving husband. 

"You only live once, go fucking nuts"

Girl Crushing.

This is the girl I'm currently obsessed with.

Yes, it's Cara Delevigne.

You've probably heard of her. She's pretty big in the fashion world right now -and in the One Direction world but I'm not going to talk about that.

Miss Delevigne (De-Le-Veen) has walked for the likes of Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana and Stella McCartney, as well working with photographers such as my personal favourite, Terry Richardson. (see top photo)

The girl's kind of kooky and weird but cool and it somehow works for her.

Plus I love her personal style. Rocking vintage t-shirts, leather jackets, skinny jeans and of course biker boots -basically my standard uniform. 

Reasons Why I Love Autumn.

(Photos: weheartit)

Oversized sweaters, cute hats, bonfires & fireworks, carving pumpkins, orange leaves, moccasins, nature walks, hot apple pie, late night movie marathons, dressing up, toasting marshmallows, the smell of the air (especially in the evening), creating a haunted house, bonfire night, roasted pumpkin seeds, trick-or-treating, crunching leaves, sheet ghosts & toffee apples.

Indelible Shadows

To me, Gillian Zinser is perfection. So, when I found out one of my favourite magazines were making her the cover girl for one of their issues, I literally squealed with delight.

Miss Zinser is bascially the queen of grungy-tomboy-boho-hippie-ness-chic cool.

Most people simply know her as "Ivy Sullivan" -the surfer tomboy chick from 90210. Or you might know as  the girl alot of fashion blogs envy over.

She's also done work for countless number of charities, such as Artists for Peace and Justice, and helped build schools in Haiti.

She knows who she is and isn't afraid to be that person. Nor does she care what people think about her.

Yeah. If I could trade places with any one in the world for a day, it would probably be this girl.

Blue Beauty You're Killing Me...

(Photos: weheartit)

If I had the power to transport myself to anywhere in the world in a blink of an eye, I'm pretty sure it would be this place.

With crystal clear water and sandy white beaches, the Maldives is basically my idea of heaven.

The UK has had pretty awful weather this week and all I want to do now is jump on a plane heading straight for this little slice of paradise.

Seriously, why do I do this to myself?!

Wylie Love

(Photos: Wylie Hays for Luv AJ; Wildfox)

Currently obsessed with denim jackets, stacks of rings, pastel coloured roots, customized tops and that los angeles t-shirt.

Trying to work out how it's possible for Wylie Hays (who, by the way, is my new favourite model) to be that pretty. And I'm loving how they decided to dye only the roots for the Luv AJ shoot instead of the dip dye that everyone has.

Oh, and where can I get a really nice claw ring from that's not going to cost an absolute bomb?