What I Got For Christmas 2016

Wow, I cannot believe that Christmas has come and gone. The hustle and bustle, food and presents are over for another year. I love this season, full of such love, joy, and excitement. I love researching present ideas for friends and family, find a theme to my wrapping paper, planning out my Christmas lunch menu and decorating my house.

This year instead of rushing around the shops of Boxing Day, I took a chill day and spent it binge watching movies and Youtube videos. Particularly a lot of 'What I Got For Christmas' videos. I love these videos, not only cause they are fun to watch but also cause I'm super nosey and it's interesting to see how the other half lives.

So this year I thought I would do a blog post around the same thing, so aside from vouchers and money I received, here is what I got.

Now this is not be bragging in any way, shape or form, I just thought that you followers might be as nosey as I am. This is also a way of showing my appreciation to everyone who gave

Send Me Nudes: An Exploration of Revenge Porn, Private and Public Spheres Through the iCloud Hacking Scandal

  

The recent hacking of celebrity phones to share intimate images of their private lives has become increasingly common over the few last years. Sex and skin sell, particularly when celebrities are involved and intimate images of celebs are readily available through cyberspace (Karmack,11). Because of the nature of these hackings and their unwanted release, it is arguable that these images can be classified as revenge porn, causing significant amounts of damage to it's their victims. By considering such images as a form of revenge porn, our understanding of the presentation of the ideological spheres of public and private in regard to celebrity can be exposed

What Do I Do Now? A Post-Election Perspective

 I sit here almost twenty-four hours later, my 'Making Herstory' t-shirt crumpled on the floor, the faint scrawling of #NastyWoman still on my wrist, the bottle of sparkling grape juice I got for the occasion still untouched, and I am still dumbfounded about what happened last night.

Now I am not an American, nor do I have any official say or vote when it comes to the American election but the last eighteen months I have felt just as impacted by this election, just as so many other international viewers have felt watching this trainwreck take place. I have worked to make my voice count on social media, made sure I knew my facts and figures, donated money to the cause, and made sure that even in my tiny country those around me understood what was up for grabs, and now I just keep questioning how we have ended up here.

A Night in Hollywood: My 21st Birthday

So it's been almost a month since my party and I've finally found some time to put together a little blog post about my party. I had the most amazing time and will tresure it forever. So here are a few pictures to capture the inredible memories I made that night.

August Favourites

Another month, another favourites.

I have to admit that actually sitting down to write this out was a little more painful the usual, I'm not sure why but most likely due to how fast this month moved. Like is it really September already?

August was by far a fabulous month though as it is my birthday month. I turned twenty-one this month and it was such an awesome day. I got to spend time with my lovely friends and family, arrived home to find my whole room decorated in 21's by my amazing mother and was completely spoilt rotten. It was truly a day I will never forget. But the party doesn't stop there as my actual party is until September due to university scheduling so that just extends the birthday celebrations even longer. Also if you haven't checked out my 'Twenty-one thing I have learnt in Twenty-one years' post, give it a read after this :)

I don't have too many favourites this month due to uni being back it's been kind of hectic.

One listening favourite of the month has been the podcast "That's So Retrograde'. Basically, it's a wellness podcast discussing all the new fads, investigating what actually works and bringing listeners the newness of the wellbeing circle. Hosted by Stephanie Simbari & Elizabeth Koot takes you down the rabbit hole of yoga, kombucha and juicing in a hilarious raunchy way. Check out these great articles on the girls and their podcast. Beware it's addicting and you'll want to try at least half of the cool new wellness ideas they are discussing (hello oil pulling)
http://www.wellandgood.com/good-advice/thats-so-retrograde-podcast/
http://la.racked.com/2016/3/17/11250678/thats-so-retrograde-elizabeth-kott-stephanie-simbari

Speaking of juicing, another one of my favourites this month was a documentary I watched on Netflix while babysitting one night. Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead.  The film follows Australian Joe Cross as goes through a 60-day juice cleanse journey. I had heard murmurings about this film on youtube and other things but had yet to actually investigate what it was about, once I actually sat down to watch it,  I fell in love. Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead is a truly life-changing film and has made me think about a lot of things. Definitely, check it out!

Other things I've been watching this month is Full House. After watching Fuller House a few month ago I realised that I had never watched the entire series and luckily it's up on Netflix. I've basically binged the whole thing now, with only a few episodes spare. Its such a good show, and completely nostalgic in so many ways.






In terms of planner spreads for the month, it has to be my custom birthday spread designed by Blackbird Co. I loved the colours and patterns, it was a great way to plan my birthday in style.




Other favourites for the month include that fact that my beautiful Hamilton book arrived. If you didn't know this already, I'm slightly (really) obsessed with the musical Hamilton and though technically the book arrived the las few days in July, I didn't start reading it till August. Basically, the book is a complete insight into the creation of the show, which for a mega fangirl like me who loved not only the show itself but everything behind it, this book is a dream.



So that's it for this month, short and sweet favourites for August because it has been so busy. But winter is coming to an end and that is a positive all round.

Hope you all had an amazing August and that September treats you well.

Love Louise xo


"You are braver than you believe,Smarter than you seem and Stronger than you think'
Winnie the Pooh

Twenty One Things I've Learnt In My Twenty One Years

It's been manic twenty-one years but I've lived to tell the tale. As I hit this milestone, though not entirely important in New Zealand, I think about all the important life lessons that I have learnt. Passed down from family, friends, teachers, the world I surround myself with. As I celebrate this exciting birthday with my family and friends, I  thought I would share some of the things I have learnt, twenty-one things to be exact. So in no particular order, here goes nothing. 

1.  You are never too old to need a hug from your mum

2. When they say 'there are plenty of fish in the sea' they are just talking about boys, but friends as well and when you do find those sparkly amazing fish, the wait will have been worth it

3. Always think before you speak, you never know whether something you say will hurt someone else

4. Potatoes are best and most adaptable food ever invented

5. Fate works in mysterious ways


6.When women support each other incredible things happen

7.It's okay to make mistakes

8. Eyebrows are super duper important

9. Always radiate positivity, that positivity will be passed on to everyone else you meet. Just like a smile

10. Sometimes it's okay to stay in bed and watch Netflix all day

11. Know your limits and boundaries, but it's also okay to want to cross them sometimes

12. There is always a rainbow on the other side of those dark clouds. You just have to work to find it

13.Laughter is one of the best medicines out there

14. Sometimes you will have all you life lessons summed up in an episode of Gilmore Girls

15. Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I'm Possible

16. That perhaps I was born in the wrong era due to my very eclectic taste is popular culture

17. You can admire someone else's beauty without questioning your own

18. Nothing beats a car ride singalong

19. Even when you feel lost, you will always find another path and it will be better than ever

20. Tiffany Blue is the perfect colour in the world

21. Be true to who you are


So there it is, twenty-one things I have learnt in these first twenty-one years of my life and I look to the many more I'm going to learn in the next twenty-one.

Love Louise xo

July Favourites!

Back at it again with another monthly favourites (that was slightly lame right?)

July seems have disappeared in a whirlwind, I can barely remember it.

I actually had to rack my brain while writing this post as I feel as though I can't think of anything I really loved this month but I'm going to try.

So let's get into it.

I seem to always start off with my music, YouTube and television favourites of the month so let's keep the tradition going. 

This month I've been listening to a lot of Carole King, I mean how can you not love her? If you don't know who I'm talking about please do your research, she is one of the most profound female musicians in history as well as just an overall awesome person. I was first introduced to Ms King through Gilmore Girls (Duh?) and fell more in love with her when the musical about her life 'Beautiful; The Carole King Musical hit Broadway. I promise you won't regret listening to her.

My other musical favourite of the month is a playlist on Spotify that is made up of all the songs from The Parent Trap soundtrack. I mean there are some pretty iconic songs in that film and I love them. Any time I listen it just brings a smile to my face. Check it out: https://open.spotify.com/user/suzy.maurer/playlist/4RTScz3UI0VlgefVQftH7F

In terms of tv, I've really enjoyed four shows this month. The Mindy Project,one of my favourite shows of all time finished up its fifth season this month and I have to say how much I enjoyed this season. The show was picked up by Hulu after being cancelled and really enjoy the direction it has been taken in, plus we got quite a few more episodes out of the show so that's a plus. Even though I and many of the other fans were a worried about how the show would play out after *SPOILER*, I personally think it was a great season and can't wait for the show to be back.

Another show I really enjoyed this month that is really an old favourite is Bones. Now maybe it's nostalgia or my obsessive fangirl rearing its head but I have fallen back in love with Bones. Now I wouldn't say that I had fallen out of love with it but it's always been that trusty reliable friend who is always there when you need them but also knows when you need to be by yourself. Bones has always been there for me, I own nearly every season on DVD, it been through so many study sessions, lazy Saturdays and school holidays its hard to count. What is great about is that I can drop it for a while (which is what usually happens because I get to overwhelmed with all the shows) and pick it up when I need to and it's like I never left. The show just ended it's 11th season and enter it's final 12th, and though I will miss it I know that I'll always have Bones somewhere in my life.

For YouTubers, I really got into the Hughes sisters, Lindsey and Meghan. I just really in enjoy their channels, content and methodology. Check out both of their channels Here:
https://www.youtube.com/user/MissMeghanMakeup
https://www.youtube.com/user/beautybaby44

Okay, now the media stuff is out of the way, let's get down to some other favourites.


I got to see a super amazing show this month, 'That Bloody Women' is the most amazing New Zealand punk rock musical about Kate Sheppard the women lead the suffrage movement for kiwi women to get the vote, becoming the first in the world to allow this. It was the most amazing experience ever and I'm completely guttered that I only got to see the show the day before it closed because I would have seen it a million times.
Watch this trailer to understand the obsession.
https://vimeo.com/173588609


I went blonder this month which was definitely a favourite, and I could totally see myself going even blonder soon (check out my insta for pics). I also fell in love with a new shampoo, Natural World's Coconut Water Shampoo & Conditioner. This such a moisturising and beautifully smelling hair product and my hair actually likes it (which is hard to some by)

Randomly another favourite of this month was actually going back to uni, not only was it my final semester but I was doing some really awesome papers with my favourite lecturers! So yay for learning. The start of the new semester also meant one my best friends Jess came home from her 7-month exchange in Europe. It's so lovely have her home and I have missed her so much. So Jess if you're reading this, your homecoming is most definitely one of my July favourites.


For clothing this month I have three favourites. Two of which you would have seen featured on my Instagram. One of them being my new rose gold sneakers from Rubi Shoes, they are super comfy and add a little flair to any outfit. Another is my new vintage grey coast from Finders Keepers, this such a comfy and stylish coat, keeping me warm while looking cute. I'm really into op shopping and vintage shopping at the moment. My last favourite are my Topshop Joni jeans, I have been in love with these jeans since last winter, for me they are the perfect jean. They feel like leggings, are super high waisted and so comfy. I managed to snag a new pair this month during their annual sale so score!

Other favorites this month also include my Hamilton book arriving and the Gilmore Girl revival episodes getting a release date (obviously)


My favourite spread for this month was this one from Linniz Planner. I loved the soft colours in it.



So that's it for July, it was a pretty busy month but I am so excited that it's now August as it's my birthday month!

I would love to know what your July favourite, leave a comment telling me.

Love Louise xo

'Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there'
Will Rogers

June Favourites!

Another month was done and dusted. This month was filled with lots of cool new favourites and discoveries as well as some not so fun things (breaking my toe) and exams but now we are at the end of June, time to look back and think about all the great things I did this month.

Before I get into my actual favourites a few of my own personal highlights this month;

One being that I found and booked my venue for my own 21st later this year, not a completely big deal but it still is super exciting. Another is the fact that I did my solo performance for the final part of my drama degree, I was really terrified of the idea of a solo performance, just me, myself and I on stage but as I slowly worked through and came up with my idea, I grew extremely proud of what I was accomplishing in the class and performing was just the icing on the cake. Also combined in this is that fact that I finished my second to last semester of my undergraduate degree, which is completely crazy to think about. My final personal highlight of this month was attending one of my best friend's Steph's 21st. Not only was such a special night to share with this beautiful human, but getting to see how happy being around her family made her, warmed my heart and made me treasure our friendship even more.

Okay now into what I have been loving this June!

In terms of music, I have been listening to a lot of songs while I study for exams. I like something that will motivate me and make me feel inspired. What fit the bill this month was 'The First Lady's Day of the Girl Playlist' on Spotify. On the White House's Spotify account this playlist was created Michelle Obama (a favourite herself) for last year's international day of the girl. There is lots of variation in the song from musical theatre, Billie Holiday, Demi Lovato and Alicia Keys. It's just a great playlist to soundtrack your day. 

Check It Out Here

Obviously June marked the return of Orange Is The New Black so that was definitely a favourite of this month. I find the show hard to summarise as so much happens but if you're not watching it get on to it. I also rediscovered my love for Rizzoli & Isles this month. If you don't know what Rizzoli & Isles is to of it think  as if  Bones and Castle had a baby and then sent it to school with Body of Proof. Okay, that is kind of a weird analogy but basically, the show is based around the Head Medical Examiner Marua Isles and Boston Detective Jane Rizzoli as they solve cases, deal with family dramas and their friendship. Its procedural show but there are some great thoroughfare storylines. You definitely should give it a go if this sounds up your alley. 

I had quite a few makeup favourites this month. One in which is that fact that I fell in love with a new foundation and powder. Maybelline Fit Me Foundation Matte + Poreless and L'oreal's Nude Magique BB Powder. I love how they sit on my skin and how well they last.

I also began using L'oreal's Infallible Fixing Mist which is the first setting spray I've used in a while that I can actually see the results (just make sure you shake the bottle first, otherwise you're going to end up with paint-like white splodges on your face, whoops). Coincidentally one of my best friend's Louise also gave me a whole lot of makeup she didn't want any more and I ended up with a few more L'oreal products that were my favourites as well. The Colour Appeal eyeshadows in Golden Shimmer and Sepia Sparkle are divinely pigmented and are perfected for highlighting your inner corner.



Scent wise this month I managed to hunt down one of my favourites that I haven't had in forever. The Victoria Secret Coconut Passion Body Spray is a lifetime favourite. However this vanilla and coconut scent is really hard to find in NZ and I haven't had a bottle since early last year, so I was really excited to get one.

I didn't choose a planner spread of the month as I loved so many of them. Check out my Instagram for pics.

June also allowed me to discover a whole new realm of YouTube. Being hauled up for a while because of my toe, I dove deep into the fitness side of YouTube as discovered Nikki Blackketter. Best know for BlondeVSWorld Nikki is a GymShark Athlete who competes in bikini competitions. She vlogs all her workout and her day to day life. Watch her work her butt off has given me heaps of inspiration now that I can go back to the gym. I really enjoy her fun demeanour and the way she works through her workouts to show us everything she is doing.

Also in the category of YouTubers, I found myself watching a lot of Marisa Lace and Claudia Sulewski. If you are into all things beauty, fashion and inspiration check either one of them out.


Now that I'm on holiday I'm breaking out my reading list and spending half my days traipsing back and forth from the library picking up the books I've requested. One that I've already been through and loved is Pen & Ink: Tattoos & The Stories Behind Them by Isaac Fitzgerald and Wendy McNaughton. Beautifully illustrated each page shows a hand drawn image of the subject and their tattoo and then the story behind it. Some may have little behind them, a drunken stupor or trying to prove a point, others familial reminders and personal mantra but each tells a story and are incredibly interesting to read about.


Two of my favourite purchases this month are both accessories and both feature rose gold (surprise, surprise). My wallet had been falling to pieces and I finally found one I liked in this ASOS metal bar wallet. I also needed a new 'everything but the kitchen sink' bag. This is a smallish zip up bag I carry everything in from meds, to chargers, headphones and lipstick. It's something I can put everything in and transfer from bag to bag and know I have everything. This Typo case fit the bill. Plus I love the quote and the font 'Random Crap I Can't Live Without'. Sums me up quite well.



So that it, another essay of a blog post but I was into a lot of things this past June that I wanted to share with you. I hope June treated you well and that July is even better!!


Love Louise xo

"The more I want to get something done, the less I call it work" 
Richard Bach

Pathways & Reflections

If I haven't mentioned it before ( which I'm sure I have) I'm entering into my final semester as an undergrad as we speak. It's completely crazy and slightly scary to think about. I've survived almost three years of university, numerous essays, a dozen or more exams, hundreds of hours sitting in lecture theatres and multiple stressful late nights but I survived.

It's funny to think about how in love with university I have become, that I'm not ready to leave and that I'm planning on doing honour because I was so terrified about starting in the first place. I didn't feel ready to start university, unprepared and totally scared of this new start. And even though the first semester was messy and hard, and a complete learning curve ( it's a rite of passage isn't it?) but as I settled in, found the most amazing friends (ones that really saved me from sinking in a true hatred and fear of university in my opinion), university opened my eyes to some of the most amazing things and I have loved every second of it.

Now, of course, any person including me complains about university when you're in the thick of things, up to your eyes in readings and assignments, feeling as though there is no light at the end of the tunnel. University is not all roses but for me, even during the hard times, I tried to work my butt off and fell deeper in love with learning.

My plan after graduating was to head straight into my teaching certificate, spend another year learning and become a teacher. This would also make me a 22/23-year-old high school teacher which in reality doesn't really fly. Between my ages, height and the fact that I look 16 on a good day, doesn't really mix well when I end up teaching 18-year-old boys.

So I switched up the plan, take a year off; work, nanny, travel. Finally, go to New York and live my dreams and then come back with a bit more life experience under my belt and go into my teaching certificate.

However, plans can evolve a million times until you find the one that fits you and yet again my plans changed this year. There has always been a flicker in the back of my mind since last year about honours, but I became even more encouraged this year by those who surrounded me in the film department and I realised what I truly wanted to do. Honours made so much sense, continue with uni, continue learning something that I really passionate about and on the plus side by furthering my education I benefit my future career.

Now there is one part of my plan that hasn't changed New York

New York is in my very near future, well by near I mean July of next year but it's actually happening. With my 21st coming up I have asked friends and family if they would donate to my travel fund as my gift. I even went into a travel agency and found the Contiki I'm going to do, with dates and everything. With my anxiety, I've decided that the best idea is for me to get settled and familiar through a tour and then spend a few extra days after it finishes back in New York. So I'll start in Boston, hit New York, Philadephia and then Washington D.C before the tour ends and I'll train back to NY to meet up with a friend and watch as many musicals as I possibly can before I leave.

It's kinda terrifying but also exhilarating at the same time that my dreams, ones that I have had for such a long time are actually so close to coming true. Like I'll actually have tickets by the end of this year. Excuse the french but HOLY SHIT!

I wanted to write this post to not only reflect my experience at university as a whole, a time of great discovery, hard work, laughter, struggles, long lasting friendships and inspirational teachers. But also to talk about the idea of plans and how everything will work out eventually how they always should. I've known what I wanted to do with my life for a long time and though my pathway has twisted and turned I ended up finding a timeline that fits perfectly for me.

So if you are tossing up your options, unsure of a big decision or just completely lost, remember its okay, you'll figure out what works for you eventually. It's okay to be scared of the future, it a big thing but it's also an exciting thing.

Finding your own pathway and reflecting on what is going to make you happy and give you fulfillment is important. So go forth and explore, everything will figure itself out.

University was one part of my pathway that completely scared me, I've now conquered it and found my next step, now it's time to reflect and keep travelling.

I hope you have enjoyed this little post today, I just wanted to write a little something about how I've been feeling about all these changes and decisions. I guess I'm becoming a grown-up.

Love Louise xo

"The universe has a plan, I promise"
Keltie Knight

Easy Peasy Peanut Butter Cookies

These cookies are some of my favourites, not only are they gluten free (plus) but they are super delicious and combine two of my favourite things; chocolate and peanut butter!

Now I am not a baker and most of the time I fail at it. But what makes these cookies pretty foolproof is that measurements aren't exactly required and there are only like 5 ingredients in total, so how can you screw that up?

Every time I have made these cookies I have figure out something that made them better, plus I made them for my drama class last year as the first day of rehearsal pick me up and everybody fell in love with them. So let's go, my easy-peasy peanut butter cookies.

You Will Need:

A jar of Crunchy Peanut Butter (I usually use around half a jar in a batch of 15 cookies)

1 1/2 C Sugar 

2 Eggs

half a tsp Vanilla Essence 

pinch of Salt

bag of Dark Chocolate chips or a block of good Dark Chocolate cut into chunks


What To Do:

Preheat oven to 200 degrees celsius

Mix all ingredients together (yup it's that simple)

Put you mixture into the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes but you could also leave it overnight

Once you take the mixture out of fridge, place spoonfuls on mixture onto a baking paper lined sheet (make sure they are a good distance apart they tend to spread)

Bake for 15-20 minutes (check frequently)

When you take the cookies out of the oven, do not move them from the baking sheet, let them cool before moving otherwise they will break up (trust me they just don't look as good)

Enjoy!

The Bright Lights of Music City: Nashville and the Home of Country Music

                                   

Nashville, Tennessee is the ‘quintessential centre of the country music genre’, the heart and soul of Southern America ‘s musical experience (Sanjek, 22). So it comes as no surprise then that a television show that explores this world of country music is titled Nashville (2012). Created by Callie Khouri, Nashville chronicles the lives of fictional country stars in the very real country music industry, easily intertwining fiction and reality in order to embrace the iconic genre into the show’s narrative world. By embracing recognizable images, reflecting industry and community ideals of country music and mixing original and cover songs, Nashville becomes part of the iconic idealism that is country music.

Britton at 2014 CMA

In fact due to the show shooting in music city itself, the stars are now embedded in the genre acting as a surrogate between the fictional world of Nashville and reality. Connie Britton, Hayden Panettiere and Kimberly Williams-Paisley (Wife of country’s Brad Paisley) have all presented at the Country Music Awards while the actors who play Britton’s daughters Lennon and Maisy Stella have actually performed on the award show. It is this meshing on the two worlds that creates an authenticity in Nashville. The idea that if the capital of country music and country’s most prestigious award is acknowledging them as part of its musical community then the show must be doing something right in how it is represents country. 

Not only does shooting on location in Nashville allows the show to become part of the city’s community but also allows production to utilize some of the historic sites the city has to offer. Two of these sites that frequent Nashville’s shooting schedule are the Bluebird Café and the Grand Ole Opry.  For lovers of country music, the Grand Ole Opry is a large part of the genre's history, a place where many musicians had their big break; Patsy Cline, Garth Brooks, and Dolly Parton, just to name a few. Being ushered into the Grand Ole Opry as member of its hall of fame is every country musician’s fantasy. Hill suggest that the Opry is engrained in its own traditions and resistant to many of the changes that occurred in modern country music, that see itself as representing ‘the genre's true roots' (92). Perhaps this why the Opry often is featured in Nashville when their younger characters are trying to prove themselves as legitimate country artists. Both Juliette Barnes (Panettiere) and Layla Grant (Aubrey Peeples) performances on the Opry stage are attempts to make themselves appear less like modern country crossover artists and more like the serious traditional country singers of the past, Layla trying to shrug off her reality television persona and Juliette proving that her reputation doesn’t mean she isn’t committed to her country music roots.

The Grand Ole Opry's YouTube Playlist Dedicated Nashville Star Performances

 The Opry doesn’t just feature in Nashville’s storyline performances but it also takes a leading role in its live specials. “Nashville: On the Record” a special that has been shot for the past three season of show, shot in front of a live audience at the Grand Ole Opry, cast members of the show perform and give an intimate look into the making of Nashville. The Opry seems to have a large place in Nashville’s heart, it’s even where most of the cast spent the night their series finale aired after the show was canceled. 

Bluebird Café, an iconic music club is used in nearly every episode of Nashville and is another recognizable image like the Opry that aligns it with the country genre. However what is interesting about the use of the Bluebird in Nashville is that production replicated it exactly on their sound stage because of it featuring in so many of its episode, unlike the Opry. The Bluebird is not only a performance space where we are introduced to many of Nashville’s characters Scarlett, Avery and Gunnar, but it also is important to one of the shows main plot lines involving Deacon (Charles Esten) and Rayna (Connie Britton), it’s almost the third member of their relationship. We see it in flashbacks, in present time, each time the couple performs together or separately the Bluebird allows us to learn more about their relationship.  The Bluebird Café has a space that has birthed so many country music artists provides Nashville with a regular performance space for their characters as well as anchoring it to the reality of the genre’s history.

Claire Bowen & Sam Palladio as Scarlett and Gunnar at the Bluebird

Aside from situating itself in Nashville’s geographical community as a way of asserting its relationship to country music, Nashville also addresses many issues and ideas that are related to the country music community. Nashville deals with industry issues such as breaking into the business, retaining authenticity, singer-songwriter relationships as well as bigger ideas of country in relation to themes of Americana and religion.  Holt argues that ‘country music is a vital component in expressing the lives and traditions of working class’, Due to the genre residing in America’s south there is an emphasis on this country being the heartland of America’s music, representing the working class and their beliefs, a strong attachment to Christianity being one of them (63).

Peeples & Carmack as Layla and Will

Layla Grant (Peeples) and Will Lexington’s (Chris Carmack) overarching storylines on Nashville echo these two larger ideas held by the country community.  Layla shows up in season two, the runner-up in a reality singing competition (think American Idol) trying to the use the stardom the show gave her to generate her country career. She is the epitome of the working-class who listen to country music and dream of making it big. The core working-class American values are to pursue your dreams. A show like American Idol highlights this Americana spirit, supporting our brothers and sister as they pursue their dreams and watching it play out on national television. Some of the most famous American Idol contestants are those associated with country music Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, Scotty McCreery it is symbolic of country as America’s homegrown music and its value system. There is a sense of pride and national identity that is entrenched in Americana and country music. By having Layla associated with this idea though her working class/reality TV roots the idea of homegrown Americana can be applied to Nashville.

Now in terms of Will Lexington, the closeted by talented country singer allows Nashville to address associations country music has to Christianity and how it’s beliefs are enforced on those who participate in the community. Just as much as the South is tied to it’s Americana identity, it also is linked to conservative values when it comes to sexuality.  After Will publicly outs himself, the show explores the repercussions of having a rising country star come out as gay in a still very conservative community.  Though it isn’t unheard of country artists coming out as gay, it is still very rare occasion even in 2016. By having Will come out and deal with so much hate and bigotry from the country community it appears Nashville is attempting to shine some light on this behavior and encourage acceptance. Through its final season, Nashville explores the hardship Will goes through after coming out, radio stations refusing to play his music, his label considering dropping him, being physically and verbally abused by fans. However by the series finale, Will confronts his critiques and is even thanked by a fan for having the courage to be a southern man and come out as it has given him the same. Instead on just embracing and incorporating Will coming out as a way to show the religious aspects of country music, Nashville uses it to critique the community, highlighting a bigger public statement about acceptance and sexuality.

Check Out Huffington Post Interview With Chris Carmack About His Character Coming Out

Panettiere & Esten as Juliette and Deacon; Writing 'Undermine'

You really can’t have a show take place in country music city without incorporating some of the genre’s biggest hits. By utilizing pre-existing country music as well creating its own original tracks Nashville provides an intertextual blend of its fictional world to the reality of the country community yet again (Reay,41). On screen Nashville uses the songwriting experience to build relationships, express emotions as well as highlight its role in country music; being able to write you own songs makes you seem more authentic in the industry (Peterson, 5).  Off screen, the show has it's own music producers and composers to create music specific to each character's style which once performed on the show are released on iTunes and CD, even a tour. There is also a sense of respect that some from the country community towards Nashville for being able to produce their own country songs as well as have  all their actors singing them, much like in a music biopics there is a great sense of authenticity when an artist sings their own songs (Marshall & Konsgaard,357).  The use of covers in the show advances the narrative and most likely has an economical purpose as well but also cements the show in relation to country music. By featuring songs by artists such as June Carter, Blake Shelton & Willie Nelson, it is though the show is gaining an endorsement from the genre itself. When it comes to royalty’s artists or their estate still have to approve the use of the song, so allowing it on Nashville shows just how embraced by the country music community they are. The show also meshes its fiction and reality by having real country music artists like Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan guest starring as themselves performing with these characters.  Country music is a much as a character in Nashville as the characters or the city itself.

Check Out This Great LA Times Interview With Esten Talking About The Cast Singing Abilities & The Show's Tour

Without country music, the industry or its community, Nashville could not exist. By capturing iconic ideas, sounds and images of the American South, Nashville highlights the importance of this music genre, working-class American ideals and dreams. In being situated directly in the heart of country music, Nashville is completely accepted by the country genre and its community.

May Favourites

Holy Cow, is it really June?
I feel like I'm forever saying where has the time gone? But I truly do mean it, it's June which means we're on month 6 out of 12, we are half way to December, How is this even possible?

I'm about start exams and then I'm on break. Woohoo!



So let's get into the favourite, shall we?



I have quite a few television favourite this month, with all my show's wrapping up, I've started investigating other shows as well as returning to some old favourites. The new season of Grace and Frankie came out on Netflix a few weeks ago and I binged it in like a day and a half. If you haven't check out this you need to.. Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, that is all. Also, if you are caught up.. 'I need gluten"


Two new show's I discovered in the past month are Quantico and UnReal. Two completely different show, but so good. Quantico is an FBI crime show with way too many spoilers for me to describe   but trust me if you are into crime shows like Bones, Blue Bloods, Criminal Minds, check it out. Unreal is set around a fictional dating show like The Bachelor and all that happens behind the scenes. It really highlights how manipulated and constructed these shows are but it's so interesting as well. If you like reality tv or are just interested a women centre drama, have a look :)



In terms of music, I've actually been listening to Sara Bareilles' 'What's Inside: Songs from Waitress' which is the concept album that Sara Bareilles released with some of the song she wrote for the musical Waitress. The album for the actual musical comes out this week I think but the songs are so catchy that I needed them now. If you haven't checked out Waitress the movie with Keri Russel or listen to the album it's on Spotify so have a listen.





Last weekend I went to the Gluten Free & Allergy Show and I was in heaven, that itself was a favourite of this month because I came home with 5 bags of Gluten Free/FODMAPs friendly goodness but I also discovered so great snacks. My favourite though are gluten-free chocolate covered pretzels, broccoli chips (sounds weird but they are so good) and quinoa wafers.

I thought I would include a spread of the month as well, My favourite planner spread in my PP. This is it. I loved the colour and it's definitely my favourite of May even when it was my busiest week of uni. Stickers from LinnizPlanner.


I have also discovered a new shampoo that I love this month as well. My hair is very particular about the shampoo I use, if it doesn't like something it ends up like brittle straw (YUCK!) but I needed to change it up and tried the and it's just amazing!!


Also in the hair department, I've also been loving Urban Fudge Dry Shampoo, it smells so good and is keeps my hair feeling fresh when I'm on three-day hair. It also doesn't leave white powder in my hair like most dry shampoo does in darker hair.

I also upped my skin care routine this month as I seem to be having a weird breakout happening at the moment. One my favourite products at the moment are Om SHE Aromatherapy, Moisturizing Restoring Night Cream with Rosehip Oil. It's super moisturising and keeps my skin protected throughout the night. I'm also using their eye cream and it's also just as amazing.


Now that we are hitting winter it's time to break out those dark lippies and the one I'm loving right now is NYX Soft Matte Lipcream in Monte Carlo. It's a beautiful lighter burgundy colour and stays on so nicely. The formula is not drying like so many other matte lipsticks, is easy to apply and are really affordable. Also on the plus side they smell super good and vanillary :)


I also discovered a new Youtuber that I love this month Kalyn Nicholson. I'm really enjoying her videos, they are really fun  and interesting to watch but are also rooted in inspiring yourself and being the best you, which I love.
Go check her out!!

For clothing this month, I purchased the comfiest cardigan this month. A black oversized, slouchy knit from Supre. I had my eye on it for ages and managed to grab it when it was on sale (Bonus), But its actually the best thing ever and goes with so many outfits.




Hope you all had a fab May and all have the most amazing June.

I'd love to know what some of your favourite were of this month, leave a comment down bellow :)


Love Louise xo


"Turn your face to the sun and all of the shadows fall behind you"