Once again it comes to the time of year where we all get sick of the rain and being confined to within three feet of a radiator and decide to venture further a field just so we can get a tan that lasts not nearly as long as we hoped, and it’s acceptable to drink a margarita for breakfast. But honestly the summer holidays have always been my favourite time, ever since I was little with my first holiday to France when I was one. In the sun has always been my happy place no matter where I am (unless I’m at work).
I’m pretty sure everyone has those certain stories from previous holidays that either completely embarrass you or laughing until your crying. I could tell you thousands of stories of the holidays I’ve been on from drunken stair climbing in Greece to Spain when I was three years old when my sister fell in the pool with all her toys and I thought I needed a better look by putting my head through the concrete railings, which I can tell you is where I stayed for two hours unable to move my head. Now when my parents tell that story its never “Oh you remember when you got your head stuck in the balcony railings” and never a mention of how she fell in the pool (insert covered eye emoji here)
The one thing I always associate with certain holidays is music, when you hear a certain song and it takes you back to that one place or memory. And yes backstreet boys “Everybody (Backstreets back)” does remind me of a certain holiday, and JLO’s “Jenny from the block”. For me music is the start point for a good holiday, you know if you’ve got a great playlist lined up, you’re gonna have a good time. My favorite holidays always have a theme song/s; it’s like making your own personal soundtrack to the movie that is your life.
Spain – Beyoncé crazy in love/ The Killers Andy you’re a star
Wandering down a million stairs to the beach that we spent about at least 8 hours at everyday only coming off briefly to get an orangina or because we’d spent way to long in the sun and we started to look like lobsters. Then spending the rest of the day sleeping (baking in a darkened room and regretting the factor 15) and listening to The Killers until it was time to put on more after sun or dinner.
France – Backstreet Boys – Everybody
Driving to France and traveling on the ferry whilst rocking my legs in my car seat to many a backstreet boy album or some 80’s disco music with some Shania Twain mixed in occasionally (on a steady diet of breadsticks and raisins)
Greece (Lefkada) – 5 Seconds of Summer, if you don’t know
This song reminds me of driving around Greece in our open top Suzuki past the boat yard and through the Greek mountains towards Porto Katsiki beach when a Bee got into the car and we had to stop on the road to let it out.
LA part I - DNCE, Cake by the ocean/ Arianna Grande, Dangerous woman/ Nick Jonas, Close
Driving around West Hollywood stopping to get an Iced almond milk Matcha latte and a oatmeal raisin cookie at Urth Caffe (dropping one on the floor outside, and having to go back for another) Walking into Sephora and spending a minimum of $200 a shop.
LA part II - Fool, Fitz & the tantrum/ Attention Charlie Puth/ Can’t stop the feeling, Justin Timberlake
Screaming along driving to Shake Shack not knowing the words to Fool and making up our own. Walking around Santa Monica during the eclipse whilst freezing our asses off. Walking down Melrose with an Alfred jumping in between Reformations deciding whether to get another Alfred.
NYC – Deluka, Home
Sat in the New York Edition watching greys anatomy and the Carrie Diaries laughing at our pictures of each other throughout the day looking more and more jet lagged munching on a bag of ruffles.
Sacramento – Alt- J, Breezeblocks
Driving with some of my best friends in an old vintage white Beetle trying to race the people in the car next us on the way home from the mall screaming along to Alt- J (It’s safe to say we didn’t win + it’s amazing how we didn’t get pulled over).
Yosemite – Miley Cyrus, We can’t stop/ Robin Thicke, Blurred lines/ Pharrell, Get lucky
Driving up to Yosemite living on a diet of Arizona ice tea, winter green lifesavers and Cheetos. Sleeping under the stars all night watching the shooting stars and listening to the coyotes in the distance.
San Francisco – One Republic, Counting Stars/ One Direction, Best Song ever
Walking around Alcatraz on the hottest day of the year, tearing apart my ankles wearing the wrong shoe choice. Spending an evening at AT +T Park watching the baseball and having to buy the best purchase of my life Giants merchandise socks to keep my feet from rubbing anymore.
Greece || John Mayer, Lana Del Rae, Burning Desire/ Ed Sheeran, Bloodstream
Still Driving around Greece, stopping for iced coffees and Ice cream. Listening to the electric storms on a night whilst watching Twin Peaks (freaking out about crazy Bob when you hear a noise outside).
This year’s playlist so far:
\ Charlie Puth – Done for me
\ The 1975 – Milk
\ James Bay – Pink Lemonade
\ John Mayer – New Light
\ Selena Gomez – Back to you
\ Shawn Mendes – Youth
\ Miguel – Told you so + Pineapple Skies
\ Kygo + Miguel – Remind me to forget
\ Blossoms – I can’t stand it
\ The Chainsmokers – Somebody
\ Sugarland- Babe
\ 5 Seconds of summer – Want You back
\ Bruce Springsteen – Dancing in the dark
\ Don Henley – Boy’s of Summer
\ Tom Petty – Free falling
\ Fleetwood Mac – Tusk
\ Stevie Nicks – Gypsy
\ Kendrick Lamar – All the stars
\ Justin Timberlake – Montana
\ Galantis – Runaway
\ Juanes – Juntos
My must haves this summer:
