Why does January seem to go on forever? Unlike some, I don't actually mind January, I like to see the whole month as a fresh start (February is a different matter...!) so the longevity doesn't bother me, but once we hit Spring, the months seem to disappear so quickly!
The 'new year' positive vibes have stayed with me this month and I've felt a real shift in my attitude and outlook on life - I'm loving it and if it could stick around that would be great. I've put a lot of time into one particular project the past few weeks and I'm hoping this year will see the results of it... whether they're the ones I intended initially or not.
I'm writing this on the day it'll be published, the last Monday of January and despite the aforementioned 'positive vibes', I'm feeling a little lost today, if I'm honest. A combination of a busy week last week, waiting to hear back about certain things, hormones, wearing comfys, no make up and a frizzy pineapple for a hair-do and a grey, dull day has left me feeling a little 'meh'. However, tomorrow is a new day! I'm going to wear my new polka dot shirt, pop on a red lip, see the sunshine (if the forecast is correct...) and do some life admin and catching up with my best friend. Pretty good medicine if you ask me!
As far as self-care goes, I've taken some baby steps and stuck to them so far! I bought a big water bottle with a straw and have been drinking at least one of those a day, according to my app that's about half the recommended daily amount for my weight and height. I've had a few bubble baths to have some screen-free/destress time and it turns out I enjoy them a lot more than I thought. I've had a lot more awareness of the amount of time I'm spending on my phone and have stayed under my limit on 19 out of 29 days - which I think is good going!
Once hump day is out of the way, so is the month of Jan and we'll be waving hello to February!
As I said I'm going to pep myself up tomorrow and hopefully achieve a little more mental clarity before the week is out... but for now it's time to wrap up my work, clean my room and dance/sing my heart out to The Greatest Showman soundtrack (obsessed).
new new new: I'm going to add a song to every blog post! Music's a big ol' part of my life, so it's only right it sits alongside my blog too.
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It's that time again, when I reel off what I've been loving throughout the previous month! There's a little bit of everything - lifestyle, beauty, style, tv & music.
There's a vlog coming on Sunday so make sure you're subscribed to my channel!
It's time for another favourites video!
More lifestyle based faves this month ~ a TV show I was/still am/forever will be obsessed with ~ some music loves and style must haves.
Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss my future videos!
Filming my first music video with the boys in Saltlake!
A vlog of behind the scenes mishaps, lots of laughs and some School Disco reminiscing. Pretty exciting to be trusted with such a big job and I still have the most mammoth edit ahead of me but it'll be so worth it when it's finished.
Make sure you SUBSCRIBE for more vlogs and videos like this one!
xxxx
A round up of the thing I loved throughout last year. I'm talking beauty, skincare, style, tv, music and much more!
Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss any videos! Next up is the 1st Weekly vlog of 2017!
xxx
Time to gather my favourite bits and pieces together and share them with you.
A mix of autumn style, high street and high end beauty, music, must watch TV shows and YouTubers and I really am LOVING them all!
What have you been loving recently?
xxxx
So at the end of May (yeap, that long ago - it's been a hectic few months...) Henry & I went to The Great Escape, a city music festival showcasing 450 new artists in over 30 venues around Brighton.
The festival was spread over Thursday, Friday & Saturday and you can see a new artist every moment of each of those days. As it was a little while back, I thought I'd put my favourite photos from the festival into one post, let you know about some of my favourite moments and tell you about the incredible new artists I discovered.
It was so lovely to spend three days with Henry, soaking up every inch of Brighton whilst we still could and discovering new bands in the process. Finally seeing Causes was amazing, I've loved their music for a while and it was great to see it come to life on stage at the Hope & Ruin. On the Friday the sun was shining, so we headed to the only outdoor stage, the Citadel stage. to see Kim Churchill . He was fantastic with his proper feel good, happy music and everyone was loving it in the sunshine. Have a listen to Window In The Sky it's my favourite!
On the Sunday I wanted to show Merika the VEVO stage, a slightly more hidden area with DJ's, palm trees and a photobooth. Neither of us had heard of Nessi, but thought we'd catch her set, which I'll say here is one of the coolest things about TGE, just stumbling across great artists by accident. Nessi an electro-pop artist, but this set was stripped back and reflected the vibe on her Acoustic album, which I've been listening to nonstop since the festival. My favourites are Heart Of Gold, Brush You Off & Throw Your Arms Around Me. After her set we met Henry at the street party outside The Fiddlers Elbow, a few more friends joined and we sang loudly to Boys Will Be Boys - The Ordinary Boys till the early hours... as you do!
- f a v o u r i t e a c t s -
Connie Constance
Causes
Kim Churchill
Nessi
I would totally recommend going to The Great Escape. You're in the coolest place, listening to new bands and you're surrounded by pretty awesome people. I had the best three days, same time next year?
Are you off to any festivals this year?
xxxx
She's fierce, she's fun, she's got an incredible voice and she's got the best hair you'll ever see, meet Merika! 
Tell me a bit about yourself...
Tell me a bit about yourself...
Oh wow, things like this always throw me! Well, my name is Merika. I’m a singer/session musician/songwriter, I basically just love to sing! I’m 22 years young, originally from the North of the UK but currently based in the South. Seeing where life will take me. I have a massive love for my family, elephants and big hair, representing natural curls all the way! I’m a sucker for detail, I adore accessories and shoes, usually trainers. I’m a mixed chick, proud of my Barbados culture and take my influence from my multicultural background by focusing on how it makes me feel.
What do you do?
Like previously mentioned, I’m a singer / session musician / songwriter. Currently working with Lebeaux as a backing vocalist. It is unreal how much fun I have performing with each individual. There is never a dull moment. Lebeaux’s vocals are just perfection! I’m also working with covers bands whilst I find the right producer to write my own material. I write my own melodies and lyrics, I’m just trying to establish what my own personal sound is. No rest for the wicked!
When did you get into music?
I don’t ever remember music not being in my life. I enjoyed school choirs and productions. My parents gave me the chance to learn any instrument, but I was just very impatient. I grew up with older siblings who loved music, brothers who DJs and a father who sung in a band at weekends. House full of noise! Never a quiet moment. We sung and danced around the house on a regular basis, especially me! My mum says I sung before I could speak. I didn't really start to take singing seriously till A Levels. It was a friend questioning my choices in A Levels and reminding me about my dream, she made me realise that I could make a career out of singing. Thanks to her, I wouldn't have pushed it the way I have! From then on, I never looked back.
My plans are to stay myself and establish what sound speaks ‘Merika’. I want to have fun! I would love to work with so many different talented musicians along my journey and see what comes of it. I want to continue helping other artists by adding backing vocals to their live performances, helping them with their visions. Alongside, writing writing writing music of my own. Hopefully one day I’ll see my name in lights, be known for my vocals and hard work. Keep your eyes peeled.
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My biggest influences are my family members. I admire all their hard work and constant determination. Without them I wouldn't be who I am today. The support we all give one another is just amazing and I couldn’t thank them enough. But vocally, I would say Lianne La Havas is a big influence. When she had her first appearance on Jools Holland, I was in awe. I heard her vocals and melted. She has such a gorgeous tone that is a little similar to mine. I love her! She is just so cool. I could go on but I’ll keep it at that...
Cats or dogs?
Dogs
Favourite food?
My Aunts Macaroni pie! Or literally my Mums cooking!
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
Barbados (My gorgeous island)
All-time favourite song?
I couldn't just say one in particular but my favourite right now is Hold Up by Beyoncé. Such a summer banger!
If your friends could describe you in five words what would they be?
My friends are pretty brutal so it would be something like:
Air-head
Generous
Modest
Charismatic
Smiley
Must have beauty item?
I’m torn between lipstick and eyeliner...
A quote you live by is...
W.W.B.D - What would Beyoncé do?! or You have as many hours in a day as Beyoncé (As you can tell, I’m a huge fan of hers)
Dream holiday?
Ooo wow, I’d say the Maldives. Mmmmmm, sun sun sun! Or even just a holiday to spend time helping rescued and rehabilitate Elephants.
WHERE TO FIND MERIKA ::
TWITTER - @miimerika
INSTAGRAM - @miimerika
Keep your eyes in Merika's social media pages to find out about gigs, new music and to see what musical mischief she gets up to day to day!
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