The Past Couple Of Weeks In Photos

(L-R, Top to bottom)

I ordered new glasses - Givenchy! I splashed out as I was due an eye test and my eyes have got worse! I had the best experience at Optical Express, it is expensive, but it's worth it! 

I bought new stationary - Thanks to DollyBowBow's youtube, I found out about this really cute stationary in Wilkinsons, I wanted to buy all of it, but I thought £9 of it was enough...

I watched Matilda with my boyfriend - For the first time in probably about 10 years, we sat down and enjoyed one of the great films of the 90's, and we still enjoyed it as much as we did when we were children!

We booked a holiday - To Paris! I can't wait, easter weekend we jet off (on the eurostar), we  got a great hotel and train deal with Eurostar and for 3 nights we will be wearing berets, eating french bread, drinking wine and soaking up all of the culture.

We took Georgie for a walk down the canal - Georgie is Tom's dog, she is a gorgeous german shepherd and I love her! 

I got back to drawing - I used to love drawing when I was at school, so I began sketching again, I thought my first attempt was pretty good!

We got exited about Paris - Tom and I have experienced the WONDERS of Laduree in London, we've been to three out of the four in London, and we just can't wait to get to the Paris Laduree's!

I remembered our trip to London - At Christmas we had a really fantastic trip down to London, just for one night and a full day, and I loved it a lot, I took this picture at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, It was magical.

I missed home - Where I live back home is near to an army training camp, so near it you see many signs telling you to watch out for tanks! I'm at University in Greater Manchester, and I am finding it very hard at the moment and I miss my Mums cuddles. No matter how old you are, you always need your Mum.

Livvy x

The Swapsies

(Andy, Huw, Sean, El - The Swapsies)

The Swapsies hail from my native 'Lovelypool' (Liverpool) and are a four piece who play pop-folk-scouse-skiffle-lovely-great-just lovely music.

As you know I recently supported them at their EP launch in December, and they are a great bunch of people. 

Their EP 'Sparrows' was released on December 2nd and you can get it HERE.

The EP features brilliant harmonies and humorous lyrics, my favourite is 'Kisses Are Free' - a loveable love song which will instantly make you like them. 

There will definitely be more to come from The Swapsies. Like them on Facebook HERE for more info.

Livvy x

Happy New Year

A lot has happened this past month, apologies for not posting, I'm in complete holiday mode at the moment, my typing isn't what it used to be.. but I am back for an update and a wish of a very Happy New Year to everyone. 

I had my first support slot gig last month, a friend of mine from work back in Liverpool and my old recording teacher (and friend!) from college asked me to support their band at their EP launch gig. I was terrified but I jumped and did it; it gave me a kick up the arse, I wrote a new song within a week, which is a record as I usually write half a song a year.

The gig poster (with my name on!!!)

It went really well and I felt so comfortable, one of my resolutions in this new year is definitely to get out and play more.

I finished uni for christmas, I did my presentation for one of my modules, I've stressed over my essays (and still stressing!) but I made it to the end of a very good year. I've spent the past 3 weeks having the time of my life, I went to London for a last minute Christmas shopping trip with my boyfriend, I spent Christmas seeing my family and I got to spend some of it with my lovely boyfriend and his lovely family, and I got to spend New Years getting very drunk and playing guitar till 4am with them! 

I love the end of a year, its like finishing a good book, what will happen in the next? we'll see...

Livvy x

Stereophonics - 14th November and KT Tunstall - 16th November

Apologies for a late post about these gigs, I don't know where the time goes, but I'll crack on anyway. 

Last week I saw two incredible gigs; the first was Stereophonics at the Manchester Arena on the 14th November, I have only recently got into Stereophonics because Tom is a massive fan, before I met him I'd hardly listened to them, but now I'm very much a Stereophonics fan, so, thanks Tom!

The show was really great, they began with 'Catacomb' and they played a super long set of around 23/24 songs, including many from their latest album 'Graffiti On The Train' and many old hits. They had a very special guest join them to sing 'Mama Told Me Not To Come' - the one and only, Tom Jones. He is the epitome of cool and he sounded incredible singing with Kelly Jones. The show ended with one of their biggest hits 'Dakota'.

On the 16th I saw one of my hero's for the fourth time, the one and only KT Tunstall at the gorgeous Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. I got to go home for the weekend too which was so nice, it felt so good to be back in my city! KT was outstanding as usual. She used to play with a full band as well as utilising her loop pedal, but on this tour, she was solo (plus the famous loop pedal - the wee bastard as she calls it). I was in awe of her throughout the whole show, she began with 'Invisible Empire' and played an incredible set of new and many old songs, as well as one of my favourites 'Through The Dark' from her first album. I can't describe how much I admire this woman, her voice is beautiful, she showed her range and skill finishing with 'Chimes' from her latest album "Invisible Empire//Crescent Moon"

Orla Gartland

Orla Gartland is an 18 year old singer/songwriter from Dublin. Today saw the release of her first EP; 'Roots EP'.

Orla started out making youtube videos and posting her versions of many different songs and quickly gained popularity, her youtube has had over 9 million hits.

Her sound is quirky acoustic-folk-pop and very easy listening; with catchy hooks and bursting with personality, her music is guaranteed to make you smile.

You can buy her EP from iTunes now, and she will be heading out on tour next February.

www.facebook.com/orlagartland