2018 In Review

2018 has been one of the quickest and craziest years ever. There have definitely been highs and lows, but since I have completed a monthly…

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2018 has been one of the quickest and craziest years ever. There have definitely been highs and lows, but since I have completed a monthly review post for most months this year, I really wanted to sit back and type up some of my highlights from 2018 to round it all up, taking some of my favourite things I’ve done and loved, working my way through the year.

In 2018 I have…

Gone out of my comfort zone on the French Exchange

One of the biggest things I did right at the beginning of the year was taking part in my college French Exchange. It may have been a traumatic experience being there (all I’m saying is I still get flashbacks), but I made some amazing friends while I was there and I know I wouldn’t be in the same place if I hadn’t had taken the risk and gone on it.

Seen Harry Styles live

The best concert of this year, which has definitely become one of my favourites ever, was on the 9th April when I saw Harry Styles live. The way he brought an arena to life on his own was truly incredible, I absolutely adore him and his solo music and it was a real highlight of my year.

Been to New York (!!!!)

I still cannot believe this happened – and even more, cannot believe I managed to have a cold throughout my trip and therefore felt ill for most of the time! Every time I see a photo of New York nowadays I am dying to go back. It was the best holiday ever, we packed so much in – including walking 13 miles one day, I mean for someone who does absolutely no exercise to walk half a marathon worth in a 32 degrees day is pretty good right! Although I felt absolutely knackered, you totally had to walk that much to take it all in and the sights were so amazing.

 

Been really into The Crown

The Crown has to be one of my favourite series’ I watched this year, it has really inspired me to learn a lot about the history of the current Royal Family and I have got so into it. After watching a show about the Royal Family, I decided to stay on theme and watch a show with a member of the Royal Family in it, therefore got totally obsessed with Suits! Yes, I may have just started watching it due to the Meghan Markle hype but I have enjoyed it so much. The other show I have really loved this year is Parks & Recreation, one of the funniest shows ever.

Visiting Universities

This summer has been one of applying for universities, therefore I had to visit several to make my mind up! This included a trip to London which I really enjoyed, especially seeing the musical 42nd Street while I was there which was simply amazing! I absolutely love London – who knows, I may have spent more time there by this time next year!

Listened to a lot of George Ezra, 5 Seconds Of Summer and The 1975

Music favourites this year can be summed up by the three artists above for certain! I got obsessed with George Ezra’s Staying At Tamara’s album, the song Pretty Shining People has become a firm favourite of mine. On Spotify, 5SOS was one of my most listened to artists which I am not surprised at, their YoungBlood album has been on repeat this year.

My Last Fm stats make The 1975 my most listened to artist by a mile; I’m totally obsessed with their new music, such as their new song It’s Not Living (if it’s not with you), but their old stuff also never gets boring for me either! Oh, and the final artist I have listened to a whole lot is Coldplay. I have always been a huge fan of Coldplay but I have really explored their back catalogue this year getting to know their earlier stuff better.

My Last Fm most listened to artists – bearing in mind I began LastFM on 1st May 2018, so 7 months of the year!

My 5 Favourite songs of 2018:
Pretty Shining People – George Ezra
It’s Not Living (if it’s not with you) – The 1975
Turn – The Wombats
Ghost Of You – 5 Seconds Of Summer
In My Place – Coldplay

Furthered my love of History

Applying for History at university this year has spurred me on to explore my love of history more and work out which sort of history is really for me. I have realised I am most into social history, and have read some amazing books such as The Century Girls by Tessa Dunlop, which influenced me so much I wrote about it in my personal statement. It was so interesting to read about the past 100 years from six centenarian women all from completely different backgrounds, an absolute must-read.

Saw a concert front row with my best friends

I have made so many fab memories with my friends this year but an event that really sticks out to me is seeing George Ezra front row in the pouring rain! It was such an achievement to get the front row and such a great concert, I commented before about how much I have listened to George Ezra so it was great to see him live so close.

Been to Friends Fest

Being a huge Friends fan, I loved going to Friends Fest this year at Manchester’s Heaton Park, as I had dreamed of attending for a couple of years! It was such a fun experience exploring the apartments and taking many Friends style photos, I seriously recommend it to any Friends fan like myself.

Obsessed over the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance palette

I’m thinking of writing a separate post for beauty so I haven’t gone overboard in this one, but I couldn’t round up the year without commenting about how much I loved the ABH Modern Renaissance palette this year. Since I got it in New York in May I have used it ever since; it has become an absolute staple for me! I am tempted to give it a break for a little to give my other palettes some time to shine, but it really is the best eyeshadow palette out there.

Interviewed at Oxford

To round up the year I went to Oxford to interview which was the most stressful but amazing experience ever. It almost felt like a mini-holiday, getting away from college for a few days to explore this amazing city, if we ignore the stressful interviews in the middle! I met so many wonderful people, including one of my fave bloggers Eleanor so it really was a trip I will never forget, and the best way to finish the year.

I have no doubt 2019 will be even more crazy, taking my A-Levels and beginning university, but I think 2018 has been a pretty unforgettable one. Thank you all so much for reading my blog this year, as it has been a huge part of my year and you all made that possible. I would love to hear what you did in the comments, and have a lovely New Year!

EG x