Do You by Skanky

"Tasty."

Do You
by Skanky
Unreleased

More Sunshine Smiles!

Hoorah! According to the weather forcast this week looks set to be a beautiful, bright, sunny and warm week and as I've mentioned before there is NOTHING that makes me more smilier than the sun and being outdoors. I plan to take full advantage of the good weather with picnics in the park, visits to the beach and plenty of sunbathing in the garden. I hope you also make good use of the glorious weather and have a lovely week, if the weather man is right we've certainly got a few lovely days ahead of us. Have a brilliant week :)

Peace & Love X

Itchy Smile

I don’t know how many of you have heard of Itchy Feet, but for those of you who haven’t Itchy Feet is unique rock n' roll, funk, soul and swing club night which tours the country playing in different cities. If this sounds like your type of thing then you should definitely try and get to an event, which are all listed on their website, but if you can’t find one then fear not because the lovely people at itchy feet have made a series of awesome podcasts for your listening pleasure! Each podcast is different but all of them contain awesome music which is guaranteed to get to you dancing. So if swing, soul, funk and rock n' roll make you smile then download these podcasts here and have a boogie. Enjoy :)

Peace & Love X

So You Think You Can Smile

I'm a big fan of the US hit TV show "So You Think You Can Dance" and I was reminded of this dance when watching an old episode from about two years ago. This is probably my favourite dance from all 9 seasons of the show and it's definitely the most fun. Choreographed by Mandy More and performed by Billy and Lauren of season 7 this will not fail to make you smile! Enjoy :)

Peace & Love X

DV8 Smiles

This week I was lucky enough to see Frantic Assembly, one of my favourite theatre companies, perform "Little Dogs" in Swansea. The show was brilliant and Frantic Assembly never fail to make me smile! Another one of my favourite theatre companies are DV8, who are also incredible, and I came across this scene while watching one of their films "The Cost of Living". The whole film is fantastic but this scene is definitely made me smile the most and I'm determined to learn the moves! You should definitely check out Frantic Assembly and DV8 if you like physical theatre. Enjoy :)

Peace & Love X

Smile... But Don't Loose The Plot!

I've had a fairly busy couple of weeks which means I have plenty of smiley things to share with you that have made me smile! Last Friday I went to a Toyko Dub in Bristol, a reggae and dub event. It was an incredible night and I was definitely smiling throughout the whole night but there was one particular thing that made me smile and I knew I had to share it with you. The next bit of the post is a bit anecdotal, but I hope you see why. As the sun was coming and the night was drawing to a close I was handed a small piece of a brown paper by a random lady who placed it in my hands and gave me the strict instructions not to lose it. Quite startled but with the ladies clear instructions ringing in my head I walked over to the corner of the room and unravelled the peace of paper; it had “the plot” written on it. I thought this was brilliant and it made me smile all the way home. I still have “the plot” and I'm making sure it's kept very safe. I hope that story made you smile as much as it made me smile, and remember don’t loose it!

Peace & Love X

Sunshine Smile

The last few days we've been lucky enough to see some sun and there is nothing that makes me smile more than sunshine. As we all know the weather is fairly unpredictable in Britain and chances are this glorious weather won't last, but this song by Lesley Gore should keep the sun shining in your life even if the weather does turn gloomy. There is no way this song won't make you smile! Enjoy :)

Peace & Love X

A Glorious Smile

This weekend I sang in a concert, which I've mentioned in previous blog entries. Titled "The Glorious Years" the concert was made up of songs from the 1950s. The performance was absolutley delightful and the audience,  made up of mainly older people, really appreciated the 50s repoitore and it was lovely to see them singing along to songs of their generation. I was given the chance to sing the 50s classic "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" which I throughally enjoyed and although there were a few minor mistakes the audience definitely had a smile on their faces at the end of the song. I hope it makes you smile too... Enjoy :)

Peace & Love X

A Magic Smile

Many of you will probably recognise this song from a certain Quality Streets advert, which airs every Christmas, but I recently came across it again while rehearsing for the 50s concert I mentioned a few posts ago. It's such a delightful, charming song and you can't help but smile and sway along to this classic 50s hit. Enjoy :)

Peace & Love X

Smile + Bake

The thing that made me smile today was this piece of graffiti I came across in Cardiff and I just had to take a photo of it. Rather than the usual tags or scribbles often seen graffitied on walls this graffiti artist decided to do something a little different. I think this may possibly be one of my favourite pieces of graffiti I've ever seen. I hope you've had a fruitful day. :)

Peace & Love X

Baby Smile

If you got a bit of a frown on your face today this video will definitely transform it into a smile. You cannot help but chuckle at this video of two adorable babies fighting over who gets the pacifier. This video has the ultimate cuteness factor and will definitely make you smile! Also just to warn you if you're feeling broody this will not help! I hope you've had a good bank holiday. Enjoy :)

Peace & Love X

S.M.I.L.E.

Another funny video which made me smile today is of this poor kid in a spelling bee contest having trouble with the word "heron." Although he does manage to eventually spell the word correctly the time he takes to get to there is hilarious! Enjoy :)

Peace & Love X

Ain't Got Time To Smile

A quick bit of humour for you now and I when first saw this news clip a few weeks ago it made me laugh... a lot. I was reminded of it again while watching last week's "Russell Howard's Good News". This is probably the best response to the threat of bronchitis you'll ever hear, 'cause she ain't got time for that! Enjoy :)

Peace & Love X

Tears + Smiles

Last week I read a very touching article in the Daily Mail about a husband finally getting his wish to die next to his wife of 46 years after they were separated in hospital. The report states that the two had hardly spent anytime apart during their 46 years of marriage. You can read the full story here.

Matt, 71, was cared for in a hospice after he was told his pancreatic cancer was terminal and nothing more could be done for him. However because of his wives diabetes they couldn’t spend the last months together as she required round the clock care; something which couldn’t be provided for by the hospice. After a large scale campaign by the couples devoted sons Matt and Pat were reunited so they could spend his last few days together. This heart-warming story definitely brings a tear to my eye but also makes me smile too in the knowledge that there is such a thing true in love! :)

Peace & Love X

A Surprise Smile

This is quite a long video but it's definitely worth watching it all the way through. It's called "The Biggest Surprise Ever" which is a very appropriate title! I’m not going to give anything else away but it is certainly going to make you smile. In particular watch the woman’s face as she realises what’s happening; it’s amazing! :)

Peace & Love X

A Gospel Smile

I hope you’re all having a lovely bank holiday weekend. I’ve been computer-less for couple of days, hence the lack of blog entries, but don’t worry I’ve kept note of all the things that have made me smile! Gospel music is something that never fails to lift my mood. Although I’m not particularly religious I sing in a Gospel Choir (which is one of the best things ever!) and I love gospel music. I’m a member of Harmony Gospel Choir in Manchester and they sang this song in a recent concert, which unfortunately I wasn’t able to be a part of. Regardless “The Blessing of Abraham” is an amazing song and whether you’re religious or not I think it’ll definitely make you smile. Also just to warn you if you're anything like me you will probably be constantly humming this for the next few days! Enjoy :)

Peace & Love X

Smile and Ac-Cen-Tchu-Ate The Positive!

I'm currently preparing for a 1950s style concert and while I was researching 50s songs I came across this classic hit. Most famously recorded by Bing Crosby and The Andrew Sisters in the 1940's “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Postive” was covered by several different artist during the 50s and the 60s. Although I love the version by Bing and The Andrew sisters it was this jazzy Aretha Franklin cover, recorded in the 60s, that made me smile. I think the message in the song is one to remember whenever your cup is feeling particularly half empty, which mine unfortunately is today. So go on Accentuate the positive and smile!:)

Peace & Love X

Relax. Now Smile!

"The Carter Barron" by Oddisee is one of my favourite songs at the moment and not only does it make me smile but it also makes me feel extremely relaxed. It takes me to another head space and all stress just disappears. Although I love the song as a whole piece what makes me smile in particular are the bass guitar and piano parts which sound like they are improvised. This song is perfect for chilling out, so if you’ve had stressful day this should definitely relax you and make smiling a lot easier! Enjoy :)

Peace & Love X

Smile. Why?

My cousin just posted this on Facebook and it couldn't be more perfect for this blog so I thought I would post it on here too. I'm not sure if it's a quote or whether he made it up, regardless I think it makes complete sense...

"Smile. Why? Because it makes you attractive. It changes your mood. It relieves stress. And it helps you stay positive!"

Peace & Love X

A Disney Smile

There is one thing that is guaranteed to make me smile regardless of how old I am and that is Disney!This is one of my favourite Disney songs from one of my favourite Disney films " The Lion King." I hope it brightens your day :)

Peace & Love X

A Cute Little Smile

Another little cheeky YouTube video for you today.  This time it's a video of a cute little kid playing ukulele, very well, and singing along to "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz. Unfortunately he doesn't quite know the words! Hopefully this will make you go "awwww" as well as smile :)

Peace & Love X

Smile For The Photograph!

The thing that made me smile today was a series of YouTube videos I came across titled "The World’s Most Amazing Photos." I found that the videos, which are organised into categories such as animals and nature etc, offer a fascinating insight into the world through a camera lens. After spending about an hour watching every video on the channel I knew it was time to get off youtube and perhaps get a life. However the hour spent watching what was essentially a slideshow of photos made me smile and so I thought I'd share it with you. If you have a YouTube account you should definitely subscribe to "ThePhotoCollector." I hope you've had a fruitful day. Enjoy :)

Peace & Love X