mixtape 06

hey chickens

i don't know if you noticed, but it rained here over the weekend. itrained here a lot.im going to be real, I spent almost the entire weekend in bed watchingPuberty Blues and making this playlist. It's 4 hours of the highs andthe lows and everything in between that I just love. i listened to itin its entirety last night in this wildly overtired, overthinkingstate I've become accustomed to listening to this beating on the roof.

I realized there was some point this year when I stopped talking tostrangers in corridors, started caring a little more and whispering alittle more. I read the most fabulous article in Rookie about the bad days, 
and how they're ok and it really just got me thinking about everything. 
Being sad sometimes is part of being authentic, 
being a real breathing relatable human. 
There's something I like about that.
In the midst of it all I publish my inner most thoughts
on the internet. whats with that?? is anyone still reading this?

if you are, I want you to know you're incredible. But this one isgoing out to all the flood victims in my community that i love somuch, to all the broken hearts and broken minds and everyone thatssuffering a little. the sun will rise tomorrow, and it will be brightxx

mixtape 05

hey chickens
I feel like its been an eternity since I had time to just sit down and say hello. Sitting here, typing this to the dreamy tones of Rod Ladgrove (see below!!) it feels like just that. A dream. Maybe even a movie scene. Specifically, that cheesy ad against movie piracy where the writers turn around from their computers with an overly excited grin and say "thanks!" (for actually paying for this). That's what this feels like.

the thing is about year 11, is that it's hard. the assessments are big. and a little bit scary. but it's moments like this you live for. inspired, blissful, fleeting moments. i thank God for those moments.

I'm really hoping your life isn't as hectic as mine, but if it is - i have a playlist for that. mixtape 05 is dedicated to the calm amongst the storm. grab some headphones, get comfy, and just take a minute or 10. "listen. time passes. listen. time passes."

and when the sun comes up tomorrow, go somewhere with trees. they're so beautiful. so. beautiful.

goodbye my lovelies,
never forget to make time for the things that remind you what it feels like to be alive.
S x

p.s. please give BETTER OFF a listen, it's my favourite song ever ever right now. last friday i listened to it 6 times in a day. that's a lot. enjoy.

mixtape 04

Hey Chickens!

How are you??

I feel like it's been ages since I sat down and wrote a blog post. Actually, to be honest, I'm typing and walking the dog because I'm a time efficiency queen. So far this holiday has been a whole lot more school work than I would like, but I've also been doing a bunch of filming and fun youtube-y things so flick over to my channel and have a look. Also please appreciate my new cover photo, I spent far far too long making it yesterday but the photoshop skills are growing so who can complain?

Speaking of exciting new skills, I'm learning how to drive on main roads!! That's not relevant to anything, but I just thought I'd let you know.

Now, for the real deal. This is an especially fantastic playlist. I always try and make the holiday ones good, because of the ridiculous amounts of time I spent on busses. Mixtape 04 is all about the chill vibes, it's mainly acoustic with a little bit of my usual indie pop etc. etc. S/o going to LANY for their new single 'WHERE THE HELL ARE MY FRIENDS'. YEAH IT'S ACTUALLY SPELT WITH CAPS BUT IT'S WORTHY OF IT SO ALL GOOD. I'M JUST GOING TO ROLL WITH THIS. IM ALSO ONLY NOW DISCOVERING STICKY FINGERS, THANKS TO MY NBFS BUS SQUAD. IT'S GOOD VIBES.

Also, its Wednesday. I'm sorry I missed Tuesday but I had an impromptu birthday party to plan. I know that sounds like I forgot someone's birthday. I'm admitting to nothing. It involved chicken pizza, a small British car, my Grandma, a particularly weird group chat, and surprisingly amazing $5 cake from Woolies. ZOLA took one for the team.

I'll have some video(s!?) up next week so make sure you head over to my channel and subscribe xx

Have a great week,

S x

the sunlight paints us gold + sophie smith

Confession time, I may or may not have totally forgotten this post for the last hour in light of a new discovery. I had a maths exam today, these things happen. What is this exciting new discovery you ask? The quadratic formula? Nope. How I Met Your Mother!! Apparently I'm lame because I don't watch The 100 but I've gotta say daggy 2005 television is pretty prime. I've watched like half a season, which isn't even that extreme but I'm slow and happy. Don't judge me.

Time for something legitimately exciting! I'm bringing you a collab playlist today! Whaaaaaat?

Well. A pretty awesome friend of mine, Sophie Smith, has some pretty awesome music tastes so we have combined forces to make 'the sunlight paints us gold', a shiny mix of all our autumn favourites for long afternoons and early sunsets. As much as I love summer, and as cold as the beach was on the weekend, I'm getting a little excited for the colder months. It's good weather for tea. Who am I kidding, it's always good weather for tea. 

I actually love this playlist, I've been listening to it a bunch. It's a goodie. Well, I think it is. Don't doubt yourself people! Special shoutout to Ninja by Banoffee, one of my favourite songs at the moment. There's a super funky beat, and the first line is about breakfast. What's not to love? If you're not convinced yet, this playlist even features a Florence track, because lets be honest, what ZOLA post doesn't feature a Florence track or a pair of Converse? Let me know what you think in the comments below, don't forget to follow ZOLA and have a super wildly glitter-filled sunny week.

AND GO HAVE A LOOK AT SOPHIE'S FEED GOALS HERE X 

SALT PLAYLIST

good morning good morning lovely Zola readers. I hope Santa treated you well, and summer is treating you even better. I hope you are enjoying the sunshine, and wasting away days as I have been with books and ice tea. If music is more your thing, I have you all sorted with exactly 3 and a half hours of jams to keep you cool this summer. This is pretty much all I've listened to since relinquishing my Christmas carols, and I'm sure you'll love it as much as I do. Oh, and just a tip, make sure you don't get sunburnt!! I was clever enough to get absolutely fried on Boxing Day, and it really wasn't fun. Love you lots, S x

CHRISTMAS PLAYLIST!?

I swear I am 7 years old. I'm going to be 7 my entire life, and I'm ok with that. The thing is, I really really really really love Christmas. It's an undignified, Sav you're too old for this, kind of love. I'm not going to rant for too long, because I'm planning a bit of a Christmas tag video (woo!!) but I am going to say I have been listening to this playlist in secret since early November. Now it's your turn! I've decided its finally an appropriate time of the year to share my festivities with the world, so here is my Christmas playlist! It, of course, features the classic Justin Bieber, and also a surprising amount of Disney this year (in case I wasn't cheesy enough already). Also, special shoutout to the Pentatonix Christmas album, its possibly the best Christmas album ever recorded. Yes, I just went there. Have a listen and let me know what you think in the comments below. Merry Christmas xx

november daze

This playlist gives me FEELS. Like sleep ins, salty hair, sand between my toes, ice cream for breakfast relaxed. summer. feels. Everyone pls stop freaking out, my little stress explosion has been replaced for deep breaths and warm air. I just want to read books and go to the beach. Actually, the weather in Sydney over the last week has been pretty poor but it's sunny today and a girl can only dream.

This playlist is a different vibe from my last few playlists, but I feel like it's a new day for us. Time for a new sound. It features a lot of old favourites and some newly discovered loves from Ed Sheeran, Lewis Watson, Kodaline and Vance Joy.

Alsoooo, with all this spare time I'm thinking of making some vlog videos! If there's anything you want to see, shoot me an email. If any other bloggers want to work with me, I'd be up for that too!
In other news, I had my school formal on the weekend!! I had the best time woo. I know a lot of you wanted to see pictures, so I'll leave a few below. Also, to all of my school friends that read this I just want to say you're so amazing, you guys are constantly inspiring me and even though I've known you for less than a year, I'm so indescribably grateful you're in my world. This one is for you, and for our summer x

OCTOBER Playlist

I'm going to confess, I think music makes me really antisocial sometimes. A friend pointed this out months ago and I got really defensive but I'm now realising its so true. I've had a few occasions where I've been walking around school listening to a really great song and have literally pretended not to hear someone saying hi to avoid pausing my song. I'm just visualising everyone at my school mentally saying 'dang I knew she was ignoring me.' Sorry guys. Pausing songs is one of my biggest pet peeves. Music just isn't supposed to be like that. Don't be an antisocial music emo guys its a black hole.

But for times like right now, music is great. It's Saturday night, everyones out and I'm in my bed, writing this. Maybe hanging out with myself is an only child thing, but I feel like nights in are seriously underrated. I've spent my night eating pizza in pyjamas and stilettos (gotta wear in shoes somehow ok?), and I plan on watching Gossip Girl till the early morning. What could possibly be better?

In terms of other news, my life is being over-run by the school musical! Our opening night is in less than a week and I'm SO keen. The story is set in the 1930s so its all dresses, florals, and New York glamour. We have a full hair, make up and costume run tomorrow which should be interesting. I'm sure there'll be some selfies to come. Also, had a revelation at sailing today. First, I realised that the word island comes from the world land. Then I realised its probably short for isolated land. What a revelation, right!?!?!? Yeah, I'm a pretty easily pleased person.

Have a great week, and head to Instagram to check out my giveaway before it closes
Also, Follow Zola here because you love me <3

SEPTEMBER Playlist

Ah September, you're a keeper. It's hit the moment of the year where temperatues skyrocket here in Sydney, time accelerates, and every weekend rolls into a blur. Tomorrow it'll be Christmas! If I'm honest, I am totally exhausted. This is becoming a recurrent theme in my posts, and in my life in general isn't it? I hate it so much and judging on all the stuff I just wrote into my calendar, exhaustion isn't going anywhere. I am so so so ready for a holiday, and I'm nearly there.

I've been running around like crazy at work experience this week, pretending I'm more cool and hipster than I really am. It's a real hard life in the creative industry. Pretty sure I'm the only person in the place without a tattoo... Seriously though, I met the most cliche hipster today and it was so awesome. Full beard, long hair, cap, tattoos, piercings, and indie music. He even had Spotify premium - the sign of a real hipster that pays for his music. I also vacuumed a room, answered a phone or two, and played with more camera equipment than I will ever be able to afford. It's fun to dream though!

So, my unnamed hipster. This playlist is for you and your September. It's complete with my new loves from Oh Wonder, a recent discovery in Halsey, Troye Sivan, the incredible 21 Pilots and even some rubbishy boy band stuff for reasons I can't really explain. What Do You Mean is just so good and its Justin Bieber!? Since when did I like Justin....?

So take a moment from the fast paced world, and have a listen to this one. I hope your September has been as truly wonderful as mine, which you will see next week! Get keen!

Until then, you can follow Zola here xoxo
So much love,
S x

Endless Roads To Nowhere Playlist

It's the first day of Spring!1!11!!1!1!!1!1
No amount of exclamation points can do justice to my excitement for rising temperatures.
I thought I would end Winter the way I started it, with a lazy acoustic playlist. This one is inspired by my 'We're Going Places' playlist, that I posted earlier in the year. This was a bit of a fail from the start, because my original playlist was posted in April - not even remotely close to winter. But alas, I'm still in love with this kinda stuff and I thought it was time for a 2.0. This edition features my current faves from Ed Sheeran, Vance Joy and Chet Faker, as well as some new favourites I've discovered along the way.

So here's another soundtrack for your Spring daydreaming, for your long bus rides and your afternoon dog walks. Take a few minutes to slow down this week, get outside in the sun and recognise the little things. It's a good life, but it moves so quickly. It's officially September and that is just crazy. Term 3 is almost (maybe I'm being a little optimistic) over, and I'm heading into that awesome relaxed stage. My priorities are moving from completing assessment tasks to seeing how many episodes of Gossip Girl I can watch in one sitting. I'm addicted guys. It's sad.

Everything is going quickly for Zola as well. I realised today I've nearly been blogging for 2 years, how crazy is that!? I have a few things planned at the moment, one particular project I can't wait for ya'll to see. You'll have to wait a few weeks, but it'll be worth it. Also, an excited welcome to new followers and friends I talked into subscribing. You guys are incredible, you make me smile :)
Have a fab week and subscribe to Zola here xx

Florence Feels Playlist

I had a little outfit planned for this week, but considering a) I'm not at Splendour In The Grass, b) I have a cold and c) I barely left my house all weekend I'm bringing you this equally fabulous playlist instead.


On Thursday night I saw my one love Florence + The Machine in the State Theatre, Sydney and it was so ridiculously incredible. I have no words. Florence has the most wicked stage presence and spent ages just chatting to the audience. She even had a few nice nostalgia moments when a guy in the front row pulled out a photo from the last concert. Such a cool (or should I say rad..?) vibe, think lots of young cultured indie people. Only bad part was we weren't allowed to stand up where we were sitting. This lead to some angry drunk people and one couple even getting kicked out! On the bright side, my lovely fellow underage friend Isla and I are now very talented at dancing while sitting.

While the concert was beyond incredible, it was a little to my detriment. The days following were spent shot-ing cough medicine in my locker room. The girl with her locker above me literally thought I was taking something. I didn't have a measuring cup, ok guys?

But it's alright because all I've done today is sleep, and inhale eucalyptus oil. I'm practically a koala. Take that overseas readers. Appart from the semi-dying feels I'm also suffering some serious post-concert Florence feels. When I say feels I mean serious feels. Like go home and make a 3 hour playlist feels. I don't know why this playlist is so epically long. Actually, yeah I do. Spotify is much more fun than my English homework which I still haven't done. Sorry Miss...

And on that note, I'm going to go find quotes from Lord Of The Flies #sos. Enjoy the playlist sweet potatoes x

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9:26 Playlist

So it's the time of the month when I get lost in the deep dark hole that is Spotify for a few nights of my life to produce these little playlists for you. To be more specific, it's 9:26, Monday. I'm enjoying the half asleep nights of relaxed holiday bliss and general unproductiveness. I've had a week of cafe hang outs and movie days and I've gotta say - it's good to be in high school. Let's be 12 forever. 

So here's a new soundtrack filled with my favourites for your moments of high school un-productivity, coming to you from me and my under active Siamese fighting fish which is sitting on my desk possibly dead. I never really know... Sorry fishy, for now it's back to Gossip Girl, have a fun week sweet potatoes. I'm going to start calling you sweet potatoes, officially of just then. If you don't want to be a sweet potato pls read last Tuesday's post. You'll change your mind.  Real sweet potatoes can follow @zolablog on Instagram for behind the scenes fun x

Friday Fun

Trying something a little different with this playlist because there's no time like the present. There's no better time for mini-bus raves and pretending every day is Friday. That's the state of mind I'm living in right now, because why focus on the inevitable exams coming ever closer when there's rad beats like this to listen to? I've come up with a new philosophy. Let's forget study and focus on pink sprinkle donuts, jelly shoes and perfect starry nights. Forget Fridays - This playlist will keep your hips a movin' every day of the week. It's packed full with fresh remixes and chilled beats for the moments you feel like having a dance party for one.

Special mention goes to the tracks on this playlist from Oh Wonder. I discovered them when making this playlist over the weekend, and their oooooh wonderful. Imagine all the things you love about Lorde and the funky vibes from Echosmith and you've got yourself a rad lil band. I can't even describe how good they are.

As far as other news goes, I don't have much to tell you right now. I think the entirety of my weekend was spent on Pinterest, which I can say I am obsessed with. I have discovered a whole bunch of incredible things, including the new MacBook. I think I'm in love. I'm going to marry whoever came up with the idea of a gold laptop. Oh Christmas, why you so far away?!1!1!?

I also kicked off my 'Saturday Sport' career with a rather un-thrilling game of netball. Being the unco that I am, I was not looking forward to it, but my team actually came out with a win. Between you and me, it was 100% because I am an incredible WD...While life is a touch bland right now, I am VERY excited about what is to come. All the goodness will be on my Instagram as it happens, which you can follow @zolablog.Until then, try and listen to this playlist more than I will be - I dare you!! Have a great week everyone xo

We're Going Places - April Playlist

Hey Gang! 

Hope you're enjoying school holidays as much as I am. It seems I've spent much of my first week of holidays hanging in funky lil coffee shops. If this is the life of a senior - I like it!

The sad reality is that I can't drive. I also can't afford a car. So I've been making little adventures of getting to said coffee shops via public transport. I've been spending a lot of my time on busses and (getting rather lost) on trains, dreaming of what I can possibly do with my life to make enough money for a car. It doesn't help that I've got expensive and rather irrational taste for someone who doesn't even have a part time job. But dang Volkswagon Beetles are just so cute! I want one! 

Today I was also thinking that I've gotta think of something that'll make enough money to get me through uni and pay for an apartment and water and food and electricity. Then fund my irrational love for clothes and totally unnecessary craft projects (see: new cactus and the pot I painted for it.) Being an adult sounds so hard. I just want to blog and paint cactus pots my whole life. I'm also doing some rad nail art as I write this, I'd like to keep doing that too thank you very much. 

But I've learnt there's no better place to think than when stuck on a bus, watching the world go by. I've noticed most people on public transport have headphones, seemingly so they don't have to talk to one another. Either way, I do love my music and I'm not going to say no to a dreamy thinking playlist. The soundtrack of dreams! So when you grab your next bus/train/tram/plane/unicorn flick to my 'We're Going Places' playlist and dream away xoxo

One more thing! I installed some snazzy little social media buttons into my sidebar this week, to make it super easy for ya'll to follow me. I'll especially be using Facebook and Pinterest a lot more now, so be sure to follow those ones xx