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

Mitochondrial Disease // Stay In Bed Day 2015

What did I do to deserve a bonus Zola post on this beautiful Sunday, you ask? Well, my lovelies today is a very special day. Not only is it a Kardashians birthday, which my Instagram feed reminded me again and again and again, but today is also Stay In Bed Day 2015.

It's 3:08pm and I've been in bed for the whole day, in the name of charity of course. This month I've been raising awareness and funds for the Australian Mitochondrial Disease Foundation. If Mitochondrial Disease sounds like a big word you've never heard of before, all good I'm about to catch you up. It's a rare disease that alters the way the body produces energy. Mitochondria are found in your cells, and produce around 90% of the energy your body needs to function properly. Without getting too sciencey, Mitochondrial Disease alters the function of these Mitochondria so the body can't produce nearly as much energy as it needs. Because we need energy to do everything, Mitochondrial Disease can effect sufferers nearly anywhere in their body.

While you've probably never heard of Mitochondrial Disease, it's much more common than you think. 1 in 5000 Aussie kids are born with Mitochondrial Disease, and one of them is my friend Tim. We grew up together running around in parks, and riding around his neighbourhood on scooters till dark. We're still only weeks apart in age, but so much has changed since then. It's been 6 years since he was first diagnosed with Mito and it seems like his battle is almost over. Tim stopped going to school regularly a few years ago, and now rarely leaves the house. He has little vision or hearing, no short term memory which makes simple things near impossible for him. Tim spent most of the last week in hospital, unconscious, after a severe stroke. Its time to ask the question is being asked, what is life if you can't really live it?

The thing to remember is that there is always hope, there is always break through. Mitochondrial Disease is a curable disease, the cure just hasn't been found yet- and until it is I'm doing what I can to help the cause. So today I am putting myself in the position of kids with Mitochondrial Disease for Tim, his family and all the other families out there being effected by this widely unknown disease. I've also pledged to raise $2000 for the Australian Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, and while that goal is still a long way off, you can help to make it a reality. If you have absolutely anything to donate to the cause, that would make you the most incredible reader ever and would seriously mean so so much to me. You can read my full story and make a donation here.

Thank you x

New Zealand Wandering

So it's 1:55pm and I'm gradually talking myself into doing something productive because at the moment all I've really achieved is a new level of Instagram stalking (follow my personal @_savannahjoy #selfpromotion #swagisreal). Oh and I went to the shops and bought a sweet potato. Now I'm cooking a sweet potato. That's a cool saying. I'm claiming that. Cool beans is out, sweet potato is in.

So yep, I'm going a little cray after getting up at an hour that really shouldn't exist just to drive in a car with ice frozen over the windscreen. Ice!?1?11!? I thought my brain was frozen too but we did eventually make it to the airport for a much needed 2am coffee. We had a rather fab weekend with my family, sightseeing in Auckland. Just for everyone thats as touristy as I am, my Aunties live in the country and I saw lots and lots of sheep as well as a pretty cool city. The weekend ended on a fairly good note, courtesy of some Spanish airline. Cheers for the cool 4am flamenco music, I had a great jam at 50,000 ft. 

I did have a more Zola-ey post planned for this week, but I had some lovely people request NZ photos and here at Zola I like to give the people what they want. I also don't think real big words and cool blogger sentences are a thing that are going to happen right now so here's some pretty pictures from my cool beans sweet potato relaxed school holiday life. Credz to my Aunty gone photographer and my trusty iPhone :))

VIvid Sydney 2015

On the train home last night, I realised there are a lot of things I love about Sydney. We have so much diversity in one little blip on a map. There's so many people, but everyone has a little community they belong to. There's an effortless beauty about suburbia. I was just noticing its understated beauty yesterday, watching the sunset from an empty train carriage. 

The city is a different kind of beautiful with its tall buildings, and bright lights. There's always a little something happening and the winter season is no exception. The dreaded start of Winter brings with it something I wait for all year, Vivid!! It's a series of sculptures and projections based on the medium of light. It gets bigger and more creative every year, encouraging us sweet suburbans to escape to a little adventure, even just for a night. These little adventures have become a new tradition for my photography lovin' Dad and I. It's a tradition that includes endless school nights, City Extra hot chocolates and new friends made in the Canon HQ. There's really is nothing quite like Vivid. Here's a few snaps from this year!

Random Patch Accessories

A few weeks ago I received an email from Random Patch Jewellery inviting me to review their brand, and after a little look around the store my immediate answer was HECK YES! To be honest, I'm not usually a huge jewellery gal, because my clothes are quite busy. I often find jewellery is too much, but the jewellery at Random Patch goes with literally everything. There is a huge range of everything from bracelets to necklaces to rings to earrings, with a whole stack of different colours and styles. Of course I was immediately drawn to my one love, rose gold.

This ring is my favourite thing ever right now. I might even be loving it more than the new Florence album... maybe. The combination of rose gold and knots appeals to both my fashion and my sailing side. I've barely taken it off since taking these pictures. I'm even at the level of breaking my school uniform code to wear it every day. #reckless #thingsidoforfashion

I'm also loving this pretty little arrow necklace. There are a whole range of necklaces similar to this one available and they're a great staple piece to have. Because this style is quite small, it's the perfect touch for more basic outfits. I styled this arrow necklace with a simple striped tee and jeans. Minimalistic necklaces like this one can also look incredible with lower cut print tops. Try colour combinations, layering and experimenting with your jewellery. Its hard to go wrong with something like this.

Now lets be real - Affordable jewellery also gets big ticks from me. Ya'll know its hard looking fab on the budget of a high school student, but Random Patch does not disappoint. Refresh your wardrobe for under $30 without compromising on quality. Share the good vibes to your friends with the money you save and pick up some jewellery for them too! I just love giving jewellery, it's such a thoughtful and personal present. Plus, there's so much available at Random Patch, you're bound to find something they'll love.

View the collection of pretty and petite jewellery from Random Patch Accessories here / Like Random Patch on Facebook here x

P.S. I'm super close to 1400 followers on my Instagram (@zolablog) so if you could give it a follow here I'll love you forever <3

Thoughts On... All Possible Futures

There is no further state of relaxation, than one Savannah (ie. this one) going out to lunch, doing a little washi tape decorating, putting on a good album and writing a blog post. Despite my original 15 year reluctance, I could seriously get into this winter thing. I even rented DVDs!!

But I've gotta keep the summer spirit alive somehow, and right now I'm doing it with the (semi) new and (ridiculously) awesome album from Miami Horror. If you love San Cisco, you have to hear this! The album is titled All Possible Futures, and features 15 tracks of funky guitar strumming, piano playing and tambourine shaking that will have you lost in thought.

The second track, 'Real Slow' is one of the biggest tracks on the album with its piano chords and dance vibes. I've heard this so many times now that there's part of me that never wants to hear is again. But honestly, theres another part of me wants to walk away from my laptop right now and have an impromptu 80s disco with myself.

The album gets a bit more modern with subtle bass drops and electro beats in 'Cellophane' and 'All It Ever Was', classic indie party tracks. Another mention goes to track 10, 'Out of Sight'. The undertones and vocals of this one bring the vintage vibes right back. I'm literally having a private jam to it right now. Shhh.

The album finishes with 'Another Rise, Another Fall, which is one of my favourites. I'm not musical enough to tell what instrument it is (pls listen and tell me!!) but the first few bars are just perfect. The lyrics come in full of wonder, telling the never ending circle of trying to get ahead. So good!!

While the tracks are a touch similar, Miami Horror has an unquestionably unique sound. Every song has a strong beat, perfect for fun afternoons dreaming of the beach and sly in-car dance parties. Don't pretend you haven't done it...

What are you listening to at the moment? I'd love to hear - Comment below!

Listen to All Possible Futures by Miami Horror on Spotify here :)

P.S. I also wanted to say thank you so so so so so much for over 10,000 page views! That is so incredibly encouraging, and I love you all so much xoxo

Pinterest Loving...

I would like to point out that today is Tuesday the 29th of May, and I am eating a chocolate easter bunny. I'm so one of those people. Not going to lie, today was fairly long and painful. It featured 2 crappy test results and a rather awful netball training. But nothing makes me smile quite like Pinterest (and Easter chocolate in May!!) You can follow me on Pinterest @zolablog. Here's a bit of a look into what I've been pinning lately.

White, Red and Black is my all time favourite combination for Winter. These overalls are like all the best things about white denim, boyfriend jeans and overalls smooshed together into a smooth all-in-one.

 Gold eyeliner and cacti. What more could a gal want? I just love how understated the gold is in this, adds a bit of sophistication to the natural look.

Pink loves! Heels with denim jeans is something I really want to try. I'm also really into this washi tape wall art. The possibilities are endless!

 Double braids are so sassy!! Just look at how flipping sassy this photo is!

And a last little note to make you think - how lucky are you?

I've now eaten half a chocolate bunny, and am feeling content with myself, so I'm going to retreat to my maths homework. Before I go, I promised a sneaky shoutout to my home girl Nikkii, who sent me my first piece of fan art last week. Thanks bae <3 If more cool people want to send me some fan art... well that would be pretty cool. P.S. A girl I was babysitting on the weekend told me I use the word 'cool' too much. I'm only now realising she might be right...