Teen Angst

Savannah Wears

Top - Sportsgirl

Skirt - Avalon Markets

Shoes - Converse

Bracelet - China

The thinking part of the year is officially over, and I can feel my brain slowly but surely slipping out my butt. My days have been reduced to woeful motivational talks, which are essentially grade wide team building exercises. I always thought I'd have to wait to get a job before I endured this but no! I spent my day with a small, rat looking man screaming enthusiastically at a bunch of overtired teens.
'EYEEEBALLS!!' He demands, trying to connect to the audience, wiping the litres of sweat from his face.

So lets take on the role society has given me: the unenthusiastic, self absorbed and ultimately moody teenage gal. I'll take my teen angst out on the world with messy street art, unhealthy amounts of Gossip Girl, and grunge inspired outfits. I'm real moody man.*proceeds to apply another coat of eyeliner* Going to be honest though, I am loving this retro grunge thang. I'm sure there will be more around here soon.

Apologies for this one being a little short, I was literally sprung by torrential rain while shooting this, and was forced to do an awkward high-heeled converse, tripod and camera dash back to me mums car. Yeah guys, my life is just as glamorous as you all think it is (very.) Speaking of glamour, before the next time we speak I'll be on a bus into the middle of the wilderness where I may or may not die, all in the name of outdoor education. I'm talking hiking, tents, drop toilets and Katmandu clothing. Oh yeah. Glamour is my middle name.

Follow Zola here, 1 follow = 1 prayer #prayforsav #campkills #justkidding

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

Why Stress?

(Source)

It's fair to say that my life is a little bit crazy, I'm a fairly busy person. Lately I've been feeling a little overloaded with stress over everything and nothing at all. It's like everything in my life just turns into play-doh and rolls around in my stomach. Stress sucks, but it something we all face. I know a lot of you are facing exams at the moment as well, so I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. The thing is, stress is really really pointless. It doesn't actually achieve anything other than freaking us out. So why do we stress? And how can we stop?

Sometimes you've just got to take a moment. Play your favourite song. Look at yourself in the mirror and be real with yourself. You can't beat stress pretending you're ok. What are you afraid of? Is it actually likely? And does it actually matter?

Most of the time the things we're freaking out about aren't a big deal. We waste so much time stressing and why? Is it just that we don't believe in ourselves?

When it comes down to it, we just don't believe we can do it. People are actually the most amazing things on this planet, by far. Last night I went and followed a whole stack of anorexia accounts on Instagram, just because I find them so inspiring. It got me thinking, some people do the most incredible things. Some people have these awful demons, but we're beating them every single day. We're all so capable of incredible things, but half the time we never go for it because we don't believe we can. Our natural instinct, is no, I can't do that. But imagine if we shifted that to a yes. Of course you can, you're capable, you want it bad enough. It's yours. Imagine all the stuff we could actually do. But no, you're not quite enough, or at least that's what you're telling yourself.

What I've learnt about stress, is it's all in your head. But that voice saying you can't do it, that voice has an opposition. There's another voice in your head. It might be quieter, because you don't choose to listen to it as often but the thing is its still there and it has just as much power as the voice telling you you aren't enough. That second voice turns around in that moment and says OF COURSE YOU ARE. You're amazing, and beautiful. This is your moment. Don't let stress make you miss it.

As usual, I sat down to hit the publish button and ended up writing a completely new and different rant. I love writing stuff like this, its terrifying and exposing and wild but if someone somewhere is reading this and feels something, I guess its worth it. I honestly just want to build you guys up. Remember to keep things in perspective my lovelies, and always remember you can. I'm believing in you xx

GIVEAWAY WINNERS ANNOUNCED (and I was in a musical!?)

Wooowooowooowooooooo giveaway winners!! I know I sound like that person that wins an awesome prize on the radio and can't even pretend to sound excited. I promise I was just tired, I am actually REALLY EXCITED!! Also, I stayed up late editing this because I love you so enjoy. What no I didn't Mum. I'm 12 now. 

I'm still not sure how I feel about videos, but I think I'm warming up to them. At the same time, I feel like my face is really weird in this video and I'm opening myself up to a whole world of painful screenshots being shared across the Internet for the next 25 years. Pls no guys. You've been warned. 

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

2 YEAR GIVEAWAY!

2 YEARS GUYS! HOW WILD IS THAT!?

You might've seen on my Instagram last weekend, that Zola Blog has been running for over 2 years now! Such exciting times! I was going to post a photo from 2 years ago, but they were all so cringe-worthy I thought I'd just leave them there for people to stalk in private... Go ahead. But first - finish reading this!

Thank you very much to everyone that congratulated me for hitting 2 years, but it's honestly such a pleasure. Blogging is something I adore, and hopefully something I'll be doing for a long time coming. Without going on, this blog wouldn't be possible without you incredible readers. I've talked to so many of you incredible, friendly, beautiful people so thank you!! Thank you for reading and sharing and following and everything you do. I've put together a giveaway just for you, mainly because I walked into Kikki K and I couldn't resist. #justbloggerthings 

The giveaway includes:

1 x Kikki K 2016 diary

2 x Kikki K pens

1 x Pack of Instax Mini Polaroid film

2 x EOS Lipbalms (Summer Fruit and Lemon)

How to Enter

1. Follow @zolablog on Instagram

2. Find this photo on my Instagram (@zolablog), and tag a friend in the comments

It's that easy! The more friends you tag, the more chance you have of winning!

For an additional entry, and for me to love you forever, follow Zola Blog on Bloglovin' here xx

Competition closes 27th of October. Good luck and have a great week!

S x

HONG KONG VIDEO DIARY

Just to top off the holiday spam, I made this fun little video for you guys! It's a lot more behind the scenes of what we did while in Hong Kong compared to the photos I posted earlier this week.

For the Sydney-siders out there, I've been explaining Hong Kong as a giant, much better version of Paddies Markets. They have markets everywhere, for everything. Just wild! We went to flower markets and computer markets, shoe markets, fish markets, clothes markets and food markets.

We also spent a day in China, which was a massive culture shock for me. The air really is as gross as everyone says, and I think I nearly fainted. It was all quite dramatic and scary, but I survived. Shopping in China is awesome, so no regrets there. My friend Nikkii and I (see video for more weird Nikkii <3) had dresses made in China too, which was super fun!

Another highlight was Disneyland, because I am 12 and I am proud. I have so much love for Disneyland. I went on Space Mountain for the first time in my life (and the second, and the third...) and just loved all the terribly brilliant cheesy-ness that is Disneyland. Can we please get Disneyland in Australia?

To see the rest of our adventuring, check out the video below.
S x

P.S. Something reallyyyyy exciting is coming to Zola this Tuesday!11!!!!!11!
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