The 5(ish) Best Small Moments of the Summer

I've had a pretty crazy summer. Though I've been off school since the end of June, these past couple of months really seem to have flown by. I've got up to some big stuff; I went on my first parentless holiday to Rome, I went to Florida with the whole of my dad's side of the family, I had my 18th birthday and all the celebrations that come along with that. But when a lot of massive things like that seem to come all at once, the priceless little moments seem to get swallowed. So in today's post, ladies and gentleman, we give a s/o to the best small moments of the summer...this did use to be 'The Small Moments' blog, after all. 

number one  my pandora bracelet

My love of all-things Pandora jewellery originates from my 16th Birthday, when my mum and dad bought me the star stacking ring, and I haven't gone a day without wearing it since. I've now got two other rings and a necklace pendant, but until recently I didn't own one of their famous charm bracelets. That is until my nanny and grandad bought me one for my 18th Birthday, and now I'm completely obsessed. The bracelet has this gorgeous enamel flower clasp, and I received it with the 18 charm too. A lot of my downtime this summer has been spent scrolling through the Pandora website, finding beautiful charms I can't afford. I have made a steady start on my collection, however. I want the charms that I have to mark a milestone or remind me of some kind of event; the clips don't really do that because their just a necessity for all the bracelets, but they are undeniably pretty.  But my favourite charm on their has to be the Pearlescent Mickey Charm I bought from Uptown Jewellers at Disney's Magic Kingdom. Not only is it gosh-darn stunning when it catches the light, but this subtle charm is going to bring back so many happy memories from an incredible holiday. The moment I opened my bracelet, and the moments I've spent building up my charm collection, have been ones to treasure. 

number two  discovering brooklyn nine nine 

To say that I love this show would be the understatement of the century. I don't think I've ever laughed as much at a TV show than I have with Brooklyn Nine Nine. The narrative follows the detective/man-child Jake Peralta and the rest of the clashing misfits within the precinct, led by the Captain Holt. Andy Samberg (who plays Jake and is a co-producer of the show) is the king of this sort of stupid and childish humour that I completely dig, and it works so well in this presumably-serious environment. Each character has their own brilliant quirks - they're all hugely funny in their own way. I discovered the show when I finished my exams, but what I've come to love about it more recently is that my brother and I watch an episode or ten over breakfast. There aren't many shows me and my family watch together, so having my lil bro have a good belly laugh alongside me, cereal and tea makes for a great start to the day. 

number three  all the harry potter-ness 

Lots of small moments that happened this summer seems to have revolved around Harry Potter in one way or another (which is why this is 5(ish) moments). For starters, I actually got round to finishing the book series right at the start of the holidays after finally starting last year. I also received the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play for my birthday, which was actually a whole lot better than I expected - more on that in an upcoming summer reading post, so stay tuned for that. Most incredibly of all, I actually persuaded my mum to start watching the film franchise, and she's actually enjoying it! We finished Goblet of Fire on Friday; I shall keep you updated on this important mission. But the biggest 'small moment' has to be the lands at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure dedicated to the franchise. Though these had some pretty huge standout moments for me, little details - like trying butterbeer for the first time in the Leaky Cauldron, or hearing my usual train to London called out at a replica Kings Cross Station, or having a good ol' chin wag with Dumbledore, Harry, Ron and Hermione in a ride queue that literally took you through Hogwarts - made me insanely happy. 

number four  musical moments 

Some of my favourite artists and bands have dropped new material this summer and I couldn't be happier about it. Lorde's new album, Melodrama, is something completely new and raw and simply amazing. Each brilliant song features an innovative take on alt pop, but her husky vocals take centre stage each time. Nothing but Thieves are due to release their second album, Broken Machine, this Friday, and judging by the material they've let us in on during the build up, their sophomore LP promises to be special. I've loved the band ever since their debut album (which I'm pretty sure I reviewed on here back in the day) - they produce effortlessly catchy rock numbers, and Conor Mason always puts so much passion into each lyric. Their new music played a starring role at lots of the parties and get togethers I've went to this summer, so will serve as reminder of the fun times spent with my besties. Lastly, Black Bear by Andrew Belle isn't a new album, but the chilled sunny songs that it features means it has been on several summer playlists; past, present, and definitely future. The song Santa Fe is one that I've been listening to non-stop, but Pieces will probably remind me of this summer the most, as when I was in Rome I fell asleep listening to the album, and woke up to this beauty of a song. 

number five  um i met gaston from beauty and the beast 

I know I already mentioned this in one of my many Disney posts, but this one minute exchange was a sure highlight of the holiday, probably even my year. I hope the Disney cast members know how much joy they bring to the people that go. As you may know, Beauty and the Beast is one of my all-time favourite films, so meeting someone so in tune with the character of Gaston was bloomin' brilliant. He asked my why, according to my t-shirt, I was enchanted, and whether I could be an enchanted bookcase for all the autograph books he was given. I mean, just little comments like that, even with this sad little 18-year-old Disney fanatic, stay with you. So thanks Gaston guy, you wonderful human. 

This summer is definitely one I'm going to remember for years and years to come, made all the better by these classic small moments. If you fancy reading up on some of the biggest highlights of the holidays, be sure to check out my 'Summer in Photos' trilogy, my Week in Outfits: Holiday Edition, or maybe even my Nina Nesbitt Live Review (spoiler: I meet the queen herself). 

From, 

Eleanor