Summer 2014 Bucket List

(Photo credit: Pinterest)

This morning I had my final exam. I'm finally free from the pressure of exams and it is such an amazing feeling. I now have around 11 weeks holiday before I start year 12 and I'm determined that it's going to be a summer to remember.

I decided to write up a list of all the things I want to do before the colder days are upon us once more.

I've been mentally planning this list for the last few months. I'm a huge believer in having something to look forward to and the idea of an incredible summer was just what I needed as motivation to get me through my exams.

Learn how to use my camera to its full potential.

I want to read through lots of online guides for my Canon 1100d so I can learn as much as I can about it, which will help me to achieve the best photos possible.

Go to the cinema and watch all of the films I said I wanted to see during the previews last time.

Admit it. We all watch the previews before the film comes on in the cinema and say “I must go and see that” after at least 3 trailers. Well, this summer I’m determined that I am actually going to see them.

Spend a weekend in London watching West End shows.

I’ll put my hands up – I’m a huge musical theatre geek. I know every single word of the Wicked soundtrack and I spend half my life prancing around my garden pretending to be Billy Elliot. There really is nothing better than seeing a show in the west end. I’d love to down to London with my mum and see Les Mis, Wicked (again) and possibly even Billy Elliot again too.

Use an underwater camera.

I think I’ll get so much use out of an underwater camera during my holiday to Greece. The Mediterranean is just so clear – perfect underwater photography conditions. The photos would also be great for a blog post, don’t you think?

Go on a huge shopping trip with some fellow bloggers.

Back in April, I attended the #SE Bloggers Meet Up and I got to meet a whole load of lovely bloggers. I’ve kept in good contact with a fair few of them (if you attended the meet up and we haven’t been in touch, drop me a tweet or the likes so we can have a catch up!) and I’d love to meet up with them again for a bloggers girly shopping trip. I’m actually planning a Teen Bloggers Meet Up for the end of august in London, and we’re going to go on a shopping trip as well as as having a little picnic. If you fancy joining us, you can find all the information here.

Read as many books as possible.

Although reading is something that is really important to me, it has had to take a backseat whilst I complete my exams. During the summer I am going to have a whole load of free time that I can dedicate to reading and I am so excited about it. My goodreads “To Read” list is full to the brim of books I’d love to read and I’m planning on reviewing some of my favourites so keep an eye out. If you can think of any good summer reads you think I might enjoy, let me know!

Do the Warner Brothers Studio Tour.

Oh how desperate I am to go on this tour. I’ve wanted to go since it opened and I haven’t had a chance yet but fingers crossed this will be the summer I finally make it.

Go to an outdoor concert

This one is actually already booked. I’m off to London on July 6^th to see McBusted (along with the Backstreet Boys, The Vamps, Scouting for Girls and Diversity) in Hyde Park. I’m oh so very excited to see the boys again and I think it’s going to be an amazing day.

Try out lots of new recipes.

Cooking and baking are two things I really enjoy but haven’t really had a chance to explore that much recently. Fingers crossed, over the summer I’ll be able to really start making delicious things.

Get a Shakeaway milkshake.

Shakeaway milkshakes are heaven in a cup. I adore them. When I visit shakeaway, my milkshake of choice is a cadbury creme egg shake (large of course) with whipped cream on the top. Sadly though, there isn’t a Shakeaway store in my local area so I only get to enjoy one of their fabulous milkshakes a handful of times a year (if by any chance any of the important Shakeaway boss people happen to stumble across my blog for some bizarre reason, pretty please with a cherry on top, open a store in a Peterborough – I’ll love you forever). I do, however, have a list of Shakeaway store locations saved on my phone, so I never miss a chance to enjoy a shake. This summer, I’m determined I’m going to visit Shakeaway at least twice.

Go to lots of Car Boot Sales.

Summer is car boot season and I love it. I love having a good old rummage through the different stalls at a car boot sale (even if it does involve getting up early in order to get there before all the good stuff is gone).

Complete (at least) 5 pinterest inspired projects.

I have pinned far too many projects on my pinterest and I finally need to get round to actually doing them all, so I think a trip to Hobbycraft is in order to purchase all the necessary bits and bobs, and then I can get to it.

Channel my inner tourist

When I go down to London, I always head straight to the likes of Camden, Covent Garden and Oxford Street for a good old shopping expedition, but I’d love to spend the day channelling my inner tourist and visiting all the sites, (armed with my camera of course, to get some good snaps.)

Finish redecorating my room

My room is a work in progress and has been for a good two years now. All I have left to sort now is my wardrobe, bookcase and bedside table. I’m going for a shabby chic style, for my room, and I’ll make sure to write a room tour post, once it’s all finished, so you can all have a nosey.

Visit a selection of exhibitions at various museums

I actually really really enjoy visiting museums and going to different exhibitions; I find them so interesting. There’s a couple of exhibitions at various museums over the next few months that I’d particularly like to visit, such as the ‘Wedding Dresses 1775-2014’ exhibition at the V&A Museum.

Have a movie marathon

For what seems like forever, myself and one of my best friends Alice have been planning to have a whole load of movie marathons, and I’m determined that these will happen during the summer. Currently, we’re planning to have a Harry Potter marathon (although I very much doubt we’ll go the whole hog and sit for around 20 hours as sleep is very important to me so maybe we’ll do it in two sittings). We’re also planning a Channing Tatum marathon (with the likes of Magic Mike, Dear John, 21 Jump Street, Streetdance and The Vow being included of course) because what girl doesn’t want to sit and stare at him in all his gorgeousness for hours on end?

Get into a blogging schedule and stick to it.

Over the last few months my blogging schedule has been a bit all over the place because of exams and revision but I’m determined that I’m going to get back into the swing of things. I’m currently thinking Monday, Wednesday and Friday might work well.

Try to Instagram something everyday

I tend to not use my Instagram for anything other than sharing blog posts but I think it would be really nice to post a photo everyday to save the memories of all the amazing things I do this summer. If you fancy following me on Instagram, my username is Chloe_Bellamy1.

I'll be taking photos documenting each of my adventures, and posting regular updates here on my blog sharing my progress as I tick each of them off.

What are your hopes and plans for the summer?