Valentino Red Autumn / Winter '12

Valentino Red. OMG. 

There are two ways to look at life - Chuck Klosterman

Fashion Fix #47 - Jeffrey Campbell Love

I bought my very first pair of Jeffrey Campbell's last week after spending years of obsessing about them online. Gross. Below is a selection of my favourite pairs.

London Fashion Week AW 12 Highlights - Meadham Kirchhoff

Meadham Kirchhoff autumn / winter '12 collection. Wow. Just wow. Colour palette, texture, combinations, shoes, badges. In love. 

Photo credit: Vogue UK

London Fashion Week AW 12 Highlights - House of Holland & Moschino Cheap and Chic

My London Fashion Week AW12 highlights for Friday and Saturday clearly were House of Holland and Moschino Cheap and Chic, who made their LFW debut.

House of Holland shied away from the usually subdued and boring black colour palette for winter and stayed true to their fun and frivolous colour pop principles. I like. 

Moschino Cheap and Chic presented a bubblegum dream of demure perfection. I want it all!

Photo credits from London Fashion Week and Vogue Online.

Social Experiment

Social experiment went terribly wrong. Social experiment has to be aborted methinks. Not fun. A few things to remark and share on this wonderful Valentine’s Day. Here an approximate recollection of events as they unfolded. I have slightly edited the conversation to present only highlights and not the full horror.

 Me: Hi I’m Linda.

Him: You’re not from here? (Terrible scrunched up face)

Five minutes of awkward conversation.

Me: So you know I really like so and so band and this rapper dude.

Him: I’m really into Morrocan trance fusion right now!

Me: ?!?

Five minutes of silence.

Him: You don’t like gaps in the conversation do you?

Me: Hmmm no not really.

Him: Yeah, I can tell…

Me: So what have you learned from love? (One of his songs is called ‘Learned from Love’ – thought it’s a valid questions FYI)

Him: Why the fuck would I tell you?

Me: (Looking at nearest exit and contemplating walking out but instead I say “Oh dear I didn’t wanna offend you, I actually would like to know”) The fucker rude-trumped me and I was so baffled that I took on the part of subdued quiet girl. YIKES.

Him: Rolling his eyes.

Me: So do you have a plan B, like something you want to do other than music?

Him: If I had a plan B I would never follow through with plan A, you know you are not really validating my reality here.

Me: (thinking *Shit this is not getting any better, but I felt glued to my chair paralysed by being rude-trumped by this dude with a top knot*)

Five minutes of agitated apologising about nothing on my part, trying to get this conversation back on track.

Him: You know this is funny. Usually I don’t hang out with people like you.

Me: Ohhh okay.

Finally it’s over and I can go home. Awkward hug and deep breather ensues.

Him: He then sends me a text at half past midnight saying: “It was nice to meet you. Good and insightful chat. Don’t worry about yourself:) Sorry if I was a bit moody.”

Me: WTF?

Fashion Fix #46

Woop Woop fashion fix is back. I want it all. But especially the gold cross heels below. Fierceness.

He broke my heart in January…

Okay I have been listening to too much Drake. The angry songs. Cringe. There are a few things that need to be addressed. I had hope, then I lost hope, then I thought fuck it, life’s too short. Or as Drake would say YOLO.

So first, thanks KJ for screwing up my January. It all started so beautifully, until that certain Friday 13th. Not nice my friend, not nice. And don’t call twice and text to then make the same mistake again.

Second, due to stunning Scandinavians screwing with my brains, I started this social experiment to go on dates with anyone. Really anyone. Even fat and ugly guys who like Coldplay. Okay maybe not guys who like Coldplay. That’s just one step too far.

Anyway, February is looking good so far. I proceeded to ask out anyone, and people are fine with that. It’s strange. The more you expect rejection, the less you get it. However, there are a few things I have learnt in the process.

Boys are flaky, so you have to be persistent, but not suffocating.

When boys do that ‘secret boy eye talk’ with each other it either means, he just wants you for one night or he thinks you're future wifey material. I have to work on distinguishing the two.

That ‘secret boy eye talk’ is really obvious by the way! Just saying. And one night is simply not good enough. Just saying part two.

There’s a fine line between flirty and fanatic. Wander on the less intense side.

Once you’re on a roll, you might as well ask guys out for your friends. Sharing is caring!

However, if it gets really bad, click here.

Love you and if you want to volunteer for a February date, click here!

Perfume Genius Interview

Ace interview I did with Perfume Genius for Think-Work-Play.

Perfume Genius, the alter ego of Mike Hadreas hop, skipped and jumped onto the scene in 2010 with his excellent solo album 'Learning'. Now back with his follow-up album 'Put Your Back N 2 It', not so much an ode to Ice Cube, but an album that sees Seattle native Hadreas as equally sorrowful as the late Kurt Cobain and similarly, as sombre as Alice in Chains. The often provocative Northwestern boy, combines haunting, minimal instrumentation with lyrics of heartache, alienation, whilst spotlighting the occasional tale of 'hookerism' and gay suicide in the process. The Guardian once called his style 'not chillwave, but ill-wave' and the description fits pretty perfectly. We’ve asked Perfume Genius some questions, and as you'd expect they are anything but dull…

Think-Work-Play: What have you learned since releasing your last album ‘Learning’?

Perfume Genius: That my problems aren't unique to me alone.

Who are your top three musical influencers?

Bob Dylan, Otis Redding & PJ Harvey.

If you could have written one song, which one would it be and why?

These are so hard! Maybe "Ride" by Ciara. That would be pretty badass.

Because you’re called Perfume Genius: Music-wise what’s the most ingenious thing you have recently accomplished / done?

Oh Lord! Well, I am pretty proud of the "Hood" video and that I stuck by my ideas.

What does success smell like?

Weird & Kewl

What’s your favourite smell?

Leather

What constitutes genius?

I have no idea.

Describe your world today in one word.

Open

Can you take a photo of what’s right in front of you now and send it to us?

My Xena action figure on the windowsill.

Where are we most likely to find you on a Friday night?

Binge eating on the couch.

What do you like most about what you do?

The opportunity to be compassionate and tender about experiences I struggle with accepting in my daily life.

Where do you spend your time “thinking, working and playing”?

Everywhere but my phone. I hate my fucking future phone.

- THINK: where do you come up with your ideas, is there a special place or do random places spring up best ideas - examples?

Usually any situation where I am brought outside of myself a bit. When I actually stop and listen.

- WORK: where is your studio, or work place?

This filthy apartment I live in with my graveyard of empty diet cokes.

- PLAY: unwind, party – do you have a favourite place?

The Eating Couch.

What are the most important qualities in a musician?

Balancing belief in your ideas without becoming indulgent DOES THAT EVEN MAKE SENSE?

Finally, you’re an icon of the unconventional and daring, tell us something really boring about yourself….

I have had to pee during this entire interview.

Put Your Back N 2 It is out on Matador Records on February 21st.

Cruisin' for a Bruisin'

Sometimes, just sometimes, it gives me enormous pleasure to listen to sad songs sung by solitary guys. Here are a couple of my favourites right now. Happy days.

Better late than never.

Hello blog lovers long time without a post. I apologise. I’ve missed you. Some words on some things I’ve learned last year. I know it’s nearly the end of January, but hey HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

It’s not about opinion, it’s about perspective.

I really really like Drake. 

The Hunger Games. Epic.

It’s not that you are necessarily too complicated. He might be too simple.

If you really don’t want it, you’ll always get it and if you really want it, you won’t.

In some cases absence makes the heart grow fonder, in other cases absence makes the heart realise there’s nothing to grow fond of. That’s a good thing, too.

Sometimes you just gotta jump straight in without thinking about it too long. Fuck it, life’s too short.

A good cry can sort you right out. But a good laugh is way better. Especially with the right people. 

Toast Post

You know the feeling when you really want that slice of toast with jam, but you only have one piece of bread left and then you put it in the toaster and that damn thing burns? And then sets your fire alarm off. Yes, that’s my life right now. Metaphorically speaking.

So to cheer myself up, I like to look at pretty things. And I like sharing them, too.

Kreayshawn Interview

I was delighted to get the chance to interview the fierce Kreayshawn for Think-Work-Play - big joy!

Here’s female rapper and overall style icon Kreayshawn. Famed for her outlandish, cartoon-influenced videos and outspoken ways, the Oakland native released her first official video ‘Gucci Gucci’ on YouTube and got more than three million hits in three weeks, which in turn led to Columbia Records signing her on the spot.

Despite rolling with the big boys in hip-hop, Kreayshawn remains true to her punk roots and talks about her mum’s band Trash Women, why she loves shopping in London and what inspires her creative process.

Who are your biggest musical influences?

Spice Girls, Kool Keith, The Trash Women, Lady Dead, Eve, Missy Elliot, N.E.R.D, Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam and V-Nasty.

What’s the worst fashion decision you’ve made?

For a while I didn't have a full-length mirror at my house & I didn't know what I was wearing really. Then I would catch a glimpse in public in a window reflection sometimes and just shake my head like "damn how did I leave in this... I really need a mirror."

Describe the world today in one word?

Kray! *Kayne voice*

Gucci Mane or Cartier Kitten?

Well, I'd go with Gucci Mane because V-Nasty & Gucci just released their new album BAYTL and I bought it at Best Buy last night! SO excited. But, I love Cartier Kitten. Not just because I love kitties.

Can you take a photo of something in your room for us?

Here’s a pic of one of my two cats, Choppa snuggling in my bed.

What is feminism to you?

Feminism sounds very intense. I prefer the term "Girl Power". I don't know why I am associated with this question a lot. But, I get a lot of compliments on my role reversals in my music. That's just how I live my life. I was raised by a single mom and a lot of aunts so, I grew up around a very STRONG group of women that just love emasculating men.

What do you like most about what you do?

I like travelling all around even though I HATE airports. I also like giving my friends opportunities to do what they wanna do as well and travel with me!

Who’s your favourite person on Twitter?

@LL_FOOL_J

- THINK: where do you come up with your ideas, is there a special place or do random places spring up best ideas - examples?

Sometimes I do best alone in my room just chillin' and sometimes I will be at dinner and lines will just pop into my head or I will get a idea for a mini-show or a music video. Most of the time my little green tree helps me think too:)

- WORK: where is your studio, or work place?

When I lived in Oakland I was always recording at Nexxus it is like my home base for recording. Now that I'm in L.A I move around a lot to different studios.

- PLAY: unwind, party – do you have a favourite place?

All my favourite places are really in The Bay Area. I haven’t had much time to explore in L.A but, I love going to Japan Town, The Berkeley Marina, Downtown S.F to just lurk around, The 23rd Yards in Oakland, & WEST OAKLAND PARTIES!

What’s the best thing about London?

It was for sure Brick Lane. I loved shopping over there! So many cute stores with LOADS of 90's stuff!

What’s your favourite word?

BITCH.. just like Too $hort.

What your favourite sound?

LA LA LA!

Finally, you’re on top of your game right now; tell us something boring about yourself...

I wanna quit smoking for New Years.

The Best Songs of 2011

The best songs of 2011 according to me. Well worth a read. Just sayin'... Best albums of 2011 here. 

1.     Waters - For The One - I’m well into this.

2.     Drake – Headlines - SWAG.

3.     Bombay Bicycle Club – Shuffle - Like it. Good melodies and all that.

4.     Rihanna - We Found Love – So damn catchy… 

5.     Lonsdale Boys Club – Light Me Up – Superfan! 

6.     Various Cruelties – Great Unknown - Swoon. 

 7.     Kele  - What Did I Do - Didn't get it at first, then I loved it, happens to me a lot...

8.     Frank Ocean – Swim Good - Deep.

9.     Lykke Li – I Follow Rivers - Epic. 

10.   A$AP Rocky – Palace – Earfuck. Literally. 

Crush of the Week – Liam from Various Cruelties

Right now I’m crushing out on something/someone that I usually never ever crush out on. A proper Northern lad who plays guitar and writes songs in the vein of Oasis and Kasabian. WHAT.IS.HAPPENING.TO.ME?

I cannot help but like Various Cruelties frontman Liam, who combines just the right amount of lad, poet, geek, shy boy and (yikes) musician.

Crushworthy (mainly superficially) because

Voice

Style

Hair

Lyrics

Bad inward pointing teeth

Bottled up emotions that he can only express with music (eeeeek)

Comes up with great band names

That shy smile…