Leading Ladies

While most people my age might think that Marks & Spencers is a sore filled with eye-sore jumpers and filled with clothes for cute, elderly grandmothers, I've realised for a few years now that this is simply not the case. They've been catering for shoppers who need new onesies and mobiles for their cots, and kids first shirt when going back to school, to the perfect winter coat for a working woman to wear from office to cocktails, and your grandma's favourite comfy slippers.

Their new campaign at the moment is one of the best and personal favourites that I've seen in a long time, which shows a cast of inspiring women from different walks of life. 

What I love most about this advert is that race, age, sexuality, occupation, and everything inbetween is irrelevant. Like they say in their tv spot, they are 'all women keeping the plate spinning, juggling children & jobs, and trying to do everything well...at the end of the day, we are all fundamentally very similar, even though we're pursuing different passions.

And that is just a brilliant message to put out there.

With beautiful and brilliant well-known women such as Darcey Bussell CBE, the former ballerina from the Royal Ballet, and is now retired to be a judge on the popular television show Strictly Come Dancing, and Nicola Adams who last summer was a champ and became the first female box ever to win a gold medal at the Olympics

Not only is it these women that we know and love, but with just as phenomanal women such as the Jasmine Whitbread, who is the CEO of the Save the Children charity and was previously the International Director of Oxfam, and Helen Allen, who was named Nurse of the Year 2011 and also involved with a charity, being the founder of PEPAIDS (Peer Education Programme Against AIDS).

Singer Laura Mvula, supermodel Karen Elson, writer Monica Ali and former creative director for US Vogue Grace Codding are amongst this ensemble of womnderwomen

 

The women who stand out for met though, are my favourites, singer Ellie Goulding and actor Helen Mirren, who I have sung praise about both before many times on this blog. 

As well as one of my favourite artists Tracey Emin, and the strong and superwoman that is Katie Piper. Having rebuilt her life after an acid attack 4 years ago, and always bringing focus onto the trials and tribulations of this horrible situation and its victims, she has now set up her own foundation to burn victims and people with other disfigurements. A woman who is truly beautiful inside and out. My admiration for how strong and positive she is, is endless.

It is women like this that make me want to push myself and strive for more in my life, and help others and thank those I care and love. They make me want to improve myself and everything about me and my life, constantly.

I feel so patriotic about this campaign as well. Feeling not only proud to be British, but also appreciative of the British high street and how much it actually offers us, wheich we may sometimes take for granted, especially with a long-standing British name such as Marks & Spencers.

sources: M&S

What do you think of this campaign? Who do you admire?

Also, if you follow me regularly, I've moved recently...to Sheffield! I'm studying here, doing a postgraduate Magazine Journalism course, and am absolutely falling in love with the city, and the people I've met on my course and that I'm living with have been so great. It's been so brilliant meeting new and lovely people, and so nice getting on with them so well. So if my blogging slows down a little bit at the moment, it'll be all the excitement getting in the way, but I'll be back on it when I've settled in some more!

Hope you're all well,

Speak soon,

A.x

Festival Festivities

During the past weekend, I slipped my wellies on, and spent it at V Festival.

The weekend was filled with music, drinks, party hats, bands I'd been dying to see and bands that i love, and was shared with friends who put out with my out-of-tune screaming along, and new people who jumped up and down incessantly with me in crowded seas of fans.

During the Saturday, it was my best friend's brother's birthday, and he turned 18! In my eyes, I still think of him of the 13 year old that used to open the door for me when i came around, and then scuttle off to play Xbox...and now, he's about to go to uni and a proper grown-up young man, and what better way to spend your 18th birthday, than at a festival :)

If you follow me on Instagram, I'm sure you would've been sick of all the videos and selfies I took. 

We were prepared for the forecast of torrential downpours of rain...

...but thankfully, the skies were forgiving and we only saw sights of a few raindrops, and after that Sunday was just sunshine and smiles!

With the sunny Sunday saying hello, I went to town on my festival outfit and went a bit mad with pastel power, and bright make-up ad socks to boot.

I am in love with these shorts, not only are they coloured in with pretty pastels, which i always have a soft spot for, but each panel is a different colour! 

Music plays a massive part in my life, and I don't understand how music couldn't mean something to you, so when live music is around, I'm just in my element. It's not even if the band is amazing, or if they're interaction with the crowd makes you feel connected, which 99% of the time, both of these are true, but most of all, what i love the most, is the atmosphere. There's just something about being with a crowd of people, even if you are squished like sardines, you forget all about that fact because you're with people who all have the same passion as you for the act you're there to watch, and singing your heart out along with them, and jumping like crazy kangaroos.

Lissie and Seasick Steve are both artists that i really like, but know limited amount of their songs, but one of Lissie's song, is one of my favourite songs, go and Youtube 'When I'm Alone' by her, and I guarantee you won't regret it :)  Despite not knowing a lot of their songs at all though, I thoroughly enjoyed their sets, more than I expected, they are both such talented artists, that are amazing and charismatic live, and definitely made me want to go and check out more of their work.

Lissie @ V Festival 2013

Ellie Goulding and Kings of Leon are both acts that I've seen live before, and were absolutely blown away by, and seeing them again, I once again was lost for words (and also lost my voice due to all the screaming!). One of the things that really impressed my was Ellie's passion and energy, and as strange as it sounds, Kings of Leon's visuals were just stunning. You know those big screens they have so everyone at the back can see? Well, they didn't just have them showing the band playing, but they had edited them to go along with and fit in with the the vibe of the song they were playing, and the lights of the show were just as good.

Kings of Leon @ V Festival 2013

Ellie Goulding @ V Festival 2013

Two Door Cinema Club is a band that I love, and have been DYING to go see live for years, but fate just intervined and our paths never crossed, however, I finally saw them, and they were the energetic and exciting band that I was hoping for and more.

Two Door Cinema Club @ V Festival 2013

The Vaccines and The Script are both bands, whose songs I enjoy and sing along to, but have never paid all that much attention to. Well, that all changed at V. The Script had such amazing interaction with the crowd and just seemed so humble and excited to be playing, and really got everyone involved with the brilliant live set they were playing. And The Vaccines just made all the songs that I love, come alive on stage.

The Vaccines @ V Festival 2013

The Script @ V Festival 2013

But the main attraction, and the main reason why I was so excited for V this year was for the Queen herself.

Beyonce.

Beyonce @ V Festival 2013

Despite her coming on stage late, I still lost my goddamn mind, and after wanting to see her for so long, it wasn't just a live set, it was an experience.

I read  a blog post not that long ago from The Man Repeller, and I completely agree with what she said. It's not until you see her in action do you see her  passion, her drive, her gratefulness, how humble she is, and what a showman she is.

Beyonce @ V Festival 2013

She was fierce during 'Run The World', danced her bootylicious booty off to 'Crazy In Love', belted her lungs out during 'Halo', got the crowd going and singing along with 'Irreplacable', and of course, got everything turning their hands back and forth during 'Single Ladies'.

Did you go to V this year? Who was your favourite act? Have you been to any other festivals?

Hope you're all well, and have a brilliant Bank Holiday if you're in the UK!

Speak soon,

A.x

Getting in the festival spirit

I love festivals. Being a big music lover, the thought of being at the same place, at the same time with others who share the same love and appreciation of an artist, while we all jump around hysterically and shout along until our voices are hoarse, well, it sounds perfect to me.

Although I've been camping at festivals before, and I loved it, nowadays, I much prefer my own comfy, clean bed. That's why this year, I'll be heading to V Festival in the day, and be in my jammies at home at night. Being cheaper and a close car ride to where I live, it made sense really!

The artists I'm most looking forward to see include the bootylicisous goddess Beyonce, long-time rock god favourites, Kings of Leon, the happy and infectiously catchy Two Door Cinema Club and the sultry and beautiful Jessie Ware. Other favourites of mine I can't wait to sing along to are Basement Jaxx, McFly, Kendrick Lamar, Jason Mraz, Stereophonics and Ellie Goulding.

I've spoken about my love for Ellie Goudling's music before, but after recently following her on Instagram, I have been drooling over her style, especially the armor she puts on before she steps out on stage to face the crowd.

Looking jaw-droppingly gorgeous when she's been done up, she's just as stunning when she's giving it her all up on stage. 

With simple yet slick and quirky pieces on stage that give her the freedom to jump around in, I absolutely love her style of mixing seductive straps and sheer panels, and playful polka dots and hearts.

The thing I love most about live performances is the atmosphere, no words can describe how euphoric it is, and one of the things I admire most about Ellie is the passion she has while performing, which just makes the atmosphere and the crowd even more electric.

Let's hope this glorious weather stays and I don't get drenched in rain once again

(and hopefully I don't pull this awful face anymore!)

What do you think of Ellie's style and music? Are you off to any festivals this summer? 

Hope you're all well,
Speak soon,
A.x

Please don't stop the music...

As i mentioned in a previous post, i have re-discovered my love for Ellie Goulding and cannot stop listening to her, and i thought there's quite a few artists i have like that, where i can just listen to their music over and over and not get fed up with it, and still find it as exciting and fresh as i did the first time i heard it.

At the moment, both of Ellie Goulding's albums are in that category. Her first album, Lights, holds so many good memories for me. It reminds of of a special person that i shared a lot of memories and experiences with, at a very special time in m life., so it kind of hits that reminiscent spot in my heart. I just love her use of beats, it's very clever , and i think her voice is just hauntingly angelic. Her lyrics are beautiful and she is absolutely amazing live,there’s so much passion and energy. My constant favourites of hers are 'Lights', 'Guns and Horses', 'Believe Me', 'Your Biggest Mistake' and 'Under the Sheets', which was the first song i heard off her that my brother showed me, so always has a special spot in my heart.

'Figure 8' and 'Only You' are also making me abuse the repeat button...

 

Another relatively new album that I’ve been loving, and has made me dig out the their earlier stuff, is Two Door Cinema Club. Their music just has so much energy in them and I just can’t get enough of the horns in anthemic song, ‘Sun’. 'Something Good Can Work' was the first thing I heard off them years ago, and till this day I still can’t help but jump madly along to it. 'What You Know' and 'I Can Talk' are my personal favourites from their 1^st album, but the whole of 'Tourist History' is a fantastic listen.

There are also some artists that have been away for a break, but are returning back on the scene, with all guns blazing, and I’ve been digging out their old albums…

I don't think i can describe in words how much i love Justin Timberlake and how much Futuresex/Lovesounds dominated my adolescence. His butter-soft, smooth voice, those dance moves, and I just can’t resist a man in spiffing suit…  

 'Suit and Tie' featuring Jay-Z is so catchy and infectious, but I’ve got to admit, was a bit of a grower, but now, I can’t wait to see the video and hear what treasures his new album holds! From the past, i love the beat in 'Summer Love’, the lyrics and darkness of ‘Losing My Way’, the fun nature of ‘Senorita’. ‘Cry Me A River’ is painfully beautiful, and along with the pure seduction of ‘Sexyback’ and the brilliant ‘My Love’, the are my all-time favourites that I haven’t and don’t think I’ll ever get sick of.

Along with these oldies but goodies, there’s also been some fresh additions to my music library that has different and exciting to listen. Grimes is one that whenever I’ve heard her stuff in the past I’ve loved it and had that thought in my head that I desperately need to hear more of their stuff! But never caught the name of the artist. When I finally got round to getting her album, I just couldn’t stop playing it. Her music is so refreshing to hear amongst all the music that’s around in the charts, and is so ethereal, sounding like something a nymph would produce. 'Oblivion', ‘Be A Body’, 'Vowels = Space and Time' and 'Infinite Love Without Fulfilment' are my personal favourites, so if I had to recommend any songs from her, I’d definitely say go and check this ones out.

Neon Bunny is a Korean artist that my housemate (who is obsessed with k-pop) introduced to me, and I just love the fun nature of her songs which just makes me think of bubbles floating and crossing paths with a rainbow.

 

I may be the least gangster person in the world, but I love Kanye West’s songs and honestly think he is one of the most creative artists out there, especially when it comes to videos. The way he tells stories via his lyrics, his clever use of beats and merging different genres of music. He has songs that just make me want to hit the dancefloor (Stronger), ones that make me want to put my shades on and have a drive in the sun (Good Time), and ones that are just masterpieces (Dark Fantasy).

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Graduation are some of my favourite albums ever, with 'Slow Jamz', 'Through The Wire', 'Never Let Me Down', 'Power', 'Runaway' and 'Homecoming' having a special spot in my music library.

Two bands that I’m really looking forward to see what 2013 has in store for them are Alt-J and Bastille. Alt-J are just brilliant, the rawness of the songs and voices, they’re filled with passion and pure emotion. 

Bastille’s melodies are so fun and so cleverly done, i'd go check out 'Flaws', i love the bit of the song that goes up in scale when it gets to the chorus! and I am obsessed with their rendition of Rhythm is a Dancer and it have been put on repeat more than I think is normal…

 

These are the artists who are on my most played list at the moment, are you a fan of any of them?

Are there any new songs or artists you’ve been loving at the moment? Leave a comment below as I always love finding new music!

I love music and it’s a large part of my life, but do you like these posts about music?

Hope you're all well,
Speak soon,
A.x

You show the lights that stop me...

As i mentioned in a previous, soppy blog post, i recently went out to dinner for one of my friend's birthday, and a new, snazzy, sale find of mine made an appearance.

I got this with a giftcard i received for Christmas, and it was on sale, so double bonus! 

I don't usually buy heavily-embellished clothing like this as i sometimes find that it can be a bit too much, but i just fell in love with this. It reminds of Arabian nights, an Indian sari, and looks like it could have been plucked out of Princess Jasmine's wardrobe.

Top: Miss.Selfridge, Trousers: Laura Ashley, Shoes: Miss.KG

Since it's so flashy, i just teamed it with some black, skinny trousers and nude heels, and fuchsia lips to boot.

I love how the flowers dance with a shimmer and sparkle when you move, and i thought it was very similar to another purchase i made recently, that's completely different...

I finally found and got some fairy lights for my room at uni, and i love them! 

They just make bed-time so much more pretty and dreamy.

They have little clear and golden crystals intertwined within one another, twisting like branches on a tree, and light from the bounces off them and just makes me feel like I'm in a wonderland when I'm reading my book at night.

 I think they are so fitting along with my top, reminiscent of a lantern.

I got the lights from a seller called primrose & plum on notonthehighstreet.com, which if you haven't had a look at before, i would highly recommend, especially for unique and customized gifts. It's kind of like Etsy, and all the stuff I've bought from there before I've been happy as larry about, and i always go and have a gander on there if I'm struggling for a gift.

Along with this sparkling theme of a blog post, as the title suggests, i cannot stop listening to Ellie Goulding at the moment. I've loved her from the very beginning, since the first time m brother played me "Under the Sheets". She's one of those artists that i never get sick of her music, no matter how much i've listened to it already. I always go back and listen to her 'Lights' and i love it just as much and it still feels just as exciting as the first time i heard it. Her new album in amazing too, it's a bit deeper and darker in some ways, but when it came out, i was hooked and just made me re-listen to her whole back-catalogue again. And she's made me want to add some pink in my hair for a while now, but let's see where that's gonna go...

Hope you're all well,
Speak soon,
A.x