Monday 3 November 2014

Move on

You know when I said I wasn't gonna have massive gaps between posts anymore? Well, sorry. 
Anyway I thought I might try a new little take on the outfit post. As a general nosy person, I'm always interested in what people are listening to so I thought that along with my outfit I would share my top 3 songs of that week.

I recently refound my old umbro trainers. I have found them to be ridiculously comfy and have just the right amount of ugly to them.  God bless you, you old PE rejects.
Umbro trainers ft. my pale freckly legs

Painting by me

The video for the last song is just so so gorgeous that I have to put it in.

Monday 15 September 2014

Take A Chance On Me (Yourself)

First week back and lordy was it crazy. But amidst the grey haze of forgotten-to-do summer work and the shock of returning to the early morning people's world COOL THINGS have been happening! To start off with one of my art pieces was chosen to be part of an exhibition.
(my adoring fans)
It was a fabulous if somewhat surreal evening; seeing my own work on a white wall in a gallery surrounded by amazing young artists' work was truly humbling. Plus with free wine on offer who can really complain?

Next up was an evening spent listening to some incredible slam poetry. This is my second year attending a slam and it certainly didn't disappoint. The energy of a slam just can't be beat. The buzz of nervous yet excited energy courses through the air as another poet bravely takes to the microphone, a silence of held breaths blankets the audience. Thank god they make you holler and stamp your feet to support your favourite poets otherwise I'm pretty sure the audience would implode. And it was on this night where I met one of the strangest men I have ever met. He goes by the name Tekla, a poet, and whose thoughts tend to process at twice the speed of an average human. We ended up having a lengthy chat with him during the interval, ranging from how he made his own clothes to the youth of today to what poem he was going to do next. Unfortunately, as with every poetry slam, the best poet didn't win-Tekla had not made it to the final round. But as we turned the corner into the foyer we were greeted with his vivid blue ensemble once more and after assuring him that he was truly robbed, he asked if we wanted to hear his would have been last poem. We of course said yes. So after that and some talk of a Tekla book we hugged him goodbye. We walked out in a dazed state wondering if that evening had really just happened. When it finally dawned on us that it had we ran screaming down the harbourside and into the night.

So, what have these self indulgent stories of my life been building up to? If you guessed ABBA then well congratulations.

But WAIT! This isn't just any ABBA this is invaluable life advice ABBA! What these events have taught me is to take a chance. Imagine that the dulcet tones of ABBA is actually your soul singing to you. Take a chance on yourself! Take a chance on life! Put yourself up for things you don't think you'll get! Drink the free wine! Talk to the Teklas of the world! I watched an excellent documentary on Yayoi Kusama (who is a total babe if you didn't know). What really struck me was watching her work; straight onto canvas with acrylic paint, no sketches no nothing. I realised what a fearless way of working that was and how I don't do that enough in my art or in general life. I'm by nature a very cautious person and while this has probably saved me from dying a few times it simultaneously holds me back from gaining new experiences and having more stories to tell. 


To conclude, in the words of almighty Niké- JUST DO IT.


Monday 1 September 2014

Lonely Love




               
I made this playlist a while ago, let it be the soundtrack to your own tale of unrequited love.

                     Lonely Love by internet-thug on Grooveshark

Monday 25 August 2014

Faded lavender


This time is always a strange time of year. Summer is breathing its last breaths and that cool autumn wind is slowly curling around our ankles. However, I do enjoy these strange inbetween days. Little rituals of winter start to return; jackets reappear from the back of wardrobes, old receipts and tickets are found in coat pockets, even putting on tights feels like a whole new venture. But we're not at that winter coat stage yet (though who knows I do live in England.) we still have these last moments before the start of a new school year (or back to work for those of you who are proper humans.) I'll be going into my last year of sixth form which is rather bittersweet, but more and more I feel a yearning for independence, new experiences and, above all, to find out what kind of person I am around people who don't know me. But, before all of that we've still got this chunk of summer. Enjoy it.

(P.S. for anyone who cares the shirt and jacket are charity shop finds, my skirt is H&M  and my shoes are from Paris darlinggggggg)

Wednesday 20 August 2014

Paris, what happened?

Hello. Sorry for the long time no post thing that's been happening. I've been doing cool things like eating ungodly swathes of dairy milk oreo chocolate and sitting in various parks hoping to catch a slight glimpse of some British sun. I also went to Paris. This is my photo series from then; if you want to look at more things I make, I have an art blog- http://annadymond.tumblr.com  Enjoy.





Saturday 19 July 2014

Poetry Corner-Phil Kaye


I thought today I'd introduce you to one of my favourite spoken word poets -Phil Kaye. If you have an affinity for spoken word, poetry or just words in general then, trust me, you need to know this guy's poetry.
I first found him through going on a Button Poetry binge and watching his incredible performance of his poem "Hip Hop Lullaby"; you can tell immediately through Kaye's lyricism and natural rhythm that he's a natural born poet. Unsurprisingly he's won a few accolades for his performance; such as being the two time recipient of the National Poetry College Slam award - the only person to receive the award twice. He's performed in venues all around the world, coached in schools and even taught poetry workshops in maximum security prisons; so an all round pretty cool guy.
A collage I made using lyrics from Kaye's poem "Repetition"

Most recently Kaye been part of a series with Button Poetry called "Poetry Observed" which I have really been enjoying. It showcases an array of different spoken word poets, performing away from the stage, in quiet spaces in their environment, such as an abandoned playground scattered with crisp leaves or a small lane at the back of an apartment block, the walls adorned with graffiti. This poem "Repetition" shows off Kaye's sensitive word play and allows him to flaunt his rhythmic combinations-a guaranteed chill inducer.


Monday 9 June 2014

Tennis Vibes


Let me set the scene. A summer afternoon, a Topshop store, a pale girl, frenzied, searching through a sale rack, she stops, an emerald glow dawns across her face and finally out of the mishmash of strange plastic leopard print skirts (literally what) an asymmetric iridescent beauty is presented. Now wasn't that dramatic? But really I was pretty proud of myself as I did manage to nab the last of these skirts and surprisingly it was actually in my size. Topshop have a range of asymmetric designs at the moment which I am loving. Popping with bold emeralds, rich tartans and clean fresh whites, they give me super summery vibes. I paired it with a white shirt which makes me looks like some poser tennis player who just sits on the court eating orange slices (aspirations). It also reminds me of the huge beetles which seem to be everywhere at the moment, apparently they are called Rose Chafers for anyone who's interested. Fuck florals for summer it's all about the beetle aesthetic.



Saturday 31 May 2014

FLIP-The Grain


A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to nab a ticket to Printout Bristol organised by Mag Culture and Stack with the help of Bristol Independent Publishers. It was a glorious night of printed goodness, featuring a panel of editors creating born and bred Bristolian magazines. Featured was (from left to right) Daniel Humphry from Off Life a free bi-monthly magazine packed with beautiful and hilarious comics, Rachel Taylor from Another Escape, which describes itself as a 'creative exploration' it showcases inspiring individuals from around the world, Mike White from Boneshaker, a quarterly publication documenting the beautiful things that happen when people and bikes come together and finally Rosa Park from Cereal, a quarterly magazine about travel and lifestyle with a very minimalist style. I have ordered Volume 5 and I cannot wait to show you all this beautiful publication. 

The discussion about the printed world was insightful, ideas about magazines becoming less transient instead becoming collectable objects, more technical questions about distribution and printers and the the inevitable Is Print Dead? question. (which of course the answer the was no.) Unfortunately I wasn't quick enough to grab Volume 6 of Cereal (which was so new we were told to be careful as the glue was still drying) however I did manage to snatch an Off Life and this new magazine titled The Grain. I thought I'd do a quick flip through to show you all. I was really impressed, it features some interesting articles and some gorgeous photo sets, I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for Volume 2.

Sunday 25 May 2014

CRUSH-India Salvor Menuez


India Salvor Menuez is an artist, actress, model and all round total babe. A born and bred New Yorker, she resides in an apartment in the Chinatown neighbourhood of Manhattan which she shares with fellow Luck You Collective member Jack Shannon.  
As co-founder of the Luck You collective, India is undeniably cool. And seeing as this collective had its first show in 2008 when India was just 15 (*insert life re-evaluation here*) it's no wonder that she's such a fascinating young artist. She often collaborates with friend and fellow babe Petra Collins, this includes covering her naked body in coconut vodka jello for her performance entitled 'FREE BODY SHOTS' at the opening of Petra's group show 'Pussy Pat'. This performance was simultaneously a celebration for International Women's Day and to be quite honest I can't think of a better way to celebrate. India has also featured in the film 'Something In The Air' plus the video below (my new obsession) for Rita Liefhebber's  Spring/Summer 2014 collection. This video is beautifully created and intensifies my envy for all those who can whistle properly. Be prepared to fall in love with the captivating India Salvor Menuez.


Monday 7 April 2014

Don't save me

Although I'd heard their name kicking around for a while, for some reason I never thought to look Haim up. But with the start of the Easter holidays I suddenly remembered - Haim. I'm glad I did. The first song I heard of their's was "Don't Save Me" and from first listen I was hooked. They're a band that simply oozes cool- 3 sisters, hailing from LA, armed with guitars- ready to kill. Plus it's just nice to see female musicians being given some recognition, Haim are signed to Roc Nation, topped BBC's sound of 2013 and won Best International Band at the NME awards this year. Their videos are a must-see too. (Anything with synchronised choreography in it just makes me happy.)



Tuesday 25 February 2014

Crawling back to you


I though I'd give you a round up of some of the best new music around (or soon to be around) at the moment. A lot of artists have put out some great fresh sounds for us to vaguely shake our bodies to. I have been playing AM by the Arctic Monkeys on repeat ever since 'Why Do You Only Call Me When You're High?" slinked its way on to the radio. The album won Best British Album at the Brits this year and you can certainly see why. This album will make you want to slick back your hair, shrug on a leather jacket and slink your way through the streets; feeling like possibly the coolest person ever.

In the new category there's Lakutis' new LP-Three Seashells. His last LP 'I'm In The Forest' is often heard blaring from my speakers, so I was waiting in anticipation for his newest offering. The LP is released on Himanshu Suri's label Greedhead. I have heard a couple of the tracks before-'Body Sceam' and 'Too Ill For The Law'; I have found that Lakutis' music is the kind that you don't love at first listen, but then somehow by the end of the night you've played the LP at least 10 times and now know all the words. He's released a video for the single 'Jesus Piece', featuring fake blood, animal heads and gold paint-oddly compelling.
Stream the LP here.


And finally in the nearly category Chromeo's newest delight 'White Women'. I cannot even put into words how freaking excited I am for this album. I managed to fall in love with Chromeo quite by accident; they were playing a gig near me and my sister was going so I bought a ticket on the door and I congratulate myself on that decision every time I hear some funky synth or a talk box put to great use. Seriously SEE THESE PEOPLE LIVE. You will not regret it. The atmosphere is fantastic- everyone strutting out their best moves; in fact one guy managed to clamber on to the stage and dance his way out of the security guards' grasps (he was later rugby tackled to the floor but you know). They've released some songs from the album on their soundcloud and have made a video to their single 'Come Alive'. If you're not dancing by the end of it someone must have removed your funk gene. 'White Women' will be released on May 12th, better practice your moves.



Saturday 8 February 2014

For the love of hats

Jumper-Homemade, Dress-H&M, Shoes-Primark, Hat-New Look


Fashion tip #357-Buying a hat will make any outfit look fancy.
I had also been an admirer of hats from afar, secretly envious of those who could just wear a hat so nonchalantly. I think that my envy stemmed from the fact that I could never just so blatantly wear something that was in no way necessary. You can't even play it off as a way of keeping warm. However, with the new year in full swing, I thought god dammit Anna. You're 16. If you want to wear a hat for nothing more than vanity's sake then just buy one already.
 So I did. This beauty came from New Look for a not unreasonable price; I also love the wide brim on it as it frames the face perfectly. So, my advice for you secret hat enviers is just do it, you may feel like a bit of a prick at first, but my my the world does look good from under this brim.