Miss Imani Izzi

Monday, Monday

2011-07-06T12:46:00.000-07:00

I have realised that my attempt to 'be good' and eat healthily has to start on a Monday. Some people can't get out of bed unless the minutes past the hour are a multiple of five, some people feel a stagnant underlying pressure to arrange their socks in pristine sets of 5, but personally, my OCD-esque necessity lies in not being able to start any diet or healthy eating plan on any day other than a Monday. Why? Well, it's pretty logical. Monday is the start of the week, thus lending itself to a 'clean slate'. After a long and stressful week punctuated with comfort eating, snacking, food on the go, the odd meal out - the calories soon add up. Then comes the weekend. Well, you can't start your diet on the weekend, can you? The only two days given to us by society to have some form of freedom, to do as we please, we should be able to let our hair down and have the odd treat. Which brings us back to the only valid option, I'll start again on Monday.

The problem is, as much as your intentions are ablaze with grim determination come Monday, by Wednesday night you are sat rocking back and forth in a darkened room having withdrawal sweats from the wine and chocolate you have forgone, and by Friday you've broken free from your dietary reins in a disillusioned frenzy and are eating cake…with your hands…out of the bin. Don't try to deny it, depriving oneself of the joys of life - i.e. everything that is bad for us - usually has alarming and uncontrollable effects, resulting in a hefty backlash and a binge session so severe that even the dog starts to look tasty.

I've tried to be bold several times and go against the grain, aiming to start my 'Jennie-Be-Good' eating regime on a Tuesday or a Friday, but to no avail, as my inherent excuse generator continually reminds me that it would be a far better option to start this torturous process on a Monday. When you think about it though, as if Mondays aren't bad enough. Monday is proven to be the absolute worst day of the week and on top of that you are taking away all the naughty foods that satisfy you in your darkest hour. You may as well go the whole hog and blow torch my Sex and the City boxiest while you're at it. Realistically, the whole concept of going on a diet that cuts out every food and drink that I enjoy is never going to last very long, but I'm good at perseverance, even if it does last two days a week.

Writing: Nutrition Rocks

2011-05-08T12:54:00.001-07:00

In the time I've taken out from blogging, I've done a few writing ventures - one of which was being Editor of Nutrition Rocks for a short while. In that time I wrote a column, 'Confessions of a Real Girl' where I spoke about issues all women face to do with food, eating and weight.

Here is the first one I did.

WARNING: Boyfriend May Cause Bloating

I've been told countless times that being in love is a fast and effective way to lose weight. Your eyes meet across a crowded room, you feel a lustrous mythical aura envelope your person and in under thirty seconds you've chucked the gigantic slab of cake you were rapidly devouring in your lunch break over your shoulder. No more food is necessary from this point on. You have found love and love is your fuel. As much as the sudden ability to survive off little more than air in the first stages of blissful adoration seems magical, it is thought that chemical secretions in the brain cause appetite suppression when we meet that special someone. Pleasure doused neurotransmitter, Dopamine, is often released during the wistful process of euphoric fancy, and one effect of this joyous chemical is a diminishing desire to eat. Lucky us.

However, this turn of events and resulting brain chemistry can prove troublesome, as it's right about now that you tend to get asked out for dinner. As if having a surging feeling of trepidation in your stomach (otherwise known as infatuation) wasn't enough to put you off your food, you now have the added pressure of avoiding food in teeth, food on face and a plethora of other terrifying possibilities encountered at the dinner table. This often results in a strategic thought process to pick the 'easiest' meal on the menu and a consequent none-eating of said meal. Involuntarily starving yourself for the first few weeks of a new relationship gives you a slimmer waist line and helps your boyfriend to validate the stereotype that women don't eat, which of course we all know isn't the case on a solitary Friday night when the only thing stopping you from opening another tub of ice cream is the walk to the freezer.

Of course, time goes by and you leave the flurry of infatuation, returning to your usual eating habits. However, for some reason you now experience an ability to match the appetite of your boyfriend. You cook a romantic meal for your man, and whereas a few weeks ago you'd give him a considerably larger portion than yourself, your inherent greed returns with a vengeance and you are stood staring at both plates thinking you want more. Before you know it you're armed with a bib and a fork ready to lock horns in a feasting battle. The jump from no appetite to eating everything within your peripheral vision is a result of comfort, which doesn't quite hit you until you realise you've put on two stone and strangers are offering you their seat on the bus. Enter a state of bleakness and despair. If possible, it is a state to be avoided because with it brings lowered self-esteem and often a series of non-effective crash diets to try and banish your newly formed love lumps. A simple 'head over heart' approach to eating is needed here. Realisation of the cause of your primary lowered appetite, acceptance of its return, portion control and the knowledge that men are built to consume more calories are all helpful in the art of striking a balance between love-sick starvation and contented consumption.

Bella Towse

2011-05-08T12:31:00.000-07:00

Bella Towse is a London based illustrator and Visual Planner at Pearlfisher - where I have done quite a bit of work experience, researching trend insights. Bella also did a gorgeous illustration (love heart above) for one of my column articles for Nutrition Rocks. I love Bella's style. She uses layers, colour and composition to create really inventive constructions that are both exciting and abstract. There are more illustrations on her website - showing her drawing skills as well as mixed media like the pieces above.

Sia

2010-08-12T02:59:00.000-07:00

I never blogged about the fact I went to see Sia at Roundhouse in May. She was absolutely out of this world - I love her so so much. And I got the best news EVER last week - because I get to interview her!! WAHHH.

Ministry of Sound

2010-08-05T02:46:00.000-07:00

I have started writing for the Ministry of Sound Blog - my first post was a review of Example's album. READ IT.

The Creators Project: Mark Ronson

2010-06-10T12:34:00.000-07:00

Intel and Vice have joined forces to bring you The Creators Project - a "new network dedicated to the celebration of creativity and culture across media, and around the world."

I'm going to show you their piece on the audio God that is Mark Ronson. We all know how innovative and totally mind-blowingly sick Mark Ronson's music is. His arrangements shake up conventions and implement the vast archive of genres (especially hip hop) Ronson has fallen in love with in his career, bringing something totally fresh and energised, bursting with complex technical musical genius. He is a trend setter from every angle. The video below gives you a bit of insight into his creative history, his collaborations with talents such as Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse and his new album. He is also chatting about how he's done a viral video to promote Circuit Breaker - which is a totally off the chain - pacman-equse sitch. He's also talking philosophically about the Twitter epidemic.. he's a seriously cool and interesting guy. You can also click HERE to read his interview for the project site.

krystle warren.

2010-04-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

I came across Krystle Warren when I was watching the amazingness that is BBC4 - it was a show of various artists singing songs from The Great American Song Book - it was seriously supreme. Krystle Warren has the kind of shocking vocal tone that Tracy Chapman has. It is mind blowingly luscious - I got very very excited about it. Rich velvet and soulful - and the way Warren performs is out of this world - I could watch every song a thousand times, the pure enjoyment and pleasure from singing is totally evident. The video above is Krystle singing Eleanor Rigby - IT'S AMAZING. Check it out.

brainer magazine.

2010-04-27T05:52:00.000-07:00

In other news - I have started writing for a really sick new online arts and music magazine that really looks deeply into creative culture and brings you the hottest there is. I just did a review of Sharon & The Dap Kings' new album, 'I Learned The Hard Way' - if you like the sound of 60s motown and soul then you should definitely give them a listen. You can read my review here.

Vice Photo Blog.

2010-04-27T05:40:00.001-07:00

I have now added a link on my blog roll to the Vice Photo Blog - at the moment they've got some really hot fashion snaps up there from the Gucci pop up shop opening, with some lush celebs, so have a look by clicking here.

If you don't read Vice then I would advise it - not just because I am part of the VBN.

If you're feeling a little bored or pooped one day and want to either laugh at the misfortune of others, or just be amused by the hilarity of Vice contributors (for example, the fat Jew) then I heavily recommend Vice's Dos and Don'ts. Since adding Vice's Dos and Don'ts into my monthly regime, I have felt enriched and fulfilled and really suggest you do the same.

I'm pretty bored today. I haven't been blogging for a while because I am now deeply in love with a boy and it's taking up my time - and my brain space. I've also been working on something cool to do with ice-cream. This afternoon I am ringing the Soho renowned events wizard, Sara Blonstein, to interview her, which will be fun. Aside from that - keep looking at the new bands featured on Hit The Floor - because I will be putting some up soon.

pokemon Exhibition - Nintendo/Vice.

2010-03-16T03:58:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love Pokemon? No one. So thank the Lord that Nintendo are releasing their newest Pokemon game for DS. BOOM. With Vice being the on-the-pulse-creative Gods that they are, they've decided to commission 7 artists to create Pokemon inspired pieces for an exhibition that will be held at Blackall Studios from 24th to 31st March. The artists they've asked are seriously cool and also have a style that translates well into the virtual, colossal world of Pokemon. Amongst them is Jon Burgerman (pic to the left) who I blogged about back in July.

The launch of the exhibition on the 24th is going to be out of this world - with Nintendo demos for guests, food from the world of Pokemon (the mind boggles), drinks and DJ sets you won't want to miss, including Filthy Dukes, Friendly Fires and Real Gold. Unless you are a spy/offshoot for the Vice network like me - you cannot get into this beastly event, UNLESS you enter their competition - so go to the SITE to check out the really cool Pokemon themed art and enter!

my website.

2010-03-16T03:48:00.001-07:00

Last week I made a website as a reference point for my writing 'services'. Because I do a bit of freelancing and would like to do more, I thought it was logical to get www.jenniferjaconelli.co.uk up and running - so people can read a bit about me and my qualifications, and some examples of my writing.

If you are interested in looking at an incredibly simplistic iWeb effort - click here.

i've broken myself.

2010-03-04T09:46:00.000-08:00

Hi. I've fractured my wrist - MAYBE - they're not sure. Either way, I have to wear this bad boy for 2 weeks till my next x-ray. Naturally I opted for the Italian flag as my cast design. I think it looks pretty sharp....

Andrei Robu.

2010-02-18T14:51:00.001-08:00

I have blogged about graphic designer, Andrei Robu before. I really love his typography and design work - so I look on his site quite a bit. Just wanted to share this logo design. Simplistic, effective, smooth yet bold, powerful, clever and distinctive. I love it.

H.O.H. T.Shirts.

2010-02-18T14:04:00.000-08:00

I absolutely love these Henry Holland T-Shirts (click on the hyperlink to look at more). There are various abbreviations of phrases he uses (I know this, because I follow him on Twitter) - examples: C.T.F.O (Chill The F**k Out), D.F.W (Down For Whatever), K.M.T (Kiss My Teeth).

He's taken our generations textual lingo culture to a new level! I love them.

VBS Berlin Bunkers.

2010-02-15T08:23:00.000-08:00

Listen In:

Berlin.

Vice/VBS have just been in Berlin, filming underground bunkers from the Cold-War era. Alongside them was New York artist, Peter Sutherland, photo documenting what was seen, as part of the Uneven Terrain project with Palladium Boots. As the film and the photography demonstrates, the project was exploring abandoned spaces that the Cold War left behind. Along their journey, they spoke to past soldiers who documented the arcane feel to the city in the war, due to spies and governmental agencies.

On their travels, they burrowed under the fragmented spherical domes at Teufelsberg, and studied the bunkers of Berlin to search for remnants of the battle.

"We're putting on our boots and climbing through the city's spy labyrinths, into the buildings that housed the hidden world of military espionage."

These beautiful images don't only communicate the desolate and broken result of war, and the remains of mystery, dishonesty and corruption. They convey beauty through frailty, form and fragments. Finding beauty in these 'found' objects is symptomatic of past artistic movements, such as Arte Povera.

Through these images, Sutherland has captured the darkness of war and the fragility of its aftermath.

2010-02-03T09:06:00.001-08:00

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Jamie Scott.

2010-02-03T01:58:00.000-08:00

Next up in my search for hidden singers with the first name 'Jamie' - where is Jamie Scott? I love his music. And his face. I didn't love it when he was a cheating sleaze in 'Step Up' but I can't really hold that against him. I remember when this song came out about 6 years ago - I'd just past my driving test and I went out for my first drive on my own. Obviously, to try and be cool, I had my music quite loud (including this song and Estelle 1980... another brilliant song!) Anyway, I saw a good looking guy and nearly crashed into a lorry because I lost concentration. You'll be assured in the knowledge that now, at 23 years of age, I am much better at multi tasking.

Age Ain't Nothing But a Number.

2010-01-30T05:15:00.000-08:00

I was reading The Guardian this morning and came across this brilliant article about a 70 year old DJ - Mamy Rock (a.k.a. Ruth Flowers) - who is becoming a Euro sensation on the decks. She's apparently hoping to take her DJ-ing back to the UK - as at the moment she's relatively unknown here. So watch out for her rocking out at Ministry of Sound! I'm blogging about this to show that if you have talent and passion for something - nothing can restrict you. I think what she's doing is inspirational to older people who've lost their confidence to follow their dreams. Read the article - I've hyperlinked it above (image from The Guardian).

where has jamie lidell gone?

2010-01-30T02:53:00.000-08:00

I love Jamie Lidell. I know it hasn't been that long since he last released - but even his last record was quite under the radar for someone who I think is brilliance personified (although he did win the best pop/rock album in the Independent Music Awards for his last album, JIM). His voice is like rapturous husky velvet - entwining through his soulful melodies and funk inspired pop sounds. He's just amazing. I can't handle it. I haven't heard this Lenny Kravitz/Otis Redding/ridiculously good style anywhere else in current music. So come on Jamie - release something immediately, if not sooner. and stop dancing like you do in Little Bit of Feel Good x

Jen's Spotify Playlist of Amazingness

2010-01-28T13:40:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I thought it would be a lovely idea to share an incredibly Spotify playlist with the readers of Hit The Floor. It consists of horrendously amazing 80s music - lightly punctuated with a few 70s beasts and some borderline 1990 tracks. As I said in my article - Where I come from, there used to be a late night radio show on the local radio station, called 'The Wind Down Zone' - that's right people - The Wind Down Zone. So - as I articulated - I used to frequently 'wind down' to the soothing tones of 80s power ballads. -- During the day they didn't disappoint either, with a vast plethora of 80s classics. It really was quite something - and has shaped my adult music taste. Or at least one section of it. So link on the hyperlink up above - and you can access the play list and have some fun with arguably the most amazing songs on earth. You can also have a look at Hit The Floor - watch out for some cool interviews I'm doing in the near future. Peace Out.

Buying Luxury Fashion in the Recession (2009).

2010-01-26T07:01:00.000-08:00

Throughout the summer months, I slaved away completing a research project for my Masters, which looked into how people justify buying (debatably) unnecessary luxury fashion brands in the recession.

Since the credit crunch cast an unwelcome cloud over our spending, we’ve all had to cut back in one way or another. Some of us have vowed to ration our cocktail consumption; others have forgone their summer break. A wide number of leisure sectors have noted an inevitable decrease in sales; however the luxury fashion industry has experienced sustained and even rising profits since the recession hit.

The power of the fashion world is globally palpable, and this is a continuously increasing entity. A prime example comes from the online luxury fashion store Net-a-Porter, which has doubled in size annually since it opened in 2000. It has been seen that 2009, arguably the lowest trough of this recession, has kept on trend. According to the BrandZ Top 100 most valuable global brands, fashion labels Hermes, Gucci and Rolex are still experiencing brand value growth in double figures. Other reports show that Burberry has seen an increase of 12% in sales of the first quarter of this financial year and Mulberry’s sales are up 21%. The discrepancy here is obvious. Our purse strings are being forcibly tightened due to the current economic climate; however the purse that these strings are attached to is a brand new patent Miu Miu.

I studied vast amounts of literature that outlined possible motivations to buy luxury brands. Generally these fitted into three categories: individual motivations (including purchasing for pleasure and hedonism and purchasing to communicate one’s character), functional motivations (including purchasing for higher quality and uniqueness) and social motivations (purchasing for ostentatious reasons). From carrying out detailed research in the luxury fashion industry and consumer views, I predicted that both individual and functional motivations would be considerably more powerful than social motivations in the credit crunch as buying overtly flashy and expensive fashion goods is now being deemed ‘distasteful’.

I surveyed over a hundred people across twenty two countries, all of whom still regularly purchase luxury fashion brands. My results were as expected. Functional dimensions were found to be key motivations to purchase luxury fashion brands in the recession, with high quality being the most prominent motive, and the ‘individual’ motivation of buying for hedonistic reasons was still present. It appears that buying luxury fashion brands to be showy and ostentatious have been banished, with people caring less about what others think. The current design and marketing activities of concerned brands mirrors my findings, by enhancing functional and individual/experiential benefits and deleting anything pretentious.

My study infers that the meaning of luxury now holds a utilitarian definition of high quality and value, getting better produce for your money, which would validate why people are still purchasing luxury fashion brands in the recession. However, perusing the ever-busy Selfridges last week started to get me thinking. As much as it may be true that luxury fashion brands use better fabrics with more flattering cuts, is this really the reason we buy them? No one would admit to purchasing something because of how it made others view them, or because wearing an expensive brand communicated something positive about them, but I’m speculative that our love of buying designer labels has much more to do with a deluxe desire and the connotations of pricey fashion labels. I think people may be justifying their spending by saying it’s due to high quality and durability, but personally I think we buy designer for what it means, and our ‘rational’ justifications are to diminish the guilt we feel every time we dismissively pin up our gas bill, reach for our gorgeous-couldn’t-live-without Burberry trench and make a sharp exit.

dirty diana.

2010-01-24T08:23:00.000-08:00

I'm going out for a snapping sesh with my photo buddy Chrissy and so I have decided to invest in a Diana. As much as I love my SLR I want to get a bit more lo-fi and vintage. It's meant to have some pretty cool effects from the light exposure and general poor quality of the camera. I want to capture some virgin suicide type shots --- and no I don't mean photographing a load of virgins with their heads in ovens --- I love the airy dazed look in that film. Anyway - I shall post the results when I'm done.

In other news -- I'm listening to these today:

wanna party?

2010-01-23T13:42:00.001-08:00

Look what I bought! This is a House of Holland collaboration with Pretty Polly - which I'm sure you're aware of. Love all the tights in this range but these are just AMAZE!!!

I got them off ASOS - alongside a few other gems. Quite ironic really - as I'm barely leaving the house at the moment. So not really partying - but when I do they will make an appearance! I love the playful nature of these HoH's designs - I can completely see why my BFF Darren is in love with Henry Holland ;-)

prim. winter 2010.

2010-01-22T13:43:00.000-08:00

Prim Magazine Winter 2010 Preview

prim. is now a quarterly publication - and the Winter 2010 issue is available to purchase online and in a range of stores worldwide from 30th Jan. The London stockists are:

Drury News (Drury Lane)

Newsmart (Drury Lane)

Williams (Tottenham Court Road)

Newsstand (Marlborough Street)

Capital News (Tottenham Court Road)

West One News (Foley Street)

Goodge News (Goodge Street)

Patkins (Rathbone Place)

Rippons (Dean Street)

Wardour News (Wardour Street)

Good News (Berwick Street)

Regent News (Beak Street)

Marshall News (Marshall Street)

Rococo (Elgin Crescent)

Camden News (Camden High Street)

Charlotte Street News (Charlotte Street)

Rivington News (Rivington Street)

Diptesh (Leonard Street)

Keshwani (Regents Park Road)

Above is a preview of the issue - with 150 (half) of the pages - including half of my interview with New York fashion label, Vena Cava on page 135.

true city iphone app

2010-01-22T04:21:00.000-08:00

As you can see on my side bar - I am now part of the Vice Blogging Network - which I'm very very pleased about! So - I thought I'd tell you about a cool collaboration Vice are doing with Nike - an i-Phone app called 'True City'. The app provides a unique and continuous urban guide to six European cities (London, Paris, Berlin, Milan, Amsterdam, and Barcelona), with suggestions on the latest venues, events and product launches sourced by Vice and Nike city insiders who are very much on the pulse of what and where's hot. The app utilises revolutionary i-Phone technology providing geo-tagged content in a real-time environment - making the app current and progressive.

The app also provides the additional benefit of social interaction and the chance to upload your own content. There is even the possibility of becoming a Nike insider yourself if your your cultural tidbits of the city's happenings impress the True City community. This app is a great opportunity for trend setters to communicate hidden treasures found in the multitude of possibilities that these six buzzing cities hold. So if you have an i-Phone and want knowledge on the latest additions to the ever increasing world of popular culture - download the app for free and help make the hidden visible. For information on the app, watch the video below.

HIT THE FLOOR MAGAZINE

2010-01-21T13:34:00.000-08:00

Sadly, Vexed has now closed - but Chris, Kiff and I are starting a new site called Hit The Floor which will be launching very soon! We'll be getting some great features and interviews up from the offset - so stay tuned!!

Become A Fan On Facebook

Fat Freddy's Drop.

2010-01-19T09:20:00.000-08:00

I'm on an interviewing beast at the moment for a new site called Hit The Floor (coming soon...) and I have just done an email interview with the sax player (Chopper Reedz) from the incredible Fat Freddy's Drop... they use that wah wah pedal like it's a porno. I seriously love their amalgamation of reggae, soul, jazz, sex and general amazingness. I first got into FFD about 2 years ago through a boy I liked. I find that I learn a lot about music and new bands through boys - sometimes it's all they're good for! When I publish the interview I'll put up the link. Get excited. I know I am.

Carrie Bradshaw: My most important person of the noughties.

2010-01-15T17:08:00.001-08:00

By the time the new millennium approached, I’d been watching the American sitcom, ‘Sex and the City’ for a year. It was such a fresh concept for television, something that finally displayed the somewhat guilty pleasures and aspirations of women. They covered topics we only divulge with our inner circle, they liberated us by being honest, outspoken and completely outrageous. Carrie Bradshaw, the focal character of Sex and the City, spearheaded all possible connotations of the show.

First and foremost, she was at the forefront of decedent fashion – resulting in a cultish frenzy amongst women globally. Suddenly, Manolo Blahnik, Dolce & Gabbana and a plethora of other designer labels became intensely desired. It’s not Carrie’s expensive taste that makes me view her as imperative to this decade (although this could explain the state of the economy if people have taken heed); it is her ability to be individual through her style. Carrie Bradshaw was always herself and always original in the clothes she wore, giving confidence to others to do the same. Fashion is about creativity and self expression; and as a character she gave inspiration to all and communicated the liberty of being yourself.

As is evident in the show’s title, another regular topic covered was sex. Sex, love and relationships. The show accurately pinpointed the new wave of the decade: the end of romance. Instead of wining and dining and wooing, we’d entered an age of nailing and bailing. Sexual freedom reached a new stratum in the noughties, and although I don’t personally feel that this is something to be celebrated, the show tackled a common occurrence in society. I always admired Carrie’s desire to fall in all-consuming, powerfully infinite love. Her quest to find Mr. Right was both amusing and relatable. It was a comfort to know that all women go through woes with their romantic life – and although her decisions may not always be wise or advisable to follow, it was reassuring to know that even the most luxurious of women have the same problems.

Carrie Bradshaw is also an apt symbol of female independence. Living alone, having a lucrative career and being a strong single female. She has been a positive role model (minus the smoking, casual sex and shoe addiction) for women – to demonstrate that you can go it alone and be successful. Female independence has progressed greatly throughout the noughties with an increase of single mums, career women and a consequent decrease in ‘needing’ a man. One of the most memorable quotes for me was in the last ever episode, “the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself.” I find this a realisation, as I know I often forget the merit of autonomy.

Carrie Bradshaw has become an iconic character of the decade. She has been a virtual companion, experiencing the things that all women go through, giving comfort and a sense of light hearted humour to all who watched her. Finally, women have their own MOTD, their own Top Gear – in the form of lustful gratification, designer labels, the beauty of independence and a cosmopolitan to wash it all down with. Watching the show was a welcomed escapism, taking women to their wildest fantisies of the high life yet holding morals that were universally applicable. Carrie Bradshaw not only brought refuge and reassurance to women, she also aided the show to cover everything in relevance in the noughties. Through this decade she has entertained, supported and been absolutely fabulous till the end.

Oh lord, won't you buy me some Louise goldins?

2010-01-12T15:37:00.001-08:00

Oh Lord, won't you buy me some Louise Goldins. My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,So OH LORD, won't you buy me some Lousie Goldins?! (PLEASE)

Wah Nails.

2010-01-12T14:17:00.000-08:00

I came across WAH Magazine on Twitter, and saw they do nails... WAH Nails... amazing nails!!!! Honestly, I've never seen anything quite like them! They are so incredibly gorgeous and I can't believe they can do such intricate details on such small surfaces. These girls are so so talented!! I am going to go as a birthday treat to myself, definitely. I'll get leopard without a shadow of a doubt.

Toro Y Moi.

2010-01-12T13:35:00.000-08:00

This guy has been deemed 'one to watch' for 2010 and I completely agree. He's amazing. Toro Y Moi A.K.A. Chaz Bundick is lead singer of 'The Heist and The Accomplice' but is currently doing this solo project - which consists of two records that will be released this year, the first being released in February. His style is symptomatic of Daft Punk, with obvious influences of mellow 70s tunes. I love it. I've been asked to do something on him so I shall inform when it is published.

Thierry Blancpain.

2010-01-12T13:29:00.001-08:00

Nice new Swiss graphic designer - Thierry Blancpain - caught my eye recently. Very edgey, nice fonts and I love his layouts. Raw and real - very 'Skins' in my eyes - I really like that urbanised visual layout format. If that makes sense. I've included the two images above because I think that it shows his diversity of style. NICE.

Glee.

2010-01-12T13:25:00.000-08:00

I just had to do a post about how much I enjoyed Glee last night. I watched the pilot ep when it was on - and enjoyed it even more last night. It's the type of thing I could watch all day every day - it's absolutely hilarious with great songs. Me and my bff are obsessed and there's enough eye candy to go round too!

happy 2010!

2010-01-05T12:45:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!

I hope you are all (...if anyone reads this?) suitably rotund after all of the festivities. I know I am.

I recently had two articles published with Se7en Magazine - one about the past year in music and one about acts to look out for in 2010

I purposefully picked acts that hadn't really been covered by the more established publications. I'm very excited about Jessica Cornish (Jessie J) and Julian Perretta for 2010, especially.

Looking at what the big guns have said - I am excited too. Daisy Dares You is absolutely brilliant and I urge you to have a listen:

Arturo Sandoval.

2009-12-14T13:02:00.000-08:00

Since I've had a bit of a gap from playing my sax, I haven't listened to a lot of jazz. On a youtube sesh I searched for Arturo Sandoval - my band leader was a trumpet player so he always used to tell us about Sandoval. He is an amazing trumpeter - smooth and amazing tone, fast and brilliant improvisation. Love the rhythm in this song - we used to play it in my uni jazz band. WATCH IT.

Well done richard wright.

2009-12-12T03:49:00.000-08:00

I went to the Tate Britain in November to see the shortlist exhibition for the Turner prize. As much as it is an incredible accolate - I'm always scepical of the content of prospective Turner Prize entries. I am not impressed by a shit on a brick, or other likened specimins - as in my opinion, they are not art. I did really enjoy going round the exhibition and I thought all of the artits had grasped something worthy and inspiring - especially after watching the broadcast video from each artits - discussing their motives.

I should have blogged at the time - because then it wouldn't look like I'm lying - but I really DID think Richard Wright should win. I am very interested in textural art - whether it be visual or to the touch. I am also very interested in the idea of fragments and delicacy - which is why I loved Wright's beautifully intricate paintings and hidden placements, in the crevices of infrastructure. I am also a big fan of gold and think that using a medium such as gold leaf really adds to the precious yet fragile nature of his work.

I had written a bit about my trip for a cultural initiative that is starting up in 2010 - so I may as well copy and paste that blurb:

This week I went to the Tate Britain to see the exhibition of the 4 artists shortlisted for the 2009 Turner Prize. Each artist had a distinctive style and interesting meaning behind their work. There was everything from copper sulphate to a shark’s skeleton included in the pieces. Each artist dealt with many materials in truly innovative ways and it was great to look at. My favourite artist was Richard Wright. He creates beautifully intricate geometric wall paintings that often only last the duration of the exhibition, as they are painted directly onto the permanent architecture of the gallery. I like the fact that his work is temporary as it adds to the fragility of these discreet, almost hidden paintings.

As you can tell - I'm a big fan of the term 'beautifully intricate'. I'm not sorry. It shows that art doesn't have to be elaborate and crass to be appreciated. I love the temporary feel to it, as it makes it more precious and I love his general theory behind his work: "There's already too much stuff in the world. And it buys you a kind of freedom. Not having [paintings] come back to haunt you is a kind of liberation. You make something, and a month later it is gone." (taken from The Guardian).

alberto seveso.

2009-11-25T04:02:00.000-08:00

When I saw Frankmusik's album art, I was really intrigued with the gorgeously original illustrations. Looking on an illustration site the other day, I found who did it - Alberto Seveso.

Reading about him, I found out that he has never studied anything related to graphic design or illustration. I find this really interesting because recently I've been thinking about whether creative talent can be learnt or whether it's innate. Obviously this is proof that you have to have it in you - because his work is not only amazing, but truly inspiring and unique.

He merges black and white photos with beautifully abstracted illustrations - a method called 'sperming'.. I love the way that it almost looks like the body's internals are exposed, showcasing a series of beautiful curves and shapes embodying a plethora of possibilities: organs, bones, veins, flowers, etc. Each human figure is injected with an imaginative burst of visually compelling forms to create something incredibly fresh and I haven't seen anything like this before! Gorgeous! Forza Alberto!

Se7en Magazine.

2009-11-18T13:53:00.001-08:00

I am very excited to be writing some articles for Se7en Magazine. I really love this publication and it's linked to some really good causes. My first article was concerning the influx of edgy and unique female recording artists Britain has birthed this year. My second article was on the fact that I'm starting to like Jedward... *shudder* and possible theories (psychologically based) as to why that may be the case. Cos it certainly isn't down to their jubliant raw talents, is it!!

Rob Brandon.

2009-10-10T04:28:00.001-07:00

I am writing this post because my friend Rob is about to move to Austria for 6 months to work with Red Bull. He is a music-video-maker, a short-film-creater and an extremely talented person (with good dancing skills thrown in). You HAVE to look at his website -- you can see his brilliant videos here and read his blog. I wish all music videos could look like his - so intricate and creative and thoughtful and clever!

He blogged about this video below yesterday. It's some "unofficial visuals i whipped up for the track 'Hot chick' by Uffie on Ed Banger." I LOVE IT. The way he's used shapes, pulsing, colour, text and the placement of all of these elements on the screen is so completely brilliant. I have a big interest on how you can merge your senses - similar to when I posted about Non Fortmat doing a visual representation of a Nas rap -- this is the same. He's captured what he's heard and turned it into the most vibrant and compelling aesthetic version.

Good luck in Austria, Rob!!! Have a brilliant time and let me know when I'm visiting xxx.

Uffie- Hot Chick (Glitch Remix) from Rob Brandon on Vimeo.

Jessie J.

2009-09-24T10:30:00.000-07:00

Jessie J is absolutely A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. She has supported the likes of Jools Holland and Macy Gray and now she is signed to Universal. Shes outstanding, I can't stress this enough. Her voice is one of my top. Her songs are fantastic and what I love most is that she brings something totally different to the table. Her soulful influences come through to give her such a powerful vibe - she could be jazz, she could be soul, she could be r&b - to be fair she could be anything she wanted. She's worked so hard at getting to where she is - which is commendable but also a little frustrating to see when there's so many people with zero talent waltzing through and getting signed. Jessie J has enough star quality to light up London - keep an eye out for her.

Frankmusik @ G-A-Y 8th August

2009-09-24T10:11:00.000-07:00

I was extremely excited to go and hear Frankmusik play at G-A-Y a few Saturdays ago. Everybody loved him, and he had great stage presence. It's always nice when you hear an artist live and it's hard to decipher differences between their live and recorded performance. It seems quite a rarity that singers can actually sing. His vocal range is out of this world and he has a real energy when performing that infects everyone watching him. I remember watching a t4 music show last year with Frankmusik and La Roux, and the presenter awarded La Roux the accolade of 'one to watch' - and although I love what La Roux does, I was very much attracted to Frankmusik. I think his songs are the perfect combination of past present and future. There's obvious synth influences and he gets inspiration from past bands (take, for example, the melodic resemblance to The Stranglers' Golden Brown on his track When You're Around -- my favourite track of the album). With this overt 80s inspiration, Frankmusik catapults his sound to the cutting edge, he's a truly innovative and exciting artist.

I'm very passionate about the talent and potential of this artist - which is why I have to say these next four words: Tim Chester you're vile.

I am all for everyone having their own opinion - but this little sub-human idiot is just unnecessary. Even if you despised a record, there is no way that enough venom could be sparked up in you to create a review of such hatred, so I have to come to the conclusion that this person has a large chip on his shoulder and a tiny penis. I'm not entirely sure why nme allowed this review to be published, but all I can say is that it takes great talent to acknowledge the greatness of retrospective melodies and turn it into something completely original and current. Unfortunately that review was nothing more than the outbreak of an extremely inadequate failed musician.

In conclusion - Frankmusik - keep doing what you're doing - everybody loved you that night and I hope to see you again in the future. ALSO - the album illustration for Frankmusiks' stuff is out of this world - I shall do a blog on the person who did it.

Writing.

2009-09-24T08:40:00.000-07:00

Hola. Do you like the pic? It's ME - I seem to have been borderline ginger as a child.. you'd never believe it now! Since finishing my MA I have been doing as much writing as I can - reviewing for Vexed and starting to write some articles that I am enjoying so very much at Canvas - my first published was one on a company specialising in obscure ice cream flavours - hence my picture. ALSO - prim. Magazine is officially available to purchase in print from about 50 stores in London - so I got a copy obviously. It is a major buzz seeing my first article in print!!

Also - I started a poetry blog but shut it down because I find the showcasing of my poetry too shameful to withstand - AND THEN I started a music blog (I'm blogging about music because I can't review unreleased material on Vexed... or at least I don't think I can) - but what I've decided to do is combine the two - so this blog will now cover more than illustration and typography - it will be more of a plethora of pop culture.

Could Be Me.

2009-09-13T13:56:00.000-07:00

Could Be Me is a project including many many artists --- "exploring possibility of one artist occupying another's space. It is a visual adventure and an interpretation of the same sentence by different artists worldwide."

How interesting is this - looking at different artists styles on the same statement - it's hard to compare artists, because they are often inspired by different things and basing their work on different topics and obviously using different mediums and techniques. Here, all of these artists are given the same concept and that's it - and the range is unbelieveable. It's interesting to get into their minds - their use of colour and form is especially interesting. Many have used a picture of a person to illustrate it could be me but it's actually paul paper - but what I find most interesting are the people who haven't done that - like the bottom image by Josh Murfitt - a note on a sofa. Very clinical, no trace of humanity, the note isn't even hand written. It's wonderful to try and think about what his reasoning behind this is.

Images in order of appearance: Alexander Binder, Andrea Shear, Cesar Brun and Josh Murfitt.

Hideki Inaba

2009-08-25T14:06:00.001-07:00

I came across the work of Hideki Inaba when looking at this DOTMOV 2009 film festival logo. Inaba lives and works in Tokyo as a designer and graphic artist. I really like this stuff - the use of colour is really bold, and there are some fluid works which are really cool as it's a great mix of that boldness, with softer textures. Nice illustrative compositions seen in the second image.

I like the DOTMOV logo because it's simple but really stimulating and abstracted. There are so many crap brand/service/event identities out there that are so dated and boring - so I get very excited when I see things like this.

Callum Nash.

2009-08-22T15:32:00.000-07:00

Hi. I don't want to do my dissertation anymore. This masters will be over in just over 2 weeks - and then I may start to feel like a normal human again.

Anyway - on a lighter note - this is the site design of a guy I know called Callum Nash. He does graphic design and also designs a lot of furniture and the types of cool things that go on Dragons Den (in my opinion..) Despite his efforts of invention and other impressive things - I am blogging about his type on his website. So yes - I guess he'd be rather PO'd but I don't care, as I personally think its cool and worth blogging about. SO. I think its really cool how the type is constructed of these little squares - its typography's answer to Lego. Really interesting and clever concept - like the design of the about me, portfolio buttons - and I think it's important to have things that compel at this primal level of the site interaction - as it makes people want to continue and explore! Lovely.

Vexed Magazine.

2009-08-14T14:47:00.000-07:00

I have just had my first two music reviews published at Vexed Magazine - it's such a cool digital publication that focuses mainly on music, please read it - it's a really cool mag. My first two reviews were for the new singles by Temposhark and French Horn Rebellion. Already I'm learning so many new bands and styles - it's really cool. If you keep looking you may see pics of me on it too.. as I was physically forced to take pics of myself with a sign saying I Love Vexed.. x

Design Museum. Take Two.

2009-08-14T14:04:00.000-07:00

It's disturbing me that it was a whole week ago that I visited the Design Museum.. how the time flies when you're doing your d.i.s.s.e.r.t.a.t.i.o.n.o.f.h.e.l.l. So - tonight I sit here, writing articles, using the soothing tones of D'Angelo as prozac and thinking - I want to go back to London where I can see cool things like the first ever issues of some of the coolest magazines around. Namely i-D and Dazed & Confused. I was so excited to see the exhibition of design through the decades - it was SO interesting. I'm going to write some of my memo pad listings down now - about these cool typographic magazines I saw. P.S. sorry for the ridiculous quality of these photos - the lighting was catching, I was using my Blackberry and I was doing it in super spy mode cos I could feel the people who worked there looking at me - so I thought I was doing something illegal... I later realised that I could have had a whopping 6ft SLR and tripod as long as it didn't have a flash.I'm such a div.

Typographica: The founder of this cool publication was Herbert Spencer. From what I could gather - this journal took typography from every day surroundings and mixed it with really cool layouts and concepts to just be incredible.. this was a quote on the board: "one of the most distinctive visual arts publications of the post war period." It's still the same now . Lush.

Octavo (8v0): another international journal of typography. Founded in 1984 by Mark Holt, Simon Johnson and Hamish Muir. I'm tired, so if you want to know more - read this article by legendary eye magazine.

"For a graphic artist, letters are like bricks for a builder. When I write, I don't write, I draw."

ken garland.

2009-08-12T03:27:00.000-07:00

A Manifesto - Ken Garland 1963 - Meeting of Society Of Industrial Arts:

We, the undersigned, are graphic designers, photographers and students who have been brought up in a world in which the techniques and apparatus of advertising have persistently been presented to us as the most lucrative, effective and desirable means of using our talents. We have been bombarded with publications devoted to this belief, applauding the world of those who have flogged their skill and imagination to sell such things as cat food, detergent [...] by far the greatest time and effort of those working in the ad industry are wasted on these trivial purposes, which contribute little or nothing to our national prosperity...

When I was at the Design Museum on Friday, I read this manifesto and it really made me think. Obviously there are brands and agencies that don't employ particularly creative individuals to design products, identities, packaging; but there are an awful lot of incredibly talented people doing what Ken Garland deems a waste of talent. Is it a waste of talent? Do people really notice and appreciate artistic ability communicated through detergent packs? Maybe not - but especially in agencies, with the cat food and other boring products, come more interesting projects that really allow creativity to relish (in my opinion). Also - what Mr. Garland doesn't quite seem to grasp, is that we have to survive and have a job - not everyone can succeed being a famous artist/designer/photographer - and I think the industry he casts down is a perfect opportunity to merge design ability and real life. But to be fair to the guy - it was written in 1963, and we have come a long way in terms of branding and the like since then. Anyway - it's certainly food for thought.

Design Museum.

2009-08-10T11:24:00.000-07:00

On Friday I went to the Design Museum - which I've been excited about for ages! This time the first exhibition was design through the decades - which I will blog about later, because I want to do some research on some really cool typography publications I've never heard of - which is EXCITING.

This exhibition was named 'Drawing Life' by Spanish artist Javier Mariscal. Mariscal got creative in his twenties - in the 1970s - when he moved to Barcelona, and started his career as an underground comic artist. From this, he experiemented in every realm of creativity, designing everything from furniture and interiors, to clothing and accessories. He's still crossing every confine and producing art through film, ceramics, performance and print in his large studio which reaches out to clients worldwide.

This exhibition was really something else. I love the Design Museum for the way the work is presented in such an elaborate and experiential format. This particular exhibition consists of 13 installations based on how Mariscal views the world. As you enter - you brush through a curtain of wires. The first passage is an explosion of hanging illustrations, mainly faces. I'm quite glad I went alone actually, because there was so much to see, I'm pretty sure I was walking round with my mouth wide open. There were merging of film and illustrated board installations, projections on walls, furniture and textured typographic presentations. It literally makes your brain buzz. My favourite section of the exhibition was Mariscal's animated film played to a Pretender's tune. It was played on small screens under board constructs, and I sat for ages watching it over and over whilst flicking through his sketch book. It was really quirky and witty and really full of life.

Chrissy en France.

2009-08-10T09:57:00.000-07:00

My friend Chrissy has just been to Paris with her boyfriend, and from seeing her photos - I've decided I'm in love with her. Her and her boyfriend are really into photography, and I seriously love these shots. There's so much going on, so much character. Love it.

Prim. Aug/Sep.

2009-08-04T15:15:00.000-07:00

prim. Magazine just keeps getting better and better - and I am so lucky to be able to write for them. This issue seriously excels itself - the layouts alone are out of this world. The shoots are so artistically driven and so compelling to look at - it helps you to think of fashion in different realms. There are some really brilliant features this issue. I wrote about Ventury's new couture furniture line, named Divine. It was so interesting to write. If you don't read prim. -- then start. It's brilliant.

Steven Wallis.

2009-08-04T03:31:00.000-07:00

Steven Wallis is a friend of my sisters (though I'm not name dropping!). He won Master Chef in 2007 - but had a background in fashion and branding/design. I have had the pleasure of sampling his culinary delights - he is G.O.O.D. Steven is currently taking a year to travel the world and experience gastronomy from many different cultures, I really hope he's having an amazing time. As well as reading his blog (which you should also read), I like to keep track of his travels by looking at the photos he posts on facebook. I absolutely love Steve's photos, because the one thing you can be sure of is that they will be bursting with colour - really bright and full and lavish. GLORIOUSLY luscious. Even in the foods he snaps (as you can see above). He posts a lot of photos, so it's almost like I'm going on the journey with him -- (while I sit in bed getting repetitive strain injury on this computer) -- the places he's been, I've never seen so much stunning infrastructure and brilliant opportunities for design influenced photography. Here are a few of my favourites, but they really don't represent how many great scenes he's captured.

facebook foto.

2009-08-01T09:26:00.001-07:00

If you say you don't facebook stalk - you are lying. We all do it --albeit it to varying extents. Because I am on course to become the world's greatest procrastination artist, I have been taking time to look at many photos of my fb friends - mainly those that come up in my mini feed. For some time now there have been photos that really catch my eye, and although I am quite clearly breaking some type of privacy policy here, but I thought I'd take a risk and show you some of my favourite photos I've seen on facebook.

Yvonne Niewerth.

2009-07-31T07:57:00.000-07:00

German graphic designer, Yvonne Niewerth was the topic of my most recent article for Chic Today. She's come up with the compelling concept of designing 30 different pudding packages for "every kind of pudding buyer" - - as you can see in the image directly above. As you will know if you read my article, this was done on the premise that we purchase in line with our identity, so by giving consumers a range of possible packaging designs, people are more able to express their image. Really interesting stuff, but I'm still unsure whether I think it would ever work - although it's obvious that I think package design is extremely important and more influential on purchases than we're ever conscious of.

Putting these psychological constructs aside, I did some research into Niewerth's design work, and I really love her stuff. On her portfolio, there's a lot of work on books - really nice type and design within books -- I mean I don't know what these books are about, because my German isn't great (embarrassing memory flooding back, from when I said "ich heisse Tiddles" in German class...incorrect translation obv). I love this layering that can be seen in the web page of the top image. I'm starting to see this more and more - a kind of creative way of showing various examples of work than can be manipulated around the page. I love it. I love her feminine style, with the layering (again), the watercolour-esque tones and blotched textures, and the lovely fine type. I'd say lady-like yet edgy. A style I really am drawn to - - and irrespective of whether I think that having copious amounts of choice in pudding pack aesthetics is a good idea, the designs themselves are brilliant. I've been giving it a great deal of thought.. and I THINK I'd pick the black and white on the second row... or the colourful block type situation next door (even though I'm slightly over that type, it looks SO cool) - - so I wonder what that says about me..

Hey.

2009-07-29T10:07:00.001-07:00

Heyyyy. I'm sure Hey Design is French? I'd seen their stuff on Typographic Posters, but saw more of their work on lookslikegooddesign. I like it. I like it a lot. Lovely illustrations, connecting and telling a story. I don't know what story.. but I always think that sequences conjoined or in a big interconnected web means that there is a story being told.. does that make sense? The top image is my fav. Great use of colour and I love the symmetry. That's all my brain will permit me to say.

In other news, I'm hoping to get an article published this week for Canvas Magazine which is EXCITING. Aside from that, my life is a dissertation hell -- that i sporadically punctuate with writing, blogging and wine. AND I've started knitting. It's a slippery slope.

Dripping in Chanel.

2009-07-22T03:16:00.000-07:00

This week, Ariston Anderson wrote an article for Cool Hunting about this lavish stunt. This painted Chanel logo was dripping off the Hong Kong flagship Armani store, by none other than ZEVS - - - as part of his 'Liquidated Logos' show in Hong Kong. Apparently it is to symbolise the war of brands. I'm going to back out of moral/intelligent discussion about the rights or wrongs of this - because my brain can't take it alongside the billion words I have to write for my literature review today. Basically, the reason I am blogging about this is because I think Zevs is very profound and worth talking about, when he does crazy stuff like this, getting fined hundreds of thousands of pounds to make his point, but more so because the Chanel logo is my favourite logo of all time, and always will be. When I got interviewed last summer to do work experience at Pearlfisher, I was asked what my favourite identity was and why. There was no doubt in my mind. CHANEL. Those two interlinking Cs, simple, classic, timeless. But SO much more than that. A logo is a representation of a brand, so I guess without what Coco Chanel created, the logo wouldn't mean the same thing to me. But this impacting logo denotes independence, style, elegance and and the beauty of simplicity.

As much as I'm sure Coco Chanel wouldn't like her logo dripping off and Armani wall, I just thought I'd blog to show what lengths some people to go for their art, and to show my love of Chanel.

Installation, 2007, Zurich.

Gotta get you into my life.

2009-07-21T03:34:00.000-07:00

Alexander McQueen - stop it.

Deubal.

2009-07-19T15:22:00.000-07:00

Tonight I've been watching a great film called Hors de Prix - or Priceless, featuring Audrey Tautou. I love this film, it's so incredibly chic. It denotes the height of decadence and the fashion is unreal. One thing that makes this film what it is, is the illustration on the credits. I found out tonight that it was designed by Stéphanie Lelong and Olivier Marquézy, of French creative agency Deubal. They have created some really lovely animated illustrations for both TV and film in France, they are all playful but really clever too.

I love the beautiful fine lines in this series of illustrations, and the fluid motion of everything interlinking. The flashes of colour against the monochrome backdrop is fabulous and it's just so elegant and so..French!

Scarborough.

2009-07-18T07:32:00.001-07:00

This isn't the most apt title I could have chosen for my post. Scarborough isn't an endless series of run down infrastructure. But that's where these photos were from. I don't know what my obsession is with shitty walls and peeling paint, but I just love it. These shots are pictures of pictures, because I haven't yet got a digital body for my SLR My friend Chrissy and I sometimes take our cameras and ponder around the town, trying to snap various examples of decay. She's quite into graffiti as well, but I'm more about the stuff you see above. Call me strange, but I just find it really beautiful.

Maggie Shaffer.

2009-07-17T13:46:00.000-07:00

I was thinking today - all I blog about is men men men, and it's just not on - women are meant to be the ones with the more active creative side of the brain - and there are many ladies out there with talent. SO I thought I'd showcase the illustrations of a friend of mine. I always stalk her for her illustrations she puts up on facebook, I love her stuff, she's very talented. I like the illustrated quote too, it's definately food for thought with regard to where creativity stems from in us.

Speaking of talented women - I'm listening to Suzanne Vega whilst I do my writing tonight. I forgot how great she was. Amazing. I have ridiculous music taste for a 22 year old. I love 80s - and I blame my local radio station who have a late night show called 'the wind down zone'. It's out of this world. I'm not ashamed.

Non Format.

2009-07-16T00:31:00.001-07:00

Non Format is an agency you have to give your respect to. Their work pushes every boundary in my mind, and it's obvious that they are imitated by many. Their typography is soooo progressive and innovative, I get really passionate about it. This example was for Fader Magazine. It's a "typographic interpretation of the lyrics for Where Are They Now by Nas." It attracted me not only on an aesthetic basis, but also because of the fact it was an interpretation of something auditory. It's really interesting to think that you can cross boundaries of your senses; showing something that you hear, through design.

Cam Diamond.

2009-07-16T00:05:00.000-07:00

True fact: I had an uncle called Diamond (I've linked in proof - - of course, he was an ice cream man). I like telling this story, as people always look at me like I must belong to some kind of mafia family.

Anyway, I was feeling very monochrome today - and although Cam Diamond does a lot more than black and white - I love these pieces. There's always something so impacting and bold about just using black and white - which has reminded me to also blog about some Non Format stuff I've seen. Cam Diamond's posters are nicely abstract, with illustrative type thats just gorgeous.

Cam Diamond is a designer for Lee and Wrangler, and runs a creative studio covering all mediums. It excites me when i read the studio runs from "illustration to installation" - - - it must be a seriously cool place.

Shoe Lust.

2009-07-14T03:22:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to dedicate a post to Henry Holland - Henry, I love your Pradas. Amaze.

Jon Burgerman.

2009-07-13T15:09:00.001-07:00

Today I was in Urban Outfitters, and after being unsuccessful with my try-ons, I waited on the sofa for my friend. Amongst the books was this - Pens are my Friends, by Jon Burgerman.

Inside was doodle upon doodle - really cool stuff, great use of colour and really comical and fantastical illustrations. Not my normal style, but I really enjoyed flicking through the pages of this little shiny scribble bible. When I went on his website, it told me that his book signing for this book was actually yesterday in NYC! What a coincidence!

I like the nature of doodles, especially from this brilliant illustrator, as he states inspiration can be found everywhere - this tells me that his work is extremely varied and he draws from all areas of life and his surroundings, which is very very cool - drawing a line from life to paper. He also does 3D work and animations which are equally as compelling, visually.

Here are Jon's tips on how to be a doodle wizard:

"Doodling is a hard master if you want to take it seriously, it’s a piece of pie if you just want to mess around though. Always sharpen your pencils and keep your desk tidy. Carrying a sketchbook with you at all times is useful, though you have to remember to draw in it once in a while".

Craig McDean.

2009-07-13T12:44:00.000-07:00

Craig McDean's photography blows my mind. British born fashion photographer. Previously featured in some of my favourite magazines (e.g. i-D, VOGUE). He has photographed for some of the best designers, and celebrities - some stunningly creative celebrity shoots (see above). Now McDean lives in New York and is represented by Art + Commerce.

I love the playful creativity McDean relays. His shots are so edgy and they compel you to look at every detail. Constantly thinking outside the box, in my opinion, he has the ability to convey motion, feeling and character through his work. Consequently making a statement that has a powerful meaning. FIERCE.

Nod Young.

2009-07-11T01:31:00.000-07:00

I found this set of Nod Young's illustrations on Flickr. This is the caption that was under the image immediately above:

I am a follower of Buddhism and believe that creativity can be derived from its teachings. This work is a typographic interpretation of two poems quoted from the original Zen classic, The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch, that dates back almost 1500 years ago. The poems teach us not to believe all that which exists, not even the reflection of ourselves in a mirror. The caveat is for us to teach ourselves to overcome the rules and boundaries of our existence in order to reach a state of Zen, unfettered by the perceived limitations of life.

I found this absolutely fascinating. I think it's vital to look to different countries, cultures and religions, because all have so many different things to give and different interpretations of the world and life. This year, doing my Masters, I have had the pleasure of meeting amazing people from all over the world, and it's taught me so much. I have a lot of Taiwanese friends, and it is obvious that their culture and religion is very different to mine personally. They are more relaxed and at peace, by no means submissive - but certainly more placid and serene than the Indian, Greek, British, Russian etc students. I have to say they are some of the nicest, kindest people I've ever met.

It's interesting to translate this culture into design. Nod Young states that it is hard to have complete creative freedom, because we're too concerned with aesthetics and meaning. Which really got me, because, of course, that's totally right. But I'm sat here struggling, because when I look at a piece of work, they are the two things I think about. I think that's totally natural, but this has really made me think about creativity as a more fluid concept. Maybe if I created something without thinking at all about how it looked, or why I was doing it, it could actually end up having more meaning than something calculated. I think this way of thinking can help really push the boundaries of creativity.

Simon Bent.

2009-07-10T14:00:00.001-07:00

Simon Bent, I like your style. I really really do love looking at this. This typography, named 'Hoax' is, and I quote, "an exploration of modern/western typeface". It's quite interesting to get the fine line of the type, with graphic additions, which add a boldness. The colours used here have a lot to do with my attraction. Really gorgeous use of colour - obviously fitting with the heart theme. As is evident, I'm driven by typography that really goes towards illustration, with intricate (a word I use a lot) detail. I love the O and the Q in the set - it's weird, but I almost feel like they are extra-circular. I find work like this very refreshing and original - I am getting really bored of blocked out type -- that in the strain of stencil etc. I did love it, but it's been used so many times, and it's really nice to see something pushing the boundaries in other directions.

FutureClaw Magazine.

2009-07-09T02:59:00.000-07:00

(Close up of above page.. GORGE textures!)

FutureClaw is a really cool mag, from Vermont - USA. What attracts me to this arts/culture/fashion publication, is it's apparent size. I know it's said that size doesn't matter - but come on - it helps. FutureClaw measures a hefty 12 x 15 inches (a normal fashion mag measures 8.5 x 11)and apparently contains pages of luscious glossy high quality paper (I wouldn't know, as I've only read the digital version). I love the concept of a broadsheet arts mag, as I feel it would very much add to the experience. As you can see by the pictures I've added, the layouts are really edgy, incorporating artistically driven shoots, with pages that are pure texture (my favourite). The content is very interesting and progressive.

Speaking of cool magazines, I am really enjoying my internship at Chic Today, I have so much to learn, but I am loving coming up with new ideas each week, and having direction on what I need to do to produce a catchy, well-written article. My second article got published this morning, which is on Le Whif - chocolate you inhale instead of eat!

Andrei Robu.

2009-07-08T13:35:00.000-07:00

Andrei Robu. Exceptional. Designer and Partner at Acme, design office in Bucharest, Romania (copied from his Twitter account.. I'm such a crafty stalker). When I came across the work of Andrei Robu, I was booowwwlllled over. What gorgeous work. His typography is playful and inventive. There's some stunning work with translucent overlapping colours on his site, like the example above - I recommend viewing it. The examples I selected to show you were.. surprisingly.. my favourite pieces. I could look at them forever - how serene, how delicate, how BRILLIANT. Beautiful use of colour, layering, composition and detail. Andrei - blow your cig on me, I'm yours.

(All images are from the artist's website, as always)

Jo Cecil. Queen of Hearts.

2009-07-06T03:04:00.000-07:00

My gorgeous friend Jo developed this set of photography for her final year exhibition when studying Performance Art at Central School of Speech and Drama. As well as developing the concept, she's also the model. Her work is inspired by Anna Gaskall - who I'd never heard of before, but her photography concentrates a lot on Alice in Wonderland, beautifully whimsical yet laced with a hint of sinister. I think photography like this is really special - because you have to have the talent to tell that story through a static image (but arguably all photography is trying to tell a story of some form).

Jo's work centres on The Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland. A character that wikipedia tells me is a "foul-tempered monarch" (look at Jo's eyes of venom in the second photo). The verdant, earthy toned landscape contrasts superbly against her bold monochrome form, like plucking the character from a cartoon and landing her in a forest. The hints of red against the blacks and whites are just so gorgeously feminine, but it’s still maintained that there is anger bellowing through (again, reference to the second image).

The element that I am most in love with is something I find hard to put into words. I felt it the first time I watched The Virgin Suicides, and I feel it with this – it’s a freshness that is mixed with something nostalgic and old. I think the lighting has a lot to do with it. I wish I knew how to describe it! I think these photographs are absolutely stunning.

Cornelia Parker.

2009-07-05T07:17:00.000-07:00

Cornelia Parker is one of my favourite artists. I am always fascinated by art that looks at fragments, separating them and bringing them back together. Her abstracted interpretations of the world create some mesmerising pieces, and I love the amount of texture you get from them.

My favourite is Cold Dark Matter: an Exploded View - here Parker put household items in a shed and got the army to blow it up.. and with the fragments left from the destruction, she created the piece; suspending the particles from the ceiling with see through wire. I think it's amazing, and the shadows cast over the room add so much to the visual experience.

I was looking through my old A-Level art books earlier, and saw pictures of my attempt at a bit of Cornelia Parker. In my home town there is a derelict zoo and amusement park. It is now filled with bits of decaying wood, metal and mesh, there are some quite beautiful things up there (if you like that sort of thing). Anyway, my method wasn't as drastic as that of Parker - I just put some bits in a shoe box and took a hammer to it. I then hung the little fragments off a light fixture and took some pictures. The quality isn't that good on these though.

Summer Time.

2009-07-04T03:40:00.000-07:00

It is now July. I am dissertation dissertation dissertation-ing - and being the procrastination wizard that I am, I have been thinking a lot about going back to Italy, where half my family are from. The place is a little village in the mountains, cascading landscapes of beauty in every foreseeable direction. I absolutely love it. Unlike this country, there is so much respect for tradition and history, and one of my favourite things is to look into the natural infrastructure to see flowers, Mother Mary statues and other decorative marks of respect, left perfectly. Below are some photos I took last time I was there.

Beautifully decaying walls add to the impact of this shot

Giancarlo and I driving my great uncle's car... when I took over, I drove up a mountain for 20 mins with the handbreak on..oops... needless to say there was smoke, and I was fearing for my life.

One of the many untouched marks of religious respect, rested in the natural curvature of the landscape.

Stunning white horse, in the countryside, by the lake at the top of the mountain.

Going on the back of a Vespa is amazing. But unfortunately, I seem to know a lot of reckless Vespa drivers.

This was one of about 5 gorgeous stranded kittens when I went on a drive. I wish I could have kept one!

Lips.

2009-06-23T05:31:00.001-07:00

The time has come for me to really get things going with my dissertation. So - of course - I am doing anything but my dissertation. I have got accepted on a writing internship, for a mag that I LOVE, so I am over the moon and preparing article topics for that, but also, I decided this morning that I would try out some of my lipsticks and take pictures of my lips. Why? I don't know - but here is the result.

Don't Panic.

2009-06-21T13:53:00.001-07:00

Apologies for the horrendous images, I have a major case of shaky hand!

When walking down the street, we all live in fear of the skin crawling-ly irritating humans standing in the way, with a pile of shitty pieces of paper - trying to flog them to whoever comes within a 5 metre radius, or in fact whoever makes eye contact with them. As soon as you make that pivotal mistake, they have their claws in - they pace forward, with paper in hand - trying to shove it into any oraphis available on your person. Bain of my actual life. I have been known to get quite irate when I'm on the phone in a rush, and there is a keeno trying to place leaflets under my arm or in my open mouth.

In conclusion - it can be said that these people, and their little pieces of paper are not liked. No one wants to know about a gig, or a club night through a piece of paper. People are too lazy to read it - keep it - remember about it. They end up on the floor, in the bin, or at best - at the bottom of your bag. In my eyes, it is NOT a successful marketing communications technique.

BUT then I came across these packs by Don't Panic. Really cool art work drew me in initially. A brown paper envelope with different abstract illustrations on every week, i became somewhat of a collector. Looking at the envelope, I thought it was going to be a goodie bag - alas it was brimming with loads of leaflets, but also with the nice addition of posters and stickers, which made it more palletable.

The people handing them out were obviously still not getting much luck, as when I showed an interest they practically kissed me on the forehead and asked me if I wanted 5.

But I really do think these packs are cool. I LOVE the artwork. Don't panic is a really quirky and cool publication company who's creative doodles compliment the world of alternative music and the like and make communications a little bit more aesthetically scintillating.

I got my first article published!

2009-06-16T13:18:00.000-07:00

I am so happy because my first article has been published! It's in prim. Magazine - the fabulous magazine I last blogged about! It is page 32-33 on the June/July 2009 issue. Please have a look.

I have decided that I am going to move from my plan of going into branding and strategy of package design to writing, so hopefully I will be able to get some more articles published soon! x

prim. Magazine.

2009-05-21T12:27:00.000-07:00

prim. magazine is a digital magazine that has been running for less than a year, covering the latest trends and newcomers in fashion, art, and music on a sometimes global scale - and I am extremely thankful for the cool online vintage store ads! The creator and editor goes by the name of Kristin and is from New York. She is fabulous and has accomplished a considerable amount at age 15. She has featured in magazines such as French Glamour, Italian Elle and Pulse, and is very much an inspiration with regard to showcasing hidden treasures of popular culture and hosting it to readers with some of the coolest layouts I have seen. A lot more design driven than a lot of generic fashion pages, with whole pages used for titles in varying typefaces - making the magazine itself look like a piece of art. I am really into this magazine, and the more people who read it the better.

Kristin, prim. editor. Pulse photoshoot.

Album Art.

2009-05-12T17:05:00.001-07:00

I was thinking (instead of revising) about album cover art - and how it's just the same as package design. I've never thought about it before - but it's true. I wonder whether the externals of a cd affects people in the same way it would with a costmetic product, for example. There are some really interesting album designs out there - but as its 1am in the MIDST of my revision hell - I have only collaged a few of my favourite covers at the moment. I included Hall and Oates as a joke. They are amazing, but it is a bit of a weird cover - as they are dripping in sweat. iffy.

Spike Hibberd.

2009-04-22T02:45:00.000-07:00

Thanks again Heavy Backpack - for introducing me to the wonderment of Spike Hibberd, a Graphic Designer/Art Director who's stuff is just gorgeous. I absolutely love his typography - so many more examples on his website - really creative and forward thinking, but with the ability to add a retro, and very personal touch to things - and as is said in his bio, he adds a bit of himself to everything he does. There is use of hand written scrawls (in a good way) that make his work look really idiosyncratic. I think his illustrative talent is profound - especially with the Mr Tulk poster. All in all - brilliant work on identity, typeography and general use of colour and illustration. AMAZING.

Bee Raw ...Bee autiful!

2009-04-19T13:18:00.001-07:00

I was perusing the die line and came across THIS. A graphic design student has produced this for some honey sticks. What a honey stick is, I do not know (presumably a stick made out of honey). The main thing I like is how the student has crafted the packaging to look like honey comb. Its not overt, in the sense that it's not loads of little shapes interlinking, but at the same time it depicts that hexagonal form of the comb. Obviously, using this shape formation draws people's minds to honey, honey comb and so on when looking at the packaging, thus having that wonderful recall of all the glorious honey connotations by simply looking at a box, this is where my Psychology degree comes in handy - a sweeping statement, based on absolutely nothing I learnt. I love the colours, the gloss finish - again, reinforces that honey feel - bringing people's thoughts to the aesthetics and touch of honey. On top of all of this we have a gorgeous white typeface, bold and large across the packaging, with the image of the bee. I much prefer this to the black, as that is quite lost in the busy background. Really like the type not quite fitting and stretching over the surfaces, I think it makes it look really edgy.

Ideas Factory.

2009-04-05T13:28:00.000-07:00

Ideas Factory (London) brand creation - - a luxury travel company, called Carte Blanche. Obviously, when we're talking luxury, gold instantly comes to mind - but the reason I find this concept so attractive, is the use of fine gold against the matte brown. With the meaning of luxury changing, due to the recession, people are wanting more subtle indicators of a high-end lifestyle. They don't want the brassy luxury that once was, as it is deemed inappropriate to flash the cash when less fortunate people are struggling. So, in light of that, I think this is the perfect example of how to say luxury in a diffident way.

Roanne Adams.

2009-04-05T11:37:00.001-07:00

WELL. WELL Well well. This New York based designer runs a studio called TriBeCa. When I came across her website, I was just so excited. Look at her stuff!! I had about a billion images saved, but I just stuck to my absolute favourites. I LOVE IT. I just love it. It is SO fresh, and COOL and the use of colour is just so mellow yet effective, and the style is really....innovative and artistically driven. I cant really describe what I mean - I just wish more retail items looked more like this.

ruiz+company.

2009-04-04T11:02:00.001-07:00

Spanish agency have done this package design for chocolat factory. I love it. I think its really impacting, with the bold use of block colour and simplistic type/design. I think this would really stand out amongst competitors and reminds me of some cool and minimalist confectionery design in the UK (look at pic below) and almost as simple as the new design for Tesco Value products, which I actually really like!

/M/A/S/H/

2009-04-04T10:26:00.001-07:00

/M/A/S/H/ Australia did the re branding for this fashion online retailer, who sell vintage pieces. I love the typeface of the identity. It's clean, smooth and classic, but with a slight idiosyncricity that adds a slight flair, with the flick of the R. I really like these abstract graphics on the business card. I think it oozes modernity, and edge, whilst maintaining that classic, quality feel - aided by the monochrome style.

Amazing.

2009-03-27T14:45:00.000-07:00

When I came across this, I almost started crying with joy. 6dollarshirts.com has the most hilarious t-shirt prints, and amongst them I saw THIS. This is from my favourite film of all time, Coming to America.. and more people should know its excellence.

I don't know how to get a film clip from youtube on here - so please just click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktl6L3ZwvL4

Alvin Chan.

2009-03-27T03:35:00.000-07:00

Malaysian-born designer. Quite a lucrative spread of work, including branding, space design and graphics. Currently Design Director at Nike Europe in the Netherlands.

What attracted me: primarily the Nike branding and package design. Clean, sharp, powerful, bright yet muted tones. Adds good package design to a market that is normally brash, shiny and consisting of no graphical distinction. Love the blocked out typeface.

Origin of the Species poster graphics is my favourite design from Chan. Obviously - because there's a skull on there, so I'm instantly in love with it. The use of colour is very effective, with a typeface that really amalgamates with the theme. As I'm mostly interested by textures in design, I was really into this close up shot of the poster design. Here, you can really see the mottled effected on the skull, blended with whites and reds and all the shades in between. I love the ability of something 2D to look as if it's worth running your fingers across.

It's all about the SHOES...

2009-03-26T14:55:00.000-07:00

TOPSHOP is coming out with some amazing shoes at the moment. I really want them all. I LOVE the top designs, extremely reminiscent of Yves Saint Laurent designs we've seen recently. Being only 5"2 (and a quarter) I am very pleased of the platform trend staying on, and although I cant afford to buy them all, I think there will have to be several purchases for summer.

Altermodern.

2009-03-21T12:14:00.000-07:00

Altermodern typeface. Amaze!!!!

Merandchik.

2009-03-05T08:51:00.000-08:00

Amazing illustration by Merandchik, sourced from heavy-backpack. Really cool and imaginative illustrator but more than that, I really like the lay outs and poster designs. Really nice typeface on that poster above. on http://blog.merdanchik.com/ there's also some posters and shop interiors for a Russian store that I love.

Missoni A/W 09.

2009-03-02T09:18:00.000-08:00

I am completely in love with this collection. Love the colours, love the Olsen-like layering, LOVE the scarfs! A range of humongous scarfs is definately going to be in my A/W wardrobe.

Illustrissimo.

2009-02-28T15:08:00.000-08:00

I went on http://www.illustrissimo.com/ to look for some images for an illustrator - Margot Macé, who produces some brilliant stuff with watercolours with ink pen:

Photos: www.bookmargot.com

Trying to find stuff on Margot, I came across a site full of brilliant French illustrators. My favourite bit of this site was the typography illustrators.

Wandy Sinesi

I love the work of Come de Bouchony on this site:

I also really liked the work of Alex Trochut:

This work really reminds me of Alan Alridge's psychodelic graphics. I love it all so much, all the engergy and swirling styles of the type. It really creates interesting visuals and does very much relate to that era, with regard to illustration. I feel like I'm on drugs looking at it!

Tom Binns.

2009-02-28T10:30:00.001-08:00

Recently seen on Michelle Obama, Tom Binns' jewellery is so utterly amazing, that it makes me want to beg, borrow and steal to purchase. He mixes innovative design with re-mastered vintage pieces and just generally rules the earth. Which collection is my favourite? Maybe 'Real Deal' but its very hard to say, as it really is all amaze. I've been looking to get a massive multi layer diamond necklace. If only these were in my price range. I think the main reason I totally adore this designer is because he uses skulls in his pieces. I also love his use of hearts - and really REALLY want 18KT chain of events bracelet. When it comes to jewels, I am in total agreement with bigger is better, and Binns' use of layering, with loads and loads of chains interlinking is just simply perfect in my eyes. His edgy style would be PERFECT for the SS season, to go against lighter pastels and florals, but also with the more bolder firey colours of the season.

Alberta Ferretti. S/S 09.

2009-02-28T09:53:00.000-08:00

Photos: style.com

Beautifully elegant and decedent, Alberta Ferretti's designs are always the height of femininity. With hints of Grecian and strong 20s influences throughout the pieces, I think this collection adds a little extra to the girly, floaty chiffon seen throughout the S/S catwalks. I love the use of colour, with luxurious golds and silver/lilac and blue tones and I'm always a fan of a bit of tassle.

Digital Clutch.

2009-02-28T08:28:00.000-08:00

Photo: vogue.co.uk

Yes, I have actually died and gone to heaven.

Vivienne Tam has teamed up with HP to make a clutch.... that is a computer.... I just don't know what more I could ask for in life? Combining my two most utter loves, this concept just blows me away. This floral fashion accessory (very SS 09 compatible) allows a high Internet speed and contains a webcam, so when you are out strutting with clutch in hand, you can simply flip it open and send an email, or check your facebook (if only I could). This is one of the coolest things I've seen in a while. But one question - where do I put my blackberry and keys??? I'll have to get a matching bum bag..

Jo Ratcliffe.

2009-02-26T14:34:00.000-08:00

How. Cool. Is. This.

Where did I find it? Topshop.com. Amaze. Doing some research I found out that Jo went to Central St. Martins to study illustration, and has worked for some amazing clients, including British Vogue. Finding Jo's website, I got so excited at the amazing work, that I couldn't decide which ones to post. So I'm going to post all of my favourites.

I cant even contain myself with how hot this is.

Typeface for Vogue.

Wallpaper.

Vogue again. Amazing metaphorical concept. Really brings the spread to life.

Anna Su Agengy.

If only my name started with R.

I think these illustrations are truly brilliant. I love the playful and innovative nature of everything I've seen, it's really refreshing and brings the page/screen/whatever to life. I especially like her use of colour, type and intricate detail on the text and illustrations.

I want the illustrations for Topshop on my wall!

Axel Peemoeller Design.

2009-02-26T13:31:00.000-08:00

Whilst perusing the Internet, I came across this illustrator/designer who is amaze. The website is really cool, with overlapping images everywhere, and if you see something that appeals, double click and it sends you to a description and more images of the project. The above image is one of my favourites on the website. Axel illustrated the literature section of an issue of Feld magazine. I absolutely love the bold form of these illustrations. The monochrome style is really powerful and the size adds to this impact. Also, anyone drawing skulls is brilliant in my book.

My other favourite part of this site was the logos/identities that Axel has designed. Some cool typefaces. I love the learn a lot logo, v. clever and LOVE the y in the lower logo.

Those Dancing Days.

2009-02-26T12:45:00.000-08:00

Beacuse I've just started this blog, and have recently given up facebook for lent (thus freeing up a considerable amount of time), I am going to post a thousand things in one night. How exciting.

In November, I went to a gig in Leeds by this brilliant band from Stockholm - Those Dancing Days. I went because Sky Larkin were supporting them, and their singer/guitarist is a friend of my bez. I didn't actually know what the headlining act was, but I absolutely loved these girls. Their style (dress-wise and music-wise) is brilliantly original, and they have such an energy when they perform. I LOVE their music and Linnea (vocals) has a brilliant voice. Very glad I went. (Fav song - Discho').

Presenting Miss Imani Izzi.Paris.

2009-02-26T10:55:00.000-08:00

Recently, my sister and I went to Paris for the weekend.
Trés amaze.

We stayed at hotel du petit moulin designed my Christian Lacroix, and it was out of this world. It even surpasses The Portobello as the coolest hotel I've ever been in. The room designs are all equally as elaborate and intricate. An amazing place to stay if you have an interest in design. I wish I could have stayed in all of them!

Whilst in Paris, we visited the usual Parisian cultural sites: Colette, Maje, Louboutin..

But one highlight of the trip was DEFINATELY Fauchon. I have never seen a patisserie/food shop like it in my life. The bold logo, packaging, fuschia perspex entrace, enticing me in to eat everything (my favourite activity). I was in heaven. My sister had told me about this place when we were on the Eurostar. As soon as she mentioned leopard print eclairs I knew it would be my sort of place; and let me tell you - I could have eaten 10.

The next day, we ventured to the ghetto of Paris to visit the largest cluster of antique and thrift stores known to man. I have never seen such expensive things. Trés ridic. We couldn't even consider buying anything. Very sad. There were some amazing huge vintage perfume bottles, especially an Oscar de la Renta one costing 900euros.. ufff. I did find these glasses though:

Paris purchases: Zadig and Voltaire patchwork wallet and Corpus Christi silver necklace with a gold crown. I'm really liking the mix of gold and silver in jewellery, especially by Paul & Joe. Speaking of Paul & Joe - my mum bought me a pair of their dagger earrings for my birthday. Apparently they suit my personality..