Wish List Mondays #37 - It's Indie Rock'n'Roll For Me.

For any of you who are familiar with Nails Inc. products, you’ll know that their gimmick is naming their Nail Polish colours after London streets and areas; colours that ‘personify’ that particular part of London: Pillarbox Red for ‘St James’, canary yellow for ‘Carnaby Street’, charcoal grey for ‘The Thames’ (no one can disagree with that…). Well I thought this was pretty cool, so I copied it with my iPod playlists – all named after Tube Stops. Hyde Park for those songs perfect for barbeques and sunbathing. Covent Garden for songs that put a smile on your face, and a spring in your step. Brixton for UK Hip Hop (natch.). Recently I’ve been listening a lot to Camden Town, the spiritual home of Indie Rock’n’Roll c.2006. Back then you could pop into the pub on the corner and you’d bump into Kate Moss, Amy Winehouse (RIP) and Pete Doherty, Alex Turner and his Arctic Monkeys, and probably a couple of The Cribs, Editors, Kasabian and Franz Ferdinand. These were not just the glory days of Indie Rock’n’Roll. These were my glory days. And, to be honest, I still haven’t really moved on. I still try and emulate Kate Moss at Glastonbury c. 2005. I like having bed hair. I like looking like I’ve stolen my wardrobe from a drugged-up rocker boyfriend. I like skinny jeans with boots, army jackets with aviators, and alcohol with cigarettes. If imitation is the highest form of flattery, then I’m practically bowing down at the altar of The Moss. So this week, in honour of Indie Rock’n’Roll, Kate Moss, and probably my own, glory days, I thought I’d put together a Wish List that 2006 would be proud of. So grab a packet of Malboro Reds, a old copy of NME, and a bottle of Glen’s because “it’s Indie Rock’n’Roll for me”.

DAY

1. Tall Hooded Lightweight Jacket, Topshop, £60. Neighbour hood, here.
2. Face Coin Ring by Laura Lee, ASOS, £185. Not just a pretty face, here.
3. Panasonic RP-HTX7 Retro-Style Headphones in Green, Play.com, £42. Press play, here.
4. Leighton Shoulder Bag, BCBG Max Azria, $268. Cold shoulder, here.
5. Mix Match Check Shirt, Topshop, £30. Check it out, here.
6. Denim Shirt Dress, H&M, £30. You gotta be shirting me, here.
7.'Nice Melody' Light Grey Suede Wedge Boots, Clarks, £60. 50 shades of grey, here.
8. Corduroy Trousers, H&M, £15. Play some cords, here.
9. Desert Boots in Sand, Clarks Originals, £79. Original gangster, here.

NIGHT

1.Paris Kitsuné Tshirt by Kitsuné, EndClothing, £49. On the streets of Paris, here.

2. Honeycomb Necklace by Bill Skinner, ASOS, £80. Busy bee, here.

3. Kitsuné Tee x Genevieve Gauckler Tokyo Tee, EndClothing, £49. Tee off, here.

4. Super Stretch Leather-Look Leggings, H&M, £13. Hell for leather, here.

5. Wool-Crepe Blazer by Saint Laurent, Net-a-Porter, £1,865. Get blazed, here.

6. Printed Chiffon Dress, H&M, £25. Print off, here.

7. Metal Trim Boots, Topshop, £80. Heavy Metal, here.

8. 6 Pack of Mid-Stack Rings, ASOS, £8. Get the stack, here.

 

 

Love,

Belle x

Wish List Mondays #19

Apologies for the lack of posts in the last few weeks. Dissertation deadlines have been ker-azy, and unfortunately I've had to sacrifice some of the time I devote to blogging to try and graduate (bummer). Last week I went home to celebrate my Mum's birthday (49 again..!), which was also an excuse to pop into London and do a much needed wardrobe update. I plumped for a chic shirt from Topshop Boutique, and a felt fedora (No's. 1 & 3, respectively). Afterwards, I met my parents at the BADA (British Antique Dealer's Association, don't cha know...) Arts fair, held in front of the Saatchi Gallery in the heart of Chelsea. It wasn't a particularly young crowd (as you might expect from the photo below), but it was good fun to see what was on offer - and who am I to turn down a free glass of champagne? 

After a peruse of the fair, I trotted off down the Kings Road to meet up with my friend K at The Builders Arms (www.thebuildersarms.co.uk) for a few tipples before rushing off to meet a few others at Gaucho Piccadilly (www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk/piccadilly). The atmosphere they're going for is 'dimly-lit speakeasy', but most of the time I felt like I was squinting through the dark to even see the person next to me...not a good look. Even though the menu wasn't glow in the dark (they missed a trick there), I managed to order the Scallop Cerviche (fantastic), followed by the Gaucho Burger (a little overdone, seeing as I asked for very rare...). After that we headed to Carnaby Street and had a night out at Cirque du Soir (one of the [many] London clubs that refused Justin Beiber entry when he visited recently. High five.). It was a little gimmicky, but nevertheless enjoyable, if you take into account how much alcohol we'd had with dinner... But enough about me, let's get back to what Mondays are all about: FASHION (said in a dramatic 80's whisper). Here's my Wish List for this week, or what I would have bought if I had more money/time/courage.

1. Silk Floral Shirt by Boutique, Topshop, £68. Get it here. 
2. Black Round Sunglasses, ASOS, £10. Get it here.
3. Neon Trim Fedora, Topshop, £25. Get it here.
4. Maxi Pearl Necklace, Zara, £20. Get it here.
5. Silk Floral Zip Skirt by Boutique, Topshop, £70. Get it here.
6. Medium 'Lily' in Black Soft Grainy Leather, Mulberry, £695. Get it here.
7. Straight Cut Pleats Dress, Mango, £35. Get it here.
8. 'Nanette' Black Suede Sandal, KG Kurt Geiger, £130. Get them here.
9. Solis Rex Candle by Cire Trudon, Net-a-Porter, £85. Get it here.
10. Gold Watch with Leather Strap, Massimo Dutti, £105. Get it here.
11. Antik Leather Mocassin with Tassels, Massimo Dutti, £80. Get them here.


Here's to a week of better weather, and better fashion!

Love,
Belle x

Tune Tape Tuesdays #17

It must be something in the air, because this week's Tune Tape is nothing but happy beats and toe-tappin' tracks. In music news, two exciting things happened this week. First was the release of the uber-fabulous Rhye's debut album, which launched today on iTunes. I've been raving about him since Tune Tapes began, and have been counting down the days until Woman dropped for download (yes, I am that sad). If you buy one album this year, definitely purchase this, which can be found here:

BUY THIS ALBUM. BUY IT NOW. CLICK HERE. THIS LINK. THIS ONE RIGHT HERE. HOVER...AND...CLICK. WELL DONE.

Second item of news was that I went and saw the legendary Hip Hop artist and DJ, DJ Premier, on Thursday in Brixton (if you're going to listen to rap, you better do it properly). While waiting outside for our magic pumpkin ride to the safe side of the river, I was approached by none other than UK rapper Terra Slim, who was flogging his latest album on the street. Well, with a premise of "whatever you can give, darling" and an album cover like this:

I can confirm he looks just like this.

...then you know it's going to be good. His track, Genie, features on this week's Tune Tape. If you want the whole album, just drop me a line on here. Alternatively, you could hang round Brixton tube station at 3am and bump into the man himself. As usual, the 13 tracks listed on this week's Tape are available for 'on the go' listening by clicking THIS LINK.

I believe in giving credit where credit's due, so I have to admit that the first two songs were gifted to me by two friends; J and R respectively. King Krule with Octopus is one of the most original artists I've heard in a long time, and one of the only ones that I would choose to post a video for. It's brilliant. Watch it. With vocals reminiscent of early White Lies, this young guy is definitely one to watch. From R, we have Cuthead with the 'grime-step' (there is no other way to describe) anthem No Logic. Definitely one for the early, messy hours of the morning, it captures perfectly the spirit of university basement house parties. I'll leave you to decide whether that's a good thing or not. After the previously mentioned Terra Slim, we have my personal pick of the week: Jared Evans and Pro Create. It signals the new direction that Hip Hop is headed these days; fusing the sexiness of RnB with smooth rap and laid-back beats. Next up is Cynical by Mr FijiWiji, who not just has a name that provides hours of fun, but is one of the rising stars of electronic music - and he's only 17! Readers, watch this space. Kicks n Licks featured on a Tune Tape a few weeks back. This week, they've remixed the XX's song Night Time, off their new album Coexist. One for 'drop-lovers', Kicks n Licks are very quickly making a name for themselves on the already-crowded and uber-competitive Dubstep stage with their original tracks and creative remixes. For some wholesome fun, check out French Horn Rebellion with Girls. It's guaranteed to get you off your sofa and have you bouncing off the walls - totally legally. Taking me back to crowded and sweaty Soho club basements is Cold Blank's remix of Nuthin' But A G Thang. With a filthy Electro House bassline, you'll be aching for the days of Put Your Hands Up For Detroit and Basshunter in no time. Guaranteed. For those who prefer to stay in, have a listen to Fossil Collective and Fyfe's new offerings. With beautiful lyrics and stunning vocals, you can easily spend an afternoon getting lost in these tracks. Finally, we have a TTT favourite, Cyril Hahn with his Hunger Mixtape. At an hour long, it's perfect for sticking on and getting down to the work that you forgot about while dancing to the rest of this week's Tune Tape. Do let me know what you're enjoying, and feel free to recommend anything I should be listening to!

King Krule - Octopus

Love,
Belle x

London Art: Lichtenstein Retrospective & Becoming Picasso

I'm not going to lie, being a History of Art student has a lot of perks. For one, we probably have the least hours of any degree subject - technically, this year I have a five-day weekend (if only it were true in practice). Secondly, looking at art is a lot more visually appealing than looking at pie charts, dead bodies, or algebra. Thirdly, we get to go on field trips, and, as Cartman would put it, pretty much "do what we wawwnt". On Wednesday morning, a bleary-eyed group of 20-somethings boarded a minibus headed to London, buoyed up by the prospect of free travel and decent pubs at the other end. After five and a half hours of wishing we'd just splashed out and taken the train - if only for the extra legroom - we arrived in London at the Tate Modern. After a quick headcount, we were left to our own devices - which meant a quick look round the galleries and then on to the pub. Rather than see the permanent exhibits, I decided that I might as well take a tour of the new Roy Lichtenstein Retrospective exhibition that the Tate is hosting. So, hopefully without too much pretension, here's what I thought of it...

One of the most influential artists of the 20th century, Lichtenstein is one whose work is instantly recognisable, yet a lot of people don't know his name. His career started in the early 1960's, and, along with contemporaries such as Andy Warhol and Sir Peter Blake, gave rise to the Pop Art Movement with his preoccupation with comic strips, advertising, and mass culture imagery. Fun, often in the form of tongue-in-cheek parodies, is a huge part of Lichtenstein's work. The first room of the exhibition contains his 'Brushstrokes' series; a gentle jab at the abstract expressionism of Jackson Pollock, who had dominated the previous decade. While Pollock emphasised how his strokes were random and a result of chance, Lichtenstein makes a brushstroke 'a grand gesture'; outlining it in harsh black and making it the central focus of his paintings. 

Roy Lichtenstein, Brushstroke, 1965

Much like Courbet in the 19th century, who took scenes of 'low life' peasants and blew them up to gigantic, 'in-your-face' size to challenge the Parisian bourgeoisie, Lichtenstein took 'low-brow', mass-produced media, and made it look like art. His most famous series is entitled 'War and Romance', and features distressed looking women and fighter pilots depicted in comic-strip form, using dots for colour and shading - as was the process for printing actual comic books. Focusing on preconceived gender roles of the 'damsel in distress' and the male hero, he tentatively highlights the problems of sexism in the mass media by making it so glaringly obvious. The series made Lichtenstein an overnight sensation, and provoked as much media interest in the 1960's as Tracey Emin did with her unmade bed in the 90's, debating either Lichtenstein's ingenuity or impertinence. In the exhibition, the series is displayed in one room, against a stark white background - intensifying the comic strip element. 

Roy Lichtenstein, Hopeless, 1963

Roy Lichtenstein, Masterpiece, 1962

Roy Lichtenstein, Whaam!, 1963

Around the same time, Lichtenstein also produced a lesser-known black and white series, which focused not on comics but rather on mundane everyday household items (like Warhol and his soup cans). The most successful of these is the huge Compositions I (1964), where he blows up the size of a high-school exercise book to dwarf the viewers. In this way, the painting becomes the object, rather than just a depiction of it. 

Roy Lichtenstein, Compositions I, 1964

In the latter half of the 60's, Lichtenstein experimented with landscape. Personally, I don't think they're as successful - presumably the conclusion he also came to, as he never did anything like them again. Using only coloured dots and lines, he attempted to render down sunsets and sunrises to their bare elements - but they lack character and any rooting in recognisable or relatable popular imagery, and are, on the whole, pretty forgettable. Around this time, he also branched out into sculpture, taking inspiration from the then-outdated style of New York Art Deco for oversized, shiny brass sculptures. Although a complete departure from his usual style and oeuvre, they are quite amazing - especially since he attempted them as a complete amateur. 

As I mentioned before, a big part of understanding Lichtenstein is the amusing way he deals with the subject of authorship and appropriation in art. Whilst it is slightly more acceptable to 'make art' out of comic strips or advertisements, when Lichtenstein takes on Picasso, things start to get interesting. Inspired by the artists of the first half of the 20th century, Lichtenstein created a series of paintings that put his own spin on the iconic works of Picasso, Matisse and Mondrian, among others. In my opinion, he's most successful at Picasso - their styles seem to work and compliment each other, creating a really interesting dialogue. This is shown in a 1974 Portrait Triptych, where one of Lichtenstein's glossy damsels morphs into a proto-cubistic Picasso 'femme'. The irony here is that Picasso is famously quoted to have said: "Good artists copy, great artists steal." You can see the inspiration and adaptation process if you put together the original Delacroix Femmes d'Alger, Picasso's Les Femmes d'Algers and Lichtenstein's interpretation, Femme d'Alger...

Eugene Delacroix, Femmes d'Alger, 1834

Pablo Picasso, Les Femmes d'Algers, 1955

Roy Lichtenstein, Femme d'Alger, 1963

In this way, Lichtenstein is aligning himself with the greats of Art History. 

Another artist that Lichtenstein 'took on' was Matisse. In the early 70's, Lichtenstein embarked on a series of 'Artist's Studios', taking heavy inspiration from Matisse's series of a similar subject matter. In Matisse's 1911 work, The Pink Studio, the artist depicts his studio - complete with his own works upon the walls. Lichtenstein copies this idea in his work Artist Studio 'Look Mickey' in 1973, where we see one of his earlier Pop Art works hanging with prominence on the wall. I also believe he's drawing somewhat on the work of the 'father of Pop Art' - Richard Hamilton - and his 1959 collage, Just what is it that makes today's homes so different, so appealing? See what you think...

Henri Matisse, The Pink Studio, 1911

Roy Lichtenstein, Artist's Studio 'Look Mickey', 1973

Richard Hamilton, Just what is it that makes today's homes so different, so appealing?, 1959

For Lichtenstein, the 1980's seem to have been a bit of a blip. Focusing on lines and perspective, he created a number of works that are, in my humble opinion, quite emotionless and devoid of imagination. Not to fear, though, because you can skip that room and move straight onto the 90's - where he's back to his old self. His focus once again is on gender roles in the media, this time through the age-old medium of nudes. Apparently in a retrospective mood himself, Lichtenstein revisits the comic-strip females that ignited his career as a successful artist - this time stripping them naked and contorting them into positions of ecstasy. In this way, they become less objects of lust and voyeurism and more autonomous, free-thinking individuals. That having been said, there is still a strong focus on media-perceived female beauty, and you can see how the aesthetics of the 90's Barbie doll had permeated ideas of feminine perfection.

Roy Lichtenstein, Two Nudes, 1995

At this point I was summoned to the pub, so I quickly looked at the last room of the exhibition - Japanese-inspired dot-paintings - before heading to Covent Garden to catch up with some friends. After a rushed drink, we said our goodbyes and headed to the Courtauld Institute in Somerset House to assemble for our private, after-hours tour of the new Picasso exhibition currently on show: 'Becoming Picasso: Paris 1901'. 

Spread over a manageable two rooms, the exhibition focuses on the year that was a huge turning point for Picasso - both personally and artistically. In this year, he moved from his native Spain to Paris, and started signing his works simply, Picasso. In this way, he 'became' Picasso, as, before then, he had used both his parents surnames: Ruiz and Picasso (as is the tradition in Spain). It signifies a real sense of personal identification and reinvention for the artist, shown in the amazing assembly of works the Courtauld has managed to beg, steal and borrow for the exhibition. It marks the departure point for the one of the periods he is best known for: his blue period - and the paintings in this series witness the development of themes and ideas that would come to permeate and define his later works. I've included my favourite works from the exhibition here, one of which - the Girl with a Dove - is quite personal, as I grew up with a print of it in my childhood bathroom! If you're around the Strand between now and the end of May, I would definitely recommend you pop into Somerset House and see the paintings for yourself. In the risk of sounding like a hippy, they have an incredibly powerful 'aura' about them, and are charged with emotional energy. Even if you don't buy in for any of that, simply go because you'll probably never see all these works in the same room again - certainly not in London, anyway.

Pablo Picasso, The Blue Room (The Tub), 1901

Pablo Picasso, Girl with a Dove, 1901

Pablo Picasso, The Death of Casagemas, 1901
Painted after the dramatic suicide of his close Spanish friend,
the poet Carlos Casagemas, which had a huge impact on
Picasso - both personally and artistically.

Pablo Picasso, Self Portrait, 1901

Love,
Belle x

Happy Birthday to Me

Yesterday I turned 22. Birthdays, like Christmas, come but once a year. I like to take advantage of this by stretching out the anniversary of my birth a few days - so celebrations started the night before with a trip to the theatre. I'm lucky to have a boyfriend who actually listens when I talk, so months ago when I mentioned that I'd love to see The Woman in Black (having already seen the film adaptation), he stored it away in his thinking cap for a rainy day. This was the rainy day. Off we went to Covent Garden to the Fortune Theatre to be scared out of our skin for the next two hours. For those who don't know, The Woman in Black has been described as "the most nerve-shredding play in the West End". Simple, uncluttered staging encourage you to utilise your imagination, and in turn, this amplifies your fear considerably. If you haven't seen it, check it out - it's a definite experience!

After a very late-night drinks party, I managed to drag myself out of bed and awake my boyfriend. Desperately in need of food and fresh air, we headed out once again to Covent Garden...

How?!

...to visit my favourite Mexican Restaurant: Wahaca. Dotted around London, the restaurant in Covent Garden is a brightly coloured underground cavern; a hive of activity with amazing smells hitting you left right and centre. Meeting a few friends, we sat down and immediately wanted to order everything on the menu... (unfortunately I was too distracted by my hunger to take my own pictures, but I managed to find some on Wahaca's FB page)

Fennel-Covered Pork Scratchings

Passion Fruit & Hibiscus Cooler

...we started with Fennel-Covered Pork Scratchings, served with Guacamole dip. Sounds weird, but probably the best combination I've tasted in a long while. I sipped on a Passion Fruit & Hibiscus cooler, while the boys drank Mexican Beers. Our appetites still raging, the boys ordered a couple of plates of 'Street Food', while I chowed down on a Pulled-Pork Burrito and an Avocado and Pumpkin Seed Salad...

Pulled Pork Burrito

Avocado & Pumpkin Seed Salad

Our stomachs feeling very content, we wandered back through Covent Garden. Having spent my Summer in France gorging myself on macaroons, I couldn't resist stopping to pick up dessert for dinner at...

Scurrying back to Chelsea, we took a trip down the Kings Road to pick up ingredients for my Birthday Dinner. For starters, I served my friend's Dad's recipe of 'Prawn Pate', followed by a Garlic & Rosemary Stuffed Leg of Lamb for main - with Sautéed Curly Kale, Twice-Cooked New Potatoes & Spring Onions... 

With his permission, I give you:
Jimbo Jones's Perfect Prawn Pâté
(Serves 6-8 (or 4 very hungry human hippos)

You will need: Prawns (preferably soaking in brine)
Pancetta (crisped up under the grill)
1 Full Fat Tub of Philadelphia Cream Cheese
1 Packet of Garlic & Herb Boursin
2 Cloves of Garlic (crushed)
Finely Chopped Parsley
Lemon & Pepper to taste (no salt needed)

Simply mix all the ingredients together and serve with toasted baguette. Calorie-laden heaven.

Garlic & Rosemary Stuffed Leg of Lamb

...but a birthday wouldn't be a birthday without presents! When my parents arrived with a GIANT BOX, I knew it was gonna be good. First I unwrapped a very pink, very girly, bottle of birthday champagne...

...before tentatively untying the ribbon on my big white box. Inside this big, white box, was a big, brown bag. Inside this big, brown bag was another box. Inside this box was a large, felt bag. And finally, untying this bag revealed my very own Mulberry Bayswater - wishlisted all those weeks ago! 

Isn't it gorgeous?!

Let's just say this: if Carlsberg did Birthdays, they'd all be like this one. Thanks to all who made my day so special - the year has gotten off to a most magnificent start.

Much love and Happy New Year,
Belle x

Belle's Big Day Out

I love London. I first came as a tourist from Australia when I was 6, then I lived there for reals when I was a teenager, and now, living outside of the capital, I come as a visitor to our fair city. I love the smells, I love the lights, and, most of the time, I love the people. Yesterday I went into town to visit two old friends - one who I've known for 14 years, and one who I've known for 18 - and to try out my brand-spanking new camera. I started off at Liverpool Street, where I met my friend Hen for a spot of market browsing in Spitalfields. I forgot to get my camera out for this one, but this is how it looks...

...unfortunately 'crowd exhaustion' stopped us from spending too much time here, so we swiftly moved on to Duck & Waffle, an amazing restaurant suspended above London on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower on Bishopsgate...

My Bloody (Amazing) Mary

Our precariously-placed table - not one for those with vertigo...

Whilst staring out over London, we munched on a bag of BBQ Crispy Pigs Ears (like Pork Crackling, but 100% better). I had the Duck and Waffle (confit duck leg on a belgian waffle, topped with a fried duck egg and drowned in mustard maple syrup = heaven.), Hen had waffles with cream and berries (d-lish). Here's some food porn...

BBQ Crispy Pigs Ears

Duck & Waffle's Duck and Waffle

Waffle, Cream & Berries

After our waffle-fest, I left poor Hen to go home and finish her ironing and I hopped on the Number 11 bus (the best bus, as all Londoners know). Obviously shotgunning the front seat on the top deck (why would you not), I sat back and watched as St Paul's, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey sailed by me en-route to Chelsea. Whilst I was there, I managed to battle through the hoardes of post-Christmas Sale nutters to pick up a pair of these bad boys to wear tonight...

Office, £45. Get em here.

...before I was off again to Green Park to meet up with my Australian pal Joe, who's over here visiting. We went to Shepherd's Market for a drink before wandering under the bright lights of Carnaby Street over to Soho's Golden Square for a drink in Graphic. After a bottle (or two, it had been a while...) we decided a sensible thing might be to get dinner. So, being practically a London Yoda, I suggested we headed over to my favourite pizzeria in town - Pizza East in Portobello. We sat at the bar, right in front of the chefs and the wood-fired pizza ovens, drooling over everything that came out. We ate garlic bread and drank champagne, before I settled on a Pork Belly pizza, and Joe had one with spicy sausage. 

Garlic Bread (not my photo as I ate it too quickly)

Pork Belly Pizza (aka the Mouth Orgasm) 

Feeling full and maybe a little stumble-y, we walked up Portobello Road back to Notting Hill Gate where we said our goodbyes. Although not for long - we'll be back for Round 2 tonight! I hope you all have an amazing New Year wherever you are - see you in 2013!

Love,
Belle x