Katy B: Crying for no reason

 
Since Katy B released her debut single as a garage and funky house singer in DJ NG's 2008 'Tell Me', hours of my time have gladly been stolen by her voice. Now as I write this blog, the singer's latest Soundcloud post 'Crying for no reason' has already claimed 44 minutes and counting...

From the first we heard of her in 2008, good ol' Katy B from Peckham has flowed with the tide of mainstream party music. She's dabbled with a multitude of subgenres, including dubstep in her 2010 'Katy on a mission', and a bit of house in her recent single, '5am'.

The track which I have now developed an addiction to, 'Crying for no reason', is quite different. It was first broadcast on Radio 1 as part of Zane Lowe's Sessions. Check it out:



Not quite what you expected? Me neither...

'Crying for no reason' is an immense piano-led power ballad - quite a swing in the opposite direction of Katy B's usual dance tracks. It displays a whole new side to her which, quite franky, I'M LOVING!

There is also a studio version of this track available, however I've chosen to post this live version as I think it truely captures the deep emotional tension in her words. Not just like any other pop star belting out yet another song about a failed relationship...

Katy B is singing about something which I think ALL of us are guilty of; letting things build up inside without expressing them. Then, inevitably, the day will come where everything you've kept inside will come crashing to the forefront. You've had days where you've been dying inside, yet you've covered it up with a smile, haven't you?

Don't get me wrong. I'm not a depressed, angst-filled person, but I do appreciate a bit of emotion. And Katy B's 'Crying for no reason' really hit the spot. Just love it.

...And if you love it as much as I do, you'll be glad to hear Katy B will be releasing a new album, 'Little Red', in February next year!

Love or hate Katy B's new track?!

Let me know your thought in the

comments box below :)

Kate Moss Obsession

Today, for the first time in years, I came across images from Maria Sorrenti's 1992 Obsession campaigns for Calvin Klein. Boy, did it take me back! I remember the first time I saw these images... They shot my eyes with a glue gun. Today was no different. There's something about them which never quite gets old...

Kate Moss was 14 when she was first scouted off the street and 16 when she had her iconic 'heroin chic' shots by Corinne Day published in The Face magazine. When you look back, it doesn't take much to work out how she's become one of the greatest and most idolised supermodels of all time.

It's not just how she broke the boundaries with her waife-like figure - opposite to those of other supermodels at the time, including Cindy Crawford and Elle Macpherson. It's also way more than just raw beauty which makes her so fascinating to stare at.

I think it's the relationship she holds with her photographers. There is an openness and trust that is so plain to see in her early images. She's so naked. Not just where clothes is concerned, but in the fragility she displays. It's all truly effortless. How could anyone possible ignore that immense connection to the camera?

The below photographs from Calvin Klein's Obsession campaign were shot by Kate's then-boyfriend, renouned fashion photographer Mario Sorrenti. She was 22 at the time.

Whilst Kate Moss obviously remains a great model and a massive fashion icon, nothing quite compares to the profundity of these. I don't think anyone could ever attempt to recreate them...

 

Do these images hit you as hard as they hit me?

Let me know your thought in the

comments box below :)

Soulful Sunday Soundtrack

Sunday is that one day a week which I think everyone should keep for themselves. At least for the most part. It's a time where I think it's important to be alone, reflect and just enjoy doing whatever the hell it is YOU want.

 

My Sundays almost always begin with a lie in. This will be followed by a massive Sunday lunch and a couple of glasses of wine with family. From then on you will find me locked in my room enjoying the company of yours truly.

I'm looking up random crap on Google. Pinning on Pinterest. Eating peanut butter. Impulse buying from ASOS. Scanning Facebook. Dreaming of the interior of my future home. Reflecting on past events. The list never ends.

They're such miniscule activities, but I wouldn't underestimate them. Everyone needs time to escape that inevitable rush of life. Or before you know it, the tide will have sucked you in and you'll wake up one day in your 30s thinking: Who am I, where am I and how did I get here?

So before I go too deep into my ramblings (as you can see I am already 'in the zone') I'll let you in on the most important part of my Sundays. And that is, the perfect soundtrack!

Below is a selection of tunes which make up my 'Soulful Sunday Soundtrack'. Have a listen and you might just end up stepping into the zone with me...

1. Begin with a little something you can scream along to and release any built up frustration you may have conjured up through the week:

2. You heard; Let it all go!

3. Turn your frown upside down, it's time for a gentle bop:



4. Next, turn up the volume, loosen up and dance around your room to this:



5. Now slow down your groove. And remember, you're the hottest thing in the world right now:
*WARNING: Explicit content*



6. Ok chill out. It's Sunday, remember?



7. Let's get a little reflective:



8. And now, just keep it loud and let the music speak for itself:



9. Let it get under your skin:



10. And if you're still not QUITE in the zone, shut your eyes and listen to this song:

 

Got any suggestions to add to my Sunday soundtrack?

 

Let me know in the comments

box below :)

Rihanna brings sporty chic into fashion!

That's right: Thanks to Ri Ri, sportswear adorned with metallic foil-printed numbers and teamed with chunky bling is no longer simply suitable for the dark alleys of Soho! It's official. Since Rihanna's been rocking our sterios and taking over our TVs, sportswear luxe has become one phat trend this summer...

You'll now find chic sportwear-inspired garments all over the high street. But let's get one thing straight; don't be wasting the look on your local gym!

Rock the look with a few of my favourite pieces below:

h&m t-shirt dress, £14.99.

Rihanna for River Island trucker hat, £25

Topshop number 56 sweater, £29

 

h&m chunky chain necklace, £7.99

Criminal Damage yen dollar pound t-shirt, £27.99

Would you wear any of these ghetto sportwear luxe pieces?

Let me know in the comments box below 
:)

Fulham Palace Art Fair: Millie McCallum

The Fulham Palace Art Fair returned this year, bringing an eclectic mix of artwork to a gloomy afternoon in London. The fair was packed with admirable artists; one of them being my uncle, with his breathtaking 'Jewel of the Universe'. But there was also another artist, Millie McCallum, whose work really caught my eye.

Below is a stunning selection of McCallum's work. All pieces featured in this blog are available for purchase (that's if you love it as much as I do!). Take a look...

 Kipling Cotes, watercolour and ink on paper 110cm x 77 cm

Those of you who've read my blog for a while now will know that when it comes to colour, I'm a sucker for black and white, with a contrasting splash of brightness. This painting has 'Jasmin' written all over it...

 'Dean' Linocut. 100 cm x 70 cm £400

How could it be that I love this piece so much? Perhaps my love of Monkeys... Perhaps my love of Red Indian inspired headdresses... Or perhaps the fact that both are put together in a beautiful and artistic way?!

Kipling Cotes, watercolour and ink on paper 110cm x 77 cm

I just love the emotion on this tiger's face. Alongside vibrant, fresh colours and a delicate style of painting, this piece has a wonderfully dreamy feel. Though much less 'modern' than I would usually go for, it's gorgeous in its own blissful way...

 'Rita' Linocut. 100 cm x 70 cm £400

A super stylish piece here, 'Rita' the ostridge would look divine against a feature wall! A supermodel of an ostridge she is... Would you just look at those pins!

'Peggy' Edition of 50. 50 cm x 70 cm £150

Last but not least, meet 'Peggy' the flamingo. She's looking good, feeling fine, and she's ready to hit festival season in style this year! Nothing like some artwork to suit the summer vibes...

If you love Millie McCallum's work and my blog alone hasn't given you your fix, check out her awesome site. Here, you can wonder through beaut artwork all day long - despite missing the Fulham Palace Art Fair...

Which painting is your favourite? 

Let me know! :)

I miss you Amy...

What a track.

Since Amy Winehouse passed away there has been a distinct lack of decent new music. I really can't stand all the crap I hear on the radio nowadays. I'm sick of the same old, same old.

I actually cringe each time a pop "singer" releases a 'new' song. Sounds exactly the same as the last one. And right now every song which pops onto the charts is guaranteed to contain yet another break out of so-called 'dance music'.

Does the mainstream music industry always have take a great genre and rip it to shreds?!

Anyhow, struggling to find something decent, I ended up on the track above. Perfection in its purest form.

Oh Amy, where has all the decent music gone? Your presence is definitely missed...

Let me know your thoughts in the 

comments box below :)

How to be a happy person

Oh dear blog, how I have missed you. It has been far too long since my last post - and for that I apologise. I have been busying up my time like a maniac in times of late and I've finally got the time to sit down, reflect, and out pops this blog post! My little 5 step guide to being a happy person...

STEP 1. Remember your priority: Happiness!

As much as making that next career decision might bog you down and seem the like most important thing in your world - it isn't. Your priority must always be happiness. Happiness is the key to... a happy life! Wouldn't have guessed that now, would we?

Sometimes it's easy to forget that life doesn't end when you're stressed, when your boyfriend breaks up with you, a family member dies, when your cup of coffee turns cold...

Life goes on. 

And whilst the bad times can really suck, the good times are really great. Without both, how do you even know when you're happy and when your sad? 

Ultimately, the worse the bad times, the more you appreciate the good. Never underestimate how much happiness you can get from the smallest most insignificant thing - even just a friendly smile from a passer by on the street. 

Embrace that moment and remember not to take life too seriously. You don't have to have been bought a lambourgini to be happy. Pleasure is pleasure.

I believe that ultimately, your own life is in your hands and it really is only ourselves that can control our happiness. Let yourself be happy!

 STEP 2. Invest in your friends

No matter how many friends you have, from 5 to 5000, a person will only ever truly have a small selection of close friends. Those who you make you feel good about yourself, acknowledge your problems, will make an effort to fit around your tight budget, don't cancel on you, and go out of their way to make sure that you're OK.

And to keep these good friends, you must also reciprocate. 

It's incredible the difference that a good friend can have on your life. No matter how tired you are, how much you don't feel like socialising, it's your good friends that will bring comfort to you in the worst of times. 

STEP 3. Acknowledge you have problems

Every human being has problems. Even that tall skinny 'bitch' whose facebook pics are packed full of photos of amazing adventures and flawless skimpy bikini snaps.

If you don't have problems, you're a freak. Your life must be packed with unhappiness because that's just not normal. 

I think it's incredibly important to admit that you have faults. I, for example, have this massive issue when I want something so bad. I'll do anything to get it, and almost always I ruin things for myself. I get so damn nervous trying to be 'right', I end up totally wrong. 

That's one of my faults... It takes me a long time to get fully comfortable with someone. I'm far too self aware. 

Because of this, I always think to myself GOD Jasmin, will you not just be yourself! I know if I just chillaxed my ass down I could ace every opportunity I get! Or at least do my best and be satisfied with the attempt...

But that's just the way it is. That's who I am. I'm not going to pretend I'm not like this. 

This is me, everyone! I suck sometimes. Poo. 

But I love me really. You have to love yourself - otherwise you're not living life properly. Don't get me wrong and think you're God's gift to the world! But you do need a sense of 'me love' or you'll never be happy!

STEP 4. The above image says it all... 

Never ever ever ever stop yourself from doing what you love most. Even when you've got piles of work on your shoulders, at least take a 10 minute phone call out to your best friend and talk shite. It's definitely necessary!

STEP 5. Do stuff you wouldn't normally do

It's sometimes nice to stick within your own little bubble; same coffee every morning, same pub every Friday night, same hairstyle, same holiday location every year.

I'm constantly pushing myself to do things outside of my comfort zone. I practically force myself to do stuff. But it's these times of immense anxiety and the overcoming of it which makes you a better person.

... And one last thing: DON'T GIVE UP! 

When things go wrong as they sometimes do...

When the road your trudging seems all uphill...

When the funds are low and the debts are high...

And you want to smile but you have to sigh...

When care is pressing you down a bit...

Rest, if you must, but don't you quit...

Life is queer with its twists and turns...

As every one of us sometimes learns...

It may be near when it seems so far...

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit...

It's when things seem worst you must not quit.

Got any tips for me?!

Let me know in the comments below :)