My Thursday curated by Lyle&Scott

Last night Lyle&Scott hosted the second instalment of their 4 Curated By gigs at London's XOYO. Featuring some of the best new talent around and building on the success of their first gig (with one of my favourite bands at the moment Trophy Wife) i was more than happy to be invited back down to check out their next line up of acts. On the night we were treated to sets from Foreign Office, Tribes (both worth a listen), Life in Film and the beautiful Paradise Point (my treat of the night!). I could sit here and bore you with a long written description on what a great night it was, but luckily for you the clever people at L&C have made a short video so you can check it out for yourself.

I also spied a couple of my fellow bloggers, a few musical friends and very randomly Martin Kemp and the beautiful Coco Sumner....a great night of acts (all very well dressed in L&C of course!) new,mental and old friends, dancing but a not so great head the next day! Big thank you to Lyle&Scott and I look forward to seing what they have up their well dressed sleeves in their 3rd instalment.

If your a band or artist and would like the chance to play the next night click here for more info

Free Fridays!

Hello music lovers, blog followers, stylish folk and random stumble-across-blog-through-bad-googling people! Hope you are all feeling suitable vamped for the weekend ahead! Once again Friday has fallen upon us, and yes we are not only getting that Friday feeling but for many of us we are also getting that rich feeling!

Despite many people probably cashing in on the first/main weekend of payday, the lovely people at SIC Records have decided to boost our happiness by sending us a no money needed musical gift! To celebrate their 100th release Something in Construction have put toegther a storming downloadable Mixtape - 'Love SIC Disco' featuring new and exclusive tunes from MEMORY TAPES, KELE, ANR, MNDR, CONCRETES, LONEY DEAR, GRUFF RHYS, NIVA, GAY BLADES, CLARE MAGUIRE, SILENT LEAGUE and a whole host of exciting acts.

If you like your music or just looking to hear something new then this is a must have, so follow the link below, download and enjoy! Its Fucking Friday people!

www.somethinginconstruction.com

Amelia's Compendium of Fashion Illustration

Building on the success (and prettiness!) of her first book, Anthology of Illustration, Amelia Gregory the founder of Amelia's Magazine, is back with her second instalment and its definitely a winner! Presenting in her usual beautiful and bright way, a range of amazing up and coming illustrators and key ethical fashion designers, its a fresh and attractive way of looking at ethical fashion and an essential must have for inspiration wether your a designer, illustrator or just general enthusiast. Expect to find interviews on the design practice of the chosen 30 illustrators (all hand picked via an open brief here) and a heap of great profiles on some of the very best in ethical fashion design, including (one of my favourite designers of the moment) Christopher Raeburn, 123 Bethnal Green Road, Junky Styling, Dem Collective and many more!

Oh and did i mention the whole book is entirely ethical in its production too? Another triumph from Amelia. If you haven't already check out the magazine and site now www.ameliasmagazine.com and find Amelia's Compendium of Fashion Illustration at Tate Modern, Magma, Design Museum, Serpentine Gallery, Tatty Devine, Cornerhouse, Arnolfini and loads of other good independent book stores.

Have you got yours? Check it out and watch this space for the full update from the official launch party - which is looking like its shaping up a storm! (#ACOFI - on twitter for those who want to see whats been going on..)

CELESTIAL SHORE

Pretty Picture aside (although this was what initially drew me in) Celestial Shore was a pleasant little find this morning. Sounds of California dreaming with great experimental twists to bring their own take on retro summer dreamwave/gaze(whatever you want to call it!). I may not be a genius with musical technical jargon but i have an ear, well two, and i suspect after only a few days of being up on bandcamp they are bound to get a bit of attention. For me its setting the summer vibes and dragging me out of the January blues. Roll on picnics, cider in tea cups, drives in the countryside and spring time frolics. Oh and they have a member of the band playing the Wurlitzer! Favourite track has to be Lost but check them out for yourself.

Released today you can download their digital album California Eden for free - couldn't have picked a better name to sum up this 4 track gem.

celestialshore.bandcamp.com

East of Eden

A delightful little gem located at 26a Balls Pond Rd in the heart of Dalston, East of Eden is one of the latest, but must i say, pleasant additions to the East London vintage store trade. Opened last October its a treasure trove of vintage inspired clothing from rockabilly to rudeboy, Style Council to starlet. Original, independent designers from the UK, America and Japan. Currently on offer in this charmingly dressed venue are items from Bettie Page, Vintage Allure, Stop Staring dresses and some lovely accessories from one of my favourite designers of the moment Jenny Collier (Jenny Jenny)

With the stylish and beautiful Emma on hand with great advice this is worth a look! Check out their Facebook and site for the latest updates

Swing Youth

HIGHER NOW

SWING YOUTH | Myspace Music Videos

The debut E.P is being released FREE, track by track, every monday from January 24th from http://swingyouth.bandcamp.com/

Amelia Oakley

Spending a summer of work researching into new talent and working with mid teens, i was blown away by just how much gusto, ambition and want kids have today. At the age i was going through my, urmmm, lets say rebellious stage, today, teens are out and about, interning, working and even starting up their own companies. Yes apart of me is jealous, but i'm not exactly not doing well having spent a few years being a bit of a miscreant. Anyway - their talent and drive never stops to amaze me.......

So when i came into the office this morning to see an email from this 15yr old, i had to share her with you too. Introducing 15 year old aspiring photographer Amelia Oakley. There may still be some skills to develop and a look somewhat copied from a glossy mag - but she is still learning and developing. What she is doing is pushing, engaging and most importantly capturing an intensity in her pictures, a look found beyond the lens sunk in teens angst and emotion.

She obviously has talent and ambition and looking for opportunities to be more than 'that girl in school who takes photos' I look forward to seeing what the future holds. One bit of advice inspired by something I recently read in ELLE magazine though. Don't map out your life too young. Have drive, have passion, but never avoid just looking round the corner, or trying a different route....if only for a little while. If you have the faith and ambition - you will never get lost, don't be afraid to divert from what you think you should be doing.

All pictures by Amelia Oakley Photography

Niki & the Dove

TLOBF Sessions // Niki and the Dove: 'Mother Protect' from The Line Of Best Fit on Vimeo.

While away the last few hours of Friday and enjoy this little acoustic treat from electro-pop Swedish trio Niki & The Dove. Simple. Beautiful. I had the pleasure of being at the gallery one hungover Friday to witness the filming of this video for Line Of Best Fit. Simply amazing vocals I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend the day! Signed to Moshi Moshi try to check out these guys soon!

Niki & The Dove - Mother Protect free download!

David Earp + Charity + Liberty = highly desirable

Whilst standing on their own two feet the Liberty of London on print collections are amazing, i love nothing more than a good collaboration! Cue David Earp, a prolific textile designer and philanthropist he has collaborated with Liberty of Londonto create a beautiful range of quilts. Quilts, who needs a quilt? you may be saying, but trust me lay your eyes on these beauties and you will wishing you were wrapped up in one, red wine in hand and log fire on the go. Its got a heart, a touch of classic charm, country roots and London style all in one.

Could it get any better? Yep! Because not only will these stylish items keep you warm but the proceeds will be going to a good cause. Based in Calcutta, the charity set up by Earp, Shuktara provides care for children and young people with disabilities who have no family. Find out more about the Charity here Shuktara

I want one.....

Vivienne gives the Brit lady a good seeing too - lets face it she needed the makeover

The BRITs have created this new ‘blank canvas’ trophy which will be restyled each year by leading British creative individuals. Making the trophy unique to each year, Vivienne couldn't have been a better choice as the perfect starter for this nice little British twist on awards.

Watching Josephine

Working at the Head Office a few years ago, im already a massive fan of the brand. There underwear is sexy and subtle - just like their amazing ads and campaigns they seem to just keep bringing to the table every season! This (Apart from the legendary Kylie Video) has to be one of my favourite to date, not only is Josephine hott but its so nice to see someone who is not a size nothing in an underwear campaign. Some of you may think of Agent Provocateur as an exclusive label, but it really isn't for the super rich, or super sexually intune woman. No matter your size or preferences you can take what you want from Agent Provocateur, wether the whole set or just a simple slip, you know the moment the knickers slip on you will start to walk just a little differently! If you haven't give them a try - every woman should own one thing from this brand!

Check out the site, but get the real empowering experience and head to one of their stores.

AGENT PROVOCATEUR

An Exhibition For Hipstamatics

Launched last summer, hipstamatics.com is a blog set up by Jack Thomas, born out of both a personal love for analog photography and a recognition of its developing phoneminon. Dedicated to iPhone Hipstamatic photography its beautiful online photo reel that brings together and showcases some of the very best Hipstamatic shots from around the globe alongside some in-house originals. Never one to want to be apart of the moving fads of technologies, alas this has made me want to get an IPhone now!!

With a inbox full of hundreds of pictures it only seemed logical to introduce a new decade with an exhibition of the very best of modern yet retro photography. The very best from the site are now going to print to form the first UK show of its kind at the Orange Dot Gallery. Cleverly choosing to showcase only 157 prints – the same number as the amount of original analog cameras produced, the exhibition is both homage to both the history and future of Hipstamatics the exhibition.

The first UK show of its kind and another marker for the Orange Dot Gallery i'm more than excited about seeing all the works come together in the Gallery - check out some of my favs from the site currently above!!! Show going up this week and the guestlist is looking manic for the opening night...can't wait!

Orange Dot Gallery, 54 Tavistock Place London

Exhibition: 14th January 2011– 31st January 2011
Opening Night: 13th January 2011

Star Slinger

Star Slinger "May I Walk With You?" from ZAGUAR on Vimeo.

My mind is but a boggled with the weekend ways and im in need of something soothingly on my wavelength.....! Recently The Line Of Best Fit released their 2011 One's to Watch (and yes i know everyone does it!) but this is a pretty good list. Stand out for me was Prizes (previously featured here), Niki and the Dove (post coming soon!) and Darren Williams aka Star Slinger. Mummurings on the web, a full on US tour in February and a forthcoming 7" single release on upcoming label and blog to watch Double Denim Records i would highly recommend you check out some of the pleasant tunes coming out from this bear cute, music hott maestro

soundcloud.com/starslingeruk

Betty Gets Her Groove On / Chinese Man

Okay big slap on the wrist for the lack of postage - it was a urm interesting few weeks and then Christmas took over! Well heres a little tune i quite fancy to kick start the year and getting back to the blog....So screw the detox (seriously? no drinking in the most depressing month of the year ?) putt on your dancing shoes and ENJOY! Im loving this style of music, and dancing betty makes the video all the more entertaining!