Poppy in Illustration

On Friday night i met the lovely Jenny Robins (make sure you check out her site!)who, as part of a team of extremely talented illustrators at the afternoon tea & launch for Amelia's new book 'Amelia's Compendium of Fashion Illustration' (which you must check out!) treated guests to their very own fashion illustration! The whole day and night was amazing. Along with getting my very own FL in the afternoon we were treated to some yummy scones from Lily Vanilli who also created the amazing centre piece cake (pictured), tea's from Pukka and hand massages! Then after popping out for some catch up's and a quick bite to eat (im a lightweight without food!) with some fellow revellers it was back for the after-party. The place was absolutely packed, Amelia was on top form (and in some most fabulous Nina Dolcetti shoes!) and we took full advantage of the dancefloor (and vodka!ooops!) and then later proceeded to get even more drunk and develop a new best friend in the form of drag queen Ginger Johnson!(although he wasn't in drag at the time!)

There was too much to write about but last and definitely not least i can't forget to mention the amazing goody bags we received in the afternoon! Been wearing my Tatty Devine necklace all weekend and am 100% a Dr.Hauschka convert. HUGE thankyou for inviting me down!

www.ameliasmagazine.com

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