I spent 13 years of my life at HMV, from 1998 to 2011. I saw the changes it made and the growth of the business and the beginning of what may be the end. Let's hope not.
Although this may come across as a slightly biased & rose-tinted view of the company, I'd like to get several points across and put a few things straight about what people have often complained about HMV over the years.
It may physically cost 10p to manufacture a CD or a DVD, but it costs a lot more than 10p for time in the studio, working on a film, editing an album, buying instruments, paying actors, crew, musicians, engineers, production staff.. I could go on. Yes in the good times HMV could get away with charging £16 for a back catalogue album on CD. In those days (the late 90s) it was the only place you could buy certain albums, especially in a small town as there was no other option. It seems a lot of money now, but even then new releases were often £12.99 or above. Even these days with more and more downloads, artists actually earn more money from physical sales than they do from digital.
Until supermarkets started selling albums at a loss from the early noughties onwards I don't think HMV or any of its competitors were seen as particularly expensive. Supermarkets selling CDs cheaply at pretty much the cost price is seen as a way of bringing customers into their store to buy food with higher margins. It also can bring up the total value the customer spends by another £10 or so. I was working in an HMV store when this started happening and remember a customer asking me why we were £2 more than Asda on a CD she wanted. I tried to explain that it wasn't ASDA's core business like it was for us, plus they make more money on bread & milk than they do on CDs! The margins on CDs & DVDs in those days were still much lower than that of clothing or food. You never see people complaining that Topshop sell dresses for £50 that cost £9 to make, which is far truer than the HMV '10p' statement!
If HMV does disappear it won't be good news for Independent shops.
HMV have a lot of shops. HMV have enough shops for small labels to decide whether to physically manufacture an album or not. Although some independents are doing all right for themselves, they may not have such a broad range of product to order as they may only want to order 2 or 3 copies. HMV will order 200 to 300! A label is more likely to get 500 copies of an album manufactured for HMV & independents as it will be commercially viable. The fewer copies are produced, the higher the cost price for the retailer and the less likely they are to order more than one copy as customers won't pay £15 for an album!
I'm also mainly talking about independent music shops. Where does one go to browse film on DVD & Blu-ray if not HMV or a soul-less supermarket? There aren't really independent film shops like there are for music. Film fans as well as music fans like to browse and complete collections as stated in a recent article on the Empire magazine blog.
You cannot browse or discover things online you didn't know about like you can in a shop.
Looking for music online isn't the pleasurable experience that it is flicking through racks in a music store. It just isn't. Online stores are great for when you know exactly what you want, but what music or film fan doesn't like seeing 'what's out' or buying something they like the look of and taking a risk on? The beauty of a physical shop, no matter what it sells, is that you don't always come out with what you intentioned to buy!
Here's an example. I volunteer every Saturday in an Oxfam shop and last weekend I put some music on the stereo. I picked out the Zero 7 album from 2001 that I loved at the time and hadn't heard in a while. Half an hour later a customer asked to buy the CD as well as some clothes she'd been trying on as she'd heard it whilst in the shop. She had never heard of Zero 7 and hadn't come into Oxfam intending to buy a CD. I couldn't tell you how many times I'd sold a CD in an HMV because the album was playing in the shop. That experience cannot be replicated online.
Independent shops can be intimidating, especially for women. There I've said it. As a female music fan I have never felt that comfortable in an Indie shop. I've always felt like I had to prove myself or buy something cool. As a teenager I could go to HMV or Virgin and not feel intimidated. The Indie music store is still very man-centric and I think it always will be mainly because men collect more music than women do.
If HMV goes, prices for CDs & DVDs will sky rocket. How do I know this? Without having the competition to undercut, Amazon will charge what they like for new releases, especially now Play.com is not longer selling new product. Supermarkets will do the same, so you can say goodbye to your £8 new releases!
HMV is much more than a Music retailer. Not only does it sell film & computer games, but it sells more headphones than any other retailer. Forgot your headphones before a long journey? Pick a pair up in your local HMV - not any more!
And finally....HMV isn't just a shop. Most people of my generation and before can remember the first record they bought and where. It's a right of passage. What you buy in a store like HMV identifies who you are. I remember going into HMV & Virgin every Monday after school to check out the new releases to spend my recently earned babysitting money on. It was a shop you could spend ages in browsing without getting bothered. How many people have as much of a passion for Marks & Spencer or ASDA like they do for HMV?!
OK I'm getting all sentimental now. Times have changed but this shouldn't be the end. I would never have worked in HMV if I wasn't passionate about the products and I can pretty much say that's the same for all the employees & ex-employees I worked with and am still friends with. HMV did not embrace change when they should have, but hindsight is a wonderful thing. When you're already doing well, why would you need to change anything? It was perhaps an arrogant attitude to have which the company are now paying for.
I really really hope this isn't it for HMV. There are many great people with so much passion working for HMV and they are the backbone of what could still be great. I'm keeping everything crossed for you all.
Tuesday, 15 January 2013
Monday, 9 July 2012
Fashion for Real People - we identify, we buy!
I've written a piece about how the current state of the music industry frustrates me, and now it's fashion's turn! I love fashion and I read magazines on a regular basis. The one thing that has struck me since I was a teenager has always been 'why are there so many clothes on these pages that no normal person can afford?'
My knowledge of the fashion industry is very limited, unlike music that I worked in for over 10 years. I know fashion is all about image and aspiration, but it always amazes me how far removed from the real world fashion is. I get the fact that they use skinny models with unattainable bodies, but that I don't have so much of a problem with. My main gripe is that the clothes in the fashion spreads are more often than not a combination of things that, a) wouldn't look that good on a 'normal' person, and b) 'normal' people cannot afford.
I consider myself to be a 'normal' woman who's very into fashion. I spend quite a bit of money on clothes & shoes, but have never spent more than £150 on one item of clothing, and that was a coat! When I see fashion spreads with clothes costing upwards of £500, I really wonder what the point is of showing these. Some magazines mix designer with high street. Grazia is very good for that, I really think they have more a grip on reality than the Elles & Cosmopolitans of this world. I understand that fashion houses need their collections to be seen by a mass audience, but the mass audience don't actually buy anything high couture do they?
The weekly free women's magazine, Stylist is probably one of the worst for expensive clothes in their fashion pages, as people don't even pay for it! At least with Elle, Cosmo and so on, you've paid for the privilege of looking at couture. The style sections of weekend newspapers also appear to have no concept of reality either. Considering their readership is more a cross section of society than hardcore fashion buffs, you'd think they'd show a few items of clothing under £50! Guardian & Sunday Times I'm talking about you!
I'd love to meet a woman who buys the clothes she sees in fashion magazines. I for one surely earn a lot less money than she does. Despite having no children & a reasonably paid job, there is no way I am ever going to buy a Gucci shirt for £400! Even if I earned double my current salary I still wouldn't! At the end of the day a shirt is a shirt, as is a pair of jeans. You can argue about fabric being of higher quality & the cut of the garment being sharper, but at the end of the day if clothes fit and look good on you, why pay so much?
There is obviously something I'm missing. Of course I don't want to see expensive items banned from fashion magazines, I just feel they should be mixed a little more with affordable garments. Surely that's what fashionistas generally do anyway? Of course I love to see what wacky concepts high couture has to offer, but not on every single page! I just don't see the point really. It's perhaps like a food shop only displaying caviar & fois gras in the window when it's only something a tiny percentage of customers ever buy.
I actually find extortionately expensive clothing in magazines far more offensive than the skinny teenagers modelling them. In a way blame can be tossed towards high fashion for getting women into debt as it does for causing eating disorders! Fashion shouldn't be blamed for either of these, but there's a big difference between aspirational & unattainable. At the end of the day fashion is fun. All of us girls who care about how we dress see shopping as a pleasure along with looking at fashion magazines, but I for one would like a little realism every now and again, even in a fashion spread. How much harm would it do to occasionally have say perhaps a size 12 model aged 30 or so wearing Topshop, M & S, Debenhams, John Lewis? We identify, we buy.
That's my opinion anyway, but as they say with all indulgent things, 'everything in moderation.'
My knowledge of the fashion industry is very limited, unlike music that I worked in for over 10 years. I know fashion is all about image and aspiration, but it always amazes me how far removed from the real world fashion is. I get the fact that they use skinny models with unattainable bodies, but that I don't have so much of a problem with. My main gripe is that the clothes in the fashion spreads are more often than not a combination of things that, a) wouldn't look that good on a 'normal' person, and b) 'normal' people cannot afford.
I consider myself to be a 'normal' woman who's very into fashion. I spend quite a bit of money on clothes & shoes, but have never spent more than £150 on one item of clothing, and that was a coat! When I see fashion spreads with clothes costing upwards of £500, I really wonder what the point is of showing these. Some magazines mix designer with high street. Grazia is very good for that, I really think they have more a grip on reality than the Elles & Cosmopolitans of this world. I understand that fashion houses need their collections to be seen by a mass audience, but the mass audience don't actually buy anything high couture do they?
The weekly free women's magazine, Stylist is probably one of the worst for expensive clothes in their fashion pages, as people don't even pay for it! At least with Elle, Cosmo and so on, you've paid for the privilege of looking at couture. The style sections of weekend newspapers also appear to have no concept of reality either. Considering their readership is more a cross section of society than hardcore fashion buffs, you'd think they'd show a few items of clothing under £50! Guardian & Sunday Times I'm talking about you!
I'd love to meet a woman who buys the clothes she sees in fashion magazines. I for one surely earn a lot less money than she does. Despite having no children & a reasonably paid job, there is no way I am ever going to buy a Gucci shirt for £400! Even if I earned double my current salary I still wouldn't! At the end of the day a shirt is a shirt, as is a pair of jeans. You can argue about fabric being of higher quality & the cut of the garment being sharper, but at the end of the day if clothes fit and look good on you, why pay so much?
There is obviously something I'm missing. Of course I don't want to see expensive items banned from fashion magazines, I just feel they should be mixed a little more with affordable garments. Surely that's what fashionistas generally do anyway? Of course I love to see what wacky concepts high couture has to offer, but not on every single page! I just don't see the point really. It's perhaps like a food shop only displaying caviar & fois gras in the window when it's only something a tiny percentage of customers ever buy.
I actually find extortionately expensive clothing in magazines far more offensive than the skinny teenagers modelling them. In a way blame can be tossed towards high fashion for getting women into debt as it does for causing eating disorders! Fashion shouldn't be blamed for either of these, but there's a big difference between aspirational & unattainable. At the end of the day fashion is fun. All of us girls who care about how we dress see shopping as a pleasure along with looking at fashion magazines, but I for one would like a little realism every now and again, even in a fashion spread. How much harm would it do to occasionally have say perhaps a size 12 model aged 30 or so wearing Topshop, M & S, Debenhams, John Lewis? We identify, we buy.
That's my opinion anyway, but as they say with all indulgent things, 'everything in moderation.'
Sunday, 12 February 2012
The trouble with iTunes & music these days..
This article starts with a warning that I'm going to sound old & sentimental, but I also think this is constructive criticism.
I am a music lover, have been for as long as I've had ears! From my parents records of the Beatles, the Mamas & the Papas to The Muppet Show album, I grew up with music. As soon as I had my own pocket money, I was buying records of my own. I can't say the 10 year old me had particularly good taste, but there is sentimental value in those 7 inches. 20 or so years later, I have a fantastic music collection: some limited editions, box sets & exclusive promos of some of my favourite artists, along with far more CDs than a normal person should own. Thing is, I wouldn't change it for anything. I rarely buy digital tracks from iTunes, as it's less tangible than possessing a CD or record. This is where my gripes with iTunes begins.
I often see artists advertising "exclusive to iTunes" versions of their albums when they're released. Obviously, there's nothing wrong with that, but the sort of people that are completionists in terms of music like their exclusive box sets, limited edition packaging & "exclusive" content in physical form. Ok, those of a certain demographic do, but as record company budgets are tightened, fewer things are released in a physical format. This in turn somewhat makes music far more throwaway, and seen less of as a creative art form. As someone who still likes to buy music legally, I'm often penalised when 'special editions' of albums are released several months after the original that I've already bought. If I want this new material I can buy the album again when I already own most of it, or I can download the extra tracks individually, which generally costs around the price of buying the album again anyway!
My reason for writing this piece stems from an incident that occurred recently. I am a fan of Nerina Pallot. I pre-ordered her album, 'Year of the Wolf' in May last year from hmv.com, as they had a chance to win tickets to an exclusive gig she was doing the week before release in June. Play.com had signed albums to the first however many people pre-ordered the album, and iTunes had an exclusive 'deluxe' edition with extra tracks not available on the CD. I was lucky enough to win some tickets to her gig, and also got to see Bernard Butler perform with her on a few songs. I loved the album too, and felt I really got my money's worth buying that CD! Fast forward to January 2012 and Nerina announces on her Facebook & Twitter pages that a 'New Year of the Wolf' album with covers & BBC sessions will be available exclusively on iTunes in a few days. This gave me the impression that the '6 new tracks' were going to be an EP of some sort. Went onto iTunes the day the album was available and this album was yet another version of 'Year of the Wolf', but basically the original iTunes exclusive with another 6 tracks. As someone who bought the physical CD this meant there were 11 tracks I did not have. The album as a whole costs £11.99 on iTunes, it would cost me £10.89 to download the 11 tracks I don't have, which I won't do. As a true music fan I'd like a physical CD of some sort, 'exclusive to iTunes' doesn't hold much appeal to those of us who like mementos of our favourite artists' music.
I don't think I'm alone, judging by the complaints on Nerina's Facebook page. Of course as an artist it's not her fault, music is now an industry that makes so little profit from its products, no risks can be taken in manufacturing goods people don't buy. That's the beauty of the download - stock is in constant supply to whoever wants it. Thing is, although I put my music onto my iPod, I still like to buy CDs to add to my collection. I think something can be done however and this is my appeal to record labels.
When you have exclusive content for fans, communicate with them to offer pre-orders on physical products, with a deadline and limited run. You have your orders before manufacture so there is no risk involved with unwanted and pricey stock. Pledge Music sort of does this, though is mainly for artists without record deals. So it's buy before you try, but true music fans will pay for something they want. When we go to gigs we buy the tickets months in advance and not on the day, so why should it be different with music?
So, what's my point? In short, I'm not going to pay iTunes £11.99 for an album I can't hold in my hand when I already own half of the songs on it. More and more music fans are downloading illegally because of rip offs like this, even though they would often prefer to purchase the music legitimately. However, I would pay £11.99 for the same album on a CD in a limited run issued to fans only.
As long as this goes on, more people will download illegally and music becomes more and more devalued.
I am a music lover, have been for as long as I've had ears! From my parents records of the Beatles, the Mamas & the Papas to The Muppet Show album, I grew up with music. As soon as I had my own pocket money, I was buying records of my own. I can't say the 10 year old me had particularly good taste, but there is sentimental value in those 7 inches. 20 or so years later, I have a fantastic music collection: some limited editions, box sets & exclusive promos of some of my favourite artists, along with far more CDs than a normal person should own. Thing is, I wouldn't change it for anything. I rarely buy digital tracks from iTunes, as it's less tangible than possessing a CD or record. This is where my gripes with iTunes begins.
I often see artists advertising "exclusive to iTunes" versions of their albums when they're released. Obviously, there's nothing wrong with that, but the sort of people that are completionists in terms of music like their exclusive box sets, limited edition packaging & "exclusive" content in physical form. Ok, those of a certain demographic do, but as record company budgets are tightened, fewer things are released in a physical format. This in turn somewhat makes music far more throwaway, and seen less of as a creative art form. As someone who still likes to buy music legally, I'm often penalised when 'special editions' of albums are released several months after the original that I've already bought. If I want this new material I can buy the album again when I already own most of it, or I can download the extra tracks individually, which generally costs around the price of buying the album again anyway!
My reason for writing this piece stems from an incident that occurred recently. I am a fan of Nerina Pallot. I pre-ordered her album, 'Year of the Wolf' in May last year from hmv.com, as they had a chance to win tickets to an exclusive gig she was doing the week before release in June. Play.com had signed albums to the first however many people pre-ordered the album, and iTunes had an exclusive 'deluxe' edition with extra tracks not available on the CD. I was lucky enough to win some tickets to her gig, and also got to see Bernard Butler perform with her on a few songs. I loved the album too, and felt I really got my money's worth buying that CD! Fast forward to January 2012 and Nerina announces on her Facebook & Twitter pages that a 'New Year of the Wolf' album with covers & BBC sessions will be available exclusively on iTunes in a few days. This gave me the impression that the '6 new tracks' were going to be an EP of some sort. Went onto iTunes the day the album was available and this album was yet another version of 'Year of the Wolf', but basically the original iTunes exclusive with another 6 tracks. As someone who bought the physical CD this meant there were 11 tracks I did not have. The album as a whole costs £11.99 on iTunes, it would cost me £10.89 to download the 11 tracks I don't have, which I won't do. As a true music fan I'd like a physical CD of some sort, 'exclusive to iTunes' doesn't hold much appeal to those of us who like mementos of our favourite artists' music.
I don't think I'm alone, judging by the complaints on Nerina's Facebook page. Of course as an artist it's not her fault, music is now an industry that makes so little profit from its products, no risks can be taken in manufacturing goods people don't buy. That's the beauty of the download - stock is in constant supply to whoever wants it. Thing is, although I put my music onto my iPod, I still like to buy CDs to add to my collection. I think something can be done however and this is my appeal to record labels.
When you have exclusive content for fans, communicate with them to offer pre-orders on physical products, with a deadline and limited run. You have your orders before manufacture so there is no risk involved with unwanted and pricey stock. Pledge Music sort of does this, though is mainly for artists without record deals. So it's buy before you try, but true music fans will pay for something they want. When we go to gigs we buy the tickets months in advance and not on the day, so why should it be different with music?
So, what's my point? In short, I'm not going to pay iTunes £11.99 for an album I can't hold in my hand when I already own half of the songs on it. More and more music fans are downloading illegally because of rip offs like this, even though they would often prefer to purchase the music legitimately. However, I would pay £11.99 for the same album on a CD in a limited run issued to fans only.
As long as this goes on, more people will download illegally and music becomes more and more devalued.
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Albums of 2011: Foo Fighters - 'Wasting Light'
Band that some people have tired of but I still love album of 2011
I love the Foos, I love all of their albums, but I think this is definitely their best since 2003's 'One by One'. I'm really not sure why they've fallen out of favour with some fans though that's beside the point anyway, as 'Wasting Light' is a fine rock album. From the opening of 'bridge burning' to the ending of 'walk', this album is just pure powerful guitar rock, but in a style only the Foos are capable of.
Along with Foster the People, this is one of my most listened to albums of 2011, and my favourite tracks keep changing. Initially it was 'These Days', which seemed to speak too me personally, but after many listens, 'Walk' and 'I should have known' are probably the stand outs for me. The thing with the Foos is that they are a bit Ronseal, and what's wrong with a band who always does what it says on the tin? There are no 'Everlong' type ballads on this album, so if you want some blasting tunes to rock out to, then you can never go wrong with the Foo Fighters. 'Wasting Light' is a prime example of a band who know what they do best, but also how to do it tongue in cheek without the quality of music taking a slide. I've been buying their music for almost 17 years, and I surely hope I will be for the next 17! Thanks guys!
I love the Foos, I love all of their albums, but I think this is definitely their best since 2003's 'One by One'. I'm really not sure why they've fallen out of favour with some fans though that's beside the point anyway, as 'Wasting Light' is a fine rock album. From the opening of 'bridge burning' to the ending of 'walk', this album is just pure powerful guitar rock, but in a style only the Foos are capable of.
Along with Foster the People, this is one of my most listened to albums of 2011, and my favourite tracks keep changing. Initially it was 'These Days', which seemed to speak too me personally, but after many listens, 'Walk' and 'I should have known' are probably the stand outs for me. The thing with the Foos is that they are a bit Ronseal, and what's wrong with a band who always does what it says on the tin? There are no 'Everlong' type ballads on this album, so if you want some blasting tunes to rock out to, then you can never go wrong with the Foo Fighters. 'Wasting Light' is a prime example of a band who know what they do best, but also how to do it tongue in cheek without the quality of music taking a slide. I've been buying their music for almost 17 years, and I surely hope I will be for the next 17! Thanks guys!
Albums of 2011: Nerina Pallot - 'Year of the Wolf'
Artist who should be bigger than they are album of 2011: Nerina Pallot - 'Year of the Wolf'
Nerina Pallot is one of those artists you may have heard about, though may not be terribly familiar with. She's a very talented singer songwriter who's been around for over 10 years and 'Year of the Wolf' was her 4th album. Ok, I'm a fan anyway, but this is a great album in its own right. It should be too, considering the production credits came from one Mr. Bernard Butler.
I was lucky enough to see Nerina play live the week before the album came out, and certain tracks stood out immediately. 'Butterfly', 'I think' & 'Turn me on again' were and still are my favourites, along with the emotional 'History Boys' and 'This will be our Year'. Each song has its own story, some are more upbeat than others, but as a whole this album is fit for every mood.
Nerina is such a great musician too, as she either plays guitar or keyboard on this album. The Bernard Butler production gives the overall sound a modern, but old school feel and I can't think of another female singer songwriter who's made such a consistently good album in the last year or so that's been a little too under the radar for so long. As a fan I kind of like it that way. Other female singer songwriters whose stars have shone more brightly have fallen by the wayside while Nerina's still standing and producing great albums. Duffy has been and gone, and who's to say the over-hyped Lana Del Ray will have as long a career as Ms Pallot. I'm not that fussed about Lana, as Nerina has consistently and quietly been making good music for over 10 years, and no doubt she still will for a good time to come.
Nerina Pallot is one of those artists you may have heard about, though may not be terribly familiar with. She's a very talented singer songwriter who's been around for over 10 years and 'Year of the Wolf' was her 4th album. Ok, I'm a fan anyway, but this is a great album in its own right. It should be too, considering the production credits came from one Mr. Bernard Butler.
I was lucky enough to see Nerina play live the week before the album came out, and certain tracks stood out immediately. 'Butterfly', 'I think' & 'Turn me on again' were and still are my favourites, along with the emotional 'History Boys' and 'This will be our Year'. Each song has its own story, some are more upbeat than others, but as a whole this album is fit for every mood.
Nerina is such a great musician too, as she either plays guitar or keyboard on this album. The Bernard Butler production gives the overall sound a modern, but old school feel and I can't think of another female singer songwriter who's made such a consistently good album in the last year or so that's been a little too under the radar for so long. As a fan I kind of like it that way. Other female singer songwriters whose stars have shone more brightly have fallen by the wayside while Nerina's still standing and producing great albums. Duffy has been and gone, and who's to say the over-hyped Lana Del Ray will have as long a career as Ms Pallot. I'm not that fussed about Lana, as Nerina has consistently and quietly been making good music for over 10 years, and no doubt she still will for a good time to come.
Albums of 2011: Foster the People - 'Torches'
Favourite new band & debut album of the year: Foster the People - Torches
As soon as I heard 'Pumped up kicks', I knew immediately that I had to find out who this band was. Although the song got played a lot on radio I never tired of it. As someone who listens to radio for at least 10 hours a week, this doesn't happen often.
When their album finally came out, it was early summer and their positivity & melodic tunes were more uplifting than anything I'd heard in a long time. My favourite tracks are always changing; 'Waste' was an instant iPod most played, but tracks like 'call it what you want', 'don't stop' & 'Helena beat' were soon climbing up the list as well.
I can't quite put into words how much I love this album, or how much I feel that it came along at a time where I needed to hear some good new music to help me along in life. If I had to define the sentiment of the album I'd just quote the chorus of 'Waste'. "And every day that you want to waste that you want to waste, you can." Every track on the album has its own personality and sentiment without being tired or lame in any way. I love it.
As soon as I heard 'Pumped up kicks', I knew immediately that I had to find out who this band was. Although the song got played a lot on radio I never tired of it. As someone who listens to radio for at least 10 hours a week, this doesn't happen often.
When their album finally came out, it was early summer and their positivity & melodic tunes were more uplifting than anything I'd heard in a long time. My favourite tracks are always changing; 'Waste' was an instant iPod most played, but tracks like 'call it what you want', 'don't stop' & 'Helena beat' were soon climbing up the list as well.
I can't quite put into words how much I love this album, or how much I feel that it came along at a time where I needed to hear some good new music to help me along in life. If I had to define the sentiment of the album I'd just quote the chorus of 'Waste'. "And every day that you want to waste that you want to waste, you can." Every track on the album has its own personality and sentiment without being tired or lame in any way. I love it.
Monday, 16 January 2012
My albums of 2011: Overview & List
It's been a fair while since I've written anything about music so thought I'd write a typical end of year piece of my own. Ok, so we're well into January 2012 by now, but it's better late than never!
I don't have a defined list or have them in any kind of order, but considering the highs & lows I experienced in 2011, I thought I'd write about the music that got me through, along with some new discoveries. It's mostly albums released in 2011, with one re-issue that I now love even more, plus one classic that stands the test of time and is the most played album on my iPod in the last 12 months! Individual critiques to follow.
Jo's albums of 2011:
Foster the People - 'Torches'
Nerina Pallot - 'Year of the Wolf'
Noah & the Whale - 'Last Night on Earth'
Kaiser Chiefs - 'The Future is Medieval'
Florence & the Machine - 'Ceremonials'
Foo Fighters - 'Wasting Light'
Charlatans - 'Us & Us Only' (reissue)
Fleetwood Mac - 'Rumours' (1977)
I don't have a defined list or have them in any kind of order, but considering the highs & lows I experienced in 2011, I thought I'd write about the music that got me through, along with some new discoveries. It's mostly albums released in 2011, with one re-issue that I now love even more, plus one classic that stands the test of time and is the most played album on my iPod in the last 12 months! Individual critiques to follow.
Jo's albums of 2011:
Foster the People - 'Torches'
Nerina Pallot - 'Year of the Wolf'
Noah & the Whale - 'Last Night on Earth'
Kaiser Chiefs - 'The Future is Medieval'
Florence & the Machine - 'Ceremonials'
Foo Fighters - 'Wasting Light'
Charlatans - 'Us & Us Only' (reissue)
Fleetwood Mac - 'Rumours' (1977)
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Last three days of Jovember
So I was a little behind with my blog posts at the end of Jovember, so have put the last three days into one.
Monday the 28th was a normal day with an evening in the pub scheduled after working hours. I went for a purple Oasis knit dress which is in the same style as a black & white one worn earlier in the month. As the weather was still cold it was Uggs again (if I can remember correctly). Nothing special, but comfort and a bit of style is needed in cold weather!
Tuesday was another black & white day with a 60s dress that I absolutely love. I wear it with leggings usually and as it was cold needed a long sleeve black top underneath. I went for shoes from a couple of Saturdays ago from Ted Baker. Lovely rubber shoes that aren't that warm, but good in the rain!
The final day was a Wednesday and I went for a green Topshop dress and green Red or Dead shoes. Both the dress & shoes I've had for a while, but don't think I've ever worn together. The shoes though quite high heeled are pretty comfortable and although I love the dress it's a pain to iron so isn't worn as much as it should be.
I must say I've really enjoyed Jovember. I'll be putting some clothes on eBay in the new year to raise more money for Marie Curie cancer care.
Thanks for reading and expect more music & fashion blog posts here in 2012!
Monday the 28th was a normal day with an evening in the pub scheduled after working hours. I went for a purple Oasis knit dress which is in the same style as a black & white one worn earlier in the month. As the weather was still cold it was Uggs again (if I can remember correctly). Nothing special, but comfort and a bit of style is needed in cold weather!
Tuesday was another black & white day with a 60s dress that I absolutely love. I wear it with leggings usually and as it was cold needed a long sleeve black top underneath. I went for shoes from a couple of Saturdays ago from Ted Baker. Lovely rubber shoes that aren't that warm, but good in the rain!
The final day was a Wednesday and I went for a green Topshop dress and green Red or Dead shoes. Both the dress & shoes I've had for a while, but don't think I've ever worn together. The shoes though quite high heeled are pretty comfortable and although I love the dress it's a pain to iron so isn't worn as much as it should be.
I must say I've really enjoyed Jovember. I'll be putting some clothes on eBay in the new year to raise more money for Marie Curie cancer care.
Thanks for reading and expect more music & fashion blog posts here in 2012!
Sunday Warmth over Style
After a late night Saturday, Sunday involved relaxing, cinema & dinner out with friends. As the month has got colder I've had to repeat my Ugg boots, but not clothes at least! Today's dress was a snug winter jumper dress from White Stuff. The dress is cream and a lighter colour than I'd usually wear, but as today was about warmth, it didn't really matter!
Saturday Jeans & Indie
Saturday was definitely a jeans day. Obviously I couldn't repeat jeans so went for some purple/maroon coloured ones I bought in River Island a few months ago. They're slightly flared and stretchy so fit very well. The top I wore with it is a good 4 or 5 years old. It came from Coast who are more known for their formal dresses than anything else. I love this zig zag top as it's very Missoni-esque without the Missoni price tag! I did have to repeat shoes, and went for my purple velvet Rocketdogs from a couple of Saturdays ago. The whole outfit was funky & comfortable and very suitable for a Saturday that involved a cultural trip to a museum exhibition followed by the pub & an Indie club later on in the evening!
Friday, 2 December 2011
Shoe repeat Friday pink & red
This was the second day this week I went for a short-ish skirt & leggings. It was cold again so I had to repeat shoes in the form of my black Uggs. This was also a departure from my usual colours of black, white & purple. I like colour and this red skirt was brought to my attention in Monsoon recently. I put a stripey pinkish cardigan with the red skirt as they kind of went together.
The cardigan was from my dear departed mum's clothes that I decided to keep and not sell on eBay. Unfortunately, this lovely Karen Millen cardigan had a few holes in it, which I didn't really notice until it was too late. Never mind, it wasn't too noticeable and the red & pink went very well together.
I had a lovely evening too out in the pub, spending most of it covered up outside in my Tara Starlet cape!
The cardigan was from my dear departed mum's clothes that I decided to keep and not sell on eBay. Unfortunately, this lovely Karen Millen cardigan had a few holes in it, which I didn't really notice until it was too late. Never mind, it wasn't too noticeable and the red & pink went very well together.
I had a lovely evening too out in the pub, spending most of it covered up outside in my Tara Starlet cape!
Tara Thursday
Today was a stylish day. I had an event to go to in the evening & needed to look smart so went for yet another Tara Starlet number. My obsession with 50s & 60s style only began a few years ago when I stopped wearing jeans to work and began to embrace the dress. Nothing makes you feel better than a good dress that fits and suits you and this black & white gingham collar piece is no exception. It clings in the right places but is work appropriate as well. I teamed it with thick black tights as it was still cold, and some low heeled black & white patent Mary Janes from Marks & Spencer.
Marks & Spencer so often have great value and stylish shoes that I can't stop popping in there frequently to check for anything new. These shoes were only about £20 and once more are pretty comfortable for heels. Although not high, the heels give me a sense of importance and also go so well with the dress.
I got a few compliments at the event & would quite happily have this dress in every colour. I feel like it's been made especially for me.
Marks & Spencer so often have great value and stylish shoes that I can't stop popping in there frequently to check for anything new. These shoes were only about £20 and once more are pretty comfortable for heels. Although not high, the heels give me a sense of importance and also go so well with the dress.
I got a few compliments at the event & would quite happily have this dress in every colour. I feel like it's been made especially for me.
Purple Ted & low Temperatures
Today was another outing for purple. I have this blue & purple skirt I bought last January in the sale that I've not had a chance to wear much. It's quite short so I always team it with thick leggings and a casual top. As it was pretty cold I added my cosiest cardigan over the plain black top. The cardigan is also Ted Baker and doubles, well triples as a wrap and a jumper dress. It's quite long for a cardigan but is very very warm - just what was needed!
Shoe wise, I'd thankfully kept my tall grey Ugg boots on hold for Jovember until a really cold day came along. Today was that day. People either love or hate Uggs. As someone who gets cold feet as soon as the clocks go back then I'm a lover. They are the most comfortable thing you can possibly wear on your feet and I know they're not the height of style but you have to take comfort & warmth over style when the nights start drawing in!
Thankfully I stayed warm and although not the most stylish outfit of Jovember, definitely the cosiest!
Shoe wise, I'd thankfully kept my tall grey Ugg boots on hold for Jovember until a really cold day came along. Today was that day. People either love or hate Uggs. As someone who gets cold feet as soon as the clocks go back then I'm a lover. They are the most comfortable thing you can possibly wear on your feet and I know they're not the height of style but you have to take comfort & warmth over style when the nights start drawing in!
Thankfully I stayed warm and although not the most stylish outfit of Jovember, definitely the cosiest!
Monday, 28 November 2011
Tuesday Tea & Cake
Thankfully didn't need to wear boots today, but went for shoes I've had for a while but shamefully have never got around to wearing.
The 'dress' is very short so I've worn thick leggings with it. I love the tea & cake design on the dress which is from a label called 'Little Mistress'. The shoes are from Red or Dead and are wonderfully comfortable. I do like a brogue, and these are kind of a cross between brogues and creepers. As a fan of black & white, it's pretty obvious why I went for these shoes!
Once again these were a Schuh sale purchase, shame they don't have a loyalty card, though I'd probably buy even more shoes then! Anyway, I love these brogues, and they certainly won't be hidden in their box for so long. A good work shoes that can translate to going out - especially since the toes are silver!
The 'dress' is very short so I've worn thick leggings with it. I love the tea & cake design on the dress which is from a label called 'Little Mistress'. The shoes are from Red or Dead and are wonderfully comfortable. I do like a brogue, and these are kind of a cross between brogues and creepers. As a fan of black & white, it's pretty obvious why I went for these shoes!
Once again these were a Schuh sale purchase, shame they don't have a loyalty card, though I'd probably buy even more shoes then! Anyway, I love these brogues, and they certainly won't be hidden in their box for so long. A good work shoes that can translate to going out - especially since the toes are silver!
Purple & Black Monday 21st
Eeurgh it was Monday again and it was cold. I needed to wear a cheerful colour so went for purple. The dress I went for I've had for a good 4 years or so, but it's served me well and I am always complimented on it when I've worn it. It's a very flattering empire line style and I really like the fact it has 3/4 length sleeves. The material is quite thick so it's relatively warm and also has a flattering neckline. It came from French Connection in the sale, a shop I think is quite expensive for what it is, so I've only ever bought things in their sale.
The boots were also a sale purchase, from the wonderful Kurt Geiger. Although heeled, they are pretty comfortable and to add to my love of them they have fleece on the inside for cold feet like mine! I don't think the picture has come out that well, but hopefully you can see the nice buckle detail on them.
Now it's really getting cold I think boots may be the order for the rest of Jovember, so may have some repeats!
The boots were also a sale purchase, from the wonderful Kurt Geiger. Although heeled, they are pretty comfortable and to add to my love of them they have fleece on the inside for cold feet like mine! I don't think the picture has come out that well, but hopefully you can see the nice buckle detail on them.
Now it's really getting cold I think boots may be the order for the rest of Jovember, so may have some repeats!
Green day Sunday
After purple and black & white, green is my next favourite colour. It's a friendly colour and you can generally trust people in green. I mean Kermit the frog is green - who wouldn't want to emulate him in fashion?
Today was another outing for Tara Starlet. Have I said how much I love this label? I think I may have done. Anyway, a slightly lazy Sunday involved a long lie in, a few chores and an evening in the pub with friends.
The dress is in a flattering floral 1940s style, and although floaty is figure skimming too for a great fit. The shoes are yet another pair of New Look ballet pumps that have seen better days. They've been worn almost into the ground, but go so well with the dress it's barely noticeable how bedraggled they are!
Green is a good colour if you want to stand out, but not be too out there & off the wall. For that you want fluorescent green! That will certainly stand out - especially in the dark.
Today was another outing for Tara Starlet. Have I said how much I love this label? I think I may have done. Anyway, a slightly lazy Sunday involved a long lie in, a few chores and an evening in the pub with friends.
The dress is in a flattering floral 1940s style, and although floaty is figure skimming too for a great fit. The shoes are yet another pair of New Look ballet pumps that have seen better days. They've been worn almost into the ground, but go so well with the dress it's barely noticeable how bedraggled they are!
Green is a good colour if you want to stand out, but not be too out there & off the wall. For that you want fluorescent green! That will certainly stand out - especially in the dark.
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Saturday Music & Style
Saturday involved a bit of pottering about in the day and a gig of a friend's band in the evening. Having looked back at Jovember so far I noticed that I've mostly worn dresses, so today was a jeans day. The T-shirt & shoes are both recent purchases and this was their first outing. Both the jeans & the shoes are by Ted Baker, one of my favourite slightly pricier high street labels. Can't say I've ever bought anything from TB full price, they always have great sales and the occasional 20% off days. Think the jeans were less than half price in a sale a while back, and the black & white shoes were bought recently on a discount evening.
The T-shirt was another bargain find from TK Maxx. I'm a fan of the Harajuku Lovers perfumes by Gwen Stefani and didn't realise the designs or the various characters were on clothes too. At some point I'll do a blog post on HJ perfume & design: let's just say it's no ordinary celebrity perfume range.
It was a good evening, new shoes didn't hurt - well they were flats, and the gig was great.
The T-shirt was another bargain find from TK Maxx. I'm a fan of the Harajuku Lovers perfumes by Gwen Stefani and didn't realise the designs or the various characters were on clothes too. At some point I'll do a blog post on HJ perfume & design: let's just say it's no ordinary celebrity perfume range.
It was a good evening, new shoes didn't hurt - well they were flats, and the gig was great.
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Tuxedo Friday
As I thought this was another black & white day. I really love this warm tuxedo dress. I got it from a quirky shop called Joy (joythestore.com) as there's a branch about four doors down from the office I used to work at. Being as this dress is quite short I always wear it with leggings or jeans. Shoe wise, it's another monochrome pair and one more outing for Irregular Choice. I managed to get these shoes on eBay at a bargain price, and they are pretty comfy for kitten ted heels. I do love the sixties mod style of the shoes - they go with quite a few monochrome dresses I have.
It wasn't until I started this project that I realised how much black & white I have. I suppose it's my signature style, along with purple. Perhaps I should branch out more colour wise!
It wasn't until I started this project that I realised how much black & white I have. I suppose it's my signature style, along with purple. Perhaps I should branch out more colour wise!
Monday, 21 November 2011
Thursday Monochrome strikes again
Today I was in a rush so had to find something quick & comfortable. I went for a black skirt & top (Oasis & Topshop respectively) with a white trimmed black cardigan and black ballet pumps (with a white cameo design on the toes. Quite simple & understated I thought. I call the cardigan my Chanel cardigan as it's very Chanel in style. Of course it actually came from Miss Selfridge, so was obviously a fraction of the price!
The shoes were another Schuh purchase - showing the fun and diversity of styles that can be done in ballet flats. I also think I'm gradually getting through everything monochrome I have in my wardrobe with possibly more tomorrow.
The shoes were another Schuh purchase - showing the fun and diversity of styles that can be done in ballet flats. I also think I'm gradually getting through everything monochrome I have in my wardrobe with possibly more tomorrow.
Wednesday Tara take 3
Ok, so I've worn some Tara Starlet already and I've also continually raved about how I love this label. Today was a more casual approach with jeans tucked into boots and a green floral pussy bow blouse. The blouse is perfect tucked into jeans, and I really liked this smart but casual look.
Both the jeans (Miss Sixty) and the boots (Clarks) I've had for a good long while and have lasted very well. I have a feeling they were both January sale purchases from 4 or more years ago. The jeans are very thick denim & great in winter. As someone with not the thinnest of calves, these boots enable me to tuck my jeans into them. The boots are on the way out, but I'm going to wear them until the treads have no grip and my feet get wet in the rain.
Both the jeans (Miss Sixty) and the boots (Clarks) I've had for a good long while and have lasted very well. I have a feeling they were both January sale purchases from 4 or more years ago. The jeans are very thick denim & great in winter. As someone with not the thinnest of calves, these boots enable me to tuck my jeans into them. The boots are on the way out, but I'm going to wear them until the treads have no grip and my feet get wet in the rain.
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