Bellowhead...

I'm ill again. Apparently I have been for the last two weeks, my classics teacher keeps threatening to send me home. I guess it doesn't help I was doing car parking for the school open day. In the pouring rain. And the day before had been to quite possibly the best live thing I've ever seen. Live thing I mean Twickenham, Latitude, Mika, the Queen. A motley collection but true. It's great to see a band that where every member, all 11 of them, is amazing at their instrument and usually plays a mixture. Their name is Bellowhead, and in need of a cliche, they rock my socks.


I think Lucia and everyone at school is pretty annoyed at me about talking to them. I went with Savannah to this really small venue, I was standing about four metres away. We describe it as alternative folk, but is just general awesomeness, for want of a better word.
The lead guy, Jon Boden, had a kazoo attachment to his violin, you don't really get much better than that. Even inspired me to take up my violin after a year. Truly inspirational. Drinking on stage, with ties gradually getting looser and looser, rocking out whilst playing a banjo. Does it get a rawer than this? I think not. Generally amazing. If you can get tickets, watch them. It will be worth it.
Plus at the end they all hung out round the merchandise, signed bag!

Over and Out,
BK

Too much to say, so much homework to do...

Joe Calzaghe is out of Strictly Come Dancing. Possibly one of the worst things ever to happen on one of those celebrity fuelled reality programmes. He is an absolute legend with quite possibly the best name in the world bar his father Enzo.
So... anyone watch x factor yesterday. Diva night. Thought it was strange there wasn't a Mariah song in hearing, apparently due to the Mariah Carey night last year. Oh the joys.

1. Anyway, let's start with Olly, methinks we have a winner there. He is awesome and his dancing was way better than Lucie's apparent dancing according to the ever so slightly amazing Dannii. Does he have the x factor? I think soooo.
2. Loved the twins. Though the R-Patz look is still there I loved that they reenacted that scene from Britney's video. Loved it.
3. Lloyd. OMG! What is wrong with that guy? Something is not quite right I swear. He has a bizarre singing voice and looks like my friend's ex. Need I say more? Bar his slightly strange relationship with Cheryl. The chin stroking, the calling her 'Babe.' If there wasn't an 11 year age gap, I'd think something was up. But I have to love him slightly for the accent. I have a thing for the Welsh. Like wow, did you know the lovely Ioan Gruffudd is grade 8 at the oboe. Makes me want to practise mine, which is a complete shock to the system.
4. Joe is adorable, infectious smile and great voice.
5. Rikki... slightly unholy note at the end there. Sorry mate, but you really can't beat Aretha unless you are Rupert Everett. My Best Friend's Wedding anyone?
6. Who have I missed? O Jamie, missed it actually. But from Dolly was apparently 'very emotional and generally heart wrenching.' How descriptive.
7. Oh! The girls. Missed them. Stacey, great dress, lovely girl. Rachel... interesting, bizarre make-up, but great voice. Lucie... great vocals, too ordinary?
8. Miss Frank will go. I'm sorry. I love the tall girl's hair, but meh. Basically.

I think that's the run down of my Saturday evening yesterday. Other than repeatedly listening to Hans Zimmer on Spotify. Black Hawk Down soundtrack is actually spectacular. Gortez a Ran is perfect. Haven't seen the film, but the soundtrack is soooo good. Gortez a Ran is sung in Breton, words cannot describe. Just take five minutes out of your day to listen to it please. For me. It will be worth it.

I wish I could compose music as beautiful as this.

I know what else I did. Muriel's Wedding. Love that film, I truly believe Toni Collette is one of this generation's unsung actresses. About a Boy, Little Miss Sunshine. So versatile, well plays quirky characters. What annoys me in this film is not the ABBA music, it's the only time I can stand the stuff. It's the fact that she doesn't stay with the gorgeous swimmer! Ok, they aren't in love and it was a marriage based on money anyway, but at the end when she leaves it almost made me cry. Yes it was 12.15 and I should have been asleep and have been ill last few weeks, but no excuse. I've watched that film so many times, and every single time! It annoys me as you can probably tell...

I'll post some more designs tomorrow as really should right my Classics essay. But HA! my parents went to a friend's 50th yesterday and there was a stripper. The people's 12 year old son was there. I was shocked, but apparently it was all in good taste. I laugh.

Over and Out,

BK

Designs x2...

Basically I'm bored and feel drawing pretty clothes and general things is way more interesting than writing essays and tackling yet more mechanics work. When will the parents finally realise my brain is not programmed under 'Science?' I strictly stick to Classics and History, with the occasional twinkle of the ol' Joanna... Regina Spektor atm, LOVE! Eet is amazing. Also Kissing You by Des'ree. OMG it's so amazing and moving and generally should be played twenty four seven. I believe it did appear on Romeo + Juliet, the one with Leo and Clare Danes. I love Baz Luhrman, I swear he is a genius.



LOVE!

Anyhoo, due to complete lack of motivation to do anything but draw random items based on random things, here are a small selection:

These ones are based on the dresses and coats they were wearing in Emma, the new mini period drama on BBC at the mo. Mr Knightley and Mr Elton are both played by previous Edmunds from Mansfield Park, the one with Jonny Lee Miller is probably my favourite period drama ever bar Vanity Fair. It's amazing, words cannot describe, James Purefoy, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Rhys Ifans. I love you all. The little coat thing has a cravat, just thought it was cute.

Ok, top left is a drawing of a guy in my form. He is cool, proper public school hair, good looking, sadly short, but plays rugby and is a genuinely nice guy. He usually dresses slightly 1970s, cheese cloth shirts, baggy jeans. Not the usual underwear showing, skinny jean wearing type. The top right one is a rough sketch of a dress I own with a silk slip underneath and an amazingly incredible burnt orange smoking jacket I own. Just thought it looked awesome. Bottom is an inside out denim jacket I was given with one of my 1980s skirts, red New Look waist belt, sheer material from a vintage ball gown and hold ups. I love hold ups, I do believe they are possibly the sexiest things ever, my mother refuses to buy me some. I remember buying some whilst in France with Lucia. We came back to school, wore berets, red lipstick and spoke with an accent all day. International women of mystery...

Left is an outfit Lucia wore to school... yesterday? Most is from Next, but look sooo good. Loved it really did. Rocking my classic high waisted skirt and black tights combo, but with some cute velvet peep toe heels. Looked so good, really did. Right is an altered version of mine. Grey wool jumper, Vivienne Westwood style belt and pink silk skirt from TK Maxx. I also wore it with a silk scarf and wool coat. Theme? The Queen... Not forgetting the patent black pumps...

First is based on a dress I saw this old woman wearing. It had amazing drapery (god I say that word a lot) and was full length, almost 1940s couture. Stunning piece, she looked so glamorous just for a trip to an Art History lecture. The t-shirts are just designs I have for one I want to decorate. I love the second. Please don't steal...

Thanks,
Over and Out,
BK

General...

Actually there hasn't been a complete lack of communication over the last few days. Not much has happened in my small life consisting of essays and maths questions to do. I have been told to do more sketches, but have been fixing clothes whilst watching the silver screen instead of my usual drawing. But need to get back into practise as am going to Paris in summer on art trip!! Yay, 'tis going to be amazing.


Watched the school lose at rugby today and learnt that my 6'7'' maths teacher used to wear leotards and tights. I'm worried, but we spent more time wondering which guy had the best 'body of a Greek god,' and shouting comments about the different coloured boots. The game itself is amazing, a bit of a fan. Especially the Welsh team, if Mike Philips asked me I would not say no. Let's leave it at that. There was a reason for this bit, Lucia told beanie guy that I was not of the liking of his beanie. So explained later. And apparently he is a druggie. I'm like lol.


Had a school concert this evening and the theme was black and white. I don't have a black dress, so I wore a black pinafore dress with white piping and a white shirt. But I looked like a Catholic primary school student. Then I found my dad's opera scarf so wore that as a tie. People gave me loads of compliments. I'm smiled graciously and gritted my teeth when they called it a tie, don't they know an opera scarf when they see one?


Another thing to annoy me is the heating is already on in school. It's freezing in my house, average outside and sweating temperature at school. I don't know how to dress! It's a horrible feeling and I either shiver or looked permanently flushed. O well, I'll live.





Just to lighten the heart. Me at Latitude. Cherry, me, father, Dolly




And again...

Over and Out,
BK

Earwigs and Men...

There actually is no correlation between men and earwigs. Well, there might be but can't think of any at this current moment... Suggestions accepted.
On the topic of earwigs. We had an infestation in the summer. They are Dolly's worst nightmare, like mine are giant squids, but that's for another time. Anyway it was horrible, they were pouring out of the window frame, millions. The mother came in and sprayed them all. I like her for that. But since then I keep finding them in the study where the computer is. I found one just one, general screaming of 'Die, you ghastly specimen! Die!' and foot stamping. I see it now. Curled up on the floor cowering beneath my orange shoed feet. It was similar with the wasp in the summer. That one was disposed of using my Latin dictionary. It's not that I dislike insects, I just find them threatening and they generally irritate me. The chance I might get stung doesn't fuss me. I dunno, just get overcome by this sudden violent streak.

So, men then. Basically I love men's fashion. Not the fashion so much but the items. I was discussing this with my friend Franky the other day. She recently bought many cardigans and jumpers from Edinburgh Woollen Mill. You should try it sometime, good quality wool and the sales are good. I frequently go to pick up cardigans. This conversation got onto the topic of men's fashion and the pros and cons, by this time there were a number of other friends there as well.

Pros-

• Nice tailoring
• Better fabric/ Same fabric- Better cost. TKMaxx I'm looking at you and your cashmere jumpers.
• Shirts aren't fitted and therefore work well for the bustier wo-man.
• Apparently they are sexy- I have been told a number of times by guys. Hence the apparently
• According to Dolly- accentuates your feminine character(?) especially with feminine make-up and hair
• More practical
• Shirts make great dresses.
• Perfect for the 'Just got out of lover's bed' look. Thanks Lucia...
• Easier to find in charity shops
• Shirts make great skirts... In fact I might wear one tomorrow...

Cons-

• Guys might be wearing the same as you. I've had it happen...
• Might be too bulky/ too masculine.
• Guys give you weird looks when you shop in their department.
• Trousers are bad, unless you do not have child bearing hips or a bottom.
• Shoes rarely fit.
• Made for a different figure than the average woman... Obviously.
• Guys might think you are in a relationship. Again has happened.
• Or if you are in a relationship- he can't be too pleased if you steal his favourite shirt.

All I can think of. Again suggestions welcome, will add...

Over and Out,

BK

x factor...

OMG! I just read that Stephen Gately of Boyzone fame has died. WTF? I don't swear but omg, I do believe is the phrase to use. He was the short one, I think. Am researching now. Died in his sleep following a drinking session in Majorca whilst on holiday with his partner. RIP.
Link

So it was the first of the live shows yesterday, there are a number of pointers I want to make:

1. The Irish twins look suspiciously like Robert Pattinson. Ok I know I might get hunted down and killed by a bunch of angry teenage girls. But there is a definite resemblance. They are both quite freaky.
2. OMG I can't believe what Dannii said about Danyl's sexuality. If there are doubts you do not voice them on live television. I love the girl and all, she wore an amazing maxi dress with a train last week, I kinda want, NO EXCUSE! You can't do that. There was an awkward silence and Danyl started crying.
3. Plus, they all called him cocky, and the Irish twins aren't??
4. I want Stacey to win, as I just love her. Is an amazing singer and so delightfully... dim? I think is the word.
5. Miss Frank weren't great methinks, but I love the tall girl's hair. Can't remember her name, I wonder if Simon can...
6. The strippers, Kandy Rain, I thought were good. But ok, they did look like strippers, but they got so much stick from Dannii and Cheryl. I said that maybe Cheryl just has a thing against strippers as her husband seems to prefer them to her. I didn't see anything wrong with it and I don't think that they should have bought it up. It's their choice...

I missed the first performance, it was the girl with the cool hair. I think she is amazing. And I LOVE ROBBIE WILLIAMS! As Dolly put it, she is glad that he isn't fighting the grey. Can't wait for results tonight. Actually I can I think, I have more important things to do.

In response to my dream question two posts ago, my friend says that she had a similar one where she owned a cake shop. She woke up very hungry.

Over and Out,

BK

Facebook...

We are now on Facebook. Woop. Not much is happening there though. Set up by some friends of mine, they just post when new blogs are up so not overally interesting...

Over and Out
BK

Dreams...

So I wake up this morning and I have this huge depression over me for the rest of the day, purely because I had a great dream. I woke up. It wasn't real. Now I have to obtain everything in my dream...
The general gist is that I went into my local branch of Cancer Research. I'm looking at a pile of polyester scarves and then this little old lady comes in with two huge bin bags. I offer to help her and I carry the bags to the till. They are not done up and inside I see a tweed jacket. You might not know that I have a pretty huge obsession with tweed, but I do and am absolutely thrilled it's in this season. Not that it's ever stopped me before. Anyway, sidetracked.
The old lady explains to the till person that the bags are full of clothes that she has no room for but has collected over her long life. Then she just disappears as people do in dreams. Intrigued I ask the till person if I may take a look inside. I pull out the tweed jacket. It's cashmere and cropped but with a pair of tails at the back. It also has a velvet collar. Standing shocked with my sister, I ask how much she wants for both bags. The till person doesn't even look in the bag and says yeah sure you can for £10. So I hand over my cash and walk with Dolly down the high street with two huge bin bags, which by this time have grown to monumental proportions. I get home, the mother is like, Billie, what the hell have you been buying? So I open up the bags...
Inside is a vast amount of clothes. Silk slips, a few tweed jackets, ballgowns, fur coats, a fur muff, full length wool skirts, silk ruffle shirts, cloche hats, opera cloaks, wool capes, cashmere jumpers. And loads of lace summer dresses. All in perfect condition. Then at the bottom is the fur coat Liza Minelli wears in 'Cabaret' (I had watched it the night before, so makes sense.) I was actually in heaven. All this for only £10.
I woke up. I remembered. I nearly cried.
I hate dreams like this. They are amazing until you wake up and then just ruin your day. My friend had a similar one where she was mysteriously given shoes through the post. She has a sliiight shoe obsession, which explains this particular dream. Apparently she woke up shouting, 'Another Jimmy Choo!'
At least the dream was different from my usual, for the last month or two the same guy has appeared, in the background. Thing is he is gorgeous. Quite literally the dream guy. Pale, green eyes, the same coloured hair as Kate Winslet in Titanic. Simply cherubic and beautiful.

Had any similar dreams? The clothes one is always a killer.

Over and Out,
BK

Lost in Austen...

Well, they are slightly later than Austen, but still amazing and I generally wish I owned every single one of them.
These are a collection of drawings which I found in this really small bookshop down the road from my school. It's perfect with books everywhere and smells old, in a good way. I've some really great History of Art books, which is what I want to do at uni next year hopefully...
These pages were lose in a box and I think of a reproduction from a 1950s book, but am not particularly sure... Enjoy
Party dresses! So pretty


I want this orange dress, and the muff. Love the colours!

Doesn't the purple one remind you of Queen Victoria? I don't know why, would make sense as she influenced fashion so much before Albert died...

Love the use of colour here. The dresses in all would be so impractical in today's society, imagine trying to get into a Mini Cooper with a bustle. Could be a tight squeeze. I've always thought empire lines are unflattering on most, but watching the new mini series of Emma yesterday made me practically salivate over their adorable little jackets. Really tight and cropped with long sleeves, in velvet and cotton. Desperately need to acquire. Until then I shall read my new copy of Vogue and lust after every item in there. Currently loving Ralph Lauren. Adverts are always so simple and the clothes... my god. Words cannot describe.

Ok, I think that is all,

Over and Out,

BK

Hitting C#...

Amidst yet another weekend tidying my room and writing essays I managed to actually get out of my house (shock) and did some socialising. Firstly on Friday night I went out with the girls to a restaurant nearby which was great fun, involving a lot of costume changes before and a lot of nuns whilst there... Hen night apparently.






There is a point to this. Anyway, completely shattered the next day and eating day old pizza I went a choir festival with my church and sister. It was basically a lot of very old people with warbley singing voices and the welcome arrival of the Cathedral choir, one of the tenors was... wow.






I spent most of the afternoon in a soundproof room playing the piano whilst Dolly played the drums, albeit badly, but it was good fun. The reason for this as that for the service we had to 'robe up' and despite our cassocks being purple loads of the other choirs had really amazing pleating and styles. Believe me I know my ecclesiastical items, I had to write an essay on them for my Bishop's Chorister a few years back. And who knew that you could design clothes around a surplus. Intriguing eh?

After I saw this girl wearing possibly the cutest tweed jacket ever. This is a rough sketch.

Was actually adorable.

That's all I can do atm, until the old scanner decides to work again. Maybe later... Need to work now.

Over and Out,

BK