Archive | July, 2011

Stereogum Presents… STROKED: A Tribute To Is This It

By Sabrina on July 28, 2011 in FREE STUFF, Music, Sabrina likes

I’ve wanted to go to Coachella for a while, and I was erring on the side of caution, but when I heard The Strokes were headlining I WAS BOOKING MY FLIGHT LIKE A SHOT. Is This It is one of THE BEST ALBUMS OF ALL TIME.

So I went, and danced to The Strokes under the California night sky with some of my dearest friends. It was incredible.

Also one of the best album covers of all time.

If you can believe it, Is This It is now 10 years old. Stereogum have assembled some of the finest indie artists out there to record tribute covers of Is This It. Aptly named “Stroked” – the album features Peter, Bjorn & John on the title track (verdict: jangly), Heems spitting bars on ‘New York City Cops’ and Owen Pallett putting piano and strings to ‘Hard to Explain’ amongst others.

Like Stereogum’s previous tribute albums (Radiohead’s OK Computer, R.E.M.’s Automatic For The People, and Bjork’s Post) you can listen and download them for free. How bleedin’ lovely.

via: Death & Taxes

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JUMPER FUN

By Sabrina on July 27, 2011 in BRAIN FART, Fashion, GIF TIME

via: I AM FASHION, HEAR ME ROAR

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I’d really like Fred Butler to read me bedtime stories but instead she’s talking on music #MTVPlayground

By Sabrina on July 25, 2011 in Collaborations, Fashion, Inspirations, Music, Shorts, Sponsored, Visuals

While watching this video, I was actually lulled into a Ron Swanson sense of calm that usually only knowledge that there will be room for devilled eggs in the fridge, or an Andy Dwyer shoe shine can produce. A good friend of mine tells me I’m spreading myself too thin (he has a point, I’m not a rich generous layer of creamy beurre, I’m a mingy scraping of Flora EXTRA LIGHT.) Like Fred, being a creative and wanting to do many many things is difficult. I’d rather be able to do one or two things really well, then dabble in a lot and be rubbish. However I strongly belong to the camp of thought that to do something well, you should do it wholeheartedly, which I also feel Ms Butler does. She says she isn’t a musician but she can contribute with her pieces for videos which by all means, is no small contribution at all.

Music videos have given us style icons and inspiration throughout the ages.

Such as….

And I can’t forget Mama Madonna herself. 25 years later, and countless style evolutions later, Madame Ciccone is still going strong.

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The Weekend

By Sabrina on July 25, 2011 in Events, Things to Do, What's Poppin'

Weekends are usually time for relaxing, doing laundry, and sleeping late. I get asked what I do with my “spare” time when I’m not working. Well I’m still working as such, but one also has to drag oneself away from one’s computer… I thought I should write a blog about it (as you do).

This weekend, I attended 5 separate events. For someone who likes to stay in and watch Parks and Rec and Louie, that was… an effort for me. One was a meeting so that doesn’t count, but there was Eggs Florentine.

Mmmm

Onwards!

1. 44 Frocks

I finally managed to attend 44 Frocks this weekend. 44 Frocks is the brainchild of Laura Henson and Hania Elkington, who hold fabulous secret frock parties, with fizz, cake and specially shop an array of dresses from 6 to 16; Laura goes out to hunt amazing designer dresses and you get to try and buy in a gorgeous environment along with accessories. Each party has 44 specially curated frocks (hence the name) as well as expert advice from the ladies. This weekend’s one was at their Broadway Market venue. I didn’t get a dress, alas, as I turned up a tad late, as well as pleading poverty but I had a rather delightful afternoon sitting around, drinking tea and eating cake, and having a girly chitchat. 44 Frocks now has a boutique open in East London. To request invites for future parties you can sign up for the guestlist here

2. The FORBIDDEN DANCE Capsule Collection: GRIND x Bounty

After the frock fun, I went on a cake hunt for Akeela’s party and found out about Amy Winehouse when I was in Tesco (they have flat screen TVs in Liverpool St Tesco), and then proceeded to the Red Bull Studios in London Bridge for the launch of GRIND’s latest collaboration. As well as Bounty DJs spinning tunes and a special guest appearance from Terri Walker, the one off exhibition showcases five t-shirts designed with Kevin Morosky’s photography and GRIND London’s cult t-shirts.

At this point, not only had my camera died, but my phone was on it’s last dregs, and my spare battery was dead too. Twas rather annoying, but I got a photo of the window before my phone passed out.

3. Actually Akeela’s Birthday Do

Since my phone had died, I did some detective work to find out where Akeela actually lived. Rocking up with my cream cake, twas a night of joviality and fun. And since it was an actual private event that is all I shall say.

4. The Truvia Voyage of Discovery with Bompas & Parr on the roof of Selfridges

Dear Max informed me about this a week or so ago, so I signed up for free tickets. Truvia (which is a new, rather interesting sweetener) aligned forces with culinary wizards Bompas & Parr to transform the rooftop of Selfridgesinto a magical island and boating lake. Known for doing everything at the last minute, I had invited my cousin who was visiting who then MADE OTHER PLANS.

After mistakenly going up escalators in the belief that the magic lift to the roof was up there, I was spun around in many directions before finding the private book lined lift heading up to the roof. Melina and Constantine were none the wiser as I told them it was a surprise. (Aren’t they wonderful to just trust me?).

Upon arrival we were greeted by a fellow in a fetching green and white ensemble and a dashing mustache, who told us we were going on an adventure and handed us some crystals for trading (quartz, not crack rocks as I initially said). My compatriots were still none the wiser but followed dutifully… TO THE ROOF!

And today was a beautiful, beautiful day as well. Swapping our crystals for drinks, we lazed on the deck before getting in our boats, where we came across a lady feeding us leaves (not weed) and strawberries dipped in Truvia, who also gave us a second crystal. Rowing over to the lady by the waterfall, she alas, drove a hard bargain and wouldn’t barter with me. Reluctantly, I handed over both crystals for some suspicious looking bottles. And then there was a waterfall and we got wet, even though we were handed umbrellas. BUT AT LEAST I DIDN’T FALL OUT like a couple I saw (how embarrassing). Upon leaving, we were handed a Stevia plant which I then gave to my mother and made her eat a leaf.

Virgin Smash. Lolololol.

So yeah, that’s what I did this weekend. And now I’m lying in bed, catching up on work and blogging. Time flies when you have none.

Eggs Florentine image via: BBC Food

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Tall Tales on a Tuesday: Press Releases do the work for you

By Sabrina on July 19, 2011 in BRAIN FART

I really don’t understand when bloggers copy and paste press releases as posts. The term “You’re a fucking moron comes to mind.” Not only is it lazy – if I wanted to read a press release I’d just check my email.

The icing on the cake has to be when they leave the signature in, along with the trademark kiss.

IF YOU CAN’T STICK A FEW WORDS IN A COHERENT SENTENCE, I DESPAIR.

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I Can See Clearly Now

By Sabrina on July 18, 2011 in FREE STUFF, Reviews, Sabrina likes

Look at these leather cases! FANCY

Terrible pun. But it is true. After a week of waiting (which isn’t very long) and some phone calls with some nice Northern opticians to discuss my severe astigmatism, I got an email on Friday saying they were shipped. I felt like Joey when Alicia May Emory came back in stock.

As much as I love my Ray Bans, the prescription on them hasn’t been changed in ages. Mainly due to the fact I also have another pair of kick-ass frames I bought in New York and was going to get lenses in, but the lens prices are extortionate to fit in the new pair, or refit my old ones. It costs more to refit lenses to an old pair than it is to buy a complete pair?? (Annoyance) Gloomily, I have them to one side until I can find somewhere reasonably priced to fit the lenses.

When London Retro offered me a voucher for a free pair of specs from Glasses Direct I was pretty chuffed. Espesh because Glasses Direct were also running 2 for 1, so I got 2 pairs, free to add to my collection of opticals. However, in all truthfulness, I’m pretty impressed by the quality and finish. All named after places in London, the frames are all £99 and lenses start from £5. That is a bargainous bargain. The costs are kept down by selling online, rather than on the high street.

From L-R: Soho (They make me look like Roz from Monsters Inc lolol); and Fitzrovia. Topless David Gandy makes an excellent backdrop.

I’m not retiring my Wayfarers yet, but for the sake of my eye health (and also cos they’re quite nice) I’ll be wearing these more regularly.

**I’ve now added a new category, FREE STUFF. See my disclaimer for more details on freebies and the ilk.

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SWATCH x KidRobot – A Mustachioed Metronome I Must Own!

By Sabrina on July 16, 2011 in Collaborations, Limited Edition, Sabrina likes

When this dropped in my email yesterday, I did a mental fist pump. LABBIT WATCH! I love Kid Robot and own a few Dunny’s meself… as well as my Labbit.

This is my Labbit. I bought it in New York a few years ago from Kid Robot. Here Labbit is posing on my rather creased duvet.

The eight models in the KIDROBOT FOR SWATCH COLLECTION are available in Swatch stores and points of sale around the world, either separately, in which case each model comes with its complementary Dunny, or as part of a special Kidrobot limited and numbered edition of 300 sets. Each Kidrobot Special Set (GZS48) is comprised of the 8 Kidrobot watches in the collection: GB249S, GB250S, GP133S, GP132S, GB251S, GE232S, GJ130S and GB252. Each watch in the set carries its limited edition number (001/300) and is presented in Special Packaging together with its corresponding Dunny. Eight of the Dunnys are 3 inches (7.6 cm) high, while Frank Kozik’s mustachio’d white Dunny comes in a special 20-inch high ( 50.8 cm) version.

In stores from 1 September 2011. RRP £44.50

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Behind the Screen with BAFTA as part of Film4 Summer Screen at Somerset House with American Express®

By Sabrina on July 15, 2011 in Limited Edition, Sabrina likes, Things to Do

Come on Jaws, I’ll only be gone for the weekend. You won’t even notice I’m not here. I’ve left out some carrot sticks for you, and a DVD of Carry On Camping.

The good ol’ British summer hasn’t been treating us well of late. I’ve suffered various maladies due to the ever changing nature of our fair climate, and have more than on one occasion dressed inappropiately. Today, I have a coat with me.

Even though the sun may not always shine, London is always full of wonderful summer specific events. The Film4 Summer Screen is one of those well known, and much loved events. I’ve never managed to get tickets because they always sell out/broke and/or everyone I know is rubbish and can’t do anything without at least a week or so worth of planning. (See my problem here?)

For those lucky enough to go to the Film4 Summer Screen at Somerset House, and especially if you’re mushy over movies, you can Go Behind the Screen with BAFTA at Somerset House with a series of talks which accompanies Film4 Summer Screen. This is your chance to hear filmmakers and industry insiders explore themes and subjects linked to the film programme – your own personal Film Club with some of the best names in the business. A taste of what is coming up is listed below:

Thursday 28 July, 19.00pm: John Barry’s Golden Touch
The late John Barry is undoubtedly one of cinema’s greatest composers. Well known for his outstanding, brand-defining scores for the Bond series from Dr. No through The Living Daylights, he also wrote the music for countless other major features: Petulia, The Lion in Winter, Walkabout, Midnight Cowboy, Out of Africa, Body Heat, among them. Over the years, he received 5 Oscars, a BAFTA and 4 Grammys awards, an amazing record which also reflects the high regard in which he was held by the industry. In this event, Barry’s musical sons and daughters take us through a rich array of his spectacular scores to celebrate his particularly golden touch.

Friday 29 July, 19.00pm: 2011 BAFTA Nominated Short Films
Featuring some of the UK’s brightest filmmaker talents of the future, join us for an hour of highlights from 2011′s BAFTA nominations for short film and short animation award including the animation winner: The Eagleman Stag (dir. Michael Please).

Saturday 30 July, 19.00pm: Joe Cornish in Conversation
Writer/Director Joe Cornish’s Attack the Block is one of the year’s biggest home-grown hits, a brilliantly inventive south-London set sci-fi horror where ‘inner city meets outer space’, as the tagline memorably puts it. We’re delighted to welcome the filmmaker ahead of tonight’s screening to discuss some of the movies which influenced him, from the work of directors John Carpenter and Walter Hill, to E.T. and action-packed 80s extravaganzas such as the first part of tonight’s double bill, Die Hard.

Sunday 31 July, 9.00pm: Wild about Wilder
Sunset Blvd, The Seven Year Itch, Some Like it Hot, Double Indemnity, The Apartment- there is something in Billy Wilder’s work for anyone who loves movies; over the course of nearly 60 years at the top of the film industry, Wilder amassed enough famous fans to fill Universal Studios and left us with some of cinema’s most indelible memories. Here, a few of these high profile fans celebrate some wonderful Wilder moments.

The full schedule can be found on the BAFTA site and tickets can be purchased through Somerset House.

Thursday 4 August
6.30pm Behind the Screen: Playing Games with Cinema, supported by Nintendo
9.15pm Scott Pilgrim Vs The World

God I really want to go to this. Perhaps I’ll just go by myself and meet a nice fanboy. #everyoneIknowiscrap

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