Thursday Jukebox

Two fantastic songs to listen to on this fine Thursday.

jah bless

Novelty Flamingo sunglasses/ Gold Flatforms, Topshop Unique / Terry towelling beach shirt/ US Army camouflage jacket/ rum cocktail/ Ian Fleming's 'Dr No.'

Is it wrong to be dreaming away the days thinking about Vitamin D induced sunshine-comas? They say that this is a mild New England winter, and I shall remain respectful and smile as I warmly proclaim 'Mm, yes, toasty!' and rub my hands together convincingly but there is only so much wind chill I can take. I need some rays, man! So I'm incredibly excited to have just booked a trip to Jamaica with a couple of friends from UMass for Spring Break. Hurrah! Now my life goes like this: nodding off in front row of Maritime History class: dreaming of rum cocktails. Waiting in line at the dining commons omelette counter: humming Harry Belafonte. Saying goodbye to the teaching assistant at the end of a discussion: mentally saying 'have a blesss day.' In my fantasies I look like Kate Moss in novelly sunglasses, drink in hand, army jacket slung over my shoulders..

On a side note, we used to sing 'Jamaica Farewell' in assemblies at my primary school, 300 small children with one combined patois accent.

Amherst

I've now been living in Amherst for two weeks! Time is flying already- I feel like I'm just settling in and getting the hand of things so hopefully this can be the end of the fallow blogging period. As somebody who has always lived in big cities it certainly feels very different to find myself in a New England town which, though bolstered by a two university communities otherwise feels quite 'small town'. I'm enjoying it though, the night before last I ventured over to Northampton to watch Shame with a friend (beautiful film, beautiful score) and enjoy a lamb shawarma. I've learnt to embrace the half-time entertainment at the Ice Hockey and Basketball games (which involves shouting 'YOU SUCK!' to the tune of Gary Glitter's Rock And Roll Part 2.. They don't seem to know about Gary Glitter's 'other side' here so they don't have qualms about doing this.) I've met somebody called 'Zeus' and I've also contributed a couple of pieces to the Arts section of the paper, something I always said I'd do back in Manchester but never got around to. I've felt super motivated since I arrived and it feels good. I know I'll only have 5 months here and want to make the most of it and spend less time being one of those people who 'says' and start being someone who 'does'. 

usa phone diary #1

After spending 2 days in Boston I'm now in Amherst, Massachusetts with my stomach full of clam chowder and my fingers slowly giving themselves up to frostbite. Here are some of the things I've seen, eaten and done since arriving. 

There's Something About Sidney

Sidney Williams in 10 Magazine (Spring Summer '11).

Has anyone else noticed more and more plastic carrier bags appearing in magazine editorials as props? I like it. It's a kind of 'Hey, the Jil Sander bag is cool, but I have these ones underneath my kitchen sink too.' approach. I actually know someone who took a plastic bag to a club after her handbag broke. True story. 

Ice Cube on the Eames

"Before I did rap music I studied architectural drafting" Who knew!

via 2 or 3 things I know.

This is an old version of the Eames Lounge Chair we have at home in Bristol. It used to be my Grandpa's and I think he bought it in Habitat in the Seventies, unable to afford the original Eames design. I've always loved it so much, though we don't tend to sit on it much these days as without the ottoman footstool you feel like you're falling backwards into a black hole every time you sit down. (It takes admirable ab strength to get back up again.) But I like the idea of one day reuniting it with a footstool and sinking into it again maybe with a gin and tonic and a tall stack of magazines at my elbow.

massachusetts

After what feels like the longest wait ever, today I leave for the United States. I'll be spending a semester studying in Massachusetts and couple of months traveling around afterwards. The blog will continue as normal, there'll probably just be more pancake stack coverage. If anyone has any must-sees or tips for Boston (where can I find the best lobster roll?) please do sling them my way. See you on the other side!

crushing on holiday style

I can't stop thinking about Emma's Haitian holiday snaps over at Anywho. There is a fine art to holiday dressing and Emma's approach is completely up my street. Those sherberty Stine Goya trousers paired with these Nike Lunars are what dreams are made of! 

weekend wishlist

In an ideal world these would be my tools for the weekend: The Case for Working with Your Hands by Matthew Crawford, J.W. Anderson angora jumper, Dog State bronze ring, Phillip Lim leopard print underwear, Deena and Ozzy ponyskin boots, Arrested Development Season 2, Malin + Goetz Tobacco candle.

On a side note, I think I may be the last person in the world to have jumped on the Arrested Development bandwagon. It feels like when I was 10 and had an awful realisation that after years of turning my nose at at houmous I actually loved it. That sort of, 'man, I've been wasting time' feeling. Still, better late than never. All I want to do this weekend is guffaw at back to back episodes and then awkwardly replicate Buster's behaviour when forced to socially interact. 

mood

A few things on my mind: Taking a trip to California to visit my friends studying at Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz, a desire which has been further increased after coming across fantastic blog A Restless Transplant, written by a guy who has jacked in his design job and set off on a road trip around America in his VW. Think lots of beautiful photographs of coastal california (and the verdant landscape of the pacific northwest too..) Green bomber jackets as worn by this Susanna via Hel Looks. The Giles Spring/Summer 2012 collection which I've only just seen it and have been completely wowed by. All of those metallics and beautiful swan prints! I've never had any idea what sort of dress I'd like to wear if I ever get married but I think Giles's laser-cut silver number comes pretty close. Lately I've been wearing my puffa jacket a lot and really loving it, so particularly appreciated the puffa shot on Stevie Dance's blog. Also thinking about the 90s tortoiseshell sunglasses on the Topshop website and lobster rolls. I've never even eaten a lobster roll but I'm experiencing a ridiculous craving for seafood at the moment after reading this post by Vanessa Jackman and reading about the Lobster Roll eatery in Amagansett, New York.