Once again I find my blog having been put on the back burner whilst I busy myself with work, wedding planning, house hunting and trying desperately to see my nearest and dearest over the past few weeks.

I am desperate and am crying out once again for some sort of creative outlet that fits in with my hectic life at the moment. I have to forgive myself for taking a short hiatus but I am back and raring to go once again with plenty already planned for my blog.

Let's do this!

On Repeat

Sia - Salted Wound

Despite my serious lacking in interest in the phenomenon that will be the 'Fifty Shades of Grey' movie, the soundtrack is seemingly very impressive. With songs from the likes of Ellie Goulding, Beyonce and Sia, the motion picture has managed to pull in some big names. Sia never ceases to impress with her songs, songwriting and videos; 'Salted Wound' is no disappointment. The singers smokey tones are perfect for any self-penned and easy listening ballad.

Rihanna - Four Five Seconds feat. Kanye West & Paul McCartney

My initial thoughts on this track were very mixed, to be honest I didn't quite get it to begin with. Several plays later I cant take it off repeat. The song really shows off Rihanna's voice without any gimmicks, much like the video which coincidentally was styled by a certain Kanye West who also features on the track. The only reservation I have is Paul McCartney, I don't dispute his contribution to the music industry in the past however I am not quite sure what he contributes on 'Four Five Seconds'.

Lion Babe - Treat Me Like Fire

I have heard this song on the radio a few times in my car and totally and utterly loved it. It is so camp yet really soulful. I am sure it wont be long until there are some pretty intense remixes floating about the internet. For now I will have to be content with the jazzy video and super cool song. 'Lion Babe' the EP featuring 'Treat Me Like Fire' is out now.

Chanel Couture // Spring Summer 2015

Tuesday 27th January 2015 saw the latest Chanel Couture show take to the runway. The setting was another original and impeccably executed idea from the couture house; taking place in a greenhouse full of digital florals and paper trees and flowers. The collection itself was unsurprisingly impressive with a variety of wearable, functional and of course fashionable looks that had a real sense of lightness and effortless-ness about them. I particularly loved these images of the collection taken from Dazed Digital. See the full collection and read Vogue International Editor Suzy Menkes' review of the show here.

(images via Dazed Digital)

Kendall Jenner // Estée Lauder

Model and Kardashian star Kendall Jenner was announced as the new face of makeup and skincare brand Estée Lauder back in December 2014. Upon distancing herself from the Kardashian image, Kendall has become one of the most successful runway models over the past few seasons having walked for the likes of Marc Jacobs, Givenchy, Dianne Von Furstenburg and even Chanel Couture. The "Little Black Primer" launch from Estée Lauder sees the ever growing success of Kendall reaching new levels.

(image and video via Estée Lauder)

Victoria, Victoria Beckham // Spring Summer 15

The latest Victoria, Victoria Beckham collection has been released this week. The sister line to the designers main range, the VVB collections are younger and more playful whilst staying true to the brands sophisticated identity. The Spring/Summer 15 collection consists of staple statement dresses in a variety of prints, colours and fabrics. The sophisticated yet understated pattern cutting I have come to love from the Victoria Beckham main range is echoed effortlessly within this fresh VVB collection. The Victoria,Victoria Beckham Spring/Summer 15 collection is now available to pre-order from the designers web-store.

(images via victoriabeckham.com)

Cats // The Palladium

Friday 23rd January; my fiancé and I went to see Andrew Lloyd-Webber's iconic musical 'Cats' at the London Palladium Theatre. The revival of one of the world's favourite musicals opened at the beginning of December 2014 with a limited run of 12 weeks. This revival sees the Jellicle cats take to the stage for the first time since 2002 when the original show closed; the year in which it also celebrated its 21st anniversary.

Pop star and all round diva, Nicole Scherzinger took on the iconic role of Grizabella, the ageing and disheveled glamour cat. The character of Grizabella is most widely known for her rendition of 'Memory' a song of legends within the world of musicals. Of course Nicole did not disappoint with her own take on the incredible Lloyd-Webber anthem, with rapturous applause throughout the theatre. 

The revival saw updates within the characters; in the form of Rum Tug Tugger who's previous suave and macho persona was replaced by a younger much more contemporary hip-hop style cat who brought a whole new life to the character without being out of place. 

Almost everything about the show was exactly as I remembered, having seen the show as a child and watching the vhs countless times! The set design was incredible as were the costumes and make-up. The talent of the cast is incomparable and without a doubt made the show the incredible success it was for its 21 year run and will speak for itself once again. A show well worth seeing, one that can not be faulted.

(top image my own; show images via catsthemusical.com)

David Beckham // H&M Modern Essentials

High street apparel store H&M have today announced the latest in their long running collaborations with style and sporting icon David Beckham. The collection sees a continuation from the bodywear ranges previously released, accompanied by a selection of 'Modern Essentials'.

"Each piece is a new wardrobe classic that will update every man's spring wardrobe with great style." - David Beckham

Speaking of the collection H&M describe: "Modern Essentials selected by David Beckham focuses on the important key pieces of the season, each updating a men’s classic in fresh fabrics, colours and fits for spring 2015. Key pieces include a linen bomber jacket; a white chalk-washed denim jacket; a car coat; a sharp linen blazer; a city-slick polo shirt and the perfect poplin white shirt."

The collection shows signs of promise with a diverse enough variety to select a few key pieces. The collaboration does however suggest that the idea of David launching his own menswear line; hoping to match the success of his wives incredible womenswear collections, is not one that will come to fruition anytime soon.

The 'Modern Essentials' collection launches online and in store worldwide on March 5th. See David talk more about the collection here.

(images via hm.com)

Tiffany & Co // Same Sex Campaign

Jewellery giant Tiffany & Co released their latest campaign earlier this week. It is the first of the infamous brand's to feature a same sex couple, a real couple not just models (they are sickeningly handsome though it's no surprise they were chosen for the campaign) A spokesperson for the brand said the following when speaking to Elle.com: 

"Nowadays, the road to marriage is no longer linear, and true love can happen more than once with love stories coming in a variety of forms."

There is nothing groundbreaking about a real life same sex couple getting engaged or even featuring in an advertising campaign, however with steps like this taken by such a well known brand the universal acceptance of same sex couples is slightly more foreseeable. 

(image via Tiffany & Co.)

Jamie Dornan // British GQ

Voted number 3 on GQ's best dressed list, actor Jamie Dornan features in the magazines February issue ahead of the extremely hotly anticipated release of the '50 Shades of Grey' movie in which Dornan plays the lead. The images are shot by Hunter & Gatti and styled by Jo Levin.

(images from GQ)

On Repeat

Writing these 'On Repeat' posts were always some of my favourites and I am thoroughly looking forward to getting back into posting them. I still continue to have a diverse taste in music from the well known to the completely unknown. So please enjoy the first (of many) 'On Repeat' posts of 2015...

Leighton Meester - Heartstrings

Most popularly known as her role as queen bee Blair Waldorf in Gossip Girl; Leighton Meester has over the years dipped her toes into music. Featuring on Cobra Starship's 'Good Girls Go Bad' in 2009, Meester's introduction to the music world was somewhat underwhelming. With the release of her first album 'Heartstrings' towards the end of 2014, Leighton Meester has now embraced her own totally unique approach to music. 'Heartstrings' is the first single to be released from the album of the same name. Her singing career is a long way from being on the same scale as her acting one however if Leighton Meester continues to impress the legions fans she has acquired over the years with songs as perfectly perfect as this one she is bound to do extremely well.  

Emmelie de Forest - Drunk Tonight

Winner of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013, Emmelie de Forest has a solid following of fans. 'Drunk Tonight' is the second single from the stars second, as yet untitled, album due for release early 2015. If her debut album, featuring songs such as 'Only Teardrops', is anything to go by I am sure to be impressed by the music this incredible voice is to release. There is nothing cheesy or uncomfortable about Emmelie de Forest or her music outings as we are often to expect from Eurovision winners.

Jessie Ware - You & I (Forever)

Jessie Ware continues to release not only beautifully written songs and albums but each single never fails to impress on the music video front. The video opens with the statement by Ware "'You & I Forever' is celebrating the person you love being by your side" I can unashamedly admit that I am such a romantic which is why I am so into not only this track but the entirety of Jessie Ware's album 'Tough Love'. Well worth a listen.

I Do // Review

I find reviewing films to an extremely personal and opinionated thing to do, there will always be someone that disagrees with what you think and how you view or perceive a particular character, storyline or scene. So please, take from this what you will, these are my thoughts and feelings nothing more nothing less.

'I Do' follows the story of an English man in New York who is forced to marry his best friend in order to stay in the country. The film covers issues such as gay marriage and equal rights without being over powering and in your face. There is so much more to this than being another 'gay film' there is a heartwarming complexity to the protagonist of the story and his relationships with his friends, family and new love. 

The film staring David W. Ross, Maurice Compte, Alicia Witt and Jamie-Lynn Sigler amongst others is beautifully shot with comedic moments as well as some real tear jerking issues. It is an inoffensive look at love and issues surrounding couples including same sex relationships. It is a film I would happily watch again and would suggest others give it a go.

(images courtesy of Peccadillo Pictures)

73 Questions With Victoria Beckham

I love the '73 Questions' series released by Vogue.com, previous videos feature fashion legends such as Anna Wintour and Sarah-Jessica Parker as well as personal favourite Blake Lively. Despite the almost uncomfortable staging of these quick-fire question videos they are fun and easy to watch. 

73 Questions with Victoria Beckham not only sees a more playful side to the fashion deity but is also the perfect opportunity to showcase her incredible Dover Street store.

(video from Vogue.com)

Welcome Back

Once again I am found to be apologising to potentially only myself for another failed attempt and downright abandonment of keeping on top of blogging. Who knew it would be so difficult to keep up to date on your own life, likes and dislikes and everything else in between! 

I could be accused of being a liar if I were to say this is the year I will keep a blog for a full year running however I am determined to give it my best bloody shot! 

I continue to be inspired by art, films, music, books and of course fashion. It is these inspirational sources that will encourage me to maintain this creative outlet. However following my engagement in December 2014, I am now all encompassed by everything weddings, I am determined not to become overbearing with "My Dream Wedding" blog posts but fighting my inner 'Bridezilla' will become a losing battle. 

I hope all/any who take an interest in my blog will find it to be some source of inspiration, light-heartedness and general viewing pleasure. 

Enjoy x