We’ve been talking…you better get blogging
April 29, 2009
I haven’t met a blogger yet that’s not guilty of finding an excuse to prevent them from keeping their blog up to date; myself included. So when I gasped in horror today as a colleague told me they hadn’t written a post in almost five months, I also drew a silent sigh of relief thinking that for the majority of the time, I’ve kept the soldiersailor ‘mantra’ of at least one post per week.
The discussion of posting regularity was followed up with the ‘guilty as charged’ blogger emailing me the above photo. Her friends sent it to her so she’d er, get the message. They clearly think highly of her writing and want to see more. Even though i’ve yet to see her posts, her friends are right and a bit of friendly encouragement can go a long way to keeping the (often easily deflated) blogging momentum up.
Part of the conversation included a mutual agreement that blogging ‘aint for the lighthearted or non-committed. It does indeed take work. A lot.
In respect to this point, and as a devotee to quality rather than quantity when it comes to Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor, a soldiersailor post will never not be researched. This may mean that although posts may not come thick and fast, they will never not be thorough and with a bit of luck, will consistently deliver compelling reading. Therefore, and in an ever so slightly contradictory nature to the definition of a blog – “a type of website, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video” – (thanks Wikipedia), Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor will continue to be updated with what I (soldiersailor) define as full length features. Articles, editorials, chapters, whatever you like to call them, they are not snippets of fast and fickle information but full pieces of work in their own right.
Thanks to today’s office chat and the new found support of a team of fellow (and very fashionably bloggers), I’m pleased to have discovered a renewed lease of life and reaffirmed commitment to Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor - which was far from ever failing. For those both new and old to TTSS, welcome – stay tuned, watch this space…a bit of an overhaul in commitment is winging it’s way to you bringing you only the very best in vintage clothing, electro music, film and fashion all rolled into one – even more regularly.
As it says on the tin (or rather in my ‘about’ page) “hopefully you’ll find something new here, from a collection of my findings, that perks up your ears, eyes and outlook on life”.
So why not stay tuned for the next soldiersailor episode?
The BIG Blazer Boom
April 19, 2009
If there’s one thing you simply must buy this season – it’s a longline 80s blazer with roll back sleeves. Wear it with dresses, leggings, trousers and fade wash jeans and buy one size up. Just don’t dare even think of leaving home without it.
Oversized blazers have been seen on every runway from Stella McCartney’s beautiful blush colour (left) to Jil Sander and Chloé classics. The blazer is officially back with a boom.
This season’s hot tip is to buy it in the new nude – oyster or any other flesh tone you can get your hands on, to bag two spring hot trends in one.
Enter problem – I’m on blazer no.3…so far. I just can’t get enough. I’m hooked like a kid on candy. It’s not helping that I’ve discovered they’re the perfect partner to my 101 vintage dresses (some of which are on sale here in a desperate bid to re-coup cash after a non-stop blazer trail).
However, whilst I’m pining over Stella’s £1,025 double breasted nude delight, i might just have to make do with a very good second best i’ve found in Zara, which would also leave me with a pocket full of (imaginary) change, some of which likely to be set aside to continue filling my wardrobe with tailoring…
Borrow your boyfriend’s, pick up a vintage one or head down to Zara to snap up the basic black £35 version I’m seeing double, triple, quadruple of in the office – it’s just too good a staple to pass by. Heed this warning though; buy one and it won’t be long before you’ve developed ‘blazer frenzy’ and suddenly own one in just about every colour. Who knew the humble piece of tailoring could be so addictive?
Top tip: for a bit of longevity that’ll kick the fickle 80s trend straight onto sale racks, buy one with rolled up sleeves that you can roll back down. It’s the easiest way to stay a step ahead and work your look straight into next season.
What’s your guilty secret?
April 17, 2009
Whilst i’m not one to be shy so to speak, there’s a certain prerequisite in society that prevents everyone from being their true self a lot of the time. At work, in the presence someone new, at an interview – probably more than you realise. But everyone has a guilty secret right?
On my way to work, I was pondering this thought. This included thinking that what I considered a perfectly non-guilty secret, is probably not considered so by some others. At which point I thought, ”well, who cares what other’s think, right?”. It also happens to probably be more of a dirty secret (or as of the next paragraph, not so much of a secret any longer).
So, here it is: I shamelessly love Jason Statham films and for one reason and one reason only; the man himself. Beefed up, covered in dirt, gravelly voice and all. Yes, most of his films (including the recently watched Death Race) are utterly awful but for me, well, let’s face it, it’s not exactly about the plot.
So there you have it; Guilty Secret mark one – of probably a thousand others. Which prompts me to ask the question, what’s yours?
After all, maybe a guilty secret shared is a secret halved of guilt…
First look: Matthew Williamson at H & M
April 13, 2009
A while ago, I wrote a post about the upcoming Matthew Williamson collection launching at H & M this month. Best sharpen your elbows and get ready for those long queues, there’s only ten days until launch.
Expect to be greeted by a high summer palette of knock-out cerise, acid lemon, cool cobalt blue and a splash of bold watercolour prints. Going by past H & M collaborations, and with prices starting at £14.99 for a signature pendant to £199.99 for a printed maxi-dress, the collection is likely to fly out. Look out for the shocking pink tulip dress (£69.99) and super-wide studded belt (£29.99) for a very ‘now’ way to update your wardrobe.
Here’s a highlight of what will be available from 23rd April.
Global Guide 09 – Azuli strikes again
April 5, 2009
In preparation for Ibiza ’09 (and for a bit of an iPod refresh) I wanted to hear some new house tracks. Ultimately, and after listening to a few snippets on YouTube, I ended up downloading Azuli’s ’09 Global Guide.
Each year (and probably a lot more regularly), the record label Azuli is one of the first destinations I head to for an injection of spot-on electronic house. After discovering the label three years ago, I’ve found they’ve consistentently delivered an annual compilation of some of the best tracks to come out of Ibiza and chalked them up on their Azuli presents Space Ibiza disc. It’s a little bit early for this year’s instalment but with itchy feet and fingers, downloading the Global Guide was by far a very good substitute and too good to deem anywhere near just a second best.
Kicking off with a remix of New Order’s Blue Monday – which even after countless remixes, they’ve done a great job at making it fresh and funky – the album just keeps getting better. There are too many amazing mixes to mention but Make You Whole (TV Stock Remix) by Stockholm Syndrome is fighting to be my favourite. I’m writing this on a Sunday afternoon sitting in the park and six tracks in, this track is making me want to hit the three-floor club dance floor – hard.
After discovering this awesome album and with bank holiday weekend less than a week away, I think I’m going to be spending next weekend with a mixture of dance floor shape shifting and serious deck hunting. If I wasn’t itchy enough already, this album has twisted my ears and arms so much that it feels impossible to wait a further two months until getting my turntables. If you’re into your electronic or just plain old good house, what are you waiting for? I strongly recommend you do your ears a favour and buy/download Azuli’s Global Guide – if it’s anything to go by, 2009 is going to be a very good year.
Funkerman – Speed Up
April 1, 2009
Amongst discovering many new, amazing dance tracks whilst sitting on the awesome Sairee Beach in Thailand, I was reminded of a few old ones. In particular, Funkerman’s Speed Up blasted out as two fire throwers twisted and spun their flames.
It’s an old one, but a very good one and has been promptly added to my list of virtual vinyl in anticipation of getting the decks I’ve been waiting for for over a year. On a two month countdown to spinning my first record, this is definitely a contender for one of my most over played.
Enjoy.
