Hottest 100

If you're an Australian, you'll know the January 26th (Australia Day - for all those o/s players) is synonymous with Triple J's Hottest 100 Countdown.


Every year my shortlist has to be whittled down from around the 80 mark, to just 10 songs - it seems to get harder each year! I thought I'd share my votes as 10 songs that I thought deserve to be in the Hottest 100 of 2011.


I tend to vote for songs that I don't think will get as many votes - I haven't wasted a vote on Gotye's Somebody I Used To Know (and I sincerely apologise for this if you are reading Wally!) because I know that it has had enough exposure and has enough love to get in the top 3 (lets face it, it WILL be #1) and therefore didn't need my help. Having said this, I still actually think that was the best song released in 2011.


I digress. Here are my 10 votes, in no particular order, of 10 songs I believe deserve a place on the Hottest 100 list - even if they aren't the biggest songs of the year they can't be overlooked.





Fitz & The Tantrums - Moneygrabber
I only heard this song a few months ago but it instantly got me dancing and singing along. I love the nostalgic American feel to it and I still just never get sick of hearing this song.





Flight Facilities Feat. Jess - Foreign Language
Flight Facilities just keep releasing crackers. These guys are great producers and this song has been huge for them this year and a great follow up to last year's Crave You. Can't wait to hear more from them.





Foster The People - Helena Beat
I first heard this song back in January and it instantly struck a chord with me. It was summer, we were heading down to a party at my friend's shack by the beach and it was the perfect soundtrack. Every time I hear it, I get taken back to hot summer days and happy memories.





Husky - History's Door
Husky were a reasonably unknown Unearthed act until this song got picked up on Triple J and they have not looked back. They supported Gotye on his national tour in October and they were amazing. So very talented and this song is just beautiful.





James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream
This is another song that just overwhelmed me when I heard it - musically it is so free from any genre, it feels so raw and emotional. You feel like you're in this haze when you hear it - such beautiful chill out music and so unique.





Luke Million - Arnold
Haha. If you haven't heard this song, you really must play this video. It is hilarious. This was a bit of a token vote on my part - Luke Million is actually an Adelaide boy and a member of an awesome disco act called The Swiss (another band to watch - they're taking off in Europe and their live act is always fun x 100) and while I actually do love this song for the great bass line - It has actually taken off this year and has been played and requested on Triple J non stop. Luke deserves a spot in the 100 and I think he'll get in the top 50 because this song is awesome.





M83 - Midnight City
I first heard M83 back in 2008 and I hadn't heard much since, but when this track got airplay this year I instantly remembered what I love about this French producer. There is something that is constantly in his music that lets you know it is him. I can't put my finger on it, but I really respect how his music can be quite diverse and yet so distinctive. Plus - sweet saxophone solo at the end of this track!





Matt Corby - Brother
Wow. To think that Matt Corby was once on Australian Idol is really hard to comprehend. This track is so beautifully executed and soulful. Definitely an Unearthed act to keep your eye on - this song in particular has struck a chord with a lot of people and it hasn't even been around very long. 





New Navy - Zimbabwe
I love New Navy. I'm really picking up what they're putting down. I just can't get sick of hearing this track but their whole EP really is great. They have this kind of fusion of Foals and Phoenix and Foster the People and Seabellies and god knows who else which really just makes them instantly a band I like. Such a great summery track, it makes me want to drink beer in the sunshine.





Seabellies - Board the Apartment Up
I had the Seabellies album on high rotation at the beginning of this year and this particular track really reminds me of the day my beautiful friend & sort-of-step-sister Mimi moved to London - it was playing in the car as I drove from the airport to say goodbye and holy crapola, it induced tears! It really doesn't help that they sing "Don't go, don't, don't go"! Anyway, all that aside, the entire Seabellies album really resonates with 2011 memories for me and I could continue to have it as the only album in my car for a long time to come.


So there you go - my 10 votes for 2011. There were so many fantastic smaller acts that I wanted to give votes to but this whole 10 only rule really does make it hard. Special mentions go to Loon Lake, Big Scary, San Cisco, Joe Goddard, Kanye & Jay-z (although as if they need my vote!), Yuksek, The Holidays... yeah ok I could continue but I'll stop.

Have any of you got your votes in yet? Would love to hear your ten. 

xxx

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day outfit

Christmas in Adelaide is shaping up to be a warm one! Today it is 36 degrees but the bureau is predicting only 30 for Christmas Day. Probably a good thing - I don't want the 3 doz oysters and 2 kilos of prawns to spoil!


It has been a loooooong time since I last posted and I apologise for that - this year has honestly just become more chaotic as it has matured. I work full time and freelance in my spare time, which pretty much means I have to work around the clock. Its all for a good cause though - I have a one way ticket to Europe in June and I need all the cash I can get my hands on!


Anyway I've been thinking about my Christmas Day outfit and have finally come to a conclusion - as posted above - neutrals are my current hot weather obsession and I also have a slight bias to anything yellow at the moment. I'm wearing my Shakuhachi contrast top with the bright lime/yellow panel, teamed with Staple The Label cream high waisted tie up shorts, rose gold jewellery from Mimco and Asos, my new House Of Harlow Antler ring and Tony Bianco (I seem to only buy TB shoes these days) Celebrity heels in nude. I'm also rocking some yellow Nail It! nail polish from Sportsgirl on my mits. Very summery and effortless - I think this makes a great day to night outfit which is a relief as I have commitments right from breakfast on Christmas morning to lunch AND dinner that night - with no chance to change!


I've been trawling the internet for inspiration at the moment and have found some great things - so keep an eye out for upcoming posts - mostly graphic design related but this comes with the territory! 

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas day. 

xxx

Colour me crazy

Springtime = reintroduction of colour to my wardrobe. Yippeee!

Bring on the sun! x

Gotye- SomebodyThat I Used to Know

Gotye's latest single Somebody That I Used to Know is doing ridiculously well in Australia at the moment - such a beautiful song and incredible film clip!
For those who don't know it here's the video:


And yesterday local Adelaide dj's Loot & Plunder released their remix of the tune. I was verrrry apprehensive but, it really does sound great and does the song justice - plus - Gotye himself approves!

Have a listen:
Gotye - Somebody that I used to know (Loot & Plunder Remix) by Loot & Plunder Djs

Stencil.

I have such talented friends! I'm sure I've said it before but it is so nice to feel inspired constantly by the people around you. Stencil is a jewellery label by my friend and Adelaide girl Emma Thomson.

Here I have stolen some images from her latest lookbook to share with you. The line is full of great contrasts in texture and structure with bold pieces that make a statement and are confident in their beautiful simplicity. The stunning model is our friend Erica, photos were taken by Elisa J, make up by Kath O'Connell.

If you're interested in getting your hands on some of Emma's pieces, head to Stencil's Facebook page. The line will be available for purchase online from The Fashion Tunnel when the site is up and running so keep your peepers open for that!

Mogo the Monkey - Operation Jungle Bungle

Hey guys,

Just a quick post to let you know that the company I work for has just released a game for the iPhone/iPad and its pretty fun so I thought I'd share it.

The game is called Mogo the Monkey in Operation Jungle Bungle and basically there's this little monkey who wants to defeat the evil Baron Marquis DePooPoo - so you go through all these levels and fling fruits (and exploding monkey poo) at terrain etc to reach an end goal. Sort of like Angry birds, but its so freaking hard to get a high score - which makes it pretty addictive!

And, if you apply yourself and get all the gold bananas in the game you can enter our competition to win Mogo's Mega Game Prize - which is worth over 2 grand. This applies to Australian residents only however, don't despair my foreign friends - we will also have an assortment of iTunes gift cards for those from overseas who excell at flinging poo at stuff.

So if you'd like to buy the game, the link is here. It is AU$1.19 and available on the iTunes/iPad/iPod app store. If you like it - please review it!

Thats enough shameless spruiking from me for today...

Closer to heaven...

In keeping with my current ballet obsession I thought I'd show you these little beauties. The Style Net posted about these Louboutin 8" heels, which were created exclusively for an auction to raise funds for the English National Ballet. Created in gold silk and embellished with Swarovski crystals, they also bear the signature red sole.

'The heel which makes dancers closer than any other women to the sky, closer to heaven.' Christian Louboutin.

Having recently tried on my pointe shoes - then promptly taking them off again after feeling how weak my ankles are - I can almost imagine these would be like pointe shoes with training wheels! I doubt that sky high stiletto would add any actual support... I'd be interested to see if anyone could actually wear them but I love the concept.

New Navy

It's a love thing.

On high rotation.

Love Ting- Anna Lunoe & Wax Motif by Anna Lunoe

Alors on danse

When I was little, my mother enrolled me in ballet lessons at the age of 2. I did ballet (somewhat reluctantly, amid on-off phases of really loving it) until I was 17 years old. At the same school, with the same teacher, and pretty much the same girls I'd always been in classes with.

I ended up stopping when I was at uni deciding that I just didn't have time for it anymore, and traded my twice weekly classes for a gym membership. Recently though, I have returned to the school I went to for 15 years to do adult intermediate classes once a week. To be honest, I was a little skeptical at first - worried that time had sweetened my memories and I may not actually enjoy it as much as I was hoping to. Nevertheless, I braved my first lesson a few weeks ago and haven't looked back.

Having had 6 years off I now realise just how much strength and fitness is required - and how much I took for granted when I used to at worst get a case of 'jelly legs' by the end of class as a teenager. Now I get aching muscles within the first 15 minutes, in places I didn't even know I had working muscles! But I'm loving every minute of it. The part I get really excited about is going to buy new ballet shoes and leotards and one day maybe i'll even don my tutu and pointe shoes once more...

Dentsu Studio - artwork using sound

Canon Pixma: Bringing colour to life from Dentsu London on Vimeo.

Amazing. 

http://www.dentsu.com/

Sticks and Stones

STICKS & STONES... from ABOVE on Vimeo.

Always good to see some artistic initiatives in little old Adelaide. This is a new mural commissioned on the Morphett Street Bridge in the city. The mural will be up for two years.

For more info head read the write up on Rip It Up.

Where did all my money go?

Mimco Stand Off Zip Top bag $399

Tony Bianco Hustler boots $199

The danger of being paid on a Friday is that you have this false sense of richness when the weekend arrives... Two shiny new purchases I made this weekend are this amazing Mimco Stand Off zip top bag (25% off mind you - saving $99 always makes it hurt a lot less!) and some surprisingly super comfy Tony Bianco Hustler boots on Friday night, when there was a one-day 30% off sale down at Tony Bianco's Adelaide Harbour Town store - I had to get something!

...Now I have to sit and twiddle my thumbs and avoid all contact with shops for two weeks until I get paid again!

The best and worst of Google Street View by Lifelounge

Check this out! Lifelounge has compiled a bunch of photos from Google street view. I've put a selection on here but there are heaps more here: The best and worst of Google Street View
Definitely worth a look - there are some crackers!

Complex Geometries

Browsing The New Guard lately I discovered a label I hadn't heard of - Complex Geometries. I instantly fell in love with the architectural, minimal style of Clayton Evans' designs. Here are a handful from the latest collection that I love.

Swing Tank

Swing Tank

Split Square tee

Split Square tee

Flip tank

Flip Tank

Junction Dress

Junction Dress