This Week's Playlist

To celebrate St David's Day last week, I have been listening to a lot of Welsh music this week, which you may notice in this week's playlist!


Super Furry Animals - Golden Retriever



The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow

The video here is from Jools Holland's show, which is where I first heard these two. The guy reminds me of a cross between Johnny Depp and Jack White (visually).



The Shins - A Simple Song. Great if somewhat depressing video




Super Furry Animals - Hello Sunshine
Now that spring is upon us, this is particularly appropriate. If you're not familiar with the Super Furries, you might still recognise this song from (the best teen drama ever) The OC.





Lana del Rey - Million Dollar Man
My favourite LDR song so far, even if it sounds uncannily like the Spice Girls' Too Much (and I mean that in the nicest way possible). Presumably the man in question is Lana's daddy who funded her album.




Y Bandana - Siwgwr Candi Mel
This is a song by my favourite Welsh-language band. It's not their best song but sadly there isn't much of their music on YouTube. If you can, get your hands on a copy of Dal dy Drwyn/Can y Tan.



The Cribs - We Share the Same Skies

The Perfect Pick-Me-Up

Contrary to popular belief, life as a student can be difficult. Mountains of seemingly-never ending reading and now the dreaded exam period on the horizon. I can only count my blessings that I'm a second year, so there is no scramble to find a job just yet. It's times like this when I need a little retail therapy to cheer my soul. Sadly, not only am I on a student budget, but I also am confined to a campus uni where the nearest town doesn't even have an Urban Outfitters. Nonetheless, today I almost reached breaking point and so found myself rifling through the best that this Midland's town has to offer.

In the end I bought this - a snip at only £25 (plus student discount!) from New Look.

A clear Alexander McQueen rip-off that has been spotted on the likes of Rihanna, Emma Watson and burgeoning fashion icon Chloe Moretz (the McQueen version, obvs). I'll be taking a leaf out of Ri-Ri (barf)'s book by teaming it with a collar necklace. Or is that too Home and Away school girl? I'm also tempted to pick up a pair of brother creepers like the Bajan singer, but need to step away from my favourite This is England look so will have to resist the temptation.

This Week I Love...

Miss Selfridge, £3.75

These religious bracelets are everywhere at the moment. At the same time hideously tacky and brilliantly youthful, I feel both terribly blasphemous and childishly playful wearing mine. I don't know if it's because I spent a year living in Italy, but I am finding myself increasingly drawn to religious iconography (or 'tat' as some may view it). This bracelet makes me think of teenage summer days but also serves me up a helping of Catholic guilt; wearing it doesn't replace a Sunday in Mass.

Can someone please buy me the following...?

OK, so what with just about every designer under the sun bringing out a collection for a high street store (SUPER excited for the Jenny Packham range in Debenhams), we can now all get our hands on some up-market goodies without selling off our grandmothers. My favourite collection (and everybody else's too, judging by the lack of stock) has got to be Mary Katrantzou's for Topshop.

This dress is gloriously summery and seeing as the weather is heating up ( I saw a man in short and flip flops yesterday; that's right, shorts and FLIP FLOPS), there is no excuse not to buy it.

IF this sunny weather is not set to last - which, considering it's February, maybe it isn't -then I wish to spend the next few months in this Vivienne Westwood beauty. Hell, a girl can dream.

Patrick Wolf Reading 2011

Patrick Wolf was definitely one of my favourite acts at this year's Reading. I have only become a fan recently (yes, yes, I know, I am definitely a Johnny-come-lately to Patrick Wolf and will never be a true fan etc.) but I was desperate to get to see his set. Unfortunately for me, I missed the first half due as I was watching another band on the main stage with my brother who was more than reluctant to go and see "that NME twat" (his words, not mine).

Whilst it's unlikely that his view of the flamboyant Londoner remains the same, I was taken aback at what a great live act Mr. Wolf is. Never before has a video paled so much in comparison with the real thing and I urge anyone who is considering it, to go and see Patrick live. Not only is he an entertaining and engaging performer, but he has got a great band behind him, too. I am even considering picking up the saxophone (as in learning, not physically picking up the instrument) just to master the 'This City' solo!

Manhattan (Opening)

Is this the best opening to a movie, ever?! I wish I lived in Woody Allen's Manhattan...