Something I Think You Should Hear...

So I've decided that hibernation is boring and after a quick revamp I'm in love with my blog again - Yay me!

Miguel - All I Want Is You

Every artist's first album sets the tone for the rest of their entire career; some choose to launch themselves on a platform which is beatable, others fail to launch, but then there are the few that launch right off into space - Miguel is a fine example of those who aim for the stars. This dude can SING!! His voice is actually amazing, not only can the brother sing, but he also writes which only makes his music more enjoyable and hella sexy.

The album is entitled, 'All I Want Is You' which shares the same title as the first track he released from the album that featured J. Cole. Miguel's album is the perfect R&B album as he sticks to the classic formula used by so many others however he owns every concept and theme explored by blending his sultry voice with lyrics that showcase his talent for songwriting.

Favourites from this album have to be (1) Quickie, (2) All I Want Is You ft. J. Cole, and (3) Pay Me.

Usually I upload official videos of my favourite track but I think this video does the job nicely. Here's a video of Miguel performing one of my favourite tracks off the album:

Miguel - Quickie

Still In Hibernation...

Ok, I know I said that I was in hibernation but I can't leave my blog without gracing it with the video below.

So you've probably grasped that I'm a big fan of music, and every so often a song will come along that is just amazing. On average I spend about  12 hours in a week on my laptop updating my iPod - this is not a fact, it's simply for emphasis, meaning that I have an decent collection of music which varies across different genres.


I've known about J. Cole for a while now. I liked his song 'Who Dat', his verse on Miguel's track 'All I Want Is You' was banging and I thought his mixtapes were alright. I remember getting his mixtape, 'Friday Night Lights' around about the same time I got Kanye West's album, 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' and so naturally I just skimmed through Cole's mixtape, whilst I banged out Mr. West's album. Therefore, the only times I listened to J. Cole's tracks was when my iPod was on shuffle and I couldn't be asked to change the track - hey, I've gotta be honest but I still liked him.

His first two mixtape's (The Come Up & The Warm Up) were decent and he kind of reminded me of Nas a little bit, which is of course a good thing, but there was something about them that just didn't have me hooked. Difference is now I've listened to his mixtape properly and in my opinion it could've been an album. Since Tuesday 15th February, the only song that I have been listening to is the video below, and it's because I can not get enough of the way this song has been put together. Each note and each word is perfectly in sync; I salute J. Cole (and Drake - even though I do not appreciate the fact he has failed to go to the gym or get a haircut or visit his stylist) because I thought good music was dying out but he's proved me wrong and the video's not too bad either; actually tell a lie, I really like the video.


I'm officially a J. Cole fan, so enjoy.




J. Cole - In The Morning ft. Drake

Gone Until Spring...

It Has To Be Done - Sorry

If you've noticed I've failed to post anything for a while.

Although I have alot of posts saved to drafts, I just haven't had the time to perfect them because it's that time of year where uni is demanding all my time, and as I would like to graduate with a decent grade; I'm going to have to abandon my blog for awhile.

BUT! I promise I will be back and when I'm done handing in all my assignments, I'll have so much to talk about; so expect me to become a mega-blogger. Until then, it's 'Goodbye' for now - continue eating ice-cream and dream chasing.

The Glamourous Life...

This Post Is Dedicated To An Amazing Friend - Happy Birthday!
Issue 119: February 2011

Yeah - I Don't Know Who She Is Or What She Does But What I Do Know Is Her Outfit Sucks!

So it's the month of love and my copy of GLAMOUR has just been delivered to my door, and now here I am giving you my best bits from the February issue. This month's cover star is Abbey Clancy and to my surprise I don't know who she is - not off to a great start with this issue. But as I turn the pages of my treasured monthly, I'm reunited with my favourite page, 'Hey, it's OK...' and the best from this month were:

1. "...to not want your iPod to go on 'shuffle' at a party. Backstreet Boys are for your ears only"
2. "...to machine wash a 'dry-clean only' item with everything crossed. Dry-cleaning bill? You may as well buy another dress"
3. "...to have some guys' numbers saved in your phone because you don't ever want to answer them. 'Nuts man from train' or 'creepy ex' are the favourites in the GLAMOUR office"

I've realised that one of the elements I love most about GLAMOUR magazine is all the quirky captions that accompany the pictures; they're actually hilarious. But onto the features, in the 'YouYouYou' section of this issue I enjoyed reading 'How To Be Popular'. This piece was based around tips from author of 'How To Be A People Magnet', Leil Lowndes. As I like to think of myself as people's person, this piece offered me with some top tips and in case you failed, for whatever lame reason, to get yourself this issue, here four types that might just boost your popularity:

1. Don't smile at people too soon.
2. Let them 'showpony'.
3. Self-deprecate, slightly.
4. Show your vulnerable.

'Your Newest Questions About LOVE & SEX' by Penny Wrenn was a very interesting read. This piece of writing was made up of questions asked by women but answered by handful of male actors, authors, comedians and musicians. What was brillant about this piece was the sheer honesty of all the answers; I particularly enjoyed reading what the gorgeous Kid Cudi had to say about group dates and vajazzling.

"Beware, you're leaving the door wide open for us to think, 'Oh man, why'd she do that?' The female body is fine as it is - more than fine." - Kid Cudi on Vajazzling

With those wise words from the cutie that is Cudi, I'm going to wrap up this month's review of GLAMOUR and wish you all a 'Happy Valentine's Day'.

Something I Think You Should Hear...

Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

I'm going be honest - after '808s and Heartbreak', I was like, "Ok, obviously Kanye's going through some s**t so I'll allow him." I found that album very dissapointing and I did think Mr. West had lost it but then he reminded me why I have all his albums when he released 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy'.

This is album will go down as one of my favourite hip-hop albums of all time because Kanye West displayed some crazy talent. Song after song is perfect but moreso than achieving perfection, I feel like this album marks the return of real music. What excites me even more about this album is seeing what visuals Kanye will put to the words when he releases his singles, and if the 'Power' video is anything to go by then Mr. West should be recieveing numerous VMAs.

Favourites from this album have to be (1) All Of The Lights ft. Rihanna, Kid Cudi & many more, (2) Monster ft. Rick Ross, Jay Z & Nicki Minaj, and (3) So Appaulled ft. Jay Z, Pusha T, Prynce Cy Hi, Swizz Beatz & The RZA.

Here's the video for one of my favourite tracks off the album:

 

Kanye West - All Of The Lights ft. Rihanna & Kid Cudi

NOTE: This album review should've appeared much earlier as I did get the album hot on its release in November 2010 but I was busy and everything I've said about the album still applies to this very date.

30 Seconds In The Mind Of...

Sandra Townsend

She All So Natural

Sandra Townsend, 22, is a Brighton University Graduate who has fallen in love with journalism and has interned at the Catch 22 Academy. Her proudest moment came in 2009 when she graduated with a degree in Biomedical Sciences. Since graduating she been globe trotting but has finally settled her interests and time in pursuing a career as a journalist.

What couldn't you live without?

I probably couldn't live without Coco Butter. I couldn't survive without it.

What would you say is your worst habit?

I have quite a few habits - I would say leaving plates in the sink.

What do you find really annoying in other people?

Just fakeness - when people lie and pretend to be nice. It's just irritating, they think that it makes them a better person but it doesn't.

What is your guilty pleasure?

I still watch Spongebob.

Most treasured possession?

All my old birthday cards.

Sandra's Favourites

Song

Over by Drake

Video

                 

Website

Apricot Tea

You can follow Sandra on TWITTER or check out her BLOG

Ps. I'm An Introvert

My Heart's A Bit Bigger Than That

Once upon a time I took the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test and of course my result showed that I'm a extrovert - WRONG! It turns out I'm more of an introvert than an extrovert.


Now for those of you who know me you'll be thinking, "No, what's she on about, she's definitely an extrovert", seriously people I'm not. However, I would say is that at times I have the tendency to seem like an extrovert but the truth is I'd chose a night in watching dvds over a night out any day.


NOTE: I'm not withdrawn or being rude I'm just being me!


So if you have an introvert amoung you embrace them and if you don't know how to then Jonathan Rauch will tell you how to:


How can I let the introvert in my life know that I support him and respect his choice?
First, recognize that it's not a choice. It's not a lifestyle. It's an orientation.
Second, when you see an introvert lost in thought, don't say "What's the matter?" or "Are you all right?"
Third, don't say anything else, either.

Click Here To Read The Whole Article

Put That Song On Replay

For this month's edition I present to you the top five tunes from my iPod...



Rihanna - Rude Boy: 174 Plays
Rihanna HAS to be the queen of catchy hooks. In 2010 I must've sang the words "Come here rude boy, boy" over a thousand times and I think I'm almost there with her latest single 'What's My Name'. 'Rude Boy' was definitely the summer song of '10 and deserves to be at the top of my 'Top 25 Most Played' list on iTunes.



Birdman - Money 2 Blow ft. Drake & Lil' Wayne: 158 Plays
I'm not the biggest Birdman fan but this song is one of many examples that prove a (below) average rapper just needs to get a beat that's banging and add a featuring artist(s) that has a way with word and voila! - They end up with a hit record.



Trey Songz - Neighbors Know My Name: 157 Plays
Now Trey Songz has been on his grind for a while and he finally found some mainstream success with his third studio album 'Ready'. 'Neighbors Know My Name' was one out of 17 decent songs from his album and raised it the bar where R&B songs about the ablity to make your significant other to "say your name" are considered - good on ya Mr. Steal Your Girl. 



Black Eyed Peas - Rock That Body: 116 Plays
One group on the music scene that are yet to fail to produce a hit are the Black Eyed Peas - they are just too creative as far as the music goes. 'Rock That Body' is the ultimate feel good song. Enough said.



Kelly Rowland - Commander ft. David Guetta: 94 Plays
Kelly Rowland's career didn't have the best start and although she came out with some good tracks, the fact still remains that she's not Beyoncé! I know it hurts but it's true; sad times for Kelly. However with the help of house sensation David Guetta Kelly managed to get some shine and the song's really good.

Something I Think You Should Hear...

Music plays a massive role in my life but ofcourse I don't sing or rap and therefore I'm just an avid listener. 'Something I Think You Should Hear...' is gonna be another regular on this blog because it's my blog - simples *Meerkat squeak*

  

Diddy Dirty Money - Last Train To Paris

This album was in the works for a long time and I would say that it was worth the wait. I'm not surprised that the 'Last Train To Paris' is a good album; Diddy has been in the music game for too long and creating an album full of hits should be of second nature to him by now. On this album Diddy is accompanied by the vocal talents of Dawn Ricards and Kalenna Harper - who are two ladies with beautiful voices.

Now, Diddy has said the concept behind the 'Last Train To Paris' is about losing love in Paris and attempting to get it back. From me, personally, I think the group approached the brief well, and have 16 songs to prove it. The album is a mixture of up-tempo and mid-tempo tracks; what impressed me most about this album was the fact it's focus is love and heartbreak but Diddy Dirty Money managed to embody that without creating any R&B crooners, instead they've produced high energy tracks which somewhat provide a different outlook on love.

Favourites from this album have to be (1) Ass On The Floor ft. Swizz Beatz, (2) Yesterday ft. Chris Brown, and (3) Shades ft. Lil' Wayne, Justin Timberlake, Bilal & James Fauntleroy.

Here's the video for one of my favourite tracks off the album:

Diddy Dirty Money - Ass On The Floor ft. Swizz Beatz

The Glamourous Life...

Issue 118: January 2011

Personal Opinion: I Adore Kylie - Such An Icon!

It's been a while but I'm back and what better way to pronounce my emergence from my slumber other than to review this month's issue of GLAMOUR. Gracing the first issue of GLAMOUR 2011 is the music and style icon Kylie Minogue and just as Dannii did in November 2010, Kylie looks stunning which makes for a very pretty cover.

So if you're like me this year you didn't make any resolutions and instead you're taking 2011 how ever it chooses to present itself to you, and to prove that I'm not alone in embracing a resolution-less year this month's 'Editor's Letter' by Jo Elvin (the Editor of GLAMOUR - duuhhh) backs my point up.

Unfortunately this month I didn't have a favourite 'Hey it's OK...' because I have three - yes, three and here they are:

1. "...to come up with a whole load of laundry, just so your lucky pants will be clean for tomorrow"
2. "...if you don't know what to say sometimes (just say, "I don't know what to say")"
3. "...to still squabble like a five year old whenever you're with your siblings" 

'Love & Sex Rules (I Live By)' was a very insightful piece put together using relationship tips from 12 different women. I think the piece worked will because when it comes to issues such as love and sex reading one person's ideology can either be very helpful or of no use at all depending on whether or not you agree with their theory. Therefore having twelve voices means that one person out of a dozen is destined to have the same view as you and from reading these women's tips I have now assembled my list.

'Need A Lift' was a list compelled by Professor Sonja Lyubomirsky of 33 tips that will result in creating a happier version of yourself. I enjoyed this piece because it works really well with the theme of the "new year, new start" and the bottom line is we all want to be happy, don't we?

Overall this issue is a good start for GLAMOUR; so until February (the month of luurrrvvvveeeee) stay glamourous and don't forget to eat some ice cream - Oh and HAPPY NEW YEAR!