#vinyl trackies

[hockeydogwoof]

Mr. Riegillio tracksuit makes that great warm PVC smell on a sunny day.

[fosterworks-art]

They're here!

These little ones took a little while to make right, as it was the first time I ever used laminate. So I don't have many just yet. But, if I can sell the ones I have right now, rest assured I'm going to make even more in the future! The stickers come in vinyl with no laminate, and in sparkly holographic! Here are the links!

I have plenty more stickers on my shop too. Please check them out or consider commissioning me :)

[fucktheglorydays]

NEW MIX OUT NOW / Andy Piacentini x Mixino#62 x Fuck The Glory Days

Nel Regno Unito,Glasgow è la capitale del vinile. Non è un caso che proprio in questa città viva Andy Piacentini. Nel gennaio del 2021 fu nostro ospite per il 50esimo episodio. Oggi il dj italo-scozzese torna con un nuovo set. I suoi mixati per Radio Buena Vida, Clyde Built Radio e nel suo programma Run4Cover (Radio Magnetic) sorprendono sempre. Andy anche in questo caso non delude. Le sonorità disco, funk, italo sono messe da parte. Questa volta il mix mostra un lato meno conosciuto del suo background musicale, tracce uk garage 90s dei suoi primi anni in consolle, mescolate a texture deep house del presente e del passato. Ed è così che questo set è nato – registrato dal vivo durante una serata in un club di Glasgow, adesso in streaming per voi.

Glasgow is the UK’s vinyl capital. So it's no surprise that it's where Andy Piacentini lives. We hosted him one year ago for the 50th instalment, now, the italo-scottish dj is back with a new one. He always surprises with his well selected mixes on Radio Buena Vida, Clyde Built Radio and on his own show Run4Cover (Radio Magnetic). This time is no different: Andy takes you some serious heat. Disco, funk, italo grooves are on ice. This is a mix which shows a lesser known side of his musical background. He found himself pulling out his early stage ukg favourites from the 90s, dropping them into his sets of tracky and deep house old and new. And that’s how this set was born - a recording from a live club gig in Glasgow now shared with you.

[amphtaminedreams]

If We Can’t Have the Parties, At Least We Have the Coats: Lookbook no.13

Hi to anyone reading,

It’s been a weird winter, right?

A winter that I REALLY did not need to buy as many clothes for as I have. You WILL save loads of money during this lockdown, I told myself. You WILL. And yet here I am in December, in exactly the same financial position I was in March. You would think that making the switch to an environmentally friendly wardrobe would mean I own less but now I no longer have the guilt of supporting fast fashion to hold me back, I’ve accumulated more clothes than ever. Part of a sustainable wardrobe is also about reducing your consumption so now I’ve mostly made the move towards only supporting transparent companies/small businesses, I can move onto the buying less part. I haven’t thrown any clothes away but still, I am not the clothes rescuer I think I am-more just an overdraft abuser. To add to that, for those of us actually following the rules (half the people I went to secondary school with flaunting their apparently unaffected social lives on Instagram, I’m looking at you) there aren’t actually all that many opportunities to wear new outfits. Not to go too first world problems, but it is a little shit when getting dressed up and doing your makeup is one of the things that you do to help you feel a little better, especially when the seasonal (and situational in these times) depression kicks in.

So yes, I have been extra af recently and combatted this with the decision to start making an effort to outfit plan for the most basic of tasks. We’re talking a full face of makeup and accessories for going into town to get a coffee or to meet a friend for a walk. I mean, I still go to Tesco in my trackies but if I’m seeing somebody else, I am sure as hell going to treat it as a reason to wear something nice. See the winter outfits section of the lookbook as your inspiration to do the same because I can guarantee you the sense of normality forcing yourself to take makeup off at the end of the day brings will actually make you feel a lot better. Genuinely the mark of exceptional times. We’ve also got the few days relief period over Christmas in the UK where we’re allowed to mix with a maximum of 3 other households, and ignoring the fact that it doesn’t really make any sense given that the number of people you could end up mixing with depends on the size of the households and is realistically completely arbitrary (I have a lot of feelings about how fucking moronic half the decisions this government has been making are but then again, what’s new?), I’m sure those of you with big families are gonna be partying. I’m only spending Christmas with my immediate family but I thought I’d put some more festive outfits together anyway. I know, I know, it sounds like I’m just bullshitting an explanation as to why I put this lookbook together when in reality I’m trying to make myself feel better about the damage to my bank account buuuut it really is more a case of being inspired by my Depop finds and if you are trying to quit fast fashion, I can’t recommend the app enough (especially if you know what you’re looking for). As I did in the last lookbook, I will make sure to include the tags of all the people I bought these pieces from but I also thought it might be helpful to make a note of some of the descriptors I used to find them so you can get more of an idea how to find the things you’re looking for too, as well as prices. I did include the names of the shops I bought the few fast fashion items I styled from too, mostly earlier this year or at some point over the last couple of years, on the basis that they may be a useful search prompt if you’re looking for something similar or the exact item-the majority are no longer available (disclaimer: I haven’t bought anything from Boohoo in a longgg time) to buy but you might be able to find an account that’s selling a used version. Don’t be put off by that-I’ve had to wash a couple of pieces but for the most part, that hasn’t been necessary. Charity shops usually wash things before they put them out, so you have nothing to worry about there either-I expect that they’re particularly thorough at the moment considering the COVID crisis.

Enough rambling from me for now! Enjoy!

-(SOCIALLY DISTANCED) PARTY SZN LOOKS-

Powder Blue Wide Brim Felt Hat/Fedora: £16.99

Structured White Mesh Oh Polly Mini Dress w/Ruched Detail: £27

Black PVC Beret w/Red Flame Detail: £14

Red Fit and Flare Dress w/Satin Corset & Tulle Skirt: £12

Black PVC Vintage Platform Boots w/Red Flame Detail: £27

White Satin Corset w/Straps: £8

Pinstripe Cropped Blazer Co-ord Set: £12.50

Oh Mighty Strappy Contrast Corset: £27

Contrast Check Cigarette Trousers: £15

Pink Topshop Gingham Blazer Co-ord Set BNWT: £35

White Strappy Corset w/Suspender Detail: £10

White PVC Beret w/Black Flame Detail: £14

Reworked Strappy Patchwork Sports Cropped Tee: £10

Black Combat Cargo Trousers: £5

Strappy Tie-dye Pretty Little Thing Corset BNWT: £15

PVC/Vinyl Zip-up Mini Skirt w/Belt Detail: £9

White Satin Cowl Neck Mini Slip Dress: £8

Urban Outfitters ‘90s Style Celestial Print Mesh Babydoll Dress: £15

-(SOMETIMES PRACTICAL) COAT SZN LOOKS-

UNIF Colour Block Oversized Jumper/Sweater: £25

Topshop Dark Wash Denim Kick Flare Jeans w/Frayed Hem Detail: £16

Vintage ‘70s Style Brown Faux Suede Western Blazer/Jacket: £15

Black Velvet High Neck Bodysuit w/Keyhole Detail: £4

Topshop Paisley Print Chiffon Midi Dress: £15

Brandy Melville Cropped Motorcross Slogan Slogan Tee: £13.60

Ragged Priest Gingham Cargo/Combat Trousers w/Utility Style Buckle Detailing: £33

Black Kappa Logo Beanie: £12

White Platform FILA Disruptors in Good Condition: £55

Black Fur Bucket Hat: £8

Celestial Silver Moon Detail Chain Belt: £18

Black Satin Cowl Neck Detail Midi Slip Dress: £15

Floral Print Platform Boots: £10

Blue Denim ASOS High Rise Mom Jeans: £12

Brown Vintage ‘70s Style Afghan Coat w/Fur Trim: £25

Teal Wide Brim Felt Hat/Fedora: £10

Topshop Floral Print A-Line Jacquard Mini Skirt: £7

Lana Del Rey Screen Printed T-Shirt: £9.99

Vintage Corduroy Contrast Stripe Trousers w/Kick Flare: £28

Anyone that read to the end, thank you so much as always and I hope this shows just how many in-trend pieces you can find second hand! I know I'm SUPER far behind to the point where it’s closer to the F/W2021 shows now than it is since the S/S2021 collections were showcased but I decided I am going to do a full length fashion week review. I also have a few moodboards planned and my next is gonna be one focussing purely on plus sized fashion as the feedback that I got from my New Style Icons post was that I could have included more bigger girls; I am so, so, SO passionate about body positivity and fat acceptance, especially since I know my own relationship with my body would be so much better if this kind of movement was more prominent when I was younger, so I don’t for a minute want anyone to think it was my intention to be exclusionary in any way. It bears repeating that I genuinely appreciate feedback in any form (as long as it’s not too mean and presumptive, lol) and I hope the next post doesn’t disappoint! It hasn’t been a good year for cinema due to COVID having lead to theatre closures, however I still do want to do another film tier ranking in the new year as that is something I really enjoyed doing last time. Any more suggestions are welcome!

As always, my inbox is always open if you need someone to talk to or just wanna chat about a post:-) I am constantly on the look out for new blogs to follow and people to interact with so any communication is welcome. I’m not sure if I’ll get another post finished before we enter 2021, SO I wanna say that I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and that this shitshow of a year DOES come to an end at 11:59PM on the 31st because THOSE MEMES ABOUT IT TURNING DECEMBER THE 32ND ARE NOT FUNNY! Here’s to our second attempt at our first year of the roaring twenties (because this past year it feels like we skipped them and went straight to The Great Depression, the likely incoming recession denial is real) and to happier times and good health for everyone.

Lauren x

DISCLAIMER: Background in the first 2 images are mine, others are not. I found them on Pinterest so not sure of the artists but if you do know, drop me a message so I can credit them!

[vangoddamn]

It's nice to see you too

y/n has a soft spot for nature. Van has kittens. Oh yeah they’re neighbours too…….. :0

Not too sure about this but posting anyway :)

It was a pretty normal Tuesday afternoon, following the routine of a coffee, bagel and exploring the city for some good shots. I hadn't quite got myself out the house and at that particular moment I was quite content on the balcony. Even though it was freezing temperatures, you would usually find me outside on the balcony watching the world go by. Maybe that was one of my biggest downfalls, I was always daydreaming, so I could never really notice things properly.

Before I knew it I'd wasted hours on the bench overlooking the city skyline. It was beautiful on days like this, clear skies, birds flying around and light breezes that danced through your apartment door, left carelessly open. Alswell as being a daydreamer I also had a tendency to be forgetful and damn clumsy. Forgetting to close doors especially locking them unfortunately got me a reputation. People in the flat I'd made aquatanced with me would usually push it closed.

I had washed back into my lucid state again until i felt something soft brush against my leg. i jumped out of my seat terrified, until I heard a timid meow. I crouched down realising it was a tiny little kitten. I'd always loved animals and nature, usually if I could find any in the city, that would be the centre of my shots.

"hello little one" I whispered whilst petting the fur ball. It's hair was spiky and little ear pricked up as I spoke. It's eyes where captivating, glossy pearls, I had a thing for looking at peoples eyes, always captivating me.

I picked the little creature up, moving to sit back down petting it carefully. I knew I'd probably have to find its owner, but how did it get in my apartment. I leapt up, kitten in arms and walked to my front door which was how I anticipated it, open.

I walked down the hall trying to see if I'd find another of these mystery kittens. I thought that maybe I wouldn't after a while, until I walked back to my flat with the little fluff ball to find another one at my feet.

"Lyla! there you are" I heard from behimd me. I turned around to see a guy holding at least three kittens similar to the ones i was now petting.

"oh, sorry. I found your kitten in my apartment" i smiled at him hoping he wouldn't be mad at me. But then I detailed his soft features and the lazy smile that had formed on his face. I noticed his startling blue eyes and faint freckles that dotted a little map around his face, dissapearing into his black hoodie.

"No, thanks, I've been looking for these guys all over. I'm looking after them for a friend" the Man explained.

"oh you live her?" i asked slightly puzzled, I knew most people in the apartment and i didn't recognise him at all.

"yeah I'm Van, I travel a lot with my band so..." he explained to me.

"Van, like Morrison?"

"Exactly! me real names Ryan though"

"Y/n" I smiled back

After the little introduction Van asked me back to his flat for s tea. A thank you for finding his mates cats, I think I cought the of 'benji'. I didn't realise but I spent hours at his, playing with the kittens whilst he showed me his vinyl collection and strummed his guitar.

////

From then, I found myself going to his apartment more and more. It first started out bacause of my love for animals, I'd take my camera and get the cutest pictures. But the more i went, the more it was for him, the kittens would be gone now as he was looking after them for a friend and I'd have no excuse.

It was around 3am, with my mind racing there was no way I'd be able to get any sleep. I slipped discretely out of the covers and walked over to the balcony. It was hardly light out but, the sun was starting to show itself being the start of summer. It rose slowly, teasing it's light over my face, golden hour. I started thinking about Van and how I wanted him to be sat with me here.

As if it was fate I heard a knocking on my door, breaking my thoughts. I threw on a baggy jumper on and tiptoed over to open the door, suprised to see Van standing there. He was only wearing a pair of loose tracky bottoms and his shirtless frame almost killing me. I traced the freckles from his collar bone down to his lanky body, something I couldn't do before. I was shocked to say the least, and it was obvious by the pool in his eyes he hadn't been able to sleep too.

"Van" I smiled, happy he was there. I didn't really question him being there, so I took his hand, surprisingly warm in comparison to mine. I was cold due to being outside but I never really noticed.

"y/n your so cold!" He said slightly shocked and worried at the same time. He pulled my hand back to him, pulling my body into his as he wrapped his arms around me warming me up. He smelled of fags and honeysuckle, a weird combination but it was his so involuntarily I breathed a heavy breath, basking in the comforts of him.

"and your so warm" I was tired and didn't realize what I was doing. I had completely nestled into his hold, my head just below the crook of his neck, hands tight around his waist.

We stood there for a while, I didn't quite want to break our hold and neither did he. "How come your here?" I whispered looking into his eyes.

"umm..I guess I just wanted to see you" he stuttered, slightly disappointing me, but before I could look away hiding my embarrassment he caught my chin with his finger. He leant in softly connecting our lips together. Our kiss grew deeper as I stood on my tip toes wrapping my arms lazily round his neck.

As our kiss broke away I leant my forehead against his catching our breaths back. "I guess it's nice to see you" I smiled.

[buttercupsfrocks]

Hey, Tumblr, did you know that there’s an Interior Design Police as well as a Fashion Police?! Strangely neither did I until I stumbled upon a listicle entitled 75 Things No Woman Over 50 Should Own on the delusionarily titled bestlifeonline.com. There, along with the usual arbitrary selections of sartorial crimes against humanity, (tracky bottoms, skinny scarves, bolero jackets), were the following:-

Tapestries. (What, even if one designed and made them oneself, comme ça?)

Neon signs.

A piggy bank.

Novelty salt and pepper shakers, (Oops!)

A vinyl tablecloth. 

Novelty pillows. (Dang!)

A rolodex.

Indoor wicker furniture.

A lava lamp. (Who doesn’t love a lava lamp? Not this fully paid up B52s fan, I can assure you).

A dish of seashells.  (D’oh! Missed the memo again).

Framed autographs (yep, got one of those too).

Talk about random. And there’s more; much more. It appears I should have jettisoned my giant pin boards at least twenty years ago, along with my magnifying mirror, stuffed animals, coloured pens, fairy lights, frameless posters, cheap mismatched silverware, decorations based on cartoon characters, mismatched towels, striped wallpaper, tassels, and elaborate keychains. (They’d have a blue fit if they knew that one of my keychains has both a twiddly fake key and a tassel on it). In fact the entire website is little more than an endless litany of stuff you should feel ashamed about owning, wearing, and in some cases, even saying. Like I totes can’t say “totes” – me, a writer, who loves slang so much she has at least a bookshelf-and-a-half dedicated to it. I also can’t say: “OMG”,  “humblebrag”, “talk to the hand”, “fauxpology”, “sorry not sorry”, “I can’t even”, “as if”, “sus”, (a term in common UK parlance among people of all age groups for the duration of my lifetime), “ship”, (fuck you; Spuffy forever), and…wait for it…”adulting”, even though I plainly know a good deal more about doing it than the embarrassingly embarassable twelve year old ninny who probably wrote the article.

And still on the subjects of lists that give me the right royal pip, there’s thelist.com. 

“If you are familiar with Dr Martens, you are too old to wear them.” 

I’m sorry, what now?! 

“We know those Crocs and orthopaedic shoes are super comfy, but they're not doing you any favours. There's something to be said for smart, sensible footwear, but you don't have to sacrifice your style and give away your age just to save yourself a few blisters”.

Unless of course you suffer with any kind of condition that dictates you  have to wear fugly orthopaedic footwear, as numerous older people do. And blisters are the least of my problems, bub. Believe me the bunting and party hats come out when I can persuade anything approaching normal-looking footwear to accommodate my orthotics. Doc Martens are one of the precious few options available to me. I am, incidentally, feeling especially “salty” (another word my age precludes me from using), about this right now as, having discovered I can sometimes wear sandals with a moulded orthotic-like sole, these Office sandals... 

...which I genuinely love and desperately wanted to rock this summer, damn near crippled me when I tried them on. 

For all the blather about older women being able to cast off the shackles of convention and wear what we please, (or whatever the expert du jour thinks is within reason), the same unspoken assumptions that prevail in mainstream ladymedia are present in spades on these websites. Nobody reading could possibly be fat, or if they are they’re assumed to be fighting their poor beleaguered bodies unto death. The only chub ever alluded to, (albeit soto voce), is “middle aged spread”, but only the vestigial kind that can be miraculously rendered  invisible by the belting of an “unflattering” oversized garment in the middle. 

“Show off your curves by adding a cute belt to that dress or coat. It will accentuate your shape and let you still wear those comfortable items in your wardrobe without looking like you're wearing a muumuu.”

Never mind that I quite like wearing a muumuu, far from showing off my curves, belting any of my coats would make me look like the Albert Hall, which while undoubtably a Look, is not one I’m after.  

“Balance is important when it comes to crafting a stylish look. Wearing oversized clothing disrupts that delicate equilibrium and unintentionally ages you.”  

What. Ever. 

The hectoring never lets up. 

“There really is no such thing as grown up glitter when it comes to apparel, so it's best to accept that fact and avoid glittery tops, bottoms, and everything else!” 

“Dressing like the '80s or '90s can be fun for a party, but being attached to a trend from your youth can look tired and disconnected and therefore can make one age themselves.” 

“Large prints, especially on a tight clothing item like leggings, are an avoid-at-all-costs look. They are just too loud and aren't a piece that helps you look your best”

Among the ten items everyday.health.com bans me from wearing on account of my encroaching dotage are “too trendy denim”. Apparently I’m “not in my element” with it so my hard work was all for nought. Also verboten are oversized, overly decorated hobo bags, cheap unflattering underwear; (fat chance of finding cheap underwear in plus-sizes anyway though apparently I should do like the Sainted Gwyneth and wear Spanx under everything. Because she totally needs to and I so enjoy colic); and…wait for it…wait for it...  

...“loud accessories”. This includes, horror of horrors, plastic earrings, which apparently I forfeited the right to wear at 35. (Do they count vintage phenolic, bakelite, and lucite as plastic I wonder? Because if enough rich older women get dissuaded from wearing it I might actually be able to afford some instead of faking it). Instead I’m exhorted to make a... 

“Stunning Substitute: think quality and quantity. Limit yourself to one funky accessory per outfit – as long as it’s well-made. Think a leopard-print scarf, thin silver bangles or a gold clutch to dress up nice jeans and a simple top”. 

Yeah, no. And, by the way here’s a picture of Helen Mirren in quite the loudest plastic necklace I’ve ever seen which, as you can plainly see, ages her terribly. 

*snort*

Which brings me neatly to the subject of role models. Dame Helen comes up a lot. Here’s Harper’s Bazaar with some more:

“Pay close attention to the way women like Robin Wright, Julianne Moore, and Kristin Scott Thomas dress. And revel in the moment when you can justify shopping for labels like Céline, Calvin Klein, Jil Sander, and the Row — because not all sweaters are created equal. The Perfect Length (not too long, not Rihanna short), with the just-tantalizing-enough neckline, is more than worth the extra zeros”.  

Wow. So much nope to pick apart in just three sentences! 

Firstly, while I’m sure they’re all perfectly charming, I look nothing at all like any of these women, so why would I aspire to their style? Secondly, they have allllllll the extra zeros in their bank accounts while I have zero zeros. Thirdly, even if I could afford any of those labels, (a sweater from The Row costs well over a thousand quid by the way), why the love of little fluffy kittens would anyone think I want to dress like this?

I mean I know I like an oversized garment but I’m good with Monki, thanks. If that lot doesn’t say, “this was the only shit I could find to fit me”, I don’t know what does. And quite what the tiny, terminally haggard looking Olsen twins, who dreamed up the wretched label, would look like in any of this eye-bleedingly expensive folderol I shudder to think. You’d probably need to send in the fire brigade to find them in all that fabric, poor loves.

At its root shaming-as-entertainment is a tool for capitalism, both simple and complex. Feel mortified for owning something age inappropriate? Buy something new and more grown up, preferably at enormous expense. Or, if pay day’s too far off, invest in some garbage gossip rag and bitch about the state of those richer and more famous than you are. It’ll make you feel great for all of five minutes, then you can fill the emptiness that follows in its wake with some cheap fast fashion or cake. Even though cake is naughty and unclean and fast fashion is killing the environment; but hey that’s what diet books (kerching!) and gym memberships (kerching!) and ethical fashion, (with a cut-off size of 16), are for, right? 

Ironically, in yet another catalogue of grievous mistakes to make once you’re over forty, bestlifemyarse.com includes “neglecting your mental health” and “basing yourself-worth on what other people think”. But how the hell are women expected to do that under a constant barrage of opprobrium, not least since also included in the aforementioned list is “avoiding the scale”?

Tumblr, I put it to you that people are just as likely to buy stuff if they’re feeling good about themselves than if they’re feeling shite. I fucking love stuff but there has to be an alternative way to sell it that’s less damaging to our sanity and self esteem. That’s in part why fat women created their own media. But, the more it edges into the mainstream, the more it it puts the wind up advertisers and those who rely on their sponsorship. So now our message – the one about self acceptance and being able to live unrepentantly in the bodies we have – has been appropriated, de-fanged, and rebranded as “Body Positivity”, an ersatz movement intended to reassure average-sized women fretful they might be a little bit fat, with the added proviso, “as long as you’re healthy”, (i.e not fat). And while the net abounds with token examples of older lady bloggers granted the status of fashion maven, they’re all slender as reeds, and most of them are ex-models. Big fucking whoop. Meanwhile anyone of any age who is objectively fat is “promoting obesity” simply by expressing our personal style in public.

My collection of shells incidentally, includes some my mum brought me back from the Channel Islands when I was a child; a conch a friend dove for  in the Virgin Islands and presented me for my 19th birthday; several beauties that held pride of place in a late family friend’s study for decades; an abalone shell from New Zealand plucked from the beach by my Kiwi pal Di; a sand dollar from Ocean Beach in San Francisco given to me by my dear friend Jude who died of secondary breast cancer a few months before Jane did; some pebbles gathered with my friend Lesley in literal sub-zero temperatures on a completely deserted beach one not-so-flaming June up north, both of us in hysterics over the utter bleakness of it all, and a load more shells from the Pembrokeshire coast contributed by my friend Steve’s departed mum back in the 1980s. Even the bowl itself was given to me by Karen, whose parents found it in the attic of their new house and thought I might like it. It’s a veritable a lifetime in shells; a celebration of love and friendship spanning decades. In short it has meaning, which is a damned sight more than you can say for any of these wretched lists.

Rise above the buzzkill, Tumblr.

[positiveparker]

I Miss You Final Part (Haz Osterfield)

hey everyone here is the last part :( I hope you like the way I ended it! - L

- warnings ; fluff! angst! swearing!

- pairing ; haz x reader

- song ; star crossed by JON VINYL (listen here)

- masterlist

- prompt list

not my gif

I woke up in his arms, smooth light streamed through his window onto his soft grey carpet. I readjusted my position, pulling Haz’s arms tighter over me. I snoozed for another half an hour and then softly took Haz’s arms off my body and placed them carefully back down onto the mattress. 

He didn’t even stirr.  He looked so angelic and peaceful when he slept, with his mouth slightly open and his chin pushed upwards. I grabbed a random t-shirt from the ground and pulled it over my head, I liked the feeling of the soft cotton brushed against my bare skin. I trudged quietly into Haz’s kitchen pulling open the fridge and grabbing some ingredients for breakfast. Haz was super bad at grocery shopping so I checked the cupboards above my head. He had a few cans of beans lost at the back and one single bottle of pancake mix. My heart gasped and I pulled the bottle down and placed it on the counter. I swirled some oil around on a pan, let it sizzle a bit and then poured the mix in small dollops. I carefully flipped them over, trying to get them to a perfect golden brown colour.

I stacked them on two plates and drizzled them with maple syrup. I placed them on the coffee table and switched on a ‘batman’ (his favourite of course). My feet met with his soft grey bedroom carpet again, he hadn’t changed his position. I tiptoed around and clambered back onto the bed crossing my legs underneath me, I leant down and eskimo kissed with his nose. He didn't stir from his sleep so I started to brush my lips lightly against his. I felt his eyelashes flutter against my skin and I looked into his eyes. They sleepily opened to reveal raging ocean blue.

“morning” I whispered into his chin

“morning (y/n)” he grumbled through a sleep smile. 

“I made breakfast and Batman is on” I smiled

“You know me so well” He said rubbing his hand lightly up and down my arm. He dotted kisses on my forehead and placed his feet on the ground and stretched into the morning air. 

He was still stark naked from the night before so he pulled on some tracksuit bottoms and let his bare chest be out.  

He walked around to me and swung his arms under my legs and pulled me up from the ground. I levitated in his arms as he spun me around giggling. He carried me into the kitchen and placed me down onto the sofa. He propped himself above me in a sort of push up position and then lowered his arms to kiss my nose. I laughed and he sat down next to me. We munched on our pancakes and watched batman for most of the morning and then Haz’s phone rang.

“I’ll get it” I suggested standing and picking it up from the coffee table where he had left it the night before. It was Nicola.

“Hello?” I said nervously 

“agh (y/n) I hoped it was going to be you. I tried your phone but you didn’t pick up”

“oh I left it at your house along with my heels and mine and Haz’s coats” I laughed

“agh well I was hoping we could talk?”

“yeah sure I am free right now” I muttered 

“well I was hoping I could see you in real life?”

“yeah, where should we meet?”

“come to the house?” 

“yeah I’ll be over ASAP” I said

“okay bye (y/n)”

“bye” I said swiping across the screen to end the call. 

I leant back onto Haz’s arm and carried on glaring at his TV screen.

“You need some clothes” He said laughing down at his t-shirt I had quickly pulled on. 

“hey my eyes are here sweetie” I said lifting his chin jokily. His t-shirt was totally see through but I obviously didn’t really mind. 

“you know I love your eyes (y/n)” He said intently staring at my eyes 

“which ones?” I laughed looking down at my chest humorously. He chuckled and grabbed one of his sofa pillows and smacked it on my leg.

“hey!” I protested straddling over him and grabbing the pillow. I shoved it in his face, he pulled it down slowly and tried pecking my lips. I leant away and he pulled me back up kissing me forcefully. 

Later in the day I showered and changed into some of Haz’s clothes. He gifted me one of his hoodies, coat and trackies. They were all huge on me.

“black or blue?” He said pulling out two fleecy hoodies from his draw

“blue” I replied, he threw his huge hoodie at me and I pulled it over my head. I was very bunchy and practically came to my knees.

“you look like a dumpling” He laughed, he rolled around on his bed chuckling at how ridiculous I looked.

“hey! are you calling me fat asshole!” I squeaked, trying to pull the hoodie up to make it look less bunchy. 

“no you look extremely cute” he assured me, he crawled off his bed and sauntered up to me, wrapping his arms around my back and kissing my neck. “dumplings are delicious” he whispered into my neck

I left Haz even though he pouted and sulked, I ran quickly down his stairs in his sneakers that felt like they were 10 sizes too big and out into the snowy street. It was 3 days until Christmas and everyone was out on the streets doing last minute shopping. I hitched down a cab and drove to the Holland’s house, the car speeded along the sloshy, iced street. I rested my forehead against the cool window and thought. I thought about Tom, it kinda sunk in that everything was a lie and that our whole relationship was fake. He had filled me with promise at a time where I needed it. He had helped me a lot but I felt stupid being led on, I thought he needed me as much as I needed him for all this time.

We reached his house and I passed money to the driver and hopped out of the taxi. The Holland’s house was tainted with snow. Lights were hung outside and all the lamps in their house were glowing warm orange. I ran up to the door and rang the doorbell. Dom swung open the door and his face filled with relief. 

“Oh (y/n) it’s nice to see you” He said pulling me inside and politely kissing my cheek. He took my coat and I was immediately met with the warm temperature of the house. Dom ushered me into the kitchen where Nicola was making tea at the counter.

“ah- (y/n)” she grinned running over to hug me. Her body felt so relieved. I guess they thought I was going to cut them off completely. 

Nicola dragged the cups of tea to the living room and we sat on the sofa. I cupped my hands around the scorching cup and sipped it every few minutes. 

“so- yesterday was eventful” I blurted

“yes it was” Nicola laughed “how’s Haz?”

“he’s good” I smirked, my lips kept curling to a grin every moment I thought about him. I tried to dull it down but obviously Nicola noticed. 

“did you ya know-“ Nicola whispered nudging my arm with her elbow

“i mean, I feel like this isn’t the conversation I should be having with my ex boyfriends mum but...yes” I muttered smiling up at her. She smiled approvingly.

“I am happy for you both”

“How is Tom?” I wondered

“speaking of Tom” Nicola nodded to the door, there he was, he looked almost ragged. His under eye bags looked like he had had no sleep.

“(y/n)” he said almost gasping, he rested his body against the doorframe. 

“Tom” I nodded awkwardly

“I’ll leave you two” Nicola said pushing herself up from the sofa and leaving.

“Can we go for a drive?” Tom suggested “I want to talk

“sure” I said standing up. I wasn't sure whether to hug him but I did it anyway. His body melted into mine. I didn't want to lose him especially as a friend. 

Tom grabbed my coat from the night before and my shoes. I gripped my hands around the heels and hopped into his car. It felt weird being in his car when months before I had been in it feeling the same. Feeling guilty for sleeping with Haz but I think Tom must have been feeling worse.

“I am so so sorry (y/n) from the bottom of my heart” Tom gushed with his hands wrapped tightly around the wheel.

“Tom” I said softly, I placed my hand warmly on his arm. His body lost a bit of tension and melted down into his seat

“I’ve just fucked up (y/n)” He admitted “I love you with all my heart honestly and I was crazy for ever cheating on you an-“

“are you happy?” I interrupted

“with Z?”

“yes?” Tom smiled “Being with Z is honestly amazing” I could tell he was happy when he talked about her. His face completely lit up, I was expecting my heart to ache but I was actually happy for him. 

“Well then I’m happy” I said leaning back into my seat

“really?”

“yes! If you’re happy then I’m happy Tom. I don’t want to cut you out of my life, I hope we can still be friends?”

“yes (y/n), I was so scared of losing you, not just as a girlfriend but as a best friend” He said gazing over at me with his chocolate brown puppy dog eyes. I grinned back.

“so you and Haz huh?” He smirked

“yes” 

“I am happy for you both, especially Haz. He deserves a girl like you. Not that Isabellarrrr girl” Tom mocked. We both laughed and then my face fell. 

“I’m sorry we kissed that time and the whole internet blew up” I muttered

“no worries, look, fuck the internet! Also I kinda knew you and Haz were gonna be a thing one day”

“really?”

“yes! you have way more in common with him than you do with me”

“true” I admitted “tom?”

“yes”

“i’ve missed our genuine conversations”

“yes, I’m glad we are still friends because I miss you” Tom smiled over at me

“I miss you”

TAGLIST ;

@tomsfireheart @feelingsareharddd @lovelyh0lland @i-dont-wanna-go-mr-stark @hazeyholland @lookclosernow @choke-me-sweet-pea @whatareyouhidingpeter

[kraffblr]

Amorous Connections - Previews by ❖ GUNDAM ❖ Amorous Connections Release Date - 22/04/2019 Tracklist - 1. Intro Skit 2. Saturday Night ft. Collistar 3. Evening Sizzler 4. Warmzn ft. JP 5. The Velvet Lounge 6. Preach Her 7. Endless Affection (Interlude) 8. So Real 9. Summer Breeze 10. Sunday Morning ft. Onjuicy 11. In Those Trackies 12. Peng Ting 13. Crybaby ft. M.I.C Limited USB Edition - - 16GB Gundam A Grade / Tier 1 2.0 Flash Drive - Album - All Album Instrumentals + Bonus Instrumental - Artwork + Wallpaper / Phone Version - Bonus Vocal Versions Crybaby (Obese - Man Know Version) Grim Sickers - Kane (Calibre - Grooveseeker Edit) Heartbreak Loop - (AJ Tracy - Champions League Version) In Those Trackies (Ghetts - Don't Phone Me Version) Peng Ting (AJ Tracy Ft. YGG - Redbull Version) Preach Her (JME - If You Don't Know Version) So Real (Unknown T - Homerton B Version) Summer Breeze (Trim - I Am Version) Warmzn - (Trim - Notice Now Version) Release Notes - With this project I wanted to try use the template idea of beat / mix tapes and also build on what has been established already by a few guys, Kwollem especially. Loose, heavily sampled, looped smooth jams but with 140 / Grime / RNG instead of hip hop. Something not for the rave / radio necessarily, but something you can stick on and sit down and listen to. As well i wanted to try get MC’s on all the tracks because again original vocals over smooth jams are still scarce i think and its something id like to hear more of rather than super chopped wifey tunes made to fit into grime specifically. I thought this would have been a good way to showcase a bunch of MC’s with varied flows/styles. This unfortunately didn’t go to plan, I’ve had the instrumentals for a while and been trying my best to get vocals collected, but everyone has their own lives and other stuff on which probably benefits them a lot more then my side project haha. Big up to the guys that did manage to provide something M.I.C, Onjuicy, JP & Collistar. I always get a different artist on the artwork of each release i put out, this time is no different i called upon the wizard that is Daniel aka Shudan. He also designed the USB. With regards to other vocal versions, the limited USB will include all the different edits I’ve done over the past year and a half or so. Homerton B, Redbull etc etc. Finally i wanted to release on vinyl but unfortunately if i wanted to do all the instrumentals + the vocals it would have been crazy money so saving for that / production time would have only set the release back ages and didn’t want to sit on it for longer than i have already. Hope you enjoy :) x

[gooodmusicblog]

Nemáte nic, ale všichni vás znají! Tak nějak by se dal nazvat rychlý report týkající se vydání nové desky a velkého úspěchu, který by se dal připodobnit k ovacím pro anglického renomovaného DJ Bena Ufo. Tento mladý, a velmi talentovaný chlapec, silně se vyznačující autentickým přístupem k už tak silně alternativní undergroundové elektronické scéně je obvzláště zajímavý jednou věcí. Není producentem. Přesto, že se rok co rok na RA POLL uchytává mezi prvními 20 nejoblíbenějšími DJs vůbec, je snad pouze jedniným z celé stovky ,,nejlepších”, který v životě nevydal a nezremixoval jedinou skladbu, tudíž jeho kariéra se točí a stojí pouze na velmi okázalém a zábavném DJingu.
 ... Proč o něm mluvím? Bicep, o kterých jsem chtěl mluvit původně jsou na tom velice podobně. Jako duo je zná celý elektronický svět. Nikdo vlastně nedokázal pořádně říct, jestli jako dvojici producentskou, či DJskou. Bicep totiž před prvním albem byli producenty velmi občasnými, a jejich sláva zdaleka převyšovala počty tracků, které vyšly z jejich génia veřejnosti vstříc, oproti jiným mnohem více produktivním skladatelům.
 Proto byla jejich premiéra vydání první studiové desky již velmi očekávanou událostí, a neměla zrovna trnitou cestu při výšlapu na povědomý ,,vrchol vědomí”.
 A Bicep rozhodně nezklamali! ...

Po perfektním hlavním coveru, kterých jsou pro vinyl edici asi 4 druhy, se i pod obalem skrývají velmi velké věci. Z desky, která obsahuje 12 názvem jednoslovných tracků je spoustu lidí u vytržení, jako z jednolitého, ovšem různorodého celku nabitého mnoha styly, odlišností přístupu k tvorbě a přesto jednolitostí zvuku, která se odráží především v ustálené náladě celého alba.


Já ovšem album jako celek vyjímečně neberu. Bicep mají přesně a striktně rozkouskováno, co jak má na desce fungovat a snaží se, aby žádný z tracků nezapadal do občasné jednolistosti příběhového alba, které já osobně při kvalitě, která stojí za to ovšem zbožňuji. …
 Tento fakt ovšem také zapříčiňuje, že už klasicky není vše zlato, co se třipití, a že i mezi opravdu velkými věcmi, jako je například Rain, Drift, Glue, či Kites (názvy několika skladeb z alba) je i pár tracků, které z fascinace jemně vypadávají a kvality vyjmenovaných jedinců úplně nedosahují. Což je ovšem, jak už u spousty recenzí říkám, hledání jehel z hnoje v kupce pozlaceného sena!
Rozhodně se nejedná o výplňkové tracky, které u spousty autorů bývají obsaženy pro zaplnění desky, protože proč bychom vydávali EP s pěti perfektními věcmi, když tam můžem přidat ještě sedm naprosto nudných a ejhle, plnohodnotná deska je na světě! ... Ostatně stejnou věc můžeme pro snazší mix pozorovat i u mnoha DJ setů. To ovšem samozřejmě případ Bicepů určitě není!

S podivem je pro mě též ,,nová stará” vlna, na které se právě stejnojmenná deska ,,Bicep” s mnoha ostatními právě veze. Těmi dalšími myslím například nového Radio Slave. ‘Feel The Same’ od ‘Bicep’ v mých uších rozhodně nemá daleko! Móda hledání zvuků ve starých analogových páscích z krabice ve sklepě, tracky často hrající a na několik minut složené, jako by si producenti před mnoha desítkomi let doma sestrojili první DrumMachine aparát, a měli neskutečnou radost, že vůbec něco dělá. Natož aby vůbec nějaké vyšší kreativní možnosti těchto zařízení pokoušeli. ... Syrovost, jednoduchost, anachronismus, špinavost a silný chtíč vybočení z mainstreamových řad. Zrovna Radio Slave se tímto syrovým typem komponování vyznačoval vždy, a Bicep si svůj styl asi také nastavili již několik let zpátky. I tak ovšem z mnoha dalších alb (Stefii, DJ Phaton, Giegling, …) citím, že začíná opět přicházet období vší syrovosti. Vše zjednodušit až na tu nejjednodušší mez. Kde ovšem stále, jako všude rozhoduje talent a nápad, který v tracku prostě vždycky musí být. Jinak to opravdu nejde!
 A těmito skvělými nápady bez přidané hodnoty se právě Bicep určitě vyznačují!



‘Bicep - Bicep’ ode mne dostávají 9,1 z 10 …

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[weplaywax]

Degio's - Questione Interiore [WPW 002] (2017)

We Play Wax launched on November 1, 2013, as an online musical exhibition dedicated to the most enduring audio medium of all time: vinyl. In just over 3 years, WPW has grown slowly and steadily going through all from a record reviews site to a more robust, fully realized brand – replete with in-depth artist interviews and a monthly podcast, that has also expanded into event production in both Bucharest and Rotterdam. This spring, after the successful debut EP from 2015, We Play Wax brings you their second release: a showcase of one of Italy’s most talented new-kid-on-the-block: Degio’s, that also sees his good friend Alessio Collina on the remixing duties. We Play Wax make a welcome return with their 2nd vinyl release. The series this time fronted by Italy’s Degio’s with his new EP - 'Questione Interiore'. On the A1 we have Sigaretta, featuring a classic stabbing staccato piano that plays call and response with a beautifully resonate bassline allowing this track to ebb and flow making the playful energy of the track roll and roll. Moving into the A2 we find Alessio Collina on remix duties. The man brings a slightly more tripped-out take on the original allowing his effortlessly cool riff to meander whilst his snappy drum work and acid bassline punctuate the groove. Flipping the record, we find Degio’s Civico 3, a more raw and tracky aair and surely a winning tool for dance floor action. Solid Machine groove vibes with a tough 909 hat complement the bubbly acid bassline set to carve any dance floor out. For the final track on the record, Binari Paralleli, we have a lovely dark twist on the genre as the producer strips back a Chicago inspired acid jam with some serious swagger about it. This record drops on the 12th of May just in time for the summer and those long hot parties that inspired this sun-drenched EP. Show/Hide Release Info Sheet Release Info: Artist: Degio's Title: Questione Interiore Label: We Play Wax Cat-No: WPW 002 Format: 12" black vinyl, full printed artwork, poly-lined inner sleeves Release Date: 12 May 2017 Tracklist: A1 Sigaretta A2 Sigaretta (Alessio Collina Remix) B1 Civico 3 B2 Binari Paralleli Buy: From our own Bandcamp or from Decks, Juno, Deejay, Red Eye, Triple Vision http://dlvr.it/P7cjjn

[hockeydogwoof]

Pup time collared and in shiny pvc track suit is always good time. *wags*

[hockeydogwoof]

A very shiny football pup on a sunny day. *wags*

[hockeydogwoof]

Hawk pupped out in Mr. Regillio shiny PVC track suit for an outing.

[hockeydogwoof]

Beware of dog - especially a shiny dog with an axe. :-)  Woof!

[hockeydogwoof]

Philadelphia Eagles are doing well, so, out and about in their helmet, along with plenty of shiny gear.

[hockeydogwoof]

A patent leather and PVC puppy out baking in the sun.