Musical Moment: The Lumineers ('Ho Hey')

I am loving this beyond catchy debut single, filled with romance and regret, from The Lumineers self titled album released earlier this month. 

Denver folk-rock trio (Wesley Schultz, Jeremiah Fraites and Neyla Pakarek) were formed after the death of a Fraite’s older brother, “out of sorrow, powered by passion and ripened by hard work.”  After a fantastic performance at this year’s SXSW, The Lumineers are set to become ma-hoosive with music that has a nostalgic reverie and videos which leave you itching to join in with all their foot stompin’ folksy fun.  Mood officially lifted.

"I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweetheart..." 

Trend: Isabel Marant Wedge Trainers

Having taken the leap and finally taken off her much adored Isabel Marant Dicker Boots, Kate Bosworth was seen in Beverley Hills last week sporting the designer's coveted wedge trainers. In this laidback and relaxed Spring ensemble, Kate contrasts this season’s love of all things sporty (sweatshirt/trainers) with all things ladylike (pleated, flowy skirt.)

Isabel Marant’s coveted wedge trainers (the shoe that launched a thousand high street copies) is a look, much like our beloved UGG boots, that will no doubt be more popular with the girls wearing them than the boys looking at us in them.  Functional and comfy usually don’t scream sexy, but hey, when he doesn’t have to give you a piggy back home, stiletto’s in hand, he’ll soon be won over...

RRP. £430.00

If you, like me and Beyonce, are happy to embrace the wedge, the velcro and your inner Marty McFly, here are some of my more affordable recommendations:

Above (clockwise):  Ash Bowie Wedge Trainers in clay - £149.00, Ash Coolbis Wedge Trainers in black - £175.00, Topshop Acrobat Trainers - £78.00, Aldo Netz Wedge Trainers -£80.00, Asos Deny Wedge High Top Trainers with Suede detail £45.00

David Shrigley's Brain Activity

I recently went to the Hayward Gallery to visit the David Shrigley exhibition, 'Brain Activity.'  This exhibition extends much further than the humourous, witty drawings he is best known for, with 240 works also including photographs, sculptures, paintings and animations.

I have always been a big fan of Shrigley’s random, dead-pan, scratchy doodles and there is a whole wall dedicated to these.  I also really enjoyed the animations and photographs on show  – yet more examples of his one liner humour which has you laughing out loud.

Shrigley’s sculptures (including a headless ostrich and a stuffed Jack Russell puppy holding a placard that says “I’m Dead”) seem less engaging and slightly more novelty.

Walking around the gallery you may question whether anything you are viewing is, or even should be, considered ‘art’ but what you certainly don’t question is how compelling and undeniably funny Shrigley’s work is.  I am particularly fond of the animation below...

'Brain Activity’ at The Hayward Gallery is on until May 13th 2012.

A Street Cat Named Bob

In 2007, recovering heroin addict, James Bowen returned to his sheltered accommodation in Tottenham to find a thin, mangy ginger tomcat on his doorstep.  Despite limited resources, James began to feed the cat and nurse him back to health.  After a fruitless search to find the cat’s owners, James decided to keep the cat he'd christened Bob.

Bob soon began following James across London to Covent Garden where James would spend all day busking for spare change.  To ensure Bob’s safety, James made a makeshift lead and purchased a travel card for the feline commuter… Yes, Bob enjoys daily tube rides, curled up on James’ shoulders.  Wrapped in a scarf, Bob now spends his days sitting faithfully by James, being petted by adoring strangers and listening to his owner sing.

The relationship lead to the final push James needed to end his drug dependency, “Bob came and asked me for help, and he needed me more than I needed to abuse my own body.”

Alongside the busking, James has a new job as a Big Issue seller and amazingly, received a book deal - the brilliantly titled, heart warming tale, ‘A Street Cat Named Bob.’

“We’re two injured souls looking for someone we can trust — and we trust each other.”

'A Street Cat Named Bob' by James Bowen, £6.99

The Great Gatsby - Dapper and Flapper

Like pondering over which came first between the chicken or the egg (I'm still undecided) it is also pretty tricky to pinpoint which came first when discussing the current trend for 1920s fashion and the announcement of Baz Luhrmann’s re-make of The Great Gatsby.

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1920s novel, The Great Gatsby's most recent film adaptation stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Toby Maguire and Carey Mulligan.  With several film stills recently released of Leo looking dapper and Carey looking flapper, I am craving all things fringed and flirty.  Luckily London's high streets are filled with drop-waisted flapper dresses, beaded chiffon gowns, glittery headbands and long, lustrous strings of pearls.  

(Below) Apparently I am not the only one embracing this deliciously decadent style...  Georgia May Jagger, Fearne Cotton, Kate Bosworth, Marion Cotillard, Drew Barrymore and Elizabeth Olsen have all stepped out looking flappalicious.

Tiffany & Co have created sparkling, one-of-a-kind diamond jewellery for Carey Mulligan (left) to wear in the film, and it has been revealed that fashionista Ashley Olsen has generously loaned some of her own dresses to the movie’s wardrobe department from her vintage archive.

Baz Luhrmann's 'The Great Gatsby' is released at cinemas this December

Instagram

Have you downloaded Instagram yet?  Snap a photo, or upload an existing one from your phone’s gallery, enhance it with eleven possible effects and instantly share it on Instagram and any other of your social networks. You can also follow your friends or other creative people from around the world and ‘like’ or comment on their pictures.

Easy. Peasy. 

Along with 15 million other users, this free App is fast becoming my new obsession.

Amongst others, I'm enjoying following the boutiques Colette and Diani, drummer Tennessee Thomas, DJ/Presenter Izzy Lawrence and my favourite style bloggers Emily Schuman (Cupcakes and Cashmere) and Alix Blancourt (Cherry Blossom Girl.)

Above:  Follow my Instagram at thelondonchatter