Tuesday 21 February 2012

Records, CDs or downloads? Which is best...

Many people probably don't remember vinyl and record players. I remember my dad, who was a DJ at parties and that, lugging his cases full of records and the hi-fi system we have in the early 90s with tape deck, CD player and record player all in one huge tower.

In the years since we have had mini discs (remember those? I never jumped on this particular band wagon), tapes, CDs and now of course the MP3 player and downloads.

Now I like music, I'm no big critic or anything like that, however, I must say one thing the sound quality of a record compared to a download or CD is far better and just sounds like they are there in the room.

My boyfriend is a massive music lover, he is always buying CDs and is obsessed with Bob Dylan, The Beatles and Joy Division. Last year he decided he wanted a record player, so me, his mum and dad clubbed together and bought him a Systemdek IIX from the 80s, he bought himself an amp and was donated a pair of speakers.

Then the search for records began, you will be surprised to learn that loads of charity shops have records for sale at quite good prices. He managed to get The Beatles 'Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Band' on vinyl for £2. Bargain! For Christmas he has got quite a few and I even bought Blondie 'Parallel Lines' from a place in Brighton.



Now the sound quality of albums like The Beatles, Blondie and Joy Division 'Unknown Pleasures' is just amazing. You can hear every note and chord played out in phenomenal surround sound. I can see why people become hooked and spend hundreds on systems and records, nothing really compares to vinyl.

I heard on the radio the other day that songs you download are actually compressed, as obviously high memory anyway they are compressed down to fit on your computer. However, a record has a limitless amount of space to some degree just as long as there is enough plastic to keep it on.

As I said I am no expert but believe me when I say vinyl maybe in the past but you should make it a part of the future. Even bands today like Kasabian and Noel Gallagher appreciate the quality by releasing their albums on vinyl as well as digital and CD, it is almost like seeing them live.

Try it and see for yourself.

Thursday 16 February 2012

Shine attract lipstick - Avon

I don't tend to do product reviews but I recently bought two Shine Attract lipsticks from Avon and I love them!

When you put them on they are not as thick as lipstick and not as sticky as lip gloss.

I bought Happy Pink and Passionate Red, they are usually £9 but bought them on offer for £10 for the two.

They are SPF 15 and come in 13 colours.

Avon sells four lipsticks every second around the world.

The Shine Attract Lipstick has intense colour and shine in one product. The inner core provides the colour and the clear outer gel acts likes a sealant and conditioner.

It glides on and the more you put on the brighter the colour. The red is bright but not too bright, it doesn't bleed and isn't as thick as a lipstick.

I am not a huge fan of lipstick but wanted to give this a go and I love it, it doesn't leave your lips dry and awful after.

I would recommend this lipstick to someone who doesn't like lipstick or lip gloss but wants an impact colour on their lips.

Short but sweet but to the point I think. I want to try the felt tip pens next.

You can purchase them from an Avon rep or www.avonshop.co.uk

Tuesday 14 February 2012

The Black Keys, Alexandra Palace, London, Saturday February 11 2012.

The Black Keys you may not know the name but you undoubtedly will know the songs. They have been featured in adverts, Top Gear and song 'Chop and Change' even features on a Twilight soundtrack alongside the support act Band of Skulls.

I will admit I am not a huge fan I have their albums Brothers (2010) and El Campino (2011) and love their rocky edge.

If you have heard any of their songs you will recognise the deep and delightful tones of the lead singer, which is just mesmerising, so when my boyfriend told me they were touring and he had tickets I was looking forward to experiencing their unique blend of soul and rock live.

Made up of only two members Dan plays guitar and supplies vocals and Patrick is the drummer, but on tour have a bass and keyboard player.

I have never been to Alexandra Palace before but was amazed by how big it was and how much was on offer inside, loads of vans serving food and loads of toilets and bars so you never really had to queue.

I had been told that the sound quality wasn't always great, and when I got in there I could see why.

Where they were perform was a very big space with high ceilings, the sound would just get lost, however, when the support act, Band of Skulls, and the main band came on I was pleasantly surprised - the sound quality was not distorted or muffled but loud and clear.

Before I go on to The Black Keys I have to comment about Band of Skulls. A British band of two guys and a girl they have a White Stripes feel to them but at times a lot more guitar heavy and rocky. We were given free LPs and it was brilliant.

The Black Keys came out all guns blazing with just an phenomenal sound echoing around the room it was just brilliant. And Dan's voice is just...I wouldn't say beautiful but the quality and everything it just fantastic, quite sexy.


At one point the band were left to their own devices just Patrick and Dan, now you would think that the songs would lose a bit of an edge just a guitar and drums but you would be surprised. It was louder and more gritty and just rocked the room out.

The encore was just amazing, they came out to sing 'Everlasting Love' but a toned version, with a huge glitter ball spreading thousands of stars over the vast ceiling. At first I didn't realise which song it was as it was so melodic and quite romantic, perfect in the run up to Valentines day.

I wasn't sure what I was expecting from this gig. The crowd were more active than I thought they would be and so were the band. Dan's voice was probably more perfect in person than on CD and the guitars and drums heavier and more instant.

If you have the opportunity to see The Black Keys do so you will not be disappointed.


Set list:


Howlin' for You

Next Girl

Run Right Back

Same Old Thing

Dead and Gone 

Gold on the Ceiling 

Thickfreakness

Girl Is On My Mind

I'll Be Your Man

Your Touch

Little Black Submarines

Money Maker

Strange Times 

Chop and Change 

Nova Baby

Ten Cent Pistol 

Tighten Up

Lonely Boy
 Encore:

Everlasting Light

She's Long Gone

I Got Mine

Friday 10 February 2012

Knowing when to cut the friendship bracelets

This is something that, with having sisters, comes up a bit and is something I do find myself thinking about quite a lot as I get older.

When do you cut the friendship bracelets?

I don't mean literally as if you have any you have had since you were 11 and you are now 25 you probably should have done so a long time ago. They probably aren't very nice by now.

You see I mean figuratively. At different points in your life you make friends and then through no choice of your own over the years you may slowly lose contact with Facebook updates being your only method of knowing what they are up. For example I have friends from senior, infant and college that I don't see anymore, we just fell out of the same circles and although I can see them out and happily talk away I would never go out of my way to arrange something.

But then what do you do about the friends that you just don't see anymore?

I suppose the hardest decisions to make is for those friends who you still see but you have nothing in common with, or with those who never make the effort.

You know you should stay friends as you have years of memories and sometimes letting go is the hardest part but when you have nothing in common, how easy is it?

There are some people who I was really good friends with at University but when we left we realised the only thing we had in common was the fact we were on the course, so unfortunately we lost touch.

It is just hard, you don't want to lose friends but sometimes it just becomes too hard and too much hassle trying to stay friends. I have some I have known for years who a simple text sent a meet-up is arranged and when I see them it feels like yesterday but others it can be difficult just getting a reply.

I did lose a friend through different circumstances, but it does make me wonder if we were still talking I still don't think we would be friends we had nothing in common.

At the end of the day I suppose it is just sad, you like to think that you will be friends with your old friends forever, but sometimes it just doesn't work out. You would end a  relationships with a boyfriend if it wasn't working out, so why don't women do the same with their friends?

Monday 6 February 2012

When I grow up I don't want to be like my parents

When I grow up I don't want to be like my parents


As we get older we hate people saying we are like our parents.

The other day I said to my mum that every day she gets more and more like my gran (her mum), to which she replied well if I'm more like her, it is only a matter of time before you get like me...NOOOOO!!!

But why no? Surely it is inevitable we are made up of the same genes so surely some traits will filter through and as you get older, you will pick up mannerisms from the people around you.

This came to me when I was walking to work and along the way, past a school loads of parents were taking their kids to school and it struck me how alike children are to their parents, without realising.

Some carry their bag the same as their mum, boys have the same cheeky grin as their dads and other have the same curly hair.

We hope we don't become like our parents, I think it is because we see things in them, the good, the bad and the ugly and hope that we don't become the same way.

The thing is I do have some good genes, my mum is 46 and my gran is 72 and they both don't look it.

But then my granddad is bald, and my hair comes out in quite a bit but I don’t think I will get bald.

There are traits that I don’t mind having like the sense of humour, and the compassion they have.

Other things though I don’t’ want they both really, really, really don’t like Carol Vorderman and Kate Winslet.

They tut a lot, and pull a face like sucked lemons.

I love my mum and gran but I hope I get the good traits not the annoying ones.


Friday 3 February 2012

Run Charlie Run my Great South Run challenge

So due to New Year I was going to run marathon, however, I thought this would be a bit too much and would probably kill me.

Also I found my boyfriend didn't actually sign me up for a marathon so instead we are doing the BUPA Great South Run, 10 miles. I think I will be able to do it.

I am doing it to raise money for the charity Mind.

Mind helps people take control of their mental health, so if people suffer with depression, bi-polar or other mental illnesses then this charity helps them.

I haven't set a target but want to raise as much as I can so give a little or give a lot just please help me raise money for this worth while cause.

If you would like to sponsor me please visit: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/runcharlierun