Violetta please, and a nice strapping Tenor to go!

I wrote this entry ages ago just never got round to posting it... this blog has been pretty slow recently, sorry! I couldn't get the videos up so I've posted links instead. xo

I spend a large amount of my time learning music. I am a classical singer mostly, and so it should come as no surprise that I am in love with opera. At the moment I am particularly taken with two performances. Anna Netrebko's invigorating singing as Violetta in Verdi's La Traviata and Diana Daurau's haunting Queen of the Night Aria from Mozart's The Magic Flute.

This performance of La Traviata was staged at the annual Salzburg Festival. I love how every year they modernize and produce opera in such an interesting way. The stage is so simple yet evidently far more interesting that a more traditional opera setting. One day I will go.

This aria has literally been described as 'killer music' and its not difficult to hear why! I love the costumes, the lighting, the acting and the soprano's AMAZING voice. The vocal range and control required in this song is immense yet she appears to sing effortlessly!

Not enough people realise how amazing opera is, its diversity and history. Watch these!

xoxo

Dreaming to Inspire

When I'm bored I wish I had something to write about. Not just blog about, actually write an article, a play or a story. Something that will interest and inspire others on a bigger scale than just blogging. Maybe I'm not blogging correctly or maybe I just have too much time on my hands (but there is always some Law, French or Music study I could be doing) but I wish I could write like I once could.

Once upon a time, before A level English Literature and Law warped my writing style and creativity (or perhaps just maturity), I used to write. I would write stories just for the pleasure of it or articles just so I could type them up beautifully and 'publish' them. Today I think I associate computers, pen, paper and writing with work. The pleasure has been drained a little. I want it back. But how?

I know writing is an integral part of me. I keep a hand-written journals as well as a blog, I read for the pleasure of good writing, I adore quotes and I love buying fresh untouched notebooks. My 'documents' folder stores many of my attempts at writing something more mature or creative.

Thinking about it, when you have passed through childhood and writing becomes a little more of a chore than a pleasure or simply exploring the written word, we need life experience and knowledge to capture the interests of others. Very few adults are able to continue to encapsulate the same creative ideas and stories that we do as children. I suppose that is what makes some authors like C.S Lewis, Tolkien, J.K Rowling and perhaps even Stephanie Meyer so amazing. There are also those who are able to get out into the world as adults, experience life and record it using their own personality, they are also great; writers such as Bill Bryson, political writers, song writers and even some of the women who write for magazines like Elle. I will never be a children's author but perhaps one day, after a bit of travel, a little more heart break and a lot more practice I can aspire to write like one of these.

... just maybe.

And what will I write about? Faith, injustice, poverty and most of all hope.

500 Days of Inspiration

Last weekend I watched '500 Days of Summer' twice. I have been hoping to see it for ages and it was definitely worth the wait. The film is described as a 'story about love but not a love story', and in short its certainly not your average romantic comedy. The movie draws on artistic techniques I associate with more 'world cinema' and indie films. United with a brilliant and unpredictable story-line, this movie was an absolute win for me. What follows is five things I intend or have been inspired to do since watching '500 Days...'. Don't laugh or judge until you've watched it for yourself!

1. Next time I am in Ikea I will play 'house' in all the rooms. Read the books, lie on the sofas and beds and cook dinner in the kitchen. I'm too big for a Wendy-house, but no one is too big for Ikea.

2. If I ever own a house one day, I plan to have a play room or even an office with one wall purely a black chalk board. Then I will buy lots of different coloured chalk and create a masterpiece every month. Plus I can teach my children the alphabet and how to spell on it.

3. I will decorate a branch with origami birds made from different papers. Using, metallics, floral papers, vintage inspired papers, tissue paper and card.

4. I will play 'penis' in the park with my friends and shout other playful obscenities.

5. I will explore vintage music stores for old vinyls. Maybe one day I will invest in a vinyl player and have it displayed in my living room.

6. I will sing karaoke more often. Just because.

Hope you enjoy it too! Ta ta for now.

xoxo

A Few More Days Near Paradise

My brother and I went to the fun fair. I find the lights and noise so exciting. I feel like a child all over again. Especially in the dodgems.

Power-kiting on beach (there is far less pain when you fall in sand).

Our German Shepherd, Kray.

There were some pretty shops in the town full of vintage items. I just had to take a couple of photos of this shop.

Walking Towards Blue

I love the sea and all the different shades of blue in this photo.

All the houses and bungalows are white, some have coloured details too.

I love the idyllic street names.

Gold bracelet from Accessorize, leather bracelet from New Zealand somewhere..

Floral Skirt from Zara, Bag from thrift store, Floral Top from Zara, vintage belt, Ugg boots from pureoz.com

playing with iphoto

Grandma's faux fur gillet, floral skirt as above, Gray Blazer from HandM, Ugg boots as above.

Pretty pink camellias I spotted whilst walking to the beach.

I'm staying with my grandparents over Easter, its so pretty here. I have never tried photo blogging before but this place inspires me. Maybe I'll post a couple more over the next few days. Today is Good Friday, tonight we are off to see a musical at the local church.

xoxo

This Month: Paperchase

I would be curious to know if America has a store like Paperchase. I love this store. I am addicted to buying notebooks, postcards and little accessories from Paperchase. The irony is I can never bring myself to send the postcards or write in the journals because they are just so clean and beautiful. Instead my collection just grows. A little sad maybe? Well everyone needs something ridiculous to hoard, I've seen much worse than notebooks and pretty postcards.

In other news, I'm off to Cornwall for the weekend. We're off in 30 minutes so I suppose I should go back my bag. I'm really looking forward to just relaxing and smelling the sea breeze. Maybe I'll be lucky and the sun will shine!

Happy Easter!

xoxo

Warrior Footwear

I am hoping to travel soon. Just check out some of the beautiful footwear available this spring. I think I'll be buying myself a pair of gladiators soon!

Hyacinth £28 Topshop

Rosenberger £45 Aldo

New Look £8

New Look £25

Rosenberger £45 Aldo. So good I'd like them in both colours!

P.S I'm sorry I haven't posted recently. Life has been very hectic. More posts will follow I assure you, I haven't given up blogging!

xoxo

This month: Brooke Fraser

I love this artist, and recently I've found I have so much in common with her, its probably why I find her lyrics so inspiring, capturing much of what I wish to express in my own music. Brooke Fraser, is an New Zealand artist that not only has a secular career but leads worship alongside inspirational worship leader Darlene Zschech at Hillsongs church in Australia. Only 26 years old, Brooke Fraser has accomplished so much in her short life.

I've just purchased the album she created in 2007 named 'Albertine' the album is named after a child she met in Rwanda. I went to Rwanda this year also and absolutely fell in love with the country, it has changed me in so many ways, many subtle ways but equally as life changing. My worldview has been changed and from listening to Brooke's music I believe so has her's.

These Lyrics are from 'Faithful':

There's distance in the air and I cannot make it leave

i wave my arms' round about me and blow with all my might

I cannot sense you close, though I know you're always here

But the comfort of you near is what i long for

[CHORUS]

When I can't feel you, I have learned to reach out just the same

When I can't hear you, I know you still hear everyword I pray

And i want you more than i want to live another day

And as I wait for you maybe I'm made more faithful

The lyrics below are from Brooke's first album, she released at 19, the song is far more secular but it expresses something I have been trying to capture in my own for a long time. This is 'Better':

Take my shoulder back now

Your head's too heavy for me

Please don't come around here no more

'Cos I asked you to stop

And you wouldn't

[Chorus]

I would give anything to make you better

I would give anything to point you to free

I would give anything to help you realise

I loved you 'til it killed me

So my logic wouldn't hurt you

I know you might blame me anyway

Well I'm sorry, I'm so sorry

You're not helping yourself to me

I've tried all the things they told me

Trying to close up the wounds left open by you

And if I seem doubtful, distrusting.....I am

You said you wouldn't do it agin

You said you wouldn't do it again

You're not helping yourself

You're not helping yourself by hurting me

Anything just to try and help you see

You ain't helping yourself by hurting me

Time to let you go, time for you to see

You ain't helping yourself by hurting me

My Vintage Pretties

Tonight my family and I went into Winchester to visit the Christmas market and ice rink beside the cathedral. Its a stunning set up and certainly puts you in the christmas mood waltzing from chalet to chalet dressed snugly with a hot cup of mulled wine in one hand and a warm minced pie in the other. I may write about it later on in the month but for now you can read about it on their site: http://www.winchesterchristmasmarket.co.uk/

Recently, I have taken to spending hours searching for vintage perfume bottles, jewellery boxes and dressing table mirrors on 'ebay'. I absolutely adore Victorian cut glass. A great great aunt of mine passed away earlier this year, she was 103 years old. Auntie Beatrice was a lovely lady and back in her day she had real class, her old flat was like a time capsule, the house still had its original fashionable padded doors and rich decor, it all seemed strange by today's simple modern standard (equally beautiful just very different), yet it remained very elegant and charming. My father was given an exquisite wind-up wooden mantle piece clock, I have already begun begging for it for my own home one day! My mother and I were given Victorian cut glass pots/jars, ever since I'm desperate to start my own collection.

At the market, there was a chalet hired by a company named borlace foskett, an English company set up in Lymington that see quirky vintage accessories. I love vintage so much, I could have bought the whole chalet! Some of their items can be found online at: http://www.borlacefoskett.co.uk/, however, my favourite items are unfortunately not on there!

Winter is here..

So I woke up this morning to -6 degrees outside my window, we had to defrost the car before setting off for the first time since last February! I put on my coat and wrapped a woolly scarf around my neck before leaving the house, winter has finally arrived and I cannot decide whether or not I'm happy about it. I love winter woolies, especially the cosy hats and snuggly scarves out this season, I adore winter landscapes and I love the build up to Christmas, but its just so cold, and it gets dark far too early!

That rant over, here are some toasty woolly accessories that I am considering adding to my christmas list:

Barts Faux Fur Paws £37 (ASOS)

Sheepskin Mittens £30 (ASOS)

Wool Fairisle Mitten £10 (ASOS)

Deerham Mittens £29 (Jack Wills)

Lightweight Beach Scarf £34 (Hollister)

Socal Beach Scarf £34 (Hollister)

People Tree Pom Pom Beanie Hat £20 (Topshop)

Fairisle Trapper £13 (Fatface)

ASOS Pom Pom Trapper Hat £15

Rainbirt Beanie £29 (Jack Wills)

Tweed Trapper £15 (Fatface)