When I was a child, running in the night

After an amazing Christmas with the majority of my close family and a chilled but fun New Year, I am back with a new post. 

It is my Mum's birthday tomorrow (which is another excuse to have a big get together with lots of wine) and this is a celebration of that, as my Mum is and always has been a massive fan. If you are not familiar with her music, you should definitely listen to some of what she has created over the years. I give my own recommendations.

Happy New Year to everyone and enjoy the post. Do let me know what you think.

Kate Bush is just as much part of my childhood playlist as the Spice Girls (is this not the case for any girl born in the 90s?), M People and Robin S. Show Me Love has got to be one of the best dance songs ever to be produced. I will always remember listening to Bush when either my Mum was cleaning or when I was standing in the centre of the living-room singing my heart out into a hairbrush. Babooshka (its literal definition is Russian for ‘grandmother’, according to the Urban Dictionary) is the one song I remember learning all the words to at such a young age. I recall the huge amount of fascination and curiosity over the album cover for Never For Ever, in which this song was released, with the floating animals and ugly looking sea creatures swirling out from underneath Bush’s dress. It is probably one of her most memorable songs- the lyrical verses tapping into the ideologies of revenge, paranoia and ambush, as it tells the story of a woman’s yearning for the faithfulness of her husband.

 

My Mum was thirteen years old when Bush was signed aged 19 in 1978 and surprisingly has only ever had one number one single in the UK with Wuthering Heights, despite having released 10 studio albums with a maximum of 12 years between releases – The Red Shoes released in 1993 and Aerial in 2005- throughout her massively successful career spanning over an impressive 36 years. Her musical style has altered somewhat over the years, newer material edging more towards her earlier folk style with a fairly vast emphasis on instrumental segments. Wuthering Heights, to those of you who are not familiar with the song but have read the book or watched a film adaptation (I myself really need to soon), is aptly startling, moving and varying in tempo and pitch. It begins with piano beats and ends with amazing electric guitar, amidst the high-pitched, menacing voice of Bush and the drop of drum beat with which you cannot help but move your head in time to.

  

What I love so much about Bush is the incredibly unique tone and the trembling characteristic to her voice- unusual voices are always the best I find. Not only that, the aptitude at which she reaches when altering her voice from deep to very high, powerful, almost screaming at times, is an ability for which she should be admired. Adapting it from each song to the next to suit the melodies and musical choices, ensures that what you are listening to is certainly interesting and grasps you as a listener. Cloudbusting is my personal favourite because of this and the song of the moment (the opeining lyrics of which forms the title) has to be Hounds of Love, inspired by Hitchcock's film The 39 Steps. 

She is undeniably, a fantastic songwriter- completely powerful, startling and I feel there is always a story to her songs, which she maintains throughout from the beginning to the very last note. As for her look, she was always in tight Lycra dance leotards and leggings at the height of her fame during the late 70s, early 80s (who wasn’t?), floating floor length, long-sleeved sheer gowns or futuristic two pieces, as the header picture shows, worn on her one and only tour aged just 20. That large mane of hair, which I vividly remember as the artwork for Lionheart was her trademark, as well as her big brown eyes, porcelain skin and rosy lips. She is one beautiful, talented lady whose niche style of music has gained her a huge, dedicated fan base, one of whom is my mum- a massive one at that. The fact that she vows never to tour again as she claims to be ‘shy’ is something I find hard to understand but it certainly doesn’t lessen her triumph as the most successful solo female artist the UK has ever seen.

WONDER FULL

This week and beyond in pictures

Interning

Giving my time to a women's lifestyle website in Chelsea, London. I look forward to commuting to a wonderful part of the city where duties include, amongst many other things, overseeing the website and researching for articles.

Graduation

On Tuesday I finally graduated in BA (Hons) Fashion Journalism. It was a truly wonderful day spent with thoseI have had the opportunity to work with over the past few years and close family members. I was exteremely nervous (as the picture suggests) walking up to greet the legendary Zandra Rhodes, a combination of maintaining my balance and remembering to smile as the camera panned onto our faces as we strode on stage to collect our scrolls. 

Afterwards, we had drinks and my parents treated me to a truly scrumptious meal and bottle of Champagne to celebrate my achievement. 

Holiday

My holiday wish came true! I cannot tell you how happy I am that my family eventually booked a holiday to be spent in the wonderully sunny location of Turkey. Sun, escapism and a whole lot of fun awaits me!

Birthday

I will be turning 21 at the end of the month and I am extremely excited to know that I will be on holiday.. celebrating by sunning it up and watching the sun set before dancing the night away. 

I  A M  N O W 

S O M E W H A T 

E X C I T E D  !

So... a holiday IS ON the cards and that means one thing - a complete lack of posts from me. But don't fret! Stay tuned to discover my goings-on when I return.

  In the meantime, whilst I am lying flat on a sun lounger, enjoy these pictures. 

What exciting things have you been up to?

WONDER FULL

This is my face:

I am sure you can empathise with me, as I'm pretty adamant many of you are in your third years at Uni (Note to first years- make the most of it!) and can understand the enormous workload, endless list of things to do which seems like a never ending pile slightly resembling a mountain which you never do get to the top of.

 

This is my face when I find myself with 10,000 words to write in a month and a half, as part of my FMP unit creating an entirely new magazine, plus layout, plus countless competitions to enter...

This is my face when my work, I feel, is going well- I'm on top of things at least and even if I do have to do final proof reads, competitions are typed and I have a hen weekend in Brighton to look forward to...

And this is my face when I have handed everything in, have a party in which to celebrate that night, can start to really get excited about New York and can go and do some very serious shopping.

Yay. I literally have never looked forward to a deadline so much.

The dreaded stomach-turning thought of handing in aside (a mixture of excitement, of course and a smidgen of nervousness when faced with the reality that this is the last piece of major academic work), I have a whole lot of things to look forward to this year. It is a big important and eventful one and I make myself happy just thinking about it and I want to wack on Robin S and dance wildly around the room like the much younger person I feel.

Well, when the eveing of 15th April came, this was exactly what I was doing, all washed down with a giant glass of wine. I feel this was very well deserved.

When work is done, Jessie will play and she will play hard.

Things to look forward to:

New York

Others turning 21

Birthday Parties

My 21st Birthday

Holiday

Graduating

Interning (and potential job)

The rest of my life

Cliched I know, but there are chapters coming to an end and lots of new doors to open...

 Who knows what could be waiting inside?

WONDER FULL

Pack Up, Let's Fly Away...

2011 has been hectic from the word go and at the moment I have so much to at the same time- writing my dissertation began the never ending workload then it was onto the beginning of my Final Major Project, planning the writing for competition entries, interning, work experience, squeezing in the odd pub visit and flicking through the glossies. Plus- I have a New York/Parsons trip to think about, graduating and then turning 21 in the summer... the list really is endless.

I have been thinking about where to whisk off to for a while now as I really crave a holiday (even though my last was only August and time moves by so swiftly) and want to be somewhere amazing when I hit the big (but dreaded) 2-1. Having a birthday abroad just makes it that bit more special- my 11th (ha, seems like forever ago) in Calpe, a beautiful region on the east coast of Spain was one of the funnest times and definitely one of the best birthdays!

Walking around Chelsea whilst interning the other day I spotted a handful of planes overhead darting about the skies racing to what I imagined to be amazing locations- sunny, scorching hot, heaving with culture, cool places to eat... off on a tangent I go again. Well anyway, it got me thinking about the places I would possibly like to be for my birthday or potential destinations for the next journey I take to where the sun actually shines... one can dream, eh?

Have you been to any of these locations? What was your best ever holiday?

R i o   d e   J a n e i r o

I have never had a craving to go somewhere quite as much as I have for Rio- the nightlife simply looks incredible. So that's why I want to go. Plus, it has the most breath taking architecture and perfectly golden, sandy beaches.

Carnival Street Party, Rio

B a r c e l o n a

I have actually been before and want to go back soo badly. I went a few years ago and absolutely loved it- there is so much to see and do. Art is one of my passions and it really is one of the best places to go for that- culture is everywhere, plus it has a beautiful harbour and city centre full of eclectic places to shop.

Highly recommended.

Sagrada de Familia


 S i n g a p o r e

I've never had a strong urge to go visit the east, but lately have really warmed to venturing into the unknown. I really want to sample the food, see the bright lights and explore into such a diverse part of the world.

Raffles Place, Singapore City


C y p r u s

It's just a place I want to visit- it looks so tranquil and set amongst the ruins you could explore for hours. Looks and sounds idyllic and a holiday destination I am sure I will love as much as Turkey where I have been 6 years in a row and Greek Islands I have visited twice.

Northern Peak, West of Polis


E g y p t

In fact, I'd like to go anywhere in the UAE- including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In Egypt I imagine myself lying in the scorching heat or venturing out in search of my own discoveries- either option sounds exactly like something I could do with right now! Even the North African marvel that is Marrakesh in Morocco. Sex & The City 2 made it look so exciting and adventurous- the enchanting bazaars and mysteriousness that came at night fall. It sounds like I am there already- and so I'm off again...

Gaza


I s t a n b u l

I have been to Turkey many a time, as you know and I desperatley want to visit this enchanting city. Not only for picturesque views, historical value and stunning landscapes, but the atmospheric and exciting feel it has. I long to experience that. It is known for it's cosmopolitan feel, amazing architecture and fantastical nightlife- the darkened lounge bars in which to soak in the energy whilst drinking and dancing the night away. That's my perfect night and one that I want to spend in one of the best countries I have ever ventured to. The traditional way of life, places to ponder and people to meet is, for me, what makes it so special.

The Princes Islands

A s p e n

I have been to the West Coast and NYC (as well as countless American airports) so I know it is somewhere that the food is always perfect and the people friendly. As someone who loves skiing, snow and anything picturesque or sweetly charming in which to ponder, I feel this is the place I need to be as it offers all 3. Just imagine how magical it would be at Christmas time. Next on the American list is New York (which I will be visiting in April as part of a Uni competition), California and Arizona (simply for the Grand Canyon- I love a view, me!) and the latter 2 (as well as Cyprus) partly form the route of my dream travelling experience...

The St. Regis Hotel

Camel image from hiren.info

WONDER FULL 

BACK FOR GOOD.

Wow, it's been a while since I have posted anything on here! It's just I have been so busy, what with work experience during the middle of last month and back to Uni at the end. Plus, a birthday, christening, family move-in and my Dad's return from the Himalayas were all crammed into one hectic weekend.


And, the not-so-sweet icing on the cake...


...loss of the world wide web. Oh, the horror!


But it's back and finallllllly I can share with you a little snippet of my fab week at Tatler magazine.




WONDER FULL