Put a spring in your Spring #AussieLight

Some of you may know, I’m lucky enough to be an Aussie Angel and here is your chance to win one of ten opportunities to join in the fun this Spring on the Lusciously Light journey. All you have to do is answer the question, how would you lighten your life? Whether you answer in song, by illustration or simply through the written word the choice is yours, just post it on your blog and tweet a link to Aussie @YummyHair.

The winners will be chosen by the Uncover Aussie team based on how creative their entries are and who best reflects the Aussie spirit! You have from now, until Sunday 20th March, so thinking caps on! Good Luck!

Renault Clio: New Va Va Voom Commercial

I love a good advertising campaign and thoroughly enjoy the new Renault Clio television adverts, created by Publicis London.

Sticking with the ever popular ‘va va voom’  concept and poster boy, Thierry Henry, the ads pose the question “what is va va voom?” The answer is most definitely saucy snippets of Dita Von Teese, Rihanna, Marlon Brando and Audry Hepburn played out to Clare Maguire’s ‘Aint Nobody’, Rhianna’s ‘S&M’ and David Bowie’s ‘Space Oddity’.

A truly genius combination, tapping into some of the coolest figures in history and their most controversial contemporaries. I love that Renault is actively associating itself with the media furore surrounding Rhianna’s new single – how very Va Va Voom.

Vogue Cover: March 2011

My birthday is in March. As a result I feel particularly protective of the March front covers. If a magazine delivers a less than satisfactory cover star/image combination I am alarmingly disappointed.*

So imagine my delight when this beauty dropped through my letter box this morning. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is delicious. And so is this cover.

* Is this something I alone experience? Surely not…Are your favourite magazines all the more sacred from your birth month? Let me know.

Five of the best albums of 2010

Facebook affects an embarrassing proportion of our lives and features in an equally unsettling number of conversations. Occasionally it starts some rather interesting ones. Someone’s status recently enquired what their friend’s top five albums of the year were. I enjoy compiling “top 5’s” and I really enjoy music so here we are, broganjane’s top five albums of 2010, loosely amalgamated in no particular order.

I first saw Everything Everything perform live in KOKO, on the NME Radar Tour in May. They blew me away with their gorgeous harmonies, fringes and tight jeans. Their debut album, Man Alive, is ceaselessly brilliant, careering between time signatures, changing keys and genre. The Mancunian quartet has crafted a euphoric and rushing album with real depth, light and shade. They are impossible to pigeon hole and unavoidably talented.

A great album has longevity and for Arcade Fire this comes as a by-product of their musical complexity. Their sound has such depth it morphs and evolves into something entirely different to that which you first heard. Your ear falls upon backing vocals, percussion and riffs you hadn’t noticed under the initial spell of its brilliance. Less indulgent than their previous offerings, The Suburbs reigns in the excesses of albums past and is rife with subtle pleasures.

On a whim I decided to watch Lissie perform at this year’s Evolution Festival in Newcastle. Sat on the floor of a shady tent I was mesmerised by her tenderly rasping voice and the conviction with which she performed every single song. Catching a Tiger is the perfect country pop cocktail, with just the right amounts of intensity and effortlessness; barely enunciated, emotionally rich lyrics, tumble casually over radio-friendly rock riffs.

Wild Beasts were an unexpected Glastonbury discovery. Their album, Two Dancers, is enchanting, camp and dramatic with some of the most preposterous lyrics and stunning instrumentals I have ever heard. The lead vocal baton is passed seamlessly between front man, Hayden Thorpe and guitarist, Tom Fleming; the glorious and eerie squealing of the former, complimented perfectly by the delicious throaty tones of the latter.

As a result of a series of fortunate ‘related artist’ selections on Spotify, Local Natives climbed quickly into my top five albums of the year back in June. Gorilla Manor is a charming and elegant indie rock offering. Their stage set up is immaculate and their performance impeccably tight. With rollicking percussion and euphoric harmonies, Local Natives unbridled cheeriness surpasses the sound of any band you may wish to compare them to.

The Style Paper competition winner!

I recently had the pleasure of hosting a market stall at the Aussie Take The Heat Christmas Market. As part of the stall I held a competition for my fellow Aussie Angels and invitees to enter in a bid to win their very own Style Paper. It’s taken me an awfully long time (so sorry ladies) but I am proud to announce that ‘Mrs C’, from the fabulous Thoughts of Mrs C is the winner! Keep your eyes peeled for updates on how her Paper is coming along, I absolutely cannot wait to get started on it for her.

The Social Network

I regard film trailers with a certain amount of scepticism (hello, false advertising) and the trailer for The Social Network is really good. Great music, a bit moody, ‘based on a true story’ and centred on everyone’s favourite character – the awkward adolescent. This first class combination only served to fuel my suspicion which can only be laid to rest by watching said film.

I can confirm that the trailer is totally on the money. The Social Network is a great film.

It is with a certain amount of unease that you watch the socially and romantically jilted geek, Mark Zuckerberg create the greatest online discovery in the history of the internet. It’s fast, with sharp, quick witted exchanges between characters. An impeccably compiled soundtrack takes the moodiness of the trailer and elevates it to an enticing level of darkness. As the tale unfolds and you’re batted from past to present, between the dorm room and board room the whole thing becomes quite enticing and somehow, a bit sexy.

In something of a cinematic revelation, none of the cast is overwhelmingly attractive, there’s a distinct lack of high octane action and our main man Zuckerberg is irritatingly unlikeable. The Social Network is the story of one socially inept entrepreneur, intelligently packaged into a quietly smouldering triumph.

Our drugs war

Let’s get serious for a moment. Not that velcro rollers and accessories aren’t serious, mind you. But, for once, let’s really ramp it up.

I am anti-drugs, like, really anti-drugs. Excluding alcohol, I have never not once touched, tried, tasted or dabbled with any form of narcotic and never will. If questioned or invited to debate the topic I am usually very vocal about my distinctly black and white opinions. I once thought my views on the matter were wholly un-swayable, until Angus Macqueen appeared on Channel 4 with the three part docu-series Our Drugs War.

The programmes tell the global story of drugs from the poppy fields fuelling civil war in Afghanistan, to the Queensbridge Estate in New York and the streets of European drugs capital Edinburgh.

Macqeen explores the failure of our present drugs policies and in doing so really mucks about with my morals and my conscience. A damn pain in the backside but some really meaty food for thought.

Give your noodle something to think about and, chances are, learn a fair bit:

Walkies

In light of the arrival of Alfie Barker I have identified a gaping chasm in my style repertoire. I have previously been told that I successfully nail the smart-casual dress code, but dog walking chic is an elusive look I have yet to conquer.

 A walk with the dog conjures up images of carefree sauntering, unhindered by the everyday shackles of handbag, purse, lip gloss and phone. Regretfully, the 2010 dog comes with a greater pile of paraphernalia than a mountaineer. A handbag is therefore an essential accompaniment to the dog walk – think poo bags, portable doggy drinkers, treats and things to throw. Since Alf’s walks involve a combination of rural and urban locations, footwear has to be suitable for over hill and dale as well as the odd zebra crossing. A skinny leg is far preferable to a loose trouser; this saves you from tampling around with the bottom two inches of your trousers soaked in the juices of the countryside. In addition to this, flapping ankles provide something of a distraction to an excitable puppy. My conventional choice of a long tasselled pashmina is equally distracting and now needs to be replaced by a shorter alternative. While the dog has short little legs he often prefers to run and gallop where I’d much rather stroll. Thin light layers are therefore significantly more appropriate for stealthy sweating.

 Besides, the dog is an absolute pimp, crowded by hoards of adoring boys, girls, men and women wherever he goes. I want someone to notice my lovely coat, scratch me behind the ear and perhaps occasionally, tickle my tummy.

My mane concern

I am permanently preoccupied with my hair. I am also incredibly easily pleased. Ergo, compliment my hair and I’m sure to think you are a top drawer guy/gal. A gentleman who approached the bar at work once took a very long time to reply to my query of ‘what can I get for you sir?’ before eventually responding with, ‘I’m so sorry, I was just looking at your hair. The way it’s piled on top of your head, it’s [mesmerised pause] almost architectural. It’s wonderful.’* Needless to say his two large glasses of red wine and bottle of Becks suddenly became available at a highly competitive price.

 So, when the lovely ladies at Aussie Hair Care invited me to a soiree celebrating their new range of Colour Care products, my attention was justifiably returned to my hair with renewed enthusiasm. The invite requests that guests adopt the style of their ‘hair inspiration’; whether it be peroxide Lady Gaga or flame haired Florence Welch and I fear at this point, I faltered.

 Who was it that inspired me to don that hideous highlighting cap and buddy up with bleach at the tender age of 14? Was it Heather Locklear in the L’Oreal adverts of yore? Or the highlighted faux pop star twins in the very first John Frieda Sheer Blonde adverts? I felt compelled to find out and so compiled some beautiful snapshots of everything that stimulates my follicles.

 I am a devout blonde. I rarely deviate from my classic all-American blow dry. If I do it is to either commit myself fully to a pouffed up chignon cum beehive, or indulge in a slightly grimy four-day-old shaggy look.

 From smooth bouncy locks to mussed up tresses my tools remain the same: A good shampoo for coloured hair. Aussie shampoo smells divine and despite not being specifically for blonde hair it keeps my colour nice and bright. John Freida’s Sheer Blonde Boost Mousse adds plenty of oomph without dulling my blonde and my Tresemme serum is an absolute bargain. It comes in the tiniest tube, you only need a wee slick and – I swear – it lasts forever. The crucial extras come in the form of a big fat barrel brush, mine is by Charles Worthington and has a mixture of synthetic and natural bristles so it leaves my hair looking nice and shiny, and equally big fat velcro rollers for when I want my hair to be that little bit bigger and fatter.

 Finally, ghd’s. The most revolutionary hair tool to have ever reached the mass market. I know how amazing they are, I know you know how amazing they are, so I’ll spare you the details. God bless ghd’s.

 *An incredibly modest tale to recount, I’m sure you’ll agree.

Alfie Barker

There has been a new addition to the team at Brogan Jane Towers. I returned home from Glastonbury, desperately in need of a bath and a detangling comb, but also to find an eight week old black and white cocker spaniel puppy waiting for me.

 An embarrassing amount of time was recently spent contemplating the purchase of his bed. At one point I actually turned to my shopping companion to ask quite seriously, ‘do you think he’d like this one?’ Understandably I was abandoned and she redirected her attention to coloured glasswear and photo frames in the interiors department. However, I am proud to announce that after a horrific amount of deliberation I selected the very best bed available, which the dog now loves. How could he not? I mean the thing’s fur lined.

 The bed, I’m afraid, is the first in a long line of gifts on Alfie’s wish list. Since he’s currently in training, treats are essential and Max and Margot have a wonderful selection on their luxury online dog boutique. These Birthday Bones [4] available from their bakery, £4.85 for four, are the perfect treat/bribe for spoilt puppies.

 Every dog loves walkies so I’ve been on the hunt for a stylish collar and lead set. I do not condone diamante or charms of any kind and Scrufts in Brighton has the perfect hand made solution. This striped set [2] is simple, chic and at £24.99, is perfect for my monochromatic pooch.

 Despite the inordinate amount of sunshine this summer has brought, it’s only a matter of time before autumn rears its blustery head and the last thing anyone wants is a chilly pup. As an advocate of knitwear and a huge fan of the waxed jacket (normally my dad’s) there are two items I’ve earmarked as essential purchases. A doggy Barbour jacket, £29.95, from Barbour by Mail [1] is a necessity for woodland walks and romping about in the undergrowth, with a beautiful tartan lining and belt around the middle. The second, this little snowflake sweater, £6.95, is perfect for trotting around town [6] and one of a great selection on Urban Pup.

 More important than a jacket or sweater is a dog’s natural coat and John Paul, co-founder of the Paul Mitchel brand, has produced a luxury range of grooming products to meet the needs of a pet’s sensitive skin and coat. His oatmeal shampoo and conditioner, £10.99, is just right for a post walkies scrub down [3].

 Like the A-gade geek I really am, I’m desperate for Alfie to get his paws on a Tug a Jug, £6.99, from pretty much any pet store anywhere [5]. Designed to provide a multi-sensory experience; motivating dogs to play and engage, it is the ultimate educational toy.