KURT COBAIN // 20 YEARS

This last Saturday (5/4/14) marked 20 years since Kurt Cobain died, aged just 27. 

To think that 20 years have passed by seems crazy, especially when you think 

about how much times have changed and evolved since then.

Obviously being born in 1996 means that I wasn't around in Nirvana's hey day 

nor was I around when Kurt died, yet to say that as a teenager a decade and a half

later I have been just as affected and moved by their music as any teenager in the 90's

and early 00's, as well as inspired by Kurt in particular is pretty remarkable.

It's also a testament to what Kurt achieved in his short time on this Earth and his

incredible legacy.

For me it was a couple of years ago that I really discovered Nirvana, having always

wondered what that CD with funny and peculiar cover with the naked baby swimming

towards a dollar note sounded like. Like most young people of course, it was

'Smells Like Teen Spirit' that really grabbed my attention one day and lead to me

wanting to find out more about this band who seemed to capture the essence of being

a teenager so perfectly. 

I found my parents Nevermind CD, with that iconic front cover, and finally put it

in my CD player and listened to it. It wasn't what I was expecting, but it connected with

me, and for the next few months I had it on repeat. Something about Nirvana's music

made me feel this fierce pride at being young; it also gave me this rebellious spirit, a

sense of belonging, and a desire to go out and take the world by storm.

It changed the way I viewed myself as a teenager and how I viewed the world.

It finally felt like it was mine for the taking.

After discovering the power of Nevermind I listened to various radio programmes,

read books about Kurt and Nirvana in general and tried to find out as much as I could.

I read this one biography about Kurt in particular that really stuck with me, which covered 

his childhood right up to his death and the aftermath. To have a story to put to the face and

the voice in my eyes made Kurt an idol of sorts. 

Aside from being a symbol for teen rebellion and liberation, to me Kurt also represented

that internal struggle, that need to belong and be loved, valued, never quite feeling good enough,

and that inquisitive conquest to figure out humanity, life and people in general. 

I identified with him, and I know he wasn't perfect, and yeah Kurt didn't always make the 

best choices, but when you realise what was fuelling some of those choices, and you begin 

to piece together the sort of person he was.... it makes all the difference as to how you

perceive this now iconic cult figure. 

Kurt Cobain was far from perfect but he's one of those people who I think had

a genuinely beautiful yet delicate soul but it was damaged and ultimately destroyed by

the hardships, cruelty and obstacles of life. He wasn't strong enough to weather and overcome

the storm, but he really tried, and he achieved so much in his life despite his choosing to

end it so soon, and I respect and admire him for that. He was wise, intelligent, creative, and 

so talented and I hope he found the peace in death that always seemed to elude him in life.

And on that note, I'll end with one of my favourite quotes of Kurt's, one that really did

change things for me was this:

"wanting to be someone else is a waste of who you are"

and I will always be grateful for those words because although Kurt may have

struggled with his own self acceptance, his words helped me finally accept myself.

RIP Kurt Cobain

1967-1994

HAPPY 54TH BIRHDAY DR MARTENS 1460

Happy 54th Birthday Dr Martens 1460's. 

These boots are so iconic and they are an ode to self expression, individuality,

being whoever it is you want to be, defying authority and limitations and walking

with pride, confidence and self belief. These shoes become part of you, they're an

extension of who you are, they're just a pair of shoes, boots and yet they're so much more.

<3

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL // WES ANDERSON

Yesterday I went with my family to see the absolutely WONDERFUL 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'

directed by the incredible Wes Anderson who makes every visual deliciously attractive to the eye

and in the most artistic of manners. 

If you're a sucker for aesthetics, this film will hold you in

absolutele bliss for its entire 99 minute duration, and when it comes to an end, it's like waking

up from a dream in the harsh realms of reality. The film is just that stunning. I wanted to 

stay in that magical little beautiful gem of a world that Anderson creates for us.

 And if that wasn't enough, I haven't even started on everything else that contributes to make this 

film easily one of the best I have ever seen.

I was intrigued to watch 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' firstly because of the above theatrical poster
(the power of good advertising), and because two Lit and Drama loving lads in my English class 

(yes they actually exist!) we're raving on about it, with one reason being the fabulously funny 

Bill Murray was in it. And aside from that, there is of course the star studded array of 

truly brilliant acting talent.

Ralph Fiennes dazzles as the extravagant concierge Gustave, newcomer Tony Revolori is glorious 

as young lobby boy and sidekick Zero, Jude Law makes an appearance with his seductive

and unapologetically British accent sounding as gorgeous as ever. And if that wasn't enough, 

you have Saoirse Ronan, Adrien Brody, Lea Seydoux, William Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum

and Tilda Swinton, to name but a few.

It's safe to say Anderson has well and truly plucked the very cream of the acting crop in this film.

And just to rave on about it a little bit more, The Grand Budapest is a real melting pot of different 

genres that are blended together and fantastically interwoven by some amazing writing

and imaginative talent to create a film that is funny, beautiful, gory at times, thrilling, consistently 

stunning, unpredictable in the best way possible and as my dear Dad said with the highest

of respects, 'utterly zany and eccentric'.

And he's right.

This film is not your typical film. It's unapologetically unique and it honestly is true film making

at it's best. It's crafted, acted, produced, written and directed to perfection and is

completely deserving of the 5 stars that are being repeatedly blasted its way.

All I can say is one word: WOW.

And lastly, GO AND SEE IT.

FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE QUOTES

I don't know about you, but I love Friedrich Nietzsche's quotes, and how they are so

artfully constructed with a series and sequence of words that can convey the most 

beautiful and powerful of emotions and meanings. 

Here are some of my favourites...

TRACEY EMIN (NEON QUEEN) // NEON ART PART TWO

Continuing with the whole 'neon art extravaganza', it would

be awfully rude of me not to include Tracey Emin's fabulous

 'I Promise To Love You' collection comprising of a series of wonderful

neon light art installations.

Taken the words right out of my mouth.

CHRIS BRACEY (NEON KING) // NEON ART PART ONE

-THIS IS MY 100TH POST! WOO FUN TIMES!-

On Instagram I follow this account that keeps posting pictures of neon artwork,

and it's just so beautiful that I decided to google what more neon beauties I could find.

Of course I then stumbled across artist Chris Bracey, also known as 'Neon Man'

and a strong contender for the title of Neon King.

Follow this link to find out more...

http://www.godsownjunkyard.co.uk/

His artwork is just incredible, so here are a few of my favourites...

Damn right Chris Bracey, damn right indeed.

THE CREATIVE HUB AKA. MY BEDROOM

My bedroom is a complete and utter creative catastrophe in the best way

possible. It's literally my source of inspiration because it's so jam packed full of

pictures, photos, colours, textures, quotes et al. I can spend hours just looking

at every little last detail, and I just thought I'd share it with you too :)

An image of a boat in some tranquil location provides a source of escapism

from Derby, which is a bit like comparing me with Beyonce aka. nowhere near that 

level of beauty and perfection.

I used to have an obsession with Paperchase postcards... can you tell?

My clock (only £3!) has broken though so in my room it's permanently quarter to 11.

A vintage map of the world. I love to look at this and imagine where I will

visit next. I keep meaning to put pins in the places I've already visited!

    

 My absolute faves + my inventive use of coke cans and a paper plane my friend from Spanish

class made me as my paper plane making skills are non existent. // One of my jam packed walls...

       

 Another shot of the wall featuring my gorgeous ruby red guitar, lanterns and eternal fake

flowers // Even my wardrobe has had the postcard treatment (plus a bit of tinsel that stays there

all year round).

Once I went shopping and found these in a shop. They're meant to be table mats but

I stuck them on my wall instead and I write inspirational messages to myself.

They're like little black boards and they came with their own chalk. Pretty cool huh? ;)

 

 Sticky notes with lyrics on them that I like ft. one of my fave photos of Audrey Hepburn //

Me doing the peace sign in the mirror, where I stick my gig tickets, like it's 2008 all over again.

Never forget this, even on those crap days where you just want to

dig a hole in the ground and live a worm like exsistance.

Photo booth photos are the best. If I could have a permanent photobooth

in my room I would. These are some with my Ma & Pa, one in Brick Lane and one in 

Camden Town. I also stick my train and subwaytickets here too because I'm indie like that.

                         

My noticeboard which I made in the summer of 2010 and is now 4 years out of date but still

nice to look at. Above that are lots of photos from this year of college which I look at

to remind myself of some pretty awesome times. // I pimped my light switch and put a postcard

of Gerard Pique my bezzie sent me from Barcelona to perk me up for the day.

I hope you liked this little insight into my world.... :)