Ball. So. Hard.

Jay-Z and Kanye West "N***as in Paris"

Finally. The wait is over. Last night I got the absolute pleasure to see the Watch The Throne Tour, Jay-Z and Kanye West in one arena, in one night. To be quite frank, I'm stuck for words; how do you describe something that was quite simply utterly incredible? As such a long-standing Jay-Z fan, (with the back catalogue of albums to prove it), I still feel a little palpitation at the thought of it being a reality. So now we have firmly established that I am in the 'super fan' camp, I can somehow attempt to eloquently describe the experience. 

Firstly what I wore:

H&M Trousers, New Look Vest, Zara pumps via ebay, H&M and Topshop jewellery

Printed trousers Statement trousers seem to be as common as the trophy blazer of seasons past, mirrored florals, tropical scenes and pyjama prints are the obsession du jour. These trousers must have been a massive hit for H&M, having seen them on a number of fashionistas throughout the bloggersphere, and in numerous street style shots, with them subsequently selling out. This is no surprise, with the £12.99 price tag they were hardly a drop in the ocean. I teamed them with leopard print for some ‘print clash’ action, and a simple loose fitting grey vest, my thoughts being: I wanted to look like I had made an effort, but was also thinking practically; having got standing tickets, there was going to be no way I was going to stand and watch all the action from the perimeter, I wanted in!

It would appear that Jay-Z and Kanye have some seriously stylish fans. I have to say that I was somewhat surprised by the diversity of the crowd, I'd been expecting it to be predominantly 'hip-hop', but was proved wrong, despite the plethora of New Era caps! For the ladies it was a mix of AA disco pants, (back to the statement trousers), in mostly black, with the brave branching out and opting for red or safer charcoal and navy. A smattering of Jeffrey Campbell Lita's were seen, as were cut-off denim shorts sported both with and without tights despite the minuscule amounts of fabric. The boys seemed to keep it casual in printed tees and chinos, but they weren't afraid to throw on an accessory or two, with many a bespectacled beauty to be seen.

Just to give you an idea of scale, this was the arena bowl filling up before the lights dropped and that all important announcement that the show was about to start was made.

For those of you that have tickets, but haven't seen the show yet, you are in for an absolute treat! Jay an Ye have such a presence when they are on the stage, they really do know how to command an audience, of which all remained standing throughout. The light show was incredible, at one point it looked as though there were clouds floating on the stage, and as for the huge led, light-box stages-unreal! 

For me, despite N****as in Paris being undoubtedly the headline song of the night, four times over in fact, performance of the night for me was Izzo (H.O.V.A), as at that point Jay asked the crowd to put their diamonds up in the air, and seeing the whole crowd raise their hands and show Jay-Z the rock, was a real euphoric moment.

You constantly felt throughout as though there was a real sense of rapport between the two on stage, even so much so that when each the other took centre stage to do a song from their solo album, you caught glimpses of the other lip syncing along, it was little details like that, and the obvious respect that was mutually shown that made the show so special; just two artists on stage, without backing dancers, simply doing their thing.

Cannot deny the fact that I have felt somewhat deflated today, I'm sad it's all over, but yes I did get to Watch The Throne, and I think it is going to take some serious beating!

What show have you been to that simply left you feeling elated? Have you ever been to a gig and wondered if anything will ever live up to that performance? Would love to hear from some of you.

KDx

You've got a heart as loud as lions, So why let your voice be tamed?

Emeli Sande "Read All About It Pt.III"


This weekend has been a complete change of tempo compared to the last, I was so right about having a bit of routine back in my life. But it wouldn't be a weekend without at least one night out with the girls; throwing my arms around uncontrollably to some awesome music and generally having a bit of a giggle. This was my party outfit of choice for Friday's antics:

New Look grey vest (tied and tucked up into a crop) River Island leopard belt, River Island white skater skirt via ebay, gifted black Topshop platform boots, Miss Selfridge gold knot chain necklace and River Island feather earrings

We went to a night in Birmingham called Nude, at Bluu Bar on Summer Row that we hadn't been to before, so we didn't know what to expect, but we were pleasantly surprised, the music was brilliant! Disclosure's remix of Jessie Ware's running was playing within seconds of me getting to the bar so I was hopeful that the music would remain at the same standard all night, and I wasn't disappointed; the curve ball came in the form of the mix of old school garage and house music, real feel good music! 

Despite consuming nothing but vodka and jager bombs all night, the hangover felt no need to rear it's head on Saturday which meant lunch with the girls:

Lilac Love Label skirt, Topshop lilac body, Topshop grey heart pumps all via ebay, pale blue H&M belt, gifted Oasis leather jacket, Miss Selfridge neon necklace

I am typically a girly dresser, as I've posted previously trousers are a new venture as are shorts, although they are becoming a firm favourite, and this is my updated take on 'ladies lunch attire.' The twin-set has been replaced by a coordinating skirt and top and the pearls with some neon diamanté. Lilac is fast becoming my favourite pastel shade for the coming season, however, mint is a contender. I am hoping to get a mint-on-mint outfit together soon. You really shouldn't be put off by putting the same colours together, to stop it looking washed out, mix textures and tones, the body is paler than the skirt, and the pleats of the skirt add some interest. In order to stop this outfit veering too far into old lady territory (a purple rinse would have seriously over stepped the mark!) I added my leather biker jacket to update the look, as a reminder that I haven't played smash and grab in a gran's wardrobe.  

For Christmas I had brought my bestest tickets for us to go and see Emeli Sande, the gig was Saturday night at the HMV Institute in Birmingham. It was an early gig, with the doors opening at 6pm, having listened to not much else but her album at work, I chose a suitably dressed down outfit:

(More) Levi's denim shorts brought as jeans via ebay, Amplified customised Run DMC T-shirt, Dune leopard pumps, Miss Selfridge necklace and Dorothy Perkins belt

Emeli. Was. Incredible. That girl has got a serious set of lungs on her! Her album by no means does her any justice, she has such a powerful voice, it almost feels listening to the album after having seen her live that she really reigned it in to record the songs. I don't think I had a favourite of the night, because they all sounded so amazing, it was really nice to hear her influences for the songs, and to get an insight into what someone's thoughts were when writing a song. Interesting fact, Emeli Sande was studying to be a Doctor before becoming a singer, whodda thunk it?! In regards to the outfit, these are my third pair of Levi's cut-offs, which naturally means they are my new favourites. I think I managed to cut these into the style I envisaged in my head, they do say third time lucky.

Apologies for the near unrecognisable pictures. Thankfully Emeli has such distinctive quiff of hair!

Sunday is undecided. Hangover free and no plans...I thought I best make some effort, just in case. I think that phrase sums me up perfectly Karmen 'just in case' Deanne. I find it difficult to leave the house regardless of  the weather forecast without an umbrella, always carry a pen and a notepad... Yeah I am so wild.

American Apparell U-back navy body, carboot sale belt, Zara leopard print pumps and vintage Next pleated skirt via ebay

Hope everyone enjoyed their weekends. There has been a development on the blazer debacle. But more on that to come.

KDx

I never know what's coming, forever fascinating

Skrillex, Benny Benassi, Gary Go "Cinema"

                                         

Skrillex live at the O2 Academy in Birmingham

Pictures of the past few days activities: 

Top-Bottom

Mary Berry 'Christmas Spiced Cupcakes,' better late than never! Made somewhat less Christmassy by omitting the cake ruining mixed peel in favour of chopped glacé cherries and nuts, and saving the brandy meant for the frosting for a coke at the weekend and replacing it with lovely lemon frosting-yummy!

My new bed! Despite it's deceptive appearance, this beaut was an absolute bugger to put together! Sleeping this high up is how I imagine the Princess in the 'Princess and the Pea' felt...minus the pea! 

Zane Lowe and Skrillex

So Sunday night I went to see Skrillex at the O2 Academy in Birmingham, supported by Alvin Risk and Zane Lowe. Now I'm sure everyone has heard of Zane, who was as awesome as has come to be expected from the Radio 1 DJ, but the surprise of the night came in the form of Alvin Risk who warmed the audience up as we arrived. More surprising than the fact that the relative unknown (to some at least) is a pretty good dubstep dj, is the fact that he is a dead ringer for Will McKenzie, aka 'briefcase wanker' from the Inbetweeners! Until they are seen together I am going to say it is him! 

I’m typically a girly dresser, and even when I am dressed down, I still feel dressed up, but I kinda like it that way, my motto is ‘You never know who you might bump into,’ but gig dressing is never going to be something I am going to excel at. In my head I am thinking, it’s not quite a night out, so no need for heels, (being 5ft 10 it is argued whether I ever need heels at all, but that’s none negotiable!) but then it’s hardly like going to the pub where a cute pair of ballet flats would suffice, so instead I plumped for this outfit on the night.

Levi’s cut off as before, Playboy men’s t-shirt via eBay and then customised by cutting the sleeves off, River Island leopard print belt, Converse red hi-tops via eBay and black H&M kids hoodie.

Absolute ultimate saviour of the night came in the form of Lipcote, honestly, lipstick lovers, there is a reason this product has been loved by women the world over for 50 plus years! My outfit post was taken when I got home after the sweat-fest of a gig, and my lipstick is still in place!

These are the other bits and pieces I threw on

Vintage brown leather satchel via ebay, H&M and H&M kids bracelets, found Casio watch (broken!) Topshop and Matalan rings and earrings, Warehouse silver cuff, Accessorize purple flowers and New Look leopard head scarf.

I swapped my normal nigh-out oversized clutch bag for a gig worthy shoulder bag in order to: a) tie my hoodie around, which proved invaluable seeing as this turned out to be the sweatiest gig ever!! How I laughed at the ‘idiots’ queuing in just their vests, clearly they are more attuned to gig wear than I am. And b) in order to keep both my hands free for ultimate music appreciation. Unfortunately keeping my hands free didn’t make me any better equipped to capture a decent video clip, as if the first one didn't demonstrate the point enough, here’s a clip from Cinema. In the words of Trainspottings's Jeremy Factsman 'Reach for the lazers, safe a fuck' 

KD x