If you’re into Sheffield, design, or both, you should totally read this Guardian article about Urban Splash’s overhaul of Park Hill flats – complete with a lasting, neon tribute to the most romantic bit of graffiti ever done.

My friend Sofie posted some pictures on Facebook this week from an old Retronaut post. Took me by surprise I have to say, I didn’t think there were any posts left on that site that I hadn’t already pillaged but what do you know? An amazing picture post I’ve never seen!

These images of a Brookyln-based teen gang called the Jokers, and were taken in 1959 by photographer Bruce Davidson. They’re part of a book called (wait for it) Brooklyn Gangs, but you may be disheartened to note it costs over £1,000 on Amazon at the moment. With that in mind, we’d better just enjoy them online for now.

Teenagers really haven’t changed much. Everyone (OK, the Daily Mail) berates today’s generation but young people have always been confused, misunderstood and misinterpreted. If I could make everyone read one book it would be Teenage: The Creation of Youth 1875 – 1945 by Jon Savage which debunks the idea that teenagers were invited in 1950s America and firmly puts pay to the idea that the yoof of today are in any worse than any generation that’s gone before it. It’s a brilliant, inspiring, engrossing read and – don’t let this put you off – was the catalyst for my 1920s obsession. Read it, make me proud.

[See more at How to be a Retronaut]

I have to be careful with novelty clothing – my fashion sense teeters perilously close to the brink of weird art teacher as it is and one wrong move with a misplaced brooch or excessive pattern could see me free-falling at speed in to the unfortunate ’I'm mad me’/patterned tights brigade.

That said, I bought these lobster/shrimp/scorpion earrings last week from Topshop. They have a really authentically vintage feel to them, I think, through the pavé setting in the tail and neck and dull-gold detailing.

It’s love, and they almost make up for the other lobster item which I dream of… this Anthropologie dress from years back which I still get giddy about when I see people wearing in the street. That’s another eBay saved search right there, FYI.

And cue…

A few more pictures from Vanity Fair‘s WE shoot.

I don’t think I’ve mentioned, because I assumed everyone knew, that the costumes are by Arianne Phillips who also worked her magic on Walk the Line and A Single Man.

This shoot took place at glorious West Wycombe Park, home of the Hellfire Club.

[Pictures via Fashionising]

… Then the fabulous Twin bought me this – with no knowledge of my growing pineapple obsession…

… Then I got the weird pineapple child lipstick holder…

… Then Whistles posted this sneak preview of their SS12 collection…

Here are some other pineapple things I’m in to at the moment. The worry is that this will become like my Sheep Collection of 1990-1994, when I bought anything and everything with a sheep on until the collection had to spill out of my bedroom and be accommodated in the hallway at my family home.

ASOS Pineapple Print Shirt

Tropical Trainers

Pineapple Front Desk Bell

Pineapple Sweater Clip [Why don't I own sweater clips already?]

Pineapple Tea Set

Of course, the irony of all this is that I can’t stand pineapple.

As with the rest of the Swatch and MTV Playground project – and in keeping with MTV’s pop culture heritage and Swatch’s dedication to diverse reference points – the latest footage highlights the importance of music in influencing style and identity. If you visit the Scene@ section of the website you can find out more about underground music scenes around the world, but here are a couple of interesting scenes that I rather like the like of.

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Jerk chicken, Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, Cool Jerk, Doing The Jerk… While the term ‘jerk’ may have originally been thrown around as an insult, most things related to jerk are good in my book these days. The jerk was a 1960s dance craze, popularised in the Capitols’ hit Cool Jerk, but as with most things from ye olde days it’s been given a fresh new twist.

Reinvented for the 00s in California, jerking has since made a splash in Switzerland – of all places. I’m meeting up with my Swiss pals tomorrow and I’ll certainly be challenging her to a jerk off based on this video of the Swiss Jerks – a colourful, vibrant community of dancers who you can see in action above.

The other scene of interest is – prepare yourself – Brum and Bass. I mean… As I couldn’t love Birmingham more, it goes and develops a scene with a hilarious pun too. Only bettered by the whole Pontefract/Ponte Carlo thing.

Birmingham has (apparently) one of the biggest bass-based music scenes in the county (so I’m told, I can’t even pretend to have a clue about such things) and Swatch and MTV recently paid them a visit to find out more – see what they discovered in the video above.

I love the look of this scene – lots of Carhartt and Dickies and vintage Americana sportswear. And there was me thinking that heavy metal was the most stylish genre to emerge from the Black Country. Check out a streetstyle gallery here!

In light of events over the last few days, I’ve seen a few people posting their favourite pictures of London (and other places that have been hit). I fucking love my adopted city, so here are some of my favourite photos of the last few months too. You should post some as well, it’s nice – and interesting – seeing what people love about their home town.

By the way, I’m really passionate about supporting Aaron the barber, the 89-year-old whose salon was trashed, putting him out of business. I’ve mostly been sending this link to hairdressers and work associates, but if you’d like to help him get back on his feet you can donate here.

Liz Earle devotees will have no doubt heard whispers of a make-up range already and I’m pleased to report the rumours are true; 15 September sees the launch of Liz Earle Colour.

As is perhaps befitting the skincare guru, the first product from the range is Sheer Skin Tint, which I was introduced to by Liz herself last week. She describes it as the natural bridge from skincare to colour and I’d describe it as lighter than foundation and a tad heavier than tinted moisturiser, so a nice happy medium.

Available in three shades (see swatches here), Sheer Skin Tint promises luminosity and lasting, buildable colour. Liz herself described it as hopefully delivering dependable, visible results for all skin types – like with Cleanse & Polish

As a Liz Earle devotee I’m sure you’re expecting me to give this a rave review and, guess what… that’s what I’m going to do. I write about beauty for a living and have tried pretty much every foundation and tinted moisturiser on the market and I’m really happy with this one. Here’s why – not just because it’s Liz Earle…

• A tiny bit goes a long way. They say it should last three months, I can believe it!

• That buildable coverage? It’s true. Good days I use a quick layer where needed. Bad days, I can go back and add more without caking or creasing. It’s really lightweight but definitely does what it should with coverage.

• Luminosity was a big thing for Liz and that’s what you get – a glowing, slightly dewy finish that, again, lasts.

• It has SPF15, which anything you put on your face should.

• I don’t want to build it up too much, but I also feel like it’s done my skin some good – my usual jawline hormonal breakout didn’t occur this month, although that could be down to less booze/more sleep lately… Sheer Skin Tint does contain a blend of vitamin E, avocado and borage to work in harmony with Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare

I don’t really know what else you’d want from a lightweight foundation – it covers without caking and makes your skin look fresh and healthy. Who wouldn’t want that?

One other thing – when you buy a tube online, you’re sent three sachets sampling each shade for what the’re calling ‘First Time, Right Shade’. This means you can try your choice of colour out and if it’s not right, return the tube unopened. If it is right, you’re sorted and have a couple of extra sachets for your pals.

In short, it makes your skin look good and it works. More makeup is set to come, but as with all things Liz it’s not being rushed.

Sheer Skin Tint goes on sale 15 September, and you can pre-register your interest now here!

*PS Apologies for the poor quality pictures, I was a bit late and had to lurk at the back…

Wallis-mania has hit. Earlier this week I showed you some stills from the upcoming Madonna movie, W.E. and now we have a Duke and Duchess of Windsor shoot from Vanity Fair!!

I’m even more impressed with the casting than ever now – James D’Arcy and Andrea Riseborough really look the part and while that’s undoubtedly down to styling and makeup, they’re even holding themselves with the poise and mannerisms of Wallis and Edward.

Too excited about this film. Even if they just mumble their way through the lines it’ll be a visual treat.

[Via ONTD]

[via]

When I say I’m in luv, you best believe I’m in luv, L-U-V with Katie Shillingford and Alex Dromgoole’s wedding pictures.

Not only has super-stylist Katie got dreamy pink hair and a jaw-dropping dove grey Gareth Pugh gown, she also got married in the splendiferous art deco surroundings of Eltham Palace which I have waffled on about here and which you can read more about here if I haven’t bored you about it in person before.