My dislikes.

I try not to be negative on this blog because I would prefer that it stayed lighthearted and funny, but somethings just REALLY piss me off...

1. MISINTERPRETATION OF FEMINISM (if the title puts you off - just stay in your house and please don't come out)

The reason that I've put this one at the top is because recently I have heard a ridiculous amount of people my age say things like "I am absolutely not a feminist" or "I just think people who call themselves feminists are really annoying" and most worryingly of all "I disagree with feminism". I swear to god every time I hear something like this I have to leave to room before a part of me dies. The truth is, the people who say these sort of things are most likely feminists themselves (unless they are completely backwards), they just don't understand what it means. Personally, I believe that people are afraid of the word, associating it with being lesbian which is, quite frankly, ridiculous considering we live in the 21st century, so what are you afraid of? I don't really understand why people get so worried/offended by being called gay, it's happened to me gazillions of time and well, last time I checked, I'm still straight and a massive supporter of equality for all sexual orientations. The misinterpretation of feminism is widespread, it's so depressing when you think about it really, because all that feminists ask for is equal rights for men and women. Of course there are some people out there who demonise the name but the fact of the matter is, women have, for a long time, been oppressed by a male dominated society. This doesn't mean anything like 'all men are pigs, women are amazing in every single way, therefor we demand that from now on all of the male population must become our slaves' if that were the case, I wouldn't write this because that is morally wrong in all manners. I suppose a good example of people being afraid of the word feminism would be my sociology class, around a week ago we were all asked by the teacher if thought we were feminists. Being highly opinionated on the matter, my hand shot right up while I had to sit around in some sort of shame as i watched the rest of the class think about what they were about to do as they lifted up their hands just a little and then quickly put them back on the table as if they were never up. I hope that one day scenarios like this wont exist but, that will never happen if people don't really understand what feminism means, so let me tell you again, FEMINISM MEANS EQUAL RIGHTS FOR MEN AND WOMEN. That is all. 

PEOPLE WHO SAY "BORIS JOHNSON FOR PRIME MINISTER" BECAUSE THEY FIND HIM FUNNY.

This is only a little thing because there isn't much to say. No matter how lovable Boris is, he is still a Tory and most certainly not fit for prime minister. It's ridiculous how little attention people are willing to pay when they find someone funny or appealing in all types of ways, i'm not saying that I am completely clear headed because the truth is, everyone falls for simple pleasures like Boris the Buffoon. I wonder how people who are willing to state their love for Boris react when they find out about the 4267 premature deaths in London due to air pollution, there is a huge lack of progress and there is only really one man who has the authority to do anything about it, you  friend, Boris. There are many other issues with Boris' aims/policies but I found this one to be the most shocking due to the unbelievably high death rate. So I urge you, please think before you declare love and devotion for a simple rich boy. 

Ok, so it's only 2 things today but, I can assure you that this wont be the last time about things I dislike on wewantshops, not because I'm cynical or a sad angry chick who just vents on everything. If you don't believe me, you can read my last few 'current favourites' posts. I hope I haven't got you down or made you aggro but I hope that you can understand some of the things I spoke about a bit better. B.x

ShOp - THE INTERVIEW

Words cannot describe how terrible I feel for leaving it over two months before I posted this! But if you've been reading this from the start you'll know that one of my first posts was about ShOp. Back in those days I was always to scared to ask anyone questions I would just spend time giving my own opinion about things (which in some cases - is much easier) and getting my facts wrong!
Moving on  - if you can't be bothered to go that far back to see what I said about ShOp in the first place - it's my favourite vintage shop/art space, mainly because it's the first one I went to so I feel at home (kinda) when I pop in and Jayne and Brett are so so so lovely! Which is a nice change from your usual pretentious people who run vintage shops ( You know what I mean - right?). So - without further a due - here's what Brett and Jayne had to say about running their biz...

Why did you open ShOp in the first place?
Jayne : Well, it's not very exciting really, but me and Brett met...Romantically and we both didn't like our jobs at the time. Brett was a gardener and I was working in computing, not anything exciting, literally a phone-monkey. We were both really bored and we originally wanted to open a cafe together - like an all-night cafe - but then we found out there was a lot of legislation and it would be a lot more expensive than we thought it would be..
Brett: But the cafe would probably have still felt like ShOp does and still have an element of vintage to it. There were all sorts of ideas going around - we had thought about having a section to sell vintage in there.
Jayne: But it just turned out too complicated and we realised that we weren't really interested in having a cafe and we were more interested in the furnishings - so we thought it would be a lot more simple and a lot more interesting to have a shop! 
You still serve tea and coffee though which is nice..
Jayne: Yeah, there are definitely still elements of shop being a little bit like a cafe. 
It's great because it's a bit like a lounge - y'know a nice place to hang out..
Jayne & Brett: Yeah absolutely. 
You have expanded shop and moved from next door which is now the art space, did you ever think about just keeping it as one really big shop?
Jayne: This actual premises is just one premises but the landlord had put the wall in there (points to the right of the counter - where there is a wall with a door leading to the artspace) so at the time we didn't really have a choice and when we were in the space next store they were using this area for storage so we had no choice, so when we eventually got this space as well, we just thought it would be quite nice to have a shop and an art space as well, together but separate.
Brett: Because at a time we had the art space in here but it became a bit jumbled and a lot of people didn't really get that the art space was in here..
Jayne: Yeah we'd get people coming in looking for an exhibition and we would just have to point at the wall and say "It's those pictures there"
Brett: Whereas now there is more of a defined line so it works better.
Do you think that having a shop on Christmas Steps is a good place to have a vintage shop or would you rather have had it somewhere that's a bit busier?
Jayne: It's been a bit of a double edged sword really
Brett: We did chose to have it here, well I was always looking around this area but we did look at a few on colston street, but there was never really an option of anywhere else. Then again we're not really business people so it wasn't really a priority. 
Jayne: But I think that now we're here, we couldn't imagine being anywhere else. Maybe in our first year when we were like "oh shit - it's really quiet" but now I don't think we could ever change. 
Brett: But I also think that if we weren't here it wouldn't really be the same thing, I suppose if you were more business minded you might chose somewhere else.
Jayne: We go with our heart rather than our head
Would you ever think about making a clothing line for ShOp?
Brett: It's definitely something we have thought about but we are very much about vintage and retro clothes aren't we?
Jayne: Yeah, the thing about retro and vintage clothes is that I really like the design and I just think that if we were to make clothes it would probably turn out quite vintage anyway so it would be slightly pointless..
Brett: Well, we have wanted to sell some before because Jayne does a bit of sewing, for example Jayne has made, using vintage patterns and vintage fabrics and we  have sold some of it, but if we were to make clothes - that is where it would go. 
Jayne: And it would take 6 months to make 1 thing.
Brett: but we probably wouldn't do it very much because there is a recycling element to ShOp as well.
And finally, would you ever make ShOp a chain?
Jayne: Yeah, we keep it like this but still very small
Brett: Yeah, we'd have to be very careful. I wouldn't want more than one in every city.


I hope that this little interview has given you an insight into why ShOp is one of my favourite shops, they always have brilliant stock which is always updated on their blog (link below) and there is never a lack of cheerfulness in ShOp so it would be a pity on your behalf if you didn't pop in and buy something. Also, while you're in the shop you should definitely become a member, you get a really decent discount and updates about all the goings on at christmas steps. Most recently mumsie and I went down to watch some old films and have a curry while it was projected on the steps, I love free things like this and you always see people enjoying themselves no matter what the weather is like! B.x

http://www.talesfromshop.blogspot.co.uk/

Current faves pt.3

FASHION
 If you read my second to last post, you'll already know that I'm pretty keen on club kids and that whole style. Unfortunately that generation of club kids aren't about anymore, after the whole murder thing the scene has pretty much disappeared. It can be hard moving on, but sometimes it can lead to better things, so with great pleasure I introduce to you, Niki Takesh.

Vibrant colours and shiny fabrics, I first noticed Takesh in her 'Shit Stoner Girls Say' video and fell in love with her appearance. In my opinion I think she looks really cool and comfortable in something that on other people might be considered ridiculous, it's almost like her life is a fancy-dress party, something which makes me really envious. I put a link to he tumblr at the bottom of the page, I usually think tumblr is boring and kind of sucks but hers just fills me up with nostalgia and jokes.



           
MUSIC

The latest NEW thing I've been getting into has to be Gwilym Gold's first solo album - Tender Metal. It's the sort of music that I can listen to for hours on end (which I did actually do) and you literally hear something new every time you listen to it because the album runs on this app or music system whatever you want to call it, called Bronze. This basically means that the album is on some sort of programme or something (I'm really shit when it comes down to technical stuff) and the music is always moving about (I think), like changing synths and moving the beats around etc. The only bummer about this is that you need to have an iPhone/iPad/other apple formats. But have no fear, because if you are like me and have to scrounge around in all your old purses to find £2.00 for lunch tomorrow, you can always listen to the 12 hour set that he did on mixlr the other day, but I wouldn't recommend staying inside for 12 hours just to listen to that (even though it is really good).

           

I understand that the next band I'm about to write about isn't really current but to me, their music is always current (not cheesy).  Having started 6th form a couple of weeks ago now, the teachers are starting to dish out the homework left right and centre. I personally hate sitting around in silence no matter the situation and I usually listen to music when I do my homework, but the only issue with that is that when I leave my music on shuffle I always end up not doing my work and dancing and singing instead (don't worry - I always make sure I'm alone). This album doesn't make me do that, I can just sit around and concentrate or I'm really feeling it(and the house is empty), have a little boogie.

                          

I went to see Blur with my mam on August 7th and I have to say, it was the best gig ever. I don't really know if it was my favourite because they're one of my favourite bands or if they are just amazing on stage. You should''ve seen the way that they were jumping around everywhere (Graham Coxon did a backwards roll mid-guitar solo - so dope), they didn't look a day past 20, let alone in their 40's. I'm so glad that I did get to see them, even if I hate venues bigger than the academy. It was just the best.

FILM/TELLY
So, last night my homie Jemima and I watched  Léon: The Professional, no jokes, this was one of the best films I have ever seen. Natalie Portman is absolutely the epitome of cool in this film and Jean Reno makes me kind of want to become a hitman. If you haven't seen it, go and watch it now.

As far as telly goes, I think your opinion of me will totally change, but I don't care. I'm proud to say that Here comes honey boo boo has become a part of my life. I don't really know why, but I am quite a big fan of reality tv and this is one of the best out there. I think the family is really sweet and kind of disturbing at the same time, I also think it's really jokes how the little girl has an addiction to cheese balls. The only other thing I'm going to say about Here comes honey boo boo is before you criticise it, watch it and then you can know quite how addictive shows like that can be.

MISCELLANEOUS

I've been showing this to all my friends and family now for around a month, so I think it's time I showed you. Without further a due, here is the CDZA music collective with a history of whistling:







      
*if you didn't whistle along to Me & Julio down by the schoolyard - what is your problem?*

Their whole channel is filled with other smooth compilations like this one, so if you get a chance you should definitely have a look at all their videos. It's such a talented group of people and I'm really pleased to have found them because it would be a shame to miss out on something like this.

That is all for now - I hope you've found at least one thing that you like because I think they're all pretty amazing. B.x

Niki Takesh tumblr : http://n1ki.tumblr.com/

Gwilym Gold set: http://mixlr.com/gwilymgold/showreel/

Mel, 17.

 

My friend Mel is funny, intelligent and naturally beautiful. I've been interested in devoting an article to her for quite a while and when I did eventually interview, I wasted time and procrastinated about putting it up. This will be her second appearance  on wewantshops (her debut being Aisha's article) and I hope this isn't her last, here is what she had to say...

 

How would you describe your style?

Quite casual. I dress for how I feel so it's usually quite simple.

 

Do you have any style icons?

Not really, I don't dress fashionably enough to have a 'style icon', but I do like how some people dress, for instance, Millie Mackintosh from Made in Chelsea, I think she dresses really nice.

 

Do you have any staple items of clothing?

These jeans! They're my Levi's that my dad bought me.

 

Are lables important to you?

Well, sort of because I really want a mulberry handbag and things like Chanel No.5 perfume and other classic items that I would love to own, but I don't really follow designers as such, like I wouldn't be able to point at a dress and be like "Oh my god, that's <insert big time designer>" 

 

Do people pay too much attention to lables?

Probably, there is a certain point where I think you can get over the top, but I can see the appeal of owning such famous items.

 

Do you think that fashion is a girly thing or does it appeal to both sexes?

I don't think so, this is gonna make me sound like such a twat, but before when I was little it was mainly for girls, but now it's completely different. Of course most of it is for women, but I wouldn't consider it a girly thing, it's become quite cool for a guy to be into fashion.

 

Do you have any shops that you always go to?

I don't really shop very much! I'm really bad at shopping and I just don't really do it. I'd rather just take my sisters old clothes. I do really like American Aparell, but I don't have enough money to shop there all the time. They do the exact sort of clothes that I like, just simple, staple items that you need in your wardrobe.

 

A lot of people say that American Aparell is overpriced, do you agree?

To be honest, I think I'm really bad when it comes to prices, because if it's more expensive, I kind of want it more because to me that just says it's good. The problem is that it's probably not any better than primark, but the price just automatically makes me think "this is a staple item" and I lust after it a bit more. Mind you, I don't buy that much from there because it is so expensive, but I suppose that makes it more desirable to me because you can only have a few things.

 

When it comes down to clothing, do you think people should buy more cheap clothes or buy less for more money?

Yeah, personally, I would buy less but more expensive. But it's so hard because when you see two similar items being sold at different prices, you know that the more expensive one of them has probably been made in a better way, but you just want to go and buy the cheaper one because you don't have the money at that exact time to buy the more expensive one.

 

Do you believe that your clothes can affect your popularity?

I would say it's less your clothes and more your actual style, but I suppose that it's more of your personality because you have to be a certain way to pull off a certain style. But altogether, yes, if you dress 'cooly' and on trend you're probably gonna get more friends because people want to dress like you.

 

Do you think your family life affects the way you dress or do you just decide by yourself?

I definitely think they played a part in it because they would never tell me what to wear. There are so many pictures of me from when I was like 5 where I'm wearing a leopard print top and neo leggings with my hair in a really massive top-knot. So I suppose that has affected me in a way because I still just wear what I want

 

Do you think that makeup is just as important as what you wear?

I think it depends on who you are, I have loads of friends who are considered to be some of the prettiest girls in our year and they don't really wear makeup. I suppose that because they've never really worn makeup they're more comfortable in their own skin and no one really notices if they are wearing makeup or not. But I also have other friends who heavily rely on makeup and are also considered to be some of the prettiest girls, but because they wear all this makeup they're kind of trapped in this loop where if they didn't wear makeup to school one day people's perception of them might totally change.

 

 

Reading over this interview I've had a lot to think over myself i.e the extensive amounts of money I waste on cheap clothing just because I don't have the will power to wait a little while to get something well made and altogether nicer. Another thing I really admire about Mel's style is her ability to not care. I would kill to be like that, the amount of bother I've been going through each morning trying to sort out something to wear for 6th form is ridiculous. What's even worse about that is the fact that I tend to go for the same sort of thing everyday, so it all just ends up being wasted time and either way I feel ridiculous whatever I wear. B.x

 

 





CLUB KIDS.

After what feels like a light year away from my keyboard I figured I should write about something which i'm quite...passionate(!?) about. Michael Alig and his club kids are one of my secret obsessions because lets be honest - i'm not going to go around telling people that I idolize transvestites and hardcore drug-use. I suppose the worst thing about this infatuation I have with club kids is probably the care-free way they seem to live, for instance take James St James (Renowned celebutante & first peg of Michael Alig's "ladder to fame" as implied in the film 'Party Monster: The Shockumentary') for the better half of his 20's his funds were supplied by his parents allowing him to go out and buy all the clothes/drugs he wanted which would eventually land him in the middle of something quite horrific.

For all you who haven't seen the film 'Party Monster' (Macaulay Culkin's best work yet) club kids secured themselves a position in modern history not through fashion or a certain type of culture, but by murder and lies. On Sunday March 1996 Michael Alig and Robert "Freeze" Riggs killed Angel Melendez after a huge row over drugs and cash. I guess when you tie yourself up into a world where you rely on drugs and booze it's inevitable that when something shit happens it just blows way out of proportion.

I decided to write an article about club kids when I realized that this kind of life has come back into the mainstream. Funnily enough, it doesn't make me feel any better or worse about  my little obsession, in fact I suppose you could say I'm worried. I'm worried for what the future generation of club kids may do. Luckily for me there is always the possibility that the revival of club kid culture is only a 3month craze and will soon be over.

Fashion wise - I get so much inspiration from club kids. It might not necessarily their get-up that really affects my style, but I totally agree 100% with the message they were giving with their style at the time. The huge leap the took out of the 'norm' could inspire the most conservative of people. Sure, at first glance they my look like attention-seekers but I don't really think that, that was all that they were trying to get from the huge publicity gained from. Without really knowing it at first they inspired thousands of people - including me. They have always shown creativity and a sense nonchalance to other people's opinions - not to mention I find all that fancy dress being weaved into evening wear dope, I don't know if I would feel particularly comfortable in the exact same style as the, but I would happily drag bits out of their groove.

I swear I'll write some more posts more regularly. Also - if you haven't watched either of the party monster films I highly recommend you do that asap. B.x