Music Monday: Music I've Been Loving #3.

Hey, so I fancied doing a post on some of my favourite music at this moment. I haven't done one of these in ages and I'm really into some dancey music as well as some older music right now. Most of these songs you will probably know  and some you may not so I hope you enjoy this post. 

Rihanna

Bitch Better Have My Money is such a good song although I didn't actually like it at first! I wouldn't call myself a fan of Rihanna but she does come out with some great hits every now and then that I like.

Sam Smith feat. Disclosure

This song is soooo amazing. I am literally obsessed with it. I love anything Sam sings to be honest and this second collaboration with Disclosure is another favourite on my list.

Madonna feat. Nicki Minaj

I can't even explain why I like this song to you. I don't particularly like Madonna as an artist, some of her old songs are good, but I've never been into her. But for some reason, I really like this song and its beat is something you can really dance to. 

Fleetwood Mac

I absolutely adore Fleetwood Mac, their songs are so good. I've been listening to them non-stop recently and they make me feel empowered and want to put flowers in my hair, hahaha.

Toto

Ever since I heard this song on Family Guy, I've hunted it down on YouTube and listened to it nearly everyday. I just love the guitar riff in it and it's such a fantastic hit.

So those are what I've been listening to recently.

What have you been listening to?

If you have songs/bands/singers I should listen to then please leave them in the comments below.

Thanks for reading.

Laura.

Grammys 2015: Red Carpet Review.

The 57th Grammys were hosted by LL Cool J in Los Angeles last night and the stars turned out beautifully as usual. Although there were some disastrous outfits (I'm looking at you Madonna, Rihanna and Charli XCX), there were some stunning gowns and suits that caught my eye. So here's my favourite looks from the night:

First up is Sia and the dancer that stars in her videos, Maddie Ziegler both wearing black and white custom Armani Prive. Ziegler went with George Esquivel brogues to complete her look. I love Sia's massive wig, she's always one to make a statement.

Taylor Swift was definitely one of the best dressed for me personally. She is wearing a gorgeous custom Elie Saab paired with pink Giuseppe Zanotti sandals. She also wore lovely jewellery by Lorraine Schwartz and Ofira. 

Although I'm not a fan of how Iggy Azalea had her hair, she looks stunning in this figure hugging cobalt blue Armani Prive gown. I just don't think the braided crown fitted in with the whole look.

Queen Beyonce went with the floor length gown theme as well by going for a simple modest black beaded gown with a deep v by Proenza Schouler. Accompanying the look, she wore Balenciaga shoes and Lorraine Schwartz jewellery. Wearing her hair down, she heated up the red carpet with this simple yet sophisticated look.

Another one of my favourites from the night, Katy Perry looks incredible in this Zuhair Murad crystal embellished dress that was fresh off the Paris Couture runway. I am absolutely in love with her purple hair and I think it complemented the entire look perfectly.

Unlike previous years, Lady Gaga went for the elegant ladylike look with a silver floor length Brandon Maxwell dress. Her jewellery that sat in her bosom was from Lorraine Schwartz.

Anna Kendrick looks absolutely fantastic in this Band of Outsiders pantsuit with Jimmy Choo shoes, Venyx World jewellery, Jacquie Aiche and Uma K rings and a Ferragamo clutch. 

Let's also hear it for the lads:

Sam Smith

John Mayer

Ed Sheeran

Jesse McCartney

Photos: source | source | source | source

So those were my favourite looks from the night. 

What were your favourites?

Did you enjoy the show?

Thanks for reading.

Laura.

Music Monday: Music I've Been Loving #1.

Hey everyone, so I thought I'd do a post on what music I've been really getting into recently and becoming obsessed with. Some of the artists you'll probably know and some you may not know so it's my job to explain to you who they are and what songs I think you should check out.

So let's get into it:

George Ezra

  George Ezra is an English singer-songwriter and he's released two EPs Did You Hear The Rain? in 2013 and Cassy O' in 2014 before bringing out his debut studio album, Wanted On Voyage, mid-2014 which reached number one in the UK. 

Favourite songs: Listen To The Man (which has the wondeful Ian Mckellen in its video!) and Blind Man In Amsterdam.

Sam Smith

 

 

Sam Smith is an English singer and songwriter and he appeared on a number of hit singles before his own debut album like Disclosure's Latch and Naughty Boy's La La La. He released his incredible In The Lonely Hour album in 2014 and it had many major hits. He has since been nominated for SIX Grammy Awards.

Favourite songs: Restart, Stay With Me and I've Told You Now.

Royal Blood

 This rock band is composed of bassist/singer Mike Kerr and drummer Ben Thatcher and they only formed very recently in 2013. They caught my eye after putting on an incredible performance for the 2014 EMA's. They are yet to release a full album but they are set to be a supporting act for the Foo Fighters on their 2015 tour and they said they're to start writing their album while on tour, I can't wait!

Favourite song: Figure It Out.

Beyoncé

 Queen B doesn't need any introduction, everyone knows her and how amazing she is. I am obsessed with this single recently and can't stop playing it. It's very different to anything Beyoncé's ever done before but I love how pretty she looks with minimal, if any, make-up on and the simplicity of the video which was all filmed on an iPhone. Looks like a pyjama party with B would be so much fun!

Favourite song: 7/11. 

What are some of your favourite songs at the moment?
Are there any albums you're looking forward to listening to?

If you have any comments or recommendations for me, please let me know!

Thankyou for reading.
Laura.

AMAs 2014: Red Carpet Review.

So the celebrities were out for another star-studded music event and this time in Los Angeles at the Nokia Theatre for the American Music Awards 2014. The occasion was surprisingly hosted by rapper Pitbull and it was a spectacular show with performances by Taylor Swift, One Direction, Lorde, Fergie, Jennifer Lopez, Iggy Azalea, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Jessie J, Lil' Wayne, Selena Gomez, Sam Smith, Wyclef Jeans, MAGIC!, 5 Seconds of Summer, Mary J. Blige, Garth Brooks, Charli XCX and Imagine Dragons.

However I'm reviewing the amazing dresses and suits from the red carpet beforehand. There was plenty of leg showing and stunning, sparkling dresses; there was literally so many that I loved but I managed to narrow it down to these:

 Hair slicked back, Jennifer Lopez shows that age doesn't mean you can't still look fantastic and she does as she shows off her toned abs this pale pink Reem Acra gown paired with Christian Louboutin shoes. She adds a bit of sparkle with Norman Silverman Diamonds earrings in her ears and rocks a gorgeous smoky eye.

 This is without a doubt one of my definite favourites from the night. Rita Ora picks a bright and beautiful yellow Zac Posen gown which she admits she picked at the last minute. I'm not entirely a fan of how her hair is done, it isn't as immaculate as it could be and it ruins the look a little. However, she finishes it all off with a lovely, vintage Swarovski clutch.

Another 'wow' from me as Charli XCX opts for a sultry look with a draped fit and off-the-shoulder cut dress designed by Vivienne Westwood. With a bold red lip, she looks like a complete goddess.

Kira Kazanstev changed my opinion on crop tops as she pulled off this crop top and ball skirt combo beautifully. Miss America chose a perfect colour for this event and her earrings, cuff and bangle by Erickson Beamon completed the look.

In true Angelina Jolie fashion, Fergie shows off her legs in a striking, black Halston dress and decorates her hands with Loree Rodkin jewels. Her strappy Versus heels makes the outfit all the more better.

I simply cannot get over how beautiful Kate Beckinsale looked in this low-cut, figure hugging Kaufmanfranco gown. Her Bulgari snake necklace is one of the best pieces of jewellery I have ever seen in my entire life and I want it! The Underworld actress finishes it all off with a Lee Savage clutch, Brian Atwood shoes and looks like utter perfection.

 Wearing a Halston Heritage dress, Dolce & Gabbana shoes with Orka Mesic jewellery, Jordin Sparks definitely shows Jason Derulo what he's missing! This rose gold sequin gown with a plunging neckline is just the right thing for Jordin Sparks and her ombre locks come down in lovely, bouncing curls that just sit beneath her shoulders.

Unfortunately not many men were favourites and I can't even begin to describe was Ansel Elgort was wearing, it was a show.
 

But here's my three favourites from the boys this year:

To be honest Ne-Yo's jacket is screaming at me not to like it but somehow I really appreciate this all blue ensemble. Wearing all Anthony Franco with Prada shoes, Ne-Yo keeps it cool and looking very dapper.

I've never really been a fan of One Direction but I've never hated them either. I thought the boys looked pretty good last night with their black ensembles. I don't like Zayn or Harry's hair but I can push past this and not only that, it was pretty much their night as they scooped up 3 awards for Artist of the Year, Favourite Pop/Rock Album and Favourite Band, Duo or Group in the Pop and Rock category. Well done, boys.

Lastly, Sam Smith kept it simple yet smart in a cropped black pant-suit and cobalt blue button-down short with patent leather shoes. The Stay With Me singer won Favourite Pop/Rock Male Artist as well as performing. Go, Sam!

Photos: source | source | source | source

So those were my favourites of the night!
Who were your favourites of the night? Did you enjoy the show?

Thankyou for reading.
Laura.

VMAS 2014: Red Carpet Review.

 

I'm not normally one to review fashion on the red carpet or anywhere else for that matter but I saw so many beautiful dresses and outfits from this year's VMAS that I just had to review my favourites. This time around there seemed to be a simple theme of red and silver going on and A LOT of skin showing. You go, girls!

To start off with:

 

Can we just talk about how good Jennifer Lopez looks at 45, please? She totally rocks this stunning Charbel Zoe, cut-out gown which comes with a bold high slit with shows off her toned figure.  She finishes off the look with Jimmy Choo shoes, a matching Thalé Blanc silver clutch and Normal Silverman rings and earrings proving that no matter what age you are, if you've got it.. flaunt it.

Cutest couple award definitely has to go to Jordin Sparks and Jason Derulo. Jordin is so beautiful in a plunging white dress while Jason wears a matching white suit with Gentleman Collection by David Thomas and Jason of Beverly Hills jewellery. Jason was also nominated twice for Best Pop Video and Best Choreography for his hit song Talk Dirty. 

 

LGBT icon and Orange Is The New Black star Laverne Cox wore a show stopping dress from her friend Marc Bouwer which gave the actress the perfect opportunity to show off her figure.

 

 

Katy Perry always comes up with new, mad ways to throw everyone off their game. The singer showed up with rapper, Riff Raff, both in matching patchwork denim custom-made Versace outfits in homage to that unforgettable moment when Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake wore a denim-on-denim ensemble back in 2001. Hilarious but she pulled it off so well. 

 

The rapper Iggy Azalea down the cut-out route by wearing a silver Versace dress with her hair slicked back perfectly. She also performed her new single Black Widow with Rita Ora.

 

Speaking of Rita Ora, the singer pulled an Angelina Jolie in a sexy thigh high slitted Donna Karan Atelier negligee-inspired dress as she flaunted her curves. Channelling a Jessica Rabbit-esque (sans the red hair) look, she catwalked the red carpet in this silk charmeuse outfit topped off with a diamond encrusted Lorraine Schwartz choker and strapless heels.

 

Sporting an adorable baby bump, Kelly Rowland looked amazing and kept it simple in this elegant Kaufman Franco gown paired with Jimmy Choo shoes. Her Lorraine Schwartz jewellery shone in the sun, setting off her whole look.

 

Solange Knowles looked badass in an sparkly, oversized jacket and tuxedo pants from the H&M Studio Collection. Bare underneath, Solange's jacket scooped low enough to expose a little of her cleavage. With big, Diana Ross style hair and black heeled sandals, Solange looked just fabulous in a glamorous, rocker chic way.

 

All eyes were on Queen B as she walked the red carpet in a black, lacy, Nicolas Jebran dress with dazzling, statement earrings by Lorraine Schwartz. She strategically hid parts of her body but the risqué cut outs and gemometric lines bared enough to show off her body and the fact she clearly had no underwear on. But this isn't the only look she had for the night..

 

It literally became the Beyoncé show as she performed her 15 minute medley of songs from her self-titled album in a bejewelled, mosasic Tom Ford bodysuit. It clung to her body and showed off all her assets.. quite literally. She had the whole room in her hands as she danced and sung her heart out, hitting every note perfectly despite the heavily choreographed dances.

 

Queen B just doesn't stop slaying! After her epic show and receiving the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award from her husband Jay Z and daughter Blue Ivy, she appeared backstage in a silky, maroon, Zuhair Murad dress which had a daring side panel which reveal the singer went commando again! The dress hugged her curves and made her look unbelievable as she stood in front the photographers in the pressroom, smiling with her trophies. Alongside the Video Vanguard Award, she also received awards from the Best Cinematography, Best Video With a Social Message and Best Collaboration categories.

To quote Lady Gaga: boys, boys, boys, we love them!
Here are my favourite looks from the men this year:

Sam Smith

 

Ed Sheeran


Darren Criss

And Youtuber, Tyler Oakley who also live tweeted his interviews with various icons.

 Those were my favourite looks from the 2014 VMAS.

Who were your favourites of the night? Did you enjoy the show?

Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Thankyou for reading.
Laura.