What is the greatest album cover ever created?*

10th January 2017

One thing that I gained from my relationship before it ended was a new found love and respect for music. I had, up until my early twenties been an avid music listener but for various reasons it fell out of favour with me during some peaks and troughs with my mental health. Thankfully I’m over that now and music is once again a massive part of my life and thanks to spending over three years with a musician I have a new found level of respect for every aspect of the industry.

While the music on an album is of upmost importance the sleeve that holds the record gives the artist a space for artistic expression. This has always been the case- from the first microgroove long-playing phonograph that was released in 1948, through the vinyl era and on to the many CDs that you see in music stores today.

However, which is the greatest album cover that has ever been created? Managed print specialist United Carlton has attempted to find out by drawing up a shortlist of six standout examples.

(image)

Take a look at each pick and then visit the firm’s Twitter page to give your thoughts on the best of the bunch- or offer your favourite that didn’t make the list!

The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
(see the cover)
What better way to kick off our list than with the cover of a Grammy-winning album that was created by art champion and director Robert Fraser? The sleeve was a combination of work by designers Jann Haworth and Peter Blake and saw more than 70 artists, writers, thinkers and figures who inspired The Beatles featured. As a subtle nod to the end of the Hard Day’s Night-fueled Beatlemania era, the cover also saw the iconic British band as they were in 1967 standing alongside their younger selves.

The Beatles – Abbey Road
(see the cover)
The Beatles are the only band to make our list twice- though it shouldn’t be much of a surprise when you consider that the two album covers featured are those for Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and Abbey Road. For the latter the famous foursome chose to part ways with simulations and instead feature themselves walking across a zebra crossing in a typical British street. It is a scene that has been replicated countless times ever since.

Pink Floyd – Dark Side Of The Moon
(see the cover)
Legendary designers Hipgnosis were the brains behind the cover for Pink Floyd’s album Dark Side Of The Moon with a single beam of light shining through a prism and forming a rainbow on the other side creating a simple yet bold look. This image was used to convey the band’s stage lighting as well as the lyrics from some of the album’s songs. It also speaks volume that despite the sleeve having no words most people instantly knows its name and the band behind it.

Nirvana – Nevermind
(see the cover)
The cover for Nirvana’s album Nevermind was apparently conceptualised after Kurt Cobain watched a programme about water births. After hiring photographer Kirk Weddle to bring the sleeve into reality the result was an innocent baby swimming underwater towards a dollar bill that was hanging from a fishhook. The rest was history.

Meat Loaf – Bat Out Of Hell
(see the cover)
The songs featured on Meat Loaf’s Bat Out Of Hell were crazy in a good way so it was fitting that the sleeve of the record was just as brilliantly wild. Conceptualised by Jim Steinman but actually created by comic book artist Richard Corben the cover saw a motorcycle powering out of a graveyard while a giant bat loomed menacingly over the tombstones in the background.

Queen – Queen II
(see the cover)
Music fans are likely to recognise the sleeve of Queen’s album Queen II as it also features in the music video for the band’s hit single Bohemian Rhapsody. The cover is a simple one with the four members of Queen standing in a diamond formation upon a black background. Rock, who also with the likes of David Bowie, Lou Reed and Iggy Pop has since being quoted as saying: “It made them look like much bigger a deal then they were at the time, but it was a true reflection of their music.

How far do you agree or disagree with this list? For me I am quite surprised that David Bowie hasn’t featured, I mean who doesn’t instantly recognise the cover of his Aladdin Sane album? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

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Rose(gold) Tinted

09th January 2017

Over the last couple of months three new pairs of ankle boots have somehow made it in to my posession. I say somehow, I do actually know how- of course I do but I am pretending to plead ignorance because I really had no need of even one pair, let alone three!

The rose gold pair in this post were a Christmas present and I just couldn’t resist them when I first saw them in River Island. Much like with my pewter pair I was attracted to how shiny they were. That and being a typical blogger and loving all things rose gold of course! I gave them their first outing paired with a floral dress I picked up in the M&S sale. It was so nice to mainly have money for Christmas and then to be able to indulge in some guilt free sales shopping for once, especially as my income is severely lacking whilst I am still signed off from work.

Dress: Marks and Spencer (similar) | Boots: River Island (available on ASOS)

I’ve been trying to make a bit more of an effort with how I dress lately. I spent a large part of last year living in the same pinafore dresses and black ankle boots and generally not feeling like myself. Thanks to some saving up and some sales shopping I’ve managed to make some modest additions to my wardrobe that are much more “me” and as shallow as it might sound I am feeling better for it.

This is probably the first January in a long time where I haven’t felt resigned to “January blues”. Things might not currently be how I want them- I’m not yet back at work, I’m fighting a huge mental battle with myself each and every day and it’s sometimes overwhelming just how many changes I need to make in my life. But I have hope, for the first time in a long time I have hope that things are going to change for the positive. I have goals and direction, tangible goals at that- not huge big dreams that would be near impossible to achieve.

The first step will be a second occupational health appointment this week after the first one turned out to be well, a disaster for various reasons. I’m hoping this will set the wheels in motion for getting back to work and from that the rest is bound to follow, slowly but surely. I know what I need to do and it’s just a case of working out how best to get it done now.

It’s not all sweetness and light. A year ago today I was in the midst of moving to my flat and starting what I thought would be my new forever and of course that does get me down at times but I’ve found now that I can brush it off, remind myself of the bigger picture and muddle through the days with a smile on my face for the most part.

How are you finding January so far? And on a sartorial note how would you style up the rose gold boots?

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Degustabox: December review and discount code

07th January 2017

Some time amidst all of the madness of Christmas I took delivery of the December Degustabox* which was rammed full of new treats to try out. I’m a little late with posting my review, the last few weeks have been quite busy and my procrastination game has been strong, but here I am with my thoughts on the last box of 2016 as well as a hefty discount for anyone wishing to give this foodie subscription a whirl.

For those who don’t know Degustabox is a monthly subscription box filled with 10-15 food/drink products, most of which are brand new to the market so it’s a great way to try things out. On a month by month basis the box costs £12.99 (with a discount for longer subscriptions) but the contents are generally worth far more than this.

Introductions over and it’s on to the contents…

First up are these Bahlsen Akora biscuits, a traditional German heart-shaped lebkuchen. Spiced jam filling, soft gingerbread and signature chocolate are combined to make one of my favourite festive treats. I’ve loved lebkuchen for as long as I can remember and this is up there with some of the best I’ve had. Sadly only available at Christmas but at £1.99 a bag it’s well worth stocking up on when you can.

It took me a while to get my head around this snack from Bite+. Essentially a savoury cereal each pack contains two servings with an RRP of £1.69. It comes in an assortment of flavours and are high fibre, low fat and packed with taste. Once I got my head around the fact that these were a snack and not some strange alternative to cornflakes I broke in to my pack and really enjoyed them.

This apple and cinnamon fudge from Oh Fudge was delicious- creamy and rich with an apple and cinnamon flavour that was perfect for this time of year. I don’t have the exact price information to hand but a quick google suggests this goes for around £3.50 a box which for the size of it isn’t bad at all. The packaging is gorgeous too so would make for a lovely gift.

Quick meals are my thing and what’s more comforting than a steaming bowl of risotto? This rich four cheese risotto from Gallo and risotto box with cheese and vegetables both cook wonderfully in the microwave and make for the ultimate comfort food dinner in minutes. The pouch costs £2.29 and the box £2.00 (perfect for a work day lunch).

I think Hoots is such a cool name for a snack! These are baked multigrain snacks designed to be an alternative to crisps. I especially enjoyed the salt & pepper flavour (I wish more things came in that flavour to be honest) and at £0.69 per pack they are pretty good value. Also suitable for both vegetarians and vegans.

Maggi 3 minute noodles (£0.75) make for another quick and easy meal. The chicken flavour is pretty decent and being ready in only three minutes they appeal to my impatient nature. They are also available in beef and curry flavours and would make a good desk drawer emergency lunch.

Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day and whilst I am a creature of habit with what I choose (porridge and toast usually) I can be tempted in to trying something different from time to time. Nutri-Brex gluten free coconut and crispy rice are similar to weetabix in principle and really tasty especially with hot milk. At £3.79 I wouldn’t pay full price for them but would pick up a box or two if I saw them on offer.

I’m not much of a soft drinks person myself but do like to keep a few bottles of something in for when guests pop round. The alcohol free wine by Eisberg (£1.39) is ideal for drivers or those watching their weight. Made in the same way as normal wine but with the alcohol gently removed this has only 28kcal per 125ml serving. Also included was Newton’s Appl Fizzics (£1.29). This is a blend of apple juice and sparkling water which is all natural with no added sugar or artificial sweeteners. Crisp and refreshing even I enjoyed this!

Finally on the drinks front we have some What A Melon watermelon juice (£2.00) which I admit I am yet to try. This claims to be hydrating like coconut water but with extra anti-oxidants and amino acids. It sounds lovely I’ll admit so I’ll be sure to give it a go soon! the a2 milk (£1.39) is a long life cow’s milk which is free from the a1 protein that can trigger symptoms associated with lactose intolerance (although it isn’t suitable for anyone with a cow’s milk protein allergy). There’s not much I can say about this, it tastes like milk but has added benefits. Useful to have in as a stand-by!

If I’ve tempted you to treat yourself to a Degustabox subscription then you can claim a brilliant £7.00 discount off of your first box with the code 6HZJ8 making it only £5.99. I’d love to know if you do sign up and what your thoughts are! I look forward to getting my box every month as it’s a great way to try out new things that I’d otherwise overlook or never otherwise find.

Degustabox provided for review purposes, all opinions and reviews are my own.

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Shut Up Now!

05th January 2017

I might come across as quite a mild-mannered, perhaps even polite person online but get to know me in person and you will soon discover that I have an intolerant side too- a highly sarcastic one at that. On paper that looks pretty bad but I promise it isn’t! Everything is said with a touch of humour and it’s saved only for those who properly know and understand how I work. What I’m trying to say here is that it was little wonder that I was attracted to this “shut up now” slogan jumper in the Monki sale (and it’s a pretty epic sale- I got the jumper, a dress and a cardigan for the grand sum of £32 out of my Christmas money!) as my nearest and dearest will hear this phrase fall from my mouth pretty often…meant in the nicest possible way of course!

Jumper: Monki | Denim Dress: Primark (similar) | Boots: New Look (now only £13!) | Backpack: River Island (alternative)

You could (and I choose to) take the slogan as a bit of a positive affirmation too. A reminder to myself that I am no longer willing to listen to the gremlin that resides inside my head telling me I am not worthy of a happy and healthy life and that I am determined to silence it once and for all. January is the month where a huge number of people are embarking on weight loss plans and renewed promises to hit the gym and give up sugar/fat/alcohol. I’m not going to lie, it’s pretty hard to be around when you have an eating disorder and are essentially trying to do the exact opposite. I do sometimes feel like shouting “shut up now” at the masses. But we are all on different journeys in life so I am trying my best just to block it all out.

Which shops have impressed you most with their sales this season? Obviously for me it’s Monki for the most part but I also snapped up some brilliant bits in Zara, M&S and Office too.

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