Saturday 18 December 2010

Stocking fillers; Fearne style

With the countdown to Christmas fast approaching, this is the time for stress and panic, as apposed to merriment all round. If, like us, there's still someone on your list that you haven't yet bought a present for, look to Boots and their new range of Fearne cotton make-up gift sets.

The range goes from handbag sized sets that focus on the eyes or lips, to great big hatboxes with extravagant treats inside. The packaging is styled around Fearne's love of tattoos and skulls. It complements the fresh and funky make-up it holds inside.
My personal favourite was the Beauty and the Bag Cosmetic Case.
The make up inside included five eyeshadows, lipgloss and one of the best mascaras I've ever used. It lasts all day and doesn't bleed if your eyes start to water in the cold weather. Perfect for this time of year (or really, any other.)

Providing both quality and edge, Fearne's make up is anything but a celebrity gimmick. So if you're stuck for ideas, toddle down to Boots and try Fearne's sets. The perfect present for your best friend, your cool aunt or even just a treat to yourself.


Fearne Cotton Beauty and the Bag Cosmetic Case - £20.00

Fearne Cotton It's all About the Eyes - £10.00
Fearne Cotton - Fearne's Favourite Hat Box - £26.66

Wednesday 15 December 2010

Tantrum's Kick Ass Christmas.

It sounds like the title of an amazing story filled with jelly shots, loud music, and a little bit of don't try this at home violence... but it's more bringing a little bit of our magical Christmas spirit into your lives. The jelly shots and the violence are optional.

Here's our top 10 songs to help you into the Christmas mood - in no particular order (or maybe we're just fucking with you like they do on TV...)

(1) The Killers - Don't Shoot Me Santa
[Don't Shoot Me Santa - Single]

One of our first brushes with the alternative Christmas genres, this song never fails to make us smile - and that's even before watching the video. Imagine if being on the naughty list meant more than a lump of coal and you'll get the idea. Originally recorded for the charity RED, buying it might just clinch your place on the nice list this year...


(2) James Yuill - Winter Wonderland
[A Christmas Gift To You From Moshi Moshi]

If you're not quite ready to embrace the alternative yet, you might want to start here. A new take on an old classic, it feels a bit like your traditional carol on an acid trip. With acoustic guitar mixing beautifully with synth, you'll never go back to the original.

(3) Summer Camp - Christmas Wrapping
[A Christmas Gift To You From Moshi Moshi]

There's just something about this song that feels like you could listen to it at any time of the year without feeling weird. Yet it's just so perfectly Christmas with the ringing bells and the crystal tones of Elizabeth's vocals that it makes the list easily. Try not to be singing along by the end - we dare you.

(4) The Hurts - All I Want For Christmas Is New Year's Day
[All I Want For Christmas Is New Years Day - Single]

So we all know Christmas isn't always candy canes and love over hot chocolate, and this is articulated perfectly in this song. Totally haunting and still unarguably Christmas-sy, it'll touch your heart - and if you're hurting this season, you'll know you're not alone.

(5) Fall Out Boy - Yule Shoot Your Eye Out
[Believers Never Die]

Now from one kind of hurt to another - this is unashamedly a song for those whose holiday spirit does not extend to those who've wronged us over the year (because here at Tantrum we don't get mad, we get even.) 'Merry Christmas, I could care less.' Couldn't have said it better ourselves boys.

(6) The Ramones - Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)
[Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight - Single]

Absolutely timeless, the Ramones hit the spirit perfectly. With riffs so infectious the cold has competition this season, this song would makes anyone's wishlist. (And if whoever you're spending Christmas with is driving you crazy, check the video - we promise it's worth it just for the 80s storyline.)

(7) Tom Waits - Postcard From A Hooker In Minneapolis
[Blue Valentine]

Oh come on, if you don't take at least a mild interest in the song title you've got to be dead. Now we've always been in two minds about Tom Waits, legendary as he is, but this song is such a firm favourite it's easy to overlook that. From an album of wonders, this is just ridiculously sublime.

(8) Hot Club de Paris - Will You Still Be In Love With Me Next Year?
[A Christmas Gift To You From Moshi Moshi]

This song is what it would sound like if the Arctic Monkeys embraced the Christmas spirit. With clever lyrics and an upbeat sound tinged with the traditional bell chimes, this is set to be a holiday favourite for years to come.

(9) Bright Eyes - O Little Town of Bethlehem
[A Christmas Album]

If you're looking at our list and wondering if we've totally abandoned the religious element of Christmas, never fear - we've just chosen a slightly atypical version of a song everyone will remember from nativity plays of old. Oberst's voice is on top form in this song, and it'll bring back the warm fuzzy feeling that comes with Christmas childhood memories.

And of course, it goes without saying what our final track is... but we don't want you to think we cheated you of a tenth track, so here you are lovely readers.

(10) The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl - Fairytale of New York
[Any true Christmas Compilation - Originally Fairytale of New York - Single]

This song has been a classic for so long that no Christmas list could be complete without it. A gorgeous blend of genres with the famous glad tiding 'Happy Christmas your arse, I pray god it's our last' - some things are legendary for a reason.

Thursday 2 December 2010

i-D Covers 1980-2010

i-D is one of our favourite magazines here at Tantrum, and it's one of our biggest inspirations. It started life as a hand-stapled fanzine 30 years ago but has since turned into one of the most iconic fashion magazines in the world. 
The thing that grabs you about i-D is the fact that it's different frome very single other fashion publication out there. Sure, it's advanced and changed with the times but it's always stayed true to its 'youth culture' roots which is shown through every issue with the use of stark, unconventional photography promoting young, unestablished creative talent.

Everything about the magazine is art in its purest form but that's especially true of i-D's covers. Featuring a cheeky wink on every single one, the cover unashamedly pulls in your attention then hits you straight in the face. Sure, the content is why we buy i-D but it's the cover that makes us pick it up in the first place, right? It's about time someone compiled a book consisting entirely of i-D covers, don't you think? Oh...wait...
Say hello to 'i-D covers: 1980-2010'. This beautifully chunky book contains every and every cover of i-D magazine during it's 30 year reign. From Madonna in 1984 to Georgia Jagger in 2009, everyone who is anyone in the fashion world has graced the front of i-D and this anthology documents it all, as well as featuring interviews with cover stars, contributors and of course, Creative Director and founder of i-D, Terry Jones.



Basically, this book is a massive slice of uber-cool fashion history and is something you all really need on your bookshelf, whether your an aspiring magazine editor, stylist, photographer or just generally interested in the art/design/fashion world.
 
We're just psyched to see what i-D has to offer us in the next 30 years. If the past issues are anything to go by, we're in for one hell of a ride.



i-D Covers 1980-2010 is published by TASCHEN, priced at £27.99 and is available now at www.taschen.com