Doctor Foster (BBC ONE) [Review]

BBC ONE

BBC One is known for producing intriguing British dramas; you need look no further than gritty crime series, Luther, or complex literary detective drama, Sherlock. So it comes as no surprise that we are now introduced to new affair-ridden drama, Doctor Foster, which makes reference to the English nursery rhyme of the same name.

But just how dramatic can a series whose name conjures up images of puddles and old men, due to its notable attachment to a children’s rhyme, be? Apparently, pretty darn dramatic. The doctor (no, not that one) is Gemma Foster, portrayed by Suranne Jones, a partner and resident doctor of a local surgery. The series centres rather cleverly around the dissolution of her marriage, as it quickly emerges that her husband, Simon (Bertie Carvel), has been outrageously unfaithful, choosing to have an affair with a young woman named Kate Parks (Jodie Comer). This puts a strain on the family dynamic, as Jones struggles to cope with her child, Tom Foster (Tom Taylor) and her colleagues, particularly Ros (Thusitha Jayasundera). Of course, nothing is ever severed simply and Doctor Foster quickly realises that she may lose more than she bargained for in this war of woes.

Again, a little excerpt from the full review, which you can read here: 

http://www.concrete-online.co.uk/doctor-foster-review/

The BBC are really stepping it up with their dramas, so it will be interesting to see what they come up with next. 

Melissa. 

Autumn Jackets: The ins and outs of Autumnal Outerwear

photo source: Tumblr; autumnd4y

With the blistering autumn winds creeping in and the cold crisp mornings becoming an ever more prominent feature, now is the perfect time to stock up on some new jackets. If you’re stuck for inspiration for your new autumn wardrobe, or if you’re struggling to part with that old hoodie you've had since high school, then never fear, we have some solutions for you.

Capes

Pinterest; forest-reverie.tumblr

Easy to slip on, comfortable, cosy, and available in a variety of colours and styles (tartan can look particularly season appropriate), the cape could be your answer to your jacket conundrum. Capes look best paired with slim-line jeans or with bare legs (if you’re brave enough!) and boots for that autumnal look. Beware though. Your arms may get chilly (perhaps wear with a long sleeve), it can be difficult to balance an over the shoulder bag and if you get a size too big you can look like you have stepped out in a duvet.

Blazer

fashionabletalk.com

If it’s just a little bit chilly, a blazer could be your way to go. The great thing about blazers is that they can be structured, fitted and even casual, like the boyfriend fit. Blazers can instantly make an outfit look smarter, so are a great choice if you want to create a more stylish edge to your outfit, whilst remaining comfortable and elegant. Pair with a turtle-neck jumper or top, a sheer shirt or blouse and you’re good to go. The only downside is depending on the fabric it can be quite impractical to wear. Unless you layer with another jacket on top, or multiple layers underneath, you may struggle to keep warm.

This is just an excerpt from a complete article I wrote for Concrete, you can read the full piece (including my favourite Autumn jacket) here: 

http://www.concrete-online.co.uk/autumn-jackets-the-ins-and-outs-of-autumnal-outerwear/

I've been so bad at posting recently, but I'm hoping things will pick up. I've just been writing so much stuff for other sites that it's sort of taken over my life! Hope you enjoy this article. :) 

Melissa. 

Lana Del Rey - Honeymoon [Album Review]

When the self-described “gangsta Nancy Sinatra”, Lana Del Rey, announced her fourth studio album (and third major-label record) there was a mix of trepidation and excitement from fans and critics alike. Her moody and melodic Ultraviolence left some audiences crying out for a venture similar to Born to Die or the Paradise edition. And thus, Honeymoon was born, a completely new creation devised by Del Rey and in collaboration with long-time producers Rick Nowels and Kieron Menzies.
It would be unjust to say that Honeymoon is entirely indicative of the Born to Die or Paradise eras, but it certainly has the same breezy overtones and similar musical composition. This makes for compelling listening, but the album possesses a distinctive sense of timelessness that previous records did not. Every beat is orchestrated masterfully, every note hit in a most haunting manner. Honeymoon is clearly an album that has been constructed with the upmost care, precision and passion.

The above is a little snippet from an article I wrote about Lana Del Rey's Honeymoon album, and if you'd like to read the full review then you can check it out here (I really appreciate it): 

http://www.concrete-online.co.uk/album-review-lana-del-rey-honeymoon/

The review was super fun to write, and it's always exciting to see what artists have to offer in the form of new music. Let me know if there's any albums you think I should check out as I'm always on the look out for new stuff. Also, sorry for the lack of posts recently, I've been super busy with Uni stuff lately (I know, I know). 

Pretty Little Fashion

Since its conception in 2010, ABC Family’s Pretty Little Liars has delighted us with murder, mystery – and cutting edge fashion. The Liars, comprising of Emily (Shay Mitchell), Spencer (Troian Bellisario), Aria (Lucy Hale) and Hanna (Ashley Benson), always stay ahead of the trends, and despite the serious situations they get themselves into, they always look fabulous. The show has been known for its forward-thinking fashion sense, and the girls have become style icons, with many young people looking to them to highlight the latest trends and ways to wear certain outfits.

Each Liar has a distinctive style and this is what makes the show so striking and unique. Emily usually likes to kick it more casual in tank tops, denim hoodies and baseball tees whilst Spencer is known for her preppy edge, opting for riding boots, striped polo jumpers and smart shirts. Aria is the alternative of the group, which means her fashion can often be a bit outlandish and hit and miss, but when she does it right she shines. Most of the time she’s wearing wacky leopard prints, lace, leather and lots of jewellery. Hanna, originally known for her glamorous ensembles and elaborate jewellery, went through a bit of a grunge phase which means she can know be seen in a mix of tattered tees, ripped jeans and jumpers, but with an expensive twist. But it’s not just the Liars who take centre stage fashionwise, the girls’ former queen bee, Alison DiLaurentis (Sasha Pieterse) is always on hand to steal the spotlight with her striking outfits (possessing a penchant for yellow) with elaborate sequin detailing. Similarly, Mona (formerly ‘A’, played by Janel Parrish) opts for more dark attire and can be seen usually in leather jackets and dresses, and opts for a red/ white/ black palette.

Once again, this is a sneaky little extract from an article I wrote for Concrete, and if you've enjoyed what you've read so far and would like to read a bit more about Spencer, Emily, Hanna, Aria, Alison & Mona's outfits (including the fabulous Season 6 summer finale dresses) then you can, at this link: http://www.concrete-online.co.uk/pretty-little-fashion/

Halsey - BADLANDS [Album Review]

With her striking teal hair and enigmatic aura, Halsey is distinctly different from your average singer, and her music reflects this originality. Unique, and with a lust for the alternative, her debut studio album, entitled Badlands, was bound to be an interesting adventure. Coming from an alternative route into music, her rise to prominence was largely due to the release of ‘Ghost’, a song she posted to SoundCloud that gained enough attention, that the record labels started knocking. And now, a debut EP (Room 93) and a couple of supporting tours later and we have arrived at the release of Badlands.

Sufficed to say that Badlands is a concept album, referring to the singer’s state of mind through metaphor as a “desolate and lonely place”, setting up expectations for what we can expect from the album’s content. It should come as no surprise that the singer has described her creation as an “angry female record”, which presents itself in the first atmospheric opening track, ‘Castle’, as she darkly states that she is “sick of all these people talking, sick of all this noise”. With vocals not dissimilar to that of Lana Del Rey, Lorde, BANKS or Marina Diamandis, Halsey’s (real name Ashley Frangipane) sound can come across quite imaginative and alluring. But perhaps what Halsey does best is inject a bit of her addictive persona into the tracks she creates; ‘Castle’ starts off with an intriguing plethora of alt beats only to overwhelm you with a chorus of choir music one minute in.

This is just a little extract from my review of Halsey's BADLANDS, hope you've enjoyed reading it. If you'd like to read the rest of the review, including the final verdict, then you can check it out, over at Concrete: http://www.concrete-online.co.uk/album-review-badlands/ 

Also, let me know what you think of BADLANDS in the comments, I always enjoy reading them. Thanks everyone for the support and for reading my blog (despite my extended absence over the past month!).