An unexpected present this Christmas came in the form of this Uniform Wares watch courtesy of the women in my life.
Having only one watch to my name which in all honesty is a little too smart to wear on a day to day basis, this was a very welcome addition to my accessory shelf (Yes, I have an accessory shelf, honest)
I've always been an admirer of the simplistic design ethic behind Uniform Wares, they just look modern and clean cut. No fanciness, no larking about, just a simple, quality wrist watch that you can wear day in day out.
Now I'm pretty much obsessive when it comes to music so I was thrilled to to be given a stack of Boogie and Disco 12's by my old fella for Christmas. Being a fanatic Northern Soul head and serious record collector himself he knows his stuff and sorted me out some really ace sounds that are straight in the box for New Year.
For what it's worth, here's two of my favourite's... Enjoy.
First up this straight up 80s funk banger from Melba Moore, ace original video attached as well, kind of reminds me of myself cutting rug. Honest.
I've had my eyes on these New Balance 420 runners for a little while now. Royal Blue is a colour that suits me and I just kind of like how light and streamlined they are. Perfect for going jogging, if you're into that sort of thing. I'm not, so these will be getting sported on those days I just want a bit of comfort rather than something too heavy.
Another ace present, this time off my elder brother who has always sorted me out with boss presents at Christmas, top boy that he is.
I've had Christmas early this year as I'm actually working on Christmas day and Boxing day (Last ever time thankfully) so I've been doing the rounds the past few days seeing family and friends with my lovely girlfriend in tow. To be fair I've been the recipient of some proper boss presents so I thought it only right I document my horde of wonders for all to see.
A decade or so ago, if I had opened my presents and found socks and hats I'd have probably thrown a wobbler and gone and drowned my sulkiness in a barrage of Chocolates just before Christmas dinner. These days, the sight of a shit load of flamboyant, loud socks and a flat cap puts a pretty chipper smile on my face.
The cap is by William Fox and Sons and is rather beautiful. Thanks mam !
I do love the cold weather, lovely for layering and great clothing...... rubbish for dogging mind.
Well past time for any outdoor sexual activity though so probably best just to keep it clothing.
It's that time of year again, look at this couple beaming with xmas pride, nobody loves Christmas more than this guy, and bells ? she couldn't get any more bells on her jumper if she tried.... the lucky thing.
Just spent the day with Saul and his beautiful girlfriend Fabian exchanging a few early gifts which was great but nowhere near as important as spending a bit of time together and bringing home the point that it's not about gifts or coca cola trucks or any commercial nonsense it's about spending time with those you love, so although the couple above with their shocking dress sense are pretty scary and seem to be holding a dead baby donkey on her lap they've got each other which is what matters.
I don't have a great memory of Christmas, growing up in a family that due to religious belief didn't celebrate it and so I found it hard to see the good in xmas. I'm not bitter but I was constantly left wondering where my present's were. Was it because my house had no chimney for Santa to get down and obviously wouldn't have my front door key ? Were my family actually not religious and were just tight ? I think deep down a bit of both.
After a pretty heavy Christmas eve when I was younger and waking up on xmas day in a band stand in Shropshire with snow falling around me I soon realised that it wasn't about gifts but also that it wasn't about being a waster either, so what does Christmas hold ? is it about paying £7 for your kids to visit a Santa Claus that wreak's of beer and shakily passes them a 50p chocolate selection box ? errrr maybe. Or the £5 photo proof so that when they are 17 you can show them that you took them to sit on an alcoholic's knee who was wearing a wig & beard to hide their identity ? Yes of course, that's exactly what Christmas is about....
No it's not I'm only messin' it's all about the birth of Jesus..... apart from the fact that the 25th wasn't his date of birth which is confusing really. So after all this my own conclusion is in fact that Christmas is about a massive turkey, the bigger the better and a turkey so big it look's exactly like your grandmother with no head, the biggest Roast beast within your postcode, something so big you name it, you name it something beastly like George.... or Alan, Alan the fucking monster Turkey with all kind's of different stuffing shoved up his arse.
It's good to remember what it's all about.
Merry Christmas from Sinister.....
When people ask that question "what do you ever regret selling?" I always answer with the mustard 6876 capendula, I've never really liked any of the capendula's that succeeded it mostly down to material but it's been that long now I doubt I would find one in good enough condition worth buying.
As most who know me (and probably those of you who read this blog enough) know how much I do love a yellow jacket.
I've always liked the look of sixeightsevensix's Sonora but just never got round to getting one as other thing's always crop up and I wouldn't say that the style of it completely goes with my wardrobe these day's but I have to say I'm glad I bought it in now, nothing new but a nice solid jacket for certain day's and 1 of only 60 worldwide in yellow which can't be bad.
Below that another little pick up ready for the new year's nicer day's in the Engineered Garments shawl collar overshirt / light jacket, one to file away for a few months until it's nice enough to go flashing in Porthcawl on the beach, just me, the Engineered and some Ray-Bans...... no boxers or pants just a massive gurny smile and a large stride.
I'm in a pretty good mood this evening... I've got a nice cold Grolsch sitting in front of me, the Christmas tree lights are on and I've been flicking through my records and playing a few I haven't heard for a while.
Well undertaking this gorgeous practice I came across this ace slice of uptown funk that I picked up in Brighton a few months ago. I love how it makes me want to get up and float around my house without a care in the world. The vocal harmonising at one point is more than uplifting, not to mention that continuous jingle.
Definitely in the bag for New Years Eve, Touch - Love Something Special.
I had it all in my head what I was going to write here and I typed it all out but it was just too personal.
I'm going to keep it short this year, I want to keep the memory of him alive and well, enough to be thankful for what I had but also to keep it under control with what I have lost.
RIP Lewis Dangerfield, so much love, your by my side every day. x
I've not had a great week over thinking and pondering and I tried to put a mix together of his favourite song's but I just couldn't do it, or finish it anyway.
So I have put 3 records together that mean the world. We would sit there and I would play my records to him and he loved the Beatles. Yellow Submarine being his favourite but as time has passed the song that mean's more to me is Let It Be, he loved listening to it which makes it memorable for me but hard to listen to, I only usually play it to myself.
Another record he loved was Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow and to this day it cut's me up, but I love it, so they are the first 2 records and last is Sharon Forrester's version of Here Comes The Sun which I hold very dear as through those dark period's it was one of the record's that I would play and it would instantly lift me, the power of music should never be underestimated, for me it helped heal it's as simple as that, all that raw emotion was helped through with music.
When he passed away was when I started DJ'ing again and it was focus for me and something I could put my energy into, music is something I'm forever thankful for and every time I play I always have a moment and think of him and I hope that I'm doing him proud.
A record I wanted to put in this mix again but I couldn't is LCD Soundsystem 45:33, a record so special to me for so many different reason's. When I was going through it I would put this on and from the first crackle of the needle it was just pure and instant bliss and relief, if I could describe the record to you and if you can imagine looking out onto the horizon with a sun set lowering but giving you enough heat and enough hope to help you think of the future then this is it, it got me through the bad time's and then I shared very special time's with it, most notably playing it over 36 time's in a row at Saul's house and just appreciating it for exactly what it is and giving the record new meaning for it for me to keep. I still play it out now and I will continue to do so for as long as I DJ.
A diamond of a record to start with in an edit of Change's "Glow of Love" by one of London's disco queen's Sophie Lloyd. - http://soundcloud.com/sophie-lloyd
Feel free to check her soundcloud out some great music and a lovely person to boot.
Available to preview below is her high fives edit, soon to be heard in a new Captain Turtle mix....
Mr Cabourn's cold weather parka is something I've been after for a long time, sometime's the wait is worth it.
This winter's orange ventile taffy parka with dark orange Harris tweed lining and 100% ventile outer.
It's nick named the "taffy" after Nigel Cabourn (pictured below) saw the original concept being sported by Taffy William's in a photo from 1957 as he delivered food supplies in the trans Atlantic expedition.
I love clothing with a bit of soul, a bit of history or a story behind it.
