Literature Love Guest Post // Birdsong

Our literature love today, comes from the fabulous Miss Carla Renton, famous for her regular attendance at Twee Tower wine nights, styling incredible victory rolls at our vintage twee parties and delightful chats about her favourite leading men!



Birdsong is 503 pages long. A decent length’s read, but hardly War and Peace. And yet, it’s taken me nine months to finish. A horrendous average for anyone even semi-literate but, in my defence, it’s been a busy year! My snail pace is no reflection on the book, which is superb, and anyway, I like to think of Birdsong as my book-baby!

Birdsong spans eras and generations, beginning with Stephen Wraysford’s placement in a textile factory in turn-of-the-century France, lodging with his wealthy boss’ family. We rejoin Stephen some years later in the same land, a lieutenant in the British Army, fighting the battles of WWI. The story’s told from the point of view of Stephen and the other men in the trenches, but also retrospectively through Elizabeth, a single, successful career-woman in 1978, obsessed with understanding the sacrifices made by her grandfather’s generation at Flanders Fields.

For a novel about war, love is an ever-present and transcending theme. The central relationship seems to be that of fairytale, Hollywood love, an all-encompassing, requited and urgent passion. And yet, the book never allows itself to indulge in happily-ever-after territory. Its function is to acknowledge that real-life love, relationships, are rarely romantic, often difficult, painful, and hampered by the trappings of society and circumstance, expectations and personal failing. Not even movie-love is guaranteed an epic ending. It can fizzle to a quiet, bittersweet conclusion.

Mostly, though, Birdsong concerns itself with other, less-conventional takes on the theme of love. Love that develops slowly, through fondness and kindness rather than lust. Parental bonds between those with no blood-relation. The unexpected feeling that grows between men, forced through circumstance and fear to pile all their trust into one another.

For all its romantic notions, however, this is not a book that shies away from the atrocities of battle. Limbs are blown from bodies, brains obliterated, and a death due to gas attack is described in excruciating detail. Similarly, the horrific trivialities of daily trench life; shirts infested with lice in the seams, the ever-present possibility of being maimed or buried alive by tunnel collapse, having to work, sleep and live around the bodies of dead comrades.

The intense detail with which these experiences are described, coupled with the reader’s knowledge that these are not wholly imagined events, makes for a moving read. But what truly moves is that the characters are so relatable in their turmoil. They are scared to take action, and scared to not. Their tendency to worry, prevaricate, and harbour the basic hope that, in the end, everything will have been worth it, applies whether negotiating affairs of the heart, or those on Flanders Fields.

One of Lola's favourite books... you all must read! 

Much love,

L&R xx

Guest Post // Wake Up, Lovely: A Good Craft Day

Hey there, lovelies! I'm Kate from Wake Up, Lovely; a blog about inspiration, pretty things and positive living! I'm sure a lot of you, like myself & the girls of She Dressed in Black, have an ever so crafty pair of hands, so today I thought I'd share my tips on how to have a good craft day!

Knowing what your plans for the day out before it starts is great for three reasons. One; you don't waste half an hour racking your brain for all of the to-do's you've been mentally making a note of the past few days, because you got it all thoroughly thought out and written down last night while you were curled up watching television. Two; it's easier to prioritise things once they're written down. You know roughly how long different tasks will take, therefore you know how much time you can afford to waste browsing twitter. Three; It is extremely satisfying to tick each task off as you complete it. It's perfectly okay to write down things such as 'post letter' and 'paint nails' just because it's nice to see that at least one task has a big line through it.






Back to what I said before, it helps to know how long different tasks will take and how many you need to get through. You'll know what suits you best in terms of getting certain things done at certain points of the day. If you're at your most productive in the afternoon, get the least tedious tasks out of the way in the morning. I like to tick off all of the tiny, insignificant bits and pieces, like tweezing my eyebrows and tidying my workspace, first thing in the morning so I can spend the rest of the day concentrating on more important to-do's. I also tend to go between the more mundane tasks and the just-for-fun tasks so that I don't have to tackle all the nagging tasks in one go.


If I've learnt one thing over my crafty years (though I'd like to think of something that contained a tad more wisdom) it's that if something needs various coats of paint, start on them early, then you come back to them in a few hours & they'll be ready to finish! I believe if you can get it all done today, get it all done today.






Distractions being other members of the house infuriating you with their loud music, having to pop out for an hour in the middle of the day, anything that takes your attention away from being totally and completely creative. Not always easy, but it's do-able. I'm at my crafty best when I'm surrounded by peace and quiet, politely declining social invitations and in only my own company.


Something I frequently struggle with myself is staying away from the internet. Twitter, blogs and email inboxes are so cruelly distracting and beg for my attention throughout the day. Try setting yourself time periods where you are banned from your computer; use a quick browse through your favourite sites as a reward for getting a craft done!

It might be loud and upbeat, simple but delightful or extremely heavy metal music. It's your bliss. I'm an instrumental music fan, and have zero shame (though I very much should) in admitting that a vast majority of my day is spent accompanied by any one of the Harry Potter soundtracks. I find them incredibly motivating, peaceful to paint to and undistracting to write/blog to. Too many lyrics clog up my attention. However, if a louder bass or your favourite artist gone acoustic is more your thing, embrace it and enjoy it.


You'll also find it's helpful to avoid music all together sometimes. Peace and quiet is a wonderful thing. Take your crafts outside and listen to the birds chirp. Your mind and your imagination will thank you for it.

Make the time to just do something silly with your creativity. Give something new a go without worrying about all of the other projects you should be concentrating on. I think we're all a little guilty of letting potential hobbies and interests build up without ever just giving them a go. Allow yourself an entire afternoon to just do something new. Take up crochet. Make some candles. Paint a picture even though you have absolutely nowhere to hang it up. Life can wait.

Thanks so much for the wonderful tips Kate, we loved having you over at She Dressed in Black! Much love, L&R xx

Guest Post // James' Vintage Tips - Part 1: Charity Shops

Vintage clothing and paraphernalia has been a love of many people over the years, though in recent years the adoration for it is not only cross generation but cross gender too!
This overwhelming demand for old goods has made now made it widely available within chain-stores, hence raising the price of what is merely second hand goods.

Generally there is more vintage clothing available to women, whereby hoards of attire usually inundates the modest male selection in shops. Let this not deter the males searching for exquisite clobber, there are a few good tips i'm going to share...

Charity Shops:
An obvious one, but if you don the metaphorical monocle while meandering around you may find something of high caliber. Patience is of importance, you cant expect to find something good every time but if you persist you often do. Also, try to ignore any clothing labeling ie: Men/Women, although you may feel a little odd looking through the female racks, you always have an excuse... 'Im looking for a top for my mum, honest!' or something along those lines.

I have realized recently that clothing in a many cases is unisex, high street fashion stores that retail vintage have a labeling system, though I've seen many jackets in males sections what were obviously women's.

So, ignore the system, just go with your instinct, watch out for stitching round the breast area, thats usually a good sign. Even if you buy fashion faux pas, at least it only cost you a couple of pound, or less!

Hints and tips to getting your vintage collection of odds and sods:
1. Strike up a friendship with a worker whom you see regularly (don't get pally with the guy/girl who is on work experience who isn't a permanent member of staff)
2. Once you are on first name terms try to drop a hint of what kind of clothing/item you are generally after.
3. Give them a form of contact, email, phone or telegram (depending on how old fashioned you are)
4. Voila, If something comes in, you will be notified! Hopefully even before they put it/them out on the shop floor!

I've got a good couple of friends who work in one of the charity shops on town, and they are always on the lookout for me, kindly enough. Here are some of my finds from local charity shops...



A burgundy blazer & candy striped short sleeved button down shirt in an unusual colour combination of yellow, orange and baby blue, destined for the beach! Both purchased for under £6.00!


Nautical, fish eye mirror with a brass frame - a wonderful, vintage find at only £4.00!


Vintage peacock coloured 60s coat, dashing with curved lapels and gold buttons (which I might get round to changing for dark blue, velvet buttons!) Bought for £7.00.


A beautiful, almost indian paisley with intricate detailing and unusual colour combinations - well worth taking the time to search out!
Thanks to the girls at She Dressed in Black for letting me share part 1 of my vintage tips, keep a look out for part deux where i'll be sharing another useful insight into expanding your vintage collection on a shoe string.
Cheers, James Fables of History

Guest Post // Chris' Eighties Challenge

Hello, my name is Chris. I've been mentioned on this blog a few times, visiting Twee Towers, enjoying the cocktails and carefully designed buffets.

My main job is as Graphic Designer in the same place with LP. We have fun, doing doodles, making calendars more fun by sticking print outs of celebs on animals, usual stuff. There is some work too. But that is far too boring to discuss. Occasionally Lauren presents me with a challenge, I don't like turning down challenges. Usually starts with "bet you couldn't..." then I end up on some kind of quest. I'd be awesome on the Crystal Maze. I understand a lot of people who read this will be unfamiliar with the popular game show/team building exercise of the early 90s. So, here you go.


This particular challenge was to listen to every single UK number one record since 1980 to the present day. Sounds like fun, really isn't. I hate you Madonna, I hate you. She pops up every couple of years completely different to how she was before. Like a flipping (not allowed to swear) Timelord. Nevertheless I took on this quest, here I shall list the highlights, of which there are few. One thing I will say to give you an insight into how depressing this challenge was. Around 2:15pm on a rainy Wednesday, this comes on. Almost gave up because of this guy.


UK Number one. I don't care if it's Christmas, if that was a real man he has a horrendous disability and needs to be treated with some kind of respect. Like trousers, trousers are the start of respect. He's so drugged up he can only do one expression, you could say that's jolly. Personally, look behind those eyes and that's the look of a crying man. "Blobby blobby blobby" roughly translates to "please, I can't take this anymore, just give me some pants." That bit when he tried to do all the maths with Carol Voderman then just blobbied out. Makes me sick.

The UK has produced some amazing music over the course of forever and those little chunks of good stuff are what kept me in the game. 1980 was when Ashes to Ashes got to number one. I love Bowie, who doesn't love Bowie, or doing a Bowie impression, you just have to sound as if you're always on the edge of a cliff, bit of a wobble but I'm ok! I could show you Ashes to Ashes, but I won't. Here's Flight of The Conchords.


The early 80s was actually alright, Blondie was there, The Specials released Ghost Town, I enjoyed that. In '82 The Jam were at number one with Beat Surrender. All is good in popsville. I can put up with Kajagoogoo. I'm a reasonable man. By 83' Billy Joel was at number one with Uptown Girl. That's a proper wedding song. I love a good wedding, so when a song like that comes on, I'll be on the dancefloor, in my head it's like the video, but in reality the Bridesmaids really aren't interested in my shoulder shuffle.

"That pint isn't a wrench....you're not Billy Joel and this isn't a Kwik Fit" :(

85' we all got a bit power ballad, Foreigner, Jennifer Rush. I wasn't born in 1985 but I'm pretty sure everybody looked out of rainy windows, thinking about lost loves. Bring on 86', Europe, The Final Countdown…

"We're heading for Venus and still we stand tall! Cos maybe they've seen us!!"

I can't decipher this line. Who's seen who? Why are we going to Venus, I thought we were still counting down? Who knows.

I realise I've missed out loads of stuff. But you know, it's a decade, and I'm only doing things that went to number one. I can't keep up with everything, just following the tunes. Sorry Spandau Ballet.


'88! Year of my birth. Belinda Carlisle was number one in January with "Heaven Is A Place On Earth" I'm glad that song was number one when I was born. It's an 80s anthem. Sorry to all the people who had to be born with Orinoco Flow by Enya as their birthday song in '88. Unless of course they are Elves off of Lord of the Rings, then they might enjoy that. I bet Elves love Enya.

Ha, we're imposing a new rule... one must always end a post with a picture of an elf. Thanks for a great post Chris!

Much love,
L&R xx

Reels of Cotton & a bundle of nerves...

Ahh, does anyone else find it so daunting to make a definitive start on projects that you have been dreaming up for so long? It's time to finally make a start on our first girly Spring/Summer collection of attire and we've got to admit, we're starting to bite our nails a little bit.

The ideas come thick and fast...one of our first nights living in Twee Towers we stayed up to the early hours bouncing around ideas and we've been working on them ever since. We set ourselves an objective to start the project this month, and we've certaintly organised, prepped and re-organised enough to allow us to start but when it comes to the actual cutting and sewing of fabric, the deadline has been pushed back... until the first lot of fabric arrives... until the second lot of fabric arrives... "wait, we can't start yet... we don't have zips!"

We've launched ourselves head first into everything else, our sewing school projects (making the cutest DIY fancypants & our take on patchwork chevron cushions), the blog itself materialised after a couple of hard-working weeks planning (and the help of our fab designer Zoe!) but with our dress collection, we've been so much more precious with it! So, tomorrow is THE DAY! The day that fabric meets scissors and catches up with our old friend the sewing machine. If you see either of us procastinating on twitter, watching this on repeat, debating the difference between arial and helvetica or anything else we might try and do instead, please feel free to shout! And hopefully, we'll have something pretty to share with you soon :)

One

Two

Three

Four

Five
Nom, we want pistachio green sewing machines!

Sooooo that we've got absolutely no more excuses not to crack on with getting the collection made, we have the most wonderful collection of guest posts lined up for you in the coming week . Kicking off this week, our lovely friend Chris will be sharing a hilarious insight into a musical challenge he was set, whilst James will be contributing some really useful tips for charity & vintage shopping! As well as all that, we'll also have some super fab guest posts from a host of our favouritist bloggers and friends! We treat you well here at Twee Towers ;)

So please excuse us whilst we hibernate in our beautiful little studio for the week and we'll be right back with our usual features and some exciting sewing school projects for you to try to!

Anyway, it's the weekend, go and enjoy yourself kitty cats!

Much love,
L&R xx

After Dinner Dance Party // Yum Yum Special

We had so much fun last Saturday dancing the night away at Yum Yum and we wanted to share the great tracks that got us grooving get you all to join in with your best moves - so we bring you this AMAZING After Dinner Dance Party guest post, courtesy of Yum Yum organiser and DJ - Rob. Enjoy!

Well Hello (you have to do that in a Terry Thomas type voice for it to work properly), my name is Rob Glover and I am promoter and DJ for one of the UK’s new breed 60’s R&B/Soul nights which is called Yum Yum. Rhianna and Lauren made it over for our October event and have asked for me, to bring to you, a flavour of the night in a micro-Yum Yum After Dinner Dance Party type thing.

Yum Yum has been running for the last 3-4 years at various venues, but we really found our home at Northampton’s Picturedrome: huge cinema screen, big (but wobbly) PA and a real wooden dance-floor (mind the talc!). We cover a huge spectrum of underground 60’s dance music from Latin Boogaloo to Mod Jazz and Hammond Groove to rare 60’s soul and ska. Apparently I can only let you have 5 tunes to reflect the night; so I have dug deep in to my vintage vinyl record boxes and tried to cover most (if not all) of the genres we cater for.

Anyhow if you haven’t checked Yum Yum out yet here is a delicious sample of what we have ready for you on that dance-floor! And please do mind the talc!

Mercy Mercy Baby – Ray Baretto (Fania) Latin Boogaloo 1969



Released on Fania records in 1969 this a pure slice of New York Boogaloo straight out of the barrios of Spanish Harlem. Ray has provided a quintessential Latin soul style since the late 1950’s and this stunning little tune have been cutting up the dance-floors since it’s first release. Check out the Album “Acid” and his other dance-floor friendly tunes like “Soul Drummers”.

The Wild Bunch – Music Doctors (J-Dan) Reggae/Ska 1970



This is a bit of an unusual one and although not to everybody’s taste but it always gets the dance-floor stomping. Released in 1970 on the mysterious J-Dan label by Dandy Livingstone and a massive skinhead tune of the early 70’s. From the first few bars you can tell the riff was stolen wholemeal from the Jackson 5’s “I want you back”.

I Don’t Want No Mama’s Boy – Erma Franklin (Epic) R&B



Yes Aretha’s little sister really could holler just as well as big sis. I’ve loved this tune for about 10 years and that’s about how long it took me to get hold of a copy on vinyl.
It’s a cheeky little number and you can just tell Erma wants no sissy-boy from the block, just the sort of tune you can shimmy the night away too. And I do, oh yes!

Big Bird – Rosetta Hightower (Toast) Soul 1968



Former lead singer of The Orlons out of Philadelphia, this is a stunning take on the Eddie Floyd Stax classic. I found it on British Toast about 15 years ago for 30p in a little record shop in Wellingborough, since then it’s gone mental over the last couple of years and the price has skyrocketed. Makes me feel glad all over ;0)

Ok last one from me and then it’s back to a cold dark dirty dance-floor (I told you to mind the talc!).

Ride Your Pony – Betty Harris (Sansu) 1969



Ok I don’t believe in playing slow Enders to my set and of course this little beauty has been shaking up the Yum Yum dance-floor for the past few months. Betty Harris born in Florida in 1939 recorded most of her truly great stuff in New Orleans (the home of the blues, baby yeah!). This was originally recorded by Lee Dorseys in 1966 but to be honest I prefer Betty’s take under the guidance of Allen Toussaint (of course).

Well that’s it I suppose. Time to pack up the record box, make sure I tidy my bottles of the stage and wind my way home. If you have enjoyed this very tiny little snippet of tunes from Yum Yum please come along an sample the real thing. Please feel free to bring talc, as the dance-floor is perfect for those flips, splits and spins!

Until next time...

Hope you enjoyed that as much as we did! Absolutely fantastic tracks to dance to!

Please do befriend Yum Yum on Facebook to stay up to date with upcoming events.

Much love,
R&L xx

Guest Post // Sticky Labels: The Nature of Pirate Vinyl

Hey, this week we are treating you to another wonderful guest post courtesy of The Moons' bassist, the lovely Thomas Edison Warmsley. Unveiling the paradoxical nature of piracy within music and a little insight into Thundertree, a 1970s psychedelic band/album released on a pirate label!

Disclaimer: She Dressed in Black does not condone piracy in any way, shape or form and would definitely not encourage you to scout out some rare but incredibly brilliant piracy gems ;)

Sticky Labels - The Nature of Pirate Vinyl
God save EMI, why? because gutless, beatles-refusing, money-grabbing corporations create a thriving revolt of musical crime. While bludgeoning their chief executive Roger Faxon with a sharp orchestral instrument may seem like an obvious favourite, something potentially just as painful has happened to the major labels. Long before all music went digital, and popular torrent website Piratebay dwarfed HMVs advertising revenue, it's comforting to know that music piracy was as rife as it is today. Not only because it continues to make label giants look utterly stupid, but it has also kept afloat many lesser known and obscure releases from rock and roll past, earning many bands cult figure status.

Thundertree isn't a name most are familiar with, but their dayglo-painted masterpiece of an album cover is enough to make anyone snatch their hand and interrupt scouring the reliable 'rare psych' rack in a record store. Suspiciously wrapped in fresh film the record was branded with an odd looking label: Radioactive. Having never heard of this record label and remaining complacent about its peculiar 90s logo, research into Radioactive Records began.

“Radioactive is responsible for more than 200 unauthorized reissues of rare and collectable psychedelic records” was a common response from countless internet sources. The label ran by James Plummer is renowned for releasing obscure and unreleased bootlegs of artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Silver Apples, Fifty Foot Hose and then disappearing without trace. It turns out that this elusive Thundertree LP dating an original release from 1970, has since been hijacked and distributed by the pirate label, although you’ll be lucky to find a copy now, an original pressing on Roulette will cost you around £250. The process of stumbling across this grubby nugget of a record in an independent music shop is proof that, at least qualitatively, piracy works.

Thundertree - Thundertree



Minnesota probably isn’t renowned for being a native state of musical talent, although it is the birthplace of both Bob Dylan and the Andrews Sisters, but by the looks of it neither of them stuck around for long. But one band who may well have fallen into the crevice between 1969-1970 is this sole album release by Minneapolis collective Thundertree, a psych outfit marooned in the dull Midwest of the early 1970s.

While not much seems to be known about Thundertree, their founder and organist John Meisen appears to be the group's muso, and has an active history in the Minnesota music scene. When his previous band The Good Idea spilt in late 1968, Meisen recruited the writing skills of guitarist Bill Hallquist and on the back of a couple of promising demos Meisen signed his new project Thundertree to Roulette Records in 1969. It really was that simple to get a record deal in 1960s Minnesota.

Their self-titled debut features 12 tracks of psychedelic late-bloomers, where each could pass as an unearthed garage classic, which leaves you wondering what exactly the quintet were up to in the summer of 1966. But as a collective Thundertree achieves more than this, released in 1970 the album documents one of the more promising experimentations with psychedelia and progressive rock. Before you recoil with harrowing thoughts of tales about wizards and hammond organ episodes, the results are surprisingly good, making it a more sophisticated affair than some of their West coast peers.

Album opener Head Embers presents a stripped likeness to 13th Floor Elevators chordal stomp before eluding to a celestial coda, its refreshing to hear the fundamentals of progressive rock in such a primitive form. Followed by the tuneful At The Top of the Stairs, a convincing stab at psychedelic-pop and easily the album’s most radio-friendly track. Tinged with bristly organ and Meisen’s soulful English styled vocals, it is baffling how it managed to avoid the mainstream billboard in 1970. Meisen ponders “hanging on to a corner of a smile, I wonder why as the world goes by”, a critique of the mundane in the Midwest. Ballad Summertime Children and Dusty Road both appeal with originality, revealing a more progressive slant to their songwriting and a keen embellishment for ‘innovative’ studio techniques. With Meisen put in charge at the controls, the over-produced stereo organ on certain tracks quickly becomes an annoying gimmick, persistently darting from left to right - psychedelic quickly becomes psychotic.

Side B quickly redeems any lost credibility, with the majority of it taken up by 1225 a 16-minute medley that explores abstract themes over six tracks. While it indicates the hatchings of a progressive pomp nightmare, the six themes are strong enough to be songs in their own right. Things really begin to improve when the side B suite reaches Softly... a fantastical track brimming with originality, glistening orchestration and a nasty brass section that sounds like Miles Davis with a dreadful cold. The LP finale is a gleeful gospel soul rendition of The Sun Shines For Me, climaxing in an acapella round, leaving no stone of 1960s genre unturned, a fairly impressive album feat in just under 32 minutes.

Hope you enjoyed the little musical detour today!
Much love, L&R xx

Guest Post // Carla's Leading Men...

Guest blog today courtesy of the beautiful and exceptionally talented Carla, best Friend & Twee Towers wine night regular! Today Carla shares her love and lusts for the finest leading men from Hollywood's Golden Era, swoon...

Nostalgia’s big right now. We’re living in fast and shiny modern times, yet despite the gadgets and gizmos, it seems we’re hankering to trip down memory lane in almost every other outlet. Music, TV, even the models at this month’s New York Fashion Week looked like they’d skipped straight out of every decade since the ‘20s. Which got me thinking, whilst we leading ladies are donning our 1940s tea-dresses and desperately trying to conjure a 1950s hourglass figure out of thin air, where the heck are our classic leading men? The resurrection of the golden-era Hollywood hero is something I could most certainly get behind, and the following would be my three of choice. Modern beings take note:

Let’s start with Humphrey Bogart. Never conventionally handsome- short, receding, craggy faced- what he did have going for him was a killer delivery of the lazy wisecrack; a tactic liberally borrowed by Bruce Willis in the 80s. Chiselled swoonboat he may not have been, but Bogie had buckets of charisma and gravitas. He acted small, packing tons of emotion into minute facial expressions, or an exhalation of smoke. Of course, he’s best known for his portrayal of cinema’s most lovelorn anti-hero Rick in Casablanca, but many will agree that his greatest performances came when he was cast opposite his future wife, Lauren Bacall. The pair positively sizzle, despite a voluminous gap in age (and height). But, that said, who couldn’t love a man that fabulously named?


I, along with every other heterosexual female in existence, have an awful attraction to a bad boy, and Steve McQueen was one of the very baddest. Regularly heroic on the big screen (if you still haven’t watched him jump a flimsy German fence on a moped then, honestly, what are you doing with your Boxing Days?), it was always with an edge of rebellion. The off-screen McQueen regularly went AWOL from his military duties, used drugs prolifically, and was addicted to adrenaline. This guy had a need for speed back when Tom Cruise was merely a twinkling dollar sign in his orthodontist’s eye.
In the latter part of his career, he began to polish his roughness into the image of a rogueish gent, in films such as the Thomas Crown Affair (forgive me father for I have sinned, I actually prefer the Pierce Brosnan version). But he was at his finest- in all senses of the word- blonde and rugged and smirky, escaping (and being recaptured by) the Germans multiple times a day. There are criminally few clips of The Great Escape on YouTube, so here he is being badass in Wanted Dead or Alive instead:


James Stewart was never really cool (although he was a real-life war hero. You win some…), and, like Bogie, he was never going to be a pretty-boy matinee idol. What really gave him leading man status was his utterly unique ability to be just so damn endearing. Like a 1940s Tom Hanks, filmgoing America loved him. A stammering monologue and a flash of those puppy dog eyes… people would’ve straight up handed him their kids. If you’re in doubt, just look at It’s a Wonderful Life- a film that has you reaching for the hard spirits and wishing you’d hidden the knives, such are the depths of misery it plunges its audience into. You wouldn’t be so miserable if you hadn’t fallen for Jimmy so hard. Seriously, if you don’t immediately want to become Mrs (or Mr) Stewart at the end of this clip, your heart is a cold dead fish flapping around your chest cavity.



Hope you enjoyed Carla's post today... isn't she a peach!
Much love, L&R xx

This Week in the Studio // ...Shh, It's Top Secret!

Hey Lovelies,

I hope you all had a nice weekend?

This week in the studio we have finally scheduled in a week solely dedicated to making some exciting creations - a little side project to our first collection! At the moment, we're keeping this all under wraps but we'll hopefully have some exciting things to share with you by next weekend!

So, to ensure that we dedicate each day to designing, starting from tomorrow our lovely friends have agreed to help us out and we're going to be throwing a couple of amazing guest posts into the mix! Brilliantly written and covering a range of fun, interesting topics, we're sure you'll love them as much as we do so keep checking by!

We're also sad to announce that the Twee Towers tour will be coming to an end this week (boo, hiss!) with a peak around Rhi's beautiful boudoir, so keep your eyes peeled for a new feature coming soon too!

Eee, it's all happening!

Much love,

L&Rxx

After Dinner Dance Party // Fables of History Guest Blog

Hi, I'm James Edward Bagshaw. I've been given the opportunity to guest blog this week as Rhi is away on holiday. I'm a Northamptonshire based musician, producer and song writer.
Lauren, my girl, requested that I'd provide the music for this week's After Dinner Dance Party, 'tis true Rhianna wont be dancing at Twee Towers this week but a ball we shall have nonetheless! Quite an honor to Dj Twee Towers I must say...

At the moment I am mixing an album at my home studio. It's my band 'The Moons' 2nd album and so far it's sounding swell. When mixing a song, I usually go through phases of what it should sound like, often I refer back to old records - generally they are the greats.
So here are a few of my favourite songs... truly inspirational from a production and songwriting point of view and a great way to make the daunting job of the washing up a tad more appealing... and if you want to dance, dont let the dishes stop you!

Les Paul & Mary Ford, 'How High The Moon'... it's an incredible song. Les Paul is widely known as the pioneer of multitrack recording, and this was in the 50s! His techniques are still used today, though it's a lot less time consuming than it was back then. I've recently been experimenting with the techniques used to make this record and I find it truly inspirational.



The Music Machine, 'Trouble!' I have most of their recordings, they sum up my favourite elements of the 60s sound...Freaky fuzz guitar, vulgar vox organ sounds and the grooviest rhythm section I've heard. Not forgetting the incredible voice of Sean Bonniwell, terribly underrated! This song is a great one to slip on dancing shoes to!




My third choice, The Four Tops, 'Reach Out (I'll Be there)'...This song has it all, catchy yet quirky, intricately crafted and arranged. It's a Holland–Dozier–Holland song, much like many of the great Motown tunes!
This song guarantees a swarm to the dancefloor, (or kitchen floor in our case).

Hope you enjoyed the songs today!

Much love,

JEB x

If you're interested in finding out more about vintage recording techniques or hearing snippets of The Moons forthcoming album 'Tales of the Unexpected', check out my blog, Fables of History where I'll be documenting the exciting process of recording & mixing!