wet hair and soggy socks can only mean one thing – the bleak monday morning slog.

typical.

it needn’t be all bad however, because all the rain in the world won’t be enough to stop this track from chilling you out good and proper. named as one of the ones to watch for 2011, james blake wowed even the harshest critics last year when he introduced ‘limit to your love’ to a mass of surrounding buzz. he has a sound that is incredibly raw and stripped back, that when coupled with his warming voice results in a spectacular contrast.

so if your monday is in need of a bit of a mood lift, taking a few moments to enjoy this live rendition of ‘wilhelm’s scream’ might just do the trick.

ever noticed how friday begins with the same letter as words such as funky, fashionable, and fun? coincidence? we think not.

well, 5 inch and up is a blog that is all three of those things, so in keeping with the trend, it only seems right to grant it with some friday blog love!

sandra is a girl that seems to have avant-garde running through her veins right down to her 5 inch heels (see what i did there?!), and her unconventional sense of style will leave you intrigued and excited every time she pulls an outfit out the bag!

she holds an enviable knack for making the unmatchable work in perfect harmony, and posts like too cold for comfort and feather braid have left the ladies of vitaminwater hq totally inspired to mix things up!

if you’re on twitter, be sure to follow her too!

happy friday!

it’s wednesday and like clockwork, our nifty little helpers have once again delivered an awe inspiring piece of this week’s online viral action to our doorstep!

we have to say, this one caught us unawares. at first glance, it just seems like your average (or not so average) bowler hitting a series of clean strikes. but then disaster strikes (pun intended), and then well.. we’ll let you see the rest for yourself…

do you remember your best resolution to date? you know, the one that you saw through to the bittersweet end despite your misgivings. well I’m yet to see one through so this year i resolved to make no resolutions but if i did have one it would include making 2011 my most stylish year to date.

talking about great style, here are five spring summer 2011 essentials to start compiling for summer.

1. the white dress: every girl has a little black dress. mine is this vintage sequin number. you? well designers reckon it is time it got a twin in white.

2. the maxi skirt: voluminous, printed, sheer and so many more variations of the maxi skirt. if it is maxi it is in.
 
3. the striped piece: is it just me or do stripes conjure up vision of baddies behind bars? designers were inspired by prison, uniform and whole array of stripes this season.

4. neon: no I don’t mean a light up dress! if it is eye watering bright then it is clearly right for this season. on the subject of neon fashion, do you remember those neon cycling shorts that we (i mean me) all wore in the 90′s?

5. sheer: it has been on the radar for a while and the only excuse for showing your undies in public is still going strong.

which trends get your approval? which ones will you not be wearing?

monday, finally!

those aren’t words we pipe up often, but we’ve been absolutely itching to share this with you.

one of the most exciting releases we’ve come across in the past few months and certainly setting up 2011 to be a great year for progressive music, beat luminary jamie xx has taken adele’s ‘rolling in the deep’ and introduced the track to his good friends bass, kick and snare.

a minimal and atmospheric interpretation, it seems that everything this guy touches at the moment turns to gold and we can only predict massive things for him this year.

it’s a week into the new year, the bleary eyes and weary heads are still dotted around vitaminwater hq, and blog reading has proved somewhat difficult! however, we’re not ones to leave you in the lurch, so we’re chucking a bitesized chunk of eye candy your way instead…

mind my bizness is a blog that showcases a collection of photographs taken by ollie, who has taken it upon himself to perform the essential public service of capturing the finest moments from the capital’s hottest events.

snapping the who’s who of london’s underground party scene, he’s also caught some familiar faces out and about including mr hudson, alesha dixon, and rising star jessie j!

so next time you’re out, keep a sneaky eye out because you may just find yourself in front of ollie’s lens!

if you’re on twitter, be sure to follow him too.

how do you feel about having a tiger or a zebra on your shoulder (not literally off course!)?

forget the park or game reserve, you will sooner spot an animal on the catwalk. sequined, illustrated and patch-worked, animals are adorned on everything from clothes to the garments.

on the pro side it is fun no? who does not want a monkey or three on their lap?

on the tragedy side, you could look like you had just escaped from a zoo with a few friends in tow. your thoughts on the trend?

now we know it’s all too easy to get caught up in the new year festivities, but our arctic friends seem to have stepped proceedings up a notch!

giving pingu a run for his money for happiest penguin, this little guy throws caution to the wind and treats us to a no-holds-barred (and perhaps also a tad over the top) rendition of his rather eccentric happy dance, all to the age-old harmony of auld lang syne!

so raid your closets for your best dancing shoes, as you’ve heard it here first – we think this just might be the next best thing!

the only thing keeping me going in this cold and its ensuing chaos is the thought of spring.

what is your favourite thing about that season? i like the budding flowers and warmer weather off course but the best thing is seeing new spring trends on the street.

here are five you are sure to spot.

white - how often do you dry clean? if your dry cleaning bill is usually as high as mine, it is about to become astronomical with this trend.

maxi skirts – short or long? how do you like to wear your skirts? long lengths took over spring summer 2011 catwalks. i wonder how many maxi skirts we will spot come summer?

neon – what do neon brights remind you off? whenever i see neon, i think of the friendly lollipop lady in her reflective vest that used to help children cross the road at my primary school. if it is neon and bright, it is in next summer.  

stripes – a stylish friend of mine reckons that there are stripe people and non stripe people. if you were wondering, she cannot stand stripes. the question is, can you? stripes looming ahead.

70′s – on the spring 2011 catwalks it was glam, it was luxurious, it was the 1970′s by way of 2010. big hair, slinky gowns, decadent jewel colours, gold, platforms and wide leg pants.

which of these trends will you be likely wearing in summer?