Friday Playlist: Favourite Glee Performances

ITS HERE! FINALLY!!! Yes, here it is. Our first Friday playlist in about two months, hurray! So no waffle, lets get straight into it, here we have our favourite Glee performances - we never actuallly pretended to be cool.
All the songs will come from seasons 1-3 (aka the golden age) simply because we stopped watching after that...

Daisy

      

1. How Will I know - Whitney Houston 

I love this song in its original and classic Whitney version, however Glee's simple A Capella version really hits the spot. A lot of the time I find slowed down, schmaltzy, vocal versions of big pop hits a bit annoying however I find this stripped back 'How Will I know' really beautiful. I have been singing this in the shower a lot recently and murdering the harmonies - I would highly recommend. Also with helpful Spanish subtitles if anyone needs those.


     

2. Paradise By The Dashboard Light - Meat Loaf

I always thought the cast of Glee were at their best doing a big, song-and-dance, all-out, ensemble number and this one is one of my all time favourites. There are matching dresses, synchronised dance routines, lots of key changes and sexually suggestive lyrics - what more do you want from a Glee perfomance?! It really kicks off at the 'Will you love me forever?' section - I dunno it just really gets me going (in a mostly non-sexual way). To give you a mental image of me whilst I watch this song - imagine a grandma at a really lively Barry Manilow gig - basically there's lots of bopping.


               

3. Like a Prayer - Madonna 

This one features another classic and wonderful Glee staple - Gospel choirs appearing out of nowhere! The Madonna episode was always going to be sassy and amazing, there were a few I could have picked but this is my personal favourite Madge song. Now as admitted by the show, it sometimes seems like Mercedes (played by Amber Riley) is just brought in to do the huge, wailing notes, however watching this you can see exactly why.


               

4. The Journey Medley

Of course I had to get some Journey in there, but this is really the Journey to end all Journey! Starting with "Faithfully", "Anyway you want it/Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'" and finishing on the song that started it all "Don't Stop Believing" - this performance from the season 1 finale manages to squeeze in four classic Journey songs and is simply amazing. Seriously 'Faithfully' gives my chills - is that really embarrassing? I think this is just about as unashamedly 'Glee' as you can get and that is exactly why I love it so much.

Lily

1. Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson

This is already an awesome song and although the singing is really good, it’s actually ‘the 2 cellos’ that I really like about this cover. That is some seriously impressive and badass cello playing! I didn’t think I’d explain playing the cello as badass but it really is, and it perfectly builds the tension for this song battle.

2. Start Me Up/Livin' on a Prayer - The Rolling Stones/Bon Jovi

I love the mash up of these two classic songs together and the performance which was a bit different to their usual preppy routine. Although Rachel does over-egg it a bit with her dancing which makes me cringe, it’s still a cool performance. I also really like Mercedes vocals in this song because she sings a bit more rock which I will obviously enjoy.

3. Raise Your Glass - Pink (Mini Warbler Version)

Technically this still counts because I do like this cover, and I like the warblers, but I had to choose this just for the mini warbler because he’s the cutest thing ever. He also has the dance moves down to a T which is impressive to say he really is miniature.

4. Run Joey Run - David Geddes

I for some reason enjoy this Glee cover just because it’s strange and hilarious. I remember watching the episode with this in, which was really funny because of Rachel’s brilliant video. Me and daisy also pissed our pants laughing at the video because of the way Jesse walks at the end, childish but funny.

Daisy & Lily

We both have one favourite in common in common and that is Matthew Morrison and Neil Patrick Harris performing this little baby...

5. Dream On - Aerosmith 

Lily- I already love the original of this song and I have this cover on my phone because I think it’s so good, the vocals are insanely good especially the high note at the end, not many men could pull that note off! Plus who doesn’t love a good sing off?!  This would definitely be my song of choice for a street song battle, you know, if I went to those…

Daisy - Like Lil says its the high note that makes this one! I don't really like using 'EPIC' to describe things but sometimes there is no other way! These two give such a brilliant performance that I think is better that the Aerosmith original - old Steve Tyler can't hit notes like that one. I have to say however. neither can I and that definitely doesn't stop me trying. Plus - Lil I would pay good money to see you in a street song battle! (If only they existed)

Okay so there are our top picks. Now to finish, as a little bonus, we thought we'd share with you the most heinous, awful, embarrassing, gouge-your-eyes-out terrible thing to ever happen on Glee - that's right it's Matthew Morrison (aka Mr.Schue) doing 'The Thong Song'. Good luck erasing this from your memories...

         


Christ!

Anyway hope you enjoyed this playlist - RIP Cory Monteith, you were a brilliant Finn. 

We should be back with another playlist next week but we'll make no promises - its taken us two months to get round to this one!
Byeeeee!

Daisy and Lily.

What would you wear if...? #9

Hallo there, Lily here back for another Wednesday fashion challenge!  I really enjoyed this fashion challenge, I have a feeling Daisy chose this because she knew it was right up my street. This weeks Daisy asked 'what would you wear if...

You were in the circus?'

At first i was thinking 'if I was part of a circus what would I be?' I could definitely not be an acrobat because i'm not too big of a fan of heights and I am probably the least flexible person ever. I also couldn't be a sword swallower, tightrope walker or the bearded lady... So I decided to be the ring master! I considered being a clown, but I thought I would do something a bit less obvious. I thought this would be a really cool outfit because I got to wear my top hat, my giant shoes and do my makeup - which turned out to be like a cross between a mime, a clown and the crow.

Welcome to the big top...

I didn't want to take this outfit off and I am now considering a career as a creepy ringmaster so I can continue to wear it. My hat, tights and bracelet are from eBay, my jacket is from a charity shop, my shoes are Y.R.U from pulp, and the shirt and bow tie are my brothers from next.
Happy nightmares!

Monday Madness: A Bit Of Something Different

Hello, its Daisy with a light and fun Monday Madness to hopefully expand your YouTube horizons. Now as an avid YouTube watcher I like fashion and beauty channels as much as the next person, they make up a vast amount of my subscriptions and they are incredibly addictive (sometimes worryingly so)! However, sometimes I really couldn't care less about whats in your bag, the latest Lush hall or how to get the perfect brown smokey eye and find myself really wanting a change of pace. That's where these lovely channels come in...

Here I have compiled a little list of YouTube channels that offer something a little different to the usual tidal wave of 'Kylie Jenner lip liner tutorial's and 'How I style knitwear' etc, etc, etc. Its great to expand your interests and try new things, and watching these bite-size videos can introduce you to a world of different topics in just a matter of minutes - whether you want a new skill or simply to learn about something new there's probably a video out there for you. So, next time you log onto everyone's favourite video sharing platform, think about getting some substance up in your face, instead of style!

1. Food Wishes - https://www.youtube.com/user/foodwishes

Food Wishes, presented by the wonderful and invisible Chef John, is a cookery channel with a huuuge repertoire of recipes and one of my absolute favorites! The dishes always look so delicious, even if it is sort of torturous watching a roast duck being prepared whilst I'm sat with a crappy cup-a-soup. Watching food go from ingredients to mouth watering dish in minutes is really satisfying and provides some really practically useful tips for making your own culinary skills that little bit better. Not only are the videos really thorough and easy to follow, they are also hilarious - if Chef John ever decides chef-ing isn't for him, I reckon he could make a semi-decent living on the stand up circuit. His weird one-liners along with his drool-worthy dishes really make these videos stand out from other similar channels. My personal favourite line has to be 'don't put too much honey in - we don't want this to taste like a hippy made it!'.  Here is the man himself making some cheesy, cheesy crakers.

         

2. Blogilates - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIJwWYOfsCfz6PjxbONYXSg

From cheese to exercise! Now, I'll say this outright: I am physically allergic to exercise - especially in a team or in public, which pretty much rules out most traditional methods of keepings oneself fit. This is where Blogilates comes in. With this collection of Pilates tutorials from instructor Cassey Ho I am free to sweat and groan it out in the comfort and privacy of my own bedroom floor. For a long time after I was set free of the weekly torture that is PE, I just didn't work out at all. After I while decided I really probably should at least attempt some level of physical activity, but I didn't want to shell out money for the gym, I'm crap at sport and I detest running, this is when I took up Blogilates. Its free, requires no equipment or initial skill OR other people - hurray! I won't lie, its not easy but Cassey's instruction and insanely positive attitude really pushes you along and I must say I feel all the better for it. I'm actually moderately good at it now and I really enjoy it (weird), I even have my own Yoga mat (get me) and am considering going to Pilates classes in the cold light of day, around other people - its a miracle! Cassey you have single-handedly made me like exercising and I love you. Whether you're a keen fitness fanatic already or a complete beginner like I was, I would massively recommend giving it a go. Here's a little taster...

         

3. Crash Course - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX6b17PVsYBQ0ip5gyeme-Q

Crash Course is the brainchild of YouTube extraordinaire's John and Hank Green and basically does what it says on the tin - provides crash courses in a variety of different topics including World History, Biology, Literature, Ecology, Chemistry, and Psychology. John takes the Humanities based topics, whilst Hank covers the sciences and together they manage to cover a massive range of individual subjects from 'The Great Gatsby' to 'How We Make Memories', 'The Ancient Egyptians' to 'Photosynthesis'. Whilst quick, the videos manage to pack in a lot of information and are clearly well researched, bringing in scholarly debates and raising important questions. At the same time they remain easy to understand whatever your level of prior knowledge on a given topic and won't have you reaching to rewind the video thinking 'What the shit are you talking about?'. They are really engaging and manage to get in some pretty interesting discussion given they are only around 15 minutes long! Here is Hank talking about the Psychology of sex - steamy! 

        

4. The What The Buck Show - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzDIsPJjO0K5P00jG8JjlRg

If you like trashy celebrity gossip (and lets not lie, we all do a little bit) then What the Buck is the channel for you. Presented and written by gossip connoisseur Micheal Buckley, What the Buck takes the days celebrity news, be it big or small, and makes it hilarious. Now this isn't a Perez Hilton style 'lets poke fun at people and generally rip them to shreds because their famous' but rather a comic take on the ridiculousness that is the celebrity circus we are confronted with on a daily basis - especially the ridiculousness that is the inflated celebrity ego. Celebrity gossip is an almost unavoidable part of the society we live in and Buck does an amazing job of taking it and making it funny without being mean or disrespectful (remember famous people are people too) until its almost like a satire on celebrity gossip. He's also shows of some impressive dance moves. Here he is talking about the big news this week - Kim Kardashian's arse. 

          

5. Lisa Eldridge Vintage Series - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL820467D574C54128

Okay, Okay, I know I said this wasn't about fashion or beauty channels - I cheated a bit, BUT here I am focusing exclusively on make-up artist Lisa Eldridge's vintage beauty series which is within the bounds of 'something different'. The playlist includes lessons in make-up history, classic vintage recreations using modern products including Monroe and Hepburn and vintage inspired looks using rare vintage products. These videos are really set apart from other beauty videos, eschewing the usual tropes for something much more beautiful and creative, the history videos are especially interesting and detailed. Aside from this series Lisa's whole channel is different to other's in the same category. She is an established make-up artist rather than a YouTube famous 'beauty guru' who offers more subtle and varied videos to some in the latter category as well as focusing solely on beauty and make-up advice, without all the other stuff mentioned in the introduction getting in the way. This series is an insightful masterclass in retro make-up and her vintage collection is truly something to behold.


          


There we are! Hope you liked and will check some of them out, have a good Monday night!

Daisy.

What Would You Wear If...? #8

Bonjour mon ami, Daisy here! Its my turn to take the fashion challenge which this week is distinctly Belgian flavoured. This is one of my absolute favorite outfits so far - that Lilian knows what I like. This week we're off back in time again and asking; what would you wear if...

You were in an Agatha Christie story?

In our house watching Poirot and Miss Marple stories is somewhat of a ritual - we have all the box sets and come the Christmas holidays you will invariably find me, Lily and our Mum all snugged up, by the fire, with an brew, watching a televised Agatha Christie novel (my idea of bliss). I immediately decided I wanted to base my outfit around a Poirot story as although I do love old Marple, Poirot is my main man when it comes to detectives, especially when played by the inimitable David Suchet. We have such a connection to him as a character that it took us well over a year before we could bring ourselves to watch Curtain: Poirot's Last Case (yes we are that sad). On with the outfit...

Poirot features in stories that span all the way from 1920 to his death in 1975 (after which he became the only fictional character to get an obituary on the front page of The New York Times) so I really could have gone anywhere clothes-wise. In the end I decided to go with something akin to the 20s and 30s, the era in which a lot of Poirot's most notorious cases take place. My outfit has elements of both decades with the 20s favourite cloche hat combined with a more 30s nipped-in style silhouette. I even went full on Poirot and wore patent shoes - the only type of footwear our mustachioed Belgian sleuth would be caught dead in (although probably not in stiletto form). I really enjoyed putting this look together and swishing about the house in it afterwards feeling all lovely and ladylike - all I need to do now is get myself off to a country house filled with aristocrats and wait for someone to get bumped off! 

For some reason the pictures came out a bit weird and grainy but hopefully that just adds to the period effect?! My hat is river island and the rest of my outfit is from Charity shops.

Au revoir, mes cheris!

Daisy.

Monday madness: Favourite Albums

Hello again! Lily here, finally back to regular blog posts as promised. Today's Monday madness is all about my favourite albums, and my favourite songs from them. Although we have Friday playlist, this gives me a chance to share whole albums and tell you just why I love them so much.

Slash - apocalyptic love & world on fire



Apocalyptic love is slash's second album, the first as a collective band with Myles Kennedy of Alter bridge and the conspirators. It was released in 2012 and I'm still just as obsessed with it. All the songs on the album are so good and are all classic heavy rock songs. Bad rain is one of my favourite songs because it is such a cool song and the video is totally badass.
Other favourite songs: Apocalyptic love, You're a lie, Anastasia
 Link to the whole album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5rRH6OWt58


 World on fire is slash's latest album that was released in September this year I got my tickets for Leeds before I even heard the album and pre-ordered the CD I was so excited for its release. And it did not disappoint! The whole album is amazing and I have been listening to it on repeat since I got it. Beneath the savage sun is one of my favourite songs because it has a really raw guitar sound to it and Myles vocals are sooo good as usual. The song is also about an elephant who lost his elephant friend to poaching and the way it's conveyed is really clever.
Other favourite songs: Shadow life, World on fire, 30 years to life, The unholy
 Link to the whole album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSBJL-Wo9xM

Alter Bridge - Blackbird & Fortress


Alter bridge have to be one of my favourite ever bands, and they're just as good live as they are in a studio. Blackbird is their second album released in 2007, and I am again still obsessed with it even now. The lyrics in their songs really make the album special because they cover so many different areas within just one album. Myles Kennedy has to be one of the best songwriters and vocalists in rock at the minute (sorry for the ass kissing).White knuckles is one of my favourite songs because it's a really heavy track with awesome guitar riffs.
Other favourite songs: Ties that bind, Blackbird, Come to life, Coming home
Link to the whole album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iN0QRqSlNA



Fortress is Alter bridge's latest album that came out last year, I saw them perform this live in Manchester alongside Halestorm and Shinedown who I am also a fan of. This album is so amazing and lyrically genius, and it contains many of my favourite ever songs. I had to choose waters rising as the example because it is such an epic song with both Myles kennedy and Mark tremonti on vocals. It gradually increases in pace and volume into an awesome heavy track that just gives me goosebumps when I listen to it.
Other favourite songs: Fortress, Addicted to pain, Cry a river, Bleed it dry
Link to whole album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFSP_n3llTU&list=PL0P5C03KW2qA6hgfzVyo9kRzrcKV_PR98

Metallica - S&M


I thought Metallica couldn't get any more awesome, but then I heard the live S&M album with the San Francisco orchestra and I peed in my pants a little. The addition of the orchestra just makes the whole album even more badass and epic. Metallica again have to be one of my favourite ever bands as everything I like about rock and metal is included in their albums (powerful vocals, awesome guitar riffs, heavy drums, leather trousers and long 80's metal hair) The memory remains is one of my favourite songs off the album as it is a fast tempo metal song with plenty of classic James Hetfield 'YEEAAAHHHS' which is all a Metallica fan could ask for. They're also just as good if not even better when performing live.
Other favourite songs: Fuel, No leaf clover, Nothing else matters, Enter sandman
Link to the whole album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2Hgy_L3eXc

The Pretty Reckless - Going to Hell



I liked a couple of songs off The pretty reckless' previous album 'light me up' but It's the album Going to hell that was released this year that has made me a full on fan. Taylor Momsen's songwriting and vocals have gotten even better and all the songs are the perfect raw rock songs that I love. Going to hell is one of my favourite tracks because it's the perfect mixture of soft and gravelly vocals. also the video is really cool (total girl-crush on Taylor going on).
Other favourite songs: Follow me down, Heaven knows, fucked up world, sweet things, absolution
Link to whole album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0VSI_kEekk

Heavens Basement - Filthy Empire


I have been in love with heavens basement since I heard them on scuzz last year, and I traveled 3 hours to go and see them because it was the only show I could go to. It was one of the best gigs I've been to because it was so up close and personal, and loud, and sweaty, and awesome. Their whole album is filled with classic heavy rock tracks that I happily sit and listen to on repeat. They are also touring with the pretty reckless at the moment, which I really hope I can go to If I can just find someone to go with me.
Other favourite songs: Nothing left to lose, Heartbreaking son of a bitch, Welcome home, Executioners day, Lights out in london
Link to whole album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYt8wXj7bfI&list=PL-K1HfAYErhSVoYvD942eI19S8yMFkXhO

Guns N' Roses - Greatest hits


 I have been a Guns N' Roses fan ever since my mum and dad used to play me them when I was little, and I'm still a massive fan of the new and old Guns N' Roses. I used to love Axl rose so much when I was younger that I would dress up like him, because I have such a similar colour hair to him when he was young. I still love Axl and Slash and they are both on my 'rogues gallery' (as my mum calls it) of pictures of awesome people on my wall. I actually got to go and see them in Manchester for my 15th birthday and it was like a childhood dream being able to see Axl Rose live. It obviously had to be the greatest hits album because all the best tracks from all the albums are in it, so I get to include all my favourites, Welcome to the jungle has to be my all time favourite jut because it's epic. I don't think I need to justify that statement as you all know it's true, but to name a few bits to back that up (the intro riff, the amazing vocals, the guitar solo etc.)
I can now also say I have seen all the classic Guns N' Roses songs performed by both Axl and Slash - just not together :'(.
Other favourite songs: Sweet chid O' mine, paradise city, civil war, Live and let die, You could be mine
Link to whole album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZgMBgVKAjE

Marmozets - Weird and Wonderful



Marmozets are a recent favourite of mine, only discovering them a couple of months ago. But their album the weird and wonderful is so good. Their lead singer Becca Macintyre has the most incredible voice and I wish I could sing like her  - but alas I am tone deaf. I have been listening to the album none stop for the oast few weeks and I hope to go and see them soon as well.
Other favourite songs: Hit the wave, Why do you hate me?, Captivate you, 'Move, shake hide', Back to you
Link to whole album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afX5kz9hfHI&list=PLIZbgHQHxSJX5_ONnXNPGAX0ZT66ic9Y3

I hope you enjoyed this insight into some of my favourite albums, and any fellow rock and metal lovers can follow me on spotify for many more similar tracks and new music @lilyorrell :)
Back on wednesday for a fashion challenge! byeee x

#OOTD Halloween Spooktacular

Daisy here and I'd like to start off by saying how very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, VERY sorry we are for not having posted in almost two weeks! We've both been really busy with exams/uni work etc and the blog had to take a back seat for a while. Anyway WE'RE BACK now, you may all stop crying. Hopefully we'll get back into the swing of things and have a full host of posts for you starting next week.

For now I though I'd share a few of my antics from last weeks Halloween festivities - most importantly what I wore. I live for dressing up so naturally I love going out on Halloween and putting lots of effort into my costume. At university there are often days of fun surrounding Halloween as well as the big night itself which basically makes for a whole week of spooky stuff - amazing!! Here's what I got up to...


On the Tuesday before Halloween we all did a bit of that old Halloween staple - pumpkin carving - which was just as enjoyable as it was when I was little. Unfortunately this is the only picture I have from yesterday and they aren't doing so well...

Wednesday was the bar crawl - our main night out - and the grand reveal of my main costume. We wanted to do a group costume and ended up deciding on Batman villains (watch out for that classic Batman villain, Wolverine). From right to left we have me as Harley Quinn, The Penguin, Wolverine, The Joker and Poison Ivy.

We all made and put together our costumes ourselves, which is really one of my favourite parts of the whole thing. For my outfit I took a plain black catsuit from Ebay and sewed on red diamonds and white neck and hand ruffs to transform it into a sassy Harley outfit. To keep things cheap I got the red and white material by buying a pair of babies trousers and an XL t-shirt from a charity shop, coming in at a grand total of £2.50. I coloured my hair half red, half black with temporary hair spray, did some Harley Quinn style make-up, whacked on my platform knee boots and was good to go! 

I loved every second of strutting about in a catsuit feeling like a super-villain. I have to say this is one of the best costumes I have worn in terms of making me feel like a different person - now I know how cos-players get their kicks. As a group we attracted a fair bit of attention and got lots of lovely compliments on our outfits as well as lots of people wanting selfies with us - COSTUME SUCCESS! Anyway, here's some more pictures of my outfit and the rest of my fearsome ensemble...

The Joker and Harley looking a bit worse for wear later in the night.

On Halloween night we went out for a more standard night out and hadn't planned any proper costumes. In the end we decided to go for a decades theme, all of us hashing together an outfit to fit a different decade of the 20th Century. Here we are from left to right - me as the 20s then the 30s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s (we clearly don't like the 40s).

We all just gathered stuff together from our own wardrobes and it actually turned out alright. Again I really enjoyed wearing this costume - particularly dancing an attempted (and terrible) Charleston to Ke$ha's 'We R who we R' and pouting a lot. Plus, dressing like a flapper is a great excuse to to stay out all night, drink illegal moonshine and dance the night away - Gatsby would have been proud.

A Flapper and a Punk - classic combo.

Representin' the 20th Century.

There we have it- that was my Halloween in a nutshell! Watch out for more bloggy stuff coming your way very soon.

Daisy.