BLOG: LIVID JEANS NORWAY

Filmed and edited by Kristoffer Dagslott of KD Film, this is a neat short video presenting the philosophy and story behind the work of small-scale Norwegian denim makers, Livid Jeans. I appreciate, admire and share the sentiment that the tight team clearly have in hand-making small batches of premium jeans, using quality selvage denim sourced from America or Japan, together with their expertise in craftsmanship and care for the product. Made one at a time by one person, it's a brand of true dedication, value and passion for goodness.

DIARY: MISCELLANEOUS PHOTOS 9-10.12

Some uncategorised iPhone-ography from the past month or so.

The coffee in the top shot is from a lovely little place "Mozzino" just off Carnaby, a recent favourite when out and about in central. Also, that H&M ad was on my local bus stop, double-sided. Yes, Lana was present in my neighbourhood, sort of, for a good couple of weeks. Sadly she's gone now and the wait for the bus is no longer as enjoyable.

BLOG: VICTATE WINTER '12 SNEAK PREVIEW

From: Victate

Everything is looking dope as we aim to release the collection in November. Keep an eye out on our blog for more insight.

BLOG: ELLIE GOULDING 2ND ALBUM HALCYON

We've been treated to lots of Ellie Goulding lately as she's been preparing for the release of her sophomore album, including the new single, several collaboration songs, Radio 1 Live Lounge and none more so than her iTunes Festival performance last week in London, where she performed many of her new tracks from "Halcyon", which of course comes out in the UK on Monday. Now I ordered the Special Edition package in advance (the result of a combination of impulse and fandom) and as you can see it has arrived at my door. Together with a poster, some signed polaroids, a piece of jewellery and an individually numbered box, was Ellie Goulding's long-awaited second album.

It may only have been a mere day and a half, but I've already listened to this album in its entirety about 12 times, and that's on top of the looped listens of the album sampler on YouTube as well as watching that iTunes gig enough to have memorised every word of her inter-song banter with the crowd. Yes, I'm rather excited that she's finally back after two years, and I'm so pleased (yet unsurprised) at how incredible the new material is.

It's most certainly taken a different direction to her debut material from "Lights", showing matured progress and an enthralling development in her sound that I just love. Her vocals are what made me fall in love with her music in the beginning, but her song-writing on this album, the melodies and the production are just so on point and as a fan I feel exactly how I wanted it to make me feel. You need to buy it.

BLOG: SCARY BEAUTIFUL BY RENE VAN DEN BERG

From: Designboom

'High-toed' not high-heeled, these shoes are worn with the foot pointed vertically down and buckled in place at the ankles, held up at the front in line with the knees. Fucking crazy right? Designed by René Van den Berg, these heels entitled "Scary Beautiful" screw with your mind (and balance). It's bizarre but it's no doubt highly interesting. It's probably safe to say it won't be the new trend to see women wearing these on the high street walking awkwardly, likely towards the toilet perhaps, but there's a lot involved in the design process and conceptual thought present to pose some intriguing questions...

DIARY: SBTRKT LIVE IN SHEPHERD'S BUSH

Last night I went to the gig I've been longing to go see for like half a year. And man it didn't disappoint! Supported by Kwes and DJ Oneman, SBTRKT set Shepherds Bush Empire alight with body-rocking, funk-oozing, cool ass music. Together with Sampha, the duo worked their magic on one of the greatest live performances I've seen and the crowd were awesome too. The self-titled debut album is one I've been enjoying repeatedly since it came out over a year ago, and played live the sounds filled the venue so well, so suited to the environment of a concert. And to prove that point, there's a live EP coming very soon with recordings from last night's show to be used. So listen out for my voice on it!

MAG: NIKE FLYKNIT TRAINER+

From: Highsnobiety

Available are a host of new colourways for the Flyknit Trainer+, Nike's forefront in light construction running shoes. The model features Nike Zoom technology in the heel and forefoot, while the Flywire threads make for superb comfort through adapting its mould around you. Some of these colours are very attractive, where I prefer the pictured blocked vivid colours (rather than the crazy blue and green combinations or neon influences they have in the range too).

DIARY: BDTA DENTAL SHOWCASE 2012

I made the rolling movie for these guys. Show ends today at the ExCeL.

BLOG: UNIFORM WARES 203 SERIES

From: Uniform Wares

This is the newly refined and revised 203 Series by British timepiece makers Uniform Wares. It's a model that I've loved for a good couple of years and finally managed to purchase myself this summer. Stepping up from the 202 Series, the mechanics of the watch have all been upgraded, taking parts of the higher spec model 300 Series' chronograph and more powerful Swiss movement. Other improvements include details on the dial, bezel, date window and a clean tail-less second hand.

The brand pride themselves in contemporary simplicity of British craft and quality, and this is maintained in the 316L stainless steel case, fine satin-brushed finish, brass dial, aluminium hands and premium calf leather strap. It certainly oozes with understated luxury throughout, exactly my kind of product, and one for every occasion. The new range comes in the three pictured colourways, I quite like the brushed steel and blue combination, in contrast with my own rose gold item. Priced at £280, available to buy now, these are firmly at the top of my list of favourite timepieces.

MAG: SBTRKT NEW TRACK TERMINAL

SBTRKT have been quiet with new music since the self-titled debut album of 2011, but a new song "Terminal" was added to Soundcloud just yesterday. As is the case with all his other songs on the playlist, this may not be a part of any officially released material, but either way it's very cool. He's been spending time on tour this summer and I'll be heading to his London gig myself come Friday! Exciting.

MAG: SNS x ASICS GT-II

From: Freshness

The GT-IIs by Asics get a black and white chess themed makeover from the Swedish movie "The Seventh Seal" by retailer SneakersnStuff. I love the matte black nubuck upper, absolutely dripping with attitude! The theme is completed with a checkered lining, chess piece silhouettes on the sock liner and also features a 3M base to finish.

BLOG: THE WEEKND DEBUT ALBUM TRILOGY

From: Consequence of Sound

Three fresh mixtapes of a new sound, filled with such audacity and ambition, got listeners of The Weeknd buzzing and wanting for more. I remember being taken aback listening to "House Of Balloons" in 2010 (easily my favourite R&B EP, ever), it was a unique take on sweet beats and bass notes merged with his killer vocal lines and its talented execution. He reached the pinnacle of his career thus far with a feature on Drake's hit track, as well as festival appearances through summer at the likes of Wireless and Coachella.

The man's been touring the States for himself over the past few months and now his debut album is just around the corner. Entitled "Trilogy", it includes his mixtapes and 3 new tracks to make it a must-buy album for day-one followers as well as for those that are only just learning of his music and thus starting to fall in love with his unique style.

Today saw the unveiling of the official video for "Rolling Stone". Having been an underground artist for the best part of two years, it's very strange to see an official music video under a Vevo account, as Abel Tesfaye prepares for his first commercial release under Republic Records. The album is out on November 13th and it's about time.

BLOG: ALBAM SAMPLE SALE

Last week, I got to pop down to Spitalfields for Albam's sample sale as they looked to shift items to make room for their new collection. The variety was huge and sizes mixed too, I managed to cop myself two pairs of chinos. Different colours and different fits but the same quality and easy-to-wear style, I'm extremely happy. And bargain prices too. We saw a pair of Redwing desert boots be sold for just £25! Lucky guy.

MAG: ALICIA KEYS NOT EVEN THE KING

Produced by The Uprising Creative and directed by Laban Pheidias is this lovely video for Alicia Keys' track "Not Even The King" off her imminent new album. I'm not usually a fan of lyric videos, they're kind of pointless, but this is very sweetly done and is simply a beautiful piece of art. I like the song too, co-written with Emeli Sandé, the title line is a killer! Her 5th album "Girl On Fire" will be out in the UK on November 26th.