Introducing Missy Dress – A Treasure Trove Of Bridal Accessories

Here we are in August! Can you believe it? I know that I'm definitely in shock. But, I have to admit that I've been looking forward to this feature for some time because I've got the huge pleasure of introducing you to one of my favourite accessory labels, Missy Dress. If you're looking for fabulous wedding jewellery, bridal headpieces or accessories for bridesmaids, then you're going to be so very glad that Missy Dress is a secret no longer.

Missy Dress is a multi award-winning accessory label and their collection includes over 700 designs from dainty and delicate designs to Art Deco and Old Hollywood inspired statement pieces for classic aisle style. Alongside those bridal delights, Missy Dress also curates one of the largest dedicated collections of coordinating bridesmaid accessories in the New Zealand.

Now, if you're a fan of Downton Abbey or Stricty Come Dancing, you'll have seen some of Missy Dress' designs on screen. Downton's Lady Mary wore the Vintage Wreath tiara and Strictly dancers regularly step out in Missy Dress sparkles. Missy Dress has actually been part of the wedding world since 2004 when founder Victoria Swan noted a gap in the market for beautiful yet affordable accessories. And beautiful they certainly are.

Missy Dress' collection is full of purse-friendly modern-day heirlooms' and their signature style infuses the beauty of bygone eras with a touch of modern charm. Even then most contemporary designs have a subtle vintage influence and every piece has a timeless quality. I can also speak from personal experience.

”That most common response we receive from our brides is that the quality of our jewels exceeded their expectations,”says Victoria. “We use a traditional method of craftsmanship, very similar to precious jewellery, and will only use high quality materials so the fact that our designs have an affordable price tag and yet do not compromise on quality is most definitely appealing to our brides.”

When it comes to our designs, we can be inspired by anything! There's the obvious classic black and white movies, old family photographs, past and current fashion trends etc. Then there's the not-so-obvious such as patterns on vintage homeware, the blend in colours in a beautiful bouquet – I just tend to always have my mind open to spot things that inspire me.

And there's a lot to inspire you in the Missy Dress collection. I absolutely adore so many of their headpieces and tiaras. The Delicate Pearl side tiara with its floral motif always makes me smile while the Exquisite Charm side tiara has a bygone style beauty that I just love. Pearls are always popular for weddings and the Elegance of Pearl earrings are so incredibly sophisticated – the perfect drop earrings for brides. I asked for the Pearls of Glamour necklace just last Christmas and have to say that finding that among my gifts made me so happy! It's just beyond gorgeous and whenever I wear it.

The return of office music: is it better than silence – or much, much worse?

Why not read this while listening to the soundtrack to which it was written? There is a weird video on YouTube called Stimulus Progression. What sounds like a technique developed by Alfred Kinsey is in fact 90 minutes of "music at work", released in the 1970s by Muzak, the background-music merchants. I have put it on at full blast, although I don't recommend you do the same.

For decades, it was thought that playing music in our places of work would boost morale and productivity. Before it terrorised hotel guests and shoppers, Muzak originally set out to rally workers with 15-minute cycles of slowly climaxing, terrible music. It makes me feel like Don Draper trapped in a lift. My productivity is peaking only because I want to finish and turn it off.

The BBC piped the uplifting classical music show Music While You Work into factories during the war, but work music fell out of favour among everyone but mechanics and maverick surgeons (a friend of mine recently gave birth by caesarean to the tune of Madonna's Holiday). Now, it seems, office music may be making a return.

PRS for Music, which gathers royalties for the industry, granted 27,000 licences to workplaces to play music last year – 8% more than in 2015. Anecdotal evidence is rife of the widespread streaming of Spotify playlists across desks (doing so without a licence is technically illegal, because it counts as broadcasting).

"For many people here, music is part and parcel of their life," says Karen Byrne, the chief operating officer of Zone, a digital agency in London and Bristol with 260 employees. The company has several Spotify accounts and licenses music from PRS (prices start from about £50 a year). It plays calmer music when "harmony" is required in the business and faster-tempo songs "when people are lagging".

At Tab Media, a startup news network, editor-in-chief Joshi Herrmann recently returned to the New York office to find music playing. "So many offices are silent now, because of headphones," he says. "So, if playing music means fewer headphones, I'm down."

Sven Grundberg works at Soundtrack Your Brand, a Swedish Spotify spin-off that builds playlists for companies. Their clients are mostly retailers, but enquiries from offices are becoming more common. His colleagues – about 70 of them – do not hear music at their desks ("we don't want to force it on people"), but the company plays music in communal areas, where workers can skip tracks and adjust the volume, but not the contents of the playlist. "If you let people play what they want, they play Skrillex and that just pisses everyone off," he warns. Not as much as Muzak's Stimulus Progression, Sven – trust me.

Music is at the very heart of one East End school

Stephen Moss (Why not put music at the heart of education?, 19 June) argues that music education should not be limited to private schools and children of "thrusting middle-class parents". He holds up Finland as an example. At Gallions primary school in Beckton, music is at the heart of the school. It is in a socially and economically deprived corner of east London, but the school is joyous and alive. Gallions is not a specialist music school but has successfully integrated music into the curriculum, both as a subject in its own right and as a medium through which to teach other subjects. For instance, singing supports the development of language, which is crucial, especially for our youngest pupils and the 67% of Gallions pupils for whom English is not their first language. Using number songs has proven a brilliant way to teach maths in the younger year groups.

Every child at Gallions learns an instrument – violin, viola, cello or double bass – free of charge, and many pupils take advantage of the opportunity to take an instrument home with them to practice. The school’s choirs and orchestras are simply outstanding. Pupils have gone on to win places in the National Children’s Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra’s young talent schemes and other incredible opportunities. Learning a musical instrument is challenging, it demands fine motor skills and coordination. It develops children’s listening, thinking skills, imagination and perseverance. It brings out the very best in the children as they work collaboratively with their peers and teachers.

Performances give children a goal to work towards and great self-confidence, especially performing in front of proud parents, and has taken them to the Barbican Centre, the Royal Festival Hall and Birmingham Symphony Hall. I am deeply proud to be associated with the music programme at Gallions. At a time of cutbacks in the arts, they provide a perfect example of the value of music in the curriculum and children’s lives.

Bret Michaels Says Poison’s Fights Were Always About Music

 

Bret Michaels has insisted that even though he regularly fought with his Poison bandmates in the '80s and '90s, the disagreements were always about their music, and were never personal.

The original lineup — featuring Michaels, guitarist C.C. DeVille, bassist Bobby Dall and drummer Rikki Rockett — is currently touring with Def Leppard. It's their first U.S. road trip since 2012, after Michaels' solo career interests had made it seem as if a reunion couldn't be arranged.

And now that all four men are in their fifties, the fighting is behind them. "We've all knocked the s— out of each other – but a day later we're in the same room, working this s— out," Michaels told Rolling Stone. "Our arguments were never about whose bus is closer to backstage. They were always over songs in the set and stuff like that. Except for one big one with C.C., where we were belligerent drunk and I was smelling of whiskey and bad decisions."

Poison remain on the road until the end of June, but not even the band members know what's in store afterward. "If it takes me four years to get Bret to agree to play a tour, you never know if there's going to be another one," Dall said. "It's gotten so hard to just get it done."

Dall admitted that Michaels had upset his colleagues when he began performing Posion songs as part of his solo sets. "If I'm being honest, I think it would bother anybody," the bassist said. "And if anybody in the band tells you otherwise, I'd think they're lying."

"There's no malicious reason I do it," Michaels countered. "It's just in addition to what I do with Poison. You don't get to stay here for 30 years by accident. I'm comfortable in my own skin."

Annual showcase celebrates local music

It will be a reunion and a showcase of area talent on Saturday when The State Theatre’s Return of the Native Sons & Daughters show returns. The event features an array of local artists representing the best in State College independent music.

“This is a very close knit, incestuous music community and there is some amazing original music being produced here,” said local music fixture Ted McCloskey. “Unfortunately, most people don’t get to see and hear a lot of it. Well, here’s an incredible opportunity to see a prime sampler of that songwriting at a beautiful venue.”

McCloskey said he’s grateful for the opportunity to view his peers in their natural state, even if the chance doesn’t come around very often.

“I really look forward to seeing everyone,” he said. “One of the downfalls of playing six nights a week is that I don’t get to see other the artists as much as I like to.”

Natty Lou Race, of Raven and the Wren, agrees with McCloskey.

“Due to similar schedules in the entertainment business, it is not often to have a night off to go and listen to another band,” Race said. “Nights like this are most fun for musicians because we all get to enjoy each other’s performances.”

Race think that this area is conducive to independent musicians.

“The musicians in the area have a wonderful web of support seemingly ‘built in.’ Whether you’re fresh on the scene or a veteran of 40-plus years, all are welcomed, encouraged and befriended,” Race said. “I have personal relationships with many of the musicians on the Native Sons and Daughters bill.”

Noah Figlin, singer and guitarist for The Unbanned, has been a perennial part of the State College music scene for more than a decade and said he feels at home as a “native son.”

“The first show of this kind was in 2007 and it was a blast,” Figlin said. “It was an original showcase and album release party for The Nightcrawlers, The Rustlanders and Ted & the Hi-Fi’s. I believe each band played their entire record to a really appreciative and diverse audience. We all had a great time.”

Beyond being friendly, Figlin believes the local scene is packed with serious talent.

“The State College music scene is pretty multifaceted,” Figlin said. “There are a lot of really talented players and good bands who play a lot of different styles. The cool part is that among players who have been around for a while, almost everyone knows each other and is supportive of each other’s music. There are a fair number of serious artists here who really care about the music they make, and we all have a lot of mutual respect for one another.”

Nate Cushall, of The Tommy Roberts, agrees about the high quality of musical talent in Happy Valley.

“(It’s) a small, but very talented and supportive scene,” Cushall said. “We’ve got world class players here. Somebody good is playing somewhere most nights of the week.”

Cushall, much like his peers, is excited to see the other acts.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone, but I love Miss Melanie and the Valley Rats, and Raven and the Wren,” he said. “Also, I haven’t seen Lemont play under their new name yet, so I’m looking forward to hearing their new stuff. Mark Ross has been a mentor to both Brian (Cleary) and myself. He produced our first album, helped us get into the scene and is constantly after our wallets to buy new amps and guitars.”

The young musician think that anyone who attends the show will have a positive experience and become more interested in the local music scene.

“If you want to have a good time, and get hip to some of the best bands/musicians in State College, this is your all inclusive ticket,” Cushall said. “If you’ve never been to one of these local shows before, or aren’t super familiar with the scene, you will be educated by the time the show is over.”