Glasvegas release their debut album today, one of the most highly anticipated and critically acclaimed albums of the year.

Hailing from Glasgow, the four piece have been together since 2000, but only really made it onto the music radar late last year when they released the single ‘Daddy’s Gone’ which started a bidding war amongst the major record labels. Their self titled album showcases their honest, brutal, but also beautiful lyrics, in a retro rock and roll style that’s high in atmosphere and low in pretension.

Currently in the middle of a hype storm, with claims of ‘the best thing to come out of Scotland’ and ‘they’ll outsell Oasis’ flying around, it’s a wonder the band managed to make an album at all under such immense pressure. But they’ve made an album that well and truly lives up to the hype and the high standard set by their singles. Whether they outsell Oasis isn’t important, they’re certainly more relevant and talented and crucially, far more gracious. Their debut is a powerful collection of songs that sum up our culture in an eloquent way, set to huge, epic-like music.

See what all the hype’s about, get Glasvegas by Glasvegas from Amazon for £8.88.

ITV debuted its new period inspired drama last night, Lost In Austen. The plot revolves around city girl Amanda being transported into the world of corsets, dances and chaperones from her favourite book Pride and Prejudice through her bathroom door, and swapping places with Elizabeth Bennet (played by new Bond girl Gemma Arterton).

Despite sounding decidedly cheesy and a bit naff, the show was very funny, particularly the struggle Amanda endured attempting to speak ‘proper’ English, and surviving without modern comforts (like a toothbrush). No doubt it will have ruffled a few Austen purists’ feathers, but taken with a pinch of salt this is a light-hearted twist on a literary classic.

Next week Mr Bingley declares his love for Amanda, who attempts to rebuff his advances by telling him she’s a lesbian, and more characters from the famous novel are introduced.

Catch it at 9pm on Wednesday on ITV1.

I love baking, especially cupcakes, and I’m always on the lookout for new recipe books. I recently got The Cupcake Book by Susannah Tee, and after some rigorous testing (and much cake eating) I can confirm that Susannah’s recipes are delicious.

The book is split into three sections, including one dedicated entirely to chocolate. There are also some healthier recipes, including delicious Banana and Honey cupcakes and Blueberry Muffins. And if that’s not enough to whet your appetite there are some beautiful cupcake pictures in the book, as well as hints and tips on cooking equipment and decorating.

The recipes are easy to follow but be warned - they make big cupcakes! You need to use muffin cases rather than fairy cake size cases, and most of the recipes make one and half dozen. Luckily though they also work perfectly fine when halved.

Pick up a copy for only £5.46 from Amazon and get baking!

Continuing on my hunt for apartment accessories I turned to Laura Ashley. Famous for her floral prints and home accessories I was inspired.

I want the Milner Floral Breakfast Cup and Saucer. The bone china set is decorated with pretty floral detailing and would look great in the kitchen with the rest of Laura Ashley’s Milner kitchen ware and it would even make a great gift.

Even better, it’s on sale now, it was £12 but is down to just £9. Visit Laura Ashley online if you’re thinking about renewing some kitchen accessories or looking for gifts for a friends house warming.

In my search for furniture I came across some lovely French style furniture pieces in InStyle magazine. Searching for the designer I was introduced to Dibor, an online furniture and accessories store.

It’s an absolutely fabulous site if your looking to French up you apartment or house. Think vintage looking furniture and glamorous accessories. I love this chest of five drawers. The vintage looking chipped painted colour and style makes this a must have piece and what’s even better you can get a matching wardrobe and bedside table.

The chest of drawers is priced at £575 available at Dibor online. Visit the online store for more French accessories now!

Film fanatics contain your excitement; the next installment of James Bond is coming to a cinema screen near you on the 31st of October 2008.

Picking up from where Casino Royale left of, Bond (Daniel Craig) infuriated with rage from loosing the love of his life Vespa (Eva Green) and being betrayed by her goes on a rampage to track down the organization who blackmailed her in the first place. Starting with Mr. White the man we see in the last scene in Casino Royale Bond and M interrogate him. Look forward to the usual action packed violence, another Bond girl and more expensive cars.

Visit the Quantum of Solace website to see the advertisement for the film.

So who didn’t love Mama Mia, the get up and feel good musical has been a box office success and even though it is still currently showing at the cinema it is available to pre-order.

The film see’s three men played by Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan and Stellan Skarsgard fight it out to win the heart of old flame Donna played by Meryl Streep who all simultaneously show up to her hotel in Greece because they were invited. But not by her, by her daughter Sophie, played by Amanda Seyfried who wanted a father to give her away at her wedding. As the drama unfolds it’s delightfully complimented by a series of ABBA hits performed by all the characters.

An all around feel good summer film, pre-order it now at Amazon online for just £10.98.

Europe’s hottest film festival is approaching beginning on the 15th of October until the 30th 2008.

Last year saw a wonderful selection of films including hits such as Lions for Lambs, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and Closing the Ring. This year promises to see more movie hits but sadly I cannot disclose the programme information as it’s not been put online yet.

The film programme for 2008 will be published on September 10th so keep checking The Times BFI London Film Festival website for programme info and tickets.

I was also just as delighted to see that you can pre-order The Hills season 2 for its release date on Monday the 1st of September.

Picking up from where season 1 left off we saw Lauren chose Jason over the dream opportunity of working in Paris and as the season unfolds we see how it was her worst decision yet. The feud between Lauren vs. Heidi and Spencer escalates to the point where Heidi chooses Spencer over Lauren and moves out in the finale.

Drama followed by more drama, pre-order your copy now at Amazon online for just £12.98. One can only wait for season 3 to be released to DVD.

As you may have noticed I am a huge fan of The Hills which is why of being out of country for so long I was delighted to see you can now buy The Hills Season 1.

Back to the beginning before the drama really started, Lauren moved to LA to follow her dream of fashion. She began an internship at Teen Vogue, making a new bf Whitney and moved in with already bf Heidi Montag. Throughout the season we watch as drama unfolds and follows Lauren wherever she goes even back into her former flame Jason’s arms.

Buy it now at Amazon online for just £12.98.

All The Hills fans will be excited to know that The Hills season 4 has been picked up and is airing in the USA on Monday’s on MTV as I write.

Complete with all the drama season 4 see’s Heidi and Spencer reunited, Lauren and Stephanie’s friendship blossom and then burn, Lo and Audrina’s feud get worse and a set of new boys. At the moment all of season 1, 2 and 3 is available to buy on iTunes so it should not be long before season 4 airs in the UK.

Visit MTV and iTunes for more information on episode previews and episodes.

Just as I got excited by Gossip Girl I realized One Tree Hill was also picked up for a sixth season and begins right after Gossip Girl airs on the CW network on September 1st.

Sadly no information is really given but what I am informed is that we will finally find out who Lucas chooses. WARNING: do not read any further if you have not finished watching the whole of season 5 on E4. To recap season 5 left off with the, in my opinion mean, cliff hanger where Lucas phones someone and asks if they want to get married in Vegas. The scene between him phoning and proposing was Brooke, Peyton and Lindsay all answering the phone but which one did he call? I was on the edge of my seat when I found out he would finally choose the girl of his dreams and cannot wait to find out who it was.

Like Gossip Girl there is no information as to when it will air in the UK but this is simply a heads up that it will start hopefully soon. Visit the CW to see the advertisement for the first episode.

News just hit me, Gossip Girl is returning for a second season and it begins in the USA on September the 1st on the CW network.

Obviously like every time a new season starts there are plenty of spoilers going round but what I can tell you is that it begins in The Hamptons, New York’s holiday destination of the rich and powerful. Chuck and Blair the ‘meant to be’ couple are off and taking great pleasure in making each other jealous. Nate and Serena after a brief fling over summer are off and on as in the sneak peak and adverts, we see Nate jumping out the window of a married women’s bedroom. Dan has apparently been two timing two women and Little J has been on an internship with Blair’s mum Eleanor. Some how the group all end up attending The White Party where mayhem as expected breaks out.

The above information has come from sneak peaks and the Gossip Girl advertisements that you can find on You Tube and CW online. No word on when it will begin playing in the UK but all I can say is I physically cannot wait!

This weekend I watched ‘Control’, a film based on the life of the late Ian Curtis lead singer of Joy Division. If you’re interested in Factory Records, Joy Division, beautifully made films or just tragic love stories then you need to give this a watch.

Filmed completely in black and white, the film charts Ian Curtis’ early life and career in Joy Division, right up until his suicide in 1980, aged just 23. Directed by Anton Corbijn, who filmed some of the band’s videos, ‘Control’ captures the intensity of Joy Division’s music, and the impact this had on their lead singer’s personal life. Amazingly the cast play all the music themselves - during live scenes the music you hear is the actors themselves playing and singing.

Sam Riley, who plays Ian Curtis had had no previous acting experience, but received huge critical acclaim for his portrayal of the troubled musician, despite only being born the year Curtis committed suicide.

A light-hearted rom-com this certainly isn’t, but if you’re looking for a though-provoking, emotive and wonderfully made film, you can’t do much better than ‘Control’.

Head to Amazon to pick up a copy for only £5.98.

One of the UK’s most popular and cutting edge indie bands, Bloc Party, have surprised fans by releasing their new album early. ‘Intimacy’ is available as a download as of today with the CD release coming on the 27th October.

Despite only releasing their second album ‘A Weekend in the City’ just under 18 months ago, the band were keen for their new material to be heard. Recent single ‘Mercury’ caused a divide amongst fans and critics alike with it’s electronic influences and jumpy rhythms. However lead singer Kele Okereke claims that ‘Intimacy’ is more of a pop based album and that the band aren’t straying too far into synthesiser territory.

You can buy the download from Bloc Party’s website for £5 or pre-order the CD with the download for £10.

The band play Reading and Leeds Festivals this weekend.