It's seems as though I write a lot about Amy Winehouse here on PinupGirlStyle but today, on the one year anniversary of her death I'd like to share what I wrote a year ago today upon finding out;

(Amy Winehouse at The Roxy her ONLY Los Angeles Show, photo credit:Marc Goldstein)

Amy Winehouse and her music had a huge influence on me. She was honestly an old soul. Her deep smoky voice was unique something only found during the origination of the jazz era. That rarity of an artist’s ability to conjure up truly soulful music reminiscent of Billie Holiday was precious to me, because she allowed me into enter a world that was before my time.  Her lyrics got me through break ups, hardships and one of THE darkest moments in my life. She seemed to be able to describe the way I was feeling when I myself wasn’t able to find the words. Her music was encouraging she gave me strength and she allowed me to reflect on my own life. It’s hard for be to accept that she wont be able to bring anymore music into our lives all we have now is all that’s left. Sometimes there are those certain celebrities in our world that we get extremely attached and who’s passing effects us more than we expect. She may have been a drug addict, she may have had legal problems and controversies but no one is perfect and really the only person she was hurting was herself. For those of you who want to simply condemn her for her drug use and say things like “I’m not surprised” you are forgetting that she did try and get help many many times. To me that seems like she was genuinely trying lay her self destructive habits to rest. I feel as though people don’t understand (or don’t care to) that overcoming a drug problem is very difficult you can’t just wake up one day and stop it cold turkey it’s a life long battle. One of the reasons this is so painful is because we were all routing for her to get better and to get help and to have the strength to kick the habit. Wherever Amy Winehouse is I hope she is at peace and I hope before she passed she realized how great of an influence her music was to everyone <3 R.I.P. Amy Winehouse the world of music will never be the same without you.

XOXO Ashleeta