Winter Weather Dressing

I booked a holiday to Stockholm at the weekend - and I can't wait togo! We're going in less than 2 weeks, so lots of my spare time will be taken up by researching and planning.

Careful packing is a must as we're only taking hand luggage - (we're on a budget, so the extra £30 luggage fee was a definite no.) I've been looking through old winter 'Toast' catalogues for inspiration - a few things are certain, (of course it'll be freeezing) so knee-high boots, thick socks, lots and lots of cosy knitwear, a giant coat and pale blue eye-shadow are all absolute musts.

I'm all ears for Stockholm travel tips if you have any..

The Artist (2011)

Have you seen it yet?! If not, I urge you to do so, and soon!

On this occasion, you absolutely must believe the hype, for this film is amazing. I saw it last weekend with my sister and we sat there with big grins on our faces for most of the film. It's beautiful, funny, and touching. I bet that media and film students everywhere will have great fun analysing how sound is played with.

The film encompasses shiny glitz and glamour and it will have you clamouring towards fake fur and make-up brushes. Some of the themes, such as the economic downturn resonate sharply with today and almost every scene is beautiful.

I think that to really enjoy this film to its full potential it has to be seen in the cinema - you'll kick yourself if you miss it!




Images are linked.

Mid Century Modern

.. This is the term Elle magazine used to describe the looming trend for vintage inspired hemlines and shapes. Perfect if, like me, you adore vintage but can't wear it head to toe - Mad Men for the 21st century.

Call The Midwife

Did you see the 1950s set period drama all about midwives in London's east end last night?

Blimey, it was good - I also loved the first episode, but Miranda Hart playing 'Chummy' took the show to new and amusing heights (quite literally.) In many ways, the show reaffirms my notions of a rather romantic view of an austere life.

I love the scenes of children playing in cobbled streets, whilst a huge ship looms over the houses from the dock. Of course the deeper issues (the disease and desperation of poverty) reign in my romantic notions, that is of course until everyone is sitting around a table with a cup of tea. One of things I love about these period tales in working class settings is how the characters really just deal with life, and get on with it and most of the time do so whilst having a relatively jolly time. It seems that living in slums in terrible conditions is the least of their worries, they did after all recently survive both the blitz and the depression..

In the first episode there was an amazing scene where a fog hit the area and at night it was literally pitch black, it's hard to imagine just how scary that would be, especially whilst riding a bike with the urgent matter of a birth to attend to.

Curl up with iplayer tonight if you haven't see it! And, if you have let me know!! I may even re-watch it, it's THAT good!

Pillow Talk, Doris Day

This is one of my favourites!

Doris Day's flat is amazing - as it would be, she is after a high flying interior decorator in this film.. And she never looks anything short of fabulous - beautiful jewellery, dresses and coats. Even when she's wandering about her apartment trying to use the telephone she does so in beautiful bed jackets.
Rock Hudson is also incredibly charming - as far as I'm concerned, this film has it all, it's incredibly stylish, and very, very funny. Highly recommended!

Happy Friday!

Hit delete on negative thoughts ...
Upon the advice of a friend I'm taking 'CAN'T' out of my vocabularly.

Have an enjoyable and productive weekend everyone! Much love.

(Picture source T Y P O R E T U M)

Paper Dolls

I just made the above photo my desktop background and thought I'd share.. cool, huh? It's from Aline Smithson's series In Case of Rain.

Hopefully it will remind me to do something other than surf the net... maybe..

January Treats

The month of January can be so drab that it is highly advisable that a girl treat herself to some nice new things to lessen the peril of the winter nights.

I recently treated myself to some little bits, the first, a Doris Day boxset. I love Doris Day, I love her films, her style, and her voice - I find her great inspiration.
Julie and Julia - one of my favourite films. I had sitting on the 'Virgin plus' box for about a year before I decided to make this worthwhile purchase.
A fake fur stole - a must for any girl. And Pattern by Tricia Guild, which contains lots of great house ideas...

(Lots more on Doris Day once I've sourced some great photos..)

EBAY!

I have some things on ebay (another wardrobe clear-out.. I have no idea how certain things I haven't worn for years keep slipping through the clear-out net...) but alas, more Kate Moss for Topshop item (the last thing, the shorts)... and I have a Toast shirt and a Jigsaw shirt up there.. and some other stuff...

So please check it out here.. the auctions are due to end tomorrow...
I also have the Kurt Geiger 'Perspex pouch' as seen above on there, it's been blogged about here, here and on Grazia Daily here.

Happy Birthday Kate Middleton

The Dutchess of Cambridge is 30 today. Perhaps this post is a little predictable, but I have a real soft spot for Kate Middleton - how could you not be fascinated by such a charismatic and charming princess?

Her elegance and poise is really a marvel. She is one of the worlds most high profile women and she manages to carry the pressure oh so well. I really do find her a good role model, she has that old school glamour which is such a rarity nowadays.

I heard on the news that her birthday would be a private, low-key affair. One can only imagine what will be going on behind palace doors.. if it were me it would include beautiful clothes and flowers, better food, lovely cocktails and close friends and family.. perhaps a few records and a some tipsy party games..

(Photos are linked.)

Live Alone and Like it.

You may recall a few months ago, (here) I mentioned a book by Marjorie Hillis. And I have gotten around to reading 'Live Alone and Like It,' (was there ever such a great title?!)

Despite originally being published in 1935, this book isn't as dated as you may imagine. Yes, there are some archaic notions, mostly involving servants and bed jackets, but on the whole this book contains advice which is worth it's weight in gold. The bottom line of the book - self reliance. Yes, a girl will have great family, friends, and suitors however above all else, she sustains herself alone.

Marjorie Hillis is often quite stern, and the preface contains this great little quote: 'Everybody feels sorry for herself (to say nothing of himself) every now and then. But anyone who pities herself for more than a month on end is a weak sister and likely to become a public nuisance besides.'

There is advice in here from setting up your home (or room) in good taste, to advising on how to make friends in a big city, and throwing dinner parties. Every chapter is absolutely brilliant, however I found 'Pleasures of a single bed' particularly enjoyable (and, no.. this chapter isn't about sex.. that comes next, in the euphemistically named chapter 'Will you or won't you.') 'A lady and her liquor' has great advice for cocktail making (and drinking) - very important to any young lady!

I would strongly suggest this to any gal with a inclining towards independence.

PS: It has funny illustrations too - love the front cover, smoking in bed - the height of decadence!

Some Cool Stuff Happening this Year...

Television -

The return of Upstairs Downstairs (around the start of the year.) Did you see last years Christmas episodes? They were awesome, pure escapism gold, and livelier than Downton.


We'll Take Manhattan.. (mid-Jan) tells the tale of the love affair between Jean Shrimpton and David Bailey. It's set in New York, in 1962. A-W-E-S-O-M-E.
As if you need more convincing to tune in, this is what the BBC press office says: 'the drama brings to life the story of two young people falling in love, misbehaving, and inadvertently defining the style of the Sixties along the way.'


(check out the legendary photo shoot here)

Exhibitions:

Yayoi Kusama at Tate Modern. (opens 9 Feb) I can't wait for this. This woman influenced Andy Warhol and Donald Judd; she makes giant installations out of polka dots and her work is incredibly varied. From her psychedelic paintings, to her polka dot splattered photos; to immersive installations. And the subject matter; just as varied - women as sex objects, men as sex objects, her sexuality, your sexuality, the east the west. She's 90 and still makes art work - she's a powerful force; really sticking it to the male dominated western art world. It's going to be dazzling. MUST SEE!

The Daddy of contemporary art, Damien Hirst, will also be exhibiting in a pivotal show at Tate Modern this summer. Love him or loathe him, you'll be kicking yourself if you miss the skull ('For the Love of God') in the Turbine Hall.

The V&A has two exhibitions lined up this year and both have a distinctly British feel and both look super cool.

This first, British Design 1948 - 2012 looks spectacular. This is an all-encompassing show which celebrates and reflects the exciting creativity and innovation to be found in Britain over the past century or so.. this is gunna be filled with lots of iconic stuff that will probably make you say, "yeah, being British is pretty damn cool."

And the second... Ballgowns, British Glamour since 1950s. I think this shall be the year that I strive to take in as much glamour as I can.. this looks set to be fabulous escapism. Race you there, ladies!

Happy New Year everybody!

Go forth and be awesome. Cheers everybody!

Here are a few sentiments I am planning to take with me into 2012..
The first comes from a dear friend who said something profound to me yesterday. And, the second, from Spring Greens, who I have gotten to know remotely over the past year... and she's awesome...

"We all have the same 24 hours, it's what you do with them that matters..."

"May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself." via Neil Gaiman

The image is linked to 'Note to Self' - a very cool blog, check it out, here!)