90's vs now

What's up folks? I have had such a privileged week getting my creative juices flowing, going to see live music and seeing friends in fabulously cool places, what a week.

So after nearly a year of writing a blog and a few attempts at writing other bits and bobs I decided to take myself off to a Creative writing course recommended by a friend.  The course "Creative writing for beginners" is run by a lovely married couple Susan Oudot and David Wingrove at their home.  I won't relay the whole schedule of the day but I will say that it was great and has definitely given me more confidence with my ideas and the knowledge to push forward.  They also had the coolest home and are super successful through hard work and determination.  Being in their space made me want to be better and that can never be a bad thing!

Our group. The whole wall was lined with books.

Very eclectic taste, some would say fruity 

Then on to see 90's legends SWV, Dru Hill, Genuine and Silk at Hammersmith Apollo.  What a great night of sing along fun!  It did get me thinking about the voices around at the moment, I mean all of the artistes are belters with great range and emotion.  I am very aware that I'm not up to date with the current music scene but I don't need to be as having the radio on any popular culture station voices and songs should stand out right?  And they do but not a patch on these guys.  Stuck in a time warp much Marvon?
Anywho here is a shot but is very blurry.  It would seem that my multi tasking skills are lacking singing dancing and photography, not good.

SWV Sisters With Voices

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=h6qiV2nS6Js

The end of the week was dinner at Bistro Du Vin on Dean Street.  There was a lovely relax feel to the restaurant that I think was due to the very competent and complimentary staff.  Every fashionista loves this type of staff!  The menu was pretty simple which is good as I want to spend my time catching up with my friends not trying to decipher the menu.  Everyone was happy.
For drinks a quick walk around the corner to the quirky Soho Arts club where all of the drinks are served in tea cups and mugs.  This in itself was lethal as you are unaware of how much you top up but such fun times.  The musical theme of the night was 80's which was awesome although I do think the Dj should have mixed it up a little.  Saying that I did manage to sing "when will I be famous" by Bros and "Breakout" by Swing Out Sister word for word!
Didn't bother me for long as I clocked this cool chick in a Henrik Vibskov  kaftan and you know how much fashion make me happy.

Cool kaftan chick.

Perfect accessories 

Raspberry Ricket ummmm

One of my besties and I wearing some of this seasons must haves, neon and feathers.  I only wish the photo was clearer as the feather jacket is immense!

Me. Neon skirt by Asos, Jacket Zara Vintage clutch and Diesel boots.   Feather jacket custom made.

LOVE AND LIGHT
DON'T WASTW THE PRETTY!X

Yes please Giorgio!

So the theme for last week I would say was catch up.  Catch up with friends catch up on movies, catch up on sleep on the latest trends and the soaps the list could go on and it did.  


The most exciting for me is all the new season looks, there are so many! Gatsby, Neon, Floral double acts,  Pyjamas, Pastels,  Peplums, Lace and Metallics.  Then we have mules, yes mules are back and looking super sculpted like a piece of art and there's the wedged sneakers I've been obsessed with that are in every magazine in some form.  
To me there seems to be a lot going on this season.  This is not a bad thing, how could it be, its fashion but the only people I can see getting through it all are the models wearing it especially as us here in London will probably be wearing our winter coats until April/May!  That being said I have picked my favourites and will have a few chosen pieces that I will endeavour to wear.  I'll be all over the floral multi patterns so get your shades on because they'll be blinding!  I am already trying to make my Wedged trainers go with everything I own (doing quite well may I add).


In my excitement I got all arts and crafty but all jokes aside if Giorgio Armani or Mui Mui would like to donate this gold jacket or any pair of those sculpted mules I'm game and would be eternally grateful !

Its a good thing I was excited about the fashions as while catching up on my girly teenage Tv  Gossip girl to be exact I found this.  Usually I love Serena's styling but when the coat was off that jumper and coat were so dowdy, didn't look like the Serena we know and love.

My heavy heart did not last long as I happened upon these to beauties gracing the red carpet  at The Actors Guild Awards.  

Viola Davies from The Help wearing Tadashi Shoji

Jessica Simpson would you believe it wearing Jenny Packham.

Right I'm off the buy thermals to wear under my spring clothes.

DON'T WASTE THE PRETTY!x

All grown

Yeh y'all!  I have had the most interesting two weeks.  I have started rehearsing for the Opera Carmen which shall be performed at the Salzburg Festival this March.  I am genuinely feeling very previlaged to be a part of this festival not that I knew anything previously about it but there is a definate buzz and considering the colossal cast it should be an epic performance.  Of course I get to go to Salzburg and see what's happening over there in Austria but I also get to work with a whole load of people that I would not have come into contact with otherwise.  For instance the wonderful choreographer and all round creator of wonderfulness Aletta Collins.  Coming from a totally different area of dance as the cast are all contemporary dancers I had no idea who or what she had done and to be honest I wanted to keep it that way so that I came into the project with a totally open mind (and not in the slightest bit overwhelmed).  Aletta could make a loaf of bread sound exciting, her effervescence when explaining our production makes it all come to life through her words even though we're not on set, don't have the real props and none of the other 100 cast!
I can not wait to get into the theatre and get started but I must say it is hard work and for the first time I can empathise with my 9-5 friends, when do you have time to shop and preen and socialise?

Hehe feel like a real grown up!  Saying that I am still not wise enough to not absolutely go batty over mine and the whole fashion worlds new obsession with hi top sneakers.  I didn't go Isabel Marant batty as my friends have or even Marc Jacobs I kept it realistic and went for the original and definitely more humble Ash.

Isabel Marant will set you back about £400.

Marc Jacob My favs!

Topshop

Mine!

Anyway I'm off, last week of London rehearsals here I come, be good to me!

DON'T WASTE THE PRETTY!X

Lady of Leisure darlink

Oooo people I have been a lady of leisure this week, well thats what I'll call it anyway.  Some may say self indulgent or even lazy, to them I would probably give a little dirty look then chuckle on the inside.  I have definitely been making the most of my time off.  To start with I have been frequenting a lovely yoga place called Breeze in Beckeham South London where there is a great hot yoga room.  Now baring in mind I have tried the Bikram thing before and pretty much spent my time trying not to pass out seated on the floor watching everyone else getting them selves into all sorts of positions, I've had a great time.  The studios are lovely and clean and the staff are always super helpful.  I am now a Yoga master in Thai and the other one, oh and a bit of Pilates.  Ok so maybe not but I have a better knowledge and a tighter stomach and ass!

When not bending my body into weird positions I was lunching and dinnering.  My favourites, Rocca in Dulwich village and the Dean Street Townhouse W1.  Rocca a lovely Italian in the heart of Dulwich.  It was very busy for a lunch time with yummy mummy's what lunch and the local seventy somethings all filling their boots.  I kept it simple with a Margarita pizza, I know a bit boring but I have operation Carmen body still in full effect (will fill you in at a later date promise) so give a girl a break.   For dinner another trip to the Dean Street Townhouse.  I love the feel of this place.  It's in the heart of Soho and there is a note of this inside as it has a busy atmosphere but you also feel as if you have gone back in time with the 1940's I'd say lighting.  The food isn't to shabby either! Suffice to say I shall be going back and definitely having the Peanut, Chocolate and malt coupe. It was to die for!

Rocca, Dulwich Village

Dean Street Townhouse

Add in a impromptu trip to Bicester Village with two friends (I know I shouldn't but I did) and I had a perfect leisurely week which is good because as of next week it gets all new and busy and totally out of my comfort zone, bring it! Eeekkk

Love and Light people

DON'T WASTE THE PRETTY!X

Happy New You

Happy New Year folks!

It's funny my year didn't start the way I had planned, at Holborn House having dinner and then maybe a champagne count down in a snazzy bar/club with good looking suave people and great decor but I tell you what it was great!  After having to change my plans last minute on 31st December I called up a trusted bestie and asked if I could tag along.  Now those of you that have read my blog know I like clothes and a bit of dressie uppie.  I had painstakingly planned my outfit down to a tee and just awaited a delivery from Asos with an Antipodium coat to finish the look off.  There wasn't even a fleeting thought of changing the outfit just because of a small issue like total venue change just a tone down of foot wear maybe.
Now just like a lot of people I try not to put to much enfaces on NYE because we all know it can be a major anticlimax so in my mind I just reiterated that I would have a good time whatever happened in anyway I could and that is exactly what I did.
New venue, The Bedford in Balham a family pub with loads of rooms each filled with a different activity to get involved in.  Upstairs comedy and a buffet, so I filled my boots and popped in to hear some funnies' .  Had a great surprise when I bumped into two comedians I have worked with before John Fothergill and  Ian Stone had a quick chat then downstairs to bring in the new year.  Three different rooms of music and a real club atmosphere.  At one point I felt like I was in Ibiza!  I know, how? you may ask I'm not in a bikini on a beach but the vibe was great.  There was no count down or "old langs syne" singing just party atmosphere in a really big pub.
As I was a last minute tag along to someone with work responsibilities I found myself alone a few times.  This in it self was very interesting instead of feeling out of place or vulnerable I just danced like in was in my bedroom. Yes I may have looked like a bit of a nutter but do you know what this year is definitely about making those funny little memories that make me smile at a later date, so expect more crazy people behaviour!

The Bedford

Crazy crowd

House of Holland shirt dress Antipodium coat,   Kurt Geiger  boots,  Vintage  clutch.  Oh and friends lovely front room.

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Later 2011!

Hey peeps!  Long time no bloggy!  I am still alive and well and rearing to go for 2012.
What a fabulous year it has been travelling the world doing my thing, leaving my mark, ruffling some feathers and having a jolly good time!
Going to be back with full effect for the new year so keep your eyes peeled and enjoy my sharing.
Stay safe and have an amazeballz New Years eve!

DON'T WASTE THE PRETTY! X

Winter wonder

Now don't get me wrong I love the sun and the summer and all it represents, alfresco dining, shorts, lovely long evenings but it's the change of a season and to people like me thats means shopping!
We have been very lucky in London town as it's November and still quite mild and I'm so glad as I have been able to wear my midi skirts and dresses and not cover all of my recent purchases with a heavy over coat or spoil an over all look with 50 denier tights.

If you have read previous blogs you will know that I sometimes worry about my purchases and whether I really need any of it.  I usually get over myself in a matter of minutes and the answer is always yes to needing everything.  I am reminding you of this as I seem to have accumulated quite an array of new season bits and a few sparkles for the Christmas season, of which I am really looking forward by the way.

An Asos spree with a Vivienne Westwood mens shirt, over sized on me of course but great with some skinnys. 

Always loved Boy London stuff.  This seasons Chelsea boot from Zara and  some Topshop slipper type flats.

Studded top and leather trim knit both from Zara

That black shape is a very gorgeous tuxedo jacket from Zara and I couldn't pass up this seasons metallic trend also from Zara. 

I think that by my next blog I shall be relatively over my winter/Christmas wardrobe but if I'm not I will make no apologies as it makes me smile.

DON'T WASTE THE PRETTY! X