Hello World

Hello world! I've been MIA for a while. So much going on and a real mixed bag. From red sole shoe exhibitions to brief visits to the hospital. Learning amazing choreography and becoming a want to be Yogi. Whats funny is the thing that has resonated in me and brought me out of my writers slump is my realisation of being a brand snob. I hear the gasp from you all and I also here the realisation in your minds as you think about your own consumption and wonder "am I a brand snob?". The answer is probably yes I afraid. I know the current climate may curb such snobbery in certain instances in my world this is confined to things like kitchen towels and cleaning products. I am not ashamed of my thoughts behaviour or actions in anyway it is what it is. I just thought I was more open minded with regards to the underdog. I mean I am British, we love the underdog. Now obviously this brand loving rears its snobby head in my fashion prowess. I shall explain try not fall asleep. I have long loved the Dr Marten boot. It started with my love for TLC you know 90's r'n'b girl group. To look like said band DM's were a must so after long badgery my parents relented. I wore them until the heel was worn right down and this is no mean feat I tell you. Fashion changes and I stayed away from them for a while but about 5 years ago I felt the need to purchase another pair. Still with me? My need was so great for these boots I bought them a little snug on one foot. I then spent the next five years wearing them on average twice a year and working through the pain. After a little time of reflection I decided to rid myself of all unnecessary items of clothing and accessories. The to small DM's had to go so I sold them to then buy again in the right size. The selling experience was not great for me they sold for £20!!! I know I am clearly rubbish at selling. Sensible me wants to replace with a very similar style boot. In jumps the snobbery. I tried for the sake of the equilibrium in my bank balance to love the alternatives but alas the brand won. Have a look and make up you own mind. Black 8 hole Dr Martens Black River Island boot River Island boot Pink Dr Martens However when it comes to my other senses and with this I mean smell. I have opted for a very none branded perfume originating from Moroccan amber. It cost £2 and smells divine. Where is my snobbery now? Life is strange. Great to be back! DON'T WASTE THE PRETTY!x

Salzburg sun

Allo! I write this wonderfully overdue post on a very beautiful sunny Sunday in Salzburg.  I have been here for two weeks and I am having the most amazing time.
Lets start with the work.  You may have read before that I am dancing in the Opera of Carmen in Salzburg.  This is my first Opera experience and can honestly say nothing can prepare you for the sound that comes from these seemingly human opera singers, it is simply phenomenal.  I am not a gushy person but I am undeniably working some of the most talented people ever.  Creative Director and choreographer  Aletta Collins minds works in a way that no mere mortals can, she sees and can jump into any character no matter how small or large at any time and often does to our amusement and total ewe.  We then have Opera legend Jonas Kaufmann.  I had no clue who this dude was three weeks ago and now I have the pleasure of seeing him perform nearly every day and it can get pretty emotional I tell you.  You have to understand I am  South London girl(ok woman) who loves 90's r'n'b and drum and bass.  I have never had any interest in Opera before but after being a part of this one I will definitely  go and see some more.  The sounds that come from these people are out of this world and they are not even singing to there fullest yet.
Sir Simon Rattle is our conductor again I knew nothing of this man, just that he shakes a stick at musicians.  How wrong was I.  The man is fabulous.  He brings the singers the chorus and even us dancer out of ourselves and yes I mean singing, us dancers are singing albeit very timidly.  Me personally I just like his face.  It is so warm and disarming. Watching him and Aletta work just makes me want to be better.  That is a fabulous thing.

Aletta Collins

Sir Simon Rattle

The City of Salzburg is very beautiful and quaint.  It is a very rich city with lots to see museums, castles and lakes and there is a national dress that people actually wear!  It was the home to the Von Trapp family and Mozart and I'm sure much more but I haven't got around to them yet.  I must say was a little miffed at Mozart's former home now being an up market Spar supermarket.
As I said Salzburg is a rich city but in no way a fashion haven in my opinion.  Yes there is a national dress which I greatly respect but I have not seen one person with great individual style.  Most people are well dressed but they all look the same and in my opinion very vanilla and the shops reflect this much to my bank balances delight! Who knows maybe some one will put me gang to rights in the following week but until then....

Mozarts house, what a same.

National dress.  It's very cleveragey. 

One of many interesting fashion stores.  I wonder of Vogue magazine know of this? 

Last but by no means least I have to praise my fellow Carmen gypsy dancers.  We are so diverse with people from Paraguay to Paris each bringing their bit of flavour to the stage.  The talent is immense and the laughs even better.  I don't think Salzburg (especially the night life) quite know what has hit them!

Gypsy girls in rehearsal studio

Manon's lovely profile by the river

Getting some rays by the river.  Just a casual lunch.

I can't wait to see how this all pans out but till then...

DON'T WASTE THE PRETTY!X

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.

DON'T WASTE THE PRETTY! X