Sunday, 2 December 2012

A Revlonutionary 80th

So this weekend I immersed myself in the wonderful world of Revlon as they celebrated 80 years as one of the pioneers of the cosmetic industry.

To mark the occasion, a pop up exhibition appeared at the London Film Museum to entertain fashion and make-up enthusiasts for one weekend only.

Treasured artifacts including iconic adverts and a pot of nail varnish from the 40's mingled with art installations created by young artists to capture the essence and impact of Revlon. 

I'm very familiar with the Revlon brand, but I must admit that I've never purchased any of their make-up - yup just feeling a little bit guilty. However, as you wander around the exhibition it's clear to see that women have been caught up in a passionate love affair with Revlon for the last eight decades. 

I always find it strange that you always find out unusual facts about a brand when they celebrate a key milestone. For instance, did you know that nail varnish is a weaker form of car paint? That the reason that Louboutin shoes have red soles is because Christian Louboutin used Revlon nail varnish to get rid of the black sole. 

Just remember girls the wise words of Charles Revson - the colour of your lips should always match your nails!





Tuesday, 27 November 2012

Creativity or Hyperactivity?


So this weekend I decided that Tuesday is the new Friday night as I opted to check out one of the free public lectures at the London School of Economics.

Sadly I didn't follow my father or brother in to the world of finance and if I'm honest I've never been fussed about economics. However, thanks to a random spot on Facebook, I discovered that the university happened to be hosting a debate right up my street - the creative mind.

Now I'm a firm believer that each and every one of us has some inkling of creativity in our minds. Unfortunately we are just not that great at accessing this creativity nor are we given many opportunities to do so as we are a society obsessed with fact over fiction.

Unluckily for society I love fiction and take every opportunity to be creative or as my friends describe it "hyperactive." It also happens to come in handy as my profession requires a good bit of creativity.

With a prime position in the lecture theatre (has it really been four years since I last stepped in to the educational arena?) I embraced the philosophical, psychological and linguistically to explain creativity.

Chaired by Dr Kristina Musholt we were overwhelmed by the knowledge and passion of the expert panel. Professor Margaret Boden, Research Professor of Cognitive Science, broke down the word 'creative' in to three key words - new, surprising and valuable. A sleep deprived Professor Nicholas Royle, professor of English, created anagrams from the word creative, but the most thought provoking was philosophy professor Gregory Currie.

He listed four ways to look at creativity which will now shape how I think in the future.

1. Don't think of creativity as special
2. Don't over-intellectualise creativity
3. Don't think exclusively about individuals
4. Creativity has cognitive costs

Check out the LSE website, www.lse.ac.uk, to find out more about their public lectures and to see what's coming up!

Sunday, 25 November 2012

Hidden Gem in Cannonbury


So this weekend I decided to get my dose of weekly culture and learn more about modern Italian art by taking a trip to the Estorick Collection. 

Now it's not the most well-known gallery and to most it just looks like a residential property in Canonbury Square. However, behind the Georgian facade is Eric Estorick's prestigious collection of paintings and prints from the Italian futurism era. 

My impromptu visit coincided with their latest exhibition which included works of art by Italian artist Bruno Munari. Not only was he one of the leaders of the futurist movement, but he also set up the first advertising company in Italy.

A mixture of intricate sketches, designs using various mediums and obscure art installations, Bruno was acknowledged as the twentieth century Leonardo. I particularly enjoyed his sketches and interpretations of objects and link between technology and art. Despite enjoying Bruno's work I felt confused with some of the other paintings on display especially one called the boxer. I tilted my head, squinted my eyes, stood up close and stood far away, but it looked nothing like a boxer.

I know my sister will be shaking her head as she reads this as she has seen first hand what my feelings are towards modern art. Art is not a piece of plain paper and I don't feel the need to splash out on a Tracy Emin original - I have my own version of unmade bed every day thank you very much. Yet I found myself intrigued by Bruno's work. Am I finally becoming a modernist? I doubt it as nothing will dampen my love for the pre-raphelites! 

I will leave you with this quote from an interview with Bruno in the 1950's. It really puts in to perspective the changing movements of the art world and how sooner or later we will have to move on with the times, but not just yet!

"Art is not dead, it has merely altered course and this is where we must look for it. It no longer responds to the old" - 1952

Sunday, 18 November 2012

High Note at the V&A


So this weekend I found myself back at the V&A, not to check out an exhibition, but instead to enjoy an evening of iconic and classic film scores. 

Why was their an orchestra performing in the V&A? Well it's all part of the much talked about Hollywood costume exhibition. So whilst we sprawled ourselves out on the mosaic floor in the Raphael gallery, a string quartet serenaded us with the themes from Gone With the Wind through to Psycho. 

 It's a shame how so many of us take film music for granted. Imagine watching Jaws without the opening score? Or watching an epic battle scene without a musical note? I know I'll appreciate film scores more!


Monday, 12 November 2012

Ditching the L Plates


So this weekend I finally removed the L plates off by bow to join the big kids club.

Should they have let me loose with a weapon of small destruction? Probably not, but then again I've got the certificate to say I've passed (please refer to post on 14th October as evidence).

Now that I'm with the pro's I'm learning a lot more about perfecting my technique and discovering some rather unusual tips.

What more is there to learn apart from aim and release I hear you cry? Well apparently it's all about being "one with the bow" and "tits and arse" according to one my fellow archers. Strange advice yet surprisingly valuable.

Yes my aim is still off, the neighbours target and the back curtain to be precise, but I've been assured that with a bit more practise I'll be on target. I just need to start chanting my new mantra "I am one with the bow" and surely I'll be on my way to success.

How will I fare next week? Well you'll just have to come back and read! 

Sunday, 11 November 2012

More Than Just An Airport Terminal


So last weekend I found myself back in the Costa Del Sol taking in the sights and sounds of Malaga in a weekend escape from rule Britannia. 

Most visitors who fly into Malaga airport see the city as at a gateway to tourist hot spots such as Marbella. Little do they realize that Malaga is not only steeped in thousands of years of history, but it is a city overflowing with culture, vibrant bars and amazing views. 

Birthplace to the world renowned artist Pablo Picasso, you cant visit Malaga without a trip to the Picasso gallery, a fortress of a building packed with obscure yet mesmerizing art. Even a trek up a small mountain, okay a steep hill, was worth it for the spectacular views across Malaga and the surrounding mountains.

It certainly makes you think twice about judging a destination before you try. Now l just need to figure out my next great escape!



Sunday, 14 October 2012

On Target For Rio


So this weekend I completed my five week archery training course! There were plenty of up's and many downs, hits on and off target, but mainly lots of fun. Will I go on to Rio or will I hang up my bow? I guess we'll have to wait and see!

It's official

Roll Out the Red Carpet

So this weekend I found myself doing something interesting and quirky on a week night! Shock horror!

On Wednesday evening, I found myself traipsing down the red carpet for the 56th annual BFI London Film Festival. I joined celebrities of all sorts for the European premiere of Tim Burton's Frankenweenie, the gala opening film!

The film left the audience in peels of laughter as we were all caught up in the wonderful and at times eccentric imagination of Tim Burton. I certainly enjoyed toasting the success of the film with a glass of champagne at the after party!



Piled on the Carbs in Marbs


So this weekend I escaped the miserable weather in London and escaped to celebrity hot spot (and TOWIE favourite) Marbella!


Now everyone loves the designer shops and the huge yachts in Puerto Banus, but my heart belongs to the beautiful Marbella Old Town. Tiny and cramped alleys led to; small squares with quaint shops, restaurants serving traditional food and the most amazing floral displays bursting out of balconies and hanging off roofs.

Juan, our excellent tour guide, took us around the maze of backstreets all of which had a story to tell. A particular favourite was "the naughty street." I'll leave it to you to guess the original purpose of this street!

And what better way to finish a day of exploring the past? Why a glass of sangria of course!



Saturday, 29 September 2012

A Ball Of A Day

So this weekend I indulged my passion for fashion and headed to the V&A to see their ballgowns exhibition - a celebration of British designers from the fifties to the present day.

I'm ashamed to say that the last exhibition I went to at the V&A was the Grace Kelly exhibit two years ago! Despite this I do regularly attend the evening lectures, words can't describe the excitement about seeing photographer Rankin on Tuesday, but as soon as I heard about the ballgowns exhibition I knew I had to go. 

My usual fashionably late line was tested to its limits, five months late to be precise, but I eventually made it. 

With excitement and sticky hands, owing to an unexpected coca cola incident outside, I entered the glamorous world of dresses that I can only dream of wearing let alone owning.  

From exquisite royal beaded dresses to voluptuous velvet, you couldn't fail to be impressed by the outfits on display. I drooled over Alexander McQueen's feather dress, worshipped anything and everything Stella McCartney, but was left less than impressed by a foil dress. It reminded me of one too many failed fancy dress outfits! 

It was clear to see the changing landscape of British evening wear over the last 60 years and how society influenced design. I'm not sure I'd want the full collection, but there were some other outfits that I spotted on the fashion floor that I wouldn't say no to keeping!

Fact of the day: In the 18th century dressmakers made fashion dolls to spread the word about the latest fashion styles!




Can I get all these dresses to go?

Perfect for a dip in the sea

My new work outfit


Clubbing just got glamorous

Wrap up warm this Winter

Sunday, 23 September 2012

Living in a Lederhosen Paradise

So this weekend I donned some particularly fetching lederhosen and embraced a cultural favourite... Oktoberfest, but in September.

I, along with a motley crew headed not to Germany, but instead to Kennington where our bavarian buddies had pitched a tent in the park to share their love of beer with us.

Now I never turn down an opportunity to get in fancy dress and I don't do things by halves. A mash up of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz and a milk maid went down well with the masses although once or twice I was mistaken for a barmaid!

It was quite possibly the most surreal experience of my life. People dancing on tables dressed to the nines in traditional gear, a german version of the Killers hit Mr Brightside  played by the band and endless rows of beer. Now all I need to do is book a flight to Germany to experience the real version.

Lovely Lederhosen

Monday, 17 September 2012

Specs Appeal

So this weekend I found myself in the basement of the Book Club armed with a pair of sunglasses and what can only be described as the best collection of bits, bobs and beads in the world!

What I hear you cry were you doing? Well it just happens to be London Fashion Week and the Book Club decided to get in to the fashion spirit by encouraging people to decorate plain boring sunglasses!

Now I do love a bit of craft and as you'll see below I went a little crazy decorating my sunglasses. There wasn't a theme left untouched! French, art deco, a pinch of Gatsby and what appears to be some curtains!

Now all I need to do is pitch them in to Chanel or YSL for their next collection!.Look out Vogue there's a new contender in the sunglasses world. Or maybe not!

Looking Spexy

Sunday, 16 September 2012

The Olympic Legacy in Action

It feels like a lifetime since Team GB celebrated a tremendous medal haul of 65 medals at the Olympics and 120 medals at the Paralympics.

Now the summer of sport is over, thoughts have turned to the legacy of the games and how we can inspire future Olympians and Paralympians or even just get Brits into sport!
 
Like many I was gripped by Olympic fever and from day one spent every available minute watching the games on the TV or on my mobile. I loved the drama in the athletics stadium, the speed in the velodrome and the energy of the triathletes. However, the sport that caught my attention was archery and I knew straight that I wanted to have a go.
So, at the weekend I trekked down to Bermondsey, not Sherwood Forest, for an archery taster session to find out if I had any natural talent.
While we gradually melted in the boiling hot gym, our tutor John took us through the basics of how to use a bow and arrow, the rules of archery and confirmed that at no point would we be firing at apples placed on top of someone’s head. After 30mins of do’s and don’ts we were let loose to test our aim and accuracy and in my case, Olympian potential!
What started as a bit of fun soon turned competitive when John upped the stakes and told us that we would now be taking on everyone in the class to find the best archer! I'm not going to lie, but at this point my competitive side kicked in and I was determined to beat everyone.

After several good shots, bad shots and shots that appeared on the wrong target board, the results were collated by a non-biased judge and I was announced as the girl with the highest score - beaten by only one guy.
96 out of 120 isn't a bad score for a beginner, but maybe with a bit more practise I may end up on the plane to Rio in 2016. The next question is do I stick with archery or try something else? Maybe I should try judo or rowing just to make sure I’m not missing out on an opportunity to win gold.
Is it Robin, is it Legolas no it's me!
 Five Facts about Archery:
• Archery dates back as far as 10,000 years ago
• Archery was reintroduced to the Olympics in 1972 after a 52 year absence
• In Olympic competition the distance between the target board and the archer is 70m (the arrow can travel up to 200mph)
• The target board is otherwise known as the ‘Boss’
• Hollywood Actress Geena Davis took part in trials to compete for the US team in the 2000 Olympics