Ninties Revival

Today would you believe I've been reminiscing over an era which brought us Absolutely Fabulous, Kate Moss, Britpop and although not as sophisticated as the eighties it was so much more fun!! Being only twenty I had eight years to enjoy this decade. If anything I'd spent my teenage years emersed in music of the time not so much fashion though so I thought I'd add some videos, pictures and ... well ... just great memories.

This doesn't cover half the amount of reasons why I love this time but, what I will say is it was easy, fun, energetic and dangerously cool!

 

Dress For Success Fate and Fashion

Today I went to the local school to see perhaps if they would like an English tutor, no rendez-vous, appointment or anything just arrived at the door looking to speak with the "directeur". Little secret is that I was extremely nervous and didn't know what to expect all I had with me was my look and my charm (it doesn't go very far in the French language due to only speaking it a couple of months) my look on the other hand was carefully thought through. All went really well and low and behold I got the job.
I dressed smart a really beautiful H&M double-breasted grey coat (yes I finally got one :)) A beautiful Tom Tailor polo neck jumper and flattering jeans. Topped off with my glasses (normally don't wear them but hell with it, I needed to look intelligent).
One should never underestimate the power of smart clothing and how the world can change to your advantage with just an extra button done-up. Here's some images of the professional-not-too-wall-street-look.



P.S. The colour purple is associated with knowledge and good intuition and grey with formal and conservative luckily both go really well together and you can make yourself more attractive to possible employers.
 

Savita's Story And A Need For Change

I shudder think that I'll ever be in a situation where I was about to become a father and have the horror of losing a child via miscarriage but that was the case for one man who not only lost his child but also the woman he loved. Ireland this week has been rocked by the case of Savita Halappanavar who was denied an abortion even after being told the foetus would not survive. Sunday October 21st she entered a hospital in Galway with back pains only to be told she was miscarrying. She and her husband had requested an abortion but doctors couldn't carry this through as it abortion is illegal in Ireland. Over the next three days doctors refused their requests for a termination of her foetus to combat her own surging pain and fading health.
"Savita was really in agony. She was very upset, but she accepted she was losing the baby," her husband told The Irish Times in a telephone interview from Belgaum, southwest India. "When the consultant came on the ward rounds on Monday morning, Savita asked: 'If they could not save the baby, could they induce to end the pregnancy?' The consultant said: 'As long as there is a foetal heartbeat, we can't do anything.'"
"Again on Tuesday morning ... the consultant said it was the law, that this is a Catholic country. Savita said: "I am neither Irish nor Catholic," but they said there was nothing they could do," Praveen Halappanavar was quoted as saying.
He said his wife vomited repeatedly and collapsed in a restroom that night, but doctors wouldn't terminate the foetus because its heart was still beating.
The foetus died the following day and its remains were surgically removed. Within hours, Praveen Halappanavar said, his wife was placed under sedation in intensive care with systemic blood poisoning and he was never able to speak with her again. By Saturday, her heart, kidneys and liver had stopped working and she was pronounced dead early Sunday, Oct. 28.

31 year old Savita Halappanavar .

   2,000 people protested outside Government buildings in Dublin and Cork.

Of course this is an exceptional circumstance but one person had said to me "women have no domain over their own bodies" completely true and also I must feel for the doctors who were in the care of Savita, legislation is very unclear over termination of pregnancies in Ireland and neither patient nor doctor really have any chance to do what's best in these situations. This story really affected me as a very close friend had the very same problem this summer but not in Ireland, here, in France and I dread to think of losing my dear friend and mother of two young children because legally she can't make a choice.
Mothers have the best interest for their infants and for themselves and should really be allowed to choose what to do in such cases. Savita knew what was best for her all along yet she was powerless. My message to the Dail (Irish Governement) is do not let this catastophe be in vain change and reform law for the sake of all mothers, women, girls and husband and lets not lose one more soul.

Denis Simachev Brightens my November

Today the sun is shining and the Alpes have snow and a leaf in just about every colour is decorating my street this makes a huges difference to what I normally know November as (usually cold dark and drab colours) so I decided to introduce you guys to a very well know Russian designer Denis Simachev. This guy has one of the coolest bar/cafe's in Moscow and to those who already know of Denis' work he loves print and colour.

What I really love about Simachev is that he has branched out successfully and anybody can have a little piece of his work either at home or on the go.

www.denissimachev.com

Halloween is here FINALLY

I'm always super excited this time of year Halloween has always and I mean always been my favourite holiday however, here in France it's not really celebrated to my dismay :(. I could not let this go by so I decided I'll organise a little dinner party/soiree this weekend and let our buddies here see how we celebrate across the water.

• I love the idea of costumes but its a little much for the French so masks would be suitable for the occasion.
• I have to buy a lot of cider perhaps try some of the new flavours
• A couple of party games like dunking for apples (my other half found this hilarious when I told him)
• As for food rustic food like pork , apple sauce, root veggies the lot .
• Desert of course has to be every kind of sweet or candy you can buy or make , normally I make caramel squares .
• My friends here usually play poker or tarot so we play on into the night .

Really wish I could decorate like this its Georgeous


Here's a recipie for a shot which for us adults can make it a very merry celebration :)

Apple Pie Shot 2 drink recipe

Apple Pie Shot 2 drink recipe made with Apple Juice,Cinnamon,Cream,Vodka,. How to make a Apple Pie Shot 2 with all the instructions and ingredients.
Recipe Rating:	3.1 stars based on 194 votes
Ingredients to use:	0.75 oz Apple Juice 1 dash Cinnamon 1 whipped Cream 0.75 oz Vodka
Directions:	Wet tongue with juice/vodka mix, sprinkle cinnamon on tongue, put shot in mouth, do not swallow. Fill rest of mouth with whipped cream. Swish, swallow.    Happy Halloween Week-end my Friends

Move over Cannes, Beaurepaire is Where the Festival's At!

This week my humble little town Beaurepaire hosted a very established film festival. This is the 24th year of its running. Both French and International cinema have been very well represented and those both in front and behind the camera have made appearances over the week to celebrate and release their films. This weekend we have seen actress Sandrine Bonnaire turn her hand to directing, presenting her debut film "J'enrage de son absence" as well as legendary actor Daniel Prevost attending the festival .


Ce weekend dans ma modeste petite ville de Beaurepaire a eu lieu le 24eme festival du cinema,ou Sandrine Bonnaire "actrice " etait la pour presenter sont premier film en tant que realisatrice "J'enrage de son absence"d'autre acteur comme daniel PREVOST etait present


Actress Sandrine Bonnaire has turned her hand to directing in the film "J'enrage de son absence" Actrice Sandrine Bonnaire a tourné sa main à diriger dans le film "J'enrage de son absence"

Actor Daniel Prevost. Acteur Daniel Prevost.

A selection of the films shown over the weekend. Une sélection des films présentés au cours du week-end.

Spring-Summer 2013, Bottega Veneta

Is it just me or doesanybody else see a Native American/Pilgrim theme here. Either way I love the loose fit, neutral colours and the layering .

                                                     MEN’S SPRING-SUMMER 2013

For Spring-Summer 2013, Bottega Veneta offers a collection inspired by the ease and informality of the pullover.

The near-universal garment — a top that is pulled on over the head — recalls clothing as varied as navy seaman’s uniforms and South Asian kurtas. At Bottega Veneta, it’s casual and lightweight, with a breezy, retro sensibility. Narrow, cropped pants worn with pullover shirts and t-shirts have the effortless feel of sportswear. The slim, natural-looking silhouette is enhanced by nuanced tailoring and offhand layering.

Natural leather hues ground a palette filled with tempered shades of blue and gray. Breezy, luxe materials are drawn from unexpected sources. Refined fabrics from women’s wear — silk chiffon, organza, silk poplin, silk crepe de chine, and parachute silk — are washed and treated, frequently paired with cotton, then used for shirts, windbreakers, anoraks, and jackets. Technical materials like ultrafine polyesters and dense synthetics with body and a supple hand add structure to slacks and shirts. There are cottons of varying weights, including fluid cotton jersey and cotton blended with linen.

Suedes range in weight and feel from superfine suede, with a liquid drape, to a heavier version with a dense, plush attitude. Wrinkled paper calfskin is distinguished by its rich surface and shine.

Functionality and an uncontrived approach to luxurious materials characterize the season’s accessories. Bags are soft, slouchy, and understated, many with long straps so they can be slung across the body. Shoes are ankle-high, with apliable construction, minimal sole, and the relaxed energy of ‘70s athletic shoes.

“The collection is inspired by this very simple shape, a top that you pull over your head,” says Creative Director

Tomas Maier. “It’s a piece that you find in traditional and contemporary cultures all over the world. And it’s worn by people

doing so many different kinds of activities. Soldiers, sailors, fishermen, mountain climbers, they all wear a version of a

tunic or pullover. We wanted to explore how it can work in contemporary wardrobes.”

 

 

 

Visit The Site

www.bottegaveneta.com/

 

Stilyagi-Les influences

Max Barskih/Макс Барских

Max Barskih is a Ukrainian singer who's a little out there and punk-ish but has made an impact on my wardrobe. Collections I'd recommend to get his look would be Vivienne Westwood, D-Squared, River Island, I would even try some of John Rocha's collections of past and as always vintage is great. You could also keep it current with some of  J.W. Anderson’s AW12 Menswear collection .

(With actress Vahina Giocante)

(With Uffie&Karl Lagerfeld)

 

Ora-ïto

Ora-ïto is a French designer who has worked with Swatch, Swatch, appliance manufacturer Gorenje, brewer Heineken and tobacconist/fragrance chemist Davidoff. He's a little different from Max but this guy is just effortlessly cool and his look is classic. For a guy my age I would interpret Diesel, D&G, Acne, The Kooples & Hugo Boss into my wardrobe. For more formalwear  Armani, Alexander McQueen or Burberry AW2012 for more recent trends. Or if budgeting United Colors Of Benetton & Como have some really great suits . Personally I check online for the best deals around and a site most French people will know is www.leboncoin.fr fantastic for Kenzo and T.Mugler pieces.

 

Best October Memory

About two years ago in Dublin I was staying at a friends place and a German girl who was staying there also  showed me this song. Such nostalgia for our bottles of 5.50eu Hardy's Chardonnay, making the best pasta ever and being quite hammered so forgetting the recipe :( Virginia I'll never forget the hilarious ad's you showed me as well ;-)

 

My Friend Milliner John Shevlin

So I'd like to talk about hats , some people wear them and are transformed and some well .... aren't . My friend in Dublin John Shevlin, I must say makes the most fantastic hats and at reasonable prices too (approx 50-120eu). This year has been a wonderful year for John as his hats are for sale in Arnotts one of Irelands most  highly regarded stores aswell as in a beautiful boutique on Cows Lane Temple Bar. Not much to those of you outside Ireland but this man is gaining recognition internationally and has a very loyal clientele.
Here are some photos of the choices available and some that I couldn't resist trying on .

(Sorry for the bad photography :-/)

In recent years I believe Ireland has made way for hats to be back in fashion. Take Philip Tracey for example who is leading the way for Irish hat designers and making "mhuintir na hÉireann galánta" on an international stage. And it wont be long before John is recognised as one of Irelands best kept secrets.

 

Links To Shop&Browse

www.shevlin.ie

 

www.cowslanedesignerstudio.ie/

 

www.arnotts.ie

 

Moi et ma ville Vienne

How To Charm a Room Of Strangers( The Professional Way)

So tonight is my first event since arriving in France and I couldn’t be more excited but I know nobody who’ll be there, many people would never go to a party where they knew nobody right? Well it’s a great way to gain friends and enjoy festivities. I will tell you anyone can go to party but not anyone can leave the party with new contacts and even new friends so here is my foolproof way to be the belle or the beau of the ball.

• You have to do a little research before these events, what kind of people will be attending, where is the venue and what is the ambiance. These are vital in preparing for your event you wouldn’t show up to some casual event in a tuxedo nor in a t-shirt and trainers to a gala so know where you’re going to first.
• Fashion is always important in my eyes. When I look my best, I feel my best and a little belief that you look sexy or suave is a great confidence boost, for me I know I feel best in proper slim-fit shirts( Gucci got me covered there) for example. Everyone has that wow effect outfit so why not wear it and trust me you’ll have complements galore.
• Once you arrive at the venue don’t walk straight in, go to the bathroom and do a once over so any flaw or any hair out-of-place can be put back order.
• Entrance is key to attracting people. Look up be confidant and have a focal point in the room( at this stage a lot of people become overwhelmed by crowds or stares)
• It always helps to have a beverage but don’t start downing it like you’ve been in a desert without water. Most of the time this step leads up to No.5
• Casual conversations mainly happen at the bar and there is ALWAYS someone there on their own whether they are getting drinks or avoiding people , this is a great opportunity to chat , come up with a theme, statement, compliament anything to get this person talking to you once you’ve started if you’re like me you can stop!
• I should have mentioned this step earlier but it really does help to know whats going on in the world so NEWS/NOVOSTI/NOUVELLE is a must know. It separates the people who have a little more going on upstairs and the ones who don’t .
• For me personally I have five themes I know quite a lot on be it art, music, culture or language these are vital when engaging in conversation they show character and depth.
• It always helps to have business cards even if you don’t have a business these are much more professional than whipping out a phone taking every number email and piece of info from your new acquaintances and for us lazy people they save time and energy.

So I hope these steps are worth taking into account and become useful to you. Before long it will be second nature, just make sure you remember the people you talk to well and most importantly keep contact they could turn out to be your new best friends.

Art and appreciation

Some random images created by me and taken from the web