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Mascara 2013-03-28 (04.47.28-476 PM)
I thought I’d make an attempt at being all fashion and leave off the mascara (so over, it’s all about the new clean, did you not get the memo?) but I’m just not hard enough (and yes, I accept this Lady Fashion, you cruel and fickle mistress). So last week I caved like the wimp I am and bought a nice shiny new one. I’m so loving it (don’t tell Ms Fashion, she’s a bitch when she’s angry) so I’ll share with you the name, Inimitable Intense by Chanel.
Now yes, partly I’m just a sucker for the pretty packaging, partly (oh c’mon, Chanel has the nicest presentation). BUT also it does, as my friend Charlie rightly pointed out, give a very particular look. And that is a look that I like, a little bit sixties, nice and long, a bit rock and roll and doesn’t budge even if you get sweaty. And as discussed, I like to get sweaty. I’m not sure that Hitchcock heroines ever got excited by having a workout, but sometimes my muses get confused and if Tippi Hedren ever did pop down to Pineapple for a dance, I reckon she’d have been wearing this.
So just one problem then, in a couple of days I’m heading to the sunshine (hopefully, fingers crossed) to hang by the pool (double fisted knee slide, I hate Winter and this one is never ending. Ever. Fact.)
So, options here as I see them are
1. Ditch the mascara, go au naturel and on trend and make Missy Fashion happy.
2. Wear it anyway, who cares if it runs in the pool.
3. Put on massive sunglasses and order a large Pina Colada.

Hmmm, what would Tippi do?

Winona Forever 2013-03-27 (12.38.34-683 PM)

I’m declaring a Winona Ryder season.

No really, it’ll be very.
It started a couple of weeks ago when I watched Reality Bites. So grimy. So good.
Next up was Mermaids, (excuse me, how cute is Christina Ricci? And that fringe? So Spring ’13).
Ok, so now I’m watching Welcome Home Roxy Carmichael, a charmingly underrated film in my opinion and one that my sister and I always loved. I mean, Winona and pigs, what’s not to like? I’m lining up Beetlejuice, naturally, and Heathers (see above) plus Edward Scissorhands for blonde Winona (which feels a bit wrong but I’ll push on through).
Then Night on Earth, awesome grown up Winona driving a cab. Anything I’m missing?

Sweat 2013-03-22 (11.00.44-840 AM)
So I’ve been dancing a bit. I told you I would, remember? And honestly, when do I ever lie to you? So yes, the dancing. Now look, I’m not saying I’m ever going to be any good at this thing, but it’s just so…addictive. No, seriously, it’s completely buzz inducingly addictive.
That’s not a word.
I don’t care.
I’m dancing anyway. Here’s why..

1. I’m never going to be any good. Now look, I say this as a positive. I am very focussed on getting better at things in general and it’s really nice to do something that really is just for the journey, not for the result. I know! That’s proper hippy talk. I don’t care, I’m dancing anyway.

2. Because being in a dance class makes me think of this (And I mean actually think of it because I’m old enough to remember it the first time.) How brilliant is Debbie Allen? I want to be her. I want a big stick and I want to ask for payment in sweat with no sense of irony. I know really, that I’m much more like Lori Singer at the end there… “What does that mean?” but hey, I’m dancing anyway.

3. Because it makes me cry OK, this is a little embarrassing. I do get quite frustrated at my own crapness sometimes and I have to go away and (privately, come on) have a little cry. Now yes, you’re right, that may not seem such a positive but I reckon it means that I care and that is a good thing, yes?

4. Because it makes you really really strong Aha! Good evening vanity, I was wondering when you were going to join us. Yes, it gives you abs of steel (is there quite a soft sort of steel? because that might be the variety I have.) Well, OK, nearly abs of steel. Well it allows you to eat pain au chocolate without worry and sort of stretches you out so you look better and stronger.

5. Because my teachers are amazing and every time I watch them move I think yes, try again, even though I’ll never be able to do it like that (see above) it’s just beautiful and inspiring to watch people do what they do best.

So I’m off to sweat today, I have a story that won’t come straight in my mind and it may fall into place while I concentrate (really hard) on something else. I just have to remember not to look in the mirror too much because then I see Intense Concentration Face which truly, ain’t pretty. Black Swan this is not.
But you know what? I’m dancing anyway.

Monday Morning 2013-02-11 (10.02.37-317 AM)
Monday morning and the snow is back, hibernation is a tempting option.
But no!
I have my favourite seat in my favourite cafe, I have a pot of tea and and have enough visuals swirling round my head from the weekend to warrant a little review, a short post match analysis, before beginning the week proper. A lot of screen time, some actual doing and a whole load of inspiration. So grab a coffee, I’m nice, I’ll share.

Tatayana at the Barbican on Friday, the second half particularly blew my mind, must shoot a bride story oh! those veils and why, please, do I not know any classic Russian stories? Diana Vreeland film, finally, must learn to lower my voice an octave and speak with more authority. I bet she knows Pushkin, her Russian obsession was infectious. Live streaming the New York shows onto my iPad, joy. Immediate thoughts (as in relatable to my actual life) Rag & Bone, eyeliner! Alexander Wang, next Winter will be OK if I can dress like a boxer and be snug as a bug in those coats! A Prophet, better late than never, disturbing but stunning, can’t believe I didn’t see it earlier. Cara, everywhere. The Baftas: British pride is still hanging in there post Olympics and Helen Mirren has pink hair, as if I needed a reason to love her more. And in between the looking? dance dance dance. I am now officially proper addicted to my dance classes, I’m still utterly rubbish, thanks for asking, but no matter, I will press on.

And so, download complete and onward into the week, coffee time over, enjoy your day!

Eyeko 2013-02-05 (12.33.17-029 PM)
When it comes to make up I generally aim for less than perfection.
I mean, I really appreciate a pristine face but personally, I like things to be a little bit messed up. Like you’re having a bit too much of a good time to worry about everything being neat as a pin. My sister, (who I think we’ve gathered, it my guru when it comes to beauty) (apart from my hair, my hair belongs to my mother) (Yes indeed Doctor, the same time next week is fine) told me once at an impressionable age that I should always arrive at a party looking like I’ve just come from one.
But recently I’ve been increasingly seduced by the idea of a perfect cat eye. Well maybe not a whole cat. Not a big in your face flick like a Nike swoosh, more like a little baby kitten. A subtle nod to my sixties obsession (no really, just check out my Tumblr if you don’t believe me) and also a concession to looking just a little tiny bit more, you know, together.
I quite like the idea of a pen to draw with. I mean, generally, I like drawing with a pen. So Eyeko eyeliners made me all excited plus they are a London thing, boom, that’s a good enough reason right there.
I like the simplicity, they do a full size pen and also a Skinny Mini version for a more precise line. Similar really to the grading of my Rotary pens, so that makes me feel all comfortable and at home. It stays on, doesn’t smudge and all that good stuff. But you know the best bit?
Putting it on.
It’s quite possible that the application itself, which still takes me a good few minutes, (although I reckon I could improve on my personal best time quite soon with a little practice) (competitive? Nooo) is actually more fun that the result. It’s a bit more of a ritual than just smudging on some kohl, makes me feel all Taste of Honey and could totally be addictive.
It makes me laugh, too.
Those weird faces you have to pull to check your lines are even on both sides, oh, and why, please, is it impossible to apply eyeliner with your mouth closed?
Anyone?
Bueller?

Carhartt Beanie 2013-01-24 (08.30.29-863 PM)
I have a new friend.
He’s quite small but he keeps me warm and makes me happy.
He also doesn’t care if I don’t brush my hair (this is A Good Thing because I quite often don’t actually brush my hair). In fact I have a sneaking suspicion he prefers me that way. It makes him feel useful.
We’ve been hanging out for a few days now and, oh I don’t know, there’s just something about him that makes me feel cool.
I’m not sure that I could take him in to every social situation though, you know? Like I’m not sure he’d be able to fit in. So who knows where it’s headed long term but, for now, we’re having fun.
That’s what matters right?

Carhartt beanie, stylists own.
Or, you know, available here.

Frenchieheart-1
OK, the snow has stopped being fun and there are workmen ripping apart my house (long story). Let’s free associate:
French Manicure.
What does that make you think of?
surburbia,
eighties,
naff,
teenage idea of sophistication,
messy,
WAGs…
I know, I know. Not good.
And yet…I saw a girl on the street wearing a french manicure recently with no sense of irony. Coupled with an impeccable outfit and gold toes, her pale pink nails with little new moons of cream at the tip looked really, oh go and shoot me, they looked really fresh. And I wanted them, actually.
But no, surely not, the French manicure can’t really be back can it?
And then, I found this, which is really cute and makes Lisa’s nails look like they’re wearing little navy pumps with ankle socks. (Yes, indeed, I may be losing my mind at this point. As I mentioned, I’ve not been well).
What do we think? Is this a ‘thing’?
Would you wear a French manicure again?

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