If you likea me like I likea you
and we likea both the same,
I likea say this very day
I likea change you name,
‘Cause I lovea you and lovea you true
and if you would lovea me.
One live as two, two live as one, under the bamboo tree.SSteve Martin: Man With Two Brains
Less is more more or less
Ever wondered what it might be like to get in a time machine and jump back to any era, just for the fun of it, or to correct a mistake - 1980’s perm & MC Hammer pants anyone? Well last night I had my own HG Wells moment when I stepped through the doors of Wiltons. Wilton’s for the uninitiated (as I was until last night) is the oldest surviving music hall in the world, nestled down an unpresupposing alleyway near Tower Hill, you might never know this jewel was there. A music hall since 1850 and now a theatre and bar Wiltons is an absolute treasure for anyone with a love of London’s rich hidden history or just an appreciation for beautiful buildings that proudly wear the traces of the thousands of people who have stepped through their doors.
I should say that I wasn’t just wandering around the alleyways of East London, hoping to discover a music hall or the like. I was specifically at Wiltons to watch a stage performance of The Great Gatsby.
I was expecting the play to be just on the stage, why would I not be? but from the moment we arrived we were immersed, slap bang in the middle of swelligant, roaring 1920’s America. Greeted by more feathers, pearls, sequins, fringe and red lipstick than you could shake at sick at it was fantastic to see that so many people had made the effort to dress up. The men as well as the women joined in the fun, I especially liked the use of plus fours in an urban environment and seeing many a turbaned head. My outfit was slightly schizophrenic: below the waist I was very 2000’s (in jeans and gold boots) but above I was channeling the 1920’s in my vintage jacket, red lips and rolled up hair. I’d like to think that I made a nod to the era but didn’t didn’t quite have the gumption to travel on public transport from Streatham bedecked in full 1920’s regalia.
Also given that it was a time when prohibition was gaining traction the booze was flowing, though I should say that this is not the reason that I look pie eyed in this photo, I just don’t photograph well.
The actors were mingling with the audience in character before the performance and during the interval, which added to the whole atmosphere of the evening. Punctuated with song and with a cast of just 8 the play was really enjoyable and the tables at the front (one of which we were lucky enough to be seated at thanks to E for Envelope for buying the tickets and having the foresight to book said table) just added to the whole speakeasy feel. It was a real event and even though the tickets are sold out, if you can get your sticky mitts on one on the black market, I highly recommend that you attend. Thanks again to E for Envelope & Busy Girl Buys Beauty for a very enjoyable evening.
No it’s not a typo, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. Tonight - possibly for the very first time on the news at 10 - Huw Edwards Smilled… yes people the corners of his mouth raised up and his eyes twinkled and the gaping frown line momentarily disappeared. It was like someone had switched the lights on all over the UK (ok, too much) I have lost count of the number of times I have watched the news and thought that he might just do it, he might actually smile. But, the picture below is the nearest that he has ever got. This really is more of a grimace, like the face of a man being held to ransom by a photographer waving a rubber chicken behind the lens in an attempt to see a glimpse of something human…
Now don’t get me wrong the news is a serious business, it’s no daybreak with their frivolous sofa based chat and Huw is no George Alagiah inappropriately grinning all over the place like the most Cheshire of cats. However, even the news is sometimes prefaced by the word good. How many runaway cute penguins and heart warming talking cat stories has that man read out with not a shadow of a smile, NOT EVEN A SHADOW HUW! But he finally cracks, to a full megawatt face contorted in 10 types of glee smile, but by what?
By a piece about Prince Charles reading the BBC weather forecast. 30 minutes later I am still reeling and I still can’t work it out, where was the humour in that? Perhaps it was the double breasted suit that the 1st in line to the throne was wearing that caused so much mirth? Perhaps Huw was recalling the time that he and Camilla laughed about the price of duchy organic bacon over a G&T in the green room or maybe he’s a dreadful sycophant who wants a knighthood… Perhaps, I will never know.
Tonight my world has turned on it’s axis, who knows what tomorrow brings? Paul Daniels referring to Debbie as his awful assistant, the Chuckle Brothers saying not to me not to you, Wogan admitting it’s a wig and going for the full Goodhuw reveal? Will the birds stop singing and the foxes stop pis-sing on my doorstep? I will not sleep a wink tonight in anticipation.
*why are my references all about minor celebrities who had their heyday in the 1980’s?*
… was a quote from legendary British hairdressers Vidal Sassoon, who sadly died today. Regarded as one of the best hairdressers of his generation, he will always be remembered for his recreation of the iconic bob style in the 1960 and the women who wore it, Mary Quant pictured here for one. He was also famous for shaping the hairs and smoothing the follicles of many a famous women including Twiggy’s and her 60’s gamine crop.
I will remember him fondly also for his hair styling range which I purchased throughout the 80’s and early 90’s. The hairspray I had a special fondness for, it smelled of marzipan and helped to secure my ‘iconic’ 4 inch lacquered fringe. A monolith atop my head which after Sassooning would not be moved by anything not least the harsh, bitter Welsh valley winds. I bet that a Dyson hand dryer, which could quite easily flay the skin off your hands, couldn’t even budge it. Ahh happy days..
Possibly less well known about Vidal Sassoon is that he fought against the rise of Fascism in the UK, against Oswald Mosley in the 1940”s. Then in 1948, at the age of 20, he joined the Israeli Defence Forces and fought in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.
So a sad goodbye to Mr Sassoon who’s influence can still be seen in haircuts everywhere. If you are intersted in finding out more about his fascinating life, there is a DVD documentary available. I might just pop to Amazon to purchase
I love this image
How odd, this man is having words put in his head not his mouth. How dare he visually mix up that well known saying. Perhaps he’s just distracted because Pluto is dabbing wall paper paste on his chin. That would be enough to confuse anyone.
My place at the moment seems to be sat on my bed lazing, I am more cat like that I am prepared to admit. However, this post is not about my place, I know my place… but the film ‘This Must Be The Place’ (which I watched this weekend) starring Sean Penn as a disaffected, depressed Robert Smith alike rock star who goes to visit his dying father who he hasn’t seen for 30 years. He then embarks on another journey to find his fathers tormentor at Auschwitz and has his own parallel journey of discovery.
The film is by screenwriter and director Paulo Sorrentino (of Il Divo fame) and has to be one of the best films that I have seen in a long time. It’s beautifully shot and the writing is incredibly well observed and heartwarming. If you get the chance I highly recommend that you view it, in fact here’s the trailer, to help you alongI’m not pushy!
Two more things, it introduced me the Talking Heads song, from which the aforementioned film title took it’s name, of which I was not aware. David Byrne is now 99 pence (minus the 30% bite that Apple take) better off as I have just downloaded it.
The second thing, I went to see to at the Electric Cinema in Notting Hill. It’s taken me a long time to make my first trip here but I will most certainly be back. Big leather chairs with foot stools and a bar in the actual screening room, what’s not to love?
Off now to watch a program about Foxes, don’t you just love bank holiday viewing?
Recently I have mostly been spending The Brooks (and my of course, but mostly his) hard earned cash on a new bathroom. It’s yet to be installed but I can’t help but be excited about it. I have, as it goes, been 6 years without a bath and I think we all know that I am too big to continue to bathe in the kitchen sink. Also it’s bothering the neighbours and I had a nasty incident with a fork recently.
Anyway, I have in mind some kind of boudoir meets london underground feel for the room and so after much persuasion I eventually managed to win over the Brook to my way of thinking and trotted off after work this evening to buy a chandelier from shhhhh BHS. I’d like to state here for the record that British Home Stores does a fine line in lighting and as they have a bank holiday sale on a 20% discount was mine for the taking. I love a bargain.
Here’s a little look at my mood board for aforementioned abluting chamber.
Today I have discovered Holton Rower, no its not something that you instal in a home gym but an American artist who was until this very day unknown to me. His amazing poured paint artworks are a revelation. Some of them look like melted rainbows and others minerals or psychedelic flowers. The colours remind me of a bag of skittles and are guaranteed to make you happy. Rower is the grandson of the sculptor Alexander Clader so clearly the artistic tallent runs (pardon the pun) in the family.
What do you think? I want one… or two
Yum.
I’ve been feeling pretty uninspired recently and I just don’t know why. Perhaps it’s the inclement weather or perhaps it’s pressure of the Mayoral Elections hanging over me. I mean it’s a big choice fluffy headed buffon or Boris Johnson?? Perhaps it’s because I have given up caffeine and like Samson and his hair i’ve lost all my power.. sigh…
My lack of mojo also extends itself to the wardrobe arena, I’ve been sticking to some tried and trusted items over the last few weeks and I need to break out of my material chains. So where to go for inspiration? Back in time…
Anyone who was a teenager in the 80’s must remember “The Ducky man’s love in life” the flame headed, vintage wearing, 80’s lip pouting, sewing machine wielding Andie (Molly Ringwald) Walsh
and her rather fabulous, slightly older, stapling records to the ceiling, wig toting, many fabulous outfit wearing friend Iona Potts
From one of my favourite 80’s John Hughes films “Pretty in Pink”.
Now I am not suggesting that I turn back time in my wardrobe, there are only so many perms, gel and strong laquer that a girls hair can take and neon tube skirts with long shirts and belts the size of corsets was never a good look for me.
However, Andi and Iona’s styles are certainly inspiring and whilst perhaps not to emulate wholesale they have encouraged me to take a leap outside of my comfort dressing up box and try something a little bit different. I am definitely going to take a leaf out of her Ray Ban book
