Style Climate

Who knew accountancy was so scary?

admin — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 20:56:50 +0000

I went to see Enron at the Noel Coward theatre. It is well staged, creative and reveals how – insofar as anyone can know – the Enron collapse unfolded. That is scary information. It is staggering how stupid smart people can be. Now, I appreciate that some of the ideas were probably simplified for the benefit of the layperson (ie me) in the audience, but the whole thing amounts to creating a financial structure that is held up just by people believing that it will work. And, created out of greed, and then fear. The emperor has no clothes and like the internet bubble, the Enron bubble seemed destined for a spectacular collapse as soon as Jeffrey Skilling began his reign of illusion.

And if the play does simplify some of the ideas, it does an excellent job of finding creative ways of explaining them. The velociraptors for example are inspired. There’s also an excellent description of the emperor/no clothes metaphor that compares the stock price to an aeroplane that is held up just as long as people believe it will stay up.

Scary, depressing, enlightening and really very entertaining.

It’s only got a short run left in London (and this English-originating play only lasted a month on Broadway), and I can only suggest that you book your ticket immediately. Everyone should see this play/musical*.

**** (4 out of 5 stars)

*yes, I was a bit surprised there was singing and music, but don’t worry it’s not really your typical musical as such

A for awesome…?

admin — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 20:24:25 +0000

I saw the new A-team movie the other week.

I LOVED the original series.

Love, love, loved it: happy nostalgia of sitting on a bean bag, drinking tizer watching plans come together via the medium of a black van, duct tape and lots of explosions that miraculously left everyone unharmed.

So, when the email arrived offering tickets to see the new feature length interpretation, I don’t think I have ever hit reply quicker. Face was always my favourite and with Bradley Cooper (the Hangover) taking over the role, I felt they were honouring the memory. Good grief, he’s nice to look at. Liam Neeson takes over as a somewhat more serious Hannibal. And then Quinton Jackson plays B.A. and Sharlto Copley (District 9) picks up as the disturbed, ace pilot.

The plot takes in the origins of the team and shifts the setting from Vietnam to Iraq.

A clever re-setting, plenty of explosions, some good one-liners – which I’m pretty there were more of, but some of the dialogue got lost in the explosions. And well and truly set up for a franchise.

Marginally too long, but in general I would recommend it. They didn’t ruin it, which is the main thing. If only the Leicester Square Odeon would instal bean bags and sell tizer, the experience would have been complete.

**** (3.5 out of 5 stars)

Hire thinking

admin — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:42:27 +0000

This is such a brilliant idea, for someone with a wardrobe full of dresses worn just once, the idea of borrowing one for the occasion which I could never afford to buy… it is so clever. I LOVE it. Can’t wait for the next wedding/summer party/black tie party!

Zara’s look book

admin — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 14:23:52 +0000

Love this Zara look, to paraphrase Tyra Banks, ‘H2T’… or head to toe for those not quite so obsessed with America’s next top model. Great hair, great eyes, great silhouette

Beautiful blues at Banana Republic

admin — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:07:16 +0000

Temptation is overwhelming at Banana Republic with the new-for-spring-2010 blues collection. Denim dresses, neat layering and calm colouring add up to a very clean, fresh look. Good thing it’s not for sale online, otherwise my restraint would be seriously tested!

Beauty is the new fashion

admin — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:50:14 +0000

So, my 2010 challenge mentions nothing about beauty buys. As such I have already spent several hours agonising over the colour charts at MAC – they have the lushest shades. I think though that for January I will be focusing on getting my skin into shape and trying to mitigate the effects of central heating, snow-blasting, wind, rain and thermal clothing! My buy for the month so far is MAC Care Blends essential oils to ‘energize, heal, soothe and calm’. And let’s face(!) it – who doesn’t need that right now?!

Snow? Soo last season.

admin — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:44:41 +0000

The latest fashion magazines have landed with the resounding thump of spring on my doormat in the last couple of weeks. It seems that London, certainly the fashion part of it, has had it with winter and is ready to move on – with silky sorbet colours filling the catwalk. A beautiful Burberry Prorsum show with ruching and feminity overflowing seems to be leading the charge and really representing this look. So, last night I sat in front of my wardrobe and tried to channel the look with my existing pieces. I found an old, mulberry-coloured trench coat to belt with a patent number from Burberry from several seasons past in a neat Ribena purple. Match that with a pale pink, ruffled skirt from TopShop and white, linen wrap-shirt… et voila! Once I got started I found that the look was actually laughably easy with my existing wardrobe – from a vintage Cerutti silk shirt in lemon to my passionfruit pink cardigan from Marc Jacobs. The only real challenge is in the footwear department – as my current staple black patent mary-janes just aren’t going to fit the palette… and the brown heeled ice-skater-style boots would be absolutely perfect, if I can find the right version.

Vintage-style jewellery

admin — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:36:49 +0000

At lunchtime, I was strolling around the National Portrait Gallery… well, the shop at least… and just as I was leaving I spotted sparkly things. Drawn magpie-like to the display, ready to be disappointed by the usual tat that is on offer in museums, I was surprised by some very refreshing, original and pretty jewellery. There were several displays including Louise Buchan’s miniature teapots, cups and saucers and eclectic cameo’s, stones and lovely colour combinations from Extasia.

I didn’t mention jewellery in my shopping ban now did I!

Beautiful luxe Halston hits the Outnet

admin — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:10:52 +0000

The Outnet.com has just had a delivery from iconic design house Halston. Subtle shades of mink, mushroom and dove grey as well as contrasting citrus in silk, cashmere and leather make this addition to the cut-price designer off-shoot of net-a-porter.com a total lust-have. Love, love, love.

Day One

admin — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 19:33:13 +0000

Today I am starting my 2010 challenge, which is not to buy any clothes for 12 months. I have been thinking about it throughout December and have come up with a couple of caveats to be realistic. So, there are a couple of things that I can buy including a bikini in the summer and one pair of shoes. Other than those, if I do buy anything then I will run one km for every one pound spent!

This is going to be a big challenge for me, but will hopefully put a halt on the outrageous amount of money that I waste… ideally so that I can spend it on things that I actually need. Like heating and water…

I intend to keep a record of this challenge here, which may become my shopping rehab, if it’s as difficult as I anticipate.

If I am successful at the end of the year then I am planning to buy a digital SLR camera – which I have been trying to save up for, for years. So that’s the goal!

Wish me and my wardrobe luck

If you would like to sponsor me – to add a bit more pressure! – then I will be raising money for Babes in Arms.