the robins

With the band...because I couldn't be in it.

2012-01-04T05:43:00.000-08:00

I think it would be quite reasonable to say that I am fascinated by groupie culture. Earlier in the year, my world was rocked when I read Pamela Des Barres' tell-all memoir 'I'm With the Band', and since then I have devoured all things old-school-groupie; books, documentaries, you name it. Currently, I'm hooked on music autobiographies for a similar reason, to absorb myself in the scene that was classic rock'n'roll, something that is harder to come by in our squeaky-clean-Disney-revering-indifference-to-talent times. There is a real sense of grit, raw-ness and authenticity that leaps off the page and right into the life you're living. Sure, in the groupie stories there's a strong undercurrent of bitterness, nostalgia and sometimes their desperation to cling to their whirlwind days basking in the glory of their famous lovers is a little bit off-putting, but it all somehow seems so much more attractive than the current scene. So postmodern, I know.

Pamela Des Barres.

Recently, I've been wondering why it is that I am so fascinated by this particular kind of reading. It wasn't until I read Chrissy Amphlett's 'Pleasure and Pain' that I figured it out. When I was younger, I was an avid performer. I took singing and dancing lessons for several years until I got fed up with the politics at the school that I attended (even as an 11 year old I was politically apathetic, it seemed). As Miss Amphlett described the pure rush she would get from belting out a tune in front of an audience and the constant adrenaline that accompanied performing, I realised just how much I miss singing. When I was taking those classes, I knew all I wanted to do was sing and dance. I gave up on that dream for a decade and I feel it may be descending upon me once again.
I was always a good singer, but having been out of practice for so long I would never be up to scratch to do it professionally. And dance is such a competitive industry, that the weight of such an ambition seems to crush any possible desire to take that professionally. Perhaps I am simply frustrated at myself for not taking performing further when I was at a riper age (most performers are well on their way by 20 years old), and wanting to soak up others' experiences is that frustration and desire manifesting in a safe, rejection-free way.

Marianne Faithfull.

Is it time to pull the dream out of the closet, give it a shake and try again? I live in an extraordinarily music-focused city which is beautiful. I feel so lucky to be surrounded by so much music. So much good music. People are always looking for additions to their music projects. Could my life be taking a fortuitous turn thanks to this realisation? Failing that, I could always try my best to insert my name into the groupie Hall of Fame. Judging by the few chapters I've read of 'Faithfull' by Marianne Faithfull, some seem to master the art of combining the two, like Miss Faithfull, herself. But then again, those were different days. The Swinging Sixties when anything and everything was possible. Sure, it's easy looking at eras passed through rose coloured glasses, but hey, it's beats reality sometimes, doesn't it? So, so postmodern.

And so I pose a question, on which side of the stage would you prefer to be? The performer or the groupie? The music or the muse? Tough question, indeed...

Romany

[photos courtesy of ipgbook.com, villainouslyvintage.wordpress.com]

Spotlight...Alison Scarpulla

2010-12-06T01:57:00.000-08:00

Oh, the whimsy...

Between you and me, fairytales aren’t really true. Yet, we found one that may very well be real, beautifully illustrated in any case. Alison Scarpulla has a very distinct photography style and post production technique.

She tells of mystical stories and the magic. And if anything ever warranted the usage of the word magic, this is it, here and now.

Her MySpace page profiles a female, 100 years old, living in Brooklyn, France. Her interests are nothing but pictures of a Medusa, a reversed Medusa that is, a snake with a female head.

Not much is know about her real life. Not yet. She is the talk of the town and popping up in blogs all over the net. We are certainly looking forward to hearing more from Alison Scarpulla. Let's hope she doesn’t do an Alice in Wonderland on us and vanish down some rabbit hole...

Romany

[photos courtesy of gosee.us]

You spin me right round, baby...

2010-11-25T22:51:00.000-08:00

I have decided to make music a bigger part of my life. As with most people, music has always meant quite a lot to me, but I feel that I'd like to be more involved. As for how I plan to go about that, well that remains to be seen, so for now I'm just overworking my CD player.
On that note (pun intended), recently I've been spinning...

Ramblin' (Wo)man by Cat Power.

I only just discovered this song this morning, and I have already played it an indecent amount of times...

Robot Rock by Daft Punk (cool video, too).

Considering that my dad not only works in the music industry, but is also a huge Daft Punk fan, suffice to say I have been listening to this band for a very long time. I don't think I could ever become tired with their music. I was at a bar a few weeks ago, and this song began playing, which re-ignited my love affair all over again.

I Got Mine by the Black Keys.

Such a raw, classic sound. I dare you not to worship this band.

Roadhouse Blues by The Doors (with added John Lee Hooker).
I found it difficult choosing which Doors song to post, but I decided on this because I've really been loving the blues-rock sound recently.

Baptism by Crystal Castles.
A friend of mine bought Crystal Castles tickets last night, and managed to score me one. Is that sweet or what! I imagine that is going to be one sick show.

Heart of Glass by Blondie.
Don't ask me why, but this song reminds me of Christmas. Perhaps it's because of the summery weather. Either way, Blondie make me so happy it's sickening.

So tell me, what has everybody been listening to?

Romany

[photos courtesy of flickr.com]

United Hearts...

2010-11-21T22:59:00.000-08:00

I recently had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Leonard Cohen in concert. Ordinarily I can't afford concert tickets even the half of the price of these babies, but luckily I scored them for free (my luck is never usually this good, so believe me, I took advantage). At first I was worried that I'd have to go solo - worried only because such an experience should be shared - because a lot of my friends are in Europe (my Leonard-Cohen-fanatic-friends, that is), or at least, they were at the time. But I managed to rope someone in, and we ended up having a lovely time together.

Leonard Cohen

It's difficult to describe a live Leonard Cohen show...his voice is so deep, and so powerful, that even though it was held in a gigantic stadium, it felt like an intimate venue. The loudest applause came, of course, when the audience realised Mr. Cohen was about to play his most well-known number, the ever-covered Hallelujah. But my personal favourite moment of the evening was when the music died right down to a very low hum, and the stadium was silent, as Mr. Cohen played a very special and personal track, 1000 Kisses Deep. I can't describe the chills that went up my spine...
Mr. Cohen and the band came back for two encores, much to the crowd's enjoyment. I absolutely loved how every time he exited the stage, he would skip and raise his hands to the music. I laughed and cooed at the same time. After 2 hours or thereabouts, the show ended, and my friend and I were getting ready to put our VIP passes to good (backstage) use. On our way to the backstage area, who did we run into? Only little miss Alannah Hill, fashion designer extraordinaire. We had a little chat to her about the show, and boy is she a sweetheart. And incredibly funny. I've always thought she didn't need to get as dolled up as she does, but man does she work it!

Eventually we got to the greenroom, where we chatted to Debra Conway and husband Willy Zygier, who were the support act for the night, and might I add very entertaining. We worked our way around the room, mingling with various members of the band and crew, and at one point Leonard Cohen, himself, popped his head in as he was heading off for the night. We took this opportunity to tell him that the show was great, which he appreciated. Such a sweet man...
After a little while, all of the Cohen Camp had to leave, and we managed to get a ride in their van. We were taken to their hotel (at which point I found out that the Webb sisters, Leonard Cohen's backup singers, are also big fans of the Cocteau Twins, a favourite band of mine), at which point we said our thank you's and goodbyes, and headed off on our way to a bar where we got smashed and danced for hours on end.

All in all, a very good night...

Tell me, what has been a memorable live music experience?

Romany

[photos courtesy last.fm and leonardcohen.tumblr.com]

Scent of a woman...

2010-11-17T17:49:00.000-08:00

It's that time of month again...a fragrance post! I realise I am unhealthily obsessed, but the entire fragrance industry is just far too classy not to devote so much attention to. We all have our "fool proof" perfumes - not feeling so crash-hot? Spritz on your favourite perfume and it can make all the difference in the world. So now let us discuss...

J'Adore by Dior.
I wore this all through winter, it's definitely a favourite of mine for colder weather. It is supposed to be spring at the moment, but the chill just isn't letting up so far. But hey, I don't mind keeping my beautiful bottle of J'Adore out for another few weeks.

Daisy, by Marc Jacobs.

I heard that Marc Jacobs named this fragrance after the character Daisy from F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. I won't lie, that is a little off-putting. I hated Daisy after finishing the book, and didn't want to believe that such a beautiful perfume could be named after her. But it's easy to block out the negatives, and focus on the positives, in which case the scent itself is perfectly fitting of the setting, if nothing else. Summer on the water. It can't be denied that Daisy is, after all, sunshine in a bottle.

What is your favourite scent(s) this season?

Romany

[photos courtesy of breathy.tumblr.com and harpersbazaar.com]

This Month I'm Loving...

2010-11-06T05:13:00.000-07:00

It's almost Christmas time, can you believe it? But don't worry, we still have over a month to get ourselves organised for that wonderful time of year. But for now, let us start this month with some love...

(500) Days of Summer.
I just saw this for the first time last night...I was not expecting it to be so truly wonderful.

Platform Heels.
Would you believe I don't have a pair? Every opportunity I get to go shopping, is an opportunity I take to look for the perfect pair...

Red Nails.

I think we can ascertain that red is my current favourite colour...

Blue.
...but this evocative colour still holds a special place in my heart.

Chilly Mornings.

It's difficult to let go of the cold (especially considering we're two months into spring and it still feels like winter sometimes).

Anna Pihl

A Danish cop show that is currently my guilty pleasure. European TV is mind-blowingly different to that of the Western World.

Rain.
"rain, rain, rain pour here and clean my soul..."

What are you loving this month?

Romany

[photos courtesy of imdb.com, jakandjil.com, naomi-samara.deviantart.com, annha.com, lolitas.se 1 and 2 and michaelrene.com]

Spotlight...Viktor Vauthier

2010-10-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

Photographer. Genius.

Peek-a-boo.

Anything to feed my stripes obsession...

Readers, meet my new boyfriend. Viktor Vauthier.

Romany

[photos courtesy of viktorvautier.blogspot.com/]

somehow...

2010-10-07T17:27:00.000-07:00

...I had 10, 648 hits yesterday. Where did that come from??

Like a rolling stone...

2010-09-30T19:03:00.000-07:00

The Rolling Stones
photographed by Dominique Tarlé

Dominique Tarlé spent the spring and summer of 1971 in the South of France with the Rolling Stones. The photographer was accepted in a small, constantly changing circle of musicians, friends and family. It was the time when the band left the country for tax reasons and recorded the ‘Exile on Main Street’ record.

Tarlé was let into the inner circle for a brief period and the resulting images document private moments and the creative process like no other.

The Villa Nellcôte on the French Riveria was home to Mick Jagger and his then girlfriend Bianca, Keith Richards und Anita, Wyman, Watts, Marlon, Western legend Gram Parsons and Eric Clapton.

The images capture various experience: a rock ‘n’ roll circus and all its groupies, girlfriends, dogs and kids; an unstructured life made up of hanging out and jamming, which escalated in drug-fuelled escapades in the sun, followed by the nursing hangovers in the distant morning.

Dominique Tarlé was born in Paris, 1948 and discovered photography and music at a young age. Since the French press didn’t show much interest for the music scene at the time, he was drawn to London, where he photographed English bands such as the Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin and Hendrix. Following his photographic documentation of the Rock and Roll Circus and Hyde Park Free Concert, he began to frequently hang out with the Rolling Stones in 1968.

Mick and Keith

Keith

Mick and Keith

Keith playing guitar for family and friends

Keith and Gram Parsons

Mick

I so envy those who get to hung out with rock stars. I need to get myself into the music scene...

Romany

[photos courtesy of gosee.us]

Beauty Icon...Debbie Harry

2010-09-28T23:45:00.000-07:00

Debbie Harry

photographed by Robert Mapplethorpe

"Everybody knows that I've had plastic surgery. I did it for business reasons. You photograph better, and looks are a key part of being an entertainer, so I felt it was something I had to do. All sorts of horrific things happen in life. Why make it worse by worrying about getting older?"

(item credits)

Rapture...

Romany

[photos courtesy of rebelqueen-.tumblr.com and polyvore.com]

You spin me right round, baby...

2010-09-26T20:13:00.000-07:00

Come on, put your records on....

Recently, I've been spinning (forgive the use of the word 'spinning', as I don't have a record player and instead am 'spinning' mp3s. I just thought it would make me sound cool)...

Radio by The Avalanches.
The Avalanches are a 'plunderphonics' group from Melbourne best known for their live DJ sets and debut album Since I Left You (2000), which was assembled from approximately 3,500 vinyl samples. The Avalanches are sadly yet to release a follow-up album.

Dazed and Confused by Led Zeppelin.

Enough said.

Crystal by New Order.
New Order were a post-punk group formed in 1980, in the wake of the demise of their previous group, Joy Division, following the suicide of vocalist Ian Curtis. New Order went on to become one of the most critically acclaimed and highly influential bands of the 1980s.

Baby, Please Don't Go by Van Morrison.
I've actually been listening to the version by Thomas Truax, but it wasn't released and therefore wasn't available on YouTube. Truax released an album titled Songs from the Films of David Lynch, doing gritty, guitar-filled covers of some of the music David Lynch has used in his films and TV show.

Silent Shout by The Knife.
The Knife are an electro pop duo from Sweden, formed in 1999, consisting of two siblings who have appeared in public wearing Venetian masks, and refuse to attend award ceremonies (despite their numerous Swedish Grammy awards). The Knife first received international attention after their song Heartbeats was covered by José González, and featured in a Sony commercial.

Morning Light by Gliss.
According to the band, themselves...Gliss is hazy experimental fucked up pop.....delightfully wrecked...Gliss is shattered sound-scapes that melt you into a Devotion Implosion (recently released album). In my opinion, they sound a bit like The Raveonettes. Noisy. I like that.

There definitely seems to be a bit of a theme to the kind of music I've been 'spinning' lately.

So tell me, what has everybody been listening to?

Romany

[photo courtesy of bluevelvetfog.tumblr.com]

A little bit blue...

2010-09-23T20:40:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wish you could just sleep the days away...?

I hate to sound like one of those totally ungrateful teenagers...but I'm sure everyone feels a little blue at some point. The comparison is over-exaggerated, but it certainly hits close to home.

Romany

[photos courtesy of flickr.com 1 and 2]

Dress Like an Icon...Brigitte Bardot pt II

2010-09-22T00:39:00.000-07:00

(item credits)

"Women get more unhappy the more they try to liberate themselves."
Brigitte Bardot.
I am aware that this quote has nothing to do with style. But I figure considering, a while back, I already spent a post discussing Brigitte's style in her first Dress Like an Icon feature, I might introduce a discussion on this interesting quote, this time around. What do you think? Do you agree with Bardot's thoughts on women's liberation? Or is she way off?

Romany

[photo courtesy of hollywoodcultmovies.com and polyvore.com]

House of Style...Lizzy McGrath

2010-09-19T21:49:00.000-07:00

Another look into the interior decorative Utopia of the elite (the elite being those who their own spaces to decorate to a Utopian level).
Meet Lizzy McGrath, editor in chief of BangBangBerlin.com, one of the best sources for finding out what 'bangs' in Berlin (natch). And let us marvel in her grungy, eclectic yet effortlessly stylish abode.

photographed by Ailine Liefeld

"I also love pop culture and some of our pictures reflects in that, whether its a picture of Roxy Music or a Lost in Translation poster or a painting from an urban artist. I could also only ever live in an old house that has character to it. I like this apartment because its renovated but it still has beautiful stucco on the ceilings. Also when you live a freelance lifestyle, sometimes you have money and sometimes you don't. You have to be relaxed enough to deal with that sort of lifestyle. So some months its great and you buy a big new sofa and TV and sometimes there are months and months when you cant do any home-improvements! But I always love going to flea markets and second-hand antique shops. Like this carved wooden table I found on Brunnenstraße was a bargain and it came from India."

"BangBangBerlin.com came about because I just needed a new challenge...I have put a great new team together: Mertol, Jobot, Emer. They are people with real enthusiasm for what they do. It’s all about having the right attitude. And I’m completely converted to doing on-line now. I would never go back to print (maybe a one-off if we had a sponsor) but it means that you reach a whole international/foreign community who love Berlin, whether they are in the UK, or NY or Paris or Spain, as well as of course the people here in Berlin."

I love Lizzy's attitude toward decoration and furnishing, especially incorporated with travel. Bits and bobs from this country and that country, each with its own meaning and significance. Total decorative inspiration.
Though she does bring up a rather scary point. Are print magazines becoming obsolete? Are internet domains becoming more and more tempting, to the point that they will no longer simply be online versions of their print counterparts, but stand-alone online destinations? I certainly hope not. As much as the internet makes things easier, I love the feeling of a magazine in my hands, being able to turn the pages with my fingers instead of clicking on a mouse.
Where do you stand on the print vs. digital issue?

Romany

[photos courtesy of freundevonfreunden.com]

5 Life Lessons From High School Movies

2010-09-16T17:42:00.000-07:00

For all those getting ready once again to brave the school halls (the system is completely different here in Australia - we start in January, and finish in December), here are some words of wisdom from a handful of the best high school movies (need to update my DVD collection to include all of these), along with the lessons that can be learned from each one...

The Breakfast Club (1985)
"We're all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that's all" - Andrew Clark.

High school tends to force people to fit into a mold. Some kids are branded "cool," most are not. But underneath the labels, everyone has their own quirks. And it took being trapped together in Saturday detention for the brain, the athlete, the basket case, the princess, and the criminal of "The Breakfast Club" to see how much they had in common.

Heathers (1989)

"If you were happy every day of your life, you wouldn't be a human being. You'd be a game show host." - Veronica Sawyer.

People always say, "High school is the greatest time of your life." But everyone who's actually in it knows better. There is the constant pressure to succeed, to fit in, and to think about the future. So it's okay if you don't feel like high school is so great. But you definitely shouldn't follow any other examples from the murderous characters in this movie.

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

"Just because you're beautiful, doesn't mean you can treat people like they don't matter." - Cameron James.

Popularity determines the pecking order of high school, naturally. And attractiveness plays its part in deciding who sits on top of the totem pole. But being the center of attention doesn't give you the right to disrespect others. You never know what sort of person any of your classmates will grow up to be, or where you might run into them again after graduation.

Mean Girls (2004)

"Calling somebody else fat won't make you any skinnier. Calling someone stupid doesn't make you any smarter... All you can do in life is try to solve the problem in front of you." - Cady Heron.

Name-calling. Whispered gossip. Betrayed trust. They're all standard features of high school discussions. But what does it really get you? Gaining one friend by turning on another usually insures you end up with none at all. There's enough naturally occurring drama in high school interactions; it's best not to manufacture more.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." - Ferris Bueller.

Yes, high school is important. Grades, exam scores, and extracurricular activities all factor in to university applications and setting the course for your life. But it's not so important that you shouldn't allow yourself to have some fun now and again. That's not to say that skipping school is a good idea (especially not nine times in a semester), just keep things in perspective and every so often watch a movie.

What are some lessons you've learned from high school?

Romany

[photos courtesy of davidsdawson.com, timeoutny.com, moviepicturedb.com, thecia.com.au and billsmovieemporium.wordpress.com]

Editorial Watch

2010-09-14T20:37:00.000-07:00

Warning: image heavy.
This is a month old, but I'm sure we can all still appreciate it's magnificence.

L'hiver avant l'hiver
photographed by David Sims for Vogue Paris August 2010

Vogue Paris takes a look at the fall collections with a mega-sized 65 page cover shoot photographed by David Sims. Through the combined efforts of Carine Roitfeld and Emmanuelle Alt, models Freja Beha Erichsen, Iselin Steiro, Joan Smalls, Dara Werbowy, Isabeli Fontana, Crystal Renn, Frida Gustavsson, Aline Weber and Monika Jagaciak don pieces from fashion’s biggest names including Marc Jacobs, Chanel and Alexander McQueen. It is truly a visit into fashion paradise with Sims’ L’hiver Avant L’hiver.

Many, many more after the jump.

What do you all think? Fashionably over-the-top, or is it just too much?

Romany

[photos courtesy of fashiongonerogue.com]

Dress Like an Icon...Chloe Sevigny

2010-09-12T19:37:00.001-07:00

(item credits)

"For some reason the public has embraced me as a fashion icon, and I feel like it has diminished me as an actress. Or I don't get as much recognition as an actress -- and that upsets me."
Chloe Sevigny.
Don't be upset, Chloe. The public is capable of multitasking, appreciating both your style and your talent. Besides, the Queen of Cool doesn't get upset about anything, because frankly, she just doesn't give a damn. If you've ever wanted to try your hand at emulating the look of the Queen of Cool (after all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery), look no further for help...

On another note, I've made some minor changes to the layout of the robins. New features include...

New pages. From now on links, including blogroll and shop sites, have been given their own pages. I feel it does them more justice, than to have them squished into the ride-hand sidebar. Besides, the perfectionist in me is pleased at how much neater it looks.
Badges. Badges have also been given their own page. All new pages can be found under the header.
Ask me anything. I love answering questions, so if you ever have anything to ask me (and I mean anything - no matter how mundane, or extreme), I've placed a question box in the right-hand sidebar, underneath Labels. I may publish the question and answer (unless it's inappropriate, or unless you've expressly asked me not to), in case others wish to know the answer, also.
Suggestions. If you have any suggestions for new features at all (I'm very open to new ideas), please let me know in the comments, and we'll see how we go.

I'm so excited (I've wanted to a layout change for so long, now). I hope you all enjoy!

Romany

[photo courtesy of tabithaleduc.tumblr.com and polyvore.com]

This Month I'm Loving...

2010-09-09T20:36:00.000-07:00

The start of September is a huge deal to all those below the Equator. It marks the end of winter...'a new beginning' for many. What better way to begin the month than with love? So this month I'm loving...

The Catcher in the Rye
by J.D. Salinger
I just finished reading this last night. At first, I was a little skeptical, as it takes a little while to get into the writing style (described as 'stream of consciousness' writing - very different), but a few chapters in I was hooked. An absolute classic, and an "unusually brilliant novel" indeed.

Beards.
Yum, yum yum.

Catching up with old friends.
Even if it is because of an incredible tragedy...one must always look for the positives, especially in the darkest of times.

Red Lips.
Still haven't tried it myself (I'm a terrific procrastinator), but I'm becoming more and more obsessed with the iconic red lip.

Australia's Next Top Model.
This will probably be on my list for the duration of the season. Such a guilty pleasure.

Tealights
A lovely substitute for a desk-lamp, to use to read at night. I may just keep it this way forever (though the pyro-phobic in me will probably get her way sooner or later).

Things that make me smile.
I dare you not to find this adorable.

The start of spring!
Here's to new beginnings! The sun may not be shining everyday, but that's Melbourne for you. And I wouldn't have it any other way...

What are you loving this month?

Romany

[photos courtesy of wizbangpop.com, pog-mo-thoin.tumblr.com, facebook.com, flickr.com 1, 2 and 3, barcelonaphotoblog.com and russellyoungprints.com]

The week that was...

2010-09-03T22:06:00.000-07:00

As you might have imagined, these posts take an incredible amount of time and effort to put together. As fun as they are, and as much as I love hearing everybody's opinions (please people, more opinions!), I might limit their frequency from now on. For the sake of my sanity and health (yes I am a very melodramatic person). This week has been filled with more moving of furniture and unpacking of boxes, but the most exciting movement came on Thursday when...drum roll...I got a new bed! Finally, no more sleeping on a mattress on the floor! It's a queen size. So luxurious. So worth the wait. Other than that, it's time to start searching for another casual job. This time I'm thinking waitressing. Apparently, I'd be a natural. Here's hoping.
But for now, let us take a closer look at the week that has just come to a close...

Quote

"Tell me, what is Juliette Binoche's secret? I wonder why she has been so respected for so many years. What's she ever had going for her? She has nothing and is absolutely nothing."

~Gerard Depardieu.

"I have never met him. Oh, maybe once. I remember we had dinner together and he was very charming and told me that I was lucky to make so many beautiful films."

~Juliette Binoche, in response.
I really respect Juliette for being mature about the situation, and not taking the obvious "revenge comment" route. It really says a lot about her, and demonstrates the seeming falseness of Depardieu's comments.

Wardrobe Envy

Katy Perry in London.
I have been lusting after this polka dot Wheels & Dollbaby dress ever since I first saw it in the ad campaign. Gosh, I love this brand. Not sure I'm loving how Katy works it, but it's nice to see the brand is becoming more and more well-known.

Music

Midnight Remember is the follow-up album of Melbourne boy band Little Red (look out Backstreet Boys). The band's music has been compared to that of The Beach Boys in it's old-fashioned rock and roll style. Listen to: Rock It.

News

Victoria Beckham nominated for Designer Brand of the Year by the British Fashion Council.

On Wednesday, the British Fashion Council gathered on the roof terrace of London's Soho House for cocktails and the 2010 British Fashion Award nominee announcements. This year’s nominees were chosen by the British Fashion Council Press Committee, which includes chair Lucy Yeomans, editor of British Harper’s Bazaar, Alexandra Shulman, editor of British Vogue, and Sarah Mower, BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent and Vogue.com contributor; the winners will be revealed on Dec. 7 at London’s Savoy Hotel. Nominees include...

Designer of the Year
Christopher Kane
Erdem
Pheobe Philo for Céline

Designer Brand of the Year
Burberry
Mulberry
Pringle of Scotland
Victoria Beckham

Model of the Year
David Gandy
Lara Stone
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Full list here.

In other news...

H&M has confirmed that it is indeed collaborating with Lanvin for a collection of both men's and women's wear that will launch November 20 in North America and November 23 worldwide. Designed by Alber Elbaz and Lanvin menswear designer Lucas Ossendrijver, the collection will be unveiled on November 2 via a film on H&M's website.
Elbaz says of the collection: “I have said in the past that I would never do a mass-market collection, but what intrigued me was the idea of H&M going luxury rather than Lanvin going public. I thought it was a smart concept so I say 'I do.' This has been an exceptional exercise, where two companies at opposite poles can work together because we share the same philosophy of bringing joy and beauty to men and women around the world.”

Vintage Beauty

Marilyn Monroe
Oh, Marilyn you are so wonderful, it hurts. If only actresses today had even half your fire, or a third of your star quality. I promise, I'm not obsessed. But it's not my fault she's so fabulous.

Currently...

...watching: One Born Every Minute, a British documentary on childbirth. It's beautiful (God, I'm so cliche).
...listening to: White Rabbit, by Jefferson Airplane.
...reading: Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger - I'm not sure if this is meant to be a comedy, but it has me in stitches.
...eating: things I shouldn't be. Have been put on a yeast-free diet for health reasons (my constant irritability, perhaps?), which makes me want to kill myself.

Tell me all about your week!

Have a beautiful weekend!

Romany

[photos courtesy of dailymail.co.uk, myspace.com, redcarpet-fashionawards.com, fashionologie.com and luxuo.com]

House of Style...Malin Elmlid

2010-09-02T02:59:00.000-07:00

Some people just have an eye for beauty. Of this selected group, some apply this eye to fashion, others to nature, some photography...and then there's those that apply this eye for beauty to interior decorating. Personally, while I may have the knack for little details that can be pleasing to the eye, I could never apply this to a large area - as a result, my bedrooms are always a complete, confusing jumble of styles (or lack thereof). The thought of decorating an entire house is daunting enough to make me want to crawl into bed and sleep the problem away. However, I'm hoping that this is something that comes with practice, and an actual house to decorate (which, as of yet, I do not have on my own). So for now, I'm sticking to lusting after other people's personal spaces that have been decorated sublimely...it's inspiring to say the least. One such person is Swede Malin Elmlid, head of sales for the brand Wood Wood. Behold, Malin's beautiful, bright Berlin apartment...

photographed by Ailine Liefeld

"When you travel you eat a lot of garbage and the worst bread on the planet. I realized that and felt really bad about the stuff I eat and was scared to become fat and unhealthy (laughs) and so I literally stopped eating bread. After a while, I started to research about sourdough and baking. I started to bake by myself, but it took a while until it tasted fairly acceptable. Looking for a way to improve my skills, I found these amazing swedish bakers in Höje, Sweden, Lars Gustafsson and Manfred Enockson.
I was very curious about the whole baking process, so I took an internship at their bakery. He basically taught me everything I needed to know. Then I returned with my new learned skills and started baking. I had all this bread at home and didn’t know what to do with it. That was when I began to distribute the bread to my friends in exchange of other goods. Everyone has something that someone else could us. It can be a product or knowledge."

"The superficiality becomes annoying after a while [in the fashion industry]. I don’t have problems communicating in this industry, but I dislike when people forget themselves over fashion. And people are always very judging. But looking back, I think I found my people that are authentic and stay true to themselves."

Gorgeous house, and healthy, positive attitude...hello inspiration!
More stylish houses to come...

Romany

[photos courtesy of freundevonfreunden.com]

Spotlight: Olieve by Gunbower Creek

2010-08-31T04:42:00.000-07:00

I'm an absolute sucker for pretty packaging. As important as product-effectiveness is, these are most likely products that one will be looking at everyday, even several times a day, so aesthetics cannot be overlooked. We recently sold our house, see, and this process is all about aesthetics. My mother felt that our bathrooms needed a little extra pretty-ness to entice potential buyers, and thus decorated the showers with a few products from the Olieve by Gunbower Creek range. I wasn't familiar with the brand before this, and I don't think my mother was either (which is where pretty packaging plays an important part). After selling the house, we've been able to actually use the products, and let me just say it's a brand that from now on we won't be straying from. A delicious combination of beauty and nature that delivers what it promises.

"The Gunbower Creek Olive Grove was established in 2000 overlooking the Gunbower Creek, West of Echuca in Victoria. Using our very own Extra Virgin olive oil, our Olieve Skin care range are all natural and hand made right here at our grove."

This Natural Liquid Soap has been made by hand at Gunbower Creek. Using Extra Virgin olive Oil (85%) for its superior ability to hold moisture close to the skin & form a breathable film to prevent loss of internal moisture. Coconut oil (10%) for its gentle cleansing properties & lathering ability.Castor oil(5%) for its ability to act as a humecant by attracting moisture to the skin.

This mild liquid soap does not contain lather enhancers, chemicals, alcohol or preservatives. It cleanses skin effectively without drying, even on sensitive skin.

Use for face, hands & all over.

The Fine Salt Scrub, with 100% Extra Virgin olive oil, is a carefully selected blend that includes Triple milled Salt Drawn from Artesian Waters. Gently exfoliates & moisturizes leaving the skin feeling amazingly soft and fresh with the Essential Oils of: Lemon, Mandarin, Lavender, Rosemary & Peppermint. Can Be Used Daily.

My personal favourite, a beauty must-have for unbelievably soft, smooth skin almost instantly after use.

Super rich, vitamin laden, Olieve Body Butter has an exquisite creamy feel, the hallmark of natural oils that are easily absorbed by the skin. It is moisturizing, soothing and has potentially great healing properties. Use all over.

Other products include lip balm and bar soaps. Purchase information can be found here.

Tell me some of your great beauty finds!

Romany

[photos courtesy of gunbowercreekolives.com.au]

To red or not to red?

2010-08-05T21:48:00.000-07:00

I'll be honest with you: I've never been a huge fan of red lipstick. Artistically (e.g. in a painting), I think it's wonderful. But in reality (e.g. on a person), in my opinion it almost always falls flat. Needless to say, I've never left the house with red on my OWN lips. This is purely due to some bias that I was unfortunately born with, and haven't been able to shake thus far. But recently, I've been wondering if I've done a switch. I was getting a much needed haircut two weeks ago (my first in nearly 10 months), when my hairdresser (in her adorable British accent) remarked that with my hair, skin and eye colour (dark brown, fair and blue), I would look simply fabulous with red lipstick. As far as I know, she wasn't producing her own beauty line, so I was fairly sure she wasn't just making this up to pimp products, but horror of horrors, she was being genuine.

Passion Has Red Lips

Wine by Some Young Punks

Mick Jagger
by Russell Young

Red Lips
by Brigitte Hintner

Is it possible that I've had the look for that iconic red lip all these years and NOT taken advantage? Not even tried it out? My whole world had been shaken up by this one comment. Ever since then I've been thinking about it from all different angles. Waking up every day feeling either pro red lips, or anti. I haven't had the balls to try it out yet (I don't own any red lipstick, and have been far too busy to head down to a beauty counter), but rest assured when I do, you will be the first ones notified...

Private Lip Blend Colour Collection
Tom Ford

If I were to make the jump from no red to red, I'd want to make it noticeable and dramatic. That's just the kind of person I am. Tom Ford has just released a collection of "highly desirable, highly charged emblems of sophistication and femininity". Something tells me that Tom is the best option to guide me through this new transition.

What do you all think? Pro red? Or anti?
Should I conform after all these years of resisting this trend, however iconic?

Romany

[photos courtesy of elite-view.com, russellyoungprints.com, redbubble.com and sassisamblog.com]

Palace by the sea...

2010-08-01T23:53:00.000-07:00

A brief respite from hiding (aka, lack of internet)...

Priscilla, 1969
Jones Beach photographed by Joseph Szabo

"A day by the sea – a daydream that is surely on everyone’s mind at the moment. Photographer Joseph Szabo fulfilled this dream in the 1970s, when he first began going on daytrips to Jones Beach on America’s East Coast and documented the laid-back beach life with his camera. Millions of sun worshipers have squeezed and still squeeze onto the renowned beach in the New York area, the so-called ‘people’s palace by the sea’.

He observed teenagers posing in their beachwear, sunburnt muscle men, women with oiled skin and backcombed hair – the full parade of adolescence set on the dynamic environment of a beach – a melting pot of humanity."

Kissing, 1981

Jesse, 1983

3 Guys, 3 Girls, 1989

Kelly, 1989

Beached Bikini, 1989
Wow, killer curves!

The Triangle, 1989

You know I love retro so.

Romany

[photos courtesy of gosee.us]

Editorial Watch

2010-06-16T19:18:00.000-07:00

Sophie Srej (with two unknown models)
photographed by Wendy Bevan for June Marie Claire Italia

styling Elisabetta Massari

Like old postcards, no?
Beautiful and haunting at the same time.

Romany

[photos courtesy of fashiongonerogue.com]

Trivial Pursuit...

2010-06-14T19:03:00.001-07:00

Featuring one the most beautiful women to have ever walked this earth...

...Elizabeth Taylor
"You find out who your real friends are when you're involved in a scandal."

At one point during her life-threatening illness while filming BUtterfield 8 (1960), Elizabeth Taylor was actually pronounced dead.

She was the first actress to earn $1 million for a movie role, Cleopatra (1963).

In 1963, while the highest paid American business executive earned $650,000 and President John F. Kennedy's salary was $150,000, Elizabeth received at least $2.4 million.

Elizabeth admitted in an interview with Barbara Walters in the late 1990s that she would still like to act but, because of her medical problems, no movie company will insure her. In addition to many other medical problems, including a benign brain tumor she had removed, she has broken her back four times. This causes her severe pain when walking or standing for long amounts of time.

She has appeared solo on the cover of PEOPLE magazine 14 times, second only to Princess Diana (as of 1996).

The stories of Elizabeth's Oscar win for BUtterfield 8 (1960) have grown legendary. It is generally accepted as truth that she won Oscar voters by a vote of sympathy, because of the recent death of her husband, Michael Todd, and her near-fatal illness and emergency tracheotomy to save her life (her scar was very visible on Oscar night). Wisecracker and Rat Pack member Shirley MacLaine, who was favoured to win for her role in The Apartment (1960), said afterward that "I lost out to a tracheotomy."

Judy Garland
"I've always taken The Wizard of Oz very seriously, you know. I believe in the idea of the rainbow. And I've spent my entire life trying to get over it."

Judy Garland was considered an icon in the gay community in the 1950s and 1960s. Her death and the loss of that emotional icon in 1969 has been thought to be a contributing factor to the feeling of the passing of an era that helped spark the Stonewall Riots that began the modern gay rights advocacy movement.

The day she died, there was a tornado in Kansas.

During her first marriage to David Rose, Judy was forced to undergo an abortion at the insistence of MGM studio head Louis B. Mayer who feared that pregnancy would hurt her good-girl image. The event left her traumatized for the rest of her life.

Had intense fears of flying, horses, and guns.

Adding to her appeal within the gay community, Judy always acknowledged her gay fan base at a time when homosexuality was seldom even discussed. Late in her career and in dire need of money, she even accepted work singing in a New York City gay bar.

Jean Harlow
"When you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas."

The title of Jean Harlow's movie Bombshell (1933) started the popular term for a blonde sex-pot to be known as a "bombshell."

Between films she didn't worry about her hair or weight and allowed herself to get chubby. She'd have to diet drastically to get back into shape, eating mostly vegetables and salads.

Jean had a photographic memory, and never ran lines. She'd simply look over the script, come out of her dressing room and do it perfectly, take after take.

She had a habit of speaking of herself in the third person.

Jean suffered from a severe inferiority complex. If anyone did anything for her, she'd give them a present, expressing gratitude for practically nothing.

She used to put ice on her nipples right before shooting a scene in order to look sexier.

Jean never wore any underwear whatsoever, and always slept in the nude.

Gene Kelly
"I never wanted to be a dancer. It's true! I wanted to be a shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates."

Gene Kelly had a crescent-moon shaped scar on his left cheek caused by a bicycle accident he had as a young boy.

He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in economics.

Martial arts stars Jackie Chan and David Carradine both cite him as an influence.

Gene wore a hairpiece (toupee).

Had a fever of 39.4 degrees celsius (103 degrees Fahrenheit) while filming the famous rain scene in Singing In The Rain.

Gene and MGM studio head Louis B Mayer shared a long standing feud stemming from even before Kelly entered the motion picture business. One evening after seeing Gene perform in Pal Joey on Broadway, Mayer met Kelly backstage and offered to sign him to MGM without a screen test. When Kelly later received a call from a MGM representative requesting a screen test he insisted there was some sort of mistake saying he had Mayer's word he did not have to make one and told the rep to ask Mayer himself. When the rep did, he called back days later stating that he did talk to Mayer and that he still had to make a test. Gene was furious and wrote a scathing letter to Mayer for retracting his promise. For the first couple of years he worked for Mayer, Kelly was uncertain that Mayer even read the letter until Louis brought it up in an argument one evening.

Tony Martin, husband of MGM star/dancer Cyd Charisse, said he could tell who she had been dancing with that day on an MGM set. If she came home covered with bruises, it was the very physically-demanding Gene Kelly, if not it was the smooth and agile Fred Astaire.

Judy Garland's section actually makes me a bit teary. I never knew that she'd had such a difficult time...

Romany

[photos courtesy of cinematicpassions.wordpress.com, familiarface.wordpress.com, sodahead.com and popsugar.com]

The week that was...

2010-06-10T18:39:00.001-07:00

So I accidentally took a week off. What do you know? I've been rather busy this week, what with looking for a THIRD job, and all...So keeping that in mind, posts from here on may be somewhat sporadic, until I can get things organised. Comment replying is also high on my list of priorities, so please don't think I'm neglecting you all on purpose. I've tried to leave my weekend almost completely free, so that leaves me no excuse to let blogging take a backseat. Unless I get the flu (one of the dangers of working around sick patients)...in which case, well...
But for now, let's take a closer look at the week that has just come to a close...

Quote

"Well the music was rubbish. Well these are the days of bands like S Club 7 and the Spice Girls. I mean they are great for what they were but for someone who read a lot of books and engaged in conversation with people quite a lot, I felt if I'm going to be a pop star I want to be a real pop star and I want to say real things."

~Lily Allen, on her irritation with the pop culture of the 1990s-early 2000s.

What do you think? Do you think Lily's music is any different? Do you think Lily accomplishes her mission of saying 'real things'? As far as I'm concerned, the jury's still out on that one...

Wardrobe Envy

Kate Hudson in New York, filming Something Borrowed.
I know it's a film costume, but that doesn't make it any less wonderful. A gorgeous alternative to walking around in just a bikini whilst on the beach (unless it's really hot, in which case, ocean here I come!).

Music

Danish alternative rock duo The Raveonettes dropped their fourth studio album, In and Out of Control, late last year, but I just had to feature it, having heard some of the mesmorising tracks just yesterday. "[Control is about] not giving a shit what other people think of you and most importantly being mad and angelic," says one half of the duo, Sune Rose Wagner. Listen to: Heart of Stone.

News

Michael Kors with Gwyneth Paltrow.

The most prestigious of fashion events, the 2010 CFDA Awards have come and gone for another year. And the big winners were...

Board of Directors Special Tribute
Alexander McQueen

Womenswear Designer of the Year
Marc Jacobs

Menswear Designer of the Year
Rag & Bone

Swarovski Award for Womenswear
Jason Wu

Swarovski Award for Menswear
Richard Chai

International Award
Christopher Bailey for Burberry

Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award
Michael Kors

Marc Jacobs.

David Neville and Marcus Wainwright of Rag & Bone.

In other news...

Angela Lindvall

In a mix of summer fun and eco awareness, Muse magazine chose to feature three green-friendly supermodels on their #22 cover: Gisele Bündchen, Angela Lindvall, and Isabeli Fontana. Each model has done her part to help save the world: from a position as the UN Environmental Ambassador to composting to recycling and sustainable farming. Muse plays with a combination of high fashion editorials and collages for their covers - incorporating the requisite summer beach shots with black and white imagery and cut-and-paste elements.

Gisele Bundchen.

Isabeli Fontana.

Vintage Beauty

Across the Restaurant

photographed by Lillian Bassman, 1949
From the 1940s until the 1960s, Lillian Bassman worked as a fashion photographer for Junior Bazaar and later at Harper’s Bazaar. Haunting, but undeniably stylish photography...

Currently...
...watching: Terminator 2. Hell yeah.
...listening to: The Raveonettes.
...reading: still stuck on Story of O - I'll finish it one day, I really will!
...eating: junk food. Perhaps this is why I've been feeling unwell this week?

Tell me all about your week!

Have a beautiful weekend!

Romany

[photos courtesy of popsugar.com, dailyfill.com, popmatters.com, style.com, pennylifeinpics.blogspot.com and fyms.de]

What a lovely birthday...

2010-06-03T17:14:00.000-07:00

Due to a combination of internet troubles, lack of time and, of course, celebrations to organise, there is no recap post this week (and the reason I have been slack in replying to comments - will get onto this asap). Cue the violins. But on a happier note, it's my 19th birthday today (today being the 4th of June here in Australia, so technically, internationally I'm still a hell-raising 18 year old) and what better present than a blog award! And what better way to celebrate than by sharing said award.

Amazing and gorgeous LyddieGal over at Chic on the Cheap has honoured me with the Blog Love Award, and it's definitely a fun one. Thank you, sweetie.

For this, each recipient designs their award to pass on. And so as a tribute to my favourite book, Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov (I wasn't overly impressed with Kubrik's film adaptation, but he did give little Lolita some very cool, and now iconic, heart-shaped sunglasses) this is the award that I managed to put together.

Passing awards on is always a difficult task, as I never have the time or space to share them with every blogger that I feel deserves the recognition. Considering this award is about blog love I am passing it on to every follower of the robins, even those who may become followers after I've published this post - you lovely people always make my day (if you visit/comment often but are not a follower - consider yourself a recipient also of course). Again, I'm not copping out, I just don't have the time or room to fit so many of you into this post. So receive and share away, gorgeous ones! I look forward to seeing your creations in due time...

Romany

[photo courtesy of nachtkabarett.com]

Editorial Watch

2010-06-02T00:47:00.000-07:00

This editorial is several months old, from Oyster Magazine issue 85: Print is Dead. But I was drawn to it because it features none other than Australia's Next Top Model cycle 5 runner-up Cassi Van Den Dungen. It was generally assumed that when she turned her back on the industry after losing (well, not winning) she wouldn't be working again. So you can imagine my surprise finding her modeling in an über-cool editorial of Australia's longest-surviving indie fashion magazine Oyster. I just had to share it...

Teddy Girls
Ali Stepka, Annamarije, Cassi Van Den Dungen, Georgie Fowler, Holly Thompson and Rosemary Smith

photographed by Liz Ham
styling Jolyon Mason
hair Sophie Roberts
make-up Sasha Nilsson

What is a 'teddy girl'?

"The teddy girls of 1950s London -- their sartorial assertiveness contrasted with the bombed out environments they occupied and their feisty appropriation of male styles (often down to the classic duck-tail haircut) set them apart from the standard Fifties Feminine."
Mina Estevez, Hint Fashion Magazine

"The teddy girls left school at 14 or 15, worked in factories or offices, and spent their free time buying or making their trademark clothes -- pencil skirts, rolled-up jeans, flat shoes, tailored jackets with velvet collars, coolie hats and long, elegant clutch bags. It was head-turning, fastidious dressing, taken from the fashion houses of the time, which had launched haute-couture clothing lines recalling the Edwardian era."
The Sunday Times

Pretty damn impressive for a first editorial, I must say.

Romany

[photos courtesy of trendland.net]

Trivial Pursuit...

2010-05-31T22:09:00.001-07:00

Including the original Divine Ms. M...

Marilyn Monroe
"In Hollywood a girl's virtue is much less important than her hairdo. You're judged by how you look, not by what you are. Hollywood's a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for kiss, and fifty cents for your soul. I know, because I turned down the first offer often enough and held out for the fifty."

Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jeane Mortenson) started using this name in 1946, but did not legally change it until 1956.

The first time she signed an autograph as Marilyn Monroe, she had to ask how to spell it, as she didn't know where to put the "i" in "Marilyn".

Monroe's ex-husband baseball player Joe DiMaggio put fresh roses at her memorial site for years after her death.

She died with the phone in her hand.

Fearing blemishes, Monroe washed her face fifteen times a day.

She was originally set to play Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961), but Audrey Hepburn played the role instead.

Monroe tried 9 different shades of blond hair color before settling on platinum.

At 168, her IQ was significantly higher than John F. Kennedy's 129 (a score of 100 is considered average and 150 to be highly gifted).

Ava Gardner
"I haven't taken an overdose of sleeping pills and called my agent. I haven't been in jail, and I don't go running to the psychiatrist every two minutes. That's something of an accomplishment these days."

Filming My Forbidden Past (1951), Ava Gardner was attracted to co-star Robert Michum, who was under contract to Howard Hughes. Mitchum called up his boss and asked, "Do you mind if I go to bed with Ava?" "If you don't," Hughes replied, "they'll think you're a pansy."

Years of sexual dissipation and heavy boozing caused Gardner to lose her legendary beauty. Her housekeeper reported that she'd often stare at her face in the mirror and say to her image, "Too many bullfighters, baby. Too many dicks. Too many George C. Scotts. Too many Artie Shaws. Too many Roberts." [referring to Robert Walker, Robert Taylor and Robert Evans]

She never forgot seeing Bette Davis at the Hilton Hotel in Madrid. Gardner went up to her and said, "Miss Davis, I'm Ava Gardner and I'm a great fan of yours." "Of course you are, my dear," Bette replied. "Of course you are." And she swept on.

George Cukor once said of her, "Ava is a gentleman." She claimed it was the nicest thing that's ever been said about her.

Gardner rolled her first cigarette when she was five years old.

Married Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw and Frank Sinatra - all three of them had nineteen wives between them; Rooney with eight, Shaw with seven and Sinatra with four.

None of her ex-husbands attended her funeral.

When Gardner heard Sinatra had married Mia Farrow, she exclaimed, "Hah! I always knew Frank would wind up in bed with a boy."

Paul Newman
"The embarrassing thing is that my salad dressing is out-grossing my films."

Paul Newman was among the celebrities on the famous "Enemies List" kept by President Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal.

Newman was training to be a pilot while in the Navy, but was discovered to be color-blind, ending his flying aspirations.

Early in his acting career, he was often mistaken for Marlon Brando. He claims to have signed around 500 autographs reading, "Best wishes, Marlon Brando."

Newman has donated between $150 million-$175 million to charity since the 1980s.

He is godfather to Jake Gyllenhaal.

Prior to filming The Hustler (1961) , Newman lacked talent at playing pool. But after brushing up on it for the role, he felt very confident in his ability. So he bet co-star Jackie Gleason $50 on a game of pool. Being the excellent pool player he was, Gleason beat Newman. Instead of paying him in dollar bills, Newman dumped $50 worth of pennies on the table for Gleason to take.

Known as an inveterate prankster, he and Robert Redford, in particular, played numerous pranks on each other. One time, Redford, who was also into car racing, had a beaten-up Porsche shell delivered to Newman's porch for Newman's 50th birthday. Newman never said anything, but not long after, Redford found a crate of the (now) molten metal delivered to the living room of a house Redford rented, which dented the floor. Not to be outdone, Redford then had the metal turned into an incredibly ugly sculpture and dropped into Newman's garden.

When Newman failed to receive an Oscar nomination for his performance in Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956), producer Charles Schnee and director Robert Wise gave him what they called a Noscar. The engraving says, "The Schnee-Wise Noscar award to Paul Newman for best portraying a terrible no-good, for turning him into a charming and lovable sprite, and for thereby doing what Lincoln said should never be done, i.e. fooling all of the people all of the time".

Romany

[photos courtesy of claude101.wordpress.com, thecampofthesaints.com and balajoe27.wordpress.com]

The Curve

2010-05-31T03:41:00.000-07:00

Christina Hendricks

photographed by James White for Esquire Russia, June 2010

"During the first season [of Mad Men], a woman came up to me at dinner and said, 'I just want to thank you -- watching you has made me proud of my body.' I thought, what an amazing thing for someone to say! To make anyone feel good about themselves makes me feel good."

Some of you may already know about my...ahem...appreciation for Mad Men's Christina Hendricks, but for those who are unfamiliar, suffices to say I'm rather obsessed with this hourglass beauty and what she's brought to Hollywood. She's positively divine.

Romany

[photo courtesy of benjyie.tumblr.com]

The week that was...

2010-05-28T22:17:00.000-07:00

I know I normally post this on a Friday (though for some of you it still is Friday, in which case I'm off-the hook), but I was out yesterday and simply didn't have time (as you can imagine, this is my most time-consuming post of the week). But I figure better late than never. It is still shocking me how fast time is passing. Has another week already gone by? Gosh. Who knew complete and utter boredom could make time pass so quickly. I really must think about getting another job (yep, that will make 3 jobs in total - 2 alone is still not enough financial support, if you can believe it), as recently the discussion of moving out of home with friends has been thrown around. What an exciting and terrifying prospect! Any tips on making the Big Move, my lovelies?
But for now, let us take a closer look at the week that has just come to a close...

Quote

"If we're so busy trying to change ourselves, especially aesthetically, we're going to miss out on more important things. I used to live, eat and sleep by an exercise schedule, and I couldn't enjoy myself if I didn't exercise. And then I realised, What a waste of time! My soft parts are probably never going away. People may seem perfect, but that's because they spend thousands on trainers and diets and surgeries. That's what we're made to feel like we're supposed to look like but if you put it in perspective, there's nothing realistic about it!
Stop looking in the mirror and realise that you're living for yourself, not other people."

~Amanda Seyfried, on healthy body image.
It seems that Amanda always has something to say about this particular topic these days. But at least she's not obsessive anymore...

Wardrobe Envy

Nicole Richie on German TV show Wetten Dass...?

It's difficult to tell from these low quality pictures, but rest assured Nicole is dressed stunningly for this particular television appearance. I'm definitely preferring this hippier style of hers to the "harsh glamour" she was sporting a few years ago (which went perfectly with her waifer-thin physique).

Music

Australian three-piece band, Tame Impala's debut album Innerspeaker dropped on the 21st to rave reviews. With founding member Kevin Parker describing their music as "steady flowing psychedelic-groove rock . . . that emphasises dream-like melody", it's no wonder praise like "the songs are spacey but energised, riding an insistent groove with enough altered state to feel like the lava lamp is on high, the strobe light higher and your core temperature a little off the scale" is already being thrown around. Listen to: Alter Ego.

News

1. Audrey Hepburn in Givenchy, Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961).

A US website, influenced by a recent UK online poll (with different results - thus the basis of the 'competition'), has named Audrey Hepburn's black Givenchy dress made famous in Hepburn's role in Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) the most iconic dress of the last 50 years. Marilyn Monroe's presidential serenade dress came in second, with Madonna's MTV wedding dress, J.Lo's Versace Grammy dress and Diane Von Furstenburg's iconic wrap dress rounding out the top five.

2. Marilyn Monroe in Jean Louis (1962).

3. Madonna's wedding dress at the MTV Video Music Awards ((1984).

In other news...

Vogue Italia, May 2010 issue
photographed by Steven Meisel

It has been announced that the winner of reality show America's Next Top Model, instead of Seventeen magazine, will now grace the cover of Italian Vogue (could this have something to do with Andre Leon Talley's recent involvement with the show?). "It's so major and makes the pressure huge," photo shoot director, Jay Manuel says. "When we announced it to the girls, we couldn't stop them from screaming. It's so incredible that we've grown the show to a point where the fashion industry takes us seriously. Cycle one was this little show that could - Tyra wanted to give people this back door glimpse and cycle fifteen feels like a rebirth." Jay added.

Wow. That is a big and credible change....

Vintage Beauty

Veruschka
photographed by Richard Avedon, 1967.

Recently, I haven't been a huge fan of 'in flight' fashion photography (thank you, US Vogue for over-using this technique, and completely ruining something wonderful), but I can't help but feel this is slightly more lovely than something that may have been produced in modern times. I guess I'm just biased towards all things retro.

Currently...
...listening to: Tame Impala
...watching: Jonathan Creek - love me some British murder mystery!
...reading: still on Story of O - as I've mentioned before, I'm a slow reader.

Tell me all about your week!

Have a beautiful weekend!

Romany

[photos courtesy of popsugar.com.au, iheartnicole.us, smh.com.au, blog.modelmanagement.com, thisismarilyn.com, elle.com, vogue.it and musie.wordpress.com]

Editorial Watch

2010-05-25T18:49:00.001-07:00

Sex sells, after all...

9 1/2 Minutes
Tori Praver and Tyson Ballou
photographed by Sharif Hamza for Vogue Russia
styling Simon Robins

Sexy stuff.
But what do you all think? Pleasantly sexy or too far?
What are your thoughts on the increasing influence of sex in the fashion industry? Obviously it's always been a major factor to commercial success, but lately it seems to have risen to a whole new level, especially with regard to nudity. I have no problem with nudity whatsoever, in fact sometimes it can be what turns something ordinary into something extraordinary - but sometimes it seems as if nipples are being thrown in here and there simply for the hell of it. It's the gratuitous nudity that I guess I have an issue with (and that goes for film and television, also). It's just downright...tacky.

Romany

[photographs courtesy of fashiongonerogue.com]

Trivial Pursuit...

2010-05-24T18:05:00.000-07:00

I hope you're ready for more...

Katharine Hepburn
"I have many regrets, and I'm sure everyone does. The stupid things you do, you regret... if you have any sense, and if you don't regret them, maybe you're stupid. "

Katharine Hepburn walked around the studio in her underwear in the early 1930s when the costume department stole her slacks from her dressing room. She refused to put anything else on until they were returned.

She was nearly decapitated by an aeroplane propeller when she was rushing about an airport, avoiding the press.

Hepburn did all her own stunts because the stunt woman never stood up straight enough.

Suffered from pyrophobia (fear of fire).

In terms of acting talent, she particularly disliked Meryl Streep, claiming she could recognise Streep's constant search for tactics during a performance. Hepburn also thought Glenn Close was talented, but said openly Close's feet were too big for audiences to take her seriously as an actress.

Greta Garbo
"I wish I were supernaturally strong so I could put right everything that is wrong."

Greta Garbo disliked Clark Gable, a feeling that was mutual. She thought his acting was wooden while he considered her a snob.

Before making it big, she worked as a soap-latherer in a barber's shop back in Sweden.

During filming, whenever there was something going on that wasn't to her liking, Garbo would simply say "I think I'll go back to Sweden!" which frightened the studio heads so much that they gave in to her every whim.

Except at the very beginning of her career, she granted no interviews, signed no autographs, attended no premieres, and answered no fan mail.

Greta Garbo was Adolf Hitler's favorite actress.

Joan Crawford

"Send me flowers while I'm alive. They won't do me a damn bit of good after I'm dead."

In 1933, Joan Crawford appeared in a Coca-Cola print advertisement. Some years later, in 1955, she married Pepsi-Cola board chairman Alfred N. Steele.

Crawford's costar Bette Davis had been nominated for Best Actress in their film What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962). If Davis had won, it would have set a record number of wins for an actress. According to the book Bette & Joan - The Divine Feud by Shaun Considine, the two had a life-long mutual hatred, and a jealous Crawford actively campaigned against Davis for winning Best Actress, and even told Anne Bancroft, nominated the same year, that if Anne won and was unable to accept the Award, Crawford would be happy to accept it on her behalf. According to the book, on Oscar night, Bette Davis was standing in the wings of the theatre waiting to hear the name of the winner. When it was announced that Anne Bancroft had won Best Actress for The Miracle Worker (1962), Davis felt an icy hand on her shoulder as Joan Crawford said "Excuse me, I have an Oscar to accept".

After her husband died, she still continued to set a place for him at the dinner table.

Her popularity grew so quickly after her name was changed to Joan Crawford that two films in which she was still billed as Lucille Le Sueur, Old Clothes (1925) and The Only Thing (1925) were recalled, and the billings were altered.

Her final words before dying were quoted as being "damn it...don't you dare ask God to help me." which was said to her housekeeper, who had begun to pray aloud.

Gregory Peck
"[on his opinion of stars being paid $30 million per film] I was born too soon!"

Stating he was worried about the 600,000 jobs hanging on the survival of the Chrysler Corporation, Gregory Peck volunteered to become an unpaid TV pitchman for the company in 1980.

Formed a solid friendship with Mary Badham, who played his daughter "Scout" in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962). They remained in contact until his passing. According to Badham, she always called him "Atticus" and he always called her "Scout".

During the Vietnam War, Peck was a vocal supporter of teenagers who dodged the draft, calling them "patriots" and "heroes" and saying that burning their draft cards was part of their civic duty. He produced an anti-war film, The Trial of the Catonsville Nine (1972) using his own money in order to provoke more opposition to the conflict.

In 1997, as a presenter at the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) awards ceremony, he said, "It just seems silly to me that something so right and simple has to be fought for at all."

He took in former co-star Ava Gardner's housekeeper and dog after her death in 1990.

Many, many more to come.
Until next time...

Romany

[photos courtesy of selectsmart.com, dannymiller.typepad.com, sodahead.com and persephonereads.wordpress.com]

The Curve

2010-05-23T19:10:00.000-07:00

Kelly Brook in Mauritius
April 2010

I really don't know that there's anything else that needs to be said except for 'wow'.
Kelly Brook (British model, actress and TV presenter) is perfection.

Romany

[photos courtesy of bigleaguescrew.com]

The week that was...

2010-05-21T01:51:00.001-07:00

Is it just me or is this year flying by? It's like I blinked after celebrating the New Year and it's already the end of May! My 19th birthday is coming up, the 4th of June, and I have to start planning a celebration of some sort. My house isn't fit to host any sort of party, so I figure I'll just gather some friends and we can club/bar hop the night away. We may even treat ourselves to Sex and the City 2 earlier in the night, considering it's released to cinemas just the day before. I must admit, I've always been a fan of the show, but this new movie just looks...disappointing. Completely over the top and with a plot that they threw together just for the sake of it. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited but needless to say I'm not exactly expecting quality. There is always the chance that I will be proven wrong, though...
Anyway, let us take a closer look at the week that has just come to a close...

Quote

"I do think sexuality is intriguing. I mean, I have my own hang-ups and embarrassments and I didn't want to go in a brothel at all. But once I was in there, it kind of appealed to me because it's a very female world, a very female-centric world, not a male-centric world. You think the men are the kings - but not at all. The men are all shy and awkward and drunk. And the women are all-powerful. It's fascinating to spend some time with people whose business it is. [Prostitutes] don't have any of those problems. They don't have any of those conflicts. They accept it. They accept it absolutely for what it is: it is a need, it is a desire, it is a passion and it is a ritual."

~Helen Mirren on her experience visiting a brothel to prepare for her new movie Love Ranch.

Oh, I love how Helen Mirren always has something interesting to say. I must admit, I obviously wouldn't have a proper clue, but I would not have expected this kind of power reversal at a brothel. I wonder if this is universal or just the brothel Ms. Mirren happened to be visiting...?

Wardrobe Envy
Marion Cotillard in Cannes.
While I'm well aware I could never pull of this look, I can't help but be desperately envious of Marion's coloured Ray Ban sunglasses this week! So quirky, so French...if only.

MusicJuly Flame, singer-songwriter Laura Veirs' seventh studio album, has been described as sending 'us on hikes through dreamy landscapes evoked by her uniquely tangy voice, casting minimal instrumentation in glistening arrangements to captivate the melancholy imagination.' Listen to: title track July Flame.

News

Forbes magazine has released their annual list of top-earning models. Gisele Bundchen once again holds the top spot -- which she's had for at least six years now -- with $25 million in estimated earnings from June 2009 to June 2010. In fact, there hasn't been a lot of movement in the list in the past year -- for 2010, the top ten is exactly the same for the second year in a row, with the exception of Natalia Vodianova moving up from seventh position to tie Alessandra Ambrosio in sixth place.
The full list (with comparison to 2009 position and earnings)...
Gisele Bundchen $25m (1 — $25m)
Heidi Klum $16m (2 — $16m)
Kate Moss $9m (3 — $8.5m)
Adriana Lima $7.5m (4 — $8m)
Doutzen Kroes $6m (5 — $6m)
Alessandra Ambrosio $5.5m (6 — $6m) and Natalia Vodianova $5.5m (7 — $5.5m)
(none, due to tied 6th)
Daria Werbowy $4.5m (8 — $4.5m)
Miranda Kerr $4m (9 — $3)
Carolyn Murphy $3.5m (10 — $3m)

In other news...
The 12-minute film David Lynch produced for Dior featuring Marion Cotillard, Lady Blue Shanghai, the third segment in the Lady Dior series -- made its debut before a crowd of 500 gathered in Shanghai for Dior's Cruise 2011 show. According to Lynch, the only direction he had from Dior was, "They called me up and said, ‘Would you like to make a short film for the internet? You can do anything you want, you just need to show the handbag, the Pearl Tower and some old Shanghai.’” The outcome is everything you'd expect: an enigmatic, Lynchian take on a love story.

Vintage Beauty
Rita Hayworth
Oh, Rita, Rita, Rita...I can't look at Ms. Hayworth without thinking of the movie the Shawshank Redemption (beautiful movie - see it if you haven't already), and I'm sure I'm not the only one. I can't wait to share Ms. Hayworth's trivia segment with you all in the coming weeks!

Currently...
...listening to: Baptism, by Crystal Castles.
...watching: Sex and the City to get myself in the mood for the new movie.
...reading: Story of O, by Pauline Reage - really liking it so far!
...eating: what did I put this section here for? Who wants to hear about what I'm eating, anyway?

Tell me all about your week!

Have a beautiful weekend!

Romany

[photos courtesy of marioncotillardfan.net, exclaim.ca, skinnyvscurvy.com, stylefrizz.com and cinematicpassions.wordpress.com]

Your Say...

2010-05-19T20:24:00.000-07:00

Another new feature, inspired by my wanting to get know you all better. I'm always desperately curious to gather all sorts of different opinions on certain topics, and I figure a blog is a pretty simple medium through which to satisfy such a curiosity. A new question each week, starting with something nice and easy (but which I am none-the-less very interested in hearing the answer to)...

Which do you prefer?

cities...

...or the country?

Is there a reason behind your preference?

Personally, I'm a city girl. But a nice little trip to the country is always a welcome holiday. It's just not something I could commit to full-time, I don't think. I need technology. I need street lights. I need people...But that's just me.

ALSO feel free to ask me any questions and I will incorporate my answer to one (or more) in tomorrow's recap post.

Romany

[photos courtesy of mighty2save.tumblr.com and flickr.com]

Editorial Watch

2010-05-18T23:16:00.000-07:00

This new weekly feature will allow us to indulge in the most beautiful and interesting editorial[s] of the week...

Magdalena
photographed by Cathrin Jo Ann Wind for Diva
styling Yoan Gonfond
make-up Diana Galante c/o Top Agence

Photographer Cathrin Jo Ann Wind produced an unusual fashion editorial for Diva magazine, Austria. American painter Edward Hopper, who in the 1950s captured the solitude of the contemporary individual in sensitive pictures, inspired her shoot.

To capture the feel of the paintings, Cathrin commissioned miniature models, which she then photographed using meticulous lighting. Designs by J. P. Gaultier Maille, Salvatore Ferragamo, Burberry Prorsum, Stella McCartney, Missoni and Maurizio Pecoraro were added later.

An incredibly elaborate post-production completed the look: resulting in an editorial filled with light and shadow play, between reality and dream.

A very interesting concept, executed beautifully.

Romany

[photos courtesy of gosee.us]

Trivial Pursuit...

2010-05-17T21:10:00.000-07:00

I recently stumbled upon a goldmine of Old (and New) Hollywood trivia, and figured there would be no better audience to share it with than my lovely readers! Like I said, these new features are nothing too fancy, but none-the-less have me rather excited. Enjoy!

Sophia Loren

"The two big advantages I had at birth were to have been born wise and to have been in poverty."

Sophia Loren may have been a voluptuous sex goddess as an adult, but until the age of 14, she was a skinny child and considered an ugly duckling, nicknamed 'The Stick'.

She served 18 days in prison in Italy in 1982 for tax evasion.

Sophia didn't get along with Marlon Brando during the shooting of A Countess from Hong Kong (1967) - especially after filming a love scene when Brando commented, "did you know you have hairs up your nostrils?".

At times, male actors have been hesitant to appear with her, due to the fact that she stands at nearly 5 foot 9 inches, wearing towering heels and tall hair that can make her look over 6 feet tall.

Carole Lombard

"God knows I love Clark [Gable], but he’s the worst lay in the town."

In 1926, Carole Lombard was in an auto accident that badly cut her face. Advanced plastic surgery and clever use of make-up covered the scars. However, at the time the belief was that use of anesthetic during the operation would leave worse scars, so she endured the reconstructive surgery without an anesthetic.

The decision to take the plane which eventually killed Carole and her mother was decided literally by the flip of a coin, with Carole winning the toss. The plane they took was a military convoy which made many stops in order to pick up troops. After the first stop, an officer requested Carole, her mother and publicist to get off the plane to make room for more troops. Carole reportedly argued with him, stating the fact she had raised more than half a million dollars in war bonds and had the right to stay on. The officer finally conceded, and shortly after, the plane crashed.

Her film To Be or Not to Be (1942) was in post-production when Carole died, and the producers decided to leave out a part that had her character ironically saying, "What can happen in a plane?"

Shirley MacLaine

"It is useless to hold a person to anything he says when he's in love, drunk or running for office."

Shirley MacLaine took ballet as a child and always played the boy's role due to being the tallest in her class.

Her childhood dinner for many years consisted of Tabasco sauce and saltine crackers (which apparently often resulted in bad dreams, and her missing the bus to ballet class).

Right before a performance of Cinderella with the Washington School of Ballet (dancing the role of the Fairy Godmother), Shirley was warming up backstage when she broke her ankle. Instead of bowing out, she simply tied the ribbon on her toe shoes tighter and danced the role through. After the show was over, she called for an ambulance.

Named after Shirley Temple.

Marlon Brando

"The only thing an actor owes his public is not to bore them."

Marlon Brando worked as a department store elevator operator before he became famous. He quit after four days due to his embarrassment in having to call out the lingerie floor.

In 1995, as a guest on Larry King Live (1985), Brando kissed Larry King on the mouth.

He used cue cards in many of his movies as he refused to memorise his lines. In Superman (1978), hi lines were written on the nappy of baby Kal-El.

Brando was expelled from high school for riding a motorcycle through the halls.

Was fluent in French.

His signature was considered so valuable to collectors, that many personal cheques he wrote were never cashed because his signature was usually worth more than the amount on the cheque.

During an acting class, when the students were told to act out "a chicken hearing an air-raid siren," most of the students clucked and flapped their arms in a panic, while Brando stood stock-still, staring up at the ceiling. When asked to explain himself, Brando replied, "I'm a chicken - I don't know what an air-raid siren is."

Contrary to popular belief, he was not an atheist. At his son's trial, where he supposedly revealed his atheism and refused to swear upon a Bible, his actual words were, "While I do believe in God, I do not believe in the same way as others, so I would prefer not to swear on the Bible".

In his biography The Only Contender (1976) by Gary Carey, Brando was quoted as saying, "Like a large number of men, I, too, have had homosexual experiences, and I am not ashamed."

He was an avid user of the Internet in his final years, often going into chat rooms to start arguments.

Brando was related to four presidents of the United States: James Madison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor and Jimmy Carter.

Surely I cannot be the only one who thinks Marlon Brando is absolutely yummy?
Many, many more to come!

Romany

[photos courtesy of stardustandsequins.wordpress.com, freemooviesonline.com, sodahead.com and media.photobucket.com]

The Curve

2010-05-16T20:14:00.000-07:00

Ursula
photographed by Jan Rickers for Brigitte

Photographer Jan Rickers realised photos on the subject of cellulite for Brigitte magazine, and in keeping with the new Brigitte concept, only non-models were used.

Maria

Lola

Kathrin

Christina

Reality is diversity.

Romany

[photos courtesy of gosee.us]

The week that was...

2010-05-13T16:34:00.000-07:00

Hello world, I am back!
This is very exciting for me, my break is over and I've got a few new features lined up for the robins. Nothing too fancy, but enough to inspire excitement in yours truly. I haven't got a lot of time before I have to skip out for the day, but I wanted to at least publish an 'end of hiatus' post, and what better way to do that than by recapping the week that was?

Quote

"You can be less than mediocre and be a fucking movie star. I have respect for very few actors and actresses. Some of them get a lot of acclaim but just because their movie made $200 million at the box office; they still suck. I got no respect for them and I used to let them know it. It was important for me to put that aside and go, 'You know what? This is a business. If you kiss the right ass and you get lucky on a movie or two, you could last 10 years.' So, now, I just keep my mouth shut and pet my chihuahuas."

~ Mickey Rourke, on Hollywood, to Parade.
I have to admit, as weird as it sounds, I have a bit of thing for ol' Mickey. I found him (gasp) quite sexy in Iron Man 2. He's somehow managed to transform himself from 80s heartthrob to modern-day cool guy. With an Oscar nomination to boot.

Wardrobe Envy

Michelle Williams and friend, in Tribeca, New York City.
As cute as Michelle looks in this very warm-weather-appropriate ensemble (unfamiliar territory for me - it's unseasonably cold here in Melbourne), and with an adorable new cropped 'do, it's really her stripes-clad friend that I'm envying. The stripes, the wide white shorts, the chunky dark turquoise necklace - very French riviera.

Music
Crystal Castles II, has been described as an 'improvement on [Crystal Castles'] debut in nearly every way', with Pitchfork crediting them with '(by staying true to themselves) creating a more focused, propulsive, and satisfying follow-up'. Listen to: Baptism.

News

After last year, 18 “plus-sized” girls walked the runway at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week - this year, the size 12+ girls were excluded from the fashion event...

Negotiating curves has proved too hazardous for the designers of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, as plus-sized models claim they have been shut out by the local industry.
Big Gal Models agent Darrianne Donnelly said the industry had gone backwards after showcasing 18 plus-size models at Australian Fashion Week last year. That positive initiative by RAFW owner IMG was hailed a success but has not one was invited to participate this year. “The public wants to see themselves, in all shapes and sizes, not just size 6,” Ms Donnelly said.
A group of plus-size models wearing T-Shirts with slogans such as “I love my curves” and “We love real women” staged a protest outside an Australian Fashion Week event yesterday.
Designer Alex Perry was defiant about his right to choose. “Nobody is going to tell me how to pick models,” he said.

What do you all think? Is including "plus size" models the way of the future or a fleeting gimmick?

Vintage Beauty

Grace Kelly
photographed by Howell Conant, 1955

Ah, Grace Kelly...is there a more graceful and elegant style and beauty icon in the history of cinema?

Currently...
...listening to: Cosmic Love, by Florence + the Machine.
...watching: Sex and the City for the umpteenth time, I swear to god I'm unhealthily addicted.
...reading: about to start on the Agatha Raisin series, I'm a sucker for a murder mystery.
...eating: not enough! Stress usually has me reaching for the junk food, but these days I'm wasting away!

Tell me all about your week!

Have a beautiful weekend!

Romany

[photos courtesy of imnotobsessed.com, en.wikipedia.org, skinnyvscurvy.com and gosee.us]

Love actually is all around...

2010-05-03T02:20:00.000-07:00

...and what better way to spread that love than with an award?
Unfortunately, the break is still not over. But I'm getting closer and closer to ironing out all of the issues (one of them being figuring out how to print screen on this new-fangled piece of technology that is my brand new laptop), and should be up and running soon. A quick update though: I got a job! It's only a few days a week, but hey it's better than nothing, eh? So that will only slightly eat into my designated blogging time when I'm back to routine. But for now, it's time to spread that aforementioned L.O.V.E...

Some time ago, I received an award from the lovely LyddieGal over at Chic on the Cheap.

The rules...

1. Link to the person that gave you the award.

2. Pass the award on to however many bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic.

3. Contact the blogs and let them know they have won.

4. State seven things about yourself.

Gosh I don't even know that I could state 7 things, I'm really not that interesting.
1. I am listening to Playground Love, by Air (my favourite band) right now.
2. I'm obsessive about brushing my teeth before leaving the house and before going to bed.
3. My mother was studying naturopathy some years ago, and since then our entire stash of hair and beauty (as well as cleaning) products has been over-turned and we're pretty much all-natural in every area now. As annoying as it was, I think we've really benefited from the change, health-wise.
4. I have acting aspirations, and my ultimate director to work with would undoubtedly be David Lynch. If only I could have somehow been involved with his previous works, already...
5. I have been going to my orthodontist since I was a little baby. I don't know anyone who has had more dental work than I have (though I'm sure, somewhere in the world, there would be someone).
6. I'm not big on epic concerts, but I was devastated when the Spice Girls never made it to Australia for their reunion.
7. Almost everything in my possession at the moment is broken or destroyed in some way, including my shoes, my bag, several t-shirts and pairs of pants, my lamp, both bedroom cupboards, my gumboots, my favourite necklace and much more.

And recently I also received an award from the gorgeous Little Bear Stories.

And so I have decided to pass these awards (take your pick of which one you'd prefer, or accept both) onto...

The Dusk Zone
The Vintage Obsession
caitlin and megan
Emily Viveur
JoellenLove
The Twenty Something Diaries
Trop Rouge
coco+kelley
The Drifter and the Gypsy

And of course, thank you to everyone who comments, follows or even visits the robins you have no idea how much I appreciate your support. And I shall see you all soon when I have fully returned from my break.

Hugh Grant and Martine McCutcheon
Love Actually, 2003

Goodbye, for now!

Romany

[photo courtesy of whatsontv.co.uk]

A Little Break...

2010-04-14T17:38:00.000-07:00

Lovelies, you may have noticed a lack of posts. It's been quite difficult these past few days. And so I've decided a little break from blogging is in order - just until I sort things out with the new laptop. I don't have a specific time frame in mind. Hopefully it won't be too long, as I will miss you all.

Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, 2004

I'm so sorry to let you all down. But I promise I'll be back and better than ever when I've sorted everything out. Thank you to everyone who comments, follows or even visits the robins you have no idea how much I appreciate your support.
Love you all and see you soon...

Romany

[photo courtesy of momentumpictures.co.uk]

The Curve

2010-04-11T20:15:00.000-07:00

Christina Hendricks

"Look at my great job, and suck it!"
Christina Hendricks, to the haters.
Honestly, do I even need to justify why Christina is here? She is pure perfection, as far as I'm concerned.

NOTE: My laptop has broken [cue violins]. My dad has very, very kindly lent me one for a few days but blogging will still be difficult as for some stupid, stupid reason I did not back up my 'blogging' folder. Hopefully I will be able to retrieve those files somehow, but for now I will try my best...

Romany

[photo courtesy of southsidesox.com

The week that was...

2010-04-09T01:41:00.000-07:00

Very slow week. You may have noticed I've been somewhat M.I.A. this week either here at my blog (only 2 posts - very bad), or replying to comments, and I can't apologise enough. A combination of Blogger being very nasty and refusing to let me create posts, and the fact that my laptop is playing up, meant that I was completely thrown off my blogging routine. My laptop is quite old, and I think it's safe to say I'm definitely in need of a new one at this point. And so, I'm sorry to say I'm not sure when I will be back to my proper routine. I will post as often as I can and reply to comments as often as I can, but if I mess up on either accounts just know that it is purely my silly little laptop's fault. On the bright side, though, I may have gotten a job as a receptionist at a medical clinic! It will be very casual, and it's still not definite, but fingers crossed that all goes well! Again, apologies all around for this week, and future weeks until everything is back to normal...
But for now, let us take a closer look at the week that has just come to a close...

Quote

"The Internet has allowed people to be 'couch critics.' You could sit anywhere in the world, you could sit in Oklahoma, look at a fashion show on the Internet, you could post your thoughts . . . the Internet has made fashion a lot more democratic in this way. You know, Tavi [Gevinson of Style Rookie], like her or don't like her, she's 13 - whether she even really writes it herself, the idea that she has gotten all this attention, it's because of the Internet, not because of anything else...She has every right to [post] on the Internet, she has every right to have the following she has . . . everybody can follow her and find her creative or funny or quirky or inspiring, but the idea is there are people here [at Elle magazine] who do know the history of fashion...It's absolutely true: if you don't know what you're talking about, then do you really have the credibility to talk about it?"

~Joe Zee, of Elle magazine, on fashion bloggers.
I can see where he's coming from. He is making the mistake of putting all fashion bloggers into the same category as someone like Tavi, and this obviously isn't fair - but I do see his point...

Wardrobe Envy
Nicole Richie leaving Traffic School in Van Nuys, California.
I'm pretty much loving everything about this outfit. The colours, the combination of shorts and tights (hot right now), the fact that Nicole is still championing the big sunnies trend. And I'm also quite fond of this hair colour on Nicole. I could go on all day...

Music
Cleveland indie threesome the Lighthouse and the Whaler have just released their self-titled debut album on iTunes, and have been described as blending 'classic modern pop with interesting orchestral sound-scapes that take you on an imaginary nautical journey beyond the sea.' Listen to White Days.

News
1. Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's

Radio Times has conducted a poll of 2,000 people, men and women, voting for their favourite film sirens - which spans over 75 years of cinema. The men voted James Bond film Dr. No's sexy Ursula Andress as their favourite, whereas the women voted Breakfast at Tiffany's sophisticated Audrey Hepburn as their favourite. Combined, the results put Audrey, again, at number one followed by...

2. Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music

3. Sigourney Weaver in the Alien movies

4. Ursula Andress in Dr. No

5. Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins

Readers, favourite film sirens?

In actual news, Alexander Wang is launching his first underwear collection, an expansion of T by Alexander Wang, on his website. Considering Wang's collections are usually in favour of the underwear-as-outerwear trend, Wang says the pieces are "definitely intended to be seen" and run from $48 to $72.

Vintage Beauty
Raquel Welch
I know we've all heard bad things about Raquel Welch that may or may not be true. But one thing cannot be denied...the woman is damn gorgeous, that's for sure.

Currently...
...listening to: Róisín Murphy.
...watching: Love Actually (can't even tell you how much I love this movie).
...reading: I think I'll remove this section from now on. Ha.
...eating: badly. Not enough food, due to lack of sleep.

Tell me all about your week!

Have a beautiful weekend!

Romany
[photos courtesy of nicolerichie.org, amazon.com, carlylaynefashionblog.wordpress.com, johnault.wordpress.com, angelfire.com, nerve.com, imdb.com, fashionologie.com and ana-lee.livejournal.com]

Dress Like an Icon...Claudia Cardinale

2010-04-07T07:37:00.000-07:00

I would have posted this a few days ago, but Blogger has been cruel to me and keeping me from updating. But Claudia is so gorgeous that I'm sure all will be forgiven, right?

(item credits)

"To do this kind of work [acting], you have to be very strong, otherwise you lose your personality, your identity. "
Claudia Cardinale. Claudia certainly managed to maintain personality, a feisty pro-feminism one too. And all the while maintaining impeccable personal style, that only those lucky enough to be Italian can manage. But in case you were not born in the land of pasta, and have ever tried your hand at the Cardinale, look no further for help...

Romany

[photos courtesy of fashionrat.com and polyvore.com]

The Curve

2010-04-04T20:18:00.000-07:00

Jayne Mansfield
Cannes Film Festival, 1964

Jayne was certainly no stranger to drawing attention to herself. But honestly, who wouldn't, with looks like that? Jayne Mansfield may not be as well-known as her "rivals" (Mansfield is sometimes described as being a "poor man's Marilyn Monroe"), but she's certainly one of my all-time favourite icons - always more than happy to celebrate her enviable figure.
"I like being a pin-up girl. There's nothing wrong with it."
Jayne Mansfield. No Jayne, there certainly isn't.

I received an award from the lovely LyddieGal over at Chic on the Cheap a couple of weeks ago, and am finally getting to post about it.

The rules...
share 10 things about yourself.

Here goes...
1. I am 5'10" (maybe taller) and have been tall for my age my entire life. This means I often get the "oh you're tall - can you please reach up and get that for me?" treatment. I don't mind helping, but it gets a bit old after a while.
2. I have incredibly inconsistent tastes (and thoughts and feelings). One day I like one thing, then the next day, sometimes even later the same day, I swing completely the opposite way and can't understand liking the first thing in the first place.
3. Over-confident people intimidate the hell out of me.
4. When I was younger, I got bitten on the nose by a chicken. I've been hostile towards them ever since.
5. I am a pescetarian.
6. I have developed a skill for reading body language over the years. I have a particular talent for guessing who people secretly harbour feelings for (which has been uncannily accurate in recent years).
7. I find reading books, even magazines sometimes, incredibly stressful. Leftover guilt from my final year of high school - if it wasn't study related, I couldn't enjoy it. As a result, I don't read much which is a shame because there are so many books I would love to read.
8. I have a real problem with people who are pretentious or judgemental when it comes to music taste. I've been surrounded by people like this for too long, and now I have no tolerance for their lack of tolerance (haha).
9. I'm incredibly picky when it comes to bags and shoes (which is probably why I am still yet to find a replacement for my gigantic tote that I used for school). You will never find me to be one of those women with endless rows of bags and shoes in her closet, as I doubt I could ever find that many that I like.
10. I like having an uncommon name. I have been told that it makes me sound like a variety of things, from a fairytale character to a "space-travelling freedom fighter".

And so I've decided that instead of passing this award on traditionally, I would love it if anyone who is reading this considers them-self tagged. I'm not copping out, but I just think this is a great way to get to know a blogger, so anyone who wants to do this consider yourself officially a recipient of the award.

Romany

[photos courtesy of nickgilmartin.wordpress.com]

The week that was...

2010-04-01T20:00:00.000-07:00

Ah, I still have another award to write about! Monday, I promise.
But before Monday comes, I've got a very exciting weekend planned, personally (it's about time a little excitement came and shook up my rut). It's my gorgeous friend Hannah's 18th birthday party. Despite the fact that her actual birthday was in the beginning of February (and what a night THAT was), her official shindig kept getting pushed back for all kinds of reasons, but it's here now, and just in time for Easter. It seems absolutely wrong to be partying on this of all religious holidays, but hey, I'm in no mood to turn down any kind of excitement.
But for now, let's take a closer look at the week that has just come to a close...

Quote

"I’m pretty much 80 percent healthy, 20 percent indulgent, because I don’t believe in depriving yourself. As soon as you step into the public eye you need to take responsibility for the people you are influencing. Body image is something that the majority of young women struggle with and I do think it is important that models are seen to be healthy and at a weight that works for their body type."

~Miranda Kerr, on health and modelling.

I think it's absolutely wonderful to see Miranda have this attitude. Accepting responsibility of her status as a role model (whether she wants it this way or not - being in the public eye, she realises it's not up to her to decide) and being positive and sensible about it is such a refreshing change. I'm not much of a Miranda fan, but this quote alone may have converted me.

Wardrobe Envy

Karen Gillan (and costar Matt Smith) attend a photocall to launch the new season of 'Doctor Who', Manchester, England.
Yes, more stripes. We've established that I'm thoroughly obsessed. But surely I'm not the only one who thinks the divine redhead looks effortlessly cool in that-quintessentially-British-way whilst at the same time avoids looking like a bumblebee, am I?

Music

Baltimore-based 5 piece folk band Noble Lake's debut album, Heyday, has been praised as such, "....despite any sense of impending doom in the songs of Noble Lake, [lead singer James] Sarsgaard's tender voice and lyrics fight to rejoice in the good of today...stringing memories and anxieties into some of Baltimore's finest contemporary folk music." Listen to Morgantown.

News
In February, Conde Nast announced iPad versions of five of its titles were being prepped. In the same month, a video demo of Interview magazine's iPad app circulated, showing the photography and text of the magazine intermixed with video and audio content.

On April 3 in conjunction with the iPad launch, Interview will debut its April 2010 "iPad Issue" with a digital version designed specifically for the gadget. The application, which promises 330 screens of images and text, plus 20 minutes of video and audio content will be available on the iTunes iPad store for a special edition price of 99 cents. It precedes the print version by over a week - the April issue won't hit newsstands until the week of April 12.
What do you all think? Cool? Or lame?

Kylie Minogue
photographed by Mario Testino

In other news, singer Kylie Minogue, model Claudie Schiffer and actress Sienna Miller have stripped down for the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer 2010 initiative, which aims to raise money and awareness of the killer disease. The campaign is sure to be close to Minogue's heart, considering her own battle with cancer in 2005.

Claudia Schiffer
photographed by Mario Testino

Sienna Miller
photographed by Mario Testino

Vintage Beauty
Claudia Cardinale
1967
Why anyone would want the big, round sunnies trend to wind down is beyond me...
When done right, à la Ms. Cardinale, the look can enhance even the most drab of outfits. Isn't she just gorgeous, on another note?

Currently...
...listening to: Reggie Watts
...watching: The Nanny
...reading: don't even ask. Haha.
...eating: pancakes, again. I need you all to help me shake this habit.

Tell me all about your week!

Have a beautiful weekend!

Romany

[photos courtesy of wireimage.com, amazon.com, fashionologie.com, fabsugar.com.au and digilander.libero.it]

Spotlight...Camilla Åkrans

2010-03-31T20:19:00.000-07:00

There's not a whole hell of a lot to be found about Camilla Åkrans in terms of biography or information, out there. Which, in a way, is great because a little mystery never hurt anybody.

The Swedish star photographer Camilla Åkrans is one of the biggest names when fashion houses are picking a photographer to shoot their ad campaigns. 33 year old Camilla Akrans has done several big ad campaigns and she has also won the prestigious Best Photographer Award at the ELLE awards, 2006.

This is about as much as I got. I did, however, find an interview with Åkrans during which she had some interesting things to say about her beautiful, beautiful work.

Vogue China

Numéro

Vogue Germany

"It's about trying to tell a story and to tell the model what kind of character she is while she is doing it, why she does it, instead of just telling her to do it. That's why I like to work with models that are interested in a kind of acting...
...if you don't get the connection with the model, then it's less successful."

Man About Town

New York Times

Numéro

"[Photography is] like any artist: either you like to do it and you should do what you like to do and if no one else likes it, screw them, and if they do it's fantastic. I don't think you should change or try to do different stuff just to please the market, because in the end then maybe you don't like what you do and there's not point in doing it."

Pure inspiration...

I received this award from the gorgeous I'm Heraid over at Poorly Fashioned.

The rules...
1. Pass the award to 12 others.
2. Link the chosen ones within your post, and inform them in a comment.
3. Share the love and the link to the person who gave it to you.

I'm incredibly short on time, so instead of 12 I'm going to link only 4 (forgive me).
I pass the torch on to...
Style On Track
Cafe Fashionista
Chai, Cinnamon and Couture
Welcome to Fashion Court...The Verdict Is In

More awards tomorrow!

Romany

[photos courtesy of lundlund.com]

Dress Like an Icon...Charlotte Rampling

2010-03-29T23:49:00.000-07:00

(item credits)

"To be honest, shopping for clothes doesn't interest me any more. Maybe it's because I've been lucky to have been able to rummage in the world's greatest dressing-up box - Paris - and I've had great clothes offered to me on a plate. I'm still invited to the Paris catwalk shows and at the end of each film shoot I've often been given one or two of my favourite pieces. But the truth is that I like to dress simply."
Charlotte Rampling.
I could go on and on about how gorgeous this woman is. Effortless, simple, chic style. If you've ever tried your hand at the Rampling, look no further for help...

Romany

[photos courtesy of theauteurs.com and polyvore.com]

A Magical Night...

2010-03-28T21:47:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I got an email from Masha over at Our Religion inviting me to a special evening event at the Melbourne Zoo, for Earth Hour 2010. And boy was it special...
I invited my lovely auntie Jane to be my plus-one, and we were worried we'd miss out on the tour that was promised as part of the evening, considering we were running late (punctuality doesn't run in my family, I guess you could say). But thankfully, we arrived to our surprise with plenty of time to spare. As we checked in at the Bloggers Table, we were given a 'survival pack', consisting of some chocolate, sultanas, water, insect repellent, a reusable coffee cup (Keep Cup, very nifty invention) and some information on Zoos Australia. How sweet!

Our 'survival pack'

We set off on the tour, and I was starting to get a little bit scared. I love animals, but they really scare me. Especially the ones that are bigger and/or stronger than me. Thank god we didn't have time to visit the gorillas. I may have passed out. We did, however, have time to visit the giraffes, the zebras and emus, the reptiles and the lions (which we saw being fed - not as terrifying as it sounds). Considering it was evening, most of the park was shut from viewing, but it was fun while it lasted. The lions were behind a fence, so all of the photos I took are painfully dodgy, but I thought I'd upload at least one.

Gorgeous giraffe.

So tall...

The zebras matched our stripey tops.

Demon lion.
See what I mean? Painfully dodgy...

After the short-and-sweet tour, it was time for some dinner (the entire evening was absolutely free, if you can believe it). I was very pleased to see some veggie burgers on offer, as well as green salad and potato salad. There were even tables with place-settings for all of us bloggers to sit at! It was all very lovely. A nice, communal feeling. During dinner, the music started. The main attraction of the evening was the Earth Hour Unplugged concert, and Jane and I were very excited to see the Blackchords play as we'd been listening to their music before arriving at the zoo. Little did we know, as the tour was wrapping up and we were innocently eating dinner, the Blackchords were doing their set! We had no idea, and then it was too late. But all was not lost, as once we finished our dinner and set up our rug and bags on the lawn in front of the music pavilion, the second band Wagons began and they were very enjoyable.

Wagons.

Me.
It was a tiring day - I guess it shows...

Jane and I.

The lead singer was probably using a little too much language considering it was a family event, but everybody found it funny anyway. Being so short on cash recently, it's been a while since I've been to any sort of live music gig and I've forgotten how special the experience is - I've resolved to see more live music, as a result. Around 8.20pm it was very dark, and Tim Rogers began his set. As Earth Hour approached (8.30pm-9.30pm), the lights in the park and the stage were turned off and all that was left were the instruments, creating a really cool sensation. I hadn't been feeling well for a little while now, so we decided it might be best to leave after 15 minutes or so, to avoid the traffic (in case I would get to point where I needed to hit the bathroom). So unfortunately, we didn't get to see all of Tim Rogers, which was a shame because I was really enjoying his performance when we left.

The foreboding sky.

The crowd.

Our view of the stage.

Tim Rogers.

The stage.
Cool camera effects.

The stage.

But alas, an incredibly magical night all the same...

How was everyone's weekend?

Romany
p.s. I will do an award post in the coming days - don't worry, lovelies, I haven't forgotten.

[photos courtesy of my iPhone, my digital camera]

The week that was...

2010-03-25T20:37:00.000-07:00

This week has been painfully boring. I'd sort of given up a little bit on the job-hunt. You know when something is failing for you over a long period of time, and you just become really disheartened about the whole thing, no matter what it is? And as the time ticks on, you start to question the decision and wonder whether its what you really wanted in the first place? Yeah, that's pretty much my head-space for the week that's just passed. But I've decided I'm going to start being more pro-active as of Monday, and try not to let it get me down. There are many more important things in life than a job, and I just have to put it all in perspective. It's not really a question of optimism or pessimism because I'm generally a very optimistic person - this is just a blip, if anything, simply because it's taking longer than I thought it would (and therefore putting off my much-anticipated trip to Europe due to lack of funds). Enough complaining...
Let's take a closer look at the week that has just come to a close...

Quote

"I have literally just been in this place of zero fear. I just believe, as totally hippy bullshit as that sounds, anything's possible if you're willing to grab it and make it your own. You look at Stevie Nicks. Did she have the most amazing voice in the world? Fuck no -- but she got on stage and she owned every molecule inside of herself and completely captured every molecule around everybody else in the entire room. She was this poster child for, 'I don't give a fuck, it's about my soul and my spirit and my music, and you either dig it or you don't.' And that's kind of my take on all this -- minus the vulgar words."

~Erin Wasson, on her current life-philosophy, to Paper Mag.

Ah, to not care. To be completely impervious to the sometimes traumatising effect of the judgements of others. Now that would be the life...

Wardrobe Envy

Jessica Alba has been sporting these 2151 Ray Bans all over California, recently, inspiring some serious envy. I've never really gotten into the Wayfarer trend, but this particular pair seem to be calling my name.

Music

I Speak Because I Can, British indie/folk singer Laura Marling's sophomore album, has been described by Marling, herself, as dealing with "responsibility, particularly the responsibility of womanhood", and features a more mature sound and lyricism, in comparison to her debut album Alas I Cannot Swim. NME claims it be 'a stunning performance', and I think I might just agree.

News

Abbey Lee Kershaw for Michael Kors F/W 2010

Designer Michael Kors has vowed to raise the minimum age limit on models he hires to 16. "I think super-young girls used to be the exception," Kors says. "There’s always been a Twiggy, or a model who is very young. But they were few and far between. Now, they’re completely common. That’s something I see as a huge problem. The age of models really has to become a priority. We need to give these girls a chance to grow up."

"The fashion industry is starting to address real women again," Kors said at the Boston Health Forum, to applause from the audience. "Adults are in vogue. What a shock. This show season really was about the return of the adult in every city . . . The emphasis in fashion is shifting toward an emphasis on real women who are women, not girls. The reality is that women who buy designer clothes are 30-plus. The visual has to match the reality. Girls dressed up in their mother’s clothes? Guess what, it’s not attractive."

Vintage Beauty

Kirk Douglas and Brigitte Bardot
photographed in Cannes, 1953
Did you know that Brigitte Bardot became a press sensation after this set of photographs of her and Kirk Douglas (and also Errol Flynn) hanging on the Cannes beachfront during the 1953 Film Festival were snapped? Bardot was only 19 at the time, and starring in Un Acte d'Amour with Douglas. Bardot, famous for her 'mermaid style' blonde hair, was naturally a brunette. Ah, trivia...

Currently...
...listening to: Laura Marling.
...watching: old reruns of The Simpsons.
...reading: still trying to get through the Great Gatsby (I'm a slow reader).
...eating: Strawberry Shortcake biscuits.

Tell me all about your week!

Have a beautiful weekend!

Romany

[photos courtesy of celebrity-gossip.net, popoholic.com, en.wikipedia.org, style.com and kirk_douglas.images6.com]

For every beauty, there is an eye somewhere to see it...

2010-03-23T20:55:00.000-07:00

What is beauty? Is it a glowing smile? A couture gown? A great haircut? An Italian sunset?
According to definition, it's the qualities that give pleasure to the senses. So in fact, all of these examples, and many more, could be true. Because beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. Modern society, media in particular, has an obsession with telling the public (especially women) what is and isn't beautiful: Angelina Jolie is thin and has big lips, therefore she is beautiful. Jennifer Love Hewitt wore a too-small bathing suit (we've all been there), and Jessica Simpson is famous for fluctuating weight, therefore they deserve to be the subjects of ridicule. It's crazy how far we, as a society, have come in terms of the Obsession With Beauty (an obsession which I, myself, have succumbed to on more than one occasion I'll admit). But no matter how intense this Obsession becomes, it's crucial to acknowledge that we are living in a world filled with more than 6 billion inhabitants, and notions of beauty vary greatly not only from person to person, but from culture to culture, also.

Marilyn Monroe
1950s

Angelina Jolie
photographed by Steven Klein
Today

I'd like to draw your attention to a post written by little blogger by the name of Drea Morsby a few weeks ago on this same subject. Drea says her interest on this subject was piqued while at TAFE one unassuming day...

A Tongan employee stopped me during my lunch break to tell me that I have a wonderful figure that would be highly revered back in her country. She specifically noted my 'big legs and pretty face' and indicated at my shapely hips with a hand gesture. It really made my day to hear that somewhere, in some other country I would be considered perfect given that my shapely legs and short stature have been subject to the odd comment of ridicule in their time here in the western world.

Drea then goes on to highlight the differences in the notions of beauty within different cultures and eras, such as...

In traditional African tribes, pendulous breasts were considered the most attractive and the women would bind their breasts down flat to promote this look.

Even back here in the West, in the 1920's the fashion for women was to bind their breasts flat against their chest.

Small wide set breasts were, also, considered perfection in the middle ages.

Nowadays large, rounded, close set (cleavage, baby) breasts are considered the most attractive.

In countries where HIV is a problem, the men find curvier women more attractive, as being skinny is associated with having HIV.

Until about a hundred years ago, women in china had to bind their feet in order to be considered eligible for marriage. Bound feet were considered as 'dainty' and attractive because they rendered the woman vulnerable.

Womanly curves were considered most desirable in the 1950's. Then Twiggy came along in the 60's with her up and down figure thus sparking the 'new look', and became the first international super model. Twiggy had said that she 'desperately wanted curves' and didn't like the way she looked. She thought everyone had 'gone stark raving mad!'

Asian cultures consider a creased eyelid to be very attractive and many undergo plastic surgery to alter their eyelids with an epicanthic fold (skin fold of the upper eyelid, from the nasal bone to the inferior side of the eyebrow, covering the inner corner of the eye).

In Ye Olde times, it was more attractive to be curvy and pale as that indicated you were rich enough to eat well and spend your days leisurely inside. Their superficial veins appeared blue through their pale skin and thus explains the term 'blue blood' for nobility. Some women even went so far as to draw blue veins on their skin to attain this exclusive, noble look. Poor people weren't as well fed and had to work in the fields all day thus they were slender and tanned.

The industrial revolution brought all the 'poor' workers inside into factories and thus it became fashionable to be tanned because that indicated you had enough time and money to partake in leisurely activities outside in the sun.

Wow! Talk about variety. And so we come to the confirmation that beauty really is in the eye of the beholder (or at least, the culture of the beholder). And we realise, as demonstrated by the desirable flat breasts of the 1920s in comparison to the glorification of large breasts nowadays, what is popularly considered to be 'beautiful' changes over time, anyway. Ah, it's a fickle society we live. But this is good, because it means everybody gets their turn to be acknowledged for their beauty.

Audrey Hepburn
photographed by Mark Shaw

And so I'll leave you with a little poem by Sam Levenson that happened to be one of Audrey Hepburn's favourites...

For attractive lips,
speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes,
seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure,
share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair,
let a child run his or her fingers through it once day.

For poise,
walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed;
Never throw out anybody.

Remember,
if you ever need a helping hand,
you'll find one at the end of your arm.

As you grow older,
you will discover,
that you have two hands,
one for helping yourself,
the other for helping others,

The beauty of a woman,
is not in the clothes she wears,
The figure that she carries,
or the way she combs her hair,

The beauty of a woman
must be seen from in her eyes,
because that is the doorway to her heart,
the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman
is not in a facial mole,
but true beauty in a woman,
is reflected in her soul.

It is the caring that she lovingly gives,
the passion that she shows,
And the beauty of a woman,
with passing years only grows.

Enlighten me, readers. What do you find beautiful?

photographed by Thom Kerr

Romany

[photos courtesy of pixdaus.com, wmagazine.com, cinematicpassions.wordpress.com and thomkerr.com]

Dress Like an Icon...Twiggy

2010-03-22T20:46:00.000-07:00

(item credits)

With her waif like figure, boyish hair cut and striking eye lashes, Twiggy created an image that would epitomise an era. She became the idol for millions of teenage girls of the sixties revolution. By the age of 17, Twiggy was one of the most famous faces on the planet: her photograph was even encased in a time capsule and sent into space. By this time in the sixties, Twiggy had already become a household name across the globe, an icon whose image graced the covers of Vogue, Tatler and even her own American publication Her Mod, Mod Teen World.
She was once described as "the Cockney Kid with a face to launch a thousand shapes... And she's only 16!" If you've ever considered trying your hand at the Twiggy, look no further for help...

Twiggy is the second last Icon that I've created a look for, so I'll be out of looks after next week. Are there any Icons you'd like to see me create a look for? I need ideas!

Romany

[photos courtesy of polyvore.com and sixtiescity.com]

The Curve

2010-03-21T22:36:00.001-07:00

Kim Kardashian
vacationing in Miami, Florida

When it comes to modern-day curves, it's pretty hard to go past ol' Kimmy K. Say what you want about her tv show, her style, her past mistakes (*cough*sex tape*cough*), her friends, her personality, her increasingly plastic-looking face (Kim, honestly, you're too young for surgery) - but it simply can't be denied that Kim has a fabulous body. And she worked hard for it. She may have her insecurities, but it's clear Kim is content with how she looks. And who wouldn't be?
"If Paris Hilton thinks my butt looks gross I really don't care. At least I have a butt."
Kim Kardashian.

On another note, I received an award from the gorgeous Pippa over at Clashing Time.

The rules...
1. pass it on to 6 others.
2. let them know so they can post the same.

And so I pass the torch onto...
A Red Lipstick
Fashion Unplug
Daydream In Blue
Audrey Allure
tweet
Simply Luxurious

Enjoy lovelies!

Romany

[photos courtesy of celebrity-gossip.net]

The week that was...

2010-03-18T18:30:00.000-07:00

Don't you just hate having the flu? It just doesn't go away. But besides the whole feeling-like-crap-24/7 thing, there is one thing I look forward to when getting sick - I lose my voice! Am I crazy for loving it when my voice is all husky and raspy? It just gives me the giggles (these giggles produce very little actual sound, rather a high-pitched weezing more like, which just makes me even more entertained).
Despite the flu, it's been a big week. I got an invitation to a VIP party at the Chadstone Shopping Event Wednesday night, and brought my friend Hannah along with me. We had no idea what to expect when we got there, but basically it was a trendy cafe in the middle of the shopping centre (up the stairs from the runway parade) with a 'black' carpet and velvet ropes. Hannah and I got there relatively early, so we were some of the first to fill out the area but soon more people began to arrive. The cafe was filled mostly with the models who'd just finished their first parade downstairs and needed a drink before the next one. I can only assume the rest were in the industry or regular Joe's like Hannah and I who were lucky enough to get an invite. There were photographers (mostly interested in capturing the models), a DJ, free drinks and food and even a list. My name has never been on a list before, it was incredibly exciting! The only downside was the floor was covered with a giant mirror that ran along the entire length of the cafe. Needless to say, all of us girls decked out in dresses were terrified of being exposed, and walked around with our hands clasped to our bums hoping to avoid accidentally flashing people! After hanging in the VIP area for about an hour and a half, we went downstairs to the second parade. Hannah and I were assuming we would just have to stand up outside of the roped-off area filled with 'reserved' chairs like almost everybody else, but then realised my listed name meant that two of these seats were 'reserved' for us! So we were able to enjoy the parade sitting in the third row. All of the clothes that were showcased were gorgeous, and made us eager to take advantage of the sales going on all around us in the shopping centre. After the parade, were treated to a performance by Paris Wells. Then Hannah and I did what we did best, we shopped! Unfortunately, our lack of jobs meant that neither of us had enough money but it was still fun to try on anything we fancied. All in all, a very fun night.
So let's take a closer look at the week that has just come to a close...

Quote

"Yes, I’m against [gay marriage] for a very simple reason: In the 60s they all said we had the right to the difference. And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life. For me it’s difficult to imagine—one of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby? I don’t know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies. And I also believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child."

~Karl Lagerfeld, on gay marriage to Vice Magazine.

Karl gives us another quote to discuss this week. Basically he's saying that during the gay rights movement of the '60s activists said they had the right to be different from everyone. Now in 2010, he has a problem with the fact that they are trying to get the right to be part of the masses that subscribe to the idea of marriage. Hmm. Thoughts?

Wardrobe Envy

Mandy Moore shopping at The Urban Pet store in Hollywood, California.
This may be a very simple outfit that Mandy is rocking, but it's inspiring some serious envy in me. By now, you all know I love stripes, and when paired with some dark skinny jeans and a brown satchel that looks remarkably like the one I've been hunting for, it's an every-day outfit dream come true! The only problem is the shoes. Had Mandy worn some cute flats, it would have been a flawless look.

Music

Beach House have been labelled as 'dream pop' due to their slow, atmospheric rhythms and haunting lyrics. The band's latest album, Teen Dream, has been called 'both the most diverse and most listenable of their three full-lengths, and yet it never seems like a compromise', with lead singer Victoria Legrand's voice being praised as 'coiling like smoke in the arches of the church'. Listen to Zebra.

News

Tina Fey
photographed by James White for Esquire Magazine's upcoming issue.

Tina Fey covers Esquire April. This isn't exactly news, but it's an excuse to share some absolute gems that Tina gave for the article. She says...

"The best doughnut? That's Peter Pan doughnuts in Brooklyn. It's a Polish bakery. We shot nearby once for 30 Rock. It's a white-cream-filled powdered doughnut. And I really believe, when I first tried it, if I had a penis, I would put it in this doughnut. I finally understand what you guys are thinking about and what motivates you guys.
"My four year old daughter has a pretend hair-and-nail salon, and I was doing her hair and makeup. I said, 'Hello ma'am. What's your name? And what do you do?' And she said, 'I get paid to dance at parties.' And I said, 'Oh, no. That's a terrible, terrible answer.'
"What I've come to realize is that when people say, 'The thinking man's whatever' — there's no such thing. The thinking man also wants to fuck Megan Fox."

Vintage Beauty

Eva Herzigova
photographed by Vincent Peters for GQ Italia (August 2008)

A year and a half qualifies as 'vintage' in my books. Oh who am I kidding, I should really change the name of this section. But I think I'll keep it, just for a laugh.

Currently...
...listening to: Sigur Ros
...watching: old James Cameron movies (Aliens, Terminator 1 & 2 etc...)
...reading: The Great Gatsby - reading is a real struggle for me, so I'm still only halfway through this tiny, little book.
...eating: homemade sherbert. I can seriously feel the holes forming in my teeth.

Tell me all about your week!

Have a beautiful weekend!

Romany

[photos courtesy of celebrity-gossip.net, en.wikipedia.org, esquire.com and touchpuppet.com]

Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear...Paris

2010-03-16T18:41:00.000-07:00

Warning: image heavy
I had planned on doing a really in-depth review of the Paris shows, today, but it turns out collating all of the looks was incredibly time-consuming and...I'm out of time. So it's the week just in pictures, now. Here are my favourite looks from Paris Fashion Week...

Loved the House of Rykiel show. Barracuda TV covered the show, and managed to catch some unique behind-the-scenes footage, as well as interviews with Nathalie and Sonia Rykiel, Anna Dello Russo, Beth Ditto, Irina Lazareanu and many more.

Now, over to you all. What were some of your favourite moments from Fall Ready-to-Wear, Paris or otherwise?

Romany

[photos courtesy of style.com]

Dress Like an Icon...Sophia Loren

2010-03-15T21:46:00.001-07:00

(item credits)

Oh, Sophia Loren. Has there ever been a more gracious and exotic beauty?
Simple (but stunningly effective) style, with variations on rich, block colours such as reds, blues, whites and black is all it takes to emulate the Italian goddess. If you've ever wanted to try your hand at the Loren, look no further for help...

Romany

[photos courtesy of listal.com and polyvore.com]

The Curve

2010-03-14T18:18:00.000-07:00

Nouka
photographed by David Lynch for Fetish, 2007

I think from now on, it would be more fitting to celebrate diversity rather than just one body ideal. While The Curve will probably still prominently feature just that, curves (being a curvy girl myself, I'm naturally drawn to this body shape also, and feel the need to celebrate it as a means of self-reasurrance), all body types are welcome from now! I'd like to draw attention to a wonderful comment left by Death Wears Diamond Jewellery on the weekly recap post, who loved 'that they are pushing the 'diverse' body image thing instead of the 'real women have curves' angle. which i hate. real women can be stick thin too'. This is so incredibly true, the fashion industry seems to be caught up with either pushing the 'unrealistic' stick thin body type, or the 'realistic' curvy type. In actual reality, these are both 'real' figures, as well as many more out there, because every body is different. It should be about acceptance. I know the industry has a long way to go, but it does seem like they're making positive steps forward, these days. Let's hope that continues...

Before I share my exciting news, I'd just like to take a moment to expand on the tiny little note I wrote about the movie Remember Me in the recap. I managed to see this last week, and I honestly have not been able to stop thinking about it since. I'm not going to bother retyping the synopsis because, to be honest, the less you know about the movie going in, the better. Steer clear of reviews, they will most likely be full of information you don't want to know until you find it out for yourself in the cinema. Go in blind - no information, no expectations. Anyone with the view that this is some sort of extension of Twilight just because of Robert Pattinson's leading role, couldn't be more mistaken. This is an emotionally intense romantic drama, that stays with you long after you leave the cinema. There is hardly a weak performance from any member of the cast, especially from Pattinson who really shows his remarkable potential in this role.
While I'm reluctant to say much about the content, I will say this: the romance is not the sole focus of the story, it's really more of a character study, and I think it would be a real shame if the film didn't reach its full intended audience, including the male demographic, simply because they thought it would be a chick flick. The movie is not perfect. Movies rarely are. But it is definitely well-worth seeing, as the message is profound and will leave you thinking.

And to end this rather randomly focused post, I have received my first award, from the gorgeous Trop Rouge.

The rules...
1. post the logo on my blog.
2. pass it on to 15 other blogs.

And so I pass the torch onto...
Aus Style
Eight
Fashion Lolita
Lolita
Miss Whoever You Are
Stole My Name
The Photodiarist
Pomegranate and Patchouli
With a Wink and a Smile
Bruises
Dolly Daydreams Dress Domicile
Death Wears Diamond Jewellery
Chic on the Cheap
Fashion in My Eyes
Fashionaina

Enjoy to all those listed, and I'm so sorry to all those who I couldn't tag.
Once again, thank you to all of you who comment and/or follow or even just visit the robins. I can't even tell you how much I appreciate it.

Romany

[photo courtesy of wallpaper.com]