Things I'm loving this week: week 3 (the return of the grump)

I'm not going to lie, this week I'm struggling to find things to love. Currently I have an absolutely streaming cold, the worst I've had in ages. This is compounding the stress of a heavy work week in the run up to Lib Dem Conference this weekend. Even Conference - which I adore - is hardly filling me with joy on the grounds that it involves spending a weekend in the immediate company of the ex. Frankly, it causes me some consternation that we have to be on the same planet, being in the same small collection of hotels and bars in the same city is just a depressing concept. Don't get me wrong, there are loads of people I'm looking forward to seeing at conference, not least some bloke called Nick (with whom I still agree, by the way), but it's not been a month yet and everything is still too raw. At least there'll be wine, I suppose. Lots of wine. Anyway, some cheer:

This week I'm mostly wearing: since it's conference, it's all about dressing it up and breaking out my 'I'm a  real grown up, honest' work wardrobe. I have two training sessions to deliver on Saturday (fingers crossed my voice holds up!) and will be doing so in a Next Peter Pan collar LBD and Kurt Geiger patent purple kitten heels. For the rest of the time, I'm currently thinking* my new ASOS ankle length boyfriend jeans and Sam Edelman sequinned lace up flats.
*normal rules on a woman's prerogative to change her mind apply!

This week I'm mostly eating: PANCAKES!! I love pancake day and am massively excited about over indulging as soon as my flatmate gets home. I'm all about the sweet toppings and went a bit nuts with chocolate, caramel and maple syrups as well as traditional lemon juice and sugar. I've even made some caramelised banana sauce from scratch with no recipe - very proud. I don't know why I don't eat pancakes more often since I love them and they're super easy to make. Probably to the benefit of my general health that I don't though..!

This week I'm mostly planning: lots of exciting things. The best solution to current crappiness is planning future excitingness, as I'm sure someone of note has said much more eloquently. So on that logic I'm currently planning an October getaway to somewhere warm, sunny and luxurious (suggestions welcome). There's also been a week-cheering announcement from Anton: Tour 2012 is on. Needless to say I'll be going. Check out this video for said announcement and other insights that have brought me some cheer:



This week I'm mostly listening to: Kesha. Judge if you must, but I love her album. It's my current post-shower soundtrack and does put a spring in my step.

International Women's Day: a day to celebrate women who are truly inspirational

So today is International Women's Day and I am angry. It's not the concept of IWD that's riling me (although I find it depressing that given we're half the population we still need a day), it's the slew of completely ridiculous polls being released by the media on who are 'the most inspirational women'.

Some examples. The Metro's reader poll to find the most influential female Londoner of the past century, won by Leona Lewis. I mean, come on, really?! Nice voice, sure. Best X Factor winner ever, probably. But most influential London woman of the past 100 years. No. 

How about Sky Living's pick? To be fair, it included some with which I agree (JK Rowling, Helen Mirren, Victoria Beckham). But then it also included Jordan. More depressing, offensively so, was some of their reasoning. Take Tess Daly, who they seem to have decided to include because she took Vernon Kay back after the 'sexting' scandal. Or Claudia Winkleman, included because she dressed nicely and people like her. The one that really made me viscerally angry, though, was Katy Perry, included (and this is a direct quotation) "for bagging Russell Brand".

Now I don't know about you, but for me an inspirational woman isn't someone who's well dressed, pretty or has a hot man. I mean what does this say about what we think women are for? Eye candy? Bearing children? Getting married? Is that really it? Is this the 1950s?

For me, an inspirational woman is someone who's made the world a better place with their gifts, their talents and just by being here. Women like JK Rowling, Helen Mirren, Victoria Beckham, Kathy Freeman, Lynne Featherstone, Mother Teresa, Rosa Parks, my all time hero Judi Dench and all of the millions of other women doing amazing things whose names we don't even know. And of course, my mum. 

As for why we still need IWD, check out this amazingly effective video:

Powerful stuff, Mr Bond.

Things I'm loving this week: week 2

This week I'm mostly wearing: my Wales rugby shirt, since it was St David's Day yesterday. Although I've been living in exile (in a non-dramatic, non-former-despot sort of way) for ages now and am frequently - and correctly - told I don't have a trace of Welsh accent, I'm still really proud of my Celtic roots. Today, I'm working smart casual for a day of London meetings. I'm teaming my Asos dusky pink peg trousers with a plain black top and Dune monochrome brogues. I lose these shoes - the closest I will ever get to being able to dance an Argentine tango!

This week I'm mostly listening to: when the flat is otherwise empty, Pink's Greatest Hits. It's a great singalong album and I have been singing along - loudly - a lot. I'm also loving My Chemical Romance 'Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys'. Not usually my favourite band, but this album is great. Pretty up tempo, not emo, and featuring the truly awesome lead single in Na Na Na. 

This week I'm mostly geeking out over: the Irish election coverage. Specifically, how much better it was than anything I've ever seen over here. The debate was reasoned and civil, the punditry was top class, at no point did anyone dress up as a cowboy (Jeremy Vine I'm looking at you), and it was STV. I'm not going to go into the finer points of why STV is amazing but it just is, and the preference-related punditry it leads to really makes the coverage interesting. This was clearly a game-changing election for Ireland and it was cool in a highly nerdy way to watch that happen. 

This week I'm mostly planning: what to wear to Lib Dem Conference in a couple of weeks time. Specifically, is it purple patent or black glittery on the shoe front? Decisions decisions!

New Dancing With The Stars line up revealed

I don't normally do lunchbreak blogging (yes I do take a late lunch, what of it?) but this is a quickie. And I am excited about it.

The celeb line up for the next series of Dancing With The Stars was revealed today. For those that aren't aware, DWTS is the American version of Strictly (shown in the UK on Watch) and it runs two series a year. Normally it kind of passes me by to be honest, mostly because I'm never inspired by the celebs (or the pros...) on it.

This series is different for me as it includes a couple of people I am super excited to see! The full line up looks like this: actress Kirstie Alley, radio host Mike Catherwood, (ex?) WWE Superstar Chris Jericho, Disney actress Chelsea Kane, retired boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, actor Ralph Macchio, model Petra Nemcova, rapper Romeo, NFL player Hines Ward, reality TV star Kendra Wilkinson and chatshow host Wendy Williams.


First of all, WWE + Strictly-type-show = my personal heaven. Chris Jericho is/was (he may or may not be returning to WWE at some point) one of my favourite Superstars. His alternate day job is lead singer of the (dubious) metal band Fozzy so you can imagine the sort of swagger going on here! Given how choreographed WWE is, and given how agile Jericho's move set is, he should be pretty good. 


Second of all, I love Kendra, who rose to fame as one of Hugh Hefner's three live-in girlfriends. I loved her in Girls of the Playboy Mansion. I love her current eponymous reality show. I even love her frankly quite annoying laugh. She's not particularly graceful or coordinated but she is really sporty so should have good fitness levels. My mind is currently boggling over quite how they're going to squeeze her... erm... best assets into some of the costumes. I can't wait to see!


The series starts in the US on March 21st. Check out the show's official website for full coverage or this article from the Daily Mail (health warning!) for a UK friendly summary. 

Oscars 2011: best dressed

Is it just me, or was the actual awards bit of Oscars 2011 a bit of an anti-climax? Take nothing away from Colin Firth et al but I can't remember the last time the Oscars were just so predictable. Even I called all the major categories right and my powers of prediction are legendary for their shiteness! 

Thankfully my interest in the Oscars is very rarely to do with the awards and very much to do with the dresses. And this year was exceptionally good in that regard. There were no truly legendary Oscar dress disasters (think Bjork laying an egg) although quite what Marisa Tomei was thinking I'm not sure. Kudos to her for going vintage, though. I found it quite hard to get my favourite looks down to a top 10. But I have done, and here they are:

1. Mila Kunis in Elie Saab

I am actually in love with Mila Kunis after this awards season. She hasn't put a foot wrong, and last night was no exception. Her beautiful lilac Elie Saab (who, let's be honest, is pretty much the king of the red carpet) was perfect. The lace and the plunging neck line kept it young, whilst the draping and frill to the skirt upped the glamour. Pared down hair, make up and jewellery kept her from looking too try hard and kept the look from being fussy. She looks breathtaking. And I love her.

2. Halle Berry in Marchesa

Halle Berry's gorgeous, nude, strapless Marchesa had just the right amount of froth and bling to look special without looking showgirl. The shade looks amazing against her skin tone too. Again, hair, make up and jewellery were kept minimal to let the dress do the talking. Beautiful.

3. Amy Adams in L'Wren Scott

As previously noted, midnight blue is having a moment. Amy Adams was its main ambassador at the Oscars and she looked stunning. Her beautiful, sparkling L'Wren Scott looked incredible against her red hair and incredible Cartier jewellery. I love the cap sleeves too. 

4. Scarlett Johansson in Dolce and Gabbana

This girl knows how to dress her figure. Her beautiful, plum lace D&G with a cut out back looked demure but not boring, classic but not ageing. Both purple and lace were trends at this year's ceremony so Scarlett yet again flexes her fashion savvy. I love her tousled bob too, and her statement cocktail ring is to die for. 

5. Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein Collection

The best of many gowns embracing the 'less is more' feel that's been big this season. The simple lines and lack of embellishment on this lush CK Collection showed off the brilliance of its cut. Pared with poker straight hair and Louis Vuitton jewellery, Gwyneth looked super cool. A triumph all the sweeter given some of the disasters she's had in past years...

6. Hailee Steinfeld in Marchesa

The most age appropriate Oscars dress ever made for a young starlet, probably due in large part to the fact said young starlet had a hand in designing it. There was a definite ballerina feel to this pale pink, gently embellished Marchesa number which, largely thanks to Natalie Portman looking amazing in Black Swan, is very on trend. The skinny alice band and not-floor-sweeping hemline kept the look young. As it should be, given its wearer is 14. Wish I'd been that cool at 14!

7. Celine Dion in Armani Privee

Believe me, I'm as surprised as you are! But this simple, long sleeved, pale hued dress by red carpet specialists Armani Privee is just gorgeous. I have a serious fashion crush on dresses with sleeves and this one is executed perfectly. Also, Celine gave birth to twins four months ago. She's looking pretty damn good for it!

8. Natalie Portman in Rodarte

Rodarte famously were behind the costumes for Black Swan so it was only a matter of time before the film's (now) Oscar winning star turn wore one of their designs on the red carpet. The off the shoulder plum number she eventually went for was beautiful and worked on the very pregnant star's body perfectly. Teamed with minimal accessories and sideswept hair, this was the best dressed bump I've scene in a very long time. 

9. Jennifer Lawrence in Calvin Klein Collection

From the same house and in the same mould as Gwyneth Paltrow's nude column gown, but also completely different. The stunning newcomer went for a daringly simple red CK Collection dress that flaunted her 20-year old figure to perfection whilst keeping everything covered and classy. Teamed with almost no jewellery and perfect blonde waves, the up and coming actress cemented her status as one to watch both on and off the screen.

10. Hilary Swank in Gucci

Hilary Swank always seems to get just the right amount of drama into her big red carpet event dressing and this stunning silver sequinned AND feathered Gucci number was a real showstopper. The rest of the look was kept as simple as could be which really let the dress shine. On other stars this could have looked awful, so double thumbs up for (as Tim Gunn would say) making it work.

Things I'm loving this week

You know what? There's not enough cheeriness in my world. I'm not a naturally cheery person, to be fair, far from it. I like to think it's the combination of my Celtic and Yorkshire roots but more likely I just enjoy complaining. And I do enjoy complaining. But by way of making an effort at cheerfulness I'm introducing a new regular feature to the old blog. Nothing special or complicated, just a list of things that are making me smile each week. Hopefully it'll be more imaginative than the word 'Anton' over and over again 52 times. But we'll see.

This week I'm mostly wearing: an on trend and snuggly fringed cardigan from Topshop. I love all things Americana, and it looks like something a cowboy might wear. You can buy it here - although the sizing is generous and I'd advise you hunt it down in store and try it on first (I'm wearing a size smaller than I usually wear from Topshop and it's still lovely and loose). I'm teaming it with my most worn in jeans, bright turquoise Converse high tops and my Anton and Erin Puttin on the Ritz t shirt.

This week I'm mostly listening to: Lance Ellington (can't get enough of that man!), Cee Lo Green (the best album I've heard in ages) and Sheytoons. You may not be aware of the latter. They're a sort of folksy indie band (think Mumford) comprised of two of my favourite West End stars Ramin Karimloo (of Love Never Dies) and Hadley Fraser. The musicianship on display is awesome - these guys are scary talented. You can check out their music on YouTube, but this is my favourite song of theirs currently, Losing:



This week I'm mostly watching: Boardwalk Empire on Sky Atlantic. This week, and every week. Because it is superb. The best thing that's been on TV in so long. Steve Buscemi is my new god.

This week I'm mostly eating: At Melton's Too, my favourite restaurant ever. If you're ever in York you must go there - the seasonally changing menu is to die for. Doubly excited about this trip as my parents are coming up for a visit, thus it's free!

This week I'm mostly reading: Undisputed by Chris Jericho. It's a WWE memoir so not for everyone, but if you have even a passing interest in 'sports entertainment' it's well worth a read. Funny, readable, pleasingly naughty and full of great anecdotes about all the big name Superstars of the past few years. It's a froot book (a comment that only makes sense if you've read it).

Award season round up - best dressed at the BAFTAs, SAGs, Brits and Grammys

It was very poorly planned of me to let my blogging slide during awards season. As previously stated, I love awards season and its excuses for unadulterated fashion perving (and bitchiness). The Golden Globes got this year's crop off to a flyer as well - I'm still salivating over Mila Kunis' emerald green beauty. How could the other ceremonies every compete with that parade of loveliness?

The Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAGs is such a hideous acronym) put up a good fight led, once again, by Mila Kunis in completely stunning deep red Alexander McQueen. I am developing a serious girl crush on Mila. Her red carpet choices are just bang on at the moment. I CANNOT WAIT to see her Oscars gown this weekend. Honourable mentions also to Lea Michelle, who looked beautiful in Oscar de la Renta with a plunging neckline, and Julia Stiles, staying the right side of gothic in dip dyed Monique Lhuillier. Controversially, I also want to mention a man at this point. Red carpet dressing for men is easy. No one ever gets it horrifically wrong, but rarely does anyone deserve a special mention for getting it right either. That said, I give you Andrew Garfield in midnight blue Burberry. Yeah. I just swooned a little.

Next up were the BAFTAs and Grammys, irritatingly holding ceremonies on the same night. In fashion terms these two couldn't have been further apart though. The Grammys were loud, sequinned and unapologetically glam. The BAFTAs were... well... underwhelming frankly. For a start Mila Kunis wasn't there. Instant fashion points lost! Overall the dresses were understated, which in many cases is a polite way of saying dull. There were some high points though. My pick goes to the ever gorgeous Julianne Moore who was the epitome of old Hollywood class in deep blue floor length velvet by the equally gorgeous Tom Ford. This dress was really simple, but incredibly effective against her hair and skin tone. I also liked Thandie Newton's shocking pink swirly Monique Lhuillier (who's having a bit of a moment) and Jessica Alba's colour pop cobalt blue Atelier Versace.

At the other end of the scale and the other side of the pond, the big names at the Grammys were having much more fun. I loved J Lo's completely age inappropriate futuristic Emilio Pucci and a newly-svelte Jennifer Hudson's gorgeous dark blue (I spot a theme here) Versace with a stunning sequinned bust. At the risk of being shouted down loudly and quickly, though, my top spot for this one is going to Kim Kardashian. Yes, you read that correctly. I adored her in her gold sequinned split to the waist/thigh KaufmanFranco number. Subtle it is not, but I defy you to say she looks anything other than stunning.

Last and least were the Brits. I've tried to pick three gowns per ceremony for the purposes of this post (plus Andrew Garfield. I'm still swooning) but from the disappointing crop of disappointing 'stars' who walked the red carpet for the Brits I only found two I thought were worth mentioning. Managing to look individual without being completely insane was Rihanna in eye popping Christian Dior Haute Couture. I'm not claiming for a second I would ever wear this, but I loved it on RiRi. Very much from the school of 'shouldn't work but it does' fashion as ever. I also loved Katherine Jenkins pouring her gorgeous curves into lush Vivienne Westwood florals. More conservative - and wearable - than Dior Couture, but no less lovely for it.

There's just the one ceremony left in the 2011 season now: The Oscars, this Sunday. Bring it.