The Golden Globes '11

Last year, The FG stayed up until 3 or so am to watch the Globes online from Edinburgh. This year, she is in London, and, frankly, people are expecting her to show up to work tomorrow morning, so she's stepping away this year. Plus, she is on the cusp of recovering from laryngitis and a serious head cold, and she's not going back to Thursday, when she had no voice whatsoever. Sorry kids, you're on your own.

(That said, so far, I'm not loving the beige theme, and black is so safe ... and wow, January is certainly keeping up with the Joneses ... and I can't resist sharing HBC ...)

Tell you what, I'll be back asap with my usual fashion review. In the meantime, get off your computer, open a bottle of bubbly and enjoy the show. If you're desperate for some fashion input, visit the NYT predictions page here.

Reading my mind

Wendell Jamieson has written an article on pairing cocktails and movies - one more article I don't have to write.

(Although doesn't an icy cold martini sort of go with anything?)

(And he fails to mention that Pimm's goes with anything Merchant/Ivory, set in the summer.)

Requisite celebrity sightings 14

In the continuing UK edition of RCS, the FG had a surprise date night including dim sum and an evening at The Old Vic to see Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing.




You might think we'd see Kevin Spacey, but not tonight - instead the play featured Toby Stephens (Die Another Day, among many, many other things), who was loovely.




And Fred Willard was in the audience!

(PS - I learned later that Glenn Close and Jeremy Irons played the main roles in the Broadway production.)

Slayer

You've heard me gush about WendyB's jewelry before, (also here and here) and I think I've mentioned my dislike of heart shaped ... well, anything really.

As you'd expect from the sassy jewelry goddess that she is, WB has created the exception that proves the rule. I /die/ for this ring. And it's inspired by Buffy and Spike, one of the best TV couples ever. What more could a girl want the day after V-Day?



And there are more similar designs to come! What a beautiful piece, as well as a conversation starter.


Photo by Wendy Brandes.

I don't hear anyone complaining

Viewers who watched CNN’s earthquake coverage this last week were bound to be struck by correspondents who looked a lot less like the usual disheveled examples of those in the profession than like bendable action figures.

You could call it the Anderson Cooper effect. Mr. Cooper has rarely missed an opportunity to showcase his buff physique (as anyone would know if he or she remembers his stripping to a bathing suit to quiz Michael Phelps). But Mr. Cooper isn’t the only CNN correspondent with a self-conscious taste for form-fitting charcoal T-shirts, accessorized with a tiny microphone clipped at the neck.

Looking somewhat sheepish about it, a newly sleek Dr. Sanjay Gupta moved through Port-au-Prince wearing a snug gray T-shirt, his hair styled in the obligatory CNN crop. His colleague Jason Carroll, reporting on Wednesday’s aftershock and looking like a guy who had done 20 quick pushups before going on air, wore a T-shirt so snugly revealing it called into question whether a disaster zone is the place to flaunt one’s gym physique. A spokeswoman for CNN declined to comment, but in journalism, as in most things, old standards of decorum are clearly on the wane.

“We know the rules of what journalists look like have changed a lot,” Ms. Steele said. They have shifted from the military style favored by, say, John Hersey, who was pictured on a United States postage stamp in a combat helmet and uniform. “That’s simply a part of where society in general is going,” she added, referring to the shift away from formality and the hierarchies suggested by wise old owls like Walter Cronkite, with their sandy mustaches, their elbow patches and pipes, toward sexy entertainment news and correspondents with “that international superstar journalist look.”

NY Times

Green is sexy

OK, you've probably already heard about this, and yes, there's a celeb connection, but I like Green is Sexy. It's posts are bite-sized, digestible, and just plain good. What to do with your old cell phone, natural cold remedies, reasons to walk instead of ride, etc., etc. The FG recommends.

Damn she's good IV: Miss Blunt

... Blunt—who knew of Victoria only from “a paragraph in a history textbook and the movie Mrs. Brown”—was delighted to find that she’d been given the role of a protofeminist. “Victoria was an absolute person, fiery, rebellious, and passionate.”

When I suggest that her Victoria is perhaps easier on the eye than the original, Blunt shrieks. “How dare you!” Then she laughs. “Maybe in her later years. Victoria started to turn to the food. The food and the drink and the opium. She was definitely known for her appetite.”

How is it possible that Miss Blunt is only 26, btw? So unfair ...

NY Mag
VFair via editorialism

Previously, Queen for Life, Perpendicular Girls. (clearly, I'm a fan.)

The Emmys 2009

A few thoughts:

• Why must Tina Fey always wear black at awards shows? Didn't she get the red gown memo? She'd look great in red!
  
• Ooh, Duckie. I re-watched Pretty in Pink recently, and it's lovely to see him honoured after so long.
  
• Please don't cry through your acceptance speech. Really. Although great dress, KC.
  
• Why do celebrities wear glasses at awards shows? Is this really the night to give your eyes the night off from your contacts?
• Toni Collette looks great. Why do they keep dressing her up weirdly when she's playing characters on TV?
• Why, even on awards shows, is Serena the pretty one (although that hairstyle is a little "guest starring on Star Trek") and Blair is the smart one? Although BL not being able to read the teleprompter helps with the stereotype. I'm also channeling Snow White and Rose Red.
• The problem with dividing the evening into "genres" is that, for those of us who were distracted by the football and DVR'd the show, the temptation to fast forward through the reality TV section is almost overwhelming. Particularly when there's a dance performance. Really? Because, in case you hadn't noticed, those have almost been eliminated from the Oscars ... It's so sad to see what people will do to keep awards shows "relevant".
  
• Can't believe Padma and Tom didn't win for hosting "Top Chef." They gain /weight/ for that show, bitches.
• Speaking of weight, in terms of wearing dresses that fit, which is key, did someone inflate Patricia Arquette before she went out on stage tonight? Terrible breast/dress combination.
• Ooh! Nathan Fillion!

Can Neil Patrick Harris just host everything from now on? Please?

• Next time Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore work on a project together, Drew should get JL to wear makeup, and jewelry, esp. on television, and JL should get DB to wear colour. Drew does /not/ look good in flesh tones. JL - great dress.
  
• Maybe I missed a "nude lip" memo? I definitely got the "red dress" memo, but the problem with nude kips for a telecast is that it makes you look like you forgot your lipstick.
• Brian Williams is cementing his position as someone for whom I would like to make a very elaborate dinner, and host in my home. Love that guy. There are few talking heads who have such an exquisite sense of humour.
• I am starting to think that Justin Timberlake is competing with the President for the overexposure award of 2009. Not that anyone is complaining, on either count.
• Must re-watch Hugh Jackman's opening number to the Oscars last year, and not only because Rachel Zoe's last episode was all about the drama of finding a second dress for Anne Hathaway's part.
• The thing about the "In Memoriam" segment is that it always makes me remember how quickly the year has gone, because, whilst I remember the passings of those who have left us in the last two to three months, those who have gone before always surprise me. Which leaves me feeling sad and slightly guilty. Any chance I can blame the media?
• I feel as though Matthew Weiner just made everyone in the room hate him. Complete creative freedom, my ass.
• Yay Glenn Close! Surely I will get to see Damages season three someday soon.
• Sigourney Weaver - great dress. Elizabeth Moss, bad dress and bad accessories.

And that's the way it was.

What he said, Part II

I've had a number of conversations over the past 18 months with some of my favourite women about this book, and now, thanks to GOOP, I've been introduced to what I'm sure is a healthy rejoinder.

"In Drink, Play, F@#k Bob Sullivan, a jilted husband, sets off to explore the world, experience a meaningful connection with the divine, and rediscover his passion. His travels lead him from his home in New York City to a drinking bender across Ireland, through the glitz and glamour that is Las Vegas, and to the hedonistic pleasure palaces of Thailand. After a lifetime of playing it safe, Mr. Sullivan finally follows his heart and lives out everyone's deepest fantasies. (...) Bob Sullivan has a lot to teach us about life. Let's just pray we have the wisdom to put aside our preconceptions and listen. Because what Bob Sullivan finds isn't at all what he expected."

Just like everything else, it's available at Amazon (also the source of the above blurb).

My little Uma

Amazing.

Guardian UK

Tudormania

Whilst we wait about for the return of The Tudors (Sunday, April 5th, 9:00 pm), "some of the stately formality that marked the Tudor era has found its way into the fall 2009 collections, which displayed enough tufted silks and ruff collars to have outfitted young Queen Bess."




NYT

Queen for Life

Emily Blunt was the best perpendicular girl thing to happen to The Devil Wears Prada (yes, Anne Hathaway is growing on me), and now she's playing the young Queen Victoria in a new movie, coming out in early March.

It's not The Tudors, but perhaps it will get us through until Season Three begins. In the meantime, you could pick up one of WendyB's Victoria buckle rings in celebration.

Trailer here.

Excess fabric

Not on Kate, of course. Kate was perfect, even if she was "speechless". Again. But what was with the folds and flowers and bubbles of satin at the SAGs? Bad Amy and Marisa!

When men were men

I'm not saying they were /good/ men, I'm just saying.

Avedon portfolio, New Yorker

The Olympics

As you'll know if you've been reading this blog for more than 5 minutes, the FG loves the Olympics. That said, she prefers Winter to Summer (there's just too much going on in the Summer), and CBC coverage to anyone else's.

Yes, they are happening. Yes, the opening ceremony uniforms were mostly awful, but how fun was it to see the countries in the order of the number of brush strokes in Chinese calligraphy? Yes, the US team is well ahead, depending on whether you rank by total number of medals, or weight the golds over the total, but how fun is it that the two fastest people in the world are two 21 year olds from Jamaica? Yes, Michael Phelps won more medals than anyone else, ever, and yes, it has been amazing to watch him win and win and win.

I had a lovely, and much needed, shore weekend again, featuring a healthy debate: Be it resolved that the Opening Ceremonies were frightening. As in, "1984" frightening. Discuss.

Frankly, in part, I'm distracted by events in my own life. Not to mention war in Georgia. Hello, Olympic truce, anyone? How disturbing was it to watch the Leader of the Free World blithely sitting next to Putin at the opening ceremonies? Oh, wait, that's right. America doesn't have problems ...

I have seen the fall

and it has couch potato written all over it. Although apparently not just for me:

During February's Fashion Week, we couldn't walk five feet at a party without bumping into celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe filming for her new Bravo show, The Rachel Zoe Project, premiering September 9.

Last night Bravo aired a half-hour sneak preview of the series. And after watching the last half of it (we deferred to that little thing called "life" for the first half — so sue us), we decided if our ears can tolerate the shrill, piercing voices of the cast, we might fit it in to our busy fall-TV-watching schedule that already includes Gossip Girl, America's Next Top Model, and Project Runway (because really, who needs "lives" in the fall?).

At least I'll have company ...

NY Mag

Now that's just silly

For most everyone over the age of 5, it’s unfathomable to use a bandage purely as body art. But since the adhesive strip has been upgraded by designers like Mr. Herchcovitch or studded with Swarovski crystals, some adults have begun to view it as they would a bracelet or spray tan, as adornment.

“Even if you don’t have a cut, bandages are a great way to make a statement that doesn’t break the bank,” said Chris Bick, an owner of FredFlare.com, which sells lip-shaped bandages. “It’s kind of like a temporary tattoo that gets you sympathy.”

It's No Boo-Boo

Carry on

Do you wonder why women in New York carry over-sized handbags, and what we keep in them? First off, please know that when we leave the house in the morning, or, on the weekends, after noon, we have no idea when we'll return, and frankly, it may not be until the next morning.

Ahem.

What you keep in your car, we tote - we are urban sherpas. One might assume that the summer lightens the proverbial load, as there are fewer gloves, hats, ear muffs, scarves, leg warmers, cold medications, boxes of kleenex to tote. But the summer brings its own set of accessories, mostly in the form of bottles of water, air conditioning-fighting wraps and sweaters, and the same sick-related items for the colds we develop as we move from 90 degree, 100% humidity sidewalks to 60 degree, bone dry air conditioned foyers, lobbies, movie theatres, restaurants and offices.

I left home today with an approximate sense of what the next few hours had in store (brunch, movie), and ran a few errands en route. What I carried:

The Usual Suspects: wallet, keys, make-up case (in need of replacement), subway map (which I irrationally cling to, but which is useful for assisting good-looking tourists), subway pass/work ID badge case, sunglasses case, current issue of The New Yorker, business card case, shopping bag that folds to a tiny packet, barrette, cell phone, blackberry.

Today's Special: two packs of Crane's notecards, one bill that has yet to be passed on to its owner, triple A batteries (for the remote for the new DVD player), a sweater for the movie theatre, and Shichimi Togarashi.

I'm just saying.


Previously: Speaking of Handbags

Looong weekend: Part 2

Where to begin?

Ah yes. Saturday night. The LPI and his brother from El Paso orchestrated a trip to Jazz Standard for an evening with Jon Hendricks. I have to say that there's a magic in going to an event under-informed. I had no idea what I was in for, and it was truly extraordinary. Hendricks was joined by his daughter Aria and Kevin Burke, along with an excellent four piece band, and we had a wonderful evening of (overpriced) BBQ and jazz. We could hardly let the gentleman go.

On Sunday, I had plans for brunch, with the Artist, the Actor and the (newly-minted) Bartender, at Paradou. Who doesn't love a place with a prix fixe menu and all the champagne cocktails you can drink? As in, five rounds of champagne cocktails. And I'm holding the cocktails, and the Bartender, responsible for the skirt.



No, I didn't get the blouse. But when there's a sale, and you're in the shop itself ...

Looong weekend: Part 1

I had a lovely, lovely weekend. The goal was vocal chord repair, as I'd lost it again completely by Thursday afternoon, and I'm now almost back at 100%

Friday I spent mostly on the couch, watching a What Not to Wear marathon. I should note that this is not reality TV that makes me feel better about myself, it's the equivalent of reading a fashion magazine. Stacy and Clinton put things together that I'd never think of, and they do things with accessories that I find inspiring, especially necklaces. I met The Actor and The Artist for a screening of Wall-E. It was sweet, and good long-weekend viewing. I headed back home for more R&R, and, due to the rain, watched the fireworks from my balcony, under an umbrella.

Saturday was a sleep-in day, featuring more resting and more fashion foibles. Having saved up a lot of energy, I met T-Izzle at DSW - she needed new shoes. The problem with DSW is that I never find anything there when I'm shopping solo, and always find fantastic shoes when I've got a friend. I'm saving them for the next Shuesday, but they're awesome. And then we went to see Hancock. I can't recommend it. I suspect that the pitch was great, and the execution bungled.

That evening, I went to Jazz Standard. That - and Sunday - are a separate post.