God Save Kurt And Sid.

Having feeling like i had spent all of last week on a train, my train journey on Saturday was a little bit different to the latter. For one, i was traveling with my family and secondly, we were on our way to see the play, Kurt and Sid (http://www.kurtandsid.com/?gclid=CMH2vIDqlJ0CFYwA4wodSWsz2Q) at Trafalgar Studios, London....Now, being a massive fan of Danny Dyer (swooooon), it was must to see the play, and it was just a bonus that it was about Sid Vicious and Kurt Cobain, people that i grew up listening to.

"April 1994. A man sits alone in an attic extension on the cusp of becoming a Seattle suicide statistic. This man is no 'number and name' to be reported in a local newspaper. He is an icon, albeit a reluctant one. The frontman of Nirvana. is about to pull the trigger of the gun in his hand and join the leagues of rock star deaths down the ages. Without invitation, Kurt has the curious company of a man purporting to be the Sex Pistol's Sid Vicious, Kurt's hero.

Whether he is a ghost, a figment of Kurt's imagination, an hallucination, a dream, or a Punk impersonator remains to be seen as the two musicians, trade quips and quotes about the emptiness of fame, a mutual understanding of drug addiction and self-destruction."

Maybe reading reviews before going wasn't the best idea, as most of them absolutely slated it, claiming it to be 'far from the truth' and 'farfetched', but never the less, we all went in with an open mind. Expecting a full theatre set up, complete with stage and balcony seats, i was more then surprised to find a small room with no stage and a mere 100 seats, the front row seats not even a metre from the set.

The set, which stayed the same throughout the 95 minute play, was amazing, having true elements of an attic, from the cardboard boxes and wooden floorboards, to the slanted windows. The opening song, and the rest of the soundtrack, was a Nirvana number, which Danny Dyer (Sid) and Shaun Evans (Kurt) entered to, walking past the audience (Danny was so close i could almost smell him). The costume department had done well, dressing Danny in a replica leather jacket (very in this season) complete with the 'i'm and mess' badge that Sid Vicious wore, Doc Martens and tight black jeans. Shaun was decked out in Converse, ripped

washed out jeans, checked shirt and big knit mustard cardigan, and of course true to Kurt Cobain's image, Shaun had grown and bleached his hair. Not only did they look the part, they sounded the part, with Danny emphasising his cockney wording and Shaun putting on (and pulling off) an American slur.

Anybody who's anybody, will know that tragically both of these influential musicians came to the end of their lives prematurely; but don't let this taint the play. Of course this is the running theme throughout, but it is also excruciatingly funny, with most of the best lines coming from Sid and using original quotes from the Sex Pistol punk himself, and their songs. True comedy, which was only added to in the ping pong scene (you have to watch it to understand), when a man in the audience got up and walked literally over the set to the exit, resulting in Danny lobbing the ball at him.

A truly amazing play, with both actors showing their true talent, provoking all emotions and giving a bloody good show; sucessfully portraying their characters making the most wonderful atmosphere. This post does not do the play justice.

To Undercut, or not to Undercut

Is it me, or is it already starting to get dark REALLY early...which can only mean one thing; Winter is approaching. Time to swap my oh-so-comfy sandals (that are nearly torn from wear, but which i also refuse to throw away) for my black leather biker boots and a hat and scarf. Im sad to say goodbye to summer for another year, but love the thought of wrapping up and waking up to a crisp chilly morning. My winter wardrobe is pretty much sorted; chunky knits - check, leather biker boots - check, patterned tights - check, russian furry hat - pending. So with my key pieces sorted it only leaves one major style question; what to do with my hair?

My hair is always lighter in the summer and tend to wear it down, beach stylee or up in a high bun. But in the winter its all change. You have to battle against nature, with wind/rain/snow?...or you can opt for hat hair, classy. So, i usually like to get a fringe, for a change, and its just a bonus that it looks really cute with a beanie hat....but this year a new hair trend is tempting me. The undercut. Just like fashion, hair styles come back around in a cycle (but please, no crimping), and the undercut was big in the 80's, a key look for the New Romantic girls. But recently, it has been most famously sported by Rihanna (how amazing is she?!), it seems like all

the celebs want a piece of the action, with Cassie, Alice Dellal (one of the first) and Carmen Electra both reaching for the clippers.

Although, like most things, i wonder whether this is a haircut that should be left to the celebrities (and their stylists)? I know it would be really liberating to just go for it, and a big half of me just wants to do it for myself and to make a statement...but im not sure i have the balls (oi, dirty) to do it OR pull it off. Maybe its just one of them things you want to do, but know you never will....maybe i should just go for it, i mean winter has to be the best time for it, i could always just wear a hat.....

Spitting Feathers

With my student loan burning a hole in a my back pocket, me and my favourite two university ladies headed to Kingston, a nice change from London; less hectic...although equally likely to get run over by a bus. Going shopping with nothing in mind to buy dangerous grounds...something which i end up doing often...and regretting often. There is no better feeling then finding and buying something you have been looking high and low for, but every other just not what your quite the cut/colour/style you want. So, when i stepped in River Island (a shop i must say i haven't really rated until very recently) and immediately the angels started singing when i saw, almost like it was in its own little spotlight, this gorgeous black feathered bag, silver chain attached hanging in the centre of the shop surrounded by different bags and purses, which honestly could not outshine this beauty.

Like a zombie i walked over and clutched the bag, stoking the silky feathers in admiration (not as weird as it sounds....). Until i saw the price tag....£49.99! Now, bag lovers, please do bare in mind before you gasp and think that it is most DEFINATELY worth it, i have had to hang many hooks on the back of my wardrobe door at uni (and home) to accommodate my ever growing collection of handbags/clutches/weekend bags/shoulder bags....

I was in a complete catch 22; do i get the bag and struggle to eat for the week or, seen as i wasn't looking to get a bag (although now i think it essential i get it), do i exit the shop before i have to have the bag clinically removed from my clutch......needless to say, i exited the shop, £50 richer.

The fact that i have been back from Kingston for a few hours and already been on River Islands website AND trawled eBay for a cheaper version, maybe Kayleigh was right, "if you can't stop thinking about something, you have to get it"..........

A New Beginning...

Wow, i have really been neglecting my blog over summer! I need a slap on the wrist, and believe me, I have given myself one!! From now on, I vow to post everyday!!

University life has begun again, I'm in a new house (which is very quaint) with new house mates, Ive upgraded my drink of choice (A Lager and Lime please Guv'nor), to Rose (Only your finest Blossom Hill, thank you) and had new picture taken for my student card...that I'm sure will stay hidden in my purse just like my last one, tragic. It seems to be all change at the moment, and i have to admit, I'm enjoying it. I don't know whether its the start of a new academic year, or the fact that i know i have to 'step my game up', but i am feeling really determined at the moment....and the fact that London Fashion Week has come and nearly gone, I'm feeling inspired. Very inspired.

Typically, on our first day back, we were set three assignments...all of which, obviously, are about LFW. So, like the early birds me and the fash pack (how cliche!) headed to Somerset House on Friday, the day after the assignments were set.

The weather was glorious and made the surroundings of cobbled stones and old bricked buildings look more suited to a foreign destination...this is of course until you see the hustle and bustle of all black clad fashionistas rushing about with clipboards and huge sunnies in tact. Despite this the atmosphere was very subdued, with a wave of excitement washing over the courtyard whenever a black (of course) Mercedes/BMW/Porsche entered. Although the feel of the place was a bit of a let down, the people certainly were not! I felt like i was on the outside looking in to a micro world that oozed pure fashion...it was like the seeing the definitive reason as to why London is one of the fashion capitals of the world. I don't know whether it was necessarily the clothes they wore (leather, sequins and big shoulders being the key pieces) but instead the confidence they had wearing them clothes. With such a jumble of interesting looking people, it was no wonder we had trouble trying to decide who to stop for our 'Straight Up' assignment. After grabbing a few people, it got easier, and everyone seemed so lovely, only too happy pose for pictures...resulting in getting a full body shot of the Korean Elle editor...who looked gorgeous in a big shouldered tartan shirt, plain black skinny jeans and boots.

All in all, it was an amazing start to my second year of uni...apart from losing the pub quiz on Monday night....

A GIRLS BEST FRIEND

Is anyone else STILL lusting after them orange Gucci platforms on the cover of 13.12.08 Times Magazine?! Im usually not too interested in The Times saturday magazines, preferring to wait for the sunday bundle, just for Style. But last week, the cover just got me. How gorgeous are them heels!? Although, at £720, i don't somehow think Santa will be bringing them to my house! 

The article featured in the magazine, boasted pictures of sky scraper heels by Cavalli, Robert Vivier, YSL and, of course, footwear royalty, Christian Louboutin.

(all heels Louboutin.)

well, you never can have enough shoes........

RIGHT ON TREND

Geometric is in. The trend graced New York fashion weeks Spring/Summer '09 runways, in more ways then one.

Notable geometric silhouettes strode down the runway. Taking that step ahead in fashion were designers such as; Phillip Lim (3.1), Michael Kors and Calvin Klein.

Prints and patterns also championed geometric, along with over-sized features and embellishment. Marc Jacobs and Badgeley Mischka were right on point.

With this being a smoking hot trend, i thought id look closer to home, to add a bit geometric to my wardrobe...and i knew exactly where to look.

Margo Selby, is a woven textile designer (award winning, i may add), and friend of my mums. Owning a studio/shop in London, Margo's work consists of striking fun colours, three-dimensional structure and, of course, geometric patterns. Focusing mainly on accessories for yourself (bags, scarves) and for your home, all the fabrics are made on a handloom in her London studio; where you can visit and see the products made, right before your eyes.

Combining the colours blue and orange (very in!), this gorgeous Rivchic Baguette cushion (£55) could be a centre piece for any living space.

Or how about a coin purse (£30), as a gift for someone else, or yourself. My favourite is the Mabel Purse (unsurprisingly popular), featuring luxe earthy colours...and if your in the mood, why not getting the matching cushion?!

Selby caters for that fashionista, and their family; female relatives - purse? clutch bag? scarf? cushion?, or for your dad - he'd love that bow tie! Oh go on, treat yourself!

www.margoselby.com

GRR.

McQueen. Now, some may think I'm about to start a blog on one of the members of the dysfunctional family on Hollyoaks, but to those that have their finger firmly on the pulse, will know I'm talking about Alexander McQueen, as his name suggests, fashion royalty.

Born and bred in London, McQueen took his first step into fashion when he left school at 16 and straightaway got an apprenticeship at the iconic Saville Row tailors, Anderson and Shephard; the rest, they say, is history.

But its in the year 2005, we saw Mr McQueen taking the first step into the mainstream. Jumping in the same bandwagon as Stella McCartney (Adidas), Eley Kishimoto (Ellesse), and Yohji Yamamoto (Adidas), McQueen signs up a partnership with sportswear line Puma for 'an unexpected and unique exploratory footwear collection'. But why trainers? and why Puma?

"I have always had a great passion for trainers, so I am very excited about this collaboration with PUMA."

The Alexander McQueen collections for Puma have always been inspired by the human body and 'ManCat', a half puma half man symbol McQueen developed with renowned fashion photographer Nick Knight.

Bringing it up to the '08 autumn/winter collection, the original concept is predominately there. The line is visually contemporary and intricately crafted for an air of sophistication. With the inspiration for the trainers derived from the whole human anatomy, but logically, focusing on the foot, they reference all the tendent structures, toe prints and vien formations. Very scientific, aye!

With McQueen on their side, Puma are sure to be King of the jungle.