Lovers of Black, Lobsters and a Good Time

Sometimes you just have to go out and let your hair down. It's especially fun if you leave your regular environment, stay at a hotel and enjoy the hotel breakfast the day after. Sleeping over at a hotel when painting the town red is great because you can roll out of bed and leave it to its destiny and have a glutonous injection of protein at the breakfast buffet.

We are smiling sweetly because we had just devoured very tasty lobsters and were sufficiently marinated in white wine. After that we frequented a few places at quite a fast pace.

Big friends of black, dead gorgeous and with money to burn we were a success of unprecedented magnitude ... or we can at least let ourselves believe that. ;-)

Ringadingding!!!

Surrounding yourself with beautiful and nice people always heightens your own image.

Waiting for food when starving is always torture.

Nice, white teeth.

I took his cap.

And yet again it is evident that caps and hats are not for me.


//P.

Selfridges London

If you go to London you need to pop into Selfridges. This huge department store only rivaled by Harrods in size lies at the end of Oxford Street close to Hyde Park and Marble Arch. It opened in 1909 after being built by American Harry Gordon Selfridge. In 2003 Canadian Galen Weston purchased Selfridges for the whooping sum of £598 million and decided to invest money in the London flagship store instead of expanding to other cities than already has been done. Selfridges is except of its huge variety of goods famous for the actual building and the interesting and spectacular window displays.


On my first day in London I went into Selfridges with two other foreign students. We had the introduction course just a stone's throw away from the huge department store. I actually prefer Selfridges before Harrods. It's a great experience throughout.

//P.

Wolsey

From the English company Wolsey I found some items, like the red cardigan above which I think would e a nice addition.

I'm still on my crusade for pink and found this sweater. Dare to wear pink!

A nice linen shirt in my favourite colour. What's not to like?!

//P.

Balmain Spring 2011

Balmain has decidely gone rock. A far cry from the sophistication and elegance that Pierre Balmain was known for in his time but one has to evolve and adapt to the changes in time and society. Balmain was born in 1914 and opened his own fashion house in 1945 just after World War II. Balmain died in 1982. The fashion house belong to the group of houses that for a while felt tired and outdated. They went the way that Gucci did and hired young, hot designers to infuse new life in the brand. Today Christophe Decarnin controls the ship that is Balmain.

I like the style. A bit of edge is so much better than plain, old boring. Talking about old. I think I might be a bit old for Balmain. If you look at the models they don't look a day over sixteen. One has to dress one's age. Otherwise it can look quite ridicolous. Fortunately there are plenty of young people who want to fill Balmain's coffers with their money.

//P.

gucci.com

Gucci has an impressive online shop that could give the hearts of most wallets a massive coronary. If you have massive heaps of cash you can shop like there was no tomorrow. They have everything from clothes to things for your pets. Like a dog would care if he is on a leash from Gucci or one from Tescos. Doubt it.

Of course they have pieces that can make you salivate like a bitch on heat, but there is always a difference between wanting and actually being able to acquire.

Some of these things, like the bag further down, cost more than some people get as a monthly salary after tax. And if you have to choose between having a roof over your head and food on the table or own a Gucci bag I think that contest should be quite easy.

Of course Gucci produces things that are needed. Otherwise they wouldn't be in business. Bags, shoes, clothes on our backs are all items that are necessary for a functional life and there are lots of people out there in the world who can afford Gucci's steep prizes.

Some of the things they make borderline on the silly of course. Like a case for your passport for the nice sum of $250 or a pencase for $210.

//P.

A View to a Kill

On television right now, James Bond in "A View to a Kill". I think I've seen it about thirty times but I never get tired of it. The 1980s at the max, Paris and San Francisco, Grace Jones dressed from head to toe in Azzedine Alaia, Swedish Mary Stavin as one of the Bond Girls, music by Duran Duran, Fiona Fullerton and we have a mix that promises to be memorable and it is.


Incidentally, I almost accidentally knocked Fiona Fullerton over at Waitrose on Kings Road many years ago.


//P.

Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor has died at the age of 79 and a Hollywood legend has left us. Her work is still with us and we can project our dreams and fantasies on what is on the cellolid screen. Taylor was a true beuaty that the camera loved and she was famous for her violet blue eyes.

Other things that she was famous for was being a great actress, being married eight times, twice with Richard Burton that was the love of her life.

Elizabeth Taylor started her career as a child under a contract for MGM. She was one of few who managed the transition from child roles to grown up ones. She won two Academy Awards, one for "Who's afraid of Virginia Wolf".

She played against some of Hollywood's greatest and was close friends with Montgomery clift and Rock Hudson who both were gay. Elizabeth Taylor stood by Rock Hudson when he finally came out as gay and revealed to the world that he had AIDS. Taylor was in the forefront in advocating for HIV and AIDS awareness and raised millions of dollars to research for a cure to the disease.


Elizabeth was never one of my favourites when it comes to actresses but some years ago I saw a documentary about her and she seemed like a clever, level headed, compassionate human being. They also asked her questions about her work with James Dean on the film "The Giant". Dean's sexuality has always been up for speculation. Taylor revealed that the two had spent many evenings together confiding in each other. The camera team wanted her to elaborate.

Elizabeth Taylor just said; "Wouldn't you like to know."

Elizabeth, there you showed true friendship and in that moment you earned your place among the angels.

//P.