Star Cross'd Lovers...

Happy V-day! I hope it has been a wonderful day for lots of people, but for those of you have not been adorned with armfuls of roses, chocolates or champagne-star lit- balloon rides - let us rejoice in the world of film and literature (because let's face it, Mr Darcy is just better than the real thing.

Of course, it is only right to begin with the aforementioned man of every girl's dreams; Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy. He is a total cock to start off with, but there is something deeply charming about him, his long intense stares, his complete admiration of Elizabeth. If only the world was awash with Darcy's?



Another of my favourites, is Captain Frederick Wentworth, from another Austen classic - Persuasion. As opposed to Darcy, he is only rude because his love was unrequited, because he was shunned, it his heartache that speaks rudely to Anne. My favourite moment from Persuasion is the love letter that he writes to Anne, so here it is for you all;

'I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight years and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant. You alone have brought me to Bath. For you alone, I think and plan. Have you not seen this? Can you fail to have understood my wishes? I had not waited even these ten days, could I have read your feelings, as I think you must have penetrated mine. I can hardly write. I am every instant hearing something which overpowers me. You sink your voice, but I can distinguish the tones of that voice when they would be lost on others. Too good, too excellent creature! You do us justice, indeed. You do believe that there is true attachment and constancy among men. Believe it to be most fervent, most undeviating in.

F. W.

I must go, uncertain of my fate; but I shall return hither, or follow your party, as soon as possible. A word, a look, will be enough to decide whether I enter your father's house this evening or never.'

Super-swoon. No wonder Anne runs through Bath to find him. Gosh, why can't I ever receive letters like this? Oh, and if the letter wasn't enough, here's a cheeky picture!



Next up, something a tad more modern - Patrick Verona ala 10 Things I Hate About You. Because does anyone know a guy who would sing to you and buy you a Fender? No. I didn't think so.



An 80s classic coming up for you now, Jake Ryan from Sixteen Candles is the typical hot-high schooler...except he chooses the girl whose a nobody..Now who can say they honestly didn't dream of that in school? Hell, I still dream of that now. We love you Jake Ryan!



And, just to finish off, how about a bad boy? They are the most fun after all...The wonderful, the delicious, the total bad boy to the bone; Jason Dean aka Christian Slateer. Despite his desire to kill everyone, even the girl he loves, he is a hottie. Don't try and deny it! I know you WOULD...



There you have it, my Top Five Lovers...albeit fictional ones...but a girl can dream, right?

Don't be a drag, be a Queen...

As per usual, Lady Gaga once again shares her eternal wisdom with the world - even if her latest single sounds like Express yourself by Madonna, let's face it Madge has done it all before. But this line from Gaga's song, has got me thinking...

Drag Queens. There is something truly magnificent about the way they are far more female then I could ever be - don't worry, this isn't a revelation about me being a man. More about the fact that they channel every feminine aspect of body language perfectly. That and the drama; the total O.T.T performance that these ladies give the world. I literally love it so much - and I am a bit jealous.

Perhaps the most famous (in my eyes at least) of all the Queens, probably feature in Priscilla Queen of the Desert:



Ahh. I'm in love with Drag Queens. This film is so hilarious, and yet tactful in terms of its handling of gay stereotypes, and opinions of not only homosexuals, but of people who are different in general. It is so inspiring to see that they embrace their individuality, particularly where Tick is accepted by his 10 year old son as a gay Drag Queen. Simply wonderful. I think as performers, Drag Queens are seriously underrated and are so much fun to see! Plus, they do have the best makeup EVER...

Bonjour mon amour...

You know what I've always wondered? What is it about Europeans - I know we are technically European, but our way of life doesn't really match the title - they are so glamorous, it hurts my face too look directly at the people of such countries, like France and Italy in particular.

When I went on holiday with my Mother to Sicily, the true glamour, style and poise of the people around me is astounding. These people love life; they love food, wine, pleasure, family (not in a crazy Godfather way..obviously..ahem). Then in France, the style is flawless, everyone looks immaculate - even with disheveled hair and make up, how annoying! It just makes me wish that I lived somewhere like that, I'm not presuming my problems would disappear, but I adore the slow pace of life, the culture and the food.

It is the sense of style I perhaps admire the most, a certain air of confidence about Europeans that is so inspiring and so desperately sexy, of course. This is why I'm learning Italian, and why I wish to do a Grand Tour of Italy as soon as I'm finished with University. I don't know what exactly attracts my soul there so much, perhaps it feels as though the country brings out the best in me, its like stepping through time into a place more romantic and magical then any other place on earth.

So, in celebration of my love for the Europeans, here are my favourites...Enjoy!



I swear upon my very life, though this is a fictional BBC crime drama 'Zen', it is illegal for people to be that attractive. Could this picture be any sexier? It's not even the way they look (well, it is a bit..)but its mainly their characteristics, their confidence in this picture that make them look like true Italians. Yum-my.



Ahh, of course. What blog about the glamour of Europe could be complete without the wonderful Juliette Binoche. She acts, she paints, she dances. She can do everything, flawlessly. 'Chocolat' in particular, she's feisty and perfectly lovely in her full skirts and beautiful patent red heels. Stunning Juliette!



Sophia Loren has always said she owes her looks and figure to Pasta. My love for this lady has grown in miles from this. Bella Sophia! Still foxy even as an OAP.



Again, who can do a list of glamorous Europeans without Miss Audrey Tatou? 'Amelie', 'Priceless' and the list goes on...she holds herself like Hepburn, but she smokes on screen. She is also so beautiful in the Chanel No.5 advert, I fear that if I look upon her for too long, I may go blind. Plus, she has played Coco Chanel, who could become more glamorous then that?




Okay, I'm cheating a bit. He's Brazillian descent...but, his Father is Italian, so I'm keeping him in the list! He is one of the most beautiful Men I have had the pleasure of laying eyes upon. Plus, he was in Baz Luhrmann's Chanel No.5 Advert, which is one of the most stunning I've ever seen. Everything he touches becomes gorgeous!

Well, I hope you have enjoyed my mini list of European Loves...Stay tuned for more pictures of beautiful things...

V-Day...

It's nearly here. The day that I hate to admit that I dread every year because even at the age of 20, I feel like Bridget Jones. Alone, fat and about to be eaten my Alsations. I don't know what it is, it's just a day. A single day in the year and yet, it makes some people feel so terrible - even most coupled people feel sad because their boyfriend/girlfriend/partner hasn't got the an adequate present of flowers/chocolates/first class flights to Paris, but instead they receive car air freshner/mug that someone gave you 5 years ago for christmas/distasteful underwear that is not only tacky, but also far too small.

I do not want to sound like bitter, self righteous single girl...in fact, I have probably shot that horse in the face, but I just think its stupid that so many people - including myself- end up feeling so terribly lonely on a day invented by Halmark. It's just not worth it at all...

Perhaps this year, instead of wearing pyjamas all day, gorging on chocolate and complaining; I may have a proactive V-Day...A day that mainly consists of a girlie evening out, complete with cocktails and dancing to ridiculous music. Or perhaps, I may watch a violent horror movie to at least channel my hatred upon the human race in a artistic way. Or, perhaps I will do nothing of the kind...but one thing I do know, is that this is one V-Day when I won't be sat moping because I am entering my fourth single year. Single-power!

Curves

I think that it's pretty terrible that as Nation - if not, a world - who idealises the female form, but only when it is skin and bones. For centuries a Woman who was of a curvier form was seen as healthy, beautiful and in some cases wealthier. So why isn't it the same today?

I suppose its partly media, partly models and partly the shrinking clothes sizes. The clothes we see on the high street are inspired by designs that are made for a size zero frame, not that of a size 16 - THIS is where the fashion industry is making its mistakes.

But...are things changing? I think that they might be...so here are my Top 5 Curvy Ladies who are making curves something to be celebrated, NOT abolished entirely...

1. My personal favourite, Crystal Renn. Originally anorexic size zero model, who realised that it didn't make her happy. She's now a healthy size 16 and the highest paid 'plus size' Model in the world...Stunning and totally inspirational!



2. Christina Hendricks of 'Mad Men' fame, has one of the most delicious figures I have ever seen. And she appears totally comfortable and at ease with her body which is inspiring and sexy. She also dresses SO well for her figure, which most times makes all the difference.



3. The wonderful, the effortless Nigella Lawson. Who doesn't wish they were (a little bit) like her? She can cook and she has a figure to die for? Importantly, she eats what she likes, and doesn't feel guilty for having that last piece of chocolate. Look and learn Ladies! Need I say more?



4. She may be a little...well, dead. But she is inspirational and her figure is still idealised now...Plus, not only is she beautiful, but incredibly clever. Jealous? Well, embrace your curves, just like Ava Gardner.



5. And finally, she may be a little bit annoying and a incredibly stupid...but she is one foxy lady. She put on weight because she couldn't be bothered with the constant up-keep, fighting against her body's desire to be a normal size...Who am I talking about? Jessica Simpson of course, check her out now!



Hope you enjoyed and took inspiration from these truly wonderful women (: