Family Affairs and other matters

ROCKING HORSE BOY

The new installation to sit on top of the fourth plinth at Trafalgar Square was unveiled yesterday. Well, given that the plinth was meant to be for an equestrian statue that never got finished in 1841 the two artists responsible have given the whole thing an interesting twist….Nelson would have turned in his grave no doubt.

“Powerless Structures” is the name. It’s a golden bronze boy sitting astride a rocking horse – somehow a terribly Victorian image but surprising nevertheless. Conservative but unexpected. The artists wanted to convey vulnerability and a different image of the symbol of power – a hero simply being a child growing up and getting on in life – not a war hero. Just a child.

I can’t decide if I like it or not. Am giving it some thought – which is perhaps what it is designed to do – make you think….What do you think?

LONG DAY’S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT REVIEW – RICHMOND THEATRE

I am now happy to report that I did get invited to watch last night’s performance of “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” at the Richmond Theatre and what a brilliant play it was. Brilliant performances by David Suchet as the father figure, Laurie Metcalf as the morphine addicted mother, Trevor White as the older, drunken bum of a son and Kyle Soller as Edmund the ill peace keeper of the family.

It was hard to watch but fascinating to see this immensely personal play by Eugene O’Neill, completed in 1941 still feel so relevant today. An intimate insight into the damage human beings can do to each other. Each character was harbouring such deep resentments that the actors had to move from touching sensitivity and compassion to ferocious attacks almost within the same sentence often triggered by the line “what are you staring at?”. The mother in particular couldn’t release the past from the present, or indeed even the future. She recognised her addiction but it was tragic to see how her decline affected those around her and herself “I no longer call my soul my own”.

It was excellent. Exhausting roles to play. Very physical in many ways. The mother featured mostly in the first half whereas it was David Suchet drinking with his son mostly in the second half.

My only complaint was that Richmond Theatre are selling the wrong sort of crisps. They need quieter ones. Not the really, really crunchy folded up ones that couldn’t be chewed owing to the soundless, on the edge of their seats audience.

Ice cream at half time a much better option.

Thank you to Richmond Theatre for sorting out my tickets.

Continue reading and leave comments...

ADAMINA SPA OF KENSINGTON

What a treat I had last week. Thanks to a fab company called Lavish who offer vouchers for spa treatments all round the country (and are just about to take on the Adamina Spa as well), I was invited to review TWO spa treatments at the luxury concept spa by “Comfort Zone”. To be honest [...]

Continue reading and leave comments...

KEW GARDENS TROPICAL EXTRAVAGANZA

Another good thing to do if you get a minute is go to Kew Gardens. I’ve got some lovely pictures of Kew Gardens in the snow last week. Very inviting then to step out of the cold and into the tropics….the lovely humid warm environment of their Tropical Extravaganza annual display featured in the Prince [...]

Continue reading and leave comments...

EVA CASSIDY MUSICAL – OVER THE RAINBOW – RICHMOND THEATRE REVIEW

I took my mother to see “Over The Rainbow” the musical about the life story of Eva Cassidy at Richmond Theatre last night. If you like Eva Cassidy’s songs then you should see it. Sarah Jane Buckley from Hollyoaks plays her role very well and sings beautifully and the set, whilst simple, has a backdrop [...]

Continue reading and leave comments...

CHOCOLATES FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

As a result of my pathetic approach to Valentine’s Day I have been sent two boxes of chocolates as an indulgence for “Britain’s busy women”. I’m afraid it wouldn’t have been right to give both of them away because I had to do my quality control and approve them first.

Gorgeous packaging:-

on the top it says

Pretty Idle.

Artisan Chocolates (serves one)

So I’ve done what it said on the box and tested out a few of them – look they’re all sparkly! Delicious.

I don’t have time to run another competition before Valentine’s Day now, so just let me know if you think you or someone you know fits the following description and maybe I’ll send them to you…..

Sassy and debauched: the ultimate Valentine’s Day indulgence for Britain’s busy women

Need a little last minute luxury for the gorgeous, busy woman in your life this Valentine’s Day? Or celebrating solo and want to lose yourself in a universe of shamelessly selfish indulgence? New British luxury relaxation label, Pretty Idle, is here to save the day with its first blissed-out collection of artisan chocolates.

Presented in a sumptuous drawer-style box with a black velvet tab, each chocolate sparkles for attention and has been individually created by Pretty Idle’s own London-based chocolatier, Madame Coco, using her personal favourite flavour-combinations from around the globe. These chocolates are unapologetically sassy, shamelessly indulgent and deliciously immoral. A veritable treasure trove of chocolate hedonism, designed for women by women, the box contains twelve opulent treats:

Ø Pretty Idle Spice – Our secret blend of decadent spices in velvety dark chocolate
Ø Gem de la Mer – Sexy sea-salted caramel encased in shimmering milk chocolate
Ø Passion Rocks – Glitzy little squares of indulgent passion-fruit praline
Ø Boozy Floozy – Fabulously retro cognac and raisin in deep, dark chocolate
Ø Ooh La La – Sumptuous layers of Parisian praline, feuilletine and white chocolate
Ø Ruby Rouge – Raspberry ganache with a shameless pinch of saffron

Inspired by the vintage Hollywood glamour of Marilyn Monroe and Mae West, spiked with a cheeky modern twist of style, wit and an inherent understanding of what it feels like for a girl, Pretty Idle is Britain’s newest luxury relaxation label, dedicated to delivering slivers of bliss to busy women who spend their lives putting others first. Created by ultimate busy girl, Jacqueline Day, and award-winning West End performer, Frances Ruffelle, Pretty Idle is here to bring hedonism into your homes with little touches of opulence that make all the hard work worthwhile. 2012 will see the label launch its exclusive first collection of limited edition chill-out accessories such as cashmere blankets and socks and luxe aromatherapy candles and bath oils, all designed and created in the UK. Discover more at www.PrettyIdle.com

Pretty Idle Artisan Chocolates are available exclusively from www.PrettyIdle.com for £18. Order by 11 February for guaranteed UK delivery for Valentine’s Day.

Continue reading and leave comments...

HANDPICKED GIFTS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

My friends from Handpicked Collection – a fabulous award winning company have got many brilliant suggestions for Valentine’s Gifts from heart shaped hole punches to heart shaped leather wallets or mugs with love messages on. In the meantime, it’s nearly your last chance to win a fabulous bracelet for yourself or your love target this [...]

Continue reading and leave comments...