Still Stuck for Valentine’s Date Ideas?

Valentine’s Day is a bit like marmite – love it or hate it. For those of you who’d rather choke on a loveheart than be seen dead out and about on the most romantic day of the year, perhaps it’s time to reassess whether you’ve simply been making the wrong plans. Believe it or not, there are options that don’t involve sitting elbow to elbow in a restaurant full of other couples feasting on the ‘Valentine’s Special’.

Who could resist spending an evening with Cary Grant for example? The BFI on the South Bank is screening the screwball classics Bringing Up Baby and The Philadelphia Story on the 14^th, so book your tickets now and then treat yourself to cocktails by the river after the film. Or how about spending some quality time with the great Baroque artist, Paul Peter Rubens? The Royal Academy of Arts latest blockbuster is a showcase for his beautiful nudes and other creations, as well as masterpieces by artists who were influenced by him – including Picasso, Cézanne, Van Dyck and more. It’s sure to draw big crowds so avoid the queues and reserve tickets for the RA’s special Valentine’s event, which includes entry to the exhibition.

If ‘music be the food of love’ you might want to consider treating your better half to a night of jazz and swing at Cadogan Hall. The acclaimed Clare Teal will be performing hits made famous by everyone from Ella Fitzgerald and Doris Day to Judy Garland and Peggy Lee – accompanied by a swinging live band. It certainly beats a night in with Magic FM!

Still not convinced that a night on the tiles is the way to go? Then let the Landmark Trust sweep you off your feet instead. The Landmark Trust rescue historic buildings, sensitively restores them and then re-opens them as unique holiday homes. You can stay in a castle, a 16^th century manor house, or even a lighthouse! There is still availability for Valentine’s weekend in enchanting properties up and down the land, and you can guarantee it will be an unforgettable few days.

Another way to skip the schmaltz and enjoy a stress-free Valentine’s night is to simply invite a chef to do the hard work for you. There are now a number of companies offering chefs, even Michelin-starred ones, who come to your home and cook up a storm. You can be involved in planning the menu too, so all your loved one’s favourite foods are included. Intimate, thoughtful and no need to even leave the house – check out MyChef from Greycoat Lumleys to investigate further.

See? Valentine’s Day needn’t mean schmaltzy cards and cheesy poems - so cancel that standing order with the florist, ditch the high street chocolates and plan a date to remember.

Images: 

Cary Grant, James Stewart and Katharine Hepburn in The Philadelphia Story

Landmark Trust property Clavell Tower

Miss Dior Film Starring Natalie Portman

Given the option, would you rather be a Miss or a Madam? In this new Miss Dior film, Natalie Portman encouragingly and beautifully demonstrates that you always have a choice.

A wonderful new way of storytelling in a fragrance ad with a wonderful song - Piece of my Heart by Janis Joplin.

Twitter Users Confused by Inherent Vice

Inherent Vice - the movie felt like observing high people at a very boring party who believe they are the life of it, for 2.5 hours. We've all been there - at such parties, I mean. But Inherent Vice managed to take this to the cinema.

When I was asked what I thought about it, I couldn't answer because I didn't know what the movie was about. It's probably a really good movie... if you get it. So I checked Twitter to see what some other people were thinking and it turns out I might not be the only one confused by it:

I have no idea what just happened #InherentVice
— Darren Murphy (@darrenbmurphy) February 3, 2015

Watching #InherentVice was the perfect cure for my insomnia. #wtf #SorryJoaquin
— Maritza Diaz (@MaritzaDiaz) February 3, 2015 

Must-See 80's Teen Movies

Do you ever find that when you are looking for a feel-good movie, you just cannot go wrong with putting on a high school film, or any other that is all about the joys (and struggles) of young adult life? Although they hardly ever get boring, even if they just play in the background, there might be some you have not yet explored. Movies that have similar potential to be watched again and again and again.

Since the 1980s was the decade in which the production of teenage movies boomed, we have decided to dedicate a post to each decade. Here are some unmissable teen flicks from the 1980s.


1980s

My  Bodyguard (1980)

image source: http://coolinthe80s.com/actors-male/matt-dillon/

Why? Alone for the fact that Matt Dillon is 16 years old, playing a bully.



La Boum (1980)

image source: http://wadmag.com/words/files/playlist-7-80-s-girls/

Why? So you realise that the movie 'LOL' with Miley Cyrus' was not as original as you thought.

The Breakfast Club (1985)

image source: http://www.eastsidebride.com/2009/08/john-hughes-we-wont-forget-about-you.html

Why? It's a classic that demonstrates how similar your typical high school stereotypes really are.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

image source: http://pyxurz.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/ferris-buellers-day-off-page-5-of-6.html

Why? As a reminder that sometimes rules are made to be broken.

Back to The Future (1985)

image source: http://www.sliptalk.com/back-to-the-future-facts/

Why? To demonstrate the importance of hover-boards. After all, you could be the one to improve the most recent attempt:

Single on Valentine’s Day? Now you can get a boyfriend/girlfriend within seconds.

Image Source: http://popinsomniacs.com/2013/12/the-good-the-bad-the-middling-tv-shows-we-watched-in-2013-part-one/


Valentine’s Day can be a beautiful experience when you’re a couple dedicated to the day and the idea of out-gifting each other. 

Being single on Valentine’s Day is a whole different story. You can throw a party for all your single friends; go for dinner or on a pub-crawl with your single best friend. Or, you can binge-eat while watching Girls to death in your room.

In case you have run out of creative ideas for this year’s single Valentine’s, consider getting yourself an (invisible) boyfriend or girlfriend. For a relatively small fee in comparison to flowers, chocolate and that restaurant dinner, you can still binge-eat in the confines of your room, while your friends and family think you are busy romancing your partner.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Invisible Girlfriend and Invisible Boyfriend apps have launched to add credibility to the lies you might be planning to tell your friends and family. You will receive instant responses to your texts to your fictional partner; can share photos with each other and brag about your successful ‘long-distance’ relationship. In addition to all of this, you shape your invisible partner’s appearance, hobbies and career.

Interestingly, anyone using the service agrees to acknowledge that his or her Invisible Partner is fictional, quite the warning sign. If this is you, don’t go too crazy on your lies. There might be someone who is secretly counting down the days until you are officially single again.

What would you rather do? Be single or stay in a fake relationship and that way, miss out on all the potential partners that you cross paths with?

Giovanni Battista Moroni at the Royal Academy of Arts - Forgotten Genius?

Not many of us can claim to be experts in Renaissance art, but at a push, I’m sure most of us could reel off a few heavyweights; Da Vinci, Titian, Raphael, Botticelli. But Moroni? Nope, me neither. So it was with a combination of ignorance and curiosity that I booked tickets for the Royal Academy’s latest Sackler Wing exhibition on an artist they claim to be one of the greatest portraitists who ever lived – as Time Out put it neatly in their glowing review, ‘Move over Michelangelo’.

Working near Bergamo in Italy over 400 years ago, it seemed to me that Moroni took a while to get into his stride. The first two rooms focus largely on religious works and lack the realism of his society portraits. Dramatic and skilfully painted no doubt, but in the 21^st century these works did nothing to move me and judging by the rate other visitors were rushing through, I wasn’t alone. I was beginning to lose interest when suddenly, the mood shifts and you’re transported to the upper echelons of 16^th century Italian society. Startlingly realistic, Moroni’s portrayals of dukes and ladies, gentleman and high-born children give a powerful sense of the character behind each sitter. One young woman adopts a distinctly haughty expression, as if she’d rather be anywhere else. While his depiction of a tailor at work is remarkable not only for its realism, but also for the fact he was even painting a tailor. Before Moroni, no artist would have dreamed of painting a mere ‘workman’.

Ultimately though, what I found to be most compelling about the brushstrokes of this obscure genius was his talent for painting clothing. It sounds slightly ridiculous when really I suppose you should be drawn to the faces, but I could have stared at luxuriant folds of dresses and remarkably detailed lace collars all day. He captures the sheen of silk, the softness of furs draped around wealthy ladies shoulders and the shine of a leather boot with absolute perfection. It’s like being able to glimpse the pages of a fashion photography magazine from over 400 years ago – extraordinary.

Is Moroni a name worth knowing then? I would say it’s a resounding yes. I’m not quite sure why his reputation isn’t up there with the Titians and Manets of this world but there is no question he was an artist ahead of his time, foreshadowing the Realism movement by centuries. And if portraiture’s not your thing but you have even the smallest interest in fashion, this is an exhibition worth seeing. Hurry though, it closes this month.

Images: 

Giovanni Battista Moroni
Young Lady, c.1560-65
Oil on canvas, 51 x 42cm
Private collection
Photo: Private collection

Giovanni Battista Moroni
The Tailor, c.1570
Oil on canvas, 99.5 x 77cm
The National Gallery, London
Photo c. The National Gallery, London

Are men's socks new tie?

Who needs a pointless piece of cloth strapped around their necks when you can add some flair to any outfit with stylish yet functional pair of socks? It seems that men from all walks of live from George Bush Senior to the hipster sitting on the pavement outside of the overpriced coffee shop down my street embraced the trend. According to latest market research by NPD Group the world wide sales of men's socks has grown by 2% in the last 12 months. Men use statement socks in clashing patterns and bold colours to express themselves and add a bit of stylish twist to their outfits. Once highly policed area of men's wardrobe the feet has been liberated from yoke of strict dress code. "The louder is the better" - seems to be the only rule that applies. The relatively low price of this fashion accessory makes it easy fir men to experiment and take risks.

Source of the image: socks4life.com

Source: aceandeverett.com