Did I Mention...

...I'm on a 2 week hiatus in Hong Kong, England and France and will return to my former blogging glory upon my return.  Be safe x

The Royal Wedding: Part 2

It's all about the hats!  What a revival!  What a variety!  Here are my three most favourite:

1.  Princess Beatrice.  When I first saw her hat I thought it was deer antlers and completely ridiculous.  Now however I think the colour is beautiful and the bow a fitting touch.  Plus I love a good matching hat-and-coat combo.

2.  Frances Osborne.  Love the feathers!

3.  Santa Palmer-Tomkinson.  I like how she utilised an entire colour palette as opposed to sticking to just one block colour.

Did YOU have any faves?

The Royal Wedding: Part 1

Kate Middleton, you're a stunner!

This is what I thought her wedding dress would look along the lines of:

Minimal, classic, elegant and figure-hugging, with lace details to cover her shoulders and flowers in her hair.  It wasnt until I saw her actual dress that I realised my version was nowhere near appropriate enough for such a formal event as a royal wedding!

The top-half of her dress was breathtaking - the V-neck was just the right depth to be feminine but not vulgar, and the lace was classic yet modern.  The bottom-half of the gown wasnt to my taste but nevertheless it fit the occasion and her style perfectly.  I loved her tiara and was glad that she wore some of her hair loose for a softer look.  Her makeup was good but I think she should have hired someone to do it for her instead of undertaking it herself.  Here's why:

With a pretty face like that you really cant go wrong, but the eyeliner she insists on using every day for the entire rim of her eyes is too harsh.  I noticed that her sister Pippa and mother also do this so it's possibly a case of bad habits being passed down.  I think that she would suit a soft brown pencil liner starting mid-eye which would accentuate her eyes softly and bring out the blue.  Her eyebrows are also a touch too dark and more colour on her lips would have completed the look.  But as I said, she's completely gorgeous naturally.

As for Prince William?  Spiffing.  Equally so was Prince Harry.  It was interesting to see the maid of honour's as well as the flower girl's dresses were white like Kate's.  I had also pictured a much different bouquet but after reading the sentimental value of the combination of flowers and sprigs, it made more sense.  The funniest moments were watching Will hammer poor Kate's finger during the ring ceremony, and lip-reading his countdown of their kiss on the balcony.  At least it turned out well in the end, and with a 100 million pound cost you would certainly hope that it would!

5.6/10 for 'Thor'

Um, it's a flop.

Not even phenomenal actors like Natalie Portman and Anthony Hopkins could have brought it up to the standard that I expected.  Where was the action?  The thrill?  Maybe I dont know enough about this comic/Viking Norse legend to fully appreciate the movie, but that's possibly the point - the film should have been simple enough for the ignorant viewers to understand.

There were so many things wrong with it: firstly, the romance between Thor and Jane is quite unrealistic.  He's been on earth for what, 36 hours?  Poor, poor Natalie Portman having to play a giddy scientist character that has no depth whatsoever except an ability to fall in love very quickly.  Secondly, the Guardian could have been utilised a lot more.  It went from being hugely scary to...fake fake fake.  Actually all of the effects (especially the Frost Giants and their realm) were so unreal that it was hard to feel the fear and anxiety that they were supposed to incite.  Thirdly, I felt like too many events and information was crammed into the two hours that it was hard to build any emotional connections.  The need for the audience to build a rapport with the characters is crucial and because this was lacking I didnt really care if Thor, his friends from Asgard and his earth acquaintances lived or died.  Pretty disappointing really.

THINGS I LOVE: Doughnuting Behind a Boat

Rewind a few years back to 1999 and there's Michaela and I screaming and clinging onto a double doughnut at 3rd Form camp, both eager to save face and stay afloat.  It was one of my first experiences doughnuting and proved to be the best.

Skip forward some six or so years and a bunch of us cousins at the Barrier went doughnuting in the harbour by Flat Island.  The driver of my Uncle's boat wasnt terribly experienced and on top of that it was an overcast day and the water was deep and black, but still our excitement was undeterred.  When warning bells rang our laughter rang louder and each of us had turns zipping along the surface and jumping the waves with glee.  The only time a hint of panic ever disturbed the fun was when our doughnut overturned and we were left bobbing by ourselves while waiting to get picked up.  When it was my turn, I remember looking down and realising the water was so dark I could hardly see my feet.  I recalled many a time when I had seen sharks and even orca in that very same harbour that I was doggy-paddling in and it was a tremendous relief when my cousins eventually hauled me back aboard.  Yet did I have another turn that day?  You betcha!

*Sigh* The things we do in our adolescence!

A doughnut combined with deep, dark water where shark sightings are regularly reported do not a good combination make.

Stations of the Cross 2011

Stations were first established in Northern Italy in the early 16th century.  The intention was to re-create the sites of the events of the Atonement, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The worldwide renewal of Stations as a way to engage with the content and emotion of the last week of Jesus' life began in New Zealand less than 20 years ago.  Here artists are charged with reflecting on the biblical text that describes the event they have chosen, and interpreting that story in contemporary art. 

This year's Stations was held at the Hamilton Gardens in the week leading up to and during the Easter holiday.  For dramatic emphasis it only ran between 8pm-10pm and the way was lit with small candles while visitors carried tiny torches to read each of the scriptures that the artists interpreted.  There were many interesting creations such as a huge metronome that swung faster and faster until it stopped and a spotlight from within flashed on three doors labelled 'Death' to depict the inevitable deadline and lack of choices the Saviour had. 

My favourite was Station 6: 'Jesus is Mocked and Beaten'.  It was based around Matthew 27:27-31.  The artist, Geoff Wall, named his piece Mortar and Pestle and featured a large basin with stone lions surrounding it.  Inside the basin was a mixture of fresh herbs and a few wooden bats.  People were invited to crush the herbs with the bats while reflecting on the following: "On account of His love to ALL peoples He was mocked and beaten.  Is this the way we treat those that love us?"  As I crushed the herbs, the air became deliciously fragrant with rosemary and thyme, yet it was only by grinding them that I could receive the pleasure of their scent.  I thought how it was only through Jesus Christ's immeasurable suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and later crucifixion that the beautiful gift of the Atonement was brought to pass.

More Opshop Finds

If Hamilton is good for one thing, it is the quality of its opshops.  A recent trip with a friend from work uncovered one of the most exciting finds I've ever made:

1.  A New Zealand made, genuine leather high-waisted pencil skirt with ruched sides.  This will stay in my wardrobe forever!

2.  Turquoise and blue long skirt that my friend convinced me would be beautiful as a dress.  I think she might just be right:

3.  Large leather clutch in an eggshell white shade: