GRACE NOTES X
A week of soaring temperatures and searing sunshine has given me all of the inspiration I need to get into the holiday spirit; I've given TGG's manifesto and dossier summer-inspired makeovers and I've channeled all of those heatwave vibes into a dedicated Pinterest board. It's palm trees and mojitos all round, and I'm eagerly counting down the days before I jet off somewhere even warmer and sunnier.
Wishing you all sun-filled Sundays!
This week I revisited one of my favourite books, Rebecca; best described as a ghost story, without the ghosts. As cleverly written as it is atmospheric, Rebecca is an underrated classic that will captivate you from the first line and stay with you for years. The young heroine meets and marries wealthy Maxim de Winter in Monte Carlo and returns with him to his ancestral home, where she is haunted by the mystery surrounding Rebecca, Maxim's seemingly perfect first wife. Think of it as the original Gone Girl, and be sure to watch the movie adaptation, starring a [considerably younger than Tywin Lannister] Charles Dance.
FURTHER READING : John Crace on the captivation of Rebecca.
testing testing
Meet the products currently undergoing experimentation...
pinterest party
I'm back with my Pinterest A-game and I've given my boards a complete makeover, so join me for the obligatory Sunday morning/evening pinning spree...
rmk : the new lip
RMK's summer collection fails to disappoint [as always] - this season the focus is on the lips; bright, bold and accompanied by lustrous smokey eyes and vibrant nails. Two ranges, 25 shades; choose between glow lips [a moisturising glossy shine, resulting in a plumped juicy pout] and bright lips [a smooth and long-lasting pop of colour, which blends with the natural pigment of your lips]. I'm smitten with both formulas and couldn't possibly choose a favourite. Plus the shade range is exceptional. See also: softer than soft crayon style lip liners [I'm convinced they'll be giving my No7 favourite a run for its money], subtle metallic eyeshadows, beautifully understated blush, chic bronzer, and vividly hued nail polish.
FURTHER READING : Explore the collection in detail.
listen
Tango In The Night - Fleetwood Mac
drink : the alchemist
Come nightfall Manchester is more than equipped with watering holes of any and every variety, from traditional pubs to champagne bars, beer halls and sky high cocktail bars. However, my establishment of choice when celebration is on the cards is always The Alchemist [which fortunately has two locations, meaning that a good cocktail is always within a 10 minute radius]. The Alchemist offers more than just creatively named cocktails, their formulations and inspirations push the art of bartending to the far limits of the imagination, making them a joy to both watch and drink. Expect drinks to be created with test tubes and bunsen burners and served in vessels ranging from vintage teacups to glass teapots. You'll be hard-pressed to stop at just one.
FURTHER READING : The Alchemist in action.
from the archives
this week on tgg
reading list
- As someone who grew up wearing NHS glasses, Pandora Sykes' Confessions of a Speccy Kid hit a chord. This post is a perfect example of a social commentary/fashion blogging done right.
- ELLE provides inspiration for your holiday reading list.
- Byrdie divulges on how to get rid of a headache in two minutes flat - I'm actually wishing myself a headache so as to put this intriguing method to the test.
- Vogue steps inside Olivia Palermo's wardrobe.
- I love discovering new blogs - Clare shared five of her favourites and it was a delight to find I hadn't previously read any of them.
- "Using the clothes as exclamation points and accents, flashlights and megaphones that shine bright and loud on the words and their meanings." - yet more words of wisdom from Leandra.
- Em of My Pale Skin published a brilliant video revealing the extent of society's unrealistic beauty standards.
- This week saw Manchester's Whitworth Gallery win Museum of the Year, and rather fittingly The New York Times published an article on the city's growing arts community.
- Maddie York shares her thoughts on festival goers' approach to Glastonbury's "green" ethos.
- The Cut shared an amusing interview with Candace Bushnell ahead of the upcoming launch of her new book.
- Suzy Menkes interviews Victoria Beckham.
- In case you missed the story of the woman who gave birth alone in remote California [yes, really], The Guardian has you covered.
