TLC VACATION: The Rose, Venice Beach, CA.

After much kicking and screaming, this wannabe hipster eventually managed to drag herself away from the most spoiling, sun-soaked suite and jars of flakey croissants at The Rose Hotel, Venice... It was NOT easy! 

The Rose Hotel, a little low-key Venice Beach gem, was originally designed in 1908 by Abbott Kinney, has had a recent, and most perfect, renovation by fashion photographers Glen Luchford and Doug Bruce. Once a notorious 'late night hangout' frequented by the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Jim Morrison, the hotel has maintained many of the original features, such as the reception's yellow counter slot for the working girl's keys, still in situ amongst the more recent flea market and vintage finds. 

I spoilingly stayed in the hotel's Pacific Suite, a 1500 sq ft penthouse, with a massive bay window looking across the broadwalk to the ocean, two bedrooms (both with Queen size beds), linen covered sofas and a lot of too-cool for school art.  Aesop bathroom products, the softest stripey sheets and a bottle of rosé in the fridge (thank you Mr & Mrs Smith!), all helped to make my brief two night stay in the always characterful Venice Beach perfectly chilled. 

Firstly, ALL hotels (and boyfriends) should provide designated little black make up towels to prevent the always inevitable, mascara and foundation induced 'White Towel Guilt.'  I know, a total bathroom epiphany!  Secondly, I brought some Ouai hair products with me to California to try (specifically, the hair oil and texturising spray) and HOLY MOLY they smell incredible - go get'em!

"We never set out to create the perfect hotel; our walls are thin, and the building is wonky... But its not like any other hotel. And we like it just like it is."  Glen Luchford and Doug Bruce.

Here is a little video of my stay at The Rose Hotel, Venice Beach...

Ohhhhh those Venice Beach sunsets... (*and ohhhh, those accompanying Margaritas...!)

TLC ON TOUR... VENICE BEACH SUITCASE:
(Click on the items below for their direct links)

Thanks to Mr & Mrs Smith for organising my stay. 

The Golden Globes 2016

Award season kicked off this week with the 2016 Golden Globes (a lot like the Oscars, but a whole heap more drunken!)  Of course this time is about reflecting on and celebrating the most recent, epic movies and all the outstanding performances that Hollywoodland have exposed… But let’s not kid ourselves here, it’s mainly about the red carpet dresses, people! 

Here is a look at my favourite looks of the night… Ladies, Red Carpet High Fives all round!

Above: Jennifer Lawrence. Wearing wore a bold red Dior Haute Couture column gown topped off with more than 156 carats of Chopard diamonds, J-Law sizzled. A total head turner and show stopper (*and most importantly, she didn’t fall over.)

Above:  Alicia Vikander.  Nominated for not one, but two, Golden Globes, this beauty wore a refreshingly understated, yet effortlessly chic apron-front Louis Vuitton dress with ruffles and shimmering piping.  The cross-strap detailing of the column gown, and delicate pleating, oozed elegance. A total win.

Above:  Cate Blanchett.  The Marmite dress of the night; you either loved it or hated it. I LOVED. For me, Cate can do no wrong on the red carpet, continuously making unexpected, risky and regal choices. Wearing a Givenchy Haute Couture design, with Tiffany & Co. jewellery and a Roger Vivier clutch, Cate’s pale pink 1920’s silhouette, capelet and fringing was all kinds of Downton FAbbey.

Oh, and then there's that awkward moment when bad dresses happen to good people...

Above (L-R): I love Kate Hudson, she’s hilarious… However, I’m still waiting for the punchline of this outfit.  Despite her killer abs being more than sensational, this two-piece Michael Kors (stripper) ensemble, was just not red carpet worthy.  Eva Longoria’s underwhelming and rather conservative floral and bow ensemble just didn’t match the rest of the glitz and the glamour on the red carpet sadly. Melissa McCarthy apparently designed this metallic wrap dress/rain mac herself… Yikes! #StickToYourDayJob.

For the full list of Golden Globe winners, see HERE.  

Jennifer Lawrence for AW'13 Dior

I think Jennifer Lawrence’s latest A/W'13 Dior adverts, Captured by Willy Vanderperre, showing the Oscar-winning actress fresh faced wearing minimal make-up, are breathtaking.  Her porcelain skin and piercing blue eyes take centre stage in the campaign which features a grey cashmere coat and several of the latest covertable Diorbags.  GREAT eyebrows J-Law! 

New Face of Dior: Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence's adverts for Miss Dior were released earlier this week, and now a new behind-the-scenes video now also gives us an insight into the making of the campaign.

"Dior represents beauty and strength in women and that's how I feel when I'm wearing his clothes... It just makes you feel so confident… Being part of something with such incredible history is an honor..."  Jennifer Lawrence.

Amazingly, when Jennifer saw these photographs on the Oscar's red carpet last week, she remarked candidly, "that doesn't look like me at all. I love Photoshop more than anything in the world. Of course it's Photoshop, people don't look like that."

Golden Globes 2013

I have made no secret that I LOVE award shows.  I am thrilled that people from all areas within the film industry are annually rewarded for their often extreme and valiant attempts to entertain us… But mainly, I just freaking love seeing all the pretty frocks on the red carpet.  The fashion at last weekend’s 70th Golden Globes may have seemed a tad disappointing to some in comparison to last year’s more glamorous turn out, but I for one actually really appreciated the more fresh-faced actresses wearing simpler, cleaner silhouettes giving the typically bejeweled and fishtailed crowd a run for their money. 

My two favourite looks of the night were those of Thandie Newton (above, in Giles Deacon teamed with I'd-sell-my-granny-for-this-pair-of bubblegum pink heels) and Marion Cotilard (below, in custom-made Christian Dior by Raf Simons accessorised with a leopard print clutch).   Both actresses wore unconventionally shorter cut dresses than we are used to seeing at these Tinseltown ceremonies , and both looked beautifully modern, unfussy and surprisingly natural in a sea of Veronica Lake hair and embellished tulle.

Several red carpet trends (which in turn, usually indicate what will be 'coming soon to a cinema high street near you’) were very clear for us to see – alongside a bizarrely large amount of black dresses (luckily made more interesting with varying degrees of pretty gold embellishment, as seen below) I noticed the following styles having their moment; 

 1)  Peekaboo Cutaways

As seen in abundance on the SS’13 catwalks, cutaway styles and peekaboo detailing is a mehejour trend for this year, one that was shown in all it’s glory a the Golden Globes.  Below (L-R):  Peepo!  Emily Blunt sparkling in Michael Kors, Nicole Kidman and Kate Hudson looking utterly regal in Alexander McQueen and Kristen Wiig in Michael Kors.

2)  Fifty Shades of Red

From scarlet to ruby, from ox-blood to tomato, all the colours of the red rainbow were well represented on the matching carpet.  Below (L-R, Clockwise):  Ben Affleck's Argo-rgeous wife Jennifer Garner in Vivienne Westwood, Clare Danes in vibrant Versace, Zooey Deschanel was fairy-tale cute in Oscar de la Renta, girl-of-the-moment Jennifer Lawrence dramatic in Dior, Naomi Watts in Zac Posen and Marion Cotillard looking aDiorable.

3)  It's Just, A Little Blush 

The Red Carpet made many an actress blush last night, with a bevy of beauties choosing nude tones.  Below (L-R):  Kerry Washington Wow Wow’s in Miu Miu, Meghan Fox in Dolce & Gabbana, Anne Hathaway elegant in Chanel, Amada Seyfried ethereal in Givenchy.

4)  Backless

Rather than strapless, this year's red carpet was all about backless... Just perfect for that 'looking over my left shoulder' pose.  Below (L-R):  Naomi Watts posing in Zac Posen, Jessica Chastain in Calvin Klein and Julianna Margulies being Pucci Perfect. 

5)  Fishtailed Fancies

There was lots of swishing and wiggling with beautiful mermaid tails a'plenty at this year's Golden Globes.  Below (L-R):  Taylor Swift looked amazing in Donna Karan Atelier, Amy Adams in Marchesa and the always perfect Jessica Alba in Oscar de la Renta.

6)  Brits Abroad

Say what you want about their outfits, and a couple of these choices have indeed had some critics on the fence, but the Brits are all about non-traditional, fashion-forward style.  Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the… Carpet.  I salute you ladies.  (Below L-R):  Dotty for Rachel Weisz in Louis Vuitton, cream of the crop(tops) Sienna Miller in Erdem, Thandie Newton in Giles Deacon and a lady(Mary)like Michelle Dockery in Alexandre Vauthier.

7)  Jolie-ing

An odd trend but a trend nonetheless!   Angelina’s awkward right leg thrust at last year’s Oscars obviously had a resounding effect in Hollywood with several actresses at the Golden Globes also putting their best foot (far too) forward for the cameras.  Below (L-R):  Eva Longoria in Pucci, Lea Michele in Elie Saab , Halle Berry in Atelier Versace, Rosie Huntington-Whitely statuesque in Saint Laurent and Heidi Klum in Alexandre Vauthier.

When Bad Dresses Happen To Good People...

Unfortunately there are always some ladies who just… get it wrong.   This year, I think the worst dress was worn by Jessica Chastain (below).  Usually on all the 'Best Dressed' lists, the Golden Globe Award winning actress wore this saggy light blue dress by Calvin Klein. 

Jessica's style travesty was closely followed by Halle Berry (in Atelier Versace - very nineties J-Lo),  Lucy Lu (this Carolina Herrera dress is too big with too complicated a print for the red carpet) and Eva Longoria (just too chesty and too leggy in Pucci – pick just one).