My Week with Marilyn

Much has been made of this film and a trailer has not even been released yet. It can't be denied that Marilyn Monroe is one of the twentieth centuries greatest icons. Her appeal holds to this day due to her style, image, sex appeal and talent. Never fully realised, her talent was often hampered by her personal life. There have been endless biographies and documentaries aiming to give that all important insight into her world. However there has never been a film adaptation of any period of her life until now.


Directed by Simon Curtis My Week with Marilyn follows Monroe as she escapes the shackles of Hollywood and embraces British life with Colin Clark, an employee of Laurence Olivier who was assigned by him to keep an eye on her while filming The Prince and the Showgirl. The script has been adapted from Clark's diaries by Adrian Hodges. With an all star cast that includes Kenneth Branagh, Dominic Cooper, Judi Dench and Emma Watson, all eyes will be on Michelle Williams who will play Monroe. Unfairly she is most famous for her relationship with the late Heath Ledger, yet Williams has made quite a name for herself as a subtle and daring actor throughout her career. She has two Oscar nominations and yet is not a true household name. The most interesting thing about her as a choice for Monroe is that she has made a point of not cashing in on her sex appeal as an actress. For her to play one of the greatest sex icons of all time is a brave move on both her and the directors part. With very little circulating about the film I will leave you with stills and the rumour that Michelle Williams is the one to watch for Best Actress at the Oscars.

 

 

A Fashionable Saturday

Dublin Fashion Festival takes over the city this weekend, setting up their ‘Fashion HQ’ in the old Waterstones building on Dawson Street. There are four days of make-overs, styling tips, fashion shows and free champagne. If you feel like some aesthetic indulgence on a shoestring there’s plenty to be had around town today, tomorrow and Sunday. 

Tomorrow, start off in Lush in the morning where they’re doing free facials and arm massages. Next, make for Fashion HQ for tips on how to put a stylish outfit together on a budget with fashion blogger Anne Marie O’Connor. Then, check out the Barnardos pop-up shop where bargain clothes you might once have thought suspect will now seem like diamonds in the rough, just waiting to be artfully styled. If you happen to buy a pair of impossibly high, but just perfect heels, stick around for the ‘How to walk in high heels’ masterclass at 2:30. You’ll have worked up an appetite by now, so head for the Westbury Hotel, where they’re serving a Fashionista’s Afternoon Tea until 5:30. Finish off with the Fashion Blogger’s Brainstorm to hear what the hippest, hottest and most happening of the fash-pack have to say about trends, blogging and the future of fashion.

For the full festival programme see http://www.dff.ie/home/full-programme-guide/

Teeny tiny people: hilairous greeting cards of deranged Victoriana

I've been a particular fan of these greeting cards since my sister presented me with this gem for a birthday one year. The impossible troll, it's improbable hat, the inexplicable basket on a string, the innocent gaze of the child. It's priceless.

They have a range of depictions of Victorian people in comical situations with deadpan captions, if you can't find them in a nearby shop you can buy them here.