The Lust List: Converse High Tops

Converse All Star high tops have been on the 'will purchase soon' list for a few months now; but for some reason I never got round to it.

As a recent treat myself and a few girlfriends took a weekend trip to Barcelona. The weekend was full of long lunches of tapas and sangria, cocktails in the evening and of course, plenty of sight seeing. It was during the sight seeing that I realised just how useful that pair of 'will purchase soon' converse would have been. Although sunny, the weather was not always hot enough for gladiator sandals, and a pair of funked-up pumps would have been the perfect shoe.

Since returning from sunny Spain, I have invested in this lead grey pair, which arrived at 7.30 this morning and will be promptly worn for tonight's outing to the pub. Practical and gorgeous!

I love the colour, and the high top makes them perfect to wear with jeans or leggings and a rock tee during the day, and I might even brave wearing them with a floral mini dress for that urban rock look at night.

All Star Hi Lead Grey, Office, £41.99

Pink Lipstick Magic

A friend of mine recently introduced me to this fabulous new Barry M Lipstick. Not only is the pink lipstick long lasting; it has added aloe vera to ensure a smooth application and that your lips stay super soft.

The real magic, however, is that the shade of pink differs depending on the alkali level of your lips. The lipstick itself appears green, but once applied to the lips transforms into a rich or pale pink, this means the colour often suits your skin tone at that very moment. I was thoroughly impressed by the product, and at only £4.49 it's a steal.

Touch of Magic Lip Paint, Barry M, £4.49

The Trend Report: Autumn/Winter 2011

I'm thrilled that parkas are making a return to the fashion scene, and this year they're going to be more luxurious than ever before; as thankfully designers have not compromised the value of design aesthetics when taking into account the practical need of outer-wear. Altuzarra leads the way this season, teaming parkas with heels and sequined gowns for eveningwear practical-luxe. But my fave has to be Thakoon's retro red and blue checked number.

Spots were popping up everywhere on the catwalks. Stella McCartney opted for sequin-like discs embroidered onto sheer tulle dresses, whereas Marc Jacobs covered his models head to toe in spots, including gloves, hats and hosiery. Invest in a spot print dress for the office a la Vena Cava or pick up a few spot themed accessories to ease your way into this trend.

For evening wear the emphasis was on borrowed-from-the-boys tuxedos. Yves Saint Laurent's came in white with nothing underneath, other designers feminised the look by adding sequins to the trousers or teaming a cream silk shirts with statement black chokers.

Book Club - Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Much delayed but as promised, here's a review of one of my holiday reads, Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.

The novel begins with 23 year old Jacob Jankowski preparing to take his final exams as a veterinary student, when he receives the devastating news that his parents have been killed in a car accident. Soon after Jacob suffers an emotional break down and abandons University before he is able to graduate.

He jumps a train in the darkness of night, only to discover later it belongs to The Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. When the circus manager, Uncle Al, learns of Jacob's veterinary training he is hired to care for the circus animals. It is then that Jacob meets the beautiful performer Marlena and her charming but dangerously temperamental husband August.

The prose cuts between the months following his arrival at the circus and Jacob as an elderly man. These cuts are almost seemless, and added another dimension to an already exciting novel; though I did find the focus on the older Jacob less enthralling.

The theme of circus has never been one that appealed to me. Yet, Gruen's descriptions and dialogue create a magical, enchanted world that left me full of intrigue.There is also a sense of honesty to the writing. Gruen makes the reader aware that the circus of 1950s America was not all magic but a world of trickery, illusion and at times, even cruelty.

The writing is powerful, with a surprisingly uplifting sense of sentimentality - my eyes filled with tears within the first 30 pages. However, there is also humour in the novel, often in the most unexpected places. The drama was constant and absorbing, though I do wonder if there was too much to contain within the narrative and due to this some developments in the plot felt rushed and forced. For example, the romance between Jacob and Marlena.

Though an easy and enjoyable read, Gruen dealt with some serious themes including diseases of the mind, identity, animal cruelty and treatment of the elderly. These themes are incorporated into the plot of the novel so intelligently that they do not disrupt the flow of the story, yet are unmissable. There is a brilliantly varied cast of characters and friendships are developed beautifully through the prose. The ending is unexpected and original, though perhaps slightly abrupt.

I also found Gruen's author's notes particularly interesting to read. Discovering where the inspiration for the novel came from and what she learnt during her research gave fascinating insight to the novel as a whole.

I'm particularly keen to now see the film adaptation and can picture Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattison as well cast for the roles. I imagine the splendor of the circus will be conveyed even more spectacularly on screen and will be rather breath-taking to watch. Overall, this is an original, sad, hopeful and quick moving piece of fiction.

The Lust List...

Like most girls, I have a list of key items I want to add to my wardrobe - classics, that I'm willing to spend that little bit more on. Quite often these items stay on the list for some time, as I have a strong image of what I'm looking for and won't settle for anything else. Until recently, a pair of tan suede ankle boots with a low heel and a soft black leather jacket had been on mine. The boots were to be worn during the day with jeans and a rock tee, but also needed to be smart enough to dress up a mini for a night at the pub or even a spontaneous trip to a Motown club. The jacket, had to be a combination of soft draped leather to create an air of grown up glamour and sophistication, while sporting enough buckles to create a tough, urban vibe. Thanks to River Island, I can finally cross both off the list. There's a real sense of satisfaction when I find an item on the list, knowing that it will become a staple go-to in my wardrobe for a long time. I've already worn the boots to death, they turn out to be just as perfect for work as for play. And I can't wait for my jacket's first outing.

Recipes: Lemon and Rocket Risotto

Last Sunday evening I found myself with a little more spare time than usual, and a fancy to be creative in the kitchen. Low and behold my first attempt at making Risotto. I fell in love with the dish about a year ago, at a nearby Italian restaurant - and now rarely mediate away from that main when I revisit. Although it was mushroom risotto I originally tried, for my first risotto creation I opted for a lemon and rocket recipe - perfectly fresh and zingy for a hot summer night.

Ingredients (serves four):

Juice and zest of two lemons
Salt and freshly ground pepper
125g butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion (finely chopped)
1 garlic clove (crushed)
300g risotto rice
150ml white wine
750ml chicken stock
200g wild rocket
50g grated parmesan

Directions:

Heat 50g of the butter and olive oil in a pan, add the onion, garlic and lemon zest. Cook over a medium heat until soft. Add the rice and stir to coat in the onion and butter. After two minutes, when the pan is almost dry, add the wine and allow to boil for two minute, stirring constantly.

Add all the stock (a little at a time) and then the remaining butter, lemon juice, rocket and parmesan. Season with salt and pepper, and serve.

The Small Things

Two things that never fail to bring a smile to my face in recent weeks are this gold bracelet and new Bobbi Brown lipstick in Guava. On a trip to London I took a minor detour to the John Lewis beauty counter, with the intentions of treating myself to something a little bit special and different to my normal style. Numerous friends had started to rave none stop about Bobbi Brown products in the weeks leading up to my trip, so it seemed like the obvious place to start. As I never normally wear lipstick (I've always been a lip balm lady) I decided to invest in something bright and fresh, that wouldn't fail to make me feel that extra bit special and glammed up from the moment I applied it. Guava does just that.
This gold bracelet was an love at first sight item. I love the fact that it looks like an item you would find at a little Spanish market, and has that summer, holiday vibe to it. Yet, at the same time there is something quite subtle and elegant about it - most likely because it is a thin rather than chunky chain. It does often get mistaken by friends and family as a watch, but hey, that's all part of the charm.

A bit of Vintage

For absolutely ages I have been searching for a magazine rack. I knew exactly what I wanted and was hesitant to stray far from the image in my mind’s eye. Black, metal, wire curling and spiralling to create a vintage style look.

I’m thrilled to say that after months of searching, and having to put up with piles of Marie Claire and InStyle cluttering my floor, I have finally found the perfect one.

Originally I'd planned to paint this black when it arrived. I thought it would give me an opportunity to be a bit creative, and I always like the idea that I have a piece that is a little bit different. However, within moments of opening the parcel I decided I loved the rack in the slightly chipped, rustic white shade. It adds a little bit of vintage, romantic styling to the room.

A conversation starter

On a trip to a Spanish market in the old capital of Teguise, my friends and I came across a stall full of quirky and original clocks. The gentleman who ran it used old wine and spirit bottles (everything from Martini to Gordan's Gin to Absolut Vodka), flattened them and added a clock battery and hands to create a modern, statement piece. My friends and I ummed and arghed over which to buy, and I ended up purchasing one Jack Daniels bottle, as a gift to my brother, and the last of the pink champagne bottles as a gift to myself. I stood and watched as the bottles became clocks, and was even given the option of the colour hands I wanted (I opted for silver). I’m particularly pleased with the outcome – the clock looks great on the wall and is entirely different to any clock I’ve seen before.

Book Club - The Crimson Rooms by Katharine McMahon

A little bit eerie, unconventional characters, perceptive descriptions, authentic settings and elaborate plot twists; I give you The Crimson Rooms by Katharine McMahon.

This novel follows Evelyn, one of Britain's first female solicitors, in the years after the first World War. Evelyn is still struggling to come to terms with the death of her younger and much beloved brother James, and her world is thrown into further disarray when Meredith arrives at her home claiming to have been James' lover and the mother of his child. Things are not straight-forward in her professional life either. Evelyn is constantly battling against the disapproval of male judges and finds herself caught up in two complicated cases.

This novel is thoroughly impressive. It deals with serious themes from shell shock and feminism to justice and truth. I see no reason why it could not end up on a course list for study purposes. Yet, it never loses the suspense and edge of mystery that keeps a reader intrigued throughout a good detective novel (which in-sorts this is).

Intelligently written, the narrative voice is quite unlike one I have read before; strong, confiding, captivating, but in no way an effortless read.

There are various twists and turns that make this a fascinating story, and leave me keen to read more of McMahon's work. If it is anything like this novel, it will be original and intelligently written. Intriguing and thought provoking.