middle aged madness

I've just finished a booked called Mutton by India Knight. I really enjoyed it and must admit to giggling quite a few times whilst reading. It's a story of a 46 year old divorced mother of three who starts to question what's 'age appropriate' when you're in your 40s. I am a little embarrassed at how much I related to this book, which is essentially an honest exploration of what it means to be a female hitting 'middle age' and what happens when the builders stop whistling at you, lines start to appear on your face and you start to question what you can wear so that you still look cool without being 'mutton'.

This book resonated with me because it's a strange phase of life that I'm currently journeying into. I'm not really 'young' anymore, and while I'm totally okay with that, I am actually quite content and happy with myself, I don't want to be 'old'.  At some point in the next decade, no matter how fit and healthy, I will cross that line of looking middle aged, and I admit I don't like the prospect of becoming invisible. But then again I don't want to become obsessed with looking great no matter what cost. 

Once again, as always, it's all about balance isn't it? About being happy with yourself and surrounding yourself with honest, like minded people who 'get' you and your quirks and just enjoy the here and now and making the most of what you have.

pregnancy no no

No I'm certainly not pregnant. And this isn't a mumsy blog. But I have to tell you, I was truly shocked by something I saw the other day, outside my local shopping centre, as I walked back to my car.

So shocked that I couldn't help but stare with a confused, horrified, disgusted look on my face (oh dear I'm turning into an old hag who looks like she's sucking on a sour sweet). There was a young lady (well younger than me) massively, heavily, stomach strainingly, about to pop any minute pregnant, walking along with her partner - sucking on a cigarette! I mean deep drags, filling her lungs like her life depended on it. She saw me. I couldn't look away. She enjoyed seeing my horror struck face, so she took another long drag and blew the smoke in my direction!

Who does that? It's 2013. We know better. Who smokes (in broad sunny day public), without a care in the world while pregnant?! I'm sorry but what a skank. No excuses. 

mid life tantrums

Do you suffer from tantrums? I do. I had one this morning. After spending a lovely restlessful couple of hours, reading, topping up my tan by the pool. I came inside for lunch, discovered my first born had been reading all morning and outspewed a rant about homework and deadlines and getting your priorities right (like a bloody broken record). Then I accidentally knocked the cheesy biscuits tin off the side of the kitchen counter and we both stood in silence for a moment, staring at the broken biscuits all over the floor, waiting for my reaction to come... would it be nice mummy or horrible mummy?

My thoughts were, one, take a deep breath, laugh, say, "Opps silly mummy!" and sweep them up. Two, erupt. I chose two. I couldn't contain it. Really, I couldn't. And out it came! Wooosh! Nasty, childish, horrible words and accusations and fault blaming. All directed at my clever, polite, sweet, but not-as-on-top-of-his-assignments-as-he-could-be, boy. Oh dear. I've said it before, but sometimes I do think I should of just stuck to raising cats... 

summer sandals

Ummm. I like the sandals a lot. They're $769 from Saint Laurent. Perfect for summer. Ummm. I want.

today I am wearing...

 

I really like playsuits (hate the name, sounds like something a baby or a Playboy Bunny would wear), they are perfect for casual summer wear. I got this one yesterday at Cotton On for $19.95.  It's soft and light and comfy. I'll wear it a lot over the sunny season.

There are some really lovely ones around in the shops, casual or smart, and thankfully not all of them are designed for 12 year olds - by that I mean, so short that you need legs like a supermodel to wear one.




Cotton On Cuban Strappy Playsuit $19.95



Cotton On Potty Playsuit $19.95

Cotton On Cuban Playsuit $19.95

Cotton On Cuban Playsuit $19.95

 

Portmans Kendal Playsuit $89.95

Portmans Hayley Jumpsuit $89.95



wheels & dollbaby

I rather like these dresses by Sydney brand Wheels & Dollbaby. Very classic hourglass retro. The models aren't my 'cup of tea' (a bit too much porn star / biker chic vibe for me), but the dresses are lovely.



Ponti Supper Club Dress $195



Classic Corset Dress $395



Classic Bra Dress $260





Classic Corset Print Dress $335



nymphomaniac

Actors showing us their orgasmic faces to promote Lars Von Thier's new movie Nymphomaniac (Lars produced the controversial film Idiots in 98). Very effective and intriguing. I like them. I like the simple design of the images. The posters combined with Shia LaBeouf telling MTV News that the A Lister's would engage in real sex for the camera, has resulted in a lot of media coverage about this movie (it turns out they have cast porn actors for the real sex bits). 

So where do you stand on actual sex in movies, mainstream movies, not porn...? By that I mean proper movies that have story lines but also real sex scenes, rather than films just about the sex.

I'm undecided. No. Actually I think it's unnecessary. It turns a film, however good/arty the story into a porn film. Just a more 'high brow' one. It complicates the film and in some cases feels wrong, like you're perving on someone's most intimate moments. I feel it also crosses some kind of line with the actor too. Do we really need to see someone famous getting off whilst 'acting'?

I really enjoyed Caligula, the film starring Peter O'Toole, Helen Mirren and Malcolm McDowell. I first saw the uncut version in Amsterdam in the early 90s. A good film, but with porno bits and a big mass orgy.

And, 9 Songs, the 2006 film which features sex, masturbation, oral and ejaculation. A story about a normal couple and their relationship. Again, a good film, but it's still porn really. Would the film have even made headlines if it didn't have explicit footage? And I've never seen the actors in anything else.    

There have been a few others too, mainly European, but the English ones, you may have heard of include, Romance, Intimacy, Shortbus, Ken Park, and of course, Brown Bunny featuring Chloe Sevigny giving a blow job...(totally over rated!).

Maybe I'm just getting old, but I think some things are better left to your imagination. I find the subject of sex immensely fascinating and I am not anti porn at all (although there are limits and boundaries) but, I think in film, it's just to get attention.