hot fuzz?



What a very pretty, little thing...

Charlotte Free

What do you think when you look at this photo?
Do you want to lick it or do you loathe it?

As you know I love the celebrity photographer Terry Richardson.  I love this simple, slightly sleazy portfolio.  He loves women and looks like he'd be a laugh.

Today he posted pics of super cool fashion model Charlotte Free, famous for her pink hair and alternative style.  Favoured by designers like Vivienne Westwood and regularly booked by Vogue, who love her perfectly proportioned 5'7 frame and rebellious edge. 

There is no denying she is a natural beauty.  But what do you think of the underarm hair, and while we're on the subject, pubic hair?

It's an old debate, I know.  It's perfectly acceptable on men, but not on women.  How do you feel about a gorgeous model with hair?  Is it a turn off, or a little kinky?  Is okay for her, but not your partner? 

Personally I like a bit of pube.  Those days of slipping your hand down someones waistband and feeling the coarse fuzz which leads to... It's sexy.  And I just couldn't be with a man who is smoother than me.  Call me old fashioned, but I like a bit of hair on a man.  Although, that said I don't like chest hair. At all.  And obviously back hair is a total no-no.

So guys and gals - what are your thoughts? Where do you stand on body hair?


Source www.terrysdiary.com

magazines to inspire...

There are so many truly beautiful magazines out there, and so many incredibly talented people. I could spend hours browsing through gorgeous pictures. It must be amazing to work with such brilliant, creative people, constantly surrounded by stimulating ideas and passionate voices.

Today I had a look at Vaga Magazine, a biannual, New York based fashion, art and culture title, with cool interviews and lots of beautiful photography.

Take a look at the magazine here

This feature, called Snooze, really caught my eye. I love the intimate mood and colour of these pictures, by photographer Luca Bellumore.

Source and all images Vaga Magazine

about the boy...

Let me just say, before I continue, I do not lust over teenage boys. I still have a preference for (slightly) older men. I do not relish the idea of teaching a young boy new tricks even if they are passionate and eager. But...

For the first time, this weekend, I was quite literally lost for words, just for a few minutes, when faced with a 17 year old boy wearing only very low rise shorts. I just stood there open mouthed, looking at his incredibly fit, smooth body. Blimey. Gulp. Wow. I'd never noticed before... I mentally shook myself and peeled my eyes away, for fear of offending the boy's mother, who I was chatting to (at the time), who I'm sure noticed my slow appreciative look up and down... Flip!  Have I turned into one of those sad, old ladies? A co co cou - no! I refuse to use the C word, I hate it, it's offensive ( BTW, I much prefer the real C word, that one doesn't offend me at all, in fact I like it).  For the first time it really hit me how old I am and that I will never have my hands on that youthful loveliness again. 



Boys, boys, boys...





Okay - he's not a boy, but... not bad, not bad  at all!

low maintenance make up...



This pot lasted 11 years

I wish I could get excited by beauty products and make up... but it's something that I've never gotten into.  Should I blame my mum cause she didn't (still doesn't) possess a huge make up collection and teach me how to use it all?  My mum did sell Avon for a year or two when I was little and I loved playing 'Ding Dong Avon Ladies' with my friends, playing with all the samples and testers, but for some reason the make up bug didn't rub off on me. I have never enjoyed the feeling of lots of make up on my face...

I don't read hair and beauty articles. I have never had a facial, a make up session or wax. I don't ogle new lipstick shades or hair products. I only own one eye liner, a mascara and a set of eye shadow (actually this I stole from my daughter's kiddie set) and I hate lipstick - the way it feels and tastes (sludge). 

I have very basic needs. My lips are serviced twice a day, from my trusty pot of Vaseline (the last pot lasted for 11 years), I use Simple face moisturiser and only buy a new mascara once a year.  My only indulgence is body cream (actually that's a fib, I buy whatever is on special as long as it smells nice).  But I love moisturiser and cover myself in it every day.  A dear friend of mine bought me some Aesop body cream for my birthday years ago and I admit it was divine.  But I was too much of a tight wad to spend $60 on a new pot when it ran out, so back to Vaseline, Dove or Garnier I went...

Occasionally I have a quick wander past the make up counters (on the way to shoes) to see if if stirs up a dormant longing, but then I just wince at the prices. 

So my question is this.  Am I the only woman in the world who doesn't care about make up?  Now I'm getting on a bit, should I change my ways and learn how to apply a bit of slap and blend colours?

The Aesop range smells nice

could you adopt a child?

New mum Charlize is on the cover of the May issue of British Vogue. She looks stunning in this gorgeous ice blue Versace dress and pointy Jimmy Choo nude stilettos. Very Grace Kelly. One very classy lady.

In the article, Charlize talks briefly about new adopted baby son Jackson, "Jackson is incredible, the greatest gift. He is the coolest kid ever." Adding, "I’ve always been very honest in saying I wanted a family. I’ve always known I wanted a family. I don’t think my mom could wait any more!"

Whenever I hear about celebrities adopting babies I am filled with mixed emotions. It's such a wonderful thing to do, taking an unwanted child and providing it with a loving, nurturing home, with the best money can buy. But I also think about friends of mine who adopted a baby and how I felt when their dream came true... I read their email and felt so happy for them, but also surprised that I felt slightly repulsed by the idea - just being handed a baby and expected to instantly love it.  It made me ask myself if I could adopt a child?  And I just don't think I could.  I don't know if I could just switch on love for an adopted child, and could I ever love it as much as my own?  When you go through pregnancy and birth you have already bonded with your baby, you can't wait to meet him or her, you are consumed by feelings of wanting to protect and love your child no matter what, and give them the best you can.  But a stranger, one that isn't part of you? I'm not so sure. I guess maybe over time...or by the time you've been through the gruelling adoption process.

Katherine Heigl has recently spoken of her initial heartbreak after adopting Naleigh, "People are always talking about the strong bond between mother and daughter, this magical connection - but we didn't have that. (It was) the hardest time in my life... I fought incredibly hard for my daughter to accept me as her mother. Her rejection almost broke my heart."

Another complication - could you love a child that doesn't love back straight away?  One of the key questions raised in the novel We Need to Talk About Kevin, and the impact that it can potentially have on both mother and child...

Angelina and Mia Farrow (and Diane Keaton, Sharon Stone, Sheryl Crow, Hugh Jackman...) are certainly role models when it comes to proving how wonderful and fulfilling adopting a child can be.

 

 

Maybe it's different if you are rich, or don't have your own kids yet, or if it's the only way you can have them.  Or you feel sorry for them, have an over whelming sense of saving a child form a uncertain future.  Maybe other people are more honourable and maternal than me...

I guess, those that do choose to adopt, do so for all the right reasons. And as long as a child is being loved and cared for none of the other stuff matters.

British Vogue May issue

Image Patrick Demarchelier, W Magazine Dec 2010.  I LOVE this photo!

not bad for a ranga

Talking of Shortcuts (see previous post), the brilliant 1993 Robert Altman movie... 


Whenever I think about the film, I always picture the scene where Julianne Moore argues for ages (with her husband), without her knickers on!  I can't help it. 


I think, it stuck in my mind because I'd never seen ginger pubes before, and I found it quite fascinating (yes, I still have the mind of a 13 year old boy at times).  I also admired the way Julianne could act so brilliantly, knowing everyone would be staring at her undercarriage!


So here are a few pics of the beautiful Julianne Moore, she's gorgeous and a flippin good actress!

Yep - this is what I think of when I remember the movie Shortcuts!

Karl Lagerfeld's 2011 Pirelli calendar shot of Julianne

A classic beauty (even if she is ginger).

the photshop debate

There is so much said (online and in the press) about the use of Photoshop to re-touch and perfect images used in the media.  It doesn't really bother me I have to say.  I like to look at beautiful pictures.  There is a time and place for raw, real imagery, but there is also a place for making something look as good as it can be.  In fashion, for example, bring it on!  The photography should push boundaries and look incredible, as should the models.  I don't want to see their pimples or blotches. 

Cate Blanchett is being applauded for appearing on the cover of Intelligent Life as she really is - no airbrushing.  Good on her!  With just a little light make up and the perfect lighting she is gorgeous, and the tiny lines on her face give her depth and beauty. 

But I think the main message on the subject is this - be realistic. Know the difference between reality and art/fantasy/fashion. Who cares if Kate Winslet's bum is airbrushed - would you really prefer to see the dimpled skin?

Our kids? They should be brought up to realise the difference of what is real and what is not.  Have confidence in who they are, flaws and all.  And come on! Don't take the things too seriously!

Image: Cate Blanchett, Intelligent Life/The Economist

Image: Kate Winslet inside Vanity Fair 2008