Hamilton Courtney

Break From Blogging

2010-03-05T18:08:00.006Z

i still hope that at some point in the future i will return to blogspot,

however it's unlikely to be anytime soon.

in the meantime i can be contacted via:

www.twitter.com/p_courtney

apologies to anyone who may once of read/enjoyed my blog.

sjparker! update.

2010-02-20T00:02:00.004Z

For those of you who have read a previous blog entry i wrote on Sarah Jessica Parker being named by Maxim the "Unsexiest Woman Alive" i have further evidence from the first episode of season four of sex & the city that she is infact, stunning:

This particular scene, in which she models for Dolce & Gabbana in a charity fashion show, took my breath away. Gorgeous Sarah, Over & Out!

Ps Playlist:
Lady Gaga - So happy i could die & Dance in the Dark
Gwen Stefani - Early Winter
Seal - A Kiss from a Rose

Amanda Lepore

2010-02-16T09:37:00.003Z

Need i say anymore? Over & Out.

Luxurious Mini Treats For those Who Matter

2010-02-13T11:00:00.013Z

Do you know someone with discerning taste? Ever desired to treat someone to something a touch more prestigious than Cadbury's? Wanted to do this on an average Budget?

I assume we all have at one point or another, so here i have outlined a selection of gifts under £100 that i would be thrilled to receive, the type which would make me well up in tears at how well you know me!

Food Stuffs:

Charbonnel & Walker Milk Praline Bar - £3.50

These small, but perfectly formed and elitely packaged chocolate bars, serve as a small treat for the taste connoisseur on a diet.

French Macaron (Not to be confused with Macaroon)

Above: A Selection of Macarons shown with other gastronomic delights from baker Piere Herme, & a bitten into macaron

These Tasty meringue-like tea cakes originate in france, and are similar to there macaroon counterparts, but can be flavoured with almost anything, from peach to champagne.

Jewellery:

Vivienne Westwood Purple Heart Orb Necklace - £70

Although no precious metals are used, it certainly has a glamourousness to it doesn't it? Available from Liberty's.

Gucci Ring with interlocking G - £100

I tried this ring on in Goldsmith's Jewellers, and it was gorgeous, i have a feeling the price may have increased since then, but i hope not. it should be available from the Gucci online store

Beauty:

Rodial Glamoxy Snake Serum - £125

Okay, a tad more than the £100 limit i said, but apparently it really works? The details are on the Rodial Website.

Balenciaga Paris eau de Parfum - £42.00 - £72.00

Exclusive to Harvey Nichols , this classic and chic fragrance is every bit as couture as it's makers.

All of the gifts on this guide have been selected for their prestige, or luxurious kitchness, hope they appeal as much to you as they do to me! Over & Out

Antik Batik Walice

2010-02-13T10:47:00.006Z

The Antik Batik Walice sequined evening gown, found on Net-A-Porter is one of the most dazzling dresses i have seen in a long time, I'm quite certain you'll approve, provided you share my love of boat necklines, and backlessness...

Sadly, these pictures do not do the red carpet gown enough justice

The piece, which as far as i am aware is no longer available, had a last clearance price of £580. Over & Out.

l'hotel & Tea!

2010-02-12T18:32:00.013Z

Last Night i was wandering around the vast expanse of the Internet, and found myself looking at a lot of hotels, a few alluringly green-eye making rooms..

Two Suite bedrooms at a Hotel in Thailand, noted for it's privacy.

The Sitting room of the Second Floor Piano Suite at Claridges & The Grand Bathroom of the Belle Etoile Suite at Hotel Le Meurice in Paris.

On the subject of fabulous hotels, when staying at an upper crust establishment in Great Britain, how could you possibly consider your stay complete without at least once sampling the British institution of Afternoon Tea. It is, of course most famous at the Ritz, however many other great establishments offer it such as the famous food-orientated department store Fortnum & Masons, Claridges (The Hotel pictured above) Harrods, & Liberty & Co.

Above: Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason's St James Restaurant & another example of High Tea
I Simply adore the elegant, thinly sliced sandwiches and delicately appetising dessert cakes. I hope to soon be visiting one of these stunning establishments, and indulging in my own partaking in this British Rite of Passage! Over & Out

loving..

2010-02-12T18:21:00.003Z

This elegantly beautiful Emilio Pucci balloon sleeved jacket. Found on TheOutNet.com, a twee little site which sells designer clothes from a couple of seasons ago, at drastically reduced prices, think up to 80% off Chloe, Pucci, Fendi and Alexander McQueen (Grab his stuff up while you can, it'll be bound to inflate in value)

Inspiringly elegant, it conjours up images of first class aeroplane tickets, five star hotels, and women pulling black wheeled-suitcases. If you're reading this belle, it's perfect for you, and retails at £396 slashed from £881, Over & Out!

R.I.P MCQ

2010-02-12T16:24:00.002Z

I Proudly state my deepest sympathy for the loss of one

of the greatest men of his generation.

RIP LEE ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

something about them, & japanese art

2010-02-06T15:46:00.007Z

Above: Daphne Guinness, Corrine Bailey Rae, Keri Hilson, Helena Bonham Carter
One's a Fashionista, The middle two are singers and the last an actress, but don't you think theres something unusually impressive about them all? None of them are classically beautiful, and yet they keep you looking at there photo's for literally minutes
(doesn't sound impressive, but who looks at photos of celebrities for more than a few seconds usually?)
___________________________________

Artistic Japan

Above: "Great Bridge, Sudden Shower At Atake" by Utagawa Hiroshige, "Mizuame" By Audrey Kawasaki
It has been pointed out by close friends that, when it comes to art, i tend to identify strongly with my half oriental roots. It is not so much a love of Asia, but more a love of the simplistic, timeless elegance and creative freedom which seems to run parallel to the fussiness of western art.
In my room, i have a print of the above Kawasaki piece, the ethereal imagery something i doubt i shall ever grow tired of.
So Yes, in a way i do often choose the east over the west, but then they do so many things, so much better, having said that, i thank my lucky stars I'm half English and have grown up here, Over & Out!

Ps, Playlist:
Madonna - Drowned World/ Substitute for love
Grace Jones - This is
Saint Etienne - Only Love can Break your heart

dannii minogue on glamour

2010-02-06T12:18:00.005Z

Miss Minogue looks stunningly beautiful on the cover of March's Glamour Mag.

I just love her! and was thrilled to hear about her pregnancy. Congratulations

I was supposed to go shopping today, and gym tomorrow, but having suffered from a slight bout of illness i don't know if my body shall allow me. On a more cheeful note though, i did purchase a new chair a couple of nights ago, Have a Gander!

It's called the "Moulin Noir Night Chair" and retails at around £200, Over & Out!

hermes journal

2010-02-02T17:54:00.004Z

As next September looms heavily in the distance, am i embracing the prospects of new friends, fresh starts and the beginning of my future? Am i concerned over the multitude of new deadlines that comes with the coursework pumped subjects i have chosen? No
I am agonising over my Septemer Term Present (bought in june) which this year, is going to be an Hermès Journal...

Shown here: Above: Globetrotter in Yellow & Orange Calf Skin, Below: Vision in Orange, Plum & Yellow Calfskin
Theres about 20 other colour choices, and the option of Goat skin, or instore-ostrich.
Decisions Decisions! Over & Out

Ps, Playlist:
- Ryuichi Sakamoto - Happy Christmas Mr Lawrence
- Kate Bush - Somewhere in Between
- All About Eve - Martha's Harbour

stuff of dreams

2010-01-31T19:32:00.006Z

Deep on a rugged hill, in southwest Bavaria, Germany the looming fairytail palace Neuschwanstein Castle can be located. I will either:

- Get Married There
- Live there
- Visit there...

Just look at it.

Calliopeia's Palace - To some of you, that will mean alot! Over & Out.

lanvin improves on..

2010-01-29T16:28:00.008Z

So, having received a lot of negative feedback on the aforementioned Ugg Byron. I attempted to find a specimen more agreeable with the critical collective. I turned up the following:

There Lanvin deck shoes, and retail at £275, steeper than the £80 for the Uggs, Worth it?
__________________________________________
Science often draws to the forefront of civilisation cutting edge, modernistic and instrumental ideas to the advancement of human knowledge, However today in science we ignored the coverwork and wrote eulogies & lists of three celebs for desert island shipwreck company, Mine were as follows:

Joanna Lumley
Arthur Pendragon (Bradley James)
Dannii Minogue OR Alan Rickman (yet to decide)

Just look at her enjoying life!

When freedom, conviction & exuberance form a spirit so full of human warmth, people like Sorcha are given to us. I have considered it both an honour and a curse to have known her, while the light she projected settled as a glow upon our hearts, her integrity left us questioning our own perspectives & beliefs, in ways opening our vistas to wider enlightenment.
Together, we all recognise a snuffer has flickered out one of the most shining entities in our lives, and eternally we shall wish for it's reignition.
There will be more food around though, Over & Out!

adorable cream attire

2010-01-23T23:24:00.004Z

This is Sheryl she's a blogger, and i regularly scan my eyes over her posts, this ensemble particularly caught my attention

She can be located here at her page, "Beneath the crystal stars"

In the photo montage she posted of this shoot, there was a romantic use of forestry aesthetic, it had something of a "Little Red Riding Hood" atmosphere, albeit in cream. Over & Out!

marina & the diamonds

2010-01-21T19:12:00.005Z

I'm really feeling "Hollywood" by m&tds, her voice is unusually "deep-soft"

& im also vaguely adoring these shoes...

Yes, that is a pair of Ugg Byrons and no my principles and beliefs have not been blown into oblivion. i really do like them. When putting together a fresh updated summer wardrobe, you're allowed to try new combinations. Deck shoes & Uggly boots are not something i would have thought of before! Over & Out

VB & Her Birkins.

2010-01-18T19:22:00.008Z

Victoria Beckham is notorious for cracking and promoting many designers most prodigious and unusual pieces, from the sizable shoulder pads of Balmain, to sporting a full scale espionage outfit, complete with ankle length leather coat. Because of these edgy choices, many have pondered her fetish over the elusive, illustrious and slightly old fashioned 'Hermès Birkin'. In my mind, her motives behind constantly convoying a Birkin around with her are quite recognizable. She herself, has no discernible prestige, class or legacy to her, and by owning the world's most comprehensive collection of the bag, in some manner she can attach her personal nothingness to the glory of the Birkin. Not to mention Hermès are cashing in big time on her penchant for one in every colour.

All images of VB & her Bags, notice not one is the same colour.
Conceived in 1984 on a Paris to London flight and named after the singer & actress Jane Birkin who commissioned it, this elegantly refined classic has outlived almost all other "it bags" and continues to be as sought after today as when it was originally released, with waiting lists extending up to four annums. I think anyone with even the vaguest interest in fashion, should be truly ashamed if this iconic masterpiece is not firmly registered in there mental vista.

Along with the Dior Samourai, (recently updated by the genius Galliano) I would single the Birkin out as one of the most timeless and majestic bags of all time, it is certainly on every bourgeoisie Girl's wishlist. Over & Out!

Nicola Roberts.

2010-01-17T18:01:00.006Z

It never ceases to bamboozle me, as to why Nicola Roberts of Girls Aloud is continuously referred to as "the ugly one". I view her porcelain like skin, and soft strawberry hair as the highest degree of elegance a comrade of a girlband could possibly be.

That shade of red, is the most beautiful i have ever seen, Over & Out!

heavenly fudge.

2010-01-15T22:16:00.006Z

Today, after having felt extreme fatigue due to a severe lack of sugar, i chowed down on a remarkably special brand of Fudge, deriving from 'Penrith' in Cumbria. Made to a secret hundred year aged recipe, the fudge has delighted food critics across the country, causing them to declare:

"It's difficult to describe the sensation of eating the fudge... it's absolutely amazing"
In Britain Magazine
"Would you believe that there is a fudge so good that strong men weep if deprived of it and otherwise scrupulous women creep through darkened rooms at dead of night to steal another morsel?"
Harpers & Queen

While the packaging is not at all elaborate, the fudge is wrapped fetchingly in tissue paper, & as i'm doubtless the quotes above convey to you, it is mouthwateringly, heartwrenchingly delicious, Over & Out!

im feeling velour.

2010-01-14T22:10:00.004Z

Okay, okay. I'm aware that velour the budget alternative to velvet is less than swanky, however, don't we all a deserve a little Juicy C inspired fluffiness? Here i present a crushed cotton delight from none other than the big T. (that would be topman)

& some nifty hi-tops derived from the acessories collective at Gucci.
What singles them apart is one is £10 and the other is £365 - im considering both, Over & Out.

marilyn monroe lookalike!

2010-01-13T23:22:00.007Z

She's an acquaintance, or friend of a friend of mine who is really quite foxy, im certain you'll agree, a definate centrefold appeal.

Versatile and edgey, it's really no marvel as to why she was scouted.

And those pins are fabulous aswell! Over & Out

the masquerade hunt!

2010-01-12T19:25:00.009Z

'Masquerade' is quite feasibly one of the most charmingly beautiful children's books of the past century. Written and illustrated by Kit Williams (an English artist & author born in 1946) the book contains mysterious clues leading to "somewhere in England" at which point, a successful clue hunter would find an 18kt golden hare. It was not until thirty years after the story was published that the treasure was finally discovered.

Above: Masquerade, The Golden Hare, One of Kit's artworks, The Wishing Fish Clock
I consider Williams's work to have a certain unplaceable magic to it, he was one of the first to cultivate a more fetch style of illustration into full scale artworks and laid the groundwork for many artists to come. Over & Out!

heather mills - new look

2010-01-11T18:26:00.012Z

Towards the conclusion of the past decade, one Lady Muck was vilified over any other - Heather Mills McCartney. I never personally comprehended the outrage opposing her, she gave the appearance of one's standard goldigger; not really in my eyes a position deserving to be entitled "most hated woman in Britain". Her divorce over, she's moving forwards and has since appeared on 'Dancing with the stars' and currently participates in 'Dancing on Ice'. Both these shows require an abundance of physical groundwork and I commend her for undertaking it considering the predicament she is in.

The new look makes her seem older, but distinctly classier and more high fashion, i love it! Over & Out.

just give me it, alexander mcqueen.

2010-01-10T21:34:00.008Z

Isabella Blow did us all a paramount favour in discovering McQueen. This handsome coat, arising out of his recent F/W2009 menswear collection had me bewitched from the instance my eyes swept over it on the Browns website.

Despairingly, Browns has withdrawn it from their coats section. I'll be longing over it forever more! Over & Out

Versace Bedroom Furniture - Please!

2010-01-09T17:48:00.006Z

Earlier this evening while glancing over my laptop at 'Come dine with me' i noted a PR girl contestant had in her possession a Palazzo Versace console & mirror, which intrigued me into Versace's home furnishings line. I'd seen cushions and ceramics before but had no idea this clan of designer devas composed these...

I desperately want the above bedroom set, however retailing at over $145,000,00 it's tragically beyond my means. Treat me? Over & Out!

Lucio Fontana

2010-01-08T18:42:00.007Z

Lucio Fontana was a painter and sculptor born in 1899 at Rosario, Argentina. The child of Italian Argentine parents, he is largely notable as the founder of Spatialism. Undoubtedly, one of his most celebrated pieces is 'Concetto Spaziale, La Fine di Dio'

Completed in 1963, the piece is noted for it's forward thinking and proficiency to hit different dimensions through the artist's use of texture and his incorporation of the wall behind into the artwork.
For sale in February through a Contemporary art auction at Southeby's, if you think it should be adorning your wall, start saving because price is on application. Over & Out!

Raw Pepsi Drink

2010-01-07T17:29:00.008Z

Today i investigated a new cola drink from Pepsi. Co called 'Raw'. It contains absolutely no artificial ingredients. The drink comes in very tasteful packaging and the can is a warm shade of copper. I believe it is also attainable in a glass bottle.

Usually, im not a great follower of carbonated soft drinks, however this one has me on board. Harbouring natural cane sugar, apple extract and caramel - it has a very pleasant, slightly caramelly flavour and a heart note of something botanical. The fizz is mild, and tickles the top of your throat, rather than making you wince, though at 98 calories a can, it is certainly a treat to be had in moderation! Over & Out.
VTYCWTR9EZ6Z

Snowomen or Snowsluts?

2010-01-06T19:13:00.014Z

Severe weather refuses to cease it's grip over the British isles and persists in wreaking havoc for the transport and education systems. Not to worry though, it's allowed us all an extra sunrise-to-sunset off for the mature endeavor of snowman-making.
Here is my friend DP and my efforts:

(Sisters, Lorraine 2 days & Bunty 1 day enjoy posing in the gardens of middle england)
Clearly, neither sister is as conservative as her creator.
I stand by the quote "Snow is a magical thing, that covers all that is ugly and makes everything beautiful" My garden looks particularly magical in these conditions, so does the neighbour's.

We've another day off tomorrow, perfect for a glacial lie-in with my new fur quilt.
________________________________
A Warming Broth...
With all the bitter arctic weather, my mother decided it fit to rustle up some tasty asian dishes, both of which are the east's answer to 'Junk Food'

The first pictured here is a Thai version of the asian classic Rice Congee, known as 'Jok' it has the consistancy of a very watery porridge - think asian broth - and when mixed with fish & oyster sauce, (similar to soy sauce) white pepper and hot chilli powdered flakes is an absolutely mouthwatering treat. Bowl No. 2 contains your classic stir fried noodles. Both are healthier, and tasty alternative's to a chinese takeaway, Over & Out!

SJPARKER!

2010-01-05T23:48:00.012Z

In a recent (men's magazine - snort!) poll, our chosen city girl of choice, Mrs SJP was voted the "Unsexiest Woman Alive". In my eyes this is a shameless dig at our girl Carrie and holds no truth, after all she still retains 12.5 million worth of advertising contracts dependent entirely on her face & fame.

"Being voted unsexiest woman alive hurt so much" says Parker, 44
i give you a plethora of plebeians, who only desire to help me confirm my point.

(it's hard to concieve these four are actually alive somewhere)
I can only imagine this is a bid for publicity from 'Maxim' not a publication noted for it's articles.
You know what Sarah? you laugh at them girl, you laugh all the way to the bank, Over & Out!

new year's lunch diversity & the rainforest

2010-01-04T20:41:00.015Z

I have a slight reputation for being a bit of a food snob, and so was a little hesitant at the contrastingly different combination of our New Year's Lunch. The menu was as follows, both prepared by my father:

Appetizer: East Indian Mulligatawny Soup
Entrée: Lobster with Salmon Roe, accompanied by marinated tomatos and grilled baguette with Palma ham.

Mulligatawny soup was a thick, spicy and exotic blend, with cumin and coriander flavours coming through predominantly. Despite being a fiery soup it was rich and creamy and all together very enjoyable.

The Lobster and Salmon Roe went beautifully together, and all the flavours on the plate complemented each other nicely, i'd of liked the lobster a little softer myself but no one else seemed to be finding fault. An Impressive, simple, and completely palatable Entrée.

The two dishes although different, worked reasonably well together and i would recommend this combination - it was far nicer than many meals i've had in established restaurants.
________________________________
Coursework, again...

and it involves the "living rainforest" (load of old nonsense if you ask me) Primary sources are the most monotonous part of any art project, and involve photographing vexatious things and then creating vexatious studies of them. Today i braved the icy weather to photograph bamboo in my Garden.
As you can see my hands were extremely cold and pink!
I'm rather pleased with my jungle photo, considering it was taken in a slightly more avant garde area of a very classical english country garden.
That's the round up for the first day back from holidays, Over & Out.

Round up of noughties fashion

2010-01-03T18:00:00.012Z

The new millienium brought the end of the monstrosity that was 90s style, and with it came the extremities and glamour of the 2000s.
The fashion community was gifted by god with the likes of John Galliano (my personal favourite) who gave us romantic delights like these..

..and discovered by the late Isabella Blow - Alexander McQueen

Topshop held reign over the highstreet, which with the help of Kate catapulted skinny jeans to superstardom, where even the fattest girls where squeezing into them and their new choice of footwear, the dreaded Ugg. Boy's weren't left out either, they were given the versatile but boring Checked Shirt, (which incidently was also famed by Topshop's brother, Topman) and everyone could indulge in the newest fashion phenomenon - The Prep Set - made up of a mixture of social climbing "fashion houses" including Jack Wills, (not a real person) Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister.
In celebrity culture many women have made their mark, not least Lady Gaga, La Beckham & Von Teese.

There's the Lady, in a mirrored creation, Victoria, butchering one of fashion's great legacys - The Hermès Birkin, and attempting to rock the coveted balmain blazer, lastly Dita in her Westwood wedding dress.
The decade's fashion, has without doubt done what the rest of our culture has - shed it's inhibitions and gone outrageous, whether that means splendour or catastrophe depends entirely on who's sporting it. Can't wait to see what the next ten years has install for us! Over & Out.

Teesha Moore - Coursework

2010-01-03T00:40:00.009Z

Previously i mentioned i had coursework, i'm lucky in that alot of it's just constructing pretty pictures. Below you can see four painfully low quality photographs of said work i have done, taken on a phone they have lost alot of substance.
The pieces i've posted are studies of a fledgling artist - Teesha Moore - who i chose as inspiration for my current project. www.teeshamoore.com is where you can see the originals. Anyway, i have a Quail wrapped in palma ham with my name on it so, Over & Out!

that party i mentioned

2010-01-01T16:36:00.008Z

it was lovely to go to a small gathering and celebrate the new year with friends.
Another year has come then, it's the end of the noughties and i have coursework!
Over & Out.

2010 New Years Resolution: Start a blog & Twitter

2009-12-31T16:25:00.004Z

I've been meaning to do this for a while. I always have something vaguely interesting to say, so now you can all be treated to it!
Anyway, i have to prepare my face and body for a party now, Over & Out.

oh, & this is my twitter www.twitter.com/p_courtney