I’m just back from a little mid week holiday to the west coast of Ireland with great food, great surroundings and great company. I was there with my friends, Richard Torrens and Shelley Garrett, creators of Ten21 Photography. They are some of the most talented new photographers I have met recently. I have been lucky enough to have used their services for photographing some of my own art work (installation pieces) and they can transfer their skills to most subject matters and situations. From art photography to portfolio images they are very skilled visual artists themselves. Their main revenue currently is weddings, but these are no ordinary wedding pictures. Casual shots and candid camera style they catch the feel of the day, the atmosphere, the happiness of the couple and most of all, the couples personalities. As they say in their website “We are young, we are creative and we love our job”.

What I am most impressed by is their ability to turn something they as a couple love, into a blossoming business in these difficult economic times. Photography is an incredible art that we, as subjects are involved in and can participate with. My hat is off to Rick and Shelley for their success, and for the beauty that they have seen in the world and recorded for everyone else to share in.

Go check them out!

www.tentwentyone.co.uk

xMary

There are many a daydream had where we sit and imagine what we would wear sashaying down the red carpet… Us? We would be wearing Elie Saab, or a bespoke Alexander McQueen, actually make that Givenchy… No, Valentino?

Okay, okay our own fantasy red carpet is ever changing, but imagine what it’s like for the stars of the Oscars Red Carpet – they have one night to get it right. No, to get it perfect. And that they did…

As the glorious and dedicated fashion peops at Stylist Magazine and Grazia kept us in the loop via Twitter as we were tucked up in bed, the first image that came through was that of Milla Jovovich looking white hot in Elie Saab, a complete swoon moment – the night had truly begun. Oh the fantasty fashion didn’t end there of course as Rooney Mara practically raided our ‘if only’ closet to wear a stunning white, plunging Givenchy gown which gave her an altogether softer look. We were right to predict that Angelina would wear black, but what a huge improvement – that blow out was gorgeous! And the lips – sexy. Bravo Angelina, and welcome back…

Making us cry during their acceptance speeches but always sparkling in their metallic embellished gowns were Meryl Streep in custom made gold Lanvin, and Octavia Spencer looking unbelievable in Tadashi Shoji. Meryl wore her signature style – bellowed sleeves, slight plunge neck with a cinched in waist while Octavia’s gown hit her perfectly in all the right places and just added to the natural sparkle that she has carried throughout awards season.

Other trend hitters included Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez and Gwyneth Paltrow working the whites/nudes in Gucci Première, Zuhair Murad and Tom Ford, Jessica Chastain in bespoke Alexander McQueen with beautiful metallic detail, Bérénice Bejo getting her candy fix in mint green Elie Saab, Michelle Williams in a peplum Louis Vuitton and Natalie Portman bringing back the polka dot in Christian Dior.

Bravo ladies, you certainly rung out the 2012 Awards Season with a mighty fashionable bang…

xJane

The biggest night of the UK’s music calendar took place last night and of course our fashion eye was firmly set on the flurry of super-cool fashion that never disappoints at The Brits.

Let’s start with the simply stunning first and we could not write this without mentioning the classic style of Holly Willoughby looking sleek and smart in black, while Pixie Lott looked Hollywood classy in Dolce & Gabbana (the red lipstick added the perfect finesse) while Adele stuck to what she knows in a black, silk Burberry gown with a sweetheart neckline and mesh top, switching to a Clements Ribeiro bejewelled dress to perform an amazing rendition of Rollin’ in the Deep.

Then came the colour – Kylie in a very eye catching cobalt blue YSL number which just draped perfectly, Lana Del Rey (fast becoming our new fashion crush) in a knock-out off the shoulder Vivienne Westwood frock and Jessie J who once again, dared to bare, in an extremely sheer red lace number – she has more guts than we do! Caroline Flack went for a shorts suit but what really caught our eye was her nod to the tribal accessories trend with her clutch.

Unsurprisingly, the X Factor alum didn’t quite hit the nail on the head – Alexandra Burke didn’t quite pull off the Gladiator look while Cher Lloyd just looked like a really, really, REALLY bad 80’s throwback/space man in that jumpsuit. Little Mix brought their usual smorgasbord of style while One Direction couldn’t ditch the turned up chinos for just one night!? Oh boy…

The metallic parade was headed up by Rihanna, who pretty much stole the show in her plunging Givenchy Haute Couture gown, accessorised with super-sexy leather gloves and Florence Welch performed in a mesmorising tulle Alexander McQueen gown.

A stellar style effort from The Brits this year, it’s always a pleasure to see the quirky style in one of the very few Red Carpet events where something a little bit different is part of the dress code!

xJane

We think February is a month for DVDs in front of the fire all curled up on the sofa so here are a few of our suggestions.

If I have any recommendations to you this week it would be to familiarize yourself with the film Drive. It has recently come out on DVD and has a handful of award nominations already. Go see it! With a distinctly 1980s LA crime circle theme, it is by far the coolest movie I have seen in a long time. This isn’t one for the whole family though, it’s described as ‘sunshine noir’ and that pretty much sums it up. With a brilliant soundtrack that I have had on repeat for the past three weeks, I cannot recommend the whole package enough. An amazing performance from the beautiful Ryan Gosling and support from Carey Mulligan (who is a firm RRR fav) we think this film is going to become something of a cult classic. So if you want to impress people this month, bring up this movie and I guarantee it will be a conversation starter. Love it or hate it, it’s achingly cool so give it a go.

For those of you with somewhat more lighthearted sensibilities, try Crazy Stupid Love. It still has the yummy Ryan Gosling, with the added benefit of Julianne Moore and Emma Stone. The storyline is quite predictable but there are a few hilarious gags and lets face it – a great line up. Its very funny and will have you chuckling into your popcorn all night. 

xMary

What a treat! Not only did we have the BAFTA Red Carpet to digest this morning, but we also had a fashion treat stateside as the music industry’s finest attended The Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

This side of the shore, I felt there was a lack of leading lady fashion – where were Angelina and Emma Stone? We were so looking forward to their British fashion nods, no doubt they would’ve wowed. But lets not dwell on who wasn’t there, but love those who were! Can we just say, we loved Fearne Cotton’s coral Moschino creation, absolutely gorgeous, and not “shapeless” as the Daily Fail had dubbed it today… Our sweetheart Michelle Williams definitely won this Red Carpet battle hands down in bespoke H&M, no SERIOUSLY – H&M – and topped off her look with a cute little ‘book clutch’. Michelle, by us you do no wrong.

Flying over the water now, and we weren’t disappointed with the wackiness of those yanks – ah Minaj, Fergie, Gaga, Cyndi… Need we go on? Don’t even start us on Robyn’s nod to the nineties – Timberlands are not cool, not even with a Baby Spice platform. Make it stop!!

It wasn’t all leather, ammunition (really, Sasha Gradiva?) and Popes (I have no words) as Kelly Osborne, Paris Hilton and Miranda Lambert shone in their spring metallics – absolutely loving this trend, and of course, our beloved Adele proved there is no wrong in not one, but three (we think!) LBD’s. Add some texture, sparkles and red lippy and Adele had certainly made her comeback, not to mention her amazing six gong win!

We are basking in Awards Season, we will be mourning the Red Carpet by the time it is over!

xJane

We change our minds, our style, our clothes, and even our friends everyday. Whether it’s fashion, music, a new shop or even food, I think we all have our item of the week. Recently I have gone through a few different phases in fashion. Within the space of about two months I have changed my look from trying to be a mildly professional arts world gallery girl to a preppy university student - ‘I might be in the chess club’ style.

I love the feeling in the morning of who do I want to be today? It’s very addictive and it crosses over into most areas of life: home, make up, holidays, food – if I drink black coffee will I look more Parisian? If I get blonde highlights in my hair will I feel more West Coast Surfer Girl?

Playing dressing up box is the daily enjoyment that transfers you from the person you were yesterday. Bringing excitement and mystery to what would otherwise be your daily routine and ultimately your uniform. Celebrities dress up, children dress up, now you can do it too!

xMary

February. Are you a fan? Usually I’m completely indifferent to it. Just another month if you ask me, but this year it’s my new start – January was far too depressing to start the healthy diet and fitness plan, so February it shall be, no ‘Flabruary’ for me thank you very much.

However, I must admit that I have another reason to love February this year and it’s all down to the beauty of By Boe. The jewellery range that daintily made its UK debut in Red Ruby Rouge over four years ago just gets better season upon season. I always love seeing what comes in this time of year as Annika Salome, the designer behind the jewels, makes you fall in love with her creativity. No, really, completely head over heels. Look at all the HEARTS! It’s a total By Boe love-in.

I couldn’t possibly point out a favourite, but I’m completely coveting the amazing Big Love Earrings – a signature By Boe earring style but heart shaped; not just for the Valentines season but will work in a very quirky way, all year round.

We’re also bringing back the Heart Ring which (unsurprisingly) flew out the door pre Christmas, I’m guessing there were a lot of lucky gals opening their RRR gifts under the tree. But back to now – they’re back so make sure you snag yours before anyone else gets their stylish paws on them. We also have the rings in a sweet little Reminder Bow style which are adorable and if you’re lucky enough to own the complementing necklace then you simply must get. it. now.

Or maybe the heart thing isn’t you (shame on you), maybe you just want something a little different that has the magpie effect on everyone who sees you wearing it? Go for the Cleopatra Necklace then – it oozes coolness, uniqueness and style.

So if you’re reading this and thinking, ‘yes, I’ll have that…and that… and that’, then be sure to email the man in your life a link to our By Boe page to get what your heart desires…

xJane