Out and about: The Great Gatsby at The Electric Cinema

The Great Gatsby has arrived... and I am SO. GODDAMN. HAPPY! (say that with a Nu Yawk accent please)


I haven't been this excited about celluloid since the Harry Potter franchise...

or maybe Alice in Wonderland...

...or the Hunger Games!

I've been waiting for this film forever. Well, not forever, maybe since I saw the last film (the 1979 version with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow, as opposed to the 1949 or 1926 versions) and I hoped they'd re-make it with a cast from my era of stars.

And OH, have they...

Leo was my favourite from the minute he walked on screen to that amazing soundtrack in Romeo and Juliet back in 1996.

 

And when I say "they" I mean Baz. King Baz. He of Strictly Ballroom, Romeo and Juliet, Moulin Rouge and Australia fame. I loved them all, yes, even Australia. Mainly because I watched it from an upgraded seat on a flight home from Down Under and so it holds wonderful memories for me.

Anyway, this week I finally got to see the film, in all its big-screen glory at The Electric Cinema. It was all amazing, that is the film and the cinema itself.

So, to quickly chat about the film, I chose to ignore all the bad press about it and, although I can see exactly why the critics panned it, I loved every second. I wasn't massively keen on the 3D-ness of it, I don't think it's necessary except maybe at the IMAX, but other than that I just adored the casting, the cinematography, the costumes, the jewels (oh... the jewels) the a.mazing soundtrack (always a high point in a BL film for me) and Mr Luhrmann's interpretation of a great American classic.

I'll tell you what I also adored - watching it in such a beautiful setting.

 

 

 

It's not difficult for the Electric to be the most beautiful cinema I've ever had the pleasure to watch a film in. Aside from a few special occasions at the Leicester Square Odeon where they show premiers (not that I've actually attended a premier!), I've only ever been to brand name cinemas where you pay a tenner for a small bucket of popcorn and a bottle of water, twelve quid for an uncomfortable seat in a massive auditorium, filled with people that talk, babies that cry and teenagers that chuck sweets at each other. Don't get me wrong, I love going to the cinema, and these things never put me off going.

Well, until now.

Now that I know how it could be every time.

The foyer feels like a cross between a ticket tent for a circus and a Victorian grocer, with a small booth in the corner where you collect tickets, a wall lined with wooden drawers full of traditional penny sweets, alongside a vintage till at the Electric Donuts stand.

Then, it's straight in to the auditorium, full of squidgy red leather armchairs, love seats at the back (perfect for a back row smooch) and double beds in the front row.

Each seat has it's own little polished table, vintage lamp and a leather footstool (no putting your feet on the back of someone else's chair and being told off by an usher, here), which contained a cosy cashmere blanket for each person and has space to store your belongings. This fact alone made me squeal with delight - I always take an over sized scarf or pashmina to the cinema with me to snuggle under, or hide behind during the scary/gross bits, and I refuse to put my nice handbag on the sticky, dirty floor.

There's a bar at the back of the theatre which serves alcoholic beverages (fizz please!) and yummy snacks (a cheese board, hummus and flat breads pour moi!), and they get top marks for serving the fizz in coupes. WE all know I love a coupe!

Another special mention for the toilets, which are the most beautiful cinema toilets I've ever seen, full of retro features and Cowshed toiletries (not a surprise as Cowshed is owned by the same company).

There are minimal pre-film adverts, so be on time with just one or two that fit the profile of the main film and then in to the usual, but in fact, unusual, "housekeeping" about phones off, exits, drinks/snacks and where to find the loos. Pay attention here - there are some fun surprises!

After the film we went next door to Electric Diner for dinner. The menu is full of simple but tasty American diner-style treats and the short but sweet drinks list contains some powerful cocktail concoctions, alongside a variety of beers and wines.

I chowed down on a super-tasty cheeseburger with a shared side of fries, broccoli and the tastiest, juiciest bacon I've eaten in a long time washed down with a Grey Goose le Fizz (Vodka, elderflower, lime and soda).


It's not cheap, but for the experience of watching a film in style and then having some intimate post film debate in a stylish booth, it's worth every penny.

For a special film or for date-night I'd highly recommend it!

Hard working holiday purchase

You know, those things that magazines tell you are an absolute necessity because it can take you from "Beach to Bar"...

Who goes straight to a bar without having a shower, washing their face and putting some proper underwear (i.e. not a lycra, sand-filled swimming cossie) on after being at the beach all day?

Not I!

So, I've never needed one of these amazing "hardworking-capsule-wardrobe" pieces that works with a swimsuit and flip flops, just as well as with a pair of cut off denims and a vest top, and is equally as lovely with an evening gown and a clutch.

Until now.

I just saw this little baby on the Ted Baker website and look...

• it will work amazingly with a flirty little swimsuit, some metallic wedges, some fifties sunnies and a floppy sun hat round the pool
• it will dress up a pair of beach shorts, some strappy sandals and a straw bag for a "where shall we go tonight" discussion in a bar (there's your "beach to bar"
• it will look lovely and dressy with a cute little shift dress, some peep toes and some bling for when it's a bit chilly at night
• it will keep my neck snuggly warm on the way home on the sh!tty RyanAir plane when I convert it in to Scarf Mode.

So there you go. All of a sudden I'm a capsule-wardrobe-aficionado. Amazing.

Now, the only issue is how to style it out when I rock up at a beautiful restaurant and I lift an arm and dump a pocket of sand on the fish course...

Outfit planning: Can I wear red?

I'm not sure if I can wear red. I think long ago someone told me I couldn't and so ever since I have tried, and mostly managed, to steer clear.

However, for my birthday last year I tried out a red dress which seemed ok and I rocked (in my humble opinion) a Lady Bird outfit for a hen do a while back (what is it with me and bug outfits?) and the world didn't implode.

So maybe I can?

If so, I'm thinking about this red Mango maxi dress, a pop of turquoise from my new Zara strappies, a cuff, a cocktail ring and some extravagant earrings and then some neutral accessories with my rose gold Mulberry clutch, a colour clashed skinny belt and something spangly in my hair. Maybe something delicate in gold and turquoise around the my neck. Or maybe something big and chunky, or maybe nothing at all.

Perfect for a rustic Italian wedding, no?

Indeed.

So after all this inner debate about whether I can carry off red, I head to Asos to buy the dress, only to discover that it's out of stock.

DAMMIT!

Probably a good thing as I can't afford any of the corresponding accessories!

What to wear to a Stylist's wedding?

One of my besties, Claire, is getting married next month. You may remember my epic post about her epic hen weekend, which was full of fancy dress?

Well, not only is the wedding going to be equally as epic, and the dresses equally as fancy, but she is also a stylist. 

Yup, that means big outfit pressure.

I searched high and low for a Dior style full skirt, and came up with zilch. Well, zilch for anything less than four figures, at least. The only thing that came close was this Coast skirt (right) which, although lovely, still wasn't perfect.

So, I bought this dress from H&M's Conscious Collection from the Exclusives range (now sold out, sorry). Blush pink isn't a usual colour choice for me, nor is the high neck, but I liked the overall shape of the dress, the bead detailing and the fact that it was something a little different.

I was originally going to roll out the hat I wore to a spectacular wedding at Blenheim Palace last year, pound per wear and all that, but I think I need a new hat. Don't you? Perhaps one of these... but which to choose, which to choose? The big fat pouff, the royal wedding-esque flourish or the Lady Gaga bow?

Hmmmm. Decisions, decisions. Answers on a postcard (or in a comment box) please.

One thing is certain, however. I'll be accessorising with my newest Lulu love and maybe my Zara heels

Unless of course, Liz and I go ahead with our plan of Usherette outfits. In which case, we could end up dressed as pineapples. Or in onesies...

Stay tuned.

Outfit planning: Zara brights

Zara is having a bit of a moment. I want almost everything on their website. I have to stay back, it could be dangerous for my credit card.

STAY BACK!

*cue whiney voice*

But it's just so full of colour! You know how I love block colour and paint-pot brights when the sun comes out.

Ok, ok, I know I said I would use my new bag with clothes I already own, but come on, as if I could resist this hot pink and green colour combo, a winner from 2011 wedding season (specifically one of my arithmetic dresses in green and my Louboutins in hot pink)!

I think, seeing as I've got so many special occasions coming up, I can be let off the hook for purchasing these little babies. And I'll keep my promise and use my new stripey Lulu!

Of course these hot pink dresses (top and bottom) could be worn on hundreds of occasions and the green strappy shoes will literally go with everything.

 

 

But which one...?

 

I think I prefer the cut of the top one, but the bottom one would suit my shape better.

 

Hmmmmm.