Porta's Eyes...Bright Star

Bright Star
of poetic creation and amatory passion!

directed by Jane Campion (2009)

There’s a reason some people find the state of contemporary romance films dull, trite, and unwatchable, and for the most part, I’m one of those people. But in the hands of master filmmaker Jane Campion (whose best work is still the bloody skinemax-tastic In the Cut), the tired and staid genre is given fresh life with Bright Star.

Quiet energy radiates from the impressive cast: the beautifully fey and almost disturbingly rail thin Ben Whishaw as poet John Keats and the refreshingly non rail thin, spirited and (please forgive me Reese) quite pretty Abbie Cornish as the love of his life, Fanny Brawne. Filling out the cast – to my complete surprise – was Paul Schneider as fellow poet Charles Armitage Brown, whom you might recognize as Mark Brendanawicz from Parks and Recreation.

So many historical films feel like little more than tight-lipped actors in big costumes pontificating in period accents on museum sets, but there’s a lived-in, natural feel to the settings and the incredible clothing (multi buckle flats and three tiered ruffle collars, please make a come back!) of Bright Star. But don’t get me wrong, Campion’s vision of the period is characteristically stylized and visually romanticized. Crisp white curtains billow with spring breezes from every window, exquisitely serene and simple bedrooms look like paintings of dignified restraint, every garden is overgrown with the most sumptuous wildflowers.

Her signature touch elevates the sometimes slow (it’s just way too long) but sometimes heart-twitteringly romantic (couldn’t help but get flushed watching the first kiss) tale of love and heartbreak that’s been told in some way or another a million times (guess who’s going to die? The one that went out in the cold and came back with a cough!).

Academy Award
Nomination
Best Costume Design

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The heat of that moment and others like it deliver “Bright Star” from the tidy prison of period costume drama. Ms. Campion, with her restless camera movements and off-center close-ups, films history in the present tense, and her wild vitality makes this movie romantic in every possible sense of the word.












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"In between
the romantic valentine
theme to select
the beautiful fabric,
...imagination & style.
The dress is adorable!"

the portastylistic

Corinne Bailey Rae - The Sea (2010)

Corrine Bailey Rae's
The Sea
is one of the new decade's must-own albums!

Corinne Bailey Rae - The Sea (2010)

"The Sea" isn't a perfect album. The catchiest song, "Paris Nights / New York Mornings," sounds like an outtake from Rae's debut. "Paper Dolls" seems similarly out of place -- it's a rocker invoking Rae's post-punk youth that distracts from the thornier, more expansive songs around it.

"The singer-songwriter reaches
into the depth
of her grief and delivers a moving,
if not seminal, album!"

Repeated listens might help integrate those sonic sore thumbs into the overall mood of "The Sea." Even without such closure, though, "The Sea" is a remarkable accomplishment. It's a step toward something -- Rae's inner peace, and her next artistic breakthrough -- that has its own considerable rewards.

Easily one of the first album’s of the new year that screams “must own.” The incredible production matched with Corinne’s soothing voice is quite the musical treat. The album’s tone is set fairly quickly with the opening track “Are You Here,” a heartfelt song dedicated to her late husband. Although the album is very personal, Corinne offers more to her listeners on this album than she has on her previous work. This sophomore effort shows tremendous growth. The instrumentation on this album is so big; it could easily be taken as a score for a movie, and I’m a true believer of great production bringing out the best in an artist. Tracks like “The Blackest Lily” are just one of the many tracks where you hear Corinne stepping out of her comfort zone to utilize her vocal abilities. All around, this is an enjoyable album no matter your musical taste or what type of mood you’re in. The album is in stores January 26th. If you have yet to make a music purchase this year, I highly recommend “The Sea.” It’s a great way to start the new year, and if you dig it as much as I do, feel free to leave a comment. Enjoy!

For more info on Corinne check out:

www.corinnebaileyrae.net/

or

www.myspace.com/corinnebaileyrae

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I am not sure how much that means given the fact that we are only 11 days into the new decade but her last offering was great. She is morning the death of her husband who passed from a suspected drug overdose. Their relationship being the inspiration for her 1st single. Support this good artist and go pick up her music I suspect it drops either tomorrow or next week if they rated it now.

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" ,it also expresses hope
in love's
healing power!!!"

the portastylistic

Porta's Eyes...THE COSY SURVEY: Vol2, Is Simply Beautiful Dress

The Cosy Servey:
~Vol 2

"Is Simply Beautiful Dress"
/YOU&ME Series





Look Sharp...
+Get Smart!
Navy Blue Dress

Cap Sleeve Ponti Tulip Dress...

in the style of Cheryl Cole

When we discovered one of our very favorite navy blue dress with the gorgeous wedding of my friend...their work is simply beautiful...theme Navy blue+Yellow Gold.

• - Lightweight maternity tulip dress
• - Fitted style with round neck and pleating
• - Cap sleeves and v-shape back design,

" I love this style, Clear and Clean...to Classic Dress "

My BD shirt work wear style dress...

After a long wait we’re pleased to start 2010 with one of our most anticipated Inventory Items, the BD shirt by Gitman Bros. The American shirt makers have become a household name in the last two seasons and continue to move forward with a growing variety of fabrics and collars – but one thing remains the same, they are great shirts. Working with US producers has definitely opened our eyes to the difficulties of small run production and making sure the details get through from our Vancouver HQ to the factory in Ashland. While it will always be a learning process, we are extremely pleased with the end result and our winter shirting. The washed navy blue oxford is perfectly broken in and wrinkled and has been a surprisingly tough colour to find in a 2-ply oxford cloth. While the chambray BD was the more difficult of the two to achieve, the final shirts turned out really nice. We had decided awhile back to go with the white stitching on the blue chambray as it felt more natural and came down to personal taste. We had planned on a chest button as well, but unfortunately it became one of the casualties of cross continent communication. The chalk buttons compliment the chambray nicely while the synthetic pearl buttons look sharp on the navy blue oxford. Our red stitch subtly sits on the back of the neck and the scalloping came in at the perfect height. The shirts are now available online and are going quickly so we don’t recommend waiting around too long for your size.

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I’m already loving the navy or blue “shirt dress”,
can’t wait to try it on next week!

Let me know which one of these great white creations has caught your eye!

" Don't you just love
when high fashion and
affordable retail collide...
it's all good!!!!"



the portastylistic

Portastudio Playlist: A COSY SOUNDTRACK FOR WEEKEND+Live Session 04

A COSY SOUNDTRACK
FOR WEEKEND
+LIVE SESSION 04

portastudio

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For the Raining Day edition of A Cosy Soundtrack For Weekend+live Session,
the Portastylistic welcome award-winning BBC radio live to the playlist.
As well as Songwriter and Songstress exciting projects and collaborations
lined up for 2010. Special artists to watch pop stylings and synth-pop
have hit the charts throughout Europe, the UK and the US.
To set off the playlist get to everybody in the mood of weekly.



This Cosy life night weekend for your experience cosy music playlist
with some familiar and has been working as an
Robot-Busy man on your week in pop and synth-pop.
our panel which also includes selected by the Portastylistic
every Saturday at 8pm. Bkk, Thailand time.

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ARTIST
THIS WEEK IN PLAYLIST

By the Soundtrack Weekend’ inaugural music guideline,
with exclusive live music from Portastudio's playlist.
Including Morphologue, Caro Emerald, Janelle Monae, The Noisettes,
KCAT, Ellie Goulding, Paolo Nutini, Lawrence Arabia and Delphic.
so conclude +Live music performing at the perfect way and
welcome to your life with the first quarter of the year across quickly!

{01} 'Had A Taste' | {02} 'I'm Yours' | {03} 'Sincerely Jane'
+Live by Morphologue |+Live by Caro Emerald |+Live by Janelle Monae

{04} 'When You Were Young' | {05} 'Please Help Me' | {06} 'Wish I Stayed'
+Live by The Noisettes | +Live by KCAT | +Live by Ellie Goulding

{07} 'Last Request' | {08} 'Apple Pie Bed' | {09} 'Doubt'
+Live by Paolo Nutini | +Live by Lawrence Arabia | +Live by Delphic

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Some rights reserved

PORTASTUDIO PLAYLIST
A COSY SOUNDTRACK FOR WEEKEND +LIVE SESSION
BY
The PORTASTYLISTIC

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“ EVERYDAY HAS A SOUNDTRACK! ”

-the portastylistic

New Modern Classic...Rethinking the classic white shirt

Rethinking!
the classic
White Shirt
If you like your iconic. wardrobe classic served up with a twist...
then starting! March 2010 run
-don't walk to your nearest Gap...

For the unveiling of the 2nd annual Gap Design Editions, a limited edition collection specially designed for the Gap by the winners of the annual Fashion Fund competition.

That means cutting edge designs from the likes of 3.1 Phillip Lim, band of outsiders, Micheal Bastian, Threeasfour and a coordinating black and white jewelry line from Phillip Crangi – all at Gap friendly prices!

Plus, it’s fun to see how and why the designers choose to rework this classic gap product… here’s some talk from the designers themselves that I found from the Gap’s press release:

3.1 Phillip Lim— rising asian talent and CFDA Swarovski Award winner

“I’ve always been a fan of the classics and I love everything iconic. My motto is when in doubt just choose good style and Gap to me is synonymous with that. Gap represents American iconic dressing and just to have the chance to design three white shirts and having my take on it was so fun.”

Created… a tie-neck shirt, a bell-sleeve ruched shirt and a layered sleeve top, all at $78.

Band of Outsiders— an LA label founded by Scott Sternberg

“I think the Gap for me growing up was this sort of depot of great jeans, great sweaters; just the best basics that were out there so I was just trying to create something that felt very easy but fresh and modern.”

Created… a patchwork tunic for $88.

Michael Bastian— recently appointed as creative director of Bill Blass menswear

“I’m so proud to be able to do this with Gap — to be the first Men’s designer to do a shirt for men, as well as being able to design my first piece ever for women, is amazing!”

created… an epaulet and a Western shirt for men, both at $78.

Threeasfour— founded by three young designers Gabi, Adi and Ange

“We were looking to find a balance of the three major elements involved: white poplin, Gap and Threeasfour. We chose to do an easy summer dress and a little asymmetric top that translate our signature seaming and vision [for] a wider audience.”

created… a camisole for $78 and a cutaway dress for $88.

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I’m already loving the Threeasfour white “shirt dress”,
can’t wait to try it on next week!

Let me know which one of these great white creations has caught your eye!

" Don't you just love
when high fashion and
affordable retail collide...
it's all good!!!!"



the portastylistic