by | July 16, 2014

Book review: The Opposite of Loneliness

This is a review I would never want to write. For every word that I read and love, I feel SUCH a deep sadness.

Because Marina Keegan’s essays and short stores, The Opposite of Loneliness, are a the work of a great author – aged 22 – who is no longer able to write..

Marina Keegan

Marina Keegan

… because she died in a car crash five days after her graduation from Yale (May 2012).   Her boyfriend (who survived) was driving the car as they headed to Marina’s father 55th birthday celebration on Cape Cod.  The boyfriend fell asleep at the wheel and the car rolled.  Just like that; a young life taken.

Marina was clearly beyond talented. Graduating with high honours from Yale with a graduate job at the New Yorker and a book about to be published, it’s no surprise that these stories/essays are quite brilliant.

In fact, one of the stories in this book, entitled The Opposite of Loneliness, went viral (viewed more than 1m times) after she published it online.  P1150873

Anyway, if you can put the tragedy aside (because this is not what makes it a triumph), the book – edited by Keegan’s writing teacher – is a must-read. .  Read it, enjoy it and realise once again just how fragile life is.

 

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by | July 15, 2014

Competition: Seven Boot Lane

In three weeks time I’m heading to Wilderness Festival for a day of interviewing, eating, dancing, photographing and country air. And – seeing as one of the best things about festivals is the fashion-looks thrown out by a night in a tent – I’m SO excited to capture those images in this glorious Oxfordshire field.

Seven Boot Lane

This look is a favourite of mine – the denim shorts, silk shirt and boots look all brilliantly boho.

The rules are simple.  Cut offs need to be slack to achieve comfort while effortlessly cool.

Shirt needs to be patterned…as patterned as poss.

And the boots.  Well, I’m afraid they ABSOLUTELY need to be Seven Boot Lane.

If you don’t know Seven Boot Lane, it’s about time you did.  I’ve been wearing the Annie boot all year round – and wrote about them here.  Quality leather, beautifully designed and exquisitely made…  you’ll fall instantly in love with the entire range.

 

Annie boots in charcoal

Annie boots in charcoal leather

Anyway, the generous boot folk are giving away one stunning pair* to one of my soon-to-be-well-heeled readers.  All you need to do is LIKE both Life of Yablon and Seven Boot Lane Facebook pages to enter.  The winner will be chosen on 7th August 2014 and notified via Facebook.

*depends on your size/availability

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by | July 15, 2014

Soho Hotel’s film screenings for smalls

I use the playing of DVDs very tactically during the long summer holidays.  A 90-minute film can buy me some precious work/writing time and so needs to be scheduled carefully so that not one minute of the 90 is wasted.  Ready, steady, type… (Percy Jackson is on right now!)

But the screening we were invited to last Saturday at Firmdale’s Soho Hotel was that bit more special.  And I should add, perfectly timed following my late night at Eminem and His manic week at work.

Soho London

We sneaked into a sleepy Soho with some very excited Smalls.  How to Train Your Dragon2 was firmly on their film wish list before I even mentioned this invitation to them.

Soho Hotel brunch for kids screening

The hotel had prepared a buffet spread for the little monsters (with plenty for big Prosecco drinking monsters too!).

Soho Hotel Screening

soho hotel screening roomsoho hotel screening kids

soho hotel screening icecreamsAnd while they grazed on popcorn, He and I found a quiet corner on the terrace to drink coffee, eat brunch and read the newspapers.  Another precious 90 minutes of my life – thanks to Firmdale Hotels!

soho hotel terrace

Soho Hotel terrace – where we sat to chill, eat and read the newspapers

Children’s Summer Film Club at The Soho Hotel costs £20 per person and includes a picnic buffet lunch for kids and their adults.

The hotel’s film club will run every Saturday over the Summer holidays starting Saturday 19th July until Saturday 6th September.

Films include: Despicable Me 2, The Lego Movie 3D, Rio 2, Frozen 3D. How To Train Your Dragon 2 3D, Peter Pan, Muppets Most Wanted, Finding Nemo 3D, The Nut Job, Planes 2: Fire and Rescue

Soho Hotel

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by | July 13, 2014

Eminem RAPS Wembley

IMG_6441I would never ever have sought out a ticket to see Eminem. But … once the ticket had sought me, I realised that I was more than a little intrigued to see the Detroit rapper perform last Friday evening at Wembley Stadium.

Eminem WembleyAfter all, let’s be honest. This angry man, Marshall Mathers, is probably one of the most exciting and significant lyrical figures of the last 15 years.  He doesn’t necessarily need to be 100% my cup of tea for me to appreciate his ever-so-thrilling talent.

P1150782We had Bobby Moore tickets which meant that ribs, beer and a pretty hot seat were included in the price.  So the 6 of us got to Wembley early to make the most of it.

The crowd were feverish from the moment we left the tube station to walk the Wembley Way.

Eminem WembleyEminem is not only the first rapper to headline Wembley Stadium but this is also the first time the Detroit artist has played in the city since 2001.  So that might explain some of the intense excitement.

Eminem WembleyMathers’ tunes and words are equally brilliant.  He’s the angry voice of his fans and there’s no question as to how he delivers… with attitude, presence and some sheer hard slog.

Eminem WembleyThe first half of the concert was a little slow, I thought.  That was, until Dr Dre made an appearance… and even though the sound system was heavily criticised and neither Dido nor Rihanna were in attendance, the show built up to a frenzied crescendo with the 70-odd-thousand chanting The Way I am, Real Slim Shady and My Name Is…. all the way home.

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