The Hostess Answers

Why did you create your blog?

Blau; Growing up I used to keep all these little scrap books and stick in pictures from magazines and they these became my personal little style bibles, and well I guess I use the blog to do the same; but more sophisticated and Eco friendly.
Ezara; Its a wonderful way to light a fire under your bum and get thinking about the world. Being a blogger makes you think about things differently and that's what The Hostess Handbook is all about -knowing stuff. All kinds of stuff. The sharing of knowledge, tit bits of fun and our quirky humour.

What kind of blogs do you follow?

Blau; I use blogs as a distraction and time-out from my hectic day so I'm attracted to photography based blogs full of pretty things or funny stories, a portal to another world or a nose into somebody else's life. It's funny how the blogosphere changes for one when you actually start your own blog and befriend other bloggers; they're a very embracing lot.
Ezara; I like fashion blogs that aren't too serious. My favourites are What Katie Wore and LATFH. I find both hilarious. I love Bip Ling. She's just so cute and I like to see what she's up to. She seems to have this amazing life. I also like beauty blog Beauty Maze for a bit of beauty advice.

Favourite make-up brand?
Blau; I'm not really into make-up on a day-to-day basis I'd much rather the extra few minutes in bed before heading to college. When I do make the effort I tend to head to Benefit or MAC. One of my good friends used to be a Bene-babe so I learnt all I know about cosmetics from her as I stopped by the counter for a quick tutorial or two. I have my basics down and can 'put on my face' in an impressive 6mins (that last minute covers putting on lip gloss, wiping it off and trying again). That reminds me Topshop's lip gloss in Iced Coffee is a must! My default eye look is a smokey brown with a thick lined flick, on a 'special occasion' I'll go for smokey grey/black. I like the smokey look.
Ezara; MAC. Its a classic, but they get it right. The best thing about the brand is the layout of the shop.It makes for easy shopping. Plus their staff are so well informed.

Your indispensable make-up product?

Blau; I'm currently addicted to my MAC brow pencil.My resolution for 2011 is to be a well groomed lady who can experiment with eyeshadow. I love you 'vintage brows'.
Ezara; Blusher. The colour changes depending on the season, but I feel naked without it and red lippie.

Favorite clothing brand?
Blau; Topshop steals my purse, Urban Outfitters steals my heart. One day I'll have a wardrobe full of Chloe and Celine.
Ezara; American Apparel. I love their brand values and how each item can genuinely look different on everybody. I also love unisex clothes.

Your favourite colour?

Blau; Blue. Well, Blau is German for blue.
Ezara; Gold.

Your perfume?
Blau; My first signature scent was 'Truth' by Calvin Klein, followed by Valentino's 'Rock'n'Rose' and currently spritzing 'Flora' by Gucci.
Ezara; At the moment, Vera Wang.

Join the Caravan of Love.....

One of my new years resolution is to put the love in to my Brick Lane abode and make it beautiful. I will be trawling the local markets throughout 2011 to look for knick knacks and ideas to make my castle unique and beautiful - ikea will be avoided if possible!

My trek will be helped along by my favourite Christmas present, Cheap Chic, a book project spearheaded by Emily Chalmers who owns the adorable Caravan on Redchurch Street. I want almost everything in this store, but especially the Hand printed wallpaper. Oh how I wish I wasn't a renting! The book is somewhat of a style bible, chock full of thrifty ideas make the most of your space, so it can be truely stunning.

I like everything in my home to have a story, whether its our adopted Buddha, who was an unwanted prop for the National Theatre, or the metal "Andy" sign found on new years eve 2010.I am yet to meet you, "Andy".

Ezzie x

air and light and time and space

"–you know, I’ve either had a family, a job,
something has always been in the
way
but now
I’ve sold my house, I’ve found this
place, a large studio, you should see the space and
the light.
for the first time in my life I’m going to have
a place and the time to
create."

no baby, if you’re going to create
you’re going to create whether you work
16 hours a day in a coal mine
or
you’re going to create in a small room with 3 children
while you’re on
welfare,
you’re going to create with part of your mind and your body blown
away,
you’re going to create blind
crippled
demented,
you’re going to create with a cat crawling up your
back while
the whole city trembles in earthquake, bombardment,
flood and fire.

baby, air and light and time and space
have nothing to do with it
and don’t create anything
except maybe a longer life to find
new excuses
for.


I love this poem so much at the mo. It's by Charles Bukowski .

Ez x

Man Trend; Movember

So, its Movember, the month formerly known as November, now owned by bro's showing solidarity to mens health, most prominantly prostate cancer. I love Movember. I wanted to post this now that all the 'taches are in their full glory and you can have a little peek around and notice. Such a noble cause, such a masculine statement. For some reason, the ability to grow hair on your face is the ultimate moment of glory- you're a dude, you walk in to a bar, other men notice your face, you are THE man.
Here are some of my favourites for all to try:

The "Tom Selleck "

Pretty much the ideal moustache. And he knows it.

The"Hipster Hitler"

Controversial, no?

The "Salvidor Dali" No better way to show the crazy!

The "Mrs Doyle"For the ladies who want to support!

To donate, go here x

Images via Tom Selleck.com , Hipster Hitler, Daily Gallery and the Daily Spud

Posing is Cool.

Recently, I cut all my hair off. It now rests near my chin. Prior to that, I had long tresses way beyond my shoulders. I spent an awesome afternoon having my hair played with and having my photos taken and here are some of the results. The initial idea was to focus on easy up dos, however as our creativity started to get the better of us, we got carried away.

Hair by Billie Crago, THE CHAPEL, Photos and Art Direction by Georgia Denton

Hostess Hero: M.I.A.

If you haven't heard of M.I.A., or haven't paid particular attention to the ripples she's been causing for years now, shame on you! If you have, then I'm sure you'll agree, she's a force to be reckoned with and won't mind digressing in awe with me for a moment.

This little lady first caught my eye five years ago when she released her debut album Arular. Screaming beats and soft hooks, many a wasted afternoon I spent with M.I.A. in my ears. Bringing her loud music and louder stylez, she is a one women machine, hell bent on reminding us that music is not all about fast cars and sexy clubs. She shared a stage with Jay-Z and Kanye at the Grammys on the eve of her son's birth wearing what can only be described as the bravest effort of a mom to be in what is now a legendary performance. She has been banned from the US then declined exit. She's had her video Born Free (where a group of anarchiac ginger kids are rounded up and shot) banned from YouTube.


She's been my hero for some time now.


M.I.A. plays o2 Academy in Brixton Wednesday 10th November


image via Rankin, Dazed and Confused