Mom's Rising

Listening to Radio 4's Woman's Hour on Monday morning, I heard some horrifying facts about women's employment rights in the United States (click on the link to listen). It's ridiculous that the wealthiest and one of the most developed countries in the world should be comparable in this regard to countries like Lesotho and Papua New Guinea. It's made me realise how lucky I am to work in the UK as a young woman and is certainly something to take into account when considering a future career move to the US.

Volver

Chris and I finally saw Volver on DVD last night. I really enjoyed it, but Chris thought it was weird, overly melodramatic and not Pedro Almodovar's best (he particularly disliked the long face and rolling eyes of Sole but appreciated Raimunda's cleavage). I'll grant that it wasn't the best of Almodovar (Talk to Her is), and there's no way Penelope Cruz actually did the singing for her role, but it was still good, and better than a lot of films I've seen recently. All the reds and greens were stunningly vibrant, and I loved Raimunda's skirts and tight cardigans, reminding me of aspects of both Amelie and Chocolat.

We also saw March of the Penguins earlier in the week (we're way behind in our movie-watching). How flipping cute were those babies learning to walk on top of their mamas' feet? However, we both enjoyed the bonus DVD feature focusing on the experience of the two French men filming in Antarctica better. Amazing!

Sick Saturday

I've come down with a cold just at the start of a three-day weekend. My head aches, my throat is scratchy and my nose is runny and Chris is noisily chopping a few inches off the depth of his enormous desk, which doesn't help the sore head situation. I had to take work home this weekend in order to meet some deadlines, too, so I'm pretty fed up. However, the sun is shining and I've got new sandals on, so I might take a small walk once my latest aspirin takes effect.

Since I don't feel like doing much else, I've gone back to knitting my pale blue Flair swing coat, which I hadn't touched since before going to Barcelona. At this rate, it might be finished by the end of the summer.

Getting into my stride(s)

Summer shoe fever has struck! I bought a much-coveted pair of turquoise Birkenstock Madrid sandals at lunchtime today from a little boutique on Broughton Street called Bliss. I had my eyes on them last summer, but couldn't justify buying them. Now I can, and my lust has been fulfilled. (I planned to link to them on their website, but they don't seem to offer them online in turquoise anymore. I got them just in time!)

Kate Moss at Topshop

I went into Topshop at lunch today and saw the new Kate Moss collection for the first time. It was underwhelming, to say the least. There was one dress that was quite cute on the hanger (the cream-shot-with-gold muscle back dress), and which I would have worn when I was thinner and a teenager, but which wouldn't flatter me at all now, and when I just looked at the website and saw Kate modelling it, I realised it was horrid even on her. Stink! Other items in the collection included a mustard and black pinstriped fitted waistcoast, matching hotpants, sailor-style hotpants, a waistcoat covered in metal coins, and a variety of plain cotton vests/tank tops. Nice...

However, I did buy a cute pair of brown gladiator sandals for cheaps (outwith the Kate Moss collection) that I foresee myself wearing all summer long. Yay!

Name the Fraggles

Who, from memory alone, can remember the names of each of the five main Fraggles in Fraggle Rock? I could only remember Red, but I loved that show. I'm appalled with myself.