Breakfast at Tiffany's for Valentines Day

My Valentine's night was spent visiting the darling little Ritzy cinema for a second time. After seeing Black Swan there I was eager to go again, but to see something, well more watchable, a film to smile at rather than flinch at. Avoiding the rows of gruesome twosome tables at restaurants, I rudely informed my date that I wanted to spend the evening watching this iconic girly film, despite having seen it over and over again.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s is similar to a vintage wine – it just gets better and better. I seem to enjoy it more every time, noticing new details and perfectly picturesque moments. Because I saw Anna Friel in the stage version last year, I understand the narrative more, stories always seem better when they are familiar.

For those who don’t know (if there are any B.a.T. virgins out there?) the story is about bemused and unaware Holly Golighty, a girl flitting around New York City with her feline companion, ‘Cat’. She charms all she meets, and in particular one promising young writer, Paul Varjak (though Holly decides to call him Fred) - watching their mad adventures is an utter delight. Doe-eyed Audrey Hepburn performs as Miss Golightly which is arguably what made this film such a hit.

Sadly I returned home after the film to watch Chelsea waste away the remaining moments of their match. This would not usually dampen my mood – however a £33.47 betting win was imminent if Chelsea had won. They didn’t and I therefore lost out on my pot of gold, very very disappointing. Apart from that, I think it was one of the nicest Valentine's evenings I’ve ever spent, thanks to my lovely date, and the romantic film.

Book to see something at The Ritzy here.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 38 - She Died of Beauty on Valentines Day...

So it’s Valentines Day again, the 24 hours we endure once a year and all love to hate. Even those happily paired up seem to dread this celebration of blissful love and affection. Whether you choose to remember it or not I think I’ve found a quirky gift to satisfy even the grumpiest of cynics.

‘She Died of Beauty’ is an ethically and organically sourced brand created by friends Erin O’Connor (supermodel) and Kate Halfpenny (stylist) in September 2010. The capsule collection features monochrome printed t-shirts and bags with five different statements based on the epithet ‘she died of beauty’. A sarcastic twist on the mercenary fashion world mocking those girls that are willing to devote their lives to the cause - it is a very clever idea. They are witty and bold as well as being unique and very wearable. My favourite for Valentines day is ‘she died of kisses’.

These ironic bags and t-shirts are original and fun and are the perfect not-too-gushy present for your favourite girl, whether she is a partner or just a deserving friend. Still a very new brand on the market, I’m sure these are going to be extremely popular with fashion forward celebrity women. T-shirts come in black or white with vice versa colour writing; they are priced at £40. The cotton tote bags also come in black or a plain cream colour and are a reasonable £20.

Buy someone the gift to die for this Valentines day.

Visit the ‘She Died of Beauty’ website and buy here.

GIVEAWAY: Be my February Girl

It has always been a little ambition of mine to design clothes. When I was a teen I designed and made jewellery with my company ‘The Bead Hive’ (see here), and now I’m beginning to venture into the clothing idea. So I have decided to make a giveaway of my first, very simple, creation: a printed t-shirt.

February is my birthday month and if it’s anything like January, will be wet and dreary. So I want to make it a tiny bit brighter for one of you with a simple white t-shirt, easy to wear with anything, with the cute pink ‘February girl’ logo on the front; inside will be sewn one of my unique ‘thoroughlymodernmilly’ name tags. The t-shirt is a small, but is on the big side, and for those who are more petite: you can cut the seams and customise it as a baggy cropped tee - that’s what I’m doing with mine! Along with the t-shirt I will be throwing in some Mac make-up, yet to be decided on.

All you have to do to be in with a chance of being crowned the ‘February girl’ is:

1) Be a follower on my page, and tell me your name

2) Tell me in no more than 50 words, what is special about February for you and write it as a comment below.

Competition open to all readers worldwide, winner will be announced on Valentine’s Day, 14th February.