Sunday 18 April 2010

2010: The unnamed writer by Elise Valmorbida

Here is a mind
caught in the elision
between personal, political.

Here is a nib
charged with invisible ink
that under iron heat
turns blood-brown.

Here is a silence.

(Death happens in brackets)
but still you can hear
the bell of the voice,
chiming, tolling,
the scratching of the pen.

Sunday 11 April 2010

Make your own sunshine

Having left the land of perpetual sunshine and perfect sea scenes for a month in the UK, you may think I am missing the Caribbean idyll, and I am don't get me wrong, but being away from paradise makes you quite reflective.

On my English holiday I was chomping at the bit to shop, shop, shop! Grand Cayman had stifled my shopping desire with sky high prices and poor choice but me, oh my; the Spring/Summer collection on the streets of London are just beautiful and special mention must go to Banana Republic. The grown up big sister of Gap, Banana Republic sits in the mid-range, well tailored end of the high street.

My first encounter with the brand, was a heavenly one, with a plentiful staff force of fashion conscious, polite, engaging and frankly charming style advisors. A far cry from a surly, too-cool-for-school, Saturday girl work ethic demonstrated by some of the high street. The Covent Garden branch has only been open a week, but if the Spring English sunshine doesn't last beyond the weekend, how about visiting Banana Republic and as their campaign suggests make your own sunshine or at least let their staff do so. I'm still smiling over the whole experience, that and the gorgeous clothes I bought - I just need the Grand Cayman backdrop to show them off!