Read + Write + Report
Home | Start a blog | About Orble | FAQ | Sites | Writers | Advertise | My Orble | Login

Christmas Lights

December 21st 2007 07:02
Everyone has something to say about Christmas fashions: whether its summer frocks in the southern hemisphere or the latest Chanel boots where it’s cold, the world is saturated with parties and the applicable garments. I, personally, do not enjoy the summer Christmas as I think tans are tacky, I’m not that into seafood, I hate my face melting just because I turned my head, and I’m very fond of snow, seeing my breath in the air, quirky coats, tights and closed in shoes (feet are gross, guys, face it).

chanel christmas style
Chanel, stylish at Christmas in addition to all year round. Image from jupitercreative.co.uk



Regardless of where you are in the developed world, though, there is a Christmas trend that is all encompassing. I have never heard any use of the trend criticized, and furthermore, everyone can appreciate and understand it. I am speaking of the fundamental basic in Christmas life that demonstrates your jolly nature and Christmas spirit: Christmas lights.

christmas lights
Yowser. Image from planetchristmas.com



Originally representing the star the three wise men were supposed to have followed, Christmas lights are now the tour de force of any festive cheer. The star moved from the top of the tree, to little orbs surrounding it, and somehow, like vines, snaked their way out the front, onto the front of the house and are now so overgrown, they’re hanging out of people’s front lawns. I blame National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation for the excess in outdoor illumination.

griswald house lights national lampoon
The Griswald House. Image from x-entertainment.com


First, I was just annoyed at the sudden proliferation in the non-white variety. I like classic stuff, and when “ice blue”, “tangerine” and “Mrs Claus’ mauve” started to be strung from rooftop to tree, I cringed a little. Next came the flashing. Now, in my books, flashing lights belong in clubs, and even then it feels a bit overbearing. When it’s right outside my bedroom window, I dream about having epileptic fits. The worst observation I’ve made is the inherent lack to even attempt a stylised application of lights. It’s looks like kids have toilet papered every house in suburbia, and at night it magically turns into brightness and colours, people morphing into moths and approaching slowly, saying “ooh, pretty!” I am critical, yes, but I can’t remember the last time someone actually took the time to make their lights less merry (read: garish), except for the person at the end of my road who actually hired a Christmas lights decorator (I don’t know where I stand on this kind of occupation). Excessive Christmas lights are proof of the commercialisation of Christmas, rarely representative of the spiritual origins of the holiday, or the enjoyment of family and friends. The worst aspect is how, after a green year where a great deal of attention has been paid to global warming, everyone puts their finger on the pause button for Christmas light madness, expecting the environment to slow down on the whole climate change thing for a couple of weeks.

christmas lights colours
The new Christmas Light Colour Brat Pack. Image from blog.scifi.com


If you are one of the glowing many, be nice to the environment and my eyes, and don’t put so many (ugly) lights up next year. If you must, only put them on in the few days surrounding Christmas. Sure, sparkly stuff can be pretty at Christmas, but nature is beautiful all year round. Plus the lack of style has resulted in people insisting on giant inflatable Santa’s, and moving blow-up carousels, which I just do not understand.
50
Vote
   


Melbourne Cup Carnival Fever 2008 (LINK)

September 10th 2007 15:35
Whilst Sydney's spring carnival racing may have been bought to a standstill, the Stylist whose Celebrity was voted one 1 of 9 best dressed at the Melbourne Cup, this very blogger shares her tips as she prepares the 2008 VRC Ambassadors wardrobes for this years Melbourne Cup Racing Carnival...

What’s In


[ Click here to read more ]
20
Vote
   


A Portrait of Pedro and Penelope

August 26th 2007 01:42
Pedro and Penelope
"Smile for the camera!"


What do Pedro Almodovar, Penelope Cruz and camera have in common? Is it their Spanish blood? Perhaps yes for both Pedro and Penelope. But there's something else that some of you probably don't know yet, and that is their ability to create great movies! I know I pretty much gave the clue away when I mentioned the camera bit, but apparently there are still many who aren't aware of their brilliant collaboration in movies.
[ Click here to read more ]
76
Vote
   


Allyn Scura - Vintage Eyewear

August 21st 2007 03:52
Website name: www.allynscura.com
Location: California, USA
Category: Eyewear


[ Click here to read more ]
45
Vote
   


Saturday Powerhouse (Part 2)

August 20th 2007 05:56
Fashion From Fleece Promo Pierre Cardin Red Dress
Fashion From Fleece - Pierre Cardin Red Dress - image from sydneydesign.com.au


Continued from my previous post.....

[ Click here to read more ]
63
Vote
   


Daria Werbowy: Canadian Amazon

June 15th 2007 00:07
Daria Werbowy
From Dariawerbowy.org


Pictured here all fresh faced and delightful is Daria Werbowy of Canada. Werbowy, like Jessica Stam, passes my knee test (if the thigh is wider than the knee then the model is not sick) and not only that but she exhibits an intelligence one may not expect from models. Maybe she’s simply learned to feign intent with those blue eyes of hers, or perhaps I’m prejudiced because she’s brunette but I do think there’s something more in Werbowy’s brain than is usually held in the mind of a model


[ Click here to read more ]
60
Vote
   


Why fashion?

June 11th 2007 23:11
Manolo Blahnik spring/summer 07
From Manoloblahnik.com Just try telling me that this is not beauty


With a background in literary theory and philosophy, an interest in fashion has been a naughty secret of mine for some time. But it’s time to go public. I love fashion and I’ve got good reasons. Firstly, it is aesthetically pleasing but also the social and cultural significance fashion holds are part of our everyday non-verbal communication


[ Click here to read more ]
42
Vote
   


Black is invariably the new black

June 5th 2007 23:49
Audrey Hepburn in Givenchy
From photobucket.com


Although Coco Chanel was really the first to bring the black dress into the everyday wardrobe of the modern woman, its place was indeed cemented with Hepburn’s appearance in Givenchy during Breakfast at Tiffany (see Sisi's post) last year for more on that dress


[ Click here to read more ]
36
Vote
   


Darling Natalie Portman

June 4th 2007 12:21
Recent Psychology graduate and general cutie-pie Natalie Portman has made the remarkable transition from child actor to adult star, in the non-pornographic sense, and astute style siren. With a particularly petite body and despite some onerous comparisons to Audrey Hepburn - no one needs that hanging over them - she has done rather well for herself.

Dramatically cropped Natalie Portman
From MSN.com

[ Click here to read more ]
38
Vote
   


Keira Knightley

May 24th 2007 00:25
Keira Knightley


Keira Knightely
Say hello to my little friend

[ Click here to read more ]
44
Vote
   


Do the Cannes, cannes

May 23rd 2007 00:03
Zhang Ziyi looking great... again
From Vogue.com


Corny title aside, I love Cannes fashion. All of a sudden due to it's French location, the red carpet set decides to try for real style and elegance of the sort not appropriately appreciated in the US and elsewhere. I've been a fan of Zhang Ziyi's red carpet choices for some time and this ensemble reaffirms it. Looking a little outrageous and a lot glamorous, her petite figure is dramatised in this tuxedo-style sartorial statement


[ Click here to read more ]
37
Vote
   


As promised, The New Romantics get their turn.

In the Spring 07 runways, there were many designers who had at least a piece or two inspired by this flower-happy trend, so, unlike my discussion of Futurism which was dominated by Balenciaga, I'm going to be talking about a range of designers from YSL, Chloe, Oscar de la Renta and Alexander McQueen (though I realise he's also mentioned in the Futurism section, he's my crossover dude, every genre needs one) and a bunch more. For more recent examples of what I'm talking about, look at Marc Jacobs’ heavily floral-inspired work for Louis Vutton


[ Click here to read more ]
54
Vote
   


Moderated by Orbler
Copyright © 2006 2007 2008 On Topic Media PTY LTD. All Rights Reserved. Design by Vimu.com.
On Topic Media ZPages: Sydney |  Melbourne |  Brisbane |  London |  Birmingham |  Leeds     [ Advertise ] [ Contact Us ] [ Privacy Policy ]