We decided to splurge and do this in relative style, by getting tickets to the Fusion Club VIP experience which included access to 2 days (Saturday prelims and the Sunday race itself), as well as to food, drinks, and entertainment!

The Fusion Club itself was nice! Good food and service, and some fun things to do like an F1 simulator, as well as live music. You also had a good opportunity to overlook the race track, however the seating was very limited and a bit of a free for all, so it ended up being a bit more stressful than we would’ve liked to make sure you were in a good position for the races.

Some photos of the overall Fusion Club experience:

In terms of the race itself, I was absolutely rooting for Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz, my two faves, all the way! Unfortunately, Verstappen took the win, as per usual

We came away thinking that wouldn’t do the Fusion Club experience specifically again, although we are open to going back to the F1 again. We just need to figure out how we can do without the spectator seating stress!

This is me sitting outside the stadium waiting to be let in, and realising that I absolutely should’ve upped my outfit game, because everyone was dressed in the most amazing sparkly outfits, and I had gone boring basic

We finally got in, and had some complimentary food and drinks that were included with our VIP package, and then made our way to our seats. The atmosphere was absolutely electric and I was so excited for it to start!

Finally, it was time for the Queen herself to join us. Here are a selection of photos from the best night!

The entire concert from start to finish was obviously PERFECTION, but if I had to pick, my fave songs she performed were:

• I’m That Girl
• Alien Superstar
• Break My Soul
• Formation
• My Power
• Crazy in Love
• America Has A Problem

If I could describe the show in three words, it would be: sexy, energetic and a BOP! It was an awesome show, with Usher showcasing all of his huge hits, and taking the sex appeal up to the max through the staging, dancers and outfits (or lack thereof!)

We stayed out of our seats throughout the whole thing, especially when Usher himself came into the audience and stood LITERALLY RIGHT NEXT TO US! Highlight for sure!

Here are some pictures that should give you a feel for this 10/10 show:

This would definitely not have been on my personal wish list of things to do, but turns out it was an actual genius move because there was a rodeo at the county fair! And going to a rodeo has been on my life list for aaaaages!

So, first, the fair itself. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect but this thing was MASSIVE. There were thousands of people there and the queue to get in took at least an hour in our cab . It was wild.

Inside the fair, aside from the rodeo which was the main evening event, there were so many things to do and see, ranging from animal exhibits, kids rides, and lots of mini events like log throwing and pig races. It was crazy! I especially like watching the pig races and visiting all the cute animals!

There were also SO many food stalls. Like everywhere, selling all different American things that I had never tried before like funnel cakes.

So we wandered around the county fair for a few hours, had something to eat and drink and enjoyed soaking in the atmosphere. Then it was time for the main event – the rodeo!

The rodeo area was very basic seating overlooking a huge field. We were sat next to some very nice women who would helpfully explain what was going on at key points!

Before the rodeo started, there was of course an American anthem rendition, and everybody stood up and covered their hearts to sing it., and there was also a bit of prayer.

The rodeo itself was a multi-hour event split up into mini sections where people showed off different skills like staying on the bull or horse, and wrangling animals.

I wasn’t able to take many good pics as everything was happening so fast and I only had my phone camera, but here are a selection:

We went for dinner first at Gaucho, then a quick drink in the AMEX suite, and then straight into the arena for magic!!

Here is a random selection of pictures of such an amazing night!

It really is the one occasion where everyone really dresses UP, and unlike the Met Gala where it can be zany AF, the Oscars is usually the place where people are dressing up as classy as possible. And I love to see it!

So, I wanted to showcase my favourite looks, in no particular order:

(By the way, I (mostly) don’t fuck with worst-dressed looks. Everyone deserves to think they looked as amazing as they probably felt.)

My 7 fave looks that ATE IT UP

Florence Pugh

Wearing Louis Vuitton, and looking as pretty as a picture. I love this colour on her, even though I would consider it a pretty bold colour choice. The matching strappy heels are perfect for this look as well, complimenting the lines of the dress. Her simple glam and jewellery is all she needs!

Brie Larsson

Brie is wearing Celine, in what I would say is the quintessential Oscars gown. The sparkly gold, the sleek and elegant lines, the nods of skin but not too over-the-top.. I just love it.

Sandra Oh

Sandra Ohhhhhh She is wearing Elie Saab and I have to say, I do like the drama here, even if there are details of the dress I’m not fully sold on (ahem, bow). I really really love the bottom detailing on the dress as well as the colour palette, and I think she looks elegant and striking.

Rebel Wilson

Wearing Jason Wu, Rebel looks GORGEOUS. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her look better. This dress gives her a beautiful shape and as I think we’re all realising, I’m a sucker for a sparkly gold number at Oscars time. My only one nit-pick here is her make-up – I think she could have done with a stronger look but this is MINOR.

Billy Porter

Billy Porter never disappoints on the red carpet. He is serving a lewk in this Giles Deacon couture piece. I actually really love the print on the bottom as well as the drama on the top.

Cynthia Erivo

The lovely Cynthia looks insaaaaaaaaaane in this beautiful white gown. Let’s be honest, her body looks banging in this, whilst still being classy and elegant. And I have to mention her ring game as well – gorgeous!

Rami Malek

Last, but certainly not least, I have to shout out Rami Malek. I was looking through pictures and pictures of men in suits and they all looked kinda meh, till Rami came across my screen, His Saint Laurent look is sleek and sexy, and I think it should be recommended uniform for all the men ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

And those are my picks for Oscars 2020 Best Dressed! Who was your favourite look? Share in the comments!

Aaaaaand if I’m really into or hate something, this means I can add more details here!

Cats

The thing with Cats was, I had heard all the bad things, yet I was compelled to go see it for myself to answer the question: is it really as bad as they say?

And the answer is YES

Reading Cats reviews is actually now just hilarious and probably the best art to come out of the movie.

For All Mankind

For All Mankind is original content released on Apple TV, and follows an ambitious storyline which imagines that USA loses the race to launch a man to the moon to Russia. The first episode centres around NASA, both astronauts and administration, and later episodes introduce other characters and storylines.

I watched this super early on in the year (January lol), but I wouldn’t be surprised if I ended the year with this being one of the best things I watched in 2020. Yes, I thought it was that good!

*Adding TV to this thread*

Just finished For All Mankind. Its a fucking masterpiece if you love space + playing out parallel universe scenarios.

Good things: Character depth, striking space visuals, production design

Bad things : Some meandering sub-plots

9/10 pic.twitter.com/Qq9CBdU1Cy

— Yaël (@that_ysl) January 28, 2020

I’m a massive space geek so I found the detailed production design and space visuals really impressive. They didn’t skimp on the details – for example, utilising real NASA jargon – which I really enjoyed. For all the science, it was also an incredibly emotional and human-centred series. There were multiple scenes where I cried throughout and parts of the storyline have stayed with me for days after.

The only reason this series scored a 9/10 instead of full marks was a couple of subplots involving minor characters that I felt were a little unnecessary. But this is a really small nitpick.

Now I’m gonna go and rewatch it

Little Women

Ah this film was so great. I loved Little Women when I was younger, but I couldn’t quite remember the plot or characters properly. This adaptation was a great plunge back into the Little Women world.

Last night I saw #LittleWomen ! Greta Gerwig done a stellar job breathing life into it

Good things : Loved Saoirse (Jo) and Florence (Amy). Oscar noms well deserved.

Bad things : They cast Saul Goodman (Better call Saul!) as the dad! Couldn’t take him serious

8/10 pic.twitter.com/l55uX3y0Bo

— Yaël (@that_ysl) January 31, 2020

The standout performance for me was Florence Pugh, who I am so pleased has been recognised with an Oscar nom. Her version of Amy made me realise how ‘Amy’ I am (I always wanted to be Jo when I was growing up) and the interplay between her and Saoirse Ronan (who was inevitably amazing as well) was electric.

For me, the film only got an 8/10 rather than anything more because of a couple of casting choices that I wasn’t completely sure on. First was Timothee Chalamet, who to me just looked like a teenage boy throughout, and I didn’t think he and Jo worked as a pair. The second was more minor but who cast SAUL GOODMAN from Breaking Bad as the dad? No way lol.

1917

1917 has had a lot of hype leading into Awards season, and I couldn’t wait to see it – even though its a war movie, and thats not typically my thing.

The reason I was so hyped to see it was due to a video that I saw that showed the amazingness that went into shooting this movie, and I couldn’t wait to see more!

Well, I wasn’t disappointed!

I just saw 1917! It’s visceral, emotional, gripping + gets you in the guts. Take tissues.

Good things : Incredible cinematography, beautiful score, nuanced acting

Bad things : The ending could’ve been stronger but tbh the journey was worth it. More Cumberbatch needed.

8/10 pic.twitter.com/366BOKTTSB

— Yaël (@that_ysl) February 1, 2020

The film is shot as though its all one shot, and this is done exceptionally well. It makes the entire thing feel immersive, and you really go on a journey with the main characters from the get go.

The only thing that could’ve made this film better was more Benedict Cumberbatch

The Rhythm Section

This is the last time I go into a film without knowing ANYTHING about it. From the title alone, I thought this was something to do with music, and I was expecting some sort of upbeat movie, maybe about a high school band that triumphs against some low-level adversity.

Instead, the film opens in a dingy flat in Morocco, with a crazy looking Blake Lively doing something weird (tryna be vague to be as spoiler-free as possible).

I also saw The Rhythm Section , which btw, I was convinced was a music film

Good things : Um I now know what Blake Lively would look as a brunette?

Bad things : Jumbled plot, improbable to the max, predictable. Also, should win an Oscar for Worst Hairstyles

2/10 pic.twitter.com/QENkfYWPdJ

— Yaël (@that_ysl) February 1, 2020

This film was truly bad and I stand by my 2/10 score. The plot was bad, confused and completely improbable, and a genuine waste of time. The only mildly entertaining thing about this movie was the array of absolutely terrible wigs that Blake Lively was forced to wear

Birds of Prey

I had semi-high hopes for this movie, having enjoyed Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn before. Unfortunately, aside from Margot Robbie’s characterisation, the film fell flat for me:

Just seen #BirdsOfPreyMovie

Good : The soundtrack bangs, there’s some good comedic moments, Margot plays Harley well, there’s a pet HYENA

Bad : I wanted to like it but the plot was kinda boring, the other characters felt tacked on, the fights had nothing new

5/10 (HYENA!) pic.twitter.com/Xgt7HAopGD

— Yaël (@that_ysl) February 8, 2020

Parasite

A very well-deserved win at the Oscars. No matter what The Orange One might think.

I feel very lucky that I had no idea about what the plot of Parasite was before I watched it, and I feel like this is the premium way to experience it. So I won’t be sharing any details of the plot here just in case someone hasn’t seen it yet.

All I will I say is that it is incredibly gripping, funny, sad and a thought-provoking reflection on a society where different classes of people must exist in the same space and how they survive.

Special shout-outs to the acting, the music and the production design.

Wow have just come out of #Parasite and even with all the buzz, it surpassed my expectations

Good : Literally everything. I’m gassed it won an Oscar, seriously well deserved

Bad : N/A

10/10 – go and watch! And try not to read about it first. pic.twitter.com/URCI9pyREX

— Yaël (@that_ysl) February 15, 2020

The Invisible Man

I unexpectedly really enjoyed this movie – the last movie I watched before the pandemic shut down all the cinemas

Elisabeth Moss continues to impress me with her acting range – I genuinely feel like she is severely underrated as an actress – and her performance really carried this entire movie, a good thing seeing as she was onscreen about 99% of the time acting against AN INVISIBLE MAN!

The film also managed to pack a lot of suspense and shocks into it, without coming across as obvious or tacky.

Just *seen* () #TheInvisibleMan!

The good : Elisabeth Moss (Handmaids Tale) perfectly cast as a damaged woman with reservoirs of inner strength. Good amount of suspense/scares!

The bad: No pun intended, would have liked to have seen more from the Invisible Mans POV

7/10 pic.twitter.com/D8pjSbQU14

— Yaël (@that_ysl) March 1, 2020

The only reason it gets a 7/10 is because I think the film could have really benefitted from more from the Invisible Man’s perspective – I wanted to *see* him outside of other people’s gazes so we could understand more about him.

However, if I would have known this was the last time I’d be in a cinema for a while, I probably wouldn’t have been so nitpicky

See

See is a sci-fi drama on Apple TV, that hooked me in from its first 5 minutes!

Aside from its thoughtful and expansive world-building chops, it showcased some really good performances. I particularly loved Sylvia Houeks as Queen Kane

You also can’t go wrong with a bit of Jason Momoa..!

So, See on Apple TV was a great watch, set in a distant future when humans have all lost their sight.

The good: The world-building was , a lot of thought put into creating a future-world where vision has been forgotten. Also, Jason Momoa!

The bad: When it ended

10/10 pic.twitter.com/J2uA8Q0IL9

— Yaël (@that_ysl) April 29, 2020

And today, we are starting with my top ten beautiful humans of the 2010’s!

Let’s just dive straight in.

Number 10

Idris Elba. Luther, Stringer, my #1 pick for the next James Bond .

Idris is a whole 47 years old, and is still making every other man in the UK, at any age, look dead.

Number 9

Zoe Kravitz. I’m convinced that it is physically impossible for Zoe Kravitz to look anything less than perfection. I mean yes she has impeccable genes going for her, but STILL. Also, I would love to know her skincare routine.

Number 8

Rodrigo Santoro, my Brazilian brother.

Known simply as Karl in Love Actually for the longest time, he’s recently been showing up in Westworld as the outlaw Hector, who’s getting it on with Thandie Newton. Lets just say a Stetson suits him.

Number 7

Henry Cavill. AKA Superman. And I’m just putting it out there, has anyone actually checked that he’s not from another planet, because… have you seen him?!

Number 6

Rihanna. Just by her mere existence, Rihanna blesses us (however, new music would also be nice, not gonna lie!)

Rihanna is constantly reinventing herself, yet manages to always look fly as fuck. Please tell me your secrets

Number 5

Angelina Jolie. I actually don’t think a bad picture of her exists. This is incontrovertible. From bad girl Angie, all the way through to activist Angelina, her every look is always flawless.

Number 4

Beyonce.

I can’t believe it but I’m putting Beyonce at number 4. I’m sorry Bey . This was a really tough call. Beyonce is the ultimate Queen, powerhouse, G.O.A.T. But I just can’t put her top of this particular list. She still beats out almost every other woman though.

Number 3

Anthony Joshua. Actually, AJ got an extra bump for being beautiful despite his actual job involving being beat up in the FACE. A true king.

Number 2

Kendrick Sampson. Perhaps a lesser known name than others on this list, but I promise you he does not disappoint.

Kendrick is not only a beautiful human on the outside but his vocal and persistent activism continues to inspire me. Those gorgeous eyes don’t hurt either.

Number 1

And then it comes down to number 1. It may be surprising, but my most beautiful person of the decade was actually a fairly easy choice.

I was looking for unparalleled beauty, grace and power, and really there’s only one person who comes to mind… Gal Gadot.

And that is that on that!

I have been desperate to get myself to a Secret Cinema event for the longest time, but it never quite happened for me. Secret Cinema is the first and best purveyor of immersive cinema experiences, and some of their previous events (Romeo + Juliet! Bladerunner!) have become legend.

So, when they announced that they were going back to 1980’s Americana to honour Stranger Things, one of my favourite tv shows of late, I knew I had to make it happen, no matter what!

Bad news for this blog, and my photo archives, they don’t let you take any pictures inside. But, what I can say was, I had a blast. Some things that stood out:

• The actors that they had there were so similar to the actual actors, that I had to do doubletakes on multiple occasions.
• The scale of the world they create is ridiculous. I hadn’t quite appreciated how many stories, and avenues of exploration, and rooms there were inside the Starcourt mall. There was so much to see and do and explore that you would probably want to go 3 or 4 times to experience it over and over to feel like you really got the whole thing.
• I was dreading the dressing up bit, because to be honest, thats not really me. But I did my best, and actually I didn’t stick out at all! Some people go all out and they look incredible, but honestly, they were a minority. Most people just either looked solidly good or had many even less effort than I had. So if you’re also worried about how much you could commit to the theme, don’t worry at all.

Here’s a couple of pics from the outside of the venue, which was done up like Starcourt Mall, as well as a quick pic of my attempt at an 80’s hairstyle !

Here’s some shots from the night. Apologies for blurriness but a) our seats weren’t great and b) i was probably dancing ¯\_(ツ)_/¯