Emma Watson Italian Vogue article - English translation

Italian Vogue article

Is it possible to be included in the annals of cinema when your 18 and you still have your whole career in front of you? Well, looking at Emma Watson, it really seems possible. Class 1990, main character of the cinematic reduction of the biggest fantasy saga of our days: "Harry Potter" will be remembered as the strike-back of an European culture of the beginning of the millennium always more and more influenced by the American imports. It was 1999 when, at the age of just 9 years old, she passed "the audition of the auditions" for any child actor and obtained the role of the Harry Potter's friend, the little bookworm witch Hermione. Since then, nine years have passed and six more films among the most seen of the latest years, "cinematic arm" of the most profitable literary franchise of all time. Among the many records of this "big challenge", it also accompanied the lives of its protagonists: if it's true that cinema and television have done it many other times, especially with the soap operas, where the actors age with their public and their characters, it had never happened to see a movie series so strongly influecing the lives and careers of its really young protagonists as "HP" did.As it usually happens, in discussing "issues" about the myth of celebrity, we often fall prisoners of relativism. Fame and money - guess what - usually bring problems and disfunctions, especially if you suddenly got it too early.Emma agrees too: "In a certain sense, growing up in a film it's difficult. I've lived under the spotlights in a period which - on the contrary - should be full of learning and changing. People have the strange feeling they intimately know me just because they saw me becoming from child to woman, even if only through a screen."On the other hand, it seems like the solid background of her family gave her the right lessons to capitalize her experiences and to not let them overwhelm her. She loves painting, drawing and playing sports. "I would never want to change my childhood in the enterteinment industry. I've learned so much, met so many people of other different worlds and lived incredible experiences. It was a little bit different, but it's okay." Are you actually sure? "There are certain days when I'd like to have a more simple life, but for the rest of the time I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. All in all, who has a normal life?". If the "englishness" of "Harry Potter" is almost limited to the passports of its actors, Emma has all the upper middle class requirements of the case: parents who are lawyers, studies in Ofxord; even her birth in Paris, which makes her a quite "franglaise" creature, synthesis of two cultures historically enemies, but actually in love with each other. She looks aware of the traps of celebrity and fame. "I don't like being treated differently from others, I don't like being considered a celebrity, I don't like the words nor the meaning it has assumed. As far as I'm concerned, I'm an actress". Someone who loves acting and entertaining, who finds the job "interesting, cathartic, scary and exciting", who would like to work with her favorite directors, Baz Luhrmann, Guillermo del Toro, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, and who for now - "never say never, but I'd be surprised to find myself living over there" - doesn't even think to move to Los Angeles. It's a new Hermione, that woman that millions of fans will find in the next chapter, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince": a young woman who has the right to vote - on the eve of her last effort (the series will end in 2009 [nd. as we all know, it won't end before 2010] in the role that gave her notoriety and that will remain as a milestone in her career. Milestone that risks to become a tombstone: freeing herself from the "Hermione" tag will be the hardest thing to do for the post-Potter Emma Watson, but, knowing her behaviour and attitude, we can bet that she'll be able to do so. In her character, particularly loved by the author, J.K. Rowling, who said she shared many similarities with her when she was a child, Emma has much of herself: "My loyalty, my bad humour, my high-handedness, my will to learn, my competitivity, my determination, my fear of breaking the rules or being in troubles." And if you ask her what fame means to her, the answer, "it doesn't make sense for me, it's the result of what I love to do", sounds strangely not rethorical. In the end, she was born inside it, to the point she considers it natural. On her tastes and favorites there's nothing to object, at least remaining in the territory of the saga: "My favorite film is 'the Prisoner of Azkaban', same as the book. I had fun working with Alfonso Cuaron, and I had a really great role". In fact, it was a chapter directed by an "auteur" and the one where Hermione has a first-plan role. And it doesn't surprise too, that Emma's willing to add something else to her cv, maybe some theather, that theather that - after all - is all the rest in her actress experience (she starred in different school shows, when she was younger). "Yes, I'd like to. Roles totally different from Hermione, though." Talking about her role-model actresses of today and yesterday, the ones that she adds in the second category are quite surprising: it's weird but it's obvious that, for a girl who's born in 1990, Julia Roberts ("I've always liked to be her, when I was a child. Her smile, her actress personality are magnetic") is an icon of the past. The list is interesting: "Emma Thompson, because she's a so smart actress: I admire the fact that she writes her own screenplays. Goldie Hawn, because she's funny and because of her abilities in the show business. Cate Blanchett, because she's an extraordinary actress, and because of the different parts she had to face." Totally different thing, if we're talking about Natalie Portman, for the biographical similarities too: "She attended university, and she's able to behave under the spotlights. I don't know how she can do it. I'd like to receive some advices from her." J.K. Rowling has once said that the casting for Hermione had perfectly worked. Maybe it's because Emma has so much in common with her character: "If I'm feeling blue or stressed I try to apply myself at school. I love to dive in a book or a film". There's something more heavenly for the ears of those millions of HP fans' parents? A better role model for their children it's impossible to find even in a thousand years time.

source/credit:http://randeforum.proboards78.com/index.cgi?board=emma

Emma Watson- Italian Vogue photo shoot- STUNNING!

Seems somebody got their blessed little hands on a copy of Italian Vogue. I have to say this is probably THE best Emma photo shoot yet! Classy, artistic photos IMO. She looks beautiful- like we didn't know that- but the theme compliments her beauty. She sort of reminds me of Grace Kelly in some of these pics. Hopefully EWO or somebody will release bigger HQ pics but until then here's what we got:

For those poor, poor souls who have no clue know who Grace Kelly is:

Bikes on the Commuter Rail

As I get ready to leave town on my bike for the holiday weekend, I thought I'd write a bit about our bike/train infrastructure.

If you're lucky your trip on the MBTA Commuter Rail will be glorious, thanks to the ample parking offered by the bike car. It is nice to see that they have both the wheel-mounted racks and also a smaller number of frame-mounted racks.




Note, however, that just because you're riding in the allowable off-peak hours doesn't mean you're ensured the bike car. If you don't get it, be prepared to watch over your bike! These bikes were rolling all over the place.

It was worse than this on my most recent trip, I think we had more than twenty bikes in a car meant to hold zero. Note to MBTA: it's a good idea to send the bike car on the train that goes closest to sundown. That's when the cyclists are likely to be ending their adventures and heading home. I hear the 2PM bike car was completely empty, but bikes were spilling into the aisles of my 7:30PM train.

What's black and white and zips all over?

A Boston bike girl in bright blue boat shoes.


A Boston bike girl on a bike in slinky summer sandals.

Emma Watson and Ballet Shoes receiving great reviews

Emma Watson and Ballet Shoes continue to receive great reviews. In addition to the ones I've posted here is another that says "Harry Potter’s very own Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) in a refreshingly feminine and challenging period performance." This review overall is very informative so I have to put out a spoiler warning to those who haven't seen it.
link:http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/08/28/071204.php

This review says all the performances were exceptional!!
link:http://www.brianorndorf.com/2008/08/film-review-ballet-shoes.html

Plus this one really gives Emma thumbs up:
http://www.reeltalkreviews.com/browse/viewitem.asp?type=review&id=2736

The movie is still opening at selected cities so as reviews come out, I'll try to post them here. I won't catch all of them but I'll do my best.

Congrats to Emma and the rest of the cast and crew of Ballet Shoes for their success, even this unexpected one.

Enjoy the last days of Summer

While the men are on the Esplanade, it seems the women are reading on benches in smaller gardens. I think Mike's right that they're less likely to be part of a "scene" while tucked into these smaller places.

Or perhaps this is all a gross over-simplification. Either way, I hope you enjoy these last stunningly beautiful days of summer.

Short on gears, long on style

Some Boston/Cambridge singlespeed ladies, each with her own look:

Took a new route this week

I discovered yet another aspect of our fair city; that after work the Esplanade is filled with men who ride their bikes to go relax and read a book. Nearly every bench was occupied this way. On the other hand I didn't see a single female cyclist. Anyone care to speculate on the social forces at work?

Emma Watson talks Ballet Shoes, Tabloids, and Future plans

Found a great little article on Alloy.com. It mainly talks about Ballet Shoes but does move to other areas, namely tabloid rumors. She talks about the Chanel rumor and the dating rumors, (she does find them funny and harmless.) She actually feels the tabloids don't bother her much! Plus she mentions what kind of movies she would like to do and says she is applying for university in September. I don't know when this interview was conducted but since they mentioned Chanel it has to be more recent.

link:http://www.alloy.com/5/86/7871/1/


Also there is another positive review for Ballet Shoes out, it's a nice read.
http://www.filmarcade.net/2008/08/ballet-shoes-review-by-kelsey-zukowski.html

There are some articles about how shocked some people are that Ballet Shoes is being shown in US theaters and most feel it's due to Emma's star power, which is cool. Here is just one: http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/104855/us_box_office_report_tropic_thunder_hangs_on.html
BTW Emma/Hermione is looking beautiful on the new cover of the official HP calendar:

Autumn announces its arrival

There's a chill in the air. We're not sure whether to wear a sundress like usual or bust out the sweater and scarf. Me, I hold on to summer 'till I'm shivering.

Boston Blue

I have never seen a Raleigh 3-speed shinier than this one.

Bag Matches Bike

Riding to work, riding to class, isn't it cute when you bike matches your bag?

Vogue Vogue

Saturday night on the Esplanade. I was napping at our picnic when I hear these two girls styling themselves. I sleepily roll over, then grab my camera. This shot is taken too late, what you can't quite see is that they were doing an impromptu photo shoot with the bike, "look over your shoulder and smile". You know, a bike is this season's IT accessory...

Emma Watson wins 2008 SyFy award for best actress

Emma Watson came out a winner in the 2008 SyFy awards getting a best actress award for her performance in Order of the Phoenix. Johnny Depp won best actor for Sweeney Todd. OoTP also won best movie and J K Rowling won a lifetime achievement award. So congrats to Emma and Ootp! Plus I'm loving that James Marsters and Dr. Who were also recognized.

Quote from the Syfyportal website:
And in the movie category, Johnny Depp -- who last won a SyFy Genre Award in 2004 for "Pirates of the Caribbean" -- returned to the winners column for his role in "Sweeney Todd" while Emma Watson won Best Actress/Movie for "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." Watson's movie also won Best Movie, beating a strong slate of films that included "Iron Man."

link: http://www.syfyportal.com/news425320.html

Bike Friday, Boston

SAFE, GUIDED CONVOYS WITH POLICE ESCORT Lead by experienced cyclists and escorted by Boston Police, convoys follow a fixed schedule and route and originate at locations throughout metro-Boston. All convoys finish at City Hall Plaza Boston.

Yesterday was Bike Friday, a chance for cyclists new and old to try commuting by bike with a police escort. It was a lot of fun and I was excited to meet Nicole Freedman, and Mayor Tom Menino himself!

Nicole, my friend Dorothy Fennell of MassBike, and I were all very excited together about the changing nature of the Boston bike culture. Go Boston!

Sunny day, red hot cruiser

This week's weather has been better than any weather anywhere. It is for this week that we live all year.

It's been such fun to see all the happy people on their pretty bicycles...

Especially for RB

You asked about how the hooks are attached to my sister's backpack. Here are some close up photos:

Back to School

On my way to the first day of third grade. I may not have front teeth, but man was I proud to have my very own bike lock, with a secret combination!

Last year a New York Times article asserted

"Forty years ago, half of all students walked or bicycled to school. Today, fewer than 15 percent travel on their own steam."

They go on to list myriad environmental, health, and mental acuity-related benefits to getting one's self to school.

I'd like to add another: Self Confidence.

I am certain that I was (am?) a stronger person as a result of my independence and self-reliance at a young age. My mother tacitly sent the message that she had faith in my good judgment by allowing me to get myself to and from school. This carried over into other aspects of my life outside the scope of this blog, including things like eventual peer pressure to smoke, etc. (yes, I am THAT old!)

Thank you Mom, for your faith in me.

Parents: protect your children, but don't forget to give them wings.

Emma Watson - misc. news updates

Right now it seems things are pretty quiet. The EWO has updated with an official WB statement regarding the movie date change. Other HP news is that Rupert is not wanting to kiss Emma because she's like a sister. Pucker up Rupert;)
link:http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/film/article1572609.ece

Napoleon and Betsy News

Still nothing from the official site. We still just have the recent EW article and previously posted links have some information. (See last update.) Hopefully this project will be filmed this fall. I think a serious more grown up role would be good for Emma. I did see a different description for Napoleon and Betsy at the NY Times so I copy and pasted it here.
Review Summary:
In the emperor's final years, he befriends a young British girl to try and enlist her in his fantasy to regrasp power, but eventually becomes resigned to his fate. ~ Baseline StudioSystems

Ballet Shoes News

Things are moving along for Ballet Shoes. The movie will have it's limited theatrical release on Aug 26 and DVD release on Sept. 2. For all you facebook people, there is a facebook page that has official production photos and two official trailers. You can view them and join the group here.

link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballet-Shoes/20591344385
Variety mentioned Ballet Shoes! Pretty excited about that since it's a hugely popular papar.
link:http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117990886.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

Plus Boxoffice has a cool little bit on the movie (says it's a must see hit:)http://boxoffice.com/exhibition_news/2008/08/20/ballet-shoes-us-premiere-marks.php

There are a few new reviews coming out already. Both very positive.

#1 from Bassie's corner: http://bassescorner.wordpress.com/2008/08/06/ballet-shoes/
#2 from Flick Filosopher: http://www.flickfilosopher.com/blog/2008/07/ballet_shoes_review.html

Perviously released reviews from the BBC Boxing day viewing:
Financial Times: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/f21fd408-b1c2-11dc-9777-0000779fd2ac,Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2Ff21fd408-b1c2-11dc-9777-0000779fd2ac.html%3Fnclick_check%3D1&_i_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emmawatson-fans.com%2Fhome.php&nclick_check=1

TV Scoop (the best IMO): http://www.tvscoop.tv/2007/12/tv_review_balle.html

The Scotsman: http://news.scotsman.com/features/Motion-sickness.3615081.jp

The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/exclusions/tvondemand/nosplit/LNoTV/bvballet26.xml

Digiguide: http://library.digiguide.com/lib/uk-tv-highlight/Ballet+Shoes-2171

Daily Record: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/comment/columnists/showbiz-tv-columnists/paul-english/2007/12/22/sisters-are-doing-it-for-themselves-86908-20262373/


The Tale of Despereaux

Looks like promotion is starting to take off since fall is around the corner. There is a video game going to be released in conjunction with the movie. Sounds pretty cool although I don't know if the actors voices are going to be used in the game.
lnk:http://gamesnews.virgin.net/Virgin/Lifestyle/Games/virginGamesNewsDetail/0,13470,4010962_playbetandwin,00.html

An Odd Bit:
On a funny note, it seems that chanel rumor won't ever die especially when an article mentions a contract on cooperation has been signed. That goes under "things that make you go hmmm?" Interesting article nevertheless.
link: http://www.fragrantica.com/news/Chanel-Addition-to-Coco-Mademoiselle-Collection-and-a-New-Face-Emma-Watson-406.html

Golden Girl

Hurray for ladies of all ages on bikes!

A great day for Bike Boston (and Cambridge)

As a cyclist I don't usually associate "Pleasant" and "Massachusetts Avenue". But at that intersection we can see both bicycle cops enforcing the stoplight, and a father bringing his son to school.

There's two signs of a thriving bike culture, and that's certainly pleasant for Massachusetts!

Alf's Elegant Bike Bags

I'll only send one entry, my Cadillac Bike, the ladies 1980 Schwinn Suburban. The bag is a Brooks Glenbrook and I bought it new specifically for this bike because I think the Glenbrook is the only bag currently on the market with enough class to compliment this particular bike. A second point and which I only realized some time well after installing the bag, is that the bag is perfectly sized to distract an observer from noticing the ungainly saddle height position. While my ideal frame size is a 22", we vintage-bike rescuers have to make do with what we randomly find and the Cadillac Bike's frame is a 19".


Other fashion accessory bags which I have are a Brooks Millbrook on my green Raleigh; a Brooks Challenge Bag on a Ferrari-Red '67 American-built wannabee-Raleigh; a Carradice Barley Bag on a fantasy backdated Schwinn Continental made to favor a 1940s British Clubman; a grotesque yellow nylon deep handlebar bag on a bright blue Austrian Steyr of about 1970 or so; and a currently-surplus Schwinn Approved leatherette touring style large saddle bag. Nice bag in the manner of the Glenbrook but quite frankly ... just not a Brooks. BTW, I currently have it listed for sale on the QUAD CITIES IA/ILL Craigslist.

And of course you already know about the converted ladies handbag I mounted on Eliza Doolittle.

This'll be fun to see how other people use bags on their bikes, hope the turnout is good.

'Meli in the City' and her bags

Girl, you're looking super hot!!!


Meli (Bikes and the City) says: "This bag I use for everything and not only the bike, it's a good size, fits the basket and fits additional books or big magazines that sometimes don't fit in my purse. Backpack that can also be a tote. Love it."


Meli says: "My grannie-purse, coffee mug, gloves, eye drops & first aid kit (bandages, etc — has come in handy many, many times), water, moleskins, micron pens, lipsticks, allen tool, safety pins and wallet ;)"


Meli - thank you for sharing your bags! Practical, chic, urban... I'm impressed.

Other bag posts

A week ago I posted a question about bags on bikes and what you keep in them. Many people responded directly in the comments there.

Some responses can be found at other blogs:
Alaska Bike Girl
Chicago Bike Blog
General Carlessness

Tiago (Ride'N'Desire) wrote to me directly:

"Malheureusement je n'utilise pas de sac cycliste. Juste mon porte feuille avec documents et argent. Si j'ai un problème avec le vélo, je prends le metro et je retourne à la maison chercher les outils. Mais je pense qu'en plus de 15 ans à faire du vélo, c'est arrivé 2/3 fois maximum."

For the non-francophones:

"Unfortunately, I don't use a bike bag. Just my wallet with ID and money. If I have a problem on my bike I take the metro back home to get my bike tools. But after more than 15 years cycling that's only happened 2-3 times."

This got me thinking - perhaps it's a New World, "boy scout - be prepared" kinda thing to carry supplies around the city? Then my husband reminded me of his 5 flats in one morning trying to get to work in Paris. The glass was just awful that day. How do you do it Tiago???

I don't know. Perhaps some of us are just more lucky than others?

A peek inside my bag

Here is my bike bag. Made by Carradice, it's a purpose-built bike bag. So shoot me. It's extremely practical, and extraordinarily well thought-out. It's not the most beautiful bag I own but its virtues are such that I love it.

In it I carry too many things:

• U lock
• plastic shopping bag - to cover my Brooks saddle if it's wet, or I'm parking in a suspect locale
• tire pump
• set of Alan wrenches - I think I'll stop carrying these, since this bike doesn't use them
• small screwdriver - I think I'll stop carrying this
• tire irons
• tire gauge
• spare 27" Schrader tube
  
• adjustable wrench
• Brooks wrench - I definitely will stop carrying this
• bungee cord - I used to have two of these...
  
• lock de-icer for my home bike shed - this might be stored 'till winter!
• headlight - clips onto the bike
  
• Sam Browne belt - my husband bought this from RUSA for Paris-Brest-Paris. It's the dorkiest thing anywhere, but I wear it gladly late on Friday night in any inclement conditions. I just think about how happy I was that he made it through that tough ride and got safely home to me
  
• reflective gloves - my sister gave me these for Christmas to improve my visibility
  

Not pictured, because I forgot to replenish them: latex gloves, at least one pair, maybe two, for use when handling greasy bike bits. They're great to toss and go.

I have all this and still room to haul home groceries, or whatever needs hauling each day.


Stay tuned for guest bag posts...

Emma Watson aced her A levels

Just wanted to take a moment to offer a congrats to Emma for passing her A levels. She got straight A's in English lit, Geography, and Art. I can't help but be happy for her. I hope all those who got their results today are as equally thrilled. I imagine for Emma it's a relief to be done with that aspect of her studies. Now if we can only get more info on Napoleon and Betsy! Hint, hint.

So head over to the Emma Watson official site to read the news. Congrats to her again.

Some articles about her grades:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1045609/Harry-Potter-star-Emma-Watsons-A-Level-hat-trick-Three-straight-As.html

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20219417,00.html


As for Napoleon and Betsy, I saw an editorial that mentioned N & B is nearing production. So that's pretty exciting. The information is from Crimson Communications, a UK based company so I imagine they would know what's going on. Emma power - getting movies done!
http://www.crimsonuk.com/editorial/index.html

excerpt:
"August is generally the time for holidays but with the rising cost of fuel and the strength of the Euro, many are putting off their annual break for a more auspicious time. However, every cloud has a silver lining and the high Euro also means that the UK is in a more competitive position to pick up international productions so there are plenty of home-grown projects to keep us busy.
Kicking off with features we have a number of high-profile directors gearing up for production. The long-gestating Napoleon And Betsy is edging nearer to production aided by the addition of Harry Potter alumni Emma Watson to the cast, The Story Of You is based on the book by Julie Myerson about a mother struggling to come to terms with the death of a child and Hush director Mark Tonderai is in development with his next project I Die At Midnight."

Also the upcoming Entertainment Weekly mentions Napoleon and Betsy is filming this fall and will be Watson's first lead role outside of HP. Too cool! Actually the whole article is pretty interesting, s make sure you read it. Scans can be found at I heart Watson media.

The Inspiration for the Bag Question

As y'all know, my kid sister is going to college (university, higher edjumacation) at the end of the month. She's got the campus bike, now she needs to carry her books and whatever else she'll need. I personally hate heavy things on my back when trying to ride any distance. Trips across campus are no more than a mile but getting back home will be quite a bit further.

In thinking about what she needs in a bag I decided to modify an ordinary backpack from the thrift store into a rack-mounted book backpack. To do this I mounted two heavy-duty clips to the back of the bag, but up above the shoulder area. They're stoutly sewn on with lengths of climbing harness nylon. I've worn the backpack around my apartment and the hooks don't rub. I then modified the shoulder straps so that their tails are wound up in velcro, like Camelbak does. This leaves the straps adjustable but keeps the tails from getting caught in the wheels. I added one subtle strip of 3M Scotchlite reflective tape that will reflect behind her as she keeps the bag on the non-drive left-hand side of the bike. (S, are you catching these instructions?)


To get it off the bike with weight in it she'll want to hold the handle against the rack and with the other hand un-clip each clip. She can then use the backpack portion of it.


You can see here how hers is wider and lower than the wearpoints that my bag has made on my rack. My bag clips to the stay on the rack which keeps it from sliding back. I think this backpack may need that but I haven't added it because her rack is different from mine and I'm not quite sure where to put the lower attachment. Mom, I think this is going to fall to you, since you have access to the actual bike.

OK, so this backpack is olive drab, pretty masculine. I think we need to pretty it up a bit. I think a girly motif might be just the dichotomous element to give the bag some interest, besides also being a possible opening to conversations with the boys in class. Our mother has an embroidery company so I was thinking of asking her to embroider a design on that flap that covers the front. I wish someone would digitize a nice design for a good townie with fenders and baskets. What about a road bike embroidered in pink or butter yellow where this one is red? There's a mountain bike too. Yes, I am hoping she meets someone who likes bikes.

Internet world - what would be something cute on the backpack that would invite opportunities to chat?

White dress in the sun

Yesterday was a beautiful day for Bike Boston - lots of people were out. My noon meeting was canceled (due to perfect weather!) and even I got out for a joy ride. It was a perfect day.

Great legs, red shoes

Those great legs - nature? bicycle? or both?

Emma and fashion

Good news! Today the EW official site updated and not with Harry Potter news! Seems Emma got her own fashion section in Harper's Bazzar magazine. So head over there for the pics. The magazine article has quite a bit of information about Emma's fashion taste and where she shops.

So continuing on the fashion note, I found an article at Fashion Indie. It's an interview with Charles Anastase. If you recall Emma wore one of his dresses to the Cartier polo event last month, the white lace dress. He mentions Emma near the end of the article.

http://fashionindie.com/the-inter-views-of-fashion-charles-anastase/

Emma mention in the article:
RM: So who is the typical Charles Anastase woman?
CA: Very, very precise. This is why the label is so successful. The last girl we had in the magazines was Emma Watson. I think she loves Charles Anastase. I don’t even need to send her the clothes as she’s already bought them. Very girly, very young looking - but independent. She would be a little intellectual at the same time. Christina Ricci, Winona Ryder (they both wear lots of my clothes).

Lastly, Teen Vogue has a hit-or-miss poll about the Anastase dress that Emma wore. So go vote for Emma!
http://www.teenvogue.com/connect/polls/hitormiss/20080812

Retro Fenders

I love my hammered Honjos, but these faceted fenders are gorgeous enough to tempt me. They look so very retro.

Photo from Vélo Orange.

Phantom Rider

I guess we probably look a bit like that to the drivers of cars sometimes.

More New Old Bike Excitement!

I'm looking for a bike for my mother, as she's said she's interested in getting groceries on her bike.

I want it to be something kinda special, she's my mom after all. A while back I was sitting with Aunt Charlotte and an old family friend B shows up as scheduled to watch 60 Minutes with my aunt.

We chatted and she says to me "I haven't ridden my bike in decades, do you know anyone who'd want it?"

I said yes, I know three women looking for bikes, can you tell me more
about it?

B: "Well I got it when I was studying in Europe, I brought it back on the boat with me. I had to go get it at the workshop, I was too tall for the stock bikes in the store."
Charlotte: "How tall are you?"
B: "Five eight and a half"
Charlotte: "Ah, the same height as me and my mom and my sister - it will have to be for one of them!"
B: "Perfect. It's an obscure brand - a Dawes."
Charlotte: "NO WAY! I ride a Dawes!!!"

(both of us start getting really excited)

B: "Well, it is blue, it has white plastic fenders, and it was
made in 1954. It's all original except I had new tires put on about 20
years ago."
Charlotte: "My mother was born in 1954."
B: "Tell your mother she can have my bike."

My mother is thrilled, she misses the old town where this bike is and loves that her bike is coming from our friend.

I picked it up this weekend at Aunt Charlotte's 97th birthday party. I simply pumped up the tires and rode it down from her house to ours. Here are some photos:


Here's the bike in its basement where it's been stored for basically my entire lifetime.


The traditional Dawes headbadge.


The "before" photo. My mom gets a dynohub!

I welcome any suggestions in getting this bike fixed up. It's pretty rusty/mildewy and I don't want to hurt the enamel paint. There are chrome parts that we know are not original (the handlebars) so I'm not going to restore those. The frame though, is Reynolds 531, which I believe is rare for a ladies' bike. They don't usually use the good stuff for them. This is consistent with Dawes' reputation in that era:

"Dawes approach to bicycles was opposite to that of many of the large volume builders. They put the emphasis and the bulk of the value into the frame, which establishes the ride characteristics. Most of the large volume manufacturers lured buyers with the emphasis on the components. Given that components are easier and less expensive to upgrade than a frame, Dawes approach was appealing the knowledgeable cyclist. The approach was not unique to Dawes, but it certainly wasn't mainstream."

PS. The birthday party went very well and the lemon cake was the first cake gone.