Month: February 2018

JUST HANGING AT ST REGIS SAADIYAT ISLAND.

It was February. January had been long and drawn out. I had managed to make January fabulous by dragging out all my birthday celebrations but now it was Feb, it was still grey, wet and cold and we badly needed some winter sun.

AT THE OUTDOOR POOL AREA AT ST REGIS SAADIYAT ISLAND.

I scoured the internet for weeks searching for a hot-spot in Feb. The canaries were too cool temperature-wise, Asia was too far away, America in the age of Trump wasn’t bearable. Someone suggested Dubai, then they said Abu Dhabi was more sophisticated so after researching long and heard I came to choose the uber opulent ST REGIS SAADIYAT ISLAND for its stunning hotel grounds.

I am a fussy traveller and require a pool, beach, spa and fabulosity and the St Regis provided all that and more.

THIS IS THE MAGIC BUTTON THAT YOU PRESS AT THE POOL FOR A WAITER TO CATER TO YOUR EVERY WHIM!

It was an amazing week and delivered above and beyond my expectations. We had booked a superior room via Kenwood Travel in the UK …(much cheaper and as efficient than all the usual holiday package bookers that i have used in the past!)…and were aware a superior room is the lowest ranking at the hotel, but on arrival found to our delight that it was huge, palatial and classy. From the moment we arrived, until we left everything was perfect!

PRESSING THE MAGIC BUTTON MAKES THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN…FRESH FRUIT BY THE POOL WHILST CHILLING!

The garden view room was stunning and classically decorated with two separate sink and toilet facilities with a gorgeous rain shower wet room and tea/coffee making facilities.

We chose not to have a sea view too this time as we barely spent any time during the day in the room as the pool/beach were so delightful.

JUST ME ON A COMFY CHAIR ON THE BEACH IN ABU DHABI.

The three butlers assigned to us were a total surprise…..yet attentive and helpful and genuinely seemed keen to make our stay comfortable with nothing being too much trouble. They brought twenty extra hangers immediately and took our clothing to be pressed daily- complimentary!

DAILY FRESH ORIGAMI TOWEL ANIMALS IN OUR SUITE!

There was more than enough fresh bottled ST REGIS branded water provided daily as well as a lovely lot of flowers, chocolates and even origami towels in shapes of love hearts and animals. A lovely way of showing attention to detail which made us smile daily.

THE CLASSY PIANIST IN THE LOBBY PLAYING BEAUTIFUL MUSIC EVERY EVENING…FROM BRAHMS TO BRUNO MARRS , SHE HAD IT ALL!

The hotel was stunning both outside and in. The dramatic entrance with palm trees and fire flames, the shiny marble lobby with stunning flower arrangements and evening pianist were all classy touches.

The hotel grounds are beautifully kept, secure, clean and as pretty as a picture. There is a photo instagram shot around every corner!

The food buffet was the most impressive. I was concerned after reading reviews but the variety and standard of fresh food dishes from across the world were breath taking and every morning at breakfast and at night for dinner the variety and choices were more than enough.

ONE OF OUR BUTLERS- LI!

There is a huge selection of salads, fish, chicken, meat and vegetarian option dishes as well as a fresh dessert counter with the most beautifully presented sweets and fresh pancakes and waffles with the ever dangerous chocolate fountain!

One day they even had a fresh honeycomb dripping honey into our breakfast bowls. The chefs were all super attentive and glad to make off-menu requests too. Truly sensational service!

The pool staff were so professional and very helpful.

Whilst we were staying, an elder lady with a prosthetic leg was helped daily in and out of the pool by the kind life guards, the waIters delivered fresh water, menu’s, drinks and fresh fruit and cold flannels each afternoon too.

The 4/5 pools were a lovely touch. Having the option to choose on the calm, quiet, shady adult pool or the more fun, active children’s pool overlooking the ocean was lovely. The adult pool area has it’s own cafe, loungers, lap pool and sunbeds IN THE WATER!

VIEW FROM A PRIVATE LOUNGER BY THE ADULT POOL.

Each pool cascading into each other looked dazzling! The beach facilities were impressive. Personal cabana’s, hammocks and numerous sun loungers to choose from and the most stunning white pebble-free beach! Heaven!

The food delivery on the beach was speedy and delicious too and the beach staff couldn’t do enough to help with umbrellas, drinks, golf buggies and more.

ONE EDGE OF THE ADULT POOL WHERE SUN BEDS ARE IN THE WATER! BLISS!

Honestly I have stayed at many hotels globally- all proclaiming to be 5-star- even at St Regis in Aspen and New York, and this was by far the best service. No sniffy, haughty, judgemental attitude, but all smiles and genuine warmth by every single staff member.

FLOATING RESTAURANT BY THE POOL.

I also had an incredible Royal Thai massage experience in the open-air cabana on the beach which is something dreams are made of.

KOY DOES A GREAT JOB MASSAGING, PULLING, KNEADING AND SOOTHING.

Koy the therapist from the IRIDIUM SPA was attentive, patient and the deep stretch massage was magical.

HOT TUB IN THE IRIDIUM SPA AT THE ST REGIS SAADIYAT ISLAND.

I have been raving about my trip to all my friends and I WILL BE BACK with the ST REGIS on SAADIYAT ISLAND again for more very soon!

PRIVATE BEACH ST REGIS SAADIYAT ISLAND.

BRITISH TALENT LIKE ACTOR JOHN BOYEGA AND MUSIC STAR STORMZY TURNED OUT IN FULL FORCE FOR THE BLACK PANTHER PREMIERE AT HAMMERSMITH APOLLO.

Black Panther – the European Premiere was as amazing as we expected it to be.

Hammersmith Apollo was transformed into a sea of excited guests gagging to see the film and celebrate it’s cast and vision.

KREPT & KONAN, EMELIE SANDE, NAUGHTY BOY, MARIAH WILDE AND JASMINE AT THE BLACK PANTHER PREMEIRE.

VIP guests from the world of film, TV, politics, sport and more turned out in their WAKANDA themed African celebration outfits.

BLACK EYED PEAS JOINED THE CELEBRATIONS.

The exterior red carpet was heaving as the paparazzi grabbed shots of the splendour and although the evening was freezing, the positive energy and pride kept the VIP crowd warm.

BLACK EYED PEAS POWER.

Music artists were in full effect. I caught up with Naughty Boy, Krept & Konan, Emeli Sande, Black Eyed Pease, Shakka, Stormzy, Nadia Rose and many more. Actors John Boyega, Chucky Venn and so many more were in the house celebrating joyously.

MUSICIAN SHAKKA AND JASMINE.

This is already a ground-breaking, watershed moment for black led creative content in the media world.
For many years my former bosses would justify not using black/ BAME leads as they would cite that it didn’t bring in audiences and rate well.

The numbers are in and Black Panther is a monster hit. More than that, it has already earned a place in the box office history books in just its first three-to-four days of release.

In the UK, Disney will be delighted with the result so far: £10.48m over the three days, and £17.7m including previews on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, taking advantage of the half-term school holiday. That number is bigger than the entire UK run for previous Marvel titles Ant-Man, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger and Iron Man.

Including previews, Black Panther has achieved the second-biggest UK opening for a Marvel title, after The Avengers: Age of Ultron (£18.1m). However, going strictly by three-day weekend numbers, the film also fell short of debuts for the likes of Marvel Avengers Assemble, Captain America: Civil War and Iron Man 3. Overall, Black Panther delivered $169m in non-US markets, which makes for a global debut of $404m. Russia, Japan and China have yet to open.

In the USA the movie earned a $201.8 million Fri-Sun weekend and will earn an estimated $235m over the Fri-Mon holiday.

BLACK PANTHER HAD;
Biggest February opening weekend:
Biggest non-sequel opening weekend:
Biggest solo superhero launch of all time:
Biggest Fri-Sun opening weekend for a long holiday debut:
Biggest long holiday opening weekend:
Biggest opening weekend ever for any movie not directed by a white guy:
Biggest-grossing movie (in North America) directed by a black filmmaker:

In the States, Black Panther” has demolished the record for the largest President’s Day weekend, blowing past “Deadpool’s” 2016 mark of $152 million. Overall North American moviegoing for the four-day period should hit an eye-popping $340 million — far above the $278 million mark in 2016,

There are going to be plenty more milestones over the next two weeks. Well who’s laughing now?

OUR VERY OWN BLACK PANTHER – STORMZY!

The talent which we seeded years ago is now able to- with the support of modern day tech like the internet- make their own content, spread the global word digitally and play by their own new rules.

DIANE HENRY, DAWN BUTLER MP, MOBO AWARDS FOUNDER KANYA KING, JASMINE AND MARIAH WILDE.

Everything about the BLACK PANTHER film release was different and refreshing. New faces, pride in ethnicity, futuristic yet traditional. The writers, casting directors and costume designers had really done research to respectfully showcase the African diaspora and the origins in a healthy, proud way.
There were huge numbers at cinemas across the world with people dressing in dashiki’s and traditional wear.

I myself begged London fashion designer Mary Martin to wear her AFRICAN QUEEN design which she had showcased at LONDON FASHION WEEK just a couple of months ago from the AFRICAN QUENS collection.

JASMINE WEARS MARY MARTIN’S AFRICAN QUEEN DESIGN.

As they say, what a time to be alive!

#WakandaForever.

So much was made about the 60th Grammy Awards being different!

Everyone was excited about the changes.

The biggest music show on the planet- there is no greater show in music- where musics past, present and future legacy artists gather under one roof to celebrate their achievements over the past twelve months.

The location was changed from L.A Staple Centre to New Yorks Madison Square Gardens.

All attendees would be wearing a white rose to stand in solidarity with the #metoo and #timesup movements against sexual harassment against women in music and life

There were more BMAE nominees than ever, in fact, the top 9 nominees were non-white!

In the past The Grammys had snubbed numerous black and rap artists, but this year-their biggest award category for best album showed 4/5 nominees were black men!

All the songs that are usually played on a guitar- rock/country- were notable by their absence

In the past the pop categories were mega important but this year they suggested that as Ed Sheeran was only nominated for two ”lesser awards” he hadn’t done as well?

The Brits were not flavour of the year. in the past both Sam Smith and Adele had swept the board but this year only very few British names made the cut.

Operating politically was a good look for the awards in these modern times. the show has struggled to stay relevant for years. it was becoming beyond embarrassing.

Names like David Bowie, Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix never received a Grammy whilst they were alive, so what do the Grammys really know?

—–
WHITE ROSES

There will always be people who complain that an arts show isn’t the right place to talk politics but i think supporting music acts and allowing them to make statements is really healthy for young fans to watch and engage with.

White roses have historically represented hope, peace, solidarity, sympathy and resistance but florists all over NYC struggled to source enough for the show.

The irony is that eve though all eyes were on the white rose element this year, the nominations and winners were dominated by men.

It’s interesting that the tsunami of women in music all coming out to tell their own personal stories is growing. Hopefully these movements will help women find a voice and solidarity moving forwards.

——-
JAY Z TAKES AN L

Even though a huge deal was made about legend Jay Z receiving the most nominations, none of us were surprised that he didn’t win even one. This music chapter in his life isn’t his strongest.

Bruno Marrs and Kendrick Lemar walked away with 6 and 5 respectively, both well deserved.

WOMEN TAKE AN L

Ironically even though most tweeted about celebs from the night were women. 9/10 were female- out of 84 categories only 11 solo women won awards. 6 further women won as a part of a duo or group. Pathetic.

POLITICS REIGNS

It was great to see so many political moments during the show.

Kesha performed PRAYER- about her own experiences with sexual harassment.

Kendrick performed a great show opener full of political statements and Dave Chapelle adding his take on being an honest black man in America.

Rapper Logic speech acknowledged ethnicity, gender, equality and immigration.

Janelle Monae made an empowering speech about the #MeToo movement.

Camila Cabello highlighted the American Dream.

U2 referenced Trumps African countries comments.

Rihanna even incorporated South African dance moves in her set.

Hilary Clinton and other read from the now infamous FIRE&FURY book.

Lordes dress had a feminist icons poem sewn into the back (would’ve been better up front girl!)

There was an overall feeling of unity and speaking up.

Lets hope this movement gets stronger and more powerful.
There’s no room for fear, bigotry and bullying in 2018.