Instant sophistication

Advantages: Subtle and sophisticated
Disadvantages: Relatively expensive

...This relatively unknown men's fragrance has distinctly sophisticated connotations. It is difficult to come by, as it is only sold at Floris' shop at 89 Jermyn Street in London. However, it can easily be ordered online at florislondon.com, and its very obscurity is the key to its appeal. There are two other men's fragrances in the range, the first of which is "Elite". I found this a little too heavy, being as it is very woody and musky. Then there is "No. 89", which again has sandalwood, but is boosted by the addition of rose (supposedly an aphrodisiac!). But "JF" is the best of the bunch. It contains mandarin and juniper and is much fresher and lighter than the others. The overall smell is of citrus and is clean, crisp and very subtle. Even if you put too much on, the effect is not overpowering. It is priced at £23.50 for 100ml, which is...

anthonyhancock 07.12.2000 · Read review
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Review of Floris JF

When too much self-analysis spoils the broth

Advantages: Some great food writing and accounts of Tuscan life
Disadvantages: Boring analysis of their marriage

...delighted that the locals feature much more in this one. Although Barluzzo and Flori - whose relationship later becomes a touching and interesting additional string to the book - feature most, Marlena shows how the simple pleasures unite the people of San Casciano, creating a sense of loyalty and generosity that can't be had in the city. Barluzzo is such a compelling character; through Marlena's description of him I could picture him patiently explaining some technique or other for preparing a local dish while shaking his head in amusement that his protégés still had so much to learn. I found the irritatingly reasonable Flori rather annoying but it didn't spoil my enjoyment, besides it was so nice to have some other people to focus on instead of the tedious intensity of Fernando and Marlena. Fernando is given to bouts of depression and self...

fizzytom 04.11.2009 · Read review
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Review of A Thousand Days in Tuscany - Marlena De Blasi

Good example of Rendell's work

Advantages: The main plot is good and I found it hard to put down.
Disadvantages: The sub-plot is unnecessary and overcomplicates and lengthens the story.

...little to do with the main story, which is the brutal murder of 3 members of the same family and the wounding of a fourth member, Daisy Flory. Daisy survives, but is able to give the police little help, except to say that two people broke into the house and that the family had heard them upstairs and when Daisy's step-grandfather had gone to check what was happening, he was shot, followed by the shooting of her grandmother and mother. Daisy was shot in the shoulder before the burglars left, but managed to get to the phone and call the police. The story stumbles somewhat at this point - it seems to take a long time to get to the point and could have been substantially shortened. The shooting of the policeman at the beginning is drawn back in, because it is discovered that the same gun was used. The last two chapters move along quickly and I...

sunmeilan 22.07.2005 · Read review
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Review of Kissing the Gunner's Daughter - Ruth Rendell

Some well deserved luxury!

Advantages: Feeling like a VIP
Disadvantages: Prices can be tough on ordinary people like me!

...with an exceptional good knowledge of old tracks ie. Abba.. But not really into what goes in the House? if you see what I mean? As sad as it may sound even the "toilet experience" was grand! You really feel like a princess? the cubicles are a decent size and if you want to powder your nose you can sit down on the posh stools in front of their huge mirrors. Needless saying their hand soap was not Imperial leather (although the name could have applied) but Floris is a must and they also have small single use towels rather than recycled grey paper? definitely much softer on the skin? The eveing finishes at around 11:30, while some people carry on partying somewhere else, some wobbly Cinderellas (not sure if because of the drink or the high stilettoes..) start making their way back to normality? starting with catching the underground to get home. For me...

petal99 27.02.2008 · Read review
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Review of The Berkeley, London

Food time.....

Advantages: I can eat and drink, and it stays cold.
Disadvantages: It gets empty quick.

...at the back a bottle of chocolate beer called Floris Chocolat that I bought in Belgium after my last visit. I now move upwards a level? I have on this level some Helmans mayonnaise, an unopened packet of Lancashire cheese, an out of date bottle of water that I should have drunk in June this year, a can of Murphy's bitter (I'll have that now), a pack of six Dole fruit packs with one having been eaten earlier on, and a lone pepperrami all on its own L On the top level there is about half a glass of wine left in a bottle of 2005 Italian Soave, also there are a pack of six eggs from Morrisons. Not anything else on this level I'm afraid. Now I enter the freezer compartment on the top? What will I find ?? Mum's home made Chilli con carni in a plastic container that I can heat up again, a big packet of Chinese chicken that can go...

IanM73 22.09.2006 · Read review
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Review of What's in my fridge?

He said it was covered in sausages

Advantages: People to cater for your every whim
Disadvantages: The slightly aged look

...you have ever seen, was the size of a fully grown sunflower. The amenities were fantastic, as standard: - Double queen size bed, duck eiderdown, feather pillows - 4 wardrobes (!?) - Separate proper bathroom - Desk and stationary - Floris of London toiletries - Mini bar - Huge TV, mini disc player, radio, cd player, controls for which also in bathroom - Telephone - also in bathroom - 2 wonderful easy chairs - Bathrobes (can't keep) and slippers (can keep) There was of course the balcony offering amazing views of the river, festival hall and the oxo tower. We really did rather milk the services, calling for assistance about 13 times (!) but the staff were lovely, though the maid services were mostly foreign ladies which made understanding a little hard. They happily provided us with extra toiletries, washed clothes at no...

MsCrow 04.07.2003 (05.07.2003) · Read review
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Review of The Savoy, London

Recognizing Talent

Advantages: Some very strong performances in a very personal film.
Disadvantages: It may be too personal. The direction suffers from an excess of film school trickery.

...?s an ebullient personality that wants to be everyone?s friend, but uses his gregariousness to shield his insecurities. In reality he?s a proud, fearful man that has lost his self-respect. Dianne Wiest continues a tradition of playing worried mothers as Dito?s mom Flori. She?s got it down to a fine art, making it feel as thought the character has been totally subsumed by her role as a mother, so there is nothing else left. As the adult Dito, Downey Jr gives a nervy performance that reflects the characters misgivings about his past. But he feels very grown-up, having let go of former ties in favour of making his own way in the world. He?s more of an observer than an integral part of the story. However, our glimpses of him are infrequent and that makes this version of the main protagonist feel incomplete. The same can be said of Rosario Dawson as...

afy9mab 22.05.2007 · Read review
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Review of A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints (DVD)

Why does no one like Chris...?

Advantages: Side splitting humour and rreal life troubles
Disadvantages: only series one on region 2 released so far

...the smaller kids. * Joey Caruso, (played by Travis T. Flory), the school bully who loves to taunt Chris. * Mr Omar, (played by Ernest Thomas), the funeral director who lives in the same block as Chris and his family. * The Preacher, (played by LaVan Davis) who is the minister of the local church. * Series one (2005-2006) although based in 1982 1) Everybody hates Chris, (pilot episode) With Chris and his family moving to Bed Stuy, being introduced in this opening episode, showing them to be a struggling family with only enough money to survive. With Julius (dad) working nights and Rochelle (mum) works during the school holidays? The unfortunate Chris is sent to an all white school, which is a bit hard on him, considering he is the first black kid there?soon getting into trouble as he confronts Joey, the school bully 2) Everybody...

blissman70 20.10.2008 · Read review
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Review of Everybody Hates Chris - Series 1 (DVD)

a slice of the bizarre....

Advantages:
Disadvantages:

...artist would he want it any other way? Craig soon realises that he must get a job to support him and his wife Lotte (Cameron Diaz) whose devotion to animals has not exactly put her on the road to riches either. He attends an interview for a banal filing job in an office staffed by a lecherous septuagenarian, Lester (Orson Bean) and his secretary who is barely this side of sane, Floris (Mary Kay Place). For the purposes of the surreal and absurd premise of the movie, his new job is on the 7 1/2 floor, built years ago by an Irish immigrant for a dwarf-like member of his staff who was always complaining about the ceilings being too high. Well, why not?! At first sight of the beautiful Maxine, played excellently as always by Catherine Keener, last seen in ?Your friends and Neighbours? in a not too dissimilar role sexually ambiguous role, he...

splace 11.07.2000 · Read review
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Review of Being John Malkovich (DVD)

Reliable if perhaps a little staid

Advantages: Reliable products, reliable service, courteous staff
Disadvantages: Quality costs, sometimes better special deals elsewhere

...a little disappointed in the range of toiletries on offer. There is a relatively small area principally stocking Crabtree and Evelyn, Floris, Roger Gallet and Woods of Windsor ?Fine Soaps?, good quality items but very limited. Over to the right hand side of the store there?s a china and glass department, stocking a good range of quality china including the big names: Wedgewood, Denby, etc ? and you?ll also find silverware and canteens of cutlery here. I?m pretty sure I bought my Poole ?oven-to-tableware? here, too, although the design is no longer in stock. Here, as in other areas of the shop, the staff will happily arrange for your goods to be packed and sent to the collection point so you can carry on your shopping without having to carry purchases around with you or make extra trips to the car. There?s also a gift-wrapping service...

Discerna 05.06.2003 · Read review
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Review of John Lewis (Department Stores)