The Devil Wears Prada 2 …

And other bits.

We’re still in our heatwave. From Monday through the end of the month, things moderate a bit: ie, we look like we’ll be in the high 20s (ie, mid to high 80s Fahrenheit – it almost sounds pleasant if not for the humidity).

I gave in to my frustration the other day and spritzed Divine as I had had enough of light things. It actually worked beautifully. And did I say I have tuberoses growing in the house? Well, I do, and one of them looks like it might bloom.

The second jasmine has reached the end of my patience rope and will be transplanted to a pot to make room for a clematis that would rather be in the ground vs its pot. The farm shop has this type of jasmine and they are doing very well. I was told this was a temperamental plant …

I was going to do the first half of a post on a new-to-me perfume brand. I had bought the discovery set and the foof on the net was positive.

Alas, after sampling half the set I found that while the fragrances started off interesting enough it was only the opening of all of them – after about a half hour, each sort of crumpled up and fell off the proverbial not interesting cliff. One green that started off great became boiled broccoli. So, we’re not doing that.

I wish new perfume companies would spend more on the fragrances and less on the fancy presentation (eg, substantial boxes, etc).

Instead, the day after the samples showed up, I watched the Devil Wears Prada 2. So, we’re going to parse that instead.

First, was it worth the time? Sort of.

I love the first film. It’s just nicely done: great clothes, Meryl Streep being Meryl Streep (see the cerulean scene), Stanley Tucci looking great and being great.

So, second go-round… Actually, it made me sort of sad. I think aspects of it are meant to do that, but it wasn’t only the changes wrought by the shift from paper to online. It was … the story woven around that just didn’t quite hold together for me.

Anyway, it was still worth watching, IMHO.

I think Streep’s wardrobe first time round was better thought out. Anne Hathaway’s was fine with some real standouts (the dress to the funeral). Stanley Tucci … well, there wasn’t enough of him for one thing. His clothes were great, but I think that has to do with him rather than the costume designer.  He’s just a man with great taste. (See his capsule for N.Peal cashmere last year. The bracelet is sort of like the stack he wears in the film but not as fancy.)

There were some great cameos (see Jon Batiste and Suleika Jaouad).

There was one great jab throughout (combo Musk/Besos).

As with the first film it makes you wish you had the means to dress like that – even bits of it – and afford the jewellery (at least it does that to me).

The scenes outside of New York City fell a bit flat for me. But, I did spend each image of NYC sighing about my memories of the place as this showed proper city vs what influencers show you.

Does it feel like I have left Anne Hathaway out? Well, I never felt like she was the best character in the films – even though she’s central. I did like the love interest in No 2 much better than number 1.

Oh, and Emily Blunt being brilliant but misused I think. But she does wear this monumental necklace which I actually don’t crave (Tiffany – see here: https://wwd.com/accessories-news/jewelry/tiffany-and-co-jewelry-the-devil-wears-prada-2-1238936048/).

Anyway. Have you seen the film? If yes, thoughts? If not, any interest? And if no interest, what would you suggest seeing instead (or watching on TV)?

Pics: wiki, pexels, mine