FOCAL POINT STYLING: "IN THE CITY" LOST ITS FOCUS

The reviews are out... and they aren't all good. I myself contemplated with going to see Sex and The City 2. But since I am another one of the series fans (a cross between Carrie's love of New York City and Miranda's need for things to be black or white), I'm glad I went to see it on the big screen. Although I felt the story-line lagged at times because the pacing was off and some scenes got WAY too serious and too real (Charlotte crying in a pantry and Carrie becoming a nagging wife?) there were a few surprises I didn't read on some spoiler alert (like seeing Ron White as Miranda's boss). It is Sex and the CITY though - with New York City being another one of the main characters - but the City and its WOW factor just seem to be missing (too much FOCUS on the Middle East).

Read more about color at ColorBuzz Blog

Bright, cheerful and fun interiors and fashions

in the Middle East...

Not quite as vibrant and playful when shot IN THE CITY...

and actually I read the scenes were too racy for the Arab nation

(You can read more at LIFELINELIVE at USA Today)

I guess the expectations were just high because as fans, it's what we've learned to do. Maybe those expectations were because the series and even the first movie happened all at a different time. The series blossomed during a time when stocks and spirits were up. Even the first movie brightened our spirits with Carrie's amazing NEW YORK Electric Blue & white apartment makeover. The movie's fashion trends were so impactful, they are still popular today (like the chunky gladiator strapped shoes and studded belt).

Carrie's 2008 Apartment becomes an escape in SATC2

Read an interview with SATC2

stylist Lydia Marks by CASASUGAR

There are several sites and blogs of photos out there from all over ... and we're all featuring the same interiors... Thankfully we're featuring the interiors that actually were IN New York and not so much in Abu Dhabi. This may sound controversial.... but come on. There wasn't ANY OTHER CITY in the world to take this sequel to (like maybe across the pond to London)?? I highly doubt New York City has forgotten what happened to them (I know I haven't). And I think that's where the movie lost its' credibility - it lost its FOCUS.

The Interiors of Sex and The City 2

(find more & details at ELLE DECOR)

One movie-goers comment I read said the set felt

"oppressive" while another said it felt "dreary".

New York designer & blogger Heather Clawson had her review

and observation of the interiors (along with a few other photos)

you can read on her blog Habitually Chic.

Stylist & blogger Valorie Hart in New Orleans uniquely wrote a letter,

"Dear Sex and the City 2", you can read at her blog Visual Vamp.

And from the closet, came the fashions...

Still with their each individual style - just more grown up...

(and maybe even a little more void of accessories?)

Charlotte in her mono-chromatic lady-like pink attire with a peplum and matching purse, Carrie in white Halston Heritage dress, Miranda all golden & earthy (what a transformation she's had from when she first started the series!) and sex-kitten Samantha downplayed some of her color intensity wearing black.