Memories

If you want something doing, always ask a busy person. So true... I have never been so busy in my life and yet I always can find time to do something else. The feeling "Oh, I'll do it later. Or tomorrow" is now a thing of the past. Now it's "When Can I Fit It In?"

So, lots to tell. Fashionwise - on the search for a white skirt. Well, not quite true. I've found one, but I have to be very good and eat very little before I buy it. Should I , shouldn't I?... Well lets see how it fits the next time I try it on in the shop. I could always look in another shop, but I'm very loyal and also a lazy shopper. Once I've found a designer I like, I never really step into another shop. This, I should point out, has been like this since I was a teenager and seeing the film Yves St Laurent a few days ago reminded me of this. When I was 18 and still living in Leeds I saw a blouse in the YSL shop in London and I think it was also in English Vogue which I loved. So I saved up, sent my money to London and they sent me the blouse. It was black-and-white striped, nero collar, button down the front and it had two little side slits and I LOVED IT! I remember going to a party in my coat holding the blouse in a garment bag in case it got creased before the party. How mad am I? Yes, but really nothing has changed...

I flirted with the designs of Biba before YSL and then on to different designers. My longest love affair so far was with Dolce & Gabbana. They had me the length of my last marriage - 16 years. Thank you Dolce & Gabbana. I have a collection of clothes that I still wear and mix with my current designers. But. I never go into the shop any more. How funny is that? So my current passion should beware?

A slight problem occurred last night when a cocktail dress zip broke halfway up as I was dressing. So, dear friend, there was nothing for me to do than get the scissors out and cut myself free - new zip required. Then I put on a red dress which I love but, halfway to Claridges I remembered the invitation didn't say "lounge suit" or any other dress code. It said "a dinner" and on reflection thought myself too conspicuous in this bright red dress. So, I turned the car around, came home and changed into a black and dark blue ensemble. It was perfect. But no better than the red and funnily enough there was a little red around in the evening but I felt better (I think).

I still have pink nails. A different pink, but I'm really into it. Who wold have thought?

They haven't found the plane! L'Wren Scott is to be buried in Hollywood. Another mystery. What will be happening in this world next? Something we never thought of, I'm sure.

Please don't stop me in the street about the weather -I'm not a Meteorologist. I just wish for the Spring and I feel it approaching.

Happy Dressing.

Think Pink (is Pink the new Black?)

I've been waiting to decorate the front of my house for months, but due to the rain this has been impossible! Well, that wish has finally been granted. The last two weeks of unbroken sunshine (albeit a little cold) have enabled my decorator to paint the outside of my home. From white with racing-green shutters to a very very pale off-white with a touch of pink. And the shutters - very pale pink (very, very pale). It is not a dolls house! Then of course I had to change my window boxes and they are now (you guessed it) pale and bright pink. As one approaches my home there seems to be a haze of colour around it, which I love.

This is all well and good, but have I gone too far? I had my manuicure yesterday and in the pink fog in which I find myself (I have always liked to view the world through rose-tinted glasses), I dismissed the dark nails in favour of pink! Now I'm struggling - I must state that I've not worn a colour like this for years (well, it could be just ages) but yesterday it seemed fresh and vital. Well, the jury is still out... I know it's only nail varnish and it can be changed in a moment but I'm not of the mind to give in. I must confess it seems slightly radical and although it's only pink/cerise, I feel it's a big statement. Can pink make a difference to me? Well I've always liked pink flowers and I do like the front of my home but have I inadvertantly tipped myself over the edge. Only time will tell...

I must take this moment to reflect on the fate of L'Wren Scott. A very stylish woman who designed clothes for (like herself) the ruthlessly thin. And maybe this is the problem. I really hope that her suicide was simply not the fact of a failing fashion line. Was she ill? Was there trouble in her relationship with Sir Mick Jagger? Was she a Depressive? Whatever it was, it's a terrible fate to have to hang oneself. Is this life we live to blame? Will we ever know? I doubt it...

It is very sad and, well, what is one to say? Can we not, in our society, be kinder and more forgiving to those who are unable to be perfect and have flaws as we all do? Like the strictness imposed by her clothes maybe if they had been more forgiving, softer, she herself might have. We'll never know...

Keep enjoying the sun.

Happy Shopping.

LITTLE Women

Before I start I just want to say how sad it is for all the people waiting for news of their loved ones aboard the Boeing 777 that disappeared over the South China Sea. I hope that news will not be too long.

 

Women!!! ( girls, ladies by whatever name you wish to call us, you know what I mean!) The female of the species. The soft, kind, sensitive, gentle (if you know any like that then think yourself very lucky indeed) in receipt of the rarest form of human, almost like finding a pearl in an oyster in a London restaurant . Virtually impossible!

 

This last week has been almost solely the preserve of the above. From a 60th Zumba class birthday then lunch for 80 women at the Connaught. Group exercise for that many women… do I have to spell it out? It's not like being in the gym with anonymous women, this is one’s social circle, in gym clothes - all shapes and sizes (some able, some not to do Zumba). Quite hysterical! To a charity event that I organised at a book store with a woman author in conversation with an audience of women to a fashion cocktail party in a designer maison, to another similar event, to tea to lunch!! Almost 7 days and only a tiny amount of respite.

 

I've learnt one thing this week (personally) - if one has nothing nice to say, say nothing! I think it's preferable to damning with faint praise or (last resort) having an out-and-out fight.

 

Was there any fashion this week, I hear you ask? Well yes. I wore my new (bought in November) I know it was early!! Spring outfit 3 times! Hurrah! And on Saturday in my fashion bible the FT Saturday edition talked about quilting for next winter, and guess what? I tried on a quilted evening dress yesterday. It was just for effect (one size too small, thank goodness, cost 3 fortunes!!!) It weighed quite a lot but I must say it looked totally amazing. Now we all know the answer to cold winter nights! A quilted winter strapless gown with enough padding to cheer the most hardened chubby chaser around.

 

So there you have it. Let's hope that this week for me sees more balance of the sexes!

 

How hot was it yesterday?! See - I told you Spring is here.

 

 

Happy dressing...

Fashion Maths (How Clever Do I look Today?)

Dear Friends,

I recently read an article in which the closing quote from a fan of the designer was, "Thank you for making us look intelligent again". This raises many questions in my head.

1. Can clothes make you look intelligent, giving you an impression of a higher IQ?
2. Is this now a preference in dressing?
3. Do we really believe this?

Where to begin? I don't actually know. I spoke to a girlfriend of mine yesterday on this topic. She agreed with the quote, but I disagreed. Now - said girlfriend is not only extremely clever (actually one of the cleverest women I know) but very stylish and extremely well-groomed. So to look at her, would one think this indicated brains and beauty? Yes and No.

Yes, because she is beautiful, but not until one engages in conversation does one then know of her intellect. But some, on viewing said woman may only see someone who is very stylish and well-groomed and judge her as vain, and vanity is often seen as the as the antithesis of clever. So can clothes make you look intelligent? No, is my answer. Does a sombre suit and kitten heels elevate one's IQ? I think not, any more than frills and "pretty" lessen your IQ.

I can see this is an immensely difficult topic and I must say the more I think about it the more I object to it. Sure - judge a person (if you must) on her fashion or style categories but intellect - surely one must first engage in a conversation to judge intelligence?

Whatever I wear, I'm still trying to improve my intellect and as well as studying, if I mix with very clever people I am forced to up my game, no matter who or what I wear. So, the answer is - No. Silly woman for saying that - honestly! (Where is her sisterhood and shouldn't we expect more these days?)

Enjoy Dressing and always continue to learn!

Finally - I saw the sun come out today. OK, I wasn't in London but still I saw it...

Spring is here! Full Steam Ahead!!

Happy Dressing.