The New 16-Step Programme

Dear Friends,

I cannot take any credit for this, as I found it in The Times a while ago. But I think we can all benefit from this list. You can print it and have it laminated. You can thank me later...

1 - Don't buy the thing that looks like the thing you already have - the thing you love, the thing you wear over and over - only not quite as good. You'll never like it as much as the original Thing.

2 - Do buy the Thing, which, when you've tried it on, looks somehow like you've owned it for years.

3 - Don't spend a lot of money on evening wear, which you just won't get the chance to take out and show off to the wider world that often.

4 - Do be realistic about your lifestyle, about how and where and when you'll wear things. Live in the UK? Invest time, energy and the medium-to-big bucks in coats, not sandals, sunhat, shorts. Spend more, and more frequently, on flats or mid-height shoes then you do on vertiginous heels and ridiculous proportions.

5 - Do't get too hung up on the feminist ifs and buts and semiotics and Should I, Really...? of high heels, They're just shoes, aren't they?

6 - Do wear any expensive stuff you own like it's as cheap as chips. Carelessly. Freely. And above all: often.

7 - Don't dry clean clothes too often. An inside-out airing, plus a precautionary squirt of Febreze, will often suffice. This fresh(ish) from the Middle Class Sluts Guide to Good Housekeeping.

8 - Do spend loads on jeans. Certainly more than you "should", whatever should means.

9 - Do go shopping for new clothes while wearing clothes you already like. Buy nothing that doesn't look at least 10% better than the clothes you came in.

10 - Don't buy anything in the sales, unless you wanted it (like LOTS) when it was full price.

11 - Do operate a one-in-one-out policy on new purchases.

12 - Don't buy anything you won't be able to wear within the next fortnight.

13 - Don't buy something on the grounds that "it's an investment". There's no such thing.

14 - Don't subscribe to the myth of effortless cool. There is no such thing.

15 - Don't overspend on knitwear. It rarely washes well. I've found that regardless of how much they cost, few jumpers make it through an entire winter without winding up on the wrong side of bedraggled.

16 - Do wear pink with abandon. Pink can't be offensive in itself to those who strive for gender equality, can it?


Happy Shopping


F  XX

Any shade of pink...

From Every Ending There's a New Beginning!

From every ending there's a new beginning! Does this apply to the Cannes Film Festival and their appalling behaviour regarding women's shoes? What year is this? Oh yes, it's 2015 and someone is telling us what to wear on our feet! I don't think we should take this lying down, or flat footed! Now - you all know I love a heel. A heel any height from flat to 11cm and I love the fact that I have the choice in any situation, anyplace, anywhere, to wear what ever height heel I want. What would have happened if all the actresses in Cannes had said "I'm not walking the carpet unless I have freedom to decide what height heel I'm wearing." This is the definitive answer to this problem. But that means all the women sticking together and forcing the men to abandon this arcane law.

I think this week’s title must have been a premonition. I just received the news that my beloved Matthew from Dior Shoe Heaven (by way of Dover Street) is now moving to Dior at Heathrow Terminal 5. It's a promotion for him so I'm very happy for him!! Not so much for me... I find someone and they become intrinsically part of my dressing life. So who's next? I took the news well (I think) and he's promised to help me by way of email etc, but it won't be the same. But, as my mother is fond of saying, “The King is dead. Long live the King!" 

I managed to get a ticket to see The Elephant Man - so excited will report on later...

Who knew Bradley Cooper could act? OK yes he's been Oscar nominated etc and I've seen a lot of his films, but I must be honest here and say as a pretty boy/good looking man this quality to me is sometimes overlooked. But let me say this now - he is masterful! He gives the Elephant Man humility, humour, pathos. He exposes raw pain. It's a cliché to say this, but he is the reason to see this play. And if that means sitting by yourself as there aren't two tickets together - take them!

Shoe news… Trainers out! Not this time. They're just not me, friends. I’ve tried and tried but No. I look vaguely tragic and I've decided I'm going to look for a summer day dress. Any ideas where to look? A friend had on a very pretty, Ralph Lauren, yellow-striped, long-sleeved shirtwaister. Must point out she's maybe a size 2, so everything looks good on her! I asked the question… It’s 12 years-old. Looks like it was bought yesterday!

Who knew that dressing could be so hard? It was much easier at school to just put on your uniform and go. I think this is my modus operandi from now on. Did look on the Internet for some baggy jeans and guess what - I found loads! Just have to find the shop that stocks them and then try them on and then decide they’re just not me! 

I'm closing this week by going back to the title - From every ending there's a new beginning! I've just witnessed one of the most truthful TV shows ever and I'm amazed to say that the show is Keeping Up With The Kardashians: About Bruce. How difficult was that to own up to? How this man is doing this on one of the most watched shows on TV, in public except his public is basically the entire world! His ending as a man and his acceptance of his new life as a women. I know he's not the first high-profile person to become transgender but (and he's already said this) he's going to use his experience and fame to make this more socially accepted to the wider world. This can only be applauded!

So let's remember - always be truthful about who you are and want to be!

Happy Shopping

F   XX

100% perfection!

How The World Works

Ever wondered how and why what happens, happens? Do things fall into place because we want them to? Because we pray? Or is it just because of something in the air? They say "build it and they will come!" Or is it that just that an overnight success can take years and years? Maybe it’s just about being in the right place at the right time and utilising the knowledge at your fingertips. Or is it luck?! Not sure I believe in luck per se, but I do think some people seize on the situations presented to them better than others - "are luckier" than others!

Now I'm back from Paris and working on upcoming events I can honestly say that there is definitely something to be said for being in the right place at the right time. See above!

England being what it is, the weather is so changeable to say the least. One minute it's 22 degrees and sunny, next it's 13 degrees and pouring down! I made one mistake in Paris. On visiting the Marais district we found a tiny shop selling very inexpensive fashion. On the wall was a beautiful, white cotton, Amish-style blouse for 30€ (don't ask!) The one on display was ironed, the ones on the rack were not. So could I be bothered to try on a 30€ creased blouse? Obviously (you know the answer) No! Yes, I'll say it again - 30€! Back to now. All I keep thinking is how lovely this white cotton blouse would look. Do you think I'll find anything like it in London? For 30€, no neither do I. I spent a very long evening on the computer looking for that blouse and looking for the shop in the Marais, neither of which could I find! Note to Self - next time Francine, at least try it on...

I've asked the question for you - as far as London knows KKW buys her own Dior. And unfortunately they can't stop her buying it! I used to virtually live in Dover Street Market (discovered after my divorce), Roses Cafe on the 4th floor, 3rd floor fashion. This was where I was to be found. Then the split as I discovered Dior in Sloane Street. But, as my hairdressers have moved to Arlington Street (continuation of Dover Street), the Arts Club and Mathew (my shoe advisor from Harrod’s Shoe Heaven) is now Manager of the Dior concession in Dover Street Market, I found myself there today and decided to visit the “Temple of Taste” - Victoria Beckham (I still see her as Posh Spice). I decided to buy the boyfriend jeans I tried last year. OK - I'm a slow mover. So, I missed that boat there then! But let's just talk about the shop. For me - far too huge and far too many cold stone steps, with too little stock and I never saw anything to make me even take off my coat. The staff were warm and friendly, but sorry Posh you're not for me. I can see her crying now...

Cruise was shown this last week. Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Dior. Thats 2016! So know we know what to wear next spring. The question I want answered is what to wear now! Aha, not so easy...

In the Tube, (yes, I take the Tube!) I saw an advert for a watch show at the Saatchi Gallery which got me thinking. They say you can tell a lot by the watch we wear. They also say you can tell a lot by the shoes we wear and the handbag we carry. So if we're to believe all this one can tell a lot about someone from just about anything we display on our bodies. A thought! Is this true?? I'll let you know my feelings on this later... I think it's an enormous topic. Yes - true. Also not true. Take your pick it is up to you.

I have a credit note for a pair of shoes! Not the first time this has happened you'll remember, but here I am. And how many pairs do you think I have bought (in my head) since then? About Four! (That's not possible!!) Well it is, I promise you. Should I get new the sequinned trainers? The new space-age, silver ankle boots? The black and blue high courts? The new collection open toes? I don't have a clue! All I can say is that it's not easy! You know me and choice... I know I sound awful when I say all this, what with the human tragedies that are going on around us, but as this blog is all about fun and fashion you will excuse this indulgence.

Did buy some new seat covers for my outside dinning table. Homebase, of course. And I used my Nectar points - all £25 of them (that's taken me 4 years). And then of course it poured down! And has continued to do so since I bought my new seat covers. I hope it's not this action that has prompted the continual rain and cold (a couple of days ago it was down to 11C. Heating on methinks…)

Just when I thought I'd buy something summery, Pre-fall is in! Hurrah!! 

Happy Shopping

F  XX

Methinks I'm in Shoe Heaven!

Vive Le France!

Here we are at EuroStar St Pancreas station - (Mummy and I, the intrepid travellers!)

I packed very light, I thought, until Mummy looked at my case and said, “Is that all you're taking?!" So without so much as the blink of an eye I added more. Yes, you guessed it - I can hardly lift my second to largest case now! Have I packed right? Only time will tell. Well, it is going to be warm and raining. 

Some people live to travel… Not me, I'm ever so happy in one place. I suppose this comes of too much travelling in my past life? I'm revising that last statement. It's the journeys I dislike. Once I'm at my destination I'm fine. Paris has been a joy. The Hotel Prince De Galles really pushed the boat out for us (they gave us one of their Art Deco suites). It's lovely and they just can't do enough for us. Real hospitality as it should be. The men, (I must say now - if you're male and not French and reading this please don't be upset) are undoubtedly the most handsome around! 

Visited (as requested by a friend) The Mothership - Dior on Avenue Montaigne. Well, I never knew they sold household goods! How beautiful they all are. The shop is much bigger than I expected. Everything except the shoes are this season, so seen it all before. The new pink sequinned trainers/shoes - well at this moment, for security reasons all I will say is they've been photographed!

 

As usual (as I don't have a full time PA scouting around for new events for me) I've just stumbled on an exhibition that I'm looking forward to seeing when it opens on June 13 at the V&A - “Shoes: Pleasure and Pain.” This exhibition shows shoes from 2,000 years ago to the present day. So a must for this unreformed Shoeaholic!!

Never let it be said that I don't do the leg work for you. On our last morning in Paris we decided to meander from the hotel. So we took a different side street and discovered a shop called Les Suites (47 rue Pierre Charron, 75008 Paris). Who owns this shop I don't know but their vision is joyous! It's not for the faint of heart, but the eye! The artistry! The colour!! Designs from all over the world. Some would say over the top but a fancy skirt with a plain top or visa versa, or a wedding or a grand party - this is the place to shop. And the prices are not beyond, definitely worth the train for the day if that's what you need and there is absolutely nowhere in London like this.

I'm not going to spend much time discussing the Met Ball and all the various degrees of undress possible, I think that topic has been done to death! Suffice to say it's men who put these women in see-through clothes. Just something to think of… Nothing particularly clever in that. Ri Ri started it last year, but thank goodness this year opted for yellow (unfair to say she looked like a pizza or an omelette. Just wait -  next year all the sheep will be “inspired" by that.

One last thing. The day after the Met Ball there was a picture of KKW in this season’s white Dior skirt and top! A friend of mine and avid Dior buyer exclaimed, “Well she's ruined it for me!" This raises the question, did she buy this outfit? Was it from the press office? (surely not due to her size - she's certainly not a 34/36 French) And what does this say about the brand? Maybe nothing, and really no one cares who and what people like her wear. You think? 

I am going to investigate this further for you, because for a brand that is so careful of it’s VIPs this seems an extremely vulgar statement

Happy Shopping

F   XX

PS: My packing was perfect except for the fact that somehow I had too many clothes...

Pink, to make the boys wink.

Girls World

It's like coming back to school after the holidays, the beginning of the season leading up to summer (let's call it summer term!)

So they tell me there's a general election coming up. Nothing can be more important than... a charity Ladies Lunch! (Enjoy watching from the sidelines, Francine. It could be yours one day). But aren't we all supposed to be friends? The Real Housewives franchise has nothing on the real charity life. And you thought most of the Real Housewives of Everywhere was staged?! I bet it isn't…

As per the start of the spring/summer term (no, that should be “season”) and as expected - loads going on. I try to do as much as possible. I go here, there and everywhere. But sometimes, just sometimes, I get too tired (can't be bothered, more like) and I miss an opening or a talk. Even dinners! And tonight would have been one of those evenings were it not for pressure exerted by my friends for various reasons. So this evening, out of three events I was invited to, I went to two. Not bad, I say. The first I had to press the flesh, meet and greet (say hello) am I running for something. The second was an appeal event for "Stand With Us" (www.standwithus.co.uk) and to my friends with the pressure - Thank You! If it weren't for you I would never have heard the most amazing speaker of his generation (in my opinion) I have ever heard. Former Deputy Ambassador George Deek. George is an Arab-Christian Israeli Diplomat from Jaffa, whom I'm told made a speech in Norway described as "one of the best speeches ever made by an Israeli diplomat" that went viral.

I went to a Gala dinner this week as well. How many Hello’s?! Many, many… This was a crowd full of familiar faces (some newer than others… just a joke!) but friends and frenemies. It was a fun evening and the funniest thing was that I sat next to someone I'd sat next to 2-3 years ago. So I greeted them, "Hello how are you?” He looked at me - no recollection we'd ever met! I obviously made a great impression there, then! So I quipped, “OK, we'll play sexy strangers then!” He didn't get that joke either. So friends, I had to sit through a carbon copy of the conversation I heard 2-3 years ago. And you ask - how much wine was consumed? Not enough!

My fashion fix came in the form of a new bag launch at Roger Vivier. Sorry - never saw the bag. Only interested in the shoes. Funny, I haven't bought any RV shoes for at least 18 months (they were my last obsession before Dior) and now only sometimes wear them. Yet I saw some very pretty yellow, black and beige ones. I photographed them, as they didn't have my size (thank G-d). Don't really need any new shoes (you think?!)

I went to a gallery opening in what I thought was a modern way of dressing. I liked it and it felt good - that's all that matters to me. A friend (hope that's the right term!) came quickly up to me and exclaimed, “Francine! That's s bit of an outfit!”. Was she being complementary? Was she poking fun? Who knows?! But to this statement I could only respond, "Your teeth are full of lipstick!”

The conversation continued…

A word to the wise. If like me, you schlep to Scoobies for your dry cleaning - don't collect on a Friday morning! The round trip took me 2 1/2 hours! They’re still looking for that central London location. Please, please find it soon!

Are you beach body ready? Is this what all the uproar is about?! Some very stupid advertising showing an extremely slim woman in a bikini!? You don't need me to tell you the uproar it's caused, and frankly I'm not in the slightest bit surprised. We woman are alwaysbeach body ready - passport, swimsuit and sun is all we need, whatever shape or size we are. I'm beach body ready as of now! I had my first (in a long long time - many years) spray tan! My beautician Christina, who visits my part of town on a Sunday by the way of Salis in Little Venice, sprayed me with Siena spray tan. Now I'm a very subtle light tan colour (note to self - no smell!)

I must now start thinking about packing. I’m visiting Paris for a few days, and as I'm going by Eurostar - only one suitcase required. Now, how big a case can I schlep?...

Happy Shopping

F   XX

Not a bag.