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.