A Gold Rush!

How many square feet? This must be the thing that replaced, “My diamond engagement ring is bigger than yours." When I was married and lived in a big house I could never remember our square footage and honestly it didn't seem such a thing. But that was then and this is now. Women On The Move - sounds more like a full-time estate agents. Is your sitting room west- or east-facing? I could go on but have decided that this is just not what this blog is about, so for property prices look elsewhere!

I adore my readers! One of you came up to me at a party and said, "I wish I could be like these women and not care how I look." I laughed! But she was right, it seems some just don't care. Nothing wrong with that, but within this crowd - very funny! Dress down/"I really have better things to do”/Dress up. Tried too hard! There is no medium really. I wore my new jeans with great, high shoes! I actually was going to change after a committee meeting but the meeting ran late and then there was no time, so that was that! Others were there in jeans, so not wrong, but they’re taking getting used to...

Tried on the Miu Miu Silk Chiffon Blouse… Hmmmm, what an awful fit! Not sure who it was cut for, but definitely not me. 

Lurex socks. Gathering dust, as I knew. And, let's be honest, so did you!

Time travel. Visited an old haunt of mine yesterday - “Le Caprice." Just adore the place, the pace, and of course the wonderful General Manager, Jesus, was there. It's like time stands still, but in a very good way. I was invited by my lovely girls Sara and Maddy from the one and only Tony Page (TP for short). We discussed food, presentation and drink. So lots to talk about! Such fun and laughter. They say laughter keeps you young, so I lost about 15 years yesterday. Must remember to laugh more often.

It's a very busy time of year and last night I was invited to a reception at the home of some very good friends. Most of The Line were there and Sara from TP ran the show, so faultless service and food! I wore my lilac silk Dior dress and of course my diamonds! I was al;most alone in colour - most of the women there wore black. I nearly wore black, but it was a stunning summer eve, so No. A couple of you wore flower-print Dolce which looked really pretty and I wish I had it to wear. Do I have to venture back to Dolce & Gabbana? This calls for Bicester I think. We’ll see…

I visited the Masterpiece Show in Chelsea in the afternoon. Unfortunately I didn't have much time but I can honestly say after the Maastricht show this is the most elegant Art/Jewellery/Antique show there is. The jewellery on offer from all over the world is ravishing! From antique to deco to modern to classical. It's like being a kid in a candy store - I'm going to make a plan to visit again.

 

Vita Kin sells out within a day! I finally found a shop that stocks this make in Walton Street (Alex Eagle). So off I went, only to be told that No, they did not have one single piece due to the fact that on receipt of any Vita Kin, it immediately sells out. Told you this brand was hot...

Kanye West at Glastonbury. I'm not into Festivals. I like my music in the car, on the radio, or on my iPhone, but this evening something propelled me to watch Kanye at Glastonbury and Friends he didn't disappoint! He claimed at the end of his set to being the Greatest Living Rock Star In The World, so not shy. He's so confident, you have to admire his Chutzpah. If something was wrong he'd stop the show and start again - surely this in itself had to be applauded? He lowered the roof of the staging down low to start with, which only added to the drama. OK I had only heard of 1/10th of the songs but still he played for it must have been an hour and a half and I thought he was good.

As I'm writing this I'm going Brown (I like gold better - who doesn't?) So this week when we're expecting temperatures of over 30C, I'll be tanned. And no streaking! On awaking this morning I’m… Let me think... "Pale Cocoa." Not bad except for one thing. On washing my face last night I thought I’d washed off the tan and looked a little pale. So (not really to be believed) I added some of my own tan. Now friends, my face looks radioactive! Not great with blonde hair and black roots so not looking very Scandinavian (hair colour next Friday...) So I'll have to tone my face down for a couple of days. One positive - my teeth look whiter. Lots of smiling then…

Happy Shopping 

F   XX

Kanye: a prime example of Gold Rush

No Strings Attached

I'm obviously not to be trusted where delicious home-cooked food is concerned. I was invited to some friends for Friday Night Dinner and after a week of being quite good - I ate everything in sight! Now after waking up I looked like a "Budda". And I have another party today! I think as I get older my willpower gets less and less. Oh well, the words "must work on my self-control” spring to mind...

First world problems! No, I'd never heard of this phrase either but here are a few:

• Why won't Hermes sell me a Birkin?!
• Has nobody got an iPhone charger?!
• How long do we have to sit in this plane before they open the doors?!
• What do you mean, “This remote 7-star holiday hotel doesn't have Wi-Fi?!
• How is it possible that they sold the only dress in my size?
• Does my bum look big enough in this?
• Waitrose have run out of Kale! (I tried this veg - bleaugh! - but I learned I didn't cook it correctly...Plus ca change!)

I have continued to wear my new jeans so money well spent, but honestly still not 100% convinced. This is quite "a first world problem.” 

I went to an event last week at BAFTA - the opening of SERET, the Israeli film festival. The drinks before the film were very well attended, but here's the problem - everywhere I looked there were facelifts. Why I don't know, but as I looked around I saw stretched skin in abundance. Now you know I'm not adverse to getting all the help I can get and I have been considering what they call “strings." These are strings inserted into the skin to tighten said area (specifically on the jawline or neck). Much, much less invasive than a facelift and the result is much less scary. Or is it? This is my dilemma - to string or not to string? I'll let you know when I know...

Sock watch. Remember the silver lurex ankle socks from last week? Well, I just tried them with an outfit. Not sure if it's the Budda front or the flash of White, pre-tan leg or none of the above - but not today (if actually any day at all).

After a meeting yesterday and before my hair appointment I popped into Dover Street Market and saw the lovely "Electra” - Queen of the 3rd Floor. At the end of my romance with Dolce & Gabbana I had a fling with Dover Street Market. I bought very well in most cases (thanks to Electra) and as she'd called to say hello, I thought it rude not to pop in. There are some very pretty things, but I'm trying not to buy occasion wear, but everyday wear, (don't hold out too much hope in that...) Valli has some lovely pieces. I did see a beautiful Miu-Miu chiffon blue/black blouse that if they have my in size I may go back and try on. Actually, I saw it right at the beginning of the season and liked it then.

Just glanced at the FT Fashion section, it's all about embroidery (which I love) and in How To Spend It, it is white and lacy. Fashion is so pretty and romantic right now, I love it! Just a thought - I have some red roses in my garden. Can I wear them in my hair or will the greenfly clash with my blonde?!

Happy Shopping!

F   XX

 

Lady Penelope in YSL-inspired Mondrian Collection dress. Looking lovely as ever - but can you see the strings?

G-d Save The Queen

Is she the Queen of Hollywood, or just America? No, sorry - America doesn't have a King or Queen, but she's possibly the best thing to come out of Hollywood in a very long time. Who am I talking about, you’re asking? Well I'll tell you - Melissa McCarthy. She of Bridesmaids, Heat and now Spy. This actress is so funny, spunky and fat. Yes that's right - I said the F word! I remember her from the sitcom Gilmore Girls. She's always been that way and I mean, she's big. Big in stature and now a big, big star. I just saw the latest of her films Spy . A hysterically funny spoof on James Bond but with her as the main agent. What I loved though, is the fact when I saw her on Graham Norton he showed her original head shots from when she was a struggling beginner, and in the film Spy the director (Paul Feig) used this and put her into various wigs and characters. So her original thoughts followed her and became fact, not fiction. She visualised it and it happened - a lesson to us all…

The credit note that you remember I spoke about a while ago is half-spent. I bought the Fuscia (pink) satin kitten heels I've been waiting for since I first saw them. I couldn't spend that amount on that sort of shoe, but got them in the preview sale. Great with new my jeans...

I am absolutely thrilled to have a best friend who has just been honoured with an OBE. What an honour! What a joy to see someone recognised for all their hard work - an example to us all. Then my mother was put up for an award! Unfortunately she didn't win, but to be surrounded by such greatness! I can only hope that it rubs off on me…

Michele my hairdresser is back so all is normal again, except half of my closest friends seem to have decamped (for one reason or another) to Israel for a week or two. They're back this week so we call all celebrate the OBE together.

I saw a great look today in Shul. Open-toed strappy sandals with lace socks. These were actually a shoe (by Dolce & Gabbana). OK, OK I know it's not new, but the way this woman wore them. I'm off tomorrow to look for some lace with lurex ankle socks. I mean what can they cost - £10? So I'm going to try to find some I like and then try it with a flippy silk chiffon, old Dolce & Gabbana mid-length dress. Will let you know how I get on, but I feel this just might work... I went to Fenwicks Bond Street (best hosiery department in town!) and I bought some silver lurex thread socks, thought I'd go for the same colour as my shoes! Have yet to try them on…
OK they work in colour, they cost £16 (not £10) and on the foot they're fine. Will let you know if I have the courage of my convictions!

I have a new style crush - a brand called Vita Kin. It's a Russian designer with lots of peasant embroidery and shapes. Matches have bought her and I saw her in Paris - just loving it! Lots of Russian doll and peasant influences. Would still like a long sleeved chiffon dress with flowers of some sort. A bit Valentino but without the £5K price tag. We'll see what is out there… Fenwicks had a similar brand - also Russian - tried it on. Who am I kidding, can't event describe with words what I looked like! But that was a dress. Maybe a top will be better? We'll see…

During the week one of my events was a jewellery lunch (actually, I had two but the first one I managed to go to on the wrong day! Don't ask...) So, the second one was very cool, it being in the Arts Club and all. What I came away with was the decision the wear my own diamond riviera necklace. It sits in my Safe, waiting and I'm thinking what for?! So to lunch on Friday, I put it on with a striped top and skirt. Not fully on show, just subtly so you could see it on the side of my neck. And yesterday I wore it again to Shul. Earrings, necklace, swatch watch, no rings. I always believe less is more!

Always believe how lucky we are to be living in an age where everything is possible, so reach for the stars and who knows - you might me able to touch the one nearest to Earth.

Happy Shopping

F   XXX

The Queen, looking fabulous in a necklace. On the Riviera. Probably...

Curved and extremely user-friendly

What a week! Momentous (of sorts...) I bought a pair of boyfriend jeans by “Citizens of Humanity” from Square One in St Johns Wood High Street. “Finally!" I hear you cry. Not before I shlepped down to Knightsbridge to "Feathers" to try on the Japanese denim I saw some months ago. Told you I'm a slow mover (in some things). Laugh? I never thought I'd stop! What was more amusing was that the assistant in Feathers thought I looked good. No I didn’t. I looked like mutton dressed as lamb. But that's history. Now I have my boyfriend jeans. I even took some of my high heels in to try with before I bought them. Funny what I obsess about...

I saw a picture of myself in a newspaper today (no, I'm not telling you which one). No more sleeveless tops for me! At least, not the one I was photographed in. I looked like a wrestler and I've stopped body pump so my arms aren't so muscly. Still I looked… well, let's just say not my best. But it could be because Michele (my hairdresser) is still away.

Just looked at English Vogue . Hmmmm... not bad. Not bad at all! But then so is Harpers this month. What's going on? Finally they're starting to listen to me! Clothes for real women and even an article on Pink (and you know I've been on about Pink for ages) so at last sense is prevailing.

Three very interesting visits took place this week. In order of event, a visit was made to the newest thing in work environments. The “Second Home” an office space made out of an old carpet factory in E1, designed by SelgasCano, who are the designers of this year’s Serpentine Gallery Pavilion. Curved and extremely user-friendly. A drinks party, then a tour of their premises. This is definitely the way forward - mixing Banking with Film-makers with IT and Fashion, all living together in the hope of lots of cross-pollination. A couple of days later I found myself on an art tour of Fitzrovia with Outset. Our last stop - the Wellcome Collection on Euston Road. This was a tour of their latest exhibition "The Institute of Sexology.” It basically looks at the interdisciplinary study and classification of human sexuality. I didn't know that Hugh Hefner (he of Playboy magazine and empire) did a thesis at the University of Illinois on Masters & Johnson. Did you?

Which leads us onto a slight detour. It's my own fault - I was flicking through the hundreds of Sky channels and I hit on E! Entertainment (as you do) and who was poured into a flesh-coloured rubber dress? There's no prize for this - you all guessed correctly - KKW! In one corner we have YSL's pre-fall advertising being pulled, as the model is thought to be too skinny and here we have a women supposed to be three-months pregnant in something you might find in an S&M dungeon, wearing a mask and carrying a whip. And let's talk about her size - I think she does actually more harm than the skinny models. Possibly the only part of her body that is not manufactured in the plastic surgeons office is the child she's carrying (and let's just leave that with an open verdict). What does this say about our society today? Maybe it's all tied into Playboy and curves, except we've seen it all before with her and actually the fact that she’s pregnant. Why doesn’t somebody suggest that she take a different route and tell her that Dolce & Gabbana do a very good look for Mother-and-Child?...

Back on track - I took the tube with a friend to Canary Wharf. Again we went on an Art tour and stayed for a drink and light supper. I found it totally fascinating. In one of the squares there was a cycle race, a bit like a very mini Tour de France. The speed these cyclists went at! And the photographers! And the crowds! The one thing I found amazing was not just the art but the cleanliness of the Wharf - it was a bit like Monaco only smaller. All this and only 10 stops directly from St Johns Wood tube.

Gucci just showed their pre-fall 2016 in New York under the watchful eye of newly-appointed designer Alessandro Michele. I've talked to you before about the trouble Gucci is in and this to me is the perfect way forward. His designs are part Wes Anderson, part Grandma's dressing-up box. Eclectic and feminine all at once. Loved the styling, but worrying about fur flats (first seen at Celine in 2012). Will we stylish women embrace Gucci’s new look? I liked it...

Before I finish - more jeans news. The first pair I bought on Friday stretched so much in one night that by the end of the evening I could take them off without opening the fly!! So swapped them for 2 sizes smaller. Wearing them as we speak. Truly not my favourite look at the moment on me but I now have them, so will wear them this week at least! I’m probably 18 months too late. (Never mind dolly, no one will tell...)

I do think I look a little younger in them. Or that could be my spray tan. I think (between you and I) that's the key. Pale gold skin trumps pale blue jeans!

Happy Shopping

F  XX

A lesson in curves

Rising like a Phoenix from the Ashes!

It's not that we don't speak, but it hasn't happened in ages. I go to an event and and there is "my twin”. Did I just say that with a straight face? She was blonde (like me), trousers (OK hers were jeans), blouse and high heels. She was considerably younger than me and considerably slimmer, what I reckon is “half-half” - half my age and half my weight. That must be because I had three pieces of sushi and one glass of champagne and nothing passed her lips! But apart from that - definitely Twins Separated At Birth. They offered very eclectic food (sushi and chocolate, strange combination no?) and I was very tempted to take a piece of chocolate, but on glimpsing my Twin I declined! Ha Ha - the way to a completely silth-like body. Never mind exercise, just no food. OK on arriving home I've just had a Müller yogurt corner with vanilla and chocolate balls but it's only 148 kCal (so that's OK then). And as if more proof were needed, her boyfriend… Yes I thought him very attractive as well (not my real thoughts but you get my drift…) So there it is - proof of twins, separated by a decade!

I looked for her the following evening but she was obviously elsewhere. And so I focussed on this eagerly-awaited event. Since the beginning of my friendship with you I've explained the minutiae of my life - good, bad, and sometimes totally indifferent. But tonight I'm "reporting" on what I think was a really momentous occasion.

John Galliano spoke to an audience of about 200 Jewish men (a couple!) and women. As he walked through the crowd to his seat on the stage, he looked like a deer caught in the headlights. The wonderful Rabbi Barry Marcus introduced him by way of a simply stunning sermon on forgiveness. It was a group effort, although let's not kid ourselves - no one was there to hear anyone other than Mr Galliano. He was sheltered by the panel of Sandy Rashty from the JC; Ronit Zilkha, designer and Caroline Burstein Junior (of “Browns” fame). Having him there was a huge achievement and although he really didn't say very much other than to offer himself up for our inspection. The audience behaved with solemnity, but I think he must have been expecting some form of heckle. A panel discussion is not what he's good at, and for those of you who know me and my Beyond Art for BFAMI I am going to try my hardest to get him to do another form of event. A small show, something where we can explore the real John Galliano in his natural habitat. Whether I get this or not I applaud John Galliano for giving himself to us. When he spoke, it was a soft low voice we heard, not the extrovert designer of old who stalked the catwalk at the end of the Dior Show in one of he many inspirational references, this was a man newly-made 4 years old. Sober, drug free and as he said "I'm an addict and this is my new life." Now I'm going to try to imagine the stress and nervousness life can cause, now without anything to soften the blows!! He talked of his new found faith in G-D and his shyness. When we received notification of our ticket we were asked to send in questions as no questions were to be asked on the night. I did. I asked “If what had happened hadn’t, did he still see himself as head designer at Dior or had he moved on?” They asked him my question, to which his answer was, “Had it not have happened, he would be dead!" So there we have it an evening of insight, frankness and near tragedy. I hope that the people around him and his faith continue to guide him and that he is allowed to continue as one of the most talented designers we have today. 

As the end of this week drew near I knew that there was something that I had to do, and I had to give it lots of time and my full attention. "What could this be?" you’re asking. Bra shopping! I speak for myself when I say that of all the shopping I do this is most definitely my least favourite . 

I saw my trusted assistant in La Perla, Deborah (who has been looking after me for about 24 years) during last week, but was unable to commit the time required, until today. "Natalie" looked after me she has done before and is very capable. I tried on bra after bra. Right colour, wrong fit… And so it went on until I spied a white underwired soft cup balconette-shaped bra that for some reason I hadn't been offered, which was from their couture range. (of course it was, Francine). OK, I have always favoured the padded shape even though I have a bust (it's just what you’re used to, I suppose) but this I had to try. To the immortal words of "I hope either it doesn't fit or I don't like it”. Natalie said, “You can always tell if the client likes the bra by her eyes." So with a huge sigh, this bra was Perfect. My eyes shone brightly! Everything about it worked for me - the shape, the fit, the colour… But friends, for a very good reason I didn't want to like it. It was the price - £528. Yes, you read that correctly. I'm sorry, but that alternative universe will have to exist without me for now. I've photographed it (as if I can't remember it). Wasn't keen on the knickers though (thank goodness).

My hairdresser Michele is away for two weeks. So now, despite my help to a stand-in hairdresser, I'm the proud possessor of straight hair. But the damp weather doesn't help… Never mind, at least the colour's amazing!

Take care out there. And remember - wet pavements are no friends to long Flares… 

Happy Shopping 

FXX

John Galliano for Martin Margiela "Looking To The Future".