£70,500 a month

£70,500 a month is what the front page byline of The Times newspaper said Christina Estrada is getting from her Saudi billionaire ex-husband. She wants more and he claims “its plenty”! Now let's look at this. The fist thing is "the front page”. The Times… Is this the Times highlighting the plight of ex-billionaire wives, or unfortunately taking to piss!? If you believe there's no such thing as bad publicity (I fear you’re wrong) Christina looks like a money-grabbing woman where as I don't think she is. £70,500 a month is a lot of money and there is no disputing this, but for a women who has spent that on a handbag or a dress and is used to flying in a private jet like we step into our cars for all of her married life - this goes nowhere. And her husband is just hiding his wealth offshore. He's worth £4 billion and any man who says "that's plenty" is definitely worth taking to the cleaners!
I for one hope she does well in the High Court. I'd just like to offer a piece of advice - try to keep yourself off the front page of any newspaper. It's seriously not a good look!

What price love?

The pre-fall 2016 Dior show took place this week. No front pages here - just a quiet show. No named designer, just the studio team, as when John Galliano left. This must be so difficult to do - follow Raf and yet move on without him. In their handwriting or not, produce a cohesive yet wearable and desirable collection. At first look I was slightly underwhelmed, but then when I went back and looked again I thought, “Hmmm… maybe I was a little too hasty”. The styling was very good and I hear the fabrics and fur are wonderful! I like the pink coat (a pink mink). I don't get £70K a month so it’s unlikely to be a yes for me but the cloth coat may just fit the bill.

Pink for My Price!

Breaking News! Grace Coddington, chief Fashion Editor at American Vogue is leaving as of now! Well… yes and no. She's leaving but still producing four fashion spreads a year and will still retain an office at Vogue but will be pursuing other commercial avenues. So here, everyone's a winner! Good for you Grace. I wish you continued success in your future endeavours and can’t wait to see your next fashion extravaganza in the pages of American Vogue, where so much excellent fashion styling is produced!

I'm glad to report that since the Australian Open has started I've had less time to solidly Pin and clarity has returned to my brain. It's very easy to be seduced into the Pinterest world (well, for me at any rate). Otherwise everything I've seen that is missing from my wardrobe I find myself looking for! How many shops do you think I went into for the black seamed tights/stockings in last weeks blog? Many… The trouble is I like the subtlety of the very light foot weave and not a strong black foot which is all I can find. Wish me luck!
…
The socks we found! Well a friend of mine found (I'm obviously not asking my google search the right questions). MuiMui, £175 and sold out everywhere. Which is just as well…

G-D works in mysterious ways. I just heard this statement from the man sat next to me at lunch in the Arts Club. I forgot about this saying and I have to say I agree with him, if we think of what happens in life!

This morning I've woken up with pale blue nails. As you'll remember a few weeks ago I mentioned that I'd ditched the blush nude in favour of a deep purple red oval (the new shape). Well, the oval works well with shellac or fake nails as it weakens the sides and, as expected of natural nails, one of my nails broke so off they all came. So now, with beautifully trimmed square nails, I decided pale blue! In essence, I like the colour but it might not quite be the right shade. We'll see! Three days later - loving the blue and so is everyone else!

Brown, tan, sand, camel... These it seems, dear friends, are the follow-on to nude for your spring shoes. For seasons, these colours have been almost impossible to find. Not so now and I for one am thrilled. When a pair of shoes I'd been waiting for arrived in Shoe Heaven I went to try them on. They had arrived in tan and black - both wonderful but the tan just look more modern. So then tan it is and you know with everything, I think they'll definitely add to the spring in my step.

Spring

Maja Wyh, move over Olivia Palermo, I've discovered a new style crush. And before I found her she had already appeared in my Pinterest board, pinned for one of her outfits.

Style Crush

The hottest news this week was the Dior Couture show. Dior shows twice in one post - is this a record? And after much conversation, deliberation and thought with friends who know, I think the team have produced something not necessarily as ravishing as that produced by Raf or even as theatrical as John Galliano but what we (my friends and I) coined Wearable Couture that, trust me, I would very happily wear any day of the week and twice on Sundays. Its no surprise to me to hear that one of the team behind the show, Serge Ruffieux and Lucie Meier have been part of the design team at Dior for a while. Historically the edges are Dior but also contain life now, in items of clothes that can actually be worn daily instead of just once. This to many may not be the reason for couture, but I think both points of view can be upheld in couture - creativity and wearability.

Couture: Every day and twice on Sundays

So, if the two glasses of water I spilt at lunch (this is supposed to be very lucky) mean I'm on the cusp of being able to buy Dior Couture, then the show I saw today is only the beginning!… Which brings me neatly back to the top of the post - £70,000 a month. No one’s going to be buying any couture on that! 

Happy Shopping!

F   XX 

PS: I’m saying this through gritted teeth - ankle brackets. And not just one! Now, these are not new and I have seen surprising ankle bracelets on quite chic (note: not very chic - ankle brackets always take you down to “quite”) under tights, stockings, etc. But as of now they are fair game in the Style Stakes. I've nothing more to say on the subject, but you have been warned and now it's up to you. Good luck with this one!…

Couture: Check out my ankle adornment...

Pining for Pins

I've never had a day like today. All started well - I woke at 6:30 and had a cup of tea (Taylor's of Harrogate for hard water). So far so good. I then went into my dressing room to get dressed. I had Alan Mendoza’s culture class (World in Politics) at 9:30. No problem there then.  Ah ha! That's when it suddenly went downhill very fast. I tried this on, I tried that on, this combination, that combination… Lots of different ideas but nothing seemed to work and a huge pile of clothes was spreading over the floor. What had gone wrong?! I'd Pinterested myself into oblivion (you all know it's my new crush). Well, it well and truly crushed me. Picture after picture of women wearing millions of different combinations all looking just amazing! Remember - it never rains in Pinterestland, and no one suffers from having to walk too far in high heels (no pained expressions at all) and I think there's someone out of shot carrying a huge handbag with their daily life essentials. So all is wonderful in Pinterestland!

Different tops, blouses, jumpers, jackets, furs, cardigans, skirts, dresses, shoes, boots… and on it goes. I was OK before all this - American Vogue was my bible and all other magazines and newspapers in the hairdressers or beauticians. But now I've maxed myself out on fashion and style so much so that nothing worked. In the end I looked OK, but if this is a sign of things to come I'm going to have to wean myself off Pinterest. See what I've always said, “For me, too much choice is a bad thing!"

Sorry, sorry, sorry I had to check out Pinterest!! OK I'm going out soon and wanted to get a little inspiration. Well, we all need a little but just don't OD! And let me tell you, all the women look wonderful, with perfect hair. I look at the young women because the women's fashion my age is actually awful. My mother doesn't dress that old! See I still think I'm 35, and actually there's nothing wrong in that (just remember Francine - no leather legs) As if! Luckily, Pinterest worked for me tonight. What I've started doing, instead of tearing pages from magazines, I pin to my own board various looks that I like. One of them was a look that I'd already pinned - full winter white trousers with a black blouse and soft gold/silver shoes and a black belt. Are belts having a moment? A very good look for dinner at George. See - sometimes Pinterest works. Just not always!

The things I do for you. Fashion police at the Golden Globes. Firstly, I wish they'd police themselves! At least they were able to recognise the truly beautiful red Dior that Jennifer Lawrence wore. The rest… meh. Second, as we're between fashion seasons there's lots of fashion pages to fill with not very much. How to look good on the slopes, Pyjamas, what handbag you should be carrying and if not why not?! And last but not least, have you lost that extra weight from all the festivities? Going with the bag theme I saw a lovely yellow bag in the Dior Sloane Street window. It's four weeks since I've paid (no pun intended) them a visit. Did anyone say withdrawal symptoms? Not so - Shoe Heaven in Harrods! Anyhow, I've been looking around to see what we're wearing. Nothing remarkable so far - skinny jeans, biker boots, loose cashmere jumper, fur Parka or Gillet. Does this uniform strike a chord?

Polo necks! Yes, they’re having a moment. How do I know? I read it somewhere related to the Business of Fashion. Now that is a good read. This article even had pictures of how to wear them! As if - I mean, a polo neck?! Really?!!

Rodarte! Yes, you’re all familiar with the Mulleavy sisters. Kate and Laura who produce absolutely wonderful clothes (that I wish I could wear) have produced a film! Actually they’re not the only Designers to do so. Tom Ford and Tara Subkoff (late of Imitation of Christ) have all sat in the director’s chair. I'm always interested in a fashion film, be it about clothes or just the well-dressed and I can't wait to see these productions. Of course King Karl of Chanel had been filming shorts to accompany his spectacular shows, and now Alessandro Michele is presenting video for Gucci. Instead of MTV, we soon could have a video channel dedicated to fashion films, not just the shows. I'd watch it!

It's really, really cold now so dressed very warmly and checking my Pinned Lookbook I came across these lovely embellished socks and I thought, “Yes, this is what I'd like.” The only missing piece of information was the year these socks were produced. So I went on the Internet (which is meant to make life easier!) Well I can tell you I've just spent the best part of two hours (two hours I'll never get back) looking at tights, stockings and socks. Not one thing like these anywhere! I can't find anything, and boy have I looked! So now I'm going to head to Fenwicks in Bond Street. Maybe they can help…

Am also liking the seamed stockings or tights (or whatever they are).

Delpozo! You've never heard of them? Well, Fashion Friends, this brand is a sleeper to the wider public but when Olivia Palermo wears one of their dresses to the Golden Globes you can be sure this brand is on the up. I was speaking to an extremely knowledgeable fashion friend of mine yesterday and we were, of course, discussing who might be the next Dior designer. Which is when Joseph Font (of Delpozo) was mentioned. Not such a strange thought if you look at his shapes and sensibility. We'll just have to wait and see… Just remember, you heard it here first. Well OK, maybe second, but now you know!

And lastly but definitely not least. I applaud all of us that continue to cross fashion frontiers in whatever small way. We shouldn't follow the herd but strike out for real independence. Liberate the black skinny jean! Step away from dispiriting uniformity! I won't claim that saying - Anna Wintour in American Vogue, initiated that phrase. I just borrowed it! You know you'll feel better…

Happy Shopping

F   XX

PS: Fur news! The strawberry red Mink in Dior will have to find another face. I looked too terrible in it! Maybe it's the blonde. Did anyone say pale pink Mink?…

PPS: White! Shoes, handbags, clothes… See if I'm not “Wright”.

The Times They Are A Ch- Ch- Changing

It’s now or never. What?! Yes, now is the time for Fur. Yippee! OK Francine calm down… Breathe! Now, all of you that know me, know I love fur. So much so that if I could, l would wear all year round. Truthfully - I actually do try. Suddenly it's become cold and horrid outside, and a cloth coat or jacket just doesn't cut it. So animal skin it has to be (for me anyhow). I saw a lovely natural white mink jacket (into Winter White again this year) but what I really should get is a pale coat or 3/4 jacket. Practicality - never a friend of mine, but trying to get better. It's not that I haven't any fur coats, but well it's a thought that may have legs (or should that be arms?) No, the natural white is just cut too small and really I would like the red Dior coat or jacket. It's my birthday soon, just saying’…

Precursor to 2016 red fur

I'm watching the E! Entertainment Golden Globes coverage for you, and the first thing I've noticed are the dresses with a deep v-neck to to the waistband. They are hugely popular, as are pockets in full length skirts, and still the side slit to the "top" of your leg (note - always check you’re wearing knickers). Jennifer Lawrence looked great in red Dior Couture and Lady Gaga looked absolutely stunning in Atelier Versace.

Nearly                                              Perfection

The weird thing is they've stopped asking who the designer of the dress is. Strange, after they've made the show so much about the dress. It's a bit like trying to get spilt milk back into the bottle! The funniest incident was Gulliana Rancic asking Bryce Dallas Howard about her dress and the actress (a size 6 - that's HUGE in Hollywood) had actually been shopping and bought her own dress. Gulliana's face was a picture! Here is a journalist stick figure (size 0) talking to a normal size woman in her own dress (which one do you prefer?) What is the world coming to? I suppose it's like wearing ones own Jewelery (except they don’t have any).
So that's one award ceremony down - lots to go. Jennifer Lawrence won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy Role. Great news!! And as she was placed top of the best dressed (on some lists), to my mind there was absolutely no competition. Can't wait to see what else she wears.

Six or Zero?

War & Peace on BBC1 on Sunday evening is a must! I'm loving it, but is life starting to imitate art? More of this another time…

To add colour to my life I had my first spray tan of 2016. Just a light wash. And then, not content with that, I had a deep red manicure/pedicure. My nails haven't seen colour for at least a year. I've been into the Nude but now times are a-changin’. I’m a little tempted to cut my hair but that may be one step too far. I did change my day handbag to a red one though. What a load of rubbish I found in my other bag once I'd tipped all the contents out! Six (yes six) pens, three emory boards (and when I need one I can't find one), phone charger, paper diary (too frightened to put everything on my phone) and my makeup bag, which by far weighs the most. It's a habit - I have to take everything with, just in case. Have we heard this before?…

So - the very sad news that David Bowie passed away. I was always more into Roxy Music but he was still very good. RIP David. And what was my first thought? Paul McCartney - he must be getting on! But, as if to quash that, Jerry Hall has just got engaged to Rupert Murdoch. He's 84 - obviously still life in him at that age. Good for her! What did she once say you have to be? A Cordon Bleu cook in the kitchen, a Lady in the sitting room and a… French Maid in the bedroom. Or was that a Nurse?… Over to you Jerry!

I know it's only the second week in January - but a fashion tip. Pantone colours for Spring are the way to go. Or, as I saw today on Mili a wonderful outfit straight out of style dot com…

Real Life                                           Fashion

So, leaving you this week thinking about age, warmth and colour.

Gone With The Wind… Everything ch- ch- changes.

Happy Shopping

F    XX

Everyone loves a Hero

Who can you trust?

Can you trust your Sales Assistant or the people who look after you? If they can say to you, “No you don't look good in that” or “you won't be able to walk in those shoes” then you know they’re on your side and you can trust them.

As I was playing Santa's Little Helper (always look after your team) I found myself wandering around Shoe Heaven (as you do) and in Louis Vuitton (never been in there before) I headed for the new cruise shoes and tried on a few pairs. Now one pair, they didn't have quite my size but I still tried them on. What were they Francine? Wait for this!… Nude Flats! Yes, Nude Flats. Not like we saw in LK Bennett - so beloved of the Duchess of Cambridge. No, these were Fab and now, whilst looking at Pinterest (I told you it's my latest crush), I saw pictures of Nude shoes. Could I have stumbled onto a mini-Thing?! On looking around Harvey Nichols Leeds (that Fashion Capital!) second only to Paris (Texas), I happened across the shoe dept and in the new shoe selection - yes, you guessed it. Nude shoes! I’m looking to see what will replace the Trainers. Am yet to discover that, but I hope to. Maybe I'll succumb to the white jewelled trainer I've seen, but don't place your bets just yet! And, I'm looking for next years Big Thing (could it be the new nude?) So please stop showing me the Best of 2015. That's gone, had its day, finished. Blue and white as well as green and black and black and white, white and white and blue and blue could be the new Black in 2016. Just as the death of Mishmash could be announced very soon. It's on life support but I can't see any signs of resuscitation!!

We've been watching it on the news, but I'm here in it. Leeds, Yorkshire, the whole of the north of England has had more floods recently and we pity them from the sofa, but here it really is. OK, I'm not writing this up to my waist in water but a few miles away they are and as if to prove how stoic the Yorkshire folk are, last night I was playing cards with my Mother, Aunt and Cousin and the lights started to flicker. Then black! Total black… Out - no electricity at all. Nothing. No heat, no phone, no mobile, no light anywhere. The no mobile was a bit spooky. It felt like the beginning of the War of the Worlds. Totally undeterred, out came the candles, the torches and the card game continued. Two hours later we had a bit of electricity but honestly nothing stopped anyone in the room. Suffice to say, I lost the game. Tough enough to win under normal circumstances!

Leeds has a pedestrian centre so shopping is definitely a pastime, but how drab they look. Again lots of skinny jeans, black/grey but still with Uggs and what I noticed more than in London is that the women wear a lot more fashionable makeup. Whereas London is in the grips of "au natural" still. Leeds looks a little like The Only Way Is Essex - false eyelashes et al. I saw the film The Danish Girl. Life imitating art - the Kaitlin Jenner of her time! What a coincidence that the film was made in the last two years. An interesting view - beautifully shot but questions left unanswered...

In an attempt to buy bed linen I went to Woods in Harrogate to see what they had. Good, but no Harrod’s! They did have a set by Frette in a black damask design. As I sit in bed writing to you, I'm trying to imagine black on my bed. So happy I said No. But then on my return I went to Harrod’s and bought white as a new set. Don't want white either. They’re going back today. Wish me luck… Yes! I was lucky. I'd forgotten that I'm redecorating my bedroom soon and once I'd taken my new light stands (Amber glass) out of their box, I knew what I could buy. And did! 

Joy. What joy! Jennifer Lawrence plays the title role and I loved it, her and the whole show. It's a wonderfully uplifting film and if you see nothing else, see this. Jennifer is truly a women of our time - fearless, intelligent, talented, beautiful and honest. I hope she wins the Oscar for this role. She definitely deserves it in my book. We can't wait for the upcoming awards season so stay tuned, and wish Jenifer luck. 

Happy Shopping 

F    XX

Jennifer Shearer Lawrence - a woman of our time.