Sex Sex Sex!!

It's just too good... KKW has been in town at the Vogue Festival (in conversation with Charlotte Tilbery, makeup artist and owner of the eponymously named cosmetic brand). So what news did they impart? According to KKW contouring is over - it’s all about highlighting! I'm sorry to say this but “Shut Up”. Now you've sold shedloads of brown powder let's look at pale cream opalescence or light bright beige… Enough nonsense - she obviously travelled without help or a mirror...

And I'd like to make a correction - it seems my outfit last Tuesday was well received - thanks!! But still we all see different things. I've seen the sun again so Spring is back (well, maybe only just). We (PnR Art & Beyond) held an event at the Amazing Thomas Goode emporium in South Audley Street, London W1 where the massively talented florist Robbie Honey told us of how Flowers came to the table in history and proceeded to give a masterclass in floral design. So the dilemma I faced was what to wear as co-owner of the company. I wanted to appear relaxed, well-dressed and au courant, so I wore a flowered dress. I'm sorry, but I couldn't resist. Flowers for flowers for the beginning of Chelsea Flower week… Blooming Marvellous, I say! Funny and a little kitsch but still I felt comfortable in my choice so that was the main thing!

Coming to a Chuppah near me soon I hope.

Palmers Coconut Oil... Not a name that you thought you'd ever find in my blog but I must tell you a secret. In order to appeal to the C, D, E demographic they have found a way to sell their product without it padding the Kardashian bank account. They've hired a model who (from the side) bares a strong resemblance to KKW. Well done I say! A great marketing ploy at a fraction of the cost. I won't buy it, but it got me talking about it.

Spot the difference...

What is it about brain power? I think I'm a brain junkie! I heard the wonderful Douglas Murray speak this week and honestly he (metaphorically speaking) had me at “Hello” . They say power is an aphrodisiac - I’m going to add brain power to that. I suppose one goes hand-in-hand with the other, but I like to think a great brain could be the sexiest thing either sex can possess!

You'll all think I have a new coat… Well, I do and I don't. I have a gold brocade Dolce coat, edged in black velvet that years ago I cuffed, collared and placed leopard skin down the front. This was worn a few weeks ago with jeans - so far so good. After its last outing I realised that the leopard adaptation was over, so I took it to Rebeca Bradley, London and together we have created a new coat. Off came the collar, the pockets were sewn up and the most beautiful fur embroidery has been added to the bottom 15 inches of the hem. Wow!! I say it's really wonderful and just can't wait to wear it! Maybe today - who knows?…

Coming to an event near you soon. Or just shopping...

Happy Shopping!!

F  XX

Lust of the week:

Brain. Power.

That was the week that was!

Well the 17th came and went and I'm very happy to report everything actually went better than expected (although having just seen pictures of my outfit  - could have done better! A lot better... Next time! Hmmm... But I wonder what I was thinking?! Too much Pinterest?) Both events raised more money than before, and everyone enjoyed themselves - which is most important.

From Lunch to Dinner - look like everybody had a great time!

I don't have a lot of Fashion News, but one thing we don't have to worry about is Jonathan Saunders for Dior, as he's gone to DVF (Diana von Furstenberg). Good call I say!

At a cultural class the funniest thing happened. Out of nine women, four were in the same shade of beige/taupe. Different designers, tops, jumpers etc, but oh-so-similar shades! How does this happen? It's not the first time I've witnessed this phenomenon. It often happens on a Saturday morning - on the line in Synagogue, we can all turn up in the same colour combination having had no conversations about clothing at all. Strange... In fact, on attending a meeting with my business partner we both turned up in the same colours - blue and oyster. The absolute same but both different! With absolutely no prior indication of what we were wearing. Is it like we all have a sixth sense? Or because we all have lots to choose from the colour genie takes over...

Great Minds think alike

This weather is very strange. I went out in a summer raincoat today and absolutely froze! I've put my heating back on and am looking to my winter wardrobe - forget Spring! I know, I know - I had previously said "edit your wardrobe to Spring/Summer" but it seems that whatever is happening up there it's not warm anymore. But to top it off, it's grey. So somehow Spring Brights look wrong. Which might make your timing perfect for pre-fall. Just had a very, very quick look and what do you know? I managed to find a couple of things I like!!

Surely not dressing for mid-May!

I wore my new silver-foil shoes... They were money well spent. Once I get over my own "Super Tuesday" I'll be out in them again for sure!

Happy Shopping!!

F   XX


Lust of the week:

Long overdue...

Zen

Who wants black shoes? I just happened on an advert on Facebook and it was for a sale of Christian Laboutin shoes - many in black. Now, I have black shoes but on consulting the Shoe Wall actually surprisingly very few. And I can see the vogue for black is definitely on the wane. Now maybe I'm not the best person to go by, because I have always favoured a coloured (single or multi-), metallic, snake or embroidered - but not so much straight black. So, on listening to shoe conversations (yes, that is A Thing!) with silver being a new thing say bye bye to black! For this week at least...

Words fail me...

What a week! Five days to go ’til my big day on the 17th and in the lead up - death, illness and seating plans! It's always very sad when someone you know dies, but made more so when you’re unable to say goodbye. All I will say in this, is “always resist the temptation to play G-D!” We already have one, and there is no need to apply to be his successor - he's not going anywhere!

OK OK - I’m not going to procrastinate any further. On Tuesday, 17 May (next Tuesday to you and me), I - yes me, your blogger and friend - is… Chair of the BFAMI Women in Art Ladies Lunch. Huge! Just huge! You'll remember I slightly spoke of it last year. Seems I ruffled a few feathers! Who knew anyone cared what I thought?! Anyhow, back to this Lunch. I have been working on this since last June... That's 11 months, it takes that long. I have honestly gone through every emotion possible, but now thanks to a very wise choice of Vice Chair, I'm extremely Zen! Yes, that's me - Francine. Zen!

Fiona Rae: my Woman in Art

If you pay attention to my blog you'll also know I'm Dinner Chair for the charity Langdon, which also happens to be on 17 May. Yes that's right - two in one day! Don't ask… But in accepting this challenge, I'm happy that I did. And as these are important events to me I've of course been shopping, but I'm not wearing New. No, what I'm wearing you'll have to wait to see. But they are friends in my wardrobe and will (I hope) be happy together on the day. From tears to swearing to laughter, I've been through every emotion. I'm now so looking forward to the 17th and I really hope you all enjoy my vision.

Memories of Langdon's dinner last year.

Just time for one slightly fashionable note. Blue! Yes, blue is definitely the colour of the week. From the blue and white of Yom Ha'atzmaut to the Israeli flag - blue and white, to the dark and light blue that is seen on the best bodies And you know I've been championing blue for a while. So embrace your inner blue and reflect the sky (hopefully). Well, we have had a bit of sun, and with a light tan enjoy the next week. And always remember - smile, or as we now say “Ommmmm….” Zen...

Blue is the colour! Peace is the game.

Happy Shopping!

F  XX

Lust of the week:

Dreaming of a Teleprompter...

Of course I downloaded it!

Of course I downloaded it (for you!) - the American Vogue App. Let's see how we get on, it's a bit like a first date. OK, we fancy each other, but are we compatible in the long term?… Well it's definitely not as interesting as “The Business of Fashion”. It delivers, but in a soft, squashy sort of way. A million stories of Supers In Denim won't rock any boats and they even have Ashley Graham wearing denim (for the Plus sizes) helping them to decode denim. Really?!… They covered the Met Ball (to be expected) Alicia Vikander in custom Vuitton and boots. My best dressed? KKW looking obvious. Obviously. SJP also looked good in a white knickerbocker suit…

Do three Rodarte equal two Luis Vuitton?

Do you remember me saying a few weeks ago that I thought something was missing at American Vogue as well (it all comes from the top). The Daily Mail has done it again! Fiona McIntosh just wrote a piece on The Met Ball titled "The Night Fashion Died”. If this paper were in New York I would be very concerned. To sum it up, she's accusing Anna Wintour of selling out to celebrity. And friends, I think she's right (the AV App demonstrates this). This year was really a spectacle to trash! And I'm not sure why. If this wave carries on, I feel Ms Wintour will soon be replaced…

Cuba. Have you visited, Darharling?! It's the place to see and be seen! After President Obama, the Rolling Stones, we now have Chanel. King Karl hosted his latest pre-Fall show there.

Cuba's new Minister of Tourism - King Karl!

This next statement is a bit of a surprise to me. I liked it (well most of it). I thought it very well styled, pretty, light and I'd like to wear it! There - I said it!! The dresses were just perfect with the length and the flat sandals or shoes. The chiffon and prints seemed touched by a very light hand and I could definitely see myself in many of the designs. So this tough act to follow just got tougher.

Could these be found in my wardrobe soon?...

I had my roots done last week. Nothing unusual there then - it happens every 5-6 weeks. But this time I came out not blonde, but degradè pink/pale violet. Opalescent and I love it! The red nails had to go... No biggie there! Back to nude - better for the look. A light (spray) tan and I'm wearing colours I've not worn for ages. Yesterday I wore a pale blue cashmere jumper. Years since it's seen light! And one other thing is I've stopped wearing my earrings! This is a first for years and years. They just don't seem to go... Too bright! But my pearl necklace is having a moment!

Coming to a Lunch or Gala near you soon!

Life is getting very busy at the moment. May 17 is looming very large on my horizon - every day getting closer. One speech down and one to go - so far, so good. But it seems friends, I've inadvertently stumbled on a problem (only First World, so don't fret!) As you can imagine, I decided what to wear for my lunch and dinner weeks ago, and for the BFAMI lunch I was to wear my new Dior ankle strap shoes, which I've been wearing a lot. But (there's always a but) these shoes are a minimum wear… 2, 2 1/2 hours top, and then my feet have to rest for a good while (read: 12-15 hours). Which is no good when one has to wear high heels in the evening as well! Am I missing a trick? I saw a woman yesterday in high heels that from the look on her face were as comfortable as slippers. I'm looking at my feet now… They’re not swollen or blistered. Maybe they need a firm hand to show them who's boss? I can do it, I know I can! I have heard that women are using Botox on their feet... Ummm, not sure but maybe under the threat of needles, they'll behave and my shoe (making it an outfit) problem will be solved! Will keep you posted…

It's a choice...

The sun has begun to shine, enjoy Spring this weekend and always remember - pack your Compeed in your handbag and then you’re good to go!

Happy Shopping


F  XX

Lust of the week:

Leicester City proving that in David vs. Goliath, David always wins...