Wet Weekend.

I'm loving this rain. I'm not going to lie-it's playing hardcore havoc with my 'do, but the garden's rejoicing. After brunch at Anouk I saw The Trip with Steve Coogan. Has anyone else seen it? The food they eat and the scenery is beautiful.
Meanwhile, I'm counting the seconds til I see the lovely Joan and pondering the Big Question of What to Wear when I do. I'm thinking leopard print could be in order.

How gorgeous is she here-

And she's always looked good in a hat.

Today I said Yes to leopard print.

And yes to this Chanel lippy. Apparently it's the same shade ole Vanessa Paradis wears in the ad. So says Blighty. And she'd know.

This weather is conducive to Cosiness. One of my Favourite Things.

It's also conducive to soothing drinks

I wheeled this Old Bally stalwart out today. I used to be obsessed with Bally. Mr FF bought this for me for my birthday in 2006. I still luff it 11/10 and it was like catching up with an old friend- we must get together more often.

The Baby looked deadset cute in this top from my friend Lucinda. I will weep when he outgrows it.

Are you embracing single malts too? Well done. So cheering and Grown Up.

Wonder what old Joan'll wear for her show? I'm thinking sequins. Fingers and Toes.

Enjoy your weekends. I'm planning a serious declutter tomorrow. Wish me Decluttering Stamina.

xxx

Royalty and Other Stuff I Considered Today.

If you're a regular reader you know I'm a big fan of the Queen and love everything she wears. As far as I'm concerned she never gets it wrong. She's beautifully groomed, loves colour and prints, rocks large brooches, has superior jewels and is Hardcore Into Matching. Well Done Fashion-wise Your Majesty. You are an Inspiration to Us All. I thought Zara looked excellent too. Look:
And so did Princess Anne. I'm old enough to remember the yellow silk number she wore to Zara's christening. It had a matching hat. Some people diss her fashion sense but I'm not one of them. I like the way she's stayed true to her look and I really like her Big circa 1972 Hairdo. You can tell she uses a lot of super strong hairspray. Plus she's practically the hardest working royal.

Meanwhile Helen's won a Best Body award at 66. Well Done. She looks great in leopard print.

I once got a very rude anonymous comment asking me why I dressed like a 50 year old woman. I don't know. Because I can?

Thank you for your dinner suggestions. Last night I made a salad from this month's Women's Weekly. It had cauliflower and chillies and anchovies. It was deadset tasty.

Don't lose sleep wondering what this polish is. It's OPI's dulche de whatsy (leche?)

The poor garden's suffering. Maybe tomorrow I'll sort it out.

It's really not covering itself in Glory these days

Today I did the nicest thing

I met up with my friend Y who I have not seen for about a decade. It was like no time at all had passed and we picked up where we'd left off. She looked exactly the same.

We both worked for a department store back in the day when we were uni students flogging men's fragrances and cosmetics. They used to pay us double time on Sunday and commission if we sold a certain amount of stuff per hour. People, I moved that stuff off the shelves.

Who was the guy with the white tie on Q and A? He certainly sparked things up.

Thank you for all your kind wishes about my Baby. I really think this current age is the absolutely cutest.

xxxxxxx

Neutrals. Orange. And Other Stuff I'm Enthusiatic About.

Say what you will about me, I would never ever knowingly under accessorise.

Prepare yourselves Emotionally People, because Buphee (Not her Real Name by any Stretch) in Vancouver has sent the Baby the most gorgeous little caramel suede loafers you are ever likely to see in your whole entire life. Really. Behold their teeny tiny Magnificent Goodness:

I know. They are beyond adorable. Thank you Buphee. The thank you note's in the post. Is this weather practically forcing you to say Yes to whiskey at Cocktail Hour? Me too.

I like a slightly worn Iranian carpet arrangement don't you?

you know how I'm fond of this el cheapo heavily discounted frock sourced from Forecast?

Well I subscribe to the When You're on a good Thing Stick To It Theory of dressing. So I bought it in orange too.

My polish is OPI's Cajun Shrimp. It's very cheering.

Isn't the sky attractive?

I went to the Corner Store cafe for brunch. Look. I know it's out of my jurisdiction but sometimes you need to live on the edge and leave your suburb.

Willow Lotus and I have been being all Visionary and brainstorming about what sort of necklaces people want for summer. I say they want things that have orange and pink and green beads with a couple of brown perspex whatsies thrown in for good measure that will look a treat with something like a Missoni cardigan. That's what I want anyway.

Here are the twins. Brainstorming. Not to be confused with Barnstorming.

You know how I love Kate's Canadian wardrobe? Well Mark (Committed Royalist) doesn't think it's sufficiently Royal enough. Thoughts? I love how groomed and polished she looks. Clearly an Inspiration to Us All.

Carry On.

xxxxxx

Sunday

Today was really sad because I went to the airport to say Goodbye to Ole Amber who's moving to Hong Kong. I am going to miss her so so much. I hate and loathe Goodbyes. When I got home some soothing chopping and stirring was definitely in order. I'm making some restorative chicken soup.

Nothing is happening in the Garden. There are about 3 flowers tops.

Have you noticed that everyone is offering breakfast burritos for brunch? Meanwhile I was watching Nigella today. She was making something vaguely Jamaican called chicken jerky with coconut rice and peas. It looked delicious. I might try and whip it up later tonight.

It is still really cold. Suits me. I've been Scarfing it up like No One's Business. And Layering. With Knits. Look:

I'm unafraid to wear a sequined top during the day. Don't ask me why. I just am. The cardy's from Jean Brown. It's by Goat. I wore it in Amber's honour. I love its giant mother of pearl buttons 11/10.

Some one once told me that as you get older, it's a lot harder to make new friends. I don't know if this is true but I do think it's uncommon to meet someone who you click with immediately on lots of different levels, who is a Fellow Leo, who understands your Obsession with Hair and Clothes and who you trust implicitly.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm counting the seconds until Downton Abbey.Stay warm. And nurture your friendships.

xxxxxx