Leos

This is a beautiful drawing that my friend Kate B gave me. It's got my ginger jar, my pink iceberg roses, my quince tart and my leopard print place mat! I know. I couldn't believe it either. I love it 11/10 and was so touched by her thoughtfulness and attention to detail. It was drawn by Alexandra Nea. She has a blog too. Meanwhile everyone's posting snaps of their kitchen sinks and their views from same. I'm a Joiner:
Behold the Glamour. I'm the last person on the planet without a dishwasher so I do the lot by hand. This is my view from the aforementioned sink.

I like to watch telly while I action the washing up.

The Garden is still failing to cover itself in Glory but a few old stalwarts are flying the flag. Like this salvia.

and this hard-to-kill geranium

Everyone has their own special bolognaise secrets. I like to remove the casing of an Italian pork and fennel sausage and then add the sausage mince. You should too. You won't be sorry.

The FF Leo Necklace by Red Phoenix Emporium has just turned 1. Hooray. And Happy 1st Birthday. The beauty of the necklace is that it can in fact be worn by any star sign of the zodiac. Plus it makes you look young and slim. Really. It does.

And Happy Birthday to all Leos out there. I wish you a year of Good Times and Good Hair.

Say what you will about us Leos, we are Loyal. And Loving. But do not try to come between us and a reflective surface while we are Sorting Out Our Hair. Or you'll be sorry.

There's so much sadness in the news these days what with the falling price of shares and the American economy and what not, so it's important that we focus on some light hearted things. Like photo shopping. Look at what Sarah Jessica Parker's hands look like after the Magic of photo shopping:

And how cute is Harper Beckham? I bet she's got a Missoni baby cardy. Or seven.

And have you heard the news that Our Leader's secret tapes with Arthur Whatsy from the early 1960s are going to be released???? I know. I am beyond excited. Apparently you can hear the ice cubes in her drink clinking and hear her striking matches to light her cigarettes. She was a Leo too and let me tell you she was Dead Set Fussy about her own 'do.

I get a lot of emails from The Younger Players still in the 1st cusp of Whippersnapper-ness asking me for advice. I don't really have any except I think that you should say no to clutter and yes to having a great group of friends. Pay attention to grooming, because when you look good you'll feel better. Make your bed. Never pay retail for high end designer clobber. Do stuff you enjoy and feel passionate about. Learn to cook. Buy a parlux hairdryer. Keep your polish chip free. Learn the power of gratitude. And stay away from battery hen eggs and chooks. Free range is what you want.

A lovely reader asked me what the Coalface is. It's an office or a workplace. It's meant to be a joke- my working conditions do not in any way resemble an underground colliery in downtown Wales circa 1880. Some people use the term Salt Mine instead. But I'm not one of them.In keeping with the Happiness Project I am actioning tonnes of exercise and decluttering and am still trying to action Extreme Nice (you know, where you never criticise, snap at or get cranky

with your loved ones no matter what) with every cell and fibre of my being. So far so good.

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Edited to Add: I cannot believe what is happening in London. The world has gone stark raving mad.