Beach. Tippi Hedren. Treats.

Went to the beach. My 'do doesn't look like this anymore because I've had it cut. Love it how the sand is cold in winter.
Went to an Italian food festival.

Reminisced about Lady Thatcher when her Asprey bag was auctioned for charity.

Remember that interview when George Negus said that a lot of people didn't like her and she replied "Who are these people? Give me their names" So funny. Here she is wearing a power suit and tripping the light fantastic with her friend Ronald in the 80s

Embraced Navy.

Actioned a Kate Middleton hair flip

wore some Big Apple Red

Had a Tippi Hedren/Hitchcock Moment. Look at all these Birds:

This was a very confident swan. I saw Tippi in real life once at a screening of The Birds that I went to with my friend N in 2001. She spoke a lot about her work with Tigers and warned us not to have them as pets if we lived in the suburbs.

Valued member of the family (up there with Sleep Sheep) from my friend J. It sings and has flashing lights and says "weeee" The baby loves it 11/10

Linda in Chile sent me South American Vogue. In Spanish. So exciting. Reminds me of the time that Buphee sent me Spanish Hola!

Threw on this Top Shop coat that I bought in 2003 from the concession in Selfridges in London

who knew I'd still be wearing it 8 years on?

Been baking things with eggplant and bechamel

baked a hummingbird cake (pineapple, coconut, banana)

with cream cheese icing ( The Queen of Icing in my opinion)

and pancakes are always soothing in winter.

Lady Mary is annoying me on Downton Abbey. She'd better watch it or one of her sisters will see she gets her Comeuppance.

xxxx

Vale Coalface.

Today was my 2nd last day at the Coalface before my maternity leave begins.

It was a really good day, but I am sad to be leaving. I wore the Chanel lipstick that the Blogger-Known-as-Blighty gave me. It's the one Vanessa Paradis wears and I luff it 11/10. I channeled a large lump of Coal (fitting really) and wore this black velvet smock arrangement by my Best Friend Malene Birger. From the outnet. Purchased when postage was Free (Those were the days).
I got my dyed blonde 'do cut and coloured last night because God only knows when I'll next have the chance to action this type of activity again.
Gee this Sportsgirl necklace has been Good to me.
On Wednesday I channeled a huge white iceberg and wore this Target frock:

Are you all actioning buns? Remember my Top Tip- they work best with heat damaged, bleached hair. If your hair is silky and in perfect condition, you may Struggle. So get cracking with heat abuse and start overusing your GHD for best results bun-wise.

I am super sad to be leaving ye Olde Coalface (even though it's only temporary). I work with a great bunch of people, we laugh a lot and I've always had a lot of fun. I've hauled myself in there for over 14 years and the longest I've ever had off work's been 5 weeks, so it's the End of an Era really. My Fellow Coalminers are a generous bunch and I have been literally showered with baby gifts. I actually needed Willow's help to lug everything home. The Chief Coalminer is my friend and mentor and has been incredibly supportive of me for which I will always be grateful. She has great taste- she gave me some gorgeous treats from one of my favourite shops Black and Spiro. I know. So lucky. People's generosity and kindness is overwhelming and I feel very spoilt.

And look at these divine booties that my colleague R gave me- her Mum Yvonne knitted them! The talent!

Tonight my friend M who is co-hosting a baby shower for me came round to set stuff up. We channeled Martha Stewart with every cell and fibre of our being and started sorting out tea party accoutrements.

I get so upset watching the news about the earthquake in Christchurch. I can't imagine how awful it would be to have lived through it. The police have released names of 98 people who've died including 2 little babies. It is just Heartbreaking.

What the hell is going on with all these natural disasters?

Thankyou to everyone who left such sweet and thoughtful comments yesterday.

Wish me luck for tomorrow when I say Vale Coalface.

We've had some good times.

xxxx

Pondering All The Big Issues

Don't these gorgeous gingers warm your heart? It's nice to see something attractive while the rest of the World's Gone Mad with insane cyclonic weather wreaking havoc in North Queensland (Good luck long time reader Louise) and scary civil unrest in Egypt. The Egyptian government's apparently tried to shut down the internet to stop people accessing information. What next?

In Domestic Front news, look what now resides in my office at Ye Olde Coalface:
My own bar fridge. Think of all of the exciting possibilities for cold food storage.
Meanwhile I don't know about the rest of you, but I am spending a lot of time wondering if the baby will be born with Superior High End dark brown curly hair (no grey! no bald spot!) a la Mr FF, or alternatively,
with overly-processed-dyed-blonde-heat-damaged-blonde hair like me.
Time will tell.
Remember this By Malene Birger frock?

well it was pressed into Maternity Wear Service today.

I'm not going to lie to you. It was not an altogether successful experiment.

Have you noticed that even though it is only the 1st of February that the shoppes are full of easter eggs? Soon I'll have to pull out my easter themed ornaments I suppose

But before that I've got Valentine's Day to get through. I traditionally bake red velvet cakes around this time. I have a love/hate relationship with Ole Valentine's Day. It can be super exciting or very depressing depending on your circumstances.

Might wear some orange polish tomorrow. Just because.

My beehive gingers say "Boo"

This oppressive heat had better cease and desist soon. It makes me feel worn out and tired.

Cheerio x