Thank goodness for Saturday tea parties!

I'm so glad it didn't snow on Saturday as I wouldn't have been able to make the journey from South London to the North. Gosh it was the furthest north I've been for ages. I alighted at Belsize Parkand wandered along long forgotten roads to the lovely Margaret of Penny Dreadful Vintage's home for an afternoon of tea and cakes and dressing up!

I was offered tea upon entering her veritable Aladdin's cave but opted for the delicious mulled wine. There were lots of lovely ladies popping in to enthuse and admire her selection. The petit garcon and I arrived looking like extras from a Christmas Carol singing gang from the set of Mad Men, all duffel coats and lairy jumpers plus my red jeans.

Here are a few pics to tantalise with...






But visit the post to get the full flavour of the wonderful afternoon!

Sharing Spring/Summer wear

A perfectly pleasant evening was spent in Kentish Town last night as I went to view the Isabella Oliver 365 S/S collection. I had a meandering day of introspection starting with porridge in Starbucks.
Then later with a G&T, although I would like to clarify this was with Claire Wacey and she bought me it as a belated birthday drink in lieu of a dirty Martini.



As the initial glow of autumnal air and the pleasure of wrapping up for winter fades, I always find a level of introversion sets in. It explains why we wrap up in lounge pants, over sized cardis and cashmere socks (in my perfect world not necessarily in reality, it is called work in progress) and sit watching films, the TV or reading a book.

It was quite hard to make myself step out into the night air and more so as it meant North London. As things go it was a worthy excursion. Especially for Cybill in Perth as I've found the perfect dress for her!

The forth coming 365 collection continues with an air of simplicity in the cut, ridiculously wonderful quality in the material and 'easy breezy' garments to wear. The main aspect of the 365 range is you can't go wrong. Whatever item you like, when you put it on it, it will 9/10 fit and feel fabulous. There were 9 items I wanted immediately and 4 others I wouldn't say no to.

I think I love the feel of the clothes so much it creates more confidence in respect of wearing. I also like the fact that the pieces have longevity. Of course I couldn't resist a dress up - it was such fun!

Wait for it...

If only this dress was available now I'd be serving Christmas luncheon in it
Wonderful combination of chiffon and sequins - yummy!

Great breton boatneck top and shorts - could wear them all year round

Truly all that glitters is gold

Ok Brad - do you think I could give Angelina a bit of a run for her money, say if you bumped into me in Venice next Summer?

Claire Wacey and the Isabella Oliver team talk 'Matt Cuddles'

You can take the girls out of South London but we can't wait to get back!

Well if the band is playing you gotta dance!

I'm staying in tonight wrapped up reading a book and dreaming of the summer, oh and Matt Cuddles.

Weekend wanderings and wondering

On Friday night we decamped to Bath so Papa to petit garcon could take part in a golf tournament the next day in Wales. Yeah don't ask. Golf doesn't even feature in my top 100 things to do. The petit garcon and I amused ourselves with visiting relatives and being dressed up. Well obviously the dressing up was my call. I decided to channel Anna Wintour sporting a white shirt, floral puffball(ish) skirt and white moccasins (ok Anna would have had a nice pair of Prada courts), with the petit garcon attired in a gorgeous Gap kids pink gingham(ish) short sleeved shirt and Boden shorts with red Converse trainers.

It's a shame I wasn't vain enough to force someone to take our picture because I had a really pleasant day due to making the effort. I felt quite glam and grown up and truly a Mama, why even my Pa commented on my lovely skirt ( a Toast £20 bargain). Will this set a new direction for me? I just feel I want to drop jeans and a few other weekend staple as the dress de jour.

Sometimes its inspiring to move away from the comfortable and familiar and sometimes you chance upon the inspiring. I decided to have a couple of hours browsing the shops in Bath. I went early as they wouldn't be open until 11am as I like window shopping and peering in. I like imagining the possibilities!

Anyway some bright spark had decided to get businesses to sponsor sculptures of sorts. These were truly brilliant and charming little numbers - PIGS. Lots of different pigs dotted around Bath's city centre.

I was so glad I had my crackberry with me - I was sans bag so I could capture the little critters. The blue pig is Pygmalion and he or she was sponsored by the Citizens Advice Bureau.


The white pig - I have no idea who sponsored it, as it was hard enough taking a picture, it was outside Gap and attracting lots of attention.


However my favourite was Disco Pig who sat majestically on top of scaffolding covered in faux green grass arising from the basement courtyard of a splendid Georgian property.


I loved the pigs so much I forgot all about browsing the inside of shops and skipped back to the in-laws house very amused and as happy as a pig in sh**.