Lovely Day in Town

I had a lovely day yesterday. I did my stretch class which made me feel, well, stretched. Afterwards my friend (who happens to be the my stretch teacher too) drove us into town for some fun. We visited Anna Valentine at her studio. It is located in one of those really pretty Mews streets that are tucked away in London, just off Marlybone Lane. The building is beautiful. White wash walls, stone floors and open fireplaces. And her collection of beautiful clothes amazing. Having seen them at the fashion show a couple of weeks ago, it was great to see the detailing and fabrics up close. I got all dreamy about owning one. And I will keep dreaming about it because chances of me having the floaty nude coloured dress I was eying up are pretty darn minimal.

We then visited Rococo Chocolates to collect my winning box of chocolates. Rococo chocolate is delicious and the packaging lovely. I need to take a picture quickly to post as the chocolates themselves seem to be evaporating. I have no idea where they are going...

We then had a lovely lunch with maybe just a few bubbles... and a mooch along Marlybone High Street into the VERY nice shops. I may have purchased a couple of things while I was there. I love this bit of London. It is so close to the chaos of Oxford Street yet such a completely different feel. If you haven't discovered it yet the you should.

Although I was tired when I got home and went to bed very early last night, it was great to be out. I am living most of my life at the moment either within this home, or the few surrounding streets in the local community. It was great to just be out. To look at lovely things. To laugh. And live.

Hello! Magazine

There is a two page spread in this weeks Hello! magazine on the Anna Valentine Fashion Show. For some reason they didn't select the pictures with me in them.

Actually apparently they did originally and it was a three page spread and then they had to pull one of the pages at the last minute.

Never mind hey. It was still a magical night.

Photographs of Camilla, Lucy and Me

I have just been sent these photographs which were taken by the Hello! photographer at the fashion show on Thursday evening when we were talking to HRH. I doubt they will make it into the issue (as I am not really celeb material!) but all very exciting anyway:

The handbag Camilla held when she shook my hand

Oh yes it is in the press. Check out this article:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1250408/Camilla-arrives-charity-fashion-class-handbag.html

What a night (and Meeting HRH)

Wow. What a night. Cannot believe it. Cannot believe the course of the week. For days I am firmly in chemo land, literally unable to move at times, and then last night I was in a different place.

Ah. Where to start.

The Event. The Anna Valentine Fashion Show in aid of Maggies Cancer Centres. Anna Valentine is an amazing designer who famously dressed HRH The Duchess of Cornwall for her wedding to Prince Charles.

The location. The Royal Courts of Justice, London. LOVE places like this. LOVE this about London. They are so old and so magnificent. Incredible building.

Why am I there? My lovely friend Lucy is an old friend of Anna Valentines. She has been on the committee for organising this event for months. I have been invited to attend like lots of her other friends and committed to go ages ago.

Obviously this week has been so hard it had been very doubtful at times whether I would be able to make it. But I did. And yesterday lunchtime Lucy tells me it is good I am coming because I am her plus one as one of the very specially selected people to meet and greet HRH The Duchess of Cornwall (yes Camilla) herself at the evening. What?!! I know. I know.

So we arrive. I feel like a different person in heels and my black dress. I loose a false nail before we even get to the venue but hope no one will notice. The place looks amazing. There is much re event stress going on - the amount of organisation that has gone into this is incredible.

We head to the drinks reception. I have a glass of champagne. The girl who could only manage ice cubes two days earlier is sipping a glass of fizz and has an enormous smile on her face. All the food is prepared my famous chef Tom Aitken. I like the canapes but don't have many as am too scared it may all ooze down my front before I meet HRH.

We are told that at 7.10 to stand in a particular spot and HRH will come and meet us. It is really crazy busy in there so we are moved to a slightly quieter area. The Hello! photographers are told to make sure they get pictures of us talking to Camilla. Loads of people are now looking at us like we are VIPs ourselves because we are clearly next to meet her.

We have practiced our curtsy's. Apparently the official line we are to say is "It is very nice to meet you your Royal Highness." We are both giggling and think we are going to totally mess that entire thing up. As I am stood there about to meet her I say to Lucy "This is so nuts. I haven't even told my neighbours I have cancer, and now I think I am about to tell the wife of the heir to the throne!"

Camilla is brought over to us. We are introduced. We do some attempt at our curtsy and our line. But Camilla is really down to earth and isn't waiting for us to make sure we do it all right. We talk for probably about 5 minutes or so before she is moved on. We talk about Maggies. We talk about Anna Valentine. We say I have not been well all week and how pleased we are I made it. Camilla smiles and looks at the glass of champagne in my hand and tells me how good it is I am having a glass of that. During that time there are official photographers taking photo's of the moment. And then she is moved on.

And then we move on to talk to..... Rupert Everett and Janet Ellis. Rupert Everett has enormous nostrils. Seriously gigantic. Lucy tries all the shots to get him to laugh at her jokes. I think he must have been nervous about his speech. I get chatting to Janet Ellis. She is SO lovely. It is like a happy childhood moment talking to the Blue Peter presenter of my youth. We talk about her kids. We talk about Maggies. We talk about my week. She is so surprised because last night I looked really well. We start talking about hair and wigs. She knows this amazing wig cutter who apparently will restyle my beautiful Parisian real hair wig for me and make it even better. She says to make sure I give her my phone number during the evening. I feel like she is my new friend!

We then head down for the Event itself. Janet's speech is fabulous. It doesn't make me upset at all. I just agree with every word. Then the show starts.

The models all stick their hips forward and slouch back as they walk. The clothes are beautiful. Truly stunning. Wish I had some of them. The fabrics just float and hang in a way that oozes chic and quality and style.

Then we have some more Tom Aitken food and, yes, I have another glass of champagne. It's the real stuff and tastes fantastic. There is an auction for prizes as well as a silent auction for loads of stuff people have donated. The biggest single amount raised I think was £22,000 for a 2 week holiday in the Seychelles. Sadie Frosts boyfriends band play. We have much debate because no one can remember his name. Scott something. I have no photo's as we were not allowed to take cameras to the evening. But am so hoping to be able to get some of the official ones that the Hello! photographer took. I think I should be able to and then will scan some in and post them.

It gets to nearly 10 and my body starts to give in. I start to feel I am struggling a little to sit in the chair. The event officially ends at 10.30 so decide I must go. I exchange smiles with Lulu Guinness. In true Jo style I have lost my coat tag so cause problems at the cloakroom looking for a black size 8 Karen Millen Coat..... but it is found.

I squeeze my lovely friend Lucy unable to say words of what a fairy tale night it has been. Dare I say it, the sweet is sweeter, given the days before. I step out onto the Strand, get straight into a black cab and am home in bed about half an hour.

As my head touches the pillow I smile. And am grateful for this night. The philosophy of Maggies is not to allow the fear of dying to stop the joy of living. And tonight I had joy living.

http://www.maggiescentres.org/maggies/maggiescentres/home/home.html

Different day

I can hardly type. This isn't a chemo side effect. It is false nails. I bought them in boots earlier in an emergency. Now I am struggling to do ANYTHING. Not helpful as:

I am wearing a frock. Yes a frock. And diamonds. Real ones. 24 hours ago I was firmly on "i don't think so" BUT I have turned a corner. I feel like a human being. And this human being is about to meet a VERY famous person.

I am off to the Anna Valentine fashion show in aid of Maggies Cancer Centres. It is at the Royal Courts of Justice. There are going to be tonnes of celebs there (oh yes including me.)

I will write all about it tomorrow I hope. My friend is on the organising committee and told me this afternoon that we are going to meet the famous person.

Thankful the dress and shoes I bought on line fit me. Thankful I was too weak to wash my own hair so booked myself a blow dry today.

Thankful for concealer. And make up.

My friend is borrowing an uber expensive dress and going to look stunning. I have coloured in my bags, and tried to make myself look as pretty as I can today.

Maybe I need to practice my curtsy?

I am laughing so much. I can't cry because of the mascara. I have spent the last week in chemo land horridness. But today is a different day.

I said I would emerge.

Christmas Party Wardrobe Crisis

I have Christmas drinks this evening at Jonny's boss's house. They are really lovely people and I am happy to go along it's just that...

... I never know what to wear or what to say at these things. I know the safe option for these things is black. I just look like a ghost in too much black. I shared this with my friend earlier in the week who then let me raid her walk-in wardrobe that is full of lots of beautiful things. I had serious wardrobe envy. BUT this just about saved the day as I now have 3 possible dresses, different shades of tights, 1 pair of boots and 1 possible pair of shoes and it has to be a combination of these.

So that is clothes sorted. I just need to find my voice. Seriously I sound like an ancient croaky lady right now. I have had a sore throat all week and now my voice has gone really funny and it is a bit of a strain to talk.

Maybe I should wear a sign saying I have lost my voice and then I won't need to stress about what to say either.

Not sure that is going to work and I really should have spent more time reading the financial section of the paper the last couple of days so I can keep up on any intelligent chat about current affairs such as Alistair Darling trying to destroy the service sector 20 years after the Tories destroyed the country's manufacturing base. Or the Nobel peace prize going to Barack Obama before he has done much. Instead I think I may need to seek out another WAG and talk about the X factor or Strictly Come Dancing. I wish I had more brain cells.

UPDATE:

Had a lovely evening. Was suitably dressed in a sparkly enough outfit and was good to put names to faces. Beautiful home, free flowing champagne and very nice canapes made for a really nice time. Turns out if I talk cooking and pilates I can get myself through a social evening like this too. No reading of the FT needed. Either that or it is blindingly obvious that I am just not that intelligent. (I'm a qualified Chartered Accountant actually, but just not a very clever one.)

Lady about town

My niece cracked me up at the weekend. She was determined to walk round in my fancy shoes. Just not very easy to walk in:

However, obviously it was essential to protect oneself from any passing storms when potty training:

Harvey Nichs darling

I've been suffering from birthday blues somewhat recently. All to do with life not going the way I wanted it to (understatement.) There was one way to ease this. Get a birthday budget from Jonny and go and spend it on clothes. He wins as he doesn't have to actually go to the shops and buy me anything. I win as I get to go and buy stuff without feeling guilty (while he is off at the footie may I add.)

Never been to Harvey Nichols before. I know! How can this be? Well it's true. Loved it darling. Slightly lonely moment as I sat in Yo Sushi! on the top floor eating my lunch on my own. Think my mind was going a little stir crazy while I watched all the pretty dishes go by:

Great denim department too. Between Harvey Nichols, John Lewis, Sweaty Betty and Starbucks my afternoon, and my budget, seemed to just disappear.

I also had my own Ab Fab moment as I carried 4 pillows, 3 bags and a Starbucks back to the car and my sunglasses fell off my head. Pure class as always.

Men's fashion alert autumn 2009

I have been very strict with myself today. A lingering migraine made me cancel my cinema plans for last night, and my trip to Kew Gardens this afternoon. One of those times where I have had to listen to my body and stay home. Like people who care about me lots say I should do more. Points please.

Anyway, this did mean that I read the paper properly this afternoon. And I laughed out loud. Most of my girls I hang out with these days are having the similar trauma of not knowing what to wear. Are we too old for certain stuff? What is trendy anyway? My friend commented on the length (or lack of) of my denim mini skirt last week. I think I am trying to defy the fact I turn one year older next week. I always think it must be easier for boys. Jeans with either t-shirt, polo shirt or shirt, depending on the occasion. Well, according to page 14 of G2 in the Guardian today, not so much. There are new fashion rules for men.

Here are my views on their list:

1. It's ok to be hairy. Nice picture of David Beckham. Not so nice beard. I don't like stubble or moustaches. The only man I know who I think looks attractive with facial hair is Sean Connery. So, boys I know, don't throw out your razors just yet. Especially not my husband please.

2. Be inspired by the new country dandy. Hilarious picture of Fantastic Mr Fox. I know I live in Richmond, where we all love our hunter wellies and try and be all "city meets country." But I draw the line at tweed blazers and bow ties.

3. Borrow from your girlfriend/sister/mother. I don't think I would take it as a compliment if any man I knew wanted to borrow my leggings or my jeans. Boys are meant to wear bigger sizes than girls surely? Apparently both Marc Jacobs and Prada are including the "man skirt" in their latest collections. Hello?! So, now it is a good thing if Jon starts wearing my mother's skirts? I don't think so.

4. Study a single man. At first reading I thought this meant that guys are meant to do some sort of man stalking. Which would probably result in being arrested. Not quite as bad as that. Just model themselves on a certain male look. The closest Jon comes to this is following Manchester United avidly. If he starts trying to look like Wayne Rooney I'm not going to be happy.

5. Posh up your cardigan. Long cardigans are only ok for girls. Enough said.

6. Think utilitarian camping. I know of a few boys who like to get all rugged and go camping / climbing / hiking. This is fine. But I don't think you need to walk round with your camping gear tied round your waist now. Especially when you live in a city.

7. Explore new trouser shapes. I will never forget when our friend Will (who is 21 I add) turned up at the pub in pink skinny cut jeans. Jon, bless him, asked if their was such a thing as "middle aged spread" cut? Not quite sure this is what the style gurus had in mind....

8. Swap your scarf for a snood. Not sure Manchester United have a team snood. Could be an idea for Sir Alex though on a windy day I guess.

9. Boots are the new shoes. Guess this is ok. Apparently DM's are back. Now I do feel old as I remember them the first time round.

10. Bleach your jeans. And apparently if you don't want to, you can just add a pale chambray shirt or denim jacket. I'm having a bad memory of New Kids on the Block.

And that's it. All that boys need to know to stay on-trend. Worryingly this list is not a joke either, it is a serious checklist. Suddenly shoulder pads I saw in Topshop are not seeming quite so bad.