Birthdays

A and I are lucky enough to have birthdays but one day apart so this is a big week for us. I had very few wishes for my birthday this year and I got all of them: a lovely party with my friends, an Iitala wibbly glass vase and flowers to put in it and a couple of hilarious-sounding books:

This has turned out to be a gem. Written in 1936, Marjorie Hills takes a stern look at the lives of women of all ages who find themselves living alone (it seems to have been relatively easy to find a studio flat in 1930s New York, lucky ladies). She has no truck with feeling sorry for yourself and sets a lot of store by bedjackets. As I type, a maid is bringing me my nightcap while I recline in a quilted bedjacket. Where can I get one or, indeed, an affordable maid?

I did follow Marjorie’s instructions to some extent this weekend by being taken off for a pedicure at the London Bliss Spa on Sloane Avenue. I went with a new colour, “Not Just a Pretty Face” and sadly it makes me look a  bit dead, but it’s satisfying that at least one bit of me is being well taken-care-of. Tomorrow I am off for the best meal of the day, brunch, which calls for taking care of the whole package in case I sit next to a celebrity, which happened once at my local place (it was a Strictly dancer, so I didn’t throw myself across the table at him or anything. Fingers crossed for Keira Knightley or Adele or something next time).

My two imperceptibly different nail colours. I think the second one is my usual colour, BBF Best Boy Friend. Next time I go I will be ringing the changes and getting Movers and Shakers. You will be able to pick this one out of the lineup below I imagine.

Happy birthday us.

S

 

A’s bananas birthday present

I had a lot of fun wrapping this. Hopefully she will like what I got her and post about it. I’ve scheduled this so she should be opening it…now!

S

Shops bulletin

S reports back from the shops of London, after a whirlwind Christmas shopping trip.

• Anthropologie is half twee tat and half amazing stuff I would exchange A for in a heartbeat. I really recommend going to have a look; the much hyped plant wall is very nice and oxygenating. When I have loads of money (everything is very pricey) I am going there to buy Ella Moss lace slips, perfect girly dresses and probably some aprons or something.
• Urban Outfitters designer sale currently has half-price APC fleece-lined parkas and little coats. If you can scrape together £180 RUN to the Covent Garden branch and nab one. This is what I would do if I had £180.
• I spent money in Cos even though I don’t have it and justified it as a work expense. As of 1pm this afternoon, Cos remains the best shop ever, edging out Anthro because non-millionaires can afford its goods.
• Liberty is the best department store, hands down. So civilised and with such a nice selection of things, especially the Liberty-print things. Pure class, and all the customers look cool.
• The busiest shop in the whole of London (I have checked them all today) is Cath Kidston, where I dropped a few pennies myself buying things for my lovely sister-in-law and my mum. At this stage, everyone knows it’s the tweest, most middle-class brand on earth and we are over feeling embarassed about it. ***MUM DO NOT READ THIS NEXT PART*** I will not knock any shop that sells cool Nintendo DS covers, for that is what my mum is getting for Christmas. Photos to follow next time I have a day that doesn’t involve 13 hours of work.

American retail assistance please

My parents are currently in New York, before they set off on a roadtrip down to Florida. My dad is super-excited!!one! My mum wishes she was at home in London. But the most important thing is that they are in America, and this means presents for me.

But since my dad last went to New York (he has relatives there so goes every few years) the exchange rate has weakened and I’ve grown up. The first time he went, me and my brother got massive bags of American sweets, comics, magazines, all that good kids’ stuff. Except Hershey’s, that shiz is horrible.

Is there anything left you can only get in the US or can get there much more cheaply? I’m not too concerned about weight and bulk. I just don’t know what to ask for! Any help, dear jetsetting or US-dwelling readers?

S

Christmas presents – posters

A framed poster is a lovely Christmas present, especially for those with bare walls. I have rounded up some chic and fashion-related posters and illustrations.

Claudiavarosio at Etsy draws new posters for films and books, like this simple Jules et Jim one. Others include Magnolia, The Time Traveller’s Wife and Revolutionary Road.

Zazzle.com has a paper doll Joan Holloway poster, with outfits taken straight from the show, Mad Men.

Large website Allposters has a huge stock of vintage fashion and cosmetics advert posters.

S

Christmas starts now

I can hold it in no longer – as far as I’m concerned, Christmas starts now. I have been giving some thought to party dresses, present shopping and my gift-wrapping theme and I am excited. I have relatives abroad so the shopping has to start early and I have no problem with that as I love buying, wrapping and giving presents. I also love getting things for myself and hopefully this will be a party-tastic year because the weather is so miserable that a lot of glitter and tack is needed.

Sadly I can’t talk too much about all my ideas because I share this blog with the recipient of some of them, but expect a high volume of “X”mas themed posts to come.

S