OUI...

{my photo}

METEORITE DREAM...

When I first saw the autumn/winter '11 Family Affairs collection back in February before I wrote the press release for it, I got that witch vibes feeling and felt really, really excited. To me it's a new direction that I love and can't wait to wear. (SS12 continues the direction and is on fire - but that's top secret for now). I mean, I loved every collection before, but this one has rocket

AND THE WINNER IS...

Sara, who recommended reading Jose Saramago, without even knowing I'd just been to Portugal! Saramago's name has cropped up a few times in the past few months, so that's where I'm headed first.

But it's a shame I only have one book to give away because I'm sure I'll take up many of your recommendations, thank you so much for sharing them. And it's interesting to note how many of us have read the

SEPTEMBER LOOKS LIKE...

End of the roses



Bonus amusing vintage 80s Japanese shirt label




Cats in the hood - suspect behaviour

{p.s. I'm so happy I managed to re-downgrade Instagram's horrible update by taking the old version out of the trash.}

{p.p.s. You can still enter the giveaway until Tuesday}

CHANEL GIVEAWAY...

© Chanel

Ha, got your attention there. While I'd love to give you a 2:55 bag or a couture jacket, this is a book giveaway, and a good one at that. You might remember when I reviewed Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life by Justine Picardie when it was published this time last year, and I was lucky to be invited to Claridges to meet the author and learn more about the book. The paperback edition

FOND FAREWELL...

Lisbon







Cabo Espichel





Jeronimos Monastery



Peniche





Obidos

I'll just keep posting pictures of Portugal here forever shall I? OK, good. No, these will probably be the  last, though I'm sure I could keep going for another 5 posts or so. The Portuguese don't seem to be given to shameless self-promotion, so I'll do it for them. I would like to return to Portugal asap and

TILES, PORTUGAL...

CAMEO...

This summer was nicknamed the summer of exploratory boozing - in which - against buffeting rain and wind, last minute calculations of unpredictable bursts of sunshine and frantic weather forecast checking we managed to beat the elements (or just go with them and wear coats) to meet up every so often and have a very convivial time. There was always a drink, and each time it was different: red wine

SEASONS...

September always feels like the real beginning of the year to me. Who wants to make resolutions, stride forward and make things happen in darkest January? I never do, but September does that for me. You won't find me bemoaning the end of summer because - we don't have one here, though I was lucky to feel a little bit of sun in Portugal and I'll bet they still have some over there. But August

LISBON PART 2...

There is no filter on this photo. That is the actual colour of the sky in Lisbon. Also if someone had told me Lisbon had such a thing as a neo gothic lift with original wood interior designed by an apprentice of Gustave Eiffel that looks like it stepped out of 1900s Paris (Elevador de Santa Justa) I might have booked my ticket there sooner.




I had always thought that Pasteis de Belem (or