The Last Collection by Jeanne Mackin: Paris, 1938. Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli ('Schiap') are fighting for recognition as the most successful and influential fashion designer in France, and their rivalry is already legendary. They oppose each other at every turn, in both their politics and their designs: Chanel's are classic, elegant, and practical; Schiaparelli's … Continue reading For the Love of Books | Currently Reading July 2019
I received a thank you note thanking me for my thank you note ... love that! The calla lily I received as a pot plant and replanted outside about five years ago has finally flowered. When Harry Met Sally is thirty years old! How is that even possible? There's no such thing as too much … Continue reading Four Fun Things
The London Eye The Boy Child and I spent an afternoon and evening recently playing at being tourists in our city. As part of my plan to do a few more simple things this summer, I booked a room at my club for one night - a not-quite-a-staycation, if you will. We strolled along the … Continue reading London Calling
We have long-wanted to take The Boy Child to the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire but were deterred by the size of the crowds. This year, however, my best friend came up with a workable plan ... we rented car parking space in a farmer's field just north of the runway. … Continue reading The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT)
I'd suggested recently to The Boy Child that he complete another Project Life style summer journal over the school holidays - he'd do the words and I'd provide the scrapbooking element. It would be the fourth year in a row that he had done it. He wasn't, it has to be said, too keen on … Continue reading His Summer Journal
A golden carpet The Summer holidays are here. I have our summer planner drawn up. But this year, in addition to the usual round of museums, air shows and foreign travel, I'm adding in a few more low-key things. Things that are simple, easy to achieve and, hopefully, a lot of fun: Try a new … Continue reading Summer Check List | With a Difference
I'm pleased to have rediscovered the urge to create a few more 12x12 pages (although that's not to say I haven't enjoyed working with pocket pages recently). I added one double spread to this year's album about Guernsey - there was no need to add more, as the trip is recorded in its own album. … Continue reading Scrapping in 2019 #8
The lovely Mary-Lou of Patio Postcards blog pointed me recently in the direction of Brené Brown‘s new weekly gratitude practice, TGIF. Most of us would recognise TGIF as an acronym for Thank God It’s Friday, but in Brené’s world it stands for Trusting, Grateful, Inspired and Fun. #coventgardeninbloom Trusting: that I have enough of a Summer timetable in … Continue reading TGIF | With a Difference #4
We took a road trip North recently in order to attend the wedding of the-friend-who-is-like-my-brother. The groom and Lola The Boy Child wore a three-piece suit for the first time and, even though I say it myself, looked very dapper and grown up. Sharp dressed man Yours truly gave her new dress its second outing … Continue reading Lakeland Wedding
This West London Life 