Flying back to Melbourne

I am just about to take off from London's Heathrow airport but I just wanted to say thank you for your lovely comments about Poppy's birthday in my previous post. And I promise I will write more (with some photos) soon about the celebrations and also get around to catching up with all of your recent posts. Lots to look at when I scanned down the snippets of things from my favourite blogs, it seems.

As ever, mixed emotions at this part, hating leaving family and friends here in UK but looking forward to seeing family and friends in Melbourne again and of course, dear old Mr SE ..!

Till I re-surface at the other end.. au revoir!

11.11.11. Such a special day

All the elevens - a really special date - Armistice Day too. Fondly known the world over as Poppy Day. A day to pause and give thanks that so many have given their lives over the years and continue to do so to this day so that we may live freely.

And for me, my own extra special Poppy day. My darling daughter Poppy came into the world 21 years ago today. So extra poignant and extremely precious after years of infertility and I look back on that day as one of the happiest of my life. To all the new mothers particularly out there in the blogging fraternity, I know it is a cliche, but time will go by so fast - treasure every single second! I cannot believe that I have a 21 year old..... Amazing.

And here she is above... skipping along next to the river in Durham, where she is at University.

Happy, happy 21st Birthday sweetheart and I am so looking forward to seeing you later today.

Paris Pics Part II. And Purchases

At last I hear you say..... what on earth has she been doing ? - that Halloween post has been up way too long (or that was Mr SE told me in no uncertain terms last night when he rang from Australia!) So without further ado here are a selection of the photos from our very quick trip to Paris which now seems like AGES ago. My time in England too is drawing to a close far too quickly - I return back to Melbourne early next week and I am running round in circles trying to get things done. Also there is a certain birthday to celebrate at the end of this week - darling daughter's. (Very exciting)
Photo above - me deciding that I had to do like the French femmes and wear a (small) heel for one of our days out and about!

Mr SE in Place de la Concorde. Ritz Hotel just behind.

Hanging out around CHANEL - Rue Cambon.

Ici, je 'leche les vitrines'!

Above and below - pics snapped in Laduree.

Outside John Galliano's local. This is the bar where he made his infamous comments.... It was PACKED with people spilling out over the pavements each evening.

Gorgeous restaurant where we enjoyed a lovely dinner. Marais district.

Place des Vosges.

So lovely and sunny - we were lucky with the weather.

This is where they store all the leaves - no wonder it all looked so beautiful !


Whilst I was sitting in cafes and watching the world go by I made a few observations/notes regarding fashion and things I had seen on the street as follows :

• Lots of short jackets (especially leather), with skinny legged jeans/pants with boots





• Scarves, scarves, scarves - all tied with a twist or big chunky wool 'snoods'





• If not slim legs then wide tweedy type 70's pants (worn with a heel)





• Man-ish long jackets as coats, again in tweed





• A lot of tan coloured leather in both bags and boots





• Many chic women with GREY hair - either in geometric short cuts or longer more casual in style.





• Although in the main there were lots of neutrals the odd pop of colour in a coat or pants appeared quite a bit
  
  

See my two photos below captured surreptitiously from the cafe to illustrate my last point.!!

Bright red coat... and

working a coloured jean en francais.

Sorry this post is rather long... quickly now, onto purchases...

Went a bit mad in MONOPRIX of all places and bought a navy cashmere v neck and a very nice 'Margaret Howell-ish' fine striped shirt with teeny weeny buttons... All at fabulous prices of course.

And a huge bottle of this wonderful body lotion at a great price... Very pleased with my bargains.


Oh, and talking of buying things also succumbed to these leopard delights last week!

They definitely called my name and will be great back in Oz... (Summer is around the corner and will look good with well, err...most things I figured, especially tan chino type pants/trousers)

So there we are, a round up of the last of the Paris pics and a few little bits and bobs! Hope you enjoyed!

Halloween Flower Party

I am sandwiching this post amongst my Paris ones as I promised to go over and join Jane at Small but Charming for her Halloween flower extravaganza and I may be late for the party if I don't hurry! Above this little ghostie has a little tea light inside and his eyes light up in a suitably ghoulish manner!! We have had him ages and I always like to have him sitting out somewhere on 31st October...

Two pics above from a few weeks ago but I thought the colours were good for today.. a lovely bouquet of flowers that Mr SE sent me when I arrived back in UK.

And finally tah dah! Daughter and I hallowed out this pumpkin last week when I went up to visit her at Durham University... Hope it has lasted until tonight as they are throwing a Halloween party.

Happy Halloween to one and all.

Paris Pics - first instalment

Hello I'm back! And what an amazing time we had but I'll let the pictures tell the story....

Above and below the view from our hotel window. We stayed in the Marais region - really vibrant and interesting with lots of cafes, boutiques etc. Total bliss.

A breakfast above... and I ordered in French (and without a waiter looking down his nose and pretending he could not understand me.)

(Note to Ms. Maple - it was after I had ordered the above I sent you that text- this was what you could have shared with me!)

And lunch, below.

Next few photographs around and about the 3rd Arrondissement.

Hotel de Ville, 2 photos above.

Gorgeous Gitaine blue of this lovely old door....

Need I say more?

And last one. - just because I loved the image.

Much more to follow in the next post too.

Something exciting to tell you

I am off for a very brief and unexpected trip to Paris. In fact as I type this I am waiting at the airport and even the fact that my plane is delayed is not getting me down, much....!

Mr SE has some business in Europe this week (again unexpected, did not think I would see him until I arrived back into Melbourne mid November) and, as he has a hotel room in Paris for a couple of nights it seems silly not to whizz on over there from UK and share it with him doesn't it?

Promise I will take lots of photos and let you know all about it later on.

Au revoir mes amis!

A perfect Organic Farmshop / Lifestyle shop

That is how I would describe Daylesford Oraganic Farmshop in Gloucestershire UK.

In fact, it is almost too perfect if you understand what I mean! Country life isn't really like this every day. The vegetables are all neatly laid out, the bakery is wonderful, there is a delicatessen area, a cold room for cheeses, a wine shop, a garden room, a Spa area, hideously expensive but dreamy clothes to touch (well, I can only touch - who actually buys them I wonder?) and a fabulous and yummy cafe! Phew......

Anyway, after that introduction I will leave you to meander through the photos with not too much more from me. Suffice to say I had a wonderful afternoon there yesterday. Hours spent wandering and pretending I lived in this perfect world (and surreptitiously looking out for the celebrities who use this place as their local supermarket - Stella McCartney, Jude Law etc. - that's when they are down in their homes in the countryside!) Didn't see any celebs there but have to add that my friend who accompanied me saw Stella M later on that afternoon in her village about 15 mins away!

See - a perfect specimen!!

Cheese room above (temperature controlled).

Entrance to the garden area.

Next few photos show the homewares available....

WANT those 1,2,3,4 bowls SO much.

My basket was empty at this point!

Off for some lunch..

Pigeon and beetroot salad for me.

Tomato and basil soup for my friend Ms G.

Just one little bag came back with me... Some lovely liquid hand wash and hand lotion and a pot of delicious chutney. Fairly restrained I feel!

LOVE the wire sculpture dog.

All in all a great afternoon.

For more information : http://www.daylesfordorganic.com/