EBAY DELIGHTS...AND NIGHTMARES...

Bought these excellent condition (unworn) beauties off ebay.  They only cost £7 (including postage) and are by LoveLabel.  Bit fecking tight around the front though- as I'm writing this I'm wearing them, trying to break them in!!!!

Also, recently bought this lovely silk Next top.  The post said it was a size 16, and as I'm a 14-16, depending on the style or brand, it seemed a perfectly decent bet.  But when it came, it was a size 14, and a small 14 at that- more like a 10.  This was easily rectified by adding a plain, contrast satin panel at the back, then elasticating it to fit perfectly (easy when you possess the skills that I do!)

But why, oh why, can't ebay sellers read labels and list their items correctly?  I once successfully bid on a pair of size 6 shoes, only to find they were a (clearly marked) 8 when they arrived.  The seller was okay about it and gave me a full refund, but c'mon, it's not frigging rocket science, is it?!

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER

I recently went to the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibition at the Barbican, London.  At £14.50, the tickets are rather pricey but, thanks to certain contacts, I managed to get in for £6!

The Barbican (below) is a weird place- it's an oasis in the middle of the City of London.  It's surrounded by the financial district and I love it.  It's like a metropolis village in its own right and, when I'm a rich and famous writer (which will happen, one day) I am going to keep an apartment there.

Jean Paul Gaultier is a truly inspirational and innovative designer who, like all the great fashion leaders, does things his way.  My favourite dress from the exhibition was the can-can "legs" dress, and I also loved Madonna's Blonde Ambition corset (both below). 

 This was when Madonna was at her best, and before she got too involved with the ridiculous "sex" thing.  The Justify My Love single and video and The Blonde Ambition tour were raunchy enough, without the need for her to continue the theme with that stupid Hanky Panky song, the laughable film Body Of Evidence, the predictable In Bed With Madonna or the truly sad Sex book.  And whilst I liked the single Erotica, by the time it was released, I think we had all had enough of her.

I liked the wall showing paintings of Jean Paul Gaultier's icons, and also the boudoir section, where various versions of his gorgeous perfume bottles were displayed.  I own the bottle with the lace corset (below) and the adore the fragrance.  If I'm not mistaken, though, the bottle idea is not original- I believe surrealist fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli did it first.

As a designer, people often ask me who my favourite designer is.  Well, that's a hard question to answer.  There are lots of designers I admire for different reasons- Anna Sui for her quirkiness, Matthew Willamson for his prints and fluidity and Julien Macdonald for his sexy clothing (although I hear the man himself is a bit of a tit).  Also, fashion is cyclical- you might like a certain designer's offering this season, but hate what he does the next.
But the one designer who, for me, stands head and shoulders above the rest is Vivienne Westwood; the Grande Dame of the catwalk.  She refuses to conform, always bucks the trend and does thing her way.  Which is often the best way.  I especially love that she designs for curvy women and adore the Cocotte Dress.  This is one version of it.

When I can afford it, I will treat myself to one of these!

A SENSE OF DUTY by SHEELAGH KELLY.

A SENSE OF DUTY

BY SHEELAGH KELLY

THE BLURB:-

Flamboyant and fun-loving Kit Kilmaster rebels against the constraints of Victorian society and pursues her dream. But, as Kit is to learn, there is a high price to pay for her happiness...

While her brothers and sisters resign themselves to a life of drudgery, the voluptuous Katherine Kilmaster yearns for better things. Though her kin try and instil in her a sense of duty, Kit's craving for the good things in life is too strong. And when her generous heart tempts her into dangerous situations with young men above her station, the family are scandalized by Kit's brazen attitude- although that doesn't prevent them accepting a share in the material rewards. For a time Kit revels in the life of a courtesan, launching herself upon London society, until an unexpected consequence of her free-and-easy lifestyle stops her in her tracks.

Thrust back into claustrophobic village life, Kit falls prey to malicious gossip, and then to tragedy. Overwhelmed by events, she finally heeds the advice of her family, and is almost destroyed in the process. But then a chance encounter promises to deliver the husband and children she has always wanted- provided her shameful secret is not revealed...

THE REALITY:-

After buying this, I read the small print on the cover. It said, “A wonderful new saga for lovers of Catherine Cookson.” My immediate thought was, “Oh no!” Whilst it cannot be denied that Cookson was a brilliant writer, I always found her work very grim and depressing. The one novel of hers I tried to read, I ended up abandoning a short way in, before I slashed my wrists.

This novel, however, was nothing like that! A tome and-a-half, yes, this book has some grim and gritty realities, but it is the wonderful character of Katherine that brings the book to life. The characters are all very real and easy to relate to, and it's great that Kit (Katherine) is a feisty young lady who doesn't fit the mould, and who defies convention. It's also super that she's motivated by a kind and loving heart, and not simply the act of rebellion. Good that Monty thoroughly respects family values and has a heart. He's not one to turn an unmarried mother out onto the street, and this is during the 1880s- I know some that weren't so liberal-minded in the 1980s, and SHAME on them.

I found this hard to put down and very absorbing, and am so glad that Kit got her happy ending with the simple things in life. I would certainly read books by this author again.

THE CHARM BRACELET by MELISSA HILL

THE CHARM BRACELET

BY MELISSA HILL

THE BLURB:-

Many years ago she was sent one with just a single charm attached. The charms have been appearing ever since, often at challenging times, as if her mysterious benefactor knows exactly when she need a little magic in her life.

As a result, Holly's bracelet is her most prized possession. So when she finds someone else's charm bracelet, she feel she has to try to reunite it with its owner. Even if the only clues she has to follow are the charms themselves.

On a search that will take her all over New York City at Christmas, Holly becomes ever more determined to piece together the details of the other charmed life. But what she doesn't know is that her quest may also lead her somewhere she never, ever expected...

THE REALITY:-

Another delight from the pen of “light, bright and trite”. This book is definitely charming but it's also very predictable. I worked out who the owner of the charm bracelet was long before the story told me, ditto the mysterious giver of charms as presents for Holly, to add to her bracelet. And it was obvious how Greg's relationship with Karen would turn out, as it was very simple to see what that lady really wanted out of life.

Having said all that, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel! Set in New York City- a wonderful place I have been to, and can relate to- Holly works in a vintage clothing store. As a lover of clothes, especially those not mainstream, it was a fantastic backdrop for a fashionista like myself! The characters were likeable and believable and often funny (lothario Gennaro's ways had me laughing out loud, as did Karen's ridiculous pretentiousness.)

Although it was quite obvious how the story was going to pan out, there was a lovely twist with regard to Greg's mother's health (you are led to believe one thing, then find out all is not exactly good, but not as bad as you first think) and how her involvement and interference shapes the final outcome. The nicest bits for me, though, were the stories behind the charms of the lost bracelet- they added a lovely, romantic flavour to the tale.

Definitely recommended.

I LOVE SHOES (PART 54, SUBSECTION 3, VERSE 11....)

The shoes above are from Kurt Geiger and are currently £39, reduced from £100.

And the shoes on the right are from Dorothy Perkins and are currently £13.50, reduced from £27.

I think you can probably guess which pair I bought.  

(I'm aware that I'm sounding a bit like an Aldi or Lidl advertisement- I can't remember which!)

I'm always one for checking out high-end brands then waiting for their lowlier sisters to bring out their rip-offs.  After all, as a mass market fashion designer, it was part of my job to do just that.

Apparently, some women have toes removed so that they can fit into Jimmy Choos.
Well, Jimmy Choos fit me just fine, but high-end brands in general need to make their shoes wider at the front.

I couldn't fit my feet into the Kurt Geiger shoes, and have also had issues with Hobbs and Office (with the latter being absolutely RIDICULOUSLY narrow.)

Designers and technicians, please take note!