SPARKLY EMERALD SANDALS...

These cost me £13 from Ebay.  They are ex-display shoes from a fancy dress shop.

Fancy dress?  My dress is always fancy!!!!

The brand is called Funtasma- not a make I've ever heard of before- and they're very comfortable too.

DELIGHTS FROM THE DUSTBIN...

DELIGHTS FROM THE DUSTBIN!

Whilst putting the rubbish out the other day, I found this twinkly purple jewelled basked dumped by the bins.

Originally a hanging basket, I ripped the wire handle off, gave it a good scrub and now use it to stow my nail varnishes and body sparkles (I do live on the Essex bordeline darling, so have an obligation to try to fit in!) all for the princely sum of nought pence!

I'm not proud and free is the magic number!

BONES OF THE LOST, BY KATHY REICHS

BONES OF THE LOST

BY KATHY REICHS

THE BLURB:-

A teenage girl is found dead beside a desolate highway on the outskirts of Charlotte. Inside her purse is the ID card of a local businessman who died in a fire five months earlier.

But who is the girl, and was she murdered?

Dr. Temperance Brennan, forensic anthropologist, must work fast to reach the answers. Convinced that the girl's death was no accident, she soon uncovers a conspiracy that extends from South America to Afghanistan.

But to find justice for the dead, Tempe must be more courageous- and take more extreme action- than ever before.

THE REALITY:-

I have read every one of Kathy Reichs' Temperance Brennan novels; since that moment circa 1998 when my then-boyfriend found a copy of her first novel, Deja Dead, abandoned in a local betting shop! Although none of her other novels have been as good as her first, all of them (with the exception of Cross Bones, which I didn't manage to finish) have been highly readable.

Erudite in the extreme, each novel is a lesson in itself in the type of work Reichs carries out on a day to day basis. She also tackles everyday, newsworthy issues- in this case the war in Afghanistan- with glittering, first-hand experience.

With the correct amount of tension and the usual crescendo to a highly violent finish, this novel was certainly a page turner. I always find, however, that it is the study of Temperance Brennan as a woman that draws me in more, especially her on/off relationship with Detective Andrew Ryan (I so want them to sort it out and get together properly and permanently, although that would possibly make for a less interesting continuation of the series than the other option!)

This novel was bought from Sainsbury's, and also carried an “exclusive” short Temperance Brennan story as an addition, which was nice.

A great read but a word of warning- avoid the Virals series. The one book I read seemed too far fetched for me, although I suppose that's probably because they're aimed at a younger audience.

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.