Happy Mother's Day

 

A stroll along Bermondsey Street yesterday in the sunshine... and could not resist calling by the charming Cave London which sells flowers, wine and chocolate... spoilt for choice on Mother's Day! At the moment it is also showing colourful new paintings by Tom Leamon. I was in simple monochrome: black InWear skinnies, biker boots from Harrods, white T-shirt, some Chanel sunnies and a charcoal cardi from Nicole Farhi.

Dressing for the sunshine

Even though we're only into March, the weather has been surprisingly good of late, and what better way to embrace the sun, than wear sunshine colours... and a pair of Tom Ford sunnies. My most recent purchase, from south London boutique, Paraphernalia, is the Christopher Kane psychedelically-patterned cardigan, that reminds me of being in a chemistry lab circa 1979! Another statement colour is the vivid turquoise, in the jeans by Met from the Living and Giving shop in Dulwich which opened its doors in December. It is a charity concept that was set up by Mary Portas, and developed for Save the Children, following her TV series Mary Queen of Charity Shops. To mellow down the look is an old tan bucket bag, and a pair of comfy, but quirky, Ras boots!

Impertinent Objects

Last weekend I found myself climbing the stairs at The Montage in Forest Hill's Dartmouth Road for the private view of Impertinent Objects, a mixed media show by Natalia Zagorska-Thomas, whose eye redefines the much overused and over-rated word: eclectic. This example of a single vintage shoe taking flight (no hand in glove) was a particularly eye-catching example of her original artwork, which we featured last year in 'The Montage' and 'Wallpapered hideaway'. Entirely in black, save for the Dior lipstick, I'm wearing some favourite pieces: a Homberg on my head, a cane-handled velvet bag on my arm and around my shoulders the oldest article of clothing in my wardrobe - an Edwardian silk and taffeta cape, with a lace ruffled collar and jet-black beaded rosettes. Pertinent, I think!

'Under leaves so green a happy blossom'

... plucked from 'The Blossom' by visionary poet, William Blake. Fine weather to be outdoors. Still snug in the Joseph tweed crombie-style coat, last seen at Somerset House, in 'Heed the tweed', but this time mixed in with some animals, not to be found running around a London park! The python-print cotton skinnies are by Ralph Lauren, the snake-skin ankle-boots from Pura López, and the vintage stingray bag was a star-purchase from Brockley store, Paraphernalia. Gucci sunnies are worn in the hope of deflecting a little sunlight. 
P.S. The other animals featured (playful dog and a brace of pigeons) are alive and well - and living in south London somewhere...

Fernandez & Wells

After viewing a small, but perfect, exhibition: Pandemonium, celebrating the unique life and work of Derek Jarman (in the Inigo Rooms of Somerset House), I made a pit-stop at fabulous Fernandez & Wells for a citron pressé.The free exhibition runs until 9 March.

Heed the tweed

 

... from Somerset House, a major arts and cultural centre with riverside views. Nothing like a good stroll across the cobblestones of Fountain Court, after all, these boots (by Ras) are, surprisingly, made for walking. Even though it's almost springtime, the weather still requires lots of layers, starting with a pair of red leather skinnies, you may have seen in 'Double leather' and 'Artists' Open House'. I'm not one for DoT (Dress-over-Trousers), but here I'm wearing a checked one by Betty Jackson, recently worn in 'Let's all be Friends!'. Yet more layers with a Nicole Farhi cardigan, and a Joseph tweed crombie-style coat. Gucci sunnies and a charming tweed bag always brighten my day!