... and another party!

It was a big birthday party... a girlfriend's, from whose emporium I purchased this snappy little suit, in paisleys and pastels, with chic black piping. The surprise label: River Island, no less, and a High Street favourite - of my daughter's. I'm wearing the two-piece with a mint-green silk chemise, black silk D&G slingbacks, and a fantastic-plastic Miss Sixty bag, which has a Roman holiday feel to it as well as glamour with its faux-pearl handle. I've piled on more pearls with a couple of necklaces in pink and grey and my unique pink pearl cluster ring, by the equally unique Lisa E Moss. An ornately gothic transfer, from Shine Ink's Vintage range (a recent purchase from Dr Boo in East Dulwich) adds more interest to my neckline. The blacker-than-black sunnies are by Thierry Lasry. Happy Birthday Mandi x

Shadows

Summer is always a season of colour, but today I'm sticking to the shadows, and limiting myself to a monochrome palette (apart from the dashing citrus fur clutch! A gorgeous present by Ostrich 2 Love. Thanks Diane x). I love shadows; they conceal and reveal. For the shade, I combined the urban with a touch of Victorian gothic. The former is instantly provided by trainers and sunnies: my go-sprightly along any city pavement classic Adidas Gazelle trainers and my super-black Thierry Lasry glasses. And the long, black silhouette, for a long(ish) shadow: a dramatic floor-length Dolce & Gabbana spiderweb piece over a vintage M&S slip. Costume jewellery packs a punch with a large cross of faux-pearls purchased in Whitby, a popular venue for a Gothic weekend! And the backdrop: the most arresting and arguably the biggest piece of street-art in Dulwich, (and all of two years old) Conor Harrington's bare-knuckle fighters, which featured in my blog  'Dulwich Festival 2014' post. 

Chichester: Revisited

Last year in June, I headed down to Chichester, in 'Pallant-bound' and 'Bill's, Chichester', and now I'm back again, for both the Pallant and a pit-stop at Carluccio's. The magnificent cathedral guided me to the centre of the city, down charming cobbled streets to the art gallery to view the last marvellous hour of The Scottish Colourist J.D. Fergusson exhibition, after which I passed the Stik men, by a London-based street artist, whose work is to be found across Europe, Asia and the USA. I ended the day at Carluccio's with a lovely meal comprising hand-made tortelloni and wine-braised venison, followed by a delightful cioccolata fiorentina. Wrapped in layered winter greys: a Lowie cape, a TK Maxx merino wool jumper, Nicole Farhi trousers and my Louis Vuitton vintage bag. Both Thierry Lasry sunnies and Versace reading glasses (two pairs are needed when you get to my age!).

Dulwich beauties: part 2

A garden with focal points... from the charming Monet-style summer house and bridge with a little pond full of lily-pads, to a magnificent willow as a centre piece, and a pretty gazebo near which a local orchestral played folky tunes to a gathering audience. All in all: a stunning 2 acre garden in the heart of Dulwich, open for one afternoon this month in support of Dulwich Helpline & Southwark Churches Care*. To fit in with the exceptionally green surroundings, I'm wearing my Marimekko print dress, designed by Mika Piirainen, topped with a vintage woolly cardi, a big bright basket (from that collection I keep going on about), Thierry Lasry sunnies, Jessica Walker earrings and some knock-out Paul Smith shoes, which are surprisingly comfy.

*DHSCC provides friendship, practical help and emotional support to isolated older people in the community