Weekends are for Eating

Well if you're anything like me, the wheels totally come on the health side of things starting with Friday afternoon. After work on Friday is reserved for eating chocolate in bed, followed by a quick cat nap in anticipation for the Friday nights first glass of wine. The rest of the weekend follows along those lines.... I must say however, Italy took it to a whole new level!!! It is basically all about eating. It starts with a cappuccino - a total joy in ones life. Then a stroll and a well deserved croissant or pastry (any carbs will do really) It builds momentum slowly but gathers speed rather quickly as the day goes on. Maybe, a pre lunch snackette in the food market in Florence- little taster of a delicious salami, olives and cheese. Then lunch is quite momentous a predictable pizza with a few glasses of wine of course. I am not convinced about the unsalted bread though. But sadly my hand to mouth habit encourages me to eat it anyway. After lunch an espresso. Then how about the biggest most delicious 'gelato' you have ever had. choosing your flavour is quite an excruciating experience. Then maybe a little nap to prepare for the evening's feast! A wonderful bottle of wine, 'l'antipasto' (starter) which could be anything from little brushettas to the classic caprese. Then 'il primo' (first course) which is mostly a soup or pasta (yes, you heard me a pasta BEFORE the main course) then 'il secondo' which is normally a main meat dish. Of course don't forget 'il dolce' Then it is customary to have a couple of toasts to life. Women generally toast with limoncello, and the men with grappa, or if you prefer, you could have both - which often happens when on holiday. Normally one has to go home relatively shortly after such a meal as it is essential to lie down and stretch out.

* A brief note from Mr Manners

Never ever order a cappuccino after lunch in Italy.

It is considered a breakfast drink and would be a terrible faux pas to order one directly after lunch. The Italian view it as very unhealthy to have hot milk after a meal. Rather have an espresso. One only needs to ask for a 'caffe' pronounce 'cahf - FEH' for a gorgeous little espresso.

When in Italy you can pronounce words with lots of gusto. Not only does it sound authentic it is quite a thrilling experience . You can practice with words like 'parmigiano' and 'montepulciano'

How does one choose?

Have you ever seen such stylish ice cream?

It is complete sensory overload. I was practically have seizures outside this window.

So so happy, I had made my chocolate selection and was waiting for my little box to be wrapped and gently handed to me all ribbon-ed up with expert hands in gloves of course.

Salami and parma ham anyone?

Even the fruit and vegetables made one feel like Charlie in the chocolate factory.

I wish I could have beautiful fabric lined drawers for my mushrooms.

Books,I want

I'm always on the hunt for a book. I have a long list written down on pieces of scraps in all sorts of places - handbags,drawers, other books etc. So....... when I'm out and about I'm always looking out for one of the books on my list. Recently I was anticipating my trip to London as I knew there is a good chance of finding many many books. Of course, it is much to the horror of Darling that yet again I will inevitably be 20kgs overweight on luggage! I had recently read about Fleur Cowles in the January issue of the UK Elle Decoration, and could not wait to get my hands on her book 'The Best of Flair' by Dominic Dunne (a big socialite) and Fleur Cowles herself. To my horror not a single book shop had the book! I was flummoxed, I was in England after all. Why is this? So on returning home empty handed I began my research with aplomb! Thank goodness, there the lovely little red cover was staring at me from my computer - Amazon you are so clever. Then! What! $600.00 Holy smackrels no wonder WHSmith was out of stock. So now I am totally possessed. How am I going to lay my itching hands on the pretty red cover. I am so depressed.



Extract taken from UK Elle Decoration, January 2010, Style Icon



"Fleur Cowles(1908 - 2009) was a go-getter. Her life path was a familiar one for grande dames - obscure beginnings, a series of husbands each more powerful than the last, stellar middle age - but everything else about her was unique. She's best known as the creator of style magazine Flair, which blazed a trail through New York in 1950 but folded just after one year. This wasn't because it was no good - in fact, some have suggested it was spiked by jealous rivals- but because it was so ahead of its time and expensive to make. It boasted hedonistic features such as short stories printed on silk-like paper;pages impregnated with scent;invisible ink that required cigarette smoke to reveal its secrets;and debut magazine pieces by the likes of Lucien Freud and WH Auden.

What makes her an icon? After the press storm that followed Flair's downfall, Fleur bounced back .She already had considerable power - having charmed a series of political leaders on her world travels, she was offered an ambassadorship by President Eisenhower in 1954 - and set her sights on conquering London. Her Piccadilly home, The Albany, was an 18th-century mansion once lived in by Lord Byron and Benjamin Disraeli. Fleur filled its Wedgwood blue drawing room ('the most beautiful in London' she declared) with exotic antiques and her own magic realist paintings of animals and flowers. As well as being exquisitely stylish, it was also well-frequented: attendees at Fleur's salons included Winston Churchill,Cary Grant and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, who'd been cajoled into having their home photographed for Flair in 1950. Not bad going for an ordinary girl from New Jersey - but then Fleur's motto, displayed on her office wall, said it all: 'No matter what you've got, it takes more than that'"



So now you can see why I simply must have this book.



The original copy of the Best of Flair when it first came out in 1996 with HarperCollins. Hardcover.

An upright half page making a heart on either side.

The work of Salvador Dali presented with die-cut shapes on two pages.

'Girl with roses' by Lucien Freud. The card is perforated and was the first in a series of Flair memorable art insets.

The Place Vendome, Paris with eleven little windows to open revealing whats going on inside the building.

A Sixteen page insert featuring the wonderful art of Saul Steinberg.

Fleur Cowles thoughts on Flair written in gold on dark blue Kraft paper. The lovely illustration is by Rouche, May 1950

Famous folk from the Fifties sketch their ideal woman.

An insert about painter Andre Bouchant

A sixteen page insert with a story of carnival life by Gypsy Rose Lee

A sixteen page insert, written and illustrated by Jean Cocteau.

A hard copy edition printed in 1999.

An original Flair magazine cover

Another Flair issue with cut-out cover

Fleur Cowles in her blue drawing room.

Treasure in Italy

What I always recommend is buying presents for special friends immediately on the spot as you see them. Don't go out and buy a present under pressure for the looming occasion. You will inevitably feel quite luke warm about what you are about to give - which does not give a good impression. Rather wait for when you find the perfect thing, even if it means buying it months in advance (obviously preferable to months in arrears)

Remember the golden rule! Never give something that you would not be happy to receive.

The thing that is so wonderful about travelling is the treasures you find along the way. Whilst recently in Italy I stumbled across this magical book. It's was originally written in Italian. Thank goodness this copy has been translated into English - or else I would have missed out on the mischievous world of Don Camillo. A sort of Italian 'Little Prince' although I must say altogether way more naughty and dark than the famous French 'little Prince' Vary Italian in Fact! I found this beautiful petersham ribbon - and voila a special present for a dear friend who reads children's literature above all else.

Turtle Cove

This is where I've been abiding for the past week. Turtle Cove, Tofo, Mozambique. More on the events of the holiday later.........


I always feel it is essential to see lots and lots of palm trees on holiday. It somehow makes it a bonafide escape.

A full moon is another must have. It does make one slight crazy especially with hot and humid tropical night air.

The point of my voyage was actually a yoga retreat. It was truly inspiring. The only thing I am now dragging my feet back home as somehow the Virgin Active yoga space does not quite live up to this!

Our very perfect abode.

Shanghai Tang

Well, I never told you what Darling gave me from Singapore! I found this little exciting parcel on my bed! Unwrapping it was most fantastic. First was the lovely smooth and shiny purple bag, very bright for maximum enjoyment.

Then,another new parcel entirely on its own! Very smooth again.

Still more unveiling! With stickers!Then FINALLY before one couldn't take it any longer, a breathtaking silk dress.

Clever Darling.

I also was given a very heavy paint brush. Yes I KNOW it's for decor. And I love it. It has pony hair with bone and am not entirely sure of the beautiful celadon/eau de nil green stone. I am not very good with my stones.

It is quite fun when Darling goes away and I get presents!