LETTERS FROM AMERICA...

Hello, hello. I have no excuses for my lack of posts in the last week, none at all. However, I have been getting very friendly with the postman, who either calls me "love" or "mate", and somehow coming from him I don't mind it at all. Maybe because he is delivering all kinds of goodies from the US of A via Internetland.

I was very lucky to actually kind of WIN something for the first time in my life. If you have not been following Erica's Laws of General Economy then may I ask why not? Do you not want a chance to help people with impeccable taste clear their wardrobes of barely worn unwanted Mayle, Isabel Marant, Marc Jacobs etc? Or maybe you want a much nicer way of clearing your gently worn, lovely things than ebay. Go there now (after you've finished reading this post of course) although if you're outside the US check listings to make sure international shipping is ok before commenting. I was very very happy to be picked out of the hat and receive this Steven Alan top, which I've been wearing all the time and kept meaning to take a photo of myself in and then post, but because I hate taking my photo I haven't got round to it yet. Anyway I caught Keira Knightley checking the top out when I walked past her in Marylebone (and yes she did that annoying pouty lip thing as soon as she clocked that I'd seen her. Funny girl - looks perfectly normal and lovely until she realises someone is looking at her, then she goes all snooty/pouty.)

I also caved in and ordered some Saltwater sandals - although the people that make them, rather quaintly don't appear to get the whole concept of "outside of the USA" and I couldn't find anywhere that would ship internationally without me handing over my first born. But I managed to persuade a kind friend in the US (thanks R!) to forward them to me. And do you know what? Every time I wear them in London people come rushing up to ask where they're from. At least five times a day. Friends, family, complete strangers (I would estimate 1% of those people who may or may not be acquaintances are trying to be snidey, but I have been used to that for most of my life and know that those are the self same people who've just bought their first pair of gladiators and will be desperately trying to get their hands on a a pair of Saltwater sandals next year, or maybe the year after.)

I love them so much - even though between those and my Chloe ones, which are basically a poshed up copy of Saltwaters, I don't really need another pair, I think I might put in another order for a few pairs in different colours and get some for friends as well. So if anyone in the UK wants some just comment and I'll add you to the order.

LASTLY, I succumbed as always to Wiksten mania. It had always frustrated me that I had never been able to get my hands on any of Jenny's wares. So when her last shop update happened I was there, clicky finger at the ready. I bypassed the Tova, knowing it would go within a fraction of a second. Somehow through my random clicking I bought a skirt, then realised it was a US size 10. I looked at the size chart and thought it looks like Wiksten comes up quite small, maybe I could wear it more on the hips anyway. The skirt arrived, beautifully packaged, beautifully made and...two sizes too big and very definitely wanting to be worn on the waist! I can take it in, though I also now realise that this is the same skirt that Jenny published the pattern of in Stitch magazine, so I may as well have made it myself in the first place! My only consolation is that I don't think you can get Stitch magazine here and the bamboo fabric and the way it's constructed is lovely. I will try and alter it very, very neatly, so as not to destroy Jenny's handiwork.

{photo: my Saltwaters on the beach - I wore them in the sea and they were fine}