YESTERDAY...

Well, yesterday was eventful. The consumerism switch was flipped back on via the purchase of those A.P.C. pyjamas. I had to. They were the first non essential thing I've bought since the beginning of September (excluding books, which are sort of essential.) Does anyone else have the ability to just flip the switch and stop shopping completely without any ill effects? Hmm, more to say on that later I think. Yesterday, there was also a bit of Christmas present buying, a bit of perfume sampling - French accented vendor quote of the day: "This one it reminds you of when you are in the 19th century and you are doing all these things that are forbidden but it's really exciting because it's a secret. Yes that's what this one is like." Total sweetheart.

And then there was my first visit to Princi. You were probably there as well, since by lunchtime when I went back for the second time, the throng was ten deep at the huge, long counter and the fast paced seat negotiations felt like a human chess game. So many pastries, so little time. It's just the best place, the best idea. Like a cross between actually being in Italy and a posh canteen. Earlier we had sampled every bit of pastry laid out to taste on the counter, then I went back for pizza slices. I disagree with Time Out about the quality of the food. It was all delicious - and really cheap.

After searching in vain for little individual feathers at MacCulloch & Wallis I hopped on the train home - and the doors slammed shut with me between them, pressing into my arms on either side so I was literally wedged in the middle, unable to move. The train was full and due to depart, so everyone just stared at me or ignored the fact there was a human squashed between two doors for ages, until someone got up and pulled the door hard enough to release me. The doors then slammed behind me and the train started to move. It was so embarrassing - I have no idea why I'm reliving it by writing this. No one said a word except me who said, "Oh My God" as I was released. And then I sat down opposite a vicar. Sorry. There were also about ten people on the platform outside the doors, tutting because the "obstruction" had meant they hadn't been able to get on the train. Only the English.

LOU FOR LESS...

Lou Doillon by Lee Cooper is offering Lola Is Beauty readers 15% off everything in the Lou Doillon collection online shop until the end of the year. Just use the code lolalou. Some of it is already on sale so, you know - practically free and all that. Oh, this shirt would be cosy today...

p.s. I'm so in love with the way they've done the website so successfully in that scrapbooky, handwritten way; with stuck in notes and pictures and things you click on that are little videos...

I...

Want my fringe back every time I see a picture of Anna Karina.

Discovered that the Siouxsie and the Banshees song Hong Kong Garden, (given a renaissance in the masked ball scene of Marie-Antoinette) was written about the Chinese takeaway in the boring London suburb where Siouxsie Sioux and I both grew up.

Planted tulip bulbs and the squirrels stole every single one.

Had a cappuccino and a slice of cake for lunch today.

Bought some parmesan from the usual stall at Borough market and when I tasted it, realised that an impostor parmesan seller had set up in exactly the same plot to sell inferior parmesan.

Regret that the size of my overdraft is incompatible with the amount of sample sales going on this month. (It seems like nothing less than 90% off will get anyone shopping)

Keep laughing because Lola is completely obsessed with hunting a sheet of tissue paper and a broken sequined headband.

{Anna Karina and Jean Paul (swoon) Belmondo photo credit: Gamma}

SHOP...

I was really sad to hear that one of my favourite London shops, Shop @ Maison Bertaux will be closing next month. I don't know anything at all, but I imagine and hope they have some kind of extraordinarily fantastic and innovative new project in the works. I have this strange urge to wax lyrical about how Shop has always been there in some form or location really ever since I was aware of Soho. And when I lived there about ten years ago I would always see Pippa around looking quirky and glamorous and amazing. It's such a part of "my Soho" that I can't imagine it not being there any more. The Greek Street location under Maison Bertaux was really so perfect for it as well. Oh dear, this could easily turn into a sort of morbidly bizarre shop obituary where I sob into my now vintage Brewer Street era well worn Silas top, so I'll try to pull myself together. Chin up! They're having a sale and APC is 30% off. Not that that's any consolation, but I suppose I really have no choice but to buy those dotty pyjamas now.

SOLACE...

I loved all your tips in the comments on How to Crawl Out of a Hole. I think I'll make a linky doodad to it on the sidebar so that anyone can dip into it in times of need. It just goes to show how we're all in the same boat. Oh, life.

I'm taking advantage of a window in the insomnia schedule to post this. For the past couple of years I've had long bouts of it and nothing - not sleeping pills, not Valerian (which incidentally works on cats in exactly the same way as catnip - cut to Lola with her entire head in the glass I just drank my Valerian tincture out of) nor any remedy you can think of can touch it. I just don't sleep. It's amazing to me how little sleep the body can survive on. After three nights of less than two hours a night I gave into it last night and decided to scrub my kitchen floor at roughly 2.30am. And then, I slept. I feel like a bright new shiny button today, even though the sky is steely grey and the last of the leaves have fallen off the cherry tree in the garden.

Making me happy today:

I'm going off to view this auction in person - just looking mind. (I have a lot in the auction that I'm selling as a favour to a friend.) But I'm looking forward to cooing sweet nothings to this baby...





I'm expecting to receive this book any day now....




{bed pic by me, others from sources linked to}

OOHLALA/HOORAY...

Sofia's back!

{via Fashionologie}

...And here's the director's cut of the commercial.

HOW TO CRAWL OUT OF A HOLE...

1. Go for a walk in the storm. (Wear brightly coloured wellington boots.)

2. Book a ticket to your favourite place so you have something to look forward to.

3. Drink many cups of tea.

4. Don't listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't (or should).

5. Phone a friend and ask them how they are.

6. If you can't sleep, you might as well get up.

7. Keep a cat (or other furry animal) nearby at all times.

8. Paint your toenails ruby red.

9. Stop being nice, start being kind (not excluding yourself).

10. Allow yourself time to think about the next step without rush or distraction.

Any other tips?


{Marc Jacobs wellies, Urban Outfitters telephone, Chanel nail varnish}

COME FOR A WALK...

That was my first ever attempt at using the video function on my camera, editing or uploading to youtube. No idea what I'm doing and I know it's totally shit but I know where I'd rather be right now. Hope the shakiness doesn't give you a migraine.