Milk & Manolos

When I was four a model friend of my mothers used to come and visit. It was plain to see she was undeniably chic. French and beautiful, a perfect combination. She had two sons about my age and we all used to hang out together. She loved her boys dearly but had always hope for a daughter to dress. In the absence of that daughter’s arrival, I took great pleasure in being showered with gifts and affection from this beautiful creature. It was she who introduced me to diamonds. I can remember the 2 carat studs she wore in each of her ears like it was yesterday. On one occasion she tucked them elegantly into my hair and allowed me to play for a whole half hour with them firmly in place (such trust, I’m not sure I’d let the Munchkin mess with my bling, and she’s blood). That was the moment my love affair with all things sparkly was born.

This brings me neatly to Gina’s new collection of evening shoes. In recent years I think they’ve been a little hit and miss - a couple of great classics but also some not so good. In the last year they’ve really turned it around and have a collection that’s true to their style, but also a lot more wearable. This season I have fallen head over heels for the gemstone covered ‘Gilda’ shoe. I long for an occasion entitling me splash out on a pair. My sparkly shoe buying is prolific and I’m sure a reason or three can be found. I’m also loving their black ankle boot, Porshe which is without doubt a season staple.

As the Munchkin is currently refusing to wear anything without Hello Kitty on it, a level of anxiety about her sense of style has slightly arisen. My mother cackles with great delight at life coming full circle, and regales me with stories of my own fashion flair in the mid 70’s. I admit it, I was pretty faddy. Bottom line is, while the Munchkin is finding her fashion groove, surely it’s important for me to guide her on the right path, and being surrounded by lovely things has got to be the first step. After all, I want her to inherit a cracking vintage wardrobe.

There you go, reasons one and two.

I like to think of Mr. Keats as a cashmere man. Albeit a chestnut brown kinda guy. The time has come to welcome the sexiest of seasons. To be honest, I’m welcoming the prospect of closure on Summer 2007 with open arms.

As you’re probably beginning to gleam, I’m a pretty big fan of all Autumnal. The first on my check list, on an annual basis, is a nice pair of cashmere socks. Extravagant I know, but I’m not such a slipper person. At £ 22 a pair they ain’t the cheapest socks you’re ever going to buy, but they’ll sure as hell be the comfiest.

Not to EVER be worn outside the house Brora’s cashmere socks are the ones to plump for. Preferably in Pink. If you’re feeling super extravagant splash out on another pair to ensure washing day doesn’t interfere with your enjoyment.

They can make fantastic Christmas presents too - but purchase directly from the shop for all the gorgeous packaging.

I’m not sure about you, but I generally tend to start my Christmas shopping the minute I put on my first woolly cardigan of the season. As that was yesterday, you can imagine what a flurry of activity my keyboard has seen this morning. A purchase is yet to be made but I’m bookmarking my favourites ready for payday.

David Graas has designed the most stylish of child seats that’s really worth checking out. We all know small people often prefer the box that their expensive present came in, so why not combine the two ?

For just € 54 (excluding shipping) you can bag yourself one of David’s limited edition chairs.

Go on now, don’t be shy …

Ok, I’ll admit it. Pre-Munchkin I used Creme de la Mere. I know, I can hear the sharp intake of breath. The inaugural pot was from my Mother who, as an official OAP and self-confessed face cream junkie, was keen to do all she could to help preserve the youth of her daughter. It wasn’t entirely altruistic - as she was beginning to decrease her age on what seemed like a monthly basis, mine was steadily creeping up. If she wasn’t careful I was going to be the unravelling of her ever shrinking age.

So there I was, Christmas many moons ago unwrapping the Don of all face creams, or so I thought. I used it lovingly, truly believing that we were made for one another. That was until 22 months ago when suddenly spending £ 100 on a tub of face cream became absurd.

I admit, I lost my way for a while and desperately searched the counters at all well known department stores for a new match. It alluded me.

It then suddenly it all came together. Someone recommended Bio Oil to me. It can be used for just about anything - ageing and dry skin, not to mention stretch marks and scars. Not great admitably for day use, and particularly hostile towards my stable tricks from Mac, lovingly collected over the years - I thought I’d try it as a night ‘cream’. From that moment on, I’ve never looked back. NEVER have I had so many comments about my skin and boy does it smell good. That kind of smell where you never want to stop breathing in.

Now THIS is the perfect match, and at a fraction of the cost. Needless to say we’re very happy together and in it for the long haul.

Today has been a Munchkin free day. Taking advantage of my newly found freedom I took it upon myself to check out the new Autumn / Winter collections with the hope of manhandling some patent leather shoes.

Liberty’s is one of my favourite shops. I long to be able to afford to spend more there (in the sense of both money and time) but for anyone who’s wondered down Regent Street, the style and grace of the place is clear to see. The reason why I’m featuring it here is because I’ve just discovered it’s what fantastic food it does.

Meeting a friend for lunch we settled on Cafe Liberty on the second floor. Before the arrival of Munchkin, and with an abundance of time on my own on my hands, I was a swift sandwich kinda gal. No guessing that that’s all changed. Sometimes it’s truly a treat to spend a day in town on your own (albeit window shopping), meeting a friend for lunch and trying on clothes that you just can’t afford. Uh ! What a treat to shop without the Munchkin pulling at my coat.

Lunch was delicious - truly designed for Ladies that Lunch - of which there were many already seated. There’s a light and airy atmosphere and the menu somehow reflected that, with soups, salads and pasta being predominant features. In all honesty service was a little slow but we didn’t really mind as all we had on our agenda was to catch up and let the day slip away.

After lunch we crept down to the Champagne Bar for a quick Sex in the City moment before my lunch date went back to work and I to the 137 bus.

Bliss.

I first stumbled across this Betty Jackson cardigan while reading the Sunday Papers this weekend. As I drooled, and I searched for the corresponding details at the bottom of the page I preyed that not only was it affordable but that it was somewhere I could get to easily while dragging the Munchkin to tow. My heart sunk to discover that at £ 350 as it was credited and as Betty Jackson original is was out of my grasp for the time being. I hence found comfort in a cappuccino and iced bun - a very poor second.

On my bi-seasonal trip to Ikea yesterday I saw it again. Like a white light shining through the scatter cushions. It look my breath away. It wasn’t until a brief encounter in the kitchen department that my fashion Id took charge and before I knew it I asked the gorgeous creature wearing it (with flats, and boot-cut jeans - effortlessly chic) that I liked her cardigan. What had happened to me ? It was then that she bestowed upon me the news that I could have only dreamt of. That it was Betty Jackson, under the Designers at Debenhams range. Joy ! The Sunday’s must have got it wrong.

After rushing the Munchkin through her meatballs I hot footed it home at found what’s sure to be one of my Autumn / Winter 07/08 staples on Debenhams website at a very reasonable £ 55.

Now I’m only 4 sleeps away from it arriving !

I love a good coffee shop. Always have. Back in the early Nineties my only requirements was that they served a slice of lemon with your black tea, allowed you to smoke, and played Ned’s Atomic Dustbin at a decent volume. Oh, how times have changed. While I’ll save the joys of afternoon tea at Claridges (www.claridges.co.uk) strictly for the times we’re sans child, Munchkin Lane (Nightingale Lane, SW12) is one of our favourite places to enjoy the wonderfully English custom of a cream tea.

Not only is the food healthy but it’s homemade and hearty. The owner ….. has designed it beautifully. Upstairs is a buggy park, not to mention seating for those without children, many of whom I saw enjoying their freshly made cappuccino in peace and quiet while indulging in a chocolate chip cookie to die for, and exercising their brain with the Times Crossword.

Downstairs is a fabulous play area, denoted by it’s brightly coloured foam flooring. There is a to die for wooden kitchen in a small person sized room under the stairs that has proved popular with both the girls and the boys. The selection of toys is great, and there’s flat screen television which pumped the joys of Disney into the room. The lighting is wonderful - it’s rare to find a basement with a degree of natural lighting, but it’s been achieved to great effect here.

We managed to while away a good few hours here, with my Munchkin able to role play to her heart’s desires with abundance of toys while I was able to catch up with all my favourite glossies.

Definitely one to try.

I’ve just discovered a fantastic way to get difficult stains out of whites - soak them in lemon juice for 15 minutes before washing. It needn’t be labour intensive - at this point if you’ve got an image of me Nigella Lawsoning it up, sexily squeezing a lemon between my newly manicured nails well think again. Shop bought, glass bottled, or even kitsch plastic lemon will do. Douse in the juice and for particularly tough stains try leaving them in the sun, or under a lamp for a few minutes.

As a young girl I desperately wanted Mothercare’s 1970’s playhouse. I can still remember the smell. On my 5th birthday my wish was granted and many an hour was spend arranging and rearranging tea parties, dinner parties and lunch dates with various soft toys whose names were down and were definitely coming in, whether they liked it or not. Real life people also crossed my plastic threshold, but as I was very much mistress of my house, with hindsight I may have been a little overpowering.

When trying to find the Munchkin a playhouse of her own, I discovered the wonderful Paperpod. As you can guess, it pretty much does what it says on the tin.

Paperpod have produced a range of environmentally friendly cardboard creations for small people to call their own. And what a selection ! To name a few, the Munchkin was able to choose a teepee, a traditional Wendy house, a rocket and a castle. No surprise with what she opted for. A Wendy house in which all cuddly toys are currently housed.

Sturdy and affordable Paperpod’s really worth checking out.

I adore these flats from Miu Miu. While heels remain my shoe of choice I can’t get away from the fact they’re not always practical, particularly on Munchkin days. Developing a store of trusty flats has been my sartorial saving grace on a number of occasions.

Grab your pair now … something tells me they’re going to be pretty popular …