Mitford Mania!

I admit it...I have complete and utter Mitford mania. Not only have I read almost all of Nancy Mitford's novels, I've also read  her biography of Madame Du Pompadour and books of Mitford letters, as well as numerous biographies. And yes, people will be snooty. Certain 'literary' acquaintances have raised eyebrows at my love of 'Love In A Cold Climate' and 'The Pursuit of Love'. But really, they're awesome. Witty, glamourous and romantic. That's not even taking into account the fascinating lives of the Mitford sisters themselves. I'd probably count a Mitford biography as essential reading for anyone with any interest in, not just, modern British history, but fashion and politics too. They fully represent the spectrum of society in those times and the ways in which politics and chance can create such vast differences in peoples lives. But away from lofty investigations of the social strata of the thirties and the hidden ways of the fading aristocracy, there is no better form of escapism than a Mitford book. 

Just Don't Tell Alfred I said so...

I'm A Girl Of Means, Of Slender Means...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/67/TheGirlsOfSlenderMeans.JPG/200px-TheGirlsOfSlenderMeans.JPG

There's absolutely nothing like losing yourself in a book,particularly if you find yourself feeling particularly impecunious (it's the week before pay day) and your local library is well stocked.  Muriel Spark's The Girls of Slender Means has shown itself to be the perfect cure for pre-pay day blues.  What with a dashing anarchist turned Jesuit, a Schiaparelli dress, and escapes through windows onto a roof for romantic trysts. All combined with Spark's wittily raised eyebrow, suspicion of religion and disregard for sensitivity towards those with fat knees. Perfection.

It's Churro Time!!!

Non, nom, nom churros!

Ah weekends, is there anything better? Saw Art Brut on Friday night and then spent Saturday dandering round Manchester. Which obviously included hitting up the Food and Drink Festival. And my snack of choice? Churros! Delicious cinnamon-y doughnut sticks, with melted chocolate. The perfect way to celebrate getting Primavera tickets!

Everyday Is Like Sunday

T shirt stolen from boyf, vintage skirt, black bracelet fromTopshop, other bracelets from boutique in Eastbourne.

Another lazy Sunday of the best kind. Finally seeing the Grayson Perry exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery, buying books, getting lost in Manchester and finding hidden building with lovely old signs (Manchester is the best for this), eating ice cream and drinking delicious beer. All topped off by making the stodgiest cheese risotto ever. I wish everyday could be like Sunday...

And the outfit, well, what can I say. My absolute favourite vintage skirt, not only does it go with everything, in particular my DMs, and is spectacularly comfy. Comfy is, in my humble opinion, tragically underrated. Baggy t shirts, slouchy tops, skirts with waistbands that don't dig in and shoes that don't pinch. Call it old lady style if you like, but I prefer to think of it as a casual take on the androgynous look. Its a non tacky version of boyfriend dressing. Not so much 'I got caught short and this is my walk of shame', more of a Kooples style 'share my home, share my wardrobe'. Baggy t shirts, well, they're the new baggy trousers.