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cherry red shoes

August 17, 2009

Red%20Prada%20Mary-Janes.jpgSo I'm back in France. Martine picked me up at the station last night in her new (well, actually very old) Bentley. While in London I:

1 Went to Pilates every day.

2 Learnt that the Canadian rights to Tout Sweet had sold in an 'excellent' deal. According to my editor, the fact it sold at all is good as normally Canadian publishers only buy books when they're already bestsellers.

3 Met my perfumer friend Linda Pilkington of Ormonde Jayne in Claridges for a glass of pink champagne and sampled her new fragrance Tiare, which contains a wonderful £30,000 a kilo gardenia essence. I think it's her best yet. It reminds me a little of Chanel Cristalle but much prettier.

4 Signed some more books in Waterstones Kensington, where Patti, who is looking after my book so well, made some reading suggestions including:

•The Cassandra Chronicles By Ariel Leve - very, very funny observations by a writer who claims to look on the bleak side of life ( though I suspect she would be great fun to know.)
• The Handbag and Wellies Yoga Club by Lucy Edge (another tale of a city girl moving to pastures new - I do love a 'move to the country' memoir and they do seem very in vogue at the moment. There is also The Exmoor Files: How I Lost A Husband And Found Rural Bliss by Liz Jones, which I am also reading.)
•The Price of Water in Finistere by Bodil Malmsten (a 'new life in France' memoir that until now had escaped my notice, but which is written in a very sparse, lyrical way.)

5 Had dinner with friends at The Chamberlayne - an excellent gastro pub in Kilburn (83 Chamberlayne Road, NW10, tel 0208 960 4311).

6 Encouraged by (2) bought a new pair of cherry red Prada 'Mary-Jane' shoes. There will be limited opportunities for wearing them in the French countryside but I couldn't resist. There is something about a pair of red shoes that makes you feel happy.

7 Realised what a strong and wonderful network of friends I still have in London.

8 Rediscovered high street chain Uniqlo. The last time I looked (because I was writing an article on its UK launch for The Daily Mail) it was selling shapeless fleeces. Now it's got super-helpful staff, v-neck lambswool cardigans in a great range of colours (£24.99) and skinny stretch jeans (also £24.99) which are better cut than Seven For Mankind - and cost a seventh of the price (with free alterations thrown in).


comments (13)

1. Posted by Metropolitan Mum on August 17, 2009 1:03 PM

Ahhh, red shoes. Every girl needs a pair of red shoes. Mine are Jimmy Choo Mary Janes. Currently parked at the back of my closet, as wearing heals and carrying around a chubby baby seems a little unpractical. But their day will come, I am sure.


2. Posted by Darcie on August 17, 2009 1:36 PM

Ahhh, Uniqlo..... great t.shirts too! I am still wearing some bought there 7 years ago. As for my £12 skirt of the same age..... brilliant! Why are there no branches in France?!!!

3. Posted by pierre l on August 17, 2009 2:13 PM

Well done with the Canadian rights. Do you know whether your friend Patti is able to arrange signed copies by mail order?

4. Posted by mimi pompom on August 17, 2009 2:31 PM

hi Pierre

I will ask her!

best

Mimi

5. Posted by Patti on August 17, 2009 6:01 PM

Yes of course I can send a signed copy anywhere, just need to contact me at Waterstone's on 02079378432. Easy !

6. Posted by Prince Barry on August 17, 2009 6:41 PM

What a fabulous time you have had. As you might guess, the best part for me was the mention of Linda's new perfume. Did you let her know that you are in touch with Prince Barry?

7. Posted by mimi pompom on August 17, 2009 8:38 PM

Thanks Patti - that's excellent news!


8. Posted by mimi pompom on August 17, 2009 8:41 PM

Dear Prince Barry,

I actually had the good fortune to meet up with Linda P twice - both in Claridges and at a dinner party given by friends but both occasions we were trying to catch up on so much stuff - it was like speed chatting - and I didn't get chance to mention that we were in touch. But I will be sending her an email tomorrow....
Mimi x


9. Posted by Eagle Wings on August 18, 2009 10:25 AM

Cherry red shoes - I purchased a pair last summer from Ferragamo (who used to supply my shoes!); they lie as yet completely unworn in a friend's broom cupboard and haven't seen the light of day. A grey/blue bow at the front and a patent toe in navy...

As for Ormonde Jayne....do strange things happen?

10. Posted by Sophie on August 20, 2009 12:45 PM

Adore the shoes -- they bring a smile no matter how often you wear them! (Just like my green wedding Choos, which have only had one additional outing, but I love them just the same...) Sounds like your London week was a good one, am sure more adventures to come!

11. Posted by Ann de Bretange. on August 20, 2009 2:13 PM

Sounds like you had a fab time in London catching up with everyone. Have to agree new shoes does wonders for the spirit but nobody seems to 'do dressing up' in rural France the same as in England do they. bet Biff wasn't too impressed either at the prospect of his mama in cherry red shoes for his walks by the canal.


12. Posted by Shannon on August 20, 2009 6:56 PM

Those shoes are perfection! They just might have to be the base of my new work wardrobe!

13. Posted by Vanessa Vinos on August 22, 2009 5:20 PM

Enjoy your shoes Karen for whenever you feel like having your "Dorothy" (Wizard of Oz) moments.
Life is too short to not have red shoes!


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