Today ...

... I had that Thai massage, bliss, slightly painful bliss.
Then I spoiled it all by trying on dresses. That was depressing, I usually have such good luck in that shop.
I made things worse by eating a quiche that was so full of oils and fats I couldn't finish it.
Then I got home and Tigger presented me with a Crown Larger bottle top. We haven't had beer in the house for months, and I don't believe it was Crown Larger either. Still, we played fetch with that for a while, which de-frumpygrumpy-ified me.
I remembered I had bought a copy of Kenneth Clark's Civilisation, so I watched a couple of episodes of that, contemplated my teeth, and feel much better. This is because I'm a deeply shallow person and should be ashamed of myself.
Now I'll start cooking my own birthday dinner. I may or may not share it with Mr Brown but the furry girls will get some prawn tails for sure!

Please to allow me ...

... a teenywee brag.Retweeted by only the Art Gallery of New South Fucking Wales!

My reward ...

... for not grabbing and squeezing the bebe poss until its pips squeaked.
A sort of silver, ear-dangling merit badge :)From A Skulk of Foxes, and delivered even though I fucked up the delivery post code. Australia Post kicks mail-delivery arse!

2 cool days in a row ...

... I've cheered up so much I went out and bought some cool weather gear. This, a herringbone pattern wool blazer and, because it had arrived in store this very day, the matching dress.
I can't wait to wear it. ROLL ON AUTUMN!

Right then ...

... all four frocks have been worn.
Most gratifying compliments have been made by the very few colleagues who've actually bothered to come into work this week.
But, what to wear tomorrow??
Edited to add - Jeans & Brikies!

Four Frocks ...

... of course, they look much better on, even when they are on me.
A local designer, Elise, just on Norton Street. I've passed the shop dozens of times, more, to or from somewhere, but never dropped in.
Today I passed on the way to and back the movies, Where the Wild Things Are (furry good), it was the last day it was on at Palace and Mr Brown kept pulling faces whenever I suggested it.

I should have dropped in sooner, it's full of lovely, wearable, pretty frocks, some even fit a mouse with boobs. Apparently Elise sources her fabrics from Vietnam and only makes about 20 of any given frock.So, the likelihood of bumping into another wearing the same thing is quite small indeed, I kind of like that. So now, of course, I'm wishing I'd bought the beautiful, bias-cut, cream silk number, with the brown spots. It was on sale and everything!Curses, she's closed Mondays.

EDITED TO ADD - and if my mum chimes in with a "I could have made them for you" I'm beating her over the head with a stick!

If it didn't hurt so much ...

... and if it wouldn't look ridiculous when I'm 80, and if Mr Brown hadn't already told me that tattoos are grounds for divorce, I'd TOTALLY get this tattoo.From here.

I went shopping today ...

... for gifts for Mr Brown & I to exchange at the end of the year (I'm his personal shopper you see, works well for us both), here.
Sure, it means I never get a surprise, but then, I HATE surprises, so that's not a problem.
So, it's mine, mine, mine, the top one. And Mr Brown is going to be very pleased with his bespoke piece (he likes surprises, so no pics).
Ms Buckley makes some of the most beautiful baubles and sparkles I've ever seen. Gorgeous colours, beautiful styling and nothing vulgar or garish. She has style and taste and I'm very glad we've reached a time of life that we can afford to indulge ourselves with lovely things from time to time.
(I stole the pic from her site, I didn't go completely mad with the magic card.)

It's no longer cold ...

... but it's not exactly warm yet.
We don't need the heater on, but my tootsies get a little cold & blue eveningtime.
So, I bought myself some new socks yesterday, a buy 3 get one free special. New Zealand wool, but not thick and lumpy. Cute as buttons non? I also got some wild stripes and pink socks with wee hedgehogs.
It's important to keep cats AND toes cosy.

Feeling old ...

... I learned a couple of things about some of my colleagues yesterday which made me feel very, very old indeed.
* 2 of them did not know that faxes used to be printed on paper that was shiny and came in rolls. You had to rip or cut your individual faxes and threading up a new roll was a complete bastard of a task.
* 1 of them does not remember a time when there were no mobile telephones.
* 1 of them does not remember a time when there were no hole-in-the-wall banks, hence her confusion when I call them "magic banks".
I did not delve further, 'tis not good for the self esteem (though I suspect that the parents of at least 2 actually thought about their self esteem and impacts on it while they were growing up, pfft).

A sign of too many products in the bathroom ...

... This morning I used this to rehydrate my leggies, instead of this.
Oh well, at least I'm clean

Today we made it, we actually made it ...

... to the Guggenheim.
Of course, most of it was closed, preparing for the Kandinsky exhibition that starts after we leave town. But we got inside and saw some amazing works by Kandinsky, Picasso, Cezanne ... you get the picture.And the building. Wow.
Lunch was here, where I had the prosciutto, butter and arugula (rocket) panini and an affogato and Mr Brown had a huge panini with chicken and the works and then chocolate cake with ah hot, liquid middle. We had wine too, because we're on holiday and it's the civilised thing to do.
Then, because Mr Brown was just plain itching to do it, we went up the Empire State Building.I'll admit here and now, the view is far, far superior to the Top of the Rock. It just plain is.Tonight we have the place to ourselves again, and for this I am glad. I have observed at close range just what it is to live completely and utterly without vanity and I do not like.
Edited to add - I forgot, on the subway home, due to a "person on the tracks" which went on for so long we believe it was not a matter of chasing someone out of the way, we coped our first dose of NY 'tude! It was crowded, the 4 & 5 trains were cancelled, everyone was cramming into the 6, sardines would have complained of lack of room. I was staying upright holding onto Mr Brown, since none of the bars were within easy reach. When the train lurched, I bumped into a rather large-bottomed 'lady'.
"O, so sorry," said I, and was given a bit of a lecture about how "here in New York we hold the bars, that's what they fo!!".
"Really, how novel, in the rest of the world we just flop about hoping for the best" I muttered to Mr Brown. I got one of his "don't start anything" looks.
Of course my good response, thought up 10 minutes after we left the train, was "well, I'd have been able to if I'd have been able to reach past your enormous arse", but all I managed was a "lighten up" as we squeezed past and out the door.

Where it turns out being brave & alone in New York can be violently expensive ...

... Today I went to 5th Avenue.Now THIS is the busy New York I was expecting. Even so, you go from this. Then turn around to find this.
I tried on several bathers but in the end I did buy THAT swimsuit (called Bill, in red, and which simply must last me at least 100 years to justify the price). I feel ever so slightly goddess-y in it and will poke in the eye anyone who says different! And then I went to Tiffany & Co, the proper one, on 5th Avenue. It shits all over the Wall St store I went to earlier with Mr Brown, and I'm afraid I went a little apeshit as there was no restraining influence, "are you sure you want it Mouse?"If nobody says anything I'm sure he’ll never notice the new bits, they're only little.
I tried to get into Bergdorf Goodman, but it was all closed off for some Sex in the City movie shooting, which was probably a good thing given the rate I was hemorrhaging money. Still I went into FAO Schwarz and picked up something for the newest niece (sooo cute) and shopped at the lolly shop so poor Mr Brown could have a sugar hit when he comes off the water.That's beer and sugar I've provided, I am soooo much the good wife I'm going to have to do something bad to make up for it.

Today I was "good wife" ...

... I got up at 6:30 in the AM to be down at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum for the start of the NY400 Week . Braving an unfamiliar subway line (the red one) with only one other sailing widow for company, we made only 2 wrong choices/turns and got there just in time.
Mr Brown is here to sail in the Flying Dutchman class World Titles.As part of the NY400 Week Opening Ceremony the fleet of 56 Flying Dutchmen sailed past the Intrepid, along with some Dutch naval frigates, a US frigate, some NATO boats (ships) and replicas of the Halve Maen and Onrust and some barges.The Mayor of NY, Michael Bloomberg, the US Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton and the Prince of Orange (Netherlands Royals) were there, made nice little "remarks". And then the Prince and his lovely wife, Maxima, were given a trinket from Tiffany & Co.The flight deck of the Intrepid (from where we watched the watery goings on) was packed with very, very excited Dutch folk who kept telling me the Prince, "our prince, the son of our Queen" was coming.
There was also a shit load of media types, perhaps we'll see it on the TV tonight. There was also a very excited Military Band anorak, he was not "here for the celebrities" he was there for the Royal Netherlands Navy Band, "one of the best military bands in the world!"I'm quite glad I packed Rupert's big zoom lens, I used it to spot Mr Brown's sail number and snapped a shot or 2, because I am a good wife.Marital duties performed, sailing widow and I hightailed it out of there and did a bit of girlie shopping, clearing the shelves (and our wallets) at Sephora. Then home for brunch and laundry (well, I've got to carry it to the little man who does it for $10!!!!!). I even bought some beer on the way, since they sailors will be taking part in 5 races apparently, I'm guessing Mr Brown will be thirsty on his return.

Today I bought jeans ...

... yes, I know I was intending to search New York high and low for the perfect pair of jeans. A pair of jean that would accommodate my "womanly" bottom without gaping at the waist, without requiring a belt just to keep them up. Folk assured me this would be possible in the US.
But then, I tried on a pair, at lunchtime, while I was supposed to be shopping for pink salt.
They fit, I'm wearing them now while sitting down! They are comfortable and don't cut in and don't bag either. I am happy.
Also, they were made in Australia, and you can't say that about much these days.

And yes, I'll still try on a pair or two in NY, I just won't be in a mad panic to find a pair is all.

It's not just me then ...

... the very last bit, after the *, so terribly true.
And if somebody tells me I DO look like the girl in the photos, I'm going to punch that someone in the face.

Oh, and by the way ...

... the little cuffs on my jacket below, real mink! My mummy made it for me.

Those shoes ....

.... would be more appropriately named "taxi to table" shoes. I wore them last night, thinking it would be fine, I would only be standing around in them, not travelling great distances.
Nope - I had to slip into my (also red - I'm nothing if not coordinated) sensible walking home shoes halfway through the night*.
Thank goodness for sensible walking home shoes.


* Still, they looked amazing!

I think this is called retail therepy ...

... This morning I was feeling very frumpy and old, not entirely sure why, I just was. It happens sometimes.
Then, after finalising a paper requiring diplomacy and delicacy* I was ordered by the big boss to "go outside at lunchtime"** and directed to "buy a dress".
So I did, first shop, first try on bingo. A bright-red party frock*** with lovely satin trimming (I love red), perfect. (Well, acutally, not quite perfect. I've had to do a little discrete sewing around the neckline so my boobs won't be on display for the vulgar masses.)
And on the way back to work I discovered my favourite department store was offering a 30% discount on fancy scanties (aka knickers & bras) so I got some - all flowers & lace, squeeee.
And then getting out required passing the shoe section, where there's a sale and a pair of shoes that exactly matched the dress****. It was meant to be. I am reliably informed by several colleagues that these qualify as FM Shoes. But since I'm a nice middle-aged, married lady I think I'll call them saucy minxy shoes. I'd hate to create the wrong impression.
And you know, I felt much, much better.





* I know, I can't believe it either!
** Having not been outside all week.
*** But not TOO party, I'll get away with wearing it to work.
**** No, I'll not be walking ANY distance in them, in fact I may have to be carried!

Eyebrows ...

... mine are particularly magnificent at this very moment. I bunked the afternoon off and spent 1/2 an hour or so with a "brow expert".
Not a drop of wax went near my brows, but 2 or 3 different tweezing implements and a special eyebrow brush were called into play. It took ages, was not painful, exactly, and I highly recommend it to all and sundry.
It did made me very, very glad I'd not inherited my mother's eyebrows.
And then I went and bought a couple of very pretty bras, one is almost the same green as my new towels.
I'm most pleased with the prettiness of them and I'd post a picture only, this isn't that sort of blog.