Dresses and Hats

'Do you think about dresses and hats all the time, even in church? I do too.'

Nancy Mitford Love in a Cold Climate

When re reading this novel this is one of the lines which I wait with anticipation for, and then savour. It rings so true to my life, thoughts and friendships. Having been fortunate to make some great girlfriends through church - one of the many things I love about our times together are those talking about dresses and other lovely things. Clothes are something I talk about with most of my female friends, and with friends at work too. So basically I must have a clothes conversation every day - eek what does that make me sound like? It is superficial but it leads into deeper, truer 'How are you really' conversations. What are your favourite conversations with friends?

Beautiful dresses from here and here.

Nancy Mitford Week

Through entering blog world I discovered through these wonderful writers that Penguin are republishing Nancy Mitford's novels. I'm not going to reveiw any of them, others have done that far more eloquently, but over the next few days I thought I'd share with you my favourite quotations from her novels.

Happy Friday.

Ode to a Teapot

Now, I love a mocha - it's my signature milky drink - it makes the coffee sweeter.... But today in Pret I chose good old Earl Grey - and it came in a teapot. It was so lovely pouring from a pot and then the milk jug - a calming ritual. It made me think I must use mine more often (and I have three to choose from). If I were to add to my collection this would be it.

Thank you Pret for reminding me about the glories of a pot of tea.

Joan Hunter Dunn

A very long poem - so it's the first and last verse only and a few favourite lines inbetween. It reminds me of summer - oh hurry up summer pleeeeese.

John Betjeman A Subaltern's Love Song

Miss J. Hunter Dunn, Miss J. Hunter Dunn, Furnish'd and burnish'd by Aldershot sun, What strenuous singles we played after tea, We in the tournament - you against me! To the six-o'clock news and a lime-juice and gin. On the floor of her bedroom lie blazer and shorts, Miss Joan Hunter Dunn, Miss Joan Hunter Dunn, I can hear from the car park the dance has begun, And here on my right is the girl of my choice, With the tilt of her nose and the chime of her voice. And the scent of her wrap, and the words never said, And the ominous, ominous dancing ahead. We sat in the car park till twenty to one And now I'm engaged to Miss Joan Hunter Dunn.

Roots and Wings

So, posting this from work - where yes I have a work quote book...

'There are two lasting bequests we can give our children.

One is roots.

The other is wings.'

Hodding Carter Jnr

The Wardrobe Book

'The Wardrobe Book of the Queen was presented to her daily by her Mistress of the Robes together with a pincushion; Marie Antoinette would prick the book with a pin to indicate her choices. The porters attached to the Queen's Wardrobe (this was three large rooms filled with closets, drawers and tables)...'

Antonia Fraser Marie Antoinette The Journey

Please just note the capitals for Wardrobe Book – oh to dream....

A Temporary Madness

'Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion, it is not the desire to mate every second minute of the day, it is not lying awake at night imagining that he is kissing every cranny of your body... Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away... We had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two.'

Louis de Bernieres Captain Corelli's Mandolin

Happy Anniversary to our dear friends who were married this day last year and used this quotation.

Garnet

A little late in life, that's me a late developer in all things, but I like having my nails painted. This is partly as I've now found somewhere that does a file and polish for £7. So maybe I'll use this blog to document the different colours I choose.

Essie - Garnet.

Off shopping!

Off to Bicester today with a great friend so thought this apt.
'Only buy clothes that make you feel like doing a small dance.'
Helen Fielding - Olivia Joules and The Overactive Imagination

The Five W's

Why
I've so enjoyed reading your blogs that I thought I'd like to have a try. May I join you?
What
Over the years I've collected quotes which have been written in three hardback notebooks. I wondered if I were sixteen now - would they be handwritten or would I store them on a computer? There'll be other nibbles and sips from the rest of my life too. So then we get to know each other a little more.
When

Regularly.

Who
Ra - in my thirties and very recently married, to Warmth. You'll learn more about me, my family and friends as we go on this journey together.
Where
London, which I love. Currently West but hoping to move South East soon. Will keep you posted.