Oh my goodness, I have to tell you what I saw right now, just this minute, just after Lyn and I had our post-spin class at the gym.
Walking down Clarendon Street, South Melbourne there she was. A girl not much taller than me, although she was looking quite big boned so the 5 foot 1 inch of her appeared larger. But guess what she was wearing – a Sass and Bide denim skirt (if I’m being funny I sometimes call them Sassy Bidet – that’s a French word for toilet – but Cathy glares at me). It looked like it had been stretched to fit her and the stone wash pattern on her cheeks (yes, those cheeks!) just made her look even bigger. I mean she must have been a size 12 – way too big for that label by any means. Everyone knows those skinny minny girls just design for their skinny minny friends…and Ms Clarendon Street wasn’t one of them. What on earth was she thinking and while I’m on it – denim, black stockings and knee length black boots…denim and black boots I’m never sure anyone can carry off.
But there she was, this girl, wandering along with her black knit scrunched up around her waist, her chunky nugget of a bottom following her and the whole stonewashed thing just simply not working with her Melbourne work-a-day winter leg wear. I wonder how much she paid for that skirt. She didn’t look like the sort who shops at those recycled stores either. I bet she paid full price for that stonewashed dish rag. I mean, sure, wear the Sassy Bidet but don’t look like one. And you need heels. Anyone wearing Sass and Bidet needs heels – stacks of them. Those skinny leg jeans (only in dark denim) only work with heels. Its all about height and the silhouette. Even with their mini mini short shorts...
The only Sissy Bidet I own is a blouse in pale lemon satin. Just perfect with my charcoal pants when I have a slightly more formal lunch to go to although that is one of the problems with that label – I just don’t think they are formal enough. It's nice to look at but where to wear them - not in my life anyway. And they don't look comfortable to me (for me I mean – and I am a size 6-8 depending on breakfast). Jeans. The world has been overtaken by jeans. ‘You can dress them up or down – ‘liar liar pants on fire’ – you can’t. They are jeans. But if you are going to buy jeans (and wear them – I know Leonie just buys the latest ranges from all the groovy labels but NEVER wears them) at least never buy the pale, stonewashed, ripped kind of jeans. Boring. Cheap looking. Not good for your image or your self-esteem I’d say.
Anyway, that was my morning. Spin class, Clarendon Street, a quick look at Kamikaze and now home. About to get ready for lunch. It’s Abbey’s birthday and we are all off to the Stokehouse for lunch. Divine. Open fires, cute waiters and wine. And the kids are being picked up by Charles’ PA – thank god she makes herself useful once in a while. Must go and have a shower and dress.
I’ve got one last question though. What do you think about my name? Elaine. Boring as it has always been. No, I mean my new version of it: El. Do you think I should tell everyone to call me that now? I like it but I also wondered about just ‘Laine’ – sounds a little too golf pro doesn’t it – or is she a surfer? Let me know.
xx
El(aine)
Monday, July 28, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Email to All
Dear All,
This year has been such a great year for the family. Apologies for the group email but there is so much to fill you in on.
The year started with Cathy going to high school at Primrose. Who would have thought that our baby girl is all grown up and has had to wear green all day every day for five days of the school week for the whole lone year. (That will teach her to be nice to me.) She is doing well, making friends and seems to be enjoying the rigours of her schedule. Basketball and rowing in summer, netball and tae kwon do in winter and piano lessons. She is also hoping to start learning French next year. What a star.
Cameron started in Year 11. Neither he nor I could quite believe that his final year 12 exams start in Year 11. Doesn’t seem logical at all but who am I to question the school. Anyway, he has been struggling with a number of his subjects but isn’t too worried about the end result. Charles has promised to take him into the firm when he has finished so he should be OK on finding a job front.
We all went to Fiji for a holiday in winter. Our winter, not their winter. (In fact, I’m not sure they do have winter.) Regardless, it was hot, sunny and beautiful. Our days were spent sailing catamarans, swimming, sunbaking and drinking cocktails by the horizon pool at the resort. And the Fijians are lovely people, always friendly and calm and terrific waiters. It was a lovely time for all four of us.
Charles has been away working overseas quite a lot this year. Dubai, LA, New York and a couple of side trips to France and a few other European countries just new to the EU. That European Union seems to be really getting those countries right on track. Apparently, according to Charles, you don’t need another language now. English goes everywhere you do. I am hoping that the next time Charles has to go to Paris he will take me too. I haven’t been overseas for many years (Fiji and New Zealand the year before doesn’t really count does it) and I would love to go shopping in Paris. I read so much about their style and savoir fair it would be just wonderful to wander those little streets and alleys I have heard so much about.
Sometimes I’m not so sure I shouldn’t have done more travelling myself earlier. I don’t mean with the kids when they were younger (God, you can’t do anything with them in shops. I remember when Cathy was just four years old and I was trying on a dress in a very exclusive store – Armani if you must know – and as I came out in the shell pink chiffon spaghetti strap treasure that was going to be just perfect for Charles’ Xmas in July party, Cathy walked up to me and ran her grubby little hands right down the front of the dress. I mean really I was very annoyed. Not as annoyed as the shop assistant but she calmed down when I said I would still buy it although it was a little embarrassing for them when the ambulance still turned up to revive her and there she was walking about after Cathy.) I mean with girlfriends or by myself. You know, all that see the world, throw caution to the wind stuff.
Anyway, I will be off to Paris in 2009. I just know it. And even if Charles’ PA, that awful Christine, has to come as well I won’t mind.
Anyway, back to the news. Charles’ became a Senior Partner and Managing Director of the company this year. Isn’t that terrific. It does mean his workload is much heavier but as he and I both agreed, a sacrifice isn’t a sacrifice when it is made for the good of all. We are very happy. He even bought me a new diamond ring. With rubies and a champagne gold setting. It is divine. And it really sparkles, and is sparkling now as I type at my little desk with the afternoon sun streaming through the French doors – the whole room lights up as the rays hit the inner warmth of the diamond, such a naturally beautiful stone. Charles’ really is a man who knows how to keep a girl!
We’ve been cutting down on our carbon emissions this year. We’ve gone solar and gas and renewable energy for all things. We also sold the Land Rover and I bought one of the Prius cars. Not so roomy but easy to park and run about in. Perfect for the school and sport runs. And it’s terrific. (Since I bought mine the whole street has bought them as well. It is lovely to know that a small change can make a bigger change.)
I also only buy organic food now and we use an environmentally sound washing powder for the dishwasher and a nicer one (the smell is better) for the clothes. The spa pool is run off its own energy source (I’m not sure what but I’ll check with Bruce the maintenance man before sending this) and we recycle water throughout the garden and tennis court. All in all we are doing our bit for the world. And we are happy to do it. No complaints at all. Even when I cut back on my weekly baths I didn’t mind. I just use more moisturiser (the Lancome body one – its gorgeous) and have a luxurious bath once a month. (I try to coincide it with my massages and my beauty bar visits – a tip for those struggling with the whole wasting water vs body maintenance thing).
Charles and I bought some new art for the loungeroom as well this year. Very exciting new work by the artist Hany Armanius and Siz. All that conceptual art of Hany’s is good for the brain (and the colours of moulds really set off the couch and the walls). Cameron really liked Siz’ take on magazine culture and street art. So much so that he spent an entire weekend spray painting his room and then sticking up cut outs from magazines all over his bedroom walls. (I tried not to mind but I really still don’t know why he needed quite so many pictures of female genitalia – I mean they weren’t pretty pictures at all. Not like some of the art that Charles has shown me. I’m not sure if I should be worrying about that boy – Cameron I mean not Charles. Charles is perfect. But Cameron did use hot pink spray paint on every wall of his room. It really didn't match anything and was a complete pain to get off the glass of the doors.)
Just off to re-fill my gin – just a little one so the big C won’t even notice! I’ve got a half hour before I have to pick up Cathy from piano lessons - just enough time. I’ll be back – don’t worry!!
abientot (that’s French for ‘so long, see you soon’ )
xxx
El(aine)
This year has been such a great year for the family. Apologies for the group email but there is so much to fill you in on.
The year started with Cathy going to high school at Primrose. Who would have thought that our baby girl is all grown up and has had to wear green all day every day for five days of the school week for the whole lone year. (That will teach her to be nice to me.) She is doing well, making friends and seems to be enjoying the rigours of her schedule. Basketball and rowing in summer, netball and tae kwon do in winter and piano lessons. She is also hoping to start learning French next year. What a star.
Cameron started in Year 11. Neither he nor I could quite believe that his final year 12 exams start in Year 11. Doesn’t seem logical at all but who am I to question the school. Anyway, he has been struggling with a number of his subjects but isn’t too worried about the end result. Charles has promised to take him into the firm when he has finished so he should be OK on finding a job front.
We all went to Fiji for a holiday in winter. Our winter, not their winter. (In fact, I’m not sure they do have winter.) Regardless, it was hot, sunny and beautiful. Our days were spent sailing catamarans, swimming, sunbaking and drinking cocktails by the horizon pool at the resort. And the Fijians are lovely people, always friendly and calm and terrific waiters. It was a lovely time for all four of us.
Charles has been away working overseas quite a lot this year. Dubai, LA, New York and a couple of side trips to France and a few other European countries just new to the EU. That European Union seems to be really getting those countries right on track. Apparently, according to Charles, you don’t need another language now. English goes everywhere you do. I am hoping that the next time Charles has to go to Paris he will take me too. I haven’t been overseas for many years (Fiji and New Zealand the year before doesn’t really count does it) and I would love to go shopping in Paris. I read so much about their style and savoir fair it would be just wonderful to wander those little streets and alleys I have heard so much about.
Sometimes I’m not so sure I shouldn’t have done more travelling myself earlier. I don’t mean with the kids when they were younger (God, you can’t do anything with them in shops. I remember when Cathy was just four years old and I was trying on a dress in a very exclusive store – Armani if you must know – and as I came out in the shell pink chiffon spaghetti strap treasure that was going to be just perfect for Charles’ Xmas in July party, Cathy walked up to me and ran her grubby little hands right down the front of the dress. I mean really I was very annoyed. Not as annoyed as the shop assistant but she calmed down when I said I would still buy it although it was a little embarrassing for them when the ambulance still turned up to revive her and there she was walking about after Cathy.) I mean with girlfriends or by myself. You know, all that see the world, throw caution to the wind stuff.
Anyway, I will be off to Paris in 2009. I just know it. And even if Charles’ PA, that awful Christine, has to come as well I won’t mind.
Anyway, back to the news. Charles’ became a Senior Partner and Managing Director of the company this year. Isn’t that terrific. It does mean his workload is much heavier but as he and I both agreed, a sacrifice isn’t a sacrifice when it is made for the good of all. We are very happy. He even bought me a new diamond ring. With rubies and a champagne gold setting. It is divine. And it really sparkles, and is sparkling now as I type at my little desk with the afternoon sun streaming through the French doors – the whole room lights up as the rays hit the inner warmth of the diamond, such a naturally beautiful stone. Charles’ really is a man who knows how to keep a girl!
We’ve been cutting down on our carbon emissions this year. We’ve gone solar and gas and renewable energy for all things. We also sold the Land Rover and I bought one of the Prius cars. Not so roomy but easy to park and run about in. Perfect for the school and sport runs. And it’s terrific. (Since I bought mine the whole street has bought them as well. It is lovely to know that a small change can make a bigger change.)
I also only buy organic food now and we use an environmentally sound washing powder for the dishwasher and a nicer one (the smell is better) for the clothes. The spa pool is run off its own energy source (I’m not sure what but I’ll check with Bruce the maintenance man before sending this) and we recycle water throughout the garden and tennis court. All in all we are doing our bit for the world. And we are happy to do it. No complaints at all. Even when I cut back on my weekly baths I didn’t mind. I just use more moisturiser (the Lancome body one – its gorgeous) and have a luxurious bath once a month. (I try to coincide it with my massages and my beauty bar visits – a tip for those struggling with the whole wasting water vs body maintenance thing).
Charles and I bought some new art for the loungeroom as well this year. Very exciting new work by the artist Hany Armanius and Siz. All that conceptual art of Hany’s is good for the brain (and the colours of moulds really set off the couch and the walls). Cameron really liked Siz’ take on magazine culture and street art. So much so that he spent an entire weekend spray painting his room and then sticking up cut outs from magazines all over his bedroom walls. (I tried not to mind but I really still don’t know why he needed quite so many pictures of female genitalia – I mean they weren’t pretty pictures at all. Not like some of the art that Charles has shown me. I’m not sure if I should be worrying about that boy – Cameron I mean not Charles. Charles is perfect. But Cameron did use hot pink spray paint on every wall of his room. It really didn't match anything and was a complete pain to get off the glass of the doors.)
Just off to re-fill my gin – just a little one so the big C won’t even notice! I’ve got a half hour before I have to pick up Cathy from piano lessons - just enough time. I’ll be back – don’t worry!!
abientot (that’s French for ‘so long, see you soon’ )
xxx
El(aine)
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