summer? what summer?

Labour Weekend.
We are supposed to be celebrating summer.
I thought a dip would be an appropriate way to honour my favourite time of the year. After all we usually start our swimming season mid-September.
So I squeezed myself into my good old swimsuit and rushed into those tempting waves.
I bravely tip-toed in, up to my ankles, a bit deeper, surprised by the impression of liquid ice lapping around my freshly shaved legs ...
Then, when my knees started to freeze solidly I suddenly remembered:
IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FUN.

I'll keep you posted. It won't be long. I hope.

Anna's shoes

Our daughter has always been very tall.
Some years ago, when she grew wildly tall and her feet eagerly followed, it became very difficult to find some nice, feminine shoes to accomodate her "flippers".
A major drama for a teenager, believe me.
So, when I visited Poland I found there a shoemaker, who crafted for me a pair of beautiful slippers, size thirteen.
This is what happened when I presented those shoes to my lovely Girl upon my return.

passion for fashion

Another Fashion Week has ended.
I've been around long enough to watch with amazement how this phenomenon of trends and tastes turns a full circle.

I've been TWICE through:
mini skirts, shift dresses, floor-lenght maxis, flared pants, leggings, gypsy skirts, frills and bows, distressed denim, jump suits, hideous, shiny, plastic boots, platforms, stilletoes, espadrilles, high-waisters, hipsters, polka-dot bikinis, back-combing, ponytails, enormous sunnies ... wow!

How come it all returned so quickly!?

Well, next time those trends are hot, I probably won't dare to have a go.

So, let's party, while we can.

Here is to passion for fashion!!!

Want to bet what's next on our fashion horizon?

Shoulder pads and floral pant suits. I know, I've checked in my attic.

Watch this space.

RECESSION - in a nutshell

As somebody has brilliantly put it: "When the tide goes out, you can see who's been swimming naked"

seeing red (convertible)

I have just a few friends. but they are fantastic.
Val is one of them, top of the list kind of a friend.
Whenever we go out together, to the movies, to see a show or for any other girls-night-out thing, Val insists on driving us there in her good, old Holden.

She is certainly a much better driver than yours truly, but ... she doesn't need to know that.

So, one day, as we were driving home from Mamma Mia show, I said:

 - Dear Val, when I'm finally rich and famous I'll pop you into my gorgeous red convertible, ( the latest model of course ), we will tie our wheelchairs neatly onto the back and we will go for a mad spin.

 - Dear Gabriella - said Val - by that time you will surely be able to afford JAMES to take care of our wheelchairs.

Which, of course, is true.

So, here is the vision, JAMES'n all.

P.S.

If my smile was looking this good, I certainly wouldn't be able to afford a convertible.

My dentist would.

another success story

Today just a picture.
It may seem funny, but actually it is not.
The obesity problem may be big, serious and well publicised, with plenty of professional outfits helping us to lose weight.

But then, on the other end of this scale, there is a difficult subject of extreme dieting. Just as dangerous as overeating, far less publicised, very difficult to treat. No words of wisdom from me though. Just a picture, "Another Success Story". But is it indeed?
Sorry Weight Watchers, nothing personal.

my birthday girl

My little girl turned 22 last week.

Hard to believe. I still remember ... well, you don't want to know.

Although, perhaps such an occasion is a good excuse to stick in here some of my illustrated memories of this lovely kid.

Teenage years, holiday jobs, tricky relationship with grandparents - my scrapbook with "ANNA" printed on it is large.
But for now - just a couple of pics from the time, when Anna wasn't a kid anymore, but the adulthood still seemed miles away.

P.S. She really is rather gorgeous. Don't be deceived by my cheeky pencil.