Friday 18 February 2011

Swishing and sloshing, baking and scoffing...





I'm feeling slightly distracted today -- trying to do my accounts, which always reminds me that I am numerically illiterate, as well as being phobic about HMRC -- at the same time as attempting to gather my thoughts before tomorrow's event at the V&A. There's a morning of swishing (clothes swapping), which sounds fun, and then at 2pm I'm chairing a panel discussion about fashion styling and its effect on women in the public eye, and taking part in another on body image and the fashion industry. And it's all free, if anyone wants to come (please do...)
Meanwhile, I've been baking and eating lots of cakes this week -- nothing like an upcoming discussion of body image to make me feel hungry. The heart-shaped chocolate ones were made by me (magic ingredient: marmalade), and the more professional and totally gorgeous iced cakes are from Laduree (they taste of rose petals, fresh raspberries and lemon meringue).
As for the new wellington boots sitting at my kitchen table: I wanted to share them with you, as they are gladdening my heart... my old pair had to be retired, as they developed a leak, but these are ready for action. Apart from anything else, I need to walk off all the cakes I've consumed (including the delicious batch from the lovely Love Bakery in the King's Road, which we ate before I could photograph them). But in honour of the V&A, and the start of London Fashion Week, I had to post one of my favourite pictures again, of the exceedingly chic Love Bakery Coco cupcakes...

11 comments:

kairu said...

Lovely cakes and boots! I recently bought a pair of knee-high Tretorns much like your Hunters, though black instead of classic green.

A kind friend brought me Laduree macarons from Paris last month; it felt so decadent to have a whole box to myself, scented with rose and lemon and pistachio, among other flavors...

Lilacs said...

Love your Hunters. My daughter and I share a pair of Aigle boots that we bought for an exorbitant sum from a shop in Geneva. They were so shiny and black they looked patent, that was then....now they just look like any old wellies.

Your cakes look so elegant - and very tempting. I'm cooking Nigellas chocolate lime cake this weekend, it's making my mouth water just typing the words.

I am looking forward to the Anne Robinson series next week - well known people talking about their top 10 books - 6.30 BBC2 I think.

Have fun tomorrow.

Justine Picardie said...

The chocolate and orange cake is a Nigella recipe -- very easy, very comforting. And the Laduree macaroons sublime... easy to eat a box in one sitting.
Aigle boots: are they still satisfying, even though no longer shiny?

Lilacs said...

I'll be honest - not really!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a beautiful weekend... apart from the accounts! Weekends are made for a bit of self-indulgence aren't they?

Anonymous said...

Justine,
Please come and speak to us (the Kensington Chelsea Womens' Club) about your book on June 9th at the Royal Automobile Club. I drove all the way to Scotland to hear you at the LennoxLove book festival - that's how much I wanted to hear you talk about Coco.
Many thanks, Judi

enid said...

Just read about newly found Du Maurier story have you read it yet ?

Justine Picardie said...

Judi -- very kind of you to ask, and to have driven all the way to Scotland. How could I refuse you now?!
And Enid -- yes, I have read about the new Du Maurier story, and looking forward to seeing the new collection..

Justine Picardie said...

PS: Judi, I did say yes to the invitation, via my publishers, but I think the message somehow went astray...

Anonymous said...

Dear Justine,
I'm over the moon about the good news.
This time I will be sure to introduce myself to you!
THANK YOU.
Judi xx

Justine Picardie said...

Looking forward to meeting you.