Thursday 14^th April 2011

I’m wearing a Kiehl’s Rare Earth Face Masque: the dinner for the dedicatees of Rufus Pitman’s new novel, Bums and Buns at the Seaside, is at 8.30. I’m missing the beforehand appearance of Rufus at Gay’s the Word bookshop owing to pre-boarding tasks.

Our Matineé Experience

But the matinee, incurred by accident yesterday…. no matineé trays, nor matinee jackets, indeed no elegance tea-time service of any kind but one important whooshed-up coiffure and Sir William Right-Fog in the stalls – do you remember him? Also Malcolm Muggeridge, but Robert Nevil insisted he’s dead. Loved the play, called Flair Path, by Terry Ratty although it wasn’t at all PLRG in theme.  Sienna Miller (wrong frocks, not made by Val, I fear) had to chose between her husband and lover in a tragic kind of way, no question of some more advanced arrangement, as in Design for Living.

Hot Frock Tip for a City-Break

As you know, tomorrow I board for Rome. For a City-Break, which always occurs in milder or cold weather, put the emphasis on outer wear. It’s in the streets that you’ll be seen. Even in the restaurant you’ll be sitting down. Have at least three options for outer wear for a two-day break, if not four. I only have three.

Other Frock News

Preliminary assault on H Nicks yesterday to get the money back on those ripped Balenciaga slacks. ‘Manageress’ not there. To call me. I expect it’s that same orange one I encountered when returning the Burberry cardy that turned into the Balenciaga slacks. I hope she doesn’t remember.

Those Paul and Joe trews that got Risotto Milanese on them – I’ve got it out! (Do you remember: Joyce Grenfell: ‘Mrs Hingle, she’s got it out!’). The yellow stain (best saffron, you know) came right out.

So those slacks are back in circulation and packed for Rome.

Now my champagne cardy by Fabrizio de Carlo – that’s the one that got snagged in the Tudor House –  well, I’ve washed it. Risky. It’s a very loose knit and may never return to shape. At present it’s on the drying rack, looking anguished. Let’s hope that rack has not become a morgue by the time I regain from Rome.

Otherwise, I’ve been brushing and spot-cleaning the garments to be shipped to the Eternal City. How rarely do we really inspect our frockage, every square inch, and maid it to the bone. But dry cleaning is wrecking and washing not much better. Always dab and sponge if you possibly can.

Shock Lack of Pre-boarding Tension as I Prepare to Mount the Air for Rome

Astonishing: I’ve been, just, on the right side of the drama of outfit planning (no going back if wrong) and thrilling towards Rome, where I will wear outfits. Then, mid-afternoon, it came through that Peter Acharya and Ned Czernowski are to be there, by coincidente purissimo, and in a 4-star just round the corner from where I’ll be with Sonny Hammond. It bodes well: maybe, just maybe, we’ll break through to the burning inner core of Roman society, as we did in Paris in January, finding Bruno-France Bruno by chance just round the corner from the hotel and throbbing at the molten heart of high Paris life.

What about Prince Doria?

My Champagne Cardy by Fabrizio de Carlo in Torment after Washing

This Red Thing was Supposed to be Spring Green

Surprise Red Tulip on Top Terrace

Just a Few Spring Green Appeared on the Top Terrace

I Think This is the Unusual Blackcurrant Parrot Tulip About to Open. Was Intended to be with Spring Green