Comfort Food

Last week, having managed to escape the lurgies which has plagued the entire family I met up with some old friends for a pre-Christmas jolly in Covent Garden. We had originally tried to meet at Wahaca for some Mexican street food but the place was rammed and ended up in Carluccios nearby. In the end it was perfect for a howling rainy evening.  A refreshing glass of Procecco and than some top notch Italian comfort food. Next time I will remember not to wear high heels, as the cobbled streets are murder to navigate!

Anya Hindmarch Sample Sale

Everyone at home has the lurgies! So I won't be able to make this sale boo hoo :-(

Anya Hindmarch Sample Sale
What: Up to 70 per cent off bags and accessories.
Why: Bag a bargain — there’ll be new stock every day.
When: Thurs., 1-8 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Firevault, 36 Great Titchfield St., W1W 8BQ

Toasty

I'm just loving the 

Toast Christmas edition of their catalogue. It make me want to find that nordic hideaway where I can curl up by a log fire in cosy chunky knitwear and sip hot chocolate all day with a good book. Unlike my current life with all three tots coughing their guts out and the better part of the day spent in A&E to establish its NOT Swine flu.

Party Season

It feels like its crept up very quickly but its party season and invites are flowing in fast and I need a party dress pronto - this caught my eye on Catwalk to Closet a lovely bronze metallic dress which should make me stand out in a sea of LBD's. On sale and available in my size. Gotta click on the shopping basket and get it quick

Arragant Cat Sample Sale

Arrogant Cat

18-20 Great Portland Street

London, London W1W 8QP

Choo time

A lot of brave people queued up outside Hennes to get their hands on the Jimmy Choo/H&M collaboration. I salute you all!!! The weather was atrocious and particularly nasty today with howling gales and buckets of rain. I can understand the allure they have, my own pair are leather burgandy with fun pom poms ties - bought in Venice a half size too small but I had to have them!

Birkin Mad

Whilst trawling through the auctions sites (having moved on from Ebay!) in search of the great classic handbag to add to my collection I came across Christies which is having a mammoth fine jewelry and classic handbag sale 19th November - they have up for auction approx 64 Hermes bags including Birkins and Kellys. I am in handbag heaven, there are some amazing choices of colours, leathers, shapes and sizes on offer. No silly wait list to get your hands on one. But as its an auction its a nerve racking procedure making a bid and I am not sure if I can be trusted to attend this one in person! I may go mad and walk away very happy but penniless....

SUNDAY 15th NOVEMBER

The Really Really Great Garage Sale

• London12.00-16.00 Car Park, First Floor

Selfridges and Mothers4Children will hold the ultimate sale – the really, really great garage sale – on Sunday 15 November. Mothers4Children, an organization that supports children’s charities from around the world, will take over the First Floor of the Selfridges car park with up to 45 unique stalls.

Mothers4Children patrons and mums Lisa B, Louise Redknapp, Trinny Woodhall and Yasmin Le Bon, have enlisted friends and family from the worlds of fashion, music, sport and entertainment to donate covetable items for sale and to act as stallholders on the day. Stallholders will also includeElizabeth Hurley, Jamie Redknapp, David Walliams and Denise Van Outen.

Fashion and music memorabilia – including iconic items belonging to Mothers4Children supporters – and designer fashion, accessories and homewares will be on sale. The Tea Palace, a Lorraine Pascale cupcake stall, a luxury tombola and entertainment for kids will create the perfect environment for a pre-christmas family day out, while helping to support children in need.

Selfridges has also designed an exclusive, limited edition £5 tote bag for Mothers4Children which will be on sale at the event.

The really, really great garage sale will be open to everyone and is cash only. Entrance is £5 for adults and free for children under the age of 12.

100% of proceeds raised at the event will go to Mothers4Children

*Registered Charity Number 1128062

Laduree treat

Sunday morning munchies, a cuppa tea and a box of Laduree macaroons , all three midgets are napping - so its a perfect time to indulge. I just love these pastel coloured treats and to scoff a box full uninteruppted is bliss. Now Bonfire night is over I can now offically start trawling the web for christmas present ideas. Do I go the down the Argos/Amazon route and get it all in one place? This year we are only buying for each others children. Previous years we had to do the whole family, D is one of 4 and I have two siblings myself plus their kids and two sets of parents/in-laws, godchildren etc. It all adds up. Until I go back to work in the New Year it will all be cheap and cheerful tat this yuletide with maybe a dose of homemade crafting if I ever get the time to make anything.

TLC

Sometimes however much you look after a well loved designer handbag it will need some TLC. Despite its name Furniture Clinic can do amazing things to revive a bag, clean it, restore the colour, even dye the leather if the staining cannot be taken out.

Missed out

Yesterday I was so busy in W1 with a meeting at the office, hitting the Missoni sample sale, checking out Anthropologie new store via the Christmas lights in Oxford/Regent St and rushing to make the train back to the 'burbs' I totally forget an important textile auction was happening. I missed out on the most amazing finds, a quantity of vintage Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Fendi bags. The black velvet Baguette went for #120 and the Chanel 2.55 went for #130 - all within my budget and two pairs of the classic Chanel pump shoes (in MY SIZE) went for #90!! GUTTED - I should have left a bid with the auction house on Monday when I looked over all the items. The chances of me being able to hit Bond Street to buy these items new are v.v.v.v.v. slim. I'm no fashion snob, I won't buy fakes but I don't mind vintage, pre-owned or lightly used designer goodies if they are long-term classics. I shall have to keep scanning The Saleroom for other auctions and this time be a bit more organised.

Treasure Box

On Sunday, right in the heart of SW1 there will be a super antiques fair at the Horticultural Halls .  Last time I was there, I bought a beautiful Shagreen Edwardian jewellary box. Lined with green velvet inside, its the perfect little box for my precious bits. Although the key to the box is missing, so I can't lock it, it doesn't detract from the lovely workmanship that went into the box. If I had wanted something new & pristine I would have gone to Smythson and paid a fair whack too.

I love hunting out original goodies at antique fairs. Finding something unique and being able to re-use it again. Another great find was an intricate bone, mother-of-pearl and silver inlaid cigar box which now houses my make-up brushes. I have a Victorian mahogany marquetry writing box. The writing slope has long gone but its a perfect place to keep love letters and cards. As you can probably tell I have a thing about boxes! When I see one on a stall I can't resist picking it up to see what's inside. Maybe it used to be a tea caddy, or a lady's work box full of bobbins, silks and threads. That's part of the thrill of going out to an antiques fair. You never know what you might find. Always ask the stall-holder 'what's your best price'. It can mean a few quid off and any discount is a bonus.

Reiss Warehouse Sample Sale

November Sample Sales

Courtesy Daily Candy - more sales for November. Just in time to get that festive party outfit. I'll be heading to the M Missoni sale as I will be in W1 for a meeting at the office. 


What: Betty Jackson
Why: Up to 80 per cent off ready-to-wear.
When: 3 & 4 Nov. Tues., 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Wed., 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Where: 311 Brompton Rd., SW3 2DY (020 7589 7884). 
What: M Missoni
Why: Ready-to-wear and accessories from £20.
When: 4 Nov. Wed., 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: 87 Great Portland St., W1W 7LU (01908 233640). 
What: Pringle of Scotland
Why: Up to 70 per cent off ready-to-wear and accessories.
When: 4-6 Nov. Wed. & Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thurs., 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Where: The Courtyard, 255a Pavilion Rd., SW1X 0BP (020 7259 1660). 
What: By Malene Birger & American Vintage
Why: Clothing and accessories from £15.
When: 5 & 6 Nov. Thurs., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Inexcess Fashion Ltd., 124-128 Barlby Rd., unit 4, W10 6BL (020 8960 6161). 
What: Ally Capellino
Why: Bags and accessories from £5.
When: 11 Nov. Wed., noon-8 p.m.
Where: Studio 1, 5 Calvert Ave., E2 7JP (020 7613 3073). 
What: Goat
Why: Knits, dresses, trousers and jackets from £30.
When: 13 Nov. Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Basement, 76 Gloucester Pl., W1U 6HJ (020 7487 3401).
What: Jenny Packham 
Why: Evening dresses from £250.
When: 19-21 Nov. Thurs., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri. & Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: 3a Carlos Pl.,W1K 3AN (020 7493 6295). 
What: Erickson Beamon
Why: Up to 70 per cent off jewellery.
When: 27 Nov. Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: 38 Elizabeth St., SW1W 9NZ (020 7259 0202). 
What: Valentino
Why: Up to 70 per cent off ready-to-wear, accessories and fur.
When: 26-28 Nov. Thurs.-Sat., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Where: The Music Room, 26 S. Molton Ln., W1K 5AB. 

Christmas Present Idea

PERSONALLY WITH GEORGINA GOODMAN ON WEDNESDAY, 4TH NOVEMBER AT 44 OLD BOND STREET,  1 PM TILL 8 PM SELECT FROM OUR SIGNATURE BAG COLLECTION MADE IN YOUR CHOICE OF EXOTIC SKINS OR HAND PAINTED LEATHERS   "GREAT  CHRISTMAS GIFTS" ORDERS FULFILLED BEFORE CHRISTMAS Small leather "Tie" purse starts at £76. Large leather "tie" purse starts at £84. "Clutch" leather purse starts at £97. "Clutch" leather bag starts at £178. "Clutch" snake bag starts at £251. Medium "Tote" leather hand painted bag starts at £359.

flagship store: 44 Old Bond Street • London • W1S 4GB • t +44 20 7493 7673 www.georginagoodman.com