London's Pride & Joy: HARRODS

.....Where else??
It has always been known as the "Store with More"...well by me anyway. There was a time you could order almost anything your heart desired and Harrods would get it for you...now they can fill a tall order but with a modicum of sanity.

Harrods has been and always will be my second home...I can roam the halls from food to sports and never lose my way.. And!.....I can still be amazed by its stalwart magnificence no matter who owns it now.
...although I must say that there has been a marked improvement with the latest owners .... 

Harrods has regained it's modjo by being rid of the ...Hmmmm,,,how should I put it?
Bad taste and over the top self glorification of its previous owner.

There is a So Dior exhibit and .....Yes! I'll admit it: I didn't get a chance to go...so you must!!

But I did manage to go to the Shoe department( check out my previous post: FUR-BIDDEN)
.....like I would miss that.

Here's the latest on that:
Christian Louboutin has moved to be replaced by my beloved Manolo Blahnik : a sumptuous boudoir of his latest and greatest with top notch sales men on hand, ask for Andrea he has the gift of the gab but knows his Manolos from his Loubous styles,heel heights and all....
(Louboutin fans fear not Harrods is creating a new space for the highly popular creator).

You can now also find Zanotti  ...but I have to highlight Gucci :....the loafer has been given a make over and is as delicious as ever:

A good start to the week :No?

A Postcard from London and "The Audience" with the Queen.

We had an Audience with the Queen, well....Helen Mirren to be precise but it may well have been , her performance was not only flawless but absolutely riveting. 
Helen Mirren was asked to reprise her role as the Queen by Stephen Daldry (the director)but this time for stage and not screen at the Gielgud Theatre on London's Shaftesbury Avenue.

The play is based around the Queen's weekly meetings with her Prime Minister(every Tuesday except for Tony Blair who insisted on moving it to Wednesday....Tony Blair is not featured in this play but mentioned here and there):
" ...His wife, Cheryl..."
"That's Cheri mam..."
"Ah!"

These weekly sessions(that no one is privy to nor are there any records of the conversations held...) have been going on since Sir Winston Churchill (played by the wonderfully enigmatic Edward Fox) to the present day. Only 7 of the  Prime Ministers are portrayed  and quite accurately I must add, including David Cameron .

This is not a serious play, it is tongue in cheek,funny and also extremely touching . The set design is absolutely breathtaking as is Helen Mirren's swift "on stage" change of costumes. I don't want to spoil it for you and give it all away but it has you remembering the Queen in her youth,her hopes,her aspirations and how she may have felt trapped within the hallowed walls of Buckingham Palace.
This really is a beautiful, first class production with marvellous professional actors ....the standing ovation was a given.

NB:
What is it with people who seem to be in perfect health while the lights are on  only to succumb to debilitating coughs once they are dimmed and the curtain is up!???
And there were plenty that night...does it have to do with the A/C?...who knows  but you can hardly shout out:
"Shut It!!!" with Helen Mirren on stage....
 I mean "Mam"...

FUR-BIDDEN!

From Celine: the white mink fur shoe......Fur Sure!

Couldn't find the price....but available at Harrods...
....Where else!

I leave all the sarcastic comments up to you....let rip!

&Other Stories.....a diligent way to shop.

(...Before I get into it :No...this isn't a children's book store!)


I was in London and did have every intention of looking up this new addition from the wonderful folk who brought us : H&M and my beloved COS....but I couldn't find it! 

"O' Rage! O' Desespoir!!

I did nip into Cos on Regent's street but what with the incessant rain and an acute need to pee...we abandoned the search and hopped into a cab. So...here is the scoop:

"&Other Stories" was 3 years in the making and an exciting new label and way to shop. The team have thrown out the "high street fashion" rule book by thumbing their noses at everyone else's flash in the pan approach to fashions and trends. What they are bringing to the table are 4 "style stories" which evolve from season to season. The cost is "higher" than H&M (thank God...) basing themselves nearer to the Zara / Reiss price range with fashion that should accompany you from year to year by working with your wardrobe and not against it.

Do check out the extensive online shop and website...my finger was clicking all over the place...I had to reel myself in and share this with you. 

With shops in Paris,London and Italy...
....and I bloody couldn't find it!!!!
Oh! the shame.....kicking myself ....and now will go back and shop on the online store.

http://www.stories.com/

Queue Laughter.... from Father to Daughter:The Dad Hatter Chronicles

For all the newbies to this blog and for those who haven't "clicked" on the little cartoon chap on the left hand side...do so NOW!

New: "The Dad Hatter Chronicles "...hot off the press and direct from The Dad Hatter himself:

The "Eyes" have it  and What did you eat today?

http://frockanrolla.blogspot.fr/p/dad-hatter.html

Frockanrolla's Boutique Pick of the Month: MUSAE COLLECTION

MUSAE COLLECTION is a Concept Store newly opened in Cannes. It is about vision,class and objects that are chosen from the heart: "...les coups de coeur"as the lovely soft spoken owner Marie Sophie Delaire explains to me.



This store appeals on all sorts of levels; mainly aesthetic, but also playful,innovative and fun. Marie Sophie has a refined eye, she is French after all and extremely creative in her own right as she is also developing designs of her own. There will be a few tables for coffee to be served... everything done in moderation and to enhance the Musae experience. This is not any kind of shop;this is a boutique in every sense of the word:charming , enchanting and an absolute must for all shoppers in the Cannes area....there really is  no excuse.
Now feast your eyes on these:

*Delightful luminaries: The 4 Seasons*

*Woven neoprene baskets*

These are the Pieces de Resistance in my eyes and an absolute "coup"...the MUST HAVES by far:Get ready to be awed and "ahhhhh-ed"

*I have this one and am in LOVE WITH IT*

* Not only a man's best friend....Truly revolutionary!...240€*

Wall poetry, cloud ceiling lamps :"..Dream a little dream for me..."

MUSAE COLLECTION: DECO,DESIGN,MODE & ART DE VIVRE

11, rue NOTRE DAME 06400 CANNES

tel: +33 (0)4 93 68 27 23

Many thanks to the perfect host,the delightful Marie Sophie.

H&M Collaboration with MRS. CARTER....?

That's BEYONCE to you and me and for all those in the know about Beyonce's upcoming tour:
                        "The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour" on April 15th.

But let's talk : H&M!....Every designer collaboration from Comme des Garcons to Marni and Madonna to Vanessa Paradis...die hard fashionistas have flocked in droves,braved all kinds of weather to be first in line when the doors open to snatch a piece of H&M collaboration history.

With Queen B at the helm...I predict a complete sell out in the time I can snap my fingers.

Available beginning of May at all H&M stores worldwide and online.


 I know I have neither age or stamina on my side to go through such an ordeal....The first day of the Harrods shoe sale is enough to set my nerves on edge and reduce me to a wobbly mess...needless to say: I hate crowds. And I have never and I mean never been able  to buy online. The sizes disappear as soon as the bloody collection goes on sale!!! I sorely missed out on key Mary Katrantzou pieces from her collaboration with Topshop last year.

So I leave it all  to you out there my Frockanrollas...Good Luck !

* MRS. CARTER...YOU F'ROCK!*