CHUCK COOKS: CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

Forget Campbells.

Their "Mmm Mmm Good" ain't got nutting' on my "Mmm Mmm Good" cookin'!

And that's the #truth.

MMMMMMMMMs

Sometime you just need a snack.

I blame OJB for my new found obsession with Pretzel M&Ns

HEAVEN

One day, when it's my turn to visit that big place up yonder, whenever that may be, I would like to think that it's filled with all things that I love/genuinely appreciate.

For example, the follow things would greet me upon my arrival:

Every game system will be at my disposal, and once and for all I'll be able to say that I've played and conquered ALL of the Zelda games... (include the Link spinoffs in there too).

I'll have an endless supply of Boots and other wonderful shoes, all in my grande ass size 11, of course.

No ill fitting shoes allowed in heaven, ESPECIALLY not size 12's that are really meant for size 11's.

Hell no, thank you.

And most importantly, every week will be Meat Week...

Yes, I said it, Meat Week... 

Which is basically the whole reason for this post!

Holy Crap! A whole week of MEAT!

I just about died and went through the pearly gates.

I didn't though. 

BUT if I actually had the pleasure of attending Meat Week 2011 in DC this year I probably would...

from the coronary, of course. 

Are you going to Meat Week 2011?

Are there any food festivals in your area?

Any that you recommend, or that you refuse to miss?

Jacques Townhouse, a fairytale reality

What a beautiful neighborhood to have a whimsical and magical townhouse pop-up to introduce the centuries past within a setting where time seems to have stood still. Jacques, Sophie Ellis Bextor (who I saw dash by before realizing it was her - dear lord, she's tiny! She might even be as small as me!) and most importantly, the mastermind of 40Winks David Carter joined forces to create this magical pop up townhouse. Fashion Foie Gras, Stylecartel and the Clotheswhisper have covered the event with further, and nicer, images than my soon to be updated little grainy camera managed to do, so pop over to their blogs and have a look as well.

I had a truly amazing time - the vintage, whimsical, girly, dreamlike interior and atmosphere was only enhanced by the insanely sweet and faintably tasty cupcakes, lovely people and dress up antics. Thank you so much, Charlotte from Stylecartel and stunning and (honestly!) equally sweet Zahra from the Society Doll (and Exposure PR) for inviting me!

David, the creator and founder of 40 Winks hotel once again created a wonderful experience in connection with the interior, hotel service and soiree fun. Just look at the staff adoring him at the end of the day when he was congratulating them on a job well done. I know a caring boss when I see one!

"Would you like pear or raspberries?"

Baubles, baubles everywhere...

Great party people

The fabulous Charlotte from Stylecartel without whom I wouldn't even have tasted the delights of cupcakes and chirpy servants with Stylecanteen.

Sugababes alert

David showing around the modelesque presenter from Channel 4 I was told (I don't watch TV, forgive my namory for not knowing what her name is) - I didn't really dig her boots but obviously the rest was distracting enough. And then there's Zarah - isn't she pretty?! And that picture was taken with my phone camera!

Lisa Potter Dixon, the Benefit events manager doing my make up

The last two images courtesy of Emily from Fashion Foie Gras, who incidentally is featured in the coming two images

I love the sheer back with zip! And this was possibly the most fashionable couple at the party.

Designer Bert of Yorkshire Pearl and the gloriously dandy gentleman Markus Maverick, Naomi Thompson of Vintage Secret and the vintage model Fleur de Guerre.

How may I be of entertainment?

Please don't predict anything scary...

Beautiful vintage closet

Lira Leirner the Portmanteau during her favourite past time - dressing up wearing a black silk wet-look DKNY shirt, caramel pleat silk Valentino skirt, brown Longchamp Le Pliage bag, Yorkshire Pearl bracelet and black suede curly Buffalo heels and in the second image a vintage big flower dress and my own pearl studded silk scarf. Thank you for the images, Emily and Jacques!

I don't care about getting old *Cough*

My 25th birthday, a quarter of a century, the big one, the LL Portmanteau Blog launch... you may call it what you like - in the end it was mainly two tables of food (one sweet, one savory) and a new bar's worth of alcohol.

Throughout my life my birthday has usually been connected to some form of disappointment. No, it's not material at all. Being in the middle of the summer holidays my birthdays were, in the best case scenario, spent on holidays or with my family. In the worst case scenario I was at home and anybody I would have invited to a party was nowhere around.

Add to that the fact that I've lived in one number less houses than I am now old (I've finally caught up!) across countries and continents, my best friends usually weren't around either. This got worse during college - I went to an international school and of course everyone was scattered across the globe during summer. Either way, so far I was usually the only one whose birthday it was that weekend or week, which helped in some respect - knowing a Leo was rare, I probably met and called my friends about 5 all my life.

However, since I've entered the fashion world I have now counted 23 - that's right - 23 Leos. I could talk a lot about why I think this is but I'm sure it's pretty obvious and it does make sense. And to be honest, I'm sure I'm missing some and it's more than that. It's pretty insane, but what was even worse was the completely new and strange situation I found myself in: my friends are mainly based in the same city I live in now, they are no longer students meaning they are actually here because they are working -BUT - there were about 10 parties going on ON my birthday as it was a SATURDAY. So most people who would actually have come buggered off to other people's parties, including some rather close friends who I really would have liked at mine.

In order to try and avoid the usual birthday gloom I've decided to pretend it was also my blog launch as I had just re structured and revamped it. The only indication for that was the party favour - pretty cute, I think.

Needless to say I was pissed off before my birthday even tattered along and felt quite in the right to tell anybody who could have come but made up some excuse because they couldn't be bothered to travel 10 minutes or as I said buggered off to other parties asked "How was your birthday?" that "You would know if you had come". Clearly not a fair comment, I know. It's the birthday madness, I tell ya.

The bar - one of each

So you can imagine what this means. Even my own flatmates thought it would be appropriate to sneak off to another party and then come back completely drunk once everyone had left and hang out and eat the rest of the food and empty the alcohol that I had already packed up and put away for myself or future guests.

Food prepared and ready

To top it off, I truly felt old when I realized that I was now old enough to have to organize my own party, buy people food and drinks (instead of being invited to some), even buy my own frigging candle and MAKE present instead of receiving any. And you wonder why I don't want to get old? I really missed my family in that instance but I was too busy stressing to get everything done to really dwell on it, which is good.

The brownie cupcakes!

To cut a long story short, it was not all doom and gloom. The 20 or so people who came were people I actually liked (there were also a few who simply lived close by). As per usual, my main enjoyment was derived from the work I did that day - the photo shoot of my next batch of six dresses and of course, the actual making and preparing of the food, drinks and party favorites. My sisters and brother in law were amazing - helpful, sweet and just there for me - being away from my family, they really helped cheer me up. An so did these lovely people and anyone else who came.

Gorgeous Mariana from Sketchbook Magazine in Jaeger, Sarah from SarahScribbles in a custom made Lira Leirner dress, and me in a Burberry silver layered dress and Lanvin heels.


Bert the designer from Yorkshire Pearl and the 18th century actor everyone knows, Markus Maverick

The Monday after I received some of the best presents I've ever gotten via post - of course from my family. Before that I had received a SINGLE present that wasn't from my family - well, two, if you count Fashion Foie Gras recommendation of my blog as one (which made me really happy!) The other present was a hand made, very comfortable pair of cream trousers by my dear friend Kat who has been there for me in the last few years through thick and thin. I was also given a cheese grater (I love cheese) in the form of a dress (um, I love dresses) by my sister in law - how very clever! My mum sent me a whole package worth of presents but I particularly like the bag - of course.

Awesomely stylish bag - it zips up really strangely, it's very funky.

And now for possibly my favourite present ever! I received it from my sister and it's a "small" collection of pictures of me over the years, carefully and lovingly selected and allocated to themes, including quite a few images I don't remember ever having seen!


"Sleeping"


"What were you thinking" and "headwear"


"Animals" and "crown"

Here's proof I had forgotten - I used to make dresses when I was ten and knit socks when I was seven. Crazy.

See you next year!