Ugg boots - or perhaps they should be Glugg boots!!

Frou Frou has been here today while Mr Frou Frou helped Mark plaster the walls in my new office studio. I will post pictures later in the week .When I look at the photographs of what that old pig pen building looked like when we first moved here compared to its transformation now and can see my new studio taking shape it is just wonderful - and I can`t wait to have a place to store all my stock and to sit working at my desk looking out through the french windows onto the marsh beyond.

After a few Etsy and Ebay listings Miss Frou Frou and I decided to take a walk along the marsh track. Although still freezing cold it is dry and sunny and we seem to have been fortunate and missed the snow that has blanketed much of southern  UK and parts of France. Digger and Kipper set off at a brisk pace whilst we tagged on behind, dressed like eskimos.

Because it is so dry I had donned my new Venice-bought fur Ugg boots. For the whole walk I carefully avoided each puddle saying "Noooooooooo........ I don`t want to dirty my new Venice boots!".

We had a long walk - and the marsh is still so very beautiful even at this time of year. However, as we approached the track back to the chateau a hunter came driving along towards us in his van. We moved onto the thick grass to let him pass and continued along the springy grass a little but as I stepped back onto the track ........GLUG!    I sank up to my knees and my boots disappeared into the thick gloopy mud! My boots were stuck so fast that I had to step out of them, losing my socks in the process, leaving me standing there bare footed with freezing 'gloop' between my toes  - which I noticed also had a distinct aroma of cow manure!!

Frou Frou was unable to help me, simply standing there laughing with her legs crossed as the sight was so hysterical; she was in danger of having an accident herself through laughing too much! We shouted for help but no one at home could hear us so I had no choice but to get on all fours to retrieve my new boots and then walk home bare footed! Needless to say the boots are now in the washing machine and I am not sure how or if they will come out!      Huh!!  They might even come out looking like a pair of furry little mouse boots!

As for my new blog header picture above -  isn`t it just fascinating? It was sent to me by someone who from time to time calls to sell me the most amazing treasures. I am fascinated just in case he took that picture in his own attic or in one of his barns. I will keep you posted on that one!

As for Etsy - I am loving it and trade is quite brisk. It gives me an opportunity to dig out all those small items that I have been hoarding away in boxes for years!!

I have also listed on Ebay today the most amazing 1930s Paris Opera Ballet hareem outfit. Oh, how I long to be able to squeeze into it and run around the garden like an overgrown albino bat!

And I definitely mean the garden and NOT the marsh!! I think I'll give it a miss until the land dries up a bit!!

A demain mes belles...............

Those velvet shoes.........................

One evening we took in a show which was a wonderful  production with the cast in delicous period costumes...........

It was staged in a small, very beautiful theatre  - and when the leading actor mentioned 'Casanova' Tartlette let out a huge  "purr " as loud as a lion which had the whole audience and cast in stitches! You really can`t take her anywhere!!

A day later we happened to meet up again  with the leading man and Tartelette - in her usual direct, "up-front" manner - went straight over to him and told him that we had been in the audience the night before and confessed to being the noisiest there! He roared with laughter and told her that she had made it a memorable performance for them all and he knew he had a captivated audience that night!!

And so............... to the shopping. Three women on the loose with all those divine Italian shops............dangerous!!

Italian pastries............................heaven!!

Gelato..............no more please.....oh....go on then!

Just too much temptation!

Frou Frou has based her cottage cuisine on a cup cake theme and was particularly keen to get her hands on the Louis Vuitton window display....................

Try getting that cupcake in your suitcase, Mademoiselle!!

Oh how I would have loved this Murano confection. And many of the windows had been dressed in readiness for the traditional carnival week in February........

This is the costume Frou Frou wanted!

I do believe a little window licking took place!

When most of the shops were closing Tartelette spotted some divine silk velvet ballet pumps...............

........soft French grey with a large Parisian pink bow. She HAD to have them but the shop was already closed. We agreed to go back the following morning before leaving for the airport. So after breakfast the next day we set off. But Venice is such a maze of tiny streets we searched and searched for the shop but simply couldn`t find it!!

We re-traced our steps time and time again until we eventually ran out of time. Poor Tartelette - those velvet slippers will have to stay in her dreams along with our time in Venice.
Thank you Tartelette and Frou Frou for such a memorable break!

You both made me laugh till my sides hurt!

I need a holiday to recover from you both!!!

A la prochaine mes belles!

And so to the Cafe Florian............

When The 'Cafe Florian' came into view as we turned the corner in St Mark's Square, it still looked as beautiful and stunning as the very first time I set my eyes on it. As soon as you walk through those doors into the entrance hall bedecked with twinkling chandeliers it is just like stepping back in time.

Tartelette and Frou Frou were totally amazed (as I knew they would be) with the decor and atmosphere.  We were ushered to plush velvet seats by one of the waiters, all of whom wore black tie with long-tailed morning suits

We sat down in one of the six intimate salons which was empty except for a couple  sitting across from us in the opposite corner - and who were locked in a passionate embrace. She was dressed from top to toe in haute couture and casually draped on the seat at her side was her full length mink.

We averted our eyes as best we could -  but they were so engrossed in each other that I'm sure they would not have noticed if we had surrounded them with an orchestra of violins! I simply couldn't not look at her; well, not so much her but what she was wearing. Her jewels.....heavens they were amazing! She was swathed in pink diamonds, even her watch strap was encrusted with jewels.

Was this some sort of aristocratic secret lovers tryst?

When they finally came up for air I had to giggle. They both turned out to be well into their sixties!!! I did try to sneak a photograph but it came out too blurry as I was giggling so much. Anyway............over 60 or not, I say "GET A ROOM " !!!! Poor Tartelette didn`t know where to look.

The lovers stood up, she donned her fur and they swept out on to St Marks Square leaving the  room to ourselves.

The waiter came and took our order which was duly delivered on a silver tray - and Tartlette ordered us not to touch anything until she had photographed it all from every angle!

The Cafe Florian is so divine;I adore the large gilded mirrors that reflect through to each salon..........

...the bronze lamps in each corner.....................

.......and the walls are bedecked with amazing treasures.

The gilded ceilings are a maze of fabulous gilded mirror panels................

the carved marble tables smooth with centuries of use..............

I asked the two girls:   If Casanova himself came sweeping into the salon what look of "allure" would they give him?

Tartelette went for aloof..........

Frou Frou went for coy using her menu as a fan..................

...by which point, Mark went for another hot chocolat!

Cafe Florian.............so memorable, especially with good friends.

Frou Frou didn`t want to leave at all!!

NEXT TIME.............. the girls 'shop till they drop'........... and the silk velvet slippers that got away!

A la prochaine mes belles.............

Tartelette, Frou Frou and that poor unsuspecting gondolier!

I won`t bore you again with the sights of Venice but I can tell you that four days with Tartelette and Frou Frou both on good form and both "loose cannons" have made my ribs hurt from the constant laughter.

We arrived late in Venice so went straight to our hotel.After breakfast the next morning we stepped out into the bright winter sunshine and Tartlette immediately spotted a gondola tied up to the stone steps in front of our hotel. In her usual enthusiastic way ( that is an understatement too!) she had soon accosted the poor unsuspecting gondolier who was enjoying his morning expresso.

He told them that when the Pope visited Venice a few years ago he was one of the chosen goldoliers who rowed the ceremonial gondola.Of course that was the deciding factor and she and Frou Frou were off for a tour! I only just had time to grab my camera!

And they were off! To add to their total joy the gondolier seranaded them as they swished through the jade green waters.........

I soon lost sight of them but I could still hear them laughing so I walked down a few tiny side streets to catch a glimpse of them......................

I could hear the laughter getting closer and saw him delivering them home............

Just look at those faces! Who DO they think they are? !!

By the time they were back on dry land they had completed their full interrogation and knew his family history, age, details of his children and quite possibly his shoes size too!!

As for poor Mark he spent the day trying his hardest to be a tour guide but with three women, hoards of wonderful shops and hidden alleyways he was fighting a loosing battle!!

I do believe it was just toooooooooooooooooooo tempting........................

Mark finally gave up and ordered strong alchohol as we girls sat out at a cafe in the Jewish quarter and sang the Barbara Streisand songs from Yentyl.

Papa could you hear us?..............

Coming next ..................Frou Frou and Tartelette head for Cafe Florian.

A la prochaine......