Last Supper

Hi darlings. Sorry for the picture upload-overload but I've been sooo busy that I just got these little babies onto my computer. Being able to work last week with Zandra present the entire time was truly a one of a kind experience. I got to see the fashion world through the eyes of someone who has been in the business for 40 + years, and at some times it was not pretty.

Zandra is an exceptional artist who produces eminent pieces of clothing. I have never seen a 70 year old with more energy, nor I have a heard one swear as much. Her favorite words are definitely "fucking hell" and she tends to kick things around and slap herself in the face when she gets overwhelmed. One minute she could be screaming about unpicking a garment and the next she'll be coaxing you sweetly and calling you flower or angel. I realize that not only working with Zandra but living with her as well has been more than a dream come true. Tonight is my last night with her since she leaves tomorrow, and I am very sad to say goodbye to such the most unique individual I have ever met in my almost 21 years.

Moving on from the mushy, I had one of the best dinners of my life last night a la Zandra. She loves to cook and entertain when she is in town, and this was the second soiree of hers that I was fortunate enough to be a part of. She had quite the extensive guest list:

First, was Barry Lategan, who is a famed fashion photographer for British Vogue. He became a household name in the UK in the 1970's after discovering Twiggy. Yes, that Twiggy. In fact, Barry was the one who suggested she use the name "Twiggy" after he heard her boyfriend at the time call her twigs. . He recalled what it was like when Twiggy first waltzed into his Baker Street studio: "She sat there and looked straight back at the camera. It's hard to explain what photogenic is but she had it." The pictures of Twiggy above are some that Barry took.

Barry has a very obvious admiration for women and he did not stop taking photos of all of the ladies at the party all night. He explained to me how he loved watching women move and certain mannerisms different women have. He was very soft spoken and I thought it was very obvious that he has been in love with Zandra for decades. He absolutely adored her, just as everyone who meets her does. Here is Barry's official website: http://www.barrylategan.com/index.html

The second famous guest was British singer and personality Lulu. I had not heard about Lulu until Friday, and everyone in the office was so thrilled that she was going to be coming. Lulu is famous for her hit song, "To Sir, With Love", as well as being a reoccurring star on one of my all time fave shows "Absolutely Fabulous". When we were all out on Zandra's terrace last night, her gay queenie neighbors were having a swinging party outside as well, and when all 20 of the guys spotted Lulu they all went nuts. I guess her famous tagline is "Champagne for Lulu!" and that's what all of those girly men were shouting. It was a sight to be seen. She was gorgeous and tiny and could not have been more sweet and bubbly. She brought two Swedish friends who were both rude and boring.

Michelle had two friends over, and Andrew Logan's partner Michael also joined us, as did a lovely girl named Ella who works for Vogue.com. As for the menu, we had

Chilled melon soup (A Zandra specialty)
Whole cooked salmon (picture above)
English buttered peas
Roasted tomatoes with rosemary (that I picked) from the garden
Rocket (arugula) salad from the garden
Potatoes
Home made apple crumble with double cream AND ice cream
Mint tea with fennel

Truly incredible...until I had to do the dishes....

Some of the other pictures I posted were from different times this week. The top one of Zandra was this morning for a photo shoot with her 70 hand bags. Then we have me, Zandra and Michelle, and then Zandra with Barry, and a pic of some of the food. The other pictures are ones I took last Thursday while walking home from dinner in Embankment. I took the Millennium bridge across the Thames and was lucky to get a gorgeous sunset. The creepy insane asylum looking building is the Tate Modern Museum.

Today I painted and gardened all day and then helped Zandra, Michelle and Frances work on the bridal gown that Zandra has to take back to the US tomorrow. That is all for now - only one more week left for me here! xoxoox