JACK { IE } & JILL ..........

John Gray, over at Going Gently, said that, at the moment, Facebook is asking people to post old photographs 0f themselves and why doesn't Blogger do the same. He has posted an old photograph of himself and his sister so, I thought that I would join in and post one of me and my sister..... topless !!!

My sister Jill, and me, up against the coal shed .... {no rude jokes please} !!!!!  God only knows what we are wearing but I presume they are the knickers that were ' en vogue ' at the time ..... they are SO big for us both ..... I think that I'd have a job to fill them now .... as in my body .... I'm not incontinent .... yet !!!! I like to think that my lingerie collection has improved somewhat !! I'm on the left by the way. My feet and knees look filthy and we look as if we could do with fattening up a bit !! 

Happy, carefree days !!

Perhaps we could get bloggers of the world to all post their vintage equivalent of a selfie ?

photo: mine

ANOTHER END OF AN ERA ..........

It has been a sad time in the entertainment community over the last month.

Eagles founder, Glenn Frey is another who has left us but without a great deal said. He, along with Don Henley, made the pilgramage to Los Angeles, both with the same dream ..... to make their mark in the music industry ..... they certainly acheived that and made an impact on the lives of millions.

Like many other bands from my youth, The Eagles songs come laden with association ... emotional and personal.

We saw The Eagles twice at the old Wembly Stadium. As a teenager in the 60's, The Beatles music was the anthem of my youth but, in the 70's, it was also The Eagles.

The world will be just a little less rock and roll without him.

Collage images via guereato quadratin and howl and echoes, videos via youtube

THE PRESENT ..........

My sister, brother-in-law, husband and I have bought  each other ' stuff ' for Christmas for many years. All of the ' stuff ' has been lovely and is distributed around our homes or in our gardens but now we often buy each other consumables as we all have so much ' stuff  '!!!! ...... although, ' stuff ' is most welcome too !!!!

The above is our Christmas present for 2015, yet to be ' cashed in ' .....

' World renowned Adventurer, Phileas J. Fogg of  ' Around the World in 80 Days ' fame, having opened the doors to his Mayfair Residence, received the sad news of the passing of his beloved Aunt, the famous actress Gertrude Fogg.

He was made the sole beneficiary to her estate, including her enchanting pied-à-terre, located at 58, St. Martin's Lane.

It was decreed in the will that Fanny McGee, Aunt Gertrude's lifelong housekeeper, be permitted to set up a jovial tavern for her friend's and theatrical acquaintances downstairs.

Greeted by a raucous welcome, guests can revel in real ales, ' mother's ruin ' gin cocktails and grog, in traditional tankards and pewter cups. Weary travellers will be able to tuck into honest fare including ' London's Finest Pie ' and roast of the day sandwiches all day and night.

' Don't hang about ducky !! We aint got time for no time-wasters and dawdlers ' !!

Mr. Fogg, on the other hand, has kept the upstairs Gin Parlour & Salon to relax with companions away from the hustle and bustle.

For the more discerning ladies and gentlemen, we recommend visiting Aunt Gertrude's Salon upstairs. 132 gins, 14 tonics and a plethora of complimenting botanicals await you.

So, we will, at a date to be arranged, step into the past and partake in some refreshment at Mr Fogg's Tavern, and sample some of the above cocktails on offer.... there are 80 to choose from !! There are many other delights on offer including a Gin Safari, Tipsy Tea with Champagne and Gin teas and .....

.....  Mr Fogg's Hendrick's Winter Botanical Gardens, where one can pause and indulge in thoroughly resplendent repose. Here is a sanctuary, an oasis of calm, a sanctum of imperturbability. Whispers and rumours tell stories of Hendrick's as a most unusual gin, infused with rose petals and cucumber, a gin made oddly some might say. A haven of flora and fauna, guaranteed to send your taste buds into bloom.  

..... and then, after the delights of the tavern, a saunter to Pix Pintxos for some delightful treats !

A glorious Christmas present, I think you'll agree ?!! I will tell you all about it after our visit. 

images 1 & 2: via MW, image 3: via pinterest, image 4: via pretty vacant pirate, image 5: via tomato, image 6: via hyhoi, image 7: via the foodie diaries, images 8 & 9: via bar magazine,  image 10: collage images via urbanologies, inception group, drink up london,google, image 11: via es. paperblog

I'M GONNA SWING FROM THE CHANDELIER ..........

I know that it's old now but I love Chandelier by Sia ..... I like the dancer too ..... Maddie Ziegler ..... she is in nearly all of Sia's videos. This particular video has had over one billion, seventy six million hits !!! ..... and, it never got to number one !!  I am sure that many of you won't like it but we all like different music don't we ?

Anyway, have a listen whilst having a look at some chandeliers that I have photographed, with one of me with a chandelier in Amsterdam ...... I look as if someone has shoved a broomstick up my backside !!!!!!! 

 Chandelier on our landing .....

Chandelier in my favourite Crouch End shop ' Of Special Interest ' .....

Here's one that I saw in a restaurant in Rome .....

Fisherman's Hall, London .....

Amalfi, Italy .....

Found this chandelier in a tiny church high up in the Cinque Terre.

Chandelier in a house in Amsterdam .....

Church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, Rome ....... sparkling chandeliers as far as the eye can see ..... a beautiful sight. They hang from every arch, ceiling and every corner.

Me with a chandelier in an interiors shop in Amsterdam { I told you it looks like someone has stuck a broom up my backside !!!! haha ..... obviously, it's a designer broom !! }

All that's left to do is swing from one !!!! 

Have a sparkling week everyone.

video via YouTube, images 1 - 9: via ME, image 9: via La Bonne Vie

JANUARY REFLECTIONS ..........

Christmas is now all packed away and back in the loft in the ' HOME ' household ..... 

I don't ' do ' New Year resolutions .....

and I shan't be changing the above habit of many years .....

but, I will find more time to hang out with friend's .....

Be forever thankful for where I live and to remember how lucky I am .....

..... stop buying stuff .....

..... and more stuff .....

..... do more creative stuff .....

..... read more { including ' War & Peace '  Rachel !!! } 

..... and, obviously, eat more chocolate !!!!

..... on reflection, maybe I DO make New Year resolutions ..... How about you ?

image 1, 4 & 10: via bonnard 3, image 2: via what if winter is not a place outside, image 3: via agridul, image 5 & 9: via an exquisite waste of time, image 6: via being beau, image 7: via ME, image 8: via creating clever