I’m in Austria and have just checked WordPress… Ooooooops!
Tuesday 7th, 1.21p.m. 1 new comment awaiting approval: Helena says…
‘Please, please write more! I love this blog but please you don’t write enough! I check it every day! Hx’
In response. Helena thank you. Maybe I should write daily. But I didn’t think that ANYONE would want to read about what I get up to EVERY SINGLE day here. Does it warrant a blog post? And to be honest I didn’t really think that anyone would even care.
So look away NOW if you bore easily.
Where to start… for the past few days I’ve been in Austria’s Viva-Mayr researching skin problems and cures for my next Goddess book. Apparently a clean inside is a good starting point to great looking skin. The research included a colonic (I know you can get one of these anywhere but it’s part of a bigger programme.) It was my first. It was tough. I’d never had a colonic before.
So OK I’ll give you this one Helena… maybe there was something to report. OK YOU WIN!
So…… Helana 1 Gisèle 0
Wednesday 8th, 1.17p.m. 1 new comment awaiting approval: Hattie says…
‘Please, please write more! I know you are very busy but this blog is amazing and I love it! Please write about anything! It can be what you wore today or what you ate for breakfast it would all interest me! I am desperate for more Goddess-y-ness! Please write more!’
In response, Hattie, I ‘got’ a soft boiled egg for breakfast and a cup of green tea. Nothing else to report here except I’ve had two dreams about chocolate Lindt Bunnies (the big ones). And there isn’t much fashion (it’s in deepest Austria and the guests here usually dress for swimming), but I’ve discovered slowly, that both the Austrians here and their foreign guests lead utterly fascinating lives.
So…… Hattie 1 Gisèle 0 (I’m crap at this game).
Thursday 9th, June 2.00a.m.,
I’m sitting in my room now ignoring the ‘lights out at 10pm’ curfew. Huge rainfall has forced me to stay indoors all day. So I haven’t had a run. Oh no… life can be SO CRUEL. You think I’m blissed out? Nuh uh! I geared myself up to be the best detox specimen that Austria had ever had. But I’m no good to them, I crave lattes, pizzas, macaroons and huge creamy cakes too much.
And then…
Then…
You’re all probably asleep at this stage, I’m staring at my bag in my room and thinking hang on there just one minute… should I just grab it and make a run for it. I have to tell you about this amazing new bag I found in London to take on this trip. (I’ve just checked and I’ve photos on my laptop from when I bought it.)
Helena isn’t this more like it…. to talk about USEFUL stuff…. Things like what questions to ask yourself when buying a bag… ‘Are the straps long enough?’ ‘Does it sit right against the body?’ ‘Are the handles too wide, too long, too narrow?’ ‘Does the hardware look wrong?’ ‘Is the colour the right shade?’ ‘Does it look like a bucket?’ ‘Is it heavy on my arm in a good way?’
Um how can the word heavy on my arm ever be followed with the words in a good way? Yes, this is the conversation which rattled about in my head when browsing for a new bag at London based designer Mimi Berry‘s Cheshire Street store (just off Brick Lane) last week.
Founded in 2001 by Mimi Berry after she graduated Central Saint Martins, this British leather goods brand offers a level of craftsmanship and understated design that equals that of many of the fashion industries most prestigious names.
No. Not good enough yet says Helena. Keep going G…..
OK look at the satchels, the totes, the sleek weekend bags, the ice-cream coloured cute clutches, the sweet purses and the separate collection for men. Did I tell you about my Mimi Berry GOLD leather oyster card holder? I love it! And my new Mimi Berry silver leather bag? Mimi uses the best quality Italian leather and her price point is fair and genuine. And best of all look at the gold leather dog collar she made for her dog Dora. Isn’t it chic! Wouldn’t every puppy want one of these?
So voilà, here’s my last few days in a nutshell. When I think back to the care tips that Mimi Berry gave me for my new leather bag in her store ‘Nourish it constantly with the right things and it will take more wear and tear and the skin will wear in beautifully’ it wasn’t far off what I’m learning about skincare here at Viva -Mayr.
So taking time now to wish you all a night filled with chocolate dreams. And also to plant maybe a little seed about where to shop when you’re next looking for something completely British, utterly honest and beautifully crafted.
And of course, to promise you Helena/Hattie that I’ll post more here for you!!! Ooookay, big, big, big hugs until tomorrow!
Hattie says:
Thank you for writing more!! I love what you said! I have a confession. I am Helena. I wrote as 2 people because I thought if more people asked you might be more likely to write. Okay so it is a bit silly but I check here everyday and gobble it all up. I am a bit of a saddo but since I was 6 and got a Sonia Rykiel dress in Paris, I have been addicted to fashion. When I read the Goddess Guide, I just said to myself ‘I want to be Gisele’ and so that is my really pointless story.
I love the bags and my dog would adore that collar (though she acually looks best pearls as she is named Coco after Coco Chanel).
June 10, 2011 at 10:12 am
Hattie says:
And so to finish my sad and pointless tale I have been mad about beauty since I started stealing my mum’s make up at the age of 8 and travel, well I have been travelling since I was tiny. When I was in my mum’s tummy I went to New York (and then I went again later when I was 3/4), when I was 2 I went to Australia for Christmas (my mum is Australian) and I have been going to Paris every year since I was 6 or 7. As for food, my mum is the best chef on the planet (I still crave her jam rolly polly) and in France, well it is the home of good food (my best food experiance being in the south of France where (I was about 8) I didn’t order a starter, this changed my life as the chef, worried I would go hungry, specially made me one of the most delicious dishes I have ever eaten and I still don’t know what is in it).
Okay so now I have yammered on for a bit too long….
June 10, 2011 at 10:48 am
nicola says:
I second (or should that be third?) Hattie/Helena. Ever since I discovered the Goddess books I try to get a bit of lux in my life since I spend most of it running around after two little ones most of the time, and freelancing three jobs, with hardly a moment to myself. It’s your fault Gisèle I have 27 bottles of beauty goo on my bedside table! But thank you, I now have a little routine to keep those wrinkles at bay, I might have started a little late, but I wouldn’t have started at all without the Goddess. x
June 10, 2011 at 2:47 pm
Nadia says:
I fourth Helena/Hattie and Nicola. The Goddess books and now this Goddess blog is really wonderful. I don’t think you realise how important you are to your readers G. So OK you did’t post for two days or so, but your posts are worth waiting for. Can I say like the brave and wonderful Helana/Hattie I too would read anything you wrote. Yes even if it’s what you ate for breakfast or the tiniest thing you see or wear. I love the things you show me. You are too cool. Please remember us all and keep sharing your Goddess magic. Also thanks for being so honest with us here. Big hugs back xxx
June 10, 2011 at 4:48 pm
Gisèle says:
I fifth Hattie/Helena, Nicola and Nadia. Thank you all. It feels like we’re huddled in a corner whispering. xxxx
June 10, 2011 at 5:20 pm
Hattie/Helena says:
Wow. thank you so much Nadia for calling brave and wonderful! I agree it does feel like we are all sitting in a corner whispering! And Nadia is right you don’t know how much you mean to your readers! Did you say you were in Austria doing research for a third Goddess book?
June 10, 2011 at 5:41 pm
Hattie/Helena says:
Oh and G it makes me all tingly just to think that you actually listened to something I said and replied to it! Yes I do have a life!
xxxx
June 10, 2011 at 5:44 pm
Laura Goto says:
This post is utterly amazing. The respect that you have Gisele for your readers is truly amazing. Maybe that’s the reason millions of people have bought and read and adore your books. You are the coolest. xx
June 11, 2011 at 3:51 pm
Hattie/Helena says:
G you said you would write today. Please write soon! Sorry to be so demanding.
xxx
June 11, 2011 at 6:40 pm
Gisèle says:
But I did, I diiiiiiiiiid. xxx : )
June 12, 2011 at 12:42 am
Bláthnaid Richardson says:
You’re in Austria……researching skin problems…….I want your job!!! I wouldn’t mind your mimi berry bag either! ;) I await the third installment of the goddess guide with anticipation! xx
June 14, 2011 at 1:39 am
Tilly Edward Jones says:
So, so beautiful and well made and not a logo in sight. Now these are bags that I would carry. Thanks for finding some real gems here. And agree with you, the silver bag looks amaing. xxT
June 17, 2011 at 6:51 pm
Freda Lalic says:
Truly, truly beautiful G. Trust you to find a bag lable for us to enjoy without a logo in sight. I bet you have a few of these in your collection. I too love the silver bag. Think I’ll visit here too this weekend. Thank G your finds are the best. xF
June 17, 2011 at 7:41 pm
Freda Lalic says:
Oh and a P.S I love Dora the dog’s gold collar. What a great idea. I’d love one of these for my little dog. x F
June 17, 2011 at 7:47 pm
Abigail says:
i completely agree with Hattie/Helena I love reading your blog and of course your books, so super happy to hear your doing research for a 3rd instalment, cant wait.
also love this leather bag post wouldn’t mind a clutch, will have to visit.
Abigail x
June 18, 2011 at 6:21 pm
Gisèle says:
Thanks Abigail for kind words of support. xx
June 22, 2011 at 3:06 pm
Claudia Blake says:
I love this post. Dora the dog is aDORAble. : )Love the bag you chose. Must visit this weekend. Thanks G for the tip-off. x Claudia
June 21, 2011 at 9:15 pm