What a week. Wednesday arrived, the day of the launch and everything we have been working so hard for suddenly arrives. We are running on empty now but adrenaline kicks in and suddenly you find the reserves somewhere to keep going. The party was in Cannes, everyone tunred up and the night was a great success. I can't even remember how many people I spoke to but they all said how much they love the site and that means a lot.
Having said that he would drive me, Norma and Sarah (who flew out for one night only just to give their support - I love you girls) home, Iain proceeded to get completely blotto, so just as well that I drank half a glass of rose and one small vodka cocktail all night and was able to get us home. Sarah was in foetal position in the back of the car, muttering about what a great night she'd had for aproximately 30 seconds before she passed out! Sometimes I really enjoyed being sober, especially the morning after. If you want to read all about it, check out www.fr2day.com.
The girls headed off to the airport the next morning, one bright and bouncy the other jaded and full of Nurofen, while I headed off to the Cannes Film Festival for two weeks of madness. Have to say that being in the hub of the showbiz vibe was a real buzz, I have forgotten how much I miss that. Even though I had to leave today at 7am (in the pouring rain) to get to a screening at the Palais des Festivals, there was a spring in my step. I LOVE films, I used to review movies and go to premieres all the time when I was at The Sun and I can't tell you how brilliant it is to sit in a screening theatre and watch a film that the wider world has not yet seen, in Cannes of all places. Special. Bright Star is amazing, all I can say is go and see it, it is beautifully filmed and a real work of art. Early days but if it doesn't win, I hope it is usurped by something even greater.
Met a lovely journo at the very mad press conference afterwards, Lesley-Ann Jones, whose stuff I have been reading forever. We had a great chat about the mentality of the whole thing (staff who don't know where to direct you, a press conference room that holds a fraction of the journalists who are accredited, I could go on but I might be banned next year if I do.) She is doing a piece on the craziness of it all and was telling me about an Alsatian she saw on the Croisette in a bikini and a baby who had been spray tanned with St Tropez by its weirdo mother, who was quite proud of the fact. I know this place is a bit insane but stories like that make you shiver.
Parties are a big part of the season down here too. Have some great invites - Sam Taylor Wood's party with Harvey Weinstein, Elton and Jade on Sunday eve til late, then a screening at 8.30am Monday morning (so maybe I will sleep in the car,) Victoria Hervey's private dinner and party on Monday night and Paris Hilton and Solange Knowles along with MTV on Wednesday (this one made the girls cry with the unfairness of it all as I know nothing about Paris while they know every bit of trivia having just watched Paris Hilton's BBF on TV and are OBSESSED with her.) Oh and D&G's party on Friday. C'est la vie. Livvy did say, but mum, why would they want YOU there? I had to explain that they are occasional benefits to having spent 20 years in showbiz journalism.
Anyway peeps, need an early night so will be back very soon.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Portofino's so fine!
Just back from a wonderful weekend in Italy to celebrate Justin's 40th. He had no idea we were coming because as far as he was aware, I am covering the Cannes Film Festival at the moment (luckily J never questions anything so didn't realise it actually starts next week!)
We kept in touch with my cousin Michael by text and arrived at Sestri Levante, just down the coast from Portofino to find them wandering along the beach. We managed to creep right up on him and he nearly fell over with surprise. It was a really lovely moment and set the scene for the six of us having a fab weekend.
We explored Santa Margherita Ligure, Sestri Levante and Rapallo, which have a real charm about them. Lots of bright ice cream colours on all the buildings and a very olde worlde seaside feel to the towns. The highlight was Portofino - a place on my must-see list for years now and I wasn't disappointed. Very upscale on the shopping front -Louis Vuitton is the first shop you see as you step off the boat - and so pretty but also very friendly. The people watching is superb, we sat for ages sipping Prosecco on the port and umming and aaahing at all the bling!
One night we ended up at Da Beppe, a family run little restaurant in Santa Margherita, where the food just kept on coming at you. Octopus and potato salad, huge mussels, a whole seabass in Genovese sauce of parsley, garlic and olive oil, the list goes on.
The big family party opposite us must have had seven courses and at the end, a guitarist and singer struck up on their table and gave the most amazing impromptu performance of lots of old Italian songs as well as My Way (which got us all singing, much their amusement and they gave us a big round of applause at the end of it!)
The best bit is that door to door, it is just three hours away, which would have got us to Bournemouth in one direction or Skegness in the other a year ago in the UK! The girls were babysitting the outlaws ( a term of endearment Jean, honest!) and despite the fact that they were stranded at the house with no transport, peace reigned all weekend.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The marathon at last!
What a day Sunday was. More than a little nervous, as I hadn't done so much training in the last month because of work.
So much for the showery, cool, perfect running weather that was forecast - instead it was blazing hot and sunny, fab for the spectators but cruel for the runners. I can't believe that the only two marathons I have run have been in scorching temperatures.
I set off feeling very emotional, there is something about standing on that start line with thousands of other strangers all trying to do your best. Really enjoyed the first 11 miles, ran it all with a big smile on my face and hearing strangers shout your name and encourage you is a very moving experience. Docklands stretch was harder, it's less popluated and seems to go on forever until you loop back to the Highway at Wapping.
Seeing my mum, brother, niece, nephew (who also ran the mini marathon for kids that day) and the rest of my family and friends cheering me on at 11 and 23 miles was pretty amazing, just the tonic you need to keep you going.
From mile 20, it was tough. I had huge blood blisters on both feet (luckily didn't realise until I took off my trainers) and my knees were weak but I thought, there is no way I am giving up after 20 miles!
I crossed the finishing line in 4 hrs 30 mins and 22 secs - 22 minutes faster than my first marathon two years ago - and was so happy I could have cried.
Nell McAndrew, who I interviewed for FR2DAY a few weeks ago, was the fastest celebrity at an amazing 3 hrs 10 mins. Superwoman! And poor Katie Price took over seven hours because of injury, and had to walk the vast majority but she raised £250k for charity so respect to her and every other person who competed that day, as well as my buddy Darren, who did his third marathon.
It's over and I'm saying never again, despite the fact that a few friends have asked me to run it again with them. Don't think I will ever beat that time so what is the point but there is something strangely addictive about that particular race, it really gets under your skin.
So that's it, have enjoyed a few glasses of guilt-free rose since, and it's a lovely feeling.
So much for the showery, cool, perfect running weather that was forecast - instead it was blazing hot and sunny, fab for the spectators but cruel for the runners. I can't believe that the only two marathons I have run have been in scorching temperatures.
I set off feeling very emotional, there is something about standing on that start line with thousands of other strangers all trying to do your best. Really enjoyed the first 11 miles, ran it all with a big smile on my face and hearing strangers shout your name and encourage you is a very moving experience. Docklands stretch was harder, it's less popluated and seems to go on forever until you loop back to the Highway at Wapping.
Seeing my mum, brother, niece, nephew (who also ran the mini marathon for kids that day) and the rest of my family and friends cheering me on at 11 and 23 miles was pretty amazing, just the tonic you need to keep you going.
From mile 20, it was tough. I had huge blood blisters on both feet (luckily didn't realise until I took off my trainers) and my knees were weak but I thought, there is no way I am giving up after 20 miles!
I crossed the finishing line in 4 hrs 30 mins and 22 secs - 22 minutes faster than my first marathon two years ago - and was so happy I could have cried.
Nell McAndrew, who I interviewed for FR2DAY a few weeks ago, was the fastest celebrity at an amazing 3 hrs 10 mins. Superwoman! And poor Katie Price took over seven hours because of injury, and had to walk the vast majority but she raised £250k for charity so respect to her and every other person who competed that day, as well as my buddy Darren, who did his third marathon.
It's over and I'm saying never again, despite the fact that a few friends have asked me to run it again with them. Don't think I will ever beat that time so what is the point but there is something strangely addictive about that particular race, it really gets under your skin.
So that's it, have enjoyed a few glasses of guilt-free rose since, and it's a lovely feeling.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Fetes, Prince Albert and orange cake
What a week. We launched the mag, it looks great, have had a few teething problems but nothing we can't overcome and it's so good to see the fruits of all our hard work finally out there.
One week to go til London marathon, fair to say that I am physically and mentally shattered from working and training. Today I thought I'd sit with my book on Marseille and find out a bit more about it, and promptly fell asleep (no reflection on the delightful second city.) Iam looking forward to it and dreading it in equal measure.
On Monday, we went to the Fete de l'Oranger in the village, see above. It was a beautiful sunny day and the whole village turned out to man stalls, help or just enjoy it. The theme was oranges (this part of the world is famous for them) and the streets were decked with orange bunting and oranges studded into garlands, hanging from the street lamps and balconies - it looked so pretty. Everything for sale had an orange theme, from biscuits, to jams and marmelades and the local vin d'orange liqueur (lethal.) Issy entered the cake competition with an orange, honey and polenta cake she bakes with her best buddy Tabitha but sadly didn't win, even though we all thought it was the best cake there. Her's in the one in the middle, above.
From village fetes to the Top Marques supercar show in Monaco, our first assignment for FR2DAY. Wayne, Lucy, Iain and I left at the crack of dawn to get there and mooched around some amazing cars alongside Prince Albert, who is also a bit of a petrolhead. Then we headed to the VIP bar to have a glass of champagne - Lucy's birthday was the excuse - and ended up meeting a London art dealer and his star painter Paul Karslake, who is the brother-in-law of Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood. Naturally I interviewed him, and as well as being a very talented artist, he was also very entertaining and made a great piece.
Have just heard that the line up for the Cannes film festival is looking fab - Quentin Tarantino, Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt even Bill Clinton and better than that, Now mag have secured me an invitation to the D&G closing party, where all the A list party, so to say I'm a little bit excited would be a gross understatement. New dress anybody?
Would love to write more but just too damn tired - thanks to my loyal little core of readers, please stay tuned and I will tell you all about the horror and joy of the race next week.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Alive alive-o
Well campers, you are now reading the blog of an editor-in-chief....Fr2day.com is finally up and live on the web...just a taster at the mo but check it out and let me know what you think. For all you lovely followers who just can't get enough of me, please feel free to follow the blog about setting up fr2day...it's called www.fr2day.blogspot.com. It's a little joint combo between me and Wayne and we have a running competition about who can be the funniest. As he hasn't posted on there for about two months I think I'm winning (Wayne, before you get on the phone, I know you've been taking to LA and India late into the night and you are happy to let me be the creative one!!!!)
Am so tired I could sleep for a month and REALLY need a holiday but there's currently zero chance of that, which just makes me want one even more. So what can I tell you? Well, lowlight of the last week was getting lost in the mountains on a marathon training run last Saturday. I should've seen the signs when the other four runners (the fastest in my club by a mile) turned up with backpacks, automatic straws to drink from said backpacks, gallons of water, high energy snacks etc etc. Me, I had my iPod Touch to help me out on the hills and er, nothing else, no water (I thought we might pass a few fountains,) no phone and 2 euros to buy some Evian in case we didn't see a fountain. We ended up in the Esterel mountain range near the coast at Theoule where we proceeded to run the interior 27 kilometre circuit!
The first half hour involved running up boulders to the summit at which point I should've just turned around. Then I got lost, basically they were a kilometre ahead of me all the time and when the path split, they took the low track and I took the high one. I spent an hour in thick fog running in different directions, calling out only to hear my own echo and seeing no-one and nothing but rocks and low cloud. I didn't even know which direction the coast was and I really started to panic. Funnily enough, what I thought was 'Bugger, this is my first day off for ages, I'm lost, and I'm probably never gonna make my launch party for the mag now, what a bloody shame.' Wayne was seriously impressed that my first thought was not hubby and kids but the dire disappointment of missing our mag launch party.
Finally bumped into them by accident on a track miles away as I tried to navigate my way back, they looked pleased-ish and bemused to see me while I wanted to scream. So that is my last long run with the club - no more running up mountains on my own.
Met an amazing organic facialist from London called Alexandra Soveral who taught a few of us how to massage away wrinkles and be good to our skin. She was really good fun and I was so impressed I bought all her products and have now been reduced to emptying my wardrobe and donating clothes to a secondhand designer sale to try and claw back some cash!
Other news - went back to London for my brother Justin's 40th - what a great night, so lovely to see him and all my old mates and have a bop with them. And had a perfect Cote d'Azur outing last week (before the rain arrived) playing tennis for one precious hour in the sunshine.
Livvy is back from a week in London doing work experience with Sarah at her PR company in the West End...she lunched, she shopped, she socialised and she even did some work! Sarah said she was very self-motivated and did brilliantly so hopefully it has shown her that hard work really does yield a good life. Having said that she has laid on the bed and the sofa ever since she got home but think that is called being a teen! She was 14 yesterday, we celebrated quietly at home and it was just perfect - sleepover, chicken fajitas and The Apprentice.
Am so tired I could sleep for a month and REALLY need a holiday but there's currently zero chance of that, which just makes me want one even more. So what can I tell you? Well, lowlight of the last week was getting lost in the mountains on a marathon training run last Saturday. I should've seen the signs when the other four runners (the fastest in my club by a mile) turned up with backpacks, automatic straws to drink from said backpacks, gallons of water, high energy snacks etc etc. Me, I had my iPod Touch to help me out on the hills and er, nothing else, no water (I thought we might pass a few fountains,) no phone and 2 euros to buy some Evian in case we didn't see a fountain. We ended up in the Esterel mountain range near the coast at Theoule where we proceeded to run the interior 27 kilometre circuit!
The first half hour involved running up boulders to the summit at which point I should've just turned around. Then I got lost, basically they were a kilometre ahead of me all the time and when the path split, they took the low track and I took the high one. I spent an hour in thick fog running in different directions, calling out only to hear my own echo and seeing no-one and nothing but rocks and low cloud. I didn't even know which direction the coast was and I really started to panic. Funnily enough, what I thought was 'Bugger, this is my first day off for ages, I'm lost, and I'm probably never gonna make my launch party for the mag now, what a bloody shame.' Wayne was seriously impressed that my first thought was not hubby and kids but the dire disappointment of missing our mag launch party.
Finally bumped into them by accident on a track miles away as I tried to navigate my way back, they looked pleased-ish and bemused to see me while I wanted to scream. So that is my last long run with the club - no more running up mountains on my own.
Met an amazing organic facialist from London called Alexandra Soveral who taught a few of us how to massage away wrinkles and be good to our skin. She was really good fun and I was so impressed I bought all her products and have now been reduced to emptying my wardrobe and donating clothes to a secondhand designer sale to try and claw back some cash!
Other news - went back to London for my brother Justin's 40th - what a great night, so lovely to see him and all my old mates and have a bop with them. And had a perfect Cote d'Azur outing last week (before the rain arrived) playing tennis for one precious hour in the sunshine.
Livvy is back from a week in London doing work experience with Sarah at her PR company in the West End...she lunched, she shopped, she socialised and she even did some work! Sarah said she was very self-motivated and did brilliantly so hopefully it has shown her that hard work really does yield a good life. Having said that she has laid on the bed and the sofa ever since she got home but think that is called being a teen! She was 14 yesterday, we celebrated quietly at home and it was just perfect - sleepover, chicken fajitas and The Apprentice.
Monday, March 16, 2009
The tooth, the whole tooth and nothing but the tooth...
March 16th 2009
The last couple of weeks have passed by in a blur. Head down working, having meetings and meeting lots of new people. We found time to go for lunch on the beach at Juan les Pins a couple of weekends ago and it was fab, sitting on a deck with a cold pichet of rose and a plate of seafood watching the waves lap on the shore, warm sunshine on our faces. The weather has warmed up over the last week and is almost - but not quite - bikini warm. After the wettest, coldest winter
here for years it's so good to cast off the ski jackets and boots.
Had a little soiree here on Saturday evening, about 20 friends for sushi and drinks. It was a fab evening, lots of chat, laughter and wine. Much as I miss my friends in the UK, it was really good to have a mix of different people, many of whom are becoming good friends. I feel very lucky to have found that within a year of moving here. Highlights of the night: Iain headbutting the piano and remembering nothing about it. And Mat the lovely sailor throwing his keys drunkenly on the floor as he stood in the middle of me and one of the other lovely ladies and saying, Right who's the lucky girl then? All good clean fun.
Went running tonight with the club as it's five weeks til M day. As we ran through the next village Pont du Loup in the evening twilight with the lights twinkling and the mountains looming over us, I couldn't take my eyes off the view, it is stunning, no matter what time of day or night. I love beaches but my favourite view in the world is mountains.
Tonight was also the night Issy found out the truth about the tooth fairy. She lost a tooth today and was quizzing Iain about how much she would get from the tooth fairy (apparently the going rate is 10 euros. I don't believe it either.) Then: 'Are you SURE you're not the tooth fairy Daddy? Because she writes in messy capital letters, just like you!'
Iain was lamely denying that he is the tooth fairy but she wouldn't let it drop so I told her the truth - Daddy is the fairy in our house. I have always felt that when the girls are old enough to ask, and keep on asking, they are old enough to know the truth. The tooth fairy went mad at me and was quite upset that I had blown his cover, while Issy was shaking her head in disbelief that she had been taken in for so long. I felt a bit sad too, but we still have Santa.
The last couple of weeks have passed by in a blur. Head down working, having meetings and meeting lots of new people. We found time to go for lunch on the beach at Juan les Pins a couple of weekends ago and it was fab, sitting on a deck with a cold pichet of rose and a plate of seafood watching the waves lap on the shore, warm sunshine on our faces. The weather has warmed up over the last week and is almost - but not quite - bikini warm. After the wettest, coldest winter
here for years it's so good to cast off the ski jackets and boots.
Had a little soiree here on Saturday evening, about 20 friends for sushi and drinks. It was a fab evening, lots of chat, laughter and wine. Much as I miss my friends in the UK, it was really good to have a mix of different people, many of whom are becoming good friends. I feel very lucky to have found that within a year of moving here. Highlights of the night: Iain headbutting the piano and remembering nothing about it. And Mat the lovely sailor throwing his keys drunkenly on the floor as he stood in the middle of me and one of the other lovely ladies and saying, Right who's the lucky girl then? All good clean fun.
Went running tonight with the club as it's five weeks til M day. As we ran through the next village Pont du Loup in the evening twilight with the lights twinkling and the mountains looming over us, I couldn't take my eyes off the view, it is stunning, no matter what time of day or night. I love beaches but my favourite view in the world is mountains.
Tonight was also the night Issy found out the truth about the tooth fairy. She lost a tooth today and was quizzing Iain about how much she would get from the tooth fairy (apparently the going rate is 10 euros. I don't believe it either.) Then: 'Are you SURE you're not the tooth fairy Daddy? Because she writes in messy capital letters, just like you!'
Iain was lamely denying that he is the tooth fairy but she wouldn't let it drop so I told her the truth - Daddy is the fairy in our house. I have always felt that when the girls are old enough to ask, and keep on asking, they are old enough to know the truth. The tooth fairy went mad at me and was quite upset that I had blown his cover, while Issy was shaking her head in disbelief that she had been taken in for so long. I felt a bit sad too, but we still have Santa.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Out of the mouths of babes....
March 3rd 2009
There I was, cooking supper when Issy came up to me and said: 'Mum, what would you live on if I confiscated your PC?'
'Fresh air and exercise I suppose', I said absently, stirring the pasta. Then the killer line: 'Would you play with me more?' What do you say to that? She didn't even mean it horribly, she was just interested in my answer. All she has asked me to do with her this half term is play a game of Monopoly and I haven't even had time for that. For the past week, the girls have been in their world doing their own thing, and I've been in mine, working, meeting people, working and then working some more. I'm not moaning, I love work, but there's no food in the fridge, the house looks like a land fill site and I don't hear the kids when they talk to me. Think I have crossed a line.
So, we put on The Feeling and danced around the kitchen singing along, something we haven't done for ages. It felt good. Three more days of half term left and I have promised to go to the Picasso museum in Antibes, as she is mad keen on art, and play that game of Monopoly, hardly a sacrifice as it's my favourite childhood game (right up there with Scrabble.)
She'll be a good source for comedy material in the future. Earlier, she was talking about how Tallulah had brought up loads of braille (she meant bile!) and tonight, when we were discussing my day, she asked how my meeting with a lovely Dutch woman called Sylvia had gone. Sylvia will be a valuable asset to our shopping page on FR2DAY, she knows every cool boutique on the Riviera and is funny to boot. 'Really well,' I said, 'she really knows her stuff on shopping.' 'So is she your guru Mummy ?'
Gotta go, she has just set up Connect 4 and I'd much rather be playing that than writing this.
There I was, cooking supper when Issy came up to me and said: 'Mum, what would you live on if I confiscated your PC?'
'Fresh air and exercise I suppose', I said absently, stirring the pasta. Then the killer line: 'Would you play with me more?' What do you say to that? She didn't even mean it horribly, she was just interested in my answer. All she has asked me to do with her this half term is play a game of Monopoly and I haven't even had time for that. For the past week, the girls have been in their world doing their own thing, and I've been in mine, working, meeting people, working and then working some more. I'm not moaning, I love work, but there's no food in the fridge, the house looks like a land fill site and I don't hear the kids when they talk to me. Think I have crossed a line.
So, we put on The Feeling and danced around the kitchen singing along, something we haven't done for ages. It felt good. Three more days of half term left and I have promised to go to the Picasso museum in Antibes, as she is mad keen on art, and play that game of Monopoly, hardly a sacrifice as it's my favourite childhood game (right up there with Scrabble.)
She'll be a good source for comedy material in the future. Earlier, she was talking about how Tallulah had brought up loads of braille (she meant bile!) and tonight, when we were discussing my day, she asked how my meeting with a lovely Dutch woman called Sylvia had gone. Sylvia will be a valuable asset to our shopping page on FR2DAY, she knows every cool boutique on the Riviera and is funny to boot. 'Really well,' I said, 'she really knows her stuff on shopping.' 'So is she your guru Mummy ?'
Gotta go, she has just set up Connect 4 and I'd much rather be playing that than writing this.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
