Ladies of leisure

Yesterday Dr Almostalady Jr and I were ladies of leisure, cruising through London town on my long extravagant pre-birthday treat. We're great believers in extended festivities; it's not the actual day for another month, but since she's leaving the country on Monday to pursue an academic career in the States she won't be around for the real thing. (Ungrateful wretch.)

We implemented a deeply strategic four phase plan for the day, rigorous in its extremes and demanding in its deliverables.

First phase: Shopping

For a successful sibling shopping trip you must follow a few golden rules:
1. You shall not go into shops that make both parties go 'meh'.
2. If one party has found something to try on, the other must try something too (or have something chosen for them by their companion).
3. You shall not go into Barratt's, for it is rubbish.
4. While frequently disputing the acceptable level of boob for office wear, you shall join together to mock people wearing clothes neither of you like.
5. You shall implement frequent booze breaks to maintain equanimity.

Which leads nicely into phase two...

Second phase: Tea for two

Loaded with bags, our next stop was for champagne tea at the Connaught. The house menu boasted a four course sandwich, scone and cake menu (I kid you not), deeply decadent chocolate petits fours and a specially hand-decorated treat for the birthday girl. Yum.

(Pic here for those who have been wondering what The New Haircut looked like. No no, not mine. Hers.)

Third phase: A little self improvement

Late afternoon saw us landing at the Earth salon for a lengthy hair and massage ritual. Three hours of intensive work on the part of my charming stylist resulted in a combination of colour which, while a bit Gothic, is vastly preferable to my natural shade which looks not unlike the dead leaf slush you get underfoot in late October.

Fourth phase: The curtain call

Last but not least, dinner near Charing Cross with maman, fresh from her early soiree at a friend's palatial Cheyne Walk abode. We spent a relaxed hour or so putting the world to rights over a few glasses of wine; also putting in place the first plans for next year's trip to Philadelphia. Only 45 minutes from NYC, or so they tell me.

And finally, home, and the end of a perfect day.

I really must have afternoon champagne more often.