It’s Skagen-blossom time…

Whilst floating about my parents’ gardens today (on a visit for Father’s Day), photographing their fruit trees that are all in blossom in defiance of the chill, what should I spy in the nectarine tree but a pretty strange piece of fruit: a silver Skagen watch!

If only…

A more truthfully painted picture: determinedly I march my sister Star about; ruthlessly tug her arm into pleasing compositions; force her to stand on garden seats; bark instructions. “Think graceful! No claws! Shake that hand out!” When she proved somewhat dissatisfactory as a model (ie, she got bored), I banished her back indoors, minus one watch. It was much easier to work with I must say: gave me no sass back.

My sister’s desire for a Skagen watch actually came through her admiration of my own Kenneth Cole watch. After an epic hunt online, Skagen HQ in Denmark directed them to their ‘only’ Australian retailer: the department store David Jones. On their way through the mall to DJ’s, they spied this very watch in another jewellery boutique.

I wonder if Skagen knows their product is actually available on eBay? In fact, they commonly grow on trees these days too.

Poppies for Remembrance

It’s Anzac Day. Today we honour the 60,000 Australian and 18,000 New Zealand men who gave their lives for their nations during the First World War.

When I was in high school the World Wars were a theme in my English and history classes over the last three years of my schooling. I read so many books and poems that moved me to tears; the horrifying numbers of the dead were drilled into us so that we wished we could forget.

Another Anzac Day tradition is the footy match between Essendon and Collingwood, which is a little more cheerful. Go Bombers!

Bad-hair saviours

I hardly need state that everyone has a bad hair-day every now and then.

Traditionally, this implies unruly, recalcitrant hair that defies every attempt to control its appearance whilst unfettered.

In my case the problem is that my hair is too fine and flyaway. And because it is so long, I have a lot of new growth that often creates an unsightly halo when I am after a smooth sleek finish.

Sometimes it is simply a case of bad-morning, not bad-hair, when I have zero minutes to spend on its appearance. This is when my hair accessories really come into their own, and the importance of quality cannot be overstated.

It [the ibis clip] has never let me down – and my hair has never tumbled down unless I fully intended it to.

Years ago I discovered the joys of French hairclips over Chinese imports. There is simply no comparison. The springs in the Paris Mode clips are steel, and they do not snap open at some ill-timed moment. Ditto the ibis clip. It has never let me down – and my hair has never tumbled down unless I fully intended it to.

And the tortoise-shelled hair comb is virtually indestructible, unlike the inferior Lady Jayne version I owned prior to my epiphany. That quickly became gap-toothed as an old lady rocking back in a nursing home. I can bundle my damp hair up in a French roll and secure it with the comb so easily, and when I shake it out – like an advertisement – what a riot of curls!

Of course, there is a pretty price to pay for quality, and it may make you gasp at first. But it will definitely be worth it.

Truth, Love, and Roses

A few days ago I had a conversation on Messenger with X that went a little something like this (well, er, exactly like this – typos included):

Me i'll let you know now as well, because I'm sure now it hasn't occurred to you…
Me i'm not expecting anything for Valentine's Day
Me (that's this special day that many western couples spend together
Me going to dinner,
Me sending flowers
Me buying cards, chocolate…
Me that sort of thing)
X don't tell me you celebrate valentines day..
Me it's very commercialised
X :(
Me uh
X yuck...
Me If you read the above
X girl germs...
Me I said I'm NOT expecting anything
X oh...
Me just clariftying
X k...
X no flowers... check
X no card... check.

So these flowers did not come from X via Interflora. Nor did I buy them for myself. No, some romantic chap sent five bouquets to a friend of mine – one for each year he had been in love with her – and being the lovely lass she is, she decided to share the joy rather than greedily carry them all home for herself. Unfortunately for him, the besotted young man’s love remains unrequited.

This is a true story.

So no chocolates; no flowers; no heart-shaped, lace-trimmed card; no serenade on your doorstep at midnight? Cheer up, it really could be worse. Happy Valentine’s Day.

Love,
Princess.
xx

Dreadlocks and the three shampoos

A few weeks ago I fell victim to a particularly unfortunate phenomenon: one bad hair day turned inexorably into four.

It all began on the first night of my holiday. As it was very late when I arrived at my accommodation I did not wash my hair. It did, however, get splashed with water whilst I showered. Upon waking the next morning, I noticed that it had got FAT!

“I’ve got beach hair!” I exclaimed to X. Unexpectedly, after I washed and dried it the same result occurred.

“It must be the weird, desalinated water in Dubai,” I informed X knowledgably.

However, over the next couple of days my hair did not improve. In fact, it became progressively worse. X politely listened while I railed against the water.

“I might have to do something princessy!” I declared to him ominously, as he forced me to socialise with lank, greasy locks. (I had adopted a headband as an ineffectual disguise.) “... Like wash my hair in bottled water!”

“You don’t think it could be the new shampoo and conditioner you’re using?” X queried mildly.

“No!” I was indignant, and curled my lip. “That’s good quality stuff I’m using – not some supermarket detergent.”

Wanting to travel lightly, I had brought a travel pack size of MOP C-System Hydrating Shampoo for Moisture Replenishment and C-System Hydrating Intensive Conditioner for Medium to Coarse Hair that I had scored in a fashion show goodie bag back in September. I had hoarded them especially for my holiday.

I learned the hard way that free is not necessarily good. They ought to have been labelled ‘especially formulated to promote the creation of dreadlocks’.

Finally, on the fourth day, I experimented with a bit of X’s industrial strength anti-dandruff shampoo, thinking that should get the grease out if nothing else could. I waited breathlessly for it to air-dry (not having brought my hair-dryer with me either)...

Eureka! My hair was back to normal: fine, soft and silky smooth.

That afternoon I went to the closest supermarket and bought the best detergent I could find: John Frieda’s Brilliant Brunette Shine Release Volumizing Shampoo for Fine Hair and Light Reflecting Conditioner for All Hair Types. I used them before I began colouring my hair, so I knew it would be Just Right!

The moral of this tale of woe is: leave that organic stuff for hippies. It's branded MOP for good reason.