Sunday, December 31, 2006
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Christmas at Kettles
There's nothing quite like waking up at Kettles on Christmas morning under a Couverture vintage quilt! The distant sound of a carol concert drifting upstairs, then creeping down in my 100% cashmere bedsocks (an extravagance, i concur) to find Ma and Pa stoking the fire...divine.
Christmas was lovely. My brother Ptolemy was there with his darling girlfriend Gracie (they were at the RCA together and now run their own furniture design company Ptolemy-Grace, centering on the trad-modern style. Their concrete benches embedded with Victorian flower motifs are in Elle Deco practically every month).
Being at home was a real tonic; lots of late suppers, kippers, cocoa and hot buttered toast. Muddy walks down the lane, hot toddies and sing-songs at the pub. No cocktails, just warm beer.
Nancy's presents went down a storm; my family took to her immensely and treated her like one of their own.
Pa made me promise to slow down a bit and was very relieved to hear that I had come to that conclusion myself. They were all terribly intrigued by Ludo Jansdotter and think he sounds infinitely fascinating. I have very much missed him actually and I think I may have been a bit silly about the whole thing. I'm going to put all this Celine/Tony Novembre nonsense out of my head and just enjoy things as they are for once.
Ho-hum...I am not relishing the prospect of going back to London; Issue 11 and Graziella's tedious sagas. I shall have to put on a brave face.
Christmas was lovely. My brother Ptolemy was there with his darling girlfriend Gracie (they were at the RCA together and now run their own furniture design company Ptolemy-Grace, centering on the trad-modern style. Their concrete benches embedded with Victorian flower motifs are in Elle Deco practically every month).
Being at home was a real tonic; lots of late suppers, kippers, cocoa and hot buttered toast. Muddy walks down the lane, hot toddies and sing-songs at the pub. No cocktails, just warm beer.
Nancy's presents went down a storm; my family took to her immensely and treated her like one of their own.
Pa made me promise to slow down a bit and was very relieved to hear that I had come to that conclusion myself. They were all terribly intrigued by Ludo Jansdotter and think he sounds infinitely fascinating. I have very much missed him actually and I think I may have been a bit silly about the whole thing. I'm going to put all this Celine/Tony Novembre nonsense out of my head and just enjoy things as they are for once.
Ho-hum...I am not relishing the prospect of going back to London; Issue 11 and Graziella's tedious sagas. I shall have to put on a brave face.
Friday, December 22, 2006
A Martha Stewart Christmas
Nancy has made us all Martha Stewart snow globes for Christmas. Most of Nancy's stuff is a load of old junk but I dig her enthusiasm and the effort she puts in.
I don't particularly dig the bronze-sprayed willow twigs, adorned with papier-mache reindeer, currently sitting rather camply in the corner of my sitting room. I suppose, at least, it saves me hoovering up the pine needles for the next six months...
...Nancy just asked me if I have any double-sided sticky tape. As we speak she is constructing something involving pressed flowers, gold twine and retro band badges.
Ludo Jansdotter is staying in Helsinki with his family for Christmas so I'm taking Nancy down to Devon to spend Christmas with mine. Her parents are in the US where her mum's hosting the 20th Annual Women's Herbal Conference in New Hampshire.
Oh! We found Mischa Barton by the way. She'd accidentally got trapped in the cellar - can't imagine how. Still, it was nice to stop sneezing for a couple of days.
I don't particularly dig the bronze-sprayed willow twigs, adorned with papier-mache reindeer, currently sitting rather camply in the corner of my sitting room. I suppose, at least, it saves me hoovering up the pine needles for the next six months...
...Nancy just asked me if I have any double-sided sticky tape. As we speak she is constructing something involving pressed flowers, gold twine and retro band badges.
Ludo Jansdotter is staying in Helsinki with his family for Christmas so I'm taking Nancy down to Devon to spend Christmas with mine. Her parents are in the US where her mum's hosting the 20th Annual Women's Herbal Conference in New Hampshire.
Oh! We found Mischa Barton by the way. She'd accidentally got trapped in the cellar - can't imagine how. Still, it was nice to stop sneezing for a couple of days.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Poem schmoem
TO:pippa@weekendbirdie
FROM:natalie@nataliespooner.com
RE: poem schmoem!
Did you see that dada poem Loretta sent? What a lot of rot! As if those words came out in a random order! She's vindictive I tell you, vin-bloody-dictive!
Natalie Spooner
Author
Loretta's poem
TO:natalie@nataliespooner.com
CC:pippa@weekendbirdie, nancy@a-zmodels, celine@bicyclettebleu
FROM:loretta@yellowclog
RE:a dada poem
As Gore Vidal once said...
TO:pippa@weekendbirdie
FROM:loretta@yellowclog
RE:Spooners
I suppose you saw Cave Spooner's review of Yo Beowulf? Those two are so self-important, probably just jealous. As Gore Vidal once said:
"Whenever a friend succeeds, a little something in me dies."
And I know it's irrational; YoB is a roaring success, but I thought better of the Spooners. We're friends, aren't we supposed to rub each other's backs? They're so...Spooner-centric!
I'm going to soak in a hot bath and write a dada poem.
Loretta x
Cat stories
Nancy is staying with me because Pedro is on tour and she wants to prove a point by not following him around like a groupie.
She brought her cat Mischa Barton.
I am not a fan of cats, but most of all, I am not a fan of the cat story.
"Oh look Pippa did you see what she did? Did you see Pip, did you? She kissed her mummy, she kissed her mummy didn't you Mischa Barton, didn't you!"
And:
"Yesterday I came in the front door Mischa Barton was sitting on that ledge there, where you keep your keys and letters and stuff and she was waiting for me to come home and when she saw me, she put her little paws up, both of them, and waved! Oh look Pip, she's doing it now! Yes Mischa Barton, YES!"
Suffice to say, I have had Mischa Barton up to HERE.
Ludo and I are having a little time apart. I haven't mentioned anything about my unpacking though, he's in Helsinki for a couple of weeks working on his Finnish Folk Tales coffee table book. It's good because I really need to put some energy into Issue 11.
I've also decided to put a few evening classes on hold, apart from Progressive Urdu (because I am coming up to my level 3 exam), French Scrabble (because I go with Natalie and it's practically my only chance to see her) and Interpreting the Tambourine (which is just too uplifting to quit).
I've knocked Three-Legged Merengue on the head. It's just ridiculous!
She brought her cat Mischa Barton.
I am not a fan of cats, but most of all, I am not a fan of the cat story.
"Oh look Pippa did you see what she did? Did you see Pip, did you? She kissed her mummy, she kissed her mummy didn't you Mischa Barton, didn't you!"
And:
"Yesterday I came in the front door Mischa Barton was sitting on that ledge there, where you keep your keys and letters and stuff and she was waiting for me to come home and when she saw me, she put her little paws up, both of them, and waved! Oh look Pip, she's doing it now! Yes Mischa Barton, YES!"
Suffice to say, I have had Mischa Barton up to HERE.
Ludo and I are having a little time apart. I haven't mentioned anything about my unpacking though, he's in Helsinki for a couple of weeks working on his Finnish Folk Tales coffee table book. It's good because I really need to put some energy into Issue 11.
I've also decided to put a few evening classes on hold, apart from Progressive Urdu (because I am coming up to my level 3 exam), French Scrabble (because I go with Natalie and it's practically my only chance to see her) and Interpreting the Tambourine (which is just too uplifting to quit).
I've knocked Three-Legged Merengue on the head. It's just ridiculous!
La cucaracha
To:pippa@weekendbirdie
From:maribel-de-las-casas@vavavoom
RE:hola guapa
hola p
oi my legs is hurt from the merengue yesterday night but que divertido no? i laugh so much when julio show you the maracas mochacha - so funny your face. i think ludo is jealous no?
i went to la cucaracha after you go home, with julio, alejandro, skye and milo. many mojitos and crazy dancing with alejandro. now i feel like big bang in my head and esteban is so angry with me for come home at 5am!!! i tell him is all for my work i need networking (correct english?).
next week you must to come with us - it is too fun.
now this morning i have shoot for big spread in korea vogue and they ask me wear my hula hula bikini - dios mio my face is terrible. maybe i go to see shrini for facial and massage before.
besitos my merengue miracle!
bel
From:maribel-de-las-casas@vavavoom
RE:hola guapa
hola p
oi my legs is hurt from the merengue yesterday night but que divertido no? i laugh so much when julio show you the maracas mochacha - so funny your face. i think ludo is jealous no?
i went to la cucaracha after you go home, with julio, alejandro, skye and milo. many mojitos and crazy dancing with alejandro. now i feel like big bang in my head and esteban is so angry with me for come home at 5am!!! i tell him is all for my work i need networking (correct english?).
next week you must to come with us - it is too fun.
now this morning i have shoot for big spread in korea vogue and they ask me wear my hula hula bikini - dios mio my face is terrible. maybe i go to see shrini for facial and massage before.
besitos my merengue miracle!
bel
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Rainy days and Mondays
Some feelings I need to unpack: Ever since Ludo Jansdotter came back from Paris, I have been feeling a little uncertain. Don’t get me wrong, I think I really do heart him, but it’s all been such a whirlwind and I am so very tired.
I thought the reason I liked Ludo Jansdotter was his get up and go but if I have to wake up one more morning with a Mitch Martini hangover, before an afternoon of Parkour for Beginners, and dinner and dance at The Cuckoo Club, I think I shall collapse.
Recently, I have been thinking about Celine and how happy she is looking after Agnes and Etienne. OK there is the occasional film review for La Bicyclette Bleu, singing every Saturday night (and alternate Thursdays) at Soiree, manning the phones at Les Samaritans twice a week, but it’s a simple life. I suppose what I’m trying to say is that maybe I’d like a nice husband one day soon, and maybe even a family. And I can’t imagine Ludo Jansdotter is ready for all that.
And all this is compounded by the fact that I heard on the grapevine that my ex, playboy celebrity hair-designer, Tony Novembre is getting married next month on a beach somewhere in Zanzibar, where they’re going to settle down and export woven goods to overpriced shops in Notting Hill.
Deep breath…sigh…
…And then I look at someone like Maribel de las Casas, whizzing around the world, party after party, and I think she’d be happy doing that forever.
Deeper sigh…
…I saw an elderly couple holding hands this morning. It made me cry. Rainy days and Mondays always get me down.
Gosh I’ve just had an epiphany! Ludo Jansdotter is actually me, in male art director/photographer/graphic artist/illustrator David LaChapelle-type form. We’re exactly the same, what with our 100 projects at once and countless after school activities.
Now I’m really confused. This warrants more unpacking than I had first envisaged.
I’m coming down with something. Imagine how much I feel like meeting Maribel de las Casas in 2 hours for Three-Legged Merengue.
I thought the reason I liked Ludo Jansdotter was his get up and go but if I have to wake up one more morning with a Mitch Martini hangover, before an afternoon of Parkour for Beginners, and dinner and dance at The Cuckoo Club, I think I shall collapse.
Recently, I have been thinking about Celine and how happy she is looking after Agnes and Etienne. OK there is the occasional film review for La Bicyclette Bleu, singing every Saturday night (and alternate Thursdays) at Soiree, manning the phones at Les Samaritans twice a week, but it’s a simple life. I suppose what I’m trying to say is that maybe I’d like a nice husband one day soon, and maybe even a family. And I can’t imagine Ludo Jansdotter is ready for all that.
And all this is compounded by the fact that I heard on the grapevine that my ex, playboy celebrity hair-designer, Tony Novembre is getting married next month on a beach somewhere in Zanzibar, where they’re going to settle down and export woven goods to overpriced shops in Notting Hill.
Deep breath…sigh…
…And then I look at someone like Maribel de las Casas, whizzing around the world, party after party, and I think she’d be happy doing that forever.
Deeper sigh…
…I saw an elderly couple holding hands this morning. It made me cry. Rainy days and Mondays always get me down.
Gosh I’ve just had an epiphany! Ludo Jansdotter is actually me, in male art director/photographer/graphic artist/illustrator David LaChapelle-type form. We’re exactly the same, what with our 100 projects at once and countless after school activities.
Now I’m really confused. This warrants more unpacking than I had first envisaged.
I’m coming down with something. Imagine how much I feel like meeting Maribel de las Casas in 2 hours for Three-Legged Merengue.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Opening night
The Yo Beowulf opening night was a triumph, assisted no end by some glowing reviews:
'One of the most moving productions I have had the pleasure to critique in all my years in theatre.'
'The puppets moved with a poignant vulnerability.'
'Although a good 20 minutes too long, the four and a half hour production was utterly engaging.'
'Enchanting, entrancing, enriching…I am a better man for this production.'
There were 3 less complimentary:
'It lacked the intensity of earlier works such as 'Strindberg On Trapeze.'
'An exercise in utter pretension.'
'The biggest pile of doggy doo-doo I have had the misfortune to witness.' (Cave Spooner) (oh dear)
And one of particular note:
'Special praise must go to thumb #46 in battle no.12 which had such flair, not witnessed in shadow puppetry before.'
Ludo Jansdotter missed the show but turned up at the after-show party at the Bungalow Club. There was a slightly awkward moment when Nancy (who is so self-absorbed she had somehow missed the fact that we are having a dalliance) promptly threw herself at him, much to my and her boyfriend Pedro’s chagrin.
Rolf+Margot were there with their twin dogs Gilbert+George. Margot has had her fringe cut far too short and now resembles Emo Philips circa 1985. They congratulated me on Sofia Coppola. I congratulated them on Nicky Hilton. (Hee-hee)
It's so childish but I secretly enjoy this petty competition.
Pfeiffer Braun took to the stage in an impromptu jazz flute performance, joined by Pedro on bongos and Celine, Agnes and Etienne on vocals. Then Nancy got very drunk, jumped on the stage and proceeded to sing REO Speedwagon’s entire back catalogue.
Loretta spent the evening in a smoky corner rehearsing her speech which she 'performed' at the end of the night using a combination of mime and interpretative dance .
Then, in the morning, Ludo Jansdotter accidentally put on my new boyfriend jeans and left the house in them. I suppose he took the name a bit too literally. Let's thank our lucky stars it wasn’t my Sass and Bide skinnys.
'One of the most moving productions I have had the pleasure to critique in all my years in theatre.'
'The puppets moved with a poignant vulnerability.'
'Although a good 20 minutes too long, the four and a half hour production was utterly engaging.'
'Enchanting, entrancing, enriching…I am a better man for this production.'
There were 3 less complimentary:
'It lacked the intensity of earlier works such as 'Strindberg On Trapeze.'
'An exercise in utter pretension.'
'The biggest pile of doggy doo-doo I have had the misfortune to witness.' (Cave Spooner) (oh dear)
And one of particular note:
'Special praise must go to thumb #46 in battle no.12 which had such flair, not witnessed in shadow puppetry before.'
Ludo Jansdotter missed the show but turned up at the after-show party at the Bungalow Club. There was a slightly awkward moment when Nancy (who is so self-absorbed she had somehow missed the fact that we are having a dalliance) promptly threw herself at him, much to my and her boyfriend Pedro’s chagrin.
Rolf+Margot were there with their twin dogs Gilbert+George. Margot has had her fringe cut far too short and now resembles Emo Philips circa 1985. They congratulated me on Sofia Coppola. I congratulated them on Nicky Hilton. (Hee-hee)
It's so childish but I secretly enjoy this petty competition.
Pfeiffer Braun took to the stage in an impromptu jazz flute performance, joined by Pedro on bongos and Celine, Agnes and Etienne on vocals. Then Nancy got very drunk, jumped on the stage and proceeded to sing REO Speedwagon’s entire back catalogue.
Loretta spent the evening in a smoky corner rehearsing her speech which she 'performed' at the end of the night using a combination of mime and interpretative dance .
Then, in the morning, Ludo Jansdotter accidentally put on my new boyfriend jeans and left the house in them. I suppose he took the name a bit too literally. Let's thank our lucky stars it wasn’t my Sass and Bide skinnys.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Natalie Spooner -Author
To:pippa@weekendbirdie
From:natalie@nataliespooner.com
RE:a rant
Loretta keeps leaving messages asking whether Cave is going to the press night of Yo Beowulf – a shadow puppet cabaret and whether he’s ‘going to be kind’. I don’t know, he’s rather preoccupied with the book launch at the mo and I’m too busy to think about it.
I've got to come all the way up to you to look over the Vanity Fair shoot and then all the way down to Newsnight Review who are doing a special report on me. And they’re probably going to go on and on about how female writers are getting more and more glam and how it’s detracting from ‘the work’ and how I shouldn’t be on the front of Loaded in my underwear if I want to be taken seriously.
Well boo-hoo, I am taken seriously. The Politico was at number 1 for months, I was shortlisted for the Orange Prize, Modernity is tipped for the Booker and I’m married to l’homme du jour Cave Spooner for God’s sake. I think I’m just too post-modern for the average Joe.
I've got to come all the way up to you to look over the Vanity Fair shoot and then all the way down to Newsnight Review who are doing a special report on me. And they’re probably going to go on and on about how female writers are getting more and more glam and how it’s detracting from ‘the work’ and how I shouldn’t be on the front of Loaded in my underwear if I want to be taken seriously.
Well boo-hoo, I am taken seriously. The Politico was at number 1 for months, I was shortlisted for the Orange Prize, Modernity is tipped for the Booker and I’m married to l’homme du jour Cave Spooner for God’s sake. I think I’m just too post-modern for the average Joe.
See you later at French Scrabble.
Natalie xxx
Natalie Spooner
Author
Friday, November 24, 2006
Missing you...
The Vanity Fair shoot was a breeze. It was a sexy librarian story with Natalie posing in Maribel de las Casas swimwear among the antiquarian books at the British Library.
She was a little subdued though; she’s been getting a bit of bad press recently. In fact, everyone’s a bit miserable at the mo, what with Nancy and Loretta snapping at each other and I’m suffering a little from S.A.D myself, especially as I am missing Ludo Jansdotter something rotten. Not helped by going to Progressive Urdu last night and everyone in my class asking where he was and recounting anecdotes from the night we all went out.
So it was a real tonic to get this card this morning accompanied by a basket of brioche from Boulangerie Delacroix.
She was a little subdued though; she’s been getting a bit of bad press recently. In fact, everyone’s a bit miserable at the mo, what with Nancy and Loretta snapping at each other and I’m suffering a little from S.A.D myself, especially as I am missing Ludo Jansdotter something rotten. Not helped by going to Progressive Urdu last night and everyone in my class asking where he was and recounting anecdotes from the night we all went out.
So it was a real tonic to get this card this morning accompanied by a basket of brioche from Boulangerie Delacroix.
I think I heart Ludo Jansdotter.Sunday, November 12, 2006
Oh dear oh deary me
To:pippa@weekendbirdie
From:nancy@a-zmodels
RE:loretta
Lordie Loretta is such a BORE! I’ve only got a small part so there’s no need for me to be at rehearsals 24 hours a day is there? So I’m flogging some stuff round the back of the theatre and she’s like “NANCEEEEE? NANCEEEEE?” and she storms out there with her hobnailed boots and cigarette holder looking all Ann Demeulemeester meets Cruella de Vil and just completely frightens off these poor little Japanese tourists I was selling to.
She needs to get a life, Yo Beowulf’s not exactly Brecht!
Plus she's one of those people who says "Correct" instead of yes, e.g "Can I go to lunch now Loretta?" "Correct"!
She needs to get a life, Yo Beowulf’s not exactly Brecht!
Plus she's one of those people who says "Correct" instead of yes, e.g "Can I go to lunch now Loretta?" "Correct"!
Toodles,
*****NANCY*****
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Oh dear
TO:pippa@weekendbirdie
FROM:loretta@yellowclog
RE: Nancy
Lord! Nancy is driving me mad, she's so flighty! Has she always been like this? She spends most of her time sitting on the steps outside, draped around her boyfriend while he plays the bongos. Thank goodness she only has a small part.
Yesterday in rehearsals her thumb was meant to come on and I called and called and had everyone scuttling round the theatre looking for her and there she was, just outside the stage door selling some of her old tat from a stall! She simply can’t commit to ANYTHING!
Plus, she keeps confusing Jacques Cousteau with Jean Cocteau e.g "This set is sooo Jacques Cousteau." Ridiculous.
Yesterday in rehearsals her thumb was meant to come on and I called and called and had everyone scuttling round the theatre looking for her and there she was, just outside the stage door selling some of her old tat from a stall! She simply can’t commit to ANYTHING!
Plus, she keeps confusing Jacques Cousteau with Jean Cocteau e.g "This set is sooo Jacques Cousteau." Ridiculous.
Anyway…miss you. Let’s have dialogue ASAP.
Loretta x
Lunch with C.B
Soooo busy. Lunch with Charlotte Gainsbourg was lovely and it transpires that Ludo Jansdotter knows her mother since they attended the same Hungarian Throat Warbling class so I had no need to worry about him using me to get to her. Silly, silly Pip!
Still, I’m sure she may be somewhat perturbed to know he makes strange experimental films about her, nay alarmed!
Anyway, Miss Gainsbourg doesn’t half talk but she is such a natural beauty, I was quite spellbound. After lunch we had brandy and chocolates at the Covent Garden Hotel and what with all the hot yoga in the morning, it turned out to be quite an exhausting day.
Ludo Jansdotter is off to Paris tomorrow for a few days working on a Diesel ad so I will have a chance to catch my breath. Hoping he’ll be back in time to escort me to the opening night of Yo Beowulf – a shadow puppet cabaret.
I’ve got Natalie Spooner’s Vanity Fair shoot this week to keep me occupied. Graziella and I are up to our eyes in Maribel de las Casas swimwear. I do miss having Celine around to share all this with, but alas she is stuck in Paris with the little bebes and busy enough keeping la bicyclette bleu en float.
Still, I’m sure she may be somewhat perturbed to know he makes strange experimental films about her, nay alarmed!
Anyway, Miss Gainsbourg doesn’t half talk but she is such a natural beauty, I was quite spellbound. After lunch we had brandy and chocolates at the Covent Garden Hotel and what with all the hot yoga in the morning, it turned out to be quite an exhausting day.
Ludo Jansdotter is off to Paris tomorrow for a few days working on a Diesel ad so I will have a chance to catch my breath. Hoping he’ll be back in time to escort me to the opening night of Yo Beowulf – a shadow puppet cabaret.
I’ve got Natalie Spooner’s Vanity Fair shoot this week to keep me occupied. Graziella and I are up to our eyes in Maribel de las Casas swimwear. I do miss having Celine around to share all this with, but alas she is stuck in Paris with the little bebes and busy enough keeping la bicyclette bleu en float.
All Paris speaks about it!
To:pippa@weekendbirdie
FROM:celine@bicyclettebleu
RE:what continues?
Pippa! What is all this that I must intend to speak about you and of Ludo Jansdotter? All Paris speaks about it. Loretta indicated Nancy, Nancy indicated Pfeiffer and Pfeiffer indicated to me. Nouvelles please!
I manque of Pfeiffer terribly and donot can wait to come to see - they indicate to me its solo of groove as something to behold.
This evening I sing in a new club in Montmartre called by Rififi. Only me and the accordian. It promises to be a great exposure.
Thank you for your flowers and bonbons for Agnes, it recovers well of measles.
Soignoise,
Celine
xxxxxx
I manque of Pfeiffer terribly and donot can wait to come to see - they indicate to me its solo of groove as something to behold.
This evening I sing in a new club in Montmartre called by Rififi. Only me and the accordian. It promises to be a great exposure.
Thank you for your flowers and bonbons for Agnes, it recovers well of measles.
Soignoise,
Celine
xxxxxx
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
A master class
Well, I’m all for a free lunch at Chatulle and plentiful air kisses but it wasn’t half a palaver (ooh, get me coming over all cockney) flying to Milan for a 30 minute meeting.
So I took the opportunity to meet up with swimwear designer to the stars and general bon vivant, Maribel de las Casas. She gave me 2 leopard print bikinis and a kaftan! Then we did drinks and dancing at Just Cavalli and crashed at her pad.
Anyway, Ludo Jansdotter is as special as expected and working with him was a master class. He literally took my contact sheet in one hand, a razor blade, paint brush and typewriter in the other (well, not quite literally) and 3 hours later we had our whole story. Just emailed the prints to Sofia.
After that we hopped on his Vespa and went for Japanese Mojitos at The Zetter, then the crazy fool demanded to come to Progressive Urdu with me, wowed everyone by picking it up in 10 minutes and insisted on taking my whole class out to dinner!
Tomorrow he’s taking me to Bikram yoga and then to lunch with Charlotte Gainsbourg who, rumour has it, is also a big fan of Weekend Birdie.
It’s so nice to go out with a man who wants to do more than just dinner and a movie. I have been thoroughly swept off my feet.
Mmm…just thought of something. I hope this lunch with Charlotte Gainsbourg isn’t just a ruse to get close to Jane Birkin, he is a little obsessed…and I met Jane Birkin a few weeks ago when I shot her for Issue 11. Just a thought.
So I took the opportunity to meet up with swimwear designer to the stars and general bon vivant, Maribel de las Casas. She gave me 2 leopard print bikinis and a kaftan! Then we did drinks and dancing at Just Cavalli and crashed at her pad.
Anyway, Ludo Jansdotter is as special as expected and working with him was a master class. He literally took my contact sheet in one hand, a razor blade, paint brush and typewriter in the other (well, not quite literally) and 3 hours later we had our whole story. Just emailed the prints to Sofia.
After that we hopped on his Vespa and went for Japanese Mojitos at The Zetter, then the crazy fool demanded to come to Progressive Urdu with me, wowed everyone by picking it up in 10 minutes and insisted on taking my whole class out to dinner!
Tomorrow he’s taking me to Bikram yoga and then to lunch with Charlotte Gainsbourg who, rumour has it, is also a big fan of Weekend Birdie.
It’s so nice to go out with a man who wants to do more than just dinner and a movie. I have been thoroughly swept off my feet.
Mmm…just thought of something. I hope this lunch with Charlotte Gainsbourg isn’t just a ruse to get close to Jane Birkin, he is a little obsessed…and I met Jane Birkin a few weeks ago when I shot her for Issue 11. Just a thought.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Working with Ludo Jansdotter is a joy!
Got an impromptu meeting at Vogue Italia so I'll fill you in on my first creative jam with Ludo Jansdotter when I get back. Truuuly cohesive.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Who's that girl?...Natalie
Mensa member Natalie grew up in a suburb of Los Angeles and was raised by her bohemian Nana Betsy who encouraged her keen spelling ability.
When her Nana won the lottery, she sent Natalie to a respected English finishing school where she learnt to walk with a book on her head.
One day she took the book off and is now a successful author and married to theatre critic Cave Spooner.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Hola Guapa
To:pippa@weekendbirdie
From:maribel-de-las-casas@vavavoom
RE:hola guapa
pippa mi amor
como estas? i have really sorry not see you in the Helsinki. i did see your friend Ludo at the party for the my new swimwear - Va Va Voom - he did take the photos for the catalog and he say me that you had meeting with sofia coppola - que suerte - she is the my hero!
everything happen in helsinki now no? but so cold. now i come back to madrid and next week new york for more Va Va Voom promocion with spike jonze, then finally i go to ile de rey with esteban - my new boyfriend - i tell you him no? be in love is life. life is crazy!
thank you for the invitation to the party for the book of cave spooner - i will go to it and i see you there yes? i hope. we can dance and chat many things.
besitos
maribel de las casas
From:maribel-de-las-casas@vavavoom
RE:hola guapa
pippa mi amor
como estas? i have really sorry not see you in the Helsinki. i did see your friend Ludo at the party for the my new swimwear - Va Va Voom - he did take the photos for the catalog and he say me that you had meeting with sofia coppola - que suerte - she is the my hero!
everything happen in helsinki now no? but so cold. now i come back to madrid and next week new york for more Va Va Voom promocion with spike jonze, then finally i go to ile de rey with esteban - my new boyfriend - i tell you him no? be in love is life. life is crazy!
thank you for the invitation to the party for the book of cave spooner - i will go to it and i see you there yes? i hope. we can dance and chat many things.
besitos
maribel de las casas
Yo Beowulf shoot
Rehearsals continueYo Beowulf (a shadow puppet cabaret) is actually very impressive. I didn't think it was going to be my bag but it's truly cohesive. No wonder Loretta is so esteemed in the world of performance-experimental-theatre-art...or whatever.
And Pfeiffer Braun's flute solo at the end of Act II is a revelation. I had almost like, a spiritual epiphany.
Nancy was there. Loretta's given her a bit part; her left thumb is involved in a battle scene.
Anyway, off to a ukelele session, then dinner with my friend Natalie, uber-babe of the new literati. She wants me to shoot her for Vanity Fair in Maribel de las Casas swimwear.
x
p.s. Ludo Jansdotter's coming over next week to work on the Sofia Coppola photo montage.
I'm thinking trapeze skirt/military jacket or military skirt/trapeze jacket...can't quite make up my mind.
p.p.s. Ludo Jansdotter seems to be a little obsessed with Jane Birkin. Maybe I should go more skinny vest, jeans in boots, mohair beret, beads...
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
ICA review
Just got the blurb from the ICA for Issue 11. It's very gushy, how flattering!
Weekend Birdie
£8
Another outing of engaging whimsy for this hip quarterly magazine, which always thinks outside the box.
Each issue is a collector's item.
Weekend Birdie
£8
Another outing of engaging whimsy for this hip quarterly magazine, which always thinks outside the box.
We didn't think it was possible to outshine Issue 10's bountiful offerings - which included Yoko Ono, Bill Viola and Kraftwerk - but Issue 11 will not disappoint.
Featuring: The Yellow Clog Theatre, Maribel de las Casas, Jane Birkin, Cave Spooner, The Scandi Design Festival and Sofia Coppola, with artwork by Ludo Jansdotter.
Featuring: The Yellow Clog Theatre, Maribel de las Casas, Jane Birkin, Cave Spooner, The Scandi Design Festival and Sofia Coppola, with artwork by Ludo Jansdotter.
Each issue is a collector's item.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Back from Helsinki
Well...guess who we bumped into in Helsinki, working on his Finnish Folk Tales coffee table book? Ludo Jansdotter! Yes we were in RaRa Bar last night; me, Graziella and S.C. and there he was, downing espresso vodkas at the bar!
It turns out that it was Ludo who introduced S.C. to Weekend Birdie - he was reading it while on a Vogue shoot with her a few months ago. And the story goes that Rolf+Margot wanted to do a story with her but when she saw the copy of Deconstruction they sent her, she loathed it, calling it "disjointed and noisy"!
Anyway, we're going to collaborate on the photos and do some photo montage.
Imagine Rolf+Margot's faces when they see issue 11 - Sofia Coppola and Ludo Jansdotter!
Oh, and of course, he will definitely be at Cave Spooner's book launch.
It turns out that it was Ludo who introduced S.C. to Weekend Birdie - he was reading it while on a Vogue shoot with her a few months ago. And the story goes that Rolf+Margot wanted to do a story with her but when she saw the copy of Deconstruction they sent her, she loathed it, calling it "disjointed and noisy"!
Anyway, we're going to collaborate on the photos and do some photo montage.
Imagine Rolf+Margot's faces when they see issue 11 - Sofia Coppola and Ludo Jansdotter!
Oh, and of course, he will definitely be at Cave Spooner's book launch.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Off to Helsinki
Off to Helsinki tomorrow for the Sofia Coppola shoot. Graziella is meeting her tonight for a creative briefing. She'll be touching base, brainstorming and flagging things.
Hope she doesn't let me down.
Hope she doesn't let me down.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
These damn tedious accountants
Dear Pippa,
I hope you are well.
Further to our meeting last week I am just dropping you a line to answer the points raised.
Point 1. The photocopier/fax/printer is tax deductible, but must remain in your office. You will need to fill in a B34-90, a copy of which is in the post today. Please use a black pen and capital letters.
Point 2. No.
Point 3. If the magazine was originally established in Paris, you will need to speak to the French Publishing House (La Maison De Publication Francais). Their number is 555-3454 and advise of your move. I have a contact there, Jean Pippeau. Tell him I know about the move and ask him to get the ball rolling ASAP. He will need to send you a A3465/76, again, black pen and capital letters.
Point 4. Yes.
Point 5. It all depends on where you wish to hold the Christmas party and how many people will be there. The restaurant you mentioned, Le Monde de l'Oeuf, won't hold the number of people you require. TGI Friday's do, but obviously a slightly different ambience.
Point 6. You can hire the car, but it will have to be a personal payment.
Point 7. Maybe.
Point 8. The following forms need to be with me by close of play this Friday: RT564, GH432 and the new OPI890 Black pen, capital letters.
I've looked over your books again and all seems to be in order, just these few little things to iron out. Please get the relevant documentation to me and I'll confirm it's receipt.
Again, thank you for the invite to the Cave Spooner book launch, but I'm very much looking forward to seeing The Lion King, that evening.
Any questions, give me a call.
Regards,
Marsha Swan
Partner
Swann Garrett 020 7888 5241
I hope you are well.
Further to our meeting last week I am just dropping you a line to answer the points raised.
Point 1. The photocopier/fax/printer is tax deductible, but must remain in your office. You will need to fill in a B34-90, a copy of which is in the post today. Please use a black pen and capital letters.
Point 2. No.
Point 3. If the magazine was originally established in Paris, you will need to speak to the French Publishing House (La Maison De Publication Francais). Their number is 555-3454 and advise of your move. I have a contact there, Jean Pippeau. Tell him I know about the move and ask him to get the ball rolling ASAP. He will need to send you a A3465/76, again, black pen and capital letters.
Point 4. Yes.
Point 5. It all depends on where you wish to hold the Christmas party and how many people will be there. The restaurant you mentioned, Le Monde de l'Oeuf, won't hold the number of people you require. TGI Friday's do, but obviously a slightly different ambience.
Point 6. You can hire the car, but it will have to be a personal payment.
Point 7. Maybe.
Point 8. The following forms need to be with me by close of play this Friday: RT564, GH432 and the new OPI890 Black pen, capital letters.
I've looked over your books again and all seems to be in order, just these few little things to iron out. Please get the relevant documentation to me and I'll confirm it's receipt.
Again, thank you for the invite to the Cave Spooner book launch, but I'm very much looking forward to seeing The Lion King, that evening.
Any questions, give me a call.
Regards,
Marsha Swan
Partner
Swann Garrett 020 7888 5241
Monday, October 02, 2006
Who's that girl?...Nancy
Brought up by self sufficient parents on a farm in sunny Cornwall, tomboy Nancy was tutored at home.
At 13, she travelled to London to take part in a CND march and was spotted in the crowd by notorious model scout George Pierre Pascal (who was lost on his way to a meeting).
After several high profile ad campaigns, Nancy was sacked after attending an anti-sweatshop march and is now the face (or legs, rather) of the Lovely Legs Stocking Co, Wyoming.
At 13, she travelled to London to take part in a CND march and was spotted in the crowd by notorious model scout George Pierre Pascal (who was lost on his way to a meeting).
After several high profile ad campaigns, Nancy was sacked after attending an anti-sweatshop march and is now the face (or legs, rather) of the Lovely Legs Stocking Co, Wyoming.
Email from nancy
To:pippa@weekendbirdie
From:nancy@a-zmodels
RE:howdy
Oh you know, modelling and stuff. I’m also making these little balsa wood figurines with rhinestones and things…it’s hard to explain. I think I might sell them on Etsy.
I think I’m gonna take one of Loretta’s workshops, I might try being an actress. I do have presence. She doesn’t still smoke cigars does she? Or those gitanes? She thinks she’s so French.
I’m seeing Pedro, the drummer from The Band With No Name. They’re really starting to break through. You should feature them. They did that song, “When the sun goes in it’s chilly”.
I’m really into this office girl look right now. You should do a thing on it. I have about 12 wrap dresses.
Anyway, my phone's beeping...oops it's my mum, i'm meant to be meeting her for lunch.
Toodle-pip Pip! Haha, toodle-pip Pip get it?!!
*****NANCY*****
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I think I’m gonna take one of Loretta’s workshops, I might try being an actress. I do have presence. She doesn’t still smoke cigars does she? Or those gitanes? She thinks she’s so French.
I’m seeing Pedro, the drummer from The Band With No Name. They’re really starting to break through. You should feature them. They did that song, “When the sun goes in it’s chilly”.
I’m really into this office girl look right now. You should do a thing on it. I have about 12 wrap dresses.
Anyway, my phone's beeping...oops it's my mum, i'm meant to be meeting her for lunch.
Toodle-pip Pip! Haha, toodle-pip Pip get it?!!
*****NANCY*****
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Ludo Jansdotter
Ahh, Ludo Jansdotter! I may as well tell you now, I’m a little bit in love with Ludo Jansdotter. We met in Paris at a Pierre and Gilles shoot; he was the stylist. He was going out with Nancy at the time, that’s how I met her.
Ahh…drifted off for a moment there thinking about those loony nights at Le Projet…my silver hot pants. Those were the days.
Anyway, it didn’t last long with Nancy; she’s so flighty and he’s so focused and committed to his work. So much flair and verve. He’s really quite special.
Mmm…I wonder if he’ll be at Cave Spooner’s book launch.
Had an email from Nancy by the way, she’s lovely but she’s so erratic and she’s always suggesting things for Weekend Birdie, which is really rather irritating.
Ahh…drifted off for a moment there thinking about those loony nights at Le Projet…my silver hot pants. Those were the days.
Anyway, it didn’t last long with Nancy; she’s so flighty and he’s so focused and committed to his work. So much flair and verve. He’s really quite special.
Mmm…I wonder if he’ll be at Cave Spooner’s book launch.
Had an email from Nancy by the way, she’s lovely but she’s so erratic and she’s always suggesting things for Weekend Birdie, which is really rather irritating.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Yo Beowulf! poster
TO:pippa@weekendbirdie
FROM:loretta@yellowclog
RE:yo beowolf! poster
Pippa/Graziella,
In a real hurry. Here's the poster for Yo Beowulf! hot off the press. Would love you to include it in the piece about Yellow Clog. It's by the one and only Ludo Jansdotter! Sooo lucky he's such a fan - he did it for free!
Toodle-pip! x
Email from Celine
TO:pippa@weekendbirdie
FROM:celine@bicyclettebleu
RE:je suis désolé
Lovable Pip, I am regrettable yesterday concerning the conversation of Sofia Coppola. I must start taking appropriate English class really. I use online translation service for writing the letter, but you do not think that is very good - perhaps you can say to me.
I do not think probably to make the book party of Cave Spooner, there is a measles in Agnes and Pfeiffer begins rehearsal for Yo Beowulf - puppet cabaret of shadow, therefore he is not many help.
Soigneuse,
Celine
xxxxxx
The telephone call
Well, the conference call with Sofia Coppola was a fiasco - Celine's English seems to get worse every day. Bless her for trying, I speak fluent French of course but she is determined to make the effort.
I wanted to send her to Helsinki to set up the shoot but I’m going to have to send Graziella now which doesn’t bode well for issue 11. Hopeless as she is, it totally destabilizes me when she’s not here.
Ho-hum…sometimes being a talented photographer and editor of a quarterly, ICA bookshop-type magazine is really hard.
I wanted to send her to Helsinki to set up the shoot but I’m going to have to send Graziella now which doesn’t bode well for issue 11. Hopeless as she is, it totally destabilizes me when she’s not here.
Ho-hum…sometimes being a talented photographer and editor of a quarterly, ICA bookshop-type magazine is really hard.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Who's that girl?...Celine
Celine grew up on the beaches of the south of France and spent most of her childhood on the road and in smokey jazz clubs with singer mother Claudette Bonnuit.
After working in Paris on cult magazine La Bicyclette Bleu with Pippa, she now has a regular spot in Claudette’s happening club Soiree.
She is married to flautist Pfeiffer Braun and has two children, Agnes and Etienne.
After working in Paris on cult magazine La Bicyclette Bleu with Pippa, she now has a regular spot in Claudette’s happening club Soiree.
She is married to flautist Pfeiffer Braun and has two children, Agnes and Etienne.
Rolf+Margot
Mmm...Deconstruction - that old campus rag. She really has no loyalty.
Rolf+Margot were occasional contributors to La Bicyclette Bleu in Paris until they hightailed it to London with our format in tow and launched Deconstruction.
I mean, I know Weekend Birdie is niche but I just can't understand how Deconstruction gets any subscriptions at all. It's just not cohesive.
And they're bound to be at Cave Spooner's book launch - Rolf all architect glasses and landscaped beard; Margot with her severe bob and Edith Head suits...smoking a pipe.
Anyhoo, must fly. Got a conference call with Sofia Coppola and Celine (my no. 1 in Paris) about the shoot in Helsinki next month.
Rolf+Margot were occasional contributors to La Bicyclette Bleu in Paris until they hightailed it to London with our format in tow and launched Deconstruction.
I mean, I know Weekend Birdie is niche but I just can't understand how Deconstruction gets any subscriptions at all. It's just not cohesive.
And they're bound to be at Cave Spooner's book launch - Rolf all architect glasses and landscaped beard; Margot with her severe bob and Edith Head suits...smoking a pipe.
Anyhoo, must fly. Got a conference call with Sofia Coppola and Celine (my no. 1 in Paris) about the shoot in Helsinki next month.
Email from Loretta
TO:pippa@weekendbirdie
FROM:loretta@yellowclog
RE:review for weekend birdie
Dahhhhling I would looove you to do a piece on yellow clog for issue 11.
We're soon to launch 'yo beowulf! - a shadow puppet cabaret', and we desperately need the press.
There was a piece in deconstruction a few weeks ago but it was next to a john malkovich/lenin lookie-likie and it completely undermined it.
See you at cave spooner's book launch...we'll have a dialogue over mojitos.
Loretta x
Who's that girl?...Loretta
Born in Paris to a model mother and hotelier father, Loretta attended the celebrated Lovington School of Art where she became known for her beat poetry and dada-inspired performance art.
After a brief sojourn in Paris working on cult newsletter La Bicyclette Bleu with Pippa, she now tours the world with her legendary Yellow Clog theatre workshops.
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