Oh barnacles!

Hmmm...so much for Ludo massaging my sacral iliac, I spent most of last night massaging his calves after the Marathon. So glad it's over. He ran it in around 3 and a half hours which is a little slower than he'd hoped because he passed a darling little antique shop somewhere near Greenwich and stopped to have a look. And I'm currently scraping barnacles off a bit of old driftwood he picked up by the Thames that he's going to turn into some kind of distressed sculpture.
Very distressed if you ask me.

...in with the new

Ludo Jansdotter stopped me mid-sentence the other day and said "Pippa, don't you think since we are going to have a child together it's time you stopped calling me 'Ludo Jansdotter'? 'Ludo' will do."

I suppose he's right. He's not really 'Ludo Jansdotter' anymore anyway, not the Ludo Jansdotter I used to google, and keep cut-outs about from Design Week and follow around at photography exhibitions. He's just my Ludo, and I should embrace that.

Kettles

You know when you're flicking through the Observer Magazine of a Sunday and you turn to the fashion pages, hoping to see the latest To'sho' tunic dress and instead it's a story called 'The New Gent' featuring tall, angular male models wearing cravats and carrying man bags?
That's Ludo Jansdotter.

When he picked me up to go to Kettles, he was wearing his paisley tank top and orange slacks and I thought 'Oh dear, is this really how I'm going to introduce Ma and Pa to the father of my child?' I mean, I love that LJ's a natty dresser but sometimes it's a little OTT and I don't really want to be the one to tell him that the 1970's pimp look is passé.
However, Pa always refers to me and Ptolemy as 'you arty types' so i suppose he was expecting nothing less.

M&P were very welcoming and asked Ludo Jansdotter very many questions about his work as an art director/photographer/graphic artist/illustrator David LaChapelle-type and seemed captivated (although Ma found his accent a little thick and kept having to say "I'm sorry Ludo, which anorexic supermodel?", "I'm sorry Ludo, which German performance artist?").

After lunch Ptolemy and Ludo Jansdotter played backgammon while I went with M&P to pick blackberries and visit old Mrs Bell down the lane. On the way back I told them the news.
Both were a little taken aback of course as they had only just met LJ but after the dust settled they seemed rather chuffed and when we got back, Pa walked me round the garden and showed me where we used to make camps and have treasure hunts.

The next day Ptolemy took us all off to the farmer's market where Ludo Jansdotter was very impressed with the range of organic preserves and pâté.
Later, Ma spent quite a long time telling him about all the different types of bird that come into the garden. LJ was awfully kind to humour her so and even talked quite knowledgeably about the birds native to Finland.

The day ended with a jolly visit to the pub and a hilarious game of charades which Ludo Jansdotter found infinitely confusing.

What made the weekend was Ma telephoning me after we got home to say that she and Pa thought Ludo Jansdotter was charming and delightful and that they were sure all would be well.
How lucky I am to have been adopted into this joyous and jolly family who love me so unconditionally.

The blessing

Well, it seems I underestimated Ludo Jansdotter. I told him the news last night and this is what he said (while reading this, imagine him squeezing my hand a bit too hard and quietly weeping. Oh, and a strong Scandinavian accent):

"My Pippa this must be a dream! All this time I was thinking: 'Pippa is too work-centric, Pippa is too party-centric, she is a too silly girl.' But now I see you in a different light. You are my Madonna, my beautiful pregnant Madonna, mother of my child!

If it is a boy we call it Magnus. If it is a girl we call it Irmeline. And whichever, we must enrol in Baby Parkour immediately, the waiting list is very long I hear."

Well..who knew. It seems I don't know Ludo Jansdotter all that well after all. I suppose we have spent quite a lot of time apart.

Gosh, I'm going to have a baby! What a blessing!



ps. By the way, no daughter of mine will be called Irmeline.

Cheese-Schmeese

Well...when a girl can't even get into her boyfriend jeans, you know something's up. It turns out it wasn't the cheese after all; I seem to be pregnant with Ludo Jansdotter's baby.

It's bloody cohesive, that's what it is!

No idea how Ludo Jansdotter is going to deal with an accoutrement of this magnitude - he's only just got used to his Prada man-bag.

Anyway, no great shakes, must crack on. Meeting Parker Posey in half an hour for gluten-free cupcakes at the Bake-a-boo bake shop and tea room, NW6.

A bad cheese day

Feeling in a melange today.
I've been asked to do a show of my photographs at the ICA later in the year, which is only the pinnacle of cool and will drive Rolf+Margot mad with jealousy, since neither of them has a talent other than thinking up kooky ideas for their pretentious rag. So for that, I am elated.
Unfortunately, physically I feel dreadful. Was sick all night after that Cheese Appreciation class last night. Who invented cheese and wine evenings? Wholly unwise.
Ludo Jansdotter was very sweet; he mopped my brow and stroked my hair. He's really such a kind man.

In other news, Nancy is still staying with me which is slightly awkward with Ludo Jansdotter around so much. She's loopy over Pedro but she still can't help flirting her socks off with L.J. I think he finds it all rather embarrassing.
Nancy and I are starting to rub each other up the wrong way; she always asks such inane questions. This morning she asked me if you can use body moisturiser on your face.
I said "No Nancy; if you use it on your face, your arm will start growing out of your forehead like a Jake and Dinos Chapman installation." She said "Ooh, sarcasm's the lowest form of wit you know!" I said "Well ya boo and sucks to you!" She said "You, you mean!" which made no sense.

Yippee!

Yippee!...off to Reykjavik for New Year's Eve with Ludo Jansdotter! What joy!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

I think I heart Ludo Jansdotter.

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.

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.

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.

Yo Beowulf shoot

Rehearsals continue

Went to the Yellow Clog shoot today. Picture Loretta, sitting at the back of the theatre, bowler hat and cigar, waving a walking stick around. It was like Cabaret meets The Kid's from Fame.

Yo 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...

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.

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.

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