Bellenden Belle

Ahhhh, AnnaJ - I love Gok Wan - I didn't see that particular programme, but yes,I often shed a tear. (Also thank you for your kind words about my fashion sense .... not sure I agree, but lovely to hear!) And to be honest David Carnell - from what I have read Gok Wanm was actually bullied because of his weight problem. I think that probably explains his empathetic and compassionate approach - rather than being critical and demeaning like other fashion gurus. Our experiences shape us in the same way that apples and cocaine might shape our exterior selves! Hoorah for Gok Wan!

Goodness SteveT.... I know I'm going up North, but surely it's not another country? The last time I was in Blacks I spent twenty minutes with my eyes glazing over as the sales assistant discussed (mainly with his inner walker, rather than me) the merits of double lined socks versus the new breed of walking socks. His enthusiasm was overwhelming... personally I was more interested in the Kendals mint cake I eyed up on the coutner. James - I am loving the acronym DLP - definitely makes you sound like a fashion guru, lovin' it!

Ahhhh, James - I hear you, but I fear that is 2006/2007? Do you have insider knowledge?

Ladies, Decisions, decisions... Buggie and Wee Quinnie - black opaque tights is what I have worn in the past with the dress... with a pair of lovly patent vintage shoes (my mother's from the 60s). Definitely a good option but since it is nearly June I hoped to look more summery...will look at the knee highs tomorrow and let you know... Lozzyloz - come on, you're dying to give your real opinion surely...I'm sure men have firm opinions on women's legs...

Ahhhh, well if it's good enough for SJP then it is definitely good enough for me (my dining companion has actually had to halt our telephone conversation when SJP appeared on Project Catwalk....) Turquoise? Wow! That's incredibly brave and probably too much for me - it is quite a bright purple. But grey, or the pair of sparkly black ones on the website (looks like they are threaded with silver) could be perfect. I'm rather excited at this combo! You're a star RosieH!

> am I actually the world's biggest loser? Not at all RosieH - this is the first year in a long time I have not hosted a Eurovision party.... usually ours included a shrine to Terry Wogan and terrible drinking games where everyone gets a country to represent and top marks would mean downing a drink ... the result being some terrible drunken memories .... Great fun though!

Ahhhh, when I mentioned the Newcastle look I was referring to those who go out in the middle of winter in summer dresses. Sorry ... hope that doesn't offend anyone from Newcastle (this is clearly my own personal reference) - similar examples can certainly be found in Leicester Square and suchlike. I will actually be in Sheffield, followed by Manchester....a Northern tour no less... RosieH - sound advice - I was considering sheer tights, but I think coloured tights might be the way to go... okay, it's a purple tulip style dress from Fenton Walsh - what colour tights then? And thank you to everyone for their comments. Wee Quinne - It was indeed your own wedding outfit thread that inspired this one! Edited because I have had a crazy thought! Just looked at the tabio website - how about knee high socks? Sparkly lilac ones. http://tabio.com/uk/detail/?cate=1007&hinban=27342 Please tell me if it's very wrong....

Yes, I thought about that too .... are people still doing that? Probably would wear flatter shoes in that case.... And many thanks Mighyroar for replying!

Okay - opinions please. I have a lovely dress which I would like to wear out for dinner on Friday night. But I will be up North and I am worried of being cold (and fear the Newcastle look). I also have a lovely pair of strappy high heeled sandals. I have never considered wearing tights and sandals before.... is this to be avoided at all costs? Are there tights available (stockings if you prefer) that I could get away with wearing. Or should I do the standby look of dress over skinny jeans. Tis not a date, but is with someone I regard to be part of the Fashion Police. Advice? (apologies for such girliness... really, I never put this much thought into things when I was married... *tuts at herself*

"I hope you don't mind me saying....." "Don't take this the wrong way...." shorthand - I'm going to be really offensive and rude now, but I expect you to listen and smile. So I smile sweetly.... "And what's the right way for me to take that comment"; or "Actually I do mind you saying that." Cue stony silence.

Mmmm, this Saturday (yep that's two in a row I've been there - watch this waist!) they stopped serving toast with the breakfasts - all we got was bread - we questioned and got a terribly long explaination (from the woman who runs the kitchen) that they have not been given enough electricity supply to run the toaster alongside their fridges. Seems to me as though they managed toast until a few months back....has wattage in toasters increased overnight? But I dont understand the baby bedlam moaning ... it's a caf?, in a park ....it is the most natural place in the world for kids to be. And actually, on the whole they are mostly well behaved...

Ooooh I'm very excited about Camille at the moment - I have just bought her album and can't stop humming it! Very French; very theatriccal; some wonderful rhythms that has me doing bizarre little dances in the garden. I know she played London this week ... did anyone catch her? / And what else is being listened to in East Dulwich at the moment?

I was there on Saturday and it was chaos. At eleven o'clock they started making the rules up as they went along... literally - so suddenly they refused to take any orders for cooked food. Erm, is this a cafe or what? And there was a general air of panic amongst the staff - which is not a particularly reassuring experience. Ganapati is spot-on about the coffee making/ taking orders problem - one extra body out front would make things run a whole lot smoother. They do lovely breakfasts though - one of the best in the area.

I saw a cactus last night in Green and Blue and it near broke my heart. So young yet made up like a fishmonger's wife, it delivered a heartbreaking rendition of Where is Love...before tearfully struggling its way through a tap dance while singing You've got to Prick a pocket or two. The judges - a man with piercing eyes and a touch of the John Barryman about him and a woman who reminded me of a small animal - cackled and cast the poor thing out into the mean street that is Lordship Lane. A rose bush in a leotard was next up...

Sadly I am at the theatre (darlings) on the 6th - but hopefully will see you in July! (if not before...)

Gosh, goodness ... I have an Oscar acceptance speech up my sleeve, and also one for when I accept my OBE - but how do I find words to express my joy at having my own EDF thread.... Quite simply thank you my lovelies for your kind words... I am determined to embrace being a tap dancing pixie and intend to choreograph a suitable dance to the tune of Dagenham Dave. ps: Moos - thank you so very much...have we actually met?

Omigod Keef ... I think you are channelling the ghost of my mother ...you're not wagging a finger at me as you say that, are you? Spooky.

Like many others here, I have few regrets in life - I've made millions of mistakes, and will doubtless make a million more, but ultimately I have learnt to be kind to myself and that includes forgiving myself when I f**k up.But since you ask... I regret using my sharp tongue at times, particularly towards my ex, particularly when it was a result of frustration at myself rather than any misdoing on his part. I regret leaving theatre publishing quite so dramatically (but darlings it was theatre what else could one do?) and feel blessed that despite my sniping, my boss remains a close friend to this day. I regret not persevering with learning to play the piano. Gosh what's that? Three Hail Marys and an Our Father? Sure thing Father Ill throw in a rosary too if you like... never regretted leaving Catholicism behind...

Yes Strawbs, I echo DC - I'll be at the forum drinks and am more than happy to wax lyrical about the area ... (I sometimes feel like a bloody ambassador for the area - I seem to write the same post about the area's virtues every week!)

I live off Bellenden Road Strawbs, and as a small young (ish) woman who regularly comes home late at night by herself, I would say that I feel very safe walking from Peckham Rye station - and actually far safer than walking from East Dulwich station. The fact is Peckham Rye is a busy station but more importantly it is very busy on the actual street - at all times of the evening. As you walk along from outside the station to Bellenden Road - you pass hairdressers which are open until midnight (I'm hugely envious of the sisterly gatherings that appear to take place inside these places - women having their hair done, gossiping til the small hours of the morning); then there's Bar Story where there's always people - and so that small walk to Bellenden Road is full of people - far better than the trek from East Dulwich station which whether you go via Dog Kennel Hill estate or walk down to Oglander, is far more residential, far quieter, and actually scares the hell out of me. And Bellenden to LL is ten to fifteen minutes walk - depending on where you are on LL. Driving through an area in your car is one thing ... but why don't you come and spend a Saturday afternoon in Bellenden - have coffee in Petitou, browse for books in Review, buy a frock in Fenton Walsh, go for evening drinks in Bar Storey, - that's how we (I) decided, by actually sitting down, taking a moment and saying - how does this area make me feel? I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised.

For a girl who doesn't do DIY I can tell you to be spending my second day painting is quite something. Small wonder I started yesterday with a Bloody Mary in the Bishop. Even less surprising that by the end of last night I ended painting the ceiling by mistake....the ex (and ceiling painter) was not impressed. Doing the edges is devils work...

Hoorah! How lovely to read a positive post! Thank you Pretty Polly (and welcome to the area!). Yes, I spent a Saturday night in A&E last year and thought everyone from the receptionists to the nurses to the lovely cheerful doctor were absolute stars. I think they also manage the time well - so even though we were there for considerable time, because the nurse saw us very quickly to take a brief history, and because the doctor popped her head in to tell us how long she would be before seeing us, we felt acknowledged and treated well. And like you Polly I remember that feeling of surprise - which makes me think threads like this which challenge our assumptions are great.

I blush, dear Azul!

And just opposte Bar Storey is I'l Giardina (sp?) - lovely homely Italian... And many rave about South Indian restaurant Ganapati at the top of Bellended. And Friends of Fabrics is a realy great drycleaners and great for alterations too - and really friendly And Casa is a great reproducation / reclaimation resource And the Gowlett does great pizzas and Fruili beer.... And The Montpellier is getting better, and has a really good new menu (and possibly a new manager) Seriously, I think a lot of the "concern" for the area come from people who don't live there...which I find curious.

"And did you get what you wanted from this life, even so? I did. And what did you want? To call myself beloved, to feel myself Beloved on the earth." Raymond Carver.