I had a fabulous time introducing Sunset Boulevard at the gorgeous Electric Palace Cinema in Hastings last night. It was the second of my Silver Screen Sippers events, so naturally, there was a special cocktail available! Namely a Champagne Cocktail Gloria Swanson – thanks to Rebecca at the Electric who made these perfectly. Thanks also...
Greetings to those dropping by from Dinner and a Movie for some extra recipes suitable for serving alongside a screening of Sunset Blvd. First up, possibly the maddest thing I have ever made William Holden’s Lime Gelatine with Carrots, Nuts and Olives. Yes, this is me dressed as Gloria Swanson, yes, I made this in...
The pubs are open, and I have been in TWO. Yes, I have left my eyrie and gone out into the big wide world, leaving North London for the first time in 17 weeks. I went on a train and everything! Here is me having my first pint of beer out in the real world....
I love Haggis with a passion, so I adore Burns Night. This year, I didn’t make my traditional Haggis pizza, I went to Battenburgbelle’s place where we had an amazing Scottish feast. Cathy cooked a delicious chicken stuffed with Haggis a la Nigel Slater, it turned out so deliciously moist, I am going to COPY...
Cripes. This party took place in September 2014, so my memories are now pretty dim, but this has just got to come off my “to do” list… The first part of my report was written soon after the party (sensible) and is here… My notes don’t help much as many Betty Balfour cocktails had been...
In the queue for the closing screening at the Silent Cinema Festival in Bo’ness, Mr Rathbone said: “Hippfest is everything I like about the world.” I knew exactly what he meant and heartily agree. We had an absolutely wonderful time at the festival. The Hippodrome in Bo’ness is the loveliest cinema in the world, and...
It’s taken me a while to put away the sequined jumpsuit and get back to normal life. The festive season rolled over into the first week of January with an old skool rock and roll night out to Rock of Ages with James, a fabulous birthday dinner at Bonnie Gull with the Slomans and a...
Oh goodness, I am on a panel – I am bricking it. 3 July 2012 – 6.30pm – tickets are £10 Looking In, Looking Out Festival, Conway Hall London Bidisha leads a high-kicking whirl through Hollywood history and a celebration of the brilliant women who co-founded Hollywood, with film experts, critics, Old Hollywood fans and...
I was thrilled to be invited to contribute a recipe to the Guild of Food Writers’ Treasury, and it’s gone live today on their website – GFW Recipe of the Month – I snuck in two as they are for little film star nibbles. Gloria Swanson’s Caviar Canapes – seen below – and the legendary...
I am thrilled to announce that our Gloria Swanson Bar-Le-Duc won SECOND PRIZE in its class at the Women’s Institute Real Jam Festival this weekend. And as my mum put it, “those WI Judges are VERY picky!” Indeed they are, and as you know, we were very picky too – picking all the pips out...
September’s recipe is for Gloria’s gorgeous canapes. Really easy, really cute and will make you feel like the most generous hostess ever. CAVIAR. It’s not as crazy expensive as you might think. I got a cute little pot for £4 and I can get two dinner parties worth from that. Treat yourself and your guests...
Oh what a fabulous lunch! Jane, Trix, Sophie and Joshua came all dolled up in their Sunset Boulevard finery and I wore the leopard print housecoat I bought in Miami. On the menu: Gloria Swanson’s Champagne Cocktail Gloria Swanson’s Caviar Canapes William Holden’s Lime Gelatine with Cashew Nuts, Carrots and Stuffed Olives (no kidding) Cecil...
Today I spent about 5 hours picking the seeds out of redcurrants with a goose quill. I kid you not. This is the traditional way of preparing the fruit for the most expensive jam in the world. No wonder! My Shellac Sister Veronica’s dad had a wonderful crop of redcurrants so we picked them fresh...
Just back from the wedding of the century, Grace and Douglas are now HITCHED and what a wonderful day it was! Great to spend time with lots of the Walthamstow posse, there was much crazy dancing – especially from Cary who was doing his “Rock Lobster” moves and making me laugh. I DJd on the...
The wonderful portrait painter Brian Dennis won this dress – designed by Gloria Swanson – in our recent competition. He is now spreading the love and running his own contest for one lucky lady (or indeed a slender man) to have their portrait painted in the legendary frock! If the dress is not your size...
Oh my goodness! It is with much excitement that I report that the first edition of Vintage Life magazine is out and it has my article on GLORIA in it. Oh how very lovely! I am going to try and link to it here… http://www.exacteditions.com/exact/browse/588/1101/6824/3/49/0/ I had heared nothing from the editor for months so...
Ah, Sunday afternoon and Columbo on the tele. Heavenly. Again, I have a humdinger of a hangover and red wine lips. Temperance month is not really happening is it? I’m cooking some of Ollie’s Spaghetti Sauce in an attempt to feel better. It was a wonderful evening last night chez Jean. It was Oscars night,...
This month I have decided to run a competition. This dress – designed by Gloria Swanson for her “Forever Young” label is the prize. It still has the original tag and so presumably has never been worn. Very stylish with a lovely bow detail on the shoulder. I think it is about a size 14...
“They took the idols and smashed them, the Fairbankses, the Gilberts, the Valentinos! And who’ve we got now? Some nobodies!” Oh Lord, I have an almighty hangover. The ladies of the book group came round last night and I think I drank 5 times as much as the rest put together. Maybe I was nervous...
“Creation is a drug I can’t do without.” I am feeling the same myself this week Cecil – I am ON FIRE! Had a fabulous, fabulous day today pottering around in the kitchen making the Sunset Boulevard Luncheon. There is definitely a new calm descending on these kind of events as much hilarity was to...
The cake is made but there is much more to do before everyone arrives at 1 o’clock for the Sunset Boulevard extravaganza. I should be getting on with it but I MUST report on my date last night with the New Yorker. He took me to dinner at Nobu. A place I didn’t think someone...
“I feel sure that unborn babies pick their parents.” Well if that is true Gloria, I have very good taste! Today I went up to Suffolk for a surprise 80th birthday party for my lovely mum. Miraculously all 5 of us kids made it – despite the snow, plus assorted partners and a smattering of...
“Because I take care of my body, it doesn’t look like the body of a woman of my years.” Same here Gloria, honestly! Wow, I have had such a great reaction from work colleagues to Gloria’s cake. Admittedly it did contain over a bar of Green & Black’s Expresso Chocolate but yes, to paraphrase Mr...
“Hollywood abounded with driven creatures endlessly looking for solace or compensation in alcohol, drugs, and sex.” Well after the weekend I’ve just had the same could be said of North London Gloria. I am still reeling from Nazimova’s party, I was so out of control my ears are still ringing… Still, to the cooking. To...
