Gloria Swanson’s Champagne Cocktail

Gloria Swanson’s Champagne Cocktail

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...
The Women of Old Hollywood and Sunset Boulevard

The Women of Old Hollywood and Sunset Boulevard

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...
Gloria Swanson’s Bar-Le-Duc

Gloria Swanson’s Bar-Le-Duc

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...
Gloria Swanson’s Bar-Le-Duc

Gloria Swanson’s Bar-Le-Duc

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...
Gloria Swanson Frock Contest Part 2!

Gloria Swanson Frock Contest Part 2!

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...
Oliver Hardy’s Spaghetti Sauce

Oliver Hardy’s Spaghetti Sauce

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...
Gloria Swanson Frock Competition

Gloria Swanson Frock Competition

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...
Gloria Swanson’s Caviar Canapes

Gloria Swanson’s Caviar Canapes

“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...
Gloria Swanson’s Butterless Devils Food Cake

Gloria Swanson’s Butterless Devils Food Cake

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...
Gloria Swanson’s Butterless Devil’s Food Cake

Gloria Swanson’s Butterless Devil’s Food Cake

“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...
Gloria Swanson’s Butterless Devil’s Food Cake

Gloria Swanson’s Butterless Devil’s Food Cake

“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...

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