Jaded Old January

We all know January is supposed to be the month for making big decisions, giving up your vices, starting a diet and making progress at work. For some people it's as extreme as going it alone, handing in your notice and setting out cap in hand to find out what really makes you happy. Of course, January is the perfect time of year to do this when it's cold and damp outside, the account is overdrawn and your jeans are two sizes too small after your Christmas blow out. This year, I have decided it is going to be different.



I recently read a blog about a man in France who thought it was outrageous to give up drinking cocktails in the new year when everything else is so depressing. I have decided to take a leaf out of his mojito and concentrate on having loads of fun. January 2010 for me is about indulgence. I will be paying off the bills but I'm also going to try to be 100% more fashionable, fun and glamourous. I am thinking about taking a trip to Morocco or Italy; somewhere hot and beautiful with a roll top bath and fluffy slippers. On top of that I vow to be a good, kind person always, bite my tongue and strive to remember the important things in life like laughing, feeding and walking the dog and getting cards to the post box in time.



At home, well the same old, same old of winter is rather routine; 7am the alarm sounds, then it's up to stoke the woodburner in my slippers. A few rounds of piping hot tea later and it's doggy out for a wee then five minutes coupling socks before heading off to the office. January is the same wherever you are and while life is dull sometimes, with Spring round the corner there's much to be done.

I'm making the most of dinners in; as extravagant as possible, with a tablecloth and matching plates. I'm busy placing photos in albums, darning clothes with holes and planning how to become thinner, richer and more successful. What's more, this reflective time is short as in few weeks time the snowdrops will be peeping through the lawn followed by everything else coming into bloom.



So, that's January wrapped up for me and it's not looking too bad at all. I have started my new mantra today with an invite to a birthday party where I intend to eat, drink and be as merry as possible. I'm accessorising an old LBD, stepping out in killer hills and most definitely won't be weighing myself until February.

Vintage Clothing treasure hunt

In Britain these days, charity shops are so fabulously stylish that I'm green with envy I don't get to snoop around them all that often. Every high street has at least two and while France doesn't have anything like that, what they do have harbour some amazing treasures.

Saturday afternoons I occasionally meander into Emmaus, a homeless charity. They do house clearances during the week and people drop off unwanted clothes, crockery and furniture to raise money. It must be said you should expect a lot of crud; filthy rugs, night dresses, knackered bits of farming equipment, people fighting over Jonny Halliday records - but amongst all the junk and tattle I always find a jewel in this scruffy old crown. I love to root around second hand shops and have discovered that while a slick of sludgy coloured paint brings furniture back to life, second hand clothes can look fabulous with a little TLC too.

This week, I am over the moon with my purchases, a charcoal grey shift number for office days which looks great with animal print tights and ankle boots and this cracking tweed blazer which is jolly lovely. What's more they fit and next on my list is a seventies puff sleeved dress or jacket to work the denim trend so if anyone knows of any other charity sales I'd love to hear about them.

For now, let's face it, if I can support a local charity, get a vintage shopping fix and still have a few euros left in my purse for a fresh fish supper

" la vie est bien belle ".