Liz Hurley bikini, David Clulow Burberry sunglasses, Vilebrequin swimming trunks, Hackett polo shirt, Bonpoint jumpsuit & Jack Wills lazy Sunday bottoms
I must confess there’s an element of joy driving to work these days now that the schools are out for summer. Traffic is mild and those on the road are like-minded people who seem to be in as much of a rush as I am.
Three Children
So last weekend I bumped into an old school friend who I hadn’t seen in about 15 years! I was very excited to hear that she had moved to my neck of the woods, so I decided to invite her up for lunch at Villandry in Bicester Village. Little did I expect to see not one, but three little people in tow – a 2 year old, a 7 year old and a not so little 14 year old girl. I resisted my natural reaction to squeeze their cheeks (as you do if you’re Greek and subject to such torture for a lifetime).
We caught up on the last 15 years of our lives, our homes, relationships and her upcoming holiday to the South of France, whilst picking random bits of cutlery thrown on the floor by the little darlings who were keen to interrupt our boutique banter, so I handed the little ones a village directory to keep them busy.
No Time Like the Present
Just at the point where I saw her teenage daughter about to lose the will to live, I asked her whether she was ready to shop – the vision was outstanding like a horse chomping at the bit followed by a trail of dust “…and they’re off!”
Jack Wills tracky bums for teenage “veg-out Sundays”, a French Connection dress and Miss Sixty vest top, a Mini Hackett polo shirt for Master 7 going on 17, David Clulow Burberry sunnies for mum, some cute matching father and son swimming trunks from Vilebrequin, flip flops, hat and swim suit from Elizabeth Hurley Beach Boutique for mum. Miss cool teen daughter got some a la mode distressed Diesel jeans and less we forget, a lovely Bonpoint jumpsuit for the little spraggle-rag
After a thoroughly exhausting afternoon (obviously not for me at my desk), my dear friend, called me and in a decidedly chirpy voice and asked if I wanted an afternoon ice-cream – now that’s my cue for a break!
Entertain Me
Little did I know whilst melting into the refreshing sweetness of the most delicious chocolate ice-cream from the Amorino stand, along came the moan from “friend dearest” about the long summer holidays and what to do in the area – fortunately enough I was well prepared after having had lunch with our similarly perplexed Tourism Director only the day before and suggested taking them to nearby Waddesdon Manor (it being Chateaux-like, the culture would be a natural progression from the holiday) for a children’s guided tour of the house. The annual Bicester Village Jazz festival on 8th & 9th August is always a great day out for all the family, located inside the actual promenade between the boutiques it’s a perfect blend of shopping and music ideal for those rhythm. Alternatively there’s also the adorable Waterperry Gardens performing Wind in the Willows on 13th August or perhaps the intriguing yet slightly more grown up Oxford Ghost Trail, but if it was magic she was after, then there was only one place for it, Warwick Castle – The Princess Tower, newly open and filled with fairy tales and fantasies of Princesses and Knights… I’m quite tempted myself!
And that’s about all I had up my sleeve for my new found friend who sauntered off like a swan with her signets, laden with shopping and happy with a few plans in store for the coming weeks.
Tags: Bonpoint, Burberry, David Clulow, Diesel, Elizabeth Hurley, Hackett, holidays, Jack Wills, kids, teens, Vilebrequin
