For my latest birthday (not a good day, despite my Husband’s thoughtful intentions – just woke up feeling miserable and ancient) my marvellous mother in law bought me three wonderful, clever and generous gifts: a silk pillow, voucher for a CACI treatment and a book – Parisian Chic by Ines de la Fressange (coincidentally, previously reviewed on this blog by Annabel). Have read latter in one sitting and found new saviour. I am going to slavishly follow every word this marvellous French woman says in the hope that just a teeny bit of her sophistication and elegance rubs off on this decrepit West Sussex woman. Actually, cheer up chicken, I’m not decrepit, but am definitely having to smile much more in order to disguise the burgeoning facial wrinkles. Ines says, don’t examine your wrinkles when you are 50+, merely stand back and admire the general picture from a safe distance. What wise words. She has cheered me up immeasurably. I feel renewed, full of life. Already done dog walk, rejoined Livestrong (to help me lose the four pounds I have piled on over the last few weeks), several admin chores, and am off to pilates in a tick.