September 2015 / Shell Sherree

Fashionable Friday : Agent Violet and the Chameleonic Canine

25.9.15

Fashion and fluffballs illustration : Agent Violet and the Chameleonic Canine © Shell-Sherree

{Fashion and fluffballs illustration : Vintage Glam, Classic Poochy © Shell-Sherree}

As Agent Violet anticipated, her canine opted for a wardrobe change of his own before their appointment with The Groomer. He had detected a tail as they were making swift their departure from the pâtisserie and when the opportunity presented itself, they took appropriate precautions.

Quite aside from the need for evasion, there had been an unhappy marriage between the croquembouche toffee and her canine's poodle curls, rendering them riddled somewhat ironically and most uncomfortably with sugared violets ~ and no time to lose. A switch in time saves nine.

What other mysterious powers does her canine possess? Will The Groomer have a matching collar to complement her hat? And does the lining of her black velvet cape have sufficient fortification in the event of complications and a good stiff breeze? Let us sip rose petal tea and contemplate. And on that note ...

Happy Fashionable Friday to you!

Today's illustration inspiration: Audrey Hepburn and Mr Famous photographed by Cecil Beaton 1960

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Fashionable Friday : Agent Violet and the Enigmatic Eclair

18.9.15

{Fashion and fluffballs illustration : Agent Violet and the Enigmatic Eclair © Shell-Sherree}

The desire for an éclair proved an urgent one. Agent Violet glanced again at her watch, assessing the volume of foot traffic and estimated travel time to The Groomer. Sir Percy had been somewhat tiresome in his insistence on punctuality, given she preferred the element of surprise and had significant skills in adapting time to suit herself. Her canine shifted from one paw to another and her feline hefted a bored sigh. It was time to move.

She left the harlequin hat box in The Place Most Secure as it would impede her movements in the pâtisserie, and performed a deft wardrobe change. Her Eclair Contact was particularly helpless to her charms when she wore a certain shade of red and she needed him to facilitate a delivery of The Drycleaner's favourites. It was a temporary pacifier but for now, it would have to do.

Will the tranquilliser dart mechanisms in her stilettos survive the Paris cobblestones if she takes the route of most direct trajectory? Will her canine keep his fur in order until she meets up with The Groomer? And can her contact be trusted to package the éclairs without tampering, given his unfortunate history with The Drycleaner? Let us lose ourselves in the gentle swirling of our snifters of brandy and ponder. And on that note ...

Happy Fashionable Friday to you !

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Fashionable Friday : Agent Violet and the Harlequin Hat Box

12.9.15

{Fashion and fluffballs illustration : Agent Violet and the Harlequin Hat Box © Shell-Sherree}

Having safely negotiated a glass of pink champagne and wardrobe change, Agent Violet left her 600 gsm luxe monogrammed calling card by the bed and and exited the Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris. The harlequin hat box was secured. It must be an extremely valuable asset to have warranted Sir Percy's sudden request for a clandestine meeting under her Scarlet Pimpernel alias, thereby causing undue pressure on her dry cleaner. For this, she would have to pay, and quite probably at a most inconvenient time.

The afternoon had turned grey and her travelling companions were growing tetchy. And to worsen the situation, the parachute mechanism of her parasol was overdue for its safety check. This would never do. Violet gave the harlequin hat box another glance. It was light and made no sound when she gently shook it. Empty? Filled with fairy floss? Damn. Now she needed a pastry.

Will Violet succumb to a classic chocolate éclair and risk being late for her assignation with the poodle groomer? What's so fascinating about the hem of her coat. And why did Sir Percy caution her to make the appointment with The Groomer before picking the gold hat box lock? Let us ruminate and have another glass of Chambord muddled with organic single-origin cacao nibs. And on that note ...

Happy Fashionable Friday to you !

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Paris Daydreams : Agent Violet or the Scarlet Pimpernel ?

8.9.15

{Fashion and fluffballs illustration : The Scarlet Pimpernel in Paris © Shell-Sherree}

Could it be? Is Agent Violet disguised as the Scarlet Pimpernel at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris? Or is it the Scarlet Pimpernel herself. Or are they one and the same?

While kitty provides a convenient accomplice to lull any onlookers with pearl-encrusted opera glasses into thinking our heroine is merely captivated by the lavish panorama laid out before her, danger is approaching with suave stealth. As she elicits throaty purrs from the fluffy rumble machine beside her, Violet is assessing wind speed and calculating how far her gossamer cape made by her Ninja silkworms can carry her.

Will she vanish over the balcony or use her wiles to sashay out through the lobby? Can the pink champagne just delivered by room service be trusted? Do macarons have calories if they are consumed on the run? Let us contemplate these questions and more. And on that note ...

Happy Paris Daydreams to you !

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Feel-Good Fluffballs : Happy Father's Day !

6.9.15

Fluffballs illustration : Miss Olive's Upside Down Patty Cake © Shell-Sherree

Today, I'll let our mellow French bulldog and this swashbuckling quote do the talking. "Dads are most ordinary men turned by love into heroes, adventurers, story-tellers and singers of song." {Pam Brown}

What does a a sweet, snoozing, topsy turvy Frenchie have to do with it, you might ask, scratching your head on the inside while nodding sagely on the outside ? Nothing, really .... but some things don't need a reason.

Here's to all the dads in the world in all shapes, sizes and guises. May your channel surfing be swift and your trouser legs narrow. And on that note ...

Happy Feel-Good Fluffballs and/or Father's Day to you !

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Fashion and Fluffballs : Flower Power

2.9.15

Fashion and fluffballs illustration : Flower Power, Spring and Sprung © Shell-Sherree

There was much singing and happy dancing Chez Shell when we high fived Spring and said, "On yer bike, lassie!" to Winter. And possibly a 'Woot' or two escaped. Just possibly.

As we pass the baton of chillier months to the northern hemisphere, I'm guessing you're fanning the glow from your brow and rather glad about the whole thing for now. After all, autumn is the second fairest season of them all to me, so there's something to woot about for everyone.

Come, let us celebrate by wearing flowers and shorts. I don't usually 'do' shorts but I'll take one for the team for the sake of an epitome. {The sacrifices I make ... #firstworldproblems.} There are bicycles with baskets spilling over with blooms and baguettes awaiting us. And a pear cider or two. And on that note ...

Happy Fashion and Fluffballs to you !

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