Hooray C.A.S.A.H - 200 members! I love the group and I hope it continues - I thought I'd wear the latest challenge shoes to the party ;)

The sequin skirt was tricky, I've tried to give it a sophisticated, edgy feel.

I always think of Drew Barrymore as a fun loving, care-free rocking wild child, so if anyone can pull off this look, she can!

I know I've used gold AGAIN for this look, the next one will be very colourful I promise (if I can ever get 2 mins to spend on SS ever again) - missing you guys - being busy sucks x

I am currently re-reading the Metamorphoses of Ovid, and one of my favourite tales is that of Midas and his golden touch:
The God of wine Bacchus gives King Midas one wish, in return for a good deed. Midas said 'Grant that whatever my person touches be turned to gold.' Baccus, though sorry that Midas had not asked for something better, presented him with his baneful gift. The King went off cheerfully, delighted with the misfortune which had befallen him. He touched a sod of earth, a twig, a stream, and, by the power of his touch, they became pieces of of ore and rivers of gold. He dreamed of everything turned to gold, and his hopes soared beyond the limits of his imagination. He returned to his palace and was served a mighty banquet. But everything he touched, from the meat to the wine, turned to gold before he could consume a single morsel. No amount of food could relieve his hunger, parching thirst burned his throat, and he was tortured, as he deserved, by the gold he now hated. Wretched in spite of his riches, he begged Baccus for forgiveness, and Baccus restored him to his former state. Some tales say that the last thing he touched was his beloved daughter, turning her to gold, before he truly realised the error of his ways.

The moral of the story is this - yes gold and money are wonderful accoutrements to our lives, but gold cannot keep you warm at night or fulfil your needs, and money cannot buy you love or happiness. In our society money is a necessary evil, something that we must use to acquire items for survival. It is a means to an end - it is not THE END - people don't amass a fortune and then find that their lives are complete. The pursuit of money above all, as we saw in the case of Midas, is a terrible mistake. Happiness comes from within, and is aided by the things around us. The things around us cannot make us happy.

Love the choice this week!

I had a meeting today about a possible internal promotion, so I dressed up a little for the occasion (it's usually very casual in the office), so I thought I'd show you what I wore today - The jumper was my husbands and I belted it at the waist, to balance out the tightness of the capri-pants. I've just bought a new tanning applicator mitt, and I used it especially for the occasion, with Piz Buin foam-mousse, and it was brilliant! No streaks and really natural. I have a little pot of vaseline with rose and almond oil, which is has a lovely hint of pink, perfect when you're wearing bright eyeshadow. I wore this perfume today, as it makes me feel uplifted and happy :)

Fame is a double edged sword. So many aspire to be singers, actors and sports players - the stars of today - it can't just be for the money, as there are many ways of amassing wealth without fame. So what really drives us to pursue fame as we know it? Does it stem from a deep seated need for acceptance? the adoration and respect that fame commands? For many, fame is a dream, and dreams are an idolisation of a situation; in reality, fame is a career choice. In our dreams we see stars and lights, beauty and success. But if you take off the rose tinted glasses and really see it for what it is, is it so appealing? Who wants a career that demands you're on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Where photographers follow you wherever you go, making everyday tasks an ordeal? Where people talk about you and stare at you wherever you go, and strangers say hurtful and untrue things about you? Anonymity is a pleasure we take for granted. Over the years there have been so many casualties of fame - through drink, drugs and depression - and it certainly seems like a difficult cross to bear. I do like to dream of fame, but as soon as I look too closely, I see a nightmare.