I am in love. This time it's serious.
The new February Vogue plopped through my letterbox last week, pregnant with possibilities. A new season, dazzling new delights to daydream in. And a very good issue it is too, with a stunning shoot 'Light and Fantastic' mixing up gossamer and neon body con. (p138 pink neon bikini bottoms peaking out from a sheer sea foam organza skirt. Genius, as Vince Noir would say.)
But it was the Catwalk report that contained the prize. Stars, it seems, are the graphic image of the season, and there on the Spots, stars and stripes page were star sandals by Yves Saint Laurent. I gasped, the sound of a million cartoon hearts popping above my head. Such wondrous starry shoes could be a treasure forever. With dark skinny jeans they could be pure Blondie at Studio 54. With a springy out skirt and nipped in jacket they would be Carrie Bradshaw personified. Oh the possibilities. Even just in their box they would be endlessly alluring. A constellation of black stars lying in wait - as black as the night sky, with towering stiletto heels and a frenzy of thin straps entwining the ankle.
Mr Pin forgot my birthday last year (I'm not sure how, I always try to make sure the world knows). Which is actually kind of handy. In my world that means I am owed at least two presents, plus some kind of 'interest' accrued. I shall also add any family contributions to the kitty, and by my calculations that should just be enough to secure the starry sandals of dreams. (Just!)
Strangely, stars have been a recurring theme in my life. As a young girl my Dad would endlessly sing, "Stardust" to himself, "Oh but that was yesterday, now my inspiration is in the stardust of a song..."
Then when I was about nine, I set my heart of a pair of 'Wonder Woman' roller skates, and duly received them for my birthday. They were blue suede, with spangly red stars all over. In typical style I could skate very proficiently, but could never stop. This meant I would zoom around the path then have to veer off onto the lawn to ensure a soft landing. Sort of a metaphor for my life, that one!
Then there was the Homebase boy. I stumbled upon him at the helpdesk, trying to return some kind of light switch. A trail of star tattoos shooting up his arms caused me to look beyond the vile green and orange uniform. He was beautiful and I could hardly explain about the switch. Soon after Miss H said "Have you seen that boy in Homebase?" "The starry boy?" I asked. She had noticed him too.
Then Tiffany produced the Star lariat necklace...and somehow one of those entered my universe (through the wonders of e-bay, someone in China must have raided dear Tiffany & Co.) There have been many other starry elements, too many to mention here. Stargazing, wherever I am, star spotting in Boscombe High St with a dear friend, dancing to Lucky Star by Madonna (one of the first records I owned).
"For me, stars are universal symbols of life, light and dreams, at once spiritual and childlike"- Stefano Pilati, Yves Saint Laurent
My kids wish on stars and hope for the Blue fairy. Me, well I'm just hoping for the Shoe fairy!