I have taken my beautiful “Borgo degli Ulivil†sparkling grey dancing shoes, from their satin lined box, my soft grey “YSL“ velvet evening purse from it’s silken drawstring pouch. I have fixed my long tresses, in a more elaborate style. Drenched myself in Coco Chanel and slipped into my twinkling jet encrusted long “Dior†gown. I have brought all my diamonds from the safe for this is indeed, a special occasion!
So here I am, the journey was uneventful, my elderly Rolls purred along the English countryside to our dear little airfield. The flight across the pond was smooth, fast and over in what seemed like a mere moment or two, my pilot for the evening trip is my dear friend Richard Branson.
I am at the “Willow Manor Ball†waiting now for charming Al Pacino to lead me to the dance floor for the first tango, and then whoever is able to dance with style and passion would be most welcome. Perhaps that charming Skip Simpson, I think he is taken with that pretty Cameron something or other. Or could it be my old friend Omar, he is a tad tired these days but still likes to dance and such a one for the scintillating conversation that I love, when of course he can bear to leave the poker table. We have had some wonderful games of backgammon over the years in his charming apartment overlooking the Nile near Cairo
How wonderful that I am attending the Cyber ball at “Willow Manor†Such fun we are all having, with wonderful Beluga Caviar on the daintiest of Blinis with just a glass or two of Vintage, Dom Perignon bubbles.
The orchestra is playing all the old dance numbers from many shows I can recall, my feet are yearning to dance, could that be Mr Astaire over there? I am thrilled my dance card is full to the brim! How simply wonderful the hostess looks and all these terribly handsome men over there, surrounding Marilyn Monroe. What a party this is turning out to be, here at “Willow Manorâ€
The Manor I must say looks amazing, with much crystal reflecting their acting prisms of lights on the most beautiful rich brown mahogany floors. The flunkies are everywhere with trays of the most delicious canapés. The smell of the huge vases of Lilies and Red Roses are overpowering – so reminding me of my poem “Lilies†– and that truly wonderful place years ago… but I digress, no more of that.
I am here to enjoy this evening to the full and I have noticed some admiring glances from several of the more mature men! I think I recognizes dear Paul Newman and is that not the charming young cove Johnny Depp? and can I see our dear old Richard Burton chatting away to Dame Helen Mirren, yes I’m right, just behind that marble pillar next to Eric Clapton and his friend, the handsome dark haired man from Santana. I believe they are playing later tonight. I shall look forward to that.
What a splendid array of guests, pulling dreams and memories from my mind, how charming they all are. We might have a salsa or two later, there are some very swarthy slim young men here. I heard a very beautiful redhead mention that the wicked Lord Byron is also at Willow Manor tonight! I will work my way around the room later and enquire after his health.
I can see John Lennon in deep conversation with dear Luther, ahh now will he be singing I wonder? then my evening will be complete. Umm, those lush deep tones of blues and soul, I can hear a sax playing in the ball room “ Heaven I’m in heaven†da da da la la la la… de da da dee…†when I’m out together dancing cheek to cheek.â€
We shall be going into dinner soon, I am almost overwhelmed, as our superb hostess has informed me, I am to be sitting between dear Tony Bennett and Robert Redford and opposite the young and very handsome Elvis Presley, whom I understand is to be singing later. Oh what fun we are all having !!!.
The evening is young, alas I am not, but still…it is a delight, full of dreams for everyone who attended the enchanting “Manor Ball†A flight of the imagination perhaps…..?
This beautiful grey rose in velvet box has just been presented to me from an admirer
![013%20Chrome%20Rose[1]](http://susiehemingway.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/01320Chrome20Rose1.jpg "013%20Chrome%20Rose[1]")
Thank you J. Johnson how kind you are and
thank you to the charming and beautiful hostess Willow, at YES! the “ Ball Of The Year†see:
http://www.willowmanor.blogspot.com
Update from Willow Manor 14.10.2009
Nice Site layout for your blog. I am looking forward to reading more from you.
Tom Humes
You look so lovely and how nice to have your card already filled out. Your perfume is exquisite also. I am QMM younger, prettier self. She could not make it tonight she is just a little past her prim.So nice to meet you. Drop by my neck of the woods sometime. We are in the country. Didn’t you just love that music by Tom Jones. He is so wonderful.
I wish I’d been paying attention to my mail and RSVP’d to the Ball… I was cleaning out my closets for my next adventure and just overlooked everything! How glam you look, and I know dancing the tango must have been fab-fab-fab! I would have invited Richard Gere to be my dance partner as I loved his performance in “Shall We Dance?” and would have looked for Fred A. to glide me across the floor for the Emperor’s Waltz… Oh well, maybe next year!! Thanks for keeping us up on all your posh pastimes, m’deah!
Branching out into prose? Very nice indeed…
Oh Susie your grey dress is exquisite! How wonderful you spied the gorgeous Eric C., won’t it be fab if he plays ‘Wonderful Tonight’ later. And yes, Wilow is certainly the ‘Hostess with the Mostest’.
Millie ^_^
P.S. I’ve just checked & the Valets boys are parking all the RR’s together. I wonder what the collective noun for that would be?
Surely its a ‘hush’ of Rolls Royces?
Millie I believe the collective noun is ‘clutch’ far too masculine for us ! So I propose, ‘Reginal a rare word ( like our Rolls) meaning Queenly – so
A “Reginal of Rolls” would I deem, perfect. What do you think?
Mr Rutherford Esq, I must admit this does rather suit my dear old Rolls perfectly, “A Hush of Rolls Royces” – quite the most charming I do believe. Shall we leave this open for debate.
Oh Willow this is just a sensational ‘do’ I am delighted to attend, everything is quite quite perfect and I am enjoying myself so much, I might have had just a tad too much champagne “hic hic” but thought I would pop up to my room,
http://susiehemingway.com and do a little ‘post’ for the glossy’s,
my memory is not as good these days and I did not want to forget a thing.
I have managed a little piece at .com it is not indeed the usual room I have when I stay. Still very well appointed and most comfortable I must say. I did noticed the lovely roses – the scent of patchouli is my favourite. Still I am sure I saw lilies in some of the rooms!!but am I dreaming? Thank you,I am indeed in ‘heaven’
what fun all this has been, but the night is still young…
Please pop in and read my post on this rather unique occasion.
Remember I am in room http://www.susiehemingway.com
Ah, we keep such illustrious company, don’t we! It was indeed a pleasure to meet you this evening Ms Hemingway! Perhaps again next year? Salutations from Oz. xa
Save a spot on your dance card for me Susie!
Oh! I have Barry you are listed No 5 on my dance card, right after dear old Omar who is looking a bit puffed now. Did you really say a Foxtrot, I can’t wait!
Hey,Susie! got place for one more at the next ball! I’ll come in my own carriage!!! love it XXXX
Susie,
You look so very beautiful tonight. I can tell you had a marvelous time preparing for the ball. I’m so happy I discovered you on the dance floor. Scottish reels require stamina and you were not even flushed. Thank you for the dance. It was great fun!
I do think you absolutely divine in your ensemble. Did you say, “Omar”? Shariff? Might I have a moment with him? I adored him in Zhivago!
Please stop by my blog for a moment if you get a chance.
Kat
Susie, I am thrilled to see you and you look marvelous, daaaaling! Oops, here comes Omar, staring at you with those dreamy eyes.
Excuse me, I’m off to find Helen Mirren…I’m such a huge fan…
You look very radiant, my dear. (Clix glass of Dom Perignon ’53 with you.) To a wonderful evening of magic, and memories. Now, may I have this dance?
Poetikat, the dress is divine and suits you so well – lovely those girls from the house of Elliott always look so darn gorgeous and kind to come up trumps. Bertie is such a dearheart. Btw Skip is a lovely dancer, I think he has been taking private lessons ever-so-good now.
Maybe we can catch-up later I hear they are serving liqueur coffees in the drawing room – if you get there first, mines a French – Enjoy yourself dearie x
What a splendid evening we are all having.
I loved your post.
I also think your header is a delight — so misty and mysterious.
Thank you dear Skip it will be entirely my pleasure…are you having fun? did you lose that dreary old Cammie, I believe you could do so much better than chasing after that skinny size 4.
How I love Dom Perignon ’53 the bubbles are just the right size….don’t you think? here’s to a lovely evening.
Dear Willow did you really think so !!! Omar is such an old friend but I must admit he does have those very specia,l dreamy eyes of an Egyptian – one of my weaknesses I am afraid…thank you for allowing me to attend it has certainly been a night to remember x
Lovely! Absolutely lovely!
Well, I must say that your tango with Al was one of the highlights of the evening! And your gown is to die for….simple lovely!
Ooohh…I must have another raspberry tart…won’t you join me? I think we could have a chat with Fred Astaire over there…let’s go…
My dear, you look enchanting! And if Skip’s attraction for Cameron Diaz has you disturbed, remember that The Silver Fox came “stag.”
susie.
you look lovely. i must take a moment or two this evening to chat with you when you are taking a respite from all of the dancing. and may i have a dance with omar? i adore him.
lakeviewer said… How fun to meet all these esteemed guests at Willow’s Ball. We ought to do tea/coffee, exchange cards…
Suzanne said…
Thank you for visiting Susie! It is a wonderful ball. Your blog is an amazing testament to love. Thank you.
We all looked gorgeous, the ball was a tremendous success. I hope Tatler does publish your wonderful account of the evening. And yes, indeedy, you did spy my date Fred (Astaire) — I was glad to see you accepted his offer to dance. He wore me out!
Oh, Susie – there’s nothing like a Dior, is there? You looked fabulous. I’m so sorry we didn’t get a chance to chat during the dance (Colin can be so demanding of my time!), but do feel free to drop by for tea, anytime.
Thank you so much for the dances, you are a very elegant and delightful partner. Are you flying straight back or would you grace us with your presence and join us for a trip to Kentucky to look at the bloodstock?
Carlos Santana is here? oh my, where?.. I would love to dance with him, although leaving John’s side is going to be difficult.
this has been such a fantastic experience, my first ever ball.. your gorgeous,elderly Rolls sounds such a delight..
and what did you think of Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin.. that was a fantastic performance… ooh better run, I can hear strains of Marc Bolan and T-Rex…. John!!, come lets dance!!
You have painted such a grand, appealing picture of the lovely event–I can see it before my eyes.
and your dress is just stunning!
thanks so much for stopping by my blog. Your dior dress sounds divine. I’m so glad you made it across the pond for the wonderful party 🙂
Wolfgang Amadè Mozart: From the comments Susie Hemingway said…
Oh dear oh dear, pray tell me what colour was the rouge? the champagne was flowing Wolfgang, may I call you that. You were a wonderful dancer and well the music…. no matter your secret is safe with me. Mind you Willow was wearing that fabulous red rouge colour too! I do so hope it was not me, kind Sir I must say you were most entertaining.
W. A. Mozart said…
Gracious Lady, I am pleased to tell you that the lip rouge came in several different shades, from pale pink to bright crimson!
Phew!
Dear Susie~
You are the quintessential lady and yet you deigned to attend my gathering! I thank you from the bottom of my heart and offer my profuse apologies for being despicably tardy. I am the last straggling guest as life showed up and tore me away from all the festivities. Your dear Queen Mum comforted me, however, and assured me she understands about difficult family situations and their often ill-timed appearance. She is all graciousness. So now I make my rounds to say hello and au revoir and offer my humblest gratitude to you for gracing my modest event.
So lovely to have met you!
Susie Hemingway said in answer…
Just enchanting Robynn, everything I loved on one blog page. The Nat King Cole Trio – superb and then my Dear Mr Bennett and wonderful KD Laing and the most perfect of all songs “Because of You”
I must apologize once again for Camillo, she does let the side down, and in another ‘room’ Prince Charlie was wearing his kilt and Oh those knees !!, I do so wish they would cover up a bit. Thank you for your hospitality
Oh Linda, You and Barry seem to be having such a good time and were marvellous in the Gay-Gordons, if a tad wobbly. I do love J.K.Rowlings fabo dress but dear Prince Charlie always lets the side down showing his knees! I must apologize for him. What a wonderful night it is. We shall have a little more champagne you and I, and onto the floor once again for a “Scottish Reel” I do love those. Ahh such fun indeed, I doubt I’ll get my MBE now!