Helena Frith Powell

Top writers and moi

When I was a little girl dreaming of becoming a journalist I would look at my stepfather’s Sunday Times and wonder if one day I might be good enough to write for it. It seemed an unobtainable aim, but I imagined reporting from trouble-spots around the world, one of the bravest and best foreign correspondents the Sunday Times had ever known.

As some of you may know, I do write for the Sunday Times, I have a column about living in France called The French Mistress. But this weekend there was a special surprise for me. On page two there is a list their top writers in the Sunday Times with pictures. There among the likes of Michael Portillo, Christina Lamb and Marie Colvin was moi. So it’s official, I am a top writer. I was terribly excited by this, despite the fact that while Lamb was reporting from Zimbabwe and Colvin’s dispatch came from Basra I was writing about, er, Botox.

Droopy Bob But do not underestimate the dangers of botox, get it wrong and your eyebrows droop. Not a good look. Even Mugabe is unlikely to do that to you.

Obviously next week I’ll be reporting on matching underwear from Afghanistan.

31 Mar 2008 helena

6 Responses to “Top writers and moi”

on 31 Mar 2008 at 10:59 am 1jules ritter

You know what H? I didn’t read any of the other reports but I did read yours on Botox. And so did half of England I suspect although probably all would not admit to it. My most commented blog has not been about Blocher and the infamous Swiss black sheep poster or other serious Swiss matters that I attempt to add my half-penny’s worth to, it has been about…….Spanx knickers. I wrote a last minute tongue-in-cheek blog about going to a black tie do in a Moschino clingy dress and buying a pair of spanx as I felt it was appropriate and was in two minds whether I needed to wear them. Spanx and I will not speax to you again! was my favorite by your friend and mine, Mr. G. So let’s have more knickers, botox, matching underwear, adult bath toys and a splattering of that other stuff. Julesritter.com

on 31 Mar 2008 at 3:29 pm 2Sharyn G

One of life’s greatest gifts is the ability to not take oneself too seriously. Your blogs are the stuff of everyday existence that we all encounter. It gives us a chance to laugh at our foibles and comisserate on the issues that we find so annoying. Then there is the awe and wonder we experience in watching our children grow up. Throw in a bit of good, old-fashioned gossip and you are performing a public service in keeping us all sane. Kudos to you!

on 31 Mar 2008 at 8:21 pm 3Antoine

Helena,

Unfortunately, the “Times of London” in Norway does not seem to carry the Style magazine … where can I get hold of your article?

(Sidebar: How odd that they choose to leave out certain sections - perhaps the Norwegians don’t believe in Botox? Or perhaps they have something against you?!