Since 1834, London's Harrods department store has been a mecca for many things. I don't know what those things are, but it involves expensive clothing on sale from top fashion designers. Occasionally, you may even meet one of those designers and talk about a gorgeous handbag that is 3-months worth of your paycheck-to-paycheck existence. But, don't cry for me Argentina, for I am fortunate to say that I met the real-life daughter of "The Paul McCartney"(who probably is still best friends with Madonna)- Let's hear it for Stella McCartney!!! Yaaaaaaaay!
Look, I can't entirely understand what the hell happened today, but I can tell you it was much better than what the hell happened at the James McCartney concert in December(ES-Say #50). I say that I'm confused because all my efforts to meet "The Paul McCartney" never have materialised. I actually will strongly tell people, from experience to "forget it" because I have spent no less than eight hours waiting outdoors after being told I should have waited a minimum of two days. I do not listen to my own advice and the "new-unannounced-CD-that-HE-may-or-may-not-do-a-signing-for" clock is waiting to be wound. But, let's not get ahead of ourselves and begin our "The Stella McCartney" story. (Sorry for this Fan Girl start but I had to get it out of my system...)
After two days of preparation(I did my nails), I decided that I would visit Harrods, for at least the chance to enter their contest to win Stella McCartney merchandise. Hundred of pounds of prizes waiting to be won, so why not to me? Even if I never got near Stella, I also knew that classic arcade games and a photo booth were going to be available to the public to have some fun with. I tried to distract myself with good thoughts that didn't involve meeting a celebrity because if I thought to long about it, I would have gone back to bed. Every time I seriously thought about the event(as in meeting Stella), I thought I might forget how to speak so I considered if I did get to Say Anything it would be about her brand of clothing. There was no way I would start a conversation with "so when was the last time you spoke to your dad, The Paul McCartney?" I was thinking sensible and trying to practice using "Falabella" (one of her signature handbags,) in a sentence.
I arrived about an hour before the start time of noon. I was reminded that I get claustrophobic in department stores when I got lost trying to find the first floor. 15 minutes later after passing a Swimwear department that didn't seem to lead to anywhere, I walked passed the event site. Quickly, I had the attention of several Harrods employees as I wrote my name on a contest entry and stuck into an empty clear box. Shortly, a couple other entries were visible. A 1\3 chance to be a winner left me with a smile on my face as I hammed it up in the photo booth. Then, I went to look at the free play coin-opperated style arcade games.
After about five games of playing Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, & Elvis pinball, people began to show up. It quickly became about fifty people filling out contest entries. Well, better luck next time with my odds now increased to lose, I focused on a Stella fan head-to-toe in the McCartney label clothing waiting nearby. I wanted to see if she knew "A Taste Of Honey" but gave that snarky thought up when three actual runway-styled models stood together to show off their Stella line clothing. Three songs began playing on a loop, one which included a lady rap star on vocals. I assumed, from the fourth row that was surrounding a pattened leather(?) bench that something would be starting. (It didn't)
The crowd moved up after the models walked away. I spotted a Harrods security guard pass the bench. Still nothing happened, leaving enough time to delete photos on my camera. By this time I wished the free lemonade servers were going to return because it was getting very warm surrounded by people who's left-hands were replaced with mobile phones. Abracadabra, the flashes went off and I had not realised that "The Stella McCartney" had appeared. But, when I heard her call out something that wasn't "Meredith Evonne" as a contest winner, I knew I missed a trick to be more alert to what was happening around me.
Everyone again started to move up to be in a disorganised mob heading slowly towards Stella. One Harrods employee got the bright idea that the mob should "form a line" which became useful as I was now instantly in the "if you want a photo" line. Stella got the idea fast that she was required to only pose for selfies. I rumaged into my £30 brown bowling bag for a sharpie. "Screw the photo, let me get her autograph!" I thought, as I handed somebody my camera and was now next in the receiving line.
Here's how it went down-
Me: Hello, would you be able to sign for me?
Stella pleasantly taking my Stella McCartney catalogue and marker
(pause for a second of cricket noise)
Me(talking way too fast): The Falabella! I love the spring one with the yellow flowers..bla bla, but it's not here today..
Stella(cool as a cucumber) lets me know that in fact it is available in the collection and even in the bigger version.
(someone wants us to pose for photos with my camera. This guy employee might have been thinking- "wrap it up or face the wrath of the wealthy regular Harrods customers holding up their iphone left hands".)
Me(to Stella): Thank you, it was really nice to meet you.
Stella(smiles or nicely says goodbye)
Exit Stage Left.
As the next receiving line I was waiting on was in a Starbucks, I had a few thoughts. One was hunger(forgot to eat at all that morning), the other was "her personality reminds me of Linda...nice and easy-going." This evening at home, as I ran to wash off the Juicy Couture perfume I rarely wear, I got ready to update the blog I never mentioned to "The Stella McCartney".
"I am starving, what's in the freezer?" I said out loud to nobody. "Frozen Linda McCartney Burgers? Let's go with that..."
Yahtzee! Here at "Not Saying Anything To Paul McCartney" we'd like to remind you that if you have any interest in more photos and a video from this event lots of posh people have already done this because they have Instagram. But, we have Twitter and Our NSATPM Facebook Group here which we expect to have updated with "group only" exclusives during this week. If you consider 74 members exclusive because they get to see our full dorky photos, we really can't blame you for laughing(and loudly, for real people to hear).
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