Yesterday Bonaparte and I went to the movies. We saw “Absolutely Fabulous—The Movie”. And it was a fun hour and a half. Watching Eddie and Patsy, I felt that I was with old friends.
An hour and a half of decadent, lying, drinking, opportunistic, naughty women is always a great thing!!
Since a good deal of the movie was shot on the Cote d’Azur, it was great reliving moments of our vacation in France, and it was great to spend time with Patsy and Eddie in familiar places.
Patsy and Eddie enjoying life on the Cote d’Azur…
Just like me!! And we are both in Theoule!
But what really made the movie both pleasurable and touching was realizing that I am Edina Monsoon.
And I think that for all of us who lived through various decades of both decadence and bad fashion trends can all relate.
I make no apologies. I don’t smoke anymore. Bonaparte threw my happy pills away. But I still love the aperitifs on the weekend and still love a good and wild time!
My wild pill-popping these days is reduced to Motrin for headaches and OTC allergy medication. Which I hardly take anyway.
..and tell me. Who hasn’t looked like this after an Eddie and Patsy all-nighter. I’m ready for my crawl of shame because I can’t even walk!
The most moving moment in the film, which made me realize I am Eddie was when she was drowning in the pool at the Pierre Cardin Bubble House—which is right up the road from our apartment in Theoule-sur-mer.
OK. So Eddie was closer to the Pierre Cardin Bubble house than I was.(Oh look! You can see Port la Galere through the window. I THOUGHT I heard Eddie and Patsy calling to me!
…but I was still able to SEE the house from our terrace!
She told her daughter Saffy that she loved her. She also announced that (and this isn’t verbatim—but it’s close enough)….
“I’m a nothing, darling”
“I’m fat”
“I’ve made mistakes”
“It’s all about me. Me.Me.Me!”
Bonaparte almost jumped out of his seat because he turned to me and said:
“”Az ziz woman bin spi-eeng on ou?” “Ou sehwha’ she eez seh-eeng awl zuh time!” “muh Got!” (Translation: “Has this woman been spying on you?” “You say what she is saying all the time!” “My God!”
I thought the same sing thing!
But there are other ways that we are the same person.
Edina has been a slave to fashion trends.
A bit too clashy. But, I would wear that hat in a minute. A MINUTE. I would feel like Napoleon Bonaparte in it! I love the military look!
Eddie could sometimes be a bit too matchy-matchy. But then again, who doesn’t love Burberry? (photo from BBC)
When I was younger, I made lots of fashion mistakes. Did I really wear that?
It’s bad enough I dressed my son up like Little Lord Fauntleroy–but those jeans I’m wearing–UGH..and that shirt with the shoulder pads. No. Just. No!
I’m taking broad shoulders to new levels. Who invented shoulder pads anyway? It’s such a disgusting look!
The over sized bomber jacket was NOT a good look.
Most of my adult life has been one. long. diet.
Yeah Eddie. Me too. Me too…
Actually, I’m NOT. I’ll continue to stress-eat and not even bother to unwrap ice cream pops when I’m really emotionally hungry!
Well, then, I’m pretty darn sweet!
Yes. I AM fat here. I’m pregnant. And after I give birth, I’ll do thin things!
I’ve definitely been bad mom! Just like Saffy reminds Eddie of the awful things she’s done, Oona reminds ME of the horrific things I’ve done!
A rather nice photo of Eddie and Saffy…
A rather nice photo of me and Oona!
And one thing Oona NEVER lets me forget is the time I took her to see “There’s Something About Mary”. She was home sick from school and I wanted so badly to see this movie that I did. And with her. And she was 8 years old. I’ve done worse…
I’ve nursed my kids to the point that they didn’t have to ask to be fed. They just grabbed..
I prepared Oona for the real world at a young age by pretending she was at happy hour with a bottle and little appetizers.
And while other little girls dressed up as princesses for Halloween, I made my daughter dress up as a mermaid with two shells as a top!
My politics aren’t the same as everyone else’s. And I’m often outspoken about them—and there are just times when what I want to say just doesn’t come out right.
Thank you Buzzfeed and Tumblr for such a political gif! Eddie wants a stupidity tax and I…
I want to tax the wealthy who cheat our government with their stupid tax shelters. Tax the rich!!!
Eddie loves her champagne!
So do I!
And we love the same brand–Moet!!
Sometimes, I’m the girl who just tries too hard to fit in. I’ve done it in the past, and do it presently, and will most likely do it again.
Sometimes Eddie tries to hard…
..and so do I. It’s HERMES darling. Hermes!
..and I call THIS look, I’m channeling my inner Bardot at St. Tropez look! I look like a poseur!
And, although I want to fit in, I’ll still continue to march to the beat of my own drum.
My new look for the beach. I’ll just wear my bathing suit OVER my clothing because I got too fat!
I’m terribly self-centered. And it is all about me. And perhaps one day I will explain why I am that way. Years of therapy have helped me understand that. But I’m not ready to explain just yet why I am this way.
And like Edina, I don’t want to grow up. I want to remain youthful and I want to be blissful. I want life to be one big party. And I shall remain immature.
But—there is a bit of Eddie, as well as a touch of Patsy Stone in all of us.
So let’s embrace our inner Edina Monsoon. We’re not perfect. We make all kinds of mistakes from fashion to judgment.
We are all Eddie. The more perfect ones are like Patsy, but for the most part, there is a bit of Eddie in all of us!
We’ve all been quite naughty and selfish.
Time to take a good laugh at our mistakes and misjudgments because in the end–it gives us more character!!
And we can all have a good laugh at ourselves because we are all just Absolutely Fabulous. Don’t you think?
The theme song from AbFab. “Wheels on Fire” sung by Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger and Trinity from Top of the Pops, 1968.
OK, I’ve now got hiccups and it’s all your fault. Brilliant piece – we all have our inner Patsy or Eddie, don’t we? I can relate to SO many of those things! Haven’t seen the movie yet but it’s on my list. Thanks again for making me hiccup, Catherine! xxxx
Oh Judy. Of course it is my divine pleasure to give you the hiccups. From drinking too much cham-pan-ya? Or just the giggles?? LOL! It’s true–right? We all have a bit of Eddie in us. You have to see the movie. I was laughing pretty loud!! XOXOXO!!!
I thought you looked really cute in those pictures! But your pictures reminded me of a picture of myself from about 20 years ago that I saw recently….OMG!!! Note to Self: Don’t wear Mom jeans (ever) but especially when you’re short waisted…
Oh Leslie. Those jeans. Those high-waisted, distressed mom jeans. Just awful XOXOXOXO!!!
Head scarf ✔️ Drums✔️ Champagne✔️ Epic fails✔️ Epic accomplishments✔️ I’m with you,Sista!!!!! 😘😘😘😘
Yo Linda. I think you and I would be a good set of twins for Patsy and Eddie!! XOXOXO!!!
Woohoo…..Road Trip!!! 🚗🚗🚗🚗
Wonderful and funny, thanks Catherine – loving you today! 🙂
Hi Terry! Glad you enjoyed! XOXOXOXO!!!
An absolutely fabulous post (see what I did there?)! It made me laugh and it made me feel like I had a friend who “gets” me.
And fashion – or lack thereof – yeah, I’ve been there too. 🙂
Hi Bridget Darling! I’m so glad that my post gave you a good laugh! That was my goal!!! But–I’m glad that I “got” you! Oh..My fashion mishaps in the past have been pretty epic. I think we’ve all had cringe worthy moments!!! Do you like the new way to wear a swimsuit???XOXOXOXO!!!
How absolutely fabulous! You convinced me with the irrefutable evidence.
Hi Soul! I’m so glad that my evidence is completely undeniable! And trust me, there is plenty more where that came from!!! Glad you are enjoying! XOXOXOXO!!!
Hilarious – I wish we’d been neighbours. The daughter told me the other day how she wished I was “normal” when she was growing up and then realised normal mothers while perfect are very boring. That may be the only near-compliment I ever get from her, bless – I was a totally dreadful mother but I absolutely hated the Stepford type mumsies and their crazed uber-competitive power-trippy antics, it brought out the worst in me – long live Edina and Patsy and may we channel their gorgeousness forever!. I’m on the second gin and tonic of the night so who knows what typos I have belted out – oops but never mind.
Hey Juliet. Shades of Eddie and Patsy. I’m on my THIRD aperitif! And quite relaxed there darling! Oh. Oona probably sat around with lemmings that I was like the other moms until she realized that my “uniqueness” was far better! I was so dreadful that she recommended the book “Where’d You Go Bernadette?” to me. She said I was Bernadette! I read the book. It was a high compliment!! I am with you on the long live Edina and Patsy!! We need to be more like them!!! Love and Kisses to you! XOXOXOXO!!!
Another fabulous one 🙂
Don’t have Moët chilling today 😉 but let’s imagine I do and I raise a glass to all Eddies out there 🙂
Turtle Hugs
Salut Turtle! Here’s a nice chilled flute filled with cold champagne. Let’s toast together!! To all the Eddies!!! XOXOXOXO!!! We are all fabulous!!
Aren’t we ?
Tchinn tchinn (that’s what we say in Portuguese upon touching glasses in a toast) to all our fabulousness 🙂
Hello Gorgeous! I was in the UK ( I am Australian) a few weeks ago when you were in France and there were Absolutely Fabulous posters everywhere and interviews on TV so I’m off to see the film next week.
I ‘m coming out about hair loss…I’ve always had thin hair, but lots of it until I went on a diet and lost masses of weight and masses of hair. Neither have come back! Eventually I started using permanent extensions which are taped in and for the past eight year have gone and had them redone every six or seven weeks. Very $$$$$$, but very effective. Now the thinning on the top of my head makes my part look way too wide but I spray the area with L’Oreal Instant Root Concealer Spray and rub it in a bit and it is very effective.
My endocrinologist suggested iron and Vit D supplements but they made no difference. I have bought a caffeine based treatment and am one month in, so it’s too early to say if it works, but I have used so many other sprays, lotions and treatments I’m not especially optimistic.
My 85 year old mother has thick hair!
Have an Absolutely Fabulous time in your new job….well, perhaps not! Deborah
HI Deborah! Oh..I’m positive you will love the AbFab movie!! It was a riot!! And the scenes shot in France were making me want to get on a flight and return!
But I’m proud of you for coming out about hair loss. I think the more we talk about it, the more we will see that there are more women experiencing this than we could have ever imagined. I’m going to have to look for that L’Oreal Root concealer. I started to rub the Toppik in and it seems to work better. I’m researching the tape extensions too.
You know–Bonaparte read my post the other day and he said that he was sorry he wasn’t more in tune with my hair loss issues. Now he’s starting to research. Being open is always a good thing.
Oh please–my parents had the thickest hair. It’s soooooooo frustrating–isn’t it??
Thank you so very much for the feedback Deborah. I completely appreciate it. Let me know how tthe caffiene treatment goes! XOXOXOXOXO!!!
how many photos!!! Compliments!
many regards from Italy
Hi Antonio!!! Thank you!!! Thank you so much!! Caio!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
What a Fun, Silly Post…Keeps Us All Young…the Nuttier the Better…
HI Jeanne. You got it right!! We need a bit of silliness every now and then!! We need some nuttiness too! XOXOXOXO!!!
I haven’t seen this film – yet! I don’t think I missed one episode when it was on UK tv. And that song – wow! Jennifer Saunders is hilarious, well they both are, but she is such a clever writer. I think I might have a girl crush on Joanna Lumley… Love your photos too. Great post. Xx
June. You HAVE to see the movie!! I have episodes on DVD! I especially love the episodes with Mo Gafney and she’s in the movie and she is hysterical for the short time she’s in it! Oh God. Jennifer Saunders is one of the greatest comedic writers of all time. Speaking of girl crushin’, Lumley doesn’t age. She IS Patsy. I do have a bit of a girl crush on both the ladies!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Your photos are wonderful. All of them! And don’t hold back on being fabulous. Unleash your inner Edina Monsoon every day. 😀
LOL! Strawberry! Oh..I definitely unleash my inner Edina every day!!! Thanks–I’m glad you enjoyed the post and pics!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
I think we all have a little Edina inside us (is there such a thing as a Little Edina) when it comes to trying hard to stay slim, fitting in, and succumbing to fashion mistakes. I however, have my own kinship with Patsy as I will NEVER give up my fringe of bangs!
Hi Painter! Aha!!!! An inner Patsy!!! I do hope you eat a bit more than she does though, Darling!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!
I have been known to have wine for dinner…not “with” dinner, FOR dinner!
The scene with Edina at court arguing for the stupidity tax is one of my favorites. That and when they drive themselves to the market and end up assaulting the woman in the street – actually I think that’s from the same episode. My husband and I wanted to go see this last week, but it was already gone from all the theaters in my area. The suburbs of Houston don’t really “get” Edina and Patsy, it seems. waiting for it to arrive on Netflix so we can see it! I have all the seasons on DVD and now may be the perfect time to pull them out and watch them; the end of summer and Donald Trump have me feeling totally depressed right now. I could use some cheering up!
Oh and I wanted to say one more thing: I just wrote a post totally about the retreat center I visited a few weeks back; I wanted to focus solely on the space and show as much of it in photos as I could, and it took FOREVER to write! HOURS!!! It made me appreciate what you do here even more – those are HARD posts to write!
LOL. Cynthia. ANY post is difficult to write–especially the lead in sentences. I find those the hardest to write–but once the juices get flowing it becomes easier. It just takes a long time to write a decent post. Right???? Don’t get me started about the movies here in the Philly suburbs–I’m glad we saw AbFab last week because it’s gone now. GONE! And it was only playing in one theatre here. Yet, all kinds of kiddie movies are in constant rotation. Don’t these kids have better things to do in the summer than to sit in a movie theatre? (I’m the female W.C Fields) On another note, we just saw BAD MOMS–it was great!! I should know. I’m the original bad mom!
I’m heading over to read the post about the retreat center right now. I loved the first one you wrote….XOXOXXO!!!
Two great female role models – Edina Monsoon and Miss Piggy. Loved the film so much, everything I expected it to be and better. First saw AbFab in 1994 or 95 on our wonderful ABC public broadcaster and never looked back because I just want to be “thin and gorgeous”. First series is the best and I vacillate between Birthday, Fat and France as my favourite all time episode. Great accolades to Jennifer Saunders who obviously repelled any pressure by film producers to include celebrities who would alienate her original fan base (ie Kardashians).
Catherine can you please help – I have tried about six times to subscribe via email. I had not received anything since I first tried to subscribe at the time of your heroic march down the road in France post and just looked you up and saw I have around five posts to read. Can you please add me to the subscribers with my email as I give up on the WordPress function to subscribe. Many thanks.
Hi Yvonne! Oh. I LOVE Saunders! And I’m thrilled that she didn’t include the Kartrashians in the movie. Seriously–it would have been a deal-breaker for me. I’m not easily offended and I’m sure you are aware of that–but the fact that the Kardashian family is famous only because of a tape where Kim went Pee-pee on Ray Jay is just so disgustingly vile and horrific. I have more respect for a whore who walks the streets for a buck. But–My fave episodes-OMG I have so many, are when the girls are in Morocco! I lose it. I just lose it!!
I’m trying to think here. Something is amiss. Did you hit the ‘Subscribe by email”? I say that because I haven’t received any notice of your emmail subscription. I’ll get an email when someone subscribes via email. I’m on Bloglovin’ but in all seriousness, I ain’t gettin’ much love from them. Try reaching out to the admins at WP because there may be some little glitch–I know I’ve had some in the past that needed a bit of fixin’ on their part. I’m upset!!! I love when you comment and don’t want to lose a friend!!! WE need to fix this!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Yes I definitely hit subscribe every time. Aren’t you allowed to slip my email in your subscriber list, like political branch stacking (this maybe a Westminster govt political term).
Adored Morocco especially one of my all time favourite lines of Eddy to Patsy (who is not feeling well). “have you eaten something Pats”. Patsy: “Not since 1975”. Love it every time.
Agree completely about Kardashian. Just vulgar without irony.
I have subscribed via Bloglovin but much prefer an email subscription. Fingers crossed.