Bike Envy

I couldn't help but notice all the gorgeous bikes around town this summer... making me want one of my very own. I am already dreaming up my cycling outfits! Although, I am sure the lust will pass as winter kicks in!

Queueing...not only the pass time of the British!

The 5hr queue outside Petit Palais in Paris, for the Yves Saint Laurent Retrospective. It just went on...

and on... 

Well worth the wait though!

V&A Friday Lates - Retro Hollywood Glamour

After the amazing time we had at the Science Museum Lates night a few weeks ago, the man and me decided to try out the V&A's version on Friday. This months theme was Retro Hollywood Glamour, so it was right up my street! From the moment we walked up the red carpeted entrance, to the dulcet tones of Frank Sinatra, I just knew we were in for a treat! There was a feast of activities and events including silk screen scarf printing, a masterclass with Daisy de Villeneuve (the renowned illustrator) and the chance to dress up and be photographed in gorgeous vintage frocks. I loved that so many came dressed to the nines in fifties fashion, others with a modern twist. There was also a team on hand to create Hollywood makeovers, worthy of the silver screen. Just the thrill of walking around this beautiful museum after hours with the retro soundtrack was the stuff of movies!

One of my highlights - 'Whisky In The Jar!' by Fitzrovia Radio Hour - just brilliant!

One of the many suited and booted in the crowd...Don Draper eat your heart out!

A sit down cinema reel of fifties Hollywood film trailers

The John Madejski Garden was the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine as night fell.

Mad Artists Tea Party

I am loving all the food related exhibitions that are popping up at the moment. I love art and I love my food so this is the perfect pass time for me! Here are some pics from the Mad Artists Tea Party I told you about on Friday. My favourite piece was the biscuit lyric wall... music never tasted so good! Next up is the Experimental Food Society Spectacular.

Edible lyrics from The Chaos by The Futureheads, created by Molly Bakes & Kooky Bakes. I loved the chic black and dove grey icing with the 'suede effect' finish (created by sprinkling finely ground sugar over still wet icing).

All the fun of the fairground by David & Simon Smith

Edible Garden by Alex Turvey & Lili Vanilli

Captain Fairtrade by Michelle Wibowo

Happy Weekend!

So, bank holiday weekend, what do you have planned?? If you are yet to make any, then why not pop along to the Notting Hill Carnival? If that's not your cup of tea then how about some edible art for all you cake lovers out there with this Mad Artists Tea Party??

The man and me have a bit of a crazy one planned, with a late night at the V&A tonight and then a day trip to my second favourite city tomorrow...yep, you guessed it... Paree! There are a couple of great exhibitions on at the moment (a YSL retrospective and one looking at contemporary fashion) and I am craving a big bowl of boeuf bourguignon. But hey, who needs a reason when it is only 2hrs a way!

The Surreal House Exhibition @ the Barbican

I decided to make the most of a rainy afternoon last week with a trip to The Surreal House at the Barbican. The exhibition combined works of old school masters such as Dali, Duchamp, Magritte and Cornell with contemporary figures such as Rebecca Horn and Rem Koolhaus. The space was imaginatively crafted with individual rooms and kooky little spaces that were inviting, yet sinister at the same time - although this atmosphere was lost slightly on the second floor. The combination of art, film, architecture and photography made for an insightful and thought provoking house tour with the film clips packing a real punch (was mesmerised by Buster Keaton in Steamboat Bill, Jr for 20 mins!). Highlights included Horn’s suspended, exploding piano, Joseph Cornell’s enchanting boxes with Andrei Tarkovsky’s film finale ‘The Sacrafice’ literally bringing the house down.

A couple of my sneaky snaps of lesser known exhibits...

Noble & Webster's 'Metal Fucking Rats'

The Surreal House runs until September 12th. 

Hendrix in Britain Exhibition

I was introduced to Jimi Hendrix during a social history lesson at college and instantly fell in love with his psychedelic dandy image and that was before I had heard his music! I then rented festival videos from the library (oh those primitive days before you tube) featuring grainy clips of his sets, to experience the genius in motion. Hendrix made his name after arriving in London in 1966 and showcasing his unique talent with spectacular live performances. 

This September will mark the 40^th anniversary of his death, which is to be commemorated with the exhibition Hendrix in Britain, featuring clothing, handwritten lyrics and various memorabilia at Handel House Museum (the Mayfair townhouse where the composer George Frideric Handel lived and composed his most popular music). The museum will also open up the flat where Hendrix lived (next door to the museum) which is now used as office space. Now for a little entertainment...

Hendrix at Woodstock 1969 - Voodoo Child

Hendrix in Britain from today to 7th Nov, Hendrix Flat opening from 15 – 26^th September only.

Rene Gruau Exhibition @ Somerset House

One for the diary… Somerset House will be hosting an exhibition of the illustrator Rene Gruau’s most iconic fashion images, including a selection of his renowned work for Dior.

Image: Rene Gruau for Dior 

Dior Illustrated: René Gruau and the Line of Beauty will be at Somerset House from 10^th November – 9^th January.

Interiors Focus - Jones Dairy Café

Stopped off in this cute café on our way to Columbia Road flower market for a cuppa and one of their famous bagels. Loved the shabby chic interior and the assortment of utensils, they also had some really cool drawings of café life on the bare walls, giving the place real character.

Columbia Road Flower Market

I love London early on a Sunday morning. The streets are eerily quiet and all the more beautiful for it. The man and me decided to take advantage of the free parking on a Sunday and have an early morning drive to Columbia Road Flower Market.
This is a great London experience with a feast of delicious smells, sights and sounds of the East End. The stalls are stocked with a gorgeous array of flowers and plants at very reasonable prices and there is a really friendly atmosphere. I recommend you get there early to beat the crowds (the market is open from 8am to around 3pm), however if you can hang around until later you are sure to bag even more of a bargain. Make sure you leave time to explore the charming independent shops that line the streets, everything from antiques to cupcakes. It's also another great place for people watching!

My purchases...

Happy Weekend!

Well, I have put on my shoes and I am definitely ready for the weekend (I love that Calvin Harris song)!! I am hoping for a relaxing weekend with a trip to Columbia Road flower market planned for Sunday, which I will tell you all about next week. In the meantime, check out this great photo of a wannabe bearskin guard I saw walking across Westminster Bridge last week. The tourists thought he was for real and he was lapping up all the attention. You can't see on this photo but that bag he is holding is actually an Iceland carrier bag...classic!

The Great Frog and The Spider Ring

I love jewellery, especially rings and after deciding to add another to my collection I knew exactly where to go. The Great Frog on Ganton Street (just off Carnaby Street) is an amazing jewellery shop that specializes in unique, edgy, hand carved pieces. I could have bought them all, however I am rapidly running out of fingers!

Festival Brazil - Southbank Centre

There is a great festival at the Southbank Centre until 5th Sept bringing the colourful, vivacious culture of Brazil to the streets of London. There are loads of great events and activities going on including live music, short films and a Rio carnival samba show (bank holiday weekend). When walking past the other day I got caught up in the samba rhythm of a live band whilst checking out this fab installation - a social project inspired by everyday life of the favelas. Loved this, the colours were fab...

London Ambassador for 2012 Olympics

After a great heads up, I decided to sign up to be a London Ambassador for the 2012 Olympics last night. This involves being on the streets of London during the Olympics offering all sorts of advice to tourists, from travel routes, place to eat, things to see/do and generally promote this great city and everything it has to offer. Anyway, it is not in the bag just yet, this was just an initial sign up. The selection process will start next year and I am sure they will be inundated with volunteers. Think it would be a great experience and really cool to be able to say that I was part of it all. Well fingers crossed! Check out what Boris has to say...

Fashion arrives at Waterloo…Topshop @ LFW

With London Fashion Week fast approaching (Sept 17th - 22nd) it was announced yesterday that Topshop will be hosting their show from the former Eurostar Terminal at Waterloo – how cool does that sound?! The TS Unique collection never disappoints and was one of the highlights of the AW10 line up in February, featuring a long list of my winter wardrobe must haves. This collection will be hitting the shops in line with LFW where you will duly find me spending my hard earned pennies! Check out these images for a few of my future purchases…

 Everything a jacket should be this winter...Aviator styling, Shearling, Caramel leather...delicious!

You can't go wrong with a good chunky knit jumper this season

A great winter coat...shoes are great too!

Love the owl print on this maxi dress

Images by Marcio Madeira / FirstView.com on Style.com

The Cineroleum... Pop-up London film experience

Being a huge film fan I am always on the look out for new cinemas/experiences to indulge my love of the silver screen. So I was really excited to hear about The Cineroleum earlier today. Located within a derelict petrol station on Clerkenwell Road, this hand built cinema will be screening a collection of classics including Rebel Without a Cause and Night of the Living Dead from this coming weekend until 12th September. The project aims to highlight the potential use of derelict, urban spaces around the UK in a fun and creative way. Check out their great site for more info...

Image from The Cineroleum website

Paradoxal

I am a sucker for a good nail varnish, so when the new AW10 Chanel colour Paradoxal launched yesterday I hotfooted it straight to Selfridges. When applied, it has a gorgeous grey/violet hue with a subtle sparkly shimmer as the light hits it. Although this isn't limited addition I recommend you buy it quick, as no doubt the first batch will be sold out by the end of the weekend!

Happy Weekend!

As usual the week has flown by with the reward of another glorious weekend ahead! I will be heading to Brighton beach this weekend - I am clinging on to the last of the last days of summer! I will also be checking out these fab courses that the V&A are running from September. Can’t think of a better venue to study the arts, can you? Hope you have a good one!

A happy photo... part of the jewellery collections at the V&A. I love my rings!

Pop up Ping Pong!

I came across this awesome place when walking to the tube yesterday. It's on Marshall street which is just off Carnaby St and is only around for one more week! Ping Pong for free... it doesn't get much better than this! Perfect Friday night fun - plus they serve beer!