Happy Halloween Weekend!

I love Halloween in London, there is always so much to do. A couple of years ago I went along to one of the many ghost walks around town, which scared me poo-less! Now, I scare easily... but when masked ghouls started jumping out of trees in St.James Park, even the man freaked out! Great fun! 

Think I am going to stick to the traditional party this year. I'm planning on buying one of the fab cakes from the worlds first over 18's cake shop, 'Eat your heart out & the Pretex potion' in Shoreditch. This is a pop up shop from the brains behind The Mad Artists Tea Party (remember their pop up in Covent Garden two months ago?). The cakes look awesome fun and after tasting their goodies before, I know they will be very yummy! Click here for even more scary goings on in London this weekend....

Thought this would be a good opportunity to post these pumpkin pictures!

Rainbow Bright

After coming across the colourful stairs in Benetton a few weeks ago, I have been drawn to all things rainbow. Here are some of my favourites...

 

Topshop's flagship fitting rooms

Lanvin 4 H&M

The countdown is on...the Lanvin collaboration with H&M is due to launch on November 23rd. The collection will include both menswear and womenswear and will be sold in around 200 stores worldwide. Here is a little taster of what to expect... 

Image via H&M website

I have never been so excited about a launch before and expect huge crowds at their Oxford Circus store on the day - I am going to need a game plan!! H&M are due to release a teaser film next week (I will be sure to post about it), but in the meantime, check out their fab site, for even more info and some gorgeous film clips of the wonderful Alber Elbaz.

Milk Bottle ceiling in Brick Lane boutique

This comfy cat was going nowhere!

London Wallpaper

I love this wallpaper in the new JOY shop on Wardour Street. Apparently it was designed by an Australian artist, just for this store. It captures all the iconic elements of the surrounding area including China Town, Sex Shops and the Eros fountain. Would love to see this created for other London areas...

 

Who am I...David Bowie??

Do you ever get ipod freeze? Where you become so oversaturated with your music library that you just can't decide what to listen to? Well, thanks to these cool cardboard cut outs at the O2 and the man's new t-shirt (now mine!), I have been inspired to resurrect some classic Bowie. A great soundtrack to the week....

The Perfect 10

Have you ever noticed how beautiful the door at No 10 is...?

The Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project

Have you heard about the Smirnoff Exchange Project?? It sounds really awesome. In a nutshell, Smirnoff are looking to create a once in a lifetime, nightlife experience, simultaneously across 14 cities around the world. Each city will contribute ideas as to what constitutes a good night out, with food, music, fashion and dancing all must have elements. Once all this info is collated, the project team will exchange it with another city, to complete this global culture event on 27th November. Check out the idea exchange on facebook to see what people have come up with so far (UV bodypaint seems to be popular!) and to add your own thoughts. 

Participating cities - Sydney, Cape Town, Sao Paolo, Rio, Toronto, Caracas, London, Berlin, Miami, Mumbai, Dublin, Beirut, Warsaw, Buenos Aires, Bangkok. 

London in a bag...

I had my eye on this for a while, as it just looked so cute, so I was really chuffed when the man surprised me with it last week. It's from the really cool Southbank Centre Shop, next to the Festival Hall. If you ever need to find a cool gift then I recommend you check this place out, as it’s full of original designs and artsy bits and pieces. As you can see, my new toy kept me very amused on the train home!

Paul Smith Podcast

The podcast of the Paul Smith: Design at Work interview, (held at the Apple Store three weeks ago) is now available to download from iTunes...and it's free! It really is worth a look. Not only is the man a genius designer, he's also really nice with a brilliant sense of humour. Sit back and enjoy!

Best Of British Pt3

Teddy Bears Picnic...an institution...and not just for kids!

Thames boat ride by night

In all my years living here, I have never got round to taking a boat trip down the Thames…until this week that is! As an alternative to a packed tube station we decided to jump on the next river service from North Greenwich to Waterloo…oh and what fun we had! The views were stunning and the boat was surprisingly fast…plus there is a bar on board - what more could you want?! As you will see from the photos, a tripod would have come in handy (as well as less alcohol in the system!), but I still think these fuzzy snaps have a nice quality to them…

Best of British Pt2

Here are some more photos celebrating all that is Best of British, with these images capturing the quaint, kooky and of course the good old cuppa! With a nod to the 'make do and mend' movement of the war torn 40's, I love the way re-cycling objects for a use other than their original purpose, has become so cool. It's been years since I actually put flowers in a vase, preferring anything from buckets to old wellies!

So, I have never actually danced around a Maypole...but it is very British. Will make an effort to find one next Summer!

I love this eccentric take on afternoon tea.

Rob Ryan - The Stars shine all day too - Exhibition

Oh I love Rob Ryan...have done for a while now, so I was really excited to hear about a new exhibition of his work, starting this November, at The Air Gallery on Dover Street. For all you Rob Ryan newbies out there, his work is made up of delicate, whimsical prints and hand-made paper cuts (amongst other desirable bits and pieces), showcasing his wonderful way with words and beautiful illustrative stories. His unique signature combines poetry and art, in pieces that you can easily lose yourself in for hours, caught up in all the intricate details. But nothing I say can do justice to the real thing, so check out his website to indulge in his gorgeous work.

Part of 'Starry Nights' paper cut

The exhibition will be a combination of new and re-visited old works with some exciting collaborations. Earlier this year, Rob's studio was re-created within Somerset House for the Pick Me up: Contemporary Graphic Art Fair, with the man himself sitting at his desk, painstakingly working on a huge hand cut piece (and yes, as well as being hugely talented, he is also a lovely, humble man). Now, I just love to see creative people in their working environments, especially their inspiration boards, which I find so...well, inspiring! Rob Ryan's boards did not disappoint.

The exhibition is on from Monday 1st November until Saturday 20th November at The Air Gallery, 32 Dover Street...Don't miss it!