Leonardo Da Vinci Painter at the Court of Milan @ the National Gallery

It seems like the whole world has gone crazy for this exhibition and quite rightly too! Now, there has been many a column inch written about this show, by much more knowledgeable folk than I, so i will steer clear of a review. But i will offer a word of advice...this exhibition is being called the 'the greatest show on earth', so as you can imagine, demand is crazy. Online tickets are no longer available. The only way to get tickets now is to queue in person. Thanks to a hot toddy, and a game of eye spy with the man, the 1.5hr wait seemed to fly by...kind of. There is the guarantee of some pretty spectacular art at the end of it though.

The two versions of The Virgin of the Rocks (one normally lives in the Louvre, the other is a local, living in the National Gallery) are facing off, literally, within one room of the exhibition. This one here is the London version.Lady with an Ermine is the main draw of the show. I have been told on good authority (this sweet old lady in the queue) that the best tactic is to head straight for it to try and beat the scrum. 

The world's most famous smile will not feature in the exhibition...it was painted later, after Leonardo left Milan. But apparently there is this big debate on whether Lady with an Ermine is going to bitch slap old Mona Lisa, off her most 'famous painting in the world' pedestal. Discuss...

The Last Supper - As the real deal is on a wall in Milan (literally on a wall, making transportation v.tricky), the exhibition features a replica painted by Giampietrino, one of Leonardo's pupils. Leonardo's anatomical studies came a lot later in his career, so will not feature, but i love them so much that i had to get them in!

All images are from one of my favourite books of all time, the Frank Zollner, Taschen book, Leonardo Da Vinci The complete Paintings and Drawings. It is so beautiful, with gorgeous, glossy, full page images. It's also huge, to the point that if you dropped it on your foot, you would die!

Hatchards pt2...the Fitzgerald fantasy

...part of my Hatchards book lust experience the other day. These babies deserved a post of their own though. Once again we have Coralie Bickford-Smith to thank for these art deco inspired, printed pleasures. Enjoy...

Hatchards Bookshop

I love books. I eat books (not literally, of course), which is why i experience an unstoppable gravitational pull, whenever i walk past a good bookshop - i only feel a slight twitch with the bigger chains! With a spare 20 minutes before meeting friends, i allowed myself to be pulled into one of my faves, Hatchards, on Piccadilly. This is the oldest surviving bookshop in London and a great place to lose yourself in a world of imagination.

Now, I know you should never judge a book by its cover, but i'm a sucker for the cloth bound Penguin classics. These stunning covers are the designs of Coralie Bickford-Smith and they literally make my heart ache. I am in the process of collecting one at a time, a painful process when it comes to choosing which one...

After 20 mins of what was turning out to be some kind of book porn, i was running late. I should have averted my eyes and marched to the door. But noooo! I was instead enticed by a display of Barnes and Noble big, heavy, leather bound classics. Now these are something special. The cover designs, the inner co-ord prints, the gold edged pages...i was in heaven! 'Looking at book covers' is not a good excuse for being late...trust me!

apples and pears!

Dalston Roof Park's yummy stairs!

Fabulous florals - Venetia Norris 'Pen to Paper'

If the fashion week florals have gotten you all excited, then i recommend you head straight to St Martin-in-the-Fields, to feast your eyes on the latest works by Venetia Norris. Deep in the church crypt, you will find a collection of the most beautiful floral studies. The intricacy of her work is so mesmerising, that i was pressing my nose up to the glass of each piece, trying to absorb all the detail. What with the exquisite detailing and the gorgeous, muted colour palettes, you are sure to walk away inspired. The exhibition ends this Sunday, so don't dawdle!

Museum of Broken Relationships

I've been so excited about this eclectic exhibition coming to London. Anything that promises to tell stories of lost love through the weird and wonderful, is my kind of museum. It's been touring the world (via Croatia) collecting objects and stories along the way, objects that define the 'love legacy' of relationships past. i love the concept of channeling the sadness and/or anger of a break up through creativity. By donating a meaningful object the exhibition hopes to act as therapeutic closure for all involved. You'd think the whole thing would border on depressing, but some of the stories of lucky escapes and intense love are actually really uplifting. There's a story in there that everybody can relate to. Turns out that it doesn't matter who you are, or where you're from, a broken heart is a broken heart. There is something comforting in that. My favourite item? Hmmm, think it's the Spanish scientist voodoo doll...i have a vengeful streak!

oooh the intrigue...what were the words??

Magic 8 balls can get addictive...

ahhh....the mix tape

The Museum of Broken Relationships runs August 15 – September 4 at the Tristan Bates Theatre, London WC2.