filthypawsandsilkydrawers

2012-01-08T05:21:00.000-08:00

Sometimes there's nothing a walk in the park cant sort out.

Deer Audrey...

2011-05-15T23:16:00.000-07:00

I dont think there is a girl on the planet that doesnt at least appreciate the amazingness that was Audrey Hepburn. And so on a heinous Monday morning here are some cutsey pictures of her with her pet deer, Pippin.

xxx

Here comes the sun...

2011-05-01T12:41:00.000-07:00

. Being bored and stuck in bed after surgery means getting awesome at nail art.

. Youtubing old Biggie videos.

. Finally fitting a bathroom door and not having to sing on the loo every time friends are over.

. Moaning about the Royal Wedding, then sitting cross legged on the floor with the Hound and watching it start to finish.

. Becoming shockingly addicted to my local Italian's Arancini.

. Getting a bad case of wanderlust and wanting to ditch it all and run away to somewhere wonderful and exciting.

xxx

Solid Gold...

2010-09-19T00:30:00.000-07:00

At the moment every spare minute I have has been ‘invested’ in ripping out tiles, dragging around floorboards and scraping off wallpaper. I have finally found my first place of my own! It is perfect for Champ and I, buried in North London, next to a park and plenty of cake shops.

However much I love my little Victorian basement, last Saturday I grew to love it a WHOLE lot more. When I cleared out an old cupboard filled with cigarette butts and oozing old paraffin lamps. Because once I had thrown out several suitcases and piles of old gas bills, I bravely dug a little deeper and pulled out what I can only describe as buried treasure. Boxes and boxes of love letters and photographs.

From spending the past week reading and scouring the internet I have discovered that all of the photographs, enormous Ministry of Health folder and Plans for the Pagham Beach Bungalows (!) all belonged to Mr Nichols…..who was in fact an architect and surveyor, and quite a prestigious one at that-after all not everyone in the 1800’s worked for the Lord of Kensington.

As you can see he was extraordinarily talented…how wonderful to think that once upon a time he lived in my little flat! I plan to try and find his family to return his wonderful photographs – the hundreds that somehow got left behind.

As an avid collector of old photographs I was thrilled to find all of this….But I didn’t realise that the best was yet to come…

xxx

Holding dandelions and chocolate for you...

2010-08-31T09:50:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of Nadinoo? I’m currently lusting after literally everything that pops up in genius designer Nadia Izruna’s collections. Wonderful whimsical Liberty prints, peter pan collars, mini dresses….it’s all just to die for! This is grown up clothing for Romantic girls who love vintage and clothing that lasts.

All pictures were nabbed from the website where you can shop and admire till your hearts content at Nadinoo

xxx

Dream a little dream of me...

2010-08-28T23:36:00.000-07:00

Is there anything more beautiful than an Ercol day bed?! Pure sofa heaven in my opinion, I remember my Aunty had one when I was little, piled high with cushions covered in bright colour blocked flowers, I loved it then and I want one now. More and more I realise I was born in the wrong era! xxx

Pink to make the boys wink...

2010-08-08T07:38:00.001-07:00

Oh dear, my poor, poor awfully abandoned blog. I could list off the reasons for my lack of posting but would it make up for the lack? Probably not. Nevermind, I am back and aim to not disappear again.

I wonder does anyone still drop by here?

Anyway in the past few months the following marvellous events have occurred-

. I got a promotion! Same company, new job, it’s brilliant!

. The Champ and I completed a sponsored forest walk in aid of the Greyhound Trust…he did very well and of course barged to the front even though he had no idea where he was going, I’m sure all the other hounds thought he was a real show off…

. I finally found a flat, third time lucky I guess, I don’t want to jinx it so wont say too much more.

….and really that’s all that’s worth mentioning.

Well I hope this time I can keep blogging my little heart out, there’s something quite reassuring about being back, kind of like coming home!

xxx

...

2010-02-11T22:49:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a truly sad day for fashion and words will simply not do.

RIP McQueen, we lost one of the best we'll ever have. xxx

Siri Tollerod by Miles Aldridge for Vogue Italia May 2008…

2009-12-31T05:02:00.000-08:00

I think this is one of my favourite shoots in Vogue Italia ever…perhaps it’s because I love clutter and old Grandma wallpaper, there’s something delightfully shabby glam and Grey Gardens about it all…. I confess I do have a little cat lady spirit only with a huge greyhound instead!

Happy Holidays all..

2009-12-25T01:38:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone has a wonderfully merry Christmas and a sparkly New Year.

Much love, Becca and the Champ.xxx

Its been a while...

2009-12-19T09:18:00.000-08:00

Gosh I have been an awful awful blogger, my head it hung in shame I promise. But the Champ I am back! Just in time for Christmas!

In the past few months…

. I got my fringe back.

. He got a new wax jacket for winter.

. I booked in to get tattooed in the new year.

. He discovered he enjoys apples and cheese.

. I got a job out of my internship…with a handbag designer!

. He didn’t move his butt off the sofa much.

We are both safe and well and ready for some Christmas cheer….

Pictures taken from one of my favourite ever shoots, Luciana Val and Franco Musso withDarla Baker for Numéro #75 August 2006.

Singing in the rain...

2009-07-29T13:02:00.000-07:00

This is what I have eaten in the past two days.

I managed to catch a cold in the last week of my internship, oh woe. Thus the past few days have involved nothing more than sleeping and drinking a lot of water. I couldn't read my head was banging so hard and the greyhound is being moody as I haven't been the one walking him...

What do you do when your all snuffly and headachey, is there anything that makes you feel like a normal person again?! Vast quantities of Lemsip and steaming hot baths are growing tiresome...

Birthday cake and Heart ache...

2009-07-18T03:41:00.000-07:00

I’m not much of a birthday girl I’m afraid, although I never look a gift horse in the mouth! This year I tried, as ever, to keep it quiet but suddenly there were text messages, cake, and crys of ‘why didn’t you say!’ echoing through the office. People are terribly sweet but just far too much of a shy girl to embrace the fuss, cue much blushing!

I feel horrid for neglecting this sweet little blog so l'll do a quick recap on my boring life;

. I've just finished reading 'Middlesex' by Jeffrey Eugenides, everyone should read it, it's a fantastic book. It's taken me forever to read as my long mornings spent on the Northern line have sadly resulted more in sleeping than reading, whoops...

. My internship is nearly finished, I've spent almost two months at Anya H, time has flown by! It's been so amazing but hopefully I'll have a couple of other things lined up, a short stint at Harpers Bazaar may be in the pipeline...keep your fingers and toes crossed!

. I was given the Hummingbird Bakery book as part of my birthday so I'm going to spend the day baking peaches and cream cupcakes and drinking some of the delicious tea that my wonderful penpal sent me (in a cute heart print Emma Bridgewater Tea tin no less!)

And I've also just seen that a couple more lovely people are following, so welcome dear readers! I'm going to be more faithful and blog you all to death soon...

Once Upon a Time...

2009-06-23T22:50:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine steered me towards the ‘Fallen Princess’ series by Dina Goldstein, and oh what a fantastic idea. I love that she's with perfect sugar coated characters and turning their lives into something real. I especially love the idea of Sleeping Beauty never waking up, her prince locked into a retirement home, forever hopeful…

You can see more here.

Miu Miu Pre Fall 2009...

2009-06-20T09:53:00.000-07:00

I know it’s barely summer but I’m still fussing over A/W09. I was hunting around and discovered Miu Miu’s pre fall show and was....shocked/in love/horrified. Lets just say I’m not sure how to react. I love delicious dark moody clothing for winter. I love that winter allows me to wear plum and black every single day without question. I love berets and grey nail polish and a well cut coat…I even love knee socks in this case.

But I loved Miu Miu for being a little more girly and a little less goth…I guess this collection leaves me a little bit confused but I suppose that’s a good thing!

All photos from style.com

Never too many shoes...

2009-06-17T12:40:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am that girl that stores her excess shoes in her kitchen cupboards because she doesn’t cook. Which is probably why I am quite for obsessed with Louboutin’s ad campaign, shot by Peter Lippman. I love the idea of using his sexy red soled wonders as the centre pieces of faux 18th century art – pure genius!

Where the wild things are...

2009-06-14T05:29:00.000-07:00

I, along with the rest of the blogging world, am so so so overly excited about Where The Wild Things Are coming out. It’s been so long since I went to the cinema, as there’s literally nothing out which appeals to me….I can’t wait!

For anyone still reading, what films are you getting excited about?

The room was on fire...

2009-06-07T07:01:00.000-07:00

I have been interning all week and am in love with the place, the people, the work…just everything.

Things to be grateful for…

. Dads who boil eggs for your dog and then draw hearts and names on them.

. Strangers who pick your book up for you when you fall asleep on the tube.

. Being curled up in bed on a Sunday morning, listening to the thunder, devouring Waitrose food magazine.

. Jay-Z emerging out of the ashes of retirement-hurrah!

. Finding amazing, beautifully presented, not extortionately priced, sushi in Clapham.

You were never anything but beautiful to me...

2009-06-04T12:48:00.000-07:00

The weekend was on fire with burnt sunny shoulders and long glasses of amaretto with cranberry. Flashing lights and music daring me to dance. Wandering home through the streets of London, feet throbbing, legs aching…all as the sun came up.

Sometimes we skip, sometimes we do the greyhound hop...

2009-05-27T10:46:00.000-07:00

My little one...or rather, my large pony-sized one, had to go into the vet today to have a couple of old teeth out. Now he's snoozing off his anaesthetic and bizarrely it's me who's missing our evening walk more....lets hope every thing's back to normal tomorrow...

I miss the way summertime used to feel...

2009-05-25T08:14:00.000-07:00

I have been away a while but I’m back! My parents are visiting so I’ve been attempting to juggle lots of family time with preparing for my internship which I’m starting in June, amongst other more boring things.

It’s been uncharacteristically warm in London so lately I’ve been enjoying….

. Bare legs.

. The jingle of the ice cream van.

. Glasses of pear and apple cordial crammed with heart shaped ice.

. Sun sparkles on my camera.

. Champion’s little baldy elbows.

What things do you get excited about when the weather finally starts to ease up after winter?

Studded with Ruby Raspberries...

2009-04-30T05:05:00.000-07:00

The worst thing about living alone is not having to remember whether you’ve left your straightening irons on or not, but not having anyone to share your Pavlova with…this is of course all lies, I could single handedly polish one off in minutes!

Happy Sundays...

2009-04-26T12:06:00.000-07:00

. Beef bones for him and pic n mix for me.

. Stacks of newspapers strewn all over the coffee table.

. Sun to make your shoulders ache.

. Day dreaming about polka dot bathing suits and dips in the sea.

. Not thinking about monday mornings...

Home is where the Heart is...

2009-04-22T23:20:00.000-07:00

I am slightly besotted with these wonderful wall stickers from Scandi Living. I’m not much of a fan of coloured walls but I adore beautiful wall paper. Fickle as I am, I know that I can’t commit to one though and fear I have far too much clutter to make it look breath taking. Enter the wall sticker, cheaper, equally beautiful…and disposable. No more expensive mistakes for me…

You can buy them and adorn your walls here...

April Showers...

2009-04-18T08:53:00.000-07:00

There is something perfectly undemanding and peaceful about spring. The damp mornings when blossom clings to my wellington boots, the light warmth of mid afternoon sun. Everything is in bloom…except the camellias, which my dog likes to de-head…

Things that make me smile…

. Frozen Greek yogurt piled high with coconut and raspberries.

. Bare legs in the park.

. Leaving coats and scarves at home.

. The rustling of new leaves.

And to anyone reading, what are your ‘must-see’ film recommendations? I signed up to a free trial at Love Film and have a huge list…but an insatiable appetite for good films ☺

Erdem, Fall, 2009...

2009-04-14T23:21:00.000-07:00

Erdem’s been rocking florals and paint prints in the most amazing fabrics and come-get-me colours. Everything from dresses to snug little jackets and jumpsuits. And then there were beautiful little black dresses to die for…delicious…

Lots more eye candy here.

Kinder bunnies and a stack of films...

2009-04-11T23:02:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter everyone!

Love from Becca and the greyhound.x

Peter Som, Fall, 2009...

2009-04-11T00:21:00.000-07:00

The weather outside is frightful and I’m stuck inside with a head cold, some mini eggs and a whiney greyhound who wants another walk. So in order to put myself into brighter spirits I had a little nosey at the Peter Som show. Whilst I love the rich, moody colours and luxurious fabrics at Luella, sometimes the dreariness of winter makes me long for bright clashing prints and stompy shoes with ankle socks. This collection basically managed to pull together something for everyone, bright prints to face dull weather and sumptuous dark tones for when you feel like embracing it…

Lots more on Style.

Paper Cuts...

2009-04-07T13:15:00.000-07:00

Helen Musselwhite makes the most astoundingly gorgeous paper cuttings, filled with colour and vintage charm. Those who know me well will know that I’m a girl obsessed with homewares…on a seemingly never ending flat hunt. The more I look at her work the more tempted I am to buy myself something beautiful…instead of an ironing board!

You can see more wonderfulness here- Helen Musselwhite.

Nothing but a hound dog...

2009-04-05T00:30:00.000-07:00

My dog likes licking wet windows, rubs himself against the wall when he’s itchy, always leaps up onto the sofa exactly 8 mins after I turn the lights off and go to bed, flies into the kitchen every time you unscrew the Nutella pot, smiles in his sleep, wont walk in mud, puts his head on your shoulder when you dry his feet…

What a muffin ☺

Super Nature...

2009-04-02T00:33:00.000-07:00

I know I say this every week but I have yet another photography crush. This time its, Nadege Meriau, a French girl in London. I love her ‘Mises en Scene’ collection in particular where animals and flora/fauna are invited inside to collaborate with human surroundings, its especially clever when you notice that the background wallpapers echo the real animals. Her collections ‘Root’s and ‘Reaching’ are pretty gorgeous too…

See more here- Nadege Meriau.

There was a young girl who lived in a book...

2009-03-30T11:50:00.000-07:00

There are times when I feel I could happily spend my whole life locked away reading. Sometimes I become such a recluse…but I secretly relish in it, abandoning makeup and ignoring my phone…

What are your favourite books?

Things currently fill my days;

. Teaching my dog to bark...he's getting there.

. Homemade marmalade with butter on toast, indulgence.

. White Jasmin candles from Jo Malone, I'll miss my jasmin bush when I leave this house behind.

. The 'Grown Up' job hunt, it seems that there is so much, yet nothing at all.

. The prospect of good films, Benjamin Button and Wendy & Lucy both to come!

A little Surrealism to get you through the day...

2009-03-27T04:58:00.000-07:00

Code for Something is one of my favourite blogs, which I always make time to check. Which I’m now very glad for as it led to a new discovery of an amazing photographer, Rune Guneriussen. So typical of my photography taste but so beautiful and surreal. The images with vintage telephones and lamps are my favourite…

You can see more here- Rune Guneriussen.

I'd like to thank...

2009-03-24T08:22:00.000-07:00

The lovely One Long Road awarded me with the Kreativ Blogger award! I have to pass it on to 7 wonderful bloggers which I adore so here you are, it was a very difficult task to pick only 7, if you've been awarded then pass it on!-

. Fur Coat No Knickers, always makes me smile, witty comments and the most random ‘how-did-I-live-without-it’ assortment of discoveries.

. Code For Something, beautiful photographs and someone who shares my appreciation for a good wolf tshirt.

. Sacaton June, lovely whimsical vintage clothing with a little Etsy thrown in.

. Notes by Naïve, for perfect polaroids and lots of food.

. Aisha Wood, to persuade her to update more! A wonderful feast of everything eco friendly and utterly beautiful.

. Sweet Fine Day, written by one of the owners of a small bakery business in New York, they’re living my dream!

. Bleaching Stream, fanciful, gorgeous illustrations and jaw droppingly wonderful art...

Annie Leibovitz, Wizard of Oz for Vogue...

2009-03-23T12:01:00.000-07:00

Every Christmas Day, since I was a little girl, I’ve sat down after dinner and insisted that we all watch The Wizard of Oz. So imagine my joy at seeing this Vogue spread by the legend that is Annie Leibovitz. Kiera Knightly makes a surprisingly adorable modern day Dorothy as well…

Creme Caramel...

2009-03-21T06:06:00.000-07:00

When I was a child we lived abroad. One of my favourite memories is sitting next to my dog, on our balcony, eating Crème Caramel in the blistering heat. Now I’ve apparently grown up I find that sitting next to my dog, eating Crème Caramel in the sun is still defiantly one of my favourite ways to spend my time…

Reasons to be smiling...

. The way early morning sunshine makes the fields glow gold.

. Hibiscus and cranberry juice at Wahaca.

. Waking up to bird song.

. A good new book (Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris) to fall into.

. Finding new hobbies to fill my time, decoupage anyone?

Mommie Dearest...

2009-03-19T03:14:00.000-07:00

I’ve been meaning to share these somewhat creepy but gorgeous photographs for a while now. They were taken for Numero, by Sofia Sanchez and Mauro Mongiello. There’s no denying the freaky factor, it’s all a bit pageant queen with a slash of stepford wife, perhaps it’s the glazed expressions and the flawless makeup but I just can’t look away…

Lazy sunny afternoon...

2009-03-18T05:15:00.000-07:00

In winter I fully embrace black patent, lashings of gold and sultry grey. But some how in summer it just doesn’t feel right. This year colour is really getting to me early…first it started with a tangerine Mulberry wallet…then a little raspberry on my nails and then finally the flowers started springing up again. In my mind I’m already bare foot in the park, munching on jam tarts, sipping iced tea, listening to the tinkle of an ice cream van in the distance…

Missoni, Fall 2009...

2009-03-16T04:31:00.000-07:00

My obsession with all the new A/W collections is getting worse, which is bizarre given the sudden burst of sunshine we seem to be having. But oh Missoni, I die a thousand times every time I see your knitwear, my heart skips a beat and my neck longs for a long draped cowl to hug it! Surely this is what winter is all about (or should be anyway) delicious fawn colours and clothing to snuggle in…

We all scream for ice cream...

2009-03-15T05:02:00.000-07:00

Being Italian has its benefits, one of them of course being the deserts. Semi Freddo is my favourite, chewy meringue and drowned in raspberry coulis, oh my….

The sun is finally shining in London, not a cloud in sight. As a result I intend to spend the day walking Champ and then sitting in the garden reading the sunday papers...sweet delights included of course!

Cut knees in the Diner...

2009-03-12T00:58:00.000-07:00

Erwin Olaf is one of my new favourite photographers. I’m desperately hoping that his wonderful frozen whimsical images will come to London this year. This image from his ‘Rain’ collection struck me as an instant favourite, such wonderful colours…a boy scout, a dog and an ice cream, perfection!

You can find more of his wonderful work here:

http://www.erwinolaf.com/

She lived in a house in the country...

2009-03-10T02:21:00.000-07:00

I spent the weekend in Scotland this week, all of my family met up at my aunts house to eat a lot, drink a lot and celebrate my little cousins’ Baptisms. I used to spend summers exploring this house as a child, admiring all the curious ornaments and getting lost in her enormous tub. It still evokes the same magic, defiantly somewhere when wet weather is practically embraced so you can flick through giant photo albums and doze off on the Chesterfield…

Champion the Wonder Dog...

2009-03-06T01:34:00.000-08:00

Meet Champ, he is the most wonderful dog, all wet noses and silky tattooed ears. A very handsome chap indeed with his sad eyes and long face! I snapped this photo as he was having his feet dried in the kitchen, as you can see he doesn’t like the rain!

Everyone falls in love with him…and the feeling is mutual, as long as there’s a neck rub involved...

Sophie Dahl...'The Man with the Dancing Eyes'...

2009-03-04T05:15:00.000-08:00

Sometimes there are days when you see the sky as grey even when the sun is shining bright. On days like these only a beautiful book with a happy ending will do…

Tim Walker for Aquascutum...

2009-03-03T00:41:00.000-08:00

A lot of people dismiss Aquascutum as being too classic, too safe. But in recent years they have revamped their image a little without loosing their old charm. I have always loved their quilted jackets in particular and their clothing is cut so well it lasts for years (I still have some of my mothers stuff which she bought there in the 60’s!). And as a firm follower of Tim Walker, you can imagine my joy at discovering their new ad campaign, shot by the incredible man in question himself…

Luella, Fall, 2009...

2009-02-28T12:24:00.000-08:00

Oh Luella you’ve gone and done it again….it’s not even Spring and already I’m lusting for Autumn. This is of course all Ms Bartley’s fault. The matching skirt/jacket combos, the golden tweeds, the sultry charcoal, the fluro florals and oh that hair!

If only Pixie Geldof hadn’t braved the run way looking like Marge Simpson…

Life is plastic, its fantastic...

2009-02-26T01:11:00.000-08:00

Hello Kitty for MAC, Kid Robot adorning Selfridges’ windows, it’s safe to say we are a new generation obsessed with youth. And so it was unsurprising that along came the Barbie Fashion show at NY fashion week. There were so many reasons why it could be so so wrong but the list of designers (Betsey Johnson included natch) involved meant it turned out so right. I mean, how can you hate feathered lashes and a symmetric cat suits…more to the point, Galliano aside, where else would you be allowed to wallow in such drama?!

Silky drawers...

2009-02-24T13:27:00.000-08:00

One of the things I love about being a girl is beautiful underwear. Stella McCartney does it every time, oh my. I used to have days of the week knickers when I was little and for someone as mildly obsessive as me it is a dream come true! They come in a delightful little drawer set and are made out of fresh cotton with wonderful embroidery, what girl could resist…

Jam Tarts for the Queen of Hearts...

2009-02-23T02:23:00.000-08:00

There has been a new arrival in my household. A wonderful retired greyhound called Champ, apparently he was one of the great champions at Walthamstow! To celebrate I made him some dog friendly chicken pasta and me some raspberry jam tarts. After a long walk in the park, we sat in front of the fire, munching contentedly. Best friends already…

Could be an organ donor, the way I give my heart up...

2009-02-14T05:46:00.000-08:00

When I was 16 and fearless my best friend and I would hand out Love Hearts on the underground. This year I’m using Valentines Day as an excuse to go and see a double bill at the Prince Charles Cinema, The Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal, back to back. Home baked heart shaped sugar cookies and salted popcorn in the back row, as long as there’s not a rose I’ll be fine…

Neon plaits and rhinestone door knockers…

2009-02-11T02:37:00.000-08:00

Trust Christian Lacroix to make me swoon, as if the clothes weren’t enough, the Croyden face-lift hair and Cleopatra makeup was neon fantastic. The models were weighed down with bows, embroidery, lace, corsages, sometimes all at once! It was so fabulously over the top and contradictory that there was no way it wouldn’t be one of my fave S/S shows so far, if not purely for the excitement factor alone…

A few of my favourite things...

2009-02-07T02:46:00.000-08:00

I heard a vicious rumour that Urban Outfitters darling sister company Anthropologie is coming to Regent Street. If this is the case then I cannot wait! It’s exactly the kind of store I love, chock full of sweet design and beautiful colourful patterns, defiantly one to keep my fingers crossed for.

VW S/S 09...

2009-02-04T02:05:00.000-08:00

Madonna for Louis Vuitton, Daisy Lowe for Marc Jacobs. Yawn, Yawn, Yawn. The ad campaign which I’ve been getting my knickers in a twist over is of course, Pammy Anderson for Vivienne Westwood. A suprising match made in heaven, it doesn’t get better than this.

Bake, Bake, Bake...

2009-02-01T03:28:00.000-08:00

It seems that the colder the weather gets the more I feel the need to bake. Last week I made these Nutella cupcakes, they turned out pretty well despite my wonky piping bag. They're perfect with a cup of hot blackcurrent, but then again what isn't!

Little Chunks of Heaven...

2009-01-21T09:22:00.000-08:00

I made marshmallows the other day. Little squishy pink clouds, perfect for popping into hot chocolate (made with milk, of course!) or scoffing under the duvet when you know dinner is almost ready!

Balmain, Spring 2009, Ready To Wear.

2009-01-17T02:06:00.000-08:00

From Style.com

I know, I know. We’ve all seen the Balmain pictures, we’ve already dribbled over the acid wash, ripped up denim and sumptuous military jackets,

But why did so many people forget the party dresses?! There was so many eye popping, colours, paired with delicious twinkling sequins and jewels, spider web lace and oh the shoes!

I adored the shoes, studded to hell and back, ankle cuffs here and there, high enough to make a scene and just, dare I say it, ‘fierce’ enough to stop the whole thing becoming a bit too Versace…

Geese geese geese!

2009-01-13T23:58:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you can just tell when it’s going to be a good day ☺

Old Sorts...

2009-01-11T06:31:00.001-08:00

I’ve always been a horder. When I was a child I’d cling to bits of ribbon and old gift tags, stamps from far away places peeled from my mothers’ mail.

When I was a little older I was drawn to old photographs, which I’d rummage for in Spitalfields market. I don’t know why I liked them, I just felt that they needed to be loved and appreciated…I would never want my pictures to end up in an old skip, forever forgotten. So I took them all home.

At university my boyfriend and I would often make our way down to this tumbling old antiques market (it was in reality not so glamorous as it’s name would deceive you, a small warehouse with holes in the roof) after a lunch of chip shop chips with mushy vinegary peas. He would look at strange taxidermy (an albino otter anyone?) and world war uniforms and I would look for photographs.

There weren’t many abandoned photographs by the sea; maybe people are more sentimental and careful down there. So instead I started collecting all the postcards, only ones with messages on.

Now I have hundreds of photographs, slides, postcards. This one is by far my favourite…

Until water turns to wine…

Santa baby...

2009-01-01T14:29:00.000-08:00

I had a beautiful Christmas filled with magic and sparkle. London has a horrid reputation for being crammed with ruthless shoppers and drunken tourists at this time of year but some how I managed to avoid the sheer panic of it all. I made star shaped biscuits for my nearest and dearest and spent Christmas Eve watching Edward Scissorhands at Sadlers Wells with my boyfriends family. I’d seen it before when I was at uni but enjoyed it more this time around for some reason, it’s just so breathtaking.

Hopefully despite all the money gloom and icy weather everyone enjoyed their Christmas as much as me!

All I want for Christmas...

2008-12-09T12:30:00.000-08:00

. A pastel pink Kitchen Aid Artisan Mixer.

. As much Paul & Joe Disney makeup as my stocking will hold.

. A Yumbrella bowl.

. A gorgeous Tatty Devine pen nib necklace.

. A swanky pants dslr.

Chloe, Ready to Wear, 09.

2008-12-08T02:36:00.000-08:00

. Scalloped edges.

. Peg leg pants.

. Bow belts.

. Fresh-from-the-seaside colours.

And then there was the corduroy suits, the red vinyl shorts and the high shine metallic Ali Baba trousers. It was all so… unexpectedly perfect. It was kind of what you would expect if you mixed a little of the 50’s with a little of the 90’s.

Fudge and mittens...

2008-11-27T13:16:00.000-08:00

It was my Auntie’s birthday today so I took myself out to the suburbs armed with cosy Ugg sheepskin mittens and ginger cupcakes with fudge icing. Perfect gifts for the horrid grey days we’ve been faced with lately…

2008-11-01T13:06:00.000-07:00

Giant wind up dolls, luminous dresses strung up on an ancient tree, blossom painted over crumbling walls, Tim Walker is my idea of photography heaven.

A while ago I went, with the boyfriend, to see his enchanting exhibition at The Design Museum and emerged onto the blustery Thames clutching an enormous book and a poster.

I love huge photography books and this is by far my favourite. Every morning I flick over a new page and suddenly the world is beautiful again.

Crunchy leaves and wooly hats...

2008-10-08T13:32:00.000-07:00

I love autumn, it's always been my favourite season. I love the bright sun, the burnt out leaves, the bite in the air that makes me reach for my beret. This evening was gorgeous so I dug out my ancient, teenage converse and went for a long walk in the park. When the sun began to set I ran home and settled down with a mug of hot Ribeana, some ginger cake and the new Vogue. Perfect.

Mixed up...

2008-10-06T08:09:00.000-07:00

I love this shoot that Steven Meisel did for Vogue Italia. The clashing patterns, the body art element, the sultry makeup and come hither poses….it’s like Jessica Rabbit, acid, marbled paper and Bettie Page all rolled into one. And really you don’t get much more alluring than that.

Cha Cha Cha!

2008-10-03T02:23:00.001-07:00

I took a trip to Cha Cha Moon the other day. Everything about this place makes me smile…

. The crispy duck.

. The pink Perspex kitchen.

. The fact that all dishes are only £3.50 and yet all so delectable.

. That somehow they’ve successfully managed to bring Hong Kong street food to London.

Spring with Moschino...

2008-09-30T14:03:00.000-07:00

I’ve never really been a fan of full on blocks of black and white, but Moschino’s 2009 monochrome lover affair could really convert me.

Giant ruffles. Check!

Oversized bows. Check!

Harlequin print. Check!

With the sexy undone hair and chunky platforms, monochrome is looking a lot more fun this way…

Let them eat cake!

2008-09-24T08:48:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I honestly believe that the world would be a happier place, if we all ate a little more cake.