House on Loon Lake..

'Objects have lives... they are witnesses...' A really good listen...

The weather is oh so gloomy, luckily I have the day off work as my internship #2 boss is on a skiing holiday (yes I'm jealous.) I am taking the opportunity to catch up on paper work, blogging, ebaying and thinking about getting my car MOTed.

In the meantime, I have taken cue from the rainy weather to listen to this ghostly, creepy nostalgic story of The House on Loon Lake.
It's about a couple of kids who stumble across a derelict house and decide to explore it; finding it in a mysterious state not touched for 50years. A wallet, eye-glasses, withered roses, canned food, just-washed dishes (and stranger items such as a burnt doll) - all the general artefacts of family life - could be found inside.

The story tells of how the friends spent the rest of lives discovering the mysteries of the abandoned house. If you're a fan of nostalgia, melancholy and mysteries which make your hands and heart tingle then I highly recommend listening to this, preferably in a darkened room with a friend. It's an amazing story.


(Photos of my favourite objects found in the house, hit them for the links.)

Maturity - Allen Ginsberg

Sunday Evening Poetry.

I should have realised the tricky side-effects of too much booze a long time ago. I never will, which is why, today, I like this poem. Written by the godfather of beat poetry, Allen Ginsberg, the definition of bohemian.
Let's toast anyway, to never, ever learning and not giving a damn about anything much besides beauty, fulfillment and wonderful, wonderful company.

Maturity by Allen Ginsberg

Young I drank beer & vomited green bile

Older drank wine vomited blood red

Now I vomit air

(Hit the photos for the links, it's Monday tomorrow, and we all have to sensible again. Not too much, I hope ♥)

Saturday at the Seaside.

A couple of weekends ago now, I mentioned a trip to Norfolk. The sea air was crisp and fresh, a lot cleaner than London air! I didn't touch the computer once and it felt really nice to leave the digital world at home for a few days.
I have a totally nostalgic views of Norfolk, especially the coast. I think of clean sea air, friendly faces and lovely fresh crabs. Nights are spent with board games and wine and I always sleep rather well as there is no glare of streetlights seeping into the room.

As a child, our summer holidays led us to Norfolk a lot of the time. As a grown up, I still think one of those holidays would be nice. I came across this tiny cottage which only sleeps two. The bedroom doubles as a breakfast room and it's only a few strides from the beach. Ah, take me to the seaside.

Friday Favourie, Kirsten Dunst

Another Indie darling Friday Favourite.

Kirsten Dunst maybe a rather predictable choice, but, her presence seems compulsory on most of the blogs I frequent, (I believe Sofia Coppola is responsible for that.)
It's hard to deny her cutesy appeal. She's extremely pretty, a bit awkward and incredibly cool.
Despite her rock-star boyfriends and cult films she seems to be just like us; isn't that why we all love her so very, very much?

I haven't actually seen 'Elizabethtown' but like this cool quote which I am assured her character says : 'I know. I'm impossible to forget but I'm hard to remember.' Ah.

Work Wear Wednesday

London Fashion Week themed.

LFW is ending today and I will miss the presence of all the fabulous looking people lurking around every corner! These women tend not to play it safe or choose sensible options. Although I have always opted for the endurance of 'style' over 'fashion,' I just had to post some catwalk images this week, the vibes from the colourful, perfect and fierce fashionistas about LFW are impossible to ignore!
(Collage is my own. Second image: Paul Smith A/W 2011 collection, hit the photo for the link. - I couldn't not post this wonderful Annie Hall-esque look by Paul Smith. The epitome of stylish work-wear!)

London Fashion Week

...The festivities as seen from the windows of The Courtauld Gallery.

Over the past few days, whilst going to fetch my boss' newspaper, I have relished in the sight of hoards of well dressed women marching down Strand to Somerset House. They are all impeccably dressed, especially for 9.30am, and spend the entire day in seriously serious heels; I deeply admire their stamina!

The grey skies don't seem to get in the way of anything, especially as certain sades of lipstick are so bright that they shine all the way across the courtyard; to where I can be found lurking. I keep my eyes peeled for celebrities but happily settle on a sighting of Susie Lau, of Style Bubble.

The stream of it girls is a constant one, and I find myself wondering about how they look so effortlessly cool every minute of the day and whether they get paid to attend fashion shows and have their photographs taken... ahhh.





(I realise I am hardly The Satorialist, but here are some of my photos.)

In Eagar Anticipation of..

'Never Let Me Go'

I rattled through 'Never Let me Go' by Kazuro Ishiguro last week in preparation for this week's cinema trip. It was fantastic; heart wrenching, warm and utterly human. This is a book I would recommend it to most people, (even if it's only so I can point out that the writer went to the same university as me.)

There has been some speculation that the film version couldn't possibly measure up to Kazuro Ishiguro's beautifully crafted words. But, in my experience, the presence of Kiera Knightly couldn't possibly sully my appreciation of anything. I am fairly certain her beauty would prevent her from butchering even my favourite book! And, Carey Mulligan seems like a good fit for the character of Cathy.

Here are some wonderful photos of the two of them, (taken from the 2011 January and February editions of UK Elle.)

I would give you my bed...

Sunday night poetry.

Here's a crisp, stirring little poem which makes my insides flicker. I dedicate it to all those aloof, yet charming characters. I hope you like it, enjoy your Sunday night.


If You Came - Ruth Pitter

If you came to my secret glade,
Weary with heat,
I would set you down in the shade
I would wash your feet

If you came in the winter sad,
Wanting for bread,
I would give you the last that I had,
I would give you my bed.

But the place is hidden apart,
Like a nest by a brook,
And I will not show you my heart,
By a word, by a look.

This place is hidden apart
Like the nest of a bird:
And I will not show you my heart
By a look, by a word.



(images found via tumblr, click them to find out exactly where.)

Friday Favourite, Zooey Deschanel

Happy Friday everyone! This week has flown by, I hope you're all in high spirits!

A lovely, beautiful face for a Friday morning.. everyone's favourite indie sweetheart: Zooey Deschanel. She's great to watch, but even better to listen to. 'She and Him' is all of the things I want from my ipod speakers (and life;) smart sentiments, happy tunes, unrequited love, and, making light of sour romantic endeavours.
I just love a girl who embodies 60s anything. And, she certainly does.


We are all made of air
There's stars in my eyes and there's sun in my hair
And I'm running away, it makes me feel better

It's just like you told me it'd be
It's nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing at all
(Brand New Shoes, She & Him)

(photos found on tumblr.. somewhere!)

Work Wear Wednesday

'Private View at The Courtauld Gallery' themed.

Today, I am working at the press view (this morning) and the private view (this evening) of The Courtauld Gallery's latest exhibition.

I envision my role at the press view to mostly invove a lot of standing and nodding, however the private view requires a dressy yet practical outfit. My main role throughout the evening will be esorting 'VIPs' up four flights of stairs to the exhibition galleries and trying to avoid sinking glasses of wine. It seems like my sweet (and sensible) Mary-Jane shoes were made for such an occasion!

(Collage is my own, click on it for a much larger view!)

Valentines Day Things..

Happy Valentines Day everyone!

I like the idea of valentines day, although only when there are no cliches in sight! I have always hand-made valentines cards, and much prefer the idea of doing sweet things rather than investing in any shop bought tat. So, here are some nice things which I think are far better than anything you could buy...

Fabulous FREE Valentines cup holders from EatDrinkChic

Infact, EatDrinkChic has lots of brilliant FREE downloadable things for Valentines Day!


Valentines texts from Wendy Cope:

February’s cold & grey/ &, all in all, a bummer./ B my valentine 2today/ & turn it in2 summer.

I told u this last year/ I’ll tell u next year 2:?/My valentine, my dear,/ My heart belongs 2 u.

Known u a while. Is it 2 L8/ 2 tell u that I think you’re gr8??/ You’re sucha special friend of mine,/ I want 2 b yr valentine.

U r such a star. U shine./ I love 2 gaze at u./ If u will b my valentine,/ You’ll c me shining 2.

My heart and mind agree?/& this is what they say:/ U r the one 4 me/ 2day and every day.

(Waverly Place - Valentines in the east village, 1968. James Jowers)

Above all else, I think that a Valentines meal cooked with love and eaten by candle light in the comfort of your own home, is infinitely more romantic than joining the hoards of couples flocking to restaurants for an over priced meal and hurried service by a harassed waiter! These romance themed recipes by Sophie Dahl sound especially fabulous!

(Have a great day everyone, whether you're enjoying alone time, spending it with your favourite or pining over that beautiful boy/girl. ahhh.)

..'seeing the moon ache'

Sunday Night Poetry.

I wanted to pick a poem about love since tomorrow is Valentine's day. As I have been by the coast this weekend, this is the poem which has been flickering in my head.

I hope you like it.

Love by Carol Ann Duffy


Love is talent, the world love's metaphor.
Aflame, October's leaves adore the wind,
its own breath, whirl to their own death.
Not here, you're everywhere.


..............................The evening sky
worships the ground, bears down, the land
yearns back in darkening hills. The night
is empathy, stars in its eyes for tears. Not here,



you're where I stand, hearing the sea, crazy
for the shore, seeing the moon ache and fret
for the earth. When morning comes, the sun, ardent
covers the trees in gold, you walk

........................................towards me,
out of the season, out of the light love reasons.


(The first photo is my own, hit the link for the second. Have a lovely nights sleep.)

A Brief Weekend Trip..

Happy Weekend Everyone!

I am taking a trip this weekend to visit my grandparents, who are nestled away in a sleepy seaside town on the north Norfolk coast.

I am rather looking forward to getting some sea air and as there is very poor mobile, I will also be getting away from the digital world. I would quite like to keep an eye on my blog while I'm there and my grandparents do have a computer, however it's one of those ominous, bulky ones which sit underneath a dust cover and don't get used for weeks at a time. And, as it's only for one night I'm sure I'll have enough cups of tea and parlour games to keep me from missing the Internet for a short while!

How is your weekend looking?


(Scans are taken from a TOAST catalogue and a children's book. Use and enjoy, as always!)

Friday Favourite, Clemence Posey

Ahh, who doesn't love Clemence Posey?! She embodies that carefree and effortless nature that the French seem to carry of so well! Plus, her style and beauty are the envy of me!

Happy Friday everyone!

(The images have been scanned by me from an old copy of 'Tatler,' feel free to use them!)

Work-wear Wednesday

For creative gals, Derhy themed.


Ah, I am very much looking forward to wearing little jackets over stripey tops with little shorts to work! The bright colours, floaty fabrics and feathers in the Derhy spring/summer collection are making me very excited! Yesterday's London sunshine has got me feeling all optimistic!
Hello Spring, are you almost here!?

Show me you Soul

I'm quite excited to be introducing my new interveiw series! It's aim is getting to know the tiny ticking details of the lives of certain creative types...

Introducing, my ex-house-mate and favourite lady; Grace Allen. A recent graduate and free-lance blogger living in Kensington, London, her working time is shared between the Saatchi Gallery and Four and Twenty Blackbirds, (a vintage shop in North London.)This is how she spends her days...

1) how do you start your day?

I normally get up at 8.00am, throw on my dressing gown and drag myself downstairs to the kitchen, where I put on some tea. I have branflakes with fruit every single day - apart from on Sundays, when I would usually have some form of brunch - whether it's banana pancakes or poached egg, bacon and mushrooms on toast. Mmm. I drink my tea in my room and put the radio on while I get dressed for work, do my make up and so on.. I have to leave around 9.00, but usually make a sandwich for lunch before I go.

2) What/ who inspires you?

It sounds cheesy, but it's probably my mum who encourages me most to try and succeed. Likewise my dad, who is very talented and so hard working. I think that a bit of healthy competition is a good thing, and whenever my boyfriend gets a commission (he's an illustrator) it makes me want to be more productive myself. I want to have things to celebrate, and I hate laziness. I find that watching certain tv shows and movies can be inspiring - 'The City' for example. I can't get over the fact that Whitney is, like, 23?! I have a long way to go!

3) Your guilty pleasure?

I watch 'Sex and the City' OVER and over again, which has to be a guilty pleasure. And 'The Hills'. I used to have weirder ones, like dipping kit kat bars into peanut butter.. now I have a thing about candles: I enjoy nothing more than browsing through the candle section of Tk Maxx.

4) How do you unwind?

I unwind usually by lighting an aforementioned candle, tidying my room (I have become really OCD about my room being clean and tidy) and watching something brainless on my laptop with a cup of tea. It's the best feeling, when you've just come back from work. On Saturdays I go straight from work to Billy's house, and we cook dinner and watch a film or whatever. Usually it's something quite fattening - today we're going to have crispy duck pancakes and I CANT WAIT! Failing that, if I'm meeting friends, it has to be a few glasses of wine in the pub and a good catch up. All these things are very good for unwinding!

5) Plans for 2011?

My plans for 2011.. oh there are so many! I want to go to Italy for some sun, heat and good food.. I want to get a well-paid job that really interests me. My biggest goal is to move out by the end of the year, and to be able to do so comfortably. I want to see friends more, cook more, blog more, start exercising again.

6) Your best piece of advice?

My best piece of advice would be what my mum is always telling me - to put more effort into things, as you will get more back. It often pays off. To work hard, and if possible, play hard.. as we're only going to be young for so long! Very sombre last words, ha.

(all photos from: Live Alone and Like It.)

Selling You My Fears (on EBAY, again.)

My strident attempts to clear my wardrobe continue. I am still dreaming of sophisticated clothes and so am bidding a fond farewell to some of my rarely/never-worn items!
My bundle of offerings can be found here!

I have some hardly worn Levis' jeans on offer, a barley worn party dress and some never worn, (but extremely cool) floral sequin pants!

This is just a selection of my favourite things.. there are more listings!

After the Lunch

Sunday night poetry

I hope you enjoy this poem; it's all those heady and exciting things about being young, and in love, and in London, mmm. Happy Sunday.

After The Lunch - Wendy Cope

On Waterloo Bridge, where we said our goodbyes,
The weather conditions bring tears to my eyes.
I wipe them away with a black woolly glove
And try not to notice I’ve fallen in love.

On Waterloo Bridge I am trying to think:
This is nothing. You’re high on the charm and the drink.
But the juke-box inside me is playing a song
That says something different. And when was it wrong?

On Waterloo Bridge with the wind in my hair
I am tempted to skip. You’re a fool. I don’t care.
The head does its best but the heart is the boss —
I admit it before I am halfway across.


(hit the images for the links.)

'The role is destroying you...'

A (non-sinister) Black Swan themed post.

I went to see 'Black Swan' with Grace on (orange) Wednesday. I have been a little slow getting to the cinema for this one, but it was certainly worth the wait! Very absorbing, it even made me feel slightly queasy. Despite it's chilling nature, I have been thinking about ballerina type things all day.

So, here we are, some photographs of English ballet dancers by Collin Jones. (scanned from a The Sunday Times Magazine, I'm unsure of the date.)

I wonder if their lives were as nightmare-like as Nina's... ??

Year of the Rabbit

(... Fifi Lapin, the world's most stylish rabbit, that is.)
Happy Chinese New Year Everyone! I hope it's lucky for you.


Check out Fifi Lapin's blog here.