today

today is a beautiful sunny Sunday in London, as I am sure it will be when New York awakens.  However, today is a day that no-one could have ignored in its run-up...the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on New York.

The horror of losing someone you love is too much to think about.  If you do nothing else to mark today, tell your family you love them.

what to say?

I could talk about the lovely afternoon LB and I spent wandering around the Museum of Childhood, or the gorgeous 'brunch' ( how swanky are we?!?!) we treated ourselves to in Bistrotheque...or the trip to the Future Cinema to see the Lost Boys...yeah!  Let's go with the Lost Boys!

For the last few weeks, Emilie and I have been chatting about updating our eighties film knowledge - it's practically non-existent.  (I am excluding Dirty Dancing, which I would wager I watched close to a hundred times  between the ages of 18 and 20 - what a staple!).

So imagine our delight at winning two tickets to the Future Cinema to see the Lost Boys.  Getting to dress up?  Checking a film off our list?  For FREE??  Tick Tick Tick!

And what fun it was.  (I will ignore the hour long wait in the queue for the loo's.  I can't even bear to think about it).  A little island in Canary Wharf transformed into Santa Clara, complete with vampires and frog brothers.

As it turns out, its amazing fun to watch a cult film with 4000 other people who know it word for word.  The crowd were amazing, able to recite dialogue word for word, cheering/booing at all the right moments!  Turns out, no one likes vampires, and EVERYONE loves Corey Feldman.  EVERYONE.

So, Corey, the verdict is overwhelming, you're amazing!

oh hello there

I have been a stranger these past few weeks, apologies.  It feels like time is running away from me!  To add to my horrendous time management skills, my lovely laptop Bessie, is being very badly behaved.  I had forgotten how frustrating technology can be when it just. doesn't. work.  BOO.

In a bid to reintroduce myself gently, here's a pretty picture...

Sunday song

The Holy Innocents, wonderful.  No video yet, but  you can listen to and download the single here

get there quick

pure harte's beautiful summer range is now half price, treat yourself before they are all snapped up!

love

Falling In Love Is Like Owning A Dog
-Taylor Mali

First of all, it’s a big responsibility,
especially in a city like New York.
So think long and hard before deciding on love.
On the other hand, love gives you a sense of security:
when you’re walking down the street late at night
and you have a leash on love
ain’t no one going to mess with you.

Love doesn’t like being left alone for long.
But come home and love is always happy to see you.
It may break a few things accidentally in its passion for life,
but you can never be mad at love for long.

Is love good all the time?
No! No! Love can be bad. Bad, love, bad! Very bad love.

Sometimes love just wants to go for a nice long walk.
It runs you around the block and leaves you panting.
It pulls you in several different directions at once,
or winds around and around you
until you’re all wound up and can’t move.

But love makes you meet people wherever you go.
People who have nothing in common but love
stop and talk to each other on the street.

Throw things away and love will bring them back,
again, and again, and again.
But most of all, love needs love, lots of it.
And in return, love loves you and never stops.

awesome folks

in the vein of losing A LOT of time looking at photographs of strangers, this tumblr is AMAZING.  I mean it, amazing.  Without further ado, here are some photos of awesome people hanging out together.  

PS it's a lot of fun to guess who the young celebs actually are.  Some are quite the surprise.

A young Bill Clinton meeting John F. Kennedy at the White House in 1963

Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman

Paul Newman and Clint Eastwood

David Bowie, Iggy Pop and Lou Reed, 1972

Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Eric Clapton

Eric Idle & George Harrison

Marlon Brando and Elizabeth Taylor

dear photograph

Got a spare few mins? 


Get yourself onto dear photograph for a wee peruse.  I say few mins, as the site appears to be in it's infancy, but give it a few months, and you could lose an hour in here easy.  The premise is 'take a picture of a picture from the past in the present'  (still with me?) and its so simple and effective.


It makes photographs much more than your usual 'flick through'.  It makes them stand out, and brings a relevance and poignancy to the past.  And these are photos of complete strangers!  You will do well if some don't bring a tear to your eye.  I didn't quite manage it...

'Dear Photograph, 

there's a reason we had to paint these stairs blue.  They just weren't as colorful without these two.'

mohocreative

'Dear Photograph,

We outgrew the clothes, but never the visits with you, Daddy.'

'Dear Photograph,

thank you for everything we had.'

'Dear Photograph,

this was the best day.  650 days and counting.'

Sunday song

Let the children lose it
Let the children use it
Let all the children boogie

gotta love the wee man

hello folkies (part 2)

Once we recovered from the excitement of the gig, Beloved Redhead and I headed back North to spend the week in the family abode (ah, bliss!).  It was time for some serious wedding dress shopping.  And some serious disappointment.  I'm not entirely sure why the women working in these shops think its ok to give you a dress covered in fake tan, or indeed comment on your 'big hips'.  That is not the way to go, ladies.  It's just not!

Just when I had given up hope in the whole idea of wedding dress shopping (I had been reliably informed by the world and it's uncle that wedding dress shopping was a life changing experience - not the case), and of EVER finding one dress I even remotely liked (I'm not even joking), we went to Petticoat Lane Bridal.  And I loved it!  Dresses that weren't meringues!! My heart leapt!  The staff were friendly!! Joy abounds!  And I'm pretty sure that one of the dresses made beloved redhead cry, what more can a girl ask for?

Thank you Petticoat Lane, you have restored my faith that my wedding can look the way I want it.  I'll be back!

hello folkies

it's been a long time, yes?  Apologies, I have been doing some serious gallivanting these past few weeks!

Festivities kicked off in Dublin for lovely weekend with Mr G and beloved redhead.  Which is delightful enough, but factor in the concert to end all concerts, and you are onto a complete winner.  Mr G, beloved redhead and I danced ourselves dizzy and sung ourselves hoarse for the mighty TT.  It takes a heart of stone not to love a Take That concert, a heart of stone!

Introducing the newest member of TT, a 60 foot high robot called Om, who very graciously carried the boys to the middle stage in his hands, and then stood up for the encore.  What a guy!

friend date

This evening I had a friend date with the ever-lovely Mr K.  We went for dinner and then to the theatre (because we are that sort of people, honest. Ahem.).
The show in question was Butley, a Simon Gray play from 1971 about a university professor who is having the mother of all bad days, and as a result, does nothing but antagonise himself and the others around him to bring his life down around his ears.
Ben Butley is played brilliantly by the wonderfully handsome Dominic West, and I'll admit, he was more than half the reason I wanted to see the play.  Anyone who has ever watched The Wire will feel the same, I'm sure!

If you're in London this summer, check out Butley - it's on till 27th August.

Sunday song

This came on shuffle this afternoon and practically made me hop about with excitement.  Firstly, great song, and secondly, I'm off to Dublin on Friday to stay with my amazing pal, G, and this song is the perfect song to get anyone primed for a weekend with him.  Can't wait to see you, mister!

modern art

I'm usually (wrongly) of the opinion that most modern art is rubbish.  I just don't get it.  A sugar cube on a brick?  Um, no.


But this is BRILLIANT.  Leandro Erlich's has constructed a full size fake swimming pool that makes for a surreal scene for the unprepared - on approach visitors will see people, fully clothed, under the water, standing, chatting and breathing normally.  It now has a permanent home in the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa, Japan.  If I ever get to my number 1 must-see country, this is on my list for sure.

read more about it here 

Sunday song

this little beauty needs no introduction.  Turn it up!

Saturday film

Dog Day Afternoon is one of my favourite films of all time.  Based on a true story, Sonny (Pacino) robs a bank, and what follows is nothing short of unbelievable.

Please please check it out, you won't regret it.

'What doesn't kill you will make you stronger' is right up there with 'a change is as good as a holiday'  in my most-quoted mum sayings, I'm not ashamed to say.  It's all about the mummy-wisdom!

But hands up who hasn't wondered this?  No hands?  OK then..

from polyvore via dear inspiration

What came first? The ladies or their shadows?

I don't want to seem like the kind of person who spends her time scanning the dirty footpaths of London looking for something to photograph - believe me, I'm not.  Or at least I try not to be...

But these three inch high ladies just jumped out at me when I was dandering home this evening, and I absolutely love them.  I love the way their shadows have been made to look like normal street stains - or were the stains there before and the little ladies were added to fit?  I did spend a few minutes staring and pondering.  No definite conclusion was reached.

 On the topic of footpath scanning, I must confess that Mr K and I stumbled across a giant novelty cheque on our way back from swing class last night, and were delighted to have our photo taken in a mock donation.  So maybe I am a street scanner.  (And also very immature.)

Happy Birthday Bob

You are a complete wonder.  I love you more than you'll ever know.

birdie

i just  know that the lovely Hawk&Fallow would love these little treasures.  She has quite the thing for birds, you see, and maps.  And all things pretty, really.

add to your aviary here

Sunday song

pity there isn't a proper video, but, what a fantastic song.  It's definitely my Beatles flavour of the month.*

*disclaimer - this changes more often than once a month.  With such a great back catalogue, how could I just pick one?!

I agree!

it took beloved redhead precisely two 1am texts to get me signed up for a sneaky day trip.  I'm a sucker for the place...

yes, beloved redhead and I have just booked our (now habitual) trip to Paris.  I can't wait!!  Is there anywhere in the world like it?

via simply hue

Dear Paul,

I didn't think I was a fan of tuxedos, but, well, I am converted.

from 100 Layer Cake via the impossible cool

these might help...

...to get you through the Monday glums

 our happy trio were found here and our lovestruck couple, are, unfortunately, of an unknown provenance.  If anyone knows where, please let me know!

I want the world to stop

this beauty is perfect for a Sunday afternoon pottering about the flat. LB and I are off to see them in a few weeks and I can't wait to have a wee bop about to this. Hurrah!!

don't make the same mistake I did.

Don't watch this video in work. I really struggled not to cry... let me know if you fare any better. There really are some heart melting, lip quivering moments in this little beauty. Oh what a lucky girl, having this to keep forever and ever!

LUCK - NYC Wedding Propsal from Aria Melody DJ on Vimeo.

from Michael Justin Films via my fave wedding blog, RockN'Roll Bride

Long Time Ahead Of Us

on Friday, the boyfriend made me cry.  But in a good way.  He gave us a new song, by The Walkmen....


Take me tonight as I am
Leave me the way I was found

Oh, moonlight
Oh, moonlight
Help me sleep
There’s far too much weight on my mind
The stars in the night sky
They worry me
Oh, shadows to my left, to my right

Oh, and tomorrow we’ll rise
And the sky will be bright

Long time
Ahead of us
Good luck 'round every turn
Now that I got you

it's true

look what I found

the lovely boy and I went to Ibiza last month, and I have just found the photos!  Look at how beautiful this island is... and, oh YES... we are getting married there next year!!!

the view from our bedroom window.  Imagine waking up to this every morning.

a little veranda for smokers.  This is the sweetest smoking den I have ever seen!

a beautiful little chapel.  

I'd like a giant lemon tree in my garden too please.

enjoying the view..

Sunday afternoon treats

hurray for unexpected friend visits!  Aren't they just the best surprise??  The aforementioned Emilie popped round today for a quick cup of tea and a chat.  The perfect Sunday afternoon pick me up!  And I had just started making a batch of buns, how perfectly timed....I thoroughly enjoyed my sneaky Sunday afternoon tea, Emilie.  Thank you!

PS.  I'm still tempted into tears after Friday's wedding.  What a wobbly emotional fool I am!

a confession.

I am in love with Kate Middleton.  She epitomises everything a modern princess - and woman - should be.

With the insane glut of wannabes/reality show 'stars'/barely-clad popstars, it is so refreshing to see someone so, well, normal.  Without a shadow of a doubt, she has led a privileged life, but so what?  She has grace, discretion and unbelievable beauty at her fingertips.  Never will you see her falling out of a nightclub or selling an exclusive story to Heat.

At this day and time - and more than likely, this decade, Kate Middleton is the woman we all want to be.  And I thank her for that.  Thanks, Kate!

Sooo...fawning over...

My beautiful (and Royal -wedding excitable) pal Emilie and I had a delightful (if somewhat ill-advised, given the hour) champagne breakfast before the wedding.  Proceedings kicked off at 9am with home made pancakes and copious amounts of bucks fizz.

Hurrah and hic! we cheered to the arriving guests as we played Wedding Guest Bingo.  Thanks Camilla, for giving me a row - a full house was looking highly unlikely as I really needed the Sultan Of Oman to arrive with a big flashing neon sign on his head so I could recognise him.  Which he didn't.  Ho Hum.

Onwards to the most anticipated arrival in the history of mankind (I am going to gloss over Beatrice and Eugenie's outfits.  I can't bear to think about them).

The beautiful Miss Middleton.  Photo from tumblr

In the dress I had previously been eyeing up for my very own self.  No, Kate, no!! What a beautiful bride, what a beautiful dress.  But, Kate, I wanted it first!! Sad times.

So there we have it.  Britain finally has its own fairytale princess - welcome to our lives Kate.

And,  can I borrow your dress next October?!

thanks for the reminder...

(cooing over the wedding to follow at a later date)

fun with gran

 French photographer Sacha Goldberger has shot these brilliant photos of his 91-year-old Hungarian grandmother Frederika - or Mamika (Hungarian for grandma).  


Isn't Mamika a brilliant word, by the way?  I miss my Mamika very much :(

more photos and full story here

Agoraphobia

I love this.  Really love it.  The idea is amazing, but, well, the poem is so beautiful.  It's amazing how people can find a poem scattered on a page from book!  It reminds me on something the incredibly wise Winnie The Pooh would say.  Buy it here