2018

For New Years I went to a party with the theme of '2017'. I only found out it had a costume theme the day before so kept my eye out for empty boxes to transform. I was in luck... and found a 'bear factory' box shaped perfectly like the top of Big Ben. I decided to go as Big Ben because his repair work had been quite a feature of 2017. Jack (always one to choose a villain for fancy dress) went as Charles Manson. 

One of the first books I read this year was 'The Hearing Trumpet' by Lenora Carrington. 

I chose the book from the library as the authors name seemed very familiar. It wasn't until googling Lenora I realized it was her paintings that I knew so well (below).

 I was glad to see the same surreal atmosphere of Lenora's paintings echoed in 'The Hearing trumpet' from the cover illustration and synopsis (back cover). Her life was extraordinary, I'm surprised/embarrassed I never knew about her before.

 It made a delightful read!! Very visual, imaginative and bizarre. I zoomed through it in 2 days. 

“Wouldn't it be wonderful if I won a helicopter in a crossword puzzle competition? There is not much hope though I am afraid, as they never give such practical prizes.”  

The Hearing Trumpet

Edinburgh Fringe 2017

It seems to be my style this year to post things months after they've actually occurred. I don't know where my time is spent. I'd like to say reading... but I have only read 23 books in 2017 so far (I know this because I set myself a book challenge each year). This post is my overdue Edinburgh Fringe highlights, the shows I saw and loved. Even though many months have passed I still remember some of these shows with great excitement- especially Ruben Kaye's (his was incredibly memorable!). 

 

My annual trip to the baked potato shop (all vegetarian and vegan!) to fuel for flyering. The avocado mix is is my favourite! The portions are huge.

Interesting artwork in the air bnb we stayed in. I really liked the painting and there was a matching ceramic beside it. Below is me drawing chalk lines on the floor, demonstrating my fine skills of calligraphy on bumpy terrain. My drawings to the left appeared on the advertising board we had for the show. They generated alot of attention which is always pleasing!!

JAPAN Harajuku

Day 2: AM
In the morning we headed to Harajuku!! This colourful street had a resemblance to Camden (10 years ago) with its bustling streets and small pathways leading to further stalls selling colourful clothes, bows, toys ect. We went to the cat café MoCHA where we had unlimited iced coffees whilst mingling with the regal cats of Harajuku. 

kk

We spent about 40 minutes in a shop called B-Side Label 原宿店 that sells stickers. I got several, among them my favourite (bottom left) a naked Japanese man. When I asked what the writing translated too, the girl giggled "No Body Shame"

 

JAPAN

MAY 2017- Japan

So its been MONTHS since I last posted which is awful. But I'm here now to update my blog with the fantastic photos from my JAPAN adventure.
























 


I had wanted to visit Japan for about 10 years, my obsession started age 17 with Harajuku fashion, lolita style and KAWAII! I had been slightly apprehensive this surreal place wouldn't live up to my expectations... but it did.. and then some.

Night 1

Shibuya crossing

Sushi, Sangria (not very Japanese) and fried tofu at a little gem called 'Maruhachi'.

Alot of their specials were in English... yes it was cheating but it was our first night here and we were excited to try some delicious food that we could be sure was vegetarian. 

MARUHACHI

My favourite film for many years has been Lost in Translation So I definitely needed to visit the Park Hyatt Tokyo for a drink in their New York Bar. We had to wait for about 45 mins but the view was so beautiful that waiting was ok. I felt so immersed in the setting, live jazz music was playing and this was my first night in Tokyo!

PARK HYATT- NEW YORK BAR 

View from the queue (queue to get into the bar)

We were surprised when asked if we wanted  seating in the 'smoking' or 'non smoking' area. Its been years since restaurants/pubs in the UK have offered that option. We chose 'non smoking' but then switched to smoking as the view of the live jazz was much better from that area.

Leicester Square Comedy

These are some photos taken during the CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation show in Leicester square Theatre in September. Above, the detective is questioning my character who is rather creepy looking. The character I played (because its all improvised) started off relatively non suspicious but as the show went on I started to look more guilty until the final scene when the audience cheered for me as their 'murderer'. Whoever is chosen as the murderer must confess why they committed the act; which in this show was killing a pet psychiatrist with ginger.

The divine comedy

This video is very funny!

How can you leave me on my own

THE DIVINE COMEDY

Summer Exhibition 2016

 Earlier in the summer I went to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2016. Though I enjoyed the show, there were few pieces that really stood out to me but the ones that did I've included below. Being encouraged to take photos on our phones felt bizarre in a gallery setting. I neglected to sketch or write about the pieces and photographed them instead promising myself to revisit them at a later date.   

Lucille Moore

FLUFFY WOMEN

I really like the simplicity and humor of this piece. The fluffy little tufts are innocent and playful thus making this piece the most memorable for me in the entire show

Cathie Pilkington

DEGAS DOLL

Pippa Gatty

PEZ

Liz Rideal

DAPHNE 

This hovering fabric seems not to be of this world but looking at this dreamy piece fills me with tranquility

 

Edinburgh

My festival experience included: Tattie scones, Ceilidh dancing, performing in a cave, flyering on the Royal Mile, seeing shows, drinking whiskey, Vegetarian haggis, karaoke, meeting Vicki Pepperdine (a comedy idol of mine), midnight feasts, candlelit dinners, being asked to leave a circus tent, sleeping in a grand four poster bed, having ice cream factory at pizza hut, sitting in an audience for a show while my friend James was straddled by the performer beside me and getting to perform in a fully sold out show!

JUNE

These are some images I've found that I'm enjoying for June

Here are some things I've attended/enjoyed in June

Books I've enjoyed in June 

I'm currently reading a lot of short stories after loving Roald Dahl's collection of stories 'Kiss Kiss' so much. If you haven't read 'Kiss Kiss' you really should, the stories contain all the wit and imagination featured in Dahl's children stories only these are darker and saucier!

I only discovered Lorrie Moore after reading Carrie Brownstein's memoir Hunger Makes Me A Modern Girl where she mentioned her fondness for Lorries work. Lorries style is very lonely, wistful, raw and funny so I cant wait to read more of her books (she is my new favorite).

I picked A cruel bird came to the nest and looked in based solely on the front cover (ha) and the strange name. It was a very surreal read but very visual/strange/memorable.

I go through stages of reading lots/cant get enough then other times where I spend months on one book. I'm glad to have the reading bug atm, devouring all I can.

This is the lighting my boyfriend Jack did for a recent event. I just liked it so much I wanted to put it here. He gets to visit some pretty lovely places!

Lastly, is an image from the Queens birthday celebrations. The poor guard fainted but I cant help think this image looks like it belongs in a Monty Python sketch.

May

 

 

 

Sapporo Ichiban

I had the best seat (or cushion) in the house, down on the floor in authentic Japanese stlye. The tinkling music, little fishpond at the entrance and overal ambience makes this place a hidden gem in the unlikely Catford. The food is delicious! I've tried choosing something other than my 'usual' but always return to my 'tofu bento box'. The sushi is so fresh that it reminds me of all the incredible sushi I ate last summer in California and the plum wine makes a fun alcoholic accompaniment.