Happy In Hoxton

How could you not be happy to live in this space? Maybe because I live in a National Park I find the need for space. My ground floor is completely open plan which suits me fine. I feel hemmed in by too many walls. This property is in Hoxton London. Found at Airspaces

The Nearest I'll Get To The Liberty Ship

One of my favourite sights in London is the Ship Weather Vane that sits atop Liberty. 

So I suppose it was no surprise that I was drawn to these kites available from The Shop Floor Project.

Very patriotic colours that look as good in the sky as they do in the home.

Taking a Toilet Break In Fitzrovia

Fitzrovia sits between Marylebone and Bloomsbury in London. Here a couple of residents noticed an undergound Victorian Restroom was for rent and they did what any decent resident would do and turned it into a cafe. Don't worry though they went for an intense industrial strength plus clean.

 You can find the aptly named Attendant cafe at Foley Street. Found at Gizmag

A Foggy Day In London Town

The shard reflecting the sun in the fog

When I was a child and lived in London we would get Pea Soupers, fog that would send you home from school extra early. It was horrible, yellow, acrid and dangerous. I was amazed to find these photos taken yesterday when London was again shrouded in fog. This time it was nothing short of beautiful. Images via Time Out

London poking through the clouds

London looking like it is sitting on cotton wool

The 02 Arena in the distance

The view you get is you work high up

Fabulous Fashionistas and Nanas

 Last night my faith in the human race was restored. I watch Fabulous Fashionistas on Channel 4 and those ladies were Inspirational with a capital I. If you live outside the UK then you must try and find a way to watch the programme.

 Whether you be young, middle aged or old you need to watch this programme and learn.

If this isn't made into a series I shall eat my big floppy hat.

It's started quite a buzz on social media and because of this I discovered

the amazing Katie Harris of East London who has started Nana a cafe for all ages cooking up comfort food, interactive crafts and a great social space for young and old.

At the moment it is in a local pub a few days a week

but Katie has found a disused Victorian public toilet block and wants to convert into a full time cafe.

To fund this amazing idea she has a Kickstart page where you can donate. I have made a donation and I live all the way up here in Northumberland. She needs £15,000 so if you can help her with a donation I am sure she will be thrilled and so will I. POWER TO THE NANAS AND THE FASHIONISTAS!

The New Craftsmen

Pitcher and Bowl

"A collection of the coolest crafters in the land" - Sunday Times. Well that's a recommendation you can't ignore. The New Craftsmen reside at The Garage on Adam's Row in Mayfair, London. This is British Craftsmen at their very best. Take a look or if you are lucky enough to be at LDW13 this week pop in and see them.

Koji Chair

iPad Clutch

Orkney Bench

Orkney Chair

Serving Jug

Sycamore Carved Bowls

Tea Bowls

Harbour Light

Anyone For Tennis and an Ice Cream

I found these images in my inbox the other day and they cheered me up no end. Daphne's in South Kensington has placed this gorgeous gelateria outside their restaurant in  honour of Wimbledon. They will be serving up six Wimbledon-inspired ice cream flavours on two weekends this summer. 

If You Are In London Go Here - You Would Be Mad Not To

My friend and co- collaborator Kathy Dalwood is holding an exhibition at Pitzhanger Manor in Ealing until 9th June 2013.

Not only is the Manor stunningly beautiful but so is the Secret Society Banquet Kathy has put together.

She never ceases to amaze me whenever I see what she creates from plaster. This time she has excelled herself and I for one didn't think that possible as she in my mind already had.

No less than 64 plaster busts have been created and they are attending a Secret Society Banquet. Like the busts everything in the banquet is in plaster.

I have been lucky enough to spend time in her studio and I can tell you what she creates does NOT involve a simple process, her attention to detail is unbelievable.

I am trying my utmost to get myself down to London to see this banquet in the flesh, so to speak and will report back on it when I do but I thought I would do a post about it now so those of you that are in London can go, visit and give your eyes a treat.
Visit Kathy's blog to see even more.