New and Old

This weekend has been about exploring the more genteel side of London.

Saturday involved a wonderful expedition to Alfies Antiques Market down the bottom of Lisson Grove. If you can get over the slightly snooty 'antiques' dealers and are ready to drive a hard bargain, this place is a minefield of treasures from the very old (Egyptian beads) to the funky vintage 60's lights. It's worth spending a good couple of hours at Alfies and if your tummy can't take that long without a refuel, there's a delightful top floor cafe and roof terrace with good views of London. http://www.alfiesantiques.com/

On to the new - well new to me at least. All day bistro - Bob Bob Ricard is a new pretender to the well loved Wolseley Crown. Situated the Soho end of town, this hidden gem has an immediate charm in its eccentric decor. Walking into the lux turquoise and salmon dining room, one can only envisage this as the kind of place Holly Golightly must have dined. Menus are good and original, service friendly and efficient.
http://www.bobbobricard.com/

2009 - oooh we like this

1. Mints - all kinds - deeply under-rated when you think about it; Everton, Butter, Toffee, Cream, Humbugs - the variety alone tickles my fancy. A little like tea, oolong, green, white, needle, jasmine, darjeeling, black, orange pekoe, flower, oh stop me stop me stop me. Mints AND tea - talk about afternoon delight.

2. Spotify - a kind of radio jukebox heaven, now fully open to Joe Public - that means you. Enjoy https://www.spotify.com/ I am mostly listening to my mum's golden oldies and loving it. Dire Straits here I come.

3.The Film industry - been pulling out some corkers for this year - more serious challenging topics, more docs in the mix - has the credit crunch filtered the wheat from the chaff? On my to watch list - Frost / Nixon, Man on Wire, The Reader.

4. Twitter - whats the point? If you don't know, I can't tell you fool. But in my book, if Fry likes it, I like it.

5. Sorry for the tone today - for some reason, I think I have turned into Mr T for February, I think it keeps out the cold or something.

HIP HOP KARAOKE LONDON /// FUN

http://www.hiphopkaraokelondon.co.uk/ 

This is one of the most hilarious nites out I've had in a long time. 

Ch-ch-ch-ch-check it out...

CHANGE HAS COME TO AMERICA /// POLITICS

 

When I fell alseep after 1.00am in front of the BBC's iPlayer coverage of the US Election, Obama was ahead.
At a little after 4.00am I woke startled from the cheers of Obama supporters on iPlayer as Obama was announced President Elect. I thought to myself that its pretty cool that the cheers woke me up. 
I was about to blog, but instead lay back down watched some more then fell asleep again, thinking that there are going to be some very interesting and exciting times ahead. 

Apparently you have to win by 200 electoral votes for the win to be classed as a landslide. 187 is'nt bad tho is it?

YEA! AMERICA /// POLITICS

Just over a day before the first polls close in America... Over the pond, the US is on the verge of the biggest presidential election of the country's history, and at the same time, in the middle of the worst economic downturn of the last 70 years... As the polls lean towards Obama being elected president, will he really be able to push forward his plans for Progress + Hope?

Exciting!!!

REVENGE OF THE GEEK /// FUN

Walking to work this morning I witnessed a long queue of youngsters and oldsters waiting patiently to have first look and try out some brand new video game titles at The EuroGamer Expo 08. 

I'll admit, in my youth, I spent many hours button bashing on different games thru the generations of Nintendo consoles (and on the rare occasion, I still do...), but it was quite suprising to see that much comittment so early in the morning. 

Feeling a sense of kinship, I seized an opportunity and snuck into the event. I saw some incredible stuff like the latest installment of Street Fighter - its like a riding a bike, you don't forget! I was pleasantly suprised that I still remembered the moves! Before I get carried away I'll stop, but in closing I'll hopefully give you an idea as to why video games are outselling music: Mirror's Edge... things have come a long way from Super Mario!!!!  

STRESS BUSTER /// FUN

It's actually ridiculous how much time you can waste on this.... specially in manic mode!

POPPOPPOPPOPPOPPOPPOPPOPPOP

Isadora

has post fright

BOO

So I guess I have been quiet of late but here I am!

I recently went to the British Museum - old favourite you might say? Something of a tourist trap but for all the best reasons. The boy and I got up early one Saturday and decided to check it out.

It's as impressive as ever and too much to take it all in in one day so I'd recommend a little planned attack.

He was all about Greece and Rome but I prefer the older stuff - China, Assyria, Africa. The BM is hosting an exhibition of modern sculpture at the moment as well, so you can see the like of Damien 'pickle a cow' Hirst amongst the medieval 'stir the fire with it' pokers. Marc Quinn's golden rendering of a rather vulgur looking Kate Moss is your entrance to Egypt - the mind reels!

http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/all_current_exhibitions/statuephilia.aspx

The boy and I ended up fighting about something or other mid Egyptian section - I can't even remember what but I do remember my bad tempered farewell to him before I stormed off the Mesopotamia was 'Well you're a XXXX and Herodotos was a XXXX too'!

What a way to have an argument - 20 minutes later and tempers soothed, he came to look for me "Where are you darling?"

"In 6000 BC" came the grumpy response.

"Hmm I'm in Assyria - am I close?"

"Errr, no you're about 4000 years out actually".

Reunited we went to see the controversial but undoubtedly beautiful Elgin Marbles - both of us strongly felt it was indeed time that they returned to their rightful habitat with the Parthenon in Athens.

Oddly enough the next day I read that Italy had just given back their sections - something which must have gotten the Curator at the BM shaking in his boots. This article is pretty good on the matter (I might add it might be the only time in history I will EVER agree with Hitchens)

http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/45552,opinion,greece-has-won-the-debate-over-elgin-marbles

All in all - The British Museum is still well worth a trip.

Even if Herodotus was a XXXX

FASHION EAST S/S09 /// FASHION

Video by Blonstein & Associates, who produced the Fashion East Spring Summer 2009 Catwalk show at Quaglinos in Piccadilly. This film shows the whole day as they transformed the venue in to a fashion show and back into a restaurant in time for dinner to be served that evening!

JUNKY STYLING S/S09 /// FASHION

SIZE DOES MATTER /// MUSIC

Matter... The newest edition to the London clubbing scene, designed and operated by Fabric, opens 19/09/08 at The O2. This purpose built multi room club is gearing up to set a new benchmark for larger club events. The Live Launch Nite hosts UNKLE live joined on stage for performances with past collaborators Ian Brown, Ian Astbury, Gavin Clark & Joel Cadbury. Think another trip to the Greewhich Peninsula might be in order as Justice are touring and promoting their Across The Universe DVD Music Documentary.

TENT LONDON /// DESIGN

At the same time as September LFW, you will always notice a buzz around The Old Truman Brewery, and the surrounding areas of Shoreditch and Hoston... But the buzz is not always fashion orientated, specially because the majority of shows for SS09 are in West London. The buzz and ensuing chaos is in preparation for TENT LONDON, one of the most comprehensive and diverse design events in London, showcasing vintage and contemporary design by established and emerging designers from the world over. There's also bit of art and architecture too.

A NIGHT OF WONDER /// MUSIC

Last nite, I made the epic trip to the Greenwich Peninsula from Brick Lane to see STEVIE WONDER play live at The O2. 

I love Stevie Wonder's music - he is one of the most prolific artists of our times, and I grew up on "Hotter Than July", listening to it over and over in my Dad's car.  

I was expecting to be excited, but I wasn't. I suppose being stuck in the Blackwall Tunnel can harsh your buzz ever so slightly. Arriving at The O2 for the first time in years is an interesting experience - I felt like I was arriving in a pseudo airport: massive car parks, loads of people queuing up (to be seated as the myriad of high street bars and eateries), pretty lights, announcements that you should head to your gate as Stevie Wonder will be on stage shortly... Oh yea... Stevie Wonder will be on stage shortly! I remembered that's what I was here for.

So we headed to our gate and after a bit more queuing, finally got to our seats, which were better than I had expected. I wasn't sat in the nosebleed section. Still miles away mind you.

(Amazingly the Italian I'm having a coffee at, writing this instead of working, is playing his 1973 hit "You Are the Sunshine of My Life")

And then it happened. 

Stevie Wonder was escorted onto the stage by his daughter. Everyone jumped out of their seats with applause. Stevie smiled. So did everyone else that I could see. His presence is something I have never witnessed before. I was in struck with awe. I couldn't believe that I was seeing and hearing Stevie Wonder play amazing song after amazing song... I nearly cried when he played "Lately". I couldn't believe I was standing up arms in the air singing along to "I Just Called to say I Love You". Hit after hit, I could not contain my excitement and joy. Stevie surprised me further, by playing his own versions of other classic American soul songs like "People Make the World Go Round" by The Stylistics and Donny Hathaway's "The Ghetto". 

When it was all over, I found myself in a strange state of joyous shock and awe.

How much do you reckon it costs to have Stevie Wonder play at your wedding??? 

YEA! LONDON