Roll Of The Dice Snake

I've just been watching an amazing program on BBC2 about black mamba snakes in Swaziland - one of Africa's most dangerous snakes. It reminded me of this photo that my brother found in the family archives. It's a dice snake that we had as a pet when we were little, and I just think the photo is ace. Anyway, I just wanted share my snakey past...

VIP at YSP

We had the most amazing day yesterday! We went to the VIP opening of the Rob Ryan exhibition at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, and it was incredible! If you get chance to visit before it finishes you really should - and I'm not just saying that because they are selling one of the best tea towels on the market! We got to meet Sir Paul Smith who is officially the nicest man in the world (he opened the event). We also got to eat the most amazing canapés, meet all the people we have been talking to for the last 6 months and lastly (and most importantly) see some of the amazing work Rob has done during his time as an artist. The Rob Ryan exhibition is on until the 21st February 2010, so you have still got quite a bit of time to visit. Make it a date!

Pictures: Part of the exhibition (top), Paul Smith during his speech (below), Sally in front of some of the artwork (middle bottom) and a one of Rob's trademark birds standing on a hand rail (bottom).

Going Dutch

We have just spent an amazing long weekend in Holland - The Hague to be precise. It's such a lovely city - not just criminal courts! I don't normally do high street shops as every high street in the UK pretty much looks the same. It's not until you venture somewhere special that you find interesting quirky shops (like Columbia Rd in London, for example). The nice thing about being in foreign climes is that even the high street shops are new and exciting! My favourites this time were Dille and Kamille and V&D. Dille and Kamille (the last two pictures) is a gorgeous shop that sells all the basics that you could possibly need for the home. It's a treasure trove of everything from gorgeous natural bent-wood chairs to kitchen utensils I didn't even know I needed! V&D is a department store, but the food counters had me drooling. The marzipan fruits (above) and the bizarre hog roast styled pigs (below) really did taste as good as they looked!

Sunny Day Sets Fire

I'm full of home made pizza, so adrenaline is the last thing coursing through my body at the moment. The song Adrenaline by Sunny Day Sets Fire is the complete opposite of how I feel! The band is based in London, but is made up of a group of musicians from all over the globe. Onyee from Hong Kong has such an ace voice! Have a listen to Adrenaline and some of their other tracks (which are equally catchy), and see what you make of it!

Picture via the band's myspace pages.

The Adventure...

We just got these beauties back from the picture framer, and don't they look sweet!? On the left is a print called 'Orange' - a 4x6" limited edition print by the awesome Gavin Potenza. It only cost £4 including shipping from the US! How mega ace is that! On the right is a print that I don't really know a great deal about. We bought it in April this year from a pop up gallery called Kin, which had opened for a couple of months in Kingly Court (just off Carnaby St. in London). It cost £30, and is called 'The Adventure Ends Here'. I think the artist is called Adam Gate, but that's all I know. Although the message is a bit sinister, it's so bright and cheery - a juxtaposition if ever there was one.

Sunday Sewing Fun

What better way is there to spend a Sunday other than having a make and do day! We needed a new cushion for our lovely grey chair in the kitchen - the previous one had soaked up red wine just once too often. We decided to use a tea towel for the front ('Bake Me' by Julia Pott in this instance), and the inside of the old cushion for the back. I'm not going to win any awards for my sewing on this one, but for a first attempt I'm pretty pleased with myself - and how amazing does the Bake Me image look on the front!? Not bad for an hour of work...

Shopping Losts

Take a look at Shopping Losts - an amazing collection of lost shopping lists - immortalised in their typographic glory by the Ginger Pimpernel. I know nothing more than that - but isn't it ace!

Dante's Tea Break

I found this amazing print via India Knight's Posterious and I couldn't help myself re-blogging about it! The print, by illustrative genius Jamie Wieck, charts the descent into hell for Dante - as originally described in the poem Inferno (the first part of Dante's Divine Comedy)... reinterpreted using the visual power of biscuits. The print is from a limited edition of 50 - so get one before they are all gobbled up!

Picture from Jamie Wieck's site

Strap On Your Jetpac!

Check out the second issue of Jetpac magazine for an interview with Mr Bingo - mega collector and hair illustrator extraordinaire! The magazine is completely free to download, and chock full of other interesting interviews - as well as some great photos of old matchbox cars!

Open Doors

So it's a bit late posting about an event that took place over 2 weeks ago, but I figure this is one for the diary next year. On the 12th-13th October this year Oxford Preservation Trust organised Oxford Open Doors - an event that spanned our amazing city, and opened normally closed off places to the general public. We met some awesome people that day - even getting a private guided tour of Christ Church Cathedral by one of the super friendly cleaners! It's incredible to think what's hidden behind those enormous walls, and it was a real privilege to have a sneak peek at just a small portion (so thanks OPT)! The pictures included here are just a small collection of those I snapped - see what you missed!?

Candles in Christ Church Cathedral

The St. Frideswide Window by Edward Burne-Jones in 1858. I was told that the window was originally designed for a bigger space, but was shrunk to fit this window (hence why it is so colourful and busy). In the bottom right, above the death bed of St. Frideswide is a depiction of a flushing toilet - a new invention in those days.

The small green door in the Cathedral garden allegedly meant to have inspired the small door that Alice travels through in Alice in Wonderland.

The massive Jabberwocky Tree in Christ Church Cathedral gardens - said to have been the inspiration for The Jabberwocky Poem by Lewis Carroll. You can just about see the pillars in the background used to support the tree!

Winter Wool

I think we can officially say that the summer is over - I've spent the last week kicking crunchy brown leaves, so I'm not feeling too bad about it! Anyway, with that in mind I've started to think about all things warm. I came across Yokoo and her wondrous woolens a while ago, but now we have hit October it seems like a good time to mention her wares. All Yokoo knits are hand made to order, which means you can choose the exact colour you want (it takes 2 weeks to deliver). The above (called the soopa scarf) is over 8 foot long, and 8 and half inches wide, and I can't think of anything nicer to keep me snug at night. There are other options - if that's a bit too long for you. Go check out her Etsy store and think about getting cosy!

Picture via Yokoo Etsy store

Geek Badge

This one has been doing the rounds, and fits in quite nicely considering the amount of layout work I have been doing recently! Geeks will definitely be telling you something good if you receive one of these amazing badges - so be nice to them! Available to buy from the super ace Pop + Shorty web store.

Dead Good Chairs

Check out the heart shaped buttons on this stylish chair by Ziglam and Brook. I saw this only the other day at 100% Design as part of the London Design Festival, and it is every bit as beautiful in the flesh! The chair is fully upholstered (in a grey wool in the image here) with solid oak legs and I would like one... The chair is available to buy from the design epicentre that is deadgood.

The Drums!

Another musical obsession? Me? This is a Brooklyn band called The Drums, and I think they are ace. I just discovered them via Vimeo after watching their super cool video for Let's Go Surfing. You know I never leave you hanging - if you like them you can download the single for free from rcrdlbl. Wow! Pop it on your ipod, and run along a deserted beach in the dark! Actually, that doesn't sound too safe. Oh yeah - almost forgot - you can go watch them doing their thing live on stage in various UK cities (mainly London). Check out the band's myspace for dates - and while you are there, have a listen to Submarine (which is also super dance along fun). Video follows for fun...

Picture via myspace

Badge r

Car boot sales are amazing - a staple event of the British summertime. You should check them out if only to see all the pugs that frequent them! They are the perfect place to pick up those rare cast offs that people have had stored in drawers for the past 20 years. Pictured is a collection of badges we bought this morning for 40p - now that's going to make your day! I wonder who thought to put 'I heart Deutsch!' on a badge!? Brilliant stuff!

Things I Like

I bought this super colourful print recently - it turned up, and it is even more awesome in the papery flesh! It's called 'Things I Like', and it literally contains all the things I like - what a coincidence! It was created by US graphic designer Richard Perez (aka Skinny Ships) in a limited edition of 100, and I can't wait to get it on the wall. You better snap one up before they all go!

Chutney, Or Not Chutney?

I don't profess to having green fingers - not really. I like gardening, but everything I do is a bit hit and miss. From a vegetable \ fruit point of view I don't often have much luck - killing things off before I get a taste. That's why this year I'm quite excited by the promise of tomatoes - the third year I have planted them, and hopefully the first year I'll get to eat some. If you are lucky enough to have a greenhouse, you are probably eating yours by now, but this British weather of ours isn't helping with outdoor growing. Fingers crossed for a warm spell to give them a little burst.

Shake Your Coconuts!

I can't believe that you all managed to keep this one a secret for this long! I was listening to last.fm today and out of the blue came a song called 'West Coast' by Coconut Records. My little ears were so excited they started to research the band straight away. I was really surprised to find that the only member of the band is the seemingly multi talented Jason Schwartzman - the man actor from awesome films like Marie Antoinette and Rushmore! Check out the brilliant video for the track (which was filmed in an super modern looking museum in Germany). The even better news is that there are two albums - both available for download from Amazon! Enjoy!

Picture from Last.FM

Salads - Not Just Lettuce and Cucumber!

I love salads, but I'm rubbish at experimenting with salad ingredients! I came across this inspirational collection of 101 salads published by the New York Times recently - it makes my mouth water just reading the ingredient list. We just need some sunshine now!

Picture from the New York Times website

Roma!

We spent last weekend in Rome for a friend's wedding - the first time I have ever been to Italy (which I almost can't believe). Anyway, I really recommend it - so beautiful, steeped in history, something to see around every corner and just generally awesome. I can't wait to go back again - although I might take things a little easier next time (we walked so far!!!) One tip for you if you do go... you don't need to bother with the fancy schmancy ice cream parlours - head straight to a Blue Ice gelateria. Amazing... Anyway, rather than give you the usual holiday snaps, here's some random Rome graffiti...

Rooftop Treats

I love this photo! We were on one of our London trips a while ago and I randomly helped a stranger lift a massive picture off his car roof rack - just off Brick Lane. He then very kindly offered to show us the view from the roof top of his apartment block, which was incredible. It looked out over the old chimney pots and The Gherkin and it was spectacular. Definitely worth sharing, so here's another one...

Hello There!

This is one of our most recent purchases - a 'Hello There' chair designed by Jeremy Harvey in 1978. It's a metal chair that says 'Hello' in the back, and 'There' in the seat and I've wanted one for such a long time! We thought about importing one from Europe, but that seemed a bit silly (not to mention expensive). Sally finally found one for sale in the UK from a great company that sells mid-century furniture. The chair was originally produced in lots of wonderful colours but I'm glad we got the yellow one - it makes me happy every time I see it!

Balmy Summer's Eve

I had the loveliest day yesterday! We went into London at lunch time to meet lovely Davina who is in a whirlwind of baking at the moment. She even baked the most delicious scones for us to have cream tea! Then we went to Hyde Park armed with a picnic, and listened to Vampire Weekend, which was ace. All that, then back on the train to lie on the floor of the kitchen looking out and enjoying the gorgeous summer evening. I took the photo at about 10.30pm, and it was still gloriously light. I'm not great with high temperatures, but these evenings are worth every moment of discomfort...

Party Icing!

You know it is! Yes my friends - you are looking at the ass side of a party ring that's spent a bit too long in the icing line. That's right, iced on both sides! A new phenomenon for me - and I've eaten plenty of party rings in my time! Makes a change to the all chocolate Kit Kat where the wafer has gone walkies. Get munching, and see if you can find one!

Play It Again - On The Streets!

What better way to bring communities together than a good old sing song!? I'm off to London tomorrow, and I'm planning to try and find some of the street pianos - 30 pianos placed around London in public places as part of the City of London Festival. Anyone can have a tinkle on the old ivories, although I'm hoping that I might bump into Chas and Dave! The piano in Lyric Square (Hammersmith) will have a pro playing Irish classics tomorrow between 1 and 3pm. If you can play, you should come along and give it your best Stevie Wonder!

Pic from Getty - via Daily Mirror site.

Not Just Fluff

I had fun in the sun on Sunday around Brick lane at the Art Car Boot Sale, and the Free Range graduate art and design show. So much fun stuff to look at + it's been a while since I drank beer at lunch time! I popped into the Sunday Up Market and came across a stall selling amazing t shirts - the above was my favourite, but there were loads to choose from. Big Fluff hand print all their super colourful, bound to get you noticed, designs in London! You should also check out their amazing bags!

Lamp orghini

There should be no argument that the Lamborghini Countach is one of the greatest cars ever made, so I was super pleased to find this collection by Swiss designer Martin Meier. The collection, called 'In Loving Memory - The Lamborghini Countach' is currently on display at the Appel Design Gallery in Berlin. Martin has applied the Lamborghini lines to other design classics - including the Verner Panton chair, which looks awesome. I wonder if Martin has a Peugeot with Lamborghini door hinges - I love that! Found via Daily tonic.

Music Charts

The geek in me loves charts, so therefore I love this print by Jez Burrows featuring a graphical interpretation of Destroyer's 2006 album 'Destroyer's Rubies'. It's available as a limited edition of 200 from the wonderful Analogue Books. I love their shop (in Edinburgh) where I saw this earlier in the year, but I only just realised that you can buy it online - hooray!

Baby Cats! Yeah!

I'm a massive fan of Adam Green, but add in a sultry female French singer and the mention of baby cats and I think I might possibly have found the best thing ever seen\heard on the internet! The above picture is of Soko (or Stéphanie Sokolinski), a French singer\actress who appears to have quit music to go back to acting. But before she did, she performed a song with Adam Green while on tour - and you can find it on YouTube here. Amazing! To add to the excitement, it seems that Adam is going on tour, and will be in Oxford in September! Hooray for the internet! Yus! This is what a weekend of web surfing gets you! Not bad, I'm sure you'll agree.

Sesame Sweet!

I saw this recently and it brought memories flooding back - this is a collection of Sesame Street shorts collectively known as Pinball Number Count. It's a funky segment first shown in 1976 - with vocals by The Pointer Sisters. I just think it is amazing. Do you remember it?

Ferris Sale

If you are one of the lucky few who can get a mortgage at the moment, they say it's one of the best times to buy a house. If you were going to invest in some property, I can think of nothing better than this! Look familiar? It's the gorgeous building designed by A. James Speyer and David Haid that was used in the classic 80's high school comedy Ferris Beuller's Day Off. For a meagre $2.3 million you could recreate the classic Ferrari scene!

Bike Skills

I was sent this video last week of trial bike expert Danny MacAskill doing some tricks on the streets of the UK. I'm not normally into this kind of thing, but I am impressed by someone making something very difficult, look so easy! Awesome.

Bitchin' Stitchin!

How cute is this? Possibly cuter than a sleeping kitten? I'm loving cross stitched anything at the moment, so I was most pleased when I stumbled upon Ellie Cryer's cross stitched apple button badge! it's a whole load of cross stitched awesome. Buy it - before I do!

Colin Zombie

Wow o wow! I'm a bit behind the times because it is all over the internet, but... Our amazing friend Alastair Kirton was the lead in a zombie film called Colin, that is amazing audiences at the Cannes Film Festival and not just because of Alastair's amazing acting skills! The film only cost a staggeringly small £45 to make! If you don't mind a bit of zombie gore you should check out the trailer on the Nowhere Fast website! Yay!

One last thing... Alastair is also starring in an unusual play at the Southwark Playhouse called The Exquisite Corpse until the end of May. If you get the chance you should go check it out!

Le Blackpool

OK, so I'm a couple of days behind everyone else with this, and I promise that this isn't going to become a Blackpool tourism blog, but... I love this smart, beautifully shot advert for Blackpool. The word is that they are trying to encourage French people to visit the city with their alluring Parisian-esque scenes - and there isn't even a hen do in sight! Well done the Blackpool tourism board!

Tenplate (11, Actually)

We found these super cute, Rob Ryan-esque plates today at a car boot sale. They have birds and flowers detailed all over them and we think they are from the 60's (it says that they are detergent safe on the back!) We bought 6 dinner plates and 5 side plates for a meager £2! Wow - what a deal. Jealous?