Last night I went to see my buddy playing at The Notting Hill Arts Club. What a treat. Catgut is the finest alternative stealth pop act in London. A group of strapping young men playing with cool class, subtle beats and expert glockenspiel skills to boot. Catgut set the crowd alight, we were in the front row screaming and hollering inappropriately like Mel from Flight Of The Concords. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a rock ‘n’ roller at heart and I’m pretty naff when it comes to describing music or knowing what genre something is but I thoroughly enjoy listening to Catgut, turns out it’s the perfect soundtrack for designing dresses to and has not stopped playing in our studio this week.

To hear a demo and get more info about Catgut visit the website: www.littlecatgut.com

I simply had to throw in the obligatory toilet mirror shot, happy Wednesday folks.

Stay Groovy

xx

We went walking up on Hampstead Heath yesterday, it was pretty windy and brisk but clear and lovely all the same. Hampstead Heath is a large, ancient London park, covering 320 hectares. The heath is one of the highest points in London, running from Hampstead to Highgate with views of St. Pauls, The London Eye and the ‘Gherkin’. The Heath is rambling and hilly with picturesque ponds, ancient woodlands and a lido. The air was fresh, a bunch of us had a full English Breakfast then walked on the Heath to see some of the best views in London. I wore my new boots from Jones The Bootmakers but should have probably worn wellies as it got quiet muddy underfoot. oops. As you can see the wind complimented my hair just nicely giving me some serious added volume.

Great Times.

x

So I packed all of my belongings into boxes, sold loads on Ebay, gave tons to charity, streamlined my existence the best I could in preparation for our forthcoming adventure. Sometimes I enjoy the silliest things in life, the smallest most insignaficant things make me the happiest. I arranged  for 15×15 ft of storage facility in Peckham (yeah that’s where Del & Rodney are from) for 6months which included a free collection service. My lovely storage facility man showed up on time, was highly efficient and managed to fit all my things in the smallest space. I loved driving up front in the van and the trolleys in the storage facility place. I could not recommend the service highly enough, the staff were super friendly the storage was very clean and colourful. I loved the bright yellow walls when I propped my bike against them.

If you ever happen to need storage in London I would recommend Henfield storage great times!

x

Every so often a catwalk show comes along and encapsulates exactly where my mind is at stylistically. Antonio Marras’ jilted granny style floral fancies would be sure to rock any church coffee morning. I love the use of floral prints mixed together, the headscarves, the little doggie, that strong jade green and blush pink. This is exactly what I’m talkin’ about. Nicknamed ‘the Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie’ at work I’m partial to a good headscarf and floral twin set. I can’t help but compare the models to Cindy Sherman, maybe it’s the wig? This is by far my favourite Pre Fall Catwalk so far.

Happy Thursday.

x

I will be jetting off from London to Toronto at the beginning of April (after my retreat to Limoges in rural France). I have never been on an adventure as huge as the one I am currently planning so I’m doing my best to map the route as thoroughly as possible. I will be travelling with my excellent sister Theresa (AKA Our Terry) and together I’m certain we can achieve anything!

I have been researching Canada inbetween working and moving house and have been completely blown away by the size of the place and it’s high grade talent. Canada is responsible for some of my favourite famous faces, film and music talent, in particular Michael Cera, Leonard Cohen and Anvil the Heavy Metal Band (famous for tracks such as Thumb Hang) Scott Pilgrim Vs The World was set in Toronto and Juno was filmed in Vancouver. A couple of other inspiring Canadian offerings: Michael J. Fox, Mike Myers, Jason Priestley, Keanu Reeves, Justin Bieber, Jim Carrey oh and let’s not forget the classic hit T.V show Due South (remember that?).

There are a number of things I really want to do whilst I’m out there, the first of which is to see Niagara Falls. After seeing a film at the IMAX cinema in Bradford about Niagara Falls at the age of 9 I’ve always wanted to see Niagra Falls in real life. Call it serendipity or whatever but Billy Connellys’ latest series  ’Journey to the edge of the World’ couldn’t have been timed any better. If you haven’t tuned in to Billy’s latest series you’re missing a treat. Having tackled Route 66 through the U.S of A in his first series Billy is now making his way to some of Canada’s most far out villages, whale watching, meeting some incredible individuals and listening to the most unusual Inuit throat music.

Once we’ve explored Toronto and seen Niagara Falls we will make our way across land on the Famous Canadian Rockies Sleeper Train, a 4 day journey which  takes you through some of Canada’s most spectacular mountainous scenery. The train will drop us in Vancouver from there we will head to a small, remote village named Tofino and stay there for a month, whale watching, surfing, hiking and exploring some of Canada’s natural wonders.

Right must dash, I’m boxing up the rest of my things for storage, thought I’d share with you a couple of my favourite vintage travel themed headscarves (a headscarf is always essential for any real explorer).

xx

If I see a white space I have to fill it with colour, if I see a shelf I have to put stuff on it and I am yet to work out any set formula for my wardrobe. When I walk around the galleries in London I often feel saddened by the amount of white space or if I’m in a Gallery I wonder why everyone feels as if they have to be quiet, they should stick some (well chosen) music on and paint the walls in the colours of the rainbow. I digress.

As you know I’m planning a fairly substantial travel adventure this year, so have been forced to streamline. I am doing my very best to simplify my existence. Hence my rambling about art galleries and their abundant space. This weekend I bought myself some boxes and said to myself ‘if it doesn’t fit in here then it’s got to go’, so I have my boxes neatly stacked waiting for the removal man to pick them up and put them in storage, this Friday!

However, my biggest dilemma I am facing right now is what to pack? I’ll be working in London until the end of February so need to have my usual, moderately presentable, suitably impractical, city wardrobe. Then I’m heading to rural France so will be needing outfits suitable for the outdoors…and after that to CANADA (YES IT’S OFFICIALLY BOOKED)! so need to be warm and waterproof. Oh boy.

Everyone I have spoken to have advised me to travel light and be practical, neither of which am I accustomed to. I find myself faced with the challenge of being practical without looking like a total train-spotter. Watch this space.

I will be aiming to blog everyday to keep you up to date on all my exciting adventures as they unfold. In the words of David Bowie,

‘ I don’t know where I’m going from here but I promise it wont be boring’

Above: JCrew Lookbook pic, Inspirational quotes by Amanda Catherine Designs, Stripe Dress at Topshop

The heat penetrates up to 40mm under the skin which is purifying, deep cleansing and reduces cellulite removing toxins from inside your body fat instead of just releasing water which is what a sauna does. Your heart rate increases because your matabolism increases. Your body feels like you’ve run a mini marathon! Basically you lay there and sweat it out and leave feeling refreshed and ready to take on the World.

Now I said it before and  I’ll say it again, I’m not one to condone fad diets and believe in a healthy and balanced approach to just about everything. However when I was contacted to try out the domes I figured I’d go in there with an open mind. I was pleasently suprised and have decided to give it another go. As I mentioned I’ll be running a marathon this year so will be doing my upmost to stay healthy. I’ll be all nuts and seeds dahrling, nuts and seeds! and thought I’d kick start my training and healthy eating plan with another trip to the Iyashi Domes.

The Big Mac Blog readers can benefit from the  2 sessions for the price of 1! The usual price for 1 session is £110 but you can get 2sessions for just £55.

Simply contact My Diet Detox Centre and quote ‘the big mac blog’ to benefit from the discounted price.

Stay Happy & Healthy Folks!

ADDRESS: My Diet Detox Centre, Ground Floor of the Alara Health Food Shop, 58-60 Marchmont Street, London, WC1N 1AB, Tel: 0208 858 877.

According to Marshall ‘Besides being straight up dazzling, The Major is a solid workhorse with great stamina, designed with non-stop, all-day listening’ Perfect for Me. The New Marshall Major Headphones are available at Amazon for £75. I was lucky enough to be visited by the Fairy Hob Mother before Christmas so had some Amazon Vouchers, I used them to buy the headphones and couldn’t be happier.

Have a rockin’ weekend.

xx

If you’ve been in close proximity to me in the last few days you’ll know I’ve just bough myself a NEW 2012 diary in the shape of a Chocolate Brown Leather Filofax. I am so excited about it. I feel like I’m progressing up the organisational ladder. Now, that is not to say that I was previously without diary (heck no!) I used to be a Moleskin girl (and still rate Moleskin very highly) but figured it was time to make an investment.

A couple of people I’ve spoken to about my Filofax have laughed and called me ‘retro’ but have eaten their words when they marvelled at the soft, mottled quality, chocolate brown leather dreaminess. I’m so excited to write all my plans in there for 2012 (of which there are many).

I’m working near Canary Wharf today and thought I’d share the beautiful view of the River Thames I have from the office. Fear not, I’m dressed appropriately to be located near the water wearing my 1960′s amazing duck print dress.

Thank you all for the kind messages regarding my French Resolution Post. I will be blogging away so you can share in all the exciting adventures.

p.s I hope you like the new look! I’m so pleased with it.

xx