John Barry

All very sad to hear of John Barry's death this morning while I was getting ready to get on the early train over to Piece Hall, Halifax from Leeds. I had played my vinyl copy of 'The Quiller Memorandum' (starring George Segal, Alec Guinness, Max Von Sydow and Senta Berger), which he composed and conducted, only on Friday last week. The theme song, "Wednesday's Child" is, as with all of his work, totally knockout.

Keeping It Bottled Up

Spent a a few hours hoofing it around the streets of London Town to purchase a friend's birthday gift, however, after almost abandoning the mission, I came across some dandy perfume bottles in Anthropologie and settled on this. It's almost too good to give away.

Caravan of Love

Chez Carthorse Greenwich was struck by a blocked water pipe, the central heating breaking down and just to compliment the lack of heating and being unable to wash, a little waterfall appeared, courtesy of the freezing weather recently shattering a couple of slate roof tiles, in the kitchen during the heavy rain on Monday while the British Gas engineer was trying to fix the boiler. Two out of three are now fixed. I'm just hoping the rain stays off until tomorrow. On Sunday I went over to Columbia Road Market to cheer the collapsing abode up with a selection of flowers. Robert Elms and his Mrs were doing the rounds too that morning. Took a walk around the backstreets nearby and made the fatal mistake of looking in at Caravan and their new range. Hare Snow Domes (Yes, I repeat: Hare Snow Domes!) have been added to the shop and my shallow heart started craving. My dwindling money is being pulled as if by magnets from my pockets to make a purchase.

Broadcast

Very sad to hear that Trish Keenan of Broadcast died yesterday. Rest in blissfulness...

Coconut Records

A long week, which also involved getting the Old Town property finally rented for a short let. Hopefully the break from it will give me a renewed energy to decide how to decorate the place out. Coconut Record's 'Davy' has been on constant play here keeping the mood mellow at Chez Carthorse...

Stitched Up Like A Kipper

Just checked the Tweed Run site to see when the next Tweed Run bicycle ride is going to be set this year. I noted from an old post on the site that Saville Row appointed its first female cloth cutter, Kathryn Sargent as head cutter at Gieves & Hawkes a year ago. The position of Head Cutter at Saville Row house is the highest appointment in tailoring. She became the first woman to be appointed to such a role in the history of Saville Row. Apparently the women tailors used to be referred to as ‘kippers’ on the row as, sadly, they sought work in pairs to protect themselves from male lecherous advances.

And Pause...

And another image from Annette Pehrsson's blog...

The Last Living Rose

Becoming hooked on P J Harvey's 'The Last Living Rose' from the forthcoming Let England Shake album released 14th February.

Cool, Calm and Scandinavian

Back from a tour of Stamford's for maps (possible trip to the Vitra Design Museum) and then on to foraging in a very quiet Liberty's fabric department, a tube to the V&A and home via the National Portrait Gallery Members Room for an intermittent tea break with a friend where I came across, by chance, Swedish Photographer Annette Phersson's blog which is full of some of the most beautifully muted tone images.

Investment Piece

I had a long obsession with Eley Kishimoto and when the opportunity came up to buy this coat a couple of years back, it hasn't disappointed. It's done me proud over three years, especially this year during the snow and cold. Fabulously warm and a great colour. I hadn't realised from this catwalk picture that these, er, 'coat trousers' were originally designed alongside to match the coat. If I had known, I damned as hell would have been wearing them this Winter, that's for sure. Unfortunately, one of my Eley Kishimoto jumpers didn't make it through for me to wear this Winter as, during the Summer; moths dined a la carte on it. It was impossible to make any repairs to it as the large holes looked like I'd taken a round by a kalashnikov.

P.S. Sad news of the death of Mick Karn - RIP.

In Praise of Bungalows

The Bungalow Dress that is, as featured in Old Town. Photographer Scott Wishart is a fan of Old Town's men's clothing and very dapper he looks in it too, I must say. We like a well turned-out lad. If any spare finances are to be found knocking around at the end of this month, I'll be sending it Old Town's way for one of these little numbers. Check out the Bloomsbury and Jaywick dresses as these are rather fetching as well.

P.S. Sad news of the death of actor, Peter Postlethwaite. I remember with fondness his amazing and gripping performances, especially as the volatile Dad in the excellent film 'Distant Voices, Still Lives' by Terence Davies.

White Out

Up early to strip off the remaining wallpaper in the hallway then the fun of sanding down the walls - so just as well the neighbours are still away. I've recently come across Fjeldborg and am torn between the idea of whiting out the whole of the house. Off to have a cup of tea and think about it, and listen to the debate on Radio 4 about the Archers and Nigel falling through the roof (frankly, it's rather a shame Helen hadn't met with disaster). You can tell it's a Bank Holiday... However, Jarvis Cocker did alright presenting 'The Thrill of It All' on Radio 6 about the history of Roxy Music (Mother of Pearl is one of my favourite songs, though can't quite say the same of 'Avalon' with its Peter Saville cover). Michael Bracewell's book 'Remake/Re-model' is a good read too. I've just discovered I've got two first editions of it on my bookshelf. Not sure how that happened.

A Feast of Fabulous Fowls

And yet some more Ibride items by Rachel Convers in the series which I posted earlier in the week.

It's so the magazine for me...

Yes, that's what I actually heard today, a person loudly exclaiming to their friend as I was also considering a would-be purchase of Oh Comely Magazine in the local magazine emporium - "It's soooooo the magazine for me!". Apart from nearly vomiting on the spot at overhearing this, it resulted in me lowering my grasping hand to said magazine, instantly dismiss the intended purchase and walk off post haste. In the days of yore, I used to work in the Editorial Department of Faber and Faber. I recently met up with someone I used to work with there and they mentioned Eyewear. If you are interested in the written word and general cultural happenings then this may, possibly, be "so for you". I'll make my purchase of Oh Comely when the coast is clear of punters early tomorrow.

Be-Trayed...

Hurrah! I have been be-trayed with a belated gift for Chez Carthorse from the delectable Ibride collection by Rachel Convers. This one in the series is entitled Honore.