Home Made Poster

Liking this huge wall poster handmade by Candi Mandi. Right, off to listen to Sylvain Sylvain now on Radio 6.

Andrew Bird

My afternoon off and a chance to catch up with some chores before an early start again tomorrow. It's just started to rain outside now and I'm home listening to Andrew Bird's Noble Beast; what a truly beautiful album released on Bella Union back in 2009.

Photo Credit: Amy Stein

Norm 69

I've admired the Norm 69 designed by Simon Karkov in 1969 for some while and decided to make a purchase. However, I was glad I'd read up on the Normann Copenhagen website before deciding to buy as it is comes as a flat pack self-assemble number, consisting of 69 pieces. Each fragment has to be individually folded and this has to be done in a room that is warm, otherwise the pieces have a tendency to crack as you fold them. Their web boasts that the quickest anyone has assembled a Norm 69 is 38 minutes; however, if you haven't had a crack at assembling one of these before, I think a realistic 2 hours needs to be set aside. I was almost breaking out in a brain surgery style sweat at the terror of one of these leaves cracking while I was folding and attaching the leaves. However, the result was worth the effort in the end.

Material World

And just a reminder, it's time to limber up for a genteel weekend scrum as it's the largest Swishing event to be held in the UK as part of UK Aware at Olympia this Saturday 26th March. Swap your old clothes for some new garments. The unknown nature of what's on the racks at these events and the ability of trying to spot a possible swap at 20 paces is what makes this fun and it's saving clothing ending up in landfill. How it works: take along up to 5 items of good condition, clean clothing that you are no longer in love with (or can fit into), pay a £7 admission charge on the door, hand in your items, then browse for a replacement set from items that other people have brought in and, voila, go home with a completely new outfit. Simple.

RIP: The devastatingly devine Ms Elizabeth Taylor

Old Town - Getting Shirty

My Old Town shirt has just arrived - and quite fine it looks too. I'm going for the prim look at the moment, together with 1940s green/grey jacket and match these with my new pair of brown brogues and an old brown school satchel I bought when I was up in Leeds at a school fundraiser evening. Next up, as it appears to be warming up out there and I saw my first two butterflies of 2011, will be one of their dresses - the Jaywick 'Mrs Wilberforce in Green.

Skull on A Plate

re-foundobjects have these for sale in their Northumberland-based emporium. A number of which may be added to the cart for use at Chez Carthorse - an evening supper with White Lunar playing in the background.

Twist and Shout

This cold but sunny lunchtime was brightened with the rather impressive sight (and sound) of Bianca Jagger giving a rousing speech outside on the foyer of the Royal Festival Hall at today's WoW festival to kick off International Women's Day to a moderate crowd of lay-dees. And, boy, she sounded and looked absolutely fantastic. After her speech, I tottered into the Southbank to book my Tindersticks tickets and ate my lunch trying to pretend that I hadn't noticed Tamsin Greig (really enjoyed her recent-ish performance in The Episodes) on the table adjacent me and wondering who the annoyingly loud chap was on the next table; it was Wayne Hemmingway trying to enthuse a rather blank-looking youth about the joys of Fashion Week. It didn't seem to be having much effect - probably an intern; working long hours for absolutely no pay.

That Sinking Feeling...

Trying hard not to think about work tomorrow. I've been seconded to Government Relations and I'll be honest, I ain't digging it; working with paranoid and strung out Government Advisors all day is the height of non-creativity and it's making me come over all Situationist. Roll on Friday 11th when I get my posting back at the Southbank and Richard Ayoade's Submarine is released in the cinema - sweet sanity is only 5 days away...deep breaths and rest.

Animal Kingdom

Did the local rounds at the market today in Greenwich. Picked up quite a nice secondhand 60s pale blue dress from Umi and received a nice bit of discount as the dress hadn't been ironed. Dropped by to the Greenwich Picture House to see Howl, but it wasn't being screened so by default got to see Animal Kingdom, which I'd recommend. A strong cast with a twist to the plot at the end; plus Guy Pearce is always good value in my books.

Ron Sexsmith

BBC4 have been programming some excellent music series lately (apart from the rather dreary Mark Knopfler episode). Just seen the Ron Sexsmith documentary working on his latest album with music producer Bob Rock (best known for his work with Metallica and Bon Jovi). Fascinating viewing - and an unlikely music pairing, but it somehow made sense. After all these years, it's quite stunning that Ron's music isn't a staple in everyone's collection and, even more surprising, that he's hardly made any money from his beautifully crafted music. Go out and support Ron by making a purchase or two today.