One of my all time favourite cut it up masters, Martin O'Neill.
Buy a little something from his shop.
Monday 29 August 2011
Sunday 28 August 2011
Thursday 25 August 2011
Marty Feldman
Braving the heavy Summer downpours forecast for today to seek out the Marty Feldman: Biography of a Comedy Legend by Robert Ross, published by Titan Books.
Teabread (Bara Brith)
I couldn't quite get into the trend for chi chi cup cakes, although there is no denying they make nice window display fillers, as do the billowy clouds of sugary smash at the touch meringues stacked high and temptingly in the local Judges bakery. Sorry to say that I am stuck firmly in the old school camp of a decent hearty slice of fruit cake and a cup of tea every time. So imagine my joy at finding this nifty recipe by Jane Edwards for this rather fabulous Welsh teabread:
500g mixed dried fruit and peel
300ml strong hot tea (Yorkshire is my choice of brew in this instance)
250g self-raising flour (my preference is Doves Farm)
1 teaspoon mixed spice
125g dark brown muscovado sugar
Soak fruit and peel in a large bowl in the black tea for at least six hours minimum. Sieve flour and spice into the soaked fruit (no need to drain off any excess liquid not soaked up by the fruit if any) and stir in egg. Mix all ingredients until smooth. Heat oven to 150 degrees C/130 degrees C for fan oven or Gas Mark 2. Grease a loaf tin with butter (or buttered baking paper) and tip in mixture. Bake for 1 and a half hours. The teabread should be well-risen, firm and brown. Cool and store for at least two days - try it - as the bread become richer in flavour and develops a lovely elasticity. Slice and serve with a smear of salty butter.
Hastings Old Town
An early Sunday morning view of the High Street which I'm missing - but due to move back in at the end of November so not that much longer to go now. However, there is the Hastings Seafood Festival to look forward to on the weekend of 17 & 18 September where you can try out the produce from the local fishing fleet and makers of excellent cheese, bread or become refreshed by the wines on offer from the nearby vineyards in Sussex.
Saturday 20 August 2011
Sally-Ann Provan
My gorgeous hat which I bought from milliner, Sally Ann Provan. This never ever ceases to raise interest from strangers when I wear it. The most common comment is 1) where did I get it and 2) guaranteed every time is 'can I try it on?'. I first saw Sally's hats at the Origin show at Somerset House and they really stood out. I've got my eye on 'Seduction' from Sally's latest collection on her website, it was stunning when I saw it first shown at one of Sally's shows. Your first port of call should be Edinburgh if you are after a wise investment piece for a special event.
Reddress
The Finnish exhibition Reddress by Aamu Song is being installed at the York Halls in Bethnal Green as part as the London Design Festival during September 22 - 25. The event is produced by the Finnish Institute in London and it is part of the international programme of World Design Capital Helsinki 2012.
If you fancy something red and Finnish to take home, visit the Redshop which will be open to accompany the Reddress installation at the York Halls.
Photo Credit: Bernhard Ludewig
Sunday 7 August 2011
Window display with mirrorball
This house owner's display is rather more eclectic with shells on the window sill and completed with a number of random figurines.
Window Displays
What I'm missing about Hastings Old Town (now that I've rented out the property until the end of November) are the quirkly little window displays that are made in people's houses. This one took my fancy mainly because of the addition of the plastic soldiers and the use of scrabble letters. I'm promising myself that I will start cataloguing more of the displays when I'm back.
Saturday 6 August 2011
The Genius of Anthony Newley
Just received an email from a friend who has tickets to see Anthony Newley in The Strange World of Gurney Slade tv series (written by Sid Green and Dick Hills - the chaps who wrote for Morecombe and Wise) where Newley casually trips in and out of reality. (This series was allegedly was an influence on Bowie). A great treat as I haven't had the opportunity to ever see this, so very much looking forward to Thursday evening at the BFI on the Southbank. I'm pleased to see that it is also released on dvd on 15th August so your chance to own a bit of Newley magic. Hats off to Network for getting this out...
Thursday 4 August 2011
Preferable Career Choice of the Week
I've always loved this beautiful image by Annie Leibovitz. Meg's disinterested gaze sums up the week in a look. When the week is grey and slow at the office, I secretly harbour a desire for a new career at a 'Wings of Desire'/Carnivale style circus and to have a go at a spin on the knife thrower's wheel. However, I don't rate his chances on pin point accuracy with that wind speed if Jack's hair is anything to go by...
Photo credit: Annie Leibovitz Estate
Like Camper Van Beethoven
...I had a dream last night and in it art journalist/critic Andrew Graham Dixon had for some reason (as dreams go) temporarily replaced the fabulous Eddie Argos as Art Brut's lead singer. Yes, it may have been induced by the bottle and a half of Chateau de Caraguilhes I had indulged in because of a very terrible week at work you understand, but the more I think about it, I think Mr Graham Dixon would make a rather fine replacement (but heaven forbid the most lovely Eddie would ever leave, of course). And I've absolutely no idea what Mr Graham Dixon's singing talents are like, but he seemed like a nice bloke when he used to come in to our offices the Arts Council London in Great Peter Street, SW1 back in the day.
Photo Credit of Art Brut - I'm trying to find out (sorry photographer)
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