Resolutions.

So a couple of weeks ago, I wrote about it being the New Year and resolutions and such. This year, I am pretty determined to make them last and I am happy to say that today I ran the Cancer Research Winter 10k. Now, I'm not going to lie, getting there was difficult. First, my running partner bailed on me last night. Then, when my alarm went off at 7am this morning, the weather sounded absolutely horrific but that might have something to do with the fact my room only has single glazing, it always sounds worse than it is.

After the major obstacles of the morning (breakfast, getting dressed, etc. It was 7am on a Sunday, HUGE obstacles) my housemate and I trotted along into Central. We said our goodbyes as my housemate had come for moral support and I made my way to the starting line. We had a mandatory warm up which was very awkward as a lot of the warm ups were to be done with a partner and I was alone. And then things got emotional. The guy leading the warm up asked everyone to put up their hand if they knew someone who had been affected by cancer. Pretty much everyone, and I mean everyone, put up their hand. Then he asked people to keep their hands up if they had been affected themselves by cancer. Hands went down but a lot remained. Then, he asked for people to keep their hands up if they were still undergoing treatment for cancer. I wasn't really prepared for how many hands stayed up and needless to say I pretty much lost it. It then hit me, my obstacles of the morning were nothing compared to those of the brave people I was surrounded by.

I'd love to say the run was a total breeze but if I'm being honest, I definitely didn't train enough for it. It was a really fun course with snow areas and passing major monuments of London. The polar bears which high-fived you as you ran were also a massive help. Cheers pals. At this very moment, I don't know my time but as I was running, my time went out the window and I just wanted to be able to run the whole way, supporting a truly amazing cause. And yes, I did run the whole thing.

You can still donate to Cancer Research by clicking here

(Quite possibly the most horrific photo of me ever but look how happy I am that I've finished! And yes, that is a Double Decker in my hand that Holly pretty much threw at me as I crossed the finish line, best housemate ever!)

GUY BOURDIN: IMAGE MAKER

Had a perfect London afternoon yesterday and was treated by the beautiful Rachel to spend a couple of hours at the Guy Bourdin exhibition at Somerset House.

Guy Bourdin: Image Maker is a collection of over 100 photographs spanning a photography career of over 40 years. Included was the "Walking Legs" series which is a campaign commissioned by Charles Jourdan that has never been shown in it's entirety. Accompanying the series was an unseen fashion film of his road-trip around the UK in 1979.

The exhibition was amazing and I'm always drawn to people's work that is the total opposite of what I do. All photography work I have ever done is black and white and usually quite natural shots. I loved the use of colour throughout Bourdin's work and the whole staged and theatrical feel of it all. It's the same reason I love the work of David LaChapelle and Tim Walker.

Throughout the exhibition, there were a few films being shown including a room with 4 screens set up to make you feel truly immersed in the footage. Paintings and rough sketches were also included throughout and anyone who knows me will appreciate how excited I got at the polaroid series (I did a project of my own in uni called "The Polaroid Project").

We also popped in to "Chris Stein/Negative: Me, Blondie, and The Advent of Punk" which was incredible. There were some amazing photographs with some excellent stories and explanations attached but going on a Saturday lunchtime probably wasn't the best time for this one. I wanted to read everything but being so busy, I felt like I was constantly in the way. I will definitely be heading back for this one but may think a bit more carefully about what time I head down.

As always, a outfit snap was a must. Especially when you have THE BEST BACKGROUND EVER!

(Leather Jacket - Schott, Duster Coat - Urban Outfitters, T-Shirt - an old The Cure one I bought when I saw them in 2004, Jeans - Topshop, Boots - Office, Bag - Topshop)

Guy Bourdin: Image Maker is on until 15th March 2015 - entrance fee £9.00

Chris Stein/Negative: Me, Blondie, and The Advent of Punk is on until 25th January 2015 - free

Tattoos and Rude Boys

Awful weather meant a Sunday of  indoor based activities. First on the list, brunch at Jackson and Rye. Very nearly didn't make it thanks to the bus making me get off in Lambeth North with the bus driver telling me 'London is closed.' Ah right, thanks for that.

Amazing food (scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, toast and southern fried potatoes) and great coffee with a cheeky peach bellini thrown in for good measure. It's not often I eat before lunchtime so when I do I like to make sure I'm doing it right. Great service and reasonable prices means I'll definitely be back to work my way through the menu. A gentleman at the next table had pancakes which looked delicious.

Luckily, the rain had stopped so a wonder to Somerset House ensued. One of my favourite things about walking around London is when you find a place you've never been to before. Walking along the river, we found this little park full of amazing flowers and very friendly drunk men. Took a quick opportunity to get an outfit snap which was a little harder than I thought it would be due to the strong winds and nearly loosing my hat on more than one occasion!

(Hat - Urban Outfitters, Jumper - Cos, Skirt - American Apparel, Boots - Topshop, Bag - Mulberry)

 I'd been wanting to go to Somerset House for a while as I've yet to see a bad exhibition there but was highly recommended Time: Tattoo Art Today. While there, we heard a few grumbles as I think some people were slightly disappointed there wasn't more flash. I think the moment people hear of something by tattooists, flash is the automatic thing that comes to mind. I really loved the diversity in the work that was on display and it's always nice to see tattooists I love (Hooper, Koeplinger, Binnie, Garver etc) doing something a little different and to see them for the artists they are.

Another exhibition that was also on was Return of The Rudeboy. The exhibition took up a few rooms with a slightly different theme in each one. The photography was great but I was really impressed with the way the work was displayed and other elements of Rudeboy culture, such as music and fashion, that were featured in each room. It wasn't the biggest exhibition but I felt everything was incredibly relevant and as someone who didn't really know anything about the history of Rudeboys, I felt that I learnt quite a lot about a really interesting subculture. All in all, a wonderful day.

Time: Tattoo Art Today is on until 5th October 2014

Return of The Rudeboy is on until 25th August 2014

Both exhibitions at Somerset House are free of charge.

  

Wasting time.

Spent an absolutely perfect Saturday with the gorgeous Rachel doing pretty much nothing. During the epic summer of 2010, Rachel and I would spend days on end having the best time but, in essence, doing sweet FA. Just wasting away days filling them with chit-chat, drinks and food and walking to nowhere in particular. This Saturday was one of those days.

(Salted caramel cake and Oreo cupcakes - Street art in East London - Hand painted bottles - Lobster Mac'n'Cheese and Tequila Colada frozen cocktails - Street Feast Hackney)

A day spent walking, eating and drinking. A lot of drinking. We ended at Street Feast where Rach confided that she'd been 3 weeks in a row. I thought it couldn't possibly be that good. Could it? It could. I'm sure I'll be back a few more times before it disappears as the weather starts to turn.

And us being us, outfit photographs were a must.

(Kimono - Native Rose, Cross back top - Urban Outfitters, Jeans - Topshop, Shoes - Urban Outfitters, Bag - Vintage)

I've been obsessing over this kimono for a while now. I think it's the traditional sleeves which a lot of kimonos don't seem to have these days. We didn't get Native Rose into my store for Spring/Summer so it was a bit out of sight, out of mind. This one got appeared and I couldn't resist. We have the whole Autumn/Winter range in store now. Featuring a floor length black kimono with traditional sleeves. I have a feeling it will be mine very soon.