London Baby Yeah

I have just got back from a trip down to London. I love it. I'm still not entirely sure if I could live there, but boy do I love to visit.

I saw friends and family. I went to see A Serious Man at the Curzon Soho; a film described by one critic as written by Woody Allen and directed by David Lynch...not far off to be honest! I went to see Inherit the Wind at the Old Vic. It was absolutely excellent and both Kevin Spacey and David Troughton were brilliant. I wasn't particularly keen on the man who played the journalist, he had a phoney "newsman" accent, but apart from that it was incredibly powerful, standing ovations all round. And to finish off that particular treat of an evening we had dinner afterwards at Live Bait which was so delicious! Everything on the menu looked good so I had a hard time deciding, but eventually I went for the "create your own" in which you pick the fish, the sauce, and the side. They burnt my salmon so I had to wait for them to cook it again (they wouldn't even produce the original crisp as they informed me they would only serve it if it was perfect). This meant we got free desserts so I can't complain! All very yummy.

Naturally, I did a bit of shopping. As a wide eyed innocent Scottish girl I am drawn into Topshop in Oxford Circus. I try to avoid it. I went to Camden and bought very cool fake ray ban clubmaster frames which are terribly made, but I still can't wait to get lenses in them and see how long they last!

But, despite my Camden outing I couldn't resist and ended up spending far too long in the accessories department (over an hour!) before giving in to my strong urge of rummaging around the basement floor at the various overpriced labels they have on show.

What I took away from that trip (apart from some cheapo glasses and some gorgeous high waisted button up wool swing trousers in the style of Katharine Hepburn or Ginger Rogers)


was that I LOVE tights. I love them. I almost always wear skirts and dresses and it's so great to mix up the patterns on my legs. Especially in winter when you can get those warm woolly cosy tights. Yum.

I got a pair with a tiger crawling down the leg, spots, House of Holland alphabet tights and black and white leg tights. And I would get more if I could! Tights, tights, tights...they are my new obsession!

Skunk Anansie

Saw Skunk Anansie last night.

After 9 years of being apart Skunk Anansie reformed and, last night, played at the O2 Academy. Having listened to Hedonism (Just because you feel good) through my sadness, Selling Jesus through anger and Weak when I wanted a good sing-song (I was of the emotional teenager variety who felt little emotion other than anger and sadness), I was met with feelings of nostalgia as I bought the tickets for this November gig.

None of this phased me, however, I was so excited about hearing all of those songs mentioned plus many more. Cheap Honesty, Charlie Big Potato, Twisted(Everyday Hurts). And from the moment they came on stage there were even more. Songs I didn't even realise I missed and some I didn't think I liked until I heard them. Even better was that this wasn't a trip down memory lane. It didn't fling up old high school memories of over emotional dramatic teenage sadness. Not one bit.

The gig felt fresh. Skin rocked up on stage wearing black sequinned harem pants and a gold mane which covered her head and upper torso entirely. For the first song she was a gold sparkly cousin it from the Addams Family, her piercing eyes only occasionaly appearing as she belted out the chorus.

Needless to say, Skin was absolutely sensational. She walked into the crowd, held up by her ankles and sang with her all might - which is pretty damn impressive! She has the most amazing voice and if I could sing like anyone it would definitely be her voice I would want to snap up.

I'm in love. Even the new songs sounded quite good. I think I might have to check out Smashes and Trashes: the ultimate test would be, after I've had the hits on my Ipod for the next few weeks 'can I listen to Skunk Anansie in 2010?'

I think, maybe, I can.

Che I want it all

Last night was fantastic! Che Camille; a shop/ gallery space/ studio/ anything you want it to be, is an amazing space. On the 6th floor of Argyle Arcade the views across the city are outstanding. All the collections are on moveable clothes line, so an instant runway is created just with a bit of clever redcoration.

We saw shows from Bibico, Mzuribeads, Johari, Mia Nisbet, ate African food and drank fruit punch! Camille is such a warm person that you immediately feel at home amongst the cardboard gorilla and paper tree surroundings.

At the end of all the shows the clothes were rolled out and we could have a look around all of the collections we had just seen modelled so beautifully and have a sneak around the current in store collections. All of the designers, apart from Mia Nisbet, were available for a chat too.

Instead of saying more, though, I shall let the clothes speak for themselves. Here are just come of the designers selling at Che Camille right now!

Judith R Clark

Johari

Mia Nisbet

As we as being available in Glasgow at Che Camille, her collection is also available at London's Junky Styling and LF Stores in LA.

And that's just three out of a huge amount of wonderful gorgeous stuff! I tried on one of Judith's gorgeous coats which I want SO MUCH! There are also photos floating around of the show, but unfortunately the camera I had was AWFUL! So I will see what I can save from those photos and post them up shortly.

Sewing Roots

Feeling better and feeling like I wanna head to Glasgow and see an ethical fashion show!

Featuring mzuribeads who make recycled paper bead jewellery




Mia Nisbit's recycled clothing



and Johari


Love it.

Got the Winter Flus

I have taken the afternoon off work due to gross illness. When I say gross I just mean how I feel, not anything too horrific. Razor blade throat, yellowy complexion and general exhaustion are pretty horrific though...

To bed with echinacea tea, plenty of water and thermal socks.


zzz *cough* zzzz

Che Camille

I have definitely been out of the loop.

Not even taking into account my last blog, my last ANYTHING stylish or otherwise was longer ago than I care to share. Being heavily involved in Big Man Walking was an absolutely amazing experience, but has torn me away from all things fashionable and (from all that outdoor work) led me into all things woollen and knitted. Now, don't get me wrong, there are such things as fashionable winter wear. You know, you get them in the titles of unimaginative fashion features such as "cosy knits" and "winter warmers"...but when you're really cold (and I mean REALLY cold like a pair of woolly tights and Laboutin heels just aren't gonna cut it) then style is not on the forefront of your mind. I tried my best. I got a nice 80s style Topshop baggy cream knit and a very very warm Norwegian cardigan which is very hippy chic. But, they don't look so saucy when they're the fifth layer and I look like the Michelin man.

No. Not so saucy.

So, here I am getting back in the loop and what better way to start than by going to Sewing Roots: Ethical Brands?! Having started at the very trendy venue Che Camille on Friday 9th of this month and finishing on Friday 9th December I shall certainly be popping my head in to see some exciting ethical fashion and hopefully popping out with my own environmentally friendly attire.

And most importantly; popping out in style!

I heart McQueen

Pete Burns style lips and dogtooth print? A sort of evil clown, gothic and suited thing going on all at once....the perfect serious look for Autumn 2009!?!?!

Yes, I'll have some of that please minus the plastic surgery malfunction.