COMFORTS

That day it rained all day (which day I hear you cry - this is London) - Tuesday I think I did my rounds at the Salvation Army (the joy of this place is never a disappointment) and found a little Polaroid camera for 99p. I like shopping in the rain - as no one is really around and I can just do my thing.

Polaroid now fired up and film in place I am really admiring the work of artist Violet Julia (her name alone brings me infinite joy) - who is a master of taking amazing Polaroid photos.

Her compositions are discreet and minimalistic - a perfect match for the sandy, muted colours of a Polaroid photo.

There’s something about Polaroids that makes me smile, they're less contrived than commercial photography and offer instant gratification for those of us that enjoy the beauty of processed film.

They offer comfort in the sometimes prickly world of digital photography.

kiss.

WAH!

Our first WAH! of the year is a roaring beauty.

kiss.

SO ...

Follow your heart for your brain can be trained.

kiss.

SIMONE ROCHA

I meant to post this last week (so apologies) but the new window displays in Selfridges as ever are a visual treat. The 'Landan' blogsphere is erupting with reports of the displays and I will leave you in the capable hands of Better Never than Late and Fred Butler to give you a more detailed report.

What I will do is bring you a little spotlight of daughter of UK designer John Rocha and currently Fashion East extraordinaire Simone Rocha.

The sport luxe, matrix feel is exactly how I'm feeling. That futuristic charm that is ultra modern, clean and uncomplicated is what I'm seeking and Simone is giving me this in spades - all with a touch of my beloved flouro. For my long term readers you will recall many moons ago I talked about my love of fluorescent and this spring I will be updating the look with huge white washes of clothing with splashes of highlighter shades. Basically I will morph into a Simone Rocha mega fan.

I recently had a huge wardrobe edit (brutal massacre) and feel clearer knowing all the things now hanging in my wardrobe are clothes I actually love, fit me and most importantly suit me.

I say all the more space for a Simone Rocha Perspex clutch.

Yum.

Shop her spring summer collection at Selfridges.

kiss.

GROWING PAINS

Yuk getting older bites dust and so does inflation (in both senses of the word).

There are some grown up pleasures that make things good though. A large glass of quality red. Saving. Wait let us take a moment to appreciate the enormity of saving and that I - that's right me - have saved.

It must mean something when I start the year with something squirrelled away for a rainy day. Years of mama bestowing the words "you must save. Sophie when are you going to start saving? save, save save" must of had some effect but I go with the reason my health is in check physically, spiritually, mentally and err "everything-else-lly?" that financially must have been the last lly. She's so impressed she bought (waiting for item to come back in stock and purchase) me a brand new DSLR for Christmas. Some pleasures - specifically gifting, never grow old.

Anyhow, enough of this serious talk - let's all fly Uber Tropikal Airlines. Get your ticket at Selfridges, where after finishing blog writing and finishing off some work for ze Sketchbook book I will be heading to peruse and touch all the pretty clothes while security circle me suspiciously. Jean Charles De Castelbajac is giving me nostalgia from my youth but in a way that is really saying no to any growing pains, African style.

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GREETINGS

A fitting time to say a bighello to our new peepers who have paid us a visit recently. HNY and copious cups of love to the peepers from ...

SWEDEN, ROMANIA, JAPAN, CROATIA, AUSTRIA, JAMAICA

HONG KONG, CZECH REPUBLIC, PUERTO RICO,

PORTUGAL & SINAGPORE.

Thanks a big bunch for passing through and hope you'll be over for another visit before too long.

kiss.

SALES & LIME CRIME!

How have you done?

Me I despise shopping crowds preferring the solo comfort of online shopping or the genuine treasure hunting of charity shops which once I finish flexing these blogging fingers I am braving the murky weather for. There's something therapeutic about a charity shop - the sense of finding a gem, the ease of pace (no techno or over repetitive soundtracks just good old Heart of Magic FM) and I feel very comfortable cruising the racks with women my mothers age - make of that what you will.

Anyhow there is something online shopping has brought to my attention sometimes you checkout and receive that confirmation email (oh the joy) only to find your item/s will never reach your pretty, little hands for it is out of stock (kill joy overload). So dear online stores if it is out of stock please tell me beforehand so I do not have to deal with the double disappointment. I did however bag myself an Ashish for Topshop 'Garcon' tee.

On a brighter note have you heard of Lime Crime?

If not this is a bright note that will have you wrapped up in a whole host of technicolour pleasure.

Above is my recent purchase courtesy of Space NK our favourite apothecary (or chemist to me and you). The colour is just immense and the name even more delightful in "No She Didn't" Opulent Bubblegum Blue.

Here's a quick fire review as I see the word count ever expanding. The texture is fantastic as it doesn't feel dry or too greasy - it is creamy which all good lipsticks should be. It smells doubly as good and as for the vibrancy and hold of the colour - you'll have us all shouting "oh yes she did!" in no time at all. Ditto on the iridescent packaging complete with holographic unicorn.

10 out of 10.

While writing this post I've just seen that this has sold out online since I bought mine on Tuesday. Now don't say we didn't tell you about it.

My next Lime Crime purchase? ... Great Pink Planet.

Update - alas my camera lead has become lost somewhere over the Christmas break, perhaps even eaten, so for now the image shown is courtesy of Lime Crime.

kiss.

HNY

My return to blogging has been very (ashamedly) slow (non-existent) during this last week or so.

So with all the strength stored and gained through too many mince pies, glasses of champagne and turkey sandwiches I bid you a very HNY or Happy New Year as it's more commonly known - I love a good underused acronym.

And there I've done it and blown the dust off the keyboard and we're back in business.

Back to uni life next week and flying out to Berlin early February so probably only right that I start to make contact with the outside world.

For now it will be baby steps to which I add hope 2010 was good to you and if not let's make 2011 magic - in a sparklers making a love heart kind of way.

kiss.