'Don't eat oysters unless there is an R in the month'.

Like the Oyster season my life is governed by the the letter R when one appears in the month I am lashed to my desk marking, I am half way through and already my car crash of a weekend seems a million miles away, if you would like to leave your calm and settled life and live mine all be it vicariously for a while then let me take you on a journey....
The idea was to leave early on Friday night and go to York with the main thrust of the visit centered around She Who is Missed Greatly, Daisy. Daisy clearly did not see the arrival of her mother plus 'not seen for months' sister as any great shakes and so had that very same weekend invited her boyfriend, you know the one that she said she was going to 'dump'? Yep that one. So now my thrust was as a courier of the various flotsam and jetsam she had left behind.
The traffic was horrendous and we limped into York past 9 o/c exhausted and went to bed.
An expensive mooch around York relieved me of £50, thank you Kitty, we then all decamped to the pub after a full and frank exchange of opinions with Daisy who kept us waiting for over 20min's, my mother does not 'do' waiting, ever, not without a bitter diatribe against the source of her irritation. Throughout my journey on Friday night my stomach was agony by Saturday it became clear my monthly hemorrhage was upon me a week early and my energy was being sapped rapidly. I dropped Her Majesty's stuff off, collected her plus said 'soon to be dumped' boyfriend to take back to Mothers to be fed. I felt worse and worse and after waving them goodbye went to bed only to wake up and creep quietly downstairs to die a slow, cold, lonely death. After throwing up copiously I crawled back to bed only to wake an hour later and bleed all over my mothers cream bedroom carpet. An hour of cleaning up later I went back to bed to sleep fitfully before giving up. It was a beautiful blue sky day, but it is impossible to go out without my Mothers shadow so instead of taking photographs on what was a glorious day I had to endure a march around town with her.. Not good, then because Daisy is so lovely I threw more money at her by taking her and the 'soon to be dumped' boyfriend for a pizza.
Home in time for Downton Abby? No way, the traffic was really bad and we decided to go through town, we limped through the center of London, only once in there we discover there is not one single, teeny, tiny, solitary left turn, because why would the Neanderthals who live South of the river ever have the intelligence to drive a car let alone afford one, in the end after seeing way too much of Smithfield market than was good for me, I did two U turns and finally managed to drive across the river, I was greeted by a dog who had barely left the house plus armful's of bedding he'd pissed on, as I stood up after enduring 5 hours on the road, I hemorrhaged another 2 pints of blood leaving Emin to recoil in horror before cleaning up muttering "I didn't sign up for this"

There's something about the colour green

This from Madewell

and more so these very luscious suede trousers from Apiece Apart

The later website has much to covet, well if I'm honest they both do only I lack the funds to indulge.

I seem to have read far to many blogs today, especially ones that say "Oh, I am not keen on shopping I never spend money...but here's something from ACNE I just happened to have bought to tease and taunt you with". I sit here thinking is it only me that counts the days until payday so I can score another hit from COS like a crazed crack addict?

Wardrobe Watch

So, it is back and bigger than ever with new and much improved shapes....Well I hope so.
I have found a couple of new blogs that post outfits which are enjoyable, although one did come up with one of those silly rules "harem trousers can only be worn with heels"! The whole point of styling is there are no rules, that is what makes it so much fun, you only have to look at some Japanese street style blogs to know that harem trousers look amazing with all kinds of flat shoes, boots and even converse trainers. Brogues come to mind as well as those riding ankle boots. So no rules here only brutal analysis, and the mantra "What would Yohji say?"
On a technical note I am these are taken from my reflection so may not always be clear and they were photographed on the same day! I have whittled 78 images down to 45 which should see me through until the end of term but day to day I do wear different coloured tights, only I could not face changing them between each outfit, I know hang my head in shame. From doing this I have pared my wardrobe for this term down considerably and it is saving me no end of time, as each outfit can be layered over my uniqlo thermals. The colder it gets the more thermal layers I wear!

Monday

When I tried this on in the shop it must have been in front of a magic mirror because I was convinced it made me look 7lb's lighter...WRONG But I would say it was difficult to photograph and I think my sister was right when she said I should steer clear of longer lengths. That said I do like it.
Tunic dress from COS
Long sleeved top Uniqlo

Tuesday

I love this, having shed a few pounds this year I am wearing a skirt that I love but that has been far too tight for comfort, layered under a trapeze top with very long sleeves and a scoop neck I think it really works.
Wool top COS
Skirt Kew

Wednesday

Another success, I have finally grown to love this +J skirt from Uniqlo, I did not wear it for ages as it needs quite a short top, but recently I have found a couple of jumpers that work well with it, so it is getting out a lot more this year.
Jumper Next
Skirt Uniqlo
Yeah, a COS free day....

Thursday

As is today, I can do it, just not very often, I had previously worn this tunic with trousers but the miracle purchase of this skirt* gives it a much better shape and proportion, what it needs now is a nice long necklace to garrote me every 5 minutes.
The skirt is very unusual in that it is from M&S not a shop I am a huge fan of, like Jigsaw and Whistles I question the quality of their fabrics, plus they're shops my mother frequents so it could be that too!
I found the skirt when Kitty was trying on bra's can you believe, as I sat patiently waiting it was swinging on the rail opposite me and I was transported back to my late 20's when I would wear this style all the time with a trapeze top. I had many, many versions in acid bright colours that my Mother referred to as bandages. I liked and still like the proportion of them when worn with a long top.
I failed to locate the skirt in the shop but found it on line and tentatively ordered it. It fitted like a glove and has transformed some of my tops giving me some new shapes for a change. I notice that Isabella Oliver has a really nice version which if it goes in the sale I will buy, I have not found another one but would like a grey marle version in the future.
Tunic Great Plains
Skirt M&S

Friday

I have only this year manages to squeeze into COS trousers then amazingly had to buy these in a size M! I love them although they smack a bit of WWII! I feel like I should be digging with the women's land army. But who cares I think Yohji would definitely approve.
Jumper House of Frasier
Trousers COS


*The skirt in close up

The Art of Frieze

Richard Wentworth

Rachel Whiteread

Roger Ackling

Sergej Jensen

Simon Dybroe Muller

Tony Swain


Yeondoo Jung

Sara Deraedt

Mark Manders

Lorea Herrera Rashid

Lesley Vance

Eva Kotatkova

Cathy Wilkes

Alexis Temarguerite Teplin

So that was my shopping trolley full!

I nearly forgot I had not posted the art which is pretty shameful considering it was the whole point of the fair!

Minä Perhonen

One of the designer featured at the Future Japan exhibition further research gave me a great website and a whole host of very covetable catalogues. I only wish I knew where to get one from. I love the quirkiness, something I think the British high street forgets sometimes.

I keep coming back to this acid yellow a colour that really lifts black and white pattern.

East v West

EAST

George Macaulay Trevelyan wrote in 1913 that he had two doctors "my left leg and my right leg" He also wrote "After a day's walking everything has twice it's usual value" [1]

My own pattern of walking fall into two categories, walking the dog and 'walking to see'. You would think the two served the same purpose but they don't. I have found it preferable to walk the dog on or around two circuits, the repetitiveness stops me from looking and allows me to lose myself deep into thought. I replay ideas and emotions over and over in my head and for a brief while I am all but anonymous defined by neither the chaos I live in or my occupation. My walks are very brisk which to those who know me would come as a surprise as I have a reputation for dawdling which brings me to 'walking to see' hence the slow speed as I am invariable looking for 'the moment' especially now, having found my photographic feet. The moments I record are few and far between but when I see them they are worth the effort.

As a child once we had moved to a village I found myself walking increasingly further and further simply has a form of escape, but also I loved the countryside where we lived, I can see now it helped preserve my sanity.



Just before we broke up for half term I realised I had a free day my exam classes were out on work experience, so after a couple of hours of paperwork I went to see Future beauty: 30 years of Japanese Fashion. It did not disappoint and my new style mantra is "What would Yohji say?" I bought the catalogue and it is my new style bible, the clothes are just astonishing in their concept and detail and what looked avant-garde 20 years ago still looks cutting edge now, What they were designing then has filtered through slowly although mostly into COS which does excellent asymmetry

As a pay off for truanting I had offered to take some photographs of historical buildings for the architecture project we do, it was a glorious sunny day and with no agenda I followed the spires snapping away. The City is teeming with office workers and it was tempting to just sit and watch them scurry past but I have spent very little time in the City of London after this visit I will be gravitating there more often if not just for the churches of which there are many.

• Saint Nicholas Shambles


• St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe


• All Hallows by the Tower


• St Stephen Walbrook

Just the names are wonderful, the history behind them even better. I was happy to wander but when St Stephen Walbrook offered me a Henry Moore altar I could not resist a peek. I may not believe in God, but much that is beautiful has been built in his name (although far too much has been destroyed too) I find English churches wonderfully spiritual places to be, I can't explain why but then I would say I was absolutely NOT superstitious but you will never catch me putting new shoes on a table!

This church was breathtakingly beautiful, if you don't believe me check for yourself here

On the way out I picked up a brilliant pamphlet replete with the history of all the City of London churches, most of them designed by Wren plus 3 walks. I have lived in London for 25 years and still I find something new. If you ever visit go see.

WEST

Last week I went west, my intention was to finally visit The Jonathan Clark Gallery, I went via COS in Kensington convinced it would be replete with a massive selection of size L since the entire population of Kensington is made up on teeny tiny french women. WRONG, either this branch has eschewed munter size altogether or there are some secret tubsy's out there as it was very slim picking indeed.
As was the gallery which media wise punches well above it's weight. I am wise to the way's of galleries but this one despite saying it was open was locked tight shut and it was as tiny as the locals. What a monumental waste of time, except it wasn't as I got a couple of good images for my book [2]
Plus the walk from Kensington down to the Kings road is so lovely, past great towering wedding cake mansions that sit snugly next to mews of such prettiness. In stark contrast to the east the streets are empty, everyone had decamped to the country for half term so the only sound was that of the builders kanga dinging yet another basement up.
In an effort to rest my legs I hopped on a bus and made my way to Hauser Wirth on Saville Row. This delivers in spades, the Louise Bourgeois Exhibition is awesome, truly wonderful fabric collages, I said it before but they would make wonderful dresses!



1More from the Guardian
2 I am for my sins compiling a folder of my most favourite images in the vain hope I might one day organise my sorry arse into gear and send them to blurb....

Kettle's Yard

Believe it or not it has been two years since I last made it to Kettle's Yard, it continues to delight and this is I think the first time I have not been hamstrung by members of my family. I still do not feel I cracked it but the weather could not have been better with late autumn sunlight streaming through the windows creating some wonderful shadows. The place is a continual source of inspiration I always leave buoyed up with the possibilities for my own home. I am amazed I did so well with these photographs the place was packed with visitors not that you would know, it was just a case of lurking until the right moment came.

I have been no slouch this half term and have managed to make a house into a home, Kitty said it has only taken 4 years! if only she knew what hard work it is when I am working against the grain of Emin. In fact I realised this was the first time I had been totally alone for well over 10 years, no au pair and a vanishing Kitty meant I was solo for close on to the whole week, not even speaking most days!

I have organised cleaned and tidied the house and with another week could probably have cracked the painting of the hall as well. Instead it goes onto my Easter 'To Do' list. My major success story was the semi completion of my 'room of my own' which is nearly ready, only it is so lovely I tend to just sit and gaze at my handiwork instead of actually using it. Time I squeezed my first tube of paint!

Meanwhile back at work I will be regaling you with stories of awesome exhibitions, a great play, playing dress up(...78 different outfits!! I think it is time to resurect what I wore today) and how Ikea managed to remove 160 of my finest English pounds with a sleight of hand that was quite frankly astonishing but very very painful.

I may also catch up with all your blogs by the end of the week...