Dads are the Original Hipsters

To mark Fathers Day and this particularly legendary blog, here's a picture of my dad looking very Tom-Cruise-a-la-Top-Gun-before-Tom-Cruise-was-even-born way back in the 50s...

Thinking of the amazing dads with us, and the ones who are no longer x

Life can be trying at times

Spring Evening in the Garden

Last night I went out into our garden in the evening for a coffee and a cigarette; it was still drizzling a tiny bit and everything was wet from the day's rain. It was cold but it was very pleasant and peaceful, still.

Tunnels of Light

I haven't had the best luck with facial piercings, which is very sad for me considering how much I love them. I had a Madonna once and a Labret another time, both of which messed up my gums and had to be taken out. I've tried a nose ring three times now; two times it didn't heal properly (read: went infected) and the most recent time, last December actually, it was accidentally 'forcibly removed' by my best friend on the beach in Thailand, which ended up with me having a bloody face and no nose ring*.

So, in the constant attempts to obtain more than just ear-lobe piercings, I'm switching from the face to the ears again though this time restarting a tunnel attempt. I got up to 5mm when I was 18 then got bored of trying to 'grow' it and invested in other piercings which, as I've explained above, have all failed me. So back to the tunnels we go, here's hoping I end up looking like one of these super cool kids...

*It's a funny story actually - we were laughing at something silly we'd done, she threw her head forward laughing as I lent forward laughing (it was THAT funny) and her hair got caught in my nose ring. You think that's bad, spare a thought for the split-second as I realised that her head was about to shoot back up, with one end attached to my face.

Designer Interview: Kloshka

In the fashion world, Ksenia Grinberg is known by the name Kloshka, her quirky label which includes jewellery and clothing which she designs and hand-makes herself...

Describe your label in three words...

Fun, dynamic and different

How did you first start designing and making your items?

As a designer I always make items for myself and with Kloshka I just decided to go just one step further and bring my ideas to the fashion table.

What are your main creative influences?

Different cultures, colour and shapes

What are three of your favourite things in life?

Beautiful fabrics, drawing, and the novel “Master and Margaritta” by Mikhail Bulgakov.

What’s your favourite item of clothing, piece of jewellery or accessory?

My old pair of grey thick jersey leggings

What is your favourite spot in the UK or Europe?

Barcelona

Fish and chips or bangers and mash?

Fish and chips!

Brighton or Cornwall?

Cornwall

Winter or Summer?

Winter

Skiing in France or swimming in Spain?

Swimming in Spain

Cosy hoodies or comfy jumpers?

Comfy jumpers

Designer Interview: Alina Naidu

Alina is the talent behind her bag label of the same name, Alina Naidu. She chats to us about her creative influences and penchant for Vampire TV shows...


Describe your label in three words...
Labour of Love!

How did you first start designing and making your items?
During the last two years of my degree in accessories design I knew working with leather and making bags in particular was something I never wanted to give up. So I invested in a couple of industrial machines, leather tools (most of which I already had because of my course), and set my studio up in my garage- haven’t looked back since!

What are your main creative influences?
Its hard to pinpoint any one thing that influences my creative thoughts and designs- there are just so many! But to name a few- nature is definitely an abundant source, then there is function (I think about how people would use certain bags and how they would look ‘on’), other design areas like architecture, history, travel, costume…I could go on…

What are three of your favourite things in life?
My husband, designing and creating, travel and (can I have a fourth?? ) watching super natural series’ (Vampire Diaries, The Secret Circle etc etc- I love them and am not ashamed to admit it!) 

What’s your favourite item of clothing, jewellery or accessory?
A fine blend ‘pashmina’ type shawl in a fawny colour with dull bronze sequins embroidered into large triangles surrounding the border - its so beautiful - from India and only gets pulled out on special occasions!

What is your favourite spot in the UK or Europe?
So far one of my favourite has to be Munich - I love the cycle life out there - its such an amazingly clean city - gorgeous in the summer time and cycling to the ‘English Garden’ drinking massive beers and feeding the ducks and eating roast is the perfect day out!

Where do you go or what do you do when you need to relax?
I like to stay at home, read, or play ‘escape the room’ games (flash based games online), or just chill with my hubby and do a lot of nothingness together :)

Do you prefer Winter or Summer?
Summer! Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong country - I’m happiest when theres heat, sun and pleanty of it!

Retro Burgers and Beats at Mel's Cafe, Earlsfield

Had a lovely dinner with one of my besties this eve at Mel's Cafe in Earlsfield (573 GARRATT LANE, SW18 4ST). The decor is very much 80s inspired - old record covers on the bright red walls, bowls of old cassette tapes dotted here and there, plus the odd lava lamp for extra kitsch effect.

They run a 2-4-1 burger deal on week nights which makes it around £4 for a burger - super good bargain alert! And oh my, they are so tasty! I had an XTC which comes with relish, Applewood cheese, bacon and avocado. Plus they have an awesome selection of milkshakes, smoothies and floats (as you'd expect from any good US-inspired diner).

Who needs those big chains touting monthly 2-4-1s when you have charming, one-off indies like Mel's. Love it x