January japes.....

After a slow start, the 2012 social diary is starting to fill up again.  Thank goodness for that.  We don't want too many nights in eating prawn balls on the sofa do we?

The Slimfast diet continues, slowly but surely, but the eating of cake & drinking of cocktails at any opportunity also continues.  This might be the problem!

I went to see The Artist last weekend.  I could have loved it or hated it.  I loved it.  The dog is the star however, and should be given the doggy equivalent of an Oscar....perhaps in the shape of a bone or something.  We watched the film in the lovely surroundings of the 100+ years old Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley.  Much nicer than your local Odeon, with more comfortable chairs!

Thursdays seem to be "private view" night as far as the galleries in East London go and this Thursday we managed to fit two in - The Strange Face Project at the Idea Generation (introducing the general public to Nick Drake's music) and We are all Prostitutes at Signal Gallery (a collection of paintings by Guy Denning & Frank E Rannou).  We do like a good opening - interesting folk and free drinks.

Continuing with exhibitions, yesterday I went on a magical mystery tour of Pimlico to see Lloyd Johnson: The Modern Outfitter at the Chelsea Space.  Although hellish to find, there were lots of interesting bits & pieces on show.  I particularly liked the old issues of The Face etc. and clippings about Kensington Market.  I'd forgotten all about Sweet Charity & the white boots I bought there as a very young mod.

And bringing this up-to-date, today I headed to Brick Lane, initially to see an exhibition as part of the jewish festival.  Disappointed that RichMix omitted to inform anyone that the exhibition had been cancelled but had a nice afternoon regardless.  I deliberately avoided all the vintage stalls/shops but have made a mental note to return to lots very soon!  I think if I wasn't so in love with Crouch End, Shoreditch could be an interesting area to live in...but I am so I won't!

Slimfast & Me

I don't usually do the New Year Resolution thing - mainly because I either forget I've made a resolution or totally fail on that front within 2 days of making it.  I am, however, on a diet for the New Year.  Predictable I know but needs must and all that.

Slimfast has become my best friend for January.  You know the score - a shake for breakfast, a shake for lunch and a proper meal in the evening.  (I could repeat those adverts word for word I'm sure).  I'm finding it easy so far and it does actually work.  I'm planning my meals, sticking to the plan during the week and eating/drinking as normal at the weekends.  It must be working as I've lost 6lb in 2 weeks - that can't be bad can it?  I've also started cooking all my meals from scratch...yes, I know...not like me at all!

Anyway...watch this space.  I will be celebrating my 2 stone weight loss on here....or calling it a day and eating pies on a daily basis again.

In other news.....

Just after the New Year we ventured out to Bar Solo in Camden where a friend was having a few birthday drinks.  When we FINALLY got served, I'm happy to report that the cocktails are well worth it.  My new favourite - Espresso Martini. 

In an attempt to make some money rather than spend it, I hired myself a table at the Wills Moody Jumble Sale last weekend.  Now at The Lexington, it's a real mix of vintage, bric a brac etc. and I love it.  Lots of interesting folk and £51 made in 3 hours....not a bad day's work.  I will be back to sell more of my vintage tat hopefully soon.

Lunch in the famous Banners yesterday (frequented by Bob Dylan apparently), followed by another friends' birthday last night and a trip to a proper South London boozer, hidden away in what can only be described as Jack the Ripper land.......a lovely little place called The Lord Clyde.

And bringing us up-to-date and in celebration of sticking to my diet, my treat today was cake and coffee at The Haberdashery and a cocktail at what could be a new favourite hang-out of mine, The Ramblin' Rose.

Now....back to my Slimfast.

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012

Happy New Year folks.  Hope you had the loveliest of New Year's Eves, whatever you were doing.

Here's my review of 2011, in list form!

Favourite places to eat/drink
Icecreamists
Zen Sai
Scandinavian Kitchen
Bar Italia
French House
Mediterranean Cafe'
Trojka
 Nyborgs Cafe'
Maison Bertaux

Funny days/nights out
Peter Quaife book launch/Kinks night at The Clissold - great Kinks singalong round a bontempi organ!

Impromptu attendance at the Pretty Green opening in Covent Garden - more champagne than I've seen in my life & jumping the queue thanks to Mr Lewis!

Ready Steady Go night at Meltdown - strange night all round!

Soho Festival (which should also fall under my category 'Great things in 2011'!) - Adam Ant, transvestites, a funny vegetable competition and tug of war.

Great things in 2011
Discovering the Soho Society Film Club (and, more recently, shop) - tons of good Mondays and exhibitions at the shop - thanks Mr & Mrs Pereno!

The Royal Wedding - prosecco in an East End pub, lots of happy, smiley faces.

Adam Ant - Phoenix Cinema & Troxy.

The disco balcony at Vintage on the Southbank, overlooking the Thames, drinking Pimms & Lemonade.

Finding a new friend who understands my sense of humour and dislikes ukeleles.  Love to you Claudia!

There will be a trillion things I've forgotten and hence have been left out of this but overall, 2011 in London was fun.  I went out a'plenty, met some new friends, left a job, went freelance and generally had a nice one thank you very much.

2012 will hopefully see lots of new work/clients for me and visits to my beloved Stockholm.  Jag saknar dig!


Bring it on!