Sunday 27 May 2012

And....we're back in the game!

Fear not Frock fans....I have returned!  After weeks of doing nothing worth writing about, all is back to normal it seems.

The rain ruined so many things and I thought it was never going to stop but there is a weather god thankfully and the sun has shone for the past week.

One of the perks of being self-employed is being able to take time off in the week and this week I have done.  A long lost friend who deserted the UK for the Land of Oz returned for a visit so we caught up over a scrummy lunch in one of my favourite "cheap deal places" - The Mediterranean Cafe' in Berwick Street.  I've probably mentioned it on many an occasion but it deserves it.  Good, cheap food & lovely staff who remember you.  There's always space inside & out, and it's a great people-watching spot.  Bar Italia next.  Not a celeb in sight however.  Guaranteed as soon as we left, Paul Weller or someone equally interesting dropped in.  We headed off to Covent Garden at probably the worst time of the day - finishing work time!  Everywhere was packed and annoying, with the rucksack brigade getting under foot as per usual.  A mojito in Long Acre was well needed.  We finished off at the Burberry Shop discount evening.  Now I'm not a fan of Burberry normally but I would have paid good money for some macs and bags if I'd had it.  The fizz flowed and the canapes kept coming.  If I actually knew what any of them were I would tell you. 

More visiting friends on Friday and more eating, drinking and sunshine antics.  Brick Lane for lunch in Cafe' 1001, a look in the vintage shops, Swedish Orgasm cocktail in Exit, beer garden catch up with yet more visiting friends, Jerk Chicken at the Street Feast food market and a cheeky rose' to finish off at The Bricklayers in Old Street.

It does seem that all I do is eat & drink doesn't it?  It's probably actually true but I'm going out before the sun goes in and the rain starts up again!  Inbetween the eating & drinking, I headed to the Can't Buy Me Love Vintage Market at the Boogaloo yesterday.  It's nice to have the stalls in the courtyard again.  Lots of clothes for sale this time round.  Unfortunately not really my style.  More 60s & 70s frocks please stall-holders.

And finishing off.....Brick Lane again today....on what could well have been the hottest day of the year so far.....for the Art Car Boot Fair.  Lots of stalls with cheap artwork etc by famous folk.  Notable people - Billy Childish, Pam Hogg (looking fantastic)....and Jarvis Cocker wandering around in inappropriate clothing for such a hot day.  I would have liked to see the handbag disco & the Jarv djaying but the heat is too much today for a little pale-skinned creature like myself.

More good stuff going on this week so expect another lot of rambling soon.  Ciao lovelies x

Monday 7 May 2012

St Swithin - Do one!

Another blog and it's still raining.  The ark is under construction and I'm about sail to off to warmer climes.  Enough is enough.

It's pretty quiet at the moment as rain has continued to prevent much play but never mind, I'm here in a nice flat, with a nice cup of tea, some crappy tv and the heating on.  Could be worse.

I went to my old homestead of Brighton for a very short break on Friday, unfortunately for a visit which included a trip to the dentist.  The love that I once had for Brighton seems to have gone, sad though it is.  I think that perhaps I've been spoilt living in one of the nicer parts of London these days but being greeted at the station by the sight of hen parties in inappropriate clothing with inflatable genitalia (that sounds like they themselves had inflatable genitalia - not what I meant!) did nothing for me.  They were everywhere, being loud and obnoxious, getting under your feet and generally being a nuisance.  A few people have commented that Brighton never used to be this bad but I think perhaps we all just ignored the hen & stag parties, junkies and annoyances.  They were probably always there.  My suggestion to you hen & stag parties - Blackpool is lovely apparently & it's there, just waiting for you.  Ann Summers shops and 50p shots a go go.  See ya!

As much as I disliked the above, it was nice to see some friends and my most favourite little girl in the world.  Dolly I love you.

We dodged the showers yesterday, braved the rail replacement bus and headed to my old haunt, The Spread Eagle in Camden.  The legend that is DJ Wheelie Bag was running a little event called Shindig, as part of the Camden Crawl Festival.  DJ Wheelie Bag is new to me but he apparently IS a legend to those in the know.  He managed to pack out the pub, played great vinyl from his funny little dj trolley with twirling half naked Barbie Dolls attached to it, had grown rockabilly types playing Buffalo Bingo for Poundland prizes and gave out Wagon Wheels. Our mate Mr Edwards played some great ska, we drank prosecco and watched a Johnny Cash tribute band.  Much fun was had.

I'm off....that ark won't finish itself.