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

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.

It's raining men....

or actually, just raining rain.  I wish I could add a "hallelujah" at the end of that but it just isn't appropriate.  It's rained for at least 3 years now and I've had enough.  My one "waterproof" coat isn't actually waterproof at all and my beloved dome umbrella has blown inside out, past repair.  I pray for a day when the sun shines and all is well with the world again.

Another short blog from me again this time round.  I've been working and trying not to spend money on things I don't really need to spend money on.  It's going to be an expensive month for various reasons so staying in has become the new going out....slightly.

I've been plugging away on the freelance front and have got some more clients.  Marketing is part of my daily routine still though until I have enough work to fill my week, every week, and I'm making enough to keep me in the manner to which I am accustomed!

In celebration of getting some new clients, I treated myself to a massage last weekend.  If I could, I'd go every week but that sort of thing is a long way off yet.  I go to a salon called Oxygene just down the road and they're great.  I sometimes feel for them having to work on my knotted shoulders (from years of bad posture).  They probably have to have a massage themselves afterwards!  Not sure if it's a sign of a good massage or not but this time round, I felt particularly light-headed when I left and couldn't find the exit!

All I've done apart from work I think is go out to eat a bit.  Since I wrote last, Hot Pepper Jelly and The Railway Tavern have been on the list.  I love Hot Pepper Jelly and it's obvious that the rest of Crouch End do too.  I havn't had a bad lunch there yet and I'm happy to say that the afters (particularly chocolate & guinness cake) are as good as the sandwiches.  And as for the Railway Tavern, gone are Jimi Mistry and Max & OB from Hollyoaks but the Sunday Roasts are a winner - todays pork, followed by Sticky Toffee Pudding and a side order of vicious cloudy cider went down a treat.

And with this episode of Cath -v- Food, I'm off.  Next time I will have more of interest to write about, with a trip to Brighton and a Bank Holiday Weekend.

Mid-month ramblings....

I've realised that no blogging has occurred since the beginning of April.  Were you concerned Frock Fans?  My silence is probably due to "not doing very much of interest" and "mostly doing work this weekend".  Boo I hear you say.

Was expecting great things from a soul night advertised at the 100 Club the other day.  Gary Crowley and Ady Croasdell down as djs?  A couple of mod bands?  Couldn't go wrong surely?  If a room packed full of drunk annoying students was your thing, you'd have loved it.  We, however, didn't.  Perhaps I was drunk and annoying once too but that's just no excuse.  Kids - I have personal space issues and a hatred for rucksacks. Please stay at home next time.  Shame about the audience as the music was good and I'd have quite liked to have a dance.  As my fellow 100 clubber that night commented "Thank god I didn't open a new pair of tights"!!!!!!

Easter weekend continued with a visit from a Brighton friend.  We had a quick look round Barboot in Crouch End and ended up in Kiss the Sky for a couple of cheeky Espresso Martinis.  The music in Kiss the Sky was pretty good - Two Tone and Soul, but the Martinis were better.  Note for self - must go during happy hour the next time.

It turned out to be a pretty quiet Easter due to the weather being rubbish, not having much money and there not being much on.  In consolation, we went to check out a new restaurant in Crouch End for a well-deserved lunch - The Blue Legume.  We were pretty impressed with the place - the food was delicious (they had halloumi on the menu - nuff said) and they gave me a discount card for the next time we visit.  The next time we visit, dessert!

Back to the Society Club Shop this week for yet another excellent exhibition/book launch.  This time round - "Punks Dead".  Gorgeous, gorgeous pics of Siouxsie etc.  Siouxsie apparently made an appearance, as did Mark Moore - I didn't see either but wish I had as it would have made my latest "Celebrity Spot of the Day" top quality.  The Society Club Shop & Film Club have been quite a big part of my social life in the past year - thanks Babette, Carrie & Robert!  Long may it continue.

....and maybe next time I write this waffle, it might be half interesting.

Happy April.....

It's gone mid-day so I can't even make up an "ever so hilarious" April Fools blog for you.  Instead, a few rambling paragraphs about nothing in particular.

Since I last rambled, the clocks have changed, I've lost more weight, gained some more (work) clients and not done much else.

I went for a casting to be a Cilla Black looky likey for a Simian Mobile Disco video.  (Nope, I'm not 100% sure who they are either!).  I knew straight away that I wasn't in with a chance when they asked me to do acting type things and talk about religion on camera.  As my entire "acting" experience consists of standing around in bad wigs, generally with "husbands" that are 30 years older than me, I didn't really have a hope in hell.  What I'm looking for, dear casting agencies, is a part where I can keep my hair as it is and wear something resembling normality.  Thanks.

Mother and a friend came to visit for a few hours the other day and we went to Highgate Village to partake in a spot of lunch.  Spotted:  One Mr Diggle, plus a few North London posh folk. 

Society Film Club on Monday showed one of my favourites - Absolute Beginners.  Watching the film when it came out in the early 80s made me want to move to London.  Not that I really considered living in something resembling a squat off the Portobello Road and keeping my clothes in the fridge, but the overall feeling of the film definitely had something to do with me wanting to escape the countryside back then.  The soundtrack is fantastic and includes one of the best Style Council tracks made - Have You Ever Had it Blue?  I seem to remember the film wasn't everyones' cup of tea but it was mine!  Well done lovely Eve Ferret for her part as Big Jill.

And bringing me back up-to-date - I'm here in deepest, darkest, Wiltshire at the moment, for my Gran's 89th birthday.  The said Gran has just cooked a top notch Sunday lunch and refuses to let me do the same until she's lost the use of all four of her limbs.  I'll let her carry on as her Sunday lunches would always be better than mine.  Happy Birthday Gran!

The trip to Grans was the usual eventful affair - having to use the local community bus service which makes me feel positively posh and urban.  Every passenger a character out of League of Gentlemen.  Two mad men commented on my hair colour and no doubt continued to comment after I'd got off.  I'm a sight in these 'ere parts you know.

Wiltshire this time has basically consisted of eating out.  A Lee family meal to celebrate Rays' birthday in Marlborough on Friday, and an English family meal yesterday to celebrate Grans.  I will now live off dust for the rest of the week, to make room for Easter Weekend shenanigans.

Is it cocktail time yet?

Busy times....

but good times. 

Spring has sprung (for the moment anyway).  The sun has come out, the trees outside my flat have pink blossom on them, and the fake fur coat is very close to being put away until next Winter.

Anyone that knows me well will know I'd been counting down the days until my evening out last Tuesday.  The lovely Mr Ant was doing a short, intimate gig at Proud in Camden.  Tied in with this was an exhibition of black & white photos (Dandy in the Underworld) taken by various (probably) famous folk.  Lots of beautiful pictures I'd have liked to take home if I'd had the money.  I managed to get a fairly decent view at the gig.  Being tall-ish has it's benefits in these situations.  Although not a very long gig, he did play some of my favourite older tracks (Car Trouble, Young Parisians etc), as well as the predictable T-Rex covers.

Thursday saw a night out in Old Street with my red-haired twin.  First stop - The Book Club for a viewing of Dean Chalkleys' short film "The New Faces" (a black & white 20 min film featuring a few of the new young mods).  Sorry Dean (and sorry Scott who was in the film) but I wasn't overly impressed.  Maybe a soundtrack was needed but after 5 mins of rambling and silent dancing, I was bored.  I would have preferred a documentary showing their day to day lives, clubbing, shopping etc. but instead it just dragged on a bit.  And.....where were the free drinks?  Thursday (as you know folks) is free night in London!!!!!  http://vimeo.com/37107257

We escaped The Book Club and headed off to 33ft East to see The Sonic Jewels.  The band deserved better than they got.  A big fail on the promotors' part again perhaps?  Fun was still had regardless.
Thanks for a nice night Laurence, Justin & Danny.  We enjoyed it anyway!

I did a days' extra work on The King of Soho on Sunday...in Soho strangely enough.  As I was dreading, my age meant I was given the worlds' most hideous outfits.  Not enough that I had a hideous 1970s outfit to begin with but the swines thought I should keep the said hideous outfit to cover the 60s too (a change of coat makes all the difference you know).  My red hair meant having to wear a wig which turned me into Hayley from Coronation Street or a very bad transvestite.  I will not be pointing myself out to anyone during these scenes.  I finally rid myself of the wig and was given a slightly less hideous 80s outfit to wear and had my hair sprayed into huge flicks....think Toyah meets Maggie Thatcher.  Unfortunately more Maggie Thatcher than Toyah.  We spent the day filming in Rupert Street, Old Compton Street and in and around The French House - all regular haunts of mine.  I met some fantastic people and laughed til I cried....so perhaps I'll forgive the hideous clothes...perhaps.

....which brings me up to this week and possibly a quietish one.  I started off the week with "Lolita" at the Society Film Club.  A great film but incredibly long.  I get twitchy after an hour and a half or so, so perhaps this wasn't the best choice for me.

I've got an appointment with a spag bol and a hair-dyeing friend now so toodle pip!

Spring has sprung....

although you'd hardly think so today. I've just come back from Kings Cross, in a soggy snorkel jacket (yes I am a 1970s schoolboy).  You know it's serious weather when the snorkel jacket comes out - a snorkel jacket with the world's biggest hood and which prevents you from seeing or hearing anything. 

It's been a busy old week but a fun week.  Mondays' film was the 1963 "The World Ten Times Over", starring Sylvia Syms as a "hostess" or posh prostitute if you'd rather.  A great film with a 60s Soho backdrop and some great clothes.  I'm easily pleased. 

Thursday was another "free things to do in London" event...i.e a discount night at Uniqlo on Oxford Street.  I wasn't expecting great things from the clothing range (I was right - pretty much the blandest items in Central London) but was expecting great things from the freebies!  The clothes might be ugly but Uniqlo know how to hold a great party.  We snacked on mini pesto/brie bread rolls and red velvet cupcakes, and drank vodka & chambord cocktails out of china cups, served from teapots.  Gizzi Erskine (tv chef/vintage fan) djayed and actually played some great 50s/early 60s stuff.  Dear Uniqlo, I'm sorry I didn't buy a single thing but thanks for the snackettes.  Love Cath x

Out again on Friday, to see a lovely little play called "Northern Soul" at Jacksons Lane Arts Centre in Highgate.  "Northern Soul" is performed (and about) a Brighton-based comedienne called Victoria Melody who wanted to investigate the attraction of pigeon fancying in the North of England.  She went to live with some pigeon fanciers and, at the same time, learnt to dance to Northern Soul.  The play, as well as being about those things, is about her "trying to fit in" and quite often failing.  I loved the play - it was clever, funny & sweet, with great music and a finale of Ms. Melody doing a full on Northern Soul dancing session to "Turning my Heartbeat Up", complete with spins & backflips.  Well done you!

And finally for this week, and on the wettest/coldest day in a long time, I did a stall at the Wills Moody Jumble Sale again.  Although the weather was horrendous with a capital H, I still managed to sell most of my bag of vintage tat and came home with £37 which is better than nowt I'd say.  I even managed to NOT buy a single thing.  However, next time....I might.

Oh and before I sign off.....I got the King of Soho gig...so next time you read this little blog thing, I'll no doubt be ranting about some 60 year old womans' outfit that I was forced to wear.