The Sneaky Magpie

Every time I do a shoot I go and get myself something nice. Yesterday I went to the Mulberry sample sale, crowds of girls battling for accessories, 5 last season’s It bags on each arm, evil looks, general frenzy.

I don’t like It bags as they go out of fashion pretty fast. As for Mulberry I only like the natural brown leather bags that get better with age. Unfortunately the shelves were full of over-sized totes in bright colors made of shiny leather. Not my thing. And with the discount at only 50% it was not such a bargain. I ended up with a cute top.

But my craving for fashion did not stop there. Every day I pass by the Luella shop screaming at me 80% off. So I walked in, tried a dress, and bought it. I thought it might be my last chance to get a Luella dress, they are even selling all the shop decorations and furniture. And it’s my birthday in 2 weeks so I kind of need it.

Last weekend I had to work.

Saturday started with beautiful weather, the sky, lacking vapour trails, looked very serene.

The work I had to do included going to all possible charity shops and car boot sales to get props and costumes. This is exactly when my job gets fun. I was zipping on my bike through Clapham, Balham and Battersea buying any granny style crockery I could get my hands on. After 2 days this is what my living room floor looked like.

The purchases included some stuff I got for myself like this Johnson Bros coffee set.

This amazing vase, a steal at £4 at the Battersea Car Boot Sale! And a smaller charity shop vase.

A cute gravy boat.

As M had to work as well (way harder than I did) we decided to meet up for dinner at Princess of Shoreditch for super delicious fishcakes and steak.

It was time for the first spring salad, I was really craving something fresh.

I baked some bread.

Found some 50p books in charity shops.

and added to my orange Penguin collection (in case I find the Ernest Race Donkey) from the car boot sale at 25p per book.

The shoot went well, all done and dusted. I am exhausted but happy to be left with my treasures, at last I have time to enjoy them.

As we are coming close to Easter I am starting to plan some delicious recipes for the long 4 day weekend, and it will be a long rainy weekend so no horsing around outside I’m afraid.

I have spent many Easters with my Swedish friends in Amsterdam and what they brought to the table were salmon and herring dishes. Smoked fish especially feels to me like spring when paired with watercress, fresh yogurt sauce and boiled potatoes with dill. Next to it we will have several egg salads, breads and cakes.

I always buy my fish from Moxon’s which is the best fish shop in the whole of London and conveniently 1 minute walk from my house. They also have branches in Kensington and Dulwich.

I mostly buy smoked salmon fillets and whole smoked mackerel which is a world apart from the small salty fillets sold at supermarkets. The fresh fish is delivered daily and the choice is huge. You can also order whatever takes your fancy in the fishy department.

Along with the fish, Moxon’s also sell anything that can be cooked with it, there are fresh vegetables, sea salt, paella rice, tartar sauce, coconut milk and sushi ingredients to name a few.

The staff are very knowledgeable and always quick to advise on how to cook particular kind of fish. And it will not break your budget either, the prices are very reasonable and the quality high.

I haven’t taken part in the designer H&M collaboration craze for few years now.

This is the brief history:

Karl Lagerfeld – I lived in Amsterdam and went to check it out, the Dutch didn’t think much of designer collaborations back then so I could just pick anything in my size, I think I bought one dress which ended up on ebay few years later.

Stella McCartney – my first year in London, queuing with two best friends in Covent Garden from very early morning hours, lots of coffee runs and new friend made. Total chaos when the door opened, buying frenzy, everyone was on a massive shopping high. At some point I held a dress when a girl’s hair got tangled into the hanger, for a second I considered freeing the girl who had no idea what was attached to her head but I quickly decided that would be a waste of time and continued shopping. In a normal situation it would never happen! Anyway, I left with few items, 2 old friends and 1 new friend and went to a nearby coffee shop to try things on and calm down. The next day I returned half of the items.

Roberto Cavalli – not interested

Victor&Rolf – I just started new job so could not attend the opening, I sent a friend who bought me a gorgeous coat I am actually wearing today. I did pop in during my lunch break and managed to buy a beautiful dress which I still wear. Up to date it was the best collaboration for me.

Comme des Garcons – not my cup of tea, missed the whole thing.

And now Sonia Rykiel, I love the woman, Sonia by Sonia Rykiel is one of my favorite brands. I forgot about the underwear collection and didn’t rush to check out the clothes but when I finally made it there last week I got exactly what I was planning to buy – fabulous chunky pink and yellow bangles.

We had another go at making baguettes, we followed the same recipe as last time from Chocolate&Zucchini but replaced some of the strong bread flour with rye flour.

We ended up with four delicious baguettes and a bun. It’s such a enjoyable process and it tastes so much better than a shop bought bread. Sourdough bread will be the next thing to master.

The baking didn’t end there. I have been meaning to try another of Clotilde’s recipes – pecan mudslide cookies. I actually made pecan and hazelnut cookies, they were very rich and scrumptious. So rich I froze half of the batch.

We went for a walk and errands in Balham, we bought some more of good quality bread flour and other bits.

We visited Trinity Stores, a wonderful little deli and tea shop.

Shelves full of great products.

And produce.

Next door, also in Balham Station Road, there is a second hand book store, it’s a mess so it’s good to go there with lots of free time. I had to restrain myself from buying books as I have just ordered three Elizabeth Gaskell novels.

We decided to take a different route home and explore the neighborhood.

Back home I settled for a very large cup of tea and some cookies while reading Anne Bronte’s Agnes Grey. It was a blissful afternoon.

Then I got very busy organising various cupboards in the kitchen while M built shelves to improve our storage space. The kitchen is looking very good now.

I finished the day watching Katalin Varga. A dark drama of crime and revenge.

I am in an absolute need of a stripy dress for spring. I can only imagine how I would jazz it up with colorful accessories: necklaces, scarves, a good satchel bag and those fabulous colorful bangles by Sonia Rykiel for H&M.

It must be made of jersey or cotton and flexible enough for cycling. And the stripes could only be blue and white.

There are 3 contenders:

Dress no 1: long Acne dress – the obvious problem with this dress is that it is long but I could cut it and maybe even make an extra skirt out of it.

Dress no 2: Alice by Temperley – wonderfully draped, the right kind of stripes, not too short not too long. I love it so much I got it booked at Net.

Dress no 3: Alexander Wang T (if jane, thanks for posting it) – wonderfully clingy and the perfect timeless cut.

And now for the accessories. Lots and lots of color, ideally scarf or bangles. Comfy flats and a satchel.

I love my Church’s shoes so I wouldn’t mind them in a different color.

I really think this is the winner.

The weather was glorious on Saturday, the sun was shining, the ground was covered with a film of snow and it felt chilly. A perfect day for a stroll down a market.

A friend  of mine and I decided on one of the less busy places, Broadway Market in Hackney.  This market is the perfect combination of food, fashion, antiques and books. You can flick through old copies of photography books while sampling wonderful infused olive oils and various cakes.

The street is full of cute little cafes, quirky shops and proper old fashioned English institutions like this jellied eel place:

And it was as busy as when it opened…

Fantastic vintage liquor cabinet.

I wouldn’t mind a picnic set for summer outings.

And some retro shot glasses (I am hunting for the perfect set).

Plenty of good quality fruit and veg. It’s a shame I live so far otherwise I would do my weekly shopping there.

Old fashioned candy – I don’t actually like them but the jars look so pretty.

We decided to stop for lunch in one of the cafes, it was called L’eau a la Bouche, we ordered hot chocolate to warm up and curried parsnip soup with pesto for my friend…

And ploughman’s for me. It was delicious.

Afterward we decided to stroll down to Old Street. There are some amazing buidlings along the way. They have so much character.

We headed to Leonard Street and had tea at The Book Club.

It serves as a cafe and you can play ping pong there, it also has got all kind of events like DJ nights, reading, fashion, discussion groups. A fun place and so laid back!

Then it was time to go home, I was exhausted as the previous night was spent at friend’s house for dinner which finished rather late. Btw did you see the amazingly bright Moon?? As explained by hubby it was the night when the Sun reflected off Mars and projected onto the Moon resulting in Moon shining like a mega light bulb.

I haven’t joined the sales frenzy on Boxing Day or any time after, I haven’t even ventured to town during the holiday break. But of course on my first day at work this Monday I couldn’t resist popping to Liberty and few other shops to check out what has been going on. I didn’t go as far as Selfridges but I did scan about 10 other shops.

And lucky for me (or my bank balance) there isn’t much out there, I couldn’t find a thing I would madly fall in love with. Not one.

But this morning an Outnet email landed in my inbox saying they had new Vanessa Bruno pieces in. How could I not look? And of course in 2 minutes I had three items in my basket. After a brief chat with myself I decided to remove one of them. But I couldn’t resist a skirt and a dress. There is a tiny little problem with the dress – it’s a very small size but I gathered I can always return it so we shall see in a couple of days.

I had a great day today and yesterday, I have posted near to 30 items on ebay and they caused a stir! Fingers crossed all will sell which will give my wardrobe much needed breathing space. I have decided that if I haven’t worn something for a year or longer I will never wear it again and it must go. I have also revisited the boxes of designer treasures that are not such treasures now I look at them, no classics, time to go. My fashion investments will remain in the bag and shoe stock.

I have loaded a bag for charity shop and will deliver it to Oxfam with all the ebay failures.

You know all the tasks that get put away like mending your clothing, polishing shoes and sewing missing buttons on? They have been staring at me from the depths of my wardrobe for some time and yesterday I finally faced them all at the same time. Such a relief.

I have invested into a small catering business in Philippines on Kiva. I really hope these ladies do well.

I have purchased two nice belts from All Saints, in brown and black leather. They are my only sales hunts so far, unfortunately the other belt sold out so I don’t have a picture.

I have really cracked on with my book pile, I have managed to read:

High Raise the Roof Beam, Carpenters by J.D. Salinger

Seymour an Introduction by J.D. Salinger

Nine Stories by J.D.Salinger

I know it is a lot of Salinger but he is such a good writer, I also found out that he is still alive, 100 years old!

The Most Beautiful Woman in Town by Charles Bukowski

The Faithful River by Stefan Zeromski

I have decided to put away Ulysses and The Corporation, at least for now.

So the only remaining books left are Tropic of Capricorn and some Chekhov stories and plays. This means I will be able to move onto some brand new books very soon. Really looking forward to it.

I have watched the 2 new episodes of Cranford and am awaiting the DVD of the first series, I might even start reading the books. I am quite glad I have not discovered it earlier because I am in real need of a costume drama fix.

I have made it to Tate Britain today to see the wonderful Turner and the Masters show, they had some amazing Rembrandts and Canalettos. I also checked out the Turner Prize which is definitely better than last year’s and glimpsed at some beautiful sculptures in the hall. This reminds me of few more exhibitions I must see and the time is running out. Especially for Ed Ruscha at The Hayward (Friday 6.00-10.00pm two for one deal) on till the 10th of January, Maharaja at V&A till 17th January and Jacob Epstein, Henri Gaudier-Brzeska and Eric Gill at The Royal Academy till 24th January. I knew I left it too late and now will have to rush.

The Mill by Rembrandt

And tomorrow I will have to take it easy….

This weekend I have gone to the East End (yes, yet again!).

Started with lunch at Albion caff, poached eggs and good toast with blackberry jam. I must say the maitre d‘ was brilliantly professional but the rest of the waiting staff failed to impress, it was one of those places where waiters are trying really hard not to notice the customers.

The caff redeemed itself by selling pancake-sized chocolate chip cookies for 95 pence.

Albion has got a deli section too and it all looked rather tempting.

Then we were off to Columbia Road Flower Market which is one of my favorite places in London. The shops are amazing and the flowers pretty and cheap – especially if you decide to stick till the end of the market day, you can get yourself a real bargain.

The hydrangeas were so beautiful.

Lovely shop – Vintage Heaven. A lot of eye candy and Cake Hole cafe at the back. How fab!

They also have a knitting group on Tuesdays, I must go.

Nice tiles at Supernice

Fun stuff at Treacle

I have got the 50s original of this plate. Copy cats.

Ryantoon at Ryantown.

A real boudoire by Jessie Chorley and Buddug Humphrey. All the pretty things a girl can dream of.

Delicate jasmine

Against all odds I made it to Covent Garden to have a look at the huge inflatable bunny by Jeff Koons. It is to do with the Pop Life exhibition at Tate Modern which I am going to see later this week.

Then it was off to The Lamb and Flag – the oldest pub in London

Next stop – Prince Charles Cinema to see Mesrine: Killer Instinct. He was a bad bad man! Can’t wait for part two, probably only at Prince Charles again, I missed the general release.

NB there is a Polish film season at the PCC with great films like Decalogue and Interrogation.

Evening finished at Taro in Soho for a tasty Japanese dinner.