easy rider

Dennis introduced me to the world of Pop Art and 'lost' films. We rode the highways of America and changed the way movies were made in Hollywood. - Peter Fonda

Dennis Hopper

R.I.P.

17/5/1936-29/5/2010

About a year ago on the plane on my way out of Aus I read an article about Hopper and his photography. His life has been so interesting, his role in Rebel Without a Cause, writer/director of Easy Rider and his stunning performance as Frank in Blue Velvet. I knew about his battle with drugs and you can glean a little of his out there attitude from interviews and performances. What I didn't know was that he was an avid photographer and spent time with Warhol in the factory days. While running from the law and living in Mexico Hopper had rolls upon rolls of film, boxes of proofs and photographic print that documented life in Hollywood, New York and amongst Hoppers friends. He was also a painter and his paintings have been confirmed to be in an upcoming show at MOCA.

Hopper passed away peacefully this morning at his home in Venice, California aged 74.

it's night time and i need you by my side

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filthy/nasty/trashy

I stole this idea from NZ blog Grow Fonder.........

10 bad habits i know i should give up

one: hitting snooze multiple times
two: leaving empty tea cups next to my bed for days
three: not always saying please
four: smoking during the day time
five: watching too much 4OD and BBC iPlayer instead of being creative and productive
six: sleeping with makeup on
seven: forgetting to hangout my laundry/bring my laundry in/iron/fold and put away my laundry
eight: buying cosmetics on a whim
nine: running out of money before pay day
ten: not knowing when to stop

wise?

MY WISDOM TEETH ARE GROWING AND IT HURTS>>>>>>>>>>>

London daze

 I got my photos developed from the weekend. What a wonderful saturday LC and I had. 

Listen up

 I made a recent discovery: Jarvis Cockers Sunday Service on BBC's Radio 6. He is clever, charismatic and has a huge HUGE amount of knowledge about music, radio and sound. I know its cliched, but his taste is "eclectic", when you listen you learn about new things! haha. His voice pisses me off and some of his little habits are really annoying but slowly he grows on you until you are in love. He is the new LOML. 

the best thing is you can listen on BBCiPlayer if you're in the UK. 

 His set list from last sunday

beauty impossible to believe

My friend Kurtis from work told me that he has a home tattoo kit. This made me really excited and i immediately agreed to let him tattoo me. Sure, I trust him! Obviously, just incase he's not very skilled, i will have to do it somewhere where it is not entirely visible (my back). I was thinking...... impossible  triangle

heat-wave

So, its been a fun weekend. Probably my last weekend off in the UK until the weekend just before i leave. Its all a bit sad... LC and I went out on friday to the Social in central. She met me after work and we drank some cheap Australian wine sitting around on table four. We had to drop of a blood request form at the national hospital on our way because Lauren had accidentally taken it home and it needed to be there first thing on monday. It was very strange being in a Hospital drunk. I can't imaging what it was like being in the hospital in which you work while drunk. I think i just stood there kind of swaying and trying to look sober but kind of giggling and pretending to concentrate on my phone. I don't like hospitals much so it was a weird situation. 

LC and I started off with some nice cosmos. And then some more cosmos. And then another round. And then we were ready to dance and it was brilliant. We requested single ladies and danced with some cute boys. Two of them came out for a cigarette with me and the other stayed inside with LC. When we came back one of them bought me a drink which was awfully nice (especially because i am but-raped-poor). Then we danced some more and it became very obvious that two of the boys couldn't figure out which one of them was going for LC. How hard is it to call dibs boys? seriously. So i grabbed my boy and went outside for a smoke so we could figure out which one fancied her. But then I realised how cute he was and that he had lovely gappy teeth and so it was a little while until we got back inside to figure out the whole tug-o-war situation. By then LC was over it so we snuck out and called it a night. Or should i say night-bus which by the way took about 2 hours to get us home. 

On Saturday it was sunny and hot and beautiful. Lc and I went to Broadway market for breakfast and sat in London Fields. Apparently someone got shot there, but it must have been after we left. After that we went to Wilkinson gallery to have another look at Ged Quinn's exhibition, which BTW is fantastic and i really need to write something about. And then we headed down to Roman Road Market. One of the best things about London is the crazy amount of history. Its called Roman road because its where the romans used to walk. Now it has this sprawling tacky market with things that fell off trucks. I picked up some cheap mascara and some fashion remnants from the 90's. Lc got a cropped floral denim jacket and a skirt with birds. 

Saturday night started with vodka and cranberry, girl talk and bare legs (gosh it was so hot!). We met up with Lily at 1001 for her birthday and then went on to book club. After that we had to meet up with a friend at the Macbeth and ended up going to an after party in Aldgate East. It was all east London kinda bratty boys, but at least they weren't hipsters. there were some real pretty fashion girls and this really short unattractive guy who always seemed to have two cans of beer balancing on top of each other in his hand. He thought it was amusing to say things like "chuck a shrimp of the barbie". English people are stupid. I think we left around 530 or 6ish and caught the 25 home. It was totally packed considering the hour and I got really claustro, thought i was going to vom. 

On Sunday Lc and I had planned a big trip up to Stoke Newington because we had heard about the jewish population and boy am i fascinated by orthodox jews. When I went to melbourne i saw more in a day than i had ever seen in my life. I was hoping Stoke Newington would be the same. 

from our youth >>>I went to an off licence and a few suspicious looking Jewish guys tried to chat me up. Me, naturally eager to knowledge, to one of them: What shall I do with you? Play with your two curls? Do you only wear black and white? You should wear more colours or is that not Jewish enough for Jewish men? Do you always wear your little hat? What's it called?'' The guy laughed and said: ''I like you''. The muslim shopkeeper said: ''Would you like to know anything about muslims?'' ''No, I already know a lot. Thanks.''

HAHA. we saw lots of jews, it was wonderful. There were amazing little boys with the most perfect curls. It was just the best. We also went to an amazing cemetery, you can see more pictures here. Then we caught the east london line home. Some people that i have talked to say that the whole line is stupid and doesn't help anyone. Well, i think they are stupid. If something doesn't directly benefit you on a daily basis it doesn't mean that it couldn't benefit someone else. Its the same with people in Adelaide talking about the tram. The best thing about the East London line, aside from the ample head room and air conditioned bliss, is the amazing view it affords over the skyline of east London. The building below is one of the highlights!

It's romance

I'm at the bike store again today and even though it's lovely not to be run off my feet, it's also kinda lonely. Lucky I have my i phone so the wonderousness of the Internet is right in my hand. 

My mid afternoon discovery: the new S/S collection from ROMANCE WAS BORN. It's nice to hear about Australian brands in London publications, after Australian Fashion week last week I guess it's not a surprise that some of our home-grown labels are in the spotlight.  After all, RWB do have quite a reputation for their vibrancy!

  

Unfortunately I haven't figured out how to post photos from my I phone yet but you can see the collection as well as check out the interview with RWB's design duo on dazed digital

Romance Was Born: A crystal portal from the dinosaur era to Medici Florence where the dinosaurs were let loose to attack the upper class and set the lower class free!

I love the way they are oh so serious about their brand and business but don't mind their concept to a fantastical level! 

Sent from my iPhone

must have

I just walked past the Kate Kanzier store at the leather market in Faringdon. I am so IN LOVE with these orange brogues. Its a pity I dont wear orange. That'd ok, maybe the ones below are a bit more in my colour scheme!

Bored at the bike shop

1.Where is your mobile phone? In my hand, mobile bloggin'! 

2. Your hair? Fountain and new headband. 

3. Your mother? A million miles away and I moss her like no one else. I just spoke to her on the phone. 

4. Your father? Makes me miss going for drives. Smells like malboro reds and car grease. Knows the answer to everything. 

5. Your favourite food? Veggies

6. Your dream last night? I was sitting in a stream and My sunglasses broke. 

7. Your favourite drink? coffee. Or G&T's. 

8. Your dream/goal? To do things well. 

9. What room are you in? An alley outside rapha: White bear yard. 

10. Your hobby? Boys

11. Your fear? Moths. Turning into my parents. My hair falling out. 

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Hopefully back in London.  

13. Where were you last night? At michaels eating tacos and listening to bad 90s music! 

14. Something that you aren't? Sporty. 

15. Muffins? Spicy apple. 

16. Wish list item? TARDIS

17. Where did you grow up? Adelaide hills. Pretty good place. 

18. Last thing you did? Made some coffee for some bike nerds. 

19. What are you wearing? Black, white and grey!

20. Your TV?  Makes people look like the wicked witch of the west. 

21. Your pet? My flat pack friend rizzo!  

22. Friends? CHANDLER. 

23. Your life? London limbo. Pretty sad that it's almost over.  

24. Your mood? Peaceful

25. Missing someone? Always. 

26. Vehicle? My two feet! 

27. Something you're not wearing? Jeans. Barely ever wear jeans. 

28. Your favorite store? Luna and curious for sure. 

29. Your favorite color? Not sure. Grey I guess. Maybe green. I started wearing purple and mustard, but they aren't my favourite. I have a hard time with colour. 

30. When was the last time you laughed? All the time. 

31. Last time you cried? At mile end this morning. 

32. One place that I go to over and over? Nude espresso 

34. One person who emails me regularly? Mutti! 

35. Favorite place to eat? The dumpling place in spitalfields market does excellent dumplings. But, for atmosphere, probably rosas. Or Eros back home. 

wolf + moon

 Walking through the Sunday Up Markets today after I finished work I stumbled across a stall from designer Wolf + Moon. The Sunday ups are great, so many young designers and so much good food! Anyway Wolf + Moon had a great little stall up the top selling some beautiful laser cut acrylic jewelry, including the wolf above. You probably can't see in the pic, but the wolf has a constellation etched into the back of it as well. A very nice touch! There were also brooches and earrings made from acrylic and crystal pendants and some cotton bags with prints. I bought my brother a really amazing badge (shh don't tell him!) and i might have to go back next weekend to buy myself some more goodies. Check out the website, its under construction at the moment but should be up and running soon. 

romantic-ism

One of my favourite movements in art history (and culture) is Romanticism. I am not a very romantic person, I hate Public Displays of Affection (PDA's) and I find all that lovey-dovey smoochy stuff awkward and uncomfortable. My mum used to warn me when we were watching movies about upcoming "sexy bits" so that I would have time to close my eyes.  GROSS! haha. But Romanticism is a whole other kettle of fish. Its all about Man vs Nature, the wild, adverse conditions and emotions of terror and awe. Its Thomas Hardy and the way nature references prelude the events in the narrative.  "Romanticism is precisely situated neither in choice of subject nor exact truth, but in the way of feeling." Baudelaire. 

My love for Romanticism meant that this upcoming exhibition at Wilkinson Gallery really caught my eye. British Artist Ged Quinn is having a solo show opening next thursday (May 20th). He has explored romanticism and its ideals, presenting a series of works that delve into the picturesque and its rise and fall. He looks at the alter-reality of  nature sublime- one exploited by man. I'm looking forward to going along to the opening next week, can't wait to see some of these work in the flesh. For more information and the press release click here.

teenage dreams

Last week I was roaming the internet an happened across some images from san fran photographer Sandy Kim. Her photos are full of grungy whimsical teenage fantasy (a world inhabited by those in their early 20's), the boys from girls and some in your face moments. They are the kind of photos that make you think you could take great photos too if only your life was more interesting. Maybe thats why shes featured in vice. Check out her website and her blog

the most cruel....

... the most heartless, the most redoubtable moments i've every had were between 4 and 5 oclock am when i suffered a serious lack of espresso. I don't let myself get into that dilemma again.

top-knot

Buns are best

via the lovely sabino

CBGB's

can't get this outta my head. LC and I went to the MacBeth on Friday night. The DJ reminded me of Chris Bailey from the saints (LOML). He played some american punk and some 90's hiphop and an amazing mix of Le Tigres deceptacon with some other hiphop track. Gotta get back there another time when i've got more cashola.

giro de espresso

Today was my first day working at the Rapha Cycle Clubs nude espresso bar (haha, sounds so kinky!). It was so nice to do something a bit different for a change and I had a great day. Everyones first coffee is free this week, so come on down and try our new Rapha blend. We had quite a few people come through, and even some people who came back for seconds (and one guy who maybe should have stopped at thirds). You can sit in the shop/gallery/cafe and enjoy a flat white while watching the Giro Italia on the big plasma screens (there is a timetable of live coverage). When I rocked up this morning they were watching "highlights" of some nasty big stacks/pile ups. They also have this amazing van thing which was used in the tour de france to pick up the stragglers on the big up-hill climbs. Rapha is using it as a change room, which is pretty cool!

girls vs boys

and the worst thing..........

they smell WEIRD!!!

love sofia

check out her photography here

queen of rock'n'roll

Gotta love Love, crazy bitch that she is. Hole have just released a new album, nobodys daughter (although Love is the only remaining original member, so more or less it could be seen as a solo effort in vein of hole) and once again Love is clambering to find her place in the spotlight. 5 years in the making according to Love "the record is fucking amazing and it speaks for itself". Well, we always new she was a bit of an egomaniac, but what might be surprising is how humble she is about the failed effort of 2004's solo America's Sweetheart. "i call it a désatre. its just a bad record. Everyone gets one. But you know what? You can tell somebody by their failures, and that was my failure- a failure artistically and commercially." 

What draws me to Love is her rawness, her heart on her sleeve and her fuck you attitude. She manages to be at all times vulnerable and tough, her emotions are always out there but she can look after herself. This comes across in the record which balances that Hole sound with a more mellow Stevie Nicks edge. "And the phoenix she rises, She is sure to descend, She will never go hungry, Go hungry again ". Love aligns herself with a history of strong willed, misunderstood women. The art from the new album references Marie Antoinette, Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey and even features a cracked glass shoe made for her by Disney. 

From what I've read of Love, and what I've heard of her tweets, she is not a huge self-editor. She says what she thinks, her brain never stops. whether this is a blatant attempt at attention, her blatant extroversion always trying to shock or if its just the way she copes. She says she doesn't have the ability to see herself from the outside, which, you would think, would also mean she has very little capacity for empathy and is violently self-involved. I guess we already knew that. 

As for the record, I would probably suggest that considering the time put into the project, that this may be an excellent example of Love pared down to things she really cares about. The editing process enforced by the process of making a record will have thrown away all the fame-fluff, while still allowing Loves raw edge. There are still controversial issues because what would Love be without controversy? I think that it is in music that Love truly finds her voice, it's the platform that has made her an Icon. She is a strong woman and she has a lot to say. 

get spinnin'

Everyone knows that cyclists like their espresso. Two years ago during the tour down under I was lucky enough to pull a few nice little short blacks for the spanish cycling team before they started the leg of the race from Hyde Park. Its that little caffeine boost that really gets you going!
Here in London Rapha Cycle Club is opening a pop up shop on clerkenwell road and, obviously, knowing how much cyclists love their coffee, they have asked Nude Espresso to provide a little espresso bar in the store. It opens this Saturday and my first shift is on Monday. I am heaps psyched as i think it will be a nice little break from the everyday on Hanbury street. Plus, think of all the cute boys!

 This is our pretty, shiny new espresso machine!