I must apologise for the delay in the writing up of this post, Christmas kind of got in the way.  I managed to get to see this on the last day of the exhibition and it completely blew me away.  The energy in his work combined with his political stance and sense of powerful emotion was clear for all to see.  Sadly it was a very quick visit, I would gladly have gone back to see it again and absorb the finer details of his work.

This first piece is in memory of 5000 children that lost their lives in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, mainly due to shoddy workmanship and cost cutting from the construction of the school houses. The Chinese government refused to investigate so Ai Weiwei launched a citizen’s investigation to create a list of the victims, which he did, the Chinese government promptly put him in jail for 81 days. Next Ai gathered together 150 tons of steel rebar from the sites of the collapsed schools in Sichuan and straightened them to make an installation which along with the names, ages, dates of birth and address of the children that died make a very powerful image. 

Ai Weiwei’s trees are simply beautiful and created a tangible presence in the courtyard of the RA.

These are the pieces that I most wanted to take home – but you knew that!

I love Carnaby Street and Liberty, there is just so much to love.

A glimpse of their Christmas decorations this year.

Merry Christmas everyone, much love to all, x.

Whilst wandering around Shoreditch I found this wonderful looking building,

What could be in here? Well after having coffee at Counter Albion  I was game on to try and find out.

How interesting.

And then as you walked into the foyer area you found them selling fresh fruit and vegetables. So cute! 

There were two bars serving gorgeous looking food, cakes and drinks and in every direction there was something different. This is the nail bar,

and this is the corner for purchasing beautiful things for the home.

Another corner to relax in with a drink.

And beauty products to buy.

Upstairs was a beauty parlour and hairdressers.  And I thought that was all, but on the way out I saw this,

and the manager asked me if I’d like to have a look, I replied I would love to quite enthusiastically.

And low and behold there was a beautifully appointed cinema downstairs. Comfy chairs with a blanket each with charming tables and scattered with lights, it was gorgeous, what a wonderful place to watch a film with friends.  I think Barber & Parlour would be the perfect place  for a bit of pampering, a tasty lunch, a gorgeous cocktail or two and to spend a few hours catching up with friends, whilst snuggling under a blanket watching the latest blockbuster – the new Star Wars film perhaps.

Another magical trip around London, this time a stroll down Bond Street, it was just so beautiful, enjoy.

Fortnum and Masons lovely Christmas windows and their Christmas floor.

Enjoy.

At this time of the year, its all about feeling the buzz.

I think it is just so pretty here.

Grafitti I’ve come across recently, at this level  to me it is always a pleasure.

My friend Sarah-Lou said that she would love to make Jack Monroe’s Christmas Wreath and put a call out for scraps of fabrics, well you don’t need to ask me twice for that sort of caper, I mean to say, Christmas, fabric, girlfriends crafting together, whats not to love. Sarah-Lou’s friend gave her lots of lovely materials which were gorgeous – she makes very pretty costumes – and I added some fabric,  so we were all set.

I cut myself a circle out of cardboard, I used a wok lid and a big dinner plate, but you can make yours to whatever size you would like.

I then covered it in silver masking tape.  This is to strengthen it and make it waterproof should it go outside, mine isn’t going outside, I’d rather cherish it from the view from the sofa.

And then the ham came out and I glazed it with orange marmalade whilst the potato dauphinoise was just coming to perfection, after all girls need a good supper too.

There was so much treasure to wade through, it was wonderful, I sent my thanks on to Sarah-Lou’s friend countless times during the evening as we found one exquisite fabric after another.

And then we started to wrap and tie and eventually found our way on what lengths we preferred and how we liked to develop our ideas, a very companionable hour or two was spent,

whilst drinking bubbles. And eventually we had

these.  Aren’t they lovely, I think they are wonderful.  Two lovely Christmas wreaths, made from scraps, with love.