Christmas Holidays in London

As many of you might know by now I love London, perhaps because I'm a city girl at heart! 

Last weekend we had a fabulous time in the city as we decided to stay and embrace what the big smoke has to offer around this time of year. I thought I'd share with you the places we visited should you be in the area and might like to check them out. 

Marie had given us a fabulous and very generous Christmas present, tickets to see the Nutcracker Ballet at London's Colosseum ! And what a visual feast it was ! So magical and Christmassy! 

The next day it was a beautiful crisp and sunny Sunday morning, so we made our way to  London's Borough Market where we had brunch in a local cafeteria whilst surrounded by the markets culinary delights for this time of year; Mulled Wine, Mince pies, Cakes, Cheeses and much more. 

The South Bank was our last stop for a lunch date with great friends that had come over from New York! This is one of my favorite area of the city where you have all the cultural centers in one hub. The Tate Modern, London Film Theatre, Hayward Gallery and more by the river Thames . Here  you can sit and sip some wine whilst absorbing the city atmosphere and views, people watch with the  Jazz sounds in the background coming from a street performer, total bliss !!  

At this time of year the Christmas German market occupies most of the river front which is packed with  a great variety of craft & food stalls, great for this time of year. I hope I have given you a little glimpse of what London can be like if you live on the other side of the world. What is your place like at this time of year?  

I hope you all have had a great Christmas time with lots of quality time with friends and loved ones ;-)

My Sunday Movie

Now that I'm back here I'll tell you about my Sunday movie. I usually write about it on a Monday following my Sunday Afternoon tradition. I know this post is a day late but we can pretend I wrote it yesterday  ;-)

A few months ago whilst having coffee with my good friend Jane, she handed me over a book and said 'you should read this as I think you will love it as much as I did.' - and I did !! Since then we have got into a habit of exchanging and recommending each other books. I have to tell you The Help is one of those books that I'll never forget and currently is at my number one rank of my favorite books of all time!!

When I saw that it had turned up into a movie I was a little bit apprehensive to go and see it. I didn't want it to destroy all those perfect images I had created in my mind of this wonderful story that is so beautifully narrated by the author Kathryn Stockett.

Last weekend my mom had come to visit and on Sunday we decided to give the movie a try. What can I say?? I LOVED IT !! It filled all my expectations of what a movie turned from a book should be. The characters, the setting, the dialogue...Everything was as I had pictured it! I was so thrilled! Emma Stone is outstanding so are the other actors. If you haven't read the book or seen the movie I very much recommend it.

Here is the book description by Amazon(sorry I'm just been lazy):

    

Enter a vanished and unjust world: Jackson, Mississippi, 1962. Where black maids raise white children, but aren't trusted not to steal the silver...

There's Aibileen, raising her seventeenth white child and nursing the hurt caused by her own son's tragic death; Minny, whose cooking is nearly as sassy as her tongue; and white Miss Skeeter, home from College, who wants to know why her beloved maid has disappeared.

Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny. No one would believe they'd be friends; fewer still would tolerate it. But as each woman finds the courage to cross boundaries, they come to depend and rely upon one another. Each is in a search of a truth. And together they have an extraordinary story to tell...

Thank you Jane XX

Back on Track...

 Time flies and thinking about it I haven't been here for a long time! As I mentioned before I had a major operation ,  so I've had to spend a sometime healing.  I'm glad to say I'm feeling much better.

So much has happened in the last couple of months. I've visited some fabulous exhibitions including an amazing Photography exhibition-Paris Photo! -A surprise birthday present from Matt !It was just what the 'doctor ordered' - a few amazing days in my beloved city -Paris !! Later on this week when I find five minutes I shall tell you more about the exhibitions and Paris.

Also there are new projects in the processes for the start of 2012 involving rebranding all my work which shall share more with you when is all completed.

In the meantime I'm very busy in the studio producing Christmas orders and creating private commissions. All back to normal at last ! ( and dreaming of Paris, the quintessential cafes and all the charm that this amazing city has to offer )

French Macaroons

 As the cupcake trend is gradually moving towards the delicious French Macaroons, today I have spent literally all day since sunrise taking photos for a Licensing project..As dusk is now calling it a day so am I !

Have a lovely evening  :-)

20% Discount for a limited time only in my Etsy Shop!

After a year of recuperating from my operation and work commitment's I had neglected my Etsy shop. 

In the last couple of days I have been adding new images of many sizes with your own personalised option to choose size and quantity of images. I've also updated my about page for more information. 

***For a limited time only there is 20% Discount in my Gallery606 shop*** Discount Code :12

Large Posters

Floral Images

Kitchen Decor

Seaside Decor

New York Prints

Botanical Prints

New York Images

Large Wall Decor

Print Sets

Custom sizes

Inspiration in Full Flow !

Image of Frida Kahlo

Today the sun is shinning through my window and inspiration is in full flow as six paintings are in production in my studio!! It feels good! I hope your day is a good one too :-)

London's Frieze Art Fair This Weekend

If you are in London this weekend you might like to know Frieze Art Fair is in town! A wonderful showcase of over 170 galleries from around the world featuring leading contemporary artists. The exhibition takes place in London's Regent Park every October. 

Arboreal (Detail)
Rohini Devasher

For those that live in the US you'll be able to attend Frieze Art Fair in New York's Randall's Island, Manhattan  and will take place on 4-7 May 2012. It will be the first time the exhibition crosses over the pond.

Noriko
Jon Kessler

I highly recommend a visit for those that love modern art and haven't had the chance to visit the fair before.

For visitor information and ticket prices click here. October 13-16.

A Dangling Conversation:...
Uwe Henneken

New Website Coming Soon !

Hopefully by the end of the week I'll be able to launch my new website...So watch this space :-)

My Sunday Movie

Remember sometime ago I used to write about my Sunday afternoon movie ? Well after some of you emailed me asking me about it I thought I'd bring the post again.
Now that Autumn has finally decided to make an appearance it is time to chill at home with a DVD, cup of tea and nice homemade cake or make a trip to the pictures- my Sunday afternoon tradition since I was a kid in Barcelona.
Yesterday I saw the French film ' Little White Lies'.  Written and directed by award winning director of the film ' Tell No One' Guillaume Canet  and boyfriend of the amazing and Oscar winner actress Marion Cotillard.
Every Summer Max ( Francois Cluzet ) hires out a beautiful beach house for his family and friends. But this year the vacation is not so much fun as each guest raises the veil that for years has covered their true feelings. Their relationships and friendships are tested when they are in a difficult situation having to own up to the little white lies they have been telling each other.
I personally really liked it, so if  you don't mind watching a movie with subtitles I recommend you watching the movie.

Searching for inspiration..

Is raining outside, I have  a soya cinnamon coffee late, music, paint, a blank canvas and searching for inspiration. I have numerous exhibitions coming up next year so new collections to be produced !!
What is your day like today?

Steve Jobs..Thank You

Steve Jobs..

"You were an incredible visionary and because of you the world is a more creative place..”

Enjoying Twitter

Well my friends..a few months ago I had mentioned I had joined Twitter. Finally I'm getting into it and understanding how it works ! Yes..I know it is easy for some but it takes me a while to get into new things! :-)
You can join me here and say hi if you wish. Have a lovely wknd !! XO

I'm back !

Some of you might know the reason to my absence in the last couple of months in my Blog...
Thank you to all my lovely friends and family for being there for me after my operation. The visits, lovely flowers, homemade baking , cards, emails and phone calls have made me feel totally overwhelmed and so much loved.
When life brings tough times into ones life you realize how important friendship and family are and not to take for granted... I've made a promise to myself to take make more time for special moments with loved ones and not work 24/7  and I'm really gonna try and stick to it !!
Although I'm still on a slow road of  recovery I'm going to aim to get back into Blogging as I have missed it! I also have so much to tell and share with you, so watch this space :-)

Bill Cunningham

 

  Image by The Sartorialist

Last weekend when I was in London and catching up with my friend Jo over a delicious coffee and warm croissants when she told me all about her new online project with her business partner Marcio, Fashion Aperitiv. I'll tell you more about it when the project has launched.We were discussing fashion photographers and how fashion photography has changed over the years through the social media we have at our finger tips. The Sartorialist and Garance Dore came to mind as well as Bill Cunnigham who I recently discovered through the Blogsphere . As I was telling Jo all about my recent discovery and the upcoming movie on his work, I realized how little some of us knew about this amazing photographer who is finally getting the attention he deserves, the real Sartorialist. 

Bill Cunningham in the streets of New York

For those that are not sure what I'm talking about, The Sartorialist and Garance Dore have become worldwide known Bloggers and fashion Photographers for documenting street style in their travels, mainly in fashionable cities such as Paris, Milan etc... so much so that the Sartorialist ( Scott Schuman) has had a  book published on his work. But  unknown to me and many others Bill Cunningham, an 80 yr old photographer for the New York times is the real pioneer of this voyeuristic style of fashion/street style photography.  Bill Cunningham's work and lifestyle has been documented into a movie which you'll also be able to get hold of on DVD if you are not be able to watch it on your movie screens in your country- I can't wait !

Bill Cunningham in the Streets of Manhattan

Sundays' Car Boot Sale

Yesterday, whilst chatting with my friend Lara at a lovely garden party we were at for our friends send off before they move to China, she told me that a couple of weeks ago had she had experienced her first car boot sale in order to get rid of unwanted items before they move to their new home. So today I became inspired and went to check my local car boot sale.  

Refreshments and mobile cafes

For those that don't know what I'm talking about because you might be reading in another part of the world to where I'm writing this, a car boot sale is an event that usually takes place at weekends all around the UK. The idea is that you take your car, set up a table with your unwanted belongings i.e; shoes, clothes, books, toys, furniture etc.. and sell them for little to nothing. It is a good way to get rid of your items and make a bit of extra money. As they they say here 'one person's rubbish is another treasure '. When I first came to this country I thought it was a little bit strange but actually it does make sense in a recyclable way.

For the Garden

Fashion items displayed in alternative ways.

Lost love letters and someone else's personal old family photos 

 A vast range of books 

Although I have not gone as a seller yet, I might consider it one day as I'm not yet ready to depart with any of my belongings just yet much to Matt's disappointment... But I did bring home an old mirror and a little cabinet that I'm going to paint and refurbish. 

Shoppers on the way home with their new found bargains

 For more information on local car boot sales in UK and Europe you can check here.

Relaxing in The Garden

I hope you all had a great weekend enjoying the sunshine if you were lucky to have some in your part of the world.. After a very long week packed with a lot of work, socializing, eating and drinking till all ours of the night, it was lovely to finally sit in the garden with a cold drink and a great book, Sunday papers and some magazines! Now Monday morning I'm totally re energized to face another very busy week ahead...I hope you have a good one too :-)