this summer's theme tune.

By The Naked And Famous, hailing from New Zealand. Already overplayed; refuse to grow up, begin your obsession and plug your ears in here.  Everything else can wait.

safety first.

A friend of mine recently directed a commercial for cycle safety.  Ghosts is a reminder of all those lives lost on our busy roads; it provokes a quiet reflection on the ghostbikes that we encounter everyday, but sometimes can be overlooked in our usual haste.  As always, Christopher Hewitt’s direction is beautifully executed and Ghosts will stay with you for some time.  See more work here from the Lancashire boy in the Big Shmoke.

 

tequila, 90s dance, too much chicken, rounders, peonies and a dog called dave.

My 25th birthday spanned over a few days (of course!) and included: a random trip on the London Eye (first time for everything), a parental visit, a Vodafone shoot thrown in for good measure, drinks at a newly discovered QUIET pub up the road, a sweaty 90s dance-off at The Alibi, playing drunken frisbee in the flat after some dimsum and very spicy pizza, hangover day in the park with gourmet picnic and Pimms, rounders, an amazing Victoria Sponge (consumed only in Victoria Park), beautiful presents and monging out on the sofa to a film. PERFECTION.

 

a wapping good day.

On a recent trip to The Wapping Project (via the new Overground, very exciting, very smooth), I went along to the 30th Anniversary Exhibition of Ally Capellino. I was actually after a AC30 canvas tote bag, but there were none on sale in sight, much to my disappointment, but I had a fun day nonetheless; looking through the archive, exploring the grounds, including the rooftop lily pond and bee houses kept for the restaurant’s honey, albeit slightly dangerous clambering through ladders and locked gates at some height.  After that, a stroll along the idyllic Thames’ beachfront (believe it or not) back to civilisation.

draw in light.

Friend Polly Wilkinson has launched a new label with her best friend Harriet Barford.  The first collection, Open Screen, is about experimenting with ink, dye and bleach.  Working from their studio in Waterloo, the talented duo have been snapped up by Liberty already and their collection can be seen on the red carpet, as well as gracing the limbs of our friends.  Check out their collection here.  I must grab a piece of fashion history asap before the girls move on to their next collection.

frolicking in the forest.

Last weekend we shot the promo for Pushing Hands’ ‘Between Us Now’ in Epping Forest.  It was a slow start after confusion with locations – most of the forest looked the same to be fair, and our iPhones and Crackberry signals were defeated by all the tall trees, so even advanced modern day technology couldn’t save us.  However,  the weatherman kept his promise and the day was dry and we got some beautiful shots, as well as some insect bites, which I am less pleased about.  Great team and amazing song to work with.  Watch this space for the video once finished!

into the wild.

Sometimes this overwhelming feeling just takes over. From Jordan David Small’s Flickr.

clever boy.

Talented friend Tim Brown recently went out to New York, to direct part one of the new Google Chrome Extensions advert.  It looks wicked and has Brown’s style stamped all over it.  What a clever boy.  Can’t wait to see the next installment. Watch the quirky clip here and also check out the rest of Timmy’s work, represented by Colonel Blimp.

across the pond.

Over in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia; our Canadian friend Joshua and his partner Kleah, have set up shop in what can only be described as their baby; Charlie & Lee.  Everything from the brickwork and the clothes rail to the carefully chosen perfume bottles have all been lovingly installed ready for the grand opening.  With ever-changing window displays and exhibitions, check on their website for updates.  I have never been to Canada, but this might be a good excuse to visit the folks across the pond in the near future.

hello to africa.

One of my dear friends George, set off on an adventure to Africa last November. He is due back in the next couple of months, but for the months that have past; we have all been following him on his blog for The Times.  His drawings are becoming increasingly  more and more beautiful.  Looking forward to having George back on the same soil.  In the mean time, check out his illustrations here.