Homespun London

Mad hatter...

On my way home, I couldn't resist dropping into Camden Passage.
I was pleasantly surprised that there were more vintage related shops than it used to be. Still it was nothing like its hayday 15 years ago. I really miss the atmosphere it was then...


I walked into one of the vintage shop. And I came face to face with my dream HAT!
I was looking for a silk top hat for a quite long time.

Isn't this a beauty? 
I had been longing for one of those for many years. However, due to my head which was smaller than average, I could not find anything with a good fit.
When I walked into one of the antique shops on Camden Passage, my wandering eye was fixed to this top hat instantaneously. The hat was screaming "I am yours! TAKE ME!!"
I tried it on. And it was so snug and comfortable (I am wearing it as I am writing this). I loved it.
And the price tag of £145 did not deter me either. If you find what you have been dreaming of, you just have to have it, don't you? 

A mad hatter!
I know the hat is not that practical nowadays. I imagine that I would have had a massive hat collection if the era was such...

Sniffing around...

A sun is shining in London. Well, at least, on Upper Street.
I am enjoying a mug of decaf skinny at Euphorium Bakery.
Same as usual, I am on the road, viewing properties.


I had seen one already this morning. A charming house in Barnsbury. This property comes with an approved planning permission for a rear extension. It also has a substantial garden too. Because this is cheaper than our budget, I can have an all glazed dining room. Mmmmm...
Also, Paul can commute to his office in Clerkenwell by bus very easily, it is ticking all the right boxes so far.

The area around here was lovely.
The smell of lavendar filled the air. Well attended front garden. No litter on the pavement. Absolutely spotless.
Acturally, not very far from where Tony Blair & his family before he became the PM.
The estate agent I met yesterday was telling me that he had an opportunity to view the Blairs. The house had a paved terrace so ridiculously small. Oh dear... 

Location:Canonbury Ln,Islington,United Kingdom

Out & about...

I am on Colombia Road at this very moment, eating gorgeous chocolate & almond cake with a cup of strong tea.
The cake is really nutty and crunchy. It could be even better if the flavour of chocolate was more forthcoming, in my opinion.

Friday on Colombia Road is quiet. Generally, I avoid the area around here in weekend because of overcrowding. 

By the way, do you know why I am here?
It is because I am house-hunting!
And why do I bother myself to see a property here if I can't stand crowd? Well, it's out of my curiosity, really...

Wish me a luck that I will find a dream house soon (^_<)b 

Let's mull over...

I am at Starbucks on St.Martins Lane, sipping a mug of decaf skinny and picking on a slice of carrot cake.
On the way here, I picked up a copy of the Evening Standard at Liverpool Street Station.
As expected, the content was full of stories related to the riot.
The story of the storekeeper whose shop was emptied by the looters was especially sad. How could they do this to him?
Before I left home at 6:30pm, I was knitting all day today, watching the emergency session in the House of Commons from the corner of my eye. 

I was glad to know that the House was united in condemnation of the senseless thuggery we witnessed for the past four days.
As the PM suggested, I am all for tougher police action and more severe justice for this kind of social disturbance.
We have to face up to the reality that not all of us are as conscientious as we are. Those, who have been abusing our tolerance and generosity, will have to realise that they have crossed way over the line this time.
And we've had ENOUGH.

By the way, life in London seems to be getting back to normal.
St.Martins Lane is bustling with the pre-theatre crowd, which I've found it is a good sign.
I love London, especially, civilised London...

Afterthought...

I was out on the street today because I had a few bits and pieces of chores I couldn't wiggle out of.

Today's London was strangely quiet. I guess it was in a pensive mood.
In town, I could see that the anxiety was still very much palpable.
As the Met deployed more officers on the street which was reassuring in a certain way. But it also highlighted this unusual situation.
How long do we have to live with the reminder of the past four days/nights of unpleasantness? Everytime a wail of police vehicle's siren broke the silence, it made me jittery.

 

I am still reeling from the shock sustained by those dreadful riots. Those despicable follies which seriously shaken our faith in humanity. How could anyone disregard other's possession, livelihood and even life so recklessly. Their lack of conscience really frightened me. How could anyone harbour such hate? What went so spectacularly wrong with their upbringing? Didn't they know right and wrong? This is nothing to do with poverty or social disadvantage.

Luckily, my vicinity is unscathed by the disturbance. However, there are so many people affected by the evil of low life.
I hope we will find something to restore our faith in goodness very soon. Otherwise, we will be left to stare this abyss of despair for a long time...

Hooded morons...

Oh, how awful!
Every time I see those distraught shop owners on TV describing their anguish and ordeal, it breaks my heart. And every time I watch those hooded scums running away with their booties, my blood boils with anger.
This outrageous folly which has been dominating our life for the past three days is absolutely senseless and moronic.
This is a very sad day...

I encountered a convoy of riot police vans on Upper Street yesterday evening. 
There were more than 10 of them. I had never seen anything like it before.
They sped away towards Highbury.

I sincerely hope that we don't have to see this kind of vehicle on our streets too often...

Carmageddon

I came across this video by chance. This gem is hilarious. I knocked my head off laughing. LoL

  

Summer is back!

Summer is back in London.
And it's rather pleasant, isn't it? Today is my non-knitting day. I have decided to knit not everyday but every other day for the sake of my hands. And it is working! It is tempting to handling a yarn when I have no pain. But I mustn't get seduced. I sound like an addict, don't I? How pathetic but I can't help it. Since I am off-duty. So I should be doing something special or going to somewhere exciting. Sadly, I've got run a few errands locally. After finishing a cup of decaf skinny, I must pick up my post at the depot off Upper Street...

By the way, this is the latest Matador which I casted off just yesterday. Doesn't it look swell?

-- Post From My iPhone

Location:Kingsland High St,Hackney,United Kingdom

Don't look ahead in fear...

While I was eating my humble home-made salad for lunch, I came across an article in a very respected Japanese fashion magazine which disturbed me greatly.
In the article related to "anti-ageing", one of the plastic surgeons was recommending a face lift to be done in 30s rather than done in 50s or 60s! For apparently a better and more natural result, he justified this ridiculous idea. I think he should be lined along the wall and be shot. 

Can we women stop worry about "ageing"? I despise all those money hungry scums who created this dubious "anti-ageing" idea. You can't demonize "ageing". Because It is a part of deal once we are given this life from our Mother Nature. It is indiscriminate and unavoidable. Yet, the majority of us is made to feel inadequate and lazy. Looking young is not being young. And why on earth some of us worship youth so senselessly? Among any of all famous faces who underwent some sort of surgical enhancements, is there anyone who looks any better than it used to be? They just look "done-up" and weird. Never never young.

I have no intention of throwing a towel it is because I may have passed a "sold by date". Far from it. I shall eat right, sleep right and exercise right. I shall do everything to lead a healthy & happy life. AND I shall not be consumed by this fruitless obsession of "eternal youth". I shall appreciate maturity. I think it is possible to look forward to finding a purpose of life in any age. Dreaming is not an exclusive privilege of avant 30s.
How you age inside is much more important than how you age outside, don't you think?


-- Post From My iPhone

Hi there

Looooooong time no entry.
Sorry about that. I have been really busy physically and mentally. Well, I still am. But I would like let everyone know that I am fine.
What kept me away from blogging? As you may guess, it was knitting which had been occupying my hands (& mind). I had received a substantial order for this season from five boutiques. And three of them were new stockist. No one could blame me that I was nervous as well as happy. Some of them wanted the stock before London Fashion Week in September. Therefore, I plunged myself into knitting flat out. At the beginning, I knitted every single day. And then...? Yeah, you've guessed it. I hurt my hands. I was so annoyed as well as concerned. I had this commitment which I had to fulfil. Yet, I managed to incapacitate myself by not managing my work properly. It may sound silly but knitting professionally is like being professional athletes. Avoiding injury caused by overworking is the most important issue.
Anyway, I rested my hands for one week. Oh, I tell you how wretched I felt during those seven days! Looking at an empty mannequin, biting my nails - well, I don't bite my nails but felt like it mentally. Eventually, the hands got well enough to resume the work even though I needed to ice them every few hours.
By today, I have managed to shift a half of the order by trudging along in this manner. And I am really relieved and happy. It was not an easy journey. But it is miles better than getting nowhere...


-- Post From My iPhone

Location:Shepherdess Walk,Hackney,United Kingdom