Shepherd's Bush

A trip to Shepherd's Bush market last week, where I have spent many happy hours.

New fabric for a potential cushion

 

Amazing embellished offerings

Gold vine

 And discovered a new Ethiopian cafe in the railway arches which was full of amazing furnishings

The Lonely Londoners

'The Lonely Londoners' by Sam Sevlon is a brilliant book about the arrival of the Windrush Generation to the UK and specifically to West London. It in turn inspired me to seek out pictures from the time - various documentary photographers were drawn to the area. I grew up in Shepherd's Bush and spent a lot of time in Notting Hill and Ladbroke Grove so both the book and photographs are especially interesting. 

Near Latimer Road 

Roger Mayne, 1957

Man on a Street

Notting Hill, 1951

Henry Grant

Goldborne Road

Roger Mayne

1961

Carnival Hearts

The end of August marks one of the best weekends in the year for lots of Londoners - particularly those who grew up and live in West London. Friends of mine danced in a sea of red hearts on a float they've been part of for years at Notting Hill Carnival

 

Weekend Highlights

Great kicks and rucksack in Kensal Rise

Prayer mats and bath loofers side by side in my local pound shop.

Sunday Laundry

 

A Shepherd's Bush dry cleaners - loved this printed black and yellow dress fronting a rail of suits and shirts ready to be picked up for Monday.

Lino Prints

There has been a distinct lack of blog posts recently as I have been working on new and exciting ventures... Here is a sneak peak of one which is due to hit the screens of One Off Style visitors in the near future, and involves a collaboration with an up and coming West London artist. Watch this space!

A Printed Afternoon

I managed to prove myself as a sartorial magpie yesterday, spotting this lovely fur coat in the upstairs window of a house in Hammersmith. I am hoping no one saw me lingering outside this house taking pictures...

This apron reminded me that I've recently been wondering if it's time for Camo to take a rest - it's a favourite of West Polar, and I know she's been thinking the same thing... Can't work out if I love or hate this wipe clean version. What do you think?

Wall of Pipes

I've never seen pipes cellotaped to the wall above the Lemsip before. I wonder if anyone ever buys them? Reminded me of an entire wall of pipes in Cheadle, Manchester.

Rolled Fabric

 

Uxbridge Road, Shepherd's Bush

Bethnal Green Road, Hackney

Window Shopping

These prayer beads are a new addition to a fabric shop on Uxbridge Road, which is also opposite a Mosque. There are so many great variations. I also really like this necklace/collar from the same place, but I'd definitely look like a massive jerk wearing it.

Jeremy Deller

A surreal walk through my local park last week as I came across Jeremy Deller's travelling 'Sacrilege'. I was on my own and so chickened out of elbowing tiny screaming kids to bounce on Deller's blow up Stone Henge. Great to see so many people enjoying it.

I quickly got distracted by the fun fair though. Sucker for all that bright light, candy floss and tackiness. I love how over the top it all is.

 

More of all that right here.

Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes

Stairs at Goldhawk Road tube station were paved with diamonds yesterday

It might seem that this is just a chance to show off my new suede sling back wedges, and it is, but there's more from London Transport bling:

Really annoying that this picture is horribly bad - but the top caps of this school girl's Converse were covered in diamante. Apparently her Mum did it for her as an experiment, and now she might even charge to do other people's toe caps, at a reasonable £20, rather than the £90 that Lucy from the 'Only Way is Essex' charges for a similar service. And no, I didn't actually speak to the diamante toed girl, I was eavesdropping, probably with my mouth wide open.

This is the Day

This songs reminds me of a hot summer a few years ago, bombing around London in a beaten up VW (now sadly retired to car scrapyard heaven), windows down and Poundland imitation Raybans on... Those really were the days!

Coming Soon

Lily and I didn't have to travel far to shoot our next feature for One Off this morning...

Here is a sneak peak inside the room of the next stylish girl to step into the spotlight. Stay tuned for MUCH better pictures from Lily. I for one are really excited to see how the photos come out.

Rosa Curtain

One Off features Rosa Curtain this week as part of a series of style profiles. A beautiful and stylish West Londoner who has been an avid supporter of us from the start. Have a read of her answers to our style questions here.

Carnival

Tessa's off to Carnival! I love this so much. Bug glasses and socks and see-through dress. No point in giving the floats a run for their money

rave whistles