Friday night at The StockMKT

I heard about The StockMKT from my dear friend Rimbaud (aka the hot young chef James Ramsden). His new venture Kebab Kitchen was having it's maiden voyage last night at the second round of this foodie-dream pop up market.

So, with a hop skip and a Boris, we arrived in Bermondsey square, the sweet smells of cooking food and the cheerful cries of the stall holders reaching us before we'd even entered.


My streetfood-savvy friend, Camden (blogger extraordinaire), was quick to point out her favourites Bhangra Burger, Pizza Pilgrims and Bea's of Bloomsbury who were outrageous in their offering of deep fried brownies - oh mama.

Drink in hand, it was time to start sampling. And so, with more hungry gals in tow, we opted for a coupla scotchies to whet our appetites. Sweet lord, runny yolk and salty meat, topped with cracked pepper and a dash of 'holy fuck' hot sauce - the Egg Boss showed us exactly why these English classics are back in vogue.

Egg boss' heavenly scotch eggs

Looking for more little tasters before heading in for the main event, we got a plate of Pom Pom Takoyaki's dee-lish balls. Sadly the octopus originals were already gone, but the chicken variant was pretty impressive - like savoury profiteroles, filled with sticky meat and topped with teriyaki sauce and mayonnaise (or mayonasia as Dee-Pee coined it).

Suitably startered, we headed to the Kebab Kitchen stall, it's queue by now winding itself around the block. Unfazed, we got in line, debating the options of Suffolk chicken vs. West country lamb.

James Ramsden - one half of team Kebab Kitchen

We queued and we queued - buoyed on by the nice hustle and bustle about us and the fun live music that drifted over from the other side of the square (not to mention the blissful expressions of the people ahead of us as they took their first bites). A projection show began as darkness fell - the artwork all from a project done by kids from the area. 


An hour later and our hearts were broken as we arrived at the front to find that our friends the Kebab men were completely sold out. Lucky he's my friend - I could only be happy that he'd done such a roaring trade. But, no messing about, I'll be first in line at The Ship next month when they fire up the spit and kebab once again.

In the meantime, I've just remembered that there's a forgotten Rocky Road in my bag snapped up from the lovely girls at Yummy Boutique - breakfast of Queens. 


If it's good food and a fun feel you're looking for of a Friday evening, be sure to check out The StockMKT next time it appears. Not sure when or where that will be yet, but keep your eye on their site for more info.

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Sweet Sweet Sevilla

Looking for a city with a little culture, a lot of sun and not too painful on the purse - we booked flights to Seville. The occasion was our Lew's 26th birthday and we were 3 girls in need of a break.

And so, of a Friday evening, overpacked and underslept we touched down in this southern Spanish town completely ignorant of it's charms (who needs a guidebook?!), but the anticipation of a new city to discover fizzing in our tummies.

I hadn't expected it to be quite so beautiful, or quite so hot. We spent our days wandering the streets, peering nosily through great wooden doorways into cool courtyards within and browsing the amazing old and new boutiques.

Food was of the best kind: salty jamon ibérico, lemoned calimaris fritas, fresh salpicon de marisco and creamy manchego; all washed down with copious ice-cold beer served in frozen glasses.

Beer and olives, our favourite resto El Pajaro Verde and plate #4 of salpicon de marisco

Our sweet teeth were satisfied by the city's numerous heladerias - the best and probably most famous La Fiorentina is definitely worth a visit.  

With the temperature hitting the big three-oh, we went in search of a pool to dunk our sweltering bodies. Not entirely aware of quite how smart it is, we rocked up at the Hotel Alfonso XIII which re-opened in March this year to again play host to Spain's rich and famous. A pacey walk through reception and through the elegant courtyard led us out to the gardens and into the bluest pool I've seen in a while.



Not much is more delicious than being on holiday on a Monday and after another leisurely lunch, we strolled hazily through the beautiful Jardines de Murillo debating whether or not to live the tourist dream and ride in one of the city's many horse-drawn carts (we didn't).

And so, the weekend drew to an end and with heart rates returned to normal, freckled faces and rounded tums we traipsed back to England. One of us a year older and three of us friends.

I fear this post offers little in the way of 'things-you-simply-must-do-when-in-Seville'. But, to be honest, we weren't there to see the sights and I'd encourage you to do the same - this is a city that just needs to be lived. So sit back, order another cervesa and watch how it rolls on by. 

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The Great Gatsby

A manic day and a mad dash from work is never a great start to an evening. But so Jess and I arrived at Wilton's Music Hall, out of breath and in desperate need of a drink.

Greeted by a gorgeous flapper-clad door girl, we nabbed a quick voddie and were ushered to our seats - a sweet little bench at the back of this ornate music hall (the world's oldest no less). With a sigh of relief we sat back, immediately swept up in the charm and glamour of the scene before us - transported back to the 1920's and into the intriguing plot of F. Scott Fitzgerald's, The Great Gatsby.

The cast of Peter Joucla's production was small: just 3 girls and 4 boys, each actor playing both character and chorus-member. With a simple set, the decadence of Fitzgerald's book was spun through the energy and style of the players themselves. And the audience was palpably enthralled, laughing and cheering with abandon. The lightness of the play was added to by the sweet interjections of song and dance by the 'off-duty' cast members, who donned comical heavy rimmed specs to disguise their characters and become part of the chorus. 

As the lights dimmed for the interval, we were invited to Gatsby's party in the bar where actors milled, interacting with the audience and further feeding our enthusiasm. Delicious bar snacks were served: pork pies with rich chutney, scotch eggs with horse radish mustard and salty popcorn all fitting in perfectly with the neatly spun dream.

The second half of the play saw the end of the whimsical lives of the characters and the downfall of the elusive Gatsby. I actually liked the interesting direction around the death of poor old Myrtle, though this did receive a perhaps misplaced laugh from the majority of the audience. 

The last song drew to a jazz-filled close and a buzzing audience filtered back out into the bar. Clearly a preview, the production could do with a little polishing, the accents somewhat variable and the scene changes stilted. But there was a sweetness to the show that forgave it's imperfections. The atmosphere was magical, the beautiful setting of Wilton's working perfectly to create an intimacy that left us bewitched.

After a snoop around the upstairs rooms of this incredible building, it was back out into the rainy night and back to 2012 with a bump. I fear the run is all but sold out, but if I were you I'd rock up and chance it - worse comes to worst you can get yourself a good old pork pie, a glass of red and just soak up the amazingness of this place.

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Things I'm looking forward to...

In my February lethargy I made a flurry of bookings that are now fast approaching and my goodness am I excited.

Here are a few of the plans made - get tickets, come join! I think they should be good. I've linked them up, so just click on through.


Next Tuesday I'm off to a preview of The Great Gatsby at Wilton's Music Hall - a beautifully ornate, falling down theatre out East. Excited to see the production of one of my fave books ahead of the film release later this year.

Pinched snap of the lovely Wilton's

May brings the launch of Babel a massive, immersive theatre performance in Caledonian Park. It's all pretty mysterious, but with a cast of 300 it should be quite something.


Hilariously, I have bagged myself an invite to the Buckingham Palace Tea Party later in May and what better way to make for a totally oxymoronic day than to spend the evening grooving to a nice bit of ska. The Skatalites are playing at the Islington Assembly Hall on 22nd May - get tickets here.

Ever the romantic, mid-June seats have been reserved for A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Regent's Park Open Air theatre. My favourite Shakespeare play, in and amongst my favourite London park's roses. Heaven.


June 30th brings another lovely Wyndstock - 1920's dinner and dancing beneath the stars, life drawing and midnight hot-tubbing. Last year saw me hooked and my heart stolen.

Countryside decadence at Wyndstock

And then Summer's in full swing - no further entertainment needed than a chilled bottle of fizz, strawberries and whiling away long afternoons in the park, sun on our faces and grass in our hair. Again, feel free to join - the more the merrier.

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La Bodega Negra Cafe

Saturday's run left me with the hunger of a lion and in need of a stiff drink, so I was pretty excited at the prospect of lunch in Soho's new La Bodega Negra cafe with my Mexico-phile friend, Tasha.

Born of a collaboration between NY nightlife don and restaurant creative director Serge Beck (of The Box and La Esquina fame), London restaurateur Will Ricker and entrepreneur Ed Spencer Churchill, unsurprisingly this place has had some pretty serious coverage. Whilst the mid-month bank balance couldn't quite stretch to the resto, I was keen to get a taste of the place so we headed down and nabbed a table in the cafe.

La Bodega Negra Cafe

The vibe was cool - nicely bustling, but chilled enough to chat, the diner set up carried through to fluoro signs and checkered floor. The staff were on it and we had two margaritas before us in a flash. 

Hibiscus and Tamarind frozen Margaritas

We ordered two sets of soft tacos, one of the classic cochinita pibil pork salsa verde and one chorizo and butternut squash - lashings of homemade salsa verde and fresh lime giving them a good old kick. A chicken tostadita, whilst delicious in the winning mix of meat, avocado and crisped up tortilla, still failed to satisfy. So with another round of margaritas (this time straight up) we got ourselves a plate of the chilaquiles to share. Sadly they were pretty disappointing, the typically flavoursome, spicy dish replaced with a far too healthy tasting, bland counterfeit.

The bill was perhaps a little punchy, to say we'd eaten light, but the cocktails were worth every penny of their £7.50 frozen goodness and this cool little taqueria had provided the perfect backdrop to an afternoon of best friend quality time. 


Next stop the restaurant... Any invites most gratefully received.

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The Fourth Wall re-visited

For those that read my post on the travelling pop-up bar The Fourth Wall, you'll remember that my review was not raving. I would, however, recommend checking it out for yourselves - who knows, the new location could make for a whole new, and sweeter, deal. 

If really stumped, message me for a more helpful clue

That's if you can work out the clue, of course... (?!?!!)

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Claudia crush

Talking of Ellen... up she crops with a new campaign to celebrate 30 years of Guess featuring original model of the super kind,  Claudia Schiffer.

Claudia Schiffer for Guess 1989 shot by Ellen von Unwerth

Having shot the 1989 campaign together, here model and photographer are reunited with an ever glamorous outcome and arguably an even more beautiful Schiffer.

Oh to look this hot at 41...

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Ellen von Unwerth

I first discovered this photographer's work in a David Morris ad campaign back in 2006. I loved the shot below so much that I was straight on the phone to their PR department to find out a) Who had shot it and b) Whether I could get a print.

Sadly I could not, (the PR girl's advice being to tear it out of the mag - not that helpful), but I was hugely grateful for the introduction to Ellen von Unwerth's work nonetheless.

This woman is great - with commissions ranging from high fashion magazine shoots for Vogue, Vanity Fair and I-D, right through to album covers and portraits; her list of celeb subjects has become a who's who in the coolios of the last two decades.

Christy Turlington & Linda Evangelista shot for Italian Vogue, 1990

Despite being the same age as my mother, the erotic femininity that she has become famed for is still an underlying theme of her work. And I tell you what... it's pretty hot.

Photo from the 2005 book Omahyra and Boyd - a collection of shots of the beautifully androgynous Omahyra and her boyfriend Boyd. This is perhaps the cleanest shot of the collection...

Whilst her black & whites are my faves - the depth of contrast and richness of texture keeping even the raciest of her snaps away from the tawdry - her Spring/Summer 2012 campaign for River Island is lovely. The popping clashing prints are a thing of beauty and lay testament to the fact that dear old R.I. have actually got some ace stuff this season.

Here I am, 5 years later, and still no print.
I'm hunting, but any help would be appreciated - a print, and a bum like this. Please. Thank you.

Dioni Tabbers & Hana Jirickova shot for issue 40 of Japanese glossy Commons & Sense

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Easter vibe

Hot crossies, pretty prints, crop tops, Fragonards's The Swing, sunshine walks, nest cakes, tulips, mint jeans, bed, Nivea pinky lip balm, chill time. Bliss.

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Damien Hirst - Tate Modern

Never a fan of Tuesdays, a nice bit of modern art was an uplifting prospect to see me through the day. And whilst uplifting is not perhaps the adjective I would use to describe Damien Hirst's new exhibition, it was certainly quite a punchy way to overcome my doomsday blues.

And so, yesterday evening, my friend Moggy and I headed down to  Tate Modern  for the private view of this undeniably polarising artist.

After a quick glass of white in the dark upstairs of the turbine hall, we headed up to the exhibition itself (somewhat distracted by the beauty of Rosie Huntington-Whitely - dear god is that girl human?!). 

As the first substantial review of the artist's work from the last 20 years, the anticipation for this event has been well publicised; both negatively and positively. I felt pretty lucky to be one of the first to see it - though kicked myself for not watching Noel Fielding's 'The First Look' on the tellybox on Monday to get me some background.

But with a little briefing from dear Mogs: 'It's about death, all about death' - it soon became apparent that he wasn't far wrong. From the notorious formaldehyde preserved animals, to the rows of pharmeceuticals - there was a nod, and an aggressive one at that, to Hirst's obsession with mortality in nearly all of the works we saw.

The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living 1991

We queued to get into In and Out of Love, passing through a room of dead butterflies and into a sweat box full of hundreds of living ones, the walls covered in cocoons yet to hatch. It was surreal and sad - it felt like a lesson in the fragility of life, almost a warning to catch it before it's gone. 

In and Out of Love 1991

We wandered on, feeling increasingly trippy: the endless dot, butterfly and pill motifs suddenly getting jazzier in frames of gold and mirrors. Giant ashtrays filled with fag butts and rotating garish canvasses only adding to the weird atmosphere.

The Void 2000

An hour or two later and we stepped back out into the pouring rain, brows furrowed and heads full of what we'd seen - thoughts of Tuesday's terribleness fully erased.


Open until 9th September, the exhibition is definitely worth a visit. Astounding artist or complete con, you decide, though I'm yet to make my mind up about this Hirst man.

The Incomplete Truth 2006

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Tube prophecy

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Jumble time

Ever the avid bargain hunter, for me car boots, charity shops and jumble sales really are places where dreams can come true. So, when I heard about a new jumble sale only up the road, it went straight in the diary.


The Wills-Moody jumble sale happens on the first Sunday of every month in the slightly surprising location of The Lexington. With high hopes but low expectations(my friend Chaz has a theory that the best of vintage has already been nabbed), I headed on down with a pocket full of coins and my deal goggles on.

On such a glorious day it felt criminal to be going into the dark dinginess of The Lexington (don't get me wrong, I love The Lexington). But the bargain hunter in me sung out and as we went inside I felt the familiar quickening of my heartbeat at the prospect of finds to be had.

The offerings, initially, looked a little lackluster and I was surprised by how few stalls there were. But don't be deceived! Within 5 minutes my co-hunter, Ames, and I were staggering to the loos with arms full of clothes to try on: an Americana crop top, a nicely mumsy Bennetton jump suit and white culottes with shining gold buttons amongst our haul.

Once we'd whittled it down to just the-things-we-couldn't-live-without, we steeled ourselves for some haggling. I actually rather enjoy a spot of haggling, but today there was honestly no need - I felt almost guilty at how little I paid for my loot. Par exemple, dream fit Levi's slashed hot pants, an obvious choice but top wardrobe addition nonetheless: £4. Done deal.

There was also some great jewelry and jumble classics: like expired film and vintage postcards, all very reasonably priced and with the friendliest of stall holders to boot.


Once we'd done the rounds (twice) and assured ourselves that all gems to be had were had, we headed out, our heart rates returning to normal and our faces alight with a post purchase glow.


Parched by our exertions, we headed down the road to Camino for a restorative glass of wine and some tapas in the sun.

Fave find - £6

The next Wills-Moody sale will be on 6th May, but see their FB page for more info.

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