Diamond Jubilee Pageant

A bit of a squeeze but we managed to see the (majority of) over 1,000 boats float down the Thames on Sunday, and Lily waved her flag at the Queen!

Swooning over Louboutin

Any thoughts I had about this being "just a collection of shoes" was dispelled as soon as we walked in and I was completely blown away by one of the most glamorous, inspiring, atmospheric and theatrical exhibitions I have ever been to. Merry-go-rounds, light bulbs, shells, music, shadows, showgirl holograms, glass bell jars, hand-drawn fonts, and mirrored surfaces that accentuate the huge heels and flash of red.

I love this quote: "The principle of craftsmanship is that it is a living process, a constant evolution".

Such a shame that no photography is allowed - images from the exhibition have been sourced from various websites. Christian Louboutin is showing at the Design Museum, London until 9th July.

Light show switchover

Wow - we just watched the Crystal Palace transmitter tower light up to mark the switchover from analogue to digital TV. A beautiful, serene and ghostly (lots of cloud!) image of colours and laser beams flickering and dancing in the sky. Plus we had the best view from our roof terrace!

Faberge Big Egg Hunt

Some of my favourite designs from the Faberge Big Egg Hunt - over 200 eggs created by artists, designers, architects and jewellers that have been hidden across London and will be auctioned for charity. I'm hoping to visit some of the 12 Egg Zones over the next few weeks and hunt them out for myself.

(left to right, top to bottom) Danny Sangra, Luke Irwin, Clare Bassett, Rebecca Sutherland, Physical Pixels, Jane Morgan, Rob Ryan, Susan Entwistle, Emma Clegg, Silken Favours, Joanne Holbrook, Josh Stika, Louise Dear, Julian Brown.

Sunny cityscape

Lovely sunny view of the city from the Horniman Museum gardens today.

Bronze rocking horse

I'll definitely have to try and make a trip into central London to see this bronze sculpture that was unveiled on the Fourth Plinth at Trafalgar Square this morning. Designed by Scandinavian duo Elmgreen & Dragset, the sculpture portrays a young boy on his rocking horse and celebrates future and the heroism of growing up.

Full of hot air

Not quite what I expected to find on the South Bank today....Nick, Gordon and David blowing around in the wind!

Tote bags on location

Some photos from a recent shoot I did to showcase my friends line of handmade tote bags, made from vintage and sourced fabrics, contrast lining, leather straps and quirky fashion illustrations inspired by London. 

Bags by Lucy Leaver. 

Photographed at the South Bank on a windy Sunday in October. 

Displacement

I stumbled across a fantastic installation on Great Eastern Street by Maaike Anne Stevens for Levi's Live Unbuttoned project that "encourages people to separate observation from preconception". 

Reflections...refractions...distortion...displacement...optical...shards...layers...photographic...mirrored...

Origami tarpaulin

A great exhibition that's currently on at the Saatchi Gallery - fantastic graphic paintings, origami tarpaulin and crazy charity shop mayhem! 

Playing the Building

I went along to the Roundhouse in Camden yesterday to see Playing the Building - an interactive installation by David Byrne where the building becomes a huge musical instrument. An old pump organ is rigged up to the pipes and beams using low-tech cables and wires that vibrate against the surfaces or blow air through the structures when the keys are pressed. 

A-maz-ing!!

Weekend sunshine

Lunch at Borough market - a rainbow of organic salad, the Tate Modern to see the Futurism and Per Kirkeby exhibitions, back to Borough market to indulge in something a bit sweeter (fresh fruit cheesecake and chocolate fudge cake) and then on to the Serpentine to see Jeff Koons (still not convinced that his aluminium cast sculptures aren't really inflatable plastic toys!!) and the beautiful new reflective pavillion described as a "floating aluminium cloud".

Sing London

Sing London is one of the many reasons I love living in London. 30 painted pianos with the words 'Play me, I'm yours' have been installed across the city with the aim that people just wander over and start playing.

The other day I came across one for the first time, outside Liberty on Carnaby Street. The guy playing was amazing and even though it was raining, he managed to stop people in their tracks. He also picked up quite a lot of loose change (although I'm not entirely sure this is the point of it all!)