Girls got talent

My super talented friend Courtney Sanders has set up always sometimes anytime, an amazing new website that I plan to add to my morning ritual of internet scanning + cuppa tea. Beautifully designed, culturally relevant and showcasing the work of some seriously talented people, I am very excited. Also, you can visit Courtney's personal blog here. She knows her stuff!

City life

Helen Levitt was one of the first street photographers in America. Born in 1913, she dropped out of high school to wander around and take photos. Initially interested in children's chalk drawings her portfolio of photographs documented a wide and eclectic mix of society. Always fame shy she her expansive collection of works is finally gaining recognition. Passing away last year she has left behind an amazing historical treasure of eras past.

Yummo

I feel it would be accurate to say I ate my across Taiwan. There were amazing sights, people and shopping but food was the highlight being both spectacular and very very cheap. I was tempted at every street corner and everything sampled was bursting with flavour and freshness. The night markets were a definite highlight with a smorgasbord of culinary delights on offer. The one unfortunate down fall was the smell of sticky tofu. I have never smelt, tried or heard of this before but it is a favourite in Taiwan. The only way I can describe it would be to combine the smell of rancid eggs, off vegetables and perhaps a decomposing body. Watching my friend try it was most amusing, such an array of facial spasms and retching noises!

Perennial perfection

I went to the Taipei International Floral festival while in Taiwan. Floral heaven!

Prize winner

Taking me back to primary school pet days, a lovely spread in volume 46 of ku:nel magazine

Harajuku shopping map

Boom! Harajuku shopping guide street map, totally awesome. All thanks to the latest issue of Vogue Nippon. Nice.

Chilly days

Sorry I have been out of action for a while. The weather has just started to get a bit cold and drizzly which is making me want to hide under layers of duvets and not do much at all. I wish the weather didn't affect me so much. 

On the bright side the local onsen (nudey baths) have become a haven of warmth and I can finally wear my spectacular fur hat outside without feeling overly ridiculous. I know that winter and snow is just around the corner. 

I have never lived in such a cold climate before so I'm not sure how I am going to find it. Pluses include rugging up warm, winter festivals, making snow angels and skiing every weekend. Minuses include the all encompassing coldness that strikes to the core, the need to eat spicy hot delicious (fattening) ramen every day and the fear I am going to burn myself alive courtesy of my fancy new kerosene heater. 

I hope you had an amazing Halloween, I dressed as an evil swan. I feel the evilness of swans is definitely underrated. Speaking of swans Black Swan looks amazing. Can't wait!

All this hibernation has meant I have been devouring quite a few amazing Japanese interior design/fashion magazines that I will put scan on the blog TONIGHT.

I'm off to Taiwan tomorrow with some friends and am extremely excited about trawling the night markets, lounging on the beach and drinking bubble tea.  Alas no blogging for a week or so but then I promise an onslaught of Taiwanese photos. I am quite intrigued as to what it's going to be like because I know so little about the place.

I hope yours is a bearable Monday and you're not still suffering from the remnants of a halloween hangover. I know I am! :)

Paintings by Ben Reeves