Le Nouvel An Chinois

Mussels in Black Bean Sauce

Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce


Both served with steamed rice. Everything else, from the duck (which symbolises fidelity) to the Char siu, is ordered from a restaurant.



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Now playing: Queen Latifah - Come Into My House
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Larger than life

The maquette for the eventual bronze statue to honour the legend that was Nina Simone. It only seems fitting that it be, like the lady herself, larger than life. The Eunice Waymon-Nina Simone Memorial Project has commissioned the Philadelphia based sculptor Zenos Frudakis to execute the work.


Participation in The Eunice Waymon—Nina Simone Memorial Project supports the recognition of an international musical legend and an icon of human potential realized.


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Now playing: Nina Simone - Little Girl Blue
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More ways to waste time

Herb and Dorothy
He was a postal clerk. She was a librarian.
With their modest means, the couple managed to build one of the most important contemporary art collections in history.

Meet Herbert and Dorothy Vogel, whose shared passion and commitment defied stereotypes and redefined what it means to be an art collector.


New York City premier 5th June, 2009 at Cinema Village



Thanks to The Errant Aesthete

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Now playing: Phil Collins - Two Hearts
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Ding-dong the bells did chime

Pre lippy and on the way to Westminster Register Office,
La Talia did indeed get hitched.

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Now playing on iTunes: Third World - Now That We Found Love (12" Version)
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Long before Treacy there was Jones

Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones
24 February – 31 May 2009
V&A South Kensington


Portrait of Stephen Jones by Peter Ashworth, 2008.



Wash and Go by Stephen Jones
Image courtesy of Justinephotography



Straw boater by Madame Suzy c.1937




The companion publication to the exhibition, Hats: An Anthology
By Stephen Jones & Oriole Cullen, Foreword by John Galliano

Hats: An Anthology offers an unprecedented view of the world of millinery, drawing on the V&A’s extensive collection of hats, Stephen Jones’s own archive and iconic headgear from around the globe. Beautifully illustrated chapters examine the inspiration behind the creation of hats, the history of their construction, the lure of the hat shop and finally the etiquette and occasion of hat wearing for the client.




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Now playing on iTunes: Freak Power - Turn On, Tune In, Cop Out (Radio Mix)
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Thé dansant

Neither slick nor fancy, but a charming institution none the less.
Maison Bertaux
28 Greek Street
Soho, London



A good and heavy Art Deco period four piece hallmarked silver and ivory mounted tea service comprising teapot, coffee pot, two handled sugar and milk jug, maker's mark for Mappin & Webb Ltd, each piece decorated with an engine turned style upper band and three pieces bearing engraved monogram, each on octagonal foot, all pieces assayed Sheffield 1937, the coffee pot 19cm high.


A good unusual and heavy George IV - William IV melon shaped bachelor's four piece tea service, comprising teapot, coffee pot, two handled sugar bowl and milk jug, the sugar bowl and milk jug having gilded interiors, the tea and coffee pots having unusual knop finials modelled as an open winged butterfly on a flowerhead, the coffee pot 10.2cm high, assayed London 1830.



A Royal Crown Derby Imari tea service, including an oval teapot and cover, 11cm h, printed mark and date code for 1918.



A George III oval mahogany and marquetry tea caddy, circa 1790, 11cm high, 15cm wide, 9cm deep.



A George III mahogany semi-elliptical tea table, circa 1780.

Thé dansant

Neither slick nor fancy, but a charming institution none the less.
Maison Bertaux
28 Greek Street
Soho, London



A good and heavy Art Deco period four piece hallmarked silver and ivory mounted tea service comprising teapot, coffee pot, two handled sugar and milk jug, maker's mark for Mappin & Webb Ltd, each piece decorated with an engine turned style upper band and three pieces bearing engraved monogram, each on octagonal foot, all pieces assayed Sheffield 1937, the coffee pot 19cm high.


A good unusual and heavy George IV - William IV melon shaped bachelor's four piece tea service, comprising teapot, coffee pot, two handled sugar bowl and milk jug, the sugar bowl and milk jug having gilded interiors, the tea and coffee pots having unusual knop finials modelled as an open winged butterfly on a flowerhead, the coffee pot 10.2cm high, assayed London 1830.



A Royal Crown Derby Imari tea service, including an oval teapot and cover, 11cm h, printed mark and date code for 1918.



A George III oval mahogany and marquetry tea caddy, circa 1790, 11cm high, 15cm wide, 9cm deep.



A George III mahogany semi-elliptical tea table, circa 1780.

Hearts

Volver, from the Almodovar film of the same name, sung by Estrella Morente.

Disco dolly

An interesting reinterpretation of the Castiglioni Arco lamp by designer Samir Alj Falt.

From the Stockholm Furniture Fair report.

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Now playing on iTunes: Soft Cell - Sex Dwarf
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Ding-dong the bells are going to chime

La Talia is getting married. A simple affair.





Vintage printed Mexican cotton crepe skirt (which has been sent for restoration and alteration) with silver sequins and multicoloured glass beads.


Naturally one would have thought she would want to wear her black patent version of these. Evidently, she thinks them too high.


Old fashioned rose bouquet in hot Kahlo-esque colours.

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Now playing on iTunes: Boogie Pimps - Somebody To Love (Radio Edit)
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More Grace

My Jamaican Guy


William's Blood




I am guessing La vie en rose


Devil in My Life


Beginning of the encore - the bowler becomes a disco ball.


Slave to the Rhythm


All images courtesy of Christian Newton

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Now playing on iTunes: Grace Jones - Well Well Well
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A force of nature

Grace Jones, Telegraph

There is always the possibility that things won't live up to one's expectations. This was most certainly not the case with Miss Jones and her Hurricane Tour last night.

She opened the show from a raised platform that slowly lowered her to the stage as she sang Nightclubbing. Dressed in a sculpted black jacket, footless tights, and a skull cap with a spike of feathers, the lady looked as if she meant business.

With each song her basic costume of leotard, footless tights, and high (but not outrageous) heels was transformed with a singular addition. This is Life, which followed Nightclubbing, saw the addition of the disc-like mohawk pictured above. For My Jamaican Guy we were treated to a raffia coat with raffia fringe and a hat that resembled the spire of an Eastern temple.


By The Grace of Goude

For the first encore number Miss Jones appeared in this crystal encrusted bowler while lasers beamed down on to it as she sang. Which song? I'm not exactly certain. For nearly two hours, I was in a state of euphoria adrift on a wave of margaritas.


It was a fabulous party. Everyone wore black. And, nobody touched the savories.

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Now playing on iTunes: Grace Jones - William´s Blood
via FoxyTunes

In less than 24

I can't, and won't, think of anything else.

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Now playing on iTunes: Grace Jones - Devil In My Life
via FoxyTunes

Year of the Ox

The colour red represents happiness and light drives away evil spirits.

Flowers (not white):
Both kumquat and narcissus symbolise prosperity, peach blossom symbolises luck, and chrysanthemum symbolises longevity.


Nagami kumquat


Narcissus Chinese Sacred Lily


Prunus persica


Chrysanthemum


Kung Hei Fat Choi


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Now playing: Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II - Flower Drum Song
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In an alternate universe...

RuBama by Mathu Andersen


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