In Between Days

I love the relaxed days in-between Christmas and New Year's Eve, when the world is in slow-motion, particularly in London, where the contrast between this time and everyday life is so marked. 

And so I share with you some glimpses of these past few days.

Dulwich and Forest Hill on the twenty-seventh:

Somerset House terrace on the twenty-eighth:

Perambulations around Clerkenwell on the twenty-ninth: 

And now the build-up to the end of 2013/beginning of 2014 begins...

Wishing you all a very happy New Year.

London in July

It's July!  Eep!  But the sun is high and there's quite a few things I'm looking forward to this month, so I thought I'd do a little "Things to do in London this month" post.  And I'll try to make it at least a bit interesting for anyone not based in London or nearby.

1. Cult of Beauty Exhibition at the V&A Museum, until 17th July

V&A foyer (courtesy of Nick Garrod)

So, I've actually already been to this but thought I'd alert those who haven't gone along yet.  The exhibition covers the Aesthetic Movement, an artistic style and lifestyle from the last decades of the Victorian era which embraced beauty for beauty's sake, at a time when society was swamped with industrialisation and capitalism.  

The exhibition gives an excellent overview of how this movement covered art, design, architecture, fashion, literature... so one could really live and breathe this philosophy if one so desired!

Naturally, I rather enjoyed looking at the architectural drawings, because I'm like that:

Design for The White House by Godwin

 ... and I really enjoyed some of the furniture:

Japanese table by Godwin

... and the clothes, and anything Oscar Wilde-related, and observing the other people in attendance...

My boss went to see it shortly after me as well, and we had an interesting debate over Frederic Leighton.  He's one of the Pre-Raphaelite artists I've had less exposure to, and I really enjoyed discovering some of his paintings there.  My boss, on the other hand, can't stand him!  He said that he thought they lacked depth but I pointed out that perhaps that was their intention - they are supposed to be purely aesthetic.  Personally, as someone very sensitive to colours, that's what really struck me about them - they were so rich and lush.  My boss understood it when I put it that way, but was personally unmoved.  

Does anyone else know and have an opinion of Leighton?

The Countess Brownlow by Leighton

We were both in agreement that most of the Pre-Raphaelite muses don't really do it for us though!  They're rather too masculine for my liking - or, are painted to look so anyway.  I prefer women to be a bit more delicate - these ones are so lusty and heavy with their lips and jaws and thighs!  However, I do like some of them when they're portrayed a bit more delicately, with their fiery element coming out in their hair, contrasted with pale skin:

Veronica Veronese by Rossetti

2. The Chap Olympiad, 16th July

Hosted by The Chap, the magazine for the modern gentlemen, this one day event takes place within the gated gardens of the oh-so-posh, oh-so-Georgian Bedford Square in Bloomsbury. 

Bedford Square, c.1913

The event has been running for several years but this will be my first time attending.  I'm very much looking forward to watching the "steeple-chasing" (racing by chaps in horse masks, jockeyed by female partners over an obstacle course) and umbrella jousting on bicycles, perhaps trying my hand at the cucumber sandwich discus and, of course, dressing up appropriately in chapette style.  

Let's just hope for fine weather!

3. Vintage Festival at Southbank, 29th-31st July

A celebration of British music, fashion, film, art, design, etc of all decades from the 1920s up to the 1980s.  Appropriately taking place at Southbank, with this year marking the 60th anniversary of the Festival of Britain.

Royal Festival Hall in 1951 (courtesy of Hyphen Press)

There will be bands, dance lessons, vintage make-overs (for those who, heaven forbid, show up without their hair already perfectly coiffed), fashion shows, vintage stalls selling clothes and antiques...  There's even themed boat rides happening.  Much excitement!  Although I've not yet purchased my ticket as I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the activities and music so can't decide which will be the best day to attend.  Better get my act together soon because, if the quick passage of the year so far is anything to go by, the end of July will be upon us before I know it!

Open Garden Squares Weekend

Anyone in London who, like me, has a certain fondness for taking photos of pretty flowers, may like to note that this weekend (11-12 June) is the annual Open Garden Squares Weekend.  Or alternatively, you may be just as keen if, like me, you've ever felt bitter that you've not been allowed into one of those exclusive, gated squares when it's been a hot day and you've been looking to sit down in the shade...  Or perhaps you're just generally interested in this quintessentially London phenomenon.

Whatever your motivation, the programme of openings is available here.  Sadly, it's not free but if you feel like swanning around in a floral summer dress and hat, pretending that you live in one of those fabulous Georgian townhouses with not just one but all the squares in London your playground, then this weekend is your chance.

Random Reasons to Love London #1

This afternoon as I was finishing up at work it started to drizzle with rain. By the time I left the building it was raining heavily. As it had been pleasant in the morning, I was unequipped to deal with the downpour so I just had to put my head down and hope for the best...

At one point on my dash through the rain, I came to cross a main road, clip-board held aloft above my head to offer some kind of shelter (not very classy, I know, but it could have been worse). A man in a van stopped to let me cross in front of him and then called out to me when I reached the other side. I turned around to see him waving an umbrella out the window, asking if I needed it! I thanked him and assured him I'd be fine.

But bless him, how lovely!

Synthesis

So, I guess I ought to explain just what this "love letter" is all about?

Basically, it's bringing together my greatest loves, the things which inspire and drive me more than anything - vintage style and historic architecture, and it's all being broadcast out from London, which seems to excel at both of the above. Occasionally there will be tangents or very tenuous links to the overall theme but history - in fashion and architecture - is very much the main idea. There might be museums, events, music, etc, but it will all come back to the blog's (and my) raison d'etre. And occasionally letters will be sent from other towns or the country or abroad, when I get the chance to take a holiday or day trip.

So, whether you love history or clothes or vintage or buildings, and whether you live in London or love visiting or dream of doing so, do drop by from time to time and follow along. There'll be pictures and thoughts and stories and fun facts and recommended events. It's gonna be good!

Love,

Lisa Marie x