London Fashion Weekend at Somerset House

It wasn't originally on my list of "Things I Must Do While Living In Britain" but it was somewhere I recently wanted to check out.

Somerset House

A lovely HUGE old building that houses all sorts of events.

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There are all these street style photo blogs that capture fashionable people on the street

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but it seems to be a high concentration of them are standing around this old looking white stone building. And I finally found out where this place was. And THEN I got invited to do a flower headpiece workshop (like the ones Tatiana did at the Peckham jumble) in the vintage section of London Fashion Weekend, a separate event from the rest of the fashion week happenings earlier in the...week. Im saying week a lot...anyway.

I attempted to make my little table interesting for the masses.

It was a crazy event. Loads of designers selling their wares at a discount and I was stationed in the vintage section, curated by the Vintage by Hemingway company, I was smack dab in the middle of the cupcakes and tea counters on one of these gorgeous vintage tables lended from an antique shop. It was a ticketed event and so most people were more interested in finding great designer deals rather than having a crafty sit down with me. But there were a few lovely souls who had a go at it.

Great creative experience to get me out of this funk I've been in. I have one month to go until my montessori exams and then something big is happening in June. Hopefully there will be more things blog worthy in my life in the meantime. Sorry for the huge gap in posts.

Love and un-funkness,

~Valiant V

Life Update Exploring My Hood

Im so sorry for not posting anything on here lately. I haven't been really busy lately but mostly I just didn't feel like anything I was doing was interesting enough to post on here. And I was just busy enough to not have time to make a tutorial for anything. So for now here are some photos of my recent escapades.

And by recent I mean it all happened this weekend. Why I only just started taking pictures on my phone this weekend I don't know.

There was a festival at the park near my house and they had setup a neat little stage. So cute but I missed the last show! Shucks. Hopefully I'll see these guys somewhere else in London.

Yesterday was the New Gallery jumble sale that I regularly attend every third saturday of the month. Here's the lovely lady in charge, Tatiana, taking photos of some headband making enthusiasts.

When she finished hers I immediately thought in my head "want, gimme now!". I just had to take photos of the purtyness.

I also did some exploring of my surrounding neighborhoods on Sunday. This weekend was my first experience of Queen's Park. A posh little section with an awesome farmers market.

I am definitely coming back again for some Sunday dinner supplies. They even had fresh squid I was looking for last month when I tried to make thai squid salad for the first time. Yay my recipe will now be complete!

Ventured around other areas like Kensal Rise and found some cool graffiti and a store with a beautiful mirror that I want in my bedroom. I love my new phone. It has internet and a gps system so that I can venture around but not really be too lost.
mmm, golden tree mirror. And a wonderfully cute little store.

I haven't been working on anything new lately but hopefully I will get back into the swing of crafty things soon.

Love and Catching Up,

~Valiant V

Jumble Sale Review

My first UK jumble sale at The Victoria!

A great american style divey rock a billy bar.

My own little table! I got so excited that I forgot to take photos of it before people came to peruse...then I was too embarrassed to take a long time with pictures in front of said peoples.

I brought along some lucky charms, can you see them? Mostly for luck, partly to fill empty spaces if the table was huge. But I was the first one there that day so I had my pick of spots and this cute little combo was just right for my stash.

And see my little matching price tags and cards next to my framed sign? I was stamping up a storm the day before. and writing my web address on anything that wasn't tied down.

The place was great. A pub that has a regluar monthly jumble sale. Free table, great family run business. Was a lovely first experience. I ended up selling only one bow and spending more money on pancakes with american bacon and cider for courage. But fun none the less.

Up next! A jumble sale at an art gallery in Peckham. New Gallery to be precise. I think this one might be more of a success. The coordinator is a promotional powder keg! Girl knows how to sell it.

Love and Jumbles!!

~Valiant V

Booze and Bumper Cars

I am still in the midst of training for work. It is sucking my will to liiiiivvveeee!!!.

Actually, its very informative and I've met some great people there.

But it is very time consuming. So in about two weeks I will be finished for now with the classes and its back to work and a regular, more leisurely schedule.

As a well needed distraction for one night, Jesse took me to hangout with friends at a place in Central London called Trocadero.

Oh my goodness it puts our Californian Dave & Busters to shame. It's FIVE stories of arcade games, bumper cards, lazer tag, bowling, mini golf, and booze and junk food and MORE!!!

It's kind of a hedonistic Pinocchio funland.

And I have discovered that the lone guy playing dance dance revolution is universal.

Love and Whack-o-Gator,

~Valiant V

National Geographic Presents: Ashley's London Discoveries

This Friday was the first official "nice Friday" of the year. Gorgeous evening weather.

So everyone was out in swarms in the downtown area (SOHO). I have never seen this before. Huge crowds of people surrounding outside areas of pubs. Huddled around smoking and drinking in the streets! There were police officers specifically patrolling to keep people from getting run over by taxis.

We met up with Jesse's coworkers for a drink at a pub called The White Horse. You can buy a bottle of wine and bring it outside and drink it. I know this sounds silly but it's just amazing for this Californian to see.

Love and Public Intoxication

~Valiant V