Shoes - Pleasure and Pain Exhibition at the V&A

This exhibit is being held at the Fashion Rotonda at the V&A which is strengthening its role in fashion exhibitions to rival the MET.
Even though it is aimed at the fashion crowd I think it would also be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in history and sociology.


There are very few items that apply to both men and women and has expressed so much about one's status or desired place in society as the seemingly simple shoe.

I was invited to the preview and nearly didn't go because 
I have so many errands to do before I go away 
but thought I would just drop in a few minutes and 
ended up staying 40 minutes making me late the rest of the day...

As this is a quick last minute edited post for your viewing
 please excuse the cursory pictures taken on my iphone but just wanted to share the pictures for those who may not be able to attend the exhibit held from June 13 until January 31, 2016.
 Please click here for better photos and more insight.

The most famous fable with a shoe as the a character almost its own was Cinderella.

It turns out that the most commonly known version of a lost shoe fitting its rightful owner dates back to 1st century Egypt.

This shoe is one of the oldest shoes molded in the modern known style and dates back to the Egyptian glory days.


They also had the famous glass slipper that was used in the most recent Cinderella movie, the original black Manolos that Carrie Bradshaw wore in Sex and the City, and the very same red ballerina shoes that were in the 1948 film "The Red Shoes".

Del Boy's Flat Reflects Our Taste Changes in Decor

I was watching a rerun of the iocnic British TV show called
 Only Fools and Horses.

It's one of those shows that is so entrenched in the British mentality that there are references in conversation that allude back to this show even to this day.

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So much so that the first few years I lived here I did wonder who this Del Boy character was that everyone seemed to know...

I still don't find it that funny but I watch it just to familiarize myself with pop cultural references and see what my husband laughs at.

I was watching an episode the other day and found myself ignoring the dialogue and concentrating for once on the wallpaper.

The flat is meant to be in a high rise public housing building but looking at the wallpaper and decor it could be a modern day flat in a gentrified part of London.
To be fair I am not sure how the viewing audience would have viewed the wallpaper in that time...

Okay the carpet is definitely not current and would be ripped out on the day after purchasing the flat but the rest of it would not be so alien to decor aficionados.

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The animal print throw on the sofa, 
the strong colors and graphic walls and fabrics, and the brass accented dining chairs that I would buy off Del Boy but perhaps reupholster are surprisingly bang on trend. 
( which means past its sell by for some!)

Forget that Peckham is now referred to as Peck Jambon
but isn't that something Del Boy should have referred to Peckham as back in the day with his penchant for Frenchifying everything!

Love Peckjambon it should say.

The closest I could find to recreate that bamboo wallpaper was the following.  
In terms of shape of the leaves
 this Florence Broadhurst was rather similar.

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In terms of color and copying almost exactly is the black and white version from Farrow and Ball.

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This Timorous beasties rendition is nice althought the planting is a bit clumped or am I getting to Chelsea flower show judgey?

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An old print from Cole and Son is another option.

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But isn't it funny how standards of taste and trend can vary?

Who would have thought that the wallpaper in Del Boy's flat in public housing is now a motif that is sought after and stocked in such stores like Farrow and Ball and Cole and Son.

A good reminder in the fluidity of trends!
I might start watching Eastenders to see any future design trends...

Just a quick note to say I am going away for a couple of weeks in a few days so will be quiet on the blogging front and may or may not be on Instagram wifi depending! 
Stay safe and see you in July xx

Potatoes at Chelsea flower show, Peonies, and the Duchesse of Roxburghe at Sotheby's

I have been all things floral the month of May.
I celebrated with peonies.

The first batch of the season's flowers always seem to be the best crop.
These lasted 8 days and every stage was glorious.

My second batch were lovely but didn't last as long.

But unlike other flowers, peonies go through such a transformation of bloom and fade out their color.

After two days they were blush and then another two they turned white.

Chelsea flower show was fun although I wonder who would maintain this garden with mirrored inserts in its water feature.