Posting Secrets

Have you stumbled across the Post Secret blog yet? What a stunning experiment. You can also watch a video online. Does it make you wonder what your secret would be, too?

No Nigella

I'm definitely no Nigella Lawson, and there is absolutely no attempt styling in this picture at all (note the dishing spoon) - but the cannelloni was very yummy. Thanks for all the ricotta suggestions! In the end, I had fresh spinach, basil, and leftover tomato paste, so I decided to do a quick imitation of Mum's recipe. Basically, the filling is a chopped clove of garlic, fresh basil leaves, baby spinach, ricotta, parmesan, an egg, pine nuts. I precooked the pasta because I do not like undercooked pasta even if the pack says you don't need to precook. Topped with a can of chopped tomatoes and tomato puree, and a basic white sauce on top of that. Like Gordon says, DONE. Olga helped me with some, and the rest has been put into freezer containers for some days when I don't feel like cooking.

I am really looking forward to going to the Design Museum's late night on Friday, and seeing the Tim Walker exhibition on his home turf!

The Porcupine

I have decided I am officially collecting cute British 'Animal' Pubs. Oh. I discovered the 'Moobs' edition of the 'Muffin Tops' ad. Anyone game for a picture of Man-Boobs? At work I learnt a few more terms for body embarassments... 'back fat' and 'bingo wings'. Somewhat disturbing but funny. Not as endearing as 'love handles' unfortunately!

A Bowerbird in Islington

Having a regular working week means that I really appreciate my weekends and lately I have been cramming my Saturdays with lots of wandering. I stopped off at Angel Station, and ended up having a very visually inspiring day.

Being greeted by Marie Antoinette on the Tube set the mood. Here we are at Camden Passage Market, which is held on Wednesdays, Thurdays and Saturdays. I came across this market once before while I was searching for the flagship Cass Art Shop.

The Blue Fairy from Pinnochio? This is the shop of Count Alexander von Beregshasy, who crafts jewels in Swarovski crystal. Sadly, the sign on the door says he'll only be here until September 30th and then he is going to retire to his 'happily ever after' in the mountains of Bavaria. I peeked in (the tiny shop was full) and there were two people in decadent costume... presumably, the Count and Countess.

My visual diary of my day in Islington... a giant teddy bear, wallpaper shirts, trompe l'oeil lampposts, marching band hats and angels.

A beautiful bird and curiousities, a 'V for Vendetta' inspired piece of guerilla art.



Aren't the glass trolley and witchy picture a strange but fun composition?


It was fun looking at this stall in particular - wunderkammer, scientific equipment and even things like an old display of false teeth (slightly macabre!) and dog whistles. At the end of the day, I ended up in a bookstore and discovered some books by Keri Smith whose work is based around 'explorations of the familiar'. I love her thoughts and ideas, and she has a brilliant book called the Guerilla Art Kit . Here are some of her ideas for fuelling your creativity...

ideas 1. Go for a walk. Draw or list things you find on the the sidewalk. 2. Write a letter to yourself in the future. 3. Buy something inexpensive as a symbol for your need to create, (new pen, a tea cup, journal). Use it everyday. 4. Draw your dinner. 5. Find a piece of poetry you respond to. Rewrite it and glue it into your journal. 6. Glue an envelope into your journal. For one week collect items you find on the street. 7. Expose yourself to a new artist, (go to a gallery, or in a book.) Write about what moves you about their work. 8. Find a photo of a person you do not know. Write a brief bio about them. 9. Spend a day drawing only red things. 10. Draw your bike. 11. Make a list of everything you buy in the next week. 12. Make a map of everywhere you went in one day. 13. Draw a map of the creases on your hand, (knuckles, palm) 14. Trace your footsteps with chalk. 15. Record an overheard conversation. 16. Trace the path of the moon in relation to where you live. 17. Go to a paint store. Collect 'chips' of all your favorite colors.

A Hare, and Help please!

I like the British pubs named for animals, like the Bear in Crickhowell, and the Hare in Hackney. I bought some ricotta cheese by mistake instead of haloumi, to go in my salad this week from the Turkish greengrocers. Does anyone know what to do with ricotta that's simple and yummy, apart from cheesecake please?

To Market, to Market

I love a good market day! The weather wasn't very pleasant but it held up for most of the time I was outdoors and I managed to pack in two markets on the Central Line on my Saturday.

First up, Portobello Road. The 'dragon' jewellery lady was there. I've given her the nickname because her stall consists of a huge pile of vintage brooches that you have to pick through (be pricked through?) - all the while being abused by said lady. I have a feeling she really doesn't enjoy her job because she swears audibly under her breath, worse than Gordon Ramsay, and I heard her tell a Spanish-speaking girl that she should go and commit suicide because she's so thick (she asked the lady if the £5 brooch she was holding was real diamond...). I'm not kidding. She's like one of those fairytale dragons breathing fire at anyone coming close to her treasure.


I went to some friendlier stalls and found two vintage brooches and also some 'pips' (vintage army decorative buttons) from the military supplies stall for making into jewellery. It was much more fun chatting to the charming blokes there, and the sweet couple with the vintage jewellery.

I followed some instructions and found the small but cute Broadway Market in Hackney. I didn't buy anything here, but I had a lot of fun looking around and admiring all the food stalls. All the fresh produce looked very appealing. Maybe that dark loaf hiding in the corner would be the equal of Dunedin Il Panifico's famous rye bread? I might have to find out next time.

Finally, to top off my day, a quick trip to Leicester Square and Chinatown to hunt for mooncakes.

One day I must get together with a group of friends for Dim Sum...

My groceries: nissin noodles, fresh wonton noodles, yellow curry paste, nata de coco jelly, sesame mochi, one double yolk white lotus seed mooncake, a jar of Malaysian kaya. I'd better sign off here and get some sleep for Monday ahead. I have to earn my keep for next market day! Have a great week everyone.

Muffin Top

None of my friends were free to play today, so I decided to sneak a whirlwind tour of two markets and Chinatown. I'll have the pictures for you soon but meantime enjoy this ad from my home tube station, Manor House... I just hope they don't do a 'camel-toe' edition!

No, they are definitely not that tasty!

This sign means I'm close to home (my London one at least).