In 1993, designer Cath Kidston opened a tiny shop in London’s Holland Park. She began by selling the vintage fabrics, wallpapers and brightly-painted junk furniture she remembered from her childhood; clever, re-workings of traditional English country house style. -paraphrased from cathkidston.co.uk The kids section is only one segment of what Kidston does (under a Cath's Kids label). Oma sent this combo over for the boys. Love oilcloth generally. The cup is a big hit. Not expensive.
Bit of an eye opener here from my bruv. Met him at the airport thursday and clocked his head to toe; canvas blazer -check, hand dyed denim woven by moonlight -check, non-wrinkle shirt -yawn. Jaw dropping pinpoint brougues...Crockett & Jones. Not quite sure how to define this Edgware model of shoe from C&J (no doubt the askandy crowd could nail it from 50 yards) but they look damn good. Good enought to get you upgraded on a transatlantic flight even if you are wearing jeans apparently... basterd. Won't divulge the cost but the shoes trees cost more than my E&R's. I guess if you roll with the City banker crowd and want to shut their traps this is one way to do it. Well played brother.
This is the rerelease cover from 2002. The original 1985 cover is here.
Dexy's Midnight Runners. Kevin Rowland. Barking mad? Undervalued. This album Don't Stand Me Down is a gem from the 1980's. Still recognizable as DMR of course, but more personal and a conceptaulised whole. OK stopping now. Found a fantastic article at RockPopFashion breaking down Rowland's transition to the Ivy League look in those later years. (The look was not just a goof for the album).
"I kept on looking at the clothes people were wearing as we toured the States that year. In Texas outside a restaurant I saw these two guys. They had parallel pleated trousers on, with plain cap shoes and button-down shirts, short Ivy League haircuts and were standing with their hands in their pockets, which gave their look a shape that made them exactly resemble a couple of well-dressed hard-nuts from Harrow in 1969."
"I loved the fact that this ultra-conservative look was still going strong in America, and was worn only by squares or people who had to wear it for their work. At that time there didn’t seem to be any British equivalent, until Jeremy Hackett later re-defined the British look. At first I bought a pair of Florsheim Imperials (plain caps or GIs) for old time’s sake, but I kept looking at them in wonderment, at their beauty. I would sit in my hotel room at night looking at them. I was dreaming about them. I felt so inspired again. I began to fantasise about wearing lots of Ivy League stuff and looking really clean and crisp."
"I knew this look could be great and massively popular. It seemed so opposite of what was happening and yet so 100% right. I was going on stage in America wearing dungarees and an old overcoat, but during the day I was going to the record company and asking for cash so that I could raid Brooks Brothers."
"Then, in spring 83, when I went to my Dad’s 65th birthday party, I wore some of the gear and my sister-in-law said: ‘You look like an extra from The Graduate‘. I was delighted." -via RockPopfashion
The accent and vocal mannerisms are a bit of an acquired taste but give this a shot... Listen.
"With its elongated songs (including the 12-minute epic "This Is What She's Like"), unusual arrangements, strong political content and dead-pan comedy conversations between Rowland and Adams, "Don't Stand Me Down" either delighted or baffled those who heard it in 1985, but the decision not to release a single ensured that it was overlooked by most at the time." -dexys.org
I love soup broth and noodles of any kind really. Pho, ramen or chicken noodle. Le's in Harvard Square (formerly Pho Pasteur, named changed for legal reasons no doubt...) does a great pho but more impressively packs the to-go order separately to be assembled at home. #win.
Seafood Noodle Soup/MI HAI SAN hoac HU TIEU TOM CUA. Shrimp, crab stix (TM...), squid, fish cake, sprigs of basil with a choice of yellow or white noodle. Damn looks good. Could have it agian today...
Been digging into this British label Howies recently. This is about as sporty/crunchy as I get clothes-wise. Really appreciate their enthusiasm and wide reach of interests; from skate/ride/surf to the love of a good cup of tea to beach cleanup to kids clothes... I like their simple stuff best myself, some jeans, good tshirts, anything with tweed or Liberty prints... They believe in the rocking chair test (think for a sec and you'll get it). They have transparancy about factories and sourcing (I wondered why they used Chinese factories for the jeans too). And last year they funded something called the Do Lectures (speakers on a variety of topics, some well known voices, some just local gearheads, e.g. Andrew Whitley: Why Bread Needs Time?, Andy Cummins: Surfers Against Sewage Story, Michael Braungart: Why Less Bad Isn’t Better? and lots more). Looks like they are having fun...
Quick recap of the Boston Handmade Marketplace in Union Square, Somerville from last Saturday. 50¢ cupcakes, bluegrassy/poppy tunes and some cool vendors. A good size, not atall huge. Solid B grade I think, admittedly I don't get out much... Dropped the ball on pictures but since all these types have Etsy stores can show the greatest hits as below.
Did notice that at the fair all prices were lower than they advertised on Etsy, makes sense. Makes it worth going to the markets too rather than ordering only online.
Ended up at Redbones. Surprise... Thx Kristin and David.
One of grandpa's great lines was about a meal he had at the Union Oyster House in Boston. It was his first time visiting Pops in the US, (197?) so his first introduction to clam chowder.
"Excellent. Not a single clam."
I don't believe for a second there were no clams... Gramps had never had clam chowder before so probably ate the clams along with the potato, none the wiser. Just a great example of the "carry on" attitude of an older Englishman.
Sidenote: every March, Redbones in Somerville hosts a pop-up raw bar on Fridays. Jimmy (above) is on duty for that. Mark the calendar. Anyway, is UOH good times or just a tourist trap... will tell you after lunch. Haven't been in years...
[Update; total success. bowl of chowder and 1/2 doz. littlenecks. No mignionette (generally my fave) but not needed. Squeeze of lemon does it. The wooden bar of the raw bar is half caved in so it leans towards you, you think the soup will all slide into your lap but ingeniously they stick a wedge of coasters on the low side to even out the bowl. Warm cornbread a plus. In and out in 15 minutes. It is wicked crowded around Quincy Market but beat the rush before 1:30. Bosh.]
Moo cards and stickers. Old, old Red Man bandana. Muji cardholder has been around; inexpensive recommend. Have you seen the "what's in my bag" tag in flickr. Potential day wrecker.
Boilerplate: Union Square, Somerville, MA. 3-7pm. July 11th. This outdoor market will feature work by local artists and craftspeople associated with Boston Handmade and Etsy. Curated by Jessica Burko and Boston Handmade, the fair promotes local, independent businesses producing handmade works in small studio environments, not factories.
Well known fact; I don't get out muchenough... right Matt?? Union is less than 2 miles away and I've been over for coffee (yes Bloc11 is good) a grand total of 3 times in the last year and for drinks once (the small bar in The Indepenedent, killer cocktails). Haven't been to The Neighborhood in years or even India Palace recently... But on Saturday we'll be checking out this market in Union Square. With bells on. Dressed to play. Shoulder to grindstone. Then head back Redbones after?? Home turf...
Crafter cousin Kristin Crane will be there. Get journalled up.
handle: james @ 10engines dot com 20: if place names not mentioned assume Boston skinny: food/family/rural/library/transatlantic/vintage yard sale: 10engines.tumblr
Bit of an eye opener here from my bruv. Met him at the airport thursday and clocked his head to toe; canvas blazer -check, hand dyed denim woven by moonlight -check, non-wrinkle shirt -yawn. Jaw dropping pinpoint brougues...Crockett & Jones. Not quite sure how to define this Edgware model of shoe from C&J (no doubt the askandy crowd could nail it from 50 yards) but they look damn good. Good enought to get you upgraded on a transatlantic flight even if you are wearing jeans apparently... basterd. Won't divulge the cost but the shoes trees cost more than my E&R's. I guess if you roll with the City banker crowd and want to shut their traps this is one way to do it. Well played brother.
This is the rerelease cover from 2002. The original 1985 cover is here.
Boilerplate: Union Square, Somerville, MA. 3-7pm. July 11th. This outdoor market will feature work by local artists and craftspeople associated with Boston Handmade and Etsy. Curated by Jessica Burko and Boston Handmade, the fair promotes local, independent businesses producing handmade works in small studio environments, not factories. 
Well known fact; I don't get out 
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