What are you looking for?

 I am, without a doubt, the last person to call of you need help with wooing or untangling heart strings.In fact, I was once described by an old friend as someone who “shuns love and happiness.”

The trouble seems to be that, as unladylike as it seems, I have a brain that likes the unpredictable and impulsive adventures.

I am in awe of the sheer passion and belief dancing in the eyes of those seeking their one true love, but, I don’t yearn for it. In fact, it baffles me.

There is only one question that unites believers, dreamers and nomads, what are you looking for?

Me, I’m looking for adventures. I seek high and low for the extraordinary. I am inspired and amazed by the quirks or people, places and things. I’m looking for the story that is written on a stranger’s face, the enquiring minds of the innocent and the weight on the shoulders of the guilty.
So, I could be written off as a lost romantic cause. But, what if the searching that I love could be applied to romance?

It would take quite a person to take the above and jump on in anyway, wouldn’t it?
Well, for someone who is excellent at words, I was rendered mute just weeks ago. Without any warning, an envelope appeared in my post box. The envelope was nothing elaborate, the contents was inspired. The sender, then unknown, proposed an adventure.

As series of clues were to follow, cryptic and intriguing. Somehow, I was on an adventure. An adventure with romantic intentions.

If ever there were a thing, capable of making my rather nomadic heart skip a beat, this was it.

The hunt is, today, still on. Every so often a hand drawn clue arrives, and, off I go. The ultimate romantic adventure.

So, today, I am looking for an intriguing stranger who holds a pocket watch and is waiting… with the pieces of charcoal that have wooed me in to Carbon dating.

If you have a nomad who you would like to start taming, get some tips from these fine folks:

http://www.scavenger-hunt.org  

http://www.huntthegoose.co.uk

 

Many people, planting the seeds of the future

On 25 April 2015, something truly terrifying happened. Unlike a million and one other catastrophes that have rocked the world this year, this was entirely unprovoked and unforgiving. The earthquake, recorded at a staggering 8.1, not only shook a country, but, shook an entire world.
Nowadays, we are desensitised and taught how to react when faced with all manner of atrocities. Every day, we wake up to tales of woe and a world filled with turmoil and uncertainty. Every night, we drift off to sleep and let the world worry about itself whilst we rest.
It seems that, the only disaster completely unnatural and overwhelming for us, is, a natural one.
The British approach to disaster is to roll up our sleeves and rally. We are superb at rallying. The thing that we British folk struggle with is, stepping back and looking at the big picture.
It is an excruciatingly slow process, rebuilding and healing country. Unlike the western worlds that we live in, there is no protocol or immediate evacuation and rescue, no A plan, let alone a B. The terrain is distorted and the people are lost.
I was in Nepal on the 26 April. Like many other travel and crisis folk, I was braced for the chaos. We could not have imagined the journey that lay ahead of us and a traumatised population…..
Fast forward, if you will, to morning paper today. What is the headline? How much has the world changed? There have been elections, wars and absurd happenings, we’ve even celebrated the legendary terrorist, Guy Fawkes, and his foiled plot to blow up the British Government.
For an atrociously uncelebrated web of project leaders, NGOs and volunteers on the ground Nepal, it could still be May. Whist the world kept turning and fellow humans perpetrated inhumane vengeance on a daily basis, the real work was starting.
Aside from practicalities such as aid, construction and structure, the greatest and least appreciated threads of Nepal are being weaved. Women are, in the wake of tragedy, slowly building the foundations that will, once Western support rolls out, support their country. There are few things as humbling as watching a group of heartbroken women look around at the ruins or their former lives and, somehow, see hope.
One of the leading lights on the path to Nepal’s future are People Tree. Based in Kathmandu, People Tree’s producer partner KTS employs 2,273 artisans, in 150 knitting circles, who produce beautiful hand knitted garments for the sustainable fashion pioneers. 95% of the knitters are women who work at home whilst healing and looking after their families.
It isn’t remotely glamourous and is a far cry from fashionistas and rock’n’roll, but, somehow, with making any commotion, this little idea is the picture of unstated chic. If I could pick an iconic woman who transcends rock’n’roll and sheer grit, Jo Wood, would mostly likely win hands down. It would be an excellent PR stunt to drop your token celeb in for a photo op then whisk them away, but, rumour has it, Jo rolled up her sleeves in the knitting circle and left her swanky digs to stay with a local family.
 
With very little fanfare, the former model also met with the ethical fashion brands Nepali partner, Kumbeshwar Technical School (KTS), to see the relief work since the earthquake and how Fair Trade improves livelihoods. Jo has teamed up with People Tree for an exceptionally inspired collection, one can only assume that, along with the garments, a little bit of Nepal’s past and future are sewn in there somewhere.
The Jo Wood with People Tree collection will be available for sale in February 2016 and September 2016 at
 
http://www.peopletree.co.uk. The video of the trip can be found at http://www.peopletree.co.uk/videos/jo-wood-in-
nepal-2015. Images are available here: https://www.hightail.com/download/bXBZNHAwMVhubHhqQTlVag
 

Itsy Bitsy…

 Itsy Bitsy Vintage, London’s foremost avant guarde lingerie brand, today announce the launch of their captivating new collection, “Erotic Circus’, set to debut at two upcoming events in Septemb
Over the past 2 years Itsy Bitsy Vintage has gone from strength to strength. After three London Fashion Week catwalk appearances, evocative glamour, flirtatious fun and the glorious power of suggestion.

Design duo, Tracy and Oonagh, used the power of performance as their inspiration. Stunningly crafted to capture and endorse the humour and free spirit of a circus performer. This series of titillating ensembles are perfect for commanding a stage, playful seduction in the boudoir or flirtatious wiggling on a dance floor. 

There’s an element of ‘Je ne sais quoi’ as well as ‘Oooh la la’!’ Each collection imbues the strong ethical values and uncompromising contemporary design edge for which Itsy Bitsy Vintage have come to be recognised.

Everything is individually handmade in London using a range of carefully hand-selected pre-loved vintage fabrics, delicately embellished beading and trims. 

Each piece comes with its own Certificate of Provenance, proof that real luxury oozes through the authenticity and craftsmanship that make each design so special.
Dx

http://www.itsybitsyvintage.com 

 

To Paris, with love.

This week, I was asked to write a feature on Paris and its wonders. Alas, there do not seem many words that could speak for her in the wake of this week.

The wonderful and exquisite charms of anything fade, as they should, in the face of fear and chaos.

Whether I be a journalist, juggler or jockey, today, I am merely a fellow traveller.

I will not become speculative, neither will I perpetuate the rapid spread of vile images and hate that is brewing.

From a Londerner to you, Paris, I am sorry. Words won’t fix a city rocked by such cowardly actions and horror, but, from just one person, miles away, my love is with you all.

Mummy knows best.

I would love to say that my current life innovation had sprung to mind whilst subtly smirking at the parents and wayward children shedding garmets in London’s autumnal gusts, alas, it did not.
At this point in the year, every year, something changes. 

As a human, I am truly exceptional at loosing things. I know this, my loved ones know this, and, my house key that constantly hangs around my neck knows this, far too well. 

Despite the numbers of years under my belt, I still can’t guarantee that the belt will be somewhere sensible in the morning.

This year, I have gathered my irresponsible and forgetful thoughts. Having examined my life all has become clear. Mummy knows best.

Mummy knew that, although I was told to put things in my pockets, I did not. Mummy knew that, even though I was far too grown up to be reminded, I would forget where I had last been absolutely, completely and definitely sure that I had my gloves. 

Mummy, it turns out, was on to something.

Now, I’m not at all cool and I’m rapidly burning through my twenties, but, this ageing dog is throwing out new tricks and reinstating the old.

As I speak, I have a talented sewing wizardress whipping up name tapes. Yup, name tapes. I will unashamedly attach these old school miracles to everything, no garment will leave my home naked of my name. 

I do have designs on rejoining the fashion and tech savvy elite, however. This season, not only does my name tape give my name, it also bears my Twitter handle. 

For anything I lose, I will be eagerly watching @daisy_sells. Any #lost&found, #kindnessofstrangers tweeters can give me a howdydoo online and help reunite much missed items with their owners.
Next stop, strings for my mittens.