Sorry I haven't been back here for a while, as you can imagine London has been a whirlwind of sights, sounds, smells (some not so good) and emotions. While the first few days were a little rough and sometimes heavy in the tears department, I can now honestly say I LOVE LONDON. So much so I would consider even buying a mug with that phrase on it to match my teddy bear union jack mug. Contrary to popular belief dorm rooms are a prime place to host tea parties. In fact, I've been using tea parties as a guise for making friends, luring cool british people into my room with the enticing smell of earl grey, milk and sugar. They can't resist! Who knows, maybe next time the Queen stumbles through here she'll be down to join me for a brew and some biscuits.
Even though I am having a fabulous time here in L.T (London Town) I do miss home, a bed where I don't feel bed springs jamming into my back, showers that aren't reminiscent of airplane bathrooms and the kvetching of jan and lloyd down the hall arguing over how to load the next episode of Breaking Bad on the computer. JkJk on the last one, no one misses that. However, these simple problems can be easily fixed. I recently ordered a 3" memory foam pad for my 2" thick british (poor excuse for a) mattress on amazon.uk (which has all my American billing information saved from my .com account ;) ). Can't wait until that arrives #princessonthefourthfloor. As with the showering... I am honestly not sure what is more hygienic, showering or not showering. Just going to have to suck it up for the next few months and deal with the claustrophobia involved in dorm life bathing processes.
One of which I believe you will all find very amusing. Below is a picture of the Ifor Evans 4th floor bathtub. Yes, you heard me, a public bathtub. This thing has probably not been used since the late 20th century (or I sincerely hope not) and is sort of reminiscent of the bathtub scene in Girl Interrupted... thank goodness they don't watch you shave here... well as far as I know at least.
Currently in the process of planning my reading week trip. So far the plans are as follows, Amsterdam --> Brussels --> Antwerp --> Berlin --> London. While discussing Amsterdam with some fellow Evans Hallers they suggested the Heineken Factory, Weed and Hash museum and the Van Gogh Museum. All on my to do list. Any suggestions would be extremely helpful in the comments section of this page or a message on facebook! However, when I suggested maybe seeing the Anne Frank Museum someone at the table said he would freak out if he went there because it's too creepy. In accordance, I agreed that the Holocaust was a scary event. No, he responded, she's just so ugly I would trip out. Seriously not catching onto the humour here... maybe it's a good thing.
Another thing I'm not too familiar with is the premise of not only walking around alone, but walking around alone at night. Luckily Lloydum sent me with this handy dandy bear repellent spray for all the rapists and burglars I encounter on my nightly strolls in Camden Town. Hoping however the only bear I encounter here is Paddington.
On to happier things, I want to tell you about my first experience of clubbing in London, which I'm sure James is dying to hear about. Last Thursday I tried out a trendy club called Proud which doubles as an art gallery during the day. The line was MASSIVE and not your average St. Laurent shaking in your little ankle booties waiting to get into Globe line, like a serious kilometer long trek to get in this place.
Every thursday night is a party called BAD SEX, which in my opinion is a seriously unfortunate marketing mistake. But it seems to pull in quite the crowd so maybe I should reconsider my minor in university... Entry into the club was 5 squid (aka pound or quid, but squid is way cuter) and coat check was 2 squid (after another immensely long line which I undoubtedly cut, always room at the front right daddy?) So that's already close to 14 dollars before we've even began drinking. The place consisted of a giant dance floor with great DJs (not kidding, the music was really good, an array of house music and top 40 remixes meshed with old classics like 'aint no mountain high enough). They also had a few fuzzy mascots walking around which was both very random and hysterical. Didn't manage to get a pic with a Hal's Lyon type of character but there's always next time. The coolest part of this place was not the 5 squid jaeger bombs or mosh pit type atmosphere but the lounge area. Beyond the dance floor is a barn with bars on the left and actual horse stalls on the right! Each stall is decorated to be a cute little chilling area with cushions, decorative lighting fixtures and even stripper poles. Don't worry Jan the picture below isn't for real, I gave up dancing for money a few months ago...
Then beyond the stable is a humungo terrace where brits chainsmoke like monkeys and mingle. Overall the night was really fun and I'm very excited to take my girls here when they visit! Next club we're going to check out is called fabric which looks amazing! http://www.fabriclondon.com/
Other weekend nights were primarily spent with new friends and several (upon several) bottles of wine (the drink of choice here... scoreee) managed to find a type of white (pinot) I like called Torretta di Modelli marked down to 5 squid at the local supermarket! Italian wine is pretty cheap here because I'm assuming it's easier to import than into Canada. Even though I've learnt the rule here is quantity/cheapness over quality. People here even drink rosé... Jan would not be pleased. However, nights-in do not always end on such a high note. Already got a noise complaint from security which my brother Sam and his gal pal Zach Aaron had the pleasure of witnessing on skype. Even though after a bit of charm and some assurance the security man gave us a thumbs up and walked away.
(skip the following if art 'aint your cup of tea)
This weekend also included trips to two amazing art venues. One is the London Museum of Design (http://designmuseum.org/) by the London Bridge (which looks totally stable) where I saw two extremely strange exhibits, one on jewelry and the other on Swarovski crystals curated upon the theme of memory. The jewelry exhibit was based on the premise of the contemporary obsession with possessions and how jewelry has grown to signify that, as well as our personal preferences and beliefs (such as environmentalism, health, race, body image...) The Swarovski exhibit was slightly more complicated and focused on the idea that in contemporary times memories aren't as ephemeral as they were in the age before technology. If memories can be so highly documented through computers, can this technology be incorporated through other media like crystal? Took me a while to wrap my head around this exhibit as there were pretty complex instalments but it was all really interesting/thought provoking.
strange chick trapeze necklace
rusty nail ring
stunning chandelier made out of 2000+ crystals
I also had the pleasure of visiting the immense Victoria and Albert Museum in Knightsbridge. To be honest it was a little overwhelming so I picked a medieval exhibit filled with tapestries, reliquaries, triptychs and manuscripts to start.
Also saw a really cute history of fashion exhibit, furniture exhibit and ceramics exhibit, below are some highlights.
This book case would look great in Stowe I think
casual summer Balmain dress
3D printed table (takes a week to manufacture)
FLW
chinoiserie (would look great with pink peonies!)
(cute lil' bikini, Tay Tay would for sure rock this)
Sunday afternoon was spent browsing the halls of Harrods. Honestly made me rethink my life goals of a lonely peasant in the art world and reconsider marrying a rich, old London aristocrat so I could shop here everyday. Below are a few highlights of the amazing, expansive food hall and some of the handbags section. No photography permitted elsewhere and to be honest I didn't want to take pictures because it was all just too depressing. #stuffillneverhave.
necessary selfie in the mcqueen mirror
foie gras, champagne, caviar, smoked salmon. food staples.
giant meringues!
cute sush
giant muffs
To ease the pain of not being able to afford anything at Harrods beyond a few pieces of salmon nigiri. I headed to Topshop and had what some would call a religious experience. One of the more modest Topshops in London was a simple three floors, with a whole floor for shoes and an expansive sale rack. Below are the purchases of the day. So excited to wear these puppies, may have to bring another suitcase home at this rate...
ruffled blouse
leopard mullet dress
blue patchwork cardi
cute lil' socks
and my personal favourite, my new fedodo! Although I bear a slight resemblance to the tall man in the yellow hat from Curious George. New verj: short jew in the black hat?
Ok that's all for now folks. Going to finish my gourmet meal of tomato sauce from the jar and cheerios out of the box for dessert.
Cheerio (lol),
Emily
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