London Redesigned / Mighty Aphrodite / Wearable Art / she Frocks, she bangs

Whether you are a past master or a future space cadet, the Design Museums’ latest offering combines the spirit of London past, present and future Super Contemporary soars into our orbit to on the 3rd June (till 4 October, Shad Thames, SE1 2 YD. Adults £8.50, Concessions £6.50, Students £5.50 10.00 – 17.45 daily). The exhibition showcases15 new commissions by the best London creatives. Asked what they would give back to the capital, our bunch of merry mavericks took key London features and gave them a make over. See London redesigned! Check out that lamppost chandelier by Thomas Heatherwick! I think my street should be redone in them.



At the first whiff of summer my local park becomes inundated with ‘picnicking’ couples. For the rest of us we can enjoy a Summer of Love at The Bulldog Salon, an evening dedicated to the art of aphrodisiacs at luxury erotica boutique COCO DE MER, Kensington 18th June 2009 (6.30 -9.00pm). Ooo lala! At this exclusive soiree, Coco de Mer’s Salon Mistress will guide guests through the historical use of aphrodisiacs, revealing the reasons for their powers and offering advice on how to use them to create the right atmosphere for love, demonstrating how you too can utilize them to become a modern-day Aphrodite. In addition to picking up tips from the Salon Mistress on how to use aphrodisiacs for a most stimulating effect, guests will also be offered specially commissioned summer of love cocktails, an assortment of aphrodisiac edible treats. This event is FREE and by guest list only. To be included on the guest list full names must be e-mailed to bulldog@apr-consultancy.com

Zoe Catherine Kendall. Remember that name. She turns shark jaws into silver. Eat your heart out Jade Jagger. After winning a Coutts New Jeweller's Award for participation into London Jewellery Week, Zoe has teamed up with Kabiri and illustrator Ted Pearce (Team Mega Mix) to present an alternative vision for the future of jewellery, art and our globe! The lady herself recently showed me her new range made out of doll’s eyes. A Window into Wearable Art at Kabiri by Zoe Catherine Kendall. Part of Coutts London Jewellery Week Kabiri 37. Marylebone High Street. WIU 4Q3. Free

Vintage clothes, unfortunately, are just not cutting the mustard anymore, so like a crack whore tired of meths, I have turned to a new high. Enter vintage home wear. I trekked across two counties last weekend in search of chintz. I should have saved myself for one bit hit at the Frock Me at Home vintage fair (Chelsea Town Hall, 7 June 2009. 11.00 - 17.30 Admission costs £4.00: students with ID are half price and children under 16 go free.) Expect vintage furniture, posters, radios, cushions and lighting, with plenty of chintz and textiles chucked in. It’s worth going to see how much you clutter I worth in these modern vintage times.



Our friends from the forties are hosting a very special Blitz Party this month to celebrate the the 65th anniversary of D-Day. Check out their East End air shelter, complete with sandbags, searchlights, blackout curtains, Kentish Ale, cocktails and rations to feed our hungry troops Spread under two arches, the Blitz Party will host the UK’s finest live swing bands, performers and DJs. Saturday 6th June. Bunker opens at 8. Blackout till late. The Arches, 54 Holywell Lane, Shoreditch, EC2A 3PQ. Check out ... for tickets.



Part of the joys of living submerged in vintage culture and clothes is that I get the scoop when it comes to new treasures. I recently had the pleasure of meeting Lulu, the owner of Betty Blythe Fine Food Pantry, 73 Blythe Rd. Brook Green, London W14 0HP. I’m afraid to say not much temps me west, but I shall definitely be hopping on Veronica (yes my bike has a name) and taking the girls to my new favourite hidy-hole. Providing an old fashioned shopping experience and a reason to make time for tea and cake, this vintage gem sells a wide range of food from home-made cakes and sandwiches to specialist foodstuff and tasty delicacies, as well as all the traditional favourites you might need to re-stock your larder. And it’s all vintagey inside. Like my house, but cleaner.

Don’t forget to take a trip down Brick lane to catch the Free Range PHOTO WEEK 3 Opening Night: Thurs 11 June/ Show: Fri 12 June - Mon 15 June. The Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL. Hot tip, don’t miss Katie Mullen, Sam Wilson and Lillian Wilkie. And the free booze.

That’s all for this month as I decided that quickest way to toned arms is to play the drums and so I am taking lessons from the super talented Jim Rooney who can teach you how to bash those biceps into shape and make sweet melodies from his studio on Broadway Market. East London. First lesson is free!

Jim Rooney Bangs One Out:
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Next month all that Twinkles and Tinsels!