Racing towards Royal Ascot...

With Father’s Day almost upon us, there’s still time to order a unique vintage gift from ShopCurious. Seeing as it’s almost Royal Ascot Week too, these1950s mother of pearl and gold horse-head cufflinks would be perfect if your dad’s off to the races.











Alternatively, for a more classic look, choose from our selection of stylish and sophisticated links.

And you don’t have to be a man to wear cufflinks – or to dress up for the races in curious style… Why not take inspiration from Marlene Dietrich?

 
 Will you?  

Art, medallions and men's summer fashion

My escort for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition Preview Party was charming young interior designer, Romanos Brihi, who was seeking works for his clients, and for his own collection.

In addition to possibly being a good investment, I suppose owning a unique piece of art is a way of showing off your taste or wealth, or both - even if you don’t choose it yourself? Art has become so much a part of the luxury lifestyle that the line between art gallery and concept store has become somewhat blurred (see my latest post at The Dabbler): I’m sure it’s all good for the UK economy, but I do think there's too much focus on pure materialism. Should there be such a symbiotic relationship between contemporary art, interior decoration, high-end fashion and designer goods?

Talking of which, I spotted some finely dressed men at the party. Apart from the Olympics, it’s not everyday you see chaps wandering around wearing medals on ribbons around their necks. The Royal Academicians have different coloured ribbons according to their discipline eg red for painting, green for sculpture – and (I think) grey for architecture.

These gentlemen are wearing the red ribbon. I do hope Anthony Eyton (on the right) remembers inviting me to lunch at Brixton Market, the subject of one of his paintings in the show (see below).

Stephen Cox, whose daughter is the first RA poet in residence, models the green ribbon here, rather dramatically set off against a royal blue linen suit.





















His granite and gold leaf masks work exceptionally well with greige, rendering them an instant hit with interior designers the world over.

Elsewhere, other smartly dressed menfolk included cocktail waiters in buttoned-up black, Gareth Pugh in a curiously gothic cutout suit,

Nicky Haslam in a wall-matching grey number... and this jolly fellow in vintage-style pinstripes.

There were sunglasses and hats..I wore recycled vintage cotton lace with a feather bolero - and I borrowed a Bakelite butterfly bag from ShopCurious. Plus, there was one elderly gent who wasn’t wearing anything at all.






















Towards the end of the evening, as paparazzi and punters clamoured to get final photographs on the red carpet, things became a little crazy…

 
You’ll have to visit the show yourself to see the art.

Will you?

Flying towards Father's Day

As well as the boats in the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant, I was also lucky enough to get a grandstand view of the Red Arrows fly past – and a few photographs, though the weather conditions weren’t ideal.

After the planes had flown down The Mall and over Buckingham Palace, they suddenly turned around, travelling in a southerly direction across the river…

They got closer and closer…

And then they whooshed directly overhead.

It was quite a surprise to see the planes coming over so low – a tad scary even. As is the fact that I’ve just realized Father’s Day is little more than a week away…

If, like me, you haven’t even thought about it until now, you may be interested in the selection of vintage 1950s cufflinks at ShopCurious. And, if your dad’s an aviation fanatic, I think these curiously aeronautical cufflinks would make the perfect Father’s Day gift.

Do you?

A curiously British Jubilee

It wasn’t jolly boating weather, but we made the most of it. In true British style, and with stiff upper lips, we partied in the rain and battled against choppy waters to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The River Pageant was a colourful spectacle, though I can’t imagine what it must have been like down there on the water. Fortunately, we were able to enjoy the proceedings from some of the best seats in town – in an apartment overlooking the River Thames.

We didn’t have huge flags (unlike some of our neighbours), but I hung up some bunting, and wore an original vintage Union Jack flag fashioned into a dress – plus my nails were painted red, white and blue…

 Even the men dressed up in patriotic colours.

Foodwise, my Coronation chicken (see ShopCurious post above) was a great success. Mounds of sandwiches were consumed, cake stands emptied, and Scotch Eggs scoffed by the dozen. Curiously, my token tin of Spam remained unopened.

Towards the end of the party, I was flagging as much as my dress. I was so relieved to eventually take off my shoes. Unfortunately, unlike the Queen, I hadn’t had anyone wear them in for me. And I’d creatively customized them with red rose hair accessories, which cut horribly into my toes…

 

But it must have been a good party, because when the flag-waving masses departed I was still smiling… just like Her Majesty.

I’m left thinking how lucky us Brits are to have such a wonderful (and reassuringly resilient) monarch.

Are you?

Jubilee jubilations!

 



So, the Diamond Jubilee weekend is upon us. My curious triffid-like plant has suddenly sprouted a flower, which is standing to attention to honour the occasion.

Nothing new for us Brits, but (as noted in today's post at the Dabbler) everyone is talking about the weather. It’s set to turn rather nasty on Sunday, just in time for the River Pageant on the Thames. Such a shame as I’m having a bit of a party. In fact I spent all day yesterday putting up bunting and shopping for my 1950s themed lunch/tea.










Rather than spend ages preparing the sauce for my Coronation chicken, I discovered a ready-made version by Sussex Valley, which I shall embellish to 'make it my own'…This will leave more time to get ready. I’m looking forward to wearing my specially designed Diamond Jubilee dress (of which more later).











I was also thinking that this curiously kitsch and collectable Swarovski crystal studded British bulldog bag from ShopCurious might be rather cool for the occasion too. What do you think?

Do you?

Curious Diamond Jubilee Spamwich

As the Queen celebrates the 60th year of her reign, the Caravan Club is celebrating its 105th birthday. The organisation reckons that as this year is going to have so many street parties, summer picnics and caravanning holidays, it’s the perfect opportunity to introduce a Caravan Club Sandwich.

One of their members, Samantha Haas, has created a recipe that she feels is perfect for 2012 (see right). I’m not so sure myself, as it includes margarine, Danish salami, cheese, onion and mint sauce… eek!




Now I don’t want to get on the wrong side of the internet regulatory authorities by mentioning Spam, but I’ve been wondering which dishes to make for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations myself, and anything involving this curiously retro ingredient seems rather appropriate – and certainly (even though it's an American import), more associated with our British heritage than salami..

So I’ve come up with an important new recipe for 2012 - The Curious Diamond Jubilee Spamwich. The ingredients are as follows:


 
Two slices of Hovis bread
A dollop of Heinz salad cream
Two Epicure pickled gherkins - sliced
One generous slice of Spam
One leaf of Webb’s Wonder lettuce


You can make this easily yourself at home, using these or any quantities of the ingredients required. You can even add your own personal twist – like toasted with a slathering of Marmite – a version that is especially tasty after an evening at the local pub. 

To get into the Jubilee spirit, why not serve this on a vintage commemorative plate celebrating Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897. They're quite a rarity, but one is available at ShopCurious… Order by Friday morning and we’ll make sure it reaches you in time for your Bank Holiday weekend Spamfest.

Will you?

Diamond Jubilee, Chelsea flowers and tea

I had to capture this photograph of an elderly couple picnicking by the bandstand at the Chelsea Flower Show. For me, the image conveys a sense of love, loyalty, friendship, traditional values and shared memories - the sort of essence of the Diamond Jubilee.

Now cast your mind into the future. How will the scene look in 20, let alone 60 years time? Let ShopCurious know what you think.

Will you?

PS See more photographs of Chelsea’s eclectic vintage British style in today’s post at The Dabbler.