Wall hunting in Brooklyn

One of my favourite parts of exploring any city is hunting out wonderful-colourful-fun filled walls to stand in front of. Of course if you know me, you know that hunting out colourful walls is one of my favourite past times. Wandering the streets on that warm day was fun. Wearing my sunnies on such a perfect day. Being a person that always take photos of everything, it's only been recently that I feel more conformable being in front of the camera. Now you can't stop me from getting my photo taken. Hopefully that doesn't sound vain, it's just finally I feel happy about myself. 

While I was in New York one of my favourites days was the day we wandered around Brooklyn. It had such a cool vibe about it. The sun was really warm, and I had my shades on. Life was good. There were so many amazing walls and street art. Wandering around looking to see what was around each corner was so fun. Always wondering what you were going to stumble across. Cute shops, places to grab a bite to each, friendly faces, and live music filled the streets.

After a bit of wall searching we went for something to eat. We visited By Chloe. It was all vegan and simply amazing. My mouth still waters when I think about their amazing mac and cheese, and their fries were pretty darn awesome too.

We visited more shops and wandering in and out of vintage shops. I will be talking about some of the stores we visited soon, as of course they need a whole blog post to themselves. Brooklyn had and has such a cool vibe about it. I was really glad we spent an amazing day there. It fed my appetite for fancy walls, and will remember it as such a perfect day.

Cha Cha Matcha

I recently went to New York in July to meet up with some of my amazing blogger friends. I have lots to get round to blogging about, however I have really wanted to do this post for ages and thought it was time. So lots more on my trip soon! But now to talk about a magical place I have wanted to go for ages after seeing fab photos on instagram. This place is Cha Cha Matcha.

On my trip to Manchester in April I finally got to try a matcha latte, and it was delicious! And of course I fell completely in love with it. I found this amazing place online which happened to be in New York, and I added it to my list of things to do while I was there. I was only in New York for such a short time, and am already planning my return, but on my last day in the city I managed to go visit with Lina. 

It was pretty magical, and very instagram/blog worthy, as you can see from my photos. I ended up ordering a warm matcha latte, and it was wonderful. They had all different types of drinks you could order, including some fabulous looking cold ones. They will be a must the next time I visit. 

The decor was so fun, and I just wanted to take photos of everything. Friendly staff working really hard as they measure all the servings out to perfection. Pastel pink and bright green tables, with grass on the wall, and their signature cha cha neon font adorned the walls. It really was perfection. I mean even the lightening in the toilet was pink! It was the perfect place to relax in such a busy city before I headed home. While I was visiting they opened up a new location which will be on my list to visit next time I am in New York. You can find out move about Cha Cha Matcha on their website or take a peek at their instagram.

Yayoi Kusama show at the Victoria Miro gallery

A couple of Saturday's ago, I was lucky enough to get the chance to see the Yayoi Kusama show at the Victoria Miro gallery. Being on social media, you tend to end up seeing the same photos of certain art shows over and over. This was one of them. The bright yellow pumpkins were all over my social media, so I needed to go and visit them for myself. 

There was a giant queue outside the gallery. This was so strange, this show had really hit a mainstream audience. We queued for 10mins, and then we were let inside. I thought to myself, wow that was quick, however as soon as you walk through the door you see lots of different queues around the gallery. I didn't do too much research into the show, as I do like to experience art first hand, rather than read up too much about it. So the queues I did not expect.

We were taken straight to the back of the gallery and outside. The first infinity room we would visit would be the Where the Lights in My Heart Go. The outside of the gallery was beautiful. very peaceful indeed. This infinity room was wonderful. We only had 30 seconds in each room, but this one I felt like I faded away into nothing. Space, life, everything. For those few seconds life didn't feel real, I'm not sure how I felt, but I was peaceful. My eyes blurred and I felt like I was somewhere else. I am glad I didn't snap a photo while I was in that room. This room had a deep impact on me, I didn't even reach for my phone. For me, someone who is addicted to their phone, it took everything away. Breathtaking indeed.

Afterwards I enjoyed the surrounding, and there were mirrors everywhere. It was very peaceful, even though everyone around me was taking photos and uploading them straight to social media, hashtags and everything. It's a new concept for me. Of course I love social media, but it was weird for me to be in a gallery and people were continuously looking at social media. I am all for taking photos and sharing the love of art, but first please look at the art through your actually eyes, rather than a phone screen, experience it, and then photograph.

The second room we went into was Chandelier of Grief. All I remember of this room was the fact it was so bright. It went on forever, and sparkled so bright. I didn't really have an emotional connection to this room, it was just super pretty.

Then it was time to queue up for ages to finally see the famous pumpkins. All the Eternal Love I Have for the Pumpkins. We did wait for a long time, but it was pretty special. 



The whole room was glowing. It really did go on forever, these infinity rooms just seemed to never end. You end up getting lost in these rooms. I feel like they are drugs. They tease you, you fall into this amazing unknown place. The time goes by, and you don't really know how long you have been there. Yet you know you only have 30 seconds, but time moves in a weird way. Then suddenly the door opens and you feel like you are being ripped out and pulled back to the earth again. These rooms really did feel like that. Make sure if you are in London you check out this beautiful show, it really is worth the queues.

Hutspot, Amsterdam

While I was away in Amsterdam I was lucky enough to visit the gorgeous Hutspot. It's a beautiful store, which actually reminds me of a Urban Outfitters. So Hutspot searches for new and interesting brands, designers, artists and entrepreneurs, offering them the chance to expose their products in their own space within the shops. I love this approach. It feels so different when you walk into the store, its fresh, bright and airy. This is what you want when you go shopping. 

The store is laid out perfectly. Of course I have already said there is a Photo Booth in the front, which is an amazing plus. When you walk further in you are greeted by such clean and fresh displays. You feel as if you can really look at the items for sale. I am a huge fan of stores that mix their pieces together. I feel you can always shop this better.

While in the store I picked up these The Cool Club: Men playing cards. I purchased the Cool Men set, but sadly The Cool Club: Women were sold out, but I hope to go back and pick that set up on my next visit. The illustrations on the cards reminded me of Wes Anderson, so I was completely drawn in.

The great thing about Hutspot is that there is a cafe and restaurant upstairs. The perfect little spot to sit and relax. It has an office feel about it, and well as a relaxed coffee house. It really is the perfect place to grab a coffee and bring your laptop and type away. Plus chatting over drinks and lunch with friends works so well also. The lightening is bright and inviting. I really did fall in love with the amazing staff service and the overall atmosphere. I can't wait to go back and spend a whole afternoon there. Shall be thinking of this place when I book my next flight to Amsterdam.

Artist Series: Flossy Watts

The next designer I am going to be blogging about is the amazing Flossy Watts. So Flossy Watts is a creative hub based in Kent. They create beautiful handmade jewellery which is completely different to anything I have seen before. Jane is the driving force behind it. Jane is probably one of the nicest and loveliest people I have ever met. She is so positive and creative. When I talk to her I always feel so inspired. I have recently got to know her better through the Made in Ashford shop where her work is for sale.

Jane creates her jewellery using lots of different types of material, and that's what I love about her work. I love that she works with wood, metals, paint, resin, and silicon. Because she works with lots of different materials she has a large line of work, which are all special in their own way. My favourite pieces are her wooden squares, which have silver designs on them. They are the perfect statement piece for anyone.

The last piece of her work I am swooning over is a gorgeous necklace which is made out of driftwood. I love the bright yellow and the textures of this wonderful piece.

You can find out more about Jane and the amazing jewellery she creates over on her website www.flossywatts.co.uk She is also on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

*Made in Ashford shop photos taken by me.

*Product photography taken from Flossy Watts etsy shop, where you can purchase these items.