The Boy and the World - Gorgeous Brazilian Animation, Maggie Smith is Luminous

HAPPY FEBRUARY!

Went to see The Lady in the Van last night - anyone else seen it?  Maggie Smith was sublime in it.  So rarely see anything that she's in these days that actually shows off her always-described-as-sublime talent.  But it's very nice. Despite the silly ending, I think it will stick with you.

Before the movie was shown, we got to see a trailer for this Gorgeous Brazilian animated film, The Boy and the World (O Menino e o Mundo) check it out!  More about it here - and actually an even longer music video with more footage from the film.

Oh and of course here's the trailer for The Lady in the Van".  Why would we want to leave that out?

I'm still trying to figure out whether my boy cat is here for good a little longer, or if it's time to do the sad thing - i.e., many Dr. visits yet, pillings and special food.  So please excuse my blog absence.   I think of you always.  xoxo

Saul Leiter - Finding Beauty

Helllllooooooooooo.....!  I'm loving these Saul Leiter photos

that I found in the Guardian over the

weekend.  How was yours?  Snowy?

Funny how these photos look so utterly modern with their

strong graphic qualities, pops of color and wash of neutrals.

"No Great Hurry" a documentary about this photographer came out in 2014 and shows of his work have recently been mounted in Paris, Austria, and now London.  See more here.  And see where I found these photos here.

Little Things That Please My Heart - Dim Sum at Jia, South Kensington, London

Jia!  Happy Weekend!!!

***********************

LONDON SCRAPBOOK

Notting Hill - Part Two - Your Personal Style Here!

ALERT: On a completely other subject:  Please have a look at Gesbi's post about the Lyon Textile Museum and adjoining Decorative Arts Museum in Lyon, France, that are under threat of closure this March due to budget cuts.  A petition has been started to keep it open but your signature must be received SOON!   The cutoff date is January 22, 2016.  

I suppose that Portobello Road is the "main event" when one is talking about Notting Hill.  And there certainly is a sort of excitement and thrill of the chase about making your way

down the hill on a Saturday morning with hundreds of enthusiastic shoppers.  It's a spectacle, really

when you consider the people watching to be had and the variety of goodies on offer.  Old, new, beautiful and rubbishy......But can I suggest that you also make time for Notting Hill on a quieter

day.  And that you get off the main streets and away from the crowds.

Along Westbourne Grove, it has pretty much gone over to the chain stores you can find on Regent Street and elsewhere in London.  But on the quiet side streets, a very stylish life is being lived...Notting Hill still being made home by entertainment, arty, and fashion types and a renegade

spirit persists amidst bohemian gentility.

Little shops to cater to your quality of life

and appeal to your love of history.

Reminders that life is for living and for laughing

a little.

That there is a big world of adventure out there.

And that sometimes, the world comes to you.  If you're clever enough to make your home in Notting Hill.  "What is the reason that legions of Italian tourists are thronging the Portobello Road?" you might ask yourself as you elbow past handsome well-dressed families on the cobbled roads.  It might not always be because of their love of British bric-a-brac, but due to the many, many Italian restaurants in the 'hood.  (That's a pizza oven above.)  And the word must have gotten out that they're pretty darn good.  

Don't forget to bring oodles of personal style with you.  Everybody else does!

How Was Your Second Full Week of 2016?

I have been tippy-toe-ing into the New Year.  What about you?  Any plans for the weekend?


I hope they are very good ones.  HAPPY WEEKEND!

Kensington Church Street to Notting Hill, Part One - Gawking, Greenery, and Glam at Christmas

In fact, they weren't all open 24/7 because, as you might know

some people are still rather sensible (IMHO)

and take the week after Xmas off to relax and spend with their friends and families.

In any case, if you're interested in honing your tastes at small expense to your pocketbook....

and possibly encountering legends while you're at it (no I don't actually mean the flesh and blood

Mr. Churchill but I have run into David Hockney once or twice on Kensington High St.)

 - when it's not Christmas week -

I AM recommending this walk up the steep Kensington Church Street to Notting Hill.

(Could that rather be the origin of the pub's name?  "Church" - "Hill"?  Hmmmmmm)

Many of the old antiques shops have now given way to chain stores but still, still, there is beauty

and exoticism.....as you top the crest at Notting Hill

and descend again to Portobello Road.  It's a bit of a cliche on the tourist "musts" lists

but Portobello Road doesn't much disappoint.

You can just look.  And.  Look.......as is usually my habit because.....

HOW TO CHOOSE?!  But......

if you are any inveterate shopper with a fancy credit card...there will be suitcases for all your loot.

Next week:  Notting Hill, Part Two.  You might like it.