I like Secret Cinema

Is it a secret these days? I'm not so sure, it seems everyone who lives in London has heard of it, or been, or knows someone who has.

Trying to explain how it works to my Mum was as difficult as trying to explain my job to her.

In its simplest form, Secret Cinema is an interactive night out.

In my case, I was in a 13 story building with an atrium in the middle. I took part in a wedding and a funeral and no, I wasn't seeing Four Weddings And A Funeral. You need to get involved when you go or you won't get anything out of it. I also took part in saving paper with a nut-case, spoke to several vending machines, got a brain examination, got integrated, got my dreams examined and had an amazing time.

Here are some pictures for you to have a look at...

I like sewing

I even like sewing in newspapers. Which is exactly what an artist called Lauren has done.
It's a simple idea that's been executed beautifully. I would like to see an exhibition of these, I bet they would look even more stunning framed in a big white open space.

Here is some of her work.

I like Teddy Bears

This is quite a random video but I really like it. It's from a great blog called LikeCool.
It's about a Teddy Bear having an operation, really well written, great VO choice and made me smile.

Happy Friday and Bank Holiday weekend one and all.

I like Chanel's way of doing things but...

They're recent pop-up vending machines that are in Selfridges and Covent Garden are just not right for them. Chanel in my opinion aren't about a rushed or impersonal shopping experience. They are about the sale for sure but achieve this in a charming way with thought, time, care and consideration.
Placing their products in a vending machine doesn't sit well with me.

Things you can buy in a vending machine in the UK are those impersonal purchases you don't mind making like drinks, snacks, tampons, condoms etc.

Rant over. 

I like Barbie and Ken

And Dina Goldstein has photographed their relationship beautifully. Everything from the lighting, make-up and styling is bang on for me.

Here are a few pictures but visit her site to see the rest of the story.

I like The Oscars

This is a poster for the 85th anniversary of the awards. It's by a designer called Olly Woods and it features 85 bespoke designs for each of the Best Pictures won over the year. You can buy it here for $35.

I like cupcakes

I'm taking part in a competition to make some cupcakes that embraces an American style of baking with creativity and flair. The baking competition is run by Emerald Street (Stylist magazine's daily email) and The Hummingbird Bakery.
It's still open so if you can, enter it too. If you win, you'll get your cupcakes sold in Hummingbird bakeries for a period of time and win a KitchenAid mixer.

So it was goodbye weekend and hello supermarkets. With my apron and oven on I got to work. I decided to embrace the 'American style of baking' by baking red vanilla cupcakes with a maple and vanilla butter icing topped with maple cooked smoked bacon.

 Here's a bit of info on the ingredients and some pictures. Wish me luck.

For the cupcakes:

• 120g plain flour
• 140g caster sugar
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• a pinch of salt
• 40g unsalted butter
• 120ml whole milk
• 1 egg
• 1tbsp vanilla extract
• red food colouring (not organic)

For the vanilla and maple syrup butter icing:

• 250g icing sugar, sifted
• 80g unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 25ml whole milk
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• maple syrup

For the maple syrup and smoked bacon decoration:

(I'm sure you can guess what you need for this)