Worlds' Biggest Craft Room

Last night was the opening night of Prince of the Pagodas.

 

 

The dock, (the area to the side of the stage, used for storing the scenery, lighting etc), was turned into a hive of activity in the run up, with makers coming from all over the place. One of the beauties of working with a ballet company is that they have to have their working area at a certain -warm- temperature; so instead of being stuck working in a space that normally feels like an icebox it is in fact quite cosy.

 

One of the makers was an old friend, Phil, whose job I took over at ENB, (or London Festival Ballet, as it was then), when he left to go freelance. And very well he's done too...an Emma Peel catsuit a la Uma Thurman anyone?

Z xx



The Galloping Year Of The Horse

Today is the start of the Chinese New Year. So it is quite fitting that we are staying at the Novotel hotel across the road from China Town.

This year it is The Year of The Horse, (as opposed to The Horse of the Year show!)

 

There have been 3000 red lanterns put up around the town. There is a 4 day Chinese food fair, and on Sunday, (when we go home), there will be the dragon parade and a giant firework display in the evening.

Although we will miss it this year, we partook in 2012 and it was brilliant. If you get a chance to visit, it is well worth the effort.

 

On Googling info what to do this week in Manchester, I keep finding this picture...

...but am I the only one that thinks his legs aren't quite right? Surely, if he tried to walk like that, he'd fall over?

 

The Chinese Arts Centre is doing all sorts of 'horsey' things and I found this on their Facebook page.

 

It is by William Cotterill, and I think it is stunningly beautiful.

 



Even Google has got in on the act. When you actually go into the page it is in fact a moving rocking horse.

 

So, here's wishing you all a ‘Kung Hei Fat Choi’!

Zxx

Renes' Requisite Reading

 

A spanking brand new book with all the Vivienne Westwood i-d magazine interviews and pictures. Bought from TK Maxx for Mr B but commandeered by Rene! Cheeky!

 

Although there are some fabulous frocks in there, she still stands by the fact that she has one, beautiful, fur coat.

 (And a rather nifty Chrimbo pressie collar, colour-co-ordinated, no less!)

 

 

She pestered me no end to buy the Hello Kitty magazine when it first came out.

 

But even a Vintage-loving kitty needs a nap.

 All this reading can be very tiring!

Zxx



Life Is Sweet

 Braved the damping weather for a stroll up to Abakhans and then had tea at Sugar Junction.

 

 

I first found this pretty tea room a couple of years ago and it hasn't lost its' lustre.

This photo wasn't taken today!

I spent the whole of the weekend tucked up in my hotel room with the most stinky, snotty cold!

S'not fair!

Still keeping the whole place awake at night with my coughing!

 

Hoping to get my hair cut and coloured tomorrow.

Can't wait!

Z xx

 



I'm Gonna Hit The North

Off up to Manchester and am certainly looking forward to a break!

Odd gynaecological goings on saw in the New Year with urgent hospital appointments and tests. We are pretty positive that all is OK, but just awaiting test results.

I will write about it in more detail, just in case it helps anyone else!



A fine Mancunian band, whose lead singer, Mark E Smith was married to Brix Smith Start, who was also in the band at one time, but is now known more as a fashion guru-thing-a-me-bob on TV.
  (And she has the cutest pug doggies too!).

A New, New Years' Eve Tradition?

Me. Singing.

"Whoa, Jane Goble's on Fire"

 

 

What am I on about?

See here.

This one post started me off on a wild 'thing' that whenever, wherever I hear this song, I sing the Jane Goble version. There must be people all over the land who are not bloggers and therefore go " Who the heck is Jane Goble?"

There often is a music countdown on NYE that features Kings of Leon and Mr B manages to take a fuzzy phone photo of me, looking terrible, singing out like a moron!

(This is why I only post small photos!)



This one is from 2009!

JG doesn't blog anymore, (big shame), but does use Twitter (I don't). If anyone knows her, I have a bag with a Chris Martin picture on to send to her if I knew her address!!!????

 

Have a wonderful 2014 - with all you could wish for. And then some!

Z xx