Monday 27 May 2013

I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE







Today was a public holiday in England. I don't actually know why, but saw it as an opportunity to climb the hills near my house early this morning. Quiet everywhere, apart from a young couple and their toddler in the park... and strangely, two ducks that must have come from the little stream nearby.

When the child's parents told him it was time to leave, he started walking towards the ducks as if to pat them. They waddled away, and he followed them for so long, beckoning them and crying "Come here duckies!" His parents called him back as he got further and further away from them in his attempt to pet the ducks. Then all of a sudden, he stopped dead and yelled at the two ducks furiously "I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE!!!"

The whole scenario was hilarious, and made my morning walk that little more entertaining.

Breakfast lately has been rice flakes, almond milk, banana, shredded coconut, homemade jam and pumpkin seeds. Daisies peppered around the whole park and the mountainous hills at the moment. And me trying to catch the two ducks myself after the little boy had left.



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Saturday 25 May 2013

BRAIDZ





This week I was walking through my nearest shopping mall - The Glades. Something comes over me there. It's like I spend all week seeing suits on the tube, and the latest fashion trends at work. And then on weekends, I'm back here in Downham and it's tracksuits, Ralph Lauren and Nike. Everywhere.

At The Glades, this is the locals uniform.... And as tacky as it looks most of the time, there's the odd trainer that catches my eye. Then all of a sudden I'm overcome with a desire to collect every trainer Nike has ever produced and line them up in my imaginary walk-in closet.

One trainer shop in particular lured me in - Offspring. Not as cliche as JD or Footlocker. Not as mental as Sports Direct. Just small and clean, with beautiful styles in the window. I walked straight up to the collection of Roche's and saw these ones. Dotted with baby triangles, and built with a springy sole that I was told "has a memory".

As soon as I tried them on, and saw all three sales assistant boys smile and start telling me "They look dank girl", I simply knew they needed to come home with me (the trainers that is).

After wearing them to work each day, I don't know how I've ever done this commute with anything else gracing my feet. They are perfection. Also pictured is sunset at the hilltop football pitch near the local leisure centre. And me braiding my hair late at night with some fancy earrings - wishing I was Scandinavian.




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TAKE COURAGE




People have joked that as soon as I'm back in London, my Instagram turns grey. Every other picture is of some scrawled graffiti, run-down high street shops, Off Licenses and council estates.

I can see how these things can be mundane, perhaps even depressing to some. Just this week on the train home, the lady next to me (an aging, extensioned and botoxed woman) tutted as we went through Lewisham. I watched her shake her head and pull her handbag just that little closer as she grimaced at the tags scribbled under bridges.

I could see how she could think it dirty, an eye-sore. But I've always been fascinated by street art, no matter how well executed. Inspired that someone has taken the time to make a mark there (even if sometimes they are pretty shit).

So yes, I will continue to fill my Instagram with whatever catches my eye - whether traditionally beautiful or not. I believe that whatever makes me stop whatever I'm doing, enough so to try and capture it... Is worth sharing.

All photos are recent Instagram posts (I'm @lsiss) - 1. Shoreditch. 2. Took a wrong turn in Soho on my lunch break. 3. Shoreditch "Big D". 4. On the train platform at New Cross. 5. The morning sun in an alley across from my work. 6. Local council flats, while waiting for the bus in Bromley.




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MI MADRE



Last week was Mother's Day in Australia... And although I'm living so far away from my madre now, she still continues to support every single thing I do. A day to say thanks for all the magazine packages, the endless crackly phone calls while I run along Oxford Street to work in the morning and most of all, letting me know you are there whenever I need you.

Photo taken by me (aged five) in India. Confirms that my mother is an absolute babe.



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MIDNIGHT MARAUDERS






Some things lately - My parents sometimes send me a picture when they walk the dogs in the morning. Doesn't help the homesickness. When Jordy was here, we went in search of a feast on his last day.

Byron didn't disappoint - their aioli is still the most garlicky little pot of heaven I have found. And as a thankyou for having him, he bought me A Tribe Called Quest on vinyl... The best surprise x



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Monday 20 May 2013

YA BISH










The only artist I have played almost as much as The Weeknd this year is Kendrick Lamar. Every morning without fail, he keeps me company all the way to work. And him Mom. And his Dad. And without fail, I'll hear his Dad's voice at some point during the day crying out for his God Damn DOMINOESSS!

His interview in Interview magazine is my favourite so far, here's a bit below about his all time Top Ten emcee's.

BADU: Okay, top five rappers of all time. Who are they?

LAMAR: Oh, man.

BADU: I know, it's hard. I can never answer that question either. They don't have to be in order.

LAMAR: Okay . . . Give me Jay-Z.

BADU: Bam.

LAMAR: Give me Nas.

BADU: I'll give you that.

LAMAR: Give me Tupac.

BADU: I might give you Pac. . .

LAMAR: Please give me Pac. Also give me Snoop.

BADU: Okay, that's four.

LAMAR: And give me B.I.G.

BADU: I'll give you B.I.G.

LAMAR: But that leaves off Eminem and André . . . I'd probably formulate the perfect 10 if I really thought about it for a day.

BADU: You just named seven. You got three more?

LAMAR: Rakim . . . [pauses] Kurupt.

BADU: That's nine.

LAMAR: Who would the last one be? Give me Method Man.

BADU: I will give you Method Man all day.

LAMAR: But it's a battle because if I say Method Man . . . Will you give me DMX?

BADU: Okay.

LAMAR: Yeah, give me X. That's my 10.



Read the full interview here



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Sunday 12 May 2013

PICK ME UP





















My friend Jordan is traveling around Europe at the moment. He came and stayed with me for five days, and I tried to do London justice and give him a grand tour. These photos are all from one day, and it made me fall in love with the city I live in all over again.

And just to prove I work with the coolest people in the World - they made me a map (I'm practically a tourist here too), of all the coolest streets and laneways that I couldn't miss. From Old Street Station, through Shoreditch's little backstreets to Brick Lane Market.

Followed by Pick Me Up exhibition at Somerset House, coffee at Southbank's food festival and then a walk through the park behind my house... I hope you liked London Jordy!

1. Wrong turn out of Old St Station
2. Albion Cafe - Shoreditch
3. Phoenix - Shoreditch
4. Type - Shoreditch
5. Went in to a random coffee shop to ask for directions. Asked on a whim if any of the cakes in the window were gluten-free. Her reply made me fall in love with her - "Yes... They all are"
6. #fuckyeahglutenfreegoods ("Jordy, can you just stand over here near these onions so I can remember these cakes forever")
7. Tried to capture the most insane burger being made ever, totally didn't get the burger in the picture - Southbank Cheese & Wine Festival
8. Southbank skatepark
9. Walking home through the park at sunset
10. Army man



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FRESH MEAT












Conor is my best friend's older brother. For his 23rd birthday a group of us went for dinner and then Bounce, an awesome ping pong bar. The planned meat feast was supposed to take place at Soho's (always-packed) Bodean's, but with a group of 15 and no reservation, that was never going to happen.... Byron didn't disappoint though. Except they need gluten-free buns!

I couldn't resist getting in on that Fresh Meat sign, which I would quite happily have in my home.

1. Bodean's
2. Byron burger with no bun, topped with smokey cured bacon, crumbly cheddar, barbecue sauce (can't take QLD out the girl), Diet Coke and the best fries. Heaven.
3. Fresh Meat
4. Lads. Aka Jedward
5. People tend to get excited when they see a disposable or Polaroid
6. Conor the birthday-boy-ball-collector-wizard



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