TOM YUM

Tom Yum soup is da bomb and it only takes 15mins to make. You can get all of these ingredients from any good Chinese/Thai supermarket. Glaswegians? There's an amazing Chinese supermarket called Sea Woo at 29 Saracen Street.

Shopping list - Feeds 2

                       1 squeeze of lime
                       2 lemongrass sticks (peeled and smashed to release the flavour)
                       4 kaffir lime leaves
                       galangal or a lump of fresh ginger (2 slices)
                       4 spring onions (chopped)
                       1 red chilli (chopped)
                       1 garlic clove (finely chopped)
                       6 sliced mushrooms (sliced)
                       cooked chicken or prawns
                       Tom Yum hot & sour paste (2 heaped teaspoons)
                       Pint of boiling water
                      
    
Put everything into a pan and simmer for 10 mins until all the flavours infuse. While this is cooking boil some rice or noodles to accompany the dish. Once the soup has cooked through, take out the lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves and ginger/galangal slices and add a handful of corriander leaves. If you're a veggie just add chunks of red pepper or extra mushrooms.

                                                The finished article                                                 

The special ingredient

Lash love

'Paperself' have created a range of lashes that are very beautiful. Chunwei Liao created the collection when he founded the company in 2009. All designs are made using a traditional Chinese paper-cutting technique.

Each design has symbolic Chinese meaning.

Horses: symbolic of success
Peony: for happiness and good fortune
Peach blossom: a symbol of love and romance
Peacock: auspicious and lucky days
Butterfly: free, buautiful and sensitive
Clown: bring the whole happiness

They can be purchased from http://welcomehome.bigcartel.com/ or instore at the Welcome Home gallery on Keith Street in Glasgow.

Enter the Void

I'm very late in blogging about this film. I went to the GFT to see this before XMAS. It's the most awe inspiring piece of cinema I have seen in years. I urge you to see it.

ENTER THE VOID, the psychedelic melodrama by visionary French maverick Gaspar Noé (IRREVERSIBLE, I STAND ALONE), is a cinematic thrill ride that's riveted audiences at the Cannes, Toronto, Sundance and SXSW film festivals. Nathaniel Brown and Paz de la Huerta star in a visceral journey set against the thumping, neon club scene of Tokyo, which hurls the viewer into an astonishing trip through life, death, and the universally wonderful and horrible moments between. An immersive and just plain mind-bending experience.

DO NOT WATCH THIS ON A SMALL SCREEN!

KUBIK Pop Up Club

As someone who works for a nightclub, I know how much work goes into lighting and sound production. I've been to clubs all over Europe and was obviously blown away by Berlin and Barcelona's super clubs. I've been doing a bit of research into club interiors and found the pop-up club KUBIK.

Kubik is a series of dance installations in Berlin and Barcelona. These temporary club venues were outdoor installations created by lighting up reclaimed industrial tanks. They are environmentally friendly and temporary. Unfortunately they have been dismantled but I hope to experience it for myself one day.

Here's a vid of the Kubik club being rigged for a one-off fashion event at Milan fashion week.




Another vid taken from inside the club. I suggest turning the volume down on this one!

Topshop really?

Who doesn't love Topshop? Come on, don't deny it! I frequent the store at least once a week, usually browsing, but often panic buying on a Saturday afternoon. 

I admire how the shop actually reflects catwalk trends in a wearable way without looking too cheap. That was until I saw the concession section on the ground floor of Argyle Street! What the actual fuck? As I glide down the escalators, excited by the prospect of new leather bags and shoes I am confronted by a rack of hideous garments that look not unlike pieces I've seen in the windows of Quiz clothing. Who is responsible for buying at the Topshop headquarters? They need a slap.

   

Lina dress by Jones and Jones**

£65

Pheobe Dress by Jones and Jones**

£65

Lisette Dress by Jones and Jones**

£60

I'm sorry but these are the worst dresses in the world and at £60 who in their right mind would even consider trying them on??? Topshop please get rid of these cheap and nasty labels, who are you trying to attract with these items? 

Philip Green.. someone is taking the piss mate.

Gimme some skin

I have major leather jacket envy. I see girls and boys strutting about in amazing jackets and I'm yet to find one that I truly love. I've never been a fan of the shearling craze that has been everywhere this winter so I'm looking forward to that fucking off soon.

I refuse to buy 2nd best so my quest is ongoing till I can afford something that looks like this.

Burberry Prorsum s/s 11

Acne 'Theo' jacket

Balmain S/S 11