When ideas are running faster than fingers can type...

... I end up with an overload of stuff I want to post but no time to, as I want to go enjoy the sunshine before the big hot ball of fire disappears again. It doesn't help that my computer crashed yesterday while typing up a long homage to umbrellas.

So, number 1 : http://www.wejetset.com/ which I came across when googling opening times for the Magma shop in Manchester where I'm planning to buy some artfartfashion mags the read in the sun. It looks one of the many designer's shopping heaven. Well, for the designers with similar taste buds to mine anyway (Jack: know it?) Never mind the cringe worthy shop name. They also generally look like they take themselves too a bit too seriously, brrr. Found some wantful wonderfully ueberpractical and very designed things. The mac book hardcover is one (I should probably be more gentle with mine in any case, case or no case), another is a pitter patter umbrella (as shown above and opened to the right).

And then ... I keep coming across them... the desire to own one grows stronger every time..

Beautiful?

Being the perfect opposite of the accurate digital photos, sometimes even photoshopped afterwards (which I thoroughly enjoy myself) , the result of lomophotography is charmingly unforeseeable. The hues that can be achieved are unique and stunning. Unfortunately I actually know nothing about these cameras, will research & ask around before purchasing.

http://shop.lomography.com/shop/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/lomography/

Oh yes, numero dos: howies sample sale in Manchester starts today and is on till Sunday! Woohoo! I was going to resort to ebay (jeans? risky business.) but this is superduper news!

http://brainfood.howies.co.uk/2009/03/manchester-sample-sale-3/

Ciao for now!

Raindogs

... is the name of one of amazing Tom Waits' albums (if you like the sound of a gravelly bourbon drenched voices backed with experimental instrumentals, get in). Manchester raindogs living in the rainiest city of the UK make brollies an essential part of life. They are a most underrated accessory. My boyfriend has a beige one of those duck umbrellas.



And in the opposite case, when the sun is frying your brain like last year at Benicassim music festival on the south coast of Spain, a Japanese-style parasol saved my health and my look when passing out on the beach after a long night and then strolling from beach to cafe to beach again. This year I shall do the same but will spray it (as it surprisingly survived last years festival) with waterproof & colourful paint. Just in käse Manchester-y weather should occur.



So, you have actually managed not to leave yous beloved rain shield on a bus/in a cafe/whoknowswhere but then -alas!- an unexpected sudden change of air pressures around you forces air to turn into a forceful wind, in and under you brolly and turn it inside out! You fumble it back, one of the corners has come loose, it's looking very sad and so are you. This happened to an exquisite stable-looking ones of my own (indigo polka dotted, dome shaped, black leather handle). As well as one hand painted by my lovely German friends as a leaving pressie. And a superfavecolourpurple-coloured one.



Simple solution if the metal bits aren't hopelessly bent:



For detailed instructions see http://www.burdastyle.com/howtos/show/1762

And well, if it's broken beyond repairability think of the showerproof fabric! Perfect material for a bag (bike messenger anyone?), shopping tote, a rain poncho or even a taffeta-look skirt (probably using more than one broken brolly). More ideas...??