With the sun hiding who knows where and the temperature a little too on the low side for me, I wondered what to do with my Friday. Actually - that's a lie.
I have been anticipating the cinematic release of We Need To Talk About Kevin, Lynne Ramsay's film adaptation of Lionel Shriver's novel, for some time now. And today was film release day! In my mind, what better place to get my film fill than The Rio Cinema in Dalston (http://www.riocinema.org.uk/)
This is one of my happiest discoveries in London so far - being the film nut that I am, I find the modern day "megaplex" cinema experience rather soul-destroying at times. Aside from the fact that you usually have to battle your way through some kind of overly-large shopping mall to even get to one of these cinemas, there is just something about the smell of too much popcorn being pumped out that makes me a little nauseous. I also suspect I am little nostalgic for the cinemas of my youth, where there were "stalls" and a "dress circe", one screen only and carpet that had clearly been on the floor since the 1920s. Fortunately, I grew up in an era before the onslaught of 36 screen cinemas!
This is why The Rio appeals to me so much - it is all of those cinemas of my youth rolled into one pleasing experience. There is one screen, some very old looking carpet and a real sense of history there. Not to mention the home-made treats on offer at the candy bar!
We Need to Talk About Kevin is the second film I have seen at The Rio, Lars Von Trier's aptly named Melancholia being my first a couple of weeks ago. I would happily spend every Friday afternoon sitting back and enjoying some great films there, and I imagine that I will be doing just that over the coming years that I live in this area (another plus of course is the simple 25 minute stroll to the door from my apartment!)
I hope there are other such great cinemas out there in London...sadly Sydney was quite bereft of them. Although I shouldn't be surprised - nothing is old in Australia!
Till tomorrow....
Showing posts with label Islington. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Islington. Show all posts
Friday, October 21, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
A stitch in time
So here's the thing - I am not what you would describe as a "homemaker" type of woman. As such, I have had a very limited interest in all things craft related for as long as I care to remember (except for that brief flirtation with cross-stitch at age 10...). Why then, you may ask, did I sign up for a sewing course on a recent Monday evening?
Well, although the precise logic escapes me, I think it had something to do with my deep love of fashion and some perverse idea that I, too, could churn out some little Prada-esq numbers at some future point.
Encouraged by The Man of the House, I signed up for a "make your own hot water bottle cover" introduction to sewing at a recent addition to my area, Ray Stitch in Islington (www.raystitch.co.uk). Bearing in mind I had never even so much as touched a sewing machine before, it promised to be a challenge. And who knew that loading a bobbin could be so complicated?! ....luckily our fantastic teacher was on hand to smooth the process for me (I should also mention that The Man of the House was along for moral support - and proved also to be much help - I like to think that his engineering degree gave him an unfair advantage though...)
What can I say? The class was fantastic....I encourage all budding sewers or people with any interest in perhaps making a Versace like number to sign up for an evening course at Ray Stitch. They also do more advanced classes for people who, unlike me, have more of an affiliation with the sewing machine. Our teacher was a god-send, and all materials, as well as snacks and wine, were provided (the wine being much needed!) What did the end product look like you ask? See for yourself:
While I admit it is not perfectly symmetrical, I am as pleased as punch with the outcome. At the very least, my fake Burberry clad hot water bottle will keep my feet warm now that the colder weather seems to have begun...my first winter in the Northern hemisphere is creeping up on me quicker than expected!
Until tomorrow....
Well, although the precise logic escapes me, I think it had something to do with my deep love of fashion and some perverse idea that I, too, could churn out some little Prada-esq numbers at some future point.
Encouraged by The Man of the House, I signed up for a "make your own hot water bottle cover" introduction to sewing at a recent addition to my area, Ray Stitch in Islington (www.raystitch.co.uk). Bearing in mind I had never even so much as touched a sewing machine before, it promised to be a challenge. And who knew that loading a bobbin could be so complicated?! ....luckily our fantastic teacher was on hand to smooth the process for me (I should also mention that The Man of the House was along for moral support - and proved also to be much help - I like to think that his engineering degree gave him an unfair advantage though...)
What can I say? The class was fantastic....I encourage all budding sewers or people with any interest in perhaps making a Versace like number to sign up for an evening course at Ray Stitch. They also do more advanced classes for people who, unlike me, have more of an affiliation with the sewing machine. Our teacher was a god-send, and all materials, as well as snacks and wine, were provided (the wine being much needed!) What did the end product look like you ask? See for yourself:
While I admit it is not perfectly symmetrical, I am as pleased as punch with the outcome. At the very least, my fake Burberry clad hot water bottle will keep my feet warm now that the colder weather seems to have begun...my first winter in the Northern hemisphere is creeping up on me quicker than expected!
Until tomorrow....
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