Wren Bicycles....

....New bicycle designs are ten a penny. Not so, good designs.



This, fortunately falls in to the latter department and is a lovely updated take on the trusty 'shopper' format.



Adapted for the City, the Wren launches at Look Mum No Hands next week.

Matt Elliott Memorial Cup....

....This annual tournament is yet another telling tribute to the late Matt Elliott, (in whose memory, you'll remember, Kelly & I were afforded our South American adventure earlier in the year).


Rugger buggers

The day celebrates Matt's memory and in turn raises money for the charities, Kids Company and Skye Mountain Rescue. It is organised and hosted by Hackney RFC, the afternoon kicked off with an all ladies curtain raiser, before a round robin tournament ended with victory for Richie's team.


Richie's post-accidental-elbow wound

An all day BBQ, drinks and raffle preceded post match drinks and buffet in the Marina Bar, tranquilly located on the edge of the canal. A hugely successful, fitting and emotional day.


Rick Elliott, (Matt's dad), addresses the crowd

[full reel]

Congratulations Kelly....

....Kelly has followed suit, and decided to move to pastures new. After two years at AMV, she has handed in her notice, to join smaller, independent Analogue Folk as a Digital Producer. Three cheers.


Kel with her much deserved flowers from myself earlier today.

Morag & Julie Civil Partnership....

....Day three of the long weekend, and a third wedding. This time the Civil Partnership of our cousin Morag, to Julie.



Both the service and reception were held at Our Dynamic Earth in Holyrood Park, with a ceilidh rounding off the proceedings. It was a really fantastic day - a unique one for many of us, as it was our first Civil Partnership - with Morag & Julie beaming throughout.

Polly & Craig wedding....

....Hot on the heels of the Royal Wedding, the next biggest event of the holiday weekend, was the marriage of friends Polly to Craig, at Islington Town Hall.



The service was simple, informal and if you ask Natalie, a bit of a tear jerker! After photo sessions in the beaming sun outside, we walked around to the Marquess Tavern, which was all ours for the reception.



Brief speeches were made, a hearty, tasty roast dinner served, then dancing in to the late evening. Brilliant. Congratulations to you both.

The Royal Wedding....

....I tried not to get in to it. In fact I watched very little of it. But still, I managed to actually enjoy and appreciate it.


At the altar

Today Prince William married long time girlfirend Kate Middleton, to become the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge.



Kate wore a stunning dress, created by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, coming over all Grace Kelly in the process.

Kate

Grace Kelly

And whilst I was dreading the balcony kiss, it was a pretty special, warming scene.


Eeewwww!

And what Royal Wedding would be complete without the Beckhams'? Get in there David & Victoria!



Congratulations.

List my photo: Update 7....

....Probably my biggest update yet, with a mix of arty pics that me, myself and I have taken. Look here.

Tom Vek is back....

....Five years since his last record, We Have Sound, former college colleague turned mucial maestro, Tom Vernon Kel is back. Out of nowhere, he has a new album, Leisure Seizure and this fantastic new video, A Chore, directed by his pal Ollie Evans.



A long wait, but worth it.

Gentlemens' dinner & prize photography....

....The second in what I hope will turn out to be a long line of gatherings like this. After a successful Chinese lunch a couple of months ago, Bugsy herded us like cattle, once more, to eat some exceptional, erm, cattle.



We gathered at Le Relais de Venise, (L'Entrecote), which is widely regarded as amongst the finest steak frites in London. In fact, we didn't gather, we queued from midday, as no bookings are taken.



Once in, we didn't need to choose, as they only serve from one set menu. Salad / Steak & chips, (for which you get two portions of the latter).



I was bowled over, I really was. The salad, although simple, was great. And then the steak was melt-in-the-mouth-incredible. I was transported to a Parisian Bistro, whilst in the heart of Marylebone.



Also, I hadn't appreciated that the menu fixe included a second helping of the main course. Well, I was astounded. Delighted.



Some plumped for desserts and coffees too, as the chatter went on and on.



It really is a great social event, getting us altogether, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.



And what is so good, is that it's not a boozy social. Or a drink-to-get-drunk affair. In fact, it's far more cultural, as was proved by going to a post dinner exhibition.



The Deutsche Borse Photography Prize, hosted by the Photographers Gallery, was relocated around the corner in the Ambika P3 Gallery, (part of the University of Westminster).



An incredible space played host to four shortlisted photographers, Roe Ethridge, Jim Goldberg, Elad Lassry and one of my all time favourites, Thomas Demand. In fact, the industrial, vacuous space looked like it could have been a vast cardboard structure, created by Demand himself, and we were his subjects.



The works were varied and interesting, but none really sparked huge excitement in me. As ever, Demand's work is flabberghasting, but I have seen it before. Jim Goldberg's eye opening images highlight socially and economically devastated countries.


Jim Goldberg, Guardian 2009

But for some reason I think Roe Ethridge will win. Bold, simple imagery. Either high brow or simple, they seem to hold that little bit more, that you can't quite put your finger on.


Roe Ethridge, Old Fruit 2010

All in all, a fantastic afternoon. Brilliant in every respect. Where's next?!

TV On The Radio, Nine Types Of Light....

The new album, from Brooklyn's finest is out now. I've yet to give it a full listen, but expect to hear falsetto-rock-blues-pop-wig-out of the highest order. Sometimes their music is indefinable, but always absorbing.


TVOTR

And if you like your music visual, then they have that to. TVOTR have created a rather wonderful 'film' of their album, whereby each track plays back to back, with a video for each.



Watch & listen. Good, good.

On the market....

....With great sadness, Goldman Close and I are parting ways. After seven wonderful years here, the house is now officially on the market. The plan is for Kelly & I to buy somewhere of our own, a little bit further East. Look here for the full spec.

Jude meets family & friends....

Kelly and I travelled to Leeds today to meet Jude for the first time.


Auntie Kelly gets winding!

After first hello's and cuddles, we went out for a walk at nearby Roundhay Park.



On returning, we relaxed and doted a bit more before Andy cooked up a storm. On Sunday, both mum & dad and James & Theresa arrived to add to the fanfare. Cue more holding and cuddling.


Theresa & James

The men popped to the pub for a gas and the ladies stayed at home to do the same, before we came back for a fantastic pork roast. (Thank you again Andy!)



Dad, Kel and I left on the evening train and mum has stayed on for the week. Nana arrived on Monday, (or should I say Great Nana?!) and so it has been quite a few days for Jude, mum & dad.


Great Nana & Jude

It was wonderful to meet him - a real little character, yet a very placid little boy.



I'm a pretty proud Uncle if I'm honest.

Full slideshow

The Man Who Knows Everything....

...In the same week that Max launched Joy of Living, his equally talented other half, Hannah Martin launched her latest collection, at Dover Street Market.



The Man Who Knows Everything has been inspired by Masonic imagery, occultism and general dark arts, spawning, in particular, a stunning Pyramid ring at the heart of the collection.


Pyramid ring

But this was more than just a jewellery launch - it was also a state of the art, world first - this ring, by the wonder of technology and augmented reality, can be tried on by anyone the world over. Just download the App.



Geeky eh?! The collection has been photographed by Joss, and can be seen here. The show itself is on at DSM until March 30th, so pop along.

Joy of Living....

....Max conceived and curated this exhibition, The Joy of Living, in aid of Maggie's Cancer Caring Centers.



He has worked tirelessly to collate 100 artists and designers to respond to the same brief - on a single piece of A4 graph paper, create a desirable artwork that expresses the joy of living.


The result is a breathtaking and ultimately moving body of work, where craftmanship and raw emotion have created a special exhibition, at Somerset House. Each artwork is for sale for £250, with the artist remaining anonymous until after purchase - and with the close of the show today, Max has made an astonishing £25,000 for Maggie's.


Joy. By Richard Ardagh

But the show must go on - so it does, online, where a couple of pieces remain for sale and ongoing initiatives will lead Max to a target of £50,000 raised. Incredible.


It Is My Heart. By Hannah Martin

I went along today and bought a piece that turned out to be a John Pawson original - so as well as a good cause, it could prove a good investment too.


Artist House, Highgate. By John Pawson.

Take a look. Please.

Chatsworth Road Market....

....Today we explored the new market, that is held on this street. Only every few months at the moment, it plans to become a fortnightly, then weekly fixture before the year is out. Sights are set on this being the new Broadway Market - which would be no small achievement and based on what we saw today, it certainly has the seeds sown already.


wrap-tastic

Food, cake and coffee stalls aplenty. Vintage clothing stands, chintz and fruit, veg & cheese stalls. Kelly and I were joined by Harrie, Nick, Aimee and Kenna, for a little wander follwed by coffee and crepes at Creperie Du Monde.


Nick + Crepe = happiness.

I'm looking forward to coming back again, but if nothing else, it further cemented my desire to live in that neck of the woods...so watch this space on that one too!


Nick, Harrie, Aimee, Kel, (Kenna out of shot)

Hey Jude....

....I hereby announce the birth of baby boy Jude Ellis Preston at 18.35, Tues March 15th 2011. Weighing a healthy 7lbs 15oz, with both mother and father very well. (And delighted).

Jude Ellis Preston

Grannie & Grandpa, (Margaret & Neil), are beside themselves and you'll find them loitering along the A1(M) on a regular basis to-ing and fro-ing between Leeds and Newcastle. Uncle Roy is happy he has a boy to help learn football. And I have already sold the film rights to Miramax of an epic tail of a young man's rise to football super stardom, led by his innovative Uncle. Release date due 2031.


Similar? A pic Ruth recently found of me?


The newbie, Jude. Proud mum looks on.

Special mention too must go to our, now, Great Nana, who is well chuffed!

Would you Adam & Eve it? I'm leaving AMV....

....You read it right. After nearly 5 years, I am leaving AMV for pastures new.


How I looked on the final day(!)

An NYC style champagne breakfast this morning was bestowed on me by colleagues.



Tonight I had my leaving drinks and tomorrow is my final day.





Sad times. But in leaving a wonderful agency, I am also joining a brilliant one in Adam & Eve, where I start on Monday. Let work commence!