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‘We put too much of ourselves into our product facades, spinning too much mass to our outer edges where we hope it is both publicly visible and instantly lovable. One problem with this strategy is that it leaves too much blank space in the middle, so there’s not much of ourselves left for lovers or friends to discover in the long term. This could be called the centrifugal-soul effect.’ - Geoffrey Miller

Mat Collishaw’s ‘The Centrifugal Soul’ exhibit beautifully captures the constant push and pull of maintaining your personal ‘brand’ vs. true, honest connection with your desires and needs.  The zoetrope shows bowerbirds and birds of paradise’s ostentatious mating rituals; conveying Miller’s notion that art originates from innate approaches to courtship and reproduction.  On a side note, where’s my romantic grand gesture?  Here I thought it was just Hollywood feeding me false hopes of grandeur - even the Japanese puffer fish gets it.  

But, I digress...We’re all engaging in acts of self-promotion; the question is how do we find a happy medium of taking pride in how we present ourselves to the world without losing our ‘true’ selves in the process? Do we impose limits on our engagement in ‘superficial truth’ (i.e. only use Instagram ‘x’ times a week; wear the same outfit to work everyday as this women does (I’m not condoning neglecting hygiene/ cleanliness!)? Do we schedule and honour time to refocus on ‘selfish’ pursuits to truly reconnect with ourselves?  The answer, for me, is ‘yes’ to both.  Taking time to breathe, time to understand what fulfills me and how I can align that with my ambitions for my personal brand; all in all trying not to get caught up in the rat race or losing sight of what truly inspires me and makes me happy.

That Song in My Head: All We Are - TiRon & Ayomari

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“The shared meal elevates eating from a mechanical process of fuelling the body to a ritual of family and community, from the mere animal biology to an act of culture.” ― Michael Pollan, In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto

Less than one week left to support Be Enriched’s efforts in building a community hub! http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/the-canteens-project/

My heart sings when food is created, shared & appreciated in the company of others.  And it damn near burst out into the Sister Act 2 finale song when I stumbled upon the work of Be Enriched & their Community Canteens (only amplified by my subsequent experience volunteering at their Battersea location above).  Championing the fight against food waste and looking out for our community, the Canteens organise meals created by volunteers using surplus foods donated by local businesses for those in need.  Please consider donating to this worthwhile cause who’d greatly appreciate your help in securing a permanent space, so they can offer daily advice and support to those experiencing food poverty, social isolation, loneliness.  A little goes a long way; thank you in advance for donating what you can!

That Song in My Head: Sister Act 2 Finale

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When life hands you lemons, throw on your jacket and get thee to Dyelog’s All Women Should Own pop up gallery for some refreshingly stylish distractions.  Two of the best dressed women I have the pleasure of calling dear friends have put together an event to showcase some bright talent on the fashion scene in support of Smart Works charity tomorrow, 6th April 10am-10pm, at Protein Studios in Shoreditch, London.  As if putting the unique pieces of designers such Nicola Brindle (above), Shao Yen, & Mayu weren’t enough, they go in and remove any chance of feeling remotely guilty for partaking in retail therapy by hosting a raffle in aid of Smart Works charity.  You heard me, support a cause that helps women in need get the job through mentoring and confidence-boosting interview garb by visiting this pop up & grabbing yourself a raffle ticket for excellent prizes and snap up some gear that #allwomenshouldown.

That Song in My Head: BANJI - Sharaya J (Be Authentic Never Jeopardise Individuality)

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#WhyIMarch : • To reignite the conversation of equality & fairness in & over 'power'• To inspire progress & peace • To stress the importance of inclusion • To share my hope and faith in humanity • For the future & the little ones • To show respect for and join in the brave, impassioned footsteps of those before me #womensmarchlondon #fightlikeagirl #nastywoman #joinme #wml #womensmarch (at London, United Kingdom)

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Under the microscope, I found that snowflakes were miracles of beauty; and it seemed a shame that this beauty should not be seen and appreciated by others. Every crystal was a masterpiece of design and no one design was ever repeated. When a snowflake melted, that design was forever lost. Just that much beauty was gone, without leaving any record behind.  

- Wilson Bentley, 1925

The first person to photograph a single snow crystal, Wilson Bentley proved that no two snowflakes are alike and devoted much of his life’s work to capturing the beauty and intricacies of more than 5,000 snow crystals via photomicrography. A recent visit to The Gallery of Everything to see some of the delicate works of art on display evoked so much more than the holiday cheer than I’d expected from Bentley’s snow crystals.   

If ever there was a reminder to be here now and appreciate the beauty in the present, this is it.  So, as we flit around like frenzied snowflakes searching for Christmas gifts, meeting friends for drinks, baking holiday goodies, and trying with all our might to keep fit and healthy (and let’s be honest - failing more often than not), let’s try to recognise and savour in the beauty of the moments.  Because it’s those memories that will remain alongside the joy of experiences shared that will inspire more happiness and fulfilment than a new necklace or the best pie at the holiday bake sale.  Keep shining like those beautiful, twinkling lights all around us, friends, and enjoy the moments!

That Song In My Head: Waltz of the Snowflakes - Tchaikovsky   (And don’t worry, I shall be sending a letter to The Royal Ballet urging them, in the name of science, to reconsider the matching snowflake costumes. ;))

p.s. Excellent Radiolab podcast on Wilson Bentley here :)

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"...the only way to love wholeheartedly is to find the willingness and courage to risk loss..." Word. For some more insight, have a look at this article.

That Song in My Head: Talk Is Cheap - Chet Faker

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The time is right.  This needs to make an appearance in my life.

That Song In My Head: In Due Time - Outkast with Cee-Lo

We filled this pumpkin with cheese and then we roasted it. Repeat as necessary.

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Trick Shot Titus: proof that good things can happen when you let kids play ball in the house!

That Song In My Head: Whoomp! (There It Is) - Tag Team

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Today I discovered this video that captures New Yorker’s reactions to a fellow subway passenger falling asleep on their shoulder. It immediately took me back to a train journey S & I shared on holiday in Kyoto a couple weeks ago. They entire train car was giggling as this teenager, who must’ve been tuckered out after a long day at school, fell asleep on S’s lap. S kindly endured the weight of a stranger’s head on her leg for a few stops until we got off. Just as some of the kind stranger’s reactions exhibited in this film, S figured this young man needed a bit of rest, and it wasn’t going to kill her to provide her lovely lap as a pillow for his weary head. Random acts of kindness come in many forms, be it a helping hand or a cosy lap/ shoulder on which to catch a few z’s. Every moment is a chance to help someone.

That Song In My Head: Put Your Head On My Shoulder - Paul Anka

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As a child, I was convinced that I was going to be a marine biologist.  Not that I had any idea of what this job actually entailed, all I knew was that it was one way of insuring I'd be able to hang out with whales and dolphins.  At that point the closest I'd gotten to this was seeing them at Sea World and 'adopting' a humpback whale called Midnight.  My room was painted an underwater ocean scene, complete with textured sand by my talented and generous big sister who had surprised me after I'd spent my summer away in Germany.  This incredible footage of the rescue of a humpback whale brought back the memories of why I adored these magnificent creatures so much as a child (and still do).  My career has followed a drastically different path, but I'm still hoping I'll be able to swim with the dolphins at the very least someday.  I hope you enjoy this video - you may even shed some tears of joy as I did (ok, what I did could better be described as bawling my eyes out).

That Song In My Head: Bygone - Volcano

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That Song In My Head: Breathe This Air - Jon Hopkins ft. Purity Ring

Handmade Wooden Book by Pochiko Ho

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"Shrinking Women" by Lily Myers

That Song In My Head: Everywhere I Go - Lissie

Stop whatever you’re doing and WATCH THIS.

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It's been nearly 3 months, so it's high time I share the evidence that remains of the beautiful weekend that was had in the delightful Cotswolds.  Ashby St. Ledgers is the sleepy village (this cottage to be exact) we awoke from its peaceful countryside slumber with our youthful spirit (read drunken singing, dancing & hot tubbing) that weekend, and I dare say that, as evidenced by the local farmer who stopped by to say hello, the village welcomed a bit of action to liven the place up for a short while.  And they couldn't have asked for a better group of Londoners to do so.  Sometimes the cosmos and the planets align and this time, they brought a great group of people together who magically got on like a house on fire, ahem, cottage on fire. Until next time, Cotswolds!

That Song In My Head: Right Here - SWV

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Sometimes you have those moments where you just need to indulge yourself in a pat on the back.  Today I experienced a mini milestone: I mowed a lawn for the first time ever. It may sound silly and ridiculous to many, but it took me until I moved into a flat with a very small garden (though very reasonably sized by London standards, where most live without any green space of their own at all) to mow a lawn. Is it the best, most beautiful job? No, I dare say it isn't. But, I did it & that's all that matters. Another tick on the 'adult list'!

That Song In My Head: Who's That Lady - The Isley Brothers

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Amazing! I will be calling in my reservation as soon as this opens. Happy to see this sort of initiative.  Hopefully it helps pave the way to prisoners' rehabilitation and reintroduction into society, which is very much lacking these days and, I believe, a strong contributor to reoffender rates.

That Song In My Head: Feel So Good - Mace

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This interesting feature on the beloved Sriracha made it's way to my inbox at an all too appropriate time... Ladies & gents, I am doing by best to keep a cold at bay, and anyone who knows me will be all to familiar with my love, nay, need, for all things spicy when I'm fighting a cold.  When those nasty sneezes, scratchy throat, & sniffles begin to attack, I always counterattack with Sriracha.  Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy this delightful, spicy condiment far more often than just during cold & flu season and found these random facts on the number 1 ranked hot sauce in the the world highly amusing. 

That Song In My Head: Hot In Herre - Nelly

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I'm very excited to share this sneak peek of what's to come from the extraordinarily talented, Dan Vinci, leader of The Dandadda.  This is just a smidgen of what my dear friend is capable of, and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next (all created in our wonderful home of Brixton, London!).  

According to the man himself, "This isn't a specific genre. Not reggae. Not hip hop.  Not rock.  It's a symbolic mash up of different cultures coming together - all built for the festival circuit & gonna be one hell of a party..." Music with no limits or boundaries that brings people together to party in harmony?! Sign me up!

Make sure you stay tuned for the happenings of this fresh, new musical movement by following & subscribing to The Dandadda on YouTube, facebook, Instagram and The Dandadda.

That Song In My Head: Heart Attack - The Dandadda