Worth it

I felt like I hadn't been absorbing all that much culture recently which is kind of against the point of living in London. It's one of the many reason I put up with exorbitant rent, being stuck next to obese, sweaty mofos on the tube on a too regular basis and the general lack of banter in the south (I love you really LDN). I was checking through my phone yesterday and realised I had.

See below for some of the best art I've seen recently.

Now and then

I think you might have heard me wax lyrical about the Kings Road before.

It's a nice escape from the East End and an awesome spot for people watching (although you will spot more collagen than anywhere else in London.)

I find it fascinating how fashionable neighbourhoods change over time. In the 'Swingin' 60s and the 70's it was all about being spotted on the Kings road or in Soho, now not so much.

Whilst checking out the Saatchi gallery I got talking to a chap (there's no other word for him) who was holding a competition to compare the fashions of yesteryear on the Kings road to today's. Exactly my kind of competition. View the results or enter for yourself here

After hours

I'm not usually the type to talk about one off things I've been to which are no longer on but what the heck rules are made for breaking and all that (insert your own cliche if you want).

I had a bloody good night last night and not just because of the free food and booze. I went to the Puma/Vice After Hours party which I'm sure most of you heard about.

In between skanking to some top hip-hop and kickin ass on Streetfigher/Ping Pong I was questioning the relevance of paid for media/advertising. Surely the solution to most brands problems can't be as simple as get a load of opinion formers in one place, feed em and get em pissed. It seemed to work pretty well last night so well done Puma/Vice. Keep your eyes peeled for the next one.

Versus

I live just off Brick lane, the capital of Bohemia you might even say.

The way E1's denizens cut a swathe accross the streets you could be forgiven for thinking you were at a high end fashion shown in Milan.

But do people in East London really have the best style?

On the kings Road I often see some people with incredible personal style, a style that seems a little more natural than the obviously trying inhabitants of East london.

Camera in hand I thought I'd turn anthropologist and see who really has the best style, the real decision though is up to you.

East London: 

Neuhar

Mr High Top

Taka

Lady Cool

Liz

Kensal Rise Massive

Butler

Jon Luca 

West London:

Aida & Murray - The Koople

A weekend in the city

Brand Power

In case you didn't already know Apple is now the worlds most valuable brand ahead of Google, according to Millward Brown anyway.

The list of the highest valued brands is incredibly interesting especially as it's another illustration of the emerging power of the BRIC nations. If you haven't seen it yet check it out here here or for more insight here .

Now I feel stupid....

.....it doesn't happen that often, possibly because I never admit to being wrong.

Stupid is the most apt word to describe how I felt listening to David Milibands talk on the Global village and politics in the Middle East. I realised I've still got a lot more to learn. I didn't just feel slightly out of my comfort zone though I also felt by the end of talk inspired, educated and excited.

Hearing first hand from the former Foreign Secretary what caused the middle east meltdown and what China has in store for the world was a great experience.

The talk was part of a festival held by Fallon called Future Proof. Most people might wonder what exactly that has to do with advertising but I think that's one of the reasons Fallon is such a great agency. Knowledge and creativity should be drawn from all over the world not just a tiny subsection of it.

After listening to the talk and seeing where all of Ed Milibands charisma went (David obviously was born with all of it) I remembered all over again who should be the Labour leader (no he wouldn't answer any questions on the subject).

Love is what you want

I'm tighter than a Scotsman when it comes to paying for exhibitions, there's a wealth of free exhibitions in London making parting with my cash quite difficult.

Generally though the get what you pay for principle does apply and the shows I've seen have been great value for money. One exhibition which I think is going to be incredible value for money is the Tracey Emin retrospective at the Hayward gallery: Love is what you want.

The exhibition is her biggest to date and covers every aspect of her career. You can get reacquainted with the controversial Turner prize nominated 'my bed' or get lost in her often brutal poetry, you can even see who she's slept with .

A major theme of the show is sculpture adding something new for even the most ardent and long serving Emin fan.

Tracey Emin has been a major influencing factor on British art over her 20 year career Love is what you want won't just be a show it'll be a tutorial examining a seminal British artist and the YBA movement.

I've seen Emin a few times as we share the same local, she has an incredible aura, a sort of magnetism that draws you in and captivates you, you feel like you've shared something together. I've no doubt the show at the Hayward gallery will make you feel the same way.

The show opens next Wednesday click here for tickets .

Wasn't I cute

I found the below photos whilst traversing the dark corners of the web and had to share them.

With every Tom, Dick and Zane picking up a camera these days it's nice to see some differentiation.

I love the simple concept.

For more of the same and for information on the photographer Irina Werning click here

I challenge you....

....to find a better value restaurant in London than Le Mercury in Islington.

I've been meaning to take a trip there for a while and have heard great things about the place.

Modern, unpretentious French food that won't even slightly hurt your wallet.

If you haven't tried Foie Gras before here's your chance (yes Foie Gras, if food sustainability and animal cruelty keep you awake at night you're on the wrong blog).

I've had sea bass at michelin star restaurants that wasn't as good as Le Mercury's. At a paltry £7.95 its cheaper than a Nando's. 

To be honest I wondered why I hadn't been sooner, don't make the same mistake get yourself down there