We can learn a lot from those geese

A collaborative of artists have been pulled together by the lovely JiggyLinty to produce a creative booklet to raise funds to support CICRA (Crohn's in Childhood Research Association), a charity whose approved medical research aims to find more effective treatments and an eventual cure for Crohn’s.

JiggyLinty's creative booklet focuses on a theme that is very much core to the charity's ethos; fellowship, and it was a pleasure to be invited to help support this worthy cause. For Pen&Pringle's entry, I took inspiration from geese who have many wonderful aspects of their nature when it comes to their flock. The text reads:

At some point or another we all need a little lift to help us see the day through. Did you know that geese, when flying in formation, will honk at the chaps up front to encourage them along? We could all learn a lot from those geese.

Should you wish to help support CICRA's research, JiggyLinty will soon have these wonderful booklets available to buy from his website so keep your eyes peeled.

Loving...

Available to buy from the TfL shop.

Things are looking bright

As a graphic designer, style and colour is inspired and influenced by everything around us; society, fashion, technology, politics and more. I've been looking at the Pantone fashion colour report for 2010 and with Spring around the corner, I can't wait to see a bit more colour. Going through my inbox, Flickr and my pile of magazine tear outs, I'm excited about the colours we're going to be seeing this year. In what have been doom and gloom times, it's not surprising to know we'll be seeing splashes of sunshine to brighten our mood. We're going to be seeing dependable neutrals together with the brights of spring and they'll be warm and optimistic. Below are a selection of things I've had my eye on which will give you a feel for some of the lovely colours we'll be seeing more of as we approach the warmer months!

Vases by FxBallery.

Kitchen Utensils Print by Pat Edgeley of Antigraphic

Photography by the multi-talented Danielle T.

Chocolate highs

It's not often one gets the chance to have such sensual chocolate and by george did I peak this Sunday. The lovely Verde and Co in Spitalfields does the most divine chocolate fondant and this is where I had the best hot chocolate ever, a Pierre Marcolini hot chocolate. Love this shot I took which looks quite Victorian. If you're ever round that way, you have to have a Pierre Marcolini hot chocolate. In the words of Craig Revel Horwood, a-m-a-z-i-n-g.

My Routemaster at The Gill Gallery

Wardrobe Editing by Regine Miqdadi

I've just produced a quick mail out for a girlfriend of mine who's a personal stylist (and a great one at that too) and she's offering an initial session absolutely FREE whilst she builds up her portfolio. Hurry as I doubt she'll be offering this for long. The beauty of personal styling is we're all guilty of amassing clothes we hardly ever wear and what wardrobe editing does is establish what works for you, helping you make the most with you've got and skilling you up to be a savvier clothes shopper. Regine's a really chilled person who's super passionate about fashion and I'm always picking her brains or flicking through her scrapbooks. She's based in London so if you fancy saving yourself some money and giving your wardrobe some tlc, give her a tinkle on 07951 860 521 or drop her a line at rmiqdadi@yahoo.com

Top Drawer Spring

It's the Top Drawer Spring exhibition this weekend so I'm going to try and get up there on Sunday. If any of you are planning to go, give me a shout and we can maybe meet up for a cuppa!

Brush this app under the carpet?

Drawings by David Hockney, made with the Brushes application on his iPhone, 2009. Source. 

It makes me smile to picture the 70-something Hockney creating pictures on his iphone and I thought I'd give the brushes app a go myself and see what all the fuss is about. In my opinion, it's great for long train rides, but otherwise, I don't have the patience to work on such a small scale. Some of the stuff that has been produced with this app is quite interesting: 

and people have gone crazy on Flickr but there's something rather perturbing about this iphone art - maybe I'm just an ageing technophobe I don't know? Brushes reminds me of the crappy Paint you used to get (or probably still get) on PCs and let's be honest, most of the pieces of 'iphone art' look like a ten year old's gift to mum. Claws retracted, I know it's a bit of fun and good for idle hands, no disrespect Mr Hockney. So has anyone else tried Brushes? Anyone going to make me eat my words?!

Dunkirk Spirit

It's lovely how you get to know your neighbours when it's like this. Whether you're giving eachother's cars the heave-ho or sharing tales of each other's torrid travels, as much as we moan, I think snow brings people together. The more vulnerable neighbours have all been checked in on and plates of dried fruit and nuts have been put out to make sure our little friends don't go without. There's something to be said for a bit of snow. 

We braved the blizzard and locals are out in their hoards stocking up on essentials. Milk is being rationed in our local grocery store and the queues for the butchers, bakers and greengrocers are out the door. I joined the frenzy of buyers to grab some supplies, followed by some good old fun in the snow.

Music to work to...

Frankmusik's In Step is on repeat. See my mixpod for a blast of this bouncy number.

I love lazy Sundays

I'm a creature of habit and love my Sunday ritual. Every Sunday I have poached eggs, read the papers, (actually I lie, I only get as far as Style magazine) whilst the hungover Tim Lovejoy on Something for the Weekend crabbily tucks into a seasonal cocktail. I love my lazy Sundays. If only I didn't have to go back to work tomorrow. :-(