London, Hampstead Heath & St Dunstans

Post-exam adventure: days 5 & 6 (the final chapter)

Like Bath, London is not an unfamiliar town to me. I've lost track of how many times I've ventured here, but there's always something new about the city so it is worth coming back to quite often. For the last couple of days, I've undergone an intense period of solo travelling. It was therefore why I decided to switch it up a bit and visit some friends during my first day in the country's capital.

Hampstead Heath

Delicious cakes from BB Bakery

Frisbee fun

Travelling alone is fun, but it's equally nice to have some company at times (in my opinion anyway).

I don't know if you've paid attention to the UK weather forecast recently but the weather was definitely a bit on and off on Friday. From sun to snow then to rain and back, it honestly felt like we were experiencing all four seasons in one day. Luckily for me, when I did need to head out, the sun was also out. It was therefore why I managed to enjoy a long and peaceful walk with company around the entire Hampstead Heath. I consequently rewarded myself with a filling dinner and a long-awaited chat with a different friend in the evening after all that exercise.

Main motivation behind the park stroll

Dinner with the friend

I forgot to mention that we had some cakes before we headed onto the heath. If you're ever in Covent Garden, you should definitely head to BB Bakery in Chandos place. It serves the most beautiful and scrumptious cakes, biscuits and other desserts I've ever had. I think that they also serve afternoon tea on a special double decker bus and Thames Riverside boat -- totally worth trying out if you're lucky enough to secure a spot!

The view from London Bridge

Pumpkin ravioli at Strada

London Bridge

After being accompanied for the entire day on Friday, Saturday was my day to roam around freely by myself. It began with a long stroll around Monument towards St Dunstans (a very nice little park that is worth a visit if you're ever in need of killing time on a sunny day), which then progressed across London Bridge towards Waterloo for a lovely lunch at Strada. Thereafter it was off to shopping around Kensington before 4pm suddenly crept up and I had to leave. It was back up to my uni accommodation shortly after that.

I've been welcomed 

Going around St Dunstans

Oh boo hoo, this completes the final leg of my grand 6 day getaway.

St Dunstans

Monument

The Shard from St Dunstans

St Dunstans

It's sad when things come to an end but, as the saying goes, with every ending comes a brand new beginning - let the travels for 2016 by The Amateur Anthropologist FINALLY begin.

The floral wheelbarrow

Review: Learning Architecture at CSM

The amateur anthropologist architect

 

Usually on my weekends, travelling to a museum or hidden highlight are inevitable. I just love the idea of being able to experience new situations, and simultaneously learn more about life and history. However, as pointed out by the renowned psychologist Vygotsky, one can only learn so much through trial and error. In order to reach our potential, teachers or role models are what we require to become academically adept. And although the traditional note-taking and lecturing techniques may seem rather tedious especially on a weekend, I felt no regrets in enrolling myself into a 2-day architectural drawing course at Central Saint Martins (CSM); for those of you that don’t know, it’s famed for developing the star-studded fashion figures like A McQueen and S McCartney.

 

Why? Simply for the love of learning and sketching.

For such a course, you’d expect there to be some sort of practical element. You guessed correctly. Underneath the baking hot sun that shone through the dusted glass windows, I was able to perch myself on comfy wooden furniture whilst crafting my (very amateur) masterpieces (which were based on the interiors and structures of the captivating building which CSM was in). I was undoubtedly grateful for the guidance and support the course tutor showed me; although we do cover households as a topic in anthropology, we consider it through a more abstract and philosophical angle, rather than an artistic one. Through being taught about the importance of measurements and various viewing perspectives, I was able to progress steadily during the course. Fascination and enthusiasm quickly kicked in, despite the weather beckoning me to go out (it was apparently one of the hottest weekends in London during my time at CSM).

And since it was my first attempt at architectural sketching, I have to say, I think I did alright; don’t you? 

 

Constellations (theater review)

My kind of Friday night entertainment

When it comes to Friday evening, most people I know tend to head out to the pub for a drink or two with friends. I think it’s important to socialize, but it’s not an alcohol-based atmosphere that I personally desire. I’d much rather go out for a casual dinner or movie. So, I think that the topic of this particular blog post will be of no surprise to any of you. Out of all the shows available last week, Constellations was the one that stood out to me the most. The combination of quantum physics and romance in a play sounded intriguing. I was keen to find out if this was the reason behind the countless amount of stellar reviews critics had offered.

Plus it was raining horridly outside so an indoor form of entertainment was a definite must.

The sweet shop

Parallel universes

The acting and backdrop were both nothing short of phenomenal. However, what fascinated me the most was the theme the plot brought up. From start till finish, the story tended to be made up of a series of repeated scenes, although there was a slight difference in emotion, attitude and atmosphere in each one. If I recall correctly, this setting was based on the concept of parallel universes. It’s essentially the idea of having another one of you in an alternative realm, only he/she experiences the situation you have in an alternative way (positive or negative). It kinda got the anthropologist in me thinking about whether this phenomenon is applicable to people living in contrasting cultures.

Snacks galore

For a boy-meets-girl based performance, the use of the parallel universes concept meant a mixture of sweet and sour, hot and cold scenes. The amount of emotions radiating from the two actors was utterly indescribable. It was truly amazing how only two performers managed to captivate an audience of over 350 for longer than an hour, especially since there was very little music. I also recall them mentioning something about time, which got me thinking about the essay I wrote back in my first year at university concerning the culturally different understandings and experiences of time.

Arriving at the studio

An enjoyable evening treat suitable for those that enjoy a bit of humor, dancing, and thinking after work.

Oh and I also had a nice chat to the viewer next to me – Friday night socializing complete.

In conversation with Indre Jakumaite, designer & owner of "Alexa Jay"

“生命影響生命”

Wise words from the mother of yours truly that essentially mean one’s life can impact another. Simple but meaningful, I think that one of the best things about making new friends is, quite honestly, the inspiration they bring you. Be it about a new challenge or a new way of thinking, I find that a significant part of my life is created by all the people I have met and their unique personalities. On this occasion, I had the privilege of getting to know, through a good friend of mine, fashion’s latest hip and fab handbag designer, Indre Jakumaite.

Created by t-i-v-a-s-u-r-a-d-e-j on Polyvore

Jakumaite is the owner and designer of the brand, Alexa Jay. Starting only 2 years ago, this London-based brand is well known for its beautiful accessories in stunning statement colors and elegant classic styles. With a hint of playfulness, the products often evoke printed motifs and interesting textures, two of the utmost important themes that constantly inspire Jakumaite.

So what exactly is the story behind the name “Alexa Jay”?

“Initially, we started the business with #IJ, but soon realized that it didn't work. It took us quite a few glasses of bubbly to get the juices flowing and to come up with a new name. We wanted it to be personal and meaningful to us, so my partner and I decided to play with our names and their sounds. Thus Alexa Jay was born.”

And who is this “Alexa Jay” girl you might ask?

“She’s a happy and busy city woman, with an iPhone in one hand and coffee in the other (and occasionally a cupcake!). She loves fashion but isn’t necessarily fashion led, and likes to go for playful looks that are elegant, classy, and in bright, statement colors. She’s keen on high-end trends with a mid-price point. Last but not least, she’s well-travelled, educated, and career-orientated but still has time for socializing, relationships, and caring for her own appearance and home.”

The girls of ALEXA JAY

I personally think that’s the kind of woman ALL women (including myself) should aspire to be.

But it’s not simply the Alexa Jay girl that I found inspiring, oh no. It was her creator, Jakumaite herself. Having a background in HR, she made a daring move by quitting her job and buying an industrial sewing machine to begin designing and making handbags. Her passion for fashion has allowed her to experience the two most “adventurous” years of her life. With the help of her mentor, Donna Ida Thornton, the founder of the denim boutique Donna Ida, Jakumaite has gained success in marketing her brand such that Alexa Jay products are now available both online and in numerous stores, notably Anthropologie in Selfridges, and has even made it to the designer spotlight of the infamous Marie Claire magazine (issue May 2014 to be more precise!). Her ending remarks? “I love what I do and so my business is a great source of pride and pleasure.”

Inspirational? I think yes.

Reach for the stars and be open. Let the experience of others influence your life.

And remember

Be “flirtatiously colorful.”

x

For more details about or to purchase items from Alexa Jay visit:

Web: http://alexajay.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexaJayHandbags?ref=hl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/alexajay_bags

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/AlexaJayBags/

Alexa Jay products can also be found at:

·         Anthropologie (King’s Road, Regents Street, Bath, Guildford, Westfield, Selfridges and online)

·         The Mercantile (Spitalfields)

·         Kristina Goes West (online)

·         Lolly & Mitch (Hertfordshire – from November)