Cohen's Diary

It's always odd to receive an email with instructions not to tweet about its contents, but Barri-Jayne was quite strict about this. This was Jazmine's twentieth, and it was a surprise.

 Sitting in suspense in a Clapham bar with Olivia, Dina, Lucy, Kristabel, and Reena, we discussed various methods of greeting Ms. Rocks. A mexican wave was considered, but instead a chorus of "happy birthday!"s was sung, as a rather shocked Jazmine made her way to our table. The Little Black Dress dress code was perfect for someone who adores Audrey Hepburn as much as the birthday girl (although, who doesn't?), and the evening was spent in some of the best company I could ever have wished for.

To think, it was just over two years ago I first found out about Jazmine's blog through Jill's post on Street Style London (I haven't even told Jazz this!), and now I'm lucky enough to consider her a friend. Blogging may be a funny old world, but I sure am glad I'm part of it.

xxx

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"Just so long as you're happy love, you'll be alright"

Smiths t-shirt: £10, Brighton. Kimbolton Skirt: £39, Jack Wills. Black Chelsea Boots: £60, Topshop. Wells Denim Jacket: £63, NW3 by Hobbs. Brown frame bag: £3, vintage. Rabbit necklace: Topshop (years old). Watch: gift, Rotary. Lipstick: Shade 3, MUA at Superdrug.

Watching last night's "The Secret History of Our Streets" on the BBC was quite an odd moment. Serendipitously seeing black and white images of historical interest whilst you are editing photos of the very same place may definitely be placed in the surreal category. Although I guess back then they lacked the Mawi shop and the "humour" of whoever lives in these apartments now.

I'm currently feeling a little worse for wear, with an aching stomach and head, but a hot chocolate, massive "2 Broke Girls" session and getting a decent amount of sleep is the only prescription I'm interested in. I hope you've all got fab plans for the weekend, whether it's busy or chill. I'm just hoping these very persistant April showers (seriously, it's July) don't rain on my parade.

xxx

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She falls into frame with a professional pout

1. Lily and Dina, cooler than thou.
2. Flying rats
3. Mona 
4. Playlounge
5. The Great Frog. One day I will own one of their eye rings. I will.
6. Topshop Adder Boots 
7. Lily and I
8. Carnaby Street

Analogue.

adjective.
Of technologies, media, etc.: making use of analogue computers or devices; analogue signals or data.
Often contrasted with digital.

Those who've read my blog for a while will be aware that I use film as much as I possibly can. I normally have a disposable camera or two in my bag, which I go through like there's no tomorrow. More recently I've been using two slightly more permanent cameras: a fisheye and an action sampler (yet to get my first film developed!), both from Lomography - I always state which camera I've used in each blog post in its tags. To receive an invite to lomo's "LoBlography" event from the lovely Heidi not only played on my intrinsic love of puns, but my perseverance with analogue photography. While I would love to own a DSLR, I'm well aware that even the cheapest would be well out of my price range, and, in all honesty, isn't everything about film photography bloody great?


At the store just behind Carnaby Street I found Jazzy and Dina who've both had the misfortune of my presence before, as well as finally getting to know Lily (happy belated birthday!) and meeting Mona whose wonderful blog I only recently discovered. After taking part in many a #bbloggers chat on a Sunday evening, I'm well-versed in the basics of blogging, yet the talks by Kat from Gizmodo, Sian from Domestic Sluttery, and Adam from Rock My Wedding (I'm in a few of their photos!) weren't simply dry, repeated phrases of yore (as much as anything internet-related can be), but rather informative and, dare I say it, funny. But it wouldn't be lomo without a little bit of camera action. We were each given an LC-A+ loaded with Colour Negative 800 film and an hour to prance around Soho. And boy, did I prance. I'll upload the rest of my photos to the blog's facebook page as soon as I'm home, so you can form your own decisions as to which ones turned out well, and which ones are just photos of a fence. I love how sharp a lot of the photos have come out, and multiple exposures are always a winner. I love my good ol' point and shoot, but regardless of how many hours you spend on photoshop, you can't truly replicate analogue photos.

Long live film.

xxx

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