Stacie Willoughby has signed, sealed and delivered!

Cast your mind back 12 months or so and you might possibly remember me talking about this amazing poster I had spotted whilst driving along the West Coast of California. Due to the powers of the internet I later find that this artist is no other than Stacie Willoughby, an artist who resides in the fair coastal town of Santa Cruz. A few emails later – including an interview here on the blog (way back in the spring) and we’re kind of internet friends, though I still was yet to get my hands on some of her work.

This has quickly changed however as earlier today when coming in from the London cold I notice a small envelope addressed to me sitting on my Hallway floor. Carefully opening the intriguing packet, I notice that it’s from California – better still it’s from Stacie Willoughby! Who has taken the time out to delicately fold into a small envelope a copy of her 2010 calendar! I literally can’t quite believe my luck at this precise moment in time. Not only am I happy to have my own Willoughby piece, but the sheer fact this has been sent from the Sunshine state and prompted purely through the amazing world that is the internet.

Those of you that know my drawing skills will realise that I can’t repay this gift, unless she fancies a picture of a Crab in a bow tie, but at the very least I can tell you all what an excellent artist she is and also what we would refer to in England as a “right bobby dazzler”

Please go and check out the Art of Stacie Willoughby and tell of your friends.

Aunt Mays Pasty = proper job and proper good signage

It seems that Cornwall is on my mind a lot at the moment, hardly surprising when one finds slick signs like the one outside Aunty Mays Pasty shop in Newlyn. Bold and bright it features a Pirate tucking into what I can only assume is one of Aunt Mays finest. Awesome art work for an awesome pasty shop. If you're ever in Newlyn, you know where to go for lunch.

Skirt Versus Shirt

Quite randomly, I was approached a while ago asking if I would contribute to a fashion blog called Skirt Versus Shirt. It aims to report on items of fashion from both a male and female perspective (hence the title I guess) I wouldn’t necessarily say that the World of Tuckshop is a fashionable one, but I loathe to turn down any new opportunity that comes my way so naturally I accepted the challenge. If you are indeed a young man in his late twenties/early thirties who just doesn’t feel right when either shopping in M&S or wearing a bright logo emblazoned t-shirt, then this might just be the place for you, In fact, you may just like the piece I’ve just done on Barbour jackets so go and check it out...

You can also join the Skirt Versus Shirt revolution on facebook

Storms a gathering

I’ve literally just got back from a few days in the pirate town of Penzance. The town where I spent many of my formative years. It's located at the far tip of West Penwith which is an incredibly wild and rugged coastline, full of equally wild and rugged characters and totally different to my new found home of Kentish Town in North West London. During my short visit, I had the pleasure of walking along Sennen beach, perhaps one of the finest stretches of golden sands that you are ever likely to come across. Sadly this mental storm broke out, which resulted in a quick return to the indoors, however I did manage to take this photo which I was quite happy about.

The world of Tuckshop TV and some really cool videos

Well Finally I have some Tuckshop Community Television footage for you all to enjoy, though it really is only the smallest of sneaky peeks. Those of you who are our friends on facebook have probably seen this already, however for those of you who read the blog I'll probably be releasing a few more snippets over the next week or so.

First up is the lovely Melodica, melody and me teaching our friend Tobias how to play the melodica. This was taken on my balcony with the added danger of hanging a cameraman of some scaffolding. Short but sweet....it's a tuckshop treat!




It also seems that many of our friends have been using thier creative talents in more ways than one, Forget MTV or even TMF, just watch these videos and enjoy the next 20 minutes or so..

Freak Out by the Cobalt Cranes
A bad boy of a video no less with a rather glamorous set or two, Cobalt Cranes are Technicolor genuises

Cobalt Cranes "Freak Out" from COBALT CRANES on Vimeo.

Ties by The Momeraths
Another of our favourite bands, The Momeraths put thier wondeful summery pop into a wonderful summery video. Twee English countryside and cake - what's not to like?

Momeraths: Ties from Chris Newcombe on Vimeo.

The Robbery by The Anti Job
Hip lo-fi undergraduates from NYC produce hip lo-fi video - masterful simplicity

The Robbery Music Video from Beyond the Infinite on Vimeo.

Ears to the ground by Ice Black Birds
Ears to the ground is one thing but eyes on this fantastic video is another.

Ice Black Birds 'Ears To The Ground' from Jessica Stead on Vimeo.

Creature by Tijuana Panthers
Man wakes up with an eye on his neck! it's actually quite common.

Tijuana Panthers - Creature from Aaron McFarland on Vimeo.

Mamoun's make fine falafel.

I always love stumbling across a good logo or home made sign and this was no different whilst on a recent visit to New York. Having a few friends based in Greenwich village (The Eastman Brothers), I was taken out on a Pizza crawl where we would take in a local slice at a different pizzeria after every beer drank. After experiencing several slices from the likes of Ray’s, John’s and Joe’s I was at the end, taken for some local falafal at a place known as Mamoun’s. Obviously a popular place with the locals, I squeezed through the narrow door and waited my turn in line to order. It has to be said that these delicately flavoured mouth watering balls of chick peas and herbs were the tastiest thing I had eaten all day. Each bite filled me with a joyous explosion of flavour and mouth watering excitement. Wanting to remember this moment and fine stablishment for another visit, I picked up one of their cards which filled me with further delight! Tastefully embossed and with a wonderful picture of who I can only assume is Mamoun himself, it has to be one of the best logo'sI've seen in a while. Admiring this fine artwork, I carefully placed it into my wallet as a souvenir from my visit and as a reminder to return later in the week.

Having now been back in England for a few months, I admittedly had temporarily forgotten about this wonderful experience until the other week when during one if my rather rare viewings of US hit series Gossip Girl, I hear one of the fresh faced yuppie socialites cry “Let’s go to Mamoun's for falafel” Eagerly opening my wallet I find the very Card, bringing back very fond memories.

Go and eat at Mammoun's now, it was still delicious on the second visit and by far one of my favourite places visited on that trip.

Daggering - from the dance halls of Jamaica to a wedding dance floor near you

I was completely unaware of daggering until last week when my colleague Gareth introduced me to the phenomenon. I can’t believe I’ve been in the dark ages for so long. Perhaps it’s my middle class heritage or that I’m showing my age. But Daggering really is quite a movement and a fairly tame example can be found whilst watching this wonderful video by Major Lazer.

Pon De Floor featuring Afro Jack & VYBZ Cartel from Mad Decent on Vimeo.