Sunday 29 May 2011

Elephants prints

You probably all ready know that I have a slight obsession with animal print, whether it be in the form of actual prints i.e. leopard/zebra print or the actual shapes of animals as a print. Do you get me? Anyway, when I saw the elephant print top a few weeks ago I knew it was destined for me. Elephants, bows and lots of colours - perfection in a garment!

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Top from River Island
Skirt from Topshop
Necklace from Gogo Philip via Topshop
Pumps from Vivienne Westwood c/o Daniel Shoes

I wore this outfit when I went to meet friend S for lunch on the Strand. We opted for Mexican and I had a delicious steak burrito at Benito's Hat which I would definitely recommend. After lunch I popped along to the London Transport Museum because I wanted to visit the bus shelter art exhibition but when I discovered it was £10 I decided against it. The reason I love museums and galleries in London is because they're free unlike most places so when it comes to forking out money for the actual museum (and not just a special exhibition) I'm often put off. However, I'll probably go back and pay eventually and after you've paid once you do get in for the rest of the year no charge.

I did go the National Portrait Gallery and spent a couple of hours immersing myself in the many wonderful sketches, paintings and photographs. Because I'm more of a fan of modern art I stuck to the 20th Century portraits and avoided anything pre 1900. Some of my favourite displays included the self portraits by Sarah Lucas, sketches by Michael Landy and photographs by John Swannell.

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Sarah Lucas - various self portraits, this fried egg one is pretty hilarious

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Michael Landy - the comments Landy has made about each of the sitters are hilarious, it's almost worth visiting the sketches just to read what he wrote

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John Swannell - Susan Boyle and Victoria Beckham

One of my favourite set of portraits in the gallery is Julian Ope's illustrations of Blur for their 2000 Best of album. I'm a big fan of Blur so I'm kind of biased toward this image but I really do love the simplicity of it. Alex James (top right) is my favourite member FYI!

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I also really enjoyed the Ballet in Focus and Eighteen by Twelve exhibitions. The old ballet pictures were incredibly beautiful with the 2 below by Bassano being a couple of my favourites plus it was also nice to see portraits of recognisable people including Prof Brian Cox, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tracey Emin, Ronnie Corbet, M.I.A and Princes William and Harry.

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Bassano

Before leaving I quickly checked out the Andy Warhol portrait of Elizabeth Taylor which is a must see. I had a great time at the gallery and would really recommend it, I know I'll certainly be going back. I really like portraits compared to other art forms, I find them extremely fascinating plus I think it's possible to tell a lot more about a person than what they look like from the portrait as long as it's done well. It's almost kind of mesmerising looking into the eyes all these people in picture, I definitely need to learn about taking good portraits!

My eBay is running out this evening so take a look see x

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29 comments:

  1. I'm so jealous of your weekends- you're such a culture vulture!
    xxx

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  2. I love your top, the elephants are cute, and I love the range of colours!
    I've never been to the National Portrait Gallery, but it looks amazing, I must go there at some point. I love the portraits of Benedict Cumberbatch and the two Princes, they're both brilliant photos.
    Ps. My favourite member of Blur is Alex James too :')
    xx

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  3. woahh that print is awesome!!

    Annah xx

    girlandbird.blogspot.com

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  4. Totally in love with your top.. if clothing has an animal on it in any way shape or form it wins me over easily :)

    your weekend sounded so fun!

    http://lowri-youcantputyourarmsaroundamemory.blogspot.com/

    x

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  5. I love those ballet photographs, so pretty. I would wear that today, just to feel a little glamorous!


    xxx Anna
    Fairytalefrocks.blogspot.com

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  6. I love reading about the places you visit, you make me seem so uncultured haha!

    Stacey x

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  7. I love that top, its so pretty. The multicoloured elephants are brilliant.

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  8. Such a cute outfit, love your blog.

    www.aclassicfashiondiary.blogspot.com

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  9. Ohh you've made me crave Mexican food now! Good Mexican restaurants are a rarity up north!x

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  10. adorable top!
    love the national portrait gallery too, i spend forever looking at the old paintings.. it's so peaceful
    x

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  11. This print is so cute!love those pictures!
    should we follow each other?
    jewellerybijou.com

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  12. I love these sorts of prints - not long ago there was a jacket in topshop with a giraffe print. Actual little giraffes! Super cute :).

    Alex the cheesemaker James is my favourite member of Blur too! x

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  13. I love portraits!
    That is the cutest top ever

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  14. Love your top Hannah! Also looks like you had a lovely time at the National Portrait Gallery. I also really love Sarah Lucas and the Young British Artists that she was part of!

    Anyway, loving your review of the day!

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  15. Your top really is the cutest!

    Leia

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  16. You've been busy!
    I love that Blur print so much I have a little one framed in my room. Alex James and Benedict Cumbercatch mentioned on one post, swoon!
    There is nothing like this in Cardiff, people who live near London are very lucky. We have one museum here and one about Cardiff itself. Most museums in south Wales are 'living museums' like Big Pit and St Fagans. Boohoo
    xx

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  17. I love anything animal themed too, that top is so cute! I was contemplating buying it the other day but then my friend got it - might just have to 'borrow' it from her haha!

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  18. I LOVE that top!!!! Want want want!!!


    N xxxx
    http://styletwigs.blogspot.com/

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  19. I LOVE elephants and you look lovely! Also Alex James is clearly the best member ;)

    Maria xxx

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  20. OOOOh I LOVE your tiny elephant top! So gorgeous!! I have never been to the National Portrait Gallery before :( boohoo!!
    Your day trip has inspired me to go.
    Following :)
    Tori xxx

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  21. You always seem to have such fun days out. I really should make the most of living close to London!
    I love the top, its so cute!
    Sophie
    x

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  22. Love that top! The National Portrait gallery is amazing, I loved looking at the Warhol paintings.xx

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  23. Oh my GOD, that top is amazing! Guess who shall have her fingers firmly crossed that it turns up in the River Island sale soon?

    I'm hoping to go to the NPG when I'm in London at the beginning of July and you've really whetted my appetite for it with this post.

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  24. I am your new follower,I would really appreciate if you could follow me back!
    jewellerybijou.com

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  25. That top is so cute, I tried it on when I was out on a window shopping trip and unfortunately had to put it back on the hanger :(

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  26. love your pumps you look great <3

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  27. The elephant print is too cute.

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  28. I really like your top! great colors and the cute print!! eep! Also that sounds like a nice art filled day.. Portraits are always pretty cool especially when you know who the person is/was :)

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  29. Cute! The animal print possibilities are endless. 10 quid for a bus shelter exhibition is steep, but the National Gallery is always wonderful - you can just pop in and enjoy as much paintings as you want.

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