The Tintin Shop

So Federer is out of Wimbledon, I so much wanted him to get his seventh title. And Murray is still in. Oh Day 9, you mean, mean day.

To cheer me up I popped into The Tintin Shop in Covent Garden on my way home from work. I really had no intention of buying anything because I'm on a huge Scrooge drive this month but I've always sort of liked Tintin. I used to watch it on Sunday mornings with my dad and while I could say I admire Hergé's ligne claire style or the unflappable Tintin's ability to get to the bottom of just about everything, it would be a bit of a lie. Actually I just really liked Snowy, Tintin's little fox terrier friend and now I will forever have him on a pencil and a notebook. Big grin.

Heatwave

All this sunny weather makes me want to go to the beach.

Wimbledon Washout

But even when it rains Wimbledon is fun.

That's A Bingo

Masquerading as a Gala Bingo hall in Tooting is Britain's only Grade 1 listed cinema, The Granada. I've walked past this place hundreds of time, little knowing that behind the grand old Art Deco exterior lay a mock ornamental cathedral, hall of mirrors and enough seats for 3000 people. I wish I'd brought a proper camera now.



While there we signed up for a game of bingo. You'd think it would be easy but they just go straight into the game without any warning so we missed out a ton of numbers and our laughing was met with a stern telling off from the caller! We soon shut up and paid attention when we realised the next game was for £10,000. Neither of us won anything but at one point I was one little 18 away from a full house.

18, you failed me.

Sketching to delay other more important things I should be doing.

New notebook, illustration by Brian Cook.

MAY

It's the most terrible film ever but I completely can't resist Heartbreakers.

Sunday Shapes

A Sunday spent exploring a very closed Tooting Market and doodling while catching up with lots shows on iPlayer.

A Free Gift? Yes Please

I love Topshop Make Up, step back and admire my latest purchases. A trio of Smarties coloured nail polishes. And even better I got the little make-up bag, eye liner, wipes and hair slides free. Yes sir. Now, what one to wear first?

Huge fire in London today. Walking home Waterloo Bridge was closed to traffic so everyone could walk in the centre of the road. It's nice how that little bit of freedom cheers everyone up - I saw people dancing their way across the bridge. It's like a piece of sugary sweet rebellion but without the repercussions because it's been approved by the authorities.

Speaking of which, I got called stupid today by a policeman that thought Waterloo Bridge was called Embankment Bridge. Yup.

Favourite Places: The Enlightenment Room

On those days when I'm at a bit of a loss and in need of some ideas I love nothing better than walking around the Enlightenment Room at the British Museum. It's such a great place to think.

It's the first big room on the right as you walk in through the main entrance and it's beautiful; the room displays a vast array of objects documenting the way collectors grouped things, seemingly unrelated objects are placed together based on characteristics like size, shape or colour. When I walk around and look at the curiosity cabinets, the collections of things - coins, shells, rocks - and the floor to ceiling book cases, I want to be a part of it, to go out and explore and most of all to be awed by the world.

Imagine seeing the world for the first time.

Stacey finished her internship on Friday and was given this amazing bunch of wild flowers as a thank you. I've been gawping at them ever since.

In The Post: Postcard

I got home from work yesterday and found this postcard waiting for me from Barcelona. It's inspired by the Ludwig Mies van der Rohe pavillion and I love it. Thanks Amy.