David Bowie Is... V&A museum, London until August 11, 2013

I went into this exhibition liking a few Bowie songs - Rebel, Rebel and Heroes - but came out completely in love with the artist.

It shows that he isn't just a singer but a creative genius. He has so much control over every aspect of his image that it is just amazing and like all good artists his longevity is down to the fact that he changes and adapts to the world around him. Bowie is always one step in front of the curve, he was a Mod before they were cool, and was a pioneer of glam rock.

The V&A was given unprecedented access to David Bowie's archive to curate this, the first international retrospective. It features more than 300 objects including handwritten lyrics, original costumes, fashion, photography, film, music videos, set designs and Bowie's own instruments.

The really amazing thing is that you go around with headphones on, and due to sensors around the exhibition the music and commentary plays when you get within reach, which is just great as it really is an interactive experience.

It is a great exhibition really thought out and planned to perfection but after seeing how Bowie has been throughout his whole career it isn't really any surprise that he would plan his exhibition to the last detail.

You find out so much about the artist and his influence on modern day culture today be it fashion or films. After the exhibition I really noticed how Lady Gaga is influenced by him in her style and ethos.

At the end of the exhibition you enter a room with costumes and things to do with his tour as well as three massive screens playing his concerts. At one point it had the same song on three screens but from different gigs over the years, at the end the audience clapped it was a fantastic gig atmosphere. 

You even see props from Labyrinth...the amazing 80s film.

There was just a great atmosphere and I really think this is one of the best exhibitions the V&A has ever had. If you kind of like Bowie, or passionately love him go and see this, try and get tickets it really is amazing.


For more on the exhibition visit: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/david-bowie-is/

Lichtenstein A Retrospective, Tate Modern Museum, London

For as long as I can remember I have loved Roy Lichtenstein. I wasn't always sure of the name but always loved the comic book style of paintings. I am huge fan of pop art in general along with Andy Warhol.

When I saw on the Culture Show that the Tate Modern was holding a Lichtenstein - A Retrospective exhibition I got online and bought some tickets.

The exhibition had a lot of paintings and sculptures including some of the more well known ones including Whaam! Drowning Girl and  Masterpiece. Looking up close at the comic style paintings - benday dot style - they are just fascinating. The amount of detail and meticulous repetition is just mind boggling.  I really don't think that pictures of the paintings do them justice, they look like screen prints or reproductions and not a piece of art.

I was really surprised to see the art I never knew Lictenstein did, I will admit I was a little naive and just thought he did the comic prints. Some of the most beautiful in the collection were the Chinese landscape portraits such as Landscape with Philosopher -  which was breath-taking and kind of poetic.

Some have said that he merely copied pictures but the skill he displays in those paintings is excellent. He also ventured into sculpture with art deco pieces and his two sided bust which has a blonde on one side a a blue haired girl on the other which looks a little bit like a Katy Perry cover and again I never knew existed.



The exhibition had 12 rooms dedicated to different phases and themes of his work with 125 paintings and sculptures in total.

The Tate's website said: "The artist’s rich and expansive practice is represented by a wide range of materials, including paintings on Rowlux and steel, as well sculptures in ceramic and brass and a selection of previously unseen drawings, collages and works on paper. Room after room pays tribute to his extraordinary oeuvre, celebrating the visual power and intellectual rigour of Roy Lichtenstein’s work."

The exhibition ended on Monday but if you ever get a chance to see it again do so and the Tate already has a couple of Lichtenstein paintings which you can see for free. 

I really enjoyed it and was fascinated by it all.

For more on the Tate visit - http://www.tate.org.uk/

Running challenge - Marwell 10k

My running crazy-ness still continues. 

The weekend just gone I took part in the Marwell 10k, which is 6.2 miles. The weekend before I had run 8 miles so I knew I could do it and I think I was taken by idea of running around the zoo.

The reality of the run isn't quite the same. You probably run about 1.5k around the zoo and then leave to run around the village of Owslebury a really pretty little village.

However, it is really, really hilly. I have trained on hills, around where my boyfriend lives but between 4 and 5k was killer, really steep and just goes on forever. 

You then may relax into thinking that hill is it, but at 6k you have to climb another one.

It is a little confusing though as you feel as if you are running away from the zoo and then you are running back into it.

That bit is good though as you come back in the zoo and then you are near the finish line.

I did it in one hour 15 minutes, which I was pretty happy with as it was really hard and I 
thought that time before I knew how bad the hill was.

I would say if you want a challenge do it, but if you just want to tick off another 10k don't as 
it is hard. I'm glad I did it but I won't be doing it again any time soon.

My only run now is the Great South Run again, but I am already eyeing up some 10ks for next year.

What can I say I have the running bug.

And forgot to mention you get to have a look round the zoo after which was good fun, it has 
been years since I visited the zoo and it is great way to cool down.

McFly, Portsmouth Guildhall, Memory Lane tour - 14 May 2013

Fifth time is a charm for McFly, although every time I have seen them they have been amazing.

The band is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, scary when you think about it as even though they have been doing other things the band has been touring pretty  much every year since they started.

The chemistry of the guys on stage is electric, you can almost imagine them playing in a spare room somewhere and having as much fun as they are performing in front of their fans. I also love with McFly that they haven't really, over the past few years, played big arenas but preferred to stay with the smaller venues which is great for fans.

I think this is probably the second greatest hits/memory lane tour I have been to but then you know the songs and you know what you are getting and can dance your heart out.

They are still my guilty pleasure and I do love them. I hope these boys are still going in another 10 years.

I was near the front for the first time which was great, and Harry threw his drumstick into the crowd which landed very close to me.

Great songs, great atmosphere and a fantastic band.

Set list: 
- Memory Lane
- That Girl
- Star Girl
- Transylvania
- 5 Colours in her hair
- Falling in Love
- Room on the Third Floor
- Obviously
- Corrupted
- Nowhere Left to Run
- Lies
- I'll be Ok
- Bubblewrap
- Smile
- It's Alright/ YMCA/ Don't Worry, Be Happy
- Shine a Light
- One for the Radio
- Memory Lane

Encore
- Love is Easy
- It's All About You
- The Heart Never Lies

The stage with Tom in the corner - 

Baking bonanza day!

This week is a week of big occasions. On Wednesday it is my sister's birthday and Friday is my last day at the newspaper.

I am finally moving over to the world of magazines! Same company but after two years at newspapers I am moving to their magazine and I cannot wait. I am sorry to leave the team at the paper but really looking forward to the new challenge and the next step of my career.

Today I was home alone with not much on so I decided to bake! 

I wanted to make cupcakes for the people at work so did it today. I made chocolate cupcakes from the Hummingbird Bakery book and then made a simple vanilla icing. I just hope the guys at work like them.

As I was baking my sister asked if I would make her a banana loaf. I didn't have any chocolate chips so decided to risk it and make the loaf without the chocolate. I was a bit worried as the mixture didn't look like a lot but in the oven it expanded quite a bit.

My sister tried it and loved it! So all good.

Below are the cakes and then in a bit I am making chilli from scratch! Get me....turning into a domestic goddess....slowly.

9 to 5 the musical, The Mayflower, Southampton, 04/05/2013

I do love a good musical and I also love a very catchy pop song, so a musical based on a very catchy song is my kind of thing.

Music and lyrics were written by the legend that is Dolly Parton who also acts as narrator at the beginning and end of the musical which is a great touch.

Set in 1979 it follows the story of three disgruntled women who decide to take action against their sexist, misogynist boss. The musical like the film shows you that over 3o years ago the working place for women was a completely different place, with unfortunately some familiar sights.

The performance I saw starred Mark Moraghan, who used to be in Brookside and  Holby City as boss Franklynn J Hart, Natalie Casey from Hollyoaks and Two Pints of a Larger and a Packet of Crisps as Judy Bernley, Amy Lennox who was Legally Blonde the musical as Dolly's character Doralee Rhodes, on this occasion the understudy Lori Haley Fox played Violet  Newstead and was phenomenal. Roz was also played by Bonnie Langford and it seemed that her fan club were in when we saw it but she was brilliant with great comic timing.

The whole musical is full of comic gold, a lot of laughs and all the people's singing voices were exceptional.

I didn't realise just how talented Natalie Casey was and Amy Lennox was the spiting image of Dolly Parton not necessarily in looks but in voice and mannerisms. All the performances were first class and made you laugh until your sides hurt.

It was a really brilliant feel-good musical as all musicals should be. I didn't know what to expect I have seen the film but in some ways couldn't understand how it would work as a musical but it was great and if it comes to your town make sure you see it. Me and my mum loved it.

Here is the website: http://www.9to5themusical.co.uk/