DIARY: BUSY

I knew my summer was going to be busy, my schedule packed every day. And indeed, it's all kicked off in this past week or two. Right now I'm volunteering daily as a London 2012 Olympic Games Maker at the Rowing Village in Egham, on which I'll blog more about when I get the time. Every hour I have spare needs to go into sleep, not blogging.

This week, I was away for 4 days with JFC on our Countryside Sleepover, camping under the stars with 26 of our boys. Of course it was tiring (draining in fact) but I had the most amazing time, sharing some truly memorable moments with the kids, it was touching. I literally missed them the minute I got back home. More to blog later. Oh and we also have a special event lined up this weekend with Japanese organisation Arigato, which I will divulge more about later also. Forgive me for everything is later. But these words alone are too much right now, I need my bed.

And finally, I'm planning to go watch The Dark Knight Rises this weekend as well. Finally. I absolutely cannot wait.

MAG: LANA DEL REY SUMMERTIME SADNESS VIDEO

As I keep to my recent trend of blog entries regarding Music, Lana Del Rey keeps to hers of releasing vintage styled, old-film shot videos for tracks from her brilliant debut album. This time it's "Summertime Sadness" which gets the visuals, one of my favourite songs and one that she's been killing at her various performances this summer. As always, she looks gorgeous and I love the multitude of footage compiled to tell the story.

MAG: THE XX NEW SINGLE ANGELS

The xx have been unveiling bits of new material at their gigs this summer, but this is the first official release from their upcoming second album "Coexist" since its announcement. And for that I am very excited. This will be the first single off the album, "Angels" it's called, and it's a free download when preordering the album. It has strong hints of Beach House, but that typically familiar guitar and minimalist vocals resonate a unique warmth, which the world fell in love with when they debuted, and it's true, The xx are back. Absolutely beautiful.

BLOG: CHANNEL 4 PARALYMPICS TRAILER

From: Creative Review

Channel 4 premiered the trailer for their Paralympics coverage, and simply put it is excellent.

Its message is so on point, both in terms of the Games itself and as a piece of advertisement in enticing viewers to hold interest. Cut to the music by Public Enemy (which has repercussions of not permitting YouTube embedding) the 90 second video is inspiring, thought-provoking and powerful. Meet The Superhumans, it's entitled. And you really must watch it.

MAG: BRITISH REMAINS FIRST CREEPER

From: Selectism

Looking absolutely gorgeous are two new colours for the Creepers by London brand British Remains. Both made of 100% suede leather and crepe rubber soles, the grey and white versions are now available for these beautiful creepers.

MAG: ELLIE GOULDING HANGING ON VIDEO

Ellie Goulding released her new track with Tinie Tempah earlier this week, covering Active Child's "Hanging On". Now we've been treated to the accompanying video, so enjoy.

BLOG: VICTATE SUMMER '12

From: Victate

Victate's full lineup for the Summer '12 season is live right now! We've put in so much effort and late hours into the range, and we're very proud of what we have to offer. And, more personally, as my first season on board with the team, it's exciting to unveil it to you all and we'd love for you to check it out.

Here are some of the shots from our Private Stock collection, 100% silk-sheen cotton t-shirts with hand-cut raglan sleeves made of Liberty Art Fabrics. Available now in Fragrant Red, Regal Emerald and Modest Navy. See the full lookbook here, or go to our website!

DIARY: WALKING THE DOG

This is Toffee, an 8 year old Shiba Inu. Went for a stroll round the local park, seeing as neither I nor the dog had anything better to do today.

The week in general has been pretty busy. We've spent a lot of time for Victate, applying the final touches for Summer '12 as well as putting together the plan for Winter, sampling and whatnot. Finalising details for JFC's Countryside Sleepover too, plus a special event that I'm so so excited for but probably can't yet divulge to the internet. But it's sick news!

BLOG: V&A EXHIBITION ROAD BUILDING PROJECT

From: Dezeen

From: AL_A 

It's been announced that London's Victoria and Albert Museum have been given permission by Chelsea and Kensington council to go ahead with its ambitious plans for a new subterranean gallery. The purpose-built underground gallery space will expand opportunities for more temporary exhibitions, as well as revamping the courtyard as a public cultural hub, to really set the V&A high as the leading museum in art, design and architecture.

The project design chosen is by a London office, just two years young, in Amanda Levete Architects and the early pictures really do look stunning. The project will physically commence taking shape in autumn next year, to be completed and open to the public for 2016. I'm already there...

MAG: ELLIE GOULDING ACTIVE CHILD COVER

Ellie Goulding has slowly been building up her new music, finally, it seems like years since her amazing debut album. Now back in the UK, recording new tracks, the second album we believe is on its way later this year, and today she has unveiled this new track featuring Tinie Tempah. It's only been a few hours, but the response has been crazy already.

Entitled "Hanging On", it's a cover of Active Child, but completely smothered with Ellie. I've always loved the layers of sound in her music, the build to the chorus in this one gives me shivers throughout. Having been treated with The Weeknd's "High For This" earlier, I'm in fresh admiration of her (not that I ever stopped) and also in total anticipation for more.

MAG: NIKE GREEN SPEED

From: Designboom

Green Speed is Nike's brand new football boot, a truly innovative product which has taken sustainability and performance to a whole new level. The GS boot has been stripped only to the core components required for a fast, lightweight football boot, as well as reducing waste with the use of renewable or recycled everything.

The end product is this bold, healthy and ultimately superior piece of footwear. It's indisputably stunning. And as Nike say themselves, it's "a winning proposition for players and planet".

DIARY: WIRELESS 2012

Check out that grey sky haha...

The Weeknd was dope. Introduced to Delilah, she was dope. Front row for Nero was super dope. And the main stage was so quiet, I could barely hear Drake. Meh. I had a real great time.

MAG: THE DARK KNIGHT RISES TV SPECIAL

@tleeoriginal: "wow wow wow wow. http://hypebeast.com/2012/07/the-dark-knight-rises-13-minute-tv-special/"

BLOG: WIMBLEDON MEN'S FINAL 2012

From: Sky Sports

I watched this match partially impartial, supporting Murray with national pride but not not supporting Federer either who's elegance on court is just too graceful to ignore. (Contradiction, double negative and tautology galore.) I've not paid much attention to Wimbledon this year, but today's final was a great showcase of top level sport, and one I was eager to watch unfold.

I think it's fair to say that the best player won. As impressive as Murray was, especially in the first two sets, Roger Federer played some ridiculous tennis. The commentator used the word 'genius' on multiple occasions and I don't think he was wrong. And to win this tournament 7 times, aged 30 too, he is quite the champion, a superstar.

But the highlight of the afternoon for me, and probably for many of us in the country, was to see Andy Murray's emotions at the end. That was touching. The crowd at centre court made their support loud and clear for the whole three and a half hours, which was acknowledged with genuine grace and humility, I reckon he's won over some fans today with that alone. He has done plenty to be proud of.

DIARY: TOURNAMENT CANCELLED

Unfortunately, as I was getting ready for my U7s tournament this morning, I got a text at 7am to say that it had been cancelled. Oh the rain continues to ruin our summer.

It's quite a disappointment, I had high hopes for us today. My group of 6-7 year olds are a brilliant bunch in both talent and character, and it would have been great to put it to the test, as well as to give them the experience of excitement and emotion that comes from the atmosphere and competition. Of course they were gutted too and I feel sorry for them. While I'd like to say "there's always next time", that probably isn't the case for many, considering the type of community that we are where families frequently (and suddenly) come and go. It's a real shame and I'm rather bummed.

MAG: MANCHESTER CITY AWAY KIT 2012/13 BY UMBRO

Now, you know I'm not a Man City fan but you also know I'm a sucker for anything burgundy. Umbro, who I still think tailor the best football kits today, have just revealed the kits that Premier League champions Manchester City will be sporting come the new 12/13 season, and it doesn't disappoint. They continue their love for clean aesthetics and simplicity throughout, showcased best with their England shirts. But this away jersey is fine too, pairing maroon and yellow on a smart v-neck silhouette. I love the tonal detailing on the neck! Beautiful, no?

DIARY: SUMMER PLEASE

A few weeks back, I wrote that summer was here. Well, it sort of disappeared since then and we Londoners haven't been happy. But maybe it's here again? These last couple of days, aside from the sudden not-too-heavy showers here and there, have been rather pleasant. For me, that involved a beautiful stroll around London Bridge's residential streets (albeit painful) yesterday and some light shopping today. It's July now so, weather, please...

MAG: AIAIAI TMA-1 BEATPORT EDITION

From: AIAIAI

This is the latest limited edition of Danish audio specialists AIAIAI's top-of-the-range TMA-1s. In collaboration with Beatport, the headphones feature custom lime green details, as well as the high spec technology that make the TMA-1s one of the best quality kit around. Doesn't look half bad either, it was a candidate for Design of the Year 2012. It's one of my personal favourites too, waiting patiently on my wishlist for when my Bose On-ears fail me. But for you, they're available right now.

MAG: THE SOLOIST. x OLIVER PEOPLES 2012

From: Hypebeast

We seem to be attracted to eyewear styles of acrylic or wood these days, myself included, but sometimes a clean and understated set of metal frames are enough to finish the modern man's style. I think this third collection by Japanese fashion brand TAKAHIROMIYASHITA TheSoloIst. and eyewear specialists Oliver Peoples is spot on with the chosen shapes, colours and subtle material.

MAG: MCLAREN MP4-12C SPIDER TOPLESS

From: Designboom

I'm no car fanatic, but fuck me is this beautiful! I have to say I do like McLarens, and this is the all new 12C Spider convertible car. And in burgundy too! Out in November at $265,750.

Also, please somebody tell me if it's Spider or Spyder. I hate inconsistencies...

MAG: VALTARI MYSTERY FILM EXPERIMENT #4

Following on from the video for "Fjögur píanó" with Shia LaBoeuf, here is the fourth instalment in the Valtari Mystery Film Experiment, a lovely creative concept by Sigur Rós, as introduced before. This time, it's directed by Arni & Kinski, as they visualise the power that music holds to our emotion, "moving from the mind into the heart". Again, it's a beautiful film for such beautiful sound. The next one arrives July 16.

BLOG: EURO 2012 FINAL SPAIN 4 - 0 ITALY

I started this one in support of Italy. They demonstrated true quality in reaching the final, showing their neat interplay, hard graft and at times pure class, especially in the knockout stages against England and Germany. And I am a Mario Balotelli fan, converted.

I think it's fair to say they didn't do too much wrong in the 90 minutes against Spain, losing to a combination of bad luck and an opponent simply too strong. There was hope too until Thiago Motta unfortunately injured himself to leave the Italians a man behind, after which I turned from an Italy fan to a sympathetic onlooker and eventually back to a Chelsea fan as I urged Del Bosque to bring on Torres. Then he did, he scored and I was happy once more. What a pleasant surprise to see Mata come on too and cap off a great season with the winning goal for the Spanish, who finally utilised their incredible passing game to its full offensive potential, really unleashing their talent (as if they hadn't already) and cementing themselves further as the world's best. Golden Boot for Fernando Torres isn't too shabby either.

Come on Chelsea. I mean Spain.

DIARY: VICTATE SUMMER '12 PREPARATIONS

Our Summer '12 collection is literally looming around the corner, so it's now the time for final preparations and we had a killer day yesterday. With all the work and hours put in, we're pretty confident this is going to be a super season for Victate. It's personally my first season of involvement so this is quite an exciting, albeit exhausting, time. The garments are top top quality, that I can assure you, and all its glory will be reflected in the brand's first publication, which we believe does the effort and execution justice. All in good time my friends, stay tuned and take a look at the new website!