MAG: ADIDAS CHELSEA AWAY KIT 2012/13

It's that time of year again when football clubs unveil their new strips, and today is the turn of Chelsea's away kit by adidas. And I love this to bits. It follows on from the slick new gold-infused home kit, yet this certainly doesn't disappoint. The light aqua is a beautiful tone, blocking through the clean white diagonally down the chest, and highlighted elsewhere including the gradation on the three stripes.

BLOG: THE COMMUTER BY LEVI'S

So I recently bought myself a pair of the Kangaroo chinos from the new-ish cycling range by Levi's. The video explains all, but these are quite the genius product. Waterproof means waterproof, extra details for the rider are smart and cool (the 3M reflectivity is my favourite) and they're totally comfortable from day one. Much recommended, as a friend did to me.

I have to say, though, I'm quite surprised at how frequently I'm having to wear them. Like, they're pretty heavy and you wouldn't exactly call them summer trousers, but have you seen the fucking weather in London lately?! Rain rain rain, cold cold cold. In June.

DIARY: THE DREAM HOME ON PINTEREST

I come back home, wet and tired after day one of Half Term Club at JFC, to find this absolute beauty on my Pinterest feed. Now this is a big deal right. My most frequently used Board is "Dream Home", onto which I keep an archive of every bit of love I find in photos of people's homes. One day I plan to use it as inspiration for my own crib. And this is precisely what I have been looking for!

Everything from the ceiling, white wall, floor and windows are super perfect, and don't even get me started on the brickwork! I cannot believe I've found it so soon, and I don't think I'm getting across just how special this is. To this wonderful blank canvas of a room, I'd put up a gigantic blackboard to cover one of the walls, get a really long simply designed desk with a cool chair (which I still must find), and a wide shelf on the non-blackboard wall. Ah man I'm getting excited just talking about it. I'm telling you, this is it!

MAG: GRIZZLY BEAR NEW ALBUM

Out of the blue, Grizzly Bear have announced a new album, unveiled a full tenth of the set (in the opening track "Sleeping Ute") and have released dates for their autumn tour. Pretty cool. And the first preview of this upcoming album is just as cool, take a listen for yourself.

MAG: GROVE x MAPLEXO IPHONE SKATEBACKS

From: Freshness

Skateboard recycling has seen a huge rise in trend lately, moving into mainstream industries, we see it a lot. But this is still a very unique collaboration producing a further unique outcome. Grove specialise in bamboo cases for Apple products, while MapleXO has been making jewellery from old skateboards. So the two combined have created these beautiful multi-coloured striped backs for the iPhone 4. Built to order, the Skatebacks come in three colour schemes, though of course each individual item is uniquely put together. Simple to use, elegant to the eye and priced at a very reasonable $49, this is a must-have accessory to add colour to your iPhone.

DIARY: ENTERING SUMMER 2012

As Jubilee weekend comes to a close and summer draws in, things get busy once more. With a super packed three months ahead of me, I fall short of calling it a summer holiday. Just summer. That's with several schedules all fighting to get a spot in my final diary, those from both Olympic Games Maker and London Ambassador duty, JFC football commitments and Victate Summer '12 release preparations, all among Euro 2012, the Olympic Games itself, Wireless Festival and Pitti Uomo. Wowsers.

This week, I take my boys at JFC for another three-day holiday club as it's Half Term for kids now. With further tournaments in the near future, training needs to step up a gear. And I do hope the weather brightens up, it's June for fuck sake. I also have my final project presentation/assessment/deadline type thing on Thursday, for which I've been working towards all weekend. It may have something to do with the "Portfolio" tab at the top. Hmm...

Right then, so I must get on with work.

MAG: JAPONISM BAMBOO COLLECTION

From: Hypebeast

This is the new 2012 Bamboo collection by optical designers Japonism. Made from high quality bamboo sourced in Kyoto, each tradition-inspired frame is hand-made in Japan. To be honest, whilst the specs themselves definitely hold class and elegance, I'm not sure how they'd appear on one's face. But I do like the idea of the wood naturally ageing with use over time, that's a wonderful feature.

BLOG: BEACH HOUSE BLOOM

If you haven't already, you really need to get this. Just saying. It's beautiful.

MAG: NIKE BLAZER PREMIUM SIZE? EXCLUSIVE

From: size?

Exclusive to hot UK sneaker retailer size? are these Nike Blazer Hi Premiums. To be released alongside the Toki Premium, the collection offers effortlessly stylish silhouettes, both taking a simple minimalistic approach in a clean two-tone of white and brown, made of premium leather and finished with perforated swoosh. A quality addition to a blossoming collaboration between size? and Nike, these Blazers look fly.

MAG: THE XX SECOND LP COEXIST

From: Consequence of Sound

It's finally been announced that The xx will indeed release their second album "Coexist" in September this year, following on from their storming self-titled debut LP three years ago. They've been unveiling new tracks here and there at their recent gigs, but the confirmed news is a delight as I can't wait to hear more of their fresh, subtle sound. In preparation for their September 11th, they've put up a tumblr page on which is simply posted what I presume to be inspiration for the album.

BLOG: WILL.I.AM FEAT. EVA SIMONS THIS IS LOVE

My liking for the Black Eyed Peas frontman has without doubt gone up after watching The Voice UK, and it's great to see him show his love for us too. He says this new song featuring Eva Simons, to be released June 24, is the response to the 2002 hit "Where Is The Love?" going as far as stating that Britain is indeed that love. And the track is rather growing on me.

DIARY: TWEET 02.6

@VictateClothing: Finishing work for Victate at 4.10am…slacking man, shoulda hit 5am! Website looks great. Summer '12 booklet looks great. #fb (@tleeoriginal)

BLOG: HYPERPOTAMUS

I mentioned this guy in my previous post, he came down to Carnaby Street last night to busk as part of the Shopping Party event. Quite literally a one-man band, he makes his music wholly with his multi-doable vocals, from rhythm and beat to backing track and melody, layering through loops. It's quite something when he's right in front of you, clearly with only a mic and loop device, producing body-trembling harmonies and super complex textures, it's all rather amazing. I was entertained for sure. The video is of his song "In The Time" filmed in Barcelona, I reckon it concisely showcases what he's all about. Hit play.

DIARY: CARNABY SHOPPING PARTY 5.12

Another delightful Shopping Party event, this time at Carnaby Street, W1. These evenings have become somewhat of a tradition in these last couple of years with my friends, and we weren't disappointed. 20% off prices across almost every store, complimentary beverages (that is free booze), entertainment and a general buzz in the area all make these events such a pleasure. I made full use of the discount, buying my wishlist of the past few months in bulk, including the England kit, Levi's 511 Commuters, Monocle issue 54 and two big bags' worth of Muji acrylic. I'm so happy. And two other highlights were the Monkey Shoulder whiskey pop-up and a loop acapella vocalist by the name of Hyperpotamus. Both deserve checking out. Oh and the exquisite Teriyaki Chicken sandwich at Kua Aina too!

Ah I can't wait for the next one...