05/06/15
Today I decided to take a trip down to Brick Lane, in London. A straightforward trip from Essex, I decided to venture out on a trip to Rough Trade with my Dad for the day.
If you've never been, it's exceptional down there. Quality vinyl for £5, exotic street food from around the globe, quirky yet quality clothes that you likely won't find anywhere else. Amongst the pop-up clothes stores, street fundraisers and the occasional man asking for money, we stumbled across an underground vinyl sale.
As we wandered down the poorly lit steps into the initial darkness, we were then greeted by a bright underground marketplace which both excited and delighted me - it was exactly what I went to Brick Lane for. Something different.
After scouring the boxes and boxes of records for possible musical gems I would later treasure, I came across a few Whitney Houston albums, records from the Jackson brothers (Michael was nowhere to be seen), Duran Duran, ABBA and Prince followed, but I decided on Cameo's 'Word Up' album, a compilation album featuring The O'Jays, Lou Rawls and Billy Paul to name a few. I love 80's music, so have started what will be a fairly large collection with a few classics.
After finishing up with purchases, and being 'gifted' a dodgy, heavily scratched reggae record by the shop owner, as we were walking out, I spotted some sunglasses at a little boutique that were everything. E v e r y t h i n g. I put them on, paid for them, and strutted out the shop - I must have looked like a mad woman.
I wish I could have taken pictures. I was so annoyed when I went for my camera and it lacked a memory card. I felt terrible. Like I had let 'everyone' down, haha - and that sort of made me smile, knowing I cared that much - it won't happen again, everyone, I was actually really disappointed in myself. I compensated for my mistake by 'borrowing' some snaps my Dad had taken. Thanks again Dad.
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| 'The Lord Is Our Defence.' - Photo credit: Aerold Bentley |
Afterwards we went up to Rough Trade and had a browse, but pretty much wanted to go home after the hour or two we spent in the underground record shop. On the way back to Aldgate East, we stopped at an cool, quirky cafe. I got a Flat White and a ham and cheese toasted flatbread. Both were delicious, and I really, really want to go back.
Take a trip to down to Brick Lane this summer.
Christina x
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