On rhinestones and crystals

March 9th, 2010

Last week I tried to have a jewellery cull to get rid of anything I didn’t like or wear in an attempt to de-clutter and ~simplify~. It didn’t really work, I ended up packing most of it away in a shoebox in the warderobe and I still have too much on display since all I ever wear is tacky rhinestones. I guess I’m quite attached to jewellery, even though most of it is cheap.
Also I borrowed Andrew’s macro lens for the close ups, macro photography is so stressful!

The silver rabbit in the bottom right corner is from a necklace I had when I was about 9 and really into rabbits. I wore it as a good luck charm for my exams when I was 16 and superstitious.

The chain necklace was my mum’s in the early 80s.

Talking of things that are tacky, I’m totally obsessed with Mad As A Hatter nail varnish by OPI. It’s part of the Alice in Wonderland Collection (that’s enough already with the Alice merch though, everyone). I forgot to take pictures of it on, but it looks like this. Sick! Just a warning, getting this stuff off is a nightmare, but you can do this fun foil trick which apparently works a treat. I’m a compulsive nail picker and peeling off varnish is like my favourite hobby, so it’s not really an issue for me!

Monday Matilda

March 8th, 2010

“I want to go to there”

March 6th, 2010


Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany by Luiz Pires

There are so many places I want to see, I’ve been browsing and bookmarking and basically putting together travel porn (oh dear, that phrase isn’t going to be good for my blog search results is it). I’m going to Nice in may and maybe Davos in the summer, so that should satisfy me for the year. If I had unlimited funds I’d do a leisurely Trans Siberian Railway route through Russia and then travel around China and Japan. Where would you go?


St. George Orthodox Monastery in Wadi Qelt, Palestine by Adam Fink.


Hanoi, Vietnam by Larpoon.


Iceland by orvaratli.


Prague, Czech Republic by Adam Gut.


Crystal River Mill, Colorado, USA by Rob Lee.


North Coyote Buttes near the Utah and Arizona border, USA by coulombic.


Varanasi, India by Larpoon.


Dalat, Vietnam by Larpoon.


Oia in Santorini, Greece by marcelgermain.


Brennisteinsalda volcano in Iceland by ystenes.


Honningsvåg, Norway by richard mcmanus.


Fribourg, Switzerland by Adam Gut.


Erg Chebbi sand dunes, Morocco by mikemellinger.


The Old Town of Edinburgh, Scotland by letsgetjetset.

If you’re a new reader, you might enjoy my photos of Moscow & St PetersburgHong Kong, New YorkDavos or Tokyo.

Gift ideas

March 5th, 2010

So mother’s day is coming up (March 14th in the UK) and I spent ages browsing for a sweet gift yesterday. My mum is a bit of a nightmare to buy for, she has everything and she’s vegan, doesn’t drink alcohol/caffeine, so food and drinks are hopeless. Tough call!
I have a million ideas for other people though (isn’t that always the way), so I thought I’d share some of the nice stuff I found.

btw you’re never going to see me doing a father’s day edition, because buying for dads is totally impossible.

Persephone books reprint neglected books mostly written by ladies, with gorgeous covers. They even have a handy guide for presents.

Super slick teapots and cups from Bodum. You could throw in a selection of nice black/green/white teas too.

Scented candles from English Eccentrics.

Tapestry kits by Emily Peacock.

Cashmere socks are amazing, Brora are the go-to people for cashmere in general.

Baileys have lots of pretty bits for the home.

Since getting my Filofax, I’ve been raving about them to anyone who’ll listen. It’s the perfect organiser!

Beautiful personalised note cards from Rifle Paper co.

Laura Mercier body stuff. This smells incredible, it’s a struggle to not eat it.

Bracelets from Plumo.

Gloves from Dents.

Painted plates by Nathalie Lete for Anthropologie.

Or you could just bake something amazing! The pictures above are from lomopony.

Some epic recipes: chocolate fudge cake, sponge cake with raspberry and mascarpone, four nut chocolate brownies, maple walnut cake, Austrian coffee and walnut cake, chocolate chip ginger nuts, chocolate dipped cherry cake and rainbow cake!!!

The best ever chocolate chip cookie recipe, classic oatmeal raisin cookies and chocolate chocolate chip cookies from Savory Sweet Life, my new favourite food blog.

If you’re all sorted (lucky you) what are you buying for your mummy?

Autumn/Winter details

February 28th, 2010

Frills and bows at Charles Anastase!

Eyebrow glasses at Prada!

Leopard print at Moschino Cheap & Chic!

Besotted with Miu Miu

February 25th, 2010

So I know it’s fashion month and the AW10 collections are upon us, but all I’m thinking about is the Miu Miu cat prints for spring/summer. Last weekend I tried on the swallow print shoes and I’ve got it bad. The shape is perfect, lovely thick heel, super high, lovely! I’m dying for the cat printed ones above though, which are apparently dropping in stores soon. I love this whole collection, it was my absolute fave this season. I saw a lot of the samples on shoots and they are so beautifully made! Some samples come in and they’re falling apart and shedding sequins all over the place, but the Miu Miu jewelled pieces were always perfect. I mean really, crystals, cat/dog/bird prints, matching trouser suits, mermaid sequins, crazy long hair plaits? How would I not love this! Can’t wait to see what Miuccia has planned for Prada and Miu Miu next.

(illustrations by me. backstage and campaign photos from Miu Miu, catwalk photos from Fashionologie, editorial from Vogue Australia March issue.)

Happy friday!

February 19th, 2010

Laura

February 17th, 2010

“Don’t chew your coloured pencils, dear” said Miss Violence  to Laura. “You aren’t a rodent. Look, your mouth is all green. It’s bad for your teeth.”
- The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood