Prints Charming

I love the way the beautiful old department store Liberty's has painted one side of the building in their famous 'Liberty Print' pattern... So pretty! Click on the image above to see it in full detail.

I fell in love with London again today...

If you want to fall in love with your city again - explore it! Go to places you don't usually go, visit museums and exhibitions, walk instead of taking the underground, and always, always, look up! Look up at the wonders around you from the architecture to the trees to the sky, you will notice things you have never seen before. This is what I did today, taking photos as I went. I discovered new shops, new streets... I fell in love with London again today...

Let them eat cake!

One of my biggest inspirations in creating my current range of vintage style headbands and ribbon hair combs is the film Marie Antoinette by Sofia Coppola. If you love all things girly and sweet and haven't seen this movie, do anything to get your hands on it! This weekend!

Objets de la vie quotidienne

My everyday objects....

A beautiful old print from a Paris flea market, a beautiful black and white illustration, a vintage Portuguese grammar book, British Vogue from December (just found it!), a travel book about the Yangtse river, China....

My wall of inspiration....

I got my camera working today! YEY! I've been meaning to do this for ages and have, for months, been relying on my boyfriend's camera. It's so great to have mine back, I celebrated by taking a few shots round my studio (aka bedroom and living room). Here is a snap of my constantly changing wall of inspiration! I love its transient nature, constantly shifting and changing with the sands of time...

 

How to Survive the English!

I m reading a hilarious book at the moment called 'Le Dossier'. It's about a Parisian lady discussing her thoughts on living in London and 'the English' (note: I am Scottish, not English and therefore able to indulge in her extremely humorous observations without feeling insulted myself!)

"I sometimes go to the seasonal 'French Markets' just to look at the English Francophile, with his wicker basket, insisting on speaking in French to the stallholders, telling them about his house in the Dordogne, as if they care!"

Brilliant! Although I have to admit I am a bit of a Francophile, as described in this quote!!!

My Secret Address Book... London!

This is the first post of my 'Secret Address Book' features! I'm going to divulge all the tips and tricks I have picked up over the years from chic little Parisian bistros to hip vintage shops in East London to flea market finds in New York! First up, is this fantastic shop in London. Now a 'hardware' store may not sound that sexy but this one is!! They stock specialist makers from around the world who create beautiful, functional, retro home products like 1950s style enamel milk pans and Victorian wrought iron watering cans. Check out their website!
http://www.labourandwait.co.uk/

New Etsy necklace - 25% off for blog readers!

I have just listed this lovely necklace on Etsy, and you my blog readers can get a 25% discount! I found the butterfly pendant in a New York flea market (one of the parking lot ones in Chelsea!) and have regenerated it using my favorite material - ribbon. If you are interested please let me know and I will organise the discount on Etsy.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28855643

More On Formentera... Paradise!

Here is my 'digital wall' of snaps from Formentera - Europe's ultimate beach heaven! I feel some inspiration coming on... I'm thinking lovely, blue, watercolor landscapes...

Sneak Preview... New necklace

Details coming tomorrow of the new necklace I will be putting on Etsy in the next few days. Special discount for my blog readers!!

A Mediterranean Secret....

This is Formentera... one of the best kept secrets of the Mediterranean, one of the most beautiful paradises in the world... and location of me and my boyfriend's summer holiday! Perfect!

In fact, so perfect that said boyfriend has gone off to spend another week at this paradise while I watch the rain trickle down the window of my London office!

So Sweet-Zer-Land....

I have just spent an amazing weekend with my family in beautiful Switzerland! At this time of year the mountains are a vibrant green, set against the bright blue sky and dotted with perfect Alpine chalets.... very Heidi! More photos of Switzerland to come!