Home Lovin'

Anthropologie Trip

For my birthday last month my lovely work colleagues bought me an Anthropologie gift card, which in itself is the cutest little present. The card came inside a little book that you can fill with lists of likes and loves.

I'm no stranger to Anthropologie, I'd spent a lot of time in the past browsing their website, and even applied for a job there - but shamefully I'd never stepped foot inside. What a great excuse to go!
After 2 trips to the Kings Road store, wondering around a little overwhelmed as it's hard not to love EVERYTHING, I left with a real mixture of bits:

Chalkboard Spice Jar - £10

I couldn't resist this little jar with a chalkboard label. I have no idea what I'm putting in it, or what I'm writing on the label, but I'm sure I'll find something soon!

Little Orange 'Latte' Bowl - £2

I bought the smallest version of this bowl, it's about 5cm big. Orange seems to be my favourite colour at the moment, and I thought this would make a cute tea-light holder.

Mini Capri Blue Mercury Glass Candle - £10

Not only does this candle come in a cute reusable jar, but it smells lovely. I chose the 'Volcano' scent as I like exotic, fruity candles. I'll see how it burns!

Hand-Carved Owl Pen - £3

Couldn't resist really!

Geo Pair Pin - £8

I've not worn this yet, but I'm looking forward to it. Anthropologie's jewellery is all lovely, but a little out of my price range. This was a nice treat for myself, and something not for the home!

I will definitely visit a lot more, especially as it's on the way to work (kind of) and definitely want to explore the brand and the products more. I've heard amazing things about the huge Regent Street store, and I've still got a bit of money left on my gift card.

Top Drawer London

This morning my daily job hunt wasn't giving me much hope, but luckily I came across an ad for Top Drawer, and realised it was the last day. In a fit of spontaneity I got straight on the train and headed to Earls Court.



This year Top Drawer features over 700 british and international suppliers and designer makers. Being the first retail trade event of the year, it gives an insight into trends for the seasons ahead, as well as the newest product launches and cutting edge designs.

I knew shows like this existed, but for some reason I had never gone. I'm so glad I finally did, as it was absolutely amazing. I was overwhelmed by the amount of stands, but I proceeded to the beginning - the stationary and greetings cards. I had my notebook handy to make notes for general inspiration, but after noting a few designers down, I realised I was pretty much noting down every one. Yes, I was that inspired!
The children's and wellbeing sections were a lot smaller, I didn't bother spending as much time looking at the soft toys and candles, as lovely as they were. The gift section was my favourite.  I had seen a lot of it before, as I'm known for going into every single gift shop I come across, but the fact that it was all under one huge roof, was incredible. By the time I got to Fashion, my brain was about to explode...

Luckily, as most things were wholesale (or at least this is what I told myself) I couldn't spend any money, as you had to buy in bulk. Although this was a shame, considering how cheap things were, you realise how much of a mark up the shops put on things.

Today was definitely an eye opener for me, I want to be more involved in these shows in the future. Whether it be on my own stand, or a buyer going around choosing products for their shop - that must be an extremely hard job, considering the amount of choice!



Watch this video to get a better idea of what I'm yapping on about...

Thursday & friday @ Open Studios

Power of Making

I know this exhibition is on until the new year, but I couldn't wait to go! Small, but packed with all sorts of mind blowing crafts. As per usual, my favourites tended to be anything that was tiny or detailed, or on a huge scale. A couple of examples...

I'd seen Dalton Ghetti's pencil tip art on blogs before, but seeing the tiny sculptures in real life was amazing. The patience and skill behind each piece is incredible, some pencils taking him years to sculpt. You can see his 'Alphabet' (top) in the exhibition, but for more go on his website.



Chistien Meindertsma's giant 'Arun Rug'

I won't give anything else away, as you NEED to go!

the London art book fair 2011

This weekend was the annual London art book fair, always a favourite event of mine, guaranteed to give me lots of inspiration and make me want to spend too much money.

This years favourites included book art from Andy Malone. I think he is a lecturer at one of the Kent UCA campuses (I should have talked to him really!) and the only examples I can find of his work are on the LMNOP shop website. He collects small observers books, mostly nature related, and cuts around the images on each page.

I haven't made any books for so long, having a few withdrawal symptoms!

One Week Boutique

Tonight myself and Michelle, went to the Private View of One Week Boutique, part of The London Design Festival. Only a small pop-up shop in Craft Central's showcase, but a few lovely things to look at/buy whilst eating sushi and drinking wine.
My two favourites of the boutique were jewellery from Anne Bowes. Beautiful, delicate necklaces with adorable charms such as acorns and scottie dogs - a hit with both me and Michelle!
As well as prints from textile designer Amy Hutchings. She had some lovely prints of boats, but I also love her birds and foxes. I wish I could have bought one.

Oh hello!

Look who I found round the corner from my graduate show gallery!

Giant nature in London

I got so over excited when I saw this giant bird on a wall when on Brick Lane a few weeks ago. Roa is a graffiti artist from Belgium, who I have been meaning to blog about for a while now, after coming across his blog. The scale and detail of his illustrations are amazing!

When but I also found this giant fox sitting on top of the Hayward Gallery, I thought I may as well include them both together! The straw fox is part of the Festival of Britain 60th anniversary celebrations.
Apparently there is a giant rabbit around the Covent Garden area too. With that and all of Roa's different animals scattered over the city I could spend a day going on a giant animal hunt...if only I had the time!

cellardoor Magazine

I accidently came across cellardoor Magazine a while ago on Issuu. It is an online magazine that comes out quarterly, above are the covers for the four issues that they have released to date. Not only is it a good read for young women who like fashion, music and art but I especially love it for its layouts and use of typography. It always inspires me when I am stuck on layout ideas.

London Art Bookfair & John Dilnot

Last week I went to the London Art Book Fair at the Whitechapel Gallery. I had been looking forward to it for a while and it didn't let me down! I really enjoyed it and felt like I could have spent forever there taking everything in. Upstairs was the best as that was where all the unique and handmade publications were, I didn't spend much money but could have easily! However I did write down a few names of books for my dissertation research.

My absolute favourite bookseller was Ruth Martin who made some amazing little books and products. The illustrations were adorable in themselves but the unconventional formats for her books were really clever, together with fun stories and jokes. Books about biscuits and sweets are always sure to be a winner! I really wanted to buy something from her but all I could afford was this card with a custard cream on it!

I then made my way to the Rebecca Hossack Gallery to see an exhibition by John Dilnot called Natural History. This was only a small exhibition but I absolutely loved it. He makes amazing 3D scenes in wooden boxes of birds and maps. They cost a fair amount each (thousands) but it's understandable given how much detail and depth there is to them.
My favourite boxes by him have real branches in them, where the birds sit, but i equally love the birds that fly over different maps. Who am I kidding, I love them all!

So altogether I highly inspiring day, so much so I felt a little sick (in a good way).

le petit paris post

Bonjour! Yes I am back from Paris and had a wonderful time, I took hundreds of photos as promised (400) but here is a mere 12 of them..

Le grande arch - amazing!!

The view from our hotel roof

The view from Tour Montparnasse