Poor Lana is having a bit of a worrisome time with the press at the moment, especially after her lackluster SNL performance. (LDR, nervous or not, please stop touching your hair!)
But doesn’t she look a treat in this stark cover photo for the Russian edition of Interview Magazine? Big hair, heavy eyes, and a playful nod to bee stung lips. File this under classic.
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Behold owls, coffee and letterpress, together at last in a wonderful example of packaging design: Metrio Coffee.
The Metrio Coffee identity was first inspired by the classical vintage themes of ancient Greece (the Athenian owl and olive branches), then combined with a modern yet simple design. The word Metrio is derived from the common way Greeks drink short black coffee – METRIO – meaning short black with one sugar (medium sweetness).
{From Behance - via Maya – thanks!}
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In 1977, photographer Robin Morrison produced a calendar featuring the local faces and businesses of Ponsonby, Auckland. Some have disappeared over the years, while others, like Bhana Brothers are still going strong. (Bhana has always been my favourite place to buy flowers in Auckland.)
Dick Armstrong’s – affectionately known as Dirty Dick’s (now State of Grace)
Arthur Cooper, Barber, Jervois Road (now Pure Restaurant, 186 Jervois Road)
Peter Rogers Art Deco (still Peter Rogers, Real Time, 74 Ponsonby Road)
Tony Burrows, the Mussel Man, Ponsonby (now Plants and Pots, corner O’Neill St and Ponsonby Rd)
John Moller, Funeral Director, & Noball (70 Ponsonby Road, now the site of the Quest Hotel)
Ivan, Ivan’s Restaurant, Ponsonby Road (now Chapel Bar & Restaurant)
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Don’t these beautiful pictures by Sam Stowell make you hungry? They were shot for Falcon Enamelware, to showcase their distinctive ice-white and blue rimmed tableware. Falcon have recently upped their game by offering their enamel in a new range of bold colours, including a pillarbox red. In particular their tumblers are brilliant – I’d like a set of eight, two of each colour (especially pigeon).
I like enamel because it lasts forever. It doesn’t break when you drop it, and neither will it burn when you accidentally leave a pie in the oven too long… I think my mother still uses enamel kitchenware that came from her grandmother’s kitchen. So it’s no surprise then that Falcon Enamelware is a bit of a British cooking classic.
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I used to read horoscopes religiously. This year, I managed to change directions and make an intercontinental move without consulting my stars. (This is a big thing!)
That said, I’ll always have a soft spot for Susan Miller. Her lengthy monthly scopes are always a good read, and her yearly predictions in Russh Magazine are a tradition. But what I really love this year is the still life photographs that go with each star sign. They’re such fresh, evocative, and simple takes on the personalities of the zodiac!
Gemini
Scorpio
Libra
Pisces
Aries
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These darling egg cups by Quail Ceramics (as seen at Liberty) made me smile. (They also remind me of my favourite cartoon from when I was small: The Animals of Farthing Wood, a tale of noble English woodland creatures trying to find their way.) Perfect for a big family breakfast, no?
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Bike storage and security is a serious issue. In London, you can’t just leave your bike leaning outside the dairy while you pop in for some milk. You need to lock that shiz up!
Chances are you live in a teeny little flat too, with not much lock-up space. In my current house we have 3 bikes littering the living room, which is a bit of a pain. I’ve researched how to best store my bike out-of-the-way, and my favourite find so far is Reclamation Art + Furniture’s Bike Valet:
“The Bike Valet is wall mounted storage unit and a valet for your keys, wallet, bike and items you need put down when you pedal in the door. Made from Urban Harvest Walnut with a natural hand rubbed, zero VOC oil finish.”
I can imagine this walnut unit working really well in a modern interior. Sadly, not with my bike – it has too many sexy curves – but for any straight lining fixie it’d be perfect.
For more of Steven Tiller’s smart, simple, and handmade designs take a look at reclamationartandfurniture.com
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All going well, I will be moving into a new house soon (xx, those are my fingers; twisted, knotted and wishing). Starting with blank walls, and empty rooms. Some decor inspiration:
It turns out my decorating wish list is quite simple; a Chesterfield sofa with a velveteen blanket, a big solid work table, and lots of bookshelves. How is it, that despite arriving in England with one book, I have acquired a few dozen more in just 4 months? Oops!
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A long Friday night at home, post-holiday, has resulted in a new blog design and logo. The look is inspired by semaphore - my favourite code.
Semaphore is a system of communicating over distances using flags, using different flag positions to represent different characters. When I was young, I really wanted to earn the Signaller Badge, but apparently it wasn’t relevant to the 1990′s Auckland lifestyle of a 10-year-old.
My friend Sian, who lived across the road, and I had to make do with a complicated referee whistle arrangement instead; driving the neighbours bonkers. They should have let us learn the flags…
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This reminds me of the super-talents &some ideas (past and present!). Leading the way in Kinect hacking, they were doing some incredible stuff. This installation for New Zealand Post – Noise Ink – was one of my favourites.
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Earlier in this week I posted about my new Bobbin bike and their wonderful illustrations.
And today I have something even better to share with you! It’s the new Bobbin Bicycles film, directed by the talented Miles Langley. I was so excited when Miles emailed me to give me a sneak peek – it’s stunning. I hope you enjoy it:
Bobbin Bicycles – Style Film from Miles Langley on Vimeo.
For the first time Bobbin Bicycles are now available to buy from a global network of dealers. Visit Bobbin Bicycles to see where you can pick yours up from.
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I don’t smoke but I couldn’t help but snaffle up this box of cigarette filters. I love the simple design, bright colours and that little tweaky ‘A’.
The design of everyday things is what excites me about living in another country – it’s all so fresh and interesting to my eyes!
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When I first visited Brick Lane in 2009, and drunkenly chowed down on a cream cheese beigel, I never could have imagined that 2 years later I’d live within walking distance. Now the Beigel Shop is a familiar landmark, a fluorescent neighbourhood beacon glowing at all hours of the day.
This Beigel Bake print by Jo Peel really captures the spirit of the place; a bit unruly, a bit unloved, but certainly part of the East London fabric – for now and forever.
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Bobbin Bicycles have made beautiful upright bikes (and accessories) since 2007. Imbued with nostalgic design elements, along with modern practicalities, thy are honest, solid bikes – made to work hard on London streets. Here are their latest lookbook images with illustrations by Zoë Barker - I love how she’s taken fashion cues and used it to market their cycles.
“At Bobbin we believe that bicycles are magical contraptions, charged with the power to transform a journey into an adventure. If you daydream about cutting gracefully and effortlessly through the cityscape then follow us…”
Seduced by all these sexy marketing materials, I took a Birdie for a test ride last week; and came home with my own shiny baby blue bicycle. In the 4 days I’ve had it, I’ve cycled to Hampstead Heath with friends for a swim in the sunshine, to the pub for a pint, and to work, sailing past commuters waiting for the train. Starting my day by zooming along the Thames is an awesome way to start the day – it’s almost as good as a coffee… All I need now is a basket to haul my guff around.
I’m really looking forward to more bike adventures with my Bobbin in the weeks – and years – to come!
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Hello! My name is Amber Parkin. I'm a New Zealander living in London. I'm a writer obsessed with fondue, chesterfield sofas, vintage dresses, foxes, and 35mm.
Here I like to talk about fashion, design, food, travel, writing & books, and culture. Everything else (including my photography) goes into my digital notebook.
If you'd like to email me the address is amber@codeforsomething.com
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