by Amber on August 5, 2010
I am not one for ridiculous beauty regimes, especially while travelling. Mascara, tinted moisturiser, lip gloss, whatever, done! Of course, that all needs to come off again before you sleep (ew, there’s nothing worse than grinding your makeup caked face into a pillow all night).
Enter The Body Shop’s Luxury Face Chamois. It’s gentle, silky soft (like patting a deer antler), and totally reusable – just throw it in the washing machine or clean it by hand. I took one of these with me all around Europe, keeping in a resealable plastic bag. This meant no matter what time of the morning I rolled into my bunk bed, I could wash my face with it and a few squirts of water from my drink bottle. Mhmm, charming, but good for my skin!
Also, how delicious is the word chamois to say aloud? A++
by Amber on July 26, 2010
I hate space. Well, at the least I dislike thinking about it. Sometimes I get mildly freaked out when I look at the star tattoo on my ankle and start thinking about real scary clouds of gas that one day are going to explode and kill all life in our corner of the universe… Ahem.
However sometimes it can be real pretty. Like on Christopher Kane’s latest resort collection. To be honest I’m not really looking at the cuts, just enraptured with the digital prints. It’s a huge step up from last year’s dismal choice of graphic.
Gorgeous. Sadly, one of those frocks is not within my financial grasp. So I bought the next best thing – space knickers:
Thanks Bonds. They are much cuter in real life; totally galactic fantastic. Now I can wear the universe underneath everything I own!
by Amber on July 15, 2010
Some good news, this morning I signed a lease on a little apartment in the middle of the city. I move in next week. Much excitement.
At the moment I posses nothing suitable to furnish a house with, so this will be a great challenge. I have set myself a budget of $100 for furniture (planning to borrow, buy secondhand and ‘find’ things), and $100 for accessories (that however is a lot of tea lights).
What do I need? A bed, a freestanding wardrobe, a big dining room table/desk, a stool to put my Big Ben teapot and books on.
A vase for the fresh flowers I am going to buy myself weekly, and a pin-board for my memories.
Fluffy towels, good china, solid cutlery.
I actually found a cute cutlery set this morning. Funnily enough the style was named after Pompallier Terrace, the street I lived on for a year and a half.
by Amber on July 12, 2010
Despite the fact he was married at least thrice and mostly sounds like a old womanizing trout, Hugh Grosvenor – 2nd Duke of Westminster, was one of the biggest romantics ever. In 1925, he was introduced to Coco Chanel after a party in Monte Carlo and passionately pursued her. It is said that once he hid a huge uncut emerald at the bottom of a crate of vegetables for her. Another story says that he showed up at Chanel’s apartment with an enormous bouquet of flowers and was only recognized after Coco’s assistant tried to hand “the delivery boy” a tip.
His most extravagant display of affection?
The dear Duke had her entwined initials placed on lampposts on the Grosvenor estate in Central London. (This story is denied by the Grosvenor estate even today, but the lampposts still stand, whispering the truth.) He was Chanel’s lover until 1930, however marriage was not on the cards for Gabrielle. She apparently declined, reasoning: “There have been several Duchesses of Westminster. There is only one Chanel.”
by Amber on June 13, 2010
It was the little things that bothered me… Not being able to read the drinks board at bars(!), a few headaches, catching the wrong bus, and once, mistaking a bicycle for a very short person. Everyday my eyes were deceiving me in new and shameful manners. Time to get my sight checked.
(Yes, admire my poor edit of this ad)
I tottered up the road to my local optometrist, which by sheer good luck happened to be Occhiali, a store known for its fashion forward approach to eyewear. I went through a barrage of fascinating tests, confirmed shortsightedness and then moved on to the fun part – choosing frames.
LA Eyeworks: They design fun plastic frames in a huge range of colours. I like the owl-like look of these Pip frames but they would make my face super-duper round.
Ksubi: I thought about going brand-matchy-matchy with my sunnies, by getting the most extreme pair of eighties jammers out there. They certainly made a statement, but would I want to make that statement every time I went out to dinner with my parents? That said, they also had some sweet fawny glasses.
Colab: I adored the round glasses with the keyhole bridge, and earnestly considered the very serious two tone frames from Colab’s range of optical eyewear…
The grand winner however, is a pair of gorgeous Chloé spectacles:
As Occhiali mention on their cute blog, oversized frames in neutral hues are big right now; plus they suited my (apparently very symmetrical) moonface.
Branding wise, Chloé is a class act; from the letter pressed box to little touches like a branded cleaning cloth and the tiny envelope with the warranty tucked away inside.
Despite the unexpected expense, I’m a very happy girl. Tip for pros: Occhiali offers a tax free service if you’re travelling internationally. As you might have noted, I’m in a hotel room in (South Korea), so they sorted me out a pick-up service at the airport. If you need prescription lenses and are going abroad soon, see if your optometrist offers this. It let me afford the cuter pair of frames, a sound investment! Alright, I’m off to sight-see now… literally.
by Amber on June 11, 2010
Do not sharpen this image in Photoshop under any circumstances. So. much. texture. It almost makes me dizzy. That said, I’m regretting tossing my ancient crimping iron in the trash while moving house last weekend. Look what could have been!
These water-coloured/water-stained tee shirts by Daphne and Vera Correll are beautiful.
Almost enough to make me buy a white t-shirt, which would be a very rare event.
by Amber on April 28, 2010
Being the design nerd I am, I always seem to find half the fun is in the packaging. These Leona Edminston stockings were recently given to me with that in mind. I like the peek-a-boo window, slide out tray, and the custom printed tissue paper. While I’m not entirely convinced by the graphics (less retro, more contemporary – more like Mor?), nevertheless it feels like a luxurious encasement for some nice hosiery. And as long as it feels expensive, that’s all that matters.
Other examples of slick packaging for little things include H&M’s tights, Peter Alexander’s Days of The Week knickers which come in a pretty, frilly gift box (I was given these, they’re awesome), and Loulou Loves You (when I opened the package it was as joyful as peeling foil off an Easter egg).
Now to find something to wear all these pretties with!
by Amber on April 27, 2010
For the last three years or so, the fashion world has been braid crazy. Now, plaits have just gotten even wilder, with this concept from French hair stylists Studio Marisol, in conjunction with the Spanish creative agency CuldeSac.
Hair bonnets, obviously the next step up from Lady Gaga’s hair bows. I like them a lot! The images are part of a promotion for ‘Crazy Hair’, a styling workshop to be held at Domaine de Boisbuchet in August.
by Amber on March 26, 2010
Handsome silk Polaroid Scarves by Philippe Roucou. I haven’t been this excited about an accessory for a very long time. Wishlist, now.
by Amber on March 26, 2010
María Félix (1914 – 2002) was a Mexican actress, one of the icons of Mexico’s golden age of movies. Known as La Doña after her 1943 role in Doña Bárbara, Félix was ultra-flamboyant, elegant and universally loved in her home country. She loved serpents, collecting art and jewellery, and in her later years became a racehorse owner. Here’s 5 fancy facts about “the most beautiful face in the history of Mexican cinema”:
1. She made 18 films during the 1940s, and continued working in the Mexican film industry until 1970. By then she had completed 47 movies – including She also worked in Spain, Italy and France – but not the States as she wasn’t interested in learning English.
2. A fantastic example of Félix’s flamboyancy and love of reptilian style:
One day in 1975 she walked it to Cartier unannounced with a live ‘gator on a leash (or two babies in a bowl, depending on the source you believe) – for the jewellers to copy from. The necklace that resulted was in the shape of two crocodiles. Each body made from 524.9 grams of gold, one covered with 1,023 fancy yellow diamonds, while the other was adorned with 1,060 circular cut emeralds.
3. Out of her 4 marriages, she was made a window twice. She had one son, Enrique, with her first husband. Upon their divorce, Enrique was kidnapped by his father – and then rescued by a feisty Félix and her second husband.
4. In 1949, María’s one time lover Diego Rivera painted a portrait of her, which she hated. She did kept it for years, until selling it to the Mexican singer Juan Gabriel. Note the serpent bracelet – just like the one in the picture above.
5. She hobnobbed in wealthy and influential circles her entire life, and enjoyed the finer points of fashion. In1984 she was nominated in France and Italy as one of the world’s best-dressed women; and was wooed by men all over the world, including King Farouk of Egypt. My kingdom for an evening?
by Amber on March 18, 2010
Two recent street style faves:
Gorgeous Natalie was snapped in her pea green coat by Vanessa Jackman, while the lad in the purple was captured by Glamcanyon. I’m hooked on the ‘Uniqlo’ aesthetic – simplicity, cheeky block colours and confidence.
http://www.cannedfashion.com/
by Amber on March 18, 2010
Today I woke up, cursed, and tried to snuggle back into the warmth of my dreams. Alas, it was a very crisp morning, signalling that Autumn is definitely in full swing.
I have mixed feelings about this seasonal change; I hate cold weather – it makes me gloomy – but the fashion is so much better! Tights, scarves, woollen caps and coats. I love it all – especially knitwear. Perhaps I’d be happier if I could get up every day and put on one of these fun jackets from Granted Clothing:
Oh my. The camels, the pyramid. What can I say? If I saw a boy wearing one of these this winter, I’d fall in love on the spot. Truth. Camels not your jam? They also have other quirky designs featuring flamingos, deer and whales.
See the big chunky zipper pulls? Granted makes these from salvaged wood branches – eco friendly and one-of-a-kind. Overall it seems like the Granted crew are conscientious lot; every single one of Granted’s cheeky jumpers, hats, bags and bobbles is hand-made by knitters in Vancouver – from premium New Zealand wool.
You can see the Granted process right from the design stage to the fun bits. I think it’s fair to say I’m feeling better about the impending winter just looking at these.
by Amber on February 28, 2010
Hej! If you think about it for a couple of minutes, I’m sure you’ll agree with me that when it comes to the finer things in life, Sweden often pulls it off better than most. Design, pop music, meatballs and typography for starters!
To boot, some of the best blogs published today originate from Scandinavia, especially in the realm of fashion, interiors and object design. Below are my Swedish bloggy picks – most of them are written in English (oh you multilingual dreams) but if not, the Google translator is helpful.
ANNE’S FOOD: Swedish cooking-eating-enjoying blog written by Anne from Stockholm. There are a lot of recipes on the site but I really enjoy the “Traditional-ish Swedish Recipes” category – populated by exciting edibles such as Daim Cookies and Dammsugare.
CAMILLA ENGMAN: Since 2007 Engman has been sharing her witty illustrations & artwork, thoughtful photography and adventures with her little dog. Simply charming.
EMMA’S DESIGNBLOGG: A blog with an emphasis on stylists and photographers (concepts = good), rather than shopping and products (stuff = not sustainable). I can’t wait to visit Stockholm and use her comprehensive city guide.
FASHIONSQUAD: A nice blog which does what it says on the box – fashion, fun, inspiration, big time dreams.
HELLO TIGER!: Tiger shares her recent decor and design finds and posts great DIY tutorials (she also writes for Swedish ELLE Interiör). I liken her blog to a really excellent pick n’ mix lolly section – bright and sugary favourites and a few new treats to try.
KONSTBOK: I adore Emilie Björk’s blog for its captivating photography, music recommendations and the ‘everyday-moments-in-Gothenburg’ style narrative.
KARIN ERIKSSON: Erikkson is a noted designer/maker of ceramics. Here she blogs her “inspirations and my thoughts on topics such as beauty, patterns and things”. This is one of her gorgeous Signe beakers, crafted for tea, which will no doubt leave you wanting to know where she gets her ideas from:
SANDRA JUTO: Sandra is an illustrator, photographer and knitter. She shares her life through beautifully composed daily photographs: coffee, sign-writing, snow, lamps. Reading her blog makes you appreciate the simple things in life.
SWEDES PLEASE: Swedes Please is the definitive Swedish music blog! Definitely worth a browse because Swedish indie is some of the best in the world. As an aside, my favourite Swedish bands are Loney, Dear, I’m From Barcelona, The Hives, and Air France.
Are there any sneaky Swedish favourites that you think I should add to the list? I’d especially like to read some written by men. Or perhaps there is another country that seems to crop up in your RSS reader time and time again? Please share with the class.
