Sunday 31 August 2014

SHELF LIFE

I am not the most green fingered person, as previously mentioned... So I took a bold step to create a living wall of plants! I hope they don't die....

Friday 29 August 2014

TAPE

Paul and I have always been an avid fan of masking taping pictures to walls. I like the mismatch and the photocopies and the ease of cutting and pasting and moving things around. Much like a huge collage. Our last place had three whole walls covered in our bedroom. But we've managed to cut it down for this room!



Wednesday 27 August 2014

SEA

I moved to london when I was 18. And had taken the sea for granted my whole life. We were a short drive from some of the most stunning British landscapes, but didn't really appreciate their power or beauty till I had left.

So every time we come to Newcastle I always make sure we make it to the coast. It instantly makes me calmer and feels like I can actually breathe. I love London, it's one of the most exciting cities in the world, but I think it's important to get your "countryside/ seaside" fix too! To recharge batteries and to remind us there are forces of nature that dwarf us and any technologies. Their beauty and significance often gets over looked in the fast paced bubble of the metropolis, and it's easy to see why. It's as if you leave the city and stand in front of the sea and it instantly slows you, silences you and forces you to stop, even for a minute.






Monday 25 August 2014

TEACHINGS

Apologies for the silence. We are currently having a British holiday. Working our way around the UK visiting friends and family. It's lovely to be out of the city and not think about the flat for a few days. I'm about to embark upon my teacher training in yoga so I have just delved into the reading list with a little mimosa. Slight juxtaposition I'm sure...


Friday 22 August 2014

ROSEMARY

Rosemary! Wonderful in everything/ for everything. It looks great, it smells divine, tastes even better etc etc. My beautiful best friend got married today! She was the most beautiful, picture perfect bride in the whole entire world. The venue was Jane Austen's very own library. The reception held a little way down the road in a glorious garden

I was DELIGHTED to see rosemary at the place settings. I cannot express how much I love this stuff/ the word itself. My mother in law is called Rosemary and she's an incredible lady, Interpol wrote a song called Rosemary, it tastes wonderful on everything (potatoes/ chicken/ lamb/ jam/ honey etc) and the SMELL, goodness me, literally my favourite smell ever. Handwash/ shampoo/ face stuff whatever. 

So I think you get it. I love rosemary. 

CONGRATULATIONS MR AND MRS SHARP!!!!




Tuesday 19 August 2014

ARI

Paul and I love Ari Marcopoulos. I fell in love with his work when browsing Dashwood Books in New York, my most favourite book store in the whole world. More known for his work with skaters, or the downtown art scenes of NYC, I prefer his intimate photos of his wife and children. There's a phenomenal picture of his son wearing raven feathers in a forest. I loved it so much that I had to rip it out of one of his 'zines and frame it. There's a crease right down the middle where the page of was folded in the centre.

This print was given to us by Paul's friend! I was so happy as I really regretted not buying it when I was in store at Dashwood! I opted for two 'zines and a book instead, as it was easier to carry home!
 

SHINE

It's not secret that I am a huge fan of H&M homeware. Such wonderful, affordable wonders! These two tea light holders have not actually been used yet, they are so pretty. But they are doing a Stirling job of looking pretty on the coffee table!

Tea light holders: H&M Homeware

Sunday 17 August 2014

TWO

The second bedroom is almost complete. We are yet to hang the frames, but once this is done it will be complete

We are so happy with it we have actually made it our main bedroom! I am thinking of hiring myself out as an independent IKEA furniture installer. We managed to put the bed up in under thirty minutes! And the mattress is SO cosy I find it hard to get out of bed in the mornings! 





MARKET

Today we categorically said we would have a lazy day and completely relax. We had a lie in and then walked to the farmers market in Walthamstow. At this time of year they always have these beautiful flowers! I have no idea what they are called! Any advice much appreciated!! We bought the paper, and ate croissants on the walk home. I am now cooking a roast. I LOVE LAZY SUNDAYS!


Saturday 16 August 2014

GREEN FINGERS

Those who know me, know I'm not the most green fingered of friends. I am terrible. I over water/ under water then get bored and things tend to shrivel and die. However, these lovely cheese plant has stuck with us for nearly 3 years! It was a little touch and go earlier in the year, but we pulled through! 

Friday 15 August 2014

MOUNTAINS

We have mountains and mountains of homeless books right now. Some in storage, some on shelves, some in boxes. And some on chairs as you can see.

We got these old school chairs from eBay. 6 for £60. They're pretty battered up, but I quite like that about them! Alabama and Clarence are loving the forts and dens that the books have created! 

Wednesday 13 August 2014

THANK YOU

One of my best friends is getting married next week! I cannot WAIT, and she sent me the most lovely thank you card after her hen night. Possibly the most thoughtful bride ever!

Tuesday 12 August 2014

EAMES

Paul managed to salvage these when his office was getting a refurb a couple of years ago. This is my favourite accent colour. The cats also have a feeding mat in the same shade.

Alabama is pretty protective over these chairs... They currently sit with the small dining table in the living room.

Monday 11 August 2014

MONDAY BLUES

Here we are again. Monday blues. Trying to counterbalance with blueberries from Abel and Cole. I bought this falconware out of london, therefore half the price!!

Sunday 10 August 2014

COPPER

Developing a passion for copper. The back bedroom has seen a couple of light fittings. This is the final product. Made of glass and fits perfectly. Bought from eBay.




Friday 8 August 2014

TULSA

Friday is celebrated with my favourite Larry Clark book, Tulsa. He is one of my favourite photographer/ directors in the whole world. A bit predictable? Maybe, but there's no denying his truth and talent. Every picture taken as if by accident and perfectly timed.

Larry was born in Tulsa and always had a camera in his hand from a young age. Tulsa caused controversy when released in 1971 due to the graphic content of sex/ drugs and the like, following youths growing through self destruction.

We have a couple of his prints, in the big pile of "things to hang" which we can't do until the decorating is finished!!


Thursday 7 August 2014

REN

REN, is one of my favourite skin care brands. I began my love affair a few years ago, after a very good facialist recommended them. I religously use the frankincense night serum, and their glycolactic radiance renewal mask! They have become staple must haves. This latter sounds petrifying, but it's just a lovely gooey mask, that leaves your face feel brand new and refreshed.

The brand uses only 100% plant and mineral derived actives and is free from skin-unfriendly synthetic ingredients. No nasties.

This is currently trending in my bathroom. The Moroccan rose otto body wash. It lingers for hours after use. Just divine!!

 

DREAMING

I have just spotted this house in Hackney, near Hackney Downs station. I must've walked past it a million times and have ever noticed it!! Would very much like this to be mine please!! It's like a miniature version of the William Morris gallery.

Tuesday 5 August 2014

BORING

I managed to get this Warhol print from eBay for a reasonable (ish) amount! It's currently taking pride of place in the living room. I love the whole set from this exhibition, but this is my favourite!



Monday 4 August 2014

SAUSAGES

I'm not a huge meat eater, but when I do eat meat, I save it for things like this! Guiness Sausages, from The East London Sausage Company. I believe it was the first butchers dedicated to just sausages!? It sits pretty, with original shop frontage in E17's Orford Road. They do all sorts of meat treats, and the best bit, they are free range. I served it with thyme mash, gravy, and garlic green beans. All on a boiling summers evening. Probably not the best timing.


Sunday 3 August 2014

SIDE 2

The record side of the fireplace in the living room was complete. The other side lay bare, until this weekend.

Hungover, we ventured to the horror of safestore, to retrieve our coffee table books. These are the ones that made the cut. 

Top row L to R: 
Helmut Newton, Archives De Nuit
BLAST 1, Wyndham Lewis
Marianne Heske

Middle row L to R:
Far Cry, Paolo Nozolino
Raf Simons, REDUX
Bauhaus, 1919 1933 

Bottom Row L to R:
The Black Panthers, Stephen Shames
Zwei Schauferle mit Kloss und eiene Kinderportion Schnitzel mit Pommes Frites, Juergen Teller
Berlin, Hedi Slimane

On top of cabinet:
True Norwegian black metal, Peter Beste

Saturday 2 August 2014

DETAILS

IKEA dedicated post! Everything barring the lemons is IKEA! Wanted a Stelton, alas other expenses of late saw me purchase IKEA's version. Along with this fake plant that the cats cannot eat!

The bowl added a needed pop of colour to the monochrome kitchen.

Friday 1 August 2014

DIPTYQUE

diptyque everything. I would wear diptyque and nothing else if I could. Their perfumes are wonderfully nostalgic for a time I've never seen, or places I haven't yet been to. Philosykos for day (the heats of a Greek summer, journeying through the fig tree fields to get to the sea,) and Tam Dao by night (brings you the heat of the Goan jungle, with hot notes of the most precious of all sandalwoods.)

I love that each of their scents has a tale, a heavy tale and a clear vision. When you read about the insipration for each one, you inhale and are almost there. To transcend a vision so clearly is quite the skill, and diptyque do it very, very well.

On to candles, Feu De Bois for the living room, a heavy wooded scent. Baies for the bedroom, a bouquet of berries, and Genevrier for the bathroom, the purity of juniper. Even unlit, the whole room smells incredible.