wanderlust

Happy Monday kids. So you all know, my love of all things letterpress continues unabated.

Wanderlust print available on Etsy.

create my art

Today friends, I wanted to talk mostly about art. Now that I am a grown-up, I really love the idea of investing in unique pieces of art, to try and start a collection of sorts, that we can add too throughout the rest of our lives. 

Create My Art is an amazing find, a website that brings together artists and those looking for a art! You simply create your own 'wish list' describing the piece you want (including things like colour, size, time frame and budget) and once your list is posted, artists from all over the world respond with their own proposals detailing the bespoke piece they can create just for you. 

The website includes biographies of all the artists, with their location and examples of work. If you find someone you like, you can even contact them directly, inviting them to review your wish list. 

I think this is an amazing way of bring art to us regular people who might not have the budget or knowledge to feel comfortable shopping in a gallery. A perfect way for me to get started.

Create My Art can be found here.

skulls to see

I know I'm obsessed with skulls, but these are so stunning I had to share! Created by french artist Philippe Pasqua, they are on display at the Opera Gallery in London. I'm going to try and pop by this week, I can't wait to see what they look like in the flesh.

Philippe Pasqua at the Opera Gallery London, 134 New Bond Street, London, W1S 2TF

blots of ink

It's the weekend kids. What are you up too? The husband and I are spending a lovely Saturday together before he flies off for a week snowboarding! I'm trying not to be jealous and am looking forward to a week home alone to catch up on my school work and flat to do list.

We are still(!) trying to finish off our upstairs living area - honestly who knew it would be so hard to find cushions for the couch and lighting fixtures - and I came across these amazing ink blot plates.

The are made in England out of stunning bone china and each plate shows a hidden animal that the designer has seen herself. I think they would make an excellent talking piece at a dinner party. Can't you just imagine asking your guests what they see?

Ink Blot Series 1 Limited Edition plates available here

black & white

I have been working on a wall of black and white photos for ages in our flat! And as I have just a few black frames left to fill, I thought this sweet print could be perfect. I love prints that aren't too obvious and I like how the bold black and white here are broken up with a splash of red. You can personalise it with whatever co-ordinates you like, and as it is only £30, could make an excellent gift.

Personalised Coordinates Print available at Bouf

la boheme

Have you heard about the silent opera playing in the tunnels beneath the Old Vic? It sounds intriguing and I'd love to check it out.

It is a new type of immersive theatre, where instead of watching a performance, you wander through the tunnels watching as scenes unfold around you. Throughout the performance, you'll hear a both live singers as well as a new recording of Puccini's famous score but the quirk is that you listen to the entire show through headphones! It sounds incredible and I'd suggest booking tickets quickly, they are sure to sell out.

La Boheme, playing at The Vault through 26th Feb, £20 tickets available here

london art fair

Ah…happy Friday friends! We made it. Phew. What is it about the first week back after a holiday that is always so hard? 

I am very much looking forward to the weekend. As I mentioned, the husband and I are off to Pitt Cue Co tonight to indulge in some proper BBQ. Tomorrow we are going to check out the London Art Fair in Islington. The images above are from some of the featured artists. I’m hoping to finally sort some pictures to finish my black & white wall (which I'll share with you next week). Sunday I’ll be working at Hildreth St Market so if you are in Balham pop by and say hi! 

Hope you have a smashing weekend.

London Art Fair, Business Design Center, 52 Upper St., N1 0QH

lovely letterpress

I love letterpress. I discovered this wonderfully tactile way of printing whilst planning our wedding and fell in love with it immediately. With the heavy weight of the paper, a limitless amount of creative design and the romance of using a process that has been around since the 1900s you can see why the technique is totally delightful.

The above are my top pics from the 2012 invitation collection by Bella Figura, a small US based company we used for our own wedding invites. Based outside Syracuse, New York, they use an original 1950's letterpress and (little known fact), paper made of cotton, created just for them by a 500 year old European mill. Amazing!

It's funny as when we were planning our wedding I had a strong preference for vintage designs. Now however, I love the modern, graphically strong designs with bold colour. What is your favourite?

Bella Figura

spots

Is there such a thing as too many spots? This weekend I'll be checking out Damien Hirst's The Complete Spot Paintings, showing at not one, but two locations through the 18th Feb. The show has received mix reviews, with some critics questioning the value of hundreds of paintings of spots. I'll see for myself and let you know.

The Complete Spot Paintings are showing at Gagosian Gallery, 6-24 Britannia St., WC1X 9JD & 17-19 Davies St., W1K 3DE

a little bit naughty

How amazing are these dishes?! Cheeky new company Dirty Dishes creates one of a kind dinner plates that I'm sure would get the conversation started at any dinner party. At about £12 a pop they aren't the cheapest, but I think a fair price to pay for some nudity on the table!

Dirty Dishes currently available online here

perfect cushions

So our upstairs lounge/kitchen makeover is (finally!) almost complete. We have changed the flooring, painted the walls, built in book shelves (and repainted them), ordered and received two new couches, our gorgeous kitchen table and are just waiting on the chairs, which should be delivered next week. Phew! 

I'm now looking for the finishing touches and found these great cushions from one of my favourite American imports, Anthropologie. The clothes and accessories are fab, but it is their home-wares department that I love. Full of unique pieces that aren't ridiculously expensive, I think a selection of these cushions will look perfect on our new couch...here is hoping everything will be done by Christmas!

Cushions available at Anthropologie

happy cows

What can I say? John Lewis does it again. I'm thinking my kitchen might not be complete just yet...this wallpaper is so bad it's good. I love it!

Marimekko Iltavilli wallpaper available at John Lewis.

the minotaur

The Old Vic Tunnels have done it again! In what’s sure to be a spectacular event, Lazarides Gallery Group will be using the atmospheric underground venue for both an exhibition and dining experience for three weeks in Oct.


Called The Minotaur, the exhibition will feature an eclectic group of international artists each presenting their own interpretation of the classic Greek myth. The dining experience, which will offer two seatings a night, features a three course meal created by three Michelin starred chefs, including my favourite Nuno Mendes of Viajante.

Whilst tickets for the dining experience are pricy at £75 each, tickets to the exhibition are available for £5 each and also give you access to the bar. I have to say, it sounds like something I don’t want to miss!

The Minotaur, Old Vic Tunnels, London SE1

All images from The Minotaur

birds in woods

What do you think of these stunning prints, friends? I am still looking for small pieces to go on our latest wall o' art (will post pictures of that shortly) and think these beauties will fill the space nicely.


They are created by Dutch artist Louise van Terheijden and her lovely work can be found on Etsy here.

need i say more

My heart be still! This print says it all. And it will be going up in our flat immediately.

Fifi du Vie print available at PoppyTalk Handmade or here.

the weekend is here

Friends! What are you doing this weekend? Tonight we are heading to the much anticipated Boom Boom Club and I can't wait for my early morning Yoga in the Park session tomorrow - want to get as much sun time as possible. The husband and I are then heading to a special brunch at Ring Here to check out Clara's latest installation before dancing the night away at a salsa club to celebrate a friend's brithday. I'll be working at Hildreth St Market all day Sunday so pop along and say hi if you can. Hope you are all enjoying this glorious sun as much as we are!

Here are some random and fun links to check out...

Hilarious note card from the long lost Unicorns

Totally inappropriate but too funny card about religion

If you're out and about in Brick Lane, check out the Stolen Space Gallery who is celebrating 200 years of Warner/Chapel music with 10 pieces of amazing graphic design work interpreting lyrics from classic songs

Am still searching for the perfect winter coat, but have managed to find this perfect little blazer instead

The photo today is by Bruce Mozert circa 1938...I'm becoming obsessed with vintage black and whites.

x







To book an appointment to see the new installation at Ring Here

paul catherall

Hello friends. I hope you all had a lovely weekend. The husband and I enjoyed this lovely Indian summer up North and are on our way back from a glorious three days in Yorkshire. I'll post some pictures of our trip later this week.

As to London news I'm sure you are all aware the Affordable Art Fair is just around the corner. There are two shows this year and I've recently discovered artist Paul Catherall who will be showing (and selling!) his wares at both. I am very tempted to pick up at least one of these stunning prints. His colour-block prints of iconic London city scapes would look fab in anyone's home.

fancy schmancy brolly

After living in a place as rainy as London, I have become fixated on finding the perfect umbrella. And yesterday, I think I found it! Available at both the Tate Modern and British Museum's online shops, these colour change brollys start off dry in a somber black and white before developing into a brightly coloured cityscape once they get wet. Wouldn't it be amazing to stand out in a sea of black umbrellas with something so special?

Available here and here.

transfer accelerator

How amazing is this?! In the Dutch city of Utrecht, this 'transfer accelerator', otherwise known as a slide(!) has been built to help travellers quickly reach the railway tracks when they are in a hurry. Absolutely amazing... and so much fun! 


Seen on the fabulousness that is A Cup of Jo

the secret consul

The husband has been busy. He has been busy organising a date night for tonight! I am probably more excited than I should be, but it's not often I get to spend a whole Friday night alone with him. And that's not even all. The husband has managed to find something I'd not yet heard about. Hidden somewhere in deepest Limehouse, we will be seeing The Secret Consul. This site-specific, guerilla opera will be performed by theatre group The Wedding Collective and features a cast of up and coming opera stars from around the world. I can't wait.

Tickets available here.