And the winner is...

Each year, like many fashion addicts around the world, I await the Oscars. Its always so exciting to see what the well known designers will come up with and a great chance to get to know up and coming designers' work.

 Plus, its always fun to see which actresses can pull it off best. 

Here are, in my opinion, the best dressed for the 2011 Oscars. Which is your favourite?

Mila Kunis in Elie Saab

Mandy Moore in Monique Lhuillier

Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein

"Karma is only a bitch if you are"

I recently came across Therese Sennerholt, a Swedish designer that makes the most fantastic prints. Each print has its own simple, witty, and fun graphic slogan and is framed in black and white. They would be great in any home or workspace and a great gift!

Therese started off by creating these graphic slogans for her friend's blog but when the enquiries started flooding through her inbox, she decided to set up her own web shop.

Visit www.theresesennerholt.se to snag your own print. Prices start from £70.

Interior Design for Dummies

Last weekend I was speaking to an old friend, someone who had just moved into a new apartment and said he had no idea what to do with his room. I went on to tell him that it was easy and listed some stores that he should check out, buy stuff from and just put into his room, easy enough right?

Well from the blank look on his face I guess I was wrong...Im not sure if it genuinely is that challenging or if it was just that he was heavily intoxicated, but it was then that I decided that I should do a post of some great things, available to buy at some general stores, that if used in the right way, could make up a great room. So, here are some things that I've picked from The White Company & Anthropologie to make up in this case, a boho chic bedroom. I used Anthropologie to do up my sister's NY apartment and she loved it!
Visit www.anthropologie.eu or www.thewhitecompany.com

Scattered Chevron Curtain, £98
Anthropologie

      

Coralie Bed, £1758
Anthropologie

Erin Hand-Crocheted Throw, £200
The White Company

Stockholm Chest of Drawers, £695
The White Company

  
   

Wandering Ikat Shade, £68
Anthropologie

Jute Storage Laundry Bag, £60
The White Company

Elephant Medallion Pot, £68
Anthropologie

Maria Grachvogel: AW11

Last Friday, I attended the London Fashion Week kick off: Maria Grachvogel's show at the Savoy.

Not only did I get the pleasure of previewing her amazing new collection full of sexy silk catsuits, lace dresses and feminine tailored trousers but I was also able to view the renovations of the legendary Savoy hotel... the perfect location for such an elegant show.

Maria most certainly has managed to hit the nail on the head for AW11, producing beautiful, contemporary yet original pieces: I can honestly say that there was not one thing that I didn't add to my wish list and not an empty seat in the house.

I will be attending the preview tomorrow and am hoping to add a few pieces from the collection to my wardrobe! Congratulations Maria on an incredible show and AW collection!

Unveiling The Height of Chic

I love walking into a store that completely takes you to another place, almost making you feel that you have been transported somewhere else, be it old vintage antiques or in this case glass bottles filled with amazing Aesop products! Looking at this makes me feel like I'm in secret lab!

The new Aesop store in Paris has revived an 18th century building with modern interiors using timber grown in renewable forests in Australia. Hows that for environmentally friendly?

This store is almost like an art installation, due to their incredible spacial use and awareness; the floor becomes the wall and the wall become the ceiling, pushing boundaries and pushing us out of our comfort zone.

The Truth is Out!

Not good at expressing your feelings? 

Maybe you're one of those people that have trouble telling your spouse/girlfriend-boyfriend/thing on the side, how you really feel about them, or maybe you just love typography?

Well, for me this says it all.

Tell your loved ones how you feel about them with this great poster and many others by Bisgrafic http://thepositiveposters.com/index.php

Fashion: From idea to finished product (Guys,this is also for you!)

I recently came across this video from one of my favourite artists David Shrigley.

Shrigley's work is always so witty, comical and clever and as I am more acquainted with his drawings I was hesitant at first as to what his videos would be like and whether they would meet my expectations. However, I am happy to report that they are just as good! This particular video appealed to me as it is a collaboration with Pringle, and I love fashion and the whole design process. I hope you enjoy the video as much as I did.

A Valentines Gift for the Royal couple

Sitting on the tube the other day I came across a great photo. Normally I just sleepily flick through a random Metro that has been left next to me, and laugh at all the pointless and ridiculous things featured in what is meant to be a newspaper, BUT for once I found something worth sharing with you all!

After all this suspense and wondering what this hyped up photo could be, I will give in and tell you... it is an incredibly cool mural of our favourite royal couple William & Kate by Londoner street artist Rich Simmons.

The mural called God Save the ***king, transforms Sex Pistols punk rocker bass player Sid Vicious, and his girlfriend Nancy Spungen into the royal couple, trying to make them accessible, as 'a modern breed of royals'.

Sadly, Nancy and Sid's relationship did not turn out so well; she was stabbed to death in 1978 and he died of a heroin overdose whilst on bail after being charged with her murder. William & Kate: We are sure that you will have a happier ending!

Happy Valentines day everyone!

High Society

I've never been one for drugs , it's not that I really have much against them, I just never thought the whole experience was worth my while. However, I have always wondered what exactly the experience was like and what the history was behind it all... High Society seems like the best way of finding out, without me having to dive in to the activity.


When I was told about the exhibition, I wasn't really sure what I should expect and decided to look into it further; so I visited their website and came across this video, which made me want to check it out even more. 

From ancient Egyptian poppy tinctures to Victorian cocaine eye drops, Native American peyote rites to the salons of the French Romantics, mind-altering drugs have a rich history. 'High Society' will explore the paths by which these drugs were first discovered - from apothecaries' workshops to state-of-the-art laboratories - and how they came to be simultaneously fetishised and demonised in today’s culture.


The Exhibition will be taking place at The Wellcome Collection on Euston Road until the 27th of February.

In the words of Finding Nemo: Fish are friends.

We all like to spoil ourselves sometimes, retail therapy, massages, facials, manicures and of course pedicures but Aqua Sheko provides us with a very different experience. Think sitting in a glamorous, dark room with your girlfriends, sipping tea or champagne, while hundreds of little fish in a pool of warm water do all the work...talk about cutting out the middle man, or shall we say pedicurist in this case.

These finned friends use their suction-cupped mouths to lift dry skin away, exfoliating without damaging the healthy cells underneath - revealing soft and beautiful feet, pain free! No more forced conversation with your nail therapist, no more flinching when you think they are just about to come too close with the nail clippers...crisis averted! Just sit back, relax and enjoy the tickly feeling of these exotic pedicurists. 

If squeamish, I would recommend closing your eyes. If not, Aqua Sheko recommends "allowing yourself to be mesmerized by the flash of the silvery scales as they dart through the water". Sounds kind of alluring? 

Aqua Sheko is located both in Soho & Kensington. If you feel brave enough to take the plunge email reservations@aquasheko.co.uk otherwise for more information visit http://www.aquasheko.co.uk/. I know I'll be making a reservation this week!

"Your Love", A Graphical Overture

This music video was shown to me by my music expert of a sister, Ilana.

Not only do I love house music, but mixed in with a video filled with fun flashing drawings and colours....even better! The track is called Your Love, the first single from the Aston Shuffle upcoming album due to be released this year. If they are not a band you are already familiar with, go check them out and let me know what you think!

Although the video is hectic enough to give you a seizure, I still finish watching, feeling energized, inspired and ready to find plenty of other creative masterpieces to show you.

Wise words from a random poster.

Getting to Know Graffiti

I've always liked a bit of street art, walking around the meatpacking district in New York just to see what surprises there may be on each wall entices me, but it was only after watching Banksy's movie Exit Through The Gift Shop that I really decided to look at it a bit more.

The movie focuses on Thierry Guetta otherwise known as Mr Brainwash, a frenchman living in LA, obsessed by his video camera. He was introduced to street art when his cousin, an artist called Space Invader, flew over to make his mark on LA...for Thierry it was all about capturing every aspect of life but then he started to see the creativity of street art and decided to become more involved.

He decided to follow other street artist such as Shepard Fairey, and eventually Banksy, to show behind the scenes of street art in the making and from there was encouraged to try it out for himself.

Three years later, Mr Brainwash is now backed by Phillips de Pury and his works go for up to $120,000. There are speculations on whether Mr Brainwash is actually a hoax by his mentor Mr Banksy himself, increasing the hype even further. Did the curious french cameraman get lucky or what?! A movie definitely worth watching!

Take a look at these great pieces of street art by Mr Brainwash, Space Invader, Shepard Fairey and Banksy. Try match the piece to the artist - I promise to tell you if you are correct...you may even get a special mention in the next post!

Addicted to Apples?

If you are anything like me, you will HATE lining up, and waiting your turn at the Apple store on Regent Street but good news! Apple Covent Garden is now open!

Apple's 300th store and the largest in the world boasts an entire 2500 square feet in a restored building that dates back to 1876. The cutting edge store, spread over 3 floors features a large skylight roof, beautifully restored windows, brick walls and individual zones for each type of product.

The store is said to be the best Apple store yet... and I can't wait to check it out.

What ladies do in powder rooms...

Take a look at The Powder Room by Zoe Cassavetes: This beautiful movie, shot in London's Claridges (who wouldn't like that ladies room) is the first of a series of short films 'The Miu Miu Women's Tales', which explores a ladies rituals in the powder room.

Each short film is done by a different international female filmmaker, telling stories and sharing their fantasies about Miu Miu. Beautiful clothes, beautiful bags and beautiful shoes, as well as being fresh and enticing. 

So, for all you men out there, wondering just what it is that makes women spend so long in bathrooms or for all you women that appreciate a traditional 'powder room'...this is for you.

Bedtime Stories

Were you that child that always insisted on a bedtime story before you said goodnight to your parents? Wish you still had that luxury? Well this month you can...

Where: 40 Winks Hotel (Closest tube: Stepney Green)
When: 9th - 11th February, 7-11pm
Dress code: Strictly Pyjamas
What to expect: An evening filled with romance-themed stories, read by professional storytellers, at a  flamboyantly decorated hotel. Complimentary bed time snacks provided by Artisan du Chocolat.

Be sure to book...this event is bound to sell out fast! £25 in advance - reservations@40winks.org

If you're looking for fun, eco friendly ways to decorate your home,
www.re-foundobjects.com is a website definitely worth checking out.

REfound Objects is inspired by recycled materials and old, unused pieces which are then used as cushions, lamps, bottle openers, collanders and cups among many other things!

Check out some of my favourites: a cushion inspired by American vintage flour sacks - they are hand printed locally, 100% linen, stuffed with feathers and a lot of fun!

These beautiful pressed glasses are available in a wide range of colours and also come in a jug form. I love the half pint etched glasses too. Id love to show you all of my favourites....but Refound Objects is just too good!

Aware: Art Fashion Identity

On Sunday I visited the Royal Academy to see Aware: Art Fashion Identity an exhibition which looks at how artists and designers use clothing as a mechanism to communicate and reveal elements of our identity. It was interesting to see how differently these designers and artists portray this idea, and how the majority of artist's views differed from my own views.

I thought I'd share with you my favorite works:  Little Rich Girls by Yinka Shonibare and Autumn Winter 2009: Joan by Alexander McQueen.
Another work I love by Yinka Shonibare, which is too good not to share, is Flower Cloud, a life size mannequin made from cast resin and dutch wax printed cotton.

After seeing Axel Vervoordt's chalet in Verbier (this month's House & Garden), I have decided that although I am not a big skiing fan, I am desperate to do up my own chalet!

When I am able to get round to it (hopefully sooner rather than later), I want to make the kid's room something like this... I love the bunk beds, the layout and the cosy cabin feeling, giving the kids their own secret area to stay up and play in all night...If this were my room when I was a child my dad would not have been happy, as all my friends will remember, he was never a fan of sleepovers!

Traveling In Style

I love the monogrammed luggage from Louis Vuitton..
Check out the monogram section of their website,where you can play around with your initials and any style of luggage...Just click on the link below and then personalize to give it a go.

If you were planning on getting me a gift, and were stuck on just what to buy me...I have solved your problem! Make your way down to Louis Vuitton - they have been warned, and are waiting for you.

In the theme of traveling, a must have for every vacation is a Louis Vuitton City Guide, available for European, cities, a couple of U.S states, Japan & India. The guides can be bought individually or as a set. Go buy your's now!

http://www.louisvuitton.com/uk/flash/monmonogram.jsp?langue=en_GB&buy=1#/monogram/personalize?skuId=P00021