Grace & Manners

On Sunday...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mini jacket, gorgeous fabric...

My 1940's bar/music chest is being restored at the moment, so this small vintage table is filling its place for now. Adorned with orchid, vintage glassware, 1950's Vogue Pattern magazines and glass dome holding my old point shoes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing my inspirational quest for beautiful menswear; GQ's bi-annual Style edition is always a good source.

Crazy April weather - sunshine one minute, pelting rain the next. I do like restless weather...kind of suits my mood...

Happy Sunday evening and hello new week!

On Monday...

A cup of milky tea, scribbling and painting, 1950's gold-plated shell cuff links, exercising...

Getting inspired, Easter remnants, pretty fabric...What's brightening your Monday?

Have a Bite

 
I love the new campaign by vegetarian uber-restaurant Hiltl. It's funny, it's cute and, more importantly from a commercial point of view, it's memorable. The bat is particuarly endearing - they even hung it upside down, as it should be!

 
 
 
 

© Werbeagentur Ruf Lanz / Hiltl

If I were a rich man...

...or woman, rather, I would buy this beautiful 1911 villa in my hometown, sensitively and tastefully restore it and fill it with beauty, oddities and most of all with people I love.

 

The Birds

 

Pictures from Ziad Ghanem Couture, Vintage Raven Print by LoveElizabethat etsy 

As mentioned in the last post, I am currently obsessed with birds. Thousands of fascinating species, many obscure beauties, mythological connections and a riot of colours. For the most breathtaking photographs, I recommend Andrew Zuckerman's 'Bird'. The details he captures are beyond beliefe; jawdroppingly beautiful. Or treat yourself to the equally stunning The Parrots by Taschen. It is a Loose Leaf Collection, so you can pick out your favourite and get them framed. It is certainly on my wish list...

Oh, and have a look outside your window; you never know who might be setting up his home in that tree/shrub/bush!

 

Photographs from 'Birds' on Amazon 

Vintage 1936 Godfinch Print by Holcroft at etsy, picture from John Galliano's AW 08/09 collection, taxidermy magpie by eRachel at etsy
 
 
Heron photograph by Steven Round, Stephen Jones 'Crow' Mask picture from the Met Museum Blog  

Kingfisher photograph by Steven Round, fine art photograph of a Northern Cardinal by RaceyTay at etsy 

Picture from Myself January issue, Barn owl taxidermy from Bird Taxidermy    

Beauty Sells

Two ads, for Bulgari and Salvatore Ferragamo respectively, which have caught my eye and stuck in my mind recently and my reasons for loving them:

• Julianne Moore is so breathtakingly beautiful. The red hair, the porcelaine skin, the cheekbones... And she is a very gifted actress, of course.
• I have a bit of an obsession with birds at the moment and those two cockatoos, with their impeccable plumage and lime-tinged mohawk, are stunners.
• The background of richly coloured velvet cushions, silk throw and white peacock feathers is so sumptuous and perfectly fitting for such unique jewellery.
• The jewellery itself is, of course, just magical. The earrings are an emerald and diamond dream...Where's that Platinum Credit Card when you need it?

• Claudia Schiffer looks like Grace Kelly - what more can I say?!
• The furniture, the soft colours of the upholstery, carpet and curtains and the cast-iron balcony are right up my aesthetic alley. It takes me on an imaginary, decadent journey to the Plaza Athénée or Claridge's.
• Pairs and pairs of georgeous, beautifully crafted shoes carelessly strewn all over the room - Enough said...those wedges are divine.

Rain Painting On The Balcony Table

Small Things That Make Me Happy #1

Sugar Almonds in a thrifted glass. Pastel heaven...

When Ballerinas Meet