Inspiration from Tim Burton's Wonderland

Don't worry, I'm not going to talk about how incredible Alice in Wonderland is. (OK, but it is.)

If you have seen the movie, you have to agree with me that the colours in this film have a way of grabbing at you and pulling you into this imaginary world. I found myself completely mesmerized by the beautiful and interesting mix of colours.

Throughout the entire movie, I was transfixed by Alice's blue grey with a hint of purple dress. The mushrooms in pink and blue and purple and orange and every other colour you can imagine! And then there are the flowers, in the most vibrant (and at the same time kinda smokey) hues of orange and pink and red.

And I found myself looking at the silk sash around the Mad Hatter's hat all the time, that lvoely salmon pink creation.

These colours would create the most amazing and evocative interiors. The funny thing is is that for my own place I have been leaning towards these colours for some time now. Seeing it all together like this though makes we really want to get stuck in and paint all the walls of my tiny apartment! (again...)

Is this the Easter Bunny?

Well, maybe not. But it's still cute as a button!!

Have a wonderful Easter, and travel safely!

Image via Flickr

If I were Alice in Wonderland...

... my shoes would me blue with pretty bows. Like these.

I love...

Oh, what is not to love about these gorgeously beautiful glass bell jars!

My birthday is coming up soon (OK, it's another 3 months, but I'm hinting hard here) and if my dearest love needs any help in deciding on a pressie, please go to The Space in Cavendish.

I love the delicate nature of the fine glass art with birds and butterflies.

x a

Special Breakfast

(I think I'm sharing this because I watched Julie & Julia last night, go watch it if you have not already!)


If you feel like spoiling someone (or yourself), try to make the yummy flap jacks! Perfect for a lazy Saturday, after sleeping a little later than normal...

Flap Jacks, stacked with bacon, fresh rocket (I prefer the wild rocket - can get it at Pick 'n Pay) and lastly drizzled with Maple Syrup.

Make sure you make enough, because you will definitely want seconds!!

My Mom's recipe for flap jacks
1 cup self raising flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon oil
pinch of salt

Break the eggs into a cup, add water until it's at 3/4 cup mark. Whisk together.
Add the dry ingredients, but don't whisk too much, it will make it sticky if you do.
Put a little margarine in a hot pan, spoon small amounts of batter in the pan (normally about 3 or 4 flap jacks will fit in the pan in one go).
Once bubbles appear on the top, you need to flip it over.

Enjoy!

Take flight

At the recent Design Indaba (I really should blog about it) Li Edelkoort made some style forecasts. And let's face it, she's never been wrong in like 2 decades, so who am I not to listen?

One of her predictions was the "taking flight" concept. Anything linked to birds and flying would become fashionable and coveted. Think nests, feathers, birds..and I want to add to that: Butterflies. What's not to love? Sure, sometimes it's a little kitsch, but when done correctly, it can be the most beautiful thing you've seen!

This wall of butterflies is the work of Paul Villinski, I'll try and share more if his work soon.
Image via Apartment Therapy

I blogged about this book shelf a while ago, and I still love it!

Now I wouldn't want to hide such a pretty trivet by actually placing a pot on it!

I'll be away for the long weekend, and I really hope I spot a pretty butterfly on my travels. I spotted one the other day at the nursery, it was hovering in fornt of me for quite a while, made my day!

Happy long weekend everyone!

x a

I love...

Whenever someone says "I love.." then we wait to hear what they love.

I love sunshine.
I love my fiance.
I love cocoa on a cold day.
I love tomatoes.
I love painting.
I love paintings.
I love sleeping in.

But how about just "I love." Full stop. Isn't that worth something?

Today, I love.

x a

Too hot to do anything

Seriously, this heat is insane. The air conditioning in my office can't cope, I want to go home and sit in front of my old fashioned fan with blue blades with the old Pick 'n Pay logo in the middle.

And it makes me cranky.

Image Via Flickr

5 Things I want to do this weekend

(The reason for this weekly list is simple. At the office I am fairly organised. There are files and systems and I generally know where to find something. At home, this is a different story. So, I've embarked on a mission to sort out my life (well, mostly my flat). And by making list (not only in your head) it's so much easier to tackle these things head on! So here goes...)

1. Finish the rug I started making. Painting is done, just some stitching to do (The image above was the inspiration for my rug - you will have to wait and see!)
2. Start laying out the pattern of the bits of fabric for the quilt (yip, still adamant on making one)
3. Restock the cleaning cupboard (I was so sure I bought Handy Andy the other day?)
4. Throw out all the pieces of paper that I have not looked at, have not used, or don't know what they are. Seriously, I have piles of the stuff all over the place
5. Find that bottle of Paul Smith Evian water. Dammit.

What are you up to this weekend?

Happy weekend!

I'vbe started noticing posters all over the show. I love these from Made by Girl.

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

x a

Seriously, how sexy is this lounger?

Haldane Martin (check out his home in this previous post here) launched his new Baba Papa Lounger at the Design Indaba Expo this weekend.


Oh. My. Goodness.

Inspired by water-worn pebbles, the lounger is made from 80% recycled stainless steel wire loops (recycling was BIG at the expo - no surprise there).

I gotta have one.

(sorry, my phone acting up a little this Monday morning, so can't post pics from the expo yet)

OK, so I got some of it done

1. I did go the Indaba (will tell you all about it, promise)
2. I did not go to the film festival (although I see my two top choices are showing tonight and tomorrow night)
3. Withnail bit me
4. I did cut up all the fabric bits for the quilt in progress
5. And most upsetting of all: I did not find the Paul Smith Evian bottle. Anybody out there know who stocks it? Let me know, please!

5 things I want to do this weekend

I always see weekends of 2 days of opportunity. It gives me the time to do/organise/finish/clean/throw out whatever I have been meaning to do for a while.

So here are 5 things I want to do this weekend:

1. Organise my clothes cupboard, clear out what I have not worn in the the last year.


2. Cut all the bits of fabric for a quilt (yip, I am attempting to make a quilt. I am also realistic in that I know I will not finish it this weekend. Instead, I am aiming to have all the little squares cut up. There's always next weekend)


3. Go to the Design Indaba and TAKE IT ALL IN- whoohoo!


4. Spend more time in training my budgie, Withnail. He's starting to bite me, which makes me think I do no spend enough time with him and thus he does not know who the hell I am anymore.


5. Find that damn Paul Smith Evian bottle

What are you up to this weekend? Whatever it is, have fun! Let's see on Monday what I actually ticked off the list. Experience has taught me that I rarely accomplish what I set out to do on weekends.

x a

It's Beautiful Here...

...OK, that's actually taken from designer Heath Nash's clever coat rack, but it just happens to be in the home of another famous designer, the insanely talented Mr Haldane Martin. (Ha, and they are both Capetonians).

I am a firm believer in a picture is more than a thousand words, so I'm not even going to bother to garble on about this stunning renovation. Have a look see...

I love the simpliticity of this home. There is no clutter, which I don't think I will ever be able to achieve... I really find it amazing how people can live without even a little bit of clutter. Doesn't everyone want to hang on to their school books? Don't we all have piles of books and magazines stuck in the corner and next to the couch and on to of the dining table, which is never used as a dining table because where would the stuff on top the dining table go? Hey, but's another discussion in itself.

Haldane's furniture pieces stand alone likes work of art, pure beauty! Haha, and I think it's also my Afrikaner heritage that makes me really really like the Riempie Couch.

For more, go to Haldane's website and have a look.

x a

All images via Apartment Therapy

Happy Dance!

I actually can not describe my excitement at the moment. I am waiting anxiously for this weekend to arrive, because for me that will mean only one thing: Design Indaba. Whoohoo!!

And this year I am tackling it with a plan. I've realised one needs a plan. Last year I was just overwhelmed, and therefore did not take in half of what was going on around me. You see, last year it was a spontaneous decision to go. I knew the Indaba was happening, I knew it was crammed full of great designers, ja ja ja. But I was not really planning to go. Then I did. And I loved it. No, I LOVED it!

So this year, although I am not one of those lucky few that get to attend the Design Indaba Conference (maybe next year? *fingers crossed*) I will be attending the Expo and, for some added good measure, the film festival.

Now this is what this post is actually about: the film festival.

It runs at the Labia Theatre in town until the 4th of March. You can get the full program on the Design Indaba website, but it's a little tricky to get your pick just right. The programs are set up with one feature length and a couple of shorts.

These are my picks:

Friday 26 February, Programme 2

Charles and Ray Eames: Design Q&A - "This 1972 interview with Ray and Charles Eames is one of the most concise, witty statements about design ever put on film" 5 minutes.

Objectified - "Directed by Gary Hustwit, Objectified is a feature-length documentary about our complex relationship with manufactured objects and , by extension, the people who design them. It's a look at the creativity at work behind everything from toothbrushes to tech gadgets" 75 minutes

Saturday, 27 February, Programme 1

Eames Demetrios: Ping Pong -"About Frank Gehry designing a chair, this film is a beautiful expression of the iterative process of design. The remarkable architect shows us how prototype after prototype leads to a deeper understanding of materials." 15 minutes

Eames Demetrios: 670/671 - "Few chairs are as iconic as Charles and Ray Eames Lounge Chair. Learn about the ideas behind the classic - such as Eames philosophy of the guest-host relationship" 8 minutes

Eames Demetrios: Eames Aluminium Group - "The Eames Aluminum Group is an icon of contemporary design and expresses the elegant Eames philosophy of Way-It-Should-Be-Ness, a belief both radical and humble" 9 minutes

Eames Demetriois: 77 steps - "The process of making the classic aluminum Navy Chair by Emeco. Sheets of aluminum become a single piece of light, comfortable metal" 3 minutes

Eames Demetrios: 901: After 45 years of working -"This short film is a powerful record of Ray and Charles Eames famed design space at 901 Washington Blvd in Venice, California" 28 minutes

Charles and Ray Eames: Lounge Chair: "A short film made in 1956 showing the assembly of the iconic Lounge Chair at speed." 2 minutes

Charles and Ray Eames: Sofa Compact: "Made in 1954, this film charmingly traces the design and development of the fold-up Soda Compact." 10 minutes

Director Q&A: Eames Demetrios

There are loads more films, but I think I will start with these on the weekend! If you are going to the Design Indaba, enjoy it and soak up all the creative energy!

x a

Miss Bancroft

I'm sitting in my quiet, bland office highlighting a box with blue highlighter. I'm going up and down, rather than length ways, which would be easier and much quicker (it's a long rectangular box across the page).

Then I suddenly remember sitting in Miss Bancroft's art class. I must have been in standard 2, say about 10 years old. I remember her explaining how unique nature is. How every leaf on a tree is a different colour, a different hue of green or yellow or brown. She explained that just because it is easier to colour in the bark of a tree 'up and down', this is not the way to do it. If you colour it in sideways, you can see the roundness of the tree and the texture of the bark.

I find it funny how I remember these little things so many years later.

Paul Smith for Evian

I always love listening to designers talk about their work. And for the most part I am surprised by how humble and approachable they are. I don't know why, maybe because we always see them on TV and in magazines, I expect them to be more snobbish!

I think I have realised that the designers stay down to earth, mostly because they are inspired and creative beings. The people who use the products of these designers though, that's a different kettle of fish. It's a strange phenomenon.

Here is Paul Smith: world renowned, but still enjoying his work every single day. I love his approach of completely disregarding newspapers (as it means it has been done already). Instead he surrounds himself with beautiful books and objects, his studio is filled to the brim with things that inspire!

I need to get my hands on one of these Evian bottles! They are a work of art. Sadly the staff at the Paul Smith store in Cape Town had no idea what I was on about when I waltzed in there over the weekend. I will most certainly go hunting this weekend! I am told that the bottles are available from "top hotels and restaurants only". I will be sure to let you know when I find one!!

x a

Can you imagine...

...receiving a love letter like this one on Sunday?


We all send emails, sms and chat on Facebook. But the feeling of receiving a hand written letter...ahhhh. Beats a bunch of red roses any day.

Hope your Valentines day is filled with tons of love!

x a

More love

x a

For my bokkie...

(it is Valentines week after all)
xxx
a

Image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/brainware3000/362581672/

I'm sharing a little secret..

Some time ago I stumbled upon a teeny tiny little shop in Diepriver selling Petersham Ribbons. Ever since I have spent too much money buying these beautiful ribbons, snapping up each and every design and colour (although, I must say I prefer the more classic colours and designs).

These ribbons can turn any piece of plain paper wrapping into a work of art, or at the very least add some character to the gift! I love using these ribbons around old bottlesd, tying up keys on hooks, anything really.

The 2 talented ladies from Ebony and Ivory have just launched their new website, which I think showcases their bits and bobs beautifully! Do yourself a favour and go look at http://www.ebonyandivoryribbons.co.za/ .

Be inspired!

x a

A little corner in my home

I have a little corner at the end of my oh so short passage that I like to doll up. Be it with fresh flowers, a pretty book, or in this case a mini Mona Lisa my brother and his fiance bought for me at the Louvre.

Have a happy weekend everyone!

x a

'n Goue fonds

Ek sien baie plekke in die Kaap waar ek wil inval, maar ek kry selde die tyd. Net soos elke keer wat ek in Langstraat afry en die pienk blom potte buite Masala Dosa sien. Elke keer dink ek, daar wil ek nog gaan eet.

Toe, uiteindelik na maande, loop ons verby die pienk blompotte en ek sleep my verloofde in saam met my. Wat 'n belewenis!

Skoon dekor: wit met helder aksente teen die muur.

Tong in die kies versierings: was jy jou hande in die pienk badkamer, is daar 'n klein etiket teen die muur met 'n pyltjie na bo en "Holy Cow". Kyk jy op is daar 'n Holy Cow teen die dak wat as beligting dien!

Die kos was smaakvol en pragtig bedien. Elke bord het 'n spesery patroontjie op. En beste van als, ons het uitgeloop met 'n skrale R91 rekening...

Val gerus in by die pienk blompotte in Langstraat, jy sal nie spyt wees nie!

x a

All images via www.masaladosa.co.za

Wall art

I have been researching wall art for our new offices, hoping to inject some life onto very large, very sparse walls. I was amazed to find that there are so many companies in South Africa that sell wall stickers, and good ones too!

Now these images are proof that wall stickers don't need to be kitch! I am dying to order one for my bedroom, will show you when it's up!

x a

All images via www.ginandchocolate.com

Happy Weekend

Just a pretty little picture to see you on your way. Have a lovely weekend everyone!

x a

Sleepy time

I seriously want to go and fall into this bed right now.

:) a

Vir my boetie en sy verloofde

The writing is on the wall (or on the sun lounger)

I have a strange obsession with words. More to the point, writing on walls. I think if I had free reign, I would cover my walls in poems, songs, thoughts, whatever I could.

But I do not have free reign (and let's be honest, I do get bored of having to look at the same thing everyday very quickly), so these canvasses provide me with the perfect solution!

How's this for a perfect lounger?

"I love you much most beautiful darling". Now who wouldn't want those words uttered to them?

x a

ps. I have an unmentionable amounts of images on my computer. Whenever I see something I like, I file it under my 'inspirasie' folder. So if anyone sees something that is theirs, and I have not linked back to you or mentioned you, it's really only because I suck at admin and referencing images. Mail me and I will add the link immediately! Promise.

A new Year, a new you?

It has been months since my last blog (tsk, tsk). The last bit of 2009 was a chaotic rush to the end, but now that we are in a new year, I am committed to taking things a little more... slowly....

I have realised how easily we rush past moments in our lives, and before we know it it's all gone.

So, here's to stopping to smell the roses in 2010! I have many wonderful, beautiful things to share with you this year!

x a