Schmoozemuse: London

Showing posts with label London. Show all posts

June 16, 2012

June 03, 2012

May 13, 2012

With both the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics just around the corner, it spurred me on to share some London/British based inspirations with you to get into the spirit of things..Not quite the red, white and blue stuff, but there's no shortage of that out there for your Jubilee party!

Hunter Jones Vintage - 'Central London Map', a personal favourite (I own one!), a limited edition print exclusive to Hunter Jones Vintage, by illustrative artist Kiosk berlin, available to buy on www.notonthehighstreet.com in Black, Red or Grey. Other than prints, Michael & Michael at Hunter Jones Vintage source the most beautiful vintage finds, and lovingly restore and re-invent vintage furniture. They have a beautiful store in Rye, East Sussex, where they house their collection.

Hunter Jones Vintage - Central London Map print
Available to buy on www.notonthehighstreet.com £39

Rory Dobner is a fascinating London based artist. Mugs, in fine whitebone china, found at www.roostliving.com. Apart from taking on interior projects, Rory also pens intricate illustrations, and his now infamous alphabet ceramic tiles. You can find more Rory Dobner pieces at Liberty.

www.roostliving.com - Intricate Mug, £15

Claire Brewster a London based artist (originally from Lincolnshire), hand cuts old maps into beautiful creations like the one below. She creates framed work and installations, and is about to exhibit some of her work at Mind the Map exhibition from the 18th of May, 2012.

www.clairebrewster.co.uk - 'We are Seeking the Source' Hand cut map of London, £800

www.heartsandhens.co.uk - I love that this small hanging heart is in black and white.

HeartsandHens.com - Vintage Union Jack £3.50

Images - see linked photo captions.

February 08, 2012

Why Grey?

I have always been drawn to grey. Every year the thought 'I'm going to add some colour in my wardrobe' immerges, but not much materialises from it, and I 'end up' (well, want) mostly grey pieces..mixed with white or black!

I stumbled across this a while back on a lovely blog www.conversationpieces.co.uk as I was looking for ideas to garnish a grey wall (no surprise there!) where I was living in Stockholm last year. It was a sign in a shop window in Islington..but I am going to have it in my future home for sure...

August 30, 2011

A new kinda 'Post' - the old skool way

I, like many, have been suctioned into the social networking bubble of wishing someone a 'Happy Birthday/Grattis' or another greeting of sort, as a simple post on Facebook/Twitter and the rest. These days that seems to suffice, and 'just is' the way we operate, which is thoughtful in these busy times I guess, and brings a smile to my face, but I used to be a 'post-er'...that's the generation I come from. I used to spend ages in a card shop, picking out the 'right' card for someone.

Getting a letter or card from somebody you know is always appreciated, and to give somebody a thoughtful card, that you have spent time choosing, is equally as rewarding. And sometimes, when I see what I know is a funny card by it's picture, but don't yet understand the Swedish punchline, it's just not as much fun giving it, even after I ask the sales person or a Swedish friend 'what does that mean?'.

So when I stumbled across FikaTown, a 'Boutique Greeting Card' company based in Stockholm, it got me thinking, (and got my guilt surfacing), that I need to get back to sending cards. Especially now I'm in Stockholm, and all of my loved ones are not!
That doesn't mean that I won't stop greeting online or by a phone call, a lot of my friends and I have an unspoken rule of not sending cards anymore, (like a comfortable silence) and that's ok, (or at least I think it is??!!)...and to be honest I don't have many of my friends' addresses anymore (oh gawd I'm digging a deeper hole than I need to!!!). I guess what I'm trying to say is, I am going to try and make more of an effort!

Fika Town cards are perfect for those who you know in Stockholm...or a Swedish friend or loved one abroad, and actually if they're not Swedish, it gives them an insight into your Swedish world!
They've hit the nail on the head when it comes to spotting the things we first notice about Stockholm, a play on cultural happenings and keeping it simple and humorous with their designs.

The cards come in six different collections:
'Fika', 'Style', 'Wedding', 'Stereo', 'Birthday' and 'Baby'. Pretty much covers the niceties of life. I love how positive and fun their company seems to stand for. Their website www.fikatown.com is clean, easy to get around, informative, and makes you smile. They can even personalise your cards if you get in contact with them. These are a few of my faves....