Red, White and Blue

Yes, The Diamond Jubilee is a week away...and hopefully you've got everything sorted out for your party (panic and mayhem set in yet??!)...the bunting, the tableware, the menu..but wait...haven't you forgotten about the most important person in your life?!

Yes, I'm sure your furry friend will be joining in the fun of it, getting utterly spoilt by all your guests, dipping into the leftovers and, well, if they are anything like Le Cat, they'll find a quiet little corner and most probably snooze for the day!

As we all know, we're a pet loving nation, and the Queen herself wouldn't have anything less for her Corgi's, so here's a few fun things I found to share!


Elizabeth the Catnip Mouse
By KrafyKats UK, www.etsy.com

Image: etsy.com, Mouse - £3.00

Diamond Jubilee Dog Bandana with Corgi Wearing Crown
By DoggyDesign, www.etsy.com

Image: Etsy.com, Bandana - £5.91

Purrly Queen Cat Bowl
By Molly & Berts, www.mollyandberts.com
(They also have a 'Purrly King' too!)

Image: Molly&Berts, Bowl - £20

Collar and Lead with Heart Tag
By Jingo Dog, www.notonthehighstreet.com

Image: notonthehighstreet.com, Lead - £30

China Butterflies

I have fallen in love with these china butterflies made from reclaimed fine bone china saucers from www.lightly.com.au.  I came across them as I whizzed through Clerkenwell Design Week in Farringdon, London the other day...Just so pretty!

The Other Art Fair

I went to an inspiring art exhibition last Sunday. 'The Other Art Fair' was housed in what almost looked like a secret hideaway, tucked away around the corner of the University of Westminister, on Marylebone Road, London. Here, up and coming artists sold their work directly to the public, prices starting from £50 onwards. It was an energising experience, where gifted unsigned artists got the chance to introduce and talk directly about their art and vision to people who were there to buy or have a casual wander of curiosity. A yearly event, 'The Other Art Fair' is targeted to both art lovers and the not so in-the-know but who have a chance to possibly just buy something they are drawn to.

A 'free' interactive art wall
for visitors

                                                                                                                                                            

There was such a diverse range of artists' and their work there, from fine art to abstract, prints to sculptures, all with one thing in common...sharing their thoughts about their work on a personal level. I will definitely go to The Other Art Fair again next year. You get the chance to talk one to one with the artist of whom's work you would actually want to buy, and after all, the artist I'm sure would want you to keep it for life and build memories from it.

I thought I'd share three artists' work with you of which caught my eye amongst all of the gifted exhibitors.

Keira Rathbone, Typewriter Artist.

Follow her on facebook or/and Twitter

The unconventional approach that Keira takes with expressing her art comes in the form of a typewriter. She creates beautiful and intelligent art works, all 'drawn' from the simplistic keys/letters of a typewriter. In today's modern age of technology, going back to an almost forgotten tool  such as a typewriter and creating images that are inspired by people and her surroundings is creative and inventive. There was much hustle and bustle at Keira's stand at The Other Art Fair, people were intrigued as was I.

Keira Rathbone, at her stand in The Other Art Fair

Kingly Court
Image from Keira Rathbone's facebook.

Rosie Emerson, Photographer and Artist.

www.rosieemerson.co.uk

Follow Rosie Emerson on facebook or/and Twitter

I was taken aback by the strikingly beautiful works of Rosie Emerson. Stunning imagery of elongated forms of the female body. What is evident is the femininity and power within the works she creates, some almost mystical like. Rosie's works have been sited in many major publications such as The Independant, Vogue and Harpers Bazaar, and the fashion world have embraced her for her 'Alchemy' portfolio (2011), in which she had collaborated with Jewelry designer  Annoushka Ducas. Rosie works through different mediums, such as, ink, collage and acrylic.



Rosie Emerson's stand at 'The Other Art Fair'

Kate Moss, acrylic and collage on paper
Image from www.rosieemerson.co.uk

Kate Knight, Artist/Painter.

www.kateknight.org

Follow Kate  Twitter

Kate's work really oozes depth and beauty. She works with watercolours and gold imitation leaf on paper, and produces stunning pieces that are thought provoking and uses the most vibrant colours such as deep purples and blood red, all connected at 'aiming to express the aesthetics of desire, sex and death, descriptive as well as recalling the memory of the body.'

'Flight', Kate Knight.org

'Encrusted Blackened Heart XVI', Kate Knight.org

London Love

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.

Le Cat

So after around five weeks of rain in London....I think somebody's happy....

Le Cat, lounging in the much needed sun light....

Simply be Cos

Maybe it's be Cos (see what I done there? Ha! :) I spent a year in Stockholm, that I drift towards more subtle yet stylish designs, but there's something about Swedish labels that are not only trustworthy (not in the boring sense at all), but you know that you are investing in a timeless piece.

With a flash of eye popping colour amongst mostly muted, minimalist tones and design, Cos (Collection of Style), one of the five sister labels from the H&M group, really are becoming the true leaders of affordable fashion on the high street at the moment.

Offering affordable, ready to wear designs (Women, Men's and Children) here in London, (oddly opening in Stockholm after!) and expanding internationally, they are flying the Swedish fashion flag and going from strength to strength since 2007, and so if you didn't know about Cos, where have you been right? Their latest opening is in Milan - yes my jealousy creeped up as I watched my Twitter feed in a frenzy last night with people attending their Press night!

Don't be fooled by the simplicity of some of their designs and opt for basics elsewhere at a cheaper price point...if you want quality (as you deserve!), you will see that Cos are passionate about thinking fabric, detail and investment pieces to fill your wardrobe. The mantra 'Less is More' rings true, and yet they also excite with their more innovative and trend led designs.

And if the H&M brand weren't spoiling us enough with Scandinavian cool (think Cheap Monday, Monki, and Weekday), it seems, as reported last month, we will see '&OtherStories', the luxurious new label from H&M, set to launch in 2013! Can't wait!

Until then, I'll leave you with my picks of the week....Simply be Cos....

Photo: Cos

Cotton Panel Top

Sheer Patch Pocket Shirt

Matte Cuff

Photo: Cos

Tiles that make me smile

So you know when you buy just one little thing...and it sets off this frenzy that you neeeed to have more in your life. It used to be shoes for me. I would love a pair, and have to have them in at least two other colours..oh and scarves/shawls...my trips to India since a teenager have done that. I have shelves in my wardrobe dedicated to them, and vacuum packed (large) bags stored as I just don't have the room!

Well, the other day, I popped into my local secondhand store, and I was drawn to a small, pretty tile. It was the femininity, the simplicity of the bird and it also reminded me of a henna design that made me smile. It also goes perfectly with some blue glass bottles I brought home from Spain a few years ago. Think I'm on roll!

Blue Bird Tile 29 pence from a thrift store

As seen on www.salvagesisters.co.uk love this blog and tile!

Owl, Kenneth Townsend

                                                                  

I need this in my life...

A jump from my usual grey options, if I only buy one bag this Spring/Summer, then it has to be this green satchel from UK based The Cambridge Satchel Company . At a steal £74, it's worth investing in more than one..after all, they have an array of neon colours for SS12 and I can't resist the Graphite Grey it's a-calling!

For a personalised touch, they also offer an in house embossing service too!

Follow them on Twitter @CamSatchelCo

The perfect SS12 range

Graphite Grey

Through the looking Glass

Meandering through my weekly online shop, I came across www.glassboutique.co.uk based in Brick Lane, London. A smaller store within the online market place, holding sixteen brands for both men and women, Scandinavian labels sit comfortably with Parisian, US and British brands. There is a simplicity and effortlessly understated cool to their handpicked choices with guaranteed staples in your wardrobe and being a smaller business, they don't compromise on their customer service, as I experienced when I gave them a call to enquire about something, they were friendly and the 'can do' attitude came across, which is imperative these days within such a competitive market.

Right now, they have an amazing Mid Season sale - up to 70% off! And their shipping costs are low and affordable too - as a bonus, Standard Delivery within the UK is free with orders over £40. Get in there quick, there are limited sizes, but fret not, newness coming in within two weeks.

It's always important to support the smaller boutiques and Independents, and that includes online. I'm excited to see what's to come with Glass Boutique...for now, I'll leave you with my fave pieces!

Follow them on Twitter: @glassboutique

YMC Womens Military Boot in Rust Was £221 Now £85

Libertine Libertine, Pipe in Stripe £45

 

YMC Michela Jumpsuit Navy, Was £212 Now £159

Penfield Tee Vintage, with Floral Chest Pocket Detail £35
                                                                                          

                        

                                                                                               

Mens - Triwa Watches Nevil Havana in Orange £185

       
                                                                                        

A nod to the visual past..

I love stumbling across old photographs, especially one's of family. I can spend hours going through albums..and although the present digital world and the instagram takeover makes it so easy for us all to snap our moments and memories, there was nothing like the anticipation and thrill that came with processing or receiving photographs, as though it were a gift.

My Aunt, 1967, Mumbai, India.

London Fashion Week Street Style, Location: Somerset House